Don't own VK or Ichijo.

CHAPTER 7 – HOLIDAYS

I got a few babysitting jobs and one where a neighbor asked me to help paint his living room, but that was about it. So I did get a little cash, which I tried to slip into the cookie jar (we keep spare cash there for emergencies), but Dad noticed and, well, I got caught with my hand in the cookie jar. Insert drum crash here, no? Well, he found out what I'd done, and he got all sulky, so I had to take it back. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it, now.

Christmas itself was a quiet affair. I tried to buy a small turkey with my money so I could make us a proper Christmas dinner, but Mom got offended, thinking I didn't like her cooking, so not only did I have to backpedal and insist that I do like her cooking (it's definitely decent), but Mom also went out and bought a huge turkey for us because we want to please Hikari, the big-shot intellectual who just got a taste of the upper-crust. I had to keep my money again, AND I made my mother guilty, AND I made her spend money on frivolities—money we should be saving. I hate my life.

I must be the strangest teen in the universe—what other kid spends their money willingly on their family (or tries to), only to get caught and feel guilty? What other kid just plain doesn't like to spend money on themselves, much?

Sigh.

On Christmas Day, we opened our presents (normal amount, too—apparently, the gifts had been purchased before the monetary crisis). I got a few manga from Mom and Dad, as well as a small metal bookshelf to take to the academy after break (I'll fill it with my favorite volumes from home), a new coat (thank heaven), an Urahara plushie, and a bag of crystallized pineapple, which is awesome. From Kaito, I got an FMA DVD, and from Natsuko, a set of five small black picture frames to take back to the academy. She'd noticed I'd taped a few pictures on the wall, since I had no frames. It was a wonderfully sweet gift, I have to say.

Today is the twenty-sixth, and I have no job. And nothing to do. I've already read all the manga and watched the DVD… I thought about calling Takuma, but I really don't want to do that. He's on vacation with his friends, and I suppose I ought to let him have fun. Besides, I'll see him tomorrow, anyway.

Part of me wonders if I'm not a good girlfriend because I don't call my boyfriend every second I can, but I suppose I can always ask Takuma when he gets here.

I'm rereading that novel Takuma got me on our date—it's really a good book. House of Many Ways by Diana Wynne Jones, the sequel to Howl's Moving Castle. (1) Yeah, a lot of people don't know it was a novel way before it was a movie.

I nearly fall out of my chair when I hear the doorbell ring. Seriously, who's coming to visit us at nine at night? But I slowly heave myself from my chair and make my way downstairs to see Natsuko padding to the door in her fuzzy green socks. "I've got it," she calls to the rest of us, and opens the door to reveal—

"TAKUMA-KUN?!"

He smiles brightly. "Hey, Hikari-chan! I know, I'm a little early…"

Oh, no, not Natsuko… please don't ask questions… I'm silently praying that she'll just think him a friend from school, but no. Not so.

"Hi-kar-i, who is THIS?" she asks in a suggestive tone.

I'm torn between spontaneous suicide and glomping Takuma. Tough decision.

I just ignore her, instead. Since I've not told my family about him, this is going to be incredibly awkward. I mean, it's like, suddenly, Hello, I've got a boyfriend. Oh, right, I forgot to tell you… But at the same time, I can't just say that I didn't tell them in front of Takuma. That would look very un-girlfriend-ly of me. "Early, yes, but come on in."

"Natsu, who's there?" comes Mom's voice from upstairs, and I wince. Here it comes, the moment of truth.

"Oh, Takuma Ichijo, right?" comes a low, lazy voice from the top of the staircase, and I turn to see Kaito plodding down slowly. "Hikari's boyfriend. I'm Kaito, older bro."

"Right!" says Takuma instantly, smiling in a friendly manner. "Nice to meet you, Yagari-kun."

"BOYFRIEND!?" screeches Natsu, and she's practically dancing around Takuma, squealing. "OMG, he's sooo cute! How old are you? Where are you from? Are you into that weirdo anime stuff? Is he nice, Hikari? Oh, I bet you're nice—"

I bury my face in one hand. "Natsuko, please…"

"Oh, Hikari, you're so lucky! His eyes are gorgeous!! And his hair—his smile is adorable!!"

"NATSUKO."

"What?" She looks at me innocently. I hate hyper thirteen-year-olds. (2)

"Please… go die somewhere, would you?" My tone is naught but wearied resignation by this point; my face is still hidden by my hand. If this were a manga, I'd probably have one of those swirly-looking sweat-drops above my head right now, looming, black, and squiggly. And Takuma would probably have those vertical lines overlapping his head.

