Subject: [kffdisc] Sake and Sakura 5 Date: Fri, 30 Apr 1999 02:35:55 -0700 (PDT) From: Rurichan and Harichan Reply-To: kffdisc@onelist.com To: kffdisc@onelist.com From: Rurichan and Harichan Here's Sake and Sakura 5, I'll probably get around to posting the rest later if exams don't rear their ugly heads at me. ^^;; for previous chapters of Sake and Sakura: http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Subway/3474/rkff/rkffmain.htm (it used to be a Xoom page.) Sake and Sakura Ch 5: Hiko froze. The world seemed to have frozen, his body, his mind, his heart, even Kotori had gone still. “M-marry you?” Sakura repeated. “Yes, I’ve been looking for a wife and I’ve come to believe that you are the right person for me.” he said. “Your father would have wanted it.” “Yamato-san.” Sakura said. “Yes?” Yamato asked in anticipation. “I’m sorry.” she said, “But I cannot accept your generous offer. Even though I am old and I should be married I can’t marry you.” Hiko felt as if his heart had fallen into his stomach. A large part of him was having a party Okina-style. Another part of him was appalled. This was Sakura’s last chance at marriage. That part of him was greatly outweighed by the happy elated part of him. “You can’t marry me?” Yamato said shocked. “I see you as a friend and a business partner Yamato-san.” Sakura said, “But I cannot see you as my husband, I can’t be who you want me to be. Forgive me Yamato-san.” “I see.” Yamato said tonelessly. “Well then, I think I will go now.” Hiko managed to process the last words and quickly moved down the hall, he was not in the mood to run into Yamato. As soon as Yamato left the house with Kotori wishing him a safe journey home, Hiko entered the room. Sakura looked up at him and smiled, “Welcome home.” she poured tea. Hiko sat down and said, “I couldn’t help but over hear.” Sakura shrugged. “It doesn’t matter.” “How could you turn down a proposal?” he asked. Sakura took a sip of her tea, “You heard what I said.” “Yes but you’re an old maid!” Hiko exclaimed. Sakura’s face suddently got warm. Old maid! Old maid!? “Whhhhat did you say?!” she squeaked. “I mean I don’t know your age but being from the Bakumatsu and all I’d say you have no- ouch!” Hiko rubbed his nose where the tea cup hit him. The tea cup had rolled under the table, past Sakura and landed with a thunk against the door. “You are so insensitive sometimes!!” she exclaimed. “You broke my nose.” he groaned. “I’m sorry.” she said. “Do you need a doctor? A cold compress? Anything?” she asked suddently concerned. She reached across the table and gently placed her fingers on his nose testing the bridge. Hiko ignored her soft fingers and smiled. “No, I think it will be okay.” he grew serious. “But really Sakura you can’t turn down proposals. We’re talking about stability for you and Kotori.” “I can and I will.” she said. “Kotori and I have been doing fine for years now.” Sakura rose, “Besides, how can you marry someone you don’t love?” she picked up her tea cup that was on the floor and said, “I’ll see you tomorrow Hiko, oyasumi.” “Oyasumi Sakura.” he said. Hiko woke up and wandered to the doors of his room and opened them. He breathed in air and smiled. Today was a good day, he could feel it. He looked out at the courtyard and saw something that suddently ruined it. “What the-” he ran to his sculpture and saw that there was clay, pieces of broken tools and urn scattered everywhere. What shocked him most was his sculpture. The head was on the ground, the arms were missing, and there was a knife embedded in the sculpture’s heart. He saw the note attached. This will happen to someone that you care for. Hiko looked at the mess and groaned. He carefully picked up the head. Weeks of work ruined. “Hiko!” Sakura exclaimed. “What happened?” Hiko turned and saw Sakura dressed and best of all wearing his comb. She looked beautiful. He was more comfortable now saying it. He no longer admitted it, he said it, just not out loud. “They attacked my poor sculpture it seems.” Hiko said. “I’m sorry.” Sakura said as she knelt down and picked up pieces of tools. “I’ll replace them it was my fault.” “No.” Hiko said. “Its alright. I think its best you go inside Sakura.” “Why?” Sakura asked. “Because, I think Yamato is angry that you turned him down.” “He has no right to be.” Sakura said. “He left a note with the sculpture.” he gave her the note. Sakura read the note and paled. “But it can’t be from him. Yamato is too nice to do this, he is a friend of the family.” “I’m afraid not Nagoya-san.” someone said. Hiko and Sakura turned to see an old man with a pointy beard, a young woman with dark black hair in a braid, and a tall silent man. “They came asking for you Hiko-san, they used your real name.” Kotori said worried as she hovered around the trio. Hiko nodded. “Its alright Kotori.” “From the looks of it, our news will be just as bad.” Okina said. Hiko sighed, “Its Yamato right?” Aoshi nodded. Hiko turned to Sakura and Kotori, “Sakura, Kotori meet Okina, Misachimachi Misao, and Shinomori Aoshi of the Oniwabanshuu. This is Nagoya Sakura and her sister Kotori.” “Hiko I don’t understand.” Sakura said. “My my Hiko didn’t explain himself well,” Misao said. “Hiko came to us for help. We are the ones that have kept watch over your home for a few weeks now. We just learned some information that puts you and Kotori in grave danger.” Sakura paled and held onto Kotori. “I think its best that we move this into the house.” Okina said. Kotori woke up first, “Please, come in.” she said as she led them to the house. “And Hiko better get dressed.” Misao added with a