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rkoldFirst, Happy Belated Birthday to ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
dilettantka!!!
Second, Thank you so muchmomijizukamori for the T-shirt!!! It was so thoughtful of you. I'm sorry I didn't let you know earlier. ^^;;
Third, *waves Hi to_neith_ and busyizzy*
Fourth, I can not express in words how much I love the New Year's Cardkosquarepelli made for me. I think whenever I feel a little down, I'm going to look at that card and smile. *huge hugs*
I'm not a big person for making New Year's resolutions, instead, I like to look back and think about what I learned in the past year, so....
What I learned in 2003
1. Clamp is either waiting for all their X fans to die off or move onto other series, so that no one realizes they have no idea how to end X. The other possibility is they're sadistic witches, who want to make me regret ever subscribing to Asuka.
2. X was right all along, be careful what you wish for, as you might get it and it won't be what you thought it was going to be. ^^;;
3. Jealousy can be dangerous.
4. Forgiveness is really important, though since I'm not a saint, there are certain things I can't forgive. ^^;;; But forgiveness doesn't mean forgetting, because you need the past to help you learn and grow.
5. How lucky I am to have some of the friends I have. Many of the people I'm close to now, I barely knew when 2003 started. I feel very fortunate to have the friends I have and only wish that I could make them as happy as they've made me.
6. That there are people out there who have nothing better to do with their time than to make situations worse than they need to be.
7. Angsting on-line gets you nowhere. If you feel depressed sometimes its better to just shut down the computer and do something else.
8. That Earth Balance margarine is the *ONLY* margarine I like.
9. Being an extrovert is a major advantage sometimes, either that, or my not worrying about making a fool out of myself in public is... ^o^ I'm still in awe that I was taken out to dinner by doujinshika and that we're now corresponding via email.
10. Small events focusing on a character/couple you like are likely to be more successful than huge events.
11. I like crossovers. ^_^ Not all crossovers, but they really can be fun, even if the idea sounds insane or like utter wankage.
12. I adore Gundam Seed!!!
13. Never say never, life has a way of surprising you. Even the unlikely can become possible.
14. That my all time favorite anime/manga pairing that I ship devotedly is Fuijcest(SyuuxYuu flavor.) I can only blame my friend from 5th grade, who got me to read VC Andrews at the tender age of 10, thus forever warping my brain. (Well, OK, and the anime writers and Konomi-san, without whom I never would have even *THOUGHT* to slash the Fuji brothers. ^o^)
15. That I truly *DETEST* some pairings.
16. How truly fortunate I am! From a husband who dressed up as Yuuta, (and has promised to do it again when I find a Fuji wig.) my parents, siblings, grandmother, most of my in-laws :P, and assorted sundry other relatives, to my cats, friends, and opportunities, I lead a really wonderful life.
I'm sure I learned other things, but at the moment, these are the things that stand out most in my mind.
sailorstarsun also had a contest involving parents/relatives learning about the PoT boys being gay. Generally, topics like this do not catch my fancy, but I started thinking about it because sailorstarsun said she wanted the fics to read on the plane flight to Japan, and having flown to Japan a few times I know how tedious the flight can be. ^^ The result, is the short ficcie below. My usual beta hasn't read through it, I think, so it was only beta-ed really by my husband. ^^ If Fujicest squicks you do not read. Just a warning, my husband thought it was rather sad. ^^
Title: "After the Harvest"
Pairing: Fujicest
Author: me ^o^
Rating: PG-13?
Fuji Yoshiko carefully un-knotted the silk kerchief, and then opened the large black lacquer box, placing its contents in front of her youngest child.
"Okaa-san, my favorite," exclaimed Fuji Yuuta, a note of boyish enthusiasm in his voice. "Thank you."
"Yes, 'Kaa-san, how very thoughtful of you," echoed Fuji Syuusuke, a friendly smile on his face.
"It's your first job, Yuuta," responded Yoshiko simply.
"And Yuuta's first apartment," added Syuusuke.
Yoshiko didn't answer, and only smiled sweetly at her two sons sitting across the table from her.
"Okaa-san, can you stay for dinner?" inquired Yuuta innocently.
"Yes, Yuuta has become quite the cook," boasted Syuusuke.
"Aniki!"
"It's true, Yuuta," praised his brother, placing his hand gently on Yuuta's shoulder. "You're very talented."
Yuuta blushed lightly at his brother's compliment.
"No, I'm afraid I have to decline," apologized Yoshiko, her features fixed in a cheerful smile. "'Tou-san and I have a dinner engagement tonight."
