Waiting

The Swordsman and the Gunslinger Part 1, Chapter 4: Waiting

"Jakotsu?" Said Sheriff Kane. Jimmy, Karen, Kyo and Tohru were in the L'Amour sheriff's office, a bit after dark. It had taken the undertaker a few hours to clean up the mess left by the small battle that had taken place on Kyo and Tohru's homestead, which apparently took only 10 minutes. It's funny how when you're fighting, 10 minutes can seem like an hour. And now, they were in the sheriff's office—as stated previously—asking the sheriff's permission to apprehend this Jakotsu feller. "Who's he?" Too bad the sheriff didn't know who Jakotsu was.

"He's a crime boss from Japan," Jimmy said. "Mr. Sohma here seems to have some history with him, but he won't tell us anything else about it."

"I see," said the Sheriff Kane. The Sheriff gave Kyo a steely-eyed look that seemed to discomfort Kyo. "So what do they do?" He asked Jimmy.

"Well, Karen here," he pointed to Karen who was sitting behind them. "Tells me that Mr. Sohma said that they coerce the railroad workers for 'protection' money and if they don't pay this 'protection' money, then bad things happen to them."

"That almost sounds like Mr. Sohma," Sheriff Kane said. "He gets paid by the workers for his services, too."

"Well Karen said that he these Jakotsu fellers are different," said Jimmy. "Mr. Sohma helps the railroad workers out of generosity and I guess a sense of justice. These Jakotsu fellers extort the railroad workers' money."

"I see," said Sheriff Kane. "This sounds like a new type of crime, at least to my knowledge."

"And that's not all," said Jimmy. "According to Mr. Sohma, they supposedly have a strict sense of honor. But he doesn't believe a word of it."

"Really?" Sheriff Kane said with an intrigued tone.

"He says that lowly peasants have more honor than these fellers," Jimmy said. Sheriff Kane nodded as he listened to Jimmy describe the honor system among this gang. "They say that they're like samurai, but since Mr. Sohma comes from a samurai family, he doesn't believe a word of it. To him, they're just scum."

"Well that sounds interesting," Sheriff Kane said. He stayed silent for about a minute, apparently in deep thought about whether or not he should approve Jimmy and Kyo's little operation. The silence in the office wasn't deafening, just a tiny bit uncomfortable. Tohru waited patiently for Sheriff Kane's answer, while Jimmy looked at Karen, who sat next to Tohru behind Jimmy and Kyo. Sheriff Kane seemed to be in deep thought, as if whatever Jimmy and Kyo were planning was vital to the safety of the town. Or something like that. Kyo seemed to get impatient, but since he had no other choice but to wait, his disciplined attitude kept him calm. Jimmy, however, was impatient, but since the sheriff wouldn't like it if he said anything, he kept quiet. Finally, Sheriff Kane said, "I'll see what I can do."

"Really?" Said Jimmy.

"I'll send a telegram to the judge in Prescott," he said. "I can't just let you go after this feller without his approval."

"Why not?" Said Karen.

"Because only the judge can issue an arrest warrant," said Sheriff Kane. "And because what Mr. Michaels and Mr. Sohma here are planning is essentially vigilantism, he may not like what you're doing. I'll have to tell him I plan to at least temporarily deputize the both of you if he approves."

"But do you like our plan?" Said Jimmy.

"If the judge approves," said the sheriff. "If he doesn't you'll have to deal with it. I'm not sure if he's ever heard of him, either, so don't get your hopes up."

"Thanks anyway sheriff," said Karen. Her voice had a slight tone of disappointment on it, one that Sheriff Kane could detect.

"I know you might be disappointed," he said. "But right now, that's the only thing you can do. And I reckon it might be a long spell before he makes his decision, so be prepared to wait."

"I reckon I don't like that," said Jimmy.

"Well that doesn't sound good," Karen said as the group left the sheriff's office. It was early evening, and the sun was barely peeking over the horizon, creating a red sky at night. The activity on the street was beginning to dwindle, but the activity in the saloon was no doubt beginning to pick up, especially with a popular singer in town-one that neither Jimmy nor Karen heard about. The streetlights were being lit by attendants right about now, leaving the street in a half-candle, half-sunlight glow. Jimmy put his hat back on and prepared to go back to the place where he was staying when Karen asked, "Do you have a place to work?"

