Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries [Closed]

"Aye, damn it Ryuusei..." Yurina sighed as she rubbed a cleanser on Ryuusei's wounds. It was stinging a bit, but he should be used to it by now. "You went after another cat, didn't you?" she shook her head, doing her best to be gentle, "How many times do I have to tell you to let them go... They're only hurting you, and one of these days they're going to have something more on their claws that will make just cleaning them usele-..." Sensing something com in, Yurina stopped mid-sentence and looked back. She stood up and walked away from her brother and over to where she heard the person, but with the door open the cat made a run for it. She was greeted with a hiss as the small thing darted across the room and out the door, bumping into someone along the way. Yurina immediately recognized the woman, but had no time to react to Maaya falling down as her brother gave chase.

"Ryuusei..." Yurina's expression dulled at her brother chasing after the cat. He was never going to learn. Why not try a dog? No, they'd just bite him. "It's a pity that someone who loves animals so much could be so hated by them..." Yurina said in passing, not really talking to anyone.  When Maaya spoke up, Yurina looked to the woman as she stood and bowed. "Yes, that's me." Yurina put a hand on her hip and watched this woman. She had heard of her, seen her around, but never spoken to her in a full conversation. "And you're Maaya Ishino, right? The entire Family's talking about you." Yurina giggled, keeping up a warm smile, "No, no... Don't apologize for any of that. Remember, I'm not one you have to be so formal with, so treat me more like a cousin; Friend would be prefered." Yurina began walking back over to the table where she was tending to her brother's wounds.

"Lord Kazuo is out, though I'm not sure where. Sorry." she explained as she began picking things up, "If you have questions about the Saionji, or anything not Gotei related, I can probably try and help you out." Yurina finished cleaning up the first aid kit she had spread out over the table and set it in a drawer. "Hey..." Yurina put a hand on her hip again and smiled, "Are you going out on any missions? Well, are you free today is more what I'm asking. I kind of need help down at the restaurant. I had come here to ask Lord Kazuo to send someone down, but since he's gone... Two of my waitress' are out. I can make up one spot, but I'm in need of another. If you'd be willing to help me, I'd definitely owe you one?" Yurina gave a big warm smile in hopes of hearing a yes from Maaya. This was going to be Yurina's chance to actually get to know the woman who could pass J's difficult tests.

Yurina wasn't trying to be pushy or nosy; she was just curious and probably could help a little more than Maaya knew. "I bet I can. You'd just have to tell me what the question is." Yurina explained with a light shrug. Yurina began taking a closer look at Maaya while they talked. She glanced the woman up and down, sort of judging her by her appearance. Maaya was not what Yurina expected of J at all. Yurina expected someone with thick long hair, bright eyes, an almost fake-doll looking physique, and more of a "beautiful" or "sexy" look, not this innocent, sweet, and pretty thing that he had apparently chosen. Seeing Maaya be how she was actually impressed Yurina. It was a little unexpected.

"Oh, I own it. It's the one way I bring in money for the family and up their reputation as classy, respectful, talented, and welcoming." Yurina explained with an appreciative tone. Yurina was surprised by Maaya's answer. This was another thing that she wasn't expecting J to go for. "You're a lot less confident than I thought Lord Saionji would be attracted to..." she sort of spat out in her own confusion. When she realized she did it, she quickly recovered with a smile and continued speaking as if she hadn't meant any offense by it, which she didn't. "You remind me a lot of me,  ya know? When I married into the Saionji, I was a lot like you, but remember that you can't stay that way forever, hun."

"Anyways..." she continued back to the talk about the restaurant, "It's not hard. You write down what the people want to eat, take it to the chefs', and once the food is ready, you bring the food to the table... The better you do, the more tips you get. The best part, a cute woman like yourself with such a wonderfully fit figure would get a lot of tips... Maybe you could use the money to... I don't know..." Yurina thought for a moment, though it was pretense. She already knew what she was going to say. "...Buy Lord Saionji a gift? Maybe take him somewhere... Knowing him, he's gotten you a few things, so a gift from you would meant a lot, especially if you took on extra work for it, Maaya."

