"Kae-chaaaan! How long are you going to sleep?" a voice called through the door.
Golden eyes shot open and she scowled. "Haru…? What are you doing here?" she called back. Kaere struggled out of Squalo's hold, falling onto the floor with a short cry of pain. Damn it! My back is still healing from that cut last night! She glared up at Squalo, who was starting to wake up. Right…Gokudera left him here because we didn't know what else to do. Fantastic. So I have Haru at the door and this jealous idiot in my bed!
"It's already past noon, Kae-chan! Don't make us keep waiting! We wanted to go shopping with you today!" her friend persisted.
"…what do you mean 'we'?" The girl heard a growl above her on the bed and was suddenly dragged back up and onto the mattress. "Squalo…be quiet…"
"Haru, Kyoko, Hana, and Bianchi-san! We've been waiting for you to wake up!"
"Kaere? We can wait downstairs, alright? Tsuna-kun said you were in a fight last night so we understand if you need some time," Kyoko spoke up politely.
"Th-thanks. I'll…meet you downstairs. Soon." She heard them walking away and sighed, leaning back against Squalo's chest. "Wh-when did you…take off your clothes?" Her face heated to red, trying to keep herself from getting a bloody nose.
"Voi! Don't think you're leaving me after what you did!"
Kaere pulled away and moved off of the bed, walking to her bag. She rummaged for a clean shirt and black jeans, glancing over at Squalo when she felt him watching her. "L-look…don't do that again…I didn't like having to sedate you…but I couldn't let you hurt my friend…" The girl changed into the clean clothes and sighed. "S-Squalo…you shouldn't have provoked him…"
"What the hell was I supposed to do?! I had to get you away somehow!"
"N-no, you didn't! I…I wasn't in any danger…" She was turned and her back hit the wall hard. Kaere glared up at him and he glared back at her.
"I didn't think you were! I just don't like seeing you get so fucking close to him!"
She winced. "You…think I like…getting so close to him? D-do you think I like that…I'll have to…s-spend the rest of my life…with him?! I-I wanted to…spend my life you…" The man leaned down, his mouth pressing against her, and her blush intensified. You're not wearing a shirt! Don't you know how embarrassing this? Kaere pulled away and hoped that he didn't see how red her face was. "Er…I-I'll see you later, okay?"
Squalo frowned. "Voi! I'm not-!"
"We'll…um…I-I mean…we can…" The girl saw him smirk and looked away quickly. "A-alright so…I'll…see you later…" She hurried out to the hall and sighed as she put on her black leather gloves. That should make him happy at least. I just wish he wasn't so difficult sometimes. And I didn't think he would get so jealous about last night…he never acted jealous of Xanxus before. Her phone started to ring and she frowned at the screen. I forgot that he was going to call me last night. He probably left some messages already. Cringing, she answered the call. "N-Noriyama speaking."
"What were you doing last night, trash?"
Kaere stepped into the elevator and leaned back against the wall. "Wh-what do you mean? I…had to help my friend…"
"You ran away from me." There was a threatening tone to his voice that he knew made her tremble. "Where are you?"
"Um…a-about to meet up with…some friends." She tilted her head back, half-closing her eyes. Say something! Say something to placate him so he'll just leave me alone! "So…wh-where are you…right now?"
There was a pause. "I'm in my hotel room. What? You want to come up?" He laughed maliciously. "Are you going with those stupid brats?"
"N-no…these friends are girls…" Kaere heard him laugh again and winced. "I-I mean…they just got here so…a-and I haven't seen them in months…"
"That's their problem." Another pause. "Tonight. You're coming with me."
"Wh-what…? Um…wh-where are we…going?"
"It's a surprise."
The elevator doors opened and Kaere stepped out just as he hung up. I guess that's my plan for tonight then. I have too much to do already…between keeping Squalo happy, hanging out with Haru and the others….and now Xanxus. She walked toward the girls, attempting a small and friendly smile. "Hey…everyone…"
"Kae-chan! Wow…you look paler than usual!" Haru greeted her.
"A little rude, but she's right. Kaere, you don't look like you're feeling well," Hana agreed. She reached into her purse and withdrew a compact mirror. "See? You've got dark circles under your eyes, too. You want some concealer?"
"No…no, that's okay. Thanks though." Kaere walked with them out into the sunlight and sighed in irritation. Why do they want to hang out with me anyway? It's not like we have much in common. She glanced at Bianchi, who seemed to be in good spirits. Well…I have more in common with her than with the others. But why is she here?
