The Place where I belong
Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin or Stargate SG-1.
Intermission:
"Through the force things you will see. The future…the past…old friends long gone…" – Master Yoda to Luke Skywalker
Hajime knew he was still asleep as soon as he began looking around. He knew it because first he was sitting at his old desk in his old classroom in Bayside High. He reached up to touch his head and felt the ponytail he had worn years ago during his high school days. And second his friends were not there and the halls sounded quiet. This was of course impossible because after all it was Bayside for crying out loud! Bayside and most especially his friends were never quiet! In conclusion this had to be a dream.
"Why am I here?" he asked the empty room as he looked around from his seat.
"Because you're a moron," said a new voice from the teacher's desk. He turned quickly and there was his ancestor wearing the dark blue uniform he'd seen him wear in the Bursa village sitting at the teacher's desk. A blue cap reminiscent of a civil war era uniform cap was on the desk in front of him.
He was leaning back on the chair and propped his right elbow on the arm rest. He pulled that arm closer to his face for a moment to take a drag from the cigarette pinned between the fingers of his right white-gloved hand. Haji frowned he did not take insults from anyone least of all some guy who's been dead nearly a hundred years even if he was his great-great-grandfather! He opened his mouth to say so but his ancestor cut him off.
"What the hell do think you were doing tonight you moron?" he asked annoyed.
"What do you mean what was I doing? I'm hunting Tokio isn't that obvious," he replied in low growl. He was going to win Tokio's heart his own way and he wasn't going to take criticism from his outdated ancestor.
"Tokio is already yours. She has always been yours. It is her duty and destiny. There is no need for you to parade yourself like an idiot to win her affections," he explained very calmly. Haji got up and walked down the row of student desks towards the desk in front of the teacher's desk. He gave his ancestor a quizzical look as he sat on the edge of that first desk.
"So Tokio is the reincarnation of your mistress, servant, lover…all of the above?" he asked calmly trying to provoke him just because he did not like his ancestor's tone in the least. It reduced Tokio to slave and property and the times had changed considerably for that kind of regressive thinking! He resolved his ancestor would have to be brought up to speed. Old Hajime rolled his eyes at him.
"She was my wife," Hajime retorted annoyed and took another drag from his cigarette. Haji smirked he had gotten to his ancestor and that was no easy feat.
"The first or second one? My mom says you were married twice," Haji continued to probe trying to provoke his ancestor a little more. This time Hajime glared at him.
"Second…What are you getting at pup?" he demanded glaring suspiciously at him. Haji smirked.
"Ok so correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't your second wife an arranged marriage? In case you haven't noticed they don't do sort of thing anymore. If you want a woman you have to work for her trust and affection otherwise they call it rape," he countered smirking slightly in triumph as his ancestor leaned forward on his desk glaring angrily putting out the cigarette on the side of the desk.
'It's a good thing Mr. Belding isn't here…he would freak out,' thought Haji calmly as he watched his ancestor get up and walk around the desk then sit on the front edge of the teacher's desk. He glared at Haji with his arms across his chest in severe disapproval.
"Yes it was an arranged marriage facilitated by some friends of Lord Matsudaira but that doesn't mean I wouldn't have chosen her! And before you say anything she promised she would return to me and she has so she would've chosen me as well pup!"lectured Hajime angrily. Haji merely stared back unperturbed.
"So basically you got lucky because your perfect match was simply handed to you by a bunch of rich guys," Haji prodded calmly. Hajime smirked.
"I see so you're trying to justify you're ridiculous behavior tonight by somehow making it look as though I would not be able to get Tokio on my own. Is that it?" he asked in a teasing tone. Haji shrugged and smirked right back at him.
"I'm not justifying anything I'm simply stating the facts. Everything I did and said tonight was for the sake of getting close to Tokio… as for you well…I would say that on your own it really is quite obvious that you can't get Tokio or any other worthwhile woman for that matter," Haji countered coolly but this time Hajime would not be baited. He chuckled softly.
"Oh deluded little pup…Tokio is mine she has always been mine and when I take over tomorrow you will see…" Hajime retorted chuckling in amusement patting him on the head in a most condescending way. This was suddenly a terrifying situation! He was certain that whatever his ancestor did was going to ruin everything! He couldn't allow him to have control not this time! He must've seen the slight panic and anger in Haji's eyes because he chuckled but before either could say anything else a new voice appeared.
"No husband you mustn't do that…" said the soft elegant feminine voice that appeared behind old Hajime. His ancestor smiled as he turned. There was a petit beautiful Japanese woman with perfect white skin and jet black hair wearing an elegant aquamarine kimono standing by the door. Her raven hair was pulled up in a simple yet perfect bun with a pair of black chopsticks adorning it. She had a troubled look marring her beautiful face.
"You see little pup…my wife returns to me," he declared smugly as he moved to greet the woman. However Haji thought that not all was well… If she was returning to the man she loved then why wasn't she smiling?
"I have been waiting for you," Hajime said his hand reaching out to the woman. She still did not smile and she did not take his hand.
"And I have been calling for you!" she retorted. She most definitely was not happy to see him. Haji made an effort to keep a straight face and not smirk in triumph. He was right and just looking at this woman he knew it! He took a couple of steps away from them.
"Every time you were near I called but you did not answer!" she raged she turned away from him to look at the far wall of the classroom. The back wall and the desks in the back of the room disappeared and little snippets of his life began playing on the wall as if it were some sort of movie screen.
The first showed him in high school on the day he met his first girlfriend Tori. But this memory was seen through the eyes of this new ghost. He saw Tokio talking to Mr. Belding near the school entrance while he was in the parking lot flirting with Tori. Haji watched quietly shocked that Tokio had been so close yet he had not seen her.
"He was too young…I could not reach him yet but I did sense you," Hajime defended himself but still she did not turn to look at him.
"What about this time?" she asked calmly and the scene changed. This time it was the club where he had met Yolanda. Haji groaned this time. In this scene he was aggressively making out with Yolanda in a dark corner near the payphones. Only a few feet away was Tokio on the payphone with her face averted from the kissing couple trying to explain over the loud music that her two front tires had blown she was stranded and she needed a tow truck or at least another replacement tire since she only had one.
"She confused me…I sensed you… I thought…" Hajime began confused.
"You thought because this indecent woman was so liberal with you that it was me controlling her impulses? That she was forward because you were my husband and she was me? Since when husband have I ever behaved in such a vulgar way in a public place!" she declared forceful and full of pride. Hajime stared at the screen but Haji was watching her. She was right this was not a woman who would be reborn in some two-bit slut like Yolanda.
Hajime stared but he could not bring himself to say anything. The screen had changed and now it was showing the day after Shuura's 19th birthday. He had caught up with his mom and her on a Victoria's Secret sponsored vacation in Hawaii after he had just come back from his second tour in Helmajistan. She had snuck into his hotel room intent on playing some prank on him. She'd been trying for a long time now but had been unsuccessful. This time was no different!
Haji had caught her in the act but he was tired and the desert really made a mess of his brain. So one thing led to another and before he knew it she was in his bed. The scene showed Shuura as she happily skipped away wearing his underwear underneath her jeans. As Shuura passed by the lobby she stopped to say goodbye to Tokio who was there again and surrounded this time by Aoshi, Sano and Kenshin. They were loading her suitcase into a car. Sano opened the door for her and then all three men left with her.