"I'm a former drifter," he replied. "So no."

"Why don't you come to work for me in my store?" She asked. Jimmy thought about it for a minute.

"I reckon that sounds like a good idea," he said. "I am running out of dinero."

"Then come in to work starting tomorrow," Karen said. "I'll help you get started."

"I thank you for hiring me," said Jimmy. "Most folks back in Florida, Texas, Illinois and Louisiana wouldn't hire me."

"They wouldn't?" She said. "Why not? You look like someone who should be hired."

"I have been hired," said Jimmy. "But most people won't hire me simply because of my ancestry; my ma and pa were born in Ireland."

"Oh," said Karen. Kyo noticed Jimmy looking disappointed, as if he just revealed some dark secret. Karen seemed to have a shocked expression as well. Then, to both Jimmy and Kyo's surprise, Karen's look changed from shocked to happy. "Don't worry," she said. "I'll still hire you."

"Oh," said Jimmy, who was surprised to see Karen's reaction. "I thank you very much then."

"Just show up to work and you won't have any trouble," said Karen with a firm look on her face. "Just because you used to be a drifter doesn't give you the excuse to skip out on your job."

"Heh heh, don't worry, I won't," he said with a nervous laugh. She must have been serious.

"Hey! Karen-san! Mikurusu-san!" Kyo called. "Are you done yet?" There was an annoyed look on his face, as if he was impatient waiting for Jimmy and Karen.

"Oh, sorry Kyo," said Karen in Japanese. "I was simply offering Jimmy a job at my general store."

"Oh, really?" Tohru said. "But what were you talking about before?"

"It's nothing, really," Karen replied. "Just some discussion between he and I."

"Oh, okay then," said Tohru. "So what now?"

"I reckon Jimmy might want to go the saloon," said Karen. She said the word 'saloon' in English to get Jimmy's attention. Well, it worked, because Jimmy had an interested look on his face, as if he had been waiting for her to say that.

"I like that plan," said Jimmy. "Introduce our Oriental friends here to Matt."

"The saloon owner?" Karen asked. Jimmy nodded his head. "Let's just get some grub," she said.

Kyo wasn't sure how he was convinced to go to the saloon. He certainly did not like the rowdy patrons, nor did he like the fact that they had no sake. In fact, the noise in the saloon—but not the singer—reminded him why he didn't like these kinds of establishments, even the ones in Japan. When he asked Matt—through Karen, of course—if they had any, Matt had a confused look on his face, before Karen cleared that up. Matt told her they had none, only beer, whiskey and sassafras root beer. So he had to have some beer, instead. And when he took his first taste of it, he recoiled at the bitter taste. What was worse, however, was Jimmy trying to stifle a laugh at his first experience with beer. Tohru and Karen, meanwhile, were having the sassafras root beer. "I reckon he doesn't like beer," said Jimmy.

"I think he prefers sake," said Karen. "Beer doesn't seem to be his thing."

"Well other than the tequila and whiskey," said Jimmy. "Beer's the only thing Matt's got."

"I really do not like this drink," said Kyo to Tohru. "It is too bitter for my taste. I don't understand why Americans and Europeans enjoy this."

"Hey yoo," came a voice from behind Jimmy, who had an annoyed look on his face. Behind him was an older man with a handlebar mustache. "Yoo stole mah m-m-money!" It was obvious the man was drunk, as he was slurring his words and having trouble keeping his balance.

"Go away," said Jimmy. He turned around to face the man. "I don't even know you, how can I steal your money?"

"Wait, yer not who Ah'm lookin' fer," said the drunk man. "Oh wait, yer that Jimmy Michaels feller, aren't ya?"

"Yes, I am," said Jimmy, who had returned to his beer. Kyo watched the situation intently. "Now leave me alone, I'm trying to enjoy my beer."

