"Now this is your room Yuzuru." Naoe said as he led the boy to the guest room. "I hope its to your liking."
"It's fine Naoe, thank you." Yuzuru said as he put down his suitcase. "You have a nice house."
"Thank you." Naoe said. "Now as for the day's schedule it will go as so. I usually get up at 7am to tend to some things before I get breakfast done. If you can I would like it so you are up at 8am so we both can have breakfast at the same time. The morning usually consists of getting the temple and set and ready for the day. I start receiving visitors around noon. I would like you to greet them and serve them some tea while I prepare myself for the meetings. Usually its grief counseling or people searching for spiritual advice so I know you won't have a problem treating them kindly."
That made Yuzuru smile.
"You can make yourself lunch in the meantime while I am in my meetings just don't go too far in case people arrive. After my sessions are over in the early evening, it's usually chores like some cleaning, dinner, and I do some studies unless I have a ceremony like a funeral or wedding to conduct. If that is going on I will need your help to set up the temple."
Yuzuru nodded.
"Sometimes I can have as many as ten people show up depending on situations, other times no one. If it is not too busy I work in my home office unless I am called into the city. If I am I'll have Chiaki or Haruie come by to keep you company."
"I hope this doesn't seem to boring." Naoe said. "I know it's your summer vacation after all, so I don't want to push you too hard. You are more than welcome to learn the ways of being a monk while you are here. I am more than glad to share that with you. The only thing I really can't do is have you sit in with me on my sessions with guests. I am complied to keep those confidential."
Yuzuru shook his head.
"It's fine Naoe and I appreciate it." He said. "It's going to be a nice change instead of being at home, thanks."
Naoe smiled.
"My pleasure. I'll leave you to get comfortable." He said. "Let me know if there is anything you need."
He left Yuzuru alone and walked into the kitchen. He pulled off his blazer and undid his tie. He had finished his last bits of office work in the city before picking up Yuzuru so he was beat. Now that it was summer, he dedicated most of his time to being a monk. Naoe had a weird way of balancing both of his jobs so that no one would be dissatisfied. The man never really took a break. He figured the more he worked the less he thought about Lord Kagetora. Though no one could really stop Kagetora from entering his dreams.
"Some tea would be nice." Naoe said to himself as he opened his cupboard. Normally he would go for some sake, but he decided to cut down on his smoking and drinking since Yuzuru was with him.
He poured the water into the pot and put it on the stove. He took a seat at the kitchen table and opened the newspaper he had abandoned early that morning. Luckily there was nothing about the "strange activity" that happened at that festival. He flipped to the Arts page when he heard a knock at the door.
"Coming!" He yelled. Naoe walked to the door and opened.
"Oh." Naoe uttered when he saw his guest.
"Hey." The rough voice of Takaya Ougi said. He was dressed in his jean jacket, black t-shirt and jeans. He was holding a duffle bag and his motorcycle helmet in his hands.
Naoe smiled.
"It's good to see you." He said. "Though unexpected. What can I do for you Takaya?"
"I uh..just came to check up on Yuzuru." Takaya mumbled. "How is he?"
Naoe admired that Takaya's devotion to his best friend, but at the same time he couldn't get this feeling that there was something else.
"Fine for only being here maybe a half an hour." Naoe said. "Come on in."
He stepped aside for Takaya to come in. In his passing Naoe could smell the hot sweat mixing with the light cologne Takaya wore waft by. It made Naoe's blood run hotly in his veins.
"Nice place." Takaya murmured.
"It's suitable yes." Naoe said. "I forgot you haven't been here before. You've only seen my apartment in the city."
"Yeah." Takaya said quietly.
"So..what can I do for you Takaya. Has something happened?" Naoe asked.
"Like I said, just came by to see Yuzuru."
"Oh...well he is unpacking in the guest room if you'd like to see him." Naoe said. "It's the room on the far right."
"Umm...can I use your bathroom first?" Takaya asked.
Naoe blinked.
"Sure, it's the first door there on the left." He said.
"Thanks."
