Chapter Text
Stepping out onto the engawa Sannan slid the door to the room he had just left closed behind him. As the sound of the drunken antics from within were muted Sannan let out a breath, his shoulders slumping in relief as he allowed his eyes to close for a moment. Taking several steps across the wooden planks, further distancing himself from the boisterous noise, he leaned forward to rest his hands on the railing that lined the engawa’s edge as he drank in the somewhat quieter atmosphere while gazing up at the night sky that hung over the courtyard in front of him.
Normally Sannan tended to avoid joining the others at places like Shimabara, as he generally found the usual entertainment there to be only minimally interesting at best, despite enjoying the company of his comrades in other settings. This time however he had been asked to come along with them in order to help act as a buffer between Hijikata and Serizawa, after the latter had for some unknown reason insisted that Hijikata join him and a number of the other members of the Roshigumi on this outing, as well as to help manage the elder man’s unpredictable temperament. After having dealt with the results of several of Serizawa’s other recent trips to Shimabara Hijikata had, reluctantly, agreed.
Only a short time had passed since their arrival in Kyoto, and in that time the tension between Hijikata and Serizawa had been increasing rapidly, in part due to some of the incidents that had occurred during their journey from Edo. Nevertheless, as a result it meant that Sannan had agreed to accompany the others, and had been fulfilling his assigned role for the majority of the evening. At least until he had excused himself from the festivities, stating a need for air as he left the room and made his way outside, when the unceasing ruckus had begun to wear on him.
Letting out his breath in a sigh Sannan straightened, folding his arms across his chest, he tilted his head back to better take in the stars overhead as his thoughts continued. Hijikata’s feelings regarding Serizawa were more than understandable. Especially as it became increasingly obvious that in spite of the connections and status his reputation provided them, Serizawa’s actions should he be permitted to continue in his position as the Roshigumi’s leader, would only serve to further damage the group’s already negative perception in the eyes of Kyoto’s citizens. Even the rules of conduct they had imposed on the group in an attempt to curb Serizawa’s behavior had proved insufficient as the man merely found new ways to flout said rules, and to manipulate their more impressionable members.
The situation was nearing a point where unless something occurred to bring about a change, more drastic measures might soon become necessary. However there remained some question in his mind as to whether Hijikata and Kondou would be willing to carry out such steps, as both men were often far too kind for their own good. It was possible that a plan toward an alternative option would need to be pursued.
“…The sky tonight is beautiful, is it not?”
The question voiced from close beside him, spoken in the dialect used by Shimabara’s geisha, caused Sannan to start slightly as his thoughts were interrupted. Looking over as he let his arms fall to his sides, Sannan’s eyes met those of the woman standing alongside the engawa’s railing, a short distance away from where he stood. The woman was nearly as tall as he was, and as Sannan’s eyes caught her amber ones, she bowed her head slightly in acknowledgement of his gaze, a demure smile crossing her lips as his eyes lingered before he reminded himself to look away. Continuing his study of the woman for a few moments longer Sannan noted the white collar visible under the patterned gray kimono she wore, and the way the flickering lights shone off the deep blue tones of her hair, bound up in its elaborate style.
Recalling belatedly that she had asked him a question, Sannan refocused his attention away from the woman’s appearance, as he inclined his head in a slight nod. “Yes,… it is.” replied Sannan. As he spoke he half turned back toward the courtyard, as if allowing his attention to drift back to his contemplation of the sky, while still keeping his gaze fixed on the woman’s features out of the corner of his eye as he watched for her reaction to his politely reserved tone.
Several moments passed, allowing just enough time for Sannan to convince himself that the woman would likely turn and leave now or otherwise overlook his presence, based on his past experiences in similar settings. Instead to his surprise, Sannan watched as the woman’s smile warmed slightly, and as he watched she stepped closer lifting one hand to point toward one of the clusters of stars.
