Soldier Amidst the Wolves

Prologue

Over up the river in Mibu is a soba restaurant called Otento. Working there are 3 men whom many of the women in the village fall head over heals for. One in particular is the master soba maker called Gen, around the restaurant.

Shin: "Gen, 3 orders of soba, please."

Gen: "Yeah."

The propetier, Shin, sent him an order from some much loathed customers. Though none of them showed it. Gen silently wished he could've at least poisoned their soba, but then it would be totally obvious who did it. The customers were the most powerful assets in their enemy clan, the Shinsengumi. They had been busy, lowering their reputation to turn people's thoughts against them. He sets it out for Shin to get and leans over to his other coworker.

Gen: "How long are we gonna let them go?"

Maro: "Until he says the word."

Gen: "When will that be?"

Shin: "Why, can't you just be patient?"

Maro and Gen whirled around and saw Shin holding the 3 orders with a smile that said 'quiet, or it's your head'. His dull, brown eyes bore into Gen and Maro's heads. Gen scratches his chocolate brown hair, while Maro ties his black hair back up. Maro disappeared back into the kitchen to make some dessert for some women, but Gen stayed back and watched.

Shin: "Here is your soba, men."

Okita: "So this is Hijikata's much praised soba."

Harada: "Not really much of what I expected."

Hijikata: "If you don't want it, I'll have it."

Shin: "As always, thank you for your dear compliments and for choosing Otento."

Gen secretly wondered if Shin was cringing sorely inside.

*****

Nighttime was around and Genzui was outside. Yes, as a man of charm and of a soba making skill like none ever, he had a dark side like every cunning person alive. Though, his was on a persuasive level. A level that was a definite supportive. Something that was embraced. Something that was one purpose. Something that involved that crimson-dyed blade and the scarlet rain it brought.

Maro: "Don't you think you looked a bit more eager tonight?"

Gen: "I am who I am. Nothing's gonna change that."

Shin: "Perhaps. Go out into the moonlit areas. There might be more rats there."

Maro: "Yes-"

Gen: "I'll take care of it."

Maro: "Kusa-!"

Gen: "Allow me."

Shin: "...You know what to do."

Not standing around any longer, Genzui makes his way to the tall-grass, moonlit area, atop a small hill. As he was approaching it, he heard a close howl of a wolf.

Gen: "Wolves...? Aren't those supposed to be in Hokkaido...?"

Standing there, basked in moonlight and crimson blood, stood a large wolf with the faintest purple streaks across its sides and back. It was hunched over a dead animal, possibly eating its prize. Genzui froze in place at the sight. Fighting men, he could handle. But fighting wolves wasn't something he bargained for. Suddenly, he heard small, frightened yipping sounds behind him, hidden in the tall grass. Before he could turn around and see what it was, he was instantly hit with a blindsiding, sickeningly, sweet smell that was lulling and floral. He was out before he could call out a word of warning.