Title: Our First Noel
Authoress: Ladya C. Maxine
Rating: T
Summary: see chapter one
Warnings: see chapter one
Disclaimer: I do not own Beyblade or any of its characters. Any and all unrecognizable characters belong solely to me and are not to be touched. I am not making any money off of this and I write with the sole intent to entertain.
A/N: Yeah, I'm actually updating this one pretty fast compared to the rest, huh? I was serious about my December 25th dead-line. And yeah, ever since naming Tyson's dad Bruce in 'Resurfacing' I've been stuck with it. He just looks like a Bruce-y type of guy, doesn't he?
Wow, writing in present time is tough. I'm so used to writing in the past tense that I have to keep correcting myself. But I just feel that stories told by the first person just sound better in the present tense.
"I spy with my little eye something…blue!"
"Hmmm…the chairs!"
"No."
"That lady's dress!"
"Nooooooo."
"…The sky?"
"Nope, nope, nope."
"The plane?"
"Uh…noooooooooo."
"Your dead bodies if you three don't shut up?"
"…Kai wins!"
Blessed silence for a few minutes, before…
"Simon says touch your nose."
"Ha! That's easy. Look!...My turn! Simon says do a handstand."
"Voila! Piece of cake, Maxie…Simon says break dance!"
"Don't even dare."
"Hey! This is 'Simon Says', not 'Kai says'!"
Welcome back to my life. Missed me? I miss normality, but I've managed to get by without it for three years and I'm doing okay, am I not?...Moving on. In case you have forgotten, I'm Ray Kon, that neko-jin currently sitting at the end of the row of chairs, trying to read a book I have brought along while we wait for the loudspeakers to announce the incoming flight that we are waiting on. Uh…yeah, whatever.
Also here are my friends. That nonsensical babble you've just been subjected to is just a taste of what we have all been suffering through for the past hour or so, courtesy of the world champion, his blond side-kick and one imp with a patch in the middle of his forehead. Tyson, Max and Daichi, if you're new to all this. The other little guy typing away on his laptop is Kenny and the girl sitting beside him sticking needles in a doll with a red cap is Hillary, and no, I won't explain why she's doing that. Here's a hint though: Tyson.
Moving on to last, but most definitely not least, is the owner of the voice that has so far managed to put an end to every single game our more energetic team mates have managed too come up with. Whereas we are all seated on the rather comfortable chairs in the waiting lounge, Kai is leaning against the wall, giving us a generous view of his drool-worthy chest and abs since his arms aren't crossed, for once. As a matter of fact, he's talking to someone on his cell phone. First of all, I never even knew that Kai had a cell phone. Second, I never even knew that Kai had someone he could call on his cell phone. Third, damn, Kai looks good while talking on his cell phone! Fourth…drool…What was I saying?
Uh-oh. Mind is straying into erotic territory and my body isn't too far behind. Better find a distraction repulsive enough to make me forget all about Kai taking off his...Where's that distraction!
Okay, Tyson is trying to break dance on the floor. That's distracting enough.
Remember me mentioning something about Tyson's father and brother coming home for Christmas? That's why we are here. At five p.m. Papa G., as we have taken to calling Tyson's grandfather, by his own orders, herded us all into the limo that Mr. Dickenson had sent for us so that we could greet Bruce and Hiro at the airport.
That had been the best ride in my life. Why? Think about it. Kai tolerates us. He has to since he's our team captain and all. Unconditional acceptance, I guess. Anyway, though he tolerates us, he prefers to keep distance. However, when situation calls for certain sacrifices, guess who's the lucky bastard he chooses to sit with? Hi there! Sure, it is more of an elimination-based choice: he will never voluntarily sit anywhere near Tyson, Max or Daichi since they'd drive him nuts. Kenny and Hillary are always with the former trio so they also missed out on being blessed with him as a travel buddy. Those idiots. Which leaves me. Hooray!
