Kaku waited anxiously inside the Galley La office lobby. It was his first day back to work. Although he was excited to be back, he couldn't stop thinking about Kate.
How was she doing? What was she doing?
He hadn't heard from her in 2 days.
I need to know she's okay...
He looked to see if Kalifa had arrived. Surely it wouldn't be suspicious for him to ask how Kate was? After all; he had been responsible for her before they fled to Monogatari.
Iceburg came whistling down the hallway, dressed in his orange suit. He stopped and smiled as soon as he saw Kaku. "Welcome back to work, Kaku!" He waved a hand at his employee.
Kaku analyzed him carefully. Iceburg seemed more cheerful than usual, and it made his mind race. "Mornin' Iceburg! Sure am excited to be back!" He paused nervously, faking a smile. "Is Kate back to the grind as well today?" He tried to hide the desperation he was feeling.
Please.
Iceburg shook his head. "Hm...well...She's still settling in. However, that's a great idea! I'll try and convince her to return to work tomorrow. It would be good for the two of you to go around and re-introduce yourselves. It has been quite a long time." He pondered, thinking about how many months had passed.
Kaku blushed as he waved his hands. Kate had mentioned it'd be best if they avoided each other in order to adjust to their new life, and their new relationship. It was for Iceburg's sake. "Oh no! Please, I don't wanna ruffle her feathers! She'll be ready when she's ready!" There was probably a reason why Kate had decided not to return to work right away.
Iceburg laughed as he walked away, waving a hand at Kaku. "I'm sure she would be more than happy to return! Besides, the festival will be happening in 2 days! It's a perfect opportunity to re-acquaint yourselves with our city. We only have a few months before Aqua Laguna strikes again." He waved once more before disappearing around the corner.
Kaku clenched his fists as he bit his lip, trying to hide his excitement. Kate was fine, and he was going to see her.
Tomorrow.
-.-.-.-.-.-.
Kate groaned as she laid on her bed. Kalifa had told her that she was to return to work tomorrow, and would be going around with Kaku to "re-introduce themselves". As much as Kate wanted to see Kaku- she wasn't sure if she would be able to hold herself back.
On Monogatari, Kate and Kaku had always been connected. Whether it be holding hands, a hand on his lap, or his arms around her shoulder. How was she to fight off her habits that were still ingrained in her?
Kate and Iceburg had spent lunch and dinner together the past 2 days, and she still couldn't see the changes that Kaku had mentioned. To her- he was exactly the same. However, she trusted Kaku completely and couldn't imagine him ever lying to her. She had to take his word for it.
This is all for Iceburg...
She wondered how Kaku was. Was he staying in his old hotel room again? Was he eating enough?
The last time she had seen him was at their welcoming party, as she stared down at him from the balcony.
Kate smiled as she played with the ring on her necklace. It was only a matter of time before they were together again.
She turned her head as a knock came on her door. "Yes?" She quickly hid her necklace, adjusting her short grey t-shirt dress as she sat up in her bed.
Iceburg opened the door slowly, peeking his head before entering. "May I come in?" He held up a small bag with two cookies Kalifa had given him before leaving for the day. "Kalifa gave me these to share with you, but this small pain in my tooth says otherwise." He closed the door behind him.
Kate nodded her head. "They look delicious! Please come in!" She tried to hide her blush. She had never been alone in a bedroom with a man like this aside from Kaku...
The mayor had removed his striped suit jacket, and now wore his orange dress shirt and black pants. He took a seat beside Kate on the bed, handing her the cookies and napkin. "Hm...well...how are you doing today, Kate? Will you be alright working tomorrow?" He looked out the window. It was 7 o'clock in the evening, and the sun had just begun to set.
Kate blushed, noticing how close Iceburg was sitting. "You betcha!" She bit her tongue. Since she had spent most of her time with Kaku, she seemed to have picked up on the way he talked. She remembered that Cutter had also mentioned something about it.
Kate looked at Iceburg through her peripherals, breathing in a slight sigh of relief when she noticed he didn't react. Kate quickly ate both cookies, hoping the noise would distract Iceburg.
Iceburg looked down at Kate. "Hm...well...If you'd like to take more time, please do. However...I hope we can continue to spend time together either way." He smiled at her softly. "I enjoy your company." He looked back out towards the window.
Kate's face was now burning. She still didn't believe Iceburg had any romantic interest in her, but when he said such things-she couldn't help but speculate. "Of course! I'll have lu-" Kate's vision began to blur.
