11. Inevitable
Hastily uncapping her bottle, Hiryuu begins chugging its content down in large gulps, relishing the way in which the cool liquid splashes and swishes down her parched throat, giving her the temporary reprieve out of the day's grueling training.
Picking at one of the spare towels that is laid out neatly by the bench— courtesy of the first-years—, she gently dabs away at the glistening sheen of perspiration that stubbornly clings on to her like a second skin; all the while, indulging herself in yet another swig of oh so sweet, glorious water.
It is only somewhere between her third gulp that Hiryuu finally notices the lack of that all so familiar presence of her counterpart hovering beside her, as she makes to throw a curious glance over her shoulder.
And there she is, standing right at the edge of the court, gazing absently out into the open.
Grinning wildly, Hiryuu sneakily sidles up beside her distracted partner, haphazardly slinging an arm around the slightly smaller girl, earning a surprised gasp in return.
"Hey, Souryuu, whatcha' looking at?" She wags a mischievous brow, and teasingly bumps her hip against her partner. "Someone caught your eye?"
And it's usually right about then when Souryuu would start flailing her arms about, stuttering protests with that most adorable shade of pink dusting her cheeks in the manner which Hiryuu finds to be the most endearing.
But it doesn't happen.
Instead, the pig-tailed girl only purses her lips, brows pulling taut in a characteristic look of worry that Hiryuu immediately recognizes.
With all intention of teasing the shorter girl long forgotten with the final traces of her playful grin from earlier slipping away, Hiryuu glances up and trails after Souryuu's gaze, ultimately finding herself staring at the lean figure of the team's vice-captain across the court.
Huh.
And as much as Hiryuu hates to admit it, there's that telltale pinprick of jealousy at catching her beloved partner staring at someone else other than herself— Kaga and her apparent hot bod' be damned.
"Kaga-san…" Souryuu murmurs softly, lips drawn into a thin frown. "She doesn't look like she's doing too well."
And silently, Hiryuu can't help but grudgingly agree.
Ever since the start of the day's training, Kaga has been noted, stumbling during footwork drills and fumbling through their receives practice on multiple occasions, which has been a huge oddity amongst everyone on the team.
Considering the fact that Kaga doesn't stumble nor fumble.
Like ever.
Never would Hiryuu imagine the day that Kaga would ever botch up the sets that she has so very much prided herself with ever since Middle School would come.
And it is all due to the absence of one Akagi.
The spiker-duo sucks in a sharp breath, cringing as they draw into one another instinctively.
The set that Kaga had sent rocketing up into the air has apparently completely missed its mark, soaring right past Zuikaku's fingers and eventually bouncing off the spiker's shoulder in a less than anti-climatic ending.
Hiryuu bites back on a grimace. "That was…"
Bad.
In fact, it was beyond terrible by Kaga's usual standards.
Though, having come to hold so much respect for their vice-captain over the years, she finds herself incapable of delivering such a remark out loud. Especially when faced with the daunting sight of a livid Zuikaku storming up to their ever so impassive setter.
"That must be the final straw."
As Zuikaku finally comes to a resounding halt before Kaga, fingers clenched and teeth gritted, both Hiryuu and Souryuu can only hold their breath in silent horror at the scene that is about to unfold right before their very eyes.
As mild as things would ever go with an angry Zuikaku, she starts off with a rough shove against Kaga, who takes a couple retreating steps back in turn.
"Look, I have no idea what's it to you, but your sets today are the worst I've ever seen." She snarls, teeth bared and gritted. "The first few were only barely passable, but that last one was totally off! Just what are you playing at?"
At the sight of Kaga, gaze blank and eyes glazed over, looking as if all that Zuikaku has ranted had practically sailed past her head— just like her miserable set from earlier— is more than enough to set the younger girl off like a match.
"Hey, are you even listening!" barks Zuikaku, sending Kaga yet another powerful shove that causes said-girl to stumble from its force, ultimately missing a step and tumbling down onto the court in an unexpected crash.
Hiryuu could have sworn the entire gym had gone absolutely silent there and then— an unimaginable feat for an athletic club like theirs—, all eyes turned to the commotion up at center court.
And for the first time that entire afternoon, Kaga is broken out of her daze.
She blinks, shell-shocked, as if she had been doused in ice-cold water, and it takes her a second or two to gather her bearings, before a thin frown crosses her lips and finally, her shoulders slump with a deep sigh.
