Subject: [kffdisc] Sake and Sakura part 3 (rough draft) Date: Tue, 30 Mar 1999 03:02:38 -0800 (PST) From: Rurichan and Harichan Reply-To: kffdisc@onelist.com To: kffdisc@onelist.com From: Rurichan and Harichan Here's part 3 of Sake and Sakura. Hiko gets a heart in this part. ^__^ Notes: usual disclaimer, I wish was Watsuki but sadly I'm not. Thanks to Tatsuko for the Oba and Obaa difference ^_^ I'm having plot problems with For the Sake of Hope too many "oooo this could work here! But that makes this scene useless." ideas running through my head :P p.s. Written at 2 am so typos and other grammatical errors are all over! happy reading. ------------------------ Sake and Sakura: Part 3 Part 3: Hiko stared at the door of Sakura’s gate and wondered what he had gotten himself into. He sighed and knocked on the door. The door openned and Obaa-san came out, she looked up at him and smiled, “Hello, you’re just in time, come in.” Hiko entered and stood in the courtyard. “Hiko-san!” Kotori exclaimed as she dropped the knitting she was doing. “What a surprise!” “Please call me Kakunoshin Niitsu,” he said. Earlier he and Obaa-san had agreed to use his other name incase people knew who he was as Hiko. “Well then Kakunoshin-san.” Obaa-san said, “Welcome to the Nagoya house.” “Ka-kuno-shin?” Kotori said. Hiko nodded, “Yes.” “Its too long, I will call you Niitsu-san instead.” Kotori said. Hiko smiled, “Niitsu-san is fine.” “What’s he doing here?!” Sakura exclaimed as she came to the door. “I invited Kakunoshin-san to stay with here for a while.” Obaa-san said calmly. Sakura looked at Obaa-san as if she had grown a second head, “Kakunoshin-san?” Hiko bowed, “I’m Kakunoshin Niitsu.” he said, “Its the name I use.” “But he’s staying here?!” Sakura exclaimed again. “Sakura let him, you said you wanted a man around the house to work on repairs.” Kotori said. “Yes, but- but- but- anyone but him!” Sakura shouted. “You don’t have to shout.” Kotori said. “Well as the head of this family, I invited Kakunoshin-san to stay.” Obaa-san said in a tone that ended all discussion on the subject. Sakura sighed and said, “Prepare the guest room Kotori.” she went back inside the house. She stepped into his room and closed the door behind her, “I know why Obaa-san is doing this and I want you to leave. I can take care of this myself.” Hiko turned from his unpacking and looked up to see Sakura at the door. Her eyes were bright from the anger. “She asked me to watch over you Sakura-san.” Hiko said. “I can handle it myself.” she said. “No,” he said, “You can’t, which is why Obaa-san asked me to watch over you and Kotori.” he turned back to his unpacking. “But I can handle it myself, besides thought I told you to leave.” she said. “Obaa-san invited me. Besides, I’m a potter that is looking for artistic inspiration..” he said. “Maybe I can make a sculpture, would you like to be my model Sakura-san?” Sakura looked at him in shock and anger. His eyes twinkled with amusement at her. “Ecchi.” she said as she left his room quickly, but not quickly enough to hear his deep laughter. “Ahhh so things have settled down here.” Obaa-san asked as she helped Kotori fold clothes. Kotori nodded, “Yes, there aren’t as many attacks and the walls are repaired.” “And Sakura and Hiko?” “Both fight as always.” As if on cue Sakura’s voice could be heard from the kitchen.“Why I oughta!” “I was just kidding! I was just wondering how old you are that’s all!” Hiko’s voice followed her indignant one. Obaa-san smiled secretly. “Obaa-chan?” Kotori asked. Obaa-san stopped her smiling and then smiled a larger smile, “Nothing Kotori, just a Grandmother’s intuition.” “Get out! You’re interrupting my cooking!” “Alright I’ll leave before you throw more pottery at me.” Hiko’s voice said. Kotori and Obaa-san could hear his footsteps as they neared them. Kotori finished her folding and picked up a pile of clothes and went back inside the house. Hiko rounded the corner and muttered, “Infernal woman.” “Ahh Hiko-san.” Hiko smiled apologeticly at Obaa-san, “I didn’t know you were here, I’m sorry you had to hear that.” Obaa-san smiled, “It’s alright, I haven’t heard Sakura so emotional in a long time. But tell me, do you know who’s attacking my grandaughter?” Hiko shook his head, “I asked around town but no one seems to know. When Kotori goes in to shop I’ll ask around again.” The movement made him wince. He rubbed his foread, “Ow.” he glanced in the direction of the kitchen, “Sakura is lethal with pottery, she has good aim too.” “Ahhh, forgive my granddaughter.” Obaa-san said, “She’s a bit high-strung.” Hiko smiled, “Its alright.” he mentally added, ‘It amuses me to see her angry.’ “Its just that she’s so used to living with Kotori and with no one else.” “I understand.” Hiko said remembering the day that Kenshin had started living with him. He realized how much his life had changed since then. “Hiko-san!” Kotori called, “I need your help!” “Apparently Kotori has gotten used to having you around.” Obaa-san chuckled as Hiko rose and left her side. Hiko entered the kitchen and watched as Sakura struggled to cut the radish with the kitchen knife. “What are you doing there.” she asked with out turning around. Sakura had gotten used to Hiko’s prescense in the house. “Watching you cut the radish.” “It’d be easier but for some reason this radish is really tough.” Sakura said. A hand reached around her shoulders and picked up the knife. Sakura looked up and watched as Hiko thumbed the blade. “The radish isn’t tough, its the blade of the knife that makes it hard, this blade is dull.” He glanced at the other kitchen knives and thumbed them, “They’re all dull.” “Well trying to fend off assassins dulls them.” she muttered as she looked down. She looked back up again when Hiko chuckled that deep internal chuckle. “Let me sharpen these for you.” he looked around the kitchen, “Where’s the stone to sharpen them on?” Sakura rummaged around on the shelves to get the stone. She found the stone and gave it to Hiko. Hiko took the stone and began to sharpen the knives. Their fingers brushed and Sakura felt a jolt of electricity run through her. She stared at him for a moment. ‘He’s not that bad loo-’ what was she thinking!? This is the man- better yet pain in the neck- that came into her life unannounced! Forget him! Sakura glanced around the kitchen helplessly and then decided to make rice balls. She hummed as she did. “That’s a nice song.” Hiko said as he eyed a blade. Sakura looked up startled, she had forgotten he was there. “Its just a song my mother sang to me.” she said. “Sing it for me.” Hiko said. “Are you sure?” she asked timidly. “I wouldn’t be asking you if I wasn’t sure right?” Hiko said as he glanced at her. Sakura looked down at her rice covered hands. ‘Of course, that made sense.’ She took a deep breath and began to sing. Hiko stopped his sharpening and watched as Sakura sang. She continued to make rice balls as she did. She made a perfect image of a serene wife. He ignored the flip in his heart. Her voice, it did something to him, even when it was yelling at him or making a sarcastic comment, it made him feel- he frowned, he wasn’t supposed to think this way. No, his life at home was perfect. He didn’t need anyone, especially not Sakura the crazy bowl thrower. “That was beautiful.” Hiko said when she finished, “Thank you.” he smiled. Sakura ignored the flutter in her heart when he smiled at her. She smiled at him with a genuine smile, “Really?” “Yes.” he said. He placed the last knife back in the drawer, “Well the knives are finished, time for Nitsuu to work on his pottery and the sculpture.” he turned to leave the room. “If you want-” Sakura trailed off after that. He turned, “Hmm?” “If you want I can be your model for the sculpture.” she said looking down at her rice covered hands. Hiko smiled, “I’d love that.” he said. “Kotori moves too much.” Sakura laughed, “I bet she does.” Hiko walked to the door and stopped, “When you are finished meet me outside in the courtyard so I can make a few sketches and figure out how much clay I need.” “Hai.” Sakura said. Hiko left the kitchen happy. He stopped. Happiness, usually his life was content, that was a good word to describe his life. But that moment with Sakura, it made him happy. He looked forward to sketching her so he could work on a sculpture. He had always made pottery but art was another thing. He hoped he could do it. Suddently his reverie was broken when a voice said, “Sumimasen, I am looking for Nagoya Sakura.” Hiko turned and saw a man standing in the courtyard with a case in his hands. “Welcome Yamato-san.” Kotori said as she walked towards him. “Hello Nagoya-san.” Yamato said as he bowed. Hiko eyed Yamato and then bowed, “Kakunoshin Niitsu,” he said. “Yamato Kenji.” Yamato said with a bow. He turned to Kotori, “Is Sakura-san in?” Kotori nodded, “Yes she is waiting for you in the house.” Hiko watched as Yamato entered the house with out Kotori to guide him. “He’s our bookkeeper for the sake business. He was our father’s bookkeeper too.” Kotori said. “But I don’t like him he gives me the creeps.” “Ah.” Hiko said, his eyes followed Yamato as he walked along the hallway and entered a room where Sakura sat at a table. She smiled at him and poured tea. “Its a shame too, he is the only single man that is willing to see her.” Kotori said.