Chapter 4: Reunited, January 1, 2000
As Hokuto dragged Kakyou out into the hall way, other doors began to open. Seiichirou and Karen were already standing in the hallway, looking out one of the windows at the crisp January day.
"It's amazing isn't it," Seiichirou commented. "Everything seems so calm and perfect out there."
"Yes, it's… it's… hard to believe this is all Kamui's doing," Karen replied as she leaned against Seiichirou, his arm holding her.
The noise of Hokuto and Kakyou stumbling into the hall attracted the couple's attention. They stared in surprise at the younger pair.
"Subaru, although that nightgown is rather becoming on you, you probably shouldn't be wearing women's lingerie," Karen said dryly, but with a smile on her face as though she was trying to keep from laughing. Seiichirou just adjusted his glasses.
"Well, I would hope I'd never catch Subaru in this," an indignant Hokuto replied as she pulled her robe about her.
"You're his twin!" Seiichirou gasped. "But he told us she died quite some time ago."
"You both died too right? So welcome to the club! Now where is my brother?"
"Considering we both woke up in one of our old rooms he's probably still in his. It's the door at the end of the hall," Karen commented, still a bit shocked at Hokuto's comment and at the fact that she suddenly recognized the Chi no Ryuu holding hands with Hokuto.
"Come on, Kyo-chan. If everyone's waking up together, the Subaru-chan is probably with Sei-chan. It's too bad I don't have my camera." She flounced down the hall with Kakyou still in tow.
"She's quite a handful. If it wasn't for the fact that she a carbon copy of Subaru, I'd never believe the two were even related," Seiichirou said as he hugged Karen.
"I couldn't agree with you more," she replied.
"Good morning," came a rather shy voice from the open door behind the couple.
"Yuzuriha-chan, good morning," replied Karen. "Is something wrong?" She noticed the girl seemed nervous.
"Umm… I guess not, but… but…"
"It's alright sweetie. I think we're all in the same situation," replied Seiichirou.
"I just don't want you to think… I was doing something wrong."
"Why would we think that?"
"Because of me," came a deep male voice from behind the door. Kusanagi stepped into view and wrapped his arms around the petite girl. "We just woke up together, that's all. I would never tarnish my love's honor." "Until the time is right," he whispered in her ear. Yuzuriha blushed and giggled nervously.
"I don't know. I'd be careful who you trust Yuzuriha-chan. Some men just can't be trusted," declared Arashi as she came down the hall way with Sorata practically crawling behind.
"Aww… come on Miss. I meant no harm," he whined. She kept coolly walking away.
Suddenly everyone's attention turned to the loud banging coming from the end of the hall.
"Poor Subaru," was Karen's comment. "Shall we go revel in his embarrassment?"
When the small group arrived at the end of the hall, Hokuto was still banging on the door. It suddenly opened and an annoyed looking Subaru appeared in a robe and pajama bottoms.
"What!"
"Subaru-kun, that's not very nice," replied Hokuto in a small voice.
"Hokuto-chan!" For the second time that morning Subaru flung himself into someone else's arms. "Are you real?" he whispered.
He was squeezing the life out her, but she knew he needed this. She knew how much he'd suffered without her. She stroked his back and whispered back, "Yes. I missed you too. It's over now. We're never going to be separated again."
The rest of the group just watched quietly, some with complete understanding and some totally clueless as to what was transpiring.
"Uhm… Don't forget about me, Hokuto-chan," Seishirou cleared his throat as he interrupted the touching reunion.
"Sei-chan! You're such a meanie! And rude too!" she called out in mock indignation. She started to stomp over to Seishirou.
"Ummm… Hokuto-chan maybe you shouldn't," her brother stammered, suddenly feeling like he was 15 all over again.
"Oh no! He's not getting away with anything this time around. YOU, Mister Sakurazuka Mori are going to make my brother an honest man! No more warped version of courting for the two of you. This torture and angst crap is all over with. I've seen enough!" She'd back Seishirou right up against the wall. "I think you'd better be telling my brother just how much you love him and not by breaking his arm this time! Oh and better I see some rings too! I will not have you just sleeping around with my brother without a ring!" She was in a full tirade now and Subaru was starting to wish he'd never opened the door. "Don't think I forgot what you said to me. You'd make everything right if you ever got back. Well you better!"
"Enough!" Subaru cried. "Please Hokuto, the two of us have already worked it out."
"Thank you, love" was Seishirou's grateful reply. "There's no need to worry my dear Hokuto-chan. I fully intend to keep my promise."
"What promise is that?" Subaru asked.
"The one I made her in the afterlife; that if I ever saw you again I'd make sure you'd know how much I loved you. I intend to keep that promise." He pulled Subaru too him and kissed him hard; holding him like the girl in an old time movie. Subaru's thin, pliant body bowed up as he was kissed. The two were lost in there own private world; unaware of the others around them.
Loud clapping caused the two to break apart. "Bravo! Even the movies aren't this good."
The deep, smooth sarcastic voice made even Seishirou wince. It was Fuuma.
"Knock it off!" criticized Kamui as he lightly smacked Fuuma's side. "Why don't we move this little reunion down to the dining room. Akira's made us all a delicious breakfast."
Even Subaru had to admit he was hungry and like the other obediently headed to the dining room.