Finally I am able to write more of this story. It has been nearly a
nightmare to get anymore of this out. Kou-chan and Iori have been up in my
head, totally wrecking the place and refusing to put down the Playstation
controllers long enough to even talk to me about the story. I swear, I
should never have let them play Rage Racer. It's always 'come on, energy,
one more race. I know we can beat this track.'
Well, finally, they did that. After a celebration that included what sounded like a herd of rhinos dancing around in my head, they agreed to help me out. All it took on my part was a twelve pack of mountain dews and some pizza, and a promise that I wouldn't make Tai wear that dress just yet (or write about it). So this chapter picks up on the first day of winter break, a lovely and bitterly cold day. So, before they change their mind or find where I stashed the controllers, let's get it started..
The day after school let actually started the night before. The four of them, Koushirou, Iori, TK, and Tai, all gathered at Koushirou's place for a little sleepover. It was originally to be held over at Tai's, but with Kari having contracted the flu and performing the horizontal purge all day and night, it was decided to move it to Koushirou's instead.
Mara didn't mind at all because she loved having all the kids over. While she was cooking she thought back to all the dreams she had as a child, dreams full of children in her house. It never turned out that way, obviously, so this was sort of a vicarious experience for her.
Mara was relaxing in the chair with a magazine while drinking a cup of green tea when the phone rang about the time that school let out. She set the magazine down on the coffee table and headed for the phone.
"Hello? Izumi residence."
"Hey, Mum, It's me." Koushirou said.
"Hello me. How are you doing today?" Mara asked, knowing how that little comment was found not at all funny by her son.
"So original Mum, really," Koushirou said, trying to keep the sarcasm out of his voice.
"Oh, it's Koushirou!" she said with fake excitement. "What's going on, Koushirou?"
"Well Mum, we kind of have a problem. You know how Tai, Iori, TK, and I were originally going to have a sleepover at Tai's tonight, right? The problem is that Kari is sick with the flu."
"Oh dear, that is a problem," Mara told her son, already knowing where this was headed. Mara purposely stopped talking, wanting Koushirou to ask for himself and left silence on the lines for two heartbeats.
"So, uh, what I was wondering was, uh, if it would be alright if we were to have it at our house tonight. Is that okay?"
"Of course it is, Koushirou. What do you boys want for dinner?" Mara said and listened in to the discussion on the other end of the phone. It was known by all the Digi-Destined that Mrs. Izumi's cooking was about the best thing going. She laughed as she heard the four voices arguing over a variety of choices.
"No!" Tai said, "you guys have to try her lasagna. It is incredible."
"Maybe so, but her tuna casserole is off the deep end," TK said.
"I would love some of her chili," Iori said. Mara was covering her eyes and laughing silently, shaking her head all the while.
It was finally decided that the dish of the evening would be lasagna *and* chili. Mara readily agreed to this on the condition that Koushirou stop by the market on the way home and pick up a few things, to which he readily agreed. Koushirou clicked off the phone and Mara made her way back to the comfy chair and picked her magazine back up and waited for *me* to get home.
He arrived home about a half hour later, after a stop at the Inoue (did I spell that even remotely right???) store, his arms loaded down with raw ingredients for Mara's masterpieces.
"Welcome home *me*." Koushirou rolled his eyes at her and set the two bags on the table. "I trust you picked up everything?"
"Of course. Everything."
"Great. So when are all your friends coming over?"
"Well, Tai had to run a few errands for his mum, so he'll be a little while. TK and Iori shouldn't be more than an hour or so. Neither of them packed their overnight bags yesterday, so they have to head home and load them up."
"Alright then, I guess I'll start cooking in about an hour or so. Why don't you run through the house and do a little extra cleaning up?"
"Sure thing!" Koushirou tossed his book bag on his bed and started his little mission.
"Don't forget the toilet!" Mara called out from the living room.
"Eeee! Do I have to?" Koushirou said, not at all happy about the prospects of cleaning that thing.
"Well, if you and your father took just a little time and aimed, it wouldn't be that way, now would it?" Koushirou didn't answer her. Instead he consented and cleaned it, grumbling something about 'at least I can stand up to pee' while he did so.
"I heard that," Mara said to him as he entered the bathroom, but of course she didn't. What she did know was her son, and she knew him well enough that he'd say something smart.
"Sorry," Koushirou said as he stuck his head out the bathroom door, his face covered in guilt and surprise.
"Scrub, junior," Mara said and waved her fingers. Koushirou disappeared back inside. She laughed again, reflecting on how much joy he had brought into her life in the last decade and a half. One day she was sitting at the table reading when Koushirou came up behind her and started running his hands through the back of her hair. When she asked him what exactly he was doing he told her that he was looking for the eyes in the back of her head. Oh Koushirou.
