Mornings

By Cassandra Sisenta

A/N: I've decided that this would probably include all Knights and the Kinmoku senshi that I'm familiar with. Not all chapters would be romance centered since not all of the couples that would be featured are actually romantically involved. These ficlets don't necessarily occur on the same day. Heehee, thanks to Senashenta-san who found the first chapter cute. ^_^

DISCLAIMER: As said, what you recognize is not mine. ^_^

Chapter II

Tohma and Amai

Tohma Akari always fell asleep in the library, reading.

It was a running joke among the palace servants that Tohma-sama shouldn't keep a room anymore when he doesn't spend that much time in there anyway. He barely sleeps there and if he does go there it was only just to refresh himself for the day ahead. His bedclothes were barely touched and it aggravated Amasu, the laundrywoman that what was returned to her from Tohma-sama's room was as clean as it was brought up to his room earlier that week.

If Tohma would have known that he was causing so much grief on the castle's laundrywoman and that his bedroom habits had been considered a joke, he might actually consider changing his sleeping routine. 'Might' as a major keyword. As it was, he didn't know and so he found himself once more awakening with his neck bent in an awkward, but familiar angle and with the usual weight of a thick volume on his lap.

But then he realized he was wrapped in a snug red blanket.

Puzzled, he carefully pulled off the blanket and planned to set it down on the table beside him, but it wasn't possible. Sitting by the table was a tray with a basket of freshly baked bread, a stick of butter, and a pitcher of cold milk, just the way he liked it. He blinked at it curiously, his usually guarded, impassive hazel eyes showing a bit of a pleasant, confused expression.

Before he could voice his question to the quiet and obviously empty room, he heard a soft and familiar voice speak beside him.

"Anou, ohayou gozaimasu, Tohma-sama."

He turned curious eyes and they landed on one Amai Kou. The incredibly shy Starlight was in her civilian clothes, dressed in a simple white shirt over a pair of well-worn blue pants. Her shiny brown hair was pulled back into the standard Starlight ponytail, pulling her long hair from her eyes and revealing the slight blush that was always marring her fair skin. Her head was bowed and she wouldn't meet his gaze. Her hands were clasped together in front of her as if she was stopping herself from fidgeting.

It had been said that Amai was incredibly shy and at that moment he knew he couldn't question that fact.

"Ohayou gozaimasu, Amai-san." He greeted her back, his voice coming out in its rich, engaging tone as he stood up out of respect for her presence. He was of nobility after all; he knew his manners especially when it concerned women. He was a lot taller than she was. If she were to stand very close to him, he was sure she would only end up to somewhere in the middle of his chest and this seemed to make her shrink farther into herself.

"What brings you here?" He inquired in a quiet, soothing voice. He could feel that she was a bit nervous about something and he wanted to ease her.

"Anou," She began, her voice as soft as before, but could be easily heard against the complete silence of the library. She still wouldn't meet his gaze. "I was here last night and I saw you asleep."

She vaguely gestured to the blanket that he had placed down on his high-backed chair. "I was the one who put the blanket over you. You looked cold."

Listening to her speak and absorbing everything she said helped him piece everything together. He glanced at the tray of bread, butter and milk.

"Was it also you who brought the food?"

His question seemed to have joggled her and finally she raised her eyes to meet his. Her eyes were an incredible shade of green.

"Hai…" She answered hesitantly, almost breathlessly as if she was terrified that he would explode with anger at what she had done. She immediately bowed low, her bangs falling to obscure her face and expression. A string of apologies and explanations followed.

"Gomen nasai if I bothered you. It was just that you looked cold and I was thinking that you'd probably like breakfast and—"

"Did you bake the bread all by yourself?" He murmured quietly, stopping her uncharacteristic tirade. He had never heard her speak more than a short sentence or even less.

Once more, her answer was hesitant.

"…Hai…"

Tohma's gaze would not leave her bowed form. His mind worked with warped speed as he tried to figure out what she could possibly be doing in the library at night. As far as he knew, it was only he who bothered to stay up that late in there. Even Taiki left for the evening when dinner was served. Not that he considered that he owned the library at night, mind you. It was just strange that someone was in the library with him last night and he hadn't noticed.

Then there was the question of the blanket and the simple, yet delicious-looking breakfast. Why did she do it? He had never had someone do such things for him before. Oh yes he had servants, but that was what they were supposed to do. Their acts of servitude didn't count. What were Amai's motivations?

But then looking at Amai more closely, he knew he shouldn't question her any further. He had a feeling that Amai Kou wasn't at all like other people who did things for a certain, concrete and sometimes diabolical purpose. Perhaps she just wanted to do so out of the goodness of her heart.

She was someone different, someone special.

He shook his head mentally, wearily.

He had been into politics far too much.

"Thank you, Amai-san."

His words made her look up once more and the most surprised look was on her face. It probably was a shock to see Tohma-sama smiling in a gentle, almost disarming way. The smile was very small, just a small quirk of his lips, but it reached his brilliant hazel eyes.

Amai suddenly blushed deeper and lowered her head again out of embarrassment, her brown ponytail bouncing at the action.

"You are most welcome, Tohma-sama."

Curiously, Tohma raised an eyebrow at her actions but decided to wave his questions away. He didn't need to know what it was that made her blush like so.

"Would you like to join me for breakfast? I'm sure what you made is delicious."

She was quick to protest. "Demo Tohma-sama—"

But he wouldn't hear it. "I insist."

His hand was held out for her to take and she knew she couldn't resist. He smiled when she placed her smaller hand over his. With the grace of a polished nobleman, he led her towards an opposite chair from his that was also beside the table with their breakfast.

He took his own place on his chair when she was seated and with a quick movement pulled back his long dark hair into a loose, low ponytail.

"I don't want it to get into the food." He responded in a matter of fact manner to her silent question.

The first of her smiles graced her face as she slowly raised her eyes to meet his.

"Sou ka." She murmured, sounding more confident.

He nodded, returning the smile.

"Sou."

She clapped her hands together.

"Ittadakimasu."

He looked on, amused.

"Hai, ittadakimasu."