At the sound of her mother's voice and clapping hands, Haruhi sat up and wiped the sleep from her eyes. Around her in the unmarried women's dormitory, her sisters and cousins groaned and whined. Haruhi's mother, Kotoko, called out, "Get up. There are a lot of chores to get done today. You know your assignments." She walked around the room, nudging girls with her foot when she didn't think they were moving fast enough.
Haruhi had already rolled up her futon around the bolster and wrapped them in a blanket. Slipping the bundle into her assigned space, Haruhi was surprised to turn around and find her mother waiting with her hands on her hips.
Kotoko admonished, "Haruhi, be prompt, but frugal in the marketing this morning. There was a message from the chaperone last night. Samurai Morinozuka has returned from training and arranged a courtship meeting for late this afternoon." She paused and there was a teasing lilt in Kotoko's voice as she continued, "Be sure to wash your hair and scrub thoroughly. I will lay out the special soaps and a new kimono and obi for when you return from your bargaining." Her mother smiled softly as she relayed the news.
Turning to look at her mother, Haruhi practically danced with joy as she bowed respectfully to Kotoko. Gathering her daily kimono and obi she promptly headed to the women's bathing room to wash and dress. She squealed quietly, not wanting to incur the wrath of her older sisters and cousins.
Akane, Haruhi's twenty-two-year-old sister, pouted, "It's not fair. I'm the oldest. My courtship should have been first." Other cousins and sisters older than Haruhi complained as well.
Kotoko turned and frowned sternly at the group. "Daimyo Haninozuka made the arrangements. Gatekeeper Fujioka humbly accepted, as a loyal subject of the shogunate." Gazing around the room, she fixed each of them with a disapproving look. "You have not had an omiai or betrothal because you have yet to learn your proper place."
The group was cowed and contritely returned to preparing for the day. Some grumbled under their breath and Kotoko make note of those for extra chores and reduced privileges. Seemingly oblivious to the controversy, Haruhi returned from the bathing room and bowed to her mother.
Looking over her daughter carefully, Kotoko found no fault with Haruhi's preparations. "Here is the purse and the list," she said formally. "I trust you will be able to make all the needed purchases with the available funds."
"Of course, Mother," Haruhi replied formally, taking the items offered and tucking the parchment and pouch securely in her obi. She bowed and, pretending to not notice the tension in the air, exited the dormitory. "If I read the atmosphere of the room correctly, Mother will be telling the bargaining story. Maybe this time one of them will understand the lesson. Someone will have to take over the bargaining soon. Takashi…" Haruhi blushed at her bold thoughts about Samurai Morinozuka as she paused outside the dormitory to listen to her mother tell the tale again. "…mentioned during our last courtship meeting that the formal ceremony will be part of the coming celebration."
"Why does she get to have all the fun in the marketplace?" eighteen-year-old cousin Ayame whined. Other girls wanting the seemingly prestigious and glamorous task for themselves joined in as well.
Placing her fists on her hips, Kotoko swept her eyes over the assembled occupants of the unmarried women's dormitory. "We have had this discussion before. Haruhi earned her position. Each of you has been tested, but no one has been able to surpass her talents."
Ayame stomped her foot. "What test?"
"At some point, each of you has accompanied me to the marketplace. You were given money and an item to bargain for," Kotoko explained. "To pass the test, you had to acquire the item at the best possible price. Each of you simply paid what the seller asked rather than negotiating for the best deal."
The girls looked at her in confusion. "Wasn't making the purchase the point?" Ayame asked in confusion.
"The point," Kotoko stated succinctly, "was to get the needed goods at the best possible price. This requires delicate negotiations between the buyer and seller. Done properly, it is a game in which both parties are satisfied in the end."
"But why Haruhi?" pouted fifteen-year-old cousin Maiki, flopping down on the sleeping mat that she had yet to roll up and put away.
