Chapter 21
The next morning the kids were up early and one of them was not happy. Despite coming to a bit of acceptance the night before, Kazui woke up angry and confused. Before his mother even came downstairs, he was outside in the yard with a bokken, going through drills on his own.
Ulquiorra's hearing was sharp enough that he heard the practice sword whoosh through the air. He sighed, untangled himself from Orihime, and slid on some sweats and a t-shirt before leaving his bedroom and going downstairs. He opened the sliding glass door and walked out onto the deck, watching the boy. "Most kids sleep in on the weekends, Kazui," the green-eyed man said.
"I would have if we didn't have a baby bedtime," the boy grumbled quietly. He did not make eye contact with his mother's boyfriend.
"Pardon me for making sure that you kids have enough rest for your growing bodies," Ulquiorra said as he stepped onto the grass. "What's really bothering you?"
The boy looked down the length of the bokken and pursed his lips. He brought the practice weapon up and down a few more times before he let the end of it touch the ground and turned to face his teacher. "Why my mom? Why couldn't you have liked any of the other moms? Or somebody without any kids like Riruka?"
The older male's mouth formed a thin line as he listened to Kazui. Why his mom? It wasn't in his plan to like any moms or anyone else. It had just happened. Had Ulquiorra not gone into Halcyon with Eriko, this wouldn't be an issue. "Because-because-" He had no words. He couldn't explain to this boy what happened or how he felt about his mother. "Kazui, your mother had my heart a long time ago. Riruka is unattractive."
The boy scowled at Ulquiorra and narrowed his eyes, doing calculations in his head. "So you are telling me that you liked her when she was my dad's wife?" There was an underlying accusation in Kazui's voice.
"No, before that. When she was a teenager."
"Oh." The boy looked down at the ground again as he processed this information. "Is that why you fought my dad?"
This kid knew how to ask questions, didn't he? Ulquiorra sighed and sat down on the grass. He looked up at Kazui. He was going to deny those claims but as he thought about it… That was why he fought Kurosaki. The Shinigami was going to take Orihime away and he couldn't stand the thought of that. "Yes, you could say that."
The orange-haired kid was not sure about this. Maybe he needed to talk to his mom about it, but he still had questions for the man. "Are you mad that he won? Are you mad that my mom liked him?"
"No," Ulquiorra stated. "Your father was the better person for your mother at that time. I'm sure he made her happy. Besides, if I won, there would be no you."
Being a ten-year-old, Kazui wasn't very aware of how his feelings translated to his facial expressions. His mouth twisted to the side and his eyebrows knit into a stormy kind of visage. He didn't know if it would be wrong to reveal that before his father's death, he had not made her happy much at all.
Ulquiorra raised an eyebrow. "Your face speaks louder than your voice ever will. You need to learn how to not show emotion when you fight. Your opponent will beat you every time."
The boy sighed. "You're not my opponent, Ulquiorra." He sighed again and sat down on the grass, letting the wooden sword rest across his body. "She wasn't happy at the end," he murmured, his cheeks darkening.
"I know I'm not your opponent, Kaz. I'm supposed to teach you. I just gave you a lesson," Ulquiorra answered. "Sometimes adults go through things that make us unhappy. That's how life is."
Kazui nodded and looked around before leaning forward a bit. "You know I can see ghosts and stuff, right?"
The dark-haired man nodded. "You're a Shinigami, like your father. If I didn't have this gigai on, you'd be able to feel and see me too."
The boy gave a small smile before his face fell. "Yeah, that would be cool. But I should have been able to see him. He didn't say goodbye. He could have, but he didn't."
Oh… That's what was bothering the boy. Knowing what the elder Kurosaki turned into when he died, it was probably for the best that he hadn't stuck around to say goodbyes and farewells to the ones he loved. The moment Kurosaki died, Soul Society was probably itching to cleanse his soul. There wasn't anyone powerful enough to fight the hollow he had become. "Does that bother you that he didn't say goodbye?"
