Kaede Jr.
by: Aki Midori
Author's Last Blahs:
*Sniff* Yep. My last blah for Kaede Jr. Well, it's been fun writing this fic. I enjoyed reading the reviews... even the death threats. It made me feel good to know that you guys have come to love Kaede Jr. as much as I do. It's been fun creating that little maggot.
Now, now... should anyone of you would want to borrow my baby (yes, he's MINE), I'll allow you. Just please ask permission, and give the credit to me. After all, it is I who created that little bakemono. ^_^
Lastly, I'd like to thank the reviewers, especially White Meteor, S.G.O., qkslvr, miku, diggler, akira-akisame, baka, Shinri Ayase, Valencia and everyone else who supported (geez, I *do* sound like an awardee... sheesh) me... Arigatou! *huggles* The tears were all worth it, ne, minna?
Now, onto the last chapter. Say bye-bye to Kaede Jr, coz this might be the last time you'll see him. Unless, of course, my twisted mind concocted another stupid plot which includes him. ^_^
Enjoy!
DiSCLaiMers:
Slam Dunk and the characters aren't mine, of course. But Kaede Jr is mine... body, heart and soul. Do you have anything against that? *glares and huggles Kaede Jr to herself*
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Kaede Jr.
Epilogue: I Will Be Here
(Rukawa's POV)
Life is good.
I've said that before, haven't I? But then again, I wouldn't mind saying it again, because right now, it's the only thing I could think of. It's the only truth I can depend on.
Right now, the wind is cool as it blew the fringes of hair away from my face. The setting sun on the horizon paints a glorious portrait of pink, orange, blue and even dashes of red. The cherry blossoms are in full bloom and the grass is greener than ever. I sat on this same swing many times before. I played on this playground for as long as I can remember. But I can never tell a moment in which I was happier than I am right now.
Just watching the important people of my life do their stuff makes me feel good and contented.
Now, now... is this the Ice Prince of Shohoku High talking? I stopped myself from laughing as I thought more about it. Years ago, I wouldn't even think of such profound things about life. It was all 'basketball', 'basketball', and 'basketball'. Oh yeah, there were the occasional 'I'll beat Sendoh' stuff, too. And not to mention my mantra.
I'm calm, I'm cool, I'm the Ice Prince.
But look at me now... Sitting alone on a rusty swing while watching morons run around the park, contemplating the blessings of life. I can't help but think that I'm not the Ice Prince anymore. I've changed a lot over the years. I've grown up. I've realized that there's more to life than basketball and victory. I've come to realize that there are more people in this world other than myself. I learned to smile, to cry... and show emotions. I learned to appreciate more things other than basketball and Jordan Air rubber shoes. I learned to open up and just *live*.
But that doesn't mean that I've become sociable and all that bullshit. I still can't stand crowds. I still can't stand noisy parties. I still can't stand my father's (and Hanamichi's, for that matter) ear-grating 'Nyahaha' laugh, I still can't stand my mother's mosquito repellants, I still can't stand Hanamichi's tensai song, I still can't stand the way Miyagi would drool over Ayako-san, I still can't stand thoes annoying cheerleaders, and I still can't stand morons like Akira and maggots like Kaede Jr.
But who's to say that I don't love and care for those annoying people? Those people are my family and friends (except for those cheerleaders, no questions asked, please).
"Hey, love... what are you thinking of?"
Akira, Akira, Akira... My lifeline. My everything.
Darn, I'm getting mushy here. But hey, I love this man, no one can blame me.
"Nothing, really," I replied. He smiled and hugged me from behind. When he did, that same warmth spread all over me.
"Come on, now, Ice Prince, tell your sweet, handsome koi what you're thinking of!" Akira teased.
"Hn."
"Tell me!"
"Urusai," I muttered. I hate it when this man is too goddamn perky. It irritates the hell outta me. Love him or not, sometimes I revel in the thought of killing him.
"Kae~de!" Akira whined.
"Shut up, Akira. Quit acting like a child," I said. "Stop destroying my happy mood. Go over there, where two people of your kind are killing each other."
"I'll leave those father and son alone for a while," Akira said as he disentagled himself from my shoulders (but not before giving me a peck on my cheek) and sat on the vacant swing. "They're in the middle of a heated argument."
I looked over to where he was pointing and saw two maggots running around the park. The older one was holding a pink towel with him, while the six-year-old imp was running around, screaming like a banshee.
"Come back here, you little heathen! I'm not finished with you yet!" I hear Kaede Jr. shout from a distance.