Looking around the room, Kotoko noticed that most of the girls were looking at her rather than getting ready as they should. "All right, I will tell you the story of how Haruhi earned the right to do the marketing." She waved for all of them to sit down.
Then she related the story of the trip to the marketplace for apples to make juice and how five-year-old Haruhi convinced the apple seller to sell them apples for a quarter of the price he was asking. She simply observed that several of the apples on top were bruised. Then she explained that people would pick through to find unbruised apples, bruising more in the process. That would leave him with more bruised fruit that would spoil and be worth nothing. She reasoned that by selling them the bruised apples now for a quarter of the price, he would lose less by the end of the day. Haruhi proceeded to sort through the fruit, placing the damaged ones in the shopping basket and setting the good ones in a pleasing display.
"See, she convinced the seller that she was helping him out while at the same time, we were able to purchase all the apples we wanted at one quarter of the price. In the end, we were able to make twice as much juice for half the price." Kotoko looked around to be sure her listeners had understood the point of her story. Seeing the contemplative expressions, she said, "Enough dawdling. There are a lot of chores to get done and you all still need to tidy your sleeping mats and dress for the day."
Giving them one last stern look, she exited the dormitory and headed to the kitchen to continue her own chores. Kotoko smiled as she caught a glimpse of Haruhi heading out the door.
OHSHC
It was still early so most of the temporary merchants in the marketplace were just setting up. Haruhi wandered through the stalls, greeting the vendors and taking note of their offerings. As she had opportunity, she made small notes on the parchment about availability and asking prices of the needed supplies. "Oh my. The plums are early this year, so Mother does not have them on this list. I'll be sure to save enough to buy a fair amount. I know how Father loves the pickled plum onigiri for breakfast."
Since the herbalist's shop was at the far side of the marketplace, Haruhi decided to start there and work her way back towards home. The earthy smells of the herbs, spices, teas, incense, and remedies greeted Haruhi as she entered the shop. This place had always fascinated her with its many treasures. The herbalist greeted the young woman warmly. "I knew I would be seeing you today," the wizened woman cackled. "You always come on market day."
Bowing respectfully, Haruhi replied, "It is such a blessing to visit your shop. My mother treasures your wares."
The proprietor waved Haruhi to a seat at the table where two cups of tea were steeping. "As I said, I knew you were coming. Please join me in a cup of tea."
The two women sat in silence inhaling the delicate fragrance of the tea and savoring its well-blended flavors. After a few moments, the herbalist remarked offhandedly, "The fishing fleet will be returning tomorrow." Though there was no way to accurately predict when the fleet would return, the herbalist had never been wrong when she proclaimed that they would be in on a certain day.
When the older woman made such an announcement, it meant that she wanted someone to purchase something from the catch without actually asking them. Happy to play the game with her companion, Haruhi asked, "Is there anything you would like me to bring you from their catch?"
Welcoming the banter, the wizen woman replied, "I have a yearning for fresh abalone. Maybe one will have a damaged shell that they won't be able to sell because everyone wants an intact shell to use for a dish or decoration."
"I will do my best," Haruhi promised. Then she finished her tea and set her cup in the bin on the sideboard. "Thank you for the tea. Now I must complete my shopping. Mother admonished me not to dawdle because I have a courtship meeting this afternoon."
The herbalist's eyes grew soft and dreamy. "Ah, young love." She began reminiscing about her courtship and the life she had with her husband who had been killed in one of the wars years before Haruhi was born.
While listening to the older woman, Haruhi prowled the shop, locating the ingredients on her mother's list as well as pickling spices for the plums. Contemplating one last item, Haruhi asked, "Is it appropriate to bring a gift to the chaperone to acknowledge the time they have sacrificed?"
A soft smile spread across the old woman's face. "Very few young people consider how necessary the chaperone's work is. Most see her as a nuisance to interfere with their fun." Patting the young woman's hand gently, she continued, "It would be greatly appreciated, as long as it is an appropriate gift."
