Wow! I think this is the longest chap I've written! I began it about two days ago, and I doubt I would have finished it for today otherwise. I even thought about placing it in two parts…but decided against it. I really can't do that, not because I don't like it but because I wouldn't help but post it right away! And you all love me for it! Admit it!
Now, I hope you all enjoy this chap, specially you Jamie! Read and enjoy!
Many of us saw the show with the English dub names, so here is a list of the japanese names!. If I use another name, I'll place it here.
Mamoru – Darien
Usagi - Serena
Chibi-Usa – Rini/Renee
Minako - Mina
Makoto – Lita
Rei – Ray
Ami – Amy
Motoki – Andrew
Yuuichirou – Chad (The guy that was at Rei's shrine, the one with long brown(?) hair.)
Thanks to SailorMoonForever for telling me the next!: (They are Usagi/Serena's family)
Ikuko –Ilene
Kenji – Ken (wow, they didn't think much when to his name it came! lol)
Shingo – Sammy
Ok, I think I got them all. Oh, and Kai is Kai…lol
I hope this helped! ^-^
WARNING!: This story WILL have spanking. Just read my rambling in chap one! And this chap it contains the punishment from the kid's point of view..
Disclaimer: Not mine!
VII. What Rules are Made For
He looked back from the front seat of the car. They had just arrived at the little cabin and Kai was in a deep sleep. Deciding to first take the boy inside and then get the suitcases out, he moved to open car's door and stretching. Driving for two hours after being in a half hour train ride was not as appealing as it seemed.
He had done their packing the day before leaving to Yokohama and during the day he had arranged everything. He had even bought some of the groceries they would need though not all of them, knowing there was a small town close by to which they would need to go the next day. Even though they were there for 'swimming' purposes he doubted they would actually spend three days swimming.
For the first part of the trip the little tyke had been more than happy talking about what he had done while at Rei's and what he wanted to do while there…pretty much being in the water. He had also complained stating that Rei's cooking was actually worst that his Mama's. Mamuro didn't know if that was a good or bad thing, actually knowing that the miko's cooking was good, though it didn't went up to Makoto's standards.
Once he had placed the boy in one of the rooms and had taken their entire luggage inside he looked at his surroundings. He knew he would have to actually tell Kai some rules while being there. He had never had the need to tell the boy what he expected him to do or not to do. The boy seemed to instinctively know it, however, for a strange reason he preferred to settle down some ground rules for everything to go smooth…as smooth things could actually go with Kai.
It was about fifteen minutes later that Kai actually woke up. Mamoru had just finished putting everything in order in the little kitchenette and was now unpacking in his room.
"Papa?" A low drowsy voice called, and by the sound of it said voice was in the edge of breaking into wailings.
Looking out of his room Mamoru decided to walk out to find the boy looking around for him, his hair sticking up in different directions as he walked in his socks and rubbed one of his eyes with his fist. "Hey, how was your nap?" Mamoru asked as he approached the kid.
"Where are we?" He asked while yawning.
"Have you forgotten already?" Mamoru asked with amusement as the boy's eyes widened suddenly and he ran to the closest window.
"We're here!" The boy jumped suddenly and Mamoru couldn't help but laugh at the slight fact that the boy didn't even knew where 'here' was.
"Yes, we are." He answered.
"Cool! Let's go swimming!" The boy said suddenly running towards the door.
"Wait." Mamoru said in a serious tone making the kid stop in his tracks.
"Yes?" He asked as he turned around placing his hands on his back and looking innocently back at his father. "I've done nothing wrong, Papa." He said biting his lip.
Mamoru looked at him before raising an eyebrow. Why would the boy said that unless something had happened? Of course, not knowing what the kid was talking about he decided to let it go. "I see. But I want to talk to you before we go swimming." He said walking the kid to the small living room.
"Talk about what?" Kai asked frowning a bit as Mamoru sat him on the sofa and he took a sit on the table just in front of it.
"Rules." Mamoru said simply as Kai scrunched his face in disgust.
"I don't like rules." Kai said petulantly.
"But yet, we need them." Mamoru answered his son seriously.
"What for?" The kid whined as he crossed his arms.
"Mainly, to keep you safe." He answered with a soft smile. "There aren't many, anyway."
"Really?" The boy asked. "We're still going to have fun?"
"Of course." He stated as the boy nodded his head ready to listen. "Firstly, no wandering about."
"WHAT!" The boy shrieked. "But I wanted to explore the woods!"
