It was Kenji who told me about it, that aside from him he doesn’t think anyone else from the school was going to Makoto-chan’s party! In a way I think I know why. It’s because everyone’s afraid of that creepy cop Saitou! That poor girl! Having such a -loser- of a father! She needs a father figure and so here I am, I not only brought Kenji with me but my husband Kenshin and I also brought Yahiko along and he brought along Tsubame-chan!
As we walk in this nice sunny mid-morning, I count the guest. There’s me, Kenshin, Kenji, Yahiko and Tsubame… That makes five. Then in the house, there’s Makoto and the baby, Yagi-san, that boy of Saitou, Yamaguchi-san and I hope Eiji’s there. That’s six… Hopefully the party popper weird creepy guy is NOT there. All in all I think we have enough to party right?
I look over to Kenshin as I carry Kenji and smile at him. “Make sure you keep those warm Kenshin!” I remind him, “No one likes cold Karaage!”
“No one likes -soggy- Karaage.” Yahiko mumbles to Tsubame.
“I heard that!” I warn him. If I only had my bokken I’d whack him!
“Oh I like your cooking Kaoru-san.” Tsubame blushes and I smile back at her.
“Now why can’t you be more like Tsubame?” If he keeps this up I’m going to tell Tsubame to start dating someone else!
And in no time we’re finally at the “Yamaguchi house.” It’s a mid-sized house, not as big as ours. But ours has a dojo so our grounds are much larger.
“Can we eat up in the treehouse?” Kenji asks.
“Not yet. Don’t go rushing up the treehouse okay Kenji? Let’s play with Makoto-chan and everybody instead.” I smile at him.
“Yes momma!”
I kiss my boy! He’s the best!
“Now knock Kenji!”
“Okay!”
(OOC: Kenshin can react prior to being let inside. Also anybody can let the Himura-gumi inside. If not Saitou, who has put out “colorful plastic chairs” each tied to a balloon, will let them in shortly.)
(Tsurumi)
Shinsato-san walked me here, tsking the entire time. “That boy of Fujita-san’s should have better manners and escort you himself, but he’s exposed to his father and that mistress…” I nod in agreement.
“Oh, he’ll bring me home,” I promise. Yagi-san is no doubt working him like a servant, he said something about having to do his own laundry? Even the Shinsatos scrimp and save in order to have a servant so that they maintain some of the old standards of a samurai family… the man walking me nods, and we approach the house.
Outside is a group – oh, is that’s dreadful little red-haired boy, and I’ve seen his parents around the school. A young man, and a young lady… huh.
It sounds like the mother is already scolding the little boy! Haha…
Shinsato-san stops. “Are you certain, Tsurumi-chan, that you wish to stay?” He eyes the group by the gates. “I don’t think your father would wish you to associate with such people…”
I shake my head. “Thank you, Shinsato-san, but I’m here to support Tsutomu-kun.” I smile, happily. He invited -me-. He said something about being nice to Makoto-chan and I -am-, I even brought her a present! He dotes on her, -for now-.
Shinsato-san sighs. “As you say. Please make certain you are escorted home, your reputation is of paramount importance to us…”
I offer more reassurances and goodbyes, and get to the gate just as Makoto-chan is opening it up and letting in the other group. She’s excited. Was I ever like that? Probably not. Otou-san was ill… and then he died… and then -she- had to go to work until she jumped to that other man.
I suppose it’s nice that she’s so carefree.
The short red-haired man with a terrible scar but a gentle expression tells me to go in first. I greet Makoto-chan, who shrinks back a bit before lifting her chin, then bowing and greeting me very prettily. I suppose she’s learning manners from her brother, who else would teach her?
It’s so colorful here… what sort of Western nonsense is this? I see Yagi-san scurrying, along with that cousin… and Midori-chan! She notices me and smiles.
But the two children and now noisily talking. I wonder if many others will come? Makoto-chan doesn’t have many friends, but it was foolish to send her to Futaba. Fujita-sensei was -beloved-, after all.
Kaoru:
A girl comes! I smile at her but she doesn’t seem to notice us but Kenshin as nice as he is, let’s her go in first. Who invited her? And I saw that! The way Makoto-chan stood back before regaining her composure.
“Hi Makoto.” Kenji greets her right away not minding the dynamics that seem to be playing out. “I brought my friends.” And he points to Yahiko and Tsubame. Well they -are- his friends, in a way.
“We’re going to go run around.” Kenji tells me and I nod and let him and Makoto-chan go as we step inside the yard.
Tomu:
I’m helping him setup the chairs with the balloons. Yagi-san is setting up a long table outside with refreshments. It’s not hard to see that the guests have arrived and it’s more than we anticipated.
“Eiji-nii. Isn’t that?” I ask. Not that I don’t know what Myoujin Yahiko looks like but I don’t remember the girl.
“Yes it’s all of them.” Father almost sighs as he spots them but his gaze is squarely on the red-haired man. Himura if I remember correctly.
“I’ll get them settled down Otou-san.” Eiji-nii tells him. “Don’t worry about them.”
I can’t help but smile to myself, it’s more like Eiji-nii is the one worrying. “Oh and Tsurumi came. Let me get her setup too.”
We both go to the group and I get a nice chair for Tsurumi, not too close to the food but under a nice shade. Beside her, I put a couple more chairs obviously one for Midori.
“Glad you can make it.” I tell Tsurumi.
“I brought Karaage! And a bunch of cookies!” Kaoru tells Eiji-nii. “Kenshin has them!”
(Makoto)
ITS MY BIRTHDAY!
Of course, I’m a big girl now so I’m going to be -composed-. That’s a great word!
There’s so much to do but I’m going to greet people!
“Hi hi hi Kenji-kun!” I say. He’s a weird kid but he’s the only one who runs fast like me!
Then it’s…. Oniisan and hahaue told me she was coming, but… he’ll keep me safe, if she’s mean. Even with words, he -promised-!
But Kenji-kun knows what’s fun – running. “Wait, look at these, they’re called -balloons- and they come from the west!” I tell him. They’re so pretty, all the colors of the rainbow. My chichiue is the -best- finding stuff like this! “But be careful! They can break if you poke them too hard!”
(Kenshin)
Everyone wanted this one to come along… into Saitou’s house! After the last time, this is not a place this one ever planned on coming to…
There’s the one pushy girl, a friend of Saitou’s oldest? Well he is that age! I hoist the boxes of treats my Kaoru-dono made (her fried chicken is so… heavy) and nod at the man who’s glaring at me, and then he gives Yagi-san a look?
Makoto-chan tells Kenji-kun about the balloons. “Be careful, son,” I tell him. They look trifling but it’s certain they’re not cheap!
(Hide)
Time seems to have stopped, so I put the things down I’m carrying so that I can greet the newcomers. It’s very festive, with Hajime’s balloons. How, in this time, did he get them to float? I can only smile, though, as Makoto dances around the chairs. Midori-san looks at them with some wonder as well.
“Himura-san, thank you so much for coming, as well as your family,” I say, bowing. I know the young man is no blood to them, but life happens… such as with Eiji-san. But I’m surprised that he came here, even more so than the man who once went by the name Battosai.
“Yagi-san, my wife prepared her… specialty,” he says, after returning my greeting, and there’s a strange look that flickers over his face as he says that. I smell something… burnt? “Oh, thank you very much, Himura-san. It was very kind of you…” I lead the way to the spread, where I made Makoto’s favorite, tempura shrimp, along with plenty of vegetables in the same manner. Rice balls, mostly meant for the children, and my hair probably smells as smoky as Hajime’s after I spent the morning grilling various yakitori, serving that with a variety of pickled vegetables (despite the birthday girl’s strong dislike of them!). I tried not to have a crazy spread but I’m glad I prepared plenty…
The cake, of course, is hidden away. I -hope-.
Then Sakaya-san comes over, bowing very prettily and thanking my so very politely, but I don’t miss how her eyes dart over to Midori-san and Tsutomu-kun as she does so. But I greet her as well, hoping that Tsutomu-kun’s promise of her good behavior holds. After all, she did bring a gift…
I go over to Hajime, and kiss his cheek. “Wake up, we have a party going on,” I tell him, quietly, before poking him in the ribs with a bit of a grin. There’s some possibly volatile elements here with the mix of people, after all. But I had plenty of that from back in the old days in Mibu…
Kenji:
We run run run. I tell Makoto-chan of a game I -made-. It’s about shadows and how one is safe if their shadow is hidden by another shadow. But she stops and calls me over to some round things!
“Wait, look at these, they’re called -balloons- and they come from the west!”
“What we..west?” I look at her and then take one of the baloons and poke — poke it.. But my finger just goes in and it doesn’t pop!
“But be careful! They can break if you poke them too hard!”
“But it’s not popping!” I say and try to poke it more. I’m supposed to be -strong-. Why isn’t it popping like she said? I frown.
Kaoru:
I can only -smile- as Kenshin tells Yagi-san of my specialty. He really does love my cooking but Yahiko kind of rolls his eyes to Tsubame-chan! I’m about to tell him off when Eiji-kun comes over.
“Oh I -love- those. Those are karaage right Kaoru-san?”
Now that’s a fine young man! “Yes absolutely.” I turn to Tsubame-chan, “Now you know Eiji right Tsubame? He’s such a much better bred young man than that one.” I grin a bit. “You and Eiji haven’t really had a chance to get to know each other right?”