"I was thinking of getting some honeysuckle nectar. I would give her a small packet as well as add a bit to the tea I make for the meeting." Haruhi waited for approval.
"An excellent choice." The herbalist pulled a jar from under the counter and transferred three large spoonsful to a small, decorated drawstring bag. Laying it on the counter along with Haruhi's other selections, she totaled up the cost. Then the pair began their bargaining game. It didn't take long before they were both satisfied with the price and money changed hands.
While Haruhi was gathering her purchases in a pouch that she placed in her basket, the herbalist took a small wooden box with the shop's crest on the lid from a shelf. "This is salt for purchasing the abalone tomorrow. There should be enough here to also get a couple scallops and a small tuna filet."
Bowing respectfully, Haruhi took the box and tucked it into a corner of her basket to hide and protect it. She was about to open the door when the older woman called out, "Be careful as you leave. The patrons of the tavern next door have already been quite rowdy this morning."
"I will," Haruhi assured her as she slipped out into the morning sunshine once again. She had not taken two steps when she heard coarse laughter.
"So this is what the city has to offer," a young man dressed in soldier's attire slurred lewdly. His companions laughed and egged him on.
Haruhi ignored them, focusing on the nearby stall selling eggs, as well as fresh slaughtered and smoked poultry. Her family kept their own small flock to provide eggs, but they purchased prepared fowl from the poultry vendor.
"Ignore him, girl. Let a real man show you a good time," another man at the tavern called out.
Seething inwardly, Haruhi began her bargaining with the merchant for six ducks and four chickens as the catcalls and obscene offers continued. When the vendor settled for much less than the asking price, Haruhi suspected that he was either subtly compensating her for being subjected to such behavior, or he wanted to her to move on because a more lucrative customer was waiting.
She realized it was the latter when she turned around and the head cook from the castle was waiting impatiently for her to be on her way. She moved aside and bowed respectfully. He gave her a bare nod of acknowledgement before addressing the merchant, though his gaze wandered to the crowd of young men gathered at the tavern.
Haruhi realized that several of the castle guards were among the carousers. As she passed, she kept her eyes down in a show of modesty. Because the street was crowded, she had to pass closer to the tavern fence than she would have liked.
"I wouldn't mind taking that one as spoils when we take over," one of the castle guards slurred drunkenly. "Thinks she's so high-and-mighty because daddy is the gatekeeper."
"Keep your voice down, fool," growled one of the men dressed in a clothing style from a different area. "We need to keep a low profile and wait for the signal. No use giving them advanced warning of an attack."
Waving a dismissive hand, the castle guard muttered, "No one listens to the ravings of a drunk man."
Haruhi continued along at the same pace, pretending to have not heard. "I need to report this to Father as soon as I get home." Once she was well away from the tavern, she hurried to complete her bargaining and take her purchases home.
Knowing that the fishing fleet would be in the following day, Haruhi purchased a smaller quantity of fresh beef and pork than her mother had on the list. Everyone would be clamoring for fresh fish since it was a rare treat. She purchased a little extra salt pork and dried beef, just in case her mother asked, though the herbalist was never wrong.
After stopping to purchase sake, sesame oil, mirin, and soy sauce, Haruhi stepped to the side of the walkway to check her mother's list. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a new shop that had opened in one of the buildings at the perimeter of the marketplace. She decided to check it out before continuing with her shopping.
The modest shop with a sign that read 'Otori Healing Supplies' offered rolled bandages, salves, ointments, and other useful items. Nodding in approval, Haruhi picked up a roll of bandages, a jar of herbal salve, and a bottle of ointment for sore muscles. "Mother will want to examine these. This may be an acceptable alternative when the household is short of supplies and time to make more."
The proprietor drove a hard bargain, and Haruhi nearly left without purchasing anything. He finally relented a little on his prices and she accepted the amount.
