After convincing Hajime to swap his damp boots for a pair of his brother’s shoes (I did not want around on a January night in wet shoes!) I started on dinner, with Makoto helping out by carefully fanning the boots by the firescreen. ? Going back upstairs as everything simmered together, I went to tap on Yukiko-san’s door. ? “Will you come have dinner with us?” ? Although, if she won’t, I will bring her something on a tray as I did lunch. ? Even stubborn people need to eat.
?
(OOC: Hide will wait for Yukiko to respond)
Dinnertime
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There’s a tapping on my door. I rise from my bed having fallen asleep earlier. Looking out the window, it’s already night! Quickly I put on my slippers and open the door.
“Sorry Yagi-san. I drifted off to sleep.” I say sheepishly. I can smell something downstairs. It smells good. I wonder if she already cooked? “I’m so sorry Yagi-san.”
Oh my, she need not apoligize so much! I smile at her. “It’s nice to nap away a winter’s afternoon,” I tell her. “Did you have any lunch?”
I stand aside so that she can walk with me down the hallway and down the stairs. “Hajime has gone out tonight, so it’s just us girls. Although I think we tired Makoto out so she won’t be up too long.” I laugh softly. “We took her down to pay respects to your family, and then to the river. It’s so beautiful there, even in winter.”
“Would you like some dinner? I have the soup ready, I just need to give the vegetables a quick fry.” I saved enough of the fish to make a good broth and have a few slivers for each serving, along with some kamaboko. “Do you like udon? I made some fresh for our dinner.”
?EURoeDid you have any lunch??EUR?
“Oh I haven’t been out of that room since you left.” I say. Then she tells me that uncle is not around. That’s -odd-.
“Do you know where uncle went to?” I ask of course because I’m -worried he might’ve gone to the Suzuki’s. He never went out at nights before when he used to visit, content to just be drinking with father.
?EURoeDo you like udon? I made some fresh for our dinner.?EUR?
“I think I’ll just have the udon soup. I’m really not hungry.” As we go downstairs I see Makoto by some boots. Oh yes they did go to the river. I look around wondering what time it is. “Yagi-san, how long since uncle left?”
>>Do you know where uncle went to?
I shake my head. “I do not, Yukiko-san.”
>>I think I?EUR(TM)ll just have the udon soup. I?EUR(TM)m really not hungry
I smile at her and lead her to the table. “Please, do eat,” I tell her, pouring her some tea. “I hope you won’t mind me about in your kitchen, but I do love cooking.”
She asks again how long Hajime has been gone. “He left… hmmm… not that long ago. I was just beginning to get dinner ready. I suppose he has people to see here.”
I prepare her a full serving. “You didn’t have lunch, please have dinner so you don’t become ill.” I sit down next to her after serving Makoto and myself. I add, in a soft voice, “please trust your uncle. I do not know where he is this night, but you know he only wants to take care of his brother’s only child.” Poor dear, she seems so worried, and no wonder…
Makoto then pipes in asking for a story. I grin at her, she’s too forward sometimes but I like it she speaks her minds about her wishes. “I too, would like to hear about your family.”
Yukiko-san comes downstairs. “I’m drying Chichi’s boots, since he got them wet for me.” I giggle. “Oh, oh! We saw lots of fishes, and turtles! You have the best river here.”
She keeps asking about where Chichi went, why doesshe seem upset? “Yukiko-san, if he’s not back before I go to bed, will you tell me a story?” I bet she has all sorts of ones that Okaasan doesn’t know. Maybe she can tell me about my family!
I wonder if she knows my brothers?
I have brothers!
I’m really surprised as Yagi-san was able to make some udon soup, there wasn’t much to make in this kitchen since we’ve not gone to the market yet. “Thank you.”
please trust your uncle. I do not know where he is this night, but you know he only wants to take care of his brother?EUR(TM)s only child.?EUR?
I’m tempted to tell Yagi-san that uncle hardly involved himself with the family but I keep quiet. It seems Yagi-san does not know much about him. I wonder, how much does she truly know? Taking a spoonful of soup I take a taste. Oh it’s quite good even with simple ingredients! “This is wonderful Yagi-san. I’m surprised you can make udon so tasty. Usually I’d need quite a few spices and ingredients to get the right taste.” I wonder however if Kinosuke-san thought my udon was any good?
Kinosuke…
Suddenly the little girl starts to giggle and I look to the side where she’s eating.
?EURoeOh, oh! We saw lots of fishes, and turtles! You have the best river here.?EUR?
