Author's Note: So glad to know that so many of you are still reading this story. Your comments for the fluffy intermission were so kawaii, not to mention, greatly appreciated!
-
Chapter 17: Rain and Anniversaries! Rabid Fan Girls! And The Meaning of Mortality, Oh My!
-
It hadn't stopped raining since the night Mayura had made her request for him to remain with her…
Loki was currently standing in front of the window of his study watching the rain stream down. It was currently 2:55 p.m. and Mayura was now an hour late, he turned when he heard the door push open and looked toward Fenrir.
"Daddy!" exclaimed Fenrir before launching himself into Loki's arms.
Loki caught his son and held him out at arms length with a smile, as he continued, "Daddy, can we still go for our walk?"
Loki couldn't help but sweatdrop, he wasn't a real fan of the rain mind you, but an umbrella would suffice…he guessed…
-
Narugami let out a sigh, business had really slowed down at the café that he had just started at. The rain was really getting to people, it hadn't stopped raining for almost a week and he was getting rather tired of trying to dry out his shoes and socks while attempting to pay the bills.
He was currently standing under the awning of the café, watching as the rain continued to pour down when the sight of the trickster Kami and his son caught his attention.
"Oi, Loki!"
-
Loki and Fenrir stopped walking as they looked across the street to find Narugami waving at them. They both sighed simultaneously before crossing the street to greet him.
"Another new job, Narukami?" questioned Loki, as he now stood under the awning with his fellow Kami.
"Hai, the bills don't pay themselves, Loki," informed Narugami, he looked down and grinned, "Ohayo fried rice!"
Fenrir rolled his eyes and sweatdropped, "I told you not to call me that!"
"So Loki," began Narugami completely ignoring Fenrir's outburst as he shifted his attention back to the kami he was addressing, "what are you doing out in the rain?"
"Walking Fenrir of course," replied Loki, with an 'isn't that obvious?' expression. He sweatdropped when he noticed the plastered faces of girls in the café windows before him.
"Oi, I thought that you would be looking for Daidouji," commented Narugami with a shrug of his shoulders, "She was heading down the street with a bouquet of flowers."
Loki arched an eyebrow, "Did she run into Freyr or something?"
"Not that I know of; we walked together after school and she went into the flower shop before we parted ways, said something about having to keep a promise."
-
Loki and Fenrir had resumed walking after leaving Narugami; Loki, however, had many questions as to what kind of a promise involved flowers.
"Daddy…"
Loki looked up from his thoughts to find that his son had stopped walking and blinked, "Hai, Fenrir?"
"It's the Mystery Girl," he informed as he motioned toward their surroundings.
Loki looked over to where his son's attention was and the first thing he saw was her pink pony tail.
-
"Ne," whispered Mayura, "I promised that I would come," she smiled, leaning down while holding her umbrella in left hand as he reached out with her left and set the flowers down on the ground before her, running her fingers over the carved letters.
Loki and Fenrir now stood perfectly still a little ways behind her. Loki had already opened his mouth to question her but had then closed it, when he saw the stone before her and watched her trace the letters that read 'Daidouji'.
Her pony tail fell over her left shoulder and she couldn't help but smile, "I'll come again to see you next year mama…"
Loki could feel his breath hitch, she had voiced what he had already confirmed, that they were now standing before her mother's grave; today just so happened to be the anniversary of her death, the day that she had left Mayura behind…
The rain dripped from the ends of her umbrella as she stood up and gave the grave and the flowers before it one more look, "Mou…another year gone already…" she whispered, her eyes closed in a silent prayer before she turned to leave.
Loki's eyes softened when her gaze caught his, "Loki?" she questioned, after regaining her composure, having been startled, she looked down to spot Fenrir who was staring up at her with sad eyes, "And Fenrir too?"
"Gomen Mayura, we were merely passing by and ran into Narukami who informed us that you had a promise to fulfill."
A smile appeared on her face as she motioned toward the flowers on the ground, "Hai, today is the anniversary of mama's death," she informed with regret, but still the smile remained.
