Rikku: I want to thank the following people for reviewing:
Hannah Kyouyama- Thanks for your reviews! And of course there'll be more dates! What good would this story be without good ol' fluff? XD
saber-hiwarti- Arigatou
Prozacfairy- Don't worry, they'll be a lot of Anna and Yoh moments
Chocolate5: I'm really glad you like Miho and I was quite surprised when you told me that this fic was 'the best Horo fic you ever read' proud smile
Dranzy: You're probably right about the surprise fic-thing. Well, I guess I expected you to know, seeing as you're my cousin and you were there when I first bought the manga ;
Oh yeah, and before I forget, all loud sounds and actions done in speech, have been reduced to a "...." decoration because, as some of you might have noticed, fanfiction has removed all stars (shift 8) in all fics... or maybe that's just me. Either way, this is the new design:
Example: CRASH
P.S. I might repost my other chapters because of this... um- 'little dilemma', anywho, please don't mind if you have me on your author alert.
---------------------------------
Winter of Love
Chapter 8: Breaking the News
---------------------------------
RRRRING
RRRRING
RRRI-
"Moshi, moshi."
"Hello? P-Pirika?"
"Yes... is that you Miho?"
"Y-yeah..." I answered. My voice shook with fear as I spoke.
"Where have you and Horo been!? Everyone's been worried! You've been gone all night together!" Pirika cried, her voice repeatedly beating my poor ear.
My face suddenly blushed a bright pink. "A-all night?"
"Yes, all night! Did you two lose track of time or what?"
I turned to Horo who was still sitting on his hospital bed. He looked at me curiously. I lowered the phone from my ear and gave my 'boyfriend' (Rikku: Oooh! That's soo kawaii!) a fearful look. "W-we've been gone all night and no one knows where we are..."
Horo looked confused at first until something in his mind must have snapped. His eyes widened and his cheeks blushed a beet red. "D-d'you think-"
"OH KAMI-SAMA!!!" Pirika's voice suddenly thundered from the phone with a tone of realization. (Rikku: 'Kami-sama' means god, and 'oh' is, well, english (duh). So translated, this would mean, "Oh God!")
I gulped. "P-probably..." I said, answering Horo's unfinished question. I held the phone to my ear again. "H-hai?"
"Y-you two..." Pirika's voice was now soft. "Have you...?"
"Iie (no)!" I protested. "No, that's not what happened! Listen... Horo and I are at the hospital because..."
--------------------------------
And so, after that... 'unpleasant' conversation with my boyfriend's sister, we were ordered to returned to the shrine immediately... whether Horo had fully recovered or not. --;
"I'm really sorry about Pirika." Horo apologized for the seventh time after we left the hospital- and a crew of angry doctors and nurses- for the shrine.
I watched my feet carry along the sidewalk with a small smile. "Don't sweat. For the last time, it's ok." I looked up at the shaman with reassuring eyes. "Really."
Horo sighed. "But there's something else I should be sorry about."
My brows furrowed in wonder. "Oh?"
"I didn't mean to get so angry the other day. You had good reasons to reject me... you weren't ready." he frowned. "I should have known that."
I gave the shaman a sad smile. "It's not that I wasn't ready... I just wasn't completely certain. But now I am... and please don't apologize." I grinned. "It's sweet... but it makes you look soft."
The shaman shrugged. "If being soft makes you love me..."
"You are so unpredictable." I interjected, rolling my eyes.
"Isn't that a good thing?"
"Not if I won't know what perverted tricks you have up your sleeves."
"What do you take me for?"
I suddenly felt my boyfriend's arm wrap around my waist. I giggled. "I'd say a lover of some sort... one that has his habits."
Horo chuckled. "C'mon, you trust me, don't you? It's not like I ever groped you or anything."
"True..." I smirked. "But you think about it, ne?"
Horo huffed without a respond.
"I thought so." I laughed, snuggling closer to his warm body...
This fortress...
This wonderful feeling that serenaded me every time I felt him near...
I wanted to throw my arms around him right then...
That fortress...
Which kept me warm when my heart turned cold...
Which swept me off my feet with such a loving feeling...
That feeling...
That warmth...
That fortress...
(Rikku: Gomen. I got caught up in the moment and now it's suddenly poetry. ;)
"Horo...?" I spoke after a moment of silence... I had been lost in my thoughts.
