A/N: Yes, I'm starting another fic- actually I wrote this before I even came up with the NHE plot, but didn't like how it turned out. Right now I'm on vacation(Columbus Day!), and after rereading it during an eight hour long car ride, decided it may actually be worth posting(it seems time somewhat dilutes my highly self-critical nature, glad I didn't delete this). Warning: it is completed, but needs editing, and I really don't like the ending, so depending on reviews I may try to come up with another idea to continue it.
I imagine the outside of the tea house(gate and garden area only) to look like Yuuko's wish shop from xxxHolic. The actual building just looks like a small old fashioned asian building you see in Jidaigeki, with two primary rooms: the kitchen, and the seating area, with another room most people don't know about for Kurama.
Chapter One: First Meeting
'Yume no Shokubutsu,' the sign read in large but delicate green font. Underneath, in smaller script it said, 'An Asian Style Tea House.'
It looked to be built entirely of wood, which was amazing considering it was located smack dab in the middle of the 'Concrete Jungle' otherwise known as New York.
The front door was a rather delicate looking shoji, that Bruce was pretty sure had had to have been repaired after Loki's little invasion.
Overall, the place looked very peaceful, which was, in fact, why Bruce Banner, otherwise known as the Hulk, was here. Peaceful places were very very good for Bruce's sanity- not to mention any nearby property and building owners.
And to say that Tony Stark's brand spanking new tower where Bruce had an office was peaceful, would be an immense lie.
So, it was 'Vacation Time' for the mad scientist.
Taking a deep, calming breath, the Doctor padded up to the door and slid it open gently.
"Irashaimasu!" Came a soft voice, that perfectly fit with the calm atmosphere of the room. Bruce could almost here a shamisen playing in the background.
"I'll be with you in a moment." Said the same voice, as Bruce examined the room.
It was all wood. The 'tables' (really just raised floor, with mats beside it for seats) were placed against the walls, each one separated by a shoji screen, with only one side open. Each table was was covered in a soft, almost mint green cloth, and in the middle of each table, in a small white porcelain vase, was a single red rose. There were shoji windows, with plants in little window boxes visible through the opened ones.
There was a couple at the table nearest the door, sipping on tea. They were taking turns eyeing each other subtly, and Bruce had to smile. But besides himself and the couple, there were no other customers.
Perfect. He thought, as the man who he presumed was the one that had called out earlier appeared.
He was Asian in all but coloring. Normally Bruce would have thought it a strange sight, but his bright red hair, gentle green eyes, and soft smile fit perfectly with the room accents of red and green. Sort of like a rose . . .
"Good Afternoon," The man said with a small yet polite bow. "I am Kurama. Where would you like to sit?"
"Uh, the back would be good." He pointed. It was farthest away from anyone entering, and near the back door that was off to the right, beside what he presumed was the kitchen. Good for staying out of trouble, as well as making a hasty getaway.
Kurama nodded serenely, and headed off to the table.
Bruce followed, and, after noticing that the couple at the front had left their shoes at the entrance to their 'booth,' slipped his own black dress shoes off and sat himself facing the door- old habits die hard.
Kurama smiled, apparently amused by his customer's paranoia.
"Here is your menu. I will be back in just a moment."
"Actually, I just want some tea, I just came here to calm down a bit. If you could recommend something, I'm not that picky."
Kurama thought for a moment, before tossing his hair behind his shoulder, and leaning forward to drop a small green plant into the vase along with the rose.
Bruce blinked. The guy was quick with his fingers, hwould have made a very good pickpocket.
"Why not something simple? Chamomile, perhaps?"
"Sure, that sounds good. What's the plant?" He said, curiously eyeing the tiny green leaves and delicate white flowers.
"Valerian. The oil is often used in perfumes, while an extract from the root can have a calming effect, similar to a sedative."
The red head grinned playfully. "If your feeling too stressed, feel free to chew on the root."
Bruce huffed a little. "Thanks, I'll remember that." He mumbled, making sure to sound sarcastic, even if it was a good back up plan- just in case.
Kurama disappeared off to the kitchen, only to return moments later with an old fashioned looking green tea pot, and a matching cup.
Kurama set the cup down, before gracefully pouring the steaming liquid into it, setting the pot down within easy reach, and bowing slightly. "Would you like honey, sugar, or anything else?"
"No, plain is fine."
"Very well, please call me if you need anything." And with that, the man disappeared off to the kitchen.
After waiting a few minutes, all the while patiently blowing on the surface of his drink, he took a small sip, and sighed.
All the busy thoughts of the day, the noisy traffic, Tony's monologuing, everything, seemed to fade away, leaving only the steam that was beginning to tickle his nose, and the scent of the little white flower Kurama had added to the vase expanded around him.
Suddenly, Bruce blinked. Was he being . . .
Drugged?
He frowned, and sniffed the tea in his hand. He couldn't smell smell anything besides chamomile, although that didn't mean much.
He stared at the kitchen.
As if sensing his customer's suspicion, Kurama appeared with an almost smirk on his face.
"Ah, what a paranoid man you are," he commented lightly. "Don't worry, I didn't drug you. As a host, that would have been incredibly rude of me. I just made the tea a bit stronger than normal. You seemed extremely stressed when you came in- now, now, don't give me that look. Just enjoy it while it lasts."
Bruce, deciding this was good advice, quickly finished his first cup, and started nursing his second, leaning his back on the wall, and having a small internal debate on wether or not the stalks of bamboo at the entrance to the kitchen were real or not.
After noticing the bit of genuine looking dirt hidden by a clay pot that the bamboo sat in, he decided on real.
The entire thing was extremely relaxing, and he probably would have stayed the rest of the day, if he hadn't gotten an urgent text from Tony about some sort of technological break through that he had to show off.
Kurama- who had apparently heard the "Hulk Smash" that came from his phone every time he got a text (courtesy of Tony Stark)- came out, and noticed that his guest was preparing to leave.
"How much do I owe you?" Bruce said, eyeing his only half finished tea pot forlornly.
"Well, since this is your first time, and you've been so rudely interrupted, I believe I will let you make your escape without the check."
Bruce raised an eyebrow.
"You're not making me pay? Isn't that bad for business?"
Kurama smile mischievously, and held up two fingers.
"There are conditions of course. One, you must promise to come back some other time, and two," he reached down and plucked the valerian out of the vase, "You take this with you."
Bruce looked down at the plant, thought a moment, and then accepted it.
"I guess I can agree to those terms."
Kurama smiled.
"Until we meet again."