Ciaossuu~!
Due to all the faves, alerts, and reviews, I pulled this one out early, despite my continuously growing pile of work. .;;
But that said, I'm happy to pull this out! And what a lovely atmosphere I got to write it in! (I was on a train from San Jose to Sacramento [I went on vacation]) The views were very pretty~!
But yeah, I decided to pull this story out into more than just one or two measly chapters... How many I will eventually write, I can't be certain, but I must say, you readers sure push me to write more, so your faves, alerts and reviews are much appreciated. *bows*
XD Kuskabe's nigh cap seems to be pretty popular with everyone! I'm glad!
NinjaTortoise: Da'aw I'm not that good, really. I still have a lot of learning to do with plots, character development, and dialogue. But thank you so much!
Anne: Lol you'll learn more about Miyuki in time ^^ And yeah, I like Kusakabe myself. And I belive that he is actually somewhat friendly with people, such as young Lambo and I-pin, ya know? And thanks again~
easterlily16: Yes, the hat XD And arigatou!
punshy: ¡Ah, yo hablo español un poco por mis dos años en clase de español! (hopefully i said that right ^^;;) And your english is fine, don't worry about it. I think anyone who can speak more than one language is amazing (I only know fragments of things). You know, for confusing parts, you could probably use a google translator. Just copy and paste parts you have trouble with, and it'll be clearer! ^^ Thanks so much. And yes, it appears Miyuki has stolen his first kiss XD
Akaki: Oh darn, I wanted to answer you sooner, but you don't have an account! :o (or at least when you reviewed). I did change my summary, because I saw your point. When I had written it, i was tired and my writing powers were all sapped up for the night. But it's all good now. And you drew her? May I see? (if there is a link), and also...I tried looking up the character on photobucket, but I didn't get any results... But, that aside, you want to do a doujin? I'm totally cool with it, except for two conditions; one, I get proper credits, and secondly...I get to see it. It makes me excited to hear that you would want to draw it! :3 Thanks so much!
vampireizzy: Yup, yup, his first kiss. Thanks!
xXAznKittieLuvsTurtlesXx: Aww, I'm glad you like it!
Akamura: Hey there, Akamura-san XD Are you hopping across my fics? I didn't know you knew KHR XD And thanks as always. (And btw, I should have an update on my other work soon)
SheDreamsFiction: Yeah? I'd hope so, I love pulling out new kind of things like that. Thanks so much!
TaiShii: Aw, thanks XD
~~~~~~~~~~~~~THE NEXT DAY~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Miyuki-san?" called out Kusakabe as he knocked on the door. It was late morning, and she hadn't appeared out of the room once. He was slightly worried.
From what he had seen her wounds hadn't been too serious, but that didn't mean they weren't nonexistent. Hopefully she hadn't passed out in the bath; if something had happened to her, Kusakabe wouldn't' be able to forgive himself.
"I knew I should have checked on her," he muttered. He had planned on checking on her later last night, but he had fallen asleep and forgotten all about it, until now.
Please be alright, he thought, his hand moving to the doorknob. But before he could turn it, the door swung open.
Kusakabe's breath caught in his throat at the sight in front of him. It was as if the Miyuki last night had been replaced with a new and improved version!
She wasn't as pale as before, and the bruises had all but faded from her soft looking skin. And her hair…it wasn't rose pink, but a soft sakura color, as were her small lips. Her eyes were brighter, a clearer blue-green than last night.
And it would seem that she found the clothes he had left out for her; a few mementos from his older sister, who had moved out years ago. The clothes were old, but clean and intact.
Miyuki stared at him, her hands clutching a bundle of cloth that he didn't recognize.
After a moment, Kusakabe realized he had been staring. He glanced away for a second, before looking back at her.
"Are you feeling well, Miyuki-san? Are you hungry? I made breakfast, if you would like any."
She smiled at him, nodding gently. Her eyes lingered on his strange hairstyle; last night it had been wet and messy, but now it was a strange extension that leaned far over his eyes.
Kusakabe turned and began walking down the hall, glancing back at her to follow. This time, she didn't hold onto his hand, instead walking on her own, following close behind him.
The kitchen was traditional Japanese style, with warm lilac parchment on dark wood screens. On a small low table lay a small feast of eggs, fruit, rice, and fish. Miyuki could smell the refreshing smell of fresh tea boiling away on the stovetop, the pot giving off faint whistling sounds.
It was very charming, she mused.
After another moment's glance, she took a seat at the table, her slender legs curling beneath her as her eyes stared at the feast before her. The strange bundle of cloth was placed on her lap, her hands still holding onto it.
Kusakabe took the kettle off the stove and put it on the table, his free hand holding a pair of cups.
"Don't be afraid to eat; please, take what you want, there's plenty."
She watched as he poured the tea.
