Kaiya's POV!
It's been a few weeks since Chiriko and I had supper in the restraunt on the way back from picking up my truck. Upon returning to the campus, we were greeted by my brother and Tasuki, who immediately began to beg for a ride. By this point I was tired and my brother pointed out that I had tests coming up in two days, as did Chiriko and Tasuki. Then he whispered that they had plans that night anyways. Chiriko and I gave our customary "Too Much Information" yell and we laughingly parted, with me promising my brother's lover that he would get a ride that coming week.
I think that was the weekend I unofficially became Chiriko's girlfriend. I don't mind this assumption, although I do deny that we are dating when asked. Chiriko doesn't even go that far, so I think he doesn't mind that people assume we are together. We both passed our tests with top grades, as usual. Chichiri has been watching the two of us interact more, as have the others. Chiriko is very sweet and currently we are in the library, working on a paper. It's not due for another few weeks, but hey, we like to get early starts and get it done, just in case.
I am sitting across from him and sigh as I straighten, my back getting kinks. I feel his eyes on me for a second before his head lowers again. "Have you been sitting to long?" I sigh and stretch out, my foot brushing his shoe. My shoes are currently tucked under my chair, having slipped them off not long after sitting down. He smiles slightly as I respond to his question. "Yeah. I think so."
I pull my feet back in and he is quiet as he finishes writing on his notes. He finally, after about 3 more minutes, puts his pencil down and sits back. I realize I have watched him write for the past few minutes and I feel a blush cover my cheeks. He smiles slightly and stretches out, his shoe resting against my foot. "I think I'm done for the day, how about you?" I glance down at my half done report and nod. "Yeah, I've gotten enough done for now, I at least have a good start on it."
He is now smiling fully at me, and I feel his foot move slowly up my foot, towards my ankle. "Took your shoes off again?"
I blush and nod, my fingers playing with my pencil. "Yeah, I like to be comfortable when I study." I glance up at him thru my lashes and feel his foot move back down my foot. "Are you done with your homework due tomorrow?" I give a nod at this and he stands, neatly putting his papers back into his folders, I start to gather mine as well. "Would you like to go get some supper, Kaiya?"
I glance up and smile softly at the blush on his cheeks. He is not looking at me and I find this shy nature very appealing. I look down and finish gathering my papers as I respond. "Where would you like to go, Dokun?"
He pauses and then shrugs. "I don't know. You choose." I smile and name a small diner not far from the campus and he agrees. As we start to leave, I note "It's a nice evening, we should walk." He agrees and we part with plans to meet back together in 15 minutes. I hurry towards my dorm room and after I store my books, I swiftly change into a cute peasant shirt that Sasha had gotten me for my birthday last year and a long flowing skirt that falls to my ankles, let my hair down from it's clips and then I am out the door with no time to spare.
I see him waiting for me and speed up my pace as I call to him. "Chiriko."
He turns and his eyes rove over me. He looks into my eyes as I finally reach him. "Kaiya, you look beautiful."
I know I am blushing a bright red, I can feel it heating my cheeks. He simply smiles at me and takes my hand and we start to walk. Our conversation moves not towards school work, but towards the others. I am silent as he brings up everyones speculations on our relationship.
"I have noticed that you tell people we aren't seeing each other." I give a nod that I know he catches, for he smiles a bit and continues on. "Kaiya. Does it upset you that people think we are together?"
I glance up at him and smile a bit before looking at our hands. "Actually not really. We do spend alot of time together and I think we are becoming close. It's not offending, but I feel as if I am telling the same people over and over that you and I are not a couple. They just aren't taking a hint. I had to tell Nuriko three times this past week alone." I glance to him from the corner of my eye. "You really don't help matters Chiriko. You won't even deny it, you just stand there and smile and say nothing."
He glances down at me and his hand tightens around mine as he pulls me closer to him, to avoid a passerby. "I don't really mind them thinking we are together, Kaiya, but you are correct, I should tell them we aren't."
