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February 6th

Harusame was falling.

It was dark all around her; never ending blackness and she was falling. Her arms clawed wildly in the air, searching for something to grab onto, trying to stop her fall. She screamed, calling for help, all to no avail.

And she continued to fall.

She woke when she hit the floor.

"Ouch." She was a tangle of blankets and sheets; a big heap on the cold floor.

Sojiro peered over the edge of the bed. "Are you alright?"

She glared up at him. "Do I look alright?" She snapped irritably, "And what are you doing on my side of the bed?" Fighting her way out of the mess of blankets, she popped up to be on eye-level with him.

He shrank back. She looked like she was about to kill him. He could see himself reflected in her eyes and wondered if his terrified expression counted for anything or if he was about to die.

"I am going to kill Gessho." She said through gritted teeth, "And then I'm going to kill Kamatari. I'm sorry that their kid'll have to be an orphan, but I'm going to kill them anyway. Giving us a room with only one bed…"

Sojiro sighed. He hadn't minded there being only one bed in the room. He was a polite, well-rounded man and he wouldn't try anything sketchy with her, no matter how much he liked her. Just being close to her was enough to make him happy. However, it didn't seem that Harusame felt the same way. She had divided up the blankets, told him if he left "his side" of the bed she would mangle him, then curled up way on the other side of the bed.

"What was so bad about sharing a bed?" He asked innocently.

Her face flushed red, "Everything!"

"I would never do anything to you."

"I don't understand why she couldn't have given this room to me and Sonomi. I've shared a bed with her before and you could have had the little room."

"You shared a bed with her back when we were all kids." He pointed out, "I think we've all matured beyond that point. Gesshoku-san and Kamatari used to share a bed the way we did last night and nothing ever happened to either of them."

"It was…different with them. We all thought he was in love with Shishio then. He was like 'one of the girls' and we knew he would keep his hands to himself." She was getting flustered, waving her hands around as she spoke, her face still a slight pink hue. She knew Sojiro liked her and she liked him just as much, which was what made this so difficult.

"I would never do anything to you, Harusame." He colored slightly, embarrassed that she would even imply it, "You know how I feel about you, but if you would rather, I could ask Gesshoku-san to give us separate rooms." That was not at all what he wanted, but if it would make her happy…

She looked at her hands. She was the youngest of the group at nineteen and still shy about being in love. That was why she got in so many arguments with Sonomi about her love-life. That was why she was always snapping at people who brought up the subject of her and Sojiro together. She wanted to be with him, but wasn't sure how to express it, so she just avoided the subject altogether, hoping the problem would take care of itself but knowing it never would.

"I don't mind sharing a bed with you, okay?" She continued to look everywhere but at him, "I just…don't know what to do." She blushed furiously, hoping he wouldn't laugh at her.

"What do you mean?" He cocked his head, trying to figure out what she meant.

"When I'm in bed with you…" Her voice sounded strained, "I don't know what to do with you." Her face was flaming scarlet and she fiddled with the edge of the sheet.

"You don't have to do anything." He said gently, taking her hand in his, "You just have to sleep. I don't want to do anything with you."

She looked up and it surprised her to see him just as serious as she was; his face just about the same shade of red. "You don't?"

"No." He smiled slightly, "I'm not going to pressure you into anything. I thought you knew I wasn't that kind of guy. Just to see you comfortable and happy is enough."

She nodded. Did he mean that? For a while, Sonomi had been hinting around about Sojiro asking her to marry him. The thought of that kind of commitment terrified her, even though she did love him a lot. Harusame was an independent girl and didn't really want to be tied down, for fear of losing a part of who she was.

He stood up. "I'll leave so you can get dressed. See you at breakfast."

She looked after him wistfully, wishing she could tell him all the secrets of her heart, but not brave enough.

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Gesshoku awoke crushed beneath her husband, clutching his arm, as was her habit. His arms were around her, his head under her chin, and he was smiling. She grinned, her fingers running along his back. Waking up with Kamatari was the best feeling she ever had; she loved him so.

He mumbled something incomprehensible and her hand moved up to his hair. She ran her fingers through it, the feel of his silky locks like water in her hand. His face was streaked with dry tears, even though he was smiling. She felt her heart turn for him. He was in so much pain over his past still and it hurt her, made her wish she could take it all away.

She touched his cheek, his skin soft, smooth to the touch. He was warm; alive. She still couldn't believe they were together. Five years and she only loved him more. But she feared for him and the grief in his heart.

Too many times in the past had she heard him mumbling about Shishio in his sleep. Too many times had she seen that lost, sad look in his soft eyes. And too many times had she seen his smile fade away.

It broke her heart.

Kamatari's eyes fluttered open and he looked up at Gessho. "What's wrong, Darling?" He shifted a little, taking in her troubled expression. Her face was pale and drawn, her eyes full of sorrows. He frowned, knowing she was worried over him, knowing her pain was all his fault.

"Nothing's wrong." She forced a smile, looking up to meet his gaze. He was still on top of her, still pinning her to the bed. He wasn't that much heavier than she was and this didn't bother her, but she felt trapped, as if she would have to let down the walls. She had always wanted to be strong for him.

"Something is wrong. I can see it in your eyes."

"Do you love me?" She had to ask; had to know. He said he did, but was it the truth?

"What?" His eyes widened, his heart seeming to stop within his chest. "Why would you ask me that?"

"You say it all the time. You say you love me with such ease. But I sometimes wonder…Do you really? Or do you just say it because you feel that you have to? Because you feel a duty to me, due to the will of our fathers?"

