Kind Treasures

[Yoshida Izanagi]

The rain was coming. It could be felt, starting in his feet up to the pain in his knees. The oncoming dampness was not something he had expected, but was to be accepted whether he wanted or not. He had no control of the weather, despite being named after a God. In fact, he was far from a God, as human as the people beneath him. Each a name and face as same as he was. At some point, he was just a face as well, a general for Empress Yuuko. Though he hated those years with a passion, over-throwing her had made up for it. Unfortunately, the country wasn't too fond. Supporters swore on his life and an assassination attempt would be in the future. He felt glad he had a few friends as well as his own training to defend himself. The blade at his side was a comfort and a crutch as well as a source of strength. Though he was alone, he strode proudly through the city as if he weren't out of place. Who knew of the shogun simply idling through Edo for no real reason but to seek out a few of his old general buddies. Had Yuuko killed the ones disloyal? Had he been lucky for his own life, having been a known rebellion leader? So many questions were often in the young man's head.

His eyes of gray were distant, in thought as was usual. A grim look of pondering pulled upon his slightly pale face. The worst was far from over and was yet to come. He knew that taking a country in such a way would likely give him a lot of enemies, many of which hated him as much as he hated had Yuuko. The memories that burnt him.. of bloodshed and the memory of how they had begged and yet he couldn't-. His feet slowed to a halt and guilt sauntered for a moment. The eyes of a stern and well-weathered man showing a flicker of pain that all too-soon drifted off. "Useless'. The word repeated every time Izanagi felt like falling apart. 'Why don't you do something?' That part of his life was over and yet he knew the words so well. They stung like bitter soap in the eyes upon his heart. Useless...? Stern replaced the heart-broken glances and soft eyes showed a bit more rigid tone. He was far from some useless man. Had what he done been useless, he would just do more. The first step was to heal this country. Constantly, he went through the same processes of thought. It was his way of easing into his new seat. So much had to be done and he had yet to touch the surface. In only a few months though, he'd started to bring the country back to the roots. Pulling out the weeds from Yuuko's neglect and filling them with priceless seeds that he prayed would form into something more. He would be the sunlight, he hoped. No.. Izanami was more the sunlight..

Drip, drip. The soft wetness hit his nose and trickled down his cheek as a stream. The shogun blinked and rose his eyes upwards. A silent smile playing beneath his normal apathetic expression. He was the rain. If Izanami played as the sun, Izanagi was the rain. Not many people liked the rain, it depressed the onlookers and often ruined plans for those around. It was good for the plants and yet, some didn't know. Others ached for the change. Rain was change and he was rain. He knew from the beginning, he was change. Was it a selfish thought? To him, it only represented hope. Hope was what the best things were made of and that led to dreams. Ambitions from there would unfold into plans and further into actions that would accomplish the dreams. Perhaps that would be a happiness even he could enjoy. His full goals were yet to be realized, but he knew the first step was the economy.

Since he had started in office, Izanagi had sought after an Aerugo less focused in killing and more focused in the growth and happiness. Where as Yuuko sought more kingdom, he sought to replenish the kingdom already had. The nation was starving. His eyes blinked away the rain, barely realizing that it had started spreading out over his clothes. The water burrowed to his bones until it thoroughly had drenched and even bathed him in the fallen droplets. His bangs plastered to his face and the rest of his hair followed the leader, all strands pressing tightly to his flesh. A hand grasped for a moment to push the black locks away. It kind of helped to see what he was doing. The grey rose to see a flicker of a light and the motion of a door. He was then quickly ushered inside of a house of an unknown couple. Though Izanagi wasn't one to simply abide the requests of strangers, he found the elderly couple kindly and sauntered over.

The next hour was spent with them fussing about him. Again, something Izanagi had never experienced. His name unspoken as they finally settled in giving him a towel and a cup of tea. Gratitude and pride mixed as he stared long at the warm liquid in his hand. It felt good, knowing these people were his people. "Thank you." He managed to them with what he managed as a generous smile. It wasn't often anymore and in fact his cheeks kind of hurt. "You are both very kind." Of course that was obvious, but he was the kind of man to flat out say such things. The cup was pulled slowly to his lips. slowly, warmth-giving elixir fled into his own gullet and a sigh of contentedness would fall from the shogun. Tea was an amazing gift.

