Arc #6 Chapter # 3

"So, you did tell Kenji to stop by here right?"

"Yes, Tai for the tenth damn time yes!"

Tai sat down next to Kimora on the stairs of Kimora's home.

"Oh, my gosh I cannot believe that I'm finally going to meet him!" gushes Tai.

"Right!" Kimora replies dryly.

Kimora looks over at her friend.

("She doesn't have nothing on me!")

Tai Koichi was a very slender young woman; she had short jet-black hair; and dark brown eyes. Tai was much thinner than Kimora. The two young ladies were the same age also.

"Kimora!"

"What Tai!" Kimora cries.

"What's the matter with you?"

"Nothing!" Kimora replies.

"You just don't know how excited I am!"

"Sure I do!" "I hope I make a great impression on him!"

"Oh my gosh!" Tai cries.

"What is it?"

"Kimora what do I say?"

"Well, you may want to start off by saying your name!"

"Good idea!" Tai hops up from the stairs. The nervous girl began pacing back and forward.

"Will you calm down, it is not like he's Buddha or anything!"

"I know but I'm just so damn nervous!"

"I don't see what for!" Kimora mutters under her breathe.

"What was that?"

"I just said you're nervous for nothing, Kenji's a pretty understanding guy!"

"I know!" Tai croons.

("Give me a break!")

Tai sits back down next to Kimora awaiting Kenji's arrival.

"Kimora!" Tai and Kimora both glance ahead.

"Oh my gosh is that him!" Tai asks excitedly.

"Yes!" The two ladies stood to their feet.

"Hello ladies!"

"Hello, Kenji!" The trio stood there in a brief moment of silence. Tai elbows Kimora in her right arm.

"Oh, how foolish of me!"

"Kenji, this is my good friend Tai Koichi!"

"Tai this Kenji Himura!" Kimora says introducing them.

Kenji extends out his hand to Tai.

"Nice to meet you!" Tai nervously gasps Kenji's hands.

"Uh, it's nice-to-meet-you too!" Tai stammers.

"Hey you okay?"

"He was referring to you Tai!" whispers Kimora.

"Oh right!"

"Kenji I'm fine!"

"And yourself?"

"Fine as well!"

"Yes, you are!" Tai reveals.

"Okay!" Kenji laughs.

"So Kimora what is it you wanted to see me about?"

"I wanted you to meet Tai!" replies Kimora.

"Okay, well it was nice to meet you Tai!"

Kenji picks up his backpack.

"Wait Kenji where are you going?" cries Kimora.

"I told my father that I was going to help him out with some things!" Kimora and Tai glance at one another.

"Kimora don't let Kenji leave yet!" Tai cries.

"Uh!" sighs Kimora.

"Kenji, wait!" Kenji turns back to the ladies.

"What is it?"

"Tai has something she wants to ask of you!"

"Oh, I do?" Kimora shoves Tai down the stairs.

"I just remembered!" Tai walks over to Kenji.

Kimora sat back down on the wooden stairs.

"Kenji, I know that we just meant and all…but!"

"What is it?"

"Would you like to go out this weekend?"

"Asking me out on a date huh?"

"Yes!" Tai replies blushing.

"Okay!" "Okay…you said okay?"

"Yes!" Kenji replies.

"Wow!" replies Tai.

"What day would you like to go?" asks Kenji.

"How about this Saturday?" asks Tai.

"Great!" says Kenji.

"So, it is a date then?" Tai asks excitedly.

"It's date!" laughs Kenji.

"I need to get on home!"

"Okay," Kenji grasps Tai's hands;

"Once again Tai it was nice to meeting you!"

"Nice meeting you too!" whispers Tai.

"Kimora, I will see you later!" Kenji calls.

"See you later, Kenji!" Kimora replies.

Kenji walks back down the stone bricked pathway to his home. Tai watches as Kenji disappears around the corner. Tai turns back to Kimora. Kimora seen that a wide grin stretched across her round face. Tai sits down next to Kimora.

"So what happened?"

"I can't believe it?"

"Believe what?"

"I asked Kenji out!"

"You did!"

"Yeah and girl guess what?"

"What?"

"HE AGREED!" Tai cries excitingly.

"He did!" Kimora asks surprisingly.

"Yes, I'm just so happy!" Tai cries as she leaps up.

"I bet!" mutters Kimora. "I'm going on a date with Kenji, I am going on a date with Kenji!" Tai began chanting.

"Give it a rest!" cries Kimora.

"Oh shut-up you're just jealous!" cries Tai.

"Jealous, are you kidding me! You couldn't actually think that I'm jealous of you!"

