Hideo stepped out of the carriage, the crisp air of spring hitting him like a wall. It was so open compared to the stuffy little carriage. Tucking his arms inside his gi, he letting his eyes drift shut for a second just to take in his home. It had been so long since he had been in Edo with the crisis in Kyoto, now he could enjoy a short time off with his family and friends. The baggage was dropped to his side by the coach attendant and he picked them up, keeping a grasp on the hefty weight. Upon arriving towards his house, Tomoe and Enishi stood before the gate with smiles. Hideo dropped his baggage with surprise and stepped forward hesitantly. Tomoe nervously stepped forward with confusion as to why he just stopped.
Hideo started walking again, but faster now and Enishi looked surprised to see him smile towards them. But with anxiousness, Hideo tripped and his children gasped. Surprisingly, that didn't stop their old man as he stood back up and ran to them. He finally reached them and Tomoe sprang forward to meet her dad. They embraced as a child and parent could only do when separated for so long. Enishi walked forward and joined their embrace hesitantly, but nonetheless, it was a pleasant embrace.
"Tadaima..." their father said softly.
"Okaeri nasai..." Tomoe replied.
"...,'tou-san..." Enishi finished.
A Moment's Memory
Act VII: Homecoming
"And how was the Myoujin-Fukao wedding? I heard about it from one of the men who had just come from Edo after it occurred. It was a blessed event, was it not?" Hideo asked.
"It was very pleasant." Tomoe replied as she poured him a cup of tea.
Handing him the cup, she sat on the porch beside him. She put the tray of tea away from her, so she could sit comfortably. From the corner of her eye, she watched her father sip it calmly with ease.
"So how is Kiyosato?" he asked.
"As well as could be. He had to escort his aunt to Aizu for the week and will be shortly returning." Tomoe replied.
"That boy is very kind, especially with such a bitter woman for an aunt. That woman thinks that just because she married some rich, high official that she's more sophisticated."
"She seems very expressive of her opinions."
"I couldn't care less what her opinion is."
"Oh, Yukishiro-san!" a deep male voice called.
The father and daughter looked on as they saw Kiyosato enter with Etoro before him.
"Speaking of the devil..." her father muttered and then took a sip of his tea.
Tomoe stifled a giggle, which was not like her, and smiled to Kiyosato. She got up from her seat and walked towards them to meet them half-way.
"Welcome back." Tomoe greeted to Kiyosato and heard Etoro clear her throat.
"You should always address an elder woman of higher class as she enters the gate." Etoro snapped coldly.
Kiyosato shot a glare at his aunt and an apologizing one to Tomoe, who's eyes drifted to her feet.
"Gomen nasai." Tomoe apologized.
"Tomoe-."
"Come in and tell us of your time in Aizu!" Hideo yelled interrupting Kiyosato.
"Well, it's nice to know some people think around here." Etoro commented with a hint of mockery as she brushed past Tomoe.
Tomoe followed Etoro inside and Hideo gave Kiyosato a glance. The two exchanged looks of hidden meaning and entered behind the silent pair. They made their seating in a room and Etoro glanced around, wrinkling her nose. She always made her dislike apparent around Tomoe, and Kiyosato was not blind to that.
"So how is Aizu at this time of the year?" Hideo asked politely.
"Very nice. I went there to visit a sickly friend, but she's being treated by the finest doctors there. I blieve they're named Takani or something of that namely nature." she babbled.
"And how is she now?"
"She's doing quite well. I swear those doctors work miracles."
Kiyosato cleared his throat and Etoro scowled.
"But that's not why we're here." Etoro continued.
"Then why did you come here?" Hideo asked.
"I came of a matter of great importance-one that I wish to speak to you alone."
Tomoe stood up gracefully.
"I'm going to pick up some food at the market for dinner. I won't be long." Tomoe stated, taking her cue to leave.
Kiyosato watched her tread out of the room, closing the door behind her. Etoro cleared her throat and looked Hideo in the eyes.
"About Tomoe..."
*** *** ***
It has been two weeks since Ayumi's wedding and she has not sent me word of her well-being. I wonder from time to time if she's okay and where her husband is. My father has returned, but I fear it's only for a short time. It seems as if he's drinking in everything as if he were to be gone for another long period.
Tomoe started her trek back home with her hands filled with bags of vegetables. Her thoughts wondered to what Etoro had to say to her father so privately.
"I can't believe what I just heard from Yuki!" one girl scowled.
"It's that Yukishiro boy. I heard her little brother was beat up again."
"That introvert is so rude!"
"It must be because of his lack of discipline."
"Well, his father is always away and what can you expect from Tomoe!"
Tomoe stopped and turned to them with her eyes cold. They didn't notice her as they walked away giggling and laughing. It reminded her so much of those days when she was younger.