“Anou… Hello Mishima-san.”
“Oh don’t be like that Tsubame-chan.” I hold her by the shoulder and shove her in front of Eiji and with my other hand hold off Yahiko (holding his face and mouth shut just one hand! I’m talented like that), whose trying to get in between Eiji and Tsubame. “Tsubame’s a very nice young girl. Much too good for the likes of Yahiko-kun here.”
I tease of course. I just want all of them to be friends. It’s then that I notice Yamaguchi-san standing a little ways away just looking at us and I smile at her. She can join the merriments if she likes.
Saitou:
It took me a while to get everything ready but now it’s done and with impeccable timing the Battousai is here. He’s greeted by Hide and places their contribution to the table. I wonder if it’s any good? I heard the Tanuki cannot cook but perhaps it’s the Battousai who did? I’ve spied on him before and he’s the perfect house maid. Maybe that’s why the Tanuki married him? But why did he marry the Tanuki? Ah because he has no place to live… A freeloader just like his friend the rooster head.
“Wake up, we have a party going on,”
I can’t help but blink and then -wince- as she ribs me. I give her a wry smile and straighten up. “I guess it’s time.” I say under my breath but I put a protective arm around her waist and take her back into the crowd.
“Thanks for coming everyone.” I say and look at everyone. What kind of guests and acquaintances have we made? More than half I’d not even consider a friend. I should’ve invited someone from work, to have them see this family – to see what it is they are protecting and preserving. Is this what a Meiji family is right?
“Please find your places and take a seat? I’d like to introduce my daughter.” I whisper to Hide, “Wait is she actually also dressed for her shichi-go-san? We were supposed to do a double celebration for that right? And next week is for Ai?”
I’m alarmed for a moment. We were so busy that I lost track of my daughter but then I spy her with Yuki. I breathe a sigh of relief.
(Makoto)
“Hey stop that Kenji-kun!” I say, tugging on his sleeve. This is why he gets in trouble at school so much! “If you pop a balloon it’s really loud and will upset the baby!” I look at my baby sister, who’s happy as usual, making her funny noises as Yukiko-san comes to take her from hahaue. Her and Tsutomu-kun still seem to think she’s not better, but she is! I see his father come closer, but not too close, and Kenji-kun notices and gives him a stinky look!
Then I see Sakaya-san frowning at me. I’m not scared of her! If she’s mean to me here I have so many people who will -get- her. Then she walks over, and Midori-san goes to her.
“I just brought a gift, Midori-chan,” Sakaya-san frowns. “I have proper manners, as befitting the daughter of a proud Aizu samurai.” She presents me with a small, paper-wrapped package, and I bow like hahaue said I should. “Than you, Sakayta-san, my mother said that I may open this after we eat but I thank you for your kindness.” I stand up and Midori-san gives me a little nod. My father’s a samurai too, after all!
Kenji-kun comes running and almost into me! “Hey, what’s that?” he says, pointing at something colorful hanging from a tree.
“Oh, that’s from the West, hahaue said it could be fun if the grown-ups don’t make it a contest,” I giggle. I then tell him, “it’s called a bin-yata!” I think it looks like a horse?
Thanks for coming everyone.
Oh, is the party starting? I go over to Yukiko-san, my disguise was hers and Midori-chan’s idea!
(Hide)
He wakes up, and after wincing at my poke, looks around. At friends… and other people he knows. But his arm goes around my waist and I’ll take it, this moment of being a couple, a united family.
Wait is she actually also dressed for her shichi-go-san? We were supposed to do a double celebration for that right? And next week is for Ai?
I lean in to whisper back. “Correct, she’s dressed under that old michiyuki of mine,” I chuckle. “Ai-chan gets her turn next week.”
I catch Yukiko-san’s eye and she and Midori-san help her out of the outerwear to show a brightly colored kimono. Flowers, not animals, but as bright and lively as she is. I hand Hajime a coordinated hair decoration. “You’ll put this in her hair for her, because she’s growing up into a young lady.” But not too fast! I don’t know if this was an Edo tradition, but my father did it for me at this age.
Makoto preens at the attention she’s getting, and comes over to her father, her face beaming.
Tomu:
Tsurumi gives the gift to Makoto and I’m -glad-. I go over just in time to hear Makoto thank Tsurumi and do a little bow to her. I stand beside Midori and Makoto’s friend is pointing up in one of the treehouse branches where… I think I’ve seen one of those before? When we were younger. Yagi-san knows about -that-? How?
“It’s a -pinyata-. Not binyata Makoto.” I grin. “Chichi-ue let us use the saya of his sword to break one of those open.”
“Oh really?” Kenji looks up. “Don’t get your dads! I’ll get -mine- to give me his saya. It’s -much- better! It’s made of METAL!”
He runs off to the red haired man before I can stop him. And then Makoto hears father calling for her and she’s gone too. I look at both the girls. “Well I guess we can all go back to the seats?” I nod to the three seats nicely put under a tree. I didn’t want them to be too exposed to the sun and sweaty. Girl’s don’t like to sweat and get their hair and make-up ruined. Well that’s mostly Tsurumi who has a little blush powder on her cheek, which is pretty.
Kaoru:
Saitou tells us all to sit! And just as it was getting good too with Yahiko.
“Hey Yahiko, see the cute baby?” I grin. “I don’t think you’ll ever get a nice little baby like that.”
“Kaoru-san!” Tsubame exclaims and turns beet red.
“Yamaguchi-san, why don’t you let Tsubame here hold Ai-chan?” I wave my hands over Ai-chan’s little fingers. “She’s been staring at little Ai ever since Yagi-san handed her to you.”
“Kaoru-san!!!”
“Oh it’s okay.” I look at Eiji now. “There’s still Eiji, you don’t have to rely on Yahiko you know.”
“KAORU-SAN!!!”
Saitou:
Correct, she’s dressed under that old michiyuki of mine,
“Oh good. I thought I missed shichi-go-san too.” I say relieved. And watch as my little girl finally gets out of her “play clothes” and into a proper kimono with a really stiff but pretty obi.
“Oh wow! I didn’t think you’d look so pretty in a kimono Makoto-chan!” That brat shouts as he’s sitted beside battousai seemingly trying to get his katana from him? I throw Battousai a glare. How dare his boy -think- my daughter is “pretty”.
“You’ll put this in her hair for her, because she’s growing up into a young lady.”
“Ugh. Can you not call her a “young lady”.” I mutter to Hide. “The next thing you know there’ll be boys just like that brat who’ll go after her just because she’s wearing a proper kimono.”
Taking the hair ornament, I look down on my daughter who is -loving- her moment. She looks up to me smiling and I just want to pat her on the head like I always do. But that’s not what a young lady would want right? in front of all these people? So I go ahead and kneel down, tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear and find a nice place on top of her head for her ornament. “Now you look like a proper young lady. I -like- the kimono. Flowers -also- suit you.” I know she likes animals but for some occasions such as this one, her mother’s choice is -best-.
Straightening up, I address the guest. “Now everyone! I present to you my daughter…” I pause realizing up to now, her name has not been settled. I used to know exactly what her name should be. “I present to you Makoto.. Our -pride- and -joy-.”
(Midori)
As the little red-haired boy runs off, I tell Tsutomu-kun in a low voice, “Yagi-san has a bokken at ready,” I chuckle. She said that there would be too much ‘testosterone’ for a live blade, whatever -that- means?
Makoto-chan looks after the little boy. “And it’s full of candy, oniisan, so don’t slice it up or we’ll have sliced candy!” she giggles. Oh, they will -not- hurt the -candy-! At least Yagi-san put the cake somewhere -safe-.
Tsurumi-chan regards the colorful ‘pinyata’ skeptically. “Western things can be garish,” she sighs. “But I suppose for children it’s acceptable.” But there’s not a lot of children here… will any of the older ones join in on the fun? Then I notice how Tsutomu-kun looks at her as he leads us some seats, and she doesn’t miss it either, smiling back at him. But she looks so pretty and grown-up in her pretty kimono, and I still have my sleeves tied back from helping this morning. I pull the ties and right myself, but she’s now exclaiming over the balloons and laughing…
(Kenshin)
Oh dear, Kaoru-dono is teasing Yahiko-kun now with the pretty baby and has deposited it into Tsubame-chan’s arms! I’d take the baby from her, but I have a feeling that this one would get a reminder of the force of a gatotsu should I do that!
I look at the baby and she has Saitou’s eyes. And she just -stares- at this one for a long moment before furrowing her brows and making a series of baby talk. “Oh dear, have you been hearing stories about me?” I ask, as she waves her arms around.
But Saitou is calling for attention, and thankfully, the young lady that is Saitou’s niece takes back that wiggly baby! I take Kaoru-dono’s hand and smile at her as we sit down. “A little girl wouldn’t be so bad, would it?” I whisper to her.
(Hide)
The next thing you know there’ll be boys just like that brat who’ll go after her just because she’s wearing a proper kimono.
I smile at him, and whisper back, close to his ear. “You know your daughter. Give her an hour and she’ll be wanting back into something more comfortable so she can -move-.” I look over at the ‘brat’ Hajime referred to, who is currently out of his geta and is digging a hole in the ground with his big toe. I don’t think that one will be -looking- anytime soon.
