AN: Konnichiwa, minna-san! To start off, I want to thank all my reviewers, especially those of you who started reading this fic! I also appreciate my regular reviewers! Since this fic is almost to a close (about 3 or 4 chapters), I'll give my thanks to everyone at the end. Okay, now for this chapter! I really enjoyed writing this chapter because of Yuki's attitude towards Kakeru. Even Machi started to notice something different...please read on! Enjoy!
Chapter 12
"A Smile of A Thousand Words"
I thank the heavens for her happiness...
...I won't ask more...
...for her smile.
In the wake of dawn, the morning star of the earth called forth a beginning of a new day. Its rays of the whitest gold warmed the lands from the dark night and greeted their inhabitants with a promise of a beautiful morning.
Its rays traveled to the lone, two-story shelter by the lake, to bring forth its greeting. Through the glass of the window panes of the shelter, the rays successfully brought forth its light. It greeted a sweet, young girl, who was happily preparing for morning's meal. However, the girl doesn't acknowledge the morning greetings, for she was occupied with a certain communicative device.
"Ehhh? Kimi would be happy to go! What time? Oh...hontoni (really)..."she spoke as she was twisting one end of the cord with her index. "That wouldn't work...I have to get a ride from my friend...you see...Kimi went on a all-expense, paid vacation with Yuki Oji-sama!...Hai!... Hontoni!" The girl continued to persuade the person on the other line to give her more time for whatever they were planning to do and that she was really on vacation with Yuki.
During her chatting, her male counterpart entered the cooking quarters with a finger to his ear. "You don't have to be so loud, Kimi-channn..."He yawned at the end of his sentence and rubbing the sleep that was left behind in his eyes. "It is still so early...and you are so loud!"
The girl ignored the boy's complaints as she continued on her persuasion. "Hmm...I think that will work! I'll get my friend to take me back...Hai! Ja ne!" She giggled after she hung the receiver in its holder.
"What are you so giddy about this morning?" the boy asked, while he was surveying the ingredients for the morning's meal.
"Umm..."The girl went up to his side and stood by him with her hands folded under her chin. "Onegai."
"Huh?" her respondent baffled.
"Onegai, Kakeru-chan. Take Kimi home," she stated her request of favor. "Kimi has much to do, before summer ends..."
"Ahhh...Kimi-chan," he saidas he shook his head in disfavor with a hand on his forehead. "Do you know I couldn't just do that? I have to come back and take Yun-Yun and Machi home too! And the gas! I might not have the gas..."
"Onegai. Kimi would not ask more from Kakeru-chan, if Kakeru-chan helps Kimi," she said with a disappointed look on her face.
"Anyways, you haven't said why you needed to go back." Kakeru continued to search of an exit out of that favor.
"I tried to call my best friend last night, but he was not back from his vacation. Then, this morning, Kimi called again and he was there! He said that he'll be in town until tomorrow and that he wanted to take Kimi out! Kimi haven't seen Kimi's friend since the vacation begun!"
"Now...what number boyfriend is he?" Kakeru asked, without serious intentions.
"He's not Kimi's boyfriend! He's my best friend..."she faded at the end of her sentence. A very pained look appeared on her face.
Kakeru studied her expressions and took note that he never seen her so serious and so desperate to be with someone. Concerning his own girlfriend, he knew how she felt.
"Hey! I know! Why don't I take you back and I could see my girlfriend too!" he enthused over his sudden idea. "Then, tomorrow, I'll return for the last days and take Yun-Yun and Machi home!"
"Yay! Kakeru-chan has become so kind!" she cheered.
"Oi, don't use to it, Kimi-chan. I am doing it because there is something for me too," he assured her that has never changed.
"Kimi don't care! Kimi's just happy to see Kimi's friend!"she beamed.
"Alright, we'll leave after we informed Yun-Yun and Machi," Kakeru said as his face shifted to his usual goofy display to sheer seriousness.
If we do leave...that will leave them. Alone. Hmm...maybe I should torture them to tag along...
The rays continue to spread its light throughout the entire shelter, but it was blocked off by a closed drapery over the glass window pane of one of the upper-level rooms of the shelter. In that room, lies two inhabitants, who have yet to wake for the day anew.
Lying towards the foot of the bed was a grey-haired boy, who was still in the land of dreams, and a half-awake dark brown haired girl. While the boy was sleeping, the girl laid still in her place as she watched him with half-lidded eyes. Her hands rested on the pillow with her cheeks rested against them. The rest of her body rested on her side as she continued to prolong her awakening.
I could just lay here and watch you forever. So peaceful...in deep sleep.
