Unassuming bookshop

[Ashken]

"Oh? He was a big help."

Wataru nodded, his unlit cigarette lazily hanging from his lips, "Hey" he focused on the imaginary taste of tabaco, trying to calm himself, before his emotions decided to run on high, the trouble was resolved, now it was just picking up the trash. 

"You both helped immensely. If there were any damages you can bill us."

"Appreciate the offer" he took the card, giving it a good look, ideally, he would like things to be mostly back to normal before his grandfather Osamu returned from his trip. He already knew he needed to replace the kitchen utensils, and get the place cleaned of any blood that might be drug into the wooden floors.  

"What happened?"

"I was wondering that same thing" it was not very common for Yokai to rampage around this part of the town, and much less did a human get an upper hand on the local enforcement. Listening to the explanation he rose an eyebrow, his grandfather had told him a fair bit of how seals and contracts worked and was trying to get him into the family business before Raitaro completely changed his path. 

"My apprentice and these men were tasked with catching him, but that clearly failed."


"They redeemed themselves in the end" if it was not for them rallying up and risking themselves the second assault would have not succeeded. Much less people would have walked out of this with even more injuries or dead. For the most part he kept quiet at the mention of the Ise, he had to behave, he didn't particularly care about them, but they were the clientele that his grandfather build between his obscure knowledge. 

"You have a light for me young man?"

Wataru pulled out the crumpled cigarette box from his pocket, a small lighter lived in the mostly empty box. Taking it out he lit it and assisted her in lighting her cigarette, "Here" he said softly. He put the lighter away and stored it, before he felt himself tempted to actually light his own cigarette.  

"I meant it about the expenses. If you need something, as long as it's reasonable, I will get it for you. You both saved us a lot of trouble tonight."

Wataru smiled, "I will," he looked at the card again before making a point to put it away, "If I don't my grandfather will hang me from the door" he was deadly serious. He took Daiske's card, "I'm just glad people showed up", he didn't feel like babysitting others till medical arrived. 

[mermalaide]

The priestess took a drag of her smoke, it had already been a long day. Thankfully this loose end had been tied up. "I appreciate it, and the light. Let me know." She was already moving along again, trying to get men to load wounded into another van that had pulled up while they were talking. People were thankfully emptying out of the bookstore, though they had to get a gurney to carry the knocked out priest and load him up. Hanako-sama shook her head at the prone man being carried. She made a hiss of disapproval, and you heard her mutter about how he was a damn fool.

"They usually try to respond quickly, to their credit." Daiske looked beat up, but he seemed to have the expression of 'I lived bitch' written all over him. He also looked like both he and the priest were definitely going to get it once the dust clears. "I thank you both. We should have realized that we rushed in foolishly, so your help had been a godsend really." He rubbed the back of his neck almost sheepishly.

"I am sure you will be more careful next time." Tatsu patted him on the arm and looked pretty sympathetic. "People could have been hurt so much worse. If you can, maybe have a talk with your priest friend when he gets up. Perimeter charms can be really great, but they also can have the drawback as you have seen." She wondered if the priest had made a mistake that was from hubris or if it was a learning mistake, he looked somewhat new. But she couldn't really tell. "Like I said, it could have been way worse, especially if say there was more pedestrian traffic for the stores."

"We sent out a warning, but we didn't give people time to react, we were chasing him when he broke out of custody. Originally he had been heading for Ueno park, but we curbed that. He would have been gone if he had gotten there." Tatsu tilted her head in thought to what Daisuke said.

[Ashken]

"I appreciate it, and the light. Let me know."

"I will" Although he didn't feel great asking for help, he knew his limitations and part of those limitations where that he had a limited amount of time and money, and he was expected to juggle his personal life, the academy, the bookshop and above all take care of the kid. Once things calmed down, he would run down an inventory and try to find good prices, if there was something he was proud off was his bookkeeping skills, they had turned his grandfather's retirement hobby into a semi functional business and he hopped to continue to grow it at every opportunity.  