Kaede Jr. had grown up into a fine lad. He looked exactly the same as I was when I was his age. Perfectly handsome. Flawless. Muscular. A total hunk. Yep, that's my brother we're talking about.
"I don't wanna take a bath!!!"
"Akira, you're not going to take a bath in the middle of the park!" Kaede Jr argued. "I'm just going to wipe that smudge off your face! Don't be too difficult!"
"I wonder why he named that kid Akira?" I asked. "There are too many Akiras on the world. Can't he and Kim think of any other name?"
"It's pretty amusing, though," Akira said as he chuckled. "Two Kaedes and two Akiras. I'm flattered that Kae-chan named his son after me. I bet that kid'll grow up to be a fine, handsome young man... like me! I can see his future now... Girls would swoon whenever he passed by. Reporters would trip on their own feet just to have a few words with the great Rukawa Akira, basketball god! People would worship him and..."
I could barely control my laughter whilst listening to Akira as he gave me a brief outline of Rukawa Akira's life. Brief, meaning it would take him another thirty minutes or so, just yapping about the glories that life will bring to Akira Jr. Ch', I told that darn Kaede *not* to name his first son Akira, but did he listen to his beloved oniisan? NO. Now we have to contend with two Akiras.
And I didn't have to reiterate that this new Akira is much like his predecessors (i.e. Sendoh Akira and Rukawa Kaede Jr.), meaning this one's a little demon himself. With longer horns, of course.
"Oniichan! Tell Akira to stop running around!" Kaede Jr begged as he jogged towards me and Akira.
"Takes one to stop one," I said smugly. I'm pretty much enjoying this whole demonic son stuff. At least Kaede Jr now knows how terrible he must have been as a kid. He's having a taste of his own medicine. Hah!
"Oniichan! Help me with that little maggot!"
I gave him a smug grin.
"Come, on, big bro," he persuaded as he ran his hands through his tousled hair. "If that screaming brat was me, what would you have done? Come on, oniichan, think about the good ol' days."
"You make me sound old, damn you," I snapped.
"You look good, anyway," Akira (Sr.) butted in.
"Come on, help me with this!" Kaede Jr, cried out while twisting the towel around his face in agitation. "What would you do if *I* was the one doing that racket?"
"I'd simply bap your head with something heavy and leave you to die alone," I replied.
"'Niisan!"
"Hey, you were a lot more difficult when you were younger," I pointed out. "Bear with him. Leave him alone for a while. A little smudge wouldn't kill him."
"Yare, yare," Kaede Jr muttered as he jogged over to his little kid, who, at the moment, was so happily pulling out the pretty flowers.
"He's grown up, hasn't he, koi?" Akira suddenly asked. "Time sure flies. It seemed as if it was just yesterday when that ball hit my head. And now look at our little Kae-chan. He's been happily married for seven years now, and he's got his own little kid."
"He's Kae-chan no more, Akira," I pointed out as I watched my little brother wrestle with his son. "Look at him. All grown up with a family of his own. Not any more that dirty kid with a silly grin on his face. Not any more that whiny monster who kept tugging at our pants, asking for the meaning of a certain word. Heck, his vocabulary is wider than ours combined! He's no longer that stupid kid who carries Mr. Teddy around. Oh, before I forgot, Akira-chan inherited that old teddy bear. Kaede finally learned to let go of it. Yep, he's Kae-chan no more."
Akira and I were wrapped in comforable silence. We silently watched our little brother as he laughed and fooled around with Akira-chan. He's all grown up now. Akira's right. Time sure flies. I was enjoying life so much, that I barely noticed that my baby has grown up. Next thing I know, that whiny little demon was knocking on my door and telling me that he's going to marry Kim.
I remember that day as if it was just yesterday.
I just got out of my bathroom from a hot shower, and Akira was cooking lunch. Someone kept on banging on the door. I was about to give that someone a good kick on the shin, when I realized that it was my brother. He had a happy grin on his face, he was all sweaty (maybe he ran all the way to our apartment, I don't know), but he was really happy. I did't have the time to say anything. He just told me that he's gonna get married to his girlfriend and I will be his best man.
I just stood at the door, looking at him as if he'd grown four heads and two tails or something, and then I realized,
Shit. My baby brother's all grown up. How come I didn't notice it?
And now, looking at him fool around with his son confirmed my thoughts. He's not our baby anymore. He's got his own family: his own wife to cherish, and own son to fool around with. He's Kae-chan no more.
