As always, thank you all so much - I really appreciate that you take the time to read and review. What's more, I'm so sorry the updates have been slower than they were originally; since school has started up, I've been very busy.

Anyhow, when I wrote this session, I was trying to bring back a bit of a lighter, brighter touch to the story. Admittedly, I recognized that the last few sessions had been, while important, a series of downers. So, what better way to break things up a bit for the reader than to throw Ayame back into the picture! With that, enjoy!

Patient – Sohma Ayame; Session # 79

Ayame was thirty minutes late for his session, and I wouldn't have expected anything else from him. My mind was still reeling from my first session that morning and to my relief, after a fifteen minute nap, Akito got up and left me alone in my office. As I waited for Ayame, who I knew wouldn't arrive for at least an hour and forty five minutes, I kept myself distracted mostly by reading. Yet, when that eventually began to fail me, I actually rang my mother, something I hardly ever did (she insisted she knew I would call, although the tone of her voice gave away how surprised she actually was to hear from me). We chatted a bit and I, for the first time in a long time, attempted to pay attention to some dream she was telling me about regarding myself and some man dressed in white and wearing glasses, who she predicted would be a great help to me. After awhile, I decided that I couldn't really take much more of it, so I abruptly told my mother I had a patient and thus, had to hang up.

For some time following this I just sat in my office chair staring out into space, completely lost. Then, unexpectedly, my office phone rang. At first, I was hoping perhaps Ayame was calling to let me know he was going to be late. However, to my surprise it was Kazuma and as soon as he mentioned Kyou's name my heart skipped a beat. Yet, to my relief, Kazuma was only calling because Kyou came by his doujo after his session with me and seemed very upset. However, Kyou wouldn't talk to him about it, and he wanted to know if I knew what was wrong. Of course, I explained to Kazuma about patient confidentiality and he understood. When I hung up, I smiled; if Kyou hadn't told Kazuma about how Akito read his file, it was safe to say he hadn't told anyone else. Hastily, I made a note to myself to make sure I remembered to show my appreciation to Kyou for being kind enough not to further destroy my practice's integrity.

Eventually, after twenty more minutes, Ayame came barging in with a large box of delicious pastries for us to eat. With that, the session sort of deteriorated into more of a social get together than a psychiatric counseling meeting. Yet, with how lousy I felt, I didn't really mind and actually felt grateful for the break.

"So, Yuki decided we should go to this museum exhibit next week," Ayame was explaining ten or so minutes after he arrived, as he devoured one of his treats, "It's going to be so boring, I think I'll die. But I suppose you intellectual types enjoy that sort of thing, hmm?" Seeing that I was eating some of the desert myself, he didn't bother to wait for me to respond. "Anyway, don't you worry Kazuki, because I'm going to do my best to have a good time, despite my little brother's selection of such a dull place for an outing! And once I've decided on something, it's as good as done, you know."

"That's good, Ayame," I managed to answer with as much enthusiasm as I could muster.

"Oh, gosh, Kazuki, what's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong."

"Yes there is! I can tell. You look so sulky. It must be because you don't have a fine therapist like the rest of us do. A person can't counsel themselves, after all."

I chuckled, "I guess that's true. But don't worry, I'm fine really."

"Well, I don't believe you, but if you're going to be that way, then so be it. But just so you know, I will do all in my power to help you if you need it. Just you say the word!" He paused, then said, "Oh, I almost forgot to apologize for being a tad bit late! That's not what's upsetting you is it?"

"No, not at all."

"Are you sure? The only reason why I was late was because I had to pick up these lovely pastries. They're from a new place that just opened up on the same street as my shop. You find them yummy, don't you?"

"Yes, they're very good. Thanks for bringing them by."

"Well, it's all part of my effort to be considerate of others, which would never have happened without your wonderful inspiration!" he declared proudly. He went on, "At least you appreciate it, though. Poor Hatori was so sour at me this morning when I went by his place to drop him off a box. He muttered something about it being the first time in three weeks that he was able to sleep in. I say why waste a beautiful day such as this? Now, I love my dear Ha'ri, but I've got to say he really needs to learn to show more appreciation when such a good friend such as myself goes out of his way to do something so considerate for him!"

It was not in me to try to explain to Ayame the errors of his ways, and I couldn't help but get a little bit of joy at the thought of Ayame annoying a cranky Hatori early in the morning. So, I laughed and agreed, "Yes, Hatori really should be more grateful."

"I know! But try telling him that – he won't listen! I guess because he's so smart, but you're just as smart, aren't you, so now I'm absolutely certain that I'm right about all this! You know, you're really handy to have around, Kazuki!"

"Thanks, Ayame," I said with a somber smile at the irony of it all; only when I was completely disregarding my duties as a psychiatrist was I useful.

"Ah, there it is again! That horrible sadness! Something definitely is wrong."

"Don't worry about it – it's nothing."

"How frustrating you are Kazuki! And you're the one who's always telling us to be honest about our feelings. But what's the use? You won't budge so why waste my time pestering you? Still, I've been going on and on about what's been going on my life – "

"You're supposed to, though - you're my patient, after all," I interrupted.

"Yes, but that isn't very considerate of me, is it? So, tell me about what's new with you! Really, I want to hear – I'm sure it must be at least a tad interesting! Don't worry, though, I'll let you know if I'm bored. Now go on!"

