Chapter 8: Say It…
It's dangerous," said the snow woman.
"I know."
"No, you don't. He can hurt you."
The girl gave her a sad, wicked smiled.
"I'm more of a danger to him than he is to me."
The snow woman gazed at the girl who was learning to become a woman. She was still young and naïve. She trusted this man because she believed he will love her…no. It was because the girl was sure he would never love her, but the snow woman wasn't convinced. Even if he had no feelings for her, she may sprout some for him and that was the danger.
"Be careful," the snow woman warned her.
"I will," said the girl with a smile.
Akira didn't know how to face Saitou the next day. Normal, she kept telling herself. You have to treat him like normal. She hurried to the kitchen. If she didn't have breakfast ready on time everyone was going to have a fit.
As she entered the kitchen Heisuke and Saitou were already in the kitchen trying to make breakfast. Saitou's food looked okay; nothing grand but is was edible. Heisuke on the other hand, his food looked like they were becoming charcoal. Heisuke saw Akira and smiled at her.
"Good morning Akira-chan, don't worry we got breakfast today," he said cheerfully.
Akira mad a face that clearly stated she didn't trust him. She eyed the food he had on the stove suspiciously. He followed her eyes and saw they were burning. He became flustered and tried to take out the food only to drop it on the floor. His face looked as if he was doomed and then he looked dejected. Akira giggled at his little performance, which made Heisuke blush.
"Don't laugh Akira-chan, it's not funny," he whined.
"Indeed," Saitou added. "The vice-commander will be very upset."
"Don't worry Heisuke, I'm sure he won't eat you alive." Akira replied, still giggling. She was really glad her encounter with Saitou was with Heisuke. He always had a way of making awkward moments light, so she was really relaxed.
Heisuke pouted. He was clearly upset that she was not only contributing to Saitou's silent scorn but still making fun of him.
"Why do you never take my side Akira-chan," he asked in a whiny voice.
"Probably because it's never wise to be on your side," she winked playfully at him, still having fun with him.
"What's with that?! Name one time it wouldn't have been a good idea," Heisuke challenged Akira. It was a challenge Akira was sure she could win, since there was plenty of times to choose from.
"Well I couldn't exactly defend you from Harada-san during the lunch stealing incident. He hates my guts and would have eaten me alive. Okita-san and Shinpachi would have gotten me back later if I helped you get them back for giving you the wrong directions to the store. And I would like to see you try to defy Saitou-san or Hijikata-san on any matter. I mean Hijikata-san isn't called the demon vice-commander for nothing." She grinned as she spoke about how well she knew her friends, well that and because she saw Heisuke's face frown even more on her last statement.
"No fair, that's cheating Akira! How can you bring Hijikata-san's temper into this." He was fuming. He was trying to prove so desperately to explain why Hijikata was so scary until Saitou caught his attention.
"Heisuke, your food."
"Huh? Oh. Wah!" The food was burning again.
Akira just whole-heartedly laughed, and then calmed down long enough to tell him, "You go wait with everyone. I'll finish your part before you turn it into charcoal."
"You're mean Akira-chan," he complained, but he didn't defy her. He left the kitchen and as he stood at the door he looked back meeting her eyes. She stared into them for a while before another smile formed on her lips and she stuck out her tongue. He made an angry face at this and stormed out of there. Saitou observed their little performance quietly. They were showing signs of closeness again and that could be potentially dangerous. He needed a way to cover it quickly.
"You shouldn't tease him so much," Saitou commented to her assuming she would understand his logic.
"I can't help it, he's so cute when he's upset," she said. A smile formed on her face as she remembered all the times she had teased him. I mean honestly who doesn't like teasing Heisuke. He was always making funny faces and sound effects when they teased him. Then he would get upset at you when things don't go well and you're rubbing it in his face. Not to mention it always made her smile as if she was teasing a real brother.
"Cute?" Saitou questioned her. Now he was confused. He knew she and Heisuke were closer than any other members of the Shinsengumi. One could even say that if Heisuke had to choose between the two, he would choose her. The fact that they were close wouldn't bother him so much if it weren't that that closeness could result in Heisuke's demise. What he didn't understand was why she was still acting familiar with Heisuke when she didn't want him dead.
"Yeah," she continued, "he's like a child trying to go against his elders. He knows it's impossible yet he still tries. It's quite adorable don't you think?"
Saitou stayed silent deep in thought. I wonder if this when a lover would show jealousy. Jealousy would be an excellent way to keep Akira's feelings in check in this situation. The problem was he didn't know how he should portray it. He was trying to remember how Harada showed a woman he was 'jealous' in a manner that wasn't too territorial. After all, he really did not feel as if he was being threatened. He just didn't want Akira to talk to Heisuke in a manner that showed any kind of intimacy – brotherly or otherwise. He wanted to prevent any portions of the curse to fall onto Heisuke so it would be beneficial that he remind her that they were lovers.
Akira thought his silence was too long and assumed he was lost in thought with another matter. She didn't like silence. It was always so…boring and after spending time with Heisuke, she didn't exactly want to stay bored. She wondered what would happen if she teased Saitou a little. She never really tried, but that was mostly because she never dared to. Now she was really curious to see how he would react.
