Disclaimer: Neither Rurouni Kenshin nor its characters belongs to me. Sigh.
Dear Readers, I apologize for the delay. If you visited my profile page, you'll see why it's taken so long to get another chapter out – my aunt had a mild heart attack, and we've discovered that she has a small tumor pressing on her spinal cord at the base of her neck. It's been a crazy time. I'll try to update more frequently, but please understand, this won't take precedence over family matters.
Also, when I was finally ready to upload, was not cooperating with me for like, 4 days. Gah! But now, it's uploaded~
You know, feel free to review. Not to flame, of course, because that is highly unnecessary, but you know, feedback is nice….especially because I have a question: what do you think – should I bring Kenshin round to make things more difficult? Who wants a love triangle??
Notes:
- Sooo, I did some more research and discovered that Fukiage was often considered an intermediate rest stop, so normal travelers were generally not allowed to stay overnight. Um, Aoshi is part of the Oniwabanshuu, so I'm going to pretend that it gives them special privileges.
- Here I will use "Karuizawa", but it changed a little after the Meiji period from "Karuisawa" to "Karuizawa" to make it easier for foreigners to pronounce it. It became a popular location for Western missionaries during the Meiji period.
- It seems that different sites have differing details about towns and such, so I'm using my writer's liberties to make it work for my story. Some of the details may not be totally accurate (as in, being off by a few years.)
- Thoughts are in italics.
Terms:
omamori - protective and/or good luck charms. You can purchase them at shrines
Honjin – usually the largest building in the post-town, often located in the center, and generally designated as the inn for daimyo and other travelers of high rank to stop for a rest or stay the night.
Waki-honjin – lodging for second-ranking travelers (highest ranking stayed at the honjin.)
Again, sorry for delay and I hope you enjoy the chapter! PS - Ireuploaded it because I saw some mistakes. Boo for me. _;
- Neomiko
Chapter 5
Their carriage entered Fukiage just as the sun was starting to sink towards the horizon. Aoshi and Kaoru navigated their way to the lone waki-honjin close to the center of the tiny town. Fukiage was so small and quiet, surrounding by open space.
"There isn't much here," Aoshi stated. "Normal travelers are generally not allowed to stay overnight here."
"Well, why don't we just go to the next town?" Kaoru asked.
"It's too dark to continue." Aoshi quirked an eyebrow at her. "Besides, we are not normal travelers."
They were served a modest meal. Considering that Kaoru hardly ever ate out, especially not at places other than the Akabeko, even such a simple meal was a treat for her. After sharing a quiet dinner, they both agreed that it would be best to get some rest. Aoshi wanted to get an early start to the next day.
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The next morning they were off, bright and early. It was a relatively short trip to Fukaya, their first planned stop, during which Kaoru could see the stone guardians at intervals along wide stretches of farmland. The weather was cooperating nicely, and it was not too hot as they rolled into Fukaya. They got out of the carriage to stretch their legs.
Aoshi, seemingly fairly familiar with the area, led Kaoru to a particular farmhouse. Mildly puzzled but trusting, Kaoru followed Aoshi wordlessly. He went up to the front door, knocked briskly on the frame. An elderly couple answered the door. The old man squinted at Aoshi, who bowed politely. Kaoru followed suit. The old woman broke out in a wide smile. They shuffled out of the door, gesturing for Aoshi and Kaoru to follow. They walked around the side of the house, back to another structure that looked like a big barn surrounded by what seemed to be mulberry trees.
Inside the large structure, to one side, were rows and rows of basket-like woven twigs and branches, filled with the bodies of some sort of insect. Kaoru peered at them, but didn't want to get too close. Were those things wriggling? Wordlessly, she inched closer to Aoshi. Towards the center were several large tubs, and to the other side of that, were some more bins and some looms. Where are we?
As if he was reading her mind, Aoshi began to explain about where they were: a silk farm. This elderly couple raised their own silkworms, harvested the silk and processed it themselves. Fascinated, Kaoru listened raptly as Aoshi explained the steps: First, the silk moths lay eggs. When the eggs hatch, the silkworm larvae (caterpillars) are fed mulberry leaves. After some time, the caterpillars are ready to spin their silken cocoons, which is why there are rows of twigs set up near them. It is a very delicate process to remove the silken filaments from the cocoon – usually, the cocoons are placed in hot water, loosening the adhesive holding the filament in place and also killing the larvae. Some larvae are left alone to become moths. Combine the silken filaments, or threads, to form the yarn, or raw silk, from which clothes and other goods can be made.
The old woman approached Kaoru with a small bundle. She smiled and put it in Kaoru's hands. Confused, Kaoru accepted the package.
"Thank you very much for….uh…this gift, but I couldn't possibly…"
"Kamiya, it's already been paid for. Just accept it graciously." Aoshi interjected.
