Naito:
“Your current guardian sure takes her time.” I roll my eyes a little. What could those -old- people be doing in that kitchen? But it’s become quiet suddenly and I no longer hear the loud girl… What was her name again… Makoto and that other girl? Midori. It doesn’t matter they’d only get in my way. Not that I had planned to do anything.
“She’s like that.” The boy Tsutomu shrugs. “It’s probably better if she doesn’t come back here..” He adds.
“Well to Aizu -definitely-. She’s a Kyoto woman right?” I look back at him who doesn’t look away. He has good eyes, unlike the one I’ll be -extinguishing- soon. “How did your bastard of a father meet her?”
He nods. “I heard they knew each other from Kyoto back in the Bakumatsu. Her family was some sort of sponsor for those good for nothin’ Shinsengumi men.”
I laugh a little. The adjectives this boy uses! “Don’t be so hard on the Shinsengumi boy.” I tell him looking up, thinking about the stories I heard about them and what I -saw-. “There were some good ones in that lot like Hijikata-sama. Just not your abominable father.”
“Hijikata? I’ve heard about him.”
“He was as badass as the stories. He’d cut anyone down who turned tail and ran away from their duties and defending Aizu. My older brother wanted to join his regiment but… The clan divided the troops by age.”
I sigh. Why did brother kill himself in Inomori? Just because the castle was burning… I narrow my eyes. Honor. It was because of honor. Hijikata died in the battlefield. My brother took his life as reparation for not being -strong- enough to defend the castle. I was weak with only my sister protecting me… I can feel the set of my face harden and the blood rushing to my neck. I’m not weak anymore.
I come in with breakfast and tea on trays. I didn’t evesdrop – these northern homes are more sturdily built so voices don’t carry like they do back home in warmer places with thinner walls…
They’re quiet, now, as I set down the trays. I look over at Tsutomu-kun, his mood seems… even. Measured.
And then Naito-kun… I look at him in alarm as I kneel down. “Naito-kun, you’re bright red!” I touch his forehead with the back on my hand. “Goodness, you’re warm – I can get you some cold water.”
He still has his path of vengeance against Hajime/Goro. And maybe his son. But he’s still Yaso-san’s brother…
Tsutomu:
Shinoda-san doesn’t seem to notice Yagi-san and Ueda-sama enter the room. He seems far away from this room. I could ask him what he’s thinking but do I care? Not really, now that the girls aren’t here anymore. The house fell silent and I doubt Yagi-san would’ve kept them here right? Where the danger is… But is this man dangerous at all? Unlike the red haired man, I don’t sense anything at all from him. But didn’t -he- say it’s those you can’t sense that is most dangerous of all?
“Naito-kun, you’re bright red!”
And suddenly Yagi-san is touching him, like she touches me uninvited. Naito-san seems to come to but..
“Get your hands off me! I don’t need -your- help! I’m -strong- enough on my own.” He swats her hand away and I watch waiting for more. I’ll have to tackle him myself he tries more.
“Don’t think you being nice to me Yagi-san will change anything.” He stares at her but glances back at me, “I don’t touch children but those -not- innocent. -Guilty-. Heaven’s justice will come down on them.”
“Who is -them-?” I suddenly ask. I thought he only wanted -him-.
“Who else but your abominable father! He deserves to die!”
“Oh?” I cross my arms. “He probably deserves it. You can -try- but he’s not here and…”
“And what?”
“Many has tried before or at least the stories says so. I even thought once he was -dead-.” I laugh, “but he always lives. Some way. Some how. He finds a way.”
“You defending him boy?” He suddenly stands up and goes pass Yagi-san towards me.
“No. I think we’re all better off if he’s dead.” And I do mean it. After all did him living his life do anything good except for himself? Look at us here. Defenseless. An old man, a foolish woman and a foul mouth youth.
“Ahahahaha!!!” He laughs loudly and holds his stomach. He reaches out to me again and pats my shoulder and he almost cries as he laughs, “You might as well be the son of my sister! If her son was alive, he would wish for the same thing as you. For him to die a -shameful- death for abandoning them.”
I look up at Shinoda-san. I didn’t say I wanted a shameful death for him. I just want him -gone-. Gone for good this time. But abandonment? Like us? I look back at the old man. He knows Shinoda-san right? Why does he stay quiet? Maybe he’s given up and are just waiting for all of us to leave him in peace.
For a moment, I thought that perhaps Naito-kun… but he starts telling me that he doesn’t need my help. swatting at me, like a child. That he’s strong enough. Not the first man to tell me that around here… but I restrain myself from telling him that the kindness is not an act or a ruse, but what his sister would do?
I glance over at Tsutomu-kun, who is keeping watchful. Something in his eyes, the feint of cool disdain… like someone else?
But Tsutomu-kun redirects the conversation and Naito-kun’s attention, back to his original interest.
but he always lives. Some way. Some how. He finds a way.
Ah, he does? He can survive wars and swords and guns, but other things… I think of the two sides of a man out there. Which one would fare better in the face of this? Which one would “take” this “judgement” of a pained brother, and who would fight? Who would be willing to kill the last kin of his first wife, the one he actually loved?
No. I think we’re all better off if he’s dead.
I can’t help but wince at that, his disregard… is this an act as well? But I know about those dreams… no, nightmares. Where he saw another story, long since rewound but not -forgotten-.
