Quietly I get out of bed, mindful that I do not wake up Hide. It doesn’t take me long to get into some clothes and grab a jacket as I left the house. It’s a bit chilly but thankfully no snow to hinder our travel later. When the sun comes up, it should be more comfortable.
Eventhough it’s still early, a number of street vendors are already setting up shop. Street vending must be a difficult task, considering they follow this schedule everyday. Slowly I pass wondering what should be good enough for breakfast for Eiji.
“How much is the Nikuman?”
“1 sen sir. How many would you like?”
“Just 3.” I say and give him payment. Three should be good enough for a growing boy isn’t it?
“Would you like some dessert sir?” He offers up a Taiyaki and I shake my head, “But today is special there is chocolate inside.”
“I’m not a child that you can…” I stop and furrow my brow, “I’ve changed my mind, get me -one-.”
The vendor smiles and after handing me the brown bag, he bows, “I included an extra piece of Taiyaki as thanks.”
“That was not necessary.” I say and sigh. “You haven’t even broken even yet.”
“Well sir, there is an old superstition my father used to follow.”
“And what is that?” I ask as I take a bite of the free Taikyaki. Oh, it is good… Even if a little sweet.
“Your first customer is good luck. So treat that customer well.” He smiles again and I shake my head and walk away with a grin myself.
It’s not too long before I’m at the machiya. The light to my rented room is on and I’m surprised. He must be doing that again. Sliding the shoji door open, he jumps.
“Fujita-san! You startled me.”
“Don’t state the obvious.” I tell him as I sit down across from him. “You’ll hurt your eyes doing that.” I nod at his “drawing”. “Did you stay up all night again?”
He quickly gathers up the paper he was working on, “Oh nothing i couldn’t go to sleep.”
“Drawing won’t help.”
“Oh well…” He just smiles and closes his eyes. I -know- that smile.
Grinning slightly I push the meat buns towards him, “Here have some breakfast.”
“Ah thank you.” Without much prodding he starts on the meat buns.
“You didn’t cook either?” I ask surprised.
“Well you see I was full.” He replies and stand up to get a drink.
Quickly I flip his paper over. I always did like to look whenever he drew something. Usually it would be from one of his travels, landscapes, architecture… But this time.. I frown and put it back exactly the way he left it. I knew he wouldn’t be able to resist. And what was that? A child with the Battousai and the Tanuki?
“Ah here Saitou-san, some coffee for you.”
“Thanks.” I say and make no mention of his “indiscretion”. At least it provided me with some info, apparently that idiot Himura finally became a father now. Who knew that the Tanuki could actually reproduce? She holds no candle to -my- neko-chan. I find myself grinning at that.
“Are you on stake out again Saitou-san?”
“No but need I remind you not to talk to me about my work?” I light a cigarette.
“Well shouldn’t you be with your…” He pauses and I wait and hope he doesn’t use -that- word, “… your… your.. future wife?”
I nod agreeably, at least he didn’t use “woman”. He just seemed at a lost for what to call Hide. “Hide likes to call me her “future-husband-to-be”.” I chuckle, “I guess she would be that.”
“Ah gomenasai.”
“Forget about it.” I say and take a drag. “I came here to let you know of two thiings.”
“Oh?”
“You are coming with me to Aizu on Tuesday. You wanted to take a rest didn’t you?”
“Well isn’t that a bit sudden Chichi-ue?”
I frown, “You’d rather stay here? And why would that be?”
“I have my reasons…”
“Be a good boy and go to Aizu.” I say. It’s not like I’ll take “no” for an answer.
He sighs. He hardly ever argues with me. He is a good young man but I know him well enough. He’s good when I’m around but does his own thing, much like other young men.
“I hardly think that’s why you’re here so early in the morning. It’s still a few days away.” He takes a drink and looks at me expectantly.
“Ah yes. I wanted to get you breakfast.” I tease him.
He starts to laugh and almost chokes on his water.
“Stop lauhging.” I say sternly, “I needed to get you breakfast because I’ll be leaving with Hide and Makoto for Akashi.”
“Akashi?!” He places the meat bun down on the table. “Are you sure?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Well you hardly took Tokio-san…”
I frown at him, “I took you and the boys there before. I even had you stay there for the summer.” The truth was Tokio did not like Hiroaki very much and I wasn’t going to argue it. Maybe it was a selfish thing that I did, using the boys to go there to visit whenever I felt the need to check up on things.
