Nuki's Note:
This was a birthday gift for a friend. It's girlxgirl stuff so if you don't like that, don't read it. And yes I know Kaoru is mildly out of character. Sue me
Stage Fright
She wasn't sure whether or not her footsteps were actually bouncing off of the empty hallway walls in an echo or if it was just her imagination. Occasionally her eyes strayed away from her feet to glance at closed doors or windows that showed empty classrooms. Her head was hung low and her fists were jammed into her pockets. She continued down the hallway slowly, half praying she wouldn't find her destination.
Out of the silence came something of a moan. Kaoru's stomach gave a lurch. She forced herself to keep moving and listened hard. The moan grew louder as she progressed. Eventually Kaoru found herself listening to a song of squeals, sniffles, and moans right outside a janitor's closet. Taking a breath, she brought her hand to the handle and opened the door.
As predicted, Momoko was curled up on the floor- her fiery red mane a tangled mess. Kaoru shook her head, bending down.
"Why'd you pull a move like that?" She asked quietly. She tried to keep her voice firm but caring.
The redhead buried her face into her knees. She gave no answer and continued to cry.
"In front of all those people…why would you do something so reckless?" Kaoru tried again.
"…I- I wanted attention." Momoko whispered through her hiccups and sniffling.
Kaoru chewed her tongue at the answer. "So you'd rather have bad attention, people looking down on you, than no attention at all?"
She didn't have to wait for Momoko to give a weak nod. Kaoru had been friends with Momoko long enough now to know that the girl would cut her own leg off if it meant she had several eyes on her. But she still couldn't understand Momoko's motives for pulling such an outrageous stunt in front of so many people. In time, Momoko would heal from the consequences of her mistakes. But what if she tried to do something crazy again? Kaoru had spoken with Miyako and both agreed that they couldn't let their leader hurt herself. Momoko's thirst for any attention was becoming utterly desperate.
"I-If I…make a deal with you," Kaoru paused to make sure she played out her words carefully. "Will you promise not to do anything that stupid ever again?"
Momoko wiped her eyes, barely glancing up. "What kind of deal?"
Kaoru brought her face very close to Momoko's. She was surprised at her own heavy breathing.
"I'll give you all the attention you want. Stop trying to force it out of people and I'll give it all to you. I'll give you every last drop of my attention."
Momoko was practically gasping, and that was about all she could do. She stared at Kaoru with shocked, but hungry eyes. To prove her side of the promise, Kaoru brought her lips to the short distance of Momoko's mouth. At the moment she didn't care with whatever responsibilities or issues reared up with her vow. She'd deal with them later.