His mind kept wondering how K would look in Jayden's furisode and he managed to busy himself stringing lanterns and getting the beans ready for tonight to help take his mind off it. His obaasan finally shooed him away with thought to the time and he went into the lower level bathroom to change.
He meandered in the kitchen, helping his okaasan with food preparation, though his ultimate goal was to be one of the first to see K as she descended the steps. He didn't want her looking all over for him, as he promised he would stay by or near her, but he also wanted to see her before she could adjust to everyone's eyes in their native threads.
Jayden's voice shook him from his thoughts and his heart beat faster. Adrenaline hit him as hands quickly washed the nigiri salt mix off and grabbed a towel on his way over. He tossed it on the counter, and halted when a vision presented itself in front of him.
It seemed everything in his body stopped. He went to swallow and found his mouth dry.
K...she fit that furisode like a glove! It suited her so well and he mentally thanked his hisobosan for making the first suggestion. Green met him across the way as she paused at the bottom of the stairs, a slim hand still holding the rail, and everything else seemed to melt away.
"K-san wa hountoni kirei...ne, ototo-chan?"
He jumped and looked to Jayden. She looked very pretty as well, but she couldn't hold up to K. A word went through his heart and spoke before it could connect with his brain. "Utsukushii yo..." He mumbled, locking eyes again.
Jayden blinked, a little stunned, and looked between them. They didn't seem to notice through their stunned looks and a knowing smile slowly appeared. Without a word, she took the geta from K's hand and passed through to set them by the patio door before exiting outside.
Even when a body slid through, it didn't register. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he knew he was being stupid by just standing and gawking, but he couldn't help it. It took a few mental orderings to get his body to move and that seemed labored.
Her lips pressed together when he slowly trudged over. She knew it...he hated it. Perhaps the idea was a nice one, but seeing her try to blend in was a different thing altogether. She was, after all, basically trying to be Japanese for the night when she had not one drop of the nationality in her veins.
'Poser.' She retorted, finally looking away. She pierced the carpet with a solemn glance, about two seconds away from tracking Jayden down to have her take this off. 'You should've gone with your first instinct and stayed in your own clothes, at least then you wouldn't be so –'
A hand gripped hers and wide green met brown in shock. She blinked at the look in Inaki's eyes – what she saw earlier when he almost made her fall – that was more intense than before. Her heart sped up even more and her hands shook. "Inaki...what..." She swallowed and found a lump. That took her back a bit. "It...it looks bad doesn't it? You don't need to say anything." Not able to stand his gaze, she looked to the metal railing behind them. "I can change out if you want me to go get Jayden and -"
Before he knew what he was doing, a hand shot out and gripped her chin, halting her speech and quickly getting her attention. He was a little angry that she'd beat herself up over a misunderstanding, but had to admit he didn't exactly help the situation. He would fix that right now. "I'm sorry I didn't say anything. I was too taken aback...by how nice you look." His head immediately shook. "Iie...boku wa chigaimasu...you look beautiful in that."
Her face flamed to new degrees, and she would've slithered to the floor in a heap had his grip on her chin not kept her in reality. A goofy smile appeared as her eyes looked away. His fingers gently squeezed and she looked back – partially in wonder.
"I need to break you of that habit I think." He gently mused, softly smiling. "There is nothing wrong with accepting a compliment. Get used to it because you will be hearing how good you look in that furisode all night long." He winked and finally let go of her chin...but kept a hold of her hand. "Now that we have a few minutes, I can either introduce you to the rest of the family while they're all here, or I can coach you on a few things. You decide."
Meet the family and culturally blunder their language or know the language and then meet the family without screwing up.
No contest.
"Teach me obi-wan-kinobi." She cracked, giggling.
He grinned and stepped away, suddenly realizing how close he was. "We can go into the lower level. No one is down there that I know of and you won't have to worry about them." He headed for the stairs and tugged her to follow.
She did so, hoping the trembling in her fingers would stop before he noticed! A hand went for the wall as she couldn't get to the railing...and had no real desire to remove her hand from his just to do so. "By the way...you look nice as well." She shyly muttered, pointedly looking to the wall. The pattern of his clothes was intricate – though not as nice as hers, she thought – and his braid made him seem very sophisticated.
He cast a look over his shoulder and grinned. They stopped next to the L-couch and he turned. "Arigatou." He answered, inclining his head. He leaned against the back, as it would be unfair to sit while she couldn't – and wouldn't. "Now...lesson one. I'm going to teach you how to pronounce your vowels."
She giggled, though she looked away again. "I'm not THAT bad. I do speak some Spanish at Sam's family's house whenever we're there. Plus I took four years of French in high school and tested out of that in college. I think I know my vowels."
He blinked. "That's pretty cool – you never mentioned the French thing yet...but it doesn't explain your slips."
She gave him a wry glance. "I said I speak SOME Spanish at the Merth house. And I haven't spoken French since I graduated. It's been a few years. But I know how to say a – e – i – o – u, thank you very much."
"Then you just need to keep that in mind and you'll stop getting people grimacing at you." He flinched at a light slap on the shoulder, grinning. "Oi! Don't abuse the teacher! Knock me out and you're screwed."
She gave a mock bow as she'd seen others do around here and giggled. "Teach away oh wise one."
