A Month With Suichi Minamino
By Payne N. Uranus
.:AN:.
UPDATED AN (11/26/08): Okay, I know I've received PLENTY of reviews that pointed out the slight mistake at the end of the chapter where Mitsuyo refers to Kurama as "Kurama" instead of his human name, "Suichi". So, after many months/years of forgetting, postponing, overlooking, etc etc, I have finally remembered to correct it. Hurrah! Anyway, thank you to everyone who was constantly reminding me and pushing for a small editing job.
Do you know what I hate most after posting a chapter?
Conscience: No, enlighten me (rolls eyes)
Waiting for people to read my story and send me their thoughts on it! But, do you know what I love most after posting a chapter?
Conscience: (sighs heavily) No, but I'm sure you'll tell me anyways...
Checking my e-mails and finding ten or so comments, just waiting for me to read! (swoons) It's just a very… strange and wonderful feeling. "I feel so successful" doesn't even begin to explain it.
Conscience: Wow. How very deep and thought-provoking that was. Speaking of reviews, why don't we answer and comment on the ones we received from the latest chapter.
(raises eyebrow) "We"?
Conscience: I was in them, too, and I helped you with your math. Therefore, it is "we" from now 'til the end of the story. Which won't be for a while now, so get comfy.
Crap, now I feel so… down…
Conscience: Live with it. Here come the reviews!
Y'know, you've been more "Hiei"-like lately.
Conscience: How do you mean?
Well, you always sound bored whereas before you were hyper and… well, like my brothers. You were cruel, but now you're kinda cold. Have you been spending time with him while I was being lazy and not writing chapters?
Conscience: You could say that. I worship him. Now, in the words of the Great Hiei: "Hurry up with the reviews, foolish human girl, or I will end your life before you could even scream, leaving you to marinate in your blood while I look down upon you with distaste."
Very…colorful words you've got there. I'll have to have a word or two of my own with Hiei… heh, geddit? "A "word or two" with Hiei…?" I'm an author, and I write…? "Word or two"…?" (sigh) Never mind. Anywho, here's the replies to the reviews I received for my last chapter. Please, read the excuse at the bottom of this page so that I don't have to send everyone that read my story and begged me to update it an apology that consisted of "I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY" ect ect ect… so… yeah. Here they are:
midnightsprite: "Ek"? Is that a good "Ek" or a bad "Ek"? (starts hiring a lot of speech analysts) (grabs one by the collar of his lab coat) Tell me what "EK" means!
Death101- Fox Version: My thoughts exactly. Thank you!
EvilGenius Koji: Yeah, beneath it all, Kurama is a guy, through and through. "No" obviously means "yes", right? Haha, poor Mitsuyo!
'.Serene. Panda.': ...Thanks. =D
Yoru Inu: Yes, though most of my reviewers are special, you guys are the most. Sorry, I don't mean to play favorites, it just happens!
sandry stardiamond: Thanks for answering my question. Read on!
lalalanerd: Aw, glad you like. It's my own little take on Kurama. I mean, who can be a goody-two-shoes all the time? I'd hope the answer is no one...
Hiroshikata: Wow, you think I'm a good writer? Thank you! That certainly boosts my confidence in my writing! (someone yells "YOU SUCK!") And there it goes back down again...(sigh)...
PervyMonk: Man, I wish we knew each other of the net. That would be so much fun... too bad, eh? I think so. Well, hope you like this chapter, and thanks for the answer to the Q!
YOU WILL KNOW ME AS KATE: We all have our moments. You just had yours today. Good for you! And thanks for reviewing!
Hyper-Bitch: Thank youuuuu! Continue reaaaadinnnng!
XNabaki-ChanX: Yes, lovely long review. =D And the skits! Yes, the skits are strange. Thank you for saying you like 'em, I've kinda grown on them myself! Hahaha, yeah, maybe! Thanks for the support, you're awesome!
ziggythebratt: (hides fist behind back) What? Me? Hit you? Psh, no, never! I'm way to gentle a soul... (hears Conscious coughing to hide the laughter, turns around and beats it up) Right, where was I? Oh yeah, I'm a gentle soul... Thanks for the information, I appreciate it!
