Chapter 3
By Crystal Snowflakes
Author's Notes: Erm, after my very long seven months rest from Rurouni Kenshin fics, I have finally come back. :P Either way, I hope you guys enjoy this chapter :) Oh, and I'm also thinking of rewriting 'The Difference Between Rain and Tears'. I want to continue that story, but I find it hard to write in the same format, so I've decided to redo it. What do you guys think?
Disclaimers: Rurouni Kenshin belongs to Nobuhiro Watsuki and not to Crystal Snowflakes :(
Today was no different than any other day. I had spent the morning making breakfast, then serving it. I then swept the floor of the inn and cleaned rooms that reeked of alcohol and sweat. In a way, I was glad of the errands, after all, it was really a way to kill time. I had learned that with nothing to do, sitting alone could be a very tiring and boring experience. Although once in a while, it wasn't that bad... I had things to think about at times, for example, Kenshin...
A sheath for the blade Himura...
I took the top that was sitting in the middle of the floor and laid it on the table beside all the books, then started stacking the books in a clean fashion. When I was done, I started sweeping the floor, perhaps paying more attention to this room than any of my other rooms I have done that day.
As the shoji slid open, I knew it could only be one person. Without turning around, I said, "I'll be finished soon."
"I appreciate it." I hear him say, quietly, thankfully.
I shrugged a little, but I felt a smile tug softly at my lips, "It's my job... I am one of Okami-san's housekeeper, after all." He glanced up at him from my broom and the floor, "What is it?" I asked, curious as to why he was looking at me so intently.
"It's really nothing." He replied as he approached me, and finally opened the shoji leading to outside. His eyes slightly narrowed, he glanced at the sunset, motionless.
I studied his face quietly, broom still in hand, then followed his gaze to look at the beautiful sun on its way to rest. And I felt a warmth spread on my cheeks as I remembered what Okami-san suggested this morning when I was making breakfast...
"Tomoe-chan."
I turned around and looked at her, "Hai Okami-san? Is there anything you want me to do?"
She shook her head slowly, "No... You've been a hard worker these few months. I was wondering, since it's the Gion Festival tonight, would you want a br—"
"No, it's all right, Okami-san. It doesn't matter anyways. I'll be alone, and it really won't make a difference if I work or not."
She thought for a second, then shook her head, "Nonsense. I've made up my mind. You're going to take a break. And if you're afraid you're going to be alone, I'm sure Himura would just love to bring you out."
"Demo, Okami-san!"
The old woman gave me a mysterious smile. "Go on, Tomoe-chan. It's a free night tonight. You won't get many of those after tonight... I have a feeling we're going to be very busy, very soon."
I bowed, "Arigatou, Okami-san."
"Kenshin?"
He looked at me, "What is it, Tomoe?"
I looked down, all of a sudden finding the broom quite interesting, and I wondered briefly if Kenshin could sense my nervousness. "Are you doing anything tonight?"
"No."
I almost squirmed, but I stayed still, "If you don't mind... Do you want to go out with me tonight?" I asked. I heard him utter a confused 'eh?' and I felt like a complete fool. I looked up at the sky, "I got some time off from Okami-san and she insisted that I go out..." I said quietly, "But you know... I don't know anyone, and as much as I deny the fact that I want to go out... Sometimes..." I paused, wondering why I was telling him, "Sometimes... I want to relax outside..."
He gave an understanding nod.
"But it's lonely by myself." Sometimes, it's nice not to be alone and it's nice to have someone else's company...
"I see." He muttered softly. When he turned around to look at me, his eyes shone softly, warmly. "Of course I'll go out. When will you be done?"
I felt my eyes blink in confusion. "I... I should be done in half an hour."
He nodded, "That's fine. I'll see you at the entrance?"
I nodded, "I'll be there."
"Good."
As I finished my chores, I decided to change. I slid the purple kimono off and grabbed my plain white kimono, the one that had been folded in the corner of the room, and changed into it. Afterwards, I took the light blue, not quite purple, shawl with me. Looking around the room, checking to make sure that I didn't leave anything, I left the inn.
Although his appearance was the same, there was something different about him... It was the same high ponytail, the same dark eyes mingled with tints of amber, the same dark navy clothing... But his stance was visibly different. He was more relaxed, more at peace with himself...
For some reason, seeing him like this sent a string of warming emotions to myself. Feeling this, I felt a small smile bloom on my face as I approached him, "Kenshin."
