Chapter 23: Arriving at the Beach and a Kiss
"I've never been one for public affection, but one of us has to be the bold one."
-Akane Yagami-
The day arrived that they where to leave for Okinawa. She had spent the night at Naomi's so not to look suspicious in front of Miguel or the others when she left with L in the car only to arrive without Tenshi. Naomi rented a place a block away from the estate they where going to be staying at, but Akane just hoped that they would find a spot to relax for once.
"Are you all packed and ready?" Akane asked.
"Just about. I can't find my bikini top. Have you seen it? It's blue." She told her.
"Um... I think it's still hanging on the shower head in the bathroom," Akane informed her. "You hung it to dry late night, remember?"
"Right, sorry, I've haven't been on a trip like this since I was small," Naomi said as she blushed slightly.
"Nor have I. I guess this is technical a vacation even if we are working. Is anyone bunking with you?" Akane asked.
"No it'll just be me mostly unless you count Donovan, of course," Naomi told her.
"Will you be alright all by yourself like that?" Akane inquired a bit concerned about her. It wasn't to long ago she had lost Raye. She didn't want Naomi to be alone like that.
"Yeah, you don't need to worry so much Akane. Plus, Donovan will be with me so I should have pleasant company. After all he's quite the gentleman, but I'm also invited to come over later as your cousin for that party," She said, "remember?"
"That's right, I almost forgot about that," Akane replied. "I think... I'm nervous about this too. This is kind of new to me. I've been invited to these places before, but this is the first I've actually gone to one."
….
L's classic car, a black 1955 Chevy Bel Air, arrived not to long after. Akane wanted to fidget in her nervous state, but decided otherwise. She didn't want to give L the wrong idea. Akane and L both knew things where going to be awkward for them this week, but it shouldn't be to bad, right? They where both adults after all so it should be fine. Right?
Even with that in mind it didn't make her any less nervous about it. "Hey, Ryuga." Akane greeted with a smile as he stepped out the car and ushered her in.
"Akane, did you sleep well?" he asked as he took his place next to her and shut the door behind him. The car drove off soon after the door was closed.
No, I was way to anxious about today, She thought to herself, "As well as one can. I never been on a trip like this before. So I was nervous."
"I can see why. I haven't been on one of these excursions either," L replied noticing the slight circles under her eyes. She can't sleep when she's nervous. Interesting, he thought to himself amused.
"What of you?" Akane asked. "Did you sleep well?"
"I slept fine once I finished for the day." He replied.
"Good, what time does our flight take off?" she asked trying to stay casual with their conversation.
"It's in an hour. That should be plenty of time, correct?" He replied.
"More than enough." She replied and nodded.
….
The red painted room was darkly lite. The air of this room was heavy and the smell of death lingered in it's dimly lite halls. This was not a good place. People, eight in number, stood in equal number on either side of the golden throne. These people wore black robes with heavy hoods that hid their faces. Kira himself wore a thick royal red robe with gold embroidery that was only meant to hide his face from visitors such as the man kneeling before him now. It was as if you walked in a room full of cult member in a middle of a ritual.
There was a man, who wore a business suit and seemed to be in his mid fifties. His salt and pepper hair was slicked back in a all business sort of manner. He didn't seem to be the kind to kneel before someone like a dog, but here he was kneeling before Kira like he was some sort of king. This man's eyes where on the ground not looking up at the 'all powerful' Kira who sat on the throne as if he was the center of the world. His ego alone would make it seem that way at least.
"Master I've done what you have asked. Akane Yagami and Hideki Ryuga will be at my family's summer home for an entire week. My daughter will be able to learn of their relationship as you have ordered and without none including my daughter knowing why." Said the kneeling man.
"That is most excellent, Mr. Kyoko," Kira replied from underneath a thick hood his voice morphed to sound more like a demon than a man or a woman. "You will report back after the week is over. I want to know ever detail of what you have learned."
"Of course my lord Kira," he replied still looking at the floor. "I am grateful to you and would do all that you ask. Again I thank you for avenging my wife's murder."
"Justice is what I'm here for, Mr. Kyoko." Kira said. "Now, you may go. Make me proud."
The man stood his head bowed as left the room. "Can he really be trusted, Kira?" a woman asked to his left as she pulled down her hood. This woman was Kiyomi Takada, an aspiring news anchor who was guaranteed a job the moment she graduated collage the same college Akane was currently attending and faithful to only Kira in more than just one department.
Kiyomi Takada was young and beautiful in a different way than Akane was. She was taller, more slender, short black of hair, intelligent, and most importantly she was a useful tool and easy to manipulate most women like her, who was attracted to power, were. She was a valued assist and would be even more so the moment she was on TV as he had planned to not to long from now. This woman would spread Kira's great word for all the world's people to hear and nothing was going to get in the way of that. Not even L.
