Chizuru sat at the dinner table with her father, a worried look on her face. Sakon was supposed to have been home an hour ago. She had even been at the bus stop waiting for him when he was supposed to get off, but he hadn't.

Saemon on the other hand wasn't that worried about the boy. He was used to his grandson's ways and wasn't as worried about Sakon as she was. He was of the opinion that the boy could take care of himself, in his odd little way. All that mattered was that he had the puppet, Ukon with him.

A click of the sliding door told them that Sakon had finally gotten home, or so they thought. The squeak of the shoes as they were being taken off told them it was really the youngest Tachibana sibling, Chizuru's little sister and Saemon's daughter.

"Hello" Kaoruko stated as she came in. She glanced at the table. "Where's Sakon?"

"He hasn't arrived home yet." Chizuru spoke up. Worry was etched on her face.

"That kid." Kaoruko sat down and dished herself out some food. "I came over to specifically say hello to him and welcome him home."

"More like for the free food." Her father said, shaking his head. Kaoruko just glared at him. There was another sliding of the door and the three of them could here Ukon mumbling something to Sakon.

"Sounds like Sakon and Ukon are home, sis. You need not worry any more." Kaoruko happily bubbled. Sakon stepped in, looking glum. Ukon seemed to be angry or upset about something. Kaoruko noticed this. "Hey, Sakon, have you been having an argument with yourself again?"

"Yeah, it's about the fact that…" Ukon was interrupted by Sakon placing his left hand over his mouth. The red haired puppet suddenly went limp. Saemon gave his grandson a look and crossed his arms. However, Sakon didn't look him in the face.

Chizuru placed a bowl of food in front of Sakon. He took the chopsticks with his left hand and said the word that preceded eating. He didn't say it very loud, even for himself without Ukon being a loud mouth and moving. Kaoruko did the same thing and they both began to eat. Kaoruko took time to point her chopsticks at Sakon, who was eating slowly. "Something is bothering you."

However, Sakon didn't respond to her. This caused Kaoruko to narrow her eyes and changed the subject. "I hear that they are planning on extending the Tokyo tram way out to here."

"It is going to interrupt the theater's ability to gather and audience. Thus the Tachibana's will be unable to perform there until it is done." Saemon snapped.

"It isn't for sure," Kaoruko state.

Chizuru shook her head at her sister. "No, it is for sure. You're too interested in the non-political sides of the police work you do to notice. That doesn't count the standings of where women are in the police force."

"So? It isn't as if it is a bad thing. There are other venues. Plus, it will allow for more people to have access to the theater. Change isn't always a bad thing." Kaoruko imputed.

"Change isn't a good thing." Saemon said dryly. "Most youth today don't have an appreciation for the old arts anymore. Not like Sakon."

"They are at least acting like children," Chizuru's voice sounded hurt. "I have never seen Sakon act like a normal child or teenager."

"Children never acted like the hooligans that they do now when I was a child." Saemon muttered. "We respected out elders."

"It is only a select few that don't mind those older then them and in authority. The only reason they are noticed is because it is in the news." Chizuru glanced at her son. "What I am talking about is having a life outside of Bunraku father. Sakon is unable to communicate with other boys locally. He dropped out of the school system in Elementary school."

"Fourth grade," Saemon snapped. "To be home schooled, because it couldn't keep up with that bright head of his."

"You are forgetting how he was bullied!" Chizuru was trying hard not to cry. "All because of those puppets! He's also not going having any schooling any more because he is passed the mandatory age."

Saemon shrugged his shoulders. "Not fully. He's taken a few courses up at the university."

"In random subjects… not to mention all the other students are much older then him." Chizuru looked down at the table top.

"Sakon is a Tachibana. Tachibana's a Bunraku family." Saemon uncrossed his arms.

"But what if that isn't enough? You yourself said the arts may not be enough. Also what happens if he has an accident and is no longer able to use his hand?"

"Sakon will go to school if Salon wants too. Salon wants to be a puppeteer."

"Should oy two be having this argument in front of Sakon?" Kaoruko interrupted. A clink was heard as Sakon's chopsticks dropped and the bowl clatters. Everyone could hear him breathing softly. Kaoruko shook her head. " 'course, there is no telling how long he's been asleep. He looks so cute and innocent when he's asleep like this. I wonder what was bothering him"

"A lady on the bus thinks that Sakon shouldn't be hauling me around." Ukon suddenly came alive with motion. He held his hands behind his head."

"Sakon! You and you're stupid split personality!" Kaoruko startled.

"That too," Ukon stated.

"I don't think I'll ever get how you can do ventriloquism while you're asleep," Kaoruko was very weirded out. "I think Chizuru is right. This isn't normal behavior for one his age."

Saemon didn't say anything.