Courting Cherries
I'm No Superman
A/N: This chapter has citrus-limey content. Don't come crying to me if your traumatized.
"Shh," he whispered as he aimed the key towards the lock. Murmuring, "just be quiet," and "try not to trip on anything," Ryoki escorted her into his home. He spent a minute just shutting the door, moving it at the speed of molasses. "Wait here," he commanded. "I'm going to go check on something." In the darkened inter-hallway he slowly removed his leather made shoes and turned once before taking a corner. "Really, don't move!" Then he disappeared.
Hatsumi had waited until he'd left to let out her defiance. Folding her arms to an aggravated position she let out a look of annoyance. She was very incensed, and for a good reason. She hadn't planned on this. It was spontaneous and Hatsumi wanted to just tell Ryoki some excuse when he came back, listen to his complaining, and then leave. But she wouldn't. She'd stay and except whatever happened. She did owe it to him.
As Hatsumi stood she swayed. She had to fidget; Ryoki had said she could never stay still. Rocking herself, waiting for him to come back, she squinted to make things out in the dark. She'd wished he'd turned on a lamp or something, but that might have been risking things. Making out shapes in the dim room she spotted a small door, open. It must have been the coat room. Wow, Hatsumi thought, this really is the Ritz.
"Hey!" Ryoki appeared in front of her, irritated. "Move, don't just stand there like an idiot. I've been calling you for two minutes."
"Sorry," she spoke, her voice timid.
"Shh! What did I say about talking?" Even in the shadows, in the absence of the light, she could see his pissed off expression. He heard her sigh loudly. "Don't do that either!"
Hatsumi settled for an eye roll after he turned his back.
It seemed like the Narita household was just full of secret spies that liked to sneak out of their room in the middle of the night. It must be in the blood, Akane thought, stepping out of her room. She had no idea where the notion of leaving had come from. She felt the need for air, or even more just to be out. Things had definitely changed, not for the worse, but every once in a while you like to go back to your roots.
Roots meaning clubbing, partying, and just plain old hanging out at three in the morning. Tonight seemed perfect. She needed to release some of the stress that had become bent up and captured from the not-so-affair that was Hatsumi and Azusa. She couldn't help but become involved. That was her job! It's not like Hatsumi could have ever handled that by herself. Smiling; Akane thought that sometimes you just need your little sister. Genuinely pleased with herself, she grabbed her cell phone and headed towards the kitchen.
I'll just grab a little snack and then I'll call one of the girls to come get me. This would be good. Akane hadn't seen many of her old friends as of late. Sighing, she remembered why. They didn't exactly like Subaru… Unlike the men her friends were use to seeing her date, he was chump change. Plain and simple, Gundam obsessed.
Tightening her hand a bit on her drink she grimaced. She didn't care. At least not that much. Softy placing her bottled water back down on the counter, leaning backwards, she couldn't refute. Whenever she told herself that, and she had many times, the sinking feeling of guilt always came. As much as she liked him, Akane couldn't change herself. She was hopeless. She was shallow. She was conceited, an elitist who'd fallen in love with a geek. Small world. Or rather, small apartment building.
Sulking wouldn't get her anywhere. Wasn't she supposed to be trying to find some fun now?
Picking up the kitchen's phone, she dialed, she waited. "Hey, Hana! Yeah, it's Akane." Stopping a minute, she thought she saw something move into her line of view. Making sure it was nothing, she kept talking. "Hmm. That sounds great. No, he's not with me." Akane scowled at the comment about Subaru. "Sure, clubbing sounds fine. Okay I'll met you downstairs."
Tap, tap, tap… Huh? Akane spun around, she did hear something! "Shingou! Oh it's you." Phew! "Umm. Hana, I'm gonna have to call you back. Ah-huh, bye."
Akane jumped over to give her brother a quick hug. "Shingou? What are you doing home. It's midnight?" She whispered, bemused.
Shingou gave a lob-sided smile. Returning Akane's rather abrupt bear-hug. Why couldn't things be this way with Hatsumi? "I just came back earlier and decided to crash here."
"And you didn't say hi?" Akane hit his back jokingly. "That's not very nice."
"It was late. Most girls you age would have been sleeping." Throwing her a pointed look he teased. "And what is this about you going out now?"
