OMG! Really, this is officially my favorite chapter (so far). I really look forward to Yusuke's birthday and oh, oh, oh... I love it so much! Hope you too! :)
Over The Rose
by four-eyed 0-0
CHAPTER NINE
After having her bed delivered earlier that morning, it had been easy reaching Yusuke's flat. Telling the driver where was the only thing that took her. Before entering the towering building, she checked her appearance through the reflection made by the glass doors, tugging at the seam of her jade-green skirt and the collar of her white turtleneck topped with a roan long-sleeved coat. Her hair was up in a ponytail. Assured that she looked fine, she headed inside, heels clanking.
"Yes, Ma'am?" the receptionist asked beforehand.
"Yusuke Urameshi."
"Unit 163, third floor."
"Thanks." So Shuichi said it right. She checked her watch. It was a good five minutes before the time set. Anikka headed to the elevator and was glad to be the sole person to take it by now. She jabbed at the button that bore the digit three and it lurched as a prerequisite before gliding smoothly upwards.
She went out and started along the long corridors where doors stood a good distance from each other. When she found the right door, she rang the bell. Seconds later, the azure-haired girl opened it, a smile on her face. "Hello," she greeted, opening the door to let her in.
"Hi, Botan." Anikka stepped in the living room where everyone else were already seated, chattering animatedly, a table full of rice balls, pizza, fries, and pitcher and glasses of punch between them.
"Hey, Anikka," Yusuke yelled, waving frantically. He stood up from the couch and tapped her on the shoulder.
Anikka gulped and said, "Happy birthday," handing him her present. He grinned his toothy grin before taking it.
"Thank you."
"Welcome."
Yusuke placed an arm about her shoulders (with which she tilted her eyebrow) and turned to the others. "To those who don't know her yet, this is Anikka Mizokuchi."
Those who were new to her eyes waved.
"I'm Koenma," said a mahogany-haired man whose forehead was covered with a red cloth tied at the back of his head. Anikka thought of the name, but then shook the idea and bowed at him.
A girl of the size and eyes of Hiei with an uncanny taste for hair color as Botan since she had it colored turquoise stood up from the end of a couch and bowed. Her voice was so cool and kind when she introduced herself. "I'm Yukina."
"There's my Mom, Atsuko," Yusuke told her, denoting the woman whose head drooped, hiccupping and propped with a dozen bottles of beer on the table by the corner. Anikka blinked.
"I'm glad to meet all of you." She smiled.
"And there's — "
"Hiei."
"Wait, how come you know him?" Yusuke asked. The mentioned person did not stir on his post by the window, eyes still cast outside.
"Well, Botan has told me yesterday during lunch."
Yusuke nodded and pulled her to the only space available at the end of one of the couches. She quivered when she noticed the flaming red hair. Unable to do anything, she sat down promptly before being handed a drink by the redhead. She took it without looking at him and muttered her (she bit her lip afterwards) thanks.
Shizuru lit up a cigarette and puffed, so that Kuwabara coughed, annoyed. "Oh, stop acting like that," she scolded.
"Yukina won't like that."
"Do you, Yukina?" the sister asked the girl in kimono who was beside Kuwabara.
Yukina heaved a sigh and said, "No, I don't, Shizuru-kun."
"But Yukina, secondhand smoke is — "
A loud smack was heard and a throbbing lump appeared on the carrot-top boy's head.
"Anyway, let's have a game," Koenma suggested before anything else happened. The others nodded fervently and Botan took a deck of cards from under the table between the two couches.
Shuichi cleared his throat as Yusuke reached for a rice ball and stuck it into his mouth. "What game?" the redhead asked.
"How about One-Two-Three-Pass?" Kuwabara suggested.
"Objectives?"
The carrot boy scratched his forehead. "Hmm, we count the number of people playing and take all four of a suit — for example, ace of hearts, of diamonds, of spades, and of clubs — so that each person participating will have a suit for himself. Then we shuffle the cards and distribute in such a way that each has four cards — "
"And count one, two, and three then pass one of your cards to the one to your right fast. The process goes on until such time that one person is able to have a complete suit. That person should place his hand on the center of the table and everyone else should place their hands atop each other's. The last to do so loses," Shizuru continued.
