Saitou:
I get back to the Takikawa nurseries as the sun is setting. It reminded me a little bit of my previous life here, not that it mattered.
“They’re inside waiting for you.”
“Ah thank you Takikawa-san.” I look at him, wondering if there is a part for him to play but my thoughts was probably written plainly on my face as he starts to speak.
“Though Ito is a large tourist town, those who grew up here know each other -well-. I can’t say I’ll be helpful in whatever you and him are planning but I’ve opened up my home to you and if you need -more- then please don’t hesitate to ask.”
That’s… A change from earlier. I wonder if Muriyama spoke to him? But this is preferable either way so I nod my thanks and go to the back, where my old lodgings used to be. Where after a mid-day argument, I left her to go back to Tokyo my old life.
“Fujita-san.” Muriyama greets me and Musashi as well. I remind myself not to keep getting distracted by memories of that past. So we get down to business, sitting around a small table with only a low lamp but that’s enough. There’s already an ashtray and I helped myself to the cigarette on the table.
I look at Musashi, “Did the Chief, brief you on what we need Musashi?”
He nods. He’s always been a man of very few words even at the Hanafabuki where we stayed to recover. Again I push those thoughts from my mind. “That man Yamato Itsuki and his right hand man Amari are providing protection for Yasutake who holds this town hostage as it’s a perfect base for her smuggling and trafficking operation.”
“Sir these men were specifically assigned by the Department of the Interior were they not?”
“They were.” I nod, “But only after incriminating evidence was planted against Muriyama Buchou and your seniors. Even Miyagawa would need a “reason”.”
“Miyagawa? So are you saying that someone in the Interior ministry has been after our town?”
Shaking my head I take a hit on the cig. “Yasutake was after your town, she has under her thumb an aspiring politician that she’s been financing – this Miyagawa Kinichiro” I leave out the portion where Miyagawa claimed he was being blackmailed by Yasutake herself. That maybe true but no need to cry crocodile tears for him. “He’s managed to work his way into the system and has not been shy riding the coat tails of his deceased patriarch. I went through the records and found that he was the one who approved their “assignment”. Aside from which an associate of mine caught a mole working under him who managed to remove police protection for a… witness.”
I stop and stare at the candle watching my smoke envelope it. I never considered Hide a witness. I didn’t want to put her in that seat, where her words would be questioned in every turn and private matters of her life dug up to assassinate her character. I wouldn’t… Couldn’t risk that. Just like I wouldn’t allow her to “help” and be the bait, even if it would be the straightest way to the old witch. She said I can protect her from the witch but the witch wasn’t even there and still now we are here… I wouldn’t have been able to protect her, perhaps the others in her mind could’ve but not I. Hide was always somewhat naive, hopeful, that lends her to much wishful thinking. And protecting is different from killing people Hide. No matter what pretty words or reasons are behind the murder.
“Fujita-san?”
I blink and look up.
“Are you alright Fujita-san?”
“Of course.” I say and straighten up.
“You look tired sir. Maybe we should adjourn for now.”
I can’t help but glare at Muriyama. “I got a -lot- of sleep in Tokyo and while on the train.” I say rather crossly. I did. It was the most sleep that I’ve had. And yet I can’t seem to shake the fatigue that’s been plaguing me lately. But this is not the time for that.
“So Musashi-kun, have you any records of these two men receiving anyone from the Sugiyama onsen? I’d say Yasutake herself but that’s highly unlikely since Sugiyama herself told me Yasutake never goes out. But perhaps a surrogate that brings bribe money to them.”
“No sir. Unlike the others, Yamato-san hardly leaves the precinct.”
“So Amari must be the one fetching the bribe money from Yasutake. Sugiyama also said that several of the policemen tend to go around the onsen and shake them down for money… Just like a yakuza thug would do.” I let out a growl.
I shrug dismissively “But it doesn’t matter. I already set a trap for him which will likely come tomorrow.”
“A trap?”
I nod and look at Musashi, “Likely tomorrow or the day after, someone will come bringing money directly to Yamato. He’s to send it to me directly.”
“What? So he -knows- you?” Muriyama exclaims.
“He knows Fujita Goro, a corrupt TMPD cop now also working for Yasutake.”
“How’d you manage that?” Muriyama leans in. “And how are you so sure that old woman is going to send the money to Yamato?”
“It’s a long story Muriyama-san and we don’t have time. But I’m -sure- the money’s coming. Sugiyama herself told me Yamato came himself this afternoon to bring my message to the old witch.”
“Wait Fujita-san. So you’ve been able to contact Sugiyama-dono? How is she?” Muriyama leans in. “To tell the truth, I thought she was just like the others. Basking in the new order.”