Akane didn't miss a beat. "You can't rat me out! Your too nice." Akane knew him. Maybe not as well as Hatsu, but she still did. He was her brother after all.
He rolled his eyes in a slightly frustrated, even more fretful kind of way. "One of these days your going to get into trouble Akane. And I don't just mean with Mom and Dad."
Akane really did roll her eyes. "You worry too much. Really you do!" Faltering slightly she remembered she already had gotten into some trouble. But Shingou had no knowledge of the pregnancy scare, only Hatsumi. And she'd never tell.
"If you were more like Hatsumi-"
"Hey I'm not the one who's out right now!" Akane defended. She loved her sister, but felt no need to be judged against her. Oh shit-
"Hatsumi's not here?" Shingou inquired, voice even and smooth. "Where is she?"
Sometimes Akane really hated her big mouth. She came clean to him in monotone. "She's out with Ryoki. I don't know where they are. They got into some sort of fight and she went to go try to straighten things out." Placing her hands up on the counter, she jumped to seat herself on top of it. "Which reminds me, I really can't go out. I have to stay here and cover for her." Groaning, she leaned her elbow on her knee and used her palm as a headrest.
Shingou didn't speak for a lapse of time. They just stayed in the tiny, faintly lit kitchen sharing the air.
"You can wear these," he passed to her a heap of clothes, presumably his. Hatsumi, silently placed on his bed, grabbed them and examined. "I'm hungry. I haven't eaten anything all day. Have you?" He asked.
Looking up at him she noticed he moved to his door, ready to leave. She shook her head. "I'll go get us some food. Just stay here and try to not make a ton of noise."
"Okay."
Getting up from the bed, placing his clothes neatly on a chair nearby, she glanced around. Hatsumi hadn't really spent that much time here before. Even then, they'd been rather pre-occupied as it was.
The bedroom was large, of course it would be. His entire dwelling was more of a large penthouse; she wouldn't be surprised if his house itself took up the entire floor. It made her matchbox apartment look like the slums. Just another thing for Mrs. Tachibana to hassle me about, she thought aimlessly continuing her exploration.
His bedroom was blue and gray. Typical boy colors, she mused. Shingou's were the same. Cringe; I can't think about him now. He loathes Ryoki, and the fact that I'm here--I feel guilty. And we're going too-
"Did you lose you mind?" Ryoki gently asked behind her. He spoke with complete seriousness, as if he was expecting an answer. Ryoki also sounded drained… "Hey, the sandwiches are over here. Come eat. I don't care if you don't like it, just-"
"Are you tired, Ryoki?" Hatsumi suddenly asked, when they'd started towards the food on his desk. She drew her own eyebrows in on her bluntness.
"I guess I am," he acknowledged; so unlike him. "Here," he passed her a plate, "can't have you fainting from malnourishment. That would suck." He laughed a bit to himself, sitting down on his bed to eat.
Hatsumi giggled for a second. His exhaustion had apparently put him in a joking mood. And Hatsumi's heart fluttered.
Taking no pains she grabbed her sandwich and bounced down beside him. "I don't mind turkey," she spoke softly, still smiling.
I suppose this is the calm after the storm, Ryoki pondered. And I'm not even going to get the most of her cheerful mood with the benefit of make-up sex. The thought didn't make him terribly angry though. It didn't even really hinder anything. I really must be drained.
Looking over to the right he spied on Hatsumi. The way she ate was cute. Food made her happy, causing her trademark goofy grin. Munching down he watched her eyes light up, before they noticed him starring. "Ryoki?"
"Nothing. I was just thinking about how much of a dork you are." Save. Linking his arms behind his head, he fell back on the bed to lay down. He saw her frown out of the corner of his eye before he smirked.
He took off his glasses and held them up to her. "Put these on the table."
She complied dutifully.
"Hey Ryoki is that a window?" She asked abruptly. He felt her weight leave the bed and then she appeared in his view, moving to his navy curtains.
"Yes," he said simply.
Her back to him, he looked on as she drew them back as far as they could be pulled. "They window's the entire wall! Look at how much of the city you can see!" She turned back to him, lively.
"I know. This is my room, remember?" Shaking his head he moved to stand next to her. Her stunned expression didn't seem to fade. "Your such an idiot."
Obviously ignoring anything he'd said, "It's beautiful." Stepping forward she touched a hand to the glass, her fingernails emitting insignificant taps. "You can see the entire city. Don't you think it's amazing?" She asked, finally acknowledging his presence.
