The road was compacted sandstone and gravel, with a thin coating of snow. A small beetle, either very hardy or very lost, crawled along a twig, its antenna busily checking the environment. It suddenly stopped still has a series of thumps became obvious and then it scurried under a rock. A sensible walking boot thumped onto the ground where the beetle had been. The other boot thumped down just past it. The boots left footprints on the snow for another dozen steps, until the owner was forced to stop. She had come to the realisation that that it was becoming painful to walk.
A smallish, slight woman, rugged up against the cold, made a sign of annoyance and sat down on a convenient rock at the side of the road. She took off her boot, felt with her hands along the sole of her socked encased foot, and eventually extracted a tiny sliver of something. She looked at it closely.
"Amazing how such a tiny sliver, when positioned in exactly the right direction and place, can create a reaction totally out of proportion to its size."
She blew on her hand and the sliver disappeared.
She wondered if that could be a metaphor for her recent life. A tiny seed, no bigger that a dandelion, instead of going to Old Home as it should have, had made a tiny course correction and ended up at Leyton House, the place Kaori lived. And from that seed had grown the cocoon that produced Ukimi. And because of Ukimi, and the rather intense discussion she had with the Communicator, she ended up with a completely changed outlook on life. A painful process. And now she was on her way to visit Old Home, a haibane nest with over a dozen haibane, including Ukimi, her very own haibane.
She stood up and continued walking. What other little causes in the future were waiting to change her life? Any?
At this point she rounded a bend in the road, and was almost bowled over by ten children, all with wings and halos, stampeding down the road.
"Hey, slow down everyone!" This voice she recognised as Yasaka's, one of the older haibane. The children stopped running and started milling around, eager to see if anything exciting was going to happen.
"It's Kaori!" This voice was Ukimi's, hurrying to catch up with the children. Following her were the twins, Jika and Kasai.
Ukimi gave Kaori a big hug.
"Rakka's out anyway and we are all going to town to buy doughnuts, so come along with us!" said Ukimi to Kaori.
With Jika and Kasai herding the children as if they were very active sheep, Kaori tramped back to town, with Ukimi on one side and Yasaka on the other.
"I wasn't sure about visiting you so soon after three of your companions had left..." said Kaori.
It was just after the Day of Flight of Big Ugly Sam and Hikari and Kana.
"It's all right. If we sit at home all day we'll all go stir crazy" said Ukimi.
"And we got to keep the children occupied anyway." said Yasaka.
"What about, after we get the doughnuts, we all stop at Leyton House?" said Ukimi.
They were now in Kaori's dining room, eating doughnuts. As usual the children were running around and as usual Kasai and Jika were doing their best to keep them under control-
"Hana! Don't knock that small table over!" said Kasai,
"I just wanted to look at the flower vase!" said Hana,
"Dai, there's no need to fight with Umi, everyone has their own doughnut!" said Jika, while Yasaka, Ukimi and Kaori attempted to have a nice cup of tea.
"Sorry" said Yasaka, "It's a bit chaotic with the kids..."
"Ahh, it's kind of nice to have the place filled with people enjoying themselves." said Kaori. "How are you enjoying living at Old Home?" she said to Ukimi.
Ukimi's face fell. "It's all right, but really I would prefer to live here, in the town itself. Everyone is very nice, but now that Kana is gone I identify more with you and Leyton House, than with Old Home." Kaori had found Ukimi's cocoon in Leyton House, and Kana had assisted at her hatching.
Shorta, one of the children, came up and gave Ukimi a big hug. "Are there any more doughnuts?"
"Sorry, the remaining ones are for Rakka and the House Mother." said Ukimi, patting his head.
"Rats!" He promptly sprang up and chased after Tori.
"Well, we certainly know where his affections lie." said Kaori.
The other two laughed.
"And really, if your affection is for Leyton House, then why not come back here to live?" said Kaori to Ukimi.
"You know, I was actually, secretly, disappointed that you couldn't live here after you hatched." she continued.
"Can I?" Ukimi clasped her hands together and gave the impression as if she was one of the children who had unexpectedly been rewired with another doughnut.
Then her face fell again. "But what about the Communicator? Don't we have to ask permission?"
Kaori pressed her lips together, then spoke "Hmm, I suppose we will have to. Ahh, the last time we spoke he gave me a right royal ticking off."
"Huh?" from Ukimi.
