That One Time in Mexico:
Winding down after a caper with Carmen and her gang was always a relaxing time for Isamu, that he used to visit Veracruz, Mexico. In the form of a secured vacation home belonging to his quirky aunt and subletted to tourists during the off season. Meaning one could find it on most websites, that target to people looking for a place to stay over seas. Reviews and artwork of the place spoke about what could be found on the walls and rooms. Just one collection of pictures that circled around a piece of artwork taken between 1940 and 1944. Kept on one single wall with a story that was once the resting place for a painting that belonged to Isamu's family. Ended up disappearing when on loan to Inés Amor's Gallery in January of last year when in trusted hands.
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Clanging of shower curtains being pushed aside and roaring of the pipes coming to life with a mixture of warm and cold water. Started to flow directly out the metallic head that hung loosely over a tiled floor and walls of spacious stall. Creating a steam that was thick and filled the air until the mirrors and other glass surfaces fogged over. Went unnoticed by strong and fit with very well-developed muscles of a young man. Who pulled his towel off stepped diffusing water unto his aching flesh, the sudden shock made his tense his muscles loosen up. The water slowly soothed the ache and soreness that wracked his limbs. Into the cascading water droplets he reclined his body, the action washed away the grim from the day. He did make attempts a scrubbing in circle patterns with his closing his eyes to relish in sensation. Soap suds beginning to blend with the falling water as he hands descended more lower on his body. A lufa brush tightly clutched within his fingers with soap drenched within the pores.
Ended when a clear sound echoing throughout the walls of the building until reaching his ears and had him sighing. On to a hook the lufa was hang with stream of water being turned off by squeaking nods in counter-clock wise motion. Leaving very firm and a good shape body still covered in wet layer just stepping out of the stall. Pulling a pair of of drawstring pants with Gi styled shirt on with a towel draped over his neck to dry his hair. Stepping out of the bathroom with yawn on his lips, as stopped at a pair of slippers to slide on his feet. Continued on his short path to investigate where this noise was coming without much enthusiasm. Being that he didn't have to walk far, to find one of his aunt's urban traps had been triggered. In it was tangled up girl just an foot smaller then Carmen with face paint as a calavera on her face. Her choice in clothes were normal compared to what Carmen usual wore while her pinned up hair needed work.
"You must be Sonia," He greeted his guest. "Carmen told me to be excepting you."
"You are?" She asked struggling to get freed.
"Which name would you want?" He asked back.
"I'll tell you what ever, if you get me out of here." She sat back in the swinging net.
He did just that by pressing a hidden mechanism right where he stood by taking a side step to his left. Watching the girl came crashing downward and onto the sprawling spread of cushions. Not moving an inch when he further watched her free herself from the net's bindings. Trying to sit up among the squishy large pillows under her.
"Care to led a hand?" She yelled for some help.
That hand came in the form of him walking to the edge, where the floor was suck in and kneeling over the tops of the cushions. Reaching out enough to have his hand snatched and pull the girl out of out the sea of plush and soft cushions to solid ground. Where she took a breath and their hands disconnected with him looking up at the way she tried to sneak in. Finding himself explaining the house was littered with fitted cameras and concealed traps to protect the artwork that lay inside. Ones to hinder and not harm someone(s) that was brace enough to try and break in under cover of darkness.
"My aunt has a active imagination in solving personal cases of thief." He went on to explain his aunt. "I'm Isamu Hideaki Cassim."
"As is heir to the Cassim Conglomerate and Lotus Foundation?" She couldn't believe.
Got Sonia an invitation to stay as long as she locked up behind her since he needed to catch up on his sleep until he was ready for guests. Going on about how recent string of events that had to do promise he made to Carmen about helping in search for her mother. Information from Player and the name of the women sent him on a journey that ended with him coming into trouble. Out of it he was able to go without putting a strain on his body and getting back to Carmen with his own findings.
"I'm already in the far back room, so take what ever bedroom you want." He felt his eyes drooping. "Linen closet next to main bathroom has everything you need. Good Night."
"Wait. What?" She ended up asking in confused state.
