Hajime went out, as he said he would. I take that as a good sign – that I’ve improved enough so that he can go and do what he needs to do. So I rest, tended to by Hanako. As I thought, both of my brothers reluctantly left me to go to work – I must have upended their lives -terribly- this past week or so. But she brings me tea, food, and company.
He said “her”… and and old comrade from Aizu. It can be only one. Hanako-san comes in with fresh tea, and I ask, “how is Kioko-chan doing at school?”
She sits down next to me, and pours tea. “Oh, she loves it! The lower school at Doshisa is excellent – Yunnosuke-kun of course knows people there – and it’s exciting to have a good school for the girls, now.” She smiles – like me, her formal education was often shortchanged so she understands the value of it for our girls. “And Sachiko-chan will be able to go when the new term starts next spring…”
“And the director? Do you see her much?”
She shakes her head. “Oh, no, she and her husband are more closely involved with the older girls, as what they really want is a university, like what they have for boys overseas. The lower school is new and she has a good woman to head it up. And I was worried that they wouldn’t take us, given, of course, our family history…” she stops, a bit, and blushes.
“And my history with Aizu,” I finish for her. She looks away, nodding.
“… when is that going to be resolved?”
I look out at the garden, it’s a beautiful autumn day. “As soon as possible. But she’s refusing the divorce, which the law allows her to. It’s not like the old day, when one spouse could just -dismiss- the other. It either has to be agreeable, or a matter of legal wrangling.”
She nods. “I know. My husband has been researching and working to get experience in that field, if needed. I don’t know if he will take on more of that sort of work…” I smile. He’s doing that for me.
“He told Hajime the story – about your father, and how the two of you came to be married, and how he found his job,” I tell her. “It’s how he got him to agree to letting him cover the train ride back.”
“Oh, how I -wish- I could have seen that,” she laughs, “to loll around on a -bed- in a train. We just came back from Kobe to see one of my sisters, and those seats, and the children…” she shakes her head. “I’m going to have him be on the lookout for any more of those ‘reposistioning’ deals like he found….”
“You two should get away, sometime. It’s very important,” I say, nodding.
“Oh! I brought my scissors!” She tells me. “I said that I’d try to even everything up…”
I sit up and she kneels behind me, and I hear the gentle snipping sound. We’re both quiet as she concentrates. “I get to do Sachiko-chan’s bangs, which waves too…” But she lapses back into a comfortable silence, as I watch the birds in the garden.
“There!”
She hands me a mirror, and I try to look at my hair and not my face. The bruises are now just barely yellow… and I don’t look so tired, at least. And the hair… “that’s the best that can be made of it,” I sigh, handing the mirror back.
“Well, you’re cleared to wash it tonight, right? Then see how it looks, when it’s nice and clean.”
I grin a little, “are you telling me my hair smells?”
She laughs. “When that handsome third captain of yours gets home, have him take you to the bathhouse.” She smiles, that pretty, pretty smile of hers. “We -just- now got piped water, so there’s always warm water to go!”
I raise my eyebrows. “So… should I be offering congratulations?”
She blushes. “Ahh…. it’s a bit too early! But after four times, I know the signs. But hot water for letting him have the right to decide the name…” she makes a gesture of surrender. “Toshi-sama will forgive me for not giving this one his name. He’d understand the importance of a warm bath!”
(OOC – Anyone can overhear them as the shoji doors are open. Hanako will leave shortly and may be moved if needed)
I try to call out but no one seems to hear me but I’ve been here a few times so eventhough it’s highly -unusual- and -borderline- rude… I let myself in.
“are you telling me my hair smells?”
When that handsome third captain of yours gets home, have him take you to the bathhouse.”“We -just- now got piped water, so there’s always warm water to go!”
“So… should I be offering congratulations?”
“Ahh…. it’s a bit too early! But after four times, I know the signs. But hot water for letting him have the right to decide the name…” “Toshi-sama will forgive me for not giving this one his name. He’d understand the importance of a warm bath!”
Oh so there -is- somebody in the house. Oh well…
“Ohayo!” I announce myself, “I thought Yagi-san might want some company and I brought pears! Hello Hanako-san!”
I hope she remembers me or else I’m in big trouble. Oh I know! “Is Yuunosuke home?” That should jog her memory. I hope!
