Authors note: Hello again everybody. I'm back with another story. :D
Well, kind of. It is a sequel to the Zombie Apocalypse of Haruhi Suzumiya, so while it is technically the same story, there aren't going to be any zombies this time. Instead, we're going to look in on everyone's favorite club not too long after the events of the previous story.
That being said- if you haven't read the Zombie Apocalypse of Haruhi Suzumiya, I suggest you go do so now before continuing any further. You'll be able to understand whats going on here for the most part, but there are going to be some references to the first story here and there that you're not going to get if you haven't read it. If you are worried about the first one being a crack because of the subject matter, don't worry- it's not. I was 100 serious about it.
Anyway, here we go... I don't own Haruhi blahblahblah...etc.
SURGEON GENERAL'S WARNING: High sugar content. Type II Diabetics read at your own peril.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The week following the Zombie Incident was surreal- partly because of how close the world came to ending, and partly because of my relationship with Nagato. Things have been going well I suppose- a bit static, but that's to be expected from Nagato. Besides, it's nice to have someone there as my anchor when Haruhi spins up some new tornado of trouble.
And that's the strange thing I guess. Haruhi had not caused any trouble all week. Koizumi mentioned that there were a few minor closed spaces here and there, but overall the outlook was good. I'd love to believe this will last forever- but I know that's just to good to be true. I'll probably do something to piss her off... it's just a matter of time, I guess.
Time is something I have a lot of lately. Sure, we've had our club meetings, but Haruhi hasn't devised anything extra-curricular since... well... that movie viewing that nearly ended the world. And during some of this free time, I find myself having a pleasant, if somewhat awkward dinner with Nagato Yuki.
If you had told be that I would eventually be dating an alien computer even a few months ago, I would have laughed at you. Now... it just seems kind of normal.
Seated across from me is Nagato- our dinner has not yet been served. Even though we are on a date- our first date, actually- she has her nose buried in some book.
...Am I that boring, Yuki-chan?
"So... Yuki... Is that book any good?"
"Interesting."
"I see...You look nice tonight."
"...Thank you."
She did too. I'm a bit surprised she dressed up for this. It's a good thing though- after all, it is a semi-formal Italian restaurant. I think if I hadn't mentioned that to her yesterday, she would have probably just gone in her school uniform. When I came to her front door earlier this evening, she had dressed herself in a long, midnight blue dress, fitted to accent her delicate curves. It was tasteful, but extremely attractive.
"What book is it?"
"The Lord of the Rings."
"Ah... I tried to read the first one a while ago, but I ended up getting bored. Reading has never been a favorite activity of mine."
"...I see."
"..."
"..."
"Would you... read to me later?"
Her eyes stopped scanning the page, turning up to me. I could see the ghost of a blush on her features.
"...Yes."
She placed the bookmark where she had left off and put the book away. I smiled in response.
The waiter arrived at our table:
"I'm sorry about the wait! What can I get for you today?"
I looked over at Yuki expectantly- ladies first and all that.
She didn't respond.
Uh...
"Do you need more time to decide?"
"No, no..."
I guess she needs a push in the right direction...
"What do you want, Yuki?"
"Water."
Figures.
"And you?"
"Hmm... I'll have a Coke."
"Alright! I'll be right back with your drinks!"
Once the waiter left, I turned back to Yuki.
"It's customary that ladies order first."
"Understood."
Nothing more need be said- she just isn't used to these things. Truth be told, neither am I...
"Hmmm... How many books have you read since you arrived on Earth, anyway?"
"1,972 and 1/32."
"1/32?"
"I have just begun reading the Lord of the Rings."
"Ah... That's a lot of time spent reading."
"Most of those books were before the SOS brigade was started. I did not socialize. I did not watch T.V. I read."
"That seems kind of lonely."
"...Yes."
We fell back into comfortable silence. The waiter soon returned with out drinks.
"So, are you ready to order yet?"
Oh, whoops... I completely forgot to look at the menu. I guess it doesn't matter though- I know what I want.
Yuki spoke first: "I will have whatever Kyon is having."
Well... I guess that's an order- even if she deferred to me.
"Yuki and I will have the Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo."
"Alright, that will be right out for you. Let me know if there is anything else you need."
"Alright."
The waiter left Yuki and I alone again.
"You know, I really enjoy your company, Yuki. I hope that my presence is enough to dispel some of that loneliness of yours..."
She didn't say anything, but gave a small, barely noticeable smile. I can tell it was mostly forced- the physical expression of emotion is difficult for her- but I knew that the emotion behind it was real.
Again, we relapsed into silence- but not the uncomfortable sort. There just wasn't anything to talk about.
The food came about 15 minutes later- kind of fast I guess, and our dinner began in earnest.
It tasted great- the chicken was tender, the noodles were cooked evenly, and the Alfredo sauce was up there as perhaps the best I'd ever tasted. We ate in silence, and enjoyed each others company. When we were finished, I still had nothing to say. I simply sat and waited for the bill, which came promptly.
After paying and leaving a tip (generous by my standards- the actual bill just about broke me), we left heading toward Yuki's apartment.
The way was dark, intermittently broken by the ethereal glow of the street lights. The stars overhead were mostly obscured by the lights, but it was cloudless and expansive.
