Part 3: Reluctant charm
Kamatari rested the issue about his two-week visit, having told Soujiro his final say: he is there purely for just casual interest, besides he pleaded him to go have a visit. During two weeks, he have to keep his OWN identity a secret, for he wants to get acquainted with everyone in a way to know who they are really are. Shortly after getting some well deserved rest, he showed up for dinner. As he expected, it is a healthy affair. Aside from Kenshin's small family, there is Sanosuke and the growing Yahiko; Misao and the oniwabanshus, with Aoshi and Okina going to follow up later. They make an energetic exchange of banter, conversation, talking of almost anything about everything. He made sure to seat beside Soujiro, and far enough from Megumi's reach.
All this, except there is no dinner being served YET at the table. Kaoru is the one making preparations in the kitchen, and everyone knew better.
"If Kaoru is cooking, you will know it when you'll smell something is burning." Yahiko sneered, trying to engage the young sensei to a conversation. "She is lucky that Kenshin-san knows how to cook!"
"Oh cut that Yahiko, don't shame Kaoru in front of a visitor. Besides, her cooking is much edible right now." Megumi scolded him, then glancing up at Kamatari. She gave a slow sly smile, "We all want to show a good impression, won't we?"
Sanosuke can't help but look to Megumi, then to Kamatari. Obviously, the fox-lady will not just easily come into Kaoru's defense and she had a discreet way in pointing out rude manners, not saying it in front of a visitor. And the way she talks, it's like she wants to stand out at the sight of the gajin-dressed sensei. Kamatari merely flinched and ignored her, fingering busily instead at the cuff of his sleeve. He never seen Megumi flirting for attention and he hate to admit, the Hojoun-guy have some share of good looks and he seems totally not aware of it. And even Kenshin-san, reputedly a level-headed person and does not easily give in to jealousy, can't help but act like one several hours ago.
"It's not like you at all, Kenshin." He muttered, lazily nibbling a stem of grass to his mouth, as they both watched Kaoru, Yahiko and little Kenji retire to their rooms to settle their newly acquired goods. "You are the last person in this household to get jealous with some other man, suspicious yes.but jealous? She is YOUR wife, and you had that little blunder of joy."
"I don't like it, Sano." "Yeah, I know I shouldn't have called Kenji a little blunder of joy.but he is really as ver."
"No, it's not about Kenji. That Hojoun, there is something strange about him. I don't like the way Kaoru look at him at all."
"Well, the man seems a little too generous. But I don't think he is sucking up for your wife and son's attention." He said, and then curiously "Well, I know its odd Soujiro haven't told us about an "old friend"."
"It seems like I have seen from somewhere else, he looks very familiar, like I have known him from before.I just don't know where. And it's not a good feeling."
Sanosuke nodded, "Uhuh.a tad suspicious of him eh? But there is no substantial proof he is up to something, let's try to get acquainted with him instead.who knows?"
"Yeah, who knows?"
****
Back to the present, the whole gang is trying to get to know "Hojoun" well. Soujiro prayed that Kamatari won't make another slip of a tongue again, and when he is asked about the typical questions, about his life, where he lived.he managed to have a readied answer. It's a relief, Kamatari was able to converse and act out like the sophisicated, articulate teacher (the persona) he presented that he was. Tacitly observing everyone speaks, and when asked a question, he pointed it with interesting wit and candor. He thus created a fictional, yet believable character of himself. He told of everyone already, that his first name and last name is one: Hojoun, and that he is born to a prominent class in Osaka. That during the chaotic Tokugawa era, his parents where killed and he was later founded by a childless missionary couple, and thus raised him as his own even with their cultural differences. Because of the political turmoil, it became increasingly dangerous for even them to take residence in one place, and then they decided to move back to their hometown in England. There he later gets proper education was attended to his every need and was treated as their equal. When Meiji restoration took over, his adopted parents decided its time and encouraged him to go back to see his native land to re- discover who he is, putting the knowledge he was taught in use as he settled being a teacher in one of the upper class schools in Osaka. Then, he met Soujiro.
