Disclaimer: You know the drill. Wish is a creation of CLAMP and other respective owners. I however own, Ameijusto and Suishou, so no stealing, okay?
Author's Notes: I'm rather at a lost at what exactly to write here. Despite my best efforts last summer I was unable to complete the story as promised. And so I resolve not to make anymore empty promises since I never seem to quite make the deadlines I set. The story will be complete it due time. I have all the remaining chapters mapped out, so all that needs to be done is to write.
THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HAS REVIEWED! PLEASE CONTINUE TO DO SO!
REVIEWING MAKES ME HAPPY AND GENERALLY MOTIVATES ME TO WRITE!
In other news, I've recently come back from year of study abroad in Japan, which is something I normally wouldn't have mentioned but its completion was vital for the companion story I plan on writing for Heaven and Hell. I'm not at liberty to discuss the contents at the moment but stay tuned for more details. Now that I have your interest peaked- ON TO THE STORY:)
A WISH Fanfiction
HEAVEN AN HELL
(Chapter Ten: All Things New and Interesting)
The hour is late. Under normal circumstances Kokuyo and Hisui would be sleeping or at least in bed at these late hours, however nothing of the present situation could ever be considered normal. Whenever demons and angels gathered casually on the realm of Earth than the natural order of things i.e. normalcy can automatically be throw out the window. Indeed, nothing and no one was behaving as they should.
At the low-standing table four unlikely people sit in silence while cups of green tea begin to steam and cool. Posted at each side of the table sat Kokuyo, Hisui, Kouryuu and Ameijusto. No one knew quite what to say, which perhaps was appropriate. After all who would ever expect Kouryuu to appear with an angel in tow, regardless of her beauty, she was an unlikely companion for Kouryuu, even his cousin had to admit that. That was not the issue now. Now, decisions need to make about what to do next.
Kokuyo surveyed the company with open amusement behind his dark eyes. His gaze lingered on the girl more so than any other. An angel. Who would have thought this is what you meant, Kouryuu? Not that I can blame you, she is lovely. Her dark features will compliment your own. I just can't believe… Happy endings are rare when love between angels and demons occur." He silently counted himself lucky to have Hisui at his side. Kokuyo continued to think about the interstices of love between the realms, and Ameijusto shifted uncomfortable.
Kokuyo made her nervous. Understandable. Kokuyo even in the most commanding figures in Hell stuck fear in their swiveled, black hearts. It's of little wonder looking at his paternal lineage. From the moment Ameijusto and Kouryuu stepped through the doors of the house, Kokuyo gaze never left her direction. His black eyes burned into her, seeking her life's secrets. Secrets that Ameijusto at present was not willing to tell. Ever since they retreated from the genkan into family room her eyes fixated on her folded hands placed on her lap. On the few occasions that she had looked up, the swirling black holes of his irises awaited her. Ten, thirty, fifty minutes? How long had this stalemate gone on? To be honest, she couldn't really be sure but now its duration made her restless and her body mirrored those uneasy thoughts, shifting uncontrollably.
Kouryuu seemed rather oblivious to the cause of Ameijusto current agitated state nor did he really care. All that he wanted was to soothe her, and ease over the tense conversation or the lack there of that he was a party to. He placed an arm around her shoulders and slowly drew in her into his chest. She openly welcomed his presence and relaxed slightly.
Hisui looked at Kokuyo who merely shrugged. "Well.." He began as he clapped his hands together and stood from the table. "Its very late, and I am sure that everyone is very tired. There is nothing that we can do tonight. Why don't we continue this tomorrow once everyone is rested. Kouryuu and Ameijusto I'll prepare a room for you two."
"Thanks", Kouryuu thanked his warmly. Gratitude was also repeated by Ameijusto shortly thereafter.
"Please follow me." With Kouryuu and Ameijusto in tow, Hisui lead them down a series of halls before eventually stopping in front of a pair of sliding doors. Inside was a fairly large tatami room, lightly furnished with a kotatsu, lamps and chairs. "Here we are. I hope this is big enough for your needs." He didn't even wait for an answer before going over and opening the camouflaged closet and pulling out a futon, pillows and blankets.
