December 10
The first snows were born in on bitter cold winds. Braziers everywhere in Tokyo were brought out of storage, fed plump wooden logs and lit to drive the cold out of people's homes.
On the outside, the snow raged, whiting out the landscape with its thick, never-ending flakes and blanketing the earth, trees and buildings. On the inside, Himura Kaoru stoked up the fire in the brazier, then slipped into the futon beside the waiting redhead, who promptly pulled her to him.
All was quiet in the dojo today; Kenji was staying with Yahiko and Tsubame. Kaoru looked into the sweet, sad little face of her beloved redhead and offered him a smile.
Kenshin buried his face in Kaoru's robes and melted into her embrace as her hands gently rubbed his back through the thick material of his robe. Kenshin lay with his ear against Kaoru's chest and took comfort in the sound of her steadily beating heart. Kaoru rested her cheek on the crown of Kenshin's head.
Kaoru held Kenshin like this and felt as his body gradually relaxed, giving into the desire for sleep. She smiled to herself when she heard his breathing fall into its deep, rhythmic cadence.
'His soul continues to heal, but the first snows will always cause the old wounds to bleed anew,' she thought sadly as she stroked the crimson tresses of the sleeping form she held to her breast.
In her arms, he would sleep peacefully, even as the snow raged outside, carrying painful and blood-soaked memories with it.
'That's alright. Each year, he'll heal a bit more. Someday, he'll even be able to be fully happy even when the first flakes fall. Until then, I'll just hold him close to my heart,' Kaoru thought as her eyes drifted closed and she relaxed into sleep.
December 11
Kamiya Dojo
Unbothered by the cold, a small copper-haired boy was out in the backyard, eagerly rolling large snowballs to make a snowman. After he had two balls rolled large enough, Kenji picked the second ball up, stacked it on the first and tamped it down into place. He then rolled a third, slightly smaller ball for the head. When Kenji went to put the head on, however, he ran into a problem: He was too short! Kenji tried standing on his toes, but couldn't get the second ball on top of the first, as it would just threaten to roll right back down on him. With a huff, Kenji set the ball on the ground and glared at the base.
"Want some help?" came Kaoru's voice from behind him.
With an inward sigh, Kenji nodded. As a proud boy, he hated to ask his parents for help, but this snowball had him stymied. Kaoru came over to Kenji and knelt down by him.
"Let's pick it up together and get it on the base," she offered.
Kenji nodded, then he and Kaoru picked up the recalcitrant snowball and hefted it onto the base.
"Thanks, Mom. I got it now," said Kenji.
"It's all yours," smiled Kaoru, hastening back to the warmth of the house where she smelled hot tea awaiting her.
Kenji went to work firming up the connection between the second snowball and the base to be certain it wouldn't fall off. After this was done, he began gathering snow to roll the third and smallest snowball for the head.
Inside the room, warmed by a crackling brazier, Kenshin and Kaoru watched Kenji as he shaped the third snowball.
"Kaoru, do you think Kenji realizes he won't be able to mount the third snowball either?" asked Kenshin.
"Not yet," answered Kaoru.
Outside, Kenji had formed the third and final snowball into a nearly perfect sphere and looked up at the two piled snowballs before him.
"Oh, no!" he moaned to himself, just now realizing that he definitely wouldn't be able to mount it without help.
Then an idea came to him. Setting the small snowball carefully down, Kenji retreated to the storage shed.
"Oro?" went Kenshin as he and Kaoru watched from inside.
A moment later, Kenji returned, carrying a small step ladder, which he set down before the snowman.
"Our son is so smart," beamed a proud Kaoru.
"He takes after his mother," was Kenshin's response.
"Flattery will only get you so far," admonished Kaoru.
Kenji picked up that snowball, stepped up and proudly mounted it to form the head. This done, he jumped down from the ladder and went over to the woodpile to retrieve two twigs for arms. These, he easily stuck into the sides of the middle snow ball. He then ran and retrieved two pebbles for the eyes, since the family didn't burn coal. Kenji mounted the step ladder again and stuck the pebbles into the snowman's head. For the nose, he simply poked a hole into the middle of the face with his finger.
