Nothing. I’ve heard absolutely nothing from any of them. Dead silence. Why?
These thoughts plague me as I go home that afternoon. Looking up, our house comes into view and I put my work concerns to the side and finish the cigarette I’ve been imbibing since leaving the Precinct. It’s times like these that remind me of those days many years ago when I used to make excuses to Patrol this area of quiet, just to have an excuse to see her. “Wellness Check” I told myself. It was mostly for my own wellness though, my own sanity. A chuckle escapes me as I let myself in. Supper should be done and most people in the house already going about their own business. I’m not particularly hungry after coming back from work especially when I thought it was unproductive, although I remember back then I let her feed me just because I knew it made her feel better.
Leaving my shoes on the genkan, I head straight upstairs as I didn’t want to leave my belongings in the “living room”. Odd, we never use that room don’t we? It was small and dark and there’s no place to put my sword nor my hat and gloves. Maybe we should spruce it up more? The alcove in that room would be a perfect place for a katana stand, though I no longer have a wakizashi. Whatever did happen to that? Oh yes, I lost it early on in Kyoto. Would a katana stand look “correct” though without a short sword? And then there’s that… Aside from my sword guard, I had wanted to show my eldest that -old- thing. I wonder how he’ll take to it. He barely understood the sword guard, much less that thing which his mother absolutely abhorred so I took it out of the house. It’s still at the machigaya at Eiji’s. These are the thoughts running in my head as I remove my jacket and gloves.
(OOC: Saitou is in the bedroom. He didn’t announce himself though.)
Saturday Afternoon Deliberation
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Makoto brought me the cushions she had made and as I inspected the torn side… the stitches looked as if they had been ripped out. I can see the tight uniformity of the machine stitches – those don’t come open on their own. But who did this?
And if that girl did… why is she persisting on harassing Makoto? I set my daughter down with a needle and thread to baste the cushion back together, in order to prevent any more stuffing from falling out before she takes it back to school (which she insists on). While sewing, we talk, and she’s very proud of the map she made that got Kenji-kun and her mother here. So that’s how… but once she’s going I leave her to it. I go upstairs – I need to figure out how to set up the house when Tsuyoshi-kun and Namuzawa-san are here. And really, I need to figure out how to use the addition overall. We need the room but so far everyone’s stayed in their spot. I think Tsutomu-kun likes his room for the roof access (which I pretend to know nothing about), so I don’t want to move him, but Kinosuke-san seems to have no interest in moving, even though I know Tsutomu-kun would prefer some quiet. But keeping both Kinosuke-san and Yukiko-san in rooms with children is proper “chaperoning”, even if, as Yukiko-san says, he doesn’t make any moves. It’s her reputation I have to protect, after all, even if nothing is actually happening.
I slide open the door to our room, and I see – “Hajime?” I smile, even though I’m surprised, “I didn’t know you were home.” I go over and slide an arm around his waist and lean up on tip-toes to kiss his cheek.
“I didn’t know you were home.”
“Ah. Sumana.” I straighten up after I get the customary “greeting”, “I should’ve announced myself.” I suppose that will take a bit of getting used to.
I look down at her and hold her at arms length. “You’re looking well.” I tell both mother and my future child. “What did you eat today? I hope something filling and nutritious.” I want that child to have strong blood and I heard from Uramura that aside from beef… I should check out our food supply and make sure we have -that- food. It’s been a while since I’ve messed around in the kitchen.
He looks down at me, and I smile up at him, and suddenly embrace him. I know that time had to stand still for a minute, but I still missed him.
You’re looking well. What did you eat today? I hope something filling and nutritious
“I’m to the point where it’s best that I eat a few smaller meals through the day.” I grin up at him, a little embarrassed. “The little one makes it to where I’ll be… uncomfortable, otherwise, at the size they’re at.” With my belly resting against him, he should be able to feel the movements of this child – strong and vigorous.
But I can’t enjoy this pleasant interlude, because the morning remains on my mind, Makoto had a friend over today, to show them the treehouse. Apparently they planned it together without informing me, so I was surprised… when Himura Kenji and his mother were let into our gate.”
“I’m to the point where it’s best that I eat a few smaller meals through the day.”
