Disclaimer: I own 3 out of 4! Wooh! I'll trade ownership of Sachi and Domon to Watsuki-san for Kenshin and Tomoe though…how bout it? Huh? Huh? HUH?? Watsuki!! Answer me!
Gift-Laden Farewell"That just then...reminded me of another time, when I was making another decision with someone. An important decision. I tried to let that someone make the decision, but she turned it to me instead, just like how you did just now."
Souka, Ami had said. But that was a lie.
She sat alone under the tree, whittling, only half concentrated on her task. I don't understand at all.
~*~
Later that afternoon, it had begun to rain. Kenshin was currently out with Domon, for Domon had invited him along to view his mining site. Though Ami had wanted to come along (she hated being separated from Kenshin), she decided to stay with Sachi and practice her culinary skills in the kitchen. Perhaps someday, she could prepare a meal for Kenshin.
It was that fantasy that made Ami want to stay the most. She wanted to find out what kind of dishes Kenshin liked, and maybe when the opportunity arose, she would prepare that dish for him. Oh, how his eyes might shine when she brought him the plate, hot from just being cooked. He would taste some while she looked away modestly (it wasn't polite to stare while someone ate, after all) and then he'd smile at her and tell her it was the best meal he'd ever tasted. And Ami would blush with pleasure and tell him that she'd be delighted to cook for him for the rest of his life. Because once he saw how useful she was, perhaps she would be with him for the rest of his life…and that was a very long time, to her.
So Ami and Sachi worked in the kitchens, Sachi giving her instructions and telling her the techniques she usually used. Ami paid attention with all of her heart and soul, and she was a fast learner.
"Tomorrow, perhaps you could cook some soup all by yourself!" Sachi said appraisingly, and after the moment's glory faded away, Ami recalled the conversation she and Kenshin had had. Perhaps Kenshin was informing Domon about whether or not they would leave today at this moment, but that didn't mean she couldn't tell Sachi.
"Sachi-san…?" she asked.
"Yes, dear?"
Ami's cheeks tinged pink, and she continued on a bit more nervously.
"Kenshin and I…it's already been a day…we were wondering, whether we should leave today…?"
Sachi dropped the ladle she was holding, and as it clattered noisily onto the tabletop, Ami jumped. Sachi was staring at her with a strange look, and Ami felt a sinking feeling enter her chest as she saw that Sachi's hand was trembling.
"You want to leave?" she repeated, and then her gaze seemed to turn to the air above Ami's head. "You want to go."
"Aaah?" Ami cried out, feeling sick and confused at the same time. "No, no, Sachi-san, I mean, we'd go if you wanted us too, but if you want us to stay we'll stay too-" she babbled.
But Sachi was just staring into space dimly, face gray, and suddenly Ami was reminded of Takaru Konure. The old woman who had befriended and taken care of her… what would her younger self have done? Then Ami knew; she set down the chopping knife, and walking quickly as to not lose her nerve, put her arms around Sachi and hugged her.
She heard the older woman give a small gasp of surprise, and at first she stayed still, making Ami feel strangely foolish, until she responded and completed the embrace.
"Sachi-san," Ami started, but halted as Sachi made small noises to cut her off.
"Forgive me," Sachi said wistfully, and Ami could feel her shaking her head. "I didn't mean to frighten you-"
"I wasn't frightened," Ami lied.
"Ha," Sachi said dryly, sighing. "But I…you need to leave soon?"
Ami kept silent for a while longer, thinking. "…I'm not sure. But Kenshin and I don't want to stay longer than necessary. That's what he meant, anyway."
Sachi hugged her tightly, and Ami froze as she felt a tear drop onto her head. "Oh, Ami-chan…it's selfish of me, I know, but please stay for a few more days…till the week is over, at least. Three more days!" She was trembling slightly. "You haven't been here long at all…I'd be honored if you could stay for three more days…"
"Kenshin and I would be too," she whispered, feeling sick and helpless at Sachi crying. "But maybe he and Domon-san have already worked it out. I told Kenshin to see…" she trailed off.
It scared her that Sachi had been crying (a grown woman!) but Ami hadn't been held in such a loving embrace ever since she left home… Kenshin… the thought was quick and fleeting. It did not matter if she would ever be held so lovingly by him; being in his company was enough. Sachi sniffed, and stumbled away from her.
