"Kouhei? Where is Hazuki?" Elfriede asked softly in her gentle tone.
"I don't know." Kohei replied drinking his tea and biting a rice ball. "I'm not her babysitter."
"Go find her." Grandfather (Ryuuhei) said.
"Huh? But Grandpa-" Kouhei started.
"No Buts now go."
Kouhei grumbled and stood. He walked through the house and looked in every room. Empty. "Hazuki?" he asked himself.
Then he went to her room and opened the door. "There you are."
"Haiji! Get rid of him!" Hazuki cried almost immediately and covering something.
"Hey what's- ow!" Haiji smacked into Kouhei's face and began pushing.
"Out! Leave my master alone! She's busy!" the little cat creature fluttered.
"Wait a sec, Haiji. Hazuki what's that?" he asked pushing past it. Hazuki turned away and hid the little thing.
"GET OUT!" she barked.
"Hazuki, what is that?"
"OUT!"
"What is it?"
"OUT!!!"
"Haz! Show me!"
"NO!"
"Hazuki!"
"No! Now what do you want?!"
"Grandpa and Elfriede want you, but Hazuki, what is that?"
"Go hide it!" Hazuki said and handed Haiji a small pink thing. The little cat creature flew out of the room and Kouhei heard a door slam.
Hazuki stood to face Kouhei and stalked past him out of the room.
"Hey." He stuck out his arm once in the hallway and grabbed her arm.
"Don't touch me!" she yanked her arm away and Kouhei sighed as he followed her back into the room where Grandfather and Elfriede where waiting. She sat gracefully and smiled.
"Yes, Grandfather?" she asked. Kouhei entered the room ad closed the door before sitting next to Hazuki with another sigh. Grandfather cleared his throat.
"Elfriede and I have big news to share with you." He beamed.
"You didn't!" Kouhei gasped. "Oh Grandfather gross!" he exclaimed.
"No, No!" laughed Elfriede and Grandfather chuckled. Hazuki made a disgusted face and turned as Haiji whizzed into the room to sit in her lap.
"No, the news is we are going to spend the week in Florida since Seiji has to do research there." Grandfather winked. "Or at least that's what we told him."
"Wait we're going to Florida?" Kohei asked
"Where is Florida?" Hazuki demanded.
"And Seiji is coming with us?"
"Can Haiji come?"
"And what research is Seiji doing in Florida?"
Elfriede and Grandfather chuckled again.
"One at a time!" he said. "Yes we are going to Florida and Florida is in the U.S.A."
"All the way from Japan?" Kohei asked and they nodded.
"Yes, Mistress, Haiji can come as long as she stays hidden." Elfriede said.
"You too my dear." Grandfather warned and Elfriede smiled.
Hazuki smiled and hugged her little friend. "Yay!" they exclaimed.
"What research is Seiji doing there?" Kohei asked.
"Oh never mind that, he works too hard. Sensei and I have agreed it is time for him to have a break." Grandfather said.
"He does, and it will be a good experience for you too Kouhei. You can take pictures of the beautiful scenery." Elfriede smiled.
As Kohei threw the last few bags into the trunk he turned back to the house.
"Hey, wait a minute Elfriede. How are you going to get in the car? As a matter of fact how where you planning to go in the sunlight at all?" he asked. Then he remembered Hazuki. "I wonder if Hazuki feels generous today…" he mused.
Kohei went down to Hazuki's room and found her trying to shut an overstuffed suitcase.
"Hey that's not all going to fit in my trunk you know." He said. Hazuki ignored him.
"Push Haiji!" she said. Kouhei sighed and went over. With his help the three of them got the suitcase shut and carried it out to the car. Kohei threw it in the back and slammed the trunk.
"Hey." He said softly and leaned on the side watching Hazuki. She turned to him.
"Hmm?"
"Do you think you could share some of your daywalking with Elfriede?"
"What?! No way! I'm not letting her drink my blood!" she cried.
"SHHHHH!!! Come on Gramps will be so happy. I mean think of it logically. One, she will have to be stuck inside all day and two, Grandpa will be lonely."
Hazuki considered it. "Fine, but only for Grandfather!" she exclaimed and stalked off.
