Part
Five, 5:00 PM Wednesday
Meeting the Parents
"Where are those darn shoes?" a redhead yelled to no one in particular. This redhead was busy searching for her shoes under the living room table.
Youhei visibly cringed at the loud noise. "May be it's in your room," he said hopeful.
Hanamichi crawled out of the table to glare up at her best friend. "You're not helping. Do you think I'll be searching for it down here if it's in my room?" she answered angrily. She returned to her futile search under the table.
Youhei sighed dejectedly. He watched the shapely ass wiggle its way under the table after the head popped up in the other side. More colorful vocabulary can be heard when Hanamichi didn't find the shoes.
"Why don't you use other shoes? Or maybe those sandals that okaa-san was so crazy about?" he suggested.
A light bulb appeared on Hanamichi's head when the words hit home. She instantly brightened up and smiled at her best friend.
"You're right, Youhei," she said. She tried to stand up but got stuck under the heavy furniture.
Youhei winced as Hanamichi gave another bout of curses.
'Man, what a headache,' he thought as he massaged his aching head.
"Damn it, Youhei, help in here," the girl demanded bossily.
"Hai. Hai," the brunette answered, stepping closer to the table and the stuck redhead.
6:15 PM, Hanamichi's room
"Hana-chan, I think you should use the white gown Rukawa Naoko designed," Okina suggested. She helped the redhead dress up for her date. The girl's make up and hair-do was already in place, so next in the list was the dress.
"Iie. I'll wear this one," Hanamichi said as she took a dress off its hanger and put it on.
"I still don't understand why you have to wear something formal when you're date is just a basketball player in your school." Okina found a pair of sandals that fit the dress perfectly. She presented the sandals to Hanamichi and watched as the beautiful redhead carefully places the straps around her long legs.
"Rukawa said that his parents are very formal," Hanamichi said absent-mindedly. After the sandals were properly placed, she faced the mirror to scrutinize her appearance. She turned to face Okina.
"So? How do I look?" Hanamichi asked the older woman. Okina gave a sign with her hand so Hanamichi gave a 360-degree turn.
"Fabulous!" Okina said breathlessly. Remembering whom Hana's date was made her frown. "I think that you made a mistake in choosing your date. A no-name fellow student is not a good partner to a gorgeous model like you."
"Mito-san, Rukawa is not..."
Okina interrupted Hanamichi.
"Rukawa? Your date is a Rukawa?" Okina asked unbelieving.
"Hai. His name is Rukawa Kaede. Why?" Hanamichi frowned when she saw Okina's reaction to the name.
"Rukawa Kaede?! Your date is Rukawa Kaede?!" Okina yelled.
"Hai! My date is Rukawa Kaede! What's the big deal, Mito-san?! It's just Rukawa, the kitsune," Hanamichi shouted in frustration.
Okina stared at the redhead like it was the first time she ever seen her. "Oh my god! Youhei was right, you do live in a different planet."
"NANI?!"
"You honestly don't know who the Rukawas are, do you?" Okina asked. Before Hanamichi could answer, she continued. "The Rukawas just happen to be the richest family here in Kanagawa. Their business is rated as the top grosser in this year's economic survey. There are three children; Rukawa Ken, 29 years old a young tycoon in the business of airlines and a real Adonis." Okina sighed dreamily as she described the eldest Rukawa. "Rukawa Naoko, an well-known designer. She designed one of your gowns. She also went to the agency last Monday, you would have met her if you weren't being make-upped," Okina babbled on. "And the youngest is Rukawa Kaede. I don't know much about him because he never joined any of the social gatherings that his family sponsored, but I heard that he is much more gorgeous than Ken." Okina giggled like a schoolgirl when she thought of the youngest Rukawa.
Hanamichi sweat dropped at the giggling woman.
"Anyway," Okina said, turning serious all of a sudden. "Are you sure it's the same Rukawa Kaede?"
Hanamichi shrugged. "I don't know. I only know one Rukawa Kaede," Hanamichi answered honestly.
Okina had her eyes closed as she nods her head. Opening her eyes all of a sudden, she's starting to scare Hanamichi with an evil look.
'Now what is she thinking of?' Hanamichi thought, dreading whatever in Okina's mind.
"Hana," Okina said in a very bossy voice. "You should wear this white gown." Okina took out a stunning white gown off the closet.
Hanamichi sighed with relief that Okina was not suggesting something outrageous. "Mito-san, I like this gown. I'm more comfortable in wearing this than that."
