Heading on my way back to the Kite, which should be opening very soon, I have taken a slow pace through Tokyo.
I imagine the city around me to be like a river in high summer, flowing past me, taking the cold away by virtue of sheer motion. All around me are the sounds and smells of countless people and the lives they hold close.
I note that my hearing is continuing to improve; my ears are healing. It won't be long before they will be what they were, or so I hope.
It has been a very peculiar day.
Pensively strolling, I consider the faces who pushed their way into the winter of my afternoon, and the inevitable question arises.
What am I to do?
Decisions have been made. I have resolved what must be with the old man who calls himself my father, at least... and I realize that now, being the Yukishiro myself, that I have family honor to attend to.
Which before, was only justice for my sister.
'e-chan.
The riddle continues to torment me like frosty needles.
Is that finished? Can it ever be finished?
Not while the monster lives, the whispers come.
The journal in my pocket is more and more a maze, though it is a maze filled with 'e-chan's voice.
With all the echoes now, I cannot understand what she is trying to tell me.
What more must I do for the old man?
Must I treat the murderer as my brother-in-law, even now?

I realize that I have been losing these questions of honor and duty in business, and I decide for the moment to consider something other.

(Enishi is strolling through Tokyo, en route to the Kite, deep in thought. Encounter him at your own risk.)

Oh, it's such a pretty day out! The perfect day to take a walk through the park and follow Jiya's advice!

I take my time as I walk toward my destination--the pond. I like being near water when I meditate. The trees are turning, and the leaves are so beautiful!

There aren't that many people about when I reach the pond, just some ducks swimming lazily by. I watch them for a few minutes before I sit down by the edge of the pond, take off my tabi and socks, and let my feet dangle in the water. The water's a bit chilly, but I don't mind that much.

I just sit there for a few minutes and stare across the pond, trying to clear my mind of all everything that was bothering me earlier today.

A buttery yellow leaf from a horse chestnut tree goes floating by, and I reach out and pluck it from the water, laying it my lap.

Some people when they meditate prefer to clear their minds completely and not think of anything of all. Some people chant the same sound over and over again. Both kinds of meditation can help a person discover who they are inside.

I prefer another kind of meditation. I like to look at something created in nature, cause everything in nature is beautiful. You just can't go wrong when contemplating nature. Nature helps you find the beauty within.

I lay the leaf flat in my palm, still dripping water between my fingers.

I turn it over and over again, studying it. Its texture, its shape, and the warmth of its wonderful yellow color. I let one of my fingers trace along the tiny veins and along the edges.

After a long while, the leaf is dry. I hold it up by its delicate stem and let it blow away in the wind.

I smile.

[coming from here]

I swing the box with one hand, while I hold the book with another, thinking that it must surely be almost lunch time for me, and that I am absolutely HUNGRY. That, and it's obvious that coming this morning was a bad idea. I highly doubt Aoshi and I will have any time to spend together alone, as he had promised.

But I do keep in mind what he said about Misao wanting to see me, and think this will be a good chance to catch up with her before I run off to do my other errands. Of course, I don't think I can keep coming here under the pretense of buying books after today. I didn't see anything I had wanted other than this large volume of collected stories.

"Do you mind if I make the tea?" I turn slightly to Misao. Since I am the one imposing, I don't mind actually making something...

I step out onto the yard, stretching a bit. Misao had not arrived yet. Looking at the almost cloudless sky, breathe in deeply.

I then proceed to do more warmups. It looks like I would have to do a lot of them if I were to be at par with a younger opponent. This old spymaster still has some fight in him left, you'll see.

Misao comes just as I finish the last leg of exercises. I toss my head at her.

"Saa," I drawl, straightening up. "Shall we begin?"

I ran all the way back home.

Only one thought kept going through my mind.

I'll never be able to go back to the dojo. How could I ever face Himura again?

I was near tears by the time I reached the house. I completely avoided the bookstore.