"That was the last time I called to you. You were in pain I could feel it and I desperately wanted to help you but you ignored me once more," she stated a little sadly. Haji kept watching her but she would not turn to look at either of them.
"Don't get me wrong my dear husband. I love you now as much as I did then but I was always the one you left behind wasn't I? I was always the one who was last wasn't I?" she asked softly but her resentment was quite plain for anyone to see. The scene changed this time it was Tokio's second day at the SGC. Haji was able to see that day from the outside and he was terribly ashamed of himself. He was grateful only for Col. O'Neil's timely intervention.
"I was right in front of you and you did not see me…why? In fact you were cold and cruel or worst I was invisible to you every time I was near. Is it perhaps because your dutiful wife had forgotten her place and invaded your solemn warrior's world?" she asked in bitter anger and resentment now.
"I would've thought husband that in this brave new world there was no place for such outdated ideas," she added bitterly. Hajime said nothing he watched the screen with a mildly confused look.
"In fact it wasn't until the day I defeated you that you began to see me…and it was only in that battle in that far off place called Bursa that your sword was unsheathed for the first time in my defense," she added in a poised and dignified manner. The screen kept changing now and showed every instance Haji had been near Tokio. He sunk deeper into shame and guilt as he watched himself ignore her polite greetings or barely answer them in a mean rough growl.
"I understand that to you my wolf of justice your duty comes first. Your honor always came first. I understood that as the wife of a samurai my duty was to wait at home and support whatever my husband does," she stated very serenely. Haji just couldn't take his eyes off the woman now. She had that same sad lonely look that he had seen briefly on Tokio tonight.
"But I still resented always being last in your thoughts… I resented being tied down by the rules of our world always being left behind…I resented husband being the last person to hear your sorrows or share your victories if at all," she declared angry and bitter and Haji watched quietly sitting at a desk as she locked eyes with his ancestor. He felt like a little kid watching his parents argue. Still Haji was getting the whole picture and from his point of view his ancestor had not fully appreciated his wife the way he should have.
'Yea…the old man screwed up big time…' Haji thought sadly as he watched them.
"My duty came first you told me you understood! Why are you saying things like these now? It makes no sense!" Hajime retorted angrily. She shook her head sadly.
"Let me ask you this: When you unsheathed your sword to fight the Battousai did you think of me at any time? Did you think in that moment what might happen to me if you lost? How about when you left to face off against Makoto Shishio and the Juppongatana?" she asked calmly.
"I had an enemy in front of me! You know I couldn't! You and the children would've been provided for!" Hajime rejoined even angrier now. She looked disappointed but Haji spoke before she could respond.
"That's not what she means! She would've spent the rest of her life alone…your children fatherless and your wife unprotected, unloved and alone, and you didn't even to bother to consider how she would feel! You were too damn busy worrying about your own damn self!" Haji pointed out getting to his feet just as angry his eyes fixed on the magic screen which now showed an image of her. She sobbed in a deep heartbreaking way late at night. She sat alone in her semi-dark room trying to stifle the sound of her sobs by biting the sleeves of her yukata.
"Why didn't you say any of this before?" Hajime asked again though his voice had softened considerably.
"You wouldn't have listened!" retorted Haji angrily before she could answer. His ancestor did not respond his eyes still locked with hers. She smiled sadly at him then looked away.
"Even in death I was last as you traveled nearly a century looking to regain the honor our family lost since you passed on," she continued and waved her hand to the screen. It showed modern Tokio again she looked no more than 17 or 18 years old but she was alone this time in Victoria's study concentrating on the thick book she had open on the desk in front of her. A man walked in staggering slightly indicating he might be drunk. Haji took a few steps forward towards the screen. It was his much despised father Kamo!
"As well you should have considering how far they fell…" she stated ominously. Tokio on the screen looked up and glared at Kamo. She closed her book and gathered her notes to leave. Kamo blocked her way she glared some more and she tried to push past him. He did not let her and pushed her back against Victoria's giant oak desk. With mounting horror and utter disgust he watched Tokio struggle to free herself from his grip. She finally seemed to manage when she bit him on the arm but he caught her again and slammed her this time on the couch.
"I screamed for you then…but though you were near you did not answer…fortunately someone else was listening…" she continued and the scene added Victoria who entered the room and in a single quick move she lifted Kamo off Tokio and threw him against the oak desk.
A tall dangerous looking man in a black suit standing by the door entered quietly at her signal and lifted Kamo off the floor. In a very prim manner Tokio straightened her hair and her clothes then she bent down to pick up her scattered notes but she did not cry or act out in an undignified manner. And she certainly did not show Kamo fear as he glared at her and Victoria promising retribution as he was roughly handled by Victoria's man. The only sign she gave that she was upset was the slight shaking of her hands as she reached for her papers.
"Night…Please show Mr. Kujacu what we do with people who touch my children without permission," Victoria stated smiling at Kamo in a most dangerous and evil way. It did bring Haji some measure of relief. When he was 18 he had heard that Kamo was in the hospital. The story had been that he had a bad car wreck after leaving drunk from a party at Victoria's mansion and he might actually die. His mother had asked him then if he wanted to see him but Haji had not cared. Now he knew what really must've happened. That man Night must've beaten him to within an inch of his life and Victoria covered it up.
"She is stronger than I had thought…" Hajime said softly looking as disgusted and angry as Haji felt.
"Of course she is husband! Do you think I would return to you in some weakling? Do no mistake caution and decorum for weakness!" she yelled at him angry and indignant. The screen changed and Haji saw Chris for the first time.
It showed snippets of Tokio being beaten either during a holiday or right after receiving an award or prize. Her trophies and ribbons or presents lay in pieces on the floor as he hit her. The first few times she cried out for help asking him to stop but afterwards she simply curled up and did not make a sound waiting for it to end. Each time she was warned not to excel beyond his limit but she continued to win her prizes and soar above him academically regardless of the consequences. Physically she could not surpass him she was a small and malnutritioned child but she became greater than him in many other ways that Chris could never catch up to!
"If you choose not to heed your great-grandson's words husband then you will lose me forever because I would rather be alone for eternity than spend another lifetime always being last in your heart," she added sadly.
"You promised me you would never force me to choose between my duty and you!" Hajime growled back angrily. Haji rolled his eyes.
"Now who's the moron? That's not what she's saying at all!" Haji countered heatedly "You rushed on ahead always doing your own thing but never bothered to look behind you and make sure she was still there! I don't want a servant I want someone who will push me forward and make me stronger! I want Tokio and all her strength standing beside me in the bitterest battles! I want her proud smile to be the first I see after a victory! I want her arms to be my comfort after a defeat!" Haji yelled angry and traumatized by everything that he had just learned.
Had his ancestor bothered to worry about her more back then Tokio would've been his long ago. He would've kept her safe and they would've made each other stronger. He realized now that his sudden obsession with Yolanda all those years ago had been partly due to his ancestor egging him on. He had just wanted to get over with the "finding my wife" part of his quest so he could focus his attention elsewhere. It made him angry beyond words!
"Is that really such a difficult request Goro?" she asked in a calm tone her voice always elegant her attitude always dignified almost regal in fact. Haji looked back at his ancestor he looked stunned and hurt.