"Kimora, I am in such a blissful mood that I'm not going to even let you spoil it!"

"Screw you!" Kimora cries.

Tai just ignores Kimora and continues chanting on about her upcoming date with Kenji…

"Kimora!"

"Kimora!"

"Huh!"

"Ki-mo-ra!"

"You're still sleep!"

Kimora rubs her eyes.

She sat up in her bed.

"Tai, is that you?"

Tai steps slowly into Kimora's room.

"Yes, it is me!" Tai walks over to Kimora's bed.

"You were not kidding when you said weren't an early bird!"

"Oh, whatever!" Kimora grumbles as she lies back down.

"No, Kimora don't go back to sleep!" Tai cries.

"Why shouldn't I?"

"Don't you know what today is?" Kimora turns over on her side.

"No, I don't!" Kimora replies sarcastically.

"It is Saturday!"

"Right!"

"Kimora c'mon wake up I need you to come help me pick out something to wear,"

"Uh!" Kimora sighs placing the pillow over her head.

"C'mon Kimora!" whines Tai.

"Oh!" cries Kimora.

"What time is it?"

"It's half past noon!" Kimora sits up.

"Let me get ready first!"

"Thanks so much!" cheers Tai.

"Kimora thanks so much for coming over!"

"Oh, no problem," Kimora replies as she sat upon Tai's bed.

"What time are you guys meeting?"

Tai ran straight over to her closet.

"A quarter past six!" replies Tai.

Tai began scouring through closet.

"What should I wear?" Tai cries.

"I don't know, I don't know!"

"Calm down please!" cries Kimora.

Tai walks back over to Kimora.

"Look, you don't know how important this date is to me!"

Tai sat back down on her bed.

"I really want this date to be perfect!"

"I see!" replies Kimora.

"I know!" Tai cries.

"Kimora, you know Kenji well so obviously you know his likes and dislikes!"

"Okay!"

"What does Kenji like?"

"Well, could you be more specific?" asks Kimora.

"I mean like what his favorite color and what kind of woman he prefers?"

"Uh!" Kimora sighs.

"Let's see Kenji's favorite color is navy blue, he likes a strong independent, self sufficient woman, who takes knows how to handle herself!" answers Kimora.

"Wow, sounds like I'm just perfect for the position!" chirps Tai.

"Oh really?" questions Kimora.

"Yes!" Tai cries as she sprits back over to her closet. "

I think I have just the perfect outfit!"

Tai began searching in and out of her closet.

"Oh! I found it!"

"Let me see!" calls Kimora.

Tai steps out of her closet.

Kimora stands to her feet.

"Tai, that kimono is beautiful!" Kimora cries.

Tai walks over to Kimora, she lays the kimono on her bed. Kimora ran her hands over the fine silk kimono. Tai's kimono was a beautiful navy blue; remnant of red roses speckled the fine silk kimono.

"You're right this is perfect!" Kimora cries.

"I am just going to dazzle Kenji!"

"I guess I better hurry and get ready!"

"Now?"

"Yes, now!" Kimora glances at Tai's clock on the wall.

"It's only ten minutes past two!" Kimora cries.

"I know, but I have to make sure I'm perfect,"

Soon a few hours pass…

"Finally all ready!"

"Good!" replies Kimora.

"Here let me finish up your hair," Kimora grabs a small brush from the vanity table where Tai was seated. Kimora began brushing Tai's short jet-black hair. Tai glazes at her reflection before her.

"There you go!" Kimora replies as she finishes brushing Tai's hair.

"Thanks!" Tai stood to her feet; she glances over to her clock.

"Hey we better get going!" Tai cries.

She slides on her zori sandals.

"Kimora, lets get a move on it!"

Tai calls from her door.

"Coming!" Kimora exits Tai's room.

The pair soon began walking alone the stone bricked pathway.

"Where are you going to meet Kenji?"

"Over at your place!"

"My place!"

"Why my place?"

"I just figured that it would be a lot more easier,"

"I guess!" Kimora sighs.

Tai and Kimora continue to walk alone the pathway.

"Finally we're here!" Tai cries as they approach Kimora's front gate. Kimora opens the gate. The pair walked over to the porch. Kimora took a seat on the porch.

"Aren't you going to sit down?"

"I'm just too nervous!" Tai began nervously glancing around and fidgeting.

"Look, Tai you can calm down really it's going to be okay!"

"You're right I have nothing to worry about!"

Kimora just sighs and rolls her eyes in disgust at Tai.

"Is it time yet?"

"I can't believe it's still not time yet!" Tai whines.

"I can!" Kimora replies.