"Smart ass... Anyway – lesson two...you heard my father tack on an ending to your name. Those prefixes deal with politeness, title, and in a way, how close you are to a person. The san is polite, and means miss, mrs, mister. Just use that at the end of everyone's names and you'll be fine. People are very respectful toward one another, and you're going to hear that a lot tonight...so that's what it means. You'll also hear chan. That is more of a closeness issue than an actual title. Depending on how well you know a person is when you tack that on. You remember me saying nee-CHAN earlier? I can say that because she's my sister, but you can't. You COULD call me Inaki-chan if you wanted, but that's your decision." A hand rubbed his chin in thought. "Of course, saying my name without a title is even more familiar, so that kind of shoots me in the foot doesn't it?"
A brown brow rose. "I claim nationality differences on that one." She kidded, grinning.
He snorted and stuffed his hands in the bulky sleeves. "That's your excuse too." He muttered, smiling. "So are you clear on the name issue? Basically, just use san and you'll be fine."
"Got it. Next."
He snorted again. "So impatient... Lesson three...bowing. You've seen that around here. Just a way we show respect and it also conveys thanks. The deeper you bow, the more you're saying thank you. People can really mean it by getting on the floor and bowing, but I think you're fine with a simple bend-at-the-waist."
"As if I would allow myself to sit in this ANYWAY." Her head carefully shook, mindful of the ornament. "Let alone trying to bow at the waist! I don't know how the women of your family wear these things! They're beautiful, but they sure are restrictive..."
His grin turned rather evil and a finger poked the obi. "Must suck to be an onna, ne?" He snickered and met her glare. "You don't have it as easy as you think. I'm wearing a juban just like you, so stop whining. Plus I've got a cardboard at the base of my waist, so there." He turned and pointed.
Her eyes gained a rather...RATHER prime view of his backside and before she could think, she was staring. She was thankful that was just a split second occurrence and he was again leaning against the couch. Luckily, he didn't seem to catch her so she didn't feel like blushing quite so bad.
"Lesson four...words. I said arigatou on the way down, and you're going to hear that many times before the night is out. We thank each other a lot, and apologize a lot. So you'll be good to learn the word before the party." He had her sound it out and acquaint it in her mind before continuing. "Next word. Gomen works for now. Basically means sorry, though depending on what you're talking about, you could say 'I'm sorry, sorry about that', etc. But it generally means sorry. When saying gomen, it's normal to bow as well. Bowing has a lot of helpful motives."
She smiled and repeated the word a few times. This was fun, and so much better than when she had to learn French in high school. Not only was she not graded, but she had a nice teacher right in front of her.
She mentally shook her head.
"Anything else I need to know?" She asked, forcing her mind to stop thinking that way. "I'd like to stop making an idiot of myself."
He grinned, biting off an immediate crack on that. "Those are some of the basics. As you did earlier, never leave your shoes on when you cross tatami or carpet. Tatami especially because it wears out much easier than carpet. I don't care if you're going in for ten seconds or a quick trip to the bathroom; you always take your shoes off."
She wanted to retort that she had a feeling she wouldn't be ABLE to use the bathroom until she figured how to keep from putting wrinkles everywhere, but wisely kept it to herself. Like she wanted THAT embarrassment...
She nodded. "What else?"
He donned a rather evil grin. "I hope you don't wimp out on the food because it looks strange. You'd offend us if you don't at least eat SOMETHING."
Her nose turned up in defense. "I'll have you know I make some rather strange dishes myself mister. I'll be fine."
The grin didn't leave. "You say that now. I'll see how strong you are when you taste sushi for the first time."
She shrugged. "The smells were good the second I walked in the door, so I think I'm good. What else?"
"That should do for tonight. If someone speaks to you in Japanese, just tell them you don't speak it outside of what you've been taught. Everyone speaks English too, but since we're all Japanese, we speak our language more."
She felt like an outsider again with that comment, but forcefully pushed it aside. She didn't dress up like this to stand out! "Got it. Then let's go find your family and check out the backyard. I want to see how it looks now."
He conceded and followed her to the back door. A smile tipped his lips as she slid into the geta and clopped onto the engawa, happy she remembered to do so. He spotted half his family loitering around, making final decorations, and a few early arrivals. He bowed when he caught their eye and it was returned.
She had to stop for a moment just to take in the dress of everyone. It was so interesting to be so fully immersed in a different culture and was glad she came and wanted to blend in. This would stick with her for a while.
A hand on the tie over her back pushed her to the stairs for the grass and she blushed as she went for them. She spied Jayden talking to someone in a corner and smiled when the woman nodded. Remembering Inaki's teaching, she gave a quick bow about forty degrees – hoping it was enough – and was rewarded with an enthusiastic grin.
That bolstered her spirits enough to do it again and feel a little less timid. She jumped a little when a hand rested on her arm, and quickly looked to Inaki.
"K, this is my mother Kristine and grandmother Mamorah. Okaasan, obaasan, kore wa Himmen Kalie-san."
The two bowed and she quickly followed suit, rewarded with more smiles and feeling even better. "It's a pleasure to meet you." She answered, eyeing their clothes. "Your clothes are very beautiful."
Kristine looked at her irotomesode and smiled. "Thank you dear...you look very lovely as well. That furisode suits you."
She blushed and looked away with a sheepish smile. A different hand patted hers and drew her attention. "Hai, hai. My musume is correct, you look pretty." Mamorah appraised. "I'm happy hahaue mentioned it to my magomusuko. It is a pleasure to meet you Himmen-san."
She gave as deep a bow as she could with the woman so close and smiled. "A – arigatou." She stammered, blushing. She hoped they wouldn't make fun of her for trying the language out, as no one had said anything about the rest yet.