Lucifer001: Good! I like her too! What a coincidence! ha, not really, I made her...lol. Thanks for reviewing! Sorry for taking so long with the update, go ahead and read before you actually start dying... Don't you fret if you do start dying though. I have my deflibulator. Or whatever it's called. (pats machine with electric paddles fondly)
Accidental. Enlightenment: (pretends to let eyes glaze over) Haha, kidding. I've seen the whole series, I was just curious whether or not the basic "Kurama", you know, not the human alias of "Suichi Minamino", or the silver-haired "Yoko Kurama", but just "Kurama" was considered his first, last, or only name. So...yeah. But thaks for the information! It was rather...informative!
lizzieXmarieXyoukai: Right. You guys have been really helpfull! I appreciate it. =)
Miyu: Yes. Thank you. Good job (gives thumbs-up sign)
Kuramafan-06: Wahoo! I've got an elegant-shrug protector! Thank you! Haha, I'm glad you liked the other stuff too, it's good to hear about people's reactions to things. So I appreciate it! Also, in regards to my question, thank you for answering it. You rock, bub!
bookworm0492: I always love your "transmissions". They are very entertaining and they have great character. Thanks for reviewing and answring the question. Stay tuned!
Sonya-White-Angel: Right, thanks for clearing that up. Keep reading! Please!
That's the most reviews I've ever received from one chapter in this story! That's pretty neat! I think my story's getting better, don't you?
Conscience: No, I don't, but if it keeps you away from me, think whatever you want.
I knew you were going to say something like that…
Conscience: If you knew, then why did you ask?
I was praying that this would be one of the many times that I'd be proven wrong. Here's the story!
Conscience: Wait a minute; you think you can just end the verbal spar right—
Chapter 9: First Night of Torture
The Kajima residence was a rather nice-looking house, in Kurama's opinion. From the front view, he could see it had a rich brick layout, with a light pale blue tint on the wooden areas. The open windows facing the dusty sapphire porch had white drapes hanging from them, and there were a few mahogany patio chairs and a low coffee-table sized table with a small candle placed neatly in the middle. The pathway leading to the entrance of the house was lined with dirt, obviously planted for future gardens in the works. To the right of the front door, there was the outer wall of the garage, and on top of that looked to be what was most likely a game room of some sort.
The occupants in the window stared down at them from their high perch. One was a boy around the same age as the young Suichi Hatanaka, and his companion was quite furry and had its tongue lolling out.
Probably the "special" dog Mitsuyo had mentioned before we had arrived here, Kurama surmised. However, it didn't look as dangerous as she had told him it was. It was a rugged-brown mutt, for its specific breed was hard to determine. Its large, black, loving eyes shown with obvious adoration for the boy it was currently leaning on. It was panting speedily, its lips curled up in what appeared to be a cheesy grin.
Despite what Mitsuyo had said, it looked to be very friendly.
"What are you doing home?" she asked impatiently, glaring icily up at the small boy. "I usually get home long before you do."
Hiroshi just shrugged his shoulders, looking bored with the whole situation. "Guess you were slow. Must be that you're getting fat. What a surprise, considering all the junk food you eat!"
"Oh, I'll show you fat, you stupid little kid" she growled, and Kurama watched in shock as she actually tried to climb the outside of the house in an attempt to reach the young boy. Her hands dug into the nicks and crannies left between the wooden boards and bricks making up the outer walls of the house while her feet searched haphazardly below her for a ledge for them to rest upon. Despite all of this, she was still attempting to threaten the young boy, though it came out slightly muffled due to her face being pressed against the surface before her. "C'mere, Squirt, you've got a big mouth that needs shutting."
"Uh-oh, trouble, trouble," Hiroshi chanted with an evil cackle, looking downward at her with the smuggest grin Kurama had ever seen. "Mom said that if she ever caught you climbing the outside of the house again, she'd take away your CD collection!"
She'd done this before? Kurama thought with an inward laugh.
The comment made Mitsuyo stop her journey, which was already halfway up the house. During this pause, she wracked her brain for some sort of comeback that could counteract this jeer. Coming up blank, she instead settled on glaring very evilly, relying on that glare to convey all of her loathing for her blood relative -- because they certainly weren't related in any other regard -- instead of using verbal assaults. Struggling to find something else that could relay her hatred, she only growled before jumping back down and giving him another heated glare.
"You're just lucky that I haven't pounded your face in yet, you little twerp!" she yelled up to him.
"I always am," he replied wickedly to her threat.
She walked back up to the dark blue door, pulling out her key while mumbling curses underneath her breath.
"That little… ungrateful… friggin twerp… I'll show him…parents… orphanage… adoption… murder…"
After hearing the satisfying click! of the bolt sliding back, Mitsuyo moved to open the door—just as raindrops started to fall from the still dark sky—then paused and turned back to the silent Kurama, who had been watching the scene with obviously contained amusement.
