Japan's House (aka Place to Bother Japan)

A walk? A walk would mean leaving the house. But then, there were worse things that could have been suggested and Ludwig seemed to approve. He had no reason to object. He wasn't a hikikomori anymore, was he? It would be good to get out of the house and get some fresh air. They weren't talking about a party or something, just a walk.

Kiku looked between the Italian and German before responding, "I suppose a walk would be fine. Just let us finish, please." Not everyone eats as fast as you, Feliciano-kun, he didn't say.

He went back to his meal.

Ludwig scooped the tempura onto his spoon and chew it with a thoughtful face. Taking a walk might be a good idea, but Ludwig was a careful man. A walk could be dangerous too. Especially for Feliciano. The blond knew how careless and easily distracted his Italian friend was. What if he would chase a cat and get lost? Or flirt with a local girl and get arrested? Not even speaking about the enemies who could lurk behind the bushes, just waiting to throw a hit on the three man.

Swallowing the last bite of his meal Ludwig dropped his spoon and the bowl, turning to Kiku. "Did you notice any kind of enemy motion around your house lately? Maybe caught a spy or something?" The blond man would not go out with his allies as long as he wasn't sure that it was save.

Feliciano ignored further conversation, instead busing himself with drinking the rest of the broth in his bowl, unable to keep the silly grin off his face. They were really going to spend time together! It would be so fun, it had been a while since it was just the three of them! And just the three of them on casual terms, as well!

And Kiku's place was really much different than his own, so he loved to see all the buildings and art around. He was used to carved stone and marble, but Kiku's buildings, and his temples especially, were so much different! Maybe Kiku would take him to one and let him draw sometime? It would be so much fun! The Italian couldn't stop himself from bouncing with excitement.

He put down the bowl after it was finally emptied, sipping on his wine with a bright smile, thinking of all the things they could do and see.

Kiku blinked at the German man for a bit. Spies? Here? Now? But he answered seriously. "No, there hasn't been anyone of that nature."

Although, he would worry about the way Feliciano seems to just go off sometimes. But if anyone could keep him in line, it was Ludwig. And as places went, this area was pretty safe.

Kiku drank some of the wine, and then continued eating quietly.

Perhaps a walk through the garden would be nice. Although, he couldn't expect the Italian to keep quiet and reflect.

He let out a brief, quiet sigh.

Ah, no spies or enemy actions around. Seems this place was pretty save. That was a relief. Ludwig reached for his beer and leaned back in his chair.
"Good." Ludwig nodded towards Kiku, taking a sip of his beer. "But I think we should better go into the garden and not into town."
The garden possibly had a nicer view and less distractions for Feliciano like shops with food and attractive girls to hit on.

"The meal was good, thank you." Ludwig's glance wandered from Kiku to Feliciano while he took the last sip from his beer to finish it.

Feliciano eyed both of his friends, too excited to keep still for much longer (not that he was very still anyways; he hadn't stopped bouncing since they both had agreed to go on a walk). Ludwig looked like he was done with his food, and Kiku looked like he was almost done...then it was almost time to go!

He pushed his bowl up on the table, jumping to his feet and running to the window, almost as if to check if the weather hadn't suddenly gotten bad as his friends took forever to eat. "The gardens sound really fun! Kiku has a lot of pretty gardens around, don't you? Ve, all the plants look really nice this time of year!" Feliciano had plenty of gardens around his place, but they were filled with much more color than Kiku's; but Kiku's were so simple and peaceful and nice, he couldn't help get excited at seeing them.

"Ah, I wish you had some gelateria around here! It's nice to eat gelato while walking through a garden~ Oh, and as dessert too!"

---

You guys are just asking for Feli to wander off by himself and get into trouble. eue

Kiku finished his food and placed down his chopsticks. Then quietly finished the rest of his drink. "Gochisousama."

He got up to start clearing the plates. Feliciano was babbling about gelato now. Could he not do anything without something in his mouth? Of course, he would never voice this thought. The only thing he said while he cleaned was, "We'll go to the garden in the back, I think." That one was the farthest from anything...busy. It always gave him a serene feeling. He still held the distant hope that perhaps the Italian could catch some of that feeling as well.

Feliciano seemed to have boundless energy. If only that energy could be directed toward something positive or productive instead of running away or chatting with random girls or getting into some sort of trouble as he often did.

A slight sigh escaped him as he thought of this.