*** *** ***
The same girls walked away leaving Tomoe alone, their giggles echoing behind them only to be heard by the forgotten girl. She watched them with despondency, her body numb from their brush off and with lack of experience of what to do next. She had never made an approach before to make friends with the local girls. She always wanted to be around her mother, but now, the warmth was gone. Her mother was no longer there to brush her hair, to help with laundry, to teach her how to cook, or to show her new arrangements of flowers. She was all alone. Her father had once again disappeared in his business ventures, thus leaving her alone to cope with the loss of her mother alone. It made her feel so helpless, yet so numb to response.
She was so enveloped in her rejection both at home and socially that she didn't hear the rushing footsteps behind her. She knocked off of her small geta-adorned feet and hit the dusty ground before her. Landing on her hands and knees, her hair fell to the side, hanging from its braid. Her eyes were so devoid of emotion, but inside, her whole body hurt. She heard panting behind her and somebody lift themselves off the ground. The scratching of the sandles against the dirt road was heard and a shadow loomed over her. Her eyes were fixed on the ground before her.
"I'm sorry. I wasn't looking where as I was going." a soft little tenor voice managed to say through labored breaths.
"Gomen nasai." Tomoe said automatically.
"What?" the voice said almost in confusion.
"I was in your way. I am nothing." she said with no emotion stressed or strained.
There was a silence as he crouched before her. He opened his mouth to say something, but shouts were heard from far off.
"Akira! Akira, you get back here! You won't escape your chores today!" Urara's voice was heard.
He looked down at the girl, still on the ground before him, as he stood up. His eyes darkened as he ran away from her towards the voice. Tomoe pushed herself up to sit on her feet and sighed. The sun was setting and she still had to go make dinner.
**
"Hi."
Young Tomoe looked up from her laundry to see the small boy standing before her. She rested her hands in her lap and leaned back on her heels.
"I bumped into you yesterday." he said hesitantly.
"It's not a problem. I was in your way." she said softly.
He paused and inspected her carefully. She pursed her lips in annoyance and looked at him with curiosity.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"You're very quiet, but there's nothing wrong with you from what I can see." he answered with a smile.
"Who told you there was something wrong with me?"
"The girls around here said that you're weird."
She blinked in confusion.
"But I think you're just shy." he added.
"Why are you here?" she asked.
"I wanted to know if you wanted to play."
"Play?"
"Yeah. It's something children do."
"I have a lot of chores." Tomoe said as she stood up and walked inside her house.
She sighed as she thought he had took his cue to leave, but she heard footsteps behind her. She pivoted on her heel and came nose to nose with Kiyosato. She fell back in shock and looked at him in annoyance.
"Then let me help." he said.
"I don't need any help." she countered.
"Yes, you do. My mom said I should come over and help you until she comes over."
"I don't need your pity."
"It's not pity."
"Yes, it is."
"No, it isn't."
"Yes, it is."
"No, it isn't."
"Listen-."
"I'm Kiyosato Akira." he introduced with a nod of his head.
"I know who you are. I hear the others talk about you." she said coldly as she retreated into the next room upon hearing some faint cries.
He quickly followed behind her and he saw her holding a baby in her arms.
"Who is that?" he asked curiously as he looked at the little infant.
"He's my brother." she replied as she patted his back.
"What's his name?"
"Enishi."
"Who named him that?"
"'tou-san did."
"Why? It's such an uncommon name."
"My mother picked it. I don't know how she thought of it."
"And what's your name?"
"I'm Yukishiro Tomoe."
"Now why couldn't you just tell me that before instead of dodging me? And why do you always apologize for something you're not responsible for?"
"I don't know."
"Well, you better start knowing. You're just easy prey for those other girls."
"I don't care. All I care about is my family."
There was a silence as he just stared at her in disbelief.
"How can you live like this?" he asked.
*** *** ***
"Tomoe!"
She stopped abruptly in shock. Was it...? No, it couldn't be. Could it? She turned around and saw the shadow of the small form in the sunlit path.
"Ayumi...?"
"Tomoe, I'm back!" she said happily.
"Myoujin-san, okaeri nasai." Tomoe greeted.
Ayumi blushed at the new title and smiled everso sweetly.
"Where is your husband?"
"He is home."
"And your relationship?"
"I'm happy." she said and flashed a very jovial smile.
Tomoe smiled back with such ease now in her heart. Ayumi was smiling truly.
*** *** ***
The two friends entered the Yukishiro residence only to be greeted with Kiyosato and Etoro's departure. Hideo was seeing them out by the time Tomoe and Ayumi met them.
"Good day to you, Tomoe, Myoujin-san." Etoro said as she walked past them with a nod of acknowledgement.
"Welcome back, Myoujin-san." Kiyosato said with a teasing smile and he looked at Tomoe with a big smile, "Goodbye, Tomoe."