"Alright, I've cleaned the bathroom up, Mum," Koushirou said, completely jolting Mara out of her reveries.
"Aah! Okay, good job," she said once her heart returned to her chest and slowed down a little. "Now I guess we wait for your friends to get here."
It was only about a five minute wait until Iori and TK rang the bell after Mara said that. Koushirou jumped out of his chair and let them in while Mara took their coats and hung them on the rack. Koushirou led them back to his room to drop off their bags and then back into the living room.
"Well, I guess I'll start on dinner now," Mara said as she saw them back in.
"Thank you again, Mrs. Izumi," Iori said, bowing deeply.
"Oh, it's no trouble at all kids," she told them as she ruffled Iori's hair. He smiled at her and attempted to fix his cowlicks once she left the room. TK stopped him and mussed it up even further.
"I sort of like it when it's mussed like that, Iori," TK told him. Iori stopped fixing it and left it the way it was. The three of them waited around for Tai, shooting the breeze and trying to figure out exactly what they might do that evening. Tai showed up about thirty minutes later looking completely annoyed when Koushirou let him in.
"I swear you guys, when my sister is sick she becomes the most needy and whiny person that I've ever met. I had to do nearly everything for her, and my mother because she was coming down with it too. I was waiting for one of them to ask me to change a diaper. Jeez."
"You'll make a great mum someday, Tai," TK told him and dodged a pillow thrown his way.
"Please. If I ever have kids and they get all sick like that I will have to move out for a few days."
"You'd take care of me, right Tai?" Koushirou asked him.
"Oh, you're different, Koushirou. I like taking care of you."
"Where's the difference?" TK asked. Tai had no answer and they talked about everything possible until dinner was ready.
Mara set two huge dishes on the table, both steaming and smelling completely wonderful. The boys were all over the table in a split second and Mara playfully shooed them away with a plastic spoon.
"Back you wild dogs, back!!" She waved the spoon menacingly and tried to back her way away from the table.
Standing back and watching, Mara saw the complete dichotomy of them. TK and Tai were digging in and making pigs out of themselves while Koushirou and Iori were eating politely. She had never seen anyone use a fork and a knife with chili before, but Iori did it very handily. Tai almost had no need for utensils. His face was so close over the plate that if he were to inhale just a little harder he'd be able to vacuum it in. It reminded her of the movie "A Christmas Story" when the little boy, Ralphie, was asked "How does a piggy eat his mashed potatoes?" She was waiting for Tai to snort and then her night would be complete. She had to leave before she broke out in hysterics.
The first round of dinner was finished and they all returned to the living room to relax and let the food settle. Tv was watched for a few hours until Mara prepared to go to bed.
"Mum, where is Dad tonight? He's usually home by now." Koushirou asked.
"Oh, he is getting together with his redneck buddies tonight. They're going to some karaoke bar and singing Merle Haggard."
"And you didn't go with him?" TK asked facetiously.
"No, I thought that I would do something more important like breathe tonight, TK." Koushirou was just shaking his head and grinning.
"You all don't understand him. He is nearly a full-fledged redneck now. He has a CB radio, a big stupid hat, and he just bought a pair of cowboy boots yesterday," Koushirou said with his face getting redder.
"Hey, TK has a stupid hat, so does that make him a third of redneck?" Tai asked, looking at TK the whole time. TK tossed the pillow back at Tai.
"Okay guys, I'm going to go to bed now, so you all keep it down." A round of 'goodnights' followed her back into her room.
It was like invisible rubber bands that were stretched between Koushirou and Tai and TK and Iori snapped back tight the moment Mara's door shut. Tai was sitting close by Koushirou and Iori was just about sitting in TK's lap almost immediately. All four of them sighed slightly and settled in.
"So Koushirou, I take it that your parents don't know yet, huh?" TK asked.
"Not yet. I really want to tell my mum but I don't know how."
"What about you Tai?" TK asked the other lovebird.
"Me neither. I guess we'll have to figure out a way to do it eventually. What about you two?"
"As far as I know, my mum is clueless," TK told him.
"My mum might have some clue, but I'm not sure," Iori said.
"How exactly might she have 'some clue', Iori?" TK asked, looking at him.
"Well, I think she's picked up on the differences in the way I act around you and the others. I could be wrong, of course."
"Did someone get that on tape?" Tai asked. "Iori saying he might be wrong?"
"Shut it, Tai," TK said. "It isn't really anything that I have given a whole lot of thought to, to be quite honest. I'm positive that we'll tell them eventually, but just not now."
"Yeah, that is about the way Tai and I have figured it. They're bound to find out and I'd much rather it be from us and not second hand knowledge."
"So, anyway, what are we going to do tomorrow? We have the whole day. No school, no homework, no kendo," TK said.
