Author's Note: Thought about waiting before updating so soon again, but then questioned that thought. So here is the next installment. Shorter then the last chapter, but... :) Enjoy~! As always, Constructive Criticism is welcomed.

Chapter Ten

Touch

"That - that - urgh!" Mako threw her arms up in the air. She and Takeru had reached the sanctity of the kitchen and Mako was free to release her simmering frustrations.

Those in the kitchen who heard her merely shook their heads in sympathy or else pretended to be too preoccupied to notice.

"Take a break," Takeru told her in a tone that was part suggestion, part instruction.

"I'm fine," Mako responded with a bit of a snap in her voice.

Genta paused in his work, looking over his shoulder at the two.

"You're too riled up," Takeru insisted. "Take a few minutes to cool down."

"I'm fine Takeru," Mako insisted with more of an edge to her voice.

A few others looked up this time at their tones. The two steadiest people any of them knew were headed for a row. They could almost see the sparks starting that could ignite off something more heated.

"I'm your manager Mako. When I say you should take a break, you should take a break." He was trying to keep his voice calm, but the adrenaline from his run-in with Addison's group was still flowing steadily through his veins.

"Are you ordering me around now, manager?" Mako felt a part of her screaming at herself to stop, but her frustration was at a breaking point and she couldn't seem to stop herself.

"If I have to, then yes."

"Hey guys?" Chiaki's uncertain voice tried to break through as he walked through the doors and visibly froze at the scene before him.

"I'm through with taking orders from people, Takeru. Not from my aunt, not from Addison, not from Kai, not from you" she couldn't stop herself. "I'm not taking them from anyone."

"You will if you still want to work here."

"Are you going to fire me for not taking a break, Takeru? Is that what you're saying?"

"Guys?" Chiaki tried again, louder this time.

"Tanba doesn't put up with insubordination of any kind Mako."

"I wasn't aware that you were Tanba, Takeru. I thought you were different from him. I thought you might actually care about the people you work with."

"I do care! That's why I'm telling you to -"

"Guys!" Chiaki yelled.

"What?" Mako and Takeru snapped at the same time.

Chiaki took a half-step back in surprise from their fury. "You're making a scene," he told them.

The pair stared at Chiaki in irritation and confusion before they realized that all the usual clatter and conversation had vanished from the room. If it hadn't been so tense, it would have been funny to watch their eyes grow wide and their faces flush in complete humiliation.

"Why don't you both go take a break?" he suggested mildly. "We have enough to deal with without the two of you going at each other's throats." He tacked up a new order as if nothing had happened and walked back out the door to attend to his tables.

Mako felt the heat from her embarrassment travel from the roots of her hair to the tips of her toes. She was absolutely mortified. "Excuse me," she whispered before slipping out of the kitchen, trying to salvage what dignity she had left. She vanished down the hall and managed to lock herself in the employee's bathroom before the tears came.

Takeru felt his shoulders slump in a sudden exhaustion. "Everyone back to work," he said as he ran a hand across his face.

Genta called to another cook to look after his food for a minute before he dragged his friend down the hallway, out the back door, and a little bit away from the building.

The chilly night air felt good against Takeru's heated skin as he slumped against one of the trees on the edge of the property.

Genta studied his oldest friend. "So you want to tell me what happened back there?"

Takeru didn't answer.

Genta sighed. "Takeru, I've known you for a long time. I can probably count on one hand the number of times I've seen you lose your control like that. What happened?"

Takeru buried his face in his hands, pushing them against his closed eyes to try and distill the headache that was growing steadily there. "I don't know," he admitted. "It was just… too much, I think."

Genta waited patiently as he let Takeru sort out his own thoughts as he cooled down. "Addison and however many of her group on any given day… it's no picnic, and I can't stand it when they get away with harassing any of us, but…" He looked up at the dark sky as if searching for answers. "Watching that guy harass Mako? I just felt something… snapping."