"Yeah?"
"Thank you."
"You might want to save those words, 'cause as soon as we reach the shrine, you'll regret ever accepting me."
I giggled. "Don't think that way, Horo-chan!" My perkiness seemed to have jerked a smile across the shaman's face. "Nothing can change my feelings! Not even the wrath of your crazy sister."
"No regrets?"
"Nuh-uh."
"Thank you."
"Don't mock me!"
"Sigh Oh boy..."
(Rikku: Tee-hee, it seems like Miho has her perky moments, ne?)
---------------------------------
"We're here." I muttered, staring at the shrine's doors- it felt like a year ago when I first stood before them, ready to start a new chapter of my life. Who would have known that they would have opened to love, friendship and so much more...
"Do we have to?" Horo sighed.
"I guess..." I frowned, bringing my attention away from the doors and to my boyfriend. "We can't just turn back... it's better to get it over with now."
"Maybe..." Horo mumbled, smiling as his eyes met mine.
For a moment I was lost in those eyes... they were like an endless dream.
Ever since I fell for those bright orbs, there was just a spark; they weren't glinted with sadness nor loss... instead, they shone with wonderful rays... ones that resembled the light that sparkled from a bright and early sun...
"Miho?"
My eyes snapped wide open with realization. I quickly looked away as a blush sprawled on my face. "I-I'm sorry... I was just... lost for a second."
I knew Horo was smiling because of the tone in his voice... he was always so cheerful that it scared me whenever he was serious or sad- like when I nearly lost him. "Maybe we can come back later on today... you know, go for a walk... like, um... a date instead?"
I chuckled, bringing myself to look at him again. "That... sounds like fun..."
Horo looked almost amazed at my answer; as if he expected a 'no' rather than a 'yes'. "Honto?(Really)"
"Of course." I smiled. "We can come back this evening... right now, I just wanna spend time with you."
Suddenly, the shaman blushed a beet red. "Miho... th-that's great... I-I've been wanting to spend some quality time with you too..."
My cheeks burned light pink as I linked my arm with his. "I never thought I'd except this arm before..." I laughed. (Rikku: See chapter 3.) "...it's a nice change."
------------------------------------
Horo began leading me down the busy streets, and it wasn't until we were almost there when I realized where he was taking me: the park.
We had just entered into it when I dashed for the swing set. Of course, every park had a playground, and why take a boring walk or gaze at the pond as if something were actually going to happen, when you can always go for a swing.
I smiled a Horo- who stood a few feet away from me- as his brows furrowed with wonder. He then sighed at my childish behavior, slouched and glanced at me expectantly.
I pushed my feet off the ground for a second, only to stop myself immediately. I brought my feet back to the sandy ground and glared at the shaman as a perverted grin danced upon his lips.
Swings and skirts...
not good.
My hands immediately flew to my skirt as a light breeze swept the grounds. I pulled myself off the seat with a light huff and crossed my arms across my chest with a sign of annoyance.
That's what you get for mixing your boyfriend with your wardrobe... sigh
Horo laughed. "Now that I got you out of a load of embarassment... y'wanna go for a walk?"
I sighed. "Exactly what I didn't want to do before..."
Well, of course, I had no choice in the matter. Horo held out an arm again and I took it without hesitating.
Oh well, a walk... with Horo... sounded fun.
Good mix.
----------------------------------
During our walk, we talked about such things as, our excuse once we got back to the shrine, and the best escape plan if anything were to happen.
Being blinded by the enjoyment, I soon found myself drawn to the pond with my arm still linked with Horo's. 'There goes my plans...' I thought. 'Still... I can't help but smile...'
I released Horo's arm to sit on the grass bordering the pond. Looking up to him, I tugged on his hand, like a child, gesturing him to sit with me. Grinning, he did so.
I sighed at the beautiful scene before me... and to think, a few minutes ago, I had thought this would have been boring. I gazed at the water that glittered in the sunlight and at the tall trees towering over the pond and casting a refreshing shade around us. "This day was so... wonderful." I whispered.
"Yeah... but I would have had more fun..." Horo began, before I interjected.
"What d'you mean?" I inquired, my attention turning to him.
Suddenly, I felt his hand place onto my back. "If you were wearing white..."
