A week into June, early morning
(Dr. Kobayashi)
“I have Yagi Hide this morning, correct, nurse?” I look over at Hironaka-san – she’s been strange lately. She’s usually very cheerful, but I suppose it’s home problems. “Yes – Yes, sir, she’s the special housecall, if you remember?” I nod, gathering my bag. This is just a routine appointment.
“Be safe, sir,” says my nurse. I give her another look – what a strange tone! “Really, if you’re ill, Hironaka-san, please tell Nurse Aki to help watch the front and you go home.” Nurses really should have more sense.
Housecalls, what a bother. What, when we have a very modern medical center here, it’s really a waste. At least I have my new tool in, from France, that’s small enough to take around. And the police? Another bother. I don’t recall anything remarkable about Yagi-san – older mother, second child, healthy. Her heart rate was elevated last time but Nurse Hironaka told me that a man had come looking for her before her appointment. Never got to the bottom of that, we’re simply too busy. Then the police seize her file. Thankfully I have a great memory and the lack of files is not an issue.
Ah which way was it? Right, right – towards Ueno.
(OOC – The doctor is headed to Hide’s house)
The Visiting Doctor
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“There he is. Just like that nurse said he’d be on call today.” I tell Kano and Tadao. Abe bowed out but we don’t need him.
“Let’s hurry but keep some ways back. Don’t want him to getting wind of us.” says Tadao.
Kano just shrugs but I know he really wants to see this girl Yagi again. What’s up with him and pregnant women. It’s not like he’s lacking for anything, he’s already got me. So yeah I went along with this just to see what’s with this Yagi Hide.
Tadao though, he’s here as surrogate for Mikisaburo. Mikisaburo wouldn’t be caught dead sneaking around with us but he’ll do what his boss says.
Several days now I’ve been watching the medical building. I didn’t have time to get to Shindou to figure out which amongst the doctors was attending to Hide, so I had to wait for the Goryo Eiji to make a move. Curious, only 3 of them today. No Abe or Mikisaburo.
I go on ahead, I know where they’re going. I need to find a good spot. I doubt they’d touch the doctor until he gets to the house.
I grit my teeth slightly, never in my dreams would I think they’d get so close. If they try to take her, I’ll just have to face them in broad daylight.
(OOC: It’s okay to have the doctor end up at Yagi’s place and calling for someone to open the door. Note there is one more scene before someone inside the house answer so if you can hold off “answering the door” till i get a reply in after the doctor’s reply would be ideal).
Ah ha, here it is – but the name on the gate is Yamaguchi?
From what I remember of her file, there was a lot of incomplete information. Strange. She doesn’t look the part of to be the woman of someone important enough to get the police to pull he files, but what do I know? I’m just a doctor. I laugh to myself. Our facility is close to Yoshiwara, so I’ve seen plenty in my years.
“It’s Doctor Kobayashi for the mistress of this house.” I call out, knocking on the gate. A surprisingly sturdy one for such an ordinary house.
(OOC – and he waits)
I get there ahead of the doctor, just -barely-. He looks at the nameplate somewhat confused and I remember Shindou had that changed. It was a good idea but perhaps not good enough? It depends…
In a street mostly surrounded by houses and higher walls, it’s hard to find a hiding place with a clear view without being seen but I manage to climb a tree beside a high wall with a good vantage point to below. I see the 3 men just a few meters hiding behind the corner but Tadao separates himself to the opposite wall. He’s trouble…
Every morning after the children are dropped off to school, I take a walk around Ueno and of course pass by the “Yamaguchi” house. It’s part of my job to survey the area and what do you know… I see him perched up on a tree near a wall. I was about to shout out at Fujita-san but he’s looking down intently on the street where the Yamaguchi house is. This can only mean trouble.
I go to the corner of the wall that he’s perched in so that no one can see me, including him. Peaking around the corner, I only see the doctor. It’s that day isn’t it? But there must be going on. I’ll wait until someone answers the door.
(OOC: Feel free to have someone answer the door. Note depending on who it is, things may move a certain way but don’t feel like you have to use one character over another. Just do what you feel like)
(Kinosuke)
“Come on, I think the doctor’s here,” I tell Yukiko. We wave at Yagi-san, who is getting up – it takes her a minute longer than it used to. Yukiko said that I shouldn’t point that out to Yagi-san.