Kenji jumped down from the ladder again and stood several feet back, proudly surveying his new snowman. With a nod of accomplishment, he folded the step ladder up and carried it back to the storage shed.
This done, the boy retreated indoors, kicking off his boots and shrugging out of his hanten before running to join his parents around the brazier and share a cup of hot ginger tea with them.
New Years Eve, 1885 Shogatsu
Tomorrow would be the most important in Japan's long calendar of holidays. The inhabitants of the Kamiya Dojo had spent all day readying it by cleaning it from floor to ceiling, Kenji gleefully helping Kaoru to scrub all the floors and walls, polish all the bokken, beat all the futon and sweep the front walk. After this, he had helped Kenshin with the laundry, which had to be done inside due to the chilly weather. After cleaning came decorating. The front gate and entrance to the house were garlanded with ornaments made from the branches of pine, bamboo and plum trees.
Famished after a day spent cleaning and decorating, Kenji and Kaoru sat down gratefully at the table to a delicious New Years Eve meal of toshikoshi soba, a special noodle dish meant for the end of the old year and the start of the new year. The hot soup was topped with kamaboko, spinach leaves and half a hard boiled egg.
"Thanks for the food," they said in unison once Kenshin was seated.
Famished after a day spent helping his parents around the dojo, Kenji grabbed his chopsticks, fished out a heap of noodles and hurriedly slurped them up, barely stopping to chew before going for the egg floating in the broth, which was also barely chewed before being swallowed.
"Kenji, you know what happens when you rush your meals," warned Kaoru.
"Oro? A tummy ache..." Kenji admitted.
Well did he remember coming down with a horrible stomach ache after his last big holiday feast and having to go lie down before the festivities were over. But he was sooo hungry right now!
"Eat it slowly, Kenji. Toshikoshi is meant to be savored, not devoured," agreed Kenshin with a smile.
Kenji nodded firmly and resolved to eat the rest of it more slowly. As the family ate the soup slowly, they were warmed from the inside out after being out in the cold late December air.
Kenshin watched the clock as it ticked away the minutes steadily. Finally, 11:30 PM graced the dial.
"It's time," he said softly.
"Yay!" cried Kenji, jumping up from his cushion and running to find his hanten and boots.
Kenshin and Kaoru exchanged amused glances and then went to retrieve their own winter clothes for the short walk to the shrine.
After Kenshin locked the front gate, the family set out on the short, but cold, journey to the shrine for the ringing in of the New Year. Energized by all the food he had eaten and enthralled by being out so late at night, Kenji dashed ahead of his parents.
"Not too far ahead, Kenji!" Kaoru called after him.
Kenji slowed his steps down, but huffed impatiently, wishing his parents would hurry up. Then the sight of two familiar faces caught his attention, causing him to forget Mom's command altogether and he took off again.
"Kenji!" called Kaoru.
"It's alright, Kaoru," said Kenshin. "Kenji's found our friends."
"Hi, Aunt Meg!" said Kenji, doing his best to wrap his arms around Megumi with her bulging waistline.
"Hello there, Kenji. Are you going to the shrine by yourself?" laughed Megumi.
"No. Mom and Dad are slow!" complained Kenji.
"Ah, yes. I have the same problem. HURRY UP, ROOSTER!" Megumi bellowed over her shoulder.
"Yeah, yeah. I'm comin'," grumbled a rather disgruntled Sano as he ambled along, stuffing rice balls in a bento he'd brought along into his mouth.
"Sano! Megumi-dono!" called Kenshin as he and Kaoru just now met up with the other couple.
"Hi there. Looks like you two caught up just in time or Kenji was going to leave you high and dry," said Megumi.
"Indeed," said Kaoru, flashing a glare at Kenji, who looked guiltily down at the snowy ground.
"Rice ball?" offered Sano, unceremoniously shoving one at Kaoru.
"Put those away!" snarled Megumi, smacking Sano's hand. "You can't go more than two minutes without stuffing your face, can you?"
"Nope," replied Sano as he crammed another one in.
"Um, shall we be going to the shrine?" asked Kenshin before a fight broke out in the middle of the street.
The group started walking again, but hadn't gotten more than a few yards when another voice called to them.
"Hey, wait up!"
