This afternoon a package arrived… from Frau Susannah. Her letter read that she had heard that I was to begin physical therapy and she knew because the doctor was Austrian… she was right, they all do know each other. She’s sent over an outfit – the latest style from the West known as a “gymnasium costume”. I look at it. Well, it’s something… she said that the doctor’s wife said that there would be a place to change, and that I would do better outside of a restrictive kimono. I have to smile at that – they find kimono constricting but what of their corsets? And I’m glad of a place to change – I can’t imagine showing my legs outside, in this time. Too bad, they are nicely-shaped…
I can think of the “costume” when I leave the house tomorrow. The idea of an entire outfit just to move about in… that should amuse me, right? So that I don’t worry that behind every corner, or shadow…
Eating dinner with the family, even without Hajime, is a joy, as is seeing the children to bed. All four of them band together to keep me from climbing the stairs, so I have to say my goodnights at the bottom, but, ah well… another goal to reach for. To easily take the stairs.
And then I’m back in our room. I took Yukiko-san up on her offer to keep Ai-chan for the night. She’s started sleeping longer, after all, and I’m worried about the strength in my bad hand and what if I drop her…?
I try to settle down but I’m… antsy. It’s not unexpected that Hajime isn’t home – I’m certain he has piles of work to see to after being away for two weeks… but I can’t help but worry. Kato might be in jail, his mother too, but didn’t they have accomplices? People they could still send to do their bidding? And then there’s the fear of others, who seem to be able to slip in… what if…
Some tea… but in the kitchen I fumble with the matches to start the fire. Such a simple thing… but here I am, unable to make tea, having to let someone else watch my baby at night, I can’t even tuck in Makoto… and Hajime out -where-…. I feel my breath start to get away from me and sit down at the table, in the dark kitchen.
(OOC – Hide is in the kitchen)
Well I knew the night would get away. Not what I wanted but it couldn’t be helped. I go home once again to a quiet house where people are already past asleep but I should find something to eat so I go to the kitchen.
It’s dark and I’m about to turn on the lights and there sitting in the dark is a silhouette that I know well. “I thought you’d be sleeping by now.” I tell Hide and turn on the light. “Or are you trying to wait for it in a dark room?”
I head over to the stove where I see the partly open match. She was obviously trying to start a fire and so I casually do it. “I thought since you’re up we can have tea together.” I tell her and then light a cigarette. “Now do we have any snacks around here?” I say looking through the cupboards, “Something to go with the tea… Midnight snacking.” I grin and look at her, hiding my worries of course.
I thought you’d be sleeping by now. Or are you trying to wait for it in a dark room?
Seeing him, I get up and fling my arms around him. I close my eyes. “Ah, you’re home….” I lean up and kiss him, noting that he smells different. I sniff again. “Ointment?” I ask. But there’s something else to it.
But seeing him I calm down, if a little confused by the smell.
He starts the fire, easily, like anyone else can do. He offers tea, and snacks. “Midnight snacks… I keep a tin of senbei there – the children don’t touch it since it’s not full of sugar,” I say. “Or there’s rice from dinner – I could make onigiri,” I offer, wondering just how I actually would. But to feed him, I’ll try. There’s something about that grin…
I rub his back, lightly. “How was work?”
She greets me just a tad too eagerly and it confirms my worries. She asks about the ointment.
“Ah just some muscle soreness. Don’t worry.” I tell her and keep on with putting our tea together. I find the senbei snacks and put it on the table. She offers onigiri and I’m torn between letting her do it or not. She may not be able to and I don’t want to risk it.
“I’m not too hungry.” I say and sit down and she starts to rub my back.
I reach behind me and hold her hand. “Don’t overdo it.” I remind her but don’t stop her.
“How was work?”
“Ah well. A lot of problems…” I exhale a bit, “But I was able to convince Kawaji to let me change my schedule most mornings due to your therapy.” Kawaji’s not a generous man, so he has a reason why he said yes of course.
“Come sit and let’s have our midnight snack.” I tell her, “And then tell me what’s happened today.”
