Heading on my way back to the Kite, which should be opening very soon, I have taken a slow pace through Tokyo.
I imagine the city around me to be like a river in high summer, flowing past me, taking the cold away by virtue of sheer motion. All around me are the sounds and smells of countless people and the lives they hold close.
I note that my hearing is continuing to improve; my ears are healing. It won't be long before they will be what they were, or so I hope.
It has been a very peculiar day.
Pensively strolling, I consider the faces who pushed their way into the winter of my afternoon, and the inevitable question arises.
What am I to do?
Decisions have been made. I have resolved what must be with the old man who calls himself my father, at least... and I realize that now, being the Yukishiro myself, that I have family honor to attend to.
Which before, was only justice for my sister.
'e-chan.
The riddle continues to torment me like frosty needles.
Is that finished? Can it ever be finished?
Not while the monster lives, the whispers come.
The journal in my pocket is more and more a maze, though it is a maze filled with 'e-chan's voice.
With all the echoes now, I cannot understand what she is trying to tell me.
What more must I do for the old man?
Must I treat the murderer as my brother-in-law, even now?

I realize that I have been losing these questions of honor and duty in business, and I decide for the moment to consider something other.

(Enishi is strolling through Tokyo, en route to the Kite, deep in thought. Encounter him at your own risk.)

After leaving the home of Yukiko-san, I go to pick up dinner and then make an unscheduled stop at a particular store.

It seems they don't have the seven-shot gun things, so I take what they have, as well as the bag that Kakunoshin-san gave me, and head towards the hanamachi district, hoping when I get home that Shin-san will be there.

With the wind blowing, I clutch the coverlet around my hair and walk quickly, still mindful that there might be people about looking for me or my brother.

Before long the three of us make our way through the busy streets, finally arriving at my house. For a woman living alone it's a tad large, but I love it all the same...for the storage space and training space.

Safely inside and with the gate securely locked, I turn to my two companions.

"Now then, ladies, if you'll follow me, I'll show you my collection."

After leaving Shura, I head to the only place I know that can help her… the Gensai Clinic. However, once I reach the gates, the quite stillness lets me know that there is no one there and I wonder if maybe, just maybe I really can come back to this place. Being a doctor was something that—never mind, such frivolous thoughts would get me killed.

If Gensai-sensei and Megumi-san were not here, then there should be someone nearby that can help right? But who is someone that Shura trusts? I do not know her well enough to even know what her problems are and if I left a note here, would those chasing her find her easier?

Ugh… I’m going to have to leap the gate. How bothersome…

I walk around the clinic so the neighbors do not think that someone odd (me) is trying to break into the building, even though that was exactly what I was doing. Still it would give the good doctors a bad reputation if something shady were happening around this place, so I have to be extra careful in my entrance.

I choose a spot where there were less chances of me being seen and quickly scale the wall into the yard of the clinic. I rush towards the kitchen, where my original note still lay untouched, and left another note to be found.

I ran into a woman named, Shura, who was injured. I fixed her up as best as I could with my limited supplies, but left her in a secluded cabin off the river, not far from here. It seems that she is in some sort of trouble, so I did not wish to bring her here and have her troubles come towards you. However, if you can stop by and assist her somewhat, that would be wonderful if not… I might as to purchase some supplies from you to use on her.

I hesitated signing the note this time. A few more seconds passed before I scrawled my sur name on the note and leaving the same way I came in.

((Susumu exits.))

I feel as if at least one weight has been lifted from my shoulders after sending my letter to Yamagata-san to be delivered. He must make the next move. Not that one letter is the end of it. There are plenty of other men that I wish to get in contact with.

Speaking of contacting people, sooner or later I am going to have to visit the address Yamazaki-san gave me. However, first I should stop by her shop and see if I can find her. I hope nothing horrible has happened to her. I haven't seen Takasugi-san either, which is not surprising as it seems he doesn't want to be found. This truly has turned into a mess.

Don't you dare start moping Matsu. You're hardly helpless. If there are things that need to be done, then you shall do them.

A child's ball goes rolling past me, and I step aside to avoid colliding with the young boy running after it.

Ah, yes. And through it all, life goes on.