I nod and think about what can be done for smaller meals. Small and portable? But then she says something disturbing? The little one makes it to where I’ll be… uncomfortable, otherwise, at the size they’re at.”
“I see.” Noting the movements I can feel through her belly. I wonder if this is normal but I don’t say anything. I’ll just have to ask others.
Makoto had a friend over today, to show them the treehouse. Apparently they planned it together without informing me, so I was surprised… when Himura Kenji and his mother were let into our gate.”
I try not to let out a breath. The news was rather frustrating. “I don’t mind the Tanuki and her brat,” I say evenly, “Maybe it’ll be the last we’ll see them -here-. I haven’t had a chance to take Makoto out as you requested. I don’t have work tomorrow so I’ll speak to her about house guest.” And a few other things from last week I suppose.
I suddenly smile up at him. “But, if you see pears when you’re on the way home…” I laugh a little. “I don’t have -cravings-, they’re just my favorite.”
I don’t mind the Tanuki and her brat. Maybe it’ll be the last we’ll see them -here-. I haven’t had a chance to take Makoto out as you requested. I don’t have work tomorrow so I’ll speak to her about house guest.
“She claimed that she wasn’t planning on telling her husband that she came here today.” I look down. “And that she didn’t deliver a message that you left for the Battosai, and doesn’t plan on doing so.”
“I’m glad you’re going to spend time with Makoto. She’s worried about her place in this family when the baby comes, and needs reassurances from you as well. I think that’s why she’s so insistent that it’s going to be a boy – she wants to be your only little girl.”
IIt’s gas. Heartburn, burping, all of it. Nothing painful, just uncomfortable, and easy enough to prevent by eating carefully.
“Oh.” I look at her. “Hmm. Massaging it should help with the bloating.” I touch her belly. I’ll have to think carefully what I feed her.
. “But, if you see pears when you’re on the way home…”
I smile back at her, “They’re almost in season and the fiber will help with digestion.
And of course now we get to talk about those people.
“She claimed that she wasn’t planning on telling her husband that she came here today.” . “And that she didn’t deliver a message that you left for the Battosai, and doesn’t plan on doing so.”
“Well that’s fortunate she’s not telling him.” I say and start smoking, thinking for a moment. So my message wasn’t delivered huh? And Hide of course found out but she has nothing to do with this and will likely know her place. I turn and blow a smoke out the window.
I think that’s why she’s so insistent that it’s going to be a boy – she wants to be your only little girl.”
Looking back at her, “Well it would be convenient if it was a boy.” Of course I don’t plan to stop there and likely she and I will have another child aside from this one. “What’s gotten into her? Is Tsutomu… giving her ideas?”
He smiles at my request for pears, and as always, I’m reminded of just how much he cares for me – that he’s not put off by the more inconvenient aspects of sharing our lives. “Mmmm, massage would help, as does moving around. But I am letting Yukiko-san take on more.” Well the rice still needs some work…
Well that’s fortunate she’s not telling him
He starts to smoke again, and seems to be lost in his thoughts. Given Himura-san’s conversational topics, I can only assume that it’s probably something to do with old scores. A life-or-death battle. Neither one of us wants to see this fight – but I have to -believe-… because saying, oh, Hajime dear, don’t go fight that awful Battosai would not end well. I only lean closer to him, and lean my head against his chest.
Well it would be convenient if it was a boy. What’s gotten into her? Is Tsutomu… giving her ideas?
“I think from some of the ideas she’s gotten – such as the one about telling me her troubles will make me worry too much and die – come from schoolyard chatter.” I think, “but I doubt Tsutomu-kun. According to Makoto, he’s always telling her to ‘persevere’, which she finds both encouraging and frustrating,” I grin a little. “And besides, he was very young when Tsuyoshi-kun was born, so he probably didn’t have that feeling of being displaced.” I did, but the dynamics around the value of sons over daughters was very different. “And you were the youngest…” I smile softly, as I always do, imaging my beloved as a little boy. That’s probably why I really want to have his son.
She leans in as I smoke. Thinking about what it is really that drives me so to settle the score with the Battousai who professes to no longer kill – a truth I’ve seen with my own eyes. “I hold no feelings of revenge nor remorse.” “though I can plainly see those emotions painted on your face. It seems time has not been kind to you wolf.” Maybe it’s the behemoth I should settle with first?
