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Author's Chapter Notes:

Here we go folks. Thank you for all the votes of confidence and support. I was quite overwhelmed with the response.

I've been working on this a while and I have to admit that I'm not gaga over it. I'm not sure if its because I'm caught up in my other very intense story and this one is lighter or if I'm doing a bad job at writing.

Anyway, I wil rely on you.

Translations/Explanations:

Umeda - administrative/commercial center of Osaka.

Shinsaibashi - Luxury shopping district

Go - a traditional Japanese strategy game (loosely similar to checkers, the board is larger, the pieces smaller and nothing gets stollen or Kinged). Its a lot of fun.

Kanji - traditional Chinese characters used in modern Japanese

Hakama - formal Japanese male garb

Kimono - formal Japanese garb worn by both males and females

Washitsu - traditional Japanese room with tatami mat floor

Tatami - floor mats made of straw

Obi - wide sash

Genkan - entrance area where shoes are deposited

Zori - tradition shoe, usually formal, worn with kimono (much like a flip-flop)

Please excuse errors, I know they're out there.




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.


 

Umezawa Yukimoto, heir to the Umezawa group, one of the largest conglomerates in the tri-city area (Kyōto, Ōsaka and Kōbe), presently sat in his large executive suit in one of the tallest buildings off the famous Mido Suji Boulevard in Umeda. Most of Ōsaka lay before him an abstract carpet of buildings, highways and high rises dotted with street, office and commercial lights all kissed by the setting rays of the sun. Yukimoto, though, was not peering at the world beneath his feet haughtily nor appreciatively. His eyes wandered the landscape but saw only Sara. 

Sara had carried his child and raised him into a very kind, loving and amiable young boy. 

Sara. 

He had treated her horribly when they were last together. She had not tried to inform him of her pregnancy. Instead, had endured everything on her own. He smiled. She always did have that stubborn streak. Now what was he to do? He had a son. 

Had a son! 

He wanted to be a part of his life. He desperately wanted to touch him, talk to him, spend time with him.

"Manager. I have completed the modifications to your schedule tomorrow and compiled all the data for your meetings. Please remember to arrive early tomorrow as your first meeting is at five thirty and the legal teem will be delivering the documents that must be signed before the meeting."

He had failed to here his secretary enter, "Thank you, you may leave." He heard the quiet click of the door latch and then rose with resolve. He would not let this opportunity pass by. He would claim Shouda openly.

 

***

 

As always, the dinner table was rather gloomy. His parents rarely spoke to his wife and his wife constantly tried to engage his parents. It was a painful cycle. His father entertained her conversation, but not with a great deal of enthusiasm and his mother mostly acted as if she did not exist. Yuki waited for the servants to leave the room before clearing his throat. There was no honor in procrastination, his father always said.

"Father, mother, Kaoru, there is a matter of great importance I wish do discuss with you." He paused to emphasis importance. "I...I have a child." Everyone froze. "A son. I found out about him only recently. I wish to welcome him into this house. To take responsibility."

Silence.

"I know this is sudden and I know this may be difficult for some of you. However, I feel it is the right thing to do. I hope to have your cooperation." He rested both his wrists on the table and waited for the reaction.

"You have a child?" His wife, Kaoru, stared down onto her plate of half eaten food.

"Yes, he is the result of an attachment I had before we married." He spoke softly, but did not look at her.

"You have a son? A child?" His mother blinked several times. Her husband touched her arm to stay the brewing storm, but it was not as he thought. "I have a grandchild?" She could hardly contain her excitement. "A boy? Yukimoto, you must bring him to the house. He must come here and take his position in the family. He must learn of his ancestors and become an Umezawa."

"Dear."

"How old is he? Where is he from? Who is his family? Well, that does not matter for he shall become an Umezawa, his family is unimportant." She waved them away.

"That is not true mother." Yuki had not been expecting her immediate acceptance though her aggression was normal. "His family is important. We cannot separate him from them. He does not know us."

"He will come to know us, my son, you worry over trivialities. His family will of course recognize the importance of our family and position and surrender him to our care."

"I do not think that will be the case mother. His mother is a Westerner, an American. I also believe that before you embrace the idea, you should know that she is African American. The child is mixed."

His wife, who had here to been silent, now spoke, "Young Shouda from the martial arts club."

"Yes."

"You will excuse me." Kaoru stood and quickly left the table. Yuki watched her leave with a heavy heart, but he felt he could do nothing.

His mother also stood. "It matters not what his mother is. I will try my best to overlook her unfortunate heritage. This Shouda is my grandson. You will arrange for him to come to the house immediately for a formal introduction. I will begin the preparations." With that she also left the table leaving a rather astonished husband and Yuki behind.