"What?" from Yasaka.
There was a brief pause while the children demanded to go outside to play in the garden.
"Sure they can." said Kaori.
"Just put your coats back on, it's cold!" said Ukimi.
"Well," Kaori hesitated, and then decided that she really had to be honest about this.
"The first time I met Rakka, about two years ago, I was, shall we say, amazingly insensitive. I cringe with embarrassment every time I remember it." said Kaori.
She recounted the story.
"Please don't remind me about this again. Anyway, there is going to be a slight amount of tension in my next meeting with the Communicator."
Ukimi gave her a hug. "None of us are perfect".
Yasaka held Kaori's hand, "Rakka seems to have a high regard for you, anyway."
Eventually Kaori waved good bye as the four older haibane herded up their charges, with only a minimal amount of damage to Kaori's garden, and set off for home.
Ukimi had a talk with Rakka.
"I think you, and the others, and the children are wonderful, and I really do enjoy your friendships, but as for Old Home itself, I feel more affinity for Leyton House. And Kaori is my senpai, after all."
"That's fine with me. You need to go where you feel the most comfortable. I will miss you company, but unlike the others..."
Rakka was silent for a moment, and blinked her eyes a few times.
"I can visit you anytime I want. In fact I will, if that's all right."
"That would be great. And bring the children. Both Kaori and I enjoy their company."
Rakka continued "But, of course, there is..."
"The Communicator" said Ukimi. Not quite in a voice of doom, but tending towards it.
Rakka sighed. "Let's say I initially broach the topic with him. Perhaps he will feel just a little more predisposed towards it if he hears it from me first."
Three days later a polite letter arrived at Kaori's residence, requesting the presence of Kaori and Ukimi at the temple on Sunday morning.
There was also a note stuck on the notice board at Old Home, addressed to Ukimi, requesting the same.
"Are you feeling a little nervous" said Kaori to Ukimi. They were within sight of the temple, approaching the masked Renmei standing outside the entrance.
"A little. Rakka is quite at ease with him, but then she's had a lot to do with him in the past." said Ukimi.
"Also, you're only asking that because you're a lot nervous, aren't you?" she also said.
"Straight to the point, as usual. Yes, I am." said Kaori.
"Oh, I almost forgot, when I get to the entrance, I get to wear bracelets with bells on my wrists, and clips with bells on my wing wrists. But, apparently, you humans aren't required to do that." said Ukimi.
"Well, I'm thankful for that!" said Kaori. Privately she wondered if this wasn't just a little bit too much. She could understand why the Renmei would like to cultivate a certain amount of formality between them and the haibane under their care, so that they were encouraged to become dependent on their fellow haibane, but still...
"And also we are not allowed to speak until we are given permission." said Ukimi.
"Is that so?" Kaori was beginning to feel put off by this. But it was not as if she had any leverage in the situation.
"I will just have to be a submissive little lady and not cause too much strife." she said. There might have been a slight edge to her voice.
They were standing in front of the Communicator. He was sitting under his personal pagoda, in the middle of the temple gardens. As usual, he was wearing a mask that hid most of his face. He had already given them permission to speak, without any fuss about it.
"Are you displeased with any of the haibane at Old House?" he asked.
"No, actually I think they are all wonderful, both as friends and as haibane in general. I intend welcoming them to Leyton House as often as possible, and visiting them at Old Home as well."
"And you" addressing Kaori, "Have no problem with a hoard of haibane descending upon your living area on a periodic basis?"
"With Ukimi living in my house, I quite like the idea of her friends visiting. And I also enjoy the company of the children." Kaori was trying hard not to think of her father, giving her yet another lecture on how she ought to behave.
"Hmm. Normally haibane only live in abandoned places that humans no longer want." said the Communicator.
"Well, I would like to point out that Leyton House is big, and most of it is currently unused. Also Ukimi's cocoon chose to grow there, or something chose to put it there." said Kaori. She added, but silently "And why shouldn't my Ukimi live in a decent house in the town, instead of in a place which, frankly, is falling apart?"
The Communicator looked silently at Kaori. She had the uncomfortable feeling that he might have some idea of what she was thinking.
"Get a grip on myself. He has the final say here." she commanded herself.
"And also, I understand that, apart from her food, I can expect no other payments from the Renmei for this." she added. She forced her voice to be level and even, as if she was discussing the price of tomatoes with the local green grocer.
