Mystical: I'm glad you liked the song. It was so unfinished. The original was lost during the move… Damn it…
Cool-Hanyou: I'm kinda sad you don't like Miyako-chan, but she does get on my nerves sometimes, too.
Sage: It was so not done by Labor Day. /bows repeatedly/ Yeah… they never really talked about it.
Lord Pata: Aw, just one more sad scene…I think. Oh, right…the age challenge, just like with Izzy and Tai. Takeru-kun is up for more hard times.
Iron Reaver: … /squirms/ … /looks pointedly away/ … /slowly begins to blush/ … /whispers something/… … … I NEVER SAW THE RHYME! I DIDN'T EVEN NOTICE! WWAAAAHHH! I'm so dense! BTW, there are going to be so many typos in this chapter…I haven't even proofread it. And…I hope the Miyako/Ken situation really surprises you.
Rokutagrl: Okay…'pretty' in Untitled was so in a different kind of bad way! Okay, like…totally different level! So wrong… /shudder/ This chapter sucked by the way, well…the ending's okay…
Edited: 05/10/12 Yup yup. Just trucking along.
Chocolate Covered
Chapter Sixteen
Chocolate Covered Snow
Iori sighed and wiped the sweat away from his forehead. He stepped back and let his shinai fall. In front of him, his young friend pulled the visored helmet off her head to reveal her shiny, red face and brown hair.
"You're doing a lot better, Akizuki-chan!" Iori told her encouragingly, seeing her wince and stretch.
"If you say so, Hida-kun," she replied as she panted hard and clutched at her helmet and shinai.
"How about a rest?" Iori suggested with a smile.
"Please!" she agreed hurriedly. He laughed and set his helmet down on the bench. "Is there some water?"
"Hai. I'll go get it. Sit down and breathe slowly. Don't make yourself hyperventilate," Iori warned gently.
"I didn't mean to!" she protested falling down onto the bench.
Iori left the room, chuckling, leaving her in the small tatami-floored room that his grandfather used for kendo practice. It was a sparse, small room just across the hall from the bathroom (luckily for her). Other than the tatami mats on the floor, there was a small closet for the kendo suits and shinai and other miscellaneous and useful items. A few calligraphy scrolls hung from the walls, one reading 'simplicity,' another 'patience,' in broad artistic strokes of a brush. There was a huge picture of Tokyo at night and framed in black that somehow managed to look completely out of place and just right at the same time. She gazed at the mass of colored lights, captured by some photographer's lens, before looking away, sighing softly.
She glanced out the window, shoulders slumped. The snow was still falling, thick and slow. She wanted to open the window and let the cold flakes cool her sweaty face. She glanced back to the door that Iori had just gone through, listening for the muffled sound of his footsteps. At the silence, her sigh escaped her once again. Lightly, she lifted her gloved hand and touched her chest. It still hurt her inside. They were becoming good friends and better sparring partners as the days progressed, but she still couldn't help but love him. No matter how many times she saw him with Takeru, or how many times she told herself to give up, she still loved him. She smiled automatically when he entered with two glasses of water.
One day…maybe she'd just love him as a friend, but for now, she'd love him silently.
.
Hikari stared through the thick pane of glass. She giggled when the small puppy barked and placed his paws up on the glass. Both of their breaths fogged the window and it soon became hard to see the small, curly-haired puppy wagging his tail so excitedly. As she moved away the puppy barked rapidly, wanting her to come back. She smiled and waved at the small puppy as she walked away.
"I wish I could have a puppy," Hikari said with a sigh. Ken looked down at her.
"Don't you live in an apartment?" he asked, incredulous.
"That is one of the many reasons why I can't have one." Hikari laughed. Ken smiled with her.
"Where did you want to go for Christmas shopping?" he inquired, reminding her of why they were wandering through downtown Odaiba in the first place.
"I guess…that store, over there! They have good deals in there. I don't have a lot of allowance, so I'll have to be a bit stingy." Hikari led him towards the hole-in-the-wall curio shop.
They walked into the warm shop and exhaled in relief. It had gotten so cold outside, even wearing warm winter jackets didn't insulate them completely. After a few moments of loosening buttons and zippers and enjoying the heat, Hikari led Ken through the shop and browsed the shelves carefully. He watched her for a few minutes, as she scrutinized each item carefully, checking the prices and muttering under breath.
