Code of the Samurai
Wufei and Noin soon found themselves dating though it was pretty much as it had always been with them with the occasion kiss and hot look thrown in. Wufei was of course very thankful to learn that Noin wasn't into chick flicks as a general rule so he was spared that small agony and in gratitude attempted to follow Quatre's instructions to the letter. In other words he inadvertedly caused more gossip when he sent her flowers and on another occasion got her more of those brownies. As a result people were always finding time to drop in Noin's office making it hard to get in to see her much less speak to her without people breathing down their necks. They'd decided together to keep their relationship to themselves since things were just getting started and their friends were bound to stick their noses into things if they knew. As it was the girls were constantly hounding Noin about her Mr. M as he'd been dubbed much to Wufei's exasperation since Noin wasn't giving out his name. So Noin was taking the brute of the gossips and questions while all Wufei had to put up with was the girl's speculations which were pretty bad and just as annoying. Apparently if she'd dumped Milliardo for him then the female population had decided that Mr. M had to be pretty damn great so there was a lot of speculation as to how good a kisser he was and how good he'd be in bed, the latter being a guaranteed way to send him choking back choice words. As a direct result of this Wufei had taken to eating lunch in his office or outside to avoid the cafeteria chatter much to everyone but Noin's confusion. But if he had to hear one more discussion about his so called kissing technique he was going to scream. Or better yet kill someone. Killing someone was more appealing usually when the topic of himself and Lucreazia came up. Meanwhile things between Noin and Milliardo continued as they were with neither quite knowing what to do to break the ice and having a bit too much pride to apologize, especially when they didn't think they owed the other one.
)
A Saturday Afternoon
"This is so weird." Noin said under her breath as she and Wufei walked down the busy street, Noin try to look everywhere at once and feeling just a little out of place and self conscious. They were in a part of the city she'd never been to before and as it was largely populated by people of Asian descent everywhere she looked she was surrounded by people who as a majority were shorter then she was. Plus she didn't see many others from other ethnical backgrounds like herself which was another cultural shock as well. She'd never been anywhere where she was a minority unless you counted being a women in an army full of mostly men. But there were other women here, much smaller, dainty and delicate looking women who made her feel bit like a tomboy giant. Plus they were all so pretty, Asians just had the luck of the draw and were generally good looking, Noin thought with an inner sigh as she turned her head to look at Wufei. He'd purchased a book at the last store they'd stopped at and was apparently attempting to walk and read bits and pieces at the same time. Seeing that he was about to collide with someone Noin moved to grab his arm but he was already moving out of the way without a hitch in his stride. Her grandfather was the only one she knew who could pull that off and Noin said so, smiling at him warmly.
Looking up from his book Wufei smiled back at her then realizing he was kind of ignoring her forced himself to put the book back in the bag. "What's weird?" Wufei asked having heard her earlier comment but had opted mentally to finish his paragraph before he asked.
"Being a minority...and this feels so foreign and exotic to me even though I've lived in this city since the war ended. It's amazing home many different cultures can exist in one place." Noin said with a shrug as she inhaled the air which was filled with scents both familiar and foreign. "And we've been getting some questioning looks at that. You come here often don't you?"
)
"Often enough that most people who's shops I frequent recognize me as being a regular." Wufei said thoughtfully, looking around to see a few people give him curious looks. Then again he and Sally had gotten the same looks the few times they'd come here together and he'd even brought Maxwell here once which had been an experience to say the least. He supposed that even in this time and place people would always see more differences then similarities when they looked at the people around them. "I usually come at least once a month to buy my teas and stock up on a few things not found in normal grocery stores so I know my way around and a few shopkeepers by name. I just have a few more stops and then we can head out after we've succeeded in our mission for today." Wufei said, pleased to see her beam with pleasure at the reminder of why they were here. Wufei had decided that Noin had progressed far enough that she could and should practice on her own and to do that she needed something to practice with. He'd given her a wooden sword to test out and now she was eager to upgrade to the real thing which brought then to today's mission. They were spending the early afternoon doing some shopping he'd needed to get done and going to a shop Wufei knew of that sold swords as well as just about everything else. Calling ahead a week ago Wufei had informed the owner that he was bringing in a young lady to purchase a sword for actual use and Wufei had no doubt the shop keeper would be well stocked with swords fit for a lady's hand when they got there. There was prestige to be had after all in being able to boast that the leader of the Dragon Clan had shopped and bought at one's store.
