Kon-ni-chi-wa~! ^_^
I'm here! Are ya happy t' see me? Why not, ne? It's obviously becoz I'm here with another chapter! I'm super excited so let's move on already.
Replies to Reviews:
AtashinoDarkSide: Haha, Thank yoooouuu! Loved your review big time! To be honest sometimes Im surprised at the pairing myself but suuper grateful it occurred to me. I'm always gung-ho to tag along their little journey XD I was really sad when Mikage died and felt betrayed but somehow never hated Ayanami…weirdly. Thanks again for the great review ^.^
Disclaimer & Warning: in first chapter.
Chapter 11:
"Wow, what a view!" Mikage proclaimed towards the horizon. There were constant fast breezes outside on the roof of the cruise and the ocean was a bright sparkling cerulean blue with the sun at its height. The blond was simply dazed at the scenery with big eyes and leaned all the way out towards the ocean at the same time keeping a sturdy hold on the steel balcony bars.
"Haha, I think you're a little too over excited. Don't tell me you've never been to the ocean before?" Yufuin, who was still besides him commented.
"Of course I've been to the ocean before but never on a cruise in the middle of the ocean before!" He corrected. "Must be lucky to live the luxury life."
"You said it."
*(*(*(*(…)*)*)*)*
"Ah, of course. The famous Ayanami-sama, what a pleasure to finally meet in person. I've read over all your accomplishments and couldn't help but fathom how much a nation could use your expertise and determination." The VIP guest who Ayanami was meeting spoke first.
"Your acknowledgement is appreciated." The silverette flatly thanked. "Likewise, I have heard many things about you as well."
"While we are on the topic, I cannot help but ask what your affiliation to the Raggs is?"
Ayanami mentally frowned at the nosy question and thought for a second before answering. "…I was one of the heirs to the Kingdom of the Raggs but that is all in the past."
"Interesting indeed. Do you not wish to carry on that name? It seems as though that whole kingdom has been wiped away."
"Makes no difference to me." The chied replied, since he was the one who took part in that process. It's true, he was the Prince of Raggs but he never considered himself as one. For him the military and his position was all he ever needed to succeed in life. Besides, it's not like he was really the last one, if any one was last it was that Teito kid who also belonged to the very kingdom itself.
"Very well, then shall we continue our compromises for our alliance?"
"Please." He closed his eyes and pleaded, trying to mask his irritation.
"But first, how would you like a change in location? It would be a waste not to spend such a beautiful day outdoors. I know a place with chairs and tables on the roof? What do you say, Ayanami-kun?" The silverette nodded.
Just a peek at Hyuuga x Konatsu:
"Lieutenant Hyuuga, have you finished the paperwork I've given you?" Konatsu entered the brunette's office with another huge pile of papers.
"Hm?" Hyuuga looked up from his paper airplane with boredom but lit up when he saw the blond enter the room. "Oh hey Kono-chan!"
"I hope you've signed all those papers because I just brought in the next stac—" He was about to rest the papers on one of the other desks before he noticed the paper plane in the other's hand and the pile of untouched papers besides him. "Hyuuga-san! Don't tell me you didn't even touch those?! Those papers were due two hours ago and these are an hour late!" He emphasized pointing at the new pile. Hyuuga sighed. "I think I should clearly be the one sighing here, sir."
"Maaan, what is Aya-tan thinking? He can't just leave all the work to us while he's cruising on a vacation…" The brunette whined, leaning on his elbow.
"Whatever Ayanami-sama might be thinking, it's obvious that he wants these done by the time he comes back so please stop slacking if you value your job." Konatsu tried to reason with the elder.
"No fun at all. And you have to be so uptight about it too." Hyuuga kept complaining.
"Well what do you expect me to do? Someone has to make sure you get the work done. Geez, and here I thought handling Shuuri was harder." His point was well taken; ever since Konatsu saved Shuuri (in the manga) the kid had been continuously clinging to him calling him 'Oniisan! Oniisan!' The memory of the scene made Hyuuga felt the slightest of jealousy in his soul.
