Darren Percy, their families lived on swaths of farmland in the Georgia country. Childhood sweethearts, they tackled University together and after a brief stint in the army, took Atlanta by storm. Refusing to ever work for someone else, they started their own business and turned it into a little empire. With two heads for business and a no-nonsense Southern approach they extended their reach across the continental US. 

All this they accomplished and raised two children in a loving close knit family.

This was the couple that exited the plane in Ōsaka's Kansai International airport, Percy in a sharp mint green narrow pant suite with equally colorful sateen short sleeved coat, designer pumps and gigantic Cole Haan bag. Her dreads stylishly pinned in a chignon and large shades perched on top of her head. Darren a dark grey button down with mint green stripes, black slacks and sports coat, suede shoes and felt trilby on the back of his head.

They swayed and swaggered, respectively, off the plane and through customs finally collecting their luggage, or rather, having it collected and stepped through the arrival doors with a short sturdy attendant wheeling the luggage behind them.

"Grandma Richards!" Shouda came barreling from a crowd of people and tried his best to wrap his little arms around his grandmother.

"Aw, here is my grand baby. Look at him Darren. He's got so big." She bent down and taking his face in her hands showered burgundy spice color kisses all over his face. "Taste so good, my beautiful baby boy. Now, hug your grandpa. Don't want him to feel left out."

"No! Grandpa." Darren bend himself down and took his grandson in his arms and lifted him up in a hug.

"Saved my grandpa bear hug just for you, now." Then with Shouda still in his arms started walking while giving him kisses.

"Grandpa, moms going to scold if you don't put me down." He warned as he laughed.

"So let her, it ain't everyday I get ta hold my grand baby, is it? You leave your mother to me."

"Where is she anyway?" Percy scanned the crowd.

Shouda turned and pointed, "With dad."

Darren Percy looked at each other then followed the direction of Shouda's little finger. Sara stood next to a very handsome, very well dresses Asian man. She waved.

"Darren, Darren do you see that?"

"I do Percy, lets go meet the man, though I have to say he's lucky they don't let guns on them planes." They turned to Shouda and smiled. "Lets go see your mom and meet your father." 

"I'll introduce you." Shouda said proudly.

"Okay, you'll introduce us." Darren agreed.

"My grand baby speaks Japanese." Percy smiled fondly at him and cupped his face before they continued to walk.

"Sara, baby girl, oh, my beautiful baby girl." Percy enveloped Sara in her arms and hugged her tight.

"I'm glad you're here mama." Sara hugged her back. Percy pulled back looking into her daughters eyes and smiled warmly before taking Sara's face in her hands and giving her a kiss on the cheek.

"Darren"

"You don't have to keep calling my name, Percy, I'm right here." He stepped forward and gave her a kiss.

"Dad would you please put Shouda down?"

"Sara, I'm going to hold my grand baby whether you like it or not and..."

"I want to give you a hug too, daddy." She twisted her lips. He smoothly put the boy down and she stepped into his arms and breathed.

"Nothing in the world smells like you do daddy." She whispered. He smiled and kissed the top of her head. She took a deep breath and pulled back. Both Darren and Percy gathered themselves as Sara's eyes pleaded with them. They turned to the Asian man. When he realized he was had everyones attention, he took his hands out of his pockets and stood tall. A smile tried to etch its away across his face.

"Grandpa and Grandma Richards, this is my father Yukimoto Umezawa." He turned to Yuki and made their introductions in Japanese. He bowed very low and they looked at each other. "You have to bow." Shouda whispered. They did so at maybe fifteen degrees. It would be a total insult if they were not foreigners. Sara closed and opened her eyes. Yuki smiled.

"It-is a pleasure to meet-you." His pronunciation was very imperfect but he got it all out and extended his hand.

"Well, now." Darren took his hand. "Now that I know you speak English I'm sure we can get to know one another." Yuki's face dropped in confusion. "I feel kind'a bad that I didn't buy that Japanese phrase book, since you made this effort an all." Yuki shook hands with Percy, who was less impressed. His smile wavered.

"Dad has been practicing his English." Shouda beamed.

"Isn't that nice." Percy gave her best fake Atlanta smile and eased over to Sara. "Why is he here?" She said leaning over. Sara pointed to the patient luggage handler waiting behind their mountain of bags. Darren continued to talk to Yuki as he struggled to keep up with his rapid English. Every now and then Shouda translated for him.

"I don't have a car, its the only thing I could think of mama."

"Haven't you ever heard of a taxi?"

"He wanted to do it and taxis are expensive." Sara looked at her mom guilt stricken.

"Next time we'll pay the damn fare." Percy whispered.

"I know this is awkward, but please, okay?" Percy crumbled under her daughters troubled face.