"So... You think you'd be up for it?" Yurina smiled warmly, though she knew she was being a little manipulative. You can't really blame her; she needs the help back at the restaurant!

"Alright then, if you're sure. I won't press." Yurina waved a hand as if to push the conversation aside. She wasn't going to offend the young woman she had just met. Maaya could very well be her Lady some time soon, especially if things keep going the way they were. Well, maybe not. Maaya did have that innocent reluctance about her, which Yurina did recognize. "You do?" Yurina blinked surprised, but then showed a soft smile, "Thank you. Since my husband passed away, I had to do something to help the Saionji. I couldn't sit here and use their money and stay in their graces without aiding them in some way... I'm glad I'm doing something right. They also help me with the medicines and care for my younger brother..." Yurina motioned toward the door, "He's the young man that you saw running out of here, chasing after that damned cat... But anyways, that's a story for another day..."

"Hahaha." Yurina actually laughed at Maaya's tone. She stepped toward her and placed her hands on Maaya's shoulders. "You don't realize how beautiful you are, do you?" Yurina asked with a sweet smile, "Honey, you have some how caught the attention of J. Saionji, probably the most sought after man within the Soul Society. The hundreds, if not thousands of women that have tried to get a chance with him have all been blown off, but..." Yurina poked Maaya's cheek very lightly and kept it there, "He chose you. You. That isn't anything to ignore. That should give you a new found confidence that no other woman was honored to have." Yurina may have been talking J up in other women's point of view, but it was all fact. Yurina didn't exactly feel or see this when it comes to J, but she knew this is what practically all other single/straight women, and probably a few gay men, did see.

"A gift is good way of paying him back for anything he's done for you..." Yurina's voice trailed off for a moment as she thought. During this time of thought, Maaya apparently changed her mind and began walking out toward the restaurant. Yurina just smiled and giggled a bit. "Come on. Walk with me. I left my Assistant Manager in charge, but with two waiters down, that's too much..." Yurina hurried over to Maaya's side and began walking down the hall with her, leading her on to the restaurant. "I have a question... Have you learned his name?" Yurina asked with a star in her eyes, seriously wanting to know that damn name, "He doesn't tell anyone! Sometimes I wonder if Lord Kazuo even remembers Lord Saionji's name... I think the only one who does is his mother, but with how sick she is, not many people are allowed near her. I think the secret is something she likes playing with too."

"Maaya..." Yurina spoke up during their walk, about three minutes from the restaurant, "When I said you reminded me of me... I meant it." Yurina gave a soft smile. She was quite understanding of much of Maaya's situation, at least when it came to the man. "I'm not a noble. Well, I am now thanks to Lord Saionji not kicking me out of the family once my husband died..." she explained with a saddened tone over her husband, "Before, I was just someone in the Rukongai. I was made to feel horrible about my position. I was told I wasn't worthy of Ryuzo... He married me anyway. I don't entirely know what he saw in me, but he protected me, loved me, and didn't care what anyone else said about me. Even with that, I felt like I couldn't or shouldn't do certain things... There was a time I felt I wasn't even allowed to touch him, like I'd offend him because he was a Saionji... That... almost ended our relationship."

"There's something you must understand... and I'm giving you this advice now because I know exactly what you're going through..." Yurina stopped walking and turns directly to Maaya, "You're a lesser person than he is. He's the great J. Saionji, leader of the great Saionji Family. He's intimidating, strong, and holds everyone to a high standard... But Maaya... If he's hard on his brother, you, his squad members... How much harder do you think he is on himself?" She looked directly into Maaya's eyes, as if she was hoping Maaya would understand what she meant. "Lord Saionji holds himself a a level probably ten times higher than he expects of other people. I know many don't see it, but his brother does... So do I... And so does my brother... Lord Saionji is  much kinder than people think... And when it comes to you, he doesn't need a figure head, a maid, mistress... He needs love. He needs support."

