New Life, Old Bonds

By Babbling Brook42

Rating: PG-13; the story may border on R later on.

Warnings:  None that I can think of in this chapter

Disclaimer: See Prolog…

Japanese Words Used:

Hai = Yes

OK folks… I have a plan sketched out for this story.  The chapters are going to be alternating POV between Chichiri and Tasuki.  The chapters will not always pick up where the previous chapter ended but start at some point previous in the time line of the preceding chapter.  I hope it is all clear as you read it.  Hope you like the story. 

This is the first time I have tried using suffixes in a story.  I tried to use them correctly.  Forgive me if I have not and let me know.

Thank you to all of you who reviewed the prolog. 

Fire Pendant: Agreed, even if I found a greater number of Chichiri/Tasuki fics than most other pairings for FY, we can always use more.  J  

Moonraven:  You said 60 was not that old.  In today's society it is not, but at some points in history, living to be forty or fifty was old age.  I do not know what ancient China's life expectancy was but went with the assumption that it would not be as long as today's standards.  Also, if we were not saps, we would not be reading nor writing such things, ne.  J

Kitsuna-Ri: That is exactly what I was going for… sad and sweet.  Sorry to make you cry in class.  Hopefully you will find the rest of the story as unique.

Fighting dreams: I did not even think about Gen-li's casual address to her uncle.  I figured she would be close to them since they raised her.  I really put her in only as a story device.  I doubt if she will show up again, but you never know. ~_^  I find it hard to summarize a plot in a line and a half and not sound clichéish or uninteresting. sigh

Xellas and Keimei: Thanks for the vote of confidence after reading only the prolog.  Hopefully the rest of the story will live up to your expectations.

Lady Naria, Kouryou Sanomi, and chibichibi386: Thanks for wanting to read more.

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And now in current day Japan the story unfolds…..

Chapter 1 – Transition (Chichiri's POV)

I turn to face the back of the room in anticipation.  My long blue bangs dance across my field of vision.  The bridal music crescendos as the doors open to reveal the white satin enshrouded bride.  She glided forward on the arm of her father.  I can not help but smile at the enchanting sight.  I can see her glowing with joy through her veil.

She nears and stops before her groom.  My grin grows bigger as Hikou takes Kouran's hand and they step before the priest.  He starts speaking, and I watch completely happy for my two best friends.

The love they share is evident as they tenderly exchange their vowels.  Hikou turns to me.  I hand him the ring so he can slip it on her finger.  They seal their union with a kiss before exiting the sanctuary for the reception hall.

This is the first western style wedding I have attended.  I academically note the differences between it and a traditional eastern one as I follow behind the exiting newlyweds with the maid of honour on my arm.  I conclude that both are beautiful as it is joining two lives together for life.

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The reception begins, and I watch from the sideline after I make my mandatory blessing to the blissful couple followed by a sip of sake.  I swirl the sake in the bowl in front of me, releasing its aroma.  I inhale and find an unusual peace with the fragrance.  I do not drink often, but I have always had this attraction to the smell of sake.  It brings on feelings of fond memories.  It is like remembering a grandmother whenever you smell baking sweets.  However, I can not seem to pin down the memory of whom or what I associate with the liquid.   It is something that has bothered me for many years.

"Houjun," slurs Busuke, Kouran's drunken brother, after taking the empty seat beside me, "Ya know that could have been you today and not Hikou."

"It could have been," I patiently answer, "but it is better this way."

"You're such a pushover, Houjun!  You had her first," he pushes.

"Busuke, it was not meant to be," I assure him.  "I love Kouran, but as a sister."

He opens his mouth for another comment when his wife appears.

"Busuke, stop badgering Houjun-chan," she orders.  "Go dance with you sister!"

Busuke unintelligibly mutters as he stumbles from the table.  Takee takes his place beside me.  She tosses her long violet braid over her shoulder.  It always reminds me of some unnamed person – much like sake does.

"I hear you got a teaching job," she says. 

I confirm the news and tell her the name of the university I will be teaching at.

"I'm so happy for you," she says.  "What will you be teaching?"

"History, philosophy and religious studies," I answer.  "I will not know which classes for sure until I start work."

"Always the thinker," she smiles.

I nod. 

"So, is there any pretty woman out there that you have your eye on?" she asks glancing over the reception area.

