Sorry guys. No internet lately. Here's the new chap!
Chapter 36: Nature
Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep!
Misaki groaned and pulled the covers over her head.
"Takumi...Turn it off..." she moaned.
Takumi felt around for the phone and turned off the alarm.
"Are you going to get up?" he asked, yawning.
"Five minutes..."
"Come on, darling," Takumi said, shaking her. "I'll carry you out of you want."
"Okay..."
Takumi chuckled. He helped Misaki into a fluffy robe and carried her out onto the balcony.
"Open your eyes," he whispered.
Misaki opened her eyes and gasped. It was beautiful. It was dark but light was spilling onto the island. The streaks of color flew through the sky and glittered in the water. Takumi set Misaki down and they lounged on the comfy bench.
"Aren't you glad you got up?" Takumi asked, stroking her hair.
"Yeah," Misaki sighed. "It's perfect."
"Hardly with you in comparison,"
Misaki gently elbowed him. "What ever," she said quietly.
Takumi pressed his lips to her temple.
"Will life always be this wonderful?" Misaki asked.
"It can be," Takumi replied. "I don't see why not."
"I feel like we're in a whole different world right now," Misaki sighed. "There's no work. No distractions. No stress."
"Wasn't that your life when we just got married...?" Takumi asked, tapping her on the nose.
"Yes but now it's more valuable," Misaki pointed out. "I really appreciate this time to relax and spend time with you."
"Why did you marry me?" Takumi asked, out of the blue.
Misaki felt confused. "What are you talking about? You having second thoughts?"
"Of course not," Takumi said. "Never have."
"Then why the weird question?"
"I'm just wondering."
Misaki twisted the robe belt in her hands. "Because I loved you... You made me feel things I'd never felt before." Misaki paused. "Why'd you marry me?"
"Because you saw me for who I am. You loved and accepted me before I became the most powerful CEO in all of Asia."
"This is a rather deep topic," Misaki said, snuggling up to him.
"Tropical sunsets make me reflect on life. I remember looking out the window the morning after our wedding night," Takumi continued. "I look out the window and there's a beautiful sunrise. I look behind me and there's the woman I love sleeping next to me. I kept thinking what a lucky man I was."
"You're such a great talker," Misaki sighed. "I just get all tongue tied and stutter when I try to say anything romantic."
Takumi smiled. "You didn't even know what to say to me that morning. I remember you kept avoiding eye contact and blushing when we did make eye contact."
Misaki flushed red. "I was embarrassed!" she said, in defense of herself.
"I still don't know why you get embarrassed about these little things," Takumi said, stroking her hair.
"They're not little to me," Misaki complained, resting her cheek on his chest.
"You smell good," Takumi said. "Like fruit."
"Um...Thanks?"
"You're welcome," came the nonchalant reply.
"Do you ever regret not dating more?" Takumi asked.
"Not really," Misaki said.
"You only dated one person and you married that person."
"Which was special ole you," Misaki teased.
Takumi smiled. "I don't think anyone else would have been good enough for you anyways," he sighed.
Misaki rolled her eyes. "I have the most modest husband in the world."
Takumi kissed the top of her head. "Do you want to get ready for breakfast?" he suggested.
Misaki nodded. "We can't be late again..." she sighed.
Misaki washed up and got changed into fitted white shorts and a lacy olive green top. Takumi was dressed in a casual t shirt and shorts with a thin jacket.
"This is cute," Takumi said, hooking a finger onto her belt.
Misaki was forced to stop in her tracks.
"Stop pulling on my pants!" she exclaimed, jerking away.
Takumi just chuckled and trailed behind her. Misaki got the satisfaction of arriving first to breakfast. Now no one could tease her about being late!
"You're awful cheerful," Takumi commented, sipping his coffee.
"What's there not to be cheerful about?" Misaki said, digging into her cinnamon and blueberry oatmeal.
"Sorry we're late," Ruri said, sitting down. "Someone didn't want to get out of bed today."
"Didn't get enough action last night?" Misaki asked, smirking.
Ruri looked surprised. "Who added a kick of sass into your oatmeal today?" she laughed, sitting down. "But apparently not. Right honey," Ruri cooed messing up Tora's hair.
"Yes babe," Tora said, leaning away. "Easy on the hair. You're going to make me prematurely bald."
They all laughed.
"What's the joke?" Sakura asked as her and Kuuga sat down.
"Misaki made a dirty joke earlier," Ruri said. "It was a pleasant greeting."
"It was not dirty!" Misaki exclaimed.
"Dirty for you."
Sakura giggled. "And I thought Misaki was so lady like."
Takumi choked on his coffee which got him a smack on the head from Misaki.
"So what's the plan for today?" Kuuga asked as they finished breakfast.
"Well," Ruri said. "There's a trail along the beach we could go on, speed boating, swimming, row boating, the list goes on."
"Can pregnant women speed boat?" Misaki asked.
"I don't see why not," Ruri said. "We just sit on the boat while some guy drives us around."
"Okay, I want to try that," Misaki said.
"I'm up," Takumi said.
"Sure, let's go," Sakura agreed.
"Yay speed boating!"
There was an experienced boater by the docks. Takumi bought them tickets and they strapped on life jackets. There wasn't that much skill involved as the man charged them around the open water. The cool part was when the traveled around the islands. The view of canyons and cliffs made their boat feel very small.
The three couples spend the entire morning cruising around in the speedboat. The sun beated up overheard so they told the man to go back to the docks. He complied and had them back in no time.
"Ruri," Sakura said. "Are you okay?" she said, studying her friend.
