Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Tactics. They are the property of Kinoshita Sakura and Higashiyama Kazuko.

A/N: Leave reviews for me, anyone?

REVISED: January 22, 2011

I chopped off a small portion of this chapter, because I felt it wasn't needed and didn't really do anything much.

Breathe
Chapter 13: Expectations Run Rampant
By: LadyYuina

Slightly shivering she decided to go back into the room, for somehow she wanted to comfort Kantarou. But in what way? That's when the idea formed in her head: a simple peck on the cheek. She'd never dare do such a thing if he were awake, but seeing as he was sound asleep she couldn't resist the temptation.

However, a certain someone had been spying on her, and before she knew what was happening . . .

"Youko!"

"Ha-Haruka!" She went rigid as she felt two pairs of ice cold eyes bearing down on her. "It's not what you think!"

Kantarou woke at this point, startled by the sudden shouting. "What the hell is all the ruckus about? And what are you two doing in here?" His eyes quickly darted to the table, and he scrambled there to gather up the stack of papers. But he soon realized there was a sort of heavy tension in the room. "Is something the matter, you two?"

"Ah, no . . . Not really," Youko replied, sweat dropping.

A tiny peck on the cheek couldn't have signified for anything as being romantic. Besides, Haruka should have known better, having lived with her and Kantarou for so long . . .

"I saw what you did, Youko."

"That . . . Haruka, it isn't what you think!"

"Youko did what?" Kantarou asked.

"She kissed you."

Baffled, Kantarou mimicked, "kissed me?"

"No, no, no, you've got it all wrong!"

But before Youko coul say anything further, Haruka just had to intervene. "Kantarou, are you having a relationship with Youko behind my back?"

"Eh?"

"Haruka! I told you it's not what you think! Why won't you believe me!"

Now realizing that Haruka was being earnestly serious about the whole thing, the silver-haired man knew he couldn't stay confused and dumfounded the entire time.

"To cut to the chase and end this squabble, I'll say this: Youko and I are not romantically involved. In fact, I only see her as a friend and sister figure. She's been with me since I was a kid. Is that enough reasoning for you, Haruka?"

When Haruka finally conceded, he then turned his attention to Youko.

"And you, Youko, I oughta . . ."

She smiled sheepishly and merely shrugged.


Really though, Haruka, you getting upset over a little peck amazes me."

"It isn't something I take too lightly no matter how it's done."

"Then, perhaps in the past you had a lover of sorts?" Kantarou asked.

This question took Haruka aback, and for a split second he went rigid. Miraculously, the silver-haired man didn't even notice even as he was staring at him the whole time, but Haruka wished this question had never been asked.

When the Tengu failed to reply, Kantarou added, "you did have a significant other, didn't you?"

"I don't remember."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah, I don't remember a thing about my past. It's all a haze to me."

"Ah . . . Well, then I suppose I'll stop there. I didn't really mean to pry but curiosity got the best of me. And Haruka, can you do me a tiny favor?"

"What is it?"

"Would you go to Reiko's office and ask her when my next article is due? I don't think she told me the last time she was here."

"It's due on the thirtieth of this month."

". . . . ."

"What?" Haruka seemed rather bemused.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"I'm not too sure about that date . . ."

"I remember her mentioning it to you. You were even in the room at the time."

"Okay, fine, maybe it is the thirtieth. Can you at least go visit Sugino or do something else for a little while?"

Haruka frowned, asking, "why?"

"I need some time alone to reflect on things."

This wasn't necessarily a lie, but wasn't exactly the truth either. Kantarou wanted Haruka out of way because he wanted to ask Youko about his stack of papers; he last recalled leaving them out in the open, and seeing as Youko had gone into his room while he was asleep . . .

"I'll be on the roof then."

The roof? He didn't want to let a sliver of a chance of Haruka overhearing them, so the Tengu definitely needed to leave the premises.

Although, Haruka did have his own reasons to suspect his silver-haired Master. This time he knew the spiritualist was lying, however, he did a good job of it. Most people would've believed him, for his perceptiveness and lying methods were superb.

"No. No can do," Kantarou said.

"Why not?"

Kantarou needed to think of something quick and effective and thus . . .

"Remember when we had sex . . .?" He immediately turned red at the mere flashback that ran through his mind, and tried as he might he now could no longer dispel it. "Uh . . . Ah, that is to say I haven't forgotten the aftermath. It . . . It was quite painful, to say the least."

"You won't allow me to do it again?" was the somewhat sad response.

"Probably not . . ."

Haruka frowned then. Kantarou wasn't giving the sexual activities of their relationship much of a chance. Without sex . . . their relationship would be dull. Haruka would still love his Master no matter what, but there would be no satisfaction to the crying thing in between his legs. Kantarou had no idea how many times he'd already made the Tengu become hard. Masturbation wasn't much to Haruka's liking . . .

. . . a warm body was more preferable.

"You didn't really mean that, did you, Kantarou?"

"I might change my mind if you'd do what I've asked of you . . ."

"But . . ."


With Kantatou and Haruka nowhere in sight, Youko thought it a opportune moment to sneak back inside her Master's sleeping quarter. The stack of papers were still where she had last seen them. Temptation gnawed at her and she couldn't help but want to take a peek at the papers once again. Perhaps there was some underlying meaning behind his words. However, when she picked up a sheet a sudden burning sensation ran through her fingers and she was forced to let go.

"Ow!" she yelped as she eyed the paper suspiciously.

"Don't touch those papers."

Youko's ears perked up at the sound of a female's voice. Surprised, she turned around and was met face to face with a woman cloaked in green. Her piercing brown eyes bored right into her.

This woman gave off a near vicious aura and it scared the fox youkai. Almost stammering, Youko asked, "who are you? How did you get in here?"

"How much have you read?"

Youko gulped.

"Answer me, fox."

". . . not much."

"Read any more of it again and I'll kill you. Speak nothing of it to him, understand?"

Not completely understanding this woman all Youko could do was nod her head. And just as quickly as she could blink the woman disappeared.

"What the hell was that all about?" she muttered to herself. A part of her wanted to ask Kantarou about what had occurred, but what if she then truly incurred the wrath of the angry woman she ran into? "Guess I better keep my mouth shut . . ."

"Youko, what are you doing in here?"

The sound of her Master's voice broke her from her thoughts.

Turning, she said, "ah, nothing. I thought I might have left something in here, so I came looking for it. But it turns out I remembered leaving it in my own room."

"Why do you sound so nervous?" Kantarou asked. "Are you hiding something from me?"

"No, of course not! Don't over think it too much!" She glanced over his shoulder. "By the way, where's Haruka?"

"I sent him out on an errand. He'll be back shortly."

"I . . ." Youko frowned, contemplating her next words. "Ah, how should I phrase this?"

"Phrase what?"

She was itching to tell Kantarou about what happened . . .

And for a brief moment Kantarou feared Youko might have read too much of what he had written, and it unsettled him greatly.

"I think I want to go away for bit. It doesn't have to be for long."

"Go away? Why?"

"I haven't seen Rosalie in a while; it wouldn't hurt to visit her . . . And Hasumi too, of course."

"This sounds a little fishy. Since when did you ever feel like visiting the old man and his daughter?"

"Since recently. Honestly, Kan-chan, I've given this some thought."

What he wasn't aware of was that Youko was afraid of blurting something unnecessary, and the only thing she could think of doing to avoid a slip-up was to go away. Even if it was just for a day or two. Any time gone would help.

"Listen, if it's about what happened earlier, Haruka has already come to terms with it. He's not angry at you anymore."

Youko simply smiled and said nothing further.

Chapter 13: END