Standard disclaimers apply
***CHAPTER 6***
The Widow Tae Sekihara strode into the living room. In her customary brisk fashion she threw her gloves and riding crop down onto the table, smudging the dinner menu which Yumi had just painstakingly copied out for Cook.
â??Good day, Yumi. I brought Mr. Amakusa along with me, because he wanted to have a word with your husband before he returns to Kyoto this morning.â??
Kaoru and Misao exchanged glances. So Shogu was quitting Tokyo! Kaoru hardly dared hopeâ?|
Yumi rose to her feet, looking worried. â??Dear me. You know how Saitou hates being interrupted at his breakfast. And it was yakisoba this morning, too. His favorite.â??
â??Couldnâ??t be helped,â?? barked Tae. â??Mr. Amakusa was very insistent on talking with Saitou this morning. Anyway, it doesnâ??t do to allow these men to become too set in their ways. Itâ??s not bad for Saitou to change his breakfast routine now and then. They have both now gone off to the library.â??
â??But the fire is not lit in there yet!â?? exclaimed Yumi, hastening toward the bellcord. â??I must call for a housemaidâ??â??
Tae stayed her hand. â??OH FOR CRYINâ?? OUT LOUD! They are two grown men, not babies. Theyâ??ll survive in that stuffy library of yours for half an hour without a fire.â??
Misao swiftly changed the subject. â??See what pretty spring flowers I cut for you maâ??am. Shall I arrange them for you? They would look delightful on your writing table.â??
â??How thoughtful of you,â?? said Yumi, smiling. â??It has been such a joy having you here, Misao. We will miss you so much.â??
Tae was growing restless in the face of all these pleasantries. Suddenly, she interrupted. â??I hear Aoshi turned down the horse the other day?â??
Kaoru nodded. â??He was suspicious because it had recently been exercised. Aoshi feared the horse might be slightly lame.â??
â??That husband of yours is too cautious for words,â?? Tae informed Misao. â??You ought to shake him up a bit. Otherwise, heâ??ll turn out just like his fatherâ??an eccentric traditionalist who quakes at the thought of setting foot outside his own estate.â??
â??Really, Tae,â?? said Yumi coolly, â??I cannot allow you to criticize my husband that way. He has been a good husband and provider. What more can a woman ask?â??
â??Iâ??m merely suggesting that Misao keep a lively mind and spirit about her. You never knowâ??in time, some of it may rub off on Aoshi.â??
Kaoru hid a smile as she observed Misao calmly arranging the flowers in a vase. There was no cause for anyone to offer Misao advice, Kaoru reflected. Beneath that quiet, modest exterior, Misao was most certainly a girl of rare spirit and initiative.
Kaoru was sincerely sorry that she and Aoshi were returning to Kyoto today. Already, she and Misao had become firm friends, but Kaoru was convinced there was still more to learn about the soft-eyed girl her brother had married. When Misao departed this morning, Kaoru knew she would have lost a valuable ally.
Of course, there was always her brother Soujirou. A part of her longed to tell him all about Kenshin. But Soujirou was a man. Although they had shared many childhood adventures, Kaoru felt that Soujirou might not approve of her escapades with Kenshin. Was it really the proper behavior of his sister?
Then again, in past years, Soujirou had invariably been the leader. It had been he who had dreamed up those wild schemes for riding on steam trains, or learning to waltz, and teaching her to ride bareback.
Kaoru smiled, recalling the day Soujirou had come across his eight- year-old sister playing with her doll. Soujirou had scoffed that she was playing prissy games and showed her instead how to make an effective pea- shooter.
They had fired missiles at the local doctor as he walked past, knocking off the poor manâ??s hat. Fortunately, Doctor Genzai had a sense of humor and refrained from reporting the incident to their father, thus saving Soujirou a beating and Kaoru a day locked in her room with bread and water.
But how would Soujirou react, Kaoru mused, if he learned that she was now acting on her own initiative? Already, he was suspicious of that incident by the river, when she had alleged that Shogu had tripped and injured his jaw.
If Soujriou knew of her involvement with Kenshin, would he then insist on masterminding the adventure himself? Yes, Kaoru was convinced he would persist in tracking Kenshin down and discovering once and for all who he was and why he behaved in such an antisocial manner. Surely, Soujirou would refuse to rest until he had solved the mystery.
