Chapter 2 : The Dream
A few days had gone by since the visit to Morisato residence. Soujiro carried on with his routine but he can't take his mind of Kyoko and it really bothered him cause he didn't even know the reason why. He felt sort like empty inside. ' Again with the feelings, although it's not a pleasant one, it's a good one to learn…. Maybe this is what people means by missing someone'. Soujiro wished that he could meet Hibiki just so that he could get a glance of Kyoko. ' That wouldn't be wise…I do have meeting with him tomorrow so; I'll just go tomorrow. I can wait another day'.
And he was wrong, so wrong. He couldn't wait even for a day. He cannot concentrate on his job and his mind kept wondering elsewhere, to be precise the Morisato residence. At last, nightfall came. Soujiro had just finished his dinner. He was sitting outside, watching the stars. All of the stars reminded him of Kyoko. ' What is this feeling? I kept thinking about her and I don't even know why!.' A few hours later, he was already in bed. ' I'm going to see her tomorrow. That's a relieving thought but I also feel very nervous.'
Soujiro fall asleep with Kyoko still on his mind. That night, he had the same nightmare that he had since he was a little boy. The nightmare where he kept running in the dark and shouting for help. The ending was always the same. His family member would catch him and beat him. And after that, he would use a sword and slashed all of them. But tonight, the dream was a little different. He was running, screaming for help in the dark. His mean uncle almost caught him. That was when a glowing figure emerged from the dark and save him. He couldn't see the figure clearly since the light was blinding his eye. The figure brought him to a place. He was sitting in a field. A vast green field. He could feel the wind blowing and the bird chirping. He was calm and he enjoyed being there. The figure was standing in front of him, still glowing. Then, the figure started to leave. Soujiro called the figure back but the figure kept running. Before the figure disappeared, it turned around and looked at him. It was a young woman, smiling at him; a beautiful young woman and he knew her.
It was Kyoko. She gave one last sincere smile and started running away from him. He chased after her but he stumbled on a rock and fall to the ground. Soujiro bolted from his bed. He was panting like he had just finished a sprint. It was like he had chased something, somebody. Then, he remembered the dream. He couldn't help smiling to himself. Although he was sweating and panting, he felt good. ' I don't remember the last time I had a pleasant dream. Yeah, I remembered! I never had a pleasant dream. Well, things surely change since I met her. Hopefully she's going to bring more happy things into my life.'
He got up and dresses to go to work. ' I got to settle a few things at the shop before I can go to the Morisato residence.' Soujiro finished his job quickly. His assistant, Kazuma, a man in his late 40's was quite surprised to see him in such a hurry. Soujiro grinned as he had finished his errands. 'Now, the Morisato residense!.' After a few minutes of quick walk and occasionally a run, he reached the Morisato residence. The servant invited him in. On the way to the living room, he saw that the boy was carrying rice sacks towards the rice storage place. ' Where is Kyoko? I don't think she'll let the boy do the hard work.' After finishing his sentence, he heard Kyoko's voice. " Yamato-kun! Yamato-kun! Where are you," Kyoko called from inside the house. Soujiro turned towards the voice.Yamato, the boy heard and answered her.
Kyoko merged from the door. She was standing in front of him. She was wearing a black kimono and a sword hang down at her back. ' Wow! Carrying sword at your own house? She definitely got safety issues,' Soujiro was surprised to see the sword. ' But she's definitely more beautiful up-close.' Kyoko noticed Soujiro and although she doesn't know him, she bowed as a sign of respect. Then, she went back to her business. " Yamato-kun! What are you doing," she asked, horrified to see the little boy carrying so much weight on his back. " I'm just transferring these rice sacks to the rice storage place," Yamato answered casually since he was custom to the job. Kyoko walked quickly towards Yamato. She took down the rice sacks from the boy's back. Yamato did nothing. " This is not a job for boy like you. Only adult man should do this job," Kyoko told him. Yamato said nothing. He just nodded.
Soujiro stood at his place and watched. The servant invited him in but he said he wanted to stay here. The servant obeyed his wish and told him he'll inform Master Hibiki about his arrival. The servant left. Soujiro watched Kyoko scolded the boy for doing things beyond his capability. But then, her expression soften and she talked in a soft and calm voice. ' I like the way she could get angry easily and calm down as fast as she get mad…'.
" Hey, Yamato! Hurry up, you slow brat," a man voice was heard from inside the rice storage. Kyoko looked towards the rice storage. Morisato Hibiki came out from thr rice storage. When he saw Kyoko was standing there with Yamato, he paused. Kyoko said nothing, just staring at him. Morisato Hibiki was squirming in his place. " What did you said, Nee-san," Kyoko asked from afar. " Nothing….. just trying to get the boy work a little," Hibiki answered bravely as he approached Kyoko and Yamato. " And why does Yamato have to do this hard work," Kyoko was still staring Hibiki in the eyes. Hibiki said nothing. " Why are you protecting this boy," Hibiki asked Kyoko.
" Because he's my nephew and he deserved to be protected by someone." Kyoko answered firmly. ' It's her nephew. I thought the boy is his son. Makes sense why she's not around him before.' Kyoko and Hibiki continued their discussion. Finally, Hibiki gave up. He walked away but after a few pace, he stopped and turned around. " When father died, everything will be mine. The first thing I'm going to do is kick you out of this house. So, you better start finding a husband or a place to stay!" Kyoko calmly replied, "Father would be around in a long time! And he won't give his property to you, a despicable bastard!."
