That Night

I had a very interesting day.

This morning, after folding my futon and carefully tucking this diary into my obi, I went downstairs to find the okami. After some searching in the inn, I found her in the kitchen, directing around the maids. She looked tiny and frail, but she barked out orders with as much strength as an ox. Her wrinkled lips puckered into a scowl when she noticed me.

"So you're up," she said. She walked over to me. "I washed your kimono last night, and it's hanging out to dry now. Once it's ready, I'll have to ask you to leave."

"Excuse me?" I asked.

"I don't know what happened between you and Himura-san last night, but I'm not taking any chances," she said. "I can't afford to have my inn's reputation getting sullied by a loose girl."

"Oh," I suddenly understood what she meant. "Ma'am, I'm not a prostitute."

She sniffed. Clearly, she didn't believe me.

"Okami-san, what happened last night?" I asked. "I don't remember coming here. Did that boy I was with…"

She looked at me suspiciously.

"Well, Himura-san came in last night a little after midnight, carrying you. You were passed out. Smelled like drink to me." Despite her scolding face, she sounded like she was enjoying herself. "Oh, he was blushing and sweating and stammering up a storm when I saw you two together!"

She laughed. I waited for the rest of the story.

"Anyway, I washed off the blood from your skin. You're lucky it was only on your face and neck- any lower, and you'd have to do the rest." She said.

Well, that answered the question of how I got clean. At least it wasn't Himura.

"Okami-san, did Himura-san say anything about what happened earlier?" I asked.

"He was stammering something about a fight," she shrugged.

"If he said there was a fight, then why do you think I'm a prostitute?" I asked. "It would explain why I was bloody."

"Oh, I never try to guess what these Choshuu men are doing," she said, but I could tell she was considering what I said. "What do you want anyway?"

"Okami-san, I'd like to repay your kindness. May I work for you?" I bowed as I asked.

She squinted at me. "All right," she said. "But if you can't keep up with a day's work, then you can't stay. And no funny business with any of the customers!"

I changed back into my kimono and worked in the kitchen. As I worked, I reflected on what I learned. So this inn was a Choshuu stronghold. There were more Choshuu men here. And as I worked longer, I learned that its name is the Kohagiya. I wish that I had some way of telling Tatsumi-san, but that might put me in danger.

I turned my thoughts to what Okami told me about last night. It was hard to imagine Battousai blushing or stammering. He was so cold and violent when I saw him during the fight. But then I saw it for myself around mid-morning.

Okami was lifting several trays of breakfast to bring to the men. "Tomoe-san, have you already finished cleaning that pot?" Okami asked me. My hard work had impressed her into liking me already.

I suddenly heard a voice shout out "Okami-san!" There was pounding on the stairs, and moments later, the kitchen door opened. Himura burst in, and nearly collapsed when he saw Okami handing me the trays.

"Here, why don't you take these in for me," she said, oblivious to what just happened. She noticed him and said, "Oh good morning Himura-san. Despite appearances, your girlfriend is a very good worker."

Now she assumed I was his girlfriend? Well, I least I wasn't a prostitute. I was about to correct her, when I realized that it might help me later if she thought so. Himura wore a look of shock on his face. When I left the kitchen, he stumbled after me.

"Uh…" he stuttered, running his fingers through his bangs.

"My name?" I asked. "It's Tomoe."

"Tomoe-san, what are you doing?"

"Can't you tell?"

"Helping in the kitchen?"

"So you did know."

I have to admit, I did enjoy this.

"I need to talk to you," he said as we approached the dining room.

"I'm busy, ask me later," I said, pulling open the door. "Excuse me, I've brought breakfast." I said to the people inside.

It seems like all of the Choshuu Inishin Shishi were waiting on the other side, all with expectant, excited smiles. Behind me, I heard Himura collapse again.

"So this is Himura's girl!" they were shouting. "She's cute!" "An older woman!" "She's just like Himura!"

…Just like last night apparently, only noisier. And awkward. A normal girl would be shy and protest that she's not Himura's girlfriend. But that's not me.

