Snippet #2714211

COLLAB POST FOR KIYOYORI, KENSHIN AND HAJIME

Just then, the same woman who had shown Kiyoyori into the room earlier appeared at the door, and gave a deep bow to the three who had assembled. “Excuse me, my lords,” she said with infinite politeness and a silky-smooth voice, “Lord Abe sends his deepest apologies. He has been delayed along with the fourth noble guardian, and requests that my lords please begin the meal without him.”

Kiyoyori turned to the woman and accepted her apologies with a small bow of his own, Kenshin and Hajime following his lead. “Thank you.” She shuffled into the room, her long gown swishing over the tatami mats, followed by three further servants, all young women, bringing in trays of food and drink for the assembled guests. Kiyoyori couldn’t help but notice that they were all quite attractive and couldn’t help but smile at the one who placed food in front of him. When he was offered sake by her he accepted it graciously.

Hajime stared at the women like a hungry vulture. Sure, he had his snacks for the road, and almost ate Futoki-sensei out of house and home this morning, but smelling the food as it came in with the servants made his mouth water, and his stomach grumble. Kenshin heard the grumble from the child’s stomach, and took this time to finally sit, and he took the seat next to Kiyoyori, putting him in the middle, and closer to Hajime, laying his staff down beside him, and in between him and Kiyoyori. Kenshin did not want a repeat of being eaten. Perhaps he was unconsciously afraid of Hajime from his indirect cannibalism. It wasn't the kids fault for dreaming what he did, Kenshin knew that better than anyone. It might take some time to get over though.

They set their dinner trays in front of everyone present. One by one they distributed their food. First was the rice. The girl who had a small nose and a round face set Kenshins bowl down with a blush, and he nodded a thanks with a half grin. She gave him a nervous smile, and set a sake glass on his table with the intention of filling. As soon as she set the glass down and lifted the sake, he put his hand over his cup, blocking her path. "No sake. I don't drink, but tea would be wonderful." The girl nodded, slightly confused, but complied, getting up from her spot beside Kenshin to go fetch some tea. It was highly unusual for someone to not drink, especially at social gatherings. Kenshin preferred it this way.

If Kiyoyori thought it was strange that Kenshin wasn't drinking, he had the good grace not to mention it. Privately though he hoped it wasn't a sign that he was one of those ascetic types who thought themselves too holy for what the world had to offer. That would get boring pretty quick. However, Kenshin didn't exactly seem like the overly religious type. In fact, Kiyoyori wasn't really sure what to make of him at all, but he certainly had his attention. "Well, that answers the question as to where Master Seimei is. Or rather, where he isn’t.” He looked at the fourth seat, which remained empty, wondering who it’s occupant might be, then turned back to Kenshin and Hajime. “So, you have the ability to enter people’s dreams, and you’re a healer. Those are pretty unique gifts,” he said, impressed with what he had found out about them already. “I’m afraid I’ve only got one talent – shooting people,” he laughed, as though he found the idea particularly hilarious. “It’s not such an uncommon thing. I guess I’m not bad at it though.”

Kenshin raised a brow. "Well you can bet you're not bad at it, especially if Seimei is involved, and the conditions we are meeting here under." He noted that in the small time he had met Kiyoyori, that he wasn't sure if he was a go-with-the-flow type, or never took anything seriously type. Kenshin wasn't sure, but knew that by observing him over the course of the next few days, he would come to better understand. If there was one thing Kenshin didn't do, it was make quick judgements based off of first impressions. Hajime was another matter entirely all together for Kenshin.

In reality, it was a little bit of both. "That's true," he smiled. "Well, if Master Seimei can find a good use for me I'm happy. It's a great honour to be here, maybe too great...." Kiyoyori felt like he was being carried along by a wave of unexpected good fortune, and that he hadn't done anything to deserve it. Fate could turn once again very easily, so there was no point questioning such good luck.

