Standard Disclaimer!!
I own nothing of Nadesico; so don't expect me to be able to shell out money for a lawsuit (.
After a long absence I am back. Moving and returning to school was playing havoc with my time. I hope to be able to get back into a steady rhythm of writing but please don't hold your breath.
Again, thanks to my pre-reader's help, story is going to be slown down, were I had planned one chapter we figured a way to spread it into three. So with that said I start!!
--------------------------------
Anata No Ichiban Ni Naritai Chapter 5 - Misconceptions
Peaceful times have a habit of speeding quickly through people's lives. For Ruri and Akito this was also true. Three years passed since the Nergal agents questioned the children about 'the stranger.'
The time passed with many happenings. The pair, while not often, found themselves comforting each other in times of sadness. Several times a sharing of sleeping space had occurred. With the passage of time, the duo aged, and as they aged something happened. It happens to all people, but when it does its never the same afterward, they hit puberty.
Akito was growing into an attractive man, a fact that was now more relevant to Ruri. She had to question if Kami liked to throw women at Akito. Maki Hibiki surprised Akito on her last day at the orphanage by kissing him on the cheek with a tear-streaked expression on her face. She also wondered if her time with Akito had affected that outcome. "She made fun of you for spending time with me.but look at what happened," Akito commented.
Ruri's development was a bit more dramatic than Akito's. She grew about a foot and a half and so had her hair. Ruri decided to keep her hair long and it now was down to her hips in twin pigtails. Her pale skin had developed a bit more color and her hair darkened from its platinum to a pale blue. Her figure, to her unspoken despair, had remained diminutive as she compared herself to the future captain of the Nadesico.
Akito had to watch himself, as he often found himself staring at her. Luckily, from some perception, Ruri didn't notice.
Akito still planned to become a great chef, and cooked more and more often during his off time. Ruri and Kyoko didn't mind, as they got to be his official taste testers. His skill was still marginal but it was growing. Kyoko was so proud of the two of them, Akito her surrogate child and Ruri, the girl that was eating away the shell that encompassed the boy.
The nurse was a little upset with the two however whenever she would find the two sharing a bed. She knew it wasn't sexual, not at the moment she often confessed, but still unnerved her.
The others residents, save Maki, never fully accepted the pair. That fact served to bolster the now steel framed friendship between them. Akito would defend Ruri's name whenever she was ridiculed, and one time blows were exchanged. Ruri didn't have to engage in such actions, as her method of protecting Akito was subtler, but more severe. She had the overly cruel children sent to other orphanages.
And throughout everything, Geki watched. The plush toy, that without Ruri's initial aid would have been lost to time, had been significantly modified. The voice activated, Q-tip firing toy could now walk and jump large distances. "It's only until I can make him fly, " Ruri kept telling Akito.
Thoughts about altering the timeline were slowly being eroded by the continually growing feelings Ruri had regarding Akito. She would often have to chastise herself for a stray thought here, a lingering gaze there. 'Puberty is stupid,' she often thought.
Despite the feelings regarding her becoming a woman, she still was hard pressed to accept her feelings regarding the would-be Aestivalis pilot. She couldn't see herself admitting it to herself let alone him. But in the background, a red haired woman saw the tall tell sings of young love.
"May have to assign them separate rooms after all," Kyoko said while suppressing a giggle.
A single storm cloud was in the sky of the Hoshino/Tenkawa relationship. It appeared only to Ruri and its name was Kyoko Takeshi. Ruri tried to deny the idea that he could have a crush on the nurse.
She reasoned, 'He knows she married, how can he have feelings like that for her!' She then recalled the look Akito would bestow upon her. She was certain it was longing.
---------------------
Akito glumly walked into his shared room and spotted Ruri on her bed. "Not disturbing you am I?"
Putting her book down, "Not at all, is it time for light's out already?"
"No, just couldn't concentrate on the ingredients tonight," he admitted and fell into the chair.
Ruri knew that such an occurrence meant he was lost in thought, looking at him she ventured, "want to talk about it?"