"Don't you have a game tomorrow, TK?" Koushirou asked. "Your tournament or whatever?"
"Not until Sunday."
"Ah. Well then, why don't we go Christmas shopping? Time is running out and I know that I've not bought a single gift yet." Koushirou said matter of factly.
"That's a great idea," Iori said. "I've only gotten a gift for Yolei so far."
"Wait a minute. You've gotten Yolei a gift but not one for me?" TK asked with mock anger.
"She is like my big sister, TK. Besides, I've had it for a few weeks now." TK looked satisfied with that answer. "So, Tai, what about you?"
"I'm in."
"TK?"
"Let's do it. One thing though, I can't exactly go with Iori and Tai and Koushirou can't go together," TK said.
"Well then you and I will go, TK," Tai said to him, "and Koushirou and Iori will go together. We can split up when we get to the mall and then meet back up for lunch in the food court."
"Sounds like a plan. Everyone agree?" TK asked and got nods in reply. "It's settled then. Why don't we get our sleeping bags out and turn in. We've got a long day ahead."
Again TK got nods and the four of them went into Koushirou's room to recover their supplies. While the Izumi's wasn't the largest place in the world, there was ample space on the floor for each boy to have his own space. Instead of this they were crowded together in little groups. I don't think I need to say whom was with whom. Once the lights went out, so did the boys. Even Iori who often stayed up late at night thinking about this or that was out in under five minutes.
Luke made his return from the karaoke bar at about 12:30, maybe twenty minutes after they had all fallen asleep. The first thing he noticed when he entered was a deep rasping sound.
"If I have to have the repairmen out here for that furnace one more time," he said, completely oblivious to the fact that there were four boys crashed out on the floor, one of whom was snoring profusely.
Luke walked over to the closet with the furnace in it and opened it up, banging on the thing a few times, telling it to shut up. Tai chose that time to roll over and the sound ceased. Luke nodded and shut the door, telling the furnace 'that's what I thought'. He wandered back to the bedroom and was in bed and asleep in minutes. He'd had a fun but rough night and he had to get up early in the morning.
A/N: now, before I go any further, I have to talk about Luke for a minute. I'm basing Koushirou's father off of one of my good friend's father. He is about the most unobservant and out there person I've ever met. One day I was over at his house and my friend and I were talking about how oblivious his father was. So, to test this, I picked up my cell and called the house number and waited for his father to pick up. He answered and I asked for my friend. Now, he has known me since kindergarten and I think that I have a very distinctive voice, but he had no idea who I was. And, to top it off, my friend and I had just talked to him not even two minutes before about something, so he knew we were there. Anyway, I asked for Chris, and he said he wasn't sure if he was home. I kid you not. He told me to hold on while he went out to check the driveway for Chris' car. Jeezzzz. Anyway, that is the way I am doing Koushirou's father. Completely out of it. Oh, and Chris' dad square dances and has a CB, so I guess it fits perfectly. Okay, I know that you all probably don't care, but I just wanted to share that. Back to the story...
Mara woke up early as usual and after wrapping her thick robe around her headed into the kitchen to put on a pot of coffee. The light from the overhead fluorescents partially illuminated the living room and she stuck her head out to see how the boys were doing. As usual, Tai was snoring. She was about to go over and kick Tai one when he turned over and stopped. He turned directly into Koushirou, their faces being scant inches apart. Mara looked at them and wished that they would tell her what she already knew.
"They are so cute together," she said softly. "Koushirou knows that we'll support him no matter what he does and this is no exception." She went back and got a cup once enough had fallen through the filter, returning to look at the four of them, her son and Tai mostly.
"Love between two people is a beautiful thing," she thought to herself, "it's a terrible shame that society makes them afraid to show it in public." Mara took a deep sip of coffee and leaned into the wall and watched the four of them sleep.
Luke stumbled into the kitchen a little while later on autopilot and got himself a mug of caffeine. He called to her from the kitchen. "Mara, have you had any problems out of the furnace recently?" she looked at him completely dumbfounded and shook her head negatively.
"Why do you ask, Luke?"
"Well, I came home last night and it sounded like it was grinding or something. I thumped it a few times and it stopped." Just about that time Tai rolled over on his back again and resumed snoring. "See, there it goes again," he said.
Mara was giggling. "Luke, that's not the furnace, that's Taichi snoring."
"Taichi isn't here, is he?" Luke asked.
"Yes, dear. He and a few of Koushirou's friends spent the night last night."
"Oh. So I don't have to call the repairman after all?"
"No, not unless he can fix whatever is broken in Taichi's head."
"Oh. Okay." Luke was beginning to wake up a little now. "My god, that is loud." he walked over next to Mara. "How is Koushirou sleeping next to that chainsaw?" As if in answer, Koushirou snaked a hand out from under the covers and pushed Tai over on his side, again ceasing the offending noise.