"Breakfast is the most important meal of the day they say…" he muttered, partly to himself and partly to her.
She looked away from him and back at the steaming food in front of her; her stomach growled loudly. When was the last time she had eaten? She wasn't sure.
Miyuki quickly piled her plate with food, barely able to restrain the ravenousness that suddenly overcame her. Her hand shook as she picked up the chopsticks and took a bite at some fish; somehow she found that she knew how to use the chopsticks, though she didn't remember how or when she had learned to.
The next ten minutes passed in silence, the two eating quietly, eyes every now and again glancing at each other.
Once Miyuki was mostly sated, she began trying to get a better sense of who Kusakabe was.
He had a strong mature kind of face, and the way he held himself was very adult like too. And yet she knew he couldn't be too much older than her. His hairstyle intrigued her; she had never seen it before, and based on what she was able to deem, he seemed too serious for it…but on second thought, she realized it suited him.
The whole while she had been studying him, he had been studying her.
Kusakabe thought her very mysterious; but not in a bad way. He had a strong feeling that there was a sad story behind the shy smile, though that was often the case with most people. But really, she wasn't like most people, was she?
Hibari's expression from last night flashed in his head; it probably wasn't detectable to anyone else, but Kusakabe was almost certain that he had seen a flicker of softness in his president's eyes. And he had allowed her to touch him. Had it been anyone else, even Kusakabe, Hibari would have attacked. But he hadn't hit her…
Just who and what is she? He thought, glancing at her over the top of his cup.
Miyuki successfully helped Kusakabe clean and put away the dishes, though for the most part, the former was left to him job; Miyuki was a little more than a head shorter than him, so he was the one to put things high in the cupboards.
When they were finished, Miyuki suddenly vanished into the living room, before coming back with the newspaper and pencil.
Kusakabe stared at her for a moment; did she want to ask him something? Or was she finally going to explain what was going on?
She sat down at the table, prepared to write, but he stopped her.
"Please wait a minute," he said, walking away and digging through a drawer in the hallway. "I should have a spare notebook somewhere!"
Miyuki did as he asked, her hands folded on the table patiently.
A moment later he came back with a shiny blue notebook. He handed it to her, before sitting back down at the table.
Miyuki opened it and picked up the pencil, before scribbling out her words.
Kusakabe leaned forwards, curious to what she was writing.
Self consciously she pulled the notebook away, not wanting him to see until she was finished. A moment later she stopped, and pushed it towards him.
He picked it up and read it.
'Thank you, Kusakabe-san.'
"Ah, you're welcome," he replied, smiling at her slightly. She smiled back and took the notebook from him.
'Where is Hibari-san?'
He leaned back, frowning slightly. Asking about him, was she? Well…
"I guess he would be at school at the moment…" Kusakabe put his hand on his chin thoughtfully, his eyes on her. "Miyuki-san…why do you ask? I've been wondering…do you know Hibari-san?"
She shook her head slowly, before resorting to her paper again.
'No…Miyuki has never met Hibari-san before…'
She didn't answer his first question.
Kusakabe didn't ask again; maybe… maybe she has a crush on him?
For some reason the idea made him want to laugh just the littlest bit…but then, as he thought about his president's behavior…it left him confused.
Kusakabe's hand moved to his forehead in frustration; this mystery was giving him a headache. And forcing her to tell him what her story was seemed wrong; even if he had helped her out.
But I would like to know…err… just what is her connection to Hibari-san?
The sound of tapping made him look at her.
Miyuki was holding up the pad of paper, staring at him. He read it.
'Are you well, Kusakabe-san? Did Miyuki make you angry?'
"Wha-? No, no…" he chuckled, "I'm fine, and I'm not mad at you. I'm just trying to understand this situation…" He leaned forwards and rested his chin in the palm of his hand. "Is there anything you can tell me? Like where you came from? The last thing you can remember? What happened with you and Hibari-san?"
He put his fingers over his mouth slightly with embarrassment, realizing that he had asked too many questions at once and too quickly.
Miyuki smiled slightly at his expression, before propping the pad on the table and writing. After a few minutes, she passed it across the table.
Kusakabe picked it up began reading it.
'Since Kusakabe-san has been so kind to Miyuki; Miyuki will try her best to answer his questions.'
It seemed for certain that she thought of herself in third person, which was strange, but not totally uncommon.
'Miyuki remembers waking up in a dark room, with angry people and lots of red. Red all over floor and all over Miyuki too. Angry people yelled and tried to hurt Miyuki… Miyuki was very scared. Miyuki found broken window and ran away. Bad people followed in car.
'Miyuki ran and ran, even when Miyuki's feet started bleeding and Miyuki nearly was caught.
'Then Hibari-san appeared as Miyuki kept running. He watched Miyuki run by as well as the bad men. Miyuki could see that Hibari-san was strong…Hibari-san could help her. Miyuki stopped and waited for him to come round the street.