And that I cannot allow him to do, Kaoru decided. Kenshin has shown his trust in me. Clearly, he is involved in some private mission that he alone knows. For Soujirou to interfere would be impudent and untimely. And for me to permit such meddling would be a betrayal of the trust Kenshin has placed in me.
Apart from which, Kaoru knew that Soujirou had problems of his own. He had still not abandoned his idea of joining the Army. But her father was adamant that his younger son must stay at the Kamiya mansion and learn the intricacies of estate management.
When Saitou entered the living room, all four ladies looked at him expectantly.
â??Mr. Amakusa has departed for Kyoto,â?? he declared, seating himself in his favorite chair near the window. â??He asked me to apologize for not saying goodbye to all of you, but I gather he has important business to attend to.â??
Yumi asked the question that was uppermost in everyoneâ??s mind. â??And may I ask, why he wanted to talk with you so urgently?â??
â??Mr. Amakusa will shortly be returning to Tokyo,â?? announced Saitou. â??And from our conversation this morning, I am confident that he will then make a formal offer of marriage for our daughter Kaoru.â??
Yumi clapped her hands with delight and triumph. â??There, Kaoru! What did I tell you?â??
Kaoru was stooping to pick up a fallen daffodil, and no one could see her face.
Tae said sharply, â??Well girl! Do you nurture any feelings of affection for Mr. Amakusa?â??
â??I barely knew him. I think I need some time to sort out my feelings,â?? replied Kaoru primly.
â??Then I advice that you hurry,â?? declared her father. â??You will never receive a better offer.â??
â??Donâ??t harass the girl,â?? boomed Tae. â??She is quite correctâ??love needs time to bloom. After all, my own Anji courted me for three years. There was not an inch of Tokyo we did not ride across together, and every step of the way he showered me with the most extravagant compliments. It was unbelievably romantic.â??
Even Misao could not keep but stare in amazement at this astounding revelation.
â??All right,â?? said Tae, â??I know that it sounds incredible now. You all regard me as an eccentric old woman. And maybe I am. But I was young once, and I know the virtue of taking your time in selecting your partner. Anji and I were sublimely happy.â??
â??Of course you were,â?? said Yumi soothingly, â??and naturally, we are eager for Kaoru to be content in her marriage, too. But it is a fact that Mr. Amakusa seems a most eligible gentleman. Surely she could soon learn to love someone with his income and title?â??
Saitou nodded. â??That is why he was compelled to go back to Kyoto, for an important meeting with his lawyers about the business of proving he is Battousai.â??
Kaoru was burning to know more about this, but at the same time she was resolved to utter no word of interest in Shogu or his future prospects.
But Misao understood, and was able to pose the question for her: â??I donâ??t understand, sir. Surely, it is a clear-cut matter. Either Mr. Amakusa is, or is not Battousai?â??
Saitou patted her hand. â??It is more complicated than that, my dear. You see, as I understand the matter from Mr. Amakusa, the Emperor still needs concrete evidence that Mr. Amakusa is truly Battousai. It seems that there is an informant, claiming that Mr. Amakusa is an impostor. Rumor has it that the Great Hiko Seijuurou has another student and that he may be the true Battousai, though no one could really say if itâ??s true. But Mr. Amakusa denied the rumors, saying that he is the only student of Master Hiko. Until then Mr. Amakusa needs to come up with foolproof evidence to support his claims.â??
â??How dreadful,â?? breathed Misao.
â??Save your sympathy,â?? snapped Tae. â??I wouldnâ??t be surprised if Mr. Amakusa is indeed an impostor--â??
â??The Emperor is just being cautious ,â?? interrupted Saitou loudly, â??you know that in the past, there has been many false claims concerning the legendary Battousai.â??
Tae drummed her fingers on the writing table. â??I see. So if they canâ??t locate the supposed to be missing student, then Shogu Amakusa will surely inherit the title?â??
â??Precisely,â?? said Saitou. â??Mr. Amakusa is quite confident that the Emperor will eventually realize his mistakes and call off the investigations and grant him his rewards.â??
â??But it would seem,â?? said Misao, once again asking what Kaoru wanted to know, â??that the inquiries are going to take some little time?â??
â??Iâ??m afraid so,â?? nodded Saitou, who to Kaoruâ??s ears was beginning to sound more like the hateful Shogu every minute. â??After all, the name Battousai is associated with fame, respect and wealth. The Emperor wants to make sure that everything will turn out right. He doesnâ??t want to be remembered as the man who awarded an impostor the title of Battousai.â??
