The Sohma Litters *a Traditions Sequel*

Chapter Eleven: Hawaii Day Two

Yuki\'s POV


In the morning we were scheduled for a tour. I decided to avoid the tan problem by wearing something that would cover the exposure. I dressed in pants and a plain button down the front shirt, all that I was exposing was my arms which I had covered liberally with sun screen. I checked my self over in the mirror and joined Kyo and the boys in the foyer. I gave them all the once over and pronounced them ready. We headed out the door and off to breakfast. While we were eating, Tanjima-san the elderly gentleman from the plane, came to stand near our table and Kyo greeted him. I was asleep when Yuuhi had talked him into joining us for this very tour, but Kyo had told me about it. Apparantly Tanjima-san had not forgotten the impression our son had made on him.

\"You are welcome to join us, have you eaten, Tanjima-san?\" I asked as Kyo shook the man\'s hand. He was a student of western culture as well as the headmaster of a large private school in Tokyo. Kyo and he had talked at length during the flight, when Yuuhi had become more interested in the snacks that Rand had brought for him and his brothers.

\"No, thank you. I have had a meal, but I will join you at the table if you don\'t mind. And perhaps have some tea. Yuuhi what kind of tea do you like best?\" The childs eyes lit up. Yuuhi loved his tea. He was the biggest fan of Kyo\'s famous Iced Oolong and green tea with mint. He told Tanjima-san about it and how the cookies he liked best with it were almond cookies with the fancy candy leaves that his Otousan made and then sold at the bakery.

Soon the bus was ready to depart and we were all seated and excited. The boys talked about the pineapples and coconuts and volcanos the whole way. Tanajima-san was very patient with the children and Tsuki and Yuuhi had chosen to sit with him leaving us with Kato between us. The other passengers seemed to enjoy the boys excitement over seeming ordinary things such as palm trees and the vast array of large brightly colored flowers. By the time we had gotten to our first stop everyone on the bus knew the names of our three little boys. Even though some of the passengers didn\'t quite understand what they were saying all the time. We had taught them some english, but they tended to scatter it with their native japanese.

Our travels eventually brought us to the volcanos that we had promised the boys they would see. Even Kyo and I were surprised by how close you could come to an active volcano here. We were safely away but could feel the heat anyway. It was the most exciting thing I could imagine, and the children would not soon forget this. I was so glad we had decided to take this trip. It was worth whatever we had to go through to give this experience to our children.



When we arrived back at the hotel, we found we had several messages from home. One was just a quick message from Omi, \'the cat was fine and the guys hoped we were enjoying ourselves and to hug all the boys for them\'. Another was from Dan, informing us that we should call him, he had big news, we had our suspicions and thought if we were right, that it was about time. The last was a request that we call the main house as soon as we had some time. Not urgent, so we would call after dinner tonight. Tanjima-san wanted us to have dinner with him and we had just enough time to change.

We met him at the door to the restaurant a few hotels down the beach. This was completely decorated in Japanese style with a western flair. The sort of thing I had a habit of scoffing at, and Yuki gave me a pointed look. I smiled weakly and we entered, at least they hadn\'t named it after something stupid, like horseradish.(1) The Matre\'d asked if we had reservations and I told him we were meeting Mr. Tanjima here, he looked us over hard, before snapping his fingers to a waiter and having him escort us through the restaurant to meet Tanjima-san at a table.

\"Kyo, Yuki. I am so glad you made it. Come sit. You, Young man, yes, you what is your name, again?\" Tanjima-san called to the waiter. The boy was obviously very nervous and he mumbled out that his name was Tristan, and Tanjima had him bring saki and some appetizers, we sat down and looked over the menus that Tristan had handed us. Yuki leaned over and told me to order his favorites for him. It tended to add to the fiction, to have me do certain male role actions as if not even giving it a second thought. When Tristan returned we ordered and sat back to wait for the dinners to be brought. Tanjima-san seemed to have something on his mind. I watched the signs of tension in his actions. He was stressing, and we would have to be patient to hear what he was preparing to tell us.