"What?"

"Tai we did leave about two hours early!"

"Oh, that's right!" Tai cries.

She continues pacing back and forth. "Hurry up, hurry up!"

("I wish Kenji would hurry so she could shut the hell up!")

"Hey what's that sound?" Tai asks startled.

Kimora stands to her feet.

"I think it's the gate opening,"

"Oh, that means its Kenji!" Tai cries excitingly.

The two-woman watch as the figure approaches them.

"Hello ladies!"

"Hi, Kenji!" Kimora replies dryly.

"Hello, Kenji!" purrs Tai.

Kenji slowly approaches the porch where Kimora and Tai stood.

"How are you both doing?"

"Great!" Tai cries elatedly.

Kimora remained quiet.

"Kimora!" Kenji calls.

"What!"

"I am okay!"

"Wow, Tai you look great!" Kenji says.

"Why thank you!" Tai gushes shyly.

"Give me a break!" Kimora mutters.

"Hey you ready to go?"

"Ready as can be!"

Tai walks down the stairs to meet Kenji. He looks up over at Kimora. Their glazes soon meant one another. Kimora breaks the glare by lowering her head back down to the ground. "Let's go Tai!" Tai glances back at Kimora; a sly smile spread across her small rounded face.

"That bitch!" Kimora cries.

"Here we are!"

"The Akabeko!" Tai replies.

Kenji opens the door and Tai and Kenji walk inside the famous Edo restaurant. "Wow it smells great!" cries Tai.

"I know!"

"Can I help you?" a voice calls from behind them.

Kenji and Tai turn their attention over to the familiar voice.

"Yahiko!" Kenji cries.

"Oh.Kenji!"

"Hey how's going!" Yahiko asks excitingly shaking Kenji's hand.

"Good, I 'm doing fine and yourself?"

"Just working and trying to save up money," Yahiko replies.

"Saving up money?"

"Yes, Tsubumae and I are engaged!"

"Oh congratulations!"

Yahiko turns his glaze over to Tai.

"This is my date Tai Koichi!" Kenji says introducing them.

"Pleasure to me you," Yahiko says as he extends out his hand to Tai.

"Nice to meet you too?" Tai says shaking Yahiko's hand.

"Kenji where's Kimora?"

"She's at home!"

"I see!"

"Look, I don't need Kimora's permission to go out!"

"I know I'm just teasing don't mind me!"

"Well, let me find you guys a tatami, follow me!" Kenji and Tai follow Yahiko over to the far right corner of the restaurant.

"Here you go!" Yahiko cries as he slides open the hikido to the tatami room.

"Thanks man!"

"Sure no problem, I'll be back to take your orders," Kenji and Tai step inside of the tatami…

"Whoa that looks good!"

Tai cries as he looks down at Kenji's plate.

"Yours doesn't look so bad either!" Kenji replies.

Kenji was having a plate of tempura shrimp and vegetable udon noodle soup. Meanwhile, Tai was having sautéed pork noodle soup all with a side of sake.

"You guys all done?" asks Yahiko.

"Yes, I'm stuffed!" Kenji replies as he pats his belly.

"So am I," Kenji and Tai step out of the tatami room.

"Right!" Kenji cries as he pulls out a small pouch out of right sleeve of his kimono.

Kenji opens the pouch and a few yen pieces fall from inside.

"No, no!" cries Tai.

"What!" Kenji calls.

"Let me,"

"No, I got it!"

"Look, Kenji I insist!"

Tai pulls out her wallet from the left sleeve of her kimono.

She hands the yen over to Yahiko.

"Here take a little extra for yourself,"

"Thanks!" Yahiko replies happily.

Tai locks her right arm around Kenji's left arm.

"Ready!" asks Kenji. "Yes!" Tai replies.

The pair headed out of the Akabeko on to the streets of inner Tokyo…

"Wow, Kenji its such a beautiful night!" Tai replies looking into the early night sky

"Yes, it is?"

Tai lays her head upon Kenji's masculine shoulder. They soon approach the Edo Bridge that overlaid Lake Hokkido. They come to a halt once the reached the center of the gray stone bricked bridge. Kenji peers over the bridge into Lake Hokkido.

"Look, Kenji the Sakura trees are in full bloom!"

Kenji turns to the narrow green acres that lined across the bridge.

"I see they're beautiful!" Tai inches closer to Kenji; she grabs a lock of Kenji's long fiery hair.

"So, Kenji how's your life?"

"My life, so far it has been descent I can't complain!"

"I see!" Tai whispers softly.

"How about you?"

