Chapter Eleven:
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Sora and Leon lingered at the Aquarium until closing. As they disembarked the train at Shibuya Station, they walked down the busy streets of Tokyo. Huge video screens lit up with bright, flashing lights and one advertised for the festival in Kyoto with clips of the parade.
"Where exactly are we going?" Leon asked. They walked past several pachinko parlors crowded with hopeful players. "I didn't realize gambling was quite so popular here."
"Almost as popular as karaoke," Sora answered. "And I'm taking you to the flea market. They have good prices and I want to find you a suitable yukata."
"A what?" Leon's nimble reflexes helped him avoid a harried mother with a one baby on her hip and two toddlers on harness leashes running in front of her.
"It's the traditional clothing for a summer festival." Sora smiled up at him and the world narrowed down to her rich, caramel eyes. "You'll look even more handsome than Sanada Nobuyuki."
"Is he another rival for your affections?"
Sora laughed. "Hardly. He's one of Japan's heroes. He was romanticized for a video game to be tall, white-haired, with pale eyes, and of course very handsome." Sora smiled wistfully. "Though, he was supposedly quite handsome in real life and married a princess. If you're looking for a Japanese fairy tale, it would be their story."
From their left, a man on a bicycle raced towards them. Leon flung his arm in front of Sora, grateful for any excuse to touch her, and to keep her from stepping off the curb and running into the cyclist. "Sounds too good to be true."
"It wasn't all good, he and his brother were on opposite sides of the war," Sora admitted. "And his wife died in her late forties, while he lived into his nineties."
Leon frowned. He'd hate to fall in love, marry, and then live half a century beyond his spouse. It sounded like a cruel fate. "They say it is better to have loved and lost, than to have never loved at all."
Sora shook her head sadly. "After the losses we've both suffered, you and I both know better than that. You can't miss what you don't know." Sora pointed towards an outside market full of colorful booths. "That is our destination."
Once again, Leon was surprised by Sora. She always tried to radiate the positive energy of an overly optimistic woman. When he was reminded of her losses and pain, it was hard to reconcile a traumatized Sora with the bubbly, warm-hearted woman he knew. Knowing the pain she suffered and yet her perseverance attracted Leon to her even more, like a moth to her flame.
Sora began to riffle through the outfits on one of the racks. "Here," Sora said, holding up a long, dark blue dress-like clothing towards Leon.
"Here what?"
Sora held the outfit up to his chest and scanned her eyes up and down. "This will look good with your coloring."
"This is a dress," Leon deadpanned.
"It's more like a robe," Sora argued. She waved over the merchant. He was a lean, middle-aged man wearing a dark gray yukata. "See? It's quite masculine."
Leon arched an eyebrow as he stared between the blue dress in Sora's hands and at the merchant. "I'm not so sure about that."
"I see your friend doesn't respect the yukata," the merchant said with frown.
"I meant no offense, monsieur," Leon answered. "I've just never seen anything like this."
"Ah, you're a Frenchman!" The merchant snatched the blue yukata out of Sora's hands. "This is no good for him." He began to shuffle through the racks of yukatas until he held one made of black material with a silver tiger embroidered on it. "This is more appropriate for the somber, young man."
It did look more akin to robes rather a dress. The tiger added a rather ferocious touch to it. Leon flicked his eyes towards Sora and caught the smile tugging on her lips. He did want to please her and if that involved wearing robes in public, he'd give it a try.
"And maybe something in lavender for me," Sora said.
The merchant held up one finger. "I have just the one." He shifted through the women's yukatas and pulled out a white yukata with lavender and rose colored blossoms, the latter of which matched Sora's hair perfectly.
Half an hour later, the merchant was very pleased and Leon's wallet was a bit lighter.
"That was very generous, Leon," Sora said. She leaned her cheek against his arm as they waited for the pedestrian light to change.
"What's that?" Leon pointed towards a building across the street called Eye Candy Tokyo.