"No, Takee, there is not, but thank you for trying to play matchmaker for me.  I will find the right person when the time comes."

Her eyebrow arches at my omission of gender, but says nothing on the subject.

"I do not want to see you grow old alone," she smiles.  "You are practically family especially after your parents died."

"I will just move in with you and Busuke when I get old then," I tease.

She chuckles and bats playfully at my arm in a "you-know-what-I-mean" way.   

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I drag myself into my apartment and into my bed after the long reception.  I think I had a bit too much sake as I watch my room come in and out of focus.  I am sure I will quickly drop off to sleep, but I am proven wrong.  My mind keeps going back to my conversation with Busuke and Takee.

Yes, I could be the one married to Kouran now.  Kouran, Hikou and I have been best friends since we could walk.  When we were teens, Kouran and I dated for a while.  It was nice, but I did not see much difference from it and what we normally did.  Hikou was always telling me how lucky I was to be dating her.

There was some talk of marriage, mostly by members of our families.  I think I just began to accept that it was meant to be till the day I walked in on Hikou kissing Kouran.  I can still see her look of horror when she realized I saw them.  She was immediately by my side apologizing and telling me it was the only time.

Rage filled me, I am ashamed to say.  If not for my training in meditation, I think I would have lashed out at them then and there.  I started mentally chanting and slowly turned and walked out of the room not saying a word.  Kouran called out after me sobbing.  I ignored her and went to get away.  I had to meditate; I had to calm down; I had to analyze what to do now or I would do something I would regret.

I settled under the tree along the riverbank and watched the setting sun.  I regulated my breathing.  I channeled my thoughts.

"Don't let it happen again, no da," said the mental voice I learned to associate with my chibi subconscious.

I do not know if it belonged to a chibi, but it reminds me of one so that is how I think of it.

Don't let what happen again?

"Learn from the past.  Don't repeat the same errors, no da," it said.

Errors?  What errors?

Now I was confused.  I ran through a mantra to refocus my thoughts.

"Do not be blinded by anger, no da" the chibi said.

Now that piece of advice I understood.  I had to not let my anger control me and examine the issues.

Yes, I have a right to be mad, but I can not let it dictate my actions.

I think about what I saw, and I feel betrayed.  I think that is what hurts the most – the betrayal. 

"Do you love her like a lover, no da?" chibi asked.

That question caught me off guard.  Sure I love Kouran.  I always have.

"Do you burn with a passion as fierce as the sun?" chibi posed.  "Or are your affections docile and platonic?  No da."

I had not really thought about it.

"Which is expected of a lover?  No da."

That answer I felt was obvious.

"If you are not the lover you pose to be, then are you not betraying her? No da," chibi painfully pointed out.

I knew he was right.  I was in a relationship with Kouran because I fell into it.  It was easy.  It was convenient.  What I felt for her was nothing compared to the passion evident in Hikou's voice when he talked about her, passion I had conveniently not acknowledged.  I am indifferent when I think about her.  Sure, I would defend her and come to her aid, but she ignites no passion within me.  I am more like a brother to her.

Chibi is right.  I am betraying her by wanting to hold on to her.  I am keeping her from finding what she deserves.

"There is another you desire, no da,"

I think about that one too and realize once more he is correct.  Deep in me, I have been waiting for another.  I have been waiting for some mysterious lover.  I betray her yet again.

I dropped my head in sorrow that I had let myself be tangled into such a mess.

"You're young, no da.  You will learn."

I snorted at the chibi's parting comment.

I returned home tired and emotionally drained. 

The next day I went to my two friends and explain what I have learned.  Months later, once they were sure I was comfortable with it, they started dating.  Watching them, I know I did the right thing.  There is a spark between them than was never present when Kouran and I were together.  I prayed that it would burn forever.

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I slowly open my eyes and groan with the alcohol induced headache.  I glance at the clock.  It will be blaring any minute.  I swing my legs over the edge of the bed.  Pausing momentarily, I rub my temple trying to force away the pain.  The alarm screams.  My hand gropes toward the small box and silences it.  Forcing myself to stand, I walk around the packed boxes and head to the bathroom. 

The shower helps revive me.  After dressing and pulling my blue hair back in the standard ponytail, I grab a bagel and head out the door.  There are several items I must attend to before I move, and I spend all morning running around.

