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Author's Chapter Notes:

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Translations/Explainations:

Yakisoba - A noodle dish

Tennoji Park - Large park with temple and zoo in Osaka

Yubune - wooden tub for soaking in water after bath

Ryokan - Tradicional Japanese Inn

Onsen - Hot tubs or springs where the Japanese go to relax

Nabe - A hot pot meal usually like a soup consisiting of various foods

Shabu-Shabu - Nabe in which the meat and vegetables are dipped in the boiling soup then in a vinigar or sesimee sauce like fondue

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.


 

"Kamir, are you listening to what I'm saying?"

"If the answer is ‘no,' then, no."

"I can't play hooky today..."

"There seems to be a problem with the connection, you keep breaking up."

"...I have a big project. There is much to do. I want to reaserch a little more, check on a few things; then this trip the Umezawas have planned." Sara sighed.

"I'm sorry, you said right now you wanted to go on a trip to Okinawa and play in the sand?"

Sara rolled her eyes.

"Well, that's what I'm talking about! Why don't we just start with lunch, okay? I'll be there in a minute."

"Kamir!" 

The line went dead. Everyday since the meeting of the quasi-in-laws he had been taking her to lunch. He was consuming that middle of the day free time she usually reserved for getting lost in work. She liked that time of day where she could just forget about everything and the delightfully monotonous world of scoring, folding, arranging and printing. Spending the time with Kamir was not all bad, he was very entertaining and she really enjoyed his company. Today, she was going to have to lay down the law though. She had work to do.

 

"When I said I wanted to go to lunch, I meant out to a restaurant." Kamir poked at his yakisoba and frowned slightly. He glanced at Sara and noticed it was having no affect on her. She could be so cruel.

He had appeared at her job and strolled into her clinic, according to plan. He had flirted a bit, kissed her lips and buttered her up - as planned. He had demanded that she go with him even pulled her gently off her stool, as outlined in said plan. He had received rejections repeatedly. This totally disrupted the plan sending it to a screeching halt. In the end she had compromised by ordering out and inviting him to lunch with her in the clinic, as he was so inclined to eat. She could not, would not go out. 

"I'm sorry Kamir, I have a very large time specific order. You are fun and all, but I can't shirk my responsibilities."

"You think I'm fun?"

She looked up at him, "Of course."

"That's good anyway." He took his time watching her cut cardboard into thick strips and was hit by a very bright idea. "Go to dinner with me." Seeing as she was being stubborn about lunch. 

Her attention was again focused on him. "What?"

"Dinner, you know that meal people eat at night."

"But..."

"Shouda has two sets of grandparents and his father. Surely no one will think twice about babysitting him while you take some time to relax." This was perfect. He had been thinking of a way to move things to the next level. With Darren Percy's ascendancy, Shouda the nucleus of the her orb of life, the on going battle of Umezawa and Yuki surfacing every few minutes ‘for Shouda's sake,' things were rather complicated. Did he sound bitter? Perhaps he was exaggerating slightly.

He gave her his best seductive look with a little puppy-dog eyes thrown if for good measure.

Come to think of it, her parents were staying at the Umezawa's, she said her brother had left for London or something and if he could get her to deposit Shouda somewhere he could have her all to himself. "We could take a stroll through the Keitakuen Gardens in Tennoji Park, then eat dinner and see where the night takes us."

 

To say that Sara was surprised by his suggestion would be a slight understatement. Honestly, she had not thought of them getting together alone at night. At all. Strangely the idea both scared and attracted her. Seriously dating was low on her list of priorities. Shouda consumed her time and what he didn't take up was filled with work. She wasn't unhappy about her life and didn't have much occasion to feel lonely. She creased her brow. Had given very little thought to whether she felt lonely.

"We won't do anything you don't want to." When she focused back on Kamir, his hands were in the air as if to stabilize the atmosphere. 

"If I have free time though, I really should be working on this wedding order."

"So let Shouda stay with...someone for two nights. One so you can go out me and the other so you don't feel bad for going out with me." He reached out and touched her nose with a laugh.

"Are you ever serious?"