She watched Iceburg gasp before passing out on the bed. As soon as she reached for him-her vision went black.
Iceburg shook her by the shoulder, her head rested in his lap. "Kate?" She was fast asleep.
He smiled as he moved her hair away from her face. Kate hadn't told him much about her time on Monogatari, but he figured she was tired from the huge adjustment.
Iceburg carefully laid back onto the bed, his hand still on Kate. "I missed this..." He continued to pet Kate's head as she slept.
-.-.-.-.-
Kalifa tisked as she read the label of a prescription pill jar. "Oh my. I thought this was viagra...looks like I baked those cookies with quite a large amount of melatonin." She adjusted her glasses. "Who knows...hopefully this will have the same effect on them." She placed the jar back into her purse.
Her and Lucci had been conducting plans without Kaku's knowledge to ensure Kate and Iceburg grew closer, as well as maintaining Kate's relationship with Kaku.
She still didn't understand their relationship, but the chances of it being a romantic relationship over anything were the most probable.
This should make things interesting...
-.-.-.-.-.-
The next morning, Kate nervously made her way to the Galley La lobby. She wore a tight black dress skirt and loose cream colored blouse with gold buttons. Her hair was parted to one side and she wore pearl studs.
She shook her head, having woken up feeling extremely groggy. She asked Iceburg during breakfast what had happened. He told her she had passed out, and that he had left an hour later. Kate couldn't figure out why she passed out, but perhaps her nerves got the best of her?
Kate quickly forgot about last night's events, her mind instead focused on one thing...
I can't wait to see you...
Kaku's heart seemed to match the beat of Kate's heels as they clacked against the marble floor. He turned around slowly, his knees shaking as he held himself back from running to her.
Kate met him with a smile. Before he could speak, she grabbed his hand and quickly pulled him into a corner of the lobby.
Kaku looked around nervously. "Kate! What are you doing?" He looked around to see if anyone had spotted them.
The raven haired girl wrapped her arms around Kaku's waist, before tip-toeing and planting a kiss on his lips. "I told you what would happen if we saw each other too soon." She kissed him once again.
The carpentry foreman bit his lip as he grasped the cloth on Kate's back, pulling her into him. "I've been so worried about you, darlin'. Have you been well?" He looked her over carefully. "How has living with Iceburg been?" He felt his CP9 tendencies start to show as his grip on Kate tightened slightly.
Kate pulled away so that she'd be able to see him. "I'm fine. Nothing has happened between me and Iceburg." She shook her head. "I still don't think there's anything wrong with him. He hasn't changed one bit...at least to me..." She tried to recall last night's events, but couldn't recall anything past her eating a cookie.
They quickly pushed away from each other as they heard chatter coming from the lobby.
Kaku nodded his head towards the exit. "We'd better get going." He held his hand out behind him before slowly returning it to his side.
This is going to be a lot harder than I thought...
Kate and Kaku made their rounds to several of the suppliers who worked with Galley La. In a way- it felt like when Kate had first started. The only difference was that they took a Yagara to make their way around town, afraid that if they took the "Mountain Wind Express" that their relationship would be exposed.
They sat awkwardly behind each other. Kate sat in the front while Kaku sat in the back with his arms crossed, as it was the only way to prevent himself from reaching out and grabbing Kate. The tension between them was driving him mad.
Kaku looked at a clock as they passed by. "Heya Kit-Kate. How about you and I grab some lunch in a bit?" It felt strange calling her by her name.
Kate turned around, a sad smile on her face. "I would love to...but I promised Iceburg I'd still continue to have lunch and dinner with him...and occasionally breakfast, depending on his schedule." She shrugged her shoulders before turning back around.
The shipwright grit his teeth. "Gee, that's a lot of time to spend with someone who apparently doesn't have any interest in you." There was a teasing, yet bitter tone to his voice. He held in his panic, his insecurities getting the best of him.
She's going to leave me for him, isn't she?
Kate waved as she made her way up to the stairs of Galley La, to where her room was. "I'll see you in a bit." She shot him a wink before disappearing.
Kaku dropped his hand as he slouched, making his way back to Dock 1.
"Kaku."
He turned to see Kalifa walking towards him, sporting a tight green long sleeve dress. "Hiya Kalifa." He forced a smile.
Kalifa adjusted her glasses. "Why do you seem so upset, Kaku?" She pretended to think for a moment. "Oh! I suppose Kate told you about last night's events...with Iceburg?" She raised an eyebrow.
