Kourui no Yuki
by: Kagayaki Ame
Chapter One
Ai
A month ago...
I watched my father hanging the laundry in the yard for a long time. He knew I was there. But he knew that I wouldn't come to him until I was ready. I expect that he had foreseen my need for a talk for a few days now. I'd been acting strangely. Everyone saw it. But I had a very important decision to make. And I needed advice.
I'd much rather ask for my mother's views. I knew my father was wise, but sometimes he likes to play idiot, just to make me reveal to myself what he knew I wanted him to say anyway.
That got so damn annoying sometimes.
But it was better than sifting through the sappy emotional explosion my mother would pull me through with her when she heard what I had to say. And maybe my dad would be serious this time...
I walked over to him and patted his shoulder before helping him with the laundry. He smiled at me and we worked in silence for a long time. It must have been funny to see us. Two practically identical red heads, pinning wet laundry, trying hard to silently read each other while not saying anything at all.
No wonder Okaa-chan laughed at us so often. We were exactly alike.
Kami-sama knows I didn't think so a few years ago... but I don't like to think about that time.
Besides, we'll get to that later.
So, there we were, father and son, saying nothing but listening as hard as possible to each other.
I broke first. Otou-kun has had much more practice and possesses far more patience than his fiery offspring.
"Otou-kun... I've been thinking about something... and I need some advice." I pinned mother's kimono.
"Honto?" Otou-kun made a surprised noise and smiled. "You usually ask Okaa-chan for advice, de gozaru."
"Hai... ano... I think you may help me more in this." I shook out a practice gi.
"Well, what is it? I'll try to help if I can."
I paused before beginning. "I... want to... know what you think about Yuki." I changed my question. I had to feel him out some more.
He smiled. "Yuki is a wonderful young woman..." he pinned his hakama. "But that's not what you were going to ask."
I gave a rueful smile and shook my head, finishing the last of the pinning. "No. It wasn't." I hesitated again. "We, Yuki and I, have known each other a while now. I like her a lot... in fact..." I looked at him sideways. "I love her."
Otou-kun remained silent for a moment, still smiling. Then he turned to me. "I know. And I am happy you finally see what we all have been seeing."
I faced him. "I want to ask her to marry me, Otou-kun."
I think I surprised him a bit. I can never tell. "I can see why you didn't go to your mother. She would have been beyond containment by now." He smiled. "You have more than my blessings, aisoku. But I do not understand what advice you are seeking."
"I want to know if you think this is wise? If you think she'll say yes? Am I being too hasty?"
He smiled. "So many questions." He placed a hand on my shoulder. "You must do what you feel is right, aisoku. If it doesn't feel right, don't do it. That is the best advice I can offer."
"Yes... but I mean, as far as wisdom..." I tried not to say it outright. We had all put my adolescent folly behind us and tried not to talk about it. But he knew what I meant. I let my words trail giving him a meaningful look.
He placed both hands on my shoulders and looked at me. "Aisoku, do not let your past dictate your future. effects have come and gone. Yuki is a new part of your life. Take it from me and leave the rest behind. Someday, you two will talk about it. But don't rush it. Especially since there is no threat to her life because of your past. What is past is gone. Do not lose Yuki under the guise of protection. It is not a good reason to lose anyone. It is not a good way to live. Trust me. I know."
I smiled and nodded. He knew what he was saying. I knew that he'd gone through the same thing. And he always told me that experience teaches wisdom.
"I'm back!"
We looked around to see my mother entering the gate. I caught the look on my father's face. Like he was seeing her for the first time. He still looked at her that way, even after nearly twenty years of marriage.
"Ohayo, Okaa-chan," I kissed her cheek and took the groceries from her. Before I left, I gave my father a look. He nodded slightly, understanding. Our chat was a secret.
After I was gone, mother said, "What is he not wanting his Okaa-chan to know, Kenshin?"
He smiled giving her a look. "It is nothing, Kaoru."