"No, but that's what I think you like about me. Come on Sara, go on a real date with me. I'm a good looking guy. I'm fun. We get along well. I like you." The puppy-dog eyes popped out again.

"Only God knows why." She scrunched her face.

"What do you mean? You're an anomaly." All she could see in Kamir's face was blank incredulity and disbelief. Sometimes his form of banter made her question his sincerity. She had the impression that even though he was always genuine, whether he was genuinely serious or genuinely fooling around was up for dispute. Sara usually opted for genuinely fooling around and treated him accordingly. There were a few exceptions. 

"I am the most average, average of all average people." She really felt this way. If she could accomplish something, anyone could. She had no feelings of superiority nor did she feel inferior. 

"There is nothing average about you. Don't get shallow on me. That's one thing I have never thought you were."

Again, she would be extremely flattered if there wasn't that hint of a playful smirk dancing around the corners of his mouth. It was an enticing mouth.

"Everyone is shallow to one extent or another, Kamir. Life would be too heavy a burden to carry otherwise." Sara laughed.

"You know what I mean. An expatriate African American woman with a successful business in a culture totally different from her own who has raised a child singlehandedly; this woman would not be caught up on things like whether heads turned when she entered the room because of her flawless look in Zac Posen or the shape of her legs in the latest design in kitten heels." He had at some point rounded the clinic table and stood near. He tilted her head back gently and slowly lowered his enticing lips to hers. He kissed her lightly.

"You would be much happier if I were in kitten heels." Sara smiled. He kissed her again.

"I would not." He lifted her off the stool and stood her against the table and kissed her again with more fervor. She slid her hands up his back as he briefly released her mouth.

"If its any consolation, I think Zac's clothes are beau..."

Sara had no idea what to think. The strong grip of his arms circling around her. They cradled her, protecting her from the outside world. His firm warm body pressed against hers, she leaned against it for support. Kamir's enticing mouth currently exploring the depths of her own. It was overwhelming, all consuming. It demanded a response, pushing at a door deep inside her that had not been opened for so long and when it was breached, that provocative part of her stretched where it slept no longer and stood pulsating slowly. Lighting its dark space little by little until she shivered against him. She gasped when he moved to her ear and cradled the back of his neck softly before turning her head to take his mouth back.

The distinct shrill of her phone ceased her movements and she moaned slightly.

 

No, no, no, Kamir cursed the person on the other end of the line to hell, to rot, to endless torture and misery as Sara fought for control in his arms. The soft hair of her bang tickled the corner of his eye as she pressed her forehead against his and took a breath. He watched her bottom lip disappear between her teeth before popping out again, glistening, inviting. Her hand mindlessly trailed down the side of his face and pressed against his chest. She turned in his arms without looking at him and picked up her phone.

Kamir had figured there had to be something inside Sara worth getting to. More to her than was visible on the surface and he had not been wrong. The intensity of what lay there was what he had miscalculated. He didn't want the fire to wane. He glided his hands over her stomach and up the sides of her torso before kissing the back of her neck.

"This is Sara speaking, how may I assist you?" There was a slight pause during which he could hear an indistinct voice then she stiffened. "Yuki..."

How was it that this man always surfaced when he didn't want him around? 

 

"Sarua how are you?" 

"I am fine." She felt guilty. Why should she feel guilty? "Is there something you need?"

"Ah, yes, I would like to collect Shouda from school today. Would you mind?"

"Shouda. No, that is fine. I am sure he will be happy to see you." She shouldn't feel guilty. Yuki was married and they were doing better and she could kiss whomever she wanted, whenever she wanted to do it. She rubbed her forehead and Kamir's hand began to drop from her waist. She grabbed if forcefully and put it back holding it there.

"Good, thank you. I..."

"About Shouda, Yuki, would it be too much of an inconvenience if he spent the night with you?" Sara closed her eyes at the long pause that followed.

"Of course not Sarua. I will invite him to stay with me this evening. He has sufficient clothes for this evening and tomorrow in his room at my flat. It is not an inconvenience but a pleasure." She knew he wanted to ask, perhaps he already knew, but he didn't say anything.

