Language of Flowers
Language of Flowers

By Maria Szabo

Disclaimer: The Characters and storylines of X/1999 are the property of CLAMP, their publishers and their distributors. This is a work of fan fiction, and no profit is being made from it, nor is any infringement intended. Please don't sue!

Part 3

The man who had answered the phone sounded a little suspicious, thought Kusanagi as he held on the line. Not that he blamed him. If the tables were turned, he'd probably be the same way. The voice was the same one as before…Subaru-san was what she'd called him.

A slight sound of motion then a breathless voice came on the line. "Hello?"

"Miss Yuzuriha Nekoi?"

"Kusanagi-san!"

"Oh, good, it's you."

She laughed. "Of course it's me! You asked for me, didn't you?"

"Yeah, but what if someone else had picked up the phone, Missy?"

"Silly. Arashi-san's the only other girl here and she doesn't sound a thing like me!"

He chuckled. "I got your letter the other day, but I haven't had time to write. So how are you doing? Are you recovering well?"

"Oh, yes. I went back to class today."

"And how was that?"

She made a disagreeable sound. "Too much homework! But what about you? Do they have you doing relief work?"

"Do they ever. That's why I hadn't had time to write." He hesitated for a moment. "I hope you don't mind me calling…"

"Of course not! I…I was thinking about you…"

"Same here." He replied, softly. "Well…anyway…the reason I called…"

"Hey, Yuzuriha-chaaaan! While you're in there, can you put on…hey! Who're you talking to?" A young man's voice chattered in the background.

"….A friend." He heard Yuzuriha reply.

The young man laughed. "Must be a good one, to make you blush like that!"

"Sorata-san!"

"Never mind, I'll put on the tea." Suddenly the voice was clear on the line. "Goodnight, Yuzuriha's boyfriend! You treat her good or I'll come looking for you!"

"So-so-sorata-saaan…"

Kusanagi stifled a laugh as the obviously flustered girl took the phone back.

"I'm sorry about that…"

"Ouch! Neechan! What'd you do that for?" the voice in the background was getting fainter.

"That's alright. That kid must be from Osaka? He sure has the accent.""

"Sorata-san? Mount Kouya. Um..I…um…"

The Star of Kouya. The first Seal. If the prophecies were right, the boy would be a warrior-priest. "Who's 'Neechan'?"

"Oh, that's Arashi-san." Yuzuriha giggled. "He's the only one who calls her that."

"Hmmm. Oh, Missy, why I called…"

"Yes?"

"I was wondering if you'd be available Saturday afternoon? I should have some time free then. I thought maybe we could get together?"

"I…yes! I'm free then. Where do you want to go?"

"Um…well…I'm not sure what'll be available. They've closed so much because of the earthquakes. I thought maybe the Gardens at the Imperial Palace might still be open."

"Oh, I haven't been there yet! That'll be so cool!"

"Ok, Missy, then we'll meet Saturday. Can you find your way there?"

"…I…"

"Didn't think so. Want me to meet you at your school?"

"….Maybe…a block away?"

She hadn't mentioned him to the others, then. Good. "Sure, that'll work. I'll see you then."

"Ok! Don't work too hard!"

"Same goes for you, Missy! And tell your friend he'd better treat you right, or I"LL come looking for HIM!"

"Kusanagi-san!" Her laughter was like a waterfall. "Good night!"

"Good night to you, Missy. Sleep well."

He waited until the dial tone was sounding, then put down the receiver. He turned to see Yamaguchi's gleeful eyes regarding him.

"Must be a cutie, huh?" he asked.

"What does it matter to you?"

"Hey, hey…I let you use my phone, Shiyuu-san."

Kusanagi winced. He had not bothered to get a phone line set up at the barracks for himself. Cost nonwithstanding, It wasn't required and besides Yuzuriha, there was no one he particularly wanted to hear from. Yamaguchi, who had a big family and a number of girlfriends, was usually willing to let him have occasional phone privileges "Yeah, thanks."

Yamaguchi raised an eyebrow. "That's not the same girl you brought into the infirmary the other day, is it?"

"Yes." He replied, shortly, hoping to discourage further conversation.

"Looked awful young to me, Shiyuu-san."

"She's old enough. Look, I'm going to get something to eat. You want anything?"

"I'm okay. See you later."

Kusanagi escaped the room quickly. A walk to the mess would clear his head.

He should have known that it would get out about him bringing Yuzuriha to the Ichigaya Base Clinic. And if they knew here, then it was for certain that the KAMUI knew about it as well. Not much got past that one.

Ah, well, he thought, it can't be helped. What really stung was Yamaguchi's jibe about her age. Probably because it's true, he admitted to himself, wryly. It was easy to think of her as a child, and she had called him on that the last time they met. It was safer for both of them that way. But the truth of the matter…

He shook his head. The truth of the matter was that he was being a fool, all because a pretty little girl with a spooky dog talked to him on the street one day. And more true was the fact that she was a Dragon of Heaven, one of the Seven Seals that it was his destiny to destroy. He'd seen the spirit dog on the street that day and spoke out, hoping that he'd finally found one of his comrades, someone who might have a clue as to what was going on. Instead, she'd cried in his arms, treated him to Haagen Dazs and a delightful conversation, then walked away in the wrong direction of the train station, taking his heart with her.

"I want to get to know you." She'd said. "I want you to get to know me, too."

And what will happen when you know, Missy? Will you listen to what I have to say? Will you understand why I have to do this?

He ran his hands through his hair. This is stupid, he told himself. I'll explain it to her. We'll be in the gardens. I'll show her what's at stake. She'll understand and maybe even…what? He didn't know what to hope for.

To be continued