I watch with loving eyes as he gets to her level and her smile as he puts her hair back, and clips in the decoration. He compliments her kimono – but after all, shouldn’t flowers suit the little girl made in a garden?
Now everyone! I present to you my daughter… I present to you Makoto.. Our -pride- and -joy-
He pauses and almost stumbles, giving only the personal name of our little girl, who goes into yet another stage of her life without the protection of a real family name. Yamaguchi is borrowed, I guess, and Yagi is there should it come to that, and Fujita? That’s not going to happen now.
But she is our pride and joy, and she’s happy in this moment. She jumps a bit, restricted by the kimono, then staggers and falls into her father’s arms, giggling. She may be at a milestone in life, but she’s still Makoto.
Tomu:
The girls and I sit a little ways away from where the presentation is happening and Midori whispers that a bokken is ready. “Well that’s good. I don’t think he’d let us borrow his saya anymore. I think he has a new sword.”
Father presents Makoto-chan to everyone. I suppose that’s the right thing to do.
“I wonder if they’ll take Makoto-chan to a temple after this…” I say to no one in particular.
Then Makoto trips after she jumps. “She shouldn’t be jumping in that kimono.” I shake my head and cross my arms, then look at Midori. “When you were little did you do that?”
It’s then that I realized it’s about time to get the gift out but I’ll get it after the pinata is broken. Can’t miss all that candy and besides the last thing I want is for someone to step on the little guy.
Kaoru:
“A little girl wouldn’t be so bad, would it?”
“I’m totally happy with our boy Kenji.” I smile back at Kenshin and then watch Kenji play with the dirt with his toe. But he comes over to us again and looks up to me.
“Momma, I want the saya.” He points to the Sakabatou.
“Why Kenji?”
“I need it for that thing!” He points to the brightly colored animal hanging from a tree. “Makoto’s brother said they used wooden sayas to break it but otou’s is -metal-.”
“Kenshin…” I smile sweetly at him, “Our boy needs the saya. His friend needs it. Just make sure you tuck your sakabato in your hakama please – away from view. Hurry now. I don’t want to embarass Kenji in front of his friend.”
Saitou:
She laughs and starts jumping and then falls! Oomph! I catch her of course.
“Careful.” I remind her and have this incredible urge to just pick her up and settle her into my right arm like I did just last year. But she -is- a big girl now and I’m not sure if my shoulder can handle it. Instead I set her up straight and put an arm around her shoulder, taking her to her mother.
“So Hide should we let everyone eat first or should we let the children and the young adults line up to the hanging donkey?” I reach into my back pocket and realize I don’t carry her tenugui anymore nor do I carry a handkerchief. “We’ll have to find some cloth to blindfold the participants.”
When you were little did you do that?
“I wasn’t much older than Makoto when I was brought down here to attend Futaba, and then it was the school uniform for years. But I was never as active as her!” He’s frowning, but it’s more protective than annoyed.
“I wasn’t anything like that,” Tsurumi-chan pipes up. “Being the daughter of Aizu samurai, decorum and propriety was a central part of my education from -birth-. As you know, Aizu has high standards.” She smiles at him. “But I’m certain others may -try-,” she adds, flickering her eyes over to me and my wrinkled sleeves.
(Kenshin)
I’m totally happy with our boy Kenji.
This one can try, can’t he? But I, too, am happy with Kenji-kun, even if he may pull my hair out!
I reluctantly hand over my saya, trying to keep the unsheathed blade… discrete. This is Saitou’s house, after all. “Wait for Makoto-chan to go first,” I tell my son. “It is her birthday.” I glance back at Yahiko-kun, who brought his own sword. The thing he wants to destroy is strangely… colorful. This one is surprised at how bright and… unique things are here. One would imagine Saitou’s home being like his last one, austere and reserved… but that was Tokio-san’s house. Yagi-san is obviously not Tokio-san.
(Hide)
Of course he catches her, but doesn’t throw her up like he once did. Is it because she’s getting older? Or because he is? But she doesn’t mind as she gives him one of her hugs.
“Chichiue, we have to take care of the pin-yata -soon- or someone might get it,” she says, looking concerned and then frowning as Kenji-kun runs around with… a saya? Where did he get that from? I look over at the red-haired man and he’s looking strangely sheepish.
“Oi, Kenji-kun, -no-!” Makoto-chan lifts the hem of her kimono a few inches and runs off after him. I look over at Hajime. “Well, I suppose that’s decided…” As he asks for a cloth, I wonder where Yaso’s tenugui is. I hope that during the past weeks, that it wasn’t discarded… I take one of the small towels from the table. “Think this will work?”
For a second I remember how we once used a blindfold… my face flushes and I tear my eyes from him and I offer up a towel.
Tomu:
“I wasn’t much older than Makoto when I was brought down here to attend Futaba, and then it was the school uniform for years. But I was never as active as her!”
She seems to like Makoto’s vivacity. “She’s not much different than when Yoshi was younger.
Being the daughter of Aizu samurai, decorum and propriety was a central part of my education from -birth-. As you know, Aizu has high standards.”
I end up looking at Tsurumi and nod. “My mother told me that young Aizu men are supposed to be the same but he,” I nod over to my father, “didn’t seem to require the same ID my brother and I.” And so we never ended up a real part of Aizu. Well at least now Tsuyoshi can make up that lost ground.
“Hey Otou wants all of us to line up behind the the two kids and participate in hitting the donkey. ” Eiji-nii comes over and I look and there’s the red haired man’s kid jumping and trying to reach the pinyata but just like his dad he seems a little too short.
We go to line up… I can – easily get that pinyata down but then again do I want to? I’ll be blindfolded and won’t be able to get most of the candy. I look at the two girl’s “Young ladies should go first. ” I smile.
Saitou:
I’m given a towel and she blushes but turns away immediately. I stare at it for a moment knowing her well enough even when she was younger she had that “tell” when she was around Okita. Well this one was directed at me and…
“Otou we’re ready. ” my thoughts are interrupted when Eiji comes over with the group.
“Oh here I’ll help! I can blindfold everyone! ” came an enthusiastic Tanuki. I’m about to tell her to mind her kid first but the other boy brat Yahiko finally catches the kid and hands it to the girl from the Akabeko.
“Momma have Makoto use this! It’s METAL!” The boy hands off the Saya to the Tanuki before going back to the Akabeko girl. She goes to where Yukiko is and both laugh while taking care of their charges.
“Alright.” I say to both the Tanuki and Eiji. I catch Hide’s eyes in a way that said take care of things and then I leave the crowd to go to that man who’s trying to remain inconspicuous.
“While I appreciate you trying to hide your unsheathed sword, it’s best it’s put away to avoid “accidents”. You can hand it to me or you can go inside the house and to the right is our formal receiving room where there is a swords stand.”
OOC – will post tomorrow
(Tsurumi)
She’s not much different than when Yoshi was younger
Oh! I heard he was adopted into a -prominent- Aizu family, the Namuzawas! It’s confusing that Fujita-sensei didn’t keep her own child, but Shinsato-san told me that the Namuzawas were not blessed with a child, and that family lines are important in AIzu. So of course, like my generous teacher, to give her child to another family!
He speaks of his father’s failures well, here we all are, aren’t we? In a house with his kept woman and their little children, born “outside”. “Perhaps a good marriage to a well-connected Aizu family will return you to the fold?” I shy, fluttering my eyes down. Certainly he must know, what his mother meant for us? Should I? I start to move my hand a little closer…
But the older boy comes over and tells Tsutomu-kun that it’s time for some sort of activity. But there’s only two -children- here, are we meant to watch? But Midori-chan runs off, coming back with a wooden sword. “Children’s games,” I say, dryly.
(Hide)
“Birthday girl first!” I call out, and I let Himura-san blindfold Makoto and I hand her the bokken Midori-san brought out I then spin her around, but the wind has picked up and the piñata wobbles merrily in the air, and her try wooshes past it. She stumbles, almost, with the force of her blow – she’s been watching -someone-, I can tell – but she rights herself quickly with nimble steps, despite the restraint of a kimono and the blindfold.
Kenji-kun comes next, and his effort also misses, despite the power he puts into it. I’m surprised at how high he leaps…
I hold out the bokken. “Who’s next? Don’t be shy, everyone wants at the candy!” I laugh. I look at Tsutomu-kun’s special guest, she has her nose in the air as Midori-chan offers to take a go at it.
(Kenshin)
While I appreciate you trying to hide your unsheathed sword, it’s best it’s put away to avoid “accidents”. You can hand it to me or you can go inside the house and to the right is our formal receiving room where there is a swords stand.
Of course it doesn’t miss the old Wolf of Mibu. “Oh course, I’m a guest,” I say, bowing a bit. I find the reception room – small, but dominated by a bright flag. It’s ironic, as I put my sword on the stand… I shake my head and smile. This new era has shown this one many contradictions!
I return outside, where I’m just in time to watch Yahiko-kun miss taking down the colorful creature. It is windy… Kaoru-dono fusses at him for it. Kenji-kun is standing by the tree, forlorn, clutching my saya, and my Kaoru-dono is giving me that look that only says, “Kenshin, take care of it!”
“So,” I say to Saitou, “should we show the young ones how it’s done?”