Kaku shot up immediately, his hands now clenched. "What events?! What happened?!" He shook his head, realizing he was almost shouting.
The secretary chuckled slightly. "Nothing really...they just fell asleep together for a bit. That's all...or, at least that's all Iceburg told me..." She shrugged her shoulders as she walked off. "I'd be careful, Kaku. Your mission is for you to make sure Kate chooses you in the end, right?" She smiled to herself as she could feel Kaku's jealousy radiating throughout the room. Lucci had instructed Kalifa to ensure Kaku did everything in his power to choose him over Iceburg.
I have a feeling it worked.
Kaku clenched his fists, a thousand thoughts running through his mind.
Is Kate hiding something from me?! No...why would she lie? Why would she hide something like that?!
His body began to shake.
I need to hear it for myself.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Kate smiled as she saw Kaku waiting in the Galley La lobby. "Hi Kaku!" She made her way over to him excitedly.
Kaku smiled back, pointing a thumb behind him. "I need to check something in Dock 3. Would ya be alright tagging along?" He began to walk out of the office.
Kate nodded her head. "Of course!" She happily followed behind him, fighting the urge to hold his hand.
They entered the small room carefully, the lack of light making it hard to see. Kaku closed the door behind them.
Kate looked around, a small smile forming on her face. "Wow...the last time I was in here was when I told you-" She gasped as Kaku pinned her against the door, his face inches from hers. "Kaku! What are you doing?!" His usual smile was gone, replaced by an unfamiliar intensity. "Kaku, what's wrong? You're scaring me..." She looked as his hands were on either side of her head.
Kaku grabbed her wrist, feeling her pulse. "What happened between you and Iceburg last night?" He concentrated on her pulse that had already been racing as soon as he grabbed it.
Kate shook her head, confused by his question. "Nothing. Well, nothing I can remember at least..." She sighed as she looked back at Kaku.
Hm...she's not lying...
Kaku readjusted his hand on her wrist. "What do you remember?" He concentrated once again.
Kate thought hard, but was unable to remember anything past the cookie. "I was sitting in bed and Iceburg came in with cookies Kalifa gave him. He had a toothache so he couldn't eat any...I remember eating them and then passing out..." She gasped once again as Kaku slid his hands away, seeming as if a burden had been lifted from his shoulders.
I'll need to have a word with Kalifa later...
He grabbed Kate's face, placing a hard kiss on her lips. "I'm sorry, cupcake. Kalifa was just pullin' my leg I guess..." He stroked her cheek, the feeling of ecstasy slowly taking over him. He went to kiss her again, but was interrupted by Tilestone's whistling growing louder...
Darn it.
He swung the door open, moving Kate behind him. "Heya Tilestone! Just the man I was itchin' to see!" He shot him a finger gun.
Tilestone beamed at his comrade. "KAKU! WHAT ARE YOU DOING AT DOCK 3?" He tilted his head in confusion.
Kaku chuckled. "I was going to ask you for a favor, actually. Do ya think you can look over the blueprints I made for the ship comin' in tomorrow?" He continued to smile. Tilestone had told Kaku he wanted to learn carpentry a few years ago. Kaku had been teaching him whenever he had the chance. Tilestone wasn't exactly a fast learner, but he had massively improved over time. Kaku hoped that by the time the mission was over; Tileston would be able to take over as carpentry foreman.
Tilestone stood up excitedly. "OF COURSE! THANK YOU!" He quickly ran back towards Dock 1.
Kaku breathed in a sigh of relief as he signaled for Kate to come out. They couldn't risk anyone finding out about their relationship, or any unwanted speculations.
Kate came out carefully, patting some dust off of her skirt. "So, where to next?" The whole interaction had been extremely uncomfortable, but Kaku seemed to be back to his normal self.
I'll just forget that happened...I don't want to spend our time together arguing over nothing...
Kaku slapped his forehead. "Darn. I calculated the time wrong. Since we're taking a Yagara, there's no way we'll make it on time to the next meeting. I'll just tell Kalifa to reschedule it for next week...or...somethin'." He looked up sadly at Kate. "Are you doing alright, Kate?" He wanted to apologize for earlier, but decided it was best to drop it altogether.
Kate nodded her head. "Of course! I'm with you after all." She smiled at him sweetly, upset she was unable to express how she truly felt in case someone was listening.
Kaku patted his hand against the ring on his chest three times, hoping Kate would get the message. "How about we visit the boys at Dock 1?"
Paulie, Lucci, and Peepley were surrounded by several women who were fans from town.
