I walk out with Makoto, Yukiko-san and Kinosuke-san. “No, you two go to the school, I’m going in the opposite direction.” I don’t think that horrid drunk will be up and about this early, and in the rain. And I have things to attend to… I can’t sit at home. I have a house full of people and myself to take care of, and to be ready for the day Hajime comes home.
I already left a note in Makoto’s bag that I would be coming by to talk to one of the headmasters today. I tip her chin up with my hand, “be a good girl today, okay?” I smile at her, and lean over, under her umbrella, to kiss her forehead. She smiles – she seems happy to be going back to school.
To Yukiko-san and Kinosuke-san, I bow, “thank you, I’ll be home later.” I told Yukiko-san this morning what I needed to attend to.
With one last wave, I turn and go down the road, to my first stop, the nearby doctor’s office.
(OOC – Hide is out and about)
I pass by a store selling glass and look into it, making sure my hair is just like so. You never know when one might end up meeting someone important. Straightening up I didn’t quite realized that someone was passing behind me and almost hit her.
“Oh I’m sorry.” I tell the Miss. Ah she’s not a “Miss” I see. For a moment I -think- I recognize her but it’s been many years. “You look very familiar, like someone I knew back in Kyoto. Many years ago.”
I smile slightly. It can’t be is it? Is this the daughter of the Yagi’s?
(OOC: I need to find a pretty boy icon. Sorry haven’t done that)
I’m making my way down the street when a man nearly walks into me.
You look very familiar, like someone I knew back in Kyoto. Many years ago.
I blink. He looks too young from anyone I’d know from Kyoto – aside from my family, my Kyoto is a land of old men and ghosts. “I’m afraid I don’t recognize you, sir.” I bow slightly.
She denies recognizing me but I’m sure I’ve seen her.
“You don’t sound like you’re from here.” I tuck a stray strand of hair into my ear and look at her more closely.
“Did you use to hang out with Okita-san back in the day?” I’m not overly tall but she is somewhat short so I bend down slightly, “Your father is the old man Gennoujo isn’t it?”
What man does that? My eyes narrow slightly as he almost backs into a woman. My eyes go -wide- and I almost stand up from where I’m sitting, spilling the cup of water the waiting girl left for me.
“Sir are you alright?”
“Yes I’m fine.” Slowly i sit back down. I need to get closer. What is she doing out here? This can’t be coincidence can it? There’s no way he’d know about Hide and I.
I can’t take my eyes of her. I haven’t seen her in what seems like years. My eyes go down and I notice her bump, slight but it’s there. I need to get her out of there…
Patience Saitou!
You don’t sound like you’re from here.
Really? “Tokyo is home now to people from all over Japan, these days.”
Did you use to hang out with Okita-san back in the day? Your father is the old man Gennoujo isn’t it?
He bends down to look at me closer and I take a step back. “Yes, my father was Gennoujo Yagi, but I’m still afraid I don’t recognize you.”
(OOC – Hide remains comically unaware of her accent)
Kano:
“Yes, my father was Gennoujo Yagi, but I’m still afraid I don’t recognize you.”
“I’m vexed Yagi-san.” I can’t quite remember her first name. I’m sure it will come to me. “You used to go out with us patrolling in the afternoons. And Okita-san would buy you mochi.” I laugh but I’m not really laughing. I don’t know why Okita-san spent so much time with her.
“I’m Kano from the first troop.” I bow. “Don’t you remember me?” Most men do remember me but she was the only girl in the compound. But I’ll say I’m much prettier than she was back then.
Hajime: I just watch them. Hide seems confused and takes a step back but he doesn’t seem to be forcing her. I can’t hear what they’re saying so I go stand behind the noren. It’s better this way should I need to rush in.
My hand goes inside to grip my Katana just in case.
I’m vexed Yagi-san. You used to go out with us patrolling in the afternoons. And Okita-san would buy you mochi
He looks vaguely familiar but I still can’t place him – there were a lot of people in Souji’s troupe, and men from other, less-disciplined troops would come hang out to vie for attention from the famous captain who seemed so affable.
The atmosphere also attracted the “cuter” young men in Shinsengumi. There were always a couple buzzing around, and even as naive as I was, I had gained an understanding of what happened in a compound full of men.
And I was under a great deal of -threat- from Hijikata-san to keep them all at a distance.
“I’m sorry, it’s been so long.” I bow again, slightly. “I apologize that you remember me better than than I you.”
“But if you’ll excuse me, I have several appointments I must keep today.” I move to walk away. I’m too rattled after my encounter with that old man yesterday and then “Ryuunosuke” to extend any more politeness. I glance around – I don’t see any police this time.
