“They’re moving.” I tell him, the one who was frozen just outside the Precinct. I glance at the Ito Prefectural Precinct and scoff a bit. “You’re willing to let those abominations fester and corrupt everything… No. -Everyone- here?”
I glance back at him. His head hangs low and I can’t see his face with that straw hat drawn over his face like that. I hate to those things but they were necessary when we used to work the fields during winter back up North. I much prefer wearing my police hat but I left it back at the house, at the end table – a habit I picked up ever since I met that woman… Idiot.
I suck on my cigarette. Should I tell him? I bet he’ll move if I do. Another child of his, one he no longer wanted is on the way. -I- wanted one but -he- didn’t and the woman always knew which one to go to bed with. But he didn’t tell her he didn’t want children anymore realizing he couldn’t really be a good guardian to -any- of them. Now me. I’d make a good guardian. I’d discipline the hell out of that boy and that daughter of mine.
Tell him? I blow out a long stream of smoke. When she was missing him that time, I felt sorry for her and thought I should get this fool. I was all she had after all. But I decided against it. Why get -this- fool, when I was perfectly capable just by -myself-. And so I hung around the house and she came. But oh but she wanted him. She’ll only have me if she gets him too. -Wonderful-. And then tells me -my- child is on the way. She almost convinced me, so sure was she that it was mine when it was still this damn fool.
Forget it. I’m -not- telling. Besides what kind of motivation is that? Does she need to get knocked up everytime he losses the will to live?
“The weasel is coming and that ward of yours.” I frown as he doesn’t even -stir-. “Everyone is in Aizu. Our friends are taking care of them but I worry about the other one. He’s unstable.”
I hear a groan. -Pathetic- if that’s how he shows signs of life. I ash my cigarette. “I -hate- that she’s still trying to get to you. You don’t deserve a life. Much less a life to -live-.” I go closer, “You’re even worst than when you first came to me for the orderly closure of this space. Imagine, you saw everything here as a shadow and now you’ve become a mere shadow of yourself. All because of a woman and what she no longer gives you.”
Bending over I reach for his nippontou.
“Not yours.” He finally speaks and grasps his sword tightly.
He lost my sword last time and so I had him buy this one since a sword not specifically chosen by its owner is no sword to stake your life by. Much less a “borrowed” one… “A man who cannot hold on to his beliefs is pathetic…”
“In this world and the next.” He finishes.
“Everything here is -over-.” I tell him, “But I still want the orderly closure of this place. And I think…” I look down the street and see that other greenhorn. One that is much more to my liking than the other one who’s on the boat from Yokohama. “They too won’t let you lie still.”
He raises his head but doesn’t look at me. I -know- he’s awake. For whatever reason or maybe like me, maybe he too wants the orderly end he so desperately needed. Years ago.
“I’ll help you. No matter how long it takes.” I tell him and toss my cigarette, letting it fizzle in the snow. I’m all he’s got after all, the fool.
I shiver slightly from the strong gust of wind that led me to wake. I’ve… Never slept on the job before. I can’t help but feel a twinge of guilt at it all. I think if I had it my way I’d have slept even longer dreaming of the old days, that house I used to visit who had a lonely woman who seemed to like seeing me. I even dreamt that she told me we had another child on the way but oddly enough, none of the children were to be found. None of my boys and certainly not Makoto nor my little girl Ai. Ai… I had wanted to see her, smell that baby smell and put her against my chest, having her head lie still on my shoulder. I blink. I can’t be thinking of them now. They’re in a good place and will continue to be in a good place now that all of this including myself is far away.
I look at the direction of the precinct, earlier there were a few guest who came but Musashi didn’t come out. For a moment I worry that Musashi may have been caught. If he did, would he talk? I doubt it but it would mean half of our support tonight is gone and so is the element of surprise. The only real advantage that Muriyama has, what with his -paltry- group of men.
I’m told I’m enough to substitute for an army, that’s why I came straight here. Adachi and his men were my backup in case I failed here. And Shindou and the Oniwaban, well there was clean up and I can’t be in two places. I shiver again from the cold. I chastise myself for not dressing properly but there wasn’t much time and I don’t have much resources at my disposal here. I let out a breath into the palm of my hand and rub them together.
Finally…
I spy Musashi coming my direction.
“Do you have anything for the cold?” He asks. “My hands are getting numb from this cold.”
“Almost wish there was some snow coming down now sir? They say it’s less frigid when it snows.”
“Is that right? Now let me see your wares.”
“I can sell you this balm. It heats up after application but it’s mostly used to alleviate aches and pains.”
“I’d take anything right now.”
I smile and nod as I wrap the ointment in paper. “That will be 10 yen sir.”
“10 yen?!” He looks around, scanning the area for onlookers, “This must be some miracle balm you’re selling.”
I tilt my head and smile, “With how cold it is, it seems I’m the only one out here braving the cold sir.”
“Fine. Fine.” He reaches into his pocket and hand it over, “Here you go old man. I’ve got to return to the precinct. Now find some shelter from this biting weather.”
“Of course sir.” I bow and he leaves. I don’t bother to look at what he gave me. I’m sure it’s the evidence I’ve been looking for. I should secure it for now, after all securing the precinct isn’t just about taking it over by force. But forcing our way in, is only the first step in taking this town back. Reasons and evidence will come later.
(OOC: Saitou secures the message from Yamato to Fujita confirming that he was able to gain funds from Yasutake and that Fujita should hurry up and produce results quickly and report back to him so he can tell the madame. Saitou will move on from this thread. Close)