A/N: Mwa ha ha ha ha ha, this chapter will definitely be fun to write, now that Akito's warming up to Sana!
Some things are changed, by the way. For example, Akito got a stuffed dinosaur from his dad when he was sick once, not because they all went out to a museum. Another thing is that Akito has a cell phone. So if you flame me, make sure you're not flaming me for something I mentioned already.
Another thing is, I realized Sana called Akito, "Aa-chan" when she was being his mom. Sorry for the mistake!! Thanks doinkchan for telling me! I already changed it. ^^
Lastly, like chapter 5, things will be similar to the manga and the show—mainly the manga, since I'm forgetting what happened in the anime. -_-;
Well, big thanks to all my reviewers—enjoy!
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Hayama Akito growled as he looked at the phone for the sixth time. It was Saturday night and Naozumi's acting has just ended. However, today, the famous Kurata Sana didn't show up—she was at home, sick. Naozumi gave out Sana's personal phone number to everyone, even Akito, in case they wanted to check up on her. After all she had done for him, Akito felt pressured to call her.
He picked up the phone and clicked the 'on' button. Then turning to look at her number again, he clicked the 'off' button. Throwing the phone upon his bed, he got out of his chair, and grabbed the paper and his cell phone. Closing the door behind him, he crept down the stairs, making sure he didn't catch the attention of his sister or his father. Accidentally stepping on the wrong place, the floor creaked loudly.
"Akito? Is that you? Are you hungry? Didja want some soup? Come join me! There's suuuuuuuuuuuuuushi!" Natsumi called to her brother, knowing the last word would bring him over.
Akito fought off the temptation to get sushi and sighed. Even if they weren't yelling at him every time they saw him, they were slightly too nice for his liking. "I'm going out."
"Get some sushi to go, then!"
"I'm not hungry," he called to the kitchen, preparing to walk to the hall.
"Get some sushi to go," a deeper voice behind him said. Akito looked over his shoulder and saw his father coming down too.
"…" Akito slowly walked down, with his father behind him. Together they entered the kitchen and their eyes dotted, upon the sight of Natsumi. She was dressed in an apron, waving a spatula in the air. In her other hand, she held a bento box. Food was in front of her, all prepared, looking nice and ready.
"I've already prepared your sushi, Akito! Dad, sit, sit!" Natsumi gestured the seat for her father to sit in, and passed the bento box to Akito. "Where are you going, anyway?"
"Just… around."
"Going to a friend's house?"
"I might."
"Well, be careful on the way there and the way home! If you get mugged, attack like crazy!" She bought the spatula down on the edge of the table and then pointed to the spot. "Like that!"
"…" Akito grabbed the bento box and nodded to his family. Exiting out the door, he let out a huge breath and walked to the hall, grabbing a few things and stuffing it into his backpack, along the way.
"See ya, Akito! Don't forget to say 'hi' to Sana for me!" Natsumi grinned to her father after the door slammed. "Ah, young love, isn't it nice?"
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I need to work on my lying skills, Akito sighed once more, as he passed the stores down the block. Seeing a toy store, he was reminded of the time his father bought him a dinosaur figurine, when he got sick once.
He took a step towards the store and stopped. This is to repay her, so that she won't ever bug you again. He was discomforted by this thought, for some reason, but nevertheless, entered the store and went up and down the aisles. Once he was done, he walked out, disbelieving what he did, and set off to his destination again.
He reached the mansion, fifteen minutes later. Hesitating, he waited another five minutes. Getting too cold, he zipped up his jacket and pressed the button to the intercom.
"Good evening, please state your business."
"…I'm looking for Sana."
"She's not feeing well today, please come back tomorrow."
Akito scowled and bought out his cell. Dialing the numbers, he waited for someone to pick up.
"Hello?" a thick, nasal voice asked.
"Kurata, tell someone to open the door and let me in."
"…Akito?"
"I hate waiting."