Tomu:
“Perhaps a good marriage to a well-connected Aizu family will return you to the fold?”
“What Aizu family would?” I can’t help but answering Tsurumi just before we reached everyone else.
Makoto goes first and I already knew she wasn’t going to be able to take that pinyata down. It’s too high up though certainly that boy Kenji tried his best and at times grazed the thing. As long as I’m not the one taking that pinyata down, I’ll have the -advantage- for all the candy. So I lay low in the background as the “older kids” take a stab like Myoujin-san, that girl his with, Eiji-nii and now it’s down to the two girl’s beside me.
I watch admiring Midori’s “courage” as she takes a stab at the pinyata but still fail. I chuckle a little at her swinging the bokken around like that. Yagi-san offers the bokken to Tsurumi who obviously doesn’t seem to have the nerve for it. I tell Tsurumi, “It’s okay. Midori took care of that for the both of us.”
Saitou:
I watch and wait until the Battousai deposited the unsheathed folly of a sword. I thought he’d put up a better fight but I suppose he was curious to see what our house looked like inside. I’d never invite him in socially of course.
The children are having a lot of fun at the pinyata although I notice Yukiko is merely acting the role of a cheerleader and baby-sitter but she’s like her cousin Tomu in this regard. Although I wonder if my son is doing it on purpose… For the candy perhaps? Hmm.
Battousai and I return to the rest of the group and his “handler” the Tanuki doesn’t seem very happy with him and gives him a look.
“So,” I say to Saitou, “should we show the young ones how it’s done?”
“Sure.” I go over to the young boy and ask for the saya and it’s reluctantly given to me and I toss it to the Battousai. “Guests go first of course.”
I grin at him and go to Hide’s side. Eiji hands the Tanuki the towel to blindfold the Battousai. While they’re distracted, I pull Hide by the waist so she’s against me and whisper, “I need your help. I’m -not- going to make a fool of myself like the Battousai with that pinyata… So I need you to ask Tomu to go in my stead to make it equal. They’re about the same height and… I think Tomu is just waiting in the wings to get all of the candy to himself. The only two children here won’t have a chance. He’s a real wolf like me.”
(Tsurumi)
What Aizu family would?
“Perhaps your mother has someone in mind-” but he runs off like Midori-chan, like -children-, for this silly game. I suppress a sigh – it’s probably that Yagi-san, demeaning his samurai dignity, that encourages this immature side.
Yagi-san offers for me to – oh, goodness no! I don’t need words to let her know that it was rather offensive that she even ask.
(Hide)
Makoto-chan is mournful. “Will we never get the candy? Can’t someone kill the pin-yata?” She looks at it, longingly, as if we don’t have cake and plenty of other sweets… for all of her father’s worries about her growing up, she is but a -child-.
I see Himura-san and Hajime talking, and then the former Battosai going inside… it’s then I realize that he doesn’t have his sword, and that his son has the saya to it. So that’s what Hajime went to handle… his old enemy, with an unsheathed sword in his own home…
I’m surprised that the older boys don’t take it down – I thought Yahiko-san was a great swordsman? But, it is a challenge, and the piñata sways, looking cheerful the entire time. Even the girls join in – Yukiko-san passes, but with good humor and the excuse of Ai-chan instead of Sakaya-san’s rudeness. The girl Yahiko-san brought came the closest, surprising everyone (but most of all Yahiko-san…).
Then I hear a challenge, from the Battosai. I was worried that it might come to this. Forget the piñata – will the tree still be standing? This house? – once they get started?
But Hajime comes close, again, his arm around my waist, and I have to focus what he’s saying as I feel his breath against my ear. But it’s actually very funny… he’s read his son well, and I had suspected the same thing. That boy is -clever- and as much as he loves Makoto, he wants to get all the candy he can. I turn to whisper to him, “yes, I’ll take care of it.”
But first, one of the great legends in Japanese swords is going to have a turn…
(Kenshin)
My son gives me a real smile as he hands me my saya! This one would prefer the bokken, but when Kenji-kun smiles at me like that… I pat his hair. “I’ll get you that candy, son,” I assure him.
My Kaoru-dono blindfolds me, and gives me a good spin and an unexpected -push-.
“Ryūtsuisen!” This one calls out his attack, as it seems to be expected? Of course, I don’t put my full power in as I leap up, and I strike, and connect… I hear a CRACK…
Something is falling, and I’m lost in the air and something hits my head.
“Oro!”
(OOC – Kenshin has instead brought down a tree limb, having miscalculated due to using the saya as well as having been spun around. The treehouse is unaffected, but the piñata is now listing to the side)
(Makoto)
“Oh no, your daddy!” He brought down a big branch from the tree and popped three balloons, but that pin-yata is still up there!
Kenji-kun laughs. “Oh, he’s tough!” But his mother is fussing over him…
Then I realize. “Chichiue! Chichiue!” He’s our last hope… or that candy may be up there -forever-!!!
But Hahaue shakes her head. “No, your brother needs to step up.” She hands him the bokken. “Tsutomu-kun, as the young man of the house will you take your father’s place, and slay the beast?” She has a serious look and sounds like she’s in a story, but her eyes are merry, which is a way she hasn’t looked in a long time.
“Please, oniisan, please? I want the candy, and then we can all have cake!” I know he loves cake the -most-! “I’ll give you the biggest piece! That pin-yata is an oni and it has come down!”
Saitou:
“Ryūtsuisen!”
My eyes go wide and I let go of Hide, as I spin around to watch the Battousai. I mutter, “What the hell are you doing ahou?!” No one said he needs to use his Hiten Mitsurugi, much less a -finishing move-, -here- of all places.
But it’s too late and he almost brings the tree down but thankfully misses the trunk and only a large branch falls down. The pinyata is only half injured with the candy peeking through the paper skin.
I shake my head at the Battousai. -Idiot-.
And now Makoto concerned for the Battousai, well more for the candy comes running to me to do something. I consider it momentarily but true to her word Hide gets in the middle and tells my son to step up. I can’t help but grin at her “show”, to slay the beast? Sounds like she’s had her head in one of those fairy tale books.
Makoto promptly leaves me alone, thank Kami and tries to bribe or rather “motivate” her older brother… Will he give in? I can only watch and slowly smirk.
Tomu::
“No, your brother needs to step up.”
And Yagi-san says something else and I’m looking around at both of the girls, -confused- why I became the subject. I was lying low. Not saying anything. Waiting for an -opportunity-. But not -this- opportunity. But the bokken is thrust at me and the honor of being the young man of the house.
I look at Yagi-san who seems to be playing a part and then at my father who has a smirk on his face? I narrow my eyes at him as I take the bokken. -This- was -his- doing.
“I’ll give you the biggest piece! That pin-yata is an oni and it has come down!”
With a sigh, I look down on Makoto and pat her head. “Keep your promise about the cake.”
Eiji-nii comes over and I’m blind folded. I can hear Myoujin-san whistling and the girl’s including the one he came with cheering me on. I’m -not- going to embarass myself by missing in front of Midori nor Tsurumi so….
I take careful note of how many times I’m turned around by Eiji-nii. I’m not going to lose my bearing and I -know- how many steps to the pinyata… And with the bokken and my outstretched hand, it’s just about the right height.
Carefully I take my steps and unlike the “kids” and the “non-kids” I’m not flailing the bokken around. I tap the air a little so that I can feel the pinyata but not have it swing wildly away from me… And soon enough I feel it and in one elegent but strong swing from top to bottom, I take my shot and all the candy comes dropping down or at least I think it did.
I still have my blindfold and fully expect everyone except me to have candy. *sigh*
“Good job son.” I feel a hand on my shoulder and he takes off my blindfold. I look up to my father.
“It wasn’t bad huh?” I ask.
“It was -perfect-.” He grins at me and I can’t help but grin back at him.
Keep your promise about the cake.
“Of course I will!” I tell him. Doesn’t he know I’m a good girl?
Besides I know the secret – there are *two* cakes!
I open my mouth to yell ‘couraging words to Tsutomu-niisan but hahaue puts her hand on my shoulder. “Watch,” she says, quietly. “How careful he’s being. He’s making sure he’s aware of his surroundings and not striking blindly.”
“Our poor tree,” I sigh. But Kenji-kun’s father seems okay, even if his eyes look swirly. But I watch Tsutoumu-niisan!
He hits!
Candy comes down like RAIN and I go out there and start scooping it up! I have to be faster than Kenji-kun! But some of the big kids are joining in too NO FAIR!
But I really am going to share with oniisan. He slayed the oni! I was very very worried that the pin-yata would stay there -forever-…
(Hide)
What the hell are you doing ahou?!
When Hajime mentioned that his old nemesis could be attending (which I dismissed), I should have hidden the piñata. It could become… contentious. But only Himura-san took it seriously – wasn’t that one of his “moves”? But rumors of his diminishment have some truth, since he lost to a -tree-, and of course, the piñata.
I don’t miss the moment of Tsutomu-kun accepting Hajime’s praise. He did well, not being showy or wild (I -still- can’t believe Himura-san…).
Makoto-chan comes up. “You can have some of my candy, too, oniisan!” She holds out her hand to show four pieces of candy. “It was -wild- down there!” Then she grins at me and her father, delight shining in her eyes. “So can we eat now?”
