Disclaimage: Neko: ^poke^ ^poke^ ^poke^
Lawyers: ^TWITCH^
Neko: ^poke^ ^poke^
Lawyers: For the last time, NO!
Ch.7
Kari neatly filed her papers and lessions plans into a drawer. The din in the crowded office was significant, but it wasn't enough to drown out her thoughts.
At noonhour, she had watched two of her students pull on the aprons and hats for serving lunch. T.K. and I used to do that together. We'd get so wrapped up in our little world of happiness that we would totally forget about lunch. Of course, Davis would bring us back to Earth.
Kari's deep sigh caught the attention of one of her colleagues.
What is it, Kari? Noriko asked, concern creasing her forehead.
Oh, it's nothing really. I just had a long day, Kari brushed a stray strand of hair out of her eyes, I'll see you tomorrow.
~~~
The cool sea breeze blew Kari's skirt around her legs as she walked along the beack, carrying her shoes and socks. She always came here to think, no matter what time it was. Kari had many happy memories of long walks with T.K.. Until that fateful day.
Kari shook this though out of her mind and sat down in the warm sand. It felt nice against her hands as she played with it, letting the fine grains slip through her fingers.
A quiet sob reached Kari's ears and she looked up to see a man wandering aimlessly along the water's edge. He didn't look particularily distraught to Kari, so she glanced around, looking for another person. The beach was deserted.
Kari bit her lip and turned her attention back to the man, trying to decide what to do.
Excuse me... she called softly, Are you- The man turned around and Kari's words caught in her throat.
Kari leapt to her feet and ran to his side. T.K., what's wrong? Are you hurt? Tell me- T.K. smiled sadly and put a finger to her lips, silencing her. He walked on without saying a word. She's just acting. Why would she care?
Kari stood in shock, watching T.K.'s retreating back. But... She ran after him, almost tripping in the sand. T.K.! Wait! What did I do wrong?
Kari grabbed his arm and pulled him around to face her, staring up into his face. What the he-
Kari, stop acting like you're concerning, T.K. interrupted icily, If you're trying to fool me, trying to get whatever it is you want from me, it's not working. He looked disdainfully down at Kari's hand, clasped tight around his wrist. Let go please.
Kari stamped her foot and dropped T.K.'s arm like it was a poisonous snake. She could feel herself become eight again, unhappy with something Tai had said.
What happened to the kind, compassionate T.K. I knew? Kari clenched her hands into fists. I was with him last night, but now, sixteen hours have passed, and he become this, this monster! What the hell is wrong with you? Any fool, even Daisuke, could see... a sharp sob, ...could see that I love so much!
T.K. was speechless. Kari was no longer a thirty year-old woman, hardened by loss and heartache. She was the innocent eleven year-old that he had actually admited he cared about. What was I thinking? How could I even start to believe what I said?
He reached out to pull Kari into a hug, but she shoved him away roughly.
Don't touch me, Takashi! It's too late! Kari yelled, drawing unabashed stares from people stroling along the sidewalk. Shocked, T.K. reached out to her again, almost instinctivly, but Kari flung a shoe at him and ran off.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Enko-chan: You suck. How could it possibly take so long to type how many words? 600?
Neko: Yep. I know.
Enko-chan: Dammit! Don't admit! ^deathglare^
Neko: ^smiles sweetly^