"If you're not careful, all that pent-up stress is going to give you a heart attack one day," Genta teased lightly. When Takeru didn't show even the faintest sign of hearing him Genta let out a deep sigh. "I have some good news and some bad news for you Take-chan."

Takeru finally looked at him but warily.

"The good news is that both your hearts were in the right places, but unfortunately," he winced at the recollection of the scene. "I don't think yelling at each other about it in front of the entire staff was the most brilliant of ideas you've ever had."

Takeru groaned and raked a hand through his hair. "I don't know what to do Genta," he admitted. "Being around her…sometimes I feel like I'm losing control."

"That's not necessarily a bad thing, you know," Genta looked sideways at his friend. "You could afford to lose your control now and again; it'd be healthier for you." He smirked suddenly. "Just release your control in a more productive manner, in a way that directly concerns our beautiful new waitress."

Takeru glared at his friend but Genta merely laughed.

"You can't tell me you haven't thought it yourself," Genta taunted.

Takeru flushed, grateful for the dark to cover it up. He looked at the ground, his bangs covering his eyes. "The guy who was harassing Mako just now? All he did was make these suggestive comments toward her and -"

"It's alright," Genta assured him. "I know."

Takeru looked at his friend in surprise.

"Remember, word travels fast in this place." Genta tucked his hands into his pockets. "Some of the other waiters and waitresses were keeping a running record of it as they came in and out of the kitchen. Everyone knew what was going on."

"What about Tanba?"

Genta shook his head. "You know no one leaks a word to him if they can help it. If the old geezer wants to witness something, he usually has to be there himself." Genta grinned. "You've set up a pretty amazing staff here Take-chan."

"Thanks," Takeru said, needing to hear it every now and then.

Genta patted him on the shoulder. "She knows you care."

Takeru looked at him.

Genta nodded in reassurance. "She just went through a lot recently, Take-chan and the wound is still fresh. Having Addison drag it all back up and rub her face in it? On top of that little weasel belittling her like that?" Genta shrugged. "She was hurt. And angry. I know you were only trying to protect her just now," he added. "And that you felt powerless to truly stop it or shield her from it, so you became angry too. And unfortunately the two of you released that frustration on each other."

Genta stretched his arms above his head. "Don't worry Take-chan. It'll all work out fine." He started to walk back toward the restaurant. "Just be sure to approach her later tonight and apologize, I know she'll want to do the same. Then everything will right itself again." He opened the back door and entered the warmth flowing from inside the building, subtly giving his friend the time he needed to finish collecting himself and figure out what he was going to do.

Mako knew her eyes had to be puffy and her cheeks blotchy from her breakdown in the bathroom. She wasn't used to crying, and had done her best to clean herself up after her mortification had subsided. Just more punishment, she thought. Maybe it's a sign. She had washed her face with ice cold water from the tap, run her fingers through her hair, and had all but kicked herself back out into the hallway.

She had looked around nervously for Takeru but he was nowhere to be found. She wasn't sure if that was a good sign or not. Unsure of what to do now that she had absolutely no tables to wait on, Mako had headed docilely to the break room to do as she had originally been told.

Fortunately, she ran into Kotoha who had been just about to leave the room.

"Mako! I've been looking all over for you! Are you okay? I heard about what happened." Kotoha was all concern and empathy.

Mako smiled warmly at her friend, tamping down the tears that were attempting to fight back to the surface. "Can we talk about it later? At home?" she asked meekly.

"Of course!" Kotoha reassured her with a quick hug. "Is there anything I can help you with?"

"I don't have any tables anymore," she admitted hesitantly. "I'm not sure what to do."

"Why don't you take back your earlier tables from Chiaki and me?" Kotoha suggested.

"I don't want to take away your chances at tips," Mako started but Kotoha was already shaking her head.

"They were your tables first Mako," she insisted. "Besides, Chiaki and I don't mind at all. Don't even worry about it." Kotoha watched Mako with a worried eye, her friend looked suddenly so unsure of herself where normally she was all quiet confidence and strength. It unsettled her.