Mamorah smiled and nodded back. Aged eyes met his. "There is food ready to be set up magomusuko. Will you enlist the help of Himmen-san? It's not too hard, and you know where everything goes." She winked. "You might find some food too irresistible to let go after all."
He gave a grin and nodded. "Ryoukai obaasan. Come K...we have food to pilfer."
Green blinked and looked at him, her heart speeding again as his arm wrapped around hers. "Didn't your grandmother just say we were only supposed to set stuff out?"
He chuckled and set his zouri aside, pushing them to order by the door. He waited until she did the same before heading for the stoves. "You didn't read between the lines. We just got permission to sneak food before the party actually starts."
Green blinked, though she was glad to help. A hand grabbed a pair of potholders and slipped them on. "I thought the party already started. There's quite a few people here..."
He laughed and quickly reigned it in as he picked up a pot of miso. "This is nothing. These are just the early arrivals who like to help set up and chat before it gets crowded. You'll see what I mean in about half an hour."
She grabbed a whicker basket he told her to carry - finding it rather heavy - and wondered what was in it. The second it was set in its proper place, she pulled the lid off and found a patch of rice balls wrapped in something green.
"Nori-nigiri." He reported, already heading back inside. "I'll name everything for you later if you want. It won't help because I'm going to have you try a little of everything, but at least you'll have some type of name."
She playfully glared at his back and took the sandals off again. "In Japanese, yes. You're doing that to torture me aren't you?" She retorted.
"Who's torturing who?"
Her head whipped toward the upper level stairs, being able to hear the faint voice with the noise muffled inside. It was pretty quiet until you got closer to the open screen door.
She ended up bumping into Inaki, who she didn't know stopped, and latched onto his arms to keep from falling. The last thing she wanted to do was fall and make a mess of this dress around anyone. She quickly let go as he turned, feeling embarrassed – but also his muscles under the thick cotton – and stepped back.
"Hisobosan desu ka?"
"Himagomusuko, yasashii shimaso." Mira called, slowly heading down the steps.
Seeing the woman wasn't taking the stairs well, she hurried over before catching herself and extended an arm. Sure she held a cane in one hand, but the other wasn't smartly using the banister as she should've, so she offered her services.
He watched the scene a little stunned, but warmth flooded him at how generous she was. She helped before thinking, though his hisobosan should've used the banister. The woman was wise, but stubborn. "Hisobosan...kore wa Himmen Kalie-san. K, this is my great grandmother Mira."
She didn't know how to react, so hid her eyes with a quick bow. "Nice to meet you." She quietly said.
Mira let go when the girl stepped back and her free hand rose to gently touch the girl's chin, moving it up to see her face. Aged brown stared into uneasy green for what seemed a while before the woman smiled. Her hand pulled away enough to pat the girl's cheek gently. "You have nice eyes. I like you." She answered, stepping around her.
Unsure how to react, confused green absently stared at the steps as she heard Mira walk into the kitchen. That was a compliment, but such a strange way to put it.
"Himagomusuko, how many people have arrived?"
"A dozen or so I think. Is hisofusan still asleep upstairs?"
"Hai, I only came down because I heard noises." Mira looked to the backyard, already in a kurotomesode. "Where is musuko?"
His brow furrowed. "Shitteirimasen. I haven't seen ojiisan since I returned."
Mira sighed and tapped her cane on the floor in irritation. "Ano baka...slumping on his duties. Find him and tell him I said to get to work."
He grinned and looked over aged white. K was standing there, watching with a small smile on her face. He waved her over and headed for the screen door, going for his zouri.
She copied and was almost out of the doorway when movement to the right caught her eye. She turned to Inaki and leaned close. "Is your great grandmother supposed to be lifting heavy stuff?" She hissed, hoping the lady didn't hear. The woman balanced a rather large, full plate in one hand and used her cane as support.
He whipped around and hastily kicked off his zouri, forgetting K's breath fanning his cheek. "Iie hibososan! Obaasan told me to bring that stuff outside –"
Mira lifted the cane and waved it in his face to get him to back off and keep from taking the plate in her hand. "Baka...I'm old, not frail." She muttered, marching past. She slipped into a pair of geta and clopped outside.
There was the biggest urge to laugh at poor Inaki trying to keep from 'burdening' his eldest relative and she finally gave in to it, even with a hand covering her mouth. She leaned against the glass door as much as possible ignored his glare.
"Sue me for worrying about my relatives. Sheesh...babaa, never thinks age is going to catch up with her."
"I heard that himagomusuko!"
He flinched, wondering how bad he'd get it later. He wouldn't take it past Mira to lightly smack him with her cane as chastement.
That started a whole new round of laughter. She suddenly felt very at home here with as close as everyone was toward each other. It reminded her of the Merths, just a different ethnicity and not so many people and it allowed her nerves to relax more. She gave him a warm smile for being so concerned. It was cute how he tried to keep Mira from helping.
Pouting at being picked on; he stopped in front and folded his arms in the sleeves. "Sure, sure...laugh it up. You jeopardize yourself, you know that? I just might let you sample the food on your own."
She grinned and straightened, hands going to make sure she didn't muss anything. "And that's a problem? My stomach is rumbling anyway. It wouldn't matter what I eat because I hadn't eaten anything the hour before you picked me up. I'm famished."
His head shook in amaze. "Why the hell didn't you TELL me that?? I would've had you eat a nori-nigiri when you got here!" A hand rose and rapt on her head with his knuckles. "Mou...kangaero!"
