Saitou:
I got a head start. I look out the window, thinking that Shindou probably just delivered the message to the weasel. That should keep them out of Ito for a few days and hopefully Shinomori as well but it’s more important that they secure the warehouses and rescue those women and I close this before the witch gets wind of what’s happened in Yokohama.
That’s probably well within Shindou’s and the weasel’s capability, doing “rescues”. It’s not my strength. Never been. If there was collateral damage regardless of who it was, the enemy or I, it wouldn’t matter. Anyone who takes up a sword knows they can forfeit their life anytime. And rescuing someone? That requires a different kind of fortitude and mind-set that is different from a manslayer. And if I needed proof, I only need to look back at Osaka.
A manslayer huh? The Battousai used to be…Maybe… With his oath not to kill, he’s always saving that woman of his or his “friends”. While I used to take pride in the fact that my woman and my family was -safe-. I tap the cigarette ashes out the window. I thought protection was something I -could- do. But rescuing some? -Not- my specialty and it became -his-. Is it because he refuses to kill while I would not even bat an eye if I made someone’s head roll? Well that’s how I made such a mess of it, rescuing any of them. It didn’t matter who Saya, Aioi much less Hide. And I didn’t even try with any of my previous wives.
With a sigh I lean back into the lightly padded seat and close my eyes. It’s in these moments when I’m made to be -still- that I ruminate instead of getting myself ready. It’s different of course, when you’re in the middle of battle your body knows what to do before you even think it. It used to be so easy to cut through anyone’s -crap- but it’s difficult to cut through mine. I eat all of my words before I can even spout them. Or worst, I spout them even if I don’t mean them. I can hear Usui and Shishio in their graves laughing.
I reach into my back pocket and pull it out. Stare at it a bit.
“We can only move forward. No matter how much we wish to return.”
I can still hear Yaso whisper those words to me. She knew of course what I dare not speak and up to now, just the mere fact I took this thing back is proof that I never really let go. But it -is- a dream now. I can only move forward. I place it back into my pocket and in an effort to distract myself, I take out that thing outside of this world that many use to amuse themselves with. Me? I just need it to drown out my thoughts. Even if the words doesn’t help, at least it’s not me saying it out loud.
I let myself indulge for now, to get it out of my system before I get to Ito. I have a -job- to do there. At least they’re far away from here and I know they’ll be safe there even if the situation is uneasy.
(OOC: Saitou will post here again to visit with Muriyama)
Ito Shizuoka… How can an idyllic beach town harbor such vile stock? I ask myself but at once think what a foolish question that was. It’s precisely the reason why those contemptible people chose this place. To hide from us while utterly poisoning and corrupting the place. I throw my cigarette to the ground and call for Muriyama Buchou and again his wife comes. But she recognizes me this time and although her ambivalence shows, it’s not like before where hostility was in her eyes. I bow slightly at her as she leads me quickly inside and deposits me to a back room. No longer in the front room huh? That’s good. It means that they understood the importance of being discreet.
“Ah Fujita-san.” He comes in with a smile. Not forced. Sits across from me.
“How have things been here in Ito?”
He shakes his head, “It’s not good. There’s no policing happening anymore and there’s only drunkards at night. It’s not safe for women and children to be out. Those who could leave already left. I guess we’re the last remaining stalwarts. We grew up here you know. Nowhere else to go.”
None of it surprises me of course. I simply nod my head and light a smoke and immediately Muriyama stands up and brings back an ashtray.
“You’re a smoker?”
“No. But I have many friends who are.”
I grin slightly. “I’m sorry at what’s happened to your town. But with your help I’d like to put this -wrong- to right.”
“Of course.” He sits back down and leans in, “You got the message from Miyake-san right?”
I nod, “It’s helpful for me to put together a theory.”
“What did you find out?”
“Well I sent my acquaintances to Yokohoma to find a few warehouses that they’re using to house what’s likely illegal drugs that they get shipments from Osaka.”
“I did hear that there’s an old woman who is from Osaka but none of my men have seen her at all.”
“She’s hiding of course. In the Sugiyama onsen.” I blow out a smoke, “We’ll have to act quickly, once those men I sent to Yokohama sequesters the warehouses, no doubt word will get to here.”
“And vice versa.”
I nod, “Yes.”
“But why are you the only one here Fujita-san. Surely you’ve let Central know of our predicament…”
“The TMPD’s hands are tied for -now- unfortunately but I’ve gotten assurances that the backup I’m expecting will be released once there’s definitive proof.”
“Isn’t Ito itself proof enough?” He growls a little.
“Muriyama Buchou… Do not be angry. Central is in a perpetually understaffed state with the Army continuously recruiting from the TMPD ranks and aside from which there’s still many smaller riots that occur all over Japan.” I look at him, “You said it yourself, it’s -your- hometown.”
He nods. “Whatever you need. I and my men are ready.”
“Well first, I need some information from the Ito Police Department. You still have some men loyal to you there right? Musashi perhaps?”
“Yes Musashi is a good man if you remember.”