"In a minute." The gate opened slowly and at the same time, so did the door. Akito walked to over to see a man in a business suit standing there. With sunglasses on, it still looked as if he was frowning, with so much creased lines on his forehead.
"Good evening, you are…?"
"Here to see Sana," Akito said, entering the house. Inside, there was two curious women who stood there; one was dressed in a plain dress with an apron similar to the one Natsumi had before; the other was dressed in a yellow kimono, on top of her head was a house and a small squirrel peeking out.
"Good evening. I'm Kurata Misako, Sana's mother," the one in the kimono said, as she bowed. The squirrel fell out, but a chain was fastened on to the stomach on the poor animal, so that the squirrel was just dangling around before it climbed back in the house. "This is Miss Shimura, our maid, and that man is Sagami Rei. He's Sana's manager."
"Evening… I'm Hayama Akito." He bowed a little, in respect, eyes dotted upon the appearance of the squirrel. "Which way is Kurata's room?"
Rei stepped forward. "Now wait just a minute—who are you to appear and--"
"Walk upstairs and go three rooms down the left side!" a weak voice called from upstairs. Akito looked towards the stairs and back at the lady with the squirrel. She nodded and asked Miss Shimura to give Akito some slippers. After taking them, he thanked the two women, gave Rei an eye, and slowly trudged upstairs. He found the room easily and walked in. Sana was snuggled deep within the blankets and only her head showed. Her face was pale and her cheeks were rosy, but she smiled brightly.
"Hey! Whacha doing here?"
Akito shrugged and pulled the chair from her desk. He set it next to her bed and sat down. He slid his backpack from his shoulder and unzipped it. Bringing out the package, he handed it over, wordlessly.
"For me?" Her arm reached out and grabbed it, while the other hand propped her up.
"Is there another reason I'm handing it over to you?"
"You really didn't have to!"
"Open it."
"Oh, right." She grinned at him once more before fixing her concentration on the package. When she carefully unwrapped it, she opened the box, and gasped. "Kawaii!" She held up a stuffed leopard and said, "Domo arigato Akito!"
He shrugged again, a small hint of red upon his cheeks. "Didja eat yet?"
"Nope, but Miss Shimura is gonna bring me some porridge later… yuck~" She made a face at him. Akito's mouth twitched.
"Want some sushi?" He bought out his bento slowly and held it up.
"No thanks, I'm not hungry. Eat if you are, I don't mind."
"Naw," he set the box down, slightly relieved he still had all his sushi. Silence filled the room.
"So…" Sana began, twiddling her thumbs, looking at him. "What possessed you to come here?"
"I…" Akito paused and looked at Sana. Then he turned his head up and said, "I came here to see my sick mother." Sana stared and a grin stared to spread as her shoulders shook a bit. Soon she was laying on her bed, towards Akito, her hands clutching her stomach, laughing her head off. When she calmed down, she gasped and looked at Akito.
"Thanks, I'm much happier now," she said, then continuing on with her laughing. Akito shrugged again and sighed at the sight before him. He looked around his surroundings and focused on a particular flier on the actress's desk.
"Are you going?"
Sana coughed a few times and shook her head to clear her mind. "Going where?"
"The festival," Akito said, getting up and grabbing the flier. He passed it to Sana's hand and sat back down in his seat.
"Oh, that. I was thinking of going, but it says you need a partner to dress up with and do other things with. Not only is Mama busy and not interested, Rei-kun would probably bring Asako-san, so I'm stuck at home."
"I can go," Akito said, cursing himself as soon as the words got out.
"Really?" Sana sat up again, the flier still in her hand. "Oh wow, I can't wait, then! This is going to be great! I think I'll go in a red kimono, whatta 'bout you?"
"I--" Akito was interrupted when the door opened. Rei stood there, looking very suspicious and very unhappy.
"You need to go home now, Sana-chan needs her rest."