Kazui nodded, looking toward the ground.
"Have you spoken to your mother about this?"
He shook his head. "I can't. It will make her sad."
"Kazui, let me explain something. Your mom cares about you. She wants you to be happy. She doesn't like how you push her away. It's not helping anyone. It won't help you in the long run," Ulquiorra said. "Come, sit down for a minute."
The boy got up onto his knees and walked on them over toward where Ulquiorra was sitting and took a seat beside him.
"I'm going to ask you several questions. I would like you to answer them. Do you have a problem with me dating your mother?"
Kazui shrugged. "I don't know. I guess not. But also kinda."
"I promise to you that I will try my best to always make her happy. I do not want her to be sad or unhappy. Next question, would you talk to your mother about what is bothering you about your father's death?"
Again the boy looked uncomfortable. "I would if she wouldn't be sad, but I don't want her to be sad."
Ulquiorra sighed. "Okay, do you mind if I bring it up to her?"
The boy thought about it for a few moments. "She's happy when she's with you. I think maybe if you said something maybe she wouldn't be sad, right?"
Hmmm. Ulquiorra's mouth twisted to the side for a moment as he thought. "I can be there if you want to tell her. I think she would be happy if she heard it from you," he replied. "Kazui, are you thinking you make your mother unhappy?"
The boy brought his knees up to his chin and wrapped his arms around them. "Sometimes."
Shaking his head, Ulquiorra placed a hand on the boy's shoulder. "You make your mom happy. Her face lights up when she talks about you. It makes me proud that you've come so far in such a short amount of time."
Kazui looked over at Ulquiorra with a flat expression. "Thanks, but I know I make her unhappy. She doesn't want me to be a Shinigami. She's afraid I'll be like him."
"You are your own person. You can change your destiny. Your mother did. Your father did. Being a Shinigami is dangerous," Ulquiorra said quietly. "I watched what horrors your father faced in Hueco Mundo. He came close to dying over and over again."
"I don't want to do anything like that. I just want to be able to protect my friends and my mom."
"That is just like your father. He wanted to do the same thing. Your mother wanted to do exactly that. You should trust her when she makes decisions. When it comes time, I'm sure you will be able to do that," the man said. "Final question and then I'll let you get back to practicing."
"Okay, what?"
"Do you want me to marry your mother?"
Kazui's blush extended to the tips of his ears as he nodded. "If you kiss her, you should."
"You do realize that would make Eriko your sister and you'd have to be around me all the time. I'd shape you into a top-notch kendo student," Ulquiorra said with a small smile.
Kazui smiled back and said with a small groan., "I know, but it wouldn't make much difference from how it is now, would it? I mean, I am with you guys all day at school and like, every weekend now…" He rolled his eyes. "I know Eri is my best friend but I feel like she is starting to get sick of me. So it's like she's my sister already."
Again, he shook his head. His daughter wasn't sick of him. She liked him and hated the feeling at the same time. Ulquiorra knew this. He blamed it all on those dramas that Sato used to watch. They put silly grown up notions into his daughter's head. "You two are growing up. The world is changing for you both. I don't think she's sick of you. I think she's just being a female."
"What difference does that make?" The boy was totally serious, and looked at Ulquiorra like what he said was preposterous.
"That's a question for your mother to answer," Ulquiorra said as he stood up. "C'mon, let's go make our ladies some breakfast."
Kazui smiled and followed. When they got inside, he seemed to have had an idea. As Ulquiorra opened the fridge, the kid stood really close and said quietly, "You know, she really, really likes it if you bring her coffee in bed before you make the breakfast…" he walked away then and pretended to make himself busy.
Ulquiorra's brow rose as he looked at the child. Coffee, eh? Anything to make Orihime happy. With a sigh, the man walked over to the coffee maker and measured the required items, pushing the button to let it brew before he walked back to the fridge. "What do you think we should make Kaz?"
"Eggs. Do you have eggs? Did you know that I can cook eggs all by myself? My grandpa taught me," the boy boasted.
