A/N: I warn you, that this is pure unadulterated fluff.
So just how did Hermione knew that Takeshi had been stalking her? His moving next door was a dead ringer of course and he didn't need to lurk around her workplace because he happened to be the person she reports to in the university, other than her thesis adviser, but she often sees his face wherever she went.
Nobody who knew Liu Bei's strategist could even put him into the category of normal. The guy hand washes his doves, dries with his fan and gives them a well monitored diet (something he often neglects to do for himself). He engages in psychological warfare with his enemies, like sending a rival female clothes just to irritate him. But a very obvious sign of his eccentricity can be seen in how he treats his wife. He "protects" her by giving her more care than his precious doves.
Hermione, being a war veteran knows that distinct feeling of being watched. After he moved in next door, she frequently gets that feeling. While she knows she should be scared or even angry and could probably call the police for his weird behavior, that sane part of her mind told her that she somehow found him endearing. It's not as if he's done anyone harm, even when he stole some of her underwear and her favorite old shirt.
When they're at home, she bathes; he dries her, before he rubs her with scented oils before massaging her. It also wasn't normal how fixated he was with her feet, rubbing it whenever he can, which is why she makes sure to frequently clean it. She is aware that there had been times he kisses her feet while she's asleep. She does remind him to eat and reminds him the most basic of needs when he gets too busy with work, but when they're at home, he sees to the preparation of her food and would even serve her if he could. He gets uncomfortable if he doesn't see her for too long. This is the reason why many see him as near worshipping his wife.
Another clue to his odd fixation with her is the repeated phone calls. Some are warranted given their intertwined work, but many aren't, he would just ask questions he'd already asked or just wonder if her schedule allows her to work at a particular time or if she could watch his surgical procedure. She noted that not a single day has passed that he hadn't called her.
Love takes different forms, and nobody can argue that the man is in love with his wife. He doesn't hamper her from interacting with others even if he wanted to wrap her up and keep her in his person at all times. He also knew that not many men feels this intense feeling of affection and devotion for his wife. He savors the feeling seeing that he is secure in his place in her life.
She could have called out alarms or even report him for the inappropriate behavior or the expensive lingerie he gifted her with on her birthday, when she didn't even tell him when her birthday is. But she was somewhat touched by the fact that he remembered and that he even brought her dinner when she had been planning to just eat leftovers seeing that she was supposed to celebrate her birthday with her parents that weekend. He even brought her cake.
He became even more "protective" when she gave birth to their son and when he survived past his first year. He now refused to have her join him on campaigns because of the strain it could have on her and they couldn't very well have the baby in a campaign. But he would often go home, riding a horse so he could get to them faster. He cherished every moment he had with his wife and later two sons.
She heard that stalkers often "rescued" their victims at one point or another. His frequent attempts at "rescuing" her may have began with comforting her from a nightmare she suffered (she forgot to put up silencing charm) but it had not been the last. He had, offered to share an umbrella and a ride home more than once. Every time he offers his arm in this sweet simple gesture, Hermione feels feminine, treasured and cherished. She feels so small against his taller frame and those cold Boston rains are washed away in a feeling of warmth.
She might find him odd or even weird at times and he certainly is, but that doesn't mean she doesn't appreciate him. There are certainly a good number of times when she wants to hit her head against the wall out of frustration or even better to hit his head, but there was something endearing about that weird man she married. She likes the feeling of security, love and care he gives her. She likes the feeling of being the most treasure woman in the kingdom.
Hermione knew that the guy's not harmful (for her at least), unlike many predatory stalkers he doesn't try to isolate her, even as he watches her interactions with others from the sideline. He would often times give her messages from her parents when they call his office to ask for her and would remind her to run along to meet her parents on days when she feels she's too busy to.
But labeling him her boyfriend seemed to have released a whole dam of unexpected chain of events. She felt her left eye twitch when he started enumerating names of people with the same surname as him, when she asked him about this, he figured he ought to know about his family history seeing that he came from a long illustrious line of doctors which he's sure he's going to need her help in educating their future children about. She also came close to hitting him when he once placed his hand on her stomach and with a glazed look told her that perhaps they should start putting her hips to good use. That's not even considering the horror she experienced from his over-enthusiastic mother.
"Hermione-san, I just want to inform you that we don't have any property and we're not a rich family." Said what appeared to be a gentle, small Japanese woman in a traditional kimono wearing a translation charm necklace. A month or so after Hermione established where they stood, Takeshi had introduced Hermione to his parents who were visiting from Japan and they were having a peaceful dinner when she suddenly said this. Hermione bristled at the subtle insinuation. "Shimako-san, I don't see why your son would need those things in order to attract a woman. He is a good man, a strong testament to the excellent way you and your husband raised him." Hermione replied in almost the same sweet tone Takeshi's mother spoke. The woman flashed Hermione a genuine pleasant smile at that, the polite coldness she offered the young woman disappearing into thin air.
She never met his parents, but she certainly met enough of her sisters in law, his older sisters who think she is not good enough for their brother. It took years and years of patience but they managed to finally get used to her, even if they have not warmly accepted her. She knew it wasn't just her, they react the same way towards their other sisters in law. Their eldest sister in law had even taken to disappearing when one of the two visits their home. Given the fact that these two were more of mother figures than sisters to her husband, he often found it difficult to cross words with them with regards to their relation with his wife. But when one of them suggested he took another wife or concubine to have children, the normally calm and composed man spoke harshly against the idea and insisted that a woman and her relationship with her husband is not only determined by the number of children she gives him. When he calmed down a bit he just explained that he'd never loved anyone more than his wife, which if you ask her, went a long way in the way his sisters later treated her. They must have realized just how treasured and loved she is by their brother.