"Hey - don't mess up the hair!" That was one of the few time she'd ever say that while she was feeling so feminine. She ducked out of his way and grabbed his wrist as it purposely twisted in her bangs to annoy her. She glared and tried not to smile. "You're so evil to me. I thought I was here on a guest pass."
He grinned and reached out to lightly pinch her cheek. "Guests don't get free passes in this house. Everyone works or they don't eat. I suppose I should've lessoned you on that before I stopped, ne?"
She tried to pout, but the charming grin wouldn't allow her. "Evil...evil, evil, evil." She squeezed his wrist a little bit, though making sure not to gouge him with her nails.
He was suddenly aware of what they were doing and blinked. He effectively killed the play, but that was sidetracked by the way the sunset lit the brown on K's head into a dark auburn. His heart sped again with adrenaline to accompany it and his wrist became highly sensitive to the skin surrounding it. He froze and stared into wondering green.
"Inaki? What is it?" She queried, head tilting a little.
She was so lovely – no, breathtaking was more the word. Emotions hit him hard and brown took in her face, engraving each feature into memory while he had this chance. He tried to swallow and found his mouth dry again.
The good humor slowly died as she soon recognized the look being sent her way. He could've been looking out the back at one of his family, if he wasn't standing so close...with his eyes pointedly looking to her alone. She was suddenly aware of the lack of distance and her heart sped up. Fingers laxed their grip further as they started shaking, his skin tingling her palms. She couldn't form words, couldn't move. She was pinned in place, hand still in the air.
Slowly, his arm lowered and twisted at a snail's pace until he had her hand in his. He entwined their fingers, allowing her more than enough time to pull away...and his heart beat even faster – if possible – when she gave no resistance and spread her fingers a little.
Their hands lay dead at their sides, forgotten. What was she doing?? She didn't know, because her brain had ceased to exist minutes ago. Her palm was tingling all the way up to her forearm with his touch and it felt like there was a pull to his body she was now sensing. She didn't know what it was, but something was telling her to move closer, though he was only inches away already.
Gods how he wanted to kiss her! Never had a moment been more perfect, their situation good enough to stand it. He didn't give a damn about what would happen afterward, he wanted to feel her lips against his and hold her to his body. He hadn't since her confession, and that seemed like a lifetime ago. The world seemed to fall away, though he could see them filter around out of the corner of his vision. None of that mattered as he stared at the enchanting creature in front of him.
Just as she felt herself give in and was going to push off the glass, breathing was heard near her ear. She jumped and gasped, quickly pulling her hand out of his and whirling around.
He yelped at seeing Jayden's face almost over K's shoulder and jumped back, tripping on a zabuton and landing rather heavily on the dinner table. "ITAI!" He deeply glared at being startled and for ruining probably his ONLY moment with K. "NEE-CHAN..." He growled.
Jayden looked to both with a smile, not phased at his anger in light of what she saw seconds ago. "Hibososan wants to know why you haven't tracked down ojiisan. She said to hop to it before she whacks you with her cane."
He snorted and quickly stood, yanking the screen open. "I'm going, I'm GOING!" He cast a quick glance at K, gaze softening a little. "Come on - let's go track that jijii down." He muttered, pushing past Jayden.
'Track him down and glare holes into him for ruining it!'
A hand pressed against her chest as she tried to get her heart under control. She dumbly went for the sandals and stepped onto the porch.
"I didn't mean to startle you K-san...but you looked rather busy."
Her face flamed as wide green stared into highly amused brown. Her mouth opened to defend herself, but she only gave a small squeak and hurried after Inaki before she could lose him.
It didn't take long to track down Kekoy, and thankfully the search cooled a little of his anger. Funny enough, the old man was sitting in meditative position in his dojo, ignoring everything that was going on outside.
"Ojiisan! Hisobosan is threatening bodily harm on me if I didn't find you! What are you doing in here anyway??"
Inaki slipped out of his sandals and she quickly did the same, looking around. This was the one place she hadn't seen yet and she bypassed both to wander in the back.
Aged brown slowly opened. A hand rose from his knee and jerked a thumb behind. "Sono onna wa..." Kekoy met his grandson's eyes and smiled. "Eh? Koi desu ka?"
His face flamed, not happy with being reminded of what he almost did – trying to ignore it again - and glared. "I – ie! Ojiisan, kore wa Himmen Kalie-san." He rambled. He looked past, seeing her turn at her name. "K this is my grandfather Kekoy."
"Hajimemashite." Kekoy answered, gradually getting to his feet. He ignored Inaki's hand and turned. He found a bow and bowed in return, already liking the girl.
"Nice to meet you."
He headed toward her and stopped, pulling her down to reach his shorter height. He stared at her the same as Mira did before smiling. "You look very beautiful in my magomusume's furisode."
She blushed and smiled. "A – arigatou..." She stammered, biting her lip.
"Kimi no tomadachi wa yasashii desu." Kekoy answered, knowing the girl didn't know any Japanese.
He grinned. "I already knew that." He answered, shoving his hands in the sleeves. He walked closer to them and looked around. "This is the one place I didn't show you, but this the outdoor dojo I have. You remember me telling you about it."
Green looked around again. She smirked. "You're still spoiled."
"I am NOT!"
Kekoy chuckled and patted her arm. "Very nice. You can keep my magomusuko in line."
"Jijii..."
Kekoy sent a dry look to his grandson for the disrespect, but shrugged. "The party is going on?"
