A/N: hello guys!! How's the new year? Made any resolutions lately? Anyway I just wanna say that I'm truly sorry that I didn't update this chapter for a long time until I actually saw the big hole in the chapter… hehehe…
Anyway since school has reopened, I'd like to remind all of you it would be weeks before I update again.. hehehe sorry but I'll try to fit this in my schedule.
Here goes the chapter!!!
Chapter 5: Revelations
The ground was littered with bodies and stained with blood. A man with flaming red hair and matching ruby eyes stood at the center of the carnage with a bright blue light glowing around him. His body, face and arms were scarred and blood could be seen oozing out of the large wounds. It was obvious that he had been in a fight.
The fighter was clad in a dark blue sleeveless body-fitting suit that hugged to his body and in return brought out a nice contrast of his muscular body. Navy blue knee length booths and silver shiny belt that had a strange crest hug loosely around his lean hips. The crest which had a lightning blue falcon drawn with phoenix wings surrounding it was similar to the tattoo the fighter had on his left arm.
A silver falcon perched on his left shoulder was staring intently on something. Suddenly it let out an ear piercing sound.
Sakuragi woke up in cold sweat. Reaching out, he clicked the alarm clock on his bedside out of its misery. Absent mindedly, Sakuragi touched where the tattoo of his dream was and glanced down. Sakuragi stared in disbelief. There on his left arm was the tattoo of the crest, the crest in his dreams. But just as soon he was about to rub it off, the crest disappeared leaving a dazed red head.
Pressing on the tap, Hotaru splashed her sleepy face with the refreshing rushing water. After tiding up her appearance, she strode out of the ladies and into the hallway, oblivious to her surroundings.
Hidden in the shadows, a pair of watchful eyes followed Hotaru back to her class.
"And so when you add the answer of A to B, you'll get the answer to the whole equation," as if on cue, the school bell rang, ending the class.
Packing her last notes into her bag, Hotaru got up to leave her seat. Unconscious to the towering person beside her, Hotaru bumped into his muscular chest and fell backwards. With a startled yelp, Hotaru closed her eyes, waiting for the hard concrete.
It never happened. Instead she felt warm and comforted. Squinting her eyes, she cautiously stared at her savior. Relief washed over her when she recognized who it was but it was short lived.
Straightening, she poked the muscular chest. "Sakuragi Hanamichi! Don't you dare do that again! Do you know how dangerous it is?"
Full luscious lips curved into a heart-stopping smile that made Hotaru blushed evenly. "I thought you had a thing for falling into my arms." Eyes wide, Hotaru began her spur of lectures.
Sakuragi sighed, totally exasperated as he waits patiently for his firefly to end her lectures. "Are you done yet, Hotaru?"
Instantly the raven-haired quiet down. Glancing up, she met a pair of amused eyes. As immediately as it left her, her anger began to bubble up again.
Noting her quick change, Sakuragi was wise to change the subject. "Want to get something at Gems?" On hearing that, the sprite's anger worn out. An immediate grin replaced the scowl. Together, the couple headed to Hotaru's favorite place.
"Don't you have any practice today, Mi-kun?"
Scooping his favorite flavor, Sakuragi paused. "Ie. Anzai-sensei has an important meeting to attend. Ryo-chin had to rush home since his kasan is sick. Dakara, the practice was cancelled."
Hotaru watched as the hunk in front of her proceeded to indulge himself on the sinful ice-cream. Sakuragi could be such a kawaii at times but one she didn't dare to reveal that to him. If only she has Usagi-hime courage.
A smile crossed her face. It had been four months since she had transferred to this place. At first she had been miserable and wanting to go home but now, it is another matter altogether. Already people had made them into a hot item. It is just a coincidence that they were always caught seen together and enjoying each other's company. Like now.
Hotary was snapped out of her reverie when she felt something warm and calloused clasped her hand. Looking at Sakuragi, she was met with his concerned warm look and something else she couldn't pin point.
"Douka shita no?"
Nodding, Hotaru smiled. "Nan demo nai."
A mischievous almost impish look appeared on his cute face. Sakuragi gave her his boyish, yet roguish smile and Hotaru could have sworn she had died and gone to heaven.
"Since you didn't reply my question, I take your silence as a yes." Hotaru was puzzled until she saw the empty big bowl that used to be crowned by a mountain of different flavored ice cream.