Hide tells me about children chatter and I put the thought of that blasted dojo’s inhabitants to the side and pay attention. It’s good it’s not Tsutomu, perhaps that boy has started to turn around if he’s not causing trouble and telling Makoto to perservere? A small smile settles on my lips. That’s always been his way even back then when we were poor parents.
besides, he was very young when Tsuyoshi-kun was born, so he probably didn’t have that feeling of being displaced
I shake my head, “Well not too young, he was 4 already. I wasn’t there to see how he reacted, nor was I there when Tsuyoshi was born.” I take a drag on my cigarette. “I was deployed as a police spy prior to the Seinan war. When the war broke out, most of the sword bearing police were conscripted into the military for temporary service. I didn’t see them for at least a year and a half.” I’m quiet for a moment thinking of that behemoth’s words. Your -wife- Tokio, wanted a good husband and father. I can’t do anything about that anymore but maybe with the Battousai… I shake my head slightly and -make- myself come back to the present.
“I’ll see what I can do about Makoto. I’ve also been noticing that she’s become a little too head strong and not in the way I expected.” I still did not like what she did hiding her mother’s present and then directing everybody including the adults at the table.
I nod, “I did, and she seemed agreeable to it.” I smile, fondly, “she’s a good young woman. But I suppose Eiji-kun hasn’t had a chance to speak his mind yet?”
I didn’t see them for at least a year and a half.
And then… he’s a thousand miles away again. He shakes his head and speaks of Makoto, but he’s still not -here-.
“Hajime… I know from that message I passed on that you saw Himura-san… did you go to that dojo? Was… this Hiko there?”
“You’ve been so far away from me since Tuesday,” I smile a little, ruefully, “I knew we still had trials to go through but I didn’t expect how much one man could knock us both off-kilter.”
“This man is getting to you. I know from seeing you fight,” of course, that’s only through -other- means, aside from that one sparring event I’ve never seen him do this in-person, “that it’s -you- that gets in your opponents heads – with Sagara, with Usui… your confidence and smirk get them even more imbalanced. Even with the Battosai, who almost lost sight of the man he had been trying to become – you were still yourself. When the mountain is on fire and everyone else is useless at the sight of a -door-, it’s you who got it done, and left them gaping, with a cutting remark.” I look up and touch the side of his face. “What does this man have on you to make you lose that cool, that focus?”
“You just completed a long mission, and mostly successful. You were able to keep your cool during those fights? I can see how you were injured, what you must have gone through – that you were fighting another Shinsengumi captain tells me much.” I run my thumb across his cheekbone, and down his jawline. “This man is stronger than you – but you can’t let him outsmart you.” Brave words from me, I suppose, remembering being struck dumb by indecision, and wasting my breath on words that were so easily dismissed.
Shaking my head, “Odd don’t you think? I would’ve thought he’d come rushing here declaring to be Kinosuke’s rival the very next day.”
“Hajime… I know from that message I passed on that you saw Himura-san… did you go to that dojo? Was… this Hiko there?”
I stymie a sigh but go ahead and reply. “He was.”
“I knew we still had trials to go through but I didn’t expect how much one man could knock us both off-kilter.”
I ash my cigarette past the window sill. “He said he won’t touch you. I don’t have reason to believe you’ll be in danger.” I don’t necessarily let her know the reasons that the behemoth gave. All that matters now is that she’s safe in a way. “If he wants to see you, my advise doesn’t change. Humor him if you must.”
She tells me of my past, my old life, before the wilderness. In a way I know how far away I’ve come from that man who held on to his beliefs to become a lamenting and vengeful man – wanting to walk the streets with Souji… And I glance at Hide, with the bad comes some good. I left my uniform after all.
“What does this man have on you to make you lose that cool, that focus?”
“He has nothing on me.” I tell her for it’s the truth. “I barely know him.”
She starts to touch me, reminding me of that long laborious mission of disgruntled former samurai and Mikisaburo. A loose end I decided not to tie up. Would he come back for us? for her? It would be a shame to lose another Shinsengumi captain, a talented one at that. I’ve grown soft.
“This man is stronger than you – but you can’t let him outsmart you.”