"I thank you both. We should have realized that we rushed in foolishly, so your help had been a godsend really."

"It's fine" he shrugged, "Just glad we all got out of this mostly unscathed" he looked at the gurneys and people being taken away, "It's a learning experience", his grandfather called everything a learning experience, and this time around he would agree, as long as they tried to learn from this so that it would not repeat itself then, he had little complaints. 

"We sent out a warning, but we didn't give people time to react, we were chasing him when he broke out of custody. Originally he had been heading for Ueno park, but we curbed that. He would have been gone if he had gotten there."

"A better warning system would have been nice" if the kid had gone outside for any reason instead of coloring and napping as he cleaned the kitchen, he made a face as he realized he needed to redo his work in the kitchen, plus the main room, "Though it might have solved itself in the park" yes he lashed out and was quite strong, but the Yokai in Ueno where no pushovers, and if one was to not stay along the warded areas they would be ripped apart relatively easily, and with how wild that man was acting, he would not be surprised if they ran straight into a Oni den or something. "Once things calm down, feel free to stop and get a coffee" he gave Daiske as sly smile, "Get the hero's discount."  a slight lost but more traffic would always be a win in his book and maybe earning some Shinsengumi trust, would mean less fear for Raitaro future. 

"No rush, once everything calms down I'll make sure your books are in order" he told Tatsu, he had not forgotten why she came here to begin with and he was grateful at her help. 
 

[mermalaide]

"I would appreciate that coffee." He gave a tired smile. Looking around, you could see that these people that had been so beaten up were the Shinsengumi equivalent of neighborhood watch. The people that trained, were initiates, but definitely the b or c team. They really did not seem prepared, which actually made Tatsu furious when she thought down to it. They did try, but if Wataru and herself had not stepped in, what would have happened?

"We will see what we can do about the warning system. I will speak to my superior about it." He nodded and decided to take his leave then. He noticed the young priestess that Wataru was with was staring at him pointedly. "Please do..You all came so close today. It was only by working together that we were able to stop what was happening." She looked so worried, but also a bit angry, and he felt a shiver go down his spine a little. Almost like something big was standing behind her, though he saw nothing. He waved and ran to catch up with Hanako-sama. 

"I think we could all use a bit off coffee maybe." 

Tatsu shook her head and tried to smooth her curls back into place. "Let's go back inside, and let them sort this." People opened the door for her as they were vacating the shop. Turning to look out the shop, she was watching some men secure the injured priest that was strapped to the gurney. The man in the net that had been loaded in what was essentially a yokai accommodating paddy wagon caught her eye. He saw her looking and they exchanged a look. He looked like a dog heading to the pound. Someone slammed the door, breaking the eye contact. It was just sad. 

Everyone needed a breather. 

[Ashken]

"I would appreciate that coffee." 

"Visit when things calm down" he understood that he was probably going to get dragged around to file paperwork answer questions, probably get chewed up and more, the next couple of hours if not days would be hectic.  

"I think we could all use a bit off coffee maybe."


"Yeah" he ran his hand through his shoulder and neck trying to massage the knot that had decided to build up, not to long ago this would have been an exhilarating experience, he might have picked up the knives and tried to go toe to toe with the beast, but between him trying to do better, knowing harm on him is harm on the kid and trying his best to see that Yokai have their own feelings and thoughts and if he could help bridge that world, than Raitaro future would be in a better place. 

"Let's go back inside, and let them sort this."

"Agreed" he turned into the shop, putting away the cigarette on the ratty box, one day he would get rid of it, but today was not that day, he looked around the shop, people were being moved out, thankfully the books were unharmed, he moved to the back of the counter and started pulling jars and utensils, "Hope you have a minute" he said as he grinded, weight prepared the coffee. As he did that the electric kettle he had warm up the water. He gave the filter a quick rinse before putting it on his glass pour over. "Takes a little bit doing it this way, but helps me calm my hands" He added the measured coffee and added a small amount of water allowing the grounds to bloom. "You can come out now kid" he knocked on the wall behind him as the blooming coffee filled the place with its aroma.   