"I have eggs, but you're not burning down my house by cooking. You can help me," Ulquiorra said. The coffee maker beeped, signaling it was done and he looked over at it. "How does your mother take her coffee?"
"Black, like her soul," he said with a hissy kind of voice that he had heard his mother use on many-an-early-morning. It was a standing joke between the two of them. He smiled when he had finished saying it.
This kid. Ulquiorra chuckled as he got two coffee cups down and filled them with coffee. "'I'll be back in a few moments," he said. He left his cup sitting on the counter while he went upstairs to deliver the other cup to the redhead.
Orihime was still sleeping, but lightly. When the door opened she turned her head and cracked her eyes open. "Good morning, what time is it- Is that coffee?" she asked as her face broke into a sleepy smile.
"It's early. Your son woke me up by swinging a bokken out in the yard. And it is coffee. I made it fresh for you," Ulquiorra said, walking around the bed and putting the cup on the other bedside table, so Orihime could reach it.
"You know how to get on my good side," she purred after she inhaled the scent of the hot liquid. "C'mere," she added, getting up on one elbow to kiss him before grabbing the cup and breathing the steam. "What was Kazui doing out there so early, I wonder."
"My guess is that he was thinking."
"He does that from time to time," she said with a chuckle before taking a sip of her coffee. "Oh god, this is good. I'd say I owe you my soul, but I'm giving you a child, so I think we're even." She smiled and took another sip. "Oh, speaking of that, don't let me have anymore than one cup. It's not good for the baby for me to consume too much caffeine."
"He's bothered by his dad's death," Ulquiorra said, sitting down on the bed. He looked at his woman as she sipped from the cup. It was only fair to give her a heads up. "Do I need to get you some teas or make you some lemon water?"
"Not right now, thank you, though." She smiled at him before she considered what he said about Kazui. "Did he say something specific about Ichigo?"
Ulquiorra nodded. "I think it would be best to talk to him about it. We're making eggs for breakfast if you want to come down," he said.
"In a minute. I need to let the coffee work its magic."
A soft chuckle left him and Ulquiorra stood up. "Well, I'm going to get it started," he stated. "Enjoy the coffee."
"Thank you," she called after him.
"Did she like like the coffee?" Kazui asked as he heard Ulquiorra's footsteps on the stairs.
Ulquiorra looked at the kid and nodded. "Thank you. Now what do you want for giving me that tip?"
"I want you to let me make the eggs," came the challenge.
Ugh. The boy knew how to drive a hard bargain. "And if you burn them what am I supposed to do? If I let you play chef, I need a backup plan. There should be some rice leftover. We could have that too."
The boy scoffed. "I have never burned an egg. Trust me."
"Fine but I'm going to assist you," Ulquiorra stated.
A big sigh. "Okay. Do you know how to crack an egg without breaking the yolk?"
Ulquiorra rolled his eyes. "I've been alive for a long time. Of course I know how to crack an egg without breaking the yolk. I'm not a heathen."
Kazui chuckled. "Okay. My mom likes her eggs over easy. Think you can manage?"
"You're the cook," Ulquiorra replied with a smirk. "I'm merely observing. That is how I'm assisting. Does your mom let you cook?"
"Fine. And yes, she does. She bakes a lot of mornings, so those days I either have to come down to the cafe or fend for myself," he said, setting the burner to the desired flame height and putting some butter into a pan.
The man watched the boy for a few minutes before he went to get his coffee cup. It was still warm, and he brought it back to the island and sat down. "Did you ever want siblings?" Ulquiorra asked.
"When I was younger I did. I'm kind of used to it now, though. And I always thought mom would be alone so I didn't think about it after dad died. Um, did you?" The boy was making conversation, he didn't have a clue what Ulquiorra was fishing for.
"I never had siblings when I was living. When I was an Espada I never had underlings. Being human means you have to have some interaction between people. Even then, I didn't want anyone around me."
"How do you and Eri like your eggs?" he interrupted.
