BEING APART
Emi stopped the knitting at the porch of her home and smiled as seeing Shuichirou coming closer with a wide grin. The sun was starting to set, ending another hard day of work in the farm. He crossed the front garden and sat by her side, kissing her forehead and touching her still flat belly.
- I'm home. – kissing her forehead, he touched her belly with caring eyes. – How was your day?
- Welcome, anata. We are fine. - she handed him a small envelope. – It came this afternoon from you. It's from Echizen-san.
- Ah, thank you! – he opened the letter and started to read it. He was always very happy when receiving letters from home.
On the firsts months of marriage she was so worried about his distance from his family. Oishi would never complain but she knew it was hard on him, especially since Ryoma was left behind. They would exchange letters at least on a couple of weeks and Shuichirou would always feel disappointed when his constant invitations were refused by his nephew.
In the beginning, as they moved together to the second and smaller house at her father's farm, she felt guilty on seeing him working on the fields with the sheep, the sunburns he had to endure on the first days and the bruises on his hands that had only held books and swords until then. Emi took care of her husband during those hard first days and her chest was tight every time he showed her nothing but smiles, until one night when he noticed the worry on her blue eyes and she finally told him her about her concerns. And Suichirou held her tight, as she noticed the insecurity on her blue eyes, afraid he would leave her. And she felt incredibly lucky and dear as he whispered love words and promises she knew it would be for their entire life. And her heart was at peace.
Oishi would wake up early and join the other workers on the fields and spent his days there. Returning at home at sunset, Emi would help him bath and they would have meals together, enjoying each other companies. As a young married couple they would make love many many times, as desire and the sense of completely freedom of being in privacy would hit them. There was not a inch on his wife's body Shuichirou hadn't taste or kissed. She was always so sweet and giving and not ever ashamed or shy. Together they found out the physical aspects of love. Sometimes they would visit Emi's parents and Shuichirou was amused by the warmth of a family sharing a meal, sitting and talking together. It was something very new to him, being alone with his father after his sister got married and he really liked his mother and father-in-law. They were humble and extremely kind-heartily, accepting him as a true son.
On their second year of marriage they started to talk about children and Emi had no doubts there he would be a terrific father. They would imagine their first child while looking at stars on their porch, holding each other's hands. And Shuichirou couldn't hold back his happy tears when his wife told him she was finally expecting.
- Any news? – she asked, as sitting by his side.
- Nanjirouh-san is inviting us to stay on your last months. He says it would be safer to have our child in Kyoto, with doctors to help.
- It is a good idea, since it will be born at winter. – her hands touched her belly and her eyes were full of love. – And you can see Ryoma as well and spend his birthday with him.
- I think he is upset with me. – his head was down, looking at his brother-in-law new excuse to his nephew absence. – It's been a while since he last wrote and Nanjirouh-san is saying he is not coming again.
- Maybe he is busy with something. – touching her husband's hands, she tried to comfort him.
- Maybe. Or maybe he is angry because I've never came back to see him like I promised to. – he kissed her palm before standing up. - I'm going to bathe so we can have dinner.
She observed as he walked away and wished she was able to do something to restore the bonds between Ryoma and him.
#####
Sakuno sat slowly on the futon, a sharp pain between her tights. Slowly she wrapped herself on the loose sheets. She looked at Izanagi sleeping face and felt disgusted. After spending the last week in Tezuka's companion and with Echizen visits, she was caught without excuses and was obligated to accept him for the night. He rudely took her clothes away and entered her in a hurry, pressing her body on the wall. She was not ready for him, actually she was never ready for such man but the sudden entering on her body made her shiver in discomfort, what he mistakenly took as a pleasure sign while continuing to ravish her, already on the futon, while Ryuzaki was on all-fours.
She wanted to at least get away from him, but when she was about to stand up, he pulled her back to the futon again, holding her in strong arms, licking her neck and spreading shivers on her entirely soul.
- Stay.
- Izanagi-san, I thought you were asleep already. I was just going downstairs to eat something. – she was starting to get used on using a fake tone of gentleness with him.
- You can eat when I'm gone. – he touched her breasts in a rude way. – Tell me, Sakuno-chan, what do you think of changing dannas? That Tezuka is always absent, isn't he? Im sure you feel lonely.
- I appreciate your concern but it won't be necessary. I'm very happy with my current danna.
- Really? I think you deserve better. A man who can take care of you properly.
Ryuzaki stood up in flash, putting the yukata in front of her naked body. Her red eyes filled with anger. She had enough. The young woman was able to put up with him, but not to disrespects towards her beloved Kunimitsu.
- Leave.
- What?
- Go away. You have no rights of saying such things of Tezuka-sama.
- Who do you think you are talking to?! – he was standing in front of her but she didn't move. – I paid for you!
The small bag of coins he had given her was thrown at his feet.
- Take your money and get away from my room. – her teeth was clench together and an intimidating expression on her beautiful face.
- I'm sorry, Sakuno-chan. – he smiled trying to humor her, only making her even more upset. – I was just joking. Come back to bed. – offering his hand to her, he was utterly ignored, as she slammed the shoji close before leaving.
####
Ryoma was sitting on the training area, silently cleaning Shirayukihime's blade after training, when Nanjirouh entered the room and sat on the tatame near him. His father had arrived on the night before and his son woke up early before breakfast so it was the first time he was seeing him since he came back.
