Chapter Text
Crossroads
"The weapon of the advocate is the sword of the soldier, not the dagger of the assassin."
-Alexander Cockburn
Chapter Eight:
The meeting with Katsura was not until after dinner. I was sore from chasing Kenshin through the inn and frustrated by the fruitless conversation we'd had in the hall. Pain and frustration were always a bad combination for me, and rather than risk losing my temper at the poor fool who tried to speak to me—most likely Kano—I decided to eat in my room.
Anyway, I needed some time to think on my conversation with Okami. The innkeeper of the Kohagi was shrewd and clever. With the exception of her medical advice, I tended to take her opinions very seriously. But this time I was having a difficult time digesting her words. She was right when she said that Kenshin mattered to me-I was becoming an old mother hen toward that kid. I didn't quite think it was reciprocated in the way Okami had implied, especially not lately as he seemed to have drawn himself back to his infuriating mind. It worried me when he distanced himself like this. I was seriously considering just shaking him really hard and seeing if that knocked some sense back into him. Nothing else seemed to be making a difference anymore. Maybe if I pissed him off again I could pull him out of his own head, which I was starting to think was probably the most dangerous place in Kyoto. Of course with my luck the little bugger would probably retaliate. I sighed at that. And if he broke my knee again, I'd never hear the end of it...
To be fair though, we were all distracted lately. It wasn't just him. I'd learned with Kenshin, however, that distraction usually meant something worse lurking in the shadows. Maybe he was letting his past catch up with him. I had no idea. But I was ready to do anything necessary to bring him back to us. I liked to think that I had done something of merit in this conflict. And frankly, keeping this kid human mattered more to me than any mission I'd ever actually been assigned.
Okami was right about that part, at least. If we had found him on a riverbank, my reaction wouldn't have been pretty. I set the food aside, no longer hungry. Doesn't matter, Ryu. He's fine. We'll just take this one step at a time. Get through tonight, and you can spend tomorrow fussing over the kid.
I downed my tea, lying to myself that it was sake, which I would have preferred if I weren't expected in a top secret meeting, and stiffly pushed myself to my feet.
It was time.
I approached my daisho near the far wall. My eyes rested on the double swords a moment, considering. Of course a swordsman could function with only one weapon, but his efficiency was cut in half. And more importantly, something of his spirit was tied in with those blades. It wasn't about need. Likewise, I could function without Kenshin. I had done it for years before I'd met him. But a part of me felt like it was missing when my diminutive partner was gone.
We were Katsura's daisho, Kenshin and I. I was certain that our leader would like his wakizashi back. So would I, for that matter. I closed my eyes briefly. And both he and I were willing to sacrifice one blade for the sake of the other. I left the katana on the stand, slipping only my wakizashi under the obi at my waist.
I waited for the halls to quiet, and slipped out of my room. It wasn't quite late enough for Katsura's mandatory curfew to be in effect, but the inn was already settling. Several men would have left for Shimabara by that time. Others would be preparing for missions or resting after one. It was the perfect time to meet unnoticed.
I walked quietly through the inn, my tabi swishing softly against the floor, a muffled sound as I made my way to the meeting room. Kenshin's room was on my way, and I paused briefly by his door, considering just checking up on him a moment. I stood there, barely breathing, listening for any telltale sound. But his room was silent, and I realized he was likely asleep. I hoped so, and moved on.
Katsura's meeting room was at the end of another long hall. The door was partially open, our commander's sign that we were welcome to enter. I turned to slip inside the opening, careful to leave the door undisturbed and the view of the room mostly obstructed. Katsura was not there. His lantern was lit, a map open on the table. I approached and looked down. Black and white stones, likely from a discarded game of Go, were clustered in formation, strategically placed on the map. Shinsengumi units, by the looks of it. I glanced at his tea beside the map. Steam. He hadn't been gone long enough for the drink to go cold. My brow furrowed. It was not like our leader to call a meeting and not be present.
"Looking for something, Tosan?"
I spun around to lock eyes with a tall man, not much older than Kenshin, but as different as night versus day from his predecessor. Nearly as tall as me, black hair pulled in a topknot, a small smirk on his face that didn't quite reach his dark eyes, a stark contrast against his pale skin. I straightened. "Shishio-san." My voice remained neutral. I had no need to explain myself to him, but I could attempt to play nice for Katsura's sake. I didn't like this man, and working with him was not going to change that. Most of Katsura's men had not met him in an official capacity, especially since hitokiri Shishio came and went as he pleased. He was smooth and charming to those in power. Spoke briefly to many of us. Laughed with the men and put them at ease. They never caught on to who he was. I only knew because Kano had pointed him out once. No one ever suspected him of being an assassin. And never once had I heard anyone even question where he disappeared to when he wasn't with us.
He was nothing like Kenshin.
His black eyes scanned the room. "Where is Katsura-san?" he asked, not quite looking at me. "We have a meeting. You will have to save whatever petty grievance you have for the commander until later."
