Haruichiban - First Storm of Spring

Smoke wafted lightly from the open reservoir of a pipe, lips tugging at the narrow end to draw the taste of the sweet tobacco into his mouth and lungs. The remaining smoke was exhaled only after his lips left the thin mouthpeice, setting the pipe down on a low table in front of him carefully, being certain not to damage any papers with the ash, or to start a fire. Silvery brows drew close above his eyes...eyes that were still keen despite his years. His voice rumbled deep in his chest, dark eyes flicking up towards his companion.
Both were similarly dressed...hakama and gi, with finely made overcoats of light blue, the hems trimmed with triangular shapes of white at the wrist and thigh area. The elder of the two leaned forward slightly as he spoke quietly to his younger counterpart. Their words would barely have been audible if not for the small room.
"I do understand what he means to do, in a way. But it seems much too rash to me. We are supposed to be concentrating solely on our mission...to rid our land of evil."
"Aku soku zan, hai. They believe that these magistrates are blocking our ultimate path in fulfilling our mission."
"But that doesn't make sense. Whatever plans they have made in secret, it has not affected the well-being of our fellow citizens. We cannot act purely on a whim that may just be something falsely heard or spoken. Even they must admit that the informant had most questionable qualities."
"Hai, Touji-san." The younger man sighed lightly. "But for now, we must trust their words and follow through on the mission. This is all the information that we have."
"...I cannot accept that path, Saitou-san. We should attempt to find more than we have. If we jeopardize the safety and possible peace of our future, then all that we have striven to accomplish within the Shinsengumi will be for naught. Tell them that my unit will not aid in this endeavor until they can provide more reliable proof."
The dark-haired young man bowed, his bound hair showering over his shoulder with the motion. "Hai, Touji-san." Upon being dismissed by the older man, he stood, gathering his weapons and shoes from the door. "I will bring their answer swiftly." His form retreated through the door, the older man leaning back slightly, lifting the pipe again to his mouth, blowing more smoke through his lips. "I fear, my aijou...things may become more difficult in our lives very soon."

"Aaa, Himeko-san! Suteki da, ne?"
Small, delicate hands ran over the intricate embroidery on the white kimono that was displayed in front of a young girl. Clad in a simple kimono, her hair bound elaborately, as it always was, her dark eyes examined the fabric just as her fingers did. "Hai, Shiko-chan...it is." The slightly taller girl smiled to her companion and handmaiden as they perused over the gown. "I don't know how on earth I'm actually going to be able to wear it, though. Have you felt how heavy even just the sleeves are? And so many layers. I'll feel like a dumpling in a steamer."
Both of the girls giggled, even as the screened door slid open behind them. The young girl known as Shiko bowed, causing Himeko to turn, looking at the broad frame standing in the doorway. "Okaeri nasai, Papa." The girl smiled in adoration, as her father stepped forward after discarding his shoes. His arms circled her gently, almost hiding her small frame completely within his. "Arigatou, aijou. Oaa...what have we here? Is this the one you chose?" A slightly roughened hand reached out, touching the silk of the kimono.
"Hai, Papa...isn't it lovely?" The girl smiled as the man looked to her again and placed a soft kiss against her forehead. "Not as lovely as you will make it when you wear it. You've no clue how pleased I am that you accepted Saitou's proposal."
The girl's smile faded the tiniest hint, though if he noticed, he said nothing. In any case, she attempted to conceal it, smiling again. "I have some idea, at least. Shiko-chan...will you make tea for us?" Her dark eyes left her father briefly, looking to her handmaid, who bowed demurely. "Hai, Himeko-san." She smiled and left to fulfill the request.
"How have you been, as of late, my daughter?" The man's words groaned just slightly as he lowered himself to a mat. He was getting older, despite his protests, and he could feel it setting in a little more every day. Another part of the reason that he wished to see his only daughter taken care of. "I haven't been able to talk with you very much lately. There are many things happening within our ranks that must be dealt with swiftly."
The girl only nodded, settling on her knees across from him, her hands folding in her lap. "Hai, I understand, Papa. I am willing to share you." Her bright smile and her words made him laugh, but also filled him with pride. She was very much like her mother...strong and intelligent. How he wished that his own wife could have seen their daughter become a bride herself. How he wished that Himeko could remember more of her. Then perhaps she could see why she is treasured so deeply. "Lovely...my beautiful flower." His words caught her by surprise, though they were pleasant words to hear.
"Flattering as always, jifu." She giggled once more, looking aside as Shiko entered with a tray of steaming tea. "Arigatou gozaimasu, Shiko-chan." The girl smiled and bowed to Himeko, then to her father. "Touji-sama, someone is here to see you. He has said that it is an emergency. Kato-sama, sir."
The man blinked in what was apparently surprise, his thick brows raising. "Kato-san?" The man grunted in confusion, standing carefully. "I will return shortly, Himeko-chan." The girl stood as well, bowing politely and watching with faint worry as her father left. It was rare that her father was surprised. But, she chose to wait patiently, as any daughter should for her father.
She was quiet when he returned after just a brief moment, though this time, he only slid the door open to look in at her. "Gomen nasai, aijou. Duty calls once more. I will speak with you tonight over dinner, ne?" The girl smiled and nodded. "Hai, Papa. Be careful." Her father smiled in return, bowing to her and closing the door quietly.
Himeko watched as his shadow left the white of the screen, her smile fading. Something gnawed at her...something in the back of her mind. She couldn't place its source...and as such, she only considered it a bit of anxiety at the thought of the wedding in her future. She lifted the cup of tea to her lips that her handmaid had served to her, quietly drinking.

