Tsutomu:
Finally! Schools done! I shove my things into my bag including the book that Kai gave me.
I took this from my dad’s room! Make sure you read it and give it back by Thursday!
Why?
I told you. It’s his bible! He’ll be back Friday so I need to make sure he doesn’t miss it.
Does he read it everyday?
Yeah… Maybe… Just make sure you get it back to me before Friday!
Fine… I’ll give it back on Thursday.
Don’t read it in class. It’s taboo… It’s on Part II.
I can’t take a peek?
No! Not here! When you’re alone.
Fine!
Feh. I’m sure it’s fine if I… I look around the dojo, or the make shift dojo and I’m alone. Carefully I open the book just slightly I look at the title Kama Sutra Tips for Well-being. What? Part I The attainment of virtue, wealth and love. I skim through the pages and it’s a lot of words about a man being a citizen, then about the kinds of women a man associates with. I skip those parts, Kai said, Part II. “On sexual union” Chapter 1: Embrace. Touching, Piercing, Rubbing, Pressing… It’s a lot of words! But… I read on and find #3
When lovers lie on a bed, and embrace each other so closely that the arms and thighs of the one are encircled by the arms and thighs of the other, and are, as it were, rubbing up against them, this is called an embrace like “the mixture of sesamum seed with rice.”
Is that what they were doing? Or #4
When a man and a woman are very much in love with each other, and not thinking of any pain or hurt, embrace each other as if they were entering into each other’s bodies, either while the woman is sitting on the lap of the man or in front of him, or on a bed, then it is called an embrace like a “mixture of milk and water.”
It must’ve been the former. He’s not capable of #4.
Reading a bit more I’m surprised that there’s so many ways to embrace! With the thighs, the lower body, the breast, the forehead… Disgusting!
Can I really finish this book in a day or two? I don’t know but I replace it back to my bag. I’ll have to take it home and read it from there.
Looking out the window it’s not too late but soon it will be dark and I still have to find my way to that Kamiya dojo so I run downstairs, out to the school yard and out the school gates. Pulling out Makoto’s map, it’s clear enough. She did a good job past the Akabeko. I’m not too familiar with the market and past the bridge but that’s why I had her draw the map!
Why is it that when it comes to them I can’t speak to her? And yet I know I hurt her when I shut her out of that part of my past. I’ve wanted to go to Gonohe for many years but I suppose so much time has passed that going back there would only fan old flames and hypocritical on my part. Or perhaps I’m just a coward unable to look the past in the eye… But I cannot let this devolve similar to back then, when we could no longer talk about Tokio. Somehow I must find a way to not turn my back on the one most precious to me, when all she asks for are simple things like a name.
I’m so deep in thought that I almost miss my son run out of the school gates. I curse just slightly and throw the cigarette butt away. And immediately but carefully trail him. I’m not too worried, a boy like that wouldn’t be able to lose me even if he tried. Although, it’s odd that he started late. I wonder what kept him?
I stop by the end of the bridge and catch my breath. It’s almost dusk and I’ve now passed this area 3 times. I’m so tired I drop both my hands on my knees and take deep breaths.
I guess the map is only good up until this bridge after all? But I might never see that man again…
I stand up. I -must- perservere! Even if the sun is almost down, if I can just speak to them for an hour… I should still be able to get back in time.
Stupid! You haven’t even found the place!
Shaking my head, I refuse to be deterred. I walk, this time taking the opposite, a right instead of a left and a left instead of a right. As I walk the streets everything looks the same. Long expanses of walls… And shuttered residences. My heart starts to sink.
I would’ve followed him 3 times over but that foolish son of mine kept taking the wrong turn. A few boys carrying shinais pass by and I call one over.
“Hey boy. Do you want to make a little money?”
“Sure!”
“There’s a lost boy carrying a bag. Just wait for him by the Sumida bridge. Has wavy hair. He’s looking for the Kamiya dojo.”
“Oh I know where that is!”
“Oh? How come?”
“There’s this really pretty dojo instructor there, Kaoru-san!”