The Communicator was silent some more, then said.
"Actually, we can be a little more generous than that, we will provide some rent money also. Our accountant in town will visit you shortly to arrange the details.
Ukimi jumped up and clapped her hands together. "Oh, thank you, Communicator." She then stopped and looked embarrassed as such a show of delight in the temple.
From what could be seen of his face, he appeared to smile. "That's fine."
"Thank you" said Kaori.
Walking back to town.
"Oh my, am I glad that is over!" said Kaori.
"You have to admit, he isn't all that bad, don't you?" said Ukimi.
"Maybe. I'll defer my judgement."
The morning after a truck arrived at Leyton House. It was from the Stone Mill haibane nest, driven by Mado. It also contained Rakka and Yasaka and Ukimi, and the contents of what used to be Ukimi's bedroom at Old Home.
Ukimi hopped down to the road, ran up the front path and into Leyton House.
"Mother Kaori! I'm home!" she called.
Kaori appeared from inside and they exchanged hugs.
"So I see." They both laughed.
Kaori also hugged Yasaka, and shook hands with Rakka.
"Hi," said Mado, "I'm from Stone Mill. I've heard of you. Only good, of course."
They shook hands.
"My, such flattery." said Kaori. More laughter.
"I really don't think you needed to have worried so much about your visit to the temple." said Mado.
"They're actually quite reasonable when it comes to such things. After all, Megumi, who was originally from Abandoned Factory, is allowed to live in one of the unused rooms in the watch house." he continued.
It turned out that none of the other haibane had ever heard of Megumi.
"She acts as a sort of assistant watch man, I mean watch woman." said Mado. "Anyway, let's move this stuff out."
"Rakka once said that she moved into the room where her cocoon was." said Kaori, speaking to Ukimi. "So why don't you move into my father's study. The money from the Communicator was more than ample to repair it to a decent state." In fact the money topped up her living expenses for quite a while.
"You don't want to use your father's study yourself?" said Ukimi.
"My main memories of it are standing there while my father chastised me for yet another act of irresponsibility. And that is where the Communicator also ticked me off. So, really, I prefer you use it."
"I shall be happy to turn it into a place that has no connections with being told off by authority figures!" said Ukimi.
Laughter again.
Mid-morning tea time. They were gathered at the table in Kaori's dining room, having a quiet cup of tea.
"Well, I really must be going, as usual Stone Mill is behind in its work orders." said Mado.
"And I must report in to work at the Tyre and Bike factory." said Yasaka.
"And I need to go back to Old Home and then on to my afternoon work." said Rakka.
"Pile into the truck, ladies. I'll take you as close as is practical to you destinations." said Mado.
Everyone waved and Kaori and Ukimi were left alone at Leyton House.
They cleaned up the mess and then Kaori said
"Just for this once, let's have lunch at a nice restaurant I know."
As they were walking along, well rugged up against the cold, Kaori explained.
"I used to visit this restaurant a lot, but as my money started to run out I had to learn how to shop for food and cook basic meals myself."
"You're in luck. Hikari started to teach me how to cook, and the House Mother had continued my education. If you like, I can do most of the cooking."
"You're in. Which means I will have to do most of the washing up." said Kaori.
"More true confession time, before you I was a - Ahh, a spoilt brat - and would never have expected to do any such menial work. Amazing what being blessed by a haibane can do to oneself."
"Well, madam, I will do my utmost to keep you on the straight and narrow."
Kaori nodded. Being with Ukimi was like having a regular cold shower. Bracing, and doing her a world of good. And occasionally just a bit uncomfortable in the process.
They crossed the main plaza of the town. Their way was slowed down by a mother and her two children up front. The children were currently having a temper tantrum.
"Humph" said Kaori. "She can't be a very good mother if that is the best she can do".
"Mother Kaori, the children at Old Home also sometimes act like that." said Ukimi, in an even, gentle, voice.
"Touché." said Kaori. Yes, she really will have to tone down her inner judgemental critic.
"Here we are." said Kaori. She led her haibane into the restaurant's interior and selected a table next to the wall and towards a corner. "It's best to select a table to one side, it allows us to observe as much of the room as possible."
They sat down and Kaori caught the eye of a waitress, who came over and handed both of them a menu.
Ukimi looked at hers in bewilderment. "What am I supposed to do with this?" she said.