"Har har, I'm sure you found that laugh-out-loud hilarious, didn't you?" Mitsuyo mocked with frustration. "Just wait 'til he pulls the same crap with you. Then we'll see who's laughing!"
"As you say, Miss Kajima," he replied without the slightest bit of seriousness.
That made Mitsuyo growl even more curses.
"That sonofa… pretty boy… friggin genius… thinks he's so tough… can't wait 'til… brother… parents… orphanage… adoption… murder…"
Remember when Mitsuyo said that even even the smallest things irritate her when her mind is on Kurama? Well, this was one of those times where her mind was on Kurama… and even the smallest thing irritated her.
"Stop looking at me like that—you're bugging me."
"My apologizes, Miss Kajima."
"Knock it off with the "Miss" thing. You're doing it again. And stop apologizing, it's getting annoying."
"My apologies, Miss Kajima."
"I said knock it off!"
"Very well… Miss Kajima."
"I'm warning you, mister, one more word…"
"One more word, what, Miss Kajima?"
"I'm serious, Suichi."
"I never doubted that you were, Miss Kajima."
"Suichi…"
"Miss Kajima…"
"Suichi…" she finally whined loudly, her shoulders sagging. "Stooooop…"
"As you say…"—he walked into the house, but paused near her ear and whispered—"Miss Kajima."
He moved out of the way quickly as he heard something whistling towards him, narrowly missing the swing she had taken to punch his arm. He was shocked that she had actually tried to physically attacked him, but winked all the same. Mitsuyo was staring at him with anger and surprise at her own daring, but Kurama noticed a hint of red staining her cheeks. He only gave her his gentlemanly smile before moving out of the way for her to enter.
Before anything more else could happen, Kurama took the time to observe the contents of the beautiful home. To his surprise, he found it quite bare, only the smallest amount of furniture necessary was present. Compared to the outside of the house, this was a total contrast. The only thing that showed that the place was decorated even remotely was the different subdued colors adorning the walls, ranging from a cool maroon to a warm orange. However, the interior structure was, in itself, very simple and majestic. The ground floor had crown molding outlining the edges of the rooms, and a split-staircase led up to the upper floor. While the bottom floor was made up mostly of tile and wooden base boards, the floor above was layered with crème colored carpet, as soft looking as a rabbits fur.
"You have a beautiful home, Miss. Kajima," he complimented with respect.
"No "miss", Suichi," she told him automatically, anger flaring up, but it disappeared as quickly as it had appeared. As a second thought, she added, "Thanks, but tell that to the real "Mrs." of the house."
"Hey," a feminine voice called from another room somewhere inside the house. "Mitsuyo, is that you?"
"Speak of the devil…" she muttered. "Yeah, Mom," Mitsuyo answered louder, but reluctantly. "And I've got a… friend that you need to meet."
"Is it that Suichi boy? His mother said that he would see you home so that we could plan out what we were going to do this month."
The voice sounded familiar to Kurama. With a inward smile, he examined the house while he wracked his brain for some hint or clue as to wear he had heard it.
Mitsuyo turned to glare at Kurama, who was coincidentally looking around the house to actually catch it. "Did she now?"
Planned ahead, did we? she thought with obvious distaste.
"Yes," came the voice, footsteps following after it. Shortly after she said this, a womanly figure stepped into the room, and Kurama suddenly remembered where he had heard her voice before.
The waitress at the restaurant.
Mrs. Kajima, in all her glory.
She wearing loose-fitting jeans with the knees speckled with dirt, and a blue blouse that was intricately designed with birds flying in the sky. Worn gardening gloves covered her hands, while a twig or two stuck out of her hair. It was the same dark and wavy hair that it had been at the diner, reminding Kurama greatly of Mitsuyo's own hair. There was the familiarity he had recognized. However, her eyes were not nearly as dark. Mrs. Kajima's was more of a sweet honey color whereas Mitsuyo's was a deep, rich chocolate brown. She was quite tall, though somewhat plump and motherly. Overall, she had the appearance of a loving parent that was also a very strong woman.
Mitsuyo, also taking in her mother's appearance, raised an eyebrow. "What's with the whole gardener look?"
"I was back in the back weeding the soon-to-be-best garden in the whole community," she joked.
"Wow…dreaming while awake…that takes talent, there, kids."
"Shut up, Honey. Good afternoon, Suichi," Mrs. Kajima greeted with a warm smile.