"Hey it's not for me!" Kouhei chuckled.
Hazuki entered the kitchen where Elfriede and Grandfather were talking.
"Oh, Kouhei's outside young one." Grandfather said.
"I know, I want to talk to Elfriede." She mumbled.
"Yes Mistress?" the blond vampire asked.
"Kouhei asked me to share my daywalking with you." She said still mumbling.
"Oh Mistress you don't have too!" she laughed.
"I KNOW THAT! It's not for me it's for Grandfather." She said and stuck out her arm.
Hazuki slumped into the back of the car with Haiji in her lap as she sulked.
"Did you do it?" Kouhei asked and she nodded.
"I didn't realize how much it hurt!" she whined. Kouhei smiled.
"Well that's how I feel every time you kiss me." He said.
"Yet you continue to let me every time…" she whispered to herself.
"Hmm??"
"Nothing."
"Well if it makes you feel better, how about we let the two love birds have the backseat and you sit up front with me." He said and pointed to the door where Elfriede and Grandfather were standing very close testing her new daywalking abilities. Hazuki giggled and clambered up front.
When they arrived at the airport they met up with Seiji and waited. Hazuki and Haiji watched the luggage wrack, giggling. Seiji had put an invisibility spell on the cat creature so she could travel.
"Flight 11 now boarding. Flight 11 now boarding." The intercom announced.
"C'mon Haz!" Kouhei called and they all went to board the plane.
Once on board Hazuki studied her ticket looking for a seat number and finding none. Kouhei put his hands on her shoulders and steered her to the front.
"There." He pointed. Hazuki sat expecting him to sit next to her and stared out the window.
"What is-" she turned and saw that Kouhei wasn't sitting with her. "Hey!" she exclaimed. Hazuki turned accidentally knocking Haiji onto the ground as she kneeled on the chair to look for Kouhei. He was one row back. "Come sit with me." She demanded. Grandfather nudged Kouhei in the ribs.
"Go or we'll never hear the end of it."
"You just want to sit next to Elfriede."
Grandfather smiled and Kohei sighed, standing. Hazuki smirked as he plunked down next to her.
The plane started up and suddenly Hazuki remembered that she hated the take off. She gripped the chair tightly, her knuckles turning white. Kouhei stared at her and then saw why she was scared.
"Aww, come on Haz. Chill out." He said and relaxed into his seat putting his arms behind his head.
"Now prepare for take off. Turn off all electronics please." The flight attendant said.
Hazuki gripped even tighter and Kouhei heard the chair groan.
"Hazuki, calm down." He said and placed his hand on hers. He felt her relax a little. Then the plane began to move and she let go completely, now clutching Kouhei's hand. He felt as if she was about to beak it as the plane soared higher. When they were finally above the clouds she relaxed her grip completely and sighed in relief. Then, noticing her hand, Hazuki snatched it away blushing. She then turned to the window and began to chatter excitedly with Haiji.
Kouhei watched smiling.
The plane flight was fairly long and soon Hazuki began to drift into sleep. The flight attendant brought a blanket and pillow and Kouhei handed them to Hazuki. She rested her head against the pillow and fell asleep.
Kouhei watched her sleeping peacefully and adjusted the blanket over her. As he did this, Hazuki moved and rested her head against his chest knocking the pillow on the floor completely. Kouhei smiled and stroked her hair gently the way he had seen Elfriede do before.
He eventually fell asleep, resting his own head on top of hers because the next thing he knew a bright flash awoke him.
"Haha, such a cute picture!" he heard Grandfather exclaim. Kouhei groaned as he remembered that he had left his camera in the other seat.
Hazuki hadn't moved and was still snuggled up next to Kouhei in what looked like a very uncomfortable position. He sighed knowing another picture perfect shot was coming up, but none the less he pulled the young girl onto his lap and let her rest.
Flash!
Kouhei groaned and ignored the snickers from Grandfather and Elfriede as he rested his head back.
Haiji suddenly flew up into his face.
"Put my master down!" she demanded.
"Shhh, Haiji." He whispered. "Let her rest."
Haiji studied them and sighed, before settling into his lap as well and falling asleep.
When the plane landed, Hazuki was still asleep on Kouhei's lap.
