Title: Cherry Blossom 3/13
Author: Haruka
Disclaimer: I don't own GW.
Pairing: 1?
Rating: R
Warning: OOC, AU, angst, sap
Note: Thanks to my great beta silver-eyed! Enjoy and please read & gimmy feedback!
( ) means they are speaking in Japanese.
Ayako stepped out onto the balcony. She gasped at the view below her. Even though it was nighttime, she could clearly see the beds and beds of different flowers covering the yard like a forest. In the middle of the flower beds was a long pool with blue lighting. The pool stood out with its ethereal blue glow among the muted colors of the flowers which stretched for a seemingly long way.
The backyard was immense, she couldn't see where it ended with only the moon light. She didn't know how long she had been standing there admiring what she could see when there was a knock on her door. She turned to find Heero standing in the room smiling at her.
"I was told that you loved flowers. They didn't specify which ones you preferred so I got every kind I could," he said, watching her doll-like features. Her small smile was received by Heero as enough gratitude. They seemed t be able to understand each other pretty well with only a few words and a smile.
"Dinner is downstairs," he told her. She followed him down the stairs and into an elegant dining room complete with a rectangular table and crystal chandeliers. Wine glasses were set out and the food was already laid out on the table. Heero helped her into her seat and then he took a seat himself across from her.
They ate in silence, with both sides comfortable enough to not break it. Ayako enjoyed the food greatly; it was beautiful and tasty. Once they finished eating, Heero walked her back to her room. They stopped outside her door and she bowed as he said goodnight and made his way to his own room. Neither side wanted to approach the unspoken question.
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The next morning, Ayako came down to the kitchen around nine where Heero was already sitting down at the counter. She obviously wanted to cook, but didn't know how to use the modern kitchen. Her distress was visible to Heero and so he gladly showed her the different utensils and the stove and whatnots. Their attempt at cooking breakfast made her laugh. Despite the superior kitchen, it was obvious that Heero didn't have a clue as how to cook either when he burnt his toast and eggs. They ate their semi-burnt breakfast in good humor and Ayako cleaned up the mess they had made.
After breakfast and cleaning up, Yuy gave her a tour around the house. Although she politely paid attention to his descriptions, it was clear to Heero that she didn't seem particularly interested in the house. But once he took her out to the yard, her face lit up and her eyes shone. All the flowers he had had planted for her were blooming. The array of colors was brilliant. It ranged from deep purple violets to cheerful, sunny yellows with mixtures of other colors in between.
She looked towards him, but did not dare to look him in the eyes. Yet her posture itself posed a question that Heero understood and answered, "You don't have to ask permission, everything here is yours." He motioned with his hand for her to go ahead and walk among the flower beds. She started to go but then turned back towards him, hesitating when he gave her a questioning look. Gathering her fleeting courage, she quickly kissed him on the cheek in gratitude. Blushing delicately she turned away and made her way to the flowers rapidly. Heero, a bit stunned at first, smiled at her shyness.
He watched her fuss over the different beds of flowers. To him, she looked like a flower as well, dressed in a beautiful red autumn kimono with a complimentary green obi around her small waist.
Deciding to stay and watch her, he took a seat on one of the law chairs by the pool from last night and relaxed. After a while, he decided he liked watching her and that he couldn't keep his eyes away from her.
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It had been three weeks since he picked her up from the airport. In those weeks, Heero had slowly gotten Ayako to speak more than one word at a time. She was very shy and old fashion, but he was determined to get her to speak her mind eventually, or at least to have her do more than repeat what he had suggested. The times that she talked, she had a beautiful voice. Delicate and shy, like a soft wind blowing against fluttering drapes. Heero enjoyed her voice greatly and he was going to do his best to hear more of what he liked.
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It was lunchtime and Ayako was in the kitchen cutting fruits for their lunch. Heero stood by the counter talking to someone on the phone about his business. Then she heard the 'click' of him closing his cell phone.
"Ayako, there's a place I would like to bring you to. Will you come with me?" he asked her.
"Yes, husband," she agreed sweetly, "I have something for you." She quickly went up the stairs and came back momentarily with something black in her hands.
"I made this for you," she told him, handing him the gift, all the while her head was bowed. Surprised, but touched that she would make something for him, he gently took the gift. He unfolded the present to see that it was a gorgeous black silk kimono with a with a matching black hakama. On the back of the kimono was a dark red majestic fire dragon that stretched the full length of the kimono.
"You made this?" The brunette was amazed. The kimono was exquisite; the details on the dragon stunning in its own.
"Yes... Do you not like it?" she asked when he did not say anything else. What would she do if he didn't like it? Heero heard the fear and anxiety in her voice and he sought to reassure her.
"No Ayako, I love it. This is the greatest gift that anyone has ever given me. You're very talented." He smiled at her, hoping that he had put her at ease. His wife definitely needed some self-esteem boosting. Fortunately, it didn't take much to please her. She smiled, relieved.
He reached towards her and kissed her cheek in thanks; a habit that they had started back by the flower beds. Heero's lips lingered over hers then usual, causing the still shy Ayako to blush. Heero rather liked it when she blushed.
"Do you make all you own clothes?" he asked to keep the situation from getting awkward. She nodded, then whispered "Yes," remembering that he wanted her to talk more.
"Do you enjoy making clothes or would you rather buy them already made?" Heero continued asking her.