"Good afternoon," Kurama replied, his own smile mirroring hers. "I'm not sure if you remember me, but I was at the restaurant I assume you were working at the other night."
"Oh yes!" Mrs. Kajima exclaimed with a broader smile, making Mitsuyo's eyes widen with surprise—she didn't know her Mom and Kurama had met before. "It's Mr. Meal Master! Lovely to see you again, it's always nice having a gentleman around. I hope that Mitsuyo didn't cause any trouble on the walk home. She tends to be more wild than she acts at school." She shook her head, directing a smirk towards her daughter.
"No, not at all," Kurama assured, "I found it quite amusing actually. She is very… interesting to watch."
Mitsuyo glared heatedly at him. If looks could kill, let's just say that he'd be dead ten times over.
"Yes, I'd have to say she's unpredictable."
Unpredictable… Kurama thought. There's that word again.
"Hello, I'm right"—
"I'll say," a familiar voice agreed just as Mitsuyo opened her mouth to protest. We all looked up to see Hiroshi leaning over the railing of the upper level, his messy dusty brown bangs falling into his sly hazel eyes. "I mean, what kind of an idiot would climb the outside of the house just to get back at the one who made a simple snide comment?" Hiroshi continued with an evil smile.
"Mitsuyo," Mrs. Kajima started with stern anger, rounding on her daughter. "You better not have…"
"Watch what you say, brat," Mitsuyo growled, and Hiroshi merely stuck his tongue out in response. "That's it!"
In a flash, she was gone from her place beside Kurama, leaving him blinking with subdued surprise as he watched her speed up the stairs. Growling profanities, she proceeded to chase the boy, who just happened to start screaming bloody murder, around the top floor, managing to find the hidden bat that was locked in the hallway closet and wielding it like it was a sword. Every once in a while, there was a loud crash! that echoed throughout the rather large house, not to mention the ever present curses following after.
Kurama and Mrs. Kajima watched with interest as the flight of the small boy continued, making no move to prevent the killing that could occur any moment, surprisingly enough. For a moment, this had concerned Kurama.
"You aren't going to stop them?" he had asked a few minutes into the chase.
"I told them the next time that they did this they would have to do chores for the remainder of the summer," she'd responded offhandedly. "Besides, I think it's best that they get it out of their system."
"What about all the objects they break?"
"I made sure that all the stuff I wanted to keep in one piece went up to the attic. With these two, I don't trust to put anything nice or expensive on display…"
"Oh." That explained the lack of displays decorating the interior of the house. "And what about the well being of your children?"
"That's why I had throw all our baseball bats away. Still, Hiroshi is quick on his feet, as well as in his mind. Mitsuyo will probably give up in a few moments. Not once, not even when he was sick, has Mitsuyo been able to catch him. Like those silly cereal commercials!"
"Ah."
"I'm home!" another voice, this one coming from a larger male, called pleasantly throughout the house.
"Hello dear!" Mrs. Kajima called.
After a moment of silence, the voice called again, "Are Mitsuyo and Hiroshi destroying the house again?"
"For the most part. Come in here, we've got a guest!"
"Alright, be right there!"
~`*`~
"I can't believe this," Mitsuyo grumbled.
Two hours after getting home from school, she was currently crouched down underneath the coffee table, wiping away all the dust that had collected over the past months as well as cleaning the fake plant that rested on top of it.
After things had settled down, she had gone to her room to change her clothes. She was now wearing a tight white T-shirt that said "Please, Don't Feed The Models" in red block lettering, and baggy, dusty black cargos. She left her beloved hat on, saying that it would keep the hair out of her eyes while she got through her "torture time".
"One little incident and I manage to condemn myself for the rest of the summer—without my music! How does she expect me to survive?" As a second thought, she added, "And why does every single leaf need to be cleaned? I mean, who cares about a stupid fake plant that does nothing but sit there and look… like it's just sitting there for no damn reason?"
Kurama, who was sitting on the couch situated in front of the TV, with the said coffee table in the middle of the two, simply let her steam, idly leafing through one of his textbooks from school.
Mrs. Kajima had told him that his mother had called a few minutes before they had arrived at the house to say that she wouldn't be home later on that night; something to do with having a late shift and not being able to make it home in time for dinner. Of course Mrs. Kajima, being the caring soul she is, insisted that he stayed the night. He had tried to decline, but that made her even more determined. In the end, he had agreed, and was asked to watch over Mitsuyo and Hiroshi while they did their chores so she could run out to the store for the dinner food.