“But isn’t Hiroaki-san…”
“He is.” I take a drag on my cigarette, a long one.
“But you’ve not been there since…”
“That’s why I have to go.”
“You’ll check up on Yuki won’t you?”
I stare at him, he has that worried look on his face. Why would he be so concerned with Yuki when he’s not seen her for a few years now I don’t know.
“That among other things.”
“Can I go?”
“No.”
He frowns.
“I didn’t plan on you to go with us. We’ll only be taking a carriage not a train.” I try to explain.
“Chichi-ue…” He looks towards the floor, “Did you knowm, it seems that lately you’ve seen me as an inconvenience.”
“What ar eyou talking about?” I growl at him, “Tch… Stop whining.”
“Really? When I came to Tokyo the first thing you wanted to do was ship me back. When I met Yagi-san, you didn’t seem particularly pleased eventhough I’ve tried to put aside my biases. Now I ask to go with you to Akashi, but you refuse. Come to think of it, you want me to leave Tokyo so badly that you’re escorting me back to Aizu.” He looks back at me, “I guess that’s fine with me since I am only your “charge”. I just hope it’s not going to be the same with Tsutomu and Tsuyoshi.”
“-Boy-… I suggest you stop talking.” I seeth in my anger. Do I? Have I treated him -that- differently? “If you want to come so badly to Akashi, just say so.”
“I would do anything you ask me to Fujita-san. In fact, I have -tried-.” He narrows his eyes and tries to speak to me evenly but his voice was rising. “Do you resent us?”
“Idiot! Why would I -think- that!” I stand up. “You need more sleep. Next time, -get- some!”
“So quick to push me away…” He frowns.
I grit my teeth a bit, “Look Eiji. If I had treated you differently and you think it’s indicative of how I’ll treat Tsutomu… You need to tell me -now- and we won’t go to Aizu to get him.”
“It’s just that you seem ill at ease lately.”
“I -am-.” I tilt my head and look him over, he is much older now and maybe wiser than I. A small grin settles on my face. “You’re right, I have been wanting you to leave.” I look down, “In front of you, I feel ashamed of what I had done, but can you imagine what it would be like if it was Tsutomu and not you here?”
He bows, “Please take care on your trip… And tell Yuki-chan about me, that I have a job now.”
Turning my back I close the door. He really did want to go to Akashi but not to get in the way. I didn’t realize he wanted to see Yuki-ko. I hail a carriage and get back to the house.
(OOC: Saitou has a carriage waiting outside. He goes inside to wake Hide and Makoto, but quickly disappears outside to the garden to smoke. You can reply in this thread.)
Jan 9, 1886 – Very Early Morning – Preparations
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By the time I wake, Hajime has already left. Dressing, I wonder where – I have a few ideas… Hmm, more food may be needed? -Perhaps-. It could be one of many things.
I get Makoto up and into a bath, and go downstairs to finish the food for today. I close the boxes and tie the cloth around each bundle, and add some special bottles so we will have warm and cold drinks on the way. Thank goodness, again, that we are going on a carriage and not a train and such items won’t attract notice…
From the window I see Hajime come in, and smoking. I call upstairs for Makoto and go to join Hajime in the garden. I come up and put my arms around him and steal a kiss in the moment that his cigarette leaves his lips. “Good morning, Hajime.” I smile up at him. “You were up well before the sun was this morning…”
“Makoto-chan will be down and then we’ll be ready to go.” Our luggage – a bundle of food and the other of clothing and personal items – sits waiting on the engawa. “I have breakfast and warm coffee waiting.”
At the sound of her name, Makoto comes bounding out, and runs right over to Hajime. “Good morning, Chichi and Okaasan!” She grins up at both of us, very charming where the little tooth fell out the other day. “I am ready!”
?EURoeYou were up well before the sun was this morning?EUR??EUR?
I get my kiss of course, so I grin slightly. “Just had to run a few errands.” I hold up the paper bag that had one more taiyaki in it and give it to her. It looks like she’s prepared well… But do we really need all that food and drinks? It’s really not that far.
?EURoeI have breakfast and warm coffee waiting.?EUR?
“Let’s hurry up and have a -quick- breakfast. I don’t want the driver to wait too long.” Looking down at Makoto I notice her missing teeth. She has a rather cheeky look on her. Bending down, I pick her up. “Now all we need is some bunny ears and you’ll be playing the part well.” I tease and go inside, following Hide to breakfast.
