AN:

Dear Readers,

I am afraid that I became increasingly distracted over this unforgivably excessive amount of time and have only of late been able to gather up the thread of this story once again. I apologize for any disappointment engendered by my tardiness.

Happy (Extremely) Belated New Year,

Brainteaser.

I have often felt quite ungainly in the presence of dainty female children, but I must say that I find that the smaller of the two possessed an almost eerie knack for making me feel completely discombobulated. She still has the disconcerting gaze and the unflinching manner characteristic of the very young.

Her name is…Suzume I believe?

As if to echo my thought the smallest child pulled herself up unto the cot, put her hand upon my leg, and placed careful fingers upon my forehead.

"It h'rts?"

What a solemn little face…

"It feels a little bit better, but we should probably leave it alone for now."

"Hmmm…'Kay"

With that she settled down and arbitrarily decided to use my lap as a pillow…

Hmmm…moments like these make me profoundly desire more experience with other females.

I have acted as a teacher to many students, but my classes have been predominately composed of young males. So I have not had an opportunity to play with another female in quite some time…Actually, come to think of it I cannot recall ever having a female friend… … …It seems that I was always training with my father in the dojo.

It was only after my father died that I understood how alone I truly was…I only had my students and later Kiheh to keep me company.

*Clatter*

"Here we go! Oh!?... I see Suzume has decided to use you as a pillow…I will move her to her room now."

"No! It…it is fine to leave her where she is...I mean if that is okay with you?"

"…Oh? I see…"

I wish I had not spoken since it has inspired such a strangely discomfiting situation…

"Well I do believe I promised you some tea!"

With that he set the tray he was carrying down upon a small table positioned a little to the left of the cot. After arranging everything upon the tray to his satisfaction Dr. Gensai proceeded to pour the hot water into the cups, back into the tea-pot, and then carefully measured out some tea into the kyusu and left it to steep (It is just like a doctor to do everything so neatly…The fluidity of his actions somehow reminds me of the strange grace exhibited by brides-to-be.)

"*Ahem*…Well, Kaoru…I do believe that you are in a somewhat difficult situation at the moment…correct?"

Huh? Oh! ...I cannot believe I forgot about that…Hmmm…Well! Not only had I forgotten what I was doing before now, but I have accidentally involved Dr. Gensai in my problems!

"I will leave immediately…"

With that I started to rise from the cot.

"NO! That is not what I meant at all Kaoru! Just pass Suzume to me and I will be back in a moment!"

He plucked Suzume from my lap and briskly headed towards the door, but the moment he reached the entryway he turned and gave me a rather stern-looking glare before he left.

"Do not move from this spot Kaoru…I mean it!"

(In all good conscience I cannot just do as he says!)

As I rose from the cot Ayame-chan (I forgot she was here…) seized me by my jacket with a rather…grave look etched upon her face.

"One should always listen to their elders'…that is what my momma always said…sooo…you should not jus' leave…"

A mother's words are always sacred…even when we can no longer hear them spoken. I of all people… should understand at least this much…

"*Sigh*…Yes, I suppose you are right Ayame-chan..."

(I cannot believe that one so young can be so good at finding one's soft-spots...)

Dr. Gensai reentered the room and after an assessing glance my way he settled in his seat. With the same characteristic economy of movement he proceeds to pour the tea into the cups and hands me one of them.

The tea has a rather bitter cast to it and it coats my throat on its way to my stomach (Over-steeped…). Even so, the teas acidity has a rather calming effect (The people here prefer their tea black and over-sweet. It has been awhile since I have tasted regular tea.).

As if on cue Dr. Gensai swirled his tea around in his cup and began to speak rather quickly.

"Kaoru-san…I can help you."

"Sigh"…I suppose there is no avoiding this conversation.

I carefully placed my cup back on the table and folded my hands on my lap…If only everything was as simple as picking a thing up and setting it back down again.

"I know that you want to assist me…But, I cannot allow you to do so."

"Kaoru…I appreciate your concern for me…But, I can and will help you."

"Is the weird onee-san in trouble?"

"Hey! I am not weird!"

The little heathen looked at me as if I was rather pitiable.

"You are wearing boys' clothes."

Huh?!

Oh…I suppose that it is rather strange…come to think of it…

…This western style of clothing is a little more restrictive then my gi and hakama (It took me a little while to figure out how to use buttons.).

"*Giggle…*"

"WHY YOU!"

"*Snort*…Now, now girls…settle down."

"Hmph!…She started it…"

As if on cue a floorboard outside the room creaked...

AN:

Disclaimer(s): Rurouni Kenshin is the property of Nobuhiro Watsuki and his affiliates.

The story of Rapunzel is not mine.