Chapter V:

Cycles of Growing Desire

As the sun rises higher in the sky I rubbed my temples trying to shake away uncertainty. I don't know whether or not if this is just an illusion.

The shuffle of small feet caught my attention as I removed myself of my sheets.

"Daisuke! Bring the guest for breakfast!", his mother yelled from the bottom floor.

I hoped I was not trying to live my life through a fantasy, for if I was I am failing what I promised long ago.

Small hands gripped the sliding door.

"Ma'am are you awake? My mom wants you to eat with us for breakfast downstairs." He still held shyness in his voice.

No matter I cannot test my faith by acting irrational.

"Yes. I'll come down. Just wait for me at the table. Alright?", I said as he stood at the doorway.

His cheeks tinted a light pink before nodding and closes the door.

A guy who likes me? I've never thought that would even occur in my own lifetime.

I smoothed my hair back realizing it was only held back by a loose pin. Having nothing else than myself and this mysterious kimono, I gathered up my futon and rolled it up placing up against the wall.

I feel ready to face whatever Aldo is going to throw at me.

A few minutes later I sat at the kitchen table as Daisuke's mother hummed while preparing our plates. She sat down after setting down what seems to be fried rice and baked saury. The old man was absent at this time too. Clangs of chopsticks perfused the thin interior.

I saw the sadness on the woman's face as she ate. It really bothered me as I picked at my food.

This is enough.

"Ah, um ma'am do you know where your father is at this time? I'd thought he would join us for breakfast this morning." It looked as if she was too concentrated on her food to hear me.

When I looked at Daisuke his face held the same expression as he ate, though I noticed he was trying to hide it as I sat there.

Looking back at his mother she only pretended to eat as she closed her eyes. What did I do wrong?

She slammed her hand on the table and opened her eyes to look at me, it was if all her emotions raged through her silent face.

"I'm sorry I'm not really hungry today. Daisuke can you wash my plate for me? I think I really need to tend to our garden," she said as she rushed out of the back door.

Daisuke looked back at me and paused to talk.

"I'm sorry my mom...really doesn't like it when my grandfather is mentioned sometimes", he said as he sat up to wash her plate.

After he sat down he wiped his mouth and tried to finish the remaining food left on his plate and left to clean his. Feeling I wanted an explanation he led me up to his room to talk.

He set out his futon for us to sit on as he hesitantly patted his hand for me to sit closer.

"Our grandfather works really hard to keep us happy here...It's all he does everyday...Even on the weekends. And even if he goes out to visit his friends he cuts it short to tend to his job." His voice trailed off as he talked to me.

My eyes hardened when his face became littered with tears.

"He doesn't even have to do this. He knows we want him back here...So I don't understand why he doesn't stop to join us like a family...I-I don't even care if we live life scrapping by on only rice and dirt I only want my mom to stop crying every night when he's-" He stopped himself as he hugged his knees.

He sat there refusing to even look at me.

"I'm sorry I-I just I know this is no way to treat a guest who only has stayed here for one day." He got up and tried to walk away.

I grabbed his hand as he turned around to face me.

What am I doing?

I pulled him into a hug and held him as tightly as I could.

I don't care if this is a dream.

"I know the feelings you may feel are heavy, but if you feel you need someone to comfort you, even for a little bit, I'll do it as long as I'm here." My voice shook as he grabbed at my clothes.

I didn't know how long he held me, but I knew I did something useful for once.

He let go of me when he heard the slam of a shoji door from the bottom floor.

He latched onto my arm as I led him downstairs.

As long as I am here I'll do something productive, even if it was all a lie.

"Two orders! Got it!", the old man flew around the room gathering what all the customers were shouting behind the counter.

"Sir, my child has been sick for days. Wheres my order!", a woman near the front of the line shouted.

"Coming ma'am!" His body moved as if his age never affected his steps as he took care of the first portion of customers in rapid pace.

As me and Daisuke stood at the doorway I took in the scene as I held onto the door frame.

I didn't think he had days like this.

"Hey! Our staff at the hospital is running low on Dragon root. The incoming patients are suffering several injuries related to the chemicals used on the battlefield...Please sir it's urgent if you can give us some..You're the only one..."

I see the sweat drops forming on the old man as he traveled back and forth to settle the growing crowd.

In an hour they were all gone.

I've never seen anyone take on such a big crowd of people without questioning their motives or insulting the ones who were throwing mean comments his way he almost reminds me of...

He turned around to see me standing at the doorway.

"So you've seen my customers the two of you..." His wrinkled face smiled as he pulled up a chair waving the both of us over.

Several minutes passed by.

"...I see, my Kotoka stormed off again." He rubbed his chin in thought.

