Disclaimer: All characters of Rurouni Kenshin are owned by Nobuhiro Watsuki.

Japanese "manga words" are in italics.

Arrangements

Tae relaxed in her office, waiting for her protégé to bring in the tea for their after-work sip before bed. As Tae recalled the day, the girl came in and sat down. They were two sips in when she brought the day's major event up. "I had a visitor today,"

Tsubame looked up. "Oh?"

"I was brought an offer of marriage for you." The color drained out of the girl's face as she returned her gaze to the teacup. "And I accepted."

Tsubame knew it would happen eventually, but she had been holding out hope that Yahiko-kun would speak first. As she belonged to Tae's household, so that lady could determine her future, regardless of Tsubame's personal feelings. Had she been looking at the lady across from her, she would have seen the twinkle in her eye. "A meeting has been arranged for tomorrow. The bride price is low, but the young man admires you and I think you will be comfortable."

Tsubame kept her voice and eyes low. "Thank you, Tae-san." What else could she say?

Tsubame tossed and turned that night, worrying about the next day's encounter. The meeting was tomorrow. Tomorrow she would lay eyes on her husband and meet the family she would become part of and servant to. It was all so fast! Why the haste? Was the young man so despicable that the family wanted to rush things before Tae could change her mind? Her heart broke for the loss of a chance of love with Yahiko. Anger, fear, and grief surged through her and she cried herself to sleep.

The next morning, Tsubame and Tae sat in the room they used to receive guests. Tsubame sat beside Tae, head bowed. She heard the door open and two others sit down across from her. The young man's knees were in her field of vision. They seemed like nice ones, at least.

Take spoke first. "Thank you for coming. I am glad you could meet to make arrangements so quickly." Now, if Tsubame was less stricken by fear and grief, she would have heard the sound of withheld laughter in her caretaker's voice. She followed up.

"As we are glad to be here, Sekihara-dono." The familiar voice of Kenshin Himura overwhelmed her and a sigh of relief washed over her body as she quickly lifted her head and gazed into the eyes of one Myojin Yahiko.

A/N: For the sake of the story, Yahiko and Tsubame belong to Kenshin's and Tae's households respectively.