Mom pokes her head out from her room upstairs; I can see her face above the steps. "Hikari, you have a boyfriend?! How long has this been going on!?"

"Er, since nine days ago…"

"And you didn't think to tell us?!" She sounds scandalized, and I don't blame her.

"She didn't want you guys to make a big deal out of it," Kaito drawls from his position, leaning against the wall. "You and Dad would've reenacted the Spanish Inquisition, and Natsuko would've gone nuts like she just did. Can you really blame her?"

I love my brother. Really. I'm so buying him a pack of cigarettes when I turn eighteen…

Takuma chuckles quietly. "Wow… would you believe it, that was actually easier than walking to class each night…?"

I have to laugh at that. Sad thing is, he's right.

The ice is effectively broken, and my family all come downstairs to meet the oxy-moron ("Hikari's boyfriend," that is). We all congregate in the living room to speak in comfort. Takuma is introduced to everyone; everyone, then, proceeds to interrogate him. I'm trying to pretend that the entire ordeal isn't happening, but that's awfully hard when I forbid myself to daydream (I wouldn't want to be caught off-guard by a question and look dumb, nor would I want to be caught somehow acting out my fantasies, which could very well happen if I lost myself to my subconscious).

That means I'm restricted to staring at the carpet as I poke at it and straightening my clothes at intervals.

Sounds like fun, huh?

What's worse is what'll happen when Takuma leaves. My dad will question me about why I'm seeing him, and, if he's paid attention, he'll ask why I'm dating someone rich. Dad will automatically assume the worst because I, the oldest daughter, have my first-ever boyfriend out of the blue, without having told the family anything at all. This is not a good evening at all…

It's way too early for him to be meeting my family like this—they're acting like we're engaged or something, making it into a huge big deal. It should be so much more casual, it isn't even funny.

But at the same time, it's so nice to see Takuma again. I hadn't realized how much I'd missed him…

Before I know it, my dad is standing up and nodding before speaking. "Ichijo-san, could I speak with you?"

"Of course, sir," says Takuma in his polite manner. I can tell he's relaxed, not at all bothered by the idea of speaking with my father alone (no doubt, he's aware that Dad just wants to know his intentions and some other stuff, I guess… possibly to threaten him at knifepoint as a warning, in case he wants to break my heart or whatever). In some ways, Takuma really is amazing… I suppose his lack of fear is partially attributed to the fact that he's a vampire, but it's also got to be just his easygoing nature. Come to think of it, the only times I've ever seen him scared or upset were when I was in danger or when we were around Purest Blood Kaname. After emailing Takuma over the past few days, I've come to discover that Kaname's powers are, admittedly, worth fearing. Personally, I fear what he can do; I don't fear Kaname. He's too much of a jerk to be worthy of fear.

That's probably a very stupid point of view to take, now that I think about it, but I don't care.

Unfortunately, as Takuma leaves, that leaves Natsu and Mom to subject me to a deluge of questions: where did he come from, how do I know him, is he nice, is he physical (after which I balked and protested rather defensively), how much older than me is he, et cetera.

Kaito just heads back up to his room, leaving me stranded. Granted, I don't think even he could've saved me from Natsu and Mom, but even so…

I guess I should just be glad that Mom's not depressed right now. I mean, she so often is, and it's always beyond sucky when she is.

Finally, Takuma emerges from the other room, and I'm saved. I usher him with all haste up the stairs and into my bedroom, where I close the door. Good grief…

Takuma stands in the center of the room, carefully and quietly taking in his surroundings with a slight smile on his face. I've got a few wall scrolls (one of L from Death Note, one of Ukitake from Bleach, and one of Byakuya and Renji) and a poster of Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman in Casablanca, a few pictures of some of my junior high friends (the ones I still keep in touch with, that is), my white dresser and mirror, bookcase overflowing with volumes, the cardboard box full of extra books on the floor, the black canvas director's chair in the corner, and my bed with a blue comforter. It goes well with the walls, which are a very pale blue. I love my room; my bed's positioned right before the window, so I can sit and read there and get a great view of the cherry tree outside. Sometimes, I even open the window so I can sit on the roof that extends out over the front porch.

"I see you need a larger bookcase," he says with amusement. "That figures."

I smile at that. "You can have a seat, if you want."