"Well…" I trailed off and frowned. As I thought about it, I slowly began to realize that I had very little to think about. There was nothing new in my life, save the things happening in regards to my practice, but I obviously couldn't discuss that with Ayame. Other than that, the days came and went with a hum-drum rhythm. I would wake up early, get dressed, make myself a simple breakfast, and trot over to my office where I'd prepare for an hour for my upcoming sessions. During my lunch break, I typically stayed in my office and read leisurely while nibbling on a small snack, if that. Finally, I'd finish my sessions in the late afternoon and then would go over to my mother's for dinner (if she hadn't burnt it, in which case I'd have to whip together something quickly). Once I had stood for a time, I would graciously leave and return back to my home, bath, spend a few hours reviewing my patients' files, and crawl into bed, only to do the same thing over the next day. To be honest, I hadn't thought about it much until Ayame brought it up,but with that, the monotony of my existence finally struck me. Immediately, I recognized my lack of social contact was something that was to be considered rather detrimental, as well as my apparent obsession with my work. With this realization, I became even more depressed than I had been. Struggling to think of something, I weakly said, "Same old, really…"

"Oh gosh, don't tell me nothing's new! What is happening to you, Kazuki? You really need to get out – that must be what's wrong! When was the last time you left here?"

"I, uh…" I couldn't honestly remember when the last time I had left my family's large residence was. My mother usually was good about going to the supermarket for me as I was busy during the day and she never really had anything else to do herself.

"You don't even have a memory of the last time you saw the outside!" Ayame exclaimed tragically, "Oh, it's worse than I thought! Why, certainly you've had a day off recently, yes?"

"Well, not really," I answered truthfully, as it seemed that Akito wanted to come by practically everyday, and on the rare days she didn't I scheduled another member of my family to come by.

Ayame lowered his head and shook it with despair. "Kazuki, Kazuki darling, you'll kill yourself this way, you know!" Then he looked up at me with twinkling eyes and a wide grin, "That's it, you must come out to my shop! Then I'll take you all around town!"

"Oh, no," I quickly said, "Thank you, Ayame, but that's really okay. I'll be fine."

"Well, I don't see how, especially if you continue to live like this, all locked up…" Eyes dejected, he miserably took a bite of one of the pastries and suggested, "Let's talk about something happy, because I can't stand this depressing atmosphere! Oh, I know! Tell me about your time overseas, won't you Kazuki? I've been meaning to ask you ever since you returned, but I kept forgetting! Silly of me, I know! I'm actually thinking of traveling abroad some day soon. Only for a short while though, because I couldn't abandon my precious shop! Mine and I, however, are thinking of taking a little tour of Europe. It's just so sad how I've never really been anywhere, and it seems no one else in this family but you has either, so you're the only one I can ask about it!" He stared at me with large childlike eyes, and he asked me with boyish curiosity, "Do tell me, Kazuki, what's Europe like?"

At once, I was swarmed with so many emotions it's difficult to explain. There were feelings of happiness at my memories, sadness for I missed it, tinges of guilt for having gone at all, surprise about how much I yearned to return, and fear that I may never have the opportunity to visit again. As I looked at Ayame though, I knew I wanted to share my bittersweet recollection, so I stated, "Europe, Ayame, is wonderful."

"Ah, I knew it!"

"I spent most of my time in England, but I was fortunate enough to have several opportunities to tour the continent. Even though it seems like a small region, there are so many different countries and cultures to explore. Granted, I must admit I personally hold a special place in my heart for England and for Oxford. Still, if I had to choose, I would have to say my favorite place was Athens, but I bet you and Mine would absolutely love Paris."

"Yes, France! It seems like a place that I would love. Tell me, what are the French like?"

"Oh, it's hard to say. People can be so very different, even if they are all from the same place. At the same time, however, despite so many places and cultures, mankind is very much alike - we all experience the same feelings and emotions, share in similar relationships, have fears and dreams. In a way, it's quite comforting to know that no matter where you go in this world, you will be surrounded by people who, at their core, are not that much different than you."

"But do they really have those funny accents though?" Ayame questioned, obviously uninterested in my insights. Still, despite this, I felt good as I reflected on what I had said; during my two years as the Sohma family psychiatrist, I realized I must have forgotten that, in the end, regardless of all my family's faults (and trust me, there were many), they were all human beings who essentially felt the same emotions I did. They weren't some alien race who followed foreign psychological patterns that couldn't be grasped. Instead, they were each individuals who experienced human emotions - insecurities, love and lust, sadness, happiness, fear and hope, anger - just as I or anyone else did. Sure, perhaps the way they expressed each feeling was different than how I did, but the feeling itself – that was easy to understand. My spirits were rekindled for what I had set out to do was not, in fact, hopeless, for how could it be? I wasn't dealing with something unfamiliar, because I could ultimately relate to them on some basic level. What's more, just as my family felt insecurities, fear, and sadness like all people, they were capable of feeling confidence, courage, and happiness, too.

I gave Ayame what I believe was my first genuine smile of the session and by the look of his gleaming eyes, I could tell he happily noticed, although he did not say a word about it. Smirking, I said, "Yes, yes, the French do have those funny accents…"

I truly did love my sessions with Ayame.