Lunch was uneventful and came later than usual as the talk with Yukiko took longer than expected. I am quite disappointed with my niece at her rudeness. The least she could’ve done was join us at the table. I don’t say much as I smoke and Hide cleans up after us. Standing by the door, I watch as my daughter flitter like a bird from one corner of the backyard, to the well, to the out house and then back to the same corner. It would be much better if she had someone to play with and for a moment I think of Tsuyoshi… He would play with her I think even if he’s a bit older. The only question is, who between the two of them would tire out first? Maybe one day they will meet… I do hope one day while they’re still children able to see beyond the frailties and mistakes that their parents committed.
“We probably should take Makoto with us.” I say off-handedly to Hide, “I don’t think Yukiko is up to babysitting this afternoon.”
I truly did not want to take Makoto to the cemetery, much like I never took my sons there either. Precisely why, I’m not sure. Perhaps it was to preserve their innocence. Perhaps it was because I killed so many that I did not want my children to know what death is and why people die. I sigh… I guess this will be a first. Going back to the counter, I remove one bottle of sake and leave the other that was supposed to be for Hiroaki. He won’t mind I think, it is for his daughter sake after all.
“If you have the offerings ready, we’ll just drop by -quickly- and then we can take Makoto by the riverbank.”
Visiting the Past
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I’m puzzled at Yukiko’s absence from lunch, but Hajime is quiet.
>>We probably should take Makoto with us. I don?EUR(TM)t think Yukiko is up to babysitting this afternoon
I nod, I can hear her upstairs. “Ah… the conversation didn’t go well, then?” I take his hand and squeeze it, before picking it up and kissing the back of it. “I should let her know that there’s lunch waiting for her, if she’s hungry.”
>>If you have the offerings ready, we?EUR(TM)ll just drop by -quickly- and then we can take Makoto by the riverbank
“I do,” I go back into the kitchen and find a cloth to wrap the onigiri in, and come back out to join him and Makoto on the engawa, and hold out Makoto’s padded haori for her to get into – it’s a nice day but I don’t want her catching a chill before Monday, and a scarf for Hajime. I don’t want him getting a chill either!
Makoto hears the word “riverbank” and dances around Hajime. “Oh, Chichi! What animals visit the river?” Then she thinks for a minute, and looks at what we’re carrying. “Where else are we going?”
I smile down at her, and then to Hajime. “To pay our respects,” I take her hand and she goes for Hajime’s free hand, skipping between us.
?EURoeI should let her know that there?EUR(TM)s lunch waiting for her, if she?EUR(TM)s hungry.?EUR?
“Please do.” I don’t say anything else with regards to the conversation I had with Yukiko but I do squeeze Hide’s hand. “I might have to take up your offer to send her to Kyoto.”
Hide goes and prepares Makoto’s outerwear. I should’ve told my daughter not to have played outside for too long. Ah I’ve been careless. Fixing the scarf Hide gave me, I get the bag with the sake. “Do you have the fish onigiri I asked for? I’d like to keep that separate from the rest.”
?EURoeOh, Chichi! What animals visit the river??EUR?
Ah yes my daughter… It’s been a while since she’s been out. Unlike in Ito where she can go nature exploring anytime, in Tokyo that is not at all possible. “Well…” I look thoughtful for a moment, “There should be fish for sure. There used to be turtles down there too but I’ve been told they’ve been scarce lately.” Ruffling her hair, I continue, “There’s a big turtle though that’s been there before I was your age and he lets me sit on him.” I smile just a tad. It’s not really a turtle of course, I just like to think it is. “If you can keep still, we can climb it.”
Hide answers the rest of her questions for which I am glad.
(OOC: feel free to move them along to the temple they saw earlier)
I go upstairs, and tap on the one door that’s closed. “Yukiko-san… we’re going to go out for a minute to pay our respects to your family and show Makoto the river. There’s lunch downstairs.” I smile to myself, thinking about this intense stubbornness that runs through the family. “I left lunch for you downstairs, please eat and we’ll talk some after we return.”