"Haz, wake up." He said softly as the passengers began to file off. "Hazuki. Haz wake up." He said. She refused to stir. Kouhei sighed and lifted her up as he followed Grandfather and Elfriede off the plane. The sun was very bright and the air very warm.
The bright sun and temperature change woke Hazuki.
"Kouhei? Where are we?" she asked sleepily rubbing her eyes.
"We're in Florida." He answered.
"Wait, why are you carrying me?!" she demanded, all traces of sleep gone.
"Calm yourself child." Grandfather said. "He is carrying you because you fell asleep on the plane and refused to wake. But don't worry, we have pictures." He ended with a smile that was curiously similar to a smirk as they entered the airport through the sliding doors. Hazuki blushed but didn't struggle to get down which surprised them all and Kouhei shifted her weight.
"Hey Haz?" he asked.
"Hm?"
"Would you mind going piggyback 'til we get there?"
"Sure." Hazuki let Kouhei transfer her and then lay her head on his with a contented sigh/yawn. Haiji giggled inaudibly and Elfriede exchanged a knowing glance with Grandfather.
When they reached the waiting area Hazuki was asleep again and Kouhei was nearly panting as he lay her down in a chair.
"Man she's tired!" he exclaimed rubbing his back.
Elfriede and Grandfather went to gather the luggage and arrange the car pickup leaving Seiji and Kouhei to stay with Hazuki.
"Want me to carry her?" Seiji offered as the others returned.
"Could you? It would be great except…what about when she wakes?" he replied.
"What about it?" Seiji asked.
"Her reaction would not be all too pleasant."
"Well it's your call, but she seems completely out of it." Seiji adjusted his glasses.
"Hm…alright then." He sighed and nodded. Seiji picked up the sleeping Hazuki and they all began walking towards the exit.
Hazuki felt the gait change almost immediately and peeked out of one eye to see who it was. Kouhei was walking directly in front with Haiji floating by his ear and Elfriede was chattering animatedly with Grandfather. That only left one person… Hazuki jerked awake and lurched forward away from Seiji. She landed hard on the tile floor squeezing her eyes shut as she held tightly to Kouhei's ankle.
"Hazuki?!" she heard him exclaim. "Seiji, did you drop her or something?"
"No, she jumped forward suddenly!" Seiji answered. Then Hazuki exploded into a tantrum.
"Kouhei!"
"What?!" he answered, his tone turning angry at the sound of her rage.
"Why was Seiji carrying me?!" she demanded.
"'Cause you got too heavy for me."
"HEAVY?! I got too heavy for you?! How was I too heavy?!"
"'Cause you are!"
"HEY! You'd better not be calling me fat!"
"So what if I am?"
"As long as you mean it P-H-A-T, fine."
"No I mean fat as in fat like overweight, like diet needing."
"KOUHEI!"
Hazuki pounced but Seiji caught her around the waist.
"Don't cause a scene!" he hissed but Hazuki ignored him. She continued to struggle until she finally wedged free and jumped on Kouhei. But Kouhei was quick. He grabbed her like a football and threw her over his shoulder before stalking out of the airport fuming.
"Oh dear…"Elfriede exclaimed.
"Put me down!" Hazuki exclaimed loudly. Kouhei ignored her and kept walking. "Put me DOWN you jerk!"
"You wanted me to carry you right?" he said sarcastically.
"No! Put me down now! You are my slave! Put me DOWN!" she cried.
"You know what fine!" Kouhei dropped Hazuki and she was just lucky to have landed on her feet. "You, Hazuki, are spoiled rotten! You shouldn't have acted like that with Seiji so now you have to go around all by yourself. Don't you even think about coming around to me for anything!" he said angrily and slammed the car door shut. He honked the horn impatiently for the others to hurry. Tears welled up in Hazuki's eyes as she stared after him.
"Fine!" she shouted as the tears began to fall. The others all piled into the car leaving Hazuki to clamber in last. Elfriede gave her a small pat on the shoulder before climbing in front next to Kouhei.
Hazuki sat as far back as possible from the drivers seat and cried soundlessly curled up in a little ball. Haiji patted her reassuringly and glared at Kouhei.