"My life is so crazy, I just try to make the best of it, even through its very tough!"

"Something happened?"

"Yes, my father recently passed away and so did my older sister,"

"Sorry to hear that!"

"It's okay," Tai cries as she began massaging Kenji's back. Kenji and Tai continue their conversation over the next hour…

"Kenji, you're so crazy!"

"Yes, I know!"

The pair glazes at one another.

"I think we should head on back now,"

"Yes, I agree," says Tai.

Tai once again locks arms with Kenji and the pair soon makes their journey over Edo Bridge to the other side of Tokyo…

"There's my house!" Tai cries.

Kenji and Tai head over to the large home that lined the right corner of the stone bricked pathway. Tai opens the gate to her home. Kenji and Tai head over to her porch. Tai stood upon the first narrow wooden step.

"Kenji, thanks so much, I had a really great time!"

"I had a great time too!"

Tai began staring intensely at Kenji. His calm blue eyes flickered in the harsh glare of her porch light. His fiery hair began fluttering in the response to the wind. Kenji steps over to Tai. Tai embraces her arm around Kenji's broad shoulders.

"Thanks again!"

"No problem,"

"You can come inside if you like," Tai offers.

"I'm sorry I'll have to pass!"

Kenji and Tai pull free from each other grasp. Tai look into Kenji dancing blue eyes. She steps in closer to him. Soon, Kenji felt her small thin lips press firmly against his own. Tai soon opens her eyes. Kenji stare harshly at her; and to Tai's disappointment doesn't return her kiss.

"Maybe we could go out again sometime," Tai suggests.

"We'll see,"

"I'll see you around," Kenji says as he walks down to the gate.

"Yes, I will see you around!" Tai cries as she head inside of her home.

The very next day sometime in the mid afternoon

"So tell me what happened?"

Kimora asks as she sits down on her smooth crisp lined bed.

"Kimora, Kimora!" Tai cries excitedly as she sits nest to Kimora.

"First, we went over to the Akabeko!"

"We went inside and some guy named Yahiko was there,"

"Hibo, was he there?"

"No, thank the Gods!" Tai cries.

"We went inside one of the tatami rooms,"

"Oh really?"

"Yes, it was one of those really nice one too,"

"We talked and ate our dinner,"

"Girl, can you believe that I paid!"

"You did?"

"Yes,"

"Why?"

"Kimora, you know that we still have all this money left from Hibo, so of course I paid,"

Okay, next we took a romantic stroll over Edo Bridge, we talked and talked and I stroked his smooth masculine back!" Tai cries happily.

"I see," Kimora says dryly.

"Then unfortunately we had to depart, Kenji walked me home all the while I was holding on to his arm,"

"We arrived at my porch, we stood out and talked more for a short while."

"And!"

"I leaned over and kissed him!"

"You what!"

"Yes, girl I kissed Kenji!"

"Oh, it was so great!" Tai cries flopping back upon Kimora's bed.

"I can't believe you actually kissed him," Kimora cries in disbelief.

"I don't see why you're so surprised I mean after all our date went flawless!"

"Then I suggested that we see one another again and he said we will see!" Tai sat up.

"Wow, I have never felt so great!"

"Kimora!" Tai cries tightly clutching Kimora's slender shoulders.

"What is it?"

"I just figured it out?"

"Figured what out?"

"That Kenji is the perfect man for me!"

"He is? How is that?"

"I don't know but I felt it, you know that bond connection thing you're suppose to feel with someone who's your soul mate!"

"Wait a minute can you run that back by me again?"

"I said I felt that strong connection that you only feel with your soul mate!"

"Oh, so now he is your soul mate!"

"Yes Kimora he is!"

"Kenji's so perfect he's the man women dream about! He is tall dark and very, very handsome!" Tai cries happily.

Kimora glares up at Tai.

"I don't think so!"

"What!"

"Tai, you got it all wrong!"

"What wrong?"

"You're certainly not Kenji's soul mate,"

"Oh, and what makes you so sure of that!" Tai cries.

"What makes you so sure?" Kimora replies challenging Tai.

"I get now, why hadn't I seen it before it, was certainly there the entire time!"

"What are you blabbing about?"

"Kimora, I see!"

"You see what?"

"That you're jealous!"

"You're not only jealous you are envious jealous bitch!" Tai sneers.

Kimora glares enraged at Tai.

"Excuse me! Do not go there with me if anything you are the ugly ass should be jealous of me!"

"Why in the world would I be jealous of a street whore like you?"

"You want to take it there!" Kimora cries.

"If I am a street whore then you must be one too, you are the nasty slut, who sleeps with any man and every dick around here!" Kimora yells in heated anger.