Rain pounded against the muddy streets, remnants of the droplets sheeting down over roofs and window covers. Feet pounded similarly against the wet ground, without shoes, the bottom hem of a kimono now soiled with the mud. No parasol was held by the young girl, her chest heaving with labored breaths as she paused to calm her now wheezing lungs. She's almost there! She can see the door...it's in her grasp now. "PAPA!!" Her voice screamed almost frantically, even over the loud hiss of raindrops. Again her feet carried her forward.
Her breath was nearly knocked from her as she skidded and slammed into a stout form that suddenly appeared in front of her. Her surprise was apparent by the yelp that was served from the girl's throat, her fingers clutching at a familiar blue-and-white coat. Her eyes drifted upward, blinking swiftly due to the droplets of rain on her lashes. "Saitou-san!"
Narrow, dark eyes met hers, his hands holding her carefully to make sure she didn't fall. No smile was on his face...his lips set in a grim, straight line, his brows furrowed slightly. The girl struggled finally, becoming confused by his hold and the expression on his face. "Ano...let me go...I have to find my father!" His hold only tightened on her shoulders, his head shaking. "Iie." A simple, short word, but spoken with such firm command that it surprised her yet again.
"....Saitou....nande..." Her gaze was caught by two more men, dressed similarly, walking out onto the porch of the house she was headed for. One held a lantern, its flame flickering faintly in the encasing glass. Their expressions were similar to Saitou's, and one of the men shook his head, his eyes closing, head bowing slightly.
"Saitou! Where is my father?! He wasn't home for dinner...he never even returned to sleep! Is he in there?" The urgency of her voice was not lost to the man who held her. He knew the answer to her question...
His grip was suddenly empty as the girl quickly squirmed her way out, running for the house. "Papa!!" The young man gave chase. "Matte, Himeko!"

A scream filled the rainy night air...a scream that did not suit the gentle form that it peeled from. Wails of agony followed, that form sinking down to her knees, cradling another form...bloodied and broken.

Kagami Touji had committed seppuku.

The offending katana was still embedded in his midsection...his own katana, its length doused in copper-scented crimson, the rest of the life-fluid puddled around the body. Himeko's kimono was being drenched in the liquid...but she didn't care. Her small frame was curled over that of her father, her fingers clenching frantically at the fabric of his coat. She sobbed openly, screaming for him, as if by her call life would return to him.
It was certainly not to be. His form was doubled over itself, legs bound so that he could remain upright even in death. It was only when her voice became hoarse from her continuous screaming that Saitou finally approached her grieving form, his hands reaching down to pull her away, no matter her protest. "Come, Himeko...let them clean...the mess up." The expected protest was given, enough in fact, to force him to heft her up in his arms to carry her away.

It would be so easy. Her weeping form clung to him desperately. He wished to hold her tightly, to kiss her tears away...to love her sorrow away. But despite his wants...for he admitted that it was all they were...he did nothing. He only held her through the night, allowing her to weep away her torment until her sobs finally dissolved into troubled sleep.
He hadn't wanted her to see her father that way. He had hoped that she wouldn't have come to that place. Such a sight was not meant for such lovely and innocent eyes as hers. She did not deserve it. The reality of life was a harsh one...especially for the age that she lived in, and the rank that she upheld. He hoped, beyond all hopes, that the world that they strove for would become a reality, so that she could be happy once more.