She smiled back. "I'd have thought you'd have gotten better at lying to me over the years, Kenshin."
He laughed and kissed her forehead. "I have not changed, de gozaru. You have only gotten better at reading me, koiishi."
She looked at me putting the groceries away in the kitchen. "I suppose you'll both tell me at some point."
"He is going to make a big decision, koiishi. And I'm sure you'll be the first to know how it turns out."
* * * * *
"Why are you so quiet, Kenji?"
I don't think I heard what Yuki-chan asked me. I'd been staring at her quietly since I'd arrived at her family's inn, which was very much unlike me. Usually I talk to her and try to make her laugh while watching her work, and helping her out where I could. She always protested my helping her. She was just like Okaa-chan with Otou-kun in that way. But I would politely interrupt whatever she was doing and she would laugh and simply let me help her.
She had an amazing laugh... and beautiful, soft, lilac eyes...
Her eyes were suddenly very close to mine and I blinked, surprised violet meeting slightly concerned lilac. She waved a hand in front of my face. "Kenji, are you feeling well?"
I smiled. "Hai, Yuki-chan, I'm fine."
She smiled and rolled her eyes, tying her incredibly onyx hair into a loose bun. "Yeah, okay, tell me anything. You've been acting strangely lately. Everyone has noticed." She stood close to me again, looking up at me shyly. "You can tell me, Kenji... just remember that I'll always listen to you..." she twirled a few strands of my hair around her deft and delicate fingers. I love it when she does that! "I always have."
I looked at her for long moments, taking her in. She was so very beautiful. Maybe it wouldn't be so hard to ask her after all... maybe I could just do it now... but when I tried the words got caught in my throat. Instead I smiled and bent down just enough for our lips to brush. When I rose again, her eyes shimmered and her cheeks were rosy - the way she always looked after we kissed.
I think she was most beautiful then.
"I'm fine, Yuki. I'm just a bit thoughtful I suppose."
"Hmm," she mused. "Well, when you're ready, you come to me first. Don't make me have to go to your mother." She poked my chest with her index finger, smiling playfully. "Because you know she knows everything about everything and everyone." She giggled and turned away to begin washing the vegetables for the inn's dinner that night.
"Ah, Yuki, let me." I rolled up my sleeves and took the daikon from her to begin washing them. I knew she rolled her eyes.
"Fine, Kenji-kun. I'll just start the rice." She stuck out her tongue.
"You're never content to let me take care of you, are you?" I laughed.
"Oh, but I am. I must, however, learn to fend for myself one day, right? I mean," she took a daikon from me and held it up. "Heaven forbid I should be overwhelmed by daikon one day and you weren't around. Whatever would I do?" I tried not to laugh, but she tickled me and I cracked. Then I splashed her a bit and she giggled, tickling me more.
Eventually dinner was ready and I had to leave to join my own family for dinner.
Before I left, I took her to the side before she went into the dining area to begin serving. "Yuki, I have to talk to you about something important. Can I come by after you close for the night?"
She looked into me, as was her way, and said, "Hai, Kenji-kun." She paused. "Are you sure there's nothing wrong?"
I smiled at her. That was why I loved her most. She was always thinking of others before herself. "Hai, Yuki-chan. Everything is fine." I kissed her cheek. "I will be here tonight."
She smiled and waved as I left.
"Konban, Kenji-kun."
* * * * *
Japanese Terms:
· Ai- love
· Okaa-chan- Mom (affectionate)
· Kami-sama- God
· Otou-kun- Dad (affectionate)
· Honto- really?
· de gozaru- Kenshin's famous definitive. loosely "you do"
· Hai-yes
· Ano- umm or but
· aisoku- beloved son
· koiishi- my love/ darling
· Konban- tonight (I'm using it as a farewell, like, "until tonight")
A/N: A bit of background *^-^* Hope you're all enjoying the ficcie. I'll have more up as soon as I can. Don't forget to R/R/R okay? I wanna know what you think now that it's developed a bit more...