Going back downstairs I take the onigiri back and put on my own outerware. I lean down to kiss Makoto’s pink cheeks and tie up the front of her haori. “Since we’ll be walking you can’t stay warm by running, little one.” And it might be chilly by the river.
In a short time, with Makoto getting more excited about the sights of the river, but we come to the temple first. In the last grove of trees, I sneak a kiss to Hajime’s cheek and hold out my hand for Makoto. “Now here, we’ll need to be quiet and respectful.”
I wish Yukiko-san had eaten lunch with us! Okaasan and I made a good lunch!
>>There?EUR(TM)s a big turtle though that?EUR(TM)s been there before I was your age and he lets me sit on him.
I tug on his hand and let go, skipping in front of him and Okaasan. “Chichi, I want to do that! I’ll be nice to old turtle-san!” I jump up and down. “Chichi, I will be still!”
This river sounds like the best place ever. But we come to the temple first.
>>Now here, we’ll need to be quiet and respectful
I nod and take her hand, and then Chichi’s. “Chichi, is this where your Chichi and Okaasan are?” Okaasan explained about how all of my grandparents are now watching over me. “What were they like? Did your Chichi play games too?” I know lots of story about Okaasan’s family. I want to know more about Chichi’s! I’ve liked everyone I’ve met so far.
Hide disappears for a moment to go upstairs but does catch-up with us outside. By the time we get to the temple, I get a kiss. I just grin at that.
?EURoeChichi, I want to do that! I?EUR(TM)ll be nice to old turtle-san!?EUR? I jump up and down. ?EURoeChichi, I will be still!?EUR?
“Oh will you?” I look at my daughter who’s -not- keeping still at all and chuckle softly. Leading them into the temple grounds, I veer to the right where there is a clearing and steps leading down to the cemetery grounds.
?EURoeChichi, is this where your Chichi and Okaasan are??EUR?
“Yes Makoto. This is our ancestral burial grounds.”
I lead them further, passing several gravestones and markers along the way then take a left by a groove of trees. There are three simple graves here marked by three upright stones. It seems someone recently cleaned the area too. Putting the bag of sake to the side, I take Makoto’s hand and bring her to the oldest looking marker, already showing some wear.
“This is your grandfather, he was a tall man and I used to ride on his shoulders when I was younger. He was a kind man, who rarely lost his temper.” Maybe my memory is not very accurate after all I was his -favorite-, it was Hiroaki who would always get reprimanded after all. I do not recall ever seeing him with a stern face unlike mother but if one thing can be said about him, it was that he was -ambitious-.
“Your grandmother is here. She was a strict and industrious woman, a farmers daughter.” I look at her gravestone for a long time, when they buried her, I was still in Gonohe. It was only the following year when I accompanied Matsudaira back to Tokyo did I visit here again.
“Finally this is your uncle, Hiroaki. Yukiko’s father. He just died a little over a year ago.”
Letting go of Makoto’s hand, I turn to Hide. “This is my family. Katsu, my sister is buried in Hyoga where her husband is from.” It’s an odd thing to bring Hide here, normally I would not… But if they were alive, I would’ve wanted them to see what kind of woman I was with now. I think they would approve, especially Hiroaki. “You’ve never met my brother but he was the one who told me to look for you.”
Not his words of course. Hiroaki could never give advise like that. He was rough around the edges much like Harada but certainly much more intelligent than that big oaf. What was his words again? AHOU! Why are you still staying in that house if you no longer care for your wife? Such fickle mindedness! No wonder that woman you kept secret from me left you. Who would want to be saddled with such a weakling? Ah… Only one man can call me an idiot, fickle minded and weak, and still live…
Taking the incense sticks out, I hand them to Hide, along with my matches. “Did you separate the offerings like I asked?” I hope she remembered. I still have one last thing to do.
Hajime takes Makoto by hand and introduces him to his parents and brother. I smile softly at the stories, and remember an old one, about a little boy who sat on his father’s shoulders. A little wolf… I wish he could see how wonderful that little boy turned out to be.