"Have…have you always been rather tight with money?" Ken asked slowly. She looked over to see his shame-flushed face, blinking rather absently, wrapped in her calculations.
"Yes, always," Hikari answered with a reassuring smile as she came back to earth. "Don't worry; I'm not angry about the question. I'm used to it. We've never been poor, really, but we've had to do without the niceties quite a few times."
"Your mother shouldn't have hired me to tutor you. My price was very high," Ken mumbled, glancing at the bric-a-brac, his cheeks still dusted pink.
"Education is one of those things my mother never did second best. At least, not if she could help it. She always tried so hard to give us the best education she could, even if it put her in debt. I should have remembered that when my grades dropped." Her smile was sardonic.
"Have you…spoken to him in a while?" His voice was quiet as he awkwardly examined a glass candlestick.
She kept her eyes focused on the vanilla-scented, angel-shaped candle. "Not really. Just a few words to clear the air. We haven't spoken since school ended, though."
"I don't…I didn't mean to pry. I'm not used to dating."
"It's all right, really. I understand." Her hand touched his shoulder and he turned to see her smile. "I know what it's like to start a relationship, how scary it is for the first time. You're doing just fine." Her woolen glove touched his cheek and he smiled back.
"So…what were you thinking of getting for your mother?"
"What about this candle? My mother loves vanilla and the angel is really cute."
"If you get this dish to set it on, it will have a better presentation. What do you think?" Hikari eyed the shallow, gold-colored, plaster dish and set the angel candle on it. The gold trim on the angel's sleeves and wings matched the dish perfectly.
"You're right, it is perfect! Time for Tai, now!"
.
"What do you think, you wanna go?" Miyako asked through the receiver.
"I don't know Izumi-san very well, Miyako-chan." answered Daisuke-kun's voice.
"Oh, come on. He remembers you. He's been saying how much he wants to thank you again for warning him back in August," Miyako wheedled, crossing her fingers.
"Not like it did a crap load of good. Tai-sensei still got beat up," Daisuke grumbled.
"Speaking of Tai-sensei, he's been saying how he'd like to see you again. Koushirou-san told me that Tai-san said he really missed you." Miyako smirked evilly as she finished.
"Honto?" Daisuke-kun squeaked. She would bet her last yen he was blushing, too.
"So, you wanna go? It's for Christmas, Daisuke-kun! I want to show you off to Hikari-chan, too!" Miyako continued on, relentlessly pressing her advantage.
Daisuke blanched on his side of the phone.
"Ichijouji-san has nothing on you, really! I can't believe she's dating him. Of all the people, what a stuck-up ass- Ichijouji-san, I mean. Can you believe how rude he is? Mr. I'm-so-cool, grrrr."
Daisuke let her continue ranting about how rude and cold Ichijouji-san was and lay back on his pillow. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Hikari… Miyako-chan has to know soon, anyway. They must not have really talked about me or else we probably wouldn't be going to the damn Christmas party. But… I have missed Tai-sensei, and it is Christmas.
"So, are you going to come?"
"Yeah, sure." Daisuke-kun replied, trying to inflect some excitement. Miyako grinned on her side, and then squealed aloud.
"ALL RIGHT!"
.
The TV clicked and the screen became black. Tai dropped the remote onto the couch next to him and glanced down. His mouth curved into a soft smile before he lifted his hand and brushed dark-red hair off Koushirou's forehead. The smaller teen shifted slightly, cuddling closer to Tai's warmth, still fast asleep. Tai kissed the top of Koushirou's head and rubbed his cheek against his thick hair, just enjoying the moment. There hadn't been a lot of time for this the past fall semester. The front door opened and closed, a waft of cold air streaming through the apartment. Yamato and Sora's voices drifted into the living room from the foyer. Probably arguing about paying for cab fare or holding her elbow when they stepped over ice. Tai rolled his eyes as his two incorrigible friends entered the room.
"Konnichi wa, Tai-kun, Izumi-kun-oh, is he asleep?" Sora broke off, instantly lowering her voice as she peered closer.
"I-Iie…I'm awake." Koushirou woke with a long yawn, stretching his spine as he sat up.
"I'm sorry for waking you," Sora said with a self-directed grimace.
"We didn't realize you'd be sleeping in the middle of the day, Kou," Yamato teased, smirking down at the blearily blinking redhead.