He appeared to be weighing the options of including Ruri into his ordeal. After a few moments of deliberation he reached his answer, 'she's a girl she could help.'
"Kyoko-san's birthday is the day after tomorrow, and I don't know what to get her," he said with a languished sigh.
Unseen by Akito, the mention of the nurse's name caused Ruri's continence to drop slightly. "Do you have any ideas at all?"
"A few but they don't seem good enough for her."
'He wants to impress her, his feelings must be strong.' With a heavy heart, "I could help you pick something out for her."
Even as she said the words she regretted them. 'Why should I help him get a gift for a woman that cannot return his feelings.' Ruri was feeling something strange to her, jealousy.
Bright eyed and smiling, "You'd really help me get her a gift, you're the best Ruri!"
She smiled lightly at his comment; she couldn't help it as Akito's words always affected her. "When do we go?" she asked.
Looking at an old bus schedule he had found, "We can leave about 9 a.m. for the city shopping district."
"Than it is set, we'll leave after breakfast. Now will you allow me to change into my night attire?" she said in a voice that hinted on sorrow.
Her tone wasn't lost on the 15 year old, "Sure.are you ok Ruri?"
Realizing her tone of voice had betrayed her she responded, "I'm fine, just tired."
Nodding to her Akito left the room and leaned against the wall. He was taller now and more muscular, but still had the rather shabby brown hair. His thoughts were jumbled with emotion and clouded by his entering adulthood.
He could sense a great desire to protect Ruri, the young girl that had affected his life so greatly. 'When things looked so bad.she came, and now look.' He smiled brightly. Suddenly the urge to sneak a peak at the young woman entered his mind. While not the first time he had such an urge, he still felt ashamed of such impulses.
To help get his mind off the attractive young woman that was changing in his room at that very moment, Akito started to think about what to get Kyoko.
He came up with a few ideas; he'd wait and ask Ruri about them tomorrow while they shopped. When she had finished changing into her now light green pajamas, she signaled for him to come in. Upon entering, Akito found Ruri already in bed and on her side. He hoped she wasn't keeping some sort of problem from him, but he climbed into his bunk and went to sleep.
Ruri found it hard to sleep, her thoughts on the next days actives playing havoc with her emotions. She fought back a sigh and fell asleep. 'Akito no baka,' was her last thought.
-----------------------------
Morning was hectic. Akito was quick to rise, while Ruri was more withdrawn. By the time she had dressed, she had found Akito had eaten already and presented her with a handmade breakfast. She knew he cooked as much as he could, but only allowed Kyoko and herself to sample it.
She ate her food while Akito asked for permission for the pair to head into the city. Kyoko was a tad apprehensive about letting them go, "That spy still hasn't been found," she used as an excuse.
Ruri had her reservations, but she felt that Kyoko knew the spy from three years ago was really her.
When Akito relinquished the fact that he was going with Ruri however, Kyoko smiled sweetly at him and relented. They put their shoes on and were off.
'Going on dates at 15, those two never cease to amaze me.' Kyoko still loved Akito deeply, for her Akito had become a second son. She was saddened though, as he never really showed any outward feelings towards her. Sure a thank you here and there, the food sampling, but nothing major. She felt slightly hurt by his lack of outward emotion.
"Hope Ruri-chan helps him open up to others, " she said to nobody in particular and resumed her watch.
-----------------------------
As they boarded the bus, "So where will we begin our search?"
Letting Ruri take the window seat, "I have a few idea's as to what to give her.but I'd like to hear what you have to say about them."
Nodding at his notion she waited for him to continue.
Akito had grown to understand Ruri's many non-verbal cues, "I want to give her something really special.but I don't know what she really likes."
She didn't like his tone, "Why not simply give her the credits and allow her to make her own purchase?"
Playing with his thumbs, "That's to impersonal."
'I know,' was her thought but her words spoke differently, "Than what idea's DO you have?"
"Well.jewelry, card, something for her office.something she would like."
