Enter the Gaijin Part 3: By: Zan Shutani Houkiku The untrained would have hysterically broke out in panic, but Megumi calmly took Kiku, Sano supporting her, and carried her back into the room. "I told her not to move. If only she'd listen!" Zan watched as the doctor reached into a small cabinet and withdrew a fresh bandage. Then she carefully replaced the old bloodsoaked one on Houkiku's side with it. She handed the wet scarlet piece of cloth that was Zan's bandanna to the American. "Here. Your makeshift bandage did fairly well." Megumi let out a sigh of relief, looked up at Kenshin. "Do NOT let her leave this time." An imperiously official voice sounded from the front of the clinic. Megumi's eyes flew to the ceiling. "I'll be back once I manage to keep the police out of here. I understand they'd like some questions answered." Momiji spoke up. "I'll take care of the other patients for you." Both girls exited the room, leaving the three men and one woman inside. Kenshin looked down for a while at the sleeping Houkiku, then looked up at Zan to see that he was worried as well. "Don't worry. She'll pull through. It's a good thing you came when you did." The redhead paused for a second or two. "She means a lot to me, us. Thanks for the help, Zan." Zan smiled and nodded. "You're welcome. I doubt you needed my help though. That was fancy swordplay." Before Kenshin could respond, a voice from behind Zan said, "Hey..." Zan turned and his eyes fell on the tall man with a fishbone in his mouth. A little like looking into a mirror, as Zan was chewing on his barley stalk. He heard the man's voice lower into a growl. "I remember you..." The Samurai Gunman's eyes widened, recognizing him. "Oh my God..." Cracking his knuckles, the tall man grinned somewhat malevolently. "Guess there's no reason I should give you the beating I owed you a few weeks back. If you don't mind, Kenshin?" The redhead swordsman held a hand up. "Yes I do mind. Would you please tell me what you've got against Zan here? You've only just met!" "Nope, we've met before. Remember that time two weeks ago, I came to the Dojo real depressed and slept like a rock?" He gave Zan a look that made him grateful that they weren't bullets. "Well, that's because I was in a sake shop earlier. They had just about sold out of everything but one last bottle of the stuff. There was a big crowd, but I made it to the front. The bottle was just a few inches from my fingers when in comes Mr. Gaijin Swordsman here and buys that last bottle before my eyes!" It was all Kenshin could do to prevent an outburst of laughter, watching Sano glare at Zan. "It's just sake, Sano." Zan shrugged. "It's not my fault, pardner. I even gave you a chance to buy it first, but you were taking awhile to grab it." Sano gritted his teeth, balled his hands into fists roughly the size of Zan's head. "You call a second a long time? I oughta..." "Save it, big guy. We've got more important things to talk about." He glanced at Kenshin. "Mr. Himura...those men who attacked Miss Shutani were under employ of an organization of foreign gunrunners. How much would you know about these men?" "Why ask me?" The redhead inquired. "Because their base of operations and most of their activities are here. Several Meiji government targets have been assaulted these past few days by Tokugawa fanatics, which I'm sure you've heard of. Their ordinance is of a non-Japanese origin. Would you mind telling me what you know?" Kenshin fell silent for a while, until Zan spoke up. "I need to know. It is essential to prevent others from getting hurt or dying." "I regret to say I know nothing of this." The ronin finally said, carefully choosing his words. "Although I have been aware of some trouble with Kiku's place..." Zan folded his arms, leaned against the wall a little. That was something he already knew of himself. He pushed away the feeling of diappointment, decided to press a little. "Well, to help you some, it might interest you to know that not only anti-Meiji factions are buying foreign weapons, but even minor street gangs are beginning to get their hands on it. That's a very bad thing, considering that Japan's military and police right now are technologically inferior to the arms that these criminals are getting. So, what can you tell me about that?" That brought a new light to Kenshin's face. "Ah, I see now." The redhead collected his thoughts for a brief monet then spoke According to what I've heard, a lot of gangs from major to minor have somehow acquired arms of such a quality that could not be found in Japan. All sorts of rumors are circulating, from foreign spies providing superior weaponry to anti- government groups to arms dealers selling weaponry to interested parties. That's only second-hand information though. I don't focus a lot on it, though it does trouble me. Perhaps Sano here could tell you something." The man who might as well have been a tree looked down at the ronin then at Zan, shrugged. "I hear a lot of things. Primarily