But watching him grow up has been a pleasurable experience. I'll never forget that time where he first started to notice girls. He took up after Akira. He spiked his hair, dammit, but sometimes, he'll leave it as it is: dishiveled, unruly, and downright sexy, like mine (am I in need of an ego-boosting, or what?). I'll never forget the way otousan and Akira cornered him one time and told him all he needed to know about *ehm* sex and protection.
He dated many girls, broke many hearts, became the MVP, led Shohoku basketball team to victory many times, dated many girls, entered Kanagawa University, dated many girls, became the team captain again, dated many girls, graduated with high honors, but whaddaya know... he married Kim.
He's Kae-chan no more. But he would always be my baby brother.
"Don't be silly, Rukawa Kaede," Akira suddenly scolded, breaking my line of thought. "He'll always be Kae-chan to us."
My head snapped to his direction. He gave me a warm smile.
"No matter how old he becomes, no matter how many children he will have, no matter what happens, he will always be our little Kae-chan," Akira said.
"Akira..."
"Look at him, love, and see the boy you've grown up with," Akira softly said. "Nothing changed, except maybe for the fact that he's a little demon no more. Hehehe... that's because he's a *big* demon now. In his eyes, koi, you'll always be the big meanie, and I know that deep inside that stubborn heart of yours, despite what you just said, he'll always be the little maggot.
"He's married, he has Akira Jr, but he'll always be Kae-chan to us. He just grew up, had a kid, left the house, but nothing more will change? How could you say that he's Kae-chan no more?" Akira asked after his long tirade.
Once again, my gaze swept over the place and landed on Kaede Jr. He was gritting his teeth in agitation whilst trying hard not to strangle his own son. I studied him one more time, and came to the realization that this maggot will remain a maggot for all time. Akira was right. He'll always be our Kae-chan. He'd never change. Not in our eyes and hearts.
I wonder now what made me think of such stupid things... Oh well... must be the air.
"Yeah, koi, you're right," I finally said. Akira gave me a warm smile and reached for my hand. For the moment, his hand in mine's enough.
"Morning, dear oniichans," a warm female voice greeted behind us.
"Hey there, Kim," Akira said with a smirk. I gave Kim a small smile.
"How are they doing?" Kim asked as she bent down to give me and Akira a peck on the cheek.
"They're ready to kill each other, dear," Akira said. "I wonder how you put up with those demons."
Kim breathed out a dramatic sigh. "I'm on the edge, Akira-niisan. One more push and I'll lose it. Kami-sama knows what pain those two always put me through."
"True, but you love them anyway," I said. Kim grinned and kissed me once more.
"Yeah, you're right," she said. "But I wouldn't mind having a day off every once in a while. I deserve it."
"Okaaaaaachan!!!" Akira Jr. exclaimed as he jumped out of the sandbox and ran towards his mother. Kae-chan gave out a sigh of relief.
"What took you so long?" he demanded as he grabbed Kim by the waist and dove for her mouth.
"Eeeeew, gross!" Akira Jr. exclaimed with a grimace. I scooped him up and ruffled his shiny jet-black hair. Crystal green eyes met mine, and I can't help but tweak his pert nose.
"Someday, you'll have your own girlfriend and kiss her, too," I said. He gave me a cute scowl.
"I bet I won't have a girlfriend," he vowed.
"You could have a boyfriend," Akira supplied from behind me. He reached over and ruffled Akira Jr.'s hair fondly.
"Shut up, koi," I snapped.
"Hey, if that kid falls in love with a guy as beautiful as us, you could never blame him."
"Yare, yare..."
"Kaede-ojisan?"
"Hm?"
"When I grow up, I'm gonna be just like you and Akira-ojisan!" he declared. "I'm gonna be as handsome as you two are, and I'm gonna be the best basketball player in the whoooole wide world!"
Warmth spread all over me as he jumped (or tried to) up and down in my arms. Kaede Jr. grew up, but here's another little imp to take care of.
"You do that, you little bakemono," Akira said. "We'll be watching you the whole time."
Akira Jr. nodded vigorously. "Anou, ojisan... when's okaachan and otouchan gonna stop kissing?"
Akira and I sweatdropped.
I cleared my throat to get those lovebirds' attention, but they ignored me. Their lips are pretty much glued to each other. Akira, on the other hand, was pretty much enjoying the whole scenario.
I gave Akira my best death glare. "I should never have let you get near my brother," I said. He grinned sheepishly and reached for Akira Jr. "Oi... stay away from my nephew."
"But ko~oi!"
"Urusai!"
"Okaachan! Otouchan! Stop kissing now!"
"Mmmph..."
Oh boy...