Ameijusto yawned despite herself. The long hours of the day or more correctly the long hours of the previous day had taken her tow more so than she had expected. Suddenly her body's weariness crept upon her, exhausting her to the very bone. Kouryuu smiled at this before following suit. No matter the grave circumstances of the day, Ameijusto giggled at him. Somehow he looked like a child keep awake long after his usual bedtime. It was adorable.
"I'm finished. Good night." Hisui smiled wholeheartedly before exiting the room, and seeking his own comfortable quarters with Kokuyo around the corner.
Ameijusto was slightly startled when Hisui spoke again. She had nearly forgotten that another person was in the room with them, and she was even more alarmed when she noticed that before leaving Hisui only arranged a single futon. She stood there dumbfounded for a moment, unavailable to quite form her protest into words.
She became aware again that Kouryuu was beside her. He leaned toward her slightly speaking softly into her left ear. His hair tickling the skin of her cheek. "Change for bed." Ameijusto blushed at the statement that would mean she would have to…
Kouryuu noticed her hesitation and sighed. "I'll turn the other way while you transform." He turned his back and waited. He was bemused by her extreme sense of honest but thought better of berating her for it. She was an angel after all and not one of those tarts he fooled around with in Hell. Ameijusto blushed again. He was being very considerate of her feelings and she truly appreciated it.
She changed quickly and called for Kouryuu to turn around. She now wore a simple long shaft that fit appropriately to the curves of her body. It was nothing extravagant- they were only going to sleep. Again, he placed an arm around her shoulders and led her to bed. He held the blanket while she wiggled her way underneath it.
"What about you? Where will you sleep?" Her voice was small as she asked and she kept her gaze averted.
Kouryuu sat at her side, and pulled the blankets around her snuggly before leaning downwards to planet a kiss upon her brow. A smiled toyed with his lips. "I'll watch you sleep." His smiled broadened as his desired response was achieved. Ameijusto blushed furiously, tugging at the blanket to hide her total embarrassment. A few moments later she relaxed, partly due to her own fatigue and partly to the fact that Kouryuu had begun gently stroking her loose hair. She lost herself in the moment, and was sleep almost as soon as she closed her eyes.
Kouryuu stayed some time, just to reassure himself that she was comfortably sleep before seeking his own accommodations elsewhere in the house.
The night fades slowly into a dazzling daybreak without further incident. The day begins early for Ameijusto. She alone is awake before all the other members of the household as far as she could tell. This should be no surprise. Angels since the beginning of time have always been creatures of the morning, preferring to wake at the first rays of the sun, and work long after sunset. Unlike their counterparts, demons, who are nocturnal, with sensitivities geared for evening consciousness.
Before transforming into today's apparel, she put away the futon and other accessories that had been laid out for her the night before. She was silently thankful, that she had paid attention to where Hisui stored the items last night, so she would not bother him with such petty details the next day. Once the room was clean, she opened up the sliding doors that led to covered outside walkway and then another set of doors that overlooked the garden.
It was quite within the home, but outside was a storm of activities. Different arrays of birds are awake and chirping, ringing in the glorious new day. They swooped down from the trees in the garden and pecked about the lawn, looking for their morning meal. Sweet tweeting of the animals was not the only thing that Ameijusto heard. Beyond the walls of the garden humans were stirring. The whishing of cars, horns, and other faint sounds could be heard although she couldn't be exactly sure what was making those noises. All this she awoke to. The one thing that was missing when she woke was Kouryuu. He'd been with her while she slept at least for a time, of that she was certain, but where has gone to she couldn't be sure.
"Kouryuu..." She felt bad for pushing him away last night, but their new status in their relationship was going to take a little to get used to.
She sat on the walkway and let her legs dangle over the edge. The sunlight streamed into the room, and over ran it with brilliant light. It warmed her all over. It wasn't long before the birds flittering about in the garden wafted over to her. Ameijusto has been starring blankly into the distance when several blue birds landed a few feet away from her on the grass. It was their constant chirping that brought her crashing back to reality and her senses.