"I'm Tomoe. How nice to meet you."

"Hey! Knock that off!" Himura shrieked next to me.

"Oh, what's wrong, Lover Boy?" one man asked, patting the top of Himura's head.

"Iizuka-san…" Himura growled.

"So, how was it?" Iizuka asked.

Twitching, Himura grabbed his sword, and unsheathed an inch or so with his thumb. Immediately, all the men scurried away from him.

"That was close." Iizuka muttered. "For a minute I forgot he was the Battousai. Just teasing him is taking your life into your hands."

Himura readjusted his sword, blushing.

"What are you all doing here instead of at Headquarters?" he asked. "Security must be tight during Katsura-san's stay."

It was a good speech, and a good attempt at changing the subject. But the effect was ruined a moment later when Iizuka pointed to a man sitting in the front of the room, sipping tea. Himura jumped, reminding me of a panicked cat. Apparently, this man was Katsura-san.

"I had no idea the Choshuu Inshin Shishi were so laid back…" Himura moaned, hiding his face in his hands.

"Affairs of the heart have nothing to do with your ideals," Katsura said.

I paused to look at him, the famous leader of the Choshuu Inshin Shishi. I didn't expect him to be so young, or handsome, or polite. So far, I was getting a lot of surprises.

Once he recovered, Himura looked serious again. He muttered something to Katsura, and then both left the room. I watched them leave, wondering what they were talking about.

There's more to say about today, but I'm exhausted and my hand's cramped. I'll finish tomorrow.

May 12

Today was fairly uneventful. I spent most of my time working again. I managed to get a break this afternoon so I can return to my inn and retrieve the rest of my belongings. I've now moved in with the Choshuu Inshin Shishi in the Kohagiya, whether Himura likes it or not.

Yesterday afternoon, Okami-san finally gave me a break for lunch, when Himura popped into the kitchen.

"Can we talk now?" he asked.

I nodded, and grabbed my tray of food.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"I need to eat," I replied, and walked up the stairs to his room. He followed mutely, although I could sense his frustration. Once we reached his room, I put down my tray and knelt in front of it. Himura sat in the window and watched me eat.

"What is it?" I asked.

"I want you to swear that you will forget what you saw last night and leave," he said.

No such luck for him. I was determined to stay, and wasn't going to let anything he said stop me.

"Am I in your way here?" I asked. "Okami-san likes me."

He started to look nervous. "Your family will worry."

I closed my eyes and thought about Father and Enishi. Yes, they probably are worried. But I can't go home.

"If I had a family to go home to," I said. "I wouldn't be alone and drunk on sake."

Was that pity in his eyes? Could someone like him even feel pity? "I don't know your story, but we're in no position to take care of you."

"Then will you get rid of me like you did to that samurai in black?" I asked.

His eyes hardened, and for a moment I wondered if I'd gone too far.

"You can think whatever you want about me," he said. "But I fight for the new era where everyone can live in peace. I don't kill indiscriminately. My enemies are only those who wield swords for the Shogunate. I will never kill an unarmed civilian, enemy or not."

Suddenly, I wasn't hungry anymore. I was filled with a white-hot rage. How dare he justify his actions? Akira was a mediocre swordsman, and barely deserved to be called a samurai. Battousai claimed that he would never kill a civilian, but Akira was a civilian! He didn't belong in the battlefield!

I was so angry, I wanted to kill him. I wanted to grab his sword from his hand and chop off his head. But I calmed myself down before I did anything stupid. I put down my chopsticks and looked at him.

"Then it all comes down to the sword," I said. My voice betrayed none of my anger. "If I held a sword right now, would you…?" I trailed off. He stared at me with wide, shocked eyes. The room was quiet for a long time. Finally, I grabbed my tray and stood.

"Tell me when you find the answer," I said, and I walked out of the room. He looked like he was still in shock, but as I closed the door, I heard him shriek:

"Wait a minute! Does that mean you're going to stay?"

I didn't answer, but walked down the hallway and back to the kitchen. We both had a lot to think about, Himura and myself.