Author's note: Welcome to chapter 40, Dear Reader! I know, the waiting time between chapters is just dreadful. Surprisingly, I can't blame the muses OR the plot bunnies this time. Real life interfered, and had to be dealt with. Things are better now, though, so let's have a new chapter! (Honestly, I thought about waiting a few more days and posting it for Takashi's birthday, but then I thought again. We'll call it an early birthday prezzie, yeah?)
Triggers: Nope! There is a very vaguely suggestive conversation, and the night Sky revealed her past to the lads is ever-so-briefly mentioned. That's all.
I DID do something new in this chapter. For the first time (unless you count that tiny nightmare about her parents) there is a flashback scene. I wasn't exactly sure if I should keep it in italics like with dreams, so please let me know if it's too clunky that way. But you finally get to know what Takashi whispered in the last chapter! Yay!
Without further ado, please enjoy the latest installment!
-Several hours later-
Closing the door, Sky leaned in and pressed her head against the wooden frame with a little sigh. She was exhausted, and just wanted to trudge upstairs to her large, comfortable bed for an extended nap. But there was a far more pressing matter that needed her attention before that. She straightened her shoulders, took a deep breath, and headed for her mother's sitting room with a determined look in her eyes.
She had taken the time to convince Takashi to go home, unapologetically using Satoshi as an excuse. Surely the younger Morinozuka had missed his big brother fiercely; he really should go and see him. What she hadn't mentioned was how dreadfully embarrassing this confrontation would be. She thought she might just burst into literal flames if he were there, as well.
She knocked on the open door and waited until her mother looked up. Walking up to her as casually as she could manage, she readily accepted the warm embrace. She hugged back gladly enough; she had missed Mother, after all. Suzette pulled back after a moment and held her daughter at arm's length, grinning broadly.
"Welcome home, my darling! You got a tan, how marvelous! You look so good!"
"Maman."
"Did you have a good time? Isn't the mansion lovely, it's just so beautiful there!"
"Maman. Why?"
"Why what, darling?"
Sky growled quietly at her mother's overly-innocent smile, which promptly wilted. She swallowed thickly at the look in the girl's eyes, her own darting around the room as if searching for an answer.
"The box, Mother. Why? Why would you do that?"
Suzette sighed softly, concerned at the pained expression on her daughter's face. She took Sky's hand and tugged her down onto the sofa beside her, then patted her hand gently. She knew this was coming, but was still just a little unsure of how to proceed.
"Sky, ma fille chérie, I just wanted you to be safe. Your Takashi is a fine young man, but you are teenagers. It's no secret that he stays in your room every time he's here. And I don't need to ask if you shared a room on the island."
Sky groaned and covered her face with her hands as her cheeks flooded with heat and color. She took several slow, deep breaths, struggling with her composure for a moment. Once she had a firm grip on her emotions, she raised her head to face her mother again.
"Maman, it's not like that. Yes, ok, it's true, we sleep in the same bed whenever he's here. And yes, we shared a room this week. But nothing happened. We're not... We don't... It's..."
A frustrated sound escaped her throat, and she dragged her fingers through her hair, tugging lightly. She sighed quietly.
"That box was completely unnecessary."
A light finally went on in Suzette's mind, and she patted Sky's knee gently.
"Oh, dear... I'm so sorry, I just thought... Have you not told him yet, darling?"
"Huh? What do you- Oh! God, Maman, it's not about that. Takashi knows all of that already. Actually... I told them ages ago, the lot of them. Remember? Kaoru punched the DVD cabinet."
"You told all of them? Wait, that long ago?"
Sky nodded just a little, remembering the immense relief she had felt that night; surrounded by her tribe and seeing nothing but love and compassion, the experience had been extremely freeing. Even the nightmare she'd had that night had come with a silver lining. A tiny smile crossed her lips as the memory of Takashi pulling her onto his lap flowed through her mind. That had been the first time she'd fallen asleep in his arms.
"They're my tribe, Maman, my pack. I would trust any of them with my life."
"That's lovely, sweetheart. But if that's not the reason, then why...?"
She was incredibly shocked when her daughter burst into giggles before answering.
