I do not own Sakura Wars or any of it's characters…'cause if I did, I wouldn't be calling this a fanfic and I would be sailing on the Caribbean in my private yacht, literally swimming in pools of money.
So, now that that's over, you can read the fanfic. Enjoy!
Oh, and this is set in sort of a past/future sorta way and it's based on if Orihime and Reni hadn't come in ST2.
Chapter 9
Maria opened the wardrobe and saw the nightgown. This is the only one?! I thought we had more out here! Now Ohgami is going to think…I'll just tell him the truth. He'll believe me because he knows that I wouldn't wear something like this unless it was the only nightgown…and that just happens to be the case. Maria took the nightgown off the hanger, closed the doors, and walked to Ohgami's room.
Ohgami opened the door, but didn't notice the nightgown that Maria had underneath her crossed arms…and that's just the way Maria had hoped for it to happen. "I'm sorry about all of this." she said as she stepped into Ohgami's room. "Hey. Don't worry about it." Ohgami replied as he shut the door. "We all make mistakes sometimes." Maria pretended as if she hadn't heard that comment. She had been told the same thing by Sakura a couple months ago during a party, and had not liked being told that. Instead of answering Ohgami, Maria looked around at his room. It looked nothing at all like hers, with several lounge chairs, a radio on top of a small coffee table, a queen size bed, and a shrunk. (Filled with clothes, books, and anything else Ohgami could fit in there.) In the corner of the room was an oak door that led to the bathroom. "It's different, isn't it?" Ohgami asked. Maria turned around and nodded. "Do you mind if I change in the bathroom?" she asked. "No, I don't mind at all." Ohgami replied. Maria suddenly realized that Ohgami was wearing an oversized t-shirt and sweatpants, something she hadn't seen him wear before. I have to admit, he doesn't look bad…WAIT! WHAT AM I THINKING?! Maria walked over to the bathroom, and opened the door. Before she went in, she gave Ohgami a warning. "If you come in here while I'm changing, I swear I'll kill you." Ohgami chuckled at Maria's warning. "Trust me, I know what to do and what not to." he said. "That idea hadn't even struck me until you said it." Maria softened. "I'm just warning you." she said. "So you can't say that I didn't tell you." Without another word, Maria walked in to the bathroom and closed the door.
Maria came out of the bathroom minutes later, wearing the nightgown. Ohgami's jaw dropped when he saw her. Whoa, she's trying to impress me or that's the only nightgown that was left in the wardrobe. Either way, she's drop dead gorgeous in that. "Ohgami… why are you looking at me like that?" Maria's question stopped Ohgami's thoughts in their tracks. "Er…well, the truth is…you look absolutely stunning in that nightgown." he managed to say. It caused Maria to blush like crazy. "Thank you Ohgami…I didn't exactly plan to wear this, but it was the only one." she replied. Ohgami walked over and circled Maria, surveying her. "What are you doing? Were you a vulture in your past life or something?" Maria asked, putting her hands on her hips. "Oh, sorry." Ohgami said with a sheepish grin. "Apology accepted." Maria replied briskly as she walked over to the bed and sat down on it. Ohgami sat down close to her, but not too close. He knew that Maria would want him to keep his distance, considering what she was wearing. There was silence, and Maria was beginning to enjoy it. She was just a little miffed by Ohgami's behavior. But he's a guy, and no guy could resist you…remember? Maria shook her head, trying to get rid of the thought. "You okay?" Ohgami asked. Seeing Maria shake her head for no apparent reason, worried him. "Hmm? Oh! I'm fine." Maria replied. "Well…okay." Ohgami said, a little unsurely. "Where am I going to sleep?" Maria asked, trying to get Ohgami to stop worrying about (what were to her) silly matters. "Oh. Well, if you don't mind, you can sleep on this side of the bed, and I'll sleep on the other side." Ohgami replied. Maria nodded, knowing that she could trust him not to do anything. She walked over to her side, (she was sitting on Ohgami's side of the bed), pulled back the covers, and lay down on the bed, her back to Ohgami. On his side, Ohgami did the same, and even though Maria trusted him completely, she still felt uneasy about this. Ohgami was reaching across Maria to turn off the light, when his hand accidentally brushed her torso. He pretended like he hadn't noticed, turned the light off, and quickly retracted his hand. "Sweet dreams." Ohgami whispered in Maria's ear. "Goodnight." Maria whispered back. She felt him put his arm around her waist pulling her next to him, and she didn't even care anymore. What happens, happens. Maria closed her eyes, snuggled up next to Ohgami, and fell asleep.