"So how was your night out with the boys?" Mara asked him after refilling her mug.
"I had a blast. Me and Lobo and Wild Bill sang all sorts of times. We kept getting curtain calls so we just *had* to get up and do another song. We must have done 'Friends in low places' at least five times."
"I'm so sorry I missed all that," Mara said with sarcasm dripping from her tongue.
"Yeah, you sure missed out. Oh! Lobo got me to ride the bull while we were there."
"You rode a bull? A mechanical one, I assume?"
"Yeah, just like in the movies. I stayed on for 14 seconds. Everyone wanted to buy me a drink after that awesome ride."
"Sometimes you amaze me, Luke. Absolutely amaze me."
"I amaze myself sometimes," he said and went to refill his own cup.
"I can only bet," Mara said lowly and smiled. Luke shot gunned his second cup and walked back to her.
"Well, I'd better get a shower and head out of here,"
"Alright, make sure you don't use all the hot water again."
"I never do that," he said grinning from ear to ear.
"Sure. Between the two of you I end up taking ice cold showers all the time." Luke gave her the gesture that said 'I have no idea what you're talking about' and smiled as he strode off to get a shower. Mara drank her coffee and watched light begin to slowly filter in through the curtains.
Koushirou yawned and slowly opened his eyes an hour or so later. He tried to remember exactly what it was that had awakened him. Oh! There it was again. A pain in the ribs. Ouch. He reached a hand down and found Tai's elbow buried there. He yawned again as he removed the offending part and started sitting up. Koushirou made it to a sitting position and rubbed the eye buggers away, noticing the light filling the room. He figured it was going on nine or so. He next noticed the low sound of music coming from the kitchen. What?
He wrapped a blanket around him and made his way there. The sight that he saw struck him as strangely hilarious. His mum was standing in front of the sink jamming to, was that No Doubt? Yes, Koushirou decided it was. He stood there, all wrapped up and looking like a Jedi, while she grooved and washed dishes to the beat of Hella Good. When the song was over he started laughing at her.
"Mum, are you alright?" he asked, surprising her and making her drop the scrubby.
"Koushirou!" she cried, putting a hand over her heart, "you scared the fire out of me." she took a few deep breaths and continued. "To answer your question, I'm fine. I was just getting these dishes out of the way so I don't have to worry about them later."
"Makes sense, but I have to say, I'm surprised that you are listening to No Doubt."
"Why's that? Your father is a country music addict, so I have to like something good to balance him out, right?"
"I guess so." Koushirou stopped talking and took a seat. His mum started drying the chili pot but saw how he was simply sitting there.
"Is everything alright, Koushirou?" she asked, hoping that she might draw him out. (A/N: not an intended pun, but it sort of works.)
"I guess so," he lied. Mara knew it from the way he wouldn't look at her when he spoke. She always knew. Koushirou could lie about as good as Luke could karaoke.
"Well, remember, I'm always here, Koushirou. Always. For anything."
"I know, Mum, thanks." he got up and started down the hallway, to the restroom Mara assumed.
"Dammit, he was so close," she said quietly to herself. "I wonder how much it is really bothering him?" She returned to her sink and started scrubbing out the lasagna pan. She had gotten a few good pieces off when she heard small feet enter the kitchen. She turned around and saw Iori standing there.
"Good morning Mrs. Izumi," he said quietly.
"Good morning to you as well, Iori. Can I get you some juice or anything?"
"Yes, that would be nice," he said as she opened the fridge and pulled out a jug of orange juice.
"Orange?"
"Yes please." She poured him a glass and resumed her cleaning. Koushirou returned from the restroom and found the two of them in the kitchen.
"So, what is on the agenda for the four of you today?" Mara asked.
"Assuming that we can get Tai and TK up sometime today we figured that we'd go shopping for Christmas today," Koushirou told her.
"Not a bad plan. Only 14 more shopping days to get your mum a gift," she said and laughed a little.
"Don't worry, Mum, I've already got you figured out." Koushirou said and poured himself a glass of OJ.
"Great! I'll tell you what. I'm going shopping as well, so if you can get those two up in the not too distant future, you all can ride in with me. Sound good?"
"Sounds great," Iori said and Koushirou agreed.
"It's settled then. Now, in the meantime, what would you like for breakfast? Pancakes?" Iori's face lit up and that was all the answer Mara needed. She got out the ingredients and started the process.