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"Ugh, I'm tired," Akira groaned as he plopped down on our couch. He pouted and pulled me down with him and started to kiss me all over my face. Darn this hentai.
"Oi, get off me, hentai ahou."
"But ko~oi!"
"Quit whining, ahou."
"Aaaw, come on! We're all alone!"
And is that a hentai grin? *Sigh* I could really kill this man someday.
I pushed his face away and started to go towards the bathroom, but he pulled me to his embrace once again. This time, he just held me close. All the mischief was, at the moment, gone from his eyes. All I could see was tenderness and warmth and love. I relaxed in his embrace.
"It's been twenty years," Akira whispered softly. I smiled.
"Yeah."
"We held on, didn't we, koi?" he asked.
"Yes, we did."
"Kae-chan's so happy. Kim is such a wonderful woman. They're a wonderful couple."
"Yes, they are."
"Akira-chan will grow up to be the most handsome guy."
"I'm sure."
We just sat there on the couch, wrapped in each other's arms, sharing each other's warmth, feeling each other's heartbeat. We've come a long way, Akira and I. We stayed strong for twenty years. We've faced a lot more challenges, fought a lot, and at one point, we almost broke up, but here we are, still together, married for 17 years, and still head over heels in love with each other.
I guess it all started during that very day when I got out of the bathroom and got dumped with flour. That same day when he handed me a bunch of pathetic looking flowers. That same day when he sang to me a song which is, after all these years, still embedded in my heart.
"Koi?" Akira called out softly, breaking my reverie.
"Yes, Akira?"
"Remember that day at the park, when I sang to you that song?"
I smiled. "I was thinking about it just now."
"Do you remember the lyrics? Do you still remember the words?"
"Come on, ahou... how could I forget? I might be shocked frozen during that time, but I was listening to you," I said. I almost laughed as I remembered how scattered my thoughts were during that time.
"Koi?"
"What?"
"Tomorrow morning if you wake up and the sun does not appear, I'll be here, okay? I'll always be by your side. We've been together for twenty years, and I'm sure we'll still be together for twenty more years... and much longer than that. I'll never ever leave you, you hear that?"
What the hell is this man thinking now? Why is he getting all mushy? Hn... must be because of the 'show' Kim and Kaede Jr. put up a little while ago. He's been quiet and full of thougts ever since this afternoon. Every once in a while, I'd catch him looking at me with a happy and contented smile. What's gotten into him?
"Akira, I know that already."
"Yeah, I guess you already do," he said as he tightened his embrace.
"Koi?"
"What now, Akira?"
"I love you."
Gods, I just love this man. "Love you, too, koi."
Slowly, his lips descended on mine. His kiss was as sweet as ever... gentle, but persistent, soft, but firm. His tongue touched my lips, seeking entrance, and I opened my mouth to him. Warmth flooded all over me as our tongues touched. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him tighter as he gave out a little groan.
My tongue sparred with his as we tightened our embrace. I feel myself getting aroused when I heard his throaty moan. All I could think of at the moment is that I love this man, and I'm going to spend my whole life loving him.
I ran my fingers through his spiked hair as I deepened the kiss even more. My tongue meshed with his as I undid the first few buttons of his shirt. I let out a small groan as his mouth left mine to shower kisses all over my face and neck.
And then the fucking phone rang.
Akira tighted his grip, dove for my mouth again, and deepened his kiss.
The phone kept ringing.
Akira undid the top buttons of my shirt.
The phone kept on ringing. It wouldn't stop, dammit.
I hastily disentangled myself from Akira's tight embrace and marched towards the phone. He refused to let me go, but I shook his hand away. I could still here is childish whine as I neared the damned phone. I swear by all that's holy, I will kill this fucking caller!
The phone kept ringing.
"What?!" I growled into the speaker.
"Oniichan!!! Thank heavens you're home! Akira Jr. won't eat his dinner, and Kim went out to buy something. There are goobs of food all over the kitchen! Tell me, tell me, tell me, oniichan, whatamIgonnadoooooo?!!"
Rukawa Kaede Jr, damn you to infinity and beyond!
********
o.wa.ri
********
Well, that's it for Kaede Jr! *Sniff* I'm done. But heavens, I think this chapter's all crap. Darn it... Tell me what you think okay? And yeah.. I know Diggler will kill me for that little 'unfinished business' up there. Hehehe... Sorry, Digg... This fic's far from being an R-rated fic. ^___^;
Okay... I just wanna thank you all for letting me share Kae-chan with you!
Till the next madness,
Aki
PS...