(Midori)
That was something! But in being the hero, Tsutomu-kun missed out on getting candy himself… then I spy where some candy went into the bushes without people noticing as they fight over the main drop area…. I’m pleased that I’m able to gather a good amount of candy, and find that the sleeves of this kimono are -useful-.
I come out of the bushes with Tsurumi-chan looking at me, the expression on her face one of disdain. “You have leaves in your hair,” she says, rolling her eyes.
Instead, I catch Tsutomu-kun’s eyes, and I laugh. This is fun. I grab Tsurumi-chan’s arm. “Come on, there’s going to be cake now.”
“You know I don’t approve of cake….”
Kaoru:
We -all- got in on the candy raining from heaven! Kenji’s got an armfull and he’s smiling from ear to ear. Kenshin well I -made- him gave the rest of the candy to Kenji. Saitou goes up to his son and seems actually proud of him.
I take Kenji and Kenshin up to where Yagi-san and Makoto-chan is.
Makoto offers the candy to her brother who grimaces a little and said, “That’s all you got?” Yet he takes half of them! Just like father and son I guess to be all pouty and yet still take!!!
“So can we eat now?”
“Why don’t you give some of your candy to Makoto-chan Kenji?” I urge him and he goes up to his friend to dump most of his. I’m so -proud- of him! Then I turn to Kenshin, “Sounds like it’s time to eat. Kenshin, let’s help Yagi-san.” Then I whisper, “Make sure you put our dish out right in front so everyone can have a taste okay Kenshin?”
Then I smile at Yagi-san, “Let me know what I can do Yagi-san.”
Saitou:
It’s time to eat. It looks like the kids had fun and so did the young ones. The Battousai’s family interrupts us insisting to “help”. I move away slightly but take Tomu to the side.
“Looks like the jumping and stomping will be done soon.” I look around, “And your sister should be tired enough to sit down with that friend of hers. It might be time to take out Kame-sama, now that the danger to his life is over.”
“Kame-sama?”
He looks up at me. “The turtle. That’s your gift right?”
“Yes I just didn’t realized you’ve named him already.”
Nor did I. “Well your sister gets to name it. It was making noises last night and it woke me up so I ended up giving it a piece of my mind.
“Give it to your sister and then you can line up to eat.” I say and look at the others whose now lined up for the food.
“But the cake…”
“Let the guest have it. You’ll have your turn later.”
He gives me a doubtful look.
“Fine, I’ll go “secure” your cake. Now get the gift for your sister.”
He goes inside and I go to the front of the line. Cutting in front of the Battousai. It’s -my- house. I’m getting my boy’s food first before he gets his.
(Makoto)
That’s all you got?
I nod, -sadly-. But he takes half of what I found, even though it’s squished. It’s funny how Kenji-kun’s family all went for it! “Oniisan, you did look -very- cool though, slaying it! And then a -shower- of candy, like rain! You did it!” So much cooler than that big boy with Kenji-kun, or his dad. I hope my tree’s okay!
“I don’t like hard candy like this, so you can have it, Makoto-chan.” Kenji-kun runs up and dumps a pile of candy in front of me.
“Thank you!” He’s nice!
“What a good boy,” I hear Sakaya-san say. “Resisting the temptation of Western sugar!”
Kenji-kun looks at her. “No, big girl, I like -cake- better, and chewy things!” I try not to laugh at her face! Why wouldn’t someone like food just because it’s not Japanese?
(Hide)
I let Himura-san put his wife’s… cooking front and center. But she seems so pleased with it… no wonder it’s said that the former manslayer does the cooking.
“Oh, please, Himura-san, you’re our guest, please help yourself and don’t worry!” But she seems to be the resolutely helpful type as she rearranges the items…
Then I see Tsutomu-kun heading out to the house. Oh dear, if he doesn’t act fast, he’ll miss out, with this crowd.
(Kenshin)
Saitou cuts in front of me. “Hungry?” I know he’ll give me on of those looks, but I’ve seen it before. I point out the… chicken. “Kaoru-dono made those, she’ll be offended if you don’t take at least three pieces!”
I take some from the spread, I had heard Yagi-san was such a good cook that it was -one- of the reasons that Saitou left Tokio-dono. It appears… fine. Nothing elaborate – but this is a party for children (with only two children).
I then watch as he takes an enormous slice from each of the two cakes. One white and studded with strawberries (in December?), the other this one supposes is chocolate, but it’s long and rounded, like a log. “I didn’t take you one for sweets, Saitou.” I thought he only ate plain soba.
Saitou:
The two kids are busy with the older kids, I guess they can be considered young “adults” in another time but I still think of them as kids… Their children and our children in a way.
Hide is busy with the Tanuki who is -trying- to be “helpful” by handing out plates and cutlery. I guess it’s difficult when there’s two actual women trying to commandeer the event. But does the Tanuki even know what she’s doing?
The Battousai seems insulted that I cut in front of him and I only smirk as he asks if I’m hungry.
“Kaoru-dono made those, she’ll be offended if you don’t take at least three pieces!”
“I’ll take -one- Battousai. Now that it seems your wife is now Hide’s friend.” Well -only- friend in this Tokyo I suppose.
“I didn’t take you one for sweets, Saitou.”
“My children like sweeets and it’s for my boy.” I tell him the truth. It’s then that it occured to me, that amongst all of the people here the Battousai is my only equal in skill and with his oath not to kill…. Maybe…
I go and give him the plate of cake. “Here. You and your boy can share both large pieces of the cake. I heard your boy tell my Makoto that he likes soft and chewy.”
Then I go and retrieve a couple of smaller sizes for Tomu. “You said before that your strength was enough to keep those within your eyesight safe. You know Eiji and Yukiko is practically his kin. And it seems your son is a good friend of my daughter while your wife is now a friend of my… of Hide. Keep them within your eyesight, like you do others.”
Then I stare at the Battousai very seriously and wait for his answer. It’s about that time after all.
Tomu:
I finally found him! Chichi-ue let him loose and he was hiding under the “sofa-san”. I sigh and put him back in the small cage and carry him outside straight to where Makoto and Kenji are sitting. I give the other two girls a look to come over if they like.
“Happy Birthday Makoto.” I tell my younger sister. “Here’s your present.” I grin proudly.
You said before that your strength was enough to keep those within your eyesight safe. You know Eiji and Yukiko is practically his kin. And it seems your son is a good friend of my daughter while your wife is now a friend of my… of Hide. Keep them within your eyesight, like you do others.
Kaoru-dono has told this one some of what Yagi-san confessed to her. “Going somewhere, Saitou?” But need he ask? Couching it like this? “Yagi-san can be a reckless woman who will find trouble, but yes, I would, should you not be here.”
I look out at the scene of this party, this house. “Men like we are… what we have seen – it’s hard to take this. Accept this. Accept them,” I say, nodding over at Kaoru-dono and Yagi-san. “They seem so innocent, not for ones like us. Certainly they must be naïve, or foolish, to claim they see us yet… accept.” The laughter of children, the sound of the young people talking… “This one chose to accept it, even after losing the first one who looked at this one, and…” I pause, shaking my head, and unconsciously touching my scar. “Some days this one still struggles, when I realize what’s being given – not just from her, but from all of them.” Yahiko-kun has finally relaxed, eating up with Eiji-san as they banter over some of the Akabeko customers. My son, eating his mother’s cooking… and I look over and meet the eyes of my wife as she admires Yagi-san’s baby.
(Makoto)
I’m eating cake with Kenji-kun and -guarding oniisan’s pieces and here he comes!
WHAT IS IN THE CAGE!!!
I see black eyes and then pop, just a turtle shell. Then the head starts to come out again! He looks like a funny old man!
“TSUTOMU-NIISAN HE’S WONDERFUL!!” I wait for him to put the cage down before giving him a BIG BIG HUG.
I kneel by the cage, where the turtle is back in his cage. Midori-san grins down at me. “He is cute, isn’t he?”
“So you bought this for her to eat?” Sakaya-san says loudly, her nose scrunched up like something smells bad! “What else is it for?”
I frown at her. Everyone says she super-smart but she doesn’t get things sometimes! “Oh no, this is my new pet, I ALWAYS wanted my own turtle.” And a rabbit, and some fish in a pond… some lizards… “Oh! He’s going to need a pond in the garden!”
He pokes his head out of his shell again and then I see he has some red fabric in his mouth! “Was he eating… the sofa?” I ask, confused.
Saitou:
“Going somewhere, Saitou?” “Yagi-san can be a reckless woman who will find trouble, but yes, I would, should you not be here.”
I shrug and light a cigarette. “You know how it is, besides…” I glance back his way, “You’re likely aware that she “lives” in the same “space” as you – like the itachi.” He has noticed hasn’t he after all this time? He’s -aware- right?
But then he turns and watches the rest of the folk that is apart from us and gives me a lecture about “acceptance”.
Certainly they must be naïve, or foolish, to claim they see us yet… accept.” “This one chose to accept it, even after losing the first one who looked at this one, and…” “Some days this one still struggles, when I realize what’s being given
“You and I are at odds, -opposites- in fact. Besides your woman accepted the “new” you and you have tried to live the new you.” I stare at him for a moment. Is this an admission to myself that the Battousai is somehow reformed or has tried to be? That I’ve underestimated him? But I won’t know that until he keeps his word. “Mine has accepted the one I initially presented her with.” I grin wryly. “Either way -keep- your promise.”