Ah just some muscle soreness. Don’t worry.
“How is your shoulder healing?” I ask. I lean up to kiss the place where I remember the bandages. “I’ll look at it, later,” I tell him. I grin a little, “we have -plenty- of that tiger balm stuff – we can apply ointment to each other and sleep stinky all night.” How alluring…
He turns down the offer of onigiri, but the crackers seem… paltry. “You didn’t have lunch here, and if you came home this late… you didn’t get supper….” I get out a bowl of rice, and put some of the fish from dinner on top, and from the jar I sprinkle on furikake. “Here… a bit deconstructed, but I can’t have you getting any thinner,” I say. After all… he has to stay strong. It’s a dangerous world, and he has to heal too.
I do get to rub his back, and I feel some of the tension leaving…
Ah well. A lot of problems…
“That’s wonderful news, thank you for arranging that,” I tell him. “But what other problems? Any news from Osaka?”
I sit down next to him, and while I may be a poor excuse for a housewife these days, I still pour his tea, and then mine. “Ah, well, I made sure that Makoto and Tsutomu-kun had their school things ready… I think they’re excited to get back to their lives. I paid Tsutomu-kun his allowance,” I say, thinking back. “And since Ai-chan is mostly sleeping through the night, Yukiko-san said that she could keep her a little longer at night. I hope it’s not too much for her…”
A man willing to break you- to take… your cooking skills and your ability to care for others by breaking your hand
I lean against his shoulder. “You’ve faced this. An injury… that takes from you what you’re best at. How do you deal with it, when it seems so far to go until it’s better, until you’re -back-?” I ask him. At least in this… I have someone who’s seen it.
I watch as she kisses that area and I can’t help but feel well with my Hime-sama.
“we have -plenty- of that tiger balm stuff – we can apply ointment to each other and sleep stinky all night.”
“Oh but the problem is -sleeping-. Do you really think we can sleep being stinky all night?” I lean in and kiss her lips lightly and let her go.
She catches me on my evasion about dinner and still puts together a bowl of food for me which I don’t protest much and receive gratefully. “Thank you even if you didn’t cook it.” I chuckle and put out my cigarette and start to eat.
“But what other problems? Any news from Osaka?”
“No news from Osaka. I don’t think we’ll know for a while.” I say in between mouthfuls. “Well I had some work pile up here and the usual request from Kawaji about Howard.” I shrug, “But i’m fending that off as long as I can.”
I think they’re excited to get back to their lives. I paid Tsutomu-kun his allowance,”
“I’m glad that they’re going back to school.” Taking a sip of the tea I continue, “But isn’t it too early for Tsutomu to take his allowance?” The truth was, I wasn’t sure if I was just feeling cash strapped what with my savings now in Aizu and of course -that- woman who is somewhat my charge. “You should ask him what he’s spending it for.”
I finish eating and she leans against me as I start a smoke again.
“You’ve faced this. An injury… that takes from you what you’re best at. How do you deal with it, when it seems so far to go until it’s better, until you’re -back-?”
“I never dealt with it well.” I chuckle, “You’ve seen it several times, remember a long time ago in Kyoto when I was shot?”
But then more seriously I add, “Sometimes it never goes back to the way it was and you just have to live with it.” But it was more of a comment for myself than for her, so I add, “But as for you – you’ll be back because you made me a promise.”
I sigh, “But you know, I don’t have you around just to cook, clean and take care of the people in this house. I doubt they’d think so either.”
Oh but the problem is -sleeping-. Do you really think we can sleep being stinky all night?
“Mmm… well, there are -other- things we can do if we can’t sleep… but if I keep you up all night, you’ll be dozing at work tomorrow,” I say, nipping back at his lips.
He eats the food and some of the anxiety that grips my heart lets go, a little. Even if I don’t cook it, he still needs to eat.
“I can’t remember, when, exactly, he had his allowance last. And… Makoto told me that that Midori-san stopped by… during. She brought treats for them – you know Tsutomu-kun is proud. He probably won’t like a girl buying him things,” I say, with a bit of a smile.