"But, Hana-chan," Okina whined. "I'm sure Naoko-san will appreciate it if you wear her creation."
"Mito-san, we're not even sure that the Rukawas you're talking about is really the kitsune's family." Hanamichi took out a small bottle and gently sprayed herself with perfume.
"But...but....," Okina stuttered. Her stuttering was stopped when Hanamichi made a stop sign with her hand.
"Mito-san," Hanamichi said in a stern voice. "No buts, please." Hanamichi gracefully turned around and walked out of the room.
Okina was left in the room still holding the white gown.
"He's late," Hanamichi said while tapping her foot on her worn out carpet impatiently.
"It's only six thirty, Hanamichi," Youhei replied. "You're always late so may be that's why he is late."
"NANI?!"
"Youhei's right, Hana-chan," Okina interrupted. "Anyway, isn't it fashionable to be late?"
"For crying out loud, being late is being late," Hanamichi said, infuriated. She gracefully stood up and walked around the room with agitated steps. Deep inside, Hanamichi was really nervous on what the kitsune's family is like. 'Will they like me? Or will they just stuck up their noses on me?' the redhead's thoughts were not helping her relax. She took a look at the wall clock and swore when she noticed the time, six thirty-five.
"Ahhh!" the redhead screamed angrily. "That's it! He's late for five minutes! I'm not going to meet his parents anymore!" With an unladylike snort, she marched towards her bedroom to change.
Okina's eyes widened in panic. "Iie, Hana! You have to meet Naoko-san and be the country's top model!" The woman clung desperately to Hanamichi's arm. Her ambition for the young redhead was giving her strength.
"Let go, Mito-san," Hanamichi tried to shake off the woman but to no avail.
Youhei watched the two females in a bored expression. He knew why Hanamichi was very impatient. The redhead's insecurity was making her paranoid in what people think. 'You must care for him deeply to value his family's opinion of you,' Youhie thought as he watched the redhead let her anxiety out in yelling at Mito Okina. He sighed loudly when the redhead gave Okina a head butt.
"Oro..." Okina sprawled on the floor with a big lump on her head.
Youhei sighed again as he looked at his mother. He took his eyes off his mother and stared at the redhead in amazement. Hanamichi was rubbing her forehead as if in pain.
"Itee..." the girl moaned as she massages her aching head.
"You okay, Hana?" Youhei asked, worried.
Hanamichi stared back at Youhei in teary eyes. She slowly shook her head. "Iie. My head hurts like hell."
Youhei bowed his head for moment then murmured in a very neutral voice, "Now that's a first time."
Now it was Hanamichi's turned to get worried. "You okay, Youhei?"
Youhei's shoulders shook slightly then strident laughter filled the whole room.
"Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!" Youhei laughed uncontrollably. He dropped to the floor, clutching his aching stomach, as he laughed hard.
Hanamichi sweat dropped. "It's not funny, Youhei," the redhead pouted.
Ding-dong.
"Huh?" the two simultaneously looked at the door.
Ding-dong.
Hanamichi panicked. "He's here! He's here! Ahhh! I'm not ready yet." the redhead ran around the living room like a confused mosquito.
Youhei sweat dropped at his friend's reaction to the doorbell's ringing. Pitying the nervous redhead, he calmly reassured Hanamichi, "You look gorgeous, Hanamichi."
When the redhead stopped walking around the room, Youhei stood up from the floor and went to get the door.
Rukawa Kaede was standing in the doorway with a blank expression on his handsome face.
"Hello," Youhei said, smiling broadly. "Hanamichi's been waiting for you."
Rukawa followed the grinning brunette silently. He looked around the room curiously but was unable to find a redhead.
"Okaa-san, where is Hanamichi?" Youhei asked the now-awake Okina.
"She was just beside me a minute ago," Okina answered, looking behind her. "Oh well! I bet she's just in her room." she turned around and faced the newcomer. "Are you Rukawa Kaede? I'm Mito Okina, Youhei's mother and Hanamichi's guardian," she said, extending her hand for a handshake.
Rukawa took the offered hand with a nod. Okina sweat dropped at the simple gesture.
"I'll go look for Hanamichi on her room," Youhei said as he climbed the stairs.
Hanamichi was sitting stiffly on her bed, trying vainly to stop the nervous butterflies in her stomach. 'Come on, Hanamichi. It's just the kitsune, no one special,' Hanamichi thought. Her mental eye flashed an image of a smiling Rukawa, asking her to have dinner with his family.
