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Author's Chapter Notes:

This chapter took on a mind of its own as I was writing. It is not as I planned, but it is what came out.

Terms and what-not:

Hankyu International Hotel - Luxury hotel in Osaka

Shinshoku - Shinto priest

Genki de ni! - Good Luck(for the future)!

Please excuse errors :)




Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.


 

Darren Percy sat in Sara's bed. Darren scratching in his crossword book and Percy catching up on the latest James Patterson novel. It had been an interesting few days to say the least and Percy was having trouble concentrating.

"Darren, I can't take it anymore. I'm going to go talk to her." She plopped the book down in her lap and looked at her husband.

"No, Percy," Darren looked at her over his reading glasses. "Give the child some time. She'll come to us. She always did in the past and she will now too. Just watch." He gave his wife a nod and returned his attention to his crossword.

"When, Darren, when? Spring the ex-boyfriend on us in the airport, then up pops the Muslim. I've got to know what's going on."

"Patience, Percy."

"We'll be going to that Umezotos or motos or whatever they're called soon." She paused a second. "No, I can't take it. I have to find out." She tossed her book on the table by the bed and was in the middle of swinging her feet off the bed when there was a knock at the door. 

"Who is it?" Darren asked looking Percy dead in the face.

"Sara, may I come in?"

Percy quickly swung her feet back on the bed and picked her book up.

"Of course, come on in." Darren grabbed her book and turned it right side up with an ‘I told you so' smile plastered on his face.

"Hey, you guys getting ready to go to bed?" Sara squeezed in the door halfway.

"No, come on in baby." Percy calmly put her book down and took off her glasses as Sara padded to the bed and sat down at their feet.

"Did you have fun tonight at dinner?" There was a timidity in her voice that Darren recognized.

"Why, yes we did. That Kamir is a right nice fellow." The entrance. He knew how to get her to talk.

"Who is he? Where is he from? How do you know him? Do you like him?" The shut down. Percy sat up. Darren cut his eye at her and looked at Sara who blinked and chewed the inside of her lip.

"Percy, if you'd spent more time talking to him than debating with him, you'd know he's a lawyer from Mumbai and they met through one of Sara's clients." The clean up. He smiled at his daughter.

"He is very nice and he seems to be interested in me, for some reason." She sighed. Percy opened her mouth to speak, but Darren lifted his hand. "Everything is just so mottled up. I like him just fine. I feel comfortable with him, but then there is Yuki trying his best to be a father to Shouda."

"He's married Sara."

"I know mama, I know. I don't want to want him. It just...he's working on his marriage and relationship with Shouda and trying to get along with me and I get so angry because he left me, mama." Sara's eye filled with tears. "He left me alone and I loved him and I wanted us to be a family, I dreamt about it at night as I carried Shouda and after he was born and," they started leaking down her face, "and now I watch him share Shouda with his wife, like a family. I envy them."

"Oh, baby, come on up here." Percy patted the bed between she and Darren. Sara crawled up between them and Percy wrapped her arms around her and rocked her as she cried.

"He didn't fight for me, he didn't even try. I see him going against his parents for Shouda and I keep thinking...I keep...why didn't he do that for me? Why?"

"Sara, you need to let go of the past." Darren eased closer as the door opened. Ward stepped in. "Boy, don't you know how to knock?"

"Lost all knowledge of it. I figured Sara would be getting things off her chest." He shrugged and stepped in.

"It's okay daddy." Sara sniffed. Ward stretched his long body out on the bed.

Darren grunted, "Like I was saying, you need to let go of the past. You can't mix the past with the present. You have to keep your eyes on the future."

"And your future is Shouda, huh baby?" Percy gave her a squeeze.

"What about my feelings?" Sara looked over at her father.

"I think, for the first time since it all happened, you're finally dealing with them. The fact of the matter is, he was a coward. He left you, but you both made a conscious decision for it to stay that way, whatever your reasons. I'm not saying your decision was wrong, now. You've been throwing your energy into everything but what happened and now that he is back, all that is rearing its ugly head." He gave her a kiss on the head.

"So, she should forgive him and move on." Ward nodded in agreement.

"Didn't say nothing bout forgiveness." Darren point to his son.

"Dad," he looked at his father in disbelief, "there is no letting go without forgiveness. He most likely needs to forgive himself too, he is probably struggling with demons of his own."