(OOC: directed hide to kitchen)
Makoto eats her taiyaki, licking her fingers after. “Thank you, Chichi!”
In the kitchen, I unpack the breakfast box, and serve it up – rice pudding, fried tofu and inari, along with some pickles, of course, along with the drinks. “I still packed some for lunch, in case we are still traveling.” How long should it take?
>>Now all we need is some bunny ears and you?EUR(TM)ll be playing the part well
I laugh, sitting down as she’s put down and into her seat. “Well you are year of the rabbit,” I remind her. “Should I feed you more carrots?”
I eat my own food quickly, and clean up after us, and help Makoto wash up. She seems very perky, very good this early in the morning. She’ll have to wake early again when school starts…
?EURoeI still packed some for lunch, in case we are still traveling.?EUR?
“Ah it won’t be that long.” I wonder if she’s forgotten we’ve been there before. “We should be there around 10AM.” I can only hope that there’s food in the house, after all I didn’t send word there.
Makoto and I eat quickly. I nod and tell Makoto we can get carrots and make carrot juice. It doesn’t take Hide long to clean up after us while I go around the house closing the windows and doors. We were probably done in less than ten minutes, breakfast and all that. I sigh, I really had no intention to have a sit-down breakfast but I suppose Hide is not used to the “hit and run” lifestyle I used to lead.
Locking the gates behind me, the driver comes to open the door letting Makoto in first.
“Ah sorry about that.” I say discreetly to the driver. He just grins and nods. I suppose that means I shall have to be generous later but I do like the fact that unlike most carriage drivers, he didn’t talk much.
The carriage starts to move. It’s still a little dark so I close the window. “You two can sleep if you want.” I say as I sit across from them, hoping that the driver remembers to stop later at a neighboring town so I can get a few things.
“Well then we’ll have enough for a mid-morning snack,” I smile at him.
Hajime seems to hover as we finish closing up the house, and I take his hand in mine, squeezing it lightly. “We won’t be too far behind, I heard it’s to be a fine day so the roads should be good.”
Makoto sits down next to me, but promptly moves over to Hajime’s side, resting her head against him. “Sleep, then you won’t miss anything later,” I tell her. I grin over at Hajime, at the sight of our little girl and him. “I’d rather stay awake.”
Bunnies.. I like those. I had a good year. “And Okaasan is a horse.” I giggle. “I can’t remember what Chichi is.”
Carrot juice? Would that be any good? I still want melon juice! But I will probably have to wait for summer.
Oh it’s a nice carriage! The horse in front is big and dark, and the nice man opens the door for me. It’s like a little room, and the seats are bouncy. It’s also high up, little sitting on Chichi’s shoulders.
>>You two can sleep if you want.
>>Sleep, then you won’t miss anything later
I move across the carriage. If I’m going to sleep, I will sleep by Chichi! Okaasan is soft, but I like Chichi a lot too.
I yawn, and look up at Chichi. “Wake me up when we come to the statues. Or anything else neat like that…”
I like carriages.
(OOC: Makoto is now dozing)
?EURoeWe won?EUR(TM)t be too far behind, I heard it?EUR(TM)s to be a fine day so the roads should be good.?EUR?
“Well we are going a little bit to the countryside.”
Makoto snuggles close to me and I encircle an arm around her to keep her from bouncing just in case we hit a rock or a pot hole. I yawn a little and rest my back, I suppose I did get up a little too early.
?EURoeWake me up when we come to the statues. Or anything else neat like that?EUR??EUR?
“I’ll wake you up when the horse needs some rest and maybe you can pet him if your mother is there.” That is if the driver doesn’t mind of course. She mentions the statues and I chuckle to myself, I suppose I’ll have to buy extra offerings then… Another yawn escapes me. I sigh a little and let my eyes droop, but do not close them as I watch Hide.
I try not to grin, he’s tired too? Makoto sleeps, turning to snuggle against him as he holds onto her.
I settle back on the seat. Feeling Hajime’s eyes on me, I smile, and reach in my bag and take out the embroidery I’ve been working on. It’s a simple design, so even the movement of the carriage won’t disrupt it.
