Across the Great Divide

[Seito Risa]

The quiet house in the outskirts of Osaka is dark, with the exception of one lonely light. Moving into the house, we find this one lonely light is a candle. It sits in the center of a low table. Two figures kneel on cushions across from one another. On one side sits Risa's Mother, dressed in a simple white kimono, a silver ribbon holding her hair back and up. Across from her, in a white t-shirt and casual pants, kneels Risa's Grandfather. The two of them look into the candle's flame.

Mom: "They should be arriving in Cleveland soon."

Grandfather takes a deep breath and lets it out very slowly, so much so the flame on the candle isn't disturbed.

Grandfather: "What do you think? She sounded so positive and up beat on skype before they left. Do you think she's going to be okay?"

Mom nods, brushing a stray bit of hair from her bangs aside, for her a nervous gesture.

Mom: "I believe that with Ichiro there with her, she will find what she must find and do what she must do. Only she will know for sure."

Grandfather leans back a little, the crackle of old bones giving some hint of how long they have been like this.

Grandfather: "Ichiro needs her freer spirit as much as she needs his calm and focus. The two of them work well together. The same cannot be said for either of them alone."

Mom: "When Ichiro was hospitalized, Suzume seemed to start to unravel. She has never told me what it was that made her pull out of her downward spiral."

Grandfather: "Do you think she can help her new found friends find their answers to those same problems?"

It's Mom's turn to issue a soft sigh, though she turns her head so as not to blow near the flame.

Mom: "I don't know. She's shared a little about what has been going on. But she hasn't told me everything."

Grandfather nods, easing himself up to his feet with an almost audible creek.

Grandfather: "We should get some sleep. They will be fine."

Mom: "And if they are not? Both of them have approached me, and told me similar stories."

Grandfather nods.

Grandfather: "Ichiro has shared with me his dreams. Or described them to me at least. I think he is right. He is a little confused right now by his own feelings, and his subconscious is having fun with it."

Mom: "That does not explain Risa's own vision, Father."

He shakes his head.

Grandfather: "I'm afraid she didn't share it with me. Both of them are very closely connected. Like I was with your Mother."

Mom smiles.

Mom: "Do you think they will ever explore that?"

Grandfather smiles.

Grandfather: "If the two of them can keep out of trouble, yes, they will. Fate brought them together at eight years old. They are still together some 14 years later or so."

Mom nods, easing herself gracefully to her full height.

Mom: "Go on into the living room, I will make some tea. I think we should play one of Risa's favorite games before we go to bed."

Grandfather stretches, palms on his hips.

Grandfather: "Which would that be?"

Mom turns and starts out of the room.

Mom: "Uno."

She passes through the doorway.

Grandfather: "Sounds good. Nothing like a good game of.....what?!?! You know you always beat the socks off of me!"

From beyond the doorway.

Mom: "Then you'd best go upstairs and put some on, unless you want to lose the skin around your feet."

Grandfather looks down at his bare feet. He mumbles something under his breath.

Mom: "I heard that."

Grandfather blushes but grins, very wide.

Grandfather: "Has her Mother's hearing. And her eyes. And her heart."

He turns and shuffles through the doorway, leaving the candle burning softly, a lone guardian against the darkness of night.

========Scene Change========

The little white Nissan Versa pulls up to to the Hampton Inn and Suites. Risa pops out of the drivers side, smiling. She is dressed in her yellow blouse, black slacks and black 2 inch heels combo. Her ears feature a pair of yellow disk shaped earrings, about half an inch across. Ichiro emerges from the other side of the car and rubs at his back, dressed in his trademark grey suit.

I: "We should get valet parking."

Risa shakes her head.

SR: "Not in our travel allowance I'm afraid."

Ichiro quirks an eyebrow.

I: "They did at least provide a meal allowance?"

Risa nods.

SR: "Handsome one. They probably want us to eat ourselves into a food coma and miss the event."

Ichiro snort-laughs.

I: "Probably."

Risa pulls their suitcases out and sets them on the sidewalk. Ichiro walks over to them as Risa hops back in the rental car.

SR: "Be right back, Ichi-kun!"

Ichiro smiles. Risa's mood had improved much of the last couple of days. As she came to grips with what was before her, she faced it as she had faced most challenges in her life. With that smile she inherited from her Mother and that attitude of not showing how worried she was. The more laughing and carefree she acted, the more she was under stress. Her coping mechanism was at least non destructive. He waits there at the curbside until she arrives, the UGWC Cross-Hemisphere Championship on her shoulder, freshly polished and glittering brightly.

I: "Are you sure you want to parade that through the hotel?"

Risa nods.

SR: "Hai. I want them to know we are here. We aren't backing down."

Ichiro nods.

I: "I like that attitude, Risa-kun."

She smiles at him a she pulls the handle up on her travel bag. Ichiro grabs the two larger bags turns and strolls in, Risa marching in behind him. The attendant at the front desk gives them a half glance. She nearly snaps her own neck with the double-take she does upon spotting the glittering gold and jeweled belt on Risa's shoulder. Ichiro approaches.

I: "Excuse me."

He bows.

I: "There should be a reservation for Seito. Suite with two bedrooms."

The woman, whose name tag reads 'Valencia' blinks. She finally tears her eyes from the belt to Ichiro, blushes and nods.

V: "One second. Let me confirm that."

She looks it up.

V: "Here we go. You're in the Outlast room block. I'll get your keycards."

She grabs two plastic cards and programs the machine, zapping them through. She gives each a quick test scan and nods in satisfaction.

V: "Here we go, Sir. The desk here is manned twenty-four seven, so if you need anything, please call down. Directions to the sauna, weight room and gymnasium are in your room. There is an informal dinner tonight, usually is on the weekends. Complimentary passes will be in your room for you."

Ichiro bows.

I: "Domo Arigato."

The girl blinks at him, but smiles.

V: "Um. Miss? Is that...real?"

She eyes the title belt. Risa nods to her.

SR: "It sure is."

Valencia watches them walk away to the bank of elevators. After they board and start up, she turns and buzzes a room.

V: "Mister Ooley. You wanted to know when any members of your room block arrived. The Seito suite just checked in. Yes, sir. Goodbye."

She hangs up the receiver and turns back to her paperwork.

(as that was happening)

Standing in the elevator, Risa looks at Ichiro.

SR: "Shoot. We need to find a toy store."

Ichiro quirks an eyebrow.

I: "Not as long as you have that on your shoulder."

Risa looks at the belt and nods.

SR: "Yeah. Probably should have left this in the safe."

Ichiro shakes his head.

I: "Probably safest with you. Just...out of sight."

Risa grins at him.

SR: "We should play one of my favorite games tonight before bed."

Ichiro eyes her.

I: "I am not going to engage you in a game of Clue."

She giggles, shaking her head.

SR: "No, silly. Uno!"

Ichiro's eyebrow quirks.

I: "Why would you suddenly want to play Uno?"

Risa blinks, considers that question and then shrugs.

SR: "No idea. But, I want to."

Ichiro sighs.

I: "When we go out to check the route to the Arena, will find somewhere to get a deck of Uno cards. You know I always win."

Risa grins.

SR: "Up to now. But tonight, it will be different."

Ichiro smiles.

I: "A challenge?"

Risa nods.

SR: "You up to it?"

Ichiro rubs his hands together.

I: "I'm always up to beating you at Uno, Risa-kun."

They both laugh as the elevator dings. They both emerge, looking for their assigned room.