Notes: Well I'm extending this by two chapters: Teddie's original chapter will be split into two, alternating with Dojima's shadow chapters. Just too long... I WILL post one Sunday! Ima need till then—Decided on more changes. Please enjoy, even though this chapter is shorter than the others lately!
Chapter Ten: Friends!
(Teddie)
I wake up earlier than usual—Something's different.
It doesn't smell like my bed...
It smells like smoke and spilled food.
And Nanako and Dojima and a little bit of Aniki-chan.
When I open my eyes I'm delighted to realize I slept over! I momentarily forgot about the awesome sleepover with almost everyone... But now I remember!
I bolt upright and look around. Kanji's leaning against the wall reading comics. But I don't see anybody else.
"They didn't get eaten by the TV..." I fight a yawn to ask Kanji. He rolls his eyes and tells me 'good morning'.
"Nanako went to the bathroom and the ojisan never came back inside."
I squint against the light and can see Dojima leaning against the glass. I walk over to tap on it and wake him up, only then noticing Tohru's sprawled out on the cement. I laugh and accidentally bang my head on the glass—Really startling the two, and I feel bad.
Tohru springs to his feet and lunges at the glass, pushing Dojima out of the way, who yelps and falls to the ground. Tohru crashes into the door and bounces off—And now Kanji's laughing.
"O-oh god!" Kanji roars, in a cackling fit. "Man I can't take it! He looks like a confused dog who thought the door was open!"
Tohru yells at me and angrily pounds the side of the house before helping Dojima to his feet. "Dammit you brat!" he scolds when he finally yanks the door open
"We're lucky it didn't break..." Dojima yawns.
I zip out to the kitchen. "You guys want coffee?" I ask, trying to be helpful.
"No!" all three scream in unison, and I sigh.
"I just wanted to be nice..." I reply.
Dojima walks past me and pats my head. "Let me make a fresh pot. A jackass got into it last night."
I look at Kanji and Tohru, who each point their fingers at the other. I know it was probably Tohru. Kanji would never desecrate his Ojisan's coffee. He's too nice.
I hear a door close and Nanako finally joins us.
"Mornin'!" Kanji greets her. "You missed all the fun, unfortunately. Adachi ran into the door... Frikkin' hysterical!"
She giggles and then turns to Tohru, trying to look serious. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah," Tohru huffs. "Stupid Ted ran into it first!"
"I-it was an accident!" I tell them, holding up my hands. "I'm sorry... Aniki-chan looked so funny sleeping on the hard ground, I couldn't help laughing!"
"Thanks for nothing, by the way," Tohru mutters at Dojima. "'Hurr durr, go to sleep, Tohru! I'll wake you up!'" he mimics, complete with gestures. "And then I wake up thinking we're getting attacked and it's just that idiot bonking his head on the glass... You guys are all so cold!"
Dojima shoots an unamused glare at his friend and Tohru shuts up. "I said I was sorry. And you just threw me, so I think we're even." He pulls cold soup out of the fridge and tells us to all get bowls. "There's also instant ramen."
I go right for the soup and sit at the table, waiting for the others. They all sit down except Kanji. There aren't enough chairs, so stands next to the table like a good gentleman.
"Okay everyone~" Tohru perks up, making a bid for our attention. "So that Rise chick will be here in a bit. We're meeting in my room at ten. Any questions?"
"I have to stop by home and Daidara's," Kanji tells us. "I'll bring Rise-chan back. Ted, you can walk Nanako to school and then meet me at home, alright?"
"I can't just come back here?" I question.
Kanji sighs. "No, come home. I might need your help."
I nod. "Okay..."
"Well I'm off," Kanji then announces, gulping the rest of his soup. "Gotta set up shop for my Ma."
He leaves and then Tohru excuses himself to go back to lying down on the futons—And you know, he sleeps a lot. Dojima says he's going to go buy the paper and heads for the door.
"I need to get ready," Nanako tells us. "I can go upstairs now?"