"Goodbye, Kiyosato..." Tomoe murmured with a bewildered look.
"What was that all about?" Ayumi asked curiously.
"I don't know."
"Girls! Konnichi wa!" Hideo said happily.
"Yukishiro-san, you seem happy today." Ayumi commented.
"Well, only because I get to see the blushing newly-wed, Myoujin-san." he teased, "I'm sure your smile is from your time with Toson."
Ayumi gasped in surprise and scowled as she crossed her arms.
"Perverted old man, it's nothing of that sort..." she muttered.
"Tadaima!" Enishi yelled as he ventured towards them.
"And where have you been, son?" Hideo inquired.
"Here and there." he replied with a shrug.
"Really, Enishi, must you always answer so vaguely everytime?!" Ayumi exclaimed.
"Hey, woman! I'll speak however I feel." he barked.
"Woman?! How dare you address me that way!"
"'nee-san, get this woman off me!"
"Why you-?!"
Tomoe smiled at the exchange.
I haven't seen him act like a normal child in so long... And I haven't seen her so open as if this were average. I only wish...that I can have a family like this. I want to do better than what my father did and live longer than my mother. Maybe one day, I...or maybe Kiyo-...
"'nee-san! I'll be in my room taking a nap." Enishi informed her as he brushed past her.
Tomoe had been so involved in her thoughts that she had noticed that their little exchange of words had dissolved and Hideo was teasing her about her new husband causing Ayumi to blush furiously.
"'tou-san! Don't tease her so! She just got back." Tomoe said gently as she placed a placating hand on his arm.
"Okay! Well, I'm off to go see a few drinking buddies of mine." he said as he tucked his hands in his gi.
"Don't be too late. You still have to have dinner."
"Hai." he said as he exited.
Tomoe and Ayumi smiled at the odd man's retreating form. He truly was back to being normal old Hideo.
*** *** ***
Blood splattered onto the backstreets of Kyoto. The blade of a katana scratched along the ground. The blade glistened in the moonlight and a flash of red caught in the corner of the men's eyes.
"Who is he?!" one man yelled.
"Run away!" another yelled.
The finest adorned man ran into the shadows, his breath escaping in short little gasps. His feet pounded every step as fast as his feet could carry him, but the inevitable dark form behind him came at incredible speed. The katana sliced through the finely clothed man and he fell forward, crawling away from his attacker.
"Someone help!" he yelled as he dug his elbows into the dirt and pulled his body forward.
"No one will hear your cries here." a dark, tenor voice responded.
The man's eyes widened as he felt the rip in his back as the assassin stabbed him in his left shoulder, missing his heart. The pain seered through him and tears released from his eyes.
"Why...?" he choked.
There was no answer as gold flecked blue-violet eyes widened as he thrust his sword into his prey's heart. A pool of blood formed beneath the now deceased man while his head collapsed to the ground. His eyes were still open with fear residing in his orbs. The blade was slowly pulled out and footsteps were heard from afar.
"Himura, retreat!" a voice yelled and the assasin turned around to see the dim light of lanterns of the group heading around the corner.
He narrowed his eyes and with quick speed the back alleyway was empty by the time the group of men came to the scene.
*** *** ***
Hideo shook his head as he sat down to the tea Tomoe placed before him.
"Something wrong?" she asked as she tilted her head to the side.
"Another one was killed yesterday in Kyoto. I just received word from a comrade of mine."
"Will you have to go away again?"
"Maybe."
She was silent as she rested her hands in her lap.
**
"Tomoe!" young Kiyosato yelled.
She looked up with a smile placed on her face. Her little brother, now a toddler, was on her back in a piggy-bag style. He giggled and laughed as she bounced him around while greeting Kiyosato.
"Your father is back!" he yelled happily.
She looked to Kiyosato with shock, but smiled anyway.
"Thank you." she said softly.
"For what?"
"Everything."
"Tomoe!" he said with a wrinkle of his nose in embarrassment.
Surely one day, she had hoped to marry him. Somewhere in her foolish and childish dreams, he would be the one she would marry. He had done so much for her just by giving her comfort and his friendship. But even at her pre-teen age, she found herself looking at Kiyosato in a different light. He was becoming a young man and, she had not failed to see it. Hopefully, one day, her dream would come true.
End of Part VII
Author's Note: I'm sorry I haven't updated in a while, but I am so overwhelmed! I have tests, concerts, and work! Life is so complicated! Plus, I'm so tired that I haven't even gotten my butt to a computer in so long. I finally finished up the chapter for you and hope you all enjoy it. And for those who have been waiting, you can guess who that little scene in Kyoto was! ^.^ And as always, please review! Your comments fuel me to try to do my best and come out with more chapters.
