I've always wondered what made Nisei the way he is, so I simply had to make it up^^ I know I have two fics started but unfinished, but I don't believe this one will prevent me from completing them.

The first chapter doesn't really have Nisei in it, but is still vital to the whole story.

Disclaimer: I do not own Loveless.

...

The Japanese in Barcelona

...

Akame Eiichi was a perfect example of a successful career. A son of a shop assistant and a post office clerk, he had been reminded all his young life that the education was the most important thing in the world, the key to a comfortable existence. Faithful to his parents schooling, responsible, ambitious and intelligent by nature, he graduated the most prestigious Japanese university at the age of twenty-six, excelling in Foreign Affairs Studies. As the best student of the year, he quickly found a job in a department of Foreign Affairs as one of secretaries of the minister.

Due to his personal charm and hard-working, no-nonsense attitude, he soon became the minister's most trusted assistant, the indispensable one. Eiichi thrived on that newly-gained importance and tried to make sure to never lose it.

It wasn't a big surprise that, when the minister got assigned to the consulate in Spain, he proposed a position of his secretary to Akame. Eiichi accepted with the expected modesty. Inwardly, he felt grateful to his parents that they had forced him to take Spanish classes.

...

The first few months in Barcelona were like a blur to him. Using every ounce of his sharp mind he attempted to memorise all the faces, names, events and facts, always making polite and engaging small talk, never forgetting about tasks he had been entrusted with.

Barcelona was so much different than Tokyo. Loud, colourful, constantly moving and changing, with new strange people: both officials and regular city dwellers.

Eiichi preferred not to meet them often, dedicating himself to his work. He almost panicked when one day the consul said he was to assist him to a ball at the Riveras.

Alejandro Manuel Rivera Ruiz, with a title of count after his aristocratic ancestors, was a relative to the Spanish Royal Family and therefore represented everything that was foreign and confusing to Eiichi. The young secretary had seen him once, as the count took an active part in the Spanish foreign politics, and the expression that this man has left in his mind could be only described as respect bordering on fear.

The count was a man in his middle-fifties, with keen dark eyes and a "Roman" nose, with the aura of relevance and dominance surrounding him. He spoke sternly and swiftly, even when discussing the most recent opera or film, his words holding a definite note. To Eiichi, he behaved like an aristocrat from the times long gone, a figure from cinema or literature, a relic of the former European deal. The count's wife, Ana Catalina, was an epitome of fierceness and displayed a protective streak towards her family, combining subtle strength and unsurpassed beauty. They had two daughters, who were believed to be the pearls of Catalonia and a son, who had been gone to study in England.

...

Eiichi went to the ball like to a crucifixion. He knew he wouldn't fit there and would probably be the joke of the evening if he was even noticed at all. Not something the proud Akame was looking forwards to.

Fortunately, the count didn't deem him worthy or interesting enough to spend a minute longer than necessary to welcome him, the countess only smiled politely at him, the consul kept him at his side for few moments and then abandoned him at his French colleague's call. Extremely self-conscious, Eiichi tried to mingle or rather blend into the crowd of the fashionably and richly dressed-up, wishing for time to magically speed up.

The young Japanese could literally feel the curious and disapproving glances when he approached a long table to help himself to a glass of wine.

He could feel one glare exceptionally well. He took a discreet peek and spotted a very young woman, almost a teenager still, at the opposite side of the table. The girl had the most shining dark curls Eiichi had ever seen and the most vibrant green eyes.

Realising she was being observed, the girl smiled.

- Hello. Bored with the elders already?

Eiichi frowned, hoping she was only joking and he wasn't actually that blatant.

- Looking for a refreshment – he replied smoothly – Akame Eiichi – he added quickly, shocking himself with the desire to continue the conversation.

- María Gabriela – the stunning creature held out his hand for Eiichi to shake – My papa is the host tonight.

This was one of the famous daughters, then. The stories definitely didn't do her justice.

- Nice to meet you, miss María Gabriela. It's a wonderful evening.

- It's María – the girl corrected, white teeth flashing in a wide smile – And please, don't lie. It's a dull evening and you don't know what to do with yourself.

- I'm not…

- Shhh! – María put a slender finger to his lips – I can tell! And I can provide a remedy, if you only wish so…

A sudden wave of heat hit Eiichi.

The girl laughed silently, round shoulders shaking.

- Such a person! – she was apparently teasing him, though Eiichi didn't truly understand what she meant – We, that is, the younger part of the party, have secluded ourselves in one of the studies. Care to join us, mister Akame? I insist.

Without he realised what was happening, he let himself be led to the study.

...

He understood very soon that María was the heart of the small gathering. Talking, charming, teasing, flirting and mercilessly taunting she had every pair of the male eyes focused on her. She seemed to be quite like her mighty father: self-confident and a little spiteful to those who she considered to be inferior to her.

She quickly forgot about her newest Japanese admirer and once again Eiichi found himself alone, not really knowing how to act. A handsome Frenchman with a glass in his hand walked up to him, a look of utter devastation marring his otherwise comely face.