"Almost. People have started to arrive."
"Then I think I shall go make myself known and suffer the wrath of hahaue."
He smirked and let the man pass, watching K walk around to take things in. "Why do you say I'm spoiled?" He asked as silence returned.
She cast him a quick look before picking up a short sword. "I don't know anyone else that has two nice-sized rooms just to work out in and a bunch of weapons to practice with. You don't think that's spoiled?"
He hurried over as she had picked up one of the sharp swords. He didn't want her to cut herself, then he'd feel guilty. "I call it thoughtfulness. My family didn't HAVE to build me a room to work out in during the summer." His hand snuck out and grabbed the sheath as she started pulling it apart. "That's the razor sharp set, I advise against you handling it."
She pushed the sword together, but cast an odd look over her shoulder. "I'd be careful with it..."
He smirked and took it out of her grasp. "You can still get cut easily. I don't want you getting hurt; I'd feel guilty for keeping you from harm." She looked away with a smile, suddenly looking into brown with a hand under her chin. "You have a reason for doing that, don't you?" He queried, head tilting.
She sobered and looked at the wall behind him. "You heard my story...why do you think I do it?"
His heart pinged. The grip on her chin gently squeezed. "I think you do it because you haven't found that strength within yourself to live life." He softly answered. "I think it's sad...but I think you can bring yourself to stop such insecurities if you try and really want to."
Her jaw clenched. "That's hard to do with my life." She whispered, feeling bitter tears come to her eyes.
He inaudibly sighed. He carefully rested his other hand on her shoulder, mindful of the sword...even though it was sheathed. He didn't need it coming from the scabbard. "I think you can overcome anything you want to if you have the willpower to do so. I used to be shy when I was a kid..."
She blinked, the bad sliding away with that fact. "YOU? You were shy..."
He gave a rueful smile. "I don't look it do I? Yes it's true...I was timid as a little kid. I always thought I was different than other people in this city, even though many were my ethnicity. Other nationalities didn't phase me...I just thought there was something about me that was off. I didn't know what it was, but when I met the guys, that changed." His face softened a little. "That's why I think you can do anything you want to. I've been there and got past it – it's possible if you see a need and want to change."
Her eyes slid closed, knowing she wouldn't be able to look at him for long. "What if...I don't...WANT to change?" She whispered. "What if...I feel I deserve to be this way? I told you...everyone leaves. They left. Does that give me just cause to be bright and happy? Why should I –"
His hand harshly clamped down on her mouth to halt her. Anger burned in his eyes, pained anger. He couldn't see why someone as great as her would openly – maybe EAGERLY – put herself down! "You are a WONDERFUL person!" He hissed, shaking her shoulder a little. "I told you that the first time you talked like this. Don't discount yourself because of what a few assholes did to you in the past. You're way stronger than they'll ever be! And if you keep listening to that garbage you spout, you'll continue to believe it."
Her eyes teared up and she couldn't bat them away. She knew he was right, but a large part of her mind denied it. Bad soaked into her life like a sponge and it was hard to believe anything good when that happened. She had an unlucky life and seemed to attract it.
The only good thing that happened to her so far was Inaki.
She slowly pulled away and he removed his hand. She looked to his chest, unable to meet his eyes. "I know you're right..." She whispered. "But it's just hard, you know? I never seemed to have anything go right. Ever since I was a child, I've probably been this pessimistic, but it never manifested itself this bad. I can't help it, sometimes...sometimes it's better to believe the bad than the good...you know?"
She looked so lost and sad...his arms crushed her to him without thought. His chin rested on her head at feeling her body stiffen in surprise, but he didn't let that get to him. His head turned and rested his cheek on her hair when she finally relaxed and let herself be held. "I understand that. I never thought bad stuff happened in my life, so I can't sympathize. But I can say that it'll get better. You just have to try and give it a chance. I've tried to help others from being this way...to be better people...and I can help you if you want. But only if you want. I can't help someone who doesn't want help themselves."
Her head turned and buried itself in his clothes. Silent tears burned and soaked the threads. This was the second time she cried in front of Inaki. Was it getting easier? Was he making her cry on purpose by making her feel this way?
She was touched by his offer, though she didn't know how effective he could help her through letters. He wouldn't be able to visit enough to help her build courage. Writing him wouldn't have as big an impact, though she was beginning to feel better by telling him a few things in knowledge that he couldn't see her.
Green peeked open. She hadn't in the beginning...did that mean he already started helping? She didn't know...all she knew was, his offer sounded nice and she was SO tempted to take it. But she was afraid, afraid of what would happen if she changed. She knew who she was – albeit pessimistic and self-berating – and knew that. She'd been that way for a long time and it was scary to think she could be someone else.
Someone so totally different, it would be like she wasn't herself.
That started the beginnings of a shiver. She didn't want to be anyone other than herself, but at the same time, she was tired of being this way. Never thinking she was good enough, yet couldn't get that out of her mind. 'Thank you Arthur.' She bitterly spat.
She wanted to be better...she tried after she said no one would ever rule her again. Didn't that mean she would put the past behind her and move on, not dwell and act who she was when they went out? Hadn't she tried so hard to put the past behind her...tried to for years? Didn't this mind frame count too?? What made her think this was any different than anything else she should get past?
The offer was sounding more and more tempting, but she was still too stuck in her ways to accept it that quickly. She'd have to think on it...but she would resolve not to let this go after she got home tonight.
