In the second year of Keiou I was sneaking into the Edo Castle for information about the upcoming war. I was crushed by the Okashira, even though he w...s only thirteen at the time.Young Aoshi (standing over the fallen Shikijou, who has fresh cuts bleeding across his face): To kill someone whose strength is so extraordinary would be regrettable. Come to the Oniwabanshuu. If you were to use our secret muscle-building medicine you would become even stronger. Do so and join us, and you will be. After wake-up and a quick cleaning of our squad bay we fell out for physical training—calisthenics and a one-mile run. Barefoot, of course; bare all over except for our temporary tattoos announcing our status as Program participants from Mackie.Next, we showered. Showering is a communal affair. We washed the backs of others in our squad and had our backs scrubbed in turn, we inspected each other for cleanliness, and after we dried off in the air dry booths we marched to the mess hall for. I might run 2 or 3 of you in or out. Tomorrow when you come to practice you'll see the lists of who goes to what fields and some of you will go with Coach Ruffen and some will go with Coach Alford. But right now we want to give the kickers some looks with a line and a rush before our little scrimmage later. Remember, no one's getting hurt here today."Coach Pressley took his charges down to the training field as the others had and showed them the training equipment they would all learn to hate. I let myself fall into a woman's role and simplyfollowed his lead.We danced four or five times that night before he asked me to walk withhim. He took my hand and led me into the corner of the bar where therewas a door. He opened it for me and we walked in. It was an office. "Oh, Harry - should we be here?" "Why not, Carolyn? After all, this is my office. I own this club."Well, I was stunned. I had no idea. I think I looked pretty surprisedbut not nearly as surprised when he slowly.