Chapter 22: Some Time At Last

A/N 1: I feel I had to have a note at the beginning of this chapter so as to apologise for not post this up in the promised timespan. I am sincerely sorry that I was unable to keep to my promise, but with school reopening soon and the new year, more chapters will follow with (hopefully) better content as I grow a year wiser… ~" So now back to the story!

After everyone cleared out of their room, Aichi stayed in Misaki's embrace for a little while longer before letting go. "Thanks Misaki…" Aichi mumbled as he sat there, unsure of what to do.

"You're welcome Aichi, but we're brother and sister, so it's only right that I'm taking care of you..!" Misaki said awkwardly. And as the words left her mouth, she felt like someone faraway had said those words and she was listening, to words which were not supposed to be, but rather be some words else. I love you Aichi! Misaki wanted to say, but the words just wouldn't come. How would Aichi feel if I dumped this on him on? He needs his family and friends now more than ever, so I can't give him that unnecessary pressure…

Then, a thought crossed her mind and before she could stop them, the words came rushing out of her mouth. "When you 'kissed' me that morning, Aichi, why did you do it?" Misaki blurted. In the stunned silence to follow, Misaki immediately added, after registering what she'd said, "But it's okay if you don't want to say…"

Aichi was caught so off guard that he just stared into Misaki's eyes. Those beautiful eyes… And Aichi just kept on staring as words came together and fell apart in his head, as he tried to figure out what he should say…

~Cray World, Along Some Path~

"Wait till I get my hands on her… She'd better hope pongal didn't cause too much trouble in her absence. She knows best what damage Pongal cubs can cause yet she abandons those two newborns alone!" Jonathan muttered angrily under his breath.

"Hey Jonathan, even if Akane did leave those two cubs alone, you can't blame her. I mean, who likes being cooped up in a room with two little Pongal cubs, or any cubs for that matter?" Gallatin wondered as he heard Jonathan's not-so-soft muttering.

"But it's her job… She's trained to deal with that kind of boredom! I don't get why such a fun-loving girl would do such boring and tedious job in the first place. But she is good at doing what she does…" Jonathan muttered again.

"See, even you think it's boring. As fun-loving as she is, you can't deny that she doesn't have the love for the High Beasts. I mean, she knows only she can do what she does and she does it! But once in a while she comes out to have a little fun, will it kill anyone?" Gallatin half retorted and half reasoned.

Seeing the reason in that, Jonathan just shut his mouth for the rest of the journey back into town.

~Human World, Aichi's Bedroom~

As the words finally came together, Aichi opened his mouth, "Well, you were just lying there… And you looked so serene and beautiful in your sleep… And I didn't know what came over me… But I didn't mean to kiss you on the lips! It was an honest mistake when you got up so suddenly…"

Misaki blushed as Aichi said those things. Her heartbeat went up a couple of notches. Her palms and forehead and arms and legs and… Well, she just got sweaty all over… She was going to say something, but got cut off unexpectedly by…

~Cray World, Royal Beacon, Akane's Breeding House~

"Akane! Are you there?" Jonathan shouted from the front desk.

Shuffling footsteps could be heard as Akane made her way out. "Yes? Who is it?" Akane called out innocently, fearing the owner of that angry voice.

"You know who I am! We need to talk!" Jonathan bellowed when Akane finally came to the front desk.

"So what is it Jon?" Akane said jokingly as she tried to conceal her irritation of another telling off.

"You know why I'm here, and stop calling me that. I don't like nicknames… " Jonathan muttered as Akane couldn't help but giggle as her teasing found its mark.

"But I like calling you Jon! And I've been calling you that for years! Remember on one of your little birthday get-togethers? You even blushed when you told me you liked the nickname I gave you!" Akane squealed cheerily, forgetting the situation she was in.

Jonathan could only blush again as that embarrassing memory surfaced again and he fought down those feelings. "Don't change the subject!" He tried to bellow angrily but it ended in him sounding a little cheery.

"I'm really sorry alright? I didn't mean to leave those cubs alone, but its boring to be cleaning up their messes eve minute of the day!: Akane pleaded, unaware of the affection rising within Jonathan, from back when he was a child.

A/N 2: Hope it wasn't too disappointing that it was only just Akane messing around Kaixing and Tsukuyomi-chan! XD Sorry if this chapter was a little short. I wrote this early in the morning, rushing, to get another chapter up for you guys to read and possibly enjoy. Some food for thought too!What do you think cut Misaki off? And could Jonathan seriously have had feelings for Akane a long time ago? And I hope you guys like this way of cliffhangers! Till the next chapter guys! And A BLESSED MERRY CHRISTMAS to all, may you all have a HAPPY NEW YEAR! :D