"It isn't a problem. I shouldn't have fallen asleep," Koushirou replied amiably. He glanced towards the TV and blinked. "What happened to the movie?"
"You fell asleep, so I decided to take a nap with you." Tai grinned. "Sora-chan woke you up just after I turned off the TV."
"I didn't realize, sorry. But since you're awake, I wanted to show you guys all the stuff Yamato and I bought." Sora explained lifting up a bulging plastic bag.
"Plus, Kou is our cook, and we wanted to make sure we got it all," Yamato added as he walked past with a large armful of bags as well.
"Mimi-chan and Jyou-kun are going to be here soon with all the decorations and that table she promised us," Sora tacked on, shifting her grip on the bags.
"It's a good thing I woke up then." Koushirou rose from the couch and stretched his arms his over his head. "I'm going to immensely dislike going back to school. I'm getting used to napping whenever I'm sleepy." The others laughed and walked into the kitchen to begin setting up for the party.
"Damn it!" Yamato exclaimed moments later. The three other teenagers turned towards the blond kneeling in front of the fridge.
"I could've sworn we had eggs!"
"I ate the last two this morning," Koushirou said with a frown. "Did you not check and make sure?" Yamato blushed.
"We usually always have eggs," Yamato mumbled as Sora and Tai snickered.
"I waited to buy more because I figured we would buy some for the party. You're going to have to go back out and get some," Koushirou told him firmly. Yamato glared at Sora and Tai as their snickers become full laughter.
"I can't do that," Yamato said after looking back at Koushirou. "You guys need all the help you can get cooking. Besides, Mimi-chan and Jyou will be here soon and I promised to clean up the living room for them."
"I'll go. I'm not doing anything." Tai offered between gasps for breath.
"Are you sure? This really isn't very funny, you two," Koushirou burst out laughing again. He barely managed to pull himself back together as Yamato scowled and Koushirou attempted to keep his foot from bouncing irritably.
"No problem! I'll just run over to Inoue-chan's!" Tai grinned. Koushirou handed over his wallet, which Tai snagged, swooped down and kissed his cheek, and then left the kitchen, still laughing.
.
Miyako sipped at her steaming cup of mocha latte. Her fingers were blessedly burning as she wrapped them around the thin cardboard cup. Across the small table at the café, Hikari was drinking her own macchiato, humming cheerfully. She had finished her shopping and bought really good present for everyone on her list and she still had a little cash to burn with her friend. It really was a good day today, even if it was cold.
"I finally convinced him to come with me to the party, so you'll finally meet my boyfriend!" Miyako told Hikari excitedly.
"I can't wait. He seems really nice. What was his name again?" Hikari frowned as she tried to remember. Surely she'd heard Miyako say it countless times.
"Oh, you can just call him Daisuke-kun. He's real laidback, so I'm sure he wouldn't mind." Miyako sipped at her mocha latte and missed the sudden, frozen look of pain that crossed Hikari's face.
"Daisuke-kun?" Her voice was remarkably steady and she mentally congratulated herself. It was just a name after all. Miyako nodded with a huge grin, gulping down her drink.
I never told called him Daisuke in front of her, only Motomiya-san. She has no idea that that name is my ex-boyfriend's, Hikari told herself firmly.
"So how are you and that jerk-off?" Miyako winced. "Sorry, I did it again. It's just so natural to me…" She smiled apologetically.
"It's all right…I think. Just…don't call him a jerk-off near him. I don't want him to get offended," Hikari pleaded lightly, wondering if she should be offended or laugh.
"I call him a jerk-off at school all the time. We always seem to find a way to argue." Miyako's face darkened significantly as she scowled. "He's so aggravating to argue with. I get so loud and angry and he just stands there smirking and looking down on me all calm and quiet- GGGRRR-YOW!" Miyako quickly jerked her hands away from her cup. Hot brown coffee and milk had spilled out the top when she squeezed it too hard. It was all over her fingers and the table and even on her jeans. She cursed under her breath, sucking at her fingers. Hikari laughed and handed her napkins.
"I should be angry with you, but it's hilarious to me how angry you two get with each other. How did it happen?" Hikari asked as she mopped up the latte puddles all over the table.
"I don't like talking about it," Miyako growled while she scrubbed at her hands.
