Well, we're back! Let's see what today has in... *Looks down past the jump break* Holy **** did this game really time-skip from the middle of winter to the middle of the summer? (Sure looks like it.) (Just to remind anyone reading this, this is a blind LP. As in, we're not using a walkthrough in any way, shape, or form. So, any surprises on our part that isn't sourced from the anime adaptation is genuine.) Fine, on with the game...
Warning!: This is based upon a game that's rated M for Blood, Drug
References, Strong Language, Suggestive (read 'Sexual') themes, and
Violence. If any of these things offend you, don't click on the link.
-Chapter One: Part Three-
-July 1864-
'It was later that day that Hijikata called for me.'
Shimohi Yukimura: "Excuse me."
'I had been relieved to find Okita and Heisuke had been summoned along with me. A private conversation with only myself and Hijikata would have been cause for a significant case of nerves.'
Shimohi Yukimura: "..."
'I was still trying to puzzle out what to say when Hijikata began to speak, his voice cold as tempered steel.'
Toshizo Hijikata: "You can leave the compound."
Shimohi Yukimura: "Really?!"
As in, you're not just pulling my chain here?
'The news was so sudden that I found I couldn't contain my enthusiasm. Hijikata, however, retained his composure.'
Toshizo Hijikata: "You're going to be accompanying whoever's on duty. You jump when they say jump, and die when they say die. Are we clear?"
Shimohi Yukimura: "Yes, sir!"
Crystal...
'At last, I would be able to go outside!'
Hurray! (Well, at least it's better the the endless Rock, Paper, Scissors...) (...Lizard, Spock Tournaments we were holding in Shimohi's room for that half a year.)
'I would finally be able to begin searching for my father! My answers wouldn't show themselves immediately, I knew, but at least I was free to look for them!'
Toshizo Hijikata: "Souji. Heisuke. You're on patrol today, right?"
Heisuke Toudou: "Oh, I get it now. That's why you pulled us in here, right?"
'The confusion that had been on his face since I'd entered lifted at last.'
Heisuke Toudou: "I think it's going to be Souji's turn this time, though. The 1st Division's doing rounds today, isn't it?"
Souji Okita: "Yes, Heisuke and the 8th are going out tonight, so I think he has a point. She'll be safer during the afternoon."
'He nodded a Heisuke and gave me a quick wink.'
Souji Okita: "Don't forget: If you run, I'll kill you. And if we get jumped by ronin, I'm not sticking around to pull your ass out of the fire, okay?"
(And this is supposed to be a romance game...?)
'He wasn't being serious, but Hijikata turned his cold glare on Okita and frowned.'
Toshizo Hijikata: "No, it's not okay, you idiot. Why the hell do you think I'm sending her with you?"
'Okita's only response was a short snort of a laugh.'
Shimohi Yukimura: "I won't run."
'I knew he wasn't being serious, but I couldn't stand to keep my mouth shut.'
Shimohi Yukimura: "When I came here, we made a deal. I promised. The Shinsengumi would help me find my father, and I would keep quiet and not run away."
'And I still wanted to find him, just as much as I had the day I first met the Shinsengumi.'
Shimohi Yukimura: "I'll keep my promise. So please, keep yours."
'I gave Okita a short bow, never taking my eyes off his face. The smirk that had been on his face when I'd begun had shrunk to something smaller and more than a little awkward.'
Souji Okita: "My apologies, I guess I underestimated you. You should realize, though, that there's no way to know what could happen out there. You'd be putting yourself in danger. If that's all right with you, then feel free to join us on our rounds."
Well, free with an escort in possible danger is better than alone and safely trapped in a room.
'Even I knew that Kyoto was...not safe. But I didn't care. I had to find my father. At that moment, any possible dangers seemed immaterial.'
'Encyclopedia updated'
Toshizo Hijikata: "The Choshu have been acting up. We don't know what they're up to, but chances are it's bad for us. I'd rather not be sending you out."
'He seemed to be almost talking to himself, but his tone was stern and thoughtful.'
(That doesn't mean that he wasn't talking to himself...and that's just weird...)
'Encyclopedia updated'
'The soldiers of the Choshu Demain were part of the imperial nationalist party.
(Hey, our father was fighting on the side of the imperials...) (How many times do I have to tell you that Kenshin Himura is not our father!?) (And how many times do I have to say "You keep telling yourself that"!?)
'They had increasingly been turning to force in their pursuit of these goals. The Shinsengumi, on the other hand, were loyal to the shogun. Since their masters were at odds, the Shinsengumi and the Choshu Domain were enemies. It occurred to me that the increased activity of the Choshu Domain had likely made it difficult for the Shinsengumi to shoulder a burden such as me.'