Heading back out amongst the stalls, she visited the produce vendor next. In addition to the plums she had decided on earlier, Haruhi needed to purchase cabbage, mushrooms, garlic, celery, ginger, edamame, and limes. The merchant agreed to sell her the bruised plums for a pittance if she would arrange the undamaged fruits in an attractive display. Deftly, Haruhi arranged the produce to entice buyers to purchase them.
Haruhi's final stop was the miller because the flour barrel was nearly empty. While the merchant's assistant brought a fifty-pound bag from the back of the shop, Haruhi pulled a padded harness from her shopping basket, arranging it on the counter. She didn't even pause in her bargaining as she gestured for the man to set the bag on the counter where she had placed the contraption.
He hefted the heavy bag onto the counter and smirked at her. "So, you want me to follow you home." He leaned forward, raking her body with his eyes, chuckling lustfully.
Choosing to ignore him, she focused on the merchant and completed the bargaining. As soon as the flour was paid for, she secured the bag in the harness, slipped the padded straps over her shoulders, and secured the tump-line across her forehead.
Looking at the assistant smugly, Haruhi commented off-handedly, "This is easier than toting my cousins around. Flour doesn't wiggle." She bowed respectfully to the merchant and left the shop.
Despite the heavy basket and flour bag, Haruhi went straight to the gatehouse to talk to her father. When she entered, her oldest brother, Yukihide was on duty. "Where is Father?" she asked.
Looking at her condescendingly, Yukihide sneered, "Shouldn't you be in the kitchen helping Mother prepare the meal?" He turned away to ignore her when their father entered through the castle garden access gate.
Smiling at his middle daughter, Ryoji waved his youngest son, Ujitake to desk in the side office with his burden of message scrolls. He turned to his oldest son. "Yukihide, please help your brother get the messages ready for the messengers. They will be here within the hour."
Focusing on Haruhi and noticing the burden she still carried, Ryoji asked, "What brings you here before the kitchen?"
She bowed respectfully. "Information that cannot wait." Before she could continue, there was a knock on the gate.
Ryoji opened the portal, bowed deeply, and backed away as the visitors entered. "Welcome, Daimyo Haninozuka. Samurai Morinozuka."
Daimyo Haninozuka nodded in acceptance of the respect afforded by the gatekeeper. "Greetings, Gatekeeper Fujioka. I have business with the Shogun."
Ryoji was about to open the inner gate for them when Haruhi stepped forward and bowed deeply, despite her burdens. "I beg an audience," she murmured.
Before her father could reprimand her for her audacity, Samurai Morinozuka stepped forward and raised her head with a finger under her chin. "Why?"
Haruhi looked to the daimyo for permission before speaking. He nodded, though his expression was stern.
"At the tavern near the herbalist's shop on the far side of the marketplace, I overheard a number of men talking about plans of an attack on the castle. I recognized three of the men as castle guards, Oyama-san and Ochi-san assigned to the small wharf-side gate and Nakajima-san of the throne room. The style of their companions' clothing was unfamiliar to me." She bowed again, waiting for the men to absorb the information she had delivered.
Daimyo Haninozuka tapped her shoulder to grant her permission to stand up. "This is a serious accusation, but I know you have nothing to gain. I will investigate the matter as soon as I report it to the shogun." He gestured to his companion. "As thanks for her information, please help the young lady deliver her goods." He smirked and waggled his eyebrows at the samurai, who nodded stoically.
With one hand, the samurai lifted the bag of flour from the harness and draped it over his shoulder. Then he grasped the handle of the basket next to Haruhi's hand and started walking in the direction of the kitchen. The daimyo, the gatekeeper, and the two brothers watched the pair walk away.
Haruhi kept her eyes demurely on the ground as they crossed the courtyard to the kitchen. From time to time, she would glance up from the corner of her eye to find him watching her with sensual grey eyes. She blushed lightly at his attention.
