ACROSS THE PAGES
CHAPTER 4
For quite a few days, Kai and Rei continued their little note-passing affair as they both agreed that they didn't want to risk hurting Kai's throat and putting off his recovery for another week. After the first day, Rei found that sometimes, passing notes back to Kai himself was actually easier than speaking to him. Not only was Kai definitely more expressive on paper, but the others would be less suspect about the fact that Rei seemed to be talking to a soundless voice in the kitchen –the main place for their little 'talks'.
Even when Kai had gotten better, it seemed an unspoken guarantee that they would meet opposite the fridge and beside the stove. Rei liked laughing at Kai's sarcastic comments and having a ready guinea pig for all his cooking experiments. Kai liked having someone agree with him that the house was sometimes just a little (Kai snorted) too insane at times and also eating something before it was contaminated by Tyson's saliva.
Kai never stayed long; just enough to enjoy the smells of the kitchen and the new experimental dish and to exchange a piece of paper into Rei's ready hand. Rei didn't mind; it was enough to have a companion and besides, he didn't expect Kai to stay long.
He was washing a few dishes (they bought him peace on crazy days) while reading a crumpled piece of fragment pinned up with a clothes peg just a couple of days after Kai'd recovered, and remembering how they'd moved there in the first place.
They'd been on their laptops; both had one, but completely refused to show the others for fear of damage, or overuse (games by the 'kids', updates and info by the Chief). They never used it often, only when they were too lazy to move. All the team members had each other's emails in case of emergency, as at a previous time, Tyson had actually wandered off alone and gotten lost –landing into an Internet café. Fortunately, the owner had been a good friend of Rei's, but the experience had left them cautious.
-Flashback-
Hey, Hiwatari, I need a hamster to try out my dishes. Wanna be my guinea pig?
Has Tyson been in there?
No, if he had been, there wouldn't be any dish to taste.
True.
So? Are you going to try or not?
It depends. Have you added poison?
Would you think I'd tell you if I HAD added poison?
Hn.
Did the medicine stop off your brain, Kai?
No, the endless tirade of that thing the brats call music did.
Ah. I see you got affected too.
Oh, so you're one of the sane ones in this world?
Yes. It's why I escaped into the kitchen.
What, it's sound proof there?
Yeah. And I've got Linkin Park blaring at the door just in case.
I'm coming down.
-Flashback Ended-
And that was how the kitchen raids started.
At one time, Rei found a note beside Kai's bed, saying that he would be back later.
I'm going to get something from the baker's –what kind of bread do you like? And don't take that as an invitation to pile me with groceries –each item more than the one I'm giving you as a favor that I have to carry, will get you an extra ten laps.
Kai.
Rei grinned, somewhat sleepily. He dragged himself slowly out of bed, then walked to the window. His messy black hair uncombed, he poked his head out, looking down past the green leaves in front of his balcony. He could spot slate hair and red eyes, looking expectantly at him.
He leaned against the sill, yelling down, "Are you serenading me, Sir Romeo?"
Kai smirked. "In your dreams, Kon."
Rei rested his head against his arms. "Mmm, I have very nice dreams," he said mischievously.
Kai rolled his eyes, refraining from commenting. "What do you want?" he asked, tapping on his watch to signify the time.
"Just get me a doughnut." Kai raised an eyebrow.
"Flavor?"
"Chocolate." Kai nodded, then walked off, turning the corner of the garden, in the direction of the bakery.
Rei watched the leaves sway a little in the breeze; then he, too disappeared, but behind a curtain.
-
Tyson and Max came into the kitchen, one bouncing happily in, the other watching his friend fondly. The dark haired one, Tyson sat down, grabbing a fork and knife in his hands like an over-zealous monster. "What's for breakfast?"
Rei handed out the plates of sausages and eggs. Instantly, Tyson started wolfing down his portion, like the black hole that he was. The others shook their heads, and with a quiet 'Konnichiwa' settled down to eat their own foods, albeit much more slowly.
Soon, however, the blonde looked up at Rei, somewhat puzzled. "Hey, Rei, why aren't you eating?"
Rei shrugged. "My breakfast hasn't arrived yet."
Kenny, Hillary and Max exchanged rather befuddled glances. Kenny was just about to ask what Rei meant when the door that Rei was looking expectantly at, swung open, and Kai walked in, two paper bags in his hands.
Sitting down coolly, the slate haired captain handed one of the bags to Rei, who nodded, acknowledging the package with a murmur of 'Arigato, Kai'.
The blonde and the brunettes gaped, as Rei first peered into the normal brown bag, then pulled out a glistening chocolate-ised doughnut. When the aroma drifted towards Tyson, he looked up too. And promptly reached for the prize.
He was just as promptly slapped hard on the wrist.
Rubbing the reddened area furtively, he exclaimed in a wronged manner: "What was that for!"
Kai took out his own purchase, a croissant, with chocolate as it's filling. Tyson watched as his captain took a bite, nearly crying out as the thick brown liquidy substance oozed out in that absolutely decadent way that only chocolate could.
"How come you have those?" Max wondered out loud, as his blue-haired friend suffered in silence.
"I got them." Kai answered simply.
Rei, feeling a little bit of pity at the addled glances of his team mates, elaborated. "I bumped into him on his way to the bakery and asked him to get me something as well," he explained. He did not feel that Kai would want the others to know that he had voluntarily did something for Rei himself. It was something private, and he felt that Kai would appreciate the sensitivity.
Reading Kai's fleeting glance at him like a book, he smiled. Kai did approve, and he was glad.
And the others merely looked on at them, wondering what was going on.
Author's Note: Hi guys, this is just to tell you I'm definitely not updating next week...I'm going to Cebu, Phillipines for a school trip to help some children there...just telling you, HK$600 can give one child one year of secondary school education...that's approximately US$75...in Hong Kong, just saving the money from a single year group's mcdonalds trip can give enough money for 2 years' worth od education! Ahem...that's my calling self righteous rant for the year...anyways...
Responses to Reviewers: ProzacFairy: You know, I just found out that prozac is a drug...lol! Anyway, I'll always answer you guys 'cause I feel sepcial when I'm answered, and I like to imagine that maybe you guys will feel special too, and maybe ti'll help brighten your day! Plus I love you all!
Kuro1107: Wow, I took one look at all those reviews and nearly had my eyes bug out! There were so many! Thanks for taking the time it must have taken to write them!
BloodyShadows: Nice name! I forgot to tell you last tim that I loved it. That's another thing I love about the reviewers...I get to see so many interesting names! Anyway, Kai regains hiv voice in this chapter, but I had to keep them writing somehow! I hope you enjoyed this chapter...and to quote Ultimate Kai Luva I'm glad that his 'sexy' voice is back too! (Not the American version...gags)
AnimeDragonofFire: My goodness, I rock! I've never rocked before! I love the feeling! I do that too when I lose my voice...but my hand goes kind of tired when I keep having to write the same thing over and over, so I tell one of my freinds to say it out loud for the rest to hear. That's part of where I got the chapter's idea from!
dark-night-sky: I've updated! I like pies though, but I can never baake anything...you know the classic salt-for-sugar mistake? Did it, done that! Anyway, hope you enjoyed.
Neko voka: I've updated, so hope you love it!
Beloved a.k.a The Fool: Heh! Gad you feel so protective, I feel so nice and warm...please love this cahpter! I am going to grovel now! And you guys bringA HUGE SMILE ON MY FACE!