And it is by far the most defeated Hiryuu has ever seen Kaga looking.
"My apologies," murmurs Kaga softly, head hung low and eyes downcast in shame. Taking a few steadying breath, she makes to haul herself back up, swaying unsteadily on her feet.
Everyone can only watch on in badly concealed shock.
And even Zuikaku, as furious as she was before, is currently at a loss for words at the deplorable sight of their vice-captain.
Holding the side of her face in disgrace, Kaga breathes shakily into her hand.
"I… I need a break." She announces out loud, hand slinking away to reveal a pair of tired, resigned amber that has evidently lost its luster. Brushing past Zuikaku for the bench, she whispers, almost brokenly, "Please excuse me."
And that is that.
At the shrill sharp blow of the whistle and Houshou's constant urging, everyone reluctantly returns back to their activity. Though, it doesn't really stop the whispers and pointed gazes at Kaga from spreading.
From the corner of Hiryuu's eye, she sees Houshou slowly advancing on their brooding vice-captain, who's sitting by the bench at the far end of the court, a look of clear worry taking hold of her features.
With a sigh, she squeezes Souryuu close by the shoulder, peeling her eyes away from Kaga as she offers her bottle over to her partner, who looks to her appreciatively with a smile.
"Come on, freshen up!" Hiryuu beams sunnily, gently tousling Souryuu's raven tresses. She knows she hates it when she does that, but she lives for that adorable pout and glare that follow closely after. And, it's a good form of distraction for Souryuu at times like such. "As soon as Akagi-san returns, I'm sure Kaga-san will be back to normal in no time."
Souryuu sighs, mumbling absently, "I sure hope Akagi-san gets well soon…" She purses her lips, no doubt still concerned over their vice-captain as she slants a gaze over to Kaga for one last time.
Rumors have it that Akagi had collapsed right after training the day before. From what cause? Hiryuu isn't exactly sure about the details, except for the fact that Kaga was by her side, (and probably still is) worried sick about her the whole entire time.
But that is beside the point.
Frowning, Hiryuu doesn't really know what to think of Souryuu's overt sympathy and worry for their vice-captain. Yes, she knows that Souryuu is the more empathetic one between the two of them. She's sensitive and she's kind, and she's always at the ready to offer a helping hand to others.
But…
Unable to help herself, Hiryuu curls a slender finger around Souryuu's chin, cutting her vision off from Kaga and drawing it back to Hiryuu, and Hiryuu only.
She clicks her tongue at her, brown eyes sparkling playfully under the light.
"Nah-uh-uh, don't you go looking at some other girl now, Souryuu."
Fingers ghosting over her cheek, Hiryuu lays down a feathery— albeit, teasingly— light touch and leans in close. Close enough for Souryuu to catch the underlying tenderness hiding behind those deep brown depths that serves to melt her completely.
"Because I'm right here, standing in front of you."
And there's that adorable shade of pink that Hiryuu has come to love and adore on the cheeks of her dearest counterpart, as she knows she currently has her under her spell.
Prodding her gently on the nose, Hiryuu draws away— albeit far too soon to Souryuu's liking as noted from her endearing little pout— and laughs before beckoning her over to the bench with a megawatt grin.
She supposes this is as far as they will probably go in school and all.
Sighing softly, Souryuu relents, pattering over to her partner's side with a small smile of her own.
"Geez, Hiryuu, you're such a pain sometimes, you know that?"
\\
'Here,'
Kaga starts, looking to Houshou questioningly at the sight of a tiny piece of metal being pressed into her palms.
Houshou merely smiles down at her good-naturedly, ignoring the look of surprise that is written all over her face.
'Your heart is simply not in today's training, so let's just call it a day for now.'
'But—'
The brief flicker of steel in Houshou's eyes silences her immediately.
Mouth snapping shut, Kaga's shoulders sag in resignation.
A hand rests lightly over her clenched fist and she glances up to meet a particularly expectant gaze, soft and all so very knowing.
'Do me a favor and watch over her for me, would you, Kaga-san? I'm sure it'll ease your worry,' Houshou smiles cordially, but the glint in her eyes looks over to Kaga almost ever so wistfully, 'and mine as well.'
\\
Lingering by the door to Akagi's room, Kaga finds herself standing— wavering helplessly— as she holds on to the brass knob with a particularly clammy grip.