"Ahhh!" Hanamichi screamed. She was about to head butt the floor when the door opened.
"I don't think a lump on the head will impress the parents of your boyfriend," Youhei said calmly.
"WHAT BOYFRIEND?!"
Youhei grinned at the angry redhead. "He's waiting down in the living room with okaa-san."
Hanamichi raised her chin haughtily at Youhei. "He's not my boyfriend," she said in a quietly voice. Her shoulders slump as her earlier nervousness struck her again. The never-ending questions rained in her mind again.
Sensing his friend's insecurity, Youhei sighed as he started to walk towards Hanamichi. He gently lowered himself beside Hanamichi and slung his arm around the redhead's shoulders.
"Don't worry, Hanamichi. They'll like you, I promise," Youhei said. He massaged his friend's shoulder blades in calming strokes. "You're a tensai, remember? I bet you can charm any socks off an Eskimo."
Hanamichi laughed softly at her Youhei's esteem-boasting talk.
Youhei smiled when Hanamichi relaxed a bit.
"Watashi wa tensai, ne Youhei?" Hanamichi asked.
Youhei's eyebrow rose but smiled gently. "Yeah. You're a tensai alright," he reassured firmly.
Hanamichi nodded then stood up confidently. With a determined look on her eyes, she walked to the door regally. "Let's go, Youhei. Let's not keep the kitsune waiting with Mito-san, or else he might change his mind about this crazy dinner date." Hanamichi stopped in her tracks as the word 'date' hit home.
'This isn't a date. I'm just meeting his family, that's all,' Hanamichi thought. 'Oh ! My legs won't move again.'
Knowing his friend too well, Youhei snickered at the redhead's dilemma. He pushed Hanamichi lightly between the shoulder blades to get her going.
"You need a little pushing," Youhei explained when Hanamichi glared at him.
Hanamichi straightened then walked out of the room before she could change her mind about the whole meeting-the-family-dinner-date. Her legs shook as she neared the top of the stairs. Clinging to the banister desperately, she looked down and froze when she caught sight of Rukawa Kaede.
The kitsune was wearing a white shirt underneath a midnight blue jacket, and black slacks. The whole attire would have been ordinary if not for the sexual appeal that the wearer exuded.
'An Adonis indeed,' she thought. Taking a deep breath and raising her chin proudly, she descended from the stairs.
Rukawa looked up as he heard steps from the stairs. His breath got stuck on his throat as he watched the redhead descend from the stairs with the airs of a goddess coming down to earth. The red hair was put up in a French braid showing a smooth neck with a heart-shaped pendant hanging from a necklace. The ocean green velvet dress clung to the voluptuous body like second skin. The half-calf high sandal straps that wound around Hanamichi's legs finished the overall dress-up.
Hanamichi stopped in front of the awestruck Rukawa. "Hi," Hanamichi said self-consciously. "Umm...so....ummm....how have you been?" Hanamichi cringed inwardly at the inane question.
Rukawa Kaede stared at Hanamichi for a while before he realized that the girl had asked him a question. "I'm fine," Kaede answered in his usual way. "How about you?" Rukawa felt like kicking himself for asking the question.
Hanamichi stared at the boy in front of her like it was the first time she'd seen him. "Ah, fine," she said doubtfully. Looking around her, she saw how Okina watched the scene with keen interest while Youhei just smiled crazily. Youhei gave her two thumbs up when he noticed Hanamichi staring at him with suspicion.
Rukawa cleared his throat to get Hanamichi's attention. "So? Shall we go?" offering his arm for the redhead, Rukawa led the redhead out the door like a true gentleman.
Hanamichi was surprised to see a black jaguar parked in front of her gate. "That's yours?" she asked awed.
"Iie. My onii-chan's," Kaede answered. He opened the door to the passenger seat and gestured for Hanamichi to enter.
Nervous and excited, Hanamichi sat stiffly inside the car. She noticed that the car was one of the latest models in a car magazine she read last week with the guntai. She silently watched Rukawa enters the car and starts the engine.
As they pulled away from the driveway, Rukawa glanced at the girl beside him. "What are you thinking of?" he asked.
"Nothing," Hanamichi lied.
Doubtful but unable to contradict, Rukawa nodded.
Silence reigned inside the car.