I never dealt with it well. You’ve seen it several times, remember a long time ago in Kyoto when I was shot?”
I smile at his chuckle. It’s a nice sound, when I’m leaning against him, hearing it rumble in his chest before it comes out into the air. “Yes, smoking and quiet and it’s all I can do to -seduce- you back to yourself,” I say, shaking my head.
But as for you – you’ll be back because you made me a promise
That is my promise… that the cane will only be temporary, and all that will be left are scars and memories, but no crippling. “That’s why we’re going tomorrow, after all. I guess you did something similar in England?” It’s then I remember the delivery today. “Ah, and Frau Susannah sent me an outfit – it has pouffy pants and only goes to my knees,” I say. “I suppose you didn’t have to use such fashions?”
But you know, I don’t have you around just to cook, clean and take care of the people in this house. I doubt they’d think so either
“It’s not -just- cooking, cleaning…” I smile, looking over at the empty bowl. “When my grandmother taught me to cook, she said, the two most important things were to treat the food with respect, for all of the hard work that went into it… and, that cooking should be an act of care. It’s not about just shoving food out at people. It’s… nourishing them. Strengthening them. And not just their bodies! For all of her broom-turning, she integrated Kanto food into what we served, thinking that maybe we could understand them if we cooked the food they knew.”
I look up at the smoke he’s making. “But I know.. one day the children will be grown, and gone. I’ll still have you to take care of,” I smile, and briefly touch his chest, where his heart is, silently -willing- it to give us many years. “I still like what you offered me once – me helping you at your work.”
but if I keep you up all night, you’ll be dozing at work tomorrow,”
“Well aren’t we supposed to go to your doctor tomorrow? I wouldn’t want to be late for that.”
I can’t remember, when, exactly, he had his allowance last. And… Makoto told me that that Midori-san stopped by… during. She brought treats for them – you know Tsutomu-kun is proud. He probably won’t like a girl buying him things
“That girl again?” I cup my chin, “But he’s never shown an interest in girls and if he is using the money for -that-, then it would be wrong. I wonder if Yukiko knows anything.”
Ah, and Frau Susannah sent me an outfit – it has pouffy pants and only goes to my knees,” I say. “I suppose you didn’t have to use such fashions?
Shaking my head I answer, “Nope! But pants that only goes to your knees?” I smirk amused at that, “You used to get angry at me for staring at the weasels legs and yet never show off yours… Maybe now I can gawk at it.”
It’s… nourishing them. Strengthening them. And not just their bodies! For all of her broom-turning, she integrated Kanto food into what we served, thinking that maybe we could understand them if we cooked the food they knew.
“And eventually did you understand them? Those “Kanto” folk?” Of course we all were from Edo. The men closely aligned with Kondou-san all took pride in their regional food. It was said Hijikata-san once even challenged a man who insulted Kanto noodles but I never could figure out which type of noodle.
“But I know.. one day the children will be grown, and gone. I’ll still have you to take care of,”
“Well if you can be patient like a Buddha, that is a long time before we get to kick any out of the house and from what I remember, we’re still missing at least one child.” I can’t help but chuckle at that.
“I still like what you offered me once – me helping you at your work.”
Slowly I ash my cigarette. I remember once we spoke about maybe one day she work at the precinct, we even joked about how she can wield a sword… But the use of women in the police has been dubious at best. Those like Saya was an aberration because the Kyoto police chief was truly a good man. But here in Tokyo? Where I can at a whim use any woman like Aioi for our own or rather -my- purposes… I could only look at Hide for a moment and only offer to her what I’m willing to. “Well I’m still going to need Kawaji off my back about Howard. So when you’re feeling a bit more confident and rested…”
(OOC – replying tomorrow)
I wonder if Yukiko knows anything.
“Or Eiji-san.” It’s probably silly, really, to think it’s due to a girl. He’s too young for that…
Maybe now I can gawk at it.”