Makoto knows how to behave, and bows before each grave, and I do as well. “I would have liked to have met them,” I tell him, and imagine coming here, nervous, trying to win their approval. Meeting the brother, wondering if even like grown men if they tussled like puppies like my brothers still do…
>>You?EUR(TM)ve never met my brother but he was the one who told me to look for you.
“He did?” I smile slowly, and bow again. “Thank you, Hiroaki-san,” I say. Then I smile back up at my husband-to-be, and softly touch his cheek. I’m glad he was there, then, to tell Hajime that. “Good sense runs in the family as well?” I grin slightly.
I wish we had flowers, but at this point in the winter, they’re rare. At least it is freshly cleaned – Yukiko-san?
I take the incense, and light one, saying a quiet prayer.
I nod and hand him the onigiri, separated out as he wished. “Hai.” I hand them over, and remember that he has sake as well.
I bow. It’s sad that they’re not here anymore. They sound nice! I hug Chichi’s middle. “So I’m like you when you were little? Riding on Chichi?” I smile at him.
He talks to Okaasan about his brother, and I look. It’s too bad they don’t have pictures at graves. I would have liked to see faces. Instead I touch the kanji.
Yamaguchi. Okaasan taught me that one.
I watch as they do things with the incense sticks. It’s sad that Yukiko-san doesn’t have any family. I get a good idea but I’ll tell Okaasan later, they are being respectful right now.
I watch as they bow solemnly at each one of their graves. It’s an odd feeling, never have I really felt the need to have one of them meet my daughter and future wife. Since Tokio did not like being around Hiroaki, I thought it was natural and common place that I did not feel the need for her nor my sons to commune with my own family especially those who has passed on.
?EURoeGood sense runs in the family as well??EUR?
“Good sense? In a way I suppose.” Touching her cheek, I bend down and kiss her lips lightly. Ah… If only they could see… But maybe they -do-. Now I wish there was someone I can tell my thoughts to about her, at least with Makoto, she I can discuss with Hide.
?EURoeSo I?EUR(TM)m like you when you were little? Riding on Chichi??EUR?
“Hmm… You -are- my daughter after all.” I say, “at least you don’t pull on my hair like I used to do to your grandfather since men those days had longer hair.”
Straightening up, I take offerings and place one beside the gravestone, leaving one last one in my hand. I take the sake and the last of the incense sticks and place them back into the paper bag along with the onigiri.
“I’ll be right back. I have an errand to do.” I tell Hide and hurry back to the main pathway, going up to where the graves are much more elaborate, obviously for people of higher stature.
Taking the sake and onigiri, I place it beside the marker. Finally I offer the incense and bow my head for atrocities done so long ago. It is true I do not think of each person’s life much like the battousai does, but this one was an important one to me.
OOC: Saitou is a bit distant, but he can be seen since he is on higher ground. Hide/Makoto can choose to come or not. The graves in that location are widely spaced and some has mausoleums, obviously high ranking officials/samurai was buried there.)
It’s peaceful in a graveyard, and I imagine what it would have been like to have met them… just as I did when I took Hajime to my parents’ graves in Kyoto. And like then, there’s a kiss… I smile at him as the kiss ends, and touch his cheek.
Makoto, however, wants to know more about her grandparents. “Oh no, Chichi, I wouldn’t pull your hair,” she says, and I grin down at her. “When I met your Chichi, he did have long hair…”
Hajime leaves and goes to stand by some other graves, and I watch him, as he makes his offering and bows his head. “Makoto-chan, why don’t you tell your grandparents and uncle about yourself, I’m going to see who your Chichi is visiting.”
I see a monk by the temple, sweeping, and nod at him as I hear Makoto’s voice behind me, talking about school, her toys, games… the delights of a little girl. I smile a little, I’ve always taught her that those who are no longer with us are still here, in a way, as long as we remember. Not only do I imagine us meeting one another’s parents, but also meeting their delightful little granddaughter…
I climb up to the higher ground and bow to the grave, and stand alongside Hajime as he stands there, head bowed. I try to read the name, it sounds vaguely familiar… and of a high-ranking family? I wonder if this is… I stand beside him, placing my hand on his shoulder. If this is who I think it is… it’s good he does this.