"You have never called me that…" was all he said looking for a moment confused and hurt. Haji realized that his wife must've always used a term of endearment or a respectful title when addressing her husband. It must sting that she spoke to him as if he were someone she just met.
"Imagine how she feels thinking she can't be a part of the things that are important to you that she'll just get in your way if she tries…" Haji realized watching her wanting to reach out to her and tell her in a thousand words or more that he would make things right this time. She turned and smiled at Haji now.
"Young Hajime has inherited your keen powers of observation. You should listen to him this time," she suggested smiling at Haji in approval.
"I have kept my promise. I have returned to you but whether I stay or not is up to you," she replied bowing her head solemnly then turned to leave. Both Haji and his ancestor watched her as she walked away with her head held high in a very regal manner.
"Tokio wait!" Hajime called out walking towards her quickly. She stopped and turned around. His ancestor said something softly in Japanese to his Tokio and Haji cursed himself – not for the first time – for not bothering to learn Japanese. She smiled sadly and reached up to touch his face but didn't say anything. She turned and left. Old Hajime still looked confused and now quite worried. Haji approached him quietly.
"So what'll it be old man?" he asked but he had a feeling things had changed. His ancestor's arrogance had been toned down quite a bit.
"Very well…we'll try it your way for now," he conceded gravely. Haji smirked in triumph.
"But I warn you pup no more of that idiotic singing and dancing non-sense…" he growled annoyed but very much subdued. Haji smiled and shrugged.
"I'll try but I can't promise anything," he retorted highly amused but feeling super confident that his way would win them back Tokio's heart!
"To quote that idiotic movie you like to watch so much: "Do or do not there is no try!" So do not do any more idiocies I can't bear the shame," he protested though he sounded mildly amused as he picked up his blue cap and walked towards the door lighting another cigarette as he left. Haji laughed and the dream began to dissolve…
Hajime woke with a start 10 minutes before 6am and grabbed the phone to cancel his wake up call. He knew he'd been dreaming about his ancestor but couldn't for the life of him remember what he'd been dreaming about. He didn't care! He looked at the bed next to his and Aoshi had already gotten up and was almost finished dressing for his work out. He pulled on his t-shirt, sweat pants and running shoes then went down with Aoshi to the gym. He was full of confidence. Last night had been a big success and today he was certain could only be better!
Tokio's eyes opened reluctantly a few hours later. She stretched lazily still feeling happy and peaceful from the events of the night before. She turned to look at the clock to check the time and as it read 7:09am on the dial she jumped out of bed and rushed to the bathroom!
"Oh my goodness he'll be here any minute!" she shrieked excitedly as she hopped quickly into the shower. Five minutes later she was out pulling clothes out of the drawers which had also been well stocked. She pulled on her new clothes in a hurry!
When his sharp raps came at 7:30am on the dot she had just barely managed to finish putting on a pink headband and spritzing on her perfume. She took a quick peek through the peephole but she knew who it would be. He was carrying a cardboard cup holder with two paper cups which she figured was the tea he promised to bring. She took a deep breath.
"Ok here goes…" she said to herself by way of encouragement and opened the door…
"Good morning Tokio," Hajime greeted calmly though again his brain nearly froze. This morning she was wearing white low-riding Capri pants and a pink 3/4 sleeve fitted cotton top imprinted with the Victoria's Secret double-heart logo with a low cut v-neck that was rather daring. She smiled at him in that sweet welcoming way that seemed to be her trademark. Funny how such a thing had once annoyed him and now it drew him in like a moth to the flame.
'…And I don't mind getting burned,' he thought smiling as she invited him in and apologized for not being quite ready yet. She blushed when she explained she had nearly overslept this morning.
"Don't worry you still have plenty of time," he pointed out as she padded softly ahead of him and that's when he noticed she wasn't wearing any shoes. She took out some mugs from the pantry saying she didn't like drinking her tea in paper cups.
"I don't have any sugar or honey though!" she called out from the kitchen.
"It's ok I brought some!" he called back and showed her the little packages of individual honey and sugar servings. He took the mugs from her and poured out the tea while she returned to her bedroom perhaps to get her shoes.
"How do you take it?" he asked as she returned with a pair of pink strappy heels and to Hajime's confusion her large black medical case which she plopped on the table.
"Honey please…two packages!" she replied as she propped her feet up one at a time on the chair next to him to strap on her shoes. A sight which Hajime found a bit distracting due to the cleavage enhancing blouse but he forced himself to concentrate on the tea. He placed her mug in front of her and sat down after she did.
"So are you expecting trouble? It's only breakfast I'm sure it's safe…" he teased glancing at the bag. "Unless the rooster-head forgets his manners and in that case I hope you packed a riot shield!" he joked. Victoria was a psycho when it came to table manners and if you forgot yourself and acted improperly around her there was a good chance the table would be overturned and food would fly in every direction! Everyone who knew Victoria knew that fact quite well! She laughed.
"Oh no! This is for later! You're taking me to my family estate this morning, remember?" she replied still smiling in amusement.
"Yes and I remember Pete saying it would be a shock but I doubt he meant there would be a battle," he continued this time more solemnly. She shrugged still smiling taking a sip from her tea.
"The monster in my closet Hajime is far more dangerous than yours I find it best to be prepared for all eventualities," she replied casually taking another sip from her tea.
He frowned. He wanted to promise she would be safe but that was pointless. He had failed last night to protect her how could he possible expect her to believe him now? He would have to demonstrate his willingness to protect her by putting himself out there! She would not need her little "David" tricks! Today he would be her shield!
"And I know that I might not need to defend myself but those protecting me might require my medical abilities…" she added giving him a knowing look with one of those sweet smiles that were really starting to get him. He smiled then relieved that she was aware of his chivalrous intentions.
"I'll make sure I dodge then! After all you are on vacation right? I would hate to have to put you to work!" he teased trying to lighten the mood she laughed and he was glad that he'd succeeded.
"Speaking of which I do want to check your injury before we leave this morning… I'll have to remember to check on Shimel too some time today. Have you been having any headaches?" she asked switching to doctor mode for a moment but before he could answer the phone rang and Hajime got up to answer for her. Aoshi was on the line saying his Sensei wanted Tokio up in her suite now if she was ready. Tokio nodded then got up to take the cups to the sink and throw away the garbage. Hajime hung up and helped her clear the table quickly and offered to carry her bag.
"I'll have to check your injury later," she announced as they left the suite though she did not sound happy about it. She changed the subject as they walked to the elevator and talked a little about Janeway and what he could expect to see at the estate.
Apparently it was the biggest privately owned property in Aspen and she just couldn't wait to show him around. She did request that they stop at a flower shop she would need to buy some flowers for her family. He readily agreed of course visiting her family's graves was the first thing they would have to do once they arrived at the estate. It would be inappropriate to arrive empty handed.
'I will get some flowers too,' Hajime decided as they arrived on the next level up where Victoria's imperial suite is. He didn't like cemeteries because with his ability to see his ancestor came the unwanted ability to hear other spirits on occasion. The ability was thankfully limited to times when he was injured and/or under an inordinate amount of stress. Old cemeteries were the worse though and he hated them! But it was important to Tokio so he would go.