"As his woman, his lover, his partner, his wife... Whatever. Remember that he's put you on equal ground with him. If you want it to last, if you never want him to let you go... Do not look at him like a noble, like a king, like a lord. Do not put that stress on him. If you look at him that way, he'll never open up. If in your eyes he is a king, then he will act like just that... a king. You need to look at him like a man, like he is your man. Because if he is your man, that is a bond he hasn't had with anyone before. He's got his brother, who sees him as a brother... And everyone else sees him as Captain or Lord... He needs you to see him differently... Is this coming off right? I know I had to really learn this with Ryuzo and it was his Mother that gave me the advice then... I'm saying this to help you both, but... But most of all, I don't want him to go back to being the way he was before... Alone."

Well, that was that! Yurina did her best to give Maaya the advice she'd need. She just hoped Maaya understood what she was getting at. One thing she did take note of was Maaya's immediate reluctance to let J's name slip. Yurina knew her cousin would appreciate the sentiment more than she did, but Yurina was still glad it was a thing. As they arrived at the Violet Sapphire, Yurina watched Maaya continue walking. She smiled, ready to call out to her if Maaya actually went too far, but that wasn't needed. Soon, Maaya returned to her side and they went inside. The restaurant was more hectic than what most people could tell. Waiters and waitresses were moving quickly, the cooks were doing well to keep up, but the biggest issue was a large table of sixteen guests that were waiting to be taken care of. Seeing this, an annoyed look came on Yurina's face, but she'd take care of it soon.

"Hm?" Yurina's attention was pulled by Maaya again, who had questions to ask, "Follow me while you ask." Yurina lead her to the back as the questions were asked. She couldn't help but smile. People thought certain aspects of the restaurant business were harder than they really were. Everything outside of accounting, management, and inventory was pretty much common sense. Yurina couldn't blame Maaya for being worried though. "Don't worry too much about it... If you get their order wrong, apologize and redo it, giving them a ten percent discount. If the chef does, bring the Head Chef out to apologize and give them a twenty percent discount. If you spill a drink or food on them, you help them clean up and their meal is free. If you can't understand them, apologize, step away, and ask for some help. If we're out of something, apologize and explain. Too much to drink? Give them no more."

And then Yurina came to that final question and looked to Maaya, "If they refuse to pay the Saionji... They're suicidal. It's rare, but if it does happen, explain to them that I will have no qualms over informing Lord Saionji of their refusal." Yurina actually giggled about that as she pulled something out of a cubby. It was a waitress' uniform, not a maids. "I've never had to actually call on Lord Saionji. I sort of drop his name and people do as they should." Yurina handed the uniform to Maaya, "Here, wear this and my assistant manager will help you get going. I've got a big table out there I have to deal with, so I can't, sorry... Oh, also, if any of the other Captain's come in... Twenty percent discount." Yurina nodded and hurried out of the room and to her office. She quickly got dressed and began working the floor with the other waitresses. And when she did so, Yurina seemed like a professional.

Yurina was impressed with how Maaya seemed to get with it all. Yurina had an easy time, but she had been doing this for much longer than anyone here, so it was expected. The night went easy for Yurina and a few minuts before closing time, things seemed to get a little rocky. It was something that Yurina did not explain to Maaya and realized that as things started. When she asked what to do if a customer had too much to drink, she didn't answer with the solution that would prevent bad behavior. When she heard the yelling, Yurina stepped out from around the corner to see what was going on. Maaya was handling it very well and was doing exactly right. The customer was stupid. In fact, this piece of shit that was causing all of these problems had been warned before. Yurina was going to step in, but decided against it. She actually wanted to see whether Maaya could handle herself completely.

