CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO
Laytner-MacLean Penthouse
Roppongi Hills, Tokyo
Japan
November 30, 2006
Once everyone who had to leave that night headed for cabs to Tokyo Station, those remaining went up to the penthouse to relax. Dee gave his grandfather a tour of the penthouse and then everyone decided to settle on the patio for a while. When it was time to start getting children ready for bed, some of Ryo's family decided it was time to go to their rooms and settle in for the night. Since Dafydd and Momo were staying in the penthouse, Tatsuya and Kiyoshi were tucked in Bikky's room. The two boys wanted Dee and Ryo to read them a bedtime story, so the two men excused themselves from the remaining family and happily read to Dee's nephews until they were asleep. While Dee and Ryo were getting Dafydd's boys settled for bed, Sakura and Maria gave Darin and Ryoko baths and got them ready, so all Dee and Ryo had to do was tuck them in their crib.
When Dee and Ryo joined everyone in the living room, they learned that Carol and Elina decided to take a walk around Roppongi Hills before going to the room Elina had taken out. Carol decided to stay with her aunt for the night, allowing Tsukiko and Ayaka to take her room. Ryo was amazed that Carol passed up another night sharing a room with Ayaka, especially since this time, it would be in her room, but he also understood Carol wanting to stay with her aunt. He also was not surprised they would leave the penthouse early and go out for a while before calling it a night.
The rest of the relatives also understood, and Ryo learned that Mother, his grandmother and Sakura had something to do with the suggestion. Not long after, Ryo's Japanese family excused themselves and left for their rooms.
It was all Dee's family, including Mother, and just Ryo's grandmother left in the living room. Discussion ranged from sharing stories and the ACC, until just before 10 o'clock when Sakura looked sharply at her husband.
Ryo knew a storm was about to blow.
"Ryoichi, may I ask why you felt you had to call Daisuke and make him think we would ever turn him away now that we have him back?" Sakura asked.
Ryo had to give the woman credit. She asked the question in the same conversational tone as if she was asking what they all planned to do the next day.
Dee's grandfather looked at his wife with concern. "What do you mean, Sakura?"
Ryoichi now had everyone's attention. Another advantage to waiting until now was that it looked as if Ryoichi had figured he was going to get away with what he had done, or he could have probably figured that no one was any wiser about it by the time Sakura brought it up.
"Do you deny calling Daisuke after he left Nagoya?" Sakura asked.
"Yes. I mean, yes, I did call him," Ryoichi asked, suddenly looking somewhat flustered.
"That was nice of you, brother, to give your grandson a call and let him know you were thinking of him after he left Nagoya," Takahiro commented.
"Except that's not why you called, wasn't it, Oniisan?" Hitoshi asked, his voice sharp.
Ryo looked over to where Dee sat next to Mother. He looked uncomfortable because he was the subject of the uncomfortable discussion. Dafydd was staring sharply at his grandfather, but his wife had an even scarier look.
Ryoichi sighed. "I was hoping that Daisuke would call my lovely wife and let her know how much I loved her and to forgive me. I thought since everyone was so happy to have him back after believing him dead for all these years that she would listen to him."
"Then why didn't you just say that?" Saburo asked. "Why did you have to make my son feel like we wouldn't want him anymore?"
Ryoichi seemed genuinely stunned and hurt, which confused Ryo. "I merely suggested a scare tactic because he seemed unwilling to comply."
"You mean you threatened him," Takahiro corrected. "Even if it was an empty threat."
"And Daisuke was right to be," Yoshio started and then with air quotes, continued, "unwilling to comply."
"That was not Daisuke's job, Ryoichi. Do not ever use any of our children or grandchildren to sort out our issues. This is between you and me, and no one else. And to even suggest to poor Daisuke that our family would turn him out like trash because we could not work out our differences and break up is… is… unthinkable. That would never happen!" she exclaimed. "There is nothing that Daisuke or anyone in our family could do that would make me want that!"
"You broke my boy's heart making him believe that it could happen, Otōsan," Saburo joined in. "And considering how he was found, it is not hard to understand how he could feel it would happen eventually. Hoping it would hurt less by making it his choice, you caused him to start pulling away from us. My son, who I just got back, was going to leave us because he felt he was not wanted, because you broke his heart!"
"I just wanted to scare him so he would call. I never meant to hurt him." Ryoichi looked over at Dee. "But it's also not my fault that he would take what I said as he did. And leaving us was his decision."
"One that I don't blame him for," Hitoshi said. "If you stopped and thought about how his being found where he was, not knowing the truth about how he got there, then you would realize that the boy would have some issues. And you just had to go and poke them because you couldn't face your wife yourself!"
Sakura nodded her head. "I agree. I even spoke to Maria about times there were issues while Daisuke was growing up. If you also spent more time getting to know the woman who became our grandson's mother, then you would have known that and not to try to scare him that way. Or maybe, you should just never try to scare him in any way?"