The morning was not much better, her form twitching suddenly, sitting upright, her eyes wide and awake, sweat clinging in droplets to her forehead. "PAPA!!!" Her fingers clenched tightly against the blanket covering her. A glance around showed her in her room. "...Yume..." Hope leapt into her chest as she rocketed from her bed, the door slamming open with the force of her hand as she rushed to her father's room.
The dream she had hoped for was not truth at all. His bed was empty still. Remembrance clenched an icy fist around her heart, a wail breaking the peace of the morning as she fell to her knees in the doorway of her father's room. Her hands covered her face, tears wetting her cheeks...drenching them again.
Strong arms soon enfolded her in comfort again, a deep voice whispering softly to her, fingers brushing into her hair in attempt to soothe. Again, he held her patiently, until she calmed. When she finally looked up at him, he was reminded again that sorrow did not suit her at all...and how badly he wished to give her something else to think about. He shook his head quietly, pressing his lips together tightly, reprimanding himself as he lifted his fingers to her cheeks, wiping gently at her tears with rough fingertips. "Himeko-san...everything will be alright."
Her eyes were red, swollen just slightly from her anguish. She would cry until no tears were left in her, he thought. But then...it was perfectly understandable for a young girl to mourn the loss of her father...the only parent that she had left. But he determined that he would be there, for as long as she needed.

Darkness and deep sorrow soon engulfed the girl. She had no family left. No siblings...she was the only child of the Kagami family. Memories were all around her. Her tears were spent, and though it gave her a feeling of gratitude that the town and her friends would show so much support for her, it was not enough to fill the emptiness she felt. She had lost her first love...her protector and her strong arm. Even Saitou's attempts at comfort, as wonderful and caring as they were...were not enough to supress her pain.
The wedding plans had been postponed after her father's death. Even now, her sadness was still enough that she didn't truly want to think of marrying. But she remembered the look on her father's face...the happiness he felt at her acceptance. A faint smile crept onto her features at the memory...the lift of strain and worry from her father's features. It was wonderful to see.
"It is good to see you smile, even for a moment, Himeko-chan.." A deep voice stunned her from her reverie, dark eyes blinking rapidly to focus on the man standing quietly in patience just outside the half-open screen. "..Ara..Saitou-san..you startled me.." She didn't expect him to be there, naturally.
"Is my presence so disturbing that you lose your smile?" He, himself, held a slight sadness to his features as he stepped into the room, watching her as she rose and ..at least attempted a smile. "Iie, Saitou-san..gomen. I was simply..pondering. There are so many things that must be done now.." She would not be able to remain in this place for long. She had no proper job. She never had need of one.
"Hai. And I will help...if you allow it." He remained respectful to her. She was still worthy of his attention. Her father had died in honor, and he would be certain to keep that in rememberance.
"Arigatou...it is much appreciated." The young girl bowed politely, though her smile had once again left her features.
"I have been patient, Himeko-chan.." His sudden tone surprised her, causing dark brown eyes to widen faintly. "..Saitou-san?" Her questioning tone made obvious her surprise. "Himeko-chan...I must implore you to decide. If we are to be married, it must be done soon." His hand lifted as he stepped closer to her, to rest gently against her arm...in hopes to make his words a bit more calm. "Your father wished for you to be taken care of...and I wish to fulfill that request."
His touch visibly quelled her surprise, her form relaxing more as he continued. "Hai...I know." She turned from him, however. Her gaze passed over the room they were standing in...her father's room. His belongings remained...even the katana that had taken his life was sheathed and on display. "What am I supposed to do now, father...?" Her words were barely whispered, but heard by the man standing behind her due to proximity. His fingers lifted to brush lightly against her neck, into her loosed hair. "You must follow your heart, Himeko.."
The deep voice once again jarred her back to reality...in more ways than one. A quiet pause settled between the two, where nothing was heard save for their breaths. She finally turned, after a long moment, looking up at him. "...Hai, Saitou-san...my heart." She nodded slowly. The new expression she wore almost surprised him, this time. The fierce determination was returning to her eyes. She became familiar again..no longer a shell of a woman he thought was lost. A smile calmed onto his own somewhat hard features. "Ii. I will leave you to your business, as it is becoming late, Himeko-chan. Oyasuminasai.." He bowed to her.
She bowed gracefully in return, accompanying him the short distance to the door. She watched beside the shoji screen she leaned against as he walked away.

"...Sayonara..Saitou-san."