sly smile. “Silly weasle girl.” Hiko muttered as he looked down at his clothes and went to get dressed. Hiko entered the dinning room where Okina, Misa, Aoshi, Sakura and Kotori were sitting. From somewhere food had miraculously appeared on the table along with tea. He had a suspicion Okina brought it along with him. He hoped there would be some sake. “A plan?” Sakura repeated when Okina had explained the situation. Misao nodded, “Yes a plan.” she looked up, “Looks like Hiko got dressed.” “One more remark like that Weasle girl and I’ll-” “You’ll what?” Misao asked back. “Its too early to think up something.” he said as he sat down. He smiled gratefully at Sakura who poured him some sake. “Give me a few cups of sake and I’ll come up with something.” Misao made a face at him and then returned to her food. Sakura glanced at Misao then at Hiko and then at Misao again. Obviously they had gone through a lot together. She wondered how much. ‘You’re jealous.’ a voice said inside her. ‘Of Hiko? Of course not!’ she said in retort, ‘What would she see in that pompous sake drinker anyways?’ “It’s ridiculous!” she said out loud. Everybody stared at her when she said it. “Wh- what sort of plan would this be exactly?” Sakura asked trying to change focus of the room off of her. Okina put his tea cup down, “Well first we’d have to set him up, lay out a trap.” “A trap?” Kotori asked. “But we know its him.” “We can’t go in and attack him or do anything like that.” Okina said. “First of all it wouldn’t be rational and secondly we’d be the ones that look like bad guys. So Aoshi and I decided that it was best that we uncover what Yamato has done.” “But what would Yamato want so much money? He gets paid well or I thought he did” Kotori said. “Yamato is your father’s partner’s younger brother.” Aoshi said. “Which means he wanted to marry you for the sake business and then the Yamato brothers would have both halves of the business.” Hiko said. “That man is going to get a taste of my katana” he muttered under his breath. “What was that?” Sakura asked. “Nothing.” Hiko said. “So that’s the trap, we uncover him and he’s sent to jail, justice is served.” Okina said. “I will not involve you or Kotori. It will be anonoymous.” “But I warn you Sakura-san,” Misao said seriously, “Stay in the house as much as possible. Yamato may attack at any time. We’ll keep watch as always but its best you limit your movements outside of the house.” Sakura nodded, “All right.” she glanced at Hiko who had a dark look on his face. “Sakura-neesan.” Kotori said. “There is some fruit that I bought yesterday, why not serve it while I clear the dishes.” “I’ll help.” Misao said rising. “No!” Sakura exclaimed. She wanted to be far from Misao for now. She bit her lip at her angry tone and said with a smile, “I meant, you’re a guest Makimachi-san.” Misao smiled, “If you insist.” “I do.” Sakura said. Misao turned to Hiko, “By the way I have some things to talk to you about. Its about Kenshin.” Hiko’s eyes turned serious. “We can go outside.” Sakura cut the fruit angrilly. Misao, who was she? What ease she had around Hiko. How she laughed and teased him. “Onee-san.” Kotori said, “We don’t want the guests to use chopsticks to eat the fruit.” Sakura looked down at the fruit and gasped. “Oh!” she cut slowly and found her mind back at the same place. What relation did Misao have with Hiko? Who was Kenshin? Hiko was looked so serious when she mentioned his name. Was Kenshin their so- “Ridiculous! He’s way too old for her!” she exclaimed. “Ehh?” Kotori asked popping her head back into the kitchen. “Nothing!” Sakura quickly exclaimed. She finished cutting the fruit and then placed it on a plate. As she neared dinning room door she could see into the courtyard. Hiko and Misao were walking back towards the dinning room. “So Saitou tells me that Kenshin is up to no good. He and Kaoru are basically beating the bush.” Misao said. “They’ve been at it for 2 years now.” Hiko muttered. “We’re going to lost all our bets if this keeps up.” Misao said. “Jiya, Aoshi-sama, and I may go to visit. Jiya doesn’t trust Saitou. He’s afraid Saitou will do something to make Kenshin say something on the day that he bet.” “I’m glad I stayed out of it.” Hiko said. “But I would give up good sake to actually see my baka deshi finally get off his duff and say something to her.” Misao laughed. “Well when this is all over, Aoshi-sama and I will go, that is if I can get Aoshi-sama to stop meditiating long enough to convince him.” “I wish I could go, but. . .” he trailed off as he glanced at the house. “But what?” Misao asked. “Oh nothing.” he said, “The more I stay here the more I turn into my baka deshi.” he added under his breath. He looked up to see Misao grinning. “What?” Misao smiled and walked slowly back to the house, she was balancing on the balls of her feet as if dancing. “Nothing.” Hiko shook his head smiling, “Silly weasle girl.” Sakura cringed when she heard Misao’s laugh. They looked at ease together, as if they were good friends. Sakura watched as Misao did a slow walk back to the house. It seemed as though she was teasing Hiko. Hiko was shaking his head saying something and smiling. She entered the room and forced a smile, “Fruit anyone?” she asked. ----------------- I originally had the Misao and Hiko scene with them talking about Enishi's Jinchuu, but that didn't work out well and it hit me that why not all the Kenshin characters have a betting pool on when Kenshin would "say something" or even "pop the question" hehe, I bet its something that Sano can't pass up. Comments and Flames always welcome. Rurichan