Small Changes

"Soji, are you okay," Toshizo asks, finishing his meal Soji nods? "Yes sir, I will be going," he said and ran out. "Miyo, you will be sleeping next to me tonight, understand me," he said. Miyo nods. "Yes," she said. "I will heat a bath for you," he said as his hand became covered in fire. "Please enjoy, and I will be waiting in my room," he said. Once she came into his room, he looked at her. "We will go to town tomorrow, understand," he told her. Miyo nods. "Of course, Lord Hijikata," she said. "My one day without Soji, I am so excited," he said and lay down. "Sir, do you not like Soji," Miyo asks. Toshizo sighs. "It's not that I don't like him. He is a lot to handle every day," he said. Miyo giggled a little "He is always very upbeat," she said. He nods. "I have known him since childhood," he said. He yawns and lays down. Miyo sat there. "Sir, I, umm, I don't have a gift," she said. Toshizo sighs. "I know that I have looked into your family. No worries about that, Miyo. I am so sorry for how you were treated," he said, glancing over at her. Miyo bows. "You have treated me so kind and caring," she said. Toshizo pulled her to him and held her. She was red and cuddled up to him, and they fell asleep. The following day they went out, he walked into an expensive kimono shop, and they took her size. He was picking ones out and saw a cherry blossom one and picked it out. He also picked out a lovely comb and hid it from her as they walked out, they had a beautiful day together, and while she was in the bath, he left the comb box outside her door. Yuki saw it and got super happy. Miyo opens the door and picks up the box and opens it and knows what it means. She is so taken aback, knowing how expensive it must have been she held the box close to her that night. The following morning She wanted to give him something but was unsure she went to Yuki. "I would like to give Mr.Hijikata a gift but unsure of what," she said. Yuki got happy and found a book on making things. While Miyo was looking, she found a rope and imaged it in Toshis hair and smiled. Miyo went to his room and bowed. "There is an errand I would like to do today if that is okay," she said. He bent down. "Take Yuki with you and this," handing her a talisman. "Please keep it with you at all times," he said, kissing her hands and leaving. They went shopping for the rope. She picked a yellow, a light purple, and a dark purple Yuki had to stop for some salt and left her outside when Kaya saw her. Soji was on patrol and walked over just as she started being mean. "Miss Miyo, hello," he said. Miyo looks. "Mr. Okida," she said. Soji smiles. "Soji, please, so are you okay," he asks when he looks at Kaya's lips zipped shut."If you have nothing nice to say to Lord Hijikata's future wife, then I would keep quiet," he said, and Kaya could speak again. Kaya looks. "Wife, he will marry her," she said. Soji smiles. "Yes, he will, so be nice and know you're station," he said. Kaya nods and bows and left. Yuki walks out. "Soji, lovely to see you," she said. He smiles. "You to Yuki, I am off," he said and left.

Toshi was at Miyos house talking with her parents. "You will apologize to her face to face, and it will be sincere," he said, picking up his sword. "Your daughter will be a Hijikata and have a higher station than you, so know your place," he said and left. Miyo and Yuki were home. Miyo was braiding the rope for Toshi's hair. Toshi got home and smiles seeing her.