"Please, if-you are - ready." Yuki lifted his hand in the direction they should go. The group followed as Shouda led the way out of the airport. When they stepped outside Percy dropped her sunglasses over her eyes and Darren pulled his out his pocket. 

"Grandpa," Shouda whispered, "dad doesn't understand English so well, so you have to speak slowly to him and keep it simple. Understand?"

"Oh, oh yes," Darren turned around, "I apologize for speaking so fast back there." Yuki blinked, "My English. I was just happy to see you understood that I got carried away. So just tell me when you don't understand something, okay?" Yuki smiled weakly and nodded his head. "Okay then." Darren patted him on the shoulder and turned to follow his wife.

"Do not worry, dad, I will talk to him." Should smiled and ran after his grandparents.

Yuki scratched his head and looked at Sara. They shared a laugh and she grabbed his arm.

"You are doing fine Yuki."

He squinted rather than smiled and trudged beside her.

"My mother does not speak English. My father does, I believe, but I do not know how much. Maybe they will say they do not wish to stay at my family home."

"If we can just get them home. I am sure everything will calm down." She smiled reassuringly at him and gave his arm a squeeze before letting go. They walked up to her parents in the middle of a discussion.

"Darren, why are we leading since we don't know where the car is?"

"I know grandma." Shouda interjected.

"My smart grand baby." She smiled at him indulgently. "We need to get your grandpa home so he can rest."

"Rest? Rest. Percy, I just spent seventeen straight hours sitting on a damn plane. I don't need no rest. The last thing I want to do is rest." His was bent over slightly and he popped his hands together.

"What do you want to do then, Darren?" Percy asked patting Shouda's cheek.

"I want ta eat me some of that sushi," he smiled. "And drink me some of that sake and see some stuff. What do you say Shouda?"

"Okay!"

"Okay," he turned to Yuki and looked at him over his sunglasses, "young man, lead the way."

Sara quickly translated for Yuki and his eyes grew wide then he bowed several times and struck out ahead to lead the way.

***

Two hours later, Sara opened the door to her apartment and ushered in a very tired Darren Richards. Percy followed and Yuki and Shouda after her pushing and pulling their luggage. They had gone to eat and ride around Ōsaka visiting Sara's previous location, present location and the bay. Darren partook heartily of the sushi and the sake and stood proudly in Sara's shop. While at the bay, jet lag hit.

Percy had sat captivated as Shouda demonstrated how to use chopsticks. She laughed quite a bit, but pushed on in her efforts. The sake was not to her liking at first, so she sipped moderately. However towards the end of this portion of their foray she had begun to enjoy it. She held Shouda in her arms as he pointed to different things as they rode through the streets and spent a lengthy amount of time in the Dolce & Gabbana two shops down from Sara's as they departed for the bay.

Yuki had dutifully taken Sara's parents everywhere they wanted to go, stopped at every shop, waited patiently as Percy browsed, paid for dinner and the sake and tried in his best English to explain a few things about Ōsaka's topography as they stood at the bay. He turned to Sara occasionally for specific vocabulary. After his lengthy monotone dissertation, he horsed around with Shouda spinning him through the air and practicing some jujitsu hits.

Shouda moved around in the throws of that energy and excitement reserved only for a seven year old in its happiest state, surrounded by those he loved most in the world, his family complete.

Sara was happy to see her parents. Talking with them through Facetime was not the same as in person, no matter how fantastic it was. Though their presence presented new challenges, it was good to have them with her. She had yet to broach the subject of staying with the Umezawas. She also had to admit it was nice being together as a family, with Yuki. He was nervous, but he was exerting so much effort. He had to have known they would be less than glad to meet him at the airport, yet he had insisted on offering his car and time.

Yuki stood quietly watching Sara's parents greet Ward. There were hugs and kisses and Percy seemed to fuss at Ward, who did not appear phased. They spoke back and forth in rapid English, he had no idea what they were saying, but the general feeling was one of love and happiness. This was how American families treated each other, pinching cheeks and slapping butts. Loud laughter and animated faces. He liked it. Shouda came up to him as he stood observing.

He squatted down.

"You are very happy to see your grandparents." Shouda nodded. "Sara is happy too."

"It is too bad you cannot stay with us dad." Shouda pouted a little, sleep tugging at his eyes. Yuki felt both embarrassment and guilt. He gave his son a quick hug and stood. Sara looked at him expectantly and her parents turned as well. There was no time like the present.

"My - family, wishes to invite-you to sleep? Sleep in-our house. Please." He nodded his head and looked down at Shouda who smiled up at him. He lifted his chest.

"You mean you want us to," Darren turned to Sara. "He means they want us to stay with them, at their house?"

"Yes"

"Well, why in the hell would we do a thing like that?" Darren blinked.

"Darren, the grand baby." Percy reminded him.

