The Tea Prince

Part Seven: Gun Powder

Yuuki and Shun walked back to the studio. He was always happy to see her at the end of the school day. Yuuki could always really smile for him. It's like she saved all those smiles for him. Neither Yuuki nor Shun noticed Soujiro watching them. It was their world that he was watching.

His hands rounded into fists. Within Soujiro, his mind had two conflicting ideas running through it. First, there was the denial of what he was seeing. It couldn't be true. It just wasn't right. The other idea was that it made sense. He was utterly stunned at the moment by the time he realized that he had been standing there thinking about it too long rather than following them, they were gone.

Soujiro started towards the studio. By the time he got there, they were headed inside. He stopped short. Something came over him. Yuuki never mentioned having a child. Maybe, the child just looked big for his age. Perhaps, his father was Kinomoto Akihito. He took a deep breath. It was possible. Soujiro didn't know how old the child was exactly, so it was a possibly.

He went back to the car. The time was getting away from him and it was time to go back to work at the house. Unfortunately, he found it difficult to concentrate when he got there. After struggling to calm down after a few minutes at his desk, he called his assistant to move the appointments that afternoon.

Soujiro was at his desk. He couldn't shake what he had seen. Then, he remembered the file was right on top of his desk. He opened it this time thoroughly determined to read it straight through. He now saw the one piece of documentation that he had initially missed. It was at the bottom of the file.

It was a birth certificate. Soujiro read it. Yuuki had a baby boy seven years ago. His name when he was born was Matsuoka Shun. The section about the father had been left blank and her signature was there. The next document was an adoption form signed by Aki along with a legal name change for Shun. A copy of the marriage certificate was earlier in the file, so Soujiro flipped back to that and saw that Aki and Yuuki were married almost six years. The timing was completely off for Aki to be Shun's biological father.

Soujiro picked up the phone on his desk. He made a call. "Hello Tsukushi," he said.

"Nishikado-san?" asked Tsukushi.

"Are you home?" Soujiro already knew the answer because they lived somewhat close by and if he had just gotten home, then she would have already been home.

"Yes."

"I need to speak with you about something."

Tsukushi wasn't used to meeting with Soujiro all that often. They rarely met separately without anyone else around. "Are you sure you can't discuss this with Tsukasa?"

"It's a legal matter," replied Soujiro. "You're a lawyer."

"Oh, then by all means, if you need a consult, just drop by," said Tsukushi. "I'm not doing anything major right now."

Soujiro nodded. "Do you mind if I drop by now?"

"Sure. The baby is sleeping again. He tired Tsukasa out last night, so he's resting up for tonight's battle."

Soujiro had no humor in him at that moment. "I'll see you soon," he said, then hung up.


Yuuki was finishing up some work when her cell phone went off. It was truly a private call because very few people had her cell phone. She was one of those rare people in Tokyo who insisted that if anyone needed to reach her to call the office or her apartment to reach her. Her assistants had the number, but it was only a few people who had her number.

She still hadn't cleared Aki's number from her cell, even though his cell phone had been disconnected already. She couldn't bring herself to do it. It said it was a private caller. Yuuki answered it, "Hello?"

"Yuuki-san, it's me," said a voice on the other line.

The familiarity of the caller's voice sent chills down her spine. "Ichiro-san?" she asked.

"Yes," he answered, sounding a little annoyed. "I know I haven't called in a while, but I've been in Africa for the last few months. It's kind of hard to get a call out."

"No, I was just a bit surprised that's all," said Yuuki. "I take it you're in Japan."

"Yes, I just got back. I was hoping to get together with you and Aki, if you're both not too busy. I'd also like to see Shun."

Yuuki swallowed hard. "You haven't heard yet," she said quietly.

"What's wrong? I don't like that tone," he said.

"There was an accident. Aki's dead."

There was very long silence on the line. "I'll drop by the studio tonight and give you a ride back home."

"Shun's with me," said Yuuki. "His school is nearby so it makes everything nice and easy."

"Then, I'll take you both out for dinner. We really need to talk. I'd like to see Shun-kun, too. I want to see how he's doing."

"Okay," agreed Yuuki. "I'll see you tonight. You have the address, right?"

"Of course, Aki-san sent it to me as soon as you guys moved there," answered he answered. "I'll you both tonight. Tell Shun-kun for me."

Soujiro took his car over to the Doumyouji Mansion. He should have walked because that would have given him more time to calm down, but he was anxious to know what was going on with Yuuki and the child that he saw her with. He normally managed his temper very well. The staff at the house already knew him on sight. One of the maids, escorted him to the backyard where Tsukushi was picking flowers for a bouquet.

"There you are," said Tsukushi. "I thought it would be nice for us to be out here. The weather is starting to get a bit chilly. I just want to enjoy it before winter comes."

"You can always go to a warmer climate. All you have to do is ask," said Soujiro. "You've got an island."

"True, so what is this legal matter you need me to consult on?" asked Tsukushi.

Soujiro took a deep breath. He had brought the file from his office with him. "It's not really a legal matter."

"Oh?"

"It's about Yuuki."

Tsukushi's face was averted from Soujiro's. If her expression changed, it might have been for just an instant, because when she faced him she looked normal. "I just saw her today. She's doing as well as can be expected."

"Yes, I know you saw her today," confirmed Soujiro.