“Yes the townsfolk here use that river for food. In the mornings, some would sell their catch at the square by the shrine.” The little girl seems -happy- so I smile back at her.
?EURoeYukiko-san, if he?EUR(TM)s not back before I go to bed, will you tell me a story??EUR?
“I don’t know much stories Makoto-chan.” I close my eyes and smile. “Only stories told by my father when I was a little girl.” I still remember those quite well, they were stories yes… but I didn’t know until later, they were stories of my mother.
Quietly I sip the soup. The time seems to pass by so slowly… I hope Kinosuke is alright.
She eats and I’m glad, but says nothing about my statement about Hajime.
>>This is wonderful Yagi-san. I?EUR(TM)m surprised you can make udon so tasty. Usually I?EUR(TM)d need quite a few spices and ingredients to get the right taste.
“Thank you.” I bow my head slightly. “I would be happy to show you what I did – there’s many ways to make a nice meal, even with a few ingredients.” I smile. “When I was your age, we had a houseful to feed, so my grandmother taught me not only to cook when there are many at the table, but how to make good food simply.” Perhaps these are part of the “lady-manners” she spoke of needing?
She seems distracted…. her mind is nowhere near this house. And that closed-eyes smile! I wonder if that runs in the family? “Perhaps I’ll be pressed into story duty tonight, then,” I laugh.
With our dinner eaten, I begin to clean up, saving leftovers for our breakfast. “One fish can go a long way – there’s still some left – if we chop it fine, along with some of the vegetables, we’ll have some good onigiri with our miso soup in the morning.” I wonder when we’ll need to leave?
“Remember, Makoto-chan, you have a big day on Monday, so you need to rest well tonight.”
She smiles up at Yukiko-san, “I’m taking a test, and then I’m going to school!”
?EURoeI would be happy to show you what I did – there?EUR(TM)s many ways to make a nice meal, even with a few ingredients.?EUR?
“I would like that.”
Yagi-san laughs. It seems Makoto-chan likes stories quite a lot. Getting up, I help in cleaning the table.
?EURoeRemember, Makoto-chan, you have a big day on Monday, so you need to rest well tonight.?EUR?
“I’ll take her outside to get washed up.” I say and look at Makoto, “If you need to use the outhouse before going to bed I can come with you.” I smile slightly at the little girl. I can’t tell stories but I can at least accompany her. For now, since I can’t really do anything perhaps I’ll distract myself… For now.
“Thank you for dinner Yagi-san.” I say and go to the door waiting for Makoto. There is a kerosene lamp that I light up and hold up to the now dark backyard.
(OOC: Makoto can come or not)
I help Okaasan clear the table, just like we were at home.
>>I?EUR(TM)ll take her outside to get washed up
“Thank you, Yukiko-san.” I take her hand as we go outside – I’m not scared of the dark! I just don’t know where I am. And she did get a lamp.
“Yukiko-san, you make the same face as Chichi does sometimes.” I guess that’s what family makes. Sometimes Okaasan says when I’m “stubborn” I look like her Otousan.
Then I think about something. “Yukiko-san, do you know Eiji-san too? He came to visit us the other day, he’s something like a brother too.” I still don’t understand that. Maybe someone will draw me a “chart”, like when Okaasan talks about her family. I smile at her. “I like him a lot.”
?EURoeYukiko-san, you make the same face as Chichi does sometimes.?EUR?
“I did?” I don’t remember scowling… That’s the only face uncle makes that’s “distinctive”. “I’m sorry Makoto-chan if I did.” Closing my eyes, I try to smile for the little girl.
?EURoeI like him a lot.?EUR?
“Eiji is a good boy.” I say as she washes up. “But don’t call him a boy, I don’t think he’ll like that.” How old was Eiji? Wasn’t he around my age? Maybe a year younger. “He used to stay here for a while. So to me he is also like a brother.”
Sitting on the edge of the well I think back to those days. Uncle brought Eiji here and left him for several months and when I asked what was the matter, he only apologized and said something about Tokio-san not feeling well. But if that was true, then why didn’t uncle bring his other sons along with Eiji?
“Eiji isn’t really his son. He was the younger brother of a policeman who used to report to uncle.” I frown a little and adjust the lamp since it was dimming a little. “I heard his family passed away suddenly and so Eiji was taken home to Tokio-san. He’s really a helpful boy, I mean young man, he would often help father chop wood when he stayed here. He also helped me cook. You should ask him to make rice porridge sometime, he is very good making that.”
Getting up I show her the outhouse and leave the kerosene inside so the inside is well-lit. “I’ll guard the door.” I say and stand outside.
