"The Sea of Change"
This chapter contains information from Sen'o Tanaka and the works of
'Usui Reiki Hikkei.
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Chapter 12: Cha-no-yu
"How do you feel?" Takumi asked his love as she finally struggled to focus her eyes and award him with a lopsided smile.
"Better than you look." Kukune felt well enough to tease.
She shifted in the bed, trying to move her head at an angle where talking to Takumi would not put so much strain on her neck. Her whole back was burning, and the uncomfortable sensation only increased as she wiggled around under the covers.
Her gaze traveled all around the small, but cozy hospital room. Taking in the large amount of flowers and get well cards positioned in the corners. Judging from various flower arrangements that had begun to wilt, she had been in this room for quite sometime.
"What's wrong Kukune? What hurts?" Takumi asked suddenly alarmed and at her side, enclosing her hand with an almost death grip.
Kukune's eyes traveled instantly to Takumi's and had to fight to adjust themselves to the change in focus. Kukune attributed this to being pumped with large doses of morphine and who knows what other drugs. She had been through similar procedures before, and she always had difficulty with her sense as she awoke.
"Stop panicking honey. Nothing hurts."
"Well then why are you making that face?" Takumi asked earnestly as his grip relaxed and he sat back down on the visitor's chair next to the bed.
"How long have I been here?"
Takumi's eyes moistened over, making it impossible for Kukune to read his thoughts.
"Takumi tell me. What happened?" Kukune began getting frantic and her heart monitor began increasing it's beeps as a result.
"Relax honey. You're going to be fine. Your cured Kukune. Absolutely and completely. "
Takumi smiled and kissed her gently on the lips, being careful to keep his passion in check as Kukune was still in a frail state. All Kukune felt was the added pressure of his lips on hers, due to the fact her entire body was numb from the heavy doses of morphine that were now pumping through her veins. Yet his loving sentiments passed over to her and she relaxed.
"What do you mean cured?
"You had a bone marrow transplant and according to the diagnosis, your body should now be able to sustain itself. No more medicine, no more migraines, no more hospitals. At least until you need your check up that is."
Takumi grinned an the unbelievably gorgeous expression she wore.
"Who? Why? … How?"
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you."
Takumi playfully taunted as he fluffed the pillows behind her and laid her down gently in such a way that her head was slightly raised up to converse more easily.
"Tell me." She demanded.
Any nurse walking in at that very moment would have sworn on Niuka, the divine horned-headed, dragon tailed queen, that Kukune was as healthy physically as any other person. Of course that would be if they were somehow blind to the various machines and plugs hooked up to her body. Not to mention the loud and obtrusive heart monitor.
"You know Tenchi is a curious fellow if I do say so myself, me being a curiously curious fellow." Takumi grinned and laughed lightly at Kukune's confused and rapidly increasing irritated brow.
"Stop with the riddles Takumi or you'll be sleeping alone when I get out of here."
Takumi coughed and his grin got bigger at the prospect of holding her in his arms once again.
"I'm waiting lover boy."
"Do you remember how Tenchi always moped around the loft and would fall into bouts of silence after talking to his family?"
Kukune nodded with her eyes.
"And during these periods of silence he would paint the same feline woman?"
"You said moped. He isn't sad anymore?"
Takumi shook his head and pursed his lips, trying to retain the patience for Kukune to figure it out by herself.
"Don't tell me he finally made amends with his family?"
"Yup. And not only that, you were the cause of such a miracle. You see all those flower arrangements and stuffed animals in the corner? That's all from them. Actually they were here in the morning."
"I don't believe it. I'm so happy for Tenchi."
"Ah… but that's not the end of it."
"It's not?"
"You have had other visitors."
"One in particular who we would have all met that night in the museum. Ironically enough after rushing you to the hospital she then came to us."
"Museum?" Kukune's eyes rested on the heavy comforter as she searched her brains for the fuzzy memories of that night.
"We were going to see an exhibition…" She stated simply, unable to piece together Takumi's vague clues.
"Somehow or other Mihoshi, you remember Mihoshi? Tenchi's friend who accompanied us that night with Tenchi's other friend Kiyone?"
Kukune nodded.
"Well, Mihoshi somehow or other met the geisha who posed for the paintings we were going to go see, and I have no idea how but convinced her to help you out. She was the one who made your transplant possible."
