Ten years later
"Rin-chan!" Miyuki's voice broke into the air.
Rin opened her golden eyes, annoyed. Just when she almost fell asleep too…it was so easy to fall asleep by the courtyard, with the chirping birds and warm sunbeams shining down. She didn't know why her mother enjoyed the moon so much. The sun was much more useful.
The soft pattering of Miyuki's feet suddenly stopped in front of her.
"Rin-chan, why are you dressed like that again?!" she wailed. "I dolled you up so nicely…"
Rin rolled her eyes. Her male apparel always annoyed the maid. "Miyuki, I'm not like my mother, I don't like wearing yukata. They're so hard to move in!"
"Your mother doesn't like them either," another voice said easily. Soujirou came into view, his winking eyes the same as always, his expression unreadable. "She's just gotten used to looking like a woman."
Rin frowned. "Soujirou-sensei, why are you here? I thought you were at work with Okaa-san and Otou-san."
"Nee-chan said I was useless and told me to come home and train you instead."
She grimaced. "I don't want to. Besides, I'm much faster than Kenji, and that's all that matters."
"Rin, you're way too arrogant for your own good." Hiko arrived in the courtyard, dragging his red-haired apprentice behind him. "But seriously, Kenji, you're a useless brat, how can you let a girl beat you that easily? Even Kenshin put up more of a fight against Kikome."
"Shishou!" Rin skipped down the stairs and bowed eagerly to him.
"Rin, learn to control that mouth of yours. I'm done with training you two today; save an old man his strength, would you?"
Hiko, always exaggerating. Like he looked old at all…though he was already in his late fifties, he didn't look any older than thirty. So freaky.
"That isn't fair," Rin pouted, her pink lips curling up in a frown. "Just because Kenji's stupid and needs more time to learn all the techniques, you spend so much more time with him! What about me?!"
"Shut up, stupid Rin," Kenji snapped.
"You shut up. I'm not the one taking a million years learning Ryu Tsui Sen."
"Both of you, shut up," Hiko ordered as Kenji opened his mouth to reply. "Besides, Rin, you have Soujirou to teach you Shukuchi, don't you?"
"She's really bad at it," Soujirou said teasingly, sitting down beside Miyuki, who blushed. Rin rolled her eyes at the maid; her infatuation with Soujirou was so obvious.
"Your mother was much better at learning it," Soujirou continued. "No one taught her or anything. It was incredible."
"Yeah, except Okaa-san pretty much can't fight at all anymore," Rin said bitterly.
Hiko cuffed her across the head. "I told you to watch your mouth, RIn."
"This is so stupid. Why is everyone always comparing me to my mother? She's not that great," Rin said angrily. "Otou-san's much stronger."
"Yes, yes, Otou-san is much stronger," a melodious voice said from the gateway. The gate creaked open as Rin jealously watched her beautiful mother enter the courtyard.
"Rin, Rin, Rin," Kikome sighed. "It really hurts to see you view me with such animosity, you know."
Kikome's crimson lips parted in a playful smile, her coal black eyes as inscrutable as Soujirou's smile. Her beauty was unrivaled among the mothers in the area. Days never passed where Kikome wasn't asked on a date or stroll. A foreigner even had the gall to ask her to accompany him to Europe to model for him. Otou-san had been furious. Still, Kikome's pulchritude was unparalleled, and it seemed that even old age couldn't diminish it.
"Okaa-san," Rin said respectfully. "Hello."
Kikome simply sighed at the stiff greeting and turned to the others.
"Why are you all gathered here? Shishou, you don't have to train these kids every day, you know. At this rate, you'll kick the bucket in a matter of days. And you know how devastating it would be for the world to lose such a genius."
"You really know how to flatter people."
"It's a result of going to those nonsense social gatherings," Kikome answered dryly. "Goodness, I really wouldn't go, but the last time I skipped one, Chou-san told me that three women ended up trying to get Saitou."
"It's been what, fourteen years of marriage and you still call your husband by his surname?" Soujirou laughed. "Nee-chan, you're too prim."
"I'd called him by his surname for the eleven years before we got married, all right? It's hard to break such a habit. Besides, hardly anyone calls him by his first name, it's always just Saitou, Saitou." Kikome sat down beside Rin and patted her head. "You're not lonely, are you, Rin-chan?"
"Give me a break, Okaa-san."
"Fine, fine." Rin caught a glimpse of sadness in her mother's eyes. "Rin, what can Okaa-san do to make you not hate her?"
"It's not that I hate you," Rin said stiffly. "It's just that I'm always compared to you, and I don't think you're that amazing."
"I don't either," Kenji piped up. "My Okaa-san always says that Otou-san is better. And she said that you sustained some injuries that have made you useless."
Kikome smiled beautifully. "As good of friends that your father and I am, Kenji, I'm not going to have any qualms about throwing you out in the streets the next time your tongue slips in such a condescending demeanor again."
Rin shuddered as she sensed her mother's always well-controlled ki expand in the slightest.
"Do you understand me," Kikome said with the same beautiful smile, "Kenji?"
"Y-yes, ma'am."