"If you want to go explore we can do it together. But you are NOT to go by yourself." He told him sternly.
"That's not fair!" The boy whined.
"Have you really forgotten what happened when you decided to go 'exploring' the city, Kai Endymion?" Mamoru asked narrowing his eyes at the boy. Why was it that everything had to be a fight with this boy?! Really!
The kid seemed to understand the warning as he immediately sent a hand to guard his behind, even though he was sitting down. "No."
"Good. Then I believe we won't have a repeat?" he half stated half asked.
"No." The boy whispered and pouted.
"Great. Now, you can't go swimming alone. And before you protest I'll explain why. You don't know how to swim, and even if you're going to learn it can be quite dangerous to swim by yourself. I want to make sure to be there."
"Ok." The boy said with a sad sigh.
"Good. Then that's all." Mamoru stated. He would never think the boy would actually break those two rules, and neither did he want to overwhelm the kid with don'ts and do's.
Kai carefully looked up at him a small smile in his lips. "So, can we go swimming?"
OoO
Mamoru sighed as the boy refused to go into the water, his hands clutching the rim of his swimming trunks. "C'mon, Kai. It won't be that bad, besides, there's no one here."
The little boy looked at his Papa, who was already in the water waiting for the boy before he shook his head fiercely. "No."
"Kai, c'mon chum. You can't swim and hold to your trunks at the same time."
At that statement the boys face blushed fiercely. The problem had begun when the boy had skidded to his room to change into his swimming attire. The problem was that the trunks were too big for him. Mamoru had giving him two options, either he swam in his daily briefs, or he could also swim without anything at all. Seeing as they were in a secluded area, he thought the boy would have no problem at all. But, being the little stubborn boy he would have none of it.
After Mamoru had tired of trying to convince him not to wear them he had decided to let the kid learn the lesson by himself. As they walked to the little pond which was about ten minutes away from the cabin Kai had had to grip his trunks repeatedly as they slid down on more than one occasion.
"I don't want to swim like that." Kai whispered lastly a little gasp cutting through his words. Mamoru could understand his sentiment, and he had even thought about taking off his own trunks so the tyke wouldn't feel alone at all. Yet, there were other cabins around and, even though it would go against all odds, someone could walk through and spot them. It would be easier to cover the boy up than to cover himself and the boy…and any adult would pretty much understand that it was the boy and not him.
Sighing he approached the dock and got out of the water. "Very well. It seems we'll have to have another trip down here." Mamoru said as he reached for his t-shirt.
"Nani?! But I want to learn how to swim!" The boy complained.
"Kai, son, you can't even get in the water right now as it is. Or you either get a hold of me or of your trunks. And I won't have you holding your trunks all the time and then going to the bottom."
The boy looked up at him and all Mamoru could offer was a small, understanding smile. "Fine." The boy said in his stubborn way letting go of his trunks which fell on a pool on the wooden floor, the tip of his ears growing pink as a blush caressed his face. Shaking his head Mamoru turned back to the water, once in it he held his arms for the boy to support in them.
Once Kai was in the water he got suddenly afraid, as if aware that the pond was rather deep. He wrapped both legs around Mamoru's waist and clung his arms to his neck. Yet, Mamoru knew he was in the shallowest part of it and if he moved a few 'steps' to the right would actually be standing rather than swimming. But for a small boy as him, that was rather deep, seeing the water actually reached Mamoru's chest.
"Hey, relax. I'm holding you." He soothed in the kids ear as he held the boy's bottom with one hand and used the other to try to sooth him. "I won't let you go."
"I'm afraid." The boy confided.
"Of what?" Mamoru asked smiling. "I thought you were a very brave boy."
That took the boys immediate attention as he shot a very fierce, well, as fierce a six year old boy's glare could be, directed at his father. "I am." He stated haughtily.
"Then you're ready to start swimming?" Mamoru asked as he tried to pry the boy's legs a little bit.
"You won't let go?" The boy asked softly.
"No, I won't." He answered with a smile.
"Promise?" The boy asked seriously.
"I promise."
Nodding, the boy let go slightly to which Mamoru waited patiently for the boy to be comfortable and secure. The first thing he had to teach was the simple fact of floating, something that couldn't be done if the kid wasn't relaxed.
"Papa? Are we going to start now?"
"Yes." Mamoru relented. "Now, I need you to lie in the water."
"What?" Kai asked, "How am I gonna do that?" the kid asked tightening his grip yet again.