"I jesh wanna say yoo are the besht gunshlinger I have ever sheen," said the drunk man.

"Well thank you," Even though he knew the man was not serious.

"I wash not sherioush," the drunkard said.

"I could tell," said Jimmy as he took a sip of his beer. "Now go away before Matt drags you off."

"I washn't done with ya," said the drunkard. He was about to grab Jimmy when Kyo grabbed his katana to defend the gunslinger. However, he didn't need to, because Jimmy had already drawn is Colt and was pointing it at the drunkard.

"I said go away," said Jimmy. "And I reckon Matt wouldn't want blood spilled over his floor, so I suggest you back off." The drunkard backed off, knowing Jimmy was indeed serious. Kyo, knowing the situation was handled, took his hand of his sword and sat back down while Karen and Tohru just watched.

"Did you really have to pull your gun on him?" Karen asked. "Because I reckon that was kind of harsh."

"I reckon you're right," said Jimmy. "I just wanted that man to leave me alone."

"That's not really much of an excuse," said Karen. "You should think more about getting out of a situation without reaching for your gun."

"If there's a situation where using my gun is a bad idea, then you'll know," said Jimmy. "Otherwise, I might—OW!" He didn't get to finish what he was saying when Karen whacked him on the head. "You didn't have to do that, either!" He said.

"Karen-san, I don't think that was very nice," said Tohru.

"I'm sorry Tohru," said Karen, "I suppose my temper got the best of me."

"I reckon it's not going to look good if you admonish someone for pulling a gun on a man and then hitting him," said Jimmy. Even though he didn't understand what Karen and Tohru were talking about.

"Oh, I guess so," said Karen. "I'm sorry Jimmy."

"Thank you," said Jimmy. "I'll show up to work only if you promise not to hit me."

"Oh, Jimmy!" Said Karen. A look at Jimmy's face showed that he was unwavering with his statement.

"Okay, I promise," she said.

"Good then," said Jimmy. "Expect me to show to show up to work on Wednesday, then."

"I don't know why, but I feel disappointed," said Tohru as she and Kyo returned to their homestead later that night. Kyo gave her a confused look.

"Why is that?" He asked.

"Because your request will take some time," said Tohru,

"Well, the American laws are probably different from Japan," said Kyo. "Karen told me that in most cases, one needs an arrest warrant to apprehend a man. And there's also the fact neither Jimmy nor I are lawmen. Sheriff Kane is."

"Oh, I see," said Tohru. She let Kyo get in front of her before she wrapped her arms around him. He was only mildly surprised, yet also appreciative of her affection.

"Thank you Tohru," he said gently. "Thank you for loving me."

Two weeks passed since the incident with Kaitou. The woman of the group had been sent to Phoenix for medical treatment and indictment, most likely. Meanwhile, Sheriff Kane had sent his telegram to the territorial judge in Prescott and had not heard back from him in two weeks. The sheriff did not worry too much about it, since he knew the judge might have been busy. Kyo stopped worrying about it too, but he was still concerned that Jakostu might escape. But considering his nature, it was possible he was still in Arizona.

Today, Tohru was in town again to get supplies for her and Kyo's farm. And once again, she went to Karen's general store for said supplies. As she entered, she noticed nobody was there, except for somebody sweeping the floor, until she called, "Ohayo [1]! Karen-san?" Since it was morning, it made sense. Soon, Karen appeared and came to the counter.

"Hello Tohru," she said in Japanese. "Are you here for the usual?"

"Yes, I am," said Tohru with a smile.

"Well then, you know where everything is then," said Karen. Tohru then proceeded to look around the store, looking for the feed for the chickens as well as her sowing supplies the rice, and other things. The employee, meanwhile, continued to sweep the floor. Tohru ignored him, though, until she got a look at him.

"Mikurusu-san?" She said. Jimmy gave her a quick nod and smile before going back to work. Tohru then placed her items on the counter and once Karen was done with her price check, Tohru asked, "Why is Mikurusu-san working here?"

"Oh, Jimmy?" Karen asked. "I offered him employment here. He accepted it because he needed the money. Being a former drifter doesn't do good for one's money."

