Okay....minor revision. But still...
-M.
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Aizu Jousitai
Two: Ame (Rain)
Author: Shimazu Masayoshi (
patriot014@...)
Rating: PG-13 (Violence)
Disclaimer: None. No anime characters here...all real historical
people. I own this stuff! LOL No I don't...who DOES own these people? lol
Major Characters: "Other"-- Yamamoto Kakuma, Yamamoto Yaeko, Aizu soldiers
Note: These stories are in no particular chronological order, I just
write them as they come. This one is a bit more historically accurate.
Comments, please!
Author�s note: Second installment, much more historically accurate. Will
post a list of the women of the Brigade soon. Happy reading!
Kyoto
Summer 1864
The door of the inn flew inward with a crash. The swirling dust and rain
obscured the entrance for but a moment, before the waiting forms outside
became visible. As the leader stepped inside, his white sleeve insignia with
the black letter �Ai� on it could plainly be seen by one and all. The
shopkeeper�s face contorted. He shuddered in fear for a moment, noting the
waiting soldiers outside carrying spears and guns.
�We�re being sear�� his words ended with the squish of steel through flesh.
�I am Yamamoto Kakuma of Aizu-han!� the squad leader brandished his sword,
stained with fresh blood, at the cowering commoners. �We come on official
business!� The others poured in, the stamping of their boots resounding
throughout the building as some spread out to secure the ground floor while
the rest bounded up the stairs. There was a ghastly stillness for a moment,
and then a bloody heap fell down the stairs. They were right�there were
Shishi here, just like the spy report had said. Just as Yamamoto started to
turn, there was a blur of motion.
�Choshu!!�
He began to turn, blade hissing outward in a flash of light, before a loud
crack resounded in the dead air�Yamamoto only saw the dead body just as his
eyes began to adjust. At the far side of the room, one of his men leaned
back with the kick of his smoking rifle. The remaining men and women, most
probably employees, cowered in shock.
�Resist and you will all pay the consequences! Cooperate and the law will be
lenient!�
The unit from the upper floor pounded down the stairs, kicking along a
couple of bound and struggling men. Yamamoto nodded, and pointed to the
others on the floor. �You, you, and you, tie these people up and take them
to Kurotani for questioning. You and you, board up the entrance and go
inform the Kuwana troops at Nijo. And you�� he pointed at the young soldier
who�d been so quick to shoot. �With me. Now.� With a sharp cleaning whip to
his sword, he sheathed and turned to leave.
The young soldier quickly fell in step next to Yamamoto as he emerged.
�It stopped raining�� he shook his head. With his men in tow, he started on
the long road back to Aizu headquarters.
�I did good, didn�t I?� asked the soldier with a slight cough. �Damn, it�s
so hard to keep my voice low.�
�Yae�� he whispered, keeping his own voice low. �Your technique is��
�Clean?�
Yamamoto turned to his�sister, and proffered a hand towel from under his
breastplate. �I don�t know what to call it, but I guess�� She wiped her
forehead and returned it to him.
�You�re like the Murasaki Shikibu of gunnery.�
�Does that mean I outdo you? Murasaki was better than her brother at
writing, you know��
�Just shut up, Yae. People will stare.�
�Haha�I�m better than you!�
�Save it for the demonstration before Lord Katamori tomorrow.�
�You�re on!�
--
Glossary and Notes:
-han: suffix meaning �feudal domain�
-Murasaki Shikibu was an 11th century poet and author of the world�s first
novel (The Tale of Genji), who outdid her brother in an age when women were
supposed to be very sparsely educated.