As expected, it really was a busy night. Mika was right in thinking that that third group was coming tonight. All the large rooms were taken up and, as always, Mika ran the maids like clockwork. They went out in almost regular intervals to get more food and drink. The proprietress of the noodle shop was very happy to help for they always sent business her way like this or whenever Shiori or the others went out to eat with a client. The din of drinking, singing and dancing filled the halls whenever a door was open and everyone seemed to be enjoying their time.

Shiori, himself, checked in on each party before heading to his room where he asked that a setting be made for his guest tonight. A simple meal in private was what he asked for and that was what he was going to get. The courtesan wore a black kimono with a white crane taking flight from a grouping of green reeds. His hair was pinned in a way that half was piled on the crown of his head and half remained hanging loose at the base of his neck. He hardly wore makeup, but a little face powder helped with the glow of his pristine skin. When he opened the door, he saw that Akiyoshi was waiting for him. He wasn't the most handsome man Shiori's ever been with, but there was something pure about him that made him almost guilty for having taken him that first night. But, it was also that pure essence that made him wanting more. He would have to put all those wants and desires aside if he planned to let Akiyoshi go and be the father he was going to be.

"How lovely it is to see you again, my dearest Aki," Shiori said as he closed the door behind him and approached the man in waiting. Akiyoshi was dressed in a simple dark blue kimono and he looked as if something was on his mind.

"Good evening, Shiori. Thank you for allowing me the chance to see you again." Something is wrong, the courtesan thought as he sat next to the client. His voice seemed to have something of a tremble to it?

"What's wrong, Aki? You can always talk to me about what's bothering you." Shiori took the quiet man's hand in his as he gently brushed some hair from his face. "It worries me that you sound this way..."

It took a few moments before Akiyoshi could look at the man next to him, his frame starting to tremble with emotion and tears began to flood his eyes as he struggled not to sob out loud. "It's... It's my wife..."

Shiori frowned slightly. People in this business aren't meant to get too close to their clients, but it helps if you give a damn once in awhile. This one could use all the damns he could get right now it seems. "Your wife... is she unwell? Is there something wrong with the baby?"

The man shook his head violently as the emotions began to pour out of him. "She was crossing the street when the baby started to come. She was right in the middle of it carrying groceries when I told her not to. But, dutiful as ever... She went... and collapsed under the pain... No one helped her! No one! I know she had to be calling out for help. She had to have been...And she was huge... I always made fun that she was waddling too much... And then..." The incident must have been so great, he was gripping his kimono with such force as to turn his knuckles white. "S-some government official ran her over when he was rushing to get somewhere. Trampled her prone body like it was no more than the mud upon the ground she struggled to escape from..." Akiyoshi's voice turned to whimpers as he struggled to go on. Shiori had seen Death take many so he was used to seeing it. He was not used to seeing what was before him now. He let the man take as long as he needed, squeezing his hand gently to reassure him that it was okay to talk about it.

"If you wish to stop-"

"No... I'm...They're gone, Shiori... What am I going to do?" The tear fell and Akiyoshi's stained face soon turned to the other's chest and was embraced by the lithe arms of said owner. His voice was muffled as he sobbed, but Shiori made not attempts to move. "They were everything to me. I shouldn't have gone to work today. I should have stayed home-"

"Hush," was all Shiori said as he gently rubbed Akiyoshi's back. "You can't control all that happens. It could have been all of you in that accident."

Akiyoshi rips himself from the embrace. "Then I would have been with my family at least!" His face was marred with tears and sadness. "I should join them for being such a failure as a protector-"

SLAP!

The sound of one hand striking a face commanded silence and shock upon the distraught man. Shiori's voice was calm, clear and firm. "Never say such things. Ever. You'd only make things worse..." He gently caressed the mark that was starting to swell from the slap. He then knelt before him and kissed the welt tenderly. "Stay and rest. I will see to her arrangements. Tomorrow you will go with some of my men and retrieve your valuables so you can stay in one of the guest rooms until you're well enough to return."

Akiyoshi sputtered in rejection as the graceful man stood and made his way to the door. "I-I couldn't! I would only be a burden -"

Shiori turned and smiled in kind. "Hush. Consider me your benefactor. I will take care of you."

"But why? I'm nobody special..." Akiyoshi spoke in disbelief. Why would anyone want to help such a mess of a man?

