Chapter I: Embers of the Revolution

"You're wrong!" yelled Ryouichi as the man charged at him. He rolled to the side to avoid the blow and returned with a counter attack, which put them in a deadlock once more.

"You say the only way to wash away blood is with more blood," he said in a strained, perspiration going down his face. "If you commit to such an ideal, eventually there won't be any blood left for you to spill!"

Ryouichi yelled and pushed the man back, getting out of the deadlock and jumped forward quickly, barraging the man the a large number of attacks, using both his ninjato and tanto with lightning speed.

"Very well then," Hiraku said, "I am Hiraku Raiden, and you?"

----------------

Hayate leapt back to avoid the slash, and the blade managed to just slice through his jacket and shirt, leaving a shallow cut on his chest.

"It appears we've both managed something of a hit," Hayate said, "if you'd call it even that much. Though when it comes to ruining clothing, you've definitely got the lead. Why, this was my favorite jacket, too." He said as he pulled it tighter around himself before it sagged any further.

Onibasu noticed something while Hayate's jacket was falling and chose to finally speak up.

"Okita-san," she said, "I'd advise you be ready for foul play, this man is concealing a pistol!"

"So, the ninja girl finally speaks," Hayate sighed, "I was almost beginning to think you were a figment of my imagination or something. But now you've gone and ruined the surprise," he said as he let his jacket fall, revealing the revolver strapped to his chest. "Yes, I do keep a pistol, though I really do prefer not to use it." Hayate assumed a fighting stance once again. "So I hope we can continue, now that there's no secrets between us?"

Souji grinned after seeing the jacket fall, revealing the hidden pistol. Looking to Onibasu, he nodded in silent gesture as thanks for the hint. Getting back into a stance he took up his katana again.

"Hahaha... well, I suppose everyone should have an escape plan. I knew if you did have such a thing, you would never take it out during this duel, for a warriors honor is absolute." Souji said.

.........


Kondo looked at Hiraku with a quizzical stare. Laughing suddenly, he scratched the back of his neck with a hint of embarrassment.

"Ehehe... you must have not heard me.." Kondo started, a embarrassed smile upon his face, odd-looking upon a warrior in the middle of battle. He cleared his throat and introduced himself again. "I am Kondo Isami, Commander of the Shinsengumi."


.........

Hijikata dodged the tanto as he blocked the other slashed and stabs with his Katana and Wakizashi. As he backpedalled before the vicious melee that came upon him, he swung to the enemy's right, keeping his Wakizashi as a defense.

Ryouichi saw the blade coming hard at his right, raising his ninjato to block. The force of the impact caused Ryouichi to clench his teeth in strain. He swiped the katana away with his tanto and jumped back once more, escaping another sword slash.

"Don't you see it's useless to continue on?" Ryouichi said to the man, trying to make him reconsider this. "Taking over a government with only swords is impossible now. This mission that you swordsmen have taken is useless and foolish. Stop reliving the past and face the present!"

Ryouichi held his tanto with the blade poised downwards and had his ninjato readied to attack or defend. He wanted to see what this man would say. He did not want to have to kill this man. If only he could get him to reconsider...

"Have you lost all honor?! Have you no shame!? What is the way of the Meiji, but western ideals of greed and barbarism? The way of Bushido is proud! Honor, Duty to one's master, and self-sacrifice for a larger cause... these ideals will never be thrown away like the old regime has been. We of the Shinsengumi shall bring back Japan's lost honor, through any means necessary!" Hijikata yelled, swiping away the tanto with the blunt side of his katana.

"If you can only think of solving a conflict with the sword, than you are the barbarian!" Ryouichi yelled as Hijikata swiped his tanto away. The weapon fell on the floor, sliding out of reach. Ryouichi gripped his ninjato quickly with two hands and locked blades with the katana before he was sliced in half.

"Do you really wish to sacrifice so much for the old ways?" Ryouichi said through his clenched teeth. "Is it really worth all this bloodshed? Think rationally for once!"