"Don't you dare!" she gasped loudly.
Throwing her an innocent look, Sakuragi paused his hand in mid-air. "You said I can."
The cheek that man has! "I didn't say anything!" By now everyone in the café had their attention on the lovely couple, who are oblivious to their stares, smiles and snickers.
"My point exactly." Once again he flashed her one of his innocent smile that she loved so much. But not now.
Sakuragi watched with pure enjoyment. He would have given her an Oscar when she suddenly got teary eyed. Her luscious full lips trembled and she chewed on it once in a while. In short she was giving him one of her famous innocent baby looks. You are not going to get away that easily, firefly.
Plastering on a defeated on a defeated look, he drawled out. "Ok you win. But on one condition."
Hotaru eyed the ice cream that threatened to melt at anytime with longing. In doing so, she failed to see the glint in the pair of onyx eyes. "Kami-sama! Just tell me. The ice cream is melting."
"You have to agree first."
"Ok!" Hotaru was beyond patient. She eyed the dessert as it dripped onto the bowl.
"I will feed you the ice cream and then you will give me a kiss. A kiss on the lips for five minutes."
Hotaru heard it and was horrified. "Nani?! You hentai!! I would do no such thing!"
"Ah! But you have just agreed. Need I remind you that in this spoon, I hold the last spoonful of Macadamia Honeyed chocolate sprinkled ice cream?"
She wanted to cry. Of all the things, he had to make her do those things. To make things worse, five minutes! What if someone she knows saw them? What if the person is her guardian? Glancing at the ice cream again, she think again.
He is holding her last spoonful of ice cream!!
"I'll do it."
Sakuragi was incredulous. Did he hear it right? Did she just whisper her acceptance? "Nani? I can't hear you."
"I said I'll do it!!" Hotaru blushed hotly when she realsied what she had done. She had out rightly shouted at him!
Sakuragi took pity on her. Reaching out, he let her have her last spoonful of the sinfully delicious Macadamia Honeyed Chocolate Sprinkled ice cream. He nearly laughed out loud at her blissful look. Well she better enjoy it while she still can. After all, she owes five minute of something.
Hotaru breathed a sigh of relief when the red head snob friend of hers didn't press on the other condition. Instead he had called for the bill and paid for the both of them. Hotaru wasn't surprised at his antics since he had always paid for their meal every time they went out together. Not once had Hotaru paid for anything.
Now side by side, they strolled into the park. Since it was autumn, dozens of cherry blossoms wafted the route with its sweet scent. A fragile flower wafted slowly from its stalk and landed gently onto Hotaru's raven black hair.
Noticing it, Sakuragi stopped and suddenly reached out to take the flower out of her hair. In the process of doing so, he softly caressed her flawless cheek as he gazed lovingly into her eyes. Should he tell her the dilemma that had been plaguing his mind everyday since he sets his eyes on her?
Hotaru could feel her heart beating rapidly against her chest when he caressed her face. Her heart nearly stopped when she saw the look in his eyes. It was filled with warmth and…
Suddenly Sakuragi encircled her tiny waist and brought her close r to him. Hotaru was desperately trying not to blush but it was impossible since she was literally glued to him. Worst still they are in the middle of a park, well not at the middle of the pathway but still!!
His warm breath tickled her neck but it was his words that held her attention. "I think you owe me something, my love."
A few meters away from the loving couple a rounded corner, a couple in their late twenties stared wide eyed at the sight before them. A scant second later, the teal haired woman smiled but it was short last.
"What the hell?!!"
Knowing what is going to happen next, Michiru quickly dragged her bedazzled but soon to be flustered boyfriend out of the park and to a safer place where she knew her ward would be safe from her guardian's rave.
Exactly five minutes later, Sakuragi reluctantly pulled away from his angelic firefly. A satisfied smile grazed his lips when he saw her dazed look and her dewy lips. He hadn't wanted to thoroughly kiss her but she was so responsive that he couldn't help tasting her sweet little mouth.
His smile stretched into a grin when he realized that her hands are still wrapped around his neck. Leaning down he licked her ear. In that moment, he took one of the biggest step in his life.
"Aishteru Hotaru Tomoe."
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A/N: ok peeps that's all for the chapter. Hope you like it!!
Till next chapter, ENJOY!!!
zackire