“It’ll be quiet for a while, rest with Makoto,” I urge him. I peek out the window from behind the shade, morning is coming slowly to Tokyo. The carriage rolls along and I carefully stitch, looking up from time to time at the two on the other side of the carriage as we move away from the busy city.
She smiles which means she knows and no sooner did I think that does she confirm it.
?EURoeIt?EUR(TM)ll be quiet for a while, rest with Makoto,?EUR?
“I -am- resting.” I say and do not move a single muscle. “Unlike a child that would need lots of sleep, I can get rested by just sitting here.”
She continues to work on the embroidery and I just watch. I do not know much about the things women like to occupy their time with. “What are you making?”
>>Unlike a child that would need lots of sleep, I can get rested by just sitting here
I grin. “Well I know you tend to have a great reserve of energy.” Of course, those aren’t tales for when our daughter is around, even if she is asleep.
I tie off one color, start on another. I hold up the frame to show him. “It doesn’t look like much yet, but it’s a pattern of sakura, I wanted something pretty for springtime. This will be an under-collar for a kimono when I’m done.” I continue to stitch, and I smile up at him. “I didn’t think that I should bring my mending along.” I laugh softly, glancing at Makoto, who is still napping soundly.
?EURoeWell I know you tend to have a great reserve of energy.?EUR?
I just grin at her answer. Besides if I were to move from here, Makoto would wake and that would defeat the purpose of moving.
“Sakura? I don’t think Makoto ever saw a real hanami.” I look down at my daughter who’s still sleeping soundly. “Although gone are the days when one can actually enjoy it.” Too many people to look out for, to “manage” by the police.
?EURoeI didn?EUR(TM)t think that I should bring my mending along.?EUR?
I just chuckle at that and smirk at her. So she admits to being old. After all who but grandmothers choose -that- kind of past time.
>>Sakura? I don?EUR(TM)t think Makoto ever saw a real hanami
“Well the season was celebrated in Ito but not like it is in Tokyo or Kyoto – not with the large parties and gatherings.” I smile. “Not enjoy it?” I frown. “Do they have you working then?” I sigh, and then think of something. “If you are too busy -here-, we will have to perhaps have it -elsewhere-, if there’s not enough time for even a stroll together.” Thinking about it, it must be busy. Festivals seem to bring out fools who drink too much and misbehave.
He chuckles as I mention the mending. “Well you see, I could bring some of that clothing that tends to get torn late at night, but I wouldn’t want Makoto to think that something terrible keeps happening to her Chichi’s shirts.” I laugh quietly. “Nor could I work on making something else… interesting.” I grin, imaging myself with scraps of lace and silk. Besides – that would ruin the unveiling!
I finish outlining a set of leaves, and turn the frame to begin filling them in with a green of a shade slightly paler. “I brought more coffee, if you need it.”
“No. I’d like Makoto to see a real Tokyo hanami.” Patting her hair gently, I look back at Hide with a thoughtful expression on my face, “It’s true each year the crowds get bigger and more unruly.” I frown thinking of that time which resulted in my being sent away to London. If I do go this year, I won’t be caught dropping my guard. “Hmmm… I take it back. I’d rather you and Makoto not go to the hanami at least this year.”
She starts talking about torn garments and shirts. If it was any other time I’d probably take her teasing a bit further. I guess the moment is lost as I just nod and open a window to look outside and smoke.
?EURoeI brought more coffee, if you need it.?EUR?
“I wouldn’t mind coffee.” I say and take a puff. I’m glad that we’re sitting against the wind and my smoke is not going back into the carriage. I still keep my hand by the window however.
>>Hmmm?EUR? I take it back. I?EUR(TM)d rather you and Makoto not go to the hanami at least this year
I nod. “We’ll have a little celebration at home, in our garden, then. It is a large event, I don’t think she’s seen the full force of Tokyo crowds yet,” I smile, watching her smile in her sleep. “We should take her to one of the smaller temple festivals this summer, though, or out for Girl’s Day.”
He asks for coffee, and I put down my stitching, and bring out the bag of food, and from that the container of coffee, and I pour the coffee into the lid that also serves as a cup. I hold it out to him, very carefully with two hands, in case we get suddenly bumped.
?EURoeWe?EUR(TM)ll have a little celebration at home, in our garden, then. It is a large event, I don?EUR(TM)t think she?EUR(TM)s seen the full force of Tokyo crowds yet,?EUR?
