"Enishi!" Tomoe called out.

"Hai!" he answered over the children's laughter and shouts.

"Come here!"

Small feet pounded on the ground, rushing to get to their destination. Enishi ran up to Tomoe and she caught him as he slid to a stop. She patted the top of his head with a smile and he looked up to her with a weak smile and labored breathing.

"Enishi, you need to eat if you want to continue playing with your friend, ne?" she said with a smile and he nodded with energetic force.

As he went inside the gate, Tomoe felt cold all of a sudden. She put her arms around herself and turned around. An older woman was watching her from the other side of the street with a grim expression. Shocked by the glare, Tomoe quickly turned away and retreated into the house.


A Moment's Memory

Romantic Tales from Before the Meiji Era


Act III: Across the Stars


"That girl that you associate with...what is her name?" The elderly woman inquired as she picked up her cup of tea and took a sip.

"Yukishiro Tomoe." Kiyosato replied.

"She has a son out of wed-lock?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.

"No, Aunt Etoro. That is her little brother, Enishi. I've told you many times before that her mother died when she was a child." Kiyosato stated in a frustrated tone.

"Ah. I see..."

Kiyosato eyed his aunt. She had the apparent signs of age. Her hands were still delicate as a young woman's, but her eyes were a dead give-away. The corners had wrinkles and her forehead creased when she raised her eyebrow in indication of suspicion. Her mouth was carefully colored to add beauty to her, but her look gave off a coldness. With her ebony hair, it was also made to be be prim as her whole appearance spoke. It was put up into a neat bun with two sticks held in a x-shape in it. She was seated before the table in a black kimono and a dark maroon obi to keep it together. Her tabis were the same color as the obi. She was always a proper woman even when it came to uniformity. She dabbed the sides of her mouth with a handkerchief and placed it in her lap before meeting Kiyosato's eyes with her own brown ones.

"Go and see your father now, Akira." she commanded and he bowed his head politely before leaving the room.

After he was fully gone, she cleared her throat and looked down at her tea cup.

"You've been standing there too long and you were keeping my tea." Etoro conveyed in a cold tone.

From out of the shadows of the doorway to the next room, a woman stepped out with a tea kettle on a tray. Her black hair was put up into a bun, but her kimono was not as extravagant as Etoro's. It was a plain, white, cotton kimono with a light lavender obi. Her black eyes were focused on the older woman before her with a silent anger. Her expression was impassive as she opened her pink-tinted lips to speak.

"Gomen nasai." she stated stiffly and tread over to her husband's older sister.

She placed the tray down and poured the steaming hot tea into the cup carefully. Etoro's eyes were fixed on the tea. With careful movements, the woman pouring the tea stopped and placed it back down on the table.

"What's wrong with you, Urara?" Etoro asked with slight mockery in her voice as she lifted her cup.

"Why were you talking about Akira's friend?" Urara asked almost inaudibly, "You know how much he dislikes you denouncing her."

"It's high-time that Akira found a wife, Urara. I hope you find it in your best interest as well."

"He is still young-."

"He's almost seventeen. Do you not find it strange that your son goes to meet that Yukishiro girl almost everyday."

"She is his best friend. I do not find it unusual for friends to meet."

"He is your son and as his mother, it is your duty to take interest in his future."

"Etoro, my son is my business."

"And he is your husband's. I'm sure my brother feels the same as I."

Urara bowed her head.

"Yes, Etoro."


*** *** ***


Ayumi and Tomoe walked through the busy streets of Edo, chatting along the way. Both were clothed in kimonos with shawls wrapped around them because the winter was just around the bend. The autumn wind nipped at their heels as they trekked further.

"I don't know what to do. Toson-san has asked for my hand in marriage." Ayumi informed her.

"Myoujin Toson? He's from a long line of samurai, is he not?"

"Yes."

They both were silent as they continued to walk on. Ayumi parted her lips to speak, but they heard shouts coming from a nearby dojo. They stopped and turned to see the dojo sign.

"The Kamiya dojo..." Tomoe read aloud.

"Isn't that the technique that teaches the sword to protect? What a silly notion in a time when Japan is on the brink of revolution." Ayumi commented with a snort, "If I had a son, I would never let him be led on by this teacher's technique."

"Excuse me!" a small voice said.

