Author's Notes: Translations:
Yurushite - Asking forgiveness
Koko ni kite - Come here
Unagi - Japanese eel
Kitsune - Fox
Un - Yes.
As always, let me know if there are any mistakes in the translations, etc. Enjoy!
It was a couple of days before Asuka had contact with Shinsuke again.
Though he had only been a phone call and a few miles away, she resisted. And Shinsuke seemed to respect her desire for distance.
She had hoped her difficulties would have passed her by before she had to get back on the road for a handful of Smackdown events over the weekend. They hadn't and she had to resort to the crutch of her mental noh-mask in order to get by with her co-workers, staff, and the fans.
The beginning of the first night Shinsuke kept his distance as well. However, she felt his unmistakable gaze watching her backstage. At one point they locked eyes discreetly as they passed each other in the hall. She had the suspicion that he could see right to the root of her once again – sense her unease – and he looked subtly disappointed in her.
He had asked her to come to him for support and she had just shucked his offer away in favor of preserving her stubborn pride.
Asuka inwardly shrunk back, fearing that her avoidance had irreparably damaged their budding friendship. She turned to watch his retreating back forlornly. She wanted nothing more than to race after him and stop him from leaving her. She would beg his forgiveness for her immature behavior and promise never to do it again.
Unfortunately, her feet were stuck to the floor as though her wrestling boots were filled with lead. She could only watch helplessly as he disappeared around the corner.
She had to hastily cover up the unshed tears welling in her eyes when Becky stopped her moments later to congratulate her on a match well done. It was a wonder her noh-mask didn't shatter that instant.
After the show, instead of heading directly to her car, Asuka hung around in the garage in hopes of seeing Shinsuke so she could express her feelings of regret to him. When he didn't show up after many other Superstars had already came and left, she resigned herself to her fate, climbing into the driver's seat of her rental where she proceeded to cry against her steering wheel.
A knock on her window shocked her back into her surroundings and she quickly wiped at her eyes in a vain attempt to conceal her sorrow.
Her misery was swiftly cut off with something akin to elation as she took in the person on the other side of the door.
"Shinsuke!" she exclaimed tearfull, nearly tripping over her own feet as she jumped out of her car to wrap her arms around him.
To her relief he returned her hug, rubbing soothing circles into lower back.
"When you didn't call me I thought that you were feeling better. But now I see that I was very wrong," he murmured into her hair.
She could only somberly nod her head against his chest.
He pulled her away from him and held her at arm's length. Stern eyes pinned her down. "Why didn't you reach out to me? To somebody, anybody?"
"Y-Yurushite," she hiccupped, her body trembling in his grasp. She couldn't think of anything else to do or say save for plead to be forgiven.
Shinsuke's gaze softened. "Koko ni kite." He pulled her into him once more. "Shall we give you some comfort food to warm your soul?"
"H-Hai."
Being that they had to drive across a state for their next city, they only had time for some take out. However it was enough to refresh Asuka's spirits. The gentle rocking of the car as Shinsuke drove quickly lulled her into nap.
"Would you like for me to stay with you?" he asked when they finally arrived at their new hotel.
This time she didn't hesitate. "Hai."
There was only a few hours for them to sleep that night so they both readied themselves for bed straight away. Shinsuke began settling himself on the couch – though this one was considerably small for his tall frame.
"We can share the bed again," Asuka said, surprised by her boldness.
Shinsuke seemed even more stunned by her offer.
"A-Are you sure?" he sputtered.
"You look like a cramped unagi," she teased, "Now get over here before I change my mind." Her hand patted the spot on the bed beside her.
He pouted, muttering, "I don't look like an unagi." Nonetheless he unfurled his lithe frame from the confines of the couch and padded his way over.
"True," she agreed as she lifted the covers for him to join her, "You look more like a kitsune."
"A kitsune?" he hummed, seeming to find that comparison more appealing.
"Un, especially when you do that mischievous grin of yours. Like when you're about to do something incredibly mean to AJ."
"Perhaps so." He agreed.
They were both settled in, a respectable distance between them. Yet she could still feel his warmth seeping into her bones, making her feel secure and drowsy. An amiable silence fell over them; their breathing beginning to even out as the onset of sleep crept over them.
Just as Asuka assumed he had drifted off and began to doze herself, Shinsuke added, "Perhaps you've found me out, Asuka."
"Maybe," she was just barely awake, "but I haven't seen your tail yet."
She couldn't be certain, but she thought she heard a soft chuckle before sleep consumed her fully.
Sometime during the night they ended up unconsciously gravitating towards each other until they were in each other's arms.
Asuka felt the same flush of emotion run through her as the last time. She forwent shrieking in favor of tracing his relaxed features with her eyes. Her fingers itched to follow the same path.
When his eyes opened to discover their proximity, he excused himself politely. Unlike the last time, he unhurriedly released her from his arms. And she couldn't find it in her to mind his lingering touch.