There were interested nods everywhere, except for Anikka who stayed watching them in silence.
Botan grinned. "Good game. What's the condition when you lose?"
"Conshiffwenz!" Yusuke yelled with his mouth full, spraying rice all over. Keiko hit him in the head so he choked and grabbed a glass of punch.
"Meaning that the one who loses is given a consequence by the one who won the game?" asked Koenma.
"Precisely," Shuichi replied in behalf of the still-dazed birthday boy.
Keiko glared at Yusuke who had just done so and turned to them. "So, let's count. One."
"Two," said Yusuke.
"Three." Shizuru puffed.
Kuwabara stared, as though forgetting the next. "Four," he managed to say.
"Five," Yukina uttered.
Anikka cleared her throat. "Six."
"Seven," Shuichi muttered.
"Eight." That was Koenma.
Lastly, "Nine," Botan chirped.
"Mind joining us, Hiei?" Shuichi invited.
Silence. Forget about Atsuko who was now positively snoring.
"Okay, so nine suits," Botan announced and started sorting out the cards needed as the rest watched, even Anikka who sipped her punch.
When the cards were all set, Koenma gathered and easily shuffled, then passed it to Shuichi for him to distribute.
Anikka stared at her cards. A jack of clubs, seven spades, seven clubs, and a king of hearts. Better to keep the cards bearing seven. This was exciting.
"So, ready?" asked Yusuke, a card poised on the table, the contents of which were now crammed on a spare table by the corner. Everyone else followed. Anikka took note that it would be her passing her king of hearts to Shuichi.
"One," all of them began, "two, three, PASS!"
And Shuichi's hand brushed with Anikka's making her flush. She took the thought off her mind and reached for the card Yukina passed. Seven diamonds. How lucky.
"— PASS!" King. "— PASS!" Eight. "— PASS!" Ace. "— PASS!" There was a lot of giggles and moans now. Anikka got a three. "— PASS!" Seven hearts.
There were rustles, screams, and groans as Anikka's hand landed on the tabletop. Anikka stared at the person whose hand was atop hers. It was Shuichi whose eyes were fixed at their hands. She blushed away. It was warm against hers. It was the hand she slapped with hers yesterday. She felt a stitch in her chest.
She was unaware that the rest argued with who lost. "It's Koenma!" Kuwabara cried, hand still pressed on Botan's, battling with that of Koenma's.
"No," Koenma yelled back. "You poked your hand right between mine and Botan's."
"I didn't! Did I?" He turned to the others who glared at him. "Yes?"
"You did, you idiot." All turned to Hiei who was still watching the night view of the city.
Kuwabara reddened. "I did not — "
"Oh, come off it, Kazu. You lose." Shizuru took her hand out of the clump and everyone else followed. Anikka stared at the hand on her lap. It was flushed.
"But — " Kuwabara received an elbow on the ribs from his sister.
Shuichi sighed. "So, Anikka, give Kuwabara his consequence," he said matter-of-factly.
Anikka stared around to think. Kuwabara looked at her pleadingly. She couldn't think of anything. She massaged her chin with a thumb. "I want you," she began, still thinking deeply. Her eyes landed on Hiei who was as still as a statue. "I want you to give Hiei a big, bear hug."
The small man's head turned to face her, his red eyes flaring. Kuwabara gulped and slid off his seat. Everyone else broke to a jeer.
"Come on, Kuwabara!"
"Bear hug!"
"Go on, go on!"
"Dare to do that and I'll decapitate you," threatened Hiei.
Kuwabara looked at Anikka. "Please, not that. Please! Anything else but that!"
Anikka stared at everyone else, unable to speak a word. "But — "
"Come on, Hiei-kun, it's just a friendly hug from Kazuma-kun." Hiei turned sharply at the smiling Yukina, his eyes wide.
The carrot-top boy waved his hands frantically at her. "Yukina, that's — "
"Do it, Kuwabara!" Yusuke commanded.
Hiei looked indignant but calm now. Kuwabara was jittery and sweating. He stood up, legs shaking wildly. A foot from Shizuru landed on his bottoms and almost stumbled, if not for Yusuke who grabbed his sleeve. Every step he took felt like a second being ticked off from a time bomb, and everyone watched anxiously, holding their breaths. When he was a foot away, Hiei turned away, defeated with which Anikka knew not. Kuwabara reached for him and wrapped his arms around what must have felt like a cold statue.