(Hanako)
Ohayo!
Who could that be? I look over at Yagi-san…
I thought Yagi-san might want some company and I brought pears! Hello Hanako-san!
“Oh, I’ll go get her,” I tell Hide-san. I go out and find Asuka-san – I remember he voice, and then she asks for Yuubo…
“Hello, Asuka-san!” I greet her with a bow. “Yuunosuke-kun is at work – it’s just Hide-san and I and my youngest two.” I’m so glad that Yuunosuke -finally- found a girl! She’s very modern but it seems to suit him.
“And she’ll love the pears – come, I’ll take you to her. My husband said that she’s really improved, but she still gets tired easily,” I say, as I show her to the room.
Hide-san smiles at her as she sees Asuka-san.
Oh good Hanako-san seems to remember me. Yuunosuke-san sure comes in handy. I’m led to the room and the shoji doors are wide open. That’s nice, it lets in a cool breeze.
I hand Hanako-san the pears. “They’re in season and Makoto told me Yagi-san likes them.” I tell her.
Then I look at Yagi-san, “Nice hair!” It’s true as Hanako-san says, she’s much improved but I don’t really have a frame or reference. I sit myself down on one of the pillows. “How are you doing Yagi-san?” I smile. We had a hard time getting to her or rather he did. But he took it out on me. But all is well now.
“Oh, I’ll go slice these up for us to enjoy, and bring some tea,” says Hanako.
I smile at her. “Makoto is a good informant – those are one of my most favorite things in the world,” I say. “Thank you so much.”
She compliments my hair. “Ah, well, it takes some getting used to – but Hanako-san just trimmed it up so it doesn’t look so terrible – it was cut with a sword …. although I don’t remember much of it.” I tell her, shaking my head.
“I’m doing a lot better – I still have a way to go before my strength comes back, or my hand and ankle are healed. And on my side…” I sigh, and then grin a little. “A lot going on.”
“So were you here in Kyoto helping the police here?” I ask her. “I’ve not yet put it all together.”
(Saya)
“Oh thank you for taking care of it Hanako-san.” And she goes back to the kitchen.
“Makoto is a good informant – those are one of my most favorite things in the world,” I say. “Thank you so much.”
“She is!” I clap my hands together. “I hope she is adjusting well in Tokyo. It must be very different from Ito.” I smile thinking of the little girl who was left alone with me for a week. We had fun!
“Ah, well, it takes some getting used to – but Hanako-san just trimmed it up so it doesn’t look so terrible – it was cut with a sword …. although I don’t remember much of it.”
She seems sad about her hair and I think for a moment. What would that idiot do on such occasion? Oh… Tell her, “It actually looks good on you Yagi-san.”
I’m doing a lot better – I still have a way to go before my strength comes back, or my hand and ankle are healed. And on my side…” I sigh, and then grin a little. “A lot going on.”
So the extent of her injuries were severe. I do wonder why it took him so long to bring her back. He’s usually quite efficient and effective but not this time. I’d ask her more but… “Well you’re in good hands now and I hope for your speedy recovery!”
“So were you here in Kyoto helping the police here?” I ask her. “I’ve not yet put it all together.”
“Oh he just had me do some investigating and interviews… Research. I just did what I was told.” Of course I’m not going to tell her he almost bit my head off and stormed off like it was no one’s business. It’s a good thing I liked him and really wanted to help. Otherwise Toshio-san would have had his hands tied. And he’d be alone in that estate.
I hope she is adjusting well in Tokyo. It must be very different from Ito.
I’m delighted by her interest in Makoto, and her reaction. “She has a good school, loves being with her father, and has become close to her brother Tsutumo-kun. But she’s still Makoto – she joined the kyudo club at school but she really wanted to join her brother in kendo,” I laugh softly. I have to be careful and not laugh hard, due to my ribs being taped. “And she still talks about her Auntie Saya,” I add.
It actually looks good on you Yagi-san
“Thank you… I’ve just always had long hair, even as a girl.” And I hope that Hajime still likes it – I always knew how taking down my hair would sometimes affect him…
“Well you’re in good hands now and I hope for your speedy recovery!