“Gawk away, I have nice legs for a short woman, but they’re always covered here. So now here’s your chance…”
And eventually did you understand them? Those “Kanto” folk?
“Well Obaasan didn’t order the broom turned around until she lay dying,” I laugh softly, what a stubborn woman. “But we had all learned, long before that… that they were good men. -Complicated-, sometimes,” I say, kissing his cheek, “and after a while they learned to enjoy Kansai cuisine as well.”
we’re still missing at least one child
I grin. Another reason to get better…. as if I needed more reasons! I just scoot over to his lap and kiss him, playfully.
Well I’m still going to need Kawaji off my back about Howard. So when you’re feeling a bit more confident and rested…
Oh, -that- man… “If that’s what you need to help you – and I suppose I owe Kawaji-san as well. For keeping this house safe, letting you go do other things for two weeks…” I look at him. “What of your other case? The Tanaka one?” I hope that my situation didn’t leave that one unfinished.
“Or Eiji-san.”
“I’ll ask Eiji and you ask Yukiko then.” I say with a frown, “I’ve never known Tsutomu to have any friends except for that one boy Kai but I don’t know if they’re still friends. I never did return -that- book. If he’s asking for too much money or frequently, he may not just be spending it on sweets but…” I shake my head, there’s been reports of young men using substances of course.
She seems pleased when I spoke about her legs. I’m glad that she finds other attributes of her physicality wonderful aside from her hair. She kisses me as she speaks about our old friends and her grandmother.
“and after a while they learned to enjoy Kansai cuisine as well.”
“Well they better. It was a free meal for years.” I add. “The food at the Maekawa was passable but it was good to eat with the rest of Kondou’s group so I did freeload myself.
Another kiss! And this time after we speak of our missing child. It’s too bad of course, she’s rather playful tonight but I think we’ll have to just be disciplined. We’ve had our “fill” in Kyoto and that was just two nights ago. Besides I don’t want to set her back in case she ends up hurt in our love making.
“If that’s what you need to help you – and I suppose I owe Kawaji-san as well. For keeping this house safe, letting you go do other things for two weeks…”
I’d tell her she doesn’t have to do it but it is needed and we do owe the police. I used up a lot of their resources getting her back. So I simply nod.
“What of your other case? The Tanaka one?”
“He’s dead. He said it wasn’t over…” I sigh and light a cigarette, “But it’s -over- for him.” It’s never really over isn’t it? There’s always a new one like that Miyagawa who managed to slip away. Well at least that’s what Kawaji told me but will he let him get away? Will I? Of course not. I take a long drag.
I’ve never known Tsutomu to have any friends except for that one boy Kai but I don’t know if they’re still friends. I never did return -that- book. If he’s asking for too much money or frequently, he may not just be spending it on sweets but…
“Maybe you should give it back. After all, I doubt it has anything to teach you,” I grin a little, “but who knows where Kai got it from? It may have caused trouble,” I say, remembering a similar story about Tamebo and some shunga that got passed around among his friends.
Hajime speaks of the food at the Maekawa house. “I heard it was passable, but certainly not the standards of excellence like at the Yagi house. Although the temple… they had an old man who was a true talent. Not much to look at,” I grin a little, “but good at what he did.”
I kiss him but he’s holding back. “Mmm… that’s the problem with people like us. We’re always wanting…” I touch the side of his face, his cheek, down to his jaw, to let my fingers brush across his lips. “But I have a feeling you’re going to tell me that we need a good night’s sleep for a big day tomorrow.” I grin a little, “but you can come help me see if my new outfit fits? If you like how my legs look?”
But he confirms that Tanaka is dead. That’s something, at least? One less danger for him. I suddenly embrace him, tight. I’ve always worried about him… but now there’s a new edge to it.
“Maybe you should give it back. After all, I doubt it has anything to teach you,” I grin a little, “but who knows where Kai got it from? It may have caused trouble,”
“Hmm… Or I could use it for him to tell me what he’s using the money for?” I sigh, “The last thing I want to hear is that he’s gotten new friends and they’re dabbling in drugs. Not that he’d ever tell me what he’s really up to. Let me know what Yukiko tells you.”