"Ah," nodded Yuuta, his disappointment palatable. "Okaa-san, you'll join us for some of the cake and tea, won't you?"
"For you, Yuuta."
"I'll put on some water for tea then."
Yuuta lifted the cake excitedly off the table and disappeared into the kitchen. Yoshiko and Syuusuke silently smiled across the table at one another.
"Your approval, 'Kaa-san, is important to Yuuta."
"Your approval is even more important," replied Yoshiko.
"Saaaa, perhaps you are right, 'Kaa-san."
Again, Yoshiko didn't respond, and they returned to their silent truce. Yoshiko didn't want to think about the fact that her two sons were sharing an apartment. She didn't want to think about the time...the clatter of a plate of cake being placed in front of her broke her from her reverie.
"The tea will be ready in a moment," explained Yuuta, smiling at two of the three people who mattered most to him.
"I'll wait until the tea is finished before sampling my cake."
Yuuta seemed happy. As a mother, what more could Yoshiko ask for her children. And yet...she wished it could be someone else, someone else, who commanded Yuuta's heart, who made her youngest son happy and at peace.
"Here, Okaa-san," offered Yuuta, pouring a steaming cup of tea in front of his mother.
"You're such a good host, Yuuta."
Her plans to meet a friend for lunch at Bon and then visit the National Museum had unexpectedly collapsed. Not in the mood to go shopping at a depato, she'd returned home. Yoshiko remembered being surprised at seeing two pairs of sneakers neatly aligned in the entryway. Even now, she still wasn't sure why she hadn't loudly called a greeting into the house when she had entered. Perhaps, she'd always suspected what she had discovered that day. Syuusuke had always been so devoted to Yuuta, had always wanted to be with his brother. And Yuuta...Yuuta had idolized Syuusuke, constantly seeking his attention.
"This cake is delicious, Okaa-san," raved Yuuta enthusiastically.
Syuusuke used one of his fingers to wipe a dab of whipped cream from Yuuta's nose. He hungrily sucked the offending cream from his finger.
"So sweet," smirked Syuusuke. "Yuuta, you'll have to ask 'Kaa-san for the recipe."
The cake suddenly seemed cloying to Yoshiko, and she struggled to finish her slice.
She'd entered the house without making a sound, and had been surprised to hear Yuuta crying his brother's name. Creeping through the hallway, following both her son's voices, she'd arrived at Syuusuke's room. By some quirk of destiny, the door had been left open a crack. Peeking inside, her heart had stopped at the sight that greeted her. Transfixed, she stood watching, horror, then shame, and then dread filling her. After what seemed an interminable passage of time, she was finally able to break the spell that held her, so she could softly flee. Just needing to escape, she'd wandered the neighborhood trying to erase the memory of what she'd witnessed from her consciousness. But the images refused to be exorcised.
"I'm sorry you can't stay for dinner," remarked Yuuta, a hint of longing in his voice, as he helped his mother into her light jacket.
"You'll have to join us some other time, 'Kaa-san."
"Yes, some other time," assented Yoshiko.
She didn't ask for a tour of their apartment, before she fled again. She didn't want to see that only one bedroom was being used.
"Perhaps, not living at home any more, will give you a chance to date now, Yuuta," suggested Yoshiko. "I'm sure any girl would count herself lucky to catch your eye. You're such a handsome boy, and I'd like to know you won't be alone."
Yuuta turned red and stared at his feet. Syuusuke placed a protective arm around his brother's waist.
"Yuuta will never be alone."
"I see," murmured Yoshiko. "Thank you for having me for tea and cake, Yuuta, Syuusuke."
Bowing slightly, she left their apartment, to head towards the home she had shared, until recently, with Yuuta and her husband. Having never been to her sons' apartment before, Yoshiko allowed herself to focus on the directions, so she could keep up the pretense that everything was fine for just a little longer. When she arrived home, the house was dark and silent. After turning on a few lights, Yoshiko went into the kitchen and began to wash the bowls from baking that were waiting patiently for her in the sink.
"I know you saw us, 'Kaa-san," Syuusuke had stated.
"Eh?" Yoshiko had responded over the din of the water.
"I know you saw us earlier, 'Kaa-san, Yuuta and I." Syuusuke had said it as an unarguable truth, a small self-satisfied smile on his face.
"Saw what, Syuusuke?" Yoshiko had turned off the water and faced her eldest son, a look of confused innocence on her face. "I've only just returned home from the museum."
Syuusuke hadn't said anything, merely giving his mother an appraising glance.
"Yuuta will be joining us for dinner tonight."
"Really?" Yoshiko had asked, feigning surprise. "I'll have to make crepes for dessert tonight then."
