Chapter 2
The sound of blow dryers, avid talking in multiple dialects of Spanish and English, sizzling flat irons, and scissors cutting hair, could be hear here at La Belleza on E 116 street. It wasn't as packed as usual this Monday, but that was good for Lee because she needed Lola's advice. Honestly, she wasn't sure is bringing the twins with her to Japan was such a great idea anymore. She'd be taking them from everything they know and love. It would seriously be a big transition, but the tins were so for it. Speaking to the woman who was her sister by everything but blood would help ease her mind.
"My Puerto Rican sista'!" She exclaimed.
"My Black sister from another mister! Where have you been hiding?" Lola replied with a great smile.
Liliana moved to give Lola a quick embrace because she was doing someone's hair. "So what brings you here today chica? And where are my niños?" she asked her longtime friend.
Lee giggled as she pulled up a stool and sat down next to Lola, "Well I received a job offer the other day and I need your advice about it." Lola gasped in surprise, "Really! Lee that's fantastic! Im so happy for you!" she finished with a smile.
"Thanks, but the issue is where I have to go an-"
Lola cut her off, "Is the pay good?"
"Phenomenal."
"Do you think you'll love it?" She asked while she styled a girls hair
"Yes, but–" Lola cut her off again, "Well if it pays good and you'll enjoy it what's the problem chica?
"If you let me finish my sentence, you'd know what the issue is." She sassed. "The problem is that I'll have to leave the city." She stated. Lola furrowed her brow, "Move where? Upstate, outta state…" Her voice waivered as it trailed off. If Lee were too move Lola wouldn't know what to do. Liliana was her sister in everything but blood. They were always there for each other. Oh God, what was Duncan gonna do if Lee left?!
Lee cleared her throat, "Japan."
"Japan?" Lola repeated. "Japan as in Asia, Japan?" she probed.
Lee sighed, "There is only one Japan, Lola. The job offer comes from Takahiro Minami, he runs the club in Tokyo. I'd have to be there in two months."
"Japan! Seriously Japan!? Por qué Japón? Por qué ahora? Tu vas a levantarse y salir de Japón en dos meses? Two months?! Esto es demasiado. Aye, Dios mío, qué pasa con los niños? Qué?
Lee quickly grabbed the curling iron before she burned the girls' hair off. "Um miss, do you mind if you waited for Lola to calm down? I don't want her to burn you." The girl gave a quick nod and got out of the chair. Everyone knows when Lola gets started, you're in for a long wait. Lola's outburst had practically caught the entire salon's attention.
"Aye, Lola mama breath will you."
"Deep breaths Lola"
"Lola please calm down!"
Lola took her time trying to get her breathing back in order, as she fanned her face which was pink at this point.
"Lee. Mamacita. You have. A funny way of. Shocking. People. Jesus. You know that chica? She said in between breaths.
Lee rubbed her eyes in frustration, "I didn't mean to shock you, but now you see my dilemma," She paused for a moment, "It's a great opportunity and there kids want to go but I'm just not sure if its best for them, I mean it's one thing to move to another state, but another country…"
Lola pondered for a moment, "Well you mind as well bring them along, it's not like they would receive a bad education or anything. Besides chica, you know as well as I do that those boys would follow you if you left them with Mama May." She snorted
"Chrissy!" she yelled. The secretary turned to look at her boss, "Yeah Lola?" Lola gave Lee a smile, "when did you say, you'd have to leave?"
"By February." She replied.
"Book the entire month of February for me Chrissy."
Liliana looked at her friend in shock, matter of fact the whole room looked at her like she lost her mind. A whole month of business gone. Why would she do that? "Lola, why would you, w-what did you do that for?"
Lola put a hand on Lee's shoulder, "Did you really think I was gonna let you go by yourself? Nuh-uh chica, you're my sister and as your hermana I'm going to make sure you and the boys settle in right!" she said with a giant smile.
Tears started to well up in Liliana's eyes. She couldn't believe it. Truly, Lola was heaven sent. "Thank you so much!" she said giving her best friend the biggest hug she could manage. Lola let out her famous nasally laugh, "No problem chica, but how we gonna break this to Duncan?"
"Shit."
"Bitch you going where?!"
That would be her other best friend, Duncan. Her short tempered Italian Anglo-Irish unofficial adopted brother. His nose ring moved as it flared from his anger. Lee visibly flinched. She had a temper too, but Duncan's fits were like a thousand angry moms in one body. "Duncan just listen to me plea–"
"Why the hell would you move to Japan?!" He paced like an angry cat. He did look like one right now considering both arms had two tiger strips. "Of all the places YOU pick the one on the OTHER side of the Planet!" O.K. he was really really mad.