I shrug. It’s her choice now isn’t it? After hearing him say I’ve made claims and put her on shackles, I realized this would be out of my control. “I’m not about to raise my sword at someone who’s only threat is taking away a free woman or “pretending” to have slept with my wife.” Because he’s right until we get married, she’s free to do as she choose and he seems to be the type to do what he wants irregardless. And as for him showing me how faithless I’ve been to Tokio in not helping that woman find true herself and using her supposed infidelity to justify mine, is another matter. Of course if he starts involving my son by telling him of the past, even if that past was true, I’m not sure if I can look past -that-. Same with what the Battousai did.
Realizing I’ve been harboring this hard look on my face and not really seeing the woman who’s trying to reach me, I take her hand from my face and squeeze it lightly. “You worry too much. He’s probably not that good.” I muster a grin and change the topic.
“Tomorrow I’ll make you breakfast before Makoto and I go out.” I smile at her closing my eyes, “It’s been years since I made you breakfast I think.”
I shake my head. “He’ll only have one shot, so he’s going to have to have it just right.”
He said he won’t touch you. I don’t have reason to believe you’ll be in danger. If he wants to see you, my advise doesn’t change. Humor him if you must
I frown. “But I don’t want to see him, and humoring a man like that…” I look at him. “There are many things I don’t know as a woman – I can’t feel ‘ki’, I’m no warrior, but a woman knows a dangerous man. They come in all shapes, and types. Kano had a veneer of charm but his smile… threatened. And this man comes in, tossing his hair and flexing and preening – yet uses all of that strength to air -old- personal issues and disrupt a childrens’ day of fun. So yes, he is a danger to me, even if he’d never use his sword.” But I’m staying home, and I’ll have to trust Himura-san not to run home and tell her husband or that man exactly where we live.
I’m not about to raise my sword at someone who’s only threat is taking away a free woman or “pretending” to have slept with my wife
A free woman? Who… he can’t mean me? I give Hajime a puzzled look. “Well he can’t just take me away.” I’m not some object, any more than Hajime is. I have my own will, and I’m where I want to be. Supposedly the caped man is considered very handsome?
You worry too much. He’s probably not that good
That grin… the one that doesn’t quiet make it – he’s -trying-, after the look he had before. “Maa… let me worry.” I squeeze his hand back. “It’s what someone does when they love someone… I have little worries, like if you’re eating those lunches I pack for you, and the big ones…” I look up at him, “and I know how much you worry about me. I can tell you a hundered times that I’m healthy and feeling well, but you’ll still worry, won’t you?” I lean up with a soft smile, and kiss him, softly, gently as a breeze but as tender as a promise. “I love you too.”
He tells me of breakfast, and I smile, but it’s dulled at that eyes-closed smile. He’s keeping away from me.
With both of my hands at the side of his head, I pull him closer to me. “Come back to me, Hajime.” I kiss him, again and again. We’ve had many a heavy conversation since we’ve come back together; we’re fated to have more, I’m certain. But we come back to each other.
“I’ve heard it said that a woman has certain instincts.” I think back to what my father used to tell my brother about our mother. She’s such a worry wort, he’d say but then Hiroaki would ask, why do you listen then? Then he’d just laugh and answer “because she’s the Mother!”.
he is a danger to me, even if he’d never use his sword.”
I look at that frown and I realize she’ll only be physically safe. It doesn’t really matter if she’s physically safe if she doesn’t have peace of mind. But I told her, he won’t hurt her so she would have that peace of mind but it didn’t seem to have the desired effect?
“So what do you want me to do Hide? How can you be at peace?” If she tells me to go after him, I will. If that’s the way we can settle this. I want her to be at ease. If I can’t even provide that… then what am I doing wanting to keep her?
“Well he can’t just take me away.”
“Well I know that.” I sigh, “I was just preparing you to be woo’d by him as he’s declared to me. It may get annoying and I suppose if I’m around I’d not let him make advances on you so easily.” For a minute I have a vision of them going on a date with me as a third wheel stabbing him through his cape. That will be a sight…
I can tell you a hundered times that I’m healthy and feeling well, but you’ll still worry, won’t you?”