“Do you see the bright star in that group of stars?” she asked, waiting until Sannan indicated that he did, before continuing. “That one is Orihime… and over there, that in that group is one called Hikoboshi.” The woman explained as her finger moved to trace the shape of a second constellation, allowing a few moments to pass after she had done so before looking over at Sannan. “…Have you ever heard their story?”
“I believe that I have.” murmured Sannan nodding as he straightened after having leaned a bit closer in order to better locate the stars that were being pointed out. The names at least were familiar to him, enough so that he was certain he must have heard the tale at least a few times in his life, even though it might have been quite some time since he had cared to recalled the details of it.
The woman hummed softly, lowering her hand as she nodded, looking away after a moment toward the sky. “It’s just as well,… as the ending isn’t an entirely happy one.” When she looked back toward Sannan after a brief pause the somberness of her expression had faded, to be replaced by the same demure smile she had worn earlier. “Of course there are other constellations besides those two,… Do you know any of them?”
Reluctant to appear unknowledgeable, Sannan turned his gaze back toward studying the sky, feeling that he ought to be able to locate at least one or two patterns among the scattered stars. Even though the heavens were outside of his usual areas of interest or expertise, there surely must be at least a few that he had heard about in the past and could recall.
After they had talked for some time, the conversation gradually moved away from the subject of stars and constellations and toward other topics. As they spoke Sannan found himself surprised at the depth and scope of her knowledge, which was not only limited to the stars and their uses for navigation and the determination of times and seasons, but also included far more than simply entertaining stories and poems or gossip and popular topics of the day. It stretched beyond what he would have expected and thought necessary for her work. Equally surprising was the discovery that for a while now he had actually been enjoying their conversation. Something of his realization must have shown on his face since a short time later the woman paused in what she was saying to tilt her head slightly as she looked over at him curiously.
“Did I say something unusual?” asked the woman as her brows drew together slightly, though a hint of ready amusement also curved the corners of her lips.
Caught momentarily off guard by the apparent ease with which she seemed able to pick up on his thoughts, Sannan answered without considering his response as thoroughly as he ordinarily might have. “…No.” said Sannan shaking his head. “I was merely surprised. You’re far more intelligent than I had expected you to be.”
A moment passed, during which Sannan had an instant to register the words he just said, but rather than being met with the annoyance or anger he might have expected, instead the woman’s eyes widened for a moment before her hand came up to conceal her lips as a burst of startled laughter escaped them.
“…And it appears that you’re far less charming than I was beginning to expect you to be.” retorted the woman still hiding her smile behind the edge of her sleeve, though the faint laughter that lingered in her tone and the glitter in her eyes both conveyed her amusement clearly.
Sannan felt a momentary flash of embarrassment before it was offset by mild amusement of his own, at just how quick her response had been. Allowing himself a faint exhale, that was almost a laugh, Sannan bent forward in a slight bow. “My apologies. …What I truly meant to say, was that I have enjoyed our conversation more than I had anticipated.”
The woman’s eyes softened before lowered them as she bowed in return. “As have I.”
For a moment it seemed to Sannan that the woman was about to say something more before the sound of a throat being cleared softly nearby alerted them that they were no longer alone. As the woman turned to look over her shoulder Sannan saw that another geisha and younger maiko stood nearby. Having learned earlier that the woman was waiting for other members of her okiya who were entertaining in the room next to the one that the Roshigumi occupied, so that they could travel back together, Sannan assumed that these were the people she had been expecting. After the woman had indicated for her companions to wait for a moment, she turned back toward him.
“May I know your name?” asked the woman as she looked back over at Sannan, her eyebrows raising minutely.
Straightening as he nodded, Sannan stepped slightly away from the railing he had been sitting on earlier while they talked. “I am Sannan Keisuke.”
A smile curved the woman’s lips as she inclined her head slightly in thanks, before bowing. “Good evening Sannan-han. …Perhaps we shall meet again.”
“Perhaps.” murmured Sannan, bowing as well.
