AN: This turned out much longer than planned. Not sure if I like how it turned out though. However, hope that you all enjoy it.
"Hey, Nishi! Look who's up!" Reiji sang as he waltzed himself and Usagi into the kitchen.
Nishi smiled at Usagi, still cooking. "Ah, it's nice to see that you're okay, even though I told Reiji …" she paused to shoot him a look that could have killed him if possible, "that he should check on you and your friend to see if you're alright, then come back here to bring you two some food since you surely haven't eaten for days. But, of course, he didn't follow my directions yet again!"
The grey-eyed male offered a sheepish smile to his significant other. "Well, you still get to feed them either way, right?" he let out a nervous chuckle when the look inside her eyes became more hostile than before.
"But you do realize that she was not meant to step out of bed just yet until I had chance to examine her and her companion, right, Reiji?" the irritated female hissed through her teeth at Reiji. Her jade-colored eyes gave off an eerie glow that would have turned her enemies into stone if she were Medusa, but Reiji being Reiji just continued to (at least) charm the rattling snake before him.
"Yes, I know. I remember now! But, I'm sure that you're a bit happy to see that at least one of them is awake and prowling!" he bellowed with a half-hearted laugh, hoping that she would relent on her upcoming reenactment of a banshee.
Nishi's face softened to a thoughtful one. Several emotions danced within the pale depths of her eyes for a few seconds before a radiant smile found itself on her brightly-colored lips.
"Ah! That is quite true, Reiji! I do want to speak with Usagi-san, but …" she took a moment to take the knife she had in her hand and placed it inside his hand, "You help me cut all the vegetables that I'll be using inside the soup, OK?"
Reiji smiled sheepishly. "Oh, but doesn't Tsubasa usually help you with that? Because you know that I can't cut things right, " he laughed in a nervous attempt to defuse the situation without possibly losing his head for displeasing his lover.
"But, Reiji! You know very well that Tsubasa is out gathering extra supplies like he always does on this particular day!" she reminded him with a squeal, taking satisfaction in his reaction. "So I need you to do it! Better yet! Make lunch all by yourself while I talk with our guest!"
The maroon-haired male opened his mouth to protest, but one look from his significant other and it clamped shut. "Yes, ma'am!" he said and moved over to her with a mischievous glint in his eye. "But under one condition …"
Nishi eyed him up and down like he was an unknown species, her green eyes not giving away any of her emotions.
Usagi watched the entire exchange between the older couple, eyes widened in amazement at their interaction together.
They act almost like Haruka-san and Michiru-san in a way. How do they do it?
More time passed with the young blonde watching with bated breath to see Nishi's reaction to whatever Reiji was referring to.
Then, finally, Nishi's face transformed from its state of impassivity in to a smirk. She stood up on her tiptoes to come face-to-face with Reiji, her lips just a breath away from being pressed against his. Tension filled the room to point that a knife could cut right through it, but was quickly dissolved when Nishi muttered her next few words that had the occupants of the room in shock:
"I'd much rather eat Gutra shit before I'd allow that."
And with that being said, she turned away with a huff and proceeded to move over to Usagi. A radiant smile replaced the smug expression she previously had as she beamed at the younger girl until something caught her eye.
Her heart caught in her throat as realization dawned on her that she had been negligent in regards to allowing Usagi to stand on her sprained ankle for all that time she spent bickering with Reiji.
So, taking in a deep breath, she let loose a scream that could rival a banshee's with the shrillness of it, "REIJI! GET YOUR ASS BACK HERE AND CARRY HER OVER TO THE COUCH, YOU IDIOT! HOW COULD YOU ALLOW HER TO WALK ON HER ANKLE, KNOWING THAT IT'S INJURED! YOU STUPID, STUPID IDIOT!"
Reiji, hearing his lover's screams, winced at hearing it before moving from his spot where Nishi had left him to hoist Usagi up into his arms.