“But for Sakura-neesan what choice does she have? Obaa-san has been pestering her to find a husband.” “And Yamato is their first choice?” “Yeah.” “There must be other eligible men. This is Kyoto after all.” Hiko muttered. “What man would marry danger?” Kotori asked. “I know a few.” Hiko said. “Yamato-san is the only one that comes. A proposal should come any day now.” “Will she accept?” Hiko asked trying to sound as casual as possible while his heart stopped beating. “Possibly.” Kotori said, “But she deserves someone better.” ‘Someone like me’ that same annoying quiet voice said to Hiko. He froze, no he couldn’t, no he didn’t, he didn’t just say that. Hiko felt a strong grip of annoyance. He supressed a wave of posessiveness when Yamato sat closer to Sakura. ‘She’s mine!’ No. He did not just say that either. He shook his head and said, “I think I’ll take a nap.” and left the courtyard. “Are you sure?” Hiko asked as he walked her to one of the stalls in the market. “Hi- Kakunoshin-san, I am fine.” Sakura said. “Besides, Kotori wanted me to look at a kimono.” “Sakura-san!” Kotori called. “Don’t worry, I can take care of myself. I’ve done it before.” she said. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.” Hiko said and slipped into the crowd. He approached a fruit stand and sat down on a bench with an apple in his hand. A man sat on the other end of the bench his back to his. “I asked around.” Okina said. “But so far there aren’t any leads.” “What would they want?” “I posted some guards around your area.” Okina said. “There should be less attacks. If we catch anyone suspicious I’ll question them.” “Let me know when you do, I have a few questions to ask myself.” Hiko said. “You said that the Nagoya family owned a sake business?” Okina said. “Yes, half was left to Sakura and Kotori.” “Her father was a great man, the Aoiya used to have a contract with them until he passed away.” Okina said a bit wistful. “What happened?” “The new manager broke the contract with us. He didn’t want to deal with any bad seeds.” Okina said. Hiko frowned as he stared at his apple core. “Sakura wouldn’t approve of such dealings.” “You seem to know her well.” Okina said. “Well when you spend every hour watching over her you get to know her well.” “Is that so?” Okina asked. Hiko glanced at Okina sharply. “I must go, Misao must be wondering where I went. I’ll take a look into the Nagoya sake business.” Okina rose. “Okina.” Okina stopped. “Thank you.” Hiko said. “Just returning a favor Hiko-san.” Okina said. Hiko turned to say goodbye but Okina had disappeared. He rose and searched the market for Sakura and Kotori. He saw Sakura near a bin of ribbons. Suddently a man appeared behind Sakura and held a sack in his hand. “Sakura! Look out!” Sakura turned and saw the man who held the sack above her head. She screamed and ran. “Sakura!” Hiko shouted as he ran after her and the kidnapper. She ran into the street where a horse reared on its hind legs causing barrels to fall on the ground. Some openned and objects spilled on the ground. The kidnapper got caught in the barrels and fell. Sakura tripped on a bottle and felt herself falling. Hiko caught her before she hit the ground. “Sakura!” he cried out. “Hiko?” she asked weakly. He smiled down at her, “You’re safe now. I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you-” Sakura rose her heand and touched his lips, “Shhh, its okay. You’re here now.” she said weakly. Something inside him said, ‘Yes.’ “Let’s take you home.” Hiko said as he gently cradled her in his arms. “Nagoya-san!” Yamato exclaimed as he ran towards them. “Sa- Nagoya-san will be fine. I will take her home.” Hiko said. He was fighting posessiveness in every fiber of his being. This is Sakura’s intended, he had to be polite. “I will let you know when she is better.” he turned away. “Nitsuu-san!” Kotori exclaimed as she rushed to them. “What happened to onee-san!” “Someone tried to kidnap her. I caught her before they could do it.” Hiko said. “You’re out of breath.” Kotori said. “I am?” Hiko said realizing how hard his heart was beating. He should have never let Sakura leave the house. ‘Ah! I am turning into my baka deshi!’ “Let’s go home, Sakura looks pale.” Kotori said. Hiko looked down at Sakura and said, “Yes let’s take her home.” ------------ Rurichan- Part 4 coming soon comments and flames always welcome ^__^