[Anouk Ueda]

It had to happen eventually, and whether or not Anouk welcomed time's passing, it went on, and as much as she wanted to or tried to undo the days she knew that nothing would. She'd returned to Vegas some weeks ago to get the last of her family's things and brought back a small trailer, Ela's spare room stuffed with small boxes and bins of things that were too important to toss out or that weren't ruined by fire and smoke. There had been precious little left, and after months on her own, even less of it mattered. The boys didn't need reminders for something that she knew still upset her eldest. But the chief thing she'd brought back with her was Ryosuke himself, and in that long car ride, tried her damndest to make some kind of peace.

It hadn't worked entirely.

Anouk was sure Ryosuke knew he'd die trying to fight off the men who invaded their home, and that as the danger presented itself, he'd chosen what he saw the right thing as. Anouk thanked him for it every day she woke up with their sons curled into bed with her, knowing that of the two of them, she was the one trained to fight and defend. And that killed her. She should have tried to fight them off, and maybe he wouldn't have died. Or maybe he chose to die knowing Anouk would have to plunge deep into the bloody depths where angels like him should never tread. It was hard to say with Ryosuke, really, and now it was too late to ask him what on earth he was thinking. What he was trying to prove. What she'd tell his parents in Aerugo.

Ryosuke's parents hadn't heard from their daughter-in-law since their son's funeral. They hadn't been able to come, and after Anouk vanished, nobody heard from her for months. Anouk was surprised they hadn't given her up for dead, too. Everyone else in Vegas had, except for that stupid fucking detective that wouldn't get off her nuts. Put into a smaller urn, now was the time Anouk had dreaded: returning to her other home of so many years, to the people she'd come to call mom and dad after her own had died, and instead of coming as a family for a holiday, coming to bring them a portion of their son's remains. Anouk hated it. She was the one breaking their hearts after promising to love and care for Ryo, and had failed them. She was the one forcing them to say goodbye.

It had been a somber day once Anouk had arrived, the gray skies melting into rain. Quiet as the family placed Ryo's ashes on the butsudan and made offerings. They'd forgiven their daughter. Hugged her and assured her that it wasn't her fault, but they didn't know. They weren't there, and they didn't see the months of horrible things Anouk had done to save their children. Anouk was in the kitchen washing the dishes as the rain came down harder, finding it hard to talk. Coming home didn't feel like it had every trip before. Her sons were in London with their Uncle Ela for the week, so there were no boys running underfoot and playing with their grandparents. She knew it was best to leave them this time, but not hearing them only made the mother's heart sink knowing how much she needed them, their energy, their happiness to keep going and find every day worth waking up. Because of her three boys, every day Anouk found a reason to get a little bit stronger. She hadn't noticed that Mariko had opened the door in the downpour, or that she and Keisuke had gone outside for a moment; Nu was lost in her own world, hypnotized by sparkling dish soap bubbles. It wasn't until she'd finished cleaning and her mother-in-law hurried into the kitchen to ask Anouk to make tea and prepare an extra cup that she was aware they had a guest.

He was toweling off his damp hair as Anouk carried a tray of cups out, her own auburn hair hanging down loose over her back and shoulders, lavender eyes distant. "Good evening," she said, looking the man over. He didn't appear much older than she was, but he certainly didn't look like anyone she and Ryosuke went to university with. But the Uedas had lived in this house and neighbourhood for decades, so maybe he was some friend of the family she hadn't met, or the son of some client. Though seeing her parents fuss over him was so very sweet, Mariko asking again if the man were hungry even though she probably already had and either forgotten or wanted to be sure. Anouk folded her legs under her as she took a seat by her elderly family. She sat in awkward quiet for a moment, unsure of what to say or even who the man was, not wholly in the mood to entertain. "Excuse my asking, but were you a friend of Ryosuke's?" He looked close enough in age, so it was entirely possible that he'd gone to school with Ryo.

[Yoshida Izanagi]

"Good evening," Izanagi's eyes rose to meet those of a woman. Downcast, sadness and what looked like pain was dancing in them. This woman.. had a torturous trail in her wake and even the way she held herself just made him- want to embrace her and comfort her. There was a story that he wouldn't dare touch, as a stranger, but something that spoke out in her eyes. An item in her hands and the way the family got a stunned sort of silence. Was he invading a personal moment? Should he leave and let them consort and be merry? The rain outside was heavy and even then, he could hear the echoing patter of the droplets drumming on the roof. A dance made of nature's very hands. As if she, herself, had reached out and started strumming upon the lives of everyone. Some saw the day as dark, but tomorrow would be bright in comparison.

