(Souji)
Jail is just… boring. It reminds me of the times that I was lost in limbo, just…. waiting. The food here is terrible. And… I’m lonely. I’ve been a loner for a long time, but Hajime-kun had me put in solitary so I’m not really alone. So I have nothing to do but think. About what happens after that? I’ve never been good thinking about the future. I didn’t have one.
It’s then that the past so often comes back.
It happened when I was fifteen. They had it all prepared. We agreed that I could leave my hair as-is, but as for the rest… that I would become a man that very night. I’d already been using a real sword for six years by that point, and defeating much older men since then, but it takes a -woman- to make a man.
Toshi-san had it all arranged. He -always- did. He gave me a lecture on spending (even though it was his treat and I was under his protection), and of not “getting in over my head”. Yes, yes. They’re well-trained professional lovers. I knew something, by then, of being well-trained.
The girl they presented was…. -sweet-. With round cheeks that often blushed, and a demure smile. Pretty, not beautiful. I never got a good look at her eyes as she’d turn pink under her makeup and look away. While the other ladies bantered with Toshi-san, teased and flirted, she engaged in low conversation, on innocent topics. She barely poured me enough sake to keep my throat from drying out…
When the doors closed it was just her and I, some of the act was dropped, and she took care of it all like the professional that she was. Quickly and without fuss. I was now a man. After, she went back to averted eyes and blushes… but I knew enough about women to know that she was no innocent.
After, Toshi-san patted me on the back. “I knew she’d be your type – such a sweet girl, isn’t she? Like an ordinary village girl…”
“Why do you decide that’s my type?” I ask, trying not to keep my tone from being too sharp.
He smiles. “She’s just right for your first time – we agreed.” So Kondou-san had a hand in this too…
I look away. “And what was yours like?”
“Oh, she was an older woman, witty, so bold…!” He’s grinning, and then he stops, pulling out his pipe and lighting it, to smoke while we walked. “Well, I have a different type than you, I suppose.”
I’d ask why I don’t get to pick my own type. Toshi-san was the brother I never had, and Kondou-san is as close to a father as I’ll ever get (because it wasn’t going to be Rintaro-san).
I didn’t ask to go back. I didn’t want that sort of girl again, and that’s what I’d get. Rintaro-san came around, later, taking me to a different teahouse, and he didn’t feel the need to arrange things for me. So I got to pick. A woman with sharp eyes which affected a lazy, languid look. Red lips turned up, as if enjoying some private amusement. And when we were alone… now I see how men become addicted to a woman. How a woman could -consume- a man and leave him needing more.
Then there was Oume-san. She was like that second woman. Same eyes, same smile that seemed to know -secrets-. A lilting voice, and her look felt like a touch. She set me on -fire- and I don’t know what I wanted more – that Serizawa-san treated me like an adult, or that she did.
Toshi-san noticed that right away. And then she was dead, loyal to Serizawa-san. I remember looking at her that night, as she grasped towards him, only looking at him as she bled across the Yagis’ tatami mats.
Yagi… Yagi-san, the -first- one. The one who first came in as the most akward boy -ever-. And then it was all revealed that, oh, she’s actually a -girl-, and then Toshi-san got ideas and her parents got ideas and then there she was. Looking at me with those brown eyes, always so needy and beseeching and…. sucking the -life- out of me.
And when I, improbably, came back, was she there? No. I was offered up a replacement. And was my so-called best friend there, to help me? No, he was with -her-. But the Hide-san I have… worked out. She makes no demands – who I was in her version of life broke up with her on that day we moved to the temple, and not tricked into continuing on…
I had tried to let her down easy, that day. I was -kind- and I meant it. Even without my illness, I knew from the first time that I held that sword, that I was going to die young. Best to let her go -easy-. But Toshi-san, Kondou-san, saw it differently – “she’s such a sweet girl – just your type!”. Yagi-san’s father saw it differently, too. Stay friends. Let her help you. They saw a future I didn’t have.
