Chapter 7

A Date?

Some time has passed since they made plans to all go and see Amaya's concert. With Inari and Shigure's plan into play all they had to do was to just wait now. Naomi was getting herself ready. She still felt an uneasy feeling like she was being watched but decided it was just her paranoia. She wore a green strapless dress, with lace sleeves along with nude pumps. She kept her hair down and a small amount of neutral and simple makeup that was just enough to hide small blemishes and to make her features stand out more. Whenever she thought about that fact she was gonna see Hatori she could feel her cheeks turn red.

As she left her apartment and the cold night air blew past her cheeks she thought about the wind blowing through Hatori's air and about how the moonlight would enhance his handsome features and she felt a warm blush came to her face. She took a cab to the restaurant. As she looked out the window and saw the flashing lights of the city she could feel a sense of happiness within her knowing she was going to go out tonight and have some real fun. More fun than she's had in a long time.

She arrived at the restaurant and it was beautiful. There were lights wrapped around the trees, a gazebo off to the side. A nice calm atmosphere and not too many people but enough so it wasn't completely quiet and there was a comfortable amount of chatter. She had fallen in love with the restaurant. She walked over to the front door and the hostess greeted her. Hatori was already in a booth looking at the menu and she saw him from across the restaurant and she pointed to where he was and the hostess happily walked her over to him.

"Here you go ma'am." The hostess politely gesture Naomi to her booth.

Hatori looked up and he smiled softly. "Well hello Miss Naomi..you look quite lovely tonight." The dim lighting was just enough to accentuate his features. The soft piano playing in the backround made this the perfect scene almost from a movie. She smiled softly at him, but this time she knew the pain he was hiding behind his smile. She could feel her heart being crushed. She couldn't even begin to fathom what he is going through.

"Evening Doctor Sohma, you look sharp as always." She smiled and sat across from him.

"Well thank you. I do believe we are the first ones here." He looked around wondering where his cousins and Inari and Amaya were. The thought crossed his mind that Shigure and Amaya wouldn't show but he knew he would have heard something from Amaya and as for Inari and Yuki he would have heard from Yuki as well.

"I suppose so."she checked her phone and the time was correct. She hadn't heard anything from anyone so she assumed they were still going to show. "We are not early, maybe they are running a little late."

"That wouldn't be surprising it is Shigure after all...But Yuki, Miss Inari and Miss Amaya wouldn't be this late." He sighed and called Shigure while they were waiting.

"Especially since Amaya was performing tonight..." Naomi stopped mid sentence while Hatori was on the phone. There was silence between them for a few moments while Hatori waited patiently for Shigure to answer but it didn't happen.

Hatori hung up the phone. "No answer I suppose we should wait a little longer and I'll call them again."

"Okay, that sounds good. I just texted them. How's your week been?" She asked softly trying to spark up a conversation.

"It's been alright work is work I suppose." He smiled. "And yours?"

"My weeks has been okay, don't have much going on around here." Naomi smiled and looked over her shoulder and then shook her head to forget her worries of being followed.

He nodded. "And your ankle?"

"Oh its fine. I wouldn't be wearing these shoes if it was bugging me." She giggled and she had a soft blush on her face. She hoped with the dim lighting in the restaurant he wouldn't notice.

He smiled softly. "Well that's good but if it starts to bother you again do not hesitate to come visit me again...I quite enjoyed your visit last time."

"I will" She blushed and moved her hair away from her face.

'He liked when i visited…' She thought to herself and once again she was thankful for the dim lighting. "How's the plant doing?" she said quickly changing the subject.

"It's still alive.." he smiled. "I've actually kept up on watering this one."

"Don't drown it." She laughed softly.

He chuckled. "I won't.." he sipped his drink.

The waitress came by. "Are you two ready to order?"

"Uhmm mm I am ready to order." She said and looked at Hatori.

"As am I. I will the wine marinated steak medium rare with a side salad please." Hatori said softly and closed his menu and handed it to the waitress.

"I will have the sautéd filet mignon, medium rare with a side of steamed vegetables." She said and handed the waitress the menu.

The waitress and nodded. "Right away..you both make such a lovely couple." She smiled and walked off before either of them could say anything to dispute her assumption. Naomi looked at Hatori then back at the waitress and smiled. She played it off as if she didn't hear what she had said. But on the inside she was nervous and she felt her cheeks heat up once again and the thought crossed her mind that this was inevitable when she was around Hatori.