“I’m sorry, it’s been so long.”“I apologize that you remember me better than than I you.”
“Oh it’s quite alright Yagi-san.” I smile and then -finally- remember, “That’s it your name is Hide, Yagi Hide.” I laugh, i finally -remembered-.
“But if you’ll excuse me, I have several appointments I must keep today.”
“Oh I’m sorry to have kept you. Would you mind if I walk with you then?” I stretch again just a bit, “It’s been a while since I’ve been to Tokyo and it gets boring just walking by myself.” I start to walk with her just smiling at most people passing by who are obviously staring. They might think Yagi-san and I are together but I don’t do -that-.
Would she really be that rude to send me away? Or does she have a secret? I -love- secrets. I follow her.
Hide looks around obviously searching for some escape. But it’s too early for me to get involved. I can’t leave them alone however so I keep following a ways away. I’ll be honest, I do want to see where she’s off to by herself no less. I should’ve told her to not go out alone but it’s too late. I forgot a lot of things when I left didn’t I? That makes me somewhat angry at myself.
But if Kano and her part ways, I -must- keep him within eyesight. He knows her now and I have a problem with that. I should’ve finished him off when I had the chance.
That’s it your name is Hide, Yagi Hide.
I smile, getting even more nervous. I don’t know this person and he knows me. “Ah, there you know more than I again,” I smile, keeping my voice light.
Oh I’m sorry to have kept you. Would you mind if I walk with you then? It’s been a while since I’ve been to Tokyo and it gets boring just walking by myself.
Like that preening man yesterday… “I’m afraid it’s not going to be very exciting, I have a medical appointment.”
People are looking at us and… of course there’s not a police officer around to assist with another -lost- man. I keep walking resolutely forward, it’s only up in the next set of buildings.
Yagi-san doesn’t send me away.
“I’m afraid it’s not going to be very exciting, I have a medical appointment.
“Oh.” I feign ignorance at her “condition”. She’s likely going for the pregnancy. “It’s alright I do daily walks anywhere and everywhere most mornings.”
I could make small talk about her baby bump but I decide not to. I’ve always been uncomfortable when women start having those -things-. Besides it’s much better not to have those things tie us down.
She keeps walking and stops in front of a medical building. “It seems you’ve gotten to your destination Yagi-san.” I bow, “Thank you for allowing me to accompany you.” And now that I know one of your secrets, “I hope we meet again.”
(OOC: Hide-san can direct Kano to an exit)
Hajime:
They go to a medical building. I -see-. I’m glad and much more so as Kano makes a superfluous bow indicating he was leaving. I’m tempted to let Kano leave and follow Hide inside but he may come back. I could stay here and wait for her, that way even if he did come back I would know and it would be -safe-.
What are you thinking ahou?
I just stand there just looking at her. Hoping I’m far enough not to be seen.
It seems you’ve gotten to your destination Yagi-san. Thank you for allowing me to accompany you. I hope we meet again
I nod and wish him well, watching his back as he goes down the street.
I stay inside the entrance for a moment, and looking out and seeing that he’s -gone-, I wait back against the wall by the door, under an overhang. I need to compose myself before I go inside or they’ll think I’m having a medical emergency and that’s the last thing I need today.
Next door I notice that it’s a little tea garden. Closed now, due to the hour and the weather, but I peer over and see that there’s a little wall, under the cover of a roof. Maybe there’s a place I can sit and rest for a minute.
There is. I sit on a slightly dusty bench and lean back. It’s started to rain again.
I’m trying so hard I take a shaky breath.
She’ll be fine. She’s with her doctor. She’s doing what she’s supposed to do.
“Sir are you alright?” A nurse comes over. I shake my head. No. Not really. “Ah, sorry I thought I saw a woman earlier. Short stature, brown eyes, expecting… I must’ve missed her.” I shake my head, “If you see this woman can you tell her a wolf came by?”
This nurse will think me insane. But what’s the chances anyway she’d get my message. Nil.
I run out. I cannot lose Kano. I might still be able to catch him.
(OOC: Saitou exits)
After a few minutes I’m calm, and I leave the abandoned tea garden, and walk back over to the doctors.
The nurse in front looks me up down. “There was a a strange man just in here, looking for someone he described looking like you.”
I tense back up – did that man come in here?
She continues. “He said something about a wolf coming by? Strangest thing. Tall, dark and handsome, but a little odd, what with that comment and that hair of his,” she chuckled. “This place attracts all types.”
I go pale. a wolf?
“Ma’am, Ma’am, are you alright?” She gets up from the desk, but I shake my head. I go back over to the door, but I only strangers on the street, dodging rain.
I don’t smell cigarettes.