(So, you do realize you're being The Load...)
Shimohi Yukimura: "Why are you giving me permission to leave the compound at a time like this, then?"
(*ji...*) What!? I just want to make sure this isn't a test of some sort!?
'Hijikata's face hardened, and he looked away.'
Toshizo Hijikata: "Kodo hasn't gone back to Edo, and we've heard that a couple people saw someone around Kyoto. It might not be him, but it matches his description. Besides, I've kept you locked up for almost half a year. The Choshu are a threat, but if it wasn't for them, it'd be something else. I have to let you out sometime, or you'll never find anything."
Finally, some people are listening to reason!
Shimohi Yukimura: "..."
'It wasn't what I'd expected to hear from him.'
Especially considering how I was treated when I first got here...
'He was right that they'd postponed my search for my father for quite some time. What I hadn't expected was that he would give any thought to my feelings on the matter.'
'Cause, I mean, they haven't done that before now...
Shimohi Yukimura: "Um... Thank you very much."
'I bowed as I spoke, not sure what else I could do to express my gratitude.'
That they hadn't actively tried to kill me yet...
'Hijikata only turned back to his work.'
Heisuke Toudou: "Besides, plenty of our guys aren't feeling so hot these days. We aren't exactly in top condition, are we?"
'Heisuke's joking didn't seem to appeal to Hijikata, who only frowned more deeply.'
Shimohi Yukimura: "Well, it has been awfully hot lately..."
'And it certainly had been. Day after day, the sun burned down on Kyoto from a cloudless sky, and all of the rooms in the compound were so humid that I felt dizzy as soon as I stepped inside.'
(Well, Japan seems to be a very humid place during the summer.)
'I had heard that the heat had been too much for some of the Shinsengumi's soldiers, and they'd taken ill.'
(Wimps!)
Toshizo Hijikata: "If you want to go, you can go. You have my permission."
Shimohi Yukimura: "All right."
'I sat there for a moment and considered my options. There was something in his words and demeanor that told me he didn't want me to leave the compound. Still, if I was with Okita or Heisuke, I had no doubt that I'd be safe and well-protected; on the other hand, my presence could easily be an undue burden to them. What was I to do?'
-Leave and search for my father.-
-Remain in the compound.-
(Well, we have the option to do so. So why the heaven not!?) One scene change later...
Shimohi Yukimura: "Oh my gosh!"
'The streets were full--packed!--with people.'
(Duh! This is a city, what else did you expect? A bunch of knights dancing on a table while singing a silly song?) (And now you owe eleven dollars!)
'Nothing strange in a busy city, of course, but I could feel my heart beating faster all the same.'
Souji Okita: "Don't get too excited there, Shimohi. We're out here for business, not fun, remember?"
Of course I remember! Being shut up in a room for about half a year can do this to people.
'His wry smile was a friendly warning, but I shrunk back, cowed, and looked back up at him meekly.'
Shimohi Yukimura: "I... The city is just so...so busy. I guess I just couldn't help myself."
'Getting worked up over a busy city street was a silly thing for anyone to do and we both knew it, but I'd been inside for so long... Just the sight of crowds was enough to get my blood pumping. Okita looked down at me and grinned.'
Souji Okita: "Well, the Gion Festival's coming up. Things are a little more lively than usual, I'll give you that."
'Encyclopedia updated.'
Souji Okita: "Of course, some of those nationalist ronin are acting pretty suspicious, too. What I'm saying is, watch yourself, all right?"
Shimohi Yukimura: "Okay."
(Just...don't pull out that bazooka...) (*ji...*) Later...
'We were walking down Kyoto's largest street, accompanied by the 1st Division. No one came with a few yards of us as we walked; the stepped away the moment their eyes caught the bright blue of the Shinsengumi's jackets. Even the people of Kyoto feared the Shinsengumi.'
Shimohi Yukimura: "Um, excuse me..."
'I paused every so often to ask some of the less intimidated passersby if they might have seen my father.'
Shimohi Yukimura: "I'm looking for someone. He's in his 40s, and speaks with an Edo accent. His head is shaved, but he looks friendly. He's a doctor too..."
'After several regretful apologies, I came across someone who claimed to have seen a man matching my description.'
Villager: "Oh, yeah... I think I might've seen that guy a while back, over at Masu's."
'As he spoke, he pointed toward a store selling wood and charcoal.'