It was then, when the hand suddenly pushed against my back with full force...
SPLASH
For a moment I allowed myself to 'bob around' in the water with complete shock, until my lungs were ready to burst and I pulled myself to the surface of the water, gasping for air. "No good bastard..." I muttered, swimming to edge of the pool and propping my arms on the grass. "What the fuck was that for!?"
Horo merely laughed. "I'm having fun." he answered, holding out a hand before me. "Here, I'll help you out."
'The oldest trick in the book...' I thought, gleefully as I took his hand. "Thanks." I grinned, yanking on the hand with all my strength, completely bringing him face-faulting into the water.
I clutched my sides as I laughed hysterically- still in the water. At this point, many heads had turned and the whispering had started... but I kept on laughing...
Suddenly, I felt a force tug on my leg. I turned my head just enough to see Horo, his hair-being completely wet- a bit flattened, with an unusual smirk. "Nani?(what)" I questioned.
"Get outta the water, you're gonna get sick."
I blinked. "Y-you're not mad?"
"Don't worry." the shaman grinned. "I'll get you back later."
I sighed with defeat and slowly climbed out of the water and onto the grass.
Water and denim...
Bad Mix. --
Horo pulled himself out of the water too, and surprisingly, he didn't look the least bit pissed. Instead, he took off his -wet- jacket and put it over me. "It's a bit drenched, but it'll still keep you warm."
I stared blankly at Horo, who was only wearing a t-shirt, with a questioning look. "But you-"
"Don't worry about me..." Horo laughed. "I'm not the one wearing a skirt."
"I sure hope not." I giggled. "Maybe... we should head back."
"I guess." Horo replied, patting the pockets of his -wet- baggy jeans. (Rikku: Don't mind me making Horo a bit casual )
"What are you looking for?" I asked.
"Damn..." he muttered. "I forgot to bring my celphone when we were leaving for the fair."
"The fair..." I mumbled. It felt like a month ago... like so much time had passed. Now Horo and I were together... and things were going to change once we returned to the shrine.
..:::Silence:::..
I shivered as another cold breeze swept by, Horo, being the observant bastard that he is, noticed this and snaked his arms around me, pulling me close to his chest and serenading me with such warmth. I admired the feeling for a quick moment before a soft ring greeted my ears. My eyes snapped wide open as I, regrettably, pulled away from the hug to look at my watch. "It's already six! We have to get back before they start to worry!"
Horo sighed. "What perfect timing..."
Rolling my eyes, I grabbed Horo's hand and began dragging him back to the shrine.
------------------------------
"YOU'RE BAAAACK!!!"
Pirika's squeeling was the perfect greeting when we returned to the shrine- oh ya, like in a sarcastic kinda way. --
Suddenly, everyone else- Yoh, Anna, Tamao, Manta- ran/walked (Anna) toward us with either eager, worried, or blank expressions.
"Um... hey everyone." I greeted, a bit nervous.
"What happened to you two?" Yoh inquired.
"Well... we sorta had a small accident." Horo explained.
"You call getting hit by a car 'small'!?" Pirika screeched.
Manta looked at Pirika questioningly. "You mean you knew what happened the whole time?"
"You were HIT by a car?" Yoh cried.
Suddenly, questions and demands began flying around the room:
"What the HELL were you two thinking?"
"So where'd you go off to?"
"Why didn't you call any sooner!?"
"Why are you two so wet?"
"Anything happened during your SPECIAL night!?"
"Yeah! What did you to... ahem... get yourselves into?"
"HAHAHAHA!!"
"-- Is that supposed to be funny?"
"How was the hospital's food?"
"Where is that question leading?oo"
Anna suddenly cleared her throat loud enough to shut us all up. "Enough with the questions... the main point is, are you two alright?"
"We're fine..." Horo replied.
"Yeah..." I smiled. "In fact, there's something really important we have to tell you."
"What's that?" Tamao finally spoke up.
"Well..." I started, my face burning beet red. "Horo and I are..."
"Yes?" Pirika demanded.
"Dating."
----------------------------------
Rikku: So they finally broke the news to them....
SHWEEEEE!!!
ahem Sorry about that. ;
Anywayz, you know how this works- Please review, feel free to tell me what you think so far!
