recountal | reunion;;

reunion;;

Yukimura Residence.
Edo, Japan, January 1864.

[The years have stretched on and on, agonizingly slowly. Part of it is because Chizuru lacks the child-like lack of perspective that makes time fly by so quickly in the earliest years; mostly, it's because the Nagumo are so very cruel. Time flies when one is having fun, but among that clan...

This is the first opportunity she's had in years to even consider a visit to Edo, and though she might pay for it later, she doesn't care. There's something she has to do here, and so here she is, dressed in the finery one would expect of the wife of the young master of the Nagumo. Perhaps it's strange, to see such a finely-dressed young lady in front of the humble Yukimura clinic.

She doesn't care. She just doesn't care.

She is stopped, outside the house, because it's both familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. The house looks mostly the same, but the subtle differences, are they there because it's not her that's living there? All the touches of a young woman are gone. Chizuru has never lived here, but Kaoru has, and -

The differences are Kaoru's touch. That eases the knot of tension in her gut the slightest bit and gives her the courage to move forward, to call into the house as though she's a patient and this is a perfectly normal visit.]

Excuse me? I was wondering if perhaps I might speak with Yukimura-sensei...

[He won't be here. She's sure he won't, sure she's remembered the timing because her memories are all that's gotten her through the years at the hands of those horrible people, but that's okay. He isn't the one she is here to see.

She's depending on the fact that it will be Kaoru who will answer her call.]

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Mm, I hope so, too.

[wow, all of this genuine sentiment!! granted, it was pretty difficult for most people to tell that he wasn't being genuine back in the life he had lived before... but there does seem to be a warmth present now that Kaoru was never fully capable of capturing before, no matter how perfect his mimicries were.

he delicately picks another piece of fish out, but pauses before he takes a bite, looking curious.]

Is that so? I guess something like that could come in handy, at least... Never forgetting how to cook once you learn, I mean.

When you do certain things often enough, they just... stay with you!

[She beams, obviously delighted; the truth of the matter is, cooking is one of the other ways she can feel connected to the Shinsengumi even though chances are she'll never see any of them again. When she prepares a meal, it brings back so many memories of preparing meals for those men.

But that, too, is part of the bargain. Her brother's safety in exchange for the life she used to lead.]

I'm sure it's the same with Yukimura-san. Maybe not cooking, but even so... everyone has at least one skill like that.

[that actually has him lapsing into a thoughtful silence for a second, though he's still smiling. he picks up his bowl of rice, but doesn't actually eat anything from it yet.]

Hm... Do you think so? A skill like that? [...honestly, he can't... actually think of one. not that he's ever particularly excelled at any one thing - he hasn't, not really. he's all right with housework and he can at least cook decently enough so that he doesn't give himself food poisoning. his medical skills are fine enough to treat things that aren't too complex... but these aren't things that really take a lot of thought to begin with, medicine aside. even that's just a bunch of memorization.]

I wonder what mine is. Maybe I just haven't found it yet? [learning a skill in the future and having it become something that he never forgets again wouldn't be too bad, he thinks.]

I do think so.

[It is, perhaps, one of the more obviously sincere things she's said so far; the castle had given her faith in her brother before she knew he was her brother, and that faith had been tested but not shattered when her memories returned. She wholly believes in his abilities.]

It takes time. No one is born knowing exactly what it is they're going to be good at. [She smiles.] That's why you take as many chances as you can to try new things... right?

["chizuru said i could be anything i set my mind to so i somehow ended up dealing with ochimizu again" SORRY CHIZURU...

but he's mentally running down a list of things he thinks he might be good at, or might become good at, and it seems like his already bright mood is brightening even further. he taps his chopsticks against the side of his bowl, apparently satisfied with whatever conclusion he's drawn.]

That does make sense. I think that I have a little catching up to do in that case, though... [his work takes up a lot of his time, after all. hobbies aren't really something that he has.] As soon as I get the time, I think I'll give a few things a try.