She blinked once. "Sorry." She looked down lovingly at her animal intruders. "I was off in my own world so I didn't see you there." They took flight and this time landed on the outer walk-way which she sat on. Three surrounded her on all sides nipping playfully at her clothing, pulling it between their tiny beaks. They were trying to will her into motion. While the fourth, bolder than the other three, circled around her several times singing excitedly until Ameijusto held her hand out for it to perch upon. She laughed. "Thank you for the warm welcome all of you."
A sudden call from inside came then. "Ameijusto, Kouryuu! Breakfast is ready!"
"Well, there you have it. Breakfast is ready and I should go. Another morning perhaps." All four birds retreat again into the foliage.
Without another word, Ameijusto began her search. She tired hard to remember the path last night that had taken her from the sitting room to the bedroom but failed completely. Instead she wandered from room to room counting them as she peered into them. "One, two, three, four, five…" In this fashion she happened upon seven different rooms but all of them wrong. 'This place is like a maze." Just as she was about to give up when she saw some sort of movement out of the corner of her eye, she turned and followed it directly into the last night's sitting room.
"There you are. I was just about to send Kokuyo to find you. I'm glad to see you that you found your way around the house." Hisui spoke cheerfully as he brought several small dishes of pickles from the kitchen to the table. Kouryuu and Kokuyo were there waiting patient for the beginning of the meal.
"Good morning everyone and thank you." Ameijusto sat at the table, choosing the seat next to Kouryuu. She smiled at him. "Good morning, Kouryuu". He kissed her fleetingly on the lips for his own greeting.
"Morning." He smiled devilishly as he pulled away. Ameijusto looked visibly flustered. She wasn't quite sure how to take such displays of affection in front of Kokyo and Hisui.
Kokuyo raised his eyebrows but said nothing.
At length, Hisui emerged from the kitchen again, carrying the final plates. "Well, shall we eat."
In unison all four said, "Itadakimasu" (), before reaching for their chopsticks and eating, all except Ameijusto that is. As an angel, the ingestion of animals is prohibited. In place of the rice, fish, and other items that the others were eating, was a large cup of milk.
Ameijusto slipped casually from her cup, trying hard to hide her disgust. If truth be known, the spectacle made her sick to watch that's why she preferred to stare into the depths of the opaque substance contained in her cup. "Kouryuu where did you finally end up sleeping last night?"
Kouryuu's mouth was poised to take a bite the fish held between his chopsticks. He bit and swallowed before responding to her question. "I slept in the garden." Quickly before she had a chance to protest he continued, "Its fine really. I couldn't get comfortable in the house for some reason, so I went outside."
Hisui looked them surprised. "You two didn't sleep together? I was certain…" He hadn't even thought to lay out another futon the other night. "I am sorry, Kouryuu. If I had known I would have—"
"It really is okay. I know where things are in the house. I just needed to be outside. I promise you that's all." He was lying. There was no need to worry them about it. He didn't want them to know that he'd paced up and down the house most of the night unable to fine enough to sleep.
During these exchanges Kokuyo never stopped eating. He silently absorbed everything happening around him. 'I wonder why Kouryuu lied to them? No matter. I'll get it out of him later.' Ever since they were children it had been easy for Kokuyo to know when Kouryuu was lying.
"Gochisousama"(). Kokuyo stood abruptly from the table taking his plates with him. Before he cleared the room completely he caught Kouryuu's attention. The sooner they talked the better.
"Kokuyo you're done already?" He was already gone.
No sooner than Kokuyo has gone, Kouryuu also excused himself from his half-eaten meal. Ameijusto was left alone with Hisui.
If so inclined anyone could have found Kokuyo and Kouryuu that morning. They were perched high on the branched of a large tree in the garden. This tree was accustomed to these sorts of meetings. Every time a private conversation needed to conducted, or the privacy provided by the house was in question the same tree was used. It was some distance from the house so there would be little chance that any eavesdropping, intentional or otherwise.
Kokuyo sat with his hands folded on the tallest branch and Kouryuu was below him resting his back on its trunk.
"Kouryuu. Do you realize what you've done?" It wasn't the most diplomatic way to start but it was done, and the challenge made.