Okay, this didn't come out at all the way I originally planned it. I foresaw maybe three pages of them sleeping over and then right to the mall. Didn't happen. I promise that they will get there next chapter. Finally my writers block is gone and the story is flowing like the Amazon again. It only took about two weeks. Sheesh. If everything goes as planned I'll get the next chapter up by Saturday, maybe later today. It just depends. Thanks for reading, and don't forget to drop a review or three.
energy
Well, finally, they did that. After a celebration that included what sounded like a herd of rhinos dancing around in my head, they agreed to help me out. All it took on my part was a twelve pack of mountain dews and some pizza, and a promise that I wouldn't make Tai wear that dress just yet (or write about it). So this chapter picks up on the first day of winter break, a lovely and bitterly cold day. So, before they change their mind or find where I stashed the controllers, let's get it started..
The day after school let actually started the night before. The four of them, Koushirou, Iori, TK, and Tai, all gathered at Koushirou's place for a little sleepover. It was originally to be held over at Tai's, but with Kari having contracted the flu and performing the horizontal purge all day and night, it was decided to move it to Koushirou's instead.
Mara didn't mind at all because she loved having all the kids over. While she was cooking she thought back to all the dreams she had as a child, dreams full of children in her house. It never turned out that way, obviously, so this was sort of a vicarious experience for her.
Mara was relaxing in the chair with a magazine while drinking a cup of green tea when the phone rang about the time that school let out. She set the magazine down on the coffee table and headed for the phone.
"Hello? Izumi residence."
"Hey, Mum, It's me." Koushirou said.
"Hello me. How are you doing today?" Mara asked, knowing how that little comment was found not at all funny by her son.
"So original Mum, really," Koushirou said, trying to keep the sarcasm out of his voice.
"Oh, it's Koushirou!" she said with fake excitement. "What's going on, Koushirou?"
"Well Mum, we kind of have a problem. You know how Tai, Iori, TK, and I were originally going to have a sleepover at Tai's tonight, right? The problem is that Kari is sick with the flu."
"Oh dear, that is a problem," Mara told her son, already knowing where this was headed. Mara purposely stopped talking, wanting Koushirou to ask for himself and left silence on the lines for two heartbeats.
"So, uh, what I was wondering was, uh, if it would be alright if we were to have it at our house tonight. Is that okay?"
"Of course it is, Koushirou. What do you boys want for dinner?" Mara said and listened in to the discussion on the other end of the phone. It was known by all the Digi-Destined that Mrs. Izumi's cooking was about the best thing going. She laughed as she heard the four voices arguing over a variety of choices.
"No!" Tai said, "you guys have to try her lasagna. It is incredible."
"Maybe so, but her tuna casserole is off the deep end," TK said.
"I would love some of her chili," Iori said. Mara was covering her eyes and laughing silently, shaking her head all the while.
It was finally decided that the dish of the evening would be lasagna *and* chili. Mara readily agreed to this on the condition that Koushirou stop by the market on the way home and pick up a few things, to which he readily agreed. Koushirou clicked off the phone and Mara made her way back to the comfy chair and picked her magazine back up and waited for *me* to get home.
He arrived home about a half hour later, after a stop at the Inoue (did I spell that even remotely right???) store, his arms loaded down with raw ingredients for Mara's masterpieces.
"Welcome home *me*." Koushirou rolled his eyes at her and set the two bags on the table. "I trust you picked up everything?"
"Of course. Everything."
"Great. So when are all your friends coming over?"
"Well, Tai had to run a few errands for his mum, so he'll be a little while. TK and Iori shouldn't be more than an hour or so. Neither of them packed their overnight bags yesterday, so they have to head home and load them up."
"Alright then, I guess I'll start cooking in about an hour or so. Why don't you run through the house and do a little extra cleaning up?"
"Sure thing!" Koushirou tossed his book bag on his bed and started his little mission.
"Don't forget the toilet!" Mara called out from the living room.
"Eeee! Do I have to?" Koushirou said, not at all happy about the prospects of cleaning that thing.
"Well, if you and your father took just a little time and aimed, it wouldn't be that way, now would it?" Koushirou didn't answer her. Instead he consented and cleaned it, grumbling something about 'at least I can stand up to pee' while he did so.
"I heard that," Mara said to him as he entered the bathroom, but of course she didn't. What she did know was her son, and she knew him well enough that he'd say something smart.
"Sorry," Koushirou said as he stuck his head out the bathroom door, his face covered in guilt and surprise.
"Scrub, junior," Mara said and waved her fingers. Koushirou disappeared back inside. She laughed again, reflecting on how much joy he had brought into her life in the last decade and a half. One day she was sitting at the table reading when Koushirou came up behind her and started running his hands through the back of her hair. When she asked him what exactly he was doing he told her that he was looking for the eyes in the back of her head. Oh Koushirou.
"Alright, I've cleaned the bathroom up, Mum," Koushirou said, completely jolting Mara out of her reveries.