"How about I order the same for both of us." said Kaori. "Hmm, when I was in my spend thrift stage I used to order the most expensive meals, just to show off. Sometimes I didn't even enjoy the food. Nowadays I'm more economical."
She perused the menu, and eventually said, "I think the best for both of us is the quiche. They do it quite well, and serve big helpings. You should perhaps see if you can cook something similar yourself. And, last but not least, it is reasonably priced."
She ordered for both, and ordered two drinks. "Oh, by the way, I'm paying, of course. What the Communicator might think if this restaurant appeared on your Renmei booklets I really don't want to know."
The two drinks arrived.
"I allow myself a small drink of wine every week, so this is it." said Kaori.
The clinked glasses. "Here's to a blessed life" said Kaori.
They took a sip of their wine.
"In your case, it's not all that long. But that's the way it is, I suppose." said Kaori.
Ukimi reached across the table and gently held Kaori's hand. "We'll just have to make the most of it while it lasts."
Their plates arrived and there was silence as the meal was enjoyed.
"Dessert time" said Kaori. "Do you want some?"
"Ooh, yes please." This time Ukimi played a much more active role in choosing the menu option.
When their selection arrived Ukimi almost squealed with delight. It was a yellow cheesecake in a chocolate pastry crust, topped with fresh strawberries and berries, the whole lot helped along with lashings of fresh cream.
Five minutes later.
"I'm not saying I would cancel my Day of Flight for this, but it could come close." said Ukimi. "This was even better than the halo cakes Hikari used to bring home from the bakery. Presumably she could have cooked this sort of dessert, but she was always busy with her job, and cooking full meals for everyone, and looking after the children."
"Perhaps you could ask the house mother to show you how to cook something like this, and we can invite Old Home over on a regular basis every Sunday lunchtime. With or without children. In fact we could also invite some of the haibane from the other nests also. We can work out the details later." said Kaori.
"Sounds like a good idea."
Both ladies sat back in their chairs, and savoured some more of the wine.
"Don't noticeably turn your head, but see those two middle aged ladies at the front table?" said Kaori. "They used to be part of my social circle, but after I had to economise my lifestyle they just cut me out. At the time I was really peeved at how superficial their friendship must have been. But, of course, in my reflections after your hatching, I realised I had done exactly the same to other social friends."
"Well, all I can say is that you keep much better company nowadays." said Ukimi.
Kaori, blushing just a little, nodded in affirmation and then called the waitress over to pay.
They both got up turned towards the door. As they did so, Ukimi hooked her arm around Kaori's, and arm in arm they walked out of the restaurant.
Once outside, Kaori turned to Ukimi and said, "At this rate, you're going to make me the main topic of gossip for the rest of the week!"
"That's right!" said Ukimi, laughing, "You're going to be in the public gaze."
"Humph. For a very small slice of the public, maybe. Not sure that I want to be."
It was now night time, Ukimi had cooked a simple meal, and Kaori had washed up afterwards.
"Mother Kaori" said Ukimi, "One of the joys of living with a haibane is that you get to help clean their wings. Normally we do it in pairs and swap roles, but in this case..."
"Also, it gives you the perfect excuse to touch a haibane's wings."
"Yes, indeed." Small cringe from Kaori. "I will be delighted."
They went up to Ukimi's room, Ukimi sat in her chair and Kaori sat on the bed. Ukimi produced a soft brush and Kaori spent the next twenty minutes methodically brushing Ukimi's wings.
"This only needs to be done every week or so, fortunately. Ouch!"
"Sorry, I need to get this leaf out... Right, got it." More brushing. A small feather floated to the ground.
"Oops, a feather fell out, is that usual?"
"I'm afraid so. We moult and regrow our feathers one by one, continuously throughout our lives, so where ever a haibane spends a lot of their time, you will find discarded feathers."
"Normally I would spend an hour or so now reading a book before going to bed" said Kaori, as they put away the brush and did a quick sweep up of fallen feathers and leaves.
"So do I, although it appears I go to bed an hour later than you do."
They ended up in the lounge room, a small fire going in the fire place. Each was sitting in a comfy chair, with a rug over their laps, reading a book. After the fiasco that was Kaori's attempt to get a job at the library, just before finding Ukimi, she had been embarrassed about going back. But eventually she was forced to, as she had run out of books to read. Finally, Kaori put a book mark into her book, shut it and put it on the coffee table. She got up, yawned and said.
