Obligatory Summer Vacation Chapter
Part 1
A/N: First, I'd like to say thank you, thank you, THANK YOU to my guest reviewer, Haychisims.
And now we have what I call the obligatory vacation chapter. Because EVERY anime has at least one summer story arc. This one will come in 2 ½ parts. And I'll hope you enjoy it. It was one of my favourites to write.
Timeline: Early to mid August
"Let's go on vacation," Akito declared as she turned over, propping herself up on her arm as she looked down at Tedachi, who lay next to her on the porch, staring up at the sky.
"What?" He said, forcing himself to sit up.
"Some of the family is going up to the Sohma summer home," Akito explained, reaching over him for bottle of wine they were steadily going through. "Shima wants me to go too, but I really don't want to go alone."
"But if it's a family affair then…" He started, trailing off when he caught the look on her face. "Oh! You wanted to go with me…In a romantic way."
"Alcohol turns you into an idiot..." She sighed as she played with her glass. "Anyway, it might be good for us to get away from here for awhile. The summer home has its own staff that's not associated with the estate, so we wouldn't have to dance around each other just to avoid rumours."
"Actually we attempt to do that, and we kind of suck at it sometimes. I mean, we did almost get caught in the hallway last week."
"It's probably a good thing though. One more minute and I would've dragged you into my bed without caring who saw."
"And I wouldn't have protested in the slightest…So, about this trip. When are they going?"
"A week from today."
"A WEEK?! You know that you can't give such short notices! I have work to do around here and…" He paused. "…I'm totally dating my boss. Which means that…"
"…Getting off is the least of your worries," Akito confirmed. "It might inconvenience the other maids but…"
"Who cares?" Tedachi shrugged. "You're more than worth it," He said as he gently took the wine glass out of her hands and set it aside and away from the blanket they were sitting on.
"Hey, I wasn't…"
"You know…" He cut in as he briefly glanced up into the moonlight before turning back to her. "You're really pretty in this light."
"Are you saying I'm not pretty otherwise?" She teased.
"Right. You're not pretty…"
She moved to protest, but stopped when he set a gentle hand on her cheek and forced her to look up at him.
"…You're fucking gorgeous," He said, leaning in to kiss her deeply.
"I love you," She managed to gasp out before pulling him back to her, holding back a laugh at his frustrated expression as he fumbled with the lacing on the back of her dress.
"Damn this dress…" He muttered.
"You think you'd be used to it by now," Akito teased with a small laugh as she shifted slightly and reached behind her back.
"Who the hell even has dresses like this in this day and age?"
"The strapless ones won't fit any other way. You know that."
"That's right…You don't have any…"
"Tedachi?"
"Hm?"
"Shut up and fuck me," She ordered as she tangled a hand in his hair and forcefully pressed her lips to his, pulling him down with her before he could even think of saying anything else.
A week later, Tedachi paced his flat early in the morning as he double checked the bags sitting on the sofa.
'Okay…I should have more than enough clothes. And my schedule and alibi are accounted for…Man, was Minori pissed when she got the new schedule…' He thought, raising an eyebrow when a knock came at the door. 'At this hour? On a Saturday?'
"Tedachi!" Hazuki greeted in a sing-song voice, throwing her arms around him as soon as he opened the door.
"Hazuki?! What are you doing here?"
"I'm in town for the summer, remember?"
"I know that, but why are you here in my flat? Shouldn't you be getting settled in at my parents' place?"
"Um…About that…" She said, with a nervous laugh. "Apparently they forgot I was coming. When I got there, they weren't home…And then I called and Aunt Naoko said they were both out on business for the next month. So, I figured I'd come here."
"But you can't stay here either! I'm leaving for vacation in an hour!"
"Oooh…Vacation. Where are we going?"
"I am going to the Sohma summer house with Akito. You are going to my sister's," Tedachi decided as he pulled his phone out of his pocket.
"Are you saying you don't want to spend time with me?" Hazuki asked in a cute voice that he ignored as he punched in a few numbers and then waited until Miyuki answered, frowning as the conversation went on and sighing when he hung up before dialing Ryuji as Hazuki wandered around.
'It's still as dull as ever…I wonder why he keeps everything so plain and impersonal…Oh well, at least it's clean and…What's this?' She thought, stopping at his desk and narrowing her eyes as she picked up a picture frame. 'I still don't get what's attractive about her. Her figure is so out of proportion and she seems kind of bitchy. She had such an attitude when we first met…Probably thinks she's better than me for some reason.'
"What are you doing?" Tedachi asked, his voice cutting through her thoughts.
"Oh, nothing. I was just looking. This is…Um…What is her name again? Ai…Something?"
"Akito."
"Right! I remember now! So, what's the verdict?"
He sighed. "You're coming with me. Miyuki and Ryuji both have to work so…I guess we're going on a beach holiday together."
"Really?!"
"I'm not about to give up a free vacation," He shrugged. "You just have to promise me you'll behave."
"I am not a child, Tedachi. I know how to conduct myself," Hazuki declared with a smile. 'A beach vacation with my love! It's going to be so romantic! Maybe I can convince him to get away one night…We could go on a sunset stroll and…' She thought, stopping when she heard rustling and found him going through her bags. "What are you doing?"
"Making sure you have everything. We're going to be there for two weeks, so…"
"I brought enough for the whole vacation, so…"
"In that case we may need to repack and rearrange some stuff…I'll call and them we're going to be late."
"Oh, Tedachi you're so dull…" Hazuki sighed, but went about helping him separate her stuff until she only had two bags, which they took with them to the main estate two hours later in a borrowed car.
"What was it you told me about women always being late?" Akito commented as she stepped out of the house.
"It's nice to see you too," Tedachi said with a laugh, stepping out of the car as he spoke. "Is that everything?" He asked of the two, rolling bags she pulled behind her.
"It should be. I…" She said, stopping and trailing off when she finally noticed Hazuki stepping out of the car. "Alright, who invited that thing?!" She asked with a glare.
"Now that's not polite," Hazuki said with a flip of her hair. "I have a name, you know."
"Come here," Tedachi said, quickly grabbing Akito's hand and leading her a short distance away. "Technically I invited her, but not out of choice. A few months ago her parents arranged for her to stay with mine over the summer, however, a lot happened, my parents forgot and were scheduled for business trips, so, I got stuck with her."
"What about your siblings?"
"Miyuki purposefully took all the double shifts she could to have an excuse and Ryuji is still settling back into work."
"Great. So that means…"
"She's coming with us by default."
"That's just wonderful."
"I'm sure it won't be so bad. After all, there will be plenty of people there who can entertain her."
"Is that supposed to make me feel better? Because it's not," She snapped as she turned back towards the car. 'This isn't fair. Yes, there will be plenty of people there…But all she's going to do is charm them into being on her side. Besides, what good are other people if the only one she's interested in…'
"Tedachi!" Hazuki called, her voice cutting through Akito's train of thought as she ran past her and clung to Tedachi's arm. "Are we leaving soon? I can't wait to start this vacation with you! I have all these ideas!"
'…Happens to be my boyfriend,' Akito thought with a scowl that reappeared quite a few times through the five hour car ride as Hazuki babbled on with nonsense about school and her modeling and ridiculously elaborate plans for the trip, all while leaning over the seats to fiddle with the radio and making them stop for an hour to explore a random shopping centre.
"We're here!" Hazuki declared cheerfully when the house finally came into view. "And look at that ocean! It's SO blue!"
Akito let out an exasperated sigh as the other girl continued to point out mundane landmarks. 'God, you are SO annoying…' She thought with another sigh as they finally stopped. '...And nauseating…If only we could have left you at the damn mall…'
"Feeling any better?" Tedachi asked moments later as he helped her out.
"A little," Akito admitted, taking the hand he offered.
"Aki-Chan! You did come!" Tohru exclaimed as she bounded down the stairs and promptly, suddenly threw her arms around the other woman, failing to notice how she stepped back and tensed up, until she was pushing her off.
