Hide: I’m back home, whenever Saitou is ready for Hide. ^_^
Auto response from Hajime: I am currently away from the computer.
Hajime: You sure Hide is not tired.. Ahem I mean her writer I guess <-- wolf speaking.
Hide: No, she took a nap this afternoon.
Hajime: That's good... Then tell her I have a carriage waiting for us outside and it's not dark yet... We're not going very far... just in musashi.
Hide: *comes outside, seeing the carriage.*
Hajime: hurry up hide... *gets on the carriage first. apparently not very gentlemanly. LOL*
Hide: Right. *smiles a little, getting into the carriage*
Hajime: did your writer tell you where we are going? if not we're going in a province of musashi... do you know what that is?
Hide: The writer has no idea. She's been "googling" it to no avail.
Hajime: *chuckles as the carriage moves* Do you know where tama is? have you heard of it?
Hajime: by the way we're in tokyo... LOL
Hide: Ah, now I know. (the writer found something! Good writer! I shan't stab you. Yet)
Hajime: found something about tama?
Hide: http://www.tourism.metro.tokyo.jp/english/topics/040325/4.html
Hajime: amazing... *chuckles* tell her she could've done better...
Hide: She probably could have. *sighs*
Hajime: *removes hat and gloves* here you can hold these (hat/glove) while you're nervous...
Hide: Nervous? *takes them anyway*
Hajime: you're alone with me... not really knowing where I'm taking you. you're not nervous? *quirks eyebrow*
Hide: No... *smiles, thinking, no, because I trust you.*
Hajime: Well you've heard no doubt that kondou and co... came from tama correct? *watches her.. trying not to think*
Hide: Yes, I knew that. They told me, at some point....
Hajime: "Tamagawa... is a river that runs from Tama till to the outskirts of downtown Tokyo. That's where we're going." *chuckles*
Hajime: were you a native of kyoto? I've never asked your father.
Hide: Ah, okay. I'm still learning Tokyo... I never left Kyoto much, you know. Born in the village... *smiles, thinking of home*
Hajime: Ah... Yes that's right. You never did go out much.. Well it was probably better that way. *contemplative*
Hide: You make it sound like I was -sheltered-.... ah, I probably was.
Hajime: I still think you are a bit.... *takes hand* But being sheltered is not such a bad thing. *slides window open*
Hajime: you know that you are in musashi province when you see... mt. fuji... LOL... and sorry if it doesn't look too great.. this picture was back in the 1800s http://www.geocities.com/mg_batt/fuji.jpg
Hide: I hope I am a little less so. I think. *looks thoughtful* But you are right, it is not a bad thing.
Hajime: yes. you should realize that for there will be many to shelter you. *smiles with eyes in arcs*
Hide: It only means that they care. *squeezes his hand*
Hajime: by the way... look outside... http://www.geocities.com/mg_batt/sakura.jpg ...
Hajime: it is nice during this time of year... to be here in musashi.
Hide: Ah, how lovely! *eyes light up as she smiles at the scene*
Hajime: just to let you know though.. we are not going to tama... *thinks again...*
Hajime: (specifically thinking of the shinsengumi)
Hide: Oh? Then where are you taking me? *smiles*
Hajime: hmmm... as i said.. musashi... *chuckles* though I have no "real" ties to that place anymore as Fujita Goro.
Hide: Hmm. Yes. Of course.
Hajime: oh we're passing some people... http://www.geocities.com/mg_batt/ricefield.jpg
Hajime: in kyoto.. i don't think people worked the land much.
Hajime: you remember the kyokuchou was a farmer son don't you?
Hide: Yes, he told me. He was one that would talk to me, you know.
Hajime: oh really. *chuckles* yes he was a very good man.... I even had to get along with hijikata just for his -sake-
Hide: Yes. Even though he was busy - he was always very kind to me, to our family. My father always enjoyed speaking with him, But Hijikata-san - I didn't speak with him much.
Hajime: well... hijikata has his reasons... it is not easy being vice-commander... hijikata was good for kondou to learn some practicality... too often people see kondou as a "soft" man.
Hajime: but hijikata and i... we pretty much stayed out of each others hair.. and... LOL! Once on his birthday, i had someone go back here and buy him a pipe... *contemplates and looks out the window* the streets are busy...
