I had nothing, so I packed nothing. Laying in bed till everyone fell asleep was difficult, the few minutes felt like hours and I kept thinking of what Yuunosuke-san did earlier. It’s been years since I’ve been kissed and never like that. Hajime-han’s were always so forceful, not gentle. I shake my head and get out of bed, taking off my sandals I move to the door, peering over the living area. I see Musashi-san sleeping upright in the far corner. What is he doing there? Quietly I slide the door fully open and tip toe out the bedroom. Yuunosuke should be ready unless Hajime is still wide awake. I doubt it because there is no light escaping from their room.
“Yuunosuke-san? Are you ready?” I whisper, not daring to rap at the door.
Stealing into the night
27 thoughts on “Stealing into the night”
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I’d been awake since Musashi-san came inside earlier. “Fujita-san said to sleep,” he shrugged, and I silently cursed the changing of the guard as getting by Musashi-san was one thing…
Saitou-san is another entirely.
But the memory of Asuka-san’s begging eyes…
Of course, I treated her rather poorly. She’s in love with another man and I went and kissed her. I don’t regret the kiss, however. I hear her voice, barely making a sound, calling my name. Taking my pack, I leave a note on the low table while Musashi-san snores.
She doesn’t carry anything… “Are you ready?” I ask, my voice low as well as I glance into the girl’s room. My sister and niece sleep. Take care of them, Saitou-san. I’ll look after this one.
“Saitou-san is standing guard in front,” I glance around. “We should go out the back, towards the bathhouse.” If there was to be any movement in the night, someone slipping out to there would not be as alarming. From there, hopefully we can find one of the service paths, used by the onsen attendants.
Are you ready?
I nod. The only thing I needed was some money and I already had that tucked in my undergarments. Never leave without ?EURoemad?EUR? money they say, it was an old habit back when I still worked in the ?EURoeteahouse?EUR?.
“Saitou-san is standing guard in front,” I glance around. “We should go out the back, towards the bathhouse.”
Just as I figured, I was wondering why Musashi-san was sound asleep. I follow him to the back but there are no doors there, only a window. I motion that he should open the window and I look around for something to step on. I can?EUR(TM)t jump nor run fully after all.
?EURoeBy the way Yuunosuke-san. Thanks for taking me up on this offer.?EUR?
(OOC: Note that single huts usually don?EUR(TM)t have back doors)
The night has grown colder and I take a drag on my cigarette. There are so many things that needs to be done and soon. I?EUR(TM)ve already sent a message to Kawaji and soon our escorts should arrive. It would be better if we do not travel together, however I have a duty to ensure that Saya gets back to Kyoto safely, from there I shall need to trust the Keishikan. Mishima Michitsune is a sly and powerful man, but there is enough autonomy in the police system that the likes of Toshio and Kawaji can be above political influence. The only problem is?EUR? How to get Saya back to Kyoto unnoticed? Standing up I decide to roam the perimeter once again. Perhaps I shall start at the bath house?EUR? But wait, I can?EUR(TM)t leave the front unguarded?EUR? Slightly over three hours of sleep. Is that good enough for Musashi-kun? Maa… He is a trained officer after all.
(OOC: Saitou is going inside the house. Escape while you can. Heh.)
We just have a window… she hesitates, and I remember that she’s still injured. “Allow me, Asuka-san.”
By the way Yuunosuke-san. Thanks for taking me up on this offer.
I nod, and glance at the window, and gather her up and lift her towards the open window, holding her carefully, it wouldn’t do to have her fall, after all. Moving her towards the window’s edge, I lift her feet over. “Think you can slide down onto the engawa?” I whisper in her ear as I hear Makoto-chan flopping over, mutter something, and go quiet again.
Holding her steady I wait for her, if she can move or not.
Grabbing the edge, I half drag myself up as Yuunosuke pushes. I make sure not to elicit a cry as I found my abdomen half supported by the wood. With one great effort, I push myself up but I hear my kimono rip and a piece gets caught in the window. No time for that now! Lifting my left leg, I half flung myself to the other side, careful not to fall. Instead I slide down causing scrapes on my elbow and arms.
