Whenever I watch a scary movie, I get super scared at night. Anyone else feel that way?

Chapter 9: Movies and Parties

"What's the movie about...?" Misaki asked, settling down on the plush couch.

Takumi looked at the cover. "Beats me..." he said, popping the DVD in. "Tora and Ruri watched it and recommended it."

It was a quiet Friday night and Misaki and Takumi were just hanging out around their house. Misaki grabbed a bunch of blankets and pillows and they set up their movie room. The movie room had a giant flat screen TV with good quality sound systems. There was a very long couch that when you sat down, you could just sink into the cushyness. The soft blankets and pillows only added to the comfiness. Misaki had on a pair of yoga pants and a T-shirt. Everything was very casual.

Takumi turned off the lights and the opening credits flashes onto the giant flat screen TV.

"What's it called again...?" Misaki asked.

"Hunter," Takumi said, rolling onto the couch. He laid his head on Misaki's lap.

"Are you even watching?" Misaki asked.

"Mhm..." Takumi said. "But I like watching you too..."

Misaki ignored him and focused back on the movie.

It started out innocent and calm but quickly darkened. The main character was a ghost hunter who had to protect others from all sorts of demons and ghouls.

"No!" Misaki exclaimed. "He's gonna die..." Her eyes were glued to the screen.

Takumi sat up. "Interesting..."

On the screen, the man was looking around a corner while a monster thing crept up behind him. He turned and it lept out at him.

"AHH!" Misaki screamed, practically jumping back.

"It's alright," Takumi said, hugging her. "It's just a movie..."

Misaki was holding onto Takumi's arm as tight as she could during the entire movie. There was one scene where there was a little girl holding onto a ripped teddy bear. Her face was marred and she had a translucent look.

"Mommy..." she called. Her head tilted to the side. "Mommy..."

Misaki was sweating buckets of ice cold sweat. The blanket she had was wrapped up to her nose. Takumi on the other hand, silently watched the movie. His emerald green eyes studied the characters and scenery. As monsters lept out, he didn't even flinch. His calm composed face remained intact.

"Still breathing...?" Takumi asked, when the credits rolled on. "The movie wasn't too bad. I liked the detail of everything," he said.

"Don't leave!" Misaki exclaimed, hugging her blanket.

"I'm just going to turn on the lights," Takumi explained.

Misaki trailed after him.

"It's just a movie," he reminded Misaki. "There's no such thing as ghosts or the undead."

Misaki nodded, hoping her mind would believe that... Misaki drank a glass of water and washed up for bed.

"Do you want a nightlight?" Takumi teased.

"Very funny," Misaki said, pulling the covers around herself.

As soon as she closed her eyes, images started flooding her head. Scenes of the movie started playing back. Misaki opened her eyes and stared into the darkness of the room. The curtains started moving causing Misaki to jerk up.

"What?" Takumi asked, sitting up.

"The curtains moving..." Misaki whimpered.

Takumi turned on the light and walked over to the window. "It's just the breeze," he said, closing the window. "Go to sleep darling," he said, tucking the covers around her.

Takumi kept an arm around Misaki's waist and quickly fell back asleep. Misaki laid there, freaking out. Why'd everything look so scary all of a sudden... The shadows on the wall definitely looked stranger by the minute.

"It's not real..." Misaki said, squeezing her eyes shut. "It was just a movie..." she recited over and over. Misaki was sweating but her sweat was ice cold. She was too hot to sleep with the blanket but too scared to push it off.

"T-T-Takumi..." Misaki exclaimed, shaking him.

"Hmm...?" Takumi asked, half asleep.

"Can you come with me and get a glass of water...?" Misaki asked. She wasn't really thirsty...she just didn't want Takumi to sleep.

Takumi nodded and rolled out of bed. He turned on the lights and rubbed his eyes. "Still not asleep?" he asked.

"I just got thirsty," Misaki said.

Takumi walked downstairs with her, turning on all the lights. Misaki poured herself some water and gulped it down.

"All done?" Takumi asked.

Misaki nodded and went back upstairs. She slowly opened the door and climbed back into bed.

"Try to get some sleep," Takumi coaxed. "Our house is perfectly safe."

Misaki stared at the clock that slowly ticked minutes away. She honestly wasn't tired at all. Her heart was still thumping.

"Where's my mommy...?" Misaki heard in her head. It was the sound of the little girl from the movie.

"Not real not real not real!" Misaki thought to herself. "TAKUMI, I SWEAR SOMETHING JUST MOVED!" Misaki shrieked.

Takumi turned on the lights. "Where...?"

"Over there..." Misaki said, pointing to the corner.

Takumi got up and look around the room. "There's nothing here," he said.

"They only come out in the dark..." Misaki whispered, hugging her pillow to herself. "C-can we keep the lights on...?" she asked.

"Anything you want, baby," Takumi said.

"Can you not sleep?"

"Sure, what do you want me to do?" Takumi asked, sitting on the bed.

"I don't know...let's talk," Misaki suggested.

Takumi glanced at the clock. A smile twitched at his lips. "Alright..." he said. "What would you like to talk about...?"

"I don't know..." Misaki said, leaning against him. "How has work been?"

"Do you want me to bore you to sleep?" Takumi asked, stroking her hair.

"Does your office look any different?" Misaki asked.

"I got an aquarium of fish," Takumi said. "It sits by the couches."

"I didn't know you liked fish..." Misaki said.

"That's because I don't...some ambassador from some tropical place gave it to me as a gift."

"What do they look like?"

"They're really colorful. There's a green and yellow fish I named Takumi..."

Misaki laughed. "You named a fish after yourself...?"

"Yes, the amber and purple fish is Misaki,"

"Oh wow..." Misaki said. "Anymore?"

"There's a tiny blue fish named Misa, and a red fish named Misaki the Second..."

Misaki gave Takumi a weird look. "Really...?" she asked. "Your names are so uncreative."

"Well, I just want my Takumi fish to be happy...surrounded by Misaki Chans everyday.

"Uh huh..." Misaki said.

"What about you...?" Takumi asked. "Find any good spas lately?"

"I usually just go to the one at the gym," Misaki said.

"What do you do there all day?"

"At the gym? You know, Pilates, kickboxing, cardio stuff..." Misaki yawned.

"Do you remember when we hiked up that huge mountain when we were still dating?" Takumi asked.

"Yeah..." Misaki said. "I dropped most of our supplies off the mountain..." she muttered.

"So we scavenged for food,"

"Wild pheasant on a spit..." Misaki said, closing her eyes. That was a fun day despite all the things that went wrong.

"Mint leaf tea," Takumi added. "Wild berries."

"We should go hiking again," Misaki said, softly.

"That would be fun. I'll see when I can take a vacation and we'll go traveling."

Misaki nodded, feeling sleepy. "We can go rock climbing at the gym..." she murmured.

"It's a date then," Takumi said, kissing her forehead helping her lie down.

"Don't leave..." Misaki mumbled.

"I won't," Takumi promised. He tucked the covers around Misaki. Takumi laid on his side and propped his head up with his hand.

Takumi waited till Misaki was fast asleep before turning off the lights. Her vulnerable sleeping face made his heart practically stop. Takumi smoothed down her long hair and laid down. Perhaps now he could sleep for longer than an hour...

"Oh Misaki...my cute wife," he thought to himself as he closed his eyes.

Misaki felt like she barely slept the next morning...oh wait...she didn't. Misaki rolled over. Takumi had already