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tampered2008-05-10 04:38 pm
koutei-heika.livejournal.com) wrote in tampered2008-05-10 04:38 pm
Log; Complete
When; May 7th, Evening/Night
Rating; PG
Characters; Hotohori (![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
koutei_heika), and Ukitake Juushirou (floating_bamboo)
Summary; With a lot on his mind, Hotohori takes a moment to rest at Ukitake's tea shop.
Log;
Hotohori wasn’t sure why he had to leave that place so urgently, he only knew that standing still made his time away from home more unbearable. Waiting seemed to be doing nothing; aside from his occasional sword lessons he gave to earn a living, he was rarely out of the apartment that Mitsuhide had suggested he reside.
He recalled spending most of his time looking out the small window in his bedroom, thinking of home, and his short time with Miaka and the other warriors. All that time just waiting…waiting to be taken back.
All his life he spent waiting. Waiting for the Priestess to show herself to him, waiting for her to fall in love with him…even when…
Tamahome…
Before Hotohori saw the boat leave for Hokkan, it was starting to become clear to him just how much Miaka preferred the other man. The thought left him feeling lost, as if someone had pulled a rug out from under him. So much of his life he spent hinged on the very thought that one day the Priestess would come, and he would be loved.
Now, he was far away from all that, in some lost world between worlds. Perhaps…if his destiny was going to change he should learn to face it, instead of wasting his time wishing for something that cannot be.
With that thought in mind, he set off wandering this strange place called The City, no longer content to remain idle.
Suzaku will me where I must go…
There was no sleep that night, and when morning came, he found himself exhausted, and with no answers.
After a moment’s rest on a bench, an some conversation on the computer box, he decided that perhaps, he would give up his search for…whatever it was, today. He had intended to view the selection at Ukitake’s tea shop for some time. Now was as good as any to finally meet the older man.
Wearily he opened the door, and was a bit startled at the sound of the wooden chimes. As was usual of late, his mind always seemed to be elsewhere.
----------
Jyuushirou had been having a rather relaxing day, the incident with Ayasegawa fighting Pesche aside. He had been working on the bonsai tree, cleaned one of the corridors in the temple, and then relaxed in the tea shop after that, having some tea and the leftover strawberry tarts from the curse with Megumi and Mitsuhide. He was truly happy for them, and was a bit amused that this was the second wedding he'd been invited to since coming to the City.
Now he was resting a little on the sofa in the back room, head rested on a pillow, reading a book he'd picked up in the library. It was the kind of book that was interesting enough to read, but not so exciting that he could not put it away - something that was a good idea, seeing he had to hear if there was customers arriving.
When the bamboo chimes made a familiar sound, he looked up from the book, stood up and put it down on the table, and then walked out of the storage room and into the shop with a small smile on his lips, expecting a late customer, or maybe even Shunsui coming to kidnap him back home to the temple.
When he saw the young dark-haired man, the smile faded and was replaced by a look of worry. He had not seen the young man in person before, but it was not hard to recognize the lost boy that was Hotohori. He had said he might show up, after all, and Jyuushirou had prepared some tea earlier to make the young man feel better... if he did stop by. Leaving the cash register area, he walked closer to the young man.
"Hotohori-san?" He asked, his tone of voice respectful but concerned.
----------
He was still looking at the chimes, as if still piecing together that the sound had come from them, when Ukitake spoke. Hotohori looked up and gave a polite but tired smile to the older man. Perhaps he needed a bit of a diversion to collect himself.
"Greetings. It is nice to finally meet you in person," he said, letting the traveling bag on his shoulder slip a bit.
He had been carrying the pack since last night. How strange it was - all his belongings fitting into a simple rucksack, when at home he had an entire palace to call his, never mind a country which was his responsibility.
A responsibility I cannot fulfill here...
For a moment he seemed rather dazed, lost in his thoughts again, and forgetting where he was, but when the bag unexpectedly slipped completely off his shoulder he snapped back to reality. Shaking his head and recovering his grip on the strap, he said, "My apologies...would you mind terribly if I put this down?"
----------
The boy seemed rather tired and generally not okay, and Jyuushirou's instinct wanted him to usher Hotohori into the storage room, sit him down and feed him cake until he felt better. However, he had quickly realized this young man had a lot of pride, and he knew from experience how to handle that.
"Likewise, Hotohori-san. It's an honor." Smiling, he looked at Hotohori's bag and then nodded a bit. "Of course. You can put it down in the back. Let me just close the shop so we won't get disturbed."
Moving to the door, he turned the little sign that said 'open' around so it announced that the shop was closed, and then nodded to the dark-haired man, showing him towards the storage room.
"You look like you could use some tea."
----------
Close the shop?
Hotohori was a bit confused, he had intended to simple peruse the selection of tea, perhaps taste a sample and purchase some, but it seemed the older man had intentions for him to stay. He had no specific plans, nor found no reason to distrust this man, and in actuality probably could have used a meal, having eaten nothing all day. The shop smelled wonderful, with the different varieties of tea mingling together in the air. It reminded him of his private tea room at home, and calmed him somewhat.
"Tea sounds lovely," he said, offering another smile, a bit forced from years of training at court. "Forgive me if I am a bit fatigued, I have spent most of last night and this morning trying to relocate myself to a new place of residence."
Was that really true? Certainly he'd been wandering, but he hadn't really any intention of settling down in another room. He'd be sitting still again, and at least while he was moving, he could fool himself into thinking that he was going somewhere.
Taking the bag off his shoulder, he looked back to the counter. It was not usual for a customer to place their belongings behind the register, was it? He looked back to the white-haired man for permission.