Daisuke and I sat in the chairs from the kitchen.

"I don't blame her. She was always sensitive from since she was a little girl. Can't even hold her temper for a few minutes before she does something to cool her flames. Ah,she was such a temperamental child..." His face crinkled as he talked.

"I...don't believe she can ever get over my work situation, even if I told her a million times to stop worrying." His mouth frowned.

"I'm afraid to let your mother and you to toil in the farmlands...And I know it hurts to see me work, but I want to allow ourselves to eat fine foods even if it's just a little while..." He slouched as he stroked his chin.

"And I'm sure Daisuke would take over the store when he gets older. And everything would be fine by then. So I'm sure she'll stop worrying when the time comes." He sits up as he straightens his back.

"I'm sorry to leave you so suddenly, but eventually customers are going to pour in again soon enough." He ambles around the room sweeping and dusting the shelves of anything unnecessary before standing behind the counter.

Gathering our chairs I looked back at him to see his face creasing in concentration.

Eventually he'll catch onto my lie.

I chose to take a walk around. Daisuke wanted to stay in his room and study while his mother was still absent.

No matter where I go there is no absence of complication.

The sky continued to darken as I trudged down the street. Some shops started to close up as the crowd of people lessened. A few drunk people walked out of a few bars with their arms wrapped around probably someone they barely know.

I know I can walk a bit more.

The sky is almost completely dark.

They might not need me so quickly right?

A hand grabs me forcefully from behind.

"What's a pretty thing like you wondering around here, huh?", a rough looking man slurred out with his clothes barely hanging on his frame.

I tried to stay as calmly as I could.

"I was just returning home", I said sweetly as my voice allowed.

"Then can't ya stay a little longer before you go back. Out here it's pretty lonely for a guy like me, ya know." His body swayed as he held onto me.

"I'm sorry. I have things to attend to and I don't think I have the time to keep you company, sir." I tried to keep my face free of irritation.

"So what? You a whore or something?" His hand gripped tighter.

As he held me closer a person threw him off me.

"I''m sorry sir, but she was just grabbing medicine for my sick grandmother. I didn't have time to pick it up, so thank you, sweetheart", the person in question spoke as the drunk only stood in confusion.

Before I can even respond he dragged me off.

Who is this man? He looks exactly like the man in my dreams. He quickly turns into an alleyway and pushes me against the wall.

"What are you doing? Do you even know you could get killed out here?" His eyes looked at me as I struggled for an answer.

"I was just walking", my voice can only utter.

He only shook his head as he let go of me.

"If I wasn't there god knows what could happen." It's almost like he's belittling me.

Why does he even care?

"Come here." His hand gripped me again.

"Wait." From with the way he was going it doesn't look like he heard me.

He brought me to a house.

Still latched onto me, I was still too caught up trying to understand the situation.

Before I even realized it I was sat down in a chair as he prepared tea for me.

A few minutes later.

"So tell me. What is a person like you doing on the street?", he asked as he sipped his cup.

I can only stutter. "Ah...um..uh."

I don't even know him.

"You look like an aristocrat's daughter. Did you run away from home or something?...Ya know this is no real place to walk around at night unless you know how to handle yourself." He continued to down the tea as he spoke.

I've had it.

"Ah...I'm sorry sir, but what gives you the right to drag me here and question me?", my voice shook as I spoke.

When he was finished drinking his cup he set it down.

"I'm not a person who is up for liking aristocrats, though I can't help it when someone pretty as you is caught up in a scene like that." He wiped his mouth with his sleeve.

I found myself blushing again. No this isn't right.

"Well I thank you for saving me, but I have to go back home. I'm sure everyone there is worrying about my absence. So have a good day", I said as I tried to leave.

He pulled me back without any effort.

"I'm sorry miss, but a person like you can fetch a pretty dollar anywhere. If I really wanted to I would let someone like that do that to you if I weren't there to watch."

What is he getting at?

He pulled me into his lap. "I'll only let you go if you promise me you'll let me accompany you wherever I find you. Is that a deal?"

His breath fanned over my neck as he held me.

I really need to get going.

"Y-yes yes it is a deal." From the instance I spoke those words he pushed me off.

He stood up as I attempted to speed off.

"Miss. You'll have to let me walk you home. I'm sure you'll get caught up in the same thing if I let you leave alone."

My body froze in place. I really want to get rid of him.

"Sure. You can walk me home." I tried to hide the discontent on my face.

Every so often he would try to wrap his arm around me whenever I looked like I was spacing out.

A little ahead. A few younger women laughed while surrounding a burly man who flexed his muscles.

