flying games and the changing current

Damayanti awoke, the previous night’s events still fresh in her mind. Mr. Yoshida was gone, but there was evidence that he had been there. Dried tears had made her face feel tight and so she rose from the blankets. She walked into the bathroom and got ready for the day. Settling into the normal daily routine helped to steady her emotions.

Clean and dressed, she made her way towards the kitchen. Mr. Yoshida met her in the main room. He walked up to her, she cast her eyes to the floor and bowed.

“Good morning Sensei.” she said softly.

“Good morning, Little Pomegranate,” he said as he placed his hand gently along her cheek. He turned her face up to him. His eyes searched her face, “We will take one day at a time.” he said gently. She leaned into his touch, and he ran his thumb along her cheekbone. He looked upon her with reserve and compassion. Damayanti’s lips tightened, and she pushed all of the strong emotions down.

“Yes, Sensei,” she murmured, “What are we doing today?”

“Tomorrow afternoon, you will face Raiden’s challenge. Later on, evening after next, we will be hosting my nephews for the evening.” Damayanti eyes gazed into his, the avatar of Tsukiyomi heaved an inward sigh at the inevitable suffering his sweet disciple was feeling. The emotional wounds were still fresh. He pulled her into a tight hug.

“Thank you for your company last night, Sensei. I don’t know what I am going to now.” she murmured against his chest. He released her from his embrace and smiled down at her.

“First, breakfast.” he stated. Damayanti looked around the residence.

“From now on, it will be meals for two for the most part,” she stated hollowly.

“Yes, my Little Pomegranate. Just meals for two.” he compassionately confirmed.

Damayanti went into the kitchen. She looked out the windows. Fluffy clouds drifted in distant herds at the horizon and the sky was a water sapphire hue. Tomiko wound her way around Damayanti’s feet, meowing for her morning breakfast.

“Sorry, Tomiko. I’m running a little late this morning.” she said as she reached down to stroke the spirit cat’s fluffy white fur. Tomiko sat down and cleaned one paw with her pink tongue.

“It’s alright. Your an emotional wreck. You can make it up to me with some salmon.” she replied. Damayanti bit her lip and went to get a slice of fresh salmon. The teapot opened his eyes and cast a measured glance at Tomiko.

“You know better than to act like that, cat.” he quipped. Damayanti placed the plate with Tomiko’s breakfast in front of the feline. Tomiko’s golden eyes blinked and she gazed at the teapot for a moment.

“There is nothing wrong with the truth, I just say what I see.” Tomiko purred, “I did not see you curling up with Damayanti this morning.” The teapot glared at her a frown marring it’s ceramic features for a minute. Tomiko swished her tail and settled down to eat. Her purrs reverberated around the room. He raised his eyebrows. Damayanti washed her hands and went about the kitchen. The teapot watched her demeanor and body language, but did not engage with her, so he would not escalate the situation.

Damayanti and Mr. Yoshida settled down to a quiet breakfast. After they were finished, Damayanti cleaned and made a list for the items that would be needed for the next few meals and something that would impress Mr. Yoshida’s nephews. Mr. Yoshida retired to his study. Damayanti logically assumed that he was probably taking care of his business. She made sure that he did not need anything further and said that she would be doing some calligraphy and maybe take some time to meditate in the garden. He concurred that this would be good and that he would meet with her in a couple of hours.

Damayanti stepped into her room after her meditations. Around her were some of the scattered effects of Mercedes. She stepped out and went to find a couple of boxes. Then she gathered Mercedes items, carefully folding and packing them. She labeled the one box and then moved to what so recently was Rupak’s room. His room was much more organized. She smiled softly remembering that he was so much different than Mercedes, but somehow they got along. Once she had packed up his personal items, she carried both boxes to the main room and set them down out of the way. Damayanti felt satisfied, yet even more hollow. Her stomach gurgled. With a passing look at the boxes she made her way to the kitchen.

The teapot opened his eyes as she walked in. He smiled and glanced out the window. The sunlight sparkled off of the gold worked into his ceramic. Damayanti pulled some items out of the refrigerator. As she started to make a snack, he shimmied on his burner.