Hajime couldn't believe his eyes at the amount of food they were bringing. Is it always like this in the palace? He thought, watching them serve the rice. There was grilled fish and meat, umeboshi, desserts, soup, and more that Hajime couldn't see, beginning to place food in front of him. He liked his lips, his stomach releasing another growl. Just as soon as the lady put the bowl of rice in front of him, he clapped his hands together. "Itadakimasu!" and down the bowl went in what seemed like 3 huge gulps, "Wow this is really good!" he said, with a mouth full. Hajime extended his hand out to the servant with his empty bowl. "More please!"


Kiyoyori also started tucking into the food set before them. There was a lot of it, and it looked good too. He couldn't help but think about the destruction of the city - how people in the area were barely scraping a living, and the fields unplanted and ruined outside, and how even the interior of the palace looked as though it had seen better days. They surely didn't eat this well here all the time, which meant that someone was pulling out all the stops just for them. He felt more than a bit guilty that they were being feasted so lavishly when none of them - as far as he knew - had really done anything to deserve it, aside from some accident of rebirth. Still, it would be rude to question it, and he wasn't going to turn down the hospitality of the Shogun of all people. He ate a few mouthfuls, which tasted as good as they looked, then looked up sharply at Hajime who had already put away an entire bowl of rice and who knew what else. "Someone has a healthy appetite," he commented, surprised and impressed at how much and how quickly the boy could put it away.

The maid servant looked at Hajime, taken back not only by his inhaling of the food, but at his appetite. "H-Hai." She responded, taking his bowl and filling it once more, before putting the scoop down and pouring Hajime some sake. "Eh? What's this? Something tasty?" He looked at it, setting his bowl down to pick up the cup, which disappeared just as quickly. Kenshin had reached over Kiyoyori, and snatched it. "Not for kids." Kenshin simply said, setting the full glass down on Kiyoyori's tray, giving a small apologetic bow with just his head for reaching over him. It was a momentary distraction before Hajime realized his rice bowl was once again empty. "More please!" He asked.

Kiyoyori laughed at the quickness of Kenshin's reaction as he reached over just when Kiyoyori was about to pick up a mouthful of food and almost stabbed Kenshin's hand with his chopsticks. That really was a very serious expression on Kenshin's face. Was he opposed to sake drinking in general? Or was he an overprotective parent type? "Excuse me Kenshin-san, what's the harm in letting him have some if he wants to try it?" asked Kiyoyori, with feigned innocence. He was aware that he was stirring the pot, yet felt unable to help himself. "How old are you?" he asked Hajime. "I think you could have one cup just for the taste..." he took the sake cup from his tray where Kenshin had deposited it and put it back in front of Hajime.

"Very well.." Kenshin replied to Kiyoyori, refusing to reach over and grab the Sake glass again. Instead, he snapped his fan closed, and tucked into his obi sash with half sticking out of the top, and picked up the bowl of soup, then his chop sticks, using his middle finger of the hand holding the bowl to help in aiding his other hand to grasp them. He used the ends to start picking out the ingredients, one by one, and eating them in an elegant manner much like a woman would. Small amounts. He was probably putting on a feminine performance, but truth be told he was raised by his mother, and often looked up at how well mannered, and strong she was. A little bit of a mama's boy. Perhaps he was slightly protective without realizing it, but more so he didn't want to be the person to care for the drunken child.

Hajime turned to Kiyoyori with a mouthful of rice and fish, deciding to finish chewing and swallow before replying "12.. I think. My parents never really told me, but Futoki-sensei believes 12." He set his bowl down, and lifted the Sake glass, taking a good hard look a the clear liquid before downing it in one gulp. It was bitter, and Hajime wasn't sure if he liked it, even making a face. It wasn't long before he started to feel funny, his cheeks turning a shade of red. “Twelve is definitely old enough for sake," Kiyoyori stated with absolutely no evidence to back it up or reason to think so. "So, do you two know which of the Guardians you’re the reincarnation of?"