"Oh, Koishii…" The back of his hand found its way to her cheek; he brushed away her tears before they fell. "I say it because I love you. I would say it for no other reason. Not to you and not to Kietsu. If I did not feel so strongly for you, I would not have married you." He took her face in his hands, drawing it up to his own. "Look me in the eyes."

She looked, searching his brown eyes for the truths they held. There was no lie in his eyes, only the simple fact: He loved her beyond words.

He watched as her muddy eyes swam with tears. Was she going to cry? He drew her into his arms, holding her close. "I love you, Gesshoku. I love you and that is why I tell you so."

There came the tears like summer rain; she hugged him tightly, her smile lighting her face. "You make me so happy. I love you so." She kissed him soundly, then rested her head on his shoulder.

He smiled, brushed back a lock of her hair, glad the crisis had been averted. He did not want to see her upset on his account, but knew it was often so. This saddened him.

"Mama…Papa."

Both looked up at the sound of Kietsu's voice. She was standing in the doorway, her little yukata hanging loosely off her shoulders. She rubbed sleep from her eyes, beaming at them brightly. "Ohayo, Mama; Papa." She bobbed her head politely, causing them both to laugh.

"Come here, Dearest." Her mother beckoned to her.

She ran across the room, her bare feet padding on the floor, and threw herself at them both. She was laughing, her smile wide and cheerful. Gessho hugged her snugly, kissing her forehead, then she squirmed out of her arms and into her father's lap. "How many more days 'til my birthday, Papa?"

He smiled, tickling her, to which she giggled. "Eight. You'll be three in eight days, Little Lady."

"This many?" She held up seven fingers.

"One more, Sweetheart." He lifted another of her fingers so that eight were displayed.

" 'Kay."

Gesshoku watched as they interacted, a smile on her lips. He was so good to their daughter, so loving and gentle. He, a man no one would have expected to father a child, and there he was, the girl on his lap. She wondered what he would think to the notion of another child, now that she was ready to have one and knew she was capable of experiencing such joy.

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Sonomi rolled over, stretching out across her bed. She loved having her own room and not having to share a bed with any one. She wondered how Sojiro and Harusame had fared in their single bed and a grin crossed her face. She and their friends would either be dead or thanked by the end of the day, depending on how the two of them dealt with the situation.

She sat up, brushing back her long hair. It would be an interesting day and she might as well get up to start the day.

She dressed quickly, pulling on a kimono and obi. Unlike her two friends, Sonomi liked to look like the woman that she was and wore traditional clothes on a daily basis. She ran a comb through her hair, pulling it back in a loose ponytail, then wandered out of the room in search of some breakfast.

Sojiro, Kamatari and Gessho were already seated at the chabudai when she appeared in the dining room. Kietsu was scampering back and forth between her father and Sojiro, talking excitedly. Sonomi smiled. The kid was adorable.

"Morning every one!" She said cheerfully, "How are we all today? Where's Harusame?" She seated herself between Gesshoku and Sojiro, surveying to room and taking in all her friends.

Kietsu beamed at her. "Ohayo, Mi!" She squealed, hugging the young woman.

"Hello to you too, Kiddo." Sonomi smiled again.

"Harusame is getting dressed." Sojiro informed her casually. He had his usual smile on his face and he was drinking tea.

"I see." She looked at Gessho and Kamatari, wondering what was wrong with the two of them. They were smiling pleasantly, but she could see it in their eyes. Something was upsetting them. Then she recalled all of the talk about Shishio the night before and she was certain it had something to do with that.

She wondered how much the ghost of Shishio still haunted them. She was well aware of Gesshoku's passionate hatred for the man. She had no respect for him whatsoever and didn't understand why her husband had loved him so much. She also knew that Kamatari still felt something for Shishio, but wasn't sure what exactly. How did this affect their relationship and how did they deal with it? Both of them seemed okay most of the time.

"Good morning."

Harusame had materialized in the doorway. She was wearing her usual outfit; long, flowy pants, long-sleeved white shirt and a blue short-sleeved top over it. She made no comment about the sleeping arrangements, just settled herself next to Sojiro at the low table.

Gessho looked curiously at her young friend. She'd been expecting a big to-do over the room she'd given the young couple, and was somewhat surprised that nothing had come of it. Harusame was usually very vocal about things. Had she, perhaps, begun to mature beyond throwing a tantrum?

"What's on the schedule for today?" Harusame asked calmly, picking up the tea pot and pouring herself a cup of tea.

Four pairs of eyes blinked. What was wrong with her? Even Sojiro was surprised by her nonchalant attitude. This was a side of Harusame they had never seen. Only Kietsu saw nothing wrong with this quiet side of the young woman. She smiled at her, hugging her blissfully. "You play with me, Haru?" She beamed.

"Of course, Sweetie." Harusame couldn't help but grin at the little girl's enthusiasm.

"Yay!" Kietsu jumped up and down, clapping her hands excitedly. She looked over her shoulder at her mother, her expression one of thrill. "New friends!"

"Why don't we go into town and go visiting? I haven't been to Kyoto in a long time and I'm sure that Harusame, Sonomi and Sojiro would like to see the gang down at the Aoiya." Gessho suggested, "Would you like to go see Aoi, Kietsu?"

"Hai!" The little girl nodded emphatically, "Aoi my friend." She clamored into her mother's lap, grinning eagerly. She loved going to Kyoto, eating at the Aoiya and seeing Shinomori Aoi, daughter of the Okashira.

"Okay." Her father decided, "Today we go to Kyoto."

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Let's see…Most people who are reading this have read "How Dare He?" and know who Aoi is. But for those who don't…go read "How Dare He?" *grins a goofy grin*