"Water's boiling," she said thickly, patting Ami on the head then motioning her to go back to preparing the ingredients. "You were doing fine, go on now."
Ami did as she was told, and by the end of the hour, she produced a soup that was eager to be tasted.
~*~
When Kenshin and Domon came through the front door, Ami and the servants were there to greet them. He politely refused the servant's advances to mop him up (they had been caught in the rain) but didn't have the heart to refuse Ami, who patted his shoulders gingerly with a dry cloth and handed it to him to wipe his face.
"I should've taken your umbrella," Kenshin smiled to her, and Ami blushed with pleasure. As Domon went off to find Sachi, a few servants flocking after him, Ami gently tugged on Kenshin's hand and led him to the side of the room farthest from the kitchens. Kenshin stared at her curiously, knowing she had something to tell him. He waited patiently as she stood there nervously in front of him, hands clasped in front of her.
"I…I missed you," she started off, turning pink at her daring and shame. And a light seemed to go on in her head, and she shook her head furiously. "I mean, no, no, um, was Domon-san's mining site interesting?"
Kenshin was touched at her first statement, but seeing her embarrassment, ignored it. "Yes, it was very interesting. Most of the workers thought of him very popularly, it seemed. He pays them generously."
Ami smiled, trying to shrug off her abashment from earlier. "That seems like him." She took a breath, getting to the point. "Kenshin? Did you tell Domon-san about…whether we'd leave or not?"
"Oro." Kenshin put a hand to his head, smiling shamefully. "Ha, I haven't. I thought maybe I'd mention it at dinner."
"Oh, that's all right," Ami said softly. "I already told Sachi-san."
"Did you? What did she say?"
Ami kept quiet, and Kenshin furrowed his brows in concern. Then Ami looked up at him, eyes wide with uneasiness. "She cried on me," she stated, looking as confused as he was. "I'm not sure…when we leave, I'd miss her too, but she seemed really upset."
Oh, Sachi-dono… Kenshin thought. You love her too. His eyes widened as he realized what he had just thought. He saw Ami eyeing him worriedly, but not saying anything out of respect for his privacy. Kenshin took the time gratefully to run his brain through. Sachi-dono said to me yesterday at the garden about wanting to see whether or not she'd be a good mother…and now she has become attached to Ami-chan. To have Ami herself tell her that she was thinking of leaving…would have hurt her deeply, I see.
"…Kenshin?" Ami finally asked, in a meek voice. He cleared his throat, sighing a bit.
"Ah, Ami-chan, Sachi-dono just cares for you deeply, that she does. She is very fond of you." He didn't want to tell Ami about Sachi's disability. It was only between him and her.
"Souka," Ami lied again. But she didn't have to be so anxious! There's something more to this, I'm sure…
The two remained silent, until Ami, wanting to change topics, said softly, "I made a soup all on my own…"
"It'll taste wonderful, I'm sure," he said warmly.
Ami's cooking fantasy came to mind again, and she blushed, a grin spreading across her face. "Thank you."
Kenshin nodded at her, then looked to the left. Ami turned to face the same direction, and the servant that had been waiting for them to finish speaking came up to them, head bowed politely.
"Dinner is ready," she informed, and two thanked her and made their way towards the table.
~*~
The next three days passed too quickly, for Sachi. Goodness, she loved this child so much…but perhaps it was best. She couldn't possibly be a good mother, the way she had acted when Ami had merely asked her opinion on whether or not she and Kenshin could leave. But still…by the end of the second day, Sachi had retreated to her and Domon's room, crying. For in the morning, she would probably never see Ami again.
After half an hour or so of weeping, Domon came in, putting an arm comfortingly around her.
"You know, you getting robbed was the best thing that ever happened-" she hiccupped. Domon smiled sadly at his wife. It hurt him to see her like this. She was a strong woman; that was one of the reasons he fell for her.
"We'll both miss Ami-chan and Kenshin-san," he said comfortingly. "And it's been wonderful having them here. It's better to have memories, then nothing. And it's not like it's good-bye forever. I'm sure if chance arises, Ami-chan would try and visit."