"Oh, I see," said Tohru. "Why was he a drifter, though?"

"Well, it's complicated, but it has to do with his ancestry," said Karen. "He's Irish. And a lot of people in America don't like them, much like the Chinese and black folks. In fact, the Irish are called 'white n******."

"Oh," said Tohru. "That's so sad." She looked over at Jimmy, who appeared to be at least trying to listen to their conversation, even though he most likely didn't understand them.

"Just don't pity him though," Karen said. "I don't think he likes that."

"Oh, no, I wasn't saying I pitied him!" Tohru said semi-frantically. "I-I-I mean, I'm just saying that.. Oh, I do sound like I'm pitying him!" She failed to notice Jimmy looking at her with a look that today would essentially say, 'what the fuck?'

"Karen, what in tarnation is she talking about?" Said Jimmy.

"Oh, nothing, Jimmy," said Karen. "Keep sweeping okay?" Jimmy simply shook his head and went back to sweeping. He muttered something about hating secrets.

"I suppose he wasn't happy about our conversation," said Tohru. "Should I-,"

"No, I don't think he's one to angst about it," said Karen. "But he does seem kind of trigger-happy because of that. And too be honest, I'm Irish, too. Well, thank you for coming, I guess I'll see you tonight?"

"Oh yes, thank you Karen," she said as she bowed to her. Karen did the same.

"Jimmy, can you help Tohru load her supplies on her wagon?" Karen said.

"She has a wagon?" he asked. "Huh. I did not know that."

After Jimmy helped her load her wagon, Tohru went back to her and Kyo's homestead. When she got back, she noticed Kyo was not home. After he was nearly shot by Jimmy, Kyo had stopped harassing railroad foremen. And they had gotten the message and disciplined their foremen if they abused their employees—a rarity for the 19th century, with its dubious history of abusive employers.

Tohru waited for Kyo by preparing some rice for her and Kyo. She sang a song in her native language to pass the time [3]

"Sakura sakura
Yayoi no sora wa
Miwatasu kagiri
Kasumi ka kumo ka
Nioi zo izuru
Izaya izaya
Mi ni yu kan Saita sakura
Mina mi te modoro
Yoshino wa sakura
Tatsuta wa momiji
Karasaki no matsu
Tokiwa tokiwaIza yukan"

Meanwhile, at Karen's general store, Jimmy had finished his sweeping while Karen read a book at the counter. Jimmy had gotten a guitar out and was playing it relatively decently—he wasn't the best, but at least Karen thought he was good-while singing for Karen [4].

"I come from Alabama with a banjo on my knee,
I'm going to Louisiana, my true love for to see
It rained all night the day I left, the weather it was dry
The sun so hot I froze to death; Susanna, don't you cry.

Oh, Susanna, don't you cry for me
I come from Alabama,
With my banjo on my knee.

Oh, Susanna, don't you cry for me
I come from Alabama,
With my banjo on my knee.

I had a dream the other night when everything was still,
I thought I saw Susanna coming up the hill,
The red, red rose was in her hand, the tear was in her eye,
I said I'm coming from Dixieland, Susanna don't you cry.

Oh, Susanna, don't you cry for me
I come from Alabama,
With my banjo on my knee.

Oh, Susanna, don't you cry for me
I come from Alabama,
With my banjo on my knee.

I soon will be in New Orleans and then I'll look around
And when I find my gal Susanne, I'll fall upon the ground
But if I do not find you there, then I will surely die
And when I'm dead and buried, Susanna don't you cry.

Oh, Susanna, don't you cry for me
I come from Alabama,
With my banjo on my knee.

Oh, Susanna, don't you cry for me
I come from Alabama,
With my banjo on my knee."

"Not bad," said Karen. "You're not the best, though, either with that guitar or your singing. You might need some practice with that."

"Oh, don't be like that," said Jimmy. "You know you liked it."

"I did like it, but you're no Opera singer," said Karen. "Now get back to work, your break is over."

"Dadgummit!"