"Gets boring after a while, you know? It's the same scene every night."
"I wish I could see this every night," she told him, but more so to herself. A moment later she yawned, she was sleepy too.
Silence reigned supreme in the lukewarm light emitted from Tokyo, for a unknown amount of time. "You could if you wanted too."
"Huh?"
Pointing with his shoulders--hands in his pockets--to the city. "You should come to my house more anyways," he told her. It took her a minute to understand what he was saying.
"Ohh, but your mother-"
"Despite my mother. Who the fuck cares what she thinks?" Ryoki's furry flashed for a brief second.
Hatsumi, given an opportunity, made a joke of him. "Everyone."
"So what happened?"
Akane answered by glimpsing up at him, a baffling look held her face. "Huh?"
"With Ryoki and Hatsumi? You said she had to go straighten something out." He tried his best to sound as if he was just making small talk. Trying to gap the silence they'd created in their lack of will to find something better to do. "What are they fighting about? I can imagine Ryoki did something-"
"It's complicated. You know how things are," she ended. Akane was not going to explain the causes of this particular altercation to him. Shingou would run after Azusa before she even finished her speech.
Kicking up some movement, she started to swing her legs out and in like a child. "So why did you come home? You haven't been around much." Pointing out the last part she saw Shingou twitch. "Why?"
"I needed to talk to mom," he leaned on the opposite surface to face her, "she wasn't here though so I just-"
"No, I mean why haven't you been around much? You just kind of left. It was like we all had leprosy or something and you didn't want to catch it." Making a funny she hoped to ease to conversation. "I notice things you know." Admitting this Akane became more sober.
Shingou was becoming slightly uncomfortable, fidgeting about as she continued. She had a right to speak to him though, he did love her like a sister.
"People think I don't. I guess that's believable because I'm sort of the flighty one, but I do. Everyone's trying not to step on toes--when your around. Mom, dad, and Hatsu," She looked up to him with a feeling of being left out in her eyes. "You all know something. And your leaving me out."
Shingou's heart sank. She didn't know, she had no idea.
"What's going on? Now that we're alone I can single you out to tell me. I couldn't ask Hatsu-"
Cutting her off, "It's nothing about you."
"I know it isn't about me!" She whispered fiercely to him. "You always did like her better then me," she changed her voice quickly. She spoke in a small, insignificant volume.
Sadness in his eyes, "Akane?"
"No, it's fine. You and Hatsumi have your clandestine conversations. I'll just go to my room and stay out of it." Akane eyes looked droopy, tears were coming. She hopped of the counter and turned her back walking away. She wasn't going to give another word to him.
Left alone he put his head down. Now he had yet another relationship he had to mend and mold back into place. He'd realized that quite recently. He couldn't just leave things. That was utterly impossible and ridiculous. He had to tie them up, loose ends had needs. And as he thought, something he did too much, her voice ran through his head.
You always did like her better then me…
He needed to distance himself from Hatsumi, that was necessary. But memories flooded him, came back as his eyes found a spot to stare at on the wall. He would make an effort to do the opposite with Akane. And Hikaru too. They deserved more, no matter how much of a jerk he was to do this to them.
He wasn't sure what kind of effect this plan would have on Hatsumi, but he told himself something finally. He had to stop playing favorites.
"You didn't change while I was getting us food," he looked to the untouched pile of clothing.
"Oh, no I didn't."
"Well maybe you should, unless you want a repeat." Ryoki gave her a pointed glance and then said sarcastically, "because that was just so much fun!"
"A repeat?"
"Of this morning," he told her. Watching for recognition, he gave a huff when none came. "Your clothes were all wrinkled and you know what that caused…"
"Oh yeah!" Hatsumi grabbed the pile in a flash. "I'd never hear the end of it from Akane…" Looking around she turned back to him, "where's your bathroom?"
Feeling the need to tease, "why would you need a bathroom?" Non-chalantly he leaned back on his bed, watching her like a predator. He watched her blush, squirm, and then frown.
"Ryoki?"
Smirking, he directed her. "It's the door over there. It's just mine so no one will barge in on you. Unless of course I feel the need-"
"I'm sure there's a lock," she smiled triumphantly at him. I can tease too! Hmph!