The next madness is called 'Celibacy'... Prologue's up already... ^_^
by: Aki Midori
Author's Last Blahs:
*Sniff* Yep. My last blah for Kaede Jr. Well, it's been fun writing this fic. I enjoyed reading the reviews... even the death threats. It made me feel good to know that you guys have come to love Kaede Jr. as much as I do. It's been fun creating that little maggot.
Now, now... should anyone of you would want to borrow my baby (yes, he's MINE), I'll allow you. Just please ask permission, and give the credit to me. After all, it is I who created that little bakemono. ^_^
Lastly, I'd like to thank the reviewers, especially White Meteor, S.G.O., qkslvr, miku, diggler, akira-akisame, baka, Shinri Ayase, Valencia and everyone else who supported (geez, I *do* sound like an awardee... sheesh) me... Arigatou! *huggles* The tears were all worth it, ne, minna?
Now, onto the last chapter. Say bye-bye to Kaede Jr, coz this might be the last time you'll see him. Unless, of course, my twisted mind concocted another stupid plot which includes him. ^_^
Enjoy!
DiSCLaiMers:
Slam Dunk and the characters aren't mine, of course. But Kaede Jr is mine... body, heart and soul. Do you have anything against that? *glares and huggles Kaede Jr to herself*
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Kaede Jr.
Epilogue: I Will Be Here
(Rukawa's POV)
Life is good.
I've said that before, haven't I? But then again, I wouldn't mind saying it again, because right now, it's the only thing I could think of. It's the only truth I can depend on.
Right now, the wind is cool as it blew the fringes of hair away from my face. The setting sun on the horizon paints a glorious portrait of pink, orange, blue and even dashes of red. The cherry blossoms are in full bloom and the grass is greener than ever. I sat on this same swing many times before. I played on this playground for as long as I can remember. But I can never tell a moment in which I was happier than I am right now.
Just watching the important people of my life do their stuff makes me feel good and contented.
Now, now... is this the Ice Prince of Shohoku High talking? I stopped myself from laughing as I thought more about it. Years ago, I wouldn't even think of such profound things about life. It was all 'basketball', 'basketball', and 'basketball'. Oh yeah, there were the occasional 'I'll beat Sendoh' stuff, too. And not to mention my mantra.
I'm calm, I'm cool, I'm the Ice Prince.
But look at me now... Sitting alone on a rusty swing while watching morons run around the park, contemplating the blessings of life. I can't help but think that I'm not the Ice Prince anymore. I've changed a lot over the years. I've grown up. I've realized that there's more to life than basketball and victory. I've come to realize that there are more people in this world other than myself. I learned to smile, to cry... and show emotions. I learned to appreciate more things other than basketball and Jordan Air rubber shoes. I learned to open up and just *live*.
But that doesn't mean that I've become sociable and all that bullshit. I still can't stand crowds. I still can't stand noisy parties. I still can't stand my father's (and Hanamichi's, for that matter) ear-grating 'Nyahaha' laugh, I still can't stand my mother's mosquito repellants, I still can't stand Hanamichi's tensai song, I still can't stand the way Miyagi would drool over Ayako-san, I still can't stand thoes annoying cheerleaders, and I still can't stand morons like Akira and maggots like Kaede Jr.
But who's to say that I don't love and care for those annoying people? Those people are my family and friends (except for those cheerleaders, no questions asked, please).
"Hey, love... what are you thinking of?"
Akira, Akira, Akira... My lifeline. My everything.
Darn, I'm getting mushy here. But hey, I love this man, no one can blame me.
"Nothing, really," I replied. He smiled and hugged me from behind. When he did, that same warmth spread all over me.
"Come on, now, Ice Prince, tell your sweet, handsome koi what you're thinking of!" Akira teased.
"Hn."
"Tell me!"
"Urusai," I muttered. I hate it when this man is too goddamn perky. It irritates the hell outta me. Love him or not, sometimes I revel in the thought of killing him.
"Kae~de!" Akira whined.
"Shut up, Akira. Quit acting like a child," I said. "Stop destroying my happy mood. Go over there, where two people of your kind are killing each other."
"I'll leave those father and son alone for a while," Akira said as he disentagled himself from my shoulders (but not before giving me a peck on my cheek) and sat on the vacant swing. "They're in the middle of a heated argument."
I looked over to where he was pointing and saw two maggots running around the park. The older one was holding a pink towel with him, while the six-year-old imp was running around, screaming like a banshee.
"Come back here, you little heathen! I'm not finished with you yet!" I hear Kaede Jr. shout from a distance.
