Within A Grey Twilight

With swords being too eye catching, Hajime took smaller blades with him. Easier to move in, as well as less likely to draw the attention of the Wariya. He was never one to use them, choosing the pistol he brought with him. Shino did the same as well, although her hair pins could double as a weapon.

She dressed in the same kimono as before in deep lavender, without much need to change anything. Which he was thankful for, since one such kimono meant a fortune that needed to be paid. Which he was far from ready to take upon. While Hajime and him needed to make do. Although they mostly picked accessories to complement them. He chose an eyepatch, covering his right eye. Which was just a piece of cloth he cut from the leftovers. While Hajime went and bought a mask which he cut in the process.

Even as Kazuho admits, his was precise and still seen as good and new. As they pa.s.sed the street which they stayed at for two days, as soon as they could come up with viable ident.i.ties. Ones that will not have been put under suspicion.

Still, it was much faster than his expectations as well. He didn"t think that they will have largely figured it out in a day. Then again, Shino was one of the few people who could keep up with him and Hajime did have to have some intellect to be able to get away with being a b.a.s.t.a.r.d. And this was what they were good at, using their wits to come up with a way to lie and trick people. Which to these two have to be anything but a nightmare.

They walked through the streets, coming to the place the old woman suggested he go. It was a place that the posters first appeared, at least on the streets. There could be more sources, but this was the closest. Even as she raised an eyebrow at their getup. Since it was such a strange set, although it came at little cost. Most of it was between Shino"s handiwork or their improvisation. But mostly the former. Even the new addition to his wardrobe, a long haori which was draped over his shoulder.

It was mostly an idea on his part. While Hajime wore simple black hakama tucked into waraji and a kosode. With a set of gauntlets-- made of cloth, leather was way too out of their league. His wealth aside, it will have drawn unnecessary attention. As they entered the tavern, receiving stares from the entire place.

It was to have been expected given their attire--enough to have an old lady who has been in this city since she was young raise her eyebrow. But it was supposed to draw the right attention to them, and it did just that. It wasn"t as though they could not handle it.

"You"re an interesting bunch." They caught the eye of one, along with a serving girl. Who took a bottle to the tables. A counter was set up before him for more s.p.a.ce, and the variety was there. Displayed on the top shelf, was a wide variety of drinks. Even some of which were foreign imports.

The man was at the front, freeing up more s.p.a.ce from the tables. But also perhaps to mask some of the dealings. It was far easier to do it within close range. The man wore a black kimono, underneath had plenty of designs. Giving him the feel that he was rather wealthy even if he did not show it.

Although it was not against the law to wear designs if they were rich. Banned by the Emperor from wearing intricate designs, although it was applicable only in his city, Gento. In all others, without the Shogun issuing it, it was all but ignored.

The serving girl was in rough silk, with a simple obi tied into the form of a ribbon at her right side. Her hair was short, ending just before her chin. Something he could guess was still popular, especially for women who worked here. Easier to manage and also identified them as women who were in lawful employment in anywhere but Geisha or a handmaid. The former was because of tradition, where complex hairstyles have always been the case. The latter because of respecting the rules, in which hair was prized and cutting them meant a drastic change.

"I"ll have the vodka on the top." He looked him in the eye. Keeping a face that told them nothing, as well as taking a seat. Making himself comfortable in the stools, which was another way to confirm that he was planning on being here. And not because he wandered into the wrong street by accident.

The man simply glanced for another moment, almost as though it has yet to sink in. Kazuho could guess that it might be because of his slight frame, and added with his rather handsome face that made many think of it. He belonged more to the court, even the bakufu will have been fitting.

But here, it was anything but.

"Are you sure, it is pretty strong." Before he finally knew that despite how awkward it was, he was here on his own accord. Not to mention that he chose one of the strongest drinks, even as it was a code as well.

"I"m a good drinker." His eyes did not betrayed him. Not that he was lying about the drinking part. The man took the vodka before pouring it close to him. He gave a small smile.

"Are you just faking or do you have a question."

"Here"s the payment." Pa.s.sing him a stack of cash inside a small envelope. He didn"t touch it, but feeling it will have been enough.

"What do you want to know?" The man leaned closer into his ear. Although pa.s.sing him a drink, to cover it up.

"Those posters." He pointed to one plastered on a corner. Easy enough for anyone to have caught it. "Their origin."

"It appeared one day. But with the way it appeared, it only can be the work of a powerful family or society." Nothing else. Not that he thought much of the possibility. "If you ask me, it is likely the Kaegen."

Although he was skeptical, knowing that Kaegen was a new society. Given his own knowledge that it had not existed the last time he was here. But he will have to look into who are the Kaegen.

"And of Kouya?" Since it concerned the mysterious man who stood at the head of one of the most fearful societies. One which was still around, but the name never mentioned. To many, they didn"t seem like a threat. Until they were, with that incident. Even if many correctly guessed that it has been here for a long time, and not recently formed.

"Some say he never left, some say he did but came back. Either way, his name has once more gain the fear of many. Even honestly speaking, unless he appears before me I won"t believe it." Considering the kind of things he traded in, Kazuho was not surprised to say the least. No matter what anyone might think, there was the possibility he might surface again.

