Lost and Found Chapter 8:
The Council's Decision
After Pai and Kisshu teleported out, Aunt Yuki said, "Ichigo, do you want to learn telepathy?"
"Yes please," Ichigo said.
"Alright, focus on me and think what you want to say," Aunt Yuki said.
Ichigo concentrated, and asked telepathically, Can you hear me?
Yes, you're all set, Aunt Yuki replied. Aloud she said, "Let's go make dinner, k?"
"I might have to relearn how to cook…." Ichigo said.
"That's fine," Aunt Yuki said. "I'll teach you."
"Thanks Aunt Yuki," Ichigo said, smiling happily. Aunt Yuki smiled back, and led the way to the kitchen.
Meanwhile, with Pai and Kisshu: The boys teleported to the ship, and went to their rooms. Pai was finished packing, and was about to teleport back when Kisshu teleported in. Pai was about to yell at him, but then noticed Kisshu looked sad. "Today was hard, wasn't it?" Pai asked.
"Yeah….." Kisshu said sadly. "What if the Council forces me to become leader anyways? I'd be dishonoring Dad's memory….."
"Hideki-sama told the Council that they had to either let Moe and Miwa succeed him, or find a different candidate," Pai said. "I think he understands. And remember, Hideki-sama is still young; he's not even thirty-five. You won't have to worry about this for many years, if at all. I know it's hard talking about your parents for you, and I imagine it's ten times harder when you're speaking to the Council."
"I don't like talking about my parents with strangers," Kisshu said. "Thanks for telling the Council what Dad said for me."
"Sure," Pai said. "Should we get back?"
"Just one question," Kisshu said. "Where the HELL did all these stuffed animals come from?"
"Different toy stores in Tokyo," Pai said. "They're fluffy and cuddly."
Kisshu burst out laughing, and Pai said sourly, "SO glad I can cheer you up."
Kisshu just snickered and teleported off with his suitcase and Ichigo's.
Pai sighed and teleported back home as well.
Back with Ichigo and Aunt Yuki: Aunt Yuki was teaching Ichigo how to make a Cyniclon dish called 'tarka' which was a sort of stew. "I think there's some rolls left over from last night," Uncle Hayako said, coming into the kitchen.
"Oh right," Aunt Yuki said, and went to get them. "Is Taruto back?"
"Yeah, he's in his room," Uncle Hayako said. "Should I get him?"
"Good idea, and if Kisshu and Pai aren't back, call them; this is almost ready," Aunt Yuki said. "Ichigo, you can turn the stove off and cover the tarka."
"Okay," Ichigo said, and did that. They heard teleportation in the living room, and Ichigo went out.
Kisshu and Pai had arrived, and Kisshu said, "I got your suitcase, Koneko-chan."
"Thanks Kish," Ichigo said. "Aunt Yuki taught me how to make tarka."
Pai shuddered, and Kisshu said, "Still hate it, Pai?"
"I despise tarka," Pai muttered.
"Why?" Ichigo asked.
"I just don't like it," Pai said. "Everyone ELSE likes it, I'm just odd."
"I tried some; it tastes good to me," Ichigo said. "What don't you like about it?"
"It's evil," Pai said- then glared at Kisshu as he started laughing.
"Pai, it's stew," Kisshu snickered. "It can't be evil, because it doesn't have a mind."
"Mmph," Pai said.
Aunt Yuki came out and said, "Dinner's on the table- and YES, you have to eat it, Pai."
Pai groaned, and followed Aunt Yuki to the kitchen table, followed by Ichigo and Kisshu, who were snickering.
Taruto and Uncle Hayako were waiting, and Taruto snickered when he saw Pai's face. "I can't believe you still have a vendetta against tarka," Taruto said.
Pai sighed and sat down. Aunt Yuki handed him a bowl of tarka, and then did the same for the others. The others started eating, and Kisshu said, "Koneko-chan, this is really good."
Ichigo blushed and said, "Thanks, but I just did what Aunt Yuki told me to."
"Well, we like it," Uncle Hayako said. Then he looked at Pai, who was glaring at his bowl, and said, "If you don't eat it, you're not getting anything else."
"And I know you're thinking you can go find something on the ship, so forget it," Aunt Yuki said. "At least try it."
Pai sighed and took a spoonful, then looked at it in surprise. "This tastes different," he said.
"Good or bad different?" Aunt Yuki asked.
"Good….." Pai sighed.
"Maybe you just needed some time to get used to it," Ichigo said. "I think people's tastes change as they get older, right?"
"You're right," Uncle Hayako said.
"Ichigo, I just thought of something," Aunt Yuki said. "Do you know if you have any allergies?"
"No," Ichigo said. "I hope not."
"I'll ask Moe and Miwa," Kisshu said. "They've known Ichigo since they were three; if anyone knows, they would."
"Alright," Aunt Yuki said. "Let's finish dinner first, though."
