Looks like "The Reunion" will have three parts. Here is the second installment.
Another Battle for the Wolf – The Reunion Part 2 (Tsutomu's Turn)
Tokio still has that death grip around my middle, but her rather ragged breathing is finally beginning to calm. Raising my head after kissing her hair, I look over her shoulder to the bundle secured to her back. All I can see is a mass of black hair and a bit of movement. I'm thankful that my son decided to take a nap, giving his mother and me a few precious, uninterrupted moments together.
I still have a lot to do here in Yokohama before I can take Tokio and Tsutomu back to Tokyo. Spending time with my family, other than the few hours that remain of this day, will have to wait until we return home. But I am pleased that my wife and son are here with me; their presence will make it easier for me to focus on the work-related tasks that must be completed before we take the train home, not that I ever have trouble focusing, especially when my wife is nearby. Not to mention that I will no longer have to sleep alone.
****
I can feel my son stirring on my back, as my husband allows me to keep myself pressed to him. I finally realize that Hajime is standing between me and the men disembarking from the vessel. I can't even see them. Good thing, too, or I think my face would be beet red with embarrassment. Poor Hajime, to be yoked to a woman who cannot control her emotions, certainly cannot please him. However, he has made no move to unlatch me from his torso. For this I am thankful. He often grants me more latitude than I grant myself. I finally release my grip from his waist, but before I can wipe my eyes with my kimono sleeve a western-style handkerchief appears in Hajime's hand, and he begins to wipe my face. Watching him intently as he concentrates on his task, I manage to smile. He is here and he is safe. That is all that has ever mattered to me. He even seems none the worse for wear after what must have been a very tiring campaign, not that it should surprise me that he looks so good. He returns my gaze a few times as he ministers to my face, giving me a hint of a smile. It is only then that I realize he looks a little thinner than he did when he left.
****
Being one of the sub-commanders, I have paperwork to finish before I return home. However, going home isn't an issue with me, since 'home' in the form of my wife and son came to me. I'm certain that Tokio and I will have quite a satisfying reunion celebration later on this evening, once Tsutomu is settled for the night. Having children does put a crimp in ones plans. Things can no longer be as spontaneous between us as they once were. But that is of no consequence. I'm patient, and the reward when I'm alone with her is more than worth the wait.
"Are you staying at Hashimoto's?" I question her. I really don't need to ask; I know she is; we always do when we come to Yokohama. All I want right now is a bath, some food, and a little time with my family. I don't have to report back to our temporary office here at the pier until tomorrow morning. My troops, or rather my former troops, at least those who are employed by the TMPD, have two weeks off before they have to report back to their respective precinct stations. Some of my subordinates, during this Kyushu campaign, were from my station, but others were from different parts of Tokyo. Having served with men from other areas should make it easier, if I ever need to consult with officers from another part of town than the one I usually patrol. It never hurts to have compatriots in many different locations. Many times it makes life as a police officer easier.
The single men who were under my command will most likely be spending tonight, their first night off duty in five months, drinking and carrying on as troops on furlough are bound to do, just as my comrades and I did during my Shinsengumi days, when I was a single man. All the married ones were planning on taking a train back to Tokyo today. I can't blame them for wanting to get back to their families as soon as possible. I'd be in the same frame of mind if I didn't have such a considerate and resourceful wife.
I finish wiping Tokio's face, tucking the cloth back into my uniform's pocket, before I deftly move behind her and gently lift the bundle from her back. He's much heavier than he was when I left. As soon as I touch him, he responds by going a bit stiff and rubbing his small fists to his eyes, yawning, trying to wake. Eyes the color of mine, blink awake, and widen at the sight of me, giving me that look that babies always have when they are deciding whether to smile or whether to cry. I don't expect him to remember me; he was so young when I left. He's spent half his young life without his father around. That is far too long a time, as far as I'm concerned.
****
Tsutomu begins to wake as Hajime lifts him from the sling. I hold my breath, watching in awe this reunion between father and son, waiting to see how our boy will react. Much to my delight, instead of whimpering in fear as he would when being held by someone he does not recognize, a wide smile breaks out on his face, causing a relieved smile to grace my lips in response. Perhaps Hajime's scent was imprinted on him shortly after his birth, so regardless of the time that has passed since last seeing him, Tsutomu would recognize his father. Whatever the reason, I am both relieved and pleased.
*****
"Well now," I respond to my boy, as he smiles at me. I have a suspicion that there is something about me that he recognizes. He may have been a tiny pup the last time I saw him, but I did spend a fair amount of time carrying him on my shoulder before I left. Nursing babies need burping, and it was something that I could do, since I was incapable of nourishing the child myself. Of course, this is an aspect of my domestic life that remains *very* private, known by only my wife and myself, and it is a piece of information that will stay that way as long as I live. I firmly believe that a father needs to take an active role in raising his sons. Mine is far too young to pick up a shinai, so I need to look for other things that the two of us can do together before the time is right to pursue other, more masculine endeavors.
A man who carries his child might be seen as being soft. However, anyone one who is even remotely acquainted with me would not even dare to entertain that thought. My reputation both precedes me and follows me; it has for more years than I care to count. Respect I have earned and respect I demand. Therefore, I don't relinquish Tsutomu back to Tokio's care. I merely incline my head in the direction I intend to go. I know she will follow.
*****
The butterflies in my stomach have disappeared. My anxious feelings have been replaced by the familiar calmness that comes when a person finally finds what is missing from their life. For me it wasn't 'something' that was missing, it was 'someone', someone, who is also a part of me. Anyone listening in on my thoughts would probably think of me as being draft, but that is the only way I can explain it. Part of me was missing these last five months; now that missing part has returned to make me whole again. It is as simple, and as complicated as that.
I am flooded with warmth as I gaze at the two most important men in my life, who are now eyeing each other. Finally, Hajime nods his head in the direction of the port's office, so I trail along behind as he starts walking across the pier.
*****
Before we leave the docks I stop by the harbor master's office, leaving Tokio waiting outside by the door. I want to let those in charge know that I'll be back in the morning to do the necessary paperwork. I have to admit that I do feel a bit tired, so I'm glad that the book work can wait until another day; it has never been my favorite part of police work.
I still have Tsutomu pressed to my shoulder when I enter the office, and I'm a bit surprised to see one of my men inside speaking with a gray-haired fellow. None of my subordinates have any further responsibilities here in Yokohama, and the puzzled look on my face garners a response from this one.
It seems that his older brother is the harbor master here at the port. Introductions are made and polite greetings given. What a small world it is. When I learn that Tokio was given hospitality by the man, as she waited for my ship to arrive, I give him my thanks for showing her such consideration. I notice that there is a pleased look on the face of my former troop member. Since he was one of the co-conspirators who managed to get me off the ship in one of the first waves of departures, he must feel a smugness that a relative of his was able to help my wife, albeit, unknowingly.
My son raises his head from where it rests to look at the men, only to rebury his face in my shoulder once he realizes he does not recognize the other people in the room. I give an amused chuckle, as there is nothing wrong with a man or boy being cautious about the company he keeps. It is a good first life-lesson.
Truth be told, I feel a twinge of pride as I show off my son to the others. It is not every man whose wife blesses him with a boy as his first child. It is only now, as a father myself, that I can understand how my father must have felt about Hiroaki and me.