As Naito-kun laughs at Tsutomu-kun’s words, I look over at Ueda-sama. They know the truth of what happened? Why is he silent? Ueda-sama loved her as well.
What will touch the wounded heart of a boy that this man carries?
“Fujita-san isn’t here and who knows when he’s coming,” I say, my tone light and even. “So shall we sit like this, until he perhaps remembers that we’re up here?” Oh, I -know- he’s not forgotten where we are. He just needs to -move- to do something.
Naito:
“Fujita-san isn’t here and who knows when he’s coming,” I say, my tone light and even. “So shall we sit like this, until he perhaps remembers that we’re up here?”
I sit back down and heave a sigh. The woman is right… I lean back and look up the ceiling. “I knew he wouldn’t be -here-. He didn’t show at the appointed time and I knew you’d tell him. You seem the sort.”
I glance at Ueda-sama who used to defend that man to me, just like my sister did. He’s quiet and I’m sure now he realizes he and sister was wrong about that man and I was -right-. I’ve always been -right-.
Then I look at the child Tsutomu. “I told you boy that you could’ve been my sister’s son. You know that she bore him a son and he didn’t even bother to come or name him? Up to now, there’s nothing by the jizo statues. You’re lucky…” I snort a bit at that, “He was always after your mother, even when he was already -married- to my sister. He always hung around the Takagi’s. I suppose it was to his advantage after all that’s how he got to Tokyo… Whatever happened to that mother of yours and didn’t you have a brother?”
I almost forgot about that. I heard there was another one…
Whatever happened to that mother of yours and didn’t you have a brother?
“Oh….” I sigh, a bit. “She’s been ill, you know, and the shock of her husband’s mistress, brazenly coming into -her- family’s town… I’m afraid I’ve made it all worse.” I don’t want him messing with her. She’s Tsutomu-kun’s beloved mother, after all. “As for the younger son, he’s been adopted out, as according to Aizu custom.”
“Ueda-sama, you’ve kept quiet too long today. You were there and the only witness we have at our disposal, since Goro doesn’t seem to be joining us.” I turn to look at him. “I know you see with more than just your eyes. So please… tell us what happened. Aside from Yaso-san, I don’t think anyone comes out of this tale unblemished.” Even if she did tell the worst lie a woman could tell… she had her reasons. Unlike everyone else in this tale, her motives were -pure-.
“So please… tell what must be told.”
I’m ready for it, the story -he- wouldn’t tell me. I know the ‘lesson’ I’m meant to learn. It’s time for that to happen.
Naito:
“Ill? That woman has been -ill- for the longest time.” I laugh, “Don’t worry madame, I wouldn’t blame you in that regard.” I look at the boy whose expression suddenly changed from cool aloofness to borderline anger? Ah but good children -love- their mother and I’m sure it’s hard for him to sit there as I say all sorts of things about his mother. All of which is true. “Besides it heartens me to know that she finally met her match. Trampling on other people just for her own “happiness”. That woman was selfish as can be but then again that’s probably what attracted him to her, aside from her connection with the court of course.”
I sigh a bit at the mention of the other son, “I -pity- him. Him being the sole heir of the Namuzawa’s is only a slight consolation for being thrown out of the family for not being valuable enough as a second son.” I shrug, “But that’s how they are, they only see children as debt payment or for “connections”. In this case I suppose both.”
I look at the boy again and he’s silent as he only stares at me. He probably knows I say the truth. One can’t dispute the truth after all. Nor one can escape justice. “Now don’t worry Tsutomu. Soon enough your little brother will completely embrace his place in the world and who knows, maybe even surpass all of the Takagi and the Fujitas.”
But then the woman starts addressing Ueda-sama. Can’t she see he’s taking a rest? He’s an old man who have very little energy and all of a sudden his house is full of peole. Well half of them left. And she starts asking for the “story”. What story? I already know all of it. And can tell it 1000 times over.
“What makes you think Yagi-san, that I have any desire to retread the past? Especially one that I have promised to another not to broach?” Came Ueda-sama’s answer. I grin. The old man certainly is cranky this morning. He’s not even touched his tea.
“What will it benefit you Yagi-san for me to break a promise to my daughter?” What promise? I -know- everything. Unlike the old man, I -saw- Everything. Maybe I should be the one to tell…
Naito-kun sees through me. Why does he bother to ask, then? Does he enjoy Tsutomu-kun’s act of aloofness, or my blustering? When he speaks of Tokio her son almost cracks, but he has his father’s self-control rather than the rash emotionalism of his mother or myself.
He didn’t sell his son. His wife did. I want to scream it. And she did it for the reasons Naito-kun said, but also to punish his father.
What will it benefit you Yagi-san for me to break a promise to my daughter?
Again, Ueda-sama rebukes me. “Forgive me, Ueda-sama.” Only my selfish wish to either keep Goro from death or to keep the blood of Naito-kun off of his hands. He -always- sees right through me, and I fell into another trap. To him I’d stain Yaso-san’s memory for my own purposes.
I bow my head. “Please excuse me and my words. I am only here as Tsutomu-kun’s guardian.”
