Sea Glass
By: Haruka-chan
Chapter 3
Himeno yawned as she woke; she looked around and found herself back in her room and it was morning, she sat up quickly and found she had everything still on. "Funny I don't remember being here." The soft knock on the door made her turn towards it. "Come in."
"Oh Himeno good you're up, I was so worried when Hayate brought you up from the garden" said her father walking in and hugging her.
'It was him? But why?' she thought blankly, "I'm fine daddy, I was just tired."
"Are you sure?" asked her father with a concern look on his face.
Himeno laughed, "Yea of course, old man!"
"Great then change and come down to breakfast" said her father.
"Yes sir" she said laughing and getting out of bed. If she was truly honest with herself she missed these mornings. Himeno got out of the bathroom and walked towards the armoire which held her clothing, while she visited for a short while. "Hmm what should I wear?" she asked. "I know" she said pull out a black off-the-shoulder top with pink satin binding at neckline and tie at one shoulder, a pair of black skinny pants, and blush colored heels. Applying her makeup and brushing her hair, she examined herself "I don't look all that bad, but knowing them they'll probably find something wrong with it any way" said Himeno walking out of the room and towards the dinning hall. She hummed a soft tune, when she came in front of the door she took a deep breath and walked in.
"Good morning" she said in her most cheerful voice, though through the years of faking it she was losing it.
"Good morning Himeno" said Mawata looking up at her from her plate.
Himeno smiled and sat down at the seat across from Mayune and her fiancé.
Mawata smiled at her, knowing that they hadn't always been kind to the woman, so she could understand her readiness to deflect anything harmful.
"It's good to have you back at the table again Himeno" said Natsue who with age was more beautiful and elegant.
"Thank you mother it is nice to be back" she said feeling like the biggest liar at that very moment.
"Do you have to return to work soon?" asked Natsue.
"Actually no, I have some time before my next expedition" said Himeno.
"That's wonderful then you can stay and enjoy Mayune's engagement party and wedding" said Natsue.
Himeno was surprised that her mother suggested such thing. "Um, I'm not sure."
"Himeno it will be quite wonderful to have you here" said Mawata tuned in a confirmation.
Himeno smiled, "I suppose." She looked across from her and found Hayate looking at her. She looked down at her plate. Why did she suddenly feel flustered? It didn't make sense, the man was annoying and always pointing out things that she herself would rather not mention.
"Your father and I are going off to our holiday this morning, we hope to see you when we return" said Natsue.
Himeno looked at her father who smiled at her that said 'if you don't want to stay its fine' but then there was a disappointment. "Yes of course" she said. "I will stay if it is all right with Mayune and Mr. Leafé."
"Its fine with me" said Hayate who hardly could care after all he was in her house legally.
Mayune just hmped, which really meant that 'I don't care if you stay as long as you don't get in my way.' But then something happened that Himeno never expected in all the time she was alive, "its fine with me, that's a really nice top by the way."
"It's the spring piece from Alice and Olivia, and thank you." Himeno smiled and looked at her parents, "I guess I will see you two when you return."
Natsue and her father smiled before they were off once more on their annual holiday for what ever they did on their holiday, not that Himeno particularly wanted to know what went on there.
"Well darling I'm off as well I have a meeting with the wedding planner, and also I need to pick the color for my bride's maid's dresses" said Mayune. Hayate nodded Mayune off. "Mawata if you don't mind can you please show Hayate around?" asked Mayune. Mawata nodded. "See you later darling" she said blowing a kiss towards him and walking away.
"Himeno I have something to ask you" said Mawata pulling the tulip head towards the next room.
Hayate sat and read the paper while sipping his coffee.
"What is it?" asked Himeno.
"Can you please show Hayate around, I have a very important appointment that I have to make too" said Mawata.
"Mawata do you know what will happen if Mayune finds out?" asked Himeno.
"She won't find out I promise you" said Mawata. Himeno looked at the desperation on her sister's face.
"Fine" said Himeno.
"Oh thank you" said Mawata running up the stairs.
Himeno walked back into the dinning hall, "Um Mr. Leafé, Mawata had something to take care of so I will be showing you around instead."
"That's fine with me" he said looking at her in that way she looked at her, she just didn't know what that look was.
"I err...I want to thank you for brining me up last night" said Himeno blushing slightly.
Hayate nodded as he stood. "Your welcome."
"Just give me second to get my purse and we'll be off" said Himeno, as she thought about his simple welcome; she expected some cutting remark or sarcasm but nothing. It was a strangely good morning, the first ever at the Awayuki mansion.
He nodded and watched her walk towards the door.
II
Himeno first showed him to the best places to eat, the ice cream shop and the radio station and TV studios. "That over there is a park, mostly couples hang out there so it will be a great place to bring a date, however I don't think bringing Mayune there is such a good idea."
"Why is that?" he asked.
"Well Mayune is classy she needs more than a walk in the park, and there is a story too, but she'll kill me if I tell you" said Himeno thinking of an almost funny fall.
"Is that so?" he asked.
Himeno laughed, "Hey don't take it from me, if you want to try it then just go right ahead."
"How interesting how you both speak of each other" said Hayate.
"I don't speak badly of her, and if I do I don't mean too, it's just that she's always criticizing everything I do it's quite irritating" said Himeno "but you know she was very nice this morning, so she isn't all bad, I know that."
Hayate watched as she licked her lips and smiled though she probably wanted to yell at the top of her lungs how much she couldn't stand her older step sister. Something about her sweetness irked him.
"Hey Himeno!" yelled Goh waving at the two.
Himeno laughed and waved back, "Let's go say hi."
Hayate nodded.
"Hey you two" said Goh with a grin.
"Hey it's not like that I'm just showing Mr. Leafé around that's all" said Himeno.