----------
Jyuushirou looked back at Hotohori and tried to contain his concern for him. "I understand." He said, nodding a bit. "It can be hard sometimes." Not only meaning finding a home, but things in general. Hotohori seemed so very lost, and the white-haired captain wished he could ease the boy's burden a little bit. He was so young, and seemed to have far too much on his mind.
Noticing that the young man was eyeing the register, he nodded. "You can put it there if you want, or take it with you. It doesn't matter." Smiling a bit, Jyuushirou opened the door to the storage room. "It will be safe. This place is warded." The kidou wards were perhaps not so effective towards people without spiritual power, but that didn't really matter. He had Sougyo no Kotowari by his side, and who other but Aizen and his creatures would have interest in a tea shop, anyway?
"What kind of tea do you like, Hotohori-san? I have some very nice oolong tea that I got in today, or would you prefer chamomile?" Walking in to the storage room, he rummaged around a bit to find the water boiler and a tea pot, as well as two tea cups. Checking the shelf, he quickly produced the last pieces of the strawberry tart, as well. It was rather good, even though he'd rather give the boy meat and vegetables.
...lots of it.
----------
His attitude of late being one more open to going where Suzaku's wings willed him, Hotohori relaxed a bit, sensing nothing unkind or not genuine from the older man. He had nothing better to do here, no duties at court or decisions concerning the lives of his people to be made.
"Chamomile will simply put me to sleep I'm afraid," he said, following Ukitake back to the storage room, and placing his bag on the floor near the door. "I would become a terrible conversationalist. It should best be the oolong."
Without the sack on his shoulder, he took a moment to stretch out his muscles while the other man's back was turned, not wanting to appear rude, but feeling rather stiff.
And hungry... He thought, after catching a glimpse of the strawberry tarts, wondering why he hadn't noticed the empty feeling in his stomach before. The young emperor always had a tendency to skip meals when something important was on his mind, and perhaps without advisers and servants surrounding him and willing him to eat, he'd simply forgotten.
Any hope of not making a fool of himself in front of the new acquaintance was short lived as his stomach gave a loud grumble in the quiet room. At least he had removed his outer robe, and perhaps he would not look so red-faced.
---------
"Oolong it is~" The captain said with a smile, turning on the water boiler and preparing the tea in the tea pot. He pretended he heard nothing when Hotohori's stomach grumbled loudly, but the smile widened a little and he once again wished he'd have move then sweets to offer.
"Do take a seat, Hotohori-san." Jyuushirou said, nodding to the sofa in the room - the only place to sit, really. "Do you want some sugar in your tea? Milk?" There was so many ways people had tea these days, so it was best to ask. Taking a seat himself in the rather cramped space, he looked over at the young man. He realized this was all a bit forward of him, but it was hard to stop the avalanche once it was in motion.
How much trouble was this boy really going through?
---------
“Pardon?’ Hotohori asked, taking a seat at one end of the couch and looking confused. “Milk in tea?” He shook his head – so many things were different and new in this place, and in the grand scheme of things, whatever strange things were put into tea were of no consequence.
"Nothing, thank you," he said finally, longing to lean back against the cushions, but not wanting to drop any formalities. He hardly knew this man after all. "I look forward to trying a sample. When I am settled again it is likely that I will frequent this place. It reminds me of..." he trailed off. There was no need to bring up thoughts of home. For whatever reason he was here by Suzaku's will and who was he to question it. Something was to be learned and gained here. The phoenix-god had his reasons, and after much thought on the subject, Hotohori was convinced that this was some sort of test of his strength as a warrior and as a ruler of the god's kingdom.
"In any case," he said after a moment. "It is quite a lovely establishment."
Quiet again, a bit distant, Hotohori realized that it was likely that this sort of treatment was not given to all customers of the shop, and while some part of him knew he must seem rather troubled - as he was - his sense of independence and pride as an emperor prevented him from thinking too long on the subject. He would prefer to think that his very presence exuded royalty, and thus, special treatment was to be expected.
----------
"Oh, good." Jyuushirou said with a smile. "Some people seem to enjoy putting things like that in tea. I think it takes away the meaning of tea, though. I enjoy some honey in it sometimes, but that's it." As the water boiler finished heating the water, the white-haired captain removed it and poured the water in the tea cup with practiced ease, letting the leaves soak.
"I do hope you stop by often. It's lovely to meet people with interest in tea." He then continued softly, smiling as the other praised the tea shop. "Thank you, Hotohori-san. I'm happy you think so." He did not pry or push, he just let the young man take a rest, even if it had been a bit forcefully. He really looked like he could need it, and while Jyuushirou did not know the young man, he still wished to at least ease the tension that seemed to be grounded into the boy's core. It couldn't be easy, being stuck here.
Serving tea traditionally, if a bit informal due to the cramped area, he made sure to offer the strawberry tarts as well, and he would not take no for an answer.
"May I ask what you plan to do now, Hotohori-san?" Where are you going?
----------
I don't know... was Hotohori's first thought, but he dare not admit it to himself, let alone a near stranger.
"I suppose," he started, taking the tea cup in his hands and letting the hot liquid warm him, "I shall find a place to spend the night, which hopefully will become my new residence here. There are many empty rooms..."
He trailed off a bit, it was true there were many empty rooms, and logically any of them would do. In fact, there was nothing wrong with where he was staying before. However, now, with Mitsuhide gone, it reminded him of many things he'd rather not face. Marriage, love, friendship lost... Part of him was even angry, though there was no true reason why. He had to remind himself of this constantly, and try to direct his anger at his situation, rather than a friend. He hadn't spoken to Mitsuhide in some time...and he knew it was rude of him.
Hotohori realized he must have gone quiet, lost in thought, and tried to recover by taking a sip of tea. However, the tea was too hot to drink yet and only years of etiquette training prevented him from spitting it back out into the cup. He swallowed with a bit of a grimace, though he tried to hide it, and hoped that he didn't burn his lips. Suzaku forbid he lose his beauty along with everything else.
