Ai Yori Aoshi Koi
Disclaimer: I don't own Ai Yori Aoshi. Can there be any greater pity for me?
Okay, I've had a request or two for a lemon for this story, but I don't think I can. At least not now…HOWEVER, I'll try to write up something and put it separately. However, this chapter does get a LITTLE steamy, but I'll keep it light so I won't have to change the rating. Oh, and the title is pronounced "tear" as in when you tear something up.
Chapter 6 – Tear
Mayu lay in bed, feeling restless. Beside her, Kanaye breathing did little to soothe her. No matter how hard she tried to picture that it was her dear Hanabishi-sama laying sated and peaceful beside her, the image of the dark eyes staring into her own as he came would not be shaken.
"You aren't sleeping?" Kanaye asked. "Are you feeling up to more?"
"No." Mayu said quickly. "I just couldn't sleep. I was thinking about your plan."
"Don't you mean 'our' plan?" Kanaye smirked and kissed her collarbone harshly, leaving a bruise. "You won't think of backing out now, will you?"
Mayu felt her conscience scream at her to do just that, but her pride and envy were too wounded. Instead she smiled and returned the harsh kiss to his collarbone.
"That's my girl." Kanaye sneered. "I think you are ready for another session."
Aoi and Kaoru arrived home to a darkened house. Miyabi had left a note saying she would return before nine o' clock.
"It looks like we're on our own for dinner." Kaoru said. "Why don't you go upstairs and change. I'll make something for dinner and we can eat upstairs."
Aoi nodded. Kaoru could see that Aoi was still shaken from the afternoon.
"Thank you, Kaoru-sama." Aoi said softly and climbed the stairs. Kaoru watched in concern as she disappeared around the corner. She wasn't telling him something. Kaoru went into the kitchen. He wasn't a great cook, but he knew how to make a few things. One thing he remembered his mother showing him and he knew it was just what Aoi needed.
Raina poured over the books. She desperately tried to find the articles she knew were here.
"Come on, I know you're there." Raina gave a hiss of frustration. "Someone in the Hanabishi house had to screw up somewhere."
"I see that you've been doing your research well."
Raina turned around to see Miyabi Kagurazaki coming up to her with another stack of article books.
"I was wondering when you'd get here." Raina said with a smug grin. "You've got a lot to catch up on."
"When you said on the phone that you were going to uncover a scandal, I couldn't stand by and not help." Miyabi said. "I've seen the pain that's inflicted on both Aoi-sama and Kaoru-dono."
"Fill me in on what you know." Raina said. Miyabi told her all that had happened in the two years, including the scars she'd seen on Kaoru's back. Raina listened closely, her face expressionless as if she'd expected every word.
"So, now we have this Hanabishi Kanaye." Miyabi said. "Who do you think he is?"
"If my guess is right, you might say he's Kaoru's stepbrother." Raina said. Miyabi stared in surprise.
"I thought Kaoru was the only child of the Hanabishi's." Miyabi said. "How can this be possible?"
"That's what we need to piece together." Raina said. "So, let's get cracking. I've gotten permission to stay as late as we need to."
"I must return for a brief time at nine o' clock." Miyabi said. "But I will come back."
"Then let's get a move on."
"That's incredible." Tina said. She had been filled in on all the details of the day and had listened in shock and surprise. "I don't blame Ooya-san for wanting to go home."
"Poor Aoi-san." Taeko said. "I can't imagine what could have spooked her so much."
Tina stirred her drink thoughtfully. As she was coming into the pool area, she'd nearly been run over by a young man who looked soaking wet and wild-eyed. Tina hadn't thought much about it but now it seemed to fit.
"I hope Aoi-neechan is resting well." Chika said. Tina couldn't help but grin.
"Kaoru will certainly help her to relax." Tina thought. "But I doubt they'll rest."