When they entered the kitchen, the aunt in charge, Mare, sniped, "Finally! Dawdling will not be…" She stopped abruptly and bowed as soon as she noticed the man accompanying her niece. She backed up against the wall to allow room for the couple to reach the table to set down the basket.
Since the storeroom door was already open for meal preparations, Haruhi motioned for the samurai to follow her. The aunt's eyes narrowed in suspicion as the couple headed toward the secluded corner where the flour barrel was located.
Taking the long-handled wooden scoop laying on top of the barrel, Haruhi adeptly knocked the peg loose from the latch and opened the lid. Waving the large man closer, she expertly released the stitches on the end of the bag and held the opening over the barrel to minimize spillage.
When the bag was nearly empty, Haruhi took hold of the two corners opposite the opening and shook it gently to release the last of the flour. As she folded the bag to set by the door on their way out, a small amount of flour left a streak on her cheek.
Tucking the bag under her arm, Haruhi replaced the peg in the latch and tapped it into place with the scoop before returning the scoop to its place on top of the barrel.
As Haruhi turned to exit the storeroom, the samurai stepped between her and the doorway. Bending down to look her in the eye, he reached forward and used a bent knuckle to wipe the streak of flour from her cheek. His eyes were stormy with desire as he brushed his thumb across her bottom lip. At her sharp intake of breath, he leaned closer and whispered in her ear, "I'm looking forward to our meeting later."
Before he could say or do anything more, Aunt Mare cleared her throat loudly. She stood in the doorway with her arms crossed and a disapproving look on her face. "Haruhi, put away the rest of the marketing. We need the space for meal preparations."
With one last caress, the young man allowed the blushing young woman to lead him out of the storeroom. As she returned to the basket left on the table, he exited the kitchen to rejoin his daimyo, she supposed.
Haruhi's movements were not as fluid as usual because Aunt Mare was glaring at her. "She had hoped her daughter would be chosen for the association agreement. I know she resents the 'privileges' I've been afforded, but I have worked hard and honed my skills." Her thoughts were interrupted when Kotoko entered the kitchen.
Aunt Mare harumphed at her younger sister. "Your daughter dawdled in the marketplace and then was dallying with her lover in the storeroom."
Haruhi clenched her jaw to keep from lashing out at her aunt's accusations. Kotoko was not so restrained as she addressed her oldest sister. Coldly she stated, "You are welcome to return to our parents' farm in the country. This is my household, not yours." Kotoko began walking around the kitchen, checking in at each station to be sure the meal preparations were nearly complete.
Once Kotoko had checked on everyone else, she turned her attention to Haruhi who was waiting at the table with all the items that had been deviations from the shopping list. Haruhi reported on the early plums, the fishing fleet, and the new medicinal shop, but Kotoko could tell there was something more that her daughter needed to tell her.
Frowning slightly, Kotoka said, "Let's step into my office to discuss your aunt's accusations." Obediently, Haruhi followed her down the hall and into the small room.
"It wasn't like that," Haruhi started to explain.
Kotoko waved her daughter to the chair opposite her desk with a teasing smile. "I had to make the kitchen gossips think you were going to be scolded for your behavior. Otherwise, they would start wild speculations that could cause problems." She paused to give Haruhi a moment to absorb that before she continued, "I sensed that you had more to tell about the market, but did not want to reveal around the pitchers with big ears."
Haruhi smothered a laugh at the imagery that came to mind from her mother's comment. Then she sobered. "I overheard an attack plot and wanted to report it to Father as soon as I returned. Daimyo Haninozuka and Samurai Morinozuka arrived just before I began relaying the information."
Her mother nodded for her to continue, so she explained what she had heard and who was talking. Then Haruhi blushed as she related how the daimyo prompted the samurai to help her deliver the marketing to the kitchen. She admitted that they had gotten a little…familiar in the storeroom and Aunt Mare saw them.
