The Spring Of Our Destiny: Kasumi And The Ambassador The Neighbor Part 3

[Rev. Doc]

The Spring Of Our Destiny: Kasumi And The Ambassador

By Doc

The following story is based on characters created by Rumiko Takahashi.

The Neighbor Part 3

Kasumi rarely took a taxi. Most of her excursions were on foot for her travel rarely took her far from home. However, considering the age of her companion and the fact that this was Mrs. Sato’s second trip to the embassy, the expense and luxury were justified. Kasumi further reasoned that the afternoon was wearing on.

As they rode the two women talked casually about Julian Sato’s upcoming wedding and the bride whom Kasumi had met briefly about a year earlier when Julian had brought her over to meet his mother. She was a delightful woman and Kasumi could see even then that the wedding was imminent. In fact she was surprised that it had taken this long for the couple to tie the knot. Julian had been married to his career for so long, but now he had met someone who would add to his life. And Mrs. Sato could not be happier.

The taxi arrived at the embassy and Kasumi paid the driver. She stood for a moment facing the fenced compound. She had passed by before and once or twice had even toyed with the idea of trying to enter just to see how far she could get, the curiosity of what lie inside was so strong within her. However, she never had any official business that would have warranted her entering and not being the bold type she would always pass right by.

Now here she stood with a reason and a way to get into the compound and she was still a nervous wreak. The two women made their way to the front entrance and were immediately confronted by a guard. He appeared to be about the same age as Kasumi with a very determined expression on his face that seemed to say, “Pass me if you can!” Kasumi felt like turning around right then and there to make her way back home, and she would have if it had not been for the fact that she was not there for herself but for the woman accompanying her.

The guard looked pointedly at Kasumi and asked, “May I help you?” She looked at the guard’s tag, which read Sergeant Miller, USMC and swallowed hard. As she was about to speak he held up his hand and said, “Excuse me, could you move aside one moment please.” Kasumi and Mrs. Sato moved to one side as he had indicated for them to do. He moved with precision to a gate and opened it. As he did so Kasumi noticed for the first time a line of four limousines preparing to enter the embassy compound. Kasumi took notice of the flags, which flew at the front of each. The first two automobiles bore the Flag of Japan. The second two displayed American flags. Kasumi was intrigued wondering what important events warranted their coming and going. Sergeant Miller saluted sharply as the motorcade passed. When all vehicles had entered he quickly closed the gate and returned his attention to the two ladies as if nothing of importance had just happened.

“Now,” he began again. “What can I do for you today?”

Kasumi cleared her throat. As she spoke she wondered if her voice betrayed her nervousness. “Yes,” she began. “We would like to talk to someone about a visitors visa for my friend here.” The Marine turned to his hut and entered it briefly. He handed each woman a badge that was marked “Visitor” and a clipboard with several names already listed on it. Several dozen names to be exact. “Please list your names and the time of entrance,” he instructed. “Upon leaving please make sure you stop here and list your time of departure.” Kasumi wrote both her name and Mrs. Sato’s in the appropriate places and noted the time. As she handed the clipboard back to the guard he pointed into the compound. “Enter straight into the compound and take the path that bears to the right. That path will lead you to a building. Go straight in and tell the woman at the reception desk what you need.”

Kasumi bowed and thanked the young man. As she and Mrs. Sato entered into the compound adjusting their badges it suddenly occurred to her that she had been conversing with the Marine in Japanese the whole time. She turned back to look at him but his attention was now diverted to another couple coming towards the entrance. Strange that an American, and one so young at that, could speak their language so well.