I smile slightly at his words, but then sigh. "Well, are we going to be together or not, Chiriko? It might be easier to have this sorted out, so we can tell people that we are or aren't definately together."
He smiles at me. "What do you prefer?"
I shake my head. "Oh, no. I asked you." He chuckles at me and then stops walking, pulling me closer towards a building wall. His free hand drifts up my arm and he smiles at me. "I would like to be with you, Kaiya. But I must confess, I'm new to this. I've only thought of studying before and you had experience in dating with Seth." I smile softly at his words and soft touch. "Seth was my only experience and we were together only for a few months, and we knew the whole time I was leaving the States. I don't think that is the best thing to base my dating history off of." He smiles down at me, his hand drifting from my arm to my waist. "Well, Kaiya? Would you go out with me? I feel there is something here and I hope we can explore it more indepth."
I chuckle at his words and his grip on my waist tightens as his beautiful eyes watch me intently. I reach up with my free hand, as we are still holding hands and run my fingers down his cheek and then to his neck. His eyes close at my touch and I whisper. "Yes, Chiriko, I would love to be your girlfriend and to explore what we have farther."
His eyes open, relief evident there and I realize he was afraid I would reject him. My heart melts a bit more. "Thank you, Kaiya." He leans in and kisses my cheek softly before pulling back. "I hope you realize that I want to take us slowly, I don't want to rush this and mess up, but if you ever feel we are going to slow or fast, let me know and we can discuss it."
I smile at him and nod. He pulls me in for a hug and I am content to be held and marvel at how perfectly I fit into his arms. After a few moments, I pull back and we continue towards the restraunt, our hands still intertwined.
A few days later!
I wonder if someone was watching us as we had our conversation a few days ago, because since then all of our friends have approached me and told me how happy they were that Chiriko and I stopped messing around and started to really give each other a chance. Everyone that is but Houjun. I think I might have seen him talk to Chiriko, but hasn't mentioned anything to me. Lately my brother has been acting strangely towards myself and now Chiriko. I think it's time to confront him.
I know Houjun's schedule and I hurry towards his class, near the end of it, as it is the last of his day, and the week. I wait patiently outside as the session ends and when the class starts to file out, I spike my ki just a bit, to make sure I have his attention and he won't run out. When the rush dies off, a few students straggling behind, I step into the class and he gives me a quick smile over the head of a student before finishing his conversation with her. I flop into a chair in the front row and wait for them to finish.
Finally we are alone. "How was your day, no da?" I smile and slump in my seat, very Tasuki like as I respond. "It was fine, I finished up a report for later and got all my homework done as today is my light class day." He nods at me and finishes packing his things away and then sits on the edge of his desk as I ask him. "How was your day, Jun-chan?"
He groans and runs a hand over his eyes. "I don't like General classes, no da." I burst into laughter, having heard this before. "How many did you have today?"
"Two, which was two too many, no da." I smile and straighten, rising from my seat. "Awww, poor Jun." He matches my teasing smile and I perch beside him on the teacher's desk. "Houjun?"
He looks at me when my tone goes serious. "Hai?"
"Did you say something to Chiriko?"
Houjun looks away, uncomfortable, and I turn on him. "You did! What did you say?" He shakes his head and weakly says "I said nothing, no da."
My eyes narrow at him and I'm about to question him again when Tasuki's brash voice stops me. "Chichiri."
I watch my brother almost flinch at the rebuke in that one word from his lover and he sighs, meeting Tasuki's gaze. I glance to Genrou as well, who gives me an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry to interrupt Kaiya-chan. But Chichiri, you need to come clean to her on this."
I sigh and look at him. He slumps in defeat. "Fine, no da." He raises his eyes to me. "I told Chiriko that he had my blessing to court you."
My mouth drops open and I stare at him. "You said what?" Houjun nods slightly at my incredulous tone. "I didn't mean to, Kaiya. But I missed not being able to do this when you were Liala and now I get the chance to..." I smile very softly when he trails off and I continue his sentence. "In a world where you don't need to anymore. Oh Houjun."
