(stones are being thrown at me).
A:N: Well, another week, another chapter... that's all I could say. So, how's your summer?
Later that night, Tsubame managed to sneak outside to take a solo walk in the night. She found herself at the back of the spacious house. The girl wandered around the small courtyard as if a little child would. She found a small pond where the full moon shone brightly along with the gleaming stars in the dim background of the night sky. She took a long glance at herself, but couldn't recognize her own self.
Somehow, the girl felt saddened, her mind filled with doubt, and thinking that this "surprise" of her's wasn't bound to work. She had placed all her faith into Yahiko's hands, knowing the answer he attempted to find was on his doorstep. Tsubame felt confident that Yahiko knew very well who was behind that mask, and soon, he is destined to find the truth.
Then, Tsubame felt tears flowing out from frustration and a lack of hope. She reached to the back of her head to pull the ribbon that held her small ponytail out of its place. She took another glimpse at herself in the pond,
finally feeling optimistic of what is waiting to happen. A smile was able to sneak through her saddened expression,
assuring Tsubame that everything will soon be better.
As the once doubtful girl came to her senses, she could hear a familiar voice calling out her name, and drawing closer. Tsubame quickly tied the ribbon around her small bunch of hair, although, ending up rather messy. She left her place and approached Yahiko. Coming from behind a tree, Tsume found herself standing only a couple of inches in front of Yahiko.
Yahiko looked down at Tsume, and worriedly asked, "Where have you been?"
Tsume didn't respond, but was aware of the warm feeling on her face, getting warmer as Yahiko just stared at the girl standing below him. She kept her eyes to the ground.
"Well, you should get to sleep," the young swordsman insisted, and placing one of his hands behind his head, and smiling. "It's getting pretty late so..."
Tsume just walked past Yahiko, still keeping her sight to the ground and her head hung low. Yahiko watched, a bit confused, and at the same time concerned as Tsume found her way inside.
The spiky-haired boy stood to think for a brief moment, trying to interpret everything that happened, but he just decided to drop it and go inside for rest. Yahiko walked inside to find Tsume settling down on a couch in the living room of the mansion. The rustling of blankets sounded, and soon died down.
Yahiko moved himself towards the girl in the midst of sleep. He found the blanket placed just below Tsume's shoulder. Without stopping to think, he reached for the blanket, and pulled it above Tsume's shoulder. The boy took a look at the peacefully sleeping girl. Then, he finally realized something he never noticed before.
Yahiko asked himself, "Could this be... Tsubame?" He stood there, thinking of the possibilities. The boy yearned to ask this "Tsume" for the answer, but did not want to disturb her from sleep. "But what if I'm wrong?..." Yahiko was somehow afraid of being wrong, but he'd soon find out.
The somewhat restless boy let out a yawn, and made his way to the wall across from where Tsume was. He settled himself on the ground; his eyes slowly shut, and he fell into a deep sleep.
The next morning, Tsume woke up, feeling refreshed. She saw, from the corner of her eye, a figure that was placed against the wall sound asleep; she realized it was Yahiko. The girl didn't want to wake him, so she quietly slipped out of the room, and headed for the kitchen. She found Yutaro stretching and yawning from a fresh sleep.
Yutaro saw Tsume standing there, knowing that Tsume must have seen all his commotion. Then he nicely asked, "Did you enjoy your sleep?"
Tsume lightly nodded her head, spotting her bag of money sitting on the counter of the kitchen. She went over to grab it.
"If you'd like, I can have one of my maids cook you some breakfast," Yutaro offered to Tsume.
Tsume flashed Yutaro a smile, and replied, "No thank you." She made her way out of the kitchen.
Yutaro followed her, and saw her heading towards the front door. "Where are you going?"
Tsume stopped and looked back at the boy, and answered, "I'll be going out for a while. So, if Yahiko asks where I am, you can tell him that, okay?"
Yutaro settled himself down, and agreed.
Tsume made her way out, and lightly shut the door. She strolled down the streets of this unknown country, and suddenly wished she could go home, but not until Yahiko would too.
Back at the mansion, Yahiko started opening his eyes as his vision became clear. The sun was brightly shining its rays through the windows of the living room. Yahiko squinted to acquire his vision as he looked over at the couch where Tsume once slept, but he saw no trace of her; only a folded up blanket sat there alone.
Yahiko rushed to the dining room, hoping to find Yutaro. He ended up in the kitchen to find Yutaro sitting at a table, flipping through a newspaper.
"Hey! Where's Tsume!" Yahiko shouted out.
Yutaro looked up at him, and simply said, "Okay, no need to get so loud. No accusations either. She just left a while ago."