As Izanagi opened his mouth, it just as swiftly shut. Thoughts roaming his head, while he attempted to decipher words. "Excuse my asking, but were you a friend of Ryosuke's?" The name was unfamiliar. How would he break such news gently? The woman was hurting already, he could see in her eyes and the way she carried herself. He kind of felt awkward, but at the same time, he was too lazy to leave, anyways. A long trip was ahead, to return to the palace and by himself, it seemed only longer. If needed, he could always excuse himself to the bathroom. Once the emotions started brewing, he'd feel like a pervert to listen on such a naked feeling that may be released upon the atmosphere. It wasn't right and therefore, he wouldn't eavesdrop.

As the shogun once more spaced, he found eyes upon him. Oh, yes. A question was asked and an answered was wanted. With a heavy sigh, he straightened his back, sliding his sheathe off of his hip and in between his legs. The fit was easier while the man foraged for the right words. "Regretfully, no. I likely was not." There was no need to place lies on a table of such kind people. So many civilians and soldiers a like were always passing through his mind. Faces of the slain and the friends he had alike were flickering behind his gray eyes. "I am simply a passerby. These kind folk accepted me into their humble abode and for that I owe them my eternal thanks." Now he was no man of poetry, but his words managed to hold their usual fervor.

After his pause, he pulled himself together and got to his feet. The black of his eyes were blocked away while he shifted once more. A sheathe was on the table, his head pressed to his chest and he bowed. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Yoshida, Izanagi; a simple warrior." Well in ways that was truthful, in others it was simply a conservative view.

[Anouk Ueda]

Rain pattered down on the roof, the distant rumblings of thunder echoing from outside town. The storm would pass soon enough, but in the mean time it was needed. Rain brought growth and change, and that was needed, especially when Anouk knew that she was the one disturbing how things had been. Her in-laws had accepted their son's death, grieved, and moved on as best they could when their grandsons were taken and Anouk went missing for months as well. And here she was, finally home as it were, stirring up the ashes into the air. The rain was needed and would help settle it all back down again.

It had been months since Ryosuke had died; actually, a year had slipped by already. The constant stream of wars around Creta and Amestris made things hard to keep track of, and until the war with Drachma Anouk hadn't really cared about them as much as she could have. They were far away from her bar and her family, and the danger was elsewhere, leaving her in total ignorance that every day she spent alive and breathing cost Ela. Anouk spent so much time not caring about the world around her she'd disconnected herself from, never once knowing she was a hostage until it had all come crashing down. It was amazing how time slipped and how far behind some things seemed more than others. The nights hunting and killing in darkness always seemed to cling to her shadow, even though now as she was starting their lives over it all was easier to say that it was so far away that it had only been a really long bad dream. The rain was here and now, and would patter the dust back to the earth, burying the seeds that would come about next spring. Time was passing on, and things were healing.

Anouk sipped at her tea, wondering who this man in their living room was, until finally he answered. "Regretfully, no. I likely was not. I am simply a passerby. These kind folk accepted me into their humble abode and for that I owe them my eternal thanks." Ah. Anouk glanced at her elderly in-laws, a gentle smile moving onto her lips. That was so like them. Keisuke and Mariko were always the charitable sort, and were fairly notorious in the neighbourhood as the everybody's grandparents. Hell, it was amazing that neighbourhood pets all didn't show up at their door for dinner. She looked the man over again, taking another casual sip of her tea. It was strange. In a way, he seemed out of place, and yet, not. He stood suddenly, bowing far deeper than she or her parents seemed to expect. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Yoshida, Izanagi; a simple warrior."

The flowery way he was talking and describing things made him seem out of place and almost out of time, but at the same time, it was nice, and reminded Nu of the samurai movies her Kitaro loved so much. But it had caught the bartender a little by surprise, and apparently her parents hadn't been told the man's name yet, either, both moving to return the gesture, even though Keisuke and Mariko had already introduced themselves as they'd brought the man in. "Ueda Anouk," she replied, knowing her first name never failed to sound odd in Aerugese. Even though their last name was the same, it was more than a little obvious that they weren't blood-related, pictures of Anouk and her boys dotting the walls. [color=red["It's nice to meet you, Yoshida-san."[/color] Anouk took another sip of her tea, trying to not get lost in the warmth.

"When the rain lets up, we can give you a ride home," Mariko offered, her good-natured smile creasing lightly around her eyes. Keisuke nodded, agreeing, glancing to Anouk with the silent you-can-take-the-car-to-drive-him-back look. She sighed inwardly. Ah well. She'd never say no to to the Uedas, so there was no need to question the suggestion. "So you're a soldier? Anouk, isn't your brother a soldier, too?"