He poured the rest of the water and went to grab cups, pouring hot water on the cup and letting it sit. "Sugar? Cream? Black?" he asked as he pulled out small containers of sugar and retrieved the cream from the small refrigerator under the counter. Pouring the hot water out he wiped the warm cups, and began pouring the coffee, leaving space for the additions if Tatsu desired them. 

[mermalaide]

"I don't mind. I think the coffee is better that way. I will admit that scared me too." She came over to where he was making it and sat at the counter. It was already a bit more relaxing getting to smell the coffee being made right there. "I will have to apologize to grandpa and bring him a pastry, he will probably forgive me though when I bring treats and tell him about what happened." It was becoming all too common place having people avoid the testing and turn at a later date, when they couldn't hide it anymore. The man reminded Tatsu of a dog getting picked up for the pound. It was sad in her mind, even if he had been dangerous.

"Cream and sugar would be very good." She looked around for the boy, hoping he hadn't been scared off by all the people dashing about and all the commotion. But he didn't seem that way, considering that they fought something big and nasty. "He was pretty brave. He tried really hard to help out." She watched the coffee bloom and took in the strong aroma, closing her eyes a little. Her hair was a bit of a mess now, but that was okay. What an exciting day though!

"It's stupid.. but I hope that guy gets help, even if he did hurt a few people." She looked a little sad, her silvery eyes were a bit moistened, not quite tearing up. "Somehow.. I don't think he meant it."

[Ashken]

"I don't mind. I think the coffee is better that way. I will admit that scared me too."

"I need to be careful" he admitted, "Harm to me, is harm to the kid" he said softly, something he had kept from the kid, as to avoid having him worry and hold back from living his best life, "Don't tell the kid, since it works both ways." he practically whispered that last part. 

"I will have to apologize to grandpa and bring him a pastry, he will probably forgive me though when I bring treats and tell him about what happened."

"I might have some things leftover" it was getting a little late and he had a good gauge of traffic, so he made just enough of a number of items usually avoiding to the best of his ability to overprepare. "Might have some sweet buns with red bean paste," he stopped to think for a moment "Might still have some green tea filled one left too" he offered what he had, but was not intending to make anything fresh, the kitchen needed to be cleaned, reorganized and inventoried after being utilized as an emergency armory for Yokai offensive.  

"Cream and sugar would be very good."

Moving the cup close to her, he poured some cream gesturing to her to inform him when to stop, and did the same with the sugar, "Enjoy" he started to prepare his own cup only stopping to realize the one, the kid had not come out, and two he was quiet too quiet. His eyebrows nit together as he braced himself for some chaos. 

"He was pretty brave. He tried really hard to help out." 

"He did," Wataru responded his voice stern, "One moment..." he let out a loud sigh as he walked toward the back taking a turn to the small office door before the kitchen, the messy room looked just as messy as his grandfather usually kept it, stacks of documents forming towers, books strewn about, it was easy to miss the fact that the computer actually sat on a table, he looked around, and there was one missing kid... "Where ARE YOU..." he said in a firm voice that he tried to keep his emotions in check, but clearly he was failing. The swivel chair behind the table turned around and sitting in it was Raitaro, two chopsticks stuck to his nose as he proclaimed "I am a warlours" he bit the air pretending to munch with his giant 'tusks'.

"You mean Walrus, now come, and take those off" he sighed as he realized the kid had not set the store on fire or something.  Returning to the front he apologized, "Sorry for that, quiet kid makes me anxious" 

"It's stupid.. but I hope that guy gets help, even if he did hurt a few people. Somehow.. I don't think he meant it."