BAM! BAM! (loud knock on the door)
"Heeeyy! Machiii! Time to wakey-wakey! Onii-chan (Big brother) has breakfast for you!" called another male voice.
The girl jolted from her spot once she heard the noise from the door. Her heart beats rapidly in reaction to the noise.
Why does he have to do that! And how does he know I am here? Did he go to my room?
She looked over next to her to make sure if her companion has awaken. He was still expressing the same peaceful slumber as before, much to her relief. She left her spot and opened the door slowly, to reveal a dark-haired boy with a toothy grin across his face. He was holding a tray with two dishes of food and two small bowls of soup, along with the necessary utensils and napkins. From behind him, a dark-haired girl was carrying a tray with a kettle and two teacups.
"ROOM SERVICE!" the boy yelled as he intruded his way into the room. He put the tray down on the desk nearby the window and turned to face a very unhappy 'customer'.
"What is all this, Manabe!" his sister snapped.
"What's the matter? It's our complements for our new blissful couple!" he enthused, "Ne, Kimi-chan?"
The dark-haired girl started to fill the teacups on the tray she had placed on the desk, besides the food. "Hai!"
"Now, now, go wake your husband and start this beautiful day with our gracious menu!" he spoke louder for the sleeping member to hear. The flushed girl stood and seething in her anger and annoyance, without any words left to express her anger and embarrassment.
"Hey look! Yun-Yun is waking!" Kimi announced with her usual chime.
The boy's form arose from his sleeping place and departed from it with half-closed eyes. He walked in the direction of his companion and the unrequested room service personnel. He walked until he came face to face with the other male.
"Still a sleeping beauty, eh, Yun-Yun?" the boy chuckled. In response, the other boy's eyes shot open and pulled on the other boy's nose in between his index and thumb. He shifted it back and forth, rapidly.
"Nnnarr!Nnnarrh!Gomennn!Gomeennn!" the boy cried. Once 'sleeping beauty' let go, he rubbed his pained nostrils. "Is this the thanks I get for this humble service!" he asked.
"No, you deserve it for being intrusive idiot you are," the other boy said, cooly. "Yet, you do have my gratitude for your kindness."
"Yes, your highness!"Kakeru said with sarcasm. The two girls nearby gave opposite reactions to the morning scene. One with a cutesy grin and the other with a face still flushed from humiliation.
"Oh, also, Yun-Yun," Kakeru said as Yuki walked over to the desk to see what was the menu for the morning's meal. "Me and Kimi have to head back to town. Kimi won't be coming back, but I'll be returning tomorrow. Also, I'd be very pleased if you and Machi..."
"Why?" Yuki interrupted, without listening the latter part of the sentence.
"WHY?" Kakeru snapped. His face was distorted to sheer craziness. "Do you think I am just going to leave you two here to ga-ga over each other! I know how you think, lech!"
"Grr...THAT IS NOT WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT! BAKA!" The gray-haired boy's eyes fueled in full rage as he grabbed the other boy's collar. "Haaa..." He sighed deeply to calm himself down and released his grip. "You and Kimi did not say why you two needed to go back..."he voiced calmly, while he still tried to retain his anger.
"Oh! Heh. Heh. Silly me!" Kakeru gave a light knock on the side of his head, grinning shamelessly. "We got people to see! Kimi has a date and I want to go see Sume-chan!"
"Eh? I am surprised that you and Kimi are agreeing so easily...you two usually don't come to an agreement like so," Yuki pointed out to the two.
"Because Kakeru-chan has submitted to Kimi!" the girl suggested.
"No!NO!"the boy denied as if he had been accused of wrongdoing, "Kimi-chan got on her hands and knees, and yes, BEG! HA! HA!" he laughed as he pointed to the girl.
The girl furrowed her eyebrows in response and stormed over to her taunter. She punched him in the stomach. "Kimi did not beg! Kakeru-chan DID submit to KIMI!" she yelled in the boy's direction.
"I said I am doing it because there is something for me!" he retorted, rubbing his sore belly.
While the bickering continues, Yuki and Machi sat on the edge of Yuki's bed, enjoying the light taste of green tea and the items of the morning's menu.
"Yuki, do you think you should end this nonsense?" Machi asked.
Yuki looked up and thought for a moment. "Nah. They needed to vent before they go on their long journey together. It'll be very painful."
"Do you want to go back too?" she asked the question that had been on her mind since the announcement.
"Hmmm...Do I really want to?" he asked as a response.