Giving Rei an eye, Akito stood up, taking the chair and putting it back where it belonged. Going back, he grabbed his backpack, and reached into his jacket pocket. He threw a smaller, pale blue package on Sana's bed and then walked out. Sana stared at it curiously and then picked it up. She untied the ribbon slowly and her face lit up when she saw it. Inside laid a silver charm necklace with three hearts hanging from it—a red one, a pink one, and a magenta one. Along with it came a note that had read: Call me at ######### if you need anything. Sana slipped it over her head and grabbed the stuffed leopard. Hugging it to her chest, she settled back in her bed with a blush and a smile.
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"Akito!" Natsumi asked worriedly, her back against the wall next to the bathroom door. "Sana is coming soon! Are you done yet?!"
"…" Akito looked at the mirror once more and grumbled. He headed towards the door and opened it. Natsumi straightened immediately and gaped at her younger brother.
"Akito! You look so kawaii!!! Sana-chan sure picks great kimonos, ne?" Natsumi walked around him and checked every inch. "Hm, you might be too buff for this, but it fits. The black sure suits your attitude, at least." Natsumi gave him a skeptical look. "I thought you wanted to go?"
"Not really." Akito gave a sigh.
"Which means you do. Don't underestimate your sister." Natsumi then pushed Akito towards the stairs. "Now c'mon, she's gonna be here any second!" Right on cue, the doorbell rang. "Toldja so."
Ignoring his sister's smug look, Akito walked down the stairs and to the door. Sana's hair was up in a ponytail, tied with a red ribbon. Small pink cherry blossoms were attached to the ribbon and dangled next to her hair's tail. As promised, she wore a red kimono, covered with even redder roses and lilies, matching the color of her hair accessories' flowers. Her right hand held a red pouch and there was some make-up was on her face to bring out her face's features. Not that she needs it, Akito mentally stated quietly. Her face lit up as she saw Akito.
"It fits! Great, I thought it was too small, with all those muscles of yours," she grinned at him. Akito looked away and shrugged half-heartedly.
"Let's go," he muttered, pushing her gently out the doorway. He closed the door and felt something cold enclose his hand. Akito looked down with his eyebrow raised. "Cold?"
"A bit. We're supposed to be partners anyway, ne?" She looked at him and grinned once more. "Plus, I know Rei-kun will definitely freak out."
"…" Akito walked out of the front yard of his house and saw a car waiting.
"And since he'll freak out and everything, he invited Asako-san and we're all together," Sana said. Akito rolled his eyes and walked forward, bringing Sana with him. He opened the door and let Sana in. "See, Rei-kun, he's a nice guy," she nudged Rei's shoulder with her hand from the backseat. Akito got in and Rei turned around.
"No sunglasses this time?" Akito asked a smirk on his face.
"If anything happens to Sana-chan--"
"Rei!" The teen actress's protective manger received a swat from his girlfriend. "Are you saying you don't trust Sana's own opinions and choices?"
"I'm not saying that!"
Sana nudged Akito and winked. Letting out a wail, she said to Rei, "I can't believe you Rei-kun! How can you not trust me?!"
"I never said that!" Rei choked on his words when he saw tears leak out of Sana's eyes.
"After all these years, you never thought I could do anything on my own, did you?" Sana began to bawl and buried her head into Akito's kimono. Rei shot him the uncomfortable Akito a look and patted Sana's back.
"Uh, sorry, Sana. I trust you." He sighed, faced the road and started the engine. Sana popped her head up as Asako turned around. They shared a secret smile as Sana sat up again. She tugged Akito down until his ear was next to her mouth.
"Eight years after and it still works," she giggled as the car drove off.
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"How pretty!" Sana exclaimed, getting out of the car. Akito followed suit and stood behind her. Sana scanned the sight before her and grabbed Akito's hand for the second time. "Are you hungry? Wanna go get food first?" Akito shrugged and Sana pulled him towards the food stands, letting go when they got there. She bought out her wallet but stopped and spun around. "I don't care what you say, by the way, I'm paying for everything!"