“It’s just for now.” I take another drag on the cig and look outside where Mt. Fuji finally came from the background. Ito was close to Fuji-san, if I recall correctly. “Things are a bit slow to change, but they -will-.” I can feel my eyes narrowing at the snow-capped mountain.
My coffee is ready so I flick the cigarette out the window. It’s carriage not a train. I should be more careful.
“Thanks.” I say and sip the coffee. So many things to do. I wonder when we’ll get to the rest stop? It should be within the hour.
(OOC: Saitou is now silently sipping his coffee and won’t say much unless something happens to grab his attention.)
I wake up and the light is bright outside and there are nice trees and things all around. We must not be in Tokyo anymore! I look around, Chichi is drinking coffee and Okaasan is sewing. I don’t think I missed much!
“I’m awake now,” I tell them. “Will I get to see the horse soon?” I look up at Chichi. “I only sat on a horse one time, it was very old.”
There will also be snacks when we stop, I bet! That would be good, it’s like Okaasan said, traveling makes you hungry!
I see the mountain outside. “Hello, Fuji-san!” It’s been a long time since I’ve seen it!
I was just finishing my coffee when Makoto suddenly squirms out of my arm. I laugh as she declares she’s awake. “Isn’t that a little too obvious princess?”
?EURoeWill I get to see the horse soon??EUR?
Taking my watch out, I look at the time. It’s been an hour and since we left Tokyo. We are making good time and should enter Chofu-shi soon.
Passing the cup back to Hide I lean to join Makoto as she watches Mt. Fuji. “It’s big.” I say and have to grin slightly at that. I just stated the obvious as well.
The scenery changes and occasionally we pass small thatch houses and vendors on the road. Nothing like Tokyo this is rural Japan after all. The carriage moves to the wrong side of the road and for a moment I’m -surprised-. Instinctively I secure Makoto by the waist but loosen my hold when I realize what it was.
“Well will you look at that.” I shake my head at the “obstruction” on the road.
(Makoto)
>>Isn?EUR(TM)t that a little too obvious princess?
I giggle. “But Chichi, I didn’t want you to miss me being awake!”
He tells me Fuji-san is big, and I nod. “You can see it from all over Japan.” At least, that’s what everyone says. “I think it’s very friendly.” I wonder if he knows stories about it?
Then the carriage goes to one side! I hold onto Chichi. “Eee!” We don’t fall over, though. “What happened?” I look outside, what happened to the road?
(Hide)
I wipe out the cup and put it back on top of the container, there’s still enough for another cup. I smile watching the sights along the road… this is much more scenic than traveling by train, and places like this remind me of the old days.
I pick back up my sewing, watching my husband-to-be and our daughter watching the scenery when the carriage suddenly shifts. My frame flies from my hands onto the seat. Nothing seems wrong but the needle is missing. I smile, shaking my head. “Nobody take their shoes off,” I laugh, feeling that it’s not on the seat or on my kimono somewhere. Too bad I just brought the one needle, but they’re too costly.
I move over to the other side, sitting next to Hajime and Makoto. “Perhaps if we all sit together, we can all hold on in case there’s anymore disturbances.” I slide an arm around Hajime’s waist as I look out at the road.
?EURoeBut Chichi, I didn?EUR(TM)t want you to miss me being awake!?EUR?
“I don’t think that’s possible.”
The sudden turn seems to have left my daughter out of sorts as she tip toes to look outside.
“The farmers are drying rice so they can hull them later.” It is a little early in the season for them to be doing this but they’re probably trying to squeeze in as much as they can for harvesting. It is hard to make a living these days.
?EURoeNobody take their shoes off,?EUR?
Looking back I see Hide seems to have dropped something. I wonder what it is…
?EURoePerhaps if we all sit together, we can all hold on in case there?EUR(TM)s anymore disturbances.?EUR?
“Hmm…” I lean back and coax Makoto to sit back into the seat, rather onto my lap since I didn’t want to place her between Hide and I. I do like to having Hide beside me so I secure Makoto with both arms.
“Do they dry rice like that in Kyoto?” I ask and smile. “I would imagine Kondou-san and Hijikata-san used to do the same thing in Hino. Harada told me a long time ago he actually saw them work as farm hands.” Now that is an odd thought, I never really imagined the Kyokuchou as a farmer eventhough I -know- he was.
(Hide)
>>Do they dry rice like that in Kyoto?