The blond leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms in front of his chest while Kiku started to put away the dishes. He looked at Feliciano with a frown. "I don't think there is gelato in Kiku's garden." Ludwig pondered his words for a moment. "At least not the kind of gelato you know."

"But Japanese gardens are known to follow special concepts to make the visitor and owner of the garden feel comfortable and at ease, am I right?" Ludwig's glance had turned from the Italian man to the Japanese one. "I did once read a book about these concepts. They are called 'Feng-Shui'... Is your garden build after this concept Kiku?"
Suddenly the German's interest was woken up and a walk in the garden seemed more appealing. Maybe there were new things to learn for him.

Feliciano stood on his tip-toes and craned his neck; maybe if he tried hard enough, he could see all of the garden from right here? Outside the window already looked nice and green; he wonder how nice it would be inside the garden! He never saw many animals around Kiku's place, but maybe there would be a cat or two? Ah, he hoped they were cute! Maybe if he snuck some food out with him, he could get some to come up to him!

The other two's conversation faded from his mind, the Italian completely lost in imagining how the walk would go. First, they would have to make it to the garden; it was nice outside too, just cool enough to go without a jacket maybe? Ah, but if it was windy it might get cold! But then again, the wind felt nice on days like this even without a jacket--oh, but the sky was nice and blue, so it would contrast nicely with the green of the garden...if only he brought a canvas or something! It was always nice to paint in the garden on days like this, maybe even have a picnic too...but they already ate, of course! If only there was a gelato shop around, that would probably work well...aaah, he really hoped there was a kitten or two! But even if there wasn't, it would still be nice. And he got to go with his two friends, which was always nice!

Feliciano began bouncing on his toes again, eyes alight with the possibilities. This was going to be so fun!

Kiku finished his cleaning task and looked up at the question posed by Ludwig. "Well, the concept you mentioned, Feng Shui, is something applied to buildings and other structures. However, you initial idea was correct. They are designed to put you at ease, relieve stress, sometimes inspire contemplation," he explained. "Making them is a high art."

Kiku's gaze went over to Feliciano once more. His propensity for getting into trouble was nearly unparalleled. Part of the Japanese man's mind was now occupied with predicting possible scenarios.

Perhaps it should worry him more. But if he spent to much worry over Feliciano, there would be no relief.

He could only hope that the garden would inspire some calm in the Italian, even if it was a small hope.

A pleased little smile appeared on Ludwig's lips. He had been right. His informations hasn't been wrong. After all his efforts of learning things about other nations had proved themselves worth.

Ludwig stood up, looking into the direction of the window. It seemed to be the best time for a walk now. The sun was low but not yet down and the business of the afternoon was already gone. "We should leave now, I guess." Looking from Kiku to Feliciano and back he checked if they are done with their food and tasks. Especially Kiku, who had been busy putting away the dishes. "If the both of you are ready..."

"I'm ready!" Feliciano's mind picked up on the key part of the conversation, snapping back into reality as soon as mention of leaving for their adventure had popped back up. "Can we go now? What garden are we going to, Kiku? Should we bring something?" It would've been nice to have a picnic if they hadn't already eaten! "Is it far?"

The Italian was bouncing again; he had pushed himself away from the window and basically skipped between the two, waving his arms in excitement. "Let's go, let's go, ve~ I really wanna see how your garden looks! I'm sure it looks really nice!"

Kiku nodded. "I am ready." His task complete, he pondered Feliciano again. He was just full of energy, as usual. And questions. All said in a row, without any time to answer until they were complete. "We can go," he started with.

He would just need to get another layer on, it was a bit chilly out, and he didn't wear anything over his kimono, other than the straps and apron, while cooking.

"The garden is just at the back of this property, so no, it certainly isn't far," Kiku continued answering. "And I don't see why we should have to bring anything today. Although...perhaps Pochi would like a walk, too."

...It was perhaps just a bit sad that Kiku felt he would have to keep more of an eye on Feliciano in the garden than his dog. Pochi was actually quite well behaved. Whereas the Italian had a knack for getting into trouble.

Ludwig left the kitchen once he got the okay from the two other man. He also didn't mind taking the little dog with them. Dogs needed their time outside and the blond was used to take long walks with his own dogs.