The limo, which is still waiting for us outside, is pretty spacey, which is good since soon Hiro and Bruce are going to be joining us on the way back. When it had pulled up in front of the dojo Tyson, Max and Daichi had made a mad dash, followed by Hillary and Kenny. I had gone after them. Of course, Tymachi (a handy nickname I've just created when referring to the Three Stooges, as Kai likes to call them; great minds think alike, no?) had picked the seats the closest to the television and the other two had joined them. Papa G. had decided to sit in the front with the driver to discus boring stuff. So I had taken the back seat, easing into the cool leather with a sigh, fearing the half hour drive to the airport when all of a sudden someone sat down beside me. My thoughts had basically been the following:
'Kai! Sex god! Take me now!'
Could I sink any lower? Between you and me, I can say with much certainty that I can out-dive a German U-boat in my most desperate of times.
So big deal. You always sat next to him while traveling during tournaments, didn't you? Yes, but back then I had been Ray 'Stuttering Idiot' Kon. All that traveling had occurred in total silence between us. I once tried to make a casual comment about the view out of the air plane window but Kai had turned to look at me and all that had come out had been an embarrassing gurgling sound, made even worse when Tyson had asked me if I had to throw up. Romantic little bugger, isn't he?
But things were different now. Now I have yesterday's memory as reinforcement. Not to mention a certain…interesting dream last night that involve Kai wearing a white t-shirt in a pool. He had been completely naked with the exception of the shirt. And he had been swimming over to where I had been floating, those red eyes getting closer and closer until I had felt his wet chest touch mine and his hand had…
Note to self: Don't think about erotic dreams when the object of those dreams is close by.
Second note to self: Start wearing baggier pants.
Final note to self: Get Kai before I end up doing something desperately drastic in public.
My leg had developed a painful cramp from where I had been forcefully crossing it (I really need to start wearing baggy pants) by the time we arrived at the airport, but other than that I had not given away how totally psyched I had been. Even more so was when, while we had been walking to the waiting room, I had done some estimations and realized that, with two full grown men in the limo on the return trip, there was going to be a pretty sizeable chance that Kai will be sitting closer to me in order for there to be enough room.
The mere idea makes me tingle all over. And that tingling is starting to travel down south, again, so I better stop thinking about it.
Tymachi has disappeared. I am so disappointed. Heh, not! Besides, they'll be back. Although they have no doubt gone off to get food, Tyson is very excited about seeing his brother and father again, who had left right after the Justice 5 tournament to continue with their research, so he probably misses them a lot. Besides, I kinda suspect that he does since I woke up this morning to him shouting, "Dad is coming home! Hiro is coming home! I missed them sooooo much!". Way to pick out the hidden messages, Ray.
In any case, this means that we now have some peace and quite and I can return to my book. It's a pretty good mystery novel that I picked up when we had been in New York for the world championships though I've never had the time to read it until now. I particularly like the budding relationship between the rookie detective and his more experienced partner. A shy, enamored guy and a life-hardened pro. Notice the similarity between them and me and Kai? I tell you, we are destined to be together. It's like a prophecy or something.
"Oh no! You know what we forgot? Flowers!" Hillary suddenly says, having abandoned her voodoo practices, standing up. "Grrr, that Tyson, all he thinks about is his stomach but he'd welcome his brother and dad home with empty hands. Come on, Ray!"
I had been absently nodding during her ranting but I now find myself being yanked from my comfy seat by Hillary as she has somehow transported herself from the other end of the room right next to me in like two seconds. The only time I've ever seen her move so fast and silent was the time she had been behind on a school project and had been doing overtime in the library.
"Hey!" I object, trying to ground myself. Damn, this woman is strong! "Why me? Why not Kenny?"
She waves my indignant (read: begging) questions away, still dragging me behind her, away from my seat. And, even more heart wrenching, away from Kai. Don't really think he's as upset about it as I am since he's too busy talking on his cell to even look up. Really, it's not like Kai is a very social person. And why don't I have his cell phone number?
"Because he's busy," she says. "He's got a lot of data-input to file."
"Well, I'm busy too," I argue, holding up my book.
"Aw, don't be so boring, Ray!" she says, gift shops in sight. I am not liking that look in her eyes. Whenever girls get that look it means that any guy in the vicinity is going to be bankrupt soon. "It'll only take a minute."
I sigh, but surrender.