Biting my lip I motion to Yuunosuke that I’m okay. Now we just have to get out of here.
“Hurry Yuunosuke!”
We’ll probably have to take the long ways to get out of the Ryokan to avoid the front engawa where Hajime is. The bath house would shield our escape.
Once I enter I hear sounds coming in from Hide?EUR(TM)s room. I go inside just to make sure everything is alright and find nothing except Makoto sleeping beside her mother whimpering. I feel like it?EUR(TM)s been ages since I?EUR(TM)ve seen my daughter but the truth is, I only saw her this morning. I wonder what she is dreaming about? Bringing the half-finished tobacco to my lips, I grin slightly.
My nose twitches. Something smells nice…
I turn over and blink, and I see puff-puff of smoke before I see my father.
“Chichi?” I whisper, because Okaasan is still sleeping. I smile, it seems like it’s been a long time since I’ve seen him. “Are you coming to bed?”
I hear her kimono rip and I cringe… following quickly behind her, I slide the window back, taking the scrap of her kimono with me, otherwise it wouldn’t close. I cram it in my pocket as I follow her, I can smell Saitou-san’s cigarettes faintly in the air,
She holds her arm… I’ve never tried to sneak a woman out, but… ah, the point is to get us out and away before we’re missed, and get out of town. “I’m sorry, Asuka-san, I’ll look at that on the train as long as you can still move.”
I take her arm, and lead her around a back path, that goes around the back of the property so the bathhouses can be tended without bothering the guests, but still it’s not easy going in the dark. “Careful, though, I can’t let you getting hurt anymore,” I say, brushing a strand of hair from her eyes before leading her forward.
“No Makoto. I’m standing guard tonight. Go back to sleep.”
I move closer and kneel down, fixing her pillow. It’s then that I noticed the futon beside them was empty. Quickly I stood up, alarmed that Saya is not there. I reach over to touch the bedding, still warm. Shaking Hide awake I whisper, “Wake up. I need you to watch Makoto. Saya is missing.”
Without saying anything further. I go to the living area, opening the lights. Musashi is instantly awakened, I’m -surprised- this went by him unnoticed.
“Go watch at the front.” He nods as I open the men’s bedroom. There is no one there.
Yuunosuke…
What in the world has gotten to their heads? No… Perhaps he just accompanied her to the bath house but save for the time I did my rounds well over an hour ago, I saw no one there. The futon was still warm… A scowl crossed my face as I realize this was deliberate. Quickly I head towards the back.
Makoto’s stirring had brought me to the edge of waking but suddenly I hear…
Wake up. I need you to watch Makoto. Saya is missing
I sit up, alarm bring me fully awake. I nod, looking at him, and smooth down Makoto’s hair. “Sleep, little one.” I tell her, and she looks at me, slightly confused. Keeping calm even while my heart is pounding, I sit with her as I hear more doors open.
Where is Saya? Did those men come back? But wasn’t Hajime keeping watch – and where is Yuunosuke? He has -no- connection to any of this…
Hajime leaves the girl’s room and I hear him address Musashi-san, a door slide… and I do not hear the voice of my brother, still. Makoto’s curled back up, and I take a few steps into the room the men were using.
A folded piece of paper on the table waves like a flag, bright white in the low light. Snatching it, I hurry back to Makoto, pulling her up on my lap. Yuunosuke isn’t there. Saya is missing. I hold our little girl, who nestles herself against me.
Unfolding it, my eyes scan…
“Hajime!” I call out. “There’s a note!” Makoto pops open one eye and then closes them shut again, muttering and snuggling closer. I don’t even know if he can hear me…
The window is closed but I open it and lift myself up. I look down and although it?EUR(TM)s dark I can see depressions on the grass. I hear Hide shout about a note and instantly my fears are confirmed. I mutter a curse and run inside getting one of the paper lamps and lit it. As I pass by the open door to her room, I merely nod. I?EUR(TM)ll demand explanations later, personally.