Watching as the woman left with the other two Sannan decided that, though he did not necessarily plan to seek a meeting out, he would also not mind if such a meeting were to take place in the future. As he turned back toward the room the Roshigumi occupied Sannan was greeted by the sound of a sudden cry, which he recognized as having been voiced by Ibuki, followed by the lower sound of several voices speaking at once. Sighing quietly Sannan reached out to slide the door open. It was apparently past time that he rejoined the rest of the Roshigumi.
Shortly after Sannan had returned to returned to the room where the others were that evening, the night had ended as it was late and the overall mood had begun to wane. Now several days had passed since then and he, Hijikata, and Kondo stood outside Serizawa’s quarters, having been instructed earlier in the day to meet there in order to discuss something regarding the Roshigumi. As he filed inside along with Hijikata and Kondo Sannan’s eyes swept the room, a faint frown crossing his face for an instant as he saw an unfamiliar man sitting before them, along with Serizawa and Nimi.
Seating himself to Hijikata’s left Sannan focused his attention on Serizawa as he spoke. “I believe you called for us?”
After Serizawa confirmed that he had, Nimi began to speak explaining that Serizawa had come up with a way to increase the Roshigumi’s manpower, which was still lacking if they planned to become a powerful force operating under the Bakufu’s orders. As Nimi introduced their guest describing him as Yukimura Kodo, a doctor who was an expert in western medicine, Sannan shifted his gaze to the man taking in his appearance while Nimi continued. The doctor was an older man and seemed to be relatively unassuming, for all the status afforded him as a physician and one who specialized in western medicine besides. Sannan wondered just how the doctor was involved in Nimi and Serizawa’s plan to help build the Roshigumi’s numbers.
When Nimi mentioned that Kodo had been sent by the Bakufu, Sannan felt a brief surge of excitement. If the Bakufu had sent the doctor to them, it could only be taken as a sign that the Roshigumi’s efforts were increasingly beginning to attract the Bakufu’s interest and attention, which meant that all of their hard work was in fact not going unnoticed.
“The Bakufu dispatched him?” asked Sannan, his enthusiasm coloring his tone as he looked over at Nimi, while eagerness briefly shifted his facial expression.
Nimi nodded in confirmation, beginning to explain that he had begun the preparations for everything some time ago. Sannan had a brief instant to wonder just what exactly the ‘preparations’ were for, before Nimi was interrupted by Hijikata.
“When exactly was ‘some time ago’? questioned Hijikata, his tone suspicious, as he narrowed his eyes at Nimi.
When Nimi reiterated that it had simply been ‘some time back’, Hijikata’s gaze shifted further toward the other man and it looked for a moment as if he were going to demand a further explanation, until Kondo looked over, shaking his head wordlessly to dissuade him. As Hijikata relented and settled back down Kondo turned his attention back toward Nimi and Serizawa.
“So what is this excellent idea?” asked Kondo, both his voice and expression conveying calm, though Sannan knew Kondo must have been equally as curious as he was.
Rather than answer, Kondo’s question provoked an unusual response from Serizawa. Sannan felt his lips tighten minutely in disapproval as Serizawa’s fan struck Ibuki’s hand harshly while he barked a dismissal, though the expression was too slight to be noticed by any of the others. After Ibuki left, muttering under his breath, Nimi resumed his explanation.
According to Nimi the Bakufu had agreed to offer the Roshigumi financial support, and in return the Roshigumi were to work with Kodo Yukimura to further the doctor’s research into an unusual medicine that the doctor had procured from distant lands, which promised potentially miraculous results. When both he and Hijikata pressed for a further explanation of the medication’s effects, rather than allow Kodo to answer, it was Serizawa who spoke instead as a ruthless smile twisted his lips while he surveyed the trio of men before him.
“…Why don’t we show them?” said Serizawa, pushing himself to his feet before stepping toward the door as the way was cleared. Behind him Nimi and Kodo rose as well, leaving no choice but for Kondo, Hijikata, and Sannan to follow suit.
Serizawa led them across the compound, to a portion of the Yagi estate that was largely unused. As they entered the gated off area, Kodo fell back to lock the door behind them, while Nimi and Serizawa continued ahead toward a small building. Pausing briefly, Sannan glanced over at Kondo and Hijikata as the three of them came to a stop outside the building. Then at a nod from Hijikata, he proceeded inside while Kondo and Hijikata remained behind to keep an eye on Kodo.