I nod. “Well, we don’t grow much rice in Mibu, but it’s not far to where they do.” It’s not modernizing as quickly as Tokyo, and I’m glad for that. “I can imagine them farming, though. Kondou-san used to tease me about planting vegetables in my garden,” I laugh. He had fun with that, “daikon will do well where your irises are!” I laugh.
With Makoto’s attention fixed to the window, I take it a chance to kiss his cheek…
(Makoto)
“Oh… ” I look at the farmers, and wave! I like farms, at least, I liked the tea farm. “They work hard.”
Chichi holds onto me so I don’t fall. Then they talk about people, Kondou-san sounds funny. “Chichi, Okaasan, when will we see the statues?” I look out the window – they might go by fast, the carriage is fast! I’m glad Okaasan is sitting with us, even if I bet they’ll be silly – but it’s more fun than watching her sew.
?EURoeI can imagine them farming, though. Kondou-san used to tease me about planting vegetables in my garden,?EUR? ?EURoedaikon will do well where your irises are!?EUR?
“That would be like the Kyokuchou.” She kisses me on the cheek and I look back at her but turn my gaze back to where Makoto is waving to some farmers.
?EURoeChichi, Okaasan, when will we see the statues??EUR?
“Oh you won’t see them here. Usually they are on the small paths up towards the mountain or little paths heading to the villages. You see back in the old days, there were no roads like these and the monks all travelled by foot.”
?EURoeThey work hard.?EUR?
“Farmers are really hard workers. Here I’ll teach you a farming song my old friends used to sing.”
Planting rice is not a joke;
the whole day you?EUR(TM)re bent like an ox.
You cannot stand more than one bit;
till you?EUR(TM)re done you cannot sit.
-Oh, my arms, the feeling?EUR(TM)s gone;
and my waist, its tired and sore.
My legs feel a thousand pricks,
soaked in water, six to six.
-Mornings when I wake and rise;
I tell myself to think, be wise
and pray to find some land to till,
so I can have a tasty meal.
-What a cruel destiny
to be born in poverty
If I don?EUR(TM)t work with my two arms,
I won?EUR(TM)t earn a single dime.
Come, dear fellow stewards of the earth,
stretching muscles is good for the health.
Let us pause so we can catch our breath,
and then tomorrow back to work!
As we turn the corner, I can see the small traveller outpost come to view. The driver already knows to stop by there since I told him to earlier.
>>Oh you won?EUR(TM)t see them here
Oh…. I want to see them. I try not to look sad. Because we are having fun on the trip.
“I like your song, Chichi!” I look at him, thinking, then back at the field. “But farming is hard…” I smile. “That’s why we always say thank you when we eat, right?”
The carriage slows down, and then stops, and there’s a little building there. I can read the kanji for tea. Are we stopping for tea? “Oh! I get to see the horse!” I get up and go to the door.
“Makoto-chan, wait for Chichi or the driver to help you out.” I hear Okaasan say, and wait at the door.
Her face drops slightly after I tell her that the statues are not here. Hopefully the old ones leading up to the mountain-side is still there. I don’t make mention of it however, I’ll have to check first.
?EURoeThat?EUR(TM)s why we always say thank you when we eat, right??EUR?
“That… and the others who gets your food on the table. That’s quite a lot of people.”
The driver finally stops and Makoto is at once by the door, stopping only after her mother reminds her to. Getting up, I open the carriage door and lift Makoto so we can go outside. I wait for Hide to alight from the carriage, as the driver offers to support her unfortunately going for her waist and not her hand. Quickly I put Makoto down.
(OOC: Driver is totally oblivious as to what he is doing and will help Miss Hide by the waist. Miss Hide can avoid him or not.)
I wait for Makoto to get out first, with Hajime lifting her up.
Taking the basket of food – if we eat what I’ve brought we can save – I’m -stunned- that the driver reaches for me, but goes past my hand to my waist.
I’m very affronted by that, perhaps it is courtesy, but -goodness-, it’s very forward. Instead, I hand him the basket. Only one man may help me in such a personal manner. “Thank you,” I say, but the shifting from my step leaves me unbalanced, and I stumble on the step, and I wobble forward and to the side away from the driver and I try to get my balance back as I step off but my feet can’t seem to move in the right way.