The bus came to a halt and the two teenagers stepped off into the growing center of commerce. Being a still growing facility, the Utopia colony didn't have many major centers of trade, but the two were standing in the largest. Although it was still relatively early the sidewalks were bustling with would be customers and dealers hawking their wares.
As she readjusted the hem in her skirt, "How can you even afford to purchase a gift for her?"
"Oh, yeah you don't know. My parents.left me a trust fund after they.died."
The words sunk into her mind, 'that explains things.but why was Akito poor on Earth.' Then it struck her, 'the attack! The money must be in an independent Martian exchange system. After the attack all funds would have been lost!'
Akito watched Ruri as they walked, 'she's deep in thought, wonder what it it's about.'
"Are you sure you wanted to come with me today?" he asked as the started down the street.
Rocked from her thought process, "Oh, yes. Just trying to think of a gift for Kyoko-san."
Being brought back to subject Akito stopped in front of a kiosk, "What do you think about these?"
Looking at the displayed wares, "You are not serious are you?"
Akito picked up a Gekiganger graphic novel, "You don't think she'd like it?"
Striking him lightly on the top of the head, "We aren't shopping for ourselves Akito."
Yes, Akito's favorite anime finally rubbed off on Ruri and she too was a Gekiganger fan. The two would spend their Saturday mornings in control of the television set and watch as much as possible.
Putting the book back down, "I guess your right, you have any ideas?"
She started leading Akito down the street again, "You must think of why you want to give her something not what you want to give her."
Standing still, "What does that mean?" he asked in utter confusion.
With a sigh of frustration, "If you want to give a gift to convey emotion, you must know what emotion you wish the receiver to have."
Ruri noticed recognition in Akito's eyes, 'he understands.' She still didn't like what she was doing; this was only going to hurt Akito. She found out, however, she couldn't help herself from giving her honest opinion.
With his new outlook on the task, the pair visited a great deal of shops and stands. He would get the perfect gift. Noon arrived to soon for him, as he had only begun to take note of actual possibilities.
He set down a decorative tea kettle when Ruri's stomach announced its anger.
Smiling softly at the girl who was selflessly helping him, "Want to stop for lunch, my treat?"
Ruri blushed at her unspoken declaration, "Yes please."
The two looked around the promenade for a place to eat. As a center of commerce it was filled with numerous venders. Ramen, Chinese, Tai, and many unique food suppliers were available to them.
In one voice they both said, "Noodles?" A woman standing by them laughed at the faces the two made when the both asked the same question at the same time.
They walked to the noodle shack and made their orders. When the waitress brought the food she couldn't resist saying, "wish my boyfriend would take me out shopping and to lunch. You got a keeper their missy."
Ruri quickly blushed and admonished the serving girl, "We are simply friends, and I am assisting him as he looks for a birthday gift."
As the waitress apologized to Ruri, Akito tried to mask the embarrassment and recover from the slight disappointment from Ruri's comment. 'Do I want her to be my girlfriend?'
They ate in silence after the girls comment. Both to embarrassed to talk at the moment. The bill came and Akito paid as he said he would, and they started their search over again.
The outcome wasn't looking too promising. Akito and Ruri would often find something nice, but when they thought about it, just didn't seem to be right. As they searched, they talked. Although they were near constant companions, they didn't speak this much together.
Both were the silent type, a fact Ruri was astounded by with her future knowledge. But as they shopped, they spoke openly. The rather fragile person Ruri was underneath her projected exterior of cold astounded Akito. Ruri was equally astonished to learn she had so much in common with Akito. Both had a new and greatly improved respect for the other.
Checking his watch, "This is bad, the bus comes in about an hour and we still haven't picked anything."
"We could revisit the jeweler, that was the best match so far," Ruri opted.
"I guess." he stopped mid-sentence as he passed a glass dealer.
"Akito?"
"I have it! But I think it'll take some time," he exclaimed in triumph.
Following his gaze, "What will take time?"
In a hurried voice, "Ruri, you have to head back to the bus stop and keep it from leaving, please?"