I step away heading to the crowd of children now enamored by kame-sama. I have a cake to deliver to a good son.
Tomu:
I get a big hug as soon as I sat the cage down but am released promptly as Makoto turns her attention to her new pet. Happily agreeing with Midori at how cute the animal is.
“So you bought this for her to eat?”
I laugh at that and tell Tsurumi. “No kame-sama is probably too chewy and the shell would be too tough to eat even if we boil him.”
“Oh! He’s going to need a pond in the garden!”
“That’s going to be a big job. We’ll need father to help us now that the workers that Kinosuke-san hire are gone.” I remind her. “Oh and Midori, you were going to help Makoto to write up a “care guide” for the shop yes? Otherwise, I’m afraid we won’t be able to keep kame-sama.”
“Was he eating… the sofa?”
I look closer and he does have a large pieces of sofa in his mouth. “Oh no I didn’t notice he’s made lunch of sofa-san! It’s because father let him out of the cage last night!” Yagi-san is going to be mad… Quickly I reach into the cage and start picking off the fabric from its mouth.
(OOC: up to kame-sama if he’d like to bite that annoying boy who’s trying to take his lunch away)
(Kenshin)
You’re likely aware that she “lives” in the same “space” as you – like the itachi.
“Just as my wife lives in the same space as you – yet our son comes and goes?” I grin a bit. Perhaps this one isn’t as focused as I should be, but I’m aware that it’s no longer my story, at least, -here-.
You and I are at odds, -opposites- in fact. Besides your woman accepted the “new” you and you have tried to live the new you.
This one is not surprised that he knows the path I have now. He will call me Battosai and have his hackles up around me until the the day one of us dies, I suppose, but that’s the way of a wolf and I expect no less – yet even that day at the dojo, I know that he knew. He will -prefer- the me that is most useful to him – once, the Battosai when it was Shishio; and for now, it’s the wanderer who will protect those around him. That remains unchanged about him, even if – well, I guess he’s not changed as much as this one had thought he had. He’ll still walk away from -everything-. I see the look Yagi-san gives him, across the yard. Longing, but… sadness, before she smiles and answers a question posed by my Kaoru-dono.
Mine has accepted the one I initially presented her with. Either way -keep- your promise.
I look back at him. How confused they both are! But perhaps that’s why they work yet -don’t-. “Yet what a remarkable family you built,” I muse. But unlike others -here-, I don’t plead for her – not that he would listen to this one any more than he already has! I simply nod at his next comment.
(Midori)
Makoto-chan’s excitement is so sweet!
No kame-sama is probably too chewy and the shell would be too tough to eat even if we boil him.
Tsurim-chan’s eyes widen. “Well I would -hope- not, animals are precious which is why I follow the path of many high-ranking families of Aizu and do not eat flesh!” But she still looks at the lovely turtle with open disgust.
As he and Makoto-chan discuss the makings of ponds (sounds fun!) and I agree to finishing up our bargain with the pet-merchant, Tsurumi-chan nudges my arm. “Can I have that black thing? I ate mine, and there’s no more left, but it’s -delightful- – I’ll have to ask Himura-san what vegetable this is!” I’d almost tell her that this burnt rock is chicken, but Karaage is one of those newer Western-style dishes that she would normally disdain, so I hand mine over.
Oh no I didn’t notice he’s made lunch of sofa-san! It’s because father let him out of the cage last night
“Sofa-san?” That red thing has a -name-? “I can try to repair it,” I tell him as he reaches into the mouth of the turtle to retrieve the piece of fabric!
I grab some of the vegetables on my plate, and stick one in the turtle’s mouth, right as he tries to clamp down on Tsutomu-kun’s hand! My hand lands on his, and I feel my cheeks flush red, but get out, “silly kame-sama! Try this instead!” I can -feel- Tsurumi-chan eyeing me with daggers in her eyes, but would she prefer Tsutomu-kun get injured, weeks before the city-wide kendo tournament? This little turtle can’t bit off fingers or hands, but I doubt he would -enjoy- the experience!
“I guess the silly thing will amuse Makoto-chan once her father’s out of this house,” Tsurumi-chan says, and she ignores the frantic look I give her, only looking annoyed. “It’s all around school – Kai-kun said that Tsutomu-kun told him, and he told his sister, and she’s such a gossip -” She stops and Makoto-chan looks like she’s been struck, her face pale. Tsurumi-chan then looks at me and Tsutomu-kun, and whispers, “she doesn’t know?”
Tomu:
“Well I would -hope- not, animals are precious which is why I follow the path of many high-ranking families of Aizu and do not eat flesh!”
“You -are- good Tsurumi.” I compliment her, “It’s difficult not to eat meat. Mother tried with us on multiple occasions. She’d let us have fish on occasion. Otou-san didn’t have much of a problem though as he’d eat a copious amount of soba before coming home.”
, “silly kame-sama! Try this instead!”
The turtle almost bit my hand? I didn’t think turtles bite? I breathe a sigh of relief and take away my hand from Midori’s. “That was close! Thanks Midori I owe you one.” I smile at her but why is she so red? I stand and pull her up so we’re level.
“I guess the silly thing will amuse Makoto-chan once her father’s out of this house,” “It’s all around school – Kai-kun said that Tsutomu-kun told him, and he told his sister, and she’s such a gossip -”
I look at Tsurumi and then at Makoto.
“she doesn’t know?”
“I guess no one’s told her yet but we don’t actually know when it’s going to happen.” I shrug and turn away. But as soon as I turn, I see him coming with cake.
Saitou:
The Battousai agrees and that’s all I can hope for. But he quips we’ve built a remarkable family. Really? Well we’re pretty good at playing house, I’ll give him that. One day, he’ll have the same thing. Better. Stronger. Truer… Probably.
The children are all around the turtle but Tomu splits off fromm them. I grin a little, he’s probably seen the cake. He meets me half-way across the yard.
“That’s for me.” He says as he takes the plate from my hand an immediately stuffs himself with a mouthful. “Thanks.” He manages to say his mouth full to the brim with cake and he starts walking away. I guess to sit somewhere.
“Don’t wolf it down son. There’s more where that came from.”
But he just waves his hand somewhat dismissively but it’s fine. I look at his back. He’ll do just fine I think.
Kaoru:
“Isn’t this so nice Yagi-san? Everyone seems to be having a good time.” I look across the yard at Kenshin who’s happily cleaning up some of the used plates. “Even Saitou and my Kenshin seems to have put away their differences.”
I put my hands together happily. “Oh and look at the young one’s all huddled together. Kenji is having a great time!” Well except for Saitou’s son who left the group. “Why don’t you get some food for yourself and I’ll take care of Ai-chan here. I’ll promptly give her back to Yukiko once she’s one eating. You should go eat and make sure to have some of my kaarage!”
I offer up my arms to take the baby.
(Tsurumi)
It’s difficult not to eat meat. Mother tried with us on multiple occasions. She’d let us have fish on occasion. Otou-san didn’t have much of a problem though as he’d eat a copious amount of soba before coming home.
“I’m certain your mother -tried- but… ah, things were difficult, were they not?” Certainly now in Aizu she’s restored her prestige and honor!
But did Makoto-chan not know? Tsutomu-kun tries to tell her that probably not, but certainly he’s tired of her and going back to his -wife-. Yagi-san -I suppose- is nice enough, but she’s no Fujita-sensei!
Tsutomu-kun goes off and gets cake (sigh!) and now Makoto-chan has gone from pale to bright red in her face.
“I hate her. She’s making him go away -again-!” she mutters, and runs away, past her father with the cake, and up to her treehouse, carrying her turtle cage all the time.
“Well!” I say to Midori-chan, who just looks at me. “Those manners of hers!”
“Today is her birthday! Couldn’t you just shut -up- for once?” she asks, her voice low.
But just because she’s a child doesn’t mean that the world will stop for her. It didn’t for me…
(Hide)
I smile, watching Makoto get her turtle, her happy face as she chatters with Tsutomu-kun, and I hear her say something about a pond? Well, I don’t think we should alter this property any more, and who knows if we can afford a garden where we end up next?
Himura-san is recapping the party, but I’m watching the scene with the children – Makoto seems suddenly upset? And then she runs off to the treehouse, with the turtle…
Something is wrong…
I hand over Ai-chan, murmur a thanks to Himura-san and go over to the treehouse. I climb the ladder, but she’s placed a piece of wood over the opening and there’s something on top of it…. I knock. “Makoto-chan, what’s wrong? Can you let me in?”
“NO! GO AWAY I HATE YOU!”
… those words, from my own little girl… my heart drops and it’s all I can do to hold onto the ladder.
“Makoto-chan, please let me up, we can talk…” What happened?
Saitou:
It seems everything was going well until I spy Hide giving our baby girl to the Tanuki and then hurriedly getting up the ladder to get to the treehouse. No one seems to have noticed however. It’s then that it struck me, Makoto isn’t here an neither is the gift of a turtle. I glance back at my son who’s seated elsewhere still stuffing his face with cake. I go over to him.
“What did you do boy?” I ask.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
I nod indicating Hide at the treehouse, “Your little sister sequestered herself inside.”
