The Passing of Cherry Blossoms

I kind of hate the accuracy of last night's title.  She was good people.  Rest in peace.  I mean, I half wrote it because I had a feeling, but.
more things need to write xander, au or not, as comfortador.

Cast of Characters (listed the Japanese way of surname first, in order of appearance/mention): Miyamoto Suna (Xander), Matriarch of the Miyamoto-gumi, a Direct Family of the Amaya-kai
Akiyama Yoko (Willow), Matriarch of the Akiyama-gumi, a Direct Family of the Amaya-kai
Natsukawa Renyo (Buffy), Chairwoman of the Amaya-kai
Kumai Atae (Jesse), former Matriarch of the Kumai-gumi, a Direct Family of the Amaya-kai
Amaya-kai-the Yakuza Clan they're all a part of
Author's Notes: In this universe, Japan is run by the women. The Yakuza don't have a monopoly on magic, but they do have a lot of it and there are rules about how it's used.  Traditional/old-fashioned kimonos tend to come in multiple layers (traditionally twelve).  Given the way Akiyama|Willow is addressing Miyamoto Suna|Xander in her head vs out loud, she's definitely being more informal in her head, mostly because there's still some amount of 'we haven't been close in years how do we friendship again'.
Terms: A tiny bit of Miyamoto's slangy Kansai-ben returns.
Aneki-older yakuza or one that's been with them longer, and thus a superior
yubitsume-yakuza practice of cutting off parts or the whole finger as penance, can be demanded by a superior
More author's notes: background notes
Fixes itself and the previous one more in the timeline, because Buffy died and got better.

Main Points:
Buffy/Yakuza AU (Bloody Petals)
Chapter Summary: This time, when Akiyama gets more news, she's not alone.
Word Count: 755
Rating: Teen
Warning: real world discussion of death/dying

 

( solace in friendship )