Hajime: and there's a man selling pipes.. http://www.geocities.com/mg_batt/pipeseller.jpg
Hajime: too bad they didn't make cigarettes back then. *sighs*
Hide: I did not mean to sound harsh about Hijikata-san... the Shinsengumi wasn't there to amuse Miss Yagi, after all. *smiles*
Hajime: well you sure did amuse a particular "young boy"... *shakes head*
Hide: I suppose! *grins* Now, if only you had talked to me more...
Hajime: Maa.. i can't do anything about that now...
Hajime: *chuckles* this place brings me memories... i used to steal fruits quite a lot.. http://www.geocities.com/mg_batt/fruitsstall.jpg
Hajime: and did you know that kondou himself used to collect chestnuts? *chuckles*
Hide: You? Stealing fruit? *laughs*
Hajime: I stole many things when I was younger... LOL.. Even when I was in the shinsengumi.. they just never caught me... *eyes brighthen at an old memory*
Hajime: i suppose i was a bit of a thug back then.
Hajime: i drank early in the day... just like those men... http://www.geocities.com/mg_batt/sake.jpg
Hide: *shakes head, smiling* Ah, that was long ago, I guess.
Hajime: *eyes harden-- must not think* well i shall try to avoid alcohol from now on. *squeezes her hand very tightly*
Hide: That might be best for both of us *takes other hand to lightly pat his hand on top of hers* So when will you tell me where we are really going? Or is it to be a secret until the very end?
Hajime: *grins* you shall have to be patient... unless you want to head back already?
Hide: No, no, I shall be very patient *tries to look -very- serious, fails*
Hajime: You are hopeless hi-- neko-chan... *pulls her closer*
Hide: I probably am. *relaxes against him, glad to hear him say her "name" again*
Hajime: *she's relaxing... thank kami...* a few more moments.. i think we're almost in akashi...
Hajime: which is still in musashi province by the way *lightly squeezes her against him*
Hide: I'm getting a geography lesson today as well? *looks up at him, amused, resting her head on his shoulder*
Hajime: Perhaps... Geography is a very good subject. I think we wouldn't have lasted as long as we did in the war had it not for military strategy and that involves a lot of maps and what not. *smirks*
Hajime: but i never was the scholar type... it was always itou and takeda *eyes harden once again*
Hide: It took many types for the Shinsengumi to work. A balance.
Hajime: Hai hai... *tempted to kiss her forehead. but decides not to* Oh i see we are already at the gate... let us go... *gets down* this is where my father came from... akashi.. http://www.geocities.com/mg_batt/newbyn8.jpg
Hide: *follows him down* Your father?
Hajime: Yes his name was Yamaguchi Yuusuke... Did you even know my "real" name? *looks at her concerned*
Hide: You never told me... *smiles* You were Saitou Hajime by the time I met you.
Hajime: Sou ka... Perhaps the reason it never crossed my mind until recently is you didn't speak to me back then in Kyoto... and now in Tokyo you keep calling me Hajime... Which is correct... But my family name is Yamaguchi... of the Akashi han... How about you are you really yagi hide?
Hajime: *continues walking up the steps passing several houses and a few small stores*
Hide: *following up the steps* Yes... I was once called Hidejiro, you know... but always, Yagi Hide. *makes the motion of writing her name in the air*
Hajime: *catches her hand and pulls her up the steps* You even walk slow... *snickers*
Hide: *sighs* I am quite a bit shorter than you. I try to keep up.
Hajime: *chuckles* Shall I have to carry you these stairs then?
Hide: It is not quite that bad, is it, Hajime? *laughs*
Hajime: somehow i think it is... *smirks*
Hajime: perhaps you should try what those people are doing... *points to* http://www.geocities.com/mg_batt/sumo.jpg
Hajime: it might make you stronger and faster... just make sure you don't put on too much weight.. *chuckles*
Hide: *lightly swats at his arm with her free hand* What ideas you have... *laughs*
Hajime: I'm just telling the truth... I do remember you had fun watching me wrestle back in Kyoto... *winks* Admit it!
SafetyGirl0: I admit nothing. *blushes a little*
Hajime: FINE (thinks: oh yeah you were probably watching someone else)
Hajime: I did win that match for all of them... if it wasn't for me.. they'd have lost.
