Writer's note: Here's the second part! Enjoy! (Wow, am I good with words at the moment…)
Pairings: Rei + female!Takao / Mao (Mariah) + Rei
Rating: T
Category: AU, short multi-parted fic, drama, romance, WaFF
Fiction note: This is TOTALLY an AU fic; no Beyblading, no Beybladers. Only its characters are in it. A sequel to "Beautiful Stranger"-fic. Rei and Takao are on their way to Rei's hometown in China. But as they are there, it seems that more troubles are on its way for them…
Warning: Dear Mao-fans. Let me remind you that I like Mao as well, but for the sake of this fic, our beloved pink-haired lady nekojin will be "slightly" OOC. Nasty even… So, no killing this unworthy lady-author.
"Chinese Attractions"
Part II
Written by M.K. a.k.a. Fall Angel © 2005
"Rei, your hometown is so amazing!" Takao exclaimed as her eyes were wide with wonder and curiosity.
This was Takao's the third day in China and so far, she loved being there. It was her archeologist nature and curiosity that took over as they walked on streets. Rei was by her side, laughing softly. His friend was so adorable. Not only the way she was acting but also the way she looked in those Chinese clothes, which were given to her by Rei's mother. They looked perfect on her.
Takao was wearing a short-sleeved shirt that was colors of cool blue, blue and darker blue. On her shirt, there was a multi-colored dragon-design as if flying across her shirt from her right hip to her left shoulder. The knee-lengthened pants were black as was her narrow "belt", as a finishing touch for her outfit.
Her midnight-blue has been done into a bun, with tiny, silver flowers sticking out of it.
Rei sighed: his mother just loved dressing up girls and she did great job on Takao. The Chinese nekojin looked at the Japanese beauty next to him; really great job. She looked beautiful.
"Rei? Are you awake? I've been trying to get your attention for a while!" Takao pouted at the tall man.
Rei blushed. "Y-you've? Sorry, my mind wandered somewhere else." 'Yeah, on you.'
"Mou!"
"Now, now… no need to loose your head," Rei calmed the petite woman down. "Now then, did you want something?"
"I just wanted to know about something. Are you getting ready for a festival or something? Now that I looked around a bit, I noticed all these decorations all over the streets!"
"In matter of fact, yes. We are planning to hold a festival to honor our ancestors of old time and thanking their spirits for creating our home."
"Wow." Takao looked at Rei with amazement. "I can't wait to see the festival! That is…" Takao fidgeted with her fingers thoughtfully, "If we're staying here that long…"
Rei laughed. "Of course we'll be here!" He wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "The festival is on Friday, that's about two days away from now! We won't be going back to Japan until next Monday!"
"Oh." Takao blushed not only at her own silliness but also at Rei's closeness. Lately, she has been doing that a lot – blushing and feeling a bit "weird" whenever Rei was close to her. But still; she liked having Rei close to her.
"C'mon! Let's head back home. Mom must be waiting for us by now," Rei took her hand and led her back to Rei's home.
They have been doing that a lot as well, holding their hands as if it was something familiar to them. Also it meant a lot for someone who has been following them for some time, hiding in shadows. A flash of pink was seen from those shadows, before it vanished into the dark allies.
"Mother! We're back!" Rei shouted out as they entered.
"Rei, I will go to check on my digital camera to see if there's enough space to take pictures of the up-coming festival."
"Alright then. I'll go see if mom's somewhere around here…"
Takao smiled and gave a gentle squeeze to Rei's hand (without knowing it herself) before letting go of it and going to her room. While Takao was in her room, Rei went to look for her mother, who was currently at the kitchen, making them dinner.
"Hello mother. What's for dinner?"
"Oh, it's something eatable that you'll enjoy." Mrs. Kon chuckled.
"Of course it will be, mother. It's made by you," Rei kissed his mother on her cheek. "You need any help?"
"Yes. Could you stir that while I'm chopping the vegetables?" Mrs. Kon pointed at the noodles in the pot.
"Sure thing mother."
"So," Mrs. Kon began, "how was your day with Takao?"
"Er, it went well. Takao loves being here. It's like a dream come true for her to see other places. She hasn't been able to travel around because of her school. (Also because of couple of other things that had happened to her… not to mention her older brother…)"
As Rei was telling her about their day at the town, Mrs. Kon observed him and how he became overjoyed as he talked about the midnight-blue haired lady-friend. His golden eyes shone with happiness and he always smiled when Takao was in presence. He was always touching her and holding her hand wherever they went to.
Her darling baby-boy was in love – but the saddest thing was, he hadn't realized it yet. The same was with Takao also. Hopefully, they will soon realize their feelings for each other. Besides, she really wanted to be a grandmother already! With lot and lot of beautiful grandchildren.
Rai was about to go home when suddenly he bumped into Mao, who was looking a bit upset over something. The pink haired young woman quickly apologized and went on her way. Or at least, tried, that was until Rai grabbed onto her arm to stop her.
"Mao? What's wrong? Why are you upset?"
