Notes:
I still only own Michiko, Kishi, Akira and the Yankees. :)
~Tali
Chapter 14 – Sleep Over
Uo, Hana, Tohru, Yuki, Kyou, and Haru were standing in a loose group chatting when Michiko strolled over to pick up Haru.
She smiled at the group. "I got out of work early and thought I'd stop by to see what you were doing this afternoon?" Michiko asked, including the group in her question.
Hana studied her for a moment, "You have very interesting electrical waves."
Michiko smiled cautiously, "Thank you?"
Uo spoke up, "Tohru has mentioned you several times, Michiko-san. We would like to spend time with you to make sure you are a good influence on her."
Michiko blinked at the girl's straight-forward manner but nodded in agreement. "Okay."
Tohru excitedly asked, "Yuki, do you think it would be okay for my friends to come over this afternoon?"
Yuki smiled at her excitement, "Of course, Miss Honda. You're friends are always welcome."
The group set off together, walking at a leisurely pace, chatting all the way there.
Hana studied each person in turn and noticed that of all of them Michiko and Kyou both kept a close eye on their surroundings as if they were worried someone might bother them. She remembered Tohru mentioning that Michiko had been hurt by a group of boys and decided they must be keeping an eye out for further trouble. But why were they still worried when Tohru had also mentioned the boys were in jail?
They walked into the house and looked around for Shigure. He was locked in his study, actually working for a change. Tohru went into the kitchen to make tea while the others discussed what they'd like to do.
"We should play Rich Man, Poor Man." Hana suggested.
"You're going down!" Kyou yelled at Uo, who laughed at him.
"Bring it on, Carrot-top!" she yelled back.
Tohru poured the tea and Hana started dealing the cards. The chatted about this and that while Hana wiped the floor with them and Kyou and Uo fought about the cards. Michiko joined in the laughter, happy to be part of the group.
It had gotten late when Hana spoke up. "We haven't had much girl time, lately."
Michiko got the sense that the girl had a purpose in that statement while Tohru and Uo agreed with her.
"Well, you three are welcome to come over any time if you want." Michiko offered cautiously.
"Wonderful. Would tonight be too soon?" Hana asked softly.
Michiko blinked, "Um, no. I just went shopping so there's plenty to eat."
Uo spoke up, "Are you sure it's no trouble?"
"No trouble at all. I don't remember the last time I spent time just with girls. It will be nice for a chance to relax." That wasn't entirely a lie as she had never spent time with just girls and she imagined it would be a nice chance to relax.
"Then it's settled. Tohru, do you need help packing an overnight bag?" Uo asked her.
"No, I'll be back in a couple minutes." She dashed up the stairs, excited that all of her friends wanted to spend time together.
"Would you like us to walk with you, Sato-san?" Yuki asked.
"We'll be fine, Yuki-san. Don't worry about us."
A few minutes later they left the house and headed for Uo's and Hana's so they could pick up some clothes as well.
Kyou looked at Yuki and Haru. "Why are you two just standing there? Are you really going to let four girls walk all over town by themselves?" He walked out the door and started following them at a distance. Yuki and Haru glanced at each other before shrugging and following.
After they had stopped at Hana's and Uo's to get their clothes Michiko giggled, "The guys are still following us."
"It's so sweet how they think we can't take care of ourselves." Uo said with an edge of sarcasm and a pat to her lead pipe.
"But it is sweet that they worry enough to make sure we get there safely." Tohru said. "After those boys hurt Michiko, they won't let either of us go anywhere alone."
Uo and Hana shared a glance. "Is that why Kyou is always around these days?"
Michiko smiled mischievously, "I don't think that's the only reason." She turned around and waved at the skulking boys, "You may as well walk with us as behind us."
They slowly ambled over and Haru kissed her nose, "How did you know we were there?"
She scoffed, "I would have to be deaf and blind to have not known. Stealth 101, look it up."
Meanwhile, Tohru was smiling up at Kyou, "You followed us to make sure we arrived safely?"
"No. I was bored and wanted to go for a walk."
She tiptoed and kissed his cheek. "Thank you for worrying about me."
He blushed but didn't deny it again. He reached for her hand instead, "Well? Are you guys going to stand on the sidewalk all night or go to Michiko's?"
Haru grabbed Michiko's and Yuki's hands and pulled them along.
"Haru, let go. Really, stop." Yuki demanded as he tried to tug his hand free, to no avail.
Uo came up on his other side and linked arms with him, "What's the matter, Yuki-kun? Don't you like holding hands with Haru?"
Yuki sighed and let it go, hoping they would get bored or there quickly.
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Uo smiled as Michiko closed the door after the boys. "Finally! Girl time. What do we want to do?" she asked cheerfully.