"Your kidding me." Kukune more than asked just replied to Takumi with a completely astonished face.
"Why would she do this for me? I mean I now owe her everything, my life, but people like her don't usually risk their necks for a university student."
"I don't care for her reasons. You're here with me, your healthy. I don't need anymore answers than those."
Takumi stopped Kukune's questions and held her hand within his, enjoying the warmth and life running through her veins. Life that had almost been extinguished from this world.
"Your right. I can't believe I don't have to take those stupid pills …"
Kukune cut her sentence short as she saw a strange look cross Takumi's features.
"What?"
"Well … you still have to take them for the time being. The doctors want to make sure the transplant was a hundred percent successful and only time can tell that."
"How much time?" Kukune asked while narrowing her eyes.
Takumi coughed and covered his mouth with his hand, muddling his answer.
"Sism monsh."
"Takumi."
"Six months …"
"Well I guess six months is not that-"
"to a year."
Kukune looked at her lover, feeling an overwhelming sense of dread creep it's way all over her. An entire year checking up in the hospital. She hated hospitals. Hated the smell. Hated the hypocritical nurses and doctors who wished her well. Completely loathed the endless nights she spent alone in a dark, cold hospital bed. Unable to sleep, yet dead tired. Ironic how she even got to the point of wishing if she ever did find sleep, she would simply fade away, and never wake. Of course she never followed through with her morbid fantasy and eventually a nurse would come in a knock her out with a heavy dose of something or other.
"I hate hospitals Takumi."
"I'll be with you all the way." Takumi smiled and scooted his chair closer to the bed. Resting his elbows on the blankets as he remained caressing her hand gently with his fingertips.
"Did you get to see her?"
"Who?"
Kukune rolled her eyes and glared teasingly at Takumi.
"You know who. The geisha. Was she pretty?"
Now Takumi was smart enough to realize Kukune's curiosity would soon turn to jealousy. He had to find the exact words to describe her to Kukune, while not sounding like he remembered all the details. It was a very precarious position for him to be in indeed. The safest thing would be to change subjects, and he knew exactly what … or better yet … who would save him.
"She certainly made a big impression on Tenchi."
"Tenchi? Why?"
"I don't really know for sure. I could have been imagining the whole thing since I was half out of my mind trying to save you to think straight, but I am almost certain that the woman Tenchi painted and Geisha Catara are one and the same. And what's more, they share quite a passionate history."
"Are you serious? That's so … ironic." Kukune couldn't find the appropriate word to express her sentiment, so used the one that popped into her mind first.
"What did Tenchi do? I mean did he confront her?"
"As far as I know … yes and no."
"What do you mean?"
"I noticed they talked alone in a private hospital room for few minutes. I was standing a few feet away from the door when I spotted Tenchi entering the room, looking very nervous."
"And …?"
"Well … a few minutes later Catara came out looking relieved. She headed to talk with the press that had come to report on her. From all the chaos, I noticed Tenchi coming out a few moments later. This time he looked … determined."
"You think he made his peace with her?"
"I … I really don't know … don't think so. The days following that night he kept asking me if she had come by to visit you. He looked a bit desperate when he asked, so did his family. I think they are all planning to see her again, somehow."
"Wait...there is something I don't get here. After all this time that Tenchi had been obviously trying to get over this woman, and when he finally has her in the flesh all he does is talk to her a few minutes?"
"Well despite the fact that he had just found her, you were the most important matter in all our minds, even Catara's. Tenchi couldn't force an explanation when we were all trying to get you that transplant.
Catara risked her career trying to get you the approval for the operation. It was hilarious the way she turned the tables on Iwao, the hospital owner. Instead of running from the press, or looking foolish, she made him accountable for your operation, forcing him to go all out for you. AND, the best part is she basically made him swear in front of everyone he would help anyone with leukemia."
"She did all that? I'm starting to see why everyone is so in awe by her."
"She asked to be notified when you woke up. I think she wants to meet you."
"Yeah?" Kukune asked in disbelief. Masking poorly her own growing curiosity with this woman who had saved her life.
"She also asked me to keep this to myself and not involve any member of the Masaki family."
Kukune cocked her eyebrow and shrugged her shoulders the best she could in her position.
"She sounds like a very enigmatic person, yet I can understand her. If she and Tenchi had something before … well you know the saying, 'Where there was fire, a flame still burns'."
