Hugs forBella : )
Esthetic: The last time aperson told me to update one of my stories faster, I didn't update for nearly two months. I'm sucha bitch when I wantto be! I'm on holiday's now so I can update to my little hearts content! YAY ME!Besides, it's quality, not quantity!
Mmmm. Greatness. : )
Beyond the Darkness
Chapter Seven: Tea and Jelly Buns
Aiska sat up with a cry, sweat pouring from her forehead as Romiko threw the door open and raced to her side. Aiska watched her friend, worry in her eyes, before collapsing back onto her bed.
"Are you all right? What happened?"
"Just… bad dream." Aiska muttered, closing her eyes as her breathing slowed. Romiko watched her friend for a moment before promptly rising and leaving the room. A moment later Aiska heard the sounds of something being dragged along just as Romiko reappeared, dragging her quilt and pillow with her.
"Romiko, you don't need to…" The look Romiko cast her silenced her immediately as she positioned herself on the floor beside Aiska's bed.
"Goodnight, Aiska." Romiko smiled cheerfully as she rolled herself up tightly and flopped back onto the pillow.
"Goodnight, Romiko." Aiska returned the smile, studying her friend for a moment before pulling the covers back over her.
The morning sun dappled Romiko in light as she hazily opened her eyes. Idly she yawned and stretched, blinking a few times as she recalled where she was. She sat, peaking over the edge of Aiska's bed only to find it empty and the sheets cold. She bit her tongue as she raced to untangle herself from the sheets and bolted for the door. She managed to make it down the stairs without falling only to find Aiska standing at the bottom, holding a cup of tea. She sipped it, trying to hide her smile as she watched Romiko straighten herself out and untangle her curls.
"Breakfast is on the table." Aiska laughed as Romiko wandered past muttering inanely.
"Don't you start work today?" Romiko asked through a mouthful of food.
"Yeah, not till this afternoon though, but I said I'd come in a bit earlier."
"You sure you're feeling all right? I mean, after last night…"
"I'm not skipping out on my first day of work!"
"But aren't the owners friends of yours, or something?"
"The children of my aunts old marriage."
Romiko only blinked.
"They're not blood related, they are like… step-cousins. But we've all been friends for years."
"Are they the ones who offered us a place to stay?"
"Yes, only they've already got four people under the one roof, I didn't want to impose."
"We're comfortable here." Romiko laughed just as the phone rang. Aiska sighed with relief as Romiko stood to answer it. She wasn't quite prepared to discuss the nightmare she had. At least, not yet.
"Oh, hello Shigure! What can I do for you?" Aiska began gathering the dishes as she listened.
"Well, Aiska has work this afternoon, but I'd be happy to come!" Romiko winked to Aiska, who merely rolled her eyes.
"A traditional teahouse her cousins run. I'm not sure where exactly." She paused as she switched ears.
"No I'm not doing anything today… I'd love to! I'll bring the jelly buns." She laughed before saying her goodbyes.
"Shigure sends his love to you." Romiko smiled as she gathered the rest of the dishes.
"I'm sure he does." Aiska sighed, shaking her head. "Now what are the two of you planning?"
"Actually he rang to say that it is Tohru's birthday today, and that he would like us to help him prepare everything for her surprise dinner tonight, if we're not doing anything. I told him you're working, but I'd be happy to stop by."
"And the jelly buns?" Romiko only laughed,
"He said to come early and we'll have afternoon tea as well." Aiska smiled knowingly as she paused to eye her friend.
"What?"
"Nothing." She replied innocently as she dumped the dishes in the sink and made for the stairs. "And since I made breakfast, you can do the washing up." Aiska called over her shoulder, "And then we're going to do some shopping. We're not eating out at Shigure's every night."
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"Don't forget your jelly buns!" Aiska laughed as she gathered as many of the shopping bags as she could.
"Oh I nearly forgot! You see if those photos are developed yet and I'll meet you over there." She cried, darting off with bags in tow. Aiska couldn't help but laugh, shaking her head at the girl. They had spent the morning regretting not making a list of the things they needed while running back and forth between the isles. Thankfully they had managed to find somewhere to get their photos developed, the last roll of their holiday film. As Aiska collected and paid for them, she seated herself on a nearby bench and began to open them.
"Hey! You're not going to look at them without me, are you?" Romiko cried as crept up behind Aiska, who jumped in surprise.
"Of course not." She replied innocently as they set off for home.
The two practically threw the bags in the kitchen before crowding around the photos and hurriedly ripping them open. They smiled as they studied each glossy image carefully, recalling the many fond memories the photos recalled.
"Ah, Parris. How I miss it."
"Europe was so beautiful. All those old buildings."
"Not to mention the second hand book stores." Romiko added.
"And the food! I'll never forget it!"
"It really was great."
"This is so depressing." Aiska sighed as she tossed the last photo onto the pile before them. "It's all over now, no more photos."
"Well, we do have four albums full of them already."
"I hate this! Ending a roll of film, it seems so… final. I'm never doing this again! It just depresses me!" She snarled as she leant back. "I wish it never had to end." Aiska glanced to Romiko, who was staring at her with glassy eyes. She raised an eyebrow as Romiko suddenly launched herself at Aiska, pulling her into a tight hug.
"I wish it never had to end either."
They remained in each other's arms for a moment before Aiska finally pulled away, hardly able to meet Romiko's gaze.
"I have to get to work."
"And I should unpack those groceries, all those frozen things have probably thawed by now and gone bad!" She cried in realisation as she jumped up. Aiska quickly gathered her things and paused at the kitchen door, watching Romiko race about finding homes for everything.
"Are you going to Shigure's soon?"