Yusuke wolf-whistled and everyone else guffawed. Kuwabara dashed back to his seat, as red as one could get.
"So, let's get going," Shuichi finally said. He collected the cards and shuffled, then passed them to Anikka with a smile.
A queen of hearts, an ace of diamonds, five clubs, and eight hearts. Anikka frowned. This would be tough. She took the five clubs and positioned it on the table.
"One, two, three, PASS!"
In the end, it was Yukina who won and she giggly dared Yusuke to kiss Keiko on the cheek. The two blushed a hundred shades. Then Koenma made Shizuru dip her pack of cigarettes in water. She was calm, amazingly. Botan was told by Keiko to eat three rice balls within two minutes. The azure-haired girl ended up weeping with all the lumps in her throat. Keiko apologized and they just laughed.
Kuwabara's hand landed on the table and Anikka, who had been making sure not to touch Shuichi's hand, lost. She gulped.
"Anikka," said Kuwabara, his eyes sparkling with what she knew was malice, "I want you to kiss Shuichi on the cheek."
"Kiss?" she echoed, not daring to believe it.
"Kuwabara!" Shuichi scolded.
The rest broke to laughter as Anikka and Shuichi colored. Yusuke did his wolf-whistling while Kuwabara guffawed his lungs out.
"NO!" Anikka cried. "You can't possibly do this to me!" Her heart was pounding feverishly on her chest. She turned at Shuichi whose eyes were obscured by his bangs, face as red as hers.
Kuwabara was suddenly serious. "Do it."
She bowed her head. Where was her apathy when she needed it? Why could she not be bitter toward them? Was it because she was having fun with these persons? Was it because they were all nice?
"Come on, Anikka-chan," said Keiko, her eyes sparkling.
Botan chirped. "How cute!"
"You can do it, Anikka-chan!" Yukina cheered.
But she simply could not.
"I'm waiting." Kuwabara had his arms crossed over his chest.
"It wouldn't mean anything," Koenma assured.
Why were they all hard to ignore? Several times in the past she could just walk out of anything. But why could she not do that? She glanced at Shuichi who was as still as a statue, his arms crossed as well and his leg on top of the other. Her eyes travelled to his cheek, the skin of which was as smooth as silk. To his nose that was the most well-defined she had ever seen, to the red lips that were now pursed, then to the emerald green eyes which she was sure glowed behind those red bangs.
"It's getting late."
Anikka swallowed. Why did she feel thrilled and why did the color on her cheeks feel right? Why did she feel like this whole thing was right?
She leaned in, everyone else holding their breaths. She paused, inches away from that skin. "Don't blame me for this, Minamino," she whispered to his ear. He moved very slightly, so that she had a view of his closed eyes. She shivered. Then, very carefully, she closed the distance between them and planted a very chaste kiss on his warm skin. She plopped on her seat and released a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
Kuwabara blinked and Yusuke grinned at Anikka. The rest clapped and cheered. Shuichi still did not move, as though petrified. Then, Koenma cleared his throat loudly. "Shall we continue?"
"Yeah!" Yusuke replied, thrilled.
It was only by the time that the passing would start that Shuichi actually moved to take his cards. He did not join in the shouting of "One, two, three, PASS!" anymore, unlike Anikka who at least made up her mind to murmur the words. When Yusuke's hand landed, Shuichi came last to respond, as though still dazed.
Anikka looked at him then to Yusuke, and with the look that the latter had, she knew this was something nastier.
^o^
Kurama's eyes flitted to the clump of hands on the tabletop. He stared at the hand on the topmost. It was his. And Yusuke was smirking. This was not good.
"So," the Spirit Detective's smirk grew bigger. "Mr. Minamino, I dare you to dance with Miss Mizokuchi right now."
The kitsune's eyes lingered toward the direction of the girl beside him, who was now positively fuming. This was worse than the look she wore a dare ago.
"Yusuke," Kurama started, but Yusuke waved his objection off.
