Hello, here's another chapter, enjoy.  I have an author's note at the end.

Disclaimer: Wolf's Rain and its characters are the property of their respective owners.  This piece is not for profitable purposes.

Chapter 6: An Opportunity

I watch, seated at the couch, as Cher feeds her bird.  I bought it for her for our first anniversary, I smile as I remember how excited she was to receive it. 

As she comes back inside, I say, "Cher, we haven't been to the art museum in a while, why don't we go today?"

She sits down beside me and takes hold of my hand as she says, "That sounds like a nice idea, Hubb."

I smile and nod in agreement as I stand up.  I hold out my hand, she takes it, and I help her up. 

While she waits by the door, I pick up my keys.
"Shall we go?" I ask.

"All right," she replies. 

I open the door for her and wait as she walks through. 

We step into my car and, after I start the engine, I say, "I'm glad that we were able to have some time together on our anniversary, Cher."

"I'm glad, too, Hubb."

"What do you want to do for our third?"  I say with a grin.

She laughs quietly and answers, looking at me, "I think we have plenty of time to plan, Hubb, unless you're thinking of something spectacular?"

I look her and smirk as I say, "Who knows, who knows," making her laugh again.

When we arrive, I wait for her on the sidewalk and take hold of her hand when she approaches.  Together, we walk to the entrance, where I open the door and we step through.  As she waits, I take out my wallet and make a donation.  I approach her and she clasps my hand.  We walk together towards the first room, and when we arrive, we break apart to admire the paintings separately.  I smile, glad that she seems to be enjoying herself.  After we finish seeing the art in the first room, we continue to the others.  At one point, I turn to look at her again, but notice that she is looking at the floor and looks troubled.  Worried, I walk over to her.

I place my hand on her shoulder and say, "Cher, is everything all right?"

Startled, she looks up at me and says, "Oh, it's nothing, I'm fine."

Unconvinced, I answer, "All right."

We continue, and she seemingly improves, but later, I notice her staring at the wall.

This time, I take her hand and say, "Please tell me if something is bothering you."

She looks at me, and then slightly downwards, "The truth is, Hubb, I've been offered another research position, I would be leading a team."

Happy for her, I say, "Really, that's wonderful!"

She smiles momentarily, but then looks worried again, "I'm not sure what to do yet."

I lift up her chin and say with a grin, "Let's not think about it now, after all, we're here to enjoy ourselves, right?"

She smiles and says, "You're right.  Let's keep looking."

After this, she brightens and seems to enjoy herself more, which makes me glad.

As we finish, she looks up at me with a smile and says, "Hubb, why don't we go for coffee and tea?"

I take hold of her hand and say, "That sounds like a great idea, Cher."

We step outside and I say, "Hmm, I think there's one around here."

"I know one nearby, this way," she says as she points.

"Ok," I say as she takes the lead.  She stops in front of a store and we walk inside.  Art decorates the walls and classical music plays.

"I would often come here, to take notes, to think, and to simply relax," she says with a slight smile.

"It's a very nice place."

She nods her head in acknowledgment and moves towards the counter to make her order.  After we get our drinks, we sit at the table that Cher often used.

As she sips her tea, I ask, "Is there anything else you'd like to do, today?"

She thinks for a moment and answers, "No, I think it would be nice to stay at home, I could make dinner."

I must grimace because she says, "Or maybe we could eat take out."

We both laugh and I take hold of her free hand and say, "I'd rather have what you make, Cher."

She smiles calmly in return.

When we arrive back home, I sit on the couch and start to read the paper while she paces and then leans against the couch.

"I was thinking again of the promotion."

"Hmm."

"Hubb – what do you think?"

"Beats me.  I don't know anything about your professional stuff."

I put down the paper and turn my face to look at her.

"What about you?  You want to do it, right?"

"Yes, I think it's a good chance.  From where I am now, I can see the limit of my research."

Her head droops and she looks upset again.

I take hold of her hand and move her so that she is seated on the couch. 

She looks away from me and says, "And I might have been in a bit of a slump."

"Slump? You?"

I lean towards her and say, "That's a first."

I smile and continue, "You're always lively."

She looks toward me with a surprised expression and answers, "Really?"

To her surprise, I take off her glasses and smile as I say, "Of course."

She turns her face from me again and looks down as she replies, "Maybe I wasn't thinking until now – of what I wanted to do."

She surprises me as she says, "Hubb, what about you?"

"What I want to do?"  I say as I think about her answer.

I smile and startle her by grabbing hold of her shoulders and laying her down on the couch, both of us laughing. 

"Do as you wish.  I'll always be with you."

She says nothing at first, but has a thoughtful expression on her face. 

After a few moments, she turns her face towards me and smiles as she says, "I'm going to accept it."

Author's Note:

The English I used for the scene from the anime (episode 13) was translated by Solar & Aoshi fansubs, rightful credit goes to this group and its members.