Skipped a bit, now to the day that Raphael has been waiting for.
*shivers* I'm getting goosebumps!
Leonardo wakes up. There's no fanfare, no cheering, and no celebration. But he knows what day it is; Raphael's eligibility day. The day he would have gotten his tsuma. If, of course, Leonardo had not been born. The Blue Kame gets up and ties his armor on.
He sighs, content. 'I can still taste it.' Last night, he had that new dish again. The servant girl, Jika, had made it. Leonardo thought there was nothing that could taste better than chicken with garlic sauce. But he was wrong. The toriniku ryōri (chicken dish) tasted like pure love. And even better, Meiki smiles whenever they have a meal. He would have only rice water for the rest of his life, if it would bring that smile.
'She's the light of my life,' he muses, 'She also is learning her place. Not talking unless spoken to, obeying when I do talk. But in a way, she hasn't changed.' Leonardo walks to the window as he ties on his blue band. Underneath him, he sees Meiki brushing her hair on her window sill. "Light of my life," he whispers.
"Okusama?" Jika says. Meiki looks at her friend. She had finished brushing her hair and was delicately fingering the petals of her peony.
"Yes?"
"The Great Kame requests you to meet him at the garden."
"After breakfast?" Meiki asks.
"For breakfast, Okusama," Jika corrects. She walks to the wardrobe and chooses a loose fitting kimono. Meiki slips into the light brown fabric. The sleeves have a split down the middle and flutter to settle on her shoulders.
"How do I look?" She asks. Jika has her sit down. She braids her long hair and rolls them up with a chopstick holding it. "What are these?" Meiki asks.
"Braids. I heard of them from a traveler," Jika explains. She takes one final look at Meiki and decides, "You're ready."
"Arigato Jika," Meiki says. They hug.
"Okusama, it was a pleasure. Now go," Jika laughs, herding her to the door. "Your otto is waiting."
Meiki steps out of the Blue Doorway and feels the presence of a Kame as she crosses the courtyard. She doesn't look around, but walks to Leonardo's garden. Meiki tenses as the presence becomes more potent, choking the air around her of oxygen. She walks a little faster and passes underneath the arch. The presence diminishes as she walks amid the flowers. She finds a servant.
"Excuse me," the girl looks up, "Where can I find the Great Kame?"
"Orchid Rocks," the servant replies. Meiki thanks her and picks her way. She knows the way, but servants point as she approaches them.
'Which Kame was watching me? Was it Raphael? It felt like the stare alone would crush me.' Meiki pushes her thoughts away as she steps into another of her favorite spots in the garden.
Orchids are everywhere. In fancy pots, in bushes, and hanging in baskets on iron hooks. Meiki moves around them and the path opens to the area in the center. It has three large flat rocks overlapping each other slightly. A wall of orchids blocks the world out, showing only the blue sky.
On the main rock, a blanket had been spread out with cushions. Leonardo is against said pillows, waiting. Meiki walks over and bows. "Come Meiki, sit with me," he says. She climbs up and lays opposite of him. There is a pot of tea and two cups on a small table between them. Next to it are two bowls of donburi and two bowls of the Toriniku ryōri. Meiki smiles. "Speak, Okusama. This is casual ground," he says with a laugh. Meiki blushes.
"How have you slept?" She asks, pouring first his cup, then hers.
"Like the sun," he comments, "setting and rising with a glow." She laughs nervously and sips her tea. 'I don't want her to be stressed.' "This new dish," he says, a deep whiff, "It is amazing."
"Hm," Meiki hums, eating her donburi.
"The servant Jika is a miracle worker."
"Yes she is," Meiki agrees, touching her hair.
"You know her," Leonardo realizes.
"Hai, she helps me dress," they become silent. Meiki takes another sip and feels safe enough to talk. "She has been a friend to me in the past weeks."
"Really?"
"Hai, she taught me the rules of how to be a tsuma too. She helps me in the morning or if-" Meiki stops.
"Or if what?"
"Nothing.." she dismisses.
"Is something bothering you?"
".. I don't want to talk about it."
'Don't press it Leonardo,' he reminds himself.
"Honestly, Jika is almost like a sister to me."
"Do you have any siblings at your village?" Leonardo asks. Meiki shakes her head.
"It was only me and my.. my father." She picks at her chicken bowl.
"Do you like it here, Meiki?"
"Hm? Oh! Hai, Gre- Leonardo. I love it here! It is so quiet and peaceful and..." Meiki searches for the right word.
"Kind?" Leonardo suggests. Meiki hums.
"Yes.. kind."
"Tell me about your village. Are their children there?"
"Oh yes! Children of all ages. They all play together, go to school, and obey their parents. And there are elders too. This one lady would pour me tea on days I visit her. She was so understanding and would listen to me talk," Meiki says. She talks about everything; her little doll, the boy that was alone and she would sit with, her favorite flowers and the color they look best as. Leonardo learns she doesn't have a certain favorite color, especially since coming to the palace. He listens and starts to smile. She seemed to want to talk about everything.
'Except the previously mentioned father.' "Meiki," he starts when she had paused, "have you had a chance to talk to my father?" Meiki nods.
"He's really nice and, hard to understand a lot of the time. But his words are beautiful," she comments, "He's like a grandfather to me."
"Not like a father?"
"No, he's wise and gentle, not mean and-" she gasps and covers her mouth in surprise.
"And what?" Leonardo asks. She puts her hand down.
"... violent." She answers, "my chichi went to the sarūn a lot. If I disobeyed him or got in his way, he would hit me. He'd say I was ugly and the worst daughter and a disgrace," she continues, "I still have nightmares of him."
Leonardo had moved over as she was talking. He now knows why she's reserved, why she'd flinch or back away. He is right next to her when she finishes talking. "I would never do that to you," he says, stroking her cheek.
"I know."
"He can't hurt you anymore. You don't have to go back. Ever." He thinks for a moment, "I can go down to the village and deal with him if you want," he suggests. Meiki looks at him and shakes her head.
"He is still my father," she defends, "But I do want to send something for the children. A treat, and some toys. Could you do that?" She asks, eyes shining.
"Of course. But I still think that dishonorable man should get what he deserves." Meiki places her hand on his.
"I cannot tell you what to do, but he is the only family I have. I want him to know that I do love him, no matter what happened," she says. Leonardo is hesitant to her request.
'She loves the baka that beat her and plagues her sleep?'
"Please, Leonardo," she says tenderly.
"I cannot say no to you," he admits. "Come, the servants will clean up."
"Oh! Leonardo?" Meiki asks, remembering a favor.
"Hai, Hikari (light)?" She surprised by the name, but continues.
"May Jika be allowed to call me by my name?" Leonardo smiles.
"In a casual environment, I'll allow it. Now, let's go to the study."
Was it Raph? Or was Mikey playing a prank?
THE BAKA! Tadu (mentioned in chapter one) is a disgrace to his daughter.
He reminds me of a quote from "Monty Python and the Holy Grail". I believe a French character had said, "I fart in your general direction!" Look it up *snickers* he's hilarious.