His eyes brightened slightly, or perhaps a trick of light? "Tomoe."
"So where are we going?"
He gave a small smile, "You'll see."
I followed his figure, two steps behind him, watching his posture the whole time. The second we had left sight of the inn, he had gone immediately alert, but the relaxation was still noticeable. His whole demeanor seemed to have changed tonight... Although I see a different side of him all the time after his assassinations, this one was new... He seemed so... happy.
He had brought me to the place where he had first talked to me... I still remember that night, when I was drinking alone to forget my miseries and I had encountered him by coincidence. And when he had saved me from those two morons and had apologized to me... And when I had, for the first time in my life, seen it rain blood.
As I stepped in, the place seemed brighter... Or perhaps it might be my mood affecting the ambiance. Last time, I was feeling miserable after my fiancé's death... And this time, although I came with the killer of my fiancé, I feel strangely more liberated...
Kenshin ordered two bottles of sake and we talked for a little before it arrived, only a short time later. As he took the first sip, he made a strange sound. It sounded as if he was confused and thinking about something and when he looked at the cup oddly, I asked him what happened as I refilled his cup for him.
He continued looking at the cup, and when I was about to ask again, he looked at me, then shrugged. "It's just been a while since sake has tasted good..."
I gave him a small nod, "Perhaps it's because it's festival time."
He seemed to have accepted the answer. "I guess so."
As I looked at my cup, I felt the need to tell him something. "...I'm opposite from you, Kenshin. I don't drink as much as I do." It's strange... Most people who drink, they drink more and more because they've built up immunity for it... And while that is happening, I have been drinking less and less.
He refilled both our cups as I emptied mine. "Has the alcohol lost its taste?" He asked, purely out of curiosity.
A bitter smile, then a shake of my head. "No... It's just that, unlike before, I've just lost the strength to put up with alcohol..." ...After the incident with Kiyosato-san...
"Put up with?"
I stared at the reflection in the cup. I looked up at his cheek and at the scar that he got. That scar that Kiyosato-san had given him before his own death... "Has the wound on your cheek stopped bleeding?" I asked, attempting to change the subject.
His eyes turned into steel. "I'd forgotten about it."
"So your wound has healed." I stated, wondering to myself how a wound that was made six months ago was still bleeding.
He shrugged, "It's only stopped bleeding."
He had a point... Just because it stopped bleeding does not mean that it has healed... "Every time I see that cut..." I started warily, "...I wonder what the person who injured you saw." What did Kiyosato-san see during his last moment of life? Did he think about me? Did he think about how much he hated Battousai? Did he think about his family? Or did he think about our marriage? "...You say you kill people to make them happy..." Yet... Somehow, I don't think that's what he truly believes in. I refilled the two cups again, waiting for his answer.
"What?" he looked up.
"...I really don't know how happiness can be attained by killing." I said truthfully, looking at him straight in his eyes.
He seemed to want to shrug my comment off, but at the last moment, he looked down. "Everyday, people die for many reasons... Disease, famine, war..." He paused, "I don't randomly kill people without a reason."
I looked at him, calmly, but inwardly, I was mad... I could picture Kiyosato-san clear in my head. So do you mean that he meant to die? "So you judge people's right to live..." What right do you have...? "But even that, you leave up to the others. You just do as you're told!" My voice grew louder with every word said.
Kenshin looked at me, then back at the cup of sake, "If I know a lot about the other person, I'll have doubts... I do it to change the world, and that's all the justification I need."
To change the world? How could a single hitokiri change the world? All you are doing is killing... Senseless killing... How would it help in the long run? How could it help change the world and make this hellhole a better place? And justification? You are not justified to kill people... What right do you have?
As I was about to snap a comment at him, loud footsteps was heard at the entrance and we both looked up.
Iizuka-san...
"Get out of here now!" He yelled.
Kenshin stood up immediately, "What's wrong?"
"Katsura-san..." He paused, "Katsura-san's in danger."
Before he could utter another word, Kenshin dropped a few coins on the table and I stood up. He grabbed my hand and lead me... Together, we walked through the crowds... Many looked at us as if we were insane, other looked at us with confusion, wondering why we were rushing so on a festival night.
"Late tonight, Miyabe plans on setting Kyoto on fire." The leading figure said.
I felt his hand tighten around mine. "What?"
