Glad that everyone liked the first chapter. The schedule is going to stay the same. If I get some open time, I'll put it to use, but otherwise, it'll be every 6 to 8 weeks. Thanks!
Disclaimer: If I owned anything accept my own characters and my account, why would I be writing here?
Tsukune found himself quite comfortable in his guest room at Kaien's large residence in the English suburbs around London. The mattress was plush; the blankets were warm and protected him from the harsh late November gusts. He wondered briefly in his half-awakened state how long until the ground was covered thickly in snow.
The Yokai Academy Newspaper Club had been in England only 2 days. It was a Sunday, and looking at the digital alarm clock that sat on his bedside table, Tsukune noted faintly that it read 8:55. With much verbal protest of the early hour at which breakfast was set upon the table, he pulled himself out from under the soft flannel sheets and heavy blankets, and set his feet on the cold hard wood floor. He winced slightly in surprise at the temperature, and then slid the blue house shoes and matching coat on. With a yawn, he forced himself up to his feet and marched down to the kitchen and dining room.
The twins, Moka, and Ryo were sitting at the large cherry wood table. Moka was the first to acknowledge the groggy human.
"Good morning, Tsukune!" her clear ringing voice greeted him cheerfully.
"G' Mornin'. Hey, why did it suddenly get so much colder overnight?" he asked getting a little clearer in speech with each word.
"The cold front went through last night. I guess it should start snowing soon," Ryo replied, adding her own comment. Moka had a thoughtful look on her face.
"It would be so romantic if it started snowing after the reception!" she said, her eyes gleaming dreamily. Ryo squealed like one of her fiancée's fan girls in excited agreement. Hikaru looked up from his newspaper.
"No, it would be cold and damp, Moka. Besides, since when is snow romantic anyway?" he contradicted.
"Since it became a cliché from a few Christmas chick flicks. Duh, Hikaru," Itsuki replied, looking up from a sports magazine. Tsukune briefly noticed that the twins were on the cover. Ryo and Moka shot the doppelgangers death glares, and they went back to their respective news sources. Tsukune, meanwhile, had quietly sat down next to Moka at the table.
A few moments later, Kaien, Mrs. Akashiya, Riku, and Gin entered the dining room, Kaien in his hunter green plaid flannel sleep pants and a green t-shirt with his black robe on, Riku in red pajama pants and a white shirt, and Gin in a black t-shirt and gray sweat pants. Mrs. Akashiya had a simple long sleeve baby pink cotton night gown with white lace around the cuffs and neckline. Riku and Gin sat next to the twins, Kaien sat at the head of the table Ryo on his right, and Mrs. Akashiya sat to his left. The kitchen staff that only worked 3 times a day most days came out of the kitchen in their white uniforms, and placed a plate of eggs, ham, bacon, sausage, and blueberry jam-spread toast in front of Kaien. Ryo had eggs and apple pancakes with cinnamon syrup in front of her; Moka and Mrs. Akashiya had much the same. The twins had the same array of protein as Kaien in front of them. Riku and Gin had quality New York strip steaks in front of them rather than ham; the order of sausages was also doubled as Kaien's joke on dogs begging for hot dogs. Gin just about launched across the table, but Riku stopped him. About that time, Kurumu, Mizore, Yukari, and Ruby drifted down the stairs, obviously coaxed down by the drool-worthy food smells from the kitchen. Kokoa had yet to make her appearance, and for that, the inhabitants of the dining room were thankful.
Kokoa hadn't been on her best behavior the past few days; to the contrary, she had been worse. She was restless and had been attacking Moka more frequently. It almost seemed as though Kaien's approaching addition to their small family had her upset, so she was using Moka as her mostly defenseless outlet.
As the meal was devoured, the light babble of conversation began again with Kaien, the twins, and Riku discussing the previous day's games. It started with the Arsenal game, since Kaien and Hikaru wore the red Gunners jerseys presently. The Gunners had lost to Burnley, and the two were discussing how it went wrong, and where. The only conclusion that they came to is that they weren't in the game. Likewise, when the discussion turned to the Portsmouth game, Itsuki griped how things would have gone differently if he had been in the Portsmouth v. Stoke City. Riku was rather happy about Tottenham's creaming of Wigan, so he was the only happy footballer at the table until the bump upon his head had protruded, and Kaien, Itsuki and Hikaru had retaken their seats. The table found this slightly amusing until Riku lurched up with murder in his eyes, and picked up the pitcher of orange juice and made his way toward Kaien, who smiled broadly, before jumping away from the table to make his escape upstairs. Riku gave chase, and a large crash was heard moments later. Everyone at the table held their breath.
"It's all good!" came Kaien's deep, velvet voice from upstairs.
"Like hell it is! My pants are drenched in orange juice!" Riku could be heard yelling. Kaien's thunderous laughter could faintly be heard. The beings at the table started chuckling and giggling, all sporting large smiles. One could easily imagine a scenario where Kaien had somehow tripped Riku up, and Riku's red pajama pants looking like the werewolf had to take remedial potty training as a result.
Suffice to say, when everyone had finished breakfast, and returned to the upstairs hall, Riku was already in one of his long sleeved red t-shirt and blue jeans, the red Nike Jordan's on his feet. Kaien was standing around in a green striped button up, the matching thermal shirt made visible by the two undone buttons at the top. Kaien stopped Tsukune briefly.
"Do you have a suit beside your uniform?" Kaien asked. Tsukune looked at him and slowly answered no.
"Get dressed, then. The lot of us is going to get fitted."
Tsukune did as he was told, and pulled on a pair of khaki cargo pants and a black long sleeve t-shirt over his light blue thermal pajamas. Next were the white sneakers that he had brought with him from his shoe locker at Yokai.
