Two worlds brothers-conflict book 2

Worry

Eliza sits on her bed with her mourning dress spread out behind her. She has her hands on her knees and her head hangs low. Akito is in the bathroom touching up his suit. He comes out and puts his hand on her head

"You have to get dressed" he says softly, Eliza nods but doesn't move. Her phone rings but she makes no movement to answer.

"It's your sister" Akito says looking at the caller ID, Eliza doesn't move "she's worried about you" Eliza doesn't move. Akito sighs and answers the phone, he talks quietly and attempts to reassure Emma that Eliza is alright. He hangs up and there's a knock at the door. Akito opens and finds Julie there, a cup of something hot in her hands. She bows at Akito who lets her in. Julie places the hot cup in Eliza's hands and starts doing her hair, without a word.

When she's finished with that Eliza has finished her cup. Julie helps her stands and spreads her arms to her the dress over her. Eliza obeys but makes no movement to help Julie, it's like dressing a living doll. When Eliza is dressed she sits back down and Julie does her makeup. Akito stares at Eliza all the while and worries about her but he doesn't show it. One of them has to look pulled together.

No one blames Eliza for her sudden silence, she's lost her father after all, and now she is the leader, she knew that would happen but not so soon and definitely not because of Kazuo's murder. It was never supposed to happen like this.

Once Julie finishes she heads back out

"Thank you" Akito says and bows

"She'll need you now, more than ever, don't let us down" Julie says coldly but her eyes show a glimmer of fear and worry  "don't let her down"  and with that she leaves. Akito goes back to Eliza's side and holds her hands. Eliza stares straight ahead, her eyes dimmed and her shoulders tired. Akito strokes her arm since her hands are bandaged from her burns, and pulls her into his chest. Eliza stays there but doesn't move to hug him, she truly is like a living doll.

"We have to go sweetheart" Akito says softly and kisses her cheek "the ceremony will start soon" Eliza nods slowly and stands, Akito takes her hand and leads her out of the room and into the courtyard where the entire family is gathered.

The body lies in the middle on a marble and pearl slate. Kazuo is dressed in his finest clothes and a translucent black fabric has been draped over his body, to hide the burns. The edge of the fabric is embroidered with silver and four vases of flowers are placed on the four corners of the slate.

The ceremony is short and respectful. Eliza does her part perfectly, she loves when she has to and lights the slate on command. She does all of this mechanically however, her face never shows any emotion, it just stays blank. Her movements while fluid are still slightly robotic. After the ceremony, Eliza changes her black ceremonial dress into something slightly less ceremonial and more traditional of the Yamaguchi mourning attire. The dress is a mix between the traditional Yamaguchi and the traditional Lion attire, on the back of the dress woven in golden thread is a Lion and a yamabishi in their new design. The face of a lion sits in the middle of the diamond, the new symbol for the merged families. A black car escorts Eliza's personal car as she makes her way over to the Northerners' family. The woman she met at the burning building receives her and offers her something to drink and eat. Eliza kindly refuses and holds the mourning gift in her hands. The woman holds out her hand to take it but Eliza shakes her head

"I'm sorry but this is only for the heir" Eliza says quietly, the woman smiles and lowers her hand

"How did you know I wasn't the heir?" she asks "I was at the fire along with you"

"I know you're Hokubu's wife, your daughter is the heir, she'll become the leader when the mourning has passed" Eliza explains and the woman simply smiles at her and nods her head, she steps back and seconds later the heir walks in, a veil over her face. They both bow deeply at each other and trade their mourning gifts.

"I hope we get along well Eliza" the woman before her says and bows her head, there's something in that movement and the sounds of her voice that catches Eliza's attention

"Wait" Eliza calls out as the heir was turning to leave, she pauses and looks back at her, Eliza steps forward carefully so as not to alarm her guards "lift your veil" Eliza can practically see her smile behind the veil

"Don't worry Eliza" the heir says amused "all in good time" and with that she turns around and leaves. Eliza goes back to her car and heads over to the Islanders.

The blue haired guy receives her in a dark blue suit with silver stitching on the hem and their symbol on the collar of the jacket. He offers her a drink and food as well and even hands her his own scarf as well as the mourning gift. Eliza didn't expect the scarf and has nothing planned to give but notices the man has pierced ears, so she takes off her earrings and gives them to him, he takes one and gives back the other.

"I hope we get along well Eliza" the guy says

"I do too Takumi" Eliza offers him a small smile and they bow once more before leaving.

Back at home, Eliza removes her dress and takes a long bath. While she's still in there akito walks in

"How did it go?" he asks, startling Eliza as she was falling asleep in the tub

"It went fine" Eliza says, Akito nods and shuffles his feet a little bit before turning around "I'm sorry" Akito turns back around

"Sorry?" he asks and sits on the edge of the bathtub "what on earth are you sorry about love?"

"I made you worry" Eliza says sinking lower into the foamy waters "I made you all worry"

"Hey look at me" Akito places his hand gently on her cheek and Eliza stares sadly up at him "you don't have to apologize for getting sad or depressed. You just lost your father in an explosion, you're grieving. It's okay"

"But I have to be strong" Eliza mumbles "I'm now the leader of the family, I can't just have a meltdown because he died. People die all the time"

"Yes but not your father" Akito smiles and kisses her forehead "you are a human being and what you're feeling is okay, you don't have to be strong all the time Eliza. That's what I'm here for" Eliza reaches up and hugs Akito basically dragging him into the tub with her, he doesn't mind though, he's glad she's talking again. Akito climbs out a while later and dries himself off, then he helps Eliza dry off and into her pajamas. They get into bed and she curls up into a ball on her side, Akito pulls her into his arms and they fall asleep like that.