Some of them doubted this credibility, as Soujiro have feared, thinking Kamatari is going too far to please everyone. When especially, Kenshin mildly requested him to show them how the English people speak. Sansouke also added that Europeans speak also many dialects.
"Aside from English, I heard among the Europeans that French is a secondary language." Kenshin said, "They said, it's the most romantic language of all."
"Yeah, do you know how to speak in English.or French, Hojoun?" Sanosuke asked, "I mean, since you said.you nearly lived most of your adolescence there."
"Why of course, I knew even how to do both. I also know some Dutch." Kamatari replied, and he noticed that Soujiro is looking at him with a worried look on the face. As if reading his mind he said, "I'm not making this up, I'll show you." And to their surprise, he spoke a variant of each language and in almost flawless smooth-flowing tone. Kamatari spoke some samples of the statements he learned from his therapist-gajin, and do a little impersonation of him. The man is an English-born of Dutch French descent, and when in his spare time, thought Kamatari a thing and two about the white man's language. It was fantastic, and everyone is so impressed that even Kenshin's mouth dropped open.
And soon enough, they also smell something is burning. Kaoru, with tears in her eyes and holding a stirring spoon apologized that she overcooked.again. Kenshin as usual, stood up and said that she can rest and he'll take over. But when he came into the kitchen, he stumbled down and go "oro". Everyone pictured that it must have look like a disaster, and some of then curiously followed to the kitchen.
"Does it always happened like that?" he called out,
"Yeah, I think so." Soujiro nodded, sitting down but looking to the kitchen's direction. The small area is releasing a small cloud of black smoke, and the only thing missing is flames sprouting from it. "It is natural daily occurrence, Kaoru always incidentally get the food burned, even if she is very careful in cooking. Kenshin-san usually patches it up, but as of now it seems to be much worse than before."
"She must have been accursed," he sighed, not noticing that Kaoru happen to pass by near his side of the table. He absentmindedly took a sip of tea. "If she wants to prepare good food, then let someone do the cooking."
"Uh-oh," Soujiro pointed to Kamatari to look at his back, "I think she heard you,"
And true enough, Kaoru looks like she is going to explode, awashed with furious anger at the arrogant statement, thinking the man knew better and has more than his sophisicated veneer and has gentleman upbringing, and she knew now it was wrong. He doesn't even look apologetic, when he noticed that she was there standing behind him and hearing every word that he said.
"I'm being honest, miss. If you can't do a proper way to cook, you must let someone else do it. I don't mean it as an insult, it's a fact."
"And how can you be a judge of that?!" she tried to control the upset tone in her voice; she is starting to have a nagging feeling of resentment of letting this stranger in. Sure he looks dignified, educated.and now he is damn insensitive about the situation. She sure can accept the fact she cooks bad, but she wished he had spoken it to her directly.
"M'lady," Kamatari said, in a typical western way of addressing women, "Your husband, and everyone---they are all rushing to put down the smoke made in the kitchen. If the house burns, you couldn't be so lucky."
"So why don't you TRY cooking instead?"
"Sure why not?" he offered, standing up from his place. "I can conjure up something if I tried.letting me take a look first,"
"W-what? YOU are not serious, aren't you?" Soujiro said out loud, ".you are outdoing yourself!"
Kaoru is equally stunned that he took the challenge, "H-hey, I didn't mean to."
"Don't worry, during the hard times I learned to cook from nothing." Kamatari explained, and then he went to take a look to the kitchen. It certainly looks a mess, "There must be really I can do, than make you think I'm a man without manners to speak to you like that."
"Oh, I see.well, okay." She mumbled, and bent her head down then she turned around back to the table area, Kamatari still saw, even if she tried to walk away hastily, that she is trying to hide her reddened face. There it goes again.
"Hojoun! You are here!" Yahiko exclaimed, very surprised seeing the visitor to go in and see the totally messed up kitchen. "We are sorry; it seems that dinner has been spoiled for you."
