After that day, keeping Kijou "out of the way" while Yokuzoma-sensei worked on the commission wasn't the big task it had been. With every visit, she relaxed a bit more, until finally, when Yokuzoma was nearing completion, they finally had what Katsu was willing to call a real conversation.
It was ... indescribable.
Never before had anyone ever acted like Kijou did around Katsu. No one had ever been so fascinating, so unpredictable, so interesting to talk to, or even just be around. When they talked, they talked, about subjects they both enjoyed, and they shared the same opinions on. They didn't argue much - Kijou didn't like arguing - but Katsu got enough arguing for forty men from Yokuzoma-sensei. It wasn't as if arguing something he was severely lacking in.
She liked being around him. She enjoyed spending time with him. And he wasn't at all averse to her company either.
It was a revelation.
"Katsu! Are you coming?" Kijou turned around and was – impatiently – waiting for him. Katsu grinned.
"Of course, Kijou-san!"
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EXTREMLEY LONG A/N THAT YOU MAY WANT TO READ IF YOU WANT TO HAVE ANY IDEA OF WHAT'S HAPPENING, OR WHO TO BITCH TO WHEN THINGS AREN'T.
Argh. Well, we're getting near the end of this flashback-scene. That's all I have to say for this. Oh, and when it's done, I may very well just start to focus more on the Saitou/Sano bit of this story. Just because I have said it's in, but left it hideously undeveloped. _
Where I am – chapter 59. Where I should be – chapter 93. One word: urk! Okay. Obviously, I will not likely get caught up before 100. Obviously. But – I all but have my black belt, and the last day of school is Friday – which is only two days away. After that, I have a week or two of vacation from both school (and homework and concerts) and karate (and the two-lessons-a-week, plus sparring, and the occasional 2-7 hour stripe tests). Already, I have way less stress to worry about than I did this morning. Now, I feel really bad about saying that updates would pick up and then not, and I hesitate to disappoint again, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say that updates will be more regular and on-schedule – and though I can't promise multiple updates a day, whenever I can, I will do so. So that's that on the update front – but if anyone wants to know why I'm lagging, check my livejournal and I may have a reason there. Or email me. Or catch me on AIM, Y!, or MSN (Y! would be your best bet – and you can check my profile for those, because I don't feel like writing them here.) Harassment usually makes me work faster, as the Oni people will no doubt tell you. Plus, it lets me know there are people who are not Strider and/or Faery who want me to update.
Kuroiyousei: 55 - No, Yoku-san has no idea what he's doing. At all. 56 – Yay for Styrofoam bricks, and yay for Aoshi beating the crap out of Kijou. Which will not happen for far too long, I'm afraid. 57 – Yes, it's very freaky to write, too. And this one and the next few will be worse.
Nicky: Well, thank you for not killing me then. I'm glad you like the short chapters – they're not going to get very much longer very soon.
blah: 55 – I'm very sorry, but no, I couldn't make the chapters just a wee bit longer. Unless by wee bit you mean a whole page instead of just a fragment of one. I have a lot of catching up to do, and that does not promote long chapters, I'm afraid. 56 – [quotes World History notes] – Niccolo Machiavelli –wrote the book The Prince, which told how to gain power and keep it in spite of your enemies. Conned the phrase "the ends justify the means." Machiavellian – describes crafty or deceitful actions used for own advantage. [end quote] 57 – I'M SORRY! I only realized that I forgot the A/N after posted it, and by then it was way to late for me to write it up again. I didn't mean to ignore you – and I'm talking to you now, aren't I? And I never said anything about not writing 1/3 of pages – but I will take the "if they were from anyone but you" as a compliment. ^_^
Sunrise: *accepts allowance* Heh. Thank you very much! I'm glad you like it, and I hope I'll be able to get out more regular chapters for you and everyone else soon, so you don't have take this off your favs because the author is lazy. ^_^
sawdust monster: Yes, you do have to buy the bricks. And if that's not fair, well, neither is making me pay for my execution. ^_^ I hope to have more for you to look forward to!
dragoneyes: yes, she could get more shallow. It's not a pretty sight, though. Remember though, Katsu doesn't know she's an evil bitch at this point. So it's not as unbelievable for him as it is for us. I hope I didn't disappoint with this one – you waited long enough!