Snow
Chapter Two: Tokito
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I swear softly to myself as I both lose my game and crush another controller. I glower at my right hand, cursing the strong limb. I unplug the controller, tossing it in the trash. Kubo-chan got sick of my whining each time I broke a new controller, so he finally gave in and bought a closet full of them. I grab a new one and plug it in, smiling to myself. I happen to glance outside and freeze. Something is happening outside, something strange. White stuff is falling from the sky, falling from grey clouds. I run to Kubo-chan's room, pounding on the door. "Kubo-chan! Get out here!" "Hai, hai, I'm coming."He answers the door, dressed only in a pair of dark colored jeans, hanging low on his hips. I frown, bouncing slightly on the balls of my feet. "What's going on?"
"Look!" I grab his wrist in my right hand, being sure to hold it lightly. I drag him out onto the balcony, staring at the white stuff, fear clouding my thoughts.
"That's snow, Tokito." He says softly and I can almost hear a laugh in his voice.
"Snow?"
"Yes." He slides the door open, leading me out onto it, out into the 'snow'. "Come on."
I watch the snow, noticing it melts quickly as it touches my skin, leaving little wet spots behind. "Woah."
Kubo-chan nods at me, holding out a hand, letting snow fall into it. I copy him, holding out my right hand, watching the snowflakes that stick to the fur that covers the disgusting limb. I walk over to a small pile of snow, sticking my bare toes in it.
My foot goes cold immediately and I jerk back, yelling. "It's COLD!!"
"Of course it's cold. It's snow." Kubo-chan says softly, almost teasing me.
"What is snow?" I ask, staring at him.
"Frozen water." He replies simply, a teasing smirk on his lips.
"So it's ice."
"Something like that." Kubo-chan laughs. He suddenly turns and heads back inside. I move to a pile of snow, squatting beside it, poking it with a finger, trying to understand it. Kubo-chan returns after a few minutes, dressed in a long sleeved black shirt, a cigarette hanging from his lips. The smoke trails up, mixing with the clouds. "Hey, Tokito, come here."
I stand, coming to his side, looking at the arm that he holds out to me. There are small flakes on his arm and I lean closer to see them. Each of the snowflakes is different, each with its own pattern. "Wow. . . Kubo-chan. . . they look like flowers!"
"Yes. They are six petaled flowers." He smiles down at me, his dark eyes gentle.
"They're pretty." I say softly, amazed at their beauty.
"See? Snow isn't something to be scared of, now is it?"
"No. . . " I look up at the falling snow, confused slightly. "Why is it snowing?"
"Because it's winter. It's almost Christmas." The second part is added like an after thought.
"Christmas?" I realize I have no memory of what that is and it annoys me.
"I'll let Kasai explain that to you."
"Oh." I smile, looking out at the snow. "I like snow."
"Yes. It is good weather for stew. "
"Stew?"
"Come on inside and I'll make it for you."
"All right!" I run inside, hearing him follow me, sliding the balcony door shut as he comes inside the warm apartment.
I run into the kitchen, trying to figure out what you would cook stew in. I turn around, seeing Kubo still standing at the door, his hand behind him, holding onto the doorknob. I shout across the small apartment at him, needing his help."Hey! Kubo-chan! What do we need?"
"Hey! Kubo-chan! What do we need?"
"Get the vegetables from the refrigerator. Get. . . celery and carrots." He says softly, coming forward, starting into the kitchen.
"Okay!" I run to the refrigerator, yanking it open, pulling out celery and carrots, carrying them to the counter.
Kubo-chan comes over, starting to help me make the stew. He fills the pot with water, setting it on the stove, adding different ingredients. Shouta comes over after we start and I smile at him. He starts to play video games and after Kubo-chan adds the carrots I cut to the stew, I go to join him. We're soon locked in an epic battle, both of us leaning forward, our attention fully locked on the screen before us.
This is a happy memory. I hope I can keep it. . . Fear suddenly cools my body and I pause the game, looking over at Kubo-chan. He's standing in the kitchen, watching me, a small smile on his face. I grin at him, turning back to the game, warmth filling me again.
The warm smell of stew fills the air and I smile. I like it here, now, this moment in time. The apartment is bright and warm, in contrast to the darkness outside. The only sounds in the apartment are the humming of the heater and the video game. I want it to stay like this forever.
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Heh. This was fun to write. I have too much fun writing mirror fics. . . ^_^
And thanks, BIG thanks to DarkAngelJudas, my one reviewer for this fic. You RULE!!