Something is not right.
That was the first thought that reach the dark haired kunoichi's mind as she tossed restlessly on her futon. She tried to ease her mind by making a tea that early morning but the ticking sound of the clock that accompany her as she sit back and sip on her tea made her even more frustrated than before. She pinched her temple as she sighed and glared at the clock.
Mako had almost slammed it to the wall but she was sane enough not to do that, unlike a certain redhead she knew would stomped on it right there and then. Speaking of which, the certain android might be the sole reason for, let's say in her opinion, the 'problem' she faced lately. Ever since the April's Fool incident, in which he lost his left eye thanks to her—no, his own foolishness, she had never met him again. And from that day on she had always undergo the same uneasiness every morning.
The android finished her tea at last and returned to her bedroom, folding her futon. She was not in mood to get back asleep thanks to him. How could he always slip into her mind every single time she let her guard down, wreaking and turning it up side down?
Huh, any ordinary woman would say that they're lovestruck. Too bad Mako was out of the list, or so she thought. She was a ninja, and that kind of feelings would be unnecessary because they only gave hesitation and fear. If she let herself rely on someone else she would one day reach a point where she would be afraid of losing them. Even worse, if that someone was in a situation she must eradicate of, she might not have the power to swing her sword at them.
Mako put her finger on her temple once again. The whole thinking just made her headache worse. Why wouldn't she just pay him a visit to clear her mind up? Technically because she had never visited him. It was always him who visit her, coming out of nowhere, plopping on her couch, making her breakfast sometimes. But since she never ever visited him before, why would she now? And for what reason?
Groaning in defeat, Mako fell on her folded futon head first. She could always say that she worried because…because it was partly her fault for not putting away the trap before leaving the house though it was mostly his fault but she was still responsible, right? Right? Of course! That's the reason! But why would she be worried while all she had ever done to him was nothing more than scolding, smacking, or hurting him? Argh!
The sun finally greeted the frustrated kunoichi that morning and she squeezed her eyes shut in response to its blinding ray. The dark orbs quickly shot open in a second though, as their owner noticed a presence on the door. Her face lightened for the first time in the few days as she marched hastily to meet the visitor, but her hope soon fell when she saw a pair of bunny ears instead of strands of flaming red.
"Hiya, Mako-chan~! Long time no see! Sorry for bothering your morning…."
"Oh, it's you Luna. It's alright, come on in." Mako stepped away for her childhood friend to enter. The bunny girl looked around the room and whistled.
"Wheeww~ Ricchan seemed to tidy things up neatly here~"
"Wha—"
"Two things." The blond one put her two fingers in front of her friend's face to hush her and then continued her theory.
"First, you were never been one to care about little things like arranging your house neatly or even combing your hair every morning, true?" Mako puffed her cheeks at that. Her friend was right, even her hair was still messy that time.
"Second, Ritsu is the only one that has the courage to venture around and fumble with your belongings." She tried to deny that one though, but Luna was already pushing her toward the bedroom.
"Come now. Get yourself ready and we're going!"
"What, why, wait, where?" Mako tried to collect herself but failed miserably.
"To Ritsu's place, of course. I heard he had finally left the hospital. Now get moving!"
Mako suddenly stopped on her track and tensed, forcing the blonde android who kept pushing her to fall on her butt due to the sudden impact. She turned to her friend and watched her in disbelief, her face paled. Luna shook her head and sighed at her friend.
"Fine, fine. You can go by yourself, I won't ruin your moment together. Bye now!"
And with that the bunny girl was gone, leaving her childhood friend in yet another awkward situation, giggling to herself as she once again heard her friend screaming in frustration.
XXXXX
Knock, knock, and then wait patiently for the answer.
Mako stood in front of the door that clearly said: the Namine. How she got there she never knew. She could hear a sound of someone steps from beyond, her heart racing as it came closer. Finally, after what felt like eternity, the door swung open to reveal a sleepy red haired boy. He yawned and greeted the visitor lazily, not even asking her to come in.
"Morning, Mako-san. What do you need, hm?"
Now, that's a way greet your visitor. Beside, isn't he usually called me Hime—no. It's better this way.
Mako cleared her throat and spoke.
"Well, it seems like you are well. So, I'll just get going now."
No, wait! That's not what I wanted to say! No, stay there! Stay!
Her stubborn self won againts her own, though Ritsu turned out to be her savior this time.
"I don't expect you to leave that early. Take your time. I'm making breakfast, by the way. Care to join?"
Ritsu smiled at her and let her in. She somehow complied with the boy's invitation and sat on his dining room quietly. Thousands of thoughts passed her she felt like exploding any time soon. Her heart quickly replaced by guilt though as soon as she saw an ugly scar across his left eye. The owner seemed to notice her gaze and gave it a laugh.
"It looks cool on me, huh?"
That fake smile and laugh again. Mako felt like tearing herself apart. He didn't use to treat her like this. Did he hate her now? He might have all this time. That one thought sent shivers down her spine.
Ritsu returned to the dining room with two plates of pancake. He put one in front of Mako and chomped on his own. They both ate in silence. Mako couldn't take it anymore and put down her fork. She stood, eye downcast, ready to leave.
"I'm confused." The six years old's voice stop her right before the door.
"Once I talked with Ruko about something. I didn't know if it was a bad thing or a good thing so I tried to avoid it."
Mako hold the door's knob tightly until her knuckle turned white. Her whole body shivered, afraid of whatever he was going to say, but she hid the fact so well.
"Though in the end I won't know before I try; that's just the kind of person I am, the Namine Ritsu is. That would be fine to you right, hime~?"
His playful sing song voice calling out to her seemed to turn her back calm. But as stubborn as the Nagone Mako had always been, she covered her relief in an annoyed huff.
"Whatever. I'll still smack you if you do something bad."
Ritsu laughed a whole heartily laugh and with that her whole burdens from the past few days dissipated that she couldn't contain her own smile. Good thing she was facing away from him.
"I'll learn to dodge your strike soon, just see! And since you're here there's one thing I want to tell as well."
Mako turned to see him, giving him the same cold stare she always gave. Ritsu took a deep breath and grinned sheepishly at her.
"Mind going out with me tomorrow?"
Cliffhanger or sort? Say, isn't this supposed to be a one-shot collections? Sorry, but the chapters will be connected a bit so you will probably need to read the previous ones sometimes if you're curious about a few things.
And there's a cover art for the fanfic! Go to deviantart and type: utau ritsu mako yin and yang
Click search and Ta-da! You find the art!
Typos! I should've re-read my fic before posting it. But they're fixed once again thanks to I My Me Mine.
ENJOY! XD and if you don't mind, REVIEW! =D