“Good afternoon, Miss Damayanti. It has been a gorgeous day today.” he said. She looked up as she pulled some cold cuts out. She smiled,

“Good afternoon!” she said, “Yes it has been.”

“Would you like a cup of tea with your meal?” Damayanti picked up a pitcher of water and filled him. He shimmied on his burner, getting a good seat.

“Of course, please.” she said as she turned on the heat.

Her meal was made and the tea poured. The teapot steamed, the water vapor rose out of his spout.

“We are here for you,” he said. Damayanti nodded her acknowledgment as she took a bite of her sandwich. Her gaze grew distant as she chewed.

“Thank you,” she replied after she swallowed. “it’s going to be a lot quieter here.”

“Is this going to change your perception of Nippon?” he asked.

“No,” she said as she placed her sandwich down. “Every experience has both good and bad. I just wish it could have turned out differently. I made my choices and set my path. I bear the ultimate responsibility.” She then continued to dig into her meal. The teapot pondered her statements for a while. He puffed a little bit.

“While you knew more about the world than they did, all of you did your best of a bad situation.” He glanced over at her, and raised his hoary eyebrows. “If you don’t mind me saying, I don’t think that this is a circumstance where any blame needs to be laid.” Damayanti finished her food and took her plate to the sink. She looked over to him as she washed the dish.

“I should have said ‘No’. Mercedes would have backed down.”

“But the question is; where would that path lead?” Damayanti placed the plate in the drying rack. She poured another cup of tea and set the teapot on a trivet in front of her at the breakfast bar. Her lips drew into a fine line.

“Mercedes was becoming agitated with being here. It was too much of a culture shock for her. She really didn’t like Mr. Yoshida.” The teapot narrowed his aged eyes at her,

“Do you think that she would have done something rash?”

“I don’t know for certain. The night out last night was a rash decision.” she sighed. “I should have stopped it. I should have laid down hard boundaries. At least I know what to look for next time. I will not let that behavior go that far.”

The teapot nodded, even though she had started to speak in vague terms. He smiled up at her,

“Just know that my offer still stands, I enjoy talking to you, Miss Damayanti. I will be here if you just come to talk.”

“Thank you,” she replied, as she drained the cup. “I just have to get myself back on track.” A bright smile spread across her face. “I’ve got some challenges coming up.” she winked at the teapot, “plus, we are going to have company in a night or two. I’ll have to shine you up!” The teapot smiled,

“Ah! A bath! That’s always nice.” he waggled an eyebrow at her, “you are so gentle with me, thank you for that!”

Damayanti walked out of the kitchen and was on her way to her room when the bell at the door rang. Mr. Yoshida came out of his study and then noticed Damayanti. She bowed to her sensei,

“I wasn’t expecting any company.” he said.

“Well, the guest is God.” she responded, “I’ll see who it is Sensei.” She opened the door to find Grant, Sir Terrance’s attache’ standing there. Damayanti’s eyes widened for a second and then she bowed to the British gentleman.

“Welcome to the home of Yoshida Tokaji, Grant!” she greeted, “Please come inside!” Grant removed his hat and stepped inside. After he had slid his shoes into the rack in the foyer, he stepped inside and bowed to Mr. Yoshida. Damayanti smiled, “Grant, this is my host and sensei, Mr. Yoshida; Sensei, this is Grant, Sir Terrance’s attache’” Mr. Yoshida bowed slightly.

“Grant,” he greeted.

“Mr. Yoshida, thank you for inviting me to your home.”

Damayanti led them to the table in the main room. Grant took his seat. Damayanti bowed to them both.

“Sensei, Mr. Grant. I can offer some tea.”

“That would be very nice, Miss Damayanti.” Grant replied.

“Let me guess if I may, Earl Grey?” she inquired. Grant smiled,

“Yes, please.”

As Damayanti walked into the kitchen to make the tea, she heard Grant and her sensei start up a conversation. Their voices were low and measured. As soon as the door closed, she let out a heavy sigh, she had a pretty good idea on why Grant was here.

