Chapter 13: The Drink
The weeks that have passed have been grand for both Joaquin and Hana. Joaquin enjoyed staying in the country side with a beautiful woman and her lovely children. The weeks turned to a month and winter was on the horizon. Joaquin realized that he hasn't seen Ame for a while, so he decided to get some stuff for him. Joaquin asked Hana to get some ramune.
"Why do you want ramune?" Hana asked Joaquin.
"Well, I like it plus you know how sometimes you just want that taste sometimes."
"Well, ok then. I'm off." Hana left to the market while he went to work around the house. He saw that the house was a bit dusty so he cleaned up. While doing so, he passed by a picture book of Hana and the children. He opened it and looked at all the memories in the photos. The snowy days outside, the planting of vegetables, harvesting and the recent photos of the festival with Yuki and himself. Such a great time, he thought. He put the book back and went off to clean more. A couple of hours past when Hana got back with the drinks. Joaquin helped Hana with the groceries and put them away.
"Wow, I thought you said you were only getting a few things." Joaquin said to Hana jokingly.
"Well, you know how we are, we see deals, and we take them." Hana said while laughing. After grabbing the ramune, he decided to head to the woods and went in wolf form, holding the pack of ramune in his mouth. He headed for the tree in the mountain, where Ame was counseling with a pack of boars. They had a problem with the foxes walking in their territory and hunting. The boars wanted Ame to chase them out and regain the territory, him being the guardian. Ame talked to them in regards of letting the boars chase the foxes and have the foxes come to Ame to speak about the hunting rights in the boar's land. The boars agreed and left back to their land. Ame then looked at Joaquin with the drinks in his mouth and knew what the occasion was. He led Joaquin to the waterfall for a private conversation.
"So, Valero san. Haven't seen you for a month, what have you been up to?" Ame asked.
"Yea sorry Ame, I was just busy around the house, plus some other things."
"Like what?"
"Well, that's personnel, I'm sorry. Hey how about we crack these open?" Joaquin said grabbing two ramunes and handing one to Ame. Ame knew he was avoiding question, what is he hiding?
"Valero san. What is it like?" Ame asked Joaquin.
"What's what like?"
"To be both man and wolf, to balance those two?" Joaquin thought about the question Ame asked. He thought about his life and came up with the best he could answer.
"Well, it's just something I did. Didn't really think about trying, I just do it."
"Just do it?"
"Ame, sometimes you can't think about the worries of life. You just got to live, just do your thing. Forget about what everyone else thinks and do what makes you happy, but respect others at the same time, as they should respect you."
"Wow, I never thought of it like that. Just live." Ame thought about Joaquin's answer. Carefree, and both parts coinciding in one. Ame finished his drink and reached for another. As he did, Joaquin began coughing profusely. Blood was coming out of his mouth and it was dark. Ame grabbed him as he was about to pass out from the cough.
"Valero san, what's wrong?" Ame asked worryingly. Joaquin got up, still dazed, but he claimed was ok.
"Yea I'm fine, thanks." Joaquin said wiping his mouth.
"You're not fine, coughing out blood is not fine! What is going on?"
"Ame, I said I'm fine dammit!" Joaquin had an angry look in his eyes, but at the same time dazed and light headed. Ame backed off and gave Joaquin some space.
"Ame, I'm sorry, but this condition I just don't want to talk about." Joaquin said in a regretful tone.
"Its alright Valero san, but I think you need to see a doctor."
"Believe me I did."
"And?"
"Well, let's just say my bucket list is almost done." Ame was surprised at the answer.
"What do you mean?" Ame asked Joaquin.
"Look let's just change the subject."
"Ok, what do you want to talk about?"
"What's it like being the guardian of this forest?"
"A mixture of politics and exploring."
"Animals have politics?" Joaquin asked and Ame started laughing.
"Yep, we have discussions about land, hunting, and other problems."
"Huh, would never have guessed."
"Yea, that's not even the worst part."
"What's that?"
"Just like politics, no one is happy."
"Sounds like everyday life." Both started laughing hard. The day went on with jokes and laughs until Joaquin went to go home. They said their goodbyes until next time. On the way, Joaquin coughed a little more but not enough to cause anything. He got back, put some clothes on and went to see what was for dinner. Hana made some Bar-B-Que chicken and ate. When they were done, he was going to take a bath, but Hana stopped him.
"Valero san, how about some sake?" Hana asked Joaquin.
"Hana, you drink?"
"Well just on some occasions."
"And what occasion is this?"
"For being a great and helpful guest here."
"I just did what I could to help out."
"Well, you did and more." Joaquin decided to take the offer and both sat for a drink. She poured the drink and both drank. It burned in their throats but were getting another. After three drinks, they were both buzzed, but Hana felt it more.
"Hey Valero san. What do you think of the children?" Hana asked Joaquin.
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"I mean do you like them?"
"Well yea. Yuki is smart, a little stand offish but lovely. Ame is spirited, wise and always cunning. I like them, both kind of remind me of others back home. They are great kids."
"I'm glad. You know, they don't remember their father. He died when they were only babies. Yuki only remembers him a little, but Ame can't remember him. He was just born when he died."
"I'm sorry, I'm sure he was a great man."
"He was and more. You know, you remind me of him. Character, kindness, intelligence, everything." Hana started getting closer to Joaquin. She put her hands around his neck as he was about to drink another one. Joaquin felt her warmth of her breath close to his mouth, but felt that she wasn't herself.
"Whoa Hana, I think that's the drink talking right now, you're a little tipsy and its playing with your mind." Joaquin said to Hana, but she disagreed.
"Oh its fine, I know what I'm doing." Hana said as she was getting closer to his mouth and going for a kiss. Joaquin reluctantly went with it, then she collapsed on him crying.
"Don't leave me again! Please my love! Don't die again, please!" Hana started saying with tears. Joaquin knew who she was talking about. She then passed out and Joaquin carried her to bed then left the room. He looked at the photo.
"You left to soon. They still need you."
Hey guys sorry for the long wait. Exams and papers keep me busy. So to all my followers and fans, thank you for your patience and reviews. You guys help me be confident in my story and I hope to be better at these stories. You guys are amazing. Thank you.