"Bed time for me. It's nice being at home with you."
"And it's nice being here with you."
They kissed each other's cheeks, and Kaori went off to bed.
Ukimi stretched out her legs, wiggled her toes, and settled into a nice comfy read for another half hour or so.
The fire made little crackling sounds and cast a warm soft glow onto Ukimi's face has she turned the pages.
"Mid morning I start my shift as peak hour courier and mail delivery person." explained Ukimi, as they had breakfast next morning. She was well rugged up for her outdoor job.
"And I am going to re-apply for a job as a lowly clerical assistant and probably floor sweeper at Guri's Accountants." said Kaori. "Originally I turned my nose up at this, but I really do need to top up my income from bank interest, before it all runs out." said Kaori.
Both Kaori and Ukimi departed at the same time. Later Kaori returned, not so proud holder of a part time, half a day per week day, job as clerical assistant. She started tomorrow.
"I'm sure this is all good for character building." she said to herself. She was currently rummaging around in one of her storage rooms on the top floor of her house, looking for sturdy and sensible work clothes. She looked out of the window, at the Wall that surrounded Guri.
"Although any more building and I will be another Wall."
The front door bell rang, echoing along the corridors and stair wells and reaching her, faintly but distinctly.
"Hi, I'm delivering this on behalf of the temple. It's a notice board we were commissioned to make." said Matsu. He was one of the Stone Mill haibane and an expert in anything to do with making things from wood.
"I need to put it up somewhere where it can be reached from outside so the Renmei can put notices on it, but is protected from the weather and can't be seen from the road. You are familiar with the one at Old Home?"
"I vaguely recall seeing it. Hmm" Kaori considered the options.
"Could it be put just inside the front hallway? I could give a copy of the front door key to the Renmei; it's not as if I don't trust them or anything. If I really want to I can lock the door of my own room."
"Sounds fine to me."
He put up the notice board. Along the bottom were a row of ten hooks. Matsu produced two tags, red on one side and white on the other. One tag had Kaori's name on both sides; the other had Ukimi's.
"When you are out, turn your tag so that the red side is facing out. When you are in, turn it to show the white side."
He continued, "Just between you and me, this is overkill for only the two of you. Either the Communicator is getting a bit old" At this Matsu tapped his head, "Or he knows something that we don't."
Kaori raised her eyebrows at this. "Interesting times."
"Us at Stone Mill are watching developments at Leyton House with keen interest" said Matsu."Also I've been requested to a little meeting with the Communicator myself, tomorrow, so I can take in a spare key."
"Are you being told off for something?" said Kaori. This, of course, was her first reaction to Matsu's news.
"Nah" said Matsu, "The Communicator just likes to keep in touch with us, make sure we aren't going off the deep end. And I need to renew my Renmei booklet."
That evening Kaori showed Ukimi the notice board, with its ten hooks for name tags.
"You know, I think it will be a good idea to patrol this house for new cocoons. Say every Sunday morning. We can take alternate floors so we each have an equal chance of finding one." said Kaori. Kaori's house was three stories high, with a basement and an attic, so there were plenty of rooms available.
"Let's hope we get a few more name tags" said Ukimi.
Winter and its rain and snows came to its usual abrupt end. Spring introduced summer and its sunny light green skies and growing season back to Guri. Kaori and Ukimi adjusted to their new life together. Without quite realising it, Ukimi's even temper and forthrightness acted to smooth down the more abrasive parts of Kaori's personality, while Kaori provided a stable emotional centre and living quarters from which Ukimi could venture out in her forays into Guri society. Every haibane was present in Guri to learn some task or overcome some trail; Ukimi, just like any other new haibane, still had to find out what hers might be. Having a job and living with their fellow haibane, and in this case fellow human, was all part of the process. Ukimi practised her cooking, and every Sunday an ever changing group of haibane, from the various nests, were invited over for a meal. Even Megumi, the one living in the watch house, received her invitations in turn. At other times the Old Home haibane, Rakka and Yasaka in particular, paid regular visits. Every so often Kaori was reminded that all of this would come to an end all too soon, with a Day of Flight. She would shrug her shoulders and continue with what she was doing.