But I know the lesson. It’s the same one that the caped man wanted me to learn. That Hajime/Goro uses the women in his life. Yaso-san saved him, maybe he actually loved her… but even if the offer from Aizu leadership wasn’t one he could refuse, it happened. Did Yaso-san die thinking that her ruse worked, that he hated her for the death of their son? And then Tokio, used her to get to Tokyo, to the police, for sons to carry on the new name. But she was a bitch who forgot his birthday, and there I was… of course, it wasn’t just me. There were others available then in the wilderness, did he partake or not? Again, to use, when I wouldn’t replace my sister… And then Aioi. He used her for work, used her to get to me too. Like me, she went back to him after he used her the first time.
Use use use. And I’m the fool who fell for it, the words of love and marriage and forever.
That’s what they want me to know. That’s their take.
I stand. “Ueda-sama, did I not prepare your tea as you would wish? Please allow me to prepare another cup to your liking.”
(OOC – Hide is going to the kitchen unless stopped)
Ueda:
“Yagi-san, it’s no use -running- away. Even if it’s just to the kitchen.” I say it quietly but -bluntly-. “How do you expect anyone here to act -properly-, much less for Goro to appear if you cower at the slightest of resistence, much less rebuke?”
I can’t help but shake my head. I was willing to sit through this quietly, to let her do the right thing. To be a true guardian to Tsutomu while his father was away and for Naito to see with action not words that Goro…
I turn to Naito. “I can’t blame you if you still carry the grudge from long ago. The words of your sister carry little weight when you’ve nursed her until her death and Goro did not once appear. If your sister’s words carry no weight back then, even her letters will not change your mind…” I pause and look at Goro’s son. “And a boy who has -no- love nor respect left for his father, certainly proves his father’s guilt.”
“I’ve said it before to you Naito that your sister’s words were true. That Goro in fact loved her and the rumors that abounded in Gonohe, were not true. Goro had a duty to Princess Teru and also the people who surrounded her. He couldn’t simply resign his post because Tokio-dono had wished for more. Duty above all else is a samurai’s life. If he were to abandon his duties, he would have to abandon the clan and if he were a man of honor, he would commit seppuku. He didn’t want to abandon his duties and with a family and child on the way, nor was he willing to lose his life.”
“Respectfully Ueda-sama, but please don’t give me this rehashed story of honor!” Naito-kun gestures excitedly with his hands as if trying to push my words away. “The samurai is no more! But something else prevails and that is -justice-. Justice for my sister! Justice he has to face! Why had he never faced me! If he’s innocent, why hasn’t he told me the same story as you and sister?”
I look away. “That I do not know.” Should I break my promise? Tell this young man of her sister’s decision whether right or wrong? Would it make a difference? But if it were so easy wouldn’t Goro have told Naito himself?
“See. You have -no- answers for me!”
“Oh geez Shinoda-san! Just go and find him! He’ll return to the Tokyo Police Headquarters at some point.” The boy rolls his eyes and gestures to us all. “That’s where he’ll be and you can do us all a favor and put a stop to all -this-.”
Ueda-sama speaks to rebuke me again and… I’m -tired- of being wrong, all of the time. Over and over, making the wrong move, and he’s never, ever coming to me except in the shadows and corners, not moving. And Ueda-sama reminds me that his status is -my- fault.
Then he tells the story – or some of it. Yaso-san’s deception is left out, her desperate lie to condemn herself to free him. But in that was her love, of being able to let someone go when they need to go. She was the actual saint among his women.
Oh geez Shinoda-san! Just go and find him! He’ll return to the Tokyo Police Headquarters at some point. That’s where he’ll be and you can do us all a favor and put a stop to all -this-.
“And you Tsutomu-kun- stop with this disrespect! Are you that eager to see that ‘nightmare’ of yours come true? To have it come true for your sisters? Even if this is all an -act- to think your father isn’t worth killing, Ueda-sama is right – you only reinforce his ideas about his father.” I meet his eyes. “But I’ll take -some- blame, letting you go around at home unchecked, thinking that you could do as you please to me and him, and that in time you’d grow up some and see the man behind your mother’s words wasn’t the one you were told him to be, if only I gave you -space-.”
“Also, I doubt Naito-kun would do anything like go to the TMPD where the sheer number of Goro’s compatriots could overwhelm even the best spearman.”
I look back at the young man. “Although it would be good for you to see -what- he had to give up his old life for, to know just -what- he’s done….” I shrug. “But you won’t believe words. I suppose this will end in blood, and no matter if its yours or his, she wouldn’t like it.”
“I’ve heard stories about her. That she was kind, as weak as she was, she took in and cared for children like Akane-san. But that despite her weakness she was strong – and for that, she -made- her husband give up on her. However, I don’t think she saw that it would make you obsessed with vengeance. She’d want all of the children she and Ueda-sama protected to live in the sun, wouldn’t she?”
“You knew her, and loved her the most. Tell me, was she a woman of vengeance and grudges, or one of understanding? Think back to -her-. Not what you feel. -Her-.” I sit down in front of where he stands, but still looking at him. “And I need you to tell me about that Yaso-san. If we’re going to put flowers on her grave, I should know more of who she truly was.”
Tsutomu:
The old man speaks and reprimands me. Just like Kurosawa-san reprimanded me before. But it’s -different- when it’s Yagi-san.