because I've got friends who hang out where they do." "Really now?" The two Japanese could see an urgency of some sort in the gaijin's eyes. Sano nodded. "Well yeah. What I can remember though is that certain figures have been popping up in several hangouts for scum. My friends tell me they're... advertising their wares." "As in foreign weaponry? "Could be. I'll recheck my contact." Sano paused, eyes the American suspiciously. "How do I know you ain't one of them?" Zan stepped back a bit, replied. "Well, if I were on their side, then why is it that I've wiped out quite a few of them in the past weeks? It just don't fit in don't you think?" As Sano fell silent on that, bristling with irritation at being corrected, Kenshin spoke up as if recalling something. "It could be a cover getting you in. Kenshin's big enough to be considered a threat in these parts..." Eyes center back on the woman struggling back to her feet. Some people never learn. Kenshin sighed and went over to help her. Sano went behind and put his hands firmly down on her shoulders. "Oh no you don't. Man, haven'tcha scared us enough, Kiku?" She ignored him, all the bitter venom saved for hard glittering eyes on the gaijin. "And you haven't exactly been hitting them where it hurts, either." The Gaijin Swordsman let out a deep breath, hiding his exasperation well. "Suspicion comes easy to these people and trust does not." He spoke, "That's the reason why I'm now in your part of town, Miss Shutani. I want to stop their wheeling and dealing with those people who'll utilize Western weapons for harmful purposes. There are many decent folks out there who don't deserve to die, and they WILL if this cartel of gun- running hounds isn't stopped from doling their wares to those who'll use them badly. They don't care about this country. In their eyes, the Japanese are nothing but a bunch of monkeys who need education and who they can profit from." He made sure his gaze took in all three of them. "They just sell to whoever's buying, not caring a bit as to their consequences. They're going to keep on and on until someone breaks them. And that someone is going to be me." After a pause, he added, "And if I don't stop them, this country's as good as gone to hell." His eyes remained fixed on the other three. "You're probably wondering, why should I care about what happens to Japan. I am after all, not of this land, right?" His blue eyes narrowed. "Well, let me tell you, I've lived among you people for more than a decade. Despite coming and living here during your most violent years, I've come to love this place. I wouldn't return to America if I didn't have something to take care of." The Samurai Gunman looked over at Shutani Houkiku, countering her gaze calmly. "You're right in saying that I haven't hit them where it hurts. I know that these scorpions live here, in this relative section of Tokyo. They're here, you and I know that. The problem is: can you really expect me to do them major damage without a little cooperation from others who similarly wish the same to them?" He changed his glance to Sano. "And as for you, the one who leads these arms dealers is powerful, yes, but I swear this: he's no idiot to have one of his own going around killing scores of his underlings just to take out one man." He gestured to Kenshin as he spoke. "Besides, that would be a tremendous waste of resources. Moreover, there are others like you and me who'd like to put him out of business, so he can't focus on all of them." Sano folded his arms. "Yeah? How do you know so much?" Zan's eyes dug into his with some sort of power and Sano momentarily drew back. "Because I once hunted him down and he eluded me. Learning that he's here brings a decade-old mission near conclusion." Zan eyed all three of them once more. "But to finish that quest, I need your assistance. Your help. I tend to work alone, but in this case I'm making an exception." He bowed to them. "I ask for your help to bring these criminals to justice." He deepened his bow. "No, I BEG you to help me." Kenshin, Sano, and Houkiku exchanged glances, then looked at Zan. "And who's fault IS it that our fair country's laid to ruins?" Was the regretful sigh of one who has seen, known and understood the fickle shift of eras. She didn't like it, she didn't want to admit it, but he was right, in a way. "But when all is said and done," The one known by mountain lore some decade and a half ago snickered genially and finished in quickfire, complicated Japanese to her friends, only a trivial sense of dismissal in her tones. "He fears only to be alone on the battlefield. Remember the wars we fought on different ends of the field, Shinta? Aren't those the only times we're suited to." Her dry chuckle closed the scene. Minutes later, after answering a few questions from the police squad outside the clinic, the three Japanese walked off in some direction. As Zan decided a little orientation on the general area was in order, he followed. Houkiku and Sano were