If anyone were to enter the room, they would've thought Kurama was ignoring Mitsuyo, considering that he was reading one of his school books while she ranted. However, every once in a while, his gaze would flit up from the page he was on to glance at her before reading on.
She is extremely attractive while being her normal self, Kurama had thought warmly when he first saw her change of attire. Though she still insists on hiding her hair from me…
"This is all Hiroshi's fault," Mitsuyo moped with a large pout, slapping the damp paper towel down onto the tabletop before crossing her arms. "There use to be a time when I could just say "Shut up," and he would do it! End of story—that was it! "Shut up," done. But now? Ooooh, the only "off" button on the dung beetle is to strangle him!"
"If you had thought your actions through, you wouldn't be in this situation," Kurama reminded her, not looking up from his text book. He neatly turned the page before pausing to say, " Besides, things could be worse."
Mitsuyo looked up at him from her hunched position, iblowing a stray piece of her hair that had released itself of her messy bun out from the front of her face. "Really? And how is that?"
"You could be Hiroshi, who is cleaning all of the upstairs toilets at the moment."
Silence.
"Stop stalling me, I'm trying to work."
"Figures that even when the truth is shoved underneath your nose, you choose to accept it with preamble."
"Listen, pretty boy, I get to make dinner next, so pointy objects will be within my reach."
"And I suppose I should be trembling in fear at what chaos is to ensue when that particular chore comes due."
"That would be the smart thing to do, and don't tell me that you're not smart—the very book in your hands is evidence enough."
After glancing down at the science textbook in his lap, Kurama looked back at her with a cocked eyebrow. "True enough. But the smarter thing to do would be to get up while your still on this chore, and hide all dangerous objects until dinner actually comes around."
She stared at him.
"Cheater."
"No. Just smarter."
She huffed. "Fine, go ahead."
"Thank you for your permission."
But, just as he got up, setting his book aside, a loud dingdong! rang throughout the large house. Kurama and Mitsuyo stared at each other, watching for any movement the other would make.
"Aren't you going to get that?" he asked after a moment.
"No."
"Okay… do mind if I…?"
"Nope. Go on right ahead."
Staring at her for a moment longer, he left the room, pausing every few steps to glance back at her warily.
"I'm not going to do anything," Mitsuyo promised with exasperation. "Honestly, I have no idea where you get these crazy ideas of yours."
Kurama sighed, shook his head with a small smile on his lips, and went to answer the door. Opening it up, he was glad that Mitsuyo hadn't gotten the door.
For standing outside in the rain, was Yusuke Urameshi.
"Hey, there, Kurama!" he exclaimed with exaggerated surprise. "I was just looking for you!"
"What is it that you want, Yusuke?" he asked slowly.
"Well, see, I was just packing my stuff, since it looks like Kuwabara and I are gonna be gone for a few days," he replied casually, "and I just… realized I won't be able to do my homework on the trip. Now you, on the other hand, are perfectly capable, and I know that you have enough brains in that handsome little head of yours to do both yours and mine, so what do ya say?"
"No," Kurama responded.
"Did I detect a hint of hesitation…?"
"No."
"Are you sure, 'cause I swear I heard it."
"No, Yusuke."
"Argh, please?" Yusuke begged, his façade breaking down. He fell to his knees, his hands clasped together. "Just this once, I swear! I really don't want to stay in this class for another year! I promise I'll hook ya up with some really nice girls, I mean it!"
"You are playing a dangerous game of poker with overly used cards, Yusuke," Kurama told him sternly.
"Why poker? Why not, say, strip poker? I mean, I could invite some of my lady friends and we could really have a jolly good time—"
"You're gambling with my sanity," Kurama interrupted, fighting desperately to keep his laughter in check. "Good luck on the trip, I hope to hear good mission relays from Botan. Goodbye."
"W-wait, wait! I-I'll do your chores for a day! Okay, two days! Two days and a doughnut!" Yusuke's bribes were quickly muted as soon as the door was fully shut.
"Who was it?" Mitsuyo called from the other room.
Still staring pityingly at the door, Kurama answered, "Just an extremely persistent and desperate salesman."
"Huh. I think they're becoming extinct. Anywho, I'm getting ready to make dinner."
"Suddenly I'm wishing that I was going with Yusuke," Kurama murmured to himself, slowly making his way back to the room he had left the knifeless Mitsuyo in.
~`*`~
"Ah, isn't this nice? The whole family…and a guest, sitting down for dinner, talking about what we're planning on doing for the summer."