It is midnight. Everyone should be asleep…but wait! What's this? A figure climbs out of her bed and walks to the desk in the corner of her room. She turns on the lamp and starts to search for something in the desk drawers. With a triumphant cry, she pulls out an envelope from within the clutter. The figure turns the lamp off and slips her dainty feet into slippers that are lying at the door. She then opens the door and stealthily sneaks out of her room, snickering silently. Quietly, she slips the envelope under General Yoneda's bedroom door. With a sly grin, the figure runs back to her room. She throws the door open, and slams it, forgetting about the slumbering people in the next rooms. Laughing mechanically, the figure walks back to her bed. Sumire Kanzaki, you are a devil.
The early rays of sunlight filtered in through the window, and shone on Maria Tachibana. She stirred, then slowly opened her jade green eyes. For a moment, Maria was confused. This was not her room…so where was she? Then, she remembered what had happened last night. Maria slowly turned over, only to come face to face with Ohgami, who was sleeping beside her. Maria could've demanded to know what he thought he was doing, laying so close to her… but she didn't. She could've slapped him right then and there…but she didn't. Heck, she could've even kissed him…but she didn't. Instead, Maria rolled back over and closed her eyes. Sleeping by his side for a couple more hours isn't so bad. In fact- Maria's thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door.
Ohgami Ichiro quickly opened his dark brown eyes, and the first thing he saw was Maria's light blonde hair. Then, she turned over, and looked up at him. "Someone's at the door." she stated. "Good morning to you too." Ohgami replied. He threw off the bed sheets, and got up. On her side, Maria did the same thing. She walked over to the corner of the room, and opened the door. General Yoneda was standing in the doorway, wearing his usual attire. "I do believe this is Ohgami's room." he said as he stared at Maria. "Yes sir. You're absolutely correct." Maria said without fault. "Then what the devil are you doing in his room with that on?!" Yoneda asked. Ohgami came up behind Maria, and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Something wrong sir?" he asked casually. Yoneda glared at Maria for a moment before answering Ohgami's question. "I'd like to know what you're doing." Yoneda said finally. "Now wait a minute." Ohgami said. "Don't even think that we would-" "I believe that I am the General here." Yoneda interrupted. "And I will think what I wish." He glared at Maria again. "I want to see you two in my office at eight. We will discuss your inappropriate actions." With that, he turned on his heel and walked away.
Maria watched Yoneda walk away, still trying to comprehend what had just happened. "It's all right." Ohgami said quietly. "We'll just tell him the truth." "What if he doesn't believe us?" Maria asked. "He will." Ohgami replied. There was awkward silence, and Maria wished she could think of a conversation topic. "So…" Ohgami said. "Do you need any help locating your key, Maria?" All she did was nod in response. Silence regained control as Maria noticed that Ohgami did not move his arms from where they were…still around her waist. Just stay calm…he's just being affectionate. There's no need to melt right into his arms…that's what he wants you to do. Play hard-to-get. That will make him want you more. Maria sighed as she heard that little voice in her head. The one that made all the choices for her, made her cold, made her stubborn. Maria knew that once again, she would listen to that voice, and make a wrong move. She leaned back in Ohgami's arms, and closed her eyes. As she felt Ohgami's hand come up and stroke her hair, Maria realized that she had defied the voice, and gone her own way. They stood there, outside of Ohgami's room, for quite some time, just like that. And through it all, Maria remained silent. Like I thought before…who's to mess with perfection?