"He wants to overthrow the emperor." He explained, then continued, "He's broken off all ties with Katsura-san. What's worse is that this has probably been leaked to the Shinsengumi." He stopped abruptly, "I'll go get more help. You go to the meeting, Himura."
Kenshin nodded, then watched Iizuka-san run off. Before he disappeared, he yelled something.
"What did he say?" I asked the redheaded hitokiri.
"Kawaramachi Sanjo." He replied, "It's the Ikeda house." He grabbed my hand tighter, then ran without a word in dark alleys where I could barely see his outline, although he was less than a meter away from me. His red hair, although bright, blended in the shadows easily.
As we turned left, five lit torches illuminated the dark path.
"I see him. That's got to be him." I heard one of them say. "It's Battousai!"
Without a second's wait, he stood in front of me protectively, "Run the way we came, Tomoe." He said quietly. I watched his hand touch the hilt of his sword. "Go."
Surprisingly, knowing that it was going to rain within the next few minutes, I was not scared. Perhaps it was because I had grown detached with death and blood, or perhaps it was because that I knew, somehow, that no matter what happens, I would not be harmed...
I held his hand gently, "Kenshin... Didn't you know? A sword needs a sheath."
He glanced back at me, his gaze irritated. "What are you saying?"
I didn't back away, "How much longer will you continue killing people?" I asked, perhaps my frustration showing in my voice... I do not want to see your young life wasted away like so... I want to see you live and marry... Have a child... Be happy... "With my very own eyes... I want to see..."
I was tired of seeing him so lifeless on nights that he had an assassination. I was one of the few that knew that the Hitokiri Battousai would feel remorse towards the death... And seeing those anguished eyes... It pains me so. I know he is hurt... And I pity him, but yet, I am mad at him. I pity him because he is only a child, and mad at him, because he is so much more mature than a child, yet he lets others sway him with their decisions...
I feel the emotions wavering in his eyes...
"Stupid fools..." He muttered, soft, yet loud enough for all of them to hear. "You're in my way. Move!" Slowly, he drew his sword out.
"Kenshin..."
He glanced at me, "I tried. I cannot help it if they are stubborn."
Slowly, I nodded. There was nothing he could do if they insisted on wanting to fight... I closed my eyes tiredly, then opened them. I do not want to see him kill anymore...
"Charge north! My name is Heibo Shinosuke!" He yelled.
As I looked at the young man that charged at his own death... I wondered if Kenshin would remember his name. Perhaps not... If he had to remember every name...
Little did I know, I was wrong...
"Your name means nothing to me!" He snarled, then ran forward. A moment later, the blade entered through the front of his chest and exited through the back. Pulling his blade out, the man slumped down on the ground, a puddle of blood quickly growing underneath him.
The second on, he pierced through the neck, then slid his throat open. A series of quick stabbing movements and four bodies fell to the ground. The fifth one lay attached to the wall, a sword in his neck. Quickly, he pulled the blade out, the last body falling on the floor, his clothing covered with crimson liquid...
Kenshin glanced at me with his amber eyes, but when they met mine, the amber disappeared slowly. "Sumanai..."
I looked down, "Kenshin..."
His eyes widened softly, as if sensing something. When I studied his eyes... The amber had appeared again, this time, brighter than before. He was about to run around the corner to some, I would assume, Shinsengumi when I grabbed his sleeve and sword. I shook my head rapidly, not wanting him to kill more than necessary.
At that second, it was as if someone was watching over me...
"Katsura's not there..."
We both freeze in our positions as they continued discussing...
"...And Miyabe and Okuno committed suicide."
I feel his hand clench slightly and pulled at his sleeve again, my eyes pleading, my head shaking. He seemed to hesitate for a mere second before he, too, nodded his head.
I gave a small smile of gratitude.
As we reached the inn, with him checking our backs every two seconds, I caught sight of Okami-san. She was standing at the entrance worriedly, two bags of things under her arms. I frowned as I noticed my familiar bag.
Kenshin approached her, "Is Katsura-san here?"
"No..." She stated, then looked around suspiciously, "...We heard about the Ikeda house." She glanced at me. "This place is dangerous as well, so please, hurry up and go through the back."
He nodded and took a bag from her hands. Thanking her quietly, he disappeared through the doorway.
I took my bag and was about to leave as well when I heard the old lady call my name.
"Tomoe-chan..."
"Hai Okami-san?"
