Revised

Getting to Love You

Chapter 3

The key gave a small jingle as the knob turned and clicked.

"Well we're home," said Horo-Horo carrying in Tamao's suitcase.

The mentioned followed a few paces behind looking around the cozy cabin like home. The smell of pine and rain flooded her nose as she closed the door behind her.

"It feels, very nice," she smiled taking in the hospitable atmosphere.

He raised a brow at the adjective she had used. "Yeah, well, I guess that's what a home should feel like right?"

Tamao glanced over at him momentarily before she stepped in a bit further. Her thoughts were flooded with memories of the grand Asakura mansion. It was majestic and imposing, but a bit lonely. Nothing at all like this home. Here she felt almost, protected.

"I'll leave this in your room and give you a little tour of the house, but first, breakfast!" he said already making his way towards the kitchen, "I hope you don't mind cereal, just something quick."

"Not at all," she said following him to the right.

Humming something to himself he opened cabinets picking up two bowls, spoons and napkins, then made his way over to the fridge and got the milk.

"What do you prefer? Flakes? Loops? Or bran? Heh, nah forget the bran, that's for me," he chuckled.

"Ah, flakes are fine."

He nodded pulling out two boxes from the cabinet, "Hey, I noticed the fox and raccoon that are always with you aren't here, where'd ya leave them?"

Coloro made her appearance next to the cereal box glancing curiously at Tamao.

"Oh, Konchi and Ponchi are the guardians of the Asakura Temple, it would be selfish if I asked them to come with me, and I am after all no longer a part of that family," she smiled.

Nothing in her expression or her features had told him, but he felt as if he had said something hurtful. He gave a small cough and sat beside her. Pouring the milk with a spoonful of sugar then the bran he watched as she did much the same with the flakes.

"So what do you do for a living Horo-Horo-san?"

He winced. "A little favor," he said making a point with his spoon, "No 'san', 'Sama', or any other honorific that'll make me feel over anyone. Just Horo-Horo is fine."

"Oh. Ok," she nodded politely, "Horo-Horo?" she tried.

He smiled, "Want some toast?"

"I'm fine thank you."

"So, you were saying?"

Tamao finished the spoonful of cereal she had put in her mouth before answering, "I wanted to know what you have been doing in these past years."

"Oh right. Well, what can I say? I don't know if Pilica ever told you why I was participating in the Shaman fight."

"She did."

"Well as you saw coming in we have our own field now. Not as large as I'd hoped but at least I don't feel useless."

"I think it's beautiful," she smiled.

"We actually used to have about a third of what you saw just now. But, our friends, well the owners of the neighboring fields recently passed away," he smiled sadly.

"I'm sorry. Pilica told me of Shii-sama's death a few months back."

He shook his head, "Akira-san and Shii-san were very kind to us. When we were just starting out they gave us loads of stuff and advice. They were good people. Anyway Akira had passed away two years back and Shii-san just three months ago. They were like second parents to me and Pilica, so much that they left us their share of land. We got along great but I never expected them to skip their son in the testament and give us their land. I was first beneficiary. I still can't thank them enough."

"I'm very glad you and Pilica-san are happy here."

"I couldn't really ask for more, given the circumstances."

The solemn moment lasted for another three seconds before he ruined it by slurping the milk left from his cereal bowl quite loudly. She pushed back a smile.

"So!" he called out taking his bowl to the sink, "I start school next Monday. I'll give you the full itinerary when I get back that day. But I feel I should warn you that I'm usually not home all day. School starts early so I have a quick breakfast, pack myself a lunch and I'm back by dinner. I work on Saturday's too but get Sunday off."

"You seem to have a very busy lifestyle."

"Ha! Are you kidding me? It wasn't hard to adjust this push over schedule with my freakishly ordered sister. Guess you could say I'm used to it," he chuckled.

She smiled, "I understand, so how can I be useful?"

"Oh, well, when you finish up I'll show you around so you can meet everyone, and then we'll figure out an itinerary for you."

"Meet everyone?" she asked looking around the empty kitchen.

"Oh yeah, they love visits, I'm sure you'll get along just fine," he smiled giving her an ok sign.

She blinked.

oooooooooooooooooooo

"Minna! I'm home!"

Tamao twitched at his sudden outburst. Horo-Horo looked happily upon the fields and waited expectantly. She shot him a glance then one at the swaying fuji leaves. A tiny bead of sweat developed on her forehead.

Their house was lovely, and after chores at the Asakura mansion this place would be a push over. He hadn't set a big burden on her, saying it wasn't necessary she be the maid. She had learned about the irrigation system as well as normal maintenance of the plants and he had shown her their own garden near the house where various vegetables grew. With all the fragrant herbs they kept she had almost squealed at the possibilities.

Now however they where smack dab in the middle of the largest field where she had yet to see a shred of, well, anybody.

The leaves beside her rustled and unconsciously she took a step towards him. It was until now that she began to feel an astounding number of spirits around them. Leaves began to pop out of the ground and from one moment to the next she saw hundreds of Koropocurus flying merrily towards them. The sight of so many spirits was enough to leave her wide eyed. Green, white, blue and pink raced towards them. They all greeted Horo-Horo with smiles and hugs, laughing as their leaves jingled. Coloro greeted some of them as well. There were hundreds, all different from the next, in age, height, vestment, every smiling face original. Without thinking her lips curled up to a smile.

"Hey guys!" he laughed, "I brought someone for you to meet."

Most stopped showering him with tender little hugs and looked her way. She blushed suddenly at so much attention.

"Everyone, her name is Tamao Tamamura. She will proudly be taking care of you and your homes for the next three months."