I nod. “We’re resting here in Kyoto before going home to Tokyo.” I look around, “it’s peaceful here…” I glance over at her. “Hajime was injured as well, in the final fight – he was stabbed in his shoulder… I’ll have a much harder time getting him to take it easy until he heals.”
Oh he just had me do some investigating and interviews… Research. I just did what I was told
“I was… surprised to find myself in Osaka,” I say, watching a bird hopping in the garden. “I knew one of my kidnappers, from here in Kyoto, and the other… was an imposter, of someone her and I knew but she believed him to be the real one.” But I look over at her and smile, “thank you for your part – it was good for him to have someone working on this case in who he could place total trust,” I tell her.
“She has a good school, loves being with her father, and has become close to her brother Tsutumo-kun. But she’s still Makoto – she joined the kyudo club at school but she really wanted to join her brother in kendo,” I laugh softly. I have to be careful and not laugh hard, due to my ribs being taped. “And she still talks about her Auntie Saya,”
I nod happily, our little girl is doing good in Tokyo! And I don’t tell Yagi-san that Hajime never told me the names of his sons. “Tsutomu-kun is the youngest or oldest? And I’m glad she hasn’t forgotten about me of course!”
“Thank you… I’ve just always had long hair, even as a girl.”
“Which means it’s time to change it up! Why be tied to long hair?” And with that thought I wonder if Yuunosuke-san would still give me a certain look if I changed my hairstyle? Hmm…
“Hajime was injured as well, in the final fight – he was stabbed in his shoulder… I’ll have a much harder time getting him to take it easy until he heals.”
“Again?” I sigh. He -never- keeps his promises. “Which side was it?” I say with some concern. One day he’ll have one of his arms cut off and we’ll see how he handles a sword then!
She talks about knowing some of the perpetrators. But I already knew, Hajime and I spent several hours comparing notes to find a path forward. Her Asato, the Okita imposter and all those Shinsengumi fans, collectors and gold diggers. “There’s a lot of baggage with the Shinsengumi isn’t there, Yagi-san?” I came much later in his life just a year or so prior to him meeting Yagi-san so I don’t know the real story – only bits and pieces. He only came to lament his failing marriage but of course that was -after- work was done.
“thank you for your part – it was good for him to have someone working on this case in who he could place total trust,”
“Actually Yagi-san, the one you should really thank is my boss… Toshio-san. He’s great!” I shake my head, “He really pulled some strings for that idiot. The Osaka police wasn’t very helpful, until their hands were forced.” I do wonder if that idiot knows how much Toshio-san risked just by fibbing to the central police. Maybe one day he’ll find out.
“So are you expecting any other visitors?” I look around, “I doubt you’ll be able to go out but you must have many friends who’ll come to visit you while you’re “home-home”.”
And I’m glad she hasn’t forgotten about me of course!
“I think she really does idolize you – she calls you ‘cool’, which is highest praise from her. I’ve not had that in -years-,” I grin. She asks which one, but given the similarities in their names, she must have forgot. “And Tsutomu-kun is the older one, and attends the same school as Makoto. He’s fourteen, now. He’s so much like Hajime, which is probably why they can butt heads.”
“Ah, well, with the hair,” I smile softly, “Hajime liked my hair, a lot. And… it’s just vanity. Now that the ordeal of heat and oil and pulling is a little old-fashioned, I enjoyed letting my hair be like this,” I say, making a wavy motion with my good hand. “But I’ll see how it works out.”
“His left side,” I say, with a sigh, to her question about his injury. His sword side. “Of course he wouldn’t tell me, the doctor let it slip,” I say, shaking my head. “And I knew there were bandages there.”
There’s a lot of baggage with the Shinsengumi isn’t there, Yagi-san?
“Please, call me Hide-san,” I say. I grin a little, “after all, I -hear- you’re getting closer to my family…” But then I address her question. “Yes, there is. During the summer, a former member approached me – and he was a person of interest in a case Hajime was working on at the time. But that was resolved… and then this came up. The two who kidnapped me… I suppose had some old personal issues going back to the Shinsengumi days, but the rich man in Osaka?” I look at her, “there was some sort of wedding-like ceremony and speaking of having sons with me…” I shudder. “I think he had some weird interest in the Shinsengumi, but he wasn’t old enough to have been there at the time. Probably closer to my brother’s ages.”
