DISCLAIMER I DO NOT OWN BROTHERS CONFLICT IN ANYWAY SHAPE OR FORM
"So now the dinner's been postponed until tomorrow?" Emily asked out loud as a maid informed her and Natsume of the new plans by the king. She looked at Natsume, "and your parents are coming?"
"Guess so, I'm sure Ema's been wanting to see her dad after everything that's happened," Natsume said. Just as he said that, his phone went off. "Oh the good news keeps coming, Hikaru and Miss Heather are going out shopping again for outfits for everyone to wear at the dinner."
"And here I thought my family was coo-coo," Emily said.
"You have no idea," Natsume said.
"Emily, did you hear the news?" Elizabeth asked as she came into Natsume's office followed by Kaname.
"About the dinner being tomorrow now? Yeah we heard," Emily said.
"And this could be a good thing, we can possibly escort you ladies home to finish working out your issues with your parents. You and your relationship with your mother Miss Elizabeth and your wishes for your father Miss Emily," Kaname said.
"You think?" Emily asked.
"Um I still need to get my car back from last night!" Elizabeth quickly mentioned.
"Maybe we can ask a staff member from the palace to get it for you?" Kaname suggested.
"Could they?" Elizabeth asked.
"We'll ask," Kaname assured her.
"Okay then, let's get going," Elizabeth said as she started to head out. However she and Kaname noticed Emily and Natsume were acting a little hesitant.
"Did we interrupt something, by chance?" Kaname asked.
"We we're going over some of the game," Natsume explained.
"Then don't you just stay here for now Em? I can talk to mom for now and maybe talk to her about dad's situation?" Elizabeth asked.
"You'd do that for me?" Emily asked.
"Sure, it's the least I can do," Elizabeth said.
"You and Natsume just stay here and play your little game some more," Kaname said, "do you want us to lock the door?"
"Get out of here!" Natsume ordered mad.
Kaname merely smirked as he shut the office door.
"So, Emily asked once they were alone, "where were we?"
"You were telling about Queen Chandra the 2nd's tense stand off with Brittish knights and how she ended up marrying the captain," Natsume said.
"Oh yeah," Emily said, "it's the kind of thing you'd swear was made up but it did in fact happened," Emily "and they were both happy and ruled together for many years."
"Only from that first meeting?" Natsume asked.
"It's probably one those cases where the whole love at first sight thing came from," Emily said. She gave Natsume a seductive smile as she said that.
Natsume brushed a little hair out from in front of her face, letting them stare into each other's eyes.
"It's nice the staff was willing to go get my car and bring me to my parents place like this," Elizabeth said as she drove in a limo with Kaname.
"But of course, you'd think I would do anything less for my lovely lady," Kaname said, with his arm around her shoulder.
"I wonder how quickly you'll turn an eye at the ball," Elizabeth muttered.
"Are we feeling jealous?" Kaname asked.
Elizabeth squished her lips together to keep herself from speaking out loud.
Soon the limo stopped and both were let out.
As Kaname and Elizabeth both came to the front door, it was opened by Andy.
"Cool limo!" he said.
"Hi Andy," Elizabeth muttered as she walked past her brother.
Inside she found her mom and stepfather sitting in the living room both looking anxious.
"Elizabeth!" Mrs. Smith said as she got up and hugged her daughter, "it's good to see you're alright!"
"Of course I am mom," Elizabeth said as she comforted her mother.
"Where's Emily?" Mrs. Smith asked looking for her other daughter.
"She decided to stay at the palace for now, take some time to help her new friend play his game," Kaname said smugly.
"Game?" Mrs. Smith said confused.
"Don't worry Mom, she's fine, we both spent the night at the palace and Emily's spent the whole time helping Mister Natsume with his development of the game he's making," Elizabeth explained.
"Well good, I'm just glad you're both alright," her mom said as she hugged her daughter again.
"Which is good, because now you two can work more on improving your relationship," Kaname quickly said.
Elizabeth and Mrs. Smith looked at each other.
"He's right, I know you mentioned last night you only pushed me aside because you thought it was the best for me," Elizabeth mentioned.
"I just thought if you were given some time apart, left to see the world on your own, you'd find something you'd like better than what your father did. Terrible job though huh?" Mrs. Smith said as she sat down. "Your father, he just, I don't even know why he married me if he was too obsessed with his job. That's all he cared about!"