"Please…don't touch me."
"She's not feeling well," Tedachi explained as Hazuki finally stepped out of the car herself and the remaining house guests made themselves known.
"Oh…I'm sorry," Tohru said. "I can get Hatori if…"
"I'll be fine. Just give me a minute."
Behind her, Hazuki scoffed. "You are such a faker," She whispered, quickly elbowing her in the back and watching with a smirk as the other woman took in a breath and then glared at her.
"Don't do that!" Akito snapped once she got a hold on her nausea. She had already thrown up once that day and was not interested in repeating the experience.
"Do what?"
"Excuse me…" Tohru spoke up. "But…Um…"
"Who the hell are these guys?" Kyo asked bluntly as he stepped up.
"I'm sorry," Tedachi said, setting down one of the bags. "I didn't introduce myself. I'm Tedachi Sohma. I work in the main house."
"And I'm Hazuki Kino," Hazuki said in her bubbly voice. "I'm his cousin."
"Wait a minute…" Machi muttered as she looked Hazuki over. "I know you! You're the model for that little dress shop!"
"Oh no! I've been recognised!"
"You're a lot prettier in person, you know."
"Oh, stop it. You're SO much prettier than I am and your dress is just adorable!" Hazuki gushed, taking Machi's hands as she looked over her simple white and green sundress. "And you!" She said, turning towards Tohru. "You really make the colour on those hair flowers pop! They look amazing on you!"
"You really think so?" Tohru lit up.
"Someone needs to slap her…" Akito muttered as she leaned against the car, watching the scene unfold with Tedachi at her side and then cringing when Hazuki started complementing the kids. "Fuck it. I'm going to slap her."
"No you're not," He warned, grabbing her wrist before she could take even a step.
"And who are these cuties?" Hazuki said of the trio, who stood in front of Hatori.
Nori looked up at her and then pointed to herself. "Nori," She introduced herself before pointing to everyone else as she introduced them one by one. "Seiya, Hime, Unca 'Tori, Unca 'Gure, Auntie Mayu, Kyo, Yun-Yun, Chi-Chan, Auntie Tohru…" She said, breaking from the group to make her way over to where Akito stood, grabbing her skirt once she was close enough. "Ki-Chan." She declared, holding her arms up.
"No, Ki-Chan is not going to pick you up right now," Akito informed her.
"Why?"
"She's not feeling well," Tedachi explained.
Nori looked up and tilted her head at him, confused as to who this man was. She felt like she had seen him before, but wasn't quite sure. "Who you?" She finally asked.
"Me? I'm Tedachi."
"T…Te…Ta…Ta'chi!" Nori decided, smiling at her brilliance.
"No. Te. Da. Chi."
"Ta'Chi!"
"Don't bother. Once she gives you a name, that's it," Hatori explained. "You're basically branded for life."
"Alright," Tedachi shrugged. "Ta'Chi it is then."
Nori simply smiled, deciding that she liked this new person.
"Now that that's done, why don't you come inside and get settled?" Mayuko suggested, motioning for some of the nearby maids to come and gather the luggage as she reached for Nori's hand.
"Wait…Where's Shima?" Akito asked as they headed inside.
"She had a last minute meeting with her editor," Shigure explained as he knelt down and let Seiya climb up his back. "But she'll be here tomorrow."
"Now, about the rooms…" Mayuko contemplated.
"Well…Hazuki can probably stay with Shima," Tedachi mused.
"Absolutely not!" Akito snapped. "You are not inflicting that thing on my best friend!"
"I don't want to share a room anyway," Hazuki cut in, grabbing onto Tedachi's arm as she said, "Unless it's with my lovely Tedachi, of course!"
"I'm sure we could…" Mayuko started.
"No. He's staying with me," Akito interrupted.
"But…That just seems so wrong. At least we're family," Hazuki said, noting how Akito scowled at her cute voice.
"She has a point…" Tohru said. "I mean, it might give off the wrong impression if…"
"Wrong impression of what? He's my boyfriend for God's sake!"
At that, everyone stopped and simply stared, looking from Akito to Tedachi and back again as she realised that they hadn't known.
"This…Is not happening," Shigure declared. "There's no way…"
"You're kidding, right?" Kyo asked. "Who'd be crazy enough to…Ah!" He said, glaring when Yuki elbowed him.
"What?! But…You…You never mentioned him before…" Tohru said.
"Yes I have. Shima knows," Akito informed them, growing increasingly aggravated with their stares. All she wanted was to go upstairs and lay down, but instead she found herself in the middle of a family inquisition.
"Oh…Um…Well then…Your room is the third one on the left," Mayuko said, pointing up the stairs. "And you can have the last room on the right," She informed Hazuki. "And don't worry, you'll be by yourself. Shima already said she'd share the room with her brother."
"Which would be…You?" Hazuki asked, pointing to Shigure.
"Um…Yes. How did you…?"
"Easy. I've met your sister before. You look just like her!"
"Actually, she looks like me. I'm her older brother."
"Oh! I should have known! I'm SO sorry! There I go, being a ditz again!"
"It's fine. Come on, I'll show you to your room."
Hazuki simply gave him a cute smile as she followed diligently.
"So…What's her deal anyway?" Kyo asked as he followed Akito and Tedachi, carrying one of her bags.
"Who? Hazuki?" Tedachi asked.
"There's something not right about her…I just know it," Kyo mused as they entered the room in question and he set the bag down.
"You just have to get used to her is all," Tedachi shrugged as he left to grab the final bag, which had been left in the main hall.
After he left, Kyo lingered a minute, watching as Akito threw one of her suitcases on the bed and started rifling through it, wondering if he should ask the question that was on his mind. He knew it was none of his business, but at the same time, he was also rather curious, though he wasn't sure if he wanted to chance it in case she was in a bad mood.
"Is there a reason you're still here?" She finally asked.
"Oh…It's just…Well…" He sighed. "What's his deal?"
"Tedachi?"
"Yeah. Like, where did he come from anyway? He shows up here saying he works at the main house and then you claim he's your boyfriend…I just…I dunno. I guess I'm a little confused."
"He started working for me shortly after New Years. He's kind of…an all purpose servant. He cooks, he cleans, he does yard work…We hired him because we needed a guy to do some of the bigger projects. He's worked all around the estate, but is actually on my staff roster. And…He…He's always been more than a servant. Since the first day, he's been my friend. He treats me like a person and has always made it a point to have conversations with me and get to know me in a way beyond my being his boss. Over time…Somehow we fell for each other. I didn't realise it until he had to take leave to visit his brother after the accident…But in the short time he'd been in my life, I'd not only fallen in love with him, but stupid in love with him. There are times when he aggravates the shit out of me and I find myself wanting to smack that stupid smile off his face…But other times…I just want to grab him and not let go. Before this…I didn't even know I could feel this way…And…Sorry, I must be boring you…"
"No, it's fine. I was the one who asked," Kyo shrugged. "Though I must admit, it's weird…Hearing you of all people talking like that."
"I know. The whole thing caught me off guard. I actually fainted when Shima told me I was in love."
"It's fine…I get it, you know. I spent a lot of time fighting my own feelings too. But, when I finally stopped…And…when she finally said she felt the same way…"
"It felt like things were finally starting to come together?"
"Yeah…Now, what's the deal with the girl?"
"Oh…The thing."
"Yeah, her. Something seems off about her, it's almost like she's…"
"Fake?"
"Yeah, how did you…?"
"It's a secret."
"Fine…I'll figure it out on my own," Kyo shrugged as he left, glancing at Tedachi as they crossed paths.
"Sorry I took so long," Tedachi said as he reentered and set the last bag down. "I got the once over from Hatori's wife."
"Mayuko," Akito informed him.
"Right…It might take some time for me to learn everyone's names."
"Can you start learning them after we unpack? The sooner we get done, the sooner I can..." She said, stopping when he approached and grabbed her hand.
"Just let me do it. You should lie down."