"Thank you Yuki." As she hung up the phone, her heart beat wildly as if she had just lied to her mother about spending the night with a friend to study when in actuality she was going to a party or club. This only made her more frustrated. Kamir stirred respectfully behind her as if he knew she needed a moment to come to grips with her decision.

When she turned around, he had the most adorable smile on his face so she kissed it.

"A relaxing walk and dinner sound perfect. However, you have to let me get some work done now."

He pulled her into him and bent his head down to her ear. "I will be back at five." Then he let her go. 

 

***

 

Yuki Umezawa was perplexed as he waited outside the Academy doors for his son to appear. If he was correct, if he still remembered with enough accuracy, Sara was flustered. Had something happened at work? Was something wrong with her heavy order? He knew her present project was very large and very important. Once she successfully completed it, she would rival some of the oldest, most established venues or her kind. It was already an upset decision amongst the elite.

He had heard that she was only given the opportunity because someone had jokingly mentioned her to someone. Since they would be interviewing all day, they might as well take a peek at the Westerner whose work had popped up here and there in their circles. He had afterwards heard that the whole party had been blown away. Of course they had been. Sara was amazing and her work impeccable. She had a good eye, a discerning nature and a determination that could rival his mother, though in a more credible way.

Something still nagged at him though.

 

The water dripped from one of the hand-held shower heads that sat side-by-side in and L shape in the bathing area. There was a sereneness that surrounded them, the intermittent drip, the light rain beating on the floor to ceiling windows that bent and formed a glass gazebo around the warm placid water in the large wooden yubune off to their right. It was a happy fondling rain that slid in tentacle like patterns down the windows merging and separating as they trailed down to were they saturated the patio below. 

It was an elongated echo of the two bodies merging and writhing on one of the stools in the bathing area. 

Yuki sat on the short stool with Sara straddling his lap. They had come for a rejuvenating trip to the Ryokan to enjoy surrounding nature and, of course, the spectacular onsen that the traditional Japanese inn boasted. They were supposed to shower, thoroughly washing before entering the warm relaxing water. They only had it for an hour and a half before the next reservation. After they finished washing Sara looked too delicious kneeling between his legs. There was a large adoring smile on her face and her eyes sparkled. Her wet hair was pulled on top of her head with a butterfly clip, but some ringlets rested on the back of her neck and adhesively clung to her ears. He cupped her face and kissed her.

It started out innocent enough, but as he took more from her she opened up. It was like feeling a flower bloom under your fingers. The soft peddles spreading under you touch, pushing with imperceptible might to reveal the stamens. A myriad filaments, firm and inviting, giving under your touch, topped with anthers littered with puffs of pollen coating your skin. Everything open, everything exposed, innocently willingly; a paradox to her usually calm behavior.

Something that boiled underneath, watching waiting to be tapped and exposed. It was hard not to drink her dry when she was like this. Yuki clutched her thighs, his hands sliding over her slick skin. He pulled her against him. It. 

There was a discreet rap on the door. His face was buried in the curve of her neck. He felt her shake her head before gulping and clearing her throat.

"Yes?"

"Is everything to your liking?" a female voice answered from the other side.

"Yes, everything is wonderful, simply wonderful, as expected." Her arms remained in their position encircling his shoulders.

"I am very happy. Please enjoy."

"Thank you." She waited a moment then turned her face into his neck. He lifted his head and noticed a slightly rosy hue across the skin of her face. "Do you think she knows?"

"It does not matter." He kissed her chin. She began to relax. "I did detect a bit of fluster in the tone of your voice." She tensed back up and he smiled.

"No, Yuki." She hid her face in her hands and he picked her up in his arms and carried her to the yubune.

 

The chatter of students broke his thoughts and he scowled. Surely it had not been that type of flustered. He felt the scowl drop from his face and at the same moment a presence. He looked down into the adoring eyes of his son. They were filled with concern. Yuki remembered that it was Sara who was supposed to pick their son up.

"Shouda," he said hastily, "I begged your mother to let me have you to myself today. You will spend the night with me. What do you think of that?" He rustled the curls on his son's head.

"I like the idea very much, but why do you look sad?"

Yuki blinked rapidly and smiled. "Did I look sad?"