Within an hour later, the fight died down between Kimi and Kakeru. Yuki and Machi prepared for the day ahead of them, unsure what's going to happen next. The group reassembled together in the living room, to discuss the few days left in their vacation and the trip back home.
"Yun-Yun, I prefer you and Machi come with us," Kakeru said what he was trying to say before the series of fights broke out.
"I wouldn't mind going...if she doesn't mind," Yuki glanced over at the girl. "Machi, do you want to go back?"
The girl stared at him with eyes of uncertainty. "I don't know."
"It's not like we're leaving and it's 'The End'!" Kakeru informed, "We could come back tomorrow and sit out this whole vacation, until the very last day!"
Yuki studied the unsure expressions of the girl, searching for his conclusion.
She's not too sure, is she? From the looks of it...she really doesn't want to go back and doesn't want to admit it. I really don't want to go back, either. Yet, I could be wrong and she does want to go back, but doesn't want to admit it, either. Does it really matter? We'll be together, either way...
"Kakeru," Yuki called the other boy.
"Yeah?"
"Not yet," Yuki said, while looking at the girl. Her eyes widen at his decision as her heart skips a few beats. She returned his gaze with her own, which displayed appreciation. "It's too soon to go back. I want to stay until the very end."
"Wha?" Kakeru's face displayed obvious features of disappointment. "You could tell just by looking at her? Machi, do you want to stay?" he asked sternly and seriously.
"Does it really matter to you?" she asked as she looked down at her feet and rubbing her thumbs together. "You'll be with Mizua-san most of the time...so, wouldn't we get in the way?"
"She's got a good point," Yuki agreed. "It's best if we stayed behind."
"But...still!" Kakeru struggled with the possibilities of what could happen if he left his little sister behind. "I'll feel better if you were close..."
"We'll only be an hour and twenty minutes away," Machi reminded him of the distance.
"Plus, you're coming back tomorrow. So, we could take care of things for today," Yuki assured his friend. "It's not like she's a child. You two had always lived separately."
"That's not it, Yun-Yun," He looked at the boy with a stone gaze. "Kami-sama knows what you would do when I am gone! It's every adolescent male's fantasy! Pervert!" he pointed an accusing finger at the innocent-looking Yuki.
"What? I am not the type who would stoop so low!" Yuki argued back. "I have the utmost respect for her and I wouldn't dare do such thing!" A heavy wave of sadness and anger succumbed his chest. The other boy's words sounded more hurtful than the other times he was joking. "Kakeru...you...never trusted me...haven't you?" he spoke softly to indicate his feelings.
"I...I did not say that," he said, feeling guilty. "I would of beaten the crap out of you last night for INVITING her TO YOUR ROOM...if I didn't trust you." He tried to keep his craze within because his intentions were never to hurt the other boy.
It was at that time, Machi stood up from her spot on the couch, next to Kimi. "I...I ... trust him. Whatever happens between us...is between...us," she nervously pushed through her words, stumbling over a few hesitations. "S-So, p-please...l-let me g-go...and stay by his side."
The two boys stared in astonishment and the girl next to her just smiled. Machi kept her head lowered and sat back down on the couch, remaining silent.
"Kakeru-chan, we shouldn't waste anymore time. Machi said she wanted to stay right?" Kimi said.
The boy solemnly gazed to the side, away from everyone. "Let's go, Kimi," he said in a soft tone no one has ever heard before, but Yuki. He picked up a black duffle back and slung it over his shoulders. He walked towards the front door of the house.
"Kakeru..."The boy reached over to stop him, but stopped when the other male turned.
"Yuki, this old man have to remember that kids do grow and change over the course of time," he said, sadly smiling at the boy. "Why is it that I keep forgetting?"
"It's alright," Yuki mirrored the same expression on his face, "There's nothing wrong with protecting the ones you love and you are not an old man."
"That's right," Kakeru's smile grew brighter, "I was just overdoing it. So, I leave her in your care...ototo-chan (little brother)?"
"There's nothing...ototo-chan?"
"Oh...it's too early to call you that. Ha! Ha!" Kakeru laughed. Yuki laughed along with him. While the two were embracing a moment of friendship, the two girls warmly observed their relation.
"Kimi like watching those two fight and then 'kiss and makeup'!" she babbled. "Yet, Kimi doesn't know about the kissing part...hey!" The girl bounced over to the two boys. "Did you two kiss in apology?" Yuki cringed at her suggestion.
"Hmm..."Kakeru thought, "I forgot that part!" He dropped his bag, stretched his arms out to Yuki and puckered his lips. "Come here, Yun-Yun! Chu! Chu!"