Hanamichi was getting uncomfortable. She had never stayed quiet for long and the silence was slowly eating her sanity. She peeked at Rukawa in the corner of her eye and studied him secretly. 'Who are you?' she thought.
"Mito Okina informed me that you're a model," Rukawa said, his eyes on the road.
Hanamichi was surprised but didn't let it show. "Hai. I've just started this Monday."
Rukawa nodded. "My sister is a designer. They said that she's very good but I'm afraid I haven't seen any of her works."
"So you're a member of the Rukawa family that Mito-san was so excited about," that was not a question.
"There's only one Rukawa family here in Kanagawa," Rukawa Kaede stated.
Hanamichi stared at the boy beside her with a puzzled expression on her face. "Why did you asked me to have dinner with you and your family?" she asked cautiously after a few minutes of self-debating.
Rukawa's eyes left the road to gaze at the confused redhead. He turned back to the road and answered, "I want them to meet you."
"Why?"
"I just want to."
"What kind of answer is that?!" Hanamichi screamed in annoyance.
Rukawa just ignored the annoyed redhead. Hanamichi fought the urged to hit the silent fox. She decided to watch the passing landscape instead.
"I like you."
"Huh?"
"I like you."
"What makes you think you like me?"
"Because I do."
"That is not an answer."
The blue-eyed fox remained silent.
"Humph. Baka kitsune," Hanamichi mumbled under her breath. Rukawa's silence infuriated her more. She went back to staring at the passing landscape. 'This is not my night,' she thought in frustration.
"Hana?" Rukawa whispered.
"Nani?!" Hanamichi snapped back angrily.
"I promised my family that if I ever found you, I would introduce you to them."
Question marks appeared around Hanamichi's head.
Hanamichi studied Rukawa thoughtfully. "What do you mean?" she asked.
"When I was twelve, I dreamed about a girl," Kaede said, wearing an expression that Hanamichi never thought she'd see.
'He looks...happy,' the girl thought in wonder.
"She always smiled at me like I was someone special," Rukawa continued his story.
Hanamichi sensed a feeling akin to jealousy. Irritated at what she's feeling, her knuckles turned white as she fisted them to stop hitting the blue-eyed fox.
'What a jerk! How dare he talked about another when I'm around," she thought angrily.
Rukawa sneaked a peek at the girl beside him. "Do'aho," he murmured softly.
That was the last straw. Hanamichi's hand landed on the back of Rukawa's head none-too-gently. Surprised at the sudden hit, Kaede slammed in the brakes. Due to the sudden inertia, Hanamichi's face plastered itself on the windshield.
"Damn it, kitsune! Are you trying to kill me?" Hanamichi snarled after detaching herself from the windshield. She gingerly rubbed her injured nose.
"Your fault, do'aho. You know I'm driving so don't surprise me like that. Unless you want us to end up in the hospital."
"'Che," Hanamichi answered haughtily.
Rukawa stared at the redhead for a few seconds before starting the car again. "Yare yare."
Hanamichi's face burned with suppressed anger. "Can you turn back, please? I seem to have left my purse," she requested icily.
Rukawa continued driving. "You won't be needing your purse," he said.
"Really? Now how would you know that?" the words were so icy, it would never be associated with the fiery redhead.
Rukawa remained silent.
Hanamichi wanted to scream at Rukawa. But she resisted the urged. Knowing the kitsune's behavioral pattern, she knew that she'd only be ignored. She just went back to watching the landscape while silently planning a painful revenge on the fox.
Blissful silence filled the car for half an hour.
A gentle shake woke the slumbering redhead.
"Huh? Where are we?"
"We're here," Rukawa answered patiently.
Hanamichi straightened from her slump position and gave the boy a whimsical look. "Where's here?"
"Home."
Hanamichi's eyebrow rose at the simple answer. "I see," she said hesitantly. She surveyed herself with a frown. "My clothes are all crumpled now. I can't face your family in this," she tugged at her skirt self-consciously.
Rukawa followed the girl's view. His body instantly responded to the innocent action of the redhead. He quickly diverted his gaze and stared at the frowning girl's face.
"Nani?" Hanamichi asked in annoyance.
"My parents are waiting. I don't think they'll mind if you have crumpled clothes or not," he reassured.
The girl's frown deepened. " Demo...I don't want to be seen like a rag doll. And my hair is standing on ends."
Rukawa studied the girl's face keenly. All he can see was a few loose hairs framing the pear-shaped face, a pair of chocolate brown eyes filled with confusion, pink lips were shaped into a pout and glowing flawless skin.