"First, you need to relax. I'm going to hold you." As carefully as he could Mamoru had the child 'lying' in the water in a short time, one hand between his shoulder blades and another on his little behind. As the kid kept being there he kept talking to him, saying nonsense however they were rather soothing for the boy and he knew it. Not long after this he slowly let go of the child and he watched as the child floated around, of course, close to him in case the kid went to the bottom of the pond.
"You're floating, Kai." Mamoru said suddenly with a bright smile. The kid seemed to brighten at this piece of information and started swaying his legs and arms. Mamoru knew that in his mind Kai was actually swimming straight, in reality, though, he was going around in circles.
Mamoru let the little lad enjoy his 'swimming' for a little while before interrupting him. "Ready to try another way?" He asked already ready to grab the kid, which turned out to be good since Kai tried to suddenly 'sit' in the water.
Soon enough Kai was floating again, yet this time on his stomach and minutes later he was swimming though now straight, always with Mamoru's careful watch and ready to grab him at any moment.
After almost two hours of swimming Mamoru decided to head back to the cabin, seeing as it was going to get dark in less than an hour and he was close to being exhausted.
As they walked, Kai wearing his trunks again and holding them with his hands, the little boy talked and talked about what had just happened as if Mamoru had not been there.
"And did you see when I dived?" The little tyke asked happily almost jumping around, "Boy were you scared!" He giggled mischievously.
Mamoru rolled his eyes before scooping down the little miscreant and throwing him over his shoulder. "Do that again and you'll find hard sitting down." Mamoru warned lightly giving him a light tap on his rear making the boy laugh.
Once Kai had learned how to 'float while standing up' as he had put it, he had caught up with the arts of 'swimming' rather fast…faster than Mamoru would have liked actually.
Mamoru had actually not taken his eyes out of him until an older couple walked by greeting them. Taking his eyes out of the boy he greeted back…thankful that he had decided to swim with his trunks. Kai had taken that opportunity to 'dive' while his Papa talked with the older couple. When he looked towards where the kid was supposed to be and found it empty he had actually panicked. He started yelling Kai's name and seconds later he decided to dive down imagining the worst. Not even a minute had gone by when Kai got up to the surface and started laughing. It was his laughter actually that had alerted Mamoru where the kid was as he could faintly hear it.
"Don't you EVER do that!" was the first thing that came out of Mamoru's mouth when he got to the surface as they were in a part of the pond which was a bit deep…to deep for the kid. Ten minutes later they where getting ready to head back.
"Papa?" The boy's voice cut him from the recent memories, "Are we gonna come swimmin' tomorrow?"
"I don't see why not." Mamoru said as he placed the kid on his two feet again. "But we have to go to town first and then I was thinking you would like to go on a walk through the woods."
"Cool! I wanna find a wild animal." The boy stated happily as he brought a hand to his hair to scratch making his trunk fall from one side. "Papa, do you think we can buy a pair of swimming trunks over there? At the town?"
Mamoru chuckled before scooping the boy up again in his arms, that way the boy wouldn't need to be holding to the troublesome clothe. "I think we can." He said simply. In fact he had already thought about it, one of the reasons he wanted to head to town early the next morning. He couldn't suppress his amusement, though, at the slight fact that the kid had totally forgotten that he was wearing nothing five seconds after being in the water. When the old couple had gone by a second time he had been unaware of that fact and went swimming on his tummy making the old couple chuckle a bit as they waved and went on their way.
Later that night, after they both had taken a bath and had dinner, Mamoru decided to turn on the fireplace in the living room. The little cabin Mamoru had rented was actually more on an occidental or north-American style than an oriental or Japanese style. It mixed both cultures, and Mamoru found this rather relaxing as he drank a cup of coffee and Kai sat in front of the little table to color. It was about half hour later that Mamoru was taking an asleep Kai to his bed and going himself to sleep.
OoO
"Kai, that's too small." Mamoru tried for what seemed to be the tenth time, and again, he wondered why the boy had to be so stubborn.
"No, it's not. It will fit." He said as he held the pair of trunks in his hand. All in all, they had been lucky to find a store-of the few in town- that actually sold swimming attire.
"Try one which is bigger, you're six not four and that is for a four year old." Mamoru tried again looking at the boy at eye level.
"But I wanna take this."
"If you want to take you, you got to try it."
"But Papa!" The boy whined, the owner of the store watching them with a disapproving glare. "There is nowhere to try them here!"
