Hanagumori - Hazy Weather in Spring
Soft hands wrapped about the thick handle of the wooden bokken, slender arms steady as the tip of the weapon faced off silently against another of its kind. Small feet, encased in thick socks shifted and steadied on the ground, light blue hakama sweeping around feminine ankles. Her torso was encased in a gi of white, long dark strands of hair wrapped in looped ribbon at the crown of her head. Almond shaped eyes stared cautiously at her opponent, taking heed of even the most minute of muscle twitches in the sinewy body.
In similar fashion, thin eyes narrowed upon her form as well, much larger hands encasing his own weapon. Long strands of black fell into his face, occasionally shifted by a calm outlet of breath from his lips. Much different from her stance, however, his body remained straight, his back arched slightly, relaxed but ready.
A firm tap of bokken, and feet began shifting in elaborate footwork, socks whispering against the mats of the practice arena. Their movements were all but matched to one another, and despite her smaller, lithe form, she held no advantage over him. The same with he. He was larger, more able to use brute force against her...but how can one use brute force if contact is never made with the opponent? It was the weapons only that made contact...parry, dodge, thrust, slash...each movement counteracted by another.
He could not help but admire the strength and determination that accompanied her every step, her dark eyes ever focused, her form relaxed and elegant...and dangerous. Her father was teaching her very well, and she could very easily match most of those that he fought alongside in the Shinsengumi.
She was not without flaw, however, as truly no swordsman could ever be. Keen eyes caught a break in stance, even for the single space of a heartbeat, and he took the opportunity. His bokken vibrated with force as he pushed it along the faux blade of her own. His hand left the hilt and pressed firmly against her breastplate.
Such force behind the blow! The very breath in her lungs left in an instant, a faint wince of pain flickering over her features before her back met the wall, and his bokken crossed again with hers, pinning her own weapon against her neck.
"Subarashii." A somewhat pleased smile curved his lips for a moment, before he released her, allowing her to bend slightly, her own hand rubbing against her chest, as she fought to regain the oxygen that had fled from her lungs. Her mind swam as well, quelled after a brief shake of her head. A bow of respect was served to him, as well as an assent to defeat.
"Excellent, indeed, Saitou-san." He was usually known to her only as Hajime, his surname, but in the years that she had known him, it soon became to unfamiliar for a friend such as he. She gathered the bokken, bowing again slightly before stepping quietly along the mats to the other side of the room, where an array of weapons were displayed.
"It was certainly one of our better battles, was it not?" As she turned back to him, neither of them could help but note the slight discomfort that hung in the air. His feet moved him silently to her, fingers rough from years of training brushing against the porcelain smooth skin of the young girl's cheek. "So nervous, Himeko-chan.."
His fingers were brushed away, her own smaller hand taking its place as her cheeks grew red. "Please do not call me that, Saitou-san.." The man respectfully allowed his hand to drop, bowing to her very slightly. "As you wish, Himeko-san. Though you are most certainly deserving of the endearment."
"I must take care of a few things before I accompany my father. If you will please tell him I will join him soon?" The girl bowed to him, her cheeks still burning from his touch.
"Of course, Himeko-san." He bowed in return, then turned to walk away. She lingered only for a moment, then retreating to the bathhouse to bathe and change into her kimono.
"Hajime-san." The deep voice of Kagami Touji greeted the narrow-eyed man as he knelt and bowed in the doorway. "Konban wa, Kagami-san." The greeting was returned, as a faintly wrinkled hand motioned across the table. "Join me for a bit of sake, if you would." A signal to a young serving girl clad in a kimono, who ducked out of the room to fetch the desired drink.
"Arigatou, Kagami-san. I think perhaps I will." The tall man stood finally, padding barefoot across the floormats, settling into a lotus across from the man. "The sparring was productive, I take it?" The elder male gave a hearty smile to the younger, papers of business set aside for the moment. "Hai, she is doing quite well. Her sensei has granted her a superb skill."
"Aa, on the contrary. The skill was already present, I simply have given her the tools with which to express it. Did she win?" A somewhat bushy brow rose, amusement sparkling in still-keen eyes.