"I've been thinking rationally for my entire life. Do you have any idea what this Meiji Era is doing to our people? We Japanese have solved our issues through the blade and arrow for ages. The blade is what keeps order, peace, and stability; supplementing the rightful ruler of the land. Delegation, under a corrupt regime is illogical and useless, don't you understand?! In this westernized world, WE HAVE NO FREEDOMS! All power is handed over to the new Emperor, privately chosen by the few. He is not divine! The only way to stop this corruption is through rightful justice, whether it be through force or not!"

Hijikata slashed again with great precision. The blade narrowly missed his opponents face, being blocked by the haft of the ninjato. A lock of his enemies hair fell to the ground, along with a drip of blood from a shallow gash upon his cheek. Hijikata held his blade straight out.

"I respect you for fighting as a warrior, and for backing a cause. Are you blind to what the government has done already... are you already forgetting your heritage. We fought a battle for many long years, ten years ago... Shinobu Ryuichi, have you already forgotten what the Ishin Shishi had done to your clan and their honor during the Bakumatsu?" Hijikata said.

He delved deep into Ryuichi's eyes. Even he could see the bottled up rage that the man still felt toward those who destroyed his clan. Hesitation and surprise were spotted soon after and Hijikata grinned.

"I am Vice-Captain of the Shinsengumi... do not think that I have not gathered my own information back when the good people of Kyoto saw us as their police rather than blood-lusting demons. Shinobu-san... you are right to give up on revenge, as indeed it only harbors more problems. But do not sully your families honor or your own by working with the very killers who destroyed your own clan. You can change this countries destiny if you work with the Shinsengumi, because... to be honest... the Bakumatsu isn't done yet."

Ryouichi was stunned. How did they find out about me? he thought to himself, his heart racing. I thought I got away from that incident clean... Dammit... Perspiration rolled down Ryouichi's face. He glared at the man facing him. For him to bring that dreadful day back up was a sin that had to be punished...

"The Bakumatsu is over..." Ryouichi said, his voice shaking with anger. "And it always will be! I've already made my decisions. My family was slain by those men, but fighting back will do nothing but cause more or these incidents to happen. We have no power to change this world and get used to it!"

Ryouichi's eyes opened wide as he charged for another attack. He needed to make this man shut up. He needed to stop him from saying such things! With a loud yell, Ryouichi slashed the man's sword and quickly reverted to a stabbing move, attempting to pierce his opponent through the stomach.

Hijikata was surprised by his opponents sudden rage-filled attack. He jumped back as the blade of his enemy suddenly stabbed forth, plunging toward his stomach. His teeth greeted as he felt the blade sink into his flesh half an inch. Catching a foot to the ground, he pushed off and escaped the full brunt of the stab. Putting a hand to his stomach, he felt that those the stab was not deep, it was bleeding very much. Grabbing a white cloth from his breast within his robes, he teared it and staunched the bleeding. His other hand gripped the hilt of his katana.

He looked to Ryouichi, a gaze most closely defined as disgusted pity. He met his opponents with his own question, though rhetorical and obscure, he was sure that his enemy knew what he meant.

"Does a warrior give into overwhelming odds?"

Even though truly, one man had not the power to change the course of change, together, the Shinsengumi worked hard to follow their goals. Hijikata firmly believed that one man could indeed at least try to make change, never giving up, like the old Samurai.

The tip of Ryouichi's blade dripped with blood. He had successfully connected with a stab move, though it did not go very deep. He swung his sword downwards, the blood flinging off and splattering on the ground. Ryouichi looked over to see the man still ready to fight on.

"Why don't you just give up?" Ryouichi asked the man. "It is useless to persist. Don't waste your life here! The Shinsengumi are over and will never rise again! Don't you see?"

Ryouichi gripped his ninjato with two hands, poised and ready to fight. If he had to kill this man in order to stop him, that was what he would do. He couldn't let these men overthrow a government that couldn't be stopped. If that happened, the people could be endangered, being caught in the crossfire of these men. He would not allow that to happen.

"If you are this ignorant, then one of us must die," Ryouichi said, going into a defensive stance. "If you truly wish to end this quarrel with the sword, then come at me, samurai!"

Hijikata tied the cloth around his wound like a tourniquet. He winced a bit in pain as it shot through his gut. Realizing that the battle was going no where, and their original mission was still unfinished, he glanced back to the other four members standing behind him. His face was now very serious and his Ki blasted outward. Before getting into his battle stance, he yelled an order.