"Ooh~ you're so strong Kuyo~", one of the women cooed as she traced her hand over his bulging forearm.

"I have been working out everyday while also doing my job as a construction worker. It looks like it has paid off right ladies?", his voice boomed.

As if on cue the girls wrapped around him. "Oh yes, Kuyo~" "Kuyo, you could wrap me with those big strong arms~" "Kuyo~" "Oh you're so cute Kuyo~"

With every compliment it looked as if his ego increased.

As me and the man passed near him. The man with the group of woman shouted out to me.

"Hey! Pretty lady, shouldn't a sweet thing like you join me? Why you with a shrimp like him?" his annoying masculine voice pierced my ears.

I continued to ignore him as I maintained my pace.

"Lady! I asked you a question. Don't you think it's a bit rude to leave without giving me a proper answer", his voice rang as the women around him cooed.

I turned around and tried to answer him, but I was cut off.

"She doesn't have to answer to trash like you", the man right next to me bit out.

The burly man's face turned into the darkest crimson. He stood up and stomped towards us.

"How can a shrimp like you think he can get away with that? NO ONE ANSWERS TO KUYO LIKE THAT AND GETS AWAY WITH IT." The man made a swing but as I watched I heard the most sickening crack as the man who walked me crushed the burly man's hands.

His cold merciless eyes stared into the eyes of the man. "There's no need for violence Mr. Kuyo", he said before letting go of his fist.

He tugged me to follow after him as the defeated man held his hand as his posse of women tried to comfort him.

Just who is this man?

He walked me up to the door.

"Thank you." I still had the penchant to thank someone no matter what they did.

"You're welcome", his voice calmly said before going away. As I stood in the half open door I watched him sauntered off.

Really who is he?

I walked into the kitchen to find Daisuke sleeping on the table with his food still untouched. His mother was cleaning the dishes as she smiled.

When she turned around she saw me and motioned me to come over.

"Where were you?" Her eyes looked me over as I stood there.

"I was out walking." Is this the best I could say?

My eyes traveled over to Daisuke's sleeping form.

"He waited all night for you to return home. He went on and on that you'll come back and he needs to make up for what he did earlier by talking to you. Me and my grandfather tried convincing him to eat, but he won't budge no matter how hard we tried...Really what made you walk out so late?" Her eyes shot through me as if she's stabbing me for answers.

I gave in.

"Some man on the street saved me from a drunkard who was trying to take advantage of me. He walked me back home, but when I got back it was quite a bit longer than I expected." I rubbed the back of my neck sheepishly.

She sighed as she smoothed back her hair. "Well I guess something like that would keep you out." She continued back to the hallway.

"Please wake up Daisuke and put him to bed for me okay?", she said as went back to her room.

A boy who cares enough to neglect his needs? I didn't think he would do such a thing for someone like me.

I shook him gently as his face leaked drool onto the table.

He came to and groggily looked up at me.

"Y-you're home?" He almost fell out of his chair.

"Yes." My eyes didn't leave his tired frame.

"Gwood." He turned back to his food.

"I have some food from dinner. We could share if you want?"

I relented. "Sure."

He almost looked like he was about to fall into his food.

After eating

I carried him to his bedroom as he slept in my arms. Laying out his futon, I covered him in his sheets and tried to walk away.

Almost to the doorway I heard him call out. "Please don't leave me. Please sleep with me tonight. Don't go."

I hesitated before going back to him.

I laid down next to him and his sleepy eyes still looked at me. "Thank you for coming back", his tired voice whispered.

He held me close as he finally gave in to the warmth of the sheets.

I never thought any man would like me.

My body laid against the soft cushion. My eyes wandered around his room until it rested on the boy right next to me.

It feels so nice to be loved.

Eventually my senses were dulled by the rhythmic pull of his breathing.

I gave in to sleep.

I had no dreams that night.

Ohoooho. I've been working hard to get enough chappies in to satisfy people who like to read something lengthy. Oh I am so satisfied. Maybe a little unsatisfied, but hey watchah gonna do? Hmm.

Hoped you liked it. My back's really hurting for this one. If anything I would love to hear maybe like hi in the reviews or something. And I'll say hi back or maybe not because I'll probably be so happy I'll probably sing something while trying to high-five myself.

"Hallelujah. Hallelujah." And I'm sure my brother would walk in while I'm doing that and walks back slowly pretending he didn't see anything.

I'm trying really hard to make this good. And if there is anything you don't like tell me. I know This is gonna be the one that will make me work for it.

Oh I feel so bad from sitting in a chair almost twelve hours for each chap. My legs~

Anyway, I hope the next chap will satisfy my raging and never ending hunger for soup. "SOUP POWER!"