"How many more stops till we get to the sword place, Wufei?" Noin asked with eyes that shone with excitement. She'd come to love her lessons and the artistic dance that was swordplay making her eager to have her very own sword that was hers and hers alone. Wufei had offered to give her one of his and even to buy her one but she was being firm on this one. It was going to be her sword, bought with her money.
"Just a few more." Wufei promised, charmed by her eagerness which was bordering on childlike. Then again Lucrezia tended to see things in a different way then most women he knew. Not that he knew a lot of women but generally he'd gotten the feeling that the bigger and more expensive it was the more they liked it when you gave it to them. However Lucrezia was as happy to go walking with him and Patch in the park as she was to go out to dinner at a fancy restaurant which he liked about her. Soon they were all done the rest of the things on his very organized list and so they headed for the shop in question with Noin walking a bit faster then usual. Arriving in front of a small, two story building it was hard to even figure out what was sold there much less that it was a store as there was only a sign with several words in Chinese hanging beside the door. The two large windows on either side of the door were empty with heavy red velvet curtains closed behind the, hiding the merchandise from view which Noin couldn't understand at all. The building was made of brick, likely red though time and hard use had mutes it to more of a rusty pink color which was prettier likely then how it had been originally. Taking Lucrezia's hand Wufei led her inside and Noin could only stare at the mess that was the store in shock and amazement. There was stuff everywhere and it rather resembled her brothers' rooms when they were teenagers which her mother had often likened to pig pens. In other words there was only small spaces in which to move and every surface was loaded down with stuff, half of which was unidentifiable and quite possibly useless junk.
)
At least it smelled better then their rooms had, Noin thought with a small smile, appreciating the nice scent of incense burning though from where she wasn't sure. Though come to think of it burning anything, even incense in this place likely wasn't the smartest idea ever. But there was a lot of cool stuff that was for sure, Noin thought turning her head this way and that. Her eyes catching on a really lovely pot Noin moved over to study the beautiful paintings on the sides with delight. "Wufei, you should get this."
"Where would I put it though?" Wufei said, raising an eyebrow at the large pot which was at least four and a half feet tall and likely weighed a ton. It was nice but it had no purpose and would just collect dust and be a bitch to clean. "Or use it for?"
"You could put it in your front entrance and use it as a..an umbrella holder." Noin said with a smile, pleased to have come up with a good answer.
"But I only have two umbrellas. Both of which easily fit in my nearly empty front closet." Wufei pointed out with a hint of a smirk as she pouted over the truth of that statement. "Now come on, what we're looking for is kept towards the back of the store. Watch your step though, there are a lot of things to knock over...which I think is why they're kept like this."
"Smart business move. Put all the breakable things that won't sell where they can be easily knocked over then pull the you break it you bought it routine. A sound business decision." Noin said with a laugh before taking his hand again and letting him guide her through the maze of odds and ends, occasionally making him stop to let her look at something. A lot of the things were old and Noin wondered if this was a family business having been passed down from generation to generation. Her father ran a vineyard that had been started by her grandfather and they took pride in that, that they'd survived that long in what really was a cut throat business, not to mention one so dependent on the weather. She had no doubt that when she went home to visit she'd be put to work hours after having arriving and she couldn't say it bothered her in the least.
"Mr. Chang, how nice for you to grace us with your presence. You have come about finding a sword for the young lady today as you mentioned?" Came a voice and the two Preventers turned to see an elderly gentleman who looked as old as time and didn't even reach her shoulder blades, Noin thought with a hint of amusement. For some reason she thought of a Chinese version of Yoda from Star Wars and had to use a lot of will power not to burst out laughing at the mental image. Use the force not to laugh, young Preventer, use the force, Noin thought with a mental snicker. "We are most honored to have you in our humble shop." The man added with a graceful bow and Noin figured if she could pull a bow off that gracefully when she was half this guy's age it would be a miracle. "Allow me to escort you to what you seek."
)
"Thank you for your warm welcome." Wufei said with a bow of his own and since Noin had been through this bowing things several times already copied Wufei's bow as well. "Please lead on."