Hatori looked at Naomi. "I'm sorry if that made you uncomfortable." He wasn't offended by the situation whatsoever.

"What? That? No. I am fine. They sure are taking their sweet time to get here." She said quickly hoping to get his mind off what had just happened.

Hatori nodded and got a hunch. "Yes...and they didn't have a program like they did last time..." he called Shigure.

"Hellooo?" Shigure said on the other end of the phone.

"Shigure where are you and Miss Amaya?" Hatori sipped his drink while keeping his dry tone toward his goofy cousin.

"Well you see Hari, Amaya she hasn't been feeling very well today." Shigure said and he sounded worried which was understandable but Hatori could sense that Shigure had something up his sleeve.

Hatori sighed and nodded. "I understand well give her my regards. Have her call me if she needs anything." He hung up the phone.

"So, what happened?" Naomi asked as Hatori got off the phone.

"Seems Amaya isn't feeling well." Hatori sighed. "Can you call Miss Inari while I use the restroom?"

"Yes, sure." She said and grabbed her phone. There was no need for her to call. Inari had already texted her.

"Hey Yuki and I can't make it he's sick and I don't like leaving Yuki alone." Inari texted and immediately there was another text. "Spend some time with Hatori ;-)"

Naomi shook her head and put her phone away. She took a sip of her wine. She watched as the live band started performing and waited for Hatori to return from the restroom.

Hatori came back and looked at her. "Any news from them?"

"Yeah, apparently Yuki got sick. Inari is taking care of him... Looks like it's just gonna be us tonight." She exhaled and smiled. 'Almost like a date…'she thought to herself but casted the idea from her mind knowing Hatori's past. A date was probably the furthest thing from his mind.

Hatori sat down and sighed. "Those two...they planned this.." He sighed. 'Writers…'

"Well, if you'd like I could call back the waitress and cancel our order and we could leave." She said and took another sip.

Hatori shook his head. "I'm alright Miss Naomi. I say we enjoy our evening and then I can drive you home if you'd like?"

"Alright, Doctor Sohma." She smiled. The lights on the stage changed as they started to play a new song. Naomi stared at the band, she could feel eyes looking at her and shook her head to get rid of the feeling of paranoia that kept washing over her.

Hatori smiled and stood up and looked to her and held out his hand. "Do you wish to dance?"

"You sure? I don't want to bump into you and you know...transform." She whispered to be safe.

He chuckled. "I've been like this for years Miss Naomi..I know how to be careful."

"I am a terrible dancer." She said and she reached out for his hand and stood up.

He chuckled. "Just follow my lead." He held both of her hands and was swaying to the soft music their bodies still keeping a good distance from each other. A small smile formed on her face which in turn cause Hatori to smile at her. Naomi felt so calm and at ease dancing with him like this. It made her happy and it felt right. All of her worries seemed to wash away when she danced with the doctor. It hit her how truly alone they were where at some point when they were with each other at every other time they weren't completely alone because someone who at least knew one of them was always around. Time seemed to almost slow down as the music did and Naomi looked up into Hatori's eyes and he into hers. It was so perfect. The atmosphere, the music everything was just so magical almost something out of Nicolas Sparks novel. Hatori began to take a really good look at Naomi's face as they were in this close position. Her eyes were soft as she looked up at him. The small amount of makeup on her face that she clearly didn't even need just made her sparkle a little more under the dim lighting. He was slowly noticing more and more how much he enjoyed her company. He couldn't look away from her even if he wanted too.

And although he didn't know why he knew he didn't want to.

The music became slower and more romantic which caused more people moving in closer to their dancing partners and more people leaving their tables to come dance.

"Doctor Sohma, maybe we should sit down." She whispered and backed away slowly. A blush forming to her cheeks. 'I thought he was going too..' She didn't finish her thought as she went to sit back down.

Hatori sighed. "I suppose you are right." He snapped back to reality and went and followed her back to their booth. Not long after the waitress came back with their food.

Hatori looked up at her. "This looks good."

"It does." She said and took a bite quietly feeling some what awkward after their almost kiss.

Hatori took a bite as well. "So have you been settling in well?" He had to try to spark up a conversation as he felt the awkwardness in the air as well.

"Yes, I am looking into getting a car or renting one, kind of getting tired of walking everywhere or taking a cab." She responded still feeling awkward.