?EURoeTake this and head straight to the main entrance. Alert the receiving desk to stop anyone going out this late at night.?EUR? I click my tongue grimly. I wonder if he?EUR(TM)s awake enough to understand my instructions?
?EURoeYes sir?EUR??EUR?
?EURoeStand guard by the gate and keep your eye out by the walls.?EUR? I finally finish and run towards the bath house. Saya will use it of course as a cover, the only flaw in that is it is a long narrow and dark passage. For once I am glad that there?EUR(TM)s no chance she can scale the walls of this Ryokan. What makes it impenetrable from the outside makes it even harder to escape. Of course there?EUR(TM)s no guarantee she will be level-headed enough not to make the attempt.
“Careful, though, I can’t let you getting hurt anymore,”
I must admit it is quite nice to have someone taking care of me for once. It almost makes this escape of ours quite a pleasant task, save for my scraped arm.
Tugging at his hand, I stop him. “We can’t simply go out the front door Yuunosuke-san.” I point to the high walls half made of cement, half of bamboo. “I think I can climb up there.”
Fainly from the back, I hear the rustles of grass leaves.
“Quickly! Bend down and I can stand on your shoulders!” I’m almost sure that’s Hajime. That idiot!
Hajime comes and go, and with him Musashi-san leaves. His nod assures me, and Makoto only draws up more against me. “Where is Auntie Saya and Uncle Yuunosuke?” she asks.
“Being insensible,” I sigh. Didn’t those two think of how much this would alarm Hajime and the rest of us? Kami, Hajime and Saya were almost -killed- the other night and now those two are sneaking away in the middle of the night?
Swept away by sudden great love, the letter said. Maa… I sigh. “Sleep, Makoto.” With some difficulty I stand, holding her in my arms. When did she get so heavy? But I want to try to see what’s going on outside; even with this note… I still don’t trust what might be in the darkness outside.
Sounds are coming from the small building we left behind…
Asuka-san points out that we can’t just stroll out the front. How could escaping a simple onsen be such a difficult task?
I do as she requests and start to kneel, but it’s still entirely too tall, even on my shoulders, if she couldn’t get out the window…
The sound in the grass gets closer. As she comes nearer I slide my arm around her and pick her up. “We can’t take the obvious way,” I say, my eyes scanning the surrounding area.
It’s not easy carrying her and my bag but I go along the wall, looking for some way out… if she tries to jump she’ll break her leg, and I’d rather be caught than let her get hurt anymore. “Trust me,” I whisper, squinting up to see if the wall relents in any place, feeling along for loose boards… this place cannot be that tight. I lived in a house that was home to the Shinsengumi, and even that had passageways and loose escape boards in the walls around the property.
What the hell is this? Yuunosuke carrying Saya while he seems to be threading the walls… For a loose board no doubt. I can almost feel the lines on my face triple at such a display of idiocy.
“Shall I call a carriage for you two?” I say as I lift up the lantern, casting a shadow to both of them. “You already know Yuunosuke that you can’t possibly outrun me with those heavy baggages.”
I throw a disdainful look at Saya. I had expected better for one. Leaving here without a -real- plan. She’s lost her touch, just like she’s lost her head. And this young man apparently has no intelligence either, not knowing what he’s getting himself into. Ah… At one point I too was rather open to her suggestive self. Standing I wait. Let’s see what a mice does caught in a trap.
Saitou-san’s voice…
Shall I call a carriage for you two? You already know Yuunosuke that you can’t possibly outrun me with those heavy baggages.
“Perhaps I could, but my sister would kill me if you complicated your injuries chasing after us.” I look back at him with an even gaze. Only Asuka-san will know how my heart is pounding, from the running and being the target of Saitou-san’s intensity.
I look down at Asuka-san, wishing I could apologize to her right now. Instead, I tighten my grip on her. I’ve already failed her in trying to help her tonight; at least I can shoulder the brunt of the blame for it.
“I’m going to take care of Asuka-san,” I say. There’s no point in running anymore, so I speak directly.