And with that hope of hers, she held on. I tried to throw Asato-san in her path, but it wasn’t until I gave her what she wanted that she finally pulled away. It was that, that made her realize that I couldn’t be what she was looking for.
I look out the window in my cell and see a slight, small man pacing on the street outside. I smile. It’s Hide-san – I know she’s trying to get to me, as she always has. Lower expectations… am I what she wants? She’s content. I’m content. Nothing out of balance. Her eyes don’t bother me.
Now, just to get out of this place… I sigh.
(OOC – Souji is in jail – where else?)
Zanza:
“Let me go! I’m innocent I tell you!”
I try to shake off the guards but man have they gangged up on me!
“Damn! You’re an annoying one!”
“I’m not annoying! I just beat up 10 men in the street because they weren’t paying at the Akabeko! I’m a defender of the weak I tell you!”
“Oh we’ve heard of you Zanza! So you’re back!”
“We better put him in one of the stronger cels! There’s only that long haired runt there.”
I put my hands together in a begging gesture, “Come on man. Gimme a break.”
“Naruhodo-san! Can we brig him in the back?”
A young guy stares at me and I give him a wicked grin. I can -easily- escape from here.
He tilts his head and instantly I’m led to the back cells and thrown to the ground. Damn these police guys are rough.
“Zanza’s the rumored fight merchant a decade ago. He used to carry a Zanbato. We better be careful with a man like that.”
I scramble to the metal bars to see that young officer giving a history of my awesomeness to the others. Well they’re not all idiots.
“Hoy! Make sure you tell Lt. Fujita, Zanza’s here!”
The young guy turns around with a surprised look on his face but then moves on.
But now I’m here just like I planned.
There’s a scuffle outside, and some loud guy is shouting, along with a whole group of those TMPD officers. I put my pillow over my head… I’d rather silence than some loudmouth.
But then they open my cell, and fling a tall man inside. I sigh. I also make sure I cough. I’m certain that my curse cannot infect others as Hide-san is fine, and only exists to weaken me when I want to really fight someone. But I did tell them, I have consumption…
What on earth is a Zanza? And as for a Zanbato… I thought those were some ancient fantasy. The sort of stories that the Yagi boys liked.
Hoy! Make sure you tell Lt. Fujita, Zanza’s here!
I pull the pillow from my face. -Now- he has my attention.
And I look at him, and blink. He resembles… so -much- – Harada-san. I shake my head. Well… he was a loudmouth too. But he died, not too far from here.
I sit up. “Hello… so you know ‘Lt Fujita’ as well? I didn’t know he knew any defenders of the weak.”
(OOC – not sure if Sano and Okita ever crossed paths in that other place, if they did, Okita doesn’t remember.)
Zanza::
“Hello… so you know ‘Lt Fujita’ as well? I didn’t know he knew any defenders of the weak.”
I grin. So he doesn’t remember me. Well nobody with Saitou truly does just like that “wife” of his Tokio.
I SMAK my fist together. “Well I know him, more as my enemy. He’s NO defender of the weak you see.”
I grin. “So you obviously know him as well. What got you in this hell hole?”
Holding out my hand I introduce my former self, “I’m Zanza. The greatest brawler in Tokyo.”
(Okita)
Well I know him, more as my enemy. He’s NO defender of the weak you see
“He only serves his justice,” I say, recalling one of his expressions. “But an enemy? What did you do to get on his bad side? Although he’s so grumpy, it’s not that hard!” I smile a bit. This Zanza is certainly putting on a show, smacking his fists together.
What got you in this hell hole?
“Getting on the wrong side as ‘Lt Fujita’,” I say, with a laugh. Well, isn’t that true? Since he wouldn’t fight me, and the Battosai wouldn’t… I sigh.
He sticks his hand out and I wonder what he’s doing. It’s that Western thing, but I’ve never seen people do it, as Hide-san and I usually stick to quiet places. I stick my hand out too. “Just Zanza? And I’ve been in Tokyo a few weeks, I’ve not heard of you – but I don’t go looking for brawls.”
It’s then I think of the police officers. Funny, one had a voice I’d heard before. Oh well. This world is full of echoes.