****
"I'm so nervous. What if I forget a step and mess up?" Ryoko asked while she bit her lip and paced back and forth in her room, in a state of half undress. She was waiting impatiently for Homino to arrive with her kimono and obi.
"Don't worry so much. Serla has trained you in Cha-no-yu plenty of times. I bet you could do it with your eyes closed." Fei offered her a smile as she picked up a fried rice ball from the bowl she held with her hands. Blowing on the hot rice twice before swallowing it whole. She started coughing and Ryoko handed her a glass of water with a tired smirk on her face.
"Why don't you chew again?"
"My guide suggested to swallow my food instead of chewing it to gain some weight. Just look at me Cat, I'm a walking stick."
"Your insane Fei."
"Perhaps, but if I end up looking a little more plump, then the kimono will fit better."
Ryoko rolled her eyes and sat down beside her.
"You know what Serla told me over the phone yesterday? She said that apart from the formal Cha-no-yu ceremony she taught us back home, there are dozens of different variations. I mean how the hell am I suppose to know which type Joyoni-ji will perform?"
"He is known for his nocturnal Cha-no-yu ceremonies, which that leaves about three of four I think he would actually perform tonight. Though I don't think he'll give you a hard time Cat. Since you appeared on TV that night in the hospital, you have been showered by invitations to every tea house in Tokyo."
"Your right … but he's different. Joyoni-ji is one of the most prestigious scholars of Japan. A person I actually admire. What if I say or do something foolish? Ug! I don't even want to think about it."
Both women stopped talking as they heard the door open and Homino's high pitched voice travel through the apartment's halls.
"Wish me luck." Ryoko grinned before Fei stepped out of the room to let Homino work on Ryoko quickly and without interruptions.
"So are we ready for tonight?" Homino asked as he cheerfully helped Ryoko adjust her obi.
Ryoko nodded and looked at herself in the full length mirror an admirer had showered upon her a couple of weeks past.
He strategically had asked her to remember him every time she gazed upon her body, he emphasized 'naked body', in the mirror.
Belonging to the emperial family of seventeenth century China, the borders were hand carved with parts of paintings of Zen's ancient doctrines. Ryoko grinned at he complexion.
'He sure knows how to get into someone's mind. Every time I look into this mirror, he pops up in my head,' Ryoko thought gleefully.
The kimono Ryoko was wearing for the Cha-no-yu or tea ceremony was different from the other kimono she usually wore on special occasions. The fabric was a dull green. The only thing which Ryoko thought was at least somewhat attractive was the hand stitched bamboo leaves which adorned her sleeves and the hem of her dress. The obi was a pale egg shell color which she thought gave her a washed out appearance.
Homino argued that the obi would have the exact opposite effect, making her skin compare to the rarest pearls.
Ryoko laughed and rolled her eyes, already used to Homino's over exaggerated boosts of self esteem. And even though she learned to not take everything Homino-san said at face value, she truly appreciated his efforts.
Her hairstyle was also more reserved than usual. Looking through an art book Homino-san had given her a few days past about Japanese coiffure, Ryoko sought the perfect hairstyle which would look modest, but as stylish as the invitation would permit.
She finally chose the Ityo-gaesi style, which divided the hair up in five different sections. Two on the top, one on each side and one in the back. According to Homino, it was suppose to resemble a gingko leaf, but secretly Ryoko thought it looked more like an ocean flower she had come across years back. With it's leaves round and bountiful, it shone even in the murkiness of the ocean's water.
* * *
Here I am writing in this journal again. My calligraphy is looking very stylish as I read my earlier entries, almost perfect.
Tonight I have some very interesting things to say to you.
On my way over to Joyoni-ji's house, my stomach was doing somersaults, and I had to role down my window to breath some fresh air.
I was not the least bit happy at what I was wearing tonight. An old looking, green kimono with a faded pearl obi is not my idea of making a good impression on one of the revered people on earth.
I say most revered on earth since he has already received three Pulitzer awards, and been in high favors with Japan's emperor for a few years now. How do I know so much about him? Well, from the moment he made his intentions known of wanting to meet me, I knew I would have to expand my limited knowledge of Japanese affairs.
