Between Love and Duty: Goodbye
Two days days had passed since the female assassin was informed of her next mission. She'd taken the time to make preparations before she would leave. Kaoru had taken Hayato and Yumi out to the market place to get supplies and bought clothing for them for the winter that was to come. She'd shown them a quaint, little house hidden away in a secluded, wooded area that she'd purchased a while back just in case of an emergency. It was about a whole day's walk from Kyoto to the outskirts where it was located. The little group stocked up the home with bags of rice and other essential things like cookware, futons and thick blankets, and cut wood.
Kaoru showed them around the area of a river, not too far from the house, was where they could fish and do some trapping for rabbits and such. She had very little time, but she taught them how to do things for themselves to survive the harsh winter. Hayato had asked why she was doing all this for them and she'd answered that it was just in case something were to happen to her and chaos broke out that he and Yumi were to escape to the house where they would be able to live for a while. She'd gone over the plan with them, if that time were to come where they needed to escape, a few times to make sure it was ingrained and even wrote it out in case the two had forgotten something. She'd also given them all the money she ever saved over the years to hold them for sometime. Kaoru was all about preparing and having backup plans.
They'd returned back to the city where she and the younger teenagers packed their belongings and straightened their rooms. It was late afternoon once they were done and they met with Ichiro, who waited in a carriage outside of the building and made their way to his home. Not a word was said during the ride. Kaoru glanced across from her where the two sat. Hayato stared out the window while Yumi gazed down at her hands. Neither of them spoken a word to her since they'd gotten back from their trip to the little house. Something very small stirred in her that she quickly suppressed and returned her silver eyes to stare out the window again.
Upon their arrival, they were greeted by three women standing outside the gate. Ichiro was the first to get out of the vehicle and went up to the one dressed in a very beautiful, dark blue kimono embroidered with multicolored butterflies and gave the raven-haired woman a chaste kiss on the lips.
"Hello, dear." Her honey-colored colored eyes were filled with love for her husband, smiling up at him. The couple switched to the group that had gotten out off the carriage.
"Asane, my wife. These are the two youngsters that will be staying with us for a while, Hayato and Yumi. This is their caretaker, Kaoru-san." Ichiro introduced them to one another where they all bowed.
"Nice to meet you all. I'm very happy that you will be staying with us. We don't get much company." His wife smiled genuinely and motioned for the other two women dressed in simple light pink kimonos to help with carrying their belongings.
"I'm very sorry for intruding." Kaoru apologized, bowing once more.
"No, not at all." Asane waved away her apology. "When Ichiro told me about it, I was very excited. This house can become very lonely when my husband leaves for days to weeks. It will be nice to have company other than the housemaids."
"We should get inside. It's starting to get cold." He suggested, putting an arm around his wife's shoulders and nudge her in the direction of the gate entrance as the rest of the group followed.
For the rest of the evening, they were taken on a tour of the house and Yumi and Hayato were shown their rooms where they placed their belongings. Afterward, they all sat around a table on tatami mats and were served quite a bit of delicious food. The mood of the two teenagers seemed to lift a little at the sight of a good meal and conversation.
Outside the sky had darkened as the sun disappeared and the air grew crisper. Kaoru stood beyond the gate where Ichiro, his wife, Hayato and Yumi saw her off. The lanterns that hung on the fence dimly lit the small area.
"Thank you again for taking care of them." Kaoru bowed.
"It's our pleasure to." Asane smiled and rubbed her arms, looking up at the starry sky. "It's gotten chillier out here."
Ichiro placed an arm around her shoulders and looked down at her lovingly. "We should be getting inside before you catch a cold." He switched his gaze to the raven-haired samurai and nodded. "Have a safe journey and I look forward to your reports."
With that, the couple left the little group outside to say their goodbyes. No one spoke. Her metallic eyes watched the two in front of her. Their heads hung low. Kaoru decided break to break the silence.
"You two behave and listen to them. Take care of one another. Remember if anything were to happen to me, do exactly as I planned. I have left the instructions among your luggage in case you forget something." They didn't say anything or move. Kaoru sighed, not getting a response. A small ache began budding in her chest. She shook her head, not wanting the unwanted feelings to grow any further. "I'll be off."