"Kirei," he sighed. He blindly reached out to touch the enchanting face as he dipped his head to kiss Hanamichi.
Hanamichi was startled at the sudden of action, but responded in abandon to the kiss.
Rukawa was the first to break off the kiss. He closed his eyes when the brown ones questioned why. He swallowed painfully to steady his breathing.
"We have to go now. My parents are waiting," he said after a few minutes of silence. Without waiting for Hanamichi's answer, he got out of the car. He rounded the car and opened the passenger door.
"Milady," he bowed as he extended his hand for Hanamichi.
Hanamichi blushed at the charming act. "Arigato, milord," she said as she took the offered hand. She got off the car carefully as not to trip. She shivered as the cold air hit her in full force.
A jacket was instantly provided to give warmth. She smiled gratefully at the blue-eyed kitsune.
Rukawa's breath hitched at the beautiful sight. He mentally hit himself to snap back to reality. Carefully wrapping his arms around the girl to keep her warm, he led her towards a large oak door.
Hanamichi leaned towards Kaede as he led her carefully. She took a look around the whole place and was shocked to be in front of a colossal mansion.
'He lives here?' Hanamichi wondered mentally.
The large oak door opened before they can reach it, and a stunningly beautifully woman was revealed. She was wearing a gray colored dress, her graying hair was tied in a simple braid, and she walked with elegance.
"Kaede," the woman said as she wrapped her arms around the smiling boy.
'Smiling?' Hanamichi thought in surprised. Kaede had set her aside when the woman greeted him. The kitsune was smiling warmly at the woman. 'Who is she?'
The woman kissed Kaede's cheeks in a very affectionate manner. "You are late, young man."
"Gomen nasai, okaa-san," he apologized. "I was still getting used to the jaguar."
'Okaa-san? So this is Kaede's mother. I should have known; she has the same foxy blue eyes. Kaede must have got his eyes from her,' Hanamichi analyzed mentally. Feeling out of place, she took a step backwards.
Wrong move.
Both mother and son stared at her. One looked at her with curiosity while the other looked at her with pride. She sweat dropped at the looks she received.
"And who might you be?" Rukawa Kana's eyes swept at the redhead from head to toe and back again.
Hanamichi fidgeted when she was openly studied.
Kaede laughed at the redhead's obvious discomfort. It earned him a glare. He coughed softly to get his mother's attention. "Okaa-san, this is Sakuragi Hanamichi," he introduced when his mother looked at him. He slowly approached the girl's side and slung his arm around the redhead's shoulders. He gave the girl a very charming smile. "Hana, this is my mother, Rukawa Kana."
Hanamichi blushed when Rukawa Kana raised an eyebrow at the arm around her shoulders. "Umm. Nice to meet you," she said nervously as she extend her hand for a handshake.
The woman took the offered hand doubtfully. "Nice to meet you, too." She took another sweeping look on the girl's crumpled attire then to her grinning son. One can almost see the wheels turning in her head.
"Okaa-san? Is there a problem?" the kitsune teased his mother, giving her a wide-eyed innocent look.
Kana stared at her son in confusion. After a few minutes, she blushed as she remembered her manners. "Oh gomen nasai. Where are my manners? I forgot to invite you in," she laughed nervously. "Come in. Come in."
She took hold of Hanamichi's arm and led the girl inside the huge house. She turned back to her grinning son and gave him a warning glare.
Kaede just gave Kana a charming smile.
Hanamichi also turned her head back to Kaede as if asking for guidance. Rukawa Kaede just winked at her. She blushed and faced Kana when she realized that the woman was asking her a question. She answered articulately and formally.
Rukawa Kana scrutinized the girl carefully. She noted the constant look the girl gave to her son and the way her son smiled at the girl. 'Hmmm, could it be...?' she couldn't help wondering.
They stopped in front of another huge door. A butler opened the door noiselessly.
Hanamichi was awed at the vast expanse of the room. She tentatively took a step inside when kana let her arm go. The room was decorated in a Victorian style setting. A huge fireplace was placed in one corner while two armchairs faced it. A beige colored sofa was placed in the center of the room and vases of different shapes and sizes adorned the numerous tables that surround the room. She mentally noted that the hallway that they passed through was also decorated with different vases.
'My entire house could fit in this room,' she thought. She was startled when kana spoke.