Apparently, he was a farmer's kid who ran away from home to pursue higher learning in a Zen temple in Kyoto. He toyed with the idea of becoming a Zen priest, spreading their ideas of worship through relativity all through out Japan. Finding truth only in the comprehension of opposites. From there of course his studies turned slightly towards Taoism. The art which preaches to embrace the present, 'The Art of Being in the World'. And of course both of these are intimately linked with the history of tea which was born in China and flourished in Japan in Cha-no-yu.
From that point on 'it's history' as I have heard Fei say often. What he is known most for however is his knowledge of Cha-no-yu. That is what I studied the most these past few days in preparation. How to dress, speak, perform my duties as guest… everything. And by Tsunami, if the head weighed more each time you learned something new, by now I would be dragging my own across the pavement like a rock. It's not hard to learn, I actually find it easy, just read it and I remember. Serla noted that I must have a photogenic mind, and I just nodded. What can I say? I'm gifted.
I arrived at his home promptly at nine o'clock. Ichima offered to escort me tonight, but I delicately declined his offer. Knowing that his presence there would just make my jitters ten times worse.
Instead of being ushered through the front door, I was lead to the Chumon, or middle gate, used to separate the outer and inner gardens. The door which was barely wider than me, was silently opened and the servant which had greeted me motioned for me to step inside. Before I could even turn around to bow in thanks, he had closed the door.
As I got a look at my surroundings, I was in the middle it seemed of a beautiful roji, or inner garden. Cherry Blossom trees, three times bigger as the ones in Okayama, greeted me with their petals as they glided past me. The grass was as green and rich as … there really isn't anything I can recall that looked as healthy and tranquil to me.
There were small stepping stones everywhere. Obviously a million different paths could be taken if you wished to delight yourself in the garden's wonders. Some of these stepping stones were rather large and it was no problem for me to make my way across the garden. Yet I also came across ridiculously small ones, that if I did not have the excellent balance that I was gifted with, I would have fallen on my face. There were a couple of tiny, bamboo rooms sprinkled around the garden. The way I knew these where not where the ceremony was to be performed, is that a small stone was placed over the stepping stone leading to the rooms, or a bamboo was laid horizontally, indicating a closed path.
I must have walked for a good ten minutes before I finally spotted the tea house. It was lit by white paper lanterns and had a tabako bon, or smoking box, a little outside and to the left of the paper door.
Sliding off my zori sandals, I took my time and surveyed his gardens. Even though the chilly autumn air made me huddle closer to the paper lanterns for warmth, I felt completely at peace. Though I was painfully aware I was currently somewhere in the heart of Tokyo, waiting to meet the famous scholar, I felt as disconnected from the outside world as I used to feel when I wandered aimlessly through the forest in Okayama. Everything in the garden, even the tea house itself, which I was currently standing beside of, fit perfectly with natures surroundings.
The tea house was made from wooden logs which curiously had their bark still in tact, giving it a very 'living' feeling with the rest of the garden.
The place I was currently waiting under was the sotomachiai which of course consisted of a wooden bench on which to sit and the tabako bon which I have already mentioned. The bench's bark was also intact, reminding me of the times I used to contemplate the moon as I sat on the Cherry Blossom trees. I felt so tranquil here that if that would have been the end of the ceremony, I would not have been the least bit disappointed.
At this point my mind began to focus, remembering where I was and what I had come here to do. I wondered where my host was, and began worrying at what kind of ceremony this was going to be, since the most traditional
Cha-no-yu has the host greeting his guests from the beginning.
I heard quiet footsteps steadily approaching and I stood, revealing my sensu fan from my sleeve.
Joyoni-ji, my host, made a quiet throat sound and I bowed elegantly, being careful in keeping my fan from revealing anything but my eyes in greeting. He then bowed to me, though I noticed his was not as deep a bow as mine had been. No words were shared between us, as that would have disrupted the quiet tranquility of the Cha-no-yu.
He motioned for me to follow him into the tea house. Both of us crawling through the little door. I had already taken my zori shoes of, but kept my white tabi socks on as a sign of respect.
The room was small, about four and a half tatami mats in length and had no decorations what so ever. Of course that's excluding the gorgeous kakemono, or hanging scroll, which was hung ceremoniously in the alcove. I should probably apply what I have learned of the kakemono just incase the information eludes me later on. Usually the host will want to incase the ceremony he is giving with as much nature and tranquility as with art. Don't both go hand in hand? The scroll, usually depicts a Zen teaching, or quotes a famous Tea master. There are two type of kakemono. Calligraphy, bokuseki, and paintings, nanga.