“Why do we have to go out again? We could be in a different room,” I protest.
“It’s -personal-,” responds Yukiko, giving me a look. I laugh. Women!
We go to the gate and open it. “Ah, hello doctor. Yagi-san is inside. She’s been feeling – ,” Yukiko-san grabs my hand and drags me out of the gate. I know, I know, but I’m excited about the child myself, because it makes me think about the future…
(OOC – Kinosuke and Yukiko will go down the street unless stopped)
I can’t hear what they’re talking about but a man and a much younger woman emerges and let the doctor in. Kano stretches out his neck and I pull him back.
“We’re going to get seen.”
“You think that’s the house?”
“Hard to tell…”
We wave to look at the name on the door. He’s closer so he can take a look. He motions “Mountain” and “Entrance”.
“Oh, that means Yamaguchi.”
“So what?” Kano tells me.
“Didn’t you say she was alone? Didn’t have a husband? It must not be the right house.” I remind him.
Yukiko-san and Kinosuke-san leaves and I’m worried about the other guest. It’s not good for the doctor and Yagi-san to be alone there. And I don’t think Fujita-san will make a move unless absolutely necessary. He’s much more disciplined than I imagined. I come out from hiding as soon as Yukiko and Kinosuke was out of range.
“Excuse me doctor!” I call out, “I’m Yamaguchi, the MAN of the house.” I say it loudly for ALL of them to hear. Not just the doctor but to the unwelcome guest and to the man who’s made my working life miserable. If you don’t hurry up Fujita-san, I -can- take your place.
Tadao:
Oh crap. What is that Cop doing here? Even if that Yagi girl lives here if she’s the wife of a policeman now it would be troublesome. I look at the face of that policeman. He looks young… Didn’t quite knew that, that’s the “thing” now these days. I thought it was the other way around.
I motion for Kano and Shinohara to come over. We’re leaving. Either that person we are looking for is not here or is in fact married to -that- Yamaguchi which we don’t want anything to do with the police. At least not yet.
(OOC: Goryo Eiji guys will exit. Doctor can notice Shindou or not and maybe let him in?)
Excuse doctor! I’m Yamaguchi, the MAN of the house.
Eh? This doesn’t look like the man my nurse described. “You don’t look like the ‘wolf’, more like a pup.” I chuckle to myself as I let him in – perhaps he’s a brother-in-law or something like that. I’m old now so I can speak my mind, even to a cop. I stand by my first thought that there’s something strange about this woman.
I see my patient standing on the engawa, looking puzzled.
“Shindou-san?” She moves quickly for a woman of her height and burden and joins us, closing the gate. “Is something wrong?”
She doesn’t greet me at all? Then I look at her, “you’re very pale, Yagi-san. Please sit here on the engawa and I’ll look you over.”
Oh don’t -start- with me old man. I just saved the day for -everyone-. I don’t immediately answer Yagi-san’s inquiry and though she closes the gate, I open it one more time. Fujita-san is now looking the other way, no doubt making sure those men are gone. I wait to see if he will follow them but he scales down the wall and disappears.
I stand there wondering if he’ll even see her.
“you’re very pale, Yagi-san. Please sit here on the engawa and I’ll look you over.”
I look back at Yagi-san, she does look pale. Maybe I should go after him? But no sooner had I thought that and turned back towards the gates, he’s in front of me.
“Good job Shindou.” He says quietly, “Can you stand guard outside? Give me a sign if they come back.”
He’s not looking at me though but directly and intently at the engawa.
“Sure…” He keeps walking towards her, I’m sure he didn’t hear me. “Of course.”
He’s probably not hearing me so I close the gate and stand guard instead. He looked so dead serious.
Shindou can stand guard. This wasn’t the most ideal of circumstances that we’re meeting but after what happened with those men, seeing the doctor and after being this close. I cannot turn away. I don’t want to miss things anymore.
