After a hot bath, Aiko found some cothing for Keiko to wear.
"You're taller than I am dear, so you won't fit into anything I have. And seeing as there's no other women here at the Stronghold, you'll have to make do with men's clothing."
Keiko wasn't sure how she felt about that, but she didn't complain. The pants and shirt were clean and actually fit her pretty well.
"Now sit down and let me do your hair," Aiko instructed.
Keiko smiled and sat. Aiko reminded her of an older sister determined to protect her younger sibling. That, or an overprotective mother hen. Aiko hummed softly as she brushed Keiko's hair and then pulled up two loops, one on each side, and pinned them with ivory combs.
"There, we may not be able to get you decent clothing, but we can still do your hair nicely."
Keiko smiled at her reflection, then turned to Aiko.
"Arigatou, Aiko-san."
"Oh call me Aiko," the older woman said with a wave of her hand.
"And I'd be happy if you called me Keiko."
Aiko smiled. "Such a lovely name."
There was a knock at the door and Tasuki came in with a tray of food. He set the tray on a table near the door and leaned against the wall with a scowl on his face.
"You needn't look so fierce Shun'u," Aiko said. "Tell Keiko how nice she looks."
Tasuki ran his eyes over Keiko's body and she swallowed nervously.
"She looks like a woman in man's clothing," the bandit growled.
"Shun'u!" Aiko said in exasperation, "that was rude! Apologize."
"Not til you apologize to me."
Aiko gave the flame-haired man a dangerous look. "Are you trying to use our guest to get at me?"
Tasuki sighed and let his arms fall to his side.
"Aiko, you've got to stop yelling at me in front of the men. I lose respect as a leader every time you do it."
"I don't want to hear your excuses," Aiko said as she moved to the tray of food and handed a plate to Keiko. "Apologize to our guest."
"Will you stop yelling at me in front of the men?" Tasuki ground out.
"I will when you stop behaving like a bandit Shun'u."
"I AM a bandit!" Tasuki yelled. "And call me Tasuki. Or at least Genrou."
"Don't you take that tone with me, Shun'u."
"Dammit woman!"
Keiko coughed discreetly. "Ano..."
Aiko turned and gave her a smile. "Don't worry dear. Tasuki and I fight all the time."
"It's, Shun-" Tasuki stopped mid word and slapped his forehead.
"I have to tease my husband from time to time. He'd go grey worrying about his men otherwise."
"Husband?" Keiko asked.
"Yes. We were married five years ago."
"I don't mean to be rude, but you married him? Willingly?"
Aiko laughed. "He's a handful at times, but I do love him terribly."
Tasuki, meanwhile, looked ready to chew stones. He ground his teeth together and stared at his wife as if he'd like nothing better that to throttle her. That, or kiss her senseless. Finally her sagged down into a nearby chair and let his breath out in a huff.
"I'm sorry Keiko-san," he muttered. "You do look very nice."
Aiko nodded. "I promise not to yell at you in front of the boys anymore," she said. "But don't think for one moment that I won't be giving you a piece of my mind when we're alone."
"Hai, hai," he muttered, staring at the floor.
Aiko took her plate from the tray and moved to stand in front of Tasuki.
"Don't you 'hai, hai' me," she said before tilting his head up and kissing him.
Tasuki sat up straighter and Aiko sat on his lap, leaning into him as she ate her food. Keiko was throughly uncomfortable and stared at her plate as she ate. She was glad that Tasuki and Aiko seemed to be in love, when they weren't fighting, but it only highlighted her own single condition.
"When did you want to leave for the capitol?" Tasuki's voice broke into Keiko's thoughts.
She looked up and met his amber gaze.
"I don't know," she said, dropping her eyes again. "I guess I'm ready to leave whenever you are."
Tasuki nodded. "I'll talk to Kouji and tell him what's up, and I'll get some of the guys to get supplies together for us. We'll leave in two hours."
"How long will it take to get to Eiyou?" Keiko asked.
"Almost a week," the bandit replied.
Keiko nodded. That was a long time to be spending alone with a man. She was sure Tasuki would behave himself, he was married after all, but it still didn't sit quite right with her.
"I know it will be a long time for you ladies to sleep on the ground," Tasuki said, "but it shouldn't be too bad. The whether is actually pretty nice."
"It was snowing when your men found me," Keiko said.
"Well we are up in the mount-" Tasuki began.
"Ladies?" Aiko interjected.
"Yes dear, you'll be coming too." He turned back to Keiko. "It doesn't snow much in Konan during the winter."
"How did you know that I wanted to come too?" Aiko asked.
Tasuki turned her in his lap and looked into her eyes. "Because even if I tied you up and locked you in the darkest cellar in the Stronghold, you'd find a way to follow me, and probably drag half of the men with you. So I'll save everyone the headache and just take you from the beginning."
Aiko's face, which had been smiling at the start of the explanation, now wore a frown.
"You don't have to sound so smug, Shun'u," she huffed.
Tasuki kissed her and grinned. "It just goes to show that I'm beginning to figure you out some."
Aiko made a noncommital noise and rose. "Are you done with your plate, dear?" she asked Keiko.
Keiko nodded. "Thank you. It was very good."
The older woman took a moment to study Keiko's face and nodded to herself.
"Tasuki and I will get everything together. You stay here and get some rest. You look like you're half asleep."
Keiko blushed. "Arigatou gozaimasu."
Aiko piled the plates on the tray and motioned to Tasuki. The couple left, shutting the door behind them. Keiko took out the combs that Aiko had put in and placed them back on the vanity. Then she climbed onto the bed and pulled a light blanket up around her shoulders. She was asleep in minutes.
. . . . . . . . .
Tasuki took the tray from Aiko and passed it to the nearest man they met.
"Let's go get started on gathering supplies," he said.
Aiko nodded and they headed for the Stronghold's storerooms. They gathered food, and sleeping supplies, as well as clothing for the trip.
"I wish I had a way to get in contact with Chichiri," Tasuki said as they were making their way to the stables. "I have the feeling he'd appreciate a warning about this."
"I'm sure he'll be able to handle it," Aiko said.
"Yeah, you're right. But I'm gonna feel awkward dropping in on Houki-sama like this."
"Her Highness has extended an invitation for you to come by whenever you want."
"Well, yeah, but-"
"But what?" Aiko stopped and looked up at her husband.
"I don't know. It almost seems unfair to drop another girl from Miaka's world into her lap."
"I don't think it will be anything to worry about," Aiko assured him. "She said she needed to talk to Chichiri. Besides, all the mikos have been called and fulfilled their duty. I think this will be a rather uneventful visit."
Tasuki wanted to agree with her logic, but something said that this adventure was just beginning.
