Chapter 5

AN: Hehe, I suck at cliffhangers. ANNNNNNNNNNNND E-mail me with ideas if you have any ^_^

Disclaimer: Me no own, you no… drag me to court and press charges for copyright infringement ^_^

"They're back," Kunikida finished.

Momiji sat and nodded her head. It appeared that she didn't grasp it because her face was so passive. However, inside she was screaming. Oh god! Not again! Why can't I just have a normal life as a normal person? Please just kill me now to save me the trouble of the hell again! "I see," she said calmly.

Kusinagi, however, was not as calm. "What?! How could they be back again? They're supposed to be in their eternal sleep!"

Momiji winced at the sharpness of Kusinagi's voice. She shook her head slowly and looked up at Kunikida. "I suppose to end it before it gets out of hand I should be sacrificed?"

"NO!" all three yelled in unison causing Momiji to flinch.

"But if I were to be sacrificed it would be over…"

Kunikida stood and narrowed his eyes at Momiji. "We don't want to lose you again, once was bad enough!"

"But…"

"No buts, damn it!" Kunikida yelled.

"Momiji," Ryoko started, "We want you to be closer to civilization. Your aunt could come too if she wants."

"She won't leave," Momiji said slowly. "Why do you think she's not in the hospital right now?"

"Then we've arranged for your mother to come and take care of her," Kunikida said quickly.

Momiji nodded. The two never got along, but they never really disagreed either… as long as her aunt didn't go alone… "I guess… if it makes you feel better."

Kunikida sighed in relief. "Good. The TAC could keep you safe a bit easier if you're in Tokyo."

Kusinagi snorted. "The TAC? Protect Momiji?"

Ryoko shot a glare at Kusinagi. "We've had our moments of glory, Kusinagi. There were times you and Momiji would have both been gone…"

"Which is where you come in," Kunikida interrupted. "Do you still have your apartment?"

Kusinagi tilted both eyebrows on his right and looked Kunikida over before answering, "Yes."

"Good," Kunikida said with a smile, which shocked both Momiji and Kusinagi. "How about we keep Momiji at your place? Or at least in the apartment next to it."

"What?!" Both Momiji and Kusinagi questioned simultaneously.

"You heard me. You, after all, don't appear to think the TAC is capable of protecting her, why not keep her at your place to make sure you aren't too late to save her?"

Momiji felt her cheeks fire up and suddenly became interested in her lap.

Kusinagi thought a minute. Having Momiji there would be great! He could watch her constantly with reason and… damn it no way! He may not be able to control himself! "Why not at your place?"

Momiji's heart dropped again and she held back a sigh. He didn't want her there…

"Because you're right, it never served her to live in our home. We were never able to get to her as quick as you could, and by then she was already in danger. If she were with you constantly then she wouldn't even be in such danger…"

Kusinagi sighed. The old man did have a point. Besides, he was sure he could keep his hormones in check… for the most part. Glancing down at Momiji he felt his cheeks grow a shade redder. If she looked like that every day he KNEW he couldn't control himself. He'd have to tell her eventually how he felt… it might as well be when they had some quiet. "All right."

Momiji's eyes widened. She hadn't expected him to say yes! She looked up at him only to see him look back up at Kunikida. "I can drive her back to town."

Kunikida nodded. "We'll be expecting you tonight. She does need more clothes than just a couple of weeks, that's for sure."

Kusinagi nodded and looked down at Momiji, amazed at how well she was taking all the news. Had she been the same 15-year-old Momiji he first met she would have been pitching dramatics. She really had matured.

"Well, since there's no more business to discuss, I suppose we should be going. We'll see you tonight, Momiji," Kunikida said softly and stood. Ryoko stood as well and they both let themselves out, leaving behind Momiji and Kusinagi.

Momiji finally stood and looked at Kusinagi before turning and walking towards the living room. "I'm going to say goodbye and get my things…"

Kusinagi grabbed Momiji's hand. Momiji turned and looked up at him with questioning eyes. He smiled slightly, "You're going to fall."

"No I'm not," Momiji said, suddenly annoyed.

"Yes you will."

"No I won't," Momiji replied flatly.

"Okay, but if you fall you owe me," He said softly.

"Owe you what?"

"You'll see," He said in his most trademark hentai voice.

Momiji narrowed her eyes at him and pulled her hand free. "Whatever you say, Kusinagi."

Kusinagi grinned until Momiji was gone. Then his grin faded and he smacked himself in the forehead. "Baka," he muttered. She's going to be sleeping at your place now you idiot! Er… next door… but still!

Momiji made her way to the living room and looked at her aunt with sad eyes. "Maya?"

"I know, Mr. Kunikida was kind enough to fill me in on it."

Momiji fell silent.

"You know, Momiji, I'm quite happy you did come to take care of me. Not many people would want to come stay with a stubborn old woman."

"Old?" Momiji asked, "My mother's older than you!"

"So she is, but my body is worn to nothing," Maya replied sadly.