Steaming mashed potatoes, roasted shredded pork, and warm, buttered corn made up the dinner Mitsuyo helped prepare (meaning she almost set fire to the butter and milk used for the potatoes, and Mrs. Kajima had to rush over and help her cool it down enough so that it could still be used).
"Uh-huh," Hiroshi managed to get out shakily. He happened to still traumatized by the event that had taken place a couple hours ago, when his mother had practically blown her head. When Kurama had gone upstairs to check on the boy's progress with the bathrooms, he was working, but still shivering like a leaf.
"Yeah. Says you," Mitsuyo said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. She obviously wasn't affected by the punishment at all, despite all her grumbling.
Must happen often for her, Kurama concluded.
"Thank you once more for having me over for dinner, Mrs. Kajima," Kurama added politely before taking a bite of his mashed potatoes. It was warm and creamy, the meaty gravy thick with flavor. Other than his mother's cooking, it was the best he'd ever tasted. He wasn't sure whether or not it was Mitsuyo's cooking or Mrs. Kajima's, but it was good nonetheless.
"Aw, it's not a problem at all, Suichi!" she responded, cutting her own meat elegantly. "I love having a full house. We don't get it often enough, what with Katashi gone all the time."
"Honey, please don't start with that, you know I have work to do," Mr. Kajima moaned after taking a bite of meat.
Mr. Kajima was a very tall, light-hearted man, with wispy sandy-brown hair and warm chocolate eyes. He was dressed in a maroon colored polo shirt, and dark black slacks. Despite his playful pouting, he always seemed to have a happy-go-lucky face on.
"What, may I ask, is it that you do for a living, Mr. Kajima?" Kurama asked with interest, glancing up at him before continuing to eat.
"He travels around the world selling arcade games," Hiroshi suddenly quipped, and Kurama looked up again with surprise.
"What kind of arcade games?"
"Oh, basic virtual simulation programs for those "bubble" machines every arcade store has. It's this plastic bubble that you sit in, and the screen in front of you has the game… um… okay, let me put it this way: It's like one of those… It's a…"
"He doesn't really know how to explain it, but it's really cool," Mitsuyo translated with a grin.
"I'm sure it is," Kurama replied with a gentle smile.
"Well, enough about that," Mrs. Kajima butted in with a laugh. "What is it that you kids plan on doing for the summer?"
The two stared at he for a moment.
"You grounded us… remember?" Hiroshi told her slowly, lowering his head while still giving her that "are you serious?" look. "Chores for the whole summer? Any of this ringing a bell?"
"Oh… right…"
"You could've just answered the question," Mitsuyo whispered to her brother with a grunt.
"And let you get off without doing one chore that's worse than cleaning bathrooms? I don't think so."
"Twerp."
"Dork."
"Oh, that reminds me," Mrs. Kajima cut in before the name-calling could progress farther. "Suichi, about your mother's call?"
"Mother's call?" Mitsuyo echoed with brief puzzlement, her eyes darting back and forth between her mother and Kurama, before reaching for her glass of water and taking a long gulp.
"You are okay with staying the night, right?"
Mitsuyo immediately started sputtering and hacking up a storm. "What?" she rasped out with disbelief written all over her face.
"You heard her," Hiroshi said evilly with a overly large grin.
She was too shocked to really give her brother crap for talking when he didn't need to.
"I am perfectly fine with the option, Mrs. Kajima," Kurama answered, also sending a sly smile Mitsuyo's way. "Besides, I can hardly think of a better solution."
Mitsuyo glowered at him heatedly. He is sooo gonna get it…
"Goodie! We'll get you all set up on the couch—it's a pullout. I can't think of the last time I've ever housed such a gentleman, it's been so long since I've ever come across one! They seem so rare these days… your mother must be proud."
"I'm sure she is," he told her with a laugh. "Though not nearly as proud as I am of her."
"Oh, that's right!" she exclaimed, nudging her husband in the ribs. "She's out and dating again, isn't she?"
"Yeah," Mr. Kajima answered after taking a drink from his glass. "It's Hatanaka, Suichi's dad, isn't it?"
Mrs. Kajima's eyes widened at her husband, "So, we're to be housing two Suichi's this summer?"
"Suichi calls this Suichi, Minamino," Hiroshi offered with a friendly smile. "We could call him that to save some confusion."
"I was just about to suggest that myself," Kurama supplied.
"No you weren't," Mitsuyo challenged.