A little girl with a high ponytail and adorned a gi and hakama pushed past them. The two young women looked at the tiny girl who turned quickly around with an apologetic bow and ran on into the dojo property.

"Who was that?" Tomoe asked in shock of the girl.

"Koshijiro's daughter, Kaoru. They say that since he doesn't have a son, his daughter will inherit the technique. But that's also unheard of. A woman teacher..."

"I think that's admirable. She's taking up a role that not many girls have taken before."

"Quite true."

They continued on walking and Tomoe looked to Ayumi, seeing that she had clutched her shawl closer to herself.

"So what of Myoujin-san? Will you accept his proposal?"

"My uncle says it would be best for me. Myoujin-san has had his eye on me since I came to Edo. He does come from a respectable family. What do you think, Tomoe?"

"How well do you know Myoujin-san?"

"I don't know him at all, except for the fact that I had conversed with him occassionally. My aunt and uncle are pushing for this union. I wish I were like you, Tomoe."

"How so? I haven't even received a proposal yet and I haven't any suitors who have come."

"You're father isn't pushing you for marriage yet. You still have time."

There was pregnant pause before Tomoe spoke again.

"So you will marry Myoujin-san?"

"To please my family for taking me in when no one else would, yes. It is my debt to them and I shall repay them."

"Ayumi, you can't accept this simply because of duty."

"Isn't that why you do the things you do?"

Tomoe was apalled and stayed silent. She couldn't answer or protest her friend. She had never seen Ayumi so serious, only when she had first revealed that her parents had died and her father's brother took her in since they had no child of their own. Sure, they had treated her like their own, but deep inside, Ayumi had truly felt that she wasn't pleasing them. This made her so guilty and Tomoe knew her reasoning, she could not stop Ayumi. And inside, Tomoe wished that Myoujin was the one she loved or would grow to love after their marriage.

"You will walk me to Myoujin's, won't you?" Ayumi asked shakily.

Tomoe nodded and Ayumi smiled.

"Forgive me, Tomoe." she whispered, letting the wind carry her words to Tomoe's ear.


*** *** ***


The gate was open when Tomoe came upon Kiyosato's house. She stepped inside and didn't see anyone in sight. She sighed.

"He's not home." she murmured and turned around, ready to go home.

"You are the Yukishiro girl, are you not?" a somewhat deep female voice asked.

She turned in surprise to see Etoro walking towards her with a kindly smile.

"Yes, I am Yukishiro Tomoe. You must be Etoro-san, Kiyosato's aunt." Tomoe concluded.

"Ah, you are not a dumb as I thought you to be."

Tomoe was shocked. She did not know how to take that comment, but she took it with a faint smile and silence.

"So I assume you've come for Akira?"

"I just wished to have his company, but I see he's not in."

"Oh, don't be discouraged. Please, come in. I would like to chat with you for a bit." she said with her sweet smile.

Tomoe watched her with suspicion, but followed her anyway.


***


"So what of your mother? How did she die?" Etoro asked as she took a sip of tea.

Tomoe stared at the cup before her, her hands only placed at the sides. She made no move to drink it, she did not even raise her head to answer.

"She died giving birth to Enishi, my little brother." Tomoe replied.

"And you raise him now. How honorable..."

Tomoe's eyes narrowed as she heard her take a sip. She could feel Etoro's gaze upon her.

"Come now, child. Why so shy and tense? Have I done something to hurt you?" Etoro asked with a raised eye brow.

"No." she replied with odd feelings stirring within her.

"Then shall we continue?"

"Yes."

Etoro's gaze was no longer kindly as she placed her cup down delicately. Her smile turned cruel as Tomoe took a sip.

"And what are your intentions for my nephew?" Etoro asked.

Her head shot up in shock and she stared at Etoro's now calm expression.

"I have no intentions at all." Tomoe responded.

"You know, a crane looks so beautiful, delicate, and innocent at first glance, but isn't it the one that causes all the ripples in the lakes?"

Tomoe stood up and bowed politely.

"I'm sorry to have intruded on your vacation here. I will just have to talk to Kiyosato later." she said as she slid open the shoji, "Farewell, Etoro-san. I hope you find your stay in Edo well."

She slid the door shut behind her, leaving Etoro to sip her tea alone with a smug look upon her face.