"Aah! Okay, good job," she said once her heart returned to her chest and slowed down a little. "Now I guess we wait for your friends to get here."
It was only about a five minute wait until Iori and TK rang the bell after Mara said that. Koushirou jumped out of his chair and let them in while Mara took their coats and hung them on the rack. Koushirou led them back to his room to drop off their bags and then back into the living room.
"Well, I guess I'll start on dinner now," Mara said as she saw them back in.
"Thank you again, Mrs. Izumi," Iori said, bowing deeply.
"Oh, it's no trouble at all kids," she told them as she ruffled Iori's hair. He smiled at her and attempted to fix his cowlicks once she left the room. TK stopped him and mussed it up even further.
"I sort of like it when it's mussed like that, Iori," TK told him. Iori stopped fixing it and left it the way it was. The three of them waited around for Tai, shooting the breeze and trying to figure out exactly what they might do that evening. Tai showed up about thirty minutes later looking completely annoyed when Koushirou let him in.
"I swear you guys, when my sister is sick she becomes the most needy and whiny person that I've ever met. I had to do nearly everything for her, and my mother because she was coming down with it too. I was waiting for one of them to ask me to change a diaper. Jeez."
"You'll make a great mum someday, Tai," TK told him and dodged a pillow thrown his way.
"Please. If I ever have kids and they get all sick like that I will have to move out for a few days."
"You'd take care of me, right Tai?" Koushirou asked him.
"Oh, you're different, Koushirou. I like taking care of you."
"Where's the difference?" TK asked. Tai had no answer and they talked about everything possible until dinner was ready.
Mara set two huge dishes on the table, both steaming and smelling completely wonderful. The boys were all over the table in a split second and Mara playfully shooed them away with a plastic spoon.
"Back you wild dogs, back!!" She waved the spoon menacingly and tried to back her way away from the table.
Standing back and watching, Mara saw the complete dichotomy of them. TK and Tai were digging in and making pigs out of themselves while Koushirou and Iori were eating politely. She had never seen anyone use a fork and a knife with chili before, but Iori did it very handily. Tai almost had no need for utensils. His face was so close over the plate that if he were to inhale just a little harder he'd be able to vacuum it in. It reminded her of the movie "A Christmas Story" when the little boy, Ralphie, was asked "How does a piggy eat his mashed potatoes?" She was waiting for Tai to snort and then her night would be complete. She had to leave before she broke out in hysterics.
The first round of dinner was finished and they all returned to the living room to relax and let the food settle. Tv was watched for a few hours until Mara prepared to go to bed.
"Mum, where is Dad tonight? He's usually home by now." Koushirou asked.
"Oh, he is getting together with his redneck buddies tonight. They're going to some karaoke bar and singing Merle Haggard."
"And you didn't go with him?" TK asked facetiously.
"No, I thought that I would do something more important like breathe tonight, TK." Koushirou was just shaking his head and grinning.
"You all don't understand him. He is nearly a full-fledged redneck now. He has a CB radio, a big stupid hat, and he just bought a pair of cowboy boots yesterday," Koushirou said with his face getting redder.
"Hey, TK has a stupid hat, so does that make him a third of redneck?" Tai asked, looking at TK the whole time. TK tossed the pillow back at Tai.
"Okay guys, I'm going to go to bed now, so you all keep it down." A round of 'goodnights' followed her back into her room.
It was like invisible rubber bands that were stretched between Koushirou and Tai and TK and Iori snapped back tight the moment Mara's door shut. Tai was sitting close by Koushirou and Iori was just about sitting in TK's lap almost immediately. All four of them sighed slightly and settled in.
"So Koushirou, I take it that your parents don't know yet, huh?" TK asked.
"Not yet. I really want to tell my mum but I don't know how."
"What about you Tai?" TK asked the other lovebird.
"Me neither. I guess we'll have to figure out a way to do it eventually. What about you two?"
"As far as I know, my mum is clueless," TK told him.
"My mum might have some clue, but I'm not sure," Iori said.
"How exactly might she have 'some clue', Iori?" TK asked, looking at him.
"Well, I think she's picked up on the differences in the way I act around you and the others. I could be wrong, of course."
"Did someone get that on tape?" Tai asked. "Iori saying he might be wrong?"
"Shut it, Tai," TK said. "It isn't really anything that I have given a whole lot of thought to, to be quite honest. I'm positive that we'll tell them eventually, but just not now."
"Yeah, that is about the way Tai and I have figured it. They're bound to find out and I'd much rather it be from us and not second hand knowledge."
"So, anyway, what are we going to do tomorrow? We have the whole day. No school, no homework, no kendo," TK said.
"Don't you have a game tomorrow, TK?" Koushirou asked. "Your tournament or whatever?"
"Not until Sunday."