"I am not sure.." Kenshin began. "All Seimei told me is that I needed to help.. Although.." He paused, thinking about the dream he had of his own past, the intense feelings that came with it, and the sounds of metal hitting metal on a staff. "I do have a guess. As for Hajime.." Kenshin stopped, looking over at Hajime stuff his face. "I have a pretty good idea." He paused, taking a few bites from his bowl, then looked over at Kiyoyori. "It seems we are waiting for the leader and another." Kenshin had assumed that because there was four males and one female from his past dream, that they would inhabit the same gender bodies.

Kiyoyori made a non-commital noise in reply. Somehow he didn't feel ready to announce that he was supposed to be their leader. If he did, he'd have to start taking on the responsibility. That could wait until later, surely? "Oh, so who is Hajime-kun? If I had to make a guess ... I'd say you were..." he glanced over at Kenshin, wondering if he should continue, or if Kenshin would get offended.

The servant girl returned quickly with Kenshin's tea, kneeling in front of him and setting it down on his tray. He nodded a thanks, setting down his bowl and chop sticks to lift the cup up. Blowing a few times on the top of the hot liquid, he took a few small sips. "Hmmm?" He asked, curious over his answer. Kenshin didn't bother to remember the names that Seimei gave him. History wasn't his strong suit. In Kenshin's mind, why should he have to remember when he can just 'go' there. It was no lie he was curious about his past life. His own past, he never ventured back into, but his past lives past.. now that was an intoxicating though on its own.

"Well," Kiyoyori looked down before raising his eyes back to Kenshin's, "You don't believe in drinking sake and prefer tea, you have a mysterious spiritual power, and you didn't get angry when I laughed at you earlier - sorry that was rude of me, even though it was very funny you have to admit - so my guess would be you're the monk. Urabe."

"Hajime..." He began, looking over at the child wolfing down the food. "The wolf child no doubt. Perhaps that's where he gets his ferocious appetite." He added, taking a few more sips of the hot liquid, enjoying the small burning sensation that came when he swallowed it. There was also a similar appearance between the two from Hajime's present life compared to his past life.

"The wolf child?" Kiyoyori wondered what Kenshin meant for a moment, but there was no doubt that "wolf child" seemed a suitable epithet for Hajime. "Oh, you must mean Sakata no Kintoki." If he hadn't had Master Seimei's insistent tutorial on their journey towards the capital, most of this would have passed him by. He felt like the lessons were being put to good use and that it was just what Master Seimei had expected.

There was no doubt that Kiyoyori was smart. Smarter than he looked for sure. It was the same guess as his own. The sake however. It wasn’t that he was against it. It was more.. a story left for another time. "Good guess." He also enjoyed how he was honest. Not many were honest with Kenshin due to his position.

"I suppose we won't know how good until either you remember or Master Seimei spills the beans," replied Kiyoyori, casually drinking from his sake cup as he wondered why the onmyouji had told him who he was in a past life, but not the others. In order to impress Lord Tadatsugu enough to let Kiyoyori leave, probably. He was still half uncovinced by the whole thing, and it was only Master Seimei's word on it that lent it any kind of credence.

Kenshin let out a small laugh, setting his tea down. "You'd be surprised at how right you are. I've seen some, and experienced some." He felt it was safe to let Kiyoyori know. "I've had dreams of the past, and not my own doing. Though the faces were not overly clear."

"What kind of things did you see in your dreams?" Kiyoyori asked, intrigued. Kenshin thought back to the reoccurring dream he had. He replied to Kiyoyori while staring straight ahead, speaking while it played out in his head. "Fighting. Blood. Lightening bolt arrows. A girl with very long hair. Four males. The wolf child. A spear. Haori coat and katana. I held a metal staff... Could feel what my past self felt. It was like I was living it, like I was physically there. It was nothing like the dreams people have or the dreams I give them. I've never experienced anything like it in almost 20 years as the dream walker."