Author's notes: Yes…tests are coming up fortunately I have time to write one more…:/ Surprise.
Thanks to E-chan, dylan-mi, Chan, Yuuki, and Ruishi.
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"Please to meet you, Mrs. Rukawa Kaoru," Emi said with another polite smile.
"Now, now, forget the formalities! Call me Kaoru!" Kaoru laughed. "After all, I'm not THAT old, am I?"
"NO! You look like…you look like…uh," Emi stumbled over her words as she sweatdropped. She didn't want to offend the lady. // Old lady…hmm…//
"Kaoru, you look like not a day over twenty-five!" Nakamura came to her rescue.
"Aw, you're too kind Mr. Nakamura," Kaoru replied delighted at the compliment.
"Thank you," Nakamura again said giving her another one of his grins.
Emi seeing the situation brewing in front of her, she quickly ducked out of the two sided conversation. Her eye caught a flash of raven hair, and she focused her attention on the slumbering Rukawa Kaede. She crossed her arms and looked him up and down. He was wearing a dark-blue Nike t-shirt and baggy pants that reached to his knees. This, thankfully was not noticed by two busy adults who were engaged in a little bit of too-pleasant-for-her-taste conversation.
//Ahh…the guy has big feet, hmm I wonder what size does he use ?? Ohh…look at those legs…yummy very toned. He has a big build, so I've noticed. Pale skin? What was he doing all these years? Hiding? Awww…he looks so cute hugging the spatula like that! What am I thinking? The guy is holding a SPATULA for heaven's sake! That's cute???!!! The spatula's even greasy!// Even though Emi is not the kind to flirt, but she has long mastered the art of admiring boys her age internally, hence the frequent daydreams. // His face…is so…cute!!!!! What with the slight drool in the corner of his mouth and the tiny bubble forming from his nose? His devilishly handsome looks totally makes up for that.* Emi * Oo… I hope we go to the same school!// ( I'm aware that this part is extremely……how should I say this : odd ??? A girl's thoughts can be very strange. )
"Emi," repeated the voice.
"Huh," replied the dazed Emi.
"You're daydreaming again!" scolded Nakamura giving a stern look towards Emi and an apologetic smile to Kaoru.
"It's okay, really! At least, it's better than having your own son sleeping every two seconds," mused Kaoru.
"Two seconds?" Emi repeated curious.
"Oops, did I just say that OUT LOUD!? Make that every ONE second," Kaoru emphasized while leaning nearer to her still undisturbed son.
Immediately, both of them started giggling. // Gee, I never felt so at ease with myself, Kaoru is so easy-going and funny. I pictured her to be like the stingy old ladies on tv!// ( Yes, lil' miss perfect watches tv…)
//She also acts like a teen despite her age, what is her age anyway?? 31? 32? 33?// Emi thought plunging into her own world again.
"Well, we better get inside," Kaoru declared cheerfully while clapping her hands that brought Emi out of her daze.
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Emi headed towards her baggage but Nakamura waved her off. However, getting INTO the house was a bit of a problem since Rukawa is blocking the doorway. Puzzled as to how Kaoru is going to get in, she looked on. Kaoru just stood there and pinched his arm real hard. However it didn't seem to inflict pain on the boy, he just opened his eyes, moved in and up the stairs to his room.
"He's used to it, after all he is a strong boy!" chuckled Kaoru somewhat proudly while leading Emi into the living room. She left Emi to go into the kitchen. Emi admired the house, it had a homey feel to it. Flowers decorated most of the tables in the house and the living room was spacious. Emi sat down on one of the white sofas located in the living room savoring the comfortable feel of it. She even bounced a few times excited.
"I see you like our sofas!" chuckled Kaoru who had returned with a tray which held a teapot and four teacups from the kitchen.
"I love it," laughed Emi stroking the soft fabric of the sofa.
"We get that all the time," replied Kaoru grinning slightly.
"I'm sure you do," giggled Emi as she took the cup Kaoru offered easily.
"Anyway, back to business, do you know why you are here," Kaoru dove into more serious matters.
"Yes, dad said he wanted me to get a feel for Japan, you know being in America and all," Emi explained.
"That's true, I'm sure you'll enjoy your stay here," Kaoru said with a disappointing look on her face which she hid with a slight smile. // I can't believe Kenji didn't tell her! The old bat!//
"Kaoru, may I ask you something?" Emi asked hesitantly. "I didn't really get the full details since we left in a rush, you know, and I was just curious, which school will I be attending?"
"Can't wait, huh?"
"Sort of, I never been quite good at socializing," confessed Emi.
"Well, you're going to go to Shohoku High with Kaede of course!" Kaoru babbled on. "I've already prepared your uniform! Kenji already arranged it for you."
Emi only half listened, she was stuck in her own world again. // with Kaede…with Kaede…//
"And don't worry about not making friends," persuaded Kaoru. "I'm sure Kaede will be happy to show you around, I hear he's really popular at school."
"He would?" Emi asked with a hopeful look on her face.
"Of course! I'll MAKE sure of THAT," Kaoru assured Emi with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Both of them broke into fits of laughter.