“I’ve got to keep myself composed.” she whispered to herself.

The conversation halted when she came back into the room with the tea tray. Grant thanked her for the tea and accepted the offered sugar and cream. Damayanti offered pastries and Grant took one. She poured tea for both the men and then filled her cup. She set the antique teapot on a bamboo trivet between them. She held her breath momentarily as the silence stretched between all of them. As she swallowed her up-welling of nervousness, Grant cleared his throat quietly. Damayanti took a sip of her tea.

“Miss Damayanti,” Grant said as his eyes met hers, “It has come to my attention that both Rupak and Mercedes have been killed. May I ask miss, how did they die?” She looked into the depths of her cup, carefully formulating how to word it.

“We were on our way back home via a cab. We did not realize that the brakes had been compromised. The cab was brought safely to a stop. Then an assassin dressed as a ninja attacked them. Mercedes and Rupak both died defending me.” she stated. Grant took in all of this information. She swiftly reached across the table and grasped Grant’s hand. “Rupak fought the enemy unarmed. He died with a smile on his face.” Grant placed his hand comfortingly over hers, a sad smile graced his features.

“I would expect nothing less, Miss.”

“What goes on from here?” she asked while she tried to keep the tremble from her voice.

“His body will be returned to Britain, I will arrange it through the embassy.”

“What about Mercedes?”

“She was American?”

“Yes,”

“Then I will make arrangements through the United States embassy to make sure that her body is returned. Do you know who will be recovering her?” She opened her phone and texted Customer S. the news. He responded that they would collect her and her effects.

“I have contacted those closest to her, they will be there to retrieve her.” she confirmed.

Grant nodded.

“Thank you.”

They enjoyed their tea and dessert in silence. The pastry tasted like ashes in Damayanti’s mouth. Mr. Yoshida simply observed, his calming presence pervaded the room. After a small amount of time, when all were finished, Damayanti stood and collected the dishes. As she headed to the kitchen, Grant called,

“Miss Damayanti, do you have Rupak’s and Mercedes’ effects?”

“Yes, I have collected them.” she replied, “I can bring them to you.” She picked up the boxes after she returned from the kitchen. The tension in her jaw muscles jumped as she passed Rupak’s and Mercedes boxes across the table. Grant opened it and took a general account of the contents. He reached in and pulled out Rupak’s dog tags. He snapped one off of its chain and handed it to Damayanti. She glanced at him in surprise,

“What?” she stammered. Grant smiled,

“I thought that you might like something of his to remember him by.” Tears welled up in her eyes,

“Thank you.”

Grant closed the box and stood up from the table. Mr. Yoshida rose from his seat. Damayanti stood there for a moment and stared at the dog tag in her hand. He bowed again to Mr. Yoshida.

“Mr. Yoshida, it has been a pleasure meeting you.”

“Thank you Grant, and to you as well.” Grant bowed to Damayanti,

“Miss, I will make sure that they are taken care of. No need to worry.”

“Thank you, Grant.” she stammered as his voice snapped her out of her reverie. She bowed to Grant. “Thank you for all that you are going to do.”

After he collected the boxes and had left, Damayanti realized that she had been clenching the dog tag really tightly in her hand. She walked into her room. The shuriken lay at the foot of Lord Shiva’s statue. She placed Rupak’s dog tag on top of it.

“You have more right to the death of this enemy than I do.” she stated, sorrow coloring her voice as she flexed the tightness out of her hand.

Mr. Yoshida watched her go. He put down the urge to follow after her. She would have to deal with her personal loss and grief herself. He would be there to help, but only if she asked at this point. She came back out after a couple of minutes.

“Sensei, I am going to finish cleaning the kitchen, making sure that it is ready for tomorrow.” she said as she bowed, “Would you like me to make anything for you while I am in there?” He smiled,

“No, but thank you, Little Pomegranate.” his eyes met hers, “Please get some rest tonight, if you need me, just let me know.”

“Yes, Sensei,” she bowed again and headed into the kitchen.

