Hi!

I made a summary of all two Bakumatsu prequels and also wrote some thoughts about Naoe and Kagetora's relationship so far. At first Bakumatsu storyline was a bit difficult to follow, but after getting used to the special vocabulary and thanks to Sensei's clear explanations, I really enjoyed it. And of course, having Naoe and Kagetora working most of time together made it even better. Overall Bakumatsu lived up to my expectations.  :)

Kagetora - Kuroda Shin'emon (host body name)/Kasuga Shinzaburou (35), working for a high-ranking shogunate officer named Ookubo Tadahiro 

Naoe - Azekura Heijirou Tadaomi (25), working for a feudal lord named Matsudaira Shungaku

Haruie - Tsuta, a member of pro-imperial nationalists. She has same name as the time she met Shintarou, but 100 years has passed since that, so this is possibly her second or third female kanshou

Nagahide - Sagano Zenbei, working as an interpreter for foreigners at a trading company in Nagasaki

Irobe - Shougen, a monk

So, what does "Bakumatsu" mean? It's the name for the last years of Tokugawa shogunate that ruled Japan from Edo period till Meiji Restoration in 1868. Starting from Sengoku era till Bakumatsu, Japanese history goes somehow like this:

The whole Japan is under war (Sengoku era, Yashashuu's original life) --> Oda Nobunaga tries to unify Japan ---> Nobunaga loses his life ---> Toyotomi Hideyoshi continues Nobunaga's work and unifies Japan (Kaikou prequels) ---> Hideyoshi dies of old age ---> Tokugawa Ieyasu takes the rule of Japan ---> Sengoku era ends, Ieyasu establish the Tokugawa shogunate and closes the borders of Japan ---> 200 years later the Westerners start to visit Japan for trading  

Some people didn't like having trading with foreigners, so they started to blame the Tokugawa shogunate for failing to protect the country. These anti-shogunate people were called "pro-imperial nationalists", and they wanted to replace the shogunate's power with the emperor and close the national borders again. Another political group was the shogunate forces (including the Shinsengumi). These two groups had severe conflicts and Japan was divided into two ideology. The Shinsengumi was a group of swordsmen who had a special permission to protect Kyoto and the Imperial court from the riots and revolutionists, especially from these pro-imperial nationalists. Shortly to say, the members of the Shinsengumi were kinds of "samurai police officers" who patrolled the streets of Kyoto.

Now, here is the prequels in a nutshell: Spring 1864, Kyoto. Since past several weeks there has been a murderer who slays pro-imperial nationalists during night time. People in Kyoto are afraid of this murderer who calls himself "Kagetora". The Shinsengumi tries to track and catch this murderer, but they haven't found him yet. Haruie has come to Kyoto for finding this murderer Kagetora. She wants to make sure if that man is their Kagetora or not, since Haruie hasn't meet or hear anything from him for 30 years. Another reason is that Haruie is also a nationalist, so she can't accept someone killing their people.  

Naoe has also come to Kyoto with his colleague (Karasawa) for work, but after hearing about "Murderer Kagetora", he decides to stay in Kyoto longer than it was decided. Every night he leaves the inn they're staying, making Karasawa wondering if Naoe has a secret affair with some woman. Naoe tries desperately to find this Kagetora that the rumors are talking about, and for his luck, he eventually meets him. However, he isn't 100% if this man is really Kagetora or not. Very similar... Before making sure, "Kagetora" escapes.

At this point there is a flashback how Kagetora came see Naoe 20 years ago. Naoe had performed (fetus?) kanshou and was 6 years old at the time. He hasn't seen Kagetora for 10 years until then. Kagetora's current host body was already very old. He gently patted Naoe's head and smiled tiredly. Kagetora told that he isn't sure if he will perform kanshou after his current body dies. Even if he would disappear, he hoped Naoe would keep living. Naoe felt sad as he understood that Kagetora came to meet him for saying farewells. Kagetora was about to leave. Naoe wanted more than anything to stop Kagetora and beg him to stay, but Naoe felt that he didn't have right to do that. He was the reason why Kagetora was tired and he couldn't be saved. It's all because Naoe was clinging on Kagetora too much. As feeling guilty and devastated about the fact they may not see each other ever again, Naoe just watched how Kagetora left. 17 years passed. One day Naoe got a letter from Kagetora. Kagetora told in his letter that he has performed kanshou and he's working for a high ranking shogunate officer, so it's possible that he and Naoe may meet some day. But Kagetora never came to meet Naoe. And Naoe couldn't go to meet Kagetora since he didn't know where to find him. This happened three years ago. Kagetora seemed to know Naoe's adult name (In the past, children had two named, one in childhood and after coming-age ceremony they got new name) and to who he's working. This means that Kagetora has been contacted with Irobe, asking how Naoe is doing. But meeting again feels scary. Kagetora must be ashamed of performing kanshou again. 