Before Kaoru turned to go, Yumi launched herself at her, arms circling around Kaoru's waist and burying her head in the woman's kimono. The swordswoman was completely caught off guard and stood there stunned, looking down at the quietly, sobbing girl. It wasn't like Yumi to be emotional and she always thought that the girl was somewhat afraid of her. Hayato struggled with himself to keep his composure, but to no avail. He, too, quickly encircled his arms around the girls and joined in Yumi's crying.
Kaoru just stood there completely frozen, not knowing what to say or do as the faint feelings overwhelmed her. She'd never really been affectionate towards them as she always kept somewhat of a distance from them and been afraid of completely opening up to the two even though the little group had formed a bond.
Her expression softened and she put her arms around their shaking shoulders. This action caused the younger teenagers to tighten their hold on her and that made Kaoru do the same as she crushed them to her body. She closed her eyes at the feel of stinging tears. This was her little family and she wanted to make sure that they were taken care of in case anything were to happen. She let herself completely open up, but just only for this moment. Kaoru buried her head between theirs, feeling their tears slide down her cheeks as hers followed suit.
They stayed like that for a little while before Kaoru collected herself and gently pulled away, but keeping each hand resting on their shoulders. She closed her eyes, breathing in a deep breath and letting it out slowly, calming her emotions. The woman opened them to gaze down at the two and smiled as they wiped their tears away.
Hayato was the first to gather himself and looked up at her expecting to see silver eyes but were greeted with a deep blue haze. His eyes widened as well as Yumi's.
"What's the matter?" Kaoru asked, somewhat alarmed by their reaction.
"Your eyes! Their blue now!" Hayato exclaimed, pointing at her face. Yumi nodded in agreement.
Kaoru giggled at their surprised expressions. "They are my original color."
"They're beautiful." Yumi spoke, awe laced in her voice.
"Alright, you two. Quit ogling my eyeballs, creepies." She smiled as they shook out of their transfixed gazes. Kaoru was going to miss them dearly.
"I have to be on my way." Her tone changed to a more serious note. "You have to take care of one another while I'm gone and follow the instructions that I've left if anything were to happen to me. Remember to not get careless." She gave the boy's shoulder a squeeze. "Hayato, protect Yumi and remember your training. Keep practicing what I've taught you."
Blue eyes switched to the girl, giving her shoulder a comforting squeeze too. "Yumi, you do the same well. Also, keep him out of trouble as he tends to get into a lot of it when I'm not around." Her voice teased, making the girl giggle as she looked up at the blushing boy.
"I don't get into trouble. Hmph!" He crossed his arms and looked away embarrassingly. The girls chuckled at his little temper.
After a few minutes, the group became quiet and the somber mood returned. There was an awkward silence among until Kaoru broke it. "Get inside before you two catch a cold. I must be on my way."
The younger two quickly embraced her, burying their faces into her kimono once more. Kaoru didn't hesitate this time and hugged them with equal fervor. A few moments passed before she pulled away and smiled sadly at their torn expressions.
"I will send letters to keep you posted on what is going on. You do the same for me too, okay?" They nodded in agreement and she gave their shoulders a final squeeze as she took a few steps away from them. "I promise to come back for you two. Now go inside." She gently nudged them inside the gate where Ichiro stood a little ways at the front of the house. Kaoru bowed once more to him and he nodded, cigarette in hand. She switched her gaze to Hayato and Yumi.
"I'll be off then." She adjusted her little pack that hung around her back and turned around.
"Have a safe trip, Kaoru-san." Yumi sadly spoke.
"Yeah, be careful. Remember to keep your promise." Hayato's tone was serious, his expression mixed with worry and fear.
Kaoru nodded, giving them a faint smile. With that, she continued down the dirt road. Yumi and Hayato watched as her figure was slowly enveloped by the darkness. Hayato placed a hand on Yumi's, causing her to gaze up at him. He gave a small, reassuring smile to her which she returned before turning their attention back to where Kaoru disappeared. They did not what the future held, but all they could do was wait for her to return to them as she had promised. They closed the door behind them, unaware of the events that were to unfold.
Okay, so I said it would be maybe a week before I would post another chapter but this story is inspiring ideas into chapters. I'm already working on the third chapter and should be posted soon. Thanks for reading!
Brittanie