I look at the boy and stymie a scowl. When did one’s looks ever became a good basis of kendo instruction?
“Just help him get there. Don’t tell him I sent you. Just say the same thing you told me.”
“Sure the pretty dojo instructor!”
I sigh, “Yes. Once you’re done, come back here and I’ll pay you.”
“Yes sir! This is great! I get to work with a cop!”
“Sure…” I look at the boy surprised. It’s rare that we of the police are not accused of some nefarious intent. This boy actually thinks well of the police? I think back to the documents that Kawaji has been handing around as essential reading to our new recruits. “Run along, otherwise you’ll miss him.”
Tsutomu:
That boy was sent by the gods! Well… I’m just glad that I spotted that boy with the Shinai. After all, it makes sense that he’d know were the Kamiya dojo is. I didn’t say much about Kaoru being pretty though, but she -is- intriguing, after all you don’t see much women like her able to handle a weapon. My own mother handled a naginata much harder to wield but today…
I stand in front of the gates and call out!
“Kaoru-san! Kamiya-san! Anybody?!”
I hope that man with the cape is here. I’d try to feel for his ki but I’m so tired I don’t think I’d feel anything.
(OOC: This would be a good time to meet Tsutomu. I’ll be playing Hiko and likely Kaoru. Other kamiya dojo residents or frequenters are free to play)
Hajime:
After sending off the errand boy, I quickly make my way back to the Tanuki’s dojo. I watch with some trepidation, wondering if I’m doing the right thing, just letting him walk into that disagreeable lot. But I know if I interfere, he’ll never find what he needs or worst, find what he needs and not believe in it. A good man would’ve told him the truth. A good father would’ve stayed with his mother to raise him. . I was neither so I stay in the shadows, leaving it up to fate what happens tonight.
(Kenshin)
Kaoru-san! Kamiya-san! Anybody?!
It’s getting late, and Kaoru-dono is putting our Kenji to bed for the night. This one is glad his mother’s here tonight; he doesn’t pull her hair!
But who could it be? One of the students? Those boys are always forgetting things… I smile as I walk to the gates and start to pull it open – these children of this new era, with carefree lives… but they’re good students of the Kamiya dojo, and committed to learning Kamiya Kasshin-ryū.
It’s then I -feel- something. Unguarded “ki”… and I’ve felt it before. It’s one that has an echo of one I’ve felt many times before – and it could only be his son. Oro! What could he want, and at night? And if he’s here, could his father be far behind? I try to feel for Saitou’s ki but can only feel the boy. So he’s either alone or his father is in hiding…
“Ah, good evening, young man. If you are looking for Kaoru-dono, she’s busy with our son right now. Could this one help you?”
Tsutomu
The gates open and I expect Kaoru-san but just my luck…
“Ah, good evening, young man. If you are looking for Kaoru-dono, she’s busy with our son right now. Could this one help you?”
I suppose I have no choice but to deal with this man. He’s my 2nd purpose anyway.
“I want to speak to…” I think of the name, “I think his name is Hiko. He’s inside isn’t he?”
I peer behind him and think there’s light in the dojo.
“It’s late so if you can please make it quick.”
“I think his name is Hiko. He’s inside isn’t he?
Ah. Just as this one was suspecting, after the incident at the school.
“What is your purpose with my master?”
I look at the boy. “You were still a child when I saw you last, that you were. I came to visit your home, to see your mother, for I needed her help. Do you remember that?”
He resembles his father a lot, but I can see Tokio-san in him as well. Master waves me off when I did ask about her.
“What is your purpose with my master?”
“He was a friend of my mother’s. I wasn’t free to talk to him back there but I’m free now.”
Why isn’t he letting me in?
“You were still a child when I saw you last, that you were. I came to visit your home, to see your mother, for I needed her help. Do you remember that?”
“Not particularly… We had very few visitors.” I think back, I remember the one they called Okita but this man… I look at him directly and remember what Myoujin-san and Eiji-nii were speaking about. “Why did you come to our house? Eiji-nii might remember you, he was old enough then.”