And you Tsutomu-kun- stop with this disrespect! Are you that eager to see that ‘nightmare’ of yours come true? To have it come true for your sisters? Even if this is all an -act- to think your father isn’t worth killing
My head spins towards her, “An act? None of this was an act.” I face Yagi-san squarely and continue quietly. “I had -no- “nightmares”. Sure in the beginning it was unsettling to know that names and faces were -real-. That this Kawaji-san actually existed. I still don’t understand but I… I thought about it over and over. And realized I -prefer- that man who died and whose superior spoke well off to his family and friends. Not -this- man who changed with the seasons and abandons everything he knows.”
I glance at Shinoda-san. I think I understand him a little better. I symphathize with him.
But I’ll take -some- blame, letting you go around at home unchecked, thinking that you could do as you please to me and him, and that in time you’d grow up some and see the man behind your mother’s words wasn’t the one you were told him to be, if only I gave you -space
“My mother lived with him for -years-. How about you Yagi-san? What at most two maybe?” I can’t help but scoff a bit, “My mother -made- sure I knew -everything- and more. She didn’t leave anything to chance.” That’s the truth. “My mother was meticulous and I admire her for it. I admire her for her honesty as well.” But I don’t mean to be so hard on Yagi-san so I don’t add anything else.
Naito:
The boy tells me where to go. I know where to go. I’ve known for years. Ridiculous that they still don’t understand.
Although it would be good for you to see -what- he had to give up his old life for, to know just -what- he’s done….”
“What he’s done? I do not care for what he’s done. Good or bad. After he left my sister.” I mutter, clasping my hands in front of my face and peering at Yagi-san from behind my clenched fists. “I only care about one thing. And going to him in Tokyo will be for nothing if he doesn’t see with his own eyes what he left behind. His comrades be damned…”
But that despite her weakness she was strong – and for that, she -made- her husband give up on her. However, I don’t think she saw that it would make you obsessed with vengeance. She’d want all of the children she and Ueda-sama protected to live in the sun, wouldn’t she?
What kind of woman is this? Living under the sun? “My sister lived in a time of famine. She taught children because she wasn’t good enough for the court having been a bad apple for not sacrificing herself like a good samurai’s daughter would.”
You knew her, and loved her the most. Tell me, was she a woman of vengeance and grudges, or one of understanding? Think back to -her-. Not what you feel. -Her-.”
“So it would seem you know -nothing- of my sister. Even now, he tells no one of her.” I shake my head and shoot daggers at Ueda-sama. Why does he let him still be part of this house? Of us. His son, is more Takagi than Fujita nor Ueda. And the woman? Putting flowers on my sister’s grave? “My sister has no need for flowers.” I sit down and glance at the long pole I had wrapped just in case he came. I only accepted two answers – here were all of them can -see-. Or there where my sister can see. I can feel the sweat starting to break. I mutter “Stop asking about my sister. You who knew nothing about her and yet stayed with that man.”
“Naito.” Came Ueda’s voice. “Do not do what you’re thinking.”
I turn to him and smile. He’s always telling me not to. Like I was still that little child tugging at the sleeves of his older sister…
(OOC: Naito is starting to get unstable if it’s not obvious….)
I smile a bit at Tsutomu-kun. He was upset because it was confusing? Certainly, yes, but still – “one day I’ll tell you all. But you know that the man we’ve seen lately isn’t the same as he was. I can’t bring him back alone. Not even with your sisters. You hold a key. The father that came for you in the rain, that played mudballs with you and Yoshi… he’s changed, yes, and some changes cannot be undone, but…” I hold up my hand, free of scars and moving like it never knew injury, “this place still has surprises. You were the last one he spoke to. You’re -important- to him.”
I can’t follow all that Naito-kun speaks of, as he mutters and it’s clear… he’s not -well-. Physically, perhaps, but his mind… I remember another life, one I’ve wanted to forget for the mistakes I made there, where I faced down patients like this. And in this life, the men who visited my father’s home in the years after the war… I’ve seen this.
I also know spears, like the ‘hidden’ thing he can’t stop looking at. Not through the best spearman of Aizu or his son, but the best one in -Kyoto-. I know a yari when I see one, having seen the 10th captain with his in practice, with a fury and… art that I didn’t expect out of the man who painted faces to decorate his failed seppuku scar. He never taught Hidejiro – far too short – but he did show off for Hide, like an older brother who wants awe and respect from their juniors. So I know spears. Not like I do swords. But enough.
I’m not… in the place I was when I as good as baited Souji, I have no wish to die at another’s hand. But I will not allow anyone here to be hurt. The most vulnerable, the most defenseless, are gone, but the blind old man who refuses to give up his secrets doesn’t deserve Naito-kun’s fury, nor does Tsutomu-kun, for simply being the -son-.
Stop asking about my sister. You who knew nothing about her and yet stayed with that man.
“But Naito-kun, nobody else will tell me. They keep her secrets, or for Goro she’s locked behind deep layers that I only see a -glimmer- of her.” As I talk, quietly and slowly, I reach over for his spear, wrapping both hands around it, drawing it close to me. “She’s lucky, you love her so much, Naito-kun.”
Tsutomu:
She smilesd and I just shake my head. She’s full of it. She’s convinced herself of this fairy tale life. “I don’t hold some key and I don’t need a man like -that- back!”
