Shit. The Chou is standin’ here in front o’ Sekihara-san’s house, wishin’ he’da had hisself at least one more freakin’ hour! I got all the right ‘gredients ta make Sekihara-san the nicest damn down home Osaka dinner you’d ever wanna see like. Not that I had time ta make the freakin’ meal after poor Sou-chan had his freakin’ meltdown right out on the freakin’ street.

( The Perfect Dinner: Sushi, Sake and Sex )

The Chou goes through the freakin’ gate right ‘bout seven. Here’s hopin’ Sekihara-san is ready for a nice dinner at the Chou’s!

Before long the three of us make our way through the busy streets, finally arriving at my house. For a woman living alone it's a tad large, but I love it all the same...for the storage space and training space.

Safely inside and with the gate securely locked, I turn to my two companions.

"Now then, ladies, if you'll follow me, I'll show you my collection."

After leaving Shura, I head to the only place I know that can help her… the Gensai Clinic. However, once I reach the gates, the quite stillness lets me know that there is no one there and I wonder if maybe, just maybe I really can come back to this place. Being a doctor was something that—never mind, such frivolous thoughts would get me killed.

If Gensai-sensei and Megumi-san were not here, then there should be someone nearby that can help right? But who is someone that Shura trusts? I do not know her well enough to even know what her problems are and if I left a note here, would those chasing her find her easier?

Ugh… I’m going to have to leap the gate. How bothersome…

I walk around the clinic so the neighbors do not think that someone odd (me) is trying to break into the building, even though that was exactly what I was doing. Still it would give the good doctors a bad reputation if something shady were happening around this place, so I have to be extra careful in my entrance.

I choose a spot where there were less chances of me being seen and quickly scale the wall into the yard of the clinic. I rush towards the kitchen, where my original note still lay untouched, and left another note to be found.

I ran into a woman named, Shura, who was injured. I fixed her up as best as I could with my limited supplies, but left her in a secluded cabin off the river, not far from here. It seems that she is in some sort of trouble, so I did not wish to bring her here and have her troubles come towards you. However, if you can stop by and assist her somewhat, that would be wonderful if not… I might as to purchase some supplies from you to use on her.

I hesitated signing the note this time. A few more seconds passed before I scrawled my sur name on the note and leaving the same way I came in.

((Susumu exits.))

More food and drink are here. If you don’t find what you want in the Dojo, come and look here in Hiko’s private stores. Make some fresh tea. Help out if it’s needed. Or just talk and enjoy the warmth of the Kaymiya Dojo kitchen – the heart of the newlywed’s home.

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

Tae has also moved to this thread.

Read the Oct 8 Kitchen Wedding Thread here.

The Courtyard –
The Kamiya Dojo is a festival of lights tonight, with every lantern in the dojo lit to welcome guests to the celebration of the marriage of Kaoru and Kenshin.

The Front Gate is open, and Yahiko is stationed here as a position of honor to greet guests and keep their weapons for them while they are in attendance at the party. (The other gates are locked.)

Welcome to the Wedding Reception!

(Time: 5 to 7 pm
7 to 9 pm
9 to 11
11 to midnight – this thread will be continued after midnight in a new Oct 9 thread)

The Kitchen –

More food and drink are here. If you don’t find what you want in the Dojo, come and look here in Hiko’s private stores. Make some fresh tea. Help out if it’s needed. Or just talk and enjoy the warmth of the Kaymiya Dojo kitchen – the heart of the newlywed’s home.

(Time: 5 to 7 pm
7 to 9 pm
9 to 11
11 to midnight – this thread will be continued after midnight in a new Oct 9 thread)

Hmmn, I guess it's safe to say that Shiro-san isn't going to come. Not that it matters now since I've already finished all of the cooking. And not a moment too soon! Goodness, is it afternoon already? It was a good thing Jouichi was kind enough to man the stove for me while I ran home and changed or I would be late getting this food to Kaoru-chan's reception!

The waitresses help me load the last bit of food onto the rickshaw parked outside of the Akabeko. After that's done, I run my fingers through my hair (wondering if it really was a good idea to wear it down) and proceed to smooth down the non-existent wrinkles in the lovely coral furisode that I bought just for this occasion.

I know that this is supposed to be a happy time, but I still can't help but feel a little sad....

He didn't come.

((Tae is outside of the Akabeko, preparing to leave for the reception))

I smile to myself as I unpack the food that was delivered just moments ago. I just can't believe it! Kaoru is a married woman! I'm really glad I decided to stop by the dojo earlier this morning! Otherwise I wouldn't have seen that note posted to the dojo gate, and I wouldn't be here right now cooking a feast for my very best friend's wedding reception!

Of course I didn't even bother to knock. I didn't want to wake them on the day after their wedding! Ohoho! Yes, I bet they were really busy last night!

I throw some wood in the stove and then drag a huge bag of rice over to the counter. Ugh, I wish I had a little help! It's going to be hard for me to cook all of this food with only one good hand.

Speaking of which, I wonder if Shiro-san will show up? I still can't help but think about what the fortune teller told me yesterday...and wondering just what I plan to do with that information.

Is it foolish of me to hope?

I push those thoughts aside and place some water on the stove to boil. I've got tons to do and not much time in which to do it!

(Tae is bustling about in the kitchen waiting for Shiro to show up.)

On the outskirts of the hanamachi is where I ply my trade. What trade that is, is a mystery to all who enter here, or changes depending on the woman that comes forward.

I am counselor, fortuneteller, doctor, and sometimes mother to the many pretty little women that step lightly over my doorstep.

I sell charms to ward off unwanted suitors or bring them hither, and I sell dreams and words, sometimes harsh and sometimes kind.

All one has to do is give me a token in return -- something important, or something funny, or for little ones, a promise.

I open my shutters to the outside world, and wait for the young ones to come.

"Go home."

"Quackquack."

"It's not safe. Yuriko doesn't like birds. They scare her. Who knows what she'd do to you if she met you?"

"Quack. Quackquack."

"You're making me stand out too much."

"QUACKQUACKQUACKQUACK!"

I sigh and reach up to rub the back of my neck before I remember there is a basket blocking the way.

Damnit.

For some reason, I think of my mother, long dead.

Of that I was glad, at least. Her early, unexpected death. Or am glad, now. Glad that she did not have to wait for my return, wait and wait and wait though I had no intention to go back (as she would have known), all the while aware that I was wasting away... Glad that she does not have to see what I have become.

Strange. I never was very close to her. She was a terrible nag. (A certain duck comes to mind...) Sometimes I think she nagged herself to death.

But one memory of her remains, particularly vivid...

Such a strange memory.