"I'm sure there must be at least a bathroom here." Mamoru said as he looked around. True, the store was one that sold all type of objects, from food to clothes to little interesting oddities.
"On the back!" The old lady told them, her disapproving glare still on her face. "Don't let the kid go alone!" she said as she followed them with her gaze.
"C'mon, Kai." Mamoru said grabbing the kid's hand.
"But-" Kai started before motioning Mamoru to lean down, once he did he whispered on his father's ear. "If you go with me, you'll see me."
"See you?" Mamoru asked confused. "See you how?"
"You know." The boy said while blushing, "Without my clothes."
Mamoru tried hard not to smile, "Tell you what, I promise to close my eyes while you're changing." He said in the most serious tone he could gather, "And you can try it over your underwear." He whispered back.
"You won't peek?" Kai asked with a frown.
"You have my word I won't."
OoO
"An hour!" Kai screeched.
"Yes, Kai, an hour. You can't just jump in the water after eating."
"But, Papa, an hour is like…like…like weeks!"
Mamoru glanced down at the boy. After coming from town, which in itself had taken longer than what Mamoru had calculated they had gone 'exploring' the woods. To Mamoru's great relief and to Kai's great disappointment the only wild animal they had found besides birds were a couple of deer rummaging around.
"I'm sure you can find something to do." Mamoru said as he glanced to his book. "Why don't you bring one of your books? We can read it together." He offered.
"I don't wanna read. I wanna swim." The boy said crossing his arms.
"You will get to swim in an hour. No less, no more." Mamoru said his last gram of patience finally snapping.
"But-" Kai began before wisely shutting his mouth at the glare Mamoru sent his way. "Fine." The kid said before standing and stumping all the way to his room and slamming the door shut. Mamoru only sighed; hopping the child would be on a better mood when the time for swimming came.
OoO
Kai seethed as he opened his room's door and slamming it shot. He waited for a few moments wanting for his Papa to come and scold him for it so he could sulk more and maybe even snap at him, but he knew his Papa wouldn't.
It was so unfair! He wanted to go swimming. He didn't want to read or to play or do any of the baka things his Papa had told him to. He wouldn't get cramps for swimming just after eating! That was dummy and stupid and his Papa had to be wrong! Even if his Papa was right all the time.
Throwing himself on the bed Kai decided to glare at the first thing he saw, which was the shopping bag from this morning. Besides the swimming trunks, his Papa had bought him some coloring pencils, a book with a bunch of stories and even some candy…but his Papa had taken the candy and said that if he wanted some he only had to ask.
But he didn't want baka candy, or even the baka book, or even the stupid coloring pencils, so, pent up in anger, Kai grabbed the book and threw it across the room. Being a little heavy the book only fell a few feet away. Then he grabbed his pencils and threw them at the wall…this did fell a little farther than the book but made less noise. Seeing that he liked this he went on throwing anything he could against the walls, but seeing as there was no much to throw he had to grab some things from the floor and throw them again. Nevertheless, he discovered that his shoes where able to do LOTS of noise when thrown against the walls.
"KAI!" He heard his Papa's voice minutes later as he was about to throw his book again. "YOU BETTER STOP THAT, RIGHT NOW!"
Seeing as that was his mad voice he placed the book on the bed rather forcefully. He couldn't go to swim, he couldn't go explore, and he couldn't throw his own things. Very well, he could throw his own arms and legs, though. With this, Kai threw himself in the bed and started banging his arms and legs against the mattress. But, as he later discovered, this didn't do much noise and he soon grew tired of it.
He lay there for a couple of minutes, he was still mad at his Papa. He looked around and saw the plastic bag which was across the room with the swimming trunks half inside half out of them. He sat up suddenly, then, and idea striking him before a grin appeared in his face.
"Rules are meant for breaking." The kid whispered rebelliously before slipping off the bed and throwing the book with all his force one more time.
OoO
As carefully as he could Kai walked around the living room, he could see his Papa reading his book while drinking something and also from time to time glance towards his room.
He kept walking, now almost outside of the cabin when he accidentally bumped into one of his own toys which made a cracking noise.
"Kai?" He heard his Papa call. He froze, he might not get into too much trouble if his Papa caught him trying to go out. He could say he only wanted to play around the cabin…and he was wearing his new swimming trunks just to have more time when they could go.
When a few seconds went by, which felt like hours to the small boy he scooted outside not caring to close the door behind him. Once he was outside he tried to watch his step wherever he went and soon took the path which he knew took to the pond.
