>Also... did Kate start carrying the zatoichi around right after the
>"incident" with Mike?

Probably not immediately, no - she received the sword when she passed a test of advancement in Katsujinkenryuu to achieve the level of Journeyman, the first grade at which one is entitled to carry a live weapon. She was in no condition to pass such a test right after that, so it probably didn't happen until Christmas vacation 2403, a year before Christmas Rose, or possibly during the summer of 2404, right before Wounded Rose.

--G.
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Benjamin D. Hutchins, Co-Founder, Editor in Chief, Netadmin
Eyrie Productions, Unlimited http://www.eyrie-productions.com/