"Daisuke," Ryoichi called out. "I really did believe you were the only one at the time who could get your grandmother to listen to reason, and I grasped onto that. I was very desperate." He looked at his wife before giving Dee his attention again. "I still am. But I was desperate enough that when you said that I needed to talk to my wife and work things out, I came up with the first thing to scare you."
"I'm not condoning what was done," said Yoshio, "but you only used that tactic because Daisuke is still new to the family. Otherwise you could never use that with him, because he would have laughed in your face. That is not our family way."
"As family patriarch, you should be the first one making sure Daisuke understands that is the way this family is," Takahiro pointed out.
"Ojiisan has a way of sticking his foot in his mouth," Dafydd said. "You would think that a man of his status in the international business world, that he would be more concise in what he says. The threat was bad enough, but knowing how he speaks at times, he probably said it in a way that helped Dee start believing what he did."
"Dafydd is right," Saburo said. "You do sometimes say things to be taken differently than what you mean. Not that you should have been trying to scare Daisuke into doing anything in the first place."
Ryoichi actually looked dumbstruck and sad. After a heavy sigh, he asked, "What can I do to make this right?"
"You can start first with apologizing to Daisuke. And then to the rest of us, for making us almost lose him again. You should also apologize to Akira and Maria, because they were also affected by your stupidity," Sakura stated firmly.
"I'm sorry, Daisuke," Ryoichi said, actually sounding sincere. "It was stupid of me to even suggest such a thing could happen in this family, and it was never my intention to cause you any sort of hurt."
Dee bit his lip for a moment before he looked over to his grandfather and nodded his head. "Accepted." His look sharpened. "Just don't ever do that again," he warned his grandfather. "To me, or anyone in this family. And definitely don't try that shit on my children, or any of my nephews and nieces."
"Consider me warned," Ryoichi said. He looked at his wife. "All I wanted was to get things back to what they were between us before Daisuke showed up."
Dafydd, Saburo and Hitoshi all pointed at Ryoichi. "There it is!" Hitoshi crowed. "You see what you just did there? I'm sure you had good intentions but judging by the look on your wife's face, you're lucky she's going to let you stay in the same hotel as her tonight."
Sakura's face wasn't the only one looking angry. Maria looked like she was ready to give Ryoichi a piece of her mind in defense of her son. Everyone else was also giving Ryoichi a disapproving frown.
"Or many other nights," Sakura snapped. "You probably didn't intend to, but you just threw blame of our marital problems back to Daisuke."
"I didn't mean that it's Daisuke's fault," Ryoichi tried to clear up. "But things did start to get tense starting with that Sunday."
"Perhaps, Ryoichi-san," Mother spoke up, "you should examine your own actions on that day and since, and then ask yourself whose fault is it really?"
"You have been acting like an ass since Daisuke showed up, and that's not on him. None of us acted the way you have," Takahiro commented. "You couldn't even bring yourself to look directly at your own grandson after all this time when you first met him. You couldn't find the joy that the rest of us found discovering he was alive, and he was in Nagoya to come back into our family. Oh, that's right. You already knew! I would still think you would have been happy that Daisuke finally came home to us."
"Unless you weren't happy that you were no longer the only one who knew Daisuke was alive," Hitoshi said heatedly.
"And then you continued to find fault in him being American, as if it was his fault that he was found in New York with no clue on who his family was," Sakura said. "Instead of finding joy that he was given a life despite that. He didn't ask to go to New York. And don't go blaming Saburo and Alun for making that decision. It was your suggestion that they leave Japan and go to America in the first place. So if it is anyone's fault that Daisuke is American now, it's yours for telling them that."
"It seemed like a good idea at the time," Ryoichi stated. "I knew Japan wasn't a safe place, and America is so big with such a mix of people, I really thought they had the best chance of getting away and blending in."
"I know, Otōsan," Saburo said. "No one blames you for telling us to go to America, so you should not blame Daisuke for growing up in New York as an American. There should have been identification in Daisuke's carrier, and then we could have been contacted when he was found. Instead, things happened the way they did. We believed he died with Alun, but he was found by Jess Latener, and taken to Maria's orphanage, where he was raised as an American."
"You are right. It isn't his fault, but you have to accept that while Daisuke is very much part of our family, that he is gaijin," Ryoichi said.
"Things are going to have to change, Ryoichi," Sakura demanded, standing up and facing down her husband. "And it starts with you dropping the word gaijin from your vocabulary. Especially when talking about anyone in this family. It does not matter that Daisuke grew up in New York, and some of Hitoshi's children were born in San Francisco. They are all still our family. Daisuke is our grandson. Our eldest grandson. I agree with you that means he now has responsibilities that comes with being the eldest. So instead of making him feel like an outsider, you need to start teaching him what he needs to learn."
"I am taking Daisuke and Dafydd tomorrow with me," Ryoichi started, but Sakura cut him off.