I come over to the engawa where she’s now sitting with the doctor. “Is she going to be alright?” I ask the doctor first, then turn to her and touch her face. No gloves, just my hand and I’m probably not looking my best in this kimono and hakama. “I’m sorry I took so long.”
Is she going to be alright
My head jerks up at the sound of -that- voice. I look up and the sun is in my eyes, I blink and – this isn’t a dream? Is he –
A hand is on my face. I know this hand, as well as I do my own.
“I’m sorry I took so long.
Something in me – a great spool of tension that I’ve been carrying so long that I forgot it was there – suddenly unwinds. All of this time collapses into this moment of -now-. I nuzzle my face against his hand and now that I can see him, my face lights up. “Hajime,” I say, simply, in a way that I’ve not said in so long, with a smile that I’ve not felt in so long. Tears threaten and I blink, just wanting to look at him… to drink in the warmth of his hand on me.
Oh, my Hajime. He looks worse for the wear, in a kimono and hakama, he looks thinner and the tobacco smell is not the same… and who’s been cutting up his face?
My hand reaches for his other one. It’s as strong as I remember.
The doctor clears his throat, “I think she’ll be fine, but I need to complete Yagi-san’s checkup.”
I’d smile but I don’t. I’m not sure I can control anything else rather than a serious expression on my face. I know the doctor is here and I won’t be long, so I kiss her lips lightly, just to taste. Just to see if it’s the same. That she still wants me after all these years, they’d say only months but we both know. Is she still mine? Like I was hers.
“I think she’ll be fine, but I need to complete Yagi-san’s checkup.”
I pull away. “Of course doctor.” I look down at our child. He must see to her.
“Perhaps it’s better inside.” I don’t really want us out here for others to see, even with it’s higher walls.
I hold out my hand to Hide. She can guide us inside.
He kisses me and I feel a -warmth- – not of passion, but everything I feel for this man, sparkling through me and it’s like spring is blooming, here and now. It’s something I’ve not felt in a very, very long time. I lean into the soft kiss a bit. Does he know it? What I’m saying in this touch? I’ve missed you. I love you. Opening my eyes, I stare into his golden ones. Though his face still has the same expression, I know this man, and how those eyes look. More than words – but he should know from the look in my eyes. I waited for him as I always will.
The doctor interrupts and I stand. I need Hajime to know that I’ve done my part – in keeping myself and this child healthy. I take the hand that’s offered to me, and in the flash of his sleeve I see a wound – healing, but there. I hold that hand -tight-. I know I’ll have to let go but I’m taking every bit I can have now.
I settle on the red sofa with Hajime next to me and the doctor checks my pulse, asks questions about how I’ve been eating, sleeping, have I had exercise, do I feel fatigued. I’ve followed his prior directions, and I’ve not been plagued by the malaise that I had the last time. He nods, and has me loosen my obi and hands me a measuring tape to slide around my belly. I give Hajime a smile at the size of it. The doctor nods, “you’re coming along well, Yagi-san, and I still feel that you’re on pace for September, probably somewhere in the middle of the month.”
Then from his bag he pulls out a funny wooden horn. “The newest thing, from France. It lets me hear the baby’s heartbeat.” He puts the horn on my belly, and listens intently, checking it against his pocket watch. Then his stern face breaks into a smile. “You’ve a strong child in there, ma’am.” I nod, I can feel the child moving around. Does it know that its father is here? Can it feel the joy its mother is feeling right now?
He then looks to Hajime, and motions at the horn. “Would you like to hear?”
The doctor -seems- competent. She found a good one and I’m -glad-. Then she stands up and loosens her obi and for a moment I’m a little alarmed that another would see. I tell myself it’s fine. This is normal. She smiles proud and I smile back. She’s doing well! And the doctor confirms it. I hear it’s the middle of September and make a note of it. Middle of September.
Again the doctor gets a little too close to Hide for my liking and uses a contraption on her belly. I really don’t like he’s so close but I sigh. I should let him do his job. I hear, there’s a strong child there. I wonder will it be a boy or girl? And we haven’t thought of names. We had so much time before just picking out names but today we only have this moment.
“Would you like to hear?”