She reached out and pulled Mako into another hug. "Everything's going to be fine Mako," she whispered. "You just had a small argument with him. It happens sometimes. Chiaki and I still have our disagreements occasionally." She pulled back and smiled encouragingly. "Just apologize to him later when you've both calmed down some more, and you'll see."

Mako nodded, wanting to believe what her friend told her was true but the niggling feeling of doubt still held its sway.

Kotoha led her out onto the floor and spoke with Chiaki privately for a minute before rushing back over to Mako with a smile, informing Mako that her previous tables were hers once more and insisting that she take them. With immense gratitude, Mako finally relented and felt pieces of herself fit back together again as she regained control over her thoughts and feelings as she put herself back to work.

Mako did her best to avoid the area of Addison and her group for the rest of their stay. She noted that Ryunosuke had volunteered to take over the table along with another waiter, and between the two they were able to maintain some form of control over the occasional chaos. She could feel Kai watching her from across the room from time to time, but Mako kept her face averted and ignored him completely, choosing to focus solely on her own customers.

The rest of the night flowed pretty smoothly after that. Takeru reappeared at one point, but she was too preoccupied with her customers to entirely notice when. She did notice that they didn't meet each other's eyes and stepped awkwardly around each other in a kind of wary dance. Every time they ran into each other there was a moment where it appeared that both of them were going to say something to the other, but then the moment would be lost by some interruption or they'd change their words at the last minute. It grew exhausting, finally leading Mako to watching the clock and praying that it would move faster so that she could go home and this night would be over.

Addison, Reina, and the rest of the girls with all their boyfriends finally left with the usual fanfare. Even Tanba decided to emerge from his dark cave and inquire after his guests. With a wicked smile in Mako's direction she had told him that it had been exactly as she expected, it couldn't have gone more her way if she had planned it herself. Tanba was elated as he led them out the doors and excitedly asked them to return soon.

Mako watched them go out of the corner of her eye feeling the exhaustion weigh more heavily on her petite frame. At least Tanba is happy, she noted duly. Hopefully that means he'll leave his yelling at Takeru and everyone else here for another night.

Almost as if he had heard Mako's thoughts, Tanba announced that he was going home for the evening and reminded them sharply to clean everything up properly before they closed. She could have sworn he all but skipped out the door.

"Hey Mako?"

Mako turned to see Ryunosuke studying her curiously. "You should go home; you look like you're ready to drop."

Mako shook her head. "I'll be fine; I don't have too much left here anyways."

"Is there anyone left at your tables?"

"No," Mako admitted. Her last customer had just left for the evening.

"Then go," he insisted. "We've got it covered tonight; plenty of us here."

"Alright." It was a mark of how drained she was that Mako didn't insist she stay. She dragged herself to her locker, grabbed her clothes and changed. It was as she was shrugging her dark gray coat on that she noticed a small movement out of the corner of her eye. She looked up and felt her heart stutter to see Takeru approaching her sheepishly. Her exhaustion was swiftly tucked back into the corner to be replaced with burning shame and awkwardness.

"Hey," he began.

"Hey."

There was a long quiet moment.

"I'm sorry," they said at the same time. They looked at each other with wary smiles.

"It's okay," Mako told him quietly. "I know you were just looking out for me. I over reacted and -" She covered her face with her hands to try and hide her red face. "I should never have yelled at you like that. I don't know what came over me I just -"

Takeru gently dragged her hands down and peered into her face. "We were both upset and took it out on each other…I shouldn't have lost my control and snapped at you."

Mako shook her head. "No, you were right. You're our manager and I had no right to undermine your authority like that and -" She cut herself off as Takeru rubbed his thumbs across her knuckles. She felt a sudden thrill race through her. She looked up into his face and felt her breath catch at the mix of emotions she saw whirling in his eyes.

Mako felt her world narrow down to only this moment as Takeru stepped forward and braced his hands on either side of her, effectively trapping her back against the lockers. Her heart pounded so loud in her ears, she wondered if he could hear it.