"Ah. Well then, why don't we go Christmas shopping? Time is running out and I know that I've not bought a single gift yet." Koushirou said matter of factly.
"That's a great idea," Iori said. "I've only gotten a gift for Yolei so far."
"Wait a minute. You've gotten Yolei a gift but not one for me?" TK asked with mock anger.
"She is like my big sister, TK. Besides, I've had it for a few weeks now." TK looked satisfied with that answer. "So, Tai, what about you?"
"I'm in."
"TK?"
"Let's do it. One thing though, I can't exactly go with Iori and Tai and Koushirou can't go together," TK said.
"Well then you and I will go, TK," Tai said to him, "and Koushirou and Iori will go together. We can split up when we get to the mall and then meet back up for lunch in the food court."
"Sounds like a plan. Everyone agree?" TK asked and got nods in reply. "It's settled then. Why don't we get our sleeping bags out and turn in. We've got a long day ahead."
Again TK got nods and the four of them went into Koushirou's room to recover their supplies. While the Izumi's wasn't the largest place in the world, there was ample space on the floor for each boy to have his own space. Instead of this they were crowded together in little groups. I don't think I need to say whom was with whom. Once the lights went out, so did the boys. Even Iori who often stayed up late at night thinking about this or that was out in under five minutes.
Luke made his return from the karaoke bar at about 12:30, maybe twenty minutes after they had all fallen asleep. The first thing he noticed when he entered was a deep rasping sound.
"If I have to have the repairmen out here for that furnace one more time," he said, completely oblivious to the fact that there were four boys crashed out on the floor, one of whom was snoring profusely.
Luke walked over to the closet with the furnace in it and opened it up, banging on the thing a few times, telling it to shut up. Tai chose that time to roll over and the sound ceased. Luke nodded and shut the door, telling the furnace 'that's what I thought'. He wandered back to the bedroom and was in bed and asleep in minutes. He'd had a fun but rough night and he had to get up early in the morning.
A/N: now, before I go any further, I have to talk about Luke for a minute. I'm basing Koushirou's father off of one of my good friend's father. He is about the most unobservant and out there person I've ever met. One day I was over at his house and my friend and I were talking about how oblivious his father was. So, to test this, I picked up my cell and called the house number and waited for his father to pick up. He answered and I asked for my friend. Now, he has known me since kindergarten and I think that I have a very distinctive voice, but he had no idea who I was. And, to top it off, my friend and I had just talked to him not even two minutes before about something, so he knew we were there. Anyway, I asked for Chris, and he said he wasn't sure if he was home. I kid you not. He told me to hold on while he went out to check the driveway for Chris' car. Jeezzzz. Anyway, that is the way I am doing Koushirou's father. Completely out of it. Oh, and Chris' dad square dances and has a CB, so I guess it fits perfectly. Okay, I know that you all probably don't care, but I just wanted to share that. Back to the story...
Mara woke up early as usual and after wrapping her thick robe around her headed into the kitchen to put on a pot of coffee. The light from the overhead fluorescents partially illuminated the living room and she stuck her head out to see how the boys were doing. As usual, Tai was snoring. She was about to go over and kick Tai one when he turned over and stopped. He turned directly into Koushirou, their faces being scant inches apart. Mara looked at them and wished that they would tell her what she already knew.
"They are so cute together," she said softly. "Koushirou knows that we'll support him no matter what he does and this is no exception." She went back and got a cup once enough had fallen through the filter, returning to look at the four of them, her son and Tai mostly.
"Love between two people is a beautiful thing," she thought to herself, "it's a terrible shame that society makes them afraid to show it in public." Mara took a deep sip of coffee and leaned into the wall and watched the four of them sleep.
Luke stumbled into the kitchen a little while later on autopilot and got himself a mug of caffeine. He called to her from the kitchen. "Mara, have you had any problems out of the furnace recently?" she looked at him completely dumbfounded and shook her head negatively.
"Why do you ask, Luke?"
"Well, I came home last night and it sounded like it was grinding or something. I thumped it a few times and it stopped." Just about that time Tai rolled over on his back again and resumed snoring. "See, there it goes again," he said.
Mara was giggling. "Luke, that's not the furnace, that's Taichi snoring."
"Taichi isn't here, is he?" Luke asked.
"Yes, dear. He and a few of Koushirou's friends spent the night last night."
"Oh. So I don't have to call the repairman after all?"
"No, not unless he can fix whatever is broken in Taichi's head."
"Oh. Okay." Luke was beginning to wake up a little now. "My god, that is loud." he walked over next to Mara. "How is Koushirou sleeping next to that chainsaw?" As if in answer, Koushirou snaked a hand out from under the covers and pushed Tai over on his side, again ceasing the offending noise.