The next morning, she found herself humming the melody of her song as she made breakfast. She double checked the list that she would need for the guests coming tomorrow night. She paused for a moment and tapped her finger against her chin. She picked up the pencil and wrote in a few more items. Then she plated both Mr. Yoshida’s and her breakfast.

“Good morning, Little Pomegranate.” Mr. Yoshida greeted as he glanced over at her. A smile danced in his eyes.

“Good morning, Sensei.”

“Today is the day,” he murmured. She shivered,

“This will be interesting, but I don’t know what to do.” and then a sly look came in to her eyes, “I may have a surprise.” Mr. Yoshida raised an eyebrow.

“Really?” he replied, intrigued. He then cleared his throat and continued, “However, I’m sure that Mr. Kobe will explain the rules before the start.”

Suddenly there was a ring of the bell at the door. They both turned their gazes towards the door. Damayanti excused herself and went for the door. When she opened it, Zhon was standing on the step. He raised his hand in greeting a grin spread across his face,

“Hey Sis!” She blinked, perplexed for a moment and then bowed,

“Hello, Little Brother. Come in.”

“Figured that it was time for a visit” he said as he came into the main room. Upon seeing the young son of Nezah, Mr. Yoshida’s eyebrows ascended in surprise. Zhon stopped at the end of the table opposite from Mr. Yoshida. Damayanti could feel a certain tension in the room.

“I just go make some pot-stickers for you, Little Brother.”

“Thanks Sis!” he said brightly. He placed his right fist against his left palm. He bowed deeply to Mr. Yoshida.

“Mr. Yoshida, Grant told me that Damayanti needed me.”

“I see.”

“I was wondering if I could stay here for a time.” Mr. Yoshida thought about it for a few minutes, he glanced towards the kitchen. He closed his eyes for a moment and let out a silent breath.

“You may, however, there are some restrictions,” he rumbled. Zhon’s eyes lit up.

Steam billowed from the bamboo basket as Damayanti lifted the lid. The pot-stickers were finished, along with some pork buns. Damayanti carefully plucked them out and artfully arranged them on a plate. The tea kettle went off, she gathered an additional cup and placed it and Zhon’s meal on a tray. Joy flickered in her heart as she thought about Zhon being here. At least this was something familiar. A smile crossed her face as she picked up the tray.

She blinked again as she saw the tableau. Mr Yoshida had a subtle look of victory on his face, Zhon had a slight look of resignation and happiness. The smile did not fall from her face as she put the plates down in front of her little brother. She looked between the two men. Zhon glanced down at his plate and then beamed at Damayanti,“
“Thanks Sis! Looks great!”
“Is everything alright?” she asked.

“Yeah!” he replied as he picked up a pot-sticker, “Mr. Yoshida just had some guidelines.” Damayanti refilled Mr. Yoshida’s teacup and then poured Zhon some.

“Zhon can stay here as long as he doesn’t say certain things.” Mr. Yoshida concurred as he lifted his teacup to his lips.

“Ah,” she said as she retook her seat. They enjoyed their meal for a time. Mr. Yoshida set his chopsticks down, signaling that he was finished. He smiled at Damayanti,

“Zakuro-chan, we will be having our meeting with Mr. Kobe and his daughter in a few hours.”

“Yes, Sensei.” she responded, “I am ready.” Zhon’s ears perked,

“Mr. Kobe?”

“I have a competition today.” Damayanti answered simply.

“You?!” Zhon exclaimed, “That’s awesome, Sis! Can I come?”

“I guess…” she said and then cast an inquiring glance to Mr. Yoshida.

“As long as you behave yourself.”