"Heisuke, finish it!"

To the newcomers, the order was obscure, but Todo Heisuke understood it well. Suddenly unsheathing his own Katana, he dashed back toward the Police Headquarters. The last three of the Shinsengumi; Keisuke Yamanami, Sanosuke Harada, and Nagakura Shimpachi armed themselves well and blocked the entrances into the building. Their job now started again.

Heisuke Todo jumped through a broken window into a common room on the first floor. Dead bodies of police officers were found on the floor or still sitting on the couches and chairs. Dashing through the marble stoned hall in western style, he came to the room that Souji and Hayate were dueling in. They stood in deadlock at the foot of the high stairs. Souji gave him a quick glance, knowing exactly why he was back inside the HQ. Heisuke nodded to Onibasu, who stood nearby, then ran straight to the stairs leading to the top floor, and their targets room. At the top, he found two more policemen, frightened senseless by what was going on.

Heisuke stood, rigid in blood-spattered uniform, with a katana in a hand. Rushing at them full throttle, he let his blade fly, the blunt end smashing into their guts. The two officers fell unconscious to the ground. Heisuke smashed open the high wooden doors into the main quarters of Ujio Takeda, the Vice-Commissioner of the Kyoto Police Force. Takeda, a pot bellied, heavily bearded, westernized, man cowered in a dark corner of his room. He wore a night gown of white, easily spotted in the dark. Heisuke hefted his blade in a hand, slowly approaching him.

"By order of the Mibu-Ro Shinsengumi, you, Ujio Takeda, are under arrest for treason. You will be executed today." Heisuke said with a voice of indifference.

By all rights, Ujio Takeda was indeed a corrupt, twisted man who took control of the police force through use of noble title. The public knew him only as the obscure, yet untouchable leader of their police; however beneath the veil, he was a criminal and a well known supporter of the Ishin Shishi during the Bakumatsu. Before the Shinsengumi was disbanded publicly ten years ago, he was their last target given by the Tokugawa Regime.

Heisuke approached and grabbed the portly commissioner by the collar and partly dragged him from the shadowed room. The sun had started to rise, and people were starting to awaken to the chaos that had begun in their own city. However, a question spread like a virus through the populace causing unrest and insecurities; "Who were the bad guys?"

Ujio Takeda was restrained and taken by Heisuke down the stairs and past the duel still going on in the lobby. Souji covered his advance through the hall, not allowing Hayate to intervene. Soon, the two were out in the courtyard, behind the three other Shinsengumi, but directly seen by the two warriors who came to fight them. Shimpachi walked forward and took Ujio Takeda from Heisuke's grasp. His own blade flashed out from his sheath and lay by the man's throat. Heisuke kicked their prisoner in the knees, sending him to the ground kneeling.

"You are hereby sentenced to death by the Shinsengumi, and through justice. Your crimes are as follows." Shimpachi took an old scroll from his robes and read them. It was obviously from ten years ago. "...for treason to the Tokugawa and to the country of Japan. For ten accounts of rape. For seven accounts of cold blooded and pre-meditated murder. And finally, for inciting rebellion. For these crimes, you are to be executed by traditional means. May you die with honor."

Shimpachi suddenly lifted his blade above his head. To the two warrior's horror, in a silver arc, the blade swung as a French guillotine. The head of Ujio Takeda was severed easily from it's host's neck. His body collapsed to the ground in a growing pool of blood. Shimpachi bowed along with Heisuke in traditional style, then he ran a white cloth along the length of his glimmering blade.

Hayate kept fighting viciously, matching Souji blow for blow. He had been trying to remain fully vigilant, but the battle had monopolized his mind. He had receded back into the mind of the warrior he was ten years ago, and all that existed at that time was the battle. However, with a brief pause, everything that he had payed no mind suddenly came to the front of his mind, and he came to realize his failure.

"Dammit!" He roared, suddenly losing his usual composure. He threw an accusing finger at Souji. "You!" he yelled, "You distracted me! You bastard!" Hayate put his hand over his face, trying to calm himself down, and soon re-assumed his usual smile. "I apologize for the outburst, Mr. Souji, that was... childish. Anyway, I believe that this battle no longer has any meaning, and now that morning has come, the risk of involving innocent civilians has increased, so I'd say it's time we end this. What say you to a temporary ceasefire? You got what you came for, so get out and we won't pursue you for the time being."

