Chapter 15

A contented sigh made its way past the German's lips as the warm breeze blew across her body. She was lying on her back, arms folded behind her head, on a spread out beach towel beneath the shade of parasol that they had brought with them.

Her eyes were closed and while she couldn't see her, she felt the presence of her friend laying beside her on her own towel. A few days had passed since the dinner with her parents and like Jintao had said her friend knew a great beach on Lantau Island that wasn't too populated, offered a great view and the water was crystal clear. And while it wasn't the beaches of Zack Island, which were probably the best beaches of the world just for the fact that they'd almost been utterly alone except for some staff and the other girls, Cheung Sha Beach had its own charm.

Leifang had spent the last few days showing her around the Wan Chai District, showing her a few stores that she frequented, places that she ate, where Hitomi managed to get the recipe for a very delicious Dim Sum from one of the chefs and then watched one of the new Pai Chan movies together. It seemed to the German that her friend had to digest the situation with her father, so she waited until she was sure that she was back to normal before springing her one of the requests she had on her list.

And since the weather was so nice and it was pretty hot outside, she started off simple with going to the beach.

"Sure I know a pretty good one." she had said, a cheeky grin on her face. They took a taxi, the driver knowing the way to where they had to go beforehand, and had gotten out a good way from the beach itself. The Chinese explained to that the beach itself was actually two beaches and that the one they were going to, Lower Cheung Sha, was a little further than the car was going to come.

But it sure was worth it,

"Hey, ladies. Are you two alone here? Maybe we could hang out together then."

even though there were some downsides.

The German sat up on her elbows and opened her eyes, looking at a young man and his friends, roughly about the same age as them, lifting her shades to get a better look at them. It was rather obvious that they were tourists and had called out to them because she didn't look very Asian. While the one that had spoken had a rather flirty smile on his face they looked rather friendly all in all, the shy one in the background reminding her of Eliot in a way. But the two friends were here to enjoy each other's company.

"Sorry but I don't think our boyfriends would like it very much if we just hang out with you guys. They're quite the jealous types." she told them, and could see the disappointment in their faces as she lied about them having boyfriends. They looked at each other, frowning, apologized for their mistake and said goodbye. As they shuffled away she called after them in a cheerful tone "Really sorry!" waving while doing so. How many times had she blown off guys today that way?

Sighing she laid back down, crossing her legs over her knee and looked at her friend, who was lying on her stomach with her eyes closed and didn't seem to have paid what had happened any mind.

"I think they are hitting on us constantly because you've dressed so provocatively." Hitomi said, giving her friend a once over. She was wearing her blue jeans patterned two piece bathing suit adorned with white frills and having 'Eagle' written on it in bold letters across the left breast, though the part that got the most attention was the lower one, which was a thong.

"I could say the same to you. That top must be a size or two too small with all the underboob you're showing." The Chinese brandished her finger at her, pointing directly at her chest.

Hitomi wore her bright yellow two-piece with green straps that she had bought on Zack Island once, printed on the left breast part were two small oranges, one cut in half. It was true, the top did show quite the bit of the underside of her breast. On the other hand her butt wasn't as exposed, but the having 'Fruity' written on it earned a few looks as well.

"Ok, I guess we're both at fault here, dressed like this and all."

"Hmm, yeah." Leifang turned around, lying on her back, and stretched out her arms a little, then looked at her when she noticed that she was still looking. "Something the matter?"

Hitomi stiffed for a second, only now noticing that she had been staring at her friend the whole time. "Nope." she answered, got up and did a few warm up exercises, earning herself a puzzled look from her friend.

She stopped rather abruptly, throwing her shades onto the towel, a grin on her face,

"Race ya!" and ran for the water. Leifang stared for a moment, looking like a deer in the headlights, before getting up and sprinting after her friend who had already reached the water by that time, wading into it a little before diving head first.

The German opened her eyes, letting them adjust to the water, held her breath and waited for her friend to get into the water as well and when she finally did, pushed herself forward, circling her arms around Leifang's waist and using her body weight to push her down so that they were both underwater.

Leifang glared playfully at her through the water, wrestling herself free from her grip and pulling her up, immediately starting to splash water at her.

Hitomi laughed and shielded her face from the water, using her other hand to retaliate with her own splashes, but Leifang had the advantage here and soon she gave up, shouting "I give up! Peace, peace!"

"No peace!" The Chinese shouted, stopped with the water attack and, putting both of her hands on top of the brunette head, pushed her under the surface.

Hitomi flailed around trying to escape from her friend, then a smirk crossed her lips and she stopped, instead snaking one of her arms around her friend and pulling on one of the bikini top's straps, untying the bow.

Her friend let go immediately as soon as she noticed her top was getting a mind of its own, and as Hitomi broke the surface, she saw her friend grabbing furiously at her top, making her laugh while she breathed in fresh air.

"Stop laughing," Leifang swiped some water her way with one hand, holding onto her modesty with the other, glaring at her friend. Hitomi noticed that she was biting down on her lip, trying not to burst into laughter herself. "Help me instead."

"Oh I don't know, I think it suits you pretty well." The brunette commented and dodged another swipe, this time more playful. After a few more moments of gloating she decided to help her friend, turned her around and bound the bound the bow again.

"There you go." she said, tapping the back of her hand against her friend's back. Leifang turned around, opening her mouth to say something, only to get pushed back by her friend.

"Hehe." Hitomi stuck out her tongue and backed off, trying to escape when Leifang made a grab at her, putting her arms around her waist.