Sora followed his finger. It was a pole dancing and aerial silks studio. "Leon! We can practice silks here!" She grabbed his hand and started to pull him towards the studio.
"We'll speak with the instructor before making any plans just yet," Leon advised. Though, if it was a suitable studio for aerial silks they would possibly be able to linger in Japan for a while longer, even after Yume's birthday. "For now, we need to return to your family. I've been monopolizing most of your time. We can come by the studio after we return from Kyoto."
Sora looked ready to protest, but then she pressed her lips together and nodded tightly in agreement.
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OoO
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Sora stretched out on her old bed, enjoying how the pillow smelled like Leon's shampoo, while Leon took his shower. Two weeks had passed since she and Leon had their impromptu Aquarium date. Between their workouts, dance routine, and silk classes they spent most waking hours in each other's company. She had been afraid that they might get on each other's nerves, but so far, it had simply been pleasant and comfortable. And yet, whenever his hand touched hers or his lips brushed against her, she felt a thrill of electricity. When they danced, they were in such perfect sync and their actions harmonious.
She had her laptop balanced on her stomach and logged back into Skype. Earlier, her father had recorded her and Leon's dance routine and then Leon had emailed it to Jacques and Marie.
They spent the previous half hour skyping with the Beaucamps as they critiqued their dance and made suggestions for improvements.
Leon claimed the bathroom first and Sora took the opportunity to speak with Layla.
"How are you doing?" Sora asked. Layla's blond hair was pulled back into a high ponytail and she wore a dark red leotard. "You've been practicing."
Layla smiled, her eyes crinkled at the corners in her sincerity. "I'm back at the circus."
"Kaleido Stage?" Sora asked, shocked. "What happened to New York?"
"That show was a disaster," Layla snorted. "I thought I'd come back to California and give the circus another go before having my agent set up some auditions with Hollywood." She leaned forward eagerly. "Yuri is with me. We're working with Kalos to write the choreography of a new show. You remember Alice in Wonderland?"
"You mean the performance that inspired both of us to join the circus?" Sora laughed. She sat up straight, crossing her legs and propping the computer on her lap. "Of course I remember it!"
"We're working on a show for Into the Looking Glass," Layla explained. "We're going the route Hollywood did."
"Where Alice and the Mad Hatter are in love?" Sora smiled. She enjoyed that twist in the movie a few years before. It added an entirely new dynamic to the story. "That sounds romantic."
"It is," Layla sighed. "I'm getting too old to continue with the acrobatics for long, but if I can contribute to the choreography of a long-running show and work in Hollywood again — I think I'll be satisfied. Daddy should be proud."
Sora smiled at Layla and didn't argue. Layla continued to talk about all her plans and her goals. Sora felt sorry for her friend. No matter how much talent Layla possessed, she would never be satisfied so long as she lived to please her father.
"Oh, um, I'm not sure how to tell you this," Layla continued. She ran her fingers over her hair nervously.
"Just say it," Sora said.
"May and Ken have started to date."
Sora was speechless. She'd only been gone for a few weeks and Ken had already moved on. She shouldn't have been upset. Ken was her friend, but she'd grown accustomed to his crush. "Does she like him?"
"I think so," Layla answered with a frown. "Why would you ask that?"
She was rivals with May, but surely, May wouldn't take the rivalry so far as to steal away Ken. Though, Ken was never Sora's, so she shouldn't be too upset. "I hope they're happy together."
"They seem to be," Layla mused. She shook her head. "How is training for the exhibition going?"
"We're working on it," Sora answered. "Leon has been both patient and creative."
Layla looked over her shoulder and then leaned close to the computer screen. "I need to warn you. While I don't plan to participate in the exhibition, Yuri does. May asked to be his partner. She wants to challenge you and prove to Leon that he made a mistake dismissing her."
"She's a talented acrobat, but she doesn't have the same chemistry with Leon," Sora murmured. "The exhibition isn't supposed to be a competition. Leon explained that it's to draw attention to the craft and encourage people."