We’ve had this discussion before. Both of us will always worry, about small things and big things. We share a kiss and i try to let it carry some of the worry away. It may be cumbersome, inconvenient and at times we may wonder if staying together is worth it, but we have and we will. He maybe right that I used Tokio’s supposed infidelity to justify being with Hide, but the truth was I already loved this woman before I even found out about the two of them. And even after I found out, I didn’t leave my wife and instead let my lover run away with our child. But that mistake will never happen again, I hold her tightly against me. Never.
“Come back to me, Hajime.”
She kisses me over and over and I close my eyes nipping at her lips, wanting to find that re-assurance I find in our intimate moments. Doesn’t she remember? I’ve always been hers. The problem has always been how to keep her. Maybe he’s right I’ve placed shackles on her and I never wanted to. I’ve always wanted her to be free so until she is my wife, she’s free to change her mind. Such an oxymoron, her freedom and wanting to make her mine and failing at both. I break the kiss.
“Hide as a Police Officer, I have prided myself on not having feelings of revenge nor of regret.” I look away, “But as a man, I feel a deep sense of personal remorse and wanting accountability for the demise of the Fujita house that those two help dismantle.” I flick the cigarette away, “I’m fully aware that they’re not the only ones to blame and likely small compared to the whole – but I’m unable to let it go. That’s my answer to your question earlier.”
That’s probably not what she wanted to hear. That portion of my life is supposed to be over. And of course it goes against my beliefs as a member of the Police. A man who can’t hold on to his beliefs is pathetic from this world to the next.
I pass by the bedrooms and notice his is closed, that’s been happening lately. It’s annoying when the door is closed because it leaves the corridor darker with no light so I pass by carefully but then I hear…
“Hide as a Police Officer, I have prided myself on not having feelings of revenge nor of regret.”
Feh. He should’ve just said, “I have no feelings -at all-.”
“But as a man, I feel a deep sense of personal remorse and wanting accountability for the demise of the Fujita house that those two help dismantle.”
What? I move closer, tip toeing to the door and press my ear against it. Who were those people? Who is to blame for the loss of -our- family?
“I’m fully aware that they’re not the only ones to blame and likely small compared to the whole – but I’m unable to let it go. That’s my answer to your question earlier.”
I find myself breathing hard but I’m careful not to make a sound. So he hasn’t let truly let us go. He’s going to make them -pay-. Whoever they are.
Father. I’ve finally -found- you. You’ve come back.
(OOC: Tsutomu can be caught by Hide if desired. Note however that he’ll move away from the door quickly if he hear footsteps and injure himself down the stairs. This can be written in as he’s being caught or he doesn’t have to be caught.)
I nod. “Sometimes. If we listen.” Of course, when a man two feet taller than you tries to grab you in public, that’s a rather loud alarm that even the dullest of women could hear.
So what do you want me to do Hide? How can you be at peace?
I’m quiet, for a long moment. “I know you said that he wouldn’t -hurt- me, and I believe you that he wouldn’t, at least, physically. And again, circumstances make it easy to stay home. But my peace of mind is tied to yours – and you staying alive and well, not just for me and our family, but for your justice. After all, I know there’s more you have to do.” I put my hand on the place on his hip where his sword rests, the same one I see leaning against the wall.
“I won’t tell you how to conduct this, any more than I would at your work, but you know you always have my support. What did I tell you that afternoon, when we met again after so long? I’m always behind you – loving you, believing in you, trusting you, supporting you.” I have to stretch a little to get my arms around my shape and him to reach his back, but I get my hands there. “My naive self would just want him to tire of this and return to drinking and throwing pots in the woods, but it’s not going to be that simple, is it?” I sigh. “And I suppose the secret Shinsengumi archives aren’t of any use this time.”
Well I know that. I was just preparing you to be woo’d by him as he’s declared to me. It may get annoying and I suppose if I’m around I’d not let him make advances on you so easily.
“Nor would I agree to any wooing.” I shake my head. “I remember in that -series-, the older friends of the ninja girl finding him irresistible…” I shrug, and grin up at him. “Not my type. Mine is -very-specific, the sort of man I find irresistible.” I kiss the tip of his nose.