"Maybe I can be of help,"
Kamatari yet astounded the household again, he calmly looked for remaining edible food and left overs, and adding it with a little dash of spice and light frying them he came up with a nice tasty meal for everyone. He proved once again that he is worth trusting, and he could do well on what he speaks, and he is not someone who could bite off more than he could chew, and with that he impressed everyone. Kaoru incidentally forgot about her burnt cooking, and ended up asking some helpful tips to Kamatari how to cook BETTER next time. The night lit up on a much festive mood, as Sano decided to open a few bottles of sake he brought himself, and joked that it would be an all man affair. Megumi, and Misao however did not want to put up with that, and the oniwabanshu's are no exception----except for Kaoru who have to take Kenji to sleep.
In apparently no time, most of them are laughing in each other's expense in a dare for not trying to throw up after some several shots of sake. Yahiko nearly threw up in Kenshin's food bowl while the oni's belts out some songs that are out of tune, Sano throws a green joke or two---and earn him a smack or so from his female companions. The women are the first one that easily gets drunk, which is very amusing to watch. Megumi wasted no time trying to flirt with Kamatari, who with Soujiro, is the most sober and least tipsy among the party.
"Get away from me!" he snapped, as he tries to pry Megumi's face nearing to his own. "You're drunk, lady, snap out of it!" "Yes, you leave him alone Megumi! Are you that desperate for a catch?" came a high-pitched, yet slurred voice. And it's coming from Misao, her face is bright red and she is equally as drunk as the rest of the men are. Soujiro looked and admonished her gently, "Now, Misao you are drunk-----"
"At least, I got something to FLAUNT.you in the other hand," Megumi chided, her pallid face makes out a small foxy laugh, making Misao even more irritated. It was always the usual banter; it's always about Misao's underdeveloped body---the fact that didn't change even after Megumi learned that she found her true love with Soujiro. It's just like seeing the shadow of Kenshin and Kaoru---- and to think, Kaoru hardly changed with the way she cooks even with her new found domesticity.
"Soujiro." Kamatari cursed to his breath, turning blue ".this fox is undoing my shirt, do something!"
"You're mine, Hojoun----" she purred, as placed her hands on his shoulders and shoved him roughly to the floor. From Megumi's shoulder, Kamatari could see a very annoyed Misao--- obviously in distaste at her friend's behavior. Now the fox lady's face is inches apart--- he slowly went blue and..
****
Few Miles away,
Aoshi and Okina, have decided to walk a few miles to Kamiya Kasshin Dojo sparing some time to take a good night breath of fresh air, and save a good deal of money than taking those carriage rides that are just so expensive.
" I heard they have a new visitor." Okina brought up, "someone that is going to stay in the household for some couple of weeks." He looked up to Aoshi for an answer, but as usual the man is tacit as always. The old man can however predict his mood and thinking, "No, it's not just Soujiro. He brought an old friend."
"An old what?" Aoshi glanced over; even with a stone cold expression that tone his voice has a hint of surprise with Okina's astounding accuracy. "That boy, that young one does not have many friends at all--- isn't it too much that he squeezed in the household and then adds another MORE?"
Okina let out a small low laugh, Aoshi is thinking that ever since Soujiro arrived all the attention is on him. It made him a bit jealous, knowing that a former enemy couldn't easily be trusted---especially with Misao. It was a tense start for everyone, but Soujiro proved himself time and time that he could be useful and be worth of everyone's respect, and that he is serious to the point he'll make himself do stupid things. The fact he made a perfect ass of himself a year ago, professing his love for Misao in top of the tree is one ridiculous example. "Then we have to see for ourselves," Okina said, "Show me who your friends are, and I'll tell you what kind of person you are." He quoted a wise saying.
Then all of a sudden he heard an ear-piercing scream. And it came from the dojo,
"Is that a girl scream?"
****
Never the less, what greeted them soon enough is an odd sight. Everyone has their dinner, and it looks them that all of them have been doing some drinking. And it looks like something chaotic has happened, Megumi looks like she has slipped off the porch, and some of the oni's are tending her twisted ankle. Soujiro look like he is in total disqust and his top is splayed with some greenish yellow bile all over it. Sanosuke and Yahiko quickly start fixing the table from the mess, and if possible--- remove any object that could be possibly used as a throwing weapon. Kenshin and Misao was nowhere to be found.
