A Maid's Lover
He was so annoying! I supposed because—while I could only sit around and wondering about him—he was busy making out with his pretty little girlfriend! He pissed me off because he just forgot about me; after all he made me endure—after all he made me feel. I was going to get him back, because no one pisses off Kurai-Hime. In a way, I suppose I felt cheated because of Momo's timing. I helped Toshiro become more educated for a reason.
When I found him in the hidden quest, I knew that he was raw and his curiosity was a reflection of his inexperienced youthfulness. And when he finally learned enough to be an actual individual, he was taken from me. And now Momo was enjoying his company. Though I hated to admit it, I was really hotly anticipating my chance to see him become real. And because he had the capacity to reject his formal master—to move on from my company—he had undergone the ultimate test of independence. I bet he thought of me like a mother. I guess I never got to see him in full bloom.
Never got to see him when he was real...
In the Game
"Hey wait, what are you doing? We're supposed to train!" I said to Hairo as he zoomed out of the lounge door.
"Can't. Starting my new job today." Hairo said, "Train by yourself." With that, he used his transportation dot to disappear.
"What was that all about?" I asked Yuzu.
"Didn't he just say? he has a new job." Yuzu said, blowing me off.
Hiding things from me, eh? Well I suppose the right thing to do would be to forget about it. But then again, I wasn't keen on doing the "right" thing.
Tomorrow, I'd stalk the hell out of Hairo until he lead me to his job.
Suddenly, Yuzu snagged my hand, "Com'on, we have to go to the gathering."
I paused for a second. But then burst out in irritation, "Why does no one tell me about anything?"
"Huh? The message was sent to your mail box, don't you check it?" Yuzu asked.
"My what?" I asked.
She stopped and LuvLuv, appearing magically, as she always does, sighed and continued, "The participants of the Tournament are required to make an appearance today. If we don't go when they ask, we'll be disqualified."
"Wait, but-"
"Just go, Karin. I know you don't like following orders-"
"Bad news, looks like a storm's gonna be coming!" Ichigo said, yelling through the walls from the restaurant.
Then suddenly, I went back to the only other time I had been in REM's rain. That night made me shiver all over as I remember what the old Toshiro used to be like...Back when he was still curious about a boring girl like me.
"Wait, does that mean that Toshiro and Momo will be there.."
"And all of our other competitors," Sweetheart said, hopping up from the couch.
I forced my hand away from Yuzu's and slowed.
"If you don't go, we're prepared," Ayame said, holding a small potion in her hand. And I knew that it was probably some voodoo REM liquid that'd knock me out. I had nothing to do, no where to go. But of course, maybe it wouldn't be as bad as the last two times I met him. Oh, who was I kidding? Every time I saw him I was furious; he was no longer irritating, he was maddening! I couldn't trust myself around him, because my emotions turned into a roller coaster whenever he was around. Mostly because I was just too confused. I shouldn't have been feeling anything in the first place because he wasn't real! But that just hurt my head even more. At least with Hairo I could understand myself a bit more!
Hairo..Wait, if he was participating, shouldn't he go to the meeting too? He's big on REM so he should have gotten the message. Was his 'new job' that important? Important enough to ignore my training? I was interested to see his new occupation even more. But the fact that he ran away hastily meant that he didn't want to tell me. I'd find out, no matter what.
A fat woman with pink, curled hair stood before us. She was an NPC and was to be the announcer for this year's World-Arena Tournament. She was wearing a tightly tailored skirt and coat. Neither of which flattered her bulging figure. Her stubble of fingers raised as her diminutive arms extent to the crowd. Looking over all 1000 of the participants from central city, atop a huge stage, in front of a mic, she proclaimed,
"Welcome, one and all, to the 30th annual World-Arena Tournament! We have gathered all of the surrounding participants to try something new!" She said, with a shrill, preppy voice.