Mao sighed, not really in mood to answer. But knowing Rai, she knew that he wouldn't let her go until she had answered to him. "It's… nothing, Rai. Nothing at all. I got upset over a little thing and I need to be alone for a while."
"I don't believe you." Rai bluntly stated, staring at Mao whose pink bangs that were covering her eyes from him. "Please Mao, tell me…"
"It's really none of your concern, Rai!" Mao angrily turned around to face him, with her teary golden eyes. "Please, leave me alone! I won't let that, that little girl take away my--!" Mao's hand slapped over her mouth and her eyes widened in shock. Rai, himself, was as shocked as she was, but not as much though, when he heard her words.
"Mao…"
The nekojin woman slightly shook her head before she freed herself from Rai's grip and ran away. Leaving dumbstruck Rai behind, watching her go with sadness in his amber eyes. 'You're still after Rei, huh? I'm afraid that… he's beyond your reach now.' Rai exhaled. 'Even before he went to travel around the world.'
Rai shook his head in disappointed and went home, hoping that Mao wouldn't do any foolishness; to get back at Takao for "stealing" Rei's attention from the pink haired woman.
Far from Rai, Mao kept on going, tears of determination and frustration falling from her eyes. Where she was going? To a special place that was located by the running river. She and Rei used to go to watch fireflies when they were kids. It was one place where she could go to, whenever she wanted to be left alone to think things through.
Especially about what she should do to get that little Japanese minx away from her Rei? She had had it up to her ears about her! And the way Rei talked to her and about her!
She must put a stop to it!
The day for the festival had arrived, and the house of Kon was full of excitement, joy and busy people. Rei and his father were gathering up the fireworks for the festival night. Rei's father himself had done the fireworks and he was the firework expert. Rei's aunts, uncles and cousins also were in the house, helping them out with the foods and games.
While they were busy with their stuff, Mrs. Kon (Rei's mother) was helping Takao out with the clothes she had chosen for Takao to wear for her first festival in China. Rei was curious about it and had wanted to see it, but was shooed away by his mother. Rei's mother told him that he will see her, once they have arrived to the festival later on. (Of course, Rei felt a bit down after hearing that, but did as he was told to; waited.)
The missed Japanese guest was fidgeting before the mirror while Rei's mother was brushing her long hair. "Are you sure that I can borrow this dress? I mean that…"
"Oh, do not worry, my dear." Mrs. Kon assured with her clumsy Japanese skill. "You look wonderful! Rei will love it!"
Takao blushed and tried to hide her face from Mrs. Kon but it was no use since her head was held up.
"No, no, no! Hair not ready yet!"
"Ah! Sorry!" Takao sputtered.
"That's alright, dear." Mrs. Kon calmed her down and continued with Takao's hair. Mrs. Kon wanted this day to be unforgettable for her son and possible daughter-in-law, if the things go as she had planned out.
"Where are they?" Rei asked his father, which was the fifteenth time already. He was dressed into black pants and a long sleeved silvery-white shirt, with a tiny, green and yellow tiger embroidered on the left side of his chest. His hair was in its usual ponytail and his red Ying and Yang bandanna on its place to keep his bangs away from his eyes.
Mr. Kon (who was like an older version of Rei, except for his short, graying hair) shook his head at his son's impatience.
"Calm down, Rei. When your mother says they will be here, then they will be here. Besides, the festival had hardly begun, so there's still plenty of time."
"Yeah, I know but…"
"You miss your lady-friend already, huh?" Rei's father smirked with a sly look.
Rei's cheeks gained a pink hue. "F-father!"
Mr. Kon laughed at his son's flustered face. "Don't look so embarrassed, son. It's quite obvious that you've feelings for her, and NOT as being a friend to her. I've seen you looking at her with those same eyes that I used to look at your mother when I fell in love with her." Mr. Kon clapped his hand over Rei's left shoulder. "Son, you should tell her, or else you will regret for not telling her. Takao is a great woman, even after getting to know her in short time. Follow your feelings, son."
The younger nekojin looked thoughtful for a moment and didn't look at his father. Once done with thinking, Rei slowly nodded at his father's words. "You're right father. I'd these feelings for Takao since I met her and got to know her in Tokyo… but… I've been afraid of telling her about them. It seemed too soon for me, and for her."
"I understand, son."
After done with the "father and son"-talk, Rei went to look around a bit, hoping to see Takao and his mother. Instead of finding them, he found Rai, Gao, Kiki and Mao heading to his way.
"Rei!" Mao cheerfully waved at the purple-black haired youth, as she walked faster with the rest of the gang following behind her.
Mao was dressed into a short-sleeved, pink dress with white, red and magenta embroidered butterflies on her collar and by the slits of the dress. The guys (Rai, Gao and Kiki) were dressed into their finest clothes as well. Rai dressed into black and yellow, on the back of his shirt was a yellow-orange lion. Gao, in a dark green shirt and black pants. Last, but not least, Kiki was wearing greenish-blue shirt with thin, white embroideries on his sleeves and collar.
"Hey you guys, you made it!"