Zanza:
But an enemy? What did you do to get on his bad side?
“I was defending some friends of mine. And I gave him a beating.” I laugh a little that’s not true. “Well I guess the fight was more like even. I got a good beating too.” Still not completely true but close enough.
Getting on the wrong side as ‘Lt Fujita’,
I look him over? “You? You don’t look like you can take a beating.”
He holds out his hand and I go ahead and shake his hand and -squeeze-.
Just Zanza? And I’ve been in Tokyo a few weeks, I’ve not heard of you – but I don’t go looking for brawls.”
“Tch. JUST ZANZA THE LEGEND is enough. And you what’s your name?” Interesting this Okita. Is a lot more careful but it’s probably because he can’t put out in a fight. Not for long at least. Ohhh… wait, I bet Saitou would be very disappointed I’m jumping to conclusions again. I can almost hear him saying “ahou”!
“And only two weeks and already in jail?” I laugh at him. “I at least can avoid the police a lot longer than that.” Again not true i just got here the other day. Oh well.
(OOC – tomorrow)
You? You don’t look like you can take a beating
He’s… trying to bait me, isn’t he? I shake my head. Even without a sword, I was trained well in hand-to-hand as well.
“Oh, I’m small and middle aged, sadly. Not quite so old as your friend the Lieutenant, though.” I chuckle a bit. It’s a matter of months, but I’ll claim it.
He again tries to bait me with the aggressive handshake. He’s amusing. I wonder if Hajime-kun has this much fun with him?
“Miyagawa Katsugorō,” I say, using that name again, but if he can call himself after a ridiculous weapon… “And legend? I’ve not heard of you… but as I said, I’ve not been in this corner of Tokyo for long.”
I at least can avoid the police a lot longer than that
A chuckle again. “Well I had intended to wrap up two projects, but one was a failure… and… we’ll have to see about the other.” Hide-san will get me out. And maybe if I approach again… I can get the Battosai to drop the façade he seems to be pulling.
Zanza:
Oh, I’m small and middle aged, sadly. Not quite so old as your friend the Lieutenant, though.”
He smiles but he doesn’t take the bait. He thinks he’s pretty dangerous isn’t he? But I play along. “Hora hora! I told you he’s not my friend.” Suddenly I give him the evil eye, “And if you say that again…” I smack my fist together. “I’ll show you what I showed him.”
Because it doesn’t really matter to me if we end up brawling here or outside. Without his sword, unless he’s as good as Saitou – I’m going to win on sheer physical ability alone. Now that I’ve “worked on” what he said my weakness was. And besides if I can stop him here, he never has to bother Kenshin again.
He gives me a name and I know it’s fake of course. He’s Okita. No mistake from how Kenshin described him and how I remember him -briefly-.
“Well I had intended to wrap up two projects, but one was a failure… and… we’ll have to see about the other.”
“Heh. a 50% failure rate?” I toss my head back, “That’s no good Miyagawa-san. Maybe you should hire a fight merchant like me on your -other- project.”
And if you say that again… I’ll show you what I showed him.
With that hair and all of this strutting around…. I laugh. “Anyone ever compare you to a rooster, Zanza?” And I can’t imagine what he could show Hajime-kun. He was one of the best without his sword – just a tenacious, -smart- fighter. But I know better than to engage in anything here. After all, I want to get out, and brawling with this man who seems to enjoy causing a ruckus would get me too much attention.
That’s no good Miyagawa-san. Maybe you should hire a fight merchant like me on your -other- project
“Oh, I don’t think that would be something you could stomach,” I say. I didn’t think I could, but once she started talking about her little hopeful visions, all while she worked to deny me for so long…
“So if you know all about ‘Fujita’, you know his woman? The little plain one?” I grin over at him. “Before you came, I was reminiscing about women I’ve known in the past.” Oh, but now he’ll probably be just as much of a “rooster” over women…
“Oh, I don’t think that would be something you could stomach,”
“Don’t get the wrong idea Miyagawa-san, I’ve seen a lot.” I look at him wickedly. “Get me a 100 men and I’ll beat them to a pulp.”