"Thank you, Edward," Kana said to the butler in English. The butler just bowed respectfully. "You can now call the rest of the family," Kana ordered softly.
"Yes, Madame," the butler said with a deep English accent.
Hanamichi looked around her like a bunny caught in a trap. Arms surrounded her gently, giving security.
"They won't eat you for dinner, Hana," Kaede whispered comfortingly.
Hanamichi gave a small laugh at the word eat. She blushed prettily when her stomach growled noisily.
Kaede laughed at the complaining stomach. "We'll eat once the whole family is down," he promised as he inhaled the redhead's scent.
Hanamichi nodded, leaning backwards to savor the comforting arms.
Kana watched the two with a smile. 'So you found her, Kaede,' she thought, happy for her son.
"Ahem," someone cleared his throat loudly to catch the attention of everyone inside the room. A tall figure stood up from the chair that faced the fireplace. "I always thought that you were never late, Kaede."
"My otou-san, Rukawa Kiyomori," Kaede said to Hanamichi when she turned questioning eyes to him. He nodded to the tall figure. "Otou-san, Sakuragi Hanamichi."
The girl curiously studied the man before her. She now knew where Kaede got his good looks. The man's black hair was edged with silver, giving him an older, more sophisticated look. The eyes though were blue-gray rather than the aqua blue that Kaede has.
"So you're the lady that caught my son's heart," Rukawa Kiyomori said as he kissed Hanamichi's hand. "It's nice meeting such a beautiful girl."
Hanamichi blushed at the compliment. "Nice meeting you too, sir."
Kiyomori laughed at the formal greeting. "Please call me Kiyo. Calling me sir makes me feel so old." the older Rukawa winked at the blushing redhead.
Hanamichi's blush deepened. She reluctantly nodded.
"Otou-san, please. You're embarrassing me," Kaede joked. He faced Hanamichi and gave her a disarming smile. "Hana might think we're a bunch of flirts."
Kiyomori laughed at that.
Hanamichi blushed redder than her hair. She elbowed Kaede hard.
"Ouch, Hana," Kaede grimaced.
Hanamichi would have apologized if not for the blue eyes that looked at her. They were laughing at her. She glared at Kaede angrily.
Kaede laughed at the indignant look Hanamichi was giving him, making the girl blush more.
'If I kept blushing like this, my face would remain red for eternity,' Hanamichi thought self-consciously.
"What's so funny?" someone asked from the doorway.
Hanamichi turned to face the newcomer. This woman has black hair, cut in a bob style, and same foxy blue eyes that Kaede has. Hanamichi can only give one word to describe the newcomer: chic.
"You must be Sakuragi Hanamichi," that was not a question.
"Hai. How do you know?" Hanamichi asked curiously. She frowned at the way that the newcomer scrutinized her body.
"Okina told me," the newcomer answered.
Hanamichi raised her eyebrow at that. "Oh."
The newcomer smirked at the suspicious look. She offered her hand for a handshake. "By the way, I'm Rukawa Naoko."
Hanamichi blinked twice before blushing again. She mentally berated herself for being a fool. 'She's obviously Naoko, baka.'
Naoko's smirk widened at the embarrassed way the redhead took her hand. She tightened her hold when Hanamichi tried to take he hand away.
"Onee-chan," Kaede warned softly when Hanamichi became uncomfortable.
Naoko laughed at her little brother. "Hai. Hai," she said as she released Hanamichi.
"Where's Ken?" kana asked her daughter.
Naoko shrugged. "Don't know. Must be in his room."
Kana sighed at the answer.
Hanamichi watched the exchange with an inquisitive look.
Kaede gazed at her with a warm glow in his eyes. He gently wrapped his arm around the girl's waist to get her attention.
"After dinner, we can go to the garden. Okaa-san has a huge collection of flowers," Kaede murmured in her ear.
Hanamichi nodded in agreement. She frowned when she remembered something. "Demo...it's night already. I won't be able to see their colors," she whispered in regret.
"You can smell them," Kaede said suggestively. He maneuvered Hanamichi so they face each other, nose-to-nose, hip-to-hip.
Hanamichi blushed at how their bodies fit like a glove to a hand. "Hai. I can smell them," she said, smiling innocently at the kitsune. She placed her arms on Kaede's shoulders and leaned on him.
Kaede chuckled at the innocent look. 'Do'aho,' he thought fondly. 'I never thought you could be this naive.'