I nod and almost push the doctor away, he was too close to Hide. I do as he just did and place my ear on one end and I finally manage a grin. I hear it. I take my free hand and place it on her stomach lightly touching it, but push my index finger just a little to see if I can feel anything, a lump of flesh maybe. I take a deep breath and hand the “horn” back to the doctor and replace Hide’s kimono back in place. That’s enough showing to the doctor.
“Do you think it will be a boy doctor?” I don’t know if he can tell with that contraption but the heart beatsounded strong I wonder if it meant, it will be a boy. Because with Hide, I want one of each at the very least.
Do you think it will be a boy doctor?
“We’ll find out in September,” he replies, gathering his belongings as I pull my obi back in place, to where it sits now, above our growing child. I’d be delighted with either, but I’d like a little wolf, bright and strong like his father.
“But keep up the good work, Yagi-san, and I’ll see you in two weeks.” He nods to us both. “I’ll let myself out, if the young one is still out there.” He bows, and exits.
I turn to my beloved. We’re alone, finally, even though we’ve been acting as if Shindou-san and the doctor didn’t exist. “Hajime… my love.” I take both of his hands in mine and just look for a long minute. I see the things that have changed – he needs a good meal – but what’s true about this man is still here before me. I take a step closer and lean into him, wrapping my arms around him, my head on his chest, listing to his heartbeat, just as he heard our child’s. Like our littlest one, it’s strong. Then I look up and smile, touching his face. “I’m so happy to see you.” Which is an understatement, but perhaps, as I stand up on tip-toes, the kiss I give him will convey it?
“But keep up the good work, Yagi-san, and I’ll see you in two weeks.” “I’ll let myself out, if the young one is still out there.”
“Hajime… my love.”
The doctor leaves and I’m good with that. I know Shindou will be outside so I cannot tarry here very long.
Hide stands across from me taking both my hands, not saying anything. She leans in and embraces me, placing her head on my chest and I let one hand pull her closer by the waist while my other hand runs through her hair. I say nothing. Sometimes it’s better like this when words cannot express how I feel.
“I’m so happy to see you.”
She kisses me and I kiss her back, supporting and drawing her in with my left arm. The kiss is deep, with much longing but not with the usual unbridled passion that we’d allow ourselves had we known we had the time and enough privacy.
“I’m glad to see you. I wasn’t sure when but unfortunate circumstances brought me here.”
I sigh a bit. I know she’s safe for now but I have to get back and finish them off. Suddenly I’m dying for a cigarette. I used to have them all over the house. I wonder… “I’d like to spend a little time, maybe a cigarette’s worth.” I tell her.
I lead him back to our sofa. It’s funny, nobody seems to use it in our household right now. “So what did happen today?” I ask, settling in his lap. “Is this all related to that man, and the information you’ve had me get out of Kyoto?” He mentions a cigarette – and of course I have them hidden all over our house. I lean over, and pull out a pack, a box of matches and an ashtray out of the tansu. I open the pack to get one out, and carefully light it up, and hand it over. Then I resume my place – head on his shoulder, arms around him – one hand on the other shoulder, the other on the back of his neck. I close my eyes, in quiet bliss, taking a deep breath – now he smells more like he ought to.
Ah, I’ve missed this.
I look up at him. “Unfortunate circumstances or not, I’m glad to see you to. We needed this.” I smile and squeeze him to me.
“So what did happen today?” “Is this all related to that man, and the information you’ve had me get out of Kyoto?”
She lights my cigarette for me and I take it gladly as she goes back down to her customary place on my lap. I take a few drags… Thinking… Debating… What should I tell her? How much? I don’t want to worry her but it’s better she knows what’s been happening.
“I’m working on a case which allowed those men of the Goryo Eji and I to cross paths. Kano who was following you a couple of weeks ago, told those men who have nursed a grudge for more than a decade.” I let out a long trail of smoke, “It’s the same Kano who had ensured Kondou-san’s demise as in your message.”
I plant my nose slightly into her hair and smell her. I haven’t had a proper woman’s smell in a long time.
“But you need not worry. I’m keeping a close eye on them and…” I ash my cigarette, “I’ll make sure they never come here again.” I grit my teeth. I’ll kill them one by one, starting tonight
“Unfortunate circumstances or not, I’m glad to see you to. We needed this.”
