26- It's a Deal
Around 17 years ago...
A couple walked down a narrow driveway, their faces were nothing less than delightful. The woman held a small bundle in her arms, holding it close to her. Finally, all their years of being patient had paid off... They had finally gotten the child they dreamed of.
The door to the nearing house opened and a man with light hair and broad shoulders stepped out onto the porch. A second later his wife, a woman of medium height with hair like copper and eyes like gold stepped out beside him.
"Erika, Mamoru, we were wondering when you would finally get here," she said softly.
"Sorry," Mamoru apologized softly. "We got a bit distracted..." He glanced down at the baby in his wife's arms.
"Come in you two," the man on the porch held an arm open for them to go inside. He stopped Mamoru right before he went in and wrapped an arm around his neck, ruffling his hair. "I can't believe my baby brother is finally a daddy!"
"Tenshin," Mamoru laughed, pushing away from him gently and fixing his hair. "You know, I can't believe it either... All these years we've been trying for a child, and finally we got one. As soon as we saw her at the agency we knew we wanted her."
Tenshin smiled, "she's beautiful, baby brother, and you and Erika are going to be wonderful parents."
"We do have you and Zara to look up to," Mamoru smiled.
"And, we'll always be here to help," Tenshin said, slapping his brothers back. "Let's go in before the girls get into trouble."
They walked inside to see Zara now holding the baby and Erika sipping on some tea. The men took their respectful places next to their wives and a minute later a small boy, no older than five ran in. His blond hair was a mess on his face and his golden eyes looked around until he saw the baby sleeping in his mother's arms.
"Zeshin," Tenshin smiled at his son. "Come, say hello to your cousin."
Carefully, the boy walked over to the baby, tilting his head to the side. "What does he do?"
"Actually, it's a girl," Mamoru laughed.
Zeshin scrunched up his nose, "girls are gross."
"Not this one," Zara told her son. "This one is your cousin, so you'll always have to protect her."
"What's her name?" Tenshin asked.
"Well..." Erika began. "We were thinking of Suzuna, but calling her Suzu for short."
"Suzu, eh?" Tenshin looked at the baby and smiled before looking at his son. "Can you do it, Zeshin? Can you take care of Suzu?"
"Can't she take care of herself?" The boy raised a blond eyebrow.
"When she's older she will," his mother told him. "But, right now Suzu is a baby, so she needs other people to take care of her. As she grows, she'll need you to keep taking care of her, teaching her right from wrong and helping her when she needs it. What do you say, Zeshin? Want to take of her?"
The boy stared at the baby, before shrugging. "Sure," he said before running to the next room when he heard his superhero show come back on.
Erika laughed as she leaned against her husband, and the boy's parents let out a sigh. "I'm sure when he gets older, he'll be more serious," Mamoru said. "He'll be the best protector Suzu could ask for."
xXxXx
Present day:
Zeshin smiled as he entered his grandparents' home. His grandmother was the first to greet him, promptly kissing his cheek. He laughed, hugging her warmly as his parents and his aunt and uncle walked in.
"How was work?" His father asked.
"Sameo, sameo," Zeshin smiled, taking off his blazer. He glanced around, frowning slightly. "Where's Suzu?"
"In the kitchen," Erika told him. "She's cooking your Grandfather's birthday dinner. Your mother and I offered to help, but she's determined to do it herself."
Zeshin laughed, rubbing his hands together. "Shall I go offer my assistance?"
"You'll annoy her more than anything," Mamoru commented.
"I heard that!" Zeshin pouted before he laughed and headed towards the kitchen.
Tenshin laughed as the adults started making their way outside while they waited for dinner. Erika and Zara shared a look, their smiles slightly worried. They both had seen how Zeshin and Suzu's glances at each other over the past years had turned from friendly to affectionate. Only Zara, who had comforted her son many times, knew how hard it was for him to like someone who was supposed to be family. And, only Erika could see how her daughter's face would light up when a certain blonde's name was mentioned. The truth was a heavy thing to carry, and their arms were growing weak.
XxXxX
Zeshin peered into the kitchen, a smile forming on his face when he saw his target. She was wearing an apron, her back turned away from his as she stirred something in a bowl. Her dark auburn hair, which was now down to her shoulders was pulled into a low ponytail.
As quietly as he could, Zeshin crept over to her until he was right behind her. "What's cookin', good lookin'?" He asked as he leaned around her.
Suzu yelled, holding her chest. A blush lit up her face as she scowled softly and smacked Zeshin's arm. "Don't do that! When did you get here anyways?"
"How rude," Zeshin pouted, stepping beside her and leaning against the counter. "I've been working hard all day..."
"Working hard," Suzu snorted.
"Hey," he gave her a playful glare. "Can I help?" He asked, suddenly changing the subject. "Mom and Auntie said you wouldn't let them help."
"So, then why would I let you?" Suzu raised an eyebrow at him. Honestly, he would probably end up being a distraction more than anything else...
"I'm a grandchild, too!" Zeshin pouted.
"Fine, fine," she sighed, but what she really wanted to do was smile. "Finish stirring this, and I'll get the oven ready for the meat."
