Shiranui Daisuke left them when they got on the Oshu Kaido road heading north. His path was down the Tokaido road, to get back to Kyoto. Haruhi promised she'd write to him and Souji praised his swordsmanship, telling him that if he wanted to come, he was welcome at the wedding but if he didn't wish to, they wouldn't take offense. Daisuke said he'd come though, with his family if they were welcomed too, and Haruhi agreed, enthusiastic, before they parted ways.
« It's here ? » asked Souji in front of the inn.
« Ha... Hai... » nodded Haruhi.
There was something very strange in seeing the Inn again. It was the same house than when she left but it changed. It seemed bigger. Her father probably did a lot of ameliorations on it too, this year. He never worked with his hands during his previous life, except to take lives, but now, he seemed never to stop working on the inn. Last year, he made an entiere new bathroom for the customers so the old one could be private to the family. Now, she supposed there were more bedrooms. Maybe he even finally did that new kitchen. He used to say that the original one was too narrow and since he enjoyed eating privately in the kitchen instead of in the common room, he spoke about making a new one, or at least improve this one, quite a few times.
« It's not as big as the Shieikan. » commented Souji « but it's still a very big inn. How does Hajime manage that ? »
« Shieikan's a dojo. Chizuru-neechan is taking care of all the money balance and accounting. Otousan is cooking mostly, and improving the inn. I used to clean and do the service with Chizuru-neechan but... now that I've been away, I realize how big it is and how much work it was... Poor Chizuru-neechan probably had trouble doing it all by herself... »
« It's a pity we didn't have the time to warn them of our arrival so they could prepare. » muttered Souji.
Tama wasn't speaking. In fact, she didn't speak much during all the travel and for once, it wasn't out of shyness. Or maybe a little. But mostly, even if she wouldn't say it, she was afraid, guilty and homesick. She spent all her life in Hino and she could count on her fingers the times she left the village to go to Tokyo. Now, she was so far from home... It'll pass, she supposed. She wouldn't go back to her mother again anyway. She was better here, with Souji and Haruhi, who really cared about her, her happiness and her feelings in general. It had been strange, really, when Haruhi asked her to think about what was making her happy. She never thought about it before, her mind only focused on obedience. Yet, the words of her friend entered her mind like a worm in a peach and settled there, making her question the life she was living. She was so lucky, so lucky, to have Souji who would listen and wouldn't beat her because she wasn't happy in their marriage and wasn't making enough efforts. He also never forced himself on her, except on the wedding night but that was an obligation for both of them then and it hadn't been that bad in the end. It even had been nice. The day she divorced was a treasured day nonetheless and she would never thank Souji enough for taking the time to ask her about how she felt and what she wanted. Even if she never loved him or desired him, she had respect and affection towards him, just like he had some towards her.
« So ? » asked Souji « how are we doing this ? I'm going in ? You are ? We go together ? »
« Together seems fine... » muttered Haruhi, embarrassed.
Souji grabbed her hand and smiled to reassure her but Haruhi bashfully took her hand off which caused him to smile wider.
« Come on... » he sighed « Hajime isn't that scary. »
Haruhi didn't answer but the red started to taint her cheeks. Her father never really yelled at her, he never punished her without reason or beat her. His authority was natural. Yet, she couldn't help but apprehend taking a man home, even if it was Souji and that she had an appropriate age.
« Let's go. » she just said, taking action before her courage leave her.
She slid the shoji and was greeted by the familiar scent of her father's cooking, probably a stew. He was there in the common room with Ayame, his first born, scolding him with arms crossed.
« But Okaasan said that when I'm finished cleaning with mister broom, I could go and play... » was complaining the boy.
« Moving dust around isn't cleaning. » stated his father « do it properly. »
« Ha...Ha... Haru-neesan... » stuttered Ayame, noticing her.
Her father turned to her and was nearly impassive when he spoke, his emotions only betrayed by a faint smile.
« Welcome home, Haruhi. » he said.
« I'm back, Otousan... » she whispered, voice broken by the overwhelming tide of feelings crashing on her heart.
Her two companions entered the inn and Hajime saluted them too, as if he wasn't even surprised. Since Tama and Souji were with her, her brother didn't run to her and instead, he grabbed to his father's kimono and hid his face in it, still as shy as ever.
« Ayame. » said his father, detaching his hands « You're too old for this now. Go to your sister. »
« Come, Aya-chan. » smiled Haruhi, extending her arms.
Yet, instead, Ayame clenched back at his father's kimono and hid behind him. Hajime sighed and gave up, more eager to hear from his guest than to argue with his son.
« You had a safe trip ? » he asked « Can I offer you anything ? Tea ? »
« Yeah, thanks Hajime-kun. » smiled Souji « Hi, kid ! »
Ayame, who was peeking at Souji, hid back his face and Hajime detached him again to go and make some tea.