“Toshio-san sounds like a good man,” I say, nodding. I know that some of the harassment by the police my brothers faced ended after he took over, so he seemed fair-minded then. “But what did he have to do? I think I remember the Osaka police being on-hand at the end -” I blink. With the fire and being shot and then what followed, who the swarm of people were is still a bit overwhelming to contemplate.
I doubt you’ll be able to go out but you must have many friends who’ll come to visit you while you’re “home-home”
I laugh at her term. “I like that, home-home.” I smile. “But I’m not expecting anyone. Most of the girls I played with as a child moved out during the war – Kyoto wasn’t a safe place for women, it was believed, since it was full of men coming for trouble. My sister-in-law had two older sisters that I was close to, but they live elsewhere now that they’re married.”
(OOC – done for tonight. Tired.)
“I think she really does idolize you – she calls you ‘cool’, which is highest praise from her. I’ve not had that in -years-,”
“Ah well Yagi-san, it’s easy to like someone who you don’t see all the time and children have such imaginations.”
“And Tsutomu-kun is the older one, and attends the same school as Makoto. He’s fourteen, now. He’s so much like Hajime, which is probably why they can butt heads.”
“Oh yes he used to get so worried about that one.” I shrug, the oldest one I figured was a mama’s boy. Had an unhealthy obssession with his mother.
She seems concerned about her hair and how he liked it? I suppose he must’ve. None of the women in the brothels had short hair but I don’t tell her this after all what must she think if all his affairs were in the pleasure quarters. But that was a while ago. I -hope-.
She confirms it’s his left side and I maintain my smile. “Oh don’t worry too much about it. He had that shoulder fixed after we finished the Tanaka case and he went home to you. I’m sure it’s just a graze.” That’s what he’d tell her I think. No use getting Yagi-san all worked up while she’s no walking bill of health herself.
“Please, call me Hide-san,” I say. I grin a little, “after all, I -hear- you’re getting closer to my family…
What! Who’s been talking about me to her?
I keep my composure and blush a little. “Umm.. sure. Hide-san.” Awkward!
but the rich man in Osaka?” I look at her, “there was some sort of wedding-like ceremony and speaking of having sons with me…” I shudder. “I think he had some weird interest in the Shinsengumi, but he wasn’t old enough
“So his worries was somewhat accurate.” I shake my head, “Hajime would mutter to himself while we were brainstorming at the precinct before he left for Osaka. I thought it was rather outlandish and that he was losing his touch.” I can’t help but chuckle. But of course I -feel- for Yagi-san.
“Toshio-san sounds like a good man,” “But what did he have to do? I think I remember the Osaka police being on-hand at the end -”
“Toshio-san has been the best boss -ever-. Much better than Hajime!” I tell her happily, “Very considerate, loyal and when needed a man of action.” I can’t help but feel like there are stars in my eyes. “Why he contacted the Chief Superintendent Kawaji and -lied- to him about Kato’s jewelry factory to get the Osaka police to take action. We already knew something was there but the idiot, wanted us to wait until he got you out. But for Toshio-sama, the mere fact that Hajime was already in Osaka was enough proof we’d find incriminating evidence here in Kyoto. He has a lot of faith in Hajime you know. Apparently he’s been trying to recruit him ever since this not so secret “Shishio incident” but Hajime keeps turning it down.”
She tells me that her friends are far away. That’s too bad. Doesn’t she have -anyone-?
It’s the afternoon by the time I get back. I let myself in. No need to bother anyone.
Then I hear voices, talking quietly at times but then excitedly in the other.
“Toshio-san has been the best boss -ever-. Much better than Hajime!” “Very considerate, loyal and when needed a man of action.” “Why he contacted the Chief Superintendent Kawaji and -lied- to him about Kato’s jewelry factory to get the Osaka police to take action. We already knew something was there but the idiot, wanted us to wait until he got you out. But for Toshio-sama, the mere fact that Hajime was already in Osaka was enough proof we’d find incriminating evidence here in Kyoto. He has a lot of faith in Hajime you know. Apparently he’s been trying to recruit him ever since this not so secret “Shishio incident” but Hajime keeps turning it down.”
That’s… Who else but the octopus? But that’s no longer an appropriate name for her, after all octopus was many years ago and our relationship has changed dramatically.