"I've done nothing that you haven't!" Kouryuu was ire rose quickly becoming irritated. How dare Kokuyo questioning his methods! As he recalled his own tactics were less than honorable.
Kokuyo sighed. "Indeed. The real question is what do you plan to do now? Hell will be in an uproar once they discover that you've done. And you can't stay here. You have to know that?"
Kouryuu was mad again. Was Kokuyo baiting him? "Do you think I don't know that!" He thrashed his arms about. "I know. This will be the first place that everyone, Angels and Demons, will look." He waited a moment to calm down before continuing "We have a couple of days at least, but not much more than that. Maybe even less"
"What of the girl? Is this really what she wants?"
Kouryuu stopped and really thought about it. He'd never really considered what Ameijusto wanted. Their decision had been made in a split second. In any case, there aren't that many places in all the three realms where angels and demons could be together. Is this what she would want? Their every steps would be haunted- angels and demons constantly dogging their every steps. What kind of life would that be for them? An eternity on the run! 'I love her and I know that she loves me, but is that going to be enough for what awaits them. Where does her heart truly lay?'
"I don't know." Next Kouryuu told him everything, most of which he already knew. But Kouryuu went into further details. He told him every single thought that ran through his head, at every moment. The one thing he neglected was that she's Hisui's successor. Kokuyo didn't need to know. What harm could come from his ignorance of her true identity in Heaven?
Back in the house, Ameijusto tries to have a tentative conversation with Hisui, still around breakfast.
thod Hisui sat his tea back on the table. "Ameijusto what do you do in Heaven?"
Ameijusto faltered. It's not at if she wasn't expecting the question. It's inevitable. It just she didn't know how to answer.
"I teach."
"Oh really. What exactly? When I was still in Heaven, I also was a teacher. I was in charge of magical theory and advanced magical applications. I've probably taught more but those were my most interesting classes I think."
"I remember all those." True. They were interesting but as she recalled extremely difficult classes. It wasn't uncommon for angels to retake those courses. In fact, she's taken advanced magical applications twice. "Hard stuff. There's was so much reading for those courses. I spent the better part of my days in the library. Tokio-sama teaches those classes now."
Hisui smirked. "I can well imagine what those classes are like now that Tokio teaches them."
Ameijusto laughed lightly in turn. "Yeah. Hard, but well worth it in the end." They finished their tea in this manner, making casual conversation about Heaven. It was an extremely cautious at least on Ameijusto's side. She was intently aware to whom she was talking to-- All too aware. At every little question she was forced to analyze what her response should be. She had absolutely no desire tell Hisui that she was his replacement as the Archangel of the Wind. However it wasn't that simple, indeed there was more to it than that. Ameijusto was in denial. 'I love Kouryuu. However, I am making all the same mistakes. I don't want to be that type of person-a hypocrite. But that's what I have become.'
For a fleeting moment all the concern Hisui was desperately trying to hide appeared on his otherwise serene face. There was something about this angel that remained a mystery about this girl. Although she answered every inquiry with honesty at times he could sense that there was something missing from her account. The impression was momentary, gone in the same instance that it was detected. Something else was bothering him these days as well. Beginning several months ago, his powers were on the fritz. Sometimes they would produce the normal results but more often than not, the spell would completely backfire or not work at all. Hisui was worried that he could not longer control his powers, and worse yet, he couldn't bring himself to tell Kokuyo. Their life on Earth thankfully provided him with few opportunities to use his magical powers.
No matter what he thought there was no way for him to confirm his suspiciousness'. For not he would let the matter go. Resolved, he excused himself from the table and began to clear away the cups and tea pots.
Meanwhile, outside Kouryuu and Kokuyo continue to talk.
Kokuyo sighed. He now knew more about their relationship than perhaps he bargained for. However, he reasoned that knowing this angel has done Kouryuu tremendous good. He could see the love in his eyes every time he spoke about her and the firmness in his resolve. All those things were admirable in him now but somehow he felt unsure about the whole thing.
"Kouryuu before you let this get any further. Find out where her heart lies."