"…Mayura…" he said her name so softly that she almost hadn't caught it, as she watched his emerald eyes.
"Mou, Loki…it's alright…I should have told you that I wouldn't be coming today," she explained before looking down to find the black pup now sitting at her feet. "Fenrir…"
He looked up at her expectantly, "Gomen Mystery Girl…" She smiled down at him before bending down and scooping him up with her right arm and holding him close against the front of her jacket to warm him. Fenrir blinked as he was held in her embrace and as he watched her crimson eyes he found himself feeling once again quite comfortable with the mortal.
"Its fine," she informed before turning her attention back toward Loki who was looking at her strangely, "Mou, Loki, are you alright?"
"Hai," he replied, with a smile upon his face, as he watched her standing before him.
He was lying; this she knew, but she decided to let it slide, "Let's get out of the rain and get Fenrir dried off, nothing worse than wet dog."
"Hey, I don't stink!" cried Fenrir as he looked up at her with an annoyed expression.
"Hai, if you say so…" she commented with a grin before leaving the grave and heading toward the gate.
Loki watched as she sauntered past him, with his son in her arm who was currently falling victim to her teasing. His smile faltered as he watched her pony tail sway and heard her laughter as she walked away, her figure becoming smaller as she disappeared from view, knowing that the mortal girl would someday do just that…disappear.
Mortality was a cruel thing in deed—especially to a Kami…
-
Mayura had been true to her word, for it was Saturday evening and she had invited Loki to go to the okonomiyaki restaurant with her. Loki was currently walking along side of his intriguing mortal companion while on their way to the restaurant.
However, nothing ever good can come from an outing with Kakusei Loki…especially not when the city was packed full of hormonal young teenaged girls. Mayura was currently sweatdropping, she could feel their stares boring into her back as she hung her head, her hair falling over her shoulders and shielding her face.
"Mayura, daijobu?" questioned Loki, watching her as she walked with her face hidden from view.
"…Hai…" she whispered, afraid that they would hear her.
"Are you not feeling well?" he continued, reaching his hand forward to place it on her forehead.
Mayura's sweatdrop increased tenfold as she heard the enraged whispers, she could feel them all plotting her death, and Loki's hand on her forehead was just digging the grave a little faster.
"…I'm fine…" she mumbled, was Loki really that dense? Could he not feel their stares even as they turned the corner and heard one of the rabid little minions of the Kakusei Loki fan club take out what must have been a trash can in her path?
Loki removed his hand from her forehead and sighed, "If you say so."
-
Why in Kami's name did they have to get a window seat?! How was anyone supposed to enjoy making an okonomiyaki when they knew that positioned right outside the window— from across the street mind you—was the base of the enemy?!
Mayura sweatdropped as she watched Loki attempted to flip the pathetic looking okonomi—what's it—before them. She couldn't help but grin as she placed her hand over his, which was currently holding the small spatula.
Loki looked up and caught her gaze, noticing that she was thoroughly enjoying his poor attempt at cooking, as she gently moved his hand in hers and flipped the creation onto its other side.
"Mou…Loki…you're not very good at this, are you?" she asked, followed by a small laugh.
Loki smirked, trying to regain his dignity as he whispered, "Kami's don't make okonomiyaki on a daily basis Mayura."
Mayura sweatdropped, "Apparently you don't make much of anything, and now I see why Yamino-san does the cooking."
Loki opened his mouth to protest but she was quick to interrupt, "With the exception of when Yamino-san was out and you made us a snack." She mentally grimaced at what the hell she was forced to sample before finding something edible and then being too much of a coward to get the details of its origins.
They both locked eyes once more, crimson meeting emerald, after having looked down at their still touching hands (insert a large truck rolling by drowning out the sound of their screams from across the street).
Mayura smiled and removed her hand from his, retracting it back toward her side of the table when he took hold of her hand, "Wait."
She arched an eyebrow at him, "Hai?"