Stacks of boxes greet me when I return to my apartment.  It only reminds me of the other daunting task before me, and the movers will be here tomorrow.  I sigh and work on filling the empty boxes.

Hours later I finish grateful I had started packing unneeded items weeks ago.  There is a knock at my door, and Busuke yells my name.  I forgot he and Takee said they would be coming over.  They wanted to say goodbye.

I open the door to find not only Busuke and Takee but a group of friends.  They all call out my name in greeting and pour into my disheveled apartment.

"We're here to see you off with a bang," Busuke announced holding up several bottles of sake.

"An we brought plastic cups for easy clean up," Takee adds.

"Really you did not have to," I insist not wanting to wake in the same state as this morning. 

"Sure we did," Busuke says as another friend starts unpacking the carry-out food they brought.

I try to say something but it is lost in the exchange of requests for items as plates and beverages are passed around.  I sigh resignedly.  The party has started and there is no way I can stop it without offending my well-wishing friends.  Plus the food smells good and my stomach growls in hunger as Takee hands me a filled plate.  I thank her and settle in to enjoy their company on my last evening in town.

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The sunlight streaming through the gap in my curtains wakes me.  Glancing at the clock tells me that the movers will be here in a few hours.  I grown wearily due to the handful of hours I was able to sleep once everyone left.  I force myself up and through my morning routine so I can pack up my few straggling belongings. 

I close the suitcase grateful that it is the last.  It is what I will take with me and put it in the car along with the items I want to take personally.

The movers are late.  I hold my tongue because I know my irritability is from last night's get-together plus the celebration from the evening before.  I could curse the timing of my move and my best friends' wedding, but it could not be helped.  Kouran and Hikou set the date long before I accepted this job. 

I am excited about my teaching position.  I did not think I would get a position so quickly after graduation.  The mid-sized university outside Tokyo suddenly had an opening due to the indiscretion of the former position holder.  My mentor recommended me to his friend in charge of filling the opening.  After a day of interviewing with the others in the department, I was offered the job.  I was so excited the day I accepted.  Kouran and Hikou said I was acting genkei as I bounced off the walls with excitement when I told them.  The excitement leveled off but did not fully ebb as I made preparations for the move. 

Now it was finally here, and I start teaching in two weeks.  Other than being tired from the eventful weekend, I have a good feeling about the job and relocation.  I know wonderful things are going to result from it.

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 "Done with the paperwork?" my boss asks entering the small conference room in which I am sitting.

"Yes, sir," I say glancing at the stake of papers I just filled out.

"Good, good," he says sitting down at the table.  He plops a very think folder down before him.  "You're probably wondering what classes you will be teaching," he says.

"Yes, I am," I answer.  "It makes the job of preparing lessons much easier."

He chuckles at my comment.

"Yes, yes, it does," he cheerily responds. 

He pulls a set of paperclipped papers from his file.  He flips through them obviously satisfied with what he finds in them.

"You will have three general history classes, one ancient history class, one comparative religion class, and one philosophy class," he says and hands me the paperwork.  "You will find the text books listed and previous course outlines in there, as well as, times and locations of the classes.  The general history classes will be the larger classes since it is a required class."

I nod and shift through the package.  I am familiar with the textbook for the general history class.  That will make preparing lessons slightly easier.

"You should find your predecessor's copies of the text books in your office," he says. 

The revulsion and abhorrence he has for the former teacher is clearly evident.  He is not the only one.  The entire department shares the attitude for the shame brought down on them by his actions – actions that have only been hinted at.

"Let me show you to your office," he says standing.

I follow his lead, and we exit the room.  We walk through a hallway lined with doors.  Some are open and others are closed.  I peek in the open ones as we pass.  Those that notice occasionally give signs of acknowledgment.  He halts before a door near the other end.  A key is suddenly in his hand, and he unlocks and opens the door.

"This is your office," he says handing me the key.  "That key will also let you into the building after hours.  The place is a bit of a mess."

It is more than a bit of a mess.  It looks like a tornado went through.  A couple of the shelves are secured at only one end.  Their contents dumped on the shelf below or the floor.  Papers are scattered helter skelter through the room.

I slowly enter.  I stoop to pick up the few papers on the floor by the door.  I drop them on the piles already on the desk.