I hug my over protective brother. That would explain Chiriko's behavior towards Houjun lately. My baka brother had taken it upon himself to find out what Chiriko's intentions were and then had given him permission as if he were some regular joe off the street. Chiriko must have been insulted. "Houjun, you need to talk to Dokun. He's been a bit upset the last few days, although trying to hide it from me. Please, do not wait on this."
Houjun glances up into my eyes and then hugges me. "Thank you for understanding." I nodd and return the hug. "I do understand. I'm sure Chiriko does too, but he still must have felt that he was not good enough. You know as well as anyone that Chiriko always felt as if he were not helpful to the rest of you." Houjun nods and I extend my ki to find my boyfriend. "He's in his dorm. I'm expecting this done right now."
Houjun pulls back and looks into my face and I give him a serious look. He sighs and nods "Fine. I will go right now, no da."
I smile at him, pleased that he is doing the right thing and he finishes gathering his papers, dumps them in Tasuki's arms, who shouts "HEY!" and leaves swiftly. Tasuki calls after him "Come find Kaiya and I when yer done, an' bring Chiriko with ya."
We both shake our head and I feel Tasuki's gaze on me. I look up and he smirks faintly. "Ya know, Kaiya? I think only you and I are able to talk him into doing what we want him to do." I grin and loop an arm thru Tasuki's, hugging it slightly before dragging him towards the door. "I think you're right. Come on Gen-chan. Let's put Houjun's stuff in his office and then go get a snack."
He starts to laugh and follows me out the door. "You could be Miaka's sister instead of Chichiri's, ya know." I look back at him. "At least I wasn't yers." He shudders as we let ourselves into Houjun's office and quickly put his stuff down, locking the door as we leave. Once free of there, his retort comes, a few seconds to late in my opinion. "Kaiya, if you were my sister, I would have to flame ya." He grins at me as I laugh at him.
Tasuki and I are sitting in the cafeteria, I'm eating soft serve ice cream and he is playing with some rolls. I'm laughing at him as he plays with his food, when I feel Houjun and Chiriko's ki's enter the building. I glance towards the door and see my brother and my boyfriend heading over towards us. "They're coming."
Tasuki looks up from his bread sculpture and smiles at the comfortable interaction that the two once again have. Chiriko sits next to me, kissing my cheek while he does so. "Hi Kaiya."
I smile to him and search his eyes. Contentment and peace rest there, I'm pleased. I glance towards my brother who is finishing his greeting of Tasuki. Houjun smiles across the table at me. "So, are we going to go to supper, no da?"
He is glancing between my ice cream and Tasuki's bread as he says this. Tasuki and I grin at each other and instantly say "Heck yeah!" Chichiri and Chiriko just shake their heads at our identical agreement.
We quickly toss our dishes and leave the cafeteria, discussing where we would like to go. Once we agree to a small restraunt about a 15 minute walk away, we settle into a nice pace and Houjun and Tasuki hold hands. Moments after starting out, Chiriko gently takes my hand in his. Talk is comfortable and teasing as we walk. We are just passing a section of the park we are cutting through when a familiar voice cuts the evening air. I glance to my left as my companions stop and stare at a seemingly beautiful young woman in a kimono is surrounded by a group of thuggish looking boys.
I turn immediately to go help my cousin, Ritsu, when Chiriko grabs my arm. I glance to him as Chichiri and Tasuki surge forward. "Let us handle it, Kaiya-chan." I shake my head, following the other two. "That is my cousin, Ritsu, Chiriko." He nods and follows me as Tasuki and Chichiri come to the fore of Genrou and Houjun and take care of the boys attacking my crossdressing cousin.