"That's exactly what he says. Why can't one of you just get over it and tell me?" Hikar teased. Miyako stuck out her tongue and began to laugh as well.
I'm glad I have such a cool girl friend. I haven't had a girl friend before. I usually hang out with boys. I'd be so sad if I ever lost contact with Hikari-chan. She really knows how to balance me out, Miyako thought happily.
"So…how do you like that macchiato?" Miyako brought up ever-so-casually.
"I really like it. Thanks for suggesting this place to hang out. It's great!" Hikari exclaimed, taking another gulp of her drink.
"I'm happy you like it. Give it here."
"Nani?" Hikari protested, half-laughing as Miyako wiggled her fingers at her.
"Give it here. I just lost half my mocha latte and It was your boyfriend's fault. So, hand it over, sister," Miyako ordered.
"I'm not going to give you my macchiato, Miyako-san!" Hikari objected, pulling the macchiato away to a safer distance.
"Oh, yes, you will!" Miyako lunged for it.
And so a brief war over a macchiato was started- to the consternation of everyone else in the coffee shop. Hikari let herself be defeated when her laughter finally weakened her. Miyako settled back in her chair, sipping the hard-won macchiato, grinning smugly. Hikari shook her head and reached for the mostly wasted mocha latte and sipped at it. It was pretty good. Maybe she'd order this next time. She looked to Miyako and lowered her cup.
"How are you and your boyfriend?" Hikari asked, trying to be curious. Your boyfriend named Daisuke.
"Really good! He's still really beat up over his last relationship, though." Her eyes grew sad as she sipped her stolen macchiato. "I…I told him I loved him, and I know it made him happy, but he doesn't love me…not yet." Her eyes flamed as, once again, her mood swung erratically. "He will! I'm really good for him! We fight all the time and I keep him emotional! When I found him, he almost got pneumonia because he just didn't care. He's meant to be all emotion! You can tell by his eyes." Her eyes became soft and glowing, the emotion shining in her face.
Hikari smiled at the affection that filled Miyako as she talked about him.
"I definitely like the part where we make up. He's got really nice lips."
"Miyako-san!"
"What?"
.
Takeru grinned and waved as soon as he saw his young boyfriend round the corner. Iori waved back. Takeru lowered his hand back into his pocket and waited patiently for Iori to reach him. He glanced down at his old sneakers and scuffed at the ice-hard snow. The guilt that had been filling him previously returned as soon as he glanced down.
He still hadn't told his mother.
He had tried, very hard! But it just wouldn't come out. He would see her looking at him with a big smile, so glad her handsome, young son finally had a girlfriend, and he would lose his nerve. He had tried six times that morning to bring up Iori into the conversation, but each time, he could only get out his name.
Maybe I should say –kun? Takeru thought with a wry smile.
"Takeru-kun? Daijoubou desu ka?" Iori asked in concern as he stood in front of Takeru without the older boy even looking up. Takeru jumped and waved his hands out in front of him.
"Daijoubou desu! I was just thinking!" Takeru demurred quickly, laughing awkwardly.
"You haven't told her yet, have you?" Iori figured out shrewdly. Takeru glanced away with a blush.
"I tried … but she keeps going on about how she can't wait to meet this cute little girl I've finally taken a fancy to. She even said 'fancy to', can you believe that?" Takeru sighed and dragged his gloved-hand through his hair. Well, tried to- his hat got in the way. He looked down sharply as a hand clasped his own.
"It's all right. I'll wait. It's enough to know you're trying. It must be hard to think you might be disappointing your mother, who loves you very much. I knew from such a young age that my mother didn't have a chance to get her hopes up for a cute daughter-in-law," Iori reassured him, smiling. Takeru grinned, relieved.
"You're the best, Iori-chan!" Takeru wrapped his arms around his diminutive boyfriend and spun him around.
"Will you stop calling me Iori-chan, then?" Iori exclaimed as he quickly grabbed Takeru's shoulders.
"NOPE!"
Iori let his head fall to Takeru's shoulder and sighed against Takeru's neck in defeat. Takeru chuckled and snuggled Iori closer.
.