The publican nodded, reaching to the teapot to refill cups as they emptied, and slowly looked back up to their guest. "My brother is a Royal Guard in London. My job is nothing so glorious; I own a pub." Anouk set the teapot back down gently. "But it is nice to be visiting home again. So... Are you from around here?"

[Yoshida Izanagi]

It seemed lost to him, that his gestures were almost other-worldly. He was a man trapped in the old world styles, but they were natural to him. His eyes blinked away the look as if it were nothing and simply grinned, his usual kind smile to them. Introductions were placed aside and the woman's names graced her lips. She was an Ueda, but she looked nothing like her parents(?). It took a moment for her to gaze about and find pictures. Children and a lady looking very much like herself. So, she was an in-law? Then, a married woman? Or was the answer in being adopted? From what he could tell, there was no ring on her finger. Did this make him a pervert for checking? It didn't exactly make sense to him. Was she a married woman? She seemed to look like one, despite the distraught look on her face. A kind and honest woman was hidden behind those eyes of lavender, that he felt he could stare into all night. They were vast pools that smelled just of the flower so similar in color. Was she just as this flower? Or perhaps, she was something far deadlier? The pretty ones were always the deadly ones...

He felt almost like an adulteress simply thinking she was pretty. It wasn't in his rights to say so, but he couldn't resist. All of his people were beautiful and she, was one of the more so. However, stress and depression rung around the hues of her eyes and spoke a story darker than he could ever hope to understand. Was this a one time encounter or would he meet her again, to one day know of the story this mother- this beautiful woman had? It was curious to him, because far beyond her outer appearance that some might pass, was the gorgeous eyes and soul beneath. He felt almost breathless. The woman was a fighter and the instinct he could almost feel was surreal. Maybe he was being just emotional? Maybe he was getting sick? None of it mattered, the woman was definitely something that struck up the Shogun's interest. Perhaps one day, his gnashing hunger would be cured and insight would be given. For now, it was rude to even hint the curiosity. "It's nice to meet you, Yoshida-san."

Again, his body turned towards her. He was tempted to kiss her hand, but that might push lines he wasn't willing to cross. Was it paranoia, that the shogun felt? Maybe, maybe not. However, he refrained from any sort of touching upon a stranger. A lot of people disliked contact anyways and her parents were right there. He didn't need more people mad at his shogunate for something simple as a humble peck along the fingertips. Unfortunately, the more he thought on it, the more incomplete he felt by not doing it. So, walking over, he took a hand, as gentle as possible. Then, he knelt down. His knee, buckled beneath him, while his head bowed to her. "A pleasure of mine, as well, Ueda-san." It sated his urges enough, that they weren't swimming wildly in his head. He was capable of thinking straight. It was strange to most, but he'd done the same earlier for the older man. A bow in respect and thanks, but alas this woman's husband(?) was not about to be thanked. Hopefully the Gods wouldn't scorn him too harshly for touching a married woman.

Pulling up to his whole six-foot-four height, his stern eyes swept once more to the kind people who took him in. "When the rain lets up, we can give you a ride home." The kindness was endless. Swirling shades in the room that formed words that some people had prayed to hear. Izanagi couldn't help but feel emotions. The beat of his own heart was warmed up.

"Your hospitality is endless. It will be remembered." The smiled on his face felt almost endless. The last time, he'd felt this good was with Izanami. A few weeks ago, they had gone through the cherry blossoms and simply observed their beauty, but now they were becoming barren. Nothing lasted forever, it was a sad reality that one had to come to eventually.

"So you're a soldier? Anouk, isn't your brother a soldier, too?" That only furthered the opinion she must have been married to their son. Otherwise, 'your brother' would have been our son. In fact, that sentence would have made no sense. What kind of parents wouldn't know what their own son was doing? He frowned and blinked at his own thoughts. A sudden feel of rotting in his stomach. He was terrible.. he lost his brother. Alas, that was cargo for another situation. The times to think about Izaya, were not then.

Eyes turned once more to find the young woman speaking. "My brother is a Royal Guard in London. My job is nothing so glorious; I own a pub. But it is nice to be visiting home again. So... Are you from around here?" Visiting Creta? How coincidental. Izanagi, himself, had plans to meet with the leader of Creta. Perhaps this woman lived there and could give him a bit of reassurance in what to expect. After a recent war, he hadn't a clue of who was leading now, but he needed whoever it was. After all, it was necessary to know where a country stood with them. In his honest opinion, he hoped to simply do good business.

