Chapter 13 ~ Mixed Feelings

Kabuto´s P.O.V

When the sun shone through my window the next morning, I blinked a few times and yawned sleepily, since I couldn´t remember that I slept even a second last night. I couldn´t stop thinking about what happened, about that kiss and how my heart, or more my whole body reacted to it. This feeling was something totally new to me, but I knew what it meant and it concerned me very much. Even if I feel like this towards her, I can´t let it happen, I still have my plans and everything, so sooner or later I´ll leave her and would hurt her…

With a silent sigh leaving my lips, I stood up and started dressing myself in my attire, while I thought that it was for the best if I´d leave as soon as possible. Beside, I´m not even sure if she wants to see me after yesterday…

When I had packed my things together, I walked quietly through the small corridor and down the stairs, where I peeked into the kitchen and the living room to check if she might have been awake already, but she wasn´t. Well, I guess that means I´ll leave now…

Hotaru´s P.O.V

In desperation I laid on my belly, with my face buried into my soft pillow, while I still couldn´t believe that this really had happened just a few hours ago. Still, I couldn´t find myself regretting it, not the tiniest bit, since his lips on mine felt just too good and the feeling I felt was just breathtaking. But I can´t believe he actually feels the same than I… or maybe he does?

It was a bit complicated to say, since he was an unpredictable person and you could barely say how he felt or what he felt. Grrr, that´s really making me go crazy, but I don´t know if it´s very smart to ask him just like that…

All of a sudden I heard a noise and heaved my head up, just to realize that it was most likely Kabuto, who walked quietly down the stairs, as it suddenly hit me. R- Right, he has to go back to the Academy today, damn it!

As fast as I could I jumped up from my bed and headed downstairs, while I hoped that he didn´t go already. I just have to know!

Kabuto´s P.O.V

My hand laid already on the doorknob, but I hesitated as I thought that I should at least say goodbye to her. It´s the least I could do, I guess…

Before I could turn around and go back, I heard heavy footsteps from above and how they came in a fast pace closer, while somebody called:

"K- Kabuto wait!"

Just in an instant she stood in front of me, but I blushed furiously and stuttered:

"H- Ho- Hotaru y- you-"

A bit questioning she gazed at me, but only until she seemed to realize what I meant and reddened madly as well, while I tried to shift my gaze away from her half-naked body, since she was just wearing panties and a bra. Oh god…

Embarrassed she grabbed a long coat from the wardrobe, which was way too wide for her but she didn´t seem to mind and took it on, wherefore I looked at her again and said:

"I- I have to go back to the Academy…"

Nodding she replied:

"I know, b- but before you go I need to know something from you!"

Though I knew what it probably would be she wanted to know, I asked:

"What?"

She took a deep breath, before she continued:

"W- What kind of relationship do we have now? I mean are we still friends and say this never happened or- are we more than that?"

I bowed my head slightly and responded:

"I don´t know, it´s complicated you know…"

Her violet orbs glanced at me, before she sighed quietly and said:

"I see…"

Silently I added:

"I like you Hotaru, I really do, but I don´t think something like this would work between us…"

My heart was aching badly as those words came out of my mouth, but I knew I´d hurt her even more if I´d make her any hopes, though I had to convince myself as well that there would never be something like this between us. She smiled sadly and replied:

"It´s fine, I knew that from the very beginning so it´s okay… but we´re still friends, right?"

Lightly smiling I nodded, while I said:

"Of course we are…"

She gave me a short hug, before I opened the door and wanted to leave, but instead I bumped against somebody and gazed in bewilderment up, just to see that Ichigo and Rukia had obviously returned.

"Oh Kabuto, what a pleasure to see you!"

Exclaimed Rukia smiling, while I returned the smile and replied:

"Yes, it´s also nice to see you two again, but unfortunately am I on my way back to the Academy…"

Both of them seemed a bit disappointed, but Rukia just said:

"Well, then maybe the next time you can tell us about your Academy time-"

All of a sudden I saw how Ichigo eyed Hotaru a bit perplex, and asked then with a tint of confusion in his voice:

"Why are you wearing my coat Hotaru?"

Her face reddened slightly and she stuttered a bit nervously:

"U- Uhm, y- you know it- it was cold a- and there was nothing else to wear…"

I felt my face heating up as well, not only because the picture of her nice looking body came back into my mind, but also because we´d be in trouble if her parents would see that she was actually half-naked underneath the black coat.

Hotaru obviously thought the same and said hastily:

"I- I´ll go back into my room, I´ll see you later and have fun at the Academy Kabuto, goodbye!"

And with this she went quickly upstairs, leaving her parents with a some kind of dumbfounded look, while I also went outside and called:

"Well, I have to go, see you next time!"

Ichigo´s P.O.V

Bewildered I glanced at my wife, who seemed as well a bit confused about the sudden departure of both, Kabuto and Hotaru.

"What was that?"

She looked up to me and shrugged, as she suddenly seemed to thought about something and a rather suspicious smile appeared on her lips, making me frown.

"I think I know what is going on…"

Lightly surprised, I asked:

"Really? Then would you mind to explain it to me?"

Her smile turned into a devious smirk, as she replied:

"I believe it´s the best if you find it out yourself you genius…"

Then she walked up a few stairs and continued:

"I´ll talk with our daughter and you, well you can try to clarify things for yourself…"

She winked at me and left, while I glanced after her, but also tried to figure out what was wrong between the two of them. What could´ve happened during our absence when they were alone the whole- Oh hell no!

As it suddenly hit me what could´ve been the reason for their strange behavior, I felt how an anger vein appeared on my head. I- I´ll kill him if he touched my daughter…