In a week early that summer, the invitations to another Sunday meal went out. Invited was a bunch from the Abandoned Factory. As well, Rakka and the twins and four of the children were due this time. Kaori and Rakka had decided some time ago that on any particular Sunday they would only invite half the Old Home group and the other half the next Sunday. Otherwise there would be no room for anyone else. There had been no new arrivals at Old Home since the twins (and Ukimi), but the children were growing up. At Rakka's hatching their ages ranged between 6 and 9. Now they were between 9 and 12. The older ones were beginning to demand that they be treated like senior haibane. A few had already transferred to other nests; Dai, who wanted to be a carpenter, had transferred to the Abandoned Factory, while Umi, a painter, had decided he would like to be at Stone Mill.
On the Saturday just before, Dai made a surprise appearance in the morning.
"Sorry, Kaori and Ukimi, but we won't be making it tomorrow. Ame has just told us she is going for good. She's going to walk out at dusk."
"Oh. Ok, in a few weeks time. Give my, ah" Kaori stopped and tried to work out what to say here, "My best wishes to all concerned."
Dai ran off back to his home.
Kaori sighed. "Always something to remind me."
That night Kaori and Ukimi sat, side by side on two chairs, talking about nothing in particular, in a room on the third floor of Leyton House that looked westwards.
Finally, from over the western wood's horizon, a beam of light climbed up into the sky. Slender side beams curved off from it and then arched back. It was over after a minute or two.
"Do you look forward to your own Day of Flight?" asked Kaori.
"I don't know. I think most haibane don't think about it at all, until the very end. I sometimes think I would like to stay on, see what happens, maybe even help others..."
"Can you actually do that?"
"I don't know that either. I'm not saying anything to the Communicator or anybody else until I've been here some more."
"Ok, I won't tell anyone. Hmm, you staying on sounds tempting to me. But if you go, that is also all right." Kaori didn't have to say anything about it being sad, Ukimi knew what she was thinking.
They hugged, and went down to their bedrooms for an early night.
Hana and Kaze (two girls who were best friends) and Shorta and Tegami (both boys) sat in a row at the dining room table. They were all begging for more of Ukimi's cheese cake with chocolate crust and fruit and fresh cream topping.
"Please, mother Kaori, please, more cheese cake." begged Shorta.
Kaori rolled her eyes in mock exasperation.
"How much is left?" she asked Ukimi.
"Hmm, enough for a small piece each and that includes the senior haibane and you."
Rakka and the twins finished their pieces with dignity; well the twins did pick up their plates to lick them.
The four children finished with far less decorum and then promptly scrambled to get outside and play in the warm sun.
Kaori and Ukimi looked at the mess, and then looked at Rakka with a meaningful look.
"Well, it looks like me and the twins are doing the dishes." she said, grabbing the twins before they could disappear outside.
"Oh, Ok." said one.
"This is all part of being a senior haibane." said Rakka.
After a while the children were called in and Kaori announced that they were going to have a post-dinner stroll.
One human lady, middle twenties, plus four teenage girl haibane, plus four haibane children, departed Leyton House and walked down the street. The humans they passed would smile and wave, especially to the children. Some greeted Kaori or Ukimi by name. Kaori told the twins to lead the way, where ever. The children followed, and Rakka and Kaori and Ukimi made up the rear, where they could keep an eye on things.
"So, Ame has departed." said Kaori to Rakka.
"Yes. I knew her reasonably well. Yasaka was good friends with her. The Factory haibane walked out with Ame to Old Home and we all watched her light show."
Having nothing more to say, and plenty to think, they were silent and followed the twins as they led the children around the district.
"Oooohh, look, the flower shop!" This was Hana, getting excited as they passed Guri's only florist. Being Sunday, it was closed.
"Who cares" was Shorta's and Tegami's reaction.
"You're boys, so your opinions don't count!" was Kaze's response.
"Children, no arguing in front of our hostesses, please." said Rakka.
Hana had a sudden idea. "I know! Can I sleep over tonight, and tomorrow I ask the flower shop lady if I can do some part time work there?" She started to jump up and down in real excitment.
"Then I want to sleep over too!" said Kaze.
Rakka looked at Kaori. She didn't say anything, but her expression was clearly "What am I going to do about this?"
Kaori and Ukimi exchanged glances. "Why not let them. Ukimi keeps saying that all good haibane need to work, and if Hana wants to start..." said Kaori.
So Hana and Kaze stayed the night. As a temporary measure, Kaori put a spare mattress onto the floor of the room next to Ukimi and provided enough bedding for the two of them. The two boys regarded the whole idea of a sleep over with a bunch of girls with disdain, and were happy to go back to Old Home.