"You realize my son that you have just stirred a bee's nest?" Mr. Umezawa finally said.

"Would you have me shirk my responsibility father?"

"If you feel this strongly about it, no. I just wonder if the poor boy and his mother will be able to withstand it. Also there is your wife."

"I have not forgotten father. She has been beyond my reach for some time."

"What about the child's mother? Do you harbor feelings for her?"

After a long pause Yuki answered truthfully, "I have not thought about it."

 

πππππππππππππππ

 

A week had passed with no word from Yuki. Not that she expected one. Not that Sara especially needed one. Somehow she felt, after witnessing the look on his face at the performance, he wanted more. He had been excited, relieved and stricken all at the same time. Maybe she should have informed him in the beginning. Had she been too selfish? Was she being vindictive? Maybe she was wrong and he wanted nothing to do with them.

He had, after all, tossed her out of his life. Dragged her around Japan without so much as a word about his family or who he was. Partially that was her fault too, Sara had never pressed the issue. She had enjoyed being with him and somehow, that had been enough. She had thought he loved her, shared her feelings.

Sara's focus shifted back to the organized chaos on her desk. An enormous project lay before her. She made personalized stationary, invitations, albums, announcements, portfolios, anything to do with paper. Her current customer requested everything in her arsenal for a wedding. Invitations, cards, an album, stationary, guestbook, and announcements; all in the same style to be used through different stages leading up to the wedding and reception afterwards.  

She set up the business never thinking that it would do so well, after all, the Japanese are some of the most artistically creative people in the world. Why would anyone go to a Westerner for things like this?

She had caught a break while pounding the pavement with a few of her creations in hand. A small, but stable law firm needed invitations immediately to a special event they were hosting. Their order had been lost or forgotten, no one really elaborated. The owner liked one of her samples and submitted his order on the spot. Her work had been such a success that customers began to call and the firm was still a client.

Since then she had been blessed with steady work and recently was offered assistance to move to Tokyo. Still she retained only one full-time employee, her assistant and a part-time employee. She liked the intimate feel of the business. She had moved from a very small but tidy office on the outskirts of Ōkaka to the famous Shinsaibashi district in Ōsaka's Chūō-ku ward shopping haven. 

"President, you have a call on line one." 

Sara picked up a marble vellum sheet and held it up to pearlescent wine colored paper as she answered the phone. "Good evening, this is Sara Richards. How may I assist you?" She dropped the marble vellum paper and held up another vellum with cherry blossom watermarks.

"Hello Richards-san? This is Umezawa Yukimoto." the papers slid to the desk. "You are surprised to hear from me?"

"Umezawa-san, yes a little." She grabbed a pen and began nervously twirling it between her fingers.

"Please forgive the intrusion. I am calling to ask your approval."

"You want to see Shouda."

Silence

"Yes. I have informed my family of his existence."

"He doesn't know about you Umezawa-san."

"Please, can we not be so formal?" She closed her eyes against the familiarity of his voice. For some reason a disjointed memory passed before her eyes:

 

They walked hand in hand up the few steps to the onyx colored memorial at the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Hypocenter. Sara had no idea why, but she felt a profound sense of guilt as she approached the tomb like structure and squeezed Yuki's hand. There were flowers adorning the two edges. Her eyes roamed the obelisk like edifice behind it and water seeped into her eyes.

"You must not cry Sarua. It is a sad result of generations gone by."

"How did you know how I was feeling Yuki?" She turned to look at him in surprise.

He lifted his hand and wiped away the liquid threatening to escape down her face. 

"Because I see you Sarua."

 

"Yukimoto-san." Why had she thought of that? 

"Thank you Sarua-san. I know that I have no right to impose this on you, but please, will you think about it? Will you tell him about me?"

Sara had thought several times about telling Shouda over the past week. Now that he had asked, she felt trepidation.

"I...will think about it Yukimoto-san. That is all I can promise for now."

"It is enough."

 

***

 

Sara sipped tea and watched Shinohara-san play Go with Shouda. They sat on opposite sides of a large wooden block on four stubby legs. The surface of the block was divided into several squares now littered with black and white stones. Both men stared at the game intensely. Shouda picked a white stone from the small wooden bowl at his feet and paused before placing it on the surface. His reward was a grunt from Shinohara-san.

It was a rainy Sunday afternoon and they all sat in the living space of the Shinohara home. They men engrossed in their game, the woman drinking tea. Mrs. Shinohara's eyes narrowed to exaggerated slits in her large turtle shell magnifying glasses as she pressed the back of her pen into her bottom lip, a tattered kanji-sudoku crossword puzzle book clutched in her other hand.