He was going to go exploring AND swimming without his Papa. Of that he was sure, but once he got to the pond he started getting a bit nervous. He stood there, biting his lip. The pond looked much, much bigger than before. He walked towards the edge of the dock and stood there looking into the water. Though the water was very clear he couldn't see the bottom of it.
Glancing around, expecting his Papa to be there at any moment he took of his shirt and took off his sandals deciding to jump into the water. After all, his Papa HAD said that he was a natural at it. Making his mind, the little boy jumped into the water. He smiled once his head reached the top. He was doing it. He was doing it by himself!
He swam a bit around and minutes later he wanted to get a hold of something, just like the day before when he neared his Papa and hanged to him, but today he was by himself. Panic started to take over the little boy and he suddenly felt himself struggling to reach the surface of the water, trying to grasp some air. His Papa wasn't there! He had promised to never let go of him, but he was not there! His eyes stung as tears dripped through his face as he panicked and tried to get hold of something, feeling as tiny as an ant in the middle of the mass of water. And then, when he felt he couldn't breath anymore he felt someone grab him and pull him to the surface.
OoO
He kept reading his book, his head on the little stubborn tyke when he heard a bang coming from the lad's room. He looked up with a frown, thinking that maybe the kid had let something heavy fall. Apparently he was letting many things fall since another bang and then another followed the initial one.
Obviously, the kid was in a middle of a tantrum. Mamoru tried to ignore it when several loud bangs came one after another. "KAI!" Mamoru thundered before he thought about it feeling his last gram of patience leaving him. "YOU BETTER STOP THAT, RIGHT NOW!"
It seemed to help for silence followed his demand, though he could hear some thumping seconds later he decided to ignore it. Maybe the water of the pond would calm them both right after a walk, but seeing as the kid had decided to go around showing his temper in such way he would wait for him to be collected.
He sat there, barely reading yet looking intently at his book lost in thought when a loud bang could be heard. He was about to go charge into the boy's room when silence ensued. Maybe he dropped something accidentally. He thought shaking his head and decided to go make some tea.
After doing his tea, which was stronger to what he used to drink, he sat again with the book on his lap. He kept glancing towards the boy's room. It was too quiet, but he doubted the kid had gone outside of it, after all, he had been there all the time, it was possible he was asleep.
He looked down to his book again when he heard a cracking noise. "Kai?" He called in a calm voice. Maybe the kid was not asleep after all. He debated about going to see what the noise was and sat back against the sofa, resting his head on the back of it. "This kid will drive me crazy." He muttered.
A couple of minutes went by when he started feeling an odd sensation on the bottom of his stomach. Looking at the time he noticed it was only 20 minutes before the hour got by.
"Kai?" He called out standing to go retrieve the little boy. "Kai, kiddo, we can go now." He said knocking on the kid's room just to have no response. "Hey, Kai?" He opened the door just to be shocked by the mess the kid had on the room. It was clear he had been throwing things since it seemed as a typhoon had gone by.
"Kai! Come here!" Mamoru called with a frown. He was going to put the room back in order before going anywhere, Mamoru decided not caring if the kid would like it or not.
"KAI!" He bellowed the patience he had gotten back slipping rapidly away. He started walking around in the room in search of the boy to find nothing. He had a bad gut about just where the boy could be but he still wanted to doubt about it. Finding the half broken toy on the middle of the hall he swore before sprinting back to the boy's room. There he looked at the clothes Kai had been wearing and noticed that both, his sandals and trunks where missing.
"Kai, I swear I'm gonna kill you!" Mamoru muttered before sprinting in search of the kid.
Of all his battles and all the times he, Usagi and the girls had been in danger he had never felt so afraid or so slow. He wanted his legs to go faster but they seemed to refuse as the path seemed to just enlarge itself.
He stopped in his tracks once he reached the pond to see the old couple of the day before. The lady was helping her husband, who was dripping out water, as they both sat on the floor, Kai in the middle of them coughing water out of his little mouth. He hadn't realized how worried he was until relief started seeping through his body.
"Kai!" he heard himself said as he rushed besides the couple.
"Papa!" The little boy said throwing himself in his father's arms. Mamoru could feel the boy's body tremble, if it was cold or fright, he didn't know.
"What happened?" Mamoru asked as the old couple stood just as he did.