Haruie goes to meet Nagahide who has come to Osaka for a business trip. It's their first time to meet in these bodies. As a nationalist, Haruie doesn't like seeing Nagahide wearing westerner clothes and having short hair. Moreover, Nagahide is working with foreigners too. Nagahide's boss is an Englishman and boss' daughter is in love with Nagahide. Thanks for this young woman, Nagahide has learnt to speak English. Together they decide to find Kagetora and stop him killing more people.

After several twists and turns, Naoe runs into Nagahide and Haruie, and together they find "Kagetora". However, for everyone's relief, this murderer isn't their Kagetora, but just someone who uses same name. For Naoe, Nagahide and Haruie's surprise Irobe and their Kagetora come there too. After "murderer Kagetora" started to kill people, Irobe hurried to Edo (Tokyo), where Kagetora was living, for informing him what is happening in Kyoto. They arrived Kyoto today. The murderer case is closed, since the man was possessed by an onryou who tried to revenge his and his friends death. The Yashashuu exorcises him and everyone is together again. Haruie is feels the situation very troublesome since it seems that Kagetora and Naoe are on shogunate's side, so they're politically enemies. Kagetora tells that the era is changing and due to the political situation it's better if they all work by themselves. Maybe someday they can work as Yashashuu again like in the old days, but now being separated is better. Kagetora leaves the others, walking away. Only Naoe follows him. When Kagetora has left the shrine behind and he steps on the street, Naoe hurries to catch him, grabbing Kagetora's arm. They stay still, not having eye contact. Eventually Kagetora breaks their silence by saying "...Long time no see, Naoe. Last time we met, you were still so young. I can see you have grown up as a mighty soldier."

N: "Kagetora-sama, you..."

K: "Some troublesome things happened, so I needed to perform adult kanshou. But don't worry, I haven't killed anyone."

Kagetora tells that he's working for preventing the war starting again. One Sengoku era was enough, Japan has to stay peaceful and safe. Naoe is dumbfounded seeing Kagetora in front of eyes again after these long 20 years, so he begs Kagetora to tell where he's currently living or where Naoe can find him from now on. Naoe learns that Kagetora is working under a man named Ookubo Tadahiro. When Naoe is asking more details about Kagetora's current work, Kagetora stops Naoe by saying that Naoe is now Lord Matsudaira Shungaku's vassal. He and Naoe don't have lord-vassal relationship anymore. But Naoe doesn't agree and says "No, I'm still Kagetora-sama's vassal! You're my only lord!" Surprised Kagetora turns to look at Naoe and listens as Naoe keeps telling: "Even now I'm yours! Only yours...!" A small smile appears on Kagetora's lips after hearing Naoe's words. However, after that Kagetora removes Naoe's hand and leaves. Naoe watches after Kagetora's back.

Some time passes and summer comes. Kagetora gets a secret mission from Ookubo and he stays in Kyoto, trying to infiltrate himself into the nationalist groups. He uses his fake name, Kasuga Shinzaburou, and starts a job as a bodyguard to a nationalist man named Ootaka Matajirou. He finds out that nationalists are possibly planning to cause revolution in Kyoto. One night, Kagetora's spying work is disturbed. From out of blue, Haruie comes to the room Kagetora and some high ranking nationalists are having a feast. Haruie is shocked seeing Kagetora there since she knows Kagetora is working for the shogunate. They move silently outside without causing any suspicious. Haruie begs Kagetora to leave her fellows alone and go back to Edo. If Kagetora leaves now, she won't expose "Kasuga Shinzaburou's" true identity to anyone. Kagetora smirks, saying that he's a bit surprised seeing Haruie like that. Is she leaving him again? Kagetora gives his own demands: Haruie stays with him and leaves the nationalists or Haruie stays with the nationalists and Kagetora kills her. Haruie is more than shocked. Is Kagetora holding a grudge against her after all? Was it mistake to choose life with Shintarou? Haruie feels that she has found a way to protect people and their country, but she also feels that she can't abandon Kagetora anymore. As Haruie can't choose, Kagetora makes his own presumptions and attacks Haruie.