"Creta?" He spoke softly, thick accent in the simple name. "I see. I may have a few questions on that, if you do not mind, but that shall come later." Slowly, he'd migrated back to his seat and found himself in its embrace. Cup to his lips, warm fluid poured within and he felt content. Perhaps.. tea was an addiction? It seemed like it at time, with how wonderful it felt. "No. I am not from around here, to say. I was born in Osaka and live most of my life around there. However, once I joined the military, I did happen upon a few friends in Edo. I come here in occasion to see them." A heavy sigh came from his lips and he looked down. A heaviness stirred in the air, while rippling waves of dark liquid stirred. "It is to my disdain, that I find Yuuko-san's troops had dismembered quite a few of them." His brow furrowed and the sights that filled his mind were enough to make a grown man cry at times. As dishonorable as simply calling her 'Yuuko-san' was, he had a dislike for he woman he'd been employed to for a while. Her decisions were not supported and he only followed to keep his own family alive, if only barely. "But now, pray tell, how are things, here?" It was an honest curiosity to know how one is leading without directly stating he was running it.

[Anouk Ueda]

The evening certainly was becoming interesting, the somber feeling of the day middled by the rain and shifting around the staranger that say with the Uedas now. Izanagi was an interesting character, tos ay the least; Anouk had been greeted many ways over the years, but in Aerugo they had all been pretty similar withing the societal confines of politeness. Back in Vegas her customers were much more physical, but Cretans were more physical than Aerugese, the concept of 'personal space' something often ignored. Pietr often scooped the woman up, squeezed, and wiggled her around like a massive Drachman bear playing with his food. Patrons who knew her often greeted her with hugs and kisses, and even new customers had a habit of getting friendlier by the end of their visit with their barkeep. But Anouk had never had her hand taken and knelt to. That was a gesture more appropriate for Cretan nobility or someone important in the Empire, not a widowed bartender.

Even if undeserved, it was incredibly flattering. Fingers wrapped around the warm ceramic, the light refracted on the tea in Anouk's cup, scattering her thoughts like the dappled light that mingled with steam. She'd thought about coming back to Aerguo, secretly entertaining the thought late at night when Ela wouldn't catch a glance and peek into her mind. He couldn't know; it'd break his heart, especially after all he'd done for her and the boys. Especially after how important Elastor had become to the boys, Kitaro most of all. But Ela would never be happy in Aerugo. Language barrier aside, what would he do? He'd never feel at ease with Mr. and Mrs. Ueda, Anouk's little borther still blaming himself for the blood Takatori shed. And Anouk hadn't forgotten how her godparents tried to keep Anouk from contacting her brother for all those years, assuming he was guilty. Yeah, that'd make dinner conversations just awesome.

No, Creta was where she was needed now, even if Edo would always feel like home. But what was home without her heart? And her heart was encased in an urn. "Creta," Izanagi said, the thick Aerugese accent breaking up the word that sounded as strange as her own name did in this language. Then again, her name sounded strange in Cretan, too The joys of having a Rouenian first name while her little brother had a Xerxian one, but at least their parents weren't hippie-enough to have named their kids Moon Child and Starflower or something weird. "I see. I may have a few questions on that, if you do not mind, but that shall come later." Izanagi grew more serious, lost in his own cup for a moment. "No. I am not from around here, to say. I was born in Osaka and live most of my life around there. However, once I joined the military, I did happen upon a few friends in Edo. I come here in occasion to see them. It is to my disdain, that I find Yuuko-san's troops had dismembered quite a few of them."

Mariko's hand went to her mouth, trying to cover her surprise. The young man's friends had been executed by the former Empress? Anouk took another sip of her tea, sympathizing. As a soldier, it was hard on all sides. Living in Creta and knowing Aerugo had been involved in the massive war that spring, and sitting holding her breath at home while Ela fought to protect their former leader and charged into Amestris after RIOTE. As a soldier you were always at risk, especially when control changed hands, and as a civilian all you could do was sit and wait. "Our condolences, Yoshida-san," Keisuke said quietly. He was no soldier, even in his youth, but the sting of loss from the ceaseless wars touched everyone, even his own son who had been as seemingly far-removed from the wars and frontlines as possible.