"I think Yuuta would like that. He's resting right now. Expect Yuuta to come home more often to visit now. He's also promised me to think about transferring to another school, so we can all be under one roof again."
"How nice," she'd answered, as she had turned back on the water to work on dinner.
Yoshiko felt haunted by her memories of that day, and now...now, Syuusuke and Yuuta were sharing an apartment together and she could no longer deny the truth. Perhaps this situation was partially her fault, had she admitted to herself earlier Syuusuke's actual feelings for Yuuta, had she warned Yuuta in some way, had she not tried to ignore what fate had revealed to her that day...
Tears slid down Yoshiko's cheeks, mixing with the dishwater. She continued to wash the cake bowls, mourning the futures she knew her sons would never have.
dilettantka!!!Second, Thank you so much
momijizukamori for the T-shirt!!! It was so thoughtful of you. I'm sorry I didn't let you know earlier. ^^;;Third, *waves Hi to
_neith_ and busyizzy* Fourth, I can not express in words how much I love the New Year's Card
kosquarepelli made for me. I think whenever I feel a little down, I'm going to look at that card and smile. *huge hugs*I'm not a big person for making New Year's resolutions, instead, I like to look back and think about what I learned in the past year, so....
What I learned in 2003
1. Clamp is either waiting for all their X fans to die off or move onto other series, so that no one realizes they have no idea how to end X. The other possibility is they're sadistic witches, who want to make me regret ever subscribing to Asuka.
2. X was right all along, be careful what you wish for, as you might get it and it won't be what you thought it was going to be. ^^;;
3. Jealousy can be dangerous.
4. Forgiveness is really important, though since I'm not a saint, there are certain things I can't forgive. ^^;;; But forgiveness doesn't mean forgetting, because you need the past to help you learn and grow.
5. How lucky I am to have some of the friends I have. Many of the people I'm close to now, I barely knew when 2003 started. I feel very fortunate to have the friends I have and only wish that I could make them as happy as they've made me.
6. That there are people out there who have nothing better to do with their time than to make situations worse than they need to be.
7. Angsting on-line gets you nowhere. If you feel depressed sometimes its better to just shut down the computer and do something else.
8. That Earth Balance margarine is the *ONLY* margarine I like.
9. Being an extrovert is a major advantage sometimes, either that, or my not worrying about making a fool out of myself in public is... ^o^ I'm still in awe that I was taken out to dinner by doujinshika and that we're now corresponding via email.
10. Small events focusing on a character/couple you like are likely to be more successful than huge events.
11. I like crossovers. ^_^ Not all crossovers, but they really can be fun, even if the idea sounds insane or like utter wankage.
12. I adore Gundam Seed!!!
13. Never say never, life has a way of surprising you. Even the unlikely can become possible.
14. That my all time favorite anime/manga pairing that I ship devotedly is Fuijcest(SyuuxYuu flavor.) I can only blame my friend from 5th grade, who got me to read VC Andrews at the tender age of 10, thus forever warping my brain. (Well, OK, and the anime writers and Konomi-san, without whom I never would have even *THOUGHT* to slash the Fuji brothers. ^o^)
15. That I truly *DETEST* some pairings.
16. How truly fortunate I am! From a husband who dressed up as Yuuta, (and has promised to do it again when I find a Fuji wig.) my parents, siblings, grandmother, most of my in-laws :P, and assorted sundry other relatives, to my cats, friends, and opportunities, I lead a really wonderful life.
I'm sure I learned other things, but at the moment, these are the things that stand out most in my mind.
sailorstarsun also had a contest involving parents/relatives learning about the PoT boys being gay. Generally, topics like this do not catch my fancy, but I started thinking about it because sailorstarsun said she wanted the fics to read on the plane flight to Japan, and having flown to Japan a few times I know how tedious the flight can be. ^^ The result, is the short ficcie below. My usual beta hasn't read through it, I think, so it was only beta-ed really by my husband. ^^ If Fujicest squicks you do not read. Just a warning, my husband thought it was rather sad. ^^Title: "After the Harvest"
Pairing: Fujicest
Author: me ^o^
Rating: PG-13?
Fuji Yoshiko carefully un-knotted the silk kerchief, and then opened the large black lacquer box, placing its contents in front of her youngest child.
"Okaa-san, my favorite," exclaimed Fuji Yuuta, a note of boyish enthusiasm in his voice. "Thank you."
"Yes, 'Kaa-san, how very thoughtful of you," echoed Fuji Syuusuke, a friendly smile on his face.
"It's your first job, Yuuta," responded Yoshiko simply.
"And Yuuta's first apartment," added Syuusuke.
