Author: Mirai Shinranui, AKA Jasmine Flame.
All flames can be directed to jasmine_flameAThotmail.com
Rating: PG.
Notes: First off I want to thank Yuuki:Tsubasa for the great review! Everyone else: Take note. That is what a real review looks like. What a wonderful review! I was so pleased to receive it. I am also incredibly happy with all the other reviews I've gotten. I don't really need any encouragement to write, but I love getting the reviews anyway.
Second, I want to thank everyone for being so patient. A few days after I started writing this chapter my computer died. It is eight and a half, so it has had a pretty good run. I looked for anyway that I could afford a new one, but realized that I couldn't. (I sit just above the poverty line these days. I think food is more important than a computer. Well, my parents think it is.) So I've been arguing with Mr. eight-and-a-half-year-old-computer, trying to make it work again. After three weeks, it decided that a new hard drive and some more memory could kick start it, and now it is working again. The only problem was that I hadn't written anything, so despite having the computer, I still had to write the actual chapter. Add another week or so, and time for editing, and here is the chapter! I'm sorry for having taken so long, but it was completely unavoidable.
Part Seven – Chili and Lemongrass
Kai leant against the counter as he watched Rei work. If he had ever doubted Rei's skills, he certainly didn't now. Rei moved about the kitchen with the proficiency of a chef. Rei tasted the sauce, a slight frown across his face. He reached for the packet of fresh herbs that was on the bench. Rei chose the undamaged stems and ripped off some of the green leaves. He hummed to himself as he added the herbs, his cheeks flushed from the heat the stove was giving off.
"Are you almost finished, Kai?"
Kai stood straight, only remembering what he was supposed to be doing when prompted. He looked at the carrot he had been slicing, and the knife he had placed next to it. He hadn't exactly gotten very far. He hurried to fix his mistakes, glad that he was proficient with a knife. Once he had finished, he handed the chopping board to Rei and stood back to watch. Rei emptied the carrots, along with the other vegetables Kai had chopped, into the pan. The smell of chili, ginger, and lemongrass filled the air as Rei added the vegetables, the sauce bubbling and fizzing as it settled.
Kai closed his eyes and breathed deep, letting the aromas tickle his nose. There was something undeniably familiar about the fragrance, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. Yes, he had been to China and had eaten the food there, but he didn't identify this smell with food.
Rei…
Kai swallowed the growing lump in his throat. It reminded him of Rei. This is what Rei smelt like; cooking spices that had just started to release their flavor. After years of cooking, Rei had taken on the smell of the spices he used.
"Kai, is everything alright?"
Kai opened his glazed eyes. Rei was staring at him, the wooden spoon in his hand. He looked confused, perhaps even concerned. Kai shook his head, ignoring the buzzing in his ears. The strong spices had stunned his body and made him dopey; even his hands and feet seemed uncooperative.
"I asked if you could get me some water," Rei said. He turned back to the stove to check the meal, smiling as he pushed the wooden spoon through the deep red sauce.
Kai urged his body to respond. His nose had started to run and his eyes watered from the strong smell of spice, but he decided it wasn't entirely unpleasant. The scent swirled around him, lingering in the air. He knew his kitchen would smell like this for days. He got the bottle of clear water from the fridge, checking he had the right one. He got a glass and poured the water, watching as the liquid splashed into the glass. Kai took a sip himself, letting the water ease the taste of spice from his mouth; he hadn't even eaten anything yet, but the spices lingered on the tip of his tongue as if he had already finished his meal.
Rei took the glass when offered, but instead of drinking it, he tipped it into the pan, stirring it through the sauce. Kai shook his head, not really understanding anything that Rei was doing.
Folding his arms, he leant against the counter, waiting for Rei's next instructions. He wondered why, back in Hong Kong, Rei had been stuck working as a waiter. He could obviously cook and yet he had been cleaning tables and taking orders. He glanced sideways at Rei. His face was alight with a carefree smile, his eyes shining. How could someone deny him this simple delight?
"Why were you working as a waiter and not a chef?" Kai asked, curiosity getting the better of him.
Rei paused, the wooden spoon stopping in the middle of the pan. He lowered his head, locks of dark hair covering his eyes. Giving a short, somewhat sarcastic laugh, he continued to stir before removing the pan from the heat. He dipped the wooden spoon in the sauce, the red liquid coating the tip. He beckoned Kai over, holding the spoon up.
"Taste this and tell me what you think," Rei said. He held his hand under the spoon in case it dripped.
Kai frowned and moved forward. Being closer to the sauce made the spices smell so strong, he could almost feel his mouth watering in anticipation. He licked his lips and leaned forward, tasting the sauce from the offered spoon. His eyes drifted shut as the strong flavors assaulted his taste buds, each one prominent but not overpowering. Kai could feel the chili sting his tongue until the lemongrass cut through the heat. The ginger had a slight sour taste, but he could also taste something sweet in the background. He ran his tongue over his lips as not to miss a single drop of the delicious sauce.
Rei lowered the spoon with a shaky hand. This wasn't normally something he would make for the whole group; though Tyson would eat almost anything, he wasn't too fond of hot food. Max didn't seem to recognize any food group other than sweets, and Kenny could be surprisingly fussy. Rei bit his lip as Kai deliberated over the taste, his eyes falling shut. He wasn't sure Kai liked it at all until he saw his tongue dart out across his lips. Rei smiled, blushing to the tips of his ears.