"Are you sure? I…"
"If I wasn't, I wouldn't have said it," He said with small smile that first reassured her and then Tohru later that evening as he assisted her with preparing dinner.
"You really don't have to do this…" She said again as he diligently chopped up some vegetables.
"It's fine. I like being in the kitchen," He said, gathering up the vegetables as Tohru grabbed some plates and set them aside while he turned to pick up the mix for the curry.
"Tedachi! You're going to make sure the curry is extra spicy, right?" Hazuki asked as she threw open the door.
"Um…I'm not sure if…"
"Absolutely not," Akito snapped as she came up behind Hazuki.
"But, why not? I like spicy food!"
"Well, I don't. And I'm the head of this family!"
"I like how you have no other defense but rank! You are so pathetic!"
"Okay…You know what?!"
"What?!"
"Will you two stop?" Tedachi sighed. "Akito, I promise whatever I make for you will be sweet."
"There you go again, giving into her. It's not fair you know. If anyone should be getting special treatment it's your future wife."
"It's not special treatment. I have to make two batches anyway. The kids can't have spicy curry."
At that, Hazuki laughed. "That means you have the same taste as a bunch of two-year-olds."
"Just because I can't handle spicy curry doesn't mean…"
"Ki-Chan!" Seiya interrupted as she ran up. "Play!" She declared.
"Sorry about that," Shigure shrugged as he approached. "She got away from me."
"It's fine," Akito said, leaning down to take Seiya in her arms. "What are we playing?"
"I've got an idea!" Hazuki said before Seiya could answer. "Why don't you play with me, instead? I brought lots of pretty dresses you can try on!"
Seiya titled her head and then looked from Hazuki to Akito, firmly declaring, "Ki-Chan" and wrapping her arms around her neck.
'Fine…Be that way you little brat…' Hazuki thought, scowling as Akito headed off with Shigure.
"I guess that means you're free to help me," Tedachi declared.
"Oh! Of course! Anything for you, Tedachi!" She said with a wide smile that stayed on her face as she and Tohru served dinner awhile later.
"Sorry it's so plain," Tedachi said as he sat. "But there wasn't much to work with and it was easy to make in a large quantity."
"It's perfectly fine," Yuki replied. "And it looks much better than the ramen Machi and I had last night."
"It will taste a lot better too," Hazuki declared, taking a place next to Tedachi. "Tedachi's cooking is the best!" She gave them all another cute smile just as Akito appeared and rolled her eyes at the scene before they all settled down to eat.
"Wait…Where's everyone else?" Machi asked a few minutes later.
"Hatori, Mayuko and Shigure decided to eat with the girls in another room so they wouldn't disturb us because the kids can be messy," Tohru explained.
"Oh. That was nice of them…I guess."
"I'm sure we'll all have at least one meal together before the trip is over. It'll be nice to eat with everyone together."
"This is hardly spicy enough…" Kyo muttered, interrupting the conversation.
"What?"
"The curry. I was told it would be extra spicy…But there's no kick at all."
"He's right…" Tohru agreed.
"Really?" Akito asked.
"Yeah…You wanna try some?" Tohru offered her spoon.
"Don't." Tedachi set a hand on Akito's shoulder and gently pulled her back.
"But…"
"Just wait…" He said as she stared at him before Hazuki let out a startled shriek and both Kyo and Yuki's faces flushed red.
"Now that's what I call a kick!" Kyo declared as the flavour finally hit him, eagerly shoving another spoonful in his mouth, while, next to him, Tohru quickly downed her water.
"It's good," She said. "I just think it's…"
"Too much for you?" Akito guessed.
"A little…I'm sorry."
"It's fine," Tedachi shrugged. "I'm sure Kyo will be happy to eat yours."
"We can share mine," Machi offered, as she had opted for the sweeter batch. "It's a little much for me to eat by myself."
"Oh, well…If you're okay with it…" Tohru said.
"Of course!"
Tohru simply smiled back and quickly switched places with Yuki so that she could sit next to Machi as the meal continued with a light air that eventually faded as everyone turned in early, understandably exhausted from the traveling and the day's events. However, despite her exhaustion, Hazuki still ended up awake at five in the morning due to her internal clock. After contemplating her choices for a few minutes, she decided to get up and, once she was dressed, sought out Tedachi, whom she knew was usually awake early. All the times she had visited, he was often the first one awake. Though, she also knew his schedule had been thrown off lately, as he had been assigned to a lot of late, lock up shifts.
'It's quiet…' She thought as she wandered the halls. 'Not even the servants are up…It's kind of nice though. It's relaxing and…Everything here is so airy and open. Plus, it helps that it's a nice day outside…That's it! Maybe I can convince Tedachi to take me on a walk or something. He loves being outside and we didn't get a chance to explore the beach yesterday…So, I guess it's settled!' She decided, picking up her pace as she reached the next hallway, and then quickly throwing open the door once she came to it.
"Tedachi!" She called in her sing-song voice, frowning when he didn't respond. "Oh, come on. You can't still be sleeping," She said as she practically skipped over to the bed and started shaking him. "Come on! Wakey wakey!"
"Hazuki?" He murmured, groaning as he moved onto his back and looked up at her smiling face.
"Hi there, Sleepyhead!" She teased.
"What are you doing here?"
"I was up and wandering around and I thought, 'what a beautiful day!' We really shouldn't waste it! We should do something! Now! Early mornings are the best because there's no one around! We can be all alone on our lovers' stroll!" Hazuki declared, moving dramatically as she spoke.
"Look, you can't just…" Tedachi started, pausing when he felt movement next to him.
"What the hell is all that noise?" Akito snapped as she sat up, narrowing her eyes at Hazuki, who stood, frozen in shock for a moment before her anger took over.
"And just what do you think you're doing?!" She practically screamed. "I told you to STAY AWAY from my future husband! Why the fuck are you in his bed?!"
"Why the fuck are you yelling at six in the morning?" Akito shouted back.
"You're setting a wonderful example, aren't you?" Tedachi said, earning a glare in response that he ignored as he looked up at his cousin. "She does have a point though. It is early and I'm tired. Hazuki, go do something with yourself, and you," He said, twirling one of Akito's bangs around his finger. "Go back to sleep."
Hazuki pouted while Akito did as she was told and laid back down, having just gotten settled when she felt herself being forcefully moved over as Hazuki crawled up the middle of the bed and wedged herself between her and Tedachi.
"Hazuki…" Tedachi sighed as the girl wrapped an arm around him.
"You're right, it's early. I think I should sleep too!" She decided, laying her head on him as he let out an aggravated sigh, knowing there wasn't much he could do. If he kicked her out, she'd just make a fuss and other people might come running, so he let her stay and she smirked as she settled in and then forcefully kicked Akito off the side of the bed, holding back a laugh as she heard the other woman hit the ground.
"Hazuki," Tedachi snapped as he sat up as best he could with her clinging to him. "Are you okay?" He asked Akito.
"I'm fine," She snapped as she forced herself up.
"You should…"
"No, I'm already awake, I might as well stay up," Akito decided, not wasting another moment as she quickly exited the room and headed downstairs and into the kitchen, where Tohru was rummaging through cupboards.
"Good morning, Aki-Chan!" Tohru exclaimed when she turned around at the sound of Akito's footsteps. "You're up early!"
'How can you be so cheerful so early in the morning?' Akito thought with a scowl, watching as Tohru poked around some more before making a note on a nearby pad. "What are you doing?"
"Making our grocery list."
"Don't we have servants for that?"
"Yes, but I wanted to do it myself because I'm going to be doing a lot of the cooking."
"Why?"
"Because I like cooking for everyone, and I know that Tedachi does too. He was so helpful last night," Tohru smiled as she made another note, her face soon turning serious. "That reminds me…About Tedachi…He…Um…He's good to you, right?"
"If he wasn't, he wouldn't be here right now," Akito replied, leaning against the counter. "Why do you ask?"