Yoshiko didn't answer, and only smiled sweetly at her two sons sitting across the table from her.
"Okaa-san, can you stay for dinner?" inquired Yuuta innocently.
"Yes, Yuuta has become quite the cook," boasted Syuusuke.
"Aniki!"
"It's true, Yuuta," praised his brother, placing his hand gently on Yuuta's shoulder. "You're very talented."
Yuuta blushed lightly at his brother's compliment.
"No, I'm afraid I have to decline," apologized Yoshiko, her features fixed in a cheerful smile. "'Tou-san and I have a dinner engagement tonight."
"Ah," nodded Yuuta, his disappointment palatable. "Okaa-san, you'll join us for some of the cake and tea, won't you?"
"For you, Yuuta."
"I'll put on some water for tea then."
Yuuta lifted the cake excitedly off the table and disappeared into the kitchen. Yoshiko and Syuusuke silently smiled across the table at one another.
"Your approval, 'Kaa-san, is important to Yuuta."
"Your approval is even more important," replied Yoshiko.
"Saaaa, perhaps you are right, 'Kaa-san."
Again, Yoshiko didn't respond, and they returned to their silent truce. Yoshiko didn't want to think about the fact that her two sons were sharing an apartment. She didn't want to think about the time...the clatter of a plate of cake being placed in front of her broke her from her reverie.
"The tea will be ready in a moment," explained Yuuta, smiling at two of the three people who mattered most to him.
"I'll wait until the tea is finished before sampling my cake."
Yuuta seemed happy. As a mother, what more could Yoshiko ask for her children. And yet...she wished it could be someone else, someone else, who commanded Yuuta's heart, who made her youngest son happy and at peace.
"Here, Okaa-san," offered Yuuta, pouring a steaming cup of tea in front of his mother.
"You're such a good host, Yuuta."
Her plans to meet a friend for lunch at Bon and then visit the National Museum had unexpectedly collapsed. Not in the mood to go shopping at a depato, she'd returned home. Yoshiko remembered being surprised at seeing two pairs of sneakers neatly aligned in the entryway. Even now, she still wasn't sure why she hadn't loudly called a greeting into the house when she had entered. Perhaps, she'd always suspected what she had discovered that day. Syuusuke had always been so devoted to Yuuta, had always wanted to be with his brother. And Yuuta...Yuuta had idolized Syuusuke, constantly seeking his attention.
"This cake is delicious, Okaa-san," raved Yuuta enthusiastically.
Syuusuke used one of his fingers to wipe a dab of whipped cream from Yuuta's nose. He hungrily sucked the offending cream from his finger.
"So sweet," smirked Syuusuke. "Yuuta, you'll have to ask 'Kaa-san for the recipe."
The cake suddenly seemed cloying to Yoshiko, and she struggled to finish her slice.
She'd entered the house without making a sound, and had been surprised to hear Yuuta crying his brother's name. Creeping through the hallway, following both her son's voices, she'd arrived at Syuusuke's room. By some quirk of destiny, the door had been left open a crack. Peeking inside, her heart had stopped at the sight that greeted her. Transfixed, she stood watching, horror, then shame, and then dread filling her. After what seemed an interminable passage of time, she was finally able to break the spell that held her, so she could softly flee. Just needing to escape, she'd wandered the neighborhood trying to erase the memory of what she'd witnessed from her consciousness. But the images refused to be exorcised.
"I'm sorry you can't stay for dinner," remarked Yuuta, a hint of longing in his voice, as he helped his mother into her light jacket.
"You'll have to join us some other time, 'Kaa-san."
"Yes, some other time," assented Yoshiko.
She didn't ask for a tour of their apartment, before she fled again. She didn't want to see that only one bedroom was being used.
"Perhaps, not living at home any more, will give you a chance to date now, Yuuta," suggested Yoshiko. "I'm sure any girl would count herself lucky to catch your eye. You're such a handsome boy, and I'd like to know you won't be alone."
Yuuta turned red and stared at his feet. Syuusuke placed a protective arm around his brother's waist.
"Yuuta will never be alone."
"I see," murmured Yoshiko. "Thank you for having me for tea and cake, Yuuta, Syuusuke."
Bowing slightly, she left their apartment, to head towards the home she had shared, until recently, with Yuuta and her husband. Having never been to her sons' apartment before, Yoshiko allowed herself to focus on the directions, so she could keep up the pretense that everything was fine for just a little longer. When she arrived home, the house was dark and silent. After turning on a few lights, Yoshiko went into the kitchen and began to wash the bowls from baking that were waiting patiently for her in the sink.