The group went around to a few shops, where the others each seemed to find something they wanted. Kaere had excused herself to stand outside when they entered an antiques shop, needing to be alone. She drew a deep breath, the wound on her back aching as it repaired itself slowly. Eventually…I'll just go insane. Completely insane. And where will I be then? What use would I be? Reborn might even have me killed when it starts to happen…and I wouldn't blame him. Her hand subconsciously wandered to her lower stomach, a frown taking form on her pale lips. She remembered what Squalo had said to Gokudera the night before and found herself wondering if he was right. What if I am pregnant? But it couldn't happen that quickly…could it? I just had it implanted a little while back. I've only slept with him once since then. What are the odds that it would happen that fast?
"What are you doing?"
She hurriedly pulled her hand away and looked at Bianchi, who was leaning against the wall beside her. The older woman raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms, making it clear that she had no intention of walking away until she got an explanation. Kaere bit the inside of her cheek and shifted her gaze to a shop across the street. "…I'm not doing anything…I'm just thinking about life…"
"Are you sure you're not thinking about your fiancée? Or the possibility that you have a tiny human inside of you?" Bianchi teased. "It wouldn't be his, would it?"
"Um…h-have you been…talking to your brother?"
"I don't have to. I've seen the way you look at the swordsman. I've also seen the way you look at your fiancée." The woman sighed in unison with Kaere, making them glance at each other. "Look…I understand true love when I see it. It's just unfortunate for all of you. You love him and he loves you. You're afraid of your fiancée, but he loves you. What a mess."
"…yeah…so…wh-what should I do…?"
Bianchi shrugged. "I wouldn't know. I would say to follow your heart, but this is such a mess that I don't think that will help. You could just marry him and learn to deal with it. But that would be tragic, wouldn't it? Kae, just do what you think is best. Just don't get yourself killed; Hayato would be devastated."
"Wait…what?"
"Kae-chan! Look, we got these cute dresses!" Haru exclaimed, emerging from the shop. "Oh! There you are, Bianchi-san!"
"I wanted to talk to Kae alone for a minute," Bianchi stated. "Oh. Those are cute."
"Aren't they? Are you going to get one, too?"
"Maybe. Kae, let's look at dresses."
I really don't want to though. Kaere was pulled by her arm into the store and reluctantly picked out a short black dress with long sleeves. "Er…what is this for?"
The older woman rolled her eyes. "That Christmas party. Not much of a party with so few people though."
So what's the point then? Kaere shivered, feeling like she was being watched. It's not Bianchi. Who would be looking at me then? The others went to the next store already. She felt arms wrap around her from behind and she tensed instantly. "Wh-who-?!"
"Kaere. I found you." The monotone voice showed little cheer, but she could tell by how tightly he held onto her that he was glad to see her. Fran's chin rested on her shoulder, looking at the dress she had picked out. "Just black?"
"Ushishishi~ Kaere looks good in black," another voice joined in. Belphegor emerged from behind a shelf, grinning.
"You're so popular, Kae." Bianchi smirked and took the dress from her. "Go ahead. I'll tell the others you had to go."
"Wait…I-I don't want-!" She winced when the prince approached her, his grin growing quickly as he leaned down to kiss her cheek. Don't leave me, Bianchi!
"You were done anyway, right?" Fran kissed her other cheek.
"The prince missed you," the blonde teased. "Shishishi~ The frog peasant should treat us to lunch again."
Kaere slipped out of Fran's hold and started for the door, knowing that they followed. She narrowly managed to get past the other girls, leading the two young men down an alley. They wouldn't leave me alone, even if I asked them to. I'm not going to bother; I'm too tired right now. And my wounds still hurt a little. The girl glanced at them over her shoulder as they came out onto another street. "So…what are we doing…?"
Belphegor pushed Fran aside and hurried to catch up with her. "Ushishishi~ Kaere wants to spend time with her prince now?"
"Kaere. What about me?" Fran caught up as well, walking on her other side. "I'll treat Kaere to lunch, but not you, Bel-sempai."
"You buy the prince lunch or you can leave."
I can't have a day that isn't complicated, can I? Imagine when I…if I…do marry Xanxus. Wouldn't I have to be around these two all the time? And wouldn't that make things even more complicated than they already are? She yawned and heard her phone ringing. A quick look at the screen showed a name she did not want to deal with just then.
"Who's calling you~?" Bel taunted, looking at the screen. His grin fell instantly. "Why is the ugly shark peasant calling you?"
"…I wouldn't know…"