"So how was your night out with the boys?" Mara asked him after refilling her mug.
"I had a blast. Me and Lobo and Wild Bill sang all sorts of times. We kept getting curtain calls so we just *had* to get up and do another song. We must have done 'Friends in low places' at least five times."
"I'm so sorry I missed all that," Mara said with sarcasm dripping from her tongue.
"Yeah, you sure missed out. Oh! Lobo got me to ride the bull while we were there."
"You rode a bull? A mechanical one, I assume?"
"Yeah, just like in the movies. I stayed on for 14 seconds. Everyone wanted to buy me a drink after that awesome ride."
"Sometimes you amaze me, Luke. Absolutely amaze me."
"I amaze myself sometimes," he said and went to refill his own cup.
"I can only bet," Mara said lowly and smiled. Luke shot gunned his second cup and walked back to her.
"Well, I'd better get a shower and head out of here,"
"Alright, make sure you don't use all the hot water again."
"I never do that," he said grinning from ear to ear.
"Sure. Between the two of you I end up taking ice cold showers all the time." Luke gave her the gesture that said 'I have no idea what you're talking about' and smiled as he strode off to get a shower. Mara drank her coffee and watched light begin to slowly filter in through the curtains.
Koushirou yawned and slowly opened his eyes an hour or so later. He tried to remember exactly what it was that had awakened him. Oh! There it was again. A pain in the ribs. Ouch. He reached a hand down and found Tai's elbow buried there. He yawned again as he removed the offending part and started sitting up. Koushirou made it to a sitting position and rubbed the eye buggers away, noticing the light filling the room. He figured it was going on nine or so. He next noticed the low sound of music coming from the kitchen. What?
He wrapped a blanket around him and made his way there. The sight that he saw struck him as strangely hilarious. His mum was standing in front of the sink jamming to, was that No Doubt? Yes, Koushirou decided it was. He stood there, all wrapped up and looking like a Jedi, while she grooved and washed dishes to the beat of Hella Good. When the song was over he started laughing at her.
"Mum, are you alright?" he asked, surprising her and making her drop the scrubby.
"Koushirou!" she cried, putting a hand over her heart, "you scared the fire out of me." she took a few deep breaths and continued. "To answer your question, I'm fine. I was just getting these dishes out of the way so I don't have to worry about them later."
"Makes sense, but I have to say, I'm surprised that you are listening to No Doubt."
"Why's that? Your father is a country music addict, so I have to like something good to balance him out, right?"
"I guess so." Koushirou stopped talking and took a seat. His mum started drying the chili pot but saw how he was simply sitting there.
"Is everything alright, Koushirou?" she asked, hoping that she might draw him out. (A/N: not an intended pun, but it sort of works.)
"I guess so," he lied. Mara knew it from the way he wouldn't look at her when he spoke. She always knew. Koushirou could lie about as good as Luke could karaoke.
"Well, remember, I'm always here, Koushirou. Always. For anything."
"I know, Mum, thanks." he got up and started down the hallway, to the restroom Mara assumed.
"Dammit, he was so close," she said quietly to herself. "I wonder how much it is really bothering him?" She returned to her sink and started scrubbing out the lasagna pan. She had gotten a few good pieces off when she heard small feet enter the kitchen. She turned around and saw Iori standing there.
"Good morning Mrs. Izumi," he said quietly.
"Good morning to you as well, Iori. Can I get you some juice or anything?"
"Yes, that would be nice," he said as she opened the fridge and pulled out a jug of orange juice.
"Orange?"
"Yes please." She poured him a glass and resumed her cleaning. Koushirou returned from the restroom and found the two of them in the kitchen.
"So, what is on the agenda for the four of you today?" Mara asked.
"Assuming that we can get Tai and TK up sometime today we figured that we'd go shopping for Christmas today," Koushirou told her.
"Not a bad plan. Only 14 more shopping days to get your mum a gift," she said and laughed a little.
"Don't worry, Mum, I've already got you figured out." Koushirou said and poured himself a glass of OJ.
"Great! I'll tell you what. I'm going shopping as well, so if you can get those two up in the not too distant future, you all can ride in with me. Sound good?"
"Sounds great," Iori said and Koushirou agreed.
"It's settled then. Now, in the meantime, what would you like for breakfast? Pancakes?" Iori's face lit up and that was all the answer Mara needed. She got out the ingredients and started the process.
Okay, this didn't come out at all the way I originally planned it. I foresaw maybe three pages of them sleeping over and then right to the mall. Didn't happen. I promise that they will get there next chapter. Finally my writers block is gone and the story is flowing like the Amazon again. It only took about two weeks. Sheesh. If everything goes as planned I'll get the next chapter up by Saturday, maybe later today. It just depends. Thanks for reading, and don't forget to drop a review or three.
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