"It's just that…I worry about you, you know. And sometimes I feel bad that I'm so far away…I can't always be there for you or the others when I want to be…I mean, I didn't even know you'd met anyone, nonetheless…"
"It's fine. No one did, except for Shima. As for the other part, don't worry about it. I have plenty of people looking out for me, when I need you, you'll know it. Now, it's my turn to ask you a question."
"Huh?"
"Now that you've met her, what do you think of Hazuki?"
"She's really sweet!" Tohru said with a smile. "And cute too! She was actually giving me advice about my clothing last night and loaned me this really nice dress…But I don't know if I'll wear it…It's not really me. But…there is one thing…What is it about her and Tedachi?"
"Hazuki's had a crush on him since she was a kid, but he's not interested."
"Oh…Alright then," Tohru said with a satisfied smile that Akito raised a curious eyebrow at.
'Was she…worried for me?' Akito thought, the softest of smiles on her face.
"The store won't be open for awhile…We should do something!" Tohru declared suddenly.
"Don't you have to make breakfast?"
"I can't do that without any ingredients," Tohru laughed, her attention soon turning to the other woman's hands, which were wrapped around the edge of her counter she was leaning on. "I know! Let me do your nails!"
"What?"
"Please? It was so much fun the last time we did it! I even have these cute jewels that…You know what? Let me just show you!" Tohru declared as she sauntered off with a cheerful smile that returned later that afternoon as everyone gathered on the beach, her running ahead of the group with Machi, and then stopping when she realised something seemed to be missing.
"Where's Hazuki?" She asked everyone. "She seemed really excited to come out with us."
'Who cares?' Akito thought as she settled on a beach towel and threw her bag next to her.
"I'm here!" Hazuki called moments later as she ran along the sand, trying to catch up to the group. "I'm SO sorry I'm late! I just couldn't pick a swimsuit…And then I had some trouble with my hair."
"Oh, wow," Machi said as she eyed Hazuki's green, string bikini. "You are so obviously a model. Your figure is amazing!"
"Oh, no way! I don't think I'm that different from you guys."
"But you are! You're really pretty!" Tohru insisted.
"And you're way more developed than us…Even though you're so much younger."
"Oh, please. Stop teasing me, Machi," Hazuki said, feigning embarrassment as she thought, 'Well, duh guys! I know I'm crazy adorable! And this swimsuit is SO hot! You should feel honoured to be in my presence! Lick my shadow you dirty commoners! Lick it!'
"She's up to that nonsense again," Akito muttered to herself right before her hat came down over her eyes.
"What's with that face?" Tedachi teased as she adjusted the sunhat that he had knocked into her face. "You're on vacation, you should be smiling."
"But, she's…"
"Don't worry about her. She's just looking for an excuse to show off," He shrugged. "She actually took an hour to pick a swimsuit. Which reminds me…Why aren't you wearing one?"
"I don't own one. I have no need to and frankly, the idea makes me uncomfortable," Akito confessed, staring into the dark -pink flower pattern printed at the bottom of her white sundress.
"I think you'd look nice though," He commented setting a hand over hers as he leaned over slightly, his lips hovering over hers as Hazuki called him.
"Tedachi!" She said. "You should come swimming with us!"
"Um…Sure," He shrugged, throwing off his shirt as he stood.
'Damn her! She did that on purpose!' Akito thought, scowling as she grabbed her bag and dug through it, eventually settling down with a book, alternating between watching everyone play and reading until a familiar voice cut through her thoughts.
"Hi there!" Shima said, taking a place next to her friend. "Why aren't you out with everyone else?"
"I'm not really into beaches."
"Other than sitting on them and reading?"
"Where did you come from?"
"I arrived about thirty minutes ago. When I got inside, found a note saying everyone had come here, so, I grabbed a swimsuit and a towel and here I am! Can I borrow that?"
"I'm glad you're here," Akito admitted, handing over the sunscreen the other girl had been pointing at. "You can…"
"Are you sure? I think it would look really good on you!" Hazuki was saying to Tohru as they looked over a catalogue nearby.
"Oh no! I couldn't! It's just…"
"Sure you could! And I'm sure Kyo would love it too!"
"Great. Who invited that thing?" Shima sighed.
"Tedachi got stuck with her for the summer," Akito explained.
"Oh, so he is here."
Akito nodded. "He walked off a few minutes ago."
"Ooh, I bet you have lots of fun things planned for him, don't you?" Shima teased, laughing when she was immediately pushed over. "Okay…I get it. Where's my brother?"
"Hunting for seashells with the girls."
"I should go help him then. There's no way he can handle those three all alone. I'll catch you later, okay?" Shima said, running off with a smile.
"When did she get here?" Tedachi asked as he came up behind her.
"A half hour ago, apparently. Where were you?" Akito asked while he settled next to her.
"Tohru thought it would be a good idea for everyone to have a treat, so I offered to go inside and get the ice cream. Here," He said, presenting her with an ice cream cone. "You once mentioned that you liked banana chocolate."
"That's way too much for me to eat on my own."
"I know. I figured we could share."
She simply gave him a smile that easily turned into an aggravated frown when Hazuki suddenly appeared in front of her and licked the ice cream.
"Hey! This is really good. I wonder why I never tried this flavour before…" She commented.
"That was mine."
"Oh, stop being selfish. I'm sure Tohru and the others have plenty more," Hazuki said with a smile before turning to her cousin. "Now you try!" She said.
"Hazuki, I…"
"Come on! Please!" She begged, practically shoving it in his face.
"Personal space, Hazuki," He warned.
"Oh! I'm sorry!" She exclaimed as she recoiled, failing to pay attention as one of her hands flailed back. 'Hey…Where did…?' She thought, turning to look behind her when Akito let out a startled shriek as the ice cream cone collided with her dress.
"You did that on purpose!"
"No I didn't! Not this time, I swear!" Hazuki said, her voice actually hinting sincerity. "Besides, why would I waste good ice cream on you?"
"What happened?" Tohru interrupted before Akito could even think of a retort, gasping when she processed the scene and quickly reaching for the other woman's hand. "Come on! We have to treat this now if you don't want it to stain."
"Don't worry! We'll be here when you get back!" Hazuki assured, earning an eye roll from Akito right before Tohru dragged her off.
"You better not have done that on purpose," Tedachi warned as soon as they were gone. "Because if you did and it stains, you're paying for it."
"Of course not. Like I told her, it would be stupid to waste ice cream like that. I wasn't paying attention is all. Besides, even if I did, finding another dress wouldn't be that hard."
"It is when all of your dresses are custom made."
"What?! No way! Every single one?!"
Tedachi nodded. "That's what she claims."
'Geez…And I thought I was high maintenance! I can't believe she gets all her dresses made for her. If that doesn't scream 'diva' I don't know what does. Though that would be a funny word to use for her…I mean, divas are at least pretty.' Hazuki thought with a frown, while, inside, Tohru busily scrubbed at fabric.
"It should be okay," She informed Akito with a smile.
"I hope so…I really liked that one," Akito admitted as she contemplated two different belts and eventually settled on the one with the butterfly buckle, slipping it through the loops of the denim skirt she had changed into and matched with a light-pink shirt and cropped, short-sleeved, black cardigan.
"Just let me run it through the wash and we should be fine."
"You have to wash it on gentle. And it doesn't go in the dryer," Akito informed her. "All of those dresses are like that."
"Right!" Tohru nodded and they headed back downstairs, where the servants were handed the dress and given the instructions before they both headed back out.
"Ki-Chan back!" Nori declared when they returned. "Auntie Tohru too!"
"Were you waiting for us?" Tohru asked, smiling as she took the little girl into her arms.
"Ice cream!"
"I see the ice cream. Did you have some?"
"Yes she did, so don't let her con you into giving her more," Hatori said. "She's good at that."
"Well, that's not very nice, is it?"
Nori simply giggled and wrapped her arms around Tohru's neck.
"Me too!" Himeko declared as she ran up to them.
"I don't think I can hold both of you…"
Himeko frowned and then looked up at Akito expectantly as Seiya got up from the table and headed over as well.