----------
Jyuushirou kept quiet and listened as the young man spoke, nodding softly as he mentioned the many empty rooms. Carefully taking a sip of the hot tea, he smiled slightly and leaned back a little in the sofa. He was 'old', and he had the privilege of being somewhat informal in his own establishment.
"What kind of place are you looking for, Hotohori-san? An apartment?" He asked, somewhat curiously. Maybe the boy would like the temple? Or did he want a place all alone? Though living alone didn't seem like a good thing for a young man like Hotohori. Not from what Jyuushirou had seen so far.
Noticing the young man make a face, Jyuushirou's dark brows furrowed a bit in concern. "Is everything okay?"
----------
Hotohori cleared his throat and quickly tried to regain his composure. "I'm fine, thank you," he said, then almost as an afterthought, added "It's quite lovely."
Though I doubt you'll believe me with that face I made... In truth he had barely gotten to taste it before it started to burn him, but he had no doubt that is was at least a standard grade oolong if nothing else, and it was impolite to say anything but praise in such a situation.
He answered the other question with a small sigh first. If he knew what he was looking for, perhaps he would have had an easier time finding it. "As for a dwelling," he paused. "I suppose just any would suffice, but..."
Leaving the sentence hanging, both because he had no further inclination to speak, and because his eyes wandered to the plate of strawberry tarts, Hotohori hesitantly reached for one, and looked up to the older man for permission. "...May I?"
---------
Jyuushirou didn't press on as the younger man trailed off. He just nodded softly and took another sip of his tea. Pride needed trust and patience to let down the defensive walls, and the old captain was in no hurry. He barely knew Hotohori, of course, but he always wanted to help, if he could.
Noticing the look towards the strawberry tarts, he smiled as the boy asked for permission, and he nodded. "Of course, Hotohori-san. Please, take as much as you wish." Eat a little, you look starving.
Sipping the tea again, he looked slightly thoughtful, before he started to speak. "I live in the temple. It's a very old and traditional place. Quite nice, even if the rooms are small and there's work to be done. Then there are the apartments, of course, though they cost money. I'm not sure if there are many other places to live, actually, though I hear some people live in the forest, or in warehouses or on ships anchored at the beach."
He had not moved once since he came to the City, finding the temple perfect and reminding him of home - and it was peaceful, as well. Used to the Ugendou, the small rooms really didn't bother him, and the work gave him something to do, besides keeping an eye on all the shinigami and running the tea shop. Living near a hot spring was a perk, of course, especially when one had a frail health.
---------
Ships anchored at the beach...?
For a moment, Hotohori's face looked surprised and a bit hopeful, but it quickly fell again and he looked away and took a bite of the pastry he was holding. Even if there were ships here, it was doubtful that any of them were the ship he had seen Miaka leave on with the other warriors. If they had somehow come here, it was likely that he would have seen them speak on the computer box by now.
"I see," he said after taking a moment to swallow the bit of the tart. "I have lived at the temple before. I spend a few nights there when I first arrived. But then, I met Ranmaru and Mitsuhide and..."
A bit of something else twisting his features now. Why must I always become angry when I think of him? I should be wishing him happiness, and good fortune in his marriage, not be envi...
Hotohori shook his head as if to clear it. He could not let himself stoop to jealousy once more...and yet, if he were home he would be in a similar situation. Miaka, whom he thought would be his only love, was with Tamahome. It was just another reminder of his loneliness.
Another sip of tea, this time thankfully cooler, before he spoke again. "It is a lovely place, perhaps I shall return there...I...suppose it doesn't matter. The time here...doesn't much matter. It is what has to be done in my kingdom that is important."
In truth he wavered on that particular issue, part of him wanting to ignore all things here and focus on trying to find a way home, while another part of him held on to the faith that Suzaku had a plan and that this must be some sort of test or journey that you hear about in legend. Why would he be taken away from all that he knew, all the work he had to do as emperor and as a Suzaku warrior, by a god who he knew to be kind, and generous. I am your faithful servant...please...show me what I must do...
---------
Jyuushirou listened to Hotohori with a thoughtful look in his face, and then nodded once more as the boy stopped speaking. It was hard to help a person with obviously so much on his mind, but at least he could start somewhere. Taking a sip of his tea, he turned his gaze to the young man, brown eyes soft as he started to speak.
"I'm sure you've heard before, that time passes differently within the City. When you find a way out of here, you might return to the very moment you left. Your friends might not even notice that you were gone, because time has not passed there, as it has here in this world." Jyuushirou paused and his gaze wandered from Hotohori to the teapot, as he poured himself more tea and offered more to his guest.
"It is very hard to stay in the City when there are responsibilities and loved ones that depend on you in your own world... but knowing the unusual pass of time helps, and I'd like to see it as a time to grow and prepare for things to come at home. I am a captain, and in my world, we are preparing for a very difficult war. Time in the City gives me a chance to prepare even more, and since our enemies are here as well, learn about their weaknesses. It is not all bad, even though it is hard, and the wish to go home can eat you up inside."
---------
He accepted the tea once more, realizing that he really should be complimenting it's flavor and asking about the purchase price. He had not come here to waste this man's time chatting in a back room.
With a bit of a nod, Hotohori sighed. "Yes, I have heard that," he said, though starting to look increasingly more frustrated, "...but while time may stop for them, it does not stop for me, and what should I do here? It is not a...a...vacation to be had, and there are no enemies of mine here! I am the only one from my world! The only one!"
Realizing that his behavior was getting close to that of an outburst, he quickly tried to reign his frustrations in. An Emperor must keep composure. An Emperor must not lose control. An Emperor should protect his kingdom and secure his line...