Sannan entered the building coming to a stop as Serizawa extended an arm to block his path briefly before allowing him closer. Stepping past Serizawa as Nimi lit a lamp inside the room Sannan realized that this was where Iesato, one of their members who had broken the rules of conduct, had been imprisoned while awaiting his time to commit seppuku. As he, Serizawa, and Nimi stepped closer to Iesato, Nimi withdrew a vial filled with a translucent red liquid from his person. Offering the vial to Iesato, Nimi briefly stated that Iesato would have a choice, to commit seppuku or alternatively to submit to participation in an experiment by drinking the vial’s contents.
Iesato barely hesitated before grabbing the vial from Nimi’s hands, quickly unstoppering it and tilting his head back as he drank down the contents. As Sannan watched the red liquid disappear down Iesato’s throat, he couldn’t help feeling a faint sense of dread mixed with eerie fascination.
A moment later the vial fell from Iesato’s hands to crash to the floor where it shattered as Iesato began to scream. Watching with mute horror as Iesato’s unearthly cries started to echo across the compound, Sannan saw the man’s hair begin to fade to white as his eyes took on a reddish glow. His brow knitting as he suppressed a gasp, Sannan fought to make sense of what was taking place before his eyes. …What-… is happening to him?!
“Damn, what happened to him?!”
As Hijikata echoed his sentiments from outside, Sannan looked toward the doorway, just as Iesato twisted his head toward the voice as well. There was a moment’s pause as everyone stood unmoving, then Iesato let out an animalistic growl, lunging toward the open doorway with his hands outstretched like claws.
Hijikata’s eyes widened as he hastily backed away, shouldering Kondo behind him and out of the way of Iesato’s wild lunge, while drawing his sword. The weapon barely managed to clear the sheath in time for him to swing, the slash enough to ward off Iesato’s second attack briefly as Sannan, Serizawa and Nimi exited the building.
Looking toward Hijikata and Kondo as the latter drew his sword as well, Sannan circled around Iesato, working with the other two men in an attempt to surround and contain him. Feeling his heart race as the transformed man shifted his focus from Hijikata to the other potential threats present, Sannan sensed Nimi starting to draw his sword as well while he moved closer, though he still stayed well out of the way of the main center of battle.
“Toshi! Sannan-kun! Don’t let him get out!” ordered Kondo, gripping his sword more tightly as he fixed his gaze on the crazed man centered among them.
“Right!” agreed Sannan as he prepared to attack in conjunction with Hijikata and Kondo.
There was a brief struggle during which Iesato was wounded several times, each time managing to recover from his injuries almost instantaneously, before he was able to elude them by fleeing into one of the other buildings nearby. As Iesato disappeared from sight Hijikata rounded on Kodo, Nimi and Serizawa, fixing the three men with a fiery glare.
“He was able to heal from those wounds like it was nothing,… How do we stop him?” growled Hijikata through gritted teeth, focusing in on Kodo as he spoke.
Kodo hummed thoughtfully, his eyes becoming hooded as he studied Hijikata for a few moments while rubbing his chin, before replying. “…Perhaps you might have better luck if you were to behead him, or to focus your efforts on piercing him through the heart.”
Grunting in response Hijikata turned quickly, hurriedly making his way toward the sounds of chaos and fighting as Iesato had obviously located the other members of the Roshigumi, who had no doubt been drawn by his screams.
After Hijikata had disappeared, Sannan and Kondo lingered a few moments longer, attempting to press Kodo, Nimi, and Serizawa for additional information. Barely restrained fury colored Kondo’s expression as he turned away from the trio, both he and Sannan hurrying after Hijikata, when all of the men failed to be forthcoming. They arrived just in time to see Hijikata’s sword penetrate Iesato’s body, piecing his heart, and saving Ibuki.