"Of course we would, dummy." Rai snorted. "We wouldn't miss this for the world!"
Rei grinned. "Guess not!"
Mao looked around and behind Rei for someone. "Where's your Japanese 'friend', Rei?"
"Takao?" Rei raised his eyebrow at the pink-haired woman. "She will be here with my mother soon enough. Or so my mother said they would be…" Rei scratched the bridge of his nose thoughtfully.
"Oh?" Mao hid her sly smile behind her fan. "Well then, why not looking around a bit with us, Rei?"
"Huh? O-oh! I really think I should wait for Takao so we could go together…"
Mao waved her fan without a worry. "Nonsense! I don't think that your mother don't mind keeping her some company for little while! C'mon, Rei! We haven't been together in ages!" Mao wrapped her arm around Rei's, pulling him to other direction.
"Eh! B-but, Mao!"
Rai watched Mao dragging reluctant Rei with her, trying to figure out Mao's intentions. Few days ago and on a day when Rei came back, Rai had noticed Mao's strange behavior around Takao and Rei. How Mao reacted when Rei introduced Takao to them and at Rei's own behavior around Takao. The dark-haired nekojin knew Mao very well and knew about her childhood crush on Rei, and her hopes of becoming Rei's wife. But he also knew Rei as well as he knew Mao, and the saddest thing was, his brother-in-all-but-blood only thought of Mao as a friend and nothing more.
Rai sighed deeply; he just hoped that Mao won't do anything stupid to hurt anyone. But the look on Mao's face told him otherwise; she was up to something.
Takao walked with Mrs. Kon through the festival; looking awed and being captured by the beauty of the festival. It reminded her of the Japanese festivals and yet, it was different from them.
"You like, yes?" Mrs. Kon asked.
"Oh yes… this is amazing! Everything here looks so… wonderful!"
Mrs. Kon chuckled. "And you look wonderful as well, dear."
Indeed.
Actually, Takao looked beautiful, dressed into a red sleeveless dress, which reached almost to her ankles and has double slits. In front of the dress, was a hand-embroidered white, golden and pink roses. And with the dress, Takao had a white (with embroidered white roses) shawl to keep her warm from the chilly night. The shoes she was wearing were also red, matching with her dress. Takao midnight-blue hair was done in a bun, only that there was two braids hanging out from the bun. And there was a red rose in her bun.
"You look beautiful also, Mrs. Kon." Takao told the older woman.
"Ah, my dear. It is you who will shine like the stars in the nightly sky today." Mrs. Kon nudged and winked at the Japanese woman. "Men had been staring at you all the time."
Takao blushed and slowly looked around. Yes, she could see some of the younger men (also few older men) staring at her. It only caused her blush grow redder.
"But, we look for Rei, yes?"
"Wha? Oh yeah, Rei. I wonder where they are…?"
"Oh, probably at our old place, which is our regular place year after year." Mrs. Kon told her and led the way. They were in luck, on their way there, Mrs. Kon and Takao saw the familiar figure from the far with a long ponytail. "Ah, there's Rei now. Looks like he got company…"
"So it seems. Hey, Rei! Reeeiii!" Takao waved at him as the said man began to look around to locate the caller. When he finally saw his mother and Takao, his golden lit up in delight. As Rei was about to answer to her call, he had a good look at Takao and his eyes went wide. Rei couldn't believe his eyes as he stared at his Japanese friend (slash lover-to-be). His mother had done great job on her, she looked breathtaking.
Rei's friends turned to look at the direction he was looking at and all of them gaped at the approaching beauty. Kiki let out a low whistle while Gao stopped eating. Rai, on the other hand, was speechless for a second, but little by little, his face gained a sly look and he took a glance at his friend. Yep, just as he thought; his friend had fallen – hard. From the look on Mao's face, the pink Chinese woman didn't like it and tried her best to regain Rei's attention to her. It was useless, though.
"Takao," Rei gently removed Mao's hand off his arm, "You look… great. I-I mean, wonderful!" Rei's face turned red.
Takao blushed as well, "Arigatou… you know, this is a first dress I've ever wore, after my mom's death."
"Really? Well, you look beautiful in it…" Rei told her, scratching his neck in embarrassment.
"You look great also." Takao smiled, fidgeting with the corner of her shawl.
"You, you!" Mao pushed her away to Takao. "You stay away from Rei!"
"Eeh!" Takao stepped back from angered Mao.
"You heard me, you slut!" Mao pushed Takao away from Rei – almost causing Takao to fall down. "You keep your slutty hands off my Rei!"
Takao's eyes widened from the command and she stared at Mao in disbelief. "NANI!"
To be continued…
Next: Chinese Attractions – Part III
Translations:
1. nekojin cat-people.
2. mou a mild curse, or an expression of frustration or anger; "drat", "rats", "geez", "gawd".
3. arigatou thanks
4. nani! what!
First draft: July 13 – July 25, 2005
Re-checked: August 02, 2005
After talk: (…) It sure took me long to finish this part as well… I'm turning lazy again.