The birthday boy stood up and headed to a CD player and turned it on. A slow song played and he raised his eyebrows at the kitsune. Kurama turned to Anikka who was now gripping her skirt tightly. Was it only him or did he really see a tear fall to the fabric? He stared at her fixedly. Another dropped. And another. Why was she crying?
Can I ask you a question please?
Promise you won't laugh at me
Honestly I'm standing here
Afraid I'll be betrayed
"Anikka?" he whispered.
Her hands shook and her grip relaxed. She turned her back at him and apparently wiped her face dry. Why on earth was she crying? Kurama looked at Yusuke who was now pulling Keiko to her feet. Koenma and Botan were already waltzing stupidly while Kuwabara stole glances at Yukina then at Hiei, unable to do anything.
Kurama sighed. "Anikka?"
She sharply looked at him, her face shining. "What?"
As twisted as it seems
I only fear love when it's in my dreams
So let in the morning light
And let the darkness fade away
He was taken aback. Why was she acting like this? It was unreasonable of her to cry. "Why are you crying?" he whispered.
Anikka snorted and glared at him. "It's none of your business."
For the first time, Kurama recognized the song playing:
Can you turn my black roses red?
Can you turn my black roses red?
He looked at her. It might be because of the song. Roses. "Is it because of that?"
She did not answer. Like she even got the hang of that question.
"Shuichi!" Yusuke yelled over Keiko's shoulder, willing him to do as he had dared.
Taking every ounce of the courage he had, he asked Anikka, "Will you dance with me?", lending his hand. She ogled at him with those beady eyes, the glare of which drowned.
Drowning in my loneliness
How long must I hold my breath
So much emptiness inside
I could fill the deepest sea
"I can't." It was kind. He blinked. She did not answer his question accordingly.
Kurama gulped. He felt something that crossed the fine line between pity and worry. Or perhaps both. He felt like he should be consoling her right now. He wanted to dance with her and hold her until she was all right.
"But will you?"
I reach to the sky as the moon looks on
My one last year has come and gone
I'm dying to let your love rain down on me
She turned away. She was so strange. He reached for her shaking and cold hand and pulled gently. He was suddenly persuasive. Why was that? "Come on," he pushed. "Promise I will not put a toe out of line."
She smirked. "You're best in breaking promises, I must say."
"I am, consequentially." He stood up and pulled her to her feet. She staggered.
"Keep in mind that I'm only doing this for Yusuke. It's his birthday, anyway."
Kurama smiled and led her to the dance floor. They stood, unmoved, aware that everyone else was watching now, even Hiei. Summoning all his courage, he took her hands and placed them on his shoulders, while he apprehensively placed his on her sides, so that she took a step backward, afraid of being too close. He held her in arm's length, making them look like avoiding bumping into each other's paunches, if there were any. He steered, she followed.
Can you turn my black roses red?
Can you turn my black roses red?
Can you turn my black roses red?
He must discover why she was like this. Why she did not trust him. Why she was afraid of being too attached to people.
'Cause I feel like I've never known love,
Feel like I've never known love,
Feel like I've never known love...
Had she never known love? Was she really someone he had known before? Him suspecting that she was Meisho, was it true? But how will that life of him be this woman dancing with him? She hated roses. And she possessed that kind of power. Why did it all fit?
Can you turn my black roses red?
Can you turn my black roses red?
Can you turn my black roses red?
'Cause I feel like I've never known love,
Feel like I've never known love,
Feel like I've never known love...
The music stopped and she yanked herself away from him, quickly walking away and going back to her seat. She was now pale and shaken. Her eyes showed no clue of what she might be thinking. If it was not for the furrow of her eyebrow, her face would be blank.
Kurama stared at Yusuke who had just taken his seat. He did not seem too keen to be able to perceive what was going on. The redhead sighed and decided to sit down as well.
"Hey," said the Spirit Detective. Everyone turned to him except for Anikka and Hiei. "Let's have a drinking game." What a game.
Keiko smacked him on the head with an open palm. "When did you learn to drink?"
He snorted and ignored her. "So, who's with me?"
"Just how do you do that?" asked Koenma.
"Simple." Yusuke looked around and waved off Keiko's argument. "Those who want to participate drink as many as they can. Whoever drinks the most and stays up is the winner." He laughed, as though this was the greatest game of all.