« Make yourself comfortable. » he said, disappearing into the kitchen.
Without his shield, Ayame seemed really afraid and he ran into Haruhi's arms who picked him up.
« You're heavy ! » she commented « You're a big boy now ! You had a nice birthday ? »
The kid nodded with his raven like mane with blue highlights tied into a top bun, crazy locks of hair circling his face and making like a messy bang before his eyes like his father.
« You got presents ? » she asked again but her brother didn't answer, as usual. He would speak like a windmill when he would be comfortable but for now, there were strangers with his sister.
« I can see he's Hajime and Chizuru's... » whispered Souji playfully « He looks like a lost puppy. »
« He's shy. » defended Haruhi « Don't be mean to him. »
« I'm never mean. » protested Souji.
« Seriously ? » she frowned.
« Not with children. » he smiled.
Hajime came back with a tray and the cups of tea, distributing them. They all thanked him and sat at the table. For Haruhi, with Ayame's arms draping her neck, it wasn't an easy task.
« What brings you here ? » asked Hajime before his gaze landed on Tama « pardon my rudeness, I haven't introduced myself. I'm Fujita Hajime, Haruhi's father. »
« Tsunashi Tama » she bowed « Souji's daughter. »
« Daughter ? » repeated Hajime, mouth agap.
« And ex-wife. Hell of a story. » chuckled Souji « you met her before. It's Kondou Tama. »
« Kondou... » whispered Hajime « My condolences for your father, Tsunashi-san. He was an honorable man and a true samurai despite his birth. »
« I want to thank you. » she blushed, flustered « for freeing his head... »
Hajime nodded gravely. Having Kondou-san's head exposed that way in Kyoto was an offense and he only did his duty by stealing it so it could be burried.
« Otousan » said Haruhi « Souji's been shot on his shoulder. Can Chizuru-neechan look at it real quick ? We could talk afterwards. »
« Chizuru's not there. » sighed Hajime « she left the children in my care. She missed working as a doctor and she works with a pharmacist so they can be complementary with eastern/western medecine. Souji, you're not a Rasetsu anymore ? »
« Nope. » he shrugged « neither ill. Been a long time now. »
« I am glad to hear it. » nodded Hajime again, sipping in his tea « Thank you, for bringing Haruhi back home. I dare to hope she wasn't an inconvenience. »
« I wasn't ! » protested Haruhi, stroking Ayame's hair under Souji's mocking chuckles.
« Chizuru will look at your shoulder as soon as she gets back. »
The powerful sound of an infant crying interrupted the conversation and Hajime stood up, unfazed.
« Ayame » he ordered « go prepare a bowl of rice porridge for your brother. »
The kid didn't answer but got away from Haruhi's lap to get in the kitchen while Hajime went to his bedroom, coming back with the little Kaede.
« Hey ! » chuckled Haruhi « he's not that fat anymore ! »
« He's growing. » nodded Hajime « he's also calmer. »
And that was true. As soon as Kaede was in his father's arms, he calmed down. A year ago, he would still be yelling like hell itself. Hajime sat back at the table with his second miniature self on his lap. Both his boys were a reflexion of their father, the only things taken from their mother were their round face and chestnut eyes. Kaede had hair shorter than Ayame but they were still like his father's. The only difference was that Hajime's hair were already turning grey at his age, a lot of white hair perking out his raven like mane tied in a side ponytail like back in the days. His older son came back with the rice porridge and Hajime fed the younger one with it, Ayame coming next to him but not hiding his face anymore, starting to relax in the presence of the two strangers.
« You seem happy. » said Souji with a smirk.
« I am. » nodded Hajime « my sons are calm and obedient, and the business is going well. I employed a girl last year which is competent. With Chizuru taking back her previous job, I needed to hire a second one but with Haruhi back, it might not be necessary. »
« Please » pleaded Souji « don't let her cook... »
« Souji ! » scolded Haruhi but her father escaped a small bark of laughter and nodded to his friend.
« I don't. » he confirmed.
« If you want someone competent though, Tama here would do wonders in a inn ! » winked Souji.
« I... I... I do what I can... » she blushed, flustered.
« Her dessert are amazing ! » praised Souji « and dumplings and everything... And she's also great with the household ! »
« Why do you want me to employ her ? » asked Hajime « are you planning on staying here long ? »
« As a matter of fact, we have nowhere else to go » shrugged Souji « and we came here because we have matters to discuss with you. »
« What kind of matter ? » asked Hajime, still focused on stopping his son from flipping the spoon with his hand and make him eat the rice porridge.
« Marriage. » grinned Souji widely « Would you give me Haru-chan's hand ? »