After leaving the shack, Okita-sensei suggested that we return to his dojo to better attend to Shura's wounds and while that was quite a solid idea, there were other problems with following it through. Such as I too was being followed and neither even knew about it yet. So on top of Shura's problems, I was mixing mine own in here as well.

I gave Okita-sensei some quick response and through the doubtful look he agreed. I could tell that he knew there was another reason and had stored his questions for later use. So the question came up again as we traversed through the forest, where to take the injured woman? I thought of the answer immediately after the question… where better to hide from the criminals and ruffians, than in the place that breeds and gives life to them?

( Through the depths of darkness )

Through my steady work pace, I ask what I am sure was both on mine and Okita-sensei's mind, "Who is after you, Shura-san?"

((Permission to open the Kite & use of Kibagami-san granted by player. Direction of Shura and OKita granted by respective players.))

He left me.

Left me half-naked and tied to a bed with no means of defending myself.

Well, it's not like I could defend myself anyways.

Not in this condition.

But still...HE LEFT ME!

I have no clue where I am at or what time of day it is.

Not that it matters.

I can't say that I blame him for leaving me, not after I pulled that knife on him.

But I sort of wish he would come back and do whatever he did the last time to render me unconscious.

It hurts.

A lot.

I stare up at the ceiling, feeling extremely tired yet unable to sleep.

I wonder what happens if I need to use the bathroom?

I close my eyes once more.

((As you may already know, Shura is located here. Anyone can stumble upon her, using a little creativity of course.))

I do not know where Susumu plans on taking me.

All I can hear is the rustling of trees surrounding us.

My breathing has become shallow and my eyelids are starting to grow heavy.

Perhaps I will be seeing my father again sooner than I anticipated.

I tighten my grip around his neck, allowing my right arm to dangle lifelessly at my side.

At least I won't be...alone.

Then, I suddenly start to vomit.

It tastes like...blood.

I wince as I throw the last piece of driftwood into the fire, watching numbly as the flames dance against the backdrop of the roaring ocean. A part of me wants to look away, but I don't. Even when the stench of burning flesh causes me to vomit, or when the pain in my shoulder is so intense that I could pass out, I keep my eyes fixated on that fire.

I will see this through to the end.

I stay like that until I'm so weak that I can no longer stand. Finally, I stagger over to a large rock, kicking the sand as I move along to cover up the trail of blood that I leave behind me.

There will be no evidence of the events that have transpired on this night.

I slump down against the rock and start running my hands down my shirt, looking for one area that isn't drenched in blood. Most of it is mine, but some...

...isn't.

((Shura is having herself a nice little bonfire. Feel free to join her, toast some marshmallows, etc.))

"STUPID FUCKING MEN!"

I stomp through the streets, muttering a string of curses along the way. A few people stop and stare at me with their mouths hanging open. I simply glare back at them and move on.

I suppose hunger and fatigue doesn't help my disposition...but I don't give a shit. UGH!

Is this what it's like to be a normal woman? To feel...jealousy...hurt...confusion?

If that's the case, being a woman sucks.

((Shura is rampaging through the streets of Tokyo. You have been warned.))

I let out a groan once I hear Chou beating on my window and bellowing somethin or another about breakfast.

Ugh. Need Sleep.

I pull the cover over my head and roll over, not quite willing to wake up. Last night was rather eventful for me. After leaving Chou, I spent the remainder of the evening searching that teahouse of Yukishiro's from top to bottom.

I found nothing, of course. Either he truly is trying to turn over a new leaf or is very good at hiding things.

Personally, I think it's the latter.

I still can't believe Sanosuke showed up. If he had known that it was me in that geisha disguise, it could have been REALLY bad for our relationship.

Come to think of it....





.....WHAT WAS HE DOING IN A TEAHOUSE ANYWAYS?!



I toss the covers off of me and sit up. I wonder what happened after I left the room? Did Sanosuke disappear upstairs with one of those beautiful geishas?

^&*^&*%&$*&&(**)*%@@^&%!!#!@#%&%%^$%^##$^%&^*&&(**&

Gritting my teeth, I gather my clothing and stomp out to the bathouse.