Asking the customer to leave may not have been a great solution, but Yurina didn't mind. In fact, she welcomed this one. Maaya did that well too. She was always being polite, and when this bastard got in her face even more, Maaya handled herself well. The moment Maaya dropped Lord Saionji's name, the restaurant fell entirely silent for a moment. Then Takebana started laughing. "Haha, yeah right! Lord J Saionji? Captain of the Sixth? With you?!" he laughed more and Yurina stepped forward. "I find it interesting that you think anyone in the Seireitei would be foolish enough to use Lord Saionji's name in false. She is not lying, you drunken fool." Yurina stated for everyone to hear, her tone strangely intimidating when she speaks, "Lady Ishino has been polite, kind, and accepting of your behavior up until that idiotic outburst. You were asked to leave. You still possess to legs and a heart beat..."

"So what's stopping you?" Yurina's tone became even more dark at this point. She leaned in closely, smiling threateningly toward Takebana. The man narrowed his eyes at Yurina and looked to Maaya again. For that moment, there was a tinge of fear he felt when he realized how horribly he had disrespected Maaya just now. "L-Lady Ishino? Maaya Ishino? The one that..." "Mhm..." "Honey, it's time to go." Takebana said and he and his overwhelmingly embarrassed wife quickly made their way from the restaurant. "That's going to be a big donation toward the restaurant..." Yurina said with a short giggle, looking back toward Maaya, "You handled him like a professional. Nice job, Lady Ishino." Yurina winked, mostly toward their need to be formal in this situation. "Alright everyone. Please continue to enjoy your meals. The Violet Sapphire is closing in thirty minutes. The doors are now shut."

The rest of the night went pretty damn well. Yurina closed up and had to wait around for people to leave, including her employees. She even asked Maaya to stay in hopes of being able to talk more. "It's been so long since I've been able to have a decent conversation with another woman... Lord Saionji, Lord Kazuo, and my brother are the people I'm closest to..." would be Yurina's explanation if Maaya asked why she was wanted. Yurina really just wanted to get to know Maaya more and was thinking of ways to do that. Once everything was cleaned up, closed, and locked, Yurina met Maaya right outside and began walking along back to the Saionji Manor with her. "Today was so much smoother thanks to you." Yurina said with appreciation, "And the way you handled Takebana? I was impressed! So I must ask... I'm sure you can tell that I worry about him. I owe Lord Saionji a lot..."

"Do you truly care for him? Like... It's not about the status? The money? Or just catching him... right?" Yurina asked with a sad look. She really was worried about that. She believed Maaya was a wonderful woman, but there was something about hearing the answer that just made things feel better. Soon after a nice walk, with a cool breeze making it even more comfortable, the two would make it back to the Saionji Manor. Apparently, as they were approaching, people were told of their presence because certain person (or people, if Kazuo is there), was meeting them at the gate. As they walked up, J stepped forward and stopped in front of them. "Yurina, am I to assume that Maaya was out with you all day?" "Yes. She was a fantastic help, Lord Saionji! I couldn't believe! You should have seen the way she handled Takebana. Shut his drunken ass up and got him out of the Sapphire like that!"

Yurina snapped her fingers on the word 'that' and smiled to Maaya. "Guess that piece of shit shouldn't have insulted Lord Saionji, huh Lady Ishino?" Yurina looked back to J, "How the hell did you find such a beauty?" Yurina raised an eyebrow at this, intentionally making it seem like Maaya was the catch, not J., which was not far from the truth at all. Especially when you knew his high standards...

Shining stars for Maaya all around when it came to Yurina's opinion of her! Maaya was beautiful and sweet, a perfect match for Lord Saionji. But there was something that worried Yurina more than anything once it was said. "Your..." Yurina wanted to ask, but she felt it might be inappropriate. That was something that was going to be on Yurina's mind for a while. When they got home, Yurina did her best to give Maaya a shining 'review'. "Do not apologize. I'm glad you weren't forced to sit around the Manor all day." J said and then nodded in reply to Maaya's request to speak with Yurina alone, "I will take my shower and be in our chambers after." J nodded in respect to them both and then walked off. Yurina watched him for that time, but then turned her attention back to Maaya.