Tai wandered through the snow-covered streets humming the latest Teenage Wolves' song. It wasn't long before he was at Miyako's convenience store. Her older sister was at the counter, though, and didn't look up from her magazine. Tai hurried over to the cooler section, his eyes on the small carton of eggs. As he quickened his pace, he didn't notice the small, speeding figure running head on down the aisle towards him. They collided halfway, both crying out and falling with loud thuds to the ground. A bottle of Ramune clattered over the tile and a large variety of sweets scattered all around the other person. Luckily, the thick glass of the Ramune didn't shatter. Tai quickly bent down to help the person pick up their products.
"Gomen nasai. I didn't see you, you came up so fast." Tai apologized, grinning ruefully as he handed over a package of bean jam-filled cakes to the person. He stopped and stared, the package still clutched in his hand. The young woman grabbed at the package and frowned when he didn't release it.
"Thanks, but can I have that back now?" Tai barely noticed how badly her hand was shaking. He was too amazed by her face.
Koushirou seemed to be looking straight at him. Big black eyes and spiky blood red hair, even the same mouth and chin, if it wasn't for the longer length of hair, he would've thought she was Koushirou.
"Wh-Who are you?" Tai managed to force out of his dry mouth.
"Harikyou, Koushikou, and you?"
"Yagami, Taichi."
"Great, nice to meet you. I got to go now." She wrenched the desserts away from him and stood.
As he stood, he finally really noticed her. She was shaking from head to foot. Her eyes were rimmed in red and had dark bags under them. She had more than enough clothes on, even if they were dirty and threadbare, so it couldn't have been the cold that made her shake. Though, she was painfully thin, so much that her clothes hung off her as if they were two sizes too big. Her black eyes glared at him from a face that seemed older, and weary, but she couldn't have been much older than Koushirou or Tai.
"Stop staring, weirdo, and move," she snarled at him, her eyes getting edgy.
Tai moved to the side without a word and turned to watch her go. Who is she? Why does she look like Izzy? He frowned as he watched her light up a cigarette as soon as she stepped outside. Is she sick?
He quickly shook his head to regain his senses and hurried to get the carton of eggs. He'd have to remember to tell Izzy. Maybe she was a long-lost relative or something? If anything, it'd be a cool story to tell.
.
Hikari and Miyako hurried up the steps towards the apartment.
"Where's Daisuke-kun, Miyako-san?" Hikari asked, suddenly realizing that the mysterious boyfriend hadn't appeared yet.
"He's already here! He sent me a text a while ago."
"He came here alone? Does he know Takeru-kun and Ichijouji-kun, then? You must go to the same school, ne?"
"Oh, no! I found him in a park one day. We normally meet in the park instead of at one of our schools," Miyako explained with a grin. "He does know Takeru-kun, though. I think they might have met a few times, but they're not friends. But he's known Tai-san for a long time! He plays soccer, too!"
"He what…?" Hikari gasped. Her heart began beating really fast…too fast. She hurried to run up the stairs to catch up with her hyperactive friend. "He plays soccer and knows my oniichan?"
"He calls him Tai-sensei, isn't that cute? I think they look a little alike, too. Oh no! I wanted it to be a surprise!" Miyako exclaimed, her eyes wide. She pouted at her slip. "Oh well," she shrugged and turned towards the door to knock.
"Motomiya, Daisuke. Is his name Motomiya, Daisuke?" Miyako turned back with wide eyes at the tone in Hikari's voice.
A small part of Hikari's mind regretted the poison that dripped into her words; another part was immensely satisfied with the shock in that hazel gaze.
"Motomiya? I don't know…it might be. Why- Chotto matte! You don't think?" Miyako gasped, clasping her hands over her mouth.
"Hai, I do," Hikari all but seethed.
The door flew open. A tall, shapely blonde, whom Hikari recognized to be Mimi, was standing in front of them with a big grin.
"Happy Christmas!" Mimi sang gaily. She gasped as Hikari pushed past her with a dark frown. Her eyes were almost the color of her brother's in her fury. "What's going on?"
"Hikari-chan, MATTE!" Miyako edged past the vaguely familiar blonde and rushed into the foyer, bowing slightly. As she struggled to rid herself of her shoes, she noticed that Hikari had continued through the apartment with her shoes still on. Damndamndamn, she repeated stupidly, rushing after Hikari with only one shoe off.
Hikari rushed through the house, the familiar laughter echoing in her ears as she neared the group of people. She grabbed the door jamb and swung herself through the open doorway into the room where his laughter was ringing. Her wide eyes took in Koushirou rising up from his seat in surprise, Yamato holding out his guitar, and Daisuke, with his hands outstretched, turning towards the door with dark eyes curious. He dropped his hands and smiled awkwardly at her, but it died quickly.