Ulquiorra gave a small shake of his head. He was amazed how oblivious the boy could be. "Uh, scrambled, if you can do that."
"You got it," he replied, getting a bowl and cracking eggs into it. "So, if you don't want anyone around you, why did you have Eri?"
He about choked on the sip of dark liquid in his mouth. "Um, Eriko was a surprise. Her mother and I came together once and then Yuko left. A year later, I met Eri."
"Yuko. That's the mean lady from yesterday," the boy commented as he poured the egg mixture into a pan. "I don't like her."
"Yes. I do not like Yuko either. Neither does Eriko."
Kazui pursed his lips and hummed as he nodded. "So were you always a good dad, or did it take awhile for you to not want to eat her soul?"
Tch. Ulquiorra scoffed at that question. He would never admit the moment he laid eyes on the infant that she became his entire world. "I had to take care of her. She's my Fraccion. She's a piece of my soul. I never wanted to eat a human's soul. I didn't need to eat."
"Oh, well, that makes it easier, I guess. I'm almost done; do you want me to wake them up, or…?" the unspoken plea in Kazui's voice was loud.
"I can go wake them up. You set the table. I'll go incur the wrath of the female folks," Ulquiorra said, putting his coffee cup on the counter. He went upstairs again but instead of waking Orihime again, he walked down the hall to his daughter's room. He glanced at Kazui's door and noticed the kid hadn't made his bed. A frown formed on his face. Ulquiorra knocked on Eriko's door and waited.
"What?" the girl called out, sounding snotty.
"Pardon me?" Ulquiorra said pushing the door open. "Breakfast is ready and I suggest you change your tone."
"Oh. Sorry," Eriko said as she flipped the covers back. "I thought you were Kazui."
Ulquiorra gave her a stern look. "What is your problem with him?"
"Nothing-"
"Bullshit."
Eriko sighed. "I don't want to like him. He's my best friend. Those shows that Sato used to watch always showed-"
"Eri, those shows are just fantasy. Real life isn't like that," Ulquiorra stated, crossing his arms over his chest. "Besides, you should be looking more into studies than boys. You need to work hard in school. It's fine to be friends with boys but that is it. Please get dressed and come downstairs."
He turned and left the room, walking down the hall to his bedroom. No, it was their bedroom, at least he had hopes that it would be soon. Ulquiorra opened the door and stuck his head in.
"Somebody not a morning person?" Orihime said with her back to him, putting on a bra as she stood next to the dresser.
"Well hello," he said coming into the room. Ulquiorra walked up behind her and put his arms around her waist. "Are you referring to the tweenage crisis?"
Orihime chuckled and turned her face toward him for a kiss on the cheek. "I am. Somebody trying to get over a confusing, budding crush?"
"She needs to focus on school work, not boys," Ulquiorra said. He kissed her. "Breakfast is ready and Kazui made the eggs."
Orihime grinned. "Did he make a big deal about it? He always does."
Ulquiorra nodded. "He gave me the secret to wooing you in exchange for a chance to show me that he can fend for himself," the man laughed. "I think we might have our hands full when we finally mesh this all together."
"It'll be fine," she replied, turning in his arms to kiss him. She pulled back and added, "but it won't be if we dawdle and my eggs overcook, so let's go."
Their morning went on without incident and so too did their trip to the cemetery. Once they were there, the two families went their separate ways, the Kurosakis to Ichigo's grave and the Cifers to Sato-san's.
When they had gotten out of hearing range, Orihime asked Kazui, "So, Ulquiorra tells me you two had a chat this morning."
The boy nodded but said nothing.
"I think we need to talk about your dad."
"Why?"
"Because I've got a new man in my life. You're my first priority, though. Either way, it has to be confusing for you-"
"That's not it, Mom," Kazui said, in an almost whining tone, before he ran ahead to his father's gravestone.
Orihime filled the water bucket she had picked up near the entrance of the cemetery at a nearby fountain and watched her son stare at his feet. She frowned as she approached him, but didn't immediately say anything, first using the provided ladle to pour water over the stone and then stepping back to pray.