"Despite his love of a rainbow-haired freak, Takashi is rather old-fashioned. He, uh..."
Sky's cheeks colored once more, and a pretty little smile lit up her features. A soft look came into her eyes as she thought of the events of the last evening, seeing the beach once again, instead of her mother's sitting room.
-Flashback to Saturday night-
They lay with their arms around each other for a time, quietly enjoying the island's beauty. She was loathe to disrupt the serenity, but she knew they wouldn't get another completely private moment for several days, at least. With a reluctant little sigh, she finally voiced the concern that had scratched at her brain off and on all week.
"Takashi..."
"Hm?"
"Are you... Um... Are you disappointed that...that we haven't opened that box Maman put in my suitcase?"
Takashi blinked in confusion for just a moment, then sat up abruptly, pulling her upright with him. Kneeling before her, he gently took her hands in his own. He spoke quietly, but emphatically.
"No. No. I meant it when I said I had no expectations."
He blushed hotly and took a deep breath. He was determined to assuage any fears or doubts she had.
"Of course I want to be with you in that way. But I will never push you for something you're not ready for, or that makes you uncomfortable."
He cleared his throat quickly and paused momentarily, lifting her hands up to press several light kisses along her knuckles and the faded scars littering her skin. With a smile at her faint tremor, he continued softly.
"Besides, there's something I need to give you before that happens."
Love and confusion warred for dominance on her features as she contemplated his words. She shook her head slowly.
"I have your love, what else could I possibly hope for? You don't need to give me anything, mo mac tíre."
"It's important, Sky."
"What is it?"
He released her hands, sliding his own lightly up her arms, fingertips barely brushing her skin. He curled one arm around her and pulled her closer as his other hand cradled her heated cheek. He leaned in and kissed her cheek softly before whispering two simple words.
"My name."
She gasped, tears instantly springing to her eyes. She pulled back just far enough to catch his gaze, the storm-cloud depths shining in the night. She sniffled and swallowed thickly, breath escaping in trembling little bursts.
"Takashi... Do you, do you mean...?"
He nodded, keeping his eyes locked on hers even as he tenderly brushed away the tears that began to flow down her cheeks..
"I can't ask yet. Not until I've spoken to your parents."
Sky whimpered softly, unable to form a single coherent word in any language. She finally managed to force her muscles to work, flinging her shaking arms around him and clinging tightly. She buried her face in the crook of his neck, nuzzling against him as she wept joyfully.
Several moments passed, quiet but for the slight whimpers and sniffles. Takashi held his beloved close, rubbing soothing circles along her back. He sincerely hoped that he was correct in thinking that her reaction was a positive one. He'd seen her cry happy tears several times, but none so strong as this bout.
Just as he began to doubt his assumption, she pressed a soft kiss to his neck and sat upright. She scrubbed her hands over her eyes and smiled sweetly at her wolf, and he breathed a silent sigh of relief.
"You really shouldn't ask, you know."
"Sky..."
"Didn't anyone ever tell you not to ask questions when you already know the answer?"
He was confused for all of two seconds before her meaning became clear. Her smile grew broad as she watched the knowledge come into his eyes, making them shine bright. His answering grin was lost a moment later, as his darling unicorn leaned in for a tender kiss.
-End flashback-
Sky wasn't about to give a detailed description of the entire encounter. Especially the surprisingly passionate kisses that followed. She cleared her throat quietly and focused on not bursting into flames at the memory. She allowed herself a little grin before speaking again.
"He wants to wait. We had a very important discussion last night, and we're going to wait."
"That's good. I'm so proud of you, darling. Being able to talk to your love so openly about such a sensitive topic. I knew that boy would be good for you!"
She burst into laughter at her mother's statement. Her embarrassment fled as her giggles continued. When they finally tapered off, she hugged Suzette tightly.
"He really is, Maman, he's so wonderful. Do you know what? Because of him, I actually went in the ocean."
Suzette gasped, pretty brown eyes going wide in shock. She clasped her daughter's hands and smiled broadly, so proud.
"Oh, oh, how did that come about? You won't even go near the swimming pool!"
Sky's grin was bright and happy as she recounted that small, but oh-so-important moment. From the simple thought, to the gentle way he held her hands, the surprising warmth of the water that splashed around their knees.