The other three Rukawas stared at the happy couple.
"I guess his dream is now a reality," Naoko said to her parents.
The two nodded.
"Let me see. Red hair, big brown eyes, and a body to die for. Kaede's dream girl?" a voice asked all of sudden.
The three jumped in surprise.
"Ken!" Kana said, recovering from her shock. "How many times have I told you not to surprise me?"
"A thousand times, okaa-san," Ken answered suavely. He lightly kissed his mother's cheeks and then his sister's. He gave a nod of acknowledgement to his father.
Kiyomori nodded back. "You're late," he said.
"Gomen. Tia called," Ken explained.
Kiyomori nodded again. Tia was ken's personal assistant.
"So? What's her name?" ken nodded to the two teenagers.
"Sakuragi Hanamichi," Naoko answered coolly. "She's a model. Mito Okina is her manager."
"Oh? I thought Kaede didn't like models."
"Ask him yourself why," Naoko said exasperatedly.
Ken raised his eyebrow at his sister's attitude. "You don't like her?"
Naoko glared at him.
"Oh. You like her too," Ken said matter-of-factly. "Kaede won't like that, Nao-chan."
"Urusei!"
"Tsk! Tsk!"
"Yamero! Both of you," Kana reprimanded the two. "When will you two grow up?"
"Never," came the monotonous answer.
The rest of the family members looked at Kaede then at a beet-red Hanamichi.
"This night is turning into a French farce," Kiyomori said as he massaged his aching head.
"Oh my god," Kana said, horrified.
Ken chuckled at the embarrassed expression on Naoko's face.
"Hi. I'm Rukawa Ken," he suavely changed the subject. He extended his hand for a handshake, which the redhead took tentatively. He mentally observed the possessive way Kaede held Hanamichi's waist. "I won't steal her from you, Kaede."
Kaede just gave him a vacant look.
Hanamichi, on other hand, examined the handsome man in front of her. Ken was wearing a simple white shirt and khaki jeans. The likeness of Kaede and his older brother was stunning. Except for a small scar on his left eyebrow and older, wiser look, Ken could pass as Kaede's twin brother easily.
"Like what you saw?" Ken asked lightheartedly. He grins when the redhead blushed again.
'This night should be entitled how I blush myself silly,' Hanamichi thought, trying vainly to stop blushing.
Kaede glared daggers at his brother.
Ken chuckled. "Come on, Kaede. Lighten up."
Naoko snorted at Ken.
Ken took a sidelong glance at his sister and grinned like a Cheshire cat.
Kana watched in despair as the night took a nosedive to disaster. Kiyomori massaged his forehead again.
"Dinner is served," Edward, the butler, announced to the relief of Kana and Kiyomori.
Dinner was served in a formal setting. Hanamichi surprised herself when she instinctively knew what to do and what to use in the table. Kana proudly talked about her vase and flower collection. Kiyomori talked with Ken about their business. Kaede remained silent, but keeping a close eye on his redhead. Naoko asked Hanamichi about her job as a model which Hanamichi answered directly and honestly.
Time passed quickly. It was past ten when dinner ended. Kiyomori invited Hanamichi to have a drink in the parlor, however Kaede shook his head. Hanamichi had no choice but to declined the offer.
Kaede led Hanamichi into the garden. The garden was located in the back of the mansion, and as Kaede had promised Hanamichi get to smell the flowers that adorn the said garden. The blue-eyed kitsune smiled as Hanamichi toured the whole garden in enthusiastic steps.
"Kaede, what's this flower called?"
"I don't know. Only okaa-san knew what this flower or that."
"What kind of a tour guide are you if you don't know anything?"
"This isn't the place that I want you to see, do'aho."
This caught Hanamichi's attention. She lifted her head from a flower bush to regard the boy closely. "Where is that place you want me to see?"
Instead of answering, Kaede took Hanamichi's hand and led her to a corner of the garden. Hanamichi remained silent as Kaede stopped in front of a wall.
"This is it?"
"Iie."
Kaede tugged her closer to the wall. With his free hand, Kaede touched the wall and, to Hanamichi's surprise, a panel opened.
"Come on," the kitsune said as he led the redhead inside the panel.
Hanamichi's eyes widened when they emerged from the other side of the garden.
"Wow."
"Like it?"
"Like it?! Are you crazy? We're in paradise," Hanamichi exclaimed.