â??Oh dear me, of course not ,â?? murmured Kaoru sarcastically.
Saitou looked at her sharply. â??Mr. Amakusa is confident that his lawyers will soon arrange the matters. Then Mr. Amakusa, as Battousai, intends to move immediately to Shimabara. Naturally, he will need a wife beside him.â??
Fortunately, Kaoruâ??s attempt at a reply was curtailed by the arrival of Aoshi to announce that the luggage was being loaded onto the carriage and he wanted Misao to be ready to depart in precisely fifteen minutes.
The entire family, and Tae, gathered on the front steps of the Kamiya mansion to bid Aoshi and Misao farewell.
Before Misao entered the carriage, she kissed Kaoru and whispered, â??Courage, sister. And remember, I will do everything in my power to help you.â??
After the departure of her brother and Misao, Kaoru went to visit Mr. Fujita again to inquire about her injured foot. The woman has so many fascinating stories that Kaoru realized it was almost time for supper. She arrived late for dinner and incurred her fatherâ??s wrath.
After dinner, Saitou retired to the library and Yumi went early to bed, leaving Soujirou and his sister alone in the drawing room.
Soujirou sprawled on the sofa while Kaoru poured the tea.
He looks so tired, she thought, observing the shadows beneath his violet eyes. Soujirouâ??s education in estate management had now begun in earnest. To give him his due, Soujirou really was making a determined effort to get to grips with the subject he hated. Every day, even in the most blinding rain, he had been out riding around the estate, visiting farms, talking to the tenants, and listening to his father explaining how things should be run.
More than that, Soujirou had started studying on his own, risking an hour earlier than usual to pore over books on animal husbandry and other related subjects.
No wonder he looks tired, mused Kaoru as she handed him his tea. â??How was it today, brother?â?? she inquired sympathetically.
Soujirou stretched out his legs. â??Just as bad as usual. The worst is that Papa says that Iâ??m to learn all about the estate, but when I make a suggestion, he shouts at me and tells me not to interfere!â??
Kaoru smiled. She could well imagine the scene! â??Thatâ??s Papaâ??s way, Iâ??m afraid, Sou.â??
â??The whole endeavor is a mistake,â?? declared Soujirou. â??No land should have two masters, especially when they disagree as much as Papa and I. I appreciate that I have to learn, and Iâ??m trying. But father is so entrenched in the old methods, he will not consider anything new.â??
â??What innovations had you in mind?â?? asked Kaoru, nibbling at a sugared biscuit.
Soujirou leaned forward, his hands clenched together. â??For a start, Papa has no idea of the first principles of crop rotation.â??
â??Neither have I, I must confess,â?? said Kaoru faintly.
Soujirou smiled. â??It simply means that you do not grow the same crop on the same piece of land year after year.â??
â??I see,â?? nodded Kaoru, rather impressed by Soujirouâ??s knowledge. â??What other ideas do you have?â??
â??Well,â?? said Soujirou, warming to his subject and pleased by Kaoruâ??s interest, â??youâ??ve heard Papa complain time and time again about the sandy soil on the estate?â??
â??Papa says it is too light and will not retain moisture, especially in a hot, dry summer. Not,â?? Kaoru commented wryly, glancing out at the driving rain, â??that drought seems likely to be a problem this year.â??
â??Oh, the weather will clear, youâ??ll see,â?? said Soujirou. â??But Papaâ??s method has always been so old fashioned. So I told father this morning, on what should be done with the problem. But will Papa agree? Oh no! He says his father, and his father before him, used the old methods very successfully. Why should he change?â??
Listening to Soujirou, Kaoru could see very well both sides of the thorny situation. She saw her father, set in his traditional ways (which, after all, had served him well all his life) and now endeavoring to train his son.
But instead of nodding respectfully, and agreeing with everything his father said, Saitouâ??s headstrong son had the gall to make suggestions and demand change. Change! The very word was like a curse to Saitou.
It was a complete clash of personalities, reflected Kaoru. How could father and son ever agree, when their temperaments differed so greatly? It was hardly surprising that Soujirou was eager to adopt new methods. All his life he had loved to be first with anything new.
Kaoru sympathized, but could see no immediate answer to the problem. Clearly, two grown men could not live together successfully under one roof. It was time for Soujirou to spread his wings and leave the nest. But Saitou had decreed that that was not to be.