Kisshu nodded, and they resumed eating. When they finished, Aunt Yuki said, "Pai, Taruto, you're on clean-up tonight."
"Fine…." Taruto said. Pai just nodded, and they started cleaning up as Ichigo and Kisshu went back to their room.
Sometime later, Kisshu and Ichigo were talking when they heard the front door open, and Aunt Yuki asking, "Who are you two?"
"Probably Moe and Miwa, let's go," Kisshu said. Ichigo nodded, and they went to the front door as they heard Miwa say, "I'm Miwa, and this is Moe; we're looking for Ichigo and Kisshu. Koni-sama called them to meet with the Council."
Kisshu flinched, and Ichigo took his hand as they came around the corner. "Good, I was just about to come get you," Aunt Yuki said when she saw them. "I suppose you heard?"
"Yup," Kisshu said gloomily.
Aunt Yuki sighed. "At least try to be polite," she said. "Go on."
Kisshu nodded, and walked out with Ichigo. Then he, Moe, and Miwa teleported to the meeting room.
The Council and Hideki were waiting, and Hideki said, "Good, you brought them."
"Hai," Moe said. "What was it you wanted to talk about with us?"
Hideki looked at Koni, who sighed and said, "The Council has been discussing the question of leadership, since the discussion is supposed to happen when the firstborn child of the leader is thirteen. Normally, as Hideki-sama's firstborn is not one child, but two, we would be questioning whoever we had already seen fit to be leader instead, but due to Hideki-sama's wishes, we will be questioning both his choice and our own."
"Why did you call Ichigo here, then?" Moe asked.
"Hideki-sama insisted that she was to be here as well, and wouldn't explain why," Koni said. "And he still won't."
"I have no reason to," Hideki said calmly. "Were you planning on questioning Kisshu first?"
"Yes," Koni said. "Although due to his opinion on this, my first question might be my last."
"Let's hear it," Hideki said.
Koni sighed, and asked, "Kisshu, why are you so dead-set against becoming leader? I've heard Pai's explanation; I now wish to here yours."
"I swore to my father that I would never go into politics for any reason," Kisshu said. "I never had any interest anyways, but I will not break my vow to my father. I feel that I would be dishonoring his memory if I disobeyed his wishes, and frankly, I'd be a complete disaster as leader."
"What makes you say that?" a woman on the Council asked. "Those in the military all think you'd be a great leader. You led the Earth mission, and you were the one who discovered Deep Blue never intended to help us."
"I'm just not cut out for leading our people, and knowing everyone's problems besides my own and my friends would drive me nuts," Kisshu said. "I know I can't handle it, and besides, Hideki-sama has children, so it's better to ask them to do it. Moe and Miwa can handle it, and then I don't have to disobey my father's wishes."
"Is this more about your father's wishes then your own wishes?" Koni asked.
Apparently that was the last straw for Kisshu, because he snapped, "I would rather die than become leader. GOT IT!?"
The room went dead silent, until Hideki sighed and said, "Koni, that's enough." He turned to face the Council, and said, "Regardless of your wishes, I am hereby overriding your decision to make Kisshu my successor, as is my right as leader. The Council is free to find someone other than Moe and Miwa to be my successor, as long as it's not Kisshu. In the event you can't, my daughters should be allowed to rule jointly, as there is nothing in our laws that specifically forbids it. If you wish to question Moe and Miwa, now is a good time. I'm taking Kisshu and Ichigo home. Is that clear?"
"Hai," Koni said. "The Council will question Moe and Miwa, and if we see they are capable, we will make them both your successors. Otherwise, we will start looking for someone else."
"Good," Hideki said. He walked to Kisshu and Ichigo, and said, "I'll take you two home; I should let Yuki and Hayako know what happened."
"Thank you," Kisshu said. Hideki smiled and took both of them by the shoulder, then teleported to their front door, and knocked.
The door was opened by Yuki, who immediately bowed. "May we come in?" Hideki asked.
"Yes, of course," Yuki said. She opened the door to let them in, and then closed it behind them. "Did something happen?" she asked worriedly. "You all look pretty grim."
"I think Koni went too far," Hideki said. "Kisshu told him that he'd rather die than become leader, and I decided to override the Council's decision this time. They will either allow Moe and Miwa to succeed me, or pick someone other than Kisshu. I do have a favor to ask of you, though."
"Of course, what is it?" Yuki asked.
"I want you to keep Kisshu home for a few days, until this blows over," Hideki said. "Koni will get over it, but he's not happy with me or Kisshu right now, and I feel that it's better that he doesn't see Kisshu for a while."
"Hai," Yuki said. "Thank you for protecting Kisshu, Hideki-sama."
"Of course," Hideki said. "I have to go."
"Thank you," Kisshu said, bowing. The others bowed as Hideki teleported out.
Sorry I haven't updated in a while! I'll try to get more out soon, k?