"Yeah, obsessive," Elizabeth said, "I'm sorry mom, I, I think I like this kind of work in general. I want to keep doing it."
"And that's fine! That's what I wanted for you! I just didn't wanted you to be as obsessive with it as he was! Don't be afraid to get married, have a family. Enjoy life outside of it too! Even your stepfather was able to enjoy life until he forgot how to live it," Mrs. Smith said, looking over at her husband who was staring off into space, still looking worried.
"Um, mom, about that," Elizabeth started to say.
"How would you feel about trying to make your husband retire?" Kaname asked for her.
"Oh, wouldn't that be nice, but good luck getting any reason into him," Mrs. Smith said.
"Allow me," Kaname said as he walked over to the man, "hello sir."
"Am I late for my lecture?" Professor Smith asked as he tried to get up.
"No, not exactly," Kaname stopped him, "my good sir, don't you think you've done enough for the learning community? Time to maybe take it easy?"
"Oh I can't do that! I have keep giving lectures for Emily!" Professor Smith said.
"For Emily?" Kaname, Elizabeth and Mrs. Smith all said.
"Yes, I need to keep lecturing so she can get a good education,' said the professor.
"He must mean he needs to keep his job so Emily can continue to earn her degree at the university," Mrs. Smith speculated.
"Maybe it's time your daughter partake in an education on her own, in her own way," Kaname said.
"But Emily, I need to," Professor Smith tried to say.
"Emily will be fine," just like you need to work on mending things with Elizabet, you also need learn to let Emily go. Let her try something else for a change," Kaname said to him.
"Do you really think it won't hurt Emily if I do retire?" asked the professor.
"You won't know unless you try," Kaname said.
"She can come to Japan with me. She sounded interested in it earlier," said Elizabeth.
"Well, I'll have to think," Professor Smith said, "my head actually feels a little clear all of a sudden."
"That's good," said Mrs. Smith, "if Emily does go to Japan with you Liz, not only can you make sure to improve your relationship with the family starting with her, and give her a little more freedom."
"Yeah," Elizabeth agreed.
"Hey yo Liz, your car's here," Andy said, suddenly coming back inside.
"Thanks Andy, we should go," Elizabeth said, "I'll make sure to come see you again before I leave for Japan again."
"I hope so," her mom said, as she hugged her daughter one more time.
"I don't know what you did to my dad to help clear his mind but it seemed to work," Elizabeth said as she and Kaname got back into her car.
"Hardly anything, just used my words," Kaname bosted.
"Well, it still worked," Elizabeth said smiling at him.
"Of course, and I must say, this whole thing has inspired me with my intended speech," Kaname said as he stroked his chin.
"Oh really?" Elizabeth said, "the one you plan on doing off script that you mysteriously lost?"
"Fate works in mysterious ways my dear," Kaname replied.
"Is everything looking okay?' Ema asked as she hurried around the castle as the staff seemed to be busier than ever not only getting ready for the ball but also for her parents' arrival.
"Calm down will you? It's going to be fine," Yusuke kept telling her as he walked behind them.
"I know," Ema said, "I guess I just want Papa and Mom to feel at home."
"Yeah well, this place can grow on you as it is," Yusuke said, "I'm sure Rintaro and Mom will like it no matter how it looks."
"Yes, but Papa was labled as a criminal for helping to "kidnap" my mother. I don't want him to feel awkward and uncomfortable!" Ema said nervous, "I'm sure some still see him as that!"
Yusuke sighed and pulled her close, giving her a hug. "Relax," he told her, "it'll be fine. I'm sure the whole your dads kidnapping your mom things will die down quickly."
"Thank you Yusuke," Ema said relishing the warmth of Yusuke's embrace.
"Oh, um, your highness?" Chrissy suddenly said as she came up behind the pair.
"Yes?" Ema asked as she and Yusuke quickly pulled away from each other.
"I've just been informed that plane with your parents has safely landed and they are on rout to the palace. They should be here soon."
"Oh thank you Chrissy!" Ema said happily, "are my other brothers being told as well?"
"Yes your highness," said Chrissy, "as we speak, they are all being informed. So is your grandfather, the king."