"Feliciano, I recommend you to stay with us." Ludwig took his green uniform jacket from the racket in the hallway where he had left it earlier, looking at the Italian with a stern glance. "No running after various animals and no flirting with girls we might eventually meet." Though Ludwig doubted that they would meet any girls in Kiku's private garden. He knew that his Japanese friend used to rather stay for himself then having lots of people around him. "I really don't want you to get lost." With that he turned his glance away from the Italian and towards Kiku, taking a small step away from the door to leave the lead to the smaller man. It was his garden after all, so he would know best which direction they should take.

Feliciano barely paid attention as the German lectured him (it was hard to pay attention whenever Ludwig lectured him), too distracted with thoughts of what a wonderful place the garden must be. And the little dog, of course; it had wandered into the room with them, and the Italian couldn't resist bending down to give the cute puppy a nice scratch under the chin.

But he at least managed to straighten up with the German was done, giving him a sloppy salute and a curt nod, trying his hardest to put up a serious expression. "Ve! Si, I will try my best to stay close so I don't get lost, Capitano!"

Of course, the "serious" expression only lasted for a mere moment before fading away into a bright smile once again, the Italian skipping to grab his jacket and put his shoes back on, thoughts of trying to behave shoved completely from his mind.

Kiku definitely thought they would have to keep an eye on Feliciano despite Ludwig's lecture. It seems such words always went in one ear and came out the other, or perhaps the Italian didn't pay attention in the first place. Either way, the result was that he disobeyed the German in the end, pretty much always.

He slipped on his jacket and then his shoes near the entrance before leading his friends out.

The garden was technically closed in, but by no means small, so the space still had an open feel. The property here was impressive. The garden itself had been planned out so that at least some things would be in bloom every season, so it was not barren, even in the cooler weather. There was plenty green as well. A pond outlined with stones was some meters away, with a small bridge crossing over it, and Kiku thought of it immediately as a place to watch Feliciano around. He hoped Ludwig noticed that as well.

Not that the Italian couldn't find trouble pretty much anywhere regardless.

But the space felt pleasant and serene. He took in a breath of the fresh air, calming himself. It wasn't necessary to be nervous in order to be watchful. There was no reason not to enjoy the garden.

And it was something to be enjoyed.

Ludwig stepped out of the house once he had slipped his shoes on, following Kiku. He stopped at the porch of the garden and let his glance wander over the scenario, his experted eye searching for any kind of dangerous places that could cause harm to an careless Italian or a little dog.
He found quite a lot at first glance but his attention was almost immediately drawn away by the beauty of the garden itself.

"It must have take you a lot of work of keep this place as nice as it is." He spoke to Kiku with a calm voice, not wanting to destroy the serenity of the private place. "It shows quite some of your personality." Ludwig moved at Kiku's side, adjusting the speed of his steps to the other man's.

"Woooooaaaaah!"

It only took a few seconds after entering the garden for the Italian to become completely enthralled with it, fleeing from the others' side in a blink of an eye. It was so big! And so green! Meraviglioso! Stupendissimo! He would've never imagined something so wonderful in Kiku's backyard!

He flitted from flower to flower, plant to plant, running across the garden and never stopping or slowing down, greeting each plant and rock like it was an old friend and flailing enthusiastically all the while. "This is so cool! So cool, Kiku! I didn't think you would have something this big back here! Veeee, so cooooool!"

Feliciano knelt down for a moment (the first time he had been still since they entered the garden) and gently pet the buds of a growing flower with the tip of his finger before looking up and noticing the bridge, rushing off to stand on it. "Ve, so cooool! We have a lot of gardens at my house too, but none of them are as green as this!" The brunet leaned over the railing, giggling with glee as he noticed a group of fish swimming beneath him. "So pretty, ve!"

---

Feli's gonna find some well to fall into and end up in feudal Japan. eue

"Thank you, Ludwig-san," Kiku started replying to the German. "Although, I have had-" He stopped as he noticed the Italian had gotten to exactly the area he'd been worried about in record time. He was already leaning over, probably looking at Kiku's fish. "-help."

He went more briskly than he had been over to the pond. "Feliciano-kun, could you please be careful? The railing is for holding and as a border, not for leaning on."

He really was like a child, wasn't he? Wandering around so fast, looking at every little thing, talking to the plants, leaning over bridge railings. Did he want to fall in and swim with the fishes? Surely not in this weather.

Pochi, on the other hand, was behaving. He had barked a few times, the excitement coming from the Italian getting to him, but he had stayed at Kiku's side, at least, and hadn't pulled him too much. Kiku hoped it would remain that way, and Feliciano's energy wouldn't prove to be too infectious.