Sara flipped through her magazine and tossed it aside. "Sensei, do you remember the important man I told you about? He wants to meet with Shouda." The woman eyed Sara then sipped her tea. "He wants to introduce him to his family, to be a part of his life. What do you think?"

"What do you think?"

"I think it will be difficult. I am afraid it might cause too many problems. I am afraid of many things." Sara gazed down into her tea.

"Life is filled with difficulties Sarua, and fear is what tests the spirit. You are strong and so is Shouda." After all this time, the Shinoharas were still people of few words. Sara smiled to herself. They were very comforting in their easy quiet way. She was glad Shouda preferred their company to the kids at school, but wondered when that would end. As Shouda grew older, how would she be able to care for his needs? Mr. Shinohara was elderly, how much would he be able to help? She sighed.

 

As they left later on that afternoon Mr. Shinohara touched Sara's hand gently and nodded his head. "You must do it." His words were calm yet firm. He gave a grunt and put his hands behind his back. 

Sara smiled at him. "Thank you for your hospitality."

 

***

 

"Shouda?" Sara put her ink pen down and crawled on the floor beside her son. "Can we talk a minute? I have something important to tell you." He looked at her quizzically and rose up on his knees. She scratched her head. "Shouda, you don't ask much about your father."

He shrugged his young shoulders, "He's never been around. What's there to ask?"

"Who he is? Where he went? Why he isn't around? What's his name? I don't know. I would think you had lots of questions." She ruffled his hair.

He squinted his eyes as if he was thinking seriously and looked off to the left. "Well, I have thought about it, but I thought maybe it was painful for you. You know, to talk about."

She laughed, "Painful to me?" Then she gave him a hug. "What about you?" She asked the top of his head.

"I think it would be nice to have a dad like the kids at school." He squeezed his mother, "But I have you and sobo and sofu Shinohara. Then there's grandma and grandpa Richards and uncle Ward and everyone stateside." Sara squeezed him tighter and closed her eyes. "Mom, why is your heart beating so fast?"

"Would you like to know your father Shouda?" He stilled in her arms. "He called me and he wants to be friends with you. He asked me to tell you about him."

He backed away from her slowly and gazed up at her with his brows furrowed. "He knows about me?"

"He does now."

"Why now?"

Sara sighed. "Your father and I were in a relationship for a few months. It ended abruptly before I found out I was pregnant with you. He and I didn't talk after we parted so he didn't know he had a son. He found out recently."

"What do you mean, ended abruptly?"

"He decided he didn't want to be with me anymore." She took a curl pulled it straight and watched it bounce back into place.

"But you did?"

"Yes, I did."

"Then why did he end it?"

Sara took his head in her hands. "That is probably something he should answer." She kissed his forehead.

"If he doesn't want you than I don't want him." 

She smiled, "Shouda it isn't that simple. You have a father and grandmother and grandfather too. Don't you think you aught to at least give them a chance?"

"They are all strangers."

"Actually, you know your father." She bit the inside of her lip.

"I do?"

"Yes, he's Yuki-san." Sara watched her son's eyes widen as close as they could to saucers.

 

πππππππππππππππ

 

Yuki sighed in irritation. He couldn't understand why his mother had to have a traditional introduction. All the men were forced to wear hakama appropriate to their station and the women kimonos. Shouda and Sara would be received in the washitsu were there would be a formal tea ceremony after which a tour of the house was planned and finally a meal. He wondered how adept at formalities Sara and Shouda would be. At first his mother thought it unnecessary for Sara to come, but he had insisted that it would be and insult to not invite her.

He was relieved to receive Sara's phone call accepting the invitation. Then annoyed when he had to inform her of the formality. He remembered she didn't say anything for a few minutes then gave the affirmative with a stubborn edge to her voice. Not that he hadn't tried to talk his mother out of it, but as uncomfortable as it may be for Sara and Shouda, he felt that there would be more important battles ahead. He would save his strength.

Servants passed carrying flower arrangements in a variety of sizes and colors. He checked his watch. They had sent a car to pick them up, it should be on its way back.

 

***

 

Sara sat in the vary spacious Mercedes Benz and bit the inside of her lip.  Shouda sat up under her with his arm linked in hers even though there was enough space for four people. She felt sorry for him. Even though his face was calm, she could tell he was nervous. If only Yuki's mother wasn't such an elitist shrew. She said a quick prayer asking the Lord to help her be a good example for Shouda.