Kouryuu nodded in agreement. Without saying another word, Kouryuu stood gracefully from his perch in the tree, brushed the dirt and leaves from his clothing, than leapt to the ground. Kokuyo remained, watching him talk towards the house. Seconds later, Hisui appeared himself, planting a deep kiss on his lover's lips. Kokuyo accepted his affection openly.
"Kokuyo, what's wrong?" Hisui took over the branch that Kouryuu previously had occupied and waited for an answer.
"I don't know what to think about this situation, Hisui. Heaven and Hell can't afford to have another 'us'."
"People cannot help whom they fall in love with Kokuyo. I would think that by now you'd know this."
"Don't misunderstand me. I do. I have no questions on the complicated matters of love. I am simply saying that the authorities of Heaven and Hell can't afford to make the same judgment for them as they did for us. This time I don't think that they will make it. And if it fails, I will be the one to blame. I was the one that coaxed him to make a move. I think that this will end badly, Hisui, and there is little that I can do to prevent it."
"Kokuyo you maybe right. However I refuse to believe it. I'll tell you what I think. Kouryuu is the happiest I've ever seen him all because of this girl. No matter what my heart may be telling me, I will believe in them. Their relationship deserves a chance." Hisui spoke with confidence, trying to relieve not only his concerns but also Kokuyo's.
Kokuyo was silently thankful for Hisui's optimism. 'Kouryuu I hope I'm wrong.'
Ameijusto sat alone in the house. One by one everyone slowly disappeared to one place or another leaving her alone to dwell on her own thoughts. Or at least it would have if she had not remembered a little promised she'd made much earlier in the day. With a smile, she opened the sliding doors that lead into the garden.
The sun was shining brightly, burning with a greater intensity than the early morning rays that Ameijusto already enjoyed. She whistled for the birds that she'd met earlier but they were nowhere to be found. Sighing, she looked around her. In the heat of the sun, the flourishing plants and trees in the garden would soon wither.
"Well while I'm here I might was well be useful." Ameijusto began to chant a water element spell, cupping her hands together at her chest as she did so. As expected an unexplained gust of wind enveloped her, lifting her into several feet in the air. Spell-casting always fascinated her. Every spell that anyone ever cast drew its power from within the spellcaster. The spell could only being as strong as their will and determination.
She could feel that energy taking form within her cupped hands, gathering strength as she neared the completion of her chant. 'Ready'. The energy exploded through the air and created a brief shower, raining relief from the heat to the planets below. Ameijusto was careful not to maneuver her body out of the scope of the spell as to not get completely drenched.
Satisfied she returned to the ground surveying her work with obvious pride. That is until Kouryuu came stomping through the bushes, dripping wet. He could only look at her, at a lost for words. Not that he could even see her, his bangs spotted his vision as they hung well into his eyes. Ameijusto stifled a laugh. She could hardly help it. He looked so absolutely miserable and handsome at the same time.
"Kouryuu, I'm sorry about that. If I knew you were in the garden I wouldn't have done that." She was at his side in a moment, moving his hair to get a better view of his face. He only looked her for a moment, continuing the silence with which he entered the scene.
'I hope he's not mad at him,' Ameijusto thought. She couldn't be entirely sure. She put a hand on his shoulder, trying to comfort him. "I'm really sorry." She apologized again.
Without warning he smiled and made a grab for her. She was able to dance out of his reach before he could get a real hold on her.
She laughed. "What are you trying to do? You're all wet!"
"Exactly." He winked at her.
"Oh." She didn't need to hear anything else. The chase was on. Jokingly, Kouryuu began to chase her around, every now and then making a grab for her. Ameijusto was dodging with great success, bobbing up and down, and between the trees and bushes of the garden. This went on for a couple minutes, each of them laughing heartedly. Eventually, he was able to catch a handful of her robes with he used to reel her in, struggling. Once she was within range he firmly wrapped his arms around her waist from behind and spinning her to face him.
"You're soaking wet! C'mon Kouryuu, let go would you. It's seeping through." Even as she exclaimed against him, she was laughing without little sign of control.
"No way! It's punishment for doing it in the first place."