"I'm done!" Hiroshi exclaimed abruptly, practically throwing his dishes into the sink before speeding off to his room upstairs, babbling on about how he wanted to listen to his friend's CD that he let him borrow.
Kurama, barely acknowledging his leave, stared at her for a moment with a blank look before saying, "Yes I was."
"No you weren't."
"Yes, I was."
"No, you weren't."
Silence.
"This argument is completely pointless."
"No it ain't."
"No it isn't."
"So you agree?"
"No, I was correcting you."
"You are very tricky."
"And what makes you say that?"
"You're avoiding the question."
"There was a question in the first place?"
"…No. But it was sort of impli… see! You're tricky!"
"True."
"…That's it? You just…agreed, just like that?"
"I believe you were trying to make a point."
"I was. But you just--and I thought--ugh… You're impossible."
"You could say that. But, please continue, I'm interested to know what you think of me."
"Shut up. These aren't compliments, you know."
"I never said they were. I am simply agreeing with you. I wouldn't want you to get the wrong impression of me."
"Because it would spoil your goody-two-shoes image?"
"Because it could jeopardize any progress we may make towards becoming friends."
"Friends?"
"Yes. There the same as your imaginary ones, except others can see them, thus making it possible to introduce them to others without making a fool of oneself."
"Ouch."
"My apologies. Back to what we were talking about."
"…Which was…?"
"I believe you were trying to point out the greatness of my qualities."
"I can't imagine why I would be talking about your qualities."
"You were."
"Were not."
"Yes."
"Heh, yeeaahno."
"You didn't really forget what we were talking about did you?"
"…Maybe I did, maybe I didn't."
"You are impossible."
"The point being…? Besides, I thought being impossible was your thing."
"So you're saying we can't share the same things?"
By this time, the two remaining adults had left the table, leaving the two of them to argue as long as they pleased. However, neither of them showed that they had noticed their leave, and continued to 'argue' with one another.
"Look, all I'm saying is that no one can be smart, charming, clever, strong, and hot. It's too good to be true. Nothing like that comes without a down side."
Kurama raised an eyebrow, a smile creeping onto his features.
"Hot?" he echoed, his voice holding a distinct teasing tone.
The effect was almost immediate. Mitsuyo's cheeks flamed up, her whole back stiffened. Her hand flew to her mouth, slapping it over her lips so hard that Kurama could see the girl wince in pain.
"I-I-I-I-I"— she started to stammer out from behind her hand. Looking down at her plate, she said with mock surprise, "Oh! Would you look at that? I'm done with my dinner, I'll be seeing you, Suichi!"
She stood up with her plate, trying to whistle happily as she walked over to the kitchen sink so as not to appear shaken by her earlier slip up. Of course, it didn't work out well, but at least she escaped the situation relatively unscathed.
"Mitsuyo, hunny?" Mrs. Kajima called from the living room sofa, where she had been sitting, not really watching TV, but listening in on her daughter's argument with Suichi. Needless to say, she found the whole thing absolutely adorable. "About tonight's sleeping arrangements?"
"What about 'em?" she asked carelessly, humming a bit more easily as she washed off her dish.
"Your sheets are dirty, since someone locked the dog in the house before he left for school…"
"Heh heh… wasn't me, I swear!" came Hiroshi's guilty voice from the stairwell, probably coming down to get one of his CDs from his school bag.
"Anyways, Inu threw up on your sheets. He somehow got into my chocolate stash, and got sick. He's okay, but I think he learned his lesson. I'm washing your sheets now, but they won't be done in time."
Uh-oh…
"Sooo?" Mitsuyo asked with feared anticipation.
"I'm sorry, Honey, but you're not going to be able to have your bed tonight," her mother answered apologetically.
"Then where am I gonna sleep?" she exclaimed frantically, her mood rapidly deteriorating even more so. This couldn't be good.
"You may use my bedding, if you wish," Kurama offered politely in an even tone. He was still sitting at the table, quietly finishing his dinner.
Mitsuyo blushed a few shades of red for no apparent reason before awaiting for her mother's reply.
"That's a thoughtful suggestion, Suichi," her mother said fondly. "Very nice of you, but then where would you sleep?"
"On the floor of course," he answered with a laugh. He stood up with his dishes like Mitsuyo had done not long before, and walked over to the sink. He stood beside her, waiting for his turn to rinse them off.
"Oh, nonsense," Mrs. Kajima's voice contradicted. It was louder, since she was entering the room they were occupying. "You are our guest, we wouldn't be proper hosts if you had to sleep on the floor."