"Wonderful! I hope we can all be there when they arraive to welcome them," Ema said as she squeezed Yusuke's hand in happiness.
"Thank you, we'll be heading to the front soon," Masaomi told the butler who had told him and Ukyo about their patents arriving.
He looked over at Ukyo who sitting at a desk in the special work room they had used with Erica and Hannah to work on the hospital project.
"It'll be interesting filling mother in on all that's happened so far," he mentioned.
"Yeah, I'll be curious on what her reaction is to my decision to stay and become a part of the House of Council," Ukyo said as he put some of his work away. "Were you going to tell her about the job offer for the head of Children's hospital?"
"Yeah, I will," Masaomi said, "we'll talk to work out what would happen to Wataru if I am able to take the job."
"If it was up to you, would you take it and just move Wataru here with you?" Ukyo asked.
"I think I would," Masaomi admitted, "I think he'd be happy here and wouldn't mind the move. But, I'm not his father. And his mother should be the one that makes such choices for him."
"Well good thing mom's always been one to make wise decisions," Ukyo said as comfort.
"I don't think I've ever tried white sauce with my pizza," Azusa said as he once again sat in the royal stables office keeping Natasha company.
Natasha smirked at him, "it's great isn't it?"
"Oh yeah," Azusa agreed, as he leaned in closer to her, "maybe next time, I could have you try some of the different pizza toppings we sometimes use in Japan."
"Does it always have to be pizza?" Natasha asked, "there's a few Japanese dishes I've always wanted to try."
"Hmm, well, we could do that next time, but it's hard to get a real taste for it unless you try it in Japan," Azusa replied, getting even closer.
"I suppose you would know," Natasha said smugly.
"Master Azusa," a servant suddenly came into the office, "your parents are on their way. They should be here soon and your sister the princess wants you all with her to welcome them."
"Of course, I'll be right there," Azusa said.
"Right, your parents," Natasha said suddenly getting a little serious again. "You know I'm not sure I should come to that dinner tonight. My leg and all."
"Stop that. Your leg can't keep you from sitting at a table," Azusa scolded, "you're just nervous about meeting my mother."
"Well, I was technically working against your sister and your brothers and you to get you out of here," Natasha reminded him.
"Yes, and my stepfather was a fugitive for the longest time accused of kidnapping the princess. Plus if what you did last night doesn't redeem you, I don't know what will."
"Hmm," Natasha muttered.
"Well I'm going to go meet her, and give you some time to think about it," Azusa said as he headed out, "don't keep living in the past. You are a better person than you give yourself credit for."
Natasha managed to smile.
"Okay, here I go," Rose said as she tried to take shoot a basketball into thr net. Subaru easily blocked it.
"I warned you I wasn't going to go easy," he said he dribbled it around her.
"Yeah, you did," Rose said with a smirk, "have you thought about how you're going to tell your mother you've decided to stay?"
"Just up and honest." Subaru said as he took a shot, "I actually called Coach Holly this morning telling of my decision to transfer. He sounded excited it and said he'd help take care most of the work."
"Is this really going to be a good move for you? I'm not sure transferring to Elence will help your basketball carer," Rose mentioned.
"I'm willing to take the risk," Subaru insisted as he took another shot, "I just want to make sure I can stay near Ema and," he paused as he turned to look at Rose, "and you."
"Hmm," Rose said with a blush, "speaking of your mother, shouldn't she be here soon?"
"Yeah and Ema said she wanted us to greet her and Rintaro," Subaru recalled, "I should go check that out." He threw his ball through the net one last time before he hurried out, pausing only to tap Rose on the head as he did.
Azusa hurried out in time to see Subaru coming out if the gym. He could also seeing Rose coming out as well.
"Having another lesson with Miss Rose?" Azusa mocked him.
"Kind of," Subaru muttered. "We were talking about me transferring here for college like Iori."
"You really sure you want to do this?" Azusa asked, "you're almost done with school as is."
"No, I kind of want to," Subaru assured him, "I'd like to see what else the world can offer me. Plus, I kind of want to stay close to Rose and Ema. And Ema's going to stay here as well so...,"
"Well I hope it works out for you. I'm sure mom will have a few choice words for you," Azusa said.