"Hey, I won't pity you over the Irish thing, so don't expect me to go easy on you," said Karen. "Even though I won't hit you again."

Kyo came back a few minutes after Tohru returned to hear Tohru singing. She was never the best, but to him, she was the greatest. She obviously appreciated it. "I love it when you sing," he said. He seemed to startle her, but she still appreciated it.

"Thank you Kyo," she said. "Oh, can you please unload the wagon for me?"

"Of course," he replied. "Oh, and just so you know, I wasn't harassing any foremen today."

Sometime later, the day changed for the four main characters. It happened when Sheriff Kane showed up to Karen's general store with a piece of paper in his hand. Jimmy, who was out sweeping the front of the store, stopped and acknowledged him. "Hello, sheriff," he said. "What have you got there?"

"Telegram from the judge," said Sheriff Kane. Jimmy's face immediately turned to an excited one, as he had a pretty good idea what it might be about. He didn't know, but it still excited him. "I can see you're excited," said Sheriff Kane. "I'll let you read—you can read, right?"

"Sure, I can read," Jimmy replied. "Just let me see the telegram." Sheriff Kane handed the telegram to Jimmy who took a quick look at it before going back into the store.

"Karen!" He called. "Come out here, the sheriff just gave me a telegram from the judge!" Karen got up from her seat behind the counter and immediately came outside to get a look at the telegram. It read—

TO SHERIFF JOHN KANE LAMOUR ARIZONA

FROM JUDGE HENRY JOHNSON PRESCOTT ARIZONA

TO SHERIFF KANE STOP PERMISSION FOR JIMMY MICHAELS AND KYO SOHMA TO APPREHEND MAN NAMED JAKOTSU APPROVED STOP AN ARREST WARRANT WILL BE SENT TO LAMOUR STOP MICHAELS AND SOHMA ARE TO BE DEPUTIZED TO APPREHEND JAKOTSU STOP

"Dagum!" Said Jimmy. "Looks like Mr Sohma and I are goin' man hunting!"

"You still have to wait for that arrest warrant though," said Karen.

"I might receive it tomorrow," said Sheriff Kane. "I reckon he might send it by train."

"We should tell Kyo and Tohru," said Jimmy.

"When we're done here," said Karen. "But I will go over there tonight for Tohru's English lesson. We'll tell them there." She turned to Sheriff Kane and said, "Thank you, sheriff."

"You're welcome Karen," said Sheriff Kane as he tipped his hat. He pointed at Jimmy and said, "You have to be deputized before you can chase after this feller. And it might be a temporary position."

Later, Karen and Jimmy set out to Kyo and Tohru's homestead. The telegram had Jimmy excited, and he was itching to get there as soon as possible, but Karen was much more patient and told him to keep his patience. Jimmy had to tell himself that it wouldn't matter if he did tell him, because they wouldn't go after him tonight anyway; they still had to be deputized. Finally, much to Jimmy's relief, they made it to Kyo and Tohru's homestead. As soon as they hitched up their horses, Jimmy rushed to the door, but Karen stopped him from going in without politely introducing himself.

"Hello," Karen said as she bowed. She nudged Jimmy to do the same, only he said in English.

"Hello Karen, Mikurusu-san," said Tohru. "Are you here for the lesson?"

"Yes, and some extra news," said Karen. "The judge replied to Sheriff Kane today." That little bit of information got Kyo's attention. "Read it Jimmy, I'll translate it."

"To Sheriff John Kane, L'Amour, Arizona, from Judge Henry Johnson, Prescott, Arizona; To Sheriff John Kane, stop. Permission for Jimmy Michaels and Kyo Sohma to apprehend man name Jakotsu approved, stop. An arrest warrant will be sent to L'Amour, stop. Michaels and Sohma are to be deputized to apprehend Jakotsu, stop." Jimmy finished reading the telegram while Karen translated for Kyo and Tohru.

The look on their faces told everything. For Kyo, it was a feeling of excitement, much like Jimmy. For Tohru, it was a look of both worry and interest. "It's about time," said Kyo.

"That's what Jimmy said," said Karen. "He's anxious to go after Jakotsu. But he and you have to be deputized by the sheriff first and you have to wait for that arrest warrant."