She smiles with her eyes closed. “That’s the -same- face, Yukiko-san!” But I don’t know how, it’s not a happy smile.
I wash myself good because I know Okaasan will check. And Yukiko-san tells me about Eiji. I like it when people tell me things! I am little but I’m getting bigger…
“Who’s Tokio-san?” That’s not a name I’ve heard. There are so many people now!
“I don’t know if he will make me rice porridge. I think he has to go back to the military soon.” I frown. “I really wanted to play with him, too. But he works hard, I bet.” He’s a lot like Chichi, even if Eiji had another family.
I go inside the outhouse, this was like back in Ito. I finish fast because even with the light, it’s still a stranger place than it was earlier today, and come back outside. Yukiko-san may not like being out in the dark either.
“Oh you mean my smile?” I suppose it is a little odd.
?EURoeWho?EUR(TM)s Tokio-san??EUR?
Suddenly I’m tongue tied. Earlier I tried not to let Tokio-san’s name slip but everytime Uncle is here I remember his wife, who was not too kind to my father. I frown slightly. “She…” I pause and consider my answer carefully, “she took care of Eiji and uncle’s two sons.”
?EURoeI don?EUR(TM)t know if he will make me rice porridge. I think he has to go back to the military soon.?EUR?
I’m glad to hear this. He always told me someone said to him that he better grow up to be a great guy. It seems like he’s succeeding. I nod.
?EURoeI really wanted to play with him, too. But he works hard, I bet.?EUR?
“He’s a hard worker. He used to tell me that he didn’t mind taking care of Tsuyoshi and Tsutomu when they were younger because then he felt like he was helping Fujita-san.” I make use of that name since it’s what Eiji used to call him.
Makoto-chan finishes faster than I had anticipated. Taking the lamp from her I close the door to the out house. Maybe she is scared of dark places. My father used to tell me spirits would come talk to him while he was using the toilet. Of course that’s just an old story of his but it sure scared the hell out of me and Tsutomu.
“Come Makoto. Let’s go back inside.”
I lead the way.
(OOC: You can direct them however you wish. Yukiko will probably excuse herself to bed soon.)
>>Oh you mean my smile?
I nod. “With your eyes closed.” I hold her hand as we go across the garden. “Is there something you’re not smiling about?” I don’t really understand that smile, but one time, Okaasan told me a real smile was one that went all the way to your eyes.
>>She… she took care of Eiji and uncle?EUR(TM)s two sons.
I see her frown. Maybe Chichi will tell me later. She also calls him Fujita-san. “Fujita-san is the name I use when I have to pretend.” I say.
It’s getting colder and now that I can see the nice lit-up windows of the house and Okaasan’s shape, I grin up at Yukiko-san. “Race you back!” As I run, I think maybe we might have time to play in the morning? She’s nice but seems sad for a reason.
Makoto and Yukiko-san come back. “Thank you for taking care of her.” Makoto can be a bit skittish in strange places at night.
“I’ve left all of the breakfast things ready, and something on the back of the stove for Hajime,” I tell her. This is her house, after all, but it seems so natural to put on an apron and see what I can help with.
I look out the window to the front gate. I do hope he’s back soon… I look at Yukiko-san, I’m sure she must be worried about just -where- her uncle went.
“Yukiko-san, if you can show us where we’ll sleep tonight, I would appreciate it. After we get the bedding out and Makoto to sleep, would you like to see my embroidery? I’m afraid I can’t instruct tonight, I lost my only needle I brought with me in the carriage.” I smile over at her, and add in a lower voice, “you would probably like to stay up for your uncle as well.” I can’t image him being too late, if he went to speak to the man we saw earlier.
?EURoeYukiko-san, if you can show us where we?EUR(TM)ll sleep tonight, I would appreciate it.
“Oh you can sleep in Uncle’s room.” I say and lead them upstairs. I stop by the room I was in earlier, where Aunt Katsu used to stay to get some beddings for the futon that was already rolled at the corner of Uncle’s room. “Here you go. They smell a little of wood, but these are clean.” I say and start rolling out the futon.
After we get the bedding out and Makoto to sleep, would you like to see my embroidery? I?EUR(TM)m afraid I can?EUR(TM)t instruct tonight, I lost my only needle I brought with me in the carriage.?EUR?
“Oh I’m sorry Yagi-san but I’ll have to pass on that tonight.” I smile slightly. “I appreciate the offer but I think I will just turn in early.”