"I don't mean that Prophecy Twin garbage," Sakura snapped. "I mean Fujioka family matters. Daisuke and Dafydd may not be getting GPN and Hinotsuke Jingu, but one day in the future, ChiyoshiAkachan will be theirs."
"I am already working on that," Ryoichi said. "I did get permission granted for Daisuke to get his dual citizenship. By this time next week, Daisuke will once again be a Japanese citizen, while still retaining his American one."
"Good. Now since we can all agree it wasn't Daisuke's fault for living in America, except for when he went to university in Yokohama, and for not knowing we existed until he met his twin brother, then you can start being nicer to him and his family. It is also not Ryo's fault that some of his family are contributing to the ACC…."
"Or being part of it," Ryoichi had to add.
"Or that. That was their choice and not Ryo's. Ryo is obviously not ACC, and is now part of our family, as is Bikky. I should be thankful that you made an effort with him," Sakura continued. "So be nicer to them."
Hitoshi let out a snort. "I'll bet the times he was nice, the way he said things, made it sound not so nice."
"You need to start learning to communicate to our family better. Daisuke isn't the only victim from it, but the rest of us are all getting tired of it. Especially me. You do the same with me, and I had enough. You want things to go back to how they were that Sunday morning, then you need to start working on it. You promise me that you will give your best effort, and I'll join you in the suite tonight. But if Daisuke and Dafydd come back tomorrow saying you didn't make an effort, then on Sunday night we're going to make some temporary changes in living arrangements in our house. Do you understand me?"
"Yes, dear," Ryoichi said. "I do love you, Sakura."
"I love you too, Ryoichi. Love is not the problem here. And am I the only one you love?"
"Of course not. I love Daisuke, and those sweet akachans. Bikky and Ryo too. Just as I love all our children, grandchildren and their families."
"Gee, almost got it," Dee muttered. "But I did sense the sincerity there."
Ryo bit down on a laugh at his husband, but Dee was right. Ryoichi was sincere, and to be honest, while Dee was new to the family as an adult, he was still Ryoichi's grandson, and with that should come unconditional love. Babies deserved that love too. Ryo and Bikky were strangers to the family and new, so it was understandable that love had to be earned. Besides, enough of the Fujioka family felt Ryo and Bikky earned that love already, so Ryo could wait for Ryoichi to come around, as long as Ryoichi accepted them in the family. And, Ryo could admit, the family elder did just that.
It was not long after that, everyone decided to call it a night. For some of them, they had early starts.
Dee did sit for a few more minutes with just Saburo and Mother, wanting the time with the two of them.
It did not escape Ryo's notice that through the day Saburo and Mother had started to refer to Dee as 'our son' whenever they spoke of Dee. Ryo thought it was sweet. Dee definitely did not lose anything by accepting Saburo as his biological father and eventually Yoshio as a father. Dee now had three fathers and a mother through his life. Just like what Bikky would say at times about his biological parents and the parents he had now, and then Bikky would say he was pretty lucky.
Yup, Dee was pretty lucky too.
Imperial Palace
Chiyoda City, Tokyo
Japan
December 1, 2006
Despite his wanting to assist, Dee could not help feeling fidgety on the ride to the Imperial Palace and as they were escorted to a waiting room. Ryo seemed nervous, too. It didn't help that as they had breakfast that morning, their families were excited and amazed about the meeting that was to take place that morning.
Of course, Ryoichi did not share the excitement, but seemed to be proud that his firstborn grandsons had agreed to the meeting.
Early that morning, everyone who was up at that time came to the penthouse for breakfast. Taking pity on Dee and Ryo, Akira and Sakura already had made arrangements the day before for breakfast to be delivered to the penthouse from one of the restaurants in the hotel. The dining room was set up like a buffet with selections ranging from Japanese style breakfast to pancakes, both the Japanese fluffy ones and American style to American eggs, bacon, sausage and hash browns. After breakfast, Nobu, Takehide and Tsubasa decided to leave for work, even if it was earlier than they had to leave. Moriko was getting ready to leave, assuring everyone that she was able to take the trains from Roppongi Hills to Kamakura with her overnight bag. She had an order of ceramics that was due by that Monday, and she wanted to get back to her workshop and finish the order. Bikky was still sleeping, along with Kiyoshi and Tatsuya. Ayaka and Tsukiko also were still sleeping. Elina, Rick and their children were still in their suite, and Carol and Elina were in their room. When breakfast arrived, Mother had been bustling about with Akira and Sakura, making sure everyone who was in the penthouse got breakfast, coffee and tea. When the others woke up, there still would be breakfast waiting for them. After breakfast the elder women were fussing with Dee, Dafydd and Ryo, making sure they were ready for their big meeting at the Imperial Palace.
Suits were to be worn, of course. It was a good thing Dafydd shared body dimensions with Dee, because he was not dressed in a suit for work when he decided to head to Kamakura on Monday morning, and knowing that suits were not expected for Thanksgiving dinner, Momo packed some nice shirts and slacks for Dafydd to have for the week, but no suits. Dee was thankful that he had purchased several very nice, expensive suits during their shopping in Japan, because not only did he have something to wear that was good enough to meet the head figures of Japan, but Dafydd was able to choose something from his closet to also dress accordingly. Akira and Sakura had started to refresh Dee and Ryo on ultra-polite speech as they fussed.