She scuffles at her feet and shifts at her weight from side to side, fingers twitching around the brass metal that has warmed considerably from her constant fidgeting and touch.
Getting through the threshold, with the key that has been entrusted to her by Houshou a mere half hour ago, had been a hurdle in its own light; setting painful memories of the past aside and crossing that very same old living room, with that same old dusty tv-set and same old comfy little couch by the side… has only made things a lot harder to swallow.
And now, for the final test.
The towering door to Akagi's room looms over Kaga.
It might not seem like it— from her mask of cool and calm on the outside— but she's actually shaking inside.
The tremors, she feels them embedded deeply in the muscles and tendons of her wrists, her thighs and her limbs… just barely thrumming beneath the surface.
And her heart.
God, her throbbing heart is beating so wildly in her chest, she fears that it might just stop dead any second.
She can't even place a name to what she's feeling at the moment. It's a whirlwind of everything and anything she has ever felt. Anxiety, dread, guilt. Fear. All things dark mashed into one single entity that coils and wraps itself upon her, stifling her, taunting her. Goading her. And it makes her sick. Makes her want to run, cower and hide.
Six years.
It has been six years since she has last entered this house— since she has last stepped foot into this particular room.
Ever since… that accident.
Ever since the day when she watched the entire world crashed and burned at her feet.
\\
'Akagi-san… She hasn't been doing too well since the last I checked,' admits Houshou, frowning slightly beside Kaga on the bench, whom immediately tenses up at the sudden flare of worry that is brought about by the unexpected admittance.
The weariness of the entire situation clings on to the slant of Houshou's features, alongside the barest trace of guilt.
The occurrence of Akagi falling ill, much less collapsing, has been close to a null. There is no doubt that Houshou must have been beating herself up over her failure for looking past Akagi's strong front. Just like Kaga.
She pauses for a breath, watching the first years go at it with their receives, movements clumsy and unpolished, with just the barest hint of amusement and nostalgia. Because for what they lack in skills, they definitely make it up with their enthusiasm and zest.
Though, it is only all in due time that their forms would be honed to sheer perfection, footwork fluid and smooth, and soon, they too will bear down the school's pride on their shoulders like a brand— by hook or by crook.
Inwardly Kaga wonders, if Houshou too, sees the reflection of the past in them.
'But with Kaga-san around,' Houshou smiles, turning her gaze back to Kaga, tired eyes alight with a hint of something indiscernible, 'I'm sure she might just start feeling better.'
\\
Kaga sucks in a sharp gasp, eyes flying right open. (When had they even fallen shut in the first place?) The grip she has on the doorknob tightens, almost painfully so, knuckles painting a deathly shade of white as she steadies herself— mentally and physically.
R-Right.
She isn't here to wallow over the past.
She isn't here to conquer her fears.
She's here for Akagi.
Yes, for Akagi.
For dearest Akagi-san who is sick in bed and so possibly needs her.
She needs her.
Kaga's spine straightens just by a slight at the sudden revelation.
She needs me.
With her new resolve and purpose pulsing heavily through her like the fire in her veins, Kaga strives to gather her cool with a deep breath.
Momentarily casting her fears aside, she pries through the door with a quick twist of the knob.
And it's almost like she has stepped into a time warp.
Everything is exactly like how she has remembered it to be.
From the all so very familiar glass case, swarming with all sorts of gold medals and trophies, that closely mirrors the one Kaga has displayed in her own room.
To the collage of aged polaroids— featuring the younger days of both Akagi and Amagi— tacked and plastered across the mini noticeboard by the neatly organized study desk, the multiple beaming faces of Akagi and Amagi grinning back at her.
And finally, the twin beds of similar yet opposing colors—of a pastel baby pink and a dark crimson red— stashed to the far sides the room.
Nothing has changed.
Not even the many adorable animal plushes huddled atop of Amagi's bed with their large ever-present smiles frozen in place— and time.
And for a split of a second, Kaga nearly half-expects to see said-girl rounding up from the bend in the hallway, hair bouncing, all smiles and teeth, ready to usher her into the room with all her usual zest and bountiful energy.
But of course, the truth in the moment lies with the lone frail figure slumbering quietly under the crimson sheets in the very corner of the room.
