Here is technically part 2 of the last chapter. Thoughts, *sounds* Enjoy!
As You Wish: Cursed Feelings?
They stopped off at a supermarket Kyoko directed him to and she swept through the aisles at record speed as if she had the layout of the store memorized. When he thought about it, Ren wouldn't have been surprised if she did have it memorized. When they made their way to the checkout counter five minutes later, he was surprised at how few items she had. There was soy sauce, mirin or sweet rice wine, sugar, shiitake mushrooms, green peppers, white rice, and something slimy. She also had meat skewers and…charcoal?
"Mogami-san why do we need charcoal? And what's that?" he asked pointing to the slimy substance.
"I'm making Unagi-no-Kabayaki." Kyoko said brightly as if it should have been obvious. "You have a grill don't you Tsuruga-san?"
"Yes, of course I do."
As Ren paid for the groceries after giving her a very stern, "I insist Mogami-san." He made a mental note to look up Unagi-no-Kabayaki on the online dictionary on his cell phone.
Half an hour later found Kyoko mixing the soy sauce, rice wine, and sugar in a bowl. She then let it simmer until the sugar dissolved and placed it in a container to cool in the refrigerator. Ren, who now knew that they were going to be eating grilled freshwater eel with kabayaki sauce, was heating up the charcoals on the grill. He was actually looking forward to eating the traditional summer dish, having never had it before, and he was happy it was Kyoko who was making it for him.
Meanwhile, the girl in question was moving like a machine. One minute she was on the balcony glazing and grilling the eel, the next she was in the kitchen sautéing the mushrooms and peppers and steaming the rice.
It seemed like as soon as he had gotten the patio table and chairs set up on the balcony she was placing their plates of food down. Ren looked in amazement at what she had accomplished in under an hour. Perfectly glazed and grilled eel sat atop steamed white rice and was covered with sautéed mushrooms and peppers. The presentation looked like something out of a high class restaurant and for the first time in his life Ren's mouth watered.
"This looks wonderful Mogami-san. I am impressed by how much you did in such a short amount of time."
"Oh, it was nothing special Tsuruga-san. I know it looks complicated but it's actually a really simple meal to cook." Plus I was trying my hardest to keep busy so that I wouldn't be alone with you for too long and risk assaulting you. It's worked so far but now I don't have any way to escape.
"So how did your shooting for Box R go this morning Mogami-san?"
She told him about the story lines for the episodes they were currently filming and how her role would be expanded. She omitted everything about Akira and shifted the conversation to how his day had gone. They discussed the plans for the Dark Moon DVD release that he'd met with the president about (not mentioning what had happened with Yashiro), and had a very pleasant conversation. Until Ren decided to voice a question that had been bothering him for most of the night.
"Mogami-san, why having you been avoiding looking at me? Is there something bothering you that you can't talk to me about?"
"Of course not Tsuruga-san I haven't been-"
"Mogami-san don't say that you're not avoiding looking at me while you're staring at your hands."
Kyoko lifted her head.
"That's my shirt Mogami-san why don't you try looking at my face."
"I should wash these dishes. Will you clean out the grill please Tsuruga-san?" Kyoko hurriedly asked as she reached for their dirty plates. However, Ren grabbed her wrist and stood up in front of her blocking the table.
"Later. Now tell me why you can't look me in the eye. Have I offended you in some way?" He asked with concern in his voice.
"No!" Kyoko lifted her face to him and then quickly looked away. "It's not you, it's me." Kyoko cringed inwardly at the cliché phrase that had escaped her lips.
Ren palmed the side of her face gently to turn it towards him but she put her hand over his.
"Please don't Tsuruga-san." She pleaded with her eyes low.
"Why?" He half whispered.
"Because…I don't know what I'll do." She was almost barely audible now.
"I'll risk it."
His reply was equally low as he turned her face up to him and they locked eyes. "Now, was that so bad?"
"No." Her expression softened as she entwined her fingers with those of his hand that still rested on her cheek. "It's perfect."
She walked closer to him and closed her eyes resting her forehead on his muscular chest. "Everything is perfect." She repeated.
Warning bells immediately started going off in Ren's head. DANGER! DANGER! ABORT! ABORT! ABORT! SELF-RESTRAINT REACHING CRITICAL LOW! APPROACHING THE POINT OF NO RETURN! RETREAT BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!
Tsuruga Ren was caught between desire and reason but like so many times before, reason won out.
"Mogami-san," he began as he reluctantly pushed her away, "I think we should start cleaning up now."
She looked up at him through her long eyelashes. "I'll try not to take too long." She said before turning and gathering the plates in her hands. When she had gone in to the kitchen Ren let out a long breath. He threw away the used charcoal and immediately returned to the balcony to let the air cool his head.
What just happened? She went from not wanting to look at me to being close enough to kiss. Doesn't she realize the danger she put herself in? What does that mean, 'I don't know what I'll do'? I don't know what I might do if she puts herself in that vulnerable situation again.
Ren was so absorbed in his thoughts of what he almost did that he didn't sense the object of his temptation approaching. When a slender hand reached out and tugged at his shirt he nearly jumped in surprise. Kyoko pulled her hand back.
"I'm sorry, did I scare you Tsuruga-san?"
Ren looked at the petite girl now standing next to him in just a thin, gray, spaghetti strap top and a miniskirt. She was holding the hand that reached out to him up to her heart and her eyes had a shy expression with the most kissable pout gracing her lips.