"I see you two seem to get along quite well," said Nakamura who finished moving Emi's baggage into the house. He sat down on one of the sofas opposite to Emi's.
"I'm having a blast, Nakamura-san!" Emi replied enthusiastically.
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Nakamura observed Emi's change of behavior. He noted that she was more lively and open. // This is good. Finally the girl can have a normal life…//
The day went on quickly as the three of them talked about anything and everything. Emi was so comfortable with Kaoru that sometimes she kept forgetting that Kaoru was in her early thirties. It was nightfall by the time they were finished.
"Mi-chan, I'm going to go now," Nakamura informed.
"Huh, you're not staying here?" questioned Emi.
"No, I'm staying elsewhere,"
"Where?"
"Somewhere near, I assure you Mi-chan,"
"You can stay here you know," offered Kaoru giving Emi an understanding look.
"No thank you," Nakamura declined.
"But Nakamura, you've always been by my side!" pleaded Emi feeling the familiar feeling of insecurity.
"Mi-chan, that's it! You're too dependant on me, I know you're a smart girl and you can do it without me being there," Nakamura persuaded.
"I think Nakamura is right," agreed Kaoru. " You're fifteen now, you don't need a babysitter."
"…"
"Look at the bright side," suggested Kaoru while looping her arms around Emi's shoulders.
"There won't be anyone to chase the cute boys away!" whispered Kaoru into Emi's ear.
"That's right!" giggled Emi releasing some of the tension.
"What's right?" Nakamura, his nosy side kicking in.
"What's more is, there won't be any Nakamura to watch your every move!" Kaoru suggested again feeling confident. // Teenagers are SO easy to persuade! All they need is a push to the right side.//
"Yes!" Emi squealed loudly, jumping up and down as she understood the opportunity of freedom. She felt like it was being handed to her on a silver plate. The last shred of insecurity melted away with doubts and fears.
Moving away from the triumphant grin that stood on Kaoru's face, she quickly leaped onto Nakamura and hugged him.
"Now, Nakamura-san don't bother to check up on me, okay?" Emi smiled.
"I WILL check up on you," Nakamura informed the way-too-giddy teenager.
"I'm sure you won't!" persuaded Emi as she pulled Nakamura towards the doorway. "Don't worry, I'm a BIG girl now, it's time for me to taste some EXPERIENCES I never had the chance to before!"
"EXPERIENCES????!!!!!!" Nakamura asked alarmed.
"Don't be such an over protective bodyguard!" Kaoru said as she walked into the doorway.
"That's what I'm suppose to be!" Nakamura said with a slight frown as he reluctantly stepped out of the house.
"Nakamura-san! You said it yourself, I AM A SMART GIRL," countered Emi. Her hands on her hips.
"Mi-chan!" gasped Nakamura seeing the total 180 Emi just did. // Did I just heard that? She NEVER turns MY words against ME! ESPECIALLY NOT ME!!!//
"Honestly, Nakamura don't you even trust me ?!" Kaoru said with a fake-hurt look on her face.
"Yeah! After all, Nakamura, Kaoru IS A MOTHER, you know," Emi piped in.
"It's not that," Nakamura assured. // There she goes again! This girl is changing by the minute! What happened to the WHAT-EVER-YOU-SAY-NAKAMURA-SAN Emi I know.// ( Nakamura is known as a control-freak sometimes…)
"Then you trust me?" Kaoru questioned giving the in-denial-Nakamura her best innocent look.
Seeing Kaoru with that I'm-innocent-so-trust-me-look combined with Emi's I-need-freedom-and-only-you-can-give-it-to-me-so-please-be-a-doll-and-agree-cause-I'm-a-VERY-good-girl-and-since-when-did-I-ever-failed-you-look was too much for him to bear.
"YES, I TRUST THE BOTH OF YOU," Nakamura struggled to say in between gritted teeth. He was clenching his fists to keep himself from ripping off his own very styled-hair. // These two females are gonna be the DEATH of me!//
"Then, Ta-ta!" Kaoru said as she looped arms with Emi and gave Nakamura a grin that seemed a tad bit suspicious.
"Nakamura-san, don't forget your bags," Emi reminded him.
Nakamura grumbled and picked up his bags which he purposely left outside.
"Okay, okay, this is what I get after all these years," he grumbled on.
"And oh, Mr. Nakamura Eiji?" Kaoru asked.
"Hm?"
"Thank you for being here today," Kaoru said with a false British accent and a flick of her wrist. Instantly Emi and Kaoru broke into fits full of laughter. ( Anyone seen Princess Bride???!!! )
"Ja," Nakamura replied sourly, not only did his nosy skills failed him, apparently it was Kaoru who did the persuading and NOT HIM. He waved for a taxi and got in.
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Author's notes: Hear he' hear she'…*ack* I hope this will hold you guys until my tests finishes…is it good? Bad? Further explanation to why Emi was sent there…hmmm…next chapter…there will be flashbacks! I can't wait to post! Excuse my writing if it sux..heheh..thanks again to all the reviewers! J I'll be continuing the fic!!! Yay!!!!!!! * salutes and gives a peace sign *
~Ja~