“A carriage would have been more sensible, but we wanted to leave with as little notice as possible, given the danger that still surrounds Asuka-san. I was selfish and rash and wanted to get her alone as soon as possible,” I continue, since that is our story and… there is truth in that. “But it was all done with the idea of keeping a low profile. There is the red-eye that comes through Ito in about an hour, and then we’ll be on the train, and won’t stop until I have her in Mibu.”
“Quite a confident little fledling aren’t you?” I chuckle grimly. How many morons shall I have to deal with in the course of one lifetime? Suddenly I wish the company of Sanosuke, the ahou at least could fight.
“Mishina Michitsune. You no doubt know of the vice-governor in Kyoto. Step off that train in Kyoto and you will be apprehended instantly by the sword bearing police.” Kami-sama forbid that man ever becomes governor, Kyoto will be under despotic rule and be run over by the local Yakuza. But that’s not the concern at the moment.
Saya finally decides to stand up by herself. Why I do not like seeing Yuunosuke’s arms around Saya I do not know. I only know I do not like it and Yuunosuke is not the one I want for her.
“Get back to the cottage, both of you. I will not repeat myself.” I say and turn my back. Let’s see if he can put his money where his mouth is.
“Mishina Michitsune… I know of him,” I answer. Is my Kyoto not even safe? But there are the rumors of involvement with underworld forces that I hear in passing…
Asuka-san stands on her own, yet remains quiet. This isn’t like her. “What happened to the woman who didn’t want to ask for permission?” I ask her, quietly. Did my failure break her that badly? Or was it the cold contempt from Saitou-san’s eyes?
And would I be entirely incorrect that it wasn’t just contempt that I saw flicker in his eyes when I held her? And maybe her silence has to do with being caught with -me-.
“I’m not giving up on you, Saya,” I tell her, in a low voice, dropping the formalities. “I’ll run you across Japan if needed, I’ll help you as much as I can.” Another plan comes to me, someplace where even a corrupt politician can’t reach her. “Across the world, even.”
“Speak up now, and tell Saitou-san what it is you want.” I admire her so for her for her spirit… I wonder where it is, and why she’s holding it back. My hand rests on her shoulder, in a move of support, both physically and emotionally.
He?EUR(TM)s so angry?EUR? I?EUR(TM)m doing this for him. I?EUR(TM)ve always done things?EUR? Even when I was in Kyoto and he had no one. Yuunosuke?EUR(TM)s urging me to speak up but I can?EUR(TM)t utter a word.
“Across the world, even.”
Away from this place?EUR? I have wanted to leave?EUR?
For myself.
So that means?EUR? This was a lie and Hajime saw through me. I even placed my work and Yuunosuke in jeopardy. I turn slowly to Yuunosuke-san and bow, ?EURoeGomenasai Yuunosuke.?EUR? He?EUR(TM)ll think I?EUR(TM)m fickle but it would be too long to explain. Impossible even. I take his hand and lead him back to the house. I?EUR(TM)d take him up on his offer but that would just be exactly what I?EUR(TM)ve tried to do here.
As we walk back I see Hide-san standing at the front door and Hajime is at the other end of the engawa scowling at us. Letting go of Yuunosuke, I walk past her averting my eyes. ?EURoeIt wasn?EUR(TM)t Yuunosuke?EUR(TM)s fault.?EUR? I mutter just enough so she could hear, then I head straight for the bedroom.
(OOC: Saya is heading for the bedroom. You can try saying something but she?EUR(TM)s unresponsive.)
She’s so quiet, so quiet, and then her apology almost breaks my heart. The way she takes my hand… it’s so hard not to take it and run off with her. I tell her, “it’s not you to give up. As long as you’re alive you still have possibilities.” She doesn’t even look up, just… blank.
I look up at Saitou-san on the engawa, he still -glares- at us. “She didn’t want you to worry. That was why for all of this.” Enough with the lover’s elopement charade. “The sooner we were no longer your problem, the sooner you could move Hideneesan and Makoto-chan, and easier as well.”