Dewa Mata!
x-Rikku-x
Hannah Kyouyama- Thanks for your reviews! And of course there'll be more dates! What good would this story be without good ol' fluff? XD
saber-hiwarti- Arigatou
Prozacfairy- Don't worry, they'll be a lot of Anna and Yoh moments
Chocolate5: I'm really glad you like Miho and I was quite surprised when you told me that this fic was 'the best Horo fic you ever read' proud smile
Dranzy: You're probably right about the surprise fic-thing. Well, I guess I expected you to know, seeing as you're my cousin and you were there when I first bought the manga ;
Oh yeah, and before I forget, all loud sounds and actions done in speech, have been reduced to a "...." decoration because, as some of you might have noticed, fanfiction has removed all stars (shift 8) in all fics... or maybe that's just me. Either way, this is the new design:
Example: CRASH
P.S. I might repost my other chapters because of this... um- 'little dilemma', anywho, please don't mind if you have me on your author alert.
---------------------------------
Winter of Love
Chapter 8: Breaking the News
---------------------------------
RRRRING
RRRRING
RRRI-
"Moshi, moshi."
"Hello? P-Pirika?"
"Yes... is that you Miho?"
"Y-yeah..." I answered. My voice shook with fear as I spoke.
"Where have you and Horo been!? Everyone's been worried! You've been gone all night together!" Pirika cried, her voice repeatedly beating my poor ear.
My face suddenly blushed a bright pink. "A-all night?"
"Yes, all night! Did you two lose track of time or what?"
I turned to Horo who was still sitting on his hospital bed. He looked at me curiously. I lowered the phone from my ear and gave my 'boyfriend' (Rikku: Oooh! That's soo kawaii!) a fearful look. "W-we've been gone all night and no one knows where we are..."
Horo looked confused at first until something in his mind must have snapped. His eyes widened and his cheeks blushed a beet red. "D-d'you think-"
"OH KAMI-SAMA!!!" Pirika's voice suddenly thundered from the phone with a tone of realization. (Rikku: 'Kami-sama' means god, and 'oh' is, well, english (duh). So translated, this would mean, "Oh God!")
I gulped. "P-probably..." I said, answering Horo's unfinished question. I held the phone to my ear again. "H-hai?"
"Y-you two..." Pirika's voice was now soft. "Have you...?"
"Iie (no)!" I protested. "No, that's not what happened! Listen... Horo and I are at the hospital because..."
--------------------------------
And so, after that... 'unpleasant' conversation with my boyfriend's sister, we were ordered to returned to the shrine immediately... whether Horo had fully recovered or not. --;
"I'm really sorry about Pirika." Horo apologized for the seventh time after we left the hospital- and a crew of angry doctors and nurses- for the shrine.
I watched my feet carry along the sidewalk with a small smile. "Don't sweat. For the last time, it's ok." I looked up at the shaman with reassuring eyes. "Really."
Horo sighed. "But there's something else I should be sorry about."
My brows furrowed in wonder. "Oh?"
"I didn't mean to get so angry the other day. You had good reasons to reject me... you weren't ready." he frowned. "I should have known that."
I gave the shaman a sad smile. "It's not that I wasn't ready... I just wasn't completely certain. But now I am... and please don't apologize." I grinned. "It's sweet... but it makes you look soft."
The shaman shrugged. "If being soft makes you love me..."
"You are so unpredictable." I interjected, rolling my eyes.
"Isn't that a good thing?"
"Not if I won't know what perverted tricks you have up your sleeves."
"What do you take me for?"
I suddenly felt my boyfriend's arm wrap around my waist. I giggled. "I'd say a lover of some sort... one that has his habits."
Horo chuckled. "C'mon, you trust me, don't you? It's not like I ever groped you or anything."
"True..." I smirked. "But you think about it, ne?"
Horo huffed without a respond.
"I thought so." I laughed, snuggling closer to his warm body...
This fortress...
This wonderful feeling that serenaded me every time I felt him near...
I wanted to throw my arms around him right then...
That fortress...
Which kept me warm when my heart turned cold...
Which swept me off my feet with such a loving feeling...
That feeling...
That warmth...
That fortress...
(Rikku: Gomen. I got caught up in the moment and now it's suddenly poetry. ;)
"Horo...?" I spoke after a moment of silence... I had been lost in my thoughts.