' Ouch, that gotta hurt coming from a woman especially coming from your sister,' thought Soujiro. Hibiki raised his hand to slap Kyoko. Soujiro had already placed his hand on his sword. With his super speed, he could get to Hibiki before his hand touched Kyoko and finished him off. Kyoko was a lot faster than Soujiro expected. She drew her sword and placed it at his brother throat. " Go on and you will not live to see tomorrow," Kyoko threaten. Hibiki glanced at the sword. He dropped his hand and walked away while cursing under his breath. Hibiki noticed Soujiro was watching the whole incident. He coughed and walked towards Soujiro. Kyoko watched him leave and kept her sword back into its sheath.
" Kyoko-neechan," Yamato called her. Kyoko turned around, facing Yamato. " What?." " You shouldn't do that to him. He might hurt you later. You don't have to be their enemy just because you want to protect me.. It would only make it worst for you," Yamato said slowly. Kyoko smiled. " It's okay. Everything would be just fine." " Even if what he'd said happen, I have already found a little place for both of us," she whispered into the boy's ear. Yamato grinned widely. Kyoko took his hand and leaded him into the house.
Soujiro was watching Kyoko and Yamato and gave no attention to Hibiki who was approaching him. ' That's so sweet. If I ever had someone like that before, I might not end up like I am today. Kenshin said I met the wrong person at the wrong time. Luckily for that boy, he met the right person at the right time….' Soujiro watched as Kyoko and the boy went inside. Hibiki noticed Soujiro was watching Kyoko but he thought Soujiro was despised by Kyoko's action. " She's my sister. She's a rough young woman but I'll get rid of her soon." Soujiro switched his gaze to Hibiki. His eyes were full of hatred and disgust towards Hibiki but Hibiki couldn't notice that. Hibiki showed him into a room and they continue their discussion. Soujiro suppressed his anger during the discussion. He wanted to rip Hibiki apart but he managed to keep his cool until the discussion was over.
At the end of the discussion, Soujiro said to Hibiki that he wanted to meet Hibiki's sister. Hibiki gladly agreed for he thought with Soujiro's help, he may be able to 'tame' his sister. Soujiro knew what Hibiki was thinking and he just let him lost in his own imagination. ' It would be easier for me to see Kyoko if Hibiki think I'm trying to get her to his side. He wouldn't suspect a thing'. Soujiro smiled to his thought as Hibiki leaded him to Kyoko's room.
A later while later, he was facing Kyoko in her room. She looked calm but didn't let her guard down. Nearby, Yamato was sleeping soundly. Soujiro broke the ice, " I saw what you did to your brother before…" Kyoko didn't reply. " It was quite amazing. It took a lot of courage to do that and your sword skill is beyond average." Kyoko nodded and thanked Soujiro for his compliment, in a polite and formal way. ' She's still holding it up against me. How can I make her feels comfortable with me?.'
Kyoko finally spoken, " Seta-san, why do you want to see me?." " Please….call me Soujiro…" " Well, Soujiro-san, why do you want to see me? What business do I have with you?." ' She's cold and hostile, at least to stranger. I've seen her softer side.' " I want to have the chance to know you." Kyoko was surprised by Soujiro's answer. " Why is that?." " I think you're unique and I would love to learn more about you." " How can you say I'm unique since this is the first time we met." " Your first time to meet me but my second time to meet you." Soujiro smiled. " And may I know when was the first time you meet me, Soujiro-san?." " When you took the shinai blow for the kid." Soujiro moved his eyes to the sleeping boy. Kyoko did the same.
Kyoko held her face down and sighed. Soujiro studied her face. She was worried and unhappy. " May I know what's bothering you, Morisato-san?." Kyoko lifted her face and smiled. " You can call me Kyoko…." Soujiro knew that this young woman changed her mood easily but it was very unpredictable what she would do next. 'One second, she's a cold and hostile stranger, the next second, she is smiling to you and melt your heart out.'
" I don't think you know Yamato-kun's story, Soujiro-san…" " I knew some things, enough to know what he's going through…" Kyoko looked Soujiro in the eye. " Do you, Soujiro-san?" Soujiro nodded. Kyoko was searching his eyes; looking for the truth in his words. " I guess you do…..". Soujiro stood up. Kyoko watched him cautiously. " I'm going to leave now. But I'll be back soon, if that's alright with you, Kyoko-san?." Kyoko smiled and nodded gently. Soujiro opened the door. He stopped. " Kyoko-san? Why are you so nice to me although we just met?." Kyoko replied instantly without even thinking first. " Because you're the only one who is so nice to me in this house. Besides, I can tell that you're sincere and meant no harm to me." As much as the reply flattered Soujiro, he couldn't help feeling sad. 'The only one who is nice to you, huh?.' He greeted her good night and left the Morisato residence.
Kyoko watched Soujiro left from the window. She smiled faintly and sighed. ' He's a good man. I can tell by his eyes.. There's traces of sadness and loneliness but he's very kind at heart….. '. Kyoko sat by the window for a while before closing it and went to bed. Before she fell asleep, the picture of two men appeared. Soujiro Seta and her father, Morisato Takeuchi.