Everyone was in a huge white dome, covered in white flooring. The location I was in was known as the Paradox zone for its infinite space. Although the large dome should be all room at which the building takes, I'd heard there where several halls that gave way to other rooms, some even bigger than the dome. All concealed within the one structure. In this conference-room-like area, the announcer's voice boomed with echos.
"We have been receiving several complaints on our Tournament being unfair because of the training preparations, between players, varying. So, to prevent a lawsuit, everyone this year will receive training from equally skilled players. Then, any individual knowledge or training is entirely beyond the control of the REM staff. In other words, you will receive training here, in the world stadium, every Wednesday at this time. This is mandatory. Whether you would like to go further with your training is your decision. We of the REM staff wish you a very joyous experience. Please escort yourselves to B hall, located at the right most corner behind me. There, you will be assigned your trainers. Thank you and have a great day." She said, and in an instant, she disappeared!
Then, suddenly, a rage of people surged for B hall, while others pushed against the crowd for the exit. Most likely, those people had somewhere they'd rather be. But I knew that the exits were likely locked; some how though, I still wanted to turn around and go back. Obviously, all this information was hard to take in. But there wasn't really anything to think about at the moment, I'd have to train every Wednesday with someone I didn't know. What's more was that, since Toshiro was located in Central City, he was here somewhere. And I'd have to be this close to him weekly!
As the horde smashed me forward, into B hall, I saw nothing but an endless stream of people. My auto system told me that not many of them where at a very high level. But it scared me to see that some of them where so high that their levels where known as "incomprehensible" to my avatar. I was level 300! What could be any higher?
I couldn't do anything, and I had already drifted away from Yuzu and the others—during the announcer's speech—so I was in a serious bind as I didn't know where I was, and I couldn't fight to continuous current of every changing faces.
Then suddenly, something snagged my wrist and I was forced out of the tight crowd, I stammered backward, but was finally free of all the people as I saw someone in front of me, holding my wrist tight, and zooming through the crowd of people. The person before me was cloaked in a strange black cape. My auto system told me, that this person was someone with an "incomprehensible" level. Your character only says that a level is "incomprehensible" if the player before you was more than 200 levels about you. If that was the case, this person was likely to be my foe(if I ever made it through the competition long enough to take their measure).
How did they fight against the crowd? They didn't. By simply moving their hands left and right, every person in their way would slam up against the nearest walls. Like sardines in a can, they'd flop on top of each other to form a substantially large path before me and the figure. Whatever spell err magic the person was using was strong. Like nothing I'd even seen on the Dork(Game) Channel. Who in the world was this person?
I looked down at my hand to see if there was a clue about the person before me. The hand around my wrist was thin and small but rough and strong. The fingernails seemed to be carelessly trimmed. Obviously this was not a girl's hand. But then again..they could just be a tomboy, like me. Their speed could be a spell. Hell! They may have an appearance spell cast on them..Or have used a morphing potion! I just knew it wasn't Toshiro or Hairo; this person was way to short for both Toshiro and Hairo's towering figures.
But, at first appearance, I decided to assume it was a guy. That way it wouldn't get all confusing.
The person led me to C hall which was bare of any soul. Finally, the person stopped and let go of my wrist. I took my wrist in my other and twirled it in circles, massaging the pain of his grip away.
"I'm assuming that you pulled me out of the crowd for a reason," I said.
The figure turned around slowly and walked up to me in their short body. They where not quite as small as sweetheart, but about the same height as my body in real life.
"So this is what you're gonna look like in a few years..Scary. I almost didn't recognize you." The person removed their black hood and looked up at me.
My eyes widened in astonishment. There she stood, looking the same as she did in real life, with no alteration to her avatar. Those small freckles on her chipmunk cheeks. Those still-young-and-huge brown eyes that glimmered with the same look I had in my real body. The look of a tomboy. The look of a girl determined to prove that, despite prejudices, females can still kick ass. The rebellious look of her eyes were framed by her jagged, short, blond pony tails. She smiled at me through her peach skin and thin lips. A sinister smile.