"I'm quite sorry for forgetting that you were hurt. I wasn't thinking, " Reiji apologized with a sheepish grin plastered to his face. He
Usagi giggled and patted him on his shoulder as he sat her down on the couch before propping a pillow beneath her foot. "Don't worry. It's not your fault. I didn't even feel that much pain. But you two are quite funny, " she admitted out loud, glancing between the two. "Are you guys married?"
Nishi answered, "Yes we are. We have been married for about 9 years now."
"Even though she didn't take my last name. Claimed that it didn't go with her name, so instead of Ono – she became Ryuen, " he scoffed mockingly, giving the female a look. "You just had to go with a long last name, didn't you? Your name was already a mouthful before we got married!"
She gave him a dirty look. "Asahina Nishi isn't a mouthful, you idiot! You're just mad that I didn't take your last name!" Nishi huffed, then sniffed the air. Her eyes instantly narrowed at the smell that met her nostrils as her pupils sharpened to slits.
"But I do know that that better not be our breakfast that I smell burning inside that kitchen right now, right?" she hissed, hand on her hip now.
"What? There's no way that I'm burning our dinner! You only told me that I had to … " Reiji paused for a moment, sniffing. Grey eyes widened to the size of saucers before their owner fled from the room with only one exclamation:
"SHIT!"
Nishi shook her head at her husband's antics, her jade eyes rolling in exasperation. "That man is just … " she gave a snort with another head shake before focusing her attention on Usagi. "So, it's just us finally. Tell me about yourself."
Usagi stared at her in bewilderment. "Like what?"
Nishi paused for a moment to think until a newfound epiphany hit her. Her hand came up to smack herself in the face as she exclaimed, "Oh my Bukta! Nishi! You haven't even introduced yourself to her, you idiot! You're already failing as a hostess, yet you talk about Reiji's manners! Stupid, stupid! Urgh!"
"What's a 'bukta'?" the blonde beauty wondered out loud, blinking up at the older woman in confusion.
Nishi wasn't sure how to react to the pure innocence of the girl before her – doe eyes peering at her as if she were some kind of goddess or something. She took a seat beside the young bride, lost within her own thoughts at what she heard.
What is it about this girl? She's just so … pure ...
Then, shaking herself clear of her thoughts, she reached a hand out to Usagi. "Let me start over. I'm Nishi, and I'd like to welcome you to my humble home."
A snort came from the kitchen, but a different voice spoke from the doorway of the cabin. "'Humble' isn't the word I'd use to describe this place if you ask me, " Tsubasa's voice flowed over to the ears of the two females, earning either a confused look or a look that promised death whenever she were to get her hands on him.
"Bite me!" Nishi hissed vehemently, hands on hips as she glared up at Tsubasa.
"Hmm … I think I've done that enough this morning, Nishi. Several times, bbbuuutttt if you seriously want me to do so again – I'd gladly do it for you to make you less crabby, " he shot back at her with a wink. Then he dodged an oncoming pen that came hurling at his face, catching it midair.
"You need to work on your throw, Nishi, " he taunted, wagging the pen mockingly within his grasp.
Nishi made a face. "Go fuck yourself!"
"Oh, but I much rather it be you that I'm - , " Tsubasa started to say with a suggestive look on his face, but was cut off by Nishi.
"We have company, Tsubasa! You do remember our company, right?!" she hollered at him, making a point to gesture over to Usagi.
Tsubasa glanced over to Usagi, who sat there looking incredibly flustered – her entire face crimson from most likely listening in on his and Nishi's latest, impromptu bickering session that had quickly turned into tension-filled sexual innuendos on his part.
That girl is quite innocent. Is she truly so pure?
But, he was dragged out of his thoughts by none other than Nishi – who gave him a look that read 'don't even', making him a bit confused for a moment before he settled on being a good host.
"Why, hello there. I'd never thought that you'd wake up anytime soon, sleeping beauty, " he greeted Usagi smoothly, moving to stand near the two. The fern green-eyed man grabbed one of Usagi's hands and brought it up to his lips.
"It's a pleasure to meet such a lovely creature … I'm Ryuen Tsubasa, woman extraordinaire …" he greeted the blonde beauty, ignoring Nishi's eye roll and scoff at his antics.