(Exits/Ends Thread)

The Chou and the purdy little Pirate Queen are standing in front o’ her new house – right next ta the Chou’s hot house of love house. I’m standing here holdin’ a couple o’ things o’ the Queenie’s while she crosses her arms under them way boingin’ bazooms! and pouts some more. Kami help me, this is gonna be great!

We stopped at an Inn and got what little the freakin’ beauty owns and we’re here ta get her all moved in like and such. Not that the Chou doesn’t have a few o’ his own moves planned. Hot Damn! I gotta concentrate or I’ll be gettin’ a nosebleed jus’ standin’ here!

I balance her stuff in one hand an reach ta get somethin’ I got tucked in my sleeve jus’ for her like. Yes, indeedy. The Chou ain’t no fool when it comes ta the ladies. No siree. I give the little Queenie a huge smile, a wink and hand o’er the key to her new place. I got her a great little netsuke - all feminine like and such. O’ course, I got at least two more keys on me and three more hidden at my house. Wouldn’t do for the Chou not to be ready jus’ in case like I need ta get in there when she’s not home or sleepin’ she forgets her key. Mama Sawagajou didn’t hold with no bad neighbors like.

“Here ya go, Shura-chan sama. Here’s the key ta your own new place like!” Jus’ like the freakin’ boss ordered. Snort.

(Shura-chan dragged and directed with freakin' permission. Heh.)

A hot bath and new clothes (tonight I decided upon something traditional; gi and hakama in a good dark grey), and time finds me seated comfortably at the Kite again, as business has begun. The few early arrivals are just warming up for their evening, sipping at tea or sake and listening to the plaintive sounds of Hana playing her shamisen.
It's been a long and peculiar day. Not so many ghosts, but the whispers have been present; I expect they will get louder as night comes. But as I have tea, I look at my sister's words, her perfect calligraphy, and I am soothed somewhat.
Even so, blood haunts me. I can smell it still.
COming across the tattered woman on the way back to Tokyo has been a curiosity. What had happened? I would prefer to be uninvolved, but it is interesting. Some last grudge? Some forgotten vengeance? A mission?
No, it seemed very personal, at least to the woman.
I understand 'personal' very well.
Realizing that my teeth are clenching
the old anger again
I take a deep breath and follow the careful flourishes of 'e-chan's handwriting, remembering her practicing, sleeve carefully held in one hand, brush perfectly poised.
Everything she did was perfect. I never understood why she never realized how self-sufficient she was in her beauty.
Ruined, gone, stolen, taken, lost.
Because of him. The murderer.
who she loved, and if 'e-chan was perfect, how could she be mistaken?
Bending my thoughts away from that, I attempt to stay in the beauty of the ink on the paper before me. But I am feeling uncertain.

Despite all else, I still don't understand, and the haunting has not gone away.


(Enishi is seated in his own private area in the Kite, visible from the front door. Kibagami-san is acting as greeter for the early arrivals. The front door enters through a small welcoming area with storage for weapons and shoes, and then into the main tea serving area, connected to the kitchen, where most patrons spend their time observing performances on a small stage of sorts. Ladies act as company at the tables. A doorway in the back leads to a small hall, from which extend several gambling rooms, accessible only by favored patrons or those invited by favored patrons. Stairs lead upstairs for rooms for more private (and expensive) entertainment.)

The Chou is one happy camper headed back ta the freakin’ Po-lice Station. An’ why the hell not? The Chou has a date with a right fine purdy lookin’ Osaka woman and I’m gonna make her one hell of a fine Osakan meal. An’ with any luck a’tall, the Chou’s gonna make her, too. What the hell! It’s a great day!

( The Chou takes Apple Polishing to a whole new Low )

This day jus’ keeps gettin’ better!

As I limp back toward the dojo, I find myself slowly recovering from Chou's very low blow, and not needing Shura's support as much anymore.

I'm going to hurt for awhile yet. Guess I'm damn lucky that Chou didn't break my ribs with that kick.

Or do more damage to even more important areas.

I look down at the woman at my side, and once again, wonder why Saitou wants Chou "to babysit her."

I'm sure she has some questions for me, too--especially with what happened just now.

"I'm sorry, Shura," I say to her quietly. "I just can't seem to stay out of trouble."