"I'm just asking, why would we stay at some strangers house instead of our own daughters?" He thrust out his hand.

"Darren, I'm not disagreeing with you, I'm just trying to remind you of Shouda's presence and the man might be Japanese but surely he can read body language and he just extended an invitation." She finished with smile.

"Does that mean you'll go?" Sara ventured.

"What? Who said that? I didn't say that." She cocked her neck to the side and looked wide-eyed at her daughter. Darren gave his wife a look.

"We will be a bit cramped." Sara face was looking undecided. He wasn't sure what was going on, did she want them to go or didn't she?

"There's nothing wrong with a bit of cramped space." Percy blinked at her. "In your grandmother's house we used to double up six to a room."

"But grandma," Shouda pulled on her hand. "This isn't Georgia. Here the honor of hospitality is very important. Sofu Shinohara says that generosity, hospitality and honesty are the three most important parts of honor. If you don't accept the invitation you will dishonor the Umezawas." His grandson blinked up at Percy and himself innocently. Darren looked at his wife and she look at him. They both laughed.

"Well, can't very well turn it down when you put it like that, now can we?" Darren patted his grandson's head. "What do you say we spend out first few days here and then head on over to the...to their house?" He looked up at Percy and she nodded.

"Sounds good." Shouda moved over to his mom and hugged her sleepily.

"Young man, you may tell your parents that we accept." Darren tipped his hat. "Thank you for the evening." He turned around. "Now where's my bed."

Percy gave a stiff thank you and Ward grabbed a bag and led them to Sara's bedroom.

Sara waited for them to leave then turned to Shouda.

"Say goodbye to your father and go bathe before grandma and grandpa get ready."

"Okay mommy." Shouda pulled his sleepy form from his mother and gave his father a hug before stalking back to his bedroom.

"They are very colorful." Yuki said as she stepped to him.

"Yes"

"They do not approve of me." He lifted his brows.

"Not yet." She watched him sigh. 

"It is my own fault."

Sara wished to heaven she could get her feelings straight about this man. On one hand she was angry with him. She had been betrayed and humiliated. On the other, she wanted so much to comfort him, touch him and sooth him. A voice admonished her to get rid of him before he more maternal instincts took over. She was more than willing to comply with it.

"You should go home Yuki. Kaoru will be waiting for you." She kept one hand at her side as she reached for the door with the other.

"Yes," they bowed informally and walked over the threshold.

"Thank you." She leaned against the door.

"When they are ready, you must inform me and I will come take them to the Umezawa home." He bowed again and walked down the hallway. Sara shut the door with a sigh and turned to see Ward giving her the eye. She knew what was on his mind.

"Why don't you just talk to me about it?"

"I can't talk about what I'm not sure of to begin with bod-man." She walked up to him. "Besides, I'm giving the Israeli a try." She smiled and walked past him.

"Finally"

***

Yuki entered his flat. Kaoru was not waiting for him. She was in her room with the door closed. He would bear up under the silence and separation, he did not deserve anything more. First, he would see if she was awake. He tapped on the door and waited. To his surprise, it opened.

"Kaoru, I thought you may be sleeping."

"Not yet," there was something different about her. "How are Sarua-san's parents?"

"They are sleeping now most likely, it was a very long journey. We went for sushi and then around Ōsaka. They are lively." He smiled.

"You should bathe, I will prepare rice balls and heated nihonshu." With that, she passed by headed for the kitchen. He stood a little amazed. She had her moments, but he never knew what he would find. This would be a pleasurable evening.

After taking a shower and a soak in the yubune, he trailed out into his flat and slumped down in his couch. Sara's parents hated him, but Shouda loved him and Sara appreciated his exertion. He would have to be content with that. He saw the Shouda album on the shelf still waiting for him to finish what he started before. Kaoru came and sat down a tray with a plate of rice balls and a tokkuri of heated sake and two choko vessels. 

"What were they like?" She filled his choko and offered him a rice ball.

"Very affectionate. They take every opportunity to show affection. They also communicate quite a bit. I would say they are much louder than the average Japanese person and it does not bother them." He took a bite of his rice ball.

"Are they strong?"

Yuki nodded

"Formidable is also a good word to describe them. However, Shouda is able to persuade them easily enough." He laughed.

"Not Sarua?"

"The two dynamics are different. One is a beloved daughter. The other is the only grandson, which when translated, means the sun, moon and stars."

"I understand." He noticed Kaoru remained quiet for a few minutes. He sipped his sake. "Yuki, I have a goal."

"Ah? What is it?" He put his choko down.

"As you know, I have been helping Sarua-san with her bookkeeping. It is the same as I used to do for my father. I enjoy it very much."

"Yes?"

"I think it would be exciting to offer this service to companies similar to Sarua-san. Will you help me?" She looked at him kindly. Kaoru have her own business as an accountant? He had never thought of that before. He was not sure how it would turn out, but if it was a way for him to be helpful to Kaoru, than so be it.