"I'll let you get settled in.  If you need any supplies, see the department secretary.  I'll be in my office if you have any questions," he says with a smile before turning and leaving.

I survey the mess once more.  With a heavy sigh, I pick a pile to start working through.

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 "So you are the newbe," says a woman standing in my doorway.

She is an older woman.  Her graying hair is pulled away from her face.  Her dark eyes shine with her youthful spirit.

"You definitely are a young one.  Still wet behind the ears, I bet," she smiles taking the sting from her words.

"Hai," I answer bowing to her.  "I am Ri Houjun."

"Yoichi Orika," she bows in return.  "Welcome to our group."

"Thank you.  Would you like a seat?" I say moving to remove what I had stacked in the spare chair.

"No, that's alright.  I just thought I would say hi and see how you are doing," she says waving me away from the chair.

I stop and look up at her.

"I don't pity you the task of sorting through this mess.  Your predecessor was not the most organized individual.  I bet you will find unreturned ungraded papers from five years ago."

"That would explain these," I say dryly holding up a stack of papers to be thrown out.    

She chuckles sadly and pulls a cigarette from the package in her hand.

"The old goat was more interested in bedding anything with two legs than teaching," she says as if it leaves a bad taste in her mouth.

My eyebrows arch upward at the facts she is revealing.

She lights her cigarette and takes a few puffs.

"It wasn't only the females that he would give extra credit to for sexual favors," she says casually.

I mouth an "oh" at the news.

"If we could have proved it earlier, he would be long gone.  But, he picked his prey well till the last one," she says almost gleefully.

I am at a loss for how to respond.

She takes another drag of her nicotine stick.

"I should be on my way.  See you around," she says and leaves. 

The smoke cloud hangs in the air, a reminder of her presence. 

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I enter my first class and set my things on the desk.  I am more nervous than I expected to be.  I look over a large, mostly filled room.  The students talk among themselves ignoring my presence.

"Good morning," I say.

The noise level does not lower.

"Good morning," I try again louder.  

A few of the eyes look my way.

"You can't be the teacher," says one boy in the front.  "Ya don't look much older than me."

My voice lowers in pitch.  "I am sufficiently qualified to teach this class and am older than you think."  I am irritated now.  I pull my notes from my folder and tap them on the platform.  In a very cool tone I say, "I am Ri Houjun.  This is General History 150 section 1."

The talking stops and eyes focus on me. 

"In this class we will be mainly focusing on Japanese history from ancient times to today with an overview of concurrent global historical events."

I pick up the stack of syllabuses.  I hand a stack to the student at the end of each row as I make my way upward to the back.  I continue to describe the course requirements and expectations.  While I talk, the fifty minutes pass quickly.  I conclude with their reading assignment and dismiss them.

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Day two begins.  My first class, the ancient history one, runs smoothly with attentive students.  My second class of the day is a different matter.

Did I mention I hate teaching general classes?  This is my third one.  It was quickly evident in the first two that the majority of the students are not interested in what I am teaching.  They take the class only because they are required to.

The classroom door is thrown open as two stragglers enter the medium sized classroom.  I glance up the rising seating to see the additions talking in noisy whispers as they progress down the steps.

"Hurry and find a seat," I coolly tell them.  "Class has started."

The fiery redhead takes one more step before making eye contact and giving me a challenging fanged grin.  I freeze.  My heart is suddenly in my throat and my hands grip onto the lectern.  I have seen that look before, but where will not come to mind because my thoughts are bouncing around haphazardly hindering any analysis.  His dark blue haired friend pushes him into one of the rows and into a seat.  With the broken contact my breathing returns to normal and rational thought reasserts itself.  I glance over the rest of the class.  My frozen state must not have been as long as it felt since they showed no sign of apprehension or uneasiness other than beginning of the year jitters.  I glance once more to the redhead.  He is bent over getting his notebook out of his bag.  A faint whisper in the back of my mind pulls at me before I roughly shove it away and focus on presenting today's lesson.

~=88=~  End of Chapter 1  ~=88=~ 

There you have it.  I know it was a lot of set up.  The next chapter is Tasuki's POV, and I like it better than this chapter.  I am still proofing it, so it might be up by the middle to end of the week.  Also, in accordance with the rating guidelines, I will probably bump the rating up to "R" because of Tasuki's swearing.

Later!  ~ Babbling Brook