"Yes"

"If you think I am sad because I we will spend tonight together you are greatly mistaken. I wish we could spend more time together and I am grateful to Sara for letting me have you." He bend over and touched his forehead to Shouda's. "What is more, I have a surprise for you."

"A surprise?" Shouda's concerned expression vanished and was replaced by unabashed excitement.

"Yes, but first, what do you say to tempura?"

"Can we get vegetables and seafood?"

"Yes"
"Okay!"

They situated themselves in Yuki's car and he pulled off.

"I wish mother could come, she likes tempura." Shouda glanced at his father.

"We will go together sometime, the three of us." Yuki did think it would be pleasant if Sara could come with them. Like a family.

"You don't have to worry father, I like it when the three of us are together too. I told mother I would like a brother or sister."

Yuki peered at his son who was manipulating the GPS panel. 

"Really, and what did your mother say?" He said much more calmly than he felt.

"She said to concentrate on making friends at school." The pulsating peg on the screen changed from red to blue and continue to mimic the movements of their car through the streets.

"I think that is an excellent suggestion." Yuki concentrated on driving. The thought of having some other man replace him as father and stay by Sara's side during the pregnancy and birth, to do everything he did not, made him scowl again. 

Not to mention conception.

 

***

 

The sun still held an imperial position in the sky as Sara and Kamir walked through the formal section of the gardens. Very symmetrical in form one side mirrored the other line for line, curve for curve. If there were fuchsia flowers over here than the same existed over there. The slight decline to the patio gave a panoramic view, nothing hidden or secret. They moved from this area down the stone walk and happened upon the view of the temple at the water's edge. A low bridge connected it to the other side of the pond, they stood perpendicular to it. The rustic red temple seemed surreal set against the more modern high-rises stationed behind it as if it had been graphically imposed below the modern skyline.

Still it held its station, a reminder of the past, cultures gift to the youth of more modest days. Surrounding trees hid it partially from view and awkward fountains spouted water in a constant wide ring around their mouths.

Walking further brought them to the Japanese garden, simplistic, well manicured, meticulous in its design yet indigenous to the human eye. Varieties of pines groomed in every form imaginable met them at every turn. Lily pads congregated in familial groups in different parts of the large pond. Beneath them enormous Koi fish glided about continuously. Every now and then, they caught a glimpse of simple stone shrines against green backdrops or connecting peninsulas of foliage.

Kamir did not press his presence on Sara, but he never let her forget it.

They decided on nabe for dinner with Sara introducing Kamir to shabu-shabu. They laughed at how many times he dropped his meat and vegetables. He persevered with his chopsticks and by the time they were satisfied had become reasonably proficient. 

 

She did enjoy his company. In the gardens and over dinner. He was fun and alive in the very way she had been dead for so many years. Perhaps it was that or the kiss earlier or the sake that made her feel liberal, but she held hands with him as they walked from the subway station to her apartment. Sara relished in his presence and the intimacy that had burgeoned between them. She had forgotten what it was like to be accompanied by a man.

The first odd detail that should have captured her attention was Mr. Shinohara standing outside his door as they departed the elevator. She didn't think to check her watch, only smiled warmly at him.

"Good evening Shinohara-san, this is Kamir Dubashi a friend of mine." She and Kamir showed their respect.

"Dubashi-san, it is a pleasure to meet any friend of Sarua-san. Where are you from?"

"Mumbai, India."

"Do you live in Japan?"

"No, I'm here on business."

"You met Sarua-san in India perhaps?"

"Ah, no, we were introduced by the firm I'm negotiating with."

Shinohara responded with a grunt. "How long will you be in Japan?"

Kamir shrugged, "As long as it takes us to negotiate an agreement."

Another grunt and his attention was focused on Sara.

"Sarua-san, young Shouda is not with you?"

"Shouda is with is father this evening."

"Yes, Umezawa Yukimoto. A fine man, I am glad to see him taking his responsibilities seriously. A very fine man." He looked at Sara expectantly.

"Y - yes." Suddenly there was a slight shadow over her heightened sense of frivolity.