"Sure she will," Subaru muttered. He could only imagine what his mom was going to say once he told her one of the reasons he wanted to swtich schools. Before he all he cared about was basketball, but even before Ema found out about her true heritage, she had made him think there was more to life than just basketball.
And with Rose, a lot of her reminded him of Ema, but she was also her own person that he had come to like. And he'd like to keep getting to know her better. When had women made such a impact in his life?
Rintaro looked out the window of the limo that drove him and Miwa as it neared the palace.
"It doesn't look like it's changed too much these past years," he said softly.
"Are you still nervous about being back?" Miwa asked taking his hand.
"Oh yes," Rintaro admitted, "I know the king's parden me, and he understands why I did what I did. However, I did still take his daughter away from him without giving him even the slightest hint of where she was. Nor did I do anything to let him know she had died, let him pay his respects. I always felt so guilty over that."
"Well, at least now you two can work everything out, and also move on with your lives," Miwa tried to comfort him.
"Hopefully yes," Rintaro agreed right as the limo pulled into the courtyard.
Rintaro slowly managed to climb out and then help Miwa out.
"Oh thank you my prince," Miwa said, giving him a small kiss.
The two walked hand in hand to the palace doors that opened automatically for them. Just inside stood all 14 of their children and the king.
"Mom, Papa, welcome!" Ema said delighted.
"Oh my babaies! All of my babies!" Miwa said just as happy as she ran towards her kids.
"Hi Momma!" Wataru also shouted as he ran to his mom. Miwa threw her arms around her youngest first as her others sons and Ema gathered around her.
"Oh I'm so glad to see you're all fine and well!" Miwa said as she looked around at all her children. She let go of Wataru and threw them around Yusuke next. "Especially you! Oh god! If anything had happened to you! I'd...,"
"It's okay mom!" Yusuke tried to assure her.
"If anything Yusuke's proven he can take care of himself just fine," Masaomi added.
"Still," Miwa said as she hugged him a little tighter before letting . Then her attention turned towards Louis. "And you! Oh my god! Finding out about your real family like you did! I'm so sorry honey! How have you been able to cope?"
"Well, all my brothers and Chi have been a good source of support. Plus a lot of my other new royal family have been kind enough to help tell me about them, so I've learned much about them. Not that I've stop seeing you as my mother!" Louis told her.
"You better not!" Miwa warned as she hugged him as well. "Now, what else has you boys been up since you've been here! I want to hear about it all!"
From outside the circle, Rintaro and King Stephon watched Miwa happily embrace her children before both slowly turned and looked at each other as the king slowly approached Rintaro.
Rintaro bowed his head as the king neared.
"Hello Rintaro," he said sternly.
"Hello your Majesty, it's good to see you're looking well," Rintaro said, keeping his head down.
"Yes thank you," Stephon said, "I could say the same to you. You've seem to have done well for yourselves, both with your profession and with your social life. You've certainly found yourself a wonderful woman whose raised many fine men."
"Yes, I have truly found the love of my life with Miwa. And she loves Ema like her own," Rintaro said. He took a deep breath, "your majesty, I do apologize for mine and Kenji's part in taking Yolanda the way we did."
"I would hope so!" Stephon snapped softly, making sure to not raise his voice loud enough for the group to hear.
"I know your intentions were good, but it still hurt waking up one day and finding my daughter gone! My last real family!"
"Yes, I'm so sorry," Rintaro kept saying with his head down, "especially after she died and we couldn't tell you."
Stephon took a deep breath, "how did she die? Did she at least die peacefully?"
"Yes, she went quietly in her sleep. It was cancer and we tried hard to treat it. But I guess it just wasn't enough. Kenji was by her side practically the whole time," Rintaro explained.
Stephon sighed sadly, "poor Yolanda. How did Kenji go?"
"A car accident, it was very tragic," Rintaro explained.
"Oh that poor man, I hope he managed to have a good life, especially with Yolanda as his wife. They were legally married weren't they?" Stephon asked.
"Oh of course, bind and certified!" Rintaro assured him, "and they were happy together for as long as they were married. And even more so after Ema was born. They loved her so much."
Stephon nodded, "thank you," he said, before giving Rintaro a small smack upside his head, "I still owe you for taking Yolanda though!"
"Yes, of course, your majesty," Rintaro said, rubbing his head.
