(Makoto)
I stretch out and it’s still nice and early. Since it’s warm, Hahaue said we could do a lot of gardening today – some of the trays of little seeds are now little plants and ready to go so they can feed us this winter.
So I get dressed and leave lazybones Tsutomu-niisan to sleep since he doens’t like gardening and I go down the stairs and I almost trip on Yukiko-san, who’s just sitting there.
“Good morning, Yukiko-san.” I look at her. “Why are you sitting there?” She looks all tired. I sniff the air. Where’s breakfast? Hahaue should have it ready for us so we can get to work.
After a couple of back and forths, I’m finally able to secure the house. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to stop any trains from leaving Tokyo. Not that I -could- without much headstart besides maybe they’re still here.
I let my eyes roam the entirety of the house. I always had a list of a few men of the sword police, those men that I knew their history and how to get to them. Not loyal to me but loyal to their duty. And they are stationed a couple in the back and couple in the front and a couple just outside, hidden but watching.
They struck when I was least expecting it, right after a mission and right in the middle of our problems. If only I came home earlier or didn’t let her leave by herself.
I shake my head and suck on the cigarette harder. It’s morning now and I go inside with only some tamagoyaki and taiyaki that I bought from a standing stall on my way back. Time to speak to them before I go.
“Good morning, Yukiko-san.” I look at her. “Why are you sitting there?”
I nod to Yukiko and head straight to the kitchen where I find Eiji.
“If the children gets hungry here’s some eggs and I could only find these taiyaki this early morning.” I look through the drawers, it’s well stocked with soba but who’d make the tsuyu. I look through the pantry there’s enough rice and there’s pickles. Finally I look at the ice box where I see there’s some milk likely enough to last another day.
“Eiji, did Yukiko tell you what happened?” I ask him.
“Yes otou-san. Do you think Yagi-san will be alright?”
“Of course.” I say grimly and close all the cabinets. “I’d like you to minimize going out of the house. So I’ll have someone deliver some dried fish and I’ll find someone at the hospital to bring some milk for Ai-chan every day while I’m gone.”
“Do you have any idea where they might have taken her?”
“No…” I take a long drag on my cigarette, “But a woman like that who’s only been to Tokyo and Kyoto and it’s only been a few hours. They can’t have gotten too far ahead.”
He nods.
“I want you to act normally around the children and help Yukiko with them.
“Of course sir.”
With a hand I hold his shoulders. “Thank you for always being there for us.”
Because I know just like Yukiko, I wouldn’t be able to do this without them. With that I go to the main part of the house and call out to Tsutomu who was still upstairs and bring Makoto by the hand to the main room of the house where the alcove is.
“Have a seat everyone.” I tell them and my children go in a file and sit before me, while Yukiko holds Ai-chan.
“Where’s Yagi-san?” My astute son of course is the first to notice.
“That’s why I called all of you here.” I look at them seriously but my eyes settle on our Makoto.
“Hide has gone missing. I believe she’s been abducted late last night.” I take a long drag on my cigarette, “I don’t know where she is but I -will- find out.”
I pause and tilt my head to the side. “There are guards outside. I know each of them but they are not to be spoken to. They’re main purpose is to secure the house. I want all of you to stay here until I am back. I will make provisions for food and anything else you may need. Eiji is in charge on those practical matters.” and I look at Yukiko, “Yukiko’s main job is to look after Ai-chan.” Then I look to my son and daughter, “You two will help by doing everything that Eiji and Yukiko says. You two will not be going to school until I come back but, I want you to keep studying at home.”
I ash my cigarette, “Tsutomu, you’re in charge of making sure your little sister studies and also, help her keep the house clean. I don’t want Hide to come back to a disorganized house.”
“Any questions?” I can’t help but just have a serious look on my face. I want to grin, show them it will be alright but I can’t shake the feeling that if only I’d done things a little differently she’d still be here unhurt.
Yukiko-san only gives me a funny smile and Eiji-san is there too! But then I have to go upstairs and I don’t know WHY but I do get to wake up oniisan which he never likes unless he’s up first and waking me up.
Then we go downstairs and everyone is there….
Where’s Yagi-san?
That’s who is missing… I just thought she was cooking of taking care of Ai-chan. I open my eyes wide – where is she? I then look at Chichiue he has to know! Maybe to the store?
That’s why I called all of you here. Hide has gone missing. I believe she’s been abducted late last night. I don’t know where she is but I -will- find out.
And chichiue is looking at me and … and all I can do is get up and fling myself on chichiue. It’s hard to listen to it all and I’m -scared-. Because doesn’t “abducted” mean taken? Who would take my hahaue?