How many times do I have to say it. “And I don’t care if I was the last person he spoke to!”
I’d walk out but there’s nowhere to go. I’m =stuck- here with a woman who’s head is up in the clouds and an old man who as blind as a bat as he is, thinks he can just command things and it will happen. They’re all -crazy-.
But speaking of crazy, I look at Shinoda… I still don’t feel anything from him.
Naito:
The woman talks and talk and talks. About my sister. My dearly departed sister. Forgotten by time. Forgotten by him… By all of them. And now this one expects me to tell her my sister’s story?
She moves and I can see she’s going for my spear, until she holds it in her hands. Why? I can easily take it back from her if I wanted to.
She’s lucky, you love her so much, Naito-kun.”
“Someone has to! And it -cannot- be you to hold my sisters memory dear. Or go lay down flowers for her.” I shout and eye that spear. I -hate- that she’s holding it.
“Now give that back. It’s a family heirloom that shouldn’t be touched by some stranger, even if it were someone who wanted to know about my sister.”
NO way I’m letting some woman take her place. “You want to know about my sister to take her place don’t you?!” I make a lunge for it. I’ll show her!
“NAITO!” The old man shouts and suddenly I’m pulled back. Held back by the old man whose managed to hold me back by the shoulder with both of his arms.
“What are you doing old man?” I ask, “Don’t make me hurt you.” He knows better, unless he’s willing to break my arms which he could’ve done so the moment he restrained me – but he didn’t in the first place which means he does not want to and so wasted his lone opportunity.
“Naito-kun. Please let Ueda-sama go.”
I turn. What is -she- doing here? I narrow my eyes at Akane. It’s the old man who’s holding me back but I can easily throw him over my shoulder and break his back. But that would make Akane sad, wouldn’t it? I stare at Yagi-san who still has my spear.
I don’t hold some key and I don’t need a man like -that- back! And I don’t care if I was the last person he spoke to!
What is it he says… yare yare? I have a much, much bigger and deadlier problem. I can castigate myself over this incident -later-.
I hold the spear, even though I know I couldn’t prevent him from taking it from me. Why? Why does he hesitate?
You want to know about my sister to take her place don’t you?!
He suddenly lunges and is held back by… Ueda-sama. I knew he must have one been a formidable man, but he’s so frail now, Naito-kun wouldn’t just batter him, would he?
And then Akane-san is here, pleading…. and I feel Naito-kun’s eyes on me.
“No, no,” I say, softly, calmly. “I would never, -could- never replace Yaso-san. I don’t want her forgotten, as some would prefer. I have no right to love her, but I can show my respect to her.” I keep my eyes fixed on the young man. “Nobody else could have her courage, or her compassion. She would rather make the man she loved think she betrayed him so when he had to leave, he wouldn’t look back over his shoulder for her.” I then glance back at Akane-san, and then to Naito-kun.
“Let Ueda-sama down, please. He’s done so much for Yaso-san’s memory, and to try to make Goro face it. He’s not your enemy in this.” I tighten my grip on the spear, my knuckles whitening. And, I add to myself, she wouldn’t like it. And seeing Akane-san’s shocked face, she doesn’t either.
Naito:
“I would never, -could- never replace Yaso-san. I don’t want her forgotten, as some would prefer. I have no right to love her, but I can show my respect to her.”
“Yes! Some would prefer for my sister to completely -disappear-! Like your mother Tsutomu!” I glare at the kid, “Your mother was one -hell- of a woman! Acted like my sister didn’t ever exists! Then AND NOW!”
I grin as the boy flinches at the truth I threw back at him. He should know that he’s the -product- of that man’s betrayal of my sister!
“Nobody else could have her courage, or her compassion. She would rather make the man she loved think she betrayed him so when he had to leave, he wouldn’t look back over his shoulder for her.”
“If he really loved her, he’d have looked back Yagi-san.” I test the grip of the old man by moving a step forward and realize it would be easy for me to just drag him and reach Yagi-san.
Akane and Yagi-san both asks me to let Ueda-sama go. But don’t they see, he’s the one holding on to me. “Now give my spear back Yagi-san. Before I change my mind and…”
“I’d do as he says.”
I spin my head to the direction of that voice. I -hate- that voice. It reminds me so much of -his-.
“Masaki…” The name comes out more like a drawl.
Akane:
He followed me here? I look at Naito first and then at Masaki but I avert my eyes and only watch as Masaki goes up to Yagi-san.
“Shinoda-san professed that what you hold in your hand is a family heirloom. -Important- to the son of the best spearman of Aizu.” He bows slightly, “I’m Tokishige Masaki who has heard of the elder Shinoda’s accomplishments in Hamaguri and I also reported to Yamaguchi Kumichou during the battles of Shirakawa-guchi. Madame, would you kindly hand over that spear. I -assure- you Shinoda-san will find his composure once that which is his, is returned.”
He holds out his hand waiting for Yagi-san.
“Yes! Some would prefer for my sister to completely -disappear-! Like your mother Tsutomu! Your mother was one -hell- of a woman! Acted like my sister didn’t ever exists! Then AND NOW!”
Well he’s not wrong there, what with the conditions Tokio’s ‘offer’ of divorce. Tsutomu-kun flinches, but why? He parroted his mother’s words about Yaso-san.