I’m surprised as Hide stands beside me. I turn my head slightly and see Makoto sitting still and a monk not too far from her.
“Ah I told you I wasn’t going to take long.”
Clearing my throat I prepare to leave but Hide seems to be staring at the grave obviously wondering who lies here.
“You don’t know them.” I say, “The man lying here was a jikatatori hatamoto. He administered the land, tax and policing in this area.” I nod at the lower part of the marker where the chiseled dates have worn off quite a bit.
“His only son was a gambler who got involved with the Yakuza. His name was Kuheimon.”
I look harder at the tombstones. “His father allowed my family to stay in Akashi.”
Of course I could not tell her why this was significant. That man had the power and authority to throw my mother and brother out to the streets, even out of Akashi. If he had wanted to he could’ve sent Hiroaki to jail, after all as kin to the town magistrate, he eventually found out who killed his son. Hiroaki pretended not to know my whereabouts, which was obviously a lie since he did send me packing to Kyoto. Either Hiroaki was a good actor, which is doubtful… Or this man was of extraordinary disposition unlike his son who was much like myself.
Suddenly I realize that I’ve been silent and just staring hard at the graves for too long. “Ah sumanai…” I turn to Hide, “We probably should go.”
(OOC: The marker reads
Tomizawa Hikozaemon
July 18, 1879
Tomizawa Misaki
*illegible*tember 30, 1880
*illegible* *two letters illegible*uheimon
*illegible* 26, 1863)
>>You don?EUR(TM)t know them.
Kuheimon… then this must be him, the dates would work? I’m quiet with him, looking at the marker, and the dates on the last one. I let him have his quiet time here. “This is the first time you’ve been here?” I ask, softly, and I quickly put an arm around him, and hug myself close to him.
Taking his hand, I turn around with him and walk back down the hill. “Thank you for bringing me here. I’m honored to have been able to pay respects to the family of my husband-to-be.” We stand again in front of the graves and this time, it’s me that steals a kiss, before smiling at him. To promise to those who loved him first, that I will take care of him…
“Our daughter is introducing herself to her grandparents and uncle,” I tell him. She sees us and runs over, smiling up at us. “I told uncle Hiroaki-san that Yukiko-san was very nice and pretty.”
Makoto waves at the monk as we walk away from the grave area. “Chichi, where are the statues?”
?EURoeThis is the first time you?EUR(TM)ve been here??EUR?
“No. I’ve been here many times before the old man died.” No one knew of course or remember who I really was having changed my name to Fujita. Those who did know were close friends like the Suzuki’s who would not talk.
We get back from where we came. I get a kiss this time, tender and sweet. I pull her closer to me by the waist to deepen it, forgetting that we had an audience. She ends it, telling me what Makoto has been doing.
?EURoeI told uncle Hiroaki-san that Yukiko-san was very nice and pretty.?EUR?
“Ah he would be very happy to hear that Makoto.” I look back at Hiroaki and grin slightly. He was always so proud of his daughter, often complaining that she did not go out enough, did not see enough… My eyes narrow at that thought. Ah… I think I understand now why he wouldn’t leave me alone.
Ahou… Why couldn’t you have been more clear? I grin as we walk away.
?EURoeChichi, where are the statues??EUR?
“Hmm… I think we’ll pass only -one- on our way to the river.”
He makes my light kiss a long kiss, and I hear Makoto giggle. How many years before she gets really -embarrassed- by it and rolls her eyes?
We must have a couple more years, at least. I keep my hand entwined in his.
He grins as we walk away… I wonder who he’s remembering now?
We walk along and Makoto slows down and turns around to look at us. “Oh, I can hear the water? Are we near?” She goes back to skipping ahead, singing “turtle turtle turtle” to herself.
I remember this area. “Make sure you hold mine or Chichi’s hand, it can get slippery around water.”
Makoto now skipping a few steps ahead of us, I put my arm around Hajime’s and ask in a low voice, “how did your conversation with Yukiko-san go? Did she tell you about that man?” It must not have been good, if he wants her to go to Kyoto…
?EURoeOh, I can hear the water? Are we near??EUR?
