Disclaimer: Ayashi no Ceres belongs to Watase Yuu. Don't own so don't sue.
To:
Everyone: Again, my deepest apologies for the delay. Heh, I seem to be saying that a lot lately… *sweatdrops* I've been saddled with one illness after another, and it's no easy task writing updates on a drugged mind. Furthermore, I'm having a bit of a trouble thinking of a *ahem* sensible plot for the fic, so once again, gomen nasai for the delay!!! *cheeky bows low*
mainey ~ *wink wink* heh, we don't want a Tooya/Shiso now do we?? But I like fluff too, am just not a very good sap fic writer. Eheheh… cheeky no hentai mah! *mainey sweatdrops* But I'll try my best to write more sappy stuff in the future, k?
Koneko ~ I have this vague idealistic purpose for Kagami's surveillance but am still debating whether to implement it or not. Heh, I'm kinda worried the story might get too crazy otherwise. Oh well, let's see how the story pans out in future chapters. ^o^
rhapsody ~ I'm hoping to have Alex play a much bigger part in this story if possible, but what, even I hadn't thought about that just yet. *blush blush* *sweatdrops*
chinoz ~ About the boys being sacrificed thingy, I'm kinda drawing from the series. Not too sure about my facts, but if I remember correctly, each descendant is removed so not to interfere with the Mikage fortune or something… maybe I've confused it somewhat. *more sweatdrops* *heh, no wonder I'm dehydrated*
Hana no Ceres ~ *blinks hopefully* you wanna write up the lemon for me?? Eheheh…
And thanks to Kat, Crimson Night, and Yuuhi for reviewing!! *huggies*
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Chapter Seven ~ Second Chances
"Aya! You're up early…" exclaimed Yuuhi in surprise as his eyes took in the scene in the garden.
The steady swish of threadbare rope stopped as Aya languidly wiped away the sweat from her forehead. Then raising a fine eyebrow, she replied with a wry grin, "I didn't think I had a reputation for being a late riser…"
Leaning against the wooden door frame, Yuuhi avoided her eyes as he mumbled almost hesitatively, "Well, I thought after yesterday's incident…"
And suddenly the Mikage girl was standing next to him, a small smile playing on her lips as she interjected softly, "I'm okay, really."
Yuuhi looked up in concerned but the quiet determination in the cobalt orbs gave him pause. And giving the youth's hand a soft squeeze, Aya added, "Thank you."
He started in surprise, "For what?"
It was nothing more than a quiet whisper, "For being my friend."
As the girl passed the cooking maestro, Yuuhi did an abrupt turn as he called out impulsively, "Aya, can we ever be more than friends?"
Her footsteps faltered. When they came to a final stop, Yuuhi realised that he had been holding his breath. His sister-in-law was probably going to have his hide for breakfast but he needed to know where he stood. He didn't want to live with regrets, not where his love life was concerned anyway. The silence stretched on and Yuuhi swore he could even hear his own heartbeat pounding in his ears as he waited for Aya's reply. The girl finally turned to face Yuuhi, her expression unreadable as she questioned instead, "You believe… you honestly believe that we could be more than friends? Even after… after all this?"
He was rendered speechless; it was not the sort of reply that he had expected. Running a hand through the golden threads, Aya's red lips quivered as she demanded in bewilderment, "Why? Why do you care so much for me?"
Yuuhi caught her eyes as he answered evenly, "Because I'm in love with you, that's why." And then the words spilled out in a rush, "I don't care even if you're in love with Tooya, you're free to give your heart to whoever you choose. As long as you're happy, then I'll be happy for you. After all, true love is unconditional and…"
"Why are you so nice to me?!"
Aya's abrupt outburst interrupted Yuuhi's thoughts and guilt shot through the boy upon seeing the young girl trembling violently before him. Her knees failed her and Aya collapsed onto the wooden floor as she whispered in anguish, "After the way I treated you… why do you still care?"
Why indeed? He sighed inwardly as he rubbed his eyes tiredly, in truth, he didn't understand it himself. They got off from a bad start, mocking and criticising each other as if they were sworn enemies. Heck, if it wasn't for Suzumi's death threats, he wouldn't even be thrust with the job of protecting Aya in the first place. And yet, after the initial hiccups, Yuuhi found himself being drawn closer and closer to the Mikage girl…
And now, it had become impossible for him to stay away. Unbelievable as it may sounds, he had fallen, and fallen hard. The steel determination that shone in cobalt eyes, the arrogant tilt of the chin, and even the slight pout of annoyance. It was all distinctively Aya and Yuuhi found his lips tugging upwards in remembrance.
"Love makes you do and say crazy things…" [1]
He shifted his stance closer before kneeling before the girl to tilt her chin upwards, "So stop asking why. Maybe it's my destiny, or maybe it's the result of Suzumi messing with both our lives. But whatever the reason, I'm determined to make you smile, and I vow to bring some sunshine into your life. Just, give me a chance to prove myself. That's all I'm asking for."
Aya stared silently into Yuuhi's resolved orbs. Why was love such a complicated game to play? [2] It would have been so much easier if she had never met Tooya, then perhaps things could have turned out differently. Was it now too late to make amends? Too late to say 'I love you'?
"No Aya, it's not."
Her hand flew to her lips; did she really say that aloud? The mischievous glint in Yuuhi's eyes answered her silent question and Aya groaned inwardly. Aki always did say her smart mouth was going to get her in trouble on of these days. Maybe… just maybe she could learn to love Yuuhi. After all, life was meaningless without having someone to cherish and hold, and to share laughter and pain…
Meeting Yuuhi's gaze squarely, Aya suddenly whined dramatically, "But Tooya has a better sense of fashion…"
Yuuhi shot back hotly, "So? I bet the man isn't capable of baking a triple chocolate cake filled with hazelnuts and almonds and marshmallows [3]. Heck, he probably doesn't even know what a tiramisu is…"
She threw him a playful punch on the shoulder, "Beast, don't tempt me with all that sweet stuff, I'm watching my weight!"
Yuuhi pretended hurt as he nursed the spot where Aya's fist had fell, "Ouch! That was a mean thing to do, Aya-chan!"
Blue eyes widened in disbelief as the girl echoed, "Aya-chan?"
When Yuuhi continued grinning, Aya folded her arms before pointing out crossly, "Hmph, if you can't even take a simply punch, how do you suppose you'll fare against stronger thugs?"
He answered back innocently, "I'm sure your wrath will be enough to scare them off… oww!"
This time more pressure was applied and Yuuhi fell on his back with a soft thud. Aya got to her feet before adding almost scathingly, "I'm going to shower. In the meantime, you can cook me some breakfast. If you're so smart, let's see you whip up that cake of yours before I'm done."
And then Aya stalked off, but not before Yuuhi caught the barest hint of a smile. His own lips grew to a full-blown smile; maybe he had a chance after all…
Several feet away, a video camera disappeared into a room, followed by the unmistakable chuckles of triumph.
t.b.c.
[1] Déjà vu for readers of Music. *wink wink*
[2] Ditto. Line's from chapter four. .
[3] A la Rocky Road, peoples. Yum yum!