He shrugs, “She probably found out about you moving out.”
Furrowing my brows, I frown. “You told your little sister?”
“No.” He looks up at me, “Why would -I- do that?”
I glance back at our guest and come to a realization. It was probably one of the guest but it wouldn’t matter -who-.
“Get up there and take care of it.” I say as it was probably one of his friends.
He puts down the cake and looks to the side murmurring, “You adults need to take care of -your- problems. Why do I always have to take care of -your- messes.” He stand up to go.
So that’s how he felt? All this time? I stop him, holding him by the shoulder. “You’re right. I just… Thought she’d be shielded from this. She’s young after all.”
“She’s -older- than I was and Yoshi, much more so. We’re -not- stupid.”
I stub the cigarette under my boots, shaking my head. I am a fool. “Tell Eiji that this party is over. Have him usher everyone out of the house and help Yukiko clean up.” I look at the Tanuki holding Ai-chan, “But first take Ai from the girl, she might drop Ai.”
Tomu’s eyes goes wide realizing someone else not from the family is holding his baby sister and without much more thought goes running after the Tanuki.
I go to an inconspicuous part of the garden to wait until everyone’s been escorted out.
(OOC: Saitou is going to the treehouse soon)
Mishima-san tells us the party is over and Tsurumi-chan looks put out. “Where’s Tsutomu-kun? He’s supposed to walk me home!”
I take her arm. “-I- will walk you,” I sigh.
She pouts, “but-”
I look over where he’s taking the baby and is he… checking her? Looking at her arms and legs while glaring at Kenji-kun’s mother? “He needs to be with his family now,” I tell her in a low voice. “And even if Makoto-chan -did- know it’s a rotten thing to talk about it on her birthday.”
She tries not to come with me but I’m taller than her, so she just has to kind of follow along. “She has to grow up sometime – -I- did, when my father died and my so-called mother betrayed him by remarrying!”
I stop. “Then a decent person would want -better- for another -innocent- child, Tsurumi-chan. Not to try to make her your equal in misery!” I glance at her, her mouth open like a fish. “Come on, let’s go.” This time she walks along without my assistance.
(OOC – Exit Midori and Tsurumi)
(Kenshin)
“But I want to see the turtle!” Kenji-kun complains.
“Another time, son,” I promise. With the promise I made to Saitou,
But there seems to be some disturbance, with all of us told to leave so suddenly and the birthday girl having run up to her treehouse. I don’t think that a man like Saitou would dimiss the party over some childish tantrum.
I put the lid back on my Kaoru-dono’s chicken (but not before Kenji-kun steals another piece) and walk with my family outside of the gates marked, for now, Yamaguchi.
(Exit Kenshin and crew)
(Hide)
I keep trying to push back up on the wooden cover over the entry hole. What does she have up there that’s so heavy? She’s stopped answering me, but I can hear her talking softly to her turtle.
Once I would have left her alone – wait this out. But things have a way of -festering-, and I won’t have my little girl suffering.
Eiji with his military training easily and swiftly are able to usher everyone out. I’m thankful to that adopted son of mine for many things. I motion the rest to get back inside the house. Whatever is happening, I don’t need them to bear witness.
Now that we’re alone in the yard, I go and look up the ladder. Hide’s up there and I’m afraid she might fall, but then I remember she’s been fully healed.
“What happened?” I half shout and motion for her to push the door open but it seems she’s been trying and it’s not budging.
“Makoto open the door for your mother. You don’t want her to fall don’t you?”
(Hide)
What happened?
I look down the ladder and see Hajime. “She was happy with the turtle, talking to Tsutomu-kun and the girls, and then… she was up here.” I pale as I repeat her words. “She told me… she wanted me to go away, and that she hates me.” I look back up at the door. “She’s blocked it, somehow.”
Makoto open the door for your mother. You don’t want her to fall don’t you?
“I don’t want to talk to her! She’ll tell me more silly stories!” Then she’s quiet. “You can come up, chichiue.”
I push again on the board, but then I see through a crack in the floor one eye. “Go away!”
She told me… she wanted me to go away, and that she hates me.”“She’s blocked it, somehow.”
That’s interesting and unexpected. Makoto loves her mother.
I don’t want to talk to her! She’ll tell me more silly stories!”. “You can come up, chichiue.”
Ah… i wonder what silly stories she’s been told?
“Hide come down. I’ll speak to her.” I wait to let her pass. “You should probably go inside and take care of Ai. She’s with Tomu.”
(Makoto)
Hide come down. I’ll speak to her. You should probably go inside and take care of Ai. She’s with Tomu.
I feel her get off the ladder. I don’t really want to talk to anyone! But it’s not chichiue’s fault… it’s -hers-.
I get everything out of the box that i use as a table that made the hatch heavy, and slide away. “Okay,” I say, going to sit down by the window, with kame-sama next to me. He’s a nice pet, but I -bet- I won’t be able to keep him, either.
Saitou:
Hide leaves without a word. I suppose that’s to be expected, all her preparation for me to just call off the party earlier than anticipated and her daughter to say some unacceptable things. But I’ll have to deal with Makoto first, get to the bottom of it although I’m sure it is exactly as Tomu told me.
Hoisting myself up into the treehouse I find it a little small as sitting seiza, only leaves a few inches clearance for myself.
“Now when is it ever okay to tell your mother you hate her? Even if she told silly stories?” I try to grin a little for my daughter as I sit beside her, “That hurt her you know and if you’re willing to hurt your mother like that, it better be for a better reason that telling you silly stories.”
“Don’t laugh at me Chichi-ue I’m not a -baby-.”
“Tsurumi-chan said you were leaving and then oniisan said that we don’t know -when- but…” I wipe the back of my eyes and pick up kame-sama, who puts his legs and head in his shell. “I know she’s making you go. I heard her tell Mochizuki-san, back in Ito…. that -she- ran away from you because she was -bad- and that’s why we lived alone.”
I hug Kame-sama closer. “Then if you go then Eiji-san and Yukiko-san and then…” it’s hard to say the next name, “oniisan…” I don’t want to cry, I’m NOT a baby. “He’ll go too.”
“And Ai-chan…” I look down at my nice turtle.
“Don’t laugh at me Chichi-ue I’m not a -baby-.”
“First I didn’t laugh but you are still our baby even if you -are- seven now.”
And of course it -was- what Tomu said, along with the natural progression of things should it happen.
“Eiji -has- to leave. He had a job which he shouldn’t have abandoned. Yukiko came to live with us to learn from your mother and she’s almost done. If she doesn’t leave then all of the things she learned would be for nothing and if Eiji doesn’t return, he will regret leaving things as it is in the army.”
I reach for a cigarette but decide against it and instead continue. “It’s the same with your brother. He’s here to finish his school but after that he has to live his own life.”
I move a little closer to my daughter and I notice she’s hugging her turtle a little to tightly. “Young turtles like these need protection because their shell is still a bit malleable. But if you hold it too tightly, the shell will be deformed and may hurt kame-sama.” I reach over and remove the turtle from her arms, setting it down on the table near the cage. “If you let kame-sama have some space, his shell will grow strong and round that even the strongest of swords could hardly pierce it.” I stare at the turtle for a moment recalling my battle with one of the ten swords who deftly used a tortoise shell against me.
“Do you understand why they eventually will have to leave?” I look at my daughter, for a moment wondering what she meant by including Ai, “It is not your mother’s fault.”
(OOC – not feeling well. Will post tomorrow)
(Makoto)
Eiji -has- to leave. He had a job which he shouldn’t have abandoned. Yukiko came to live with us to learn from your mother and she’s almost done. If she doesn’t leave then all of the things she learned would be for nothing and if Eiji doesn’t return, he will regret leaving things as it is in the army.
“I like having all of my family here…”
It’s the same with your brother. He’s here to finish his school but after that he has to live his own life.
“But maybe he can stay – boys can go to college and we have some here in Tokyo… but he won’t now, will he?” I’m not going to cry I’m not a baby. I’m not I’m not I’m not but I like oniisan teasing me…
He tells me about how to take care of my turtle. I don’t want to hurt him! “He’s still a baby?” But I like the idea he’ll be -strong-.
Do you understand why they eventually will have to leave?
I nod. “I don’t like it.”
It is not your mother’s fault.
I look down again. “Then why is she making you leave? What if we all fall apart? And Ai-chan has to go to another family like Tsuyoshi-kun did?” If oniisan is gone, who else will protect Ai-chan from something like that? I hold onto chichiue’s arm.
Saitou:
“I like having all of my family here…”
I take her and let her sit on my lap. But I settle her so her back is turned against me where I don’t show my face. Quietly I answer her, “That’s something your mother would say.”
“But maybe he can stay – boys can go to college and we have some here in Tokyo… but he won’t now, will he?”
“I don’t know. Remember Tomu also has a family in Aizu… His mother. His brother.” I stroke my child’s jet black hair, “If it’s his time to go, it would be selfish to keep him.”
And she talks about her turtle. “Kame-sama is a little more than a baby but he’s no match against me… nor -you-.”
“I don’t like it.”
“And that’s fine. You don’t have to like it, you -must- accept it Makoto-chan. Part of growing up is knowing when to accept change or not… And you just said you’re not a baby.”