'This concussion is not gonna make it easy,' he thought a bit annoyed. His head began to ache a little just with the thought of how much effort he would need to put into blocking out the annoying little whispers. He reminded himself however that he was going to do whatever it took to make Tokio his and if it meant going to her family cemetery he would do it…
Aoshi opened the door as they knocked and let them in. She asked him where Sano and Kenshin were but Aoshi said they were still sleeping. Hajime's mom was in here talking to Pete and Hannya and Ms. Stillwater was outside talking on her celphone. A waiter was setting the dinning room table up and as Tokio and Hajime arrived he ushered everyone towards the table. Tokio greeted Mrs. Emi and Pete and Hannya then Ms. Stillwater - when she walked back inside - with a hug as they all took their seats.
"Good Morning everyone and thank you for coming so early!" Ms. Stillwater greeted cheerfully. "We have a long day ahead of us so I wanted to get an early start," she added in her trademark gracious and elegant voice. Her silent signal towards the waiter put him quickly into motion placing the dishes on the table in front of each guest.
"Our first point on the agenda is the ball tonight!" she began as they ate.
"Ladies I will need you both here no later than 5pm. especially you Tokio your dress will need refitting! It looks like you've lost some weight since I last saw you," she announced not looking happy at all on the last statement. It was likely true Tokio had been rather stressed lately and she hadn't slept or ate at home in a week so it was no wonder she'd lost a few pounds though Ms. Stillwater never liked it when Tokio lost weight.
"I've been at the base all week," she replied slightly apologetic. Ms. Stillwater knew that Tokio only lost weight when she was under an inordinate amount of stress and it always bothered her. Tokio hated causing her mentor any concern.
"Yes and I wonder whose fault that is!" she countered shooting Hajime and Aoshi a piercing look but neither man looked up from their plates.
"Actually it was really Gen. Hammond he ordered me back to base when I reported what happened," she answered coming to their rescue. Both turned to look at her first then at Ms. Stillwater who after giving them both suspicious glares nodded solemnly in acceptance of her explanation. Tokio bit her tongue to keep from laughing at the obvious relief on their faces.
"Then I shall have to take it up with George… One of these days I'm going to find out what you people do holed up in that mountain!" she promised but the twinkle of amusement that was usually present in her eyes returned.
'Well it would be nice if she found out on her own,' Tokio thought smiling at her mentor. That way she could tell her of all the interesting things she does and all the people she met. She could talk to her mentor about the things that had been bothering her about her first mission and wouldn't that be so nice?
"Good Luck," Hajime said casually but Tokio thought from the slight flicker of hope in his eyes that perhaps he too wanted Ms. Stillwater to find out. It would make sense since that way he could tell his mom what he did. She had noticed how close he was to his mom and likely it was difficult for him to keep secrets from her.
'I would've told my mom if she were alive,' Tokio thought suddenly but quickly banished that train of thought. Such a thought would lead to a myriad of "what if…" scenarios that would only bury her in grief over all that she lost. But perhaps she thought that she would talk to Hajime and encourage him to tell her. It was only fair that she know what her son does and where he does it!
'But then again that's none of my business,' she reminded herself sternly. Just because they were getting a little closer to each other now didn't mean that she had a right to go poking her nose in his family affairs. She dismissed the whole idea as inappropriate and listened carefully as Ms. Stillwater continued to inform them of this evening's plans. She was telling Aoshi that both Hannya and his tuxedos would be delivered to their suites this afternoon.
"I didn't order one for you because I assume your using your dress blues as always correct?" she asked Hajime and he simply nodded and added he just needed to press it and polish the buttons and the boots. Ms. Stillwater made a note on her electronic notepad and informed him someone would be sent to take care of it. Tokio then wondered out loud if she should've brought her dress uniform too.
"Absolutely not!" Ms. Stillwater replied absolutely horrified by the idea. Tokio frowned more than a little concerned. As far as she knew she was required to wear her uniform to ceremonies and special occasions. If Gen. Hammond was going to attend tonight's ball then shouldn't she be in uniform too? She realized she should've thought of it sooner! Hajime just gave her an amused smirk.
"I repeat: Absolutely not! According to the military uniform code you are only required to wear your dress uniform on official military events. This is a private event. Hajime only wears his uniform because he hates tuxedos but he is not required to wear it," Ms. Stillwater announced firmly and Tokio wondered how in the world she knew all that stuff! Worst was that Ms. Stillwater knew and she who is in the military did not!
"George isn't the only person in the military that I know… The others do like to tell me lots of things…" she added with a wink sensing Tokio's unease. She blushed and didn't question the statement really not wanting to get any details on her mentor's affairs!
"Don't worry you're still really a newbie! It takes time to learn all the rules…" Hajime teased patting her hand in mock-reassurance looking to spark a little banter. Yes he really did like word fencing with her didn't he? Tokio was ready for him!
"Yes an unfortunate fact that has made me a target on occasion," she countered smiling mischievously at him. She was rewarded for her effort with a horrified look on his face replacing his amused smirk but this time the look only lasted a moment. He smiled then with a look of challenge in his eyes but before he could reply Ms. Stillwater spoke.
"Well if you two are done having telepathic conversations over there let us move on to our next point," Ms. Stillwater declared her amusement mirrored in Mrs. Emi's face. Mrs. Emi smiled as she looked first at Hajime and then at Tokio then back again to Hajime. Pete too smiled and again he looked relieved. She reminded herself to talk to him in private soon.
"The next point is this morning's visit to the estate by the newly formed Phoenix Foundation! We're meeting with the heads of the restoration team today correct?" she continued and Pete explained the team had already been on site this weekend taking pictures and measurements of the main house.
"It's going to be hard because I don't have many records of how it used to look," he explained a bit sadly that most of the pictures of the house and its guests and inhabitants had disappeared. Tokio looked down at her plate hiding a smirk by putting food in her mouth. She knew where those pictures and other records were but she didn't know whether they were still safely hidden. She would look but it was her best kept secret and she refused to let it out until she was certain she'd succeeded.
"We'll do what we can Pete," Ms. Stillwater reassured him "oh before I forget Tokio we have decided to keep your involvement in the Phoenix Foundation a secret since you're bound by such high level confidentiality agreements. I will talk to George about it later," Ms. Stillwater added solemnly and Tokio thanked her for remembering.
Ms. Stillwater also explained that only a few of her most trusted employees who were also bound by her own confidentiality agreements would be aware of her participation on the foundation and that when asked today what her involvement with Phoenix is she should respond that she is volunteering her time as an unofficial consultant. Tokio readily agreed. Then Ms. Stillwater changed the subject to talk once more about the book.
"Finally the book…" Ms. Stillwater began but before she could say anything Mrs. Emi cut her off looking embarrassed.
"I think I should do this part! I felt a bit like a thief last night Tokio you had so much praise and I did not respond I'm sorry…" Mrs. Emi began apologetically. For a moment Tokio was confused then she realized what she was trying to say.
"Are you the author, Mrs. Emi?" Tokio thought surprised but pleased that the author was both someone she knew and someone she liked. And of course since Mrs. Emi is high up in Ms. Stillwater's list she was someone who could be trusted. Mrs. Emi smiled and nodded with a slight apologetic look.
