By RoseFire
Wow! I did better than I thought I would do with this story. I'll admit that my original goal was to simply add a story that would satisfy my own need for AYA closure, but I had no idea so many other people did too. Sorry it took so long with chapter 2, but I just completed a move, so I've been trying to get unpacked, settled in at home and at work and familiar with my new home.
Thanks for all the reviews. I'll do my very best with this story and try and keep it true to the original as well as give every romantic heart that reads it a cozy feeling for Aoi and Kaoru. And, speaking of Ai Yori Aoshi, did I mention that I don't own them? Well, I don't!
Chapter 2 – TrustThe silence of the room seemed painfully loud as Chika continued to stare in shock and dismay.
"Onii-chan." Chika whispered. Her tears continued to course down her cheeks as she looked at both Kaoru and Aoi. Chika had only intended to poke her head in at Kaoru to see how he was. She'd never expected to find such a situation as this.
"How can he and Aoi-neechan be like this?" she thought. She didn't dislike Aoi, but a part of her heart that had been in love with Kaoru was slowly breaking.
"Chika-chan." Kaoru said. "Please. I can explain."
Chika bolted to run but found Miyabi standing behind her. She too, stared in shock at the scars lacing over Kaoru's back.
"Kaoru-dono." Miyabi said. She suddenly became aware of Chika clutching at her and heard her sobbing. Miyabi looked at the young woman and realized that the charade she, Aoi and Kaoru had worked so hard to maintain was slowly crumbling.
"Chika-san." Miyabi said. "Please sit down. We must have a talk."
Tina sat in the lounge, playing her game of Son-in-law. She had been waiting for Chika to come back from checking on Kaoru. Tina had thought to stop the younger woman, but couldn't think of a good reason that would have stopped Chika.
"I barely understand it myself." Tina thought. "I've always loved Kaoru, but it's his happiness that I loved the most. For a while, I thought I was the only who could make him smile and laugh. It made me feel special. But when I left, I didn't think about his heart opening up to someone else."
Tina decided to check on Chika herself. Perhaps the girl had walked in at a bad moment and would be shocked. Then another horror hit Tina. Suppose that Chika, like Tina herself, was also sweet on Kaoru. Tina hurried to the room where she heard the voice of Miyabi.
"Kanrinin-san?" Tina thought. She paused at the door to listen.
"Chika-chan." Kaoru was saying. "I'm sorry if you've been shocked or hurt at all."
Chika was silent as Aoi finished applying the lotion to the rest of Kaoru's rash. Aoi, too, was silent and felt a burning shame at having caused Kaoru such distress.
"Chika-san." Miyabi said. "There is something you must understand. When we first opened this house for tenants, it was to maintain our story. Sakuraba Aoi-sama is the daughter of the Sakurba master. When they were children, she and Hanabishi Kaoru-dono were betrothed as a pact between their families."
"An arranged marriage?" Tina thought in shock. Chika also seemed to find it shocking.
"They actually did that?" Chika said. "I know a lot of families in Japan still do that, but I've never met anyone myself."
"For me, Chika-chan, the Hanabishi family was anything but a family." Kaoru said and felt Aoi touch his back to encourage him. "The scars you see on my back were from my grandfather. He felt that I should put behind my past and forget about my mother."
"What!" Chika said. Tina had to bite her tongue to keep from shouting in alarm and anger.
"When Karou-sama left the Hanabishi house," Aoi continued, "I was told that we were no longer promised and I went to find him to find out the reason."
Chika listened as they told the two-year old story of their reunion, their agreement to keep their continued engagment a secret and how each day had brought them closer. Tina also listened and was filled with saddness and some anger. But she also felt a certain sense of peace, knowing that Kaoru was happy.
"We felt that having some tenants to live in the house would corroborate the story of Aoi as the landlord." Miyabi said. "Many members of the Sakuraba corporation would feel that Kaoru-dono is unworthy of such a family, especially since he is no longer affiliated with the Hanabishi house."
Chika looked at Kaoru. His face was expressionless, but he nodded.
"So that's why you want to work so hard to prove worthy of the Sakuraba Corporation?" Chika asked. "I guess I can understand. Although I really can't stand the politics of it."
"Chika-san." Miyabi continued. "It is also imperative that you promise not to divulge a word of this to anyone. The risk of scandal still exists."
"I can keep the secret." Chika said. "You can trust me!"
"Chika-chan." Kaoru said and squeezed her hand. "I'm sorry if I've hurt you in any way."
"Oh, it's okay." Chika said with a laugh. "I was just more surprised at your back and in shock that my tender innocent eyes had to see something so passionate!"
Aoi and Kaoru turned beet red and Chika continued to laugh. Outside the door, Tina wiped her eyes and decided to talk to Chika later.
"I know that tone of voice and attitude way too well." Tina thought. "Chika loved Kaoru too."
"Good night, Chika-san." Aoi said as Chika hurried back to her room. Aoi left Kaoru to sleep and left with Miyabi back to the main house. Outside on the footbridge that connected the main house to the old servants quarters, Tina was waiting.
"Tina-san." Aoi said. "Are you still awake?"
"Ooya-san." Tina said. "I was just going to bed now."
Tina brushed past Aoi and stopped beside her.
"Take good care of him, Aoi-san." Tina said and smiled sadly.
"Tina-san?" Aoi said. "You…you heard?" Miyabi looked back in surprise as well.
"Don't worry." Tina said with a giggle. "You can trust me too. As sure as I'm an American."
"Tina-san." Miyabi said. Tina looked at Miyabi with a quiet smile.