Kotoko snorted a laugh. "Mare seems to have forgotten how many times she and her intended were caught in compromising positions…before the formal betrothal announcement."
Haruhi's eyebrows shot up as she realized how…wanton her strait-laced aunt had been when she was younger. "That makes me see her in a whole new light. No wonder she can be so prickly. Losing her husband must have been devastating."
"That's very understanding of you." Kotoko sat quietly for several minutes with a look of deep concentration on her face. Finally, she spoke again. "Given what you heard about a potential impending attack on the castle, I believe I will talk to your father about send most of the younger members of the household to his brother's farm on the outskirts of town. We can use the early plums as an excuse for sending them to the farm two weeks ahead of schedule."
Haruhi was about to ask a question when there was a knock on the office door. Kotoko gestured for Haruhi to open it. As soon as she did, Ryoji slipped inside and said, "Good. You're both here." Then he closed the door, locked it, and leaned against it.
Without preamble, he stated, "We need to get the younger members of the household away from the castle without raising an alarm."
Kotoko stood up from behind her desk and joined her husband near the door. "We were just discussing that very matter. I was planning to announce over the meal that harvest appears to be coming early this year so your brother will be needing hands to harvest the crops sooner than usual."
Wrapping his arms around his wife, Ryoji kissed the top of her head. "What did I ever do to deserve a gem like you?" he whispered into her hair.
Haruhi cleared her throat to get their attention. They looked at her expectantly. "Should I cancel the courtship meeting today?" she asked quietly.
"No," her father stated emphatically. "It would be better for you to carry on as if nothing is amiss. In fact, Daimyo Haninozuka is investigating the situation right now. He said he would pass information to me through your meeting."
Kotoko pondered for a moment and then suggested, "Haruhi, you go straight to the bathing room to begin your preparations for your meeting. I will bring your meal to you. Then your father will announce that the harvesting crew will be leaving after the meal. Since you won't be there for the announcement, no one should question your presence after your meeting."
The trio spent a few more minutes discussing logistics and contingency plans before Haruhi headed to the bathing rooms, though she paused for a few minutes to listen to the interplay between her parents.
Ryoji wrapped his arms around his wife. "I am so proud of our daughter. She has such a good head on her shoulders."
Leaning into her husband's embrace, Kotoko replied, "I hope Samurai Morinozuka recognizes the treasure he is receiving."
Kissing her ear, Ryoji whispered, "I saw how he looked at her when she reported the incident. He is besotted with her." Stepping back, he reached for her hand and led her down the hallway to the dining room where the rest of the household should be waiting for them so the meal could begin.
Before they entered, Kotoko warned Ryoji that Mare might kick up a fuss about something that happened with Haruhi in the storage room. "Oh, really?" he asked with a grin.
"I hope Takashi and I will have that kind of relationship," Haruhi wished as she continued on her way to the bathing rooms.
OHSHC
Haruhi entered the chaperone's parlor and bowed respectfully. "I bring a gift as appreciation for the time and effort you have expended on my behalf."
The elderly woman chuckled softly. "Not many young people these days realize how important the chaperone is in courtship. It is gratifying that you do."
Offering the small drawstring bag in her open palms with her head bowed, Haruhi waited for the chaperone's approval. "Essence of honeysuckle. How delightful. Such a delicate sweetener for tea."
While the elderly woman stored the gift, Haruhi gathered the utensils and supplies to perform the tea ceremony to begin the courtship meeting. Next to the jar of green tea, she laid a paper packet containing a small amount of honeysuckle essence to add to their tea.
The water was heated to just the right temperature by the time Samurai Morinozuka arrived. As soon as they finished their tea, the chaperone stood up and declared, "I shall be just behind the screen, as I believe that you no longer need such close watching." She smiled fondly at them as she turned away. The young couple stood and bowed respectfully.