Yuki reacted with disgust as he backed away from the lip-puckering boy. "Uh...no...that's okay," he sweated and held his arm out in protection. "Kakeru...no...ugh!"
CHU!
From the living room, Machi witnessed an 'shonen-ai' scene in front of her, for the first time. She covered her mouth in reaction.
That's disgusting, Manabe!
"You're sick!" Yuki snapped and rubbed his left cheek against his short sleeve to rid of the male contamination. He kept rubbing like it was poison to his skin.
"Heh, Heh," Kakeru chuckled. "I finally kissed a princess!"
"Kakeru-chan and Yun-Yun would make a good couple!" Kimi suggested.
"I think I'll pass on that," Yuki paled with a sickly face. His head was still leaning to the left side as he continued to clean his face. "Besides, what would Mizua-san think?"
"Oh no! Don't tell Asume!" Kakeru said in a jokingly manner.
"Speaking of Asume-chan, we have to go!" Kimi reminded Kakeru.
"Alright we are off! See you tomorrow Machi and Yun-Yun!" Kakeru said as he picked up his bag. He still nerved about Yuki's intentions on keeping his sister alone with him. "Don't do anything naughty, okay?" he directed the other boy.
"Don't worry. I haven't done anything naughty...yet," Yuki flashed an conniving glare at the boy, then an innocent smile.
"Eh? EH! W-what was that look!" Kakeru pointed in bewilderment.
Kimi was behind him with a pink canvas bag on her shoulder and a small, flowery suitcase, along with a pink caboodle, in her right hand. "Let's go! We have to go!" she spoke loudly as she pushed the boy with her unused shoulder.
"K-Kimi-chan! Did you see that? He was planning something! Hey! Heeeeyy!" Kakeru protested as the girl continued to push him towards the door, which Yuki helped opened.
"Have a good trip," Yuki said at the front door. "Come back safe, okay?" he smiled.
"You!" Kakeru huffed at the other boy, while exiting "I trust you! Don't touch her! Machi! Listen to Onii-chan and don't do anything that has to do with bed sheets! Kyaaa!" He fell over to the porch outside when Kimi knocked him down with her full strength.
Machi stood in the corridor of the entrance, detached as usual.
Idiot.
"Bye-Bye, Yun-Yun! Bye, Machi! Kimi will see you again at school! It was a fun summer!" Kimi waved and shut the door behind her, before the boy on the porch could retaliate.
"Come on! Come on, Kakeru-chan! Kimi has a schedule to follow!" the girl demanded.
"Huh? What schedule!"
Back inside the house, Yuki and Machi watched the other pair departing from the house. As Yuki watched Kakeru battled his way from the floors of the porch to the driver's seat in the car with Kimi, he laughed. Those two were 'tickling his funny bone'. The girl with him was watching him laughing. The more she watched, she felt a little giggle inside of her too. She left before any of it was released from her lips.
After the pair left, Yuki noticed that Machi had left during his laughter. He closed the door behind him and searched for her. He spotted her sitting on the couch with her back turned in the living room.
"Hey Machi," he called as he walked over to the couch to sit next to her. "Is there something wrong?"
The girl stood very still with her hand over her mouth and shook her head in response.
"Then, why..." he leaned over closer to examine her face. "...you are covering your face like that?" He stared into the beet red face in question and sighed. "I didn't mean to taunt your brother like that. I was just teasing him. You don't have to worry about me doing any of those things, ne?"
The girl responded with the shake of her head, with hand still over her mouth.
"Huh? That's not it?" Yuki stared at the girl for a moment, then sat back. He sighed again. "Well, I have to admit that was very funny," he chuckled, "That look on his face was priceless!" He continued laughing, then stopped.
"Oh no!" he gasped, with a hand over his mouth, eyes widen. "I am starting to sound like Shigure! This is far the worst! Oh, Kami-sammmaa!" he cried.
Heh...Heh...
"Heh...heh...Ha! Ha!" an unfamiliar laugh sounded during his episode of despair. He looked to the his side to witness his first experience: Machi's laugh and smile.
"Ah, heh...I suppose that was funny too..." He blushed in embarrassment.
"N-no, it not just that," she said, while wiping the tears of laughter from her eyes. "Minna-san (everyone) played a part, especially you and Manabe." She reduced her laugher to sheer seriousness, looking away from her boyfriend's face. "I was holding back...during that time at the door. My laugh. I haven't heard it, as far as I remember. So, I didn't know what it sounded like. I was afraid of hearing it. Afraid that someone might be...offended."