'He wants me to wait alone at the stop for an hour while he gets a married woman a gift?' Her face a mask of emptiness. "Fine, it will be there."
Near bursting Akito put his hands on her shoulders and smiled, "Thanks so much Ruri-chan!"
The mention of chan and the contact resulting in twin blushes from the two, but Ruri was quick to recover, "I will be off."
She removed Akito's hands and headed to the station. When she was out of sight, Akito entered the store and made his purchase.
--------------------------
'He thinks of me as a friend, I should be happy enough with that.' Ruri reminded herself for the umpteenth time as she waited. 'Then why do I feel like this?'
She knew she shouldn't get attached, she couldn't, and she did.
Shaking her head fiercely to banish the slip in her logic, she saw Akito running towards her.
'My Knight returns and with such haste,' she mused.
Breathing heavily, "Guess.it.didn't take.as long.as I thought it would."
"It appears so," she said a bit more curt than she liked.
Again her voice didn't slip past Akito's now trained ears, but his questioning was cut off by the opening of the bus door. Ruri quickly slipped into the bus, her seat, and silence.
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The ride back was long and arduous. Ruri not speaking, and Akito wondering why she was upset. They arrived back at the orphanage with only an hour before lights out.
Kyoko insisted they alternate eating and showering with that time. Akito thanked whatever deity was watching over him, as she overlooked the bag he held.
After the required tasks were completed the pair discovered what a full day of shopping can do and were quickly over run by exhaustion. Akito actually fell asleep in his normal cloths.
Ruri however did change. Long after Akito had passed out, the exhausted Ruri lay looking at the underside of his bed. 'I failed.'
-----------------------------
When Ruri woke, she found the room empty.
'Gone so soon to give her the precious gift?' she thought bitterly.
She went about dressing with no real care, 'today will not be a good day.'
She didn't even know what the present Akito finally settled on was, 'my attitude yesterday prevented my asking. Why must my own hormones be against me?'
Standing up, she set her day's mission. 'I'm going to see what he got her."
She stole from the room and made her way towards the nurse's office. The closer she got the harder the next step came. She was dragging herself by the time she reached the slightly ajar door.
Compulsion now drove her actions; she licked her lips and peered in.
Kyoko smiled openly at Akito as he held out a bag filled with tissue paper. "I wanted to get you something."
Taking out paper, "You know you didn't have to do that Akito-kun. But it is a nice gesture."
Kyoko was astonished when Akito had knocked on her door not five-minutes earlier with the bag. She knew the boy had to have some feelings for her, but expected this.
His face plastered with nervousness, "I hope you like it.I wasn't sure."
"I'm sure I will, and it IS the thought that counts right?"
Not really agreeing, Akito nodded nonetheless.
Finally taking out the gift, Kyoko stifled back a gasp. Here on her desk was the most perfect gift Akito could have given her. It was simple, but practical. A colored glass rose on an engraved base. The object itself wasn't what affected Kyoko so much but the inscription.
Kyoko-san, For all the times you stood up for me, I thank you. You've been like a mother to me and I love you. Akito Tenkawa
Without words, the crying nurse embraced the boy tightly. Shocked all Akito could do was hug her back.
'All this time, he loved me just as much as I did him.' She openly cried on the boy, joyous tears.
"I love you too Akito, your like a son to me too," she said as she lightly kissed his cheek.
------------------------
Out in the hall, Ruri heard it all and seen it all.
It all fell into place, 'Akito didn't have a crush.he thought of Takashi- san as a mother.'
Her day instantly better, Ruri shut the door to let the two talk. She headed back to the shared room and dismissed at her earlier notions. 'I had nothing to worry about.' she hung her head, 'except myself.'
With a smile on her face she entered her room and picked up Geki, "It's time for you to fly."
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Author Notes
Well again, sorry bout the delay. My bad.
I know its waffy but it won't always be. Soon things are going to get troubled.then nasty.then I don't know :)
Always like ideas/comments/suggestions
Hope you liked this chapter and continue to read in the future.