The paradise was a small garden. It has a small pond in one corner surrounded with lots of fireflies. A little straw hut served as resting place for anyone. But that was not what caught Hanamichi's attention. flowers seemed to be glowing in the moonlight, giving the whole place an ethereal look.
A wind blew and brought the flowers' scent on Hanamichi's nostril.
"Wow," Hanamichi sighed as she inhaled the wondrous scent.
"I still don't know the name of the flowers in this garden. But I do know that those," Kaede pointed to the Baby-blue-eyes-like flowers. "Bloom only in the full moon."
"Can I bring one home?"
"Hai."
Hanamichi looked at Kaede closely.
"Nani?" Kaede asked when he felt the stare.
"I always thought that you have a problematic family," Hanamichi said frankly.
"Why? Is it because I rarely talk to anyone?"
"Hai. And well you sleep a lot."
Kaede smiled. "I sleep a lot because it's the only way I can get to see her," Kaede answered the unvoiced question.
"Her?" Hanamichi asked coldly. The green-eyed monster was pounding in her heart again. It totally ruined her night.
Kaede nodded. "Hai. She's the most beautiful girl I've ever seen."
Veins popped at Hanamichi's forehead. 'I bet I'm more beautiful than she is' was what Hanamichi wanted to shout to Kaede. But all she said was, "Oh."
"Jealous, do'aho?" Kaede mocked her.
"Nani?! Who's jealous, baka kitsune?" Hanamichi denied vehemently. Her face flushed red when Kaede took her in his arms all of a sudden.
"You," he said deadpan.
"What makes you think I'm jealous?"
"You're as readable as an open book."
"I'm not jealous," Hanamichi answered calmly. "Anyway, I bet that girl you're dreaming about had three teeth only. Two on top, one on the bottom."
Kaede grinned at the comment. "Really?"
Hanamichi nodded her. "Hai. I can bet my...umm...my hair."
Kaede studied Hanamichi's hair. He gently combed his fingers on its lustrous strands. "It would be a pity if you cut it. So I won't take the bet."
Hanamichi gazed at the boy in front of her. "Who is she?" she whispered.
Kaede stared at the expressive brown eyes, mesmerized. "I don't know her name but she always appeared in my dreams."
"You slept a lot because you wish to see her," Hanamichi stated softly.
Kaede nodded.
"When did your dreams started?"
"When I was twelve."
"You already told me that," Hanamichi said tiredly. Fighting one's emotions can be so draining. "I mean..."
"I know what you mean," Kaede interrupted. "I grew up with my grandparents. It was grandfather who taught me basketball. I was twelve when the airplane that they were aboard in crashed in the Pacific. I became an introvert after that, and the dreams of a girl appeared around the sixth month after their deaths. At first, no one knew about my dreams. But my parents were getting worried for I refused to talk to anyone and I slept a lot. They began to nag me so I told my onii-chan. he said that the girl would materialize in the future, but I have to be a little social to get to meet her," Kaede smiled at the memory. "So I transferred to a public school and started all over again."
"I see," Hanamichi nodded. "Why in a public school?"
"Just a feeling that I would find her there."
"What does she look like?" she asked after a moment of silence.
Kaede stared at her silently. He ran his eyes on the girl's facial features slowly. "She has brown eyes." he gently kissed her closed eyes, smiling a bit when the eyelids fluttered a little, tickling him. "A cute nose." Kaede kissed Hanamichi's nose lightly. "Fair, flawless skin." Kaede moved his lips to Hanamichi's cheeks then to her forehead. "And..." Kaede moved his hands, which was full of Hanamichi's hair, towards his face. "Red hair," he concluded as he kissed her hair.
Hanamichi smiled at the way Kaede described the girl of his dreams. "She sounds just like me," she said shyly.
"She does, doesn't she?"
"Did you find her?"
Kaede stared at Hanamichi again. He smiled after a long minute of staring. "Hai. I believe I do," he answered.
"Oh?" Hanamichi raised her eyebrow at the surety of Kaede.
Kaede chuckled at the obvious disbelief. "Hai. I guess I forgot to mention that the girl in my dreams call me..." he paused for effect.
Hanamichi's ears perked. "Call you what?" she can't help asking.
"Kitsune."
"Eh?"
"She calls me kitsune," Kaede repeated laughingly.
"Kitsune? But I call you..." Hanamichi froze when realization sink in.
"Kitsune," Kaede finished. His smile widened when the brown eyes widened in surprised. "I've loved you before I met you, Hana."