The lithe figure walked over to him, knelt before him, took his chin in gentle fingers and kissed him with a mix of emotions. It was soft and passionate, but you can tell there was a hunger there that was left unfed. When Shiori pulled away, that kiss was reflected in his gaze and Akiyoshi could feel his chest tighten along with that feeling within his loins. The client was conflicted, but he made no gestures or words to reject what just happened. As Shiori made to stand, Akiyoshi grabbed his hand with caution. That hand caressed his with mixed emotions and there was tenderness in the gaze that returned his own. "Don't worry, darling. She'll get the best. And so will you." he withdrew his hand and took to the door, closing it behind him and leaving the new widower with so much on his mind.
**********
It didn't take long for the courtesan to make the arrangements for the former mother and baby to be brought to the closest temple and be prepared for service as soon as possible. He left Mika to see to the rest as he returned to his room and found his guest sitting by the door that led to the back gardens. A hint of moonlight shone down and the simple man seemed like so much more. Shiori walked over and sat down beside him, taking out his kiseru and prepared it.

"I wonder if she had any regrets," Akiyoshi said in a quiet voice, contemplative at they sat in the silent song of the night. His gaze to the starry sky, he let out a quiet sigh.

Shiori lit his kiseru and took a few puffs. "Did she ever complain at all to you about anything? Anything at all?"

Akiyoshi looked to the side as he brought his gaze downward. He shook his head as he pondered the question. "Never. She was always smiling no matter what. Perhaps the question is more for me..."

The courtesan let the moment pass, taking another puff and slowly releasing the smoke. "Then, there shouldn't be any regrets. You gave your wife happiness that no other man could. Remember, she chose you out of the hundreds she could have chosen. I don't know the whole story and I don't need to. The point is, you have good memories. Keep those and try your damnedest to continue to make her the proud wife she was. I won't say move on and take another wife, but don't lose hope in second chances either. I've had many so I have faith you will have them, too."

Akiyoshi looked to him with wary eyes. "Do you truly believe I am not a failure? What if I never find another who would accept me?"

"Am I nothing anymore," Shiori said in mock hurt.

"N-No! That's not what I mean..." Akiyoshi began to blush in protest despite the mood. He could feel Shiori's fingers gently rake his hair as he averted his gaze. "I mean, ... Do you think I am worth taking another wife?"

"You managed to gain one and have a child," Shiori said between puffs. "I would like to think that a man such as yourself would be able to. I, for one, would hate to lose you myself."

This caused the other man to give a dubious look towards the courtesan. "Why would you miss me so? I thought I was just a client to you."

"You were." Shiori took a long final drag from his kiseru then emptied his ashes out. "I think I'm allowed to have favorites, aren't I?"

"But,... why me? I'm nobody." Akiyoshi sat there wringing his sleeves as he turned his gaze away.

Shiori used a single finger and turned that gaze back to him. "Everybody is somebody's favorite and you so happened to be one of mine..." He drew his face in for a light kiss before standing once more. "I offer you all that I said before. I will even help you find a new house if you wish."

There was hesitancy in Akyoshi's voice as he spoke. "I... what about if I wanted to forget? I... I heard about how opium can-" He was cut off before he could finish.

"While I don't care what others do outside this place, I do very much so within. Drinking away your sorrows could be tolerated, but I won't allow opium to be used to rot your life away. You are too talented a man to be allowed to waste away in such dens. If I must,.... then I could be persuaded to help make you forget..." He sat back down, closer this time, caressing Akiyoshi's face. That flushed look rose on his cheeks once more and Shiori couldn't help the desire he felt for this man. He was not like the others he's been with, nor was he or ever will be like him. To become a man that sells sex and company for a living was not for everyone. A part of Shiori hoped Akiyoshi would push him away. A part of him hoped he would get lost in a night of passion he'd never forget.

Akiyoshi was hesitant at first, but then he placed a hand over the one that touched his cheek and smiled meekly. "If it's alright with you... just being in your company is a comfort... I've no one else to turn to now..." It was hard to fight back renewed tears, but the few that welled in his eyes were all that managed to escape.

Shiori nodded. An in between was alright with him. "Whatever you'd like for me to do, love." He drew the other man closer to him and held him close. If Akiyoshi started to cry again, he wouldn't stop him. He needed to mourn the loss of his old life so he could begin his new one. He just hoped he had the will to find it.