I ignored him, looking again at the map. Three of the white stones were marked with red ink. What are those supposed to be?
"Did you hear me? You are going to have to leave."
So much for playing nice... I turned away from the map, and walked to the far side of the room near the door to wait for Katsura. "I will only be a minute," I replied coolly, knowing full well that I was being an ass. I wasn't in the mood to humor him, though. And if Katsura hadn't bothered to tell Shishio that I was his partner, I wasn't going to ruin the surprise.
You want me to be the dumb Tosan? I'll be the dumb Tosan. I smiled innocently as the younger man's eyes flashed in irritation and those pale cheeks of his flushed. This was why I hadn't gone to dinner. I annoyed people when I was in a bad mood. Then again, some people were worth annoying.
Shishio wasn't given the opportunity to respond, since at that moment, the door snapped the rest of the way open, and Katsura strode in. Shishio and I both bowed. He inclined his head, and slid the door shut behind him. He then strode briskly to the table, crossing the room in three steps, and sank into seiza before the map. As one, the hitokiri and I knelt on the other side of the table, patiently awaiting direction..
"I apologize for my lateness," he commented, studying the map a moment before looking up again and making eye contact with each of us in turn. "I had business to attend to. I hope neither of you were waiting long."
You know exactly how long we were waiting, Katsura-san, I thought. You called the meeting and set the time. "I am always at your service, Katsura-san," I said before Shishio, clearly disgruntled by my continued presence, could respond.
My clueless partner shot me a sharp glare that I completely ignored, before turning respectfully to our commander. "Katsura-san."
Katsura folded his hands. "Yes, Shishio-san."
"This soldier apparently has business with you. Some grievance, I believe. He was unwilling to wait until after our meeting."
Katsura silently turned his gaze toward me for a moment. I couldn't tell if the expression flickering across his face was annoyance or amusement. I chose to believe it was the latter. "Ushiro-san—" he sighed. He looked like he wanted to say more, but instead stopped himself.
"It can wait, Katsura-san," I offered.
Katsura did not appear amused after all. "It will have to," he replied dryly. "We have business to discuss." Our commander finally graced the hitokiri with more than a passing glance. "Shishio-san, I trust you know Ushiro-san."
Shishio's black eyes met mine. "We have met," he said shortly. "He is one of your esteemed night runners, isn't he, Katsura-san? One of those Tosan soldiers that Takechi-san left behind. Or was Ushiro-san supposed to leave with the rest of that lot?"
My jaw clenched, and I bit my tongue.
Katsura took a sip of his tea. "Yes, Shishio-san. I am grateful that Ushiro-san chose to remain with us. His skills have been invaluable over the years." His expression silenced the arrogant hitokiri. "I am particularly grateful that he has agreed to resume his spy work, since it will take more than a single hitokiri to take down this new anti-assassin."
I could see Shishio's eyes widen as it finally clicked that I was actually a part of this meeting. It almost made up for having to work with the insufferable brat. "Katsura-san." I leaned forward and met his eyes, "Do you have more information on the anti-assassin?"
"Yes," he replied shortly. "The Shinsengumi are working with him. They mean to take Shishio-san and Himura-san down in one stroke."
Alarm must have flashed across my face, because Katsura continued quietly, "If we plan on stopping this from happening, we need to move quickly. Ushiro-san, I need ears during the day. Choshu is not in a safe position right now, and even trips to Shimabara are becoming questionable. A Tosan ronin will draw less attention."
I nodded. This was a familiar role. Get "drunk," typically with Kenshin, collect what information I could, and let my friend take care of anyone who gets too nosy. Only this time Kenshin wouldn't join me. I was starting to understand.
I heard my unwilling partner cough beside me. "Katsura-san," he interjected smoothly, "do you truly think that a ...soldier... such as my esteemed partner can really help but draw attention to himself? Surely there is someone less noticeable."
Katsura barely spared him a glance. "Ushiro-san is only as noticeable as he chooses to be. Are you questioning my choice, Shishio-san?"
The youth dropped his eyes, "Never, my Commander."
Katsura merely nodded.
I stifled a chuckle. Let the grown-ups talk, I thought, and continued, pretending Shishio hadn't spoken. "Perhaps Shishio-san is concerned about the fact that we are both fairly noticeable? He is clearly unfamiliar with Himura-san and my work. Has he done this before?"
Katsura sipped his tea, apparently deciding to let the hitokiri's indiscretion slide. "Shishio-san is from Yamashiro. No one from outside knows him as one of mine. He won't draw attention. He will be wherever you need him to be in order to take care of any unwanted guests." Katsura's expression was calm, but I could hear a sharpness in his voice now. He was done with our little snipes, and I knew to back off. "The Shinsengumi will strike soon. They are trying to take down Himura-san first to give the anti-assassin a clear shot. We don't know where or when. I can keep him on base for a day or two at most, but I cannot afford to hide him away for much longer, both for his own sake and all of ours. This is an active manhunt, and the Shinsengumi plans to stop at nothing until this anti-assassin has eliminated our hitokiri."