I put the cigarette out and entwine my fingers into her. “And here I was thinking you forgot all about me.” I joke but it’s only half. I can’t quite tell her instead of dreams of her that I’ve been hoping for, it’s always someone else from the past that I’m remembering. But being here, I feel a sense of normalcy come back. I bring her hand up to my face and plant a kiss, smelling her skin as I do so.
I nod. “I know you’ll do what needs to be done,” I say, simply. My belief in his sense of justice is as strong as my love for him. I stroke the lines of his chin, and then move up to his cheekbones, and the lines around his eyes. “If they carry grudges that long… it’s certainly warped them. And that they’re still all together, working together?” I sigh. I know I don’t understand all of this, but it’s coming into our lives and I can’t help but wonder that after my encounter with Kano – if they were at our house – if they’re looking for me as Yagi Hide and not just for my connection to Hajime. I touch the new marks on his arm, on his face. “I know you are very good at what you do and you will be careful, and we will be careful here.” Quietly, I add, “you did well to pick Shindou-san. He’s very conscientious, even if he thinks that I’m going to make him carry love notes,” I laugh a little.
And here I was thinking you forgot all about me
I answer his kiss with one of my own, leaning against him, the hand on his neck pulling him close. I break the kiss, my forehead against his, so that I can look directly in his eyes. “No… never… you’re a part of me, and I love you so, my Hajime” I whisper. “I was glad that you hadn’t forgotten about -me- – and called me back to you.” I then claim his lips again in a kiss.
I nod and light another cigarette. “When I disappeared from the Shinsengumi, I had gone with those men. I was a spy for Hijikata-san. When they plotted to assassinate the Commander, I had leaked the information to the Shinsengumi.” Taking long drags I continue, “In order to escape I stole money from Ito Kashitarou.” She and I know he’s dead. “I told Abe it was for Aioi in Shimabara but Mikisaburo never bought that excuse.” I sigh, “those are the people I’m crossing paths with today. But I have no reason to believe they know about you and I.” I absent-mindedly ran my free hand through her hair, “They’re after you and I for different reasons.”
“I’ve spent time with Kano, he’s…” I try to find the words, “Obsessed with Souji and by extension you.” I sigh, “I think he never caught his eye and blames you for spending so much time with Souji.” I look away slightly, quietly thinking of the past.
“you did well to pick Shindou-san. He’s very conscientious, even if he thinks that I’m going to make him carry love notes,”
“He’s a good cop. It’s his first time working with me.” I ash my cigarette, she doesn’t need to know that there’s been several young men like Shindou turning up dead, “We don’t always see eye to eye. He’s a new generation that Kawaji is trying to bring into the Meiji.” I think there’ll be a place for him as old guards like me retire, but for now old guards are still needed.
We kiss again. Ah if only I could but she breaks it and hold my gaze.
“No… never… you’re a part of me, and I love you so, my Hajime”
A part of her? I hope so.
“I was glad that you hadn’t forgotten about -me- – and called me back to you.”
“I didn’t forget.” I had nightmares sometimes, that something was happening, passing me by. “Thanks for waiting… And coming back.” Because the truth was, she could’ve decided it wasn’t worth it to come back and I’m sure we could’ve managed to close this place -somehow- but it would never be the same.
Obsessed with Souji and by extension you. I think he never caught his eye and blames you for spending so much time with Souji.
I nod, and sigh. “But there were a lot of that sort of man – the “cute” ones who still wore bangs – who mooned around over Souji, which is why I can’t place him in any specific memories. Some were nasty to me, but, if was one I don’t remember.” I run my nose up the side of his neck to take in his scent again. I have to take everything I can from these fleeting moments – after all, I’ve been given one more cigarette than I was promised.
He speaks of Shindou-san. “He’s young, but he has a sort of … sincerity that makes me feel that he’s going to do his best.” I smile, “and thank you for my tanto back.”
Thanks for waiting… And coming back
“Always,” I say, softly. I steal another kiss. I know we don’t have time… but I’m gathering everything I can, until we meet again. “Across all that time… my love for you, my need for you, never changed.”