"Arigatou for inviting me…"
She couldn't help but smile once more as his eyes softened; she gave his hand a squeeze and then sweatdropped as she looked down at the pitiful oko—what the hell is that—
before each of them took their chopsticks in hand and took a bite.
"…Mou…it's…"
"…Better than it looks…"
Mayura took another piece with her chopsticks, "Hai…" she felt relieved that at least she knew what the ingredients were, "i'll make the next one."
-
They exited the restaurant and were currently on their way toward the café that would supply them with enough sweets for the next week. Mayura must have caught whiff of something evil this way come because she couldn't help but feel as though she were being watched—no better yet, targeted—as she walked along side Loki.
Oh sweet shop PLEASE come into view soon! Walking on the sidewalk only makes you a sitting duck when there are rabid fan girls lurking nearby!
-
Damn the fates! Put next to the window for the second time that night…
"Here…"
Loki looked up to find Mayura holding out a piece of cheese cake on a fork, "Did you poison it?"
Mayura's cheeks puffed out in annoyance, "Mou, if you don't want it…" she shrugged and decided that only entailed more for her as she started to bring her hand back, but blinked when she felt his hand on her wrist.
She arched an eyebrow as she watched him, "I never said that I didn't want it; I only inquired if it were poisoned, you rarely share anything that contains sugar" he commented before eating the piece of cake at the end of her fork, and wiping his mouth with his napkin, followed by the classic smirk.
-
Their evening was coming to an end as they entered the park; this park held two important memories for them. It was in this very park that he had made his decision to stay in her life, and also her confession that she loved and accepted either of his forms.
Mayura was feeling targeted once more, the wolves were definitely at her door now…well…figuratively speaking mind you, for parks have no doors (you get the idea dear readers).
Oh Loki seriously wanted her dead, didn't he?! She could feel her certain death coming closer by the moment as he wrapped his arms around her shoulders and held her close.
"Mou…Don't do that," she nervously informed him, a sweatdrop appearing on her head.
Loki arched an eyebrow, at her statement, "You've never minded before," he informed, with a confused expression appearing.
"...They'll see you…" she whispered, as she nervously looked toward the park gates.
Loki sweatdropped, "Who?" Oh Kami why did he even ask?!
Mayura sweatdropped, "Them," she informed, hoping that he would get the idea, hello they were practically popping up like daisies around them (Ack! points That trashcan moved!).
Loki's sweatdrop was just increasing now, "Aliens?"
Mayura looked up at him like he was the dumbest man in the world! How could someone so kawaii be such a baka?!
Well, yes aliens too…
Not!
She just stared up at him with a sweatdrop of her own growing in disbelief, "…Mou Loki…Mou…" she couldn't bring herself to say anything else, as she hung her head in defeat.
Kakusei Loki: Adorable but needs a lot of work when it comes to understanding women.
-
It was another rainy day, as the clock in his study struck three o'clock. He unconsciously sighed as he looked at the red sofa which was missing its pink haired occupant.
The last time that she hadn't shown up was when he found her at her mother's grave…it had been raining then too…
Loki could hear the telephone ringing from downstairs and then came out of his reverie when he remembered that Yamino had stepped out for the afternoon with Fenrir. He quickly stood up and made his way downstairs to answer the telephone.
"Enjaku Detective—
He was cut short as he heard Narugami on the other line, "Oi, Loki, it's Narugami!"
Loki sweatdropped, holding the phone away from his ear, "Hai, no need to yell."
"Listen, I'm at the hospital…"
Loki arched an eyebrow, "Hospital?"
"Hai," came Narugami's voice from the other end, "I brought Daidouji here."
He couldn't help but sweatdrop, "Did she break something when she bumped into someone on the street?"
"This isn't a joke Loki; I overheard the doctors talking…"
-
…Earlier…
"Oi, Daidouji, you look really tired today," commented Narugami as they both carried their book bags after finishing the last class of the day.
"…Hai…" she began, giving him a small smile, "Cheerleading has started up again and I guess that I haven't been sleeping very well…besides…I feel like I've been…"
He stopped walking and turned to find that she had stopped a little ways back, "Daidouji?"