"Yeah?"
"Thank you."
"You might want to save those words, 'cause as soon as we reach the shrine, you'll regret ever accepting me."
I giggled. "Don't think that way, Horo-chan!" My perkiness seemed to have jerked a smile across the shaman's face. "Nothing can change my feelings! Not even the wrath of your crazy sister."
"No regrets?"
"Nuh-uh."
"Thank you."
"Don't mock me!"
"Sigh Oh boy..."
(Rikku: Tee-hee, it seems like Miho has her perky moments, ne?)
---------------------------------
"We're here." I muttered, staring at the shrine's doors- it felt like a year ago when I first stood before them, ready to start a new chapter of my life. Who would have known that they would have opened to love, friendship and so much more...
"Do we have to?" Horo sighed.
"I guess..." I frowned, bringing my attention away from the doors and to my boyfriend. "We can't just turn back... it's better to get it over with now."
"Maybe..." Horo mumbled, smiling as his eyes met mine.
For a moment I was lost in those eyes... they were like an endless dream.
Ever since I fell for those bright orbs, there was just a spark; they weren't glinted with sadness nor loss... instead, they shone with wonderful rays... ones that resembled the light that sparkled from a bright and early sun...
"Miho?"
My eyes snapped wide open with realization. I quickly looked away as a blush sprawled on my face. "I-I'm sorry... I was just... lost for a second."
I knew Horo was smiling because of the tone in his voice... he was always so cheerful that it scared me whenever he was serious or sad- like when I nearly lost him. "Maybe we can come back later on today... you know, go for a walk... like, um... a date instead?"
I chuckled, bringing myself to look at him again. "That... sounds like fun..."
Horo looked almost amazed at my answer; as if he expected a 'no' rather than a 'yes'. "Honto?(Really)"
"Of course." I smiled. "We can come back this evening... right now, I just wanna spend time with you."
Suddenly, the shaman blushed a beet red. "Miho... th-that's great... I-I've been wanting to spend some quality time with you too..."
My cheeks burned light pink as I linked my arm with his. "I never thought I'd except this arm before..." I laughed. (Rikku: See chapter 3.) "...it's a nice change."
------------------------------------
Horo began leading me down the busy streets, and it wasn't until we were almost there when I realized where he was taking me: the park.
We had just entered into it when I dashed for the swing set. Of course, every park had a playground, and why take a boring walk or gaze at the pond as if something were actually going to happen, when you can always go for a swing.
I smiled a Horo- who stood a few feet away from me- as his brows furrowed with wonder. He then sighed at my childish behavior, slouched and glanced at me expectantly.
I pushed my feet off the ground for a second, only to stop myself immediately. I brought my feet back to the sandy ground and glared at the shaman as a perverted grin danced upon his lips.
Swings and skirts...
not good.
My hands immediately flew to my skirt as a light breeze swept the grounds. I pulled myself off the seat with a light huff and crossed my arms across my chest with a sign of annoyance.
That's what you get for mixing your boyfriend with your wardrobe... sigh
Horo laughed. "Now that I got you out of a load of embarassment... y'wanna go for a walk?"
I sighed. "Exactly what I didn't want to do before..."
Well, of course, I had no choice in the matter. Horo held out an arm again and I took it without hesitating.
Oh well, a walk... with Horo... sounded fun.
Good mix.
----------------------------------
During our walk, we talked about such things as, our excuse once we got back to the shrine, and the best escape plan if anything were to happen.
Being blinded by the enjoyment, I soon found myself drawn to the pond with my arm still linked with Horo's. 'There goes my plans...' I thought. 'Still... I can't help but smile...'
I released Horo's arm to sit on the grass bordering the pond. Looking up to him, I tugged on his hand, like a child, gesturing him to sit with me. Grinning, he did so.
I sighed at the beautiful scene before me... and to think, a few minutes ago, I had thought this would have been boring. I gazed at the water that glittered in the sunlight and at the tall trees towering over the pond and casting a refreshing shade around us. "This day was so... wonderful." I whispered.
"Yeah... but I would have had more fun..." Horo began, before I interjected.
"What d'you mean?" I inquired, my attention turning to him.
Suddenly, I felt his hand place onto my back. "If you were wearing white..."