Kira stood and faced her in an graceful, egotistic, and a dominating way. His knuckles brush against her face in an intimate manner. She blushed at his touch as a breathy gasp escaped her lips. This was a artful move on Kira's part. One to get her to listen to him and only him. It also shut her mouth. "Dear Kiyomi, you have nothing to worry about. If he turns against me. He will fall. Unlike you he is merely a tool. You'll keep an eye on this girl for me as well, won't you? She maybe the key to what I've been searching for."
"Yes... Kira," she whispered not knowing her own willing submission to Kira's dominating nature. Yes that was what he wanted all those around him to submit to his whim. These people needed someone to command them so why not him?
….
First class, of course it's first class. He must of be loaded or Watari is, Akane thought as she took her seat on the plane. Her legs crossed as a flight attendant passed them by. She was a overly plump woman and seemed to be glancing at L ever now and then. The word plump meaning she had graciously shaped curves in an hour glass figure even better than Akane's who's body was a bit more modest in shape, but still with her own hour glass figure. The woman was beautiful in her mid thirties with long bleach blond hair and dark skin. She was likely only partially Japanese, but most of her was Arabic.
Why is she staring at him so much? Akane thought wanting to glare at her. She suddenly felt the need to protect him or maybe she was suddenly possessive. It was a feeling she hadn't really experienced with someone other than L. She really didn't know why, but it confused her for wanting to just protect him from some random woman.
The same flight attendant explained the emergency protocols along how to use the oxygen mask and floating devices that they where currently sitting on. Then after the plane took off and leveled out she came toward them or toward L to be more pacific before anyone one else. "Hello there handsome, is there is something I can get you?"
L's eyes slowly rose up toward the stranger. She was smiling at him as her job might require of her. Not that he really cared. "Green tea." he said. "Is there something you want, Akane?"
"Same and can you bring a lot of sugar packs, please? Oh and some cakes," Akane asked politely as possible even if she want to tell this woman to piss off. She wasn't pity. Akane was mature so she would act as such.
"Of course, but shouldn't a girl like you be watching your weight?" The flight attendant asked.
Immediately Akane's anger spiked and she wanted to strangle this woman. Also in an instant she knew why this woman insulted her. Shouldn't an old hag like you not be drooling over another girl's boyfriend like you are cougar? Akane thought as she simply lifted a brow at this woman. Don't reply. DON'T REPLY. She is below you and doesn't have the brain power to face you in anything, but half thought out insults.
"The sugar and cakes are for me. My girlfriend was just being thoughtful of myself," L said as glared at the woman as he stressed the word 'girlfriend' in a way that meant she was his and more importantly he was hers.
The woman blinked in surprise, "Uh... of course my mistake."
"Yes, your mistake and have the other stewardess deliver our order. I also make those cakes strawberry short cakes and if you are interested in keeping your job I suggest avoiding us at all cost during the time of this flight. That will be all. You're dismissed." L said in a passively calm manner, but something told Akane this was what he sounded like when he was provoked. His voice may have been basically the same, but she knew better. There was this undertone to the way he spoke. It made a shiver creep up Akane's spine and the hair on the back of her neck stand on end, along with anyone who was listening. She was thankful to him as the flight attendant hurried away. It was more of a run if Akane had to wager a guess,
"Thank you," Akane whispered, "you didn't have to do that, but I'm grateful you did."
"You've don't the same for myself before. I was simply returning the favor." He told her.
Akane smiled grabbing him by the shirt, pulled him closer, and quickly gave him a kiss on the cheek. She took the pleasure of watching his eyes widen in size at his surprise. That was not something he wasn't expecting at all. When she pulled away she with a teasing smirk and said, "Whatever you say, dear."
She nearly laughed when his hand went to his cheek and a smile shy smile appear on his face. Akane wouldn't of noticed it if she hadn't been watching him rather closely. A part of her knew it was likely the first time a girl had kissed his cheek like that and it made her happy. It was fun being someone's first, sometimes.
….
It was dark by the time Akane and L arrived at the estate that was so close to the beach it had to be lifted on stilts. It didn't look like a Japanese home more like the summer beach house you'd see in other countries. Open with large pillars in that Greek or perhaps Roman style that seemed to have spread all over the freaking world. To be honest it was nice, but wasn't in her taste. The estate was white with large open windows. Quite beautiful actually, but the design was a bit over used. Akane really didn't see the appeal. She would want a look that was a bit more modern, but tasteful. Akane wonder what type of home she would have one day. She hoped it was somewhere she could have both summer and winter with actual snow in the year. Akane liked the change of the seasons.