"Of course not Mogami-san I was just lost in thought that's all." Are you trying to seduce me? "You should put your jacket back on the breeze is cooling off." Good Ren, alleviate some of the risk.
"I don't feel cool but," she stood in front of him and grabbed each his hands in hers. She pulled them across her middle so that his left hand was resting on her right hip and his right hand was on her left arm just below her shoulder, "this feels much better."
Ren's warning bells had reached maximum level. CODE RED! I REPEAT, CODE RED! SELF DESTRUCTION IN 5, 4, 3, 2…
"Hmm."
The girl in his arms sighed quietly and he looked down at her. Time slowed the way it would if a glass vase was falling to the floor and no one would be able to make it in time to catch it. She leaned her head back against his chest, leaving her long, delicate neck exposed. Her eyes slid closed and a smile played across her lips as she pulled his arms tighter around herself. Ren's right forearm brushed gently across her chest and she shivered. And all of his restraint shattered.
Lowering his head to the light pulse he could see just above her collar bone, Ren planted a soft kiss on her flesh. Kyoko gasped and turned in his arms.
"Tsuruga-san?"
"I apologize Mogami-san, I just-"
"Shh." She put a finger to his lips. "Tsuruga Ren, always the perfect gentleman. Don't apologize." She laughed teasingly. "I didn't mind it all that much."
Ren was shocked. He was certain she would have run away screaming.
"Mogami-san?"
"In fact," she whispered, "I didn't mind it at all."
She put her hands on his shoulders and pulled herself up, placing a sweet kiss right on the strong pulse at the base of his throat.
"Now we're even." She said dropping her hands to her sides and taking a step back.
Ren grabbed her by her waist and pulled her to him.
"Even? Who said we were finished?"
He took her face in both of his hands. She looked at him in a way he had always dreamed of her doing. There was complete trust and acceptance in her eyes, and for once Ren did not question his actions. He bent and kissed her on her forehead. Kyoko let out a contented sigh and instinctually closed her eyes.
Ren then planted delicate kisses on each of her eyelids before moving down and placing a kiss on her nose. Kyoko slowly opened her eyes and looked at Ren through her lashes. Her breathing was fast and shallow and she wasn't concerned with anything but the man holding her. She slid her hands up his muscular torso and was thrilled when she felt him tremble beneath her touch. Her fingers glided up his neck and he closed his eyes as they caressed his scalp. Kyoko pressed her body against him as she balanced on the tips of her toes to place sweet, sucking kisses on his neck starting behind his ear and going down to his collarbone.
Ren let out a low groan and Kyoko grew more brave. She planted a chaste kiss on one corner of his mouth and was about to repeat the movement on the other side when he put his index finger over her lips to stop her. She looked into his eyes with a confused expression that quickly changed to understanding when he removed his finger from her lips and moved his hand to the back of her neck. As their faces inched closer together he watched her eyelids flutter shut. He could feel her shallow breath on his lips and had just closed his eyes when-
*BRRIINNNGGG*
They both jumped from the sudden loud noise.
*BRRIINNNGGG*
"Mogami-san, I think you have a phone call."
"Oh. Um…okay."
That was all she said before going into the apartment to see who was calling her this late. Ren's heart was beating painfully in his chest. He didn't know if it was from the excitement of what had just transpired or if it was the shock of the sudden loud noise, but he took a few deep, calming breaths before going into the apartment to check on Kyoko. He sincerely hoped it wasn't the Taisho calling to see why she was out so late. Ren had the feeling that man wasn't only skilled in slicing up meat.
Kyoko looked at the caller ID before answering the phone.
"Moko-san?"
"It's midnight Cinderella, has the spell been broken yet?"
…oh nooo... I've done it again!
There was a long pause as Kyoko thought in horror about all the ways she had just crossed the line.
"Kyoko?"
"I have to go Moko-san. I'll talk to you later, bye."
Kyoko hung up before Kanae had a chance to respond. She slumped down onto the sofa and put her head on her knees. She was trembling. Why is it becoming harder and harder for me to realize when I change? Even now when I know I should feel ashamed, I don't. I'm losing myself. I need to find a way to talk to Orihime tonight.
"Mogami-san?"
Ren had been watching her with worry, his desire cooled by her obvious state of distress.
"Is there something wrong? Did something happen with Kotonami-san?"
Kyoko couldn't look at him. She feared that if she did, nothing would stop her from trying to be in his arms again. It wouldn't be fair to make him a victim of her curse.
"Can you take me home now Tsuruga-san?" she asked in a quiet voice.
He wanted to say no. To refuse to let her run away from the progress they had made. But he was afraid of pushing her too much and causing her to pull away from him. If she needed time he would give it to her.
"Of course Mogami-san. Gather your things, I'll be at the door."
The ride to the Darumaya was dead silent. The air was filled with the tension of two people who had both enjoyed what had just passed between them, but for different reasons were ashamed because they thought they'd forced their will on the other. The car had barely stopped at the curb before Kyoko opened her door and got out. She bowed quickly to him wishing him a pleasant evening and ran inside the restaurant, once again refusing to look him in the eye. Ren began wishing he had made her stay and tell him what had suddenly gone wrong. Instead he gave up and took the easy, polite way out.
Tsuruga Ren, always the perfect gentleman, he thought bitterly as he drove off into the night.
Author's Corner: MWAAHAHAHAHAHAA! I am evil! eviill! eeviiiillllll! Nani? What...is that...? AAHHHH!
*runs to escape mob of raging fangirls* Laters!