Meanwhile Naoe is still in Kyoto. He's staying that one doctor's home who has skills to see spirits. Naoe's parents and the other family are worried about him, because his job in Kyoto ended already, why he isn't coming home? Naoe pretends to have very serious plague, so his colleagues' can't come to see him. Naoe can't get Kagetora out of his mind, so he decided to stay in Kyoto more and find him again. One day, a young seriously wounded samurai comes to the doctor's house, begging help. Both Naoe and the doctor can see that the samurai is haunted by an onryou. They can see red arms bidden around this young man's shoulders... Naoe takes a contact with Irobe and learns that there has been similar cases. All the victims are nationalists, and unfortunately this onryou hanging on them will kill it's victim in few weeks. Irobe has tried to exorcise onryou, but it doesn't work. Those onryous are protected by a spell. In other words someone is assassins nationalists by a spell. But who? Someone from shogunate? Naoe and Irobe head for meeting a man who knows very well about this kind of spells, but on the way they run into Nagahide who was having fun at a Geiko house. Nagahide tells that his main purpose of coming to Kyoto wasn't business, but finding out who is killing nationalists. Nagasaki, where Nagahide is living, is strongly nationalist area and many officers have died of this mysterious spell. While staying in Kyoto, Nagahide has found a spell paper that is possibly related to this spell. Then, Haruie comes there too. She seriously wounded, hair messy and clothes covered by blood. Naoe hurries to catch her before she falls on her knees. Just before passing out she whispers Kagetora's name. It seems that she knew Nagahide is lodging at this inn so with her last powers she came to ask help from him. Naoe is shocked and can't believe that Kagetora would never do this kind of thing to Haruie, or to anyone else. There must be something else! Naoe says that he will find Kagetora and ask his help for finding the person who behind this assassination case.         

Kagetora is coming out from the inn where some nationalists are lodging. Suddenly he sees a samurai holding an umbrella... it's Naoe. Kagetora stops and widens his eyes as Naoe walks to him telling that he guessed correct who was the mysterious and talented bodyguard that nationalists have. Someone has used hypnotism for Shinsengumi members who tried to catch nationalists. If it's not Haruie, then it's Kagetora. Naoe also mentions about Haruie and if Kagetora was planning to kill her. Kagetora feels troublesome and tries to avoid the topic.

N: "...I really wanted to believe it wasn't you."

*sad Naoe*

K: "She is with nationalists. She saw me, so I didn't have any choice."

Naoe asks where is their leader, Uesugi Kagetora? What happened to him? Doesn't the bond of the Yashashuu mean anything to him anymore? Kagetora asks Naoe to shut up, and he breaks Naoe's umbrella with his sword. They argue, Kagetora demands Naoe to leave since this is shogunate's business. However, Naoe won't give up and says that he won't listen to any orders from shogunate's officer. The only one he receives orders is Uesugi Kagetora, not Kuroda Shin'emon. Kagetora gets totally pissed off as Naoe says he will solve this murder case by himself.  

Naoe has made up his mind to not let Kagetora disappear from his life anymore. He can't stand of the life without him anymore. I translated some Naoe's thoughts from p.162:

~

Kagetora's face looks gloomy.

To Kagetora, Naoe hanging on him it's a heavy burden.

Just seeing Naoe's face makes Kagetora feel himself like a chained prisoner.

But since Kagetora isn't doing anything for fleeting, it's sure that this curse murdering case is bothering his mind too. He's definitely thinking that the help of Naoe and the others is necessary. 

N: ('After all I can help you only this way?')

I want to hear that you need me for curing your exhausted heart.

Naoe has always desired so. If you're in pain, please rely on me, I want to heal your anguish. I want you to ask my help. But it's sure that Kagetora won't ask any rescue. He stubbornly avoids to say "I need you" aloud.

Oh, how rewarding it would be hear those words?

N: ('If I turn my back, he will fall into loneliness again.')

I'll make him say those words. I don't mind if at the moment it's only my exorcism powers he needs, but I want him to think that Naoe Nobutsuna is necessary.  

N: ('It's fine if he only knows that in his mind')

~

In order to be with Kagetora, Naoe is ready for giving up his former life. He has to look more like revolutionist, so decides to have make-over. Next day Kagetora is like o__o;; after seeing Naoe's new appearance. Naoe has cut his samurai bun and has now short hair. He has also changed his fine clothes to shabby ones. "Even after 300 years you're still as fool as always", Kagetora says sarcastically, but Naoe feels happy to hear Kagetora's abusive language since it's Kagetora's way to accept Naoe being with him. Kagetora introduces Naoe as his adopted brother to Ootaka and the nationalists accept Naoe as their friend too. 