As the Rolls Royce that was hired for the ride to and from the Imperial Palace approached the grounds, Ryoichi studied the three younger men. "Relax. Just answer questions in the most polite way you can, but do not sweat if you miss something. The important thing is that you are open in your opinions and thoughts. Emperor Kazehito and Prime Minister Motogawa are most interested in that first, and decorum last. That does not mean you shouldn't put effort in your speech, but nothing will become of you if any of you makes a mistake." Ryoichi gave Dee a proud smile. "I know the passion when you speak of Carriers and not even our Emperor and Prime Minister will be immune to it. So let that go and if it affects your Japanese, than let it."
Dee actually blushed at his grandfather's praise, the first time the man was so open with it since they met a month ago. "Thank you, grandfather. I will remember that."
"One more thing I request," Ryoichi said. "Inside the Imperial Palace, please refer to me as Ojiisan. The Emperor is aware of our issues, but let's not bring family drama into the Imperial Palace."
Dee let out a sigh. "I understand, Ojiisan."
Dee could not help being impressed as they were escorted from the car through the Imperial Palace to the reception room. This was on a much larger scale than going for a dinner at Gracie Mansion with New York City's mayor. Speaking of the mayor, the next time he met with Sheila Blum, he was going to definitely mention this meeting. He was certain Ryo would too. Looking at his husband, he could not help being amused because for once, his husband was trying his best not to gawk. Dafydd, despite being there before, still looked amazed as he looked around. Like Dee, his twin was trying hard not to be too obvious, with jaw hanging and wide eyes. At least Dee hoped he didn't look like that. He was certain he was succeeding in keeping in his astonishment from the looks his grandfather gave him. He looked amused, but if surely if any of them were making fools of themselves, his grandfather's looks would be stern.
They were not waiting long inside the reception room before Emperor Kazehito and Prime Minister Motogawa entered the room. They were accompanied by a man who looked to be in his 50's, and another in his 20's.
As they all stood up, Ryoichi stood in front of Dee, Dafydd and Ryo. He bowed at a 45-degree angle before the Emperor, and bowed again, but not as deep when he turned to the Prime Minister. Last, he nodded his head toward the two other men.
"Fujioka-san, I am happy to see you are not alone this morning. Holding off this meeting to now was a good idea," the Emperor stated. "Dafydd-kun, it is good to see you again."
Dafydd stepped forward and bowed like his grandfather. "It is my honor, Emperor Kazehito."
"May I introduce Dafydd's twin, Dee Laytner-MacLean."
Dee followed his grandfather's and twin's example and bowed at the same 45-degree angle. "Emperor Kazehito, it is my honor to meet you."
The Emperor started to smile. "You have no idea how happy I am to see you."
Dee almost rolled his eyes but caught himself. He had a good idea why the Emperor said what he had. His presence enforced the Emperor's belief that he and Dafydd were the Prophecy Twins. He was suddenly distracted by the Emperor extending his hand for a handshake.
"Dee-san, I understand that next week, you will go by Daisuke when in Japan."
"Officially, yes," Dee replied. "I agreed to go by Fujioka Daisuke for official purposes when in Japan."
"As you know, Daisuke allows the family to call him by his birthname," Ryoichi stated. "And this is his husband, Ryo Laytner-MacLean."
Ryo bowed before the Emperor. "I am honored to meet you, Emperor Kazehito."
The Emperor held his hand out for a handshake. "I have also been hoping that one day we may meet."
After the handshake, the Emperor looked at Dee and said, "I know you found out about your grandfather's little side trip when he had business in America. I had warned him at the time not to go, but he could not pass up the chance to watch you, Daisuke-san. I think that had I threatened him with imprisonment if he went, he still would have gone. Your grandfather is very proud of your accomplishments in New York. We did hope so much that you and your twin would one day finally meet." His attention back to Ryo, he added, "I also appreciate your accomplishments, along with your support to your husband as he ascended to a major figure in America's Carrier communities."
The Emperor looked behind him and smiled. "Forgive me, but I have to admit I am most excited to meet Daisuke-san and his husband, as well as seeing our Prophecy Twins together for the first time."
Ryoichi cleared his throat. "Since they were 4 months old, His Majesty."
"Of course. Please, allow me to introduce Japan's Prime Minister, Motogawa Akiyuki," the Emperor introduced.
Dee's jaw threated to drop again at his grandfather's implication that the Emperor had seen Dee and Dafydd at least once as infants. Of course, back then, Kazehito's father was the Emperor.
"I must admit that part of my reason for requesting to join this meeting was the chance to meet Dee Laytner-MacLean. I have been following your and your husband's accomplishments."
