Shit. The Chou is standin’ here in front o’ Sekihara-san’s house, wishin’ he’da had hisself at least one more freakin’ hour! I got all the right ‘gredients ta make Sekihara-san the nicest damn down home Osaka dinner you’d ever wanna see like. Not that I had time ta make the freakin’ meal after poor Sou-chan had his freakin’ meltdown right out on the freakin’ street.

( The Perfect Dinner: Sushi, Sake and Sex )

The Chou goes through the freakin’ gate right ‘bout seven. Here’s hopin’ Sekihara-san is ready for a nice dinner at the Chou’s!

Chou and I manage to get Sou-chan out of the bookstore without any trouble, which I'm thankful for. The last thing we needed was Shinomori making a scene, or something.

The streets are noisy, and I frown in irritation. A man is shouting at the top of his lungs that some fishmonger shortchanged him. I roll my eyes. I couldn't care less. I've got my own problems right now.

I'm still not sure what set Sou-chan off like that. Ok, so I do know-- it was that kid, Eiji-- I just don't know why.

Sou-chan's been strange since I ran into him. Well, he was always strange, but now he's strange in a different way. He's acting like a child now, and that includes having a child's fear. Damn it, what did Battousai do to him when they fought?

It doesn't surprise me that this is all Battousai's fault. It always is. I really hate that bastard. None of this shit would be happening if Shishio-sama was around.

Damn Battousai.

But I can't think like that right now. I need to try and cheer up for Sou-chan's sake. Kid's got enough problems right now without me being in bad mood.

Right, cheerful, I can do cheerful. "So, Chou," I say noting the cookbook in his hand, "I hope you're planning to cook us something good from that book."

(OOC: Chou and Soujirou moved with permission.)

I help Baachan arrange a small vase of flowers for the register counter and stare a little at the bit of parchment on the wall that says, "Serenity in Contemplation: Read."

...

I'd really rather not remember that.

Thank goodness the neighbors have not complained. Or maybe they have, but to themselves. It is entirely possible that they are afraid to come talk to us. It would not be the first time.

There is a sign in our window announcing the store's maiden voyage into consumerism.

This phase of the operation is coming to a close. Now the true test: whether or not this place can hold its own in the cut-throat literary world.


(The Bookstore is now officially open! Feel free to pop in, or walk by, or flirt. ^.^)

The Chou heads for the best market stalls in this here To-ky-o. When you’re cookin’ for a cookin’ lady, ya gotta be sure ta get only the best ‘gredients! That’s gonna be a challenge this late in the day, but the Chou has got buddies who save a good catch here an’ a special late veggie there jus’ for the Chou. An’ they should, too. The Chou sends ‘em ‘nuf business!

I get us a very nice fish from jus’ such a friend an’ take plenty o’ time ta shoot the shit with ‘im. Ya never know when one o’ my buds is gonna know somethin’ that the Chou or Freakin’ Fujita wants ta know.

All that freakin’ fresh fish has given me a taste for a treat I rarely ‘dulge in. An’ No, the Chou is NOT talkin’ ‘bout the ladies!

The Chou has spotted a vendor sellin’ somethin’ the Chou hasn’t had in ages. Nope. The Chou hasn’t had one o’ these since he came ta this here To-ky-o!

Hot Damn! That vendor has fresh grilled squid on a stick!

(Come and have lunch with the Chou if you dare!
*snicker* In honor of our very own Squid.)

I finish work in time to make the appointment. I am, in fact, early. I use the time to relax. It is a beautiful place, Ueno Park, even in the autumn, when the famed sakura can hardly be in bloom. It is not my garden, but it is a beautiful place, nevertheless.

I wonder idly, if that person will come?

And then I see her. Walking regally down the path, dressed in a kimono that is simple, yet elegant. How could I not see her? She is one to whom all eyes are drawn... She has that air about her, the air of a mighty empress.

I take a deep breath, then creep up behind her. When I am close enough, though still at a respectful distance, I tap her gently on her shoulder.

She whirls around and for a moment she is startled. And then she laughs. "Ah, so it's Shinoda-kun, is it?"

I am shocked too. For one, she is older than I remember her; her face, once smooth and hard, is now softened and lined with age. But it has been some years since we last met. And then I realize that despite the care I took in changing out of my boy's outfit and into a kimono, I am still holding myself as a man, moving as a man. I did not have time to tie an elaborate obi, either, so am still using the man's obi, and my hair is still pulled back in the man's style. Careless of me. No wonder she was confused! I blush, embarrassed, then pull out the hair tie. And then I fall to my knees and bow down to the ground.

She makes a tsk-ing sound. "Now there, Tokio. There's no need to be so formal!" She adds, "So silent as usual; you surprised me."

"Hime-sama..." I murmur, rising, still with my head lowered respectfully. "You came alone," I reproach her mildly.