I could never tell Aoshi-sama or Jiya-san what happened.

It would be too embarassing. And Jiya-san would only laugh at me.


I ran straight into my room and locked my door. I sank to my knees and tears began to fall down my cheeks.



I was so stupid, Stupid, STUPID!!!

I bang my fist on the floor helplessly.

Why the hell didn't I knock before I opened that stupid door? If I had, none of this would have happened!

I wasn't thinking at all, that's why! You are the world's stupidest girl, Misao!

I stop banging my fist and scrunch myself up in a ball.


I want to hide in here forever.



(OOC Note: Those in the bookstore may be able to hear her being upset in her room.)

I help Baachan arrange a small vase of flowers for the register counter and stare a little at the bit of parchment on the wall that says, "Serenity in Contemplation: Read."

...

I'd really rather not remember that.

Thank goodness the neighbors have not complained. Or maybe they have, but to themselves. It is entirely possible that they are afraid to come talk to us. It would not be the first time.

There is a sign in our window announcing the store's maiden voyage into consumerism.

This phase of the operation is coming to a close. Now the true test: whether or not this place can hold its own in the cut-throat literary world.


(The Bookstore is now officially open! Feel free to pop in, or walk by, or flirt. ^.^)

I am content to toy with an escaped tendril of Kaoru’s hair as she sleeps.

I have the will to wake her, but not the heart.

She needs her sleep, my new bride – and so may it be for quite some time to come. It is a joy, being married to her and staying with her when before I could only watch over her from afar.

I wonder if I should tell her that Megumi and Aoshi were at our doorway last night? Perhaps not. She might not appreciate their near intrusion. For all her inexperience, my new bride is certainly…enthusiastic. That makes me smile. It was her idea to stay here last night rather than return to our guests, not that I had any objections! She even turned her back on more sake …before turning it on me. That makes me chuckle, but I clamp my hand over my mouth, determined not to wake her up again….at least for a while.

(Kenshin is admiring the beauty of his new bride as she sleeps. Visitors may not be as welcome as they might wish, and the door is still locked. Kaoru "moved" with permission, hehe)

After leaving the dojo, I didn't see Aoshi-sama or Megumi, so I wandered around the grounds a bit until I found myself staring down at the koi pond.

I would like to go home now, but I know that Aoshi-sama would be so angry at me if I went back to the bookstore at this time of night by myself.

I sit down next to the pond, yawning.

I can't tell if there are any koi in the pond right now, it's so dark.

I really am sleepy.

I wonder if Aoshi-sama and Megumi will take a long time to finish their talk?

My thoughts drift as I yawn again. Kaoru looked so beautiful in her wedding clothes.

For a moment, I start to dream of what my wedding clothes will look like.

I close my eyes.

I hope my kimono is blue, I really like blue...



(Misao is nearly asleep by the pond near the back of the property. If you want her, you'll have to find her!)

The Dojo has been cleaned and polished to a shine (by Kenshin!) to greet the guests of the very happy bride and groom. All of their low tables and cushions are set out here so their guests can visit and dine in comfort. The food and beverages are also here. (But the food and drink is nearly gone now!)

Come and Congratulate the Happy Couple!


(Time: 12 - 2 am
2 to 4 am - Unless you live at the Kamiya Dojo, time to call it a night!)

Kenshin, Kaoru, Oibore, Okita, Matsu, Sanosuke, Yahiko,and Eiji have also moved with this thread.

Read the Oct 8 Dojo Wedding Thread here.

Sit and look at the stars, or eat your dinner here if the dojo is crowded. Visit with old friends and make new ones. Laugh, talk, flirt, argue, and steal a kiss under the moon.

(Time: 12 - 2 am
2 to 4 am - Unless you live at the Kamiya Dojo, time to call it a night!)

Aoshi and Misao have also moved with this thread.

Read the Oct 8 Engawa Wedding Thread here.