He cleared his throat. "My apologies," he said, taking another sip of tea. "My troubles do not need to be yours."
---------
There it was. Proof that there was life under that tensed surface. Jyuushirou was quiet, letting the boy regain his composure and calm down. He simply looked at him, face calm and understanding.
"It is okay to be frustrated, Hotohori-san. It is okay to be angry, upset and sad. They are human emotions, and anyone would experience them in a situation like this. Bottling them up will only make things much worse. You are young, and I understand that time seems to either slip away before your eyes or never end."
There was a pause as he looked at Hotohori, his face more serious. "You need something to do. You need friends and allies to rely on. You cannot pull away from everything and just wait to be returned to your own world. It's going to tear you apart."
His feature softened again and he smiled a little. "Strange advice from a stranger, but trust me. I might be old, but I remember how it was to be young and confused, uncertain of things. One of the few things that help you through it is friends and company."
---------
Hotohori almost resented the comment about being young, and put up a small defense at that. "I have been nineteen since this April, and when I go home I will need to start planning for an heir. I am not so young, sir."
He took another sip of tea, back straight and trying to look dignified and regal once again, even if there was a smudge of strawberry filling on his face. Of course, this man was obviously much older than he, whose hair had already turned white, and Hotohori remembered that it was just something the older men tended to say. After all, his wise council members were meant to give him an advantage over his inexperience as a ruler, having served his father before him.
"As for activities," he continued, relaxing a bit again, "I tutor a handful of students in the sword to earn my way here. Other than that..." He paused. What really was he doing now a days? Before Mitsuhide left the apartment, he enjoyed some of the time they spent together, but even then he rarely went outside into the city.
With a weary sigh, he shook his head. "My only friend in this place is to be wed. I...rarely speak to him now."
Perhaps it sounded as if Mitsuhide was to blame for being enamored by his soon-to-be bride, Megumi, but Hotohori knew that he had himself to blame for that. Jealousy seemed to be a bad habit of his, ever since Miaka had entered his life. It was strange, and a bit difficult to understand the idea that one could not always have what they wanted, when you have been raised to think otherwise.
----------
Not so young...
In a way, Jyuushirou knew what he meant. Age always seemed to be different, depending on the age and culture. When he was young, nineteen years old meant you were an adult... but he disagreed, these days. It was still very young, and far too young to be carrying such responsibility and such pressure. Planning a family when you were not much more then a child, yourself?
Nevertheless, the white-haired captain nodded softly and let the issue about his age drop, to not start an argument. He could not help but smile a little at the smudge from the cake, however.
Listening to Hotohori speak about what he was doing these days, he nodded slightly again. It was something to do, of course, and everyone needed to ear their keep here. But was that all? It still sounded very lonely to Jyuushirou.
Hearing what Hotohori said about his friend, however, surprised him a little. His only friend was getting married, and now they did not speak? Was he marrying someone Hotohori cared about, or was the boy just feeling abandoned and jealous?
"...and why is that, Hotohori-san?" Jyuushirou asked softly, looking at him.
----------
The question was met with a good amount of silence. Hotohori sipped his tea, trying to cover his frown with the tea cup and averting his eyes. Hotohori knew it was his own decision to stop speaking to the man. He liked to tell himself it was a gesture of politeness, respectful distance to let the new lovers have some time to themselves, but that was simply a lie he told to himself to justify his actions.
He lowered the tea cup, holding it with both hands in his lap, and looking down at it. "It is my own doing," he said finally, though he still could not meet the older man's eyes. "Regretfully I've come to... envy his fortune."
Miaka has rejected me... she favors Tamahome...
Perhaps it was fatigue, the night quickly approaching and having not slept the night before, but a single tear fell from one of his eyes just then. Trying to recover his dignity, Hotohori wiped it away quickly, trying to appear as if he was simply brushing back a piece of hair in his face. It was not fitting for a man of his stature to show that level of emotion, and to cry would only ruin his perfect complexion.
-----------
"I understand."
Hotohori was envious, and then probably ashamed that he had such feeling about a friend. It was not difficult to figure out why he was pulling away. Adding the pride upon that, and all the responsibilities on his shoulders... it was not strange that the young man was so stressed and confused.
Noticing the look on the boy's face, Jyuushirou put down his tea cup and gave Hotohori a worried glance. It was obvious that the young man was tired, and it was getting late. Perhaps they should end their conversation here, and let the boy rest. He would not open up quickly, and Jyuushirou was a patient man.
"Forgive me for saying so, but you look tired. Would you like to come back to the temple with me and rest there for the night? Not sleeping makes things much worse for an already troubled mind."
-----------
The young emperor had to admit that he was quite weary from wandering the city all night long, and not resting much during the day. In fact, the longest he had sat down was here in this tea shop. He nodded softly, saying, "Perhaps you are right. It is dark, after all."
Putting the tea cup down on the table, Hotohori stood and untied his wallet from his belt. "I should purchase some of that oolong, it was quite exceptional." He leaned down and placed a few coins on the tea tray. "That should at least cover the cost of the sample."
Eyeing his rucksack next to the door, not looking forward to carrying it again, he sighed and heaved it over his shoulder.
-----------
Jyuushirou was a bit surprised when the young man took up the money and placed them on the tea tray, but he smiled a little. Hotohori seemed to have missed the point of the tea... but the captain didn't want to embarrass him, so he bowed his head a bit in thanks. "I'm glad you enjoyed it, Hotohori-san."
Then he stood slowly, moving Sougyo no Kotowari a bit and putting the tray on the small table. Brushing back some of his white hair from his shoulder, he then walked towards the door, waiting for the boy to join him, before he shut off the light in the storage room and closed he door.