“Yes and over the years have had tried to kill some of Kondou’s followers.” I still remember one telling a long time ago. They lured a Shinsengumi foot soldier saying they would help him turncoat to Satsuma, but they had Tadao kill him.
“But there were a lot of that sort of man – the “cute” ones who still wore bangs – who mooned around over Souji, which is why I can’t place him in any specific memories. Some were nasty to me, but, if was one I don’t remember.”
“You won’t have to worry about Kano.” I sigh, “He won’t be bothering you after tonight.” She should know what that means, however I do worry she’s never truly seen this side of me. But with her, with Kondou and with the slaughter I witnessed several nights ago and a scar on my arm, there’s no reason to delay.
“He’s young, but he has a sort of … sincerity that makes me feel that he’s going to do his best.” I smile, “and thank you for my tanto back.”
“Well, he’s certainly giving it his best outside… but I gave you back your tanto…” I start to stand up, “Because when the time comes and you want to use it, -use- it. And once I return, I’ll teach you how to defend yourself.” It’s true I prefer her to run but I can no longer pretend that being around me would keep her safe, after all I had to use Shindou as a surrogate.
“Across all that time… my love for you, my need for you, never changed.”
I still want to stay longer but I’ve had more than one cigarette already and the hour has passed us by. “I love you Hide. Whatever happens just remember that.” I really don’t know what will happen from tonight, with the Goryo Eiji, Aioi, Imai or whoever else. “Take care of the children… And my son. It might be best not to tell him I came for a visit.” Knowing Tsutomu, he wouldn’t understand.
You won’t have to worry about Kano. He won’t be bothering you after tonight
I nod, and hold him close, thinking of the new injuries. “Just be careful – the first troupe produced some good but -undisciplined- swordsmen. Souji could spot talent but he wasn’t the best at developing it evenly.” I know from the hours I spent watching sparring in Souji’s company, that the talent was very erratic at time. “Between that and hot tempers – you have the advantage.”
Because when the time comes and you want to use it, -use- it. And once I return, I’ll teach you how to defend yourself.
“I promise you that I’ll defend myself, and this family, with everything I have should it come to that.” I look up at him. I should also prod Makoto to show Tsutomu-kun the hiding places in this old house…
I love you Hide. Whatever happens just remember that.
I stand up with him. “You have work do to. But remember…” I go and stand behind him, and wrap my arms around him. “When can’t be by your side – I’m always behind you. Loving you, believing in you, trusting you, supporting you. Don’t let it distract you, but always know that it’s there. And then when you’ve followed your justice, and you have a moment to rest, come home, and I’ll be here for you.” I sigh – I can -feel- the weight he’s lost from back here. I say quietly, “You’ve not been eating properly. I’m going to need to fix that soon.”
“And thank you for reaching out for information – I was happy to be able to support you in a tangible way as well.”
Take care of the children… And my son. It might be best not to tell him I came for a visit.
I go back to his front, and take his hand, placing it in the same place it was this morning. “He’s a good boy. Strong, smart. And he’s good to Makoto. The rest will come.” Not that he’s spoken to me besides the minimum required, but at least he didn’t throw the second detective book I left for him out the window.
I smile, again, savoring this moment to just -look- at him. “Thank you for coming. We needed this.” I take his hand and put it on my stomach, right where our little one is making itself known again with vigorous movement. “This one you get to name…” I grin. “I did the last one, acting upon your excellent suggestion.” I kiss the tip of his nose, from tip-toes, and then take his hand.
She doesn’t dissuade me or make unnecessary remarks. It puts me at ease, however she seems to think of assassinations as some sort of duel and all I could do was grin. An assassination is more like a trap, the bait set so early the prey didn’t know they’re dead already.
“I promise you that I’ll defend myself, and this family, with everything I have should it come to that.”
“And I will too. -Before- it comes to you.” After all I’ve sworn that Ito was the -last-.
She embraces me from the back and I was just about to tell her, it’s quite difficult to leave when she holds me like so…
I’m always behind you. Loving you, believing in you, trusting you, supporting you. Don’t let it distract you, but always know that it’s there. And then when you’ve followed your justice, and you have a moment to rest, come home, and I’ll be here for you.”, “You’ve not been eating properly. I’m going to need to fix that soon.”