After her prayers were completed, she waited for Kazui to finish his, only to find that he was staring off in the other direction. Orihime grabbed a small chocolate bar from her purse and put it in the offering spot, then asked, "What is it, Kaz? Why do you seem angry?"
The boy turned around with tears in his eyes and a frown on his face. "He never said goodbye! He could have, he's a Shinigami! He could have done it!"
"Oh, oh honey," Orihime said, stepping toward him and hugging him, despite his initial attempts to get away. "I never told you, because I didn't want you to be afraid, but Soul Society decided it had to be that way."
"But he was strong enough. He could have taken the time to come back."
Orihime didn't say what she was thinking; that she agreed with him. Instead, she said, "I know it feels that way, but he didn't have a choice, honey. Aunt Rukia was there with him right after he died. She told me that she did the konso right away."
The boy scoffed. "Is that why she and Renji and Ichika haven't been back? They are afraid I'm not going to forgive them. Well you know what? They're right, I don't!"
Orihime stepped back from her son but kept her hands on his shoulders. "I understand that you're angry. It's okay. It's okay to feel angry or sad or disappointed. What happened wasn't fair. It doesn't feel right. I was mad about it, too. But, Kazui, you have to understand, your dad wasn't just a powerful Shinigami. He was also-"
"I know about the hollow thing, mom. He's was just like Cifer— Ulquiorra. It still doesn't make any sense-"
"Kazui, listen to me. He wasn't like Ulquiorra. Someone told me that when I wasn't there once, while he was training with the Vizards, his hollow tried to take over his body, and your father barely was able to break through. Ulquiorra was… he was a bit like the Vizards but the opposite way. I don't think he ever lost his mind like that. Anyway, Soul Society didn't want to risk that happening again after he died. Your father is too strong. I know it's not fair, but it is what it is. And, most people don't have the chance to say goodbye to their loved ones after they pass. Look," Orihime said, guiding her son's gaze toward Ulquiorra and Eriko. "Eriko's grandmother died while no one was home. They didn't have a chance to say goodbye, either. Death is always hard for the survivors, you know?" Orihime felt utterly out of her depth here. She felt like every word that was coming out of her mouth was a lie, despite the general truth. She put her arms around Kazui's neck and gave him another tight hug. "I'm sorry, Monkey. I wish it had been different, too."
The boy wiped his eyes and nodded. He knew what she was saying was true. It just sucked. He was mad.
"I'll let you say your prayer on your own. I'm going to stand under that tree back there," Orihime murmured to him and let go.
Eriko did most of the formalities. Ulquiorra just stood some feet away and watched her. His young daughter pulled a flower out of the small paper shopping bag she carried and laid it on the grave.
"I know I'm supposed to be praying but I have to talk to you. Dad says he knows you loved your dramas but we can't leave a television here for you. Those guys were always giving the girls roses... Sato-san... Daddy found someone. She's nice. I really wish she was my real mom instead of Yuko," Eriko said as she sat in front of the marker. "Did you ever get to meet Yuko, Sato-san? Dad never talks about her but I finally got to meet her."
The girl sniffled then swallowed. "I hate her. I hate Yuko. It's not fair. She's nasty. She's cold. She has a bad vibe around her. Auntie always said I was a mistake; that I wasn't your real grandchild; that Dad isn't your real son. I knew that but from what I've read on the internet, family is what you choose and not who you share bloodlines with."
Eriko sighed unhappily. She glanced back at her dad who was staring off into the distance. "You helped him, Sato-san. He's a good guy because of you. You helped him be a good dad."
She sat there in silence thinking of what else she could tell the woman but nothing came. Eriko chewed her bottom lip for a moment.
"Eri? Are you done?" Ulquiorra asked.
Nodding, the girl stood, "I think so. I told her everything I thought she should know. Dad?"
"Hmmm?"
"How come you never pray?"