"That's not fair. I didn't even know that you were there." Ameijusto continued to struggle, but Kouryuu only laughed gently. It was futile. He wasn't going to let go, besides it would only take her a few seconds to change once she got the chance. Ameijusto stopped struggling; instead she placed her hands on his chest, finishing brushing his hair away from his eyes that she'd began earlier.
"Alright. I forgive you this one time." He winked and smiled which was returned before brushing a soft kiss on her lips.
Hand in hand he led the way back to the house and too the outer platform. Ameijusto averted her eyes while he transformed into something a little less wet. When he finished he plopped himself down next to her. Kouryuu now sported a more human look. His black wings were gone, his normally pointed ears were rounded, and even his eyes became a dark brown color with a red tint. He wore a type of clothing that she'd seen before. He was simply clad, wearing baggy pants and shirt; it was a departure from his flamboyant style. "This is first time to Earth, so what would you like to do today? We don't have to stay cooped up here all day."
To be honest, Ameijusto hadn't given much thought about today's activities. "I don't know." Earth was a vast place and she had no way of knowing where on it they were now. That meant she would have no clue what would be an interesting place to visit.
He drew her closer to him, draping an arm around her shoulders. "Don't worry. How about we just look around and see what we find? What do you think?"
"That sounds great. I'll get changed."
Hours later and a couple subway transfers the two emerged, both wearing human-esque appearances, from the Tokyo Station a mere 500 meters from the Imperial Palace ().
"It's beautiful." From the distance they could begin to see the high walls of the moat surrounding the pristinely preserved castle walls and the impressive wooden gates. It was a sight to behold. "Kouryuu, it's absolutely beautiful." Her face was beaming with excitement, and in the presence of her radiant aura, Kouryuu could do nothing but return her infectious smile. She grabbed his hands which were previously shoved in his pockets, and hurriedly tugged him along. They rushed along the street, eyes shining with the Imperial Palace before them. Under normal circumstances the Palace would hold no thrill for Kouryuu-he'd seen it hundreds of times. However with Ameijusto clinging to his arm, somehow it's as if he'd never even been to Earth before. He was beginning to see things with fresh set of eyes, opening his senses to all things new and interesting. (Author's Note: Shameful use of the title of the chapter, I know. Bear with me here.)
At length, they entered the gravel filled field, which led up to one the guarded gates. Many visitors were standing around marveling in its towering presence or the novelty of being at the doorstep of the Imperial family ().
Ameijusto was soaking everything in as best she could. Her senses were on overload. Everything seemed familiar and yet at the same time seemed so different that anything she's ever seen, touch, heard, and felt. Something that continued to catch her attention at every glance was human couple behavior. Couples were more than just openly affectionate. She couldn't quite describe what she felt when looking at them. Perhaps it was a longing-longing to truly belong on God's most prized creations; wishing with all her heart that she wasn't what she was and Kouryuu was a different person. No matter what her desires were nothing but a miracle could bring her the type of life that these humans freely enjoyed. She felt sad and simultaneously rejoiced at all she had been given.
Somehow without knowing when, she reached out for Kouryuu, wrapping her arm around his. She took comfort in him as he led the way around the castle to the entrance of the eastern garden.
It took some time to cross to the other side of the castle, but the duration was spent pleasantly enjoying the sunshine and one another.
"What do you think?"
"About Earth?" Ameijusto thought about it for a moment as they entered garden, where several others were already lounging on the lush lawn. "It's nice to finally visit His creation. As I look around, everyone appears happy, laughing, smiling. Earth must be a nice place to live."
Kouryuu couldn't agree with her more. He'd long called Earth a 'sanctuary' so he wouldn't be the one to gainsay it now. She looked at him trying to get a feel on him, but failed. Instead he nudged her towards the vending machine and then the grass.
"Let's get something to drink before we sit down." Ameijusto nodded in agreement. Kouryuu selected a PET bottle of green tea for himself and of course, milk for her. He didn't even bother to ask for her preference.
Leisurely they chose a space where their nearest neighbor was at least several yards away. The tone turned serious when Kouryuu set down his bottle which he has been fidgeting with in his hands.