“But I have a feeling you’re going to tell me that we need a good night’s sleep for a big day tomorrow.” but you can come help me see if my new outfit fits? If you like how my legs look?”
So she noticed? There was a time once, that when I held back she’d take it as a rejection. I’m glad that she doesn’t do so now. “How your legs look? Well we might as well see them, while I have the weasel’s -fresh- in my mind.” I grin but I’m suddenly embraced and it’s not about my comment about her legs. She should’ve slapped me. Not embraced me.
I tug at her arms lightly. “You’re holding me too tight. I’m not going anywhere.”
Not if I can help it.
He’s concerned about Tsutomu-kun, and I nod. “Of course.” Drugs? I’m suddenly deeply worried. Maybe a careful conversation with Makoto is in order – she can be very observant.
How your legs look? Well we might as well see them, while I have the weasel’s -fresh- in my mind.
I only grin at that. “Oh, are you trying to make me jealous?” I kiss his forehead. “Unlike -then- I know the general shape that you like in a woman.” I look down at them, which are of course covered by the fabric of my kimono. “Remember those figures that were made of me? I made sure my legs were showing in those,” I laugh.
You’re holding me too tight. I’m not going anywhere
“Sorry…” I sigh, and let him go -some-. “I guess I’ve seen too much.” But he knows. I take a deep breath.
“Come – let’s go and I’ll try on my outfit. Make sure it fits.” I carefully stand, and get my cane. “I may not be able to twirl, but I’ll add it to my list of goals.”
Ooc will reply tom
She agrees to ask Yukiko and I’m relieved. I know asking him directly would not get me answers and I never know how to talk to that niece of mine without coming off too strong and getting what I need. Eiji, now that one I can just go out and ask him, which reminds me… I can no longer have him go back to the machiya.
“Unlike -then- I know the general shape that you like in a woman.” “Remember those figures that were made of me? I made sure my legs were showing in those,
I tilt my head, “So you’re saying I have a “type”? I grin a little remembering those figures. “I still have the one in your blue kimono…. It’s guarded very -tightly-. But I never got the other one back, the one where you had your hair down.” And it’s then I remember I shouldn’t have said that. It’s not her hair that matters to me after all.
“I guess I’ve seen too much.”
She lets me go after I tell her I’m not going. “Not all of it came true.” I remind her.
“Come – let’s go and I’ll try on my outfit. Make sure it fits.”I may not be able to twirl, but I’ll add it to my list of goals.”
I follow her to our bedroom. I’d like to see that outfit first before some other man does. I’m still rather particular in that regard.
So you’re saying I have a “type”
“Insomuch as -I- have a type,” I say. “Who knew it would be tall, handsome and with such bangs?” He remembers the little figures. “My writer just found the box of those today – she was quite relieved as she knew you’d be cross if you never got it back someday.” I think back to the little figure, with her flowing hair. That’s another thing I have to recover, but may take the longest.
Not all of it came true.
I nod. But he still takes that medicine…
We go to our room, and I open the box Frau Susannah sent me. It’s a nice shade of dark blue, not -too- off from Hajime’s uniform… that makes me smile. “Turn around, so I can surprise you,” I say, with laughter in my tone. I can’t twirl but… I know he likes looking at me.
Quickly as I can, I shed my kimono, and confront the costume. But she made it easy – the buttons were just a facade, and it’s mostly all accessible through stretchy parts – elastic, she told me once. “I’m not going to put on the stockings yet… but you can turn and look.”
“Who knew it would be tall, handsome and with such bangs?”
“You have weird taste. I thought you’d go for the pretty boy type. Not the -oyaji-.”
“My writer just found the box of those today – she was quite relieved as she knew you’d be cross if you never got it back someday.”
“Really?” I can’t help but be a little excited at that. The truth was, I was so certain I’d never get it back. Well we’ll have to see now…
We’re alone in the room and she makes me turn around. This -woman-… But I do as she asks. I can hear her changing and I say, “There’s no need to be shy you know. I’ve seen all of it already.” I tease.