Kaede Jr. had grown up into a fine lad. He looked exactly the same as I was when I was his age. Perfectly handsome. Flawless. Muscular. A total hunk. Yep, that's my brother we're talking about.
"I don't wanna take a bath!!!"
"Akira, you're not going to take a bath in the middle of the park!" Kaede Jr argued. "I'm just going to wipe that smudge off your face! Don't be too difficult!"
"I wonder why he named that kid Akira?" I asked. "There are too many Akiras on the world. Can't he and Kim think of any other name?"
"It's pretty amusing, though," Akira said as he chuckled. "Two Kaedes and two Akiras. I'm flattered that Kae-chan named his son after me. I bet that kid'll grow up to be a fine, handsome young man... like me! I can see his future now... Girls would swoon whenever he passed by. Reporters would trip on their own feet just to have a few words with the great Rukawa Akira, basketball god! People would worship him and..."
I could barely control my laughter whilst listening to Akira as he gave me a brief outline of Rukawa Akira's life. Brief, meaning it would take him another thirty minutes or so, just yapping about the glories that life will bring to Akira Jr. Ch', I told that darn Kaede *not* to name his first son Akira, but did he listen to his beloved oniisan? NO. Now we have to contend with two Akiras.
And I didn't have to reiterate that this new Akira is much like his predecessors (i.e. Sendoh Akira and Rukawa Kaede Jr.), meaning this one's a little demon himself. With longer horns, of course.
"Oniichan! Tell Akira to stop running around!" Kaede Jr begged as he jogged towards me and Akira.
"Takes one to stop one," I said smugly. I'm pretty much enjoying this whole demonic son stuff. At least Kaede Jr now knows how terrible he must have been as a kid. He's having a taste of his own medicine. Hah!
"Oniichan! Help me with that little maggot!"
I gave him a smug grin.
"Come, on, big bro," he persuaded as he ran his hands through his tousled hair. "If that screaming brat was me, what would you have done? Come on, oniichan, think about the good ol' days."
"You make me sound old, damn you," I snapped.
"You look good, anyway," Akira (Sr.) butted in.
"Come on, help me with this!" Kaede Jr, cried out while twisting the towel around his face in agitation. "What would you do if *I* was the one doing that racket?"
"I'd simply bap your head with something heavy and leave you to die alone," I replied.
"'Niisan!"
"Hey, you were a lot more difficult when you were younger," I pointed out. "Bear with him. Leave him alone for a while. A little smudge wouldn't kill him."
"Yare, yare," Kaede Jr muttered as he jogged over to his little kid, who, at the moment, was so happily pulling out the pretty flowers.
"He's grown up, hasn't he, koi?" Akira suddenly asked. "Time sure flies. It seemed as if it was just yesterday when that ball hit my head. And now look at our little Kae-chan. He's been happily married for seven years now, and he's got his own little kid."
"He's Kae-chan no more, Akira," I pointed out as I watched my little brother wrestle with his son. "Look at him. All grown up with a family of his own. Not any more that dirty kid with a silly grin on his face. Not any more that whiny monster who kept tugging at our pants, asking for the meaning of a certain word. Heck, his vocabulary is wider than ours combined! He's no longer that stupid kid who carries Mr. Teddy around. Oh, before I forgot, Akira-chan inherited that old teddy bear. Kaede finally learned to let go of it. Yep, he's Kae-chan no more."
Akira and I were wrapped in comforable silence. We silently watched our little brother as he laughed and fooled around with Akira-chan. He's all grown up now. Akira's right. Time sure flies. I was enjoying life so much, that I barely noticed that my baby has grown up. Next thing I know, that whiny little demon was knocking on my door and telling me that he's going to marry Kim.
I remember that day as if it was just yesterday.
I just got out of my bathroom from a hot shower, and Akira was cooking lunch. Someone kept on banging on the door. I was about to give that someone a good kick on the shin, when I realized that it was my brother. He had a happy grin on his face, he was all sweaty (maybe he ran all the way to our apartment, I don't know), but he was really happy. I did't have the time to say anything. He just told me that he's gonna get married to his girlfriend and I will be his best man.
I just stood at the door, looking at him as if he'd grown four heads and two tails or something, and then I realized,
Shit. My baby brother's all grown up. How come I didn't notice it?
And now, looking at him fool around with his son confirmed my thoughts. He's not our baby anymore. He's got his own family: his own wife to cherish, and own son to fool around with. He's Kae-chan no more.