He says nothing of my speaking of worrying, but that’s part of what we are. We met in dangerous times, and while the sun shines more in this new era, there’s still danger. He pursues paths that are neither easy nor safe. My name, my history carries a burden, as does his. He kisses me back and I melt into him, and then he embraces me so tightly. There’s the answer. We then indulge in each other, briefly.
Hide as a Police Officer, I have prided myself on not having feelings of revenge nor of regret. But as a man, I feel a deep sense of personal remorse and wanting accountability for the demise of the Fujita house that those two help dismantle. I’m fully aware that they’re not the only ones to blame and likely small compared to the whole – but I’m unable to let it go. That’s my answer to your question earlier.
I pull him down to sit on the floor, to where a small woman and a tall man can be close and comfortable in this room without a sofa. “My love… no matter the uniform you wear, you are a -man-. To deny that…” I softly touch his forehead, brushing back his bangs. “There was a rule against that in the Shinsengumi as well – personal fights? But ah… they still went on,” I shake my head, remembering an encounter with a man of lazy charm and shrewd eyes, a kimono and western-style footwear. “They were just men, too, hot-blooded with revenge and regret and so much more.”
“What you endured in the wilderness – from them -all- – was something that would have broken a lesser man. Or led him down a path of blind rage and anger. You went to that place to live a life of sincerity to have your good intentions turned against you at every try.” I press my lips, briefly, against his forehead. “So when it all comes back… and he throws his words at you, indicting you but leaving themselves blameless…” I wrap my arms around his shoulders.
“I think it’s not something a -man- can deny – ”
It’s then I hear something in the hall. “Makoto?” I call out. I thought she was outside?
I read the book I brought with me to the treehouse, but I want someone to play with! I go back down the ladder, and Yukiko-san says that she saw Tsutomu-niisan go upstairs. I’ll go get him to play with me!
I go up the stairs – the hall is dark today! I think it’s because two of the three doors are closed. Then I see Tsutomu-niisan by chichiue and hahaue’s door. Is he listening? That’s naughty! Besides, I remember hearing them sometimes, when it was just the three of us in the house. They just talk about the boring sort of grown-up things, and then it’s all kiss-kiss.
I whisper over at my brother, “Niisan, what are you doing? Are they talking about anything good?”
(OOC – Makoto’s whisper isn’t very whispery at all, lol)
But my peace of mind is tied to yours – and you staying alive and well, not just for me and our family, but for your justice. After all, I know there’s more you have to do.”
I knew what her answer would be and it pleases me in a way although it doesn’t really solve our problem.
I’m always behind you – loving you, believing in you, trusting you, supporting you.”. “My naive self would just want him to tire of this and return to drinking and throwing pots in the woods, but it’s not going to be that simple, is it?
I stroke her hair. “No. And that’s why I’m asking you, even if I don’t want to, if you see him don’t do anything stupid.” I look at her remembering how she unloaded on the behemoth at the school. I know it’s too much to ask, after all isn’t a man supposed to defend his woman? Not ask her to “cooperate”.
“Of course if it gets to be too much. If it crosses the line.” I look at her, “The truth is I doubt it will get that far, a man like that thinks more of “winning” by making you a willing participant.” A groan escapes me. I’d like to say I’m secure enough in our relationship that I don’t have to worry about Hide.
“Not my type. Mine is -very-specific, the sort of man I find irresistible.
I can’t help but grin a little and settle my forehead on hers. “You know I did tell him that. It likely pissed him off.”
She pulls me down and we sit together. She reminds me of the rules in the Shinsengumi and the reality of that time. I was a much harder man back then, able to follow the rules without flinching. But back then, I lived with only my ideals and comrades who shared those beliefs.
You went to that place to live a life of sincerity to have your good intentions turned against you at every try. So when it all comes back… and he throws his words at you, indicting you but leaving themselves blameless…” “I think it’s not something a -man- can deny – ”
She understands and I’m relieved. I thought she reminded me of the Hatto to stop me like back then when she offered her bed trying to keep me out of trouble. But I had enough sense that night not to pick up my sword and go around exacting divine retribution with Souji, leaving my uniform and sword behind as I try to find my answers.
Makoto?
“Niisan, what are you doing? Are they talking about anything good?”
I see. He was listening. I wonder how long he’s been out there and how much he heard?
