(Okita)
That dojo where the Battosai lives is a quiet place. Not well-secured at all. Is he that confident in his skills that he’d live behind such flimsy walls? But he is a bit younger than the rest of us – I remember when he came on to the scene in Kyoto, and finally seeing him face-to-face – the eyes of a killer in the face of a boy younger than I. And I thought I was set to the sword young…
Does he remember our fight? Does he know that it was our destiny to cross swords, how Hajime-kun impeded that? Does he feel the loss of it still? It’s said that back then he lived without emotion or feeling, but no swordsman that strong truly can.
Then I circle around to the school. The children have already left. It’s too bad there are children involved. My Hide-san has an old picture of the oldest girl, she’s cute and looks to be lively. And there’s a baby…
I go near where they live. And when I see a “discrete” man standing nearby…. and those high, thick walls… I grin. Now there’s a man who knows he can’t defend his home. And he couldn’t, could he? It’s said that that imposter simply broke the lock and walked right in…
I -am- sorry about what Yagi-san had to go through. It really was too bad. And nearly drove my Hide-san a bit mad, hearing it, as she screamed the name of a man who didn’t come to her rescue. Yes, yes, he got there -eventually-… but at least my Hide-san had her plans ready. Her witnesses. She had expected it at a different time… but it was always meant to happen.
Well, I guess I can’t just barge in and announce myself, like we did in the old days. Kondou-san really liked that. I circle through some other side streets, where I can glance at the corners of the property. Hmmm… the TMPD is doing all of this for Hajime-kun? Interesting. I turn back, keeping careful watch for my old friend as I head away. He’s the sort that would be lurking about.
(OOC – Okita is in the neighborhood. He’s being careful not to be seen by anybody at the house and is staying aware of Saitou. Anybody out and about can run into him)
Shindou:
After I told mother that Yagi-san is safe, she wanted me to deliver her some of the produce from our garden. Of course I hesitate to go visit their home but I must be able to do things I’m uncomfortable with, like visit the house of my superior where I’m most definitely no longer welcome.
I wonder am I unwelcome because of my poor performance during the raid in Yoshiwara or my abandonment of my duty or is it because I went too far with Aioi-san. I sigh and grip the paper bag full of vegetables closer to my chest.
It’s then that I notice a short man who seem to be lost? He stops close by the Superintendent’s house and then did an about face and yet his eyes linger on the walls. Who is he? This neighborhood is not one where people go to as it’s out of the way and there are no stores nearby. It’s purely a residential area.
“You seem lost sir? May I help you?” I ask him as a form of public service I suppose.
You seem lost sir? May I help you?
I stop and look at the young man. He’s dressed in normal clothing, but there’s some authority in his voice. Ex-army? Not old enough… but is he actually someone?
“Oh, thank you, young man,” I say, “I’m a native of this city when it was called Edo, and was away for many years. It’s just nice to come stroll thought the neighborhoods that still look like they would have been there, back then.” My sister, it’s said, lived just on the other side of the river until Rintaro-san died, and now she’s all the way in Manchu… there’s only two people alive in Edo now who know this face, I suppose.
I laugh, but my eyes are careful on him and his bundle. “Delivering food – you don’t look like a farmer.” He looks like he’s protecting it? Curious.
“I’m a native of this city when it was called Edo, and was away for many years. It’s just nice to come stroll thought the neighborhoods that still look like they would have been there, back then.”
“I see.” I eye him carefully, taking note of what he looks like because it’s only recently that this neighborhood had a kidnapping. The one I’m visiting today. He says he used to live here when it was called Edo? That’s a -long- time ago but his face still looks so young and the voice doesn’t have any deep tones to it.
“Delivering food – you don’t look like a farmer.”
“My mother is.” I smile affably, “I guess she’s made me her free delivery boy.”
It’s then that I had an idea, “Since you’re new, if you live close by I can check if we can deliver to you.”
He’s pretty obvious in checking me out… why would a farmer’s son care so much?
“It’s important to be a good son,” I agree, nodding. “You must be a great comfort to her.” He’s too young to be army, but too old to just be a delivery boy?
Since you’re new, if you live close by I can check if we can deliver to you
Clever boy! I just smile, “well, to be honest, we’re not settled yet, and my lady is the one who takes care of the food – I’d never but the right thing and then I’d be the one to suffer for it!” I rub my stomach with a bit of a mock frown. She’s not the excellent cook Yagi-san was, but… different versions, I suppose. I mentioned it once and got one of her -looks-. “Just because we’re both weeds doesn’t mean that we’re the same.”
“Well, I shouldn’t keep you, young man.” I’ll have to keep an eye out for this one… it’s not normal to be interested in other people. But I knew even back in the old days, and from Toshi-san’s last few letters from the north, that Hajime-kun has a way of finding people to be useful to him.
You must be a great comfort to her.”
“I hope so.” I laugh a little.
And then he tells me about a lady who does the cooking and that he wouldn’t but he still seemed disappointed.
“Just because we’re both weeds doesn’t mean that we’re the same.”
That’s an odd expression. I’ve never heard that one before.
Well, I shouldn’t keep you, young man.”
I nod and laugh. “You’re right… Err. What did you say your name was again Mr?”
I stand there waiting for him to reply. In fact it’s probably best I wait until he leaves. Just to be sure nothing untoward happens to this young looking supposedly old man.
(Ooc: you can close. Shindou will wait for okita to be out of sight before he proceeds.)
He has an odd look on his face and I realize that I repeated Hide-san’s words outloud. “Something my lady told me once,” I say, laughing.
He then asks for my name, and I raise an eyebrow, “I didn’t. I’m Miyagawa Katsugorō.” This young man seems harmless but asks good questions… he’s one to be careful around.
I turn away, and wave one hand as I walk away. It’s good to learn what I can. I guess I’m more of a Yamazaki these days… but I only have so much strength so I have to move at the -right- time.
(OOC – Close)