"Yea and I could stand his fiancé" said Goh.
"Hey that's not nice" said Himeno.
Goh shrugged, "Anyways what can I get you two it's on the house; after all I am the head chef."
"Well it's about time for lunch so I'll have your best chicken dish" said Himeno.
"Coming up! What about you Hayate?" asked Goh.
"I'll just have a cup of coffee" said Hayate.
"You're always so serious" said Goh.
Himeno looked from Goh and Hayate they were so different yet they maintained that and were friends, but then again they must want to be; that alone is enough to make things work. "So how are you two working on bringing some little Gohs' and Yayois' into the world?"
"Don't you mean when they are going to get married" said Hayate.
"Hey there is nothing wrong with a little fun" said Himeno winking at Goh who was blushing.
"We have a lot of fun" said Goh walking towards the entrance.
Himeno laughed, "Awe he's so cute, but I didn't need to know that."
"He's taken" stated Hayate.
Himeno glared at him, "God you just have to kill everything don't you?"
Hayate smiled slightly as she fumed over nothing really. Goh returned with their orders and then left saying that he had to take care of something and to enjoy the meal. Hayate watched as she ate happily, something about the way she enjoyed herself doing just about anything made him envious.
"I'm done and boy am I full!" she exclaimed as she wiped her lips.
"Shall we continue with the tour?" asked Hayate.
"Well I guess we have the shopping center" she said.
He nodded as they headed towards a large building. Himeno thought it strange that he wanted to actually see it, most men don't but maybe he wanted to make sure where to buy that conditioner for his hair, she laughed in her head, she was too old to make jokes like these even on her own.
"And this is the Awayuki Mall" said Himeno.
Hayate nodded as she pointed at different stores and such.
"Hey Himeno!" exclaimed one of the sales clerk.
"Hey Tokami" said Himeno waving.
Hayate wondered if someone knew her everywhere they went.
"I have a special for you, I bet you'll like it a lot" said the girl.
"Ooooh. What is it?" asked Himeno.
She pulled out a box from under the counter and opened it.
Himeno gasped, "Oh it's beautiful."
Tokami nodded, "I know I thought of you when I saw it, this will go beautiful with your hair and eyes."
Himeno nodded as she traced the necklace with her finger.
"So should I pack it?" asked Tokami.
Himeno shook her head. "What am I going to do with it? I hardly ever go to any parties. I have way too many things that I buy that I just don't wear."
Hayate noticed the small smile that said it all.
"Come on Himeno this will look good on you" said Tokami.
"Boy trying hard for that commission are we? I'll pass for today. Thanks anyway and see you around" said Himeno walking out.
Hayate walked out after her. "Why didn't you buy it?"
Himeno shrugged, "I don't have any reason to wear such a beautiful thing, I mean where would I wear it in Madagascar?"
"I could name off some, considering you are a Awayuki" said Hayate.
"Listen Mr. Leafé I don't mind showing you around, or the fact that you're marrying my sometimes evil step sister, but could you please not get involve in my world" she said walking away.
Hayate walked behind her. She showed him the rest of the city but he could tell that her mood was in the dump since the mall. They walked through the park she showed him earlier. The sound of thunder made Himeno flinch, Hayate watched as she wrapped her arms around herself with the heavy winds that were stirring suddenly.
"It's going to rain" she said softly.
"Were not going to make it to a safe place in time, so how about that archway?" asked Hayate.
"Sure" she said.
They walked under the little archway and watched as the rain started to fall. Hayate looked towards Himeno as she watched the rain lifelessly.
"I'm sorry about what I said" she said softly she needed to stop; she was more dangerous just by herself than any Awayuki can be to her.
Hayate looked out towards the park which was now shades in gray as the rain poured heavily. He watched as the rational part of her mind was working fast to make sense of her actions not only to him but mostly to herself.
"Some times my personal matters make my mouth run" she said.
"It's understandable" he stated.
"I hate coming back to this place, it always makes me remember things I want to forget, makes me seem like a monster,"
"Maybe remembering what you lost is some times good" said Hayate.
"If you say so, but then it hurts, this pain that doesn't want to leave what do you do then?" she asked as she got down on her knees and tears fell free, she didn't want to cry in front of him, but as of late her emotions just got the best of her, she was starting to see that she really hadn't gotten over things from the past.
Hayate was at her side holding her, "Hey it's going to be ok" he said running his hand through her hair. He had to admit he liked the feeling of it, running his hand through the silky strands, and her warm body next to his. Something about this felt good yet this was wrong, he was going to marry her sister in two weeks. Himeno didn't know what came over her but she pulled him closer, she wanted to feel the warmth that came from his body. She turned her head and her lips came in contact with his neck, without thinking she pressed her lips towards the skin. Hayate froze, that small simple act had him almost undone. The rain poured softly. He helped her up.
Himeno blushed when she looked at him, "I'm sorry I...don't know what came over me. I'm sorry, god today is turning out to be a mess!"
He said nothing. She wanted him to say something, to react to her, to be flat or even angry, but nothing, he just watched her. Himeno felt as if the world turned on her again. 'I can't believe that I did that' she thought slapping herself mentally.
Hayate raised his hand and ran it along her cheekbone. Himeno closed her eyes almost as if she was enjoying it. The raindrops became a slow music for the two. He leaned in towards her parted lips. He never felt so excited as he did at this moment, this twist that he felt he never felt it with her sister, not that this sort of things ever mattered with any woman, but just now this very moment all he wanted was a taste of what it was like to kiss Himeno Awayuki. He was strangely full and wanted nothing more than her lips. The contact of her warm soft lips to his was like a jolt, a spark that he never felt. Himeno kissed back. In the back of their minds they knew it was wrong but something about the rain the moment made it all wonderful, for now they can forget who they were...couldn't they?