"I just happened to get pregnant at the right time. That's all," Dee repeated humbly what had since become his tag line. It was what he honestly believed, and felt he was obligated to say it whenever someone had high praises for what he had done in the New York Carrier community.
Judging from the looks the four men before them exchanged, apparently they had other theories. And he had a suspicion on what it was.
"It was your destiny, Daisuke-san," the older of the two other men said.
"Forgive us, Chairman Shitafuji," the Prime Minister stated with a bow of his head. To Dee, Ryo and Dafydd, he said, "This is Chairman Shitafuji, chairman of the International Carrier Council. It is this council that you probably heard much referred to."
The word council did come up several times, including when his grandfather was explaining why he was not allowed to mention that Ryoichi had discovered Dee's photos in the news. Which meant this was the person who prohibited his grandfather from sharing the discovery with his family. Along with the Emperor.
"While we found you, it was not certain that you would eventually be reunited with your twin. We hoped but could not be sure. It was only after a background check on your husband that we realized it was a meeting bound to happen, and we have been preparing for the moment," Shitafuji said. He bowed before them. "It is my honor to see The Prophecy Twins here."
"Dafydd and Daisuke have their doubts, Chairman Shitafuji," said Ryoichi. "I suggest we allow them to discover in time that they are who we say we are. In the meantime, I understand you would like to ask these three their thoughts on the incident in Hiroshima?"
"We do, yes," the Emperor stated. "Please, follow us. We will sit and have tea while we talk." The Emperor started across the reception room to where a table was set in the far end of the room. "Does anyone object to matcha?"
"Not at all, His Majesty," Dee replied. "My husband and I enjoy it in New York."
"This is good. It is also good that you both speak Japanese like natives. Well, Daisuke-san, despite where you grow up, you are a native. Which is why His Majesty and I would have given permission for dual citizenship, even if it was not a common courtesy given to the Fujioka family," the Prime Minister said as they sat at the table.
Dee paused at the table, unsure of where he should sit. There was a protocol and he could not remember it, especially since there were no doors near where the table was. Ryo stood next to him. It was Dafydd who took a seat and gestured to the two seats near him. Ryoichi nodded as Dee and Ryo went to the places.
Tokyo Tower
Minato, Tokyo
Japan
December 1, 2006
From the moment they exited the Imperial Palace and got into the waiting Rolls Royce, Dee's face changed. He suddenly went pale and started to sweat. Dafydd also seemed to fall into a stunned state. Ryo started to worry about the brothers. He had to admit he was feeling pretty stunned himself. After all, they just had audience with the Emperor of Japan and Japan's Prime Minister. Hell, Ryo hadn't met any US Presidents and here they just came from a private audience with he now knew were the three most powerful men in Japan, which included Dee's and Dafydd's grandfather. It didn't help that the Chairman of a secret organization which concerned themselves with Carrier Affairs worldwide was also present with his assistant.
Dee covered his face for a moment, but before Ryo could ask if the twin brothers were okay, Dee started to laugh. He lifted his hand and looked over at his twin. "What the fuck just happened?" Dee asked Dafydd.
"Maybe if we pinch each other, we'll realize this was all our imagination," Dafydd remarked.
Ryo shook his head amused. He understood how they felt but he had to point out, "That would mean you both are having the same dream at the same time."
"We're twins," Dafydd remarked. "That's possible."
"And I also had the same dream?" Ryo asked with a grin.
"Well," Dee started, "we do sometimes seem to share a mind too. So I brought you into the dream I was having with my twin."
Ryo had to laugh and leaned over to kiss Dee's cheek. "I am proud of you. You held up very well in there, and only looked nervous when you got worried about the ultra-honorific Japanese when you started to get caught up in your side of discussion. Dafydd, I'm proud of you, too. I know that even if you had already met the Emperor, this was a different situation and you shared the spotlight, and that made you nervous."
"I was terrified once the doors opened and let the Emperor and Prime Minister enter," Dafydd admitted. "Even I started to forget proper manners for such a situation."
"Your grandfather did say not to worry about it," said Ryo.
"He said that to you and Dee, because I was raised knowing better. But suddenly my mind went blank on all I knew through my life," Dafydd explained. "At least Ojiisan mentioned it again, and to the Emperor."
"Who set the tone by dropping formalities," Ryo said, sounding amazed at that. "I guess this really is that important that he wanted all of us to just talk freely."
Dee nodded. "Yeah. Both Emperor Kazehito and Prime Minister Motogawa were really interested in what we had to say, Prophecy Twins aside. Chairman Shitafuji was also all ears."
With a wide grin, Ryo said, "And so much more. I can't believe he appointed us as the American council insiders."
"Add that to New York's mayor's advisers on Carriers," Dee said. "But now I feel like a secret agent." He grinned at Dafydd.
"Like for Torchwood!" Dafydd remarked and then Dee and Dafydd started to laugh.
Ryo shook his head again, but he had to join in on the laughing. "Seriously, I'm having trouble with everything that happened in that meeting."