[nOT WHAT SHE HAD IN MIND

Ochimizu dealing notwithstanding, seeing that expression on Kaoru's face makes everything Chizuru has gone through so far - the years in Tosa, the long trip here, and then the hurried preparations for food - worth it. If she can just hold the memory of that smile close to her heart, even if she has to return to the Nagumo family... she can bear it.

She just has to be sure that his father hasn't involved him in something that could lead to tragedy, before she goes.]

If you'd like to take some time to try new things while I'm here, I don't mind. [HE DOESN'T HAVE TO BE WORKING ALL THE TIME... she doesn't mind staying a little longer...] Perhaps we could try something together?

[CHIZURU... just move in, gosh. throw a murder tantrum and accidentally the entire Nagumo clan, it sure worked for him.]

Ah... [at first hE LOOKS EXCITED but then the look shifts into one of mild guilt instead. he should probably not take a patient up on the offer when he's already going to be taking a long time to fill the prescription... granted, based on the small amount he's heard from her alone, maybe going back is something that she's trying to avoid.]

I wouldn't want to waste any of your time, but... [is there a delicate way to try asking for some middle-ground compromise??]

...I wouldn't think of it as a waste, though.

[In fact, she really can't think of anything she would rather do than get to spend some time with Kaoru doing things like normal siblings. While it is true that she would love to see the Shinsengumi (and especially Okita) again - the fact of the matter is the members of the Shinsengumi have each other for support; Kaoru never had anyone, until his life was changed. He's had Kodou in this life, but now Kodou is in Kyoto (or elsewhere, she isn't entirely sure where he is at this exact moment) and while Kaoru may or may not have friends around here, she'd... prefer to be able to see that he's living his life peacefully with her own eyes.

And maybe it's selfish of her, but she wants some peaceful time with her twin before she returns to Tosa, too. Even if it means she doesn't get her medication quite as quickly. As long as she has it before her husband sends people out here to track her down -

As long as lingering doesn't put Kaoru in danger... she wants to spend as much time with him as she can.] In fact, I think I would really enjoy it.

[that seems to be all of the reassurance that he needs, really. he's doing much better in this version of reality than he had been doing in the one Chizuru changed, but he still doesn't really have many friends because he has to dedicate so much of his time to work. he doesn't mind it, really, but it can get a little lonely and leaves him kind of hungry for company. his expression lights up a little, but it's clear he's trying to temper it somewhat.]

I wouldn't mind, then... As long as it isn't burdensome to you. [really, he knows he should be expediting her medicine, but... the temptation to do otherwise is pretty strong.

maybe a little time off couldn't hurt...

but something seems to strike his memory after that, and he looks toward the window with a little jolt.]

Ah - it's been such a long time since I've had a meal with someone that I lost track of the hour.

[She giggles lightly.]

It isn't burdensome in the slightest.

[When he looks toward the window, though, she blinks; a moment later she brings a hand up to cover her mouth and leans forward, looking concerned.]

...I'm sorry... have I kept you from something important? [There is that meeting he has, she supposes - but as far as he knows she doesn't know about it.] ...if you would like, I could clean up so that you can go... I don't want to keep you from it if you had plans before I arrived.

[WOW WHAT A SNEAKY SNEAK. this Kaoru doesn't seem to notice that she could be lying at all...]

It isn't anything important. [a smile! though something about it seems a little less bright than his ones up to this point had been. he shifts where he sits, tapping his chopsticks against the side of his dish again. this time, it seems more like a nervous gesture.]

Ah... Well - I really would hate for you to have to do all the work for the meal and then clean up after, so you don't need to. I shouldn't take too long, but you can go to sleep if you want, or use the bath.

...ah, but! You've been hard at work all day, even before I got here.

[She notices that nervous gesture; it either has to do with what he has to go to that meeting for, or being worried he won't have enough time to get everything put away... most likely the first, but she'll act as though he thinks it's the second.]

I don't mind cleaning up. And it will be good for me to get used to putting things away, if I'll be cooking again while I'm here. [She smiles.] I can bathe and sleep afterward. Please don't feel as though you have to clean up the mess I made in the kitchen.

