Special
"Shisho?" Kenshin's voice came from the dark interior of the cabin, and Hiko, seated on a log outside trying to enjoy a late-night communion of sake and moonlight, sighed heavily.
"Go to sleep, Kenshin."
"What makes the moon shine?"
Where was this coming from? Hiko wondered. How does he think of these things? More importantly, why does he think of these things? Why does he think of these things when all I'm trying to do is have a nice quiet drink?
"Shisho?" There was a touch of apprehension in Kenshin's voice, and Hiko realized he'd let the silence stretch too long.
"Fireflies," he finally replied. "Hundred of millions of fireflies. Inside it."
Kenshin frowned into the darkness, staring out the slatted window towards the sky. The moon was behind the clouds now, only a faint, white glow marking its place.
"But fireflies are green and the moon is white or yellow or orange," he said.
Hiko rolled his eyes. Trust his baka deshi to get logical now.
"They're special fireflies."
The idea popped into Kenshin's head so fast that it came out of his mouth before he could stop it.
"You don't really know, do you?"
"Kenshin. Go…to…sleep…before…I…put…you…to…sleep." Hiko enunciated each word carefully so it couldn't be misunderstood.
"With more stories about special fireflies?" The sentence was followed by what sounded like a hiccup, or maybe a snort.
Hiko's hand stopped carrying the sake saucer halfway to his mouth. Oh, this is really too much. Setting the saucer gently on the log, Hiko got up and stepped inside the cabin just as the moon broke free of the clouds, bathing the room in light.
Kenshin was curled up on his futon, sleeping yukata hiked up and the blanket tangled around his bare legs, shaking with near-silent laughter. The sight made Hiko pause. He'd never seen Kenshin laugh before. He'd seen stunned confusion, abject sorrow, fatigue, determination, and an occasional quiet, fleeting smile, but never outright laughter. A reluctant smile tugged at one corner of his mouth, and he nudged one of the bare feet with his booted toe.
"Baka deshi," he said gruffly, and returned to his log seat and his sake. Lifting the saucer, he toasted the moon, riding high above the clouds now and limning them with silver light.
Special, indeed.
Vocabulary
Shisho – Master
Baka deshi – Idiot (or stupid) apprentice
Yukata – Unlined, light-weight kimono