As Harada called out a warning to Hijikata, Sannan stepped from the doorway, putting on a calm expression while raising his voice slightly in order to be heard by the gathered captains as he spoke. “Supposedly you can kill it by piercing it’s heart or by beheading it.”
A few moments later the red glow faded from Iesato’s eyes and he went limp on Hijikata’s blade, sliding off it to collapse to the ground. While Kondo stepped forward to make sure that the others were all right, Sannan went over to where Iesato’s body lay, kneeling beside it.
As he reached out to begin inspecting the corpse, Sannan noted that apart from the final blow which Hijikata had dealt, all of the man’s injuries had healed flawlessly, leaving no trace behind aside from the blood and damage that littered his clothing. The only other evidence of the man’s altered state was visible in his hair and eyes, both of which retained their eerie coloring even after Iesato’s death. Sannan felt a faint frown draw his brows together as he gently slipped one arm under Iesato’s shoulders to lift him up in order to take advantage of the moon’s light. Using equal gentleness he pulled one of the fallen man’s eyes open a bit wider with the fingers of his free hand, spending a few moments inspecting the reddened tone of his iris before letting the lid relax to its previous position.
…In spite of his having broken the rules of conduct his loss, particularly in this manner, is unfortunate… thought Sannan sighing quietly as he ran his fingers over Iesato’s eyes to close them before lowering him to the ground.
Standing Sannan bent to brush away some of the dirt that clung to the knees of his hakama, as Hijikata ordered Saito and Harada to carry Iesato’s corpse inside, and out of sight, before calling for everyone to assemble in the main hall.
By the time that everyone had gathered, enough time had gone by for the adrenaline of the moment to have faded and for everyone to begin to wonder about and consider the potential implications of what had happened. As the captains and Ibuki began to trickle into the main hall they were accompanied by a low murmur as they talked amongst themselves and it took several minutes for things to quiet enough for Kodo to begin explaining the properties of the medicine that Iesato had taken after having set one of the vials filled with red liquid before them.
Unsurprisingly the others were visibly upset as they finally recalled that Iesato had been one of the number of men who had traveled from Edo with them. Shinpachi leaned forward angrily as he spoke, voicing his protest against having used one of their own members as a subject for the experiment.
As the others debated amongst themselves Sannan let his gaze fall to the floor.
Nagakura was not incorrect, the idea of using members of their own group as experimental subjects was,… disturbing, even more so given the madness caused by the serum. And should word of their actions come into more public knowledge, even though it may have been at the Bakufu’s behest, considering the already fragile reputation of the Roshigumi it would likely merit the group’s destruction. However on the other hand despite the support of Aizu in allowing them to remain in Kyoto, and that which Serizawa had obtained, the group continued to be in dire straits financially. Unless something were to change in the very near future, it was likely that even the few men that they had now would begin to seek other opportunities, where they could be more certain of receiving payment for their services. Additionally the support of the Bakufu himself would further the group’s reputation and perhaps even provide the means to allow them to sever ties with Serizawa and elevate Kondo into position as the Roshigumi’s sole leader.
Sannan’s lips thinned as he pressed them together while considering the idea, the voices of the others continuing in the background of his awareness.
If there truly was room for improvement in the ochimizu as both Kodo and Nimi claimed, there was a distinct possibility that the negative side effects could be reduced or even eliminated, not only serving the Bakufu’s cause but also providing the means of enhancing the strength and skills of the Roshigumi’s members even further. Of course such an undertaking was not without risk, but if he were to position himself to closely monitor the research, he would be able to make every effort to ensure that they remained as minimal as possible. And to ensure that neither Kodo or Nimi acted with undue haste or attempted to expand the scope of their experiments beyond those men who were already condemned to seppuku and agreed to become part of the tests. Additionally since Nimi was already so closely linked to Kodo’s work, an opportunity was provided to suggest his removal from leadership, in order to allow him to focus more fully on the research.
Lifting his gaze from the floor, just as Hijikata was about to continue his protest despite Kondo’s murmured warning for caution, Sannan spoke.