She gave a glance at the doorway that Kenshin had gone through barely a minute ago. "...Remember the irises."
I felt a frown form on my face in confusion.
She looked at me, straight in the eye... Her gaze was intense. "Irises... They smell strongest in the rain..." She paused slightly, as if thinking whether or not she should continue. "...Even when it's raining blood."
An understanding somehow formed in my head. Quietly, I bowed to her, thankful of everything she has done for me. As I left, I couldn't help but remember what she said... Irises smell strongest in the rain, even when it's raining blood... The sentence reminded me something of what my mother had once said about the stars...
As I reached outside, I looked up... There were no stars tonight. Everything seemed so dark, silent and foreboding. I approached Kenshin as I caught a glimpse of his auburn hair in the shadows. He stood waiting for me, and when I reached him, he continued his walk. I watched his hair sway in the darkness and I felt myself captivated by the simple movements.
It was only when he turned around that I caught myself gawking at him idiotically. "Are you all right, Tomoe?"
I shook my head, then looked up, "I'm fine, Kenshin."
Frowning, he approached me again and grabbed me by the wrist, "If you couldn't see in the dark, you could have just told me, Tomoe."
I blinked, "But I didn't—"
At the sight of his amused face, I snapped my mouth shut, then proceeded to give him a glare. The corner of his mouth quirked upwards as he pushed open the wooden door leading away from the gardens.
"Himura?"
We both froze in our positions again, for the second time that night.
He turned around quickly as he recognized the voice. "Katsura-san! Are you all right?"
The leader of the Ishin Shishi shook his head. "I was worried... I thought you might be dead." His eyes were filled with regret, "They've gotten into our headquarters, Himura... I've lost everything." He paused for a second as he glanced at me, then at Kenshin. "I think... I think we better just think about staying alive for now." He looked towards the sky, "I've prepared a house for you in Otsu. Please, Tomoe-san, with Himura, will you pretend to be newly weds and stay there?"
I was about to nod when his words sank in... Newly weds? I came to Kyoto to avenge my fiancé... And yet, somehow, after I have met him, I softened. I have become friends with him, I have helped him at nights when he needed someone, anyone... And now, I am expected to marry him... And he was no older than fifteen... As I glanced sideways, I noticed that he had unusually wide eyes.
Katsura-san looked at the two of us, "I apologize for doing this, but it is for your safety... If you're married, you'll be less suspicious." He was directing the last sentence at Kenshin. "I'll have Iizuka get in touch with you. Please... Go there, and wait for my word."
The next second, Kenshin nodded.
He left us standing in the dark, both shocked beyond words. As he neared me, he gave me a polite nod, "I'm counting on you, Tomoe-san."
...A sheath to hold back your madness...
We both watched his outline blend in and disappear into obscurity and I could no longer see his gi, I turned to see Kenshin... And was surprised to see that he was taking this as hard as I was. He turned his head towards me, a faint smile on his face, "Let's stay together, since I have nothing else to do... I don't know how long it'll last for... But not for cover-up. For the both of us... Until death do us part."
I looked at the figure that had long disappeared again, and gave a small nod. "Hai."
Tonight, many things had happened. For the first time in months, I have enjoyed my stay in Kyoto outside of the inn... Tonight was the night Katsura-san made me Kenshin's sheath... Tonight was the night that Yukishiro Tomoe was no more... It was the night that I married the Hitokiri Battousai. He had taken the place of Kiyosato-san, but somehow, I couldn't bring myself to be angry at him, or at anything. I didn't hate him anymore and for the oddest reason... I wasn't afraid.
We married late at night at an abandoned temple with a priest being our witness... I was partly glad that our wedding was for real, but when this thought crossed my mind, I scolded myself for such a thought immediately. It's just almost been half a year, and already, I am disrespecting the dead...
The morning of June 10th, 1864, we were arriving at Otsu when I heard a familiar voice yell my name. I turned around quickly to see who it was, but I couldn't help but notice Kenshin continuing to walk in silence without looking back.
"Ayami-san..." She had been the flower lady I bought flowers from.
"Where are you going?"
Instead of answering her question, I just replied, "Business is difficult. You should get some rest, Ayami-san..."
Then I turned towards Kenshin, who seemed to be walking farther and farther away. At that second, he turned around. "Let's hurry." I heard him say.
Apologizing to Ayami-san, I told her that I needed to leave.