"That was so lame, Tsubasa, even for you!" Reiji bellowed from inside the kitchen.
Tsubasa rolled his eyes. "You're just jealous that I'm more handsome than you."
"Well, at least I know that I can make Nishi - ."
"Guys! This is not the time!" Nishi interjected, wanting so badly to just take the two and bash their heads together in hopes of creating her ideal man.
One that isn't as stupid as these two are … Ugh! I swear that they'll kill each other some day … but, they'll always be my boys – even when I want to kill them.
"Sorry, Nishi. It was all Reiji's fault."
"Sure, as if you didn't try to charm our guest with your -."
"GUYS! NOT NOW! Guest, remember!" Nishi reminded them once again. Her hand up and rubbing at her temple to ease the tension building there.
… And now I have a headache …
"Sorry, Nishi, " both of their voices echoed, trying to get back on their spouse's good side.
"Good. Now, Tsubasa, what the hell happened to our su -?" Nishi started to grill the brunet, but was cut off by him mid-sentence when he answered her with a smirk etched to his face.
"Got all the supplies from Sorato-san just as you asked me …"
Nishi hummed, "But where's my -?"
"… special supplies? I dropped them off inside your space so I wouldn't have to make a second trip back."
Nishi rolled her eyes at hearing that. "You're cute, but a lazy bum."
"True. But, aren't you forgetting that we have a guest, Ni-chan?" Tsubasa teased, nodding over at Usagi with a wiggle of his eyebrows.
I swear that he and Reiji make it a point to just …UGH!
Sucking in a deep breath, Nishi smiled at Usagi. "So, we haven't properly introduced ourselves. I'm Ryuen Nishi, " she introduced herself to the petite blonde and sat beside her after giving Tsubasa a nudge to move out the way.
"Oh, well, I'm Tsukino Usagi even though I'm actually Seiya Usagi now …" Usagi stammered with a blush, reaching to shake hands with Nishi – who took it unconsciously as she took in what she just said.
They're married? But I thought that Tsubasa said they were just friends.
She flicked a quick glance over in Tsubasa's direction, only receiving a slight shrug in response. At that, the jade-eyed woman turned her attention back onto Usagi.
"I see. It's a pleasure to meet you, Usagi-san – at least much more properly without you being so ill, " Nishi said, giving the young female a small pat on the back of her hand.
"I'm glad too! Thank you for helping Seiya and I with our injuries. I don't know what would have happened if Tsubasa-san and Reiji-san hadn't found us in that hole!" Usagi cried and beamed at the couple brilliantly. "We owe you guys a lot for taking us in. I'm so sorry that we've been an inconvenience to yo -."
Nishi raised a hand to signal silence as she spoke, "No, no, no, Usagi-san. You two haven't been a inconvenience. We enjoy having company and showing them hospitality. It's part of our nature!"
"Well, thank you. But … " Usagi's face took on the same look of innocence from earlier as she peered at the couple. "Are you married?"
Tsubasa, without missing a heartbeat, answered, "Yes, we are. Have been for 15 years at least. " He shot Nishi a loving look, a smile on his face.
Nishi returned it, reaching for his hand to hold it.
"But what about Rishi-san? Are you divorced or something?" The young bride wondered out loud, her eyes widening when some kind of epiphany hit her seconds later. "Or are you … um … having an affair?"
Tsubasa and Nishi glanced at each other as the sound of Reiji's laughter sounded from inside the kitchen. "I told you guys!" he bellowed, more laughter following afterwards.
Nishi sucked at her teeth for a moment. Her jade eyes brimming with a hint of annoyance and other emotions.
I just hate him sometimes …
"Well, I am married to Tsubasa, but I'm also married to Reiji, " she admitted, watching as Usagi's look of confusion became even more translucent at her words. "Where we're from, we're allowed to marry ae many people as we want."
"'As many people'" Usagi parroted, her eyes widening with astonishment.
"Yes, as many people as we want. Though, if I had it my way – I wouldn't be sharing Nishi with Reiji!" Tsubasa barked with a laugh, wrapping his arms around Nishi's waist.
