Chapter 24: Casually
"On Monday we will begin chapter twenty-nine. After we finish that chapter we will go directly into preparing all of you for your final exams," Sesshomaru says closing his book and putting his things away. The rest of the class begins to pack up.
"Sakura-senpai, are we still studying in the library today?"
"Yes, Haru-kun. I'll meet you guys there. I have to ask Inutaisho-sensei about an assignment I turned in."
"He's always giving you detention and you always seem to have problems with the grade he gives you. He must not like you very much."
"That could be it," I chuckle at the irony. "Well, I'm going to go argue my way up a grade point. I'll see you guys in a few!"
I slowly make my way to Sesshomaru's desk giving enough time for the other students to leave.
"You are aware that I do not give out grades. Students earn them," he gripes at me.
"I know. Haru-kun doesn't," I counter.
"And are you swaying your hips on purpose? Uematsu, I am appalled that you think I can be seduced into raising your grade."
"I'm sorry. I don't understand…" my eyelashes bat in confusion. "What about my hips?"
I play confused for a second longer before laughing.
"Please, your teaching my best subject. I don't have to worry about my grade here."
"True point. Your other classes on the other hand…"
"How do you know about my other classes?!"
"The staff likes to discuss their students. You in particular."
"Oh, really? I'm that special?"
"You should go study now, Sakura. Your friends are waiting."
"Okay, I just wanted to make sure that you're still coming over for dinner tonight?" I check making my way to the door.
"Yes."
"Alright!" I cheerfully state sliding the door open.
"And Sakura?"
"Hm?"
"Your teachers have also noticed growth and improvement in your behavior. These days you've been more willing to interact with your fellow students."
"Hm… I wonder who I have to thank for that."
I give him a shy smile before turning and leaving for the library. The library at Shikon Academy is two stories with an atrium in the center. It is full of study groups that quietly whisper amongst themselves in spite of the slight annoyance of the librarian. I find Haru-kun, Hana-chan, and Girl Number Two on the second floor seated at a large desk.
"Senpai, over here!" Hana-chan whisper/shouts to me.
I walk over to them brushing my hands along the railing that keeps students from falling down to the floor below.
"Alright, what did I miss?" I ask sliding into a seat.
"We're working on vocabulary for English right now. Arisa-san made a ton of flashcards at home and brought them!" Haru-kun finally says Girl Number Two's name.
"Thank you, Arisa-chan! I feel awful. I came here empty handed."
"No worries, Senpai! We're here to help you catch up," Hana-chan cheers on.
"I owe the three of you big time. How about dinner on me after exams are finished? The three of you can pick."
"Deal!" My favorite trio says in unison.
Our study date blows over smoothly. The three manage to bring me up to speed on the highlights of the lessons that I missed out on during my mini-vacation. Our finals are in two weeks, so we agree to meet three times a week until then. We say our goodbyes then I head to the train station. I stop by the market to grab a few things for dinner tonight with Sesshomaru. The sun is setting by the time I reach my house and begin cooking. At half past 1700 hours there is a knock on my door.
"I'm sorry. You've got the wrong apartment!" I yell at the figure on the other side. A pair of golden eyes glares at me through the peephole, so I drop the act then open the door.
"So, were you just not born with a sense of humor?"
"Your sense of humor is on another level that I have not experienced yet," Sesshomaru says stepping inside. "It smells appetizing in here."
"Thank you," I beam at him. "Would you like some tea or water?"
"Water, please."
He takes a seat at the kitchen island where I have set up for dinner, and I pour water into a glass in front of him.
"Here," I say setting a plate of spring rolls down in front of him. "Dinner is almost ready, but have some of these to hold you over."
He picks up a roll and closely examines it, while I place a sauce dish next to the eggrolls.
"So you take the roll, dip it in the sauce, put it in your mouth, move your jaw up and down, and finally allow the food to slide down your throat hole," I say jokingly.
He glares at me with a smirk, "What country are you cooking from tonight?"
"Vietnam!" I exclaim turning back to the pan of thinly sliced meat. "In front of you are spring rolls and peanut sauce. Our main course will be beef over rice."
"And for dessert?"
"Hmm… I actually haven't thought of that," I respond a little embarrassed.
"I can just have you."
Hhiiisssskkkkk.
Tomato-red embarrassed, I accidently over stirred and pushed some oil over the rim of the pan and into the fire.
"Ouch!" I hiss at my knuckles that have been slightly burned.
"Are you alright?" Sesshomaru asks taking my hand in his to examine the burn. "It doesn't look bad, but…" He pulls my hand to his mouth to kiss and suck on each knuckle. "Just to be safe."
I am blushing and have a goofy grin on my face; I can feel it. He gazes briefly into my eyes then kisses my forehead.
"I believe our dinner is burning."
"Shit!" I blurt out and quickly turn to tend to the pan.
I save dinner and begin serving.
"Sesshomaru?" I call to him as I take my seat at the kitchen island. "When will your family be in town? Do you know?"
"They will arrive the Friday before the thirty-first," he answers me before taking the first bite.
I smile to myself at small traces of a pleased look on his face, "How long are they staying?"
"For at least a week. They need to be back in Tokyo the Monday after New Year's."
"And I'm sure they want to spend lots of time with you. Have you told them anything about me?"
"Perhaps they do. My stepmother was curious if I had met anyone. I told her I have, and she pressed for more information."
"Oh… Does she have any influence on you?"
"No, not at all. She's simply there. If it weren't for my father I would not acknowledge her existence. He is also curious, but I told him he'll have to wait and find out," he pauses to look at me, "Are you nervous, Sakura?"
"I don't know if you seriously can't tell or if you're teasing."
"You'll be fine. If I love you, they will as well."
"When you say that you sound like a person with high standards. I'm a little self-conscious. I don't know how…. Wait, what?! What did you just say?"
He has a rare, soft smile on his features. I am wide-eyed and surprised at how casually he just said it. He puts his chopsticks down and grabs my hand that is gripping his arm. "Oh, when did that get there." He turns to me.
"You'll be fine. If I love you, they will as well."
It's so short! I know! D;
I'm the queen of broken promises and tardiness. I need someone to chain me to my desk and make me write; or self-discipline; or someone to tell my boss that I don't want to cover for people who go on vacation.
So I put this out (even though it's painfully short, but size doesn't matter right?) because it has been over a month since my last update and I really wanted to end the chapter there to set the mood for some bigger stuff. It's like a pregame chapter! You know... Like pregaming in your car with a bottle of hard liquor because you're too broke to buy many drinks at the bar but you want to be drunk enough to enjoy being around hoards of smelly and sweaty people! Eh.. I'm just rambling now.
I hope you all had wonderful holidays and a happy new year!