I nod and watch as Makoto skips on ahead but not too far from us.
?EURoehow did your conversation with Yukiko-san go? Did she tell you about that man??EUR?
“I’m afraid it didn’t go very well. That’s why I need to stay tonight.” I consider for a moment wondering if I should send her home to get some rest but knowing her she won’t have that as she proved earlier. I glance at Hide for a moment, just to check if she’s doing fine, even if she said she’s not confirmed it, we both know it’s only a matter of time before she shows. Quickly I avert my eyes back to Makoto, otherwise she’ll think I’m worrying again which I am. Casually I slide an arm around her waist, the last thing I want is for her to trip and fall in these woods.
“I think however I know what to do.” I keep my eyes on Makoto, “In fact I am going drinking with him tonight to ask for his help.”
Makoto reaches the end of the pathway and it splits into two. “Wait Makoto!” I call out t her. “Come back here and I’ll show you the Jizo.”
My daughter must’ve been wanting to go see that river so badly as she didn’t even notice the small wooden shrine she passed on her right. Finally she comes running back to us and I indicate a small shrine behind some bamboo trees. Releasing Hide, I go stand by Makoto.
“Your grandfather Yuusuke told me that this Jizo has been here since his grandfather. It’s a very old one.” I didn’t have to say that, after all it’s very obvious. “The Jizo is special, it is the only guardian Bodhisattva who decided to not go to heaven until everyone is free from suffering in pain whether physical or not. They protect children, travelers and expecting mothers as well.”
I watch Hide from the corner of my eye. It was once said my wife had the patience of buddha, maybe this will be true. I bow my head for a moment asking that the Jizo watch over them at all times especially when I am away.
He puts an arm around my waist, his hand at the curve of my waist, the tips of his fingers just brushing against my stomach. I smile up at him.
>>I think however I know what to do. In fact I am going drinking with him tonight to ask for his help.
I think for a minute. “You said something about Kyoto, and I would like her to spend some time there… I would like her to come with us. No matter who she marries, she should spend time with another woman to learn how to run a house.” I smile at Makoto hopping, now, ahead of us, and think of the one growing within me. “She’s done fine alone, but it would be good for her to learn a little more, as she said, she could only learn so much in ‘lady manners’ from her father.”
“And I would like her company.” Though with at least one of the boys coming, and our other new addition, buying a new house becomes a pressing need rather than something we’d like to have.
We stop at a small shrine, and Makoto comes back to join us. Makoto bows her head with her father, and I join in. For my children, and for their father. May his trip be safe… may all his times when he’s out of my sight be safe.
You said something about Kyoto, and I would like her to spend some time there… I would like her to come with us. No matter who she marries, she should spend time with another woman to learn how to run a house.
I nod. “Hiroaki has always complained that Yukiko did not see enough of the world. Even if it’s just Kyoto, there are many things to see and do there… Perhaps even to discover a little of herself.” That was the reason my brother wouldn’t let me sleep at night. It wasn’t so much as who Yukiko was with, but that her father wanted to be sure she had no regrets. At least, that’s what I think Hiroaki would’ve wanted.
“And I would like her company.”
“Maybe she’ll come with us back to the city.” I do have to wonder who will take care of things here but that I will worry about -later-.
After saying our prayers to the Jizo, I take Makoto’s hand and hold on to her. “You said you will be -still-.” I remind her as we get to the river bank and walk alongside it. I find the place where the water is shallow and it’s rush stymied by the large rocks littered across the river bed. I look to the farther side of the bank where Hide and I spent an afternoon together a long time ago.
“See that rock Makoto?” I point not too far at a large white rock in the shape of a tortoise shell. “That is OO-Kame-san.” I chuckle slightly at the name. I named that rock myself and father always laughed at how it sounded like “Ookami”. “That means, Mr. Tortoise the Great.”
Looking back at Hide I ask, “Makoto and I will go climb that rock. Can you -please- stay where it’s -safe-?” I point to a spot close to the riverbank where it is dry and has some shade. “-Stay- there?”
>>Even if it?EUR(TM)s just Kyoto, there are many things to see and do there?EUR?
