The Spring Of Our Destiny: Kasumi And The Ambassador The Neighbor Part 6

[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 6

The man stood before the immigration officer and smiled. Kasumi was shocked. He actually smiled during this confrontation. And he continued to smile as he went around her desk and opened the top drawer. Pulling out a stamp he opened Mrs. Sato’s passport and stamped it with a visitor’s visa. In the visa he began to fill in the necessary information. Looking up at the older woman he asked, “When will you be returning to Japan Mrs. Sato?”

She thought for a moment. “Could I please stay for two weeks?” she humbly asked.

Once more the American smiled. “I’ll tell you what, I’ll give you a six month visa and you spend as long as you want with your son. And if you wish to stay longer all you need to do is visit our stateside office and ask.”

As the immigration officer sat shaking her head with a disgusted look on her face, the American straightened up and called, “Mrs. Kennedy!”
Almost by magic a young woman appeared behind him. As he continued to look at Mrs. Sato he began to converse with the woman who Kasumi reasoned to be some sort of assistant. “Find out the next diplomatic or military flight that is going stateside.”

Almost without thinking the woman cited to him, “There is a diplomatic flight leaving at seven o’clock this evening.”

With an air of satisfaction he once more looked at Mrs. Sato. “Do you think you can be ready to leave by seven?” he asked in Japanese.

With a stunned look the older woman nodded her head affirmatively.

The woman standing behind the American shook her head. “That flight may already be booked up,” she said apprehensively.

The American turned to her. “Then bump someone off of it!” he declared. “Even if it’s the ambassador!” With that statement the young woman gave a sly grin as she was writing.

Once more the gentleman’s attention rested upon Mrs. Sato. “I am so sorry if this has caused you any grief, especially when this is to be a joyous occasion for you and your family. Please accept my apologies on behalf of the United States Government. When you are ready to return to Japan please have your son contact this office and we will arrange a flight back for you.” With that he bowed.

And once more the older woman’s eyes filled with tears. This time they were tears of joy, not grief. Kasumi stood back amazed at what was transpiring before her. She felt as if she where riding a roller coaster. In a matter of thirty minutes her views of America and Americans was destroyed and then revived.

“Thank you so much sir,” the older woman sobbed.

The American watched the joyous woman before him. Calling over his shoulder he requested, “See that these two ladies have a ride home and have Mrs. Sato picked up for her flight tonight.”

With that he bowed. As he straightened he looked at Kasumi. Again she was taken aback at his stare. “If there is anything you ever need, please don’t hesitate to ask Mrs…”

She blinked. “Tendo…and it’s Miss Tendo.”

He smiled. “Please don’t hesitate to ask Miss Tendo.”

And with that he passed through the office. The two women stood stunned for a moment before making their way to the outer office to the receptionist’s desk. The receptionist looked up at them as they approached and said, “Ladies your ride will be waiting for you at the front gate.” She then leaned closer to Mrs. Sato and whispered, “I am so happy for you.”

Upon their exit at the guard’s hut Kasumi turned and looked back at the compound. The sun was beginning to set and she gazed around. She then turned to Sergeant Miller and surrendered both her and Mrs. Sato’s visitor passes. Taking the clipboard she entered the time that they were leaving. The Marine smartly moved to the gate and opened it as one of the limousines with the American flag affixed to the front pulled up. Kasumi assumed that one of the dignitaries perhaps even the ambassador himself might be inside. She was startled as it came to a stop in front of them and Sergeant Miller opened the door.
Kasumi looked from the Marine to the inside of the limousine back to the Marine again. Seeing her hesitation he said, “This is your ride Miss.” The stunned ladies hesitantly entered and as they did so the Marine saluted them.

The ride back was much quieter than the ride they had taken to the embassy in the Taxi. Each woman was gathering her own thoughts. The driver gave Mrs. Sato some instructions about when she would be picked up.

When they arrived at the Sato residence Kasumi helped her elderly neighbor from the auto. As they stood in front of her house Mrs. Sato bowed to Kasumi. Once more she began to cry. “Thank you so much Kasumi. Without you none of this would have been possible.”
Kasumi returned her bow. “Please wish Julian and his bride great happiness on behalf of my family,” she said.

Kasumi turned to the limousine diver and said, “I can walk the rest of the way from here.” He continued to hold the door and said, “I have been given specific instructions to see you to your residence Miss Tendo. She didn’t argue but slipped once more into the automobile. As she continued her short ride home the eldest Tendo daughter’s mind was filled with questions that she had never had the opportunity to ask. So many things about the embassy and America that she would like to know. But most of her questions centered on the mysterious man who had come to their aid that day. In all the excitement and confusion she never had the opportunity to find out who he was. She would have like to write to the ambassador to thank him for such wonderful and helpful staff.

At the Tendo Dojo she stepped from the limousine as the driver held the door open for her. She watched as it pulled away and headed into the deepening dusk. As she turned to enter the front gate she dropped her shopping bag and clasped her face with both hands and with a look of worry declared, “Oh my! I forgot about shopping!”

_____________________________________________________________

Thank goodness for the Cat Café. Kasumi had received no arguments when she suggested that they order Ramen for the evening meal. Although Ranma did seem somewhat disturbed at the realization that it would be delivered by Shampoo.

Kasumi had momentarily slipped out to Mrs. Sato’s to borrow some rice and to check if she needed any help getting her bags ready for the trip. While she was there the same limousine and driver showed up and started Mrs. Sato’s adventure to America. Kasumi envied the older woman as she waved good bye to her. But perhaps one day she too would have the chance to take the trip. For her reward Mrs. Sato promised Kasumi plenty of souvenirs.

In the kitchen Kasumi hummed as she prepared the rice and heated the water for tea. With her typical enthusiasm Shampoo made her delivery making sure that it be known that the biggest bowl of Ramen was for her Ranma. Akane of course could care less as she conveniently made sure that particular bowl would never be sampled. Kasumi realized that some things would never change.

As the family gathered around the table Soun leaned back and turned the Television on. Normally the news was watched after the meal was enjoyed and the dishes where cleared away. But tonight’s meal had been later than usual. The family silently puzzled to themselves the possible reasons why Kasumi had gotten off of her unbreakable schedule. Put as soon as the Ramen was on the table they were unconcerned about anything but filling their stomachs.

Kasumi was spooning rice into bowls as a news item came on dealing with negotiations between the United States and Japan and the possibility of future importation of rice from America. It had been a
heated issue for many years. As always Kasumi’s ears perked up with any mention of the United States coming on the news. She continued to dish up the rice as she watched.

“In a related story, the new ambassador from the United States to Japan met today with the Prime Minister,” declared a reporter. “Here ambassador McMillen is seen addressing reporters…”

Everyone around the table jumped when a sudden crash came from the direction of Kasumi’s place. All eyes turned to her. She had dropped the bowl that she had been putting rice in. She was standing now, the bowl shattered at her feet rice everywhere.

Nabiki was the first to regain her composure. “What in the world is wrong with you sis?” she asked.

Kasumi had one hand over her mouth and with the other she was pointing at the television. Wide-eyed she declared to the room. “Oh my! It’s…it’s…That’s him.”

Conclusion Of Chapter 1

[uc pseudonym]

Rescued by the ambassador. Man, that needed to happen. Post on.