….

Hajime: *Knocks on the door quite early in the morning. -Not- wearing the usual uniform, but rather a white collar shirt and black pants.*
Hide: *opens door* Good morning, Hajime… *smiles*
Hajime: Yes it is a nice morning isn’t it? *looks around for a minute at the blue-orange sky before finally bending down to kiss her cheek*
Hide: *looking at his clothes* Not working today? Oh, please, come in.
Hajime: *follows her inside wondering where she’ll lead them* No… I have a spare uniform in the office. I’ve made arrangements to be late though.
Hide: Ah, it is good to see you in the morning (thinks: not as nice as waking up next to you)… *leans up to kiss his cheek before leading him to tatami room, then stops* Have you had any breakfast yet?
Hajime: *smiles* Iie… I came straight here.
Hide: Then let me get you something… *walks towards kitchen* I’ve not had anything yet, either.
Hajime: Alright *watches her leave. following her with his eyes before finally sitting down*
Hide: *comes back with a tray* Miso and onigiri *sets it down, and then sets a cup of tea down, and another cup in front of him* And I managed to find some of that “coffee” for you. *laughs, sitting down*
Hajime: Ah.. traditional as always Hide? But thank you for finding some coffee. *starts to drink the coffee first. * This is good… *smiles*
Hide: I guess I am rather traditional. Back home… Western things – it’s going slower, I think, than here… food, dress… It is good to try some of these new things… but as for coffee… I might just always prefer tea *smiles, taking a sip*
Hajime: Ah… yes I have figured that out already.. (thinks: like I’ve figured so many things) But yes… the west is quite a fad now in Tokyo.. Do you not like it?
Hide: *laughs* No, I admit to being rather fascinated by what the ladies wear… and some of the food is quite good – my sister-in-law was quite fond of Western sweets. You …. seem to have adapted more to some of it – this coffee, and your cigarettes… *smiles*
Hajime: Is that so? shall I buy some for you then? *pauses* oh.. the other day.. i left this at the precinct… http://contest.thinkquest.jp/tqj2001/40514/english/syurui_5.html
Hajime: *gives the package to her*
Hide: *takes it, unwrapping the package, looking at the, softly smiling while her eyes admire it, then looks up to him*. Oh, Hajime…. it’s… absolutly beautiful! *moves over to him, flinging her arms around his neck* Thank you…
Hajime: It took a while… Suma (thinks: Yeah not enough money..) *catches her a bit and runs his hand along the length of her soft arms* I’m glad you like it… *chuckles and looks up at her*
Hide: I do! *laughs* Clothes are my weakness, I guess… *kisses him, lightly, before sitting back down, still smiling* Shall I try it on for you?
Hajime: Let’s eat first… I don’t want what you prepared here to go cold. *smiles at her just watching… thinking… how much he loves her*
Hide: Yes, yes. *laughs* I guess I’m just like when I was little, and mother would bring me something new – I had to try it on -then- and show everyone. I was probably a rather obnoxious child sometimes. *takes a bite of an onigiri*
Hajime: (OOC: set away.. many people bothering me about shinsengumi)
Hajime: *Listens attentively as he takes the miso soup and sips a bit… just watching her* Ah.. I bet you did a little twirl too ne? *puts down the small bowl and smiles*
Hide: How did you -know-? *laughs, and just smiles… watching him for a moment, before going back to eating* I shall have to twirl about for you, ne?
Auto response from Hajime: I am currently away from the computer.
Hajime: Perhaps later… After you finish your onigiri… What’s in this anyway? *makes a face as if it didn’t taste good*
Hide: Salmon. I thought you -liked- fish. *gives him a -look-, but not able to really even pretend that she’s annoyed right now.*
Hajime: I do… I am particularly partial to salmon and tuna. *smiles* You really shouldn’t take me so seriously Hide.
Hide: *raises her eyebrows* Did I say that I did? *grins, then eats the last of her onigiri, before looking over at him, and saying, quietly* But I do like to keep you happy… remembering what you like…
Hajime: And I do appreciate -that-. (thinks: A lot… your kindness) *finishes his onigiri and miso soup* But is it? Breakfast is the most important meal… *looks up and hands her his bowl and plate*
Hide: Yes… *takes their dishes back to the kitchen, comes back, picking up the kimono* If you will wait a moment, I shall commence the twirling about…. *laughs*
Hajime: *shakes his head before finally looking up* Hai hai! Hime-sama… *smirks and takes a cig lighting it up*
Hide: *comes back out after a few minutes, walks in front of him, and spins around* I -quite- like this one, Hajime. *smiles* Thank you…
Hajime: I watch her as she comes… I already know how wonderful she looks in the kimono. The tone of her skin is a striking blend with the silk. She spins around like a little child and I take a moment to admire her. She had -always- been beautiful but again there is an innocence I cannot quite place. “I didn’t know what color to get. So… Can you tell me why you like that one? We can always return it and get something you would like better.” *looks up at her smiling*
Hide: No, no… this color is lovely… you have excellent taste, Hajime. *laughs, leaning down to kiss him, and sits down next to him.* Don’t you dare try to return it!