Ritsu's voice is now high pitched and pathetic sounding as he loudly apologizes for causing perfect strangers to come to his aide. I catch the almost comical faces on Houjun and Tasuki as I came around to the side and press my fingers into Ritsu's side, a trick I learned from Shigure. As he crumples to the ground, I sigh and smile to my brother and Tasuki, Chiriko behind me. "This is Sohma Ritsu, guys." Ritsu is coming around and I stoop to his level. "Hi Ritchan." He glances up at me, relief in his eyes as he starts in on his apologies again. I hold my fingers up to him. "Don't make me get you again, Ritsu." My voice is teasing and he stops in an embarrassed way. His voice is meek as he responds. "You won't have to do that again, Kaiya-chan." I smile to the monkey and hug him before standing and pulling him up with me. "What were you doing out here alone, Ritsu?"
"I was just trying to see if I had the courage to go out by myself for awhile. I couldn't get away from those boys though." His voice dies off and he flushes, looking away. I give him a comforting smile. "Where are you going now?"
He gestures towards the west, and I realize that we have wandered close to the Sohma Estates as I can see the roof of the main house from here. "I think I'll just go back to the estate." I smile and nod, thinking that wise for him. "Ha'ri could probably take you back home, Ritchan." He shakes his head, his voice rising again. "Oh no, I couldn't possibly trouble Hatori like that, he's always so busy." I give him a look and he calms a bit, at least enough to stop talking. "Ritsu, you are not a burden to us, Hatori won't be upset. Come on, we'll walk you back to the estate gates."
He nods sadly and then glances towards my companions. "Who are they, Kaiya-chan?"
I smile as we turn towards the three seishi with me and make the introductions. "Sohma Ritsu, meet Kou Genrou, Ri Houjun and Ou Dokun." I know my voice has grown soft and a goofy smile lights my face as I introduce Chiriko. Ritsu gives Chiriko a deep look and nods, satisfied at my choice in companions. "It's a pleasure to meet you all." He bows low in greeting, causing the others to do the same. The walk to the main gates is quiet and it's not long before I am hugging Ritsu good bye and he slips into the estate gates, out of sight. I sigh and turn towards the others as we head back towards the restraunt we were originally headed too.
It isn't until we are seated that they question me on Ritsu. "So, who was she?" Houjun, Chiriko and I start to giggle at Tasuki's question. The redhead looks confused at us. "What?"
I shake my head and try and control my giggles. "Tasuki, Ritsu is a boy."
My brother's boyfriend pulls back a bit. "Another Nuriko?"
I shake my head "Not quite. Ri-chan does not feel very comfortable being assertive and finds it easier to dress as a girl so he doesn't have to be so assertive." Tasuki looks thoughtful at my words, while I can see Chichiri and Chiriko nodding at this.
My brother smiles a bit. "You have a very interesting family in this life, Kaiya, na no da."
I smile at him briefly before looking at my menu. "You have no idea, Houjun."
"Actually, I have an idea."
I stop looking at the menu and frown at the serious looks on their faces. I realize that it is finally the time that I will be questioned on my family's odd habits, mainly those of the Xodiac. I sigh and glance at my menu again. "I don't know what you are referring to."
Chiriko stiffens beside me and I glance at him. He is almost glaring at me, as are Houjun and Tasuki. I sigh again, sinking farther into my seat, bringing the menu up to cover all of my face. "This is not the place for this conversation."
Tasuki leans over and snatches the menu from me. "Yes it is, damn it."
I glare at him. "No it's not." I quickly glance around and then lower my voice to where only my companions can hear me. "We are in a busy restraunt and you are questioning me on a family secret, this is not the place."
The guys glance around the restraunt and then nod. I sigh with relief and take Tasuki's menu, as he still has mine hostage. "If the three of you want to know, then we can talk at Houjun's when we are done."
I glance at them. "And only you three. I'm already going to be in trouble if the others find out I told you as it is." I look at my menu pointedly, showing them the discussion is closed for now and after a few terse moments, Chiriko puts his menu down and announces what he wants to eat. Talk moves along after that, as if the small argument had never happened and it is not until I'm walking with my companions to my brother's apartment that I grow nervous again. What the heck am I doing, giving away the Sohma family secret. I'm not going to even report this to Akito afterwards. Oh man, I'm gonna be in deep trouble if this comes back to bite me in the butt.