"You stupid bitch! I know you don't want to go there! You are the whore that sleeps with any man!"

"I would not be surprised if you're nasty ass has tried to sleep with Kenji!"

"Even if I did it would be none of your damn business!"

"Kimora, I just do not understand you,"

"Damn right you don't!"

"I mean if you don't want Kenji, then why don't you give someone else a chance!"

"Whatever!"

"Besides Kenji's his own man, He can date whom he pleases!"

"Really, so why are you getting your panties in a twist over this!"

"Well, because he's much too good for the likes of you!" Kimora yells in anger.

"Oh, really!"

Tai grabs her wallet from Kimora's vanity table.

Tai walks over to the wooden hikido.

"I can understand that you are trying to look out for him, but why are you acting like his guardian?"

Tai slides open the hikido; she turns back to Kimora.

"Despite what you say I am still going to see Kenji!"

"Get-out!"

Tai slams Kimora's wooden hikido shut.

"Uh!" grunts Kimora.

"Kimora!"

"What!"

"Excuse me!"

Kimora turns her attention back over to her door.

"Sorry mother!"

"Its okay," Megumi replies.

Megumi steps into Kimora's room.

"Is everything alright?"

"Of course, why do you ask?"

"Sano and I heard shouting so I just came to see if everything was okay!"

"No, mother everything's fine!" Kimora lies.

"Where's Tai?"

"She left,"

"Gone already?"

"She had to go take care of some business!"

"Well, don't you go heading off anywhere?"

"Why, what's going on?"

"Sir Ken and his family are coming over for dinner!"

"Kenji, we will be leaving in another hour!"

"Okay, mom!"

Kimora and Kenji head upstairs to her bedroom.

Kimora slides open the hikido, the pair step inside.

"May I?"

Kenji asks as he approaches her bed.

"Go head,"

Kenji takes a seat upon her bed,

Kimora sits next to him.

"So, how was your date with Tai?"

"It was okay,"

"Just okay?"

"Yes, I mean all we did was go out to eat and go over the Edo Bridge,"

"You make it sound like it was really boring,"

"In all honesty it really was!"

"Really!" Kimora asks surprised.

"I wasn't really connecting with Tai, I didn't feel any spark!"

"That's funny!"

"How so?"

"That not the way Tai puts it, according to her it was the most greatest thing in the world, she went on saying how, we did this and that I rubbed his back and."

Kimora looks up at Kenji.

"Kissed him!"

"Wow, I see women do really gossip about everything,"

"I wasn't suppose to find out or something?"

"No, I don't care but I am just saying that I see she wasted no time in getting the word out,"

"Tai went on ranting about how she felt something with you, some connection junk she went on blabbing about, "She felt a connection with me?"

"Yes, she even had nerve enough to say that you were her soul mate!"

"Her soul mate!"

"Yes!"

"Now, that's a good one!" Kenji laughs.

"I know to think that Tai is your soul mate.!" Kimora replies laughing herself.

"I told her that you are stupid to think that Kenji would ever go for a ugly hag like you!"

"You told her that!"

"Yes, it was so funny you should have seen the pathetic look on her face, it was priceless!" Kimora laughs gingerly.

"I can not believe you told Tai that, I thought you two were such good friend,"

"I, good friends with that street tramp, I don't think so!"

"Okay!" Kenji replies in awe.

"Do you plan on seeing her again?"

"No, why should I, I felt no bond nor connection with her!"

"Good!" Kimora replies happily.

"Oh, that's good huh?"

"Yes!"

"Why is that?"

"It just is, that's all!"

"Hey I am just looking out for you,"

"I know!" Kenji says.

Kimora turns Kenji face to her own.

"She said that she kissed you,"

Kimora leans in closer to Kenji.

"I bet her kiss didn't feel or taste like this!" she whispers softly, as she presses her lips firmly against Kenji's.

The pair soon pulls free from each other's lips.

"No, you're right hers; doesn't even compare with yours!" Kenji whispers sweetly as he returns her sweet savory kiss.

Kenji caress Kimora's soft round face in his hands tilting her head gently to meet his own. Kimora felt Kenji's tongue brush against her own. The pair soon began tongue wrestling with one another. Kimora lays her head upon Kenji's smooth masculine chest. She caresses her fingertips over his chest.

"Kenji!"

"Yes,"

"Tai, says that she's still going to come and see you, what are you going do about it?"

"I am just going to tell her the truth, that I do not see her that way, we can't go out anymore,"

Kimora smiles in response she glances up at Kenji; a smile spread across his youthful face as well…