A cold harsh stab—a form of chilling emptiness— rips right through Kaga's chest, but it is something she chooses to ignore, albeit with much difficulty.
The sky hasn't fallen. The ground hasn't split up and swallowed her whole.
This… uncalled for trip down the memory lane, while it is everything Kaga has feared and imagined, she supposes that as things could have probably gone, it isn't as bad as she has thought it to be.
To re-live those precious memories in her life once more, only to be rudely reminded of all that has been lost in the present is most unwelcoming, yes. But the sweet nostalgia of the moment, most certainly isn't.
Silently treading over to Akagi's bedside, while purposefully avoiding the particularly creaky floorboard in the center of the room— if past experiences proves her right— Kaga hovers over the girl's sleeping form.
She watches her for a moment.
Watches the way her chest rises and fall with every breath through lightly parted lips. Watches the way as rest softens the lines of her features, her hair tousled and framing each cheek.
She looks so peaceful in her sleep, it's almost relieving to see her like this.
Almost.
For the briefest of seconds, the image of Akagi wobbling unsteadily on her feet before her knees ultimately give out on her, flashes past Kaga's eyes.
She remembers making a mad scramble for her, heart stopping in her throat with her blood turning to ice as her arms only barely manages to catch her fallen form in the nick of time.
She could only imagine how things would have played out if she hadn't been where she was— by Akagi's side— at the right place at right time.
What a huge scare, it had been.
If only she had caught on to the telltale signs of illness in her earlier…
With ever so much of tenderness, Kaga runs her fingers over heated pallid skin, gently sweeping aside ruffled bangs before gingerly resting a hand over the side of a flushed cheek.
A small frown immediately crosses her lips; not particularly liking the near-scalding warmth that is licking beneath her fingertips or the crystal beads of perspiration glistening alongside of her dearest partner's forehead.
Thumb ghosting over a razor sharp cheekbone, Kaga releases a sigh, gaze rolling over the slumbering captain of the school's volleyball team, softening with something akin to affection.
Just what am I to do with you, Akagi-san?
"Kaga-san…"
The faint murmur of her name nearly sends her heart rocketing in her chest and the fingers she has absently grazing against the side of Akagi's face immediately still against her own better judgment.
What had initially intended to be a quick check on her partner's temperature, with a more than swift feel of the forehead, had soon delved into a full-on caress before Kaga can contain herself.
Maybe it is all that worry and anxiety rearing its ugly head after having been pent up for so long, but she's just unable to keep her hands off her if given the chance. (In the most innocent sense, of course.)
It soothes Kaga like that— allays her fears and all that terrible unease churning in her pits— with just a simple touch of that smooth familiar skin. It almost brings her closer to her.
Closer.
Hopefully close enough to protect her properly in the future.
Eyelids fluttering, Akagi begins to stir. Topaz pools, dulled from sleep, soon blinks blearily up at Kaga.
"Ah, I was right." A tiny feeble smile curls at chapped lips. "As I've thought, no one has such gentle fingers like Kaga-san does."
Her voice is uncharacteristically thin— weak— and scratchy, only barely above a whisper, and any softer it'd be carried off by the wind, lost forever.
It absolutely pains Kaga to see her looking like this— so fragile, almost like a piece of glass.
And for a brief moment, she's nearly afraid that the ailing girl would shatter into a million pieces beneath her fingertips as she traces a thumb over a particularly heated, though paler than usual, cheek.
But she doesn't.
Instead Akagi almost seem to burrow further into her touch, closing her eyes and sighing, albeit rather contentedly.
"I'm not dreaming, am I?" She whispers. "You're really here."
The slightest show of a wistful smile tugs at Kaga's lips as she gingerly curls a streak of chocolate-brown hair behind her dearest partner's ear, murmuring softly in apology.
"Sorry I couldn't be here any sooner."
Akagi shakes at her head, smiling softly. "It's fine, you came straight from training, didn't you?"
Instantly, at the mention of the word 'training', Kaga stiffens.
As if sensing her brief hesitation, Akagi chances a peek up at her curiously, but it only serves to intensify her guilt further.
"I skipped it." Kaga says simply, face adorning a mask of cool despite the evident nervousness playing behind her amber orbs.
Akagi chuckles, "No way."
"Houshou-san let me."
"Oh my, really?"
"You don't believe me."
"Of course I do."