"I enjoy making them very much," she answered truthfully. Heero smiled, "Then we will have to get the supplies for your beautiful talent,"
"Husband?" she started.
"Yes?" Heero raised his eyebrows but the smile was still there.
"May I, um… hug you?" She asked shyly, blushing furiously, but she darted looks at him to see his reaction.
"Please, do," he answered, pleased that she was making a move on her own. She hugged him, stiffly at first, then tightened her hold. She could see that he was quite a nice husband, at least so far. She inhaled his scent, he smelled powerful; like musk and the soap he used. She liked the smell. Heero returned the hug briefly then dropped his arms, causing her to do the same. Heero stepped back and suggested, "Why don't you go freshen up and meet me down here."
When she returned, he asked, "Are you ready to go?"
"Yes." She followed him out of the house and got into the car.
Heero took Ayako to the Blossom Park, named so because of all the cherry blossom trees everywhere. He watched a smile spread across her face as they walked hand in hand under the canopy cherry blossoms.
With her arm already wrapped in his, she rested her head on his shoulder as her reply to his unspoken question of whether or not she liked it. "I thought you would like it," he responded to her action.
They came upon a quiet little patch of grass close to the small lake in the park underneath one of the blooming trees. It was perfect for a picnic. Heero helped her set out the blanket and the basket of finger foods that had been prepared earlier for their lunch.
For hours they sat silently enjoying each other's company as well as the delicious fruits Ayako had prepared and brought for lunch. They also enjoyed the beautiful view. Where they sat, they could see a picturesque view of the small lake which was framed by the cherry blossom trees. As the wind blew, blossom petals floated down around them. Ayako had scooted closer to Heero and soon she was leaning against him.
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It had been almost 3 months since Ayako and Heero met. They were a quiet but loving couple. They would hold each others hands and give each other kisses on the cheeks and hug frequently. Their pastimes consisted of sitting in the yard or going to Blossom Park to watch the sunsets together.
On the days that they weren't doing that, like when Heero either working at the office or in his home office, Ayako would be indulging in her hobby of making clothes. If Heero was working at home, she would bring him tea and sit nearby making clothes and occasionally watching him work.
A few days after she had given him the black kimono, Heero, true to his word, had taken her shopping for materials and supplies. In fact, he had insisted on getting her the best sewing machine and the finest fabrics and threads. They bought bright colored threads, deep tones, soft fabrics and anything else that Heero could convince her to make something out of.
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Every night after dinner he would accompany her to her bedroom door and kiss her on the cheek good-night. Then, depending on his workload, he would either go back down stairs to his office to work, or go down the hall to his own room to sleep. Ayako couldn't be happier, but she knew that he would want something more someday, that he would want more then kisses on the cheek. Little did he know why she did not encourage him. She knew all this because she already desired him... and she also knew she was falling for him... hard.
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One day the two were eating breakfast when Heero cleared his throat. Watase looked up at him. Heero took a breath then proceeded, "Ayako, will you marry me?"
"Husband, we are already married," she replied, smiling. Heero reached over and took her hand in his.
"I want you to be legal in this country and have my name. I want you to wear a ring around your pretty finger that says you are my wife," he added, "We could have a traditional Japanese wedding if you wish." Ayako didn't know what to say, never had any of her previous husbands asked her if she wanted to marry them. Of course, none of them were Heero. She smiled at him and nodded, "I would like that."
He kissed her hand and smiled, "Great, tonight, I will give you a gift. Be ready at 7, I'll be back in time for a shower and we can go to the opening of the restaurant." He got up, kissed her on the cheek good-bye and walked out of the kitchen and out to his car. Ayako sat there were he left her and starred at the door he had gone through. The man-no, not just any man, Heero, wanted her to be his legal wife, wanted her to have his name, to wear his ring on her finger. But she was sure that he also wanted things she could never give him, like children...she knew once he knew her secret, which would be soon if he wanted to get married, he would leave her like the others had. Maybe he'd even beat her like the others as well...
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It was 6:45 pm as Heero ran into the house, short for time. Not seeing Ayako downstairs, he ran upstairs into his room, quickly stripped out of his clothes and made it into the shower. 5 minutes later, Heero was showered, shaved and dressed. He had decided to wear the beautiful kimono Ayako had given him weeks earlier. He found that this was an occasion special enough to wear the beautiful hand-made piece. Dressed, he stepped out of the room only to stop dead in his tracks. Ayako stood at the end of the hall-way, waiting for him.
"You look... amazing."
She smiled at him. Ayako wore an emerald green kimono with scattered blue and purple dragons, and a matching obi. Her hair was up in strands and waves, with chopsticks holding everything in place. She had on very light make-up; only a small thin black line over her eyelids and clear lip-gloss. She was beautiful, and soon she was really going to be his.
While Heero struggled to get his jaw off the ground, Ayako thanked him, "Thank you husband, you look very handsome yourself." Heero did indeed look very handsome, more so than usual, which was saying quite a lot since he was always handsome. The elegant and undeniably manly kimono she had made for him fitted him perfectly. All black with a fire dragon on the back, with a matching black hakana. Heero looked gorgeous in black. They both wore tabi with their sandals. Finally composing himself, he walked over to her and held out his arm, "Shall we go?" She nodded and took his arm.
TBC