L.

Ignorance is Bliss

Chapter 6 Realization in the Heart

I decided to go see Ayame today; and the remainder of the week for that fact.

I spent every minute study, thinking , analyzing our relationship.

I helped her pick out things; the type of cake, flowers, color scheme everything.

Aside from the dress.

That was her and her alone.

And honestly, I had fun.

It was nice spending the time with her and being part of the wedding planning; no matter how stressful and last minute things were.

Not once during the hours spent together did my mind wander to Kagome and what she was doing. It was all about Ayame and what she wanted.

Which was nice.

We were currently taking a nice stroll down into town to collect her dress and my new tux. Hand in hand we walked, smiling, talking, laughing; it was amazing.

We split at 7th street; she going left I going right. I kissed her lips briefly before walking away up to Ojii-San's little old shop.

It was a cool afternoon; the sun was out and the wind was slightly blowing giving the air a sweet taste of flowers.

I walked into Ojii-San's store, smiling as the familiar scent of his Jasmine tea hit my nose. I tapped the door and skimmed the dim dark for his outline.

He never closed the front door, always left it open for anyone in need of help.

Anyways I walked in; through the front room, into the hemming quarters and past the rack where I saw my name scribbled in his messy, unique handwriting on a piece of paper tapped to a black suite protector.

"Ojii-San?" I called, smiling as the old, woodened floorboards creaked with my weight as I made my way to the back porch where I knew he'd be waiting.

"Out here my boy." He rasped.

I followed his voice onto the porch to see him sitting in the cool, away from the sun. He was sipping a cup of tea, his old, wrinkly hands shaking as he placed the cup back on the table.

"Hey Ojii-San." I took the seat opposite him and began re-filling his cup and pouring my own.

"Ahhh…Nice to see you again Kouga." He smiled a wrinkly smile as he pushed a plate of various tea-time snacks to me.

"Yeah." I mumbled and grabbed a scone. "I really do like the fact that you always have foreign snacks you know."

"Heh…I know my boy I know." His eyes turned into slits as he laughed. "I finished your tux." He stated, trying to add another cube of sugar to his tea.

"I saw." I picked up a lump and added it for him.

He withdrew his shaky hand sat back, relaxing his muscles. "You treat me like an Old Man Kouga." He mussed.

I just shrugged, stirring the tea for him and giving him another scone. "You are old Ojii-San. Get over it."

He chuckled. "Yes, well I suppose so…"

It turned quiet for awhile, a comfortable silence settling around us.

I took this opportunity to look around, enjoying the atmosphere.

The place hadn't changed; it was still cool no matter the weather, he still had the same old patio furniture with the weather worn chairs and table, same old flowers that popped up every year and the same old deteriorated fence that had chipped white paint and vines intertwined with flowers creeping up.

I looked down at the table to see the tea set Kagome had given him still being used.

"So…" I broke the silence. "You're coming to my wedding right?"

It took him a moment to answer, with him being old and all. He shifted slightly in the chair, adjusting his body and letting out a long sigh. "Why wouldn't I?"

"Cause…I'm not marrying Kagome…"

"Kouga…tell me why you're marrying Ayame."

This stumped me for awhile. I wasn't expecting him to ask why; I just wanted a yes or no.

"Well…I proposed to her."

"Why?"

"Why? Because…"

"Kouga I know you. I know you very well my boy. You wouldn't do something like that out of the blue."

I nodded. He was right.

"What is it about her that isn't about Kagome?" He leaned forward, taking a bite out of the scone.

"She…was always there."

He nodded, urging me to continue.

"When Kagome rejected me so many times before…Ayame was always there, by my side. And after we broke up, she was still there; picking up the pieces that were left behind." I stared down at my tea, looking at my reflection. "She helped me organize my life, figure out what was important; she helped me choose out my new car when I wreaked the old one…helped me update my resume, secure a steady job…"

"Well didn't Kagome help you do the same?"

"That was long ago…when we were younger…"

"So what's the point Kouga?"

"We grew into different people."

He nodded, smiling that knowing aged smile at me. "That's right."

"What?" I was beyond a little confused.

"As time moves on, so do people. Kagome is a wonderful young girl and yes I would have liked you to marry her but you two are now very different people Kouga. Many years ago you two were perfect for one another; complemented each other quite beautifully. Like two butterflies dancing in the moonlight. But as time moved one, you two fell out of step with one another. She chose to learn the Nihon Buyo while you continued to do the Noh Mai; you fell out of harmony. Which is understandable Kouga, it is. You two were young and naïve to the world surrounding you."

Wise words from an Old Man.

I sipped my tea, mulling over what he had just said. "So you approve Ojii-San?"

That, he laughed at. "Kouga, you don't need my approval for anything. You're a grown man and can make your own decisions."

Smart ass Old Man.

"To tell you the truth; I like Kagome better."

I frowned at that.

"But Ayame is a sweet girl."

I need a cheat sheet someone. Anyone had me one.

"Do what your heart tells you boy. Don't listen to the words of an old man that has lived long past his time."

Review with your opinion.

Continue?

All constructive and unconstructive criticism is welcome.