If he really loved her, he’d have looked back Yagi-san
I’d tell him, that he -did-, despite her words. Tokio may have been the woman between us, but Yaso-san was the wound deep down that he wouldn’t let -anyone- touch. The wound that still leaves him… “How do you know he didn’t? He carried her tenugui, Naito-kun. Faded and worn, he has it still.” Probably. One of them may have discarded it, as they discard other things during this ‘closure’. But the fact is he -did-.
I feel it, he’s going to move, take the spear, and it’s hard to tell at this point, who has who at an advantage. Naito-kun being young and strong… but then someone.
“I’m Tokishige Masaki
I bow in return. I know that name. “Ah, yes, I’ve heard of you, sir. You were another who we heard fell at those battles around Aizu. It is good -that- story is incorrect.”
“Shinoda Naito-san, I give this back to you if you promise no harm to the people in this house, nor Sagawa-san’s.” Promises are for children, I suppose, but I have so few ways to protect myself as my protector is somewhere else. He wouldn’t like me handling this spear either. I hand it over. His face isn’t as openly manic as it was, but he’s still agitated, so I am nervous.
Tsutomu:
His sister did exist, much to the chargrin of my mother. -He- never removed his -fake- marriage to the woman Shinoda Yaso. Why did this woman mean so much to him when all she was, was a hindrance to -our- family? He never loved my mother the way he should’ve because of this woman. And yet he accuses my mother… It’s only normal for my mother to wish for this woman to -disappear-, for the sake of our family. A family that is no more. And I can’t help but glance at Yagi-san who in a way, is the same as this “Yaso”.
And Yagi-san sounds off about how wonderful this Yaso is. How self-sacrificing. How… he left her.
“He never really left her behind Yagi-san!” I tell them both, “That woman was always in between my mother and fa… -him-!”
But no one is listening as Naito-san immediately drowns out what I’m saying. Saying that -he- never looked back. Not even once! He fucking never left her behind! But Naito-san takes a step forward and drags the old man with him obviously aiming to get his spear while Yagi-san seems to think that talk of some towel will deter this man from taking his weapon back. I shake my head and start to move but a very calm voice…
I’d do as he says.
Now who is he? Masaki… Tokishige? He’s… I’ve heard of him from my mother. The young leader who fended off the enemy so valiantly that the rest of Phoenix forces were able to escape. My eyes go wide a little. I’ve always thought he’d be a lot older, but he’s young just a few years older I think that Naito-san.
Akane:
Masaki-sama introduces himself to Yagi-san and asks that she give up the spear. I can only watch as Yagi-san hands over the spear but I know Masaki-sama is watching carefully and it’s doubtful that Naito-kun will pull anything here. Not with Masaki-sama watching. Ueda-sama even saw it fit to release Naito-kun who slowly straightens up and takes his spear from Yagi-san, but he doesn’t make any promises to her as she asked.
“Now Naito-kun it’s obvious that the man you are looking for isn’t here.” Continues Masaki, “It is dishonorable to the memory of your brother and father to linger here any longer when it is obvious that the people of this house has many other things to worry about. I heard they fled their home to hide here due to a threat. That threat is not you but continue as you are and you -become- that threat.”
Naito looks away and I feel sorry for him. He has never found words to talk back to Masaki. Not then and not now. Even when it was that time that things would change for us permanently.
Naito turns away and shows his back to Masaki-sama. “I didn’t come here to threaten them but to tell them the -truth- that my justice requires. That boy should know about his mother and father… And that woman should not easily think that -years- of insult and strife can be made good just by patronizing me nor my sister.”
“I am sorry.” Masaki-sama bows but I’m unsure as to who he directed his apology to.
“I’ll be leaving.” Naito adds.
“Wait Naito.” I suddenly find my voice, “You finally came to Aizu, this time without my prodding.”
“He didn’t come as we agreed. I suppose that woman’s words mean -little- to him.” He glances back at Yagi-san. “I’ll have to find something else that means -something- to that abomination.”
“Naito-kun…”
“Akane.”
I stop. “Yes Masaki-sama?”
“Naito said he was just leaving. I’m sure this event has been tiring for all of them.” He sweeps his eyes from the old man, to the child and finally to Yagi-san.
I want to tell Naito to stay. He doesn’t look good. I’m afraid… I look at Masaki-sama but he shakes his head and I… Don’t say anything. They all want him to leave and that’s probably for the best.
(OOC: Naito will leave unless something happens)
He never really left her behind Yagi-san! That woman was always in between my mother and fa… -him-!
I notice the slip-up in his usual naming convention for his father… “I know that very well,” I tell him, softly. Another thing I was meant to fix, like the father-son relationship. To help him… but I know better now. I have no magical love healing power.
Naito-kun lets Ueda-sama go. I’m not sure if he listens to Masaki-san out of respect or he just -can’t-. But Masaki-san is obviously a man used to commanding and having others follow his orders – he’s a general to Kurosawa-san’s politician. I know very little of him from the stories my brother managed to get from Shimada-san…
He has his spear back but of course did not agree to my promise. Of course not. And I represss a flinch when he points out that his target no longer listens to me.