"Ken—Himura-san is no longer a hitokiri, Katsura-san."
"We know that. They do not. I prefer keeping it that way." Katsura's eyes betrayed nothing. "Meanwhile..." His eyes drifted to my new partner. "Shishio-san, you must also remain on guard. The anti-assassin will try to target you as well. I am certain he will attempt to take you the next time you are on active night duty, and I cannot afford to pull you from your next target. This must be done quickly and cleanly. Do you both understand?"
We bowed in unison. "Yes, Commander."
"Good." He nodded. "Shishio-san, if you've no other concerns, you are dismissed. We will go over details in the morning."
The youth hesitated and then stood. I moved to follow.
"Ushiro-san, you stay. I would like to have a word with you. And you have a … grievance... was it?"
Shishio bowed deeply once more before leaving the room. He made sure to shoot me a parting sneer before leaving my line of sight.
This is going to be a fun mission...
I settled myself back down opposite Katsura silently.
"Would you like some tea?" he offered.
"No, thank you, Katsura-san."
He nodded and poured himself some more. Studying the map a bit, he sipped the hot beverage. Then, without even looking at me, he asked, "Your grievance?"
I stiffened, annoyed with Shishio for having planted that idea in Katsura's mind. "I will do whatever you ask of me, Katsura-san. You know that."
He smiled faintly, moving one of the Go pieces to a new location. I noticed the red markers remained untouched. "Are you sure about that, Ushiro-san? You seem less than pleased with this new assignment."
"The assignment is acceptable," I said simply. "If it will help protect... our cause, I will agree to it."
"Yes," he replied. "I do think it will help protect the cause." Nothing escaped this man. "Thank you for agreeing to this. I recall your conditions when you chose to remain with Choshu. You would be pulled from this sort of duty. I appreciate that you have allowed for some exceptions to this condition thus far." He sipped at his cooling tea. "Am I to understand that you do not, however, consider this to be the same?"
"No, Katsura-san."
"I would like to know why." With this, he looked up at me. "We are both fully aware that I broke our agreement four months ago when I began sending you on day runs with Himura-san. This is the first time you have had a grievance."
"Katsura-san, that was Shishio-san's word, not mine."
"But it is true nonetheless, and I would like to know the reason."
I studied the inked stones on the board silently for several moments. One on a temple. One near the bridges. One at our base. Why were there three? And why were they separated?
"Ushiro-san. I require an answer."
"Usually you send me with Kenshin as my second." I looked up at him, willing him to understand. "Spy work with Kenshin isn't spy work," I replied simply. "He needs to see sunlight and other people, and he won't go out unless you send him. I don't want him to forget what he's fighting for. Those missions were for him as much as for our cause."
"And this one isn't?"
My eyes drifted back to the Go pieces on his map. I felt like we were playing an elaborate game, and at this point, I really couldn't tell who was winning.
"It is," I replied, slowly, struggling to put into words something that was only a feeling. "This mission is meant to protect him more than any other. You've said it yourself-his life might depend on it. So, I don't understand why it is being kept secret from him." I met his eyes. "And I don't understand why I am working with Shishio-san. I would prefer Kenshin. He can sit at my side. People expect it now. They will ask questions if I show up alone. Why are we risking a change now?" Especially when his life could be on the line...
"You don't like working with Shishio-san?"
"No," I said shortly. "But I'll do it. I just would like to know why I'm not working with Kenshin."
"He is injured."
"So am I, Katsura-san."
He didn't answer, but his reply was evident. He couldn't afford to lose Kenshin. He'd chosen his sword.
I didn't need him to continue. "I will work with Shishio-san. There is no grievance. I just wanted to know. I believe I have my answer. Thank you, Katsura-san. You said will send more details in the morning?"
He studied me for a moment. "There are only two men currently in this inn to whom I have ever given a choice about their missions, Ushiro-san. If I did not want you here, you would be in Tosa."
I had no answer to that.
We were quiet for a long moment. The sounds of the inn outside of his door seemed miles away as we sat silently in the unsteady light of his lantern. I waited for my dismissal.
Finally, he spoke. "Ushiro-san. Your new partner is different than you are used to. I would not recommend treating him as you have somehow survived treating Himura-san."
I snorted softly. "No need to worry about that," I muttered under my breath.
I was certain Katsura heard me, but he continued as though I hadn't spoken. I had noticed that he did that to me a lot. "I mean it. Shishio-san will not be as tolerant. He does not desire your friendship."
He finished his tea, setting the cup down with a soft clink. "That is all."
With that I stood, looking my commander in the eyes. "With all due respect, Katsura-san, I'm not so sure that Kenshin wants it either." I cracked a smile that I was certain looked as fake as it felt. "I'm used to it. Good night, Katsura-san." With that, I bowed and walked out of the room, sliding the door shut behind me.