My mind spins, and I’m trying to connect the events of this morning. But then a movement brings me back to here and now. A sharp bump suddenly reminds me that someone else needs me right now. I place my hand on my stomach, as if to calm the child. That its okay, its mother is okay… and its father?
Dazed, I return, I say, “I have an appointment with Doctor Kobayashi. My name is Yagi Hide.”
(OOC – done for tonight)
Ah, Yagi-san, you and the child are doing well, you’re both where I’d expect you to be at this point in your pregnancy. Keep eating well, and please get out of the house to take a walk, and make sure you find time to rest. I’m certain you’ll find this second time easier than the first, most women do. I’ll see you in a month to check your progress.”
By the time I leave, the rain has stopped again. I make a stop to get one item, and then walk home. Unless their plans have changed, the rain is keeping the builders away and Yukiko-san and Kinosuke-san spoke of going to the new, Western-style “shopping arcade”.
I could use a little time to myself. A wolf…
I get home without incident, thankfully. I don’t know what I’d do if some weird stranger bothered me again. I enter the house, and go to sit out on the engawa, in back, overlooking my favorite part of the garden. It’s something, you fool. Be glad that you got that.
I take the time to go over the rest of the morning – that strange, aggressive man? His purported connection to the Shinsengumi make me nervous – I know through my brother not all former members retired quietly or found a useful place for themselves. Some are petty criminals, and I’m sure some are worse – there’s no doubt a market for the skills they learned in the Shinsengumi.
I truly don’t remember him – I’m certain he was a part of -that- one group, given his mannerisms, and I remember there was sometimes annoyance at the little intrigues that went on – I was never privy to the details, of course. But there seemed to be something dangerous about him – in a different way than the man from yesterday.
Maybe this man is part of what Hajime’s working on? I must be -careful-. The last few days have shown me that. Only go out with Kinosuke-san, but the idea of having him escort me to the doctor would be awkward at best. Ah, I have a month to figure that out. Maybe he’ll be back by then.
I’ve been waiting for years, after all. A little more time is just that. It doesn’t make it any easier, knowing that, it’s just what it is. As I told Yukiko-san last night, there are many reasons that I can endure the wait for him.
(OOC – Hide will sit quietly watching the garden for a while, if anyone comes home she will interact)
Kinosuke;
Yukiko wanted to go home early so we do. I would’ve liked to stay a little lateR as we’ve not had time by ourselves. She seems to have had a lot on her mind but seems in a better mood after their “girls talk”. She’s in the house and I tell her I’ll follow but I spy Yagi-san in the garden.
“Hello Yagi-san.” I smile. “Would you like some daifuku?” I offer her a small package.
Hello Yagi-san. Would you like some daifuku?
Ah, someone’s home. It’s time for me to stop being misty and to take care of my responsibilities.
I stand and rise, accepting the gift with thanks and a bow. I’ve no appetite for sweets lately, but the daifuku I had bought the other day mysteriously disappeared.
“I’m glad you are both back before the children. Is Yukiko-san around? I need to talk to you both immediately.” I go into the kitchen and start a pot of tea, looking at the time – we still have a while before we need to go to the gates.
My eyebrows shoot up. “Of course Yagi-san.” I follow her into the house and bring Yukiko over.
I wonder what this could be about. Did that man with the cape came back? Yukiko mentioned something about him.
I prepare the tea and pour three cups
“I need to make you both aware of what happened today,” I take a sip of tea. “And I’m glad we have some time before the young ones are here.”
“Today I was on my way to the doctors office for a checkup, and I ran into another strange man.” I frown. “This one recognized me from Kyoto and claimed to have been a member of the Shinsengumi, of the first troupe that reported to Okita Souji.”
“I don’t remember him – there were many around at that time. But he was being very persistent and insisted on following me.” I shake my head, “I know that doesn’t sound so serious, but… I didn’t get a friendly feeling from him – he was persistant. And, if he was part of the first troupe, he is a very skilled swordsman.” I think back – he wasn’t carrying, but he had his haori draped over his shoulders. I didn’t think about it, assuming it was due to the rain.
I smile slightly at Kinosuke-san, “I’m afraid you’re going to be kept busy, escorting us around, as neither of us should go out alone right now.”
“I need to make you both aware of what happened today,”
OH… This sounds serious. Glancing at Yukiko, she has that –firm- look on her face. I clasp my hands together and pay attention.
he was being very persistent and insisted on following me.” “I know that doesn’t sound so serious, but… I didn’t get a friendly feeling from him – he was persistant. And, if he was part of the first troupe, he is a very skilled swordsman.”
I’ve only heard of the Shinsengumi in passing. And now Yagi-san is saying she’s being followed around by them?