Truth is, I do want to stay up for Uncle but he’s not the one I want to see… I watch as Makoto gets under the covers and I dim the lamp on a low table across from her. The sooner I get them to sleep, the sooner I can find things out for myself. It’s already so obvious what Uncle did. I just hope Kinosuke didn’t give in.
“If you need some more pillows and blankets, there’s some extra ones in the room down the hall.” No one uses that room anymore, Grandma used to stay in that room and for a while so did my father. It is a nice bedroom with a good view out to the street.
“Goodnight Makoto-chan.” I nod at Yagi-san, “You too Yagi-san.”
(OOC: Unless stopped Yukiko will go downstairs to her room)
Chichi’s room! I wonder if he left toys in there. Or… little Chichi clothes.
I try not to giggle. I can image Okaasan as a little girl, she’s small anyways. But Chichi!
Okaasan gets me a futon ready. It does smell like wood but it’s a nice smell. It smells -nice- out here anyway, like outdoors.
“I had a nice day today, Okaasan,” I tell her, and I smile over at Yukiko-san. “I am happy to meet you, too. You’re my first cousin I’ve met.” I yawn and Okaasan kisses me twice, once for herself and once for Chichi. I pat her knee…
I yawn…. “Goodnight…” Fishes and turtles…
(OOC: Makoto is asleep)
Uncle’s room? Makoto and I must have exchanged a -look-. True, it’s been years since he used that room, but still… I notice Makoto giggling. What is she thinking of?
“I’ll be downstairs for a while, it’s still rather early,” I smile at Yukiko-san. “If you can’t sleep, please come join me, a nice cup of tea sometimes helps.” I let her go downstairs first as I watch Makoto sleep, and I touch her soft hair. Yukiko-san has the same hair, perfectly straight and a dark, inky black. Different eyes, though… perhaps from her mother?
It’s too bad that there are other things going on. I would like to get to know this young lady better.
I go downstairs, and while checking on Hajime’s dinner, I make a pot of hot water and find a cozy to keep it warm and the floor safe, and pour a cup to make tea, while I get our my embroidery in the main room, under the light of a small lamp. I may not be able to stitch but I can organize my work better that got tangled during the trip… and think about all of the little items that I need to make.
(OOC: HIde will remain downstairs for a while.)
I didn’t really expect Yagi-san to -not- stay up until Uncle gets back. Still I stay in my room to ponder some things. I’m sure this will keep me awake all night but I think making idle chatter with someone will just make this night go longer than necessary. Should I meet with him then? When? How?
(OOC: Yukiko is lying awake in her room where the light is dimmed as if she was indeed sleeping)
Making my way down the same old streets was -not- a problem even if my vision is slightly affected. I should’ve eaten more and drank less, but I must say I got what I wanted. I grin like an idiot and let myself in the house. Suddenly my eyes focus and for a moment felt myself thrown back in time. How many times did I go home in a drunken stupor? Many… -Many- times. Standing straight I clear my head slightly before opening the shoji door and see Hide sitting down fussing at something.
“Are you an old woman now that all you do is needlework?” I say with a grin on my face. I look her over as she sits there, lovely as ever.
(OOC: Saitou is tipsy)
>>Are you an old woman now that all you do is needlework?
I look up at Hajime as he enters. I grin up at him. “It’s a good way to keep one’s hands busy,” I say, looking closely at him. “And with you gone, I didn’t want these hands to be -idle-.” I reach up to brush back his hair.
His walk is off, as are his eyes… I rise. “Hajime, I have some dinner waiting for you in the kitchen,” I say, coming closer to kiss his cheek. Sake… perhaps the conversation went well. “I’ll be back in a moment.”
I use some of my precious reserve of coffee to brew up a cup, dark and strong, as I get his share of dinner ready. I find a tray and bring it back to the main room, and sit next to him, . “Makoto-chan is already asleep, and Yukiko-san has retired for the night.” I won’t say she’s sleeping because really, I doubt that she -is-. “How was your evening out?”
?EURoeIt?EUR(TM)s a good way to keep one?EUR(TM)s hands busy,?EUR? I say, looking closely at him. ?EURoeAnd with you gone, I didn?EUR(TM)t want these hands to be -idle-.?EUR?
I just grin at that. “They’re certainly not idle now.” I say and was about to catch her hand but then she starts talking about dinner and then disappears. With a sigh I plop down to the floor and start to put away her things so there’s room. Doesn’t this room look so small already? I look up the ceiling. Smoke. Must smoke.
Before I could light one however, she comes back with a tray of food. I don’t really -want- food. I leave it untouched on the low table.