[She didn't make a mess at all. She cleaned as she was preparing. It's literally just the dishes from this meal that she has to put away, but still...]

[he seems guilty to let her go, though!! he hesitates and hems and haws for a few seconds more, shifting his bowl around a little on the table before decisively picking it up and moving to stand.]

I'll at least clean up my own dishes, then. Really, a guest shouldn't have to do any work at all. I haven't been a very good host and it hasn't even been a full day yet. [FAILURE AT THE HOST GAME.

he'll also pick up his plate and put his other two bowls on top of that before turning to head into the kitchen.]

No, please..! It's not as simple as me being a guest. [She'll start gathering up her own dishes and the serving bowls, then... and will follow him into the kitchen!] You're doing me the favor of allowing me to stay here while you also do me another favor of helping me with my medicine...

[So she should at least cook and clean and do something to help lighten the burden, she thinks!]

I think you've been a very kind and very accommodating host, Yukimura-san. [She smiles.] Truly.

[THAT IS STILL BASICALLY BEING A GUEST IN HIS MIND!! she'll never be able to convince him otherwise, okay. anyway, he'll wash his dishes out but just kind of leave them in a neat stack on the counter with the intent of returning to them later. for now, he's in a bit of a time crunch.]

Ah... Thank you for thinking so. I'd still like to be able to do a little more for you as the host. [a brief smile!] Anyway - thank you for all of the help so far, too. I'll make you breakfast tomorrow to make up for it.

[but he's already starting to ease out of the kitchen and head toward the door GOTTA GO FAST]

You're welcome... and, I'll look forward to it. Have a pleasant evening, Yukimura-san.

[What's that? You think you're coming back those dishes, Kaoru? No you're not, because Chizuru is going to clean them right freaking now. Hah!! She's just going to work on those dishes as he heads on out.

...luckily, she works quickly. And she knows the time and the place that was written on the paper she found earlier... so after changing into something a little less eye-catching and a little more maneuverable, she'll carefully close up the house and head out after him.]

[AND WITH A LAST GOODBYE he's off!! she is so gonna get a lecture when he gets back for doing those dishes, wow.

anyway, since she knows the time and the place, it probably won't be very hard to find him at all. the area itself is relatively clear; it's like the back portion of a market, with the late-night vendors all hanging their lights out and peddling wares to the night crowd. not many people are out behind the stalls, though - except Kaoru and an older man, who seem to be discussing something partway between the stall backings and the forested trail that leads over.

it seems innocuous enough at a glance, at least; whatever they're talking about isn't enough to have either of them looking agitated or angry. Kaoru is wearing an expression that she might recognize from the castle, though - the look of someone pragmatically explaining something. there isn't anything malicious present, at least.]

[She's glad that there's no air of maliciousness about them - but the fact that the expression is similar to any expression he wore in the castle at all leaves her more than a little ill at ease regardless.

It's why, even though neither one of them seems to be angry or upset, she creeps a little closer. Luckily, the late-night vendors are easy enough to tune out even when she looks as though she is paying attention to them. It's a simple enough matter to make a show of looking over some wares from a store that, hopefully, is within earshot of the conversation Kaoru and the older man are having.

She doesn't look at them, though; she keeps her gaze on the wares, both to make it seem as though she isn't eavesdropping and to be sure Kaoru doesn't recognize her. She would recognize his voice anywhere, so it's okay if she isn't looking.]

[she sure did learn some sneaking skills...! gosh, his Tosa ninja squad would be jealous.

Kaoru doesn't seem to notice that there's anyone eavesdropping, either way, since he carries on conversing at the same volume. no one around these areas really cares about somewhat shady deals behind the vendors, after all... and all things considered, there are probably some shadier deals going down.

either way, once she gets close enough to pick up on their voices, she'll be able to catch a few things. an unfamiliar voice; the older man saying -think it will be ready? and then Kaoru's; it shouldn't me much longer, but we got a sudden order-

the banter will carry on like that for a few seconds more. to someone passing by, it would just sound like a conversation between a chemist and a patient exchanging information on some sort of prescription. but then, from the man, there's a question: found him?