"Are you trying to outdo your mother?" Kuwabara asked, looking at Atusko who was still snoring.
Yusuke just smiled. "Wait up. I'll take the beer," he said, then headed for the kitchen.
"Yusuke really is stupid." Keiko plopped on her seat and pouted.
The birthday boy came back with two buckets of bottled beer which he jammed on the table, spraying cold dew and crushed ice everywhere as the bottles clanked. "So, who's in?"
"Me." Kurama felt himself shiver as Anikka spoke up, making him turn sharply at her. She was still pale, but there was a hint of that coldness in her eyes.
Koenma held his hand as well as Shizuru and Kuwabara.
"There's five. This should be fun."
"Anikka-chan, are you sure you're doing this?" Keiko asked, worried.
She smirked and the color on her face was coming back. "Yes, of course. I'd like to give it a shot."
"But — "
"Oh, shut it, Keiko. She'll be fine." Shizuru clicked her tongue and caught Kurama's eyes with a playful smile on her face. This was not good.
Yusuke took a bottle and unscrewed the cap. "Take yours," he said, and the four followed. Kurama watched Anikka through the corners of his eyes. Her face was now even. "Go." And the rest stayed quiet as the gulping of the liquor engulfed the room. Kurama was worried about the girl beside him. She might be the toughest woman he had known, but there was still that certain toleration for alcohol that many did not have. Her face was momentarily scrunched up, but then she was able to drain her first bottle ahead of the four. He did not like this.
She took her second and his hands itched to snatch it away from her. Even though she did not show it, he was quite sure that she herself did not want this. She was doing this because it was a necessity for the time being. She had her third. Her cheeks were now rosy, her breath was raspy, and her eyes glassy. She drank it all in one gulp, then hastily grabbed another, minimally ahead of the rest. When she had her fifth, Kuwabara ran for the bathroom, half of his third bottle left on the table. Yukina hastily went after him.
"One down," said Yusuke who laughed shakily before taking his fourth.
"Oh, Yusuke," Keiko moaned.
Anikka was now emptying her seventh and Koenma went for the bathroom himself after finishing four bottles, an irritated Botan in tow. Yusuke looked torn between draining his fifth and Shizuru simply burped after her sixth.
"I quit," said Yusuke who leant on his seat.
Anikka was now red as Kurama's hair. Shizuru put down her last bottle. The winner drained the last of her eighth and sat back down, clearly taking pride of herself. Kurama stared at her. She was looking at the ceiling, lost and unable to notice his observing. Those brown orbs were beady and drooping, her cheeks hot red, and her lips pursed satisfactorily. He was half-sure that she was asleep, only that her eyes were open.
Those who had gone to the bathroom were now being tailed by the two girls and were escorted back to their seats. Utterly shaken and colored, they were. The carrot-top boy's head landed into Yukina's shoulder and Hiei snorted loudly.
"Movies!" Yusuke cheerfully said despite his shivering.
"Who will choose?" asked Botan.
Yusuke scratched his head. "Anikka."
Upon hearing her name, the girl stirred from her position and sat up straight, eyes unfocused. "Why me?"
"Come on," the birthday boy pursued, shoving the three choices to her nose, so that her eyes were unable to focus at anything at all, almost cross-eyed. One was called "She's the Man," the other, "Police Story," and "Around the World in Eighty Days." She stared at them, and Kurama was sure she was just staring.
"This," she pointed the third. Yusuke nodded affirmative and thrust the CD into the player, dashing to the switch to turn the lights off and slumping down on his seat. Everyone else angled the couches so that all would be able to see. The movie rolled, the music broke the unstill silence. Kurama glanced at Anikka whose eyes were now positively being pulled shut, her head thrown back over the backrest. The alcohol was now taking over her. He sighed and carefully leant on the seat so that she would not barge.
Kuwabara's head snapped straight, his eyes wide and confused, as Yusuke guffawed as though he had not drunk at all a good ten minutes into the movie and Kurama checked on Anikka once more. She was peacefully asleep, her hands clasped on her lap, her head slightly drooping to her right, toward him. He looked away just as when she decided to stir and move her head. Everyone else laughed their lungs and hearts out except for Kurama who was too keen not to wake the sleeping goddess beside him. Several times Koenma unintentionally would lean over, unable to hold his cackle and the kitsune would barricade him with his arm without being too forceful just to prevent himself from colliding with Anikka.