"No you don't!"

The German stiffed again for a moment when she felt her friend's close proximity, her chest pressing into her back. Then her eyes widened when she was lifted up by her friend, who did a suplex into the water with her.

When they both resurfaced she pushed her friend playfully against the shoulder, sharing another laugh with her.

"Now that wasn't Tai Chi Quan young lady." She berated her in a mock stern voice, putting a hand on her waist and pointing her finger at her accusingly.

"Well what can I say? Tina taught me that one. I think it's pretty useful. Besides," Leifang said grinning and pointed at her friend as well. "that coming from someone that throws Judo into her Karate?"

"Guilty as charged."

Still giggling the two of them made their way back towards the shore. As they walked back to their spot the German spotted an Ice-cream vendor and bumped her hip against Leifang's to get her attention, pointing when she did so. "How about it? Wanna share a cone?"

"Sure, it's been a while since we did that. How about you get the ice-cream and I'll get us something to drink? I'm thirsty."

"Okidoki." Hitomi made her way towards the vendor, really glad that most people in Hong Kong could talk English and ordered a huge cone for the both of them, then walked back where Leifang was already waiting for her with their drinks.

As she took her first sip she noticed how thirsty she actually was. "Strawberry milk?"

"Well anything else would've ruined the taste of the ice-cream," Leifang said, taking a lick from it. "You remembered my favorite. Anyway I figured since we had no strawberries at hand we could use this," she held up her own milk. "As a substitute."

"So eager to have me lick your finger again?" Hitomi asked cheekily and batted her eyelashes at her, then took a lick off the ice cream herself.

"Who knows." Leifang answered overly mysteriously, making them both chuckle.

They looked out towards the sea. They had been here the whole day and the sun was starting to set, casting everything in orange. Hitomi closed her eyes and inhaled the sea breeze, making her realize how exhausted she was. She was sure she would sleep like a rock today.

The two of them finished of their ice cream and drinks in comfortable silence and started to gather up their things, packed them up and went to the showers to wash up and change back into their normal clothes, then made their way back.

They were lucky and managed to catch a bus ride back to the mainland and sat down in the far back seats.

"Damn I'm beat." Hitomi said, leaning her head against the window, trying not to close her eyes or she might fall asleep right here. Leifang leaned against her, placing her head against the Karateka's shoulder lightly. "Leifang?"

"Mhm?"

"Don't fall asleep on me."

"Mhm..."

Hitomi nudged her playfully, and sat down more straighter, forcing Leifang to do the same. "Come on, I don't know where we need to get off the bus and I'm not in the mood to drive anywhere else than back to your place."

"All right, all right." her friend muttered and rubbed her eyes.

They didn't need to drive for very long and got off the bus, having to walk the rest of the way, but at least they didn't have to worry about dozing off that way.

"So," Leifang started casually as they walked. "Anywhere else you wanted to go? Because today I thought of a few places I want to show you"

"Weeeeell, there is one place I want to go to badly." Hitomi said and saw her friend blinking in confusion.

"Oh you must be kidding me..." She heard Leifang mutter under her breath, holding a camera and aiming it directly at her.

"Stop whining and take the picture." Hitomi said and smiled into the camera, being flanked by Donald Duck and Goofy, or at least by people that acted as them, wearing one of those silly Mickey Mouse ear hats. She had an arm thrown around each of them, posing for the picture.

"Ok ok." the Chinese said and took the picture. The German let go of the two mascots, thanking them and giving each a kiss on the cheek playfully saying "Mwah" as she did so and watched them putting their hands on their faces in embarrassment.

She waved at them once more as they walked along.

"Sometimes I don't know if you're twenty or twelve." Leifang said, shaking her head. Hitomi only grinned at her friend and readjusted her hat.

Hitomi had insisted that they would go to Hong Kong Disneyland the very next day after arriving back home and here they were, just walking along Main Street, U.S.A towards the area called Adventureland.

"I always wanted to go to Disneyland but my father always refused saying that if I wanted to go to a theme park I should do so in Germany. I guess visiting Paris just for a stay in Disneyland wasn't an option for him." she said chuckling at the last part. While Joachim Buchfink was someone that you could joke around and have fun with, he could be as strict as any father and if he put his foot down and said no it meant no. And when a ten years old Hitomi asked him if they could go to Disneyland he did just that.

But she was victorious now, looking around as they passed through Adventureland, checking the map. Now the Festival of the Lion King doesn't start until later, so what could we do until then? she wondered, then she saw what area was directly adjoined to this one, a grin on her lips.

"Come on!" she said and grabbed her friend's hand, dragging her along as she quickly walked towards their next destination.

"Wow!" Leifang exclaimed and tried keeping up, the clacking of her heels quickening as she did. "What's the hurry?"

"There's a ride I want to take!"

"Oh and that would be?" Leifang asked but before Hitomi could answer she already saw it from afar. "Oh no, no, no! No way are you going to take me into that one!"

Seemed like the Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway didn't strike her fancy as much as it did Hitomi's. "Ah, don't be a chicken!"

You can me tell whatever you want, but I can totally see Hitomi being a Disney fan.
Also Papa Buchfink can now be named. Totally made that one up though, seeing how TeamNinja likes to take it easy there. He'll probably always be "Hitomi's father" in canon. Oh well.

That's it for this week. Just thought I'd tell you that this piece is getting bigger and bigger in my mind.
See you next week.