*** *** ***


Tomoe sat down at her vanity table and opened her journal. She sighed. It was the first page. Taking a hold of the brush, she dipped it into the ink and began to write. As she wrote on, her brush stopped in mid-stroke as she heard Enishi tossing and turning in bed. She turned her head and placed the brush down. Pushing herself up, she padded over to the next room and kneeled beside her brother's futon. Grabbing him by his shoulders, she felt the sweat drench his yukatta. With vigorous shakes, she awoke him from his sleep and he clutched onto her.

"'nee-san!"

Tomoe patted his head and rested her chin upon his head.

"Enishi, calm yourself. It was only a nightmare." she said in a soothing tone.

His clutch loosened and he sat back. She let go of him and let her hands slide up to cup his cheeks.

"Enishi, what is it that you dreamed of?" she asked.

"I saw you. You left the old man and I. You left us..." he whimpered.

She took a hold of him and placed her forehead against his, letting her eyelids close.

"I will not leave you anytime soon, Enishi. I am needed here. One day, I will leave you, but not because I don't love you anymore, but because I must be with my husband. Do you understand?"

There was a pause and he spoke up in a audible yet low voice.

"You will not leave us-ever-and if you do, I will find you and bring you back home."

"Oh, Enishi..." she said with a sigh and released his head.

She tucked him into bed and that was the end of that. She departed from the room, closing the door behind her. Walking out onto the porch, she leaned against the wooden pillar and looked up at the stars.


*** *** ***


Kiyosato stood outside on his porch, also watching the stars above when he heard footsteps behind him.

"I see you have not a wife in mind, Akira." a deep voice stated.

Kiyosato turned around to see his father. His father looked much like Kiyosato except he had a mustache and stubs on his chin.

"'tou-san..." he murmured, but could not comment on what his father had just said.

"You know, I never asked much of you, Akira. You've been a good and honorable son. Though we are not one of the richest families, you've held the respect of a rich man. Though you are not a scholar, you have held such wisdom in your eyes. No one has pleased me the way you have. I only worry for your future."

"I know what you mean, but I have no means to support a wife."

"Then when you finally find that special someone, I want you to do so."

"Believe me, 'tou-san, I will."

"Have you found the perfect wife."

"You must wait a while. I just need a little more time." he said with a smile.

"What are you up to, Akira?"

"Nothing really. I just need time."

Kiyosato looked down at the water below, the reflection of the one quarter moon dancing along the surface. His father just stared at him curiously.

"Have you heard of your female friend's engagement?"

Kiyosato's eyes looked to his father's.

"Who?"

"Fukao Ayumi."

He sighed in relief and gave his dad a smile.

"No. But I'm sure it will be a happy union to be made." he commented good-heartedly.

"Ah. Myoujin is a good family name. She is pleasing her family with this."

"Yes, she is."

"Who did you think I was talking about before?"

"What?"

"You were tense there for a second."

"Oh, nobody."

His father sighed and shook his head.

"'tou-san, if you're so curious as to who I am thinking of as a wife, why don't you just find out. I'm sure you'll even see her as beautiful as I see her. There is not a moment that goes by that I don't think of her, so I guess it's hard to deny the way I feel to myself."

"Who is this mystery girl?"

"Like I said before: you'll just have to wait."


- End of Act III -



Author's Note: I believe everyone knows now what Ayumi's role is. If you haven't guessed it yet, she's Yahiko's mother! And I put a little inside joke. You see, she says she wouldn't let her son become a swordsman who believes in the Kamiya Kasshin Style, yet her son later becomes the successor. I know-I'm a dork! Don't get me wrong, Yahiko will not be born during this fic! He won't be born until 1869! That's five years after she met Kenshin! Also, as for the names of Kiyosato's mother and aunt, I didn't make them up. I was watching the third OVA when I saw in the credits the names of the two ladies who were speaking about Tomoe behind that screen door. I just decided that the one insulting her would be the one named Etoro and the one defending her would be Urara. So anyway, please read and review! ^.^ I don't know what's up with me! I've had so much time to write, but I won't this week. Monday and Wednesday I'm recording an album with a choir and Tuesday and Thursday, I work (I have to miss FRIENDS and Will & Grace)! So I'll be busy! I hope you do enjoy this though! Also, I'd like to thank Firuze for pointing out that fact about Oibore!