The car pulled in to a parking lot at one of the nature preserves outside of Niko. They got out and Damayanti’s eyes widened. The forest was verdant and just beyond a meadow in the open clearing. When they reached the clearing, Mr. Kobe and his daughter, Kanemaru Hiroko were standing at the edge of it. Beyond them, in the middle of the clearing, a pole with a large metal ring was erected. Damayanti had some misgivings. Mr. Yoshida laid a reassuring hand upon her shoulder. She bowed as he introduced her to Mr. Kobe and Hiroko. She was surprised that Mr. Kobe was different, he was dressed in a nice suit and it was clean! Hiroko was well toned in a halter top and shorts. After everyone had been greeted and introduced, Mr. Kobe got down to business and explained the rules of the game. The purpose was to show off the competitors’ aerial skills. Damayanti looked around at the clearing. There was no one around. Mr. Kobe noticed her glancing around and said,

“There will be no spectators or wanderers interrupting the match,”

“Yeah! Dad made sure that we would not be disturbed.” Hiroko said as she cast a curious eye at Damayanti. “This will be fun!” There was an Eastern style dragon tattoo on Hiroko’s back. It crackled with energy and she rose up into the sky. She stretched in midair and winked at Damayanti. “Come on! Let’s have some fun!” Damayanti glanced at Mr. Yoshida,

“Ready for my surprise?” was her whispered inquiry. Mr. Yoshida raised an eyebrow. She bowed again to both of the avatars, then divested herself of her kimono. Underneath she wore a skin tight catsuit in a shimmering shade of garnet, the exact shade of pomegranate juice. Mr. Yoshida’s eyes widened and he let out a slow breath, as he contained himself. A broad, leering grin spread across Mr. Kobe’s face. With lust filled eyes, he let out a whoop as the threw his hands up in the air,

“Yes! A game and a show! This is going to be great!” A crackle of electricity sparked around the lotus pin in Damayanti’s hair and she rose into the air across the ring from Hiroko. Mr. Kobe’s daughter let out a low whistle.

“So exotic!” she exclaimed, “Wait, I have seen you somewhere before…” she tapped her fingertip against her chin. Then her eyes narrowed, “I know! You’re that chick from the meme! The dancing one! Oh! I am going to like this!” Her eyes crawled over Damayanti’s form lasciviously.

Meanwhile, Zhon had determined that he needed to help Damayanti out a bit. Unbeknownst to the others, when the car was being loaded, he packed something special. As the others were talking, he ran back to the car and changed into an outfit as well.

Mr. Kobe went over the rules briefly again. Mr. Yoshida’s gaze was focused on his disciple, his Little Pomegranate; his heart pounded, her outfit left very little to the imagination. He sniffed and ran his fingertip under his nose. It came away with a spot of blood. Mr. Kobe held up a coin,

“Call it!” he called as he flipped it into the air.

“Heads!” Damayanti answered, as she spied Hiroko licking her lips.

“Heads it is!” Mr. Kobe responded as he gazed up at them. He tossed the ball to Damayanti. Hiroko leered at her as they took measures of each other. Damayanti narrowed her eyes,

“This is supposed to be a friendly competition.” Hiroko grinned and then placed her fingers in a “v”; she ran her tongue languorously between them,

“Oh it is!” she purred as she flew within inches of her beautiful opponent. She brushed up against Damayanti, ran a hand down her side while trying to reach for the ball. “I am very interested in this competition; but there’s many different types of games!” Damayanti spun out of her reach.

Mr. Kobe and Mr. Yoshida watched the game closely as the two girls flew. They went high and dipped low towards the ground. Damayanti got in a few scores, but Mr. Yoshida caught the grimace on his disciple’s face when she got grappled by Hiroko. He cast a sideways glance at Mr. Kobe. Raiden’s avatar shrugged his shoulders.

“Just enjoy the show,” he chuckled.

Zhon chucked to himself as he made his way back to the site of the games. The two Nipponese avatars were so rapt with the game, he swore that they were hypnotized. The son of Nezah stifled a laugh. He squinted up at his sister. That hot yakuza chick had grappled her; her hands were clasping his sister’s breasts. His eyebrow arched and a wicked smile crossed his face.

“Would you look at that,” he whispered, “Someone’s trying to cheat.” he straightened his star-spangled hot pants and then shook out the flags. “We’ll see about that. Time for some good old US of A showmanship. That will even the odds. ‘Merica, fuck yeah!” His grin widened as he walked up to where Mr. Kobe and Mr. Yoshida were. He whipped out the flags and took his stance.