From behind them came Yahiko and a burgeoning Tsubame, also on their way to the temple.
"Hey, guys!" called Sano with a smile.
"Look who we actually managed to drag along with us," said Tsubame, gesturing to Tae and Katsu, who had just come up behind them.
"Hey, man!" said Sano as he and Katsu clasped hands. "How'd they git you outta yer self-imposed isolation?"
"Tae threatened me with bodily harm," was Katsu's response.
Tae smiled sweetly at her husband.
"Women..."
"Scary..."
The Kenshingumi and their friends made their way to the Meiji Jingu Shrine, where several other people had already gathered. Once past the red tori gate, everyone gathered at the purification fountain, plunged their hands into the icy water and quickly scrubbed and dried them before frostbite could set in. Kenshin, Sano, Katsu and Yahiko each tossed a coin into the offering box.
At midnight, the Kenshingumi stepped up to the log suspended from the ropes to take their turn to make a New Years wish and ring the bell. Standing still for a moment, relying on shared body heat to chase away the wintry chill, everyone considered their wish. Then, moving with one accord, everyone grabbed a piece of the rope, pulled back and let the log fly forward into the bell. The sound rang out, driving all their sins away from them into the night air, purifying them for the year to come.
GONG!
"Happy New Year, everyone!" Kenshin declared jubilantly.
After ringing in the New Year, everyone went home to bed, for tomorrow would be a huge feasting day.
January 1, 1886
Everyone slept in late due to being out past midnight last night. Eventually though, the light of the winter sun shining in through the thin rice paper aroused them. Kenshin was the first one up, and quickly went out to get started on the New Year's meal. Because it was such a big holiday, the meal was a large and complicated one and would take some time to make. He was glad he had gotten an early start, because all too soon, he heard the sound of fusuma sliding, footsteps and voices as Kaoru and Kenji wished each other a happy new year, then came stalking out, expecting food.
Smiling to himself, the rurouni brought out the three jubako which contained the osechi. Each of the three boxes had different compartments in it, each one containing a different dish.
Daidai, the bitter oranges whose name meant "from generation to generation" in kanji. The oranges were the adults' wish for their children to have a happy and healthy life in the year to come.
Datemaki, a sweet rolled omelet mixed with mashed shrimp. This was a wish for many auspicious days where people could dress in their finest and go out and enjoy themselves without having to worry about bad luck befalling them.
Kamaboko, a broiled fish cake. The red and white slices were laid out in alternating rows and symbolized Japan's rising sun.
Kazunoko, the herring ro. The tradition behind this fish was the wish to have many children. Whether or not that would happen, only time would tell.
Konbu, the seaweed whose name was associated with joy.
Kuromame, the black soy beans, which symbolized a wish for a healthy New Year.
Kohaku-namasu, a dish made of daikon and carrots cut into thin strips and pickled in sweetened vinegar with yuzu flavor.
Tai, a red sea-bream, which was a wish for auspicious events.
Tazukuri, which was dried sardines cooked in soy sauce. Sardines were used in rice paddies to keep them fertile and the name of the dish meant "rice paddy maker" and was a symbol for an abundant harvest.
Zoni, a soup of mochi cakes in clear broth and Kenji's personal favorite.
Ebi, skewered prawns cooked with sake and soy sauce.
And finally, nishiki tamago, an egg roulade, made from an egg whose yolk and white were separated before cooking, the yolk symbolizing gold and the white symbolizing silver.
After all the osechi dishes had been eaten, Kenshin and Kaoru shared a bottle of otoso, while Kenji drank a cup of ginger tea.
March
Sano and Kenshin were out drinking at one of the seedy bars that Sano liked so much.
"Tonight, I get to order us drinks," announced Sano.
"While I pay for them," said Kenshin with a knowing smile at his friend.
"But of course," said Sano with a big grin.
Kenshin shook his head.
"Hey, barkeep, two whiskeys!" ordered Sano.
"Oro?"
What was "wish-ki"?
"You're gonna love this shit, Kenshin. It's made in Ireland and it's 10x stronger than sake," said Sano as barkeep brought them two shots of whiskey.
Sano and Kenshin each grabbed a glass and held theirs up.
"Cheers!"