The feeling of a new beginning stirred in her heart and a smile slowly appeared. 'What is it about him that I find myself doing so many things I wouldn't do? Why would I agree to him when I never agree to what my best friend wants?'
She never spent enough time around him to consider him her close friend, but letters seemed to do it for them. The bond formed through the mail and the few times they were together cemented everything ten times what any letter could do.
'I never...never knew... Never knew he already became that important to me...' Slowly, she pulled away enough to look into his eyes, a caring smile on her face.
His face soon matched hers as he gave a little, encouraging squeeze. Her smile widened a little and his followed. There was acceptance in her eyes, and trust. And...compassion.
He swallowed, heart speeding up. It was doing that a lot and he was surprised he hadn't suffered the effects of anything due to it. Of course, adrenaline accompanied it. He swallowed hard; distinctly aware of every part that touched K. Teeth bit the inside of his lip as the feeling of wanting to kiss her quickly rose. They were alone this time...
The experience was relived again as she sobered and her body sped up. Teeth unknowingly nibbled on her lip, making his eyes look down. They froze and slowly let go, her lips parting.
His heart was screaming at him to kiss her. She was in his arms, her lips were parted, they were alone, and the noise barely heard outside was a catalyst for part of the mood. It seemed like the world was a million miles away and he had everything he needed right here. Never would he get a third chance – especially when only one person knew where he was. They were safe.
He was suddenly reminded of the sword in his hand when the scabbard slowly slid as his hand turned and loudly clacked to the floor. He mentally swore again, realizing when K closed the sword, she didn't close it so it didn't slip! They both jumped and pulled back, looking away from each other.
He rounded her and that split second was enough for her to compose herself and take a deep breath. She let it out as quietly as possible and turned to him, resolved to get past this again. They did the first time, they could do so again. 'Though why we keep getting in these to begin with is beyond me!!'
His back remained to her to hide his blush, though it was dark enough where the interior lighting was poor. His hand remained on the hilt even after it was back in its spot. "Think about what I said." He quietly muttered. Straightening, he turned and took her hand with a serious gaze. "I mean what I say. I'll help you if you ask for it."
She swallowed, but finally nodded. "I – somehow...I want to change. You -" Her head ducked, "- you make me want to change." A timid smile appeared as she forced herself to meet his eyes. "I don't...I don't know why...but I do. I'll – I'll think about it and give you my answer later."
He smiled and gave her hand a squeeze, heart fluttering. "That's good enough for me." He stepped back and extended his arm. "Shall we? I think people are going to wonder where we are...and you still haven't eaten anything yet."
She was painfully aware of that fact now that everything shuffled away and nodded. Her arm slowly wound around his, a little shy at touching him, but let it go as they headed for the doors.
"I think I'll have you try some nori-nigiri as an appetizer. Then sample the miso...can't go without the sushi...and the takoyaki –"
She squeezed his arm and slipped into her sandals to quiet him. "I may be hungry, but I've a small stomach. Remember that."
He looked at her out of the corner of his eye, finding her with a raised brow, and grinned. "You'll live. You can't go without sampling at least a handful of everything we have. I don't care if you just take a mouthful of some of my food; you have to try it all."
The image of her eating off his plate gained a blush, and she looked at the yard before he could see her unease. Green widened as she stopped dead. "This's - "
He grinned at her shock. "I TOLD you you'd see within in half an hour. Why do you think I gave you my arm?"
"There are honestly THIS many people in one neighborhood?!" She nearly screeched, getting a few eyes. Her face flamed and she looked down.
He chuckled and dragged her to the mob. "With food for all. I'm going to also teach you how to hold chopsticks, since I assume you don't know how."
"Correct mister wizard."
"Smartass. I swear you're a lot like Jayden." He muttered, pulling her up the stairs to the engawa.
She stuck close, taking in all the colorful outfits and children running around in miniatures of the same. She smiled fondly at how adorable they were, before her arm was dropped. She looked and found herself face to face with all the plates they were supposed to bring out. She felt a little guilty that she wasn't able to help, not to mention Inaki's grandmother asked them to, but her cheeks heated at why she hadn't and mentally shook herself.
He dished her up a piece of sushi to try, a spoonful of takoyaki and sukiyaki – wondering if she'd be able to eat chopped octopus, grabbed a smaller nori-nigiri, and poured a bit of miso into a soup bowl. Seeing nothing else would fit on her plate, he grasped a hand and pulled her to the picnic table in the center of the main part of the engawa and set the plate before her.
"Don't go touching anything yet until I get mine and us both tea." He warned, wagging a finger.
She pouted but nodded, hoping to try the soup at least. A pair of chopsticks rested over the little space left on the plate and she was itching to pick them up and learn on her own.
"Ojou-san...kirei mirimasu."
She looked over and found a very old man staring with a kind smile. Teeth bit her lip as hands in her lap twisted. "Ah...g – gomen...but I don't understand Japanese."
"Ah...Eigo desu." The man nodded. She suddenly found she liked this man. He slowly ambled over and sat on one of the seats. "Are you from around here?"
Her head shook, a smile forming. This man seemed like a grandfather, though he looked much older, and she had the urge to ask him to tell her of his family. She bit her tongue. That would DEFINITELY not be polite. "No, I'm from Miami. A friend brought me here for tonight. His sister lent me this. It's very beautiful."
The old man peered closer amongst the many lanterns and she held up a long sleeve so he could see. "That looks very familiar. I think I have seen that on someone before..." A wrinkled hand scratched his head.