"Why couldn't you get another gig in the city or even the next state huh?" He had an absolute look of anguish on his face as he ceased his pacing and plopped down in his chair. He gave a couple of deep breaths, trying to calm himself. He rubbed his hands through fuax hawk. He sighed, "Do you really have to go?" his voice became small like a child.
Duncan didn't want to lose Lee. He needed her, she kept him grounded, and she gave him guidance when he needed it. It was no secret that he was bisexual, his father was fine with it. He supported him one hundred percent of the way. His mother though was another story. She went berserk, she was going on about how being gay was wrong and disgusting. She disowned him; flat out called her only child a freak! That was the main reason why Duncan dropped out. His mother broke him.
"Oh Duncan…" Liliana went over and wrapped her arms around him. He visibly relaxed at her touch and placed a hand on her arm to keep her close. "I don't want to leave you or anyone else behind for that matter. But you know how I am, I can't mooch off of my parents and I have to support Thane and Garrus somehow," He knew that, but that didn't mean he had to like it. His hand tightened and then he released her in defeat.
"Alright…You have to do what you have to do. But you sure as hell are not going by yourself. I'm coming with you and that's final." He said as he walked toward his computer behind the desk.
"You want to come along too?" she asked bewildered
He gave her an indignant look, "Yes, I want to come along too….come along too? Woman who else is coming?!"
She gave a laugh, "Who else do you think?" His face contorted into one of mild disdain, "Is Loca coming too? She doesn't even speak Japanese. She'll wind up lost in the mountains somewhere,"
Lilian held onto the chair as she laughed. It wasn't that Duncan and Lola didn't get along, they just happened to be the two who got in the most arguments. They always teased and irked each other, everyone just figured that was their unorthodox way of being friends. Her mom used to call all of them the chipmunks; Duncan was Theodore, Lola was Alvin, and she was Simeon. Always getting into trouble for the hell of it.
"O.k. Lady sit down in the chair and roll up your sleeves and pants legs. Oh! Don't forget to take off your socks too." He called from the back room her went into while she was busting her gut. "And exactly why do I have to do that?" she asked. He came out the room with a tray of inks, alcohol, gloves, and a rather large needle. "Consider this your early Christmas gift. You're here now mind as well get it over with. I know you've wanted a tat for a while so I decided to ink it for you. I know you got those wicked birthmarks that practically resemble a Polynesian tattoos so I'll just outline 'em and color it in" He said self-consciously. He was always so shy.
5 hours later…
By the time Duncan was done her lower legs and upper arms were sore. It was completely worth it though. Liliana was born with unique birth marks, most people have one, but was not uncommon for people to have multiple marks. Hers on the other hand were weird. It was like Duncan said, her marks resembled a Polynesian style tattoo. Looking at Duncan's work brought a grand smile to her lips. They weren't overly big and bulky, the pair on her legs started at the very end of her shin and ended at her the top of her ankle. The pair on her arms wrapped around mid-bicep. They looked incredible, how the lies curved, the intricate patterns, and the variations of light and dark were amazing.
"Duncan this is amazing!" She did her best to wrap her sore arms around his broad shoulders. "Ah don't get sappy with me…but I'm glad you like it" He smiled back.
"Like it, I Love it! You really outdid yourself. I mean look at it, it's just….wow," She continued.
Duncan rubbed the salve on her gently as he could. Then he wrapped the areas that were inked. "Remember to uses the ointment every day for the next two weeks. You can take the bandage off in a few hours. No hot showers Lady, make sure it's lukewarm. Don't forget no scented soaps either… don't look at me like that, unless you want an infection!"
"Yes mother~."
"Ah shuddup!"
Harrison Residence…
Lee arrived home around five o'clock to the delicious smell of homemade apple pie wafting through the house. She walked into the kitchen to see her family partaking in the delicious pie, each slice decorated with a single scoop of vanilla ice cream. Oh sweet ambrosia…
"So y'all are just gonna eat that pie without me? I see how you feelin'." She teased as she observed her family. The twins after hearing her voice rushed over to give her a sticky hug. She picked them up as best she could and carried them back to the table. As she set them down she winced and the still lingering pain in her arms.
"You have a booboo mommy?!" asked Thane. She smiled at his worried face. He was so cute. "Did someone give you a booboo mama? I'll give them a booboo!" Garrus shouted, his face was fierce, well a fierce a five year old could be. "Well I don't think you'd want to hurt Uncle Duncan, would you?"