"You aren't jealous Saitou-san? How disappointing," she said teasingly.
She cursed herself for choosing that out of all things to tease him about. Of course Saitou wasn't jealous! Even if he was, he would never say so. His cursed stoic face would never reveal it, and above that, his pride is would probably be too big to admit it. He's known as the most emotionless man in all of Japan for crying out loud!
Saitou was caught off guard by her comment. It's ridiculous to even suggest that he was jealous, but he was thinking of stating it, so he used this chance to execute his plan carefully.
"I am. Very," he said dispassionately.
Akira tried her best. She really did, but she couldn't help allow a small chuckle escape her lips. Saitou, jealous? No way was that possible. She understood what he was doing. He was playing his part in this love affair. She, on the other hand, could be considered to be emotionally cheating on him with her 'brother'. Yuck. During her rollercoaster of thoughts, she couldn't help but giggle a bit.
"Did I say something wrong?" Saitou asked, slightly worried he might have said it wrong. Maybe he needed to do something more to make it come across to her.
"No," Akira said while smiling at him. "You didn't say anything wrong. It's just the fact that you said it."
"When one's lover is smiling at another man, is it not normal to be jealous," he stated.
Saitou was sure that portraying jealousy would be the correct course of action in this case, but the reaction was not what he expected. He did not understand why it was amusing that he said it. Did it mean that if any other man than himself said it, it would be considered normal? Akira smiled at him tenderly. He's seen that face before. It was the 'mommy is going to explain it to you slowly' face. She normally used it on Shinpachi when he didn't understand the concepts of staying out of Harada's personal business or the newer soldiers when they didn't understand the orders. He was slightly annoyed that she decided to show him that face.
"Saitou-san," she began, "you don't have to force yourself. I was only teasing you."
I would also be worried for the man who ever did make you jealous, she thought.
At that moment Saitou caught something he knew he could use towards his advantage.
"You are still calling me Saitou," he pointed out.
Akira's head mentally tripped. What? So he was serious about the whole first name thing? No, duh. This is Saitou, everything about him is serious. Akira's heart started beating a little faster. She was nervous and didn't want to call him by his first name. It indicates too much intimacy. Sure, she called Heisuke by his first name but that was because she was a little older than him. The others called her by her first name because they didn't want the soldiers to know about the truth. She didn't know Saitou enough nor had the guts to call him by his first name.
"It's a little embarrassing," she said. She began looking down and fidgeting.
He noticed her peculiar behavior and believed he was in the right track. He checked to make sure the food won't burn and then made his way towards her. He learned from yesterday that keeping a close distance and some physical contact made her cheeks blush – her mind was thinking of him. He lifted her face from her chin gently to make her face him. The electric shocks began to go through his flesh. His face hardened a bit as it was a little worse than yesterday, but he had to endure.
"Say it. My name." He gazed deep into her eyes and waited for her response.
"Ha-jime," she said more skeptically. His eyes were doing it again, hypnotizing her. She tried to resist, telling herself not to get carried away.
Their cheeks brushed each other's when he moved in to whisper in her ear. He hoped his actions wouldn't be perceived as too bold and become counterproductive.
"Hajime, what?" he persisted.
She felt his breath on her neck and then, she felt something else. His lips ever so lightly touched her ears as he whispered into her ear. Her face turned a bright red and her heart began to race madly in her chest. No. Resist.
"Hajime…"
"Yes, Akira."
Her heart nearly jumped out of her chest. The little self-resistance she had melted away as whispered her name in his deep velvet voice.
"I'm sorry," were the first things that came out of her mouth.
He moved back and gazed into her eyes again.
"You're sorry for what?"
"For not calling you by your name."
She was completely under his trance now. All she could think about was Saitou and if Saitou would forgive her. Saitou, on the other hand, finally reached his limit and stepped back a bit because of the electric shock he was receiving.
"Good," he said as he relaxed.
Akira took it as a sign that he was happy with her response so she gave him a small smile. He nodded and went back to making breakfast.
"Ha-hajime," she called out.
He slightly turned his eyes to her as to announce that she had his attention.
"Do you want me to help you with anything?" she asked shyly.
He nodded and told her what he wanted to make and what she had to do. Akira did what she was told when she was told and they completed breakfast on time. No one ever suspected what happened in the kitchen…no one except Okita who accidently saw the little display. He enjoyed seeing Saitou trying to act like a normal man, so he decided to keep it for himself for now.
Author's Note:
The kitchen, again?! Yeah I know, I need better places for them to have alone time. -_-" But that's okay because I can finally make love-dovey scenes... Yay! I like those :D Honestly guys, I might have a little too much fun with this. Like I said before I'll be distracted for a chapter or two more before I get back to the main problem... and I'm gonna love it! Also I know I said I was going to wait until after the story finished, but I can't help but thank Akiko88 for reviewing. Thank you! You are so helpful. I'm glad you said my Saitou was IC, because I do try... oh so very hard that I try. So I'm glad you pointed it out. That means I'm on track. *doing a happy dance* Okay, so that's the end of my little rant.
Please Review! Me like the critics... Cause They Are Awesome! :D