I smile slightly, “Yes he looked after my family while we were hiding in the Hanafubuki.” Those days seem so long ago and I ask myself should I still be calling us a family? I narrow my eyes at that. “The new chief, Yamato cannot be holding his contingent together without much financial support. And his financier is of course Yasutake.”
“Yasutake?”
“Yes that’s the real name of the old woman from Osaka. We recently put her son behind bars in Kyoto but the police didn’t know the extent of their smuggling business… Much less their human trafficking.”
His eyes grow wide. “It’s one thing to smuggle drugs but human trafficking is an entirely new level.”
I grit my teeth a bit at this. I should’ve picked up on it, no matter what was happening to me at that time. But it took a Shinobi plastering it in front of my face before I took it seriously. The clues were there – Kato’s wife for one… Miyagawa wanting “interpreters”. But -enough-, I can only move forward.
“We can’t let these unscrupulous policemen get away. So I need to know from Musashi if they’ve been receiving bribe or protection money from Yasutake or -anyone- from the Sugiyama onsen.”
“Since Musashi isn’t part of their group, it might be difficult to get that information. But I’ll ask him, maybe he knows someone who saw something.”
“Not just saw something, I need a record.” I insist. I hate doing this Kawaji’s way but there’s another reason, much more personal that I need to do this for. “I’ll need the information quickly, if possible tonight.”
“I’ll get to him. Don’t you worry Fujita-san.” He looks at me resolute.
“Also make sure your men are ready at a moments notice. We’ll need them for a raid likely in the next few days.”
“Hmph! We’ll be ready.”
“I’ll have to find a way to speak to Sugiyama today. Information likely has to come -both- ways. She’ll be important to our operation but aside from you and Musashi – don’t speak of her to anyone.”
“Sure I understand that she’s the owner of the onsen but doesn’t that mean she’s in cahoots with this Yasutake Fujita-san? Can she be trusted? She might go running to that old woman.”
I look at him, “We’ll have to trust her. I have reasons to believe she’ll do as we ask.” Because what kind of hell does she want to endure under that witch’s grasp? And I’m still hoping that she’ll produce what I need to help clear Hide’s name once it comes up. If by some off chance I fail to kill the witch myself.
“Alright Fujita-san. We’re at our last straw here so whatever happens can’t possibly any worst than being a hostage in our own town.”
“Good.” I stand up. “If you don’t mind, do you have a place where I can change into something less conspicuous?” I show him my bag. Although I didn’t come in uniform I’m still wearing a western pants and shirt and that will stand out in this tourist town… Where in fact there’s hardly any tourist anymore, just vile visitors. I’ll have to dress like one of them, in a garrish kimono instead.
“Of course, please come this way.” He leads me towards another room, “By the way, where are you staying?”
“I’m not sure yet. I have some ideas.”
“You can stay here.”
“No. That’s not an option. I’m sure you’re being watched from time to time. So I need to limit my contact with you. Is Takikawa still around?”
“Oh that hermit? Yes.”
“Meet me there this evening. You can take Musashi with you if you want. Just be careful Buchou.”
“You’re a very fastidious and cautious man Fujita-san and yet I see you’re one willing to take risks.”
I just glance at him. Fastidious? Cautious? None of the sort. But as for taking risks, I can now that they’re inn the safest place I can think of. Aizu. I get dressed and quickly leave Muriyama’s house by the backdoor, carefully ensuring no one has spotted me.
I wonder has my note to Yamato-“sama” gotten to his desk yet. This bumbling fool Fujita needs some money.
(OOC: Saitou will start a thread mid-afternoon for the Sugiyama onsen. As for the letter – i’ll write the contents here for Yamato or one of his men to deliver to Yasutake.)
(Delivered by Police Telegram – Afternoon)
Yamato-san,
Thank you for your hospitality when I visited last week. It’s good to know that you and I have a mutual acquaintance and that I can rely on you to keep Madame Yasutake informed in the ongoing investigation of her long lost relative. As I explained when we first met, I am helping the Madame locate them here in Tokyo. Unfortunately the contact who can divulge where her relative is, requires some money to cover his “expenses” in trying to get in contact with the Madame’s kin. Board, lodging, incidentals and all that. Aside from of course, monetary gifts to make the reunion more palatable.
If you could kindly let the Madame know to send ($$$$) as soon as possible so I can be the bearer of excellent news when I return to Ito. I hope to hear back from your good office. I’ll be checking the same telegraph office for your response in the next day or two as time is of the essence.
Regards,
Fujita Goro
Police Assistant TMPD
(OOC: Assume that Yamato (Ito Police Chief who replaced Muriyama) will send one of his lackeys to the onsen sometime that night as his men are always going there anyway for the “kicks”. Saitou will now start a thread with Sugiyama. Oh and as for Yamato’s allegiances, obviously he is “loyal” to the Madame as he sees her as his golden egg and because he knows the Madame controls Miyagawa – who got him the job in the first place. Yamato in character will defend Mama-sama.)