Soujirou rose and paced restlessly up and down the room. â??Damn it, Kaoru! I feel soâ?|so caged!â??
Kaoru desperately tried to think for something to divert and entertain him. â??If you promise not to tell Papa,â?? she said, â??I will lend you the most fascinating book I have been reading. It is all about a woman named Naru, who ran away to join the Army!â??
â??You mean she disguised herself as a man?â?? asked Soujirou.
â??Yes she did. Whatâ??s more, she served in not only the Army but the marines, too, and fooled everyone. Then when the war was over, she boldly petitioned the military authorities and demanded a pension.â??
Soujirou laughed. Kaoru was glad to see him looking cheerful once more. â??And is this what youâ??re planning to do, Kaoru? Run away to join the Army?â??
â??Me? Why Sou, donâ??t be foolish. Why should you imagine that Iâ??m preparing to emulate Naru?â??
He studied her, his head on one side. â??You have been strangely quiet and you have this faraway look on your face recently, Kaoru. Mama is convinced you are pining for Mr. Amakusa, but I know better.â??
Kaoru sought to set his mind at rest. Goodness knew what Soujirou imagined she might be plotting. And it was important that not even her beloved brother should gain wind of the truth about Kenshin and herself. She simply could not risk Soujirouâ??s good-natured, well-meaning interference.
â??Oh, Iâ??m sad because Misao has gone,â?? she declared. â??And I freely admit, I am conniving ways to divert Mr. Amakusa from asking me to marry him. The trouble is, however rude and unpleasant I am to him, the more determined he becomes. Yet I dare not try the opposite tactic of being sweet and docile, as for sure he will have me to the altar before you can say Battousai.â??
â??Youâ??re right,â?? smiled Soujirou. â??So you are attempting to blot it all from your mind by reading novels. I must confess, I rather admire your Naru. It has crossed my mind many times that the only solution would be for me to run away and join the Army. But on the meager allowance father gives me, I could never hope to buy myself an equipment and the means of transportation across the China Sea.â??
Kaoruâ??s eyes widened. â??Sou, youâ??ve got to be kidding! Youâ??re not seriously contemplating running away?â??
â??Iâ??m really serious, my dear sister. But I cannot for the life of me imagine how my dream can be achieved. I have no income. And without the ready cash, Iâ??m tied, hand and foot, to the Kamiya mansion, and those tedious book on animal husbandry.â??
He looked so forlorn that Kaoruâ??s heart went out to him. Soujirou was a fine, upstanding young man, full of courage and vigor. It seemed to her shameful that he should be confined here, spending his days in useless argument with his father, when there was a war to be fought, and young, strong men needed to fight it.
Yet Soujirou was right. He could not just leap onto a horse and gallop away over the horizon in a headstrong, reckless manner. He must have the means to pay for his journey and his fighting equipment.
That night, Kaoru lay awake for a long while, mulling over Soujirouâ??s predicament. Somehow, she must help him. There must be a way. She tossed and turned between the sheets, thinking over all the possibilities. And then, long after midnight, when the only sound was the screech of the barn owls flitting ghostlike through the trees, Kaoru found the answer.
Excited, she sat up in bed, hugging her knees. Of course! Now she knew how she could find Soujirou the cash he needed. And the beauty of it was, that no one need ever know how or where she had secured the money!
It would not, of course, be easy. In fact, there would be considerable personal danger involved. But Kaoru was prepared to face any adversity if it would help her brother. If her plans succeeded, it would mean losing Soujirouâ?|her one last remaining ally against the horrors of marriage to Shogu Amakusa.
Unselfishly, Kaoru put that thought behind her. If Soujirou remained in this house much longer, he would be totally smothered. He had to escape. His dream of joining the Army and fighting against the French must be fulfilled. And she, Kaoru, knew now how all this could be achieved.
If only, she thought, if only I can summon the courage!
Oppss!!! Timeâ??s up folks! What do you think Kaoruâ??s planning to do? Youâ??ll find out in the next chapter and I promise you it will be funâ?|heheheâ?|I should have posted this chapter much earlier, but unfortunately, I was infected by a deadly virus called PROCRASTINATION. Gomenasai minna! Again thank youâ?|.thank youâ?|thank youâ?|to all of you who read and reviewed my fic. Ja!
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