“…Considering our current standing, we cannot afford to ignore the will of the Bakufu.” He said, well aware that his words were likely to draw further protest from the others as he appeared to side with Serizawa and Nimi. Glancing over, Sannan noted the slight smirk that Nimi now wore, and carefully kept his expression neutral as he continued. “However if there is still room for improvement, I feel it would be wise for Nimi-san to step down from his position as commander, and concentrate on his research. So as to prevent a repeat of what just transpired.”
Watching as Nimi nodded along in agreement for several moments until his eyes widened with the realization of what had just been said, Sannan fought back the smile that attempted to twist his lips, instead making sure to keep his expression guilelessly innocent. As Nimi’s shoulders slumped, his protests falling silent at a look from Serizawa, Sannan allowed a pleasant smile to form on his lips.
“Then Nimi-san and Kodo-san will conduct experiments on the medicine. I shall offer you my assistance.” finished Sannan, ignoring the irritation that was visible on Nimi’s face before he looked away.
With the matter settled, Sannan sensed Hijikata rise from beside him before cautioning the captains to keep what had occurred secret as he dismissed the meeting.
Later that evening it was without surprise that Sannan admitted Heisuke into his quarters, pausing long enough in tending to his sword after the day’s events to grant the younger man entry and see him seated along the far wall, before returning to his task. A number of minutes passed in silence while Sannan continued with what he had been doing, as Heisuke shifted restlessly nearby, gradually working himself up to what he had come for. Eventually murmurs of frustration, largely involving Nimi and Serizawa began to trickle out of Heisuke’s lips, finally after several minutes shifting toward the true purpose of his visit.
“Bluntly put, the Bakufu and the Aizu Domain want to use us to do their dirty work, right?” murmured Heisuke, sounding a bit despondent as he sat with his head hanging, staring down at his crossed ankles while speaking.
Humming in response Sannan inclined his head briefly, turning his sword back and forth as he examined the blade. “That is the extent of our worth at present.”
“Sannan-san, are you okay with this?!” burst out Heisuke, unable to contain himself any longer in the face of Sannan’s apparently unbothered reactions. “Can you keep your cool if one of your friends gets turned into a monster?!”
Closing his eyes for a moment as Heisuke’s protests continued, Sannan cut him off. “Do you think I am okay with this?” interjected Sannan frowning faintly as he stared at the reflection of himself in the blade of his freshly polished sword.
Behind him Heisuke made a surprised sound, falling silent for a few moments before his shoulders fell once more. “…But then how come you’re going along with everything?” a faint note of desperation mixing with the confusion and frustration in his voice.
Sighing Sannan lowered the weapon to his desk, carefully setting it aside before turning to face Heisuke. “Todo-kun… It is not that I am simply ‘going along with everything’, even though that may appear to be the case on the surface. …I am also concerned by what has occurred,-…
“But then why?!” began Heisuke, his emotions getting the better of him once more, before falling silent at a look from Sannan.
“…However I also am aware of the complexities of our current situation.” Sannan continued, settling his loosely curled hands on his thighs. “At the moment we remain indebted to not only Serizawa-san and the Aizu Domain for their assistance but also, if we intend to acquire the further support we need from the Bakufu,… we have no option but to comply with his wishes. In our current position we have little other choice.”
Looking away Heisuke scowled as he sighed in frustration. “But that still doesn’t make it right.”
“No.” agreed Sannan. “But for now this is the most expedient course open to us. …You are able to understand that, are you not?”
“Yeah…” muttered Heisuke sounding as if he didn’t understand at all, or perhaps more likely, that despite his comprehension, he still disagreed.
After a time Heisuke departed, leaving Sannan to the rest of his evening in peace as he continued his contemplation of the day’s events. He could hardly blame Heisuke for his feelings, as the actions being undertaken ran nearly counter to the Roshigumi’s ideals. At best Sannan felt he could only hope that he would be able to keep things from going too far, or taking a disastrous turn. If that did happen, then he prayed that he would at least be able to somehow keep the others from harm.