Then suddenly, after half of the film had gone, a head with a mass of beautiful brown curls crashed to into his shoulder, the mild scent of fragrant shampoo infiltrating his nostrils, wafting his senses. He gazed at her, mesmerized by the peace her face held, a face that held no anxiety, a face so ingenuous. It was only this time was he able to see her as real as this, no façade of being cold and unfeeling. He wished she was always like this, like before.
Like before? What gave him that idea?
The head of Reikai suddenly hooted and Kurama had a second's thought to respond. Thankfully, he was able to stop him from waking her. Her head moved, unconsciously tucking herself closer to him. He shifted very slightly for her to be able to rest her head comfortably upon his shoulder.
When the movie ended, Keiko's head was being nestled by Yusuke on his own shoulder and Kuwabara's into Yukina's lap. The redhead's shoulder was already numb and he thought better of it to move even an inch. Yusuke chuckled when he caught sight of them and winked at his friend who smiled sheepishly.
"Call it a night, I guess?" he asked thoughtfully.
Kurama gingerly pulled the sleeve of his coat to peer at his watch. It was minutes past ten. "I suppose."
The Spirit Detective nodded and eased Keiko's head off his shoulder and made it lie on the backrest. He helped Yukina straighten Kuwabara as Botan made her way to turn the lights on the and television off. Koenma stretched and got off his seat to look at Kurama with a grin. The kitsune just raised his eyebrows and looked at Anikka.
"I guess I'll just leave Kazu here. It's already late and I don't mind considering to carry an idiot like a rucksack." Shizuru patted Yusuke on the head and waved before leaving.
Koenma cleared his throat and said, "I'm leaving. It's surely been great. Happy birthday, Yusuke." And he too went for the door.
Hiei slid the window open so that the noise from the streets seeped its way through the room. He jumped off without another word.
"So, need help?" Yusuke asked Kurama who nodded. He headed to the door as the redhead slid one of his arm about Anikka's shoulders and the other below her knees, like carrying an infant. He flinched slightly at her weight and gently shifted her head to his shoulders. He turned to head toward the door that Yusuke held open, sidestepping for them to pass. The birthday celebrant tagged along and assisted in getting inside the elevator, and when they reached the lobby, the security guard opened the door for them. Yusuke flagged down a taxi and opened the door as well. Kurama cautiously sat Anikka and turned to his friend.
He placed a hand into his pocket. "We'll be fine. Thank you for the fun and," he hesitated, "clear conspiracy."
"Ha. I know you like her," he said, grinning at him again. Kurama's eyebrows quirked. "Perhaps it's a nice treat for both of you."
"Oh, you're mistaken." He glanced back at the asleep angel. "She's not even a friend."
"Do girlfriends need to be friends with you first?" he whispered to no one in particular. He chuckled. He might have thought of himself and Keiko. "Maybe."
Kurama shrugged, unable to say anything.
"But do you really think she is Meisho?"
"Slightly, I must say."
Yusuke chuckled yet again and tapped his shoulder. He showed a thumbs-up sign. "By the way you're going, I do bet you're taking on a liking for her not for being Meisho, but for being Anikka. And I must say, she likes you too. She's just denying it."
Kurama smiled unconsciously at him. How could this jester talk like this?
"Go now. She needs a bed."
"Good night. Happy birthday." Then he slid into the taxi, closing the door at the waving Yusuke. He inched closer to Anikka and let her head rest on his shoulder, his arm around her shoulders, holding her close. Her breath blew to his neck, making the fine hairs on it stand on end. By the time they were halfway to their houses, she slid out of his grip and edged closer, hand now grasping the cloth that covered his chest, and her nose touching the skin on his neck, thus warming him all over. He could not move at all, and decided, beside himself, to hold her just like that. It felt right.
It was such a relief when the cab finally halted. The driver opened the door for him and he slid her out of his embrace, taking out the amount needed and handing it to the driver. Kurama took her out of the cab and carried her piggyback. He winced as he started to walk and upon reaching the gate that led to her house smacked himself mentally. He had no clue where her keys were. He thought. Then came up with the conclusion to use a seed from underneath his hair. He reached for one as fast and careful as he could, afraid that she might wake up. He listened for any sign of stirring. Nothing.