?EURoeMakoto-chan is already asleep, and Yukiko-san has retired for the night.?EUR?
“Ah that’s good.” I say and place an arm around her shoulder coaxing her come closer, then reaching over to nibble on her earlobe, “no hindrances then.”
She must’ve asked something else but I can’t remember what it is. I start to fiddle at the edges of her kimono. “No hindrances except for this…”
He ignores dinner, and I make a face. “You come back home and don’t want to eat your dinner…” I sigh. “Perhaps you went out to a soba stand tonight.” I push his dinner towards him. “Please do eat.” I slide my hand across his stomach. I grin slightly. “Or perhaps I should feed you myself? I don’t want your stomach rumbling while I’m kissing down…”
I scoot closer as he reaches out for me, “well Yukiko-san isn’t sleeping I believe. I think she’s worried about something…” I put an arm around his waist.
I lean up to kiss his lips, lightly, enough to get a taste, the sake is still strong on his lips. I smile over at him, and kiss along his neck. “Cigarette first? Then you can tell me about your evening?” I reach over to his pocket and pull out the pack, along with his matches, and light it up myself, handing it to him.
?EURoeYou come back home and don?EUR(TM)t want to eat your dinner?EUR??EUR?
She makes a face and pushes dinner towards me instead. I blink and move away from her but she puts an arm around my waist. Then pushes my cigarettes at me as if I didn’t know how to smoke myself. I take what’s offered, the coffee, food and my cigarettes. I might as well.
Then you can tell me about your evening??EUR?
“What for?” My answer came out clipped. So I just took a bite of dinner and immediately finish the coffee. What the hell… If she didn’t want to… Ah -forget- it.
Standing up I leave the half eaten food on the table but do take my cigarettes with me. I don’t wait for her, reserved to just go to bed with this splitting headache but I see my daughter is sound asleep in my room so I go to the room facing the front of the house. Sitting on the window sill, I smoke and watch the gates below.
His mood becomes less welcoming as I try to feed him, and ply his with cigarettes and coffee. At least he drinks the coffee…
It’s hard to refuse him… I swallow hard as he stalks upstairs, at the expression on his face. I recall another night of too much sake, how I refused him… and almost lost him.
I blink. No, Hide. -Now-.
I hear his footsteps upstairs, and I first peek in on Makoto, the only one in her room. I walk down the hall, and smelling the smoke… I enter the front bedroom. I stand next to him at the window sill, and put my arm around him. “Yukiko-san said, this was your mother’s room.” I kiss the top of his head.
I keep staring outside, suddenly the heat I was experiencing earlier is completely gone. I didn’t realize it was a rather chilly night. The sake must’ve done it’s work quite well earlier.
I hear footsteps. -Hers-. For some reason the event earlier was a rather sobering experience. Why I don’t know.
?EURoeYukiko-san said, this was your mother?EUR(TM)s room.?EUR?
“It was both her grandparents who stayed here.” I answer back. “Go to sleep. I’ll be with you soon.” Ah that came out rather dismissive. Bah… Who cares. Taking a long drag on my cigarette, I stare outside. There by the gates I see -him-. Such a loyal creature ne? He doesn’t even know if she’s still awake. I’m sure she is however, after all it was fairly obvious I went to see him.
I might as well keep the ploy that we’re all asleep. Let’s see what happens.
This room is a bit colder, or perhaps after a lovely warm day, January is beginning to remind us that it’s still winter.
>>Go to sleep. I?EUR(TM)ll be with you soon.
“I’m not sleepy.” It had been a long day but not tiring, oddly enough. Maybe it’s the feeling of being here… I move so I’m sitting next to him. I take his free hand, this time, and squeeze it slightly before lifting it up and kissing the back of his hand. I’m sorry for earlier, I think… it’s too bad I don’t have a cold bath to jump into tonight.
Then he stares intently out the window and I see a shadow by the gate… and as he steps into a patch of low moonlight, I see it’s the man from earlier. “Mmm…” I scoot back closer to Hajime so we’re not so obvious in the window. I wonder if his parents waited up for him, watching from this same window?
She insists that she’s not sleepy and I frown at that. Didn’t she just fend me off because she was tired? Or was it because we’re in a different house? I need to stop thinking about that. Everyone has off days… And yet she kisses my hand. For what?I don’t say anything however and just stare outside.