---

pfffffffffffft Inuyasha reference. eue Although, you put a couple of amusing ideas in my head lol

Ludwig proved Kiku's words right by rushing over to the Italian and grasping him by the back of his collar, pulling him away from the bridge. He didn't let go until they stood save on the cobblestone way that leaded to the bridge. There he turned Feliciano around to face him.
"I told you to stay close by, didn't I? And what is the first thing you do?" The blond reached up and poked the other's forehead roughly with his index finger. "You run off and get in danger. What were you planning to do there? Swim with the fish?"
Ludwig's voice raised along with his level of annoyance.
Feliciano had already gotten on Ludwig earlier this day and the current situation was not helping to make it better at all.
"This is Kiku's place and he is nice enough to share the beauty of this garden with us, so you should behave and not destroy this serenity with careless actions."
Ludwig crossed his arms over his chest and put up a stern expression looking down at the smaller man with a strict glare. "Understood?"

"Ve?" The Italian barely had time to lift his head to look over at Kiku before Ludwig had grabbed him, immediately distracting him from trying to process the smaller man's words. "G-Gyah!" He held onto his collar to keep himself from choking as the German dragged him away from the bridge, squirming and letting out multiple whines in protest.

"Ve? Veee?" He flinched as the German immediately started to scold him, more whines and an "owie!" or two escaping him as he was poked roughly--but the poking was never as bad as the scolding anyways.

"B-But! I was just looking at things! And the water was really pretty, and there's beautiful fish in there, Ludwig! V-Veeee!" Feliciano physically drooped, shrinking against the lecture and looking at the ground, every additional sentence and poke only making him deflate like a balloon.. Why was everyone mad at him? What did he do wrong?

"Si, capitano...mi dispiace..." He apologized anyways, even if he didn't understand; it was better to be safe than sorry.

And so they were at it again. Ludwig was giving Feliciano another lecture, and the Italian was crying out and apologizing. Once again, Kiku was left to wonder if Feliciano even listened to the German's words, or if he just apologized to get him to stop.

When the lecture was finished, Kiku repeated himself from before, but in a calmer voice, "Please be careful, Feliciano-kun."

Pochi whined and Kiku gave him a reassurring pat on the head. Then the little dog approached the other two and whined again. Kiku followed behind him.

---

Sorry this reply is so short!

"Very well." Ludwig gave a strict nod towards Feliciano, uncrossing his arms. "Now stay close to us and pay attention to the possible dangers this place might bring." The Italian had apologized and it seemed that he now understood the need to stay calm and watch out.

The lecture was given and Ludwig turned away from Feliciano with a sigh and took his former spot next to Kiku back in. His focus should be back to the garden and not to look after the Italian. The blond felt like a babysitter with the smaller man around.

He started to walk on in a slow pace, giving his Japanese friend a glance to see if he followed. "My own garden has more trees but less flowers. And I do have a waterfall to my pond, but no bridge." Ludwig's eyes followed the way they were walking along and noticed that it leaded around a corner that was covered by bushes so he couldn't see where the way went.

"Where does this way leads us to?"

Feliciano stationed himself behind the other two men, most of the excitement he had felt for the garden moments before subdued by the lingering scolding (and his throbbing forehead--Ludwig poked really hard!), his gaze cast on the ground rather than the greenery around them. It wasn't fair that everyone had gotten so upset...all he had done was look at the fish...

But something had caught his attention as he looked down; Kiku's little dog had trotted over, and the Italian couldn't resist crouching down to pet him, smiling and cooing softly at the animal. "Ve, you understand me don't you, puppy?"

Feliciano picked up the small dog and cuddled him, nuzzling his nose in the soft fur. Pochi's presence had cheered him up a bit, so he trotted closer to the other two, peering around Ludwig's side to see where he pointed to.

As Feliciano cuddled Pochi, the dog decided to lick the Italian in appreciation. Kiku himself relaxed more, the situation seeming to have diffused.

The Japanese man turned his attention to Ludwig and the area he was indicating. "That leads to the pavillion for tea ceremony," he answered. "It's a dead end. A pretty area, though."

He really didn't mind if his friends wished to see it, although they certainly wouldn't be using it for it's purpose at the moment.

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Shooooooooooooooort. Sorry.

Also -totally didn't forget it was my turn in this thread, nooooooo- >>

eue