Her head tilted. "You might have seen it on his sister. I don't know if she's worn it, but it's possible."
"Ah...hisofusan. There you are. Enjoy your nap?"
Her head whipped around and found Inaki resting his plate next to hers with a congenial look.
"Very much so himagomusuko. Your obaasan woke me up and told me the party was passing me by so I decided to make myself known."
Her head whipped to the old man, with wide eyes. The terms were unknown, but they were spoken inside the household with Inaki and his relatives. Her hand rose. "You're...are you –"
"Ah, K...meet my great grandfather Setsumo. Hisofusan, kore wa Himmen Kalie-san."
"Ah...hajimemashite – uh, pleased to meet you."
She smiled to cover her blunder and extended a hand. Finding out this man was related to Inaki didn't make him any less nice and she still liked him. "The pleasure is all mine Setsumo-san." She replied.
Inaki smiled. "I'm going to get us some tea. You like green right?"
She looked at him. "I don't think I've ever had it, but I'll try it."
He nearly fell over. "NEVER?! You've never had sencha??" His eyes bugged out of their sockets. "That's it – you're trying some. Hisofusan...do you want some while I'm at it?"
"Hai, arigatou himagomusuko." They were left alone again and she looked around, wishing to take some of the foods and eat them without chopsticks. She was getting rather hungry... "Are you enjoying yourself so far Himmen-san?"
She looked at Setsumo and smiled. "It's very enlightening. I've learned so much and it makes me want to learn more."
He nodded and patted her hand. "Ii desu, ii desu." Aged brown looked out with her. After a second, he snuck a look at her staring at the plate. "You don't need to wait for my himagomusuko if you want to eat."
Her gaze jerked to his almost guiltily, but she smiled. "I'm afraid I don't know how to use chopsticks. Plus Inaki wanted me to wait so he could see my reaction."
The man tsked. "Greedy as ever." Setsumo reached out and picked her chopsticks off, automatically holding them in eating form. "You look rather hungry and it's rude to keep you waiting. I would be delighted to teach you if you don't mind."
That sounded a whole lot safer than having Inaki help, considering he would have to touch her hands to get placement right. She was still trying to get back to their normal playfulness from before. She nodded. "I would very much appreciate that."
Setsumo smiled and scooted a little closer. It took one look of placement and two quick tries of picking up food before the girl had it down pat. "You're a natural Himmen-san." He praised, watching her go for the sukiyaki.
She quickly swallowed the beef, the taste driving her taste buds wild, and smiled. "You're a good teacher Setsumo-san." She really liked this man and it was easy to be at ease around him more than almost anyone else beside Inaki. She didn't know why, but she felt a kinship to this man. It only gave her more incentive to try out her newly Japanese tips. She gave as deep a bow as possible while sitting. "Arigatou for your help." She gave a wry grin. "I fear I would've collapsed if I had to wait for Inaki to return."
Setsumo laughed and patted her shoulder again. "You have spirit Himmen-san, I like that."
"Hey! I thought I told you not to eat until I got back. I thought you said you didn't know how to use chopsticks!"
A beautiful cup was set before her and she studied it and the steam trailing out in the cool air. "Setsumo-san taught me." She happily reported. "He's great...see? - first try." She picked up another piece of sukiyaki and stuffed in her mouth. "Very good. What dish is this?"
"Sukiyaki." He reported, plopping down. "Hisofusan, why did you teach her? K's MY guest."
Was he POUTING over such a small thing? It was cute, but odd. She mentally shook her head and went for the roll she assumed was sushi and took a small bite of it.
"Himagomusuko, Himmen-san said she was very hungry. I was being polite in your rudeness to make up for it so she wouldn't think less of the family."
Her head shook. "No, no Setsumo-san. I like your family very much. They've all been very nice to me." She felt the need to make him see that and also get Inaki off the hook. Why was unknown, considering he wouldn't let her touch anything without being able to see her reaction. That was strange enough as it was.
"Ii desu Himmen-san." Setsumo patted her hand again and took up his tea.
He took up his chopsticks and stuck the sushi in his mouth, feeling a little better at watching the two interact. K seemed the most at ease with Setsumo, though the old man had that ability on people.
As she sipped her tea, Jayden ambled up to the table pulling someone she had on her arm. "There you are. I was looking for you K-san." The two met eyes and Jayden smiled. "Are you enjoying yourself thus far?"
"Very." She answered, smiling back. "You have such a wonderful house and everyone is so polite."
Jayden nodded and pulled the man next to her forward. "K-san, this is my koi Chad-kun. I told you earlier I would introduce you two and I keep my promises."
It was quaint, even though no technical promise was made. She nodded, seeing the only other non-Japanese person around, and felt no qualms about being overly polite. "Hello. You're very lucky to have someone as nice as Jayden-san."
Chad smiled and cast loving eyes to brown. "I know this all too well. Hikari desu."
Gagging from Inaki gained their attention and a quick bop on the head from Jayden. "Baka!" She growled, glaring. "Be nice!"
He glared back and stuck his tongue out. "Don't be rude in front K." He grit back, trying to keep from blushing.
She giggled, trying to keep it at bay with a hand. "Go ahead Jayden-san...people need that kind of love every once in a while." Two pairs of brown dumbly looked at her before giving almost simultaneous odd looks. She blinked and comically leaned back. "If only I had a rather large mirror... You two did that at the same time – that's scary."
Both siblings looked at each other and stuck their tongues out. Jayden gave him a raspberry and Inaki pulled at the skin under his eye.