“Go Dam-a-yanti!” he started his cheer. Both of the avatars looked over, surprised. Mr. Yoshida’s eyes widened, Mr. Kobe sputtered,

“What?!”

Zhon paid them no mind, he continued with his cheer, focusing on the combatants up above.

“So beautiful, yet so serious,” Hiroko crooned as her lips brushed Damayanti’s ear. She held the ball out beyond her reach. Damayanti leaned out and as she shifted, Hiroko grabbed a handful of her ass. Damayanti let out a growl of irritation. A wolfish grin spread across Hiroko’s face, “Mmm. So luscious. Yet you seem so stressed, sweetheart. I can help you with that.” she pumped her eyebrows at the daughter of Ganesha.

“Go Damayanti!!!” Zhon cheered from down below. Hiroko turned and Damayanti snatched the ball. She slung it through the goal.

“What the fuck…” Hiroko stammered as she looked down at Zhon. He was wearing hot pants patterned with the American flag; he was shirtless. He was waving red flags and dancing provocatively around the perimeter of the grounds. Damayanti swooped low to retrieve the ball. She winked at Zhon as she flew past. She twirled as she flew past Mr. Yoshida and Kobe in an ascending arc back towards the goal. Hiroko was transfixed with horror and disgust. Damayanti hovered up behind her, idly tossing the ball between her hands. A smug smile graced her features as she glanced over Hiroko’s shoulder. She rolled the ball along the back of her hand and laughed.

“Don’t mind him,” she chuckled, “He’s just an idiot.”

“It’s like watching a train wreck, I can’t look away.” Hiroko stammered. Zhon gyrated his hips and waved the flags.

“So sorry that you lost your focus. He has that effect on people.” Damayanti said coolly as she made another goal. She set the ball between her breasts and floated in front of Hiroko. “Didn’t know that it could be so easy.” Hiroko broke her gaze away from the travesty that Zhon was performing. Damayanti gave her a satisfied look. “Shall we continue? Or should we go down there so I can introduce you two?” A smirk crossed Hiroko’s face.

“I have a much better view of what’s on display up here.” The girls chased each other. Damayanti did her best to stay out of Hiroko’s reach, but she failed many a time and the daughter of Raiden caught her repeatedly.

Zhon kept a steady eye on the play of the game. Whenever he saw his sister falter, he increased his antics. Mr. Yoshida was both aghast and amused; he did his best to not show it. Zhon danced around, coming up behind Mr. Kobe.

“Go Dam-a-yanti!” he cheered as he thrust his hips repeatedly. Mr. Kobe’s eyes grew wide,

“Aggh!” he bellowed in disgust as he jumped away from the son of Nezah. Mr. Yoshida stifled a laugh and Mr. Kobe glared at both him and Zhon.

The game continued for the next half an hour. Damayanti managed to score two more points than Hiroko. They both floated to the ground when Mr. Kobe called time. He cast a pointed eye at his daughter.

“What a game! But you lost, my darling.” he said with both mirth and admonishment. She grinned,

“No, Dad, I won!” she announced proudly and then blew a kiss to Damayanti. The daughter of Ganesha donned her kimono, smoothing out the light wrinkles.

Mr. Kobe smirked and then looked to Damayanti. He bowed lightly.

“You have won this challenge.” he brought out a box, “These are the cups that you will need.” He handed them to her, she smiled and bowed low. Mr. Yoshida’s eyes softened as he came to stand beside his disciple.

“Thank you, Mr. Kobe.” she said softly. Hiroko’s eyes danced as she looked over at Damayanti.

“We will have to meet up at some point.” A distant smile crossed Damayanti’s features as she gathered her things.

“Maybe,” she replied coolly.

Hiroko winked at her father,

“Maybe is a ‘yes’!” she whispered and licked her lips again as her eyes traveled down Damayanti’s form. Mr. Kobe folded his arms across his chest and smiled down at his daughter. “What a challenge she will be, Dad. I’m looking forward to melting that icy exterior.” Mr. Kobe chuckled lightly and patted his daughter on the shoulder.