I’m not going to put on the stockings yet… but you can turn and look.”
Turning around I see that it -does- suit her. “Oh so you were stockings with these?” I approach and kneel in front of her, then remove my gloves. And with my ungloved hand, I feel the back of her leg and feel and somewhat fondle her calf and then the other. “Well they sure seem strong like an Ox. I think you’ll be ready for tomorrow.”
Standing up I face her, “Now do you think that man will be handling you? You better tell me now so I don’t pummel him later.”
I thought you’d go for the pretty boy type. Not the -oyaji-.
“Funny how that goes,” I say, “and here I thought you’d go for someone tall and willowy, but you instead have a woman who needs a stepstool, nearly, to get a kiss.”
Really?
I nod. “You’ll get your little treasure back – if I can’t be a ‘cel’ at least I can be a figure.” But I’ve been told that besides “the move” that there’s a birthday project that she has to do… ugh, that writer.
There’s no need to be shy you know. I’ve seen all of it already
“Hai, hai, but if you see me transform, that takes away all of the magic of the reveal,” I say, grinning as he turns around. I feel his eyes on me, from the curve of the nipped in waist to the way it flatters the curve of my hips and bust. Western fashion flatters me in a different way than Japanese dress… this isn’t as extreme as the ballgown but I… feel pretty in it, like I’ve not in weeks.
“Yes, stockings,” I answer, my breath catching as he touches my legs with his bare hands. And not just touching to check me out…. “you tease,” I say, shaking my head with a smile. “So you like these legs, even if the shorts aren’t as short as a ninja’s?”
“From what I understand… this sort of thing is where they’ll be guiding me through exercises and so forth to re-build and re-strengthen. So I have no idea… but the pamphlet they gave me in Osaka said something about his wife assisting.” I lean into him, putting my arms around his waist. “Either way, if you could endure Kobayashi-sensei, this can’t be anywhere -near- that.”
“and here I thought you’d go for someone tall and willowy, but you instead have a woman who needs a stepstool, nearly, to get a kiss.”
“Well you know. That ensures that she actually wants to be kissed if she’s going through all that effort.”
The big reveal, all part of the show she sometimes like to give me. I notice her catch her breath as I check her out.
“So you like these legs, even if the shorts aren’t as short as a ninja’s?”
“Well we can make it even shorter but I wouldn’t to put a rift between you and Frau Sussanah.” Cupping my chin I add, “And I thought you weren’t worried about the ninja girl? Don’t worry. I don’t go chasing women who don’t want me remember?”
but the pamphlet they gave me in Osaka said something about his wife assisting.”
And that’s all I needed to hear. The wife is there and I’m sure will keep him in check.
“Either way, if you could endure Kobayashi-sensei, this can’t be anywhere -near- that.”
I drop my grin suddenly and a wry smile settles on my lips. “He’ll have to wait a couple of years.”
She’s been standing up for too long and I lead her to the edge of the bed to sit. “You’ll do great tomorrow.” I tell her and kiss her suddenly with some longing. But I manage to quell that small fire and instead ask, “Now tell me in your diary, when you wrote about you and your sister… That you felt like a voyeur, why? Didn’t I already come for you then or…” And I wonder who saw who first.
“I’m not worried about Misao-san, no matter how short her shorts are,” I laugh. That was over -long- ago.
He’ll have to wait a couple of years
“I would like to have some space between our children,” I say, but… I keep thinking of that son I want to give him.
Now tell me in your diary, when you wrote about you and your sister… That you felt like a voyeur, why? Didn’t I already come for you then or…
Ah… I’m still a little tussled over a kiss like that… but I think back. “I did. After all, I was left behind. So I watched, the two of them – I wouldn’t fade out, for some reason, so I didn’t have much to do. Out and about, in that world. Sometimes, it seemed… dull. Like I wasn’t missing much,” I laugh a little. “My sister didn’t -try- to have much to do and Misao-san would just get -stuck- in dinners that never ended. But there was someone I noticed… of everyone there, a man of vigor and purpose. Like he was there to do a job and not just be a bystander. You.. fascinated me, because you seemed so much bigger than the wilderness was allowing. And then… you came…” I grin, softly, “probably hoping for Misao-san, but ah, you got me instead.”