Shimohi Yukimura: "Thank you so much!"
'Of course, I told myself, it could be someone who only looks like my father. Then again, perhaps it was my father! Okita caught my eye and gave me a stern look. He opened his mouth, presumably to reprimand me, when--
Soldier: "You there! Are you ronin?! Give us the name of your lord, if indeed you even serve one!"
'The cry went up from one of the Shinsengumi's soldiers, and Okita turned, his mouth tightening into a thin line.'
Souji Okita: "Well shit... I guess they would choose the worst possible time to stir up trouble, wouldn't they?"
'His hand dropped to his sword as he ran toward the commotion. Townsfolk screamed and ran, like leaves before a gale.'
Shimohi Yukimura: "Wh-whoa!"
'In the sudden press of fleeing citizens, I found myself pulled away from Okita. For a moment I panicked, but soon realized that perhaps it was best. If I'd stayed close, he would have been forced to keep half his attention on me. I didn't want to distract him, so I ran to a nearby alley to watch. Once the situation was resolved, I could make my way back to the 1st Division.'
Store Owner: "Hey, kid, come over here. You don't want to get yourself caught up in that."
Shimohi Yukimura: "Huh?"
'I paused for a moment. A strange man was inviting me into his store. Not strange on the face of it perhaps, but I had been warned many times to be on my guard. I was about to politely refuse, when I realized which store it was. The one the man earlier had pointed to.'
Shimohi Yukimura: "Um... Excuse me, but is this Masu's?"
Store Owner: "Yes, it is."
(You do realize he could just be lying to get you to lower your guard...)
'He nodded.'
Shimohi Yukimura: "Great! You see, I'm looking for someone, and--"
Employee: "M-Mr. Keimon! I just saw that kid with Okita, the Shinsengumi captain!"
Store Owner: "What?!"
Oh no, this sounds like trouble... (Thought so.)
'What?'
Customer: "The Shinsengumi?! Run for it!"
'There was a mad scramble for the door, and in moments the store was empty of customers.'
Shimohi Yukimura: "What...?"
'True, I had been accompanying the Shinsengumi, but the reaction of the store's customers seemed...excessive.'
Souji Okita: "...You really have the worse luck, don't you? Still, I guess you could say the same thing about them...and me."
'He gave a small, unconcerned shrug, and leapt through the door of the shop. Masu's exploded with the sounds of swordplay, with men swearing and scrambling across furniture for position.'
(Something tells me you're not going to find your father in there...) Yeah...
Shimohi Yukimura: "What?!"
'What on Earth had just happened?!'
(Maybe you stumbled across an Imperialist Hideout... hope our father wasn't in there...) (KENSHIN ISN'T OUR FATHER!) You keep telling yourself that...Anyway...later...
Shimohi Yukimura: "..."
'When we returned to Shinsengumi headquarters, Sanan had a number of words for us. They weren't particularly pleasant.'
(Here comes the drill sergeant nasty...plug your ears everybody!)
'We had been kneeling for some time as the colonel berated us before Okita finally spoke up.'
(Wow, those ear plugs actually worked...?!)
Souji Okita: "You don't need to lose your head over it, Sanan. After all, we arrested a couple of Choshu people."
So, that was an Imperialist Hideout...
'When the fight was over, we'd discovered a massive arms cache, and and confiscated the entire thing. No one had bothered to explain to me what was happening, however, and I was utterly lost.'
Keisuke Sanan: "Not something to lose my head over? My head is right where it belongs, Okita. Perhaps you should inquire after yours."
(Oooo! Okita's going to need some ice for that burn!)
'Encyclopedia updated.'
Keisuke Sanan: "The man claiming to be Masu Keimon was in truth Shuntaro Furutaka, a Choshu spy."
So, you were right, Akurei... (I'm just a surprised as you are.)
Keisuke Sanan: "I assume you were aware that the Shinsengumi was allowing him to operate in the hope of acquiring enemy intelligence?"
Oops... ("Oops" indeed...)
Souji Okita: "Yes, I was, but we didn't have a choice this time. I had to bring him in."
'His excuse was weak, and his petulant frown suggested he knew it.'
Sanosuke Harada: "Well, it's not like it was a total bust. Like Souji said, they did arrest some guys."
'Encyclopedia updated.'
Heisuke Toudou: "Yeah, but don't you feel bad for Shimada and Yamazaki? They were staking the place to keep an eye of Furutaka."
(Yamazaki...Yamazaki...where have I heard that name before? ...Oh yeah!? Isn't he that guy with the badminton racquet.) (And...you're bringing back the stupid Gintama jokes...)