“I am happy with whatever goal you succeed at, Sweetheart. Anything to keep things lively.”

Mr. Yoshida’s group bid goodbye to Mr. Kobe and his daughter. They piled into Mr. Yoshida’s car. Zhon settled into the back seat with a happy sigh,

“Well, that was exciting!” he exclaimed and leaned forward between the seats to smile at his sister-in-arms. “You have gotten better, Sis! I am so proud of you! What did you think of my distraction?” A smile twitched at the edge of her mouth. She glanced over at her sensei. He was concentrating on the road before them. She lightly cleared her throat,

“I did appreciate it, Little Brother, however, you looked like a reject from the Village People.” Mr. Yoshida let out a small snort of amusement. Zhon was undeterred. He leaned back in his seat with the satisfied grin of a mission well accomplished.

“That’s what I am here for, Sis. I need to be the distraction.” Mr. Yoshida and Damayanti shared a quick glance of concern.

That next afternoon, Damayanti was preparing dinner for Mr. Yoshida’s nephews, Ono Asahi and Hamasaki Shinsuke. She double checked her recipe, her tongue between her teeth. Mr. Yoshida returned from his morning outing. As he walked through the door, she called out a greeting and stepped over to peek her head out the door of the kitchen. Mr. Yoshida smiled and followed her into the kitchen.

“Little Pomegranate, how are things coming along?” he asked. He lifted the lid off of one of the pots simmering on the stove. He smiled with satisfaction. “This smells divine.” He reached over and ran his fingertips along her hip. She blushed and then went to retrieve another ingredient out of the refrigerator.

“I hope that it does, I was raised in my father’s kitchen.” she chuckled “Guest is God, Guru is God.” He stepped back and leaned against the counter and watched her work. She danced around the kitchen, checking on a cooking entree’ here, plating an appetizer there. Arousal mixed with a deep affection rose up within him. He savored it for a moment and then put those feelings away. Damayanti set down a freshly poured cup of tea down on the counter next to him. He saw the joy in her face; the spark in her eye. She was in her element. Her sweet smile enfolded him; demurely, she looked away. His emotions were a roaring tide. He stayed his hand from reaching for her. Instead, he picked up the cup. Savoring the flavor of the tea and watching his disciple work. Damayanti hummed a light tune as she worked. Mr. Yoshida reached for one of the appetizers. She grabbed a small plate and pulled a few for him. She held the last one in a pair of chopsticks; a quirky smile played along her lips. She leaned forward, he had full view of her ample cleavage. Yoshida’s eyes crinkled in mirth at her pause. He opened his mouth and she placed the tidbit in. He chewed with relish, noting the subtleties of flavor.

“I should stop distracting you,” he checked his watch, “My nephews should be here within an hour. He glanced out the window as he finished his tea. “Where is the son of Nezah?” he asked.

“He has been taking in the grounds, practicing some of his physical routines.” she replied simply. Yoshida raised an eyebrow. “No, he had not disturbed the sand garden. He has been behaving himself.” She motioned to a couple of items set to the side of the stove. “I promised him that I would make Phoenix and Dragon.” Yoshida nodded,

“Very good. I will leave you to your work, Little Pomegranate.”

Later on that evening, the guests arrived. Damayanti met them at the door. She bowed deeply as she greeted them. Zhon rose from his seat at the table. Two men walked in. Yoshida rose in a swirl of silk. He stepped forward and the two men bowed to him. Asahi and Shinsuke bowed to Mr. Yoshida,

“Good evening, Uncle.” they said in unison. Shinsuke was built heavy for a Japanese man, blacksmithing was his skill. His cousin Asahi was different, of slimmer build, he was a musician by trade. He wore a mask, Damayanti wondered if he was mildly germophobic. Mr. Yoshida introduced his nephews to Damayanti and Zhon. Zhon placed his fist in one palm and bowed. Damayanti bowed politely. She let the men get settled and started to serve dinner.

They made small talk throughout the dinner. Damayanti engaged with Asahi about the collaboration that he had thought of.