Let’s see how much he gives up and how long he makes me stand here.
He was a friend of my mother’s. I wasn’t free to talk to him back there but I’m free now.
I nod. Master is somewhere around the house, probably at his kiln that he built at the back of the bathhouse.
Why did you come to our house? Eiji-nii might remember you, he was old enough then
I smile. “This one remembers Eiji-kun.” I think back to the small boy I met, long ago at Shingetsu village. “But I went to visit your mother for her help – someone I knew, who needed help… your father held something important. So I went to your mother to bargain for something precious of hers to trade -”
It’s then I hear a “wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee” and my son comes streaking by. “I’m not taking a bath tonight!”
But he’s… naked. “Did you run away from your mother, Kenji-kun?” He ignores me and looks at our visitor with a smile of recognition.
“Hey! I know you! Did you bring Makoto-chan to learn kendo -finally-?”
I scoop him up – he’s fast but I’m still faster, and I’m rewarded with a tug on my hair. “No fair!”
Tsutomu:“But I went to visit your mother for her help – someone I knew, who needed help… your father held something important. So I went to your mother to bargain for something precious of hers to trade -”
“So it was true…” I mutter under my breath and look as he scoops Kenji. This man caused the rift between Chichi-ue and Haha-ue. My fist forms a ball but I leave it on my side.
“Hey! I know you! Did you bring Makoto-chan to learn kendo -finally-?”
“No. It’s too late for children like her.” I say and decide to step inside their yard now that he can’t stop me.
“I want to see Hiko.” I stare at him. “-Now-.”
Hiko:
I come from the back, just finishing one last pot. I had my sake and was planning on getting some rest in the dojo and I see my errant student and…
Ah! The boy!
“Come here young man! It’s dark and we can speak in the dojo.
I grin at my errant student. He can follow if he wants. Maybe he will learn a thing or two.
(OOC: Kenshin or anyone can choose to listen to Hiko and Tsutomu. They can choose to interject or or go on certain cues.)
(Kenshin)
Master shows up, and the boy is already glaring at me.
To my son, I say, “go find your mother.” I put him down, and he glares at me, but now that Master has presented himself… I’m not leaving the boy alone. I close the gate but don’t lock it – if -he- is out there, I’d rather he come in normally and not break through a wall.
Kenji-kun scampers off, and I can hear him calling out to Kaoru-dono and telling her about our visitor.
This one follows the others into the dojo, and lights a lantern.
Hiko:
I grin at the boy as he comes in and throws him a sitting cushion.
“Make yourself comfortable.” I tell him, “Your name is Tsutomu isn’t it?”
He nods and sit in seiza. I’m surprised but perhaps I shouldn’t be? His mother raised him likely just how others conducted themselves in the castle.
“How is your brother? I didn’t see him at school.”
“He’s no longer my brother.”
“Oh?” That’s a surprise. “Care to tell me what happened?”
“If you’re friends with my mother, wouldn’t you know why?”
“I haven’t seen your mother since 6 years ago. Is she well?”
“As well as she could. She’s in Aizu living with her family there.”
“And your brother?”
“He got adopted out.”
“Ah so you’re the only son now of the Fujita house?”
“Whatever’s left of it.”
I look at him. Remembering what his mother used to tell me about her children. They weren’t like her. I pour some sake onto my cup and look outside. It’s dark. I wonder how long this young man plans to stay here. Maa… I take drink.
“Errant student.” I look at Kenshin, “It’s dinner time right? Bring us some small plates.”
“Young man…” I pour him some sake, “Have you ever tasted sake? Here have some and tell me the taste.”
(OOC: Kenshin can come right back or not go and get food. Or make other commentary. LOL)
Tsutomu:
Sake! No one’s ever offered… I look at him a little wide-eyed and he grins.
“How old are you?”
“Fourteen.”
“My errant student…” He indicates the red haired man, “was barely fourteen when he tasted his first sake.”
“Try it but don’t swallow right away. Taste it and tell me.”