Kaga frowns (More like pouts, though she will never admit it.) and sighs (huffs) as she attempts to retract her fingers rather indignantly, but is ultimately held in place by a surprisingly strong Akagi.
"No, don't," she says, glancing back up at Kaga with a strange look of panic flitting past her visage. Though, it immediately fades away upon notice, an ever sweet smile crossing her lips.
Slender hand now resting atop Kaga's, Akagi takes to interlacing their fingers together, holding her closer than ever, and deliberately nuzzles into her palm. "Kaga-san's hand is so cool. It feels really nice like this."
Kaga sighs, despite the amusement shining in her eyes and the ghost of a smile on her lips.
"Just how high of a fever are you running for my hands to possibly feel cool to you?"
Akagi shrugs, in turn, sending her an innocent dopey little smile that very nearly melts her heart.
Though, it is probably right about then when it suddenly strikes Kaga like a ton of bricks.
Just how high of a fever is Akagi running?
She could just taste the remnants of her previous jest turning acrid on her tongue, the last of her smile slipping away rapidly as her entire visage sobers up completely.
Ever so abruptly, Kaga surges forward and leans in alarmingly close, with hands clamped securely to the sides of Akagi's face, earning herself a surprised gasp from said-girl in question.
"K-Kaga-san?"
Foreheads pressed together and noses just barely brushing, with what possibly is only a mere centimeter between their faces, they remain fixed in this position for an almost exceedingly long beat or two. That is, until Kaga finally draws away, albeit with a soft, relieved sigh.
"At least it feels like you've cooled down much since the last I've checked." Kaga murmurs absently, more to herself than anything else, not particularly taking note of the way Akagi seems to be shielding her currently flushed face— that is most certainly not due to her ailment— away under her covers.
Setting her thoughts aside for the time being, she brings her attention back down onto the sickly girl beneath her crimson covers once more. Gaze softening at the sight, a tender smile pulls at the corners of her lips as she gently tousles at her ailing partner's bangs with so much of fond affection.
"Are you hungry? I've managed to whip up some porridge while you were asleep."
The effect is almost instant as Akagi brightens with a large glowing grin. "You know I'm always hungry for your cooking right?"
A soft chuckle escapes past Kaga's lips.
Eyes burning with mirth, she lands a playful flick against Akagi's forehead. "You're always hungry for everything, Akagi-san."
In retaliation, Akagi blows her a raspberry, arms crossed over her chest like a petulant little child.
Kaga only laughs.
"Careful, it's really hot," Kaga pauses. Nervously watching Akagi struggle for a steady grasp on the spoon, she quickly adds in as an afterthought, "Let me cool it off for you a little."
Deft fingers swiftly swops in at the last possible moment just as Akagi right about nearly loses her feeble grip over her spoon. With an imperceptible exhale of relief, Kaga immediately sets to cooling off the piping hot porridge with gentle breaths.
Once sure that it is no longer of its scalding temperature, she raises the spoon up to Akagi's lips, "Here."
But instead of graciously assenting to Kaga's feeding attempts, Akagi lets loose a giggle, eyes sparkling with much mirth.
"Akagi-san?" Kaga looks to Akagi, blinking perplexedly.
Akagi merely shakes at her head good-naturedly, an amused smile curling at her lips. "It's nothing. Just that… To be taken care of by the heiress of FK Group like this, it's such an honor."
Kaga sighs, purses her lips in embarrassment and lowers the spoon in her grasp upon sheer instinct.
"What are you going on about, Akagi-san?"
Akagi carelessly rolls at her shoulders, her smile almost widening in tease. "Like I said, it's nothing." Making a soft contemplative hum, her fingers begin to tap at her chin musingly, eyes turned to Kaga in appraisal. "Though, it never fails to amaze me at how you're able to keep your identity as heiress under wraps like that."
"You're giving me too much credit, Akagi-san." Kaga chuckles, albeit rather self-deprecating, amber orbs dulling rapidly as she lowers her gaze off to a spot to the side. "My family… The FK Group, it doesn't take a lot for them to pay off the media and paparazzi for Onee-sama and me to live a quiet life. The power to pull such strings lies with them, not us."
A gentle touch falls over the back of Kaga's hand that she has subconsciously curled into a fist, and it instantly jostles her out of her dark thoughts.
Liquid warm topaz, paired with a kind smile, gaze back at her fondly, and in that moment, everything seems to melt away.