Making a gesture to follow, he then left the tea shop with Hotohori. "Let's find you a room to sleep in tonight."
Rating; PG
Characters; Hotohori (
koutei_heika), and Ukitake Juushirou (floating_bamboo)Summary; With a lot on his mind, Hotohori takes a moment to rest at Ukitake's tea shop.
Log;
Hotohori wasn’t sure why he had to leave that place so urgently, he only knew that standing still made his time away from home more unbearable. Waiting seemed to be doing nothing; aside from his occasional sword lessons he gave to earn a living, he was rarely out of the apartment that Mitsuhide had suggested he reside.
He recalled spending most of his time looking out the small window in his bedroom, thinking of home, and his short time with Miaka and the other warriors. All that time just waiting…waiting to be taken back.
All his life he spent waiting. Waiting for the Priestess to show herself to him, waiting for her to fall in love with him…even when…
Tamahome…
Before Hotohori saw the boat leave for Hokkan, it was starting to become clear to him just how much Miaka preferred the other man. The thought left him feeling lost, as if someone had pulled a rug out from under him. So much of his life he spent hinged on the very thought that one day the Priestess would come, and he would be loved.
Now, he was far away from all that, in some lost world between worlds. Perhaps…if his destiny was going to change he should learn to face it, instead of wasting his time wishing for something that cannot be.
With that thought in mind, he set off wandering this strange place called The City, no longer content to remain idle.
Suzaku will me where I must go…
There was no sleep that night, and when morning came, he found himself exhausted, and with no answers.
After a moment’s rest on a bench, an some conversation on the computer box, he decided that perhaps, he would give up his search for…whatever it was, today. He had intended to view the selection at Ukitake’s tea shop for some time. Now was as good as any to finally meet the older man.
Wearily he opened the door, and was a bit startled at the sound of the wooden chimes. As was usual of late, his mind always seemed to be elsewhere.
----------
Jyuushirou had been having a rather relaxing day, the incident with Ayasegawa fighting Pesche aside. He had been working on the bonsai tree, cleaned one of the corridors in the temple, and then relaxed in the tea shop after that, having some tea and the leftover strawberry tarts from the curse with Megumi and Mitsuhide. He was truly happy for them, and was a bit amused that this was the second wedding he'd been invited to since coming to the City.
Now he was resting a little on the sofa in the back room, head rested on a pillow, reading a book he'd picked up in the library. It was the kind of book that was interesting enough to read, but not so exciting that he could not put it away - something that was a good idea, seeing he had to hear if there was customers arriving.
When the bamboo chimes made a familiar sound, he looked up from the book, stood up and put it down on the table, and then walked out of the storage room and into the shop with a small smile on his lips, expecting a late customer, or maybe even Shunsui coming to kidnap him back home to the temple.
When he saw the young dark-haired man, the smile faded and was replaced by a look of worry. He had not seen the young man in person before, but it was not hard to recognize the lost boy that was Hotohori. He had said he might show up, after all, and Jyuushirou had prepared some tea earlier to make the young man feel better... if he did stop by. Leaving the cash register area, he walked closer to the young man.
"Hotohori-san?" He asked, his tone of voice respectful but concerned.
----------
He was still looking at the chimes, as if still piecing together that the sound had come from them, when Ukitake spoke. Hotohori looked up and gave a polite but tired smile to the older man. Perhaps he needed a bit of a diversion to collect himself.
"Greetings. It is nice to finally meet you in person," he said, letting the traveling bag on his shoulder slip a bit.
He had been carrying the pack since last night. How strange it was - all his belongings fitting into a simple rucksack, when at home he had an entire palace to call his, never mind a country which was his responsibility.
A responsibility I cannot fulfill here...
For a moment he seemed rather dazed, lost in his thoughts again, and forgetting where he was, but when the bag unexpectedly slipped completely off his shoulder he snapped back to reality. Shaking his head and recovering his grip on the strap, he said, "My apologies...would you mind terribly if I put this down?"
----------
The boy seemed rather tired and generally not okay, and Jyuushirou's instinct wanted him to usher Hotohori into the storage room, sit him down and feed him cake until he felt better. However, he had quickly realized this young man had a lot of pride, and he knew from experience how to handle that.
"Likewise, Hotohori-san. It's an honor." Smiling, he looked at Hotohori's bag and then nodded a bit. "Of course. You can put it down in the back. Let me just close the shop so we won't get disturbed."
Moving to the door, he turned the little sign that said 'open' around so it announced that the shop was closed, and then nodded to the dark-haired man, showing him towards the storage room.
"You look like you could use some tea."
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Close the shop?
Hotohori was a bit confused, he had intended to simple peruse the selection of tea, perhaps taste a sample and purchase some, but it seemed the older man had intentions for him to stay. He had no specific plans, nor found no reason to distrust this man, and in actuality probably could have used a meal, having eaten nothing all day. The shop smelled wonderful, with the different varieties of tea mingling together in the air. It reminded him of his private tea room at home, and calmed him somewhat.
"Tea sounds lovely," he said, offering another smile, a bit forced from years of training at court. "Forgive me if I am a bit fatigued, I have spent most of last night and this morning trying to relocate myself to a new place of residence."
Was that really true? Certainly he'd been wandering, but he hadn't really any intention of settling down in another room. He'd be sitting still again, and at least while he was moving, he could fool himself into thinking that he was going somewhere.
Taking the bag off his shoulder, he looked back to the counter. It was not usual for a customer to place their belongings behind the register, was it? He looked back to the white-haired man for permission.
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Jyuushirou looked back at Hotohori and tried to contain his concern for him. "I understand." He said, nodding a bit. "It can be hard sometimes." Not only meaning finding a home, but things in general. Hotohori seemed so very lost, and the white-haired captain wished he could ease the boy's burden a little bit. He was so young, and seemed to have far too much on his mind.