She walked coolly to the bathroom, opening the door she stopped when he spoke unexpectedly. "I'm sure I could pick it," Ryoki said; loudly.
After a nippy glare, "Ryoki? Your parents!" Hatsumi shut the door to the bathroom behind, not even waiting for a response. And she did lock it. Just in case…
She missed his 'oh shit' face with her rapid departure. Ryoki moved to the door and opened it leisurely. He hadn't yelled that loud. Had he? Peeking out he found the hallway to be bare. No one in sight. Good. That would be a hard one to explain!
Shutting the door back in place he took her up on the idea, and twisted the chain to dead bolt it.
Hatsumi stood idly in front of the high mirror in his bathroom. Starring at herself in his clothes she looked small, like she'd been swallowed or was playing dress up. His t-shirt dropped to her knees, the sleeves to her elbows, making her seem like a tiny insignificant speck. Not that the sweat pants were any better. She couldn't even walk! If she did she'd trip on herself and go crashing to the floor. It wasn't even a possibility. It was certain…and then Ryoki would laugh. Hatsumi groaned throwing her arms up in misery.
"Are you done in there yet?" She heard Ryoki whisper through the door. "You've been in their for like twenty minutes!"
"Ryoki, do you have any smaller clothes?" Hatsumi figured her question was fruitless; she asked anyway.
"No! Now hurry up."
Bending down she tried to roll up his pants…and utterly failed. So this is it, she told herself. Your going to go in there, he'll jump you faster then a hornet, and your life as a virgin will be over. At least Akane will be happy, she smiled sourly
"Hatsumi!"
"I'm coming!"
Turning the door she waddled out like a penguin, moving with the speed of a snail. And then she heard him crack. Laughing as quietly as possible, he muffled them with his hand. Well have a good giggle! "Ryoki," Hatsumi droned.
Giving up, crossing her arms, she plopped herself down on the floor. Intent on staying there. She starred up at him, noticing his own choice apparel. Some black sweats--like her own--and a t-shirt. Well they could have been twins… Except he didn't look like he was drowning!
Settling down he moved closer to her, kneeling down on the floor. "You look cute." He was humorless now. "If you want clothes that actually fit, you should bring some over." Bringing his face closer by the second he stopped, just shy of an inch between them. "I think we should do this more often."
Hatsumi went to speak, trying to overcome his unexpectedly sensual disposition, and was stopped by his lips. "Hmmm," she moaned quietly. "Ryoki…" He did it again, drawing her in for more. Weaving a hand in her hair he pulled her closer.
Things were getting better.
Coming up for a breath, Ryoki traveled down to her neck, leaving Hatsumi to rest against him. Wrapping both her arms around him she held tight. Lost somehow when he started blowing just above her collarbone. Taking the opportunity she tried to mimic him, placing short, sweet, deliberate kisses on the side of his face.
Feeling him suck on her skin she giggled, which further propelled him to do it more. She played with his hair leaning into him more, perfectly content in her own little world, until she felt him knead her breast.
Halting slightly on her own ministrations she opened her mouth to and 'o' shape. "Ryoki," saying his name she questioned in pleasure. "Are you…" He didn't stop, maybe he hadn't even heard her at all, he just continued to massage her--tweaking a nipple through her shirt. Giving another moan, louder then the first, she kissed the skin towards the back of his neck. Rubbing his back softly, she lost the stiffness in her mind and completely fell against him.
"Hatsumi," he spoke against her flawless, pale skin. "Did I ever tell you," he kissed her shoulder swiftly, "you smell like strawberries?"
Knock-knock…
They flew apart like they'd both been soaked with scalding hot water…Hatsumi opened her mouth, throwing a look to the door, shocked. Almost yelling with his eyes he put a finger to his lips, signaling her to be silent.
Quickly standing off the floor he went to grab her, "go to the bathroom," he whispered in her ear. Complying, Hatsumi tried her best to muffle her footfalls to the door.
Knock-knock…
"Wait a second! Who is it?" Ryoki said when he'd found his voice, moving to the door. He took a minute to brush himself off before opening it violently.
"It's me." Leaning against the frame she gave him a little wave.
"Mariko," he breathed out in relief.
"Hey what's wrong with you?" Before he could comprehend her hand had flown to his forehead. "Are you sick?"
Batting her appendage off he stepped back into his room. "No. I was in the shower."