During that day the nationalists are having a meeting. Kagetora joins the meeting, but Naoe will stay outside, guarding if the Shinsengumi comes there. Actually Kagetora and Naoe have created a spiritual barrier around the house, so they can find out who is the speller when he comes close to the barrier. Kagetora feels safe and comfortable knowing that Naoe is close to him. He has missed this secured feeling. Kagetora is about to think that he can't live without this feeling, but then changes his thinking 'Because of this feeling, I can't give up him'. Being with Naoe is dangerous. Because Naoe is clinging on him, Kagetora can't leave this world. But no matter how Kagetora tries to shake Naoe off, after all he can't do that. Eventually he is the one who is wanting Naoe clinging him more tightly. Why? Why he's doing that? What's this feeling? Kagetora's thinking is disturbed as the meeting starts. During the meeting Kagetora learns that the nationalists are planning to assassins some high ranking shogunate officers, including Kagetora's boss, Ookubo. Naoe is staying guard outside and finally he feels something is changing in their spiritual barrier. The speller is coming. By using telepathic waves Naoe informs Kagetora that the speller is close and he goes after him. During the meeting Kagetora is worried about Naoe because he can sense Naoe is fighting with someone who is extremely strong. In order to not cause suspicious, Kagetora needs to stay there till the meeting ends. 

Meanwhile Haruie wakes up at the inn after being unconscious almost a day. She tells that it wasn't Kagetora who hurt her. They indeed had a fight, but only with nenpas. They were disturbed by a Shinsengumi group that was patrolling nearby. She and Kagetora fleeted to different directions. Haruie eventually arrived to a house where some nationalists were staying secretly. However, one of them, Yoshida Toshimaro, was possessed an onryou who knew Haruie's true identity and attacked her.  

Later Kagetora hurries to the site where Naoe and someone had a fight. He shocked about the traces of enormous power. What happened to Naoe? Extremely worried Kagetora calls out Naoe's name aloud. No answer. Nothing. 'Naoe, I'm sure you're fine, but why do I feel so worried?', he thinks. Kagetora falls on his knees and hits the ground, regretting to let Naoe go alone. He remembers Naoe's touch and words 'Even now I'm yours! Only yours...!'. Kagetora tells in his heart to Naoe that he knows that Naoe will keep performing kanshou till the day Kagetora passes on. He won't move to the afterlife before Kagetora. That's why Kagetora felt he needed to cut off their lord-vassal relationship and make Naoe finally free. Kagetora himself also wanted to escape since Naoe's loyalty to him felt too heavy to carry. He's the reason why Naoe keeps living, so it's a huge responsibility to Kagetora. Remembering Naoe grabbing his arm, Kagetora whispers in his heart that actually... he should have been the one who grabs Naoe's arm, not letting him leave him. Kagetora's thoughts are disturbed as Nagahide comes there. He also sensed the fight and came to check what happened. Kagetora learns from Nagahide that the speller is possessing Yoshida Toshimaro. They meet up with Irobe. When they find Toshimaro, the onryou has already given up his body, so they are in the starting point again...

After Irobe and Nagahide leave for preparing the upcoming ritual for exorcising many onryous at the same time, Kagetora runs into Ootaka who tells that the Shinsengumi has found out their secret meeting place, they can't have meetings there anymore. And one of nationalists was captured too, so tonight they will have a meeting at an inn named Ikedaya. Ootaka invites Kagetora there and he promises to come later. Kagetora heads for Jingo-ji temple and after arriving he feels a very powerful spiritual barrier there. The speller must be inside. Kagetora manages to get inside of the temple and is shocked seeing that the speller is Naoe. Well, Naoe who is possessed by many onryous and the speller. The speller is also onryou and he tells his name to be Kagutsuchi. He lost his life during the uprisings, but wants to fulfill the dream of nationalists. All the other onryous who are following his orders are also the souls of nationalists who died. Kagetora and Kagutsuchi possessing Naoe's body have a fight. Kagetora is furious how Kagutsuchi is using Naoe's body, so he attacks without any mercy. The fight is very even, but crucial twist happens when Haruie appears there and helps Kagetora. Together they exorcise Kagutsuchi. Kagetora rushes to hold Naoe's body and is relieved seeing Naoe awake and fine. Meanwhile Irobe and Nagahide success to carry out the purification ritual. 

