Shopping District

Mitsunari chuckled lightly his head shaking gently. "I heard you call for your boy. That is how I know you." He ruffled Kadaj's hair, "and how I know you, you little trouble maker." He growled playful at Kadaj.

He bowed to the lady in front of him his hand to his chest. "Mitsunari Ono, Mrs. Tervaden. At your service." He stood and looked around the shopping district. "Is your husband not with you and your son."

"And he has every right to be with a wife as lovely as you." Mitsunari told her capturing her hand, kissing the back of it.

"Master Ono," a voiced called out to him as the merchant stepped from his shop, a box in hand. "You were in luck, sir. I had what you were requesting." He looked to the lady standing with him. "Lady Kita. What a surprise and where is that little Dragon of yours?"

The boy popped out from behind his mother and looked at the merchant and waved, as Mitsunari chuckled taking the box from the man. As they chatted, Mitsunari opened the box seeing he had what he needed. Turning to the woman after closing the box he smiled warmly at her, the child and the merchant.

After they finished talking he bowed to the three of them, his hand going to Kadaj's tiny shoulder. "It was a pleasure to meet you and I do hope we get to meet again." He lower himself to Kadaj's level a brighter smile crossing his lips.

"Especially you little man." He stood and look to the woman. "Do you come to the market often?"

Her head shook, "Only if we are in need." She giggled softly her hand resting to her sons shoulder as she looked quickly down at her son then back up at Mitsunari.

Mitsunari nodded slightly with another bow. "Well, maybe next time. I bid you farewell until then, my Lady." He stood, turned and left them to their own doing. 

"Noble Meeting in the Park" continued: 

Yumiko became more quiet as they left the relative safety of the Noble district and entered the streets of the Rukongai. It had been a while since she had been attacked, but now she had a child to protect too.  She didn't want him to be treated the same way as her.  For his own sake.  And for the sake of Soul Society.  She didn't want a threat to hang over him for his differences.  So as Kouen led the way to their destination, with the whispers around them, Yumiko kept her head up as a high noble but did not set a hand on her zanpakuto.  

She released a breath when they reached the tea shop and most of the whispers faded to the streets.  "I'm sorry for the trouble," she murmured.  

Before Yumiko could reply, the waitress stepped up to them and bowed, setting the menus down. Her eyes darted between them as she rose. “Welcome, my lord and lady.” She paused. “Is there anything you would like to start with?”

Kouen grinned at her. “We’ll take some scones, my dear.”

"Right away, my lord."  She blushed, turned around, and then glanced behind her before walking away.

Yumiko chuckled. “Are you trying to charm that girl into forgetting that you scared her when you came in, Lord Masanobu?”

Yumiko shrugged quietly. “I don’t know. With what you do know, Masanobu, it won’t be an easy feat to find something that I want to share and could tell you.”

Kouen’s smirk grew as he looked in her eyes. “Sounds like a fun challenge to me.”

Yumiko lowered her lashes as she had been taught a long time ago then looked to the menu. A few words stood out to her. Tears filling her eyes, she lifted a hand to brush a finger over them and then looked back to her escort. “I’m sure you have a few favorite flowers. Male or female, it is something that sets the nobility apart, our attention to the natural beauty around us. One of my favorites has always been the jasmine plant, though I have painted more iris.”

And roses.  But it is too early to think about those drawings. 

She picked up a scone as the waitress set them down, eyes moving to the plant arrangement before them.  

“I've been drawn to how the different shades of the iris bled onto the page with the aid of brush and water.”  She paused, her eyes lowering.  "Or the rain.  They always seem brighter somehow in the rain." 

Yumiko nodded, dragging her mind back to the present.  “I'm sorry.  I drifted away. What tea did you order?”  She brushed a lock of hair behind her ear and wiped her eyes once more.

"Spiced, my mother's favorite and I have to say it is one of mine as well. I have many others, but on a chilly day as today it is tops to warm the soul." He lifted his cup after pouring her one and himself. "To new beginnings, new friends and a new future."

“That’s a good toast,” she smiled, taking her cup. Closing her eyes, she breathed in the warm scents of the cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, apple, orange, and more. “I like the bouquet,” she murmured. “It reminds me of when I used to bake. I haven’t done that in a while…” Blowing softly, she took a sip. “Mmmm, it’s wonderful, sweet and tart at the same time, and it does warm you up.” She took another sip.