Disclaimer: I do not own PMK or RK. A big thank you for sticking with me so far.
Chapter 28: Flowing Waters
Near Edo Castle, Shinomori Aoshi read the report Okina had sent from Kyoto. So his neesan's gone for good. He shrugged. They were never close. However, he would miss having Kikujo-neesan about. He should have asked her to remain... no, there's no time for emotion. His men will be waiting for his instructions.
He stopped to watch a little boy skipping stones off the pond. He used to do that but ever since he took over as leader...Who taught him to skip stones? His neesan? Surely not Okina. No time to waste dwelling on the past. Tonight when the fireworks light up the sky, his men will be abroad.
Kyoto. The streets were thronging with people as the festivities got underway. This year, there was a tension in the air. Civil war was imminent. Battousai strolled a few steps behind Katsura. He stopped in front of the tavern to keep watch as Katsura went in. Umeko had sent a letter to a mutual friend to tell her brother that she had reached Nagasaki safely.
Suzu? Kenshin started as he caught sight of a white-haired boy staring at him. No, it was a younger boy. He recognized Tomoe's brother, Enishi. Why has his hair gone white? It's dangerous for a kid his age to be on the streets... The boy glared at him with such pure hatred that the hitokiri shivered.
"Kenni!" He turned to see Ryouma in his cowboy hat and dark glasses. Can't he be more discreet? He ushered Ryouma into the tavern where Katsura was waiting. When he turned his attention back to Enishi, the boy had disappeared into the crowd. Instead, Kenshin spotted a familiar figure in a pink kimono. He smiled.
Saya and Tetsu walked hand in hand through the crowd as they picked their way to the bridge. They visited the shrine on their day off. There they had prayed as they always did and tossed the coins into the offertory box. Now they were hurrying to get a good spot on the bridge to view the fireworks.
In the Kyoto cemetery, Nagagkura Shinpachi and Harada Sanosuke emptied a small jar of sake over the tombstone of Toudou Heisuke. "Congrats, friend, you're the father of a healthy baby boy. And Sano was the midwife."
"Was not! I just happened to pass by--" Toudou's widow had suddenly gone into early labor while marketing. Harada tried to rush her to a clinic but the baby would not wait. It was a shock for the poor man. None of his training ever prepared him for that.
Shinpachi patted the tombstone. "My wife's expecting now. If it's a boy, do you suppose your son and mine can be foster brothers? If it's a girl... there's no way I'm letting your boy near her if he takes after you, you hopeless rake. You do realize you left your wife a pile of debt." Both captains have been helping their former colleague's widow financially.
Hotaru stoked Tsuki-hime's head as she packed the picnic basket. She caught a white kitten before it tumbled onto the cakes. Now that the chores are done, they can go and watch the fireworks. She dropped the kitten into the old basket with its litter-mates and mother.
"Oh no, all the good spots will be taken by now!" Tatsu exclaimed. The three of them were so busy with the kitchen chores that they failed to notice the time. Both Susumu and he have volunteered to stay behind to help the cook clean the kitchen.
"The roof! Okita-san told me once you can get a great view of the fireworks from there," Hotaru clapped her hands.
As a trained shinobi, Susumu climbed easily onto the roof with the picnic basket. Hotaru followed with almost equal ease. Susumu need only steady her a bit. Tatsu went to fetch the ladder. Soon all three young people were perched on the roof and waiting for the fireworks to start.
Nursing a bad cold, Yamanami smiled as he watched the trio from his window. Wonder if Akesato can see the fireworks where she is?
Kondo and Hijitaka were at a meeting with high-ranking bakafu officers. The atmosphere was tense and heavy. They know the future will see more unrest and bloodshed. Thank heaven Souji is not here... Hijitaka rubbed his temples. They can't hurt him anymore...
Outside the building where the meeting was held, a laughing Takani Megumi ran ahead of her family waving a sparkler. On a hillside, Sagara the idealist shared his dream with a spiky-haired youngster. The youngster swore in his heart to follow Sagara as he fights for his dream of equality for all men.
"Saya," Tetsu tried to break the news the best he could. "Hijitaka says we may have to go..." Saya kissed him before he could continue. Not tonight, Tetsu-kun. Please, let us enjoy the festival. Tetsu understood. He pulled her close and held her in his arms. This moment should be cherished as the future's unknown.
Even if he were to leave tomorrow, she'll love him and he'll love her. Always... They watched the fireworks bloom like flowers and slowly die down till only the stars are left shining overhead.
Life's like a flowing river. The water that's gone will not return... An old monk once told him that. Saitou watched the young couple from the river bank as he ended his patrol. His Tokio has been feeling poorly recently. Saitou hurried home with the sweet oranges she so loved. Right now, he wants to be with his wife.
Tetsu-kun, Saya rested her head against his shoulder. Even if you were to leave, you'll come back, wouldn't you? There was no need for words. Tetsu smiled. Of course, I promise.
(End)
Author's notes:
Completed with icing on the cake! Last minute cameo by Enishi and Aoshi. Really, Aoshi is a tad cold about his sis' death, maybe he's just caught up in his work. Saitou wound up still very PMK in the end, at least he's a caring husband.
Can't resist parting with glimpses of the main players in this little drama. Special thanks to DarkFusion for his terrific ideas and encouragement.