'The corners of Heisuke's mouth twitched into a momentary smile. Shimada interrupted before he could continue.'
Kai Shimada: "We appreciate your concern Toudou, but nobody needs to lose any sleep on our account. We were getting nowhere with Masu's the last few days anyway. Okita did us a favor."
'Yamazaki nodded in silent agreement.'
Susumu Yamazaki: "Furutaka's arrest is over and done. You won't hear any complaints from us about it."
Shinpachi Nagakura: "Man, you two are the definition of stoic and reasonable. Souji, on the other hand..."
(...whips out a bazooka at the drop of a hat.) (That's only in Gintama!)
'It didn't look like Nagakura was going to let Okita get away without thoroughly rubbing his face in his mistake. At last, I felt I could remain quiet no longer.'
Shimohi Yukimura: "It was my fault... Some ronin were causing trouble, so I tried to get out of the way... I got separated from Okita in the crowd, and I didn't go right back to him... Before I really realized what was going on, there I was in front of Masu's, and someone was shouting about how I was with the Shinsengumi--"
(Wow! That's the most you've said so far in this game!)
Keisuke Sanan: "But who was tasked with looking after you?"
'He glared at me, his eyes hard and angry, and I felt my throat dry up.'
Keisuke Sanan: "The captain of our 1st Division can't even keep track of a single charge. Is this the best the Shinsengumi can do?"
'When I'd first met him, Sanan had been nice, if a little quiet. After his injury, however...'
(Probably jelly of anyone who could still wield a sword...)
'It was as if he'd become an entirely different man.'
The green-eyed monster can do that to people.
Toshizo Hijikata: "I told her she could go. They were only following orders."
'Sanan looked up as Hijikata walked into the room. He gave the commander a tight, wry smile, but got only a peaceful, impartial glance in return.'
Sanosuke Harada: "If you're here, that means you're done interrogating Furutaka, right?"
'Hijikata didn't so much as blink.'
Toshizo Hijikata: "They're going to wait for a day when the wind picks up, then set Kyoto on fire and kidnap the emperor while everyone else is losing their shit. So they say, at least."
'His voice was calm and measured, but we all felt the import of his words.'
Shinpachi Nagakura: "Burn down the city? Those Choshu guys are crazier than I thought."
'He followed his comment with a rude gesture that made me blush involuntarily.'
(Did it involve the flipping of birds?)
'Encyclopedia updated.'
Heisuke Toudou: "So they just want to kidnap the emperor? Seems a little contradictory for a bunch of guys who call themselves imperialists."
Hajime Saito: "Whatever their reasons, we can hardly ignore their plans."
Toshizo Hijikata: "They're probably meeting tonight. We need to get ready to move out."
Hajime Saito: Understood, Commander."
Shinpachi Nagakura: "All right! Finally! I'm getting chills!"
Don't you mean "thrills"? Oh well...
'They didn't all display the same level of...professionalism...but each man there made it clear that he was prepared. As they quieted down, Hijikata turned toward me as if he and only just noticed my presence.'
Toshizo Hijikata: "We did get some information on Kodo. Apparently he visited Masu's with some men from Choshu."
Shimohi Yukimura: "What? He was with the Choshu...?"
(That's exactly what it sounds like...)
'But...my father was loyal to the shogunate. That was why the Shinsengumi had agreed to help me look for him.'
Shimohi Yukimura: "But the Choshu are at odds with the shogun... Why would my father be with them?"
(Maybe gathering intelligence?)
'But no one had an answer for me. Preparations for the raid began immediately. Within moments the compound was a beehive of activity, with soldiers and officers running back and forth. The tension was thick enough to cut with a dull knife, and I found it affecting me, despite my best efforts. My encounter at Masu's created new problems for them, and I hoped I might be able to help out to make up for it, but... How was I supposed to help prepare for a raid?'
Shimohi Yukimura: "*Sigh*"
(Most definitely not that...)
'There was nothing for me to do but sit in my room, though I felt terrible and useless for doing it. Still, I told myself, best you avoid getting in anyone's way. As I sat there, doing my best to think of something, anything, else, I heard voices nearby.'
Hajime Saito: "We don't have enough men. Kondou has only ten soldiers ready to fight."
Sanosuke Harada: Hijikata and I have twenty-four apiece, right? Man, half our guys are our with stomachaches... Not exactly a laughing matter, eh Saito?"
'That didn't seem to be keeping Harada from laughing, though. If I was correct...'