"Here, I'll take one of them," Hazuki offered, grabbing Seiya as Akito finally relented and picked Himeko up. "Look at you! You're adorable!" She said. "Hina…No, that's not right…Um…Hm…Your name is…"
"Seiya," Akito informed her. "And this is Himeko and that one is Nori."
"Oh, right! Sorry!" Hazuki said with a cheerful smile that Akito rolled her eyes at before heading off to join everyone else. "Hey! Wait for us!"
"You know, I was just about to take them near the shore to build a sandcastle," Yuki said.
"Ooh! That sounds like fun!" Tohru smiled. "Doesn't it, girls?"
"Ice cream," Nori replied.
"Oh no. Uncle Hatori said no more."
"Ice cream?" Seiya asked.
"You already had some too," Mayuko told her.
"Oh come on," Hazuki chimed in. "A little more wouldn't hurt! They are on vacation, after all!"
"Please, don't get them started," Mayuko snapped. "We've already made it clear that the answer is 'no.' Do not send them mixed messages."
"Oh, well…I…"
Mayuko ignored her and went about gathering the remainder of the treats together before handing the stuff to Hatori and Shigure while Yuki and Kyo gathered the little girls and ushered them towards the shoreline.
"Hey! Check this out!" Machi said as soon as they were gone, presenting the other women with a magazine. "I didn't know you did work for this brand," She said to Hazuki.
"Oh, that was a one-time thing. But, I am working my way up. I have an audition for Polaris coming up in a few weeks."
"Polaris? You mean the Polaris?!" Shima gasped.
"Yes. I'm trying out to be one of their teen models. But, the lady on the phone said I might be more suited to do the adult stuff, which is…Well…A little embarrassing. It's just…so sexy. But, on the other hand, the teen collection can be a little downplayed and childish at times."
"You're just looking at the wrong stuff," Shima said as she eagerly latched onto Akito's arm. "Ask Akito, she has a ton of their stuff from that collection."
"Shima," Akito snapped in warning. "They don't need to know that!"
"Right…Like I'm supposed to believe that a brand with as much style and class as Polaris makes things to fit you," Hazuki commented, to which Tohru and Machi exchanged a look that she quickly caught. "Oh! I'm sorry…I just meant that, you seem like you'd be a little more…Um…conservative with that kind of stuff and some of their stuff can be a little showy."
"Sometimes that's good though. There are clothes that are meant to show off cute bras, that's why they make show-bras," Shima said.
"Show-Bra?" Machi asked.
"It's a bra that's meant to be seen with certain items of clothing. They usually have lace or rhinestones on the straps and are made in bright colours," Hazuki explained. "I can show you some of mine later if you want an example."
"Really? That would be great! I mean…It's not like I'm doing anything…It's just…I kind of want to wear cuter underwear but…I don't know where to start."
"I can't believe you want my advice! I'm really no one special!"
"Gets annoying, doesn't it?" Mayuko commented as she came up behind Akito and Shima.
"Huh?" Shima asked.
"Her act. It's a little aggravating."
"How did you…?"
"I'm a high school teacher, I've seen this before. These girls act all sweet, but they tend to be really conceited and it's annoying. I mean, why can't people just be honest with themselves? Also, what's her deal with your boyfriend?"
"Even I don't know anymore," Akito replied. "All I can tell you is that she thinks they're engaged or something and it's getting on my nerves."
"He doesn't help either," Mayuko pointed out, watching as Hazuki broke from the girls and proceeded to drag Tedachi into the water with her. "I haven't once seen him try and correct her or tell her to back off. All he's doing is helping her hide herself."
'He is…Isn't he?' Shima thought for a minute, quickly shaking it off and giving a squeal when she was grabbed from behind and lifted into the air.
"You know, I never realised how light you were…I may never have to spend money on the gym," Shigure commented.
"Don't use me as a weight, Nii-San!" Shima snapped while Hatori, Mayuko and Akito all let out exasperated sighs.
"What do you think will go over better?" Tohru asked Tedachi later that evening as they flipped through recipe cards. "Sweet and sour pork…Or rice omelets? Because they both sound good…"
"Maybe we should…"
"Tedachi!" Hazuki interrupted as she stepped into the room in a one-strap, light-blue dress with a layered skirt. "You don't have to worry about that anymore! We're going out to eat!"
"Wait…What?" Tedachi asked with a raised eyebrow.
"You heard me! Go upstairs and change! Now!" She ordered, eagerly shoving him out the door.
'Fine…I'll do it…But only because I'm not about to turn down a free meal. But, why would she decide this so suddenly? Especially when I really wanted to help Tohru, she's fun to cook with. And she doesn't step all over me like my sister does,' He thought as he made his way up the stairs, pausing in the doorway to his room when found Akito rifling through the closet, comparing dresses until she threw the one in her left hand aside.
"What are you doing?" He asked.
"Looking for an outfit. I thought we could go out tonight. Shima told me about this classy bar in town and I figured it would be nice to go out and not have to sneak around," Akito explained, turning toward the mirror and holding up a black dress. "Now, what do you think of this dress?"
"Um…I think you're going to have to hold off on wearing it."
"What?"
"Well, Hazuki just told me that she and I are going out to dinner tonight. She was already dressed…So I'm assuming she made reservations or something. And…"
"It's…fine. We can go out another night," Akito interrupted, using all of her willpower to both hide her disappointment and fight the urge to smack her boyfriend across the face for even thinking of putting Hazuki before her in this instance.
"It's just…You know how she is," Tedachi sighed.
"Right…" She muttered, as he moved to get into the closet.
"Thanks," He said, pausing when she looked up at him expectantly and then gently ruffling her hair before heading off into the bathroom.
'What was that about?! I don't even get a damn kiss? Bastard,' She thought with a scowl as she stomped downstairs, glaring at the sight of Hazuki playing with her mobile as she waited patiently by the door, looking up when she felt Akito's presence.
"Oh! I didn't see you there. I'm borrowing Tedachi for the night, so don't wait up for him. We'll probably be out late. Really late," Hazuki said with one of her signature smiles.
"Shut up," Akito snapped. "You are so full of it!"
'Well…That was rude,' Hazuki thought as the other woman headed into the next room, putting on a smile as she settled down with Mayuko and Himeko and holding in her disappointment when she heard the door open and close.
"Are you okay?" Mayuko asked.
"I'm fine," Akito replied, feigning a smile as Himeko handed her a stuffed animal.
"Is it…?"
"I said I'm fine."
"Alright…" Mayuko threw her hands up in surrender and turned back to her daughter. "In that case…I guess I'm playing with Luna, and you've been charged with Neko-Chan," She said, looking at the stuffed cats they each held.
'A cat named cat? Well…I guess she is only two…' Akito thought, giving a soft smile when Himeko made her way over and climbed into her lap, staying there as they played up until supper, finding that Tohru had ended up deciding on the omelets, because they were easier to make in large quantities.
"See this?" Shigure said to Seiya as she set the plates down, each one labeled with the person's name…in Ketchup. "This says 'Seiya.'"
"Me!" Seiya declared before turning to his plate. "What that?"
"This? This says 'Shigure.'"
"You!"
"Yes, me."
'He might as well be her Dad…He'd definitely be a better one than Kaito…' Akito thought with a small smile, looking up at Tohru when her own plate hit the table.
"Sorry I'm late," Shima said as she entered, closing her mobile with one hand. "I was on the phone with my editor."
"Oh?" Shigure said.
"She said that they liked my pitch! Right after this holiday I get to work on publishing my first full-length novel!"
"Really?! That's great!" Tohru exclaimed.
"It's about time too," Shigure commented. "You've been slaving over that thing for a year and a half."
"And for a good reason," Hatori added. "Your writing is pretty good."
"Thanks," Shima smiled as she sat down, tilting her head when she looked up and found Akito sitting across from her. "Akito? What are you doing here?"
"You are kidding, right?"
"Well, I saw Tedachi leave an hour ago and I assumed you went with him. You did say you were going to ask him about going out tonight."