Momiji sighed. "I'll call you when I get there, okay?"

"All right, Momiji," Maya said, her face brightening. "You should probably get packed so that sweet Kusinagi could give you a ride home…"

Momiji walked to her aunt and wrapped her arms around her. "Take care, Aunt Maya."

"You too, kiddo," Maya replied with a smile and returned the hug. "Now go get packed."

Momiji nodded and released her aunt. However, as she turned she once again stumbled over a rug. What the hell is wrong with this house? I don't fall down this much on any normal occasion!

Maya gasped slightly and laughed when Momiji stood and began to chuckle at her own clumsy deed. "Your father did the same thing all the time."

Momiji smiled, "At least now I know where I got it from. Kaede got his looks, I got his grace right?"

"Oh I see a bit of your father in you besides your grace, or lack there of."

Both chuckled and Momiji finally turned and left the living room.

After packing, Momiji returned downstairs only to find Kusinagi and Maya chuckling about something. When she approached them, Kusinagi looked up at Momiji and also stood, still smiling. "Your aunt has a great sense of humor. I see its something that doesn't run much in the family."

Momiji clenched her fists to keep from yelling and turned to her aunt. "Yeah, she's always had something interesting to say."

Maya smiled at Momiji before motioning for another hug. Momiji approached her and hugged her one last time. "Bye Aunt Maya."

"Bye Momiji," her aunt replied and smiled when they broke the embrace. "Take care."

"You too."

Kusinagi turned and left the room, "Bye Maya."

Momiji followed slowly and was shocked to find Momiji lifting her bags already. "I can…"

"I think not, Princess," Kusinagi replied with a grin and carried the bag out, leaving behind Momiji's business clothes, which were now on a hanger and inside a clear plastic bag. She decided it best to change into a pair of jeans and a tank top rather than to dirty her expensive business clothes.

Lifting her business clothes carefully she followed Kusinagi to her car. She blinked twice. Hadn't he said he was going to give her a ride home? As they reached the car, Kusinagi put both bags in one hand and extended his hand for the keys. Momiji stared at him blankly for a moment. "What?"

"Keys."

"No," Momiji objected meekly.

Kusinagi smirked and stood there. "Yes."

"Do you even know how to drive?"

"Yeah…"

"Do you have a license?" Momiji asked suspiciously.

"Of course," He said casually, hand still extended for her keys.

Reluctantly Momiji handed him the keys. A small nap would be nice… When they finally had everything loaded, Momiji jumped in the passenger's side and buckled in. Kusinagi took his place behind the wheel and gave her a smirk. "Oh, about the license…" he began as he started the car.

"Yes?" Momiji asked softly, adjusting her seat.

"I lied," he said as he shifted to drive and floored it.

Momiji screamed and clung on to the "oh shit" handle. "Are you insane?!" she screamed and clung to the handle tighter.

As Kusinagi swerved and almost hit the ditch, Momiji closed her eyes. He smirked when he realized that he had scared her enough before driving more civil and actually quite well. Momiji's eyes, however, remained closed as she continued waiting for impact. After several moments and one had yet to come, she allowed one of her emerald eyes to crack open and focus on the road, which they were now driving on quite smoothly. Looking towards Kusinagi she wasn't at all shocked to find the smug smirk he held. "You jerk!"

"Tsk tsk princess. Is that any way to be talking to the person who was kind enough to open his home to you?"

Momiji literally growled and formed her hands into fists. "KUSINAGI! Quit being such a jerk!"

"Me? A jerk? Come now, Momiji…"

"Quit playing innocent you… butthead!"

"Butthead am I?" Kusinagi chuckled. "Goes well with your maturity level I suppose… or at least maturity in panties… bunnies today?"

Momiji blushed deeply. "YOU PERVERT!" Before she was able to slap him, Kusinagi caught her hand and smirked.

"You don't want to be hitting the driver, do you? After all, I don't have a license…"

Momiji squeaked as he swerved again and felt herself melt into the seat. She felt as though she were going to be ill. "Kusinagi, pull over," she said weakly.

"Why?" Kusinagi asked before turning and looking at her with a smirk, which quickly faded when he realized how green she was: almost as green as her eyes. "You okay princess?"

Momiji held her hand over her stomach and groaned softly. "Just pull over."

Kusinagi did as he was told and slammed the car into park. He was barely able to unbuckle his seat belt, jump out, run to her side, open her door and help her out of the car before she lost what little breakfast she had. Holding her hair back he couldn't help but feel just that much guiltier. "Sorry about that, Princess…"

Momiji was about to reply until she lost more of her meal. After finally regaining control of her stomach she reached in, opened the glovebox, and pulled out a napkin to wipe her mouth with. "Do we have any water in there?" Momiji finally croaked.

Kusinagi turned his head and searched for something to drink, anything! Nothing… Damn it!