"What makes you think I don't? Maybe I come here when I'm alone and do it. Perhaps I stand there while you are talking to her and I tell her what's going on with me," Ulquiorra said as they began to walk. "You're supposed to be praying, not chit-chatting with the dead."
"Sato-san wouldn't mind. She loved gossip more than anything."
"True," Ulquiorra murmured. He sighed. "Eriko, you know I would never hide anything from you. I would never keep anything from you."
"Okay?" she said in a questioning tone.
There was a pause as she watched her father take a deep breath. "It's early, but Orihime and I… I think I'm going to ask her to move in."
Eriko's forehead wrinkled. "What? You-She-Kazui-But-"
"Listen to me." The girl's stuttering tapered off. Ulquiorra's fingers started rubbing together. "Nothing will change."
"But why?"
"Because I love you and I love Orihime. I want to give you the family you deserve," Ulquiorra said. He looked down at his child and smiled. "Let's go join Orihime and Kazui."
Orihime's plan was to go to the zoo and she mentioned it to the kids as the parties reconvened at the entrance of the cemetery. Kazui seemed quietly agreeable to the suggestion. Eriko, on the other hand, was resistant.
"I don't want to go anywhere. I just want to go home." The girl pouted and crossed her arms over her chest.
"Eriko," Ulquiorra warned her. "Stop being a brat."
"I'm not being a brat! Does Kazui know they're moving in?"
"No we're not," the boy countered, looking at Eriko like she was crazy. Then things started clicking into place in his brain and he looked at his mother in concern, "Are we, Mom?"
"Uh, it's a bit… I don't know, it's not decided?" Orihime looked at Ulquiorra with a pleading expression, mouthing the word, "Help."
Ulquiorra rarely scowled but when it happened it was scary. He turned and faced the girl. "I said it was a possibility. I suggest you knock it off with this temper tantrum. You are acting just like-" He stopped not wanting to say her mother's name. "Why is this a problem?"
"Because you'll love her more! You won't have time for me! You two will have a baby and push us to the side!" Eriko yelled at her father.
"Eriko," Orihime piped up, sounding very authoritative, "Your father and I understand that our relationship is going to be a big adjustment for you two kids. We've talked about it a lot, and we both want what is best for all of us. We think that we can help each other; make each other stronger; love each other. I know you have not known us very long compared to how long you and your dad have lived alone after Sato-san passed, but I know that I care about you very much. I know that your father loves you fiercely, as I love Kazui. You have to trust us that that will never ever change."
The pout on her face deepened and Eriko scowled at Orihime. She didn't care if her dad would get mad at her. "No one asked us. I don't think either of you thought about Kaz and I when you started this," she stated.
Orihime was unable to control a short burst of laughter. "Kiddo, you have no idea how much we talk about you two. How much we worry and obsess over how what we do affects you. I know it's not fair that we get to make the decisions and you don't, but we are the parents. It's our job to do that. Isn't that right, Ulquiorra?"
He nodded. Ulquiorra wanted to take Eriko aside and scold her for what she was saying and her actions but he refrained. He knew that puberty was a difficult thing for humans to go through. "We thought about you, but I am doing what makes me happy and ultimately what is best for me and by extension you. Orihime is right though. We are the parents and we make the decisions."
"You suck."
Ulquiorra's eyes went wide as he stared at Eriko. His mouth opened and closed several times as he tried to formulate some reply to her insult. Finally he just turned and walked away from the three people.
Orihime looked at the girl with disappointment. She said nothing at first, letting the girl experience the consequences of her actions on her own. Instead, she spoke to Kazui. "Is there anything you'd like to say, Kaz?"
The boy had half hidden himself behind his mother, wanting to escape from the conflict. He was surprised when he was addressed. "Oh! Um, well, I mean I already have a room at their house… But what happened to you, Eri? You used to be my best friend. When did you start hating us?" The boy clenched his teeth and looked at the girl with a hard expression. He didn't want to appear weak.