They both looked at each other, before the older man started explaining. "We were giving our usual stroll when we saw the little tyke swimming-"
"SWIMMING!" Mamoru cut in looking furiously at the boy standing before him who tensed. "You went SWIMMING?!" he demanded of the boy who barely nodded. Before Kai could react or the older man could keep talking, Mamoru's hand came crashing on the boy's bottom who only yelped.
"No, Papa! NO!" Kai wailed as he applied three more swats and scooped the crying boy in his arms.
"You knew not to wander off or to swim by yourself!" He scolded though he was more relieved than anything to have the boy on his arms not caring that his clothes where getting wet by both tears and the water dripping from the boy.
A throat clearing itself remembered him that they were not by themselves…and never had been. "I'm sorry about it." Mamoru apologized blushing a bit.
"We were also parents once, young man. My name is Sakura and this is my husband Ernie McLeay. " The lady said smiling kindly.
"Mamoru Chiba, and this is Kai." He introduced while he patted the boy's back who kept crying as if the world was about to end.
The couple smiled, looking at them both the old lady looked sweetly at Kai. "Why don't you both join us at our cabin for a cup of tea so you both can calm down? It's not far away at all."
Nodding Mamoru found himself after the kind old couple who walked hand in hand while he walked after them still carrying a crying Kai. They only stopped for the older lady to grab Kai's shirt and sandals.
Sooner than he expected, he found himself sitting on a cozy living room with Kai sitting calmly on his lap and covered by a thick towel Mrs. McLeay had given him when they arrived.
"I'm sorry for the mess," Mrs. McLeay kept saying as she tried to put some things in order, "We're just not used to visits."
"In fact, our last visit was about two or three years ago." Mr. McLeay said, "C'mon hon, leave that like that and come join us." He called after his wife.
"I'll just bring the tea!" She stated scouring down a hall, which Mamoru supposed went to the kitchen.
"I'm sorry, McLeay-sama, but I'm afraid I never got the chance to thank you." Mamoru said cutting into the silence. Though the man had never finished saying what had occurred it was pretty obvious, Kai had started to flunk and the older man jumped in the water to rescue him. A shill fright passed through Mamoru's body when he thought of what could have happened if they had not been there and he unconsciously tightened his hold on the boy.
"That's all right, Chiba-kun, and please, call me by my first name, Ernie, where I come from we're not used to using our last names all the time." He said.
"Then I must insist you call me by my given name as well."
"Here you go," the old woman returned carrying a tray. "I've brought some cookies and a cup of warm milk for the little one, and some tea for us." She said as she first gave one to her guest. "It has some herbs to help with the nerves." She said sweetly as Mamoru blushed remembering his reaction to the boy.
"Yes, um, I apologize for that as well, my reaction I mean…I was…"
"I assure you, young man," The lady began as she took a seat by her husband, "that any parent would have had the same reaction. And by what it looks your little one is much better." She said. Kai just blushed obvious not happy to where the conversation was headed. Mamoru, by his part just smiled glad ot know that he hadn't been to hard with the boy…though he still planned on having a long talk with him once they headed to their own cabin.
"Why don't you have visitors?" Kai suddenly piped in blushing when all the adults turned to look at him, Mamoru glaring at him for the indiscretion. He started to apologize when Ernie interrupted him.
"Do you remember, Sakura, when our daughter was that age?" He said looking at his wife who was trying to suppress a tear.
"How to forget!" She stated smiling brightly, "She was a mischievous one, oh, I owe her all of my grey hairs!" She said with a soft laugh.
"We both do, I tell you, Mamoru-kun, at that age they'll drive you crazy! But you look young, we were way into our thirties when our child was born."
"Oh, don't remind me about that!" Sakura stated. "I remember how proud I was to be in my thirties and look like I still was in my early twenties. But after her birth I totally forgot about my looks, just worried about her all the time, as any parent should." She stated.
"You always looked beautiful," Her husband complied. "Still do." He grinned.
"What happened to your daughter?" Kai asked as he munched in a cookie not noticing the killing glare his father was directing him, clearly this kid did not know about indiscretion.
"You don't have to answer that." Mamoru said before one of the two could talk.
The older woman suddenly stood, "MY! I left something in the stove!" She said as she hurried into her kitchen.
"She was a beautiful young lady. It was not a surprise to us when she got married at a very young age, barely being twenty. Her husband was a very good man, made her very happy, he did." Ernie said as he stood and went to a window. "She came home one night, grinning and smiling like I've never saw her before, not even on her wedding. She told us she was going to be a mother and the following nine months were the most precious ones that we could have wished for." He said a tear starting to slip through his eyes. "Then, one night, we were all on the hospital waiting for the baby to come when she left this world with her baby girl." He said returning to his cup of tea. "Her husband had been visiting us ever since, but one day he stopped coming. Said he needed to move on and couldn't do it by seeing us…we reminded him too much of her. We knew he returned to France, were he was from, but haven't known about him ever since."