Sano slammed his glass back in a single gulp and set it down with a clash, demanding more. Kenshin smelled his, then gingerly sipped it. He pulled back, coughing and sputtering. It was strong! He was able to get the rest down, though his throat burned. Sano patted the small swordsman on the back as he continued to cough after drinking it.
"Want more?" Sano asked.
"Hic Hic Hic"
"Eh?"
Sano looked at Kenshin and saw cherry red cheeks and glazed over eyes. Kenshin smiled stupidly up at Sano, then pitched forward, face slamming into the counter.
"Out after just one? I expected better from you, Kenshin," said Sano with a shake of his head. "Let's get you home to Missy."
Sano left the money (from Kenshin's wallet) and departed the bar with the inebriated redhead slung over his shoulder like the proverbial sack of potatoes.
Kamiya Dojo
Kaoru looked up and was immediately in shock to see Sano now cradling the still knocked out Kenshin in his arms. She was on her feet instantly.
"Sanosuke, what happened to him?" she asked in alarm.
"It's cool, Missy. We tried some Irish whiskey and Kenshin just couldn't hold it," explained Sano with his silly grin.
Kaoru smelled the rurouni's breath, which reeked of alcohol.
"How many did he have?" she asked, as Kenshin had never had trouble with a few saucers of sake.
"One shot. That whiskey's some powerful shit. Don't be pissed or nothin'. I didn't know it'd be too much for him," said Sano as Kaoru led him back to her and Kenshin's bedroom.
She motioned for them to walk quietly since Kenji was asleep in his room and she had no desire for the boy to see his father in this state. Sano understood this and was very quiet as Kaoru slid the fusuma open and laid out the futon. Sano set Kenshin down as gently as he would a baby.
"Well, see ya t'morrow," he said with a salute.
"Thanks," said Kaoru, feeling a bit unnerved, but not angry or anything.
After Sano was gone, Kaoru sighed and brushed Kenshin's bangs back from his face. The redhead would probably have something of a hangover tomorrow. Kaoru tenderly undressed him and covered him with the quilt.
Since everyone was present and accounted for, she undressed, donned her yukata and slipped under the covers next to her passed-out redhead, whom she promptly pulled into her arms and held close to her heart.
March 20, Spring Equinox (Shunki kōrei-sai)
Dressed in their finest clothes, the Himura family departed the dojo and headed for the small graveyard just on the outskirts of Tokyo. On their way, Kaoru stopped at a vendor's booth and bought flowers and incense sticks.
When they entered, they found themselves in a green, quiet place, marked with gray stones and shaded with trees that were just beginning to grow green buds. Kaoru led Kenshin and Kenji to a gravestone with the names Kamiya Koshijiro and Kameko on them. Swallowing back her tears, Kaoru set the flowers on the graves, set the incense sticks in the ground and lit them to burn. As the incense burned down, the family of three closed their eyes in prayer to Kaoru's departed parents and the grandparents Kenji had never known.
April 2
Kamiya Dojo
Kenji sat back on his heels, watching as Mom went through her bottom drawer. He looked indifferently at all the trinkets in there that would naturally only appeal to girls. That was, until his gaze landed on a piece of blue fabric which had some brown spots on it. Kenji reached into the drawer and pulled it out.
"Mom, is this your ribbon?"
"What ribbon?" asked Kaoru, looking over at Kenji from the old kimono she had been going through.
"This blue one, with the brown spots," answered Kenji.
Kaoru's eyes widened a bit when she saw the ribbon in Kenji's hands. Gently, she slid it from his grasp and looked it over, her eyes misting for a second. Her mind wandered back to that moonlit night, vividly etched in her mind's eye. Her lungs paralyzed, consciousness fading. The near, yet distant clash of katana as two hitokiri fought a deadly battle with her life riding on the result.
"Mom, you OK?" asked Kenji.
"Yes, Kenji. I'm fine," assured Kaoru.
"You're crying," observed the boy.
"I am. But not because I'm sad, but because of the happy memories this ribbon gives me," explained Kaoru.
"What memories?" asked Kenji.
A watery smile broke out on Kaoru's features.
"Of the night, your Dad and I began to truly fall in love," she said happily.
"Yuck!" was Kenji's response as he jumped up and ran away.