"He took Hazuki out instead."
'I am going to kill that girl! And while I'm at it, I'll kill him too…' Shima thought with a scowl.
"It's fine, though. She asked first."
"What kind of excuse is that?!" Kyo snapped.
"Kyo…" Tohru said in an attempt to stop him.
"No. You make it a point to invite him on vacation with you and he spends all of his time with her. What is that about?!"
"Can we not talk about this? It's really none of your business," Akito snapped.
"Fine. But don't…"
"Kyo, stop," Tohru said.
'He's right though…' Akito thought a bit later with a sigh as she picked at her plate.
"Are you feeling alright?" Machi finally asked.
"Hm? Yes, I'm alright. I'm just…I'm not hungry right now is all. Excuse me."
"I'm done too," Shima declared soon afterwards as she stood and made her way out of the room and up the stairs. "Akito?" She asked, knocking when she came to her door, frowning when she didn't receive an answer. "I'm coming in," She warned, quietly pushing the door open to find Akito lying on her side on the bed, staring up along the wall.
"Go away," Akito ordered.
"Not until you talk to me. As much as you try and hide it, I know you're upset…And I know it's about Tedachi."
"What part of 'go away' do you not understand?!" Akito snapped as she sat up and turned towards her friend, who made her way over and sat on the bed.
"Please, don't be like this, not with me."
Akito simply looked down, played with the blanket for a moment and then gripped it tightly as she muttered, "This…This isn't fair."
"What's not fair?"
"Everything! I wasn't even going to come here until I realised that I could invite him…That we could use it as a chance to be with each other and not have to hold back or dance around nosy servants and rumours. Then…that…that thing shows up and just ruins everything. She has him wrapped around her fingers and I hate it! I hate her and I hate him for doing this to me!" Akito admitted, letting her head fall into Shima's lap as all of her pent up emotions came out of her and she finally started to cry.
'I am seriously going to kill that man…' Shima thought, setting a gentle hand on her back.
"I wonder if maybe…I'm doing something wrong. Am I even right to be upset? I mean, he does see me almost every day, but…"
"Don't you dare finish that thought," Shima scolded. "It doesn't matter that he comes to work every day, this is different. You went out of your way to invite him out here only to have him turn all his attention on another woman. If anything, he should be lucky he's not dead."
"I feel so stupid. I even thought about doing all these obnoxiously romantic things…You know, the sunset walks on the beach, running off into town and doing nothing all day, hot vacation sex on the balcony…all of it!"
'Well…That explains why you ended up with this room…' Shima thought as she said, "You are not the stupid one here, he is. He needs to put his foot down with her."
"You know…He hasn't kissed me once since we've arrived? In fact, he barely looks at me. I know it shouldn't bother me, but it does. And it hurts."
"As it should. It hurts to feel like you're in the way and not loved…Especially by someone you really care about. I know it's not exactly the same, but…When I was little, all I wanted for the longest time was for my brother to acknowledge me and smile at me. I thought it was weird that the other kids in school got such love from their brothers and I didn't…So I tried. I tried as hard as I could to get on his good side, but all he ever did was shrug me off and say nasty things…And it hurt. All I wanted to do was love him, and all he wanted to do was pretend I wasn't there."
"I don't think he's doing it on purpose though…He wouldn't intentionally hurt me like that."
"Ignorance is not an excuse. He should know better," Shima assured with a scowl. 'And if he doesn't learn soon…He's going to get it.' She thought, holding that thought late into the evening, when, as she brushed her hair following a late bath near midnight, she caught the sound of Hazuki giggling as she and Tedachi made their way back to the house.
"I had a lovely time tonight," Hazuki was saying as he fiddled with his keys and opened the door.
'Well…That makes one of us…Not that it wasn't nice to get out, but…' He thought as he finally managed to get the door open.
"Oh, you're back," Shima said as she came down the stairs.
"For now, anyway. We're going to take a walk down to the beach next," Hazuki said, smiling as she practically bounced up the stairs.
"You," Shima said to Tedachi as he tried to follow his cousin, saying not another word as she stalked over and promptly smacked him across the face.
"Hey! What was that…?"
"If you have to ask, never mind," She declared as she moved past him and headed back up the stairs.
'What the hell was that about?!' He thought as he also moved upward and into his room. 'I know she's weird…But that really doesn't give her the right to go around smacking people without a reason…Or, in this case, without telling them the reason…' He sighed as he pushed open the door to the room, raising an eyebrow when he noted that, while it was late, Akito was nowhere to be seen. However, after another brief glance he finally took notice of the open door on the other side of the room and shook his head. 'She can't be that careless…' He mused, a soft smile on his face when he stepped outside and found Akito sound asleep in the deck chair on the balcony, a half-empty wine glass on the table next to her. He shook his head at the scene and headed back inside, quickly grabbing her blanket off the bed to cover her.
'I'll just leave her here. It's a nice night, and she looks…' He thought, pausing to move a strand of hair out of her face. '…Beautiful.' He then stood for a minute, simply admiring her before leaving her with a light kiss on the head, frowning when he stepped back inside and his mobile went off. Flipping it open, he found a text from Hazuki that practically demanded his presence on the beach that he shook his head at.
'Sun…Go away…' Akito thought the following morning as the rising sun shined…directly on her. 'Wait…Where the hell am I?!' At that, she quickly sat up and looked around, sighing in relief when she realised she was only out on the balcony. 'That's right…I came out here for a drink and…I guess I fell asleep. I wonder why no one moved me…My blanket is here, so someone must have found me at some point…Oh, whatever.' She shrugged as she got up, gathered up the blanket and headed inside.
"Tedachi? Are you…" She started, trailing off and scowling when she found him asleep in bed, with her next to him. 'Never mind…I need a shower.' She thought, heading off to the bathroom and then making her way downstairs, where Tohru and Kyo were eagerly cooking breakfast while the trio watched an anime in the living room, having been given the distraction by Shigure, who was brushing out his sister's hair.
"Good morning," Shima greeted. "Ow! Nii-San!"
"Sorry. This is a particularly large one…" Shigure muttered of the knot he was running his fingers through.
"Ki-Chan!" Nori declared as she turned her attention to the new arrival.
"Morning…" Akito told them all, moving to settle on one of the sofas.
"Breakfast should be ready soon!" Tohru said cheerfully as she poked her head in. "Oh, good morning, Akito. Where's Tedachi?"
"Still sleeping. I guess he was out late."
"They didn't get home until almost midnight," Shima informed her. "I was in the middle of getting ready for bed when they got back…Then they went for a walk on the beach."
'Of course they did! I could kill her! Why is she getting my perfect vacation?!' Akito thought as she shifted, sitting so she could pull her knees to her chest just as a high-pitched voice called,
"Good morning!"
"Zuki!" Seiya said as she looked over her shoulder at Hazuki.
"Hi little ones!" Hazuki said cheerfully before turning to Shima and Shigure. "Your brother does your hair? That's adorable! I wish I had one to do mine!"
"Why don't you go find one then? Because you're not stealing mine!" Shima snapped.
"And I only do Shima's hair anyway," Shigure shrugged.
"Good to know...I guess…" Hazuki muttered.
"What's all the noise?" Yuki asked as he made his way down the stairs, Machi following close behind.
"Oh! I'm sorry! Was I being too loud?" Hazuki asked innocently.
"A little bit," Tedachi replied, entering the room shortly after Yuki and Machi. "How are you so loud this early anyway?"
"Early? It's nine already!" Kyo snapped from the kitchen.
"Not all of us like to get up before dark, you know!" Shima shouted back.
"I'm only up because the sun was in my face," Akito admitted.
"That's right…You fell asleep on the balcony last night," Tedachi said.
"I know that! And instead of moving me, you gave my spot to that thing!" She snapped as she quickly got up and stomped out of the room.
"No I didn't!" He called after her. "I didn't even realise she was sleeping with me until I woke up!"
"Do I look like I care?"