"What if he does?"

"If he does, then we"ll see." Seeing him as a myth, Kazuho could guess that they simply thought of him as merely a tale. Heeded but not really paid attention to. Or by the more influential people. Who could easily afford to do so, even though Kouya had decimated a powerful clan.

"Besides, he might be closer than we think, just waiting for the perfect moment to appear." Shino put her elbow on his shoulder, something which Kazuho heavily disliked. Kazuho rolled his eyes at this matter.

"That might be true, little la.s.s." He gave a chuckle. "Wine or cider for you?"

"Sure. I"ll take cider.." A little too young for anything else, but not willing to keep herself a child. This was a local beverage, something that they took up from others. But only in this city. Once he was done, he gave it to her.

"On the house." She will give a small smile and take a drink. As Kazuho took a sip of the vodka, knowing that it was a very very strong drink. Which will take him a while to finish, as well as the only that could get him drunk within three cups.

"I"ll take some sake." Hajime raised his hand. Even as he was looking and waiting for payment.

"Charge it to my tab." Before he brought a cup of it in front of him. Although still keeping a professional look, otherwise many will rebuke him as he was a paying customer. Even as the man clearly disliked Hajime.

"It"s not good." He folded his own arms.

"It came straight from Okiban. Not as famous as the one from Houya inn, but still." The serving girl came to him. Curious as to why he will find it so, although Shino gave a heart laugh. While Kazuho chuckled.

"I"m from Houya inn and I make the wine." The girl gave a small smile. One that couldn"t rebuke it, not even if she wanted. As the slightly embarra.s.sed girl took a step back and went to handle all other things.

Kazuho glared at him, knowing that this was a blunder. One they could not fix. He will need more ways to cover it up, at least it will not be so p.r.o.nounced for them. No one could know that he was here, especially with people knowing him.

Far too late to put those words back into his mouth, he gave a small sheepish smile. Shino looked unsurprised that he did, since Hajime was rather proud of his own profession and many talents. But it was a brief one before he looked back to the older man.

"Have you ever met him?"

"No, if I did I"ll will have signed up for this search. You"re probably here to do that." Although he was skeptical, since he didn"t bring hardened men or dangerous criminals. Just two kids with questionable sanity. Though that will be enough to count for dangerous criminal. Since they could not be expected to do normal things in the first place.

Although knowing that he was supposed to question something else, but he was unable to do so. It was too odd, and they had to keep this charade to the end. At least to keep the attention on them.

"You can say that." It was true, since they were using it as a cover up in the first place.

"Honestly, the rumors range from him being a member of the shogun"s family, to him having lost his entire family when they went against the Emperor."

"Are any of them likely?" He put his own hand, almost as though this had nothing to do with him.

"The former is popular but has no groundings whatsoever, same for the latter. Because no one has ever caught his portrait. Making it virtually impossible to tell, if anything that guy was smart." He took a chance to sip it. The taste had been exactly as he thought it will be, seeing as how it was filled with alcohol.

"Although do you know who are the Kaegen?" Somewhat curious and knowing that he will have to distract him enough so that he might forget about Hajime. And the boy made himself all but visible, choosing to sip quietly. Even though most of the tavern knew who he was, which only made Shino shake her own head. Even if it was far from intentional.

"They are a small group by the looks of it, even if they are organized." Although nothing too much. Nothing that will point him in any direction. "But they do have a leader, rumored to bear the name Mamoru. He only appears with a boy by his side, and so far in all his dealings that"s what they know of him. No family, although it is wise to avoid it."

He put a hand on his chin. The kaegen was new, but only if he knew the background of Kouya. "Kouya from what I heard, had companions. Children who he knew once before he left"

"That"s interesting, even though I have never heard of it. At least so far."

Hajime glared at him, knowing that he very much have gone off topic. He was curious about Kouya and how he was viewed. Although Hajime did not take kindly to this. He after all, was close to his sister and wanted to be back with her as soon as possible.

Although Kazuho considered it repayment for choosing to buy a bottle of sake on his expense. And only taking a sip. Which caused him to further glare at the elder man.

"Do you know of a place where people can inquire about people who once visited."

"Apart from the Wariya, there is one place. They take it on for a small job, but their price has never been money. A secret of your very own." He had to consider it. Shino leaned in as well, nonetheless surprised at this revelation.

This was the thinking.

"Where is it?" He pa.s.sed another to her.

"Somewhere on the southern district. She"s a fortune teller."

"That"ll be enough."

"If you don"t mind me, what"s your name?"

"Kazuho."

"Kyou." He gave back a grin.

"Shino." She gave a small, polite smile. Although Kazuho wondered just how real was that.

"Hajime, from Houya inn?" Just as the boy was about to speak up. Since he did state his origin, it was easy enough and quite clear never needing anything to figure it out. While Kazuho gave a laugh as well as Shino, though both aware of the dangers of this knowledge.

With it, they chose to leave the place. As quietly as they could, even if they planned on making a great impression. Now, all they could hope was that they didn"t pay too close an attention.