I’m quite rooted to my position, just observing the driver. There’s only a polite smile on his face as he reaches for Hide but she places a picnic basket on his outstretched arms instead. I’m relieved somewhat and was about to turn to Makoto when I hear something skid. Quickly I spun around and barely catches her, her shoulder digging into my chest as she fell. The driver looks at the two of us and utters his apologies about not being quick enough and raises the basket. I sigh and mutter to Hide…
“Really Hide… Try to be more careful.” I’ve seen her fall so many times. As I right her up, I cough slightly. Looks like her fall on my chest was a little awkward. Standing up straight, I hold her hand. “You will be alright? We won’t be long here. I was just going to buy some things I need before we arrive at Hiroaki’s.”
“Makoto, take the basket please.” I nod towards the driver. She does so and we go to the nearest table right under a tree just a few feet away from the carriage.
>>Really Hide?EUR? Try to be more careful
I land, face-first into Hajime’s chest, his arms stabilizing me, even though we are awkward. I murmur in a low voice, “I had to protect my obi.” It’s an old thing between us. “And I knew you would catch me.” He stands me back up, and, still a little dazed, I squeeze his hand back, thankful for his quick reactions. “Are you alright?” He’d deny it, but I’ll have to watch his shoulder through the day…
“I’ll be fine,” I say, louder, to assure him, Makoto, the driver and the old woman peering out from the building. I sit, and realize that I probably look disheveled from the fall, but smile up at him, and over at Makoto.
Oh no, Okaasan fell! But Chichi got her!
“I’ll be fine,” she says, and we sit down at a table. I sit next to her and pat her hand. “Okaasan should be more careful.” I put down the basket, and Chichi goes into the place.
“Well I had to protect our snacks,” she smiles. But instead of the food, she pulls the little mirror from her obi and fusses with her hair. She does that more when Chichi is around. That must be a funny grown-up thing.
“When can I see the horse?” I ask, looking over at the driver. Okaasan says that we should have our snacks, and let the horse rest before we visit, it’s only polite.
“It is!” Okaasan brings out a bag of rice crackers, it’s special when she makes all the different shapes and flavors. “When I go back to school, will you put these in my bento?”
I look around, then, for Chichi, as she sets out some onigiri. They’re not in fun shapes but I know it’s filled with the leftovers of the good fish we had last night!
?EURoeI had to protect my obi.?EUR? ?EURoeAnd I knew you would catch me.?EUR?
I’d grin at that but I don’t. After all it was a very real fall and she could’ve injured herself. But it’s true, I would catch her as long as I knew the prospect of injury is very real. She squeezes my hand and I sigh.
?EURoeAre you alright??EUR?
“I’m not a fragile little…” thing… I pause and rephrase what I was going to say. “I’m fine. You just sit there for now. Makoto will watch you.”
I turn to my daughter with a look. She’s my daughter so I’m sure she knows what I mean. After that I go into the store.
It’s a medium sized store but since a lot of travellers come here, it’s crowded and looks worn for wear. Had this trip been planned in -better- I’d be bringing something more appropriate. But the trip to Aizu promises to keep me busy, maybe even months and just like then I might keep putting it off…
“Sake and incense? That’ll be 10 sen sir.”
I blink and stare at the cashier. Automatically I reach into my pockets to pay the man. Then behind him I spy some snacks. Didn’t Yuki used to like senbei? “I need two bags of senbei and go ahead and get me some Okaki too.” Makoto might want some later and I do wonder if Hide ever like Okaki considering it’s a Kyoto snack.
Going back outside, I see mother and daughter starting on some snacks. Placing the brown paper bag on the table, I sit across from them and reach for some onigiri. “We should be there in an hour.”
>>I?EUR(TM)m not a fragile little?EUR?
I would tease him about me putting on weight but he has that look on his face, so I decide that it should wait, after all, I do wonder what’s he’s feeling as we head towards his old home.
I sit under Makoto’s “watch” as she tells me about being more careful. “I will be, my little darling,” I promise her. After all… but she starts “inspecting” me. “Perhaps you’ll be a nurse someday,” I tease her.
I pour out the last of the milk for Makoto, and coffee and tea for Hajime and myself. It’s not as hot as earlier but it’s still warm. Hajime comes back..
Okaasan said she will be careful. She shouldn’t worry me and Chichi.
I drink my milk, and have some of the crackers, and we share an onigiri. I’m not that hungry yet!