"Wait, where are you going?" He asked as she made her way to the door and hastily grabbed her sandals.
"I'm going for a walk. Alone."
'Geez…What's her deal?' He thought with a confused expression, looking down when Hazuki grabbed his arm.
"Don't worry about her!" She declared. "I have an idea! Why don't we take our breakfast outside? We can have a makeshift picnic!"
"I'm really not…"
"Let's go!" Hazuki tightened her grip and dragged him off before he could protest, then and later, when she goaded him into taking her shopping until it started to rain, forcing them to return to the villa, walking in to catch Tohru and Yuki trying to choose a film for everyone to watch.
"The kids are napping, so we can go with something a little more grownup this time," Yuki mused as he contemplated his choices.
"But nothing too bloody…Or horrific," Tohru said.
"Of course not. Something lighthearted to put us all in a good mood. How about a comedy?"
"That sounds perfect!" Tohru smiled as she turned to another pile of films and picked one out. "How about this?" She asked and Yuki nodded as he carefully took it from her before they both ran off to the den, where everyone waited.
"I really wish you had longer hair…" Shima said, turning to Akito as she styled Machi's hair. "I want to be able to style it. Have you ever thought about…?"
"No. I like it this way, it's easier to manage. Plus, if it grows out, I start to look like that woman," Akito replied.
"Oh, Akito…You're so dull," Shima sighed as she secured a flower in the crown around Machi's head.
"It's okay, Shima. You can do mine!" Hazuki offered.
"No way in hell."
"Oh, come on! You'd be good at it."
"You don't want me near your hair. Trust me," Shima said, thinking, 'Because I'd cut it all off just to piss you off. Plus, it would spare us from having to watch you obnoxiously flip it in our faces.'
"Oh…That's fine. I can get Tedachi do it later, then," Hazuki decided, shooting him a knowing look.
"Yeah, sure," Tedachi shrugged as he took a seat on one of the sofas next to Akito, who ignored the sideways glance he sent her way. In fact, she spent a good deal of the movie ignoring him, until she got fed up with sitting alone and moved closer, looking up at him with an expectant stare.
"What?" He hissed, not wanting to disturb anyone, staring back at her until he finally processed the look on her face. "You don't have to ask to sit with me, you know," He said as he shifted.
"Me first!" Hazuki suddenly declared as she bounced over from the other sofa and jumped into his lap.
"Hazuki," Tedachi snapped. "You need to…"
"Forget it," Akito hissed as she stood. "I'm going upstairs."
"Wait!" He called, quickly ushering his cousin off of him so he could follow her, grabbing her wrist right before she hit the stairwell. "What is the matter with you?!"
At that, she lost it. "What's the matter with me?!" She snapped, whipping around to face him, angry tears brimming in her eyes. "What's the matter with YOU?! Ever since she showed up you've been acting like I don't exist!"
"That's not…"
"Don't you dare try that on me! From the first day you've been letting her drag you around and get in my way! You won't touch me, you barely look at me, you won't even kiss me! And, why?! Because you're trying to placate her and make sure she doesn't go off in front of everyone else because you don't feel like dealing with the consequences! You say that you want her to learn how to deal with people…but all you've been doing is helping her hide herself! She's never going to learn how to deal with people reacting to her true emotions if you keep shielding her!"
"But…I…"
"Don't. Just don't," Akito snapped as she turned towards the adjacent room, pausing as she took the first step. "You want to know what hurts the worst? The fact that, even though you make it a point to say it at least once a day…in the three days we've been here…You haven't once told me you love me."
At that, he went silent, watching as she grabbed her shoes and Shima's umbrella before heading outside.
"Wait…Where are you…" He started, stopping at the feeling of a hand on his shoulder.
"Don't," Shima warned. "Wait until she's calmed down."
"Wait, you're her best friend…Aren't you supposed to be on her side? Why are you helping me?"
"Don't get me wrong. I am on her side. And my stopping you is actually for her benefit. Seeing you after that will just stress her out more. She needs time to cool down for her own sake. So, you need to leave her alone," She explained before turning to head back into the other room.
"So, what was all that about?" Hazuki asked as Shima returned to her spot and Tedachi reentered the room.
"It's nothing," He replied.
"But…"
"I'm not in the mood, Hazuki. Do NOT push me," He snapped and she backed off for most of the day, occasionally trying to gently convince him to help her with things, which he did rather reluctantly while Akito made it a point to avoid him, spending her time with the women, and even accompanying Tohru when she went out to finish up some shopping.
"What did you do?" Tohru asked Tedachi as they chopped vegetables for dinner.
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"Akito's mad at you," She said with a frown.
"Oh, that. It's nothing, really. We'll work it out."
"Hm."
"Now it's my turn to ask you a question, how did you know? Did she say something to you?"
"She did, but I figured something was wrong before that. There's been a lot of tension in the house. Look, I don't know what you did or why…I just know that you need to fix it."
'I will…Once I figure out how. Okay, that's a lie. I know how, it's just a matter of getting her to listen to me…' Tedachi thought, carrying that thought with him through most of the evening, having ignored both Hazuki's relentless attempts to draw a smile out of him, and Hatori's offer to head out with the guys on a pub crawl. Instead, he found himself by the window at ten o'clock that night, sighing at the rain as he finally gave in to his intuition, pulled out his mobile and dialed.
"Hello?" Miyuki asked when she answered.
"Hey, Sis. It's me."
"I know that. What do you want?"
"Is this a bad time? If it is, I can call back."
"No, it's fine. I just got home from work is all," Miyuki explained, as she pulled off her shoes. "What's up?"
"It's about Hazuki. Since everyone else was busy, I ended up bringing her on vacation with me, and well…" Tedachi said, trying to figure out how to explain the issue.
"Is she being annoying?"
"Not so much annoying, as clingy. She hasn't left me alone since we arrived and…Akito's mad. Really mad."
"Wait a minute, you took Hazuki on vacation with you and your girlfriend?"
"It's not just me and her, a good handful of the family is here too."
"Oh."
"Anyway, Akito screamed at me earlier…She said I wasn't doing anything but placating Hazuki and…"
"Well, you are," Miyuki interrupted. "You have been since we were kids. I know that you don't have a problem with her real personality, but you know that other people do, and…Even though you say you want her to learn how to show it, I think that, deep down, you also want to protect her. She's like a little sister to you and you don't want her to get hurt. It's understandable. I feel the same way about you. But, on the other hand, you also have to realise that you can't protect her from everything. And that, sometimes, people have to get hurt to learn. Then, there's the other part of you that really just doesn't want to deal with her outbursts sometimes and that's okay too. None of us really like dealing with them."
"I guess you're right…I think I just fell into a rut, you know? I got so used to playing along that…I forgot how to tell her to back off. Especially when it comes to Akito."
"You mentioned she was mad at you…What did you do?"
"I guess I've been ignoring her. Hazuki's been dragging me around so much that…"
"God, you're an idiot!" Miyuki snapped. "I can't believe you even thought for a moment of putting her before your girlfriend! Especially when she was kind enough to invite you on a paid vacation! No wonder she's mad at you! You need to apologise. Like, now. Explain to her what the deal is and apologise. And don't call back until you do!" She declared as she hung up.
'She's right. More than right actually…Is that a thing? Dammit! Look at me! I'm so wrapped up in this I can't think straight…Except about one thing. Akito. I need to talk to her,' Tedachi thought, flipping his phone closed as he made his way up the stairs to his room, only to find that she had gone to bed early.
'She looks pained…even in sleep…' He thought as he gently moved a strand of hair out of her face, frowning when he felt the faintest hint of a tear stain. 'And she's been crying. Dammit…What did I do?' He sighed as he moved across the room to change before climbing into bed and forcing himself into a sleep that only lasted a few hours. Around two in the morning, he found himself fully awake and thoroughly aggravated as Miyuki and Akito's words came back to him. With a sigh, he sat up, raising an eyebrow when he finally noticed the empty spot next to him.