Noticing that the young man was eyeing the register, he nodded. "You can put it there if you want, or take it with you. It doesn't matter." Smiling a bit, Jyuushirou opened the door to the storage room. "It will be safe. This place is warded." The kidou wards were perhaps not so effective towards people without spiritual power, but that didn't really matter. He had Sougyo no Kotowari by his side, and who other but Aizen and his creatures would have interest in a tea shop, anyway?
"What kind of tea do you like, Hotohori-san? I have some very nice oolong tea that I got in today, or would you prefer chamomile?" Walking in to the storage room, he rummaged around a bit to find the water boiler and a tea pot, as well as two tea cups. Checking the shelf, he quickly produced the last pieces of the strawberry tart, as well. It was rather good, even though he'd rather give the boy meat and vegetables.
...lots of it.
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His attitude of late being one more open to going where Suzaku's wings willed him, Hotohori relaxed a bit, sensing nothing unkind or not genuine from the older man. He had nothing better to do here, no duties at court or decisions concerning the lives of his people to be made.
"Chamomile will simply put me to sleep I'm afraid," he said, following Ukitake back to the storage room, and placing his bag on the floor near the door. "I would become a terrible conversationalist. It should best be the oolong."
Without the sack on his shoulder, he took a moment to stretch out his muscles while the other man's back was turned, not wanting to appear rude, but feeling rather stiff.
And hungry... He thought, after catching a glimpse of the strawberry tarts, wondering why he hadn't noticed the empty feeling in his stomach before. The young emperor always had a tendency to skip meals when something important was on his mind, and perhaps without advisers and servants surrounding him and willing him to eat, he'd simply forgotten.
Any hope of not making a fool of himself in front of the new acquaintance was short lived as his stomach gave a loud grumble in the quiet room. At least he had removed his outer robe, and perhaps he would not look so red-faced.
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"Oolong it is~" The captain said with a smile, turning on the water boiler and preparing the tea in the tea pot. He pretended he heard nothing when Hotohori's stomach grumbled loudly, but the smile widened a little and he once again wished he'd have move then sweets to offer.
"Do take a seat, Hotohori-san." Jyuushirou said, nodding to the sofa in the room - the only place to sit, really. "Do you want some sugar in your tea? Milk?" There was so many ways people had tea these days, so it was best to ask. Taking a seat himself in the rather cramped space, he looked over at the young man. He realized this was all a bit forward of him, but it was hard to stop the avalanche once it was in motion.
How much trouble was this boy really going through?
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“Pardon?’ Hotohori asked, taking a seat at one end of the couch and looking confused. “Milk in tea?” He shook his head – so many things were different and new in this place, and in the grand scheme of things, whatever strange things were put into tea were of no consequence.
"Nothing, thank you," he said finally, longing to lean back against the cushions, but not wanting to drop any formalities. He hardly knew this man after all. "I look forward to trying a sample. When I am settled again it is likely that I will frequent this place. It reminds me of..." he trailed off. There was no need to bring up thoughts of home. For whatever reason he was here by Suzaku's will and who was he to question it. Something was to be learned and gained here. The phoenix-god had his reasons, and after much thought on the subject, Hotohori was convinced that this was some sort of test of his strength as a warrior and as a ruler of the god's kingdom.
"In any case," he said after a moment. "It is quite a lovely establishment."
Quiet again, a bit distant, Hotohori realized that it was likely that this sort of treatment was not given to all customers of the shop, and while some part of him knew he must seem rather troubled - as he was - his sense of independence and pride as an emperor prevented him from thinking too long on the subject. He would prefer to think that his very presence exuded royalty, and thus, special treatment was to be expected.
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"Oh, good." Jyuushirou said with a smile. "Some people seem to enjoy putting things like that in tea. I think it takes away the meaning of tea, though. I enjoy some honey in it sometimes, but that's it." As the water boiler finished heating the water, the white-haired captain removed it and poured the water in the tea cup with practiced ease, letting the leaves soak.
"I do hope you stop by often. It's lovely to meet people with interest in tea." He then continued softly, smiling as the other praised the tea shop. "Thank you, Hotohori-san. I'm happy you think so." He did not pry or push, he just let the young man take a rest, even if it had been a bit forcefully. He really looked like he could need it, and while Jyuushirou did not know the young man, he still wished to at least ease the tension that seemed to be grounded into the boy's core. It couldn't be easy, being stuck here.
Serving tea traditionally, if a bit informal due to the cramped area, he made sure to offer the strawberry tarts as well, and he would not take no for an answer.
"May I ask what you plan to do now, Hotohori-san?" Where are you going?
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I don't know... was Hotohori's first thought, but he dare not admit it to himself, let alone a near stranger.
"I suppose," he started, taking the tea cup in his hands and letting the hot liquid warm him, "I shall find a place to spend the night, which hopefully will become my new residence here. There are many empty rooms..."
He trailed off a bit, it was true there were many empty rooms, and logically any of them would do. In fact, there was nothing wrong with where he was staying before. However, now, with Mitsuhide gone, it reminded him of many things he'd rather not face. Marriage, love, friendship lost... Part of him was even angry, though there was no true reason why. He had to remind himself of this constantly, and try to direct his anger at his situation, rather than a friend. He hadn't spoken to Mitsuhide in some time...and he knew it was rude of him.
Hotohori realized he must have gone quiet, lost in thought, and tried to recover by taking a sip of tea. However, the tea was too hot to drink yet and only years of etiquette training prevented him from spitting it back out into the cup. He swallowed with a bit of a grimace, though he tried to hide it, and hoped that he didn't burn his lips. Suzaku forbid he lose his beauty along with everything else.