Momiji kept her back to him to spare him the disgusting scent of her reacquainted breakfast. She didn't blame him at all for the weakness in her stomach, up until then she'd been trying to ignore it so if anything it was her own problem.

Finally she took a deep breath and turned to see if Kusinagi had found anything. As she expected, nothing. However, she was shocked to realize that he was still holding her hair. Not that she was complaining, it was just rather odd. After a silent spell, Momiji wrinkled her nose at the scent and spoke off to the side rather than directly at him. "We can go now… give me the keys."

Kusinagi shook his head no. "I'll drive…"

"Hell no, it hurts worse when there's nothing left to lose."

Kusinagi sighed and reached into his back pocket. Pulling out a small leather wallet he used his thumb to cover a small picture in it before offering to show her his driver's license.

Momiji couldn't help but chuckle at the annoyed expression on his face in the picture, but kept her mouth closed to keep some of the smell from being blown in his face. However, she noticed his thumb was covering something and she looked up at him questioningly. When he didn't move it she sighed and climbed back into the car.

As Kusinagi entered the car he looked over at Momiji, who was pouting. However, she wasn't as green, which was a plus. "Sorry again…"

Momiji cracked her window and breathed out it as the car began to move again. "No problem."

Kusinagi nodded but still felt somewhat bad. She was getting thin as it was and the loss of her breakfast wasn't going to be helping.

After hours of driving they finally made it back to Tokyo. However, by then Kusinagi insisted upon feeding her until she busted… to make up for breakfast. At first, Momiji had objected, but when Kusinagi stopped in front of her favorite restaurant, what could she do?

"Well… if you insist…"

"I do," Kusinagi interrupted. He was out his door and opening her door before she knew anything else. "It's the least I could do…"

"I said that was okay…"

"No no no, I mean the least I could do for putting your bra in the freezer," he sniggered.

Momiji's eyes widened. "What?!"

Kusinagi smirked and walked towards the restaurant, making it inside just before the wrath of Momiji could harm him. Once inside, she only mumbled something about a hentai. Waiting to be seated, Momiji could help but notice the feeling of Kusinagi's eyes on her. She didn't want to turn to him and chase it away, but at the same time she didn't want to assume he was looking at her. Disappointment overtook her when he looked away.

Kusinagi couldn't help but stare at Momiji's delicate beauty. However, the feeling he was being watched instantly consumed his desire to look at Momiji. Looking up and around for anyone who was looking at him, he wasn't surprised to see no one. That feeling had been occurring since he was young, but even after all these years he couldn't ignore it. Masking his annoyance when Momiji turned, Kusinagi gave his trademark heart-racing-melt-me-alive grin, to which earned a blush from the princess.

Before Momiji could speak, a young waitress popped up with more energy than Momiji could have ever imagined having in her entire life. "Welcome to El Casa (hehe inside joke), right this way and we'll get you some of our famous spicy food!"

Suddenly, this wasn't Momiji's favorite place to eat. As much as she loved Mexican food, there was no chance in hell she'd ever be back if this… thing would be waitressing again. How was it possible to be bouncing off the walls when she'd been working there? Whatever it was, Momiji wanted some, but NOT from her.

Kusinagi held back a laugh. The woman was absurd, but to get that look on Momiji's face he had to commend her.

Once seated, Momiji instantly buried her face in the menu, though she'd always get the same thing. She wanted that psycho bitch GONE!

"Can I get you anything to drink?" the waitress beamed.

"Bleach?" Momiji tried.

"Fresh out."

"Damn, and it would have been one of the better ways out too," Momiji pouted. "I guess water."

The waitress's real smile faded into an artificial one. Was this girl insane?! You don't drink WATER with spicy food! "Are you sure?"

Me? Unsure of what I just requested? WOMAN ARE YOU INSANE?! Who's got the money here?! I know YOU don't! "Yes," Momiji forced patiently.

"We have…"

"NO!" Momiji growled, but then blinked and in a calmer voice finished, "Water is fine."

The waitress wiped a stray strand of black hair from her face and fought back disappointment. Turning to Kusinagi she asked in her Hyper Wonder voice. "And you sir?"

"Water," he grinned to spite her.

"Are you aware of how spicy our food…"

"Yes yes, I can handle it," Kusinagi interrupted. "Okay then? Bye bye."

Wrinkling her nose upon turning around, the waitress attempted to keep her head held high. How could anyone not want at least BEER with their spicy food? It was insane!

Momiji looked up to Kusinagi and groaned. "Thanks."

"For what?"

"Bringing me here, to my once favorite restaurant only to begin hating the damned thing due to a nameless hyper bitch."

"You're welcome," Kusinagi chimed, earning a death glare.

Momiji narrowed her eyes at him, then leaned back in her chair and stared at the wall. How she missed being close to him when he used to save her from the Arigami. She would gladly go through it all again if only she could be in his arms for even a minute. Why couldn't he love her? It just wasn't fair!

Kusinagi opened his mouth to speak when his eye suddenly caught something…