—no, not yet.

a brief lull, and then Kaoru speaks again. but we still have his research.]

[Technically, it's her Tosa ninja squad now. ...or rather, her husband's.

..."it" could be anything, and that's something she tries to tell herself to ease her anxiety as the conversation she is eavesdropping on continues; it doesn't necessarily mean what she fears it means (even though if it was something legitimate, there wouldn't have been any reason for him to have been concerned about letting her see the "mess" in the kitchen, would there?), it doesn't have to mean that at all.

She is almost able to convince herself of that, until the question -

Who else would they be looking for, and whose research could they have? There is only one man who comes to mind and it makes her stomach churn, because that means Kaoru is neck-deep in the business of the ochimizu after all, and that's completely unsafe.

From one dangerous situation to another... how can this have happened? Her hands close tightly around the porcelain trinket she's examining; her grip is a little too strong, and minute cracks form on it. The shopkeeper narrows his eyes before demanding to know if she's planning on buying it.]

...ah, I'm sorry, of course... [She apologizes easily and hands over the coin to pay for it even more easily, but her attention is mostly focused on Kaoru.]

[wow... he misses his ninja squad YOU BETTER BE TAKING CARE OF THEM (better care than kaoru did anyway whoops)

in the time it takes her to destroy some nifty porcelain thingy though, it seems like the conversation between Kaoru and the stranger starts to wrap up. meetings like this are generally done as quickly as possible, after all...! there seem to be a few muttered reassurances; "it won't be a setback" and "we can still make it work", and then the man mentions a date about a week from the current one, and Kaoru nods.]

Ah, well - [louder now, as if he's trying to catch the attention of anyone walking too close] I believe that's all, sir. If there are any poor reactions to the treatment, please let me know.

[it certainly would sound innocuous enough, if Chizuru didn't already know that it was the exact opposite.]

[She's not throwing murdertantrums at them so that's a marked improvement.

She knows too much about the ochimizu to take that for an innocent comment, and as she turns away from the stall she had been using as her cover, her expression darkens. What does it mean - how did Kaoru come to be involved in this...? Poor reactions to the treatment could mean murderous creatures in the streets of Edo. What does Kaoru expect to do about it, should this man let him know?

...she'll have to interrogate the man. It occurs to her that perhaps he is a representative of the Shinsengumi; the timing is right, after all. They were looking for her father, too. But he could also simply be from the shogunate. Was the Shinsengumi the only group they'd pushed into experimenting with the ochimizu...?

For now, she tries to make herself as unobtrusive as possible and to blend into any crowds that are nearby. Once an opportunity presents itself, she'll approach the old man Kaoru had been speaking with.]

[sometimes the murdertantrums just happen okay!!

anyway, she's in luck and will have some time to interrogate the man! because Kaoru does have to put up a front that he was doing something, so he slips away and into the market area itself, busying himself with chatting and looking at a few trinkets. the shopkeepers that he stops and talks to seem to know him well, and the genial air that he converses with them with doesn't seem to be faked.

the man also doesn't seem too unpleasant, though he double-takes upon seeing Chizuru. up close, he has a faint accent that hints he may be from a more rural area.]

Oh— Y'caught me by surprise, miss! Y'look like an acquaintance. [he seems ready to move on after the apology.]

Do I? [She looks mildly surprised.] My apologies... I didn't mean to startle you.

[Ah, but he does seem to be readying himself to move on, doesn't he? She'll have to think of something to either keep him here or keep him talking. ....talking would be preferable, especially if they can move further away from anywhere Kaoru might happen to come across him.]

Pardon my asking, but... are you a traveler?

[he still seems to be in a bit of a hurry, but apparently not enough of one to slow down a little for a curious bystander!]

Traveler? Nothin' like that; I'm just visiting from out of town.

[it seems like he's jovial enough, at least. as with the earlier conversation she overheard with Kaoru, he doesn't seem to be a malicious person judging on tone alone.]

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