"That makes me look cheap," complained Akito, glancing around him. People were gathering the two, after recognizing the teen before them.
"Then just win me some super cute stuffed animals later," she grinned at him. "Course, if your aiming is all off, it's alright. I have Cheeto."
"My aiming's fine," scowled Akito. "And who the hell is Cheeto?"
"My, my, are we jealous?" Sana smiled at him. "It's the stuffed leopard you gave me. Not only is it from you, you also strangely remind me of a leopard. Added with the fact that Cheeto rhymes with Akito, I named him that."
"They don't rhyme. And what posssed you to name a leopard Cheeto? Wouldn't you give that name to a cheetah?" protested Akito.
"Too late, now what will we get?" Sana scanned the foods and picked up some tepayaki. "Want ramen or sushi?"
"Sushi."
"Gotcha," she paid for the things and picked them up. "Let's go find a table!" The crowd began to blink out of their dazes and followed the couple until each and one of them got an autograph. "Sorry," Sana sighed.
"Doesn't it get annoying sometimes?"
"Always. But seeing their excited faces when they receive anything signed, makes me smile." Sana looked at him. "And so do you. Thanks again for coming," she remarked softly, preparing to open her dinner. Akito nodded and began eating his sushi. A few feet away, Rei and Asako were sitting down, eating their down dinners.
"They look so cute together," Asako sighed in bliss.
"I don't trust him."
"He won't hurt her."
"How do you know?" Rei asked, a defensive edge getting in his voice.
"I don't. But I do know that love will always have their painful times. Look at us," she said, staring at Rei.
"…I still don't trust him."
"Well, all I know is that if anyone's gonna hurt anyone first, it'll be Sana-chan."
"How can you say that?!"
"I'm not trying to offend her. But if Akito finds out that's she's actually Yamaaki Kei--"
"Asako! That's supposed to be private!"
"And that's why if Akito finds out, he'll feel wounded."
"Are you sure he can feel at all?"
"Rei!"
"I know, I know…" His eyes travelled back to the laughing Sana. Sana, I hope you're going to be okay.
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"Wow, tonight has been great!" Sana twirled around with her stuffed animals in hand and then stopped. "Dontcha think so?"
"I didn't hate it."
"I'll take that as a 'yes'" Sana smiled. "Hey, Akito, wanna go on the ferris wheel?" The boy next to her paled.
"…"
"What?" Sana looked at his face. "Don't tell me you're afraid of heights…" Akito closed his eyes. "Whoa, you are?!" Sana's face crinkled and she tried to hold in her laughter. Getting annoyed, Akito grabbed her hand and led her to the big wheel. "What are you doing?" Sana asked, surprised. He kept silent and gave four tickets to the ticket-taker. "Its okay, yanno, to have a fear."
"I'm not afraid of heights," Akito said, his voice tight.
"And I'm the queen of Amazons," Sana rolled her eyes. "Mmkay then—it's your choice." They got into a cart, sitting next to each other with the pile of stuffed animals on the other side, and waited for the ride to start. They got up somewhere near the top and Akito looked even paler. "Are you sure you're going to be okay?"
Akito looked at her and nearly choked. The moonlight streaked across her face and if possible, made her look more beautiful than before.
"You're not getting a fever, are you?" Sana put a hand to his forehead and Akito pulled back.
"I'm fine," he mumbled, looking at their feet.
Concerned, Sana withdrew and waited. "Well, if this helps… you know what I'm afraid of?" Akito made no reply so she continued. "Have you ever read "My Daughter And I" by my mother?" Akito shook his head a bit, to show he was listening. "Well, it mainly talked about our life together… and it began with Mama finding me abandoned in the park…"
Akito's head shot up and he looked at Sana with shock. "That's true?"