Turning to Takashi, Haruhi dipped her head demurely and considered the young man in front of her from under her eyelashes. His lips quirked slightly as he observed her posture. "Haruhi-koi," he breathed in a reverent whisper. Lifting her chin with a finger, Takashi looked deeply into Haruhi's eyes.
Haruhi trembled in anticipation of what the semi-privacy would afford them. She was drawn to the desire showing in his steel-grey eyes as she subconsciously leaned toward him, hungry for his touch.
Takashi's fingers gently caressed along her jawline and down her neck to tease at the collar of her kimono. His expression was mischievous as he pulled the fabric loose to run his fingers over her collarbone and slightly downward. With a noticeable intake of breath, Haruhi's eyes fluttered as she trembled in anticipation.
Chuckling huskily, Takashi took her hand and led her to the cushions near the tea table. He arranged them to his satisfaction before sitting down cross-legged. Putting his right hand on her waist and pulling gently on her left hand with his left, Takashi settled Haruhi on his right thigh. Her eyes widened at his bold move, especially since she could feel his body's reaction to her proximity.
Holding her gaze, Takashi loosened his kimono slightly so he could slip her right hand inside, placing it over his heart. When Haruhi's breath hitched at the warmth of his bare skin, he tilted his head back slightly to maintain control of his growing desire. As her fingers began to delicately explore his muscled chest, Takashi sucked in several deep breaths as he fought his carnal urges.
"It's my own fault," Takashi thought to himself as he relaxed to simply enjoyed the attention from his betrothed. "If I had just taken her home as my wife as soon as Mitsukuni had made the arrangements with Gatekeeper Fujioka, like Samurai Takeuchi did with Haruhi's cousin Aoi who was talented with the used of herbs for seasoning and healing."
Haruhi snuggled against Takashi's shoulder, settled her right hand over his heart and carded the fingers of her left hand through his hair. She felt so loved and protected here in his arms. She sighed in contentment before turning her head to softly run her lips along his collarbone.
Contemplating the petite woman in his lap, he realized that courtship was the right thing to do. "If I had just taken her, it would have deprived her of choice in the matter. This way, we have been able to get to know one another and affection has grown. This is a much more satisfying outcome, by my way of thinking."
Takashi's attention was drawn back to the young woman when she shifted from sitting on his right thigh to straddling his lap. Haruhi could feel the tremors of pleasure that rippled through him as her change in position brushed against his groin. Grabbing her hips, he held her steady and pulled her closer, swallowing a groan of delight.
Haruhi sat back a little and loosened the top of her kimono. Takashi raised an eyebrow at his betrothed as she took his right hand and placed it on her heart, holding it there with both of hers. Softly she whispered, "I am yours, body and soul." He leaned down and captured her lips with his, kissing her passionately.
Releasing his hand, Haruhi slid her hands up Takashi's chest and around his neck, while also tilting her head to deepen the kiss. His right hand shifted over to cup her breast while his left hand found her calf and followed her leg up under the kimono, coming to rest on her thigh.
The couple was enjoying the building pleasure when they heard rustling from behind the screen where the chaperone was waiting. Pulling back to gaze into each other's eyes, they took several deep breaths before moving apart and straightening their clothing. By the time the chaperone emerged, they were sitting docilely on the cushions, smiling innocently.
The chaperone huffed in amusement before announcing, "This was the last meeting. I wish you both the best with your life together." The pair rose and bowed deeply before exiting the house.
Haruhi could almost imagine the elderly lady shaking her head, smiling, and thinking, "Young people think they are so good at hiding things from their elders. Ah, young love."
OHSHC
The streets were bustling as Haruhi headed to her uncle's farm on the outskirts of town. When she had returned home from her courtship meeting the previous afternoon, her parents informed her that she would leave the next morning, rather than that evening. They didn't want anyone to think there was an urgent need for her to get out of town.