She asked me who that man with the red hair was and I replied smoothly that it was my recently married husband. She gave me a sly grin and I suddenly remembered the talk she and I had the last time I went to get flowers for Okami-san. I felt a faint blush on my cheek.
She laughed quietly, then waved at me.
I gave her a farewell, then walked towards Kenshin, who was still standing still, waiting for me, perhaps. As I reached him, he turned around and continued walking. I did not understand why he was being this cold to me, but perhaps his mind was preoccupied. It is dangerous right now, after all... We do not know what the outcome of the war is, and for all we know, we might all get slaughtered...
At that thought, I grabbed my tanto, just to feel safe... But I felt very foolish. If the Battousai couldn't protect us, a mere tanto being carried by a non-trained woman would not do much...
The sunlight shone through the house... Yawning, I stood up from my futon and was surprised to hear the sounds of wood being chopped. A hollow, continuous melody.
We had arrived yesterday... The second I had laid my eyes on the house, I was surprised. It was small indeed, but it was very nice inside... It was perfect for a couple and it was one of those houses I had used to daydream about when I was still engaged to Kiyosato-san... The sceneries were beautiful as well... There were tall mountains far away, but closely, there was a beautiful lake that was clear and calm, white plum trees at every turn.
It seemed that this house was perfect, flawless... Complete. Even now, without Kiyosato-san, I can feel the happiness we can have when living here.
When I was done getting ready for myself, I leaned my back against the wall, listening to my husband... A few seconds later, I slid open the shoji. "Sorry to keep you waiting..."
He didn't reply, but got up and untied the rope holding onto his sleeves. He smiled at me, softly, a visible sort of contentment on his face. "The weather is good today, Tomoe... It really puts me in a good mood." He gave me a smile again. It looked so warm, carefree... I was so glad for him that I smiled back. I did not understand... Had this house changed him so much in a day? From just leaving the battlefield, he was able to smile...
We walked, at first, keeping the usual distance between us, but he paused all of a sudden and waited till I was beside him. My face reddened slightly, and I hoped that he hadn't see. Kenshin was really a real gentleman, he helped me up when I was climbing my mountain and soon enough, even when I wasn't in need of help, he was holding my hand. I felt warm when his fingers brushed against mine and I could feel my legs turn to mush as my face reddened every time.
I felt like a little girl having her first boy that she liked... And I began watching him. He had these steel cold eyes that made people fearful of him, but when he smiled, it was so warmhearted... And he had the silkiest red hair, a handsome face... And he was the best swordsman in all of Japan.
When we reached the shrine at the mountain, we prayed, hopeful that perhaps we would not have to go back to the hellhole that was currently named Kyoto. Hand in hand, slowly, quietly, peacefully, we walked to the shore. As I looked out to the sea, I closed my eyes. Everything in Otsu had been breathtakingly beautiful so far...
I felt his presence behind me and I opened my eyes. He gave me a gentle smile, then closed his eyes, his whole body relaxed...
I took my time to look at the scar that had formed on his face and I had the urge to touch his face, yet I stopped my urge.
A few moments later, he opened his eyes again, and he asked me whether or not I wanted to stay where I was or continue onwards to the market with him. I had decided to stay. The sea had been too beautiful to turn away from and soon enough, I fell deep into my thoughts.
It was a while later when I felt his presence again, and this time, I turned around and greeted him. He handed me a round and nicely wrapped package. Thankful, I looked at him straight in the eye, about to say 'thank you', but the moment I saw him, I knew that there was no need for a 'thank you', nor was there a need for any words. Together, we stood there, watching the sea...
It was windy when we started on our way home and as it blew our way, he held up his hand in front of me. I pressed down on my bangs so they wouldn't be blown everywhere, but as I watched him, I felt another blush bloom on my face... And this time, there really was no denying it. I had, without doubt, grown closer to Kenshin than I ever thought possible...
June 11, 1864
The question still remains... Do I love him? Do I love the person who has killed my fiancé? Do I love the person to whom I have given myself to? Do I love the most feared man in Japan, one that has threatened my life?
This question is unavoidable... I know loving him is a disgrace, but yet... I cannot say that I don't, because that would be lying to myself... But I cannot say that I do, because I do not want to love him...