“Don’t go listening to Saya. She has lots of stories. Most of it uncollaborated.”
But of course I only say that because of Hide. The rest… So I guess I owe Toshio-san a visit before we leave. And of course, I’ll have to be careful once I get back to Kawaji who’ll want to hear all about it – as if I never wrote him a report.
I look at Hide for a moment and realize, someone’s help fix her hair. That’s -good-.
(OOC: ok)
Oh don’t worry too much about it. He had that shoulder fixed after we finished the Tanaka case and he went home to you. I’m sure it’s just a graze.
So there’s more to it…. I try not to frown.
She agrees to call me Hide-san but seems uncomfortable. Maybe things aren’t going well between her and Yuubo… he muttered something on the train about being “too old” for her. But I can’t tell her age.
So his worries was somewhat accurate. Hajime would mutter to himself while we were brainstorming at the precinct before he left for Osaka. I thought it was rather outlandish and that he was losing his touch.
“I can only imagine… what he must have been thinking,” I say, looking down. He’s seen more than I, but even I know the violence that can be directed at a woman. I look back at her. “But I’m glad that he had allies like you and Makimachi Misao to help him, people who trusted him during this time…”
But then she tells me more about working for Chief Toshio, and she seems so -happy- that I just have to smile. Then it turns to Kato’s activates, a -jewelry- factory? And how they held off until I was secured. “I could tell from his residence that he’s a wealthy man – but I really knew nothing. I met his mother first.” I can’t help but wince, as I can still -feel- that slap, and how she tried to humiliate me.
And Hajime’s had offers here in Kyoto? That’s also news to me… but if it was from the Shishio incident, that was before our time together.
Don’t go listening to Saya. She has lots of stories. Most of it uncollaborated.
I hear the voice that I’m longing for and I turn to him, a smile lighting up my face. “Oh, come on now – she’s one of your most trusted associates.” I reach up for him – if I could leap to my feet easily I’d be greeting him with one of those promised kisses.
Hanako-san comes in. “Oh! Now I’ll need to make coffee, too,” she laughs, setting down a tray with sliced pears and tea for three, as well as some yatsuhashi. She looks at Hajime looking at me, and says, “I fixed up her hair, what do you think?”
Saya:
“I can only imagine… what he must have been thinking, “But I’m glad that he had allies like you and Makimachi Misao to help him, people who trusted him during this time…”
She could ask him but I guess I shouldn’t say that. How long have they been together? “Well even a man like -that- has managed to make some friends.” I laugh a little.
“I could tell from his residence that he’s a wealthy man – but I really knew nothing. I met his mother first.”
I nod at that. The mother, I’m not sure if we have enough on her. “We were able to get enough I think to really pin down Kano.”
Then Hajime comes in discounting everything I said. I raise an eyebrow at the man but then I see Yagi-san, it’s as if suddenly the air in the room changes.
“Oh, come on now – she’s one of your most trusted associates.”
Crossing my arms, I nod agreeably. “That’s right! You better listen to Yagi-san.” I give him a good -teasing- glares, “You know this could’ve gone very different without me.” I’d mention Makimachi-san but why share the glory, if she’s not here anyway?
Hajime:
Going by Hide’s side, I take hold of her hand that reaches out for me.
“Fine Saya. You do deserve a lot of credit.” Then I tilt my head towards Hide, “She’s still recuperating so I’d like to keep the talk about “work” to a minimum.”
“Oh! Now I’ll need to make coffee, too,”
“Oh no it’s quite alright Hanako-san.” I say, “This tea is fine.” Letting go of Hide’s hand, I hand her, her tea and some pears. While I take the other tea and fix myself the oniwabanshu grass concoction, now with extra tea bitterness.
“I fixed up her hair, what do you think?”
“I did notice it as I came in.” I grin at Hide, “It looks good but I’m sure she’s probably fretting about it.”
Saya takes her tea as well and I finally sit down. “Saya you know how to contact Makimachi-san don’t you?” I’m careful not to address the weasel as such in front of Saya. She is after all the new boss of the Aoiya. “I have a friend at Doshisha School that needs some heart medicine that Makimachi-san can provide. If you could get some from her and have it delivered to the school addressed to either Yae Niijima or Jo Niijima.”