'Encyclopedia updated'
'Kondou would be taking his men to the Ikeda Inn, and Hijikata would be taking his to the Shikoku Inn.'
(I remember from Shimohi watching the anime adaptation that one of those inn's a decoy...but which one is it? I can't remember...)
Sanosuke Harada: "So...you think we'll bring 'em along on this one? It's a night mission. It'd be perfect..."
(What?! Rakshasa time?) (What in the world are you talking about!?)
'..."Them"?'
Sanosuke Harada: "We lost a couple the other day, but there should still be a few left, right?"
Hajime Saito: "I heard they won't be seeing combat for while. They're having...difficulty adjusting."
(So you are talking about the Rakshasa...) (Why won't you explain these things!?) I can't because I'm not supposed to know about that stuff!
Hajime Saito: "They stop listening to orders as soon as they see blood. It's...inconvenient."
'...What? I swore I heard something about a reaction to blood before... No, this was something I wasn't supposed to heard. Did they not realize I was there? If they didn't I could hardly announce my presence after what I'd heard.'
Well, there's a saying I can paraphrase here... "If you hear something, say nothing, and drink to forget."
Sanosuke Harada: "They've gotta be spinning in their graves... Didn't they choose to do this so they could fight?"
Hajime Saito: "Sano, you only say that after someone's actually dead."
Sanosuke Harada: "Yeah, I guess you're right. They aren't really dead, are they? In fact, they're even harder to kill now..."
(But they have a werewolves stereotypical weakness...)
'...There was no doubt that what I was hearing was not meant for me. I shoved my fingers into my ears and closed my eyes tight. The best I could do was make sure I didn't hear anything more.'
???: "Oh? What are you doing here, Yukimura?"
*!*
'My eyes flew open to see Kondou standing in front of me.'
(Still better than Mr. Clean standing right behind you.)
Shimohi Yukimura: "U-Um...I...I was..."
...trying to get to sleep, but some people where making a racket outside my room. I couldn't understand any of what they were saying.
Shimohi Yukimura: "I couldn't just sit there..."
(*facepalm* I can't tell which excuse was worse.)
'I told him the truth, about how I'd felt so useless, and left my room to find some way to help.'
Isami Kondou: "Ah, of course. I see. I know how you feel! The men are pretty excited, aren't they?
Shimohi Yukimura: "Yes..."
'"Excited"...? I would have said "bloodthirsty"...'
(Like a rakshasa...?!) (What is a "rack-sha-sa" anyway!?)
Isami Kondou: "Would you care to join us?"
Shimohi Yukimura: "What?!"
'That was...not what I'd expected him to say.'
Shimohi Yukimura: "You mean go on a raid with you? I don't know what I could--"
Isami Kondou: "Well, we could certainly use a messenger, but if you'd rather not, there's not need to feel obligated."
(Didn't Chizuru in the anime have to relay a message to Hijikata's men that the... *looks up* ...Ikeda Inn was a decoy? So, if you have a choice, go with him...yeah... "Choo-choo"!)
Shimohi Yukimura: "..."
'Of course... The chief was only taking ten soldiers. ...'
Shimohi Yukimura: "Well... All right, if I'll just be a messenger."
'His face split into a grin, and that was how I found myself on the way to Ikeda Inn, to accompany the Shinsengumi on their raid.''
'Encyclopedia updated.'
'--Hour of the Dog'
(I have to do this for Shimohi but, that sounds like a reference to the Chinese Zodiac. So the Hour of the Dog is... *looks it up in book* ...more like "Hours of the Dog" and that would be 7-9 pm.)
After we arrived at Ikeda, I was sent off on several short errands nearby. I returned to hear Nagakura talking to Okita.
(Oh, wait, according to the in-game encyclopedia... yeah the thing you keep hearing about when it's being updated... the Hour of the Dog is "Approximately 8 pm." Well close enough for government work... if the government actually worked!)
Shinpachi Nagakura: "Well, looks like we hit the jackpot on this one. Not sure if they're brave or stupid for meeting right next to a government building..."
Souji Okita: "I knew they'd be here. After all, they've always met at Ikeda before."
Shinpachi Nagakura: "Sure, but the night Furutaka gets arrested? That just seems sloppy to me. I mean, why not meet somewhere else? Any normal person would worry someone was onto them."
Souji Okita: "Well, obviously they're somewhat less than normal. After all, they are meeting at the Ikeda Inn, aren't they?"
'But for the subject matter, it could have been any conversation between Nagakura and Okita. Perhaps the Choshu were trying to trick the Shinsengumi--I certainly wouldn't have known. Whatever the reason for their behavior, however, id didn't seem to have Nagakura or Okita particularly worried. Heisuke noticed me as I approached and jogged over.'