Akane-san’s eyes are anxious as Naito-kun prepares to leave. “Wait, please. Masaki-san, Shinoda-san isn’t well. He can, with Ueda-sama’s permission, remain here and rest until he recovers. If Akane-san can spare the time to help as well?” I don’t know what is there, she’s married after all, but if nothing else they’re old friends and she wants the best for him. He’s on this path but perhaps she can do him some good in the meantime.
Akane:
My eyes almost light up as Yagi-san asks Ueda-sama’s permission for Naito to stay. He is unwell, perhaps even unstable and I look at Masaki-sama hopefully and he graciously nods at the idea, backing down from his earlier insistence for us to allow Naito to leave.
“We can take care of you Naito-kun.” I tell him, “Yagi-san and I… there’s a spare room upstairs and we can fix the bed, bring you a hot meal and…”
But Naito puts his hand up, “What are you saying Akane? -That- is highly -inappropriate- for a married woman to offer such services to another man in front of her husband!”
He shakes his head.
“But Masaki-sama approved of it..” I continue, “And Yagi-san will help.”
He throws me a much pained look, “First Masaki lectures me about becoming a villain and now you top it off with -this-.”
He starts to leave and pauses by Masaki-sama. “I’m leaving because I’ve done what I came for. To look for him and to tell these people my justice. If you see him yourself, he and -all- of you know where to find me. I will -not- wait any longer so if you know where he is.”
“I do not.”
“Tch.” He moves past Masaki-sama. Will he return to Gonohe today? My eyes follow his back but he doesn’t even turn. And he’s gone.
“Akane.”
“Yes Masaki-sama?”
“It is good you got here before I. Sagawa-san stopped by our place and let me know there was an unexpected visitor here.”
And he looks at me, I know the question he wants to ask. How did I know Naito-kun would be here? But he doesn’t ask it and I simply bow to him.
The relief is almost visible on Akane-san’s face, and she starts to offer comfort – but Naito-kun turns it down.
Naito-kun leaves and I remain puzzled by it – Masaki-san is Akane-san’s husband? I knew she had one, but him? And she’s very formal with him, but Hajime and I were once different in both our casual way as well as our open physicality. But well, perhaps that’s the difference between mistress and honored wife.
I turn to Ueda-sama. “Are you injured? Do you need to rest?” I glance over at Akane-san, who usually tends him so well, but there’s something unspoken going on between her and Masaki-san.
“Masaki-san, thank you for coming here.” I bow. “You seem to know at least why we’re here. Is there anything I could tell you?” Aizu is a small village in some ways, at least among the former samurai class.
Akane:
Naito leaves and suddenly it’s quiet in the room with just us. Yagi-san asks Ueda-sama how he is doing but he tells her he’s fine and goes to sit back down.
“Thank you Yagi-san but I can tend to Ueda-sama.” I add as I assist him back to his seat. And so Yagi-san turns her attention to Masaki-sama. I can’t help but wish he wasn’t here so I could go after Naito-kun. Was he really leaving to go back to Gonohe?
Masaki:
“Sagawa-sama asked me to come. He said he had to guard Fujita-san’s children but that you and his son were here.” I glance back at Akane, her being here was not out of the norm but coming here because she heard Naito was here is to put it mildly unexpected. And she wrote him letters, to invite him back to Aizu?
I turn away and focus on Yagi-san. “He also told me that Fujita-san had sent you here to Aizu for protection, though I’m sad to see that it was our own who gave you and young Tsutomu some trouble.”
I look at the young man and smile. “I always see your brother at the Niishin-kan. He’s catching up to you.”
“That’s -fine-. He’ll be fine even if his father abandoned him first.”
I blink at the sourness of this boy. I wonder does he resent being left behind? Wouldn’t the younger brother be more resentful instead? But that is not what I’m here for.
“Yagi-san I’ll be spending some time here until Sagawa-sama comes back to relieve me. If there’s anything I can do, please let me know. Anyone who is important to Fujita-san is important to us.” I look back at Akane, “and don’t worry about Ueda-sama, Akane is a good woman. She’ll take care of him.”
Some of the tension leaves the room with Naito-kun but it still feels… uneasy.
Unfinished.
I listen to Masaki-san, and nod. “I am grateful to Sagawa-san for sending you here, and to you, as well. I’m not certain if Shinoda-san would have stepped down without your intervention.”
Tsutomu-kun’s attitude about his father seems to surprise Masaki-san, but he moves on from it quickly. “Well before we leave Aizu you should visit your brother, Tsutomu-kun,” I say.
If there’s anything I can do, please let me know. Anyone who is important to Fujita-san is important to us.
At that I blink. I’m -not- important to him, not anymore, other than the mother of some of his children. “Thank you,” I say, recovering. “I think what is best now is for everyone to rest, this all started… early,” I sigh. I don’t want this to wear down Ueda-sama, he’s lived too long and through too much to be brought down by someone elses’ unfinished business.
“Do you think Shinoda-san will go back to the North, or perhaps he has somewhere to stay near here? Aside from Ueda-sama and Akane-san, does he have any old friends he could stay with?” Should the business in the south wrap up, he’d be coming into a trap… but he does have friends here, at least. Would they have his back? Old bonds…
“And do you think the girls are safer here, or at Sagawa-san’s?” I feel sick that they’re not here… not that I wanted them to see this, but it was hard to send them away.
Masaki:
I nod as Yagi-san expresses her thanks. “Unfortunately Shinoda-kun is a fool, letting his grievances for being left behind cloud his view of his own clan and kinsmen.”