Carrying a small bundle, she tried to walk at a sedate pace because hurrying would imply urgency and draw unwanted attention. Though it added considerably to the distance she had to travel, she took a path well away from the herbalist's shop because it was near the tavern where she had overheard the conspirators. If they saw her heading out of town, they might surmise that she had reported them.
Nearing her uncle's farm, Haruhi was overcome with an oppressive feeling of foreboding. There was nothing she could put her finger on, but something was off. She was nearly to her uncle's farm when she realized that the voices she heard were not teasing and boisterous, but terrorizing and fearful.
Ducking into the hedgerow that divided the fields from the lane, Haruhi crept carefully toward the farm. She clapped both hands over her mouth as she got her first glimpse of the carnage in the farmyard. A strange man lay on the ground with the bamboo winnowing fork underneath him, two of the tines protruding from his back. Nearby were several of her cousins were crumple in heaps, bleeding from various wounds.
Her attention was drawn to the house where two men were dragging her uncle's body out and dumped it beside the door. Haruhi heard her aunt scream in defiance and pain before it was cut off with a gurgle. The sight was turning Haruhi's stomach and she had to close her eyes and breathe rapidly through her nose to suppress the urge to throw up.
Five men gathered near the barn and looked around. The apparent leader toed several corpses before growling in frustration. "Let's go," he barked. "We were supposed to be at the castle by now and in greater number." His face was a mask of rage as he kicked one of the bodies. "These just had to think with their libidos, rather than their heads. Death serves the selfish pigs right." He turned on his heel and headed toward town, the other four following him silently.
Haruhi waited trembling in the hedgerow, horrified of what she had seen and heard. Finally, she crept forward to survey the full extent of the carnage. Her extended family had fought valiantly with the farm implements; slashing, jabbing, impaling, and bludgeoning their attackers, but to no avail.
Steeling herself, Haruhi made a quick passage through the carnage to see if there was anyone who had survived. They were all dead. She found among them four dead strangers. A dark, broken part of her wanted to pick up one of the farm implements and desecrate their corpses in retaliation for what they had done.
Her need to protect the remainder of her family won out and she hurried to the stable and rooted through the feed bin, locating the outfit hidden there. "I'm glad cousin Aoi still keeps a stable boy's outfit hidden here as a quick disguise." She pulled out the bundle and ducked into the horse stall to change. After removing her betrothal token from her obi, she unwound it and slipped out of her kimono.
Pulling on the loose pants and shirt, she wrapped a cloth belt around her waist and tucked the token securely into it. Then she strapped on the sandals and headed back to town at a fast lope, straight for the gatehouse.
Just past the herbalist's shop, Haruhi slowed to a walk, her hand pressed to her side as she fought to catch her breath. She pushed herself to pick up the pace until she reached a narrow street that was littered with bodies. Seeing the figure standing against the wall opposite her, she lurched toward him only to drop to her knees in horror.
Takashi's eyes were open, but he was definitely dead. Braced against the wall, he was held upright by an arrow through his neck. It was obvious that he had fought valiantly because there were more than a dozen bodies piled around.
Haruhi dragged herself to her feet and forced herself to approach the body of her betrothed. "Oh, Takashi-koi, what will I do without you?" she whimpered as she reached up to close his eyes. Taking a deep breath, she reached into the folds of his obi and pulled out his half of the betrothal token. Fitting the two pieces together, she held them over her heart, and closed her eyes.
Resolve straightened Haruhi's spine as she tore a strip from the sleeve of Takashi's kimono. Tying the two tokens securely in the piece of fabric, she then used the fabric to tie up her hair. Next, she gently pried his katana from his right hand, wiping it on the sleeve of the closest enemy corpse before sheathing it in its saya. Finally, she eased the wakizushi from his left hand, cleaned, and sheathed it as well.
Clasping the two swords to her chest, Haruhi let out heart-wrenching sobs as she mourned her losses. She was interrupted by the sound of someone approaching. She turned to see…