"Iie, I'm afraid she did not, this time. I do not doubt that she could if she truly attempted it." "You think she is holding back then?" A pause settled as the young servant girl returned with a tray of fresh, steaming sake, carefully offering them cups and filling them as they were held to her. "Hai, she often does, I'm afraid. Even so...she is formidable. A wonderful young woman." "Hm." Nodding briefly followed his statement, as Touji listened quietly. "She has grown into quite the lovely flower, hasn't she?"
Saitou took a silent sip of the strong wine, savoring for a moment before lifting his always narrowed gaze to the man. "Hai...she has. Which brings me...to the question of the evening."
"Ooh? Am I to take this as good news or bad?" Saitou chuckled softly, setting the small cup down on the table in front of him. "Good...I hope." He leveled the older man with his gaze, bracing both hands against the table. "..I wish to ask for Himeko's hand in marriage."
A stunned expression crossed Touji's face, his dark eyes staring at Saitou in slight disbelief at first. And then...he began laughing...loud and heartily. He stood from his seated position, reaching across the small table to grasp Saitou's shoulder heavily and haul him up as well. "That is most -certainly- good news, Hajime-san! I am ecstatic to hear you request it."
Saitou's expression melted into a pleased smile as he patted the arm of the man. "Subarashii. I am glad to hear you agree." "I'm sure Himeko will be overjoyed at the news."
"What news?" The young girl was suddenly there, her dark hair tied up in its normal winding style, equally dark eyes focusing on the two men. Saitou bowed to her father and then to her quietly. "I will take my leave now...to allow you to discuss..things." Touji bowed in return. "Arigatou gozaimasu, Hajime-san. We will grant your answer soon."
Himeko glanced quickly between both of them, a confused expression wrinkling her brow faintly. "What were you two talking about, Papa?" She was motioned nearer by her father, her fingers drawing the folds of her kimono about her knees as she settled quietly on a tatami mat beside him.
"I have a question to ask." The old man was somewhat quiet as he began, his wrinkled, slanted eyes focusing on her, to gauge her expressions as they spoke. "What do you think...or feel about Hajime-san?"
The girl shifted slightly, but didn't look uncomfortable. It was a positive thing to him. Her shoulders did not tighten, and her eyes were still focused when she spoke to him. "..Ano...he is an excellent fighter...his sword-skills are wonderful.." She was interrupted by a motion of her father's hand. "Iie, Himeko..I mean how do you feel about -him-...not his skill."
This time, she did seem to take a faint discomfort in her shift. "..Eeto...He is..." She blinked slowly. "..I suppose he is pleasant to be around. He is somewhat quiet, which I actually like." She paused, twisting her lips into a purse. "Eeto...I seem to get along with him fairly well, at least." She glanced up once more at her father, as if she was now the one that needed to gauge his reaction.
Her father only smiled and lifted his large hand to pat her cheek gently. "There is no delicate way to introduce the plan, really." The girl raised a brow faintly in a skeptical manner. "What plan?" His hand dropped to hers, tapping the back of her hand calmly in her lap. "Hajime-san has asked that you become his bride."
Shock painted over her features swiftly, her skin nearly draining of color save the red in her cheeks. "..Kekkon..?" Her father's face was practically aglow at the prospect of his daughter marrying. "I know that it is unusual that I propose an arranged marriage, but...I am not getting any younger, aijou. I wish to see that you will be well protected should I pass..and I also wish to see grandchildren before I am too old to enjoy them." His words only made her flush worsen, her hand lifting to rub at one of the inflamed cheeks. She said nothing in response, still too surprised.
"Please...all I ask is that you consider it, aijou. You would make Hajime-san an extremely lovely wife. I think that you two would be happy and productive." The girl looked to him once more, a soft sigh relaxing her shoulders at the sight of happiness on his face. He stood, his hands gripping her shoulders carefully to lift her from her position. "..Hai. I'll consider it, Papa..." In the back of her mind rested the words '..If only for you.'