Kouhei himself, as angry as he was couldn't help but wondering if maybe he had gone too far as to ban her from being near him the whole trip. Then again, he remembered how she had acted in the airport and his hands tightened on the steering wheel. None the less he continued to glance at her the entire way to the hotel.
When they arrived at the hotel Kouhei parked and they went to check in. After that they went up to the room. Hazuki ignored everyone as she stalked down the hall with Haiji behind her. Then they entered the room.
The room had two beds and a pull out sofa. Hazuki frowned and turned to Elfriede.
"There are only two beds and a sofa." She commented.
"Glad you can count." Kouhei mumbled. Hazuki childishly stuck her tongue out at him.
"Oh well. Elfriede and Grandpa get one, Seiji one and me one. He can have the floor." She said.
Grandpa chuckled. "Love spat." He whispered to Elfriede and both Hazuki and Kouhei glared at each other.
"How about no. I get the bed and you get the floor." Kouhei said.
"You're my slave, you get the floor." She spat.
"Me?! I'm older!"
"And immature!"
"And you're not?"
"No!"
"Yes!"
"Nu-un!"
"Yu-hu!"
"Nu-un!"
"Yu-hu!"
"Nu-un!"
"Yu-hu!"
"Hush!" Grandfather commanded. "We will go with Hazuki's plan except the two of you," he pointed to Hazuki and Kouhei "will share the sofa pullout bed."
"WHAT?!" they exclaimed.
"But Gramps!"
"But Grandfather!"
"No buts! Now go!" he said. Hazuki grumbled as she grabbed her pajama's and went to change. Kouhei went to grab his and noticed the small pink thing Hazuki had been hiding earlier. He picked it up and saw that it was a gift wrapped in pink paper with a card attached.
Dear Kouhei,
Happy Birthday! (Even though I don't know when it is.).
Love(cross out)
From(cross out)
Love Hazuki
Kouhei placed the parcel down and sighed.
"Hey Haz?" he knocked on the door and waited. Hazuki opened it and stalked past him to brush her teeth. "Haz, look I'm sorry. You…you don't have to you know stay away if you don't want to. Just try to control your temper a little bit more and apologize to Seiji."
Hazuki looked at him like he was crazy.
"I'm not apologizing to anyone but fine. I forgive you." She said and went back to brushing her teeth. Kouhei sighed. He didn't know what he had been expecting but he felt a little deflated.
"No hug?" he grumbled and turned around to change in the bathroom. Then he felt two small arms wrap around his waist momentarily before disappearing.
When Kouhei finished changing he opened the door and heard a small voice.
"I'm sorry Seiji for having acted that way before." Hazuki whispered softly. Kouhei peeked around the corner and saw his cousin laying on the bed and Hazuki staring at her feet as she apologized.
Seiji grunted in response and Kouhei fumed. He marched around the corner and shoved Hazuki protectively behind him as he glared at Seiji.
"You could at least respond when she apologizes!" he shouted. Seiji opened one eye and stared at Kouhei.
"Over reaction." He muttered and sat up before turning to Hazuki. "I accept your apology." He said and lay back down. Kouhei nodded and went back to the bathroom.
"Kouhei?" Hazuki asked.
"Hm?" came the response as Kouhei turned the water on in the sink.
Hazuki smiled. "Nothing." She called.
"Hm."
Hazuki grabbed her pillow and bounced onto the sofa bed waiting for Kouhei.
"Mistress, are you alright?" Elfriede asked.
"Yes, why do you ask?" Hazuki replied curiously.
"Oh, no reason." Elfriede responded with a smirk and her glasses flashing maliciously.
"Elfriede tell me!" Hazuki frowned.
"Oh it's nothing to get worked up about mistress." Elfriede said innocently.
"Then tell me!" Hazuki demanded leaning angrily on the edge of the sofa towards the blonde vampire. Kouhei came in and snatched Hazuki around the waist and toppled onto the bed.
"Chill out Haz." He said. Hazuki could smell the minty toothpaste in his breath as he spoke. She tried to push away from him but Kouhei pressed her tighter against himself.
"Let go of me you creep!' Hazuki said.
"I don't think I can." Kouhei replied. "I think my arms have been glued to you."