Mr. Shinohara patted her arm gently and nodded his approval. "Have a pleasant evening." With that he entered his home and shut the door.

The second event that should have struck her as odd was the lengthy conversation he had with Kamir.

"Personable neighbor." Kamir moved them to her door where she fumbled with her keys before letting them in. As soon as the door shut and their shoes were off, she found herself enveloped in Kamir's arms. Yes, she had forgotten what it was like to be an object of desire.

They stumbled through the room loosening clothes, becoming tangled together.

Yet the shadow lurking in the back of her mind expanded up her cranium to the backs of her eyes and down her spine. Shouda was safe with his father and yes, his father was a good man. Yuki was a good man. He was proving to be an excellent father and respectful partner. He consulted her on everything dealing with Shouda. 

She somehow landed on the couch.

He sometimes called and asked about some of Shouda's preferences, embarrassment dripping from his voice. He suffered it all. Shouda was happier than he had ever been, he loved his father to distraction. Sara smiled to herself. Something struck her. She wanted to see them together. How did they interact with each other?

"Sara?"

"Huh?" She looked up into Kamir's amused face and realized he was lounging patiently, eyes trained on her face. "What happened?"

"You started making strange noises and were staring off into space with a smile on her face."

"I did?" She looked apologetic and caressed his face. Raising up on her elbows, she kissed his pouting lips and laughed. "I'm sorry."

His arm circled her back as he responded. "Its all right." He pulled her into him.

All of a sudden it dawned on her.

"Why was Shinohara outside his door at this time of night?"

Kamir stopped mid-nibble.

"They never leave their house late at night." She plopped back and bit her nail in thought. He also held a conversation with Kamir. He never did that with Yuki yet he praised Yuki and enquired after Shouda. Shouda. "The last time they were out this late was when I collapsed in the hall. Shouda came early and I was having complications. It was somewhat of a miracle." She looked at Kamir. "You don't think something is wrong with Shouda do you?"

She scrambled off the couch and grabbed the phone before he could answer. Why had he spoken to Kamir? Why had he mentioned Yuki? Shouda was safe, wasn't he? She clutched the phone with worry waiting for Yuki to answer.

"Mush mush." His calm steady voice both alleviated and agitated her nerves.

"Yuki?"

"Sarua? What is the matter?"

"Is Shouda okay?"

"Shouda? Yes, he is fine. We are playing Go and eating swee... (Dad...) ...we are eating. Is something worrying you?"

Kamir raised himself from her couch in her peripheral vision and she turned to watch him gather his things.

"Er...well..." She covered the mouth piece. "Kamir."

"No, its okay. The mood is over for the night I think." He walked to her and kissed her forehead. "I wish you were mine," he whispered against it.

"Whose am I?" She looked at him puzzled. 

"Shouda's mostly." He retreated to the door and as he let himself out promised, "I'll call you. Thanks for this evening."

Sara violently rubbed her free hand across her face and groaned.

"Sarua?" The phone called and she sighed.

"Yuki, I am here. You sound as if the two of you are having a good time." She smiled.

"Are you enjoying yourself Shouda? Sarua is worried." She could tell he turned slightly from the phone to ask.

(Yeeeesssss! Dad bought tempura...)

"Sweet cakes too?" She teased Yuki.

He had the decency to cough. "Well, yes. His eyes get so bright we he sees them." She could hear his sheepish grin through the phone.

"I know."

"So you are relieved now?"

"Yes, tell him I miss him."

"Sarua says she misses you Shouda."

(Come over mother. We are going to look at my album.)

"Really?" Sara smiled.

"Yes, the videos you arranged." There was a pause. "Would you like to come?"

A brief mental battle broke out. She had just been making out with Kamir on her couch. Now she would run to Yuki's flat? There was so much to think about and not think about. There was Kamir and Yuki, Kaoru and Shouda. But, she really would like to watch the video clips with Yuki and Shouda. Everything swirled and blended into a nondescript mental soup. It was unappetizing. 

"Perhaps Kaoru..."

"She is with friends this evening. Sarua, it is okay for you to come."

So, she pushed it away.

"Very well."

 






Chapter End Notes:

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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.