They both stood there watching the old man as he sighed before turning to look at Kai and smiling. Kai suddenly left Mamoru's arms and moved to hug the older man. "I'm sorry." The little boy whispered.
"Please, do come back soon!" The older lady, Sakura-sama, said as she hugged Kai one more time. "We enjoy others visits so much!" She said now giving Mamoru a hug as well.
"We're leaving tomorrow but maybe we could program a visit someday soon." Mamoru stated as Kai jumped around in excitement.
"I wish you could stay for dinner." She said with disdain.
"We will return one day!" Kai stated firmly.
"I hope your Papa says so." Ernie stated grinning.
With some more goodbyes they were headed home, Kai jumping around and talking happily, it was once that they reached the pond that the boy stopped in his tracks.
"Kai?" Mamoru asked looking back at the kid.
Kai looked up at him and breathed deeply his lower lip trembling a bit. "Am I in trouble?" He asked bravely.
Mamoru looked at him thoughtfully. It was true that the boy had had a big scare by what Ernie had later told him, but at the same time the kid had broken the two only rules Mamoru had given him. What would his future self would do?
"What do you think?" Mamoru asked him trying to keep the anger that suddenly surfaced at bay. The other factor to consider was that it was not the first time the kid disobeyed him in that fashion.
The kid said nothing just looked down at the ground and walked towards where his father stood and took his hand, the rest of the way was walked in silence.
OoO
Kai walked as silently as he could along his Papa. He was nervous, more nervous than he would admit. The worst was that his Papa seemed disappointed. He hated it when his Papa was mad at him, but he couldn't help but feel extremely sad when his Papa looked at him with a saddened expression because of something he had done.
Soon, though, sooner than what the kid would have liked, they arrived to the cabin. "Go change into your regular clothes." His Papa had said.
Kai, of course, didn't want to go to his room but to tell his Papa that he was sorry, even if he really wasn't, for going our with him. "But-" He shut his mouth when Mamoru sent him a glare which clearly told him to do as told.
"And put your room in order while you're there." He heard his Papa say from behind him as he walked towards it.
Once he had everything in order and had changed his clothes he sat on his bed hugging his bear. He didn't want to go find his Papa…and yet he wanted nothing but to hug his Papa.
Minutes later, what seemed like hours to the little boy, his Papa finally knocked on his room and even waited for him to tell him to come in.
Mamoru came in and looked around the room, Kai studying every move he did. His Papa then walked towards him and sat besides him and gently brushed his hair away from his face.
"Why Kai?" He asked softly, "Why did you break the only two rules I gave you?" He asked and Kai couldn't help but look down at the floor and sniffle trying to pitifully stop his tears. He then felt his Papa's fingers raise his head so he could look at him at his eyes.
"I don't know." The boy answered. "I-I…" Why had he done it? He was mad, that much he remembered. He felt angry and wanted to do something a big boy would be able to do and he had said that…rules are meant for breaking…now though, he doubted he wanted to say that to his Papa.
"Really, Kai!" Mamoru suddenly said as he stood and started pacing the room as he scolded. "Of all the things, you just decide to go out there. You're too small to be swimming by yourself! You barely know how to swim!"
"But you said I was a natural!" The boy heard his voice even before he thought what he had said.
As fast as his words where out of his mouth he felt his Papa's hand couping his chin and making him look directly at his dark blue eyes…which where even darker right now. "Being a natural does not mean you're out of danger or that you're a fish." At this he couldn't help but giggle a bit, of course he didn't look at himself like a fish!
"I'm sorry." The boy said finally, his Papa had seemed to calm when he giggled…something he thought was really odd. But really, who understood adults!
"Papa…" The boy swallowed hard, he didn't want to know but he just had to ask! "Are…are you gonna spa…" he muttered, barely pronouncing the last
words, yet his Papa seemed to understand.
"What do you think?" Mamoru asked as he took a sit besides him.
"That you are." He said looking up at him.
Mamoru just sighed and passed his hand through his own hair before looking down at the boy with gentle eyes. "I really don't like doing this, Kai. I hate punishing you."