"What the…? Where did she wander off to?" Tedachi asked himself aloud as he got up, and decided to head downstairs, his question being answered when he found her on the sofa, absentmindedly flipping channels on the TV.
'I guess it's understandable that there's nothing on…It is really late. But still…You think something would be able to catch my attention for more than two seconds…' Akito thought as she pressed yet another button, looking up when she felt a presence over her.
"Akito?" Tedachi asked.
"What do you want?" She asked with a scowl as he took a seat on the opposite side of the sofa.
"We need to talk."
"No, we don't. I have nothing to say to you."
"Okay then. Let me rephrase, I have to talk," He said, gently placing his hand over the one that held the remote. "And you're going to listen," He insisted as he removed the device from her grasp and turned off the television, taking in a breath as he set it down. "I'm sorry. For everything. I would say that I shouldn't have brought Hazuki in the first place…But we didn't really have a choice in that matter."
"That doesn't mean…" Akito cut it.
"…I can turn all my attention on her," He continued. "I know. And I'm sorry that I did. It's just…She's been in love with me since we were kids, and I guess that, because it's been so long…I fell into a rut. She never listened when I told her to back off, so I just got used to her affections. I was forced to, actually. Whenever I rebuffed her, she threw a fit and it got to a point where I just got sick of dealing with her outburst so…I let her drag me around to places and goad me into doing things for her just to keep her quiet. To hide that petty, angry side that she's always held deep inside. I know I say that I want other people to actually see that side and get to know her for who she really is but…I've never helped her with that. Standing back and observing is just making it worse. All I've been doing since we were children is protecting her. I guess that, deep down inside, I just didn't want her to end up hurt. I mean, I've never had a problem with her personality…But I know that other people do, and that upset me as a kid. I was her only real friend…Anyway, I'm not telling you all this to try and get out of what I did, I just thought it might help if you knew what was going on."
"It makes sense," Akito shrugged. "But, it's not good for either of you. I spent a lot of time…Being just like her. People did what I said just so they wouldn't have to deal with me…And looking back on it. It was horrible. A lot happened, and through it, I started to realise that holding onto people like that only hurts you in the end. But, sometimes you…"
"….Need to get hurt to learn?"
"Right."
"Well, despite that, it doesn't justify how I treated you. I should have set more limits with her. After you screamed at me, all I could think about was how you must have felt. I asked myself, how I would feel if someone I loved basically pretended I didn't exist and blew me off for someone else, even a family member. I can't imagine how you must have felt the other night when I rejected you to go out with her…I realised too late that, you weren't really okay with it at all. You were just saying that to not start a fight. And that's not fair. You shouldn't ever have to feel like you need to hide your feelings from me. Anyway…In all of this, I just wanted to say that I'm sorry. There's no excuse for the way I treated you. I was being a jerk and you don't deserve that. I know I can't take back what I did…But, I was hoping that, maybe…We could start over," He said, gently picking up her hand, and placing a light kiss on the back. "Let me give you the romantic holiday you deserve…Within reason of course. There are still other people here."
"I'll accept on one condition," Akito said.
"Anything."
"You need to set her straight as soon as possible. Because if she gets in the way again, there will be blood."
"Duly noted," He replied, a brief silence falling until he said, "So…You mentioned being upset that I haven't kissed you…And I want to remedy that."
Akito didn't reply, instead she waited while he shifted and moved to hover over her on her side of the sofa, not waiting for any sort of cue as he pressed his lips to hers, internally smiling as she shifted under him, tangled a hand in his hair and forcefully deepened the kiss.
"One more thing," He said when they finally broke, leaning over to whisper in her ear, "I love you. And I'm sorry I forgot to tell you so."
She replied by pulling him up by his hair and kissing him passionately, moaning as he easily took control of that kiss and the next one, giving a moan of his own as she arched against him. While he distracted her with yet another kiss, his hand slipped down to pull at the tie on the blue satin robe she was wearing.
"We…Can't…" She gasped as she felt the fabric slip down her shoulders, soon losing her train of thought as his teeth grazed her neck, his hand playing with one of the straps on the slip she had been sleeping in.
"Why not?" Tedachi teased, capturing her lips again as he moved his hand to rest on one of her breasts.
"Not…Here…I mean…Someone might…" Akito gasped, biting her lip to hold in another moan when he found her pulse point.
"Good point…" He muttered as he worked up the strength to pull himself away from her, using all of his willpower to not tell her to shut up and simply take her then and there. She was flushed, undoubtedly frustrated and nothing short of sexy in dark blue satin and lace. Instead, he simply swallowed his own desires for the moment and stood, not giving her a chance to sit up before sweeping her up into his arms. "Come on, Gorgeous. We've got a lot of making up to do."
A few hours later, as the clock struck seven, Hazuki happily entered the kitchen with plans in mind and went about going through a list of various restaurants in her head as she contemplated breakfast choices, turning from her place at the fridge at the sound of footsteps.
"Tedachi!" She smiled. "I was just about to come get you! You did promise me breakfast, after all!"
"Yeah…About that…We're not going out to breakfast," He said as he leaned against one of the counters.
"Why not? You've never…Wait a minute…Are you feeling okay?" Hazuki asked as she stalked over. "You look…flushed. I hope you don't have…" She started as she moved to place a hand on his head, stopping when she caught a familiar scent, one that she had only smelled twice before, both times being when the women had bathed together. 'Pomegranate…There's only one person in this house using that body wash…And it's not him…' She thought as she furrowed her brow. "You smell like her," She declared. "And sex…"
"Hazuki…" He said, reaching for her as she looked up at him, pure anger in her eyes.
"That little tramp! I'll kill her!" She practically shouted.
"No, you won't," Tedachi snapped, quickly capturing her hands in his. "In fact, you're going to leave her alone."
"But she…"
"…Is my girlfriend. She invited mehere so we could spend time together. And that's exactly what I plan on doing from this point forward. You are not to get in the way anymore. When I have extra time, I'll let you know, but until then, back off."
"But…You already promised me that today…"
"We're here for another week and a half, and then you have the whole summer with me. There will be plenty of time for us to go out. But, for now, I have to be careful with my money. Akito and I are going out tonight."
"We are?" Akito asked as she stepped into the room.
He nodded. "To make up for the other night, we're going out to a nice dinner. So, you better go dig that little black dress back out."
She simply shook her head at him. "I love you."
"And I hate you," Hazuki snapped as she stepped up and looked Akito straight in the face. "Do not think you've won though…I…" She trailed off as she let her eyes fall down and roam the other woman's body. 'There's no way…There's no fucking way...' She thought as she pulled at the sash on her robe, watching as if fell open and slid down one of her shoulders, revealing the short slip underneath.
"Hey!" Akito snapped, noting how she was ignored as Hazuki gasped.
"Th…That…That's from Polaris' Black Label Collection! It was released last fall….I wanted one, but didn't get a chance to even look…But you…" She said, quickly shaking it off. "It's a crime you know, to see something so elegant and beautiful hanging off of a pathetic body like yours." At that, she turned her nose up and left.
'I'm seriously going to slap her…' Akito thought, looking up when Tedachi spoke.
"She's right about one thing. It is a crime for you to be wearing that," He said, backing her up against the counter. "It covers you up too much."
Akito found herself at a loss for words as he kissed her, all of her going hot as she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling back at the sound of another voice.
"So, the lovers' spat is over," Shima declared as she sauntered in.
"Shima, how long have you been standing there?!" Akito asked.
"Long enough. I couldn't find a decent time to come in is all."
'No, you're just a pervert. You and your brother both,' Tedachi thought with a raised eyebrow as Akito pulled at his wrist and led him back towards the stairs. "Where are we going?" He teased.
"Can you do me a favour?" She asked.
"Um…Sure?"
"Stop talking," She ordered, letting out a startled, uncharacteristic squeal as he swept her up.
"But then I couldn't tell you how beautiful you are. Or how much I want you. Or…" He said, getting cut off as she kissed him and then smirked as she realised that at least for now, she had won.