Akane knocked on the door and within seconds it opened, "Akane, Ryuga! You finally made it! What took you so long?" Hanami Kyoko greeted with a huge smile.
"Sorry there was a bit of a traffic jam on the way." Akane said forcing a smile not that she wasn't happy to see her. They had been friends since her first year in high school. "So what's up? Did we miss anything?"
"No really we were about to order some grub. Come on in. Do two want anything? It's that new pizza place that just opened. I have a menu if you want to look what they have or do you want anything to drink." Hanami told them as she escorted them to the living room.
"We ate on the way here. Do they have a desert menu?" Akane asked as she watched L's eyes scan the room. Miguel was sitting with three other guys on a large couch. Their was two girls on a seat and another on the floor. There was a total of ten including her and L. Akane knew four others where coming tomorrow afternoon and they were Hanami's two cousins and their two husbands. Akane had met them when Hanami invited Akane and L. To be honest Akane didn't know why Hanami had invited them here. Sure they hung out at school, but she didn't think they where that close. It was odd, but maybe Hanami thought they where closer than she originally believed or maybe she just didn't remember the other times she had invited her.
"Yeah they do. Let us get over with the introducing everyone really quick. Everyone this is Akane Yagami and Hideki Ryuga." Hanami said pointing at them.
"I'm Neko," Miguel said, "but you knew that already."
"Junko is my name," The girl on the floor said as she sat between another girl's legs. She had shoulder length, spiked, black hair. Junko was no taller than five feet and she was also completely flat chested and wore a something you'd see female rock stars wear. Akane recognized she was one of the most popular girls in her college. She was also a very bluntly honest person and Akane liked that about her. "We go to school together, but I don't think we've actually met. This is my girlfriend Lieko and before you ask, no, I'm only gay for Lieko."
"Damn straight she is," Lieko commented proudly before nibbling on her ear causing Junko to blush and cast her blue eyes elsewhere embarrassed, "Sup', Akane? We went to the same high school remember?" Lieko asked smirking as she wrapped her arms around Junko's pale frame. It was like looking at the sun with her sandy hair that reached her mid waist and tan features, but unlike Junko she was tall and was a bit more shapely. She was looking up at Akane with big brown eyes and she could tell Lieko was the dominate one of the two, but she wore all black with mostly light make up.
"I remember you too. It good to actually met you both," Akane replied with a smile.
"Kiyomi, we share a few classes." Said the tall slender woman on the couch.
The next was a shy boy who took a minute to say even his own name, "Genta... my name is Genta." he told them. He was like one of those boys who seemed average until you actually met him. He had glasses that hid his his adorable boyish face. His hair was brunette, but with soft steel blue eyes. He was smaller and leaner than the other men, who where tall and muscular. He really didn't seem like he belonged. He was more of the type to stay home on the laptop hacking something or playing video games all by himself.
"The name is Dai, I'm Genta's cousin." said the one sitting next to him. His hair was styled upward with golden highlights in his similar colored hair. Genta and Dai had the same colored eyes are well though Dai's had slightly more blue in them. He was the tallest of the both the men there being around six foot three. If Akane remembered right he was a Martial Artist Champion for two years running at their college. He was the strong silent types and was the kind of guy that stood up for those weaker than himself even if it caused him to get into trouble at times.
"Joji," the last answered. He was your standard average guy with black hair and matching eyes, but a childhood friend of Hanami. It was obvious this boy was in love with her as well, but she never gave him the time of day. Poor hopeful little guy.
Akane's smile widen, but it was her usual forced one that was used to appear rather friendly toward meeting new people that she already knew. "It's nice to meet you all, officially," She told them while they took seat at a love seat as she was thinking, Interesting they choose people I or L knows from school or at least who they are. Why? Something or someone is being hidden here, but who?
"Here's the menu," Kiyomi said handing it over to her.
"Thank you," She said opening it and leaned toward L to share the menu.
"I have to ask," Joji said.
"Ask what?" Junko asked looking at him curiously.
"How did they start going out?" he whispered pointing his thumb toward Akane and L in a not so delicate manner. "I mean the hottest girl in school going out with that complete weirdo shut in looking guy? Come one that's unheard of!"
"You're an idiot," Junko told him as she glared.
"Yes, and we can hear you. I have to agree about the idiot bit. I like Ryuga and beyond that it's none of your business, Joji." Akane said not bothering to look at him as she read over the menu with L.
Suddenly Hanami whacked Joji upside the head, "They are cute together so you be quiet! You're being rude to my guest," Hanami growled at him before taking her seat and turning on the TV to find something good to watch. While Joji looked like a kick puppy as he sulked in a corner.
EDITED!