Sachi's sob stopped in mid heave and she felt the familiar urge to snap at him. "You think she'll remember us?" But as she remembered how sincere Ami was, the chance didn't seem as slim as before. "…Well, perhaps she will. But not as long as she and Mr. Himura stay together."
"Sachi?" Domon asked, confused. "You dislike…?"
"Oh, no," Sachi said, waving a hand at him. "It's just…that boy seems like he is searching for something. If he could, I bet he'd walk the whole world. And Ami-chan would follow him to the end."
"He'll take good care of her," Domon stated. "Surely the lives of rurouni are peaceful."
"Rurouni?"
"Kenshin-san's word for ronin."
Sachi smiled, amused. "Still a boy. What imagination."
~*~
On the late morning of the last day, Sachi gestured for Ami to follow her while Kenshin was outside talking with Domon. Ami followed her nervously and picked at her kimono; it was a lent one from the Kamashi's, and she wasn't sure when to return it. To her surprise Sachi led her to the room she and Kenshin had occupied. But her surprise quickly turned to disbelief as Sachi tried to force some items on her.
"Here's a cooking pot," Sachi mumbled, stuffing it into a brand new pack. "Take it, take it, you need to practice your culinary skills," she said quickly as she saw Ami opening her mouth to protest. "And this ladle, here's a kerchief, I didn't get any chopsticks because I daresay you can make them yourself-"
"Sachi-san," Ami managed to croak out. "We can't possibly take-"
"Yes you are!" Sachi said strictly, folding some kimonos (rather expensive looking, to Ami's dismay) and stuffing it into the sack. "I can't let you leave without getting supplies-"
"But, all the supplies we may need are food," Ami tried to deter her. "So we don't need-"
"Oh, yes," Sachi said, waving a hand at her to come help. "We've got plenty of food for you as well."
Ami's mouth snapped shut and she glumly came over and packed. Sachi-san was too generous for her own good…They packed in silence, except for the occasional outbursts from Ami when she saw something very expensive, and the noise of Sachi ignoring her protests and replying stiffly that she ought to have those things.
By the time they were through, the pack was quite stuffed. Ami examined the puffed up bag thankfully. Oh, this would definitely make Sachi see that this was all way too much. Ami hefted the pack over her shoulder, getting ready for the heavy load, but to her immense surprise and slight dismay, it wasn't as heavy as she expected. But still, she had to make Sachi see!
"Sachi-san," she said in mock whine, "this will be pretty heavy in the long run…"
She felt a bit guilty as Sachi put a finger to her lip, worry showing onto her face. "Well," she said, sighing heavily, "I suppose it will be quite a burden to carry for hours."
"All day," Ami inputted. Sachi flinched at this. Ami-chan, walking all day with this heavy load on her shoulders? Goodness, no!
"We'll take some things out," Sachi said grimly. She dumped the contents out and sorted through the things that were necessities and extras. But when she packed everything back in, it was still bulging. It took four sortings until the pack was finally a reasonable size. Sachi had taken out the cooking pot sorrowfully, but brightened up considerably after pressing many yen into Ami's protesting hands.
"Now you'll be able to buy a pot," she said smiling, as a red Ami stuffed the yen into her money pouch. She could see that Ami was still ready to protest, so she added slyly, "Then you'll be able to cook a wonderful meal for Mr. Himura. I'm sure he'll be so pleased, since he enjoyed your last soup so much!"
That did it, and Ami's mouth snapped shut and stayed that way. She was feeling dizzy from all of the loading and unloading, and from Sachi's generosity. She said faintly, "Arigatou, Sachi-san," then came forward and embraced her. Sachi beamed, and forced away the tears threatening to flock to her eyes. She was not going to make a scene like last time and scare poor Ami to death! Instead, she hugged her tightly, patted her on the head, and exited the room, searching for Domon.
And at exactly 2:54 PM, Kenshin and Ami departed.
~*~
The four squared off, Sachi and Domon side by side, Ami and Kenshin the same, facing each other.
"We'll never forget your kindness," Kenshin murmured, bowing especially low. He had been quite astounded as well at all the items Sachi had forced onto them…
"Remember, this was all because you stopped that thief! I'm thankful to you as well." Domon beamed, clapping Kenshin hard on the back so that he stumbled. Ami smiled at the scene, and bowed as well.