I raise my eyebrows. “-Just- Kyoto?” I tease. But I nod. “It would do her good. She spoke of seeing places then dismissed it in the same sentence.” And even if she knows Tokyo some, it changes so quickly as it grows and incorporates Western ideas, even a year away makes it an entirely different city.
I smile as I hear about the tortoise rock, and I spy an area downstream…. ah, that’s where we were before. I’m glad Makoto is here, we will have to bring all of our children here, even if they aren’t as enamored by water and rocks and animals as our Makoto.
Hajime tells me to stay, and finds me a nice place. I smile, he does take such good care of me. “Hai, I’ll just sit here and watch.” From my obi I pull out a bag with a little thing from another place. Flat and shiny… I click a button and the insides whirl, and it does let me see Hajime and Makoto well, even as they walk away from me. The click is quiet… and I get to have my own memories of this experience, even if I am sitting here.
>>You said you will be -still-.
“Hai, Chichi, I will. I’m always good around the water.” Then we see the river! It is full of really nice big rocks and the water goes everywhere over and around them! “Oh, Chichi, this is the best kind of river!” I want to run down but his hand holds me tight and I said I would be good.
“I see it!” I repeat after him. “OO-Kame-san.” I grin up at him. “Chichi is good at naming rocks!”
Okaasan has to stay behind! I look back, and she’s playing with some little mirror and not even looking! “Watch us, Okaasan!” I hear her laugh, a nice sound even over the river. “I am!” She says.
Hide does as I requested and I am thankful for that. Taking Makoto by the hand, I guide her to step on the rocks. “Careful you don’t slip and fall. The part where the moss grows is slippery.”
I hear a click and I turn back to where Hide is at. She’s holding something I can’t see. I’ll just have to ask about it later but for now I assist my daughter. We get to the part where the water seems to rush and I decide, I don’t want her to get wet.
“Come Makoto. I’ll carry you up there.” I bend down, showing Makoto my back. “Wrap your arms around my neck and I’ll give you a piggy back ride.”
She does as I tell her to and we make our way to the big rock. Some water slips into my boots but I’ll worry about that later. I look up, the rock isn’t as big as I remember it to be and it doesn’t take a whole lot of effort to climb it. It is a little steep however for a child. Now that I think about it, my father never stopped me from climbing this rock by myself…. Finally we reach the top quite a few feet off teh ground. I look around, there in the middle there are fish seemingly jumping out from the water.
I get a ride on Chichi’s back. Oh, this is going to be a -best- day.
Then we’re up, up on top of the rock! “Did you play here Chichi?” I think of a little Chichi with a nice tall man.
“Oh Chichi! Look at all the fishes!” They came to say hello! “Hello fish-san, and to all the fish-san!” I wonder if they’re playing a game? “I like it here! OO-Kame-san is the best rock ever!”
I look over at Okaasan. She still has that mirror! “Watch us!” I tell her. I bet we look very good up here! She waves. Maybe she looks at us through the mirror, like funny glasses like Yuunosuke-san wears.
?EURoeDid you play here Chichi??EUR?
“Not much as playing but helping your grandfather fishing.” I say and light a cigarette, sitting down and looking around. “The water beyond these rocks are deeper than they seem, so there are lots of fish to catch.”
I chuckle as my daughter greets each one of the fish plopping around in the water.
?EURoeI like it here! OO-Kame-san is the best rock ever!?EUR?
“I think so too.” I say and take a drag, “It lets us see the river creatures, but protects them as well by keeping us at a fair distance.” I was told this place has changed, but I’d have to disagree, it is exactly as I remember it to be. “Did I tell you Makoto that this river runs close by to our house in the city? It also goes through the farmlands that was owned by a mutual friend of your mother and I. This river is called Tamagawa.”
Makoto turns and waves to her mother. Watch us! I’m surprised by the way she said that and her choice of words. My daughter is demanding as well isn’t she? I turn back to watch the river flow, watching and waiting. A smirk graces my face and I take Makoto and settle her on my lap.
“I think we’ve found what you were looking for.” I say and point a little bit upstream where a log with a family of turtles is drifting by.