"It was wonderful, and so romantic."
She sighed softly, lost in thought. They would definitely have to visit the island again.
-Three weeks later, Saturday-
The days after the island vacation seemed to melt into one another. Life carried on as usual for Sky and her tribe. There was schoolwork to complete, pack-bonding time after school and on weekends, nothing out of the ordinary or truly exceptional. Which struck her as quite odd. After such a milestone occasion, shouldn't everything be different?
She mumbled to herself as she worked in her studio. Music blared around her, one of her favorite bands screaming from the speakers and echoing in the large space. She often wondered how she could work on something as delicate as her current project while something so hectic crashed through the air.
Shimmering, opalescent wings stretched out before her. The material she worked with was paper-thin, sheer, and incredibly shiny. It was just exactly the perfect thing to finally bring the faerie queen's wings to life. She brushed one finger lightly along one of the "muscle" ridges, delighted when the entire wing fluttered. They were perfect. She smiled broadly to herself and did a victory dance, twirling around in a happy little circle.
Only to screech to an embarrassed halt at the sight of her beloved wolf grinning at her. A tiny squeak escaped as her jaw dropped and her cheeks heated. She stammered for a moment, then shrugged and launched herself into his arms with a small laugh. He caught her with ease and held her close, sighing contentedly as she nuzzled against his neck.
After a few moments, she reluctantly left his embrace just long enough to turn the music down to a more reasonable volume. She grabbed his hand and tugged him over to her workstation, beaming happily.
"Look, look, they're finally done!"
Takashi wasn't as interested in cosplay as Sky or Tamaki, but he was always happy to see his beloved's hard work come to fruition. Especially when she was so very excited about it. He took a good, long look at the wings she proudly displayed, shocked at how realistic they appeared. His eyes widened slightly, and he found himself reaching out, curious to see if they felt just as delicate as they looked.
Sky couldn't hold back the giggles that bubbled up as she watched the wonder cross his face. Her delight rocketed up even more at the slight gasp that escaped his lips when the material of the wings fluttered at his touch, as if in preparation of flight. He turned to face her, and to her utter amazement, he picked her up and twirled her around with a quiet laugh.
"Is there anything you can't do, mo anamchara?"
The awe in his voice astounded her, and she burst into thrilled laughter as they spun around the room. When they stopped, she kissed him soundly and grinned brightly, delighting in the blush that instantly crawled up his cheeks. With another giggle, she peppered tiny kisses across his face. The slightest chuckle rumbled through his chest, and he shook his head lightly at her antics, then wrapped her tightly in his arms.
She sighed happily and nuzzled against his neck again, her own arms automatically curling around him. They stayed that way for several long moments before she remembered something. With a reluctant little whine, she pulled away ever so slightly.
"I thought you had a big, important family thing today, a ghrá."
"I did. I do. That's...why I'm here, actually..."
Sky tilted her head and raised one eyebrow in confusion. Takashi couldn't help the little smile at just how adorable she looked like that. He stroked one hand down her hair, smoothing the rainbow locks into some semblance of order. Then he cleared his throat quietly before speaking again.
"They want to see you."
"What? What? Why?"
"Mother wants to see you again. And my aunt and uncle wish to meet you. You'll like Mitsukuni's mother, she's very kind."
Panic tried to overthrow her. Her breathing became shallow, her heart raced, and everything threatened to go gray around her. She bit her lip hard and shook her head fiercely, determined not to give in. She forced herself to take slow, deep breaths. A long string of curses in various languages paraded through her mind, but she kept silent outwardly. After a surprisingly short time, she met her wolf's eyes and nodded. A proud smile lit up his face, and he pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.
"This isn't just a case of your mom wanting me to visit, is it? This is... this is something big, isn't it?"
"It is. This is the last step before I'm allowed to speak to your parents..."
She gasped quietly as his meaning became clear. This wasn't just big. This was HUGE. She whimpered softly at the implications. Then looked down at her outfit and cursed soundly.
"I can't go! Not like this! God, I need to change. I can't meet your family covered in skulls and paint! What would they think?!"
