Author's Note: Whoo! It was supposed to be a one-shot, but my roleplay buddies said to write a second chapter. So yeah. Thanks guys. I HOPE YOU ENJOY SAD KASUGA, KENSHIN AND KEIJI.
The Sparrow in the Tree
Chapter Two
Kasuga stood up and picked up the tea cups as Keiji left. She took them to the kitchen, and set them down on a counter. She returned to the sitting room, and then to the gate of the castle. Immediately, she closed the door and barred it. She smiled as she checked to make sure it was sturdy.
"Kasuga."
She turned around, and her cheeks heated up. Kenshin was standing in the doorway to the sitting room.
"Ken-Kenshin-sama..." She bit her lip.
"Where is Keiji?" He took a step toward her. She found herself frozen by his inquistive glance at the barred door.
"He left to go find Lady Saika, remember?"
"So why are you barring the door?" He took another step.
"I... don't think he's coming back. He's going to bring Lady Saika back to Oshu," Kasuga replied, fighting the tremble in her voice.
"My beautiful blade," Kenshin began with a smile. He stopped in front of her.
There was a loud knock at the gate. "Hey, who locked it? Kasuga-chan, it's not funny! Open up, the One-Eyed Dragon and Katakura Kojuurou already rescued Magoichi!"
Kasuga frowned.
Kenshin lifted his arms on either side of her. Kasuga's cheeks reddened. Finally, was he going to take her in his arms and...
he lifted the wood holding the gate shut. Kasuga went suddenly pale.
"Kasuga. Keiji is an honored guest... he is welcome to stay as long as he wishes to grace us with his company." His eyes were soft, but his lips no longer bore a smile, especially as her shoulders sagged.
"Would you like me to make some more tea, Kenshin-sama?" Her voice was soft. Her eyes downcast.
Kenshin looked away. "Kasuga..."
She held her breath. Hoping for something more than she was going to get.
"... that would be nice."
Kasuga ducked under his arm and went back to the kitchen.
Kenshin pushed open the gate. His chest was tight, but seeing Keiji's face...
only reminded him of Kasuga.
He forced himself to ask, "So the One-Eyed Dragon beat you to the punch, I take it?"
Keiji nodded. "She acted like I wasn't even there! And it wasn't the One-Eyed Dragon, it was his Right Eye. He was so confident and dashing... he made her smile."
Kenshin raised an eyebrow. "Saika Magoichi smiled?"
"It was only a little... like you do." Keiji scowled, running a hand through his hair. "And he touched her and the way they looked at each, it wasn't just that she stopped noticing me, she stopped noticing Lord Date."
Kenshin nodded. "Like it was just her and Katakura Kojuurou."
"Yeah. Like the way Kasuga looks at you."
Kenshin's chest tightened painfully.
"Kenshin, how do you make Kasuga so happy? Can you tell me so I can charm Magoichi? I can't stop thinking about her... she's invading everything I do," Keiji begged, falling to his knees and bowing to Kenshin.
"Don't you want Lady Saika to like you for who you are? She'll feel decieved if you present her with something false," Kenshin warned. He wasn't sure that he could tell Keiji anything... Kasuga wasn't happy. There was no advice to give. Even he wondered why Kasuga, who was so beautiful and skilled and would never want for admirers, had chosen him. He had devoted his life to Bishamonten. He could never devote it to her.
"I want to prove that I can be what she wants. She'll like me for that! She'll like me for other things, I know it. I just need a chance to prove that to her..."
"Keiji. I act no differently with Kasuga when you are here than when we are alone." Kenshin sighed. "What do you see me do for Kasuga?"
Keiji looked up. His brows were furrow and his mouth was open for a retort, but his brain got there first... Kasuga was always making him tea, bringing him sake, making him morning and evening meals, showering him with praise, blushing and looking away, she was so devoted, that was... what Kasuga did.
Kenshin did nothing. Kenshin sat, Kenshin watched, Kenshin smiled and delicately touched her face or dropped a pet name once in a while.
Kenshin did nothing to show his love for Kasuga.
Did he love Kasuga at all?
Kenshin nodded. "You see now."
"So I should do nothing?" Keiji asked, the shock clear in his wide eyes.
"You should do what you feel is right."
"You feel it's right to do nothing for Kasuga-chan?" Keiji stood up, more confused than angry.
"Yes. I devoted myself to Bishamonten before I met Kasuga..." Kenshin felt a lump form in his throat. Why was he choking up now? He swallowed with a smile. "I wish Kasuga could see you like this. It would put her at ease."
"But... I want what you and Kasuga have." A weak protest.
"You want what you think Kasuga and I have. And if you do, then you don't want Saika Magoichi," Kenshin said.
"But I DO."
"Keiji... I don't want what Kasuga and I have."
Keiji stepped back. "What?"
"I don't want what Kasuga and I have. And you don't want what Kasuga and I have. Not if you want to see Saika Magoichi smile." Kenshin turned away from his friend.
"How can you say that? What if Kasuga was here?" Keiji asked, his voice barely above a whisper. They both knew the possibility of Kasuga listening on them was there. It didn't take that long to make tea, even if she was drying the tea leaves herself.
"She's listening from the porch... she can hear us just fine, Keiji." Kenshin held a straight face as he looked to the wrap around porch. He could see the faint whisp of one of Kasuga's long blond bangs.
"Kenshin, that's cruel."
"Keiji, if you want to make Lady Saika smile, you can't do it from Echigo." Kenshin walked back towards the sitting room.
Keiji stood quietly until he saw Kasuga round the porch and go inside. And he left Kasugayama Castle.
Kenshin watched as two guards closed the gate behind his friend. A cup of steaming tea in his hand and Kasuga looking purposefully toward the pond.
Keiji, I want what you think Kasuga and I have.
o: Angst-mongering Uesugi forces. I almost feel bad.