Kaoru brought the meal carefully up the stairs to Aoi's room. Along with tea and rice, Kaoru carried a bowl of chicken broth with noodles. He remembered when he had gotten caught in the rain with his mother and she had made this meal for them. Ironically enough, it was the same day he'd lost his father. The door was opened only a little, but Kaoru knocked carefully. There wasn't any answer. Kaoru peeked inside. Aoi was seated beside her futon primly and staring at their childhood picture. He stepped inside and closed the door behind him.
"Aoi-chan?" Kaoru said. "I have some food. Are you hungry?"
Aoi shook her head. Kaoru knew different, but wouldn't press the issue. He set the tray down and sat down behind her, pulling her close to his chest.
"What happened, Aoi-chan?" Kaoru said gently after a few minutes of quiet comfort. Aoi inhaled in a shaky sigh.
"Kaoru-sama, I am so ashamed." Aoi said.
"What's wrong?" Kaoru asked.
"Forgive me, please." Aoi said and Kaoru noticed her face was pink.
"What's to forgive?" Kaoru asked. Aoi nervously toyed with her yukata.
"The man who saved me." Aoi said slowly. "He was the reason I had fallen in the pool to begin with. Not that he pushed me, but he said…things."
Kaoru looked confused.
"Kaoru-sama, his voice and his words, they made me feel so…strange." Aoi said, her embarrassment making her voice tremble. "I was so startled by how he spoke that I panicked and moved away from him, but lost my balance by the look in his eyes at me."
Aoi bowed her head again to hide her tears. Kaoru was silent behind her and Aoi was afraid to look at him. Was he angry? Suddenly, she felt his arms encircle around her and felt his breath against her neck.
"It turned you on, didn't it?" Kaoru asked. Aoi was shocked. Kaoru sounded so calm, almost as though he were laughing at her. She whirled around and felt her breath catch in her throat at the look in Kaoru's eyes.
"Kaoru-sama, don't look at me like that." Aoi squeaked out. Kaoru smiled and inched himself closer.
"Why?" Kaoru asked. "There's nothing wrong with feeling excited, Aoi-chan. And definitely nothing wrong with your husband to be making you feel that way."
Aoi looked tearful and Kaoru touched her hair, running his fingers along its softness.
"I'm not angry at you, Aoi-chan." Kaoru said. "How could I possibly be? And if your reaction to what that guy said bothers you still, then I'll just have to do him one better, won't I?"
Kaoru smiled and moved in to kiss her. Aoi's eyes closed and she slipped her arms behind his neck. Encouraged, Kaoru teased her lips with his tongue and, when Aoi gasped, he slipped it inside to taste her. Aoi felt bolder now as well and returned his actions. When Kaoru pulled away, Aoi saw that his eyes had filled with a warm haze of desire.
"Aoi-chan." Kaoru whispered and leaned over to kiss her neck. Aoi gave a shudder and slipped her arms around to stroke his back. She dropped her head back as Kaoru mouth grew hotter against her skin.
"Kaoru-sama." Aoi sighed. If she had felt excited by the strange man at the pool, it was nothing compared to the warm feeling that seemed to flow through her blood. Gently, Kaoru lead Aoi back to rest in the futon and laid beside her.
"Aoi-chan, I love you so much." Kaoru whispered, his voice feeling hoarse. Aoi looked up at him, her eyes feeling heavy.
"I love you too, Kaoru-sama." Aoi said and she smiled. Kaoru was pleased to see her so happy again. But he wasn't through yet. He wouldn't stop until Aoi's mind was freed from the image of the young man from the pool. He kissed Aoi again and, this time, he allowed his fingers to touch her face, the back of her head, her neck and down her arm until it rested on her waist. Aoi shivered at each gentle touch. She felt a sudden need to return the favor. Hoping she could, Aoi ran her fingers through Kaoru's hair. The reaction she got was not at all what she expected.