A snort sounded from the kitchen. "Bold words from someone I'm supposed to be feeding soon!" Reiji hollered back.
"You know damn well that Nishi most likely cooked everything before your lazy - , "
"Would you two shut it already? You're starting to give me a headache!" Nishi fumed, her hand held up to her temple in an attempt to ease the tension building there.
"Sorry, Nishi …"
"Thank you. Now lower your voices before you wake her wife up. I swear that you two forget your manners at the worst of times, " Nishi scoffed, pulling herself out of Tsubasa's embrace to glare at him.
He flashed her a smile, shooting a wink. "You know very well that I'm a very incredible gentleman, Nishi, " The brunet basically purred at her. His smile did not falter a bit as she shot him an incredulous look.
"You know that you're so full of it, right?"
"Oh, but you still love me anyway, Nishi. No need to tell yourself lies to help you sleep when you have me to do that, " he winked at her again, ignoring the dirty look she gave him as he turned his attention onto Usagi. "But, I can't help recalling from days ago when your … uh – wife said that you two were just friends."
Usagi bit her bottom lip and glanced away.
I'm not sure if I should take that as progress or not. Last time she said we were friends, she became hostile hours later. I don't know if I could stand that again, especially when all I want is for us to be friends at least before we leave.
Shaking herself out of her thoughts when she remembered the two other people occupying the room, she forced a brilliant smile.
"Well, we've been married for -."
"3 months … " A familiar alto voice spoke from the shadows.
All eyes turned onto Fighter, who leaned casually against the door frame leading into the hallway. A smirk was upon her lips, her eyes unreadable as she moved from her current place to stand behind Usagi.
"Odango is both my friend and wife. She lights up my world with her very presence every time I see her. I couldn't live with myself if I'd lost her if you hadn't found us when you did, " she continued on, earning a confused look from Usagi that was not missed by either of their hosts.
Nishi, keeping in mind to ask Usagi in particular about their marriage, forced a friendly smile. "Why, don't think too much about that! We love helping people in need. Right, Tsubasa?"
Tsubasa eyed Fighter critically, sizing her up as his mind tried to piece together everything he's noticed about the young couple.
There is something about her 'wife' that is off.
However, he was not allowed another second inside his thought process as Nishi elbowed him in the ribs. Her jade eyes shooting a subtle message to him that earned a small nod from him.
"Fi – I mean, Seiya!" Usagi reached for her spouse, concern and worry mixed with happiness replaced the confusion on her face from earlier, "Are you ok? You're not still dehydrated, are you? You shouldn't be moving around right now, especially when you're injured!"
Fighter glanced down at Usagi, lips pressed together as she took in the blonde's words with a sense of surprise and discomfort at her apparent concern for her wellbeing.
This girl keeps surprising me throughout this trip … I'm not sure if I like it or not.
So, steeling herself from her initial surprise, Fighter cleared her throat. "Yes, I'm quite okay, Odango. Nothing I've never experienced before. Don't worry about it."
"But, Seiya, you could've died because of me!" the young blonde cried, worry still evident.
"Odango … " Seiya sighed and surprised Usagi by sitting beside her. "You should know that it takes a lot more than a few hits to kill me, so don't worry yourself about me."
Usagi eyed her spouse evenly, trying to figure out the never ending puzzle that made her up.
Why does it feel like I'm married to two different people sometimes?
She was very close to nagging her spouse about being so careless about her health when Reiji's voice cut in from inside the kitchen.
"Breakfast is ready!"
"Come on. Let's go eat!" Seiya said, taking this as her chance to change the subject. She got up from her spot on the couch.
Her wife flushed and reached for her. "Anou … I need you to carry me to the kitchen because my ankle, " she reminded her shyly, not sure about her reaction.
However, she was surprised when Seiya glanced at her ankle and made a simple 'oh' sound before lifting her up into her strong arms. The young warrior made her way over to the kitchen, ignoring the look her spouse gave her.
Nishi bit her bottom lip, her eyes never leaving the young couple as she and Tsubasa followed with the same thought.
There's something about those two …