I kiss him back, slowly, deeply. “And now… you -have- me.”
She laughs about the weasel and she has nothing to worry about in that regard.
“I would like to have some space between our children,”
“You should. Having children can’t be easy on your body.” And so I must try to resist her even stronger, even after she recovers. And yet here I am almost ready to jump her.
And she tells me she wouldn’t fade out. Is it really that easy once a suitable replacement was found? And I’m struck at the irony of what may have happened had I been successful in relinquishing her back to Okita. Would I be able to fade? But that’s not acceptable anymore, not after what I found out about him even if she thought it was balanced in the end.
You.. fascinated me, because you seemed so much bigger than the wilderness was allowing. And then… you came…” I “probably hoping for Misao-san, but ah, you got me instead.”
“And now… you -have- me.”
And we kiss once again and I have to hold her just a breath away. I look over that face, watching me. “I wasn’t really looking for the weasel… I was looking for a companion, a real one and I found one.” Suddenly I grin, “Although, I didn’t know you had a crush on me! Imagine someone having a crush at an old faced man!”
You should. Having children can’t be easy on your body.
“But there’s also time… I’m already forty, and that’s getting up there,” I shake my head. “At least, I want to be recovered.” I nuzzle my cheek against him. “For now… while I’m still nursing Ai-chan, we’re… safe. And even after… it only seems to happen when it’s right, doesn’t it?”
I wasn’t really looking for the weasel… I was looking for a companion, a real one and I found one
I raise my eyebrows. “Were you looking for one as troublesome as me? As much fun as me? A neko that turned into your hime?” I remember that oldest of his names for me…
Imagine someone having a crush at an old faced man!
I roll my eyes. “You complain about this face so much that I think you were fishing for compliments. I love each,” I say, kissing the ones on his forehead, “and every,” I do for the ones right under his eyes, “lines on this face.” I kiss the ones by his mouth, teasing but not landing, on his lips. “Old face indeed! Don’t talk like that of this face I -adore-.” I grin at him. “And that’s just the face. What else do you need my -affectionate- assurances on?”
She tells me her worries about her age, but I’m not that worried. I know one day we’ll have our third child, it may just take a bit more effort. “That’s right, it happens when the time is right.” Well even if she were not nursing Ai-chan, there’s still having to be careful as she broke her bones.
“Were you looking for one as troublesome as me? As much fun as me? A neko that turned into your hime?”
“I wasn’t quite sure what I was looking for but I -knew- she had to be fun.” I chuckle, “Besides I think you liked my name for you back then. You definitely pounced on me.” I tease. But of course that applied to me as well, I kissed her first and tore her kimono after all.
“And that’s just the face. What else do you need my -affectionate- assurances on?”
She starts to kiss my face all over except my lips but I’m not having any of that and go for her lips, letting my hand grasp lightly her now short hair. I let her lips go with a bit of a smack and just stare at her for a minute. It’s so easy to answer back and get what I want… No, what i -need-… But it’s time she retires.
“Just make sure you get better soon.”
(OOC: you may close)
We share another kiss and he just looks at me…
Just make sure you get better soon
“It’s quite the incentive you offer me, after all…” I smile and decide not to torture him any more… what we shared in Kyoto may have been too early in some ways, but it was -needed-…
“But at least… I have you here.” I get back up from the bed to change into something better to sleep in, and get back into bed with him.
I draw myself close to him, and the covers up. I kiss his shoulder, with a prayer for it to heal -soon-, and then his chest, where his heart beats, with a wish for it to stay strong.
“I love you,” I say, as I settle in, knowing that tomorrow is a big day and sleep is needed.
(OOC – close)