It’s taking a while and so I light another cigarette. Why doesn’t he just call for her? How annoying… It’s not like I will stop him. He -knows- what to do. Tch…
It must’ve been at least half an hour that we sat here in silence before hearing footsteps downstairs. Staying where I’m at I smoke slowly and watch as the entrance by the gate gets brighter. Yukiko slowly opens the gate as if to sneak away but Kinosuke grabs her from behind and places his hand on her mouth. I grin slightly at that. Lovers are indeed -idiots-.
They talk for a while and from where I’m at it’s impossible to hear what they’re talking about. I don’t need to know however since Yukiko suddenly starts getting agitated and I can half guess Kinosuke has just told her our plans to get her to Kyoto. She is shaking her head vigorously at him, suddenly beating his chest in a tantrum. I’ve never seen my niece like that. She was always rather calm, aloof like myself. For a moment I am worried that this might turn out -badly-, as women never seem to keep their heads and can be quite stubborn about these things. I frown and light another cigarette. It seems she’s started crying. I sigh and wonder if this -idiot- knows what he’s doing.
They sit on the curb with him patting her back. Just like a child to throw such a tantrum… Well Yukiko is still more like a child than a woman. Suddenly he embraces her and I crane my neck to get a good look. I frown as I see him cup her chin and kiss my niece. My neck bristles somewhat at that and more so when Yukiko places her arm around him. I grit my teeth wanting to go down there but instead I just puff harder on my cigarette. It doesn’t help as well that Hide is here.
Deciding I’ve had enough. I stand up. “Get some rest Hide. I’ll see you in the morning.” I pause only to see Kinosuke and Yukiko leaving. I debate whether to follow them.
“We leave tomorrow as soon as I speak with Yukiko. Goodnight.”
With that I leave Hide and go downstairs. I wonder how long -this- rendezvous is going to take?
(OOC: Saitou exits presumably to follow the two. Will start his own thread.)
She seemed so upset by whatever Kinosuke-san said… and then… they leave?
Hajime leaves and goes downstairs, no doubt to deal with Yukiko.
Dismissed, I go to the room where Makoto sleeps, unable to sleep myself, the events of this day and this night still on my mind.
(OOC: Hide is in this room, with the lights lowered but she is awake)
I finally return after being gone for about an hour. Deciding to wait upstairs, I was about to go back to the room at the front when I noticed the light still on in the other room. I stand by the door watching mother and daughter sleep. In all the times I’ve been with them, it’s the first time I saw them sleep together. It’s a wonderful sight to see.
For a moment I wonder if I should go to sleep myself. I could use a shut eye but perhaps that would not be a good idea. I must still smell of sake after all and she did not like that. I enter the room to turn off the lamp, it’s then that I hear sounds downstairs. Good she’s back. Maybe I can sleep in the other room.
(OOC: Saitou will exit to the bedroom up front unless something happens in this room)
I was half-asleep, fighting in and out of sleep and I notice…
I sit up and smile at him, even though the lamp is out, a pale moonlight streams through the windows. I stand, and put my arms around his waist. “Whatever comes tomorrow, you’ll need your rest,” I whisper. I bury my face in his chest, there’s still the scent of sake but he also smells of outdoors and night… I look up and in the low light from the moon that comes through the window. “But mind Makoto. She kicks in her sleep.” I smile, really, though, I think she’s running and playing in her dreams as she does when she’s awake.
?EURoeWhatever comes tomorrow, you?EUR(TM)ll need your rest,?EUR?
“You’re still awake.” I state with a bit of surprise. “I was just going to sleep in the other room since the futon here is small.” Of course I don’t tell her the real reason why. After all it was my fault for being inconsiderate.
?EURoeBut mind Makoto. She kicks in her sleep.?EUR?
Letting her go, I remove my jacket and place it on the table. “Oh is that so?” I never slept with our daughter before, I’ve only put her to bed. “I need to get us a carriage to take us to the train station in the morning. It would be faster and we can get home before lunchtime even if we start out a little later here.”
I’m sure I smell rather odd by this point so I decide to at least replace my shirt. Rummaging through the bags I find a clean black shirt and put it on. “Yukiko will not be coming with us. Kinosuke will bring her in a week. I heard them talking earlier.” Heard is really not the word for it, I spied on them. “I don’t think I’ll be back from Aizu by then.”
>>You?EUR(TM)re still awake
I just stand on my tip-toes to kiss him. “I didn’t get to kiss you goodnight.”
“Yukiko-san said that there was more bedding in the front room. I’ll go and get it, then we can share our sleep tonight.”