Hajime: *decides to put out the cigarette in a nearby ashtray* I’m not quite sure it matches you… I shall have to gatotsu that old man… *chuckles* (thinks: I don’t think anything would be good enough for you…) *takes her hand and wraps it around his*
Hide: No, no, it’s -perfect-. Don’t you dare hurt that old man! *laughs* And I will be very upset if you rip this one… *squeezes his hand*
Hajime: *Turns to her abruptly his eyes burning a bit… but they soften as he contented himself with squeezing her hand* “No.. I shall no longer rip your kimonos. Hime-sama would want herself a -decent- man after all.” *softly laughs*
Hide: *quietly* Hime-sama has herself a -decent- man. *looks at him a long moment, looking in those amber eyes, bringing her hand to his cheek*
Hajime: (thinks: not really…) If you insist HIme-sama. *takes her hand and lightly kisses it and brings it down before turning to watch the light from the window* Do you like sunrises? You should go out and visit the flowers outside… They bloom in the morning.
Hide: I do insist. *smiles* Yes… it is quite lovely there in the morning… *takes his hand, standing up.* Come, let’s go look… *leads him outside*
Hajime: She drags me… Like a child drags her parent. I grin just a bit… A bit amused at her. We’re outside again… I particularly like being -outside-.. .Where we are not bound by walls all the time. I stand by the samurai orchids she loves so much… “These were your favorite ne?” I touch the petal slightly, and although being out here is something I really want… Oh well.. things aren’t always how we would like it to be… nor how we thought it really was.
Hide: I nod, “yes, even though I have to fuss over them so… ” smiling, I pull him over to the bench to sit next to me. For a moment I look at my garden, and at the sky as it starts to change to morning light. I rest my head against his shoulder, just -happy-… enjoying the moment… a beautiful morning, a new kimono, and Hajime by my side. I look up to him and smile. “A most fine morning indeed.”
Hajime: You shouldn’t fuss so much… Because what would happen if they withered? *Taking her hand again I inspect it… Soft.. but with some rough spots… I shall need to remember these hands.* And yes… It is… a good morning. *I do not turn to look at her.. I just focus on her hands… How they’re small enough to disappear into mine.*
Hide: “Well, I fuss with all hope that they will survive,” I answer, as he plays with my hands… almost as if memorizing them. What a strange thought. Instead, I look back out at the garden.
Hajime: “Survive? ah yes… your writer does like that.” I follow her gaze… but do not find anything in particular that could be catching her attention. “what are you thinking?” I ask nonchalantly.
Hide: “I think… my writer is learning the difference between surviving and thriving. If … she does her ‘safety’ nonsense, yes, I’ll survive.. but leave me here… there is risk but… also great opportunity.” I look back at him, and then at our hands, still together.
Hajime: I must be slow in the head… I did not understand half of the things she just said. Narrowing my eyes on her hand, I let a finger play atop one of the callouses right below her index finger. “Can you… clarify.. about leaving you here… risk and opportunity?” It’s too bad… the sun just rose and I’m not particularly interested in seeing it.
Hide: “It goes back to old discussions I had with her… ” it is strange, in a way. “But…,” I smile, “I convinced her that I knew best what would make me happy…” it is then I squeeze his hand, and bring it to my lips to kiss the back of it before lowering it back again, my fingers tracing the lines there.
Hajime: “Perhaps you didn’t understand… I am asking… where and when you are leaving… you did say leaving…” I’m not really sure why I’m asking this. Perhaps I know something she does not. Ah yes… That is correct. Turning her face towards mine, I try to once again remember the hue of her eyes.
Hide: I frown, looking down… oh, I’ve -worried- him. “I am -not- leaving… that was something of the writer’s, a while ago. Not. Leaving.” I say, empathizing the words. “I am not going -anywhere- away from you. Please… don’t -think- like that. It’s all… stupid writer nonsense, not… not what it is between you and I.” I shake my head, looking away. “Writers. What problems they cause,” I sigh.
Hajime: I lift up her face… To look again in those dark brown eyes. I shall have to remember them… To never forget her. I should smile for her as -usual-. I promised her that didn’t I? Or did I promise myself? “It doesn’t matter Hime-sama. Whether we part ways or not. It should not matter for you are a -strong- woman and you know that I shall -always- love you.”
Hide: I wrap my arms around him, my face in his chest, “and I shall always love you… but I want to have hope for us… I can be strong without you but I would rather be strong -with- you, Hajime.” I close my eyes…. taking in the smell of him, mixed with the smell of the gardens.
Hajime: Her words are a comfort… It is what I had wanted to hear… That she will be -strong-. Not that I didn’t doubt it… I already knew this undeniable fact a long time ago… That she is beyond me and that inner strength did not need a column. This time… I draw her face up… This time I really did smile for the woman I love so much. Yes I understood everything before I even came here. I just wanted to see her first thing in the morning because it will be a long day. As I stare at her face, those soft lines and that red lips. I promised myself not to do this but… I find myself bending down slightly to taste her one more time.
Hide: His smile… the true smile, not the one with his eyes closed… it always has the power to make me believe, make me hope… his lips meet mine, and I respond to his kiss. Some kisses are for passion, about hunger… we have those, yes. But sometimes… it is about sweetness, and this great amazing thing between us.
Hajime: Those soft lips, the fragrant smell of her hair… Even if our tongues does not meet. It is enough for this wolf. I break the kiss and just look deeply into those eyes. I hope she does see the sincerity behind all this. Of my intentions towards her back then and until this moment. That she will understand why. Perhaps, I truly need her… No it is certain I need her. I need her so much it hurts to do this… But yes I learned from her to just be content for whatever there is… For what we had and what we won’t… Squeezing her those small hand in mine, i whisper. “Take care of your sister… Sayonara hime-sama.” I stand and let go of her. This day will be long indeed. Perhaps a little too long.
Hide: As he breaks away, and says goodbye, I watch him leave. *end scene*