"Sure, it does that, but be serious, Sora. Everything is a competition." Layla leaned away from the computer's screen and looked over her shoulder. "I'll be right there, Yuri!" She turned back to Sora. "I've got to go. We'll talk again soon, okay?"
"Of course," Sora said. "Good luck! Let me know when the first performance is and we'll try to make it."
Layla grinned at her once more and then logged off. Sora stared at the computer screen for a few moments before closing the laptop and setting it on the desk. She returned to the bed, laid back, and stared up at the ceiling.
A minute later, the shower's water turned off and Leon entered the room with a towel wrapped snugly at his waist, his long hair a pale waterfall down his back. He nudged her bare foot with his knee. "Either you need to scoot over, or we're about to get very friendly, Sora."
Sora grinned at him and then scooted over to make room for him. Leon laid down beside her, his hip touching hers and his wet hair dampening the shoulder of her t-shirt. "I just talked to Layla. She and Yuri are at Kaleido Stage working on a performance for Into the Looking Glass."
"Oh yeah?" Leon turned on his side and began to trace his finger from her chin, down her neck, to her collarbone.
"And Yuri and May are teaming up for the International Exhibition."
Leon's hand paused before it continued its path down her shoulder, then her arm, and finally her hand. He traced idle circles in her palm. "At least you'll know some of the other participants."
"I didn't want it be a competition," Sora sighed.
Leon repositioned himself so that he now hovered over her, his arms braced on either side of her, his long hair a wet tangle as it brushed against her throat. "Sora, life is a competition. Friendly rivalries are part of what strive you to become better."
"May is trying to win you back," Sora whispered.
Leon chuckled and then nuzzled his lips in the junction between Sora's neck and ear. "As if anyone could take me away from you, Sora."
"Maybe we should read a few plays and see if one inspires us. I'd like to do a new performance when we return to Kaleido Stage. Layla and Yuri are choreographing the current show. That might be fun for us as well," Sora suggested.
"It sounds to me like your rivalry with Layla is inspiring ideas," Leon teased. He pressed a chaste kiss to her lips and then flopped over onto his side next to Sora. He ran his fingers through her hair absently. "I always liked Phantom of the Opera. I could be the Phantom and you could be my Christine. It takes place in my hometown of Paris."
"I'm pretty partial to the story of Rapunzel." Sora's arms looped around Leon's neck and she began to play with his long, silky hair. "It's my favorite of the Grimm's Fairy Tales. It actually has a happy ending!"
"Don't forget Beauty and the Beast," Leon added. He growled playfully and started to tickle Sora mercilessly. Her laughter came bubbling out and he quickly slashed his mouth across hers to stifle the sound.
When things began to heat up, Leon wrapped his arms securely around Sora and held her against him, her back pressed to his front. He didn't want to rush things, and while Sora appreciated his chivalry — she was getting tired of him treating her like she was fragile.
"I'm a grown woman," Sora grumbled.
"Oh, I know it," Leon murmured, pressing a playful kiss to the side of her neck.
"Then you can stop coddling me. I can only take so much of your teasing, Leon." Sora took a deep breath and tried to calm her rapidly beating heart.
"I know," Leon repeated. "Sora, I care for you more than anyone. I will not take advantage of your family's hospitality by seducing their daughter."
Sora squirmed out of Leon's grasp and was mildly satisfied by his groan of discomfort. She stood on the floor and glared down at him on the bed. The towel had slipped further down his waist, showing those fine silvery hairs that trailed down from his belly button. She wanted to run her tongue down that line and see exactly what lay hidden beneath the towel. "I'll be in my bed then, alone." She turned on her heel and stormed out of the room.
"Sora," Leon moaned. "You can be so cruel."
"Good night, Leon. Make sure you're ready to leave early tomorrow morning. It's a long train ride to Kyoto."
She felt a certain satisfaction when a few minutes later she could hear the shower running again. No doubt this time for a cold shower. "Serves him right," she muttered to the sleeping form of her infant sister.
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