Last time she saw him was walking away from her while the trap that caught her ended up setting it self back into place above her. Leaving her to run after him as best she could taking in the sights of what was openly displayed for her eyes only. All kinds of culture and century old pieces hang off the walls or sat on pedestals with her guessing where they all came from. Not like she could get an answer out of Isamu when she followed into what was farthest bedroom with basic furniture everywhere. Only thing that stood out was a small butsudan at a angle one could see when they walked in. Sitting on a small table with pictures of what she guessed were Isamu's deceased relatives. Worn candlesticks, incense burners, and bells were all arranged accordingly with offerings on correct platforms. Held a resent lit sticks of incense, the smelled of marigolds and White Hoary Stock upon being breathed by her. Not like she was given the chance to ask about the set up when she saw him discard the towel and slippers. On top the bed he would fall onto his side to drift into sleep without a care she was in the room.
Leaving her to tuck her hands behind her back and notice a wolf mask laying on top of a discarded boots. Design and red cords reminded of something she heard through underworld grapevine of a face. One that went by the name of Shiroi Ōkami and the lapdog of the vigilante Lady in Red. Who quietly did what she ordered without a word being exchanged between them when seen by her side. Appearing and disappearing whenever he wasn't needed by her for whatever she was doing. Whose howl sounded like someone else's voice when asked to speak by someone outside Carmen's crew. Always wore a brand of jeans that came from Japan and Members Only style jackets most of the time. Gave this Sonia an idea when she ended up making her way toward occupied bed to take a seat on the edge. Where she stared at Isamu's face for a few minutes to figure out how to pull off her plan since her first one failed.
"If I only knew." She tilted her head.
She couldn't help but feel how lucky Carmen was to have someone like Isamu working with her when she further looked at him. His clothes did little to distract from the body that was hiding underneath when she leaned in for a closer look. Definite outline of physically cut boy from pectoral full and well defined. His wide lats only added to his perfect V shaped figure and sinewy torso. Toned arms, wide shoulders, strong and warm, and slight six pack. A shaven face with boyish good looks that came with strong jawline and moderate cheekbones. Had her comparing also remembering how Carmen also had Zac and Shadowsan. How those two were getting along with this new member of her crew.
"What I wouldn't do with you." She sighed.
Off the bed she forced herself to keep herself from waking him when she remembered why she camed here in the first place. Just how she was going to get something the size of a front door without making a single sound or attracting to much attention. Not like she was excepting someone to be here after hours of watching the casing and watching the place. Made her look back into the bedroom at someone was in no condition to help her haul something 48 in × 96 in.
"Means I am on my own." She turned away.
She had make sure to avoid the trap area of the house when she moved the piece from the vehicle she used to move it here. Taking small breaks before getting the piece into the house with scratching the paint's surface of the back where wood was. Stopping only once to push to get around the corner of the hallways or corridors before coming to a rest. Made her quite proud of what she did before she got to make a quick run to the local Day of the Dead celebration. Looking around the vendors and artists for the kind of mask that didn't come in human face. Passing over a few until she came upon one that fit what she wanted and ended up purchasing. Taking her time in getting back for her plan to work by hanging the mask on the corner of the art work.
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Isamu showed up with a bouquet of marigolds for Carmen wearing his calavera style wolf mask upon sight for Team Red's Day of the Dead celebration. Āwhina also with him with a pictures of their deceased great-grandparents and offerings. Zac was one that had to be reminded by Ivy about the food Āwhina brought wasn't for him. Shadowsan allow his son to place the framed pictures with one of Carmen's father before candles were lit. Everyone else helped Āwhina set up what she bought while keeping Zac from keeping everything. Leaving two of them to step aside and personal chat about private subject.
"I took the name wolf as form of alias." Apology would start to form of Isamu. "If I knew it was a actual name relating to..."
"When have I ever given off the notion of being bothered by your choice in a code name?" She cut him off with a question. "I think you pull it off well."
She made her point by grabbing him by side of his jacket's collar and pulling him forward enough toward her. He would end up having his face brought before hers enough, that their mouths would up barely coming in contact. Which her had using her other hand to remove the mask he wore and not act as a obstacle. Tilting her head just right so she could put all her passion into the what she thought was one sided kiss. Ended up being returned by him when when wrapped an arm around her waist and drew her closer to him. Putting his own twist into the kis by grasping her lips with his own and adding a bit of his teeth.