She nodded. "She wrote the book wanting to find my real mother, but no one came forward… I'm still afraid that someday, Mama will abandon me like my real mother, and that she'll never want to see me again…" Tears rolled down her cheeks and Akito felt a twitch at his heart, knowing she wasn't faking it this time. "And I'm going to end up alone… in this big world…" Sana covered her face and almost jumped when she felt Akito's arm pull her close to him. She laid against him, stunned.
"If your mom didn't want to see you ever again, she could have done that years ago," he said, his other hand coming up to wipe her tears off.
"Gee thanks," Sana remarked dryly, though she felt a bit reassured.
"I didn't mean it in that way…" silence filled the room and Sana fingered one of the hearts on her necklace. Akito's lips twitched when he saw it. Sana sniffled again and let out a small sigh. "You know…" Akito began, his free hand now on the back of his head, not knowing how to put what he wanted to say into words. "It's all thanks to you… that my family is so happy now…"
Sana let out a small, "Oh!" and waved her hand around. "I didn't do much. I just pretty much nudged you all along."
"What's great about you is that you don't realize what you did. If I did something like that… I'd have the person owe me their entire life." Sana looked up at him, but his eyes continued to look ahead. "I'm really grateful… I want you to know… if you ever need help… I'm here for you. I'll try to be, anyway. So if you need a shoulder to cry on… please come to me."
"Akito…" Sana whispered. He finally looked down on her. The corners of her mouth began to lift. "That was so…" Her smile grew bigger. "Corny!" She began to laugh.
"I'm serious!" Akito frowned at her and gave her a small "hmph."
Sana calmed down and smiled at him. "Thank you! I will!" She saw his incredulous look and grinned. "I mean it, thanks!" She gaped at him a few seconds later. "Hey!"
"…?"
"The great ice-man Akito smiling?! All you do is smirk, sneer, scowl, but I just saw you SMILE! Do it again, please! It was cute!"
"Wha-what?" Red began to spread across Akito's face.
"Yay! Another first, you're blushing!" Sana got up from her previous position and began clapping. "C'mon, smile again!"
"There's nothing to smile about!"
"Smile for mommy!"
"You're not my mom!"
"Then smile for me!"
"You've gone mental!"
"As long as you smile!" Sana inched closer and shot him her famous pout, "Please??"
"…" Akito stared at her intensely and Sana blinked.
"Ne, what's wrong?" She asked, forgetting the smile issue. Akito leaned forward and cupped her chin. Her heartbeat quickened a million emotions ran past as her eyes widened. That was when Akito kissed her.
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A/N: Yohohoho and a bottle of rum! XD
Had a huge craving for a grape lollypop and when I got it, BAM! Hohohohohoho!!!!
Oh, and I wanted to reply to some people's reviews…
Aisuru: Great guesses! I have to say, you might just know the ending already. ^^ But I'm gonna alter it.
Tanuki-chan: Dontcha wish Maurynna would update? For some reason, its hell to contact her, though I have her on my MSN messanger. As for being her favorite reviewer—I think there's someone else, but its cool to be one of them, ne?
Ryu no hirameki: Thanks for the idea for the Cheeto-Akito thing ::wide grin:: And yeah, I use Microsoft Word. If that doesn't work, try some HTML codes. What's 'asita' mean? I know I heard that from somewhere before… ?_?
Elica: Hey, thanks! But be careful with your address, alright? I just need your email addy, that's all. ^^
Fee Fi Fo Fum, is that all? I could have sworn there was more. Oh well, I'll include whatever I missed in the next chapter, which hopefully will be long, still. =)
Chibicherry and Swimmygirl90—Email me! [Or didja already?] That goes for anyone else too!
Flames are welcome, contructive critism, etc.
Ja ne minna-san and ganbatte with everything! ^^
P.S: If anyone wants to see what a part of Sana's kimono looks like, read manga #2 and at the beginning right before the manga starts. I suck at writing, so my descriptions of her clothes were weird, gomen ne. As for Akito's kimono, imagine a black one with a blue dragon on the back. The part where the kimono is tied together by that heavy thingy, is dark navy, I guess. [I toldja I sucked]