From: Rurichan and Harichan A new chapter of For the Sake of Hope (from now on referred to as FSH) Disclaimer, and Ruri's rant at the bottom. Everyone can master a grief but he that has it-- Much Ado About Nothing, Shakespeare Chapter 2: Hiko Ch 2: Hiko Nozomi ran toward the back of the Aoiya, greeting the people as she went. “Where are you going so quickly?” a voice asked. Nozomi stopped and turned, “Hiko-san!” she exclaimed. “I was on my way to see Shinobu.” “How is my baka worker?” he asked as he took a sip of sake. “Fine, he’s probably at home working on the books.” Nozomi said. “I hope there was a profit this time. He keeps giving away the merchandise.” “He only gives away the imperfect ones Hiko-san.” Hiko smiled, “I shouldn’t criticize, I do the same too. Your father has been rubbing off on me. Be proud of your father Nozomi-chan.” he said. “How long have you known my father?” “A long time.” Hiko said in a tone that said 'the stories I have to tell!' “Nozomi-chan! What a surprise what are you doing here so late?” Misao asked as she appeared next to Hiko. “Oh! I completely forgot, I came to see Shinobu.” Nozomi said. She turned to Hiko, “One of these days I’ll get you to tell me about my oto-chan.” Hiko took another drink of sake, “Sure.” he said. “Tell your father I’m coming to look at the books in a few days.” “Hai Hiko-san.” Nozomi said as she bowed and then followed Misao. Misao smiled, “He’s probably practicing as always.” she let Nozomi through the back and led her to the courtyard, “He wants to be like his father.” “How so?” Nozomi asked. Misao didn’t answer she called for Shinobu instead, “Shinobu! Nozomi-chan is here!” Shinobu stopped his practicing and put the two kodachi back into their sheaths. “Nozomi-chan!” he exclaimed. “Have you been practicing?” Nozomi nodded. “You’ll still be my sparring partner right?” Shinobu shook his long black hair out his eyes, “Of course." he added quickly as he looked away, "You look pretty tonight Nozomi.” “Thank you Shinobu-kun!” Nozomi said giving him a hug, “I need to go oto-chan is going to go looking for me if I stay out any longer.” she bowed to Misao and then ran. Shinobu sighed as he looked in the direction of Nozomi’s escape. Misao placed a hand on his head. “You’ve grown tall Shinobu.” she said softly. Shinobu smiled, “As tall as oto-san I hope.” Misao smiled, “I think you’ll be as tall as him. Where is oto-san?” “At the temple meditating.” Misao shook her head, “As always.” Kenshin woke up and glanced at the calendar and sighed. “How much longer?” he asked. He had specifically woken up early to go to the temple. He did this every year. To pray and talk to Kaoru. He shuffled towards the Temple in the early morning cold thinking about the past year. When he reached the temple he entered and relaxed. “Kaoru, am I doing the right thing?” he whispered. “I miss you.” “Eleven years,” he said, “Eleven years with out you. Look at our daughter, she’s like you. If only you were here to see her grow up. This time I am going home to tend to your grave. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to in the past.” He looked down at his hands. “Why? Why?” he asked, “Why did you have to leave me?” his hands blurred and he felt tears hit his hands. “I’ve been so lonely with out you.” Nozomi woke up and stretched her arms. She glanced at her calendar and smiled, today was the day! She grew excited and quickly put on a kimono. She braided her hair and tied it with a matching ribbon then rushed to the kitchen. “Ohayo oto-chan!” she said hugging him hard. “Oro!” he exclaimed. “Ohayo Nozomi-chan.” he said kissing her forehead. “Happy birthday.” “Thank you.” she said. Kenshin smiled, she seemed energetic as always. To his comfort she didn’t ask him any more ages during breakfast. “I’m going to go to the market today.” she said. “Would you like anything?” Kenshin shook his head, “I don’t think so. I went yesterday.” “I’d love some sake.” Hiko said as he entered the room. “Ohayo Hiko-san!” Nozomi said. Hiko smiled a dazzling smile, “I brought you a gift Nozomi.” he gave her a package. Nozomi took it and unwrapped it. She gasped, “Ribbons!” she said. “For your hair of course.” Hiko said. “Ooof!” he grunted when Nozomi hugged him hard. “Thank you Hiko-san!” she said and let him go. She turned to leave the room. “Nozomi-chan.” Kenshin said. Nozomi stopped mid-stride, “Hai?” she asked. “Remember, I love you.” Kenshin said. Nozomi looked at him for a moment and then smiled, “I love you too oto-chan.” and then left the room. Hiko sat down and opened his sake bottle. “Isn’t it a bit early in the day to drink sake?” Kenshin asked as he cleared the bowls. “Of course not.” Hiko said. “Besides I came to talk business and sake soothes me when I look at the books.” “Sake seems to soothe everything for you.” he muttered as he took the books and placed them on the table. “What was with the ‘I love you’?” Hiko asked. “I just wanted to remind her, that’s all.” Kenshin said as he opened the books. “Sixteen.” Hiko said with a sigh, “She looks like Kaoru. She’s strong, you know, that came from you.” “We made a profit this month.” Kenshin said. “Which means you gave away less pottery this month.” Hiko said. “But don’t change the subject. I know we made money with the Aoiya and the Shirobeko using our pottery for their dishes.” “But I thought-” “Baka.” Hiko said, “I came to talk to you.” “I’m doing fine now back to the books.” Kenshin said in one breath. “I know you Kenshin, why are you avoiding the subject.” Kenshin closed the book with a snap. He focused on the edges of the pages and said, “Why ruin something that’s going well?” next chapter: Chapter Zero- I (Flashback 1) ---------------- Rurichan- comments, flames, corrections, and any balatant errors that need to be corrected are always welcome. Disclaimer: (cheerleaders rush in) Who owns Kenshin? Sony does! Who else owns Kenshin? Jump! Who created Kenshin? Watsuki! Gooooo Watsuki!(cheerleaders rush back out) [ehhh no I'm not on anything, but then again it is 2am ^^;] Ruri's rant: Anyways my muse Usyagi-chan (the Wish bunny) has whapped me upside the head and given me another lovely plot to write, full of angst and sadness. So I have 2 projects to work on. ^_^ --------------------------- ONElist Sponsor ---------------------------- Congrats to GROW TO GIVE winners, ZENtertainment & ROTInews! http://www.onelist.com Check out ONElist’s new program, FRIENDS & FAMILY. See homepage. ------------------------------------------------------------------------