Tsukushi asked, "How did you know?"

"I was going to pay her a visit myself. I was worried about what happened before. I saw her talking to you and she was smiling at the baby."

"You really should make an appointment. Even Yuuki doesn't like being surprised like that. Her assistant is very capable, if a bit silly."

"That's not all. After you left, I was going to talk to her, but she didn't go back to the studio. I followed her. She went to a school." Now Tsukushi's face changed. "Who is Shun?" asked Soujiro. "You said to her to say hello to him for you."

Tsukushi saw Soujiro's eyes. She knew that an explosion was imminent. "What else did you see?" she asked, she wasn't about to give more away without knowing what he knew.

"She went to the school and picked up a child. A boy," answered Soujiro. "Is that Shun?"

"If you must know, I have taken Yuuki as a client as of today I am her lawyer," answered Tsukushi as she followed her arms over her chest. "There are things that are going on right now that you cannot possibly understand. It has nothing to do with you."

"Nothing to do with me?!" snapped Soujiro. "Nothing to do with me?! I have a report on her."

"Honestly, does invasion of privacy mean anything to you people?"

"Damn it, don't do this to me! Tell me the truth. Answer my question is he my son?"

Tsukushi wasn't looking at him, but pass him. "I am sorry. I can't tell you anything. Lawyer-client privilege, and I have to honor it. I am not about to compromise what I believe in just to satisfy your curiosity."

This only served to infuriate Soujiro further who hadn't taken notice of his friends who had come. The three of them were wide eyed with shock. They had heard the tail end of the conversation. "What the Hell is going on?" demanded Tsukasa.

Soujiro turned and shouted, "Your wife is withholding important information from me! Tell her what I need to know."

"He can try, but I'm not saying anything," retorted Tsukushi. She walked passed Soujiro and went into the house. This wasn't good at all as soon as she got inside; she walked even faster to the nearest phone.

Akira broke the uncomfortable silence. "What is going on? Soujiro, what did you mean your son?"

"Tsukasa, talk to her, tell I need to know," said Soujiro, ignoring Akira's question.

Tsukasa was expressionless. "I know my wife. I thought you did, too. When was the last time she ever did something she was completely unwilling to do?" he asked.

Rui said, "Explain everything, Soujiro. Please." His quiet voice seemed to have a soothing effect on Soujiro. Akira already took a seat in one of the nearby chairs. The other three sat down as Soujiro began his explanation.

Meanwhile, Tsukushi was trying to get a hold of Yuuki. "Hello Ishida-san? Is Kinomoto-san in?" she asked.

"She left early today with Shun," answered Ishida. "Is there anything I can help you with, Doumyouji-san?"

"No, I'll try her cell," replied Tsukushi. "Thank you." She hung up and dialed Yuuki's cell, but she didn't answer. She tried again. "Damn…oh damn," she muttered. "What am I going to do? Yuuki, where are you?"

"Ojisan, can I have some sashimi?" asked Shun, giving him pleading puppy dog eyes.

Yuuki correct him, "You have to say please. It's, 'May I please have some sashimi?', Shun-kun."

Shun repeated only, "Please?"

"Of course, you can," answered Ichiro. They were in a sushi restaurant that had just opened in near Yuuki's apartment. She was sitting across from Shun, who was next to Ichiro. She liked to watch them together. She could get an idea of what kind of man Shun would grow into. "But only if your mother says you can."

"I'd be careful if I were you, Ichiro. Give him half a chance; he'll eat his weight in sashimi."

"Hey, he's not my problem later," shrugged Ichiro.

Yuuki raised an eyebrow at him. "How is that fair? So, you would fill him with sashimi and just pass him back to me?"

"Why not?" laughed Ichiro. His hair was cropped shorter than when Yuuki had first met him. He said he had done it because it made him feel cooler in Africa. He wore glasses that had thin lenses and an almost invisible frame. The family resemblance though was uncanny.

Shun had similar mannerisms like the way he would lean on his forward with his chin. Sometimes when Yuuki watched him, she saw him in deep thought with his chin resting on his hand propped up on his elbow. She had seen Ichiro do that before as well.

"I want mochi," declared Shun.

Yuuki shook her head, "You haven't even finished your dinner. No dessert without dinner. You're just getting greedy."

"What kind of sashimi do you want? You already have a salmon roll," pointed out Ichiro.

"Toro," answered Shun.

Ichiro chuckled, "Sure, go for the good stuff. This child has expensive tastes." He glanced at him and added, "I guess it can't be helped. Aki loved it, too." His smile faded. He and Aki were friends. They had known each other from childhood.

Shun subdued a bit as he looked at Ichiro. "Are you going away again, Ojisan?" he asked suddenly in a small voice. He sounded frightened.

"Not for a while," answered Ichiro. "And if you want me to stay, I will."

"Please stay," said Shun immediately. "Don't go away again."

Yuuki saw how the tears that were brimming in Shun's eyes. Ichiro gave him a gentle smile. He promised, "I'm not going anywhere. Not when my nephew needs me."


AN: Like in any soap opera, everyone is tied together one way or another. Six degrees of separation. So, it only makes sense that Ichiro shows up in a very timely manner just as Soujiro begins to figure out what is going on.

Disclaimer: Kamio Youko owns Hana Yori Dango. I own this story. Please use this story with my permission.