“Aren’t most of them dead?” I ask. Yukiko looks at me as if I’ve just asked a –stupid- question. I smile sheepishly.
Yukiko interjects quietly, “Why do you think they’d follow you around Yagi-san? And who is Okita Souji?”
“I’m afraid you’re going to be kept busy, escorting us around, as neither of us should go out alone right now.”
“Oh that’s fine. Yamaguchi-san did ask me to.” I scratch the back of my head. This will make it easier, it’s hard to hover around everybody when they don’t really expect or want you to. That gun might be useful after all.
Ah, good, they’re taking me seriously. Hajime chose well in having them here.
Aren’t most of them dead?
I shake my head. “Of the leaders, yes.” I give Yukiko-san a look with raised eyebrows. “But of the regular members, there were hundreds, even more if you count those that joined the later iterations of the Shinsengumi as they fought in the last stages of the war.”
“There were also many internal disputes. It was a turbulent time and many were passionate in their beliefs. Some of these disputes exist even today – many a time my brothers have had to deal with those who want to discuss old grievances – and mind you, my brothers were -children- at the time.” And I know Hajime was caught up in those disputes – after all, he disappeared when Ito defected, only to come back with a different name later on.
Why do you think they’d follow you around Yagi-san? And who is Okita Souji
I shrug a little, looking down at my tea. “Well, I’ve been pestered before, when I lived in Kyoto – people who wanted to know about the past, complain about the past…” I sigh.
“Sadly there’s many who haven’t found a good path in the new era and are a shadow of their former selves. Others took the skills they learned and turned against the law.”
“Okita Souji was the captain of the first division of the Shinsengumi, who passed of illness before the end of the war. His skills were legendary, and to serve under him was a much-coveted position. We were close in those days, so his subordinates were used to seeing me around.”
I stop, and add. “I don’t know how much either of you know about my past, but when the Shinsengumi formed in Kyoto, they lived with my family for a time.”
Kinosuke-san is of course agreeable to being our protection.
She makes mention of her brother and the internal politics of the Shinsengumi and how her family is closely tied to it. I’m –surprised- at how deeply the ties go. Just the other day she spoke of the Ikeda event but I didn’t know she actually –lived- with them. A woman in a houseful of men but it seems she has special ties to this legendary swordsman name Okita? It’s these times that I wish my father told me more.
“Well, I’ve been pestered before, when I lived in Kyoto – people who wanted to know about the past, complain about the past…”
I wonder what the relationship is of this close ties with Okita. It may have something to do with why this person has interest in her. I should ask, but not while Kinosuke is here.
Kinosuke seems happy? I heave a slight sigh. He’s finally going to make true on his promise to Uncle isn’t he? I know he worried that he wasn’t doing enough. I can’t help but look at him softly.
“Yagi-san, did the man tell you his name?” I ask simply.
I catch a tender look from Yukiko-san to Kinosuke-san. Ah. I had told Eiji-san they didn’t seem “lovey” but it’s different for every couple.
Yagi-san, did the man tell you his name?
“Kano – that’s all he told me.” I shake my head, “again, I don’t know the name. He’s short – not that much taller than I, with longer hair. A… pretty sort of man.” I don’t know how innocent Yukiko-san is of that sort of situation, but hopefully Kinosuke-san gets the idea.
“He was in traditional dress. He wore his haori draped over himself, so I don’t know if he’s armed.” Swords may be banned but too many get away with it.
I rise and start to gather the tea things. “I need to write to my brothers to see what they know – Kinosuke-san, could you stop by the post office? I’d like to send it express – it’s quick – not as fast as a telegraph but more secure.” Besides, telegraphs are shockingly expensive.
“Hmm. Such a non-descript name.” I tap my chin. “Pretty though? Ah he’s one of those called a bishounen?”
“He was in traditional dress. He wore his haori draped over himself, so I don’t know if he’s armed.”
But why would a pretty boy be armed? Well maybe it’s a cover. I’ve been told a long time ago that women just knows certain things and if Yagi-san thinks this man is someone to fear, then I Kinosuke will make sure there is nothing to fear.
“I need to write to my brothers to see what they know – Kinosuke-san, could you stop by the post office? I’d like to send it express – it’s quick – not as fast as a telegraph but more secure.”
“I’m stopping by the telegraph today.” I have much to tell Yamaguchi-san, “I can do the post office or the telegraph, if you need it sent fast the cost is of no consequence.”
(OOC: you can direct them to a close if you want)
“I thank you again for your assistance,” I bow. I really am grateful to the both of them.
I leave the kitchen for the tatami room, where I can write a quick letter.
(OOC – close. Letter will be posted separately)