Ja Mata
Zentrodie (zentrodie@secondimpact.com www.geocities.com/zentrodie.geo)
I own nothing of Nadesico; so don't expect me to be able to shell out money for a lawsuit (.
After a long absence I am back. Moving and returning to school was playing havoc with my time. I hope to be able to get back into a steady rhythm of writing but please don't hold your breath.
Again, thanks to my pre-reader's help, story is going to be slown down, were I had planned one chapter we figured a way to spread it into three. So with that said I start!!
--------------------------------
Anata No Ichiban Ni Naritai Chapter 5 - Misconceptions
Peaceful times have a habit of speeding quickly through people's lives. For Ruri and Akito this was also true. Three years passed since the Nergal agents questioned the children about 'the stranger.'
The time passed with many happenings. The pair, while not often, found themselves comforting each other in times of sadness. Several times a sharing of sleeping space had occurred. With the passage of time, the duo aged, and as they aged something happened. It happens to all people, but when it does its never the same afterward, they hit puberty.
Akito was growing into an attractive man, a fact that was now more relevant to Ruri. She had to question if Kami liked to throw women at Akito. Maki Hibiki surprised Akito on her last day at the orphanage by kissing him on the cheek with a tear-streaked expression on her face. She also wondered if her time with Akito had affected that outcome. "She made fun of you for spending time with me.but look at what happened," Akito commented.
Ruri's development was a bit more dramatic than Akito's. She grew about a foot and a half and so had her hair. Ruri decided to keep her hair long and it now was down to her hips in twin pigtails. Her pale skin had developed a bit more color and her hair darkened from its platinum to a pale blue. Her figure, to her unspoken despair, had remained diminutive as she compared herself to the future captain of the Nadesico.
Akito had to watch himself, as he often found himself staring at her. Luckily, from some perception, Ruri didn't notice.
Akito still planned to become a great chef, and cooked more and more often during his off time. Ruri and Kyoko didn't mind, as they got to be his official taste testers. His skill was still marginal but it was growing. Kyoko was so proud of the two of them, Akito her surrogate child and Ruri, the girl that was eating away the shell that encompassed the boy.
The nurse was a little upset with the two however whenever she would find the two sharing a bed. She knew it wasn't sexual, not at the moment she often confessed, but still unnerved her.
The others residents, save Maki, never fully accepted the pair. That fact served to bolster the now steel framed friendship between them. Akito would defend Ruri's name whenever she was ridiculed, and one time blows were exchanged. Ruri didn't have to engage in such actions, as her method of protecting Akito was subtler, but more severe. She had the overly cruel children sent to other orphanages.
And throughout everything, Geki watched. The plush toy, that without Ruri's initial aid would have been lost to time, had been significantly modified. The voice activated, Q-tip firing toy could now walk and jump large distances. "It's only until I can make him fly, " Ruri kept telling Akito.
Thoughts about altering the timeline were slowly being eroded by the continually growing feelings Ruri had regarding Akito. She would often have to chastise herself for a stray thought here, a lingering gaze there. 'Puberty is stupid,' she often thought.
Despite the feelings regarding her becoming a woman, she still was hard pressed to accept her feelings regarding the would-be Aestivalis pilot. She couldn't see herself admitting it to herself let alone him. But in the background, a red haired woman saw the tall tell sings of young love.
"May have to assign them separate rooms after all," Kyoko said while suppressing a giggle.
A single storm cloud was in the sky of the Hoshino/Tenkawa relationship. It appeared only to Ruri and its name was Kyoko Takeshi. Ruri tried to deny the idea that he could have a crush on the nurse.
She reasoned, 'He knows she married, how can he have feelings like that for her!' She then recalled the look Akito would bestow upon her. She was certain it was longing.
---------------------
Akito glumly walked into his shared room and spotted Ruri on her bed. "Not disturbing you am I?"
Putting her book down, "Not at all, is it time for light's out already?"
"No, just couldn't concentrate on the ingredients tonight," he admitted and fell into the chair.
Ruri knew that such an occurrence meant he was lost in thought, looking at him she ventured, "want to talk about it?"