"Training a pansy like you is gonna be tough," She winked through her crooked smile.
I gasped and began, "Hiyori-san?" Then, in even more surprise, I got down on my knees, finally at a slight eye level with her.
I put my hand on top of her head and began in and giggle, "Wow, you're so short."
I laughed even harder as I was assured it was Hiyori. A vein popped and she began screaming so loud in frustration with her own diminutive size. Though she was 15 years old, and would not be growing any time soon, she was still only 4"4'.
I slid along and staked the ground with my weapon. Again, my hands shook as the weight of my blade began to sink in. Again, I lost grip of it. And again, I could do nothing but wait as Hiyori lectured me again about "never dropping my sword". Then she'd go on to insult my avatar as saying it was lesser than my current body. I agreed completely..But it still hurt.
"Get this," Hiyori said, swinging her sword in my direction, "the sword is an extension of the soul, so there should be no reason for you to drop it!"
"It's heavy, ok," I snapped, I was tired of her yelling at me.
"Having an attitude with me is not going to make it lighter," she retorted."If you were to listen to what I tell you," she began, "I bet you would actually start showing some results-"
"Now, now, don't be mean, lil' hiccup," a voice spoke as a huge hand was planted in Hiyori's blond locks.
She glared and turned back to face the person. Opposite from her, I had a perfect view of the person behind her. Once more, those blue eyes still continued to glimmer with the reflection of his continuous outer smile. Through his dark brown hair, his eyes sparkled even more.
He smiled and laughed as he looked at my gasping expression, "I told you I had a new job, right?"
Dripping with sweat, he looked rather..sexy. I blushed at the recollection of the last time I'd seen him like this. The first time I felt something like this heat. During soccer practice.
"Retard! Go back to your side of the training arena!" Hiyori snapped at him.
"Isn't it strange that you happened to know Karin and magically became her trainer of the hundreds of others here." Hairo said, and suddenly, Hiyori stiffened. I knew it was kinda weird that she just 'chose' me to teach. In fact, wasn't I supposed to be assigned a trainer? Hiyori just plucked me out of the crowd. But wasn't I in that crowd to get a trainer?
"We'll talk about this later," Hairo said, slapping his hand on Hiyori's shoulder. This sent a shiver down her back and she abruptly excused herself. I bet she wasn't supposed to 'choose' me. But she was never afraid of anyone. So why Hairo? Hairo wasn't even scary in the least! Maybe optimists scared her. That was a funny thought.
Everyone wore the same thing for training. And we were all crammed into a different section of the paradox where a desert-like dry area stretched for as far as the eye could see. Nothing grew, it was just a layer of rubble along the ground. And the sky was a white dome. Here, we would be trained within the possible environments that the tournament could take place in. The desert was only part of how the paradox was set up. Go far enough along and there was a training for using magic underwater. And further off, near the resting station, was the forest habitat. Then all the other halls had other environments. I was told that I would cycle to each habitat every 3 weeks. After I'd done them all, I was free to go.
With his own weapon—ironically also a sword—swung over his shoulder, he strode up to me with his sandals scratching against the pebbles on the ground, "Having fun?" he laughed.
"Why didn't you tell me this was your job?" I pouted.
"Calm down," he began, "I doubt it would've mattered anyway. Besides, what's the fun in telling you?"
"You're so immature!" I exclaimed, whacking him upside the head.
He rubbed the back of his head in a cliche manner and winced, "And who's 12 years old?"
His kimono-like training outfit fluttered slightly as he rushed over to me and snagged my wrist. He pulled me in as close as I ever was with any guy; close enough to make me feel as if he were about to make a move. With his intoxicating gaze, he pulled my waist in with his other hand. I began to shrivel with the remembrance of seeing Toshiro's aggressive side. But this time, it was a different person; someone who had not been tipped off about my weakness.
"Besides, what's so immature about wanting me on your mind," He smiled, leaning me back slightly. I let all my weight rest on his hand, hopping that he might let go from my heaviness. But he was far too strong to even feel me.