"Fine." The elder said, making Konatsu look at him questioningly. "I promise I'll finish all this work and that pile over there." Hyuuga did sound promising for a brief moment that the blond almost believed him. However he'd been with Hyuuga far too long to just give in that easily.
"What's the catch this time?" The blond asked not too excited.
"A kiss." Four eyes requested as though that was the most normal thing to ask for.
"What?!"
"I mean it. You know I never go back on any of my promises with you." The elder reminded. The teen's heart skipped a beat. He was telling the truth. 'Urg…what is Hyuuga-san thinking? What would be the fun in kissing me? Ever since the first time Hyuuga gave him his sword and called him by his first name, he had always felt strong admiration and respect towards the elder and wanted to keep it that way. Sure Hyuuga-san's always been very playful but what is he planning by doing this?' The blond thought.
"So what da ya say?" He didn't notice when exactly the brunette was up from his desk and standing before him.
"U-um, okay?" Konatsu responded a little startled. He was even more surprised by the wide grin that formed on the elder's countenance with his eyes closed behind his dark lens.
"I'm waiting then." There was a futile moment of hesitation before Konatsu inched closer and stretched his neck in order for his lips to reach the other's face.
Chu. There he did it. He planted a sweet, soft and affectionate kiss on the other's right cheek but even such a small action made him blush quite a bit. The other cracked his eyes open disbelievingly. 'You're kidding me?'
"What was that?" The brunette helplessly asked not budging from his spot.
"It's what you asked for, what else?"
"That wasn't a kiss on the lips!" The brunette argued now.
"You never said it had to be on the lips! Now a promise is a promise—please get back to work!" The blond never liked bossing his superior but was well used to it now.
"I'm not going to forget this Kono-chan." Hyuuga grudgingly sat back at his desk. Konatsu only sighed.
"I'll come around when they're done." And with that he left. The office was silent again and Hyuuga signed the first seventy-six sheets. Taking a moment to rest, he took the opportunity to lift his hand and place it on his cheek that was kissed by the younger before resuming.
Back to Ayanami X Mikage's side ^.^:
"Here we are." opened the door to reveal a wide space of arena that apparently resembled a huge balcony but was actually the roof. Even so, there were multiple tables with a maximum of two to five chairs with an umbrella top, solo relaxing seats with single round tables and even a translucent pool at one corner. Ayanami held the door after him indifferently and his eyes automatically followed the sight directly in front of him. However little did he expect to be shocked by the unanticipated scene before him that no one else probably cared to notice. At a straight angle before them were Mikage and Yufuin, about a hundred feet away leaning close to the bars and busy talking.
"Ayanami-kun?" His guest made him realize he had unawarely been glaring at the two teens for over a minute now. "Is something the matter?"
"No, let us have a seat." He faced the other man and led them to a table to the far left, still gazing at the teens from the corner of his eyes while they stepped away.
'That boy with Mikage-kun is the same as before isn't he? What was his name…yes, Yufuin S…'
…
"It's getting cold out here isn't it?" Mikage rubbed his eyes unknowingly.
"Hm," Yufuin agreed. "Hey, I've been meaning to ask, did you sleep alright? It looks like you have a few dark circles…" He raised his hand to gently brush his finger tips under one of the blond's eye.
"Ah, yeah just last night. I guess I was homesick." Mikage lied. Ayanami wasn't particularly facing them but his relentless lavender eyes were no doubt locked on them from where he was sitting.
"So what are your suggestions Ayanami-kun?" Once again his VIP guest broke his speculation. The silverette huffed under his breath. 'What a pain.' Never before did he find himself so distracted during any of his meetings/work, sure this was a first and that fact itself was very inadequate for him but that displeasure didn't stay too long. Amazingly, he realized he was ready to give up all this just to have Mikage in his arms where he belonged. In fact, he almost convinced himself that this meeting was the distraction instead.