"Kouhei! Let go!"
"I'm stuck!" he laughed.
"Kouhei!"
"I can't!" he said laughing and rolled over.
"Get off me! Your big face is squashing me!" Hazuki said from under him.
"Do you hear something Elfriede?" Kouhei asked. The blonde vampire giggled.
"Get off me you freak!" Hazuki cried.
"I'm still stuck! Uh-oh!"
"GET OFF!" Hazuki shrieked.
"I CAN'T!" Kouhei laughed.
"That will be enough Kouhei." Grandfather said entering with Haiji. He turned and went into the bathroom as Haiji settled onto the bed next to a sleeping Seiji. With one last laugh Kouhei rolled over and released Hazuki.
"Ugh! You need to go on a diet!" Hazuki coughed as she gave Kouhei a shove.
"Hey!" he laughed and pushed her back. Hazuki giggled then stood on the bed. "Oh, no!" Kouhei groaned. Hazuki didn't jump, she didn't scream. She pointed looking horrified. Kouhei snapped his attention to where she was pointing and stood.
"What is it Haz?" he demanded.
Hazuki stared. Kouhei couldn't see anything out of the ordinary. He made a face and asked
"Elfriede, do you see something by the door?"
"Why no. What is it mistress?" Elfriede asked confused. Hazuki shook her head and sat cross-legged on the bed looking disgruntled.
"I-It's nothing." She said. Hazuki grabbed the blanket and covered herself as she lay down on the bed facing away from everybody.
"Haz? Are you ok?" Kouhei asked. She didn't answer. He exchanged a worried look with Elfriede as the blonde vampire shrugged.
"Let's not alert the others." She whispered. "It might be nothing, but then again it might be something. Let's wait until we know more from the mistress before alerting the others." Kouhei nodded and sat on the edge of the bed watching Hazuki.
Grandfather then entered the room and plopped onto a bed and Elfriede settled in next to him. Kouhei went to turn off the lights and soon everyone was asleep except Kouhei and Hazuki who appeared to be shivering.
"Haz?" Kouhei whispered. He placed a hand on the girl's shoulder. "Hazuki?"
"What?" she asked seeming to be herself again and angry at the same time.
"Are you ok?"
"Of course I'm ok!" she exclaimed throwing the sheets up and sitting as Kouhei fell off the bed with an exclamation of surprise.
THUD!
Kouhei rubbed his head. "Geesh Haz. Forgive me for worrying."
Hazuki's expression softened momentarily and a brief smile grazed her lips before disappearing again to be replaced by a haughty expression.
"Well don't. I'm fine!" she said and stuck her nose in the air.
Kouhei clambered back onto the bed. "Ok then what did you see?" he asked.
Hazuki ignored the question. "Shush! I'm going to bed." She said and lay back down facing away from him and pulling the sheets up again.
"Fine." Kouhei mumbled to himself and pulled up the sheets as he lay down. The next thing he knew he was on the floor again.
"Hazuki! What?!"
"You crossed the line!" she exclaimed sitting up once again.
"What?! What line?"
Hazuki drew an invisible line down the middle of the bed.
"That's your side, and this is my side!"
"Ugh, whatever." He said and climbed back under the sheets.
Hazuki frowned.
"Move your big butt!"
THUD!
Hazuki pushed Kouhei onto the floor for the third time that night.
"What?" Kouhei asked sleepily as he rubbed his eye. "Hazuki, please. I'm tired. Stop pushing me." He said and lay back down with a yawn.
Hazuki growled and turned over.
"Kouhei!" Hazuki shrieked from the ground.
"Hm?" Kouhei growled sleepily sitting up.
"You big bully!" she cried.
"What?" he asked rubbing his eyes.
"You kicked me off the bed!"
"Oops." Kouhei said and lay back down yawning. Hazuki growled.
"Hazuki!" Kouhei exclaimed.
"What?" she asked sleepily.
"Don't you 'what' me. You tried to push me off the bed again."
"Oops." She smirked and lay back down yawning.
Kouhei growled.