He gripped the back of my kimono tightly. I winced and tried to fight off the same urge I had with Toshiro. The urge to be feminine and let things go. Showing aggressiveness; my weakness. He'd figured it out. But the captain of the soccer team wasn't going to know that he'd found it. I was going to fight the impulse to be passive. Or at least try to.
I blushed and looked away from him, to the sandy pebbles of the ground, up to the white ceiling; anything to keep that intoxicating gaze off me.
"You're not upset with me, are you?" He asked.
Well obviously I was upset, idiot! Why else would I be screaming his head off. But in my current position, I was a dog with its ears poised back in submission. I could do nothing but agree with the alpha.
I shook my head and began to feel the red creeping up my cheeks. He drew my chin up to face him, but I still tried to avoid his eyes. But only once, did I look, was I petrified.
"Hmm, what's that, I couldn't hear you?" He says, smiling.
Even more terrifying and beautiful when they where aggressive. His eyes seemed to burn with something; a cool leveled heat. Almost composed and controlled enough to make you want to disturb it. He could definitely play violent; just like Toshiro. But his eyes spoke of a different fire. Less wild and more radiant. I wasn't sure which I liked most; Toshiro's unbelievably impulsive, spin chilling experiences, or Hairo's calm, hormone jerking, hot and heart racing moments.
No, I had to correct myself, Toshiro wasn't real. He was not even in the race.
Wait, what race? GAHH! My tomboy-like qualities were disappearing before my eyes!
I whispered to Hairo, feeling slightly flustered as if the submitting dog were to have the boldness to defy, "You idiot."
"Hmm?" he asked, and for that split moment, his eyes lost their dangerous luster, and I pushed away, relieved I distance myself before someone else on the training field saw us.
I proceeded to bashing him in the head again, "Didn't I tell you to stay away? What part of personal space don't you get!" I exclaimed.
Nostalgically, he rubbed the back of his head once more and began, "Well yeah, but you could have just pushed away like you did just now." His face turned into that same smile again, "I don't get why you're scolding me when you didn't seem to want me to stay away."
It was as if something within me snapped. That smile, was always the same smile. But used while saying that last statement, now that just pissed me off. His obliviousness to my weakness was annoying. He was just as clueless as Toshiro sometimes. I partially hated myself for having such a lame weakness. But, the majority of my mind was clouded with embarrassment from the truth of what he just said. Part of me wanted him to continue.
Fuming, I turned around coldly and crossed my arms, "W-well I guess I can let it slide this time.."
He laughed, "I promise I won't come near you again."
Even though he was being sarcastic, his words mirrored that of Toshiro's. His words that he gave me on that fateful night. Hairo began to walk off in the opposite direction before I turned around and snagged his wrist. For a moment, he was Toshiro. What I should have said to him before he left.
I hid my face in my hair and felt the tears bubbling up, "No..Don't go!"
He looked back, at seeing my crying face, he immediately turned around, "No wait, don't cry! It was just a joke!"
"You retard.." I began, sobbing, "that's not the point.." I sniffled and let go off his hand using both of mine to wipe away the useless tears that seemed to cascade down my face for no reason.
"I-I'm sorry," he said, "for anything I did wrong, I'm sorry.."
I punched him in the stomach to shut him up, then continued to let the tears pour out of my eyes. My voice ripped as I said, "You idiot! Quit apologizing!"
"Why're you crying?" he asked.
I shook my head, "The tears just won't stop coming."
"Jeez, you're as hormonal as a pregnant woman," Hairo said, glancing away and laughing to himself.
I looked at him in rage, my face still blotchy and spilling with tears.
"But that's one of your good qualities!" he adds, hastily, lifting his hands up in defense of the expected blow. I looked at him, in disbelieve, and he continued explaining for fear that I would hit him again, "It's refreshing," he said, putting his hands down, "You're so full of energy that it's like a roller coaster ride. You're always so interesting, and I never know what's on your mind."