Joyoni-ji had a bobuseki scroll, containing a famous quote from oddly enough one of my favorite poets, Fujiwara no Teika.
In a little hut near the beach
As far as the eye can see,
No flowers or colored leaves bloom
In the serenity of the autumn evening.
At this point I had even more admiration for this man, Joyoni-ji.
Teika had been unknowingly a favorite of mine since I heard Kashuito quote one of his poems in meditation and fell instantly in love with his magical use of words to paint an emotion. When I came across his books, I devoured his works in less than a week.
I admired the scroll, again showing respect for the pains my host took upon himself. I remember being impressed as the scroll was an authentic work of art, probably costing a ridiculous amount of money. Teika had lived if I remember correctly in the fifteen hundredths, and it amazes me that I had been alive during his time. Perhaps I had seen him go by the cave… deep in thought or simply enjoying the nature around him…
"Before tea he will serve you kashi first Cat." Serla reminded me over the phone this morning.
Kashi, tiny sweet cakes, were presented to me in a dark blue plate no wider than my palm. The kashi I was served, I noticed, was the same sweet cake Serla had taught me to make back at the okiya. If I would have been allowed to sigh in relief, I would have. Now that I knew what type this Cha-no-yu ceremony was, I began to relax. The kashi was made from a thick, sweet paste called namagashi. And when ever you are served namagashi, the tea served will be a thick tea.
Sitting directly in front of my host, he set the kashi down in front of me. It had a toothpick which enabled me to handle the kashi with ease as I placed it from the saucer to my tissue paper, by the way I almost forgot to bring along with me tonight. I have to remember to thank Fei later for reminding me…
"O saki ni."
'Please excuse me for eating first.'
The kashi was truly refreshing, yet I could not tell you how sweet or succulent it was … I yet have to acquire my sense of taste for that. Ironic that I be invited to a tea ceremony where the physical goal is to enjoy a good cup of tea. I couldn't tell you the difference between an absolutely awful tea and a divine one. But the good thing I find with my disability is, I can focus completely on the spiritual aspects of it, with no distractions.
After eating the kashi, I bowed in thanks and stepped out for a moment to rinse my mouth in a water bowl placed outside the tea house door. This will ensure the taste of tea will not be jeopardized by the kashi. Again an act totally wasted on me, yet I must honor custom so there I went.
As I returned and kneeled in my former place, a dark blue bowl was already placed between my host an me. I careful raised the bowl with both my hands, much like I would have done if I had wanted to catch raindrops during a rainstorm. I placed the bowl on the edge of the tatami mat I was kneeling on.
"O shoban sasete itadaki."
'I'll partake of your tea.'
Recalling step by step what Serla had taught me, I almost bit my lip, giving away my nervousness.
I caught myself in time, and made to moisten my lips instead.
"Pick up the bowl with your right hand and place it on the palm of your left hand Cat. Slowly, there is no hurry." Serla would say. "Place your fingers of your right hand around it, with the thumb facing you, and make a small bow as a sign of reverence. With the bowl still resting on the palm of your hand, grasp the rim of the bowl with your forefinger and thumb and turn it about ninety degrees clockwise. Take a sip and then comment on how good it tastes, while dropping your right hand on the tatami before your knees. Drink the remaining tea in small sips and when you come to the last sip, inhale deeply Cat, making an audible sound and finish the tea."
As I finished the tea, which I must add was perfectly warm and felt soothing as it made its way down my body, but cool enough to not scald my tongue,
I wiped the rim of the bowl lightly with the tissue paper from left to right, being careful to hold the bowl between my forefinger and thumb.
"With the bowl still resting on your left palm, turn it counterclockwise so that it reverts to its original position before you drank it. Remember Cat, where do your fingers go?"
"My thumb goes at the edge of the bowl … my other four fingers underneath it." I informed Serla during our Cha-no-yu practices.
After the actual action of the tea drinking had passed I placed the empty bowl on the outside of the tatami mat. I spent some time admiring the bowl, giving it its proper attention. I then returned the bowl to its original position in front of my host. You can imagine that I had to pay attention to everything, so as not to forget where he had originally placed it. After it was all done, I vaguely realized I had just performed the Usucha drinking ceremony.
