A/N: Well, thanks for the reviews and such. Since it's already written, and I'm still on vacation, I thought, 'what the heck, I might as well post the next chapter.' So here it is. Enjoy!
Chapter Two: An Annoying Disturbance
Bruce ended up visiting the little tea house more often than he originally intended. It opened at six in the morning, and it was around a thirty minute walk, so Bruce would leave at five thirty. He didn't have problem with waking up early like most people did- he had been on the run for a long time, and when you're on the run (especially in third world countries), you don't get the luxury of sleeping in till noon like some people(namely Tony).
He would usually arrive a little early, and he ended up sitting on a little bench he had spotted from the entrance. There was a garden out there. The shop was surrounded by a wooden gate, and the entrance had grass beside the walkway, and a little tree off to the left, so he shouldn't have been so surprised. Still, it was strange seeing so much green in New York anywhere outside Central Park.
The first time he had found the garden, he had been so preoccupied with examining it, that he didn't notice the quiet sliding sound or the soft footsteps in grass.
"Good Morning."
Bruce had jumped, then turned and smiled sheepishly at Kurama.
"You have a lovely garden." He'd managed to say.
Kurama had nodded politely. "It's a hobby of mine. It's where I got the name of this place."
"Oh?"
"Yume no Shokubutsu: yume means dream, 'no' makes it an adjective, and shokubutsu means plant."
"So. . . 'Dreamy Plant'?"
The man had smiled and nodded again. "Yes. Now why don't you come in, it's a bit chilly out here."
After that, it became a habit. He would go to the back, look around, and when the shop opened, Kurama would come and get him, sometimes pointing out a plant or two on their way in.
This particular morning, however, Bruce was a little late(he had lost track of time the night before, and then accidentally slept in), and the lights were already on. He glanced over in the direction of the garden, sighed a little, then headed inside. There was the familiar "Irashaimasu," that always came when someone entered, and he headed to the back booth where he always sat. He noticed that his tea was already out, and the vase, as always, held its rose, as well as the little white flowers that had always accompanied it ever since his first time here. It was nice, to have a place that you frequented. It had been a missed luxury ever since he had started traveling.
He sat facing away from the door, deciding that today would be a good day to be oblivious to the outside world, and took a sip of the tea. It had an unfamiliar taste, and he looked down at it curiously.
Noticing a small slip of paper beside the tea pot, he picked it up and examined it. In neat small print, it said: "Passionflower tea, I hope you like it."
Bruce smiled and took another sip.
"Irashaimasu," came Kurama's voice again, but Bruce didn't bother looking up. He frowned as the sound of impatient footsteps drew closer.
There's plenty of room in the front, go sit over there!
But his silent pleading went unheeded.
"So, this is where you've been sneaking off to." Bruce's head shot up, the cup of tea in his hands quivered slightly, but thankfully did not spill.
"Tony?!"
Tony Stark grinned and took the seat opposite him.
"Pretty nice place, a little too quaint for my tastes, but . ." he shrugged.
"What are you doing here? And take off your shoes!"
"Jarvis told me you've been sneaking off at ungodly hours of the morning-"
"Five thirty is not that early."
"And I was curious. And what do my shoes have to do with it?"
"It's polite. Your supposed to take them off." Bruce looked pointedly at his own shoes, which were sitting neatly at the entrance to the booth.
"Fine, whatever," He said, kicking his shoes off and dropping them none too neatly on the floor.
Just then, Kurama came out, holding a menu. If the red head was surprised, he didn't show it, heading over to the only occupied table in the place.
Tony raised his eyebrows as Kurama approached.
"Oh, so that's why you've been coming here. Well, I must say I approve."
Bruce's face fell into his hands.
It's too early for this. Oh please just go away.
When Kurama got to their table, he handed Tony a menu.
"Why, thank you, Miss-?" Tony began, with all the charm he kept reserved for any members the female population.
"Actually," Kurama began, raising an eyebrow dubiously, "It would be 'Mister,' but please, just call me Kurama." Tony blinked, then turned his gaze to Bruce.