Unlike the straightforward pretty girls he was used to, I suppose a tomboy was a bit different for him. Because I didn't obsess over him in a stereo typical way. I some ways, he was on my mind a lot. But I suppose his explanation was reasonable. My eyes stopped crying immediately...But they were still red as any would be. All I could say was,
"You're one to talk about roller coaster rides. I specifically tell you not to come close to me and you stil-" I began, but then stopped as I heard a familiar voice ring through the air.
"I'm back from break; sorry it took so long, Master was holding me up. I couldn't find you either-" he stopped short in his sentence I as I took him in with wide eyes. He also looked back at me. Hastily trying to dry my eyes and make myself look presentable, I stopped. Wait, just because he was in person didn't mean he wasn't still my enemy! I should observe his progress compared to mine. The easiest part was that I knew I had made absolutely no progress.
But, he looked completely different! His white hair was lax, as if representing some sort of absence in curiosity. His skin was much more tan and his teal eyes where more narrow and cold. He'd built up even more muscle than he had before. And his towering stature had even more definition. His level was different too! The same as Hiyori was with me! "Incomprehensible" in just a few weeks? Was his training with Momo that beneficial? In the black training kimono, he almost seemed completely opposite of the boy in white which I had so carefully plucked out of a lonely cave.
His and my eyes turned cold toward each other in an instant, "Long time no see," I said.
"So, you're competing too?" he asked.
"Nice of you to take an interest in my affairs," I began.
"Don't misunderstand. You're not worth having an interest in," he said, giving me an almost piercing glare. That glare was something that I knew all too well; hate. And despite my unknowing of his reasons, I immediately put up an opposing wall of equal hate. What was his problem? The aura around him was too cold. Right now, all I felt for was fire.
I didn't have anymore to say, so I turned away.
"Hairo!" I exclaimed, "He said he was 'back from break,' is he your student?"
"Yeah...I was gonna tell you-"
"Quit your job or quit my team." I said, and walked off to search for Hiyori.
If Hairo was going to be part of my team; he would compete and train with us. Not assist the enemy. I needed Hairo more than he needed me. But the REM staff couldn't be paying him that much. I mean, they have to mail the yen all the way from America. They couldn't be paying him enough that he'd abandon me..Right? I stomped off in a rage, but I couldn't help but hear the footsteps following behind me.
Hiyori came out of the entrance to the refreshments hall, hall D. She was holding two bamboo water containers.
"Oh, hey Karin!" She said, laughing, "Listen, I know you're wondering about that guy and all. He's the new boss around here, his smile kinda creeps me out an-"
"Not now," I blurted out, walking past her.
"Now hold up, I'm telling a story!" Hiyori exclaimed, her temper flaring as much as mine.
I turned around, burning a furious aura, "Well I don't feel like hearing you babble!"
"Excuse me? Who have I been listen to whine all day long? If you would actually get your head straight, we might make half the progress expected of you and actually make you level some!" She yelled.
I was taken aback. I didn't speak. Nor did I want to accept that her words could not have been said any better. It shocked me to think that her words had an unintended double meaning. And both meanings ran true to my heart. I couldn't do anything. I couldn't make decisions, I couldn't keep my emotions in check. I couldn't feel boyish anymore, I couldn't just wear a T-shirt. I had to wear a bra. I had to have uncontrollable hormones. I had to have two boys chasing after me. I had to have mixed feelings. I had to deny one boy. He had to hate me. I had to hate him; I had to like another. Everything started with REM and, if I were to just quit it, it would end. If REM would've had less realistic programing, I could have never found Toshiro. But I could get rid of all this confusion if I just switched my job. Otaku Cafe. Maid's Healing. REM. I realized how attached I had become to them all. And instead of cleaning everything up, I left it all to fester. And in the end, I never had anything decided.
I shut my mouth and closed my eyes tight. Grabbing the water out of Hiyori's hand, I continued on walking, "I need a break," I said.