"They didn't let me work in the kitchens because they thought I wasn't good enough. I don't always cook traditional Chinese food," Rei said, glancing at his feet, "Perhaps they assumed I couldn't."
"…idiots."
He looked up at Kai. His crimson gaze held Rei in place, not allowing a single flicker of his eyes. Rei drew in a shaky breath, the air thick and heavy. He finally managed to tear himself away, using the excuse of setting the table to force him to leave.
"Rei…" Kai said, catching Rei's arm as he passed. Rei gave a surprised gasp, almost dropping the plate he carried.
"Rei, those guys were obviously idiots," Kai said, his expression stern, "Don't doubt yourself."
Hugging the plate to his chest, Rei attempted to pull away, but Kai denied him. He looked up, having no other choice. Kai tightened the grip on his arm, just enough so he couldn't slip away. He seemed very serious, but beneath the cold exterior Rei could see warmth in his demeanour.
Kai leaned closer, stopping only inches from Rei. "You have to trust yourself. Forget what other people say. If you listen to other people, you'll never get anywhere." He released Rei's arm and then took the plate from his hands, continuing to set the table.
Rei could feel his body shaking, the tips of his fingers prickling with nervous energy. He glanced over his shoulder at Kai. If that had been any other member of the BladeBreakers, he would have taken their advice lightly, but Kai told only the truth.
"Thank you, Kai," Rei whispered, wringing his hands together to quash his rising emotions. He took a deep breath before continuing, reaching for the pan on the stove.
"What else should I put out?" Kai asked.
Rei jumped, not expecting such a general question. Kai usually went quiet after a 'meaningful' conversation, at least until Tyson interrupted and things went back to normal. Tyson wasn't here though, and Rei began to wish he were, just so someone would break through the tension.
"Well?"
Rei shook his head. "No, nothing else. Oh! Can you grab something to drink?" He carried the pan to the table and set it down on a heat mat. When he returned with the large bowl of rice, Kai was already waiting for him. He had set two glasses of water on the table and was now staring at the one before his own plate.
"I hope you don't mind serving yourself," Rei said, sitting across the table. He winced as the chair squeaked against the tiles. "I didn't know how hungry you were."
"Oh? I was beginning to like all this special treatment."
Rei smirked. "The last thing I want is for you to become lazy. Imagine what Tyson would say!"
Kai frowned. "As if I care what that idiot says about me."
"Then why does he make you so angry?" Rei asked. He scooped some rice onto his plate pushing it around to make more room.
Kai took the serving spoon once Rei finished with it. He decided to ignore Rei's comment completely. He only got angry because Tyson was an idiot. He didn't care what Tyson thought, or what he said. Kai kept his eyes on his meal the entire time, even when Rei tried to catch his attention. It worked eventually; when Rei stuck out his tongue in a childish rebuke, Kai couldn't help a small smile.
"Look, there's just something about Tyson that really annoys me. Sometimes I would just like to—"
"Manners, Kai," Rei said.
"You get the idea," Kai said. He placed the spoon back into the dish of rice. Rei was waiting for him, his hands placed in his lap. Kai glanced in the direction Rei was looking. It was still raining outside, the backyard a landscape of muddy puddles and rain drenched plants. The drops of rain clinked against the glass doors and then splattering against the pavement below.
"I wish it would stop raining."
Kai gave a start, bumping the table. His glass clanged against the dish before Rei reached out to steady it. Rei masked a peal of laughter behind his other hand, the cheery sound fluttering around the room. Kai wanted to feel angry, since Rei was openly laughing at his accident, but the chime of Rei's laughter resounded somewhere in his chest and chipped away at the cold that nestled there. It was impossible for him to be mad; instead, he smiled, resting his head on his hand as he watched Rei. It didn't take long for Rei to realize he was watching him. Rei's laugh turned into a nervous cough, which he hid behind his hand. The warmth and genuine pleasure Rei's laughter portrayed were so foreign to him. Kai craved the simple display for himself. Rei could just let himself go, acting on whatever emotions he felt. Some would classify that as a lack of control; once upon a time, he would have thought the same thing.
"We'd better not let it go cold," Rei said.
They spoke little as they ate, preferring to listen to the falling rain. One after another, fat droplets of water splashed onto the ground outside. There were no individual sounds anymore, just a dull roar in the background. Kai wondered when the rain had gotten so heavy. It reminded him of the countless times they had approached a crowded BeyStadium, with thousands of voices talking and cheering in the near distance. The two sounds were almost identical.
Kai glanced at Rei, who was staring into the garden as he ate. The expression on his face gave away exactly how he was feeling. "Just because you glare at it, doesn't mean it will go away," Kai said.
"I was not!" Rei said, jumping in to defend himself. The white tips of his fangs poked out over his lip as his temper flared.
Kai smirked. "I'm sorry," he said, "I guess I can't really call that cute, little scowl of yours a glare, can I?"
Rei opened his mouth, but closed it again just as quickly. His brows knitted together as he frowned. He looked away, focusing on anything except Kai.
"Rei, I was joking."
"So you don't think I'm cute?" The words were out of Rei's mouth before he had time to think. Kai wasn't the only one stunned by the quip; Rei gave an equally shocked look. Kai coughed, and took a long drink from his glass. Rei snickered, seeing the terrible shade of red Kai had turned. He wished Kenny were here with his laptop to capture all of this. Kai would never live it down.