Then Aoshi noticed some grey-haired man tending in trying to remove the stain in Soujiro's top. The man looks like he is around in his 20's and has some western bearing, with gray hair and deep brown eyes, and he has a feeling that he had seen him before.
"Oh, that's Hojoun--- he is Soujiro's friend who happened to drop by for a couple of weeks." Kenshin finally answered, coming out from the side of the porch. "He is a man of education, knows pretty much about travels and met Soujiro in one of them."
"Did he?" he said with an implied sarcasm, and Kamatari noticed it, and he looked up. Aoshi is standing a few feet away from them, and it seems that he does not trust at the sight of him. The tacit former oniwabanshu leader then turned his attention to something else, "Where is Misao? I believed she have dinner here, where is she?"
Before Kenshin could reply, Kamatari saw it too quickly. Looking back and working half-absorbed with Soujiro's stained shirt, he remarked out loud. "She threw up."
"What?"
"Misao threw up" he replied back again, looking up. Aoshi does not like the look of arrogant look at the stranger's eyes. "She had a drink to many, we had to restrain her and then she throws up on my friend's shirt."
"I see, she threw up on Soujiro. Did something happen here to cause that?"
"We are having a little dinner, Sanosuke decides to bring up some Sake.and well, Misao have a sip to many." Kenshin explained, "Hojoun has nothing to do with this,"
"Yes, the women are." Kamatari said, eyeing a whimpering Megumi over her twisted ankle. "Soujiro, if you need anything I'll be in my room." And he exits, passing by Aoshi's shoulder along the way. There fell a silence within the area, people hinted that their guest is irritated by the sudden hostility the fact he is worn out from the dinner they have. No one could testify to Kamatari's side except for Kenshin and Soujiro since most of them either are too drunk or too busy attending to each other's state, to speak up.
"Oi," Aoshi said, "What is your whole name, Hojoun?"
"Both, my mother gave me the name derived from my last name." he spoke, if he is not mistaken, the former oniwabanshu leader is starting to mount some suspicion. "If we ever met, I don't recall seeing you."
"You just look familiar,"
"I may be that popular," he replied, "Good night, nice meeting you."
Kamatari rested the issue about his two-week visit, having told Soujiro his final say: he is there purely for just casual interest, besides he pleaded him to go have a visit. During two weeks, he have to keep his OWN identity a secret, for he wants to get acquainted with everyone in a way to know who they are really are. Shortly after getting some well deserved rest, he showed up for dinner. As he expected, it is a healthy affair. Aside from Kenshin's small family, there is Sanosuke and the growing Yahiko; Misao and the oniwabanshus, with Aoshi and Okina going to follow up later. They make an energetic exchange of banter, conversation, talking of almost anything about everything. He made sure to seat beside Soujiro, and far enough from Megumi's reach.
All this, except there is no dinner being served YET at the table. Kaoru is the one making preparations in the kitchen, and everyone knew better.
"If Kaoru is cooking, you will know it when you'll smell something is burning." Yahiko sneered, trying to engage the young sensei to a conversation. "She is lucky that Kenshin-san knows how to cook!"
"Oh cut that Yahiko, don't shame Kaoru in front of a visitor. Besides, her cooking is much edible right now." Megumi scolded him, then glancing up at Kamatari. She gave a slow sly smile, "We all want to show a good impression, won't we?"
Sanosuke can't help but look to Megumi, then to Kamatari. Obviously, the fox-lady will not just easily come into Kaoru's defense and she had a discreet way in pointing out rude manners, not saying it in front of a visitor. And the way she talks, it's like she wants to stand out at the sight of the gajin-dressed sensei. Kamatari merely flinched and ignored her, fingering busily instead at the cuff of his sleeve. He never seen Megumi flirting for attention and he hate to admit, the Hojoun-guy have some share of good looks and he seems totally not aware of it. And even Kenshin-san, reputedly a level-headed person and does not easily give in to jealousy, can't help but act like one several hours ago.
"It's not like you at all, Kenshin." He muttered, lazily nibbling a stem of grass to his mouth, as they both watched Kaoru, Yahiko and little Kenji retire to their rooms to settle their newly acquired goods. "You are the last person in this household to get jealous with some other man, suspicious yes.but jealous? She is YOUR wife, and you had that little blunder of joy."