I was still aware of the pair of footsteps trailing behind me. In the same pattern they where always in. It was strange how I recognized these little details. But how could I forget? There was a time where I was constantly followed like a lost pup to a human.
Hiyori was a friend of mine; well she was a friend of Ichi-nii's. We used to play together when I was younger. But I'd heard that Hiyori moved away. And after that, I never saw her again. So why did she just happen to know that I was Kurai-Hime? If just anyone knew, wouldn't my house be flooded with news reporters? At any rate, I couldn't comprehend the reasons for which Hiyori wanted to train me. And now, all those years after she left, she had the audacity to see right through me. How could even she do it so easily? I couldn't understand. I was mad at everything and everyone in this game.
I stopped in the resting area and found it packed with people. I decided to walk on in the vast training area and find a suitable place to sit. All the while, those same feet that followed me since the cave, had been trailing behind.
When I finally settled for the forest environment of the arena, I sat up against a large bolder and admired the tall trees that touched the top of the ceiling, and the waterfall nearby. The fake birds chirped sweetly and the grass was also real to the touch. But this whole training area was fake..Just like Toshiro. Not only because it's only for the different tournament habitats that could appear, but because REM was just another World of Warcraft. Addicting. Nothing more.
I leaned back on the bolder and finally let my eyes drag to the right, "I'd rather be alone now, Toshiro," I said.
He walked up from the same path I had taken, he obviously followed me everywhere with no intention of hiding himself. Because he wasn't spying, he had to say something.
"I requested Hairo as my trainer. It's unfair to make him choose between his job-"
"Or me?" I interrupted. I closed my eyes and sighed, "There's no sense in him helping a future enemy, so I made a logical decision."
I turned my head in his direction and flapped my feet out in front of me so that my water was inbetween my legs and my hands were gripping at the grass at my sides.
He continued to walk forward, his training sandals making a crunching noise as he walked on the foliage of the forest floor.
"So now I'm suddenly an enemy?" he asked.
"I doubt it makes a difference what you are to me. I don't even know myself...At least not anymore," I laughed bitterly.
He now stood directly in front of my outstretched legs. As he peered over me, I saw a glint of the old Toshiro in his eyes. The one that had something of an attraction to me. But that puppy love faded in a split second as he began once more, in a cold tone, "And you know what Hairo is to you?" he asked.
"Don't bring him into this," I sighed.
"I see the way you look at him now, It's not something I like. I never liked you being around him," he said.
"You don't know your feelings either," I said, bursting out what I was thinking in a rage of anger, "You can't say anything about me if you don't even know what I am to you! Why would you care about how I look at him? Why would you be jealous of him if you yourself chose to leave me! You have no right to lecture me if you can't even screw your head down enough to remember that you're supposed to have no interest in me! Or did I hear wrong when you-"
Everything seemed to freeze as the surrounding birds gave one last sound-full cry as they all flew away simultaneously. In that one moment, when no birds chirped, and even the noise of the rushing waterfall dissipated, that's when he leaned down and kissed me. My hand recklessly knocked over my water in a resounding clack to the ground. That clack seemed to last forever. And so did the kiss.
My eyes were wide in dismay. It was the same lips. But a different kiss. Even more intense! But like Hairo's stare, more composed. It was intoxicating and made me want more, despite not being the the season for his spin tingling kisses. I couldn't help but close my eyes and open my mouth the accept the kiss. It was almost painful, because I didn't want to. I had gotten so far into hating him. Could I be broken apart that easily? But I couldn't resist it, just as always. I slid back against the slippery wet grass and found Toshiro going down with me, also unable to stop what he had started. Until he was on his knees and I was struggling to not be slammed against the bolder by his passion. So when he grabbed my arms and pinned them up on either side of me, I found I was no longer up against the bolder, but on the water drenched grass. The container for the water was kicked away and Toshiro was now on top of me, just how he always was. This moment, when he lifted away, was so nostalgic. I was panting carelessly and hot with the adrenalin that sparked up when he kissed me.