"Mou ii." Setsumo warned over the rim.
There was a pause until Kristine stopped at the table. "There you all are." A hand rested on both sibling's shoulders. "We're almost ready to begin. I'd like your help in getting the bags out of the kitchen and hand them out."
Curious green stared at Inaki's mother. "What? What's going on?" She looked at a rather evil-looking Inaki. "Is this that thing you refused to tell me about until it happened?"
That grin only widened. "Pin pon. Okaasan...K shitteirimasen. So don't go into detail." Brown winked and she scowled.
"You're so evil!" She muttered, crossing her arms to pout.
Jayden nodded. "I agree K-san. Ototo has a tendency to want to surprise people too much." A hand reached out and poked his arm when he stood. An almost matching smile lit up the woman's face. "But I have to agree with him. It has to be a surprise." Brown turned to Chad. "She'll DEFINITELY be astounded."
Chad chuckled. "First timers usually are." He mysteriously answered. The three youths followed Kristine inside and she was left blinking, teacup resting in her hands.
Twenty minutes later, with everyone milling in the grass and a string-tied bag in their hands, there was an excitement in the air she could easily pick up.
Green looked to the bag, then Inaki next to her. She spied Jayden and Chad grinning and watching her, and gave them a dry look. "What is this for again? And what is in it?" He grinned and moved to pull the string off. She quickly copied and found some kind of bean in her palm. "And what are BEANS used for in this -"
"Out with the demon! In with the happiness!"
Her head jerked up and tilted when someone cried that and a handful of beans were thrown in the air.
"Out with the demon! In with the happiness!" Everyone took up the cheer and a bunch was thrown in the air at once. She was pelted on the head - thankful it didn't hurt - and dumbly stared at everyone.
Across the way, both Jayden and Chad were laughing at her. Inaki nudged her and told her to repeat with everyone else, regardless of faith, and followed suit.
She didn't think he could look any more like a kid than this moment. Her heart fluttered as she did as told and threw a handful high when the chant came round again. It pelted back like hard rain and she grinned. It was rather fun!
People chanted and threw until there was no more left, but even then, children threw them from the ground and continued. They were even more adorable in her eyes, and she found herself wanting to join them. Whatever tradition this stemmed from made her feel like a child, just like when she was at the Merth house.
She saw Jayden pick up a handful and sprinkle them over Chad's head. She laughed and had the same thing done from Inaki, getting a yelp. She vocally vowed revenge and scooped up a large amount, ending up chasing him around the yard and trying not to slip in the process. She managed to dump them down the gap to his top and laughed as he squirmed. He vowed revenge as well, but she went and hid behind Setsumo and begged the man to defend her. Inaki gave a few threats, but didn't dare try anything with her in Setsumo's arms. He finally gave up and said he was going to get some more tea and she sat to talk with the man. She almost missed Inaki's arrival and the tea he handed.
This was the life. To only be part of this on a permanent basis. She didn't hold the faith, but she was sorely tempted to with tonight. These people were so close with one another and almost everyone helped gather what was strewn about to clean the yard. She respected them because of that willingness and felt a little bad she wasn't there with them to clean up her share.
She managed to bring hers and Inaki's dishes in at least and gained a small sense of self for that. Kristine was at the sink up to her arms in suds, some kind of string tying back the shorter sleeves so she could work.
It seemed a bitter end when she had to change back to original clothes, wishing she could keep on such a beautiful piece of cloth, but conceded. She kept her promise and the clothes as clean as when they were put on - that's what mattered.
Everyone hugged her goodbye and told her to come back and visit, even if they had to send Inaki down to pick her up. She promised she would when she gained time away from work and school, and finally got to the car.
"How did you like everything?" He asked, taking the main exit out of the city.
"I loved it. I'm glad you asked me." She answered, heavily leaning against the seat in fatigue. "I don't think I've ever had so much fun, or had so much fun learning. You have it made."
He smiled and patted her shoulder before giving the road his attention.
**I am a BEGINNER Japanese learner...so if these are not 100% correct...please let me know if you care to do so. I only have a web page to learn from, a dictionary, and a few months experience to work with.**
Translations: K-san wa hountoni kirei-(Miss) K is very pretty Utsukushii yo-Beautiful (yo stresses the word) Boku wa chigaimasu-I'm wrong
Irotomesode-Like Kurotomesode, but the background is not black - second most formal kimono for married women
Miso-Soup of miso soybean paste, dashi, seaweek, tofu Nori-nigiri-Seaweed rice balls Hisobosan desu ka?-Is that you great grandmother?
Himagomusuko, yasashii shimaso-Great grandson, be nice (O ending makes it a command) Babaa-Derogatory term for an old woman
Kurotomesode-Black background and colorful designs on bottom - most formal kimono for married women Shitteirimasen-I don't know
Ano baka-That idiot Kangaero-Think Sono onna wa-That woman is Hajimemashite-Pleased/Nice to meet you
Koi desu ka?-Is she a love/Is she your love? (Basically asking if it's Inaki's new girlfriend) Kimi no tomadachi wa yasashii desu-Your friend is nice
Sushi-A piece of sliced fish placed atop a hand-formed oblong rice ball Kirei mirimasu-You look pretty
Takoyaki-small balls made from flour batter, chopped octopus, ginger, leeks, and bits of fried tempura batter Eigo desu-English it is Sencha-Green tea
Ii desu-That's good/That's nice Mou ii-That's enough Pin pon-Bingo