He nodded as he sat back. "Well..we have someone in the family who owns a car dealership perhaps I can convince him to cut you a deal."

"Oh no, I am alright. Thank you though." She smiled and lightly dabbed her lips on the napkin.

He rose a brow. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, thank you though." She smiled. She looked at his face and lighted noticed the scar above her left eye. She smiled softly but felt sorry for knowing what happened him now and she wondered if it still hurt but knew it wasn't her place to ask.

"Something on your mind?" He looked up at her.

"No... No.. Its nothing..." She smiled softly and drank her wine.

"Miss Naomi you can tell me if you wish?"Hatori looked at her concerned.

"I am alright." She exhaled deeply.

"Miss Naomi...you may tell me I can tell you're upset." Hatori looked at her with a concerned look in his eyes. She grabbed her wine glass again and finished the whole glass. She sat it down.

"It's just... That I... Uh..." Naomi said as she got interrupted by one of the band members asking her to dance.

"May I?" He asked softly and looked at Hatori.

Hatori looked up. "It is up to the lady not I." Naomi nodded and smiled.

She went to the dance floor with the male dancer. She laughed at the way he danced. She was having a hard time keeping up with his pace, which made it fun. She would look back at Hatori at the table and he would smile back at her. But there was something in his smile that she noticed but thought maybe it was just the alcohol taking over her thoughts. She almost wished however she could have danced like this with Hatori instead of this man. Sure he seemed nice and sweet and wasn't a bad dancer but she knew she would be enjoying this more if she was dancing with Hatori and not this guy. And if they were really dancing and weren't hindered by the curse. The male dancer moved his hand closer to her lower back and she glancd at him and started to pull away.

Hatori stood up and he had a hand on his shoulder. "I believe that is enough sir. I would like to dance with my date." With his other hand he held Naomi's hand. Naomi blushed when he heard Hatori say that she was his date. Butterflies were in her stomach as she took Hatoris other hand and they were dancing with each other again.

"Thank you." She said softly to the man.

"My apologies. She is a beautiful lady." The male dancer said and excused himself.

"I am aware." Hatori said emotionlessly and he looked at Naomi. "Are you alright? You seemed uncomfortable." he whispered as he looked into her eyes.

"Yes, I am fine... Maybe I should have a seat..." She said and make her way to the table with Hatori following close behind her. She quickly turned around to ask him something but ended up getting pushed into him by a couple.

"Oh no..." She said and poof... Hatori was gone. She quickly got on her knees and tried to find him quickly before anyone stepped on him. She grabbed his clothes and ran to the garden in the back of the restaurant. There was fountain where she placed him in. She breathed a sigh of relief as it seemed no one had seen them.

"I am so sorry this happened. I shouldn't have danced." She whispered and kept looking around making sure no one would see her talking to a seahorse in the fountain. Hatori looked up at her and was not upset and he shook his head to show her that. She sat down facing away from him. She knew once he transformed back, he would be naked.

Once he transformed he carefully got out of the water and got dressed. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. I am sorry. I should've be been more careful." She looked down.

"Let's head back inside I don't want you getting sick. It's pretty chilly out here."

He shook his head. "It's not your fault." She wasn't sure if it was the wine in her system or if it was just the way he talked to her, but she found herself not being able to keep the words in her lips.

"Doctor Sohma... Hatori... Can I ask you something? If you don't want to answer you can just say so. I just wanna know one thing." She said and looked at his face. The moon was shining bright that night.

Hatori nodded. "Yes?"

She inhaled deeply then exhaled. "I know it's probably not my place to ask, but how long ago did you and doctor Cana break up? I am just asking because I noticed the way you looked at her, it was as if she still held a special place if your life while it seems that she just sees you as nothing more than her co worker."

His eyes widened slightly but he stayed composed. "Well...Miss Naomi it's been some time...while Cana and I are no longer together I still hold a deep respect for her. I'm assuming Shigure told you?"

"Yeah, I asked him about it... I am sorry I should've probably just asked you. He told me that Cana doesn't remember being with you? That you erased her memory? I know you did it to help her, but what about you? You still have to go on with those memories while she moves on and lives her life... I don't think it's fair to you." She said and felt a knot in her throat.

Hatori looked at her and was calm. "Miss Naomi I believe it's time to go home."

"You're right, I will see you later. I am gonna go catch a cab." She said and turned on her heels and headed towards the door.