"Hikari…"
Hikari felt her mouth tighten. She ignored the familiar looming presence that came up from behind her and marched into the room towards the sneaky bastard. Her hands rose almost of its own volition and swung through the air. The ringing slap that sounded through the room surprised even herself, but her face didn't show it. Her face only showed her anger, and hopefully, none of her pain.
"Hikari-chan!" Miyako's voice gasped.
"Immouto-chan!"
"H-Hikari…"
"How dare you? How dare you not tell her? How dare you not tell me? And I'm a liar? At least my lies were based on honor! Based on a promise! I would not have cared who you dated if only you had warned one of us! She's my friend and now…now…now." Her tears fell onto her cheeks before she could stop them. He took a step towards her. She quickly backed away into the solid chest of her older brother. A broken sob cracked through the room like her slap that had left that large red mark on his dark face. Her fingers curled into fists to keep herself from reaching towards him in apology.
"I…I didn't want her to know it was you." He whispered. "I didn't want her to know I loved you."
Hikari shook her head fiercely. "How could you be so selfish?" She whispered back.
"Kari, you both were hurt after that break-up. It was really bad," Tai tried to soothe her, but she shrugged him off.
"I DIDN'T WANT YOU BACK IN MY LIFE AND NOW YOU TOOK AWAY MY FRIEND!" Hikari yelled at Daisuke, making him flinch.
"Hikari-chan, please, I don't care. I still want to be your friend!" Miyako cried out.
Hikari realized somewhere in the back of her mind that she was overreacting. She couldn't help it, no matter how she tried to stop. Words that Miyako had spoken; about her boyfriend, how he kissed and how he sweet he was, how much they fought and made up, how happy and how much in love she was with her-Miyako-san's- Daisuke-kun- those rang through Hikari's mind and broke her heart.
"I can't know it's him that you love. I can't. I won't be able to stand how happy you are…" Her glittering amber eyes met Miyako's, trying to make her understand. "I can't take that away from you, either." Her eyes glanced back at his black-brown eyes, his pain-filled dark eyes. "I'm sorry I made such a scene. I know how hard you are trying." Her voice was so quiet…did he even hear her?
But her feet were already carrying her away, making her run again, and again, and again, why couldn't she ever stop running?
Her shoes crunched on snow. Ice crystals snapped beneath her winter boots, old and faded with age. She didn't feel the bite of chill winter air at her gloveless hands. She could only feel her heart slowly beating in her chest and the tears streaming down her cheeks.
"I…I didn't want anyone to see me cry," she whispered to herself, her breath white vapor before her lips.
"Not even your oniichan?"
Hikari spun around, her short hair swinging around her face. He was standing just a few feet away with a small, fake smile on his face. It seemed wrong on him, like the colour pink or a shirt with the logo "I'm a Vegetarian." She hadn't even heard him follow her.
"I don't even remember the last time you cried, immouto-chan," Tai noted pointlessly as he walked forward. She trembled slightly, wondering if she wanted the affection, but when he wrapped his arms around her, she fell into his embrace. It had been so long since she had leaned on anyone, for anything. She hadn't even let Ken in, not after that ridiculous display outside her school that day, so long ago. She slowly put her arms around his waist, crying harder, letting gher sobs be muffled by his shirt. He laid his chin on her head and closed his eyes. He realized with a small, self-mocking grin that the bag with the carton of eggs was still in his hand.
"Did…Did you really have to break up with Miyako-san because of a guy like me, or less so?"
Hikari giggled wetly and sniffled.
"I didn't want to. It just happened so fast and he was just standing there…looking at me. She had just been talking about how much they fought and made up and kissed and how happy she was. Tai, I couldn't stand it!" She rubbed her face into his parka, trying not to fall apart again.
"I guess I'd see why you'd be a little… emotional. You acted a lot like me back there. Like you put your words before your head. I'd never seen you lose control like that," Tai muttered, sounding rather amazed.
"I…I feel so stupid," she murmured.
"Everyone gets a little emotional, Kari. It's okay."
She shook her head mutely. He tightened his hold around her and sighed. There was something he was supposed to tell Koushirou... but he couldn't remember what it was. Maybe it was the eggs? Whatever, Kari needed him more.