Raising an eyebrow she followed. "Your sweating."
"It's water smart-ass," he retorted back, annoyed.
Walking about, moving past him, she surveyed the area. "That's some pretty funky smelling water," she giggled.
Peeved; "Well maybe we should get the plumber." Just leave…
"Oh I'll go check!" She said happily, "that is part of my job, you know." Picking up her pace she started towards his bathroom.
"No!" He ran up in front of her, "it's fine." Crossing his arms in frustration he starred her down. "What do you want Mariko?"
Digesting his odd behavior she answered, "I just wanted to know what happened with you and Hatsumi. You didn't come home for dinner and your mother was having a fit."
"Things are fine." Please, just go…
"So you apologized?" Pointing her eyes she waited.
"No!"
"Just like I thought. What am I going to do with you?" Stepping over she ruffled his hair. He smacked her off of course, but it was worth it. Watching his expression of lividness expand she decided he'd had enough. "We'll that's good at least. That you have made up."
Nodding his head in aggravated agreement, he tried to usher her to the door. "If that's it then I'd appreciate you leaving now. Don't you sleep?"
"Never!" She quipped, laughing quietly.
"Goodbye Mariko!" He practically shoved her out the door.
"Alright, I'll see you in the morning." Slam. Smirking she walked down the hallway.
Mariko had said it before. She wasn't stupid. But she figured she'd tortured him enough. It was her revenge for having to deal with Mrs. Tachibana because he hadn't showed.
If she still felt bitter because of the dragon tomorrow, maybe she'd ask him how their sleep had been in the morning.
"Hatsumi you can come out now," he said as he opened the bathroom door. "Where are you?" Looking around he noticed the doorknob of the linen closest jingle.
"In here," came a muffled voice form behind the door. "I think I locked myself in," she admitted stupidly.
He didn't even bother with a clever come back, just opened the door and let her out.
"Who was there?" Hatsumi asked as they headed back into his room.
"Mariko. She was just feeling the need to be her snooping, bothersome self.
"Oh."
"Com'on," he said turning off the lights, "let's just go to bed." Moving past her he drew the covers back and got in. "Hey, Hatsu."
Letting go of an enormous breath she'd been holding, she went after him. Awkwardly shifting the sheets, crawling over him to sleep the other side, she laid down next to him, turning over to look at his face. Without warning she was pressed against his chest, still warmed from their little session on the floor.
"I'm sorry we got interrupted," he said. "Not that I think you minded much."
Squirming under the covers she kicked his leg with her foot. "Sorry," she mumbled.
"I'm going to pretend that wasn't on purpose," he warned. Against his chest Hatsumi smiled widely.
Moving her head under his chin, Ryoki let out a breathe. He'd been holding one in too. "Goodnight, Hatsu."
"Hmm," she let herself go and snuggle into him. "Goodnight."
Ten minutes later, laying quietly in the dark, Hatsumi whispered against him. "Ryoki, I can't sleep."
"Oh god." He rolled over.
I wanted a cute ending… :wub:
Anyway, I made a forum for HG! WOOT! Please come on over and join. Or you can just be a creepy lurker… o.O
I have to break the address so just take out the spaces that come after the slashes…there's 3...
http/ s13. HotGimmick/ index.php?actidx
Also, I posted this without my beta…I'm horrible like that…bad me…so sorry if there are any mistakes…
Review of the Reviews…
twofang: XD. I don't blame you! Thanks.
Lunawolf709: I can just imagine you running around school! XD. Say hi to your friends for me. 'glomps'
Jenbo: I feel you pain. I'm always tired…I need sleep now! The comment about Ryoki made me happy.
Le lovely: Sort of…I think there may be a triangle for a while…hmm. We'll see…
TheLittlestWeasley: Ryoki IS Awesome. Thanks…
idyllictorture: 'hugs' Thanks for joining HG fanfiction too!
Sesshomarus Chix: I didn't think you were weird, silly. I'm glad my story makes your feel things…that's good. Yay for feelings…I'm such a dork.
RuleThyMy and animearlinefreak: Thanks!
Seashell: Snorts…maybe soon.
Naïve Nostalgia: Hey don't I know you…? XD. Sorry I updated without you…after you give it a read through I'll re-post it…
OOO
Okay…my arms are shaking from all the typing…