"Tell me about it," Dafydd said. "I'm on leave now and have to start looking into a special task force for Japan Carrier issues? Really?"
Dee gave his twin a sloppy smile. "It was also mentioned that would mean no problem for you to run off to New York with us for New Year's. And now you do have to meet our unit. We all have work to do aligning our new unit with your new unit, Dafydd."
"You mean, you and I have more work to do, Dee," Ryo reminded him. "But I don't mind. Especially if that means we know can talk freely about Carriers in Japan."
"I hope the ACC keeps with making that announcement we think they are going to make at the next big conference. That will give us time to let the truth out our way," Dee stated, looking thoughtful.
"They don't want to just drop bombs like that on the population," Ryo said. "As you said, it has to be done carefully, and most likely with them, in a way to make it sound really bad for Carriers and for Japan. That's why we also need to plan out the best way for the truth to be told about Carriers in Japan."
"I agree," Dafydd said. "As I did in the meeting. I can help with that and learn what I can from your unit and assist, but remember, I have to keep a low profile for now."
"Yeah, since I'm keeping being a Fujioka out of it for the time being," Dee stated. "At first I thought the Emperor was crazy when he insisted I don't make my being a Fujioka public yet, but as he talked more, he made sense. We do have to keep all our cards hidden, and we could use that one announcement to our advantage when we feel it's time."
"I guess there are also advantages to having the Emperor believe you are those Prophecy Twins," Ryo said in amazement. "We don't have to worry about getting in trouble with Japan and working around the truth about Japanese Carriers, because we have been given permission to make that announcement and use everything we know for our unit. And now, not only are you head of a Carrier Unit in New York, but Dafydd has his own unit here."
"Hey wait!" Dee grumbled. "I'm just a Chief of the unit in New York City, but your unit covers Japan."
"Which is about the size of New York State," Dafydd joked.
"That would be California," Ryo remarked with a laugh, "but I get your point."
"Besides, it was suggested that you and Ryo have input with my unit and be advisors. That means I name you both my unofficial Seconds until we can let the truth out about who you really are, Dee. And we're going to be more low key than your unit."
"You mean, you have to stay low key until thenit's decided that Dee lets out that he's a Fujioka. If pictures start circulating of you, swooping in on Carrier crimes in Japan, someone is going to realize you look like the New York Carrier Unit's Chief," Ryo stated.
"True, but I'll still be involved. Especially if there aren't too many. Hopefully Chairman Shitafuji is wrong about it only being the start and it will get worse."
"Look at the shit the ACC already stirred in America," Dee said. "We have protests all over America and some of the smaller southern cities and towns want to declare themselves Anti-Carrier and set up No-Carrier Zones."
"That would be a huge mess if they do," Dafydd stated. "And we need to find a way to keep the ACC from moving too fast with Japan."
"Our first two priorities," Dee said with a sigh. "Well, we wanted to know what we were expected to do as the Prophecy Twins, and now we know. We're expected to go global if needed."
"Hey Dafydd, you do realize it was hinted that you can have your own forensics unit and that you can appoint anyone you want to head it?" Ryo asked.
"Yes, I did catch that, and yes, I am thinking Momo. If she wants it. At least she was given the time off too to also assist us for now. I am now looking forward to going to New York with you."
Dee looked out the window and said, "We're almost at Tokyo Tower. You know there's going to be questions about what happened, and what we can tell them, I'm thinking in the middle of Tokyo Tower isn't the best place."
"I was thinking that too," Ryo admitted. He looked at Dee.
"What?" Dee asked.
"Did you just hear yourself? Are we now keeping secrets from our families?"
"We're secret agents now," Dafydd joked with amusement and then looked serious. "There isn't much we are not allowed to talk about, and it's national security stuff. Nothing as bad as Ojiisan being forced to keep you from our family until we finally met. To be honest, my biggest worry is someone other than our families overhearing that we just came from speaking to His Majesty and the Prime Minister."
"Me too," Dee agreed with his brother. "But as time goes on, we are going to have to decide on things that is best not to talk about with families," he said, sounding concerned.
"Work stuff, Dee," Ryo said. "We will have to decide on what is to be classified secret when we're up against the ACC anyway, so we have the advantage of surprise anyway. Now it also extends to a task force in Japan. Stuff that family should understand since it really doesn't affect them."
"I guess you're right," Dee said. "At least Dafydd and I can discuss the secret stuff with you and Momo since you're part of it already, and Momo is allowed to be read in. Less stress than keeping stuff from spouses."
"I am happy for that. Momo is a lot like Obāsan, and I don't want to know her reactions if she ever caught me lying to her," Dafydd said with a shiver.
"Considering I'm a detective and was in the US Army, I understand classified information. Which is why I was willing to let your grandfather off the hook after finding out he was under orders and Dee's existence was classified information at the time. I still don't like it, but I do understand."
"And yet, I'm still able to talk to you about anything classified, especially since I will want your input," Dee said.