"You're too humble for your own good, Kaga-san," says Akagi softly, threading their fingers together as she gives their linked hands a reassuring squeeze.
Kaga flashes a brief smile, drawing her hand away in favor for lifting at the spoonful of porridge that has cooled off during the time of their conversation, "Tell that to the youngest of the Ishikawa girls, would you?"
"Zuikaku's a little tough nut to crack, I'm afraid," Akagi laughs, all in good humor, finally taking in a deliberately large amount of porridge into her mouth.
"How's it?"
"Delicious of course!" Akagi replies brightly with a blinding grin. "As expected of Kaga-san's cooking."
There's just something about watching Akagi wolf down yet another spoonful of porridge— her cooking and her hard work of the day— with that ravenous appetite of hers, despite her apparent ailment, that sends a warm pleasant sensation unfurling deep within Kaga's chest.
"I'm glad."
As expected, Akagi manages to devour her entire meal in record time; and Kaga only wonders why had she even bother worrying herself over making a share too much for someone who is supposedly debilitated from illness, when she knows that nothing would probably ever get in the way of Akagi's love for food.
At least she's finally starting to regain some color out of that sickly pallor, now with some food in her belly.
Clearing off the now empty bowl and spoon onto the tray she had first arrived with, Kaga had been right about to up and leave for the kitchen, when a persistent tug on her sleeve forces her to halt in her tracks.
Glancing over her shoulder, she is faced with an imploring look, paired with a sheepish smile.
"Lay with me for a while?"
And who is Kaga to deny Akagi when she is peering back at her with those large innocent puppy-like eyes.
She successfully manages to hold her ground for a second or two, before glancing back down onto the tray of dirty dishes then back at the ailing girl helplessly.
Resolve crumbling in an instant, Kaga sets the tray down onto the nearest side-table and sighs, fixing Akagi a soft look of resignation.
Mattress dipping as she slips under crimson covers, she is immediately greeted by a pair of arms encircling around her waist, pulling her close into a gentle burning hearth.
"You're acting oddly spoiled today, Akagi-san." Kaga remarks, fingers gently combing through silky dark locks in quiet adoration.
Akagi shifts, arms squeezing at Kaga's waist lightly before nuzzling further into the crook of her neck, humming softly in content. "Am I not allowed to?"
"It's not like I mind though…" Kaga admits, with the faintest hue of pink dusting her cheeks.
Bodies pressed up against one another, it's amazing how almost every curve, every swell of their body, fits into each other so well— like two pieces of the puzzle coming together.
The light fragrance of Akagi's shampoo. That delicious body heat, in which she emanates. It's all so very addictive— intoxicating— and it all but makes Kaga want to sink right into her and become one.
Every breath from her, tickles that tiny patch of sensitive skin along the slant of Kaga's neck, sending a pleasurable shiver down her spine— a hungry warmth that spreads through her entire being like wildfire. (The tiniest telltale signs of desire.)
"Say, Kaga-san," begins Akagi, and pauses for a beat, fingers tracing idle circles over the small of Kaga's back. "Let's get married."
At that, Kaga immediately arches away so quickly, that she could have gotten a whiplash.
"W-what are you talking about, Akagi-san…?" She stutters, eyes wide in bewilderment, face burning hot in the darkest shade of scarlet.
Her heart doesn't even quicken this time; it straight up skips and stumbles over the next beat. It is pounding so furiously, pulsing so loudly in her ears, that she fears that Akagi could hear it from where she's lying— just barely inches away from her.
"I'm saying, we should get married," says Akagi, ever so simply, as if it is the most natural thing on earth, like the sky is blue and the grass is green. "You'll be my wife and I'll be yours. We will live in a small apartment together, and you'll cook and I'll eat. We'll be together forever and ever…" A slim, dainty hand reaches up to cup one of Kaga's reddened cheeks. "Wouldn't you like that, Kaga-san?"
At that point, Kaga's brain must have probably exploded from all the blood gushing up to her head, pooling in light of all that embarrassment that only keeps growing and growing.
"H-Has your fever gotten to your head, Akagi-san?" Is all Kaga manages to get past her quivering lips, her voice sounding unusually squeaky and shrill to her ears.
Akagi only shrugs, a small secret smile teasing the edges of her lips as an indiscernible glint flashes past her eyes, albeit for the briefest of seconds.