'Miyuki can't talk…and there was no paper to write on. Miyuki did the only thing Miyuki could; hold onto him and hope Hibari-san would understand.'
'Hibari-san was angry. He wanted to hit Miyuki too. Miyuki didn't blame him and closed her eyes expecting him to…but he didn't. Instead Hibari-san tried to push her back, but the bad men came. They came to take Miyuki away and hurt her.'
'Miyuki was scared…so scared. Hibari-san stared at bad men and talked to them. One bad man told him that if Hibari-san didn't give Miyuki to them, he would kill him. Bad man took out a gun. Hibari-san pulled out strange poles and prepared to fight. Bad man shot at Hibari-san; missed; Hibari-san beat all the bad men up.
'Hibari-san saved Miyuki! Miyuki was so glad…but Miyuki didn't know where to go… so Miyuki followed Hibari-san. He gave Miyuki Hibari-san's coat, knowing Miyuki was cold. Then Hibari-san let Miyuki follow him down many streets, before Miyuki tripped and walked into him. Miyuki's legs hurt very much and Miyuki was very tired.
'Miyuki was surprised when Hibari-san told Miyuki to climb onto his back. Miyuki did as she was told… Hibari-san was very warm…Miyuki fell asleep…and then Miyuki met Kusakabe-san."
Kusakabe stared at her writing, his mind whirring with thoughts.
Bad men chasing her? And obviously trying to kill her? Hibari helping her? Giving her his coat? Hibari carrying her?!
He blinked a few times, trying to slow his rapid thoughts. Just what in the world is going on? It was hard to believe; Hibari was not one to do anything like that… But, had he not seen Hibari coatless-wait! How had he missed it?!
Kusakabe racked his brain until he pulled up a mental image of unconscious Miyuki; she had been wearing a familiar coat…a Namimori Middle coat. And that bundle she was carrying with her; the color was identical to the color of the coat…
And she was definitely unconscious when he pushed her into Kusakabe's arms…meaning…her story was completely true.
Kusakabe let out a slight groan and sank back, the pad of paper back on the table. Miyuki reached out and grabbed it, turning to a clean page.
Before she began writing, she stared at Kusakabe; he said he was fine, but he didn't look it at the moment. Was there something wrong with what she had written? Miyuki didn't think so, and it wasn't like she left out any important detail, other than her kissing Hibari-san, and by the look on his face, if she were to have mentioned it, he probably would have fainted or something.
Miyuki felt a little guilt as she saw his face; maybe this was too much for him… maybe Miyuki should leave?
She began writing again.
'Ne…Kusakabe-san, can you tell me how to find where Hibari is?'
Miyuki figured that she could leave Kusakabe to recover, and in the meantime, thank Hibari-san for helping her.
But from there… she didn't know. Miyuki couldn't continue to inconvenience Kusakabe-san, he was too nice, and she was just a stranger anyway. And she couldn't stay with Hibari-san; he had dropped her off with Kusakabe…so he probably didn't want her around.
No, she would just wander off somewhere, before anyone would notice her. And there were also the bad men…surely they would come after her again, and after anyone she was with. Yes, she decided, I will just leave…but first…
Miyuki pushed the pad of paper towards Kusakabe; after a moment he took it, his expression still…off.
She waited patiently for his response; it seemed that her question brought him out of whatever state he was in. Kusakabe blinked a few times.
"Uh… Well he's at Nami Middle…but…do you want to see him, Miyuki-san?"
She nodded, a shy smile on her face.
"Well, I can take you if you like I guess…but, I need to get dressed, first, okay?" He gestured at the shirt and striped pajama pants he was wearing.
Miyuki nodded, smiling at him as Kusakabe got up.
"You're welcome to walk around the house; I'll be a few minutes," he said, before walking out of the kitchen and out of sight.
Miyuki's smile fell as she turned to a fresh page of paper and began writing, before tearing it out and putting it on the table. With an intake of breath, she got to her feet and walked to the front door, taking the coat and notepad with her.
The door closed quietly behind her with a click.
"Ah, sorry about that! I couldn't find my-" Kusakabe stopped in midsentence as he stood in the kitchen doorway. "Miyuki-san?'
He was going to try searching the rest of the house, but a paper sitting on the table caught his eye. Before he even read it, he had an idea of what had happened.
'Kusakabe-san, thank you for all that you have done for Miyuki. But Miyuki needs to leave now, and doesn't want to inconvenience you. Thank you so much,
-Miyuki.'
"No…" he muttered, walking towards the living room. The idea of her out there alone, gave him a very bad feeling.
"Miyuki-san!" he called, as he tore out of the house. But she was already gone.
Will Miyuki reach her destination safely? Or will Kusakabe's bad hunch come true? And if so, who will save her? Find out next time!
-Okami