“She’s not doing well.” I look at him, “She could’ve run away Muriyama-san, just like the others. But she stayed because I think, the Onsen and this town still means something to her. Remember Muriyama, people are weak against violence and in times like these will seek their own self-preservation.” I ash my cigarette, “But she’s been giving me intel and I think she’ll be an important witness so we -must- get her out.”
“She can’t be that important as a witness Fujita-san. Once we take back the Precinct from those miscreants, then all will be well. She just needs to wait for our rescue.”
“She’s too important to me Muriyama.” I say. “I need to get her out before things start to get too hot.”
“I don’t understand Fujita-san. My men and I are ready. You just say the word and we’ll storm the Precinct.”
“No.” I stand up and pace the floor, “You see. This is not just some smuggling and trafficking business. That woman is after Hide… Yagi Hide.”
“Oh your wife. I see.”
I almost groan at that. Just a few months ago I was calling her my wife in public but now? But again, I shake my head and keep to the matter at hand. “Yasutake is after Yagi Hide because she believes Hide is the reason her son named Kato is behind bars. But that’s not the reason, we threw him behind bars for drug smuggling and abduction.”
“But I still don’t understand Fujita-san, what is Sugiyama’s role in all this?”
“Even if we were to capture Yasutake, she’d still rope in Hide as an accomplice and related to the Tanaka group. It wasn’t known by the TMPD at the time but Yasutake’s operation was under the umbrella of the heinous Tanaka group. We’ve since taken care of that menace…” I narrow my eyes. It took me years but it was over in an instant… Well it’s not really over. He said I’m opening a pandara’s box after all. “But Yasutake’s ambition is to take over that syndicate that is in disarray but is far reaching in japan. If she manages to do that, then the syndicate will re-organize and the TMPD’s efforts would be for -nothing-.
“And you don’t want your wife to be caught up in this…”
I’d correct him. Tell him Hide and I were never married. Never had a chance really. But what would that do? “I merely want Hide to stay safe and ensure that her innocence is preserved regardless of what kind of evidence Yasutake comes up with.”
“Do you know where the evidence is? Why not go directly for that Fujita-san?”
“I tried asking Sugiyama but she says it’s heavily guarded and besides…” I look at him again, “If there’s no need to put Sugiyama in danger, her testimony would likely suffice. I still plan to get to the evidence but it depends on what happens tomorrow.”
“Sir.” Musashi who has been all too quiet speaks up. “So tomorrow, what do you want me to do?”
“Very simple Musashi, make sure that the mule registers his or her name at the desk and who they are visiting. There’ll only be two people who’ll handle Yasutake’s bribes and that’s either Yamato or Amari.”
“I understand sir. I’ll make sure of it.”
“Also Musashi, Yamato will likely reply back to the message I sent to him along with the money. I’d need that intercepted.”
(OOC: to be continued)
Muriyama:
In a way I’m glad that the crone is staying at Sugiyama’s onsen. But who would’ve known that it was just an old woman who has some influence who orchestrated all this? I’d never had believed it had it not come from Fujita-san himself. I always thought that Yamato just wanted control of our precinct but looking back that didn’t make any sense. We’re a tourist town but we’re remote enough for those in Tokyo to not really care we exist.
“I can’t wait to take back our ward. I never should’ve backed down in the first place.” I shake my head in frustration. “Since the order came from the Interior I thought to give it up to make a peaceful transition.”
Fujita-san looks at me and clicks his tongue, “Even if they dragged your name through the mud?”
“Well that wrong will be put to right. I assume we’ll be moving tomorrow night?”
“Likely. Perhaps a bit after midnight.” He lets out a sigh. “I’m concerned that even if you and your men are successful in capturing back the precinct, that it would tip off the hidden vessels docked in the inlets.”
“Well Miyake-san and his crew can help us with that.”
“But they’re civilians. You and your men are all police, trained and whatever happens even if you forfeit your life – that’s expected of your station. If it can be helped I’d like to keep the civilians out of it.”
“What are you talking about Fujita-san. I -told- you. Those who remain here are from here. And we will defend our town. You just tell us what to do.” It’s odd. This man in front of me is different from the one who left a trail of dead bodies that night and insisted that one of the those who survived be brought back to Tokyo for his interrogation. I don’t think he’s weak and I think his resolve is still there but he seems too cautious? I’d ask him what happened but there’s no time.
He takes a couple of puffs, crossing his arms before responding, “Then tomorrow, have Miyake-san gather all the fishing vessels and take them to where he saw the ships. Make sure they do not approach these ships, I’m sure those on board will be armed and the ship itself may even have cannons. I just need them to stall for time.”
“Don’t worry Fujita-san, you’ve worked with Miyake-san. He’s a stick in the mud but he’s a crafty one too.”
He nods. “Well then, tell me what you and your men plan to do in taking back the police station.”