"Oh well that's great! Now I'm certain my great grandfather's journal is in good hands! Are you planning to revise the last chapters then because I haven't read them yet," Tokio rattled off enthusiastically. She listened as Mrs. Emi explained that she was hoping to not so much revise but to add to the book. She did find a few things about Sojiro Seta that no one else knew and Tokio was rather impressed by Mrs. Emi's resourcefulness.
"I can't believe it! I thought no one knew that my grandfather escaped Japan by dressing like a girl except his family!" she laughed. But Aoshi explained that it had been his great-grandmother and a few of her female friends who had come up with the idea and assisted Ms. Janeway in preparing the ruse. He also pointed out that his ancestor had not liked Sojiro Seta but did not mention why in his journal.
"I also found a few remarks about his criminal record in the interview of Inspector Goro Fujita but the interview published is severely edited and I've been stonewalled on my research on Mr. Seta's travels with Ms. Janeway until now," Mrs. Emi explained sounding a bit frustrated.
"I'm not surprised you were blocked. The Peters were just usurpers they don't know anything about the legacy at all," she replied calmly hiding her suddenly bubbling hopes behind her glass of orange juice as she took a sip. If the Peters had shut her out it meant they hadn't found her treasure otherwise they would've tried to sell it to her for a large chunk of the profits from her book.
"Don't worry I'll make sure to get you the journal this week!" she added cheerfully. She would need a little help retrieving her hidden treasures but she was certain Hajime would be willing to provide the extra muscle she needed to dig them out. Again she took a sip from her juice hiding her little smirk of triumph as Mrs. Emi graciously accepted her collaboration. She asked if it would be ok to mention her name in her sources.
"If you don't mind Ms. Emi I would prefer you omit any mention of my name," she replied very politely and a little embarrassed. Mrs. Emi looked disappointed though she gushed quite bit on her gratitude towards Tokio and her support for her project.
To Tokio it was just her duty as the last Takagi to see her family legacy put to rest properly. She very much doubted that any of her progeny would ever take the reins of the legacy again. Tokio just smiled and shrugged insisting it was not a big deal as Mrs. Emi expressed her disappointment in not putting Tokio's name in the book.
"Yes Emi I think it best to leave Tokio's name off the book because of her confidentiality agreements. Why don't you just put a general thank you to the Takagi Family or better yet The Phoenix Foundation for their assistance with your research?" Ms. Stillwater suggested calmly as the remains of Ms. Stillwater's breakfast feast were cleared away. Mrs. Emi didn't seem completely satisfied with this but she accepted it.
"Alright I have a few things to take care of here so we'll be leaving as soon as I'm done," Ms. Stillwater stated finally. Tokio asked if she could leave now thinking that she wanted as few people around when she visited her parents' graves as possible. Ms. Stillwater nodded and simply replied that they would look for her once they arrived then turned to make some notes on her electronic pad.
"The restoration team should get there before us and we should be arriving no later than 10am this morning for the meeting," Pete informed her giving her a sad look. Tokio smiled non-chalantly.
"Sounds good Pete! I'll be sure to look for them!" she replied cheerfully. Pete only managed a sad smile which Tokio decided to ignore. She couldn't afford to give in to dark emotions and weaknesses.
'Especially not in the present company,' Tokio thought a bit irritated as everyone watched her silently except for Ms. Stillwater who was asking Aoshi questions about this afternoon's guest arrivals and Hajime who was quietly finishing his tea rubbing at his temple. She figured his head must be hurting. She would take care of him later. She thought she saw a touch of pity in Mrs. Emi's face and she mentally kicked herself for not being more careful about concealing her grief.
'I shouldn't have asked to leave early! I should've just stuck it out!' she berated herself as Ms. Stillwater turned her attention away from Aoshi to ask Mrs. Emi when her friends would arrive. As they chatted for a moment about Emi going to the airport with Hannya to greet them this morning Tokio continued concealing her emotions. Pride made her decide that rather than ask Hajime for help in retrieving her treasures she would have to find some moment to sneak in on her own and do it herself.
'I paid my dues! I belong on this table!' she thought irritated at herself for her momentary show of weakness. She worked too long and hard to get where she is and she couldn't let that work go to waste now! Hajime chose that moment to lean in towards her with a teasing smirk on his face for a moment distracting her from her self-recrimination.
"I hope that you still might be able to make that house call you talked about before we go doctor," he said in a flirty tone that made her smile feel less forced.
"Sure why not?" she replied in a casual tone. When his mother questioned what he meant he merely replied he had to get his stitches checked out. Motherly concern darkened Mrs. Emi's face. Tokio quickly jumped in to the rescue.
"He's fine! It looks worse than it really is! I …"
"Oh stop being a worrywart Emi! I doubt very much there is a substance hard enough in existence to do any serious damage to that thick skull of his!" Ms. Stillwater teased and laughed rather loudly for a moment cutting Tokio off. Then she got up with an amused smirk on her face. Mrs. Emi frowned annoyed but said nothing. Tokio felt relieved by her mentor's comment. It worked better than what she had come up with!
"Well off you go you two! Have fun! And don't forget to be back for the picnic this afternoon!" she announced cheerfully deflecting with her easy going manner and the mischievous wink she threw at Tokio the dark clouds that Tokio was concentrating all her energy to avoid. They said their goodbyes and left Mrs. Stillwater's suite then headed back down to her floor. This time they headed towards Shuura's room…
"Aoshi has your uncle and aunt's suite been prepared?" Victoria asked quietly her cheerful smile vanishing as soon as the door closed behind Tokio and Hajime.
"Yes sensei…they're on the other side of the complex as you ordered. The private entrance has been prepared for their arrival," Aoshi replied.
"Victoria, who is picking up Oume and Kamo?" Hannya asked. His sister and his brother in law – Mai's parents – had not traveled with him due to another appointment.
"The Kujacus are being picked up by my friend Nightraven. He will bring them to the resort," Victoria replied gravely a frown creasing her eyebrows.
"I did not know he was in town…" Aoshi began surprised. Nightraven was a top gun so to speak in Victoria's arsenal. He did all the things that Victoria thought too "sticky" for her "kids" to get involved in. This was something Aoshi knew well. His sensei was by no means all sugar and spice. She was quite poisonous too but she preferred that her students kept their hands clean from her more "questionable" affairs.
"May I ask Sensei why Nightraven is picking them up? He doesn't like that sort of duty…" Aoshi asked unable to hide his surprise. Victoria smiled in a slightly evil way that always made Emi and Hannya nervous but Aoshi absolutely relished that look.
"Let's just say I want Kamo to behave himself…" she replied mysteriously and changed the subject to security arrangements for the visit to the Janeway Manor this morning as well as tonight's ball…
"Hey doc! You read our minds!" greeted Abrams cheerfully as he opened the door and let Tokio and Hajime in. He explained that this morning when they woke up Shimel said he had a hard time being able to move. They believed that last night's partying might've aggravated his injury. Hajime watched amused as Tokio rolled her eyes and went off to the bedroom in Shuura's suite where Shimel and Cindy were sleeping.
"Morning wolfy!" Shuura greeted with a mischievous grin walking out of her bedroom wearing a pair of running shorts and one of Abrams' white t-shirts. How did he know it was Abrams'? Shuura always wore her sleeping shirts a little too big but in this case his last name and service number were stamped in black ink at the bottom of the shirt!
