002 - Backdated to the end of the event

[degozaruyo]

[Video]

So...it seems that many of us weren't quite ourselves the last few days. This one certainly was not. [He bows deeply] This one apologizes for his behavior. Please be assured that this one is no longer that person.

As for the young lady this one drew a sword on...this one cannot apologize enough. This one hopes you can find it in your heart to forgive him, though he understands if you cannot. That behavior was inexcusable. This one is so very, very sorry.

Comments

[ahappylie]

[But just because they didn't cross swords, doesn't mean Himura didn't cross them with his squadmates or other Shinsengumi.]

Describe him.

I know you're on hiatus, but if you're ever down for backthreading let me know.

[degozaruyo]

Tall, thin, gloomy. He's a police officer now.

[ahappylie]

[That follows the history that Souji knows of him, as well as the description.]

And his opinion of you?

[degozaruyo]

[Oh dear. This was going to be somewhat harder to sidestep.]

Rather complicated, this one should think. Not exactly friends, but also not necessarily enemies. Allies.

[ahappylie]

I suppose after the war, the different sides would have to find some way to make peace, wouldn't they.

[Testing the waters here]

[degozaruyo]

They seem to have, yes. Though wounds from the war still remain--on both sides.

[ahappylie]

Such as that scar on your cheek?

I recall you had callouses on your hands as well, Himura-san. Do you no longer believe in what the Joui preached or was it just that you won and no longer had need for them?

Ballpoint death in 3...2...

[degozaruyo]

Partly, yes. But there are wounds far deeper than any physical scars can show. The common people suffered during the war; they couldn't have cared less if the Shishi completed the revolution or if the Bakufu remained in place.

We inflicted all of that pain and fear on them in the name of restoring the emperor and creating a new Japan, but once the revolution had been achieved, once we had our new Japan, very little changed. In our Meiji era, people still need protection--they still suffer.

So yes, Okita-dono, that is why this one left the Ishin Shishi. This one could do far better as a rurouni, wandering through Japan with a reversed-edge sword so that even those within his sight could be protected.

It is in this way that this one atones for the crimes committed by the Hitokiri Battousai.

1. MY NAME IS OKITA SOUJI. YOU MURDERED MY IDEALS. PREPARE TO DIE.

[ahappylie]

[There was only one way someone received a name like that - Hitokiri Battousai. He was a murderer worse than any other, an assassin and a beast the rebels would set loose when it pleased them to ensure the Shinsengumi and those that opposed the movement died.

He was like Yoshida - a crazed psychopath driven by bloodlust.

Souji's voice turned colder than ice.]

So even the change we fought so hard against did nothing but put different power-hungry murderers on the seats of power. What an irony that good men had to die for your so called "revolution," Battousai.

But Kenshin's so nice! :(

[degozaruyo]

It is. The Shishi betrayed their own ideals in the end.

B( no

[ahappylie]

As many of us thought you might. The rebels were brought together under a loose banner. It was only natural that they'd fall apart after.

So now you travel to "atone" for all the killings and the coincidental blood on your hands?