The cool night air sent a chill down my spine. Silently, I wondered if Yuki was cold.
Ha... Yuki. Cold. Pun. I crack myself up...
Regardless, I slipped my arm around her waist and pulled her in close, warming myself up, and hopefully her as well.
Well... I guess it wasn't entirely for the warmth...
In response, she leaned her head on my shoulder. I smiled.
"...I love you, Yuki."
"I love you too, Kyon."
We continued on like that for some time before we were interrupted. To say it was unexpected- and unwelcome- would be to make a gross understatement. The night had been going so well... and then:
"That's a nice looking girl you got there, kid. Mind sharing?"
No way. No way...
I turned to him and gave him a glare that was somewhere between anger and nervousness. Yuki gave him a passive glance before turning to me.
"Leave us alone, we don't want any trouble."
"Trouble ehh? I'm not looking for trouble either, kid. Just a little bit of lovin'. That's what we're all after, right?"
"Go away."
"You know, I think I'll do just that. I'm taking your girl with me though."
He took a step forward, an idiot grin plastered on his face- he wasn't drunk.
Yuki finally spoke up:
"I am not going with you."
"Listen girlie, you are coming with me, like it our not. Who's gonna stop me? Your boyfriend here? Ha! I don't think he's got the grapes!"
I snapped. How dare this bastard come along and try to ruin my date! How dare he come along and try to ruin my Yuki!?
I charged, blinded by rage, fists thrown back, ready to rain righteous fury down on this mans head.
He never saw it coming. My fist connected with his jaw with a solid crack, immediately followed up with my knee, crashing like a piston into his chest.
We fell over in a heap- clearly this man was not used to facing competent resistance. God, that thought fills me with disgust.
Still in shock, the man took my blows, helplessly accepting his punishment. Again and again, my fists connected with his face, soon drawing blood. Eventually his shock was replaced with fear, and then despair. He was crying now, not even trying to stop me.
I stopped and looked down at his face. It looked like raw meat- but the damage was mostly superficial. I think I broke his jaw, but I'm not sure.
Okay...what do I do now...?
I stood up and remained motionless in indecision.
The man was still crying, clutching his face in agony.
Wow... I really messed him up...
I looked back at Yuki. Her face was still passive.
"...What should we do?"
She stood in silence and pointed back behind me.
When I turned back around, I found that the man had gotten up and made a run for it. There was a trail of blood heading into a back alley.
"Ah..."
Wow...what do you say after something like that? I'm kind of ashamed of myself... I mean... the guy was a rapist...but...
I walked back over to Yuki, my eyes downcast. I stood for a few seconds like that before I finally said something.
"I'm sorry you had to see that Yuki..."
Silence. Then a small, warm hand on my face.
"...Thank you, Kyon."
"Yuki..."
She moved in and pressed her lips to mine. It's unusual to see her take the initiative... but it's nice...
After a minute or so, we stepped apart. Silence reigning, yet again.
We continued on our way to Yuki's apartment, secure in our love of one another.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When we reached Yuki's apartment, we stood outside the door, disappointed that our date had to come to an end. I'm glad I walked her home... I don't want her to come to any harm.
"Yuki..."
"Yes?"
"...Be careful when you are out by yourself."
"There is nothing to worry about."
...Now that I think about it, I guess there isn't. Yuki could have taken that guy with both arms and one leg tied behind her back- and that's if she held back.
"Well...bye, Yuki... I'll see you tomorrow."
"Wait. Kyon."
"Hmmm?"
"...Didn't you want me to read to you?"
Oh, I totally forgot about that... It's kind of late though...
Yuki looked up at me expectantly.
...I guess I could stay.
"Yeah... Yeah I did."
She unlocked the door, and I held it open for her. I followed her inside and took a seat next to her against the wall.
"So... are you going to read from the Lord of the Rings?"
"Yes."
I smiled at her and leaned up against her arm. She took out her book and began where she left off.
I missed the first part of the story- she had already read past it- but it didn't really matter. I wasn't paying attention anyway. I was just focusing on her voice. Listening to her speak in that deep, melodic voice of hers is always nice...
Hmmm...I'm kind of tired... I can't fall asleep though...
...I can't...
sleep...
----------------------------------
After having read only a few pages, Yuki noticed abruptly that Kyon had fallen asleep.
She sat gazing down at his face for quite some time, book held open to the last page she had read. Slowly, she marked her place and set the book aside. After a few minutes, she shifted his head down into her lap, placing one of her hands on his head.
Hours later, when the sun's rays broke through her window blinds, she still sat with a small contented smile on her face, cradling Kyon's head just as she had all night.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fluffity fluff fluff! I'm not sure how good I am at writing fluff- this is my first attempt at it, so I'd like to see what you all think.
Don't worry, this story is not going to be all fluff. I just felt like it would be a good idea to show how Kyon and Yuki are getting along after the first story. We'll actually get moving on the plot next chapter.
This one took longer to get out than I thought- I rewrote it 3 times. I said before that I have this whole story planned out, but that's not entirely accurate. I have the middle-end planned out. It took me a while to think of a beginning that would allow me to progress the story in the direction that I want it to go.
One more thing- Kyon's pun. Yuki is Japanese for snow. Try reading that line again and you'll understand.
Anyway Review please! I still love to hear from my readers!