The Shinohara's had helped them dress and seen them off. Mr. Shinohara had sat with Shouda in the lobby of their apartment building with his arm around the young boy. She was sure they had been communicating even though neither said a word. When the car arrived he had straightened Shouda's obi and placed his weathered hands firmly on his shoulders, then cupped his face gently and grunted with a nod. 

"Remember, you are strong." Mrs. Shinohara had called before they both bowed their heads and the door was shut.

Sara took heart.

The car passed through an impressive looking gate and rounded an arch to the front entrance. The house was very large for central Ōsaka. Stone steps led up to a large ornately carved wood door. Japanese Black Pines flanked both sides of the short walkway surrounded by a light mossy ground cover. Two large bonsai trees sat in elaborate planters on the porch. The car door opened and Sara ushered Shouda out and carefully followed him taking care with her kimono. The driver pulled out the two bags she brought with them and walked up to the door.

Sara turned to Shouda. "All you have to do is tug your ear and we are out of here. Even if I have to bust the damn door down myself. Okay?" She spoke in English.

"Got it." He nodded. They mounted the steps together; the driver pulled the door chime and Sara took her bags from him.

 

***

 

The door chimed and Yuki about jumped out of his skin. His mother flew by.

"They are here! Go slowly, slowly." She instructed one of the servants stretching out her hand to emphasis the slowness. "We will be in the washitsu ready to receive them. Do not waste unnecessary time Yukimoto. Say hello, bond and bring them in." She hurried off as his wife came down the hallway. "Kaoru be quick about it and stop sulking." 

He felt very sorry for Kaoru. Perhaps she was suffering more than anyone with these events. He had tried to comfort her, but she would not let him in her room and she would not stay in any one place long enough to let them talk. They had never been especially close and with the discovery that she could not bare children, the void between them had grown, but not necessarily because he wanted it to. She would not find joy, would not even try. What is more, she wanted him to be miserable with her.

He took his place and watched the servant slowly walk to the door. He puffed his chest, held up his chin and inhaled. The servant pulled the heavy latch, the door opened and bowed. A few seconds later, his son and Sara entered into the genkan and stepped out of their shoes. Another servant provided them with informal styled zōri and they stepped up onto the house floor. Shouda grabbed Sara's hand and they followed the servant to where he stood.

He took in his son's appearance. He looked fashionable in his warm brown and cream hakama. The brown fabric had a very light bamboo pattern on it that resembled pinstripes. It bloused out down to his ankles and underneath he wore a cream lightweight kimono. The obi was also cream. He wore a fresh cut and looked a right proper heir to the Umezawa fortune. He lacked nothing.

They stood and stared at each other for a while then Shouda smiled. Yuki finally exhaled and returned his smile. 

"It is funny how we knew each other, before we knew each other." Shouda continued to stare at him.

"Yes, but I was very happy to discover that you are my son. I must apologize for the formality of this meeting. It is not what I had in mind. I was thinking something more like a bottomless bowl of ramen but my family is traditional."

"Mom already explained it all." He swung his hand linked with Sara's then seemed to remember something. "Should we bow?"

"I don't think that is necessary." Yuki looked at their tightly joined hands and turned to Sara. "Thank you for bringing him Sarua-san." He heard someone clear their throat and turned to an embarrassed servant. He remembered what his mother said and motioned for them to follow. It wasn't until he walked in behind them that he noticed Sara's kimono was a beautiful shade of yellow, very light and happy. Embroidered maples leaves drifted from the top eventually accumulating at the bottom in various colors from bright orange to robust vermouth. Her obi a soft peach with gold embroidery. Her hair swept up into a simple bun to one side secured by two traditional ornamented hair pins.

She looked down at Shouda and smiled. 

Yuki swallowed.

The door slid open and they stepped onto the tatami floor and stopped. Yuki's father, mother and wife sat in a row on the mats awaiting their arrival. Several servants sat a little ways behind them and two stood by the two sliding doors.

Sara and Shouda bowed in unison. "Excuse the intrusion."

Shouda confidently stepped forward. "Thank you for the honor of you invitation." He bowed again. 

Yuki looked at his parents. His father's bow lifted slightly and he bowed followed by the women. "Thank you for accepting the invitation. Please, sit down."

Sara and Shouda took their place opposite everyone else and smoothly rested down into the traditional sitting position. Yuki took his place beside his wife, after which, he introduced everyone, more bowing took place and then the questions began.

How old was Shouda? Where did he go to school? What Junior High School did he want to get into? Did he like studying? Did he play sports? An instrument? Where did he live? What did he like to eat? Did he enjoy martial arts? Had he thought about an occupation? Did he enjoy school? What did he like to do for recreation? How were his grades? Did he have many friends? How old was he? When was his birthday? Would he like to stay at the family dueling?