Asuka-san says something to my sister, who is holding a sleeping Makoto, before heading off to her room. “If Kyoto is not safe, give me time to send a few telegrams, and I can sail for Europe in a week and she could come with me.” It could happen. I would upset my current employers but delight my future ones.
She’s right… we’re not children. Perhaps we should have taken a more sensible course but I’m not going to see her looking so defeated. Doesn’t that stubborn man understand that just that look from her was enough to crush her?
Enough with the pleasantries…
“I’ll worry about Hide and my daughter by myself.” The sterness in my voice is unmasked. He maybe Hide’s brother but that is highly irrelevant. “Have you ever considered that she has responsibilities? Perhaps the both of you can run away, be superficially happy for a -short- while. -You- do -not- understand.”
Lighting a cigarette I continue, “As it is, anywhere aside from Kyoto is unacceptable.” All that work for nothing? I shall not let that happen.
“I did not consider her responsibilities.” She’s never said what it is exactly that she does. “Perhaps I do not understand, but when she asked for my help, I was only too glad to help her, and in doing so help you and my sister and your daughter as well.” I do not doubt that he would protect Hideneesan and Makoto with his life; his injuries are proof of that.
He speaks with a cold tone which is of course understandable. And that he calls it running away… he would see it like that.
As it is, anywhere aside from Kyoto is unacceptable.
“Then I will escort her to Kyoto as soon as it is prudent for her to leave. The offer for her to stay with my family in Mibu stands.”
Makoto stirs and whimpers in Hideneesan’s arms, but she remains there, listening to us.
Shall I need to beat some sense into him? To stay at Mibu? I sneer a bit at that ludicrous statement.
“You like books Yuunosuke?” I grin, mocking him. “Try using -that- against cold metal sometime since obviously you’re brain’s flown out the window.”
Musashi finally comes back and I address him this time. “Thanks for your hard work Musashi-kun. Stand out here and make sure no one -else- causes trouble tonight.”
Ignoring the ignorant -boy-. I decide to retire. There’s still a few hours before morning.
“Hide. Go back to your room. There’s nothing more to see here.” That came out rather clipped. Now I’m sure I do need to rest, so I crush the cigarette stub under my boots.
Yuunosuke -tries- but he doesn’t understand.
“You were just a child back then,” I say, quietly, “and you’ve never had to face a sword. You may mean well in wanting to help Asuka-san but this is more complicated, and not just a matter of running.”
Musashi-san returns, and I’m glad he’s going to stand guard so that Hajime may rest. I put Makoto down, in the room where Saya lies, I’m not sure if she’s sleeping as she’s turned, facing the wall. Makoto curls around her covers, dead to the world after being awoken earlier.
Back out in the main area I pass Yuunosuke, blanket it tow. “I’ll be in the kitchen,” he mutters, and I go into the room Hajime is in.
“Are you alright?” I pat against his side, feeling if the bandages under his shirt are damp, a sign of the wound reopening. “Maaa…” I’m rather annoyed at both of them, and with that elopement story? Perhaps some good ideas… but I also have to wonder if what Saya was also running from was Hajime, the man she loves and has to watch be with another. “We should get -some- rest…” I sigh.
I would’ve thought she’d be angry at how I treated her brother. It has never escaped me how harsh my words usually come across. Not being the type to take back words, nor apologize for having had said them, I decide not to comment any further. Instead, I pull Hide down towards the futon for the first time sharing a futon with her and Makoto.
“Tomorrow morning… Pick out something good to eat.”
If we can’t get along, we might as well be full.
(OOC: Done you may close)
There’s some surprise in him, is it that I support him over Yuunosuke’s rash actions tonight? Perhaps I know how he speaks, and what he expects of others… and the trust he has in Saya, that his harsh words don’t offend me, even when turned on my brother. Given recent events, two people can’t just think they can go like that and not cause worry and unsettlement, and when the plan was just one to -run-…
I kiss his cheek as we settle down, and then Makoto’s. “Indeed… and a lot of coffee…” I finish with a yawn as I drift off to sleep.
(OOC- Close)