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Jyuushirou kept quiet and listened as the young man spoke, nodding softly as he mentioned the many empty rooms. Carefully taking a sip of the hot tea, he smiled slightly and leaned back a little in the sofa. He was 'old', and he had the privilege of being somewhat informal in his own establishment.
"What kind of place are you looking for, Hotohori-san? An apartment?" He asked, somewhat curiously. Maybe the boy would like the temple? Or did he want a place all alone? Though living alone didn't seem like a good thing for a young man like Hotohori. Not from what Jyuushirou had seen so far.
Noticing the young man make a face, Jyuushirou's dark brows furrowed a bit in concern. "Is everything okay?"
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Hotohori cleared his throat and quickly tried to regain his composure. "I'm fine, thank you," he said, then almost as an afterthought, added "It's quite lovely."
Though I doubt you'll believe me with that face I made... In truth he had barely gotten to taste it before it started to burn him, but he had no doubt that is was at least a standard grade oolong if nothing else, and it was impolite to say anything but praise in such a situation.
He answered the other question with a small sigh first. If he knew what he was looking for, perhaps he would have had an easier time finding it. "As for a dwelling," he paused. "I suppose just any would suffice, but..."
Leaving the sentence hanging, both because he had no further inclination to speak, and because his eyes wandered to the plate of strawberry tarts, Hotohori hesitantly reached for one, and looked up to the older man for permission. "...May I?"
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Jyuushirou didn't press on as the younger man trailed off. He just nodded softly and took another sip of his tea. Pride needed trust and patience to let down the defensive walls, and the old captain was in no hurry. He barely knew Hotohori, of course, but he always wanted to help, if he could.
Noticing the look towards the strawberry tarts, he smiled as the boy asked for permission, and he nodded. "Of course, Hotohori-san. Please, take as much as you wish." Eat a little, you look starving.
Sipping the tea again, he looked slightly thoughtful, before he started to speak. "I live in the temple. It's a very old and traditional place. Quite nice, even if the rooms are small and there's work to be done. Then there are the apartments, of course, though they cost money. I'm not sure if there are many other places to live, actually, though I hear some people live in the forest, or in warehouses or on ships anchored at the beach."
He had not moved once since he came to the City, finding the temple perfect and reminding him of home - and it was peaceful, as well. Used to the Ugendou, the small rooms really didn't bother him, and the work gave him something to do, besides keeping an eye on all the shinigami and running the tea shop. Living near a hot spring was a perk, of course, especially when one had a frail health.
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Ships anchored at the beach...?
For a moment, Hotohori's face looked surprised and a bit hopeful, but it quickly fell again and he looked away and took a bite of the pastry he was holding. Even if there were ships here, it was doubtful that any of them were the ship he had seen Miaka leave on with the other warriors. If they had somehow come here, it was likely that he would have seen them speak on the computer box by now.
"I see," he said after taking a moment to swallow the bit of the tart. "I have lived at the temple before. I spend a few nights there when I first arrived. But then, I met Ranmaru and Mitsuhide and..."
A bit of something else twisting his features now. Why must I always become angry when I think of him? I should be wishing him happiness, and good fortune in his marriage, not be envi...
Hotohori shook his head as if to clear it. He could not let himself stoop to jealousy once more...and yet, if he were home he would be in a similar situation. Miaka, whom he thought would be his only love, was with Tamahome. It was just another reminder of his loneliness.
Another sip of tea, this time thankfully cooler, before he spoke again. "It is a lovely place, perhaps I shall return there...I...suppose it doesn't matter. The time here...doesn't much matter. It is what has to be done in my kingdom that is important."
In truth he wavered on that particular issue, part of him wanting to ignore all things here and focus on trying to find a way home, while another part of him held on to the faith that Suzaku had a plan and that this must be some sort of test or journey that you hear about in legend. Why would he be taken away from all that he knew, all the work he had to do as emperor and as a Suzaku warrior, by a god who he knew to be kind, and generous. I am your faithful servant...please...show me what I must do...
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Jyuushirou listened to Hotohori with a thoughtful look in his face, and then nodded once more as the boy stopped speaking. It was hard to help a person with obviously so much on his mind, but at least he could start somewhere. Taking a sip of his tea, he turned his gaze to the young man, brown eyes soft as he started to speak.
"I'm sure you've heard before, that time passes differently within the City. When you find a way out of here, you might return to the very moment you left. Your friends might not even notice that you were gone, because time has not passed there, as it has here in this world." Jyuushirou paused and his gaze wandered from Hotohori to the teapot, as he poured himself more tea and offered more to his guest.
"It is very hard to stay in the City when there are responsibilities and loved ones that depend on you in your own world... but knowing the unusual pass of time helps, and I'd like to see it as a time to grow and prepare for things to come at home. I am a captain, and in my world, we are preparing for a very difficult war. Time in the City gives me a chance to prepare even more, and since our enemies are here as well, learn about their weaknesses. It is not all bad, even though it is hard, and the wish to go home can eat you up inside."
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He accepted the tea once more, realizing that he really should be complimenting it's flavor and asking about the purchase price. He had not come here to waste this man's time chatting in a back room.
With a bit of a nod, Hotohori sighed. "Yes, I have heard that," he said, though starting to look increasingly more frustrated, "...but while time may stop for them, it does not stop for me, and what should I do here? It is not a...a...vacation to be had, and there are no enemies of mine here! I am the only one from my world! The only one!"
Realizing that his behavior was getting close to that of an outburst, he quickly tried to reign his frustrations in. An Emperor must keep composure. An Emperor must not lose control. An Emperor should protect his kingdom and secure his line...