Meeting the rest of the guys down stairs, Kaien lead them to the garage. This was actually the first time that he had been allowed down to this part of the house. It was a large room, somewhat like a showroom. Kaien had a Bugatti Veyron, Lamborghini Gallardo, and an old Ferrari Enzo sitting in one row next to each other. Another row had a restored BMW M1, a restored 1969 Chevy Camaro, and a 1965 Shelby Mustang, equally restored to its 1960s showroom glory. The following row had Kaien's repaired BMW M5 (AN: I know a lot of you are thinking "Hey, I remember that car!"), a Mercedes Maybach, and a Bently. Also amongst his extensive collection were a 2009 Chevy Camaro, a 2010 Mustang Rousch package, a 2008 Ferrari Fiorano GTB, and a 1969 Cobra, completely redone to the classic blue backdrop and the white racing stripe.
"What's next, a P-51 Mustang in the back yard?" Tsukune commented with an astonished whistle.
"Actually, I was planning on finishing up my Spitfire I over the season break…" Kaien added in a matter of fact tone. Tsukune and Gin's eyes just about bugged out of their heads.
"What!!!" they exclaimed in shocked unison.
"Well, why not? Rich boys should have fun toys," Kaien pointed out, spreading his arms to mean the cars in the garage.
The twins both climbed into 2010 Mustang, Riku and Gin crammed into the '09 Camaro, and Kaien insisted upon driving the newly repaired and bullet proofed M5. Tsukune had his reservations, recalling the previous month's cram into the passenger side floorboards. Kaien chuckled, but assured Tsukune that it'd take a whole lot more than a single bullet to even truly crack the glass, and even then, they'd already be off on their merry way. Fears somewhat eased, Tsukune climbed into the front passenger seat, and Kaien ducked into the driver's seat. Kaien slid the key into the ignition, and twisted. The Bavarian work of art roared to life, and so did the opening bass riff to 7 Nation Army by the White Stripes. Kaien pulled out of the large garage, weaving between rows of his collection, taking great care in avoiding them. Before Tsukune realized, the two of them were out in the streaming sunlight, barreling along at over 90 miles per hour down an empty 2 lane road. Toward the end, the Hikaru and Riku, the 2 other drivers, pulled out on the road behind them, and put the pedal to the metal attempting to catch up to the now 100 mile per hour BMW. It proved impossible, until the stop sign at the end of the road, near the main one. Riku and Hikaru skidded to a halt behind him, and Kaien started off again, friends in tow. He was only going 55 mph, and he already seemed bored. Tsukune had his head between his legs trying terribly hard not to hurl over the leather upholstery of the M5. Kaien noticed, and reached behind to the small backseat for a small bucket. He handed it to Tsukune, and explained simply "Ryo has the same problem."
When the truly short 15 minute drive to the outfitters was over, Tsukune needed Kaien and Gin's help to get out of the car. He felt like he had been on some high velocity, open air rollercoaster that spun as it raced along the tracks. He felt squeamish, and his body felt like gelatin in an earthquake. The twins carried him along like an injured athlete into the outfitters. The lady at the desk looked no older than 18, and had curly blonde hair and big blue eyes. She was obviously very taken with Kaien, but the feelings weren't reciprocated. Kaien stood back next to the twins, and let Riku and Gin try their hands. They failed miserably. Soon, though, a small older man came out from the back room. He had thinning black hair, a gray flecked pencil mustache and must have been no taller than 5'4"(cm). He spoke with a heavy Italian accent when he greeted the group.
"Mr. Akashiya! How nice to see you! It's been, what, 5 years since I made your last suits?" he exclaimed joyfully, walking over and shaking hands with Kaien. Kaien smiled and said something to the effect of "Devo ancora indossare attraverso di loro." The old man seemed surprised.
"Sei stato pratica?"
"Sì, signore."
"Well, to business, Mr. Akashiya. What can I do for you?"
"You vaguely remember the girl that my mother dragged in along for my last fitting, right?" Kaien asked. The old man nodded.
"We're getting married this Saturday. The twins, Riku and I need tuxedos, and these two need suits. Preferably Armani, if you could," Kaien told him. The old man smiled broadly, and took Kaien's face in his hands like a father would.
"E siete venuti a me?"
"Naturalmente."
With that, the boys were lead into the back room one by one, starting with Kaien. He was fitted in a matter of minutes. Then, Hikaru was called back, followed by Itsuki and then Riku. Finally, Tsukune was called back.
"What color?" Kaien translated for the old man holding out a pallet of suit blazer fabrics.
"Black," Tsukune replied.
"Color of the shirt?" Kaien again translated.
"What would you recommend?" Tsukune asked. Kaien turned to the old man.
"Powder blue then," Kaien told the old tailor.
"What color tie?"
"I don't know, something that matches the shirt?"
"Navy blue will work nicely."
The old man took Tsukune's measurements quickly, and then Gin was allowed back. After that, Kaien gave the receptionist Ryo's cell number to call when the suits were ready.
As they walked out the door, Tsukune heard the old man telling the receptionist, obviously of some relation, that Kaien was a sly boy, and that the number he had given her was probably not his own. Tsukune couldn't help but think that those words were true.
Well, I hope that you have enjoyed this second chapter! Thank you for the wonderful reviews. I hope to have Chapter 3 finished in the next month, maybe more or less. Please, again, don't demand that I update, no matter how much I enjoy getting such positive reviews.
Translations:
I have yet to wear through them.
You've been practicing?
Yes, sir.
You came to me?
Of course.