The next morning Yoshe, the shop keeper and owner, shared her customary early morning breakfast with her husband in the house in which they lived. She then briskly strolled along the still very quiet streets to her shop. She was in her early forties and was a very attractive lady. She had fiery red hair and a fiery temper to match. But normally she kept that side of her under control.
"Oh, hello" she said approached the front door of the shop and saw she had visitors. It wasn't time for customers; she always came early to prepare for the daily early morning deliveries of cut flowers.
Waiting for her were a youngish lady, a teenage girl haibane and two young girl haibane.
"Sorry to interrupt you, but, as you might be aware, every good haibane needs to find work, when they are old enough. " started Kaori.
"This is Hana" she said, placing her hand on Hana's shoulder. Hana smiled and looked embarrassed simultaneously.
"She's getting to the age of wanting to work, and with a name like Hana (which means Flower) then naturally she wants to work in a flower shop."
Yoshe knelt down and looked at Hana. Hana looked back, then at Kaori, then back at Yoshe. She gave the biggest smile she could managed and said
"The house mother has taught me how to sweep and wash dishes and clean tables, and I've always loved flowers and ..." she ran out of things to say.
Yoshe had never had any children. They didn't know why. Her maternal instincts turned on with an almost audible click.
"Why, certainly. For a few hours a day."
Hana clapped her hands.
"What do I need to do?" Yoshe asked Kaori.
"Leave it with us, the Communicator will probably make a call in a few days time." said Kaori.
Walking back to Leyton House, Kaori said to Ukimi:
"It's a long way from Old Home to the florist and back. Do you think the Communicator might wear it and let Hana sleep over with us during the week? She could go back to Old Home on the weekends."
"Yes, that would be nice!" said Hana.
"Could I sleep over too?" asked Kaze.
"Is this why the Communicator provided all of those extra hooks on the notice board?" asked Ukimi.
Once again, Kaori and Ukimi went to the temple. This time they had the company of Hana and Kaze.
"Not so nervous this time?" asked Ukimi, when the two girls were a little in front.
"I must admit, I feel I am in a better bargaining position now."
"Hana, every good haibane strives to return something to the community here in Guri by working at some job. So this is your choice, is it? I give you all permission to speak" said the Communicator.
"Yes sir. Kaori and Ukimi are very nice to invite me to live at their place during the week. Huh, and Rakka also agrees." Hana got all of that out, and then stopped.
"Kaze, you are happy to live at Leyton House also?"
"Yes sir. Huh, I haven't decided what job I want yet. But ..." managed Kaze.
"That's all right, there is no urgent hurry."
"I will instruct our accountant to increase the rent and the food deliveries. He will get in contact with you as usual."
And with that, Leyton House had two extra haibane inhabitants for the week days.
And Yoshe was added to the rotating roster of people to invite over on Sundays.
The following day Matsu arrived just before Kaori left for her job.
"Here's two more name tags, for Hana and Kaze." He hung them on the notice board. "Looks like the old man ain't getting senile after all, hey?"
After a few days the Communicator requested a meeting with Yoshe in one of the office rooms in the Guri Bank building. He filled her in on the details of how to pay Hana's wages directly to the Renmei account. He also said
"I hope you understand that the Renmei's sole purpose is to ensure an eventual Day of Flight for each haibane. Working in Guri, and returning something of value to our community, is all part of the process. This Day of Flight could occur soon, or in half a decade's time. You must always keep this in mind when you are dealing with haibane." His voice was not exactly stern, more like solemn. And very definite.
Yoshe nodded in agreement. She wasn't intimidated by him, but she did keep in mind the little fact that he was the most powerful person in Guri, and probably the one who knew the most about haibane. She took close note of what he was saying.
"I actually once knew a haibane called Mizu. I met her at ballroom dancing some time ago, and last saw her just before her Day."
"Hmm, wait, Mizu, Mizu..., Ahh, now I remember. Yes, that's right, so Hana will be the second haibane you will have to say goodbye to."
"Yes" said Yoshe, with a sigh.
Hana started work a week after the first visit to the flower shop.
Two weeks afterwards this visit, Yoshe had her first invitation to the Sunday lunch. Yoshe demonstrated she was a hearty eater, and had seconds of everything, including an extra special chocolate mousse, courtesy of Ukimi.