He looked down at me with pained eyes, as if he was ashamed for what he just did. But those eyes soon turned back into a hate, "You're so infuriating," he began, in a half whisper, his less-spiky hair leaning forward as he peered over me. Searching my eyes, he said, "You're too straightforward and you never admit that you're wrong. You scold me for no reason and you make enemies without even taking others feelings into consideration. You assume the worst and take advantage of everything good in a person. After I knew who I was, I realized I hated everything about you!
"But then why is it, that whenever you walk by, I can't help but start thinking about every little detail—about every imperfection. How you can't walk in heels and you never looked my direction when you're serving people. How you're fists always ball up when you're angry. You'd always beat me; and I still remember what they feels like.
"Everything about you, I'm supposed to hate. But when you're near, I can't keep up. My attitude breaks and something like this happens." he looked me in the eye and gripped my wrists tighter, "You're so frustrating that I just can't hate you."
Then I remembered back to what Yuzu had done. In my times of confusion, she's always comfort me. That really was what stopped me from quitting REM. Even if it's little, she did secure me for that moment. I don't know why I thought about what she did for me, but I lifted up my wrists against Toshiro's hand, he released his hold on me and I immediately ran my hands through his white locks. I drew him forward and held him close to me, in as much of a hug as I could give in this position.
"You're just like me then," I said, feeling my black hair become damp with water, "I guess it's true that I just can't hate you either."
His eyes were wide as I cradled him in my chest for a moment. Then, he seemed to relax as we just sat there for a moment. Forgetting all the drama and all the contradictions. Just for a second, everything was still.
"I guess I can't get rid of you then, no matter what I try," Toshiro said.
"Likewise," I replied, with a glint of happiness in my voice. We both didn't care anymore. About our feelings. Or anything. We'd let things be. And it felt rather blissful to have things be that way. Acting on what you feel and not trying to question it. Easy. Silently, we had conveyed our plan to deal with this confusion.
When I let him pull away, he seemed to have almost, amused eyes. More positive use of energy, I suppose. He smirked and said, "I'll see you in the final round then."
When I registered that he was talking about the final rounds of the tournament, I smiled back, "I'll be waiting."
"By the way," he said, getting up off the ground and putting his hand out to lift me up. While I took his hand, he began comically, "You should probably take a shower before you smother someone else in your breasts."
I gasped and let go of his hand, proceeding to use it to whack him. "Is that how you thank someone?" I asked.
"No, I'm sorry, Mother," he laughed, rubbing away my blow.
I sneered and boiled over with embarrassment, "YOU RETARD!" I barked.
"Can you only call people names?" he asked, "there you go again with your assumptions."
He drew closer and let his finger slide down the folds of my kimono, leaving it open enough to see part of my chest, shiny with sweat, "It was nice in there, don't get me wrong."
What's up with this attitude change. I quickly closed up my kimono and turned away, flustered, "You perv!" I exclaimed. Please don't tell me this was his impulsive action; this was not a compromised for, right?
"You're one to talk," he said, walking up behind me and wrapping his arms around my waist.
I shivered as his cold hands slid up inside my kimono, "Toshiro, you're acting..." I said, wincing as I felt where his hand was, "stop it.." I blurted out, while panting. Something of a moan came out of me for a second.
He was acting like his auto system! Deviant. But I knew it was him; so his system hadn't taken over. "I don't follower your orders anymore," he whispered in my ear.
I took one of my hand and tried to push Toshiro's arm down. If I didn't keep resisting, I might just give in. But his aggression only gave way to my weakness. I didn't know how long I could hold out.
He bit my ear and I let out another moan, stiffening up for just a moment. When I relaxed, he continued to venture into my kimono. I turned my head back to him and said with weak eyes, "You promised you'd stay away."
"Didn't you make an exception for Hairo?" he asked, "Just a friendly duel; we'll see how long you can fight me off."