"Thank you, Miyabi-san, for letting me stay here." Tina said. "I know I'm a pain at times, but anything I can do to help Kaoru and Ooya-san, I'm ready and raring to go!"
"Thank you, Tina-san." Aoi said and wiped away a tear from her eye.
"But I want you to know something else." Tina said and turned a sharp eye to Aoi. For an instant, Aoi was concerned that Tina was mad. "If I hear that Kaoru isn't happy, I'll come after you."
Miyabi gave a growl of opposition, but Aoi smiled at Tina. Tina returned the smile.
"I know I've got nothing to worry about." Tina said. "I've seen how happy Kaoru has been since he's known you. You'll make him happy, no matter what happens to you both."
The next day was still cloudy, but the rain had stopped finally. Kaoru rolled over stiffly and grumbled at the uncomfortable burning itch on his body. Still, the pain had lessened and Karou dressed comfortably for the day ahead. School was almost over. He had only one more semester class to take, but his first priority was finding an intern position.
"Maybe there'll be something in the mail today." Kaoru thought as he left to join the main house for breakfast. Everyone was there, except for Tina, who had dashed through the dining room with a slice of toast on her way to work. Chika waved a good morning to Kaoru and he sat down between her and Aoi's seat.
"Good morning, Kaoru-sama." Aoi said. "Did you sleep well?"
"Pretty well." Karou said. "Felt a little stiff this morning, but nothing too bad."
"Oh, Hanabishi-sempai, good morning." Taeko greeted as she came in from the kitchen. "Breakfast is almost done. Would you like any juice?"
"Sure, some orange juice would be great." Kaoru said. He smiled back, but was concerned. He wondered just how many of the girls actually had a crush on him. He already knew Mayu was, and Chika certainly seemed shocked enough to get him suspicious. Tina, he also suspected. But what about Taeko? Throughout the meal, Kaoru pondered if Taeko might be in love with him as well, but decided not to mention the subject until it was a must.
"Kaoru-dono." Miyabi said. "I have a suggestion to offer. You are preparing to take up an internship, correct?"
"Yes, I am, Miyabi-san." Kaoru answered. His hope of working with the Shimino Corporation was dwindling fast with their silence. He had to find something soon or risk another year of graduate school. He'd though of asking Mayu Miyuki, but he wanted to discourage the young woman's continued flaunts of affection as his decision to be with Aoi was becoming more and more certain.
"The Shimino Corporation still hasn't answered my request and I'm not sure who else to ask." Kaoru said. "I suppose I might just have to wait another year."
"I don't think that will be necessary." Miyabi said. "As it turns out, I have received word of a corporation member that is quite willing to allow an intern to study with her." Miyabi smiled conspiratorially at Kaoru and Kaoru knew instantly whom she meant.
"Miyabi-san." Kaoru said. "You'd be willing to let me intern under you?"
"I would indeed." Miyabi said and Kaoru heard Aoi gasp in delight.
"I work mostly from home, but there are times when I am required to go to the corporation building. Starting next week, you will work with me and accompany me in my duties. We will also be setting up another room for your office."
"Kaoru that's great!" Tina shouted in excitement.
"Tina didn't you leave?" Kaoru asked.
"I had to come back for my cell phone." Tina said simply. "I overheard the conversation. Congratulations!"
"Thanks Tina." Kaoru said and turned his smiling face to look at Aoi.
Chika watched and found that she wasn't sad for herself anymore. She felt happy for her surrogate big brother and sister and even happier that they still loved and cared for her. She looked over and found Tina smiling at her. With a wink, Chika knew that Tina also understood and wanted their favorite guy to be happy.
"So, I guess I'm working for the Sakuraba clan now." Kaoru said.
"I'll make a celebratory dinner tonight, Kaoru-sama." Aoi said with her whole face beaming from her smile.
"Aoi-chan." Kaoru said happily.
"However, Kaoru-dono, there is one condition on this agreement." Miyabi said. She glanced around the table. Everyone seated at the table knew of the conspiracy, with Taeko being the exception.
"Taeko-san." Miyabi said. "Would you please fetch more juice for me in the kitchen?"
"There's some juice right there, ma'am." Taeko said. Miyabi cleared her throat.
"I'm have some tomato juice in the kitchen." Miyabi explained. "Please bring it."
"Yes, ma'am." Taeko said and hurried into the kitchen.
"As you know, the Hanabishi and Sakuraba houses have drifted since the engagement was broken." Miyabi said. "It would not due to have the heir to the Hanabishi house on the grounds. You must change your name."
The table was silent and the sound of the old clock ticking seemed to fill the dining room. Aoi looked nervously at Kaoru as he sat thinking hard.
"Kaoru-sama?" Aoi asked.
"No problem." Kaoru said. "I've been thinking about changing my name anyway. This would be a good way to start."
"What name, if I may ask?" Miyabi asked. Kaoru's eyes filled with a wistful sort of sadness but smiled.
"I will take my mother's name." Kaoru said simply. "From now on, my name is Kaoru Honjo."
Aoi smiled at her betrothed.
"Am I to understand that this will be a permanent change?" Miyabi asked.
Kaoru faced her and fixed his eyes on hers in determination.
"It is." he answered. "It'll take some time for everyone to get used to it, but my name is Kaoru Honjo. And I would be pleased to work for the Sakuraba house."
To Be Continued.
Again, I'm sorry you all had to wait so long for this next chapter, but moving is not easy. I do know where I'm going with this and I'm really excited about my ideas. Oh, don't forget to review the story and I'm glad for all the reviews I've gotten so far. Keep reading and stay tuned.
Stay cool minna! From here on in, this will be fun!