>>Not much as playing but helping your grandfather fishing.
“Chichi, can we go fishing sometime.” I smile at him, thinking that would be great, “then we could take them home for Okaasan to make us a good dinner.”
I look around, at the little birds flying around, and the fish leaping. I turn to look at Chichi as he tells me about the river. “Really this river is by our house?” I didn’t know there was a river, just a little stream in the park and a pond.
“Tamagawa,” I say after him, and he talks also about a friend. Maybe one day we can visit him. I liked the one time I went to a farm.
I sit in his lap and I wave again at Okaasan. I hope she’s not lonely, but I wonder why she has the mirror. “Chichi, why does she have a mirror like that?”
“I like this place a lot, Chichi.” It’s nice here with Chichi, and I hug him and give him a kiss on his cheek.
>>I think we?EUR(TM)ve found what you were looking for
I see them and my mouth falls open! They all look so nice and I’ve never seen FOUR at a time. “Look, Chichi!” I wave over at Okaasan, and point. I don’t want to yell in case I scare them. “I’ve never seen a lot of turtles!”
Then I see another, “ooh, no, it’s five!” One then plops off and swims away. I tug on Chichi’s hand. “Oh, do you think they’re going to take the river down to our house?” I would like to be visited by turtles!
?EURoeChichi, can we go fishing sometime.?EUR? I smile at him, thinking that would be great, ?EURoethen we could take them home for Okaasan to make us a good dinner.?EUR?
“Maybe but this place is too far to go fishing.” Then I look at her, “and fishing requires a -lot- of patience.” I grin at her. If she only knew what a bad “fisherman” I was.
?EURoeReally this river is by our house??EUR?
“Well not exactly our house. It’s a few distance away.” Suddenly I remember where this river was, it was closer to the old house where Tokio and I lived. The grin drops off my face but thankfully Makoto is pre-occupied by what her mother is holding.
Then of course when she saw the turtles, everything else was forgotten. The thoughts of a child, so fleeting and yet that’s probably one of their best qualities.
?EURoeOh, do you think they?EUR(TM)re going to take the river down to our house??EUR?
I smile and close my eyes, “I don’t think so but maybe.” Hide’s house is not close at all to the Tamagawa, unlike the abandoned one there.
“Hey Makoto, let’s go back down and see what your mother is doing.” I say and flick the cigarette away. “Get on my back.”
(OOC: feel free to move them back to Hide or not)
>>Maybe but this place is too far to go fishing.
I nod, then I remember something I heard about. “Or we can make a fire right here, and she can cook them on sticks.” If we have a picnic maybe she won’t bring a jar of pickles!
His funny smile with his eyes closed makes me feel sad, somehow, and I don’t know why. “Then we’ll have to come back here to visit, Chichi.” I like Yukiko-san, so that’s alright. I can also tell my grandparents what I’ve been doing.
Riding on Chichi’s back is fun! But we’re back over with Okaasan and I have questions to ask!
Hajime and Makoto come back, Makoto telling me before they’re really within range about how she saw turtles.
“Oh really? This is a special river.” As they come closer I come over, I notice…
Hajime has that -look- in his eyes. I touch his face, smiling a little up at him, and offer a kiss while Makoto giggles from her perch on his back. “Yes, you too, little one,” I lean over Hajime’s shoulder to kiss Makoto’s cheek.
“What was that funny mirror you had, Okaasan?” I smile… I thought I was being discrete with it, but she has sharp eyes. “You were looking, right?”
“Just a little something to help me see you a little better.” I’ll show Hajime the pictures I took later. “And I did see – did you two have fun up there?”
It’s still early in the afternoon. “Can we walk a little by the river?” Makoto gets off his back and I take his hand. “Is it far to the bridge? There’s a lovely spot on the other side.” I’m glad he brought me back here… though I don’t know what it will take to get that look from his eyes… or to ease the worries that make that look. I squeeze his hand and lean against his side.
?EURoeOr we can make a fire right here, and she can cook them on sticks.?EUR?
“Someday Makoto.” It will probably be a long while before we come back here.