He summoned for the seed to sprout, then made it unlock the gate. Shifting her once again, he pushed the gate open with a foot and went inside. Reaching the door, he unlocked it with his plant once more and used his foot again to slide it open. After taking his shoes off, the redhead proceeded along the dark hallway, not bothering to turn the lights on. He climbed the stairs and opened the door to her room, surprised and relieved upon the sight of her new bed. At least he would not need any futon fixing.
Kurama fixed her blankets with one hand and warily bent over so that she was laid on the bed. He took her sandals off and placed them at the foot of her bed. He patiently tugged her coat off to reveal bare arms sprouting from her turtleneck. He was tantalized by the sight. Did he really like her?
Shaking his head, he fixed the blankets so that she was covered up to her shoulders. He moved her head so that he could untie her hair and rested it on her pillow comfortably, his finger touching her cheek very lightly. He wished to kiss her forehead but he simply could not.
Then suddenly, her head moved and her eyes snapped open, freezing him on his spot, expecting her yelling.
But it did not come. She instead covered her mouth and jumped off the bed, pushing him out of her way and ran out of the room, he supposed, to the bathroom downstairs. He himself scampered after her and reached the door so as to see her kneeling, lifting the lid of the toilet bowl. He quickly approached and knelt beside her to hold the mass of curls out of the way, which she seemed not to notice, as she so soon retched. He looked away, but drew small circles on her back. The unpleasant smell filled the air and the dead silence of the night was shattered with her regurgitation. He himself felt sick but knew better to hold it back.
After what seemed like an hour, she leant back, breath drawn in harsh rasps. Beads of sweat fell from her forehead, her face and lips pale. It looked like she was still unaware of his presence, but perhaps was smart enough not to speak for the meantime.
"Wait a minute, Anikka," he finally said when her breathing was even. He scuttled toward the sink and grabbed the glass she most probably used for brushing her teeth and filled it with water. He went back to her who was still dazed. "Here," he whispered thoughtfully, bringing the glass to her lips. "Better gargle first." She obliged and spat it out into the puddle of sick in the bowl. He let her do it two times more and fetched another glass for her to drink.
She sighed and wiped her mouth dry, placing her hand on her chest. He flushed the bowl many times and turned to her. "Are you okay?"
Anikka's brown orbs bore into his and she nodded. "Thanks, by the way."
"Should you go back to bed?"
She nodded. He offered help and was surprised that she did not refuse. Kurama gently pulled her to her feet and held her arm as she walked in jitters. They worked it all up in silence and he assisted her to sit on the bed. Silence.
"You can go now," she said, not looking at him.
"Good night, then," he whispered then turned to head for the door. He was about to step outside when she spoke.
"Wait." He turned hesitantly. She was still not looking at him. "I've been surely a thorn in your flesh. And I'm sorry for that."
"Oh, it's fine."
"No. It's a debt and saying my thank you would not be enough."
"It's nothing, I assure you."
"On the other hand, I did not ask you to do anything, as I'm asleep." He was struck. "So for now, I don't think I should be overreacting at that."
Kurama did not answer at all. She was suddenly bitter.
"Yet still, thank you, Shuichi."
She called him his first name. And she smiled. So, was that her payment for his being helpful and all? "You're welcome Anikka."
She did not answer and he turned away, still hesitating. When there was nothing at all, he made his way out of her house to repose for the night.
^o^
She clutched her face with both hands, silently weeping. Shuichi patiently brought her home with ways she knew nothing about and ran after her when she was about to puke. He held her hair and was able to stand the repugnant sight of her. He did not leave her side. He was just there. Even when she decided to engulf her confusion with alcohol.
He danced with her without being pushy. She must admit, half of her wanted to be in that situation. Like it was the best thing to do when she was affected by that song that much. No, it did nothing about the "roses" in the lyrics. It most certainly did not. It had a message that she was afraid to tell everyone around her. Her fear of being let down, of being forsaken. She feared him the most.
She feared him because she was already attached to him.
Did you like it too? OMG. I love this. Super. :)
Please review!
~four-eyed 0-0