"Not satisfactory, that implies nothing outstanding. You did fantastic and don't you forget it!" Yurina playfully corrected Maaya before the question was asked. Yurina looked to the scar and blinked a few times. "Yeah... I did hear something about that. I'm not the best healer, otherwise I would have come to help..." Yurina was looking rather closely at the scar, wondering if there was anything she could do, "I'm pretty sure the best chance would have been Captain Hayashi, but I'd rather you be scarred than dead..." Yurina stopped looking at the scar and back to Maaya as the question was officially asked. That threw Yurina off guard a bit. Did J approve of scars? Especially on his woman? "I take it... that this is something you've been pretty worried about since it happened, Maaya?"

Yurina thought for a moment. She didn't think there would be a problem. She gazed off for a few moments and them a warm smile returned. "Maaya... He may be an idiot, because that's what men just are when it comes to women and their feelings, but he's not an asshole." she placed a hand on Maaya's shoulder to comfort her, "I truly have no idea whether your scar will bug him. It might at first, but only because it's new on your body. If he gets upset over it, I'm practically one hundred percent positive is because it's a reminder to him that you were hurt that badly... He won't see it as ugly or anything like that... It's a moment in your life that you've grown stronger...." Yurina looked around and then lowered her shirt to show her shoulder. There was a deep scar there as well.

"I got this on my first mission alone. The damn hollow sent a spike from above down through my shoulder... Damaged my heart and lung. The damage was so bad that even Captain Hayashi couldn't concentrate on the scar, or I would have died... The injury still hurts some times and I am no longer allowed on missions as anything more than a healer... You know what my husband told me? That it was beautiful, but he hated the fact that he wasn't there... And Maaya... My husband and Lord Saionji are surprisingly similar... It's one of the reasons why he and I get along. If he has a problem with it, just give him time. If you can't, tell him how it's hurting you and you'll probably get a kiss in return." Yurina giggled at that, but then her smile faded. She sighed and decided to ask.

"Maaya... What did you mean by he is your last chance at happiness? What happens if you and Lord Saionji don't... work out?" With the way Yurina asked, it was obvious that she was worried for Maaya.

"Yes, which is something I am pretty sure you want." Yurina replied when Maaya repeated the part about the kiss. Every woman wanted a kiss from their prince charming and Yurina doubted Maaya being the exception to that rule. When Maaya asked for this to be kept between them, that only worried Yurina more. She nodded, "Of course. I won't say anything to him." Yurina had made a promise. She listened closely and when she got the story behind Maaya's past and the reason for the stament about her last chance of happiness, Yurina was stuck. They blamed a baby for the mother's new found inability to have more children? The thirteen children in total didn't maybe give them a hint of stopping? No, it's the child's fault?! That absolutely infuriated Yurina when she thought about it. Even if it angered her, out of respect for Maaya, Yurina decided to say nothing insulting toward her family.

"Maaya... I will do nothing but cheer you on. I will give you as much advice as possible... If you have a question or need help, do not hesitate to ask me. If I don't have the answer, I'll help you find one..." Yurina spoke in a very determined manner. She couldn't let this happen to Maaya. J was so damn stubborn and oblivious about certain things that Yurina always had her doubts about whether he'd get real far with a woman. Yurina was pretty damn sure the man was a virigin too! When that though passed through her mind, Yurina couldn't help but chuckle. She sighed soon after as Maaya's reality came back to her mind. "Well... I think it's about time we get to bed. You have someone waiting for you back at yours..." Yurina teased playfully, "And don't worry Maaya... I'm pretty sure you and him will be fine. He'd be stupid to mess things up with a woman as wonderful as you are... I mean that."

"Goodnight, Maaya. And call me Yurina from now on, okay? No need for the Lady stuff... unless we're in front of... certain people." Yurina giggled and gave Maaya a quick hug before hurrying off, waving back to her as she vanished into the Manor and presumably to her room to sleep...

END