"I can wait," said Kyo. "Although I am tired of waiting to catch him. And I already have a good idea of where he is."

"He already has a good idea where Jakotsu is," Karen said to Jimmy. Jimmy had a smirk on his face.

"Well now, that'll be good," he said. "I reckon his information will help. And I reckon he must have gotten that information from the railroad workers."

"The railroad workers told me," said Kyo. "They were happy to hear that I was going to go after Jakotsu." He said this without Karen having to tell Jimmy. Karen relayed that to Jimmy.

"I reckoned as much," said Jimmy with his smirk still on his face.

"And I reckon you should wipe that smirk off your face," said Karen. Jimmy frowned at her, not happy with what she said.

"I really hope you two know what you're doing," said Tohru with a worried look on her face.

"I'll be fine, Tohru," Kyo replied. "You know I can handle myself."

"I can handle them," said Jimmy after Karen translated Kyo's words. "If they're armed with those swords again, my trusty Colt and I," he pulled out his gun as he said that. "Will handle them easily."

"But there's still the chance they have guns," said Karen. "You need to be careful, don't get yourself killed because of some loon action of yours. Now then, I think this discussion is over for now. Tohru, is dinner ready?"

"Oh, yes it is," said Tohru. "I made a great meal for everyone!"

"Oh wow, I can't wait to see it!" Said Karen. Tohru hurried over to the stove and got the food ready. Jimmy, Karen and Kyo, meanwhile, sat down at the table, eagerly waiting the meal. "Here it is!" She said as she served the meal. It was partially Japanese and partially American, what with the corn and rice, as well as some bison meat that came from a farm in Arizona. So it wasn't a bad thing.

"Dadgum!" Said Jimmy. "This looks good!"

"I hope you like it," said Karen. "Tohru, are we ready to eat?"

"Oh, yes, but one more thing. And I think you know what it is."

"Oh, yes, I do," said Karen. Jimmy looked at the other three in a confused way.

"Itadakimasu!" Said Karen, Kyo and Tohru. Jimmy, however, had a confused look on his face, as he had no idea what they all said.

"Um, pardon me, but what did you say?" He said to Karen.

"Oh, I'm sorry," said Karen. 'It's just that it's customary in Japan to say 'itadakimasu' right before eating. It means, 'I humbly receive'."

"So you're really saying, 'thank you for the meal, right?" Said Jimmy.

"Bully for you!" She replied. But Jimmy wasn't too happy about her response, as he thought she was being sarcastic.

"Oh, maybe I wasn't," said Karen. Jimmy scowled, as he thought she was still being sarcastic. "Tohru, could you pass the corn, please?"

"Of course!" Tohru replied. This made Jimmy even more annoyed as he felt that Karen was trying to avoid answering the question. But he instead gestured to the rice, which was near Kyo.

"Sohma," he said to get Kyo's attention. It worked, and Kyo noticed he was pointing at the white rice. Kyo then handed the rice to Jimmy. But he ran into a problem when he noticed the… sticks near his plate. And no, he had never seen them before. "Um, Karen, what are those?" He asked.

"Those are chopsticks," she replied. "You hold them like this." She showed him how to hold chopsticks, which he tried to do. Too bad he wasn't good at it. "Here," she said, grabbing his hand. Her motions made Jimmy blush like a ripe tomato. "There you go," she said. Now Jimmy was holding them correctly. And Karen was oblivious to Tohru and Kyo's looks.

So, Jimmy tried the rice. He took a good-sized chunk—although not unmanageable—of rice and took a bite of it. "Not bad," he said to himself.

Jimmy and Kyo sat around for the rest of the night while Karen and Tohru had their lesson. Neither of them intended to learn each other's language, even though that was not intended to be offensive. Kyo passed the time by practicing his calligraphy. Jimmy passed the time by reading Thomas Paine.

"How much longer?" He asked Karen. She gave him an annoyed look and said,

"Will you hold your horses?"

"Holding my horses is not a trait of mine," he said.

