Chapter Twelve: Hawaiian Christmas
Part Three
The waves roared as they came rolling inland to crash across the sand. Seagulls, the rats of the sky, were calling to one another as they sought out the sweet little crabs hidden in the water washed beach. This is amazing. The private beach attached to the Asahina condo was impressive with tidal pools to the north and grottos to the south. Here the sand was fine, soft, against the skin and a bright white. It was almost blinding really. A soft breeze rolled all around me bringing with it the smell of ocean salt. The water foaming at the edges rolled up the beach and I stopped letting the warm water roll over my bare feet.
Sleep had been elusive, again, last night and my leg wasn't helping matters. It'd gained a pretty shade of purple and black and seemed to be prone to spreading like a plague pattern in spots and blotches. When I tried to drain it though nothing came out so at least it wasn't internal bleeding. I could walk and feel so I figured I was safe for the most part. Nothing big to worry about. The waves receded to start their process all over again.
In a place like this it was amazing how life's problems seemed so small and its blessings so great. I was officially an Asahina. No longer was I a Thomason. I turned my face skywards; eyes closed, and drank in the sun. I would never have to go back to that life. Here, in the company of my brothers, I would be safe and loved. Loved. The idea sent shivers through me in both terrifying and pleasant ways. The fact that all the brothers seemed to have crush on me wasn't as thrilling as one would imagine. It was confusing and terrifying really because of several reasons but the first and utmost was the most obvious.
What would making an open choice do to the brothers?
I dropped my face down, opened my eyes, and started walking again. Would it start fights? It would definitely hurt feelings. But what about my happiness? There was someone I'd definitely loved, differently, than the others but…..Shaking my head I sighed and let the water roll over my feet again. As it did a second wave rolled in soaking my pants up to the knees. Looking out to the ocean I admired the crystal clear waves.
"A little early for a walk."
I looked over towards the condo to see Kaname approaching.
"Good morning Kaname." I smiled.
The wind ruffled his blonde hair and his open checkered shirt as he made his way to me. Talk about a walking stud commercial. I looked away as he came to stand next to me.
"Why're you out here all by yourself?" he asked softly.
I shrugged, "I was up early and didn't want to wake anyone else up so I just went on a walk."
We walked side by side and I realized just how much taller he was than me.
"It's dangerous to be out here alone."
Looking up at him a frowned, "Really? I'm not going to drown on land."
He laughed, coloring his eyes with light, but said, "Rogue waves have been known to hit this strip of beach. That's why the cliffs by the house are so steep."
Kaname pointed back to the condo and I followed his finger. The cliffs that buffered the condo from the beach were indeed steep.
"Oh. I hadn't thought of that." I admitted blankly, "But you're here so I'll be fine, right?"
He looked down at me and smiled.
"Unless you don't want to walk. I can always head back-"
"No. This is fine." He hummed and stared ahead.
For a long time we slowly walked in silence scattering gulls away as we passed. It was pretty cool to have a private beach but it also seemed really lonely.
"It's really cool being an Asahina." I finally commented breaking the silence.
He smirked, "You've always been an Asahina where it counts."
"Oh? I remember your mom saying I was a little ball of trouble." I reminded him.
Kaname laughed and it was a hearty sound, "Exactly! You fit right in!"
A warm laugh bubbled up from the pit of my stomach and came out my mouth. It felt wonderful. Ahead I could see rock breeching the frothing waves and the gulls seemed really interested in it. I looked back to the condo.
"Was anyone up when you got up?"
He shook his head, "No. The lazy bunch."
"Well-"I shrugged, "we were up rather late last night."
After decorating the tree and my wonderful Christmas present we'd stayed up until two watching cheesy black and white horror movies. So I imagined the guys would be down for a while.
I pointed ahead, "Can we check that spot out? Or are you tired? I can always go back if you don't want me on the beach by myself." I offered.
He smiled a lopsided smile making his warm bourbon eyes glisten, "I'm fine. I'd like to check out the tide pools with you though."
I smiled. The gulls cried and the waves crashed at our feet. As we walked I looked back behind us and saw our footprints in the sand, Kaname's made mine look like a child's, and then the water washed it away.
"Cael?"
"How's everything going at the temple by the way?" I asked looking ahead and continuing on.
Kaname casually jammed his hands in the pockets of his slacks, "Good. Lots of practice with prayers and lots of people to pray for."
As we drew closer I could see the tide pools were dark colored rocks riddled with tiny pockets, covered in seaweed and green algae, and scrambling with crabs. That explained the gulls.
"Do you pray?" he asked slowly.
I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye as I lifted my chin, "Are you asking if I pray or if I believe there's Someone to pray to?"
He smiled with a soft snort, "Clever. Both I guess."
We reached the tide pools and as I looked back I realized coming around the corner of the cliff we were obstructed from view of the condo. My pants were soaked up to my knees so I rolled them up and squished my foot into some green algae.
"I believe there's Someone bigger than myself, Someone responsible for everything, but I guess I don't really pray."