"I know you saw us, 'Kaa-san," Syuusuke had stated.
"Eh?" Yoshiko had responded over the din of the water.
"I know you saw us earlier, 'Kaa-san, Yuuta and I." Syuusuke had said it as an unarguable truth, a small self-satisfied smile on his face.
"Saw what, Syuusuke?" Yoshiko had turned off the water and faced her eldest son, a look of confused innocence on her face. "I've only just returned home from the museum."
Syuusuke hadn't said anything, merely giving his mother an appraising glance.
"Yuuta will be joining us for dinner tonight."
"Really?" Yoshiko had asked, feigning surprise. "I'll have to make crepes for dessert tonight then."
"I think Yuuta would like that. He's resting right now. Expect Yuuta to come home more often to visit now. He's also promised me to think about transferring to another school, so we can all be under one roof again."
"How nice," she'd answered, as she had turned back on the water to work on dinner.
Yoshiko felt haunted by her memories of that day, and now...now, Syuusuke and Yuuta were sharing an apartment together and she could no longer deny the truth. Perhaps this situation was partially her fault, had she admitted to herself earlier Syuusuke's actual feelings for Yuuta, had she warned Yuuta in some way, had she not tried to ignore what fate had revealed to her that day...
Tears slid down Yoshiko's cheeks, mixing with the dishwater. She continued to wash the cake bowls, mourning the futures she knew her sons would never have.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2004-01-03 11:53 am (UTC)Thanks ^_^
Date: 2004-01-05 11:32 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2004-01-03 12:16 pm (UTC)So many of my friends keep mentioning Gundam Seed. Have to see that sometime. Evidently Viz will be translating Prince of Tennis manga starting in May? (graphic novels, it looks like? Just hearing rumors, they sell manga at my work.) So I'll finally get to start reading it.
Earth-Balance margarine, huh? Have to look for it. Always up for trying new things... ;-D
Earth Balance is the only one I like ^o^
Date: 2004-01-05 11:38 am (UTC)I've been buying Japanese Jump and Japanese Weekly, (For PoT and Tsubasa)and in fact have to go down to the store to get them today. (Or tomorrow at the latest.) I've thought once or twice about buying a Hana To Yume, but I just don't like FruBa enough to do it. (though I own tanks 1-11)
I *ADORE* Seed. Whether you like slash or not, you can find a pairing you like. Most of the female characters are really wonderful and the series is just so..over the top at times. I love all the seiyuu in it, the OPs are mostly great, I like the character designs, and the character songs....
And yeah, I heard Viz had PoT, I didn't know it was coming in May. I love my Japanese tankoubans but it would be nice to read some of it in English..... *sighs* I like the manga, in general the pairings are more subtle, but they are still there.
(no subject)
Date: 2004-01-03 01:19 pm (UTC)It's sad, but in a good way. ^__^
I'm so pleased you liked it. ^^
Date: 2004-01-05 11:39 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2004-01-03 05:29 pm (UTC)and I love the fic. It's vivid and realistic.
*huggles*
*huggles*
Date: 2004-01-05 11:51 am (UTC)It was actually sort of fun writing it. ^^
(no subject)
Date: 2004-01-03 06:23 pm (UTC)*nods* yes!
Date: 2004-01-05 11:51 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2004-01-03 10:13 pm (UTC)*BLUSH*
Date: 2004-01-05 11:58 am (UTC)I don't actually write that much because I'm rather shy about my writing and I'm not very good at finishing things. ^^;
I only have one other story I've written on my own available publicly. ^^
It's here (http://www.fanfiction.net/read.php?storyid=1276027) on ff.net or here (http://www.txq.nu/jumpyboys/viewstory.php?sid=9) at Jumpy Boys.
Re: *BLUSH*
Date: 2004-01-07 02:38 pm (UTC)Re: *BLUSH*
Date: 2004-01-13 10:49 am (UTC)I'm hoping to write a few more things in the future, I'm just very slow at times.
(no subject)
Date: 2004-01-04 01:08 pm (UTC)>and has promised to do it again when I find a Fuji wig<
~dies from the cuteness of you and your husband~ XDDD
Thank you!
Date: 2004-01-05 12:14 pm (UTC)Yeah, I felt bad for Yoshiko writing it, but it just seemed to make sense. I mean, I find it hard to realistically see any mother happy that her two sons are in a relationship together.
At least Yuuta will always have his brother.....
I'm very very lucky when it comes to my husband. ^_^
(no subject)
Date: 2004-01-04 04:32 pm (UTC)*cry...*
I love the fic, but... ;_;...
Thank you!
Date: 2004-01-05 12:16 pm (UTC)