The old woman nodded, patting Aoshi on the arm. Flustered, Kaoru bowed in thanks and clutched the package to her chest. She would open it later, in the carriage.
Aoshi and Kaoru returned to the carriage to continue on their journey. Aoshi told her the story of Honjo – legend has it in the late 1700s a businessman tried to raise funds to build a bridge over the river to increase traffic by his business. Unfortunately, there was not enough money to complete the bridge, so it only went halfway over the river. A boat ferried passengers the rest of the way.
They stopped for lunch and a brief rest in Kuragano, a popular port for trader ships on the Karasu River.
When they set out for lunch, Kaoru had kept the package in her hands. It now sat in her lap, as it had for the duration of their meal. Aoshi gestured towards it with one hand while the other held a teacup.
"Well, Kamiya, are you going to open your package? You've been hugging it like a pillow this whole time." Aoshi teased.
"Oh! I got so caught up listening to your stories in the carriage that I completely forgot I was holding it! I never knew so many stories about cities so close to my home. It made me feel like a kid again, learning local legends." Kaoru smiled. "Well, let's see what you got me."
"Who says I was the one who purchased it for you? Perhaps Misao had it commissioned and we simply had to pick it up."
Kaoru's smile faltered, a blush heating her cheeks. Her fingers traced the edges of the wrapping. "Oh, you are right. I didn't even think of that. I just assumed...I'm sorry."
"Don't be, Kamiya. I am, in fact, teasing you. I did get that for you. While Misao sent me to escort you back to Kyoto, she does not know every stop we are taking. Now go ahead, open it up."
If Kaoru didn't know better she would think that Aoshi was nervous about what she thought of his gift. In fact, he seemed to be mildly flirting with her, if that was possible. Shaking her head slightly, to which Aoshi simply raised an eyebrow, she unwrapped the simple packaging of her gift. Inside lay a beautiful dark blue handkerchief, woven of the finest silk she had ever felt. The joy on her face had Aoshi relaxing muscles he didn't even know he had been tensing. She likes it.
"Oh my goodness! It's so beautiful! I've never felt something so fine before!"
"It is woven from the silk made at the silk farm we were at. That farm is one of the most renowned in the region for producing the most excellent quality silks."
Kaoru fingered the kerchief admiringly. "It's so lovely, Shinomori-san, but I couldn't possibly accept it. I bet it was very expensive."
"Nonsense, Kamiya. You deserve something special every now and then. It is a gift, and I would be insulted if you refused it."
Mortified, Kaoru exclaimed, "Oh no! I never meant to insult you! It's just that I'm sure this cost quite a bit of money and..." she squinted at Aoshi. "You're teasing me again, aren't you."
Aoshi allowed a rare, small smile to show. "Yes, I am."
"Argh! Yes, I accept your gift. It's beautiful. Thank you very much." Kaoru groused, thoroughly embarrassed.
At the petulant delivery of her thanks, Aoshi laughed. Kaoru was stunned. Had she ever heard the man laugh before? Was it even possible? He has a wonderful laugh...even though he's laughing AT me. He seems so different when he laughs. Embarrassed by her thoughts, she smiled at Aoshi. They finished lunch quietly.
The next part of the trip would be more difficult, so they wanted to have plenty of time to complete it. From Sakamoto to Annaka, the path was very steep and narrow for about 9 miles, forcing the two to ride on horseback. The carriage would rendezvous with them at Karuizawa, their stop for the night. Leading up to Annaka, stone statues of the Batou Kan'non, the horsehead gods, and cedar trees, lined the road. Kaoru had never seen such imposing statues so closely before, and there, just sitting along the wayside and not even in any kind of shrine or temple.
At the foot of Mt. Miyogi, they had to wait a while to get through the Usui Barrier Station. It was one of the four major checkpoints along the Nakasendou. Here is also where they separated from the carriage, each taking a horse. Kaoru had never ridden horseback solo for a long period of time, so she was mildly worried about it. However, she was sure Aoshi would let nothing happen to her, and they would just proceed slowly.
Continuing through the mountain passes on horseback, leaving behind the Kanto Plain, before coming down on the other side, they stopped at the Kumano Shrine. Here the woods and the mountainside views were breathtaking. They stopped at one of the many teahouses surrounding the shrine to rest the horses and refresh themselves. Nearby was a viewing platform, where travelers could look upon Mt. Asama to the northwest or Mt. Miyogi (which they just traversed) to the south. Kaoru had never seen such majestic vistas before. She was speechless.
"We can stay here for a while, Kamiya. After this is a sharp descent, but then we will be in Karuizawa." Aoshi said.
Kaoru smiled happily. "Great! This place is so amazing!"
"I will be in the shrine for a little while. You are welcome to join me." Aoshi offered. "It is a rather popular shrine, since this area sits on the boundary between Nagano and Gunma. A great number of travelers come this way."