Not wasting his time on introductions, the man sighed.

- Oh, María – he glanced at Eiichi as if waiting for agreement.

Akame nodded, trying to encourage him to elaborate.

To his astonishment, the sad Frenchman chuckled.

- We're all in love with her – he motioned to the men sitting around the room – Yet, she doesn't spare us a single glance of a warmer feeling. Ask her sister and she'll tell you she's waiting for someone. Who, I inquire? A knight in a shining armour? We're all knights here, but the princess isn't happy with our courtship.

That Eiichi could easily imagine.

- She's still rather young – he offered, feeling silly that he couldn't come up with anything more intelligent.

- But already cruel! – the Frenchman took a sip of his wine – She has us all leashed and God help us if we don't like it!

Eiichi inspected María more closely to determine whether the man wasn't exaggerating. From a distance, the girl in an emerald dress indeed resembled a mantis or a snake, but it was just her looks. She did hold her chin a little higher than normal and did treat her "friends" with a cold reserve, as if they were just a distraction in the greater scheme of things.

Well, it wasn't as if Eiichi had been expecting the young noble to fall head over heels for him.

- Here goes Pilar – the Frenchman shook him out of his musings with a gentle elbow to his kidney.

Eiichi turned in the said direction and his heart stilled.

Pilar was probably few years older than her sister.

It was barely registered in the secretary's mind.

She was gorgeous.

Pilar was a small woman with a frail body, with long dark waves cascading softly to her hips. Her complexion was as white as milk, her skin just as velvety in look. She had the most beautiful elven face, with full red lips and sharp cheekbones.

Then, they're eyes met. Her almost black orbs engulfed Eiichi's whole being, making him lose himself in their endless depths.

- Good evening – came a smooth greeting, and he was doomed.

...

To Eiichi's utter surprise, the count didn't seem to mind his affair with his older daughter. The young secretary became a frequent guest in the Riveras' house and was always met with welcoming arms. The count and the countess didn't suddenly start to act warmly or extremely nicely towards him, but they didn't make him feel like am imposing intruder either. María seemed to be as set on making him and Pilar a couple as her older sister herself, treating Eiichi kindly and with a newfound respect after it'd become clear he didn't plan on courting her.

It was natural and expected when Eiichi proposed to Pilar.

But Pilar's hesitance was.

- I need to discuss it with papa – she confessed quietly and disappeared.

Eiichi was seething with fury. At Rivera's tyranny, Pilar's meekness and his own foolishness. His hopes had been so high.

He turned on his heels to leave this house and never come back. No one saw him to the door (he was apparently a persona non grata now). When he was passing a study on his way downstairs, Pilar's voice caught his attention.

He stopped in his tracks, despite himself.

- I don't care, can't you hear? – his fiancée-to-be was close to yelling – I love him!

- It's a feeling of a fool – came her mother's scathing voice.

Eiichi flinched. Ana Catalina had always been heartless.

- Then you're a fool for loving father – Pilar shot back.

- He's not one of us – the count explained calmly.

A bile grew in Eiichi's throat. He had been right that first evening, the grand house of Rivera would never accept a low-birth.

- I'm not one of you either. Not fully.

- Pilar! – María cried out a little breathlessly.

- I'm sorry, but it's true. I'm not from *the* line – Pilar's words were barely audible.

- The line! – Ana Catalina snapped – You're a part of the family too, you have to care for its future.

- I do not! – Pilar finally exploded – María will take care of it! I don't want to have this responsibility, it's unfair for me to bear it!

- Pilar, you're aware that… - Alejandro was cut short.

- Yes, I am. And I'm fully aware I love him like I'm never going to love anyone else. I refuse to be another sacrifice. An artificial one with a broken life.

- Alejandro – Ana Catalina's voice urged her husband.

- Peace, please – the count sounded tired – Pilar, your love is deep and true, I can see it, but I can also see it you who's ruining your life. Your life. Eiichi's life. Your children's future.

- Don't say what you don't know – Pilar warned – You have no idea of my future. I will love Eiichi till the day I die and I will never let my children have unhappy lives.

- But Pilar, you know your children… - María whispered in a teary voice.

- Will be bright and happy, growing up in a loving family.

The count sighed.

- I certainly hope so.

...

The wedding took place half a year later.

...

The next two years were spent in the atmosphere of happy, impatient nervousness, with Eiichi replacing his mentor on the position of the consul, with Pilar blossoming and learning to take care of the household.

Once again, her parents were surprisingly helpful, never addressing the discussion that had taken place behind the closed doors. The countess was a real hurricane, attempting to ease her daughter's new life, but in fact wreaking havoc wherever she went. The count supported Eiichi however he could, using his influence to guarantee the stability of the household his wife was tearing with good intentions. María obviously loved spending time at her sister's, especially after it'd become clear Pilar was pregnant.

That make a vibe of distress audible even to Eiichi, but with each passing month the nervousness decreased, only to vanish completely.

In December, their son was born.

Ichiro, the First Son of Akame Eiichi.

...

A/N Comments? As I said, no Nisei, but he will appear in the next chapter ;)