"Morning pirate," he greeted casually as he took a seat on the couch. It didn't bother him at all Shuura was a big girl and she made her own choices. That's why he had liked her she was very independent.
A little too independent to keep around for long which is why he had never gotten too involved with her in the first place. His head was hurting more fiercely now though and he massaged his temples hoping to calm the pounding a little. The visit to the cemetery was really starting to worry him. It filled him with a dark sense of foreboding that he couldn't explain.
"Hey wolf there's something I wanted to tell you," Shuura said softly coming to sit next to him.
"What is it?" he asked concerned. Her tone was more solemn than was normal for her.
"It's about what happened last night," she began but before Hajime could stop her Shuura quickly launched into an account of what happened inside the bathroom before he got there. She insisted he had to know what she said especially what she said about him! Hajime sat there in stunned silence.
"She is amazing, wolf! Listening to her is like listening to what Sensei must've sounded like thirty years ago!" declared Shuura in obvious awe which surprised the hell out of Hajime. There were few women Shuura was in awe of like that: Victoria, his mom Emi and obviously now Tokio! Not even her own sister or her mother garnered such admiration. It's not that she didn't love her family because she did and she would do absolutely anything for them but to Shuura they were just not as awe inspiring as her Sensei and his mom and well now Tokio too.
"Wow…Yolanda must've been really pissed off!" Hajime thought with amusement easily imagining Tokio calmly giving Yolanda one of her trademark eloquent tongue lashings which he knew the older woman could not have been able to respond to. Shuura grinned wickedly and it was all the response he needed. He forgot about his headache for a moment as he processed what Shuura was saying.
'"Hajime Davila made himself into his own man." Damn I would've loved to see Yolanda's face when Tokio said that!' he thought in wicked glee. Yolanda had been fond of saying always that she made him into a man simply because Hajime had given her his virginity. It was something he deeply regretted to this day! But he put those feelings aside he needed to concentrate on his hunt. Tokio would be his because no other woman in this entire galaxy would do!
'I'll do whatever it takes! There's no going back! I only want to move forward!' he declared to himself determined to see his future put into motion once more. This time he would be careful and patient and everything would fall into place! Tokio walked out from the room with Cindy then.
"Make sure he stays in bed today!" Tokio's firm doctor voice came from the door of the bedroom Cindy and Shimel were sharing. Hajime looked up and saw Tokio in full doctor mode instructing Cindy to ensure Shimel did absolutely no strenuous activities today.
"He really must've pushed the limits quite a bit last night!" Tokio pointed out in a somewhat scolding tone. Cindy looked away rather guiltily as Tokio advised her that if they wanted to go to tonight's ball then they had to make sure they follow her instructions the rest of the day. Hajime found it so very attractive to watch her in action. He quickly got up from the couch and walked over to her ignoring the amused smirk on Abrams and the giggle Shuura tried in vain to hide.
"You're next but let's go back to my suite! I will need to change my shoes for our trip this morning," she said to him still in doctor mode.
"Whatever you say doctor," he replied in a flirty tone. She blushed a little as she turned away from him to head towards the door calling out her good byes to the others in the room. He smirked as he followed her out waving back to Abrams, Cindy and Shuura who had amused looks on their faces. He didn't really care what they thought. He had only one goal in mind…
"Whoa…the cap'n is really into the doc isn't he?" Abrams pointed out amused as the door closed behind the exiting couple. Shuura laughed holding her stomach.
"That's putting it mildly!" Cindy pointed out amused "but I think they do look cute together don't they?"
"Yea…they work pretty good together too…" Abrams commented softly thinking of how they'd cooperated to defeat the jaffa in the forest near the Bursa village. Unbeknownst to Tokio and Hajime their reports ended up making it look as though they had teamed up to take out the second group of jaffa that slipped past the SGC teams defending the Bursa gate.
"They've worked together? But isn't Captain Davila an engineer?" Cindy asked not understanding how the two could've worked together. Shuura sat up and paid attention. Abrams had let something important slip because he ignored Cindy's question as he cheerfully let both of them know he was gonna hit the shower then go down and find some breakfast. Shuura went after him. She had seduced top secret info out of marines and special ops guys before maybe she might get a little more out of him…
She fumbled for a moment as she pulled out her key card. He was still watching her with that look in his eyes that made her a little nervous. She finally got the door opened and invited him in. She asked him to sit down at the table but she turned the chair around so he had to straddle it. She opened her bag and pulled out the supplies she needed to change his bandage as she asked him how long he's had this headache.
"Since just before we sat down to breakfast," he replied resting his chin comfortably on his arms. He straightened for a moment and grimaced in pain as he rubbed his neck first then closed his eyes rubbed the bridge of his nose and finally went back to resting his chin on his arms watching her intently. She moved behind him to check the wound and change the bandage grateful to get away from his penetrating gaze.
He asked her how Shimel was and she replied he'd pulled a couple of stitches last night dancing. She distracted herself by giving him a quick overview of Shimel's condition as she put her supplies away once she was done. She gave him a couple of pills for the headache but he continued to rub at his neck and temples more often now which meant his headache was getting worse. Her compassionate nature kicked in then and she instructed him to rest his forehead on his arms and relax for a moment.
"Let me see if I can work out some of that pain," she said as the heels of her hands dug in between his shoulder blades and she methodically worked her way towards undoing some of the heavy knots of stress on his upper back, shoulders and neck…
Hajime sighed with relief and a no small amount of contentment. There was just something magical about Tokio's hands! He felt the tension that had knotted painfully in his back and neck, quickly and easily unwind at the command of her firm but gentle touch. Oh yea she had to be his and no one else's!
"Where did you learn to do this?" he asked feeling the headache fading away fast. She explained she'd taken a semester of therapeutic massage and volunteered many hours in the physical therapy department at the hospital she worked her residence at. The physical therapists taught many different techniques for getting rid of headaches.
"A lot of times this method works much better than medicine! I still want you to take the ibuprofen though," she concluded her tone still in complete doctor mode. Hajime readily agreed enjoying very much her gentle ministrations. Too soon for Hajime her hands stopped and she moved away to the kitchen to get him a glass of water so he could take the pills she gave him. Hajime just remained unmoving in the spot where she'd left him listening quietly to her instructions.
'Easy Hajime…' he instructed himself firmly. It was taking quite a bit of self control to keep from jumping out of that chair wrapping his arms around her and totally ravishing her lips with his own! Her gentle hands and healing touch had ignited the fire inside him like nothing else before! Such an action however would only serve to alienate her from him. Tokio was not at all like any woman he'd dated before! Such a hasty action would put a wall between them to rival the Great Wall of China!
"Are you feeling better?" she asked her voice full of compassion and true concern for his well-being as she laid a hand gently on his shoulder. He raised his head just enough to see her put down the glass of water in front of him on the table next to the two white pills she took out for him. He took a deep breath and forced himself to be calm. Despite his awesome self control his mind and body just couldn't let it go without some form of physical release. He took the hand laid on his shoulder and placed a soft kiss on her fingers breathing in the scent of her perfume on her soft warm hand.
"Yes much better…Thank you," he answered calmly as he released her and looked up at her then. She was blushing cutely again and he smiled.