After coming back downtown Kyoto, the streets are restless. Kagetora and Naoe (Haruie left somewhere) hear from the people that the Shinsengumi had made a surprise attack to an inn where nationalists were having a meeting... And that place was Ikedaya. Kagetora freezes. It's the same place where Ootaka and the others went! They rush to the site and there they find a terrible disaster. Since Kagetora is working for shogunate, the Shinsengumi allows him to check the corpses of nationalists who lost their lives. There are some whom Kagetora knows, but the most shocking is to find also Ootaka's dead body. Kagetora paralyzes and almost starts to cry. They leave the site. Feeling a bit surprised about Kagetora's reaction of Ootaka's death, Naoe asks if Kagetora liked the nationalists he spent time with. Of course Kagetora denies it, because he was their enemy. Seeing Kagetora quite lost in his thoughts, Naoe wants to make Kagetora feel a bit better so he proposes: "How about... Having a night walk together?" Kagetora accepts and they go. While walking together Kagetora confesses that what he said earlier was maybe a lie. He really liked Ootaka and the others who lost their lives. It's just so difficult to admit since he's working for the shogunate. He tells that it's so long time since he has seen people having that strong enthusiasm about something as nationalists have. It made him feeling alive again. Naoe asks how did Kagetora meet Ookubo. Kagetora tells that 10 years ago robbers came to his home village. At the time he was still having his former host body and his niece was taking caring and nursing him. Robbers came to their home too, stabbing fatally old and sick Kagetora who tried to protect his niece. Kagetora fell on the ground and with his last moments he saw how one of the robbers started to undress his niece forcefully, planning to rape her. Kagetora's host body lost it's life, but with strong anger that was left, he performed kanshou on the robber. It's the same body he is having now. He couldn't return the village so he started to wander around the country. In Edo there was riots and by coincidence h  saved Ookubo who afterwards hired him. Ookubo's enthusiasm and dreams about the better world impressed Kagetora and he decided to use his miserable life for helping Ookubo. Kagetora says a bit sorrowfully that as a dead person, he may not have same right to have dreams.  

N: "No, that's not true, Kagetora-sama. Since your soul is alive, it's not a sin to desire something."

K: "Naoe."

N: "You have lost your skills for desiring something, and if you have got them back, I'll do everything for protecting your feelings of desiring something. We all have right to have dreams. Moreover, we're living longer than the others, so having a dream isn't a problem."

*Kagetora is dumbfounded as Naoe takes a hold on both of his arms*

N: "Kagutsuchi was like that too. Because we have already died once, we're desiring. Because we have already lost our dreams once. If there is something you're desiring in this world, I also desire that! Kagetora-sama!"

*Naoe pulls Kagetora into a tight embrace*

*Kagetora widens his eyes in surprise*

K: "...Naoe..."

*long silence*

K: "...Now I remember it. The warmness of a living body."

*they separate from the embrace and Kagetora tells how there will be more conflicts between the nationalists and the shogunate* 

N: "Please, take me with you, Kagetora-sama. I don't care if I need to leave my home and clan."

K: "I can't allow you to do that. Return to Lord Shungaku."

N: "No, I won't."

K: "It's scary to recognize my weakness when you're with me."

N: "It won't happen."

K: "I lose my strength to stand by my own if I'm supported by you."

N: "We two are already old rotten trees. We can't stand by our own, and that's why I need you, Kagetora-sama. You're the only one who can support me. And by supporting you, I have finally found my reason for living."

K: "Can you keep living like this over and over again?"

N: "No matter how chaotic the era is, I don't feel afraid if I'm with you."

K: "What a retainer I have. If you feel so, then come with me. Let's see how far your weak legs can follow me."

N: "My pleasure."

Kagetora and Naoe have kept working together for several months now. Kagetora is having mixed feelings about being with Naoe. It feels so good, they get along so well that it even scares Kagetora a bit. One day they go to spend evening at a tea house in Shimabara (it was a famous geisha district in Kyoto). After what happened in Ikedaya, there have been onryous in Kyoto and some of the onryous are targeting the Shinsengumi. Kagetora had heard that some Shinsengumi members will have a banquet there tonight, so he and Naoe came to make sure that there won't be any onryous attacking them. There is a cute scene laughing Kagetora encouraging shy Naoe to drink and enjoy the evening, since Kagetora will treat him tonight. Everything seems to be fine and eventually Kagetora and Naoe go to greet the Shinsengumi members in the neighbor room. Later a powerful onryou attacks the tea house, targeting the leader of the Shinsengumi, Kondou Isami, who planned the attack to Ikedaya earlier. Kagetora and Naoe try to exorcise the onryou, but they fail.

Few day pass and Kagetora meets up with Nagahide, having a dinner with him. Haruie seems to hold a grudge against Kagetora, because she thinks that it was Kagetora who informed to the Shinsengumi that the nationalist were having a secret meeting at Ikedaya (it wasn't Kagetora, it was the man who was captured earlier). Due to this she doesn't want to see Kagetora anymore.