"Hehe," Zeshin laughed, looking at the bowl with a smile. He knew Suzu couldn't tell him no! Plus, today was a good day, everything would be perfect!
XxXxX
Everything was not perfect... Such a joyous day turned out to be a disaster. For Zeshin, it happened so fast. They were eating dinner, like the family they should be. Suzu was even sitting beside him as his grandfather sat at the head of the table and his grandmother at the other end. Light chatter started about how his father and Uncle resembled their father, and then Suzu had to ask the question that broke the secret... She asked who she looked like.
His aunt and uncle tried their best to cover it up, but Suzu kept on, making comments about how she didn't know anyone who looked like her. When his grandfather urged the parents to finally tell her the truth, Suzu demanded to know as well. Erika, with tears strolling down her face told Suzu the truth, telling her that they were eventually going to tell her, and that they still loved her no matter what. Zeshin guessed it was too much for the teen, because before she let anyone see her cry she ran out of the house and down the street.
They split up into groups to look for her, and Zeshin was cunningly able to go by himself. He had a feeling as to where he might find Suzu, and if he was right, he didn't want anyone to be with him.
XxXxX
Zeshin neared the plastic Indian hut in the playground. When he and Suzu were younger, this was the place they hid from their parents. Quietly, he bent down and peaked inside. A pair of swollen red eyes met his.
"Can I come in?" He didn't wait for her to answer as he climbed in anyways and sat beside her.
"Why do you even ask?" She mumbled.
It was silent... Too silent, and it was starting to bother Zeshin. He wasn't the kind of person to sit around and be quiet. He liked action! He liked talking!
"I should have figured..." Suzu whispered.
"Nothing's really changed, you know..."
"Why don't you see it?" She shook her head slowly. "Everything has changed... We're not related," she looked up at him. His eyes changed to something dark, only for a second before they turned light again.
"No, we're not, but I'm still going to be here for you. And, everyone back there... They still love you."
"I know..." She sniffed. "It's just a shock..."
"Come here," he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and brought her to his chest.
"What are you doing?" She blushed darkly.
"Being the person you can lean on... Go ahead and cry..."
A few tears rolled down Suzu's face before she couldn't control it any longer. Her sobs came from deep within her, shaking her body as she grabbed Zeshin's shirt tightly. The people who had raised her would forever be her parents, but she was still left asking questions. What happened to her biological parents? Did they not want her? Was she not good enough for them? Why did they give her away...?
Millions of scenarios ran through her mind, some good and some bad. She forced herself to think of a good one. At least she got loving parents and a family... But, with this confusion and sadness she felt happy... She and Zeshin weren't related...
She sniffed pulling back and wiping her eyes. Zeshin smiled at her softly, moving some hair out of her face.
"You're so cute," it slipped out before he could stop it. Suzu looked up, her red eyes wide and a blush on her face. He couldn't stop his own, "I mean, I- I..."
"Do you mean it?" She whispered.
"Yes... You're cute," He mumbled as he looked away from her, fearing what he would do if he saw her reaction.
"Zeshin," she said suddenly, feeling brave. "Can we make a deal?"
"A deal?" He raised an eyebrow.
"Exams are coming up, you know."
"Oh yeah," he nodded his head.
"If I pass all of them with really good grades, I want you to take me on a date."
"A date...?" He whispered in shock.
Suzu nodded happily, "I'm going to study real hard, so what do you say?"
Zeshin looked at her for a second, what could be the harm in agreeing? It was just a date, right? An innocent date between two people.
"Okay," he grabbed her hand, shaking it. "It's a deal, but you have to make super good grades."
"No problem!" Suzu smiled. "I'm smart!" She stood up, dusting herself off as she turned to walk out of the hut. She stopped suddenly, turning to look at Zeshin. "By the way, I want it to be like a real date too, so at the end of it you have to kiss me."
"K-kiss!" Zeshin sputtered, his eyes wide. "W-wait, Suzu!" He said, standing up suddenly and bumping his head on the low ceiling.
"You shook on it!" She told him stubbornly, running out of the hut before he could protest anymore.
Yep. It's about Zeshin and Suzu. Deal with it :p
Preview of the next chapter:
"Okay," Zeshin took a deep breath. "You know how Suzu told everyone about her being adopted?" "Yes," Trunks and Goten nodded. "And how I told you two I knew the truth all along but had to keep it a secret?" "Yes," they nodded again. "Well, I promised her that if she did good on her exams I would take her out on a date... And kiss her..." Goten whistled lowly, "looks like you got yourself into a problem." "I know," Zeshin moaned, banging his head on the table. "Well, what's the big deal?" Trunks asked. "It's not like you two are actually related or anything." "Yeah," Zeshin admitted, lifting his head. "But my whole life I've been told to act as if she's my cousin. I don't want to do anything that will ruin our family. What if we date then brake up down the road, how would that split our family." "You won't know until you've tried," Goten told him. "What's to say that you and Suzu do date, but it works out instead? Wouldn't that be even better?" Zeshin sighed, throwing his head back against his seat and closing his eyes. "I can't even start thinking about that." "Dude, looks like you're screwed either way," Trunks told him truthfully.