----------

"You'll have to forgive me, Kondo Isami," Hiraku said as he raised his sword, preparing to strike, "now, let's finish this quickly!" Hiraku dashed forward and swung downward at Isami's shoulder.

Souji was taken aback for a moment with his opponent's sudden outburst. He knew that the time they spent at the HQ now, was completely worthless however, so he bowed with Hayate's last words. Looking up, his eyes weren't so hostile as they had been, and his fighting Ki had died down. Flicking his sword, a small spatter of blood shook off and fell to the ground. Wiping a clean white cloth down the length of his blade, he sheathed it after.

"Hazama Hayate, it has truly been an honor to fight one of such skill as you. May we meet again sometime, unless less trying of circumstances." Souji commented before turning around and walking toward the doors.

Onibasu was well behind, following as even she knew that their job was complete. As they exited the building, they found that the fight was still going on outside. Shimpachi stood by Heisuke before the body of their target. Kondo Isami and Toshizo Hijikata were still dueling their opponents. Yamanami still stood along with Sanosuke, awaiting further orders.

As the sun climbed higher into the sky, Souji knew that they had to retreat for the time being, as the police from outside of Kyoto's HQ would likely arrive soon. Whistling shrill into the air, he called out to his comrades.


...........


Kondo blocked the blade of Hiraku, feeling the force of his enemy weigh down upon him. Pushing up and forward however, he drove Hiraku back and off balance. Mere split-seconds after, Kondo threw his leg forward, catching the back of Hiraku's heel, sending him to the ground. Kondo's blade now rested before his opponent's neck.

"This duel is over. I and my comrades must leave. Shall we meet again one day, our duel may continue."

............

Hijikata drew his smaller wakizashi by his side and rushed Ryouichi. Their blades flashed through the air in a mad flurry of strikes, each sounding off with a ring and clang. Their eyes were narrowed, animal-like, and menacing. No words were spoken, but their thoughts were transferred from strike to strike. By the time the shrill whistle call come from Souji, Hijikata and his opponent stood at opposite sides of their dueling ground once again.

Hijikata sighed and suddenly sheathed his blades. He could see the quizzical look upon Ryouichi's face.

"This battle between us has no meaning at the moment. Our mission is over. As a warrior, when you finally learn you are on the wrong side... seek out the Shinsengumi."

At that, all of the Shinsengumi regrouped and ran back into the shadows of the alleyways, unopposed by their shocked enemies. That day, the news would spread like a wildfire, that their Vice-Commissioner of Police was executed, and for reason that were just coming to light.

Hayate sheathed his sword and made his way out of the building. He stepped out the front door to find Hiraku and Ryouichi, as well as some surviving police reinforcements.

"Don't bother pursuing the Shinsengumi," he said, "we don't need to get civilians involved." Hayate sighed, "We've lost this one," he said, "but I've no intention of being humiliated like this again."

Hayate walked over to Hiraku and helped him from the ground. "It appears that you, Hiraku, have suffered a more personal defeat."

"It appears I'm out of practice," Hiraku said, "I'll be sure to remedy that."

"Make sure you do," Hayate said, "You could've easily died tonight, and I'm sure there'll be no shortage of battles in the future." He looked at Ryouichi. "Who's this guy?"

-------------------

"I'm glad you allowed me to accompany you," Onibasu said to the men of the Shinsengumi, "I assure you any doubts I may have had are certainly gone now. Now I hope I can trust you not to get yourselves killed, as there's no doubt that losing you would be disastrous for our cause." Before they could respond, Onibasu ran off and into the shadows.

At the disappearance of Onibasu, the Shinsengumi ran forth into the shadows. They came into a main street, people just starting to wake up and come out from their homes to enjoy a nice warm day in Kyoto. The Shinsengumi no longer were met with yells of fright, but with silence. Anyone could tell that that the people were unsure of the alignment of the Shinsengumi: were they good, or bad.

Quickly, the Shinsengumi made their way through an alleyway and toward their hideaway. Stopping in front, Kondo Isami walked forward, Hijikata close behind. Souji followed and turned to the others following.