But watching him grow up has been a pleasurable experience. I'll never forget that time where he first started to notice girls. He took up after Akira. He spiked his hair, dammit, but sometimes, he'll leave it as it is: dishiveled, unruly, and downright sexy, like mine (am I in need of an ego-boosting, or what?). I'll never forget the way otousan and Akira cornered him one time and told him all he needed to know about *ehm* sex and protection.
He dated many girls, broke many hearts, became the MVP, led Shohoku basketball team to victory many times, dated many girls, entered Kanagawa University, dated many girls, became the team captain again, dated many girls, graduated with high honors, but whaddaya know... he married Kim.
He's Kae-chan no more. But he would always be my baby brother.
"Don't be silly, Rukawa Kaede," Akira suddenly scolded, breaking my line of thought. "He'll always be Kae-chan to us."
My head snapped to his direction. He gave me a warm smile.
"No matter how old he becomes, no matter how many children he will have, no matter what happens, he will always be our little Kae-chan," Akira said.
"Akira..."
"Look at him, love, and see the boy you've grown up with," Akira softly said. "Nothing changed, except maybe for the fact that he's a little demon no more. Hehehe... that's because he's a *big* demon now. In his eyes, koi, you'll always be the big meanie, and I know that deep inside that stubborn heart of yours, despite what you just said, he'll always be the little maggot.
"He's married, he has Akira Jr, but he'll always be Kae-chan to us. He just grew up, had a kid, left the house, but nothing more will change? How could you say that he's Kae-chan no more?" Akira asked after his long tirade.
Once again, my gaze swept over the place and landed on Kaede Jr. He was gritting his teeth in agitation whilst trying hard not to strangle his own son. I studied him one more time, and came to the realization that this maggot will remain a maggot for all time. Akira was right. He'll always be our Kae-chan. He'd never change. Not in our eyes and hearts.
I wonder now what made me think of such stupid things... Oh well... must be the air.
"Yeah, koi, you're right," I finally said. Akira gave me a warm smile and reached for my hand. For the moment, his hand in mine's enough.
"Morning, dear oniichans," a warm female voice greeted behind us.
"Hey there, Kim," Akira said with a smirk. I gave Kim a small smile.
"How are they doing?" Kim asked as she bent down to give me and Akira a peck on the cheek.
"They're ready to kill each other, dear," Akira said. "I wonder how you put up with those demons."
Kim breathed out a dramatic sigh. "I'm on the edge, Akira-niisan. One more push and I'll lose it. Kami-sama knows what pain those two always put me through."
"True, but you love them anyway," I said. Kim grinned and kissed me once more.
"Yeah, you're right," she said. "But I wouldn't mind having a day off every once in a while. I deserve it."
"Okaaaaaachan!!!" Akira Jr. exclaimed as he jumped out of the sandbox and ran towards his mother. Kae-chan gave out a sigh of relief.
"What took you so long?" he demanded as he grabbed Kim by the waist and dove for her mouth.
"Eeeeew, gross!" Akira Jr. exclaimed with a grimace. I scooped him up and ruffled his shiny jet-black hair. Crystal green eyes met mine, and I can't help but tweak his pert nose.
"Someday, you'll have your own girlfriend and kiss her, too," I said. He gave me a cute scowl.
"I bet I won't have a girlfriend," he vowed.
"You could have a boyfriend," Akira supplied from behind me. He reached over and ruffled Akira Jr.'s hair fondly.
"Shut up, koi," I snapped.
"Hey, if that kid falls in love with a guy as beautiful as us, you could never blame him."
"Yare, yare..."
"Kaede-ojisan?"
"Hm?"
"When I grow up, I'm gonna be just like you and Akira-ojisan!" he declared. "I'm gonna be as handsome as you two are, and I'm gonna be the best basketball player in the whoooole wide world!"
Warmth spread all over me as he jumped (or tried to) up and down in my arms. Kaede Jr. grew up, but here's another little imp to take care of.
"You do that, you little bakemono," Akira said. "We'll be watching you the whole time."
Akira Jr. nodded vigorously. "Anou, ojisan... when's okaachan and otouchan gonna stop kissing?"
Akira and I sweatdropped.
I cleared my throat to get those lovebirds' attention, but they ignored me. Their lips are pretty much glued to each other. Akira, on the other hand, was pretty much enjoying the whole scenario.
I gave Akira my best death glare. "I should never have let you get near my brother," I said. He grinned sheepishly and reached for Akira Jr. "Oi... stay away from my nephew."
"But ko~oi!"
"Urusai!"
"Okaachan! Otouchan! Stop kissing now!"
"Mmmph..."
Oh boy...