Kouhei yawned and went to stretch but something prevented him from moving. He looked down and saw Hazuki curled up by his side clinging tightly to his shirt sleeping. He smiled and patted her shoulder lovingly. Hazuki stirred and mumbled something in her sleep pulling him closer. Kouhei laughed softly and brushed a stray strand out of her face before kissing her cheek lightly. With a contented sigh he fell back asleep.
Grandfather growled. "Drat, no flash."
The next morning Kouhei woke with a bright flash, a girl's scream and a cry of triumph from Grandfather.
"I figured out how to work the flash!"
Kouhei shot to his feet knocking into Hazuki who had screamed and they both toppled onto the ground with an even larger 'THUD' than Kouhei did alone.
Flash!
"GRANDFATHER!" Kouhei roared. He lifted Hazuki onto the bed and ran to try and grab his camera. Grandfather laughed and tossed it to Elfriede. Kouhei growled and ran at her as he tried to grab it.
"Come on you guys!" he said.
"Give it to him!" Hazuki cried from the bed. Elfriede giggled.
"But Mistress…"
"No buts! I said give it to him." Hazuki insisted haughtily. Elfriede sighed and handed it to Kouhei.
"Ha!" Kouhei exclaimed. He pushed the 'return' button and began flipping through all the pictures of him and Hazuki. Kouhei ment to delete them but as he continued flipping through he knew that he would print them and hang them in his room back home. Kouhei sighed and handed Elfriede back the camera. She smiled knowingly as Kouhei tuned back to Hazuki.
"So did you delete them?" she asked. Kouhei nodded and she smirked. Hazuki went over to her suitcase and began making a pile of clothes. (7:18 episode 7) She finally decided on a yellow top with pale yellow arm warmers and black shorts with her neko mimi and neko tee-ru (I think that's correct but I'm not sure. Please correct me if I'm wrong) She put her hair into a long ponytail and smiled at Kouhei who had just turned around.
"Ah!" he exclaimed. "Hazuki what are you wearing?!"
"Hiromi bought it for me!" she giggled.
"You look like a- never mind." Kouhei blushed as he caught himself. Geez what am I thinking! I can't tell her something like that! He thought to himself.
"A what?!" Hazuki demanded putting her hands on her hips.
"Nothing, now go change! We're not in Japan and you can't go out looking like that." He said. "Not that you would go out anywhere looking like that." He added to himself.
Hazuki glowered.
"No! I'll wear what I want to wear!" she snapped.
Kouhei sighed and decided to take a different approach. "Come on kiddo, please." He asked placing a gentle hand on her head.
"Fine!" she snapped again. "If you want me to change then you pick what I wear!"
"Huh?!" Kouhei exclaimed. He scratched the back of his head nervously. "Um…ok…"
He went over to the large pile and picked out an outfit. Hazuki studied it and decided to at least show him. She slipped it on and Kouhei spun around bright red. She tapped him on the shoulder and smiled charmingly. Hazuki wore a black mini skirt with the same yellow top and hairstyle as before.
"Huh?!" he exclaimed again blushing harder than ever. "That's not what I picked out for you!"
"No, but I'm wearing the skirt!" she giggled. Kouhei continued blushing as he muttered something to himself.
"What was that?" Hazuki asked curiously.
"I said that you'd better be wearing shorts."
"Don't worry I am, if you want to check." She giggled again. Kouhei blushed even redder.
"Hazuki! Go change now!" he exclaimed. She grumbled and went to change. When she came out Hazuki was wearing a light green shirt whose sleeves went to her elbows with the black mini shirt, her neko mimi and her hair down in the back. (11:18 episode 16) She grumbled and slouched onto the bed. Kouhei sighed in relief.
"Take off that neko mimi please." He said.
"No! You can't tell me what to do! The only reason I changed was because I didn't want you to be bugging me about it all day but I'm not taking off the neko mimi mode!" she scowled.
"Alright, alright. Chill Hazuki." He laughed at her expression.
"Stop laughing at me!" she snapped.
"Were are we going today?" Kohei asked.
"I don't know. Let's go to the lobby, find Grandfather and the others and ask them dummy!" she said.
"The lobby?" Kouhei exclaimed.
"Duh! That's why the room is empty. Weren't you listening?"
"No…"
"Well let's go."
Hazuki opened the door and stalked down the hallway as Kouhei sighed and followed.