Hide comes and gives us a kiss. Makoto immediately asks about a “mirror”. Perhaps hide was fixing her hair? I doubt it however since Makoto would’ve said something.
?EURoeAnd I did see – did you two have fun up there??EUR?
“Ah I hope so.” I look back at Makoto and grin slightly, “Otherwise my boots that has been ruined would be for nothing.” Well of course I can always dry it out. It’s just to tease the little one.
?EURoeIs it far to the bridge? There?EUR(TM)s a lovely spot on the other side.?EUR?
“Not very far.” Makoto starts walking towards it without waiting for us. I tell her to stay close. Hide and I walk at a slower pace, well she’s the one who’s slow not me. But it’s better to be careful here since fallen twigs and small rocks litter the river bank. By the time we get to the bridge, I notice she’s squeezing my hand. “Any reasons you’re holding on so tightly?” I grin and loosen my grip on hers. “I won’t let you fall here.”
“I had a camera,” I tell Hajime in a low voice, and laugh softly. “Not only could I take pictures but it has an excellent ‘zoom’ feature.”
>>Otherwise my boots that has been ruined would be for nothing
Makoto makes a face, “oh no Chichi, you need those boots to chase down bad guys!” I smile, “We’ll dry them out as soon as we get back to Yukiko-san’s house, they’ll be fine.” Hopefully we can get back in time on Sunday for me to get a good polish back on them…
As before, Makoto goes on, looking at the river and the forest around her. This is a beautiful place… a real forest, not like the ones in Ito that were a bit more sparse, worn by the sea winds.
>>Any reasons you?EUR(TM)re holding on so tightly? I won?EUR(TM)t let you fall here.
“I know you won’t…” I slide my arm around his side and grin up at him. This is once of the nicest winter days. “Squeezing? I just thought you needed it, since I couldn’t do this while you had our little one on your back.” I stop in the trail and with Makoto distracted, give him a bit longer kiss than I could earlier. We cross the bridge, and I remind Makoto to walk in the middle, please, as we follow behind her, coming to the spot where we came before. “See Makoto? I told you, this has the best view in the entire area.”
I smile up at my husband-to-be, my arm still around him, it’s been a while since we came here. I’m glad this time, I could see something of his family.
?EURoeI had a camera,?EUR?
A camera? I look back at her. I -know- what that contraption is. She must’ve taken it from the writer or perhaps bought it in the city of steel and glass. “Don’t go showing that around to others.” I say a bit seriously. After all in this time of the Meiji, taking a picture meant standing still for a -long- time to only get mediocre shots.
?EURoeoh no Chichi, you need those boots to chase down bad guys!?EUR?
“Yes I do. But I do have a spare in the office.” Ah I need to finish quite a few things before I leave for Aizu…
?EURoeSqueezing? I just thought you needed it, since I couldn?EUR(TM)t do this while you had our little one on your back.?EUR?
I needed it? I try not to look back at her and continue to walk but she steals a kiss. Did I really look like I needed… Ah I -see-. With a grin I say, “Hmm… You must really like me to give me -two- in less than five minutes.”
We cross the bridge and I keep my eyes closely on Makoto even if her mother told her to stay in the middle. Stopping momentarily in the middle, the view of the area is indeed outstanding.
“Let’s go back.” I tug at her arm. Looking around I see it’s already starting to get to dusk. We shouldn’t be caught in the woods in nthe twilight besides there is something I must take care of.
(OOC: You can reply to have move them back in the house but it’s not necessary. Saitou will start his own thread)
>>Don?EUR(TM)t go showing that around to others
“Oh, no, I won’t. It will go back to where I keep it right away.” I wouldn’t want questions about it… thankfully the only other person who saw it was a small child.
>>Hmm?EUR? You must really like me to give me -two- in less than five minutes
I grin up at him. “I would say that it’s a lot more than like.” Reaching up to touch his face, I say, “that much kissing in such a short amount of time… well that’s love.” He keeps a good hold on me over and across the bridge again, Makoto skipping along
As we walk back to the house, I think about what I could make for dinner… and hoping that Yukiko-san will be coming down for it.
(OOC: Close)