He finished his coffee and took a quick sip, "It's hard to know" he shrugged "I honestly don't try to assume anything, things can get strange" he didn't exactly plan to be in a deal with Raitaro, to form a contract that would bind each other, he had a Yokai, trick him into it, he though she was a normal woman needing a ride, not someone looking to offboard a small one too. 

Raitaro quietly waddled back to his original corner, this time looking for a blank page quickly, and quietly scribbling on crayons.

[mermalaide]

"I wouldn't tell him, it might frighten him." She said this as if carrying the most prized of secrets. "So.. it's like a pact? It sounds like you are linked together." That sounded a lot like a yokai pact, which there was nothing wrong with that. Tatsu was a bit older than Wataru and yet, he seemed to have matured at a crazy rate. Maybe it was parenting that did it, but it was something she almost envied. "I hope it will be okay. That was a lot to experience. I wouldn't blame him if he was a little miffed, thankfully they didn't leave a huge mess. Only a little bit of blood here and there.

"Green tea ones sound really good. My grandfather got me hooked on that. Matcha I mean. It's one of my favorite flavors." That was a nice smell. The cream leveled out the coffee in a nice way. It toned down some the sharpness, and gave it a little bit of sweet.. "Oh! When! Hard not to mentally drift in here. It's pretty nice." Tatsu saw the 'walours' and almost died. It was so cute and hilarious it made her sides hurt. "My goodness! That is a very good walrus!" She held out her arms to call him over. Tatsu had set her coffee down.

"He does? It's funny, he's just a twitchy boy full of energy. I know he is a bit different, but, he doesn't seem that different from the other children I see coming to the temple. They like to run all over the place, and they like to spin the prayer wheels and bells."

"He's pretty imaginative you know." She said this quietly to Wataru. "You have to be careful not to squish it. Because once that wonder goes away, it doesn't really come back." She thought of her own life and how a lot of the horror as a child had taken the wonder. For her, she did get some of it back, but it was never really the same. It was all she could do to resist the brutality of the world, by having faith, but laughing or having wonder. The world tried to crush you sometimes. It was something she was hoping most people didn't learn, because that broke her heart.

Tatsu took a sip of coffee. She wanted to ask about how Wataru and Raitaro came together, but she wondered how appropriate it would be to ask.

[Ashken]

"I wouldn't tell him, it might frighten him."

"Thank you" he hated keeping secrets from the kid, but there where things that needed to be. He would find out when he got older, but until then, he wanted to give him the opportunity to have something that resembled normal, he did not lie to the kid and make him think he was a normal boy, but he made sure to try to walk that edge, and avoid negativity when it came to the subject of Yokai, many saw and still see them as monsters, and that is not the world he wishes for Raitaro. 

"So.. it's like a pact? It sounds like you are linked together."

"Something like it" he let out a sigh, as he ran his hand through his white hair, he looked behind himself he could hear the boy preparing to make his arrival, he didn't mind talking about it, he just didn't know if he had satisfactory answers. 

"I hope it will be okay. That was a lot to experience. I wouldn't blame him if he was a little miffed, thankfully they didn't leave a huge mess. Only a little bit of blood here and there."

"He'll be annoyed either way," he shrugged, at this point it didn't surprise him if his grandfather got up in arms, he was stuck in his ways in a number of things and not very flexible, "Probably have to close the store early so I can clean up, inventory and find out what needs to be replaced." he pinched the bridge of his nose just thinking of all the extra work, not counting that he had a feeling that even if they did pay him for the damage, it would take a while to see the money, so he might have to acquire things first just to get the bookstore back in full operation. 

"Green tea ones sound really good. My grandfather got me hooked on that. Matcha I mean. It's one of my favorite flavors."

"We use Matcha" his grandfather was big on his tea ceremonies and very picky about the freshness of his tea, so in order not to waste tea that was not 'fresh' in his grandfathers picky mannerisms, he introduced that item to the menu, his allowed his grandfather to always have quality fresh Matcha and he could use the rest for the pastries and customers. He was glad she enjoyed the coffee and with the kid's arrival he excused himself to depart to the kitchen and pack up some pastries for Tatsu. 