engaged in some small conversation, and Zan was preoccupied with taking note of important places, when Kenshin spoke up. "So what do you plan to do now?" The Gaijin Swordsman snapped himself out of some area of his mind. "Hm? Ah, glad you asked." He did a quick glance-over at the various buildings around them, then spoke. "First things first. I need a place to stay before I even go hunting for those gunrunners." "How did you manage these past weeks?" The redhead asked. "Inns and favors mostly. Othertimes I'd just sleep in barns and roadsides. That's basically it." Zan lookd up as they came to a stop in front of a large wooden gate. "What is this place?" "Welcome to the Kamiya Dojo." said Kenshin, as Sano and Houkiku went on inside. Zan allowed a low whistle to escape his throat, taking in the area. Clean and tranquil, except for what sounded like a young boy's grunts and cries followed by an occasional thwack of wood. "Kaoru Kamiya owns this place." He told Zan. "A number of us are staying here, and we do our best to help her run this place in return for the accomodations." The Samurai Gunman nodded, surveyed the place momentarily. "I like it. I don't mean to be rude, but I see no students. I mean, I can hear one right now, but I see no others." Kenshin smiled sheepishly. "There have been some problems in the dojo." "A pity, that.", said Zan. "Well, I think I'd better run along. Would you know of a nice inexpensive inn near here so I can meet up with you guys?" Houkiku, just inside the gate, heard that question. She did not like the gaijin much, but at least he had good intentions. Kenshin had had a point awhile ago: Zan HAD saved her life. She figured a small payback was underway. Besides, she didn't want to owe him or anybody. Houkiku stuck her head out the gate, laid a hand on Kenshin's shoulder, and whispered in his ear... "WHAT?!!!", was Kaoru Kamiya's reaction upon hearing of the Dojo's newest resident. "But we're running out of space here! We've no more room!" Kiku nodded coolly. "Whatever. You always manage fine, admirably of a lady of a dojo." She gently hustled the gaping girl into the sleeping quarters of the dojo. "Bunk some of the guys together." She suggested kindly, rummaging in the closet for another set of futon. "'Tis past the time of prejudice, young one. Surely you won't turn him on the street?" (Pay attention to the tiny arrow with the following text inscribed that appears momentarily over the woman's head: "Person who refused to take him in herself".) Kaoru looked somewhat chagrined. "Well, no..." "Good." Shutani patted her on the head with a smile and dropped the bedding into the girl's arms. "Now go give these to him, there's a dear." Grumbling under her breath, Kaoru adjusted the futon's weight on her arms and left the room. Her frontal view was somewhat obstructed by the pile of bedding she carried, but she could hear Kenshin and Yahiko speaking with the newcomer. "And I thought Kenshin is the only Wanderer there is." Yahiko bowed at the gaijin. "Myojin Yahiko." Zan smiled, bowed back at the dark-haired brown eyed boy. "Just call me Zan." Kenshin looked at the boy. "Zan's going to be staying here and a few changes in rooming might happen. You okay with that?" Zan sensed a reluctancy in the boy's answer. "Well, okay." Just then, the Gaijin Swordsman turned and spotted a girl of roughly eighteen bearing a set of futon down the steps. He then walked over and stopped her, his hands on the futon indicating he would carry it himself. "I think you need a hand. Miss Kamiya I presume?" The girl looked around the pile of bedding, nodded and smiled cordially. "And you're Zan, right?" She extended her arms. "Good thing you're here. These are for you." Zan looked down at the futon, then at her. Her eyes had a somewhat pinched expression, as if she was carrying more than the light weight of bedding on her arms. He recalled Kenshin having told him that this dojo was a legacy of her father. "It's the weight of managing this school. She's got problems enough handling it than taking in more newcomers. Why aggravate things?" He held a hand up in the negative. "I appreciate the offer, Miss Kamiya, but it really isn't neccessary." He jerked his head over to the dojo's insides. "Things are pretty much cramped in there without a new guy like me coming in." He then gestured towards the surrounding trees then raised his sleeping bag. "I prefer to sleep out here, Miss. I'm more used to the outdoors and anyway, I've got bedding of my own." Kaoru nodded slowly. "You're sure you'll be fine out here?" "Perfectly. Don't worry about me, you guys. Just do what you have to." reassured Zan. "Alright, see you later then." said Kenshin, as he Kaoru and Yahiko walked off into the dojo. The Samurai Gunman turned and made his way to the trees in the garden. Selecting the largest one, he set the haversack down and took a seat on the roots of the tree. He sighed and leaned back. "Beautiful place they've got here." It wasn't long before