"I can see that," she said. "Just stay calm, Jakotsu's not going anywhere."

"I wasn't worried about Jakotsu," Jimmy said to himself. Karen didn't hear him and she continued her lesson with Tohru.

About two hours later, Karen and Tohru were done, and after some more visiting, Karen and Jimmy were ready to leave. It was dark out, which would make it difficult for the two of them to get back to town, so Tohru had a solution. "Why don't you two stay here tonight?"

"That's a fine idea!" Said Karen. "Although I'm not sure if Jimmy will like it. Jimmy, how do you feel about staying here for the night?"

"Well," Jimmy drew out his word, as he was deep in thought about it. "I reckon it's not a good plan to ride back to town in this darkness, so I reckon I'll sleep here tonight."

"Jimmy is okay with it," Karen said. "So where do we sleep?"

"Well, first you have to take a bath," said Tohru. "It's kind of a house rule."

"I suppose we have no other choice," said Karen. "Jimmy, you'll have to take a bath tonight."

"Fine with me," he replied. "I reckon I smell like bison dung."

The bath was relaxing for Karen. So much so, she forgot that she was taking her sweet time in it before Jimmy knocked on the bathroom door, telling her to hurry up because Tohru was anxious for her bath. Karen chuckled in an embarrassed tone, realizing she was indeed taking too long.

"You need to be more polite with that," he said as she left the bathroom, wearing a negajuban [5]. Jimmy himself was wearing one, as he had gotten done with his bath sometime earlier.

"Sorry Jimmy," she said. Jimmy shook his head as Tohru went into the bathroom to take her bath.

"You know, I never thought I'd ever wear this thing," Jimmy said to Karen. He was talking about his robe. "Are we going to sleep in this thing?"

"I reckon we are," said Karen. Jimmy took a look at Karen. She had her hair down, which he had never seen with her before. She looked… pretty; Very pretty to him. He shook his head, trying to get that thought out of his head. "So are you ready to go after Jakotsu?" She asked. He had forgotten that.

"I reckon I am," he said. "That will be bully."

"Did you really just say that?" She said.

"Kyo, will you help our guests with their futons?" Tohru asked from the bathroom.

"I will," he replied. He said to Karen, "I'll show you where we keep the extra futons."

"Thank you, Kyo," she replied.

"What's he talking about?" Asked Jimmy.

"Our futons," she replied. "That's what we're going to be sleeping on. You can handle a futon, right?"

"I reckon I can," said Jimmy. "As long as it feels comfortable, I've spent too many nights sleeping on the ground in Texas."

It turns out sleeping on a futon was better than sleeping on the ground in Texas. Jimmy fell asleep quickly after he laid his head down. Karen took some time before she got to sleep, while Kyp and Tohru spent some time talking to each other before getting to sleep. "When will you go after Jakotsu?" She asked.

"When the time is right," he replied. "I have to wait for the arrest warrant and to be deputized."

"Just be careful when you do," she said. "I already lost my mother, I don't want to lose you."

"Tohru, you have nothing to worry about," he replied. "I will capture Jakotsu, and I will survive."

The next morning, after breakfast, the four of them rode back into town, with the possibility of the arrest warrant arriving. Kyo rode with a determined look on his face. Tohru was simply worried about her fiancé, as she had been earlier. Jimmy rode with excited anticipation and his semi-psychotic smirk was on his face. Karen did not like the fact that he had that look and asked him to stop smiling like that. Jimmy and Karen wore their Stetsons while Kyo and Tohru wore their conical kasas. Tohru was also wearing her yukata, mainly due to the intense Arizona heat.

A short time liter, the four arrived in town. It was butsling again, as the train had just arrived sometime ago and its passengers had gotten off. It was most likely a mail train, so the arrest warrant may have arrived at the sheriff's office right now, which is where they were headed. "Hold your horses Jimmy," she said. "You still have to be deputized."

"I know," he said. "But I'm just too excited."

"That's what worries me," she said in return. "I'm just glad you won't go killing people right here and now."

"I'm not crazy," he said.

"You act that way," she replied.

"Kyo?" Tohru asked.