"I'll make some tea and find something to eat while you three decide." Michiko said.
"Okay." Uo agreed and turned to the other two. "Well, girls?"
"Cards?" from Hana.
"Movies?" from Tohru.
"Truth or dare?" from Uo, with a wicked gleam.
"Truth or dare would be an excellent way to find out more about Michiko." Hana stated.
"Truth or dare it is."
Michiko came back with a tray of tea and snacks and set it on the coffee table. "So, what will it be, ladies?" she asked as she poured tea for everyone.
"Truth or dare." Uo stated, happily.
"Okay." Michiko agreed, hoping the dares weren't too much or the truths too deep. "Who's first?"
"I am." Uo said. "Michiko-san, truth or dare?"
"Um, truth?" she had overheard the comment Hana made.
"What's the deal with you being on your own so young?"
"The deal?" she asked blankly.
"Yeah. Tohru said you're only eighteen, but you have your own apartment and a good job. Why?"
"Well, my parents and I didn't get along so I finished school as early as I could and moved out. One of my teachers worked with my first boss and recommended me. He hired me right out of school. Hana-chan, truth or dare?"
"Dare."
And so it continued for quite some time. There was howling at the moon, walking down the hall in a state of semi-dress, writing love letters, and the telling of many small secrets.
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The girls had ended up doing all three of the initial suggestions at one point or another during the evening and as a result they did not fall asleep until dawn, sprawled all over the living room furniture. When the boys came knocking around ten Michiko dragged herself out of the chair she was curled in before the maniac at the door could wake the others.
She yanked open the door, ready to yell, and saw Haru, Kyou, and Yuki standing outside the door. "What are you three doing here at this ungodly hour of the morning?" she asked.
"Ungodly? It's ten o'clock in the morning." Kyou informed her.
She blinked at him tiredly, and made no response.
"Were the three of you up all night eating chocolate and causing trouble?" Haru teased.
"I think the sun was coming up when we finally went to sleep." she responded, still more asleep than awake.
Yuki indicated to the boxes their arms, "We brought you coffee and breakfast."
"Yo! I smell coffee and hear boy voices. What's going on over there?" Uo yelled.
Michiko stepped back and saw all three girls sitting up and looking over at the doorway. "They brought us breakfast."
Uo ambled over and took stock, "Looks like there are seven cups here. Were you boys planning on staying?"
"We were hoping you would let us eat with you. Yuki tried to cook breakfast this morning and lit the kitchen on fire. We left before Shigure could see the damage." Haru explained.
Uo, Tohru, and Michiko started giggling and even Hana had to smile at the thought of Yuki burning breakfast badly enough that they would need to leave the house in fear of Shigure's response.
"Well, since you brought it, it's only fair we allow you to stay and help us eat it." Hana said.
Michiko stepped back and allowed the boys to enter. "Come in and be welcome."
"Good morning, ladies." Haru said to the girls before giving Michiko a kiss on the cheek, to a chorus of good mornings and wolf-whistles.
Kyou nodded at the girls and sat next to Tohru, who rested her head against his shoulder. Yuki stood a bit to the side until Michiko pushed him closer to the group.
"Let me just get these out of here and you can put everything on the coffee table." Michiko stacked up the myriad of dishes on the coffee table and tried to lift them all. Kyou reached out to steady them as they started to slide.
"Thanks." she said as she put them back down and picked up just the top half of the stack. "I'll be right back for the rest of those."
"Let me help." Tohru said as she jumped up and grabbed the rest.
"Thanks, Tohru-chan." She led the other girl into the kitchen and placed the dishes on the counter. "I'll wash them later. Don't worry about them. Let's get some breakfast."
Michiko grabbed Tohru's hand and dragged her out of the kitchen before she could start washing up. She pushed her over to Kyou who took her hand and pulled her down next to him. He handed her a coffee cup and pastry before she could argue. Haru did the same with Michiko and soon the seven were cheerfully chatting and eating pastries.
After breakfast everyone but Haru left to work and do whatever they did on Saturdays. Michiko and Haru cleaned up the trash and washed the dishes together. Once they were done they went into the living room and snuggled on the couch for a while.
"Oh. I meant to give this to you yesterday, but forgot with all the excitement." Michiko reached over to the coffee table and picked up a key. "So you can come by anytime." she said as she handed it to Haru.
He looked at her in surprise, "You're giving me a key to your apartment?"
She smiled, "Yes, not that you need it. You are always welcome here."
He pulled out his keys and added it to the ring with a smile. "So now you won't tell me I'm welcome when I come over anymore?"
"Of course I will, but it won't matter because you've been given free access. You won't set off my wards and you'll always feel welcome here."
"Set off your wards?"