he heard a rustling in the bushes beside him. He recognized the dark-haired purple eyed girl immediately. "Afternoon." Hatsune nodded back. "Seems like you've found yourself a place to stay." Zan turned to face her. "On the good side it won't cost me anything financially. On the downside, I'm not too trusted." "Yet, Zan, yet.", said his Sensei's daughter. She smiled and laid a hand on his shoulder. "You may be gaijin, but that doesn't mean you aren't human." The American patted her hand. "Thanks a lot. So, what's going on so far?" Hatsune shrugged. "Nothing, as far as Grandfather's concerned. I'll let you know if anything comes up. Till then just watch your back." Zan smirked. "And give 'em hell." Hatsune got up, then turned back around to look at him. "Be careful, Zan. You once learned that there was evil bigger than your gun. Sometimes, what with Rand and his cartel, I wonder if you haven't bitten off more than you can chew." The Samurai Gunman folded his arms as Hatsune leaped up and over the wall, looked up at the midafternoon sky. "It's a pretty big hunk of meat, yes. With a little more teeth though, I might be able to swallow it down." * * * The American with graying dark hair and green eyes turned away from the window of his mansion overlooking a busy street. settled on Jubei as he entered. "Mr. Rand, I..." Jason Rand sighed, took a seat at his desk and put his feet up, exposing an expensive pair of leather shoes. HE drew the tips of his fingers together. "There is no need to say it, Jubei. You failed. " Eiji's brother paused, slowly stopped but did not sit down. News flew fast in the cartel, as Rand had his hands everywhere." Out loud, he said, "We could have eliminated the woman, Sir Rand. But the Gaijin Swordsman interrupted us. To add to it, another unknown swordsman and a girl intervened. As a result I lost my whole squad, mostly dead, but some were merely struck unconscious." He smiled slightly. "The authorities have them but we needn't fear them saying anything incriminating though. The police officer in charge of the detainees is on my payroll as is his entire support staff. If they do reveal anything, it won't get far at all." Rand nodded, slipped out the revolver inside his business suit and twirled it leisurely. "I may have retired from gunfighting, but that doesn't seem to make me rusty by too much." In mid-spin, he looked up at Jubei. "Those weapons cannot be traced to me, then. That doesn't worry me." He replaced his gun, stood up and slowly paced over the room. He then turned back to Jubei. "What worries is me Zan. He seems to have gotten wind of our expeditions to various shopowners." Jubei's eyebrow came up. "Mere luck, sir. He happened to be passing by, that's all." Rand retrieved a cigar and match from his pockets, lit it, and wagged his head. "Not if you've been keeping eyes and ears out for him, my friend. He's been disrupting our operations in the north-western side of Tokyo, and now he's suddenly here, this far? Too much of a coincidence." The American arms dealer placed his hands on the small of his back. "Zan is beginning to scare off my buyers. He must be dealt with." Jubei pondered for a while, spoke up. "Well, there are a number of mercenaries out there. Professionals who cost much but who surely you can afford. I could deal with him myself if you gave me leave." Rand chuckled, a discomforting sound, as it did not have the light pleasant tones that laughter usually possessed. "No, no, my friend. You are too valuable an asset for that. I wouldn't dare waste my best bullet so soon when I have a good number of others for the same purpose." He snapped his fingers, and from the dark reccesses of the room, Jubei heard the steady clanking of metallic footsteps. A figure clad in ancient samurai armor slowly emerged from the shadows. The old helmet concealed his face well, hiding his identity. The man's movements were smooth and cat-like, in contrast to the bulky armor he wore. Jubei spotted something long slung on the man's back. A nodachi from the looks of it. Could probably skewer two or three people in one thrust. Rand smiled. "Meet Jigoro Tatsujin, former Choshu samurai and crack mercenary." The armored man looked at Rand. "You want me to deal with the Zan, yes?" Rand nodded. "Get rid of him. I can't have him breathing down everything I do. Five thousand yen if you can do this. You'll need to find him first though and that's difficult, as he always seems to be on the move. Good luck." Rand turned to Jubei. "While our friend here hunts down Zan, step up all efforts to find him and kill him. The more men we have after Zan, the better." From within the darkness of his helmet, Jigoro smiled. He had already figured out the best way to have the Gaijin Swordsman dance to his tune. "And this will kill him if I don't do it personally." The ronin exited the room as if he had never been, as Jubei folded his arms. "Now, Mr. Rand about that last shipment of gatling gun and explosives..." * * * [End Part 3]