Chapter 3


Leifang was still off in dreamland when the smell of something delicious reached her nostrils, making them flare by themselves.

Slowly opening her eyes she smacked her lips and stiffly sat up, stretching to remove the stiffness. Her head was still feeling fuzzy but at least her headache was gone.

But man was she thirsty. Taking a moment to gather her bearings she got up from the bed and was glad that her legs didn't give out on her. Her bare feet padded on the floor as she walked across the room, kicking her clothes out of the way absentmindedly, following the delicious smell.

Opening the door she saw her German friend standing in the kitchenette cooking away while whistling a cheerful tune. Only when she sat down near the counter did her friend realize her presence.

"Up and awake, honey?" the German stuck out her tongue and winked at her. "Too bad and here I was thinking of delivering this to your bed side. I hope you're hungry"

Leifang's stomach's rumbling answered before she could.

"Yeah and something to drink would be nice" she giggled, resting her face on her hands.

Hitomi reached into her back and pulled out a bottle of apple juice. "Here you go"

"Thanks. Mmh smells delicious" the Chinese opened the bottle and took a long sip from it. "Aah, I needed that! What are you cooking?"

"Nothing fancy, just some omelets and I also made a fresh salad" She pointed over her shoulder to where the salad was already standing and grabbed a knife to put into the sink. "Hands off!" she waved the knife in her friend's face in a mock threatening manner. "I just added the salad dressing."

"Yes, Mom" both of them burst into laughter.

Leifang cocked her head to the side. "So why not just call the room service?"

"Simple: my food just tastes better!"

"It does smell delicious and the last time you cooked it wasn't half bad"

"'Wasn't half bad'? The way I remember it you said something along the lines of 'Oh Hitomi this tastes simply amazing! I have never eaten some lie'- Hey!" she gave her best impression of the Chinese and dodged a piece of the cabbage that had fallen from the cutting board onto the counter. "No throwing things at the chef"

"I'm letting you get off easy this time, but only because I'm not in top shape" Leifang huffed and took another sip from the bottle.

They stared at each other for a moment before smiling.

"Dammit, I should pay attention to the omelets!" Hitomi turned back to the frying pan. "Why don't you go take a shower and put something on? This should be ready when you're finished"

"A shower does sound good"

Taking another sip she put the bottle back onto the counter and returned to the bedroom, grabbing her favorite bathrobe and heading to the bathroom.

"Aaah. That hit the spot. Thank you Hitomi, I don't think I would have managed without you. I was pretty out of it yesterday" They were sitting at the table having just finished their late lunch. By the time Leifang was done with her shower the food had already been prepared so she didn't bother putting on new clothes and just sat down in her bathrobe.


"Speaking of that, you usually know your limits" the brunette looked at her friend, worry adamant in her eyes.

Leifang averted her gaze. "I guess it was just the...disappointment. Yeah that was it"

Hitomi looked at her suspiciously for a second. Sighing she put down her fork. "Listen, about that. How many years has it been now that you started to chase Jann Lee?"

"Seven. Maybe eight. It's been a long time."

"Now I don't want to stick my nose where it doesn't belong, but don't you think it's about time to let it go?" the younger girl asked. "Even though you have beaten him he rejected your other advances didn't he?"

Leifang didn't answer right away. "Yeah he rejected me..."

"Maybe it would be a good time to move on" Hitomi put her hand on top of her friend's, making the older girl look at her. Smiling she continued. "I know it isn't easy to let someone go, especially after such a long time. I had to do the same during the last tournament"

The Chinese sighed. "It isn't that simple"

"Maybe not" Hitomi smiled. "But I'll help you. We may not always see each other but we'll be in contact"

Turning her hand around so that her palm faced upward she laced her fingers through her friend's. She let herself smile. It was nice having a good friend like Hitomi. The friends she had in China were mostly due to association with her father than anything else, so it made her friendship with the German girl all the more special.

"I guess you're right" she admitted at last.

It wasn't often that Leifang would admit someone else was right when she was determined. "If I'm not wrong, then I must be right!" was her motto and in a way Hitomi liked that way of thinking in her friend. It made her do things that the German would never do.

"As right as about my cooking skills!"

Both of them had to laugh at that.

