The Spring Of Our Destiny: Kasumi And The Ambassador The Neighbor Part 2

[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 2


Kasumi slowly and quietly eased herself onto the bench next to the shuddering woman and waited. Within moments her presence was felt and the older woman looked into Kasumi’s worried eyes. Mrs. Sato was startled at first. But, when it registered that it was her young neighbor relief filled her soul. Kasumi had always had that effect on her. No matter what was going on, no matter how big the problem she faced, this lovely woman seated next to her could always make her feel like everything would be all right. But even the magic that Kasumi’s presence worked most of the time did not seem to help now. She knew that this problem was one that no one could fix.
Kasumi politely waited while Mrs. Sato gathered her thoughts and emotions. Reaching into her shopping bag she pulled out a tissue which she handed to her dear friend. Her neighbor gratefully took it whispering, “Thank you, Kasumi dear.” Taking off her glasses she wiped her eyes. Kasumi continued to sit quietly knowing that in her time Mrs. Sato would open up and share with her what it was that had upset her so. And Kasumi, as always, would give an attentive and compassionate ear to what she had to say.
Taking a deep breath, Mrs. Sato said, “I am so sorry Kasumi. It is very improper of me to sit here in public, crying. I had planned to wait until I got home, but I didn’t make it. It was just too much for me.”
“Why don’t you tell me about it Mrs. Sato?” Kasumi asked with a sympathetic look.
“Well…” The older woman began. You know that Julian is getting married…”
Kasumi smiled at the name of Julian Sato. He had been born after the war and was given the name of an American officer who served with the occupying forces. Major Julian Anderson had been a very kind individual and had befriended the Satos during that difficult period. Mr. Sato had been a commanding officer in the Japanese Army. When surrender was declared he was one of the first to lay down arms and cooperate fully with the allied troops who swarmed into their country. Many no doubt must have viewed him as a traitor. In his heart however, he wanted to make the transition into the post war period as smooth as possible for his fellow countrymen. Mr. Sato and Mr. Anderson had remained in touch for many years following the war.
Julian was now over 50. He had been sent to the United States to earn his degree in the medical field and had remained there and developed a practice in San Francisco.
Kasumi had always enjoyed when he would return home for visits. She would visit the family from the time she was about nine whenever he would come to see his aging parents. It was from Julian that she developed a fascination for anything American. Whenever reports where done in school on foreign affairs, she always looked at what was going on in the United States. She preferred movies from America to those produced in Japan. She enjoyed viewing the American way of life portrayed in them. The English language fascinated her and while she had always intended to, she never found the time to learn much of it. Her taste in music from the States was broad. And occasionally she would try a recipe found in one of the American cookbooks she had purchased.
All of this was done in a very quiet way. She had felt that most in the Tendo household would not understand her American tastes, therefore she had kept most of it to herself, enjoying it as she could. Yet deep in her heart she knew one day it would be her destiny to visit that wonderful place. She dreamed of that just as most people dream of visiting a faraway and adventurous location, somewhere other than where they lived.
Kasumi shook herself out of these thoughts as Mrs. Sato continued. “Julian had written me several months ago about getting my passport ahead of time so that I would be able to fly over to attend the wedding. She is such a lovely girl, Kasumi. I am so glad that Julian is finally settling down with someone. He needs a girl like Mary to take care of him. I have worried about him for so long.”
The tears had stopped flowing for the time being and for this Kasumi was thankful. Two of the things that really broke her heart were children and the elderly crying. And one would think that with her father’s constant breakdowns she would have gotten use to it. But she hadn’t.
Mrs. Sato took a deep breath and said, “I did just what he told me to do. I got my passport in plenty of time.” She shook her head. “I had no idea however, that in order to get a visitors visa it would take so long.”
All at once Kasumi understood. It was hard for the elderly to understand the modern bureaucratic systems of world governments. So much had been simpler in the old days and it seemed they expected everyone to continue to keep things simple.
“How long did they say it would take to get it?” Kasumi asked.
At the question the tears began to flow again. “Oh dear!” Kasumi thought.
“Two weeks,” Mrs. Sato sobbed. “And Julian is getting married in five days. I was supposed to fly out, but now…” Again she put her face in her hands, despondent and not knowing what to do.
Kasumi’s heart went out to her. The poor woman was traumatized. Lightly the young woman placed her hand on the older woman’s shoulder seeking to comfort her. “Have you explained to the officials about all of this? Certainly they should be able to help you somehow.” Yet even while asking this Kasumi had her doubts.
Mrs. Sato shook her head. “I tried!” she declared. “But the woman at the American Embassy was so very rude to me. I had never been treated like that before by anyone.”
Suddenly a look that was a combination of shock and horror crossed the old woman’s face. “Kasumi, you don’t suppose they know about my husbands service in the war and are denying me permission to see Julian because of that do you?” She asked.
Kasumi thought for a moment. American’s through the years had been viewed by the Japanese as very loud and at times arrogant, and by many of the elderly as untrustworthy. But Kasumi doubted that this was the case. Her desire was to see the best in everyone and to never stereotype people. She shook her head and said, “I don’t think so Mrs. Sato. I don’t think they would do such a thing. There must be some other reason.”
The two women sat in silence, each one fixed in her own thoughts. Kasumi sat up straight. “Well,” she said. “There’s only one thing we can really do.” Mrs. Sato looked curiously at her. The old woman had thought she had covered every possibility already. Kasumi turned to her and gave her neighbor a confident smile. “We will just have to go back to the embassy and I will stand for you as a character witness. Maybe then they can cut through some of the red tape and get you processed faster.”
For the first time since Kasumi had encountered the woman that day a look a hope shone in her aged eyes. “Do you really think that they might do that?” Mrs. Sato queried.
Kasumi stood and held out her hand grasping the older woman’s in hers and helped her to her feet. With an even bigger smile and an air of confidence the younger lady announced, “We will never know unless we try.” And with that the two set out.
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This is a story I've been working on for awhile. Kasumi is one of my favorite anime characters and I always thought she would be great in a Christian romance. Let me know what you think.

[uc pseudonym]

Well written, though not really my type. I'm gonna keep reading anyway.