“Yes she does…” I grin. Thinking… he never has slept with both of us before, Makoto was always in her own room on her own small futon. I go quickly to the other room, and take a single futon, along with some bedding, and bring it back, and glance over at sleeping daughter as I arrange it. “She will be delighted to wake up next to you.” Just like her mother is… “You will get her ready in the morning so I can make breakfast? I promised Yukiko-san a cooking lesson.” And perhaps explain to her that this is not a punishment, but an opportunity…
He tells me about Yukiko-san’s plans, and I nod. I catch the word -heard-, but he’s a very observational man. “That’s fine, I’ll be able to get her a space ready so she feels at home, and then we can work together to get the room ready for your boys.” It’s also good to get home earlier, I want Makoto to rest tomorrow and I want time with Hajime… “It’s too bad, though, that she won’t be able to see Eiji-kun before he goes.”
Not wanting to think about how long he’ll be gone, I pull my hair down as he changes, my eyes lingering more than they should. “Let’s get some sleep, my ookami-sama…” I settle on the far side, letting him have the space between Makoto and I.
?EURoeI didn?EUR(TM)t get to kiss you goodnight.?EUR?
I smirk at her. “Don’t think you can make everything right with a kiss.”
She leaves to get more beddings and I do not stop her. It seems she won’t allow me to sleep anywhere else.
?EURoeShe will be delighted to wake up next to you.?EUR?
“We shall ne? She just might say I stink.”
?EURoeYou will get her ready in the morning so I can make breakfast? I promised Yukiko-san a cooking lesson.?EUR?
I nod and help her fix the sheets. “We’ll let Makoto sleep. She’ll need it since we will be traveling.”
She talks about preparations. I do think she’s over planning a little so I remain quiet. Yukiko will come that’s for sure but as for my sons, that’s a completely different matter. “Eiji visited the Battousai a few days ago. He doesn’t think I know about it. So if he wants to see Yukiko, he will on his own. Did I tell you that those two are like siblings? I had Hiroaki take him in shortly when you left since Tokio was having… fits.” I need to stop talking but I don’t. “But I took him back since Tsutomu kept asking about him.” The truth was even if the child was looking for his elder brother, I thought Eiji might do a better job buffering my son from the situation back then.
She gets on the futon and lets her hair fall. She looks beautiful with it down and I’m glad for the distraction. Laying down between them I contemplate whether to take her to the other room but decide against it. It’s very probable I’d just make her uneasy. I lie there staring at the ceiling hoping sleep will visit soon.
>>Don?EUR(TM)t think you can make everything right with a kiss
I grin. “Perhaps not -right- but maybe better?” With that I kiss him, slow and lingering.
>>We shall ne? She just might say I stink.
“Hmmm…” I snuggle against him and inhale. “Better than earlier. Cigarettes… night…” I close my eyes as I run my nose alongside his neck. “Perhaps even the moon.”
He tells me more of Eiji’s history, his family’s history and in that, some of the situations. “The Battosai?” Although, it is amusing if he thinks that Hajime wouldn’t know about it. But Tokio had “fits”? “It’s good they’re close, they’re about the same age?” But it really does show, what Eiji-kun brought to that family.
Laying next to him, noticing that he’s not even starting to sleep, what was stirred and denied earlier stirs still… settling close to him I whisper in his ear, “Hajime, will you take me out to the washroom? I don’t know if I could find it in the dark.”
Makoto is a heavy sleeper. I wonder if Yukiko-san is.
?EURoeBetter than earlier. Cigarettes?EUR? night?EUR??EUR?
Ah so it was the alcohol… “It was getting cold out.”
?EURoeThe Battosai??EUR?
I drape an arm around her, “Yes. Do you still remember him from -that- place?” I pause and mumble, “I still have a score to settle with him.”
?EURoeIt?EUR(TM)s good they?EUR(TM)re close, they?EUR(TM)re about the same age??EUR?
Looking down at her I nod slightly. “Hiroaki was a good guardian, the boy learned more manners here than he would’ve…elsewhere.” at home. I refrain calling that house my home, my home is elsewhere now.
Suddenly she asks to go to the washroom. If there was one thing this house needed it was one that was inside. A soft chuckle escapes me, “Afraid of the dark too?” I ask and help her up. Only children and -maybe- Hiroaki was scared to go there at night. Who believes in ghosts anyway? Certainly not me.
>>Yes. Do you still remember him from -that- place?
“He’s rather famous, I said.” He mumbles something about a score… I cuddle closer into his arm that came to rest around me.
I put the blankets around Makoto as I get up, she turns in her sleep, murmuring something about fishies, and then there’s the -kick-! “See, I told you,” I laugh softly.