"What is it, Tohru?" He replied.

"…Please be careful."

"Is that all you can say to me?" He asked. "I will be okay, you can trust me."

"I know that Kyo, but I'm just worried," she said. Kyo laughed slightly. He wasn't too nervous, but his fiancé's concern made him worried for her.

"It will be fine," he said. "They won't stand a chance against me."

"We're here!" Said Jimmy. They were right in front of Sheriff Kane's office. A man came out, wearing what looked like a postal worker's uniform. "Looks like it's here," he said as he hitched up his horse. Karen hitched up her and Tohru's horse while Kyo hitched his own up, as well. With that, the four entered the office.

"Mr. Michael, Mr. Sohma," said Sheriff Kane. "Glad you two could make it." He had some papers on his desk. Most likely some that came today. "Ms. McKenzie, why don't you and Ms. Honda have a seat?"

"Thank you sheriff," said Karen as she and Tohru took a seat. Jimmy and Kyo remained standing.

"Well?" said Jimmy.

"I have the arrest warrant for Mr. Jakotsu here, right now," he said. Jimmy smiled while Karen relayed the sheriff's words to Kyo. "Now you two are to bring him in by any means possible, either dead or alive, understood?"

"Yes sir," said Jimmy.

"Hai," Kyo said once Karen told him.

"But I would prefer it if you brought him back alive, is that understood?" Jimmy nodded, as did Kyo. "Now you two are authorized to use deadly force, but don't go on a rampage, understood?"

"Yes sir," said Jimmy."

"Okay then," said the sheriff. He got up and grabbed two silver stars. Jimmy straightened up while Kyo had to be told what they were.

"That's your deputy badge," said Karen. "You have to wear that." Sheriff Kane walked up to him and Jimmy with their deputy badges. Jimmy stood straight while Sheriff Kane put his one first.

"On behalf of the Arizona territorial judge," said the sheriff. "I hereby deputize you, Jimmy Michaels, and you, Kyo Sohma." He put the badge on Kyo's hakama. It stuck out like a sore thumb on Kyo's clothing, while it didn't look out of place on Jimmy's. "Now then, you two are allowed to arrest Jakotsu."

"Thank you sheriff," said Jimmy as he shook Sheriff Kane's hand.

"Arigatou, Sheriff Kane-sama [6]," Kyo said as he bowed before him. Sheriff Kane was confused about it at first until Karen told him what Kyo was doing.

"Now this is important," said Sheriff Kane. "Do not be too careless. We have reports that the railroad workers' camp is crawling with armed men."

"Is that where he is?" Jimmy asked. He asked it to both Sheriff Kane and Karen.

"Kyo says yes, that is where the railroad workers say he is," said Karen.

"Well now, that should be interesting," said Jimmy. "My Pa once ran into a whole camp of Confederate soldiers. I reckon this might be the same."

"But you're going in there knowing what will happen," said Karen. "And you won't stumble onto it like he did, I reckon."

"True," said Jimmy. "But this should still be interesting."

After they left the sheriff's office, Jimmy returned to his apartment, which was just above Karen's general store, to get his Colt .45. "I'll rendezvous with you and Mr. Sohma at his homestead, understood?"

"Yes," said Karen. "Good luck. You're gong to need it."

"I don't need luck," said Jimmy. "I'm Seamus McMichael, better known as Jimmy Michaels. I can handle anything."

"Jakotsu will rue the day he crossed me and my family's path," said Kyo. "He will not escape."

"Do your best, Kyo," said Tohru. As Jimmy ran into the general store, she gave Kyo an embrace. "I believe in you."

"Thank you, Tohru," he said. "Do not worry. I will have Jakotsu arrested."

"Well, this looks interesting," said Karen. "I wonder what will happen?"

[1] "Hello!" This is usually said in the morning.

[2] In case you don't know, this is the famous Japanese folk song, 'Sakura Sakura'.

[3] This song is the American folk song 'Oh, Susanna', for those of you who don't know.

[4] A kimono-shaped robe.

[5] 'Thank you, Sheriff Kane'.