He appeared to be weighing the options of including Ruri into his ordeal. After a few moments of deliberation he reached his answer, 'she's a girl she could help.'
"Kyoko-san's birthday is the day after tomorrow, and I don't know what to get her," he said with a languished sigh.
Unseen by Akito, the mention of the nurse's name caused Ruri's continence to drop slightly. "Do you have any ideas at all?"
"A few but they don't seem good enough for her."
'He wants to impress her, his feelings must be strong.' With a heavy heart, "I could help you pick something out for her."
Even as she said the words she regretted them. 'Why should I help him get a gift for a woman that cannot return his feelings.' Ruri was feeling something strange to her, jealousy.
Bright eyed and smiling, "You'd really help me get her a gift, you're the best Ruri!"
She smiled lightly at his comment; she couldn't help it as Akito's words always affected her. "When do we go?" she asked.
Looking at an old bus schedule he had found, "We can leave about 9 a.m. for the city shopping district."
"Than it is set, we'll leave after breakfast. Now will you allow me to change into my night attire?" she said in a voice that hinted on sorrow.
Her tone wasn't lost on the 15 year old, "Sure.are you ok Ruri?"
Realizing her tone of voice had betrayed her she responded, "I'm fine, just tired."
Nodding to her Akito left the room and leaned against the wall. He was taller now and more muscular, but still had the rather shabby brown hair. His thoughts were jumbled with emotion and clouded by his entering adulthood.
He could sense a great desire to protect Ruri, the young girl that had affected his life so greatly. 'When things looked so bad.she came, and now look.' He smiled brightly. Suddenly the urge to sneak a peak at the young woman entered his mind. While not the first time he had such an urge, he still felt ashamed of such impulses.
To help get his mind off the attractive young woman that was changing in his room at that very moment, Akito started to think about what to get Kyoko.
He came up with a few ideas; he'd wait and ask Ruri about them tomorrow while they shopped. When she had finished changing into her now light green pajamas, she signaled for him to come in. Upon entering, Akito found Ruri already in bed and on her side. He hoped she wasn't keeping some sort of problem from him, but he climbed into his bunk and went to sleep.
Ruri found it hard to sleep, her thoughts on the next days actives playing havoc with her emotions. She fought back a sigh and fell asleep. 'Akito no baka,' was her last thought.
-----------------------------
Morning was hectic. Akito was quick to rise, while Ruri was more withdrawn. By the time she had dressed, she had found Akito had eaten already and presented her with a handmade breakfast. She knew he cooked as much as he could, but only allowed Kyoko and herself to sample it.
She ate her food while Akito asked for permission for the pair to head into the city. Kyoko was a tad apprehensive about letting them go, "That spy still hasn't been found," she used as an excuse.
Ruri had her reservations, but she felt that Kyoko knew the spy from three years ago was really her.
When Akito relinquished the fact that he was going with Ruri however, Kyoko smiled sweetly at him and relented. They put their shoes on and were off.
'Going on dates at 15, those two never cease to amaze me.' Kyoko still loved Akito deeply, for her Akito had become a second son. She was saddened though, as he never really showed any outward feelings towards her. Sure a thank you here and there, the food sampling, but nothing major. She felt slightly hurt by his lack of outward emotion.
"Hope Ruri-chan helps him open up to others, " she said to nobody in particular and resumed her watch.
-----------------------------
As they boarded the bus, "So where will we begin our search?"
Letting Ruri take the window seat, "I have a few idea's as to what to give her.but I'd like to hear what you have to say about them."
Nodding at his notion she waited for him to continue.
Akito had grown to understand Ruri's many non-verbal cues, "I want to give her something really special.but I don't know what she really likes."
She didn't like his tone, "Why not simply give her the credits and allow her to make her own purchase?"
Playing with his thumbs, "That's to impersonal."
'I know,' was her thought but her words spoke differently, "Than what idea's DO you have?"
"Well.jewelry, card, something for her office.something she would like."