Kagetora continues investigating who was the onryou who attacked the Shinsengumis (Naoe needed to return to his clan's Kyoto residence). There have been several attacks to shogunate's offices in Kyoto, possibly the evildoer is the same onryou. Earlier when Kagetora visited Ootaka and the others' grave he met there a Tosa dialect speaking man who was grieving the death of his friends. Is it possible that this man woke up the onryous of Ikedaya incident? Kagetora visits Naoe together with Nagahide. While talking outside three of them get attacked by this onryou again. While protecting Kagetora, Naoe gets injured quite badly, losing his consciousness. Kagetora and Nagahide fail to exorcising again, but they get a glue. This onryou keeps asking "Where is my comb~? (`A´)" and they recognize that the onryou is possessing the same man Kagetora saw on Ootaka's grave. Who is this onryou? Ootaka? Or someone else? Naoe gets hospitalized, but fortunately he wakes up and seems to be okay. Naoe's colleague, Karasawa feels confused seeing Naoe having an intimate moment (Naoe is laying on the futon, Kagetora sitting close to him and they hold hands) with an older man (Kagetora) he calls his "new friend". Naoe is very worried about Kagetora's safety, but he trusts that Nagahide will protect him if something happens. Kagetora and Nagahide eventually leave. Kagetora is angry and wants to revenge to onryou for hurting Naoe. As they investigate they found out that the onryou is a man named Mochidzuki Kameyata. He was by accident at Ikedaya when the Shinsengumi's broke in. Being considered as a nationalist, he needed to commit a seppuku. Kagetora gets the belongings of Kameyata from the shogunate's office and finds out that Kameyata was having a beautiful new comb with him when he died. Kagetora takes the comb and finds the host body that Kameyata is possessing. When they meet, Kagetora returns the comb to Kameyata's soul, calming him down. Kameyata tells his story: the body he's performing hyoui belongs to his friend, Sakamoto Ryouma. Ryouma allowed him to possess him in order to find his comb that he bought for his lover, a geisha named Momiji. He was planning to visit her after the meeting in Ikedaya, and in the near future marry her. But he lost his life before he could do so. That's why he became onryou. Kagetora proposes that let's all go to meet Momiji so that Kameyata can give the comb to her and then move to the afterlife. Nagahide sees Kagetora too kind for onryou since isn't it easier to just exorcise him right away? However, he follows Kameyata and Kagetora to meet Momiji. After saying heartbreaking farewells with his lover, Kameyata's soul leaves the body and moves to the afterlife peacefully.  

Before vanishing Kameyata told to Kagetora and Nagahide that he wasn't the only one who became onryou... Yoshida Toshimaro (yes, he died) didn't pass on either and at the moment he is planning his revenge. Toshimaro could escape Ikedaya, he run to ask help from the headquarters of nationalist groups, but no one opened the gates. He couldn't help but return to Ikedaya alone and try to save his friends there, but he got killed. Toshimaro is possibly targeting the nationalists in Arashiyama. Due to this Kagetora and Naoe sneak into nationalist base led by a man named Kusaka. Naoe lied to his clan that he's on the way back to Fukui, but actually he has no intention to return home anymore after being together with Kagetora again. They meet Haruie in Arashiyama base and she disapproves Kagetora and Naoe being there. She is afraid if Kagetora will expose secret information to the shogunate officers. But Kagetora promises to her that they will only investigate and exorcise Toshimaro's onryou if it appears there. While being together with nationalists, Kagetora becomes good friends with Kusaka.

At night, everyone is sleeping on the floor of the temple, packed very closely to each other. Naoe can't sleep because he feels nervous to have sleeping Kagetora's face so close to his own. Naoe thinks that exorcising onryous is the only way to stay by Kagetora's side. He doesn't care about their mission anymore or whatever happens in this world, he just wants to stay with Kagetora. That's all he wants. He feels a bit sad that Kagetora would be fine without him. Naoe remembers how he confessed that he needs Kagetora, but Kagetora didn't say that he needs Naoe too. Instead, he said "I lose my strength to stand by my own if I'm supported by you". What did that mean? Naoe wonders as he finds Kagetora's current host body looking very attractive. He wants to be bound together with Kagetora. Wanting to feel their connection, Naoe wonders should he hold Kagetora's hand that is laying close to his. It would be normal, right? Everyone is sleeping closely to each other, so it's normal to touch 'accidentally', right? Naoe is like (//_//) as he slowly moves his hand closer to Kagetora's and is about to touch it, but then... A snoring guy next to him kicks Naoe, ruining the moment.

Several days pass. Haruie runs into a fight against a powerful onryou that was hurting not only samurais from Satsuma domain, but also Kyoto people. Haruie fails to exorcise this onryou and gets injured. Saigou Kichinosuke (later he was known as Saigou Takamori) witnessed Haruie's spiritual skills, so he takes injured Haruie to Satsuma domain's residence.  Haruie feels very troublesome, since Satsuma domain (= supporting the shogunate) is Choushuu domain's (= the nationalists) enemy. Saigou is very kind to Haruie and gives her new and super expensive kimono as a reward for saving Saigou's soldiers lives. He also asks Haruie to exorcise the onryou that has attacked Satsuma domain's residencies in Kyoto. Haruie wants to reject him, but eventually she accepts to protect him and his soldiers. 