It was then, when the hand suddenly pushed against my back with full force...
SPLASH
For a moment I allowed myself to 'bob around' in the water with complete shock, until my lungs were ready to burst and I pulled myself to the surface of the water, gasping for air. "No good bastard..." I muttered, swimming to edge of the pool and propping my arms on the grass. "What the fuck was that for!?"
Horo merely laughed. "I'm having fun." he answered, holding out a hand before me. "Here, I'll help you out."
'The oldest trick in the book...' I thought, gleefully as I took his hand. "Thanks." I grinned, yanking on the hand with all my strength, completely bringing him face-faulting into the water.
I clutched my sides as I laughed hysterically- still in the water. At this point, many heads had turned and the whispering had started... but I kept on laughing...
Suddenly, I felt a force tug on my leg. I turned my head just enough to see Horo, his hair-being completely wet- a bit flattened, with an unusual smirk. "Nani?(what)" I questioned.
"Get outta the water, you're gonna get sick."
I blinked. "Y-you're not mad?"
"Don't worry." the shaman grinned. "I'll get you back later."
I sighed with defeat and slowly climbed out of the water and onto the grass.
Water and denim...
Bad Mix. --
Horo pulled himself out of the water too, and surprisingly, he didn't look the least bit pissed. Instead, he took off his -wet- jacket and put it over me. "It's a bit drenched, but it'll still keep you warm."
I stared blankly at Horo, who was only wearing a t-shirt, with a questioning look. "But you-"
"Don't worry about me..." Horo laughed. "I'm not the one wearing a skirt."
"I sure hope not." I giggled. "Maybe... we should head back."
"I guess." Horo replied, patting the pockets of his -wet- baggy jeans. (Rikku: Don't mind me making Horo a bit casual )
"What are you looking for?" I asked.
"Damn..." he muttered. "I forgot to bring my celphone when we were leaving for the fair."
"The fair..." I mumbled. It felt like a month ago... like so much time had passed. Now Horo and I were together... and things were going to change once we returned to the shrine.
..:::Silence:::..
I shivered as another cold breeze swept by, Horo, being the observant bastard that he is, noticed this and snaked his arms around me, pulling me close to his chest and serenading me with such warmth. I admired the feeling for a quick moment before a soft ring greeted my ears. My eyes snapped wide open as I, regrettably, pulled away from the hug to look at my watch. "It's already six! We have to get back before they start to worry!"
Horo sighed. "What perfect timing..."
Rolling my eyes, I grabbed Horo's hand and began dragging him back to the shrine.
------------------------------
"YOU'RE BAAAACK!!!"
Pirika's squeeling was the perfect greeting when we returned to the shrine- oh ya, like in a sarcastic kinda way. --
Suddenly, everyone else- Yoh, Anna, Tamao, Manta- ran/walked (Anna) toward us with either eager, worried, or blank expressions.
"Um... hey everyone." I greeted, a bit nervous.
"What happened to you two?" Yoh inquired.
"Well... we sorta had a small accident." Horo explained.
"You call getting hit by a car 'small'!?" Pirika screeched.
Manta looked at Pirika questioningly. "You mean you knew what happened the whole time?"
"You were HIT by a car?" Yoh cried.
Suddenly, questions and demands began flying around the room:
"What the HELL were you two thinking?"
"So where'd you go off to?"
"Why didn't you call any sooner!?"
"Why are you two so wet?"
"Anything happened during your SPECIAL night!?"
"Yeah! What did you to... ahem... get yourselves into?"
"HAHAHAHA!!"
"-- Is that supposed to be funny?"
"How was the hospital's food?"
"Where is that question leading?oo"
Anna suddenly cleared her throat loud enough to shut us all up. "Enough with the questions... the main point is, are you two alright?"
"We're fine..." Horo replied.
"Yeah..." I smiled. "In fact, there's something really important we have to tell you."
"What's that?" Tamao finally spoke up.
"Well..." I started, my face burning beet red. "Horo and I are..."
"Yes?" Pirika demanded.
"Dating."
----------------------------------
Rikku: So they finally broke the news to them....
SHWEEEEE!!!
ahem Sorry about that. ;
Anywayz, you know how this works- Please review, feel free to tell me what you think so far!
Dewa Mata!
x-Rikku-x