"This is a better situation, I agree," Ryo said with a smile.
They had been talking in English, because while Ryoichi assured them on the way to the Imperial palace that the partition behind the driver assured he could not hear any conversations in the back, they also knew the driver did not speak English. English was spoken on the ride to the Imperial Palace as a precaution, so they did the same on the ride back.
"There's Tokyo Tower," Dafydd said, pointing ahead at the tall orange-red landmark as they approached. "We're here."
Dee, Ryo and Dafydd were dropped off near the front of Tokyo Tower and they watched the Rolls Royce pull away. Ryoichi had remained at the Imperial Palace, having more business, and then was going to travel to Hiroshima with the Prime Minister. When it was confirmed that he would be going to Hiroshima from the Imperial Palace, Ryoichi called his wife to give her an update. He also let her know that Dee, Ryo and Dafydd would be leaving the Imperial Palace shortly, and Sakura told him to instruct the three to go to Tokyo Tower.
As they turned to the plaza along the front of Tokyo Tower, it was hard to miss the group, who started to wave to them. As the three walked toward their families, Sakura broke from the group with Mother and met up with them. She hugged Dee first, then Dafydd and finally Ryo. Maria came over to Dee's side and gave him a look.
"I'm okay, Mom," he said as he hugged her. "We all are."
"I hope your grandfather didn't make things difficult for you," Sakura asked.
"Not at all," Dafydd replied. "He actually made it easier for us. He knew we were nervous, and he helped us with that." He looked at Dee and Ryo. "We were all able to talk freely."
"We really were invited," Dee said to Mother and Sakura. "His Majesty was really interested in what we had to say. So was the Prime Minister."
"This is good," Sakura said. "I might let my husband in our bedroom when he returns from Hiroshima. I should be thankful it wasn't decided you three had to go with him."
"It was understood that we have family from New York visiting Tokyo this weekend," Ryo stated. "Besides, at this point, there isn't much for us to do there. They are still collecting data."
Dee slipped his arms around his mother and grandmother. "It was a very enlightening experience, which we will tell you all about once we're in a more private location. And now, I'm ready for some sightseeing around Tokyo with my two favorite ladies."
Both Sakura and Mother giggled. "Don't let Ryo's grandmother hear that, Dee," Mother said as they allowed Dee to guide them back to the group.
"Of course Obāsan is also one of my favorite ladies."
"Don't let Elena hear you left her out," Ryo said and laughed.
"Oh geez. Never! She's in too," Dee commented and grinned at everyone.
"I can't believe my son had an audience with the Emperor of Japan and the Prime Minister. I am so proud of you, Dee," Mother gushed.
"You should be," Ryo said. "He didn't embarrass himself too much."
"Hey!" Dee complained, and everyone laughed.
Akira was waiting for them. "I managed to get group tickets for everyone." She held out three tickets for Ryo, Dee and Dafydd. As Ryo took the tickets from his grandmother and handed Dee and Dafydd theirs, Akira continued, "Maria would like to walk around Foot Town for a while first."
"Of course," Dee said. "I say that our visitors from New York get a say in where we go in Tokyo. I've seen just about everything here, so I'm game."
"What about visitors from Osaka?" Kyoshii asked.
Dee looked over to Kyoshii, who stood next to Hitoshi and holding Ryoko. With a guilty look, he said, "Of course. I just assumed living in Japan, you also know Tokyo."
Hitoshi started to laugh. "Don't let him get to you, Dee. Of course we've been to Tokyo. It's been a while, but I agree. Our New York visitors should get first choice in where we go. I'm just happy to be part of this today."
"What time are you leaving, Uncle Hitoshi?" Dee asked.
"After dinner. Until then, you're stuck with us."
"Should we think about making reservations somewhere for dinner?" Ryo asked.
"Ryo," Akira scolded gently, "do you know me?"
Dee started to laugh and said, "I guess we shouldn't be asking your grandmother that question?"
Ryo smiled at his grandmother. "Where do we have reservations?"
"After a discussion with this group, it was decided that we have 3 days to make sure Elina, who has never been to Japan, gets to sample as much Japanese food as possible," Hitoshi said. "And as this is not Osaka, that's quite some task."
A snort came from Takahiro. "Don't mind his Osaka pride."
Laughter came from the group. Maria smiled. "I did see the photos and video from Osaka, and I admit that one day I would love to go there."
Dee hugged his mother. "We plan to visit these Osaka pride people at times, so maybe one of the times you can join us."
"I can try," Mother said with a smile. "I would also love to see Nagoya. After all, it is where you were born. And I have received invitations to stay with your fathers and your grandparents."
Dee blinked, looking somewhat shocked as he looked around at his family. "Wow! You mean you actually got my mother wanting to take vacations away from New York? Now I'm really impressed," he said to his family.
"Maybe your mother just needed the right reasons," Yoshio said with a laugh.