“Well we still have a few men inside, like Musashi here.” I nod towards his direction. “They’ll make sure to leave the entrance and exits unlocked so we can storm those entry points in one go. Thankfully there’s only four and so my men will have to be split in four.”
“And you have enough men for that? Are they adequately armed?”
“It will be a bit thin, probably 4 men per entry point but we have enough arms.”
He looks at Musashi, “And how many juniors will join you Musashi?”
“There’ll probably be 5 of us.”
Fujita-san clicks his tongue. “When I visited there last week, I counted at least 20 policemen and this was during the day, which means there were others who has not even returned from their posts.” He paces… “It can’t be helped. Muriyama-san take 6 of your men to storm the front door and another 6 for the exit at the back. That leaves two men for each side door. Make sure these are your strongest men.”
“As for you Musashi, support Muriyama-san from the front and send the other two junior officers to the side doors. But don’t make a move until all of Muriyama’s men are inside. Make sure you’re armed, pistols and guns would be preferable not swords if it can be helped.”
“What?! Fujita-san! Surely in close combat swords are more effective.”
“Muriyama-san, we want to minimize casualties on both sides. I believe some of these policemen are not in on Yamato’s farce, they’ll be the ones who actually might put up a decent fight. But the majority I think will be deterred simply by the threat of a gunshot. If everyone starts drawing swords, the situation will devolve right away into complete chaos.”
“I see. We’ll try not to but if we have to.”
He nods, “Of course.” He looks away again as if thinking of something, “Back then Hide and Makoto hid in one of the prison cells for protection. You can probably do the same thing and lock them in the prison cells until back-up arrives.”
“You sure back-up will arrive?” I look at him doubtful, “You said you came here yourself because the TMPD is too busy for the likes of us.”
He meets my gaze, “I don’t know yet but I -hope- so.”
“Well we all better get some rest tonight. It will take me all day to get our group organized and we probably won’t see each other until the raid Musashi.”
“Not a problem sir.” The younger man replies.
“Musashi, so I’ll be counting on you tomorrow.” Fujita-san taps the young man’s shoulder, “As soon as you intercept that message get it to me, I’ll be staking out the precinct until the mule delivers.”
“But how will I get a hold of you sir?”
“Look for a medicine vendor wearing a thick straw hat.” He grins, “Just make sure you buy something from him and -pay- him.”
I’m surprised. So he’s used to being in disguise too? Who is Fujita-san?
“Well then… I’ll see you both tomorrow.” He dismisses us so casually which is a little off-putting. “Also Muriyama-san, don’t make a move until you hear from me.”
“Yes.” I’d almost take offense at his commandeering but something tells me he’s not just an ordinary cop and besides… Even if his wife -might- get involved, he doesn’t have to help us, especially without backup or approval from the central police. Worst comes to worst, he could always just use the privileges of this Meiji system and clear his wife’s name.
(OOC: Muriyama and Musashi leaves. To be continued)
It’s late by the time Muriyama, Musashi and I adjourn. It will be an eventful day tomorrow and likely a dangerous one. I look out the window smoking. There’s an eerie quiet now but it’s not one I’d call peaceful and the stars aren’t out nor is the moon. There’s a quality to the darkness in this place and it favors neither them nor us. Tomorrow Muriyama-san will have to his advantage the element of surprise but… I let out a long stream of smoke. They’re outnumbered.
I pace the floor a bit. Trying to think. I need to get to Sugiyama but the moment I get her out, Yasutake will know and either find more goons to go after us and bulwark Yamato or she will make an escape, likely via the sea in one of those hidden vessels. If she manages to do either, then we lose… Gingerly my hand goes to the hilt of my katana as if touching it gives me -some- comfort. But I’ll be damned if I let the -witch- live. I’d cut steel under water if I have to just to cut off her head.
Suddenly I feel an acute pressure in my chest and I grab at it making me drop my cigarette to the floor. I hold on to the window sill as I find it hard to breathe and feel a cold sweat coming on. I close my eyes for a long while and slow my breathing. Inhale… Exhale… Inhale… Exhale… Over and over again. For who knows how long. Opening my eyes I spy the cigarette starting to burn the tatami. The old man Takikawa will be upset. I think to myself. Thankfully the cigarette butt fizzles and so do I. I manage to turn over and my back slides on the wall as my knees give out.