"Where are your gloves?" he asked suddenly as her cold hands wriggled under his parka.
"Where are yours?" she retorted, grinning a bit when he shivered.
"I don't have any."
"Well, then, where are mine, oniichan?" Hikari prompted, as if walking him through a math problem.
"You don't have any?" Tai guessed slowly.
"I love you, oniichan," Hikari laughed, snuggling closer. Just for that, Tai ignored her chilly hands.
Taichi entered the apartment almost twenty minutes later. Ken ran up to him, his eyes worried.
"How is Yagami-chan?" he demanded immediately, before Tai had even gotten out of his shoes.
"Uh, yeah, she's-" Tai stuttered, awkwardly holding one foot and a bag of eggs in each hand.
"Why don't you call her Hikari-chan? Aren't you guys dating?" asked Daisuke from the other room.
Koushirou placed his hand against his forehead and sighed. The silent tension between the thirteen-year-olds (well, Daisuke was still twelve…) had been wearing on all of them as soon as Ken had appeared and been filled in on what had happened. Ken and Daisuke's gaze met and clashed from across the hallway.
"We haven't known each other very long," Ken retorted. He tore his gaze away and looked to Tai, who was gaping at them. He'd never seen Daisuke look so hostile. "Where is Yagami-chan, Yagami-san?"
"Uh…she went home. She didn't want to come back. I think she forgot you," Tai answered, bemused.
Koushirou sighed again at his boyfriend tactlessness. Miyako and Daisuke snorted audibly. Despite Hikari's reaction to her newest relationship, Miyako seemed to dislike Ken more than she despaired over Hikari. Hopefully, their relationship could be repaired in the future. Ken being put down a peg was always amusing, though.
"I'm sure she didn't mean to, Ichijouji-san. She had a terrible shock recently, as we told you," Koushirou reminded him gently as Ken frowned at Tai. Miyako paled and Daisuke crossed his arms, staring down at the floor. Ken nodded at Koushirou gratefully and bowed to Taichi.
"I'm going to go to your house, if it's all right, Yagami-san," Ken told him.
"Yeah, go ahead. Just…don't talk much," Tai warned with an uneasy smile.
"Hai. I know." With that, he was gone.
"Um…Tai-kun…how about them eggs?" Mimi piped up with forced cheer.
"Yeah, let's get this Christmas party started," Yamato announced with a little less verve than usual.
Later on that night, Koushirou turned down his sheets slowly. He was absolutely exhausted. Miyako and Daisuke had become more outrageous the later it got, singing loudly to every Christmas carol and fighting over slices of cake, only to laugh at each other moments later. Tai only exacerbated matters, devolving from a sixteen-year-old young adult to a kid as he romped around with his "protégé." Mimi and Jyou were playing hostess and host, which meant things got spilled over the floor and counters. Yamato and Sora disappeared into his room after she opened her Christmas gift- which was a silver necklace with a flat disk inscribed with 'My Sky'. Koushirou couldn't help but think that people could be so corny and ridiculous. It also meant they weren't there to help keep others in line. Takeru and Iori were probably the only two that didn't cause problems. Instead, to Koushirou's delight, they helped him pick up after everybody. Near the end of the night, as everybody began to leave, Tai got strangely quiet, off in his own space thinking really hard about something and frowning. Koushirou fell into his bed with a sigh. The door creaked open he looked over as Tai entered. A smudge of toothpaste was on his cheek and his hands were behind his back.
"What is it, Taichi?" Koushirou asked, a small smile on his face at how adorable his boyfriend looked right at that moment.
"I got a gift for you."
"Oh, I… Thank you." Koushirou sat up blushing. He took the small bag Tai handed him and peeked inside.
"Do…Do you like it?"
It was a rectangular picture frame; a plain petrified wood frame with the words 'My Family' carved into the top and filled in with silver.
"How…Why…Taichi…"
"It's for your picture of your parents. Your frame looks so old. I wanted to get you a new one. I guess I can get a gift for you, ne?"
"HAI!" Koushirou threw his arms around Tai's neck, grinning widely and making Tai laugh.
"I'm glad I made someone happy." Tai wrapped his arms around Koushirou's waist and pressed his cheek against his thick hair.
What the hell am I forgetting?