"Yes, I will."

Kaoru smiled happily down into her lap.

"I will show you what I have thought of so far."

"We can speak to your father and mine as well. They will have many contacts."

"No, we said we would help each other. It is your help I wish Yuki." She looked into his eyes and Yuki nodded.

"Show me what you have done."

She jumped up from the couch and ran to her room.

Yuki eyed the album once more with a lighter heart. Soon he would try again. 

***

A freshly bathed Sara crawled quietly into bed with her son's sleeping frame. She maneuvered gently around him and lay on her side watching his back rise and fall. Leaning over, she gave him a kiss. He stirred and turned over.

"M..mom." 

"Yes."

"It was fun having dad with us." He spoke half sleep, half awake.

"Yes"

"I think I would like a brother or sister." Sara still and looked close at his face. His eyes were closed.

"Why don't you concentrate on making friends at school first?" She rubbed his head.

"Okay." He curled into her and she kissed his head. She waited for him to say more, but he didn't. Was he sleep talking? Brothers and sisters, good grief! She stifled a laugh. Her mind drifted over the ridiculous day. 

Yuki collecting her from work then heading over to the academy to get Shouda. Shouda, a ball of excitement, pulling his dad to help him pick out his clothes and Ward cleaning the house. Waiting for her parents to arrive while Shouda bounced from one foot to the other, Yuki looking pale. There arrival, going around afterwards.

She wondered what Kamir would say when she told him.

πππππππππππππππ

The first day, Darren Percy woke up way too early. Percy harassed Ward as he tried to sleep on his futon mat until he woke up and told them about Hungary. They promptly fell asleep again after Sara left with Shouda and slept until noon where Percy sent Ward out to the store to buy a few ingredients for lunch. She had no idea how to cook Japanese style and she couldn't read what the damn condiments were.

They eased through the day, Darren on his Wii and Percy at the computer until Sara and Shouda arrived home.

The second day, Darren Percy woke up late and the house was left to them. They took a walk together and made it home just in time to accept the Shinohara's invitation to a late lunch. This consisted mostly of the sitting and smiling while Mr. Shinohara sat motioning for them to eat as Mrs. Shinohara brought out food. However, this Darren Percy was somewhat used to as the Shinoharas had stuck with them through the complications associated with Shouda's birth. They felt at ‘ease.'

They took a nap as their bodies continued to adjust and were rejuvenated when Ward came home from wherever he had absconded and initiated preparations to pick up Shouda from school. The arrangement was that Yuki would collect them. They would get Shouda and he would leave them at Sara's shop as they had dinner plans. 

Percy squeezed little Shouda's hand as they walked past the designer shops in Shinsaibashi on the way to Sara's. She dipped into Coach, much to the chagrin of her husband and took longer then necessary to shop the bags without buying anything. Thus they arrived at Paper Butterfly Wings. Ward held the door and they all walked in to Sara talking comfortably to a handsome foreign looking man in expensive causal clothes.

"Kamir," Shouda ran to him and gave him a high five.

"Yuvā guru, fancy uniform." He popped Shouda's collar and whistled.

Darren Percy looked at each other.

"Darren, that is not a black man." Percy observed.

"No one said he was a black man, Percy. You the one assumed that just cause his name was Kamir, he was a black man."

"He's Hindi, from India." Ward corrected.

"Lord help me." Percy rolled her eyes.

Kamir closed the distance between them.

"I am sorry to disappoint you. My name is Kamir Dubashi and I am taking you to dinner tonight." He shook first Darren then Percy's hand. "I don't know about you by I am dying for English conversation, so this is really more of a courtesy to me then the other way around." Shouda came from changing his clothes and Kamir ushered everyone out the doors. "I'm sorry, I do not have a car, so we get to experience the adventure of riding the subway, which is rather simple."

Yuki watched this man, easily interact with Sara's family. Taking his place without batting an eye. He had been standing too close to Sara when they entered and his smile was all together too broad. Now he spoke his fluent English and wrapped everyone up in his easy charm. Surely they will like him better. He stood rather stupidly holding the door as they exited. 

"Thank you Yuki." Sara smiled as she passed, he nodded.

"Dad, sorry you are unable eat with us." Shouda stood looking up at him sadly.

"Kaoru and I have business to attend to this evening."

Shouda twisted his small lips like his mother.

"Please tell her hello." Yuki nodded and Sara guided Shouda forward.

"Yukimoto-san, I am glad to take everyone off your hands. Leave them to me. I will take care of them." Kamir popped his eyebrows and moved in next to Sara as they walked. A cloud of English buzzed around them and Percy laughed after something Kamir said. Yuki stood in dismay, watching Sara's family walk away with another man.