The Kiss Seen Around the Village
"Sakomizu died sometime during the night. It was peaceful, he didn't suffer." The doctor threw a white sheet over the patient while Natsuki stood at the foot of the table, "May he rest in peace." Youko placed a hand on Natsuki's shoulder, "I'm sorry, I did what I could." Natsuki nodded and sat in a nearby chair. Youko washed her hands, "If I may ask, how did you and he end up here?"
Natsuki lay her head back on the chair, "He was the retainer to my father, Kuga Renzo, a high ranking official in the emperor's court. When my father came upon his...misfortune, he commanded Sakomizu to get me out of the city. We were ambushed by the emperor's men just outside of your town and Sakomizu and I were forced to draw swords against them. He died trying to protect me, and now I have no one left."
Youko chuckled, "Midori told me you had to apologize to Shizuru yesterday. The way she told it, you were on the ground crying for a while." Natsuki looked back at her with a frown, "She didn't beat me up, but has this happened before?" Youko nodded, "Yes, Midori once broke one of the vases in her store and Shizuru knocked her unconscious. Shizuru immediately forgave her for any wrongdoing, but the conversation when Midori woke up was a bit awkward. She must like you a lot to react like that, her and Midori have always been close."
Natsuki stood from the chair, "I need to leave town, the emperor's men will be searching for me." Youko walked with her to the door, "Maybe you should think about staying here, starting a new life." Natsuki and Youko walked down the hallway, she looked inside the next room, but saw no one dead or alive inside. Must be a slow day for her. "I think it would be best if I just left." Natsuki walked to the door and Youko held her hand out, "Good luck, Ms. Kuga. Be sure to tell Shizuru that you're leaving, so she doesn't worry and give you another black eye." Natsuki nodded, "I will, thank you, doctor."
A pair of eyes watched Natsuki leave the infirmary and head for the antique store.
Shizuru was up and waiting for her when she arrived. She saw the look on Natsuki's face and knew what had happened, "So he has passed, then?" Natsuki stood against a wall and nodded, Shizuru walked up and put her arms around her. Natsuki stiffened from the contact, but put her arms around the other woman. Shizuru held her for a minute before letting go, "So, does that mean you're leaving now?"
The look on Shizuru's face was one of sad acceptance, she knew she couldn't stop Natsuki, but really wanted to try. "Yesterday you mentioned showing me around town. I was hoping we could do that." Natsuki's heart leapt when Shizuru smiled brightly, "Of course. Walking around with a knockout like me you'll be the envy of the town." Natsuki blushed, "Don't make me regret this." Shizuru put her arm around Natsuki, "Go take a bath, and I will see if Midori has a new outfit for you to wear." Natsuki waved her hands in front of her, "No, I can buy it myself. I don't need you to get stuff for me." Shizuru chuckled, "I'm not gonna pay for it. Midori and I are friends, if she ever needs a book I find it for her, if I need something tailored she helps me out. It's no trouble, so you just go bathe and I will be right back, okay."
Shizuru left and Natsuki ran herself a bath, the hot water soothing and calming her. She let her thoughts run to the future. I should leave, save this village the trouble. On the other hand, maybe Dr. Sagisawa is right, I could start anew here. Find a job and a house and just live. Live like an outcast, with Shizuru. Like Shizuru, dammit.
She heard the door open and Shizuru call, "Natsuki, are you here?" She called out, "I'm in the bath." Shizuru's voice sounded closer, much closer, "Can I wash your back?" Natsuki looked shocked, "No." Shizuru's voice grew pleading and the shoji slid open a crack, "Pleeease." Natsuki instinctively covered up, "No, stay out." Shizuru placed the new kimono inside the shoji and closed it, "Fine, have it your way. Here's your new clothes."
Natsuki dried off and put on her new kimono, dark blue silk with a black hakama. A hakama? She opened the door into the living room, "Oi, Shizuru, what's with this outfit?" Shizuru sat behind the table with a cup of tea in hand, "Midori thought it would look good on you, and she was right. You look dashing." Shizuru stood and walked past Natsuki to the bath, "Pour yourself some tea and I'll be right out," she stood in the doorway and smiled, pulling at her kimono, "unless you want to join me." Before a red-faced Natsuki could say anything, Shizuru closed the shoji door.
Natsuki sat at the table and poured a cup of tea, sipping it sent her back into her thoughts. Can I leave my past, my family's history, behind me. It is written that the spirit of an age is something one cannot return to. Perhaps I should let go, and find my own way. However, it is also written that one should make his decisions in the span of seven breaths. It is a matter of being determined and having the spirit to break right through to the other side. I have made my decision, I must leave.