After leaving Saitou-san at his office, I wander back in an indirect manner to the home of Kumiko-san, to check upon the children and prepare a meal for them and for Kumiko-san.

There has been no note from Shinsaku, and that has me worried.

For a while I sit with the children, but it's terrible to keep them cooped up like this. If only there were someplace safe I could take them during the daytime... then I wouldn't have to worry like this, nor keep them sequestered for so long.

"I'll bring you back some books and flowers and things," I promise the two younger ones. As for Yoshi, I take him aside and tell him that I haven't found his sensei, and that I am worried. I press a weapon in his hands, and tell him to watch the children. I will have to head back out, and hope that I can find my wayward lover or my equally wayward brother.

Of course now, I have also in mind to keep an eye out for the woman who I have now determined is Saitou's wife. If only I could talk to her, and tell her about how her family is suffering more without her, perhaps I can change her mind and encourage her to return.

That is, of course, if nothing has happened to her -- or the others.

With some care, I wrap up the strange book I found at the kitchen of the Kamiya dojo and leave it amongst Shinsaku's things. But as for the file Saitou-san gave me, I tuck it under my cloak.

As I leave the hanamachi, I pull up the cowl like the other women, and swiftly move back into the streets.

*exits thread (hopefully) in unrecognizable fashion*

After leaving the dojo, I didn't see Aoshi-sama or Megumi, so I wandered around the grounds a bit until I found myself staring down at the koi pond.

I would like to go home now, but I know that Aoshi-sama would be so angry at me if I went back to the bookstore at this time of night by myself.

I sit down next to the pond, yawning.

I can't tell if there are any koi in the pond right now, it's so dark.

I really am sleepy.

I wonder if Aoshi-sama and Megumi will take a long time to finish their talk?

My thoughts drift as I yawn again. Kaoru looked so beautiful in her wedding clothes.

For a moment, I start to dream of what my wedding clothes will look like.

I close my eyes.

I hope my kimono is blue, I really like blue...



(Misao is nearly asleep by the pond near the back of the property. If you want her, you'll have to find her!)

entering from the dojo.


I am not rough with her, but I lead her firmly outside, avoiding any bodies that may be floating around to interrupt. Once I stop, I loosen my grip not so much to offer her space, but to test whether or not she is steady on her feet.

"What is all of this about?" I say to her because I do not know what else to say. I want to know where this change in behavior has come from. It has been awkward since I first showed here.

If it is embarrassment at being together amongst our friends, perhaps I am a bit to blame for this. I have not made any honest attempts to breach the subject with anyone other than the Oniwabanshuu.

The Chou ain’t in no rush a’tall ta be hurryin’ in ta see Freakin’ Fujita. What the hell, he hasn’t been ‘round much, an’ the Chou don’t have nothin’ o’ ‘portance ta tell the freakin’ wolf anyhow.

( The Chou’s freakin’ morning at the Keishikan )

I put up my feet and enjoy the freakin’ view out o’ Freakin’ Fujita’s winder. This is a damn fine day an’ the purdy ones oughta be out and ‘bout so’s the Chou can look ‘em over!

(The Chou is in Freakin’ Fujita’s Office. If ya’ve got some freakin’ Po-lice business, bring it on!)

My bedroom is probably one of the quietest rooms at this hour, compared to the rest of the house. This actually turns out to be a blessing in disguise to escape momentarily from the busy activity and chatter inside the dojo. I look behind me to see if anyone has followed me this far, including Kenshin, but the hall is as dark as it is empty. A pout follows, hoping the groom might have also wanted to break away for a little alone time with his new bride here. Then I could have presented him with his bridal gifts! and some kisses to match those too But I guess he is just too dense to pick him on any hints. Next time I guess I will have to be clearer, maybe pull him out of the room by his ear, his ponytail…. Mou.

Though in a few minutes, I will be glad he did not come yet after all….
( Kaoru and Kenshin’s presents… )
Then suddenly, I get an idea.

( Please, please, please do not enter this thread (yet)… to be continued! )

(It's okay to come now! but only if you have red-hair, a cross-shaped scar, and you Oro every five minutes)