"Kaoru-sama?" Aoi asked and looked into his eyes. Kaoru had felt the twinge of his body and, although he blushed, he tried to look confident and relaxed. Aoi, still nervous, smiled at him. She didn't know what led her to be so bold, but her hand slipped underneath his shirt to stroke the muscles of Kaoru's chest. Kaoru sighed peacefully and went back to kissing Aoi. Aoi couldn't get over the sensation of the hard muscles that were still as gentle as Kaoru was. Kaoru couldn't get over the sensation of Aoi's hands touching him so intimately. Nor could he get past the fact that he and Aoi would be together without any interruption this time. In the most daring move of all, Kaoru removed his shirt and lay exposed before Aoi. He moved to the sash of her robe, watching Aoi for any discouragement. She smiled. Kaoru grinned in triumph. Nothing could destroy the excitement he felt. At least, so he thought.
"Aoi-sama?"
Kaoru and Aoi started in surprise. Miyabi was standing outside the room. Panicked, they tried to arrange themselves into a more acceptable condition.
"Aoi-sama? Are you awake?" Miyabi asked. "The door is locked."
Relief flooded within them as fast as the panic had. They smiled at each other.
"Miyabi-san?" Aoi answered, trying to sound sleepy. It was very difficult with Kaoru's hands slipping inside her somewhat open robe and kissing her neck. She squirmed at his torture.
"Aoi-sama, I wanted to see how you were doing." Miyabi said. "But I assume I have awoken you. Pardon me, Aoi-sama. I won't disturb you any longer. I am going out again and will return home late."
"All right, Miyabi-san." Aoi said, trying to swallow the sudden gasp as Kaoru's warm breath caressed her ear. "Have a good evening. Oyasumi."
"Oyasumi, Aoi-sama." Miyabi said and they heard her footsteps grow fainter. Aoi and Kaoru collapsed breathlessly against each other.
"That was close." Kaoru said, trying not to laugh. Aoi giggled in relief. She looked at Kaoru and noticed that his shirt was still off. Kaoru smiled and placed Aoi's hand against his heart.
"Do you want to stop for tonight?" Kaoru asked. "I'm willing to do whatever you want."
Aoi smiled coyly and placed Kaoru's hand over her own heart. Kaoru's eyes widened.
"Aoi-chan?" Kaoru said, feeling suddenly nervous. Aoi giggled and shook her head.
"It wouldn't do to have my husband injured." Aoi said. "Perhaps it was a good thing Miyabi-san came when she did."
Kaoru smiled and put his shirt back on. They turned to eat the meal Kaoru had brought up and talked about silly things. Then, Kaoru prepared to leave. He gave Aoi a quick kiss.
"Thank you, Kaoru-sama." Aoi said. "I apologize for being so silly earlier."
"Don't worry, Aoi-chan." Kaoru said. He squeezed her to him and kissed her forehead. "Hope you'll have pleasant dreams now." He winked at her playfully and Aoi gave him a light slap on his arm.
"Stop that, or I might not be able to let you leave." Aoi said. Kaoru grinned.
"I wouldn't complain."
Aoi and Kaoru kissed one last time before Kaoru left for his own room and Aoi, feeling like she'd received a puppy, giggled for some time in her futon before falling asleep.
Miyabi gave a growl of frustration. She glanced at the clock and saw that it was after midnight. They would have to leave soon.
"The words are beginning to blur." Raina grumbled. She rubbed her eyes and stared at Miyabi, who looked like she'd swallowed something sour. Raina flashed her sunny smile.
"It's really bugging you about Kaoru being with Aoi, isn't it?" Raina asked. "Come on, they're going to be married. And I'm sure Kaoru respects you enough not to try anything with Aoi. Or at least is afraid of you enough."
"Why do you say that?" Miyabi said. "Why am I so frightening a person?"
"Oh, please, Miyabi." Raina rolled her eyes. "You intimidate the hell out of everyone. Even when we were kids. I think you gave one or two of our teachers nervous disorders."
Miyabi snorted but caught the glimmer of mischief in Raina's eyes and smiled. Raina stretched again.