Shizuru chose that moment to exit the bath room wearing a white Sakura print kimono, her still damp brown hair laying on her shoulders like a wrap. Her eyes found Natsuki, enveloped her like a wave, crashed into her being and shattered her glass thoughts. Natsuki was speechless. Shizuru noticed, "While I was at Midori's I got something for myself, as well. What do you think?" Natsuki struggled for words, "You're beautiful." Shizuru's smile cut through Natsuki's defenses in one swift stroke, "Let's go."
A pair of eyes watched the two women leave the store.
Their first stop was Midori's shop, just down the road. They entered to find Midori hard at work at one of her tables. She looked up, saw them in their new clothing, and immediately gushed over them. "You two look great. Didn't I tell you, Shizuru, she can pull off the hakama look. I'll bet it's comfortable, too." Natsuki nodded, "It is good to walk in, thank you." Midori chuckled, "Shizuru you look lovely, as well. Too lovely to be seen with this vagrant."
Natsuki's expression fell, "Oi, who are you calling a vagrant, huh?" Shizuru entwined her arm with Natsuki's, grabbed her wrist and silenced her, "I'm going to show Natsuki here the sights, wish me luck." Midori waved as they left her store, 'Good luck, Shizuru. Good luck.'
They left Midori's place and Shizuru led her down the street, still holding her arm. "Where are we going first, Shizuru?" Shizuru pointed with her free hand towards a building just ahead, "I thought we could eat, there's a great noodle shop right ahead." Natsuki nodded her approval, noticing that most people were watching them closely. She realized that Shizuru still held her arm, but felt no need to dislodge her, taking comfort from the contact.
Mai's Noodle Shop was a small building just north of Midori's, Natsuki held the curtain aside for Shizuru who picked a seat for them. They sat down and were greeted by the owner, a short haired woman who seemed to always be cheerful, "Hi, Shizuru, who's your friend?" Natsuki answered, "Kuga Natsuki, and you are?" Mai smiled, "Tokiha Mai," she looked at Natsuki then Shizuru, "you both look lovely today." Shizuru replied, "Thank you. She hasn't been in the village long, and I thought I would show her around." Mai responded, "Ooh, a date, huh?" Natsuki blushed, earning an amused look from Shizuru, "It's not like that." Mai exhaled, "I see, well what can I get for you?"
They both ordered the ramen, which Shizuru assured Natsuki was the best, and were enjoying some tea in the mostly empty restaurant. "Na-tsu-ki." Natsuki gave her an odd look, "What is that?" Shizuru grinned, "I'm just trying it out. Na-tsu-ki." Natsuki looked perturbed, "Cut it out." Shizuru whined, "Whyyy? I like it." Natsuki's face didn't change, "I don't." Shizuru pouted, "Well fine, ruin this for me." Shizuru feigned tears and Natsuki softened, "Stop it." Shizuru didn't and Natsuki groaned, "Shiizuruu." Shizuru sucked in a breath, "That is adorable. Do it again." Natsuki turned red-faced, "No, never."
When Mai returned with the food, Shizuru was desperately trying to get Natsuki to say her name again, but Natsuki staunchly refused. When she set the food down, Natsuki sniffed at it, "It smells really good." She broke a pair of chopsticks and started eating, "This is delicious." Shizuru was eating as well, "Mai's ramen is always the best."
A pair of eyes watched them eat from a corner table in a dark corner of the restaurant.
After the meal, Natsuki insisted she pay, considering all the things Shizuru had done for her recently. Shizuru didn't argue, and led Natsuki out of the town and towards the countryside. They soon arrived at the bank of a lake, Shizuru sat down on a jutting rock and Natsuki sat beside her. They sat in comfortable silence. "Are you still planning on leaving, Natsuki?" She looked out across the water and Natsuki fidgeted a little, "Yes, I can't stay." Shizuru still looked out over the water, "Where will you go?" Natsuki shrugged, "I don't know. Someplace that I can be safe."
Shizuru placed a gentle hand over Natsuki's, "You can be safe here, with me." Natsuki turned to look Shizuru in the eyes, "Shizuru, I..." Shizuru cut her off by placing a gentle kiss on her lips. Natsuki couldn't react, couldn't return it or pull away. When Shizuru broke the kiss, she looked down at the ground, "I'm sorry to put this on you, but I care for you, Natsuki." Natsuki said the only word that came to mind, "Why?" Shizuru looked her in the eyes again, "Isn't it enough that I do?"
Natsuki and Shizuru returned to the store, Natsuki's mind reeling from thoughts and feelings she had never learned to process. War she understood, but the battle that was taking place was far beyond her skills. Did she care for Shizuru, and if so, could she be there for her? Would she just drag the other woman down with her, or could they help each other improve their lives. Too many questions, never enough answers. Shizuru wished Natsuki a good night and left to her room, leaving a tormented Natsuki behind.
Three men ran to report what they had seen. The storm was brewing.