He looks around and finally decides to sit beside me on the bed. "It's a nice room; it fits you very well."

"Thanks." I smile and shrug. I'm not entirely sure what to do at the moment; I mean, what should say? What should I do? What does he expect of me…? "I missed you…"

"Same here," he says softly, and one hand inches toward my face. His fingers are cool upon my cheek, and he gently urges me toward him. Our lips meet… his mouth is soft and inviting against mine, moving slowly against mine.

Wow… feels so amazing…

He pulls back and grins. "I'm glad you feel that way."

I can only smile right back and blush. "Er… that wasn't too awkward… was it?" He raises a single eyebrow, slightly confused, and I realize that he thinks I'm asking if the kiss was awkward! "With my family, I mean…" I change the subject way too quickly, sometimes.

Takuma tilts his head briefly, as though to indicate that yes, it was, but not much. "Maybe a little, but I've dealt with so much worse. But… why didn't you tell them… about us?"

I sink down a little. I'd hoped he wouldn't be upset by that. "My family… has quite a few problems, and… I guess I just don't want to look like I'm too happy… cuz no one else is, and… well…"

"You don't want to feel guilty."

"Yeah…" I question him with my eyes. "That isn't too weird, is it?"

He shakes his head. "It's not weird, no. But I think you've got it all wrong, Hikari-chan." I'm beginning to notice how much he likes playing with my hair as he tucks it behind my ear once again. "From what I can tell, you've got a great family. You all care for one another—that's evident. You're just going through a rough time. I think they'd want you to be happy. Just because they're not excited doesn't mean that they don't want you to be just as downhearted as they are."

"I guess…" I know he's right, but it's hard to reconcile it. "Easier said than done, huh?"

"Yes, I see your point." Takuma grows a little more serious, despite his smile, and exhales. "I'm… actually kind of jealous of your family…"

"Not to be, well, an attention-seeker, but you don't want my family's problems."

"At least you have a family…" Takuma stares at the far wall with a dull look in his green-grey eyes. "All I've got is my grandfather, and when he's not busy with the Senate or the company, he's lecturing me on how I need to get my head out of the clouds and keep an eye on Kaname… or something I'm doing wrong. I don't think I've ever seen him smile…"

How does Takuma do it? How does he remain so happy, so cheerful all the time, especially with such a grouchy grandfather…?

"I'm sorry…"

There's a long pause, wherein we both just sit there and dwell on our problems… But I didn't want us to be this way, just spouting our problems. Well, yes, we need to be able to talk about our problems, but I want us to be happy. I want to see Takuma smile…

But what can I say to make him laugh…?

Or do…

Without any real warning, I grab his hand and bite his wrist, holding it up to my mouth as I stare right at him. Takuma's eyes widen and he looks at me like I'm crazy, but he begins to laugh. "Hikari-chan—wha—what are you…?" But he laughs again, so taken off-guard that he has to let forth his amusement. Which was my goal all along.

I let go of his wrist and smile. "I just wanted you to laugh, that's all. I figured you might find the humor in being bitten by a human."

He rolls his eyes. "Ridiculous."

"Fun."

"Oh, geez…"

I chuckle at his expression, torn between laughter and resignation. "Hey, I've got an idea," I say then. "Let's grab some blankets and sit out on the roof. We can look at the stars."

Takuma grins at me. "I'll bet you do that often, when you're back home."

"Hm?"

"Sit out on the roof and go stargazing."

I have to smile and blush. He's already figured out my love of the outdoors. "Yeah… What can I say? I love being outside."

"It is nice," he agrees.

I pause for a moment to ensure that he's done speaking. "Um… I'm going to go get the blankets; I'll be right back."

I confidently walk through the house. I don't want my family to know what I'm getting, because they'll get suspicious; moreover, Dad wouldn't want me outside in this cold weather. I don't really care. But if I run or if I tiptoe and someone sees, it will mean questions. Calm, cool, collected attitudes generate fewer questions. Something I've learned in my own observations of psychology.

Soon enough, I've grabbed a pair of sleeping bags from the closet and Takuma's long coat from downstairs and I'm back in my room. I close the door so as to keep all the heat inside, and grab my new coat from its spot draped over my chair as Takuma puts on his coat. Then I open the window and step out onto the roof, sleeping bag in hand. Takuma follows. I close the window after us (the latch is broken, so I can open it when we need to go back inside), and we both set up our sleeping bags.