With a squeal worthy of Tamaki, she took off at a run towards the main house. Takashi followed at a more sedate pace, chuckling quietly and shaking his head. He watched her start to dash up the stairs, then pause, obviously thinking better of the reckless act. Before she could start again, he snagged her hand with a little laugh.
She squeezed his hand and grinned broadly, then tugged him along as she hurried up the stairs and down the hall. Once in her room, she pulled him over and gave him a little shove toward the bed before disappearing into her closet. He sat calmly, listening fondly as she mumbled and muttered to herself, counting the number of languages she cursed in. Five that he knew, and two of which he wasn't quite sure. That last one didn't even sound human...
Several minutes later, she came out holding an armful of clothing. Flinging it all on the bed beside him, she growled quietly and tugged at her hair, which was already completely disheveled.
"What the hell am I supposed to wear?! This is like, the most important meeting of my whole freaking life, how the bloody hell am I supposed to dress for this?! Help me!"
Takashi stood and pulled her into his embrace, pinning her arms between them as she clung tightly to his shirt. She was shaking, another panic attack imminent. He held her close and nuzzled her cheek, murmuring soothing things that had her calming in only moments. Her frightened tremors ceased, her heart slowed to a normal pace, and her breathing evened out. When he finally released his hold, she looked up at him with glistening eyes. Her voice was small, timid.
"I'm scared, Takashi."
"I know, mo anamchara. But I promise you, everything will be fine. Mother already loves you. Uncle Yorihisa and Aunt Itsuki will adore you."
He brushed his lips softly, briefly over hers, relieved when she blushed prettily and smiled just the slightest bit. He nudged her to sit on the bed, shifting the discarded hangers and things to the side. With a quick grin, he stepped into her closet himself.
He pored over the contents, vaguely wondering why he was even trying. His Sky looked wonderful in anything she wore. But he knew that she wanted to make a better impression on his family, and completely bypassed anything with skulls, zombies, or the foul-mouthed bunny of which she was so fond. Eventually, he chanced upon something that caught his eye. He nodded to himself and made his way out of the forest of clothing.
Sky hadn't moved from her spot, seeming content to fidget and chew on her lip nervously. She looked up when he offered his selection, a grin slowly building. She stood and took the hangers, glancing up at her beloved again.
"Are you sure about this?"
He just nodded, perfectly confident. She took a deep breath and dashed into the bathroom to change. Just a few minutes later, she emerged, looking calm and composed, much more at ease than she had been. Takashi nodded again, taking in the sight of his darling unicorn.
She had tamed her hair, the rainbow locks falling perfectly into place over her right cheek. She had applied the slightest bit of makeup, really just some eyeliner and a hint of lip tint. She wore all black, from the ruffled button-up tuxedo shirt, to the lace-trimmed camisole peeking out from the few undone buttons, to the tight bondage pants covered in straps and silver chains.
Takashi crossed the room in slow, unhurried strides, drinking in the sight of his beloved. Sky looked so much more confident now. Not to mention beautiful. As he passed her dresser, he plucked her favored wolf earring from its usual spot, along with a black velvet choker with a small ankh pendant. Sky slipped the earring into her ear, then trembled slightly as he placed the choker around her neck. He offered a sly little grin and trailed his fingertips along her throat. She stuck her tongue out at him, the last of her nerves melting away.
A few minutes later, they were on their way to Morinozuka Manor once again. Sky laid her head on Takashi's shoulder, and he kept his arm wrapped firmly around her waist. The trip was quiet, Sky's paranoia once again trying to claw its way to the front of her mind. She refused to let it, and concentrated on keeping her heartbeat and breathing at acceptable levels.
Before she knew it, the limo came to a halt. She swallowed thickly as she looked up at the large, beautiful -and suddenly imposing- Manor. Takashi exited first and helped her out as usual, keeping her hand tucked securely in his own. She gave him a gentle squeeze in gratitude, then took a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and prepared to face whatever interrogation and possible emotional torture that waited inside.
AN2: So there you have it, Dear Reader! Was the flashback scene suitable? Did anyone guess what he'd said? And what's going to happen at the Manor?! Stay tuned, poppets! Until next time!