"Then what do you suggest?" Kurama asked with curiousity.
After a few moments of debate, she finally nodded her head, and declared with finality, "You two are just going to have to share."
"Excuse me?" Mitsuyo asked, totally flabbergasted.
"Sorry, Hun, unless you are offering to sleep on the floor, that's the only option."
"What about guest rooms!" she exclaimed frantically. "There should be some sort of system planned out for desperate times like this!"
"You mean the use-to-be guest room that is now your father's office because we never have guests anymore since you and your brother scare them away to the farthest hotel ten minutes after they arrive?"
"He doesn't even use the stupid office! He's always upstairs cluttering up your bedroom!"
Mrs. Kajima shrugged. "There are some things that just don't flow the way you want them to, babe."
"Are you kidding me? I can't share a bed with him!"
"Why not?" her mother asked, clueless to her discomfort. "Even though he's a bit taller than you, the couch bed is plenty big enough for both of you."
"B-because he's a guy! And I'm a girl! And we're definitely not in any relationship, so… it just won't work! I won't do it!"
~`*`~
I won't do it, she told her self again, pulling her shirt over her head.
"Miss Kajima, are you ready yet?" came Kurama's inquiring voice through the downstairs bathroom's door.
"I'm coming out soon, then you can answer it for yourself," she replied with a pout. As a second thought, she added, "And don't call me "Miss", Suichi!" No sooner had she said those words that she swung the door open and she stepped out, heading straight for the couch bed with a look suitable for a soldier prepared to go to war. Mitsuyo didn't even spare Kurama a glance.
I won't do it, was the consistent thought.
Her nighttime clothing consisted of a simple black spaghetti-strap tank top sleep shirt and blue plaid flannel pants that bunched up around her feet. Her hair was up in a messy bun again, so that she could take it out as soon as she was ready for bed.
Kurama watched her with an odd expression before shrugging and following her, since his bedding was right next to her. He was dressed in a simple, baggy white T-shirt that hung in the middle area of his knees and thigh, and a similar pair of flannel pants that matched Mitsuyo's that hugged his hips, but flowed around his legs. His pitiful bed consisted of a few padded blankets and a small fluffy pillow. Mr. Kajima offered to dig out their inflatable mattresses that they used when they went on camping trips, but Kurama had declined, saying it wasn't worth the trouble and that he'd survive the night. He made no complaints as he settled into them, straightening things out here and there.
Mitsuyo watched him from atop her plenty padded bedding, comfortable blankets layering over her lean form. Compared to his bed, hers was fit for a queen. Exasperation crept over her face, and she sighed pitifully.
It was just too pathetic…
Okay, maybe I will do it… only a little bit…
"Suichi," she called softly.
He looked up and she looked away with another sigh, and padded the space beside her. Kurama stared at her with confusion.
"What is it, Miss Kajima?" he inquired innocently, though there was something in his eyes that irritated her.
"Ugh, you're suppose to be smart!" she exclaimed, automatically smacking him with her pillow.
"I just want to hear you say it yourself, Miss Kajima," he replied with a wink. "You're not a mute, so take advantage of that."
"Stop calling me "Miss", Suichi," she said instantly. "And… fine." Sitting up straighter and putting on her "I'm-royalty" face, she said in voice that clearly mocked Kurama's, "I will allow you to share my bedding with me, Mr. Minamino."
With a slow, handsome smile, he stood up and gracefully made his way to her bedside, slipping under the covers so sensually that it made a suppressed shiver run down her spine.
"Good night, Miss Kajima," he murmured into her ear, settling in for the night's sleep. "And thank you."
Too embarrassed to put together a coherent thought, she managed to stammer out with a glowing blush, "S-sure, don't m-mention it."
She forgot to say, "forget the "Miss", Suichi".
.:AN:.
That… was the craziest chapter I have ever written, and since I now have nine stories up, even though some are still on their first or second chapter, that is quite a feat. Which means accomplishment. Not the limbs you use for walking. Feat. Not feet. 'Kay.
EXCUSE AND APOLOGY FOR LATENESS FOR THIS CHAPTER: I kept staying up way past my "bed time" (I have to get up extra early so that I can deliver phone books to peoples houses in a community twenty minutes away… Never mind.) so that I could finish this chapter, so my mom took away my computer. Just got it back today. Whoopie. So now I will post this lovely piece of work. The end….Bye. Oh, yeah, this is an excuse and an apology…riiiight… sorry, then. Now bye.
Sayonara!