She is very fond of you…Kenshin's voice rang out in her mind, reminding her, so Ami made sure to especially smile at Sachi. "Arigatou…" she said. "We'll never forget you."
"Come back and visit, if it's not too much trouble," Sachi said, smiling sadly at her. "Keep up your cooking!" She forced a lighthearted winked.
"Hai!" Ami grinned. Then she reached back into her sack and produced a slingshot and a windmill toy. Sachi gave a little gasp as she took the gifts, admiring the craftsmanship. "It's for…." Ami shifted uneasily, unsure if she was being rude or not. "Um…ano…if you have…nieces or nephews…or children…"
Both Sachi and Domon's breath caught slightly, but they quickly hid their surprise. Ami still noticed, however, and blurted, "Well, actually you can do whatever you like with it-" she broke off, unsure of what she was saying. The couple nodded, smiling at her with hidden grief. Kenshin laid a hand on Ami's shoulder to ease her nervousness.
"We should be going now," he said gently, and he pushed lightly at her and the two rurouni began to turn around and walk down the path. They had only taken a step when Kenshin halted, looking back to Sachi. "You would have been a wonderful mother, Sachi-dono," he said quietly. Ami glanced at him curiously, and then back to Sachi to see her expression.
Sachi nodded at Kenshin in thanks, then began to cry softly, brushing away her tears angrily, and she muttered, "Good-bye, good-bye" before she hid her face in her hands. Ami was about to make a noise of concern, but both Domon and Kenshin smiled reassuringly at her, and Ami whispered a farewell as she reluctantly turned away and walked with Kenshin away from the Kamashi home.
~*~
It had been an hour of walking, and Ami was already feeling slightly weary. Living there for the past few days has spoiled me, she thought, wrinkling her nose. She hefted the pack higher onto her shoulders and smiled to herself. Well, maybe it's just because of this…
Kenshin heard the noise of the pack being adjusted and looked back at her. "Do you want help with that?" Ami shook her head, still smiling. They had already evened out the objects between them so that their packs would have somewhat equal weight, and Kenshin was still offering to carry more.
They continued on their way, and as Ami looked up to admire the setting sun, she suddenly remembered the many yen stuffed into her money pouch. They had already passed through the town, and she had missed her chance to buy a pot. She and Kenshin would be eating cold rice balls for dinner, supplied by Sachi.
Well, Ami smiled softly, staring down at the road, fond memories swirling inside her thoughts, I can always wait till the next village.
I'll cook some soup for him…
~~=^_^=~~
I just had to use the kitty face for the end mark! Don't ask me why!
I'm sorry this took a long time to get out…I had major writer's block. All the inspiration I had that had anything to do with Adoration took place waaay in the future. _'' Where angst is plenty.
Plus, I strangely had fun with the dialogue between Domon and Sachi when he was comforting her. Sachi's remark about Kenshin still being a boy with imagination tickled me. :P I thought it was interesting, because even though she thought she knew him enough to infer about him, they both (including Ami) really have no idea about his struggles…so that innocent remark about him was pretty off. They just have nooo idea…
^^ By the way, has anyone seen "Millenium Actress" by Satoshi Kon?? I rented it from Netflix, and it has such pretty animation. The story is really neat, too. Though it gets confusing after a while as it keeps jumping to different scenes, or movies/past lives, I should say. Well, whaddaya know, I actually don't have much to say! So time to jump to….
Review Responses!
EEevee: Not likeable? .'' Oh, I'm sure that's not true! Heh, "Queen of 20 Page One Shots". That's funny. O.o
Penguin27: Thanks very much for the compliment. ^^
AnimeAmba: Yes, Ami has an angsty life…0.0'' I wonder if I'll end up being too hard on her…*coughcough* spoilers! *Is concerned* Anyway, I hope those problems of your family's have been solved by now…
MissBehavin: I'm glad you liked those parts. And good for you of getting rid of the Evil People! :P
Haruko: Thank you for all the kind words. ^^ I've been doing allright, and I hope you've been doing the same (or better). I'm really touched that you seem so fond of Ami…that is one of the things I've been wanting to achieve…^_^
Rach-Chan: Your welcome! ^^ Hope you enjoy.