"Papa?" Ema said as she managed to get out of the group and hurry over to him.
"Oh Ema!" Rintaro said happily as he hugged her tight, "it's so good to see you're safe and doing so well as a princess! Your mother would be so proud of you!"
"I agree," Stephon said.
"Thank you Papa!" Ema said.
Miwa cleared her throat as she also came out of her group of sons and slowly joined Rintaro and Ema next to the king.
"Hello your Majesty," she said as she bowed respectively.
"Greetings Miwa Asahina, please raise your head. You are a most welcome guest in my home and in my country," King Stephon said. Miwa smiled as she lifted her head up.
"You are a lovely woman I must say," King Stephon continued, "and I must say, you've raised some of the finest young men I've ever had the pleasure of having in my company. I've even come so far as to see them as my own grandsons as well, alongside my granddaughter."
"Have you?" Miwa said looking back at her boys.
"It's true," Wataru said as he ran over and hugged the king's leg, "he even said we can call him Grandpa!"
Miwa looked touched by such a notion.
"That's wonderful my darling!" she said.
"Yes, yea it is," Stephon said patting Wataru's head. "Now then, you two must be tired and wanting some rest. We'll have you shown to your room."
"You can go ahead Rintaro, I still want to catch up with my boys," Miwa said looking back at them.
"Sure," Rintaro agreed looking at Ema and the king, "maybe we can get caught up as well."
"Yes, we should," King Stephon said, "somebody show Lady Miwa to a room where she can have some privacy to talk to her sons. Princess Ema and I will escort Rintaro to the bedroom."
"Well come on boys," Miwa ordered, "I want to talk to each of you one at a time to hear what's new."
"We'll try keeping from least shoking to greatest shocking," Masaomi assured his mother.
"Well good to hear you haven't felt the need to take more women down the spiritual path of enlightenment while you've been here Kaname," Miwa said as Kaname finished his description of his time in Elence.
"Let's just say Lady Elizabeth was a full project," Kaname said.
"Hmm," Miwa muttered, "is she nice?"
"She's wonderful, you'll like her when you meet her tonight!" Kaname assured her.
"I am curious about a woman who could take up all of your time," Miwa said.
"So, nothing elae besides meeting that girl Natasha dear?"
"No, not really," Azusa admitted, "I got to explore a lot of the palace but spending time with Natasha has been nice. I just wish I knew for certain what was going to happen with us when the time comes for me to go back to Japan."
"Do you want to keep getting close to her?" Miwa asked seriously.
"Yes, I do, she's a very interesting woman," Azusa said.
"Hmm," Miwa said as she stroked her chin in thought, "well, don't you worry too much. Now that your mother is here, she can help you with some of your problems."
"Yeah, I kind of figured you'd help that sense," Azusa muttered, even though he was a little relieved his mom had offered to help.
"So everything is taken care of for you to start the university?"
"It should be,' Iori said, "the administration office called ealier today actually saying my letter of acceptance will be arriving soon. They just needed to know if they should send it to the palace."
Miwa nodded, "I am happy for you with all of this Iori, truly. I looked up the university myself and was pleased to see it would fit your personal goals in life. I really do hope you're happy here."
"I think I will," said Iori, "not only have I found a great place to study in my field of choice but I've made some nice friends. Several of the young servants here are students as well involved in the worker-education program. I myself have tried looking into the program as well."
"Oh don't worry dear. I'll be able to pay for your education," Miwa tried to assure him.
"Well, I know, I just thought it might be nice for the experience," Iori explained.
"Well, you let me know what you decide. I'm sure you'll do well regardless," Miwa said patting his hand.
"Thank you Mother," Iori said happily.
"A game based on the country itself?"
"I've actually already gotten lots of material we can use to develop the kind I'm thinking of for it," Natsume said, showing his mom some of his notes.
"Always the professional aren't you?" Miwa asked as she looked it over, "this does look interesting though. But what about your company?"
"I am going back to Japan for a while to handle it and see about developing the game along. However if it's needed, I could see opening a branch here in Elence."
"I suppose it wouldn't hurt to look into expansion huh?" Miwa agreed. She started to notice some of the notes weren't all from Natsume. "Who's this E.S. person?"