“Thank you.” I rest my hand on top of hers that still wrapped around my waist, “I have -tried-, when i was in the hospital due to a -shallow- stabbing, I allowed the nurse to look at me first.” But as for a distraction, I can never tell her about Aioi the difficulty in navigating that -situation-. Hide knows what she means to me and whatever happens in Yoshiwara need not be spoken about.
She finally moves at the mention of my son and places my and on her face.
“He’s a good boy. Strong, smart. And he’s good to Makoto. The rest will come.”
“When I come back you can tell me all about it.” I can only smirk, I -know- she’s looking at him too with loving eyes but I know that son of mine like the back of my hand. And I know he’s caused trouble from Kinosuke’s telegram.
We start moving closer towards the door but stop before we get there as she place my hand on her stomach. It moves! And i squeeze the flesh slightly but it pushes back and i can definitely feel it kick my hand. I quirk up an eyebrow at Hide. “Those are not “butterflies”. It’s more like a temper tantrum.”
Suddenly I’m not sure if I want a boy…
“This one you get to name…” I grin. “I did the last one, acting upon your excellent suggestion.”
I pull her by the waist as we go out and walk across the garden, “I get to name? But I gave you my -best- one.” I look up the skies are so blue today. “How about we both try to come up with names and we’ll compare notes when I get back?”
Shindou is by the gate and can see us but it’s OK not to let her go. Just a little more.
I have -tried-, when i was in the hospital due to a -shallow- stabbing, I allowed the nurse to look at me first.
“Ah.” Another injury? “As you should. I would like to be the only one who touches you, but there’s no need to bleed out until I can get to it just because I would treat you -best-.” I lean my head against him. “I’ll take care of it once you’re home.” I think of how I’ve kissed those scars on his body… as I see them as a sign of his strength, his will to live, no matter what happens to him.
When I come back you can tell me all about it.
“That he’s stubborn should be no surprise – you two are more alike than you know.” And that face! And we’ll need to talk about the other things – such as the former battousai who does school pick-up and his “master”.
Those are not “butterflies”. It’s more like a temper tantrum.
“Mmmm…” I smile. He only gets to feel -part- of it. “Just wait until we’re back on futon-san and it kicks you awake.”
I see him look at the skies as we talk about names and he pulls me close again, even though Shindou-san is right there. I give my beloved a smile, and touch his face again – just once more – before leaning up for a kiss. “Be safe and come home to me when this is done.” I don’t want to let go but I must.
I nod. I don’t remind her of the time in Ito. I saw how hard it was for her not able to do much with the doctor but I much preferred her there. When they dug into me, all I could see was her face.
She talks about Tsutomu but I know already. “Take care of him for me.” I know it’s odd to ask her this, after all his -mother-, Tokio, should be the one doing this but I never trusted her with our sons. Not with the way she spoke about people she didn’t like.
“Just wait until we’re back on futon-san and it kicks you awake.”
I just smile at that. I do want to sleep in her bed again. One day, soon. To feel refreshed waking up in the morning was a rare treat for us.
“Be safe and come home to me when this is done.”
We kiss one last time and I let her go and break our line of sight. It’s always so difficult to leave.
As I pass by the gates, I catch Shindou’s eyes. Always so pure. I liked that about him but know it’s his greatest weakness.
“Thanks for standing guard.” I grin.
“Well it was doubtful those 3 would come back.” He looks down and rubs the back of his neck, “But you were taking so long in there I had started getting worried.”
“I’m glad you gave me the benefit of the doubt then.” I grin just slightly. “I’m in your debt.” I tell him.
I throw Hide one last look and leave.
(OOC: You may close and direct Shindou)
I know have something to get me through. What was it I told Yukiko-san? To endure? Today I was reminded why I do so.
Still with a smile on my face, I bow to Shindou-san. “Thank you again for being here, Shindou-san. And thank you for your patience.” If today had turned into a fight, it would have been a very different day.
I turn to go back into the house. Sadly, I must dissipate the smell of cigarettes before the others return.
(OOC – close)