Most people thought Hillary to be bossy. Well…she is, but once you get past that she is a good person. Her best quality is the fact that she can actually totally freak out on Tyson when he goes too far and no one will think twice about it. Me throwing a whole bunch of things at Tyson when he pushes me too far wouldn't get such a reaction. Though it might be interesting to test that theory one day. But, after all, I'm the calm and patient Bladebreaker. You know, I can just imagine it if the Bladebreakers had our own television show…
"Boys and girls, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to 'That Bladebreaker Show'! Meet the stars! There's Tyson Granger; world champion extraordinaire, able to swallow entire banquettes in a single gulp. Max Tate; the boy next door with air-tight defenses and endless energy! Daichi Sumeragi; the kid who just showed up one day and never left! Ray Kon; the calm and patient Bladebreaker who is seriously crushing on their captain! And Kai Hiwatari; their captain, a.k.a. Sex God!"
While I'm thinking up a catchy theme song for our show, Hillary has chosen a brightly lit shop overflowing with souvenir balloons, flowers and cards. I am briefly aware that my wallet has indeed been plucked from my pocket and that Hillary is grumbling that I only have ten dollars on me. Do I look like the type of guy who goes out on random shopping trips? My entire wardrobe consists of like three outfits and my bandana, for Pete's sakes!
"10 bucks will just have to do. We'll need some flowers. And some balloons. Oh, and chocolate! Hiro likes chocolate. And he looks sooo cute when he smiles! Do you know that that time, you know, like, the time after the finals, when Tyson and Brooklyn had fought, and then Hiro had, like, come up to us and stuff, well that time he had looked and me and he had smiled, you know, like a special smile for me and I had, like, smiled back at him and so we were just, like, smiling at each other and then…"
Like whatever. Changing frequencies.
I am really getting into this whole TV show idea. Wonder if Mr. D could pull a few strings here and there. Naturally, that part about me crushing on Kai would not be included, and Kai will probably be given a better, more censored, description, but the rest was pretty accurate.
"Isn't this going to be fun, Ray?"
Oh, are we already done? We're out of the shop, and my wallet, now ten dollars lighter, is back in my pocket, so I guess so. Hillary has taken the flowers from me and is clutching the chocolates tightly to her chest but I still have a dozen neon-colored balloons floating above me. Why is she smiling like that? What had she been talking about while we were in the shop again? Whatever it was, she's got a dreamy look on her face, which is a first since Hillary is usually a pretty down-to-earth kind of girl. Not driven-flat-into-the-core down-to-earth girl like some people (coughcoughEmilycough) but this is the first time I've ever seen her like this. Could be that that's because I'm so honed in on Kai all the time, though. Man, I wonder about the things I miss while watching him? What if Tyson had actually turned down a meal or Kenny had actually moved away those bangs of his but I was too occupied with our Russian leader to notice? It's like there's a whole other world beyond my small crummy one.
All the same, Hillary is currently skipping beside me. Yes, skipping. Must be all this Christmas spirit. The airport is decorated rather elaborately (which is more than I can say for the dojo; I really hope Hiro manages to get rid of most of his brother's handiwork). Every pillar is wrapped in green garland and lights are strung above our heads. Of course, Christmas music is playing from the expansive sound system, which makes hearing those vital but already indiscernible announcements even harder to understand.
The terminal is busy as a lot of people are coming home for the Christmas but, once again, Mr. D came through for us and had reserved that waiting lounge just for us. Not only is it nicer to not have to be tripping over people, but this way those scary fan girls can't get to us. We had passed many on our way here but security had done a good job keeping them back. One girl had asked for a picture with Kai in Spanish, but Kenny's knowledge of the language is limited so he could have misinterpreted her words. I personally think he did since the girl had removed her blouse and had been trying to take off her bra before being escorted away. Compared to all the rabid fan girls we have to deal with, Hillary really is one of the more normal member of the gender. I'm going to have to start appreciating her a lot more.
"Isn't that their plane?" she asks, looking past me through the large panes of glass that gave us a panoramic view of the tarmac. "Papa G said that they would be coming in on American Airlines."
An announcement goes off overhead, battling Nat King Cole's version of 'White Christmas' for audibility. I shudder. White Christmas…Corn dogs…Man, Tyson has scarred me for life with that one.