"What do you mean?" Shouda looked confused. Sara took a discreet breath.

"I mean stay here, at the house with us. You are the son of an Umezawa and every generation of Umezawa has lived in this house. Isn't that so dear?" Mrs. Umezawa turned to her husband.

"I think the circumstances in this situation bear consideration." He turned his head only slightly and then smiled once again at Shouda.

"He must get to know his family. What better way than to live here, with us." Mrs. Umezawa smiled as if it was the most obvious conclusion.

"My mother is my family, and sofu and sobo Shinohara. I will stay with them." Shouda face was too serious. Sara touched his arm lightly.

"Shouda will remain with me. I understand your eagerness and expect to come to an acceptable visitation arrangement. For today, let us get to know one another without pressure or pretense, please." There was a firmness in her voice which ended the subject, yet her smile cut any malice.

Mrs. Umezawa looked disagreeably startled. Mr. Umezawa impressed as he signaled for the tea ceremony.

 

Everyone sat stoically through the ceremony and then rose for the tour of the house. Mrs. Umezawa held the women behind while Shouda chatted fearlessly with his father and grandfather. Every few minutes he would glance to make sure his mother was behind them.

"May I call you Sarua-san?" Mrs. Umezawa leaned in as they walked.

"Please do." 

"Let me revisit the subject of Shouda living with us." She place a hand tentatively on Sara's arm.

"Revisit? I think I made it very clear that Shouda will not live here."

"You did mention something like that, but surely you understand the importance of him filling the role of the next heir as soon as possible. There are so many things he must learn and understand. His standard of living will rise, his connections increase to a social level of which he is not yet accustomed. He will have to give up..."

"Please be careful of what you say next Umezawa-san. As to Shouda and what will and will not occur in the future, these things will be decided between Yukimoto-san and myself."

"It is unwise for you to go against me Sarua-san."

"Go against you? This is not some political power struggle Umezawa-san. I have no wish to go against you. I only meant for you to understand my feelings on the matter."

"Do you know who I am?" The steel like edge returned to her voice and crossed her hands in front of her.

"It is clear that you know who you are. To me, you are made of flesh and blood as am I. I am under no obligation to do as you wish when you wish it. I hope that we may come to an understanding for Shouda's sake, that is all." With that Sara noticing Shouda's concerned face, smiled and sped up her steps. He held his hand to her and she took it.

 

The meal was again in the washitsu where a long low table and cushions had been arranged. Kaoru and Mr. and Mrs. Umezawa sat on one side while Yuki, Shouda and Sara sat on the other. A bowl was passed around with heated wet towels and everyone washed there hands. The dinner was tense with Mrs. Umezawa trying her best to intimidate Sara from across the table. Sara happily ignored her, which only made things worse. Kaoru sat quietly not making eye contact with anyone.

 

In the end Shouda, when reminded by his mother, passed out the gifts he brought for everyone as they prepared to leave. Only Yuki saw them to the door, he waved away the servant.

Yuki bent down on one knee. "Shouda thank you for coming. You handled yourself very well in front of my family. I apologize if they offended you."

Shouda put his hand on Yuki's shoulder, "Next time lets do ramen okay?" With that he shot out of the house as if his pants were on fire. Yuki rose to his feet as he and Sara laughed.

"Thank you Sarua for your forbearance." He notice the long bang she styled to the side and tucked behind her ear. He noticed Shouda's smile, really Shouda had her smile.

She brought her hand to her face, "I'm afraid your mother may hate me now."

"Are you really surprised?"

"No." They laughed again. "Yukimoto I...I brought this for you." She pulled an album out of her bag and handed it to him. "It has pictures and amusing excerpts about Shouda from my pregnancy until now." He flipped through the album. "There is one pen drive with all the pictures I own of him on it, the other is packed with videos of his firsts and funnies."

"Very creative. You made this?" He noticed the quality of the paper, the meticulous attention to detail and little hand sewn pockets that held odds and ends like the pen drives.

"That's what I do." She laughed as their eyes met. They gazed at one another sharing some lost moment. She touched her temple. "I should go, Shouda is waiting."

"I will call to schedule a visit." He called after her.

Sara turned around and smiled before ducking into the car. The driver closed the door.

Yuki watched the car drive off before shutting the front door. He rested his chin on the album then sniffed it.

 

It smelt like Sara.

 






Chapter End Notes:

I'm looking for nays and yays here.

Thanks for reading.







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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.