The bus came to a halt and the two teenagers stepped off into the growing center of commerce. Being a still growing facility, the Utopia colony didn't have many major centers of trade, but the two were standing in the largest. Although it was still relatively early the sidewalks were bustling with would be customers and dealers hawking their wares.
As she readjusted the hem in her skirt, "How can you even afford to purchase a gift for her?"
"Oh, yeah you don't know. My parents.left me a trust fund after they.died."
The words sunk into her mind, 'that explains things.but why was Akito poor on Earth.' Then it struck her, 'the attack! The money must be in an independent Martian exchange system. After the attack all funds would have been lost!'
Akito watched Ruri as they walked, 'she's deep in thought, wonder what it it's about.'
"Are you sure you wanted to come with me today?" he asked as the started down the street.
Rocked from her thought process, "Oh, yes. Just trying to think of a gift for Kyoko-san."
Being brought back to subject Akito stopped in front of a kiosk, "What do you think about these?"
Looking at the displayed wares, "You are not serious are you?"
Akito picked up a Gekiganger graphic novel, "You don't think she'd like it?"
Striking him lightly on the top of the head, "We aren't shopping for ourselves Akito."
Yes, Akito's favorite anime finally rubbed off on Ruri and she too was a Gekiganger fan. The two would spend their Saturday mornings in control of the television set and watch as much as possible.
Putting the book back down, "I guess your right, you have any ideas?"
She started leading Akito down the street again, "You must think of why you want to give her something not what you want to give her."
Standing still, "What does that mean?" he asked in utter confusion.
With a sigh of frustration, "If you want to give a gift to convey emotion, you must know what emotion you wish the receiver to have."
Ruri noticed recognition in Akito's eyes, 'he understands.' She still didn't like what she was doing; this was only going to hurt Akito. She found out, however, she couldn't help herself from giving her honest opinion.
With his new outlook on the task, the pair visited a great deal of shops and stands. He would get the perfect gift. Noon arrived to soon for him, as he had only begun to take note of actual possibilities.
He set down a decorative tea kettle when Ruri's stomach announced its anger.
Smiling softly at the girl who was selflessly helping him, "Want to stop for lunch, my treat?"
Ruri blushed at her unspoken declaration, "Yes please."
The two looked around the promenade for a place to eat. As a center of commerce it was filled with numerous venders. Ramen, Chinese, Tai, and many unique food suppliers were available to them.
In one voice they both said, "Noodles?" A woman standing by them laughed at the faces the two made when the both asked the same question at the same time.
They walked to the noodle shack and made their orders. When the waitress brought the food she couldn't resist saying, "wish my boyfriend would take me out shopping and to lunch. You got a keeper their missy."
Ruri quickly blushed and admonished the serving girl, "We are simply friends, and I am assisting him as he looks for a birthday gift."
As the waitress apologized to Ruri, Akito tried to mask the embarrassment and recover from the slight disappointment from Ruri's comment. 'Do I want her to be my girlfriend?'
They ate in silence after the girls comment. Both to embarrassed to talk at the moment. The bill came and Akito paid as he said he would, and they started their search over again.
The outcome wasn't looking too promising. Akito and Ruri would often find something nice, but when they thought about it, just didn't seem to be right. As they searched, they talked. Although they were near constant companions, they didn't speak this much together.
Both were the silent type, a fact Ruri was astounded by with her future knowledge. But as they shopped, they spoke openly. The rather fragile person Ruri was underneath her projected exterior of cold astounded Akito. Ruri was equally astonished to learn she had so much in common with Akito. Both had a new and greatly improved respect for the other.
Checking his watch, "This is bad, the bus comes in about an hour and we still haven't picked anything."
"We could revisit the jeweler, that was the best match so far," Ruri opted.
"I guess." he stopped mid-sentence as he passed a glass dealer.
"Akito?"
"I have it! But I think it'll take some time," he exclaimed in triumph.
Following his gaze, "What will take time?"
In a hurried voice, "Ruri, you have to head back to the bus stop and keep it from leaving, please?"