He gives me the cup and I look at it. I hesitate for a moment, thinking of what -he- would think. Well he doesn’t even know I’m here right now and he doesn’t really care. Does he? Suddenly I remember the tsuba that’s in my bag and that thing I overheard he told Makoto’s mother. But he would never tell me to drink with him, I don’t think so I go ahead and take a sip.
“It’s bitter.” I tell the caped man and put it down.
He grins, “It’s an acquired taste and a -man- must learn how to drink whether it taste bitter or not.”
“I came here to hear the story about you and my mother.” Not drink. I’ve seen my father drunk more than once. It was rare that he came home drunk but I saw him. Mother would try to lock him out of the house but he’d beat the door down. That was only a few years ago. I’ve yet to see him again in that state.
“Why is it important to you?”
“Because I’m the oldest son of the Fujita house.” And likely the only one left since my father, no -he-, abandoned it, even if his name is still on top of the family register.
Hiko:
“You’re direct. Unlike your mother back then who couldn’t say a word of what she was thinking.” I sigh, “She told me about you boys. That you weren’t at all like her.”
I shrug, “Maybe you’re more like your father?”
He shoots me a very angry look and I raise my eyebrow at him. He backs down. Good. After all he was the one who needed something here. Not me. I already got the information I needed.
“When did she tell you this?”
“More than 6 years ago, 7 years now, there was a lot going on here in Tokyo. Trouble was brewing everywhere and I suppose I was tired of being a hermit and so I came here. It was totally random that I met Sada again.”
“Sada?”
“Don’t you know? That’s your mother’s name before she became the lady in waiting to the princess.”
“You mean Teru-hime.”
I nod. “Well Sada, or rather Tokio was going around Tokyo in disguise. She seemed to have been looking for something or someone. I was very surprised at her state when we met each other again.”
I watch the young man a little surprised that he’s picked up the sake and started drinking it.
“What state do you mean?”
“She was very different from the last time I met her in the castle, before the war.” I look at the young man again and wonder, this boy couldn’t have been more than 6 or 7 and his brother much younger still. I suppose I never thought of it much, but when Sada came to see me or went out on her own where did these boys stay?
“Tsutomu. Back then when you were only 6 or 7, did you have an adult relative living with you?”
“No. Back then I had Eiji-nii-san. You can’t call him an adult, he was just 11.” He looks down on his cup that’s now almost empty. “Eiji-nii-san took care of us when Yoshi and I were left to the neighbors.”
“I see.” I reach over and pour him another drink, “Well your mother was needing help during the time and your father was in the police. I imagine that kept both of them away.”
He looks at me as if to say something but instead he drowns the sake cup. He has guts. I’ll give him that. Quietly I pour him another.
Tsutomu:
So mother thought Yoshi and I weren’t at all like her? Were we not good then? Were we bad children? Is that why when the red haired man came, she helped him instead? Maybe she wanted out of our house not just literally but figuratively as well? My father had already disappeared, even before the red haired man came. He would still fetch us from the neighbors, always wondering where mother was. But where was he? Mother said with his whore… Yagi Hide.
And why have I never heard him call her Sada? Were they not intimate? Did he not know mother well?
I’m listening to Hiko-san, suddenly he doesn’t seem like a bad man to me but I should still ask him.
“You kept seeing my mother correct? I look at him, “Why did you do that? Didn’t she tell you she was married? Or at least you should’ve known she was, after all she told you she had sons who didn’t seem at all like her.”
I can’t help but say this with some bitterness. So just like him, she must not have wanted Yoshi and I. And so it was so easy for them to get rid of Yoshi but as a first born couldn’t easily get rid of me. I take more of the sake. Suddenly I’m feeling a little hot. It must be because I’m angry.
Hiko:
His tolerance is low. Of course he’s barely a man.
“Young man. Watch what you say.” I smirk and take a swig at the sake jug. “It is true that there was something between your mother and I when she was younger. Your mother was being trained in the arts and I was contracted by the Matsudaira’s to teach the art of pottery in the castle. Your mother was beautiful and gracious and it’s true that back then I had thought about furthering our relations. She was bright and sprightly. Intelligent and knew how to get what she wanted.”
