Chapter 31

The Karateka got off the tram and looked left and right before crossing the street. A sudden chill made her close her jacket and put her hands into her pockets.

The first signs that summer was ending. She looked up at the sky that had gotten dark about half an hour ago. Four weeks earlier and the sun would still be up. Her thoughts turned to Leifang and wondered what she might be up to right now.

Probably watching TV now that she can understand some of what they say she chuckled to herself. Her stomach grumbled all of a sudden and she patted it. "Yeah yeah, don't worry once I'm back I'll make something." she said cheerfully, already making a mental list of the ingredients she had at home.

If Leifang wanted she could help her again. Oh, and while they were at it there was something that she had told the Chinese they would do once she would come to Germany, but with all the stuff that had been going on with herself she had completely forgotten about it.

Not anymore though. She would do everything she had promised with Leifang. And more. She could already see them on dates, sitting with each other in the mess hall of the university, holding hands and kissing.

The last thought made all of her insides tingle pleasantly. She really hoped that Leifang would overcome her hesitance and they could get down to business so to speak. She had to giggle at the thought, over a month ago the idea of wanting to kiss her would have send her into another guilt trip and now it seemed to be the most natural thing in the world.

But she had promised she would be patient and she kept her promises.

That doesn't mean we can't cuddle a little bit she thought, an impish grin making its way onto her lips. She always liked to cuddle anyways.

Now very much happy with her plans she hastened her steps and started whistling. She rounded the corner to her apartment, the same one she had used when she stumbled upon Leifang standing there and she felt her heartbeat speed up, quickly unlocked the door and bound up the stairs, taking two steps at a time.

She stopped at her apartment door, wondering what she should say when she stepped in. I'm back sweetheart she snickered and opened the door.

"Hey, I'm back!" she called closed the door behind her, pulled off her boots and hung her jacket back onto the coat hanger. The smile that was on her lips faltered as soon as she stepped into the living room, coming face to face with Leifang, who simply glared at her and leaned against the wall.

What did she do?

"Leifang?" she asked and her girlfriend just crossed her arms under her breasts, her expression turning sour.

"Tell me what you're hiding from me." Leifang said simply.

Oh crap.

"I-I don't know what you're talking about." she said in a futile attempt to deny anything, but the look in the Chinese's brown orbs told her that she knew she was lying and Leifang looked only more upset.

"DON'T LIE TO ME!" she shouted and Hitomi took a step backward when Leifang stepped forward, pointing an accusing finger at her. Jabbing it against her chest she continued. "Viktor already let it spill. So don't try to play ignorant."

She cursed Viktor and the way he could run his mouth for a second before letting out a sigh and hanging her head in defeat. They weren't together for a day and already fighting. Great start, Hitomi.

"Alright." she said and breathed a sigh. Hitomi headed over to her jacket and pulled out the letter, walked back and handed it to her.

Leifang eyed the letter warily before snatching it out of the German's hand and running her eyes over the letters. She couldn't understand all of it but it seemed to be from the police from what she gathered.

"What is this?" she asked.

Releasing another sigh Hitomi began to explain. "It's a police notice regarding a lawsuit against me."

"A what!?" Leifang gasped out, a hint of worry in her voice. "What happened?"

"To make it short I got into a fight in a bar. Some drunk guys teamed up on Viktor and I beat them up. I got carried away though, because..." she hesitated. Hitomi didn't want to tell her girlfriend that her feelings for her were partly at fault that her mood was so sour that she couldn't restrain herself. "I was kind of drunk too. Well and I got this exactly today."

"Why didn't you tell me then?" Leifang asked, her anger already dissipating.

"You just came back today and I didn't want bother you with something like this." Hitomi took the letter from Leifang and folded it up before putting it into her back pocket. She grabbed her girlfriend's hand and gave it a little squeeze. "It's not important, really."

"But of course it's important. They are suing you."

"Yes, but I met with my lawyer earlier and he'll make them a deal. I probably have to use some of the prize money from the tournament but at least it'll be out of the way. So don't worry." Hitomi assured her and gave her a small smile.

"But don't you see?" Leifang asked and put her left hand on Hitomi's right cheek. "I can't help but worry. You're important to me."

"You're important to me too." Hitomi said, her voice taking on a husky note, and both her and Leifang's cheeks became bright red.

"So I want you to tell me things like that in the future, ok?"

"Ok, I promise I won't hide things like this from you ever again."

With a smile Leifang bridged the distance between them and Hitomi circled her waist with her right arm. Leifang pulled her hand way from the brunette's cheek and snaked her left arm around her neck. The hand that held onto one another was set firmly between them.

"Gosh we're so silly, aren't we?" Leifang asked against Hitomi's neck. "Not even together for twenty four hours and already got in a fight."

Hitomi had to fight against laughing at that and managed to only let out a giggle, to which her girlfriend responded in kind. "Yes. Yes we are." she said and breathed in Leifang's scent.

They moved apart and Hitomi was once again taken in by her friend's beauty. How much she wanted to lean in and capture those pretty lips.