Hajime: *chuckles*
Hide: Of course, of course...
Hajime: OH.... *looks distracted*
Hajime: *watches a man with a sword* http://www.geocities.com/mg_batt/swordsharp.jpg
Hide: Always swords, ne?
Hajime: Huh? *turns back to look at her*
Hajime: Oh no... I mean i haven't been here in a while...
Hajime: and i didn't realize they still sharpen swords the old way...
Hajime: *looks at man again* *narrows eyes*
Hide: *sees his eyes* What is it, Hajime?
Hajime: Oh nothing "old memories".... i never thought much about it... but... i just remembered i wanted something to be like my father... he was a low samurai rank.. a foot soldier here and sometimes he'd take me when he needs to get his sword sharpened... Thats' all... Boring ne? Come let's go.
Hide: No.. it is not boring. I am.. glad that you tell me these things, about yourself.
Hajime: *finally finishes the steps... and takes them off the road* You are? I thought we needed to talk... If I couldn't be a part of your past... Oh well... (stop thinking)
Hajime: will you hold this basket??? I'm getting tired of holding it.
Hide: Oh, yes *takes basket*. But the past... I was so -young- then, and you so -focused-... I wonder if we -could- have seen each other, even if we had -wanted- to. I think there is a reason that we only came together now.
Hajime: Maybe... *pulls her deeper towards a small ravine* Mitte! Mitte Hide! This place... is Tamagawa... I spent a lot of time here a -long- time ago... Before even going to Tama... and even Tokyo.
Hajime: http://www.geocities.com/mg_batt/tamagawa.jpg
Hajime: *smiles*
Hide: *looks for a moment, quietly, and nods, looking up at him*
Hajime: *smiles down at her... happily* Perhaps we should find a place down there... I didn't bring any fishing poles but we do have some food.
Hide: Oh, yes, let's... *his smile... to see it...*
Hajime: *pulls her once again... walking faster... briskly walking.. no half running towards the spot he loves best* http://www.geocities.com/mg_batt/specs.jpg There is a flat spot in the river bank... *pulls her again* The rocks formations are humongous but... there is a lot of life here... turtles, carp, shrimp... *laughs*
Hide: *following along, holding the basket, enjoying his enthusiasm, smiling up at him... just enjoying this moment*
Hajime: *takes basket. takes blanket and settles it down a little to close to the water. Pulls her down to sit* There's some... Ummm... yakitori http://www.yummytaste.com/recipe/detail/yakitori.htm, yakisoba http://www.japanuslink.com/japanpages/yakisoba.html, soba http://archive.salon.com/wlust/feature/1998/02/05feature.html and taiyaku, http://japanesefood.about.com/library/pictures/bltaiyaki.htm LOL... I'm sorry it took me a while.. *chuckles* and the food must be cold by now... I bought them hours earlier on my break... *chuckles*
Hide: It does not matter... *helps take out the food*
Hajime: *groans* Kuso...
Hide: *settles down, taking a bite of yakitori* Quite good... I am glad you brought me here, Hajime.
Hajime: Drats....
Hajime: I forgot something...
Hajime: damn it.
Hide: *confused* What?
Hajime: there's nothing to drink... *sigh*
Hajime: completely forgot some plum juice or tea.. sigh... although i hate tea..
Hide: I know you do... *laughs* It is fine, Hajime. Really. *smiles*
Hajime: The food is not of high class.... *laughs* it's a little embarassing making you eat that... LOL... but when we were still living here and when the kyokuchou and i went out drinking, the man loved yakitori.... and yakisoba was always good to remove the effects of drinking... *smiles*
Hajime: although the taiyaku i think is my next favorite to the soba since it's sweet and looks like fish * takes the taiyaku and halves it. gives the other half to hide* let's start with dessert first. *smiles*
Hide: It matters not what class it is if it is good food... and I enjoy it. I may have been -sheltered- but... not removed.
Hide: *takes half of the taiyuku* Dessert first? *laughs*
Hajime: Gome gome! I've insulted you again have I? *chuckles* Don't take me seriously... I guess abrasiveness is just an intrinsic part of me.