"Oh I almost forgot, there'll be another event later this afternoon at the Luxury Lounge, 2nd floor. I won't be able to make it for various reasons but you should definitely go. I hear it's mostly a dance party, kind of like a masquerade without masks." Yufuin told the blond.
On the flip, VIP-San had coincidently just introduced the same topic to Ayanami. "A ball?" The silverette questioned.
"That's another way to put it." Yufuin answered Mikage with a smile.
…At the Ball…
Mikage was at some center of the room and just stood flustered at all the gorgeously dressed men and women, chatting, flirting and dancing with one another. A skinny frail teen like him could just stand there self-consciously like a statue, even though he wasn't average in looks himself. But of course those looks do become average when they are in par with Ayanami's good looks.
Speaking of Ayanami, the blond was over enthralled and for the most part utterly relieved to spot his boss and run up to him, trying not to crash into anyone either.
"Ayanami-san!" The blond called out. The silverette immediately turned his attention towards the sweet voice, watching as the blond caught up to him.
"Mikage-kun, why are you here?" The elder inquired.
"Ah, I was told of a party here but…it turned out a little more different than I had otherwise expected…" He explained scratching his cheek. Well, it didn't matter why he was here, as long as he was besides Ayanami. The chief wrapped his arm around the younger's shoulders and pulled him close.
"Don't leave my side." Ayanami ordered, walking away with him as he glanced wearily to his sides. 'What is the possibility that Yufuin might be here…? Nevertheless, that will be the last time he touches Mikage-kun…' Before that, he's decided to gather information about Yufuin and make sure he stays out of Mikage's life for good.
"Y-yes." The blond obliged, bashfully glancing at his surroundings as well while they stepped away but for a completely different reason. For he was more concerned with what people might infer seeing them like this. 'I'm overthinking everything! It's not as if Ayanami just kissed me or anything.' The younger brushed away his thoughts until they came to a halt. He looked up at Ayanami to decipher the reason they stopped but only noticed him kneeling down in towards the blond. Almost as if he wanted to…
Mikage backed away immediately, however still within the elder's circle of domination. "A-Ayanami-san, we can't, not here." The younger hissed. The silverette stood straight once again acknowledging his reason and furrowing his eyebrows while he was it.
'That was close,' Mikage sighed.
"Hello, Ayanami-San is it?" Both of them were distracted by a women's voice. They looked ahead of them to find a dazzling tall women (shorter than Ayanami of course) dressed in deep purple and glittery jewelry. Her sparkling orange shaded hair were tied in an unusually high pony tail with a couple of strands and front bangs escaping. Ayanami let go of Mikage's shoulder and turned to honor her his attention. "I'm the Vice President of the XXX base. If it's alright, may I...ask for this dance?"
Mikage didn't understand why he was surprised. It's Ayanami, of course he'd get a hundred of requests such as these in such parties and under such circumstances due to his reputation. 'If I keep standing here I'll probably be in the way right?' The blond maturely told himself, but why? Why was something in his heart turning cold then?
"It's nice to meet you Miss. I'm sure our Ayanami-san would be honored to share a dance with such a beautiful person." Mikage stepped in and smiled respectfully. He could practically feel the elder's eyes widen at him. But for what reason, he had yet to find out.
To Be Continued…
Stop jumping to conclusions Mika-kun! (o) You're going to make Aya-tan mad for real now! Lol
Yay we even got to see some KonaHyuu in this chapter! That's an improvement, I always wanted to develop them too, 'slightly' but couldn't bring myself to forfeit our main couple for even a second XD.
Anyhow so is Ayanami going to forcefully accept the dance? Or Can he reject another respectful existence just like that? And what's going to happen to Mikage? Stay tuned!
Thanks for the read, and please review!