This is what I manage to pick up of the announcement:
"Attention--ksssssssssssshtt--flight--khshshshsss--I'm dreaming of a white Christma--sssssssssstt--760 from--shktttishshshs--gate--eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee--repeat--pssssssssssssshhht--760--Have a--kirriiiiiiiiiiiooooooiiiiik--Thank you--May your days be merry and bright--Ping."
Ah, isn't technology wonderful? Look at the progress; it's come up with its own language already.
Hillary, being a girl and all, and thus having the gift of understanding even the unintelligible, grabs me by the arm.
"It is them! Let's go!"
And thus I am dragged off once more, back to the lounge, balloons chasing behind me like some runaway carnival float.
Tymachi have already returned and, just as I thought, are laden with bags of sweets and cookies. Tyson is munching on some gummy worms while Max is sipping soda, straining his neck to find any sign of our guests. Daichi is trying to sweet-talk Kenny into lending him Dizzy to play some computer games by offering him licorice, which we all know is Kenny's favorite. Personal opinion on licorice: Bleh! It sticks to your teeth, makes them all black and leaves a nasty after-taste in your mouth. What's to like about that? Guess what my favorite candy is? Wrong! Here's a hint: Made in Russia. What? Oh, like you've never considered the possibilities! Honestly! You people need to live a little.
"I spy with my little eye--" Max begins.
Not again.
"--someone with blue hair in a ponytail and wearing a brown jacket, and someone with black hair wearing khakis!"
…I'm out of insults. Need to recharge.
"Well, this is a nice reception!" Bruce, Tyson's dad, laughs as he catches sight of our little group.
"DAD!"
No, Tyson, that's just one of Biovolt's newest cloned cyborgs. Hah, that one came from my back-up file.
"HIRO!"
My back-up file is as complete as my getting-Kai's-attention file. Turns out I'm a bad organizer.
"Hey there, Offspring and Little Dude sr.!"
I have to admit that the dynamics in this family has always fascinated me. First off is Papa G's titles for his younger kin. Bruce is Offspring while Hiro and Tyson are both Little Dude, though being the eldest grants Hiro the extra 'sr.'. Honestly, one can tell that Tyson has been mainly raised by their grandfather whereas Hiro had spent most of his childhood with their father. The former two are pretty…well…whacked. The latter seemed to have inherited normal human behavior.
But who am I to judge? I'm the one wishing that Kai will slip into my bedroom late at night while the rest are asleep and ravage me.
So now we have the entire Granger dynasty before us. Bruce and Papa G are hugging and talking about carnivals. I have no idea how that subject got into the conversation, but I don't want to be the one to break up the reunion, as bizarre as it may be. Tyson is talking a hundred miles a minute to Hiro who is laughing and nodding his head as he puts down his heavy travel bag. The rest are crowded around them; Max and Daichi asking him if he brought any presents, Kenny telling them not to be so rude, Hillary trying to act mature as she casually laughs at everything Hiro says…
Do I detect an attraction there? Now that I think about it, didn't Hillary say something about Hiro looking cute when he smiled back in the gift shop? Ah, puppy love. Too bad it's one of those one-sided romance drama. I'm not saying that Hillary isn't pretty or anything, but unless I am mistaking, which I am certain that I am not, Hiro already has his eyes on someone else…
And it's about time that I do to. All these smiling faces and big hugs are heartwarming and mush-inducing, but I think it's time for a change in scenery…Now, where's Kai?
"Hey there, Ray!"
You no Kai. Get away! Moooooooooove!
"Hi, Hiro," I manage to say instead, shaking his hand in greeting. He has noticed me now without everyone gathered around him. Turns out that Bruce has the gifts and is now trying to prevent the rest from ripping his suitcase to pieces.
"Hi Hiro!"
Whoa, and I thought that my voice could pitch badly! Hillary just cracked a few windows, I'm sure.
"Huh?" the older Granger brother blinks, looking behind him. "Oh, hello there. Were you guys hiding from me or something?" he laughs.
Oh cool, charades! Let me guess…hmmmm…Hillary's supposed to be a…tomato!
"I guess I'm not as rambunctious as I used to be," she says, still blushing. "My parents keep telling me that I have grown very mature lately."