"Protections to keep people out or let me know when they come in. I added the entrance wards after the incident with the Yankees. You set it off when you went shopping for me."
"What happens when someone sets them off?"
"They turn red when I check them and I know to be careful. I haven't set up anything obvious because if the landlord comes in it would be awkward to explain if he was stuck to the wall or something."
He thought about that for a moment. "Thank you." he replied with a happy grin.
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A few days later Michiko and Haru met Yuki and Kyou at the dojo for the long anticipated sparring session between Yuki and Michiko. Haru had finally talked him into sparring with her. Yuki had seen her spar at least once per week, and often more, for the last few months but was still worried he might accidentally injure her. She had asked every week and he had put her off each time. Finally, she had asked Haru to do her dirty work and Yuki had agreed under the condition that she tell him if he hurt her.
"Hi Yuki-san. Are you ready to spar with me today?" Michiko asked enthusiastically.
Yuki looked over at her, "I think so, Sato-san. You'll tell me if I hurt you, won't you?"
Michiko gave him her best fragile girl look, complete with batting lashes, "Of course I will, Yuki-san." She dropped the look and smiled. "Let's hurry up and finish warm ups."
He looked at her sternly, "I mean it, Sato-san. If I hurt you, you have to tell me immediately."
Michiko huffed and turned towards Haru, "Don't distract me this time, okay?"
Haru raised his hands in surrender, "Wouldn't dream of it."
Michiko nodded and returned her attention to Yuki, "There. Now you won't be able to hurt me. Come on, Yuki-san. Please don't fret so much. You'll know if you hurt me." she promised.
He looked at her appraisingly for a moment more before nodding and taking a ready position. They had decided to take advantage of the empty dojo and were again in the main room so both pairs could spar in the same room and switch back and forth as they wished. It made it more fun.
Michiko stepped up opposite and smiled. "I won't have to taunt you into starting will I?" she asked.
Yuki frowned lightly at her before coming after her with a complex series of moves that usually left Haru struggling to stay out of the way. Michiko whooped in delight and dodged them gracefully before mounting a counter attack. Kyou and Haru watched the pair for several minutes before turning towards each other and shrugging.
"Let's go, ushi. You owe me a fight." Kyou said before launching himself at Haru, who grinned and returned the favor.
Soon the dojo was full of the sounds of sparring. They alternated between pairs so all four were able to spar with everyone for some time before Kyou said something that set off Black Haru and their fight turned serious. Michiko and Yuki stopped and looked at the pair in disbelief.
"Did you hear what he said?" Michiko asked.
Yuki shook his head, "I missed it."
They ducked as Haru went flying over their heads, followed by Kyou who looked ready to dish out some serious trouble.
Michiko frowned at them, "Should we stop them?"
"No. It's best to just let them get it out of their system and patch them up when they're done. Which could be hours from now. Would you like to continue sparring in the back room for a while?" he asked.
She smiled, "That sounds like a terrific idea. My chance to spar with you shouldn't be interrupted because of their tempers."
They went into the back room and left the door open so they could keep an ear on the other two while they sparred.
"You are so skilled, Yuki-san. I'm disappointed I've missed so many opportunities to spar with you in the last few months."
Yuki blushed slightly at the praise and shrugged, "It comes naturally, I guess. Kyou and Haru have been practicing much longer than I have. Is it just me, or have you been holding back with them?"
He watched as a blush stained her cheeks. "I am very good at matching my opponent." she replied.
"I had wondered how you managed to knock out half that group."
"I got a lot of practice fighting groups of people. I could probably hold my own against all three of you."
"Why haven't you tried?"
"I had to convince you to spar with me alone before you would consent to a three against one fight against me, ne?"
"True."
They continued sparring until they were both quite tired and very hungry.
"Are you hungry, Sato-san? Perhaps we could get a bite to eat while these two settle their differences." he offered as the pair in question tumbled into a wall, fists flying.
She studied them for a moment more before deciding they would probably stop before killing each other. "Let's go. I don't want to listen to the pair of them argue about inanities anyway."
"We'll bring dinner back for them. Cold." Yuki said before turning and leading her to the door.
Michiko laughed as she followed him, "That's one way to make a statement."
An hour later saw them returning to the dojo to see the pair still at it, full steam.
"Are you kidding me?" Michiko exclaimed. "This is ridiculous. They've been at it for hours. I'm going to stop them."
Yuki placed a firm hand on her arm, "You should let them be. You'll probably get hurt if you try to get between them."
"Don't worry so, Yuki-san. I know how to make them stop without getting in the middle." She watched them until Haru had Kyou pinned again and stepped forward. She yanked him off of Kyou and spun him around and down to her lips before he could react. After kissing him thoroughly, which was enough to scare off Kyou, she pulled back and looked up at him. "Kitty wants to go home. Are you quite finished?" she demanded.