I notice Akane’s brief glance but it is better to say the truth than to sugar-coat. “He was a fine young man -once- but now he’s merely become a child ever since he lost his sister who was his last living relative.”
Yagi-san tries to.speak to the boy Tsutomu who merely grunts that his ototoh is probably too busy with his new cohort of friends. And that they shouldn’t leave Ueda’s place because it is not safe. “You’re in Aizu aside from it’s remoteness, you should feel safe in the land of your father, where each man here knows of the Fujita family and so would open their doors for you should you need help.”
“Do you think Shinoda-san will go back to the North, or perhaps he has somewhere to stay near here? Aside from Ueda-sama and Akane-san, does he have any old friends he could stay with?”
I shake my head, “lately I’ve heard he’s been sighted here in aizu. At first I couldn’t believe it as he swore off the clan,” Then I look at my wife, “But I suppose Akane has been extending her invitation. There’s not many places to stay here but he’s a man who is used to the elements…”
I cant help but wonder, would he really return to Gonohe so easily not having been able to square off against Fujita-san?
“But as for the girls no doubt they are better off at Sagawa’s. His place is more central and larger… It is easier to get help should you need it. I’m sure if you wanted to relocate there to be together I can arrange that.” I bow to Ueda-sama he knows he is not really able to protect anyone anymore, not physically at least
“OR you can stay here and I will get the girls in the morning. Give them some time to rest. It will be dark soon after all.”
He tells me that AIzu is safe but is it really? For Fujita Goro, yes. For Fujita Tsutomu, very much so. For Fujita’s bastards? -Maybe-. For his discarded mistress? I suspect that I am being tolerated at most. Perhaps with Masaki-san my Shinsengumi connection helps, but still… Aizu people are loyal to Aizu.
But I suppose Akane has been extending her invitation. There’s not many places to stay here but he’s a man who is used to the elements…
“Akane-san, does he have other friends here? Perhaps from earlier times?” I’m sure Masaki-san knows a lot about the goings on, but they are old, long-standing friends.
“But as for the girls no doubt they are better off at Sagawa’s. His place is more central and larger… It is easier to get help should you need it. I’m sure if you wanted to relocate there to be together I can arrange that. OR you can stay here and I will get the girls in the morning. Give them some time to rest. It will be dark soon after all.”
“I don’t want them out in the dark, it’s colder and Makoto-chan isn’t accustomed to walking in this much snow.” I just… I want to go home. I want -him- to come out of the snow, take me in his arms and make the world make sense again. To protect me, and, even though it will never balance out and I’ll always be in his debt, I can take care of him…
My mouth tightens. He’s not even moving. He sent me here to take care of all of this. Not to be -rescued-. “The girls are so young, and… Nishino-san is a good girl, to be there for them.” I miss them. I’m scared for them. If anything happens, if anyone tries anything… I close my eyes. “Akane-san, I think we should make dinner sooner than later. Nobody ate much breakfast and lunch seems entirely forgotten.”
Akane:
“Akane-san, does he have other friends here? Perhaps from earlier times?”
I shake my head at Yagi-san.
“As I said Yagi-san, he’s sworn off the clan.” Masaki interjects and looks at me to which I can’t help but avert my eyes. “Akane and perhaps Ueda-sama is the last hold out who thinks he may still be able to come back to the fold.”
Why does he have to say that out loud? Naito-kun is still a man of Aizu. He’ll never stop being a part of Aizu because it’s what Yaso-san would’ve wanted. But I can’t go against what Masaki-san says, we’re not to argue in public and certainly not about Naito-kun.
“Naito-kun can be impetuous but I know he won’t hurt children.” I say my eyes cast down, “His sister loved children very much, that’s why she taught them while others were working other more “important” things.”
Yagi-san expresses concern about the children trekking through the snow.
“Don’t worry about them. Sagawa-san owns a horse and cart, they no doubt took that and his wife Nanae is fond of children especially little girls. They are in the best of care.” Masaki tries to assure Yagi-san, “I will stay guard tonight and since I didn’t send word to Sagawa-san about anything amiss here, I would expecgt him to bring your girls bright and early in the morning.”
He looks around Ueda-sama’s humble abode, no doubt thinking that this place maybe too much for so many people. I half expected him to suggest moving everyone to an inn but he doesn’t. And instead Yagi-san talks about dinner…
(OOC: You may close unless there’s anything else)
There’s something in the -air- between husband and wife… it’s obvious that Akane-san cares for Naito-kun, but as a brother – or something else? But it seems to create tension either way.
His sister loved children very much, that’s why she taught them while others were working other more “important” things
The girls, yes, but the son of his sworn enemy? I still worry that he’d go for Tstutomu-kun, should his father never show…
I bow again to Masaki-san. “Thank you, again, and it is good to have met you, after hearing about you for all these years.” Details about the Aizu Shinsengumi were always sketchy since so few survived it. I catch him looking around, probably upset about the disruption caused in the home of a respected Aizu elder. With the three young girls replaced by two more adults it’s going to be crowded here… but most important is to get Ueda-sama rested.
Maybe tomorrow Masaki-san can reach out to the clan doctor, to check on him. Certainly there’s another one here besides that certain one….
(OOC – close)