"Good, he should be." Percy interjected. "But, baby, the truths are these: he is married, he wants to be a good father to Shouda and he needs your cooperation to do it. You have to move on with your life too. What you had with Yuki, is over."

 

It hurt Sara's heart to hear those words but she figured her mother and father were right. She was stewing in the past. Wishing for things that were not her's to have. Her heart still ached for Yuki because she let it, because she needed to deal with emotions properly and let it go. She would work out an amiable friendship with Yuki to prove the past was in the past and to help create a loving environment for Shouda.

"Which brings us back to Kamir." Ward grabbed her leg.

"The Muslim." Percy rolled her eyes.

"He's not a Muslim mom, he's Hindi." Sara sat up with resolve pulling her leg from Wards' grasp.

"I say, you enjoy him, have fun. Admire and be admired." Ward winked at his sister. "They're seeing each other you know." He announced to his parents.

"Well, we figured something was up when he took us to dinner last night." Darren returned to his crossword.

Sara repeated her mother's words. What she had with Yuki is over. What she had with Yuki is over.

 

πππππππππππππππ

 

It was a new day. A new beginning. Sara looked at the order board on her lab table. It was the biggest order she had ever had to date. That's right, the decisions had been made on the massive project she had been working on. The wedding. Now she had deadlines. A multitude of deadlines. A family from Northern Japan was marring into a very wealthy family from the Southern Japan. It would be attended by everybody who was anybody including foreigners associated with the both families. Apparently, the family from the North was new money and not quite on the level of the grooms, but with this wedding they would be launching themselves into a new socioeconomic strata. They had arrived.

Sara was very proud of landing this job. Even though no one had ever said anything, she knew she had been up against more traditional and better outfitted companies. She had waited her turn in one of the private lounges belonging to the Ceres bar in Ōsaka's prestigious Hankyu International hotel nursing a cosmopolitan. When they arrived, she found her self the center of attention not only for the bride, groom and their parents, but also for their lawyers, a wedding planner, two secretaries, a personal assistant and their Shinshoku. This was very unusual.

The pricy vodka gave her the extra kick she needed to make her presentation and the center of attention shifted from herself, and her race, to her work. She knew it was superior, her careful selections and attention to detail. She had taxed her brain on everything from texture to form, cohesion to flow. She had blended sacred treasures from the North with icons of the South and she'd done it three different ways. They had been enraptured and she discreetly excused herself to give them time to inspect her sample boards and took a ride on the elevator and a short walk around the luxurious lobby.

When she returned, there had been a general feel of excitement in the air, the bride and groom had stepped aside with her and told her the job was hers. There was a formality they were obligated to go through, but they promised to set up an appointment the following day to take care of the details. The group walked out much less superior than when they had walked in and many sincere bows were given.

She secured her apron and put on her gloves, she would be working first with stamping, and subsequently lost herself in the world of paper, creation and colors. Time faded away as well as every living being. That is, until Kamir blew on the back of her neck as she scrutinized the announcement template for errors. She came crashing back to reality with warm cheeks, an increase in heart rate and slightly parted lips.

"Kamir?"

 

He was a cad. He had resisted outside of the ramen-ya, in the damn tunnel at the aquarium, at the top of the Ferris wheel and at a moment when they found themselves alone last night, he wasn't resisting anymore. He would call it and introductory kiss, light pressure on the lips and a gentle caress of the neck. She didn't lean back or protest, but she didn't touch him either. He took his time, his tongue flicked over her lower lip, his thumb slid the length of her jaw to the lobe of her ear. He felt her shiver. An introductory kiss. He released her lips.

"If you're going to smack me, let me know now so I can prepare my bad side." He was still close and as her eyelids raised and she looked in his eyes, he knew there was no danger in that happening. She smiled.

"I wasn't going to smack you."

"Good, because it is time for lunch and its hard to eat with a swollen jaw."

"I'm trying to figure out why my assistant doesn't announce you anymore." She turned from him and began to untie her apron.

"Excuse the intrusion." 

He and Sara turned around to see Kaoru bowing in the doorway. Not too far behind her Yuki stepped in the room.

"Excuse the intrusion."

Kamir looked at Yuki and Yuki looked at Kamir.

"Kaoru, Yuki, hello." There was a hint of surprise in her voice. Kaoru stepped forward and grabbed her hand.

"I am sorry to impose on you Sarua, but Yuki and I would be delighted if you could have lunch with us. Kamir is welcome as well. I have something I wish to discuss with you." Even when she mentioned his name, Kamir noted that she did not look at him. Sara did.