Heisuke Toudou: "So? How'd it go? Did you see anyone from Aizu or the Judiciary Commissioner?"
Shimohi Yukimura: "Well... To be honest, I didn't really see much of anyone nearby."
'He frowned and grunted unhappily to himself.'
Heisuke Toudou: "So they still haven't made their move? We told them even before it started to get dark..."
Shinpachi Nagakura: "Settle down, Heisuke."
'The larger man smacked Heisuke playfully on the shoulder with a bark of laughter.'
Shinpachi Nagakura: "Besides, it's not like they'd do us any good if they did show up. If this is gonna happen, we've gotta do it ourselves."
Heisuke Toudou: "Yeah, I guess... It's just... Don't you think running in all on our own is a little reckless?"
'His words must have made sense to someone, because we decided to wait for reinforcements.' Later...
'We waited for quite some time, but they never appeared.'
'Encyclopedia updated.'
'--Hour of the Boar.'
(Let's see here... the "Hours of the Boar" or "Pig" as the case may be, are 9-11 pm. Most likely the encyclopedia will claim that it's "Approximately 10 pm"...)
'I looked up at the sky. The moon had moved a good part of its way across the sky since we'd arrived at the Ikeda Inn.'
(Good Evening Princess Luna!) (*ji...*) (What!? Shimohi couldn't say that in character, so I had to.)
Shinpachi Nagakura: "Damnit... it's getting pretty late."
Souji Okita: "What do you want to do, Kondou? It'd be pretty lame if we just sat here all night and did nothing."
'The chief had been quiet for the last several hours, but when Okita spoke, he stood up and laid his hand on my shoulder.'
Isami Kondou: "Yukimura. Can you stay away from the Ikeda Inn?"
Shimohi Yukimura: "Um...?"
Isami Kondou: "Things are going to get dangerous. That place is full of rebel soldiers. We don't intend to allow them to escape, but.. Better safe than sorry."
'Then he stood up, gave me a smile, and ran into the inn.'
No, this is the actual target, the other inn's the decoy. (What!?) History! Read up on it sometime.
'Encyclopedia updated'
Isami Kondou: "We are the Shinsengumi; retainers of the Lieutenant-General of the Aizu Domain! By imperial decree, you are all under arrest!"
'The words were scarely out of his mouth when a cacophony of yells and screams erupted out of the inn.'
Souji Okita: "Give the enemy a good, loud warning that he's about to kick the tar out of them. That's Kondou for you..."
(...honor before reason, and all...)
'Okita gave a bark of laughter as he made his own way toward the inn.'
Shinpachi Nagakura: "Eh, seems like good form anyway. It's polite to let 'em know what they're up against."
(Or maybe just setting up a self-imposed challenge.)
Heisuke Toudou: "Oh, so your definition of a 'good form' is putting us at a disadvantage?"
(Well, voluntarily giving yourself a handicap to prove that you can succeed at a task anyway is the definition of a self-imposed challenge.)
'Heisuke and Nagakura grinned at one another as they too sauntered toward the inn.'
Isami Kondou: "We act with the authority of the government! Resist, and you will be shown no mercy!"
'Then the battle began in earnest. The yells of men and the clang of swords filled the air, rolling out through the doors and windows of the inn. I could hear feet pound up stairs, the screams of men dying, the wet thud of bodies dropping to the floor...'
Shinpachi Nagakura: "Damnit! There's too many of them! We need backup! Is there anybody still out there?!"
Now, time for me to leap into action!
Shimohi Yukimura: "Um..."
You've got to be kidding me...
'Well, there was someone, but... All the men who'd come with the captains had run around to go in the back, and couldn't hear Nagakura. Even if they could have, I heard the sounds of battle coming from the back of the inn as well.'
Shimohi Yukimura: "What should I do?!"
(That's painfully obvious! Go to the other inn and bring the dudes over there here as reinforcements! Duh!)
'The only person left to go help them was me. But even if I did, what could I do?'
(I already told you what you could do!)
'That was when I heard Kondou.'
Isami Kondou: "Souji! Are you all right?!"
'Then Nagakura called out, from a different part of the inn.'
Shinpachi Nagakura: "Damnit Heisuke! Don't die on me!"
Shimohi Yukimura: "Oh no!"
(What the fucking heaven are you doing!?)
'I had no desire to go into a building full of men trying the best to kill one another. Even if I did, I had no illusions about my skill with a blade; I was sure to be killed before I'd even drawn it. But I could hardly sit by and do nothing...'