"Well, where'd she head off to?"
"How should I know! I don't get that personal! Unlike someone..."
Yahiko became angered at Yutaro's last comment. "GRR! Are you trying to say I'm too curious!"
Yutaro looked at his newspaper while making a shooing motion with his hand. "I don't know everything, for your information. It can't be that hard to find her... so go now."
Yahiko glared at Yutaro, and gave up by letting out a heavy sigh. He made his way to the front door. Yutaro could hear the door slam very loudly. He rolled his eyes at Yahiko's immature nature, and continued with his reading.
The young swordsman made his way down the street, keeping his eyes open for the girl with a ribbon in her hair.
Yahiko came to a corner, and when he turned, he saw Tsume, standing in front of a fruit stand and a little boy standing next to her. Yahiko ran behind the corner, and poked his head out just enough too see what Tsume was up to. He saw Tsume say something to the little boy. The child smiled and pointed to something in front of him.
The woman behind the stand went over to fetch a bag, and grabbed an apple from a box. She placed it in the bag and handed it to Tsume, who handed over a few coins to the woman; the woman smiled at them as they left.
As Tsume and the child walked away from the stand, they stood a few feet away from it, and Tsume handed the bag to the little boy. At this time, Yahiko stepped out of his place, and started to make his way to the two. As he was making his way, the little boy reached over to Tsume, who was bent down to the boy's level, to give her a hug.
Yahiko stood just a distance from the other two. Then he called out, "Tsume!"
An expression of shock showed on Tsume's face, but she didn't turn to look to see who was there.
"Don't run off like that. You had me worried."
Tsume realized who was speaking. "Yahiko!" she replied, turning her head, but as she turned, the ribbon that held her hair up easily fell out of its place and onto the ground. Tsubame looked stunned as she felt her hair settle itself down, brushing against her cheeks.
Yahiko himself looked surprised at this; he was right about what he was thinking last night. "Tsubame?"
Tsubame stood up, saying, "Yahiko..."
The two stared at each other, Yahiko looking serious. "I figured that was you, but I wasn't exactly sure," Yahiko said out of the blue, giving Tsubame a smile.
A smile started to appear on Tsubame's face, as she said, "Really! You knew all along?"
Yahiko gave her a thumb's up. "I know why you're here. And I do think it's time for me to get home, I sorta miss home..."
Tsubame's smile widened.
Yahiko's hand reached out to pat her on the head, and said, "Just keep smiling, okay?"
Tsubame looked up the young swordsman, replying, "Okay."
The two headed back to the mansion.
"What! Leaving already!" Yutaro repeated Yahiko's words. "But we haven't settled our score!"
Yahiko answered, "Sorry, but I really need to go home. Besides, I can't stand this place. I find the atmosphere here disgusting."
As Yahiko and Tsubama made their way to the front door to leave, Yutaro shouted out, "ARGH! You're just a soft-hearted wuss!"
Yahiko turned around, glaring daggers at Yutaro. "What'd you say, rich kid!"
"Would you like me to repeat it?"
"Of course not! Now shutup, you donkey (1), and let us leave!"
The two stuck their tongues out at each other. Finally, Yutaro let Yahiko and Tsubame leave; they made their way to the train station. The two stopped for Tsubame to pay for their tickets. As soon as they were bought, the two boarded the train that would take them back to a home they longed for.
As the two headed back to the others, awaiting their return, Yahiko asked Tsubame, "Why didn't you tell me it was you? I mean, I made you wait all this time just to bring me home. Why'd you come after me?"
Tsubame answered with, "Well, to tell you the truth, I was afraid you might not come back home."
"You know I wouldn't do that. I can't live in that place. I find it disturbing, but that's beside the point. Well, I'm just glad to be going home." Yahiko folded his hands behind his head, and closed his eyes to possibly doze off.
Tsubame smiled, feeling great for accomplishing her own task to bring Yahiko home. Knowing that Yahiko was beside her made her feel better. Now, she could relax with no worries.
(1) Heard of Hell's Kitchen? Well, I heard enough commercials of that hot-tempered chef saying, "SHUTUP, YOU DONKEY!"
A:N: You know what song could go with this story? Where'd You Go by Fort Minor w/ Holly Brook. Mainly, just the part where they sing "Please come back home." Well, that's the end. I know what you're thinking: that was short, but I've decided to write another Rurouni Kenshin fic. It should be up... about now. If you can, come take a look. Well, this one's completed. On to another. I just want to say thanks to all of my friends and other's who have read this story. Thanks! (hands everyone cookies). Pls. R&R. I accept anonymous reviews. Thanks!