************************
"Ugh, I'm tired," Akira groaned as he plopped down on our couch. He pouted and pulled me down with him and started to kiss me all over my face. Darn this hentai.
"Oi, get off me, hentai ahou."
"But ko~oi!"
"Quit whining, ahou."
"Aaaw, come on! We're all alone!"
And is that a hentai grin? *Sigh* I could really kill this man someday.
I pushed his face away and started to go towards the bathroom, but he pulled me to his embrace once again. This time, he just held me close. All the mischief was, at the moment, gone from his eyes. All I could see was tenderness and warmth and love. I relaxed in his embrace.
"It's been twenty years," Akira whispered softly. I smiled.
"Yeah."
"We held on, didn't we, koi?" he asked.
"Yes, we did."
"Kae-chan's so happy. Kim is such a wonderful woman. They're a wonderful couple."
"Yes, they are."
"Akira-chan will grow up to be the most handsome guy."
"I'm sure."
We just sat there on the couch, wrapped in each other's arms, sharing each other's warmth, feeling each other's heartbeat. We've come a long way, Akira and I. We stayed strong for twenty years. We've faced a lot more challenges, fought a lot, and at one point, we almost broke up, but here we are, still together, married for 17 years, and still head over heels in love with each other.
I guess it all started during that very day when I got out of the bathroom and got dumped with flour. That same day when he handed me a bunch of pathetic looking flowers. That same day when he sang to me a song which is, after all these years, still embedded in my heart.
"Koi?" Akira called out softly, breaking my reverie.
"Yes, Akira?"
"Remember that day at the park, when I sang to you that song?"
I smiled. "I was thinking about it just now."
"Do you remember the lyrics? Do you still remember the words?"
"Come on, ahou... how could I forget? I might be shocked frozen during that time, but I was listening to you," I said. I almost laughed as I remembered how scattered my thoughts were during that time.
"Koi?"
"What?"
"Tomorrow morning if you wake up and the sun does not appear, I'll be here, okay? I'll always be by your side. We've been together for twenty years, and I'm sure we'll still be together for twenty more years... and much longer than that. I'll never ever leave you, you hear that?"
What the hell is this man thinking now? Why is he getting all mushy? Hn... must be because of the 'show' Kim and Kaede Jr. put up a little while ago. He's been quiet and full of thougts ever since this afternoon. Every once in a while, I'd catch him looking at me with a happy and contented smile. What's gotten into him?
"Akira, I know that already."
"Yeah, I guess you already do," he said as he tightened his embrace.
"Koi?"
"What now, Akira?"
"I love you."
Gods, I just love this man. "Love you, too, koi."
Slowly, his lips descended on mine. His kiss was as sweet as ever... gentle, but persistent, soft, but firm. His tongue touched my lips, seeking entrance, and I opened my mouth to him. Warmth flooded all over me as our tongues touched. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him tighter as he gave out a little groan.
My tongue sparred with his as we tightened our embrace. I feel myself getting aroused when I heard his throaty moan. All I could think of at the moment is that I love this man, and I'm going to spend my whole life loving him.
I ran my fingers through his spiked hair as I deepened the kiss even more. My tongue meshed with his as I undid the first few buttons of his shirt. I let out a small groan as his mouth left mine to shower kisses all over my face and neck.
And then the fucking phone rang.
Akira tighted his grip, dove for my mouth again, and deepened his kiss.
The phone kept ringing.
Akira undid the top buttons of my shirt.
The phone kept on ringing. It wouldn't stop, dammit.
I hastily disentangled myself from Akira's tight embrace and marched towards the phone. He refused to let me go, but I shook his hand away. I could still here is childish whine as I neared the damned phone. I swear by all that's holy, I will kill this fucking caller!
The phone kept ringing.
"What?!" I growled into the speaker.
"Oniichan!!! Thank heavens you're home! Akira Jr. won't eat his dinner, and Kim went out to buy something. There are goobs of food all over the kitchen! Tell me, tell me, tell me, oniichan, whatamIgonnadoooooo?!!"
Rukawa Kaede Jr, damn you to infinity and beyond!
********
o.wa.ri
********
Well, that's it for Kaede Jr! *Sniff* I'm done. But heavens, I think this chapter's all crap. Darn it... Tell me what you think okay? And yeah.. I know Diggler will kill me for that little 'unfinished business' up there. Hehehe... Sorry, Digg... This fic's far from being an R-rated fic. ^___^;
Okay... I just wanna thank you all for letting me share Kae-chan with you!
Till the next madness,
Aki
PS...
The next madness is called 'Celibacy'... Prologue's up already... ^_^