"I don't like it, Sano." "Yeah, I know I shouldn't have called Kenji a little blunder of joy.but he is really as ver."
"No, it's not about Kenji. That Hojoun, there is something strange about him. I don't like the way Kaoru look at him at all."
"Well, the man seems a little too generous. But I don't think he is sucking up for your wife and son's attention." He said, and then curiously "Well, I know its odd Soujiro haven't told us about an "old friend"."
"It seems like I have seen from somewhere else, he looks very familiar, like I have known him from before.I just don't know where. And it's not a good feeling."
Sanosuke nodded, "Uhuh.a tad suspicious of him eh? But there is no substantial proof he is up to something, let's try to get acquainted with him instead.who knows?"
"Yeah, who knows?"
****
Back to the present, the whole gang is trying to get to know "Hojoun" well. Soujiro prayed that Kamatari won't make another slip of a tongue again, and when he is asked about the typical questions, about his life, where he lived.he managed to have a readied answer. It's a relief, Kamatari was able to converse and act out like the sophisicated, articulate teacher (the persona) he presented that he was. Tacitly observing everyone speaks, and when asked a question, he pointed it with interesting wit and candor. He thus created a fictional, yet believable character of himself. He told of everyone already, that his first name and last name is one: Hojoun, and that he is born to a prominent class in Osaka. That during the chaotic Tokugawa era, his parents where killed and he was later founded by a childless missionary couple, and thus raised him as his own even with their cultural differences. Because of the political turmoil, it became increasingly dangerous for even them to take residence in one place, and then they decided to move back to their hometown in England. There he later gets proper education was attended to his every need and was treated as their equal. When Meiji restoration took over, his adopted parents decided its time and encouraged him to go back to see his native land to re- discover who he is, putting the knowledge he was taught in use as he settled being a teacher in one of the upper class schools in Osaka. Then, he met Soujiro.
Some of them doubted this credibility, as Soujiro have feared, thinking Kamatari is going too far to please everyone. When especially, Kenshin mildly requested him to show them how the English people speak. Sansouke also added that Europeans speak also many dialects.
"Aside from English, I heard among the Europeans that French is a secondary language." Kenshin said, "They said, it's the most romantic language of all."
"Yeah, do you know how to speak in English.or French, Hojoun?" Sanosuke asked, "I mean, since you said.you nearly lived most of your adolescence there."
"Why of course, I knew even how to do both. I also know some Dutch." Kamatari replied, and he noticed that Soujiro is looking at him with a worried look on the face. As if reading his mind he said, "I'm not making this up, I'll show you." And to their surprise, he spoke a variant of each language and in almost flawless smooth-flowing tone. Kamatari spoke some samples of the statements he learned from his therapist-gajin, and do a little impersonation of him. The man is an English-born of Dutch French descent, and when in his spare time, thought Kamatari a thing and two about the white man's language. It was fantastic, and everyone is so impressed that even Kenshin's mouth dropped open.
And soon enough, they also smell something is burning. Kaoru, with tears in her eyes and holding a stirring spoon apologized that she overcooked.again. Kenshin as usual, stood up and said that she can rest and he'll take over. But when he came into the kitchen, he stumbled down and go "oro". Everyone pictured that it must have look like a disaster, and some of then curiously followed to the kitchen.
"Does it always happened like that?" he called out,
"Yeah, I think so." Soujiro nodded, sitting down but looking to the kitchen's direction. The small area is releasing a small cloud of black smoke, and the only thing missing is flames sprouting from it. "It is natural daily occurrence, Kaoru always incidentally get the food burned, even if she is very careful in cooking. Kenshin-san usually patches it up, but as of now it seems to be much worse than before."
"She must have been accursed," he sighed, not noticing that Kaoru happen to pass by near his side of the table. He absentmindedly took a sip of tea. "If she wants to prepare good food, then let someone do the cooking."