Any questions?
He talks about how we can’t go to school or even leave the house! “Are you going to go get my hahaue?” I ask, looking up at him. He has to have the answers! I hug him tight and I can hear his heart beating very fast.
I thought Makoto was going to stay still but instead I find her clinging to me. She’s warm on this cold morning and I pat her back and hug her lightly back.
“Are you going to go get my hahaue?”
“Yes of course.” I tell her and hold the back of her head, letting her lie on my shoulder that’s still hurting. I turn my head and kiss her hair and then slowly release her. I put her in front me.
“I got you back remember?” Somewhere I find a smile for her. “I’ll get your Haha-ue back too but I want -you- to do your job too. Like help Eiji and Yukiko. Study and clean the house with Tomu. Alright?”
Slowly I stand up and release her hand. Placing my nippontou back to my belt. “I have to get a move on. So any other questions?”
The truth was I was just asking because I’m not sure if I’m -forgetting- anything. I’ve been told in the past I’m not as meticulous as I think myself to be.
(OOC: Makoto can post one more time or anybody and then Saitou will close this thread and go back to the precinct for the 3rd time to start an investigation.)
He gives me a great big hug and I want to feel nice and safe.
I got you back remember? I’ll get your Haha-ue back too but I want -you- to do your job too. Like help Eiji and Yukiko. Study and clean the house with Tomu. Alright?
He smiles at me… “Yes you got all of the bad men, chichiue,” I say, remembering. But I tug on his hand. “But be careful! They hurt you the last time!” What if I lose him too? Tsutomu-niisan is too young to take care of me!
I have to get a move on. So any other questions?
“How will Ai-chan eat without hahaue’s-” I’m not supposed to say that word or talk about -those- in “polite company”, which means just about anyone. Then I think! “Wait! I can help!” I pull of chichiue’s hand and go into their room and…
“It smells like her,” I say, stopping and looking around. Their room is always so neat… but then I remember I’m the big sister and I can help!
I go to one of the little doors in the wall, all the way on the bottom. “We had this in Ito! Because of typhoons, you would keep extra things, just in case!” I look at him seriously. “But she said, some of these are secret items!”
“She said, this can feed the baby, with just water!” I pull out a can, but the top is funny and very colorful! There’s a couple in here. “A samurai’s daughter is always prepared!” I tell him, because I’m one too, right? Then there’s several packets of “secret noodles” that are so pretty with the bright packages… and one long box. I smell it. “Oh! These must be supplies for you!” Those are his smoking cigarettes, of course!
“I’m going to be a good helper, okay?” I promise him. Maybe if I’m really, really good they’ll both be back here -soon- and -okay-. I have to hug him again around his middle and I don’t want to cry because that makes grown-ups sad too, and I don’t want to make him sad, because he has to bring hahaue home!
Makoto reminds me to be careful. But I’m all recovered from that. I don’t even remember where exactly…
“How will Ai-chan eat without hahaue’s-” “Wait! I can help!”
I’m pulled into the master bedroom and like my daughter I smell her mother, but I’m more keenly aware of her lost. She shows me items, supplies… Things not exactly from here…
“Your mother is right. You only put water on this.” I hold up the can. “There’s still milk for until tomorrow, so give to this Yukiko when that’s done.” I look at the noodles, “If you and Tomu are hungry go cook the noodles but a dried fish vendor will come with food supplies every Monday – I already told your Eiji-nii-san this.”
“A samurai’s daughter is always prepared!”
“Of course.” I pat her head and stand up. This saves me a trip to Kobayashi’s office to find a nursing mother. What a relief.
“Oh! These must be supplies for you!”
I look at the box of cigarettes. Always ready huh? One day I should ask her how much my vice is costing her. But for me to ask, I should get her back.
“I’m going to be a good helper, okay?”
“I know you will.” She hugs me and I realize she’s grown taller compared to the last time we’ve been at Hanafabuki inn. “I’ll leave you here and call Yukiko-neesan so you two can talk.”
Leaving my daughter, I let Yukiko into the room and tell them goodbye. In a hurry I go to the front door.
“Wait.”
I stop just outside. “Yes Tomu?” I don’t turn.
“Make sure you bring Yagi-san back for Makoto.”
“Of course.”
He sighs, “Don’t come back without her like you did mother.”
If he only knew, I didn’t even look for his mother. At least not after Tokio’s last letter demanding I don’t follow her again in the wilderness. I don’t know why I even kept that letter all these years in that damn memento box. I leave without a word.
(OOC: Saitou exits to start precinct thread)