I wrap my arms around my young daughter and smell her hair. It’s been a long time that we’ve had time to talk and unfortunately it maybe… I close my eyes for a minute just listening to her breathe.
“Then why is she making you leave? What if we all fall apart? And Ai-chan has to go to another family like Tsuyoshi-kun did?”
Letting out a breath, I take a moment to respond. “Makoto, understand this well. Your mother is -not- bad. She is -not- making me leave.”
With a sigh I continue. “Your mother -will- make sure you and Ai-chan are well taken cared of regardless of what happens. Your mother is the rock that keeps this house together. She built it… Back then, before you were born I was a -broken- man until I met your mother and I wanted to live again.”
That’s something your mother would say.
He puts me on his lap and I twist around to look at him. “She likes to take care of people. I’m so happy… to have a big family.” It was so lonely in Ito… “I like it, I’m never lonely.”
I don’t know. Remember Tomu also has a family in Aizu… His mother. His brother. If it’s his time to go, it would be selfish to keep him.
“But he still gets to choose, right? And aren’t we his family, too?” He probably does love his mother most. And Tsuyoshi-kun.
And that’s fine. You don’t have to like it, you -must- accept it Makoto-chan. Part of growing up is knowing when to accept change or not… And you just said you’re not a baby
I look down and then he’s quiet and I….
Makoto, understand this well. Your mother is -not- bad. She is -not- making me leave.
But why? I just hug him back.
Your mother -will- make sure you and Ai-chan are well taken cared of regardless of what happens. Your mother is the rock that keeps this house together. She built it…
“I want Ai-chan to have you as a baby and growing up… that’s why I was jealous, chichiue. Because you were going to be there when -she- wouldn’t let you when I was a baby.” I look down, feeling -bad- because jealousy is -bad-. “But then it made me happy, because Ai-chan laughs so much when you’re home!” I sigh, “and I don’t know if she’s a rock…. she was always so -sad- in Ito. I didn’t know that she could be happy, until you were there.” I remember her, sitting and watching the ocean… telling that one story.
Back then, before you were born I was a -broken- man until I met your mother and I wanted to live again.
I think and think as I sit, cuddled on him. This is -hard-. “But chichiue… do you not want to live anymore? Is that why you have to go?” Suddenly it feels -cold- and I look up at him, -scared-. “Couldn’t we fix you, again?” I hug him around his shoulders, -tight-.
Saitou:
“She likes to take care of people. I’m so happy… to have a big family.” “I like it, I’m never lonely.”
“Of course.” I should know this having lived a life mostly in the shadows or in hiding. A child like her in this peaceful Meiji era would crave the company of people unlike an old wolf like me.
“But he still gets to choose, right? And aren’t we his family, too?”
“He won’t turn his back on you -ever-. If one day you need him to protect you, just ask and he will…” I think for a moment, “But after his studies I believe he will have to go back to Aizu to fix the Fujita house as it will be his house and because I was not able to provide the care that his mother needed… Tokio my wife back then, he will likely take on that responsibility.”
In the West it is said that children are not made to provide for the parents but in -this- society, according to Buddhist ideals one should honor one’s mother and father. I could not fulfill the duty of a husband and hearing Tomu earlier, I finally understood the undue burden I’ve given him.
“I want Ai-chan to have you as a baby and growing up… that’s why I was jealous, chichiue. Because you were going to be there when -she- wouldn’t let you when I was a baby.”
“It’s not that she wouldn’t let me. It was because back then we weren’t supposed to be together Makoto. I was still with Tomu’s mother while I started seeing your mother. Remember what I told you in Hanafabuki? That your mother and I met, that I couldn’t resist and then we had you.” I sigh and touch her hair, “I got -greedy- and did things to trap your mother, to -force- our being together and so it was right for her to step away. Sometimes doing the right thing, the -honest- thing is hard on you and the people you care for. Understand?”
I don’t know if she’s a rock…. she was always so -sad- in Ito. I didn’t know that she could be happy,
“She is strong. She always gets by and that’s what’s important.” I sigh, “And now she has you and Ai-chan. You should do your best to support her and make her happy.”
“But chichiue… do you not want to live anymore? Is that why you have to go?” “Couldn’t we fix you, again?”
And my little girl hugs me tight and I rub her back a little.
“I want to live but not as I have.” I hold her an arms length away, “There’s an English saying “Absence makes the heart grow fonder”.” I grin a little. It’s cliche and I’ve no idea if it’s true but what’s certain is… “I love you and Ai, that will always be true. And I love your mother and I don’t want that to change and so I must leave.”
“Now will you go and tell your mother you’re sorry about what you said to her? It was wrong to speak to your mother like that. And even more wrong to accuse her of things without proper evidence nor even giving her the grace to explain herself. My daughter is better than that.”
He won’t turn his back on you -ever-. If one day you need him to protect you, just ask and he will…
I nod. Aizu is so far! And then chichiue talks about oniisan’s -real- family…. the ones that really need him. Tsuyoshi-kun seemed lonely. And I don’t know his mother.
I got -greedy- and did things to trap your mother, to -force- our being together and so it was right for her to step away. Sometimes doing the right thing, the -honest- thing is hard on you and the people you care for. Understand?
But she told Mochizuki-san that she got -scared- and that’s why she ran away. And he says it was hard.
And now she has you and Ai-chan. You should do your best to support her and make her happy.
“I can try but chichiue, I’m just -seven-.” Not a baby, but she wasn’t happy when it was just us and Ai-chan -is- cute but I liked this…. her and chichiue laughing. Being -silly-.
I want to live but not as I have. There’s an English saying “Absence makes the heart grow fonder”.” “I love you and Ai, that will always be true. And I love your mother and I don’t want that to change and so I must leave.
“I don’t understand…” I mutter. “So it’s like that story, it’s real… wolves and princesses can’t be together.” But he loves me, and Ai-chan? “Will you ever come to see us?” Or is this… forever?” I just hug him tight and squeezing my eyes -shut- because I’m not a baby I’m not I’m not going to -cry-.
Now will you go and tell your mother you’re sorry about what you said to her? It was wrong to speak to your mother like that. And even more wrong to accuse her of things without proper evidence nor even giving her the grace to explain herself. My daughter is better than that.
It still has to be her. He loves -her- but he didn’t say that she loved him! But I nod. “Yes, chichiue.” I pick up kame-sama and put him back in his cage. “Can you please bring him down?” Maybe my brother will help me make a pond before he goes away, too.
I open the hatch and she’s there, by the bottom of the tree. I sigh and go down the ladder. I don’t know what to say I’m not a big girl after all because I don’t understand and I’m sad and I don’t KNOW…. and….
She opens her arms and I just go. And I’m crying, like a stupid -baby-.
I can try but chichiue, I’m just -seven-
“But my princess won’t always be seven and even a little princess can make her mother smile.”
Will you ever come to see us?” Or is this… forever?”
And she hugs me again but I know why. It’s the same reason I had her sit earlier facing away from me. But how was I to answer -that-? I know I told her mother I’d visit the children but really who would want -me-? The way I am now.
“Well nothing lasts forever.” I say and rub her back again. It’s odd the things coming out of my mouth. A bunch of platitudes, other people’s words not exactly my own.
She finally settles herself after some time and hands me her turtle so I can bring him down. “Kame-sama will be delivered to your room.”
I watch as she goes down the ladder and notice that Hide was waiting there for her daughter the entire time. I retreat back into the tree house and light a cigarette. I’m sure they’ll need a moment to be alone and I can always deliver her turtle later after she’s asleep.
I hurt my daughter today. I know that… but there’s nothing to do now except watch the tip of my tobacco glowing red. Hopefully her mother is able to put her to sleep easier.
(Ooc: Saitou will stay in the tree house until the two goes inside. You can close the thread.)
But my princess won’t always be seven and even a little princess can make her mother smile
I look at him. “I can make her smile… but isn’t she supposed to take care of me?” Why are grown-ups so -weird-? I want to help her, but I -am- just seven! “I can try, chichiue, but why can’t you too?”
Well nothing lasts forever.
I don’t know why that sounds so strange. Like out of a story strange. “It can, if you -want- it to.” Or maybe… he doesn’t want to. I look at him, at his face. Maybe it’s too much trouble to make her smile, and we’re all bad kids. I drop my eyes.
He tells me he’ll bring kame-sama down later. I go down the ladder and there she is.
I know I’m supposed to apologize but she opens her arms and I run to her, and I guess I am a baby because I cry.
(Hide)
I know she’s sorry, that she doesn’t hate me. But when my little girl says those things… all I can think of is what I was shown during my Judgement, how she may come to hate me, and blame me, for the splintering of her family.
But that young woman isn’t here yet. And for now, she needs her mother. I look up at the treehouse, and I suspect he may need me too… but our precious little girl needs me and… she knows that I love her, that I’ll take care of her and protect her. Another time I would have shooed her off to bed and not -dealt- with it and instead tended to him, but now?
“Come by my room later, we have things to discuss,” I call up, quietly, seeing him smoking up there. Will he? Or will he just go off to where it’s easier? A compliant woman who can put him first and charm away his frowns? Well… that’s what I once was, after all. I suppose the draw is still there for him, for that.
I put my arm around Makoto’s shoulders. “Let’s get your face washed up, okay?”
(OOC – close)