"Make sure that doesn't happen again."
And suddenly Kikome reverted back to the same easy-going personality as before.
"I don't particularly mind that you don't think I'm amazing," she said in reply to Rin's comment. "But you're being foolish for not listening to your teachers and not following instructions. If they say that you're nothing compared to me from back then, then shouldn't you try to find out how you differ?"
"Then give me an example," Rin demanded. "Show me, Okaa-san. Because as of now, I hardly have any respect for you."
"Rin," Hiko said, annoyed.
"Don't look at me like that, Shishou," Rin snapped. "Everyone knows that Okaa-san was your favorite student, after all."
"Well, at least she hasn't started calling by my name, yet," Kikome said wryly, standing up and dusting her yukata off. "Oh dear, I may really be losing my dignity in front of these children. Miyuki-chan, could you please go get my katana? I think these kids are a bit out of line."
"You're…not going to hurt them, are you, Kikome-san?" Miyuki said nervously.
"Of course not. Just a little demonstration." As Miyuki disappeared down the hallway, Kikome beckoned to her daughter. "Come, Rin, stand up. One-point match."
Rin scoffed arrogantly. "No offense, Okaa-san, but I'm pretty confident in my abilities. You might want to draw it out a little longer, since you're in a yukata and all, and your skills probably have rusted."
Kikome simply shook her head. "Good thing your father isn't here…he'd be furious if he heard you. Do you doubt me that much, Rin?"
"Frankly, yes."
"Then I'll make another concession. I won't move my feet. So you'll be free to attack as you like, all right?"
Rin shouldered her katana and stood up. Her parents were always against using a shinai, believing that the wooden blades were inefficient and harbored no risk of harm; students couldn't be taught without that risk. That was probably the reason why Kenji was terrible, learning with his mother and the shinai for so long, and then finally switching over to the katana.
Miyuki reappeared with Kikome's sword.
"Ah, thank you, Miyuki. Just throw it."
"Eh? But…"
"Ah, you too, Miyuki? Don't worry, I'll catch it."
Miyuki threw the sword, and the throw was weak. Surely it was going to fall to the ground…such a shame, the hilt would be dented.
Rin blinked. Kikome caught the sword effortlessly. But she hadn't seen her move at all! Even the slightest rustle of clothing couldn't be heard in the transition. She heard Soujirou and Hiko mutter something behind her. RIn whirled around.
"What?" she demanded.
"Nothing," Hiko said lazily. "We're just betting on how long the match will take."
"One second," Soujirou said cheerfully. "No, more like however long it takes for Rin to attack."
"Half a second," Hiko said confidently. "Ten sen, Soujirou?"
"Sure."
"Wait, you're betting I'll lose?!" Rin said in fury.
"What, you expected otherwise?" Hiko replied, an eyebrow raised. "Did you see your mother move at all in that one motion? That's what I've been telling you this entire time, Rin. Move like water, swift and in ripples that the eye cannot see."
"But that doesn't make any sense!"
"And you're just being obstinate."
"Rin, dear," Kikome called. "Do hurry up! It's stifling in this yukata."
Rin turned around and readied herself. She'd prove her worth. Stupid Shishou, stupid Soujrou…she snuck a glance at Kenji. He was watching them indifferently, then caught Rin's eye and grinned foolishly.
"Rin, if you win, I'll treat you to dinner," he grinned.
"Shut up, who wants your treat?"
"Rin, if you're not coming, I'm going," Kikome said wearily. "You're taking too long…maybe this isn't worth it."
Rin flew at her, her silver blade gleaming in the sunlight. Her Shinsoku was much better than Kenji's, and she was proud of her speed. Her mother couldn't possible catch her from behind, especially since she couldn't move at all.
Rin swung her blade at her mother's neck. She hadn't sensed her, there was no way…
Kikome's slender fingers caught her sword with ease in between her index and third fingers.
"My, my," she mused, "my cute daughter must really hate me. That move was full of killing intent. Not very nice, Rin-chan."
"How—"
Kikome pivoted around and brought her sheathed sword to Rin's neck.
"One point, Rin," she smiled. "Don't underestimate your Okaa-san anymore, all right?"
She removed her hand and let go of Rin's blade, yawning.
"Thank you, Miyuki-chan, but it looks like I didn't really need it…" Kikome twirled the katana expertly over in her hand. "Oh well. I'm going to put this back up. Miyuki-chan, can you go get some tea? We can all drink it out here."
"Sure."
Rin scowled as her elegant mother's profile disappeared into her bedroom.
"This isn't fair," she said.
"Of course it is," Soujirou said. "You asked for a demonstration, she gave it to you. It's all because you kids are so impertinent."
"But it doesn't make any sense. Okaa-san never trains. Surely, even if she was refined back then, her skills have deteriorated—"
"And that's where you're lying," Hiko interrupted. "What do you think your mother does at work? She fights everyday, or else she'd be bored to death. You're really underestimating your mother, Rin. You too, Kenji."
Kenji rolled his eyes. "Whatever. I'll be better than her in no time."