"Uh-oh," Soujiro pointed to Kamatari to look at his back, "I think she heard you,"
And true enough, Kaoru looks like she is going to explode, awashed with furious anger at the arrogant statement, thinking the man knew better and has more than his sophisicated veneer and has gentleman upbringing, and she knew now it was wrong. He doesn't even look apologetic, when he noticed that she was there standing behind him and hearing every word that he said.
"I'm being honest, miss. If you can't do a proper way to cook, you must let someone else do it. I don't mean it as an insult, it's a fact."
"And how can you be a judge of that?!" she tried to control the upset tone in her voice; she is starting to have a nagging feeling of resentment of letting this stranger in. Sure he looks dignified, educated.and now he is damn insensitive about the situation. She sure can accept the fact she cooks bad, but she wished he had spoken it to her directly.
"M'lady," Kamatari said, in a typical western way of addressing women, "Your husband, and everyone---they are all rushing to put down the smoke made in the kitchen. If the house burns, you couldn't be so lucky."
"So why don't you TRY cooking instead?"
"Sure why not?" he offered, standing up from his place. "I can conjure up something if I tried.letting me take a look first,"
"W-what? YOU are not serious, aren't you?" Soujiro said out loud, ".you are outdoing yourself!"
Kaoru is equally stunned that he took the challenge, "H-hey, I didn't mean to."
"Don't worry, during the hard times I learned to cook from nothing." Kamatari explained, and then he went to take a look to the kitchen. It certainly looks a mess, "There must be really I can do, than make you think I'm a man without manners to speak to you like that."
"Oh, I see.well, okay." She mumbled, and bent her head down then she turned around back to the table area, Kamatari still saw, even if she tried to walk away hastily, that she is trying to hide her reddened face. There it goes again.
"Hojoun! You are here!" Yahiko exclaimed, very surprised seeing the visitor to go in and see the totally messed up kitchen. "We are sorry; it seems that dinner has been spoiled for you."
"Maybe I can be of help,"
Kamatari yet astounded the household again, he calmly looked for remaining edible food and left overs, and adding it with a little dash of spice and light frying them he came up with a nice tasty meal for everyone. He proved once again that he is worth trusting, and he could do well on what he speaks, and he is not someone who could bite off more than he could chew, and with that he impressed everyone. Kaoru incidentally forgot about her burnt cooking, and ended up asking some helpful tips to Kamatari how to cook BETTER next time. The night lit up on a much festive mood, as Sano decided to open a few bottles of sake he brought himself, and joked that it would be an all man affair. Megumi, and Misao however did not want to put up with that, and the oniwabanshu's are no exception----except for Kaoru who have to take Kenji to sleep.
In apparently no time, most of them are laughing in each other's expense in a dare for not trying to throw up after some several shots of sake. Yahiko nearly threw up in Kenshin's food bowl while the oni's belts out some songs that are out of tune, Sano throws a green joke or two---and earn him a smack or so from his female companions. The women are the first one that easily gets drunk, which is very amusing to watch. Megumi wasted no time trying to flirt with Kamatari, who with Soujiro, is the most sober and least tipsy among the party.
"Get away from me!" he snapped, as he tries to pry Megumi's face nearing to his own. "You're drunk, lady, snap out of it!" "Yes, you leave him alone Megumi! Are you that desperate for a catch?" came a high-pitched, yet slurred voice. And it's coming from Misao, her face is bright red and she is equally as drunk as the rest of the men are. Soujiro looked and admonished her gently, "Now, Misao you are drunk-----"
"At least, I got something to FLAUNT.you in the other hand," Megumi chided, her pallid face makes out a small foxy laugh, making Misao even more irritated. It was always the usual banter; it's always about Misao's underdeveloped body---the fact that didn't change even after Megumi learned that she found her true love with Soujiro. It's just like seeing the shadow of Kenshin and Kaoru---- and to think, Kaoru hardly changed with the way she cooks even with her new found domesticity.
"Soujiro." Kamatari cursed to his breath, turning blue ".this fox is undoing my shirt, do something!"
"You're mine, Hojoun----" she purred, as placed her hands on his shoulders and shoved him roughly to the floor. From Megumi's shoulder, Kamatari could see a very annoyed Misao--- obviously in distaste at her friend's behavior. Now the fox lady's face is inches apart--- he slowly went blue and..