She gives me a look, stopping short of “what am I your gopher?”. So I add just in case she didn’t know, “The Niijima’s are the head of the Doshisha Girl’s School, their work is important here in Kyoto.”
Well even a man like -that- has managed to make some friends
“He makes some very remarkable ones,” I say, smiling at her.
We were able to get enough I think to really pin down Kano.
“Oh, -good-,” I say, feeling relief. I know Hajime told me that that man was thinking of trying to find Kondou-san’s girls.
I try not to laugh as Saya-san teases Hajime. She has such a way about her, and I’m glad that’s she’s one of his allies. But again, he seems to not want to talk about it. This is when I need him -alone-…
Mmmmm…. pears. Perfectly crisp and just a bit of sweet, and tart. I close my eyes and -sigh-. “Thank you again, Saya-san, for this.”
It looks good but I’m sure she’s probably fretting about it.
I bite my lip as I glance down, smiling. “Really?” I ask, in a soft tone. What did I tell Eiji-san, once? That I felt beautiful in Hajime’s eyes. I look back up at him.
However, he’s moved on to talk about a medicine… a heart medicine. It didn’t escape me that he poured a little packet in his tea, again, that slight -bitter- smell… I thought maybe he had left that behind, when we came back… but maybe not. I reach over and squeeze his hand.
The Niijima’s are the head of the Doshisha Girl’s School, their work is important here in Kyoto
Hanako-san speaks up as she serves tea to Saya-san, “oh, our oldest girl attends and the little one starts in the spring term… but I’ve never met either of the Niijima-sensei, as they focus more on the older girls…” She smiles, “it’s so wonderful for girls to be able to get a good education here in Kyoto, like what Makoto-chan is getting in Tokyo.”
She smiles back over to Saya-san. “If you don’t have to get started on your ‘mission’ right away, would you like to stay for dinner? Yuunosuke should be home from work soon…”
Hajime:
“Really?”
She doesn’t believe me? But then she gives me a look that indicates she’s pleased. Well I don’t just say things to appease her. At least not in this matter.
She squeezes my hand as I drink the now double bitter tea. Yuck! I’m going to have to find a different combination, tea leaves and grass and tails don’t make good compliments.
“oh, our oldest girl attends and the little one starts in the spring term… but I’ve never met either of the Niijima-sensei, as they focus more on the older girls…” She smiles, “it’s so wonderful for girls to be able to get a good education here in Kyoto, like what Makoto-chan is getting in Tokyo.”
I nod. “Yes the Aizu clan has really focused on education. The head of the Doshisha school is an old friend of my…” I stop and correct myself, “of -mine-. and Futaba is under Tokyo Normal where another acquaintance of ours… I mean mine, Takamine Hideo-san is the head.” In a way I know the reason why Aizu had focused on education, it is the next generation they are grooming as this generation is now lost to those currently in power for better or worst. “Although Aizu is a poorer prefecture compared to the old days, their people are well educated and suited to teach the new generation of children.”
Saya:
I’m surprised at how much Hajime is speaking about Aizu and he almost misspoke about his -other- wife. I’m glad he caught himself though. Still, I didn’t realize how much he still seems to regard the Aizu clan or what’s left of it.
“If you don’t have to get started on your ‘mission’ right away, would you like to stay for dinner? Yuunosuke should be home from work soon…”
“Oh that’s very nice of you Hanako-san.” I smile and get up, “But unfortunately I’m due back at the precinct for more paper work.” And I have to check if they’ve been able to pin down Kato’s mother. I’d tell Hajime this unexpected development but not right now. He’s made it clear he doesn’t want talk about this around Yagi-san…
“I’m so glad you’re doing better Ya.. Hide-san.” I bow slightly, “And do tell Yuunosuke I stopped by.” I don’t know why I had to say that.
(OOC: Saya will exit unless there’s something else.)
Oh he -really- hates this tea…. or is it that mysterious packet?
But as he speaks of education, and Aizu, he almost slips up with Tokio’s name. And there’s something in his voice as he speaks of Aizu, and the value they place on education. Hanako-san nods. “Oh, yes, I could tell! Like Hide-san, I didn’t get a good education, given the war and… family troubles. So it’s wonderful to be able to do better for our daughters.”