He walked after her. "Miss Naomi my car is right here let me take you home."

She wanted to continue going by herself, but her feet were saying otherwise. She then turn around and walked over to his car.

Hatori sighed in relief and walked with her and opened the door for her. He held her hand as he helped her to carefully get into the car while also being careful so he wouldn't transform.

Once he got in the car, she looked at him and took in a deep breath.

"I am sorry, I should've just kept my mouth shut about your personal life. It is not of my business to have asked Shigure about it. I am sorry." She said quickly and it just seemed to spill out like word vomit.

Hatori shook his head as he put his seatbelt on. "Miss Naomi it's alright you were curious I understand."

She sighed and looked out side. She didn't say a word as he started to drive. He began to drive quietly to her home.

"You can stop over here, I will just catch a cab home. I want to be alone for a bit." She said and she reached for the door while pointing towards the pound outside. She felt that she had crossed the line with him, she just wanted to get away from him right now.

"Miss Naomi it's no trouble please allow me to take you home." Hatori sighed and knew the alcohol was fueling her and making her be difficult.

"Look Hatori it's fine. I am can get home from here. I know you aren't comfortable doing this. You're just giving it a shot because of you cousin and my friends keep on trying to set us up. You don't have to to keep trying alright. I get it... You're probably not over Cana yet. I am fine with that. But you should probably stop blaming yourself for it all. Shigure told me how it happened. No matter how hard and painful some of the memories I have are I still choose to live with them because it make me who I am. It bothers me that you blame yourself for it all, but she played her part in it too, she shouldn't be the one to go on and living without consequences or pain." She exhaled loudly and fought back the tear forming in her eye. "Now please stop the car. I've said too much."

She took a deep breath and thought of all the words she just said. It was too late now she couldn't take them back. He sighed and pulled the car over. "Miss Naomi...I don't believe you fully understand the situation. I was offering a ride home cause I wanted to make sure you got home safe. You're reading too much into a situation and an incident long before I met you."

"Perhaps I am." She felt confused. 'What was with him, is he always understanding. Here I am acting up like a child and he is finding rational responses to my irrational behavior.' The thought to her herself and opened the car door.

"I need some air." She said and stepped out of the car. She walked slowly towards the railing by the river.

She wanted to cry, she felt horrible for saying those things, and thinking about how he reacted through it all just made her confused. She knew if she had acted like this to anyone else before they would've simply yelled at her, and told her to get out of the car even worse they would've just left her go home alone from the restaurant. But Hatori was different, he remained his calm posture. She began to cry, she tried to stop the tears but she couldn't. She couldn't understand why she was crying. She had hoped Hatori would just drive off and leave her be. But no she could hear him turn off the car then his door open. His footsteps slowly approaching her. She quickly wiped the tears off her face and felt as he place his sports coat above her shoulders.

"Come you're gonna catch a cold out here." His calm voice whispered.

"I am sorry." She sobbed and squeezed his coat. He placed his arm around her, making sure to be careful to not touch her more than he could without transforming. They both got in the car she didn't say a word. He quietly got into the driver side and started to drive again keeping silent. They got to her place after the short amount of driving. She looked at him and removed the coat from her shoulders.

"Thank you for ride and for being patient. I am sorry for this evening. I didn't mean to upset you." She said and smiled softly. She reached for the door handle and opened the door and looked at him once more.

"I'll see you around." She said and she got out of the car.

He nodded slowly. "It's alright Naomi. Have a good night." He smiled softly at her.

She smiled and looked at him through the window then walked into her building.

Hatori watches as Naomi walking into her building. He looked at the empty seat next to her where she sat and noticed something on the end of the seat.

He reached for it and it was her keys.

He quickly parked his car on the side of the building and ran inside.

He walked down the hallway to her apartment and was caught by surprise that she wasn't standing outside.

He could hear some voices coming from one of the apartments, he ran towards hers and her door was open. He walked in and found Naomi laying on the floor crying with a man standing over her. Screaming profanities and trying to hit her and hurt her.

It only took Hatori a second to sprang into the action punching the man and knocking him out not even thinking about it. He hadn't heard anything he had said and he didn't even notice the pain in his hand. All he cared about was if Naomi was alright.

Hatori pushed the man off of Naomi and he picked her up into a hug breathing in her scent and her perfume and he pulled away and looked at her. "Naomi are you alright?" His arms were still wrapped around her.

He didn't once transform.