Yuki took a moment to let her words sink in his heart. Then, he lifted his left hand to her cheek and faced her to his direction. "Nobody's offended at all. If your brother see this, he'll join and laugh with you. So will Kimi and so will I."
He moved closer to her with a scoot from his space, with a hand still on her cheek. One of his knees rested on the couch, while the other leg hanging off the edge of it. "If you ever do laugh again, please don't muffle it...it is a beautiful sound...and your smile..."
The cheek of his face brushed against hers with his fingers intertwined in her hair. His head leaned next to hers as he spoke with lips next to her ear. "Your smile had always been a dream of mine...even before we were together. If I could wish for anything...I want that dream last forever. It is a beautiful dream. Please make it last..." (Very Shigure)
As he whispered, her face flushed to a light rosy color in reaction to the heat of his breath against her ear. It had been awhile since Yuki enticed her in such manner. She would usually think 'this is not his style'. Yet, that moment proved how wrong she was. He did many things that was not 'his style', such as; hanging around with a bunch of girls, romanticizing her to a confession, publically going out with her in front of his family, modeling, running after an intruder of privacy, and...taunting her brother in such convincing manner.
He's turning into a different person. It was certainly good for his former self, but is it good for us? The self he displayed before we are here...after he joined the student council...was not the same as now. What's happening?
Her thoughts were disturbed by a tingling feeling giving off by the area of her neck. She could feel her temperature rising from the sensation caused by the same lips that whispered in her ear, which was currently on her neck. Her eyes widen in shock.
What is he doing now? Is he thinking about doing 'that' right after he said I wouldn't have to worry! What should I do? What am I suppose to do?
"Y-Y-Yuki? Uhmm..." she sweated, "W-what ar-are you doing?" Her hands held on to his arms to prevent him from doing anything that suggested 'bed sheets'.
"Mmmmm?" the boy sounded from her neckline. He lifted his head from the area and looked her with confusion. "Kissing you?"
"Ah..." She looked down in embarrassment.
Now what I am suppose to do?
"Yes, it has been awhile since we started going out together," he said, while look at her lowered head. "I don't blame you for feeling uncomfortable, after Kakeru suggested 'that' and if you don't like that type of thing. I didn't like it..."
"Huh?" Her head shot up at the last few words.
"Heh, I was talking about before I confessed to you," he explained, "I didn't like that type of physical affection. I even disliked kissing. All of them were the very things I totally rejected."
"Really?" Machi wondered out loud.
"Yeah,"Yuki said with a grave smile, "I witnessed two romantic cases in my family before we were together. One was with a relative who was broken up with his girlfriend because of someone's rage. Another, was with my cousin who couldn't tell his crush that he loves her, as she to him, also. In both relations, they shared such strong affections. I was a little envious that such affection could never be my own. So, I rejected it all together. I rejected every confession made to me and those muddled, ugly feelings of envy. I thought that will relieve me of my troubles, but it wasn't pleasant all long. It was...lonely."
Machi frowned a little at his small confession. "Yuki...you...I didn't...know."
"One thing I did forget to mention," he lightened his smile, "All those negative feelings ended that day, during late winter, when you ran around the school to look for me...to only greet me. I was very happy. It was the seed of my love for you. Since then, every time I see you, my heart warms to my affections towards you. Every time, I wanted to say it. You are truly dear to me and that I love you."
"I...do...too," Machi responded. Tears were falling from her eyes. "I always like you, but I felt I was not good enough. Yet, every time you did something good for me... every time you were there for me...even during our small lunches together...I love you for that, because you were so kind and I am not lonely anymore!"
She wiped her tears with her the back of her hand and smiled. Yuki placed his hands on her should and pulled her closer to him. "Our second confession. After all this time, I am very happy to know that we loved each other much longer then we thought," he said, smiling. Her head rested on his shoulder with her eyes closed, with lips, also smiling.
A second confession. This time...I'll smile too.
AN: How was that? Funny? Romantic? Hot? It's everything, but the latter. I have no intentions of having them do that in this chapter (for now...mmwhaaa! - evil author cackling), nor having this turn into a Yuki X Kakeru fic (j/k). Ha! Ha! If you want to know a true fact...According to the "FB Neko Fanbook", Yuki and Kakeru (108 votes)are the second most popular couple, next to Kyo and Tohru (Number one couple! 495 votes!)! Yes! I am dead serious! Isn't that insane? And, next to them is Yuki and Machi (107 votes)in third. That surprised the crap out of me! They are only seperated by one point from Yuki and Machi! Oh yeah, Yuki and Tohru is at number four (81 votes). That surprised me too! I thought they should be number two...oh well! See ya next chapter!