He looks at me with squinty eyes. I chuckle a little.
“But I am a Master Swordsman, better than anyone alive to this day and knew that in order to not tip the scales of battle, I had to leave the castle to not be dragged into their squabbles. And so I left the flower of Aizu behind.”
“My mother was a onna bugeishi. You know that she fought alongside Yaeko-sama? She fought the Imperialist army with her naginata.”
“Oh really?” I cup my chin, “But the Sada I knew, well Tokio in the courts, could only do poems, flower arrangement and calligraphy.”
“No the lady in waiting for the princess was required to…”
“Give her life for her Princess? But weren’t samurai men supposed to do that? In fact I heard of a story that Teru-hime herself wouldn’t allow a samurai to commit seppuku because he failed to protect the castle while it was under siege. If that was the princess, it’s highly unlikely that the ladies in her court were trained women warriors. Yaeko was quite famous in Aizu though as a woman warrior but she was not part of the court.”
He’s quiet for a moment and starts emptying his sake again.
“Well my father, the Captain of the Suzaku troop, fought the Imperialist and managed to secure the princess and her court and my mother inside the castle. That night they planned to escape by dressing up as men and father had mother cut off her hair and had her carry a wakizashi in case they were caught and had to fight.
Well this is an interesting story. I can’t help but be intrigued. “Oh and who was this Captain?”
“I told you my father! Back then he was known as Yamaguchi Jirou! He fought the imperialist from invading the castle while the Princess and my mother escaped at night time with Yaeko-sama.”
I shake my head, “I don’t know this Yamaguchi Jirou or the Suzaku troop. But you might be right, there were a lot of pro-shogunate forces in Aizu like the Shinsengumi, but when it was apparent the castle would fall a lot of them abandoned Aizu to go to the far north and create a new republic there.”
“You mean those dogs! The Shinsengumi! Yes! They abandoned Aizu. My father Yamaguchi Jirou separated from those dogs! Saying, it’s not in the spirit of Makoto to abandon Aizu now that it’s obvious that they were on the losing end. So he stayed to secure the castle as an Aizu’s Suzaku Troop Captain!”
“And who told you this?”
“My mother of course! It’s a well known story in Aizu of how my father and mother met.”
I shake my head, “As I said I’ve kept away from the war. Maybe my errant student would know more. After all he helped perpetuate the war, though he’d like to say he was defending the weak and completing the revolution.”
Staring at my errant student, I wait to see if this fool even remembers any of it. I’ve heard he fought the Shinsengumi, so he must know a little something about them or perhaps even this Yamaguchi Jirou.
(OOC: Kenshin should’ve known Saitou’s name Yamaguchi Jirou since Saitou used it fairly early on after the Goryo Eiji and they fought several times in the battle of Toba-fushimi. If Kenshin had kept up with news of deaths, it’s likely he would’ve known about Yamaguchi Jirou’s supposed death at Buddha hall (a close quarter fight) due to a painting done by a former Shinsengumi Nakajima Nobori.). He might even know that it’s unlikely Saitou was inside the castle at all. Up to you.)
(Kenshin)
This one is quiet as I listen to master and the boy. Master is being… serious, so I let him do as he wishes. It’s obvious the boy wants to -know-, irregardless of what that knowledge will bring to him. And I remember those days, years ago. This one… meddled a lot, then. Marriage and the scattering of my friends, and then my Kenji… Kaoru-dono has been good to help this wanderer find peace.
But it sounds as if Tokio-san didn’t have peace, then. I think back to that time, at her house.
I don’t even object at the drink, but if the boy gets really bad… well, Eiji-san will be at the Akebeko, and I can get him to get the boy home, unless of course Saitou’s actually around here somewhere. I know where he lives – I found the map when doing our son’s laundry, but it’s best that this time, I do not darken his door. It would only worry Kaoru-dono.