Their guest seemed to try and push dark thoughts aside. The room had been too somber all day as it was, and sad things would only make it heavy under the patter of rain. "But now, pray tell, how are things, here?" Anouk looked to her in-laws, wondering the same. Things had changed hands in Aerugo so quickly, and the news was still more preoccupied by what would become of Amestris, and more importantly of Creta. They were currently in the process of finding new leaders and until then the country seemed to sit on the edge of their seat, breath holding until some kind of hand was laid. Everyone had an opinion of it, from the practical to the absurd. But the London News Network was more than busy trying to look over their own people more than the problems of the nations that bordered them.

"Things have been busy," Mariko said, her smile gentle, as though to not say anything that would make the soldier uncomfortable. "We are lucky to live in this part of Edo. This is a safe neighbourhood." Nu smiled. As long as she'd known the Uedas, they had been here and would never dream of moving. And with all the changes their grandchildren had had to go through, despite not telling most of them to the elderly couple, they knew that having something consistent for them would be best... even if Anouk wouldn't do what they wished and let the boys come to live with them. Anouk finshed her own cup and set the ceramic back down.

"My godparents live on the other side or town, but they've told me that they've been rather happy with some of the changes. The people I grew up with who became soldiers came home from Xing finally." She couldn't help but smile at that, glad that at least some good was coming of the country being overturned. Though still tired, there was a genuine gladness in Anouk's eyes that couldn't be argued. "I'll only be in Edo for a week before I go back to London, but hopefully I'll get a chance to go say hello to my classmates. It is good to be home, even if it's only for the week."

[Yoshida Izanagi]

"Our condolences, Yoshida-san." Izanagi made a slight grimace. It appeared he'd sang a sour note and the reaction of the older woman was foretelling wrong words. Oops. Did his detest for Yuuko shine that thoroughly? It was as trying to say something one utterly hated with a sweet tone. No matter how much he tried, every ounce of dislike could not be drained. It mattered not how much he wrung out the name, how many times he repeated or how many times he recounted what she had done. It would always be a sour taste that plagued his mouth even upon speaking. It stung bitterly and left the after taste that almost made the young shogun want to vomit. So her name was simply refuted from his body instead of spoken like the poetry he so enjoyed. It mattered not, she was gone. Her last act was etched in the mind of those alive, but perhaps one day that name would fade from his mind. Others came and went, what made the leader so different? The mass effect she had upon the country or was it something more- personal?

Even so, his eyes gave an apologetic gleam to the woman. A horrified face was something that made him regret the words he'd spoken. No lady needed to be subjected to such horrors. His head fell a moment and he murmured a silent apology through unmoving lips. Only a handful of seconds passed before he was corralled back into the conversation. "Things have been busy. "We are lucky to live in this part of Edo. This is a safe neighborhood." Izanagi nodded, before slipping his hands about his cup. The swirling liquid moved with the slightest nudge and created small dances of waves. It was always interesting to him, how fluid could create dances that later people danced to but instead used fans. All of nature was one. Water became wind and that beat on earth and fire created the earth. At least, that was some of the story he was taught as a child, With no formal education, there were no real 'truths' in his life and only observations that he found made logic understandable. He couldn't help but nod to them. It was good to know they felt safe and sound in the humble little abode.

"My godparents live on the other side or town, but they've told me that they've been rather happy with some of the changes. The people I grew up with who became soldiers came home from Xing finally." He was surprised by his own reaction. Slipping beneath his nose was a smile that stretched undoubtedly ear to ear. Briefly he struggled it down, but he couldn't resist the warm flame that flickered in his chest. That sweet feeling that made it so hard to even think straight and left him speechless. Despite him fighting it, the twitch of his lips were what betrayed him most. After shading them behind his bangs and the cup of tea, he did his best to wrestle back the calm look. A leader wasn't supposed to be too emotional on such things, no matter how much he enjoyed it. Do not indulge in the moment. His uncle drilled the words into his head until Izanagi could recite them backwards.

"I'll only be in Edo for a week before I go back to London, but hopefully I'll get a chance to go say hello to my classmates. It is good to be home, even if it's only for the week." For some reason or another, Izanagi had to smile again. Was it the act she was native or simply the moment that made his emotions bubble over into that soft grin of his, he would never be able to guess. There it was, plain as day, soft and kind upon his face. The words he wished to say slowly formed and the man looked into her lavender orbs with his own gray. Such a sweet woman, from what he could tell. There was a dull sadness that lingered, but the atmosphere was easing, if only slightly.

