“Betrayal By Blood”
Part 11

While Nori is gathering the trays from the men after breakfast, she sees Hijikata walk in to the dining area with his tray.

“Do not tell me you are being kind and bringing me your tray, Hijikata?” Nori says to him.

“I am doing one even better. I have gotten a couple of men to do your dishes until your hand has healed. I take that it should be a few days before you can fully take over all of your chores once again.” Hijikata tells her.

Nori smiles saying, “Thank you, Hijikata. That was very thoughtful of you to do this for me. Who did you get to take care of things for me, may I ask?” Nori starts to pick up the trays from the floor as Shinpachi and Sanosuke, walk over to her, and take them from her. She smiles at them as she thinks to herself. “No… he did not… he would not… he could not have them doing this.”

Nori reaches for the trays, “Thank you, but I can do this, you two.” Nori says.

“We got it, Nori. Just take it easy. Go outside in the garden and enjoy the day until lunch.” Shinpachi tells her. Sanosuke walks up behind her placing both hands on her shoulders leading her to the door of the dining area.

“Go, we have got it from here,” says Sanosuke. Nori turns looking back at them as Shinpachi waves his hands at her to motion her to leave. Nori shrugs her shoulders and walks down the walkway.

After a few minutes, Nori’s thoughts get the best of her. She walks to the kitchen to see if Shinpachi and Sanosuke were actually the two Hijikata assigned to do this for her. As she draws closer to the kitchen she hears, “No, you idiot that is not the way you do it. Here... like this.”

“Will you back off and let me do it my way? It is faster this way. Just do your part and I will do mine.”

“You’re an idiot, Sano. It would be faster if you do it my way.” Nori walks in the kitchen just as Shinpachi throws the rag into the water causing a splash, making water splatter everywhere and getting Sanosuke wet.

“Look what you did.” Sanosuke yells at him showing him his wet clothes.

“Well if you would listen to me for once and stop arguing with me, we could get out of here faster.” Shinpachi says glaring at Sanosuke.

“Oh you think so? Here take this and that and how about this as well.” Sanosuke has his hand in the water splashing Shinpachi, as Shinpachi has his hands up trying to keep the water from getting in his face. Shinpachi reaches for the cup setting on the counter that was full of water as he douses Sanosuke with it. They both stand there, soaked in water.

Nori crosses her arms, shakes her head while sighing, and says, “I knew this was not a good idea.” The two look at her as a big smile comes across their face they start to laugh.

Toudou walks in the door behind Nori, disappointed he says, “You had a water fight and left me out... that is just not fair.”

Nori looks at Toudou, “I would hate to think what my kitchen would look like if you were here for this. You two have made a mess in here and have gotten nowhere.” Nori goes to pick up a rag to clean up the water.

“Stop Nori…” Shinpachi says.

“Yeah we're sorry. We will clean it up and get your kitchen back like it was.” Sanosuke tells her. She looks at the both of them with uncertainty in her eyes.

“Trust us, we will have your kitchen spic-and-span before lunch for you.” Toudou tells her.

Nori shakes her head as Shinpachi starts to push her out the door and slides it closed. She stands there as she hears Toudou say, “OK, get moving, you two. You made the mess... get to cleaning it up.”

Nori heard a loud crash come from the kitchen; she puts her hand to her head and walks away saying, “Well if lunch gets fixed today, it will be a miracle.”

The day finally moves into evening while Nori fixes dinner for the men, Susumu slides the door walking into the kitchen, “So, you've come to see what is for dinner tonight, Susumu?” Nori asks him.

“Not really. I was more interested in what you might be doing after dinner.” Susumu says.

Nori turns her attention way from the stove looking at Susumu, “Why is that, Susumu?” Nori asks him.

“Well, I thought if you wanted to, you and I could watch the fireworks together later tonight.” Susumu says.

“Well I do have plans for after dinner, but later… that will be great.” Nori tells him.

“I know you are planning on going to the festival, Nori. But do you really think you should?” Susumu tells her.

“Not you too, Susumu. Hajime already give me the what-for about it. Please just let me go and enjoy myself while I can. I do not think anything is going to happen while we are there.” Nori says.

“That's just it. You do not think anything will happen, but you cannot say that you know it will not.” Susumu says.

Nori turns, going back to cooking. She sighs saying, “I just want to go out and have a good time, Susumu. Is there a problem with that?”

Susumu hangs his head and tells Nori, “I just want you to be safe, Nori. I do not want to lose you like I did my sister. Since Ayumu was killed, you are the only one I have left. Even though you are not of my blood, you have become like my sister in my heart.”

Nori slowly looks at Susumu. She smiles and walks toward him. When she gets in front of him, she reaches out, taking his hand from his side. Susumu looks up at her.

She touches his face saying, “I never knew you look upon me as your sister, Susumu. I am honored for you to call me that.”