I need… I reach over to my knapsack and from it I pull Tenma’s vial. I hate having to do this myself… Aioi always… I close my eyes. No. Aioi wasn’t the one. Catching my breath this time, I take the needle and puncture the vial and stick the damn thing on my neck again. And almost immediately my racing heart stops its pounding and the muscles in my jaw and neck relax. The cold sweat that broke out earlier, now feels refreshing and cool against my skin. And I’m -groggy-. I remember now… I always fell asleep everytime I asked her to administer this medicine. I hated sticking myself with the damn needle…
(OOC: Saitou falls asleep)
It was my birthday. The Tanuki gave me cake but I couldn’t find my damn wife anywhere. So I took the cake and had fun with the ladies. But in the end, I just wanted someone who’d listen and seemed interested in getting to know me. Not like -them-, they wanted me for show, like a prize to a game. I played the game, took what I wanted and left when I got tired of it. Maybe I should spend time with her? She didn’t really come to greet me a happy birthday. It was that sister who did. And so I paid her a visit and took what I wanted and a little more each time. She kept trying to feed me but… That’s not what I came for.
We’re out of there. It’s our first time alone, in the New Year. We left the wilderness and now? We’re not in Japan. We’re not even in -our- time. I’m to meet her for dinner, in a -fancy- place. We spend our time dancing, I sing her a song about a waltz. I think she liked it. But we retreated to our special dinner to our own private suite. She arranged it all, the private waiter, wine and steak. But she should’ve known better. I wasn’t interested in dinner and in no time sent the waiter away. We’re alone. Now we can do what we want. And she’s exhausted after so fell asleep and so did I. But… I’m a light sleeper and awoke at the clock ticking, realizing what day it was. And I’m hot again. She’ll be upset once she finds out what I’m doing. Ah she liked it after all.
We parted badly in that place full of gaslights. I think it was our time but it was definitely not Japan and what the hell was a vampire doing there? No way I’d leave her alone that night with that beast lurking about. But we couldn’t quite make it. I… Couldn’t leave our past behind, so -I- chose not to go forward. -He- can but not -me-. I watch as he pretends, almost succesfully that all is well. After all, they did what they always did on their anniversary. But I only look on as she gives him a ring. He’s damn happy about it. The fool. I silently laugh as she takes it away. I was right! I was right! But no he says and tells me to come back. Why I did, I’ll never know. But that was a special night wasn’t it. I think something good came out of it. So I let there be peace.
It’s late at night and I’m late. I’m rushing to get home. I think to a town by the sea. I’m sharing this day with someone else and not just her this time. It will have to be child friendly. Not the usual but it is a special time. It’s my daughter after all. She has those shoes that light up! And somehow she and I, with our daughter leave the sounds of the softly rolling waves to replace it with loud honking at night! And damn traffic! Where were we going again? To the fishies at night? But it makes the little one happy, so it’s good. But I wasn’t going to let the night go by without at least a kiss over dinner. We actually had dinner this time and finished it. Well we had a -guard-, so it can’t be helped.
And so it goes, we finally made it to Tokyo. To our home. To our house. Surprisingly joined by my kin. Her kin. We didn’t have much time anymore. But that’s fine. She had a house to run and I a job to do. It went quiet for a while. But at least we had another one on the way and once in a while even if it wasn’t my birthday, we found some time. And we still did celebrate her birthday, not quite how I’d celebrate mine but the children and presents made her happy. I think.
I look down for a moment just thinking. I don’t remember much anymore and only a fool looks back. Besides there were things I’d rather forget. Too many. I reach for my cigarette and start walking and smoking. Not really looking but the path is getting dark and I can hear the echoes of my feet. I must be in some hallway. But I stop at a door. There’s an instinct that a swordsman possess, like a hunch. Turning to my left I see a door and I flick the cigarette away reaching for a key after. It clicks open and I go inside and look up. It’s a little dim and I’ve -never- been here. I stop for a moment thinking, I should turn around and leave. Not because she’d be here. She won’t be. But because I know what this place is. I’ve heard of it from her. From her sister. I didn’t care much about books or what’s written. But I wanted to know what promise I was breaking with her sister, so I go ahead further inside where the books are. There’s a lot of them, some were hard facts but most were what they call “fanfics”. I don’t bother to go to the alcove as soon as I saw the name “SO”. I knew the story after all. I’m not that narcissitic, am I? I move on. It’s dusty. The air is stale. But there’s an open window? I go to it so I can smoke. I spy a small table with a chair. there’s a single sofa at the back of it. That’s probably where visitors stay to read and I’m not going to stay long. I almost missed it but as I start a light, it illuminated the small table and I see a bento box.
I stop and stare at it for a moment. Someone must’ve forgotten it or didn’t clean up after themselves. If I just leave it out here, it may eventually smell or attract flies. So I pocket my unlit cigarette and take the box. It’s -heavy-. Well it’s probably spoiled. I’m sure if I open it there’ll be mold or bugs in it. With a sigh I open it up and I just stare at it. For all the times I wished she’d have brought me bento… I close the lid, taking it with me as I leave the place. There’s no going back for me. Not anymore.
(OOC: Saitou will move along, ending this thread)