"Ameijusto. In the days that come we will have to face some hard decisions and I need to know what will happen for us now?" He waited a moment before continuing, "We can only stay here for a couple of days. Everyone will be looking for us-from above and below. I---"
She silenced him, gently pressing her fingertips to his lips. Now that she had his attention, she lowered her eyes, eyebrows knotted in thought. "I know. We will be on the run if we are to remain together. Things will begin to get rough, but as long as I am with you none of that matters." Kouryuu softened, he could have kissed her then, and instead he pulled her in rather forcefully for a hug. It took her off balance, forcing her to put the majority of her weight on him.
In her hushed voiced she added, "I don't know what the future will hold for us. Will it be misery? Bliss? Only time will tell, all I know is that I want to be with you through it all."
Although she could see it, Kouryuu smiled broadly. "I love you."
She put her arms around him, completing their embrace. "I love you too."
He held his hand out for her drawing her up from the grass.
"Let's go home."
Thank you for reading Chapter Ten!
Please Read and Review!
I hope to see you again for Chapter Eleven, Desperate.
Akuma
STORY NOTES
() In unison all four said, "Itadakimasu" (), before reaching for their chopsticks and eating, all except Ameijusto that is.
Ah. "Itadakimasu", literally, (He/ she/ it receives.)That's a word I heard about a million and half times while in Japan- half of which was probably spoken by me. It said at the beginning of a meal, and is comparable to the English equivalent of "Thanks (for the food)/ I'm receiving". Japan has a complex giving and receiving culture of gift giving, and other things that fall under that category. For example there are 6 different verbs for 'to give' depending on whether is being given to me, or I'm giving it to someone else, and then the level of politeness you wish to show the individual or the politeness they wish to show you. Complicated, right?Anyway, 'Itadakimasu', deprives from the verb 'itadaku'. And is one of two receiving verbs and the most polite.
Well there you have it. There's my little entreaty on Japanese language for you. I claim no expertise in it, lord knows, I'm still learning.
() "Gochisousama".
Think of 'Itadakimasu' and 'Gochisousama' as a pair. Said after meals and meaning the equilvant of "It was a feast."
It was a variety of uses. For example, let's say you're at a ramen house in Japan, and you want to indicate that you're ready to go, but you have no bill, etc. Just say 'Gochisousama' and you'll be rung up in due time or given you bill. I speak from personal experience on this. :) You can add 'deshita' to the end to make it more polite.Also, at more fine didn't restaurants you can kind of thank your servers/ staff as you leave by saying 'Gochisousama', kind of meaning that you liked you meal. I suppose its sort of expressing appreciation in the food industry.
() "Hours later and a couple subway transfers the two emerged, both wearing human-esque appearances, from the Tokyo Station a mere 500 meters from the Imperial Palace."
The Imperial Palace lies practically in the middle of Tokyo, and as you can imagine since it is a major tourist site for Japanese and foreigners alike, there are many JR stations and subway stations that allow you access. Tokyo Station is the busiest of the all. It is a MAJOR transfer site for commuters. It's freaking huge with (probably) hundreds of exits. Its one of the those places you don't ever want to be lost it cause you may not ever find your way out again! I kid you not. I hate that place, but it's convenient if you want to get to the transfer to a different line like the Musashi Line that takes you Tokyo Disneyland:) laughs Also you can access the Diet Building, which is where Japanese politicians conduct busy, easily identified from its unusual pyramid shape.
()Many visitors were standing around marveling in its towering presence or the novelty of being at the doorstep of the Imperial family.
I just thought I would mention that visitors aren't really allowed admission into the palace like you can have tours in the White House. There is only one garden that visitors are allowed to tour on an everyday basis. That's not to say that the Palace doesn't up at all, its just that's its only 2-3 times a year. I believe those times are at New Year's and the Emperor's Birthday, which is during Golden Week (I think). Nevertheless, it's worth the train rise though, if just to see the moat with swans floating around in it.
Author's Notes: Sorry about the format. I am having trouble making the editing manager of keep the idents of the paragraphs and the stars. Does anyone know how to fix those problems. Help would greatly be appreciated!