Ruri got out of the boat on shaky legs. "I don't feel so good," she said, stooping over.
"Ruri, babe," Tora said, at her side in an instant. "What's wrong? What hurts?"
Ruri just shook her head. "I-"
Misaki and Sakura gasped as Ruri fainted. Tora caught her and picked her up.
"Ruri!" he called. "Ruri! Wake up! Ruri!"
"Kuuga, go get someone who knows first aid!" Sakura ordered.
"Ruri! Ruri!" they all yelled, trying to get her to wake up.
"Take her back to the villa," Misaki said.
Tora nodded and they all quickly moved to their villa. Tora set Ruri down on the couch and began checking her all over.
"Ruri! Can you hear me?!" he exclaimed, gently shaking her.
"Tora…?" Ruri whispered, her eyes opening slightly.
"Ruri," Tora said, taking her hands into his. "Talk to me, sweetheart," he begged. "What's wrong? What doesn't feel good?"
"I feel sick…" Ruri breathed. "It was so hot."
"It's probably heatstroke," Takumi said. "I'll go grab some ice packs. Move the fan closer to her."
"That feels good," Ruri sighed as the fan blew toward her.
"Here, drink," Sakura said, coming over with a huge glass of ice cold water.
Tora helped Ruri sit up and held the glass for her to drink out of.
"I got the paramedic," Kuuga said, leading a woman into the villa.
She checked Ruri over and asked her to explain her symptoms.
"Very common," the paramedic concluded. "Not enough water and too much sun. She'll be fine with water, a cool environment and some rest."
"She's pregnant," Tora said. "Will that affect the baby?"
"If there's no bleeding or cramps then the baby is okay."
"Do you think there will be?" Tora looked freaked out.
The paramedic shook her head. "I doubt it. As long as she rests well, the baby should be fine."
"Thank you so much," Tora said. "I'll walk you out the door."
"We'll let Ruri rest," Misaki said, taking Takumi's hand. "Maybe see you for dinner?"
"We'll see," Tora said.
After they left, Tora kneeled by the couch.
"You should have said something if it was too hot," Tora said. "Speak up."
"Sorry," Ruri whispered. "I'm sorry…" she said, tears filling her eyes.
"Shh…" Tora said, kissing her palm. "It's okay now. I'm going to bring you to the bedroom. It has the strongest air conditioning there."
Ruri nodded and wrapped her arms around Tora's neck as he gently lifted her. He carried her upstairs to their bedroom and laid her down. He then stocked the nightstand with ice packs, water bottle and juice.
"You need to refuel on fluids," Tora said, holding up wth glass of orange juice with a straw.
Ruri drank half of the glass and snuggled into bed.
"I'll get you something to change into," Tora said, looking through the drawers. "Here," he said, placing a very thin dark blue nightshirt and silk short shorts on the bed.
"Can you help me?" Ruri asked, sitting up.
Tora scooted closer and unbuttoned Ruri's aqua green shirt. He helped her up on the nightshirt.
"Take my pants off for me," Ruri said, lying down.
"You're rather lazy, aren't you?" Tora said, helping her switch pants.
Ruri smiled. "I just like it when you take care of me."
"Why's that?" Tora asked, smoothing the blanket around her.
"Because I've never seen you take care of anyone else," Ruri said, smugly. "I bet none of your guy friends know how gentle and caring you are."
"Oh believe me," Tora said. "I am only gentle and caring to you," he said, tapping her on the nose. "I have an image to maintain as Mr. Igarashi, CEO."
Ruri laughed. "Double personality…" she muttered.
"Hmm…" Tora said, holding her hand. "Isn't that what all you girls dream about? A man who is tough and manly to everyone but gentle and doting to only you."
Ruri snorted. "I don't really care how you expect others to see you," she informed him.
"Wasn't it my wit and charm that attracted you to me in the first place," Tora joked, winking at her.
"Actually your wit and so called charm caused me to throw my drink at you," Ruri reminded him.
"Right, my poor Italian suit."
"Hey, worth it right?" Ruri teased.
"Yeah, in exchange for a suit, I got the love of my life."
Ruri smiled. "You're so cute."
"Uh huh," Tora said. "How about a nap, the love of my life?"
"Okay," Ruri said, yawning.
She slept for a few hours but woke up when something cool and damp rubbed her arm.
"What are you doing?" she asked, sleepily.
"Just cooling you down," Tora said, dabbing the wash cloth on the side of her face.
"Are we going to dinner?" Ruri asked.
Tora helped her sit up and propped her up with pillows.
"I think you should rest some more," Tora said. "I made you some food in the kitchen," he said. "The good looking stuff was from the restaurant."
Ruri smiled. "You cooked?" she asked, in fake shock.
"Hey, don't give me that," Tora said, moving the tray closer. "I made you breakfast in bed plenty of times and when you got morning sickness," he added. "Had to fend for myself in the kitchen."
"Yes," Ruri said. "You're a great husband."
"Now be a good wife and eat something," Tora said, holding out a bowl of watermelon cubes.
He picked up a fork and held one to her lips.
"I took all the seeds out too," he said. "Because I know you hate them."
Ruri finished the bowl of watermelon very quickly because she didn't have to keep spitting seeds out. The seeds were probably the only reason why she didn't like eating watermelon.
"Hey Tora," Ruri said, waving him closer.
"What?"
"Can you look at my neck? Is there something there?" she asked, moving her hair to the side.
Tora leaned over and Ruri pressed her lips to his.
"I love you," she whispered.
"I'll always love you too."