Hanako-san pouts a little as Saya-san passes on dinner. “Oh, well, I’ll let Yuunosuke know that you were here,” she says, her face transformed by a smile. She stands with Saya-san and smiles back with a bow, “but we would like to have you over again, if you can tolerate my wild children,” she says, rolling her eyes.
As Saya-san leaves, she tells us, “I need to start to get ready for dinner, and the older two coming home from school. Remember, we have -piped- water now if you want to wash your hair,” she tells me.
Did she wink at us?
(OOC: will reply tom)
Hajime:
“Oh, yes, I could tell! Like Hide-san, I didn’t get a good education, given the war and… family troubles. So it’s wonderful to be able to do better for our daughters.”
I nod amicably. She used to tell me that education was a good equalizer first with little children and then later on in society. And that’s why she wanted a school, even a make-shift one in the village.
I watch as the two ladies leave Hide and I alone in the room. Finishing the last of the now very cold tea, I place it down. “I’m not sure what your in law was implying but if you’d like for me to help you in the bath… I can carry you there if you like. Unless you want to wait for an audience just like yesterday.” I tease of course because I reach behind me and place small package in front of her.
“Open it. Hopefully you won’t have to use it for very long.”
(OOC:Collapsible Walking Stick/Cane with Wolf’s head)
I’m not sure what your in law was implying but if you’d like for me to help you in the bath… I can carry you there if you like. Unless you want to wait for an audience just like yesterday.
“I want to wash my hair, and I’ll need help with that,” I tell him. “But no audience, besides you! I can’t have a real soaking bath anyway yet.” I sigh. Not until my side heals.
He hands me a package and I open it carefully with my good hand. I take it out… and grin up at him, “this is perfect, I’ll have my little ookami for support when my prince Ookami-sama is unavailable.” I notice that it collapses, so it won’t be obtrusive when I don’t need it. “Thank you, Hajime.” I lean over to give him a kiss, long and lingering.
But it’s what I taste on those lips…. “bitter, that powder is bitter. You mentioned a heart medicine to Saya, from Misao-san. Is that what you’re taking?” I ask, looking at him. “-Please- tell me. I need to know what’s happening with you – no secrets.” I look at the teacup. “I also know an old woman here in Kyoto, a tea blender. She could probably help you find a more palatable way to get it down.”
“I want to wash my hair, and I’ll need help with that,” I tell him. “But no audience, besides you! I can’t have a real soaking bath anyway yet.”
“Alright I’ll help.” I tell her but the way she said about soaking… “Don’t get your side wet. Unlike other wounds, surgeries typically heal faster like 6 weeks. It’ll swell for a week but then you know it’s healing, even some shooting pain after a few days is normal. If you want I can change your dressing and examine it.” After all I’ve had my fair share of cuts. I know when something is getting infected.
She seems to like the cane I got for her and gives me a kiss, that is entirely much too long for a simple thank you. As it ends I chuckle, “Now you have something else to stab people with.” It’s then that I remember I’ve been going around without a sword. I’ll have to fix that soon.
“bitter, that powder is bitter. You mentioned a heart medicine to Saya, from Misao-san. Is that what you’re taking?” “-Please- tell me. I need to know what’s happening with you – no secrets.”
I sigh. Of course her kiss lingered, she was tasting whatever it was I was having. “It is rather bitter and yes it’s the same medicine.” I stop for a moment trying to consider what else, “While I was looking for you, at times I experienced some chest pains. It’s probably nothing, just stress.” I shake my head and grin, “I can’t give you away anymore, so I… I thought I’d take it just to be safe.” Generally I -know- my body but after our last “trial” it seems I’ve lost touch with it, as if it will betray me when I least expect it. But it’s probably nothing and it’s likely no different than if I were to expire in one of my missions, so I keep the rest to myself.
He tells me about healing, something of which he knows a lot about – I’ve seen, in great details, the scars on his body. “If you would please, take a look at it. Right now it’s just quite sore, but I think that’s the ribs I’m feeling more than the flesh.”
Now you have something else to stab people with.