"Don't worry, I'll come~" I volunteer, striking a pose.
Dojima groans and takes his shoes back off. "Tohru, you go with her. I'm going to talk to him." He points at me and walks into the kitchen.
Am I supposed to follow?
Nanako climbs the stairs and Tohru points to Dojima's back and makes a punching gesture. "Punch him?" I ask aloud.
Tohru groans and tries something else that looks like strangling.
"I don't think that's a beary good idea, either..."
"I'm not going to hurt him, moron," Dojima yells over his shoulder. Tohru shrugs and disappears up the stairs, too.
I go into the kitchen and watch Dojima while he takes the dirty filter out of the coffee and sighs. "Do you like coffee?" He dumps funny-looking old batch down the drain and washes the glass jug.
"Yes!" I nod fast.
I try to open the cabinet, but Dojima doesn't let me in. He's quiet for a minute before he takes down two mugs from above the sink. "This is for today only—but you can use this one."
"I like yellow!" I tell him, grinning.
"What do you put in your coffee, kid?" Dojima grumbles, taking down the sugar.
I shake my head. "Nothing—Then you wouldn't be able to taste the coffee!" I reach for the cup, but he pulls it back and I "aww".
He frowns. "Don't lie to get on my good side, brat," Dojima reprimands. "What do you put in it?"
"Really!" I whine. "Don't put anything in it—I'm serious~"
Dojima studies me, but finally sighs and hands me the mug. We wait while the coffee drips down to the new pot. It takes a long time—And I get the feeling I'm not supposed to talk... So it feels like forever.
When it's finally ready, Dojima pours us each a cup. I whoop and carry it to the table. "I'm glad I get to talk to you today," I admit. "I maybe of thought you were lying yesterday to shut me up."
I sip the hot coffee while Dojima groans. "I don't try to lie," he wearily tells me. "I just get busy."
"I know..." I nod. After we sit in silence for a while, but it's an okay-silence. "The coffee's fantastic~" I grin when it's gone.
Dojima squints at me like he's angry, but then shakes his head and sighs again instead of yelling. "Took the words right out of my mouth..."
I get up and carry the mugs to the sink and wash them. When I finish, I get called back over. I salute and sit down.
"The set only has four cups," he quietly tells me, rubbing his arm like he's nervous. "If I got you your own, what color would you like?"
I think hard for a minute. "A bear!" I declare.
Dojima mutters something and rubs his hand over his face. "That isn't a color. I said color so it matches the others."
"Hmmm..." I think hard. "Light blue! Like the sky! Like my eyes!"
"That's fine," Dojima agrees. Then he stares at me again looking angry. "If you cross me I'll smash it in front of you, understand?"
I shudder. "Tha-that's so mean!"
I hear chortling behind me. "He'll probably smash it over your head, you know," Tohru smirks, poking my head for emphasis.
"And stop calling him 'aniki'," Dojima commands. "It doesn't sound right."
"But the '-chan' is still okay?" I try.
Dojima shrugs, looking smug. "Sure."
"But—" Tohru protests.
"What's going on?" Nanako asks, stepping around Tohru.
"I get my own mug! But I have to call him Tohru-chan!" I fill her in. She laughs so it must be good.
Tohru groans. "Really? Everyone's okay with that?"
"I-it's a little... Cu—" Dojima cuts himself off, coughing.
"Ooh, I get it!" I intuit. "I can call you Dojima-chan! Don't worry~"
Everyone freezes.
"If you ever call me that again—" Dojima threatens, turning red.
"Woah!" Tohru actually gets between us. "This has gotten ridiculous enough, guys. Let's just call everyone by their names, huh?"
I feel my face light up. "So I can call him—"
"No-o-o-o!" Tohru cuts me off sounding aggravated. "You really are an idiot. Do you have a death wish?"
"But?"
"That's enough," Nanako interjects. "I need to get to school. Teddie, are you going to walk with me?"
"Of course!" I shout and take Nana's bag for her. I dash to the front door, where I put on my sneakers and tell the others we're leaving. "Thanks for the coffee~" I say again, and pop outside.