"When I finish this."
"I'll see you later then."
"Yeah, take care."
"And wish Tohru a happy birthday for me."
Romiko paused as she heard the front door close, a bag of frozen peas in her hand. She slowly wandered past the table holding the photos and scooped one up. With picture and peas in hand, she peaked through the door and watched as Aiska walked away. As she vanished from sight, her eyes darted to the photo of the two of them in one of those places that dress you up in those old fashioned clothing and take your picture. This one was in front of the Eiffel tower in beautiful eighteenth century dresses complete with little parasols. Romiko smiled to herself at the memory as she gently slid the door shut again and went back to the groceries.
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Aiska sneezed as the chilling breeze bit into her skin. She pulled her coat tightly around her as she continued along the street, her mind focused on the photographs and the memories they brought back.
"Good times." She smiled to herself just as she found herself walking along a familiar fence line. "This is… the main Sohma house." She muttered just as she paused at the gate, "I didn't realise my work is just down the road from here."
Aiska jumped as someone pulled the gate open from the inside.
"Hatori!"
"Aiska? What are you doing here? Is everything all right?" He asked, clearly concerned.
"Oh yes, everything is fine. I just work down the road, at the teahouse."
"I see." He smiled as he continued opening the gate completely. Aiska shivered slightly as she glanced around the empty courtyard, her eyes darting to the empty windows as though expecting to see someone watching her.
"If I had realised I would be walking past here, I'd have brought that kimono with me. Then maybe I could get my clothes back." She laughed softly as Hatori raised an eyebrow. "It doesn't matter, I'll return it another day. Goodbye Hatori." She smiled and waved as Hatori watched her for a moment.
'She left her clothes here the other day? They must still be in Akito's room.' Hatori shrugged to himself as pulled his car keys out.
"Sir? Master Sohma wishes to see you." A servant interrupted his thoughts just as he was about to leave. Hatori sighed and nodded in acknowledgment as he slammed the door and made his way towards Akito's rooms.
Akito had been pacing his room most of the afternoon when he had spotted Hatori talking with someone at the gate. Curiously he had glanced out of the shadows to find that girl standing before Hatori smiling and laughing. She had waved her goodbye and continued down the street as Hatori watched her for a moment, clearly deep in thought.
With a scowl, Akito decided he would like a word with the doctor before he left.
Hatori knocked gently and slid the door open to find Akito standing at the window with his back turned.
"Akito…?"
"What did she want?"
Hatori hesitated.
"Where is she going?"
"She works at the teahouse down the road."
"What did she say?"
"She needs to return the kimono… and get her own clothes back." Akito smiled to himself slyly as he motioned to the clothes sitting in a corner, neatly folded. Hatori moved to collect them.
"Leave them. She can have her clothes back when she returns my kimono." Akito snapped as Hatori froze, his eyes lingering on the clothes before he turned back to Akito.
"Romiko found out about the curse."
"How?"
"She fell into Kyo."
"That stupid boy always was a klutz." Akito muttered under his breath.
"What would you have me do?" Hatori asked, hiding his apprehension.
"If we erase one's memory, we'll have to erase them both."
"Is that what you wish?"
Akito seemed to hesitate.
"Leave them." He finally remarked, turning to Hatori at last. His gaze was dark and he had a strange smile on his face. "I see no reason to erase their memories just yet. Just be careful, all of you. We wouldn't want a repeat of what happened with Kana now, would we?" Hatori bit his lip as Akito's eyes danced maliciously. He quickly dismissed Hatori, who paused at the door as Akito attempted to stifle a cough. Hatori risked a glance to Akito held a handkerchief to his mouth, glaring at the doctor.
"Are you sleeping well?"
"Yes, I slept perfectly last night." Hatori hesitated, his hand on the door as he studied Akito.
"I'm fine, now get out!"
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Romiko and Shigure sat together on the porch, sipping tea and munching on jelly buns while laughing, waiting for the others to arrive home from school. They had spent the entire afternoon hanging decorations and preparing a large meal for that evening, when everyone would be coming over to wish Tohru a happy birthday.
"Ha'ri should be here soon." Shigure mused before taking another sip of tea.
"The two of you are close? Like myself and Aiska?"
"You could say that. Actually there's three of us, myself, Ha'ri and Ayame. We've been close all through school. They used to call us the three musketeers." He smiled as Romiko laughed.
They both jumped a mile when the door was abruptly thrown open and a woman popped her head around the corner.
"Shigure! That's not working!" She cried in frustration as she collapsed at his feet.
"Working?" Romiko's brow furrowed as she glanced between the two.
"Yes! Working! That thing you never seem to be doing!"
"I'm sorry, Mii but I seemed to have hurt my hand." He replied with mock severity as he held up his right hand, where a bandage had miraculously appeared.
"When did that happen?" Mii and Romiko chimed in unison. Shigure winked to Romiko as Mii attempted to rip her hair out.
"Your deadline is next week! How can you do this to me, Shigure!"
"You know, I used to work as a secretary, plus I've worked for writers before, typing as they dictate. If that's any consolation." They both turned to her in silence.
"Perfect! You're hired!"
"What?"
"Just until your hand is better." Mii added with a sly smile.
"I think it just miraculously healed."
"No! We're not taking any chances! This girl…"
"Romiko."
"Romiko will type for you, and maybe she'll be able to keep you on track. For once."
"But…but…"
"It's settled!"
"I guess I don't need to look for a job anymore." Romiko smiled cheerfully to the stunned Shigure as the woman, Mii, happily shook her hand in agreement.
HAHAHAHAHA! I love Akito : ) I love Shigure too. And Hatori. And Ayame. Hell I love them all!