Her mother looked at the bandages attentively. Then it hit her, "Liliana Vyra Silvers! That better not be what I think it is!" Lee exposed a cheshire smile, "You'll be happy to know that Duncan gifted me with four beautiful masterpieces."
While her mother was upset her dad on the other hand was elated. James had a number of tattoos that were kept mostly hidden by his clothes, like the sleeve he has on his right arm or the ones on his back. The Englishman loved his tattoos even though his wife couldn't understand why on Earth people would mark up their skin for fashion. "You see that May, that's how I know she's my daughter regardless of blood. Just like her old man!" he bellowed.
May rolled her eyes and scoffed. Really, what was the point of inking symbols and letters permanently? She never understood, but it would appear that she had a penchant for men and tattoos.
"Now my dear let's have a look see," he carefully peeled off the bandages to expose the left armband. He gave a whistle, "So you had him trace your birthmarks? Ingenious, look at the precision. Not a line out of place…" He stared at the new markings with great enthusiasm, mumbling to himself.
Garrus tugged at her pants leg, "Can I see too?" Lee gave a haughty laugh, "Weren't you going to beat up Uncle Duncan a moment ago?" she teased. He gave a bashful look, "I'm sorry." He said. Lee smiled and pried her dads' fingers off her arm, "That's ok sweetie, here have a look."
Thane crept over next to his brother also to have a look. "Pretty," they drawled in unison. They admired the patterns and the curves. Their eyes followed the patterned swirl with interest. "Can I have one?" asked Thane. "No you may not!" May stated with finality.
James gave a grunt, "Oh come on May Day don't be like that." May arched her brow and hmph'd, "First you and now Liliana? Uh-uh, you are not corrupting my grandbabies. You hear me?!"
Thane frowned, he wanted to be just like Grandpa Jim and his mommy. Besides his mother's new markings were so enchanting, they didn't look ugly so why couldn't he get one? Seeing Thanes downtrodden face James bent over to him, "Psst…you can have one when you're older." He whispered. Thanes face brightened immediately in elation. "I heard that!" May said
Garrus giggled, "I want one too!" May gave a look of horror, "Look at what you've done! Now both of them want those horrible tattoos!" she wailed in despair.
Karakura Hospital….
It was peaceful at the hospital, at least in Ryūken's office. He sat at his desk going over the mountains of paperwork that was a part of his daily norm. He sighed and leaned back in his chair. He needed a smoke…
Just then a knock came from the door, "Come in." his deep tenor voice called out. A nurse enters the room and walks up to his desk, her cheeks tinged a rosy pink, "Ano, Dr. Ishida these files were just faxed over from America, I assume you would like to see them?"
He held out his hand to receive the folders, "You can leave now." The nurse snapped out of her dazed stupor and made her way out the door.
'Files from America…how unusual.' He thought with slight curiosity. In his hand were three files, he opened the first one. It was a young boy probably no older than five. He opened the second folder, 'Ah, twins…'The same face was seen, the only difference was the hairstyle. Finally he opened the last folder, it was the mother. What struck him was her eyes, they reminded him of Kanae's. Whereas Kanae's were an aqua blue, this woman's eyes were amber almost gold. They looked so warm…
Realizing where his thoughts were turning he closed the files and leaned back in his chair. He gave sigh as he closed his eyes. He had not thought about Kanae in so long and to think that some women whom he never met could stir such memories…
Rising from his chair he put his suit jacket back on and grabbed the files. Exiting his office he took the elevator downstairs and dropped the files off at the nurses station, 'Fax these to Kurosaki." He said without even a glance in their direction. He then exited the hospital and when around to the back.
From his suite jacket he produced a pack of cigarettes. Placing one in his mouth, he took his lighter and brought the flame to the cigarette. He breathed in deep, inhaling the chemicals that took all his stress away.
'Kanae...'
Kurosaki Residence – Kurosaki Clinic…
The fax machine rang several times before the papers came through.
Yuzu walked into the office to see what fax was sent. She picked up the first sheet to see it was a transcript from Karakura Hospital. Collecting the other papers, she created three separate folders for her father to review when he got the chance.
O.k. I finally finished this one after months. I feel like a failure, I was trying to make another long chapter like ch. 1, but that proved impossible. So here it is in all its possible grammatical error splendor.
Do you guys like long or short chapters? Please let me know so I can push chapters out faster.
And yes I am making this IsshinxOCxRyuuken but only for a short while. I like the idea how it was when Masaki was supposed to marry Ryuuken, but wound up getting together with Isshin. So in this case I want Isshin and Ryuuken to duke it out for Lee's affections.
Let me know what you think!