"My, you do eat well." said Kaori, smiling at Yoshe. "Personally I need to exercise some constraint, or otherwise it goes to my waist line." Kaori had heard that Yoshe was known to have a sharp tongue and wasn't one to be crossed.
"Some of us just have better metabolisms." said Yoshe, smiling back. Yoshe had heard that Kaori was a bit of a social dilettante with no real substance.
"You are very lucky." said Kaori, as she took Ukimi's arm and invited Yoshe to have a chat in the lounge room. Everyone else went outside to play.
"Indeed I am. As is Hana in having you as her weekday house mother."
"Actually it is more my luck that I can host beautiful Hana in my house, along with Ukimi, of course." Kaori sat in a lounge chair suitable for two, and Ukimi sat next to her. Ukimi had decided that listening very attentively was her best action for the time being.
"Well, I would have to agree with you there, I think it is also my luck to have beautiful Hana as a part time worker." Yoshe sat in a single lounge chair opposite to two others.
"Tell me, how you, a human, ended up hosting such lovely haibane?" added Yoshe.
"Maybe the Wall blessed me or something. I came home one day and discovered Ukimi, just after she had hatched. The poor girl was in a sorry state, but I dare say things have been on the up for her ever since then." Kaori glanced at Ukimi, who nodded in assent.
"I suppose dealing with Hana is no doubt your first experience with a haibane?" asked Kaori.
"Actually, no. When I was young, just after I married, I became friends for a short period of time with a lady haibane. Would you believe I met her at ballroom dancing?"
"Of a course I will believe you, if you say so. Ballroom dancing?"
"Sadly she had her Day of Flight all too soon."
"Ah" There was a moment's silence.
"And presumably Ukimi was your first introduction to a haibane" asked Yoshe in return.
At this point Kaori made a rapid mental calculation. On the one hand she did not want to tell her most cringe worthy experience to just anyone. On the other hand it appeared that Yoshe was going to be an important part in Hana's life. And if Ukimi and the others were to mean anything at all to her, then she had to act her utmost in their favour. This included being on good terms with all of the other humans in the lives of her haibane.
"Hmm, actually, not quite." Kaori then gave a rapid overview of her first interaction with Rakka.
"But I have improved since then." she ended.
"That's... commendable." said Yoshe, after a small delay while she digested the information.
"Hana tells me you are so good with her, so you must have had children?" said Kaori.
Now it was Yoshe's turn to make a rapid mental calculation. On the one hand she didn't want to hand out the worse moment in her life to just anyone. On the other hand if her growing involvement with Hana was to mean anything, then she owed it to everyone concerned to be in the best of terms with Hana's seniors.
"Sadly, no. I only ever managed to get pregnant once, not for lack of trying, and she was stillborn. If she had lived she would be about Hana's age."
Kaori was silent as she took this in.
"I'm sorry to hear that."
At that, Yoshe and Kaori appeared to have run out of steam for the time being. They listened to the sounds of the children playing outside, and the yells and commands from Yasaka as she tried to keep them under a reasonable amount of control.
"Don't climb on Kaori's apple tree!" Kaori winced at this one, but kept her quiet.
"Kumo and Shorta, leave Hana alone!" Yoshe looked up at this one, but after listening to the further voices she decided no action was required.
At last, Kaori turned to Ukimi with a smile. Ukimi recognised this smile has having a certain amount of mischievousness to it. She smiled back. Yoshe, observing this exchange, said to herself
"They really do get along very well."
"So, Ukimi, you have been listening very carefully to our little social chit-chat."
Ukimi nodded. "Yes, madam."
Kaori's smile broadened. "Who do you think won that little exchange?"
Ukimi reflected for a little, and said "Kaori did, by just a little."
"Indeed and why did Kaori come out ahead?" said Yoshe.
"Oh, both of you were equally... adept... at holding a social discussion, but her self confession was, by its nature, just a little bit more painful to her that yours was to you."
Kaori laughed. Yoshe raised her eyebrows, and decided she might as well laugh also.
"If you ask Ukimi that type of question, you had better be prepared for a forthright answer." said Kaori.
They were now saying goodbye to the visitors.
"Thank you for a most enjoyable social occasion. I hope to be invited back, and perhaps we can have round two?" said Yoshe.
"You will definitely be invited back. I sure Ukimi will be happy to again fill the role of the judge here at Leyton House."