\"I wonder are you liking Hawaii so far, Yuki? Kyo?\" I nodded and Yuki smiled before answering.

\"It\'s wonderful. We have been so stagnant lately, but here everything is so fresh and clean and exciting. The whole Island is alive with color. We visited China a few years ago but this is so much more.\" Tanjima-san seemed appeased by the statement, and relaxed even more in our company.

\"Yes, I think that this is the most beautiful place I ever come to. I have to travel, more often than I like and coming here is the one trip I look forward to. This year I have the joy of your sons, they have added a new dimension to my enjoyment of this beautiful Island.\"

\"And they enjoyed having you with us today, also. When they heard we were eating dinner with you, they made us promise to tell you \'arigatou\' for the day.\" Yuki had planned on telling him later in the meal, but it seemed to fit in here, just as well.

\"They are very welcome. I was wondering . . . . they boys are very, eh. . . \"

\"Different. From each other. Yes, they are not your normal brothers. In fact Kato is actually their cousin. And they aren\'t maternal twins, obviously. They don\'t care though. They like being different, and love telling people that they are triplets. It gets them attention, and that is what they want.\" I told him, when he seemed afraid to ask out of propriety. We never cared about that stuff.

\"Oh, yes, that would explain it. They don\'t resemble either of you, though.\"

\"I think they look more like Kyo than me. But, in actual fact they look more like my brother. He is more blonde and has the long face like Tsuki. Yuuhi looks like Kyo\'s father. And then Kato just looks like his natural father. We never looked much like our parents either, did we Kyo?\"

\"No. I think I was told once that I took after my mother, but I don\'t remember her that well. And I know you look like your father, more than Ayame, but neither of you look like your mom. Why? Does that sort of thing bother you, Tanjima-san?\" He was thinking of something, and we would only know if he got beyond this.

\"Oh, no. Just making an observation. They are wonderful children, do you plan on having more?\"

\"Never planned on these ones. But, I don\'t think we have given it any thought, eh Kyo? We just plan on enjoying the time with them, having more would be fine, but if it comes it comes. I don\'t think we need to plan on more, three children is a significant family, don\'t you think?\"

\"Yes, and now that they are getting older, and didn\'t you tell me you are finished with your degree, Yuki?\"

\"Hai. I just have to take one course I haven\'t been able to get into yet. Then I will have to keep up with the new courses as they come out of course.\"

\"Yes, that is an occupational requirement I\'m afraid. Have you given thought to where you would like to teach?\"

\"I was thinking of finding a private boys school. Then I could eventually enroll the children there. Kyo and I have agreed that private schools are more regulated than the public ones.\"

\"Hai, they are. Would you consider working for me? I have been looking for qualified teachers like yourself. And I think you may find my school is excellent. For the boys, of course.\" Ahhh, that was where this was heading, He wanted my Yuki as his employee. Hmmm. I sat back and observed my spouse as he gave the suggestion serious thought. Yuki had actually planned on waiting about 6 months before starting work. He wanted to work with the boys first, to make sure they didn\'t do anything in school that would start problems. I told him not to worry, but he did. Now, a great deal like this falls into his lap, and he might have to change his plans. I wasn\'t about to interfere. Contrary to the way we let it look, I didn\'t make all of our family\'s plans.

\"Tanjima-san, that is a wonderful offer. But you really know very little about me. How can you offer me a prestiges job, without first seeing my qualifications?\"

\"I make my decisions based on what I see. I see all the qualifications I need in those three little boys. I need teachers who can handle children. Real children just like your three. Don\'t feel pressured, think it over. The offer stands firm, until you finish your schooling, and one full year after that. Now, here comes our food. Oh, and Kyo-san I have substantial interest in a few companies that specialize in new and unusual desserts and such. I would like to try those special cookies that Yuuhi was telling me about.\" I blinked my shock.

(1) Where I live in the midwestern USA, there is restaurant that specialized in \"authentic japanese food\" it is called Wasabi Japanese Steak House. I find that most humorous.