Takuma sits right next to me, so close that we'd be touching, if not for the sleeping bags. The swishy nylon material is wrapped around him up to his chest. He sits back, supporting himself with his arms, one of which he puts behind me casually, encouraging me to lean against him. So I do.

This seems so surreal… How many other girls have boyfriends who act like this to them? I really wonder what I did to deserve such a sweet guy…

I tell myself it's not going to last, but… the more I'm with Takuma, the more I want to believe that he's actually… for real… the more I want him to stay…

I'm afraid.

Afraid of Takuma leaving.

"You're very quiet, Hikari-chan," Takuma says softly. "Are you okay?"

Oh, geez, what to tell him? I suppose I should make my intentions clear, but at the same time, it's not just that. It's also my family and our… economic situation.

Dang it all, I thought we were trying to focus on happy things, too.

"Well… one thing…" I pause. This is so much easier said than done—or, thought about than said, I suppose. "Takuma-kun… I have to say a few things, and I don't want you thinking that I'm really questioning you, but… well…"

"But you are going to question me," he finishes in a light tone. I can hear the smile in his voice.

"I just don't want you to take offense at this." I turn to look at him seriously, and he turns to me and nods, indicating that he's listening. "I just… this is the first time I've ever had a boyfriend, and… I don't want… well… I guess…" I stop to collect my thoughts, or attempt to do so, anyway. Finally I open my mouth. "There is no… non-offensive way to say this…" Nervously, I swallow.

Great, backed yourself into a corner again, Hikari. Brilliantly done.

Takuma nods. "I understand, Hikari-chan. You want to take things slowly, and you don't want to be hurt. It makes perfect sense, and I'm not offended at all." He gives me a sharp-toothed, reassuring smile. "If I wasn't so confused, I'd tell you my exact feelings right now…"

I have to smirk at that. "Confused?"

"There's no easy way to say this, either," he admits with a chuckle. "I can hardly say that 'I like you,' because it's so childish. I can't say 'I love you' because I really don't know. So… we're left with some indescribable level in between, whatever it is."

"How about… a crush. Infatuation."

"Nah, those sound trite or fleeting."

"In love with…?"

"Cheap and prosaic."

He has a point. "Um… fond of? Taken with?"

"Not deep enough, but better than 'likes.'"

"Oh, dear…" I bite my lip as I stare up into the night sky, trying to think of something… "Okay, I've got one… how about… the object of one's affection."

He smiles, at first, which grows into a grin, then he chuckles. "It's the best so far… but wow, if I tell anyone that, they'll call me an idiot."

"Would it matter?"

"Probably not. I've been called worse." He smiles cheerfully as he stares at the sky. "Hey, I never got you my Christmas present." Takuma sits up straighter and reaches awkwardly into his sleeping bag and into his coat, where he struggles to grasp some object. Finally, he has whatever it is, and produces a small, squarish box wrapped in blue. "Oh, no, wait…" He places the box down beside himself so that I can't reach it, but he pulls out something else, something flatter. "Here is your Christmas present."

I take the green-wrapped package from him and slowly open it; it's the same volume of Bleach he lent me for a month, and the newest volume after that. I have to grin.

"I figured you'd like that."

I flip open the inside cover of one of the slightly older one. There, written in his calligraphic hand, reads:

Hikari-chan:
Merry Christmas.
Now you don't have to worry about giving this back.
—Takuma

Seriously, he's so sweet—how did he manage to go girlfriendless long enough for me to have a shot at dating him? I should think there would be a line behind me, waiting for their turns at Takuma Ichijo…

"But I also have a completely-unrelated-and-not-to-be-associated-with-Christmas present for you," he adds, handing me the first box, and I chuckle as I roll my eyes.

"I should've known. You really don't have to do things like this, Takuma-kun."

"I know, I don't. Don't worry about it."

I slowly tear open the paper to see a box that—

No.

No…

He did not…!

Takuma Ichijo did not just buy me a cell phone!!

(It's not just the box; I can see the phone through the clear plastic panel on the front!)

Is he serious?! We've been dating for eight days.

Eight.

Days.

This is… asinine, that's what it is!

"It… is?"

"What?"

Takuma looks at me strangely. "Asinine."

I frown. "I didn't say that…"

"Yes, you just did."

Oh, shoot… I gulp and lick my lips slowly. "How… much did I say out loud…?"

"Since… I think it was 'No, no, he did not, Takuma Ichijo did not just buy me a phone.'"