She continues thumbing at Kaga's cheek, gaze fond and tender, sweeping past and over her features— her forehead, nose, lips and chin— once, twice then thrice, as if committing all of Kaga to memory.
Finding the entire notion to be extremely lulling to the senses, Kaga eventually loses the tension in her muscles, relaxing further into Akagi's touch. While keeping an arm draped loosely over a particularly slim waist, she leisurely picks and twiddles at a tuft of stray lock of dark hair that has fallen over to her side of the bed.
For the longest of time, no one speaks.
Only quietly appreciating the rare peace of the moment, spent in the embrace of one another.
Something in the air has clearly shifted.
Like a tiny dip in the scales; it's subtle, but most certainly there.
Almost like the air has gotten a tad heavier.
Heavier with what?
It's barely teetering on the tip of her tongue, but for the life of Kaga, she can't seem to put a finger on it.
Perhaps it's that smoldering look Akagi has in her eyes— something dark and fervid, but sweet and tender all the same.
It threatens to suck Kaga in, and holding her gaze any longer, Kaga knows she would soon lose herself in those beautiful, beautiful eyes. So she chooses to bury herself— her attention— further away into the silkiness of Akagi's locks and the way they seem to slip past her fingers like velvet.
But her efforts are all in vain when finally Akagi calls out to her.
"Kaga-san," she breathes, voice barely a whisper.
Her touch, soft and elegant, stills against the side of Kaga's face, urging her to look up. And when she finally does, she realizes the distance between their faces— or lack there of it. But it doesn't especially fluster her. Not when she is all captivated and enthralled by the smattering brilliant hues of those topaz orbs peering back at her earnestly— softly.
The same smoldering look is still present, but there's an odd tinge of emotion; one that Kaga can't exactly make out, hiding behind those liquid topaz pools. And it only rears and roars vividly like a burning flame in the harshest and coldest of winter as Akagi visibly steels herself for whatever she's about to say.
"The truth is… I—"
A couple polite knocks, followed closely by a singsong voice, ring out just as the door to Akagi's room throws right open, "Pardon the intrusion!"
And right before even the two figures lying in bed can react and put in a good respectable amount of distance between themselves, four curious heads have just begun peeking into the room.
"The team is here to visit! Akagi-san, are you feeling any be… tter…?"
The words immediately die at Hiryuu's lips, as with the cheery enthusiasm she has brought along with her too. Kaga can just imagine in extreme mortification— she has never been more glad that her back is turned at the moment— the entire team's expression at having caught their captain and vice-captain in such close proximity under said compromising position.
A soft snigger slices through the silence in the room like a knife. (Zuikaku.)
Kaga has never wanted anything more than the earth to swallow her— and Akagi too— up right there and then.
"We, um… Didn't see anything." Souryuu announces out loud in stilted panic. The sound of footsteps shuffling out of the room reverberates throughout the room. "P-Please carry on…"
And even when the door finally clicks shut, Kaga doesn't even need a second guess to know that her ears are still burning a bright red.
A deep, deep heat pervades both her cheeks and neck.
Ever so gingerly, Akagi's touch from her face slips away, albeit lingeringly, while Kaga, in turn, unobtrusively retracts the arm she has loosely held over her.
When all is done and they are set a safe distance apart, Kaga finds it in herself to chance a glance up at Akagi, only to catch said-girl looking back at her sheepishly, cheeks tinged crimson like the sheets held over them.
"Looks like we're up for some explaining to do," remarks Akagi, smiling shyly.
Kaga only sighs, though not without flashing Akagi a tired smile.
What a crazy ride it had been today.
"Yeah."
A/N: Three guesses to just what Akagi had wanted to tell Kaga right before she was cut off by team and all lol. ;) But gosh, sorry for the lack in updates. This chapter is a mammoth and I would have probably updated this story a lot earlier if only I had just split this chapter into two. But noo, I had decided to bite the bullet. :\ Anywho, I hope you guys enjoyed this chappie, because it sure was a chore writing this one haha. I did my best to include all them popular sick tropes, which ended up with much fluff (You're welcome!). Oh, and in case it wasn't stated clearly enough, Akagi has been living with Houshou. Annnd thank you for all the faves, alerts and reviews. I appreciate all and any feedback I get! Hopefully I'll be back soon. Till next time. :P