“So if you know all about ‘Fujita’, you know his woman? The little plain one?”
“No I don’t. I only know about the tall long haired one who ran away from him.” I shake my head, “Look I’m a fight merchant but I don’t touch children and women. Don’t tell me your other project is this little woman you are referring to? If yes then I’m -out-. Can’t tarnish my reputation that way you know.”
I shrug and for the first time look very disinterested in him. Well I guess the truth is, I wouldn’t have done his bidding anyway.
Get me a 100 men and I’ll beat them to a pulp
“I’d like to see that,” I say, nodding. Perhaps drunks? I think people who haven’t been in a lot of fights don’t realize just how long it takes to get through one person – and a sword is a much quicker and elegant way to go about it.
Don’t tell me your other project is this little woman you are referring to? If yes then I’m -out-. Can’t tarnish my reputation that way you know.
“Oh, just an awkward change of subject, I suppose,” I say, with a chuckle. “I knew her once.” The tall long haired one? That would have to be the famous Tokio-san… the one who sat through an entire dinner, once, like a statue. “But I’m glad to hear you have standards, Zanza.”
It’s then I hear the dinner cart rolling down the hall. “Don’t get too excited, it’s terrible here,” I say, with a shrug.
The old man who hands out the food breaks into a smile, though, coming up to our cell. “Sanosuke-kun! I thought I told you to stay out of this place! And it’s been so long – I thought you stopped fighting with everyone!” He tuts at him.
This is weird… is his name -really- Sanosuke? I look up at the ceiling, sighing. Are they teasing me at this point?
Zanza:
“I’d like to see that,”
I wave my hand dismissing it. “I’ve been through many of those. It gets boring after a while.” I grin suddenly remembering something, “Now life and death battles… That’s what I like!”
“Oh, just an awkward change of subject, I suppose,” I say, with a chuckle. “I knew her once.”
I can’t help but start to laugh, “So you’re in jail because you’re going after Fujita’s woman?” I laugh some more and hit his shoulder. “-You-? You’re cute but you’re no lady killer.” Ah bad description I guess. Too bad.
Dinner comes and of course my cover is almost blown. Almost…
“Sanosuke-kun! I thought I told you to stay out of this place! And it’s been so long – I thought you stopped fighting with everyone!”
“Ojii-san! Call me Zanza in here!” I grin at him, “Defender of the weak and money maker to boot! -Needs- his legend to continue you know?”
I take the two bowls of food and give it to Okita. “Here eat up. If you want to have a chance at Fujita’s woman, you’re going to have to look much better than -that-.” Because he does look rather terrible, never mind weak. Cute boys in shabby clothing don’t make for lady killers. Or maybe they do, on second thought. Kenshin certainly thinks so.
(OOC: You can close. Sagara will stay here in the jail cel with Okita.)
Now life and death battles… That’s what I like!
I look him over. “You seem too young to have seen those,” I chuckle. He must have been a small child when the war ended. And while some of us were too young, I don’t think either side was desperate enough for the under-10 set.
So you’re in jail because you’re going after Fujita’s woman?
I laugh. “Hardly! Although he’d probably like to kill me – since I had her first.” I grin. But it always seems, from what Hide-san told me, that he put the blame on Yagi-san. But that’s fair. It was her pestering that made it happen. He punches my shoulder and yes, he’s strong, but he’s nothing like the man he resembles. “And thanks for calling me cute, but despite some old stories, I’m not that type, even if you do get lonely in here.” So he’s one of those! I guess that explains the hyper-masculine strutting!
I watch as he corrects the old man about his name. Funny, this one… but I remember the name for later.
Here eat up. If you want to have a chance at Fujita’s woman, you’re going to have to look much better than -that-
I take the bowl and try not to grimace at the smell. “Oh no, and besides, I don’t think she’ll be his woman much longer, but I’m not in the running as a replacement,” I say. Funny how that worked out. Just like Hide-san said…
(OOC – close)