Chichi comes back out, and brings a bag. “Oh Chichi, what did you get?” I ask, and I look in the bag. More crackers, different kinds, and a bottle and another packet that smells nice like alters. “What is this?” I wonder if I can eat the other crackers? I like new foods.
>>We should be there in an hour
“That’s not long at all,” I tell them. I am excited to meet more family. I hope they are nice like Eiji-kun.
?EURoeOh Chichi, what did you get??EUR?
“Gifts to the people we are visiting.” I tell Makoto simply. “But I did get some for you and your mother but you should save it for later on our trip back.”
?EURoeWhat is this??EUR?
“It’s called senbei. It’s an old Edo snack kind of like what your mother made. However instead of using mochi it’s made from rice so it’s not as airy.”
After drinking the coffee, I quickly light a cigarette. Standing up to the driver I ask if he smokes but he shakes his head.
“Do you mind if my daughter looks at your horse?” I ask.
He shakes his head again.
“Thanks.” I do wonder if he ever -speaks-.
I wait under the tree taking short puffs. By the time I’m finished smoking, Hide and Makoto should be ready to go.
>>Do you mind if my daughter looks at your horse?
I hear Chichi and go right over to the driver. “Sir, what is your horse’s name? He is very good at his job.” I look over at him. “Horse-san, thank you!” I smile at the horse. “My name is Makoto.”
He’s very big, bigger than the old horse at the tea farm. I reach out to pat him but then I think, Okaasan would tell me to -mind-. “May I touch him?”
I like animals. A lot.
>>Do you mind if my daughter looks at your horse?
And Makoto-chan speeds away to the horse. I try not to laugh at her excitement. I bundle back up our things, and wash out the cups at the water pump nearby.
Hajime stands under the tree to smoke, and I join him as I keep an eye on Makoto and the driver. I slide an arm around his waist and lean my head on him. When everyone is engaged in noticing how lively our daughter is, I steal a quick kiss on his cheek. Tightening my arm around him, I smile as I smell the smell of smoke drifting from him.
“I know you’re not fragile, my ookami-sama, but your Hime may have put on weight,” I say quietly. I certainly don’t want him to think that I find him to be lacking… quite the opposite, he’s the most remarkable man I know. “But you will help me up to the carriage this time?”
It’s the first time I think, I see how direct my daughter truly is as she wastes no time and speaks to the driver himself.
?EURoeSir, what is your horse?EUR(TM)s name? He is very good at his job.?EUR?
The driver just nods at her and smiles. Letting her call the horse by whatever she liked. Hide comes over and places the basket on the ground beside the things I bought in the store. She wraps an arm around my waist and I place my arm over her shoulder, her head hardly reaches my shoulder but at least it’s very comfortable. I watch as Makoto chatters with the driver and I do wonder if he’s talking yet but I feel something to the side of my cheek… A kiss… I look back at her.
“Thanks.” We’re not a young couple where public displays of affection can go rather far but small things like that peck on the cheek should be fine. At least we’re not hiding like before but then again we’re not in metropolitan Tokyo, nor Kyoto or Aizu, or Ito that we should be careful.
?EURoeI know you?EUR(TM)re not fragile, my ookami-sama, but your Hime may have put on weight,?EUR?
Taking a puff I look on as our daughter is hoisted up by the driver to pet the horses mane. I suppose that’s fine. She’s small and anything closer to the leg of the horse would be dangerous. I still watch though just in case something goes amiss. “You have put on some weight.” I say meaning to tease but my narrowed eyes and distant tone probably said otherwise. Finally the driver puts her down and opens the carriage door. Makoto goes inside. Crushing the cigarette butt under my boots, I pick up the basket and paper bags…
?EURoeBut you will help me up to the carriage this time??EUR?
Raising an eye I hand her the basket. “Only if you carry this.” a small grin settles on my face.
(OOC: you may close. will start new thread tomorrow)
We watch as Makoto gets acquainted with the horse. The driver is an uncommonly quiet man, but really, who can get a world in as Makoto talks on about the horse and to the horse? Meanwhile, Hajime and I share a quiet, comfortable moment. Even in public, I enjoy the quiet display of affection. In private, however…
>>You have put on some weight
His eyes are on Makoto, and it comes out strangely. I do wonder… have I?
But then he turns to me with a bit of a grin, and I grin back. “Yes, I will.” I take the basket, and wait for him to help Makoto in, then he helps me in, and we settle in for the last leg of our journey.
(OOC: Close)