Being so concentrated in performing the ceremony correctly, it was only afterwards that I noticed the kakemono had been replaced by a flower vase hanging from the wall in the alcove. A single flower was placed there, with no obvious arranging technique at all.
It was presented to me in its natural state. In fact Joyoni-ji used the chabana style here. Which inspires to view nature as it is, living within itself and not handled by the human hand. A single bamboo was placed within the vase. I can find no other feeling than the one of strength and sturdiness which the bamboo represents.
I have not yet described Joyoni-ji, since to be honest with myself I was too engrossed with Cha-no-yu to take much importance in him. But now, the ceremony almost over, my gaze traveled from his hands who skillfully mixed the tea, to his face. Joyoni-ji, is I must confess a very beautiful man.
His skin is very smooth, and holds no imperfections. His hair, in a braid is very long, and was curled in a circle next to his side, much like a snake curls up into itself to rest. He was wearing a yukata, and though his was as dull, or even more dull colored than mine, it gave him an air of regality I admired. Through all my mental rambling, I suddenly noticed he had finished cleaning all the utensils and was looking at me just as intensly as I was looking back at him. I knew he valued poetry just as much as Cha-no-yu, and the conversation following the tea ceremony should not be of a very light manner.
"Ichi go ichi e." One chance in one's lifetime.
I spoke what my heart was feeling, and judging by the tiny smile grazing his lips, he approved of my sentiment.
We again crawled out the little door and breathed the fresh autumn air.
"It has been an honor." I bowed, with my sensu fan again hiding my face.
"You are a strange woman in the midst of everything ordinary." He replied as he offered his hand to me.
We began walking through his garden, both silent, enjoying the peacefulness of it all. I was still at odds for the few words he had favored me with, but decided to take them as a compliment.
Contemplating a cherry blossom tree, without warning he suddenly faced me and said,
"High in the sky
There can be seen towering
A tall mountain,
Were one but wish to climb it
A path of ascent exists."
He held his arms behind his back and with legs wide apart he stood, awaiting my response.
I lowered my hand, the one holding the sensu fan, and with confidence I answered,
"For the times to come
And of meeting what must be met
All of our people
Must be taught to walk along
The path of sincerity."
I finished with a smile as I quoted Japanese's late Emperor Meiji's waka poem. He smiled along with me and bowed his head. We walked around his garden.
And after a while he lead us to the chumon, and as he jingled a bamboo wind chime that hung next to the door, the same servant who greeted me appeared a few seconds later.
"I will be seeing you in the national Otsukimi Geisha Catara-san."
I smiled at his assurance I would go to the Emperor's
private 'Chushu-no-Meigetsu', viewing of the moon. No matter how important Joyoni-ji might be, or how much I admire his intellect, I have not bowed my will to any Emperor. As for intellect, I can say that I was acquainted intimately with the smartest person ever, and I did not bend to her wishes either.
"This has been a momentous occasion and I thank you Joyoni-ji-san." I used the same familiarity with his name as he used on mine. "Tell me do you believe in chance?"
"Very often chance is what drives this world." Joyoni-ji-san answered amused at my change in conversation.
"Well lets leave our next meeting to chance, and lets see where she takes us."
I bowed again, being very dramatic in my gesture and stepped out of the roji. I couldn't suppress my grin at the sight of his surprised face. I bet no one has dismissed an invitation to meet the Emperor with such ease, or I should say no one has dismissed it at all. Well I'm not normal, as he so noted earlier tonight, and I live by my own rules.
I wished I would have brought Uncle Basho's tiny camera to remember the look he had on his face as I left. Oh well, it's in my mind and that will have to do.
* * * * *
"Kukune!" Tenchi smiled as he bent over the bed, hugging his friend, grateful the operation had been a success.
"Hi Tenchi! Takumi told me you were by his side all through this. Thank you."
Tenchi dismissed her thanks with a jovial wave of his hand. "Please, I would not have left his side for anything."
"That's right honey. He kept me sane when I almost knocked out a nurse." Takumi laughed and slapped Tenchi lightly on the back. All three friends smiling and laughing at the good fortune now brought upon them.
"So how long until you can go back to the loft?" Tenchi asked.
"Just a couple of more days." Takumi answered as he walked to the other side of the bed, and held his lover's hand. Tenchi's eyes unknowingly softened at the love and devotion his roommates offered each other.