The conversation turns to those days in Aizu, and Master is looking at this one. “This one knows of what happened, yes,” I start, looking back at my Master. “Saitou Hajime has had many names, and the one at that time was Yamaguchi Jirou – he used that in Kyoto, at the end.” The split within the Shinsengumi caused relief but concern among my comrades. Would the wolves be left leaderless? Or would lone wolves be even more dangerous? I close my eyes as I remember those bloody days. “He was a strong swordsman, and we fought many times, then, and never to satisfaction for either. And the Shogunate forces fell back, further and further north, to Aizu. I heard that ‘Yamaguchi Jirou’ was among them, the only one of the three strongest still with the Shinsengumi. It was said that he died, fighting in the Buddha hall.” Sano’s old friend did a good copy of a painting said done by a witness. I smile a little, opening my eyes. “But, obviously, that was incorrect, but until the day he came to the dojo, ten years after the war, I thought he was probably dead.”
“But by the time that happened in Aizu, there was very little of the Shinsengumi left. This one knows little of it, except that it was said that Hijikata-san, the then-leader of the Shinsengumi, and Saitou, quarreled but parted on good terms.” We did have our spies up there, but at the time, other than a curiosity about my old opponents, I didn’t take much interest. I had done what I could, in the name of the revolution and protecting the innocent. It was time for this one to wander.
Kaoru:
Mou it’s late! Thankfully I was able to get Kenji to sleep. I heard Tsutomu-kun was here and I’m worried that he’s left with Kenshin and Hiko-san! I’m concerned those two will make things worst between me and Yagi-san and Kenji and Makoto-chan.
I head straight to the dojo and open the doors wide open. Oh they’re talking seriously…
Hiko-san at his time in the Aizu court and Tsutomu-kun about the meeting of his father and mother. The stories are so lofty, it’s almost impossible to believe.
I stand just off to Kenshin’s side as he recounts what he remembers from the past about the Shinsengumi and then the fighting up North with Yamaguchi Jirou, who he confirms is Saitou. But then he tells them this man had perished in the fighting in Aizu until Saitou revealed himself again in our dojo. Alive.
Hiko:
I watch as my errant student recounts the past. Staring at him intently so he feels the foolishness of the decisions he’s made in the past. Of course that was a time of war and I’ve already helped him get through some of his guilt. But his biggest weakness was his meddling ways and today the product of that meddling is in his dojo. I wondere if he realizes that. That even a single meeting can have long lasting repurcussions?
“So there you go boy. Apparently this Yamaguchi Jirou was rumored to have died but he’s alive.”
“My father uses Yamaguchi as his name today.” He looks down and drinks some more. “None of what that red haired man said disproves that my father didn’t secure the castle, protected the court and helped them escape.”
“Maybe but it seems like your notion that the Shinsengumi were dogs is incorrect. As my errant student said, that man Yamaguchi parted with the Shinsengumi’s leader Hijikata on good terms.”
“No.” He glares at Kenshin, “He’s wrong. Who in their right mind would accuse the other of such despicable behavior and yet part well. That simply stupid!”
“It sounds to me boy, that you have to go to the source.” I pour him one last drink, “We already gave you everything we know. You need to find the courage to confront that man you call your father.”
“He’s NOT my father!” He shouts at me. Obviously he’s had a lot to drink. “That man abandoned us!”
I sigh a little, this young man is starting to lose his composure.
“Tell me Hiko-san! Were you the one mother was seeing behind my father’s back? You were the one she cheated on him with?!” He leans in and glares at me.
“Cheated with?” I don’t smirk or smile. “I told you before be careful with what you say -boy-. During that time and up to today, I can easily have my choice of women. Women fawn over me. I don’t make it my habit to involve myself with married women, especially one who has completely lost her self-confidence.”
“My mother did not…”
“She did. She desperately needed an ear and would seek me out and steal away from your home to meet with me and yet could never open her mouth to say what’s on her mind.” It’s now my turn to take a swig at my sake, “She never thought she’d see me again and said she missed us. But I didn’t respond.”