"Listen, this hideaway is no longer necessary. The people are no longest frightened of us, as much as the police would like to think. And for now, the police will not be on our tail as much. We are packing up shop and moving to a new location, which has been procured by our spy, Yamazaki." Kondo stated.

"Yamazaki?! You found him?" Shimpachi asked with shock.

"Yes, he will be with us for now on." Hijikata replied.

With that, the Shinsengumi entered their hideaway for the last time, only to clean it out completely, and to move the next day to Fushimi-Ku, the southern most city in the prefecture of Kyoto. There, a large piece of property had been set away for them all, consisting of a dojo, a couple of buildings, and walled property. But, what Yamazaki had done was much more important, as he directed all their new recruits there.

"To Fushimi-Ku then..." Souji said with an excited grin.

Ryouichi was left speechless as the rest of the Shinsengumi left and retreated. Their mission was over, so it was true it would be useless to keep fighting. He kept thinking of that one man's words. Was he truly on the right side? He couldn't make up his mind yet. It was too soon to be forming conclusions.

He met back up with Hiraku and another man that seemed to be his accomplice. When asked who he was, Ryouichi grinned.

"I am Ryouichi, the last of the Shinobu clan," he replied proudly. "I met Hiraku a day ago and decided to tag along. Apparently I was in for more than I first thought."

In full uniform, and during the light of day, the Shinsengumi publicly started the journey to their new residence in Fushimi-Ku. Much of their belongings sat in open palanquins or wagons, which Sanosuke and Shimpachi both wheeled along. Souji stood up front of the line of light-blue clad warriors along with the Commander Isami, and his Demon Vice-Commander, Hijikata Toshizo. As they walked, no resistance was to be found. Not a trace of any police was seen, which could only be explained by their recent assault on the HQ of Kyoto.

Yamanami and Heisuke brought up the rear of their column, tasked with the ultimate protection of their group. As they all walked, people really payed not much of a heed, only stopped to watch them pass by, before conclusively continuing on with their lives. Homes passed by as they went from street to street in their procession. Soon, the part of Kyoto that they had lived in for the past ten years, disappeared behind them, leaving not but leveled rice-paddies, high plum trees, and the rolling Kamogawa river to the east. The three mountain ranges surrounded the entire Province, however the closest of them seemed to be the looming Higashiyama Mountains to their east.

Soon, after many hours of travel, they had arrived by the border of Fushimi-Ku. The city wasn't as crowded as the ward of Nakagyo (where they started), Shimogyo, or even Minami (which was even smaller than Fushimi). However, the people there were hard-working, loyal, and even better... old supporters of the Shogunate.

As they entered the city, slowly passing the very entrance that bore flags of the Meiji, they wondered if the people would actually support them. However, those insecurities would vanish as soon as they beheld the old black and gold flags, bearing the emblem of the Tokugawa. Smaller, light blue and white flags fluttered nearby, the very symbol of the Shinsengumi. From outside of Fushimi-Ku, any normal person would believe it to be a avid Meiji supporter, however upon entering, true intentions were seen.

With their walking through the busy streets of the city, people bowed respectfully toward their new protectors... ones who would bring promise of change to this regime. Down many blocks to the south by the very edge of Fushimi-Ku, lay the large expanse of their new compound.

The new Shinsengumi HQ was very large. It was completely walled, aside from two gated entrances, both guarded by Shinsengumi patrols carrying heavy Naginata or Yari spears. When they arrived at the front by the gates, it appeared to them like a vision of ten years ago before the Bakumatsu ended. Many Shinsengumi stood before them through the opened gates. Plenty enough were present to guard the city as a whole. Their previous number of thirty recruits was now dwarfed by upwards of one hundred and fifty. Over half had been trained rigorously for any conflict.

All bowed to the newcomers with immense respect. Souji stepped forward and looked around the entire compound: There was a rather large dojo at the left end of the complex, barracks large enough to hold many hundreds of soldiers, and other buildings for uses. Private quarters for the superiors were prepared for Kondo, Hijikata, Souji. There was an extra for one other who had yet to show up.