"You know, I could use a stretch." she said. She stood up and collected a few of the books. "Let's call it a night. There's a bar up the street that should still be open. Come on, I'll buy you a drink."
Miyabi nodded and collected a few of the books herself. They left the library and climbed into Miyabi's car. Raina's car, a rented blue Skoda, sat not far away. The cold air rushing past was a vast improvement over the stuffy hot air in the library.
"They really covered their tracks well." Raina commented. "Not a trace of anyone except Kaoru in the birth records. Can't do very well for this other kid to feel like he doesn't exist."
Miyabi nodded. "But he does exist. And has some link with the Hanabishi house."
They arrived at the bar and, surprisingly, found Tina and Taeko still there.
"I thought the drinking age in Japan was 20?" Raina asked.
"It is, but Chika's not drinking." Tina answered. "I'm Tina Foster. Nice to meet you." And Tina jumped up to give Raina her typical greeting. Raina was surprised but recovered quickly.
"Sorry, that's how Tina greets every woman." Taeko said. Raina gave the blond a strange look.
"Sorry, but I don't swing that way." she said and grinned as Tina spluttered her drink. Chika laughed and Taeko smiled, after first wiping her glasses of the drink. Miyabi and Raina joined the girls and they enjoyed a pleasant conversation. But it did not go unnoticed.
Mayu shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She was sore and was certain that she'd be bruised in uncomfortable places by morning. But Kanaye had business to attend to and Mayu wasn't comfortable with staying at Kanaye's place alone. She'd gone to the bar in the hopes of being alone, but panicked when she saw the girls come in. She ducked low in her seat and tried to keep still. After awhile, they were joined by Miyabi and another woman with dark hair and a clever face.
"How am I going to get out of here without being noticed." Mayu thought to herself. The time seemed to drag forever until finally, Tina was escorted out by Chika and Taeko. Miyabi agreed to take them home.
"Would you like me to drop you back off at your car?" Miyabi asked Raina.
"No need." Raina said. "I'll make my way back." She waved to them and settled back to enjoy her drink. Mayu hesitated until she was sure the others were gone and then walked towards the door, trying to look casual.
"What's your hurry, Miyuki-san?"
Mayu jumped as she turned to see the woman. She glanced up to fix a piercing gaze at the younger woman. Mayu felt very nervous, but would not let some foreign woman intimidate her.
"My reputation precedes me." Mayu said haughtily. "You must know me from the Grand Symphonic orchestra."
"No, actually, I recognize you from the picture on your Dad's desk." Raina said in a clipped British accent. "You don't look much like him. But I'm sure he'd be just as shocked to hear what you've been getting yourself into."
Mayu eyed her warily and sat down across from her.
"I'm sure I don't know what you mean." Mayu said, smiling innocently. Raina was clearly not impressed. She glanced down at her drink and stirred it.
"Tell me what Kanaye is planning." Raina said.
"I don't know any Kanaye." Mayu said. "Unless you mean Nagasawa Kanaye, the famous winemaking samurai?"
"No, I mean Hanabishi Kanaye," Raina said coldly, "The infamous spokesman of the Hanabishi Corporation and chief suspect on my list of political manipulators."
Mayu winced at the cold voice, but wouldn't back down.
"Sorry, never heard of him." Mayu said simply. Raina set the glass down on the table sharply and fixed a smirk on her face.
"I would think you'd want to be on a first name basis with the man you're screwing." Raina said and stood up. She reached into her jacket and Mayu hunched down in fear. But Raina only pulled a wallet and set down the money for her drink.
"Mayu, believe me when I say this," Raina said, "Whatever Kanaye is up to, if I don't like it, it will stop."
Raina marched out of the bar, leaving a pale and shaky Mayu sitting in her seat.
To Be Continued
Whew. Little bit shorter, but I'm in the homestretch to finish this story. Thanks for all the great reviews! I really love them! See you in chapter 7!
Stay cool minna! From here on in, this will be fun!