“Longer reach, too,” I say, grinning at him, making a bit of a stabby-striking motion with it in the air. “But as handsome as it is, I plan on walking unaided, as promised.” I know bodies have limits, but I’m determined not to let this cripple me. He’s been through much worse…
He sighs, but tells me about him having chest pains. I take his hand in mine and lean against him, “I can’t imagine how stressful that must have been. During the travel I was mostly out of it, so I don’t know what sort of trail they were leaving, how hard it must have been to keep the pursuit going.” I squeeze his hand, and lift it to my lips, where I kiss it. “But I need you to take care of yourself – there are -many- who love and need you, but I’m the most demanding.” I blink, remembering those days of chaos as we teetered the line…. but I manage to grin as I remember where I am, who I’m with. We’re back, and I can feel his warmth against me, the feel of his breathing, his -smell- that I cherish so. “I’m certain you didn’t know -how- demanding I was going to be, asking for baths and whatnot, though.”
“If you would please, take a look at it. Right now it’s just quite sore, but I think that’s the ribs I’m feeling more than the flesh.”
“Of course, once in the bath. We need to be careful not to wet your incisions for now. Your ribs were cracked so that’s it likely.”
She makes a stabbing movement in the air and I shake my head and take that hand up in the air and bring it down to earth slowly. “If you make sudden movements like that, you might stretch something or pull one of your stitches.”
She talks about how hard it was to pursue her and it was. But it wasn’t so much hard as it was a race against time and the things that ran in my head. What they might do to her, -whoever- they were. But I found there wasn’t much difference between the fake one nor the real one. They both were willing to…
. “But I need you to take care of yourself – there are -many- who love and need you, but I’m the most demanding.
I simply nod at that. I told her there wasn’t anyone to give her to. My only hope vanished when he tried to level his false sense of justice. She grins but my lips start to thin, knowing that isn’t resolved and I shouldn’t be walking around with only a pistol strapped to my ankle.
“I’m certain you didn’t know -how- demanding I was going to be, asking for baths and whatnot, though.”
Placing the walking stick down, I stand up and gently scoop her from where she’s sitting. “How about we get you to the bath, get that hair washed and I’ll use a towel to at least wipe you off? Then I’ll look at your left side, make sure it’s healing.”
(OOC: you can lead them to the bath and close unless she wants to do a bath scene which is fine.)
(OOC – I thought I posted this last night. My apologies)
If you make sudden movements like that, you might stretch something or pull one of your stitches.
I nod – he’s correct, and I’m going to follow his lead, as he knows more about the practical side of this sort of recovery than I do.
But as he talks about taking care of himself, and my reaction to him not having someone else to give me away to… I see his grimace.
How about we get you to the bath, get that hair washed and I’ll use a towel to at least wipe you off? Then I’ll look at your left side, make sure it’s healing.
And then he picks me up as if I weigh nothing and I worry about his own injuries… “Please – that would be helpful,” I say, kissing his cheek as he carries me through the yard to the bathhouse. The children are out, and call out and laugh at the sight of us, but I only smile.
(OOC – you may close or continue, due to the delay)
The children laugh. I suppose I thought they’d be with their mother helping out with the chores. But we get to the bath house and I help her undress. It’s the first time I’m seeing the incision on her abdoment, it’s not large but it’s not small either. It will leave a mark.
“Well it’s been 4 days so it’s normal to swell a little.” I say after checking. I straighten up hand her a towel. “Try not to get it wet as you clean up.”
She’s still somewhat weak that I don’t think it’s wise to get her to Tokyo tomorrow or even the day after that. She probably needs to rest more and for now, the house in Mibu might be the best place rather than in Tokyo where she won’t be pampered. I consider too that maybe having visitors come here is probably not a good idea in hindsight, but I can send a message to Yae tomorrow along with the message to expect the elixir as promised.
I place the bucket under the faucet and a water dipper beside Hide.
“The doctor said you can wet your hair right?” But I go part her hair anyway just to make sure, but I suppose the doctor was correct. Her head wound has fully closed, -thankfully-
It’s then that I remember, she doesn’t have a change of clothes.
“Get cleaned up and I’ll go find you a change of clothes. I’m sure Hanako probably has a spare yukata.”
With that I go back inside and not too long return with Hide’s change of clothes.
“Hanako runs her house well. Dinner is almost ready, so hurry up so you can join your brothers.”
(OOC: Close)