"Getting any ideas?" Zac asked Āwhina.
"No. Why?" Āwhina stared back at him.
"Go Carm!" Ivy cheered her on.
"I knew him winning the annual World Whistling Championship 2018 -2019, World Whistlers Convention 2018 -2019, and Belle Moore kazoo Championship 2018 -2019. Meant excellent lip control." His mother squealed.
Shadowsan was the one that greet her and made known he wasn't excepting her to come after leaving her message about their son. How he was worried that Isamu was pushing himself since his first confrontation with Spinkick and Fly Trap. Not wanting his son to burn himself out just to keep up with Carmen and further himself self with this new threat. Seem to gain her attention since she ended up making an announcement about going making another visit to Japan.
"Isamu. Your coming on family holiday with me." She happily waved at him.
"Most of been something bad to go on a forced family holiday." Ivy felt the sting.
"We going?" Zac asked Āwhina.
"No. Want to?" She asked.
"So simple minded those two." Carmen commented after she pulled away from Isamu.
She went to blow a kiss at Isamu with her free hand while waving the one that held his newest mask in rather firm grip. Stating he wasn't getting this back until she was done making it more useful for further missions with a wink. Left Isamu to speechless and unable to say a thing to her when he watched her walked off with Ivy following right behind.
"Where shall you be going?" Shadowsan came to asked Isamu's mom.
"Back to Natori, Miyagi prefecture, northeastern Honshu, Japan and then Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan ." She tried to recall the places. "Both are personal matters."
"Please be careful." Shadowsan was wary of them going to Natori.
"I keep telling you, I am a big girl." She whispered at him.
"Doesn't not mean I still worry." He firmly stated. "Unsettled spirits are the harshest and meanest of them."
He ended up getting the side of his lips kissed by her when reminded she could survive several years of heart ache pining for him. Unsettled spirits weren't going to a thing for her since she had everything she needed in her life after their reunion.
"Have some faith in me." She pulled away feeling sad.
"I just don't want you to get hurt." He assured her.
He pushed aside pieces of her hair to look into her eyes by lifting her chin to make his point about her and their son to be careful. V.I.L.E had eyes everywhere and always finding ways to get back at him for betraying them after choosing to work with Carmen.
"We're going to be fine." She assured Shadownsan. "We're aren't on your family registry nor their any paperwork in Japan linking you to either of us."
"Are you OK with that?" Shadownsan asked her with concern forming in his eyes.
"As long as I have you." She serenely smiled or him. "Then I am the happiest women in the world."
That was all he needed to heart for his heart to pick up a beat and joy to fill his soul when he wrapped his arms around her. Held her close the of their celebration knowing they would end up going their separate ways when they was over. Thankful that times like this was given to him with his new family for moments with his rekindled love and son.
"What is this I hear about a family registry?" Carmen asked Isamu.
"All yours player." Isamu knew he was listening in.
"A kosek is a way of keeping track of Marriages, adoptions and acknowledgements of paternity within households." Player went on to explain.
"Your not in your dad's?" Carmen asked understanding what Isamu's mom had said.
"Pretty much." Isamu pointed out. "Being born out of wedlock after a teenage fling.. isn't something I don't think my uncle would want in family registry."
Carmen went silient for rest of the night at she thought back to what she found about Dexter Wolf's possessions in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She was able to find her birth certificate with nothing else about her birth mixed with everything. Led to a conversation about Isamu and about his birth being legally recorded in the States or Japan. Had him stating that he was born in his mom's family ancestral home with paperwork filed Japanese embassy for dual citizenship.
"Two passports makes it easy to travel." He shrugged. "Why do you ask?"
"You really to know?" She countered.
She ended up stating in this wild goose chase to find who her mother was or even or some thread of her exist in this world. Longing to be apart of a family still lingered despite the one she already formed with people she already meant. Had her feeling that Isamu should have his mom and him in Shadowsan's family registry disregard of being married or not.
"I see what I can do." Isamu couldn't promise anything.
"Good boy." Carmen tapped his nose.
"Sometimes I feel like you really do treat me like a dog." He smirked sat her.
He ended up getting gently elbowed in the lower abdomen by Carmen before she crossed her arms to take in the rest of the night. Already knowing how memorial one for her and everyone else this was going to be.