"Why, Bruce, I didn't know you felt that way. Well, he's certainly pretty enough. Don't worry, I won't tell the Captain. He would probably-"
"Tony" Bruce growled, feeling his face heat up. It was getting very hard to stay calm.
"Please, sir, if you would order." Bruce glanced up Kurama. He seemed a little annoyed, but not overly so.
It probably happens a lot, and his clothes and hair don't help. He thought, noticing the white undershirt and pants that were covered by a green dress-like thing embroidered with roses and held in place with a red sash.
"Uh, yeah, I think I'll have coffee."
Kurama frowned. "Sir, this is a tea house, I'm afraid we don't normally serve coffee."
"What? This is America! Everyone serves coffee."
"Well . . I might have one or two coffee beans in the back . . ."
"One or two-?!" But Kurama had already disappeared into the kitchen.
"How is he going to make coffee with only two coffee beans?"
Bruce shrugged.
"Beats me." he said, turning back to his tea and trying to pretend that Tony wasn't there. Maybe if the coffee tasted really bad, Tony wouldn't come back.
One could only hope.
It took Kurama a bit longer to reenter than normal, but he did come out, a steaming tea pot in one hand and a small tray with a plate and a cup on it.
He set the tray down- Bruce taking note of the two neat pastries sitting on the plate- then poured a cup of steamy black liquid.
"Well that was quick. Looks pretty strong considering you only had two coffee beans a minute ago."
"Would you like anything with it?"
"Nah, I drink my coffee black."
"Very well, enjoy-" But he was cut off by a half cough half splutter emanating from Tony, who had just taken his first sip.
"Is there something the matter?"
"This! This is- how the- this is the best coffee I have ever had in my life! 'Only two coffee beans?!' How in the-"
"Well, if there's nothing the matter, please enjoy you beverages."
And he was gone.
There was a pause, then, "He was lying."
"What?"
"Lying. He was. About the coffee. There is no way he just happened to have this in the back."
"Is it really that good?"
"Mhm," he murmured through a sip. "Here, try it."
Bruce eyed the cup.
"Uh, no thanks, I'm more of a tea person."
"Oh, come on, tea is boring! Tea is for British people! Coffee is exciting."
"Exactly. I don't need any excitement. Besides, you already drank out of that cup."
"Hah! You're the Hulk, a couple germs won't kill you. 'Puny germ! Hulk smash!' Is what you should say."
"Believe it or not, I can get sick," he muttered, taking the proffered cup.
"Wow, this really is good," he managed, after taking a tentative sip.
"See, told ya."
"Mmhmm."
"I'll have to come by here more often."
"What?!"
And so, a new tradition began, against Bruce's wishes. Tony was against waking up so early, but he wanted to go with Bruce, so he gritted his teeth, claiming that the coffee was worth it.
It wasn't all that bad, he decided later. Tony could be pretty obnoxious, but he was also fun to be around- at least, he was when not making jokes at your own expense- and having company, even if not as relaxing, was sort of nice.
It was on one of these outings with Tony that something odd happened.
They were sitting at their booth as usual, sipping and snacking, when a bright young woman with- blue hair?-dressed in jeans and a light pink long sleeved shirt slid open the door.
She smiled at them, as Kurama stepped out of the kitchen.
"Botan. What a pleasure."
She grinned
"Good to see you too Kurama."
"Are you just here to visit, or . . "
The woman deemed Botan sighed dramatically, "Oh, I wish. Everyone misses you terribly, even Hiei, although he's pretending not to, but I'm afraid I have a favor to ask you for Koenma."
Kurama nodded. "I expected as much." They both paused, then eyed the two customers in the back who were innocently sipping at their drinks, and pretending not to hear them.
"Why don't you come join me in the kitchen. I'm in the middle of making melonpan."
She clapped excitedly. "Oh goody, could I-"
"No you may not help. You are a dreadful baker."
Botan pouted. "Oh alright."
After they had left, Tony 'hmmed' curiously.
"Wonder what that was about."
"None of our business."
Tony frowned at him. "Everything is my business."
"No, you just think it is."
"You're starting to sound like Pepper."
"Only because she's the only one who can keep you in line."
Tony snorted, but opted to take another sip of his beverage instead of responding.