Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing or its characters; that right belongs to Katsuyuki Sumizawa and Masashi Ikeda. Nor do I own InuYasha or its characters; that right belongs to Rumiko Takahashi.
Quatre smiled as he watched Souta flit from one shelf to another in the small boutique. It had been a busy two months since the new year. And he was now acquainted with a much antiquated holiday that left him glad he didn't have much of a sweet tooth. As well as a new appreciation for all that Heero Yuy had gone through with Relina Peacecraft.
"Oh, maybe this?"
Letting his gaze focus on what Souta was lifting, Quatre thought for a few seconds before he gave a small shake of his head. The boy was clearly on pins and needles with picking out the right gift for his female friend. Same said friend that had him following along during the New Year's festival. Young love was something that was to be appreciated and celebrated, even if it was severely awkward.
"Okay. Thanks again for coming to help me, Quatre."
Giving a warm smile, Quatre let his gaze go to the shelves to his left. There were all kinds of small nick nacks displayed from little hand-cut glass and crystal figurines to stuffed animals and ribbons. Truly it was eclectic, but it was definitely in the realm of girls only. Letting out a small sigh as he turned his gaze back towards Souta, who had stopped and knelt on the floor. The whole bottom shelf was covered in arts and crafts kits of all kinds.
"I think that might be best," He said to Souta.
When the boy lifted his head and looked at him, brown eyes wide and sparkling, it warmed Quatre. Now for himself to find a good gift in return for the one chocolate he had accepted. Valentine had been a nightmare, making him glad for his world, not celebrating such a psychotic level of mental stress. He had tons shoved in his shoe locker, on his desk, snuck into his school bag. It was almost horrifying. And a part of him was glad that he had never had to attend public school.
Though he had been well educated and thoroughly prepared for the said day, the actual surviving said day was different. Having sworn not to accept any chocolate or gifts, yet he did. Kagome's handmade chocolate had not been too sweet, yet the smooth texture that did melt the moment it hit his tongue. When Souta had started laughing at him, it had taken a bit to get why. Learning that on White Day, March Fourteenth, guys gave a gift in return to the girls whose chocolate he had accepted.
Thankfully he had only accepted Kagomes, and the other girls didn't know it. But still, the twentieth century had some unique cultural beliefs and traditions.
"Have you found anything yet?"
Blinking and coming out of his thoughts, he saw Souta looking up at him with a cheeky grin plastered across his face. Quirking an eyebrow, Quatre shook his head no and turned and walked towards the front of the store. Not missing the look that the clerk was giving him. Even after almost eight months now, there was so much to learn still, see, and do.
"Well, what are you thinking then?"
Smiling at Souta, Quatre gave a small shake of his head to indicate he had an idea. When a look of expectation appeared on Souta's face, indicating he wanted to know. Quatre smiled widely and looked away. The quiet huff of indignation from the boy was amusing. But he didn't want Souta to know, because he would torment Kagome and possibly slip and spill it. White Day was tomorrow, after all.
He watched as Kagome turned the small wrapped pack over in her hands. The look of confusion and anticipation caused her eyes to brighten a few shades. It was a simple gift, something he was able to make on his own. And after looking at an art shop, he found the last few pieces to add to it. He was glad he had picked up on carving.
The moment Kagome pulled the sapphire hued ribbon and the small white cloth bag (could be used as a handkerchief) to reveal the little carved dog that he had painted white and added a small clue crescent on its forehead. He had chosen to do this particular piece because of how she would look when she told stories to Souta about fairy tales of a girl's adventures in Feudal Japan. The giant dog had stood out so much with the detail she had infused into describing it.
"Quatre?"
"Kagome?" he asked, keeping his voice a whisper. "What is wrong? Do you hate it?"
He wasn't ready for the look Kagome was giving him as he met her gaze head-on. Her eyes were bright with unshed tears as she pressed the small wooden figurine to her chest. Then before he could react, Kagome was hugging him tightly with one arm, face buried in his chest.
"No, I love it. It is perfect."
Her words had his shoulders dropping as tension he hadn't known was there seeped out. Being patient, he patted her on her back soothingly, as he had done for his sisters in the past. Waiting for when she was ready to step back and talk, which didn't take too long, no more than three minutes.
"I am glad you liked it," he said, smiling down at her, enjoying how she suddenly became shy. "I put a lot of work into it to make it right.
"Yes, I can tell. It is a really perfect replica based on what I mentioned in the stories I tell."
Quatre smiled contentedly at Kagome as she continued to hold it over her heart. He was glad that the gift was well-received.
TBC!
