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I thank my lovely reviewers: KagomeGirl21, Nekocin, Tora Macaw, Suke-san, tezuka eiri, Posterior Praiser, Arielle5, featherlight, Vanilla Fox, Cheeseburger of Doomwithout whom this will not be possible. kowtows to your kindness

A/N: AU POT story. Bridging chapter, short but necessary. Tezuka eiri-san, your namesake appears...well sort of.

Ainote (Interlude)

Juntoku In

Momoshiki ya
Furuki nokiba no
Shinobu ni mo
Nao amari aru
Mukashi nari keri

Emperor Juntoku

In this ancient house,
Paved with a hundred stones,
Ferns grow in the eaves;
But numerous as they are,
My old memories are more.

Shirakawa Village, 1852

"Otanjoubi Omedetou, Soujirou!" There was a wide grin on Ayame's face as Soujirou stood dumbfounded at the doorway. Reaching out to tug at the boy's hand, Ayame exclaimed, "Come on, stop standing there like a statue and get in!"

"Aya-nee-san?" Fuji said softly as he blinked his eyes, once, twice.

"Your eyes are not playing a trick on you, Soujirou!" Ayame hummed happily as she poured him hot tea. "I got Surei-san to help me buy these bean paste buns and candy," She grabbed hold of a bun and shoved it into Soujirou's mouth, "Come on, stop staring and start eating!"

"Hai!" Soujirou closed his eyes with pleasure as sweetness flooded his mouth, "Mmm...oishi!" His eyes flickered open as he smiled, "Arigatou, Aya-nee-san!"

"You've always have had a sweet tooth. But there's something else for you!" Thrusting a package into his arms, Ayame clapped her hands, "Hora! It's your birthday present. Open it!"

"It's beautiful," Soujirou whispered as he stared at the light blue yukata before rubbing the cloth against his face, "and it's so soft!"

"I barely finished making it on time. Try it on, Soujirou!" Soujirou nodded and slid on the yukata. Ayame smiled tenderly as she regarded him, "It fits just right, Soujirou."

Soujirou grinned as he chewed on a candy, "That's because I have grown!"

"Hn...you're still too skinny." Ayame's eyes were soft, "Ne, Soujirou, are you enjoying your birthday?"

"Of course! It's a wonderful surprise! I didn't think anyone would have remembered..." Soujirou leaned back, his palms resting lightly on the floor as he stared at the candlelight, "I'm really happy. You've gotten me all these food and a wonderful present, but most of all," his eyes returned to her face, "I am happy that Aya-nee-san is here with me."

Lifting another bun from the plate, he took a big bite as he continued dreamily, "Remember the bird I was taking care of? It's gone. I am sure it's flying happily in the endless skies with its family, free like the wind. One day, Aya-nee-san, we'll be like the bird. Both of us, we'll be free from the oppression of this household and be free to pursue our dreams."

"Soujirou," Ayame started when someone slid open the door, her eyes widened in surprise, "Surei-san, what's the matter?"

The cook smiled apologetically, "Suimasen, I know you are having a birthday celebration, but Shirakawa-san wants food and sake to be delivered to him right now. It's so late and the rest are already asleep. I would have delivered the food myself, but the stairs in this sort of weather will kill my knees and back. I saw the light at your place..."

"It's almost midnight!" Ayame exclaimed, before getting up from her knees, "It's alright, I'll send it up to him..."

Surei coughed delicately, "I don't mean to be rude, Ayame. But your face...Shirakawa-san is going to get into a foul mood again if he sees you and the rest of us are going to be punished."

"But..." Ayame stopped as she felt the small hand on her arm.

"Daijoubu. I'll send the things up to him," Soujirou smiled warmly at her, his hands holding hers in reassurance, " It'll just take a few minutes, I'll be back before the tea turns cold. Surei-san, sorry to keep you waiting, I'll follow you to the kitchen."

"Soujirou." She said softly as the shoji door slid close.

A sudden draft blew into the room, extinguishing the flickering flame and plunging the room into darkness. Ayame sat frozen, her eyes blind as unease crept into her heart.

Tokyo, Present Day

"Tezuka, did you receive my invite?" The husky voice drawled lazily over the phone.

"And good evening to you too, Atobe." Tezuka replied as he loosened the constricting knot of his tie, and settled himself into the back of his comfortably worn leather armchair.

"Chh...You are such a stickler for formalities."

Tezuka allowed himself the barest of smiles as he detected the note of annoyance in Atobe's voice: he could almost picture the latter tapping his perfectly manicured nails with impatience.

"Yes I did. In fact, I was just looking at it when you called." Tezuka replied as he regarded the tasteful, and yet so obviously expensive cream and gold-embossed card.

"Well?"

"It's two months away, Atobe."

"You'll be attending it right? It's the biggest event in the Tokyo art scene. After all, my works are featured."

Tezuka found himself chuckling. Modesty was not a word that existed in Atobe's vocabulary. As Atobe had so eloquently said many years ago: "Why should I pretend to be less when I am perfect? Modesty is for hypocrites."

"Ah, how can I not attend then?" Tezuka's face was perfectly straight when he replied.

"Hn." Atobe snorted elegantly, not missing the vein of amusement in Tezuka's voice. But he was in a mellow mood, "You are such a dull fellow, my friend. I swear you behave as if you were fifty-three instead of thirty-five. You hardly socialise, and even on a late Saturday night, you are still at work."

"One of my patients had a relapse. I had to monitor his condition."

"Patients don't have relapses every day. I am sure that even if all your patients were perfectly healthy, you would still find an excuse to stay late at work. It's a miracle that you managed to find a time slot to get engaged to Junko."

"My fiancee has never complained about my work schedule, Atobe."

"Pardon me for saying this, Tezuka," Though his voice clearly indicated that he certainly did not need to be pardoned for anything, "But Junko is just like you. A female version of Tezuka. A class A workaholic, except that she is much prettier of course."

"You are only saying this because she doesn't worship the ground you walked on like most women do."

"Tsk, tsk. How can you forget about my countless male admirers as well?" After a slight pause to take a sip of his cognac, Atobe continued, "Seriously, Tezuka, both of you behave more like business associates than a couple. It's just so incredibly dull and proper."

"Junko is an old family friend, Atobe. I've known her for a long time, and everyone in my family likes her. Besides," Tezuka continued, his tone bland and a matter of fact, "I never sleep with business associates or colleagues in the hospital."

"You actually have sex? The wonder of it all! Is it always missionary or do you..."

"I'll be attending the exhibition along with Junko, Atobe." Replied Tezuka, effectively cutting Atobe off before he could venture into more salacious territory.

"Don't want to tell me the naughty details? Chh, what a spoilsport! Maa, maa, they are probably not too titillating considering it's you and Junko. Jaa ne, see you there then."

This round to Atobe, thought Tezuka as he put down the phone. Fingering the plush invite, Tezuka regarded the list of photographers who would be exhibiting alongside Atobe: Echizen Ryoma, Aoi Kentarou, Mizuki Hajime and Haru. Tezuka's left brow lifted as he regarded the last name. I wonder who this Haru is? Probably a gimmick to catch people's attention. Dismissing the name, Tezuka picked up the phone.

"Moshi, moshi. Wanatabe Junko."

"Ah, good evening, Junko. Tezuka here. Atobe has invited us to an exhibition..."

If there does not seem to be much action here, please pardon me. As the title denotes, it is an interlude. The next posting will definitely be quite pivotal.Please also note that the rating of the next chapter might have to be "upped" due to the nature of the content.