(Then fucking do something already!)
'Perhaps...perhaps if I couldn't fight, I could rescue the wounded--find them and carry them out of the inn.'
(*facepalm*)
'My mind made up, I steeled myself and ran inside. Inside, it was pitch black. The smell of fresh blood hit me in the stomach like a fist. The air reeked of it. There were dark lumps on the floor everywhere--the bodies of fallen men. Where were Okita and Heisuke...? It had sounded like a good idea at the time, but as I looked around that charnel house, I realized that there was no way I could possibly carry two men outside.'
Shimohi Yukimura: "I have to choose..."
-Look for Okita.-
-Look for Heisuke.-
(I think we can figure out what your choice is.)
'I had to go look for Heisuke. He was always looking after me, so it was time I returned the favor. I looked around the inn.'
Ronin: "Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"
Shimohi Yukimura: "What?!"
'Out of the darkness a ronin appeared, his sword at the ready and headed straight for me.'
Shimohi Yukimura: "Ah--!"
'As his sword swept down, another interposed itself between us: Nagakura's blade.'
Shinpachi Nagakura: "You're fighting me, pal! You don't get to run off unless I say you can!"
Ronin: "Aaargh--!"
'The ronin's yell ended in a wet gurgle as Nagakura's sword drove itself deep into the man's stomach. Blood exploded everywhere.'
Blood...blood everywhere...
Shimohi Yukimura: "Hurk..."
'I felt my gorge suddenly rise. Blood was still...too much for me.'
Shinpachi Nagakura: "...Sorry to ask you this right now, but Heisuke's in the back. Could you go get him?"
Of course! That's the reason I'm here!
'I opened my mouth to respond, but--'
Shimohi Yukimura: "Nagakura! Your hand!"
'His left had was drenched in bright, crimson blood. It looked as if a good portion of it was simply...gone.'
Shimohi Yukimura: "It looks awful!"
'Nagakura glanced down at it and laughed.'
Shinpachi Nagakura: "That? Ha... Didn't even know I had it. I'm fine, all right? Doesn't even hurt. So stop making that face."
(That would be the adrenaline at work, once Shimohi had her arms scratched up while trying to pick up her mom's cat to return it to her mom's room. She didn't even notice the scratches 'till after the cat was returned to the room. Then they hurt like a bitch.)
Shimohi Yukimura: "But..."
(But that's for Future!Shinpachi to deal with! Get on with it!) (Now you owe thirteen dollars!)
Shinpachi Nagakura: "Nobody's getting past me, so you go take care of Heisuke, all right? I'm counting on you."
'With that, he turned around and brought his blade up to meet that of another ronin.'
Shimohi Yukimura: "..."
'I was worried about Nagakura, but I knew standing around wasn't going to help him. Heisuke, on the other hand... I turned and ran off though the battlefield the Ikeda Inn had become. It wasn't long before I saw him.'
Shimohi Yukimura: "Heisuke?! You're hurt!"
'He blinked and looked around, almost as if he couldn't see me. Perhaps it was all the blood running into his eyes from the wound on his forehead...'
When my distant cousin had a head wound similar to that, my father had to take him to the nearest hospital himself. Head wounds can be that serious...
Heisuke Toudou: "Shimohi...? Goddamnit, what the hell are you doing here?!"
'I could see his chest heaving, as if each breath was an effort for him.'
Shimohi Yukimura: "Wh-What...? What do you mean? I'm here because I was worried about you. I...I thought maybe I could help."
Heisuke Toudou: "Well, you can't! This is dangerous, and that was stupid! This is not a good time to be worrying about me!"
Shimohi Yukimura: "Maybe, but that's a serious injury!"
Heisuke Toudou: "N-No, it's nothing! I'll just walk it off! I feel better already!"
'As he spoke, he turned around, his sword held in a ready position, prepared to defend me. ...But he was so weak, I could see that he only kept his grip on it with great effort. The ronin across from us, on the other hand, was a silent and calm as a great statue.'
Shimohi Yukimura: "Wait..."
'There was...something. Something didn't seem right...'
(Holy heaven...I...I'm not the only demon here...) (And you're still talking nonsense here.)
'Suddenly, I realized what it was: The ronin had no sword.'
(Oh...)
'I didn't have the time to try and figure out what that meant, though. I had to...'
-...stop Heisuke.-
-...help Heisuke.-
Let's see, if I try to stop him, that could leave him open for an attack, and that'd be bad... But if I help him, at least I can act as a barrier so he could get away. (Good thing you can heal.)