Kaoru assessed Aoshi for a long moment. Finally, she said, "I think I would like to see the shrine; I'd like to be able to describe it to the others. Maybe I'll even get them some o-mamori."
"Very well, let's go."
Together, they walked over to the shrine for some time to meditate… at least, for Aoshi to meditate and for Kaoru to wonder how she was going to sit still for half an hour. This turned out to be an easy endeavor – she ended up falling asleep next to Aoshi. Kaoru was not used to riding a horse, and the effort to stay upright while navigating the narrow, steep path had taken more of a toll on her than she had realized. She awoke to a gentle nudge, utterly embarrassed to find that she had leaned against Aoshi while she slept.
"Come, Kamiya. The sun is falling behind the mountains."
Kaoru struggled to her feet, her legs tingling. "You mean it's already sunset??"
"No. We are up on a mountainside. The sun is simply going behind the peaks – the sun won't actually set for another few hours yet."
Indeed, the sunlight took on that lovely golden quality it pours out in the late afternoon. They stopped again at the viewing platform. The buttery sunlight leant the peaks and trees a magical, unreal feeling, as if they had stumbled upon a quiet natural heaven. Although Kaoru didn't want to leave, wanting to enjoy the amazing beauty surrounding her and Aoshi, she knew that they ought to get going. Impulsively, she turned to Aoshi and gave him a brief, grateful hug for showing all of this to her. So much she had never seen and appreciated, all within her own country! Aoshi, somewhat startled by the sudden display of affection, loosely wrapped his arms around Kaoru, patting her back with one hand with what he hoped was in a comforting manner. With a sigh, Kaoru turned her face up to Aoshi, gave him a bright smile, let him go and left the platform. Aoshi watched her a moment before following. They collected their horses and began the journey down the side of the mountain to Karuizawa. Kaoru needed a little help getting back onto her horse because of her numb legs, but Aoshi wisely did not comment. Amusingly, once they were clear of the mountain, Kaoru realized there were easily still a couple of hours worth of daylight. She hit her forehand with one palm. I was in such a hurry I forgot some souvenirs! Oh, well.
Upon arriving in Karuizawa, Kaoru was surprised to find a huge, bustling hub of activity surrounded by thick, fantastic woods. It was like a magical little place nestled right in the side of the mountain. They went to one of the waki-honjin first to meet up with their carriage and drop off their horses. Aoshi checked them in, but once their belongings were secured, they opted to immediately go out to investigate the little stop while there was still daylight left. As they wandered down the main road, Kaoru couldn't help but to compare these vendors with the ones back home. There were food stalls, markets, and localized goods. Even though I'm already so far away, some things stay the same, no matter where they are. Kaoru had a good time browsing, sometimes pointing things out to Aoshi and receiving a nod or small murmur of acknowledgment. She made it a point to find something to bring back to Yahiko and Tae. She decided it would definitely be some kind of preserved food so that they could get a taste of other areas of Japan.
At first, Kaoru did not notice the growing shadows of the buildings in the streets, so caught up was she in discovering new things. But when lamplighters started making their way out, bringing illumination to the darkening town, she realized it was close to dinnertime. She turned to Aoshi, who stayed a step behind her for most of the afternoon, about to ask about dinner when, to her chagrin, her stomach announced its hunger. Aoshi barely suppressed a smile. He had observed the growing dark, and had kept an eye out for a potential restaurant for dinner. If Kaoru's tummy-rumbles were any indication, it was a good thing he had done so. There was a nearby noodle house, and Karuizawa was famous for its soba, so they decided to go there for dinner. Thanks to the Shogun, throughout the town were meshimori-onna – women employed to serve food to travelers. It was a very new experience for Kaoru, but she enjoyed it nonetheless.
Aoshi told Kaoru stories of Karuizawa – how the town is growing quite popular with Western missionaries, and the area's name changed from "Karuisawa" to the modern "Karuizawa," which is easier for foreigners to pronounce. Also because of the large number of foreigners here, many western-styled structures were built in order to appear modern and appealing. There were waterfalls and hot springs nearby. When there was severe weather, it was impossible for people or animals to cross the Usui pass. Karuizawa, along with neighboring Kutsukake and Oiwake, was one of the Sengenmi Shuku ("three shallow passes"). Travelers could stay in any one of these three towns to wait for better traveling conditions over the mountains. Aoshi also told stories about other aspects of the Nakasendou, like the usage of hime kaido - minor routes that created detours around the difficult crossings (or river crossings) of main routes.
Thoroughly entertained, Kaoru nonetheless was starting to have difficulty staying awake. Taking that as his cue, Aoshi paid for dinner and escorted Kaoru back to their waki-honjin, completely ready for a good night's rest.
To Be Continued…