-Tomoe
I looked at my husband, and quietly, I stood up from my desk. Taking the candle, I opened the shoji silently, afraid to wake Kenshin up, and for the first time in many weeks, I looked up at the stars... They shone brightly in the heavens, as if beckoning me... My mother's words repeated softly in my head. For how long I sat there, I really have no idea, but as I grew tired, I closed the shoji and walked towards the futon. Seeing Kenshin leaned against a wall, I sighed softly, worried for his back, as I grabbed the extra blanket that was sitting on our futon. Gently, I laid it on him and I gave him a smile. "Oyasumi nasai Kenshin." I whispered, then slipped into my futon, falling asleep within minutes.
Like every other night, I cooked dinner and like every other night, we sat together in an awkward silence, eating our meal. It's been a week since we have been in this house and I find it so peaceful and quiet... The only unfortunate thing is that this peaceful life is a bit dreary at times... But when that happened, I would always go out for a walk, or perhaps do the laundry and if not that, then I would possibly cook and go to the market to get groceries.
Kenshin, on the other hand, wasn't so bored. We would go on walks together sometimes, and he would help with the laundry. He watched me cook and he'd come to the market with me, but... He was surprisingly good with children... On the second day, a boy, by the name of Hisashi Toku had come and introduced himself. Along with him were half a dozen cowering children. Kenshin had welcomed them with open arms and had a fun day with him. I stood in the doorway, although not participating in the fun, watching them... Watching him. He had tried to persuade me to play more than once, but I had declined politely. Although I loved children, I wasn't very good with them. I would always be a mother figure to them, just like I was to Enishi and Toshiko-chan.
Toku-kun had been unexpectedly kind and had talked with me, even though I had only looked at them, not a smile on my lips. He had told me how his mother had passed away when he was born and how his father was looking after him. His father was young and a kind and honest man... He had told me how he would want me to meet him when I had the time...
I nodded at this comment, but thinking it wouldn't do much, because to everyone, I was such a cold person.
And little did I know, I was wrong.
As my mind drifted back to reality, I looked up at Kenshin, who was once again, deep in thoughts. Perhaps he was thinking about Kyoto and how Katsura-san was doing... I do wish Katsura-san was doing all right... He was a good man. As I looked at my meal, I frowned. The plate was missing daikons... I had forgotten to buy them the previous morning when Kenshin and I had gone to the market. "Gomen nasai..." I said.
His head snapped open, "Eh?"
At first, I had wanted to snap at him for thinking about that damned war every night during dinner when his wife was sitting right next to him, but I suddenly remembered that I had no right. My mind would occasionally drift as well when we went on walks... And plus, who was I to him? A wife, yes... But it was suppose to be pretend, although I don't understand why we had to go through the real procedure. Looking down at the dish again, I regretted having apologized and bringing his mind away from his thoughts. "There wasn't any daikon to grate."
"I don't mind..."
I looked up at him, "Perhaps not, but it just seems like something is missing..." I was waiting for my answer, but he seemed deep in thoughts again... I wanted to scream and yell, but instead, I finished my dinner quietly. I didn't understand how before we were married, we talked to each other, at least... But now... Sometimes, I would go through the whole day without uttering a single word.
As I finished my dinner, he handed me his empty bowls and plates, and I thanked him. He still hadn't said anything. As I was washing the dishes, I heard wood rolling against wood and I knew that he was once again, playing with his top. For a week, I've wanted to ask him about the top... I wanted to ask whether or not it was from his childhood, but I had a feeling that it would provoke some unwanted emotions, so I kept quiet. As I finished the dishes, I used a towel to wipe the table clean.
"We'll make a field."
I stopped in my tracks, then turned around, to look at him. "Eh?" I said, surprised. He was looking at his top, currently on the floor...
"When I was a kid, I helped around the house a lot..." He gave a small grin, "It shouldn't be too hard."
Blinking, I said, "Is... That so?"
The rest of the night passed quietly without a word. As I watched his sleeping figure, I wonder if I would be able to get him to sleep on his back one of these days...
June 18, 1864Tonight at dinner, when I told him we didn't have any daikons to grate, he had said that he didn't mind. Later, after the dishes were washed, he told me that making a field wouldn't be too hard... I wonder what had happened in his past that had made him parentless...
Sometimes, when I look at him, I can't help but look at that terrible scar...
...Kiyosato-san...
-Tomoe
Author's Notes: Hope you guys enjoyed that :) The next chapter should be up within a few weeks. Tell me what you think about this!
-Crystal Snowflakes
Thursday, March 17, 2005