"Indeed," Dee commented. "But I do love the idea. Keep inviting my mom to come visit, and if I can't get her to retire, at least she will finally take vacations."
"Maria has an open invitation to stay with us in Osaka," Hitoshi said as Kyoshii nodded in agreement.
"We'll see, Dee," Mother said and smiled as Ryoko started to reach out toward Dee. "I think your daughter wants to say hello."
"Hey, baby girl. I know you're having fun with your uncles," Dee said as he took Ryoko from Kyoshii. He cuddled her to him and kissed her head. Ryoko grabbed the lapel of Dee's jacket as she let out a happy sound. "Where's your brother?"
"Right here," Takahiro called out, holding him up.
Dee looked over to Takahiro and Darin and started to laugh, everyone else joining in.
"So where are we going for dinner tonight?" Ryo asked.
"Oh, yes," Akira said and laughed. "We did go off track some. "Since we are going to Odaiba this afternoon, Nobu suggested an all-you-can-eat buffet restaurant in Decks, and they do bookings for family parties. So I called them before coming here and they are aware that we will be showing up around 5 pm. We don't have a private room, but I was assured they can accommodate all of us with tables by the windows."
"I think I know the place you're talking about," Ryo said. "We almost went there but then we got filled up on takoyaki."
"We do plan to go through the Takoyaki Museum, because Bikky wants Maria to see it, and your uncles from Osaka are interested too," Akira said. "Just make sure there's room for dinner."
"We'll try," said Dee and laughed. Looking down at Ryoko, he asked, "Do we have their slings or strollers?"
"On the bus," Mother said. "It was decided that there are enough of us that no one is going to be tired carrying the chibis, but we did bring both just in case later today."
"We probably will have them for Odaiba, since we'll be taking the Himiko there from Asakusa," Sakura said.
"Hey wait," Dee said. "How are we getting everyone on the Himiko? We have a big group."
Kumi held up her phone. "We already bought tickets and we make sure we get there early enough for all of us to board."
"Not all will be going with us," Mother said. "Ayaka and Tsukiko offered to take Carol and Elina to Akihibara and go to a Maid Café for lunch."
"I also decided to join in the girl's trip," Momo said, who stood next to Dafydd.
"I already got it confirmed that we will be seeing TKY52 this afternoon," Ayaka said.
"I know you would not mind going to maid cafes and seeing TKY52," Akira stated, "but it's not on your must do list. It was Ayaka's and Tsukiko's idea to take Carol and do girls' things, and of course, Elina is invited."
"Listening to Carol from even before coming to Japan, I really do want to see these things that interest her," Elina said.
"You don't mind, do you?" Carol asked.
Ryo looked at Dee, and then to Carol. "You have a chance to go with your favorite idol to see TKY52, and you expect me to say no?" Ryo asked her.
"No kidding," Dee said. "And to have Elina with her? I'm not going to touch that one. Ladies, have fun."
"We'll be in Odaiba in time to have dinner with everyone," Ayaka said in Japanese. She went over to Dee. "I thought doing this for Carol would be special for her since we have this chance, but I'm sorry we can't spend the whole day together, Oniisan."
Ryo noticed one thing that he found amusing. The Fujiokas don't really use the various Japanese terms for siblings, especially when speaking English except to make a point, but Saburo pointed out that Dee's sisters seem to like calling Dee 'oniisan', meaning older brother. Saburo suspected because Dee, being born before Dafydd, is the eldest of the Fujioka siblings and now that he's part of the family, that is their way of acknowledging that Dee is the senior sibling of their family.
Dee gave his sister a one-handed hug and laughed as Ryoko reached out to Ayaka with a big smile. Ayaka took her niece from Dee's arms and rubbed her nose against Ryoko's, making the infant laugh and grab onto her shirt, rubbing her face on Ayaka's shoulder.
"We'll be seeing you next week, so I want you to have a great time with Carol and Elina. I know it will be a special day for them." He leaned over to kiss his youngest sister's head. "I should be thanking you and Tsukiko for coming up with this."
"Next week, I hope to have news about getting to spend more time with you," Ayaka said with a smile.
"You are joining us going up the tower first, are you?" Dee asked her.
Ayaka nodded. "Yes, Tokyo Tower first, then Akihibara," she said in English.
"Alrighty then, I think we should start making our way up so you can get going on your fun trip and be able to join us later."
"Good idea, Dei," Akira said. "I understand that some of our group will be using the stairs and meet up on the next level."
"I think I'm going to join them, if no one minds," Ryo said. "It doesn't hurt getting some extra exercise when we can."
"Yeah," Dee agreed. "Especially since there was matcha and mochi during our meeting this morning, after breakfast. And I know there's food in Foot Town." Dee leaned over to kiss Mother's forehead. "Meet you at the next level?"
Mother hugged him. "Definitely. I'll see you there."
Dee and Ryo joined Dee's fathers and great uncles, along with Dafydd and Momo. Dee's sisters and Bikky and Carol decided to join in, which split the group nicely in half.