Oh well she let out a content sigh and kissed Leifang on the cheek. "Come on, how about we'll make some food now? After all I promised to make something."

"Ok." Leifang nodded and slipped past her. Hitomi followed her with her gaze, letting her eyes roam over her body. She found herself drawn to her legs immediately. The bathrobe that Leifang was still wearing had become a bit loose and now every time she took a step her thighs became exposed, teasing Hitomi with a hint of flesh.

Wow. Calm down Hitomi. You're not a teenager anymore. She told herself trying to fight off her arousal. The Karateka cleared her throat. "Um, shouldn't you change into something else?"

Leifang halted in her tracks and looked down at herself. Unfortunately for Hitomi she stopped mid-step and a lot of her left thigh was exposed to her, making her groan inwardly as she now pictured what could await her if she followed that path up.

"Oh yeah, you're right. You wouldn't mind if I took some of your clothes, would you?" she asked.

"No, take whatever you want." Hitomi said and quickly walked into the kitchen, deciding to change later. Quickly looking into her fridge she saw that she had some leftover lettuce, some carrots and cherry tomatoes.

Thinking about it for a moment she came up with an idea. She pulled out some oil and vinegar, snapped her fingers a few times until she remember where she put that bowl she needed and placed it on the counter together with a cutting board.

By the time she had gathered all that she needed Leifang came to join her. Hitomi had to swallow hard when she saw her dressed in one of her oversized T-shirts and wore a pair of sleeping shorts under it. She looked good in it. But to the Karateka she looked good in anything. "I took one of these, everything else was too big for me." she muttered the last part.

"Are you still hung up over that little bit of difference?" Hitomi asked.

"Well..." Leifang pulled at the front of the shirt and looked down inside it, causing the shirt to run up her giving Hitomi even more free view on her lower body.

"So what are we gonna make?" Leifang asked and, to Hitomi's relief, stopped looking down the shirt so that it would cover her up a bit more again.

"Uhm," Hitomi shook her head. "Oh yeah, I thought some simple salad would be ideal, this one fills up pretty good. Nothing much you can help me with other than cutting some stuff, so why don't you just watch and learn?"

"Sure." Leifang shrugged and leaned against the counter. Hitomi deigned herself another secret look at the Chinese's legs before washing her hands and started to work on the ingredients. She cut the lettuce and carrots into small pieces, careful not to cut herself with that all that welcome distraction that stood beside her.

Next up were the cherry tomatoes which she simply cut in half. She put everything into the bowl and took a look at the amount that was in there.

Hmm could use a bit more she thought and looked around. Ah!

She walked past her girlfriend, who looked at her in amusement, and headed over to the fruit basket, taking out an apple and orange. Peeling them she cut them into pieces as well and put them into the bowl as well.

After that she simply added the oil and vinegar and let it breathe for a few moments before putting the salad onto two plates, sharing it evenly between them.

"Dinner is served, m'lady." Hitomi said and held out a plate and fork towards Leifang with great flourish, making Leifang giggle.

"Why thank you." she said and took the plate from Hitomi.

"Bet you never had a girlfriend who could cook."

Leifang giggled again. "I never had a girlfriend at all."

"First time for everything," Hitomi said and brushed flirtingly past Leifang, heading into the living room. "Two birds with one stone too."

A shudder of excitement ran through Leifang before she followed her.

Hitomi placed her plate onto the table but didn't sit down just yet as she went over to to the box where she stored her DVD collection.

"What are you doing?" Leifang asked and stabbed some lettuce onto her fork.

"Fulfilling a promise. I told you I would watch some 'Kids movies' with you." she told her and pulled out a DVD then placed it back when she saw that it was the wrong one. Rummaging around a little bit more she finally found the one she wanted. "Ah there it is. Lion King. Sorry but no backing out now."

Leifang let out a playfully exaggerated sigh. "Guess I have no other choice."

"Nope you don't" Hitomi said cheekily and popped the movie into her DVD-Player then sat down beside the Chinese. They ate their dinner in silence and watched the movie. Once Hitomi had her fill she placed the plate on the table.

Her right hand sought out Leifang's and interlaced their fingers. Giving her a shy smile the Chinese put away her plate as well and let herself be pulled with her as Hitomi started to line down the length of the sofa, cuddling up against her.

"Mhm, this feels strange." Leifang said.

"Wrong?"

Leifang shook her head. "No, definitely not wrong."

"Then it must be right." Hitomi joked and Leifang only huffed at her. Chuckling she kissed her girlfriend on the back of her head, using the difference of position to her advantage, then placed her chin on top of it.

"Welcome back, Leifang." Hitomi whispered.

"I'm glad to be back." Leifan whispered back.

They simply lied there and watched the movie.

"Eww, did they just eat those bugs?" Leifang asked later on.

"Yep they did." she confirmed and grinned as her girlfriend made a disgusted sound.

The two of them remained that way until they fell asleep, enjoying the closeness and warmth of one another.

Already keeping secrets, eh? Well not with Leifang you don't!

Nothing much to say here, so just enjoy them being lovey-dovey and we see us next week! :)