Lately? Since when does two minutes qualify as lately? I could point that out but I've just realized that Hillary is distracting Hiro, meaning that he is not paying attention to me, meaning that I can spend my newfound liberty on something else. Need I even say who…? You're catching on.
A presence makes itself known on my right and my Kai-censors go off. Kai-censors, you say? Yup, I developed them sometime during the second world championship. Depending on how close he is, Kai triggers these little alarms off in my stomach. Right now I feel like someone has just sucker punched me in the gut. Kai must be very close. Which he is, since he has decided to actually meet our guests and so he had left his trusty wall to come over.
I only have three seconds to do this before Kai notices my staring, so here goes. Quickly look out of the corner of my eyes, memorize his damn hot profile (especially his lips), drown myself within the depths of his scarlet eyes, and release a longing sigh only I can hear. Aaand, time! I look away just as Kai catches on. Wow, am I good or what? I'm so thrilled with myself that I vaguely hear Hiro greeting Kai and, since Kai doesn't make an audible response (most likely just a nod of the head), I am still stuck in la-la land until a feel someone tap my arm.
"Ray, we're going."
"G-Going?" I parrot, blinking away the haze.
I turn and find myself locking gaze with the same eyes I had been discreetly gawking at not too long ago. Kai had touched me, spoken to me and is looking at me. It feels like we're the only two people in the room.
"Yo, are you guys coming or what!"
Oh, we are the only two people in the room. Everyone else is already outside. How long did I space out this time?
"Uh…yeah…Sorry about that."
"Whatever you say, Ray. Hey, Hiro, dad! Wanna hear the newest version of 'White Christmas'?"
I had been taking a step in his direction but that did it. I am not moving from this spot until there is at least one mile between me and Tyson. I know my rights!
"Oh man…" I groan, rubbing my head.
"What?"
Gah! Forgot that Kai is still here. Tyson has really traumatized me with that song. Hmm, my Kai-censors must be failing me.
"Tyson…White Christmas…"
You're a smart guy, Kai. Need I say more?
"Poor you," Kai says with a small smirk.
Oh no! Was this another conversation sneaking up on me? Focus!
"You don't mind his singing?"
Whew, close one.
"Just ignore him," Kai shrugs, and walks away.
I hurry after him before coming to walk beside him.
"I've been trying to…for the past three year."
"Then try harder."
Communication comes to a temporary halt as we enter the crowded arrival halls. I was afraid that all the guards had gone to escort the bulk of our group back to the limo, but to my relief four of them are still here, no doubt waiting on Kai and me. Once they spot us they come over, nodding and motioning for us to follow them. Already I can hear the first fan girl squeal. Stuffing my hands in the pockets of my jacket, my eyes widen and I stop in my tracks, the guard walking behind me almost crashing into me at my abrupt halt. The entourage stops. Kai turns when he notices that reason for the delay.
"What is it?"
"My book," I mumble, patting myself down in hopes of finding it. "I think I left it back in the waiting room."
"Ray--"
By now the single squeal had multiplied and already the fans were accumulating in groups.
"I have to go back for it," I sigh, now sure that it isn't on me. "I'll meet you guys at the limo."
Deciding it best to leave the guards with Kai since the fans are now moving in, I turn and make a mad dash back down the hall we have just come from. It is silly really, going through all this just for one book, but I really like it! And I am at the best part.
I'm unaware of the person following me until a hand grabs me roughly by the shoulder. Call it an automatic response, or paranoid reflexes, but I am so surprised by the force that I do the first thing that comes to mind.
'Stop, drop and roll.'
Okay…the second thing that comes to mind: defend yourself. Grabbing the wrist with one hand and reaching back to grab the arm just above the elbow with the other, I release a native battle cry and flip my aggressor over my shoulder. I can hear their body hit the ground with a satisfying thump and I grin. That is, until I notice who it is I have just tossed.
"Kai? Are you alright!"
Red eyes, a bit disoriented, blink up at me from where the love of my life is sprawled on his back on the hard tiles. He doesn't seem to recognize me, staring off into space. A blank look covers the bright irises like a veil. Oh my God! I have paralyzed him! I have crippled my sex god for life! What if he's blind? What if he's slipping into a coma? What if he's breathing his last breath? Now I'm definitely going to die a virgin! Why do I always screw things up?