"We are always welcoming to our kin. Might I say, welcome home? Please, enjoy your stay and do not hesitate if you need anything." How odd, he sounded like an Inn keeper. Did that make Aerugo a giant motel? In some ways, he could see the comparison, but the words were unneeded. "I may be but a soldier, but I know my way around. It is the least I could do." Something of a thin chuckle slipped from his lips, before the tea took him over again. His constance; his calmness all of it revolved on the warm and rather stable taste of tea. The dark liquid was soothing and always had an odd affecting of hazing emotion from simmering too far. He could never let that happen. Such a fate was bitter-sweet in the fullest intent. To truly feel, he had to not and in order to remain calm, he had a raging well beneath. Lack of emotion was never truly there.

[Anouk Ueda]

As much as things had changed, it was nice to be home again. It would be a long week for sure. Mariko had already hinted that she and her husband wished to have a more serious chat with their daughter-in-law. One that would wait, for now, for when they weren't honouring Ryosuke's death and the life he gave to save his wife and sons from thugs. Anouk had left holes in her story, she knew, but they couldn't know the truth. Not all of it. That was too dangerous, and if Anouk knew Mariko, she had a good idea what the couple wanted to discuss with her. It wouldn't be a fun talk, or pleasant, and may not end well at all. But it would wait, all the same, for another day while Anouk was in Edo, and when there wasn't company at their table to share tea under the patter of the rain. Water bounced hard off the tiles of the roof, making a hard plinking sound to dance with the rushing as water ran through the gutters and down the water spouts.

Their guest was smiling again, at least, which put the bartender's mind at ease. If nothing else while he was here, things would stay polite, and private, delicate matters really would wait for another time. But Anouk was home, and sipped at her tea lightly. "We are always welcoming to our kin. Might I say, welcome home? Please, enjoy your stay and do not hesitate if you need anything." Welcoming to our kin. That... felt oddly nice. Anouk was Cretan, born and bred, despite their family taking the Aerugese last name to honour a friend of the family long ago. Her own husband and children only had Aerugese blood by Fate's design. But the years she'd spent in Edo, from the start of high school through university, getting married and then only leaving a few years ago... Edo had become home. She knew not everyone would see her as anything other than Kureta-jin and keep her at that polite distance that Anouk had come to know so well, but that would never change how she herself felt about the place. It was like having two hearts, like a gryffin. Two hearts, one body and soul, always torn about where and what to be. Ah well. At least this soldier was kind and didn't seem to think of her as an outsider trying to be something she wasn't. "I may be but a soldier, but I know my way around. It is the least I could do."

So he would lead her aroundd the streets she used to know so well when her family had asked her to take him home when the rain let up. A bit counter-productive but very sweet. Then again, she had been away several years, and Aerugo had undergone a few leader changes and wars, so changes to the area might have happened. Anouk smiled, nodding softly. "That's very kind of you, thank you." There was no such thing as a simple soldier; even the lowest rank still had a duty to fulfill, and the humblest warrior could still help to achieve great things for his people. Ela had been a soldier for years, and many who didn't know him might look down at him, never once knowing the fierce force of nature that he really was. "I know some areas have had new roads laid. It would be nice to hear about the changes that London news doesn't cover."

[Yoshida Izanagi]

"I know some areas have had new roads laid. It would be nice to hear about the changes that London news doesn't cover." There was an ease shifting into the world. The Shogun could accept it without much trouble. The relaxation was something he couldn't fight even if he wanted to. Soft sounds of rain created a rhythm that made him think back. Back to the days in the dojo, back when his father still cared. Long before Izanami was born and Izaya had vanished. There was a time Izanagi and his father would sit and enjoy tea. The custom began back then and it would always be a part of him. There were fond memories of the man whom had helped raise him, even if now they were dulled to the point he could barely remember the man's face. A warm feeling rolled through him and the splashing wave hit his eyes hard. Izanagi had to stop and breathe slowly. Emotions.. under control. It had been years now, that his father was gone, but the pain was still there. It didn't matter how crazy the man drove Izanagi, the fatherly bond was a strong one that was cut loose by fate.

Design, it was inescapable. It would claim someone no matter how hard they would try to slip from the grasp. One day he too would be buried below a stone, but for now, he would live what life he had left, be that ten minutes or ten years. A solemn look filled his cup when he glanced down. The saddened smile that was unnecessary. How rude of him, to act in such a way towards his outstanding hosts. Perhaps it was time to go. His breath staggered and he gave a grateful smile. "I fear I have overstayed my welcome. The rain is tapering off." His whole body shifted and he found his feet once more. A bit of a buzz flickered and tickled the nerves, having sat too long. Such a pain to deal with.