Kaname stepped up onto a ledge avoiding the slime with his bare feet and offering me his hand.
"Prayer can move mountains." He replied helping me up onto the ledge.
The breeze that had been rolling across the beach suddenly turned into a gust nearly knocking us from the ledge. Kaname wrapped his arms around me, holding me tight, to steady me. Slowly I pushed away feeling my face flush.
"Or the energy you put into praying you could just put into the mountain."
"Touché."
From the ledge I stepped into another pile of sludge feeling it squish between my toes and scrambled up the side to the top of the tide pool.
"How can you stick your feet in that stuff?" Kaname grimaced sticking his tongue out.
Laughing I leaned forward and offered him a hand up, "Because why not!"
Shaking his head he made his way through the sludge to stand next to me. The top of the tide pools had deep digs, hidden little caves for sea creatures, and spitting mussels. The gulls quickly scattered at our arrival floating skywards to drift lazily on the gusts. Taking the lead I walked across the bumpy surface, feeling its grit tear into my feet, and knelt down at the edge of the nearest pool.
"Kaname! Come look!" I called excitedly.
"What is it?" he asked kneeling down next to me.
Reaching into the pool I scooped up the brightly colored baby octopus. My skin crawled in a weird way feeling its suction cups hooking and unhooking across my palms.
"Cael!" Kaname barked, "That could be dangerous! Put it back!"
I chuckled as I held it up to him, "That's only the blue ringed ones. The worst this one could do is ink me. Go ahead. Pet it."
"It's not a dog." He frowned.
"Come on."
I watched as he reached out with a gentle finger and pet the creatures head. Quickly it squirmed across my hand and dropped back down into the deep pool. Looking down I watched as it hid away in a crack to wait for high tide. A bright red starfish was slowly making its way across the sand while tiny bugs skimmed across the surface. Spotting a bright blue and green baby crab I stuck my hand in the water and he raised his claws then he pinched my thumb.
"Ow!" lifting my hand he was still holding on, "Cheeky little bastard."
The crab gurgled before I set him back down in the water and he let me go.
"I have to ask." Kaname sighed.
Quickly I stood making my way to the next tide pool. Here there were living sea dollars and purple pokey batches.
"What's that?" I asked gazing down into the pool.
Its water surged with the waves even though there was no incoming water from the top. Looking out to the ocean I realized it must be fed underground somehow.
"Why didn't you ask for help?"
I knew what he meant and the subject made me feel heavy.
Kneeling down I stirred the water with my finger, "I didn't need help."
I could already feel Kaname's glare cutting into my back. Flicking off the water I stood again as my legs started to burn profusely.
"Really." I looked back at him, "Granted dad was a drunk and lazy but he never touched me until that night. The bills were always paid, somehow, and there was always food-"
"Listen to what you're saying!?" Kaname snapped deeply, "You sound like an abused house wife."
I closed my eyes. It was true. I know how I sounded, how stupid the reasoning was, but I couldn't really make up anything else. Suddenly I was grabbed at the shoulders and when I opened my eyes I found Kaname looming over me like a tall tree.
"Tell the truth." He urged.
I balked, "What does it matter?!" pushing his grip aside, "It's all done and over with, isn't it? I'm an Asahina. I don't have to have that life anymore."
Kaname grabbed my shoulder and spun me about face forcefully, "It does matter!" his deep voice rumbled through me nearly shaking my bones apart, "When it's the woman I love."
"Wh-Love-?!"
Bowing down he locked lips with me. His big hands held my shoulders tenderly, his thumbs rubbing circles across my goose bumping skin, but his lips were hot. They moved subtly against mine coaxing them open slightly and I felt his hot breath roll across my bottom lip. I shivered.
"I-"I murmured into his mouth, "didn't want to force an obligation."
His bourbon eyes watched me intently as he pulled away slightly, a breaths distance between our parted lips, and said, "A man's greatest honor is to protect his love."
He closed the distance with force, his hands releasing my shoulders, and wrapping me up in his strong arms. His tongue dove deep, grazing my lips, finding entrance into my mouth only to be greedy and over take me. My knees wobbled, going weak instantly, at the sound of a feral growl rumbling down in Kaname's flat chest. But he supported me deepening the kiss making my toes curl against the rock. My lungs burned for air as our tongues mingled and I was suddenly back in myself.
I pushed away, "Kaname!" I panted holding him at arm's length.
We stared into each other's eyes and that's when I saw a flame there I'd never seen before.
"W-we….."I tried to catch my breath with my thoughts, "Y-You're a monk! You can't be doing this kind of stuff!"
He grabbed my hand and slid it over his heart. I could feel it pulse and beat and race like crazy under my touch.
"I'd give it all up for you. To protect you, to keep you, to love you nothing would be too big a sacrifice."
Blushing from the tips of my ears to the bottoms of my feet I shook my head violently.
"Nononononononono! You don't know what your saying Kaname!"