Truth be told, Eriko's moods had been swinging wildly since she had gotten her period. She wanted to cry all the time. She was mad a lot. The thoughts inside of her head were becoming hateful and dark for some reason. Her logical brain was disappearing and being replaced with this drama fueled girl. "I don't hate you. I just don't understand all of this."
Orihime sighed. "Nobody expects you to. Nobody expects you to know how to feel about it. It's not a small thing." Orihime walked toward Eriko with her palms visible. "Do you need a hug or a minute alone?"
Ulquiorra turned around and looked at Orihime. "No. Do not coddle her. She's being a disrespectful child."
Orihime looked at him and then back to the girl and smiled at her before walking toward her father. In hushed tones, she said, "You're right, she's being disrespectful, and she should not get away with that. But she's also frightened; her entire world is about to turn upside down. I'll leave it up to you."
She squeezed his arm affectionately and called to Kazui, "Let's sit in the shade for a minute, Monkey!" The boy loped over, following his mother to a bench a short distance away.
Ulquiorra looked at his woman and sighed. She was making him feel bad. Orihime was right. His head swung in the direction of his daughter who looked at the ground. "No phone. No television. No dramas. You are to study," he said to her in a quiet tone. "I have been waiting for Orihime for a long time. Before you were born. Before she was an adult, I had… feelings for her."
Eriko nodded, still not looking at her dad.
"I am not going to give up this opportunity at happiness just because you weren't consulted. There is space in my heart for all three of you. My affection towards you will not waver or change. You are my responsibility to nurture and shape into a decent human," Ulquiorra continued. He hated disciplining Eriko. She looked so hurt after he was done. "Do you have anything to say?"
She shook her head this time. "I will go apologize to Orihime and Kazui."
Kazui had been mostly quiet as they sat and waited for the Cifers to sort things out, but after a few minutes he looked at his mother and said, "I know that he loves you. I know… I know that he's not Dad. But, I think he's nice. I don't want you to be sad, Mom. I—"
Orihime hushed him up with a bone-crushing hug. "You don't worry about me. That's my job."
"I just wanted to say that I'm okay with moving… If you want to. I miss living in a house," the boy said in a muffled voice. He wasn't just putting on a brave face. He still really missed his old house.
Eriko trotted over to the two gingers and looked pitiful. Her father had quietly chastised her. "I apologize for throwing a fit. You're welcome at and in our home," she said.
Orihime smiled at the girl. "I know this is a big adjustment. It's okay to feel confused, just try to remember that it's a big deal for all of us, okay?"
Kazui pursed his lips and looked aside silently.
The girl nodded and then bit her lip. She shifted her attention from Orihime to Kazui. "Kazui?" she asked. "I'm sorry."
"Okay," he mumbled, kicking his feet back and forth slowly. "I don't know why you don't like me anymore, but we can at least get along, right?"
Oh no! No! Why would he think such a thing? Eriko's eyes got wide as she frowned. She looked at Orihime then back at the woman's son. "May we have a moment?"
Orihime nodded and got up off the bench and walked to Ulquiorra. Kazui didn't make eye contact with Eriko as she came closer.
"Kaz, I like you." Eriko felt nervous as she said this, so she sat down beside him and sighed. "Like, really like you. You're my best friend."
"I hope so," the boy replied, unconvinced. "You know, we used to play all the time and goof off and whatever and now, whenever we come over, you hide in your room half the time."
Eriko frowned again. He was right. "Puberty and hormones and girl stuff," she said. "It's an excuse, but I get angry at little things or I cry over nothing. It's frustrating, but just think, if you guys do move in, we can play and goof off and make my dad yell all the time." She turned her head and smiled at him.
Kazui's eyes widened. "All time time? I don't want to get yelled at all the time," he looked at the girl and gave her a small half smile. "You think it would be better?"
She gave him a one-shouldered shrug. "I don't know. I promise to be a better best friend though."
"Okay. You wanna go home still, or do you wanna see some penguins?"
"Penguins!"
So, do you think we've seen the end of Eri's attitude problem? Thanks for reading!