>>Afraid of the dark too?
Taking his hand I’m quiet until we get outside, not wanting to wake Makoto or Yukiko-san. “Not a bit…” The night air has a bit of a nip to it now so I wrap my arm around his waist to be close. Getting to the bathhouse I pull him inside, it’s hard save for the moonlight coming through the small slatted windows that sit high near the roofline. Thankfully, the banked charcoal by the heater still puts out some warmth. “I don’t mind the dark… but you should hold me close.” Pulling him down to me, I nip at his lips before engaging him in a long kiss.
?EURoeSee, I told you,?EUR?
“She must have gotten that from your side of the family.” I grin, remembering another place where Hide had ruined all the sheets.
She takes the lead and I’m a little surprised at this. Didn’t she ask to be helped? What is this about? Without warning I’m pulled inside the bathouse.
“Weren’t you going to use…” I look at her confused.
?EURoeI don?EUR(TM)t mind the dark?EUR? but you should hold me close.?EUR?
Then she starts to kiss me. “Hide… What are you…” I don’t get to finish my sentence as she interrupts it with a kiss, a rather -strong- one at that. At once it becomes clear to my why we’re here. She’s trying to make up for earlier.
I place her so her back is supported by the wall. Claiming another open mouth kiss, I pull away. “I’m no longer angry. You don’t have to do this.” I kiss her cheek. “But thank you.”
>>She must have gotten that from your side of the family
I grin. “Her father is the -active- one.” I laugh softly.
He kisses me back, pushing me back against the wall, fragrant and smelling of cedar. For an outdoor bath-house this is a nice place….
>>I?EUR(TM)m no longer angry. You don?EUR(TM)t have to do this.
I look up at him. “Hajime, I know I don’t -have- to.” I smile. “I -want- to.” I nuzzle his neck before kissing up to his neck. “Why are you still so surprised by how much I -need- you?” My tongue flicks his earlobe before I begin to nip on it. “Although, I should find a better place to take my future husband for a late-night seduction than the bath house at his old home.”
?EURoeHer father is the -active- one.?EUR?
I would argue it but already have -proof-. After all she’d never believe it, it’s like trying to tell someone they snore. I just grin to myself.
?EURoeI -want- to.?EUR?
With that I’m showered with kisses again at which I’m just happy to oblige. My hand goes down feeling her waist and finally disappears behind her, settling themselves comfortably on her rear that was soft and well rounded. I squeeze it liking the way it bounces back full into my palm.
?EURoeAlthough, I should find a better place to take my future husband for a late-night seduction than the bath house at his old home.?EUR?
This time I bend down to nuzzle the side of her neck then up her ear. “Honestly Hide… I don’t care where we are…” Nipping the edges of her ear, I continue, “In fact I’ve always wondered about two things if we had been younger, whether I’d take you from right under your parents nose and risk getting hanged…”
I try to suppress a chuckle. “Or take you home -here- with -me- to the chagrin of my mother and mock disbelief of my father.”
Pulling away slightly, I feel something in me flicker. I wonder if my eyes show too much?
I grin to myself as his hand slide around to my bottom and I’m squeezed as I kiss him back, my arms going around him to pull him close to me.
I laugh, softly. “At least it’s a very nice bath-house,” I tell him, pulling his shirt from his waistband so that my hand can roam across his chest.
He mentions our younger days, and I smile at him. “When we go to Kyoto, you must sneak into my room,” I tell him. “Tamesaburo and Hanako-san’s is next one over, so you’ll have to be quiet.” Leaning up I draw him into another kiss, removing my hand from his skin to pull open the tie on my yukata. “Although, had we come here as young people, I probably would be dragging you out somewhere to be alone… and we would think we were very clever, but they would -know- and give us strange looks over breakfast.”
He pulls away a bit, and I look up at him, my face already flushed and my sleeping yukata gaping open, trying to read the look in his eyes in the dim light. I pull him back up and start to kiss him again, this time, softer, slower kisses, tender ones that allow my feelings as well as my passions show.
There are times when it feels like a lifetime has passed… and this is one of them. I have wanted to touch her before and from that moment till now time had stopped for us once again. I indulge in her kisses, slow and tender eventhough I know fully well I did not deserve it with the way I acted earlier… Aside from that I had missed -it- once again.
“Hide… Lets go where it’s more comfortable.” I say hoarsely. “Our space.”
(OOC: This thread is closed by the wolf. Suggested start of new posting is in Tokyo if one wants to post there prior to the Futaba school thread)