Chapter 9 Morning Greetings

Hao woke up unusual early in the morning that day. As he walked down towards the kitchen he saw Kira sitting at the dining table staring into space.

"Kira?" Hao said confused.

Suddenly Kira snaped out of her daze and turned towards Hao.

"Gomen, I didn't see you. Did you need something?" Kira said unusually sincerely, still dazed.

A bit taken back, Hao stammered out, "I-iie. I was just wondering if you were alright."

"I'm okay, just tired that's all. I'm going outside, you start making breakfast okay."

"...alright."

"And bring me some when you're done."

"Okay."

Kira gave Hao a soft smile said, "Arigato." and walked out of the room.

Confused at Kira's behavior, Hao took his time getting breakfast ready. I wonder what is wrong with Kira. She is acting very peculiarly. I assume she'll just blow me off if I ask her though. While silently cooking Hao noticed someone behind him. Finally, Hao turned around and found himself looking into the astonished face of Ren.

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Ren groggily woke up and went downstairs, when the smell of breakfast hit him. Hesitantly he peered in to the kitchen to see who was working. A wave of astonishment washed over Ren as he took in the sight before him; Hao was cooking. As he stood there stunned, Ren did not notice that Hao had stopped cooking and was looking at him. Only when Hao question, with amusement in his voice, "Do you need something Ren?"

Snapping out of his daze Ren said, "Iie, I was just wondering who was cooking."

"Well now you know." said Hao a little rudely, "I suppose you're surprised to see me, of all people, cooking, huh?"

"Yes, I suppose." replied Ren warily

"If you're hungry wait a bit longer would you. I'm not done yet."

Ren nodded in acknowledgment and returned to sit at the dining table. I guess Hao isn't doing anything at the moment, but who knows. He could be plotting something and no one would be the wiser. He doesn't seem to have changed all that much anyway.

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When Yoh sleepily arose from slumber he was surprised when he saw that he was alone in the room, as Hao's futon was already put away. As Yoh brought the clock to his face he was surprised, yet again, when it read seven-thirty. Normally the alarm clock would wake him up at six o'clock. Assuming that Hao turned off the clock before he left, Yoh slowly put on his clothes. While sleepily walking down the stairs Yoh noticed Ren and the scent of food in the air.

"Ohayo, Ren." Said Yoh as he made his way to the diner table.

"Ohayo, Yoh."

Sniffing the breakfast aroma Yoh asked, "The food smells great, who's cookin-ITAI!" suddenly a small plastic cup flew, from the kitchen, into the side of Yoh's head. Yoh bent down to pick up the cup, looked into the kitchen and saw Hao looking at him irritated.

"HAO!" Yoh yelled as he threw the cup back towards Hao, "Why did you throw that cup at me?"

"Why?" Hao paused and pretended to look as if he were thinking seriously about the question directed at him, "Maybe, my dear otouto, because you're a lazy bum, who sleeps like a log, and wouldn't get up when I tried to wake you, and because of that I had to cook breakfast all by myself."

"Well it would have probably been easier to just tell me that you were ticked at me for not helping you cook." said Yoh with a grin.

"Easier yes, but then I wouldn't have gotten to hit you in the head."

Yoh rolled his eyes at Hao then said seriously, "Sorry I didn't get up to help you."

Hao's eyes soften at Yoh then he said, "Iie, don't worry about it. After all we are brothers."

"Arigato, Hao-nisan." Yoh replied with a grin.

"You're welcome. Now, make yourself useful and set the table since I already cooked." said Hao walking towards the door with a tray of food in his hands.

"Where are you going? Are you eating outside?"

"Iie. Kira is. She told me to bring some food to her when I was done cooking." said Hao as he walked out of the door.

Yoh, watched Hao close the door silently then turned towards Ren.

"Ne Ren?"

"Nani Yoh?"

"Want to help me set the table?"

"Why not."

I take that back. Now that I've seen how Yoh and Hao interact I guess he's changed a lot. Maybe I should give him the benefit of the doubt.

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As Hao walked outside he found Kira sleeping soundly on the grass. Quietly he placed the tray on the ground and continued walking towards Kira. When he reached her, Hao stood over Kira for a moment, half expecting her to wake up. Kira shifted in her sleep, instinctively moving closer to Hao's shadow. Eyes softening Hao gingerly picked Kira up into his arms. Still sleeping, Kira again shifted in her sleep, only this time closer to Hao. Carrying Kira, Hao entered the house.

"Is something wrong?" asked Yoh when he saw Hao come inside.

"No, I think she just needs some rest." replied Hao, "I'll take Kira to her room and come down in a little bit okay."

"Alright. I hope Kira is okay." said Yoh as Hao went upstairs.

When Hao entered Kira's room, he noticed that the futon was not put up yet. However, the cover was thrown off, making it look like Kira rushed out of the room. Carefully, Hao gently laid Kira onto her futon. He then grabbed Kira's blanket from behind him and covered her. Pushing Kira's hair out of her face he finally noticed the signs of fatige on her face. How her eyes were slightly puffy from sleepiness and her complexion paler than normal. After making sure Kira was comfortable Hao got up to leave, only to stop as he heard whimpering behind him. Turning he saw Kira slightly tossing and whimpering in her sleep. Worried, Hao knelt next to her, picked her up and attempted to wake her to no avail. However, she calmed as he held her in his arms. Seeing her calm Hao laid her down and got up to leave once again. And once again he stopped at the sound of Kira whimpering. Kneeling, Hao lifted Kira into his arms again, and she calmed. Seeing that she would not calm down unless he held her Hao mad himself comfortable on her futon and held her as she slept. I wonder what is wrong with Kira. Knowing her she will deny that anything is wrong with her. Maybe one of her spirits will tell me if I ask them. Laying there with Kira in his arms, Hao felt content and somehow familiar, though he did not understand why. Listening to Kira's even breathing and absently stroking her hair, Hao did not notice when his own eyes began to close as he fell asleep himself.

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"It's been awhile, I wonder when Hao is coming down?" said Yoh absent-mindedly

"What does it matter?" questioned Ren

"We shouldn't start eating without him, but Anna should be coming down soon and she'll want to eat right away." explained Yoh

"Well we should." said Anna behind Yoh, suprising him.

After recovering from his momentary shock Yoh said, "Wait it's rude to not wait. Hao said he'd be down soon."

Irritated Anna replied, "Well I guess his plans have changed. Right now he is sleeping soundly, and I doubt he'll wake up anytime soon."

"Nani?" said a suprised Yoh.

"It's true, Yoh-san. Hao-san is sleeping with Kira-sama right now." said Anko floating into the room.

"NANI?!" Yoh and Ren practically yelled.

"It's not what you think. Kira-sama has problems sleeping sometimes, and not much can help her. But being with Hao-san calms her, and staying there, I guess he fell asleep too." explained Anko, "So you may start breakfast without Kira-sama and Hao today."

"Okay..."replied Yoh and Ren a little astonished.

tbc.......

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