“You… are you saying my mother had thought of…”
“Maybe.” I shrug, “You say I made your mother cheat, for a man cheating is different. It’s more physical. For a woman, it’s much easier, all she has to do is feel she wants to be with someone else other than her husband. And as I said, I never seeked her out.”
I can see he wants to answer, fight back but instead he puts his sake cup down and cast his eyes to the side.
Maybe I should add more sake to make him feel better? It doesn’t look like he’ll be going anywhere.
(OOC: Kenshin can try to intervene. Kaoru will likely insist for her to bring the kid home. It’s late like past 11PM.)
This one lets them talk – it’s obvious the boy has been carrying a lot. But where have his parents been? It’s then this one realizes that I’ve yet to face this with Kenji – my past, and what he will hear, how he will interpret it…
But by now this boy seems to be intoxicated, and Kaoru-dono is here. I smile over at her, a little. What things we find ourselves in!
I stand. “That’s enough. Tsutomu-kun has had enough sake for one night, and it’s getting late.” Enough that I worry that he won’t remember it and will be back here -again-. To the young man, I say, “you will have a terrible headache in the morning, that you will.”
It’s too late now to find Eiji-kun at the Akebeko, I fear. I try to feel for Saitou’s ki but he’s gone or hiding… “Excuse me,” I say, getting up, and I go out to the gates, opening one side.
“Saitou, if you’re here – it’s time for your son to go home,” I call out into the summer night.
Kaoru:
Kenshin smiles but I give him a -look-. Why did Tsutomu-kun get so intoxicated! Kenshin and I will have a talk later!
“That’s enough. Tsutomu-kun has had enough sake for one night, and it’s getting late.” “you will have a terrible headache in the morning, that you will.”
“It seems you still haven’t realized haven’t you errant student? You’re as much as responsible for that young man being here as any of us.” Hiko stands up with his sake and looks at the boy one last time and then to Kenshin as if telling him, you’re as much as an idiot as this drunk boy is.
Kenshin takes Tsutomu who tries to shoo his hand away but Kenshin’s still bigger than he is so he slings him over the shoulder.
Following them outside, Kenshin calls out and a shadow moves. Not wanting the two of them to meet I go beside Kenshin.
“Hey Kenshin, please go inside. I’ll take care of Tsutomu-kun.” I look at him with slightly pleading eyes. I don’t want Saitou to see him, although I know he likely has and I don’t want Yagi-san to know Kenshin was involved anymore than was necessary.
I move Tsutomu to the gate and go in front of Kenshin just outside the gate.
(OOC: Kenshin can decide to leave or not and hear the conversation of Kaoru and Saitou.
Hajime:
The Battousai came out. Of course he would. I drop my cigarette butt to the ground. How many hours has it been? At least 4? Maybe 5?
I watch as a figure comes out of the gate and I’m slightly surprised it’s the Tanuki. I would’ve much preferred her husband. But slung on her shoulder is.. My son!
Immediately I go out and meet them. He’s… I frown and give the Tanuki a -look-.
“What happened in there?”
“He was with Hiko and Kenshin. You know how Hiko-san can be.”
“Tch. Didn’t you people realize he’s just a child?”
“Apparently he doesn’t think so.”
I take Tsutomu and put him on my back.
“If you wanted to really know what happened inside, why didn’t you come in Saitou?”
“Nothing good would happen out of that. You of all people should know.”
“You’d fight him again.”
“If I had a reason to.”
She smiles suddenly, “Maybe you won’t.”
“That’s not for you to decide.”
“I can -hope-.” She bows her head, “Please tell Yagi-san I’m really sorry about this. And that I’ll see her again soon.”
“I’d rather you not go meet with her.”
“I think she would want me to. She doesn’t have a lot of friends here and we have a lot in common.”
“Stubborn girl.”
With that, I watch as he turned his back on me. His son on his back. I’m reminded of what Yagi-san said that one time we visited.
(OOC: You can reply here to close the thread or simply reply close.)
So he was there… and it’s wise of Kaoru-dono to take over handing over the boy. Saitou was probably in no mood to see me… nor I him.
(OOC – Close)