'He wants me to wait alone at the stop for an hour while he gets a married woman a gift?' Her face a mask of emptiness. "Fine, it will be there."
Near bursting Akito put his hands on her shoulders and smiled, "Thanks so much Ruri-chan!"
The mention of chan and the contact resulting in twin blushes from the two, but Ruri was quick to recover, "I will be off."
She removed Akito's hands and headed to the station. When she was out of sight, Akito entered the store and made his purchase.
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'He thinks of me as a friend, I should be happy enough with that.' Ruri reminded herself for the umpteenth time as she waited. 'Then why do I feel like this?'
She knew she shouldn't get attached, she couldn't, and she did.
Shaking her head fiercely to banish the slip in her logic, she saw Akito running towards her.
'My Knight returns and with such haste,' she mused.
Breathing heavily, "Guess.it.didn't take.as long.as I thought it would."
"It appears so," she said a bit more curt than she liked.
Again her voice didn't slip past Akito's now trained ears, but his questioning was cut off by the opening of the bus door. Ruri quickly slipped into the bus, her seat, and silence.
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The ride back was long and arduous. Ruri not speaking, and Akito wondering why she was upset. They arrived back at the orphanage with only an hour before lights out.
Kyoko insisted they alternate eating and showering with that time. Akito thanked whatever deity was watching over him, as she overlooked the bag he held.
After the required tasks were completed the pair discovered what a full day of shopping can do and were quickly over run by exhaustion. Akito actually fell asleep in his normal cloths.
Ruri however did change. Long after Akito had passed out, the exhausted Ruri lay looking at the underside of his bed. 'I failed.'
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When Ruri woke, she found the room empty.
'Gone so soon to give her the precious gift?' she thought bitterly.
She went about dressing with no real care, 'today will not be a good day.'
She didn't even know what the present Akito finally settled on was, 'my attitude yesterday prevented my asking. Why must my own hormones be against me?'
Standing up, she set her day's mission. 'I'm going to see what he got her."
She stole from the room and made her way towards the nurse's office. The closer she got the harder the next step came. She was dragging herself by the time she reached the slightly ajar door.
Compulsion now drove her actions; she licked her lips and peered in.
Kyoko smiled openly at Akito as he held out a bag filled with tissue paper. "I wanted to get you something."
Taking out paper, "You know you didn't have to do that Akito-kun. But it is a nice gesture."
Kyoko was astonished when Akito had knocked on her door not five-minutes earlier with the bag. She knew the boy had to have some feelings for her, but expected this.
His face plastered with nervousness, "I hope you like it.I wasn't sure."
"I'm sure I will, and it IS the thought that counts right?"
Not really agreeing, Akito nodded nonetheless.
Finally taking out the gift, Kyoko stifled back a gasp. Here on her desk was the most perfect gift Akito could have given her. It was simple, but practical. A colored glass rose on an engraved base. The object itself wasn't what affected Kyoko so much but the inscription.
Kyoko-san, For all the times you stood up for me, I thank you. You've been like a mother to me and I love you. Akito Tenkawa
Without words, the crying nurse embraced the boy tightly. Shocked all Akito could do was hug her back.
'All this time, he loved me just as much as I did him.' She openly cried on the boy, joyous tears.
"I love you too Akito, your like a son to me too," she said as she lightly kissed his cheek.
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Out in the hall, Ruri heard it all and seen it all.
It all fell into place, 'Akito didn't have a crush.he thought of Takashi- san as a mother.'
Her day instantly better, Ruri shut the door to let the two talk. She headed back to the shared room and dismissed at her earlier notions. 'I had nothing to worry about.' she hung her head, 'except myself.'
With a smile on her face she entered her room and picked up Geki, "It's time for you to fly."
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Author Notes
Well again, sorry bout the delay. My bad.
I know its waffy but it won't always be. Soon things are going to get troubled.then nasty.then I don't know :)
Always like ideas/comments/suggestions
Hope you liked this chapter and continue to read in the future.
Ja Mata
Zentrodie (zentrodie@secondimpact.com www.geocities.com/zentrodie.geo)