Hajime: *eats a fourth of the taiyaku in one big bite while watching a turtle "flop" back in the river*
Hide: No, no... *pats his arm* It is no insult. Do not worry. *smiles, watching the turtle*
Hajime: Alright... *looks back at her* This is the most peaceful place I can take you. I'm sorry. I couldn't think of anything else... And money's always tight.
Hajime: Hmmm... I guess for a woman of Kyoto this is a little.. umm inappropriate.
Hide: No... I like it here. Simple, quiet places. Places that mean something to you. And to share it with you.
Hajime: *moves up slightly settling himself behind her. supporting himself with two arms and leaning to look at the sky* I forgot my cigarettes. *sigh*
Hajime: (thinks: rather i had not enough money to buy a pack since i splurge earlier with the carriage and this... sigh)
Hide: Ah... you will not become too cross without your cigarettes, will you? *smiles, teasing a little*
Hajime: No... not here... (thinks: not here with you) *scotts behind hide more*
Hide: *moves closer to him, to lean back against him a little* Good. And do not worry about inappropriate... I have never been all -that- proper. I run about with my hair down most of the time, after all. *laughs*
Hajime: *moves himself to her back... draping both arms around her... smelling her hair. watching for signs she is uncomfortable*
Hajime: your hair... you can wear it anyway you want.
Hide: *settles back in his arms, closing her eyes* *tilts her head back, opening one eye to look up at him* I do. *smiles*
Hajime: good... cause... as i've told you... i found the answer... *smiles*
Hide: The answer?
Hajime: how we're going to stay together... i -still- love you hide... *kisses her forehead*
Hide: *quietly* I love you, Hajime. *so much*
Hajime: *smiles... relieved... happy* Thanks neko... *hugs her tighter* So you want to hear it?
Hide: *tilts her head back to look at him* Yes
Hajime: *chuckles* but you probably found out about it a lot more earlier than I did.. *watches her dark brown eyes, how beautiful it is*
Hide: I did? *raises her hand to touch his face*
Hajime: Hide... I'm not usually kind like the others... but I think I am the best match for you -here-. *takes her hand and lays it on his cheek*
Hajime: I will not restrain you at all... you can do what you want... as you let me do...
Hajime: we are like strangers in a long journey... finally able to meet under this tree *looks up* to meet... to rest...
Hide: And we found each other. -Here-
Hajime: and though I do not know much about you... we can be together...
Hajime: because... * smiles down on her *
Hajime: we... not giving something... and not asking for something... but just being with each other somehow (being with you)
Hajime: I finally met someone who is like that...
Hajime: do you understand?
Hajime: *looks down on her seriously*
Hide: *just -overwhelmed-* Yes... I just want to be together. *closes her eyes*
Hajime: even if it's just a short time... good... *kisses her nose* I love you neko.
Hajime: forgive me... because I wanted you... all of you... but i realize i should not be asking for something like that.
Hajime: just like you do not ask it of me..
Hide: *whisphers* I love you.... and as for wanting ... it is something to you I give you freely. With no regrets. Because I wish to.
Hajime: but while you're here... i won't let go...
Hide: I won't let you. *smiles* Because I'll be holding onto you.
Hajime: *lets go and faces here... cups her chin and watches her face... * don't be afraid of me... *kisses her very lightly*
Hide: I'm not... *kisses him back, lightly, but lingering*
Hajime: Good. *pulls away and smiles* (thinks: I won't think anymore of the past. she's here with me.) *smiles and sits back beside her*
Hide: *sits close to him, watching the scene, with a smile on her face*
Hajime: I don't think I can eat... *chuckles* there's no drink... Shall we go back? It's going to get dark soon.
Hajime: *starts to put things away*
Hide: Yes... *slightly sad to leave this place* We should come back here, sometime.
Hajime: Perhaps... *pulls the blanket and shoves everything in. leads her back from where they came. where a carriage was waiting* I paid the driver already. He's trustworthy and you will get home quickly.
Hide: You are not coming back?
Hajime: oh... and give me back my gloves and hat.
Hajime: *grins*
Hide: *hands them to him*
Hajime: I'll see you soon. *helps her up the carriage, then tips his hat*
Hide: Until then. *smiles*
Hajime: jaa. *returns from where they came*