"How long are you going to stay now that the tournament is over?" Hitomi's smile faded and she let go of her friend's hand.

"The day after tomorrow. And you?"

"I was thinking of staying a few more days"

"My entrance exams are coming up. Actually my father was against me even joining the tournament in the first place with them so close and our little training trip to South America, while fun, didn't help matters. Hey! Shouldn't you have to study as well?"

Leifang ran an elegant fingernail along the bridge of her nose. "I'm kind of taking a break from studying..."

Hitomi looked at her friend in disbelief before sagging into her chair groaning and rubbing her forehead, crunching her face up in frustration. "You know I wish I was as rich as you. Then I wouldn't have to worry about all the stuff"

"Uh thank you I guess. Why did you decide to study anyway? I thought you wanted to take over your father's dojo before long?"

"I still do, but ever since my father got sick two years ago I asked myself 'what if that happens to me? What if I'm not so lucky and cannot practice the art anymore?' That's why I figured getting a higher education might come in handy if I ever need it" She brushed a few loose strands behind her ear. "And since he got better I took the chance to study"

"I see," Leifang nodded and slapped her right hand unto the table, showing pearl white teeth with her cheerful grin "So let's have fun while we still can!"

And since it was Leifang there was no way that Hitomi could object even if she wanted to. The Chinese had a way that just made you want to go along with her – sometimes rather selfish - plans. The second Leifang offered to train with her for the Tournament it was goodbye time better spent on studying and here we go fun and action!

But, Hitomi thought. It was totally worth it.


"I'll write as soon as I can when I get back home. Promise" Hitomi told her as they walked to the bus station. The German was pulling her traveling case behind her.

"Too bad you have to get back; it's always fun with you around"

"And it's never boring with you" both of them had to giggle. Leifang was always the more spontaneous of the two and she usually tended to do what she wanted. It fell to the German to help her stay grounded.

Hitomi checked her watch. She still had time and decided to get to the airport early, but now that they were on their way she felt something tugging inside her, wanting her to spend more time with her friend. They wouldn't get to see each other for a while after this...

Looking around she spotted a park on the other side of the street. The smile on her face grew.

She grabbed her friend by the hand and pulled her along over the street when the lights were green.

"Hey, the bus stop is over there!"

"I know, but since we won't be seeing each other for a while," they stopped on a patch of grass that was clear of any passerby that could interrupt. She let go of her friend and sat her case aside. Pulling off her denim jacket she went into her karate stance. "I figured we could spar for one last time"

Leifang's eyes twinkled in response, taking a few steps backwards, away from the young Karateka. Positioning herself sidewards, she crouched slightly and kicked her right leg out, entering her stance and exposing part of her leg from under her white skirt.

As she drove her high heels into the grass to steady her stance, Hitomi found herself unable to take her eyes of her friend's finely shaped leg.

Only when she saw the leg jumping at her in a kick did she snap her attention back to the fight at hand.

"Osu!"


When they made it to the Airport they were still good on time and spent the rest of the time in a small café that, to Hitomi anyway, served one of the best cappuccino she ever had. It couldn't compare to the one she occasionally had at home, but it was still good.

They were just making small talk when the announcement for Hitomi's flight came over the loudspeakers.

Leifang decided to accompany her as far as she could before saying goodbye.

Smiling, both girls captured each other in a tight hug. "Take care of yourself and don't forget to write." adding as a playful threat, "I'll check my mails everyday"

"Sure, if you manage to actually answer with that silly phone of yours" Hitomi chuckled. They hugged until another announcement for the flight to Germany made them let go of one another.

"Well...Goodbye, Leifang"

"Goobye, Hitomi"

She walked towards the gate, pulling her case alongside her, and turned around before entering to flash her friend her typical V-sign a final time with a cheerful smile.

Somehow she wanted to hug her friend a little longer...

The first thing she did when she arrived back home was to write Leifang and by the time the German had slept off her jet lag she even managed to answer.


LESBIANS!
There I said it...no regrets.

Sorry no awesome fight scene between Hitomi and Leifang here because while I'm pretty good with 'tomi I just plain suck balls with Leifang and can't seem to remember how her moves actually look like, so unless I have a vid running constantly in the background of her fighting I won't write one.
...For now.

Also jeez Leifang, eight years. Stalker much?

Well until next week.