And THAT was what the kid was talking about. "If you don't wanna spank me you don't have ta! I won't get mad." The boy said. Why would his Papa do something he didn't want to?! He never did what he didn't want to do…unless they forced him to…like his teacher, or his mama, or his grandparents…or his aunts which where his Mama's friends now…or even his Papa…but that was not the point!
Mamoru tried really hard not to smile, which made the kid feel a little off. He was telling no joke! "That really won't do, kiddo." He said before he felt himself being lifted by his armpits and being laid over his Papa's knee. He hated that.
"This is the last time Kai," He heard his Papa's voice, the one that was all serious and no nonsense, "that you go around wandering when you've been told not to. Understood?" he asked to which Kai only nodded…what else could he say when he was in THAT position?
And then, he heard a loud noise, like a swat, and felt an acute sting on that really sensitive part of his body and as fast as the first sting came another followed, followed by yet another and all he could do in protest was to open his mouth and wail as loudly as he could in hopes that his Papa would feel really sorry and let him go.
As always, his Papa said nothing just brought his hand down with much force. Why was he in this position? 'cause y-you dsbeyed 'im! He thought as he cried and tried to emit the first 'sorry'. And this time he really meant it. He was sorry for going out without his Papa, he was sorry for disobeying him and going to swim, and he was really, really, really sorry that his tiny behind was being tanned.
To his utter horror his Papa didn't seem to stop, he just yanked down his shorts and briefs, making the kid cry even louder. He hated this! And just when he thought this couldn't get worst a sharp smack was heard and he felt as if his skin had just been bitten.
Through teary eyes he looked back just to see that his Papa was using his hairbrush! Really! That treasoner thing had not only to pull on his hair but now had to blister his tail!
It was really fast but soon he found himself on his Papa's arms. It was over! He would never, ever go away without his Papa when told not to, of that he was sure. And he would never, ever go swimming by himself! And he would never, ever brush his hair again!
He climbed into his Papa's arms, wanting to feel safe and warm. He rubbed his behind furiously with one hand, not even caring that his undergarments where lying at the floor, he just wanted the pain to go away…which was happening. He cried as loud as he could, stopping only from time to time to cough, and then continued wailing.
"It's ok, kiddo. Everything is going to be fine, son." He heard his Papa say and he believed him, after all, his Papa never lied.
As his crying turned to sniffs he noticed that his Papa was rubbing his back and from time to time kissed the top of his head and was even rocking him, which was making him very sleepy, but he refused to let go of his Papa.
Then, he heard his Papa saying something about taking a nap before dinner and he couldn't suppress the whimper in protest that came when he felt his Papa wanted to place him on the bed. He did not want to go anywhere! He was comfortable where he was and he was not sleepy, his eyes just where closing by themselves because…because he wanted them to close! But he was not asleep…he was just happy that his Papa was there.
And soon, without Kai realizing it, he was sound asleep in his father's arms.
OoO
For a third time in a pair of seconds Mamoru turned, his eyes wide open as an owl cried out by his window. He was unable to sleep, yet again. It seemed that every time he ended punishing his boy he was unable to sleep.
He looked at the boy's sleeping face and had to smile. Even after being punished by his 'unfair' Papa the kid had refused to sleep on his own bed on the next door room. He had actually cried himself to sleep as he held tightly to Mamoru.
He regarded the boy as he hugged the bear in his sleep. Kai stretched a bit before moving and getting in a more comfortable position by snuggling closer to him.
As he brushed away the child's bangs he couldn't help but smile. Even if it cost him his life…or his black hair…he would protect this little boy whatever the cost, even if he had to protect Kai against Kai himself. He just hopped the kid understood that the rules he placed where for his own safety, nothing more.
With that thought Mamoru gave a light kiss to the child's forehead as he felt sleep starting to claim him.
Hello everyone!
First of all, before you start yelling at me for the swimming class, I want to state something. My Daddy was the one that taught me how to swim, and I couldn't help but think of him in this chap…on that part... AND I was wearing my swimming suit, thank you very much. So if you didn't like something or found it offensive I have a few things to tell you which I will make them short:
1. This story has a warning. So far I haven't received any complains or critics and I would like to keep it that way.
2. If you are reading something that annoys you, shut up and leave. Simple.
3. I do this for fun, so don't annoy me…really.
4. Enjoy the story and if you want to leave a review or comment, do it. If it bores you, again, why are you reading this? Am I forcing you to do it?!
Ugh, ok. I feel much better now! XD See ya soon!