Kusaka moves to Fushimi base, taking his soldiers (also Kagetora & Naoe) with him. In Fushimi Kagetora and Naoe investigate the area if there are any onryous. The situation in Kyoto is getting very alarming since Aizu, Satsuma and some other domains are gathering their forces to Kyoto for protecting the imperial place from the nationalists who want to meet the emperor for abolishing the shogunate government. The war is close and people in Kyoto are preparing for evacuating. The nationalists are very eager and ready for dying for their ideology. This worries Kagetora and Naoe since they don't want the war start. Naoe propose if they use powers for defeating the nationalists. If the nationalists are out of game, the war won't start and the severe situation will cool down. They can protect people and prevent the amount of victims. Kagetora gets very angry and slaps Naoe on his cheek telling that Bishamonten lends them power only for helping onryous to pass on, using powers against living people is absolutely forbidden. Naoe admits that exorcism is like that, but nenpa powers are their own. Kagetora gets more angry and asks if Naoe has forgotten their position. They have died once, they're dead! They don't stand on the same line as living people. They have no right to mess up with living people or present society. Kagetora also says that if Naoe is going to act as "Azekura Tadaomi", Kagetora won't hang around with Naoe anymore, it will be the end of their lord-vassal relationship. Feeling angry and devastated Naoe whispers "You can survive alone... That's why you can say so that easily. It's always me who has to compromise. But don't think that it will work every time." 

*Naoe is about to leave*

K: "Where are you going?!"  D:<

*Kagetora grabs Naoe's arm*

N: "I'm going to hypnotize Kusaka and Maki, and order them to withdraw all the troops. You can't stop me." >:(

K: "Cut it out! I don't accept that! Naoe!"

*Kagetora strongly holds Naoe's arm now with both hands*

*staring at each other angrily*

Their fight stops as someone calls Kagetora inside. 

Haruie runs into Nagahide who burst into laugh after hearing that Haruie visited Satsuma's residence and that Kagetora & Naoe are staying with the nationalists. Nagahide himself isn't either nationalist or shogunate supporter, so he finds it hilarious how messy situation Haruie, Kagetora and Naoe have got themselves. Haruie gets a bit pissed off and begs Nagahide's help for exorcising the onryou army of nationalists who are targeting the imperial palace. Nagahide recognizes Haruie's confused feelings, asking if Haruie got interested in Saigou. Haruie of course denies, since she is waiting for Shintarou's reincarnation. Nagahide says that Shintarou would hope Haruie being happy, so it isn't a crime to have feelings for someone else. Shintarou has died, he won't be the same man anymore even if his soul would born again in human realm. Haruie glares at Nagahide with various thoughts on her mind. Some onryous (dead nationalists) appear and they tell that they will perform hyoui on the emperor and by using his mouth, order to kill everyone who support the shogunate. Fight starts. Irobe comes to help Nagahide and Haruie.

The situation is getting even more serious as some northern domains and Satsuma are bringing more their forces to Kyoto. The nationalists gather to have a big meeting. Kagetora's true identity is exposed as one survivor from Ikedaya incident identifies Kagetora being that shogunate officer who came to check the victims. Thanks to Naoe's help Kagetora can escape and they join together with Irobe and Nagahide. Kagetora feels troublesome after hearing that Haruie is missing. They found out that the spiritual barrier that is protecting the imperial palace is getting weaker since onryous are trying to break it. Irobe heads for the Kamo shrine for trying to support the barrier. Before next morning the surrounding area of the imperial palace becomes a battle field as nationalists and shogunate supporter are dueling. Commanded by Kagetora, Naoe heads for the battle field for protecting Kyoto people and helping them to evacuate safely. Meanwhile Kagetora and Nagahide enter the imperial palace area for stopping Toshimaro's plans performing hyoui on emperor. They also find Haruie who tries to stop Kagetora for exorcising Toshimaro, but eventually Haruie gives up as running into Saigou again. After a fierce fight Kagetora and Nagahide manage to exorcise Toshimaro. On the battle field Naoe saves also few nationalists and runs into Kusaka. Naoe tells to him to the truth about Kagetora. He might be shogunate's officer, but he never wanted to hurt anyone in nationalist. He just wanted exorcise Toshimaro's onryou for protecting everyone. Kusaka smiles and says he's relieved to hear that since all this time he sincerely trusted Kagetora. "I'm happy that I could meet you two", he says. The battle continues and eventually the nationalists are losing. They need to withdraw. Many nationalists lose their lives. Naoe hurries to the residence that belongs to Choushuu domain. There he finds grieving Kagetora sitting in front of the dead body of Kusaka. He had committed a seppuku. Kagetora is crying and shivering of the lost of friend. Naoe comes beside him and tells Kusaka's last words to Kagetora whose eyes are full of tears. They grieve together.