An armory and blacksmith shop brought up the right end of the complex, the telltale signs of hammer to steel echoing through the air. In the middle of the complex, connected directly to the barracks and private quarters, was the kitchen and mess hall. There, a kind young woman named Miya prepared the food along with a couple of Shinsengumi pages.

"Yoroshiku Onegaiitashimasu (Pleased to meet you), I am your commander, Isami Kondo. You will all henceforth be following the group's code. Do not disappoint me." Kondo said with a serious look, quite contrary to his actual character.

"And I am your Vice-Commander, please work hard. This is the first units captain, Okita Souji." Hijikata greeted with as indifferent a tone as always.

"I hope to serve well with you all." Souji simply stated.

"Well met, Ryouichi," Hayate said, "I am Hayate Hazama of the Kyoto police, as well as an old friend of Hiraku's. I'd like to talk with you more, but right now I've many duties to attend to. I could use your help dealing with this, so I'll contact you as soon as I can." It was then that Hayate rallied the remaining policemen, leaving Hiraku and Ryouichi alone.

"Well, I'll be going home now," Hiraku said, "I need some rest, and I definitely need to sharpen my skills that have dulled so much over the years. Though you certainly fared better than I did, I suggest you do the same."

((OOC: If nobody has anything to add, I'll add some more to this post and finish the chapter.))

"Yes, I guess we both need a little practice," Ryouichi said to Hiraku, nodding. "I will retreat for now as well and tend to a few of my wounds. Might check on the Westerner to see what trouble he's causing as well. Farewell for now, Hiraku."

Ryouichi turned and walked out of the building, mixed thoughts entering his head. What would happen next? Now that he had participated in this fight, could he even escape the hand of the Shinsengumi? It didn't matter. All that mattered was stopping those foul men from ruining this country.

Ryouichi walked home, taking about an hour as he walked through the streets of Kyoto. He entered his small abode and relinquished his weapons and bloody clothing, preparing some medical equipment to stitch wounds and make sure they didn't get infected. He wasn't entirely sure if some of these medicines worked, but it was better than nothing.

Once he was finished, he took a seat on the floor, sighing in relief. He would need a lot of rest tonight to restore his energy. That swordsman he had fought was very good, as was expected of a Shinsengumi soldier. That was a very long day that Ryouichi would never forget...

Once all were situated at the new Headquarters, the Shinsengumi alerted all the officers to a meeting. It was held in a large, open, room open to the backyard where a zen garden and koi pond sat. Kondo Isami called all to attention as the head of the entire organization. He sat on a mat at the end of two rows of officers. Behind him sat two retainers; Susumu Yamazaki, and his sister who served as chef to the soldiers, Yamazaki Miya. In the rows sat squad leaders, such as Souji, Shimpachi, and Heisuke. At the head of the columns sat the two Vice Commanders: Hijikata Toshizo and Yamanami Keisuke.

Once all was silent, Kondo started his list of commands and announcements.

"Now, the Shinsengumi directly hold a control over Fushimi-Ku... which means that almost all of the southern end of Kyoto belongs to us and the people. We shall act, henceforth, as a police presence in this area as we did during the Bakumatsu. Soon, all of Kyoto will be under our protection of course." Kondo cleared his throat. "The current police organization in Kyoto is significantly weakened due to our recent activity, so we shan't have to worry as much with operating in the light of day. However, there are other warriors who would wish our end swiftly. Stay vigilant, and keep control over your squads as best you can." Kondo stated with sound authority.

With that, Toshizo stood and began to address everyone else.

"Just as during the Bakumatsu, our rules of honor have not changed. These shall be henceforth followed under punishment of Seppuku:

.You cannot deviate from Bushido.
.You cannot leave the Shinsengumi.
.You cannot raise money privately.
.You cannot take part in others' litigations.
.You cannot engage in private fights.

And further more, these are the last two:

.If the leader of a squad is mortally wounded in a fight, all the members of said unit are to fight and die on the spot.
.Even in a fight where death is imminent, you are not permitted to retrieve the bodies of anyone aside from the leader of the unit." Hijikata said reading from a long scroll.

The meeting finished soon afterward, once squads were assigned and shifts for guarding were set. The officers left and called attention to their own squads and thus began a new era for the group of warriors.