It was just barely out of reach of her trembling fingers. Fingers that closed above empty air, the object of concentration a glowing red orb bobbing innocuously in the crystal clear water. An even tinier moue of disappointment took away the Hell girl's impassiveness.
Ai stretched farther out over the water, the worn wood of the narrow dock bit into her bare knees, but she still pressed forward, the ball taunting, just bobbing out of reach.
Then it happened.
Gravity weighed her down. With a splash and a soft gasp, Ai tumbled into the water, a slight frown tugging her pink lips into a downcast look. The errant ball floated within reach of her hand. Her quarry within her grasp, she stood, wringing out the hem of her skirt, lifting it higher over her creamy thighs.
Footsteps thumped quietly on the dock, a distinctly male voice caused a blush to rise to her cheeks.
"Ms. Ai, we have a call." Ichimokuren said, hands in pockets.
Ai's ruby-red eyes widened minutely, "you didn't see anything, did you?"
It was his turn to look surprised. "N-No, Miss. What do you-"
A tiny figure curled in a ball rolled up. Kikuri sprung up at the dock's edge, giggling behind a chubby hand. "No peeking, Ichimaki!"
"It's Ichimokuren." He corrected, slightly miffed. Affecting nonchalance, he reached into the pocket of his sweater, withdrawing a lollipop from the human world. Flicking it over his shoulder, Ren muttered, "go get it!"
Kikuri's large violet eyes went wide, with an adorable smile to fool the angels, she scampered off, the tails of her short kimono flying. Ren shook his head at the childish display, smiling faintly as he turned back to his mistress.
Ai was frowning, "Ichimokuren..."
"What?" He scratched the side of his head in pretense. "Oh..that? Nah! I was inside! I didn't see a single thing."
Satisfied, Ai nodded slightly and retrieved her ball.
Ren turned away.
His tiny smirk said otherwise.
-TBC
Disclaimer: don't own Hell girl
AN: There's a scene in early Futakomori that inspired moi.
No flames, haters!
Reviews always appreciated :)