Bakumatsu prequels end here. What a tragic story... I sobbed when Ootaka and Kameyata died. Sensei's writing style is so touching. If Kaikou was about being a kanshousha and trying to seek the light, I would say that Bakumatsu was about the big dreams that never came true. It was easy to feel the enthusiasm of nationalists. No wonder it set on fire something inside of Kagetora's heart too. Repeating kanshou countless of times... exhausted... Kagetora something he could feel being alive again. Now I also understand better why Kagetora became fond of the Red Whales too. Their enthusiasm is quite similar to the nationalists.

It was great to see Kagetora and Naoe's dynamic, it's fantastic. Even if their personalities are different, they get along so well together. At this point, they're soul mates, deeply connected to each other. They understand each other better than anyone else. Kagetora even thinks, "Naoe is part of me". Naoe's passionate feelings are clear: he wants Kagetora. He wants him to be only his. Naoe is also desiring Kagetora sexually, but he can't (or doesn't enough courage to) show it. It's hidden, but the reader can sense it easily. There was also loooots of some small and cute moments, like Naoe protecting Kagetora.

In Bakumatsu, Kagetora seems to be very aware of Naoe's feelings and attachment since Kagetora uses those for blackmailing. "If you don't do this and this, I will never meet you again etc." He knows Naoe can't stand the idea of being without him, so for him it's a good way to keep Naoe in alert. Kagetora (not recognizing it by himself) wants to bind Naoe on him. Actually, it's Kagetora who can't survive without Naoe. Desperately needing of each other they both hurt each other. Kagetora has demanded many things from Naoe, giving him nothing back. And knowing Naoe's high pride, hurting it, encouraging Naoe to keep challenging with Kagetora. On the other hand, Naoe is getting braver as the story is getting closer to Shouwa era, chasing him to corner. Later this makes Kagetora very anxious. Feeling extremely afraid of his own feelings for Naoe. No place to escape. In Bakumatsu, Naoe is hoping more than anything that he could cure Kagetora's anguish. No wonder Naoe's jealously is reaching its limits when they meet Minako in Shouwa era.   

Kagetora's physical fears have cured quite lot since Kaikou prequels. I was a bit surprised how much he allows Naoe to touch him. In Kaikou, Kagetora got in a panic if he was accidentally touched by a male, but in Bakumatsu he doesn't push Naoe away when he suddenly embraces him tightly.

My favorite scene was old Kagetora coming to see young Naoe. Kagetora's "farewells" to Naoe was very touching... I also loved the end scene of first volume! :) Naoe pulling Kagetora into a strong embrace was lovely and Naoe's "We two are already old rotten trees. We can't stand by our own, and that's why I need you, Kagetora-sama. You're the only one who can support me. And by supporting you, I have finally found my reason for living" was my favorite line. Naoe was talking about only two of them, not about the support of the Yashashuu...

Haruie falls in love quite often. I was surprised that she even fell for Saigou! o_O Kagetora and Haruie's lord-vassal relationship had troubles in these prequels. Even if Kagetora seemed to be fine if Haruie leaves the Yashashuu for being together with Shintarou, but he actually got hurt by Haruie's decision. During Bakumatsu I felt often that Kagetora can't trust her so much as earlier... But in the end of Bakumatsu prequels Kagetora wraps his arms around crying Haruie and comforts her... Accepting her back. It was a very sweet moment! *w* It seems that after that their relationship got better again, like it's in Shouwa era.

This time nothing to say about Irobe. Nagahide hasn't changed at all during these 300 years. He keeps going on with his own pace and style. But his and Kagetora's relationship has got much better than in Kaikou era. I find that Kagetora trusts him and thinks him as a friend. In Bakumatsu prequels, it seems that the one Kagetora trusts the most is definitely Naoe. Then Irobe and after him Haruie and Nagahide. In Kaikou I felt the order was Irobe-Haruie-Naoe-Nagahide... Nagahide and Haruie's conversation about Shintarou was interesting. Haruie felt hurt hearing the fact Nagahide was telling. Nagahide's love advises were quite surprising, but his thoughts really made sense.

Personally I really love how diversely Sensei uses different dialects in MoB. In Bakumatsu there was at least Tosa, Kyoto and Kagoshima dialect. Ah, Tosa dialect! *w* I fell in love with it while reading the main story (Reijirou, Hayato and many other Red Whale guys uses it too), so it was nice surprise to encounter with it again.