Not knowing what else to do she gave a courteous bow, "Hello all, I am Tamao Tamamura and I hope we can all become good friends."

How embarrassing, she felt like the new girl in school. They all looked cautiously at her before Horo-Horo spoke up again. "Don't be shy guys, she's a nice gal."

"Cucuru cu!" Coloro chipped in making her way to Tamao's shoulder.

Following Coloro's example many more made their way towards her. Carefully at first, she felt tugs at her jeans and shirt as more tiny hands came over her shoulders and hair.

The faces of caution soon turned to those of excitement as they began to play. She chuckled as many pinned themselves against her arms and began hugging her affectionately. Some took interest in the bag at her side and a few more where intrigued by her earrings. Lifting her hands close to her face many landed on them giving her unrecognizable greetings.

A chuckle from beside her brought her back to reality. Horo-Horo smiled down at her as many other Koropocurus frolicked in his hair. Her cheeks turned rosy realizing she had gotten carried away by the small spirits. They seemed to give off happiness.

"All right guys, I'm glad you all got along. She'll be back in a while to play, but now its lunch time," informed the Ainu.

There were many sounds of disappointment and others of agreement.

"It was wonderful meeting you all, I promise to be back and spend more time with you. You'll have me here for three months so not to worry," she backed up.

Many didn't seem as disappointed but there were still a few that clung to her arms like stubborn little monkeys.

oooooooooooooooo

"And so, we're back at your room again, and seeing as its half past eleven I think it's about time to turn in," he said eying his watch.

She smiled and gave a light nod, "Time seems to have gone by very quickly today. Thank you for everything, dinner was very nice."

He gave her a smirk, "Even if you're just sayin' it, thanks."

"I'm not!" she argued truthfully, "You have a great sense of season."

"Everything tastes better with butter," he winked, "I'll see you in the morning. Oyasumi."

"Oyasumi nasai Horo-Horo," she nodded as he turned down the hall.

The door clicked softly behind her and she looked up at the brightly lit room. It wasn't as big as the one in the Asakura mansion, but it gave off a friendly atmosphere. She smiled contently to herself not really knowing why and threw herself on the bed.

It hadn't been as awkward as she thought it would be. He was quite friendly and almost everything that came out of his mouth made her laugh. Today had been... fun. Her mouth opened suddenly making way for a yawn. With glossy eyes she sat up in bed and began taking off her shirt. The day had seemed short, but it had also been full. Rest would be nice.

Her sleepy eyes shot open. Wait, what was she—?

ooooooooooooooo

"Horo-Horo?" she knocked gently.

"Ah? Tamao?" came a muffled voice from behind the door.

She gave a quick intake of air as his face appeared when the door swung open. Not only his face, but his dangerously exposed chest and shoulders. Quicker than she would have imagined she scanned the scene before her. On his bed carelessly thrown was his missing shirt, beside the foot of it were his boots. He was still (thankfully?) wearing his baggy jeans leaving exposed the skin just below his bellybutton.

"Something wrong?" he asked arching his brow.

Eyes wide she couldn't help the way her body reacted to his voice. First she came back from the lines of his lean stomach, then she realized she had been starring, and not exactly at his face; accompanied by a bead of sweat, a shy smile and a nervous giggle. Organize! She ordered her mind. Something about sleep! She tried to remember the purpose of her visit.

"Ah, I'm sorry. But, would you happen to have something I can sleep in for tonight?"

She congratulated herself for pulling it together when he nodded in comprehension. "Yeah, yeah. I'd forgotten you lost your clothes today didn't you?" he thought about this for about five seconds, giving her another agonizing eternity to try and not stare at his figure, after which he nodded mostly to himself. "I'm sure Pilica left something baggy. Come with me."

He led her down the hall to the last room near the window. From her position she had a very nice perspective of his back, and unconsciously she found herself biting her lip at the way his muscles moved under his skin.

'No!' she scolded herself every 3 seconds or so trying to look at something else to no avail. Instead she watched him jump from drawer to drawer, going through his sister's belongings before a large bead of sweat made its way down his cheek. He looked in the closet, under her bed, even in her desk.

"I can't believe her. I was being sarcastic when I asked if she had left anything behind!" he said loudly.

Tamao blinked, careful not to let her eyes linger over his shoulders.

"Feh!" he let out an exasperated sigh. She blushed when he looked back at her apologetically.

"Well, I guess I could lend you something for tonight, if you don't mind wearing my stuff," he shrugged back at her.

"Not at all!" she answered quickly, "I'm sorry to bother you though."

"You shouldn't be apologizing. Come on."

So they went back to his room where she was allowed in this time. It was remarkably neat. Somehow with his personality she had expected it to be more... well, less tidy.

"Pants or shorts?" he asked.

"Ah, pants if possible," she answered looking back at him. Geez, his back!

"Well, these are the smallest I have and they have a little lace so you can tighten them, and any shirt will do for tonight right?"

"Yes of course, thank you so much," she bowed lightly before reaching out to take the clothes that he offered.

"Don't mention it. I hope they don't smell too much like me though," he smirked.

"No, it's..." she didn't like the way her stomach clenched at this thought so she decided it was best that she leave, "Um, again thank you. O-oyasumi nasai," she bowed.

"Don't do that," he pouted.

She gave him an uncertain grin and closed his door on the way out.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Reading this chapter again I think I may have put too much too soon with that last scene but, as I am going to change the future chapters big time I decided to just edit the typos in this one.

As for Konchi and Ponchi, what can I say... I dislike them and they'd get in my way :P don't worry I won't leave Tamao unattened.