"Oh Emily Smith, a history major who's been helping me learn of new things to possibly put into the game," Natsume said as he quickly took his notes away.
"I see," Miwa said smugly.
"She's thinking about transferring to Japan to continue her education and maybe help more with the development of the game."
"She sounds like an interesting woman," Miwa said with a smirk.
"You're banging the Prime minister's daughter? Really?"
"Oh mother, that's sucha derogatory term," Hikaru said calmly, "and besides we're not necessarily "banging". More like getting to third base."
"Yes, interesting," Miwa muttered, "and I suppose her family approves?"
"By family I assume you mean her mother, and yes, she thinks I'm a good match for the kind of woman her daughter is," Hikaru assured her.
"Interesting, I look forward to meeting her tonight then," said Miwa.
"You'll like her mother, I swear," Hikaru insisted.
"Well, I've always gotten along with your lady friends, as well as your gentlemen friends," Miwa agreed.
"You want to make a maid a superstar?"
"She's good, she's got talent. And if she doesn't make it, I'll keep her on as an assistant," said Futo.
"All this for a girl?" Miwa asked.
"She's not just a girl! She's a special girl! You'll understand when you meet her," Futo insisted.
"I suppose," Miwa said, "and I guess it'll be up to your agency to decide if she's talented enough to sighed up."
"Oh she will! She will! And like I said, if she doesn't, I already know she'll make a good assistant!" Futo maintained.
"Well, you always do what you want anyway, why stop you now?" Miwa said, "just promise me something; worse case scenario, if it doesn't work out between the two of you, don't be petty with her over it. I hate it when you get petty with your exs," said Miwa, "and I usually have to clean up the mess!"
"Don't worry, nothing like that will happen this time!" Futo declared.
"Good, because if does, I'll ask the king to lock you up in the dungeon!" Miwa warned.
"You broke up a royal engagement?"
"They weren't technically engaged, they were betrothed," Tsubaki explained, "against her will I might add!"
"But still!" Miwa sighed, "you have a knack for causing problems."
"Oh come on mom! She was miserable! She couldn't pursue her own dreams and do what she wanted. Now she has the freedom. And of the freedom allows her to possibly go out with me, then, who am I deny?" Tsubaki said.
Miwa moaned, "well, what does she want to do?"
"She wants to be a director," Tsubaki said.
"Oh, well, if that's what she wants and even come to Japan to do it, maybe she could look into finding a good film school to study in."
"Mom, are you trying to be helpful?" Tsubaki asked.
"Well if what you said about her life so far, it might not hurt to give her a little more freedom. I like the idea that women are able to take more chances in life," Miwa said.
"Thanks mom," Tsubaki said, "and I know you'll like her!"
"Here's hoping," Miwa said.
"You want to transfer now?!"
"There's still time, Ema's also started to transfer," said Subaru.
"Yes but she's just starting! You're a little further along! Are you sure this is a good idea? Will playing in Elence help further your career?" Miwa asked.
"The coach is thinking it will. He's really anxious to have me join," said Subaru.
"Well that's a no brainer! You're a great player!" Miwa said.
"And besides, staying here means I can stay close to Ema, and this other girl I've meet," Subaru said a little softly.
"Is this all over the idea of getting some with the opposite sex?" Miwa asked surprised.
Subaru looked at his mother disturbed.
"Well, I suppose in the grand scheme of things that wouldn't be too bad. It would be nice to see you interested in something other than basketball," Miwa said with a sigh, "I may not agree with what your doing. But you are old enough to make your own choices in life. I can't baby you forever. So if this is what you truly want and are prepared to face the consequences, be they good or bad, go for it. Just let me know how I can help."
"Thank you Mother," Subaru said kindly.
"And don't worry, if this backfires on you, I won't be there with a big 'I told you'," Miwa promised, "I'm sure Natsume will have that covered."
"Yes, he's good at that," Subaru muttered.
"Yes he is," Miwa said with a nod.
"Politics? You?"
"I really enjoyed the work I was able to do while I've been at it so far," Ukyo insisted, "both the work and the people I've worked with. They're both great women and...,"
"Women? Again with these women," Miwa said.
"Mom, please," Ukyo spoke up, "that's besides the point. I really feel I can do more here where, I do have kind of a leg up being the stepbrother of the princess. Yes, it's a little petty to exploit my relationship with her, but I do truly like working for her on her behalf."