Naoe walked back into the kitchen while Takaya walked into the bathroom.
"I TOLD YOU IT WAS A MISTAKE TO COME HERE!" Kagetora yelled inside of him.
"Knock it off." Takaya said. "It was my decision. Look, I just want to make sure Yuzuru's safe. He's my best friend after all."
"That's not all!" Kagetora remarked. "You were worried that Naoe would go for Yuzuru, pfft though it wouldn't be below Naoe to go after someone you care about."
"Oh get a grip." Takaya said. "Look Mia is spending the summer at soccer camp and I sure as hell don't want to be around Saori while she whines and cries about Yuzuru not being around, Chiaki and Haruie are going to be guarding the hell out of Matsumoto, and I am NOT GOING TO SUMMER SCHOOL!"
"So you want to come here and protect him?" Kagetora said. "Even though you know how Naoe is, how he feels about me."
"Shut it." Takaya said feeling somewhat jealous. "I can protect myself and Naoe won't act out as long as you stay the hell out of the way. How about this summer, I takeover and you take a god-damn break. Take a vacation somewhere in the deep recesses of my brain. After last summer's fiasco I'd greatly appreciate it."
Kagetora was silent for a moment.
"Fine." He said finally. "But don't expect me to keep quiet if I see something is wrong. I still have some control!"
"JUST GET LOST!" Takaya yelled.
Finally he could feel Kagetora fade from him.
"Jeez what a bitch." Takaya whispered. "What Naoe saw in him, I'll never understand."
Takaya relieved himself and then cleaned himself up a little. He was still sweaty from the long ride in the summer heat and the washcloth felt good against his skin as he cleaned his neck and face.
"Takaya?" Naoe knocked.
"Yeah?"
"You alright, you've been in there for awhile?"
Takaya sighed and leaned over the sink.
"Yeah just had to piss and I'm kind of sweaty so I am just washing my face."
Naoe was silent for a moment.
"You are more then welcome to take a shower Takaya if you'd like." He said. "There are clean towels in there."
"Thanks." Takaya said. He decided to take Naoe up on that offer.
A little while later Takaya emerged out of the bathroom to see Naoe and Yuzuru laughing lightly as they prepared some dinner.
"Takaya!" Yuzuru said happily as he turned away from the stove. "Naoe told me you were here! I'm glad!"
"Yup!" Takaya said. "Just thought I'd drop by and see what's going on."
"Well you are just in time to eat." Yuzuru said. "I just thought I'd give Naoe a hand since it was nice of him to let me stay here. Though I guess nothing is better compared to Mia's cooking!"
Takaya smiled at the compliment about his little sister.
"I guess." He said. "Need some help?"
"If you can set the table, I'd appreciate it?" Naoe said.
"Sure."
They sat down to eat soon afterwards. The conversation was light as the night wind blew against the wind chimes outside the door.
"I hope you are planning to stay the night Takaya." Naoe said. "It's too late to drive at night and you are probably tired."
Takaya sighed.
"Actually, I was kinda hoping wondering maybe..."
Naoe smiled as he put down his glass of water.
"You want to stay here as well am I right?"
Takaya laughed nervously and rubbed his neck.
"Well Mia's at camp and its boring at home since Chiaki and Haruie are guarding Matsumoto. I just thought maybe you can use an extra hand and Yuzuru could use company his own age!!"
Naoe smiled.
"I figured that since you brought your duffle bag." Naoe grinned. "Well I have to admit it is last minute, but I see no problem with it. But you have to maintain a sense of decorum and patience. I deal with clients of very delicate natures."
"Yeah yeah sure." Takaya said.
Yuzuru was grinning and Naoe was smirking.
"Well I am lucky I have an extra guest room." Naoe said. "You may stay there. I have some late work to finish, so Yuzuru if you don't mind, will you help Takaya get settled?"
"Of course!" Yuzuru said. "I'm glad you are here Takaya!"
"Me too bud." Takaya said with a smile.
Naoe smiled as the two best friends talked together. For a second the they reminded him of the good early days before Lord Kagetora rose to the ranks of warlord.