My worries are lifted when I feel a tug on my arm, the one still clutching Kai's wrist. And then…Ouch! One moment I'm standing, the next thing I know my back is pretty sore and I'm staring up at the ceiling. Oh wait, now I'm staring up into red eyes. The veil has disappeared and Kai's watching me with a strangely mixed expression. He then shakes his head, as if trying to clear his conscience.
"Never, ever do that again, Ray."
I should be worried about the hissing tone in Kai's voice, but seeing as, in order to be glaring down at me, he is currently half-draped over me, his hands on either side of my head, I am trying to control myself. Control what, you ask? Can't really tell. Maybe it's the urge to giggle like a nervous school girl. Or wrap my arms around him. Or flip him over, straddle him and demand he take me right here and now.
"Sorry about that. I…Are you okay?"
Good save, Ray. Keep things clean. Don't want to spend Christmas in a jail cell for inappropriate behavior in public, do you? Kai shifts above me and I'm about to risk incarceration by shifting with him (natural reaction, I guess) when a familiar object is held before me.
"My book?"
"You left it on the chair when Bruce and Hiro showed up," Kai says, allowing me to take it from him with a slightly trembling hand. For a beautiful moment my fingers brush his.
"Why didn't you say so?"
Kai arches a brow though his face remains neutral.
"I was, but you ran off before I could give it back. Then you tried to immobilize me."
I allow myself some hope that I have not screwed up beyond reconciliation as I hear the remote amusement in his words. Having been on Kai's general good side for so many years has a lot of advantages. I mean, how forgiving would Kai have been if it had been Tyson in my place? We would have been one world champion less, let me tell you. Not that that would be a total loss, or anything.
The maddening feel of body heat lifts off me as Kai gets to his feet and I can't hold in the disappointed groan, though I do manage to convincingly pretend that I am bemoaning my aching back when Kai looks down with a quizzical stare. Quickly getting to my feet, I keep up the bruised back act, just in case. Well, it isn't all acting. And why isn't Kai showing any pain? That had been a pretty impressive toss I gave him, if I do say so myself. Which I do, so it was, so why is he acting like it didn't even rattled him! Oh, I forgot. Kai isn't a mortal. Grimacing honestly as I straighten out, I'm beginning to fear that I am the one in need of medical attention.
"Ow, ow, ow," I whine, feeling a pop in my spine. Did I just say 'Ow'? Couldn't I have used a more mature expression, like a good-old curse?
"Stand against the wall."
"Huh?"
I really don't want to fall back into my old pattern, but I can't focus with this sharp pain in my back so I resign myself to stupid replies and clueless staring. Again, nostalgia reigns supreme in my mind. I don't say anything even when I am turned around and forced to rest on my elbows against a wall. Shit! This really hurt! Had Kai been trying to kill me?
"Lean with you chest and stomach on the wall for support."
Of course, I only blink, caught between pain and anxiousness as I feel Kai come up behind me. What is he…? I never thought Kai to be into that kind of thing. Well, that will make our relationship more interesting indeed. That is, if I don't die this very moment. A hand on my lower back eases me forward until my entire front is touching the wall and I can't help gasping when warm breath speaks softly in my ear.
"This is going to sting a bit."
He must be speaking from past experience. And since this is Kai we're talking about than that means that if he thinks that it stings, to the rest of us weak simpletons it will be excruciating. And oh, is it ever!
A loud SNAP echoes through the hall as he presses down with his knuckles into the aching knack in my spine. My entire body jolts and I bite into the sleeve of my jacket, burying my face in the material. The pain! The pain! Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh! Atta boy, Kon. Don't show any weakness.
However, though mind numbingly agonizing, it passes. Not as quickly as I would like, but soon the torture fades, leaving my back tingling for some reason. I don't move though. Oh no, I remain right here. Breathing hard and blinking away the few stray tears that have seeped out. Alright, alright, so I had been this close to bawling my heart out. I'd love to see you undergo the same thing and emerge without a tear in your eyes! Hmm, something's still strange with this picture. Why is my back still tingling? Wait…my stomach is fluttering…meaning…
"Never do that again," Kai repeats, still standing behind me.