Miwa smirked, "sounds like you're off to a great start to being a politician. You have expreess intrest in it before. So I can could see this as good opportunity for you. And I hope it goes well for you dear."
"Thank you mom," Ukyo, "and don't worry, I'll work hard to make and Ema proud."
Miwa patted his hand, "you've always made me proud and I know Ema admires you greatly. I'm sure you'll do well."
Miwa sighed as she took a sip from the ice water a servant had brought her.
'These boys are wearing me out with all of this! But that's how they usually are,' she thought as she took another sip. She wondered if she should have ask for a bourbon instead as Masaomi and Wataru came in.
"Well this is going to get interesting I'm sure," Miwa said as he boys took a seat, "let's start with you Wataru, what are you going to dump on your mother?"
"I was hoping you'll let me keep Wind Storm," Wataru said.
"Who's Wind Storm?" Miwa asked.
"My horse here at the palace! I've been riding him everyday since I've been here! He's become my friend! He even protected me the other day when the bad men were after us. Everytime they tried getting near me, Wind Storm would block them from me! He also broke their feet so they couldn't come after us when we managed to run away!"
"Really?" Miwa said as she stroked her chin, "well, we most certainly have to figure out how to let you keep your noble steed. It sounds like the two of you have quite the bond."
"They do, I've seen it," Masaomi added.
Miwa smiled as her youngest as she opened her arms for him.
"So you will? You will?" Wataru asked as he ran into her arms.
"As god as my witness, I'll make sure you and Wind Storm are never separated!" Miwa promised. Then she looked at Masaomi, "and you? What's happened to you?"
Masaomi bit his lip, "this is going to get a little awkward, but I have a unofficial job offer."
"What kind of job offer?" Miwa asked.
"Well, I don't know if you've had a chance to be brife on Ema and Ukyo's hospital project," Masaomi started to say.
"I've been briefed on it," Miwa said.
"Well, they mayor of the town we're hoping to build asked me if I'd consider being the head doctor of the children's hospital when it's ready," Masaomi finished.
Miwa looked at him seriously.
"Wataru, wait outside real fast," she said as she ushered the boy out. Wataru hurried to the door.
"Is this job set in stone?" Miwa asked once they were alone.
"No, by any means," Masaomi admitted, "they haven't even finished the negotiations for it."
"But would you like the job if it does become available?" Miwa asked.
"Yes actually," Masaomi admitted, "I've met some of the kids who could use the new hospital. That includes the mayor's own son. He's a good kid, a lot like Wataru. Plus it's a chance to be a head doctor."
"Yes, that does sound like a great opportunity for you," Miwa agreed. "You'll probably want to move here to make sure you can secure the position, huh?,
"That and also help with the development. I've become a part of Ukyo's team in working on it, since I am a doctor, along with Miss Hannah, and Erica."
Miwa raised an eyebrow at Masaomi calling Erica simply Erica.
"And has one of those women become a little close to you dear?" she asked.
"Kind of," Masaomi admitted.
"I see," Miwa said, "well I can't keep making you be a caretaker to Wataru and the others. You do have your own life to live. But I don't know if I want Wataru to move here permanently just yet. I'd like him to come back to Japan for now, until things like Ema and Louis' royal positions are more secured and possibly this job offer is more secured."
"I understand," Masaomi assured her.
"But, I do feel that you should try and get this job this head doctor job for yourself and if that means moving here, than please do. Live your life son, make it a good one. I'll talk, work out something with your brothers who are returning to Japan about looking after Wataru and I'm sure Rintaro and I will be able to step up more in being his caretakers."
"So, I have your blessing?" Masaomi asked.
"With all my heart! And if you do get a little more security with your job in general here and Wataru wants to live here to, I'm willing to let him come back and live near his grandfather," Miwa insisted with a smirk.
"I should hope so! He's clearly the king's favorite among us," Masaomi told her.
Miwa giggled before reaching over and hugging her son. "I am proud of you! And your brothers so far. This trip seems to have been a good influence on all of you."
"Well, you help set us up by raising us," said Masaomi.
"No, you boys are all your own person and have all come a long way. This is all you! And I can't begin to express how happy it's made me!"