He cleared his throat. "My apologies," he said, taking another sip of tea. "My troubles do not need to be yours."
---------
There it was. Proof that there was life under that tensed surface. Jyuushirou was quiet, letting the boy regain his composure and calm down. He simply looked at him, face calm and understanding.
"It is okay to be frustrated, Hotohori-san. It is okay to be angry, upset and sad. They are human emotions, and anyone would experience them in a situation like this. Bottling them up will only make things much worse. You are young, and I understand that time seems to either slip away before your eyes or never end."
There was a pause as he looked at Hotohori, his face more serious. "You need something to do. You need friends and allies to rely on. You cannot pull away from everything and just wait to be returned to your own world. It's going to tear you apart."
His feature softened again and he smiled a little. "Strange advice from a stranger, but trust me. I might be old, but I remember how it was to be young and confused, uncertain of things. One of the few things that help you through it is friends and company."
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Hotohori almost resented the comment about being young, and put up a small defense at that. "I have been nineteen since this April, and when I go home I will need to start planning for an heir. I am not so young, sir."
He took another sip of tea, back straight and trying to look dignified and regal once again, even if there was a smudge of strawberry filling on his face. Of course, this man was obviously much older than he, whose hair had already turned white, and Hotohori remembered that it was just something the older men tended to say. After all, his wise council members were meant to give him an advantage over his inexperience as a ruler, having served his father before him.
"As for activities," he continued, relaxing a bit again, "I tutor a handful of students in the sword to earn my way here. Other than that..." He paused. What really was he doing now a days? Before Mitsuhide left the apartment, he enjoyed some of the time they spent together, but even then he rarely went outside into the city.
With a weary sigh, he shook his head. "My only friend in this place is to be wed. I...rarely speak to him now."
Perhaps it sounded as if Mitsuhide was to blame for being enamored by his soon-to-be bride, Megumi, but Hotohori knew that he had himself to blame for that. Jealousy seemed to be a bad habit of his, ever since Miaka had entered his life. It was strange, and a bit difficult to understand the idea that one could not always have what they wanted, when you have been raised to think otherwise.
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Not so young...
In a way, Jyuushirou knew what he meant. Age always seemed to be different, depending on the age and culture. When he was young, nineteen years old meant you were an adult... but he disagreed, these days. It was still very young, and far too young to be carrying such responsibility and such pressure. Planning a family when you were not much more then a child, yourself?
Nevertheless, the white-haired captain nodded softly and let the issue about his age drop, to not start an argument. He could not help but smile a little at the smudge from the cake, however.
Listening to Hotohori speak about what he was doing these days, he nodded slightly again. It was something to do, of course, and everyone needed to ear their keep here. But was that all? It still sounded very lonely to Jyuushirou.
Hearing what Hotohori said about his friend, however, surprised him a little. His only friend was getting married, and now they did not speak? Was he marrying someone Hotohori cared about, or was the boy just feeling abandoned and jealous?
"...and why is that, Hotohori-san?" Jyuushirou asked softly, looking at him.
----------
The question was met with a good amount of silence. Hotohori sipped his tea, trying to cover his frown with the tea cup and averting his eyes. Hotohori knew it was his own decision to stop speaking to the man. He liked to tell himself it was a gesture of politeness, respectful distance to let the new lovers have some time to themselves, but that was simply a lie he told to himself to justify his actions.
He lowered the tea cup, holding it with both hands in his lap, and looking down at it. "It is my own doing," he said finally, though he still could not meet the older man's eyes. "Regretfully I've come to... envy his fortune."
Miaka has rejected me... she favors Tamahome...
Perhaps it was fatigue, the night quickly approaching and having not slept the night before, but a single tear fell from one of his eyes just then. Trying to recover his dignity, Hotohori wiped it away quickly, trying to appear as if he was simply brushing back a piece of hair in his face. It was not fitting for a man of his stature to show that level of emotion, and to cry would only ruin his perfect complexion.
-----------
"I understand."
Hotohori was envious, and then probably ashamed that he had such feeling about a friend. It was not difficult to figure out why he was pulling away. Adding the pride upon that, and all the responsibilities on his shoulders... it was not strange that the young man was so stressed and confused.
Noticing the look on the boy's face, Jyuushirou put down his tea cup and gave Hotohori a worried glance. It was obvious that the young man was tired, and it was getting late. Perhaps they should end their conversation here, and let the boy rest. He would not open up quickly, and Jyuushirou was a patient man.
"Forgive me for saying so, but you look tired. Would you like to come back to the temple with me and rest there for the night? Not sleeping makes things much worse for an already troubled mind."
-----------
The young emperor had to admit that he was quite weary from wandering the city all night long, and not resting much during the day. In fact, the longest he had sat down was here in this tea shop. He nodded softly, saying, "Perhaps you are right. It is dark, after all."
Putting the tea cup down on the table, Hotohori stood and untied his wallet from his belt. "I should purchase some of that oolong, it was quite exceptional." He leaned down and placed a few coins on the tea tray. "That should at least cover the cost of the sample."
Eyeing his rucksack next to the door, not looking forward to carrying it again, he sighed and heaved it over his shoulder.
-----------
Jyuushirou was a bit surprised when the young man took up the money and placed them on the tea tray, but he smiled a little. Hotohori seemed to have missed the point of the tea... but the captain didn't want to embarrass him, so he bowed his head a bit in thanks. "I'm glad you enjoyed it, Hotohori-san."
Then he stood slowly, moving Sougyo no Kotowari a bit and putting the tray on the small table. Brushing back some of his white hair from his shoulder, he then walked towards the door, waiting for the boy to join him, before he shut off the light in the storage room and closed he door.
Making a gesture to follow, he then left the tea shop with Hotohori. "Let's find you a room to sleep in tonight."