Nodding the old man who had yet to even introduce himself walked in the direction they'd been heading without making a sound, something that Noin picked up since she hadn't even been aware he'd been there till he'd spoken. It was rare for anyone to get a drop on her and she applauded anyone who succeeded. Turning slightly to the right Noin gasped at the sight of a wall completely decorated with blades of every size and weight, most in their sheaths with everything ranging from a plain blade to one decorated in gemstones and what just might be real gold. "Wow." Was all Noin could think to say.
"When I was informed you were coming by my grandson I wondered what sort of blade would be leaving my store when you and your lady arrived. It isn't often that a woman comes in to buy a blade for herself and I looked through my wares to see what would be best suited to belong to the lady in question with great care. I have placed those I thought appropriate on the table over there. As well there is one in particular I think you will find much to your liking." The man said with a mysterious smile before pointing to a table where several swords were just visible. "Call if you wish for assistance." The man added before disappearing into the crowded store with an ease that said he'd been navigating it for many, many years.
"Well lets see what we have to look at." Wufei said as he and Lucrezia walked over to the table and looked down to the half a dozen blades laid out before them, their sheaths beside them. They were all ornament in their own ways and quite beautiful, beautiful deadly weapons gleaming in the lights of the store. One in particular caught Wufei's eyes and he turned to see Noin staring at it as well. "You want that one don't you?" Wufei said with a slight smirk that grew when she could only nod her head slowly. Forged into the traditional blade of a samurai it stood out among the others not because it was the biggest or even the most beautiful but simply because it did. Watching Lucrezia pick it up gently to test out its weight and how it fit in her hand Wufei had to grin, pleased because she was. The blade was a beautiful piece with no gems on the hilt but there was writing carved into both the hilt and the blade. On the blade was carved the code of the samurai and the hilt had had finely carved sakura blossoms engraved into it. In other words it was perfect for her. The marks of a warrior on the blade and the mark of a gentle and dignified lady for the hilt, combined as one.
"Mine." Noin said once she turned her attention back to Wufei. "This is mine."
"I thought you would say that." Came the old man's voice again and the two turned to see the guy had once again snuck up on them. "Will that be debit or Visa?"
)
"It's so beautiful, isn't it the most beautiful sword you've ever seen, Patch?" Noin said hours later with a grin as she showed her sword to the puppy cuddled up in her lap, tuckered out from playing Frisbee and not at all interested in a sword. "And it's all mine and even if my accountant is going to hate me when he finds out how much I paid for this baby I don't care. And just think of all the door to door salesmen I'm going to get rid of once they see this baby in action."
"Wouldn't your gun make more sense in that situation?" Wufei said with a smirk, amused by her and finding her behavior rather endearing. Like a child who'd gotten exactly what they wanted for Christmas and now wanted to show everyone. "And a lot less messy."
"Well it's not like I would really kill the annoying idiots." Noin said with a smirk as she set the sword down beside her having not let it out of her sight since she got it. "Looks like Patch is ready to go to sleep soon. Poor guy is all worn out. So is my arm for that matter. Good thing that Frisbee went up in that tree or he might have made me keep throwing it till it fell off and then this lovely lady would end up being just for show. Speaking of which I was going to ask you, Wufei..what does the carvings on the blade mean? Are they Chinese or Japanese?"
"It's the code of the samurai just as that is a blade formed in the chosen style of the greatest warriors to ever draw a blade." Wufei said as he took the blade from her with one hand and pointed to each of the symbols as he stated what they represented. "Chu, duty and loyalty. Gi, justice and morality. Makoto, Complete sincerity. Rei , Polite courtesy. Jin, Compassion. Yu, Heroic courage. Meiyo, Honor. It suits you. Had they allowed females to become samurai's I have no doubt you would have lived and died by the code with great honor for you and your line."
"Thank you..I'd like to think so." Noin said, very touched by the compliment he'd given her. While some girls liked to be complimented about their looks or style she would rather be given a compliment about her character though a few nice comments about her physical appearance didn't hurt either. "And you never know..I could have maybe pulled a Mulan and tried passing off for a guy in those days, showed those guys a thing or two with this honey of mine. Kicked some serious ninja ass."
"Only a complete and utter moron would ever mistaken you for a guy." Wufei said with a roll of his eyes. "They'd have seen through you in minutes and had you killed along with members of your family not to mention bringing great disgrace to your line and-." Wufei never got to finish the sentence since Noin took that moment to throw herself into his arms and proceeded to kiss him till his head spun. Obviously he'd said something that pleased her though for the life of him he couldn't figure out what.