"How is your family? I wish to thank them for coming to the hospital. I wish to especially thank Mihoshi." Kukune said this slowly, searching Tenchi's features for any emotions which might arise suddenly.
"Yes. They send their prayers to you."
"Will they come to see me?"
"I think wild horses couldn't keep them away Kukune-san." Tenchi smiled. "Sasami sends some green tea."
"Ah… she read my mind Tenchi. I hate hospital food." Kukune smiled appreciatively as she opened the container, smelling the tea with gusto. "Takumi dear could you bring some hot water?"
"How am I suppose to do that? If they catch me smuggling food to your room, I'll get a lecture an hour long from the nurse."
"It's not food, but hot water. Please?" Kukune pouted a little and smiled when he nodded his head and left the room in search for the hot water.
"Damn. I forgot to ask for cups and honey."
"You want me to go get them?" Tenchi offered as he already was walking to the door.
"No it's okay. He can go get them when he gets back. I want to talk to you." Kukune smiled and signaled to the empty chair next to the bed.
"How has school been? Does your father know that you don't want to be an architect yet?"
"It hasn't been on the top of my list of things to do lately… but I don't think he'll be too disappointed." Tenchi smiled sheepishly as his old habit of scratching the back of hi neck returned.
"I don't think so either. He's your dad, and I think he'll be happy just seeing you doing something you enjoy."
"Yeah you're right."
"So … tell me. How do you know the geisha?" Kukune opted for the honest approach and not beat around the bush for half an hour waiting for Tenchi to open up. She always hated hypocritical people who maneuvered you to tell them what they wanted to know, and she wasn't going to be one of them. If Tenchi did not want to speak, then she would change the subject instantly.
Tenchi did not flinch, or shy away from her. Instead his eyes shown in what Kukune could only think was the determination Takumi had seen in him that night in the hospital.
"I see Takumi made the connection between her and the paintings." Tenchi asked without really asking at all. "Has she come by?"
Kukune shook her head, and waited for his reaction. When none came she decided to tell her what Takumi said.
"No she hasn't, but she did ask to be notified when I regained consciousness. She might want to see me."
"Has she been notified?"
"I don't know. Takumi was taking care of it. Personally I would like to thank her for the pains she took in getting me that transplant. I found out it was quite a circus that night, with all the reporters who came."
"A complete zoo."
Kukune smiled at Tenchi's analogy.
"So she's the one responsible for all your sleepless nights huh?"
"Yeah, that's her."
"Now that you saw her … how do you feel?"
"I think this all happened because of a misunderstanding … I think I know exactly what misunderstanding…" Tenchi paused, searching for the rights words to continue. "But I also think that she has changed too much. Misunderstanding or not… she's now a different person. And I guess I am too."
"Do you still love her?"
Tenchi looked at Kukune for a long while before answering, "Yes."
"You know this past month I have been racking my brain, trying to figure out what exactly is different in her. Obviously she is a geisha. More reserved and refined. But even that I know any one can change into with discipline… It's something else… something deeper that changed."
Kukune listened to her friend, letting his words sink in so as she might be able to help in any way possible.
"Then a few nights ago, I was watching television and they were doing a report on a party the governor of Kyoto had and she was there, Ryoko. Smiling into the camera and looking so happy. The TV was saying something about her being Kyoto's famous import to Tokyo but I really wasn't listening. I couldn't keep my eyes of her. The way she moved, and the complete confidence she displayed. She held her head like an empress. Ryoko's always been confident in herself, but this time it wasn't a contest to see if she could out shine everyone else… it was simply that she DID outshine everyone else without even trying."
Tenchi sighed and Kukune could see the slight moisture in his eyes.
"I came to the conclusion … Ryoko has finally grown up."
"Okay I smuggled the goods." Came Takumi's teasing reply as he brought a large cup full of steaming water under his coat. He shut the door quietly behind him, and whistling placed the tea bag in the water.
"Are you going to try and see her again?" Kukune asked?
Takumi lowered his whistling, guessing who they must have been talking about before he entered.
"Yes."
Tenchi looked from Kukune to Takumi and back again.
"And I will need your help."
Thanks to: (credit where credit is due)
Sen'o Tanaka
Works : Usui Reiki Hikkei
* Note: I received a lot of e-mails asking of last chapter had been the end… I never planned for it to be … but I was tempted to end it at that after the idea had been said. Yet I think there are some things which need to be resolved and I could not tear myself away.