"LUCCI! WILL YOU PLEASE GO TO THE FESTIVAL WITH ME TOMORROW?!"
"NO, GO WITH ME!"
"NO, HE'S MINE!"
Three ladies continued to fight over Lucci, as Paulie berated them over the short dresses they were wearing.
One of the women saw Kaku approaching and waved her hand. She was a pretty blonde woman with a taller slender build. "Kaku!"
Kaku waved back. "Oh hiya, Iris!" He made his way over to the group, Kate a few steps behind him. Iris was a frequent visitor around Galley La, and had developed a friendship with most of the shipwrights.
Iris grabbed his arm. "Will you be going to the festival tomorrow?" She batted her big blue eyes as she looked up at him. "I haven't seen you in so long! How about we meet up for a bit? Sound good?" She held onto his arm tighter as she leaned into him.
Kaku looked around at his fellow shipwrights, looks of encouragement on their faces. "Uh yeah, sure thing!" He chuckled nervously, unsure of what the right thing to do was. If he had said no, he was scared the other shipwrights might catch on to the reason why.
Iris jumped up excitedly before running back to the other group of women. "Girls! I've got a date tomorrow!"
Kaku turned around to see Kate, but she had already left.
Why would she just leave like that?!
Kaku felt frustrated. He knew Kate must have been upset, but given their situation- he couldn't chase after her.
He groaned as he made his way to his work station.
Kate...
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Kate slowly sobbed into her pillow. She couldn't stop replaying the scene of Iris with her hands all over Kaku. Her Kaku.
"Uh yeah, sure thing!"
She grit her teeth as she buried her head deeper into her pillow. How could he say yes?! She tried to understand his reasoning, but he could have made up a reason to say "no".
He probably wants to go with her...
Kate couldn't help but feel insecure, and jealous all at once. She couldn't even talk to Kaku about it.
A gentle knock came on her door, snapping her out of her dismay.
"Kate? Kate, are you in there?" Iceburg listened against the door. He had finished work earlier and could hear Kate crying from the hallway.
Kate rubbed her eyes, fanning her face in hopes that the redness would go away. "Yes. You can come in." She forced a smile on her face.
Iceburg tilted his head as soon as their eyes met. He was wearing a cream colored dress shirt and brown slacks. "Hm...well...may I know why you're crying?" He approached her carefully, taking a seat on the bed beside her.
Kate shook her head, faking a laugh. "I took a nap and had a bad nightmare...that's all." She sniffed her nose. "I dreamt that...someone was stealing something from me, and...I couldn't do anything." She bit her lip failing to hold back her tears as she sobbed into her hands. "I'm...so...sorry." She continued to sob.
Iceburg wrapped an arm around her shoulder as he pulled her into him. "It's okay. It was just a dream. None of it was real, trust me." He looked down at her worriedly, unsure of what to do. He could feel his heart tighten as he watched her sob. It was a sight he couldn't stand.
Iceburg swallowed before clearing his throat. He took a deep breath and began to sing.
"Oh the waves roll low, and the waves roll high and so it goes. Under the bright blue endless sky. Waves try to measure the days that we treasure. Wave hello and wave goodbye."
Kate looked up at him in awe, a small smile now on her face. He was a terrible singer, but the gesture succeeded in lifting her spirits. "What song is that?" She wiped the tears from her eyes.
Iceburg smiled down at her, happy the song had worked. "Hm...well...It's a song someone taught me a long time ago. They used to have nightmares too, and would sing this song every night to keep them at bay." He chuckled. "It seems it also works for stopping tears." He closed his eyes as he remembered the sound of her softly singing it before bed...
Kate leaned her head into Iceburg's arm. "Thank you, Iceburg. I feel much better now." She pulled away, shooting a smile at him. "Thank you for always being so kind to me. I don't know what I did to deserve it, but thank you." She started to laugh, feeling extremely grateful to have Iceburg.
Iceburg patted her on the head before standing up. "I'm glad my beautiful singing voice helped stop your tears. It usually brings them about in other people." He laughed at himself. "I'll have someone bring your dinner up to your room. Get some rest. I'll see you in the morning." He waved before closing the door behind him.
Iceburg felt his heart sink. Due to his popularity; he did his best to avoid large crowds as they were extremely uncomfortable and time consuming.
He had been there when Iris grabbed onto Kaku and had seen the whole exchange. He saw the distraught look in Kate's eyes, and watched as she ran away. He knew that she'd deny it if he asked her, but he knew the truth-
She has feelings for him...