You went to that place to live a life of sincerity to have your good intentions turned against you at every try. So when it all comes back… and he throws his words at you, indicting you but leaving themselves blameless…” “I think it’s not something a -man- can deny – ”
He lived with us woman! He didn’t just get there! She’s trying to convince him not to do anything!
Of course she would. It’s not her house that was destroyed. Not her life but my mothers.
I don’t hear anything else from him. He’s gone again isn’t he?
“Niisan, what are you doing? Are they talking about anything good?”
The hair on my neck stands up and I let out a breath I’ve been holding. She scared me.
“No nothing interesting.” I stand up and go down the stairs.
Will he finally fight for us? Or will he keep listening to that woman, that there was a rule against personal fights in the Shinsengumi? Mother did say they were just a bunch of -thugs- nicknamed “Mibu Wolves”. A fitting name.
“I won’t be stupid, like try to use my tanto against him. But I won’t violate my beliefs, my standards just to placate him.” I look down and shake my head. “You may find me charming, but I was never the sort of woman who could disarm a man with gushing platitudes and flirtations.”
The truth is I doubt it will get that far, a man like that thinks more of “winning” by making you a willing participant.
“And in getting something over on you -again- – either for his own sake or for the supposed injured party.”
You know I did tell him that. It likely pissed him off
I return the grin, cherishing that I finally got a real one out of him, and take his hand in mine.
Niisan, what are you doing? Are they talking about anything good?”
Ah, so they were out there? How much did they hear? Again, I deplore the lack of privacy in this house. Japanese houses seem to be -made- for eavesdropping. If this doesn’t get any better, I fear we’ll have to commandeer the treehouse since we no longer have our other place of refuge.
No nothing interesting.
I then hear footsteps down the hall – first one, then another, lighter. I look back at Hajime. “Do you need to go talk to him?”
Hahaue calls my name. Did she hear us? I was being very quiet! “I was looking for neesan!” I tell her. She doesn’t have to know we were listening! I wink at my brother.
Following him down the stairs, “do you want to play in the treehouse?” I whisper, “I bought yams at the school shop yesterday.” I have to keep it a secret from hahaue and Yukiko-san – she thinks that candy “ruins dinner.” No! I’m always hungry. I’m growing to be a big girl, and soon I’ll be able to do kendo as well as my brother!
(OOC – Makoto will exit outside, with or without Tsutomu.)
I won’t violate my beliefs, my standards just to placate him.” “You may find me charming, but I was never the sort of woman who could disarm a man with gushing platitudes and flirtations.”
Kissing her hair. I don’t say anything. I suppose it’s true whether she cooperates with him or not, I will always worry due to his capricious nature. He may change his mind and leave us alone or do the exact opposite and pursue her agressively. She’ll stay in the house so for now that will help.
“And in getting something over on you -again- – either for his own sake or for the supposed injured party.”
“Maybe.”
She holds my hand and I hold her back but she has a look of concern after the children were caught by our door. It’s not like before where we can be left alone. What we speak about, what we do affects this world for better or worst.
“Do you need to go talk to him?”
I shake my head. “I’d rather not for now. It won’t help.” It’s only a matter of time before that behemoth appears before us again and tell my son about the past. I hope by the time Tsutomu demands an answer, that I have a palatable response. But as things stand right now, I cannot answer even if he asks.
“I was looking for neesan!”
I look at Hide and finally stand up. I hold out my hand to help her up. Sitting on the floor too long can’t be good in her condition.
“I guess the children are getting antsy knowing we’ve shut the world out. I’ll help you down the stairs. I’m sure you want to prepare for dinner, the rice was a little soggy last time.”
(OOC: You may close. Tsutomu has disappeared to the roof and will stay up there past dinner time. I don’t know if the roof is viewable from the treehouse. Maybe? LOL)
(Hide)
I guess the children are getting antsy knowing we’ve shut the world out. I’ll help you down the stairs. I’m sure you want to prepare for dinner, the rice was a little soggy last time
I’ll have to talk to Makoto about sneaking around…. “Yukiko-san is getting better at rice,” I say. It’s not a soup anymore.
(Makoto)
I can see Tsutomu-niisan on the roof, but he doesn’t hear me calling to him. I -am- in the secret base, but he’s not a grownup, so he should be able to see me?
(OOC – Close)