"Ok umm…I'm gonna go get rid of these shoes and we'll get going! You just wait right here I'll be right back!" she stammered sounding a bit nervous all of a sudden. He nodded solemnly not trusting his mouth to respond properly right now and laid his head again on his arms as she backed away towards her bedroom.
'Sleep will not come easy tonight!' Hajime thought still trying to calm his raging mind which was quickly filling with very physical ideas about the good doctor and her magical hands…
Tokio tried not to look like she was running away. But she really was! He had a look in his eyes that was familiar to Tokio. It was the look guys gave her just before they tried to jump her. Many a fellow college student had ended up with a face full of mace after that look for their intrusions. But that's not what scared Tokio!
'I wanted him to do it!' she realized completely mortified. Tokio – the pinnacle of virtue – was just not a woman prone to such thoughts! Yet for one wild moment she had wanted him to jump off his chair and kiss her in that wild desperate way you only see in soap operas and action movies! She removed her heels and slipped on a pair of pink ballerina style slippers. She walked quickly over to her bathroom looking out of the corner of her eye as she passed in front of her bedroom door to see if he was still where she left him.
She breathed a sigh of relief that he had not moved from his spot. She splashed some cold water on her face and checked her hair. Her heart still thumped loudly as she tried to decide whether to put her hair up or leave it as is. The thing that had impressed her the most was Hajime's self control. He didn't give into whatever hormonal commands had triggered in his brain. He was an absolute gentleman of the kind you only see in black and white movies!
'Oh I'll just leave it like that!' Tokio thought irritated at herself for her lack of mental discipline as she replaced her headband.
'Stop acting stupid! Remember where you're going today!' she scolded herself harshly reminding herself that she would need to keep her wits about her! There as no place for such distracting thoughts this morning! She took a deep breath and checked herself in the mirror once more then calmly walked back out…
"Ok I'm ready!" she called out cheerfully as she walked out of the bedroom. Hajime lifted his head then and smiled at her. He stood up and took the two pills on the table and popped them into his mouth then drained the cup of water Tokio put on the table next to them. She was still blushing in that cute way that he really liked and so he smiled as he walked towards the kitchen and left the cup on the sink.
"Alright let's get going then," he announced calmly as he picked up her black medical bag. As they walked out he asked her about their flower shop side trip. He wasn't very familiar with Aspen so didn't know which place would suit Tokio best. As they climbed into the car Tokio gave him directions to the flower shop that had been her mother's favorite…
Lisa walked towards the suite that would be Zack and Kelly's later that morning. She had volunteered this morning to check it and make sure Kelly had all the supplies she would need for the baby. She and Jesse had gone to the supermarket to buy baby food and some formula the day before so Kelly wouldn't have to schlep it out from California. She entered the room and after giving the kitchen a once-over she glanced at the clock.
"It's almost 9…AC and Jesse should have Screech by now," she said to herself knowing his flight was arriving before Kelly and Zack's 9:15am flight. A crib had already been brought in and assembled but Lisa double checked it to make sure it was assembled properly. She wished Hajime was there he was much better at that sort of thing!
"Zack will probably check it when they all get here though," she reassured herself. She went downstairs and stopped to say good morning to Victoria who was busy greeting an old friend and his family. She introduced the man as Gen. George Hammond – Hajime and Tokio's current "boss". They left to go get settled in while Victoria pulled the general aside saying she needed to talk to him. Lisa offered to assist the general's family in getting settled in. Victoria gave her an approving smile as she walked away and Lisa knew she had made herself major points with the queen of the Stillwater Empire for the small act of hospitality.
She went afterwards to the breakfast buffet and had a quick bagel with cream cheese and some orange juice while chatting with Amy and Melissa then went to the lobby to see if AC and Jesse had arrived yet. Will and Jada were there greeting Will's uncle Phil and Aunt Vivian. Lisa exchanged cheerful greetings with them and chatted happily with Will's cousins Hillary and Ashley.
Hajime's sister Mai – who had gone with her Uncle Hannya and Emi to the airport to greet the Banks' – quickly found an excuse to pull Nicky away so he could meet her new friends. Emi, Hannya, Will and Jada walked away with Phil and Vivian pulling them towards the breakfast buffet while the bellhops carried their luggage up to their suite. Hillary declined breakfast saying she had a few things to take care of and she would get something later. Ashley declined too but only because she'd gotten up early with Nicky and eaten at home.
'…And the guys say I'm vain and spoiled!' Lisa thought amused as Hillary went off to find the beauty salon to start getting her self ready for tonight's ball. She ran into Nancy and the two women were quickly engrossed in a serious discussion about what couture was available for tonight's ball!
Ashley decided to keep Lisa company in order to greet the others. She happily chatted with Lisa about being two years away from her anthropology degree and that she'd taken up a minor in archeology. She was considering making it a double major because she'd come across some very intriguing research done by an archeologist named Daniel Jackson.
"But he disappeared almost two years ago and I can't find anything else about him," Ashley commented disappointed. Lisa paid very little attention academics had never been her forte.
"Maybe you should ask Victoria! I'll bet she can find him!" Lisa suggested wanting to be supportive anyway of her younger friend. Ashley's eyes lit up.
"Of course! Why didn't I think of that before?" she replied excited.
"Look there they come!" Lisa called out cutting off any further comments from Ashley as she waved at the SUV pulling up in the drive way. Ashley forgot her quest for Dr. Jackson for a moment and waved excitedly to her friends. The car stopped at the entrance to the hotel and one of the bell hops quickly moved in to help Zack unload while Kelly pulled the baby out of the car. Lisa and Ashley quickly descended upon Kelly completely surrounding the woman in hugs and kissing her six month old baby.
"So where's Haji! I thought he'd be here?" Kelly asked as Lisa finally got Kelly to release her baby daughter Kayla and hand her over to her. Zack and Screech approached and gave Lisa a hug then greeted Ashley the same way asking her how her family was doing.
"Oh have we got stories to tell you!" Lisa declared enthused "but old Haji is definitely here!" she laughed as they all went inside.
"We should probably wait for Will and Jada! Will won't want to miss telling you this story!" Jesse added amused. Slater laughed and Zack and Screech gave him a puzzled look. Into the elevator they all climbed in and Lisa let her friends know that their suite had already been prepared. As they entered the suite and Zack quickly set up the playpen for his daughter Will and Jada showed up.
"Will, Jada have you guys seen Haji anywhere? I forgot to ask Emi earlier," Lisa asked after they greeted the new arrivals.
"No he left early to go somewhere with Tokio according to Emi," Jada replied her eyes twinkling with mischief as Lisa handed the baby back to Zack who placed his child inside the play pen with her toys. Will and Slater laughed.
"See I told ya'll!" Will laughed.
"Ok what's going on you guys? What's Haji up to?" Zack asked intrigued exchanging a suspicious glance with his wife. Quickly Will launched into a blow by blow account of last night's events to the utter disbelief of Ashley, Zack, Kelly and Screech.
"Wait…Are you sure we're talking about Dr. Tokio Takagi currently a lieutenant in the US Air Force stationed in the research facility of Cheyenne Mountain?" Screech asked incredulous. He was aware of who Tokio was professionally. He had spoken about her a few times recently with Capt Samantha Carter in regards to a new research project the two women were collaborating on and wanted Screech's input. From what little he knew about her she was not Hajime's type!