"Hmph. You of all people should know that I have never needed bodyguards! ... Not that I didn't appreciate it, you know," she adds softly.

I nod quietly in acknowledgement, and fall back a few steps behind her as she continues strolling down the path.

"Besides, it's such a beautiful day. Hardly a day for any danger to come to one so insignificant as me."

"You are hardly an insignificant individual, hime-sama," I protest.

"Teru," she snorts. " Teru-san if you insist. We are equals now, Tokio. And these silly titles are meaningless now anyway, in this new age."

I shake my head. "No, hime-sama. To me, at least... you will always be Princess Teru."

We fall silent then, but out of the corner of my eye I catch the barest glimpse of the soft smile that rests upon her face.

(ooc: tbc. thread invadeable. the princess recognizable by relevant people -- i.e. anyone who may have encountered her in the past.)

The Chou ain’t in no rush a’tall ta be hurryin’ in ta see Freakin’ Fujita. What the hell, he hasn’t been ‘round much, an’ the Chou don’t have nothin’ o’ ‘portance ta tell the freakin’ wolf anyhow.

( The Chou’s freakin’ morning at the Keishikan )

I put up my feet and enjoy the freakin’ view out o’ Freakin’ Fujita’s winder. This is a damn fine day an’ the purdy ones oughta be out and ‘bout so’s the Chou can look ‘em over!

(The Chou is in Freakin’ Fujita’s Office. If ya’ve got some freakin’ Po-lice business, bring it on!)

Ahhh….the freakin’ warm water feels ….almos’ as good as some other nice warm places the Chou’s been visitin’ lately! Good thin’ the Chou took a big o’ drink o’ Mama Sawagejou’s famous hang over cure ‘afore he came out here. Thank you Mama! That big ol’ headache the Chou woke up with, instead o’ a nice soft woman, was a bad ‘un. Finally freakin’ startin’ ta go ‘way now. An’ relaxin’ in this freakin’ warm water is puttin’ the Chou in a much better mood.

Speakin’ o’ a better mood, where the hell is Shura? Her freakin’ bad moods always cheer me up! That damn neighborhood pirate queen has been mighty scarce when I’ve tried ta look inta her winders.. Wonder if she’s even bothered ta check in with the freakin’ wolf lately? What the hell – not the Chou’s problem. Nope. The Chou’s problem is gettin’ inta those freakin’ winders, snort.

Sooner or later the bitch has ta turn up – ‘specially since she’s usin’ the Chou’s bath house like, outa the kindness o’ the Chou’s big ol’ Osakan heart.

Maybe she’ll turn up jus’ as the Chou is gettin’ out o’ the tub……here’s hopin’ she gets a big ol’ view o’ the Chou’s best side!

(The Chou is a-wishin’ and a-soakin’. Interrupt for an eyeful – ‘specially you wimen!)

"I am going to kill you."

"That won't work against me."

"You, better than anyone, should know this."

"You know what I am capable of."

"Why? Do you even need to ask?"

"You know why."

"I won't hold back. The monster grows inside me. Someday, when it has grown to its full extent, it shall devour me whole, from within. But I am ready for it. I will be waiting, and when that time comes --"

DIE


My hands are sticky and somehow it feels I'm running in a dream. I am gasping for air like a fish, like one of the many fish they cut up in the kitchen or cook and watch their tails curl and it's really very strange. When did my hair get so disheveled?

I wash my hands in a nearby pool. Sticky. Sticky and warm. But the water is cold and crisp. I am thankful for it. Water is life. I dry my hands on my hakama.

It is really quite strange. They're so sticky. Sticky and disgusting. It is an unfamiliar feeling.

I think: Someday, I will finish this. Someday soon. Then I will be free...

But for now I must hurry back to the Kite.

*exits*

(Coming from here.)

As we make our way through the crowd of early morning shoppers I wonder about the note, the ninja, and the large quiet man named Anji. As the rice vendor's stall becomes visable through a haze of dull kimono and bustling bodies I chance a glance at one of Sawagejou-san's many, many weapons.

"Ne, Sawagejou-san, what interesting swords." Where did you get them all? And why are they all strapped to you like that? "Are they of a special type?"

I got them freakin’ kimonos that prob'bly belong ta the freakin' Battousai's woman and freakin' Yamazaki wrapped and strapped on ta my back as I leave the Keishikan. Might as well take care o’ them as the first order o’ biz-ness.

Hell, it’s a great day outside, the Chou will enjoy the walk on this freakin’ nice day! ‘Specially if’n the Chou sees some o’ them purdy ones on the way like!


(the Chou is headed off ta the freakin’ Kamiya Dojo. He’s on the streets o’ Tok-y-o, so’s you can go ahead and suggest some trouble makin’ chat ‘im up!)