"Beat Rin first before you strive to higher aspirations."
"Oh, Hiko-san, was that one second or half a second? I couldn't tell."
"Half a second. You owe me ten sen."
"You couldn't tell either. You just want the money."
"Be more lenient with me, eh? I'm an old man. Go treat me to some sake."
"You'll die if you drink anymore."
"And Seta speaks the truth," the silky voice of Rin's father said as he pushed open the gate.
"Otou-san!" Rin said happily.
"Rin," Saitou greeted, ruffling her hair. "Have you been training well?"
"Nothing like her mother," Soujirou said with playful lamentation. "Where'd Nee-chan's prodigious skill get passed on to?"
"You exaggerate," Saitou said, sitting down beside him. "Rin's quite accomplished with Gatotsu."
"Only because it's an easy, straight-forward attack that's not hard to master at all," Kikome's voice said teasingly behind him.
"And Kikome, you never beat it once."
"We never really fought," she replied lightly, sitting beside her husband. Rin watched jealously. Kikome was so perfect in every sense. Genius at swordplay, beautiful, clever…no wonder Otou-san approved of her every aspect.
"Rin, come here," Kikome said.
She moved obediently to her mother's side and sat.
"Do stop being so stiff, all right?" Kikome said, whacking her back lightly. "You're going to make me keel over with sadness one day."
"Rin," Saitou said, "what'd you do?"
"Nothing," she answered with difficulty.
"You made your mother angry…" Rin could sense the latent anger hidden in Saitou's voice and winced.
"It's nothing, Saitou," Kikome intervened, patting Rin on the head. "Rin's just having some trouble with her training. I think she just prefers you teaching her."
"I can't do that all the time," Saitou said, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it. Rin saw her mother's red lips turn into a frown at the sight of the cigarette. Always the worrywart about Saitou's health. "Rin, you have two perfectly fine teachers with you…learning with them can make learning from me easier."
"I understand," Rin said in compliance. "I'll work harder."
Kikome smiled encouragingly at Rin as Miyuki returned with the tea. Cheerful chatter settled over the group, as Kenji spoke animatedly with Hiko about swordplay, Soujirou and Miyuki began to converse, and Rin engaged in conversation with her idolized father. Her mother simply sipped her tea, her onyx eyes watching all of them peacefully.
"Something wrong, Kikome?" Saitou said, noticing her silence.
"No," she replied with a smile, "not at all."
Rin suddenly realized that her silence was to help her instigate a conversation with her father. Now that she realized it, she thought back to all the times where dinner had passed by with Kikome sitting silently by the two of them as they discussed techniques, swordplay, or even politics. Okaa-san had always been helping her.
"Sorry, Okaa-san," Rin said remorsefully.
"About what, Rin?" she said innocently, winking slyly.
Rin grinned. "Never mind."
Saitou looked quizzically between the two, but couldn't discern anything from Kikome's innocent expression.
"This better not be anything about me," he smirked.
"Of course not," Kikome replied, drinking her tea.
Rin watched appreciatively, feeling her respect for her mother grow. No wonder everyone liked her…she was considerate, smart, beautiful…
A voice in her head spoke softly. You'll be like her one day. Strive for it.
Rin grinned secretly as she listened. She'd found a new goal.
*************
Kikome opened the blinds in her bedroom a bit, letting the moonbeams shine onto the floor.
"You always like doing that," Saitou said from behind, surprising her. "I can't complain though. You look even more gorgeous under the moonlight."
Kikome scoffed. "Don't say that…I'm getting old."
Saitou's lips touched hers briefly, coaxingly, as he took her in his arms.
"You must be joking," he whispered, his hands untying her obi. "You don't hear what the men at the office say about you."
"Oh, perverted things as always?" she said acidly. "I suppose you join in, don't you?"
Saitou's golden eyes glinted playfully. "Occasionally, of course."
Kikome's reply was cut off with another fervent kiss. Saitou pushed her on the bed, his hands gliding over her skin.
"You're as sensitive now as you were fourteen years ago," Saitou remarked as she shivered, sliding his hands up her back. "I'd expect you to get used to it by now."
"Sorry," she said sarcastically, pulling him closer and rolling on top of him. "But last time I checked, that was a good thing."
"Of course," he murmured as she kissed him. "What were you and Rin being so secretive about today?"
"Nothing."
"Don't lie."
"Just women's talk, Saitou."
He draped his arms over her neck and trapped her in his embrace.
"We're alone now," he muttered. "You can afford to call me by my name, right?"
Kikome felt her heart pound unbearably as his mouth closed over hers seductively. She was gasping for breath in between his kisses, completely lost to his will.
"Say it," he said.
She returned his embrace tightly as she inhaled his scent and the sweet taste of his lips.
"Hajime."
Fourteen years of marriage. Her love had not diminished in all that time, and she believed his hadn't either.
The moon shone brightly in their bedroom. Once Sokusai, always Sokusai. She looked best under the moonlight.
Free Talk
So I couldn't resist writing another "future" chapter. Maybe I'll add on, maybe not. Hopefully you'll like it! Thanks for reading, as always.