Haru smiled slyly. "With him." he replied before pulling her close for another kiss.
"Okay, that's really enough you two. Get your lips off her already." Kyou said before pulling Haru away from Michiko.
Haru raised a hand to swing at him but Michiko got it first and gave Kyou a shove with her other hand. "If you don't want to watch us kissing, you shouldn't pick fights with my boyfriend that last for hours. Let's get out of here before I have to beat both of you up."
"Like you could." Kyou scoffed.
"You might be surprised." Yuki stated confidently.
"No way she could take us both." Kyou argued while Haru looked at her thoughtfully.
She smiled at him, "Wanna try some time?"
"I wouldn't want you to get hurt." he responded.
"I'd be interested in seeing how she held up against the pair of you." Yuki said.
"Why?" Haru asked.
"I think she'd beat you both."
Haru studied the pair appraisingly, "What did you learn that I don't know?"
Yuki smiled, "Only time will tell. Shall we?"
"Yes." Michiko responded before she pushed Kyou out the door while dragging Haru behind her. "Kyou-kun, Yuki has your dinner. I'm afraid it went cold while we were patiently waiting for the pair of you to finish fighting. Haru, he has your dinner as well, but we'll grab it before going upstairs. You can eat it cold or put it in the microwave."
He pouted at her a bit but she gave him a steely look in return. He swung her up in his arms and tossed her over his shoulder in retaliation. He gave her butt a friendly pat and continued walking down the sidewalk towards their apartment. "Wait until we get home."
She rested her chin on her hand and waved off Kyou. "I was pretty tired anyway. Now I get a free ride home." She reached down and gave Haru a friendly pat, "Keep moving little ushi. Kitten wants to snuggle on the couch."
He growled but picked up the pace. A few minutes later Yuki was handing her Haru's dinner and Kyou was glaring Haru.
"Remember what we talked about, ushi." the neko warned.
"I remember, neko. Now, we're going home. See you later."
"Have a good night you two." Michiko called cheerfully as Haru carried her up the stairs.
Once they were inside Haru put her down and caged her against the door. She allowed him kiss her for several minutes before pulling away from him and smiling.
"Do you really think of this as home?" she asked breathlessly.
He nodded, "I have for a long time even when I slept elsewhere. Home is where you are, Kitten."
"It's the same for me. You're staying tonight, ne?"
He chuckled, "You'd have to throw me out to get rid of me. But if you did, I'd just climb through the sliding door again."
"I'm glad." she pulled him down for one more kiss before pushing him away, "Let's get you cleaned up." She pulled him into the bathroom and cleaned up the cuts littering his knuckles and face. "What did Kyou say to make you so angry, anyway?"
He shifted a little before answering, "He said I wasn't good enough for you."
She stopped what she was doing and looked into his eyes, "You know he's wrong. If anything, he probably has it backwards."
"No, he's right, but I still want to be with you."
"Well good because I want to be with you. Now hold still so I can finish bandaging you up and feed you." she instructed.
He watched her through his lashes as she tended his cuts and smiled at how concerned she was. It always made him feel loved when she bandaged him up and he had thought for a while that she would never do it again. How stupid was that? She'll never leave me for something foolish. "Promise me something?" he asked.
"Depends on what it is."
"Promise me that if I ever do anything that stupid again, you'll beat some sense into me."
She glanced at him, "Fighting with Kyou isn't that bad."
He gripped her hands. "No. Walking away from you. Promise me you'll never let me do it again."
Michiko paused and looked up at him, "Haru-kun?"
"Please?"
"I'm not going anywhere, Haru. And neither are you." she saw the look in his eye and responded to it, "Very well. I promise if you ever do something so incredibly foolish again, I will yank you back into line and remind you of all the reasons we love each other so much. Is that what you need to know?"
"Yes. Thank you." he reached for her and pressed his forehead against hers for a long moment before releasing her.
She gave his hands and face a critical look before nodding in satisfaction and pulling him back into the living room. "Let's get your dinner warmed up." She flicked her wand out of its holster and tapped the carton of food before handing it to him. "Do you want tea?"
"Just ice water, please." he said as he gingerly took the hot food and settled down at the table to eat his dinner. She rarely used magic around him, even though he knew about it, so it always surprised him when she did it so casually.
After he finished eating they curled together on the couch to watch a movie before going to sleep. He wondered when she might be ready to take their relationship to the next level, but was happy just to have her by his side. He and Rin had never been able to just sleep next to each other. If they were in bed they had to be active. Maybe this was part of the difference between his relationship with her and with Michiko. He was happy doing whatever she wanted and needed nothing more than her smile to light up his day.