"What did you tell your parents, Dr. Yamamoto?" Hermione asked through gritted teeth after they drove his parents off to their hotel. Takeshi often noted that she calls him that whenever she's irritated with him. "That you're my girlfriend." He answered vaguely. "…And?" Hermione insisted.
"You might be the only one whom I'd even consider to marry." He spoke so fast that Hermione could barely understand him if she wasn't sitting right beside him in the front passenger seat of his car. "What?!" She shrieked, which had him stopping the car in surprise. Hermione took a deep breath while Takeshi eyed her carefully.
"No wonder the woman feels that she has to watch out for her son. Given our age difference and the disparity of our careers, I could very well be a gold digger in her eyes." Hermione said sulkily. Takeshi tried to explain only to be stopped with Hermione's glare. "That's it. I'm not showing up for any other thing which involves your parents." Hermione said as she stormed off. It's a good thing that their apartment is just a few steps away. She was consoled by the idea that they were only in the US for only a few days seeing that Dr. Namio Yamamoto has a surgery he was going to prepare for.
On the other hand, her husband's brothers, sisters in law and brothers in law had always been accepting of her. She and her husband stood as second parents to their many children. This, according to her husband, is the reason why he didn't really have such an urge to have his own children. He would later recant this statement after she gave birth to their eldest son, saying then that his life is now complete because of his son.
However, Fate has another plan for Hermione. The next day, before she was set to portkey for the day and go to the Weasleys' for a long scheduled visit, there was a knock on her door. When she peeked through the peephole, she saw Takeshi's mother wearing a nice traditional kimono and a smile.
Everybody have their own specific places in Liu Bei's army. Liu Bei was the unquestioned compassionate leader, the generals were heroes, seen by their own men as legendary in their own time, her husband is the chief strategist whose vision of the battlefield is unparalleled and she, heavily veiled or masked, her beauty often unseen, stood as a motherly figure for many of the soldiers. She took care of the wounded and the sick, ensured that there were enough food rations for everyone and that the officers didn't take such a large share of the food that none are left for those just starting up. As much as she loves him, she sometimes blames her husband for the horrid conditions and the deaths of these common soldiers because most of the time, he only sees them as game board pieces to be moved against the enemy playing the other side.
Hermione didn't know how she ended up taking Shimako along. The woman explained that her son took his father with him to the hospital and she said she would just spend the day with her instead of going to that boring place. They visited with the Weasleys, whom she introduced as her second family of sorts and she introduced Shimako Yamamoto as her boyfriend's mother. Shimako was fascinated by the odd shape and appearance of their home and lawn. She enjoyed the British meal Molly Weasley prepared and the Weasley matriarch was sufficiently gratified by the Japanese woman's praises. She even gave the Japanese woman her recipe for the roast that she thoroughly enjoyed.
Shimako watched happily as the children ran along and smiled as Hermione was roped to play a few games with them. She also taught the children some games from her country.
Her husband took pride in the fact that his wife is not a vain creature, easily snared by beautiful clothes and trinkets. It was knowledge and literature that fascinates her and she reveled in new discoveries and learning, a trait she shares with her husband. He was fascinated with the earth and everything around it while she was fascinated with the skies and the stars. It was, for him, a match made in heaven.
Hermione decided that since they were in London for the day, she might as well tour her around. She brought Shimako to Diagon Alley, where the woman smiled to herself when Hermione was fascinated by a new book on display in the store front. They went to Madam Malkin's where Hermione got Shimako a dress robe just for a change from her kimonos. They went to the broom shop where Shimako got her granddaughters brand new brooms. Their trip didn't end in Diagon Alley as Hermione also toured Shimako around Muggle London which ended in a light dinner before they went back to Boston.
She enjoyed seeing him around the farm. It was something he now only gets to do only when he is not busy in campaigns or furthering Liu Bei's goals. It's a pity, considering the fact that he really enjoys the life of a farmer. Not that he was an extraordinary farmer, sure his inventions may make farming easy, but that's just laziness and a sense of innovation that prompted him to make these. He might be good at raising live stocks and may have a bright idea or so about farming, but all the experimentation in the world wouldn't give him a green thumb. She once had to laugh as he planted lotus flowers and the poor things didn't even last a few days.
When Takeshi's parent came home, Hermione thought that was the end of it. What she did not anticipate had been the frequent owls (which in her politeness, she found herself replying to), the video chats on the computer, which Takeshi's youngest sister had set up for her and of course questions about the future (how many children would she like and if she thought about raising her children in Japan).
She knew that the only reason why the woman has yet to nag her about marrying is because she warned Takeshi that she wouldn't take well to that and to please tell his mother that she has no plans of marrying yet. His mother only slipped up once when she asked Hermione if she wanted to meet Takeshi's youngest brother's wife, Kimiko, because said woman reminds Shimako of Hermione and it would be a great thing for her to have good relations with her future sister in law. Hermione only smiled at this and promised to do so some other time.
Shimako would sometimes drop by for a visit, with or without her husband. But the biggest surprise (or if she's honest, she shouldn't be surprised at all) was when Shimako arranged a dinner with her parents.
Hermione's mother would inform Hermione that apparently the Yamamotos are quite affluent, and Shimako, of course worried for her son. It turns out that she need not have worried because Hermione is a good woman, and a strong testament to the excellent upbringing her parents gave her.
* Yes, I still took the names of the characters off of Erai Tokoro ni Totsuide Shimatta!