Nanako locks the door and holds out her hand. "It's okay?" I ask, remembering the kids from yesterday.
"Uh-huh." Without waiting, she grabs mine in hers and swings our arms like I usually do.
I can't help smiling a lot.
When we reach town, I get an idea. "Wanna see Rise get off the train? I bet you can still make school."
Nanako nods. "Yeah! I'd love that!"
We change direction and head for the station. It's little extra to walk, but we're excited about seeing our friend.
On the platform, we stand by the door so Rise won't miss us—And when the train stops completely, I gasp and tug Nana's arm so she pays attention.
"Nana—Look!" I gasp.
The doors open and Rise comes out—With Kana behind her!
"Oh!" Nanako echoes my sentiment.
The spot us almost immediately... I know I stick out with my naturally light hair.
"Oh my gosh, hi!" Rise beams, handing her bag to Kanami and hurrying over. Poor Kana stumbles and laughs, walking a little slower.
Rise hugs Nana and I, and then takes their stuff so Kana can hug us, too.
"I missed you guys!" Kanami marvels. "Didn't think you'd come all the way out here!"
"Are you going to make school?" Rise questions, smirking at Nanako.
Nana laughs. "I should go, but we wanted to see you. And I'm so glad we did, no one told me Kana-chan was coming!"
"Me either!" I puff and fake-glare.
Rise giggles. "Kanji said you would tell Nanako, so they didn't say anything."
"So the surprise?" I quiz.
"I was the surprise all along!" Kanami hollers.
Nana laughs again and pulls me out the door. "We really do have to get going," she tells the ladies. "I'll see you later!"
"I'll meet you at Kanji's!" I shout to them as we rush out of the station.
We slow down when we approach the front gate of the middle school.
"Thanks for walking with me," Nanako smiles, but looks stressed—I can see it in her eyes. "I'm... A little worried."
"They'll be okay! Tohru's strong now—But good-strong. He'll help!" I nod a lot and swing our arms up really high. "I'll text you if they come back before you're out~" I assure Nana.
"Mm." She smiles and squeezes my hand before taking off down the walk. I wait till she gets inside, then start back home.
I practically run into the store, excited to see the girls again...
They're not there!
"Kaasan!" I yell, seeing Kanji's mom is manning the deck. "Where is everyone?!"
She chuckles. "Check down the road. The girls stopped in, but Kanji had already gone to the Metalworks... I sent them over there."
"Thanks~" I shout behind me as I take off again.
On the way, I spot Kitsune near the shrine. "Wanna go for a ride?" I query. The fox barks a high note, and I lead him across the street. He follows me right into Daidara's!
"Hello!" I call. No one answers.
I'm getting sick of finding nobody...
I weave through the store and find everyone out back, where Kanji's loading something into the trunk of his big car. Finally!
"All ready?!" I ask the others.
Kanami throws me a peace sign and breaks away from the other three. "Are you gonna take me around Inaba today?" she grins at me.
"Of course~" I reply. "It'd be boring to stay at home! Want to go to Junes for lunch?"
"Sure," she agrees. "Anywhere's good."
"That's where we used to meet on TV World days," I confide in her. "Our secret hideout~" Just like old times!
I hear a whunk as Kanji finally wins the struggle with the trunk. A big thing is still sticking out the open window, though. "C'mon! Let's haul!" he tells us. He shakes hands with Daidara before jumping into the driver's seat. Rise takes the passenger's and Kanami gets in back.
"Bye-bye~" I call, jumping in the backseat, as well. The old man grunts and waves.
"Waah!" Kanami screams when Kitsune climbs over me and sits up in the middle. "Wh-what?" she squeals, super-duper surprised.
I poke my head around the furry beast. "He's friendly!" I tell her. "Say hi~"
"H-heh," Kanami squeaks. "...Hi?"
Kitsune dips his head a little as Kanji pulls out of the alley.
Re-Edited 6/16/17