****
Few Miles away,
Aoshi and Okina, have decided to walk a few miles to Kamiya Kasshin Dojo sparing some time to take a good night breath of fresh air, and save a good deal of money than taking those carriage rides that are just so expensive.
" I heard they have a new visitor." Okina brought up, "someone that is going to stay in the household for some couple of weeks." He looked up to Aoshi for an answer, but as usual the man is tacit as always. The old man can however predict his mood and thinking, "No, it's not just Soujiro. He brought an old friend."
"An old what?" Aoshi glanced over; even with a stone cold expression that tone his voice has a hint of surprise with Okina's astounding accuracy. "That boy, that young one does not have many friends at all--- isn't it too much that he squeezed in the household and then adds another MORE?"
Okina let out a small low laugh, Aoshi is thinking that ever since Soujiro arrived all the attention is on him. It made him a bit jealous, knowing that a former enemy couldn't easily be trusted---especially with Misao. It was a tense start for everyone, but Soujiro proved himself time and time that he could be useful and be worth of everyone's respect, and that he is serious to the point he'll make himself do stupid things. The fact he made a perfect ass of himself a year ago, professing his love for Misao in top of the tree is one ridiculous example. "Then we have to see for ourselves," Okina said, "Show me who your friends are, and I'll tell you what kind of person you are." He quoted a wise saying.
Then all of a sudden he heard an ear-piercing scream. And it came from the dojo,
"Is that a girl scream?"
****
Never the less, what greeted them soon enough is an odd sight. Everyone has their dinner, and it looks them that all of them have been doing some drinking. And it looks like something chaotic has happened, Megumi looks like she has slipped off the porch, and some of the oni's are tending her twisted ankle. Soujiro look like he is in total disqust and his top is splayed with some greenish yellow bile all over it. Sanosuke and Yahiko quickly start fixing the table from the mess, and if possible--- remove any object that could be possibly used as a throwing weapon. Kenshin and Misao was nowhere to be found.
Then Aoshi noticed some grey-haired man tending in trying to remove the stain in Soujiro's top. The man looks like he is around in his 20's and has some western bearing, with gray hair and deep brown eyes, and he has a feeling that he had seen him before.
"Oh, that's Hojoun--- he is Soujiro's friend who happened to drop by for a couple of weeks." Kenshin finally answered, coming out from the side of the porch. "He is a man of education, knows pretty much about travels and met Soujiro in one of them."
"Did he?" he said with an implied sarcasm, and Kamatari noticed it, and he looked up. Aoshi is standing a few feet away from them, and it seems that he does not trust at the sight of him. The tacit former oniwabanshu leader then turned his attention to something else, "Where is Misao? I believed she have dinner here, where is she?"
Before Kenshin could reply, Kamatari saw it too quickly. Looking back and working half-absorbed with Soujiro's stained shirt, he remarked out loud. "She threw up."
"What?"
"Misao threw up" he replied back again, looking up. Aoshi does not like the look of arrogant look at the stranger's eyes. "She had a drink to many, we had to restrain her and then she throws up on my friend's shirt."
"I see, she threw up on Soujiro. Did something happen here to cause that?"
"We are having a little dinner, Sanosuke decides to bring up some Sake.and well, Misao have a sip to many." Kenshin explained, "Hojoun has nothing to do with this,"
"Yes, the women are." Kamatari said, eyeing a whimpering Megumi over her twisted ankle. "Soujiro, if you need anything I'll be in my room." And he exits, passing by Aoshi's shoulder along the way. There fell a silence within the area, people hinted that their guest is irritated by the sudden hostility the fact he is worn out from the dinner they have. No one could testify to Kamatari's side except for Kenshin and Soujiro since most of them either are too drunk or too busy attending to each other's state, to speak up.
"Oi," Aoshi said, "What is your whole name, Hojoun?"
"Both, my mother gave me the name derived from my last name." he spoke, if he is not mistaken, the former oniwabanshu leader is starting to mount some suspicion. "If we ever met, I don't recall seeing you."
"You just look familiar,"
"I may be that popular," he replied, "Good night, nice meeting you."