Chapter Title: Messages
Pairings: Hatori/Miku
Warnings: N/A
Notes: OMG! FINALLY! Sigh, finally, I can put Kyo in here. Jeez. For all of you shippin' KyoxMiku, hold your breaths - he's finally coming back!
The time we spent at the Winter Vacation home was peaceful. My body had begun to grow weak again, and I knew that meant that Akito was feeling stronger, better. When I asked Hatori about it, he calmly told me that the chemo was working, and Akito had gone into remission.
I frowned, then smiled. This was good. Because as horrible as he was, Akito was my God. And I loved him, like all servants loved their lord.
As Hatori was finishing up the paperwork for my weekly treatments, which were quickly becoming twice a week as my health continued to decline each day, I flipped through some of the photo albums that were on the bookshelves in his office. Once my health had gotten considerably worse, he had had to move me back to the Sohma estate where he had some of the more advanced medical equipment.
When I came across a picture of Kana, I stayed at it a moment. She was so beautiful. So smart. She had the prettiest eyes in the whole wide world, and on top of it all she had part of Hatori's heart. A part I would never be able to touch.
I knew I had my own share, but I hoped I could at least live up to Kana's standards. I hoped I had her blessing. I hoped I was good enough for Hatori. God knows I try.
Warm, strong arms wrapped around my waist, and I leaned back into his chest, breathing in his scent. He even smelled beautiful.
"Are you okay?" He asked, breath puffing down my cheek. I nodded, smiling at him, one hand on his as I put the album back on the shelf.
"I'm fine. I just... I hope Kana approves of me."
"Mmm," Hatori mumbled, thinking it over. "I think she would. She always said she wanted me happy more than anything else."
"Are you?" I asked, wondering for a moment. It was hard to be happy with Akito so healthy that he was starting to spend much more time with his animals. Much, much more time with them.
"Am I what?" he asked, burying his face in my hair.
"Happy."
"Ah, yes. Very much so." I smiled, turning in his arms to face him, my own lacing up around his neck. "Good." I leaned up on tiptoe then to kiss him, and his face lowered to meet mine. It was a slow, sweet kiss, and I pulled back reluctantly, letting go of him.
"I gotta go," I said morosely, shouldering my bag. "Aya's cramming my photo shoots after all that time I took off." Hatori sighed, moving out of my way as I made my leave.
"I'll call you tomorrow, 'kay?"
"Sure. Bye." I kissed him again, longer, lingering. I pulled back, pecked him on the cheek, and left.
X.x.X.x.X
the next day the photoshoot ran late. Really late. Ayame had caught a plane to Tokyo for a trade meeting right after, and I wasn't able to get home until midnight.
I made a sad face as I locked the door behind me. Hatori had called. And I'd missed it.
I trudged up the stairs and found the house phone in the hall. Hatori hadn't called my cell – probably didn't wan tto disturb me at work.
For some strange reason, there were only 3 rules at Aya's. I can't answer the phone, check the mail, or listen to the messages.
I glanced down at the machine. 2 new messages blinked up at me, tempting me to press the play button.
Giving in, figuring that the rules were stupid anyways, I clicked the play button, rocking back on my heels to listen.
"Aya, my dear! It's your most magnificent Shiichan calling to wish you well on your trip. Kyo keeps bugging me to call – he's worried about Miku. Heard Akito's health is getting better, and frankly, we all miss her dearly. He asked about how her modeling was going. And Tohru! She just won't stop cooking. I know, I know, I should be thankful, but we're running out of room in the fridge for leftovers! Oh, dear, sweet, Tohru, I -"
Beep. "End of message".
I furrowed my brow, staring at the machines red blinking one.
Kyo. The same name as the little boy in my nightmares, who kept dissapearing. Was he real?
Without thinking about it first, I picked up the phone and called him back.