That explains the fluttering sensation in my stomach (Kai-censors are as sharp as ever), but why is my back…? Oh, that feels so good! I haven't had a good massage in years. But that means that…those are Kai's hands! Kai's massaging my back so tenderly? Is it really his gentle but effective touch rubbing away the remaining aches of his counter-attack? I melt at the touch, the wall before me the only thing holding me up. Biting my lip to not moan out loud, I arch my back inwards, fighting the urge to paw on the tiles. Instead, however, I do something far more embarrassing.
I purr.
Loudly.
And not a content house cat purr. Oh no. This one sounds like it could have come from a wild jungle cat in heat.
It happens to all us neko-jin whenever we are very content about something. It's not uncommon to hear someone purr at least once a day in my village. Some do it while sleeping, others while with their husbands or wives. Baby neko-jins purr when feeding from their mothers. Young kids are allowed to purr at will until they turn twelve; they are then taught to control the urge since it is usually something done only when in the company of your lover once you become a teenager. Nonetheless, some adolescence do slip up, especially in intimate situations.
A brief history of purring amongst neko-jin. My mind tends to wander into strange places when I should be focusing. Back to the present predicament. Starting with:
"Prrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr."
The hands on my back suddenly disappear and my eyes fly open as I realize what I just have just done. I can feel the heat flaming my cheeks as I look over my shoulder at Kai. He is looking back with a bemused expression.
"What was that?" he asks, looking me up and down as if the answer is written somewhere on my body.
"Sorry about that," I mumble, willing my blush to go away but it blatantly ignores my pleas. "It's a neko-jin habit."
"Strange habit."
Clearing my throat, pretending to still be dealing with my purring, I pick up my book that I had dropped during the little rub down. A silence descends upon us and I begin to fidget. Not another awkward moment! Wasn't I above those by now? What happened to all that won territory yesterday? Still, I can't think of anything to say as I stare at Kai and he stares back at me.
Silence.
Silence…
A sudden blare of music scares the living crap out me and I step back. Unfortunately, the wall is still behind me (seeing as walls don't move a lot) and I almost stumble. I have so fallen off the social ladder, and I've struck every rung on the way down too, apparently. My one saving grace is that Kai hasn't witnessed it since he's answering his cell, which is the origin of the sound.
"Yeah?" he growls.
How good would it sound if he said my name the same way?
"Whatever."
Closing his phone and stuffing it in his pocket, he says,
"They're waiting for us in the limo."
They? Who are they?...Oh yeah, those people who we're supposed to be going home with. My…uh…friends. Yeah, that's it. Friends. It seems like ages since I've last seen them. It feels as if the world stopped turning for the few minutes Kai and I have been in this corridor.
"Kai?" I dare myself to say as we are reunited with our body guards, who Kai had told to wait for us at the end of the hall.
"Hn?"
"Thanks. For the book." And that awesome back rub! But I'll keep that to myself.
"You seem to like it a lot," he shrugs.
Looking down at where I am cradling it close to my chest, I smile. Not only is it a good read, but this little paper back has also given me a few personal moments with the guy of my dreams. Thanks to this bundle of cheap papers, Kai and I had been closer than we've ever been before. Not to mention that the story itself is very good.
"It's one of my most cherished possessions," I reply, smiling slightly.
Kai merely raises a brow but his attention is stolen by the hoards of fan girls that have gathered since the word had spread that two lone Bladebreakers had been spotted here. Above their shouts and cries I can actually hear the speakers playing 'We Wish You A Merry Christmas'. Thanks for the blessing, but a few flaws aside, I don't think that I'll need it. I'm doing pretty alright for myself. Especially when, after having ridded ourselves of the fans, we reach the limo and, as I had calculated earlier, there is only space left on the back seat for two people sitting very close to each other.
9 days left, and so far, things are running pretty smoothly.
Tbc…
Now, with an ending like that you just know that things are about to get very bumpy, no? This chapter isn't a funny as the first two (at least, that's my opinion) but this is also a romance so I have to get the ball rolling somehow.
Read & Review, please.