"My goodness! That is a very good walrus!"


Raitaro happily wiggled his way to Tatsu's open arms, "Hi!" he greeted her with the great enthusiasm expected of seeing a friend after a long time away.  As she spoke of the temple he looked up giving her a big puppy dog look, "Can I visit?"

Wataru returned from the back a small box filled with pastries and a small plate with a couple of the Matcha filled sweet buns. "Here you go" he pretended not to hear the boy's request to visit the temple, first instinct would be to say no, but he knew the kid needed more experiences beyond his metaphorical skirt. 

"He's pretty imaginative you know. You have to be careful not to squish it. Because once that wonder goes away, it doesn't really come back."

He gave her a sad look "I know..." he responded softly, a lot of his life decisions, challenges and pain came from the very high expectations placed on him, the half-blood that didn't fit in, the kid that needed to excel to prove himself to belong, it crushed him and caused him to rebel, he really didn't want to do the same to the kid, but he was alone, his grandfather just kept him just afloat, but made it clear it was his job to figure it out, and the world could do some growing before someone like kid could have a life that would be considered normal for humans.

[mermalaide]

"Well, I should probably get my stuff then." She could tell he looked overburded. "It's still somewhat understandable. You can't account for what others do." She shook her head. "Do you need some help?" Older people could be a little demanding, though, she had no real metric for that. Since her parents had died, she had mostly been around older people or very little kids like the children that came into the temple after school or on weekends.

She was glad to hear about the matcha, she was no real connoisseur, but Tatsu really thought it had bad interesting desserts. They had that distinct color and taste. Her neighbor thought it tasted like grass, but she liked it. It had a bitter sweet, strong taste that seemed almost antiquated. When Raitaro got her attention and asked if he could come, she smiled and bent towards him. "You bet you can! We have a little park in the temple, it's not very fancy but, there are things to climb and swing on. There are also big spinning prayer wheels." She thought about it a little more. "I am usually out during mornings, but I am there for most of the afternoon, and usually on weekends most of the day because I don't have school." She brushed a little hair from his face.

"If you don't see me sweeping outside or watering plants, you can knock on the big door okay?"

"Ah thanks!" She stood and took the bag. She dug in her own for payment for those and the books. A card with her number and email was produced as well. "If you guys need help you can text me, or if you want to come and visit. I always have my phone on me." She had her satchel over her head and took up the two bags. It looked bulky, but she also looked like she was just fine.

The sad look was not lost on her. "Hey, it will be okay. It's silly for me to say to have faith, so I won't. " She gave a bright smile. It was the kind that gave off it's own light, that things would be okay. "You know, if you get a chance to visit, you should talk to gramps a bit, I was a little wild when he first started taking care of me too. Don't let it get you down, none of this stuff comes with an instruction manual, especially the kids that are really something special."

Tatsu got ready to leave and texted her grandfather, because he was probably a bit worried. "I mean it, the door is always open. Just let me know if you need directions."

[Ashken]

"Well, I should probably get my stuff then."

Wataru double checked everything. Making sure books and deserts where packed in a neat and orderly manner, spreading things for ease of carrying and to avoid damaging things like the pastries. He softly nodded and muttered as he moved things around, he was listening, but the last few minutes to an hour, had drained his social battery and all this talk about help and such was starting to grate him, he understood he meant well, and yes his grandfather made things difficult, but he felt the need to prove himself. 

"Do you need some help?"

"I'm okay" he said a little more firmly than he intended, "Sorry, thank you. Really, I appreciate it," he stopped trying to find the right words, "I'll let you know, I don't want to abuse of your good will" that felt like a good happy medium of allowing her to help, but putting enough brakes to ensure he has some control over his life. 

"You bet you can! We have a little park in the temple, it's not very fancy but, there are things to climb and swing on. There are also big spinning prayer wheels."

