Disclaimer: I do not own Ruronin Kenshin or Peacemaker Kurogane.

This fic is inspired by MisBehavin's The Meiji Journal and Barbara Sheridan's Mibu Times Dispatch. It is the companion fic to New Kyoto Post from the Bakumatsu era. They have the same editorial team, well at least those who lived stayed on into the Meiji era.

Suggestions and comments welcome! Please RR.

The Japan Bulletin

Official Meiji Government Flagship

Issue 1

A Warm Welcome, Fellow Citizens!

To inform our citizens on the latest government policies and laws, we bring to you The Japan Bulletin. We aim to improve the masses' understanding and support for our ever-diligent politicians who are ever so honest and enforce our image as a peaceful society built on equality in this wonderful Meiji era. We are based in Tokyo but have branch offices in all major towns like Kyoto, Osaka, etc.

Our head offices are at Tokyo Capital Police HQ Building South wing. Do write in with your suggestions and we'll see to them when we've the time. We also accept advertisements and notices for a reasonable fee. You are advised that any personal ads in this paper must comply with our government's no-inciting-revolts policy.

Under the guidance of our leaders, we will enter the modern world. Japan will prosper and become a great nation in her rightful glory. Guess you guys have heard all this talk before. Trust us, we're for real…

- Chief Editor, Former Propaganda Chief Ikeda Koji

(from the comfort of his wheelchair due to an old Bakumatsu injury)

DIET'S LATEST

TAXES UP

We regret that after months of trying to balance our national budget, we have no choice but to increase all taxes by 50 percent. We plead for your understanding as the Seinan war has exhausted our nation's coffers. In addition to replenishing our nation's treasury, the funds will also be channeled to our military's modernization to better equip us in stamping out any misguided attempts to revolt.

- Finance Minister

ARMY RECRUITMENT DRIVE

We also require dedicated patriots to fill the ranks of our officers. Skilled swordsmen with strong Royalist credentials preferred. Please, Japan needs you! We'll offer salary and posts according to credentials and experience!

- Defence Minister Yamagata (Okubo-san, think this will flush Battousai out? We need men of his caliber. Yamagata, are you kidding me? Knowing him…)

Reminder: No swords law

All citizens please take note. It is now illegal to carry swords in public without a permit! Permits are only restricted to our elite swordsmen police force. However, allowances are made for bokkens and shinais for students and instructors of registered dojos. Dojo masters are also reminded to renew their dojo permit annually for a token fee at the local district police station.

Offenders will face a stiff fine and repeat offenders will face imprisonment. NO, it doesn't matter if your sword is a sakabatou. You still will be charged.

Battousai student of Kamiya dojo?

A large man under the name of Battousai has been attacking people in the streets of Tokyo. He claimed he was a student of that local Kamiya dojo. The dojo mistress, Kamiya Kaoru, denies this. "Kamiya Kassim Ryu is a sword style that guards life! This is an outrage!" The young woman insisted when questioned by our reporters.

"I appeal to all students and parents not to be mislead by such malicious gossip. If I get my hands on this Battousai guy… I'll rip his kami-damned hide off and nail it to the dojo gate!"

As Bakumatsu veterans recall, Battousai was the famous hitokiri who worked for the late Katsura Kogoro. He is a skilled swordsman but it is unknown which dojo he hailed from. The respected Katsura-san never told anyone where he recruited the man. Battousai vanished soon after the Bakumatsu and his whereabouts are unknown.

Appeal from Kamiya Dojo

Please don't listen to that Battousai jerk! My father never had him as a student, ever! Please, do continue coming for your lessons! Kendo is fun and good for health. It builds discipline and strength of character. Kamiya Kassim Ryu is the "sword of life", not a method of murder!

I also appeal to anyone who has information on this Battousai to come forward… (takes a couple of practice whacks with the bokken)

- Kamiya Kaoru

Notice to Kamiya Kaoru, Kamiya Dojo

Settle your Battousai problem! You are giving all us kendo masters a bad rep! You have two weeks or we'll remove Kamiya dojo from our registry.

- Japan Kendo Association

Coming soon: Advice Segment

Write in to our advice segment for advice from our friendly neighborhood cop! Send your letters to Tokyo Capital Police HQ where our head offices are located. (Er, who's gonna give the advice?)

Advertisement: Akabeko Special Offer!

Our set meal A is going at half-price this week. Set meal A includes miso soup, rice, stewed chicken and vegetables with complimentary green tea.

Author's notes:

I let the head office be in Tokyo. Fireworks when Tsunan gets into the newspaper business. I may shift the offices to Kyoto for the Kyoto arc. I intend to follow the RK manga. So no anime arcs post Kyoto. No Christian arc etc.

Ikeda Koji is an OC. If the name sounds familiar… well, he's the editor of the Choushu Bakumatsu rebel paper after his brother got killed in the Ikeda-ya incident.