- Good morning, Ryoma.
- Welcome back, Otou-san. – he said, without taking his eyes from the katana.
- Aren't you hungry?
- I will go eat in a while.
- Listen… the servants told me you are going out. And only coming back very late.
- Actually I'm coming back very early. When the sun is up. – he responded so naturally still absorbed on his sword that didn't notice his father's surprise expression.
- Is there something you want to tell me? – Nanjirouh knew his son was on the age most young men would start get interested in the opposite sex so it was his first assumption as the servants told him about his absences at night. – What are you doing at such hours?
- I have someone to talk about books. We met at the bookstore. We meet and discuss the books we are reading.
- At night?
- It's the only available time of that person. – Ryoma stood up and put the katana back to its case.
- I see… And how's your friend's name?
- Ryuzaki-san. – he looked at his father with a neutral expression. – I will take a bath and have breakfast. Is there anything else you wish to know?
- No, its fine. Thank you for telling me, Ryoma. – he smiled as he son left the room and breath in a relieved way. Even though he had no doubts about his boy's conducts, being worry was part of being a parent. But he was glad his son had found a friend. It was about time his world to expand beyond the gates of their home.
#####
- Sa-ku-no-chan. – Fuji sat by the girl's side with a smile. It was still early and few clients were scattered on the main saloon.
- Fuji-san! Thank you for the birthday present!
- Don't mention it. And I see you are already wearing my cousin's gift as well. - he appointed the kanzashi beautifully putting her hairdo together. – I helped him chose it, you know.
- You did? It's lovely, I really liked it! – her smiled faded a little and she looked away. – How's Tezuka-sama's mother? Was the visit well?
- Ayana-san is doing fine as ever. We only go there time to time to be spoiled. There's nothing like a mother's compliments. – his blue eyes were kind on her. – Do not worry. My cousin is only spending some time at home. He will be back soon.
- I hope so.
- So, tell me about that new client of yours. He is a very young boy, isn't he?
- Is there anything you don't know, Fuji-san? – she learn forward and smile seductive at him. He touched a strand of her hair gently.
- It's my duty to take care of you while Tezuka is away.
- Echizen-kun is interesting.
- Kinky sex? – she laughed with his question.
- There's no such thing. We only talk.
- Talk? – Fuji was truly surprised. – Really?
- About books. He likes them as much as me. He is extremely polite too.
- Is indeed interesting. I would like to meet him someday.
- Sakuno-chan, don't do this with the poor boy. – Natsumi was by Fuji's side with a discreet smile. – He doesn't deserve it.
- Are you free from your culinary duties already? – he kissed her hand. – Could you give me some attention finally?
- So dramatic… - Syusuke stood up and held her arm.
- See you later, Sakuno-chan.
- Enjoy. – she smiled at them both before they left. She went outside and sat by the koi pound, looking at the fishes. Echizen would probably not come that night, since he was always early. He had told her that he was going to be busy at home. After almost a month of encounters, she caught herself missing the boy's companion as well. She looked up and the full moon, it was bright golden, the same color tone of Ryoma's eyes and she smiled.
- Sakuno-chan. – the familiar voice made her happy thoughts to go away and she turned around slowly. Izanagi was there, staring at her.
- Izanagi-san.
- I'm sorry for that night. I've been feeling horrible about it. – he showed her a small package of sweets. - Would you forgive me?
- I told you I wouldn't be with you anymore. You insulted my danna. Candy isn't going to fix that. – she stood up and tried to go back to the main house, when his big hand grabbed her arm and the sweets were thrown away.
- I told you I'm sorry. – his tone of voice was intimidating. - You are a tayuu, this is much more of kindness than you deserve.
- You are… hurting me. – her sentence only made him twist her arm even more, making her scream but since they were distant from the main area, nobody could hear them.
- Behave yourself. – his eyes were strange and Sakuno could sense the smell of alcohol on his breath. – Lets go to your chambers and patch things up.
- Let go of me! – without noticing, on a movement of pure instinct, her hand grabbed one of her kanzashi and the sharp edge hit his face, big drops of blood staining the green grass. He put his hand over his face trying to stop the blood that was coming from his cheek.
- You bitch!
Sakuno turned around, grabbed the loose cloth of her furisode and started to run inside the house, only on her tabi, followed by him. The way she entered the main room startle the other clients and tayuu and before Saya got close to her, Izanagi appeared at the door, his face still bleeding.
- Come back here, you whore!
- Izanagi-san what's the meaning of this?! - the manager put herself between them, Sakuno absolute terrified.
- She attacked me with no reason! – the other clients were too afraid to do something. Izanagi was a tall and strong man. He pushed Saya aside, to the ground and grabbed Sakuno by her neck. – I will teach you some respect!
Her small hands were around his powerful arm trying to free herself, her nails digging in his skin, but he just continued to suffocate her.
- Get away from her. – Fuji appeared behind them, a deadly serious look on his blue eyes, a shinning katana on his hand.
- Don't meddle! This has nothing to do with you!
- I know someone who will be even scarier than you if something happens to her. – he got close and appointed the sharp edge to his head. – And your face is already bad enough.
He thrown Sakuno on the floor and looked at her enraged, while she coughed trying to retrieve some air, before leaving Akai Hana in hard and fast steps.
