Sapphire Ambassadors

Hatsuki waited at the same spot in the Hedge Maze she had on the first day of the tournament, though earlier in the day. She had her parasol up despite the gathering clouds for that little extra bit of shade. She found herself not as fond of bright light as she used to be. This was much better.

She was smiling, though, a thrill of happiness running through her since last night. He'd finally been acknowledged! Both of them had now. Their art had been highlighted. Finally.

Nothing could dampen her happiness right now. She had to share it with him.

He was almost flying.

They had it now. Whatever else happened, they had it.

He carried lunch again. Perfectly safe. And he'd taken as much care with it as he had with any of his presentations to date.

In lieu of any kind of soup, he'd opted for gyoza (some laced with dark greens), a pair of rice balls with snow peas mixed into them, and two pieces of lightly cooked eel.

And two pieces of mochi.

Sweets for the sweet.

She got up when she heard footsteps heading toward her and smiled enormously when she saw him. She hurried over to meet him, taking his hand. "We did it...!"

"We certainly did!"

He grinned, squeezed her hand and leaned in, placing his forehead against hers.

"You do realize, though, that it's only the second-best thing about being here."

He took a deep breath, exhaled and looked into her eyes.

"But it feels pretty damned good!"

"Of course," she murmured softly, leaning up to meet his lips instead of his forehead before pulling back.

"It really does... This was all worth it."

For more than one reason.

"So! Ah..."

He shook his head.

"I think if I keep talking I'm going to say something idiotic to ruin the mood."

Or scream in exultation to the heavens.

She raised an eyebrow, heading over to the seat. "Oh? Now I can't shake my curiosity about what you had in mind," she teased with a grin.

"It does give me an idea, though... our successes, I mean."

"Well, you're not only the looks, but the brains of this duo, so by all means, fill me in..."

Choudai considered himself the "I have no idea how I got so lucky" of the pair, for the record.

"Nonsense," she said, an affectionate sort of scolding in her voice. "I'd say we share pretty equally in both."

"Oh yes... Names. Chika if it's a girl, Tadashi if it's a boy. For the events where our arts were acknowledged."

His smile was one very few people got to see- not part of social armor or amusement, but simple happiness.

"Brilliant, as usual, my love... and if it's two girls or two boys? You did mention twins running in your family..."

He paused.

"Could name a second son after your brother- no one would fault that, and he was there when we met."

"Hmmm... You make an excellent point..." She hummed softly in thought, smiling back at Choudai. "I love seeing you smile."

"For a girl... Sonoka, using the character for 'garden'... speaking of meeting."

"See? You're the brains."

He gave her hand another squeeze.

"I hope there's at least one daughter."

Someone who could take after Hatsuki more than her husband.

She squeezed back with a warm smile, then looked curious. She didn't know exactly what he was thinking, despite how close they were. "Why is that?"

"She'd spend more time with you. At least at first. She'd..."

Be more likely to get a chance to see him.

"... be able to learn from her mother who is, after all, the perfect woman."

"I have some ideas regarding both of them learning from more than their mother. We'll see how they turn out."

She brought his hand to her lips with a soft smile.

"As for a boy... hmm... I suppose I could name him after my brother, unless you have another idea. Something close to your heart."

"Tadashi, your first idea, sounds good to me, but for a second?"

He set the lunch down. Chuckled.

"There's always Kanbei. For a dead man, he had a wonderful life."

She chuckled softly. "He did, didn't he? I think that Crane with him had it pretty good, too."

"Young, unattached, finding love in a warzone, starting a business together..."

He sighed.

"Not a day goes by that I don't envy him."

"Yes..." She sighed, the thought of just... disappearing into another identity. Then she shook her head, a shiver passing through her. "I'm... I'm happy being myself. I would rather be Hatsuki, who loves and is loved by Choudai, than anyone. "

She looked troubled.

"Something wrong? Because let me tell you, Shosuro Hatsuki, I would never have you be anyone else. Ever."

He fixed his gaze on hers.

"The world is infinitely better for having you in it."