"But let's back up a little more here Haji doesn't do karaoke… And no one can one up him on the snide remarks or leave him speechless! You guys are playing a prank on us," Zack insisted completely incredulous. Will laughed as he pulled out his phone. He tapped a few commands on it and handed it to Kelly. Ashley, Zack and Screech crowded around her to watch the tiny screen of Will's vid-phone with gaping mouths as their very stoic no-nonsense friend Haji strutted his stuff like John Travolta on the karaoke stage of the Red Dragon Inn.
"Oh man! He's got it bad…" Ashley pointed out staring at Will's phone in disbelief.
"I am seeing it but I do not believe it!" Kelly declared after the second time she watched the video Will had recorded on his phone.
"Well better make that leap of faith sister! And brace yourself for more: He quit smoking…" Will announced to the astonishment of all present.
"Wait! Hajime has been unable and unwilling to quit since he started the habit on his first time to Helmajistan 4 years ago!" Kelly declared completely unable to conceive that this last bit of information could be true.
"But its true!" agreed Lisa suddenly realizing it as she explained excitedly that Hajime had spent several hours with them without making a move towards his cigarettes. He never went more than an hour or two at most without going outside to smoke a cigarette. The habit had shortened his visits with the little Morris family as soon as Kelly became pregnant.
"Kelly I know it sounds odd but there is this new energy in Haji…" Lisa stopped unable to articulate what she had seen in him the night before.
"It's like the Old Haji is back! You know the Haji that built up all that strength so he could win a gold medal for his mom…That Haji!" Jesse added excitedly. Will nodded solemnly.
"That's right. It's like he's driven to prove himself. The strong proud Haji of old is back with a vengeance! Something about this lady really brings out the good in him," Will declared his tone unusually grave. Kelly stared at him disbelief then looked again at the video playing continuously on Will's phone. Slowly she smiled and looked up at Zack to exchange a smile with him and then the rest of her friends.
"Wow! I can't wait to meet her!" Kelly finally declared. She was glad Hajime was finding his way again. Of all their friends Kelly had worried most about how lost Hajime seemed to be after he got the divorce. He had always been the most grounded of them all and it was disconcerting to see him falter on his course. He was moving forward again and it was very reassuring!
"Oh but there is more…" Will added solemnly.
"Yea you'll never guess who else is in town," Lisa sneered angrily and without waiting for Kelly to ask she told them what Shuura had related about what happened in the bathroom at the Red Dragon Inn with Hajime's much despised ex-wife…
"I call in an order to that shop every year! It should be open today," Tokio said as she and Hajime drove towards the center of town. He asked her what kind of flowers her mother had liked and she eagerly shared that her mother had loved orchids. The previous shop owner apparently special ordered certain rare kinds of them for her mother often when she was still alive.
"But the shop still carries the more common varieties during the spring. My grandmother preferred irises though," she explained as she proudly related she had mastered the tricky skill of combining these flowers into arrangements that had satisfied both her mom and her grandmother. Apparently both women were constantly at odds with each other. Her mother was a fiery lady with very liberal ideas while her grandmother had been quite the opposite. They had butted heads often!
"I always felt sort of caught in the middle," she commented amused as he circled the parking lot looking for a good parking spot. Her father was always the mediator and the keeper of the peace. He rarely got in the middle of their arguments but when he did they both accepted whatever verdict he came up with. He was fair, calm and a very easy-going guy.
"You would've liked him!" she called out cheerfully as she climbed out of the car as soon as the car had stopped. He held her hand and she continued to talk about her family as they walked across the parking lot to the shopping center where the flower shop was located. As she walked into the shop she was greeted by a cheerful clerk and quickly Tokio set to work selecting the vase and various flowers and other supplies she would need for her arrangement.
He took out his credit card and told the clerk to charge anything she took to his card and to make sure she got everything she wanted. He looked around the shop but even though he found a very nice orchid for her mother and a beautiful iris for her grandmother there was nothing here he could bring to the rest of her family. He spotted a toy store across the way and he let her know where he would be before leaving the shop. He smirked in slight amusement at the slightly bewildered look on her face.
Hajime wandered the store for a few minutes. He found in the models section something for her brother. Tokio had mentioned the little boy had fancied himself someday becoming a fighter pilot. Finding just the right thing for him was easy. He passed by the girl's dress up section and picked up a little tiara and a frilly pink wand. Her 4 yr old sister had liked dressing up as a fairy princess all the time so that had been simple too. A harassed looking clerk pointed him in the direction of the action figures and he found himself in the Star Wars section and this was a little harder. There were a lot of new toys and he had no idea which one would work best.
"Han or Luke…" he said to himself trying to decide between the Endor Han Solo and the black clad Luke from Return of the Jedi. He stood there alone in the aisle debating over which one was cooler. Something fell off the shelf behind him and hit him on the back of the leg so he turned to look. There was no one there so he figured it had just been hung improperly. As he picked it up to put it back he realized it was a figure of Princess Leia in her Jabba's slave costume. She stood in a sort of battle pose with the chain in her hands and a fierce look in her eyes.
"This is it…" he thought as he put aside Han and Luke. The absolute certainty of his choice shocked him. There was no question in his mind that this was the present that would've impressed Tokio's father though he did not know for certain why. He picked up the rest of his findings and headed quickly towards the cash register to pay for his new purchases. He bought a blue gift bag big enough for all the toys he purchased plus the flowers waiting for him at the flower shop and hurried back to catch up with Tokio…
You know Fic reader I'm starting to think you can read my mind! You wrote almost word for word what I was going to write at the end of this chapter! How cool is that! Yes I thought I had made it clear in Chapter 6: "The Wolf of Mibu Awakens" that Saito-Davila is not the original RK/Saito but this intermission should hopefully finally illuminate that more clearly. On the use of exclamation points well that simply is a sort of trademark in my form of story telling. I come from an old fashioned Hispanic family and we like to talk and tell stories in loud cheerful voices with lots of gesturing! So that sort of translates to my writing in the form of exclamation points! The only times anyone is really yelling is when I actually say they are yelling or I write their dialogue in caps! Otherwise there I'm just using "outdoors" voices.
I am so happy that I finally got to the intermission point because it means my story is about 3/4 of the way through! I love writing intermissions because they let me put in other characters' points of view and on rare occasion a dream sequence. I love dream sequences because I can explain all sorts of things to my audience and still leave my characters in the dark! It's great! I love it! It allows me certain shortcuts later on because I don't have so much to explain! I know that makes no sense right know but you'll see!
So "someone who like your story" I have a question: When you say you wanted to shout at Tokio to grow a backbone what part exactly made you think that? Was it the part at the impound when Hajime took over? I've been wondering about that… See I don't want Tokio to have an "attitude" per se or too much sass. From the start I wanted her to be a very poised and elegant person. She prides herself in maintaining a high level of dignity and composure at all times against all opposition. I wanted her to be very old fashioned but also very independent. I wanted her strength to come from her unwillingness to allow any outside influences to alter her personality or her family values. That of course means she has spent most of her life alone since her parents died. She's a princess in the pauper's world with no palace to get back to…sad…
Either way I am glad you guys are enjoying my story and I hope you like the intermission! I'm having a little trouble working out the kinks for the chapter on Tokio's ghosts so the next installment might take a little while…sorry :-(
Thanks for Reading and Reviewing!