I flop against Takuma's shoulder and groan softly to express my current self-derision. "Great… Um… wow…" Way to go, Hikari. Honestly, I have to wonder, at times like these, exactly how much of my thoughts I'm spouting off out loud.

"If you don't like it, I can return it," he offers in a quiet tone. "I just thought you should have one. They're useful for emergencies and making calls on the road. I don't use mine for much more than that…"

A cell phone.

"I'm sorry," I say after a moment of looking at the phone. "I didn't mean to say all that stuff—it's just that… what the heck? This is incredibly generous of you…! It's hard to believe you're getting me a cell phone when we've hardly been dating for very long, and… it's so expensive!"

"Oh, geez, I don't care about the price," he says quickly, waving that off. "I may as well buy things for you, seeing as how most of my money will hardly be used otherwise, anyway. I figure it's better spent on gifts, at the very least, than just sitting in a bank account somewhere. I have way more than I'll ever need."

I'd call him snobby except that he's not. He's only stating the facts… which is almost scarier. "Takuma-kun…" I pause to swallow again. "Thank you. This is… incredible!"

"I have one stipulation," he says now. "You'll actually use it to call me every once in a while." He smiles at me softly. "I don't know how often I'm going to get to see you, or how often Kaname will let you come to the Moon Dorm. So I want you to call or text me sometimes so we can talk."

Definitely reasonable. "Done."

I hear a faint thudding sound behind us, and I turn. "Oh, shoot…" I scramble out of my sleeping bag and crawl over to my window. I try to pry it open, but… it's been fixed. The latch works and I can't open the window!

Takuma leans over to push on the window, but it doesn't work. It's good and locked.

"Hikari…?"

Thankfully, it's my brother's voice, and he opens the door to my room, only to see me waving in the window at him. Kaito rolls his eyes and closes the door behind him to open the window for us. I shimmy out of my sleeping bag and bundle it up to carry inside. Takuma follows suit and soon, we're standing back in the room, safe and warm. I sniff a little; I hadn't noticed how cold it was outside!

"What the heck were you doing out there?" Kaito asks with a raised eyebrow. I can tell he's just thinking I'm crazy for being outside on the roof in the dead of winter.

"Stargazing."

"What's that you've got…?" Kaito turns his head to see the cell phone box. I would've hidden it, but I'd forgotten, but it's too late, now. Kaito's eyes grow wide and he stares. "Sweet merciful crap—a cell phone?! He got you… a cell phone?"

Takuma shrugs and smiles. "Guilty."

"Dude, how much cash you got?"

Takuma pauses. "You know, I'm really not sure. But it's a lot."

Kaito smacks his forehead with the heel of his palm. "Oh, boy. Don't let Mom and Dad know," he adds to me.

"Duh…" I frown mildly at him. "What did you want, anyway?"

"Oh, Mom wants to know how long Ichijo-san's going to be staying here."

There's a pause that follows this question. I don't know—I haven't planned that far ahead. "I already have a hotel room for the night," Takuma explains casually. "Just kick me out whenever."

"Well, it's already eleven o'clock," Kaito adds softly, but I can tell he's wondering what expectations Takuma might have for me. For instance, the cell phone is in exchange for some fooling around… minus clothing… He stares in a mostly neutral way at Takuma, and grunts before heading for the door. "Night."

"Night, Kaito," I say softly.

Takuma exhales slowly. "He has a point. I'd better get going."

"Okay."

He smiles brightly. "Hey, I'll see you tomorrow morning. I figured we could go have fun in town… or whatever." He chuckles lightly. "I haven't planned anything; you live here. So… whatever you want to do tomorrow, I guess."

I smile at him. "I'll try and come up with something…"

"No pressure, ne?" He grins and reaches out to take my hand. He leans in and quickly kisses my cheek. I have to smile at that, and I can't fight a blush. It really is nice having a boyfriend… I really couldn't have anticipated how… well, how warm-and-fuzzy it really feels. Dear heaven, I never would've thought that was true…

"Night, Takuma-kun."

"Good night, Hikari-chan."

(1—Yes, it exists. No, I haven't read it. XD)

(2—Did I mention that Hikari's views do NOT necessarily reflect my own? Yeah. I don't hate thirteen-year-olds; Hikari's just frustrated with her sis.)

Review, please? I'm not too crazy about this chapter. Fluffy, yes, but Hikari seems a little ADD or something. Also, it's kind of filler... -.- So... better stuff next chapter!!