'We had to do something about the ronin.'
(That's Shimohi's usual strategy, "Deal with the attackers first, heal later.")
Shimohi Yukimura: "..."
'With grim determination, I laid my hand on the hilt of my sword. He saw me move, and Heisuke's eyes went wide.'
Shimohi Yukimura: "I'll fight too, then. I...might not be able to help much, but I can watch your back."
'He looked stunned for a second, and then his mouth split in a grin.'
Heisuke Toudou: "Right, so you're supposed to become my eyes or something? C'mon, that'd take like five years, at least."
(Hurray! Shimohi earned a love point from some one who's NOT Saito!)
'It wasn't really the answer I'd expected to hear, and I couldn't help but laugh at it. The ronin looked at us and sighed.'
???: "I have no reason to fight you."
Shimohi Yukimura: "What...?"
'What did he mean?'
???: "If you leave, then I do not intend to take your lives."
'Then...he was letting us go? Considering the fix we were in, that was quite a favor. But...could I believe him?'
Heisuke Toudou: "We...we can't let you go. Anybody who's with the Choshu is...is..."
'Heisuke wobbled.'
Shimohi Yukimura: "Heisuke?!"
He's lost too much blood...
'He could barely stand...'
???: "You assume to much. I am not one of the Choshu."
Heisuke Toudou: "Then why the hell are you at the Ikeda--"
'His words were forced, as if it took all his effort to speak, and the tip of his sword was beginning to shake. He wasn't scared, of course, but his injuries were great. Even the most powerful swordsman was still only a man. The ronin took one last, unreadable look at us, and then turned around to leave.'
Heisuke Toudou: "Get back here, Goddamnit!"
Shimohi Yukimura: "Heisuke!"
'He began to run after the ronin, but planted his foot in a pool of fresh blood and crashed to the floor.'
(At least that's more plausible than a banana peel...)
Heisuke Toudou: "Damnit...damnit! This isn't over! Just you wait until I...! You're gonna..."
'He made a few more grunts that sounded like attempts at further curses, then stumbled and collapsed, unconscious.'
Yeah...definitely lost too much blood...
Shimohi Yukimura: "I need to stop the bleeding!"
(Good call!)
'Quickly, I tore off a section of my sleeve and pressed it against his forehead. It looked as though the blow had only torn the skin, although it had gone all the way through to his skull.'
'Encyclopedia updated'
'At last, I felt myself relax. We were still in danger, but Heisuke's wounds didn't look fatal. That was when I say the head-guard lying on the floor.'
Shimohi Yukimura: "Huh?"
'It must have been Heisuke's, but it has been cracked cleanly in half by...something. Their fight must have been awfully intense. I was starting to feel a little dizzy from the stench of so much blood, but Heisuke needed my help. I couldn't give up.' Later, the next day...what's with this up to the sky framing?
'...And then, the sun came up. The raid itself had lasted only two hours... But for me, at least, it had felt far longer. There had been twenty imperial nationalists at the Ikeda Inn. The Shinsengumi had killed seven ronin, and injured four more.'
'Encyclopedia updated'
'I learned later that with the help of the Aizu Domain and the Kyoto Judiciary Commissioner they had arrested twenty-three people. The owner of the Ikeda had also been arrested, for trying to help the Choshu rebels escape. The Shinsengumi had won an incredible victory, fighting against superior numbers in enemy territory, but they had paid dearly for it.'
(Conservation of Ninjutsu helps, but it isn't perfect...and what's with this music? It sounds like something you'd hear in a bad ending...)
'Okita had taken a blow to the chest, and lost consciousness. Heisuke had been cut on the forehead, and the bleeding refused to stop. Nagakura had injured his left hand. One of the Shinsengumi's soldiers had lost his life at the inn's rear entrance, and two others had been severely injured there as well. It didn't seem likely that they would survive.'
'Encyclopedia updated.'
'The Kyoto Military and Judiciary Commissioners--run by the Aizu and Kuwana Domains, respectively--had also fought Choshu ronin.'
'Encyclopedia updated.'
'With their successful resolution of the Battle of Ikeda Inn. The Shinsengumi had at last made a name for themselves. It looked as though the peace in Kyoto had been protected. Never could I have imagined what the ultimate result of their victory at the Ikeda Inn would be...'
----------------------------
Well, hopefully the game goes on with out getting a bad ending... (And, you two still owe money for the reference jar.)
Monty Python Reference Jar
Akurei: $13
Shimohi: $4
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