She let out a small cough before continuing on, "Gomen, I feel like I've been fighting off a cold…"
Narugami sighed, "You better go home and get some rest, you won't be able to help me with my new job tomorrow if you don't," he explained a grin.
Mayura was about to protest but felt her eyes growing heavy, "…Naru…gami…"
He turned to find her falling forward and quickly caught her before she could hit the floor.
-
"Oi, Loki, you there?"
"Hai, what about Mayura?"
"Like I was saying, I overhead the doctors talking; look, I don't know all of the details but I guess that Mayura's mother died from a terminal disease so they're giving her a series of tests…"
"I'll be there soon."
-
"How are you feeling, Daidouji-san?" asked one of the nurses as she fixed the pillow.
"Better now, arigatou," began Mayura as she let out a sigh, turning her head to watch the rain still falling outside, "when can I go home?"
"We're just going to keep you overnight for observation, don't worry dear," replied the nurse as she took the chart beside her bed and gave her a warm smile, "If you need anything just give me a ring."
"Hai."
When the nurse had disappeared Mayura let out a deep sigh, she really hated hospitals. She could only be grateful that her papa had been notified and that he wouldn't be able to make it back until tomorrow afternoon at the earliest to see her. She hated more than anything to cause him worry; Kami knows he had to endure enough when he watched her mother be in this very hospital.
She looked down at the IV in her hand and then toward the beeping monitor, she really hated that noise, it only held terrible memories. She sighed once more and found herself closing her eyes.
-
Loki slowly opened the door to her room and let his eyes fall to the sleeping mortal before him. She currently looked peaceful as she laid there; however, the IV and the beeping of the monitor reminded him of the memories that he had witnessed when he and Yamino had entered her mind.
It was a room just like this where her mother had read to her and he imagined that it was in a similar room that Mayura had begun praying to the Kami's not to take her mother away and found her prayers left unanswered.
…Mortality…there was that cursed word resurfacing in his mind once more…
He found himself sitting at the edge of her bed and reaching for her hand, his touch, resulting in the fluttering of eyelids as crimson orbs found emerald. A smile appeared on Mayura's face as she slowly began to sit up; she blinked, however, when she felt him lean forward and gently push her back toward the pillow.
"Loki…" she whispered, as she watched his eyes, trying to decipher his emotions.
"Hush, Mayura," he replied, in a whisper none the less.
She sighed, true, she was never good at following orders, "Loki, why are you here?"
He couldn't help but smile—she dared to call him slow—as he watched her puzzled expression, "Because of you, of course."
"Loki," she began, trying to push herself back up but he merely held her down, causing her to give into defeat and take hold of his hand once more as a consolation prize.
"Daijobu?" he questioned, his eyes locked with her own as he gave her hand a squeeze.
She held his hand on her lap, while her other hand played with the blanket over her body. "Apparently my cell count was low, so the doctors were just running some tests to make sure that I didn't have—
Mayura's eyes widened as she felt Loki pull her forward, her chin now resting on his shoulder, she could feel his arms wrap around her, one hand resting in between her shoulder blades the other on her lower back. She felt a smile tug at her lips as she slowly closed her eyes and returned his embrace.
She could feel his chin resting on her shoulder and his hand idly running through her pink tresses, "…Ano, Loki…the tests were negative...so I'm really alright…"
It was as if she could feel his apprehension over her being in the hospital; she felt relieved yet sadden to know that he cared for her so greatly. After all, she was mortal and Kami's can't…
"Mayura?"
"Hai?" she replied, too tired to open her eyes, feeling his arms tighten around her.
"I stayed here for you…" he began to explain in no more than a whisper, "so please don't leave me yet…because I think that I…"
He trailed off when he felt her body become lax and could hear her even breathing indicating that she had fallen asleep. He let out a sigh before sweatdropping…he was really losing his touch…
-
Hooray! There's Chapter 17 for you lovely readers! Be kind and review, b/c I update for you!