Since they had some business in Asia that they needed to take care of together, Tony made arrangements to make a stopover in Japan before they returned home. Pepper's reaction was not the one he had expected.
Pepper was sitting with her head propped against the back of her seat with her legs up, and her eyes closed. Tony watched her for a minute or so, trying to determine if she was asleep before he spoke. He was also trying to decide whether or not he wanted to disturb her. They'd been in Asia for nine days flying to four different countries in that time, and he knows that she's exhausted.
Then there's the fact she's been missing our kids, he thought, Well, I have too. They'd left Ethan and Eva at home as both of them were teenagers, and the thought of whirlwind working tour of Asia had not appealed to either. So as much as it pained Tony, they'd agreed to let them stay home provided they followed certain rules such as checking in with their aunts and uncles every so often. They were also not to invite any friends over or have any parties. Tony knows they'd followed their promises on both as JARVIS kept him informed every day how things were going on back home.
But even with being tired and missing their kids, he knows that his wife could use a respite, even that respite only lasts for one night in one of the world's largest cities. Tony opens his mouth to start to tell her there's been a slight change of plans when Pepper opens her eyes, lifts her head, and looks out of the window.
"Did we just change direction?" she asked.
The answer to her question is obvious that Tony doesn't feel the need to say anything.
"We did!" Pepper said, as she picked up the phone to call the cockpit. "I'm going to call and—"
Tony puts his hands on her to prevent her from completing the call, and at the puzzled look on her face he said, "We're going to Japan."
"We're going to Japan?" she echoed.
"Yes," he confirmed.
"Tony, why are we going to Japan? Did something come up? Is there an emergency?"
He shook his head then said, "No, there's no emergency. And before you ask why again, we're going to Japan because you need a rest, and it's the time of year the cherry blossoms are budding there. I know you've mentioned that you've always wanted to see cherry blossoms but never had the chance since any other time you've been in Japan, it's always been for business so you didn't have time to see the or you did but the cherry trees weren't blossoming. Now they are, and I'm taking you to finally see them."
When Pepper didn't speak for a minute or so, Tony worried he'd made the wrong call, and started to tell her that they'd just go home if that's what she wanted to do.
"You know, I think it's sweet that you arranged all this... but I'm not sure I'm up for one whirlwind night in Tokyo... we would be staying in Tokyo, right?" Tony nodded. "I don't think I'm up for a short stay."
"Then we can stay two or three days in Japan."
"Stay two days in... Honey, you do know if we stay two or three days in Japan, that means we'd have to spend more time away from the kids, right?"
Her question is a valid one, he knows, and always would be because of his brush with almost dying by lethal injection thanks to Morgan and Hammer. He'd lost six months of being in their kids' lives thanks to that living nightmare his cousin put them all through because of his greedy inability to be satisfied with what he already had.
"Tony?"
"Hmm? What? Oh, yeah, sorry. To answer your question is, yes I know stopping over in Japan would mean more time away from the kids but I think it's worth it." When she got the look on her face that he knew meant she was still reluctant to go through with the idea he added, "You are worth it. Come on, honey, the kids will be okay for another couple of days, and so will I."
Pepper didn't speak for a moment then she nodded, "All right. Let's go. Let's go to Japan. Just the two of us."
After they landed in Tokyo, they had gone to their hotel to freshen up a bit and get things settled. Both of them decided to dress in the kimonos the hotel had for them, and then they left for the park where the cherry blossoms were at the pique according to the hotel staff.
While they walked through the gardens, Tony couldn't help but be amazed by how beautiful the blossoms budding on the trees were in person as their beauty was so delicate and fragile. Neither of them spoke for some time, both lost in what they were seeing until he finally said to her, "It's interesting how I have always been a science kind of guy, but I have to say, there's something about the beauty of nature when you're surrounded with something like this, that are just somehow breathtaking."
Pepper smiled and nodded, "I know exactly what you mean. It's amazing how these tiny buds can turn into something so breathtakingly beautiful."
Of course even in a place as far away from home as Tokyo was, being was inevitable for Tony and Pepper. They'd probably been recognized many times that day, but respect for their privacy had won out over anyone wishing to get a photo with Iron Man.
The gardens they were in included a picnic area for families to stop, and enjoy the blossoms while they shared a meal together. Since they did not have any food with them, they decided to continue through the area so as not to disturb the families there.
They had almost made it through when they passed an area with a playground where some kids were playing. One boy immediately stopped what he was doing, and stared at them, then shouted something to his friends. The boy broke away from the other kids and ran over to them.
He looked up at Tony, "Anata wa aian mandesu ka, misutā?"
Tony looked at Pepper, "What did he ask me? I didn't quite catch what he said."
Pepper smiled, "He asked if you were Iron Man."
Turning back to the boy he answered, "Hai."
"Kare wa aianman," Pepper added.
"Watashi wa sore o shitte imashita! Kare wa aian mandesu! Kare wa aian mandesu!!" the boy shouted as he ran back to his friends.
When a lot of heads turned in their direction, Tony muttered, "Now what? I assume the kid told them all that I am—"
"That you're Iron Man? Yes, yes he did tell everything that. I'm sorry, Tony, I wouldn't have told him if I knew—"
"Mr. Stark?"
Tony turned and saw a man standing there with the boy who had run off announcing to everyone there who they were. "Yes... I mean hai?"
"Mr. Stark, I wanted to offer my apologies to you and your wife for my son Kiyoshi... for bringing attention to you."
While the man spoke, Tony took a good look at the boy. The kid looked like he was about eight or nine, and of course, Tony immediately thought about Ethan when he had been about that age. He looked at the boy's father again, and smiled, "It's okay. We've got kids too, and I remember how my son was when he was about your son's age."
"Even so, please accept our apologies for your peace in enjoying the gardens being disrupted," the man said with a bow.
They both returned his bow, and Pepper said something to him. The man nodded, and he turned to his son, speaking to them. With the issue settled, and many of the families no longer looking in their direction, they started to walk away when they were spoken to again.
"One moment please, Mr. Stark, Mrs. Stark!"
They both turned back to him, "Hai?"
"Please I wish to know if you have lunch yet?"
They looked at each other, and then Pepper answered, "No, we haven't. We only arrived in Tokyo about two hours ago."
"Then please allow us to invite you to join our family."
"I don't know..." Tony said.
"Please, Mr. Stark, we have plenty of food, and we would be honored if both of you would join us."
Tony looked at his wife again, and he could tell that Pepper was okay with the idea, "Okay, we'll join you."
"Great!"
They followed him over to an area not far away where a woman, who was presumably his wife, was seated with two boys, with one of them being Kiyoshi. They learned the man's name was Ichiro Hasegawa, his wife's name was Miu, and their other son's name was Daisuke. Neither Miu nor either one of the boys spoke English, but it was okay. Between Pepper and Ichiro they were able to carry on a conversation with the family.
After almost an hour with their new friends, Tony and Pepper said their goodbyes. Before leaving, Tony took some pictures with the two boys, both together and separate. As they waved goodbye, and then walked with hands joined through the rest of the garden, Tony looked around at the delicate cherry blossoms swaying in the light breeze.
Tony turned to Pepper and said, "You know, I think this is the most relaxed I've been in a long time. Maybe we should do something like this this more often."
Pepper smiled and leaned her head on Tony's shoulder, "I couldn't agree more. It's nice to take a break from work and just enjoy the beautiful things in life."
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