He knew about that? About what happened with Hairo..He was watching! I closed my eyes tight as Toshiro turned my head back to him, and—while I was still using my arms to fight off his own—he kissed me once. Enough to leave me panting. But I still held out, because this was a challenge. But I knew, the more I resisted, the more he'd go on. And that was the fun of it; because I wanted him to go one. A part of me did, and another didn't. In just a few hours, I had come from hating him, to wanting him this much.
High above the ground is what I felt. But I still couldn't give in to his passion. So I withstood it all, in my submissive state.
"What do...you want from me?" I asked, panting.
"I don't know," He whispered, stopping everything for a moment, "But I'm starved now."
I took his hands out of my kimono and lifted my hair, away to the side. I blushed and began, "Then you don't have to use my weakness to do it...I'll let you, just this once." I began to feel scorching hot as I stuttered, "J-just make sure you teach me everything from those books." He had promised, on that night, to stay away. But I was going to make an exception. Why? Because I was that intoxicated. Because I had agreed, in my silence, to act on impulse. And I knew what I wanted right now.
He obliged with a smirk, "Sure." And gladly continued, this time with a less frightening wildness. I enjoyed it even more now. He took a taste of my bare neck, as if being a vampire, and his hands dipped back into my kimono. He pulled my kimono up out of my pants and spun me around so that I faced him. Slowly, he started to slide the kimono off my shoulders—
"Stop!" we heard behind us. It came from a voice, as pure as the mountain air. And Toshiro immediately halted at the sound of her voice.
Behind a tree, those brownie eyes and button nose were red a blotchy. Momo. Had she been watching? But then, from behind her, I saw a face that could not have been mistaken for not crying as well. His unforgettable expression of sorrow as he looked at me with the watery blue eyes. He hid his face in his brown hair, and like a child, he could only say, "Why?"
"Hairo..." I whispered, looking down at myself.
I shook me head in shame. I was twelve years old. What was happening to me? It just..It just snapped, but was that a sufficient excuse for Hairo's distress. I was always so selfish for putting myself before everyone. I knew Hairo would have figured out eventually, but I didn't care. Now I did, because he was right in front of me when he figured it out. I wonder if the past two time, he had the same horrid expression; what had I done?
This is what happened when I believed he was real.
Author's Notes: Phew! That was a fun chapter! So I didn't publish it last week because my stupid computer saved the document under the wrong coding..So I had to rewrite it all! In fact, Toshiro wouldn't have even shown up this chapter, if I didn't have my dream the night after the chapter was saved wrong. OMG, it was the weirdest dream ever! But I got one thing out of it—training in groups is disastrous but makes for a good story. Lolz, so yeah, we'll see how you guys liked this chappy!
Why is it that I sometimes have 12 reviews and then 21? Lolz It's kinda funny! But keep reviewing everyone, I love you!
Reviewers to thank:
Ilovebleach102012-I missed your reviews!
JWzipper-XD where did your penname come from? Lol, it's cool.
CaptainJas-hope your grandma gets better! XD update those stories, k! take it easy. ^^
Escapedslave99 -remember the cookie! Blueberry Absinth-awe, such a devoted friend!
SasuTenLuvr -I'm flattered that you like my Toshiro :P
meggie-moo s-you've been with me since Hello Professor right? Ah, the nostalgic Meg s XD
yellowbutterfly93 -Still have great taste in avatars.
Thorned Sunflower-I am not very good at writing, but I know you're good at advice ^^
()Person who said Kurai Hime should 'slow down'. XD -Love you for reviewing! But hey, get an account so I can reply to you!
Ichigo-the-Deathberry- Sorry for snapping at you, I've been very cranky lately, lolz. Probably PMS. XD Sorry for being rude in ur review reply. :)
~*RukiaRocks*~
P.S. Hey, sorry i didn't get to give you guys the double chappy. But my midterms are coming up and-between that and managing the anime club-I'm afraid all I can do is this chappy. Sorry!
See you next week everyone! XD review review review!