Takeru looked down at her, his eyes searching her face. His heart beat nervously in his chest.

Tentatively, Mako reached her hand out and touched his face, her fingers trembling slightly from the intimacy of the moment. She knew he wouldn't make the next move. If she wanted this, it was her decision.

Her thoughts swirled and crashed inside her, indecision racking her brain and drowning her feelings and desires in doubt. Then his warm hand was tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear, just as he had that warm autumn morning. Without thinking, Mako shifted her hand behind his head and pulled him forward as she stood on her toes to meet him halfway.

Takeru felt his heart stop briefly as their lips touched. Her arms reached up and around his neck, pulling him closer, as his arms wrapped around her waist, holding her close.

Mako relaxed against his chest as she felt warmth and a sense of peace surround her in a way she had never felt before.

Takeru held her petite form snuggly, reveling in the sensation of being so close to another in a way he could scarcely have imagined before. "Mako," he whispered against her lips.

A sudden noise broke the two apart and reality crashed back down around Mako's ears. She felt her eyes widen and her heart begin pounding, but this time from fear. "No." Her voice so quiet, that had there been any other noise, Takeru would have missed it.

His brow furrowed as he looked at her questioningly. Her blush deepened as she looked back up at him, her eyes full of regret and pain. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I can't." She released her hold on Takeru, her arms aching as she did so. The feeling of comfort and security vanishing as quickly as it had come.

Slowly he let her go, confused and hurt.

Mako squeezed her eyes shut against the pain she saw written across his face, and gently pushed him back. "I'm so sorry." Without warning, she darted around him and fled the room, not once looking back.

Takeru could only watch her retreating figure, feeling as if the weight of the world had just crashed onto his shoulders. His feet felt as if they had grown roots; he couldn't move. He looked at his hand, the one that had, just moments before, been caressing her face. His hand clenched into a fist and he sighed heavily. I knew it was too good to be true. I guess I'm just not her "type" after all. Slowly, as if there were great weights attached to his ankles, Takeru trudged out of the room.

As he walked back down the hall, he straightened his spine and wiped his face clean of any shade of emotion, the mask of polite impassivity sliding as easily into place as one would lace their shoes. By the time he reached the kitchens, no one but those closest to him would have even the slightest inkling that something had happened.

Back in the locker room, a small, dark-haired girl stepped out from behind the lockers.

Kotoha looked sadly at the empty room that had been filled with such intimacy and gentleness only moments before. She cursed herself for the noise she had made, interrupting the pair.

She had been in the employee's restroom when Takeru had come in, Mako had been too lost in her thoughts to even register that another person had entered the room before him. Unwilling to interrupt the two, Kotoha had decided to duck back behind the lockers and keep quiet. If only her hand hadn't slipped on the slick lockers! She cursed herself.

Looking back around the echoing, silent room Kotoha sighed.

"Why?" she asked the silence.

The hushed room remained stubbornly quiet, ignoring the young girl's plea.

"Why?" she asked again; asking the one question Takeru wanted to ask more than anything but never could. And the one question it appeared that Mako never would.

Mako fled down the hall at a run not stopping until she had fumbled her way out the back door and shut it firmly behind her. She leaned against its solid support and dropped her burning face into her hands feeling everything crash into her at once. Stupid, she berated herself. Completely stupid and irresponsible. You can't, remember? You just…you can't. Her hands fell away limply and she rested her head against the door with an audible thump. She looked up at the star strewn sky, watching her breath create clouds of mist in the chilly air and trying to hold herself together as she forced herself not to think about what had just happened even as it replayed over and over again in her mind.

Too preoccupied with her thoughts, Mako didn't realize she wasn't alone until an arrogant male voice called out to her from only a few feet away. "Well if it isn't my favorite hot little waitress."

Mako felt a strum of alarm run through her even as she glared at the shadowy face. "Kai," she hissed.