He would give his hosts a bow, before placing the towel out for them to take. "I apologize for staying so long." It was odd for him, taking charity from people he barely knew. A clutching tension was in his chest. Why did he have to feel those stinging regrets over and over? Maybe he'd need a psychiatrist to help mellow out, but for now, he didn't wish to invoke overemotional behavior upon his new friends. His lips were pulled widely into a grin. "I am glad though, that you believe things are getting better." the words sounded morbid though were only unintentionally so. He was enjoying his new friends. It was a strong feeling he hoped to meet them again, and maybe then, it would be an even better time in Aerugo.

[Anouk Ueda]

Cups drained with the pot, leaving Anouk to wonder when she'd lost the natural ease she'd always had when it came to talking with strangers. maybe it was because she wasn't behind the bar. Anyone who had known her knew that behind the bar Anouk was a different woman and her own problems never made it that far; she was like a counselor with booze and pub snacks, and being bogged down by her own head wouldn't help her help customers feel any better about pouring themselves out to her. Maybe that was why she had reinforced her habits of waiting until she was on her own and the damage was done and gone to let herself cope and feel and get it all out of her system so she did't just die from needing to burst. Or maybe it was just that this company had been so unexpected, and that it had been such a sad series of conversations before he'd come in.

The rain's steady patter tapered off and lessened likepopcorn in a pan, slowly coming to a halt. The storm would pass and everything would resume as it always had. "I fear I have overstayed my welcome. The rain is tapering off." Yoshida rose to his feet, bowing graciously to Anouk's in-laws as he handed the towel back to them. "I apologize for staying so long. I am glad though, that you believe things are getting better." Mr. and Mrs. Ueda seemed a little perplexed but smiled warmly, wrinkles and deep smile-lines creasing as they returned the gesture, both standing to show him tot eh door since he seemed to not want to take more of their time. Anouk hesitated, gathering the cups back onto the tray in order to take them back to the sink.

"You're welcome to stay longer if you like, Yoshida-san," came the eternally-polite suggestion of Keisuke. Nu couldn't help but smile. Her father-in-law meant well, if nothing else. They both did. Mariko nodded, agreeing as Anouk lingered behind slightly, almost a bit lost in her own thoughts. "But if you must leave, Anouk can still drive you home." Nu smirked slightly. She loved the old lady, she did, but Anouk driving the man home was more than just a polite suggestion, it was the safer suggestion. Few things in life were scarier than that adorable old lady driving. Anouk stepped closer, reaching for the worn leather jacket that hung on the peg on the wall.Her drivers license was still good in Aerugo thankfully.

"If you can direct me, I don't mind driving you home. It's probably pretty muddy right now."

[Yoshida Izanagi]

"If you can direct me, I don't mind driving you home. It's probably pretty muddy right now."

So many words of kindness. This house, was what a home should be like. It didn't matter who he was, or where he was from, he had been welcomed. It was heart-wrenching in a way that the young shogun couldn't help but smile. How grateful, he was, to have met the beautiful young woman and her wonderful family. Pieces were missing and yet, they could still function as a whole. It was how he wanted families to be, how he wanted Aerugo to be. Was it a dream worth even fighting for? It was something that might never be reached by he, himself, but perhaps, just maybe.. Maybe one day leaders later on would be able to reach his goal. His job would be the toughest, uprooting the deteriorating thresholds and in their place he would build a new cornerstone. Change.. it was painful to go through, but almost moreso to start. Fighting against the tide or the winds of repetition was something that often stained the body of any man. By the end of this, he knew for sure, he too would be viewed as a demon by some. People dislike it, but it was needed to grow.

His eyes closed, a smile even HE questioned upon his face, showed no real notion of his thoughts. Was he happy? Was he sad? A strange emotion boiled inside of his chest and he could not figure it out. An overflowing fountain of .. determination? That seemed the same feeling, a pride, a goal. All of it began to fall into place. If small actions thus far had already began the change, he had to push it further. This was the start of something new.

A wide grin stretched his face. Why was he smiling so much? His cheeks kind of hurt, but oddly the pain felt good. His body turned to face the woman and he swooped to a bow. "I do not mind walking. However, if the kind lady so likes, she may escort me home. I would rather not lay worry on such kind friends. " Once his bow was done, he straightened once again to his full height. His eyes were kind and gentle looking upon each member of the house. Such a feeling.. it was strange. There was a darkness, but a gentleness at the same time. Such things were hard to tell and yet, brought up as he was, it made it simple as breathing. Not long after, took short strides to the door and opened it, holding it open for a moment, then gauging if she wanted to leave with him or not.

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