Raitaro beamed at the invitation, he wiggled his way off her hands and returned to his crayons intently working on an idea, Wataru paid enough attention for the two of them, "You should say thank you" he told the boy as he made eye contact. Rolling his eyes Wataru returned his attention to Tatsu taking her payment, putting a small hero discount for helping keep the kid safe and helping deal with the rampage outside. "Here you go" he gave her a receipt and change. Taking the card she offered he took it and put it away safely in the cash drawer, away from the prying hands of little kids with big ideas, he would later add the information to his phone and other backups, but for now it was safe. 

"If you guys need help you can text me, or if you want to come and visit. I always have my phone on me."


"Thank you" taking a look at the kid who was still absorbed in his little project, "Might take you on the visiting idea, he needs to stretch his feet" the kid did not know better, but Wataru knew that keeping him cooped up was part of the problem, the kid was quite literally a walking battery, he needed to let some of that energy out. 

"You know, if you get a chance to visit, you should talk to gramps a bit, I was a little wild when he first started taking care of me too. Don't let it get you down, none of this stuff comes with an instruction manual, especially the kids that are really something special."



"I'll keep that in mind" he didn't mind some advice and maybe a safe place where the kid could vent some energy safely as he got to talk to someone who was not going to dismiss some of his concerns might be what he needed after all he was starting to feel a little stuck. 

"I mean it, the door is always open. Just let me know if you need directions."


"I promise I'll reach out" Wataru stated. 

Braking his little super focus the kid jumped off his chair drawing in hand, it was rudimentary, there was a lion looking thing, but clearly most of the time and energy was placed on the center figure in the drawing, a stick figure colored in the same colors as Tatsu's clothing, the figure stick hand had a stick on its hand and waves seem to expand, little bom, bom, bom written next to every wave. The background behind the the Tatsu stick figure was yellow and gold as if light was radiating out of her. "Here" he said somewhat shyly as he offered the drawing to Tatsu. 

[mermalaide]

She bent down to receive the drawing. "Wow! That's really pretty! I can have this?" She was pretty happy about the picture. She wondered what all the yellow and gold around her meant, and wondered if he could see Rujin's mark on her. "Thank you very much Raitaro. I know just the place to put it." She gave a big smile and carefully put it in her bag so it would not bend. She gave him a hug and got back to her full height.

"You guys come and see me anytime okay?"

With that she took her bags and went out the front, onto the street. The sound of bells going after her as she stepped into the warm light of the after noon. If she ran, she could meet up with Ryo and Mika. The day had been pretty exciting, and it wasn't over yet. She hoped Wataru and Raitaro would come to visit soon at the temple. She knew they could use some peace of mind and a safe place to be themselves.

She she walked in the warm sun, she felt the familiar feeling of a hand on her shoulder as she preyed to herself. Somehow, she knew things were going to be alright, come what may.

(Tatsu exists)

[Ashken]

"Wow! That's really pretty! I can have this?"

"Yes!" the boy said with a smile, he wanted to give her something too, Wataru was having all the fun and Tatsu was neat, and she invited him to visit and yes, all these thoughts bounced on his little head, but in the end all he wanted was to share the happiness, the rest was sprinkles. 

"Thank you very much Raitaro. I know just the place to put it."


The little boy was caught by surprised by the hug, he was not used to them, not Wataru didn't show affection in his own way, but he was not one for a lot of physical contact, so the kid was not sure how to react, and awkwardly copied her hug. Inadvertently his eyes teared up a little as he nodded as she mentioned that they could visit.

"You guys come and see me anytime okay?"



"We will, you take care out there" Wataru responded, walking with her toward the door as Raitaro quietly waved her away. Wataru saw her walk and he quietly closed the door and flipped the open sign off. "Okay kid, time for your nap, I got some cleaning up to do in here" he saw the sad look in the kids face, "She said you can visit. You will see her again." 

[End]