"I can see no reason why not to go. Kaoru, Yukimoto." he bowed. "Do you Sara?"

 

An unexpected development to be sure, but Sara was a new woman. A woman not focused on the past, which is why she accepted Kamir's kiss. She felt it coming and had decided not to resist, but to enjoy, and she had. She smiled.

"I do not." She grabbed her purse and hung her apron on its hook. She checked her appearance in the mirror and turned to the room. Kamir stepped up to her with Yuki to his right.

"Wait a minute." He tilted her chin and rubbed at a dark smudge under her jaw as he smiled into her face. "Perfect." He turned to Kaoru. "After you." She smiled shyly and linked arms with Sara as she passed. In the showroom Kaoru leaned in as they walked. 

"You are not bothered by this I hope."

Sara smiled confidently.

"Kaoru, you are very kind to think of me, but what Yuki and I had is over."

Kaoru only lowered her eyes and let go as Kamir caught up with them and opened the shop door to exit.

 

Yuki glance at the man sitting in the car beside him and then at the women in the back seat. He had been surprised to see him in Sara's clinic and if he were honest, a bit disappointed. He did not know why, he held no claims to Sara's heart. Eight years had passed and he had chosen his wife and his family over her. To make it worse, he had rejected her in such a degrading way. He winced.

Surely she hated him or at least was only being kind because of Shouda. She was a better person than he. He knew now. He regretted now. At least there was Shouda. Such a good child and so like his mother. He would protect that in him, no matter what happened.

"Yukimoto, I understand you are set to take over the reigns from your father soon." Kamir adjusted himself so he could look at Yuki.

"Yes, my father wishes to step down as President though he will still work as the Presidents advisor."

"You mean, your advisor."

"If that is how it turns out." Yuki nodded humbly.

"There is no need to be modest Yukimoto."

"You misunderstand Dubashi-san. There are other candidates, wiser candidates than myself who have worked very hard for my father. It is true I will inherit his interests in the company, but it does not mean I will be chosen to take his position." Yuki pulled into a parking space in the garage.

"Do you want the position?"

"If I am qualified."

Kamir tilted his head and shrugged.

"There are probably lawyers in the firm I work for, who felt me unqualified for this job. Maybe they were right." Kamir exited the car and he waited for Yuki as he engaged the alarm as the women walked on. "I find, that if you want something, it is better to go after it, not wait for it to come to you."

"Even if you do not deserve it?" Yuki felt an indirect shift in the conversation and it irked him.

"Deserving is relative, Yukimoto." Kamir kept his eye ahead as he walked beside Yuki. Yuki followed his line of sight, he was looking at Sara.

"What if you do not have a complete understanding of the subject?"

"Immersing oneself can be the best way to learn. Trying it out, getting a feel for it, enjoying its benefits." Still he looked at her.

"It is not an experiment. There are consequences for your actions."

"I suppose you should know that better than anyone." Kamir stopped. "Wait, we are still talking about the job right?" He turned away, "We must not keep the ladies waiting."

Yuki followed behind him with a dark cloud looming over his head. Kamir had engaged him the conversation on purpose. What he could not figure out, was why?

 

Kaoru stole glances at Yuki and Kamir as they began to eat. She felt Yuki's unease and Kamir's triumph. Maybe asking both of them had been a mistake. She had asked Yuki because it concerned him and invited Kamir out of kindness, really. She had been more worried about Sara feeling uncomfortable. 

"Sarua, this lunch was my idea." Kaoru began. "You see, I have decided to start my own business."

"Kaoru, that is wonderful. In accounting?"

"Yes, you remember you mentioned it in jest when I first start looking into your books?"

"Yes, I do. I still think it is a good idea. I am indebted for the fabulous job you did for me."

"I have asked for Yuki's help and he has agreed." She smiled at him. "Now, I wish to ask for yours."

"Of course, what can I do?" Sara put down her glass.

"We are not using my family or the Umezawa family contacts," she looked into her plate, "I have my own reasons why."

"I understand."

Kaoru looked back up. "I felt that you would. This is why I have come to you. I would like to be a freelance accountant. To work for businesses like yours. You must know other small companies like Paper Butterfly Wings who could use a part time accountant."

Sara sat up. "I have just the thing. I belong to a merchant group. It caters to small business, that is, with X amount of employees so-on-and-so-forth, we could start there."

"It surely will have many business listed, Kaoru." Yuki nodded and smiled.

"Yes," Kaoru was very excited. Yuki was helping her with the bureaucratic details and now Sara was giving her possible clients. She herself had worked out the numbers. Things were coming together.

"We should have a toast, but not with water and tea." Kamir lifted his hand to attract the waiter. "Please bring us..." he looked at Kaoru, "what would you like to drink?"

This was what it was like to be captured in his attention. His eyes were attentive, alert. A smile, just for her danced around his lips and he waited. She became self-conscious. Her brow creased and his brow arched.

"Anything you like Kaoru. It is a toast to you." Sara encouraged and Kaoru turned to her.

"Then...then," she looked at Yuki who nodded. "Then, Tequila Sunrise."

"Excellent choice, strong and sweet. Tequila Sunrise please. Four. I like the way you think." He tapped his temple and she smiled. He was so lively, open and fresh. He turned away to shine on Sara, but Kaoru was still happy. The drinks were quickly brought out and everyone grabbed theirs. "A toast. We should live this to the husband." She turned to Yuki who looked surprised.

"Me?"

"Come on Yuki, you can do it." Sara raised her eyebrows expectantly. Kaoru noticed him glance at Kamir who wore a challenging smirk. Yuki stood.

"To Kaoru and her new business. Genki de ni!" He raised his glass.

"Genki de ni!" Sara and Kamir said in unison. They took turns tapping glasses then took a large gulp.

Kaoru was the happiest she had been in a very long time.

 

Kamir hopped out of the car and Sara slid across the back seat.

"Thank you Yuki." She grinned and touched Kaoru. "I will find the list and call you."

"Thank you Sarua."

Kamir pulled her out of the car and shut the door. Yuki glanced back once as he pulled away just in time to see Kamir link his fingers with Sara's.

"Yuki, you do not like Kamir?"

"I do not know him."

"But, you do not think he is right for Sarua?" She stared out the window so as not to make him uncomfortable.

"I believe he is not serious. She needs someone who is ready to support a family." He had no idea why he was expressing himself so much. Maybe because he was miffed. Maybe it was the effects of the drink. More than likely, it was a bit of both.

"I think he is nice and will make her happy." she sat quiet a moment. "However, I think he may not be serious as well."

Yuki frowned, "Why do you think this?"

Kaoru finally turned to him, "He will have to go back to India before long and Sarua will not leave Japan."

 

"I mean it, he's so stiff." Kamir leaned against the shop door to hold it for Sara.

"He is, reserved." Sara laughed and walked past.

"I have asked myself a million times what brought you two together." He followed her as she walked through the shop, greeted her assistant and walk down the short hall to her clinic.

She turned around, "A karaoke joint."

"No." he laughed. "What was he doing in a karaoke bar?"

She sighed and put her hands on either side of her head. "I don't remember."

"You're adorable when you're drunk." He laughed and entered her space kissing the corner of her mouth.

"And you're a flagrant opportunist." She turned her head so that their lips connected and kissed him back. He was moving from introductory kisses to intermediary kisses. Two levels in one day wasn't bad. He had Kaoru and her Tequila Sunrise to thank for this. His lips moved more deliberately against hers as he toyed with them. He felt her hands rest against his chest. He placed his on either side of her head and then pulled back. building anticipation was the hardest part.

"Enough for today. More tomorrow." He backed away slowly with her hands in his.

"Oh, tomorrow, I can't." 

"Why?"

"Tomorrow my parents go to the Umezawas. We're supposed to all eat lunch together." Sara bit her bottom lip.

"Oh no, the dreaded meeting." He began to laugh. "Can I come?"

"Family only you interloper." She jacked her hands out of his, which only made him laugh more. 

"Where are they now? Sharpening their weapons?" He leaned on her lab table.

"No, they took Shouda to Universal Studios Japan."

"You didn't want to go and make some magic moments?"

"Those are the kind of magic moments best made with grandparents. He has unlimited energy for running around and they for spending money and indulging." She laughed.

"Does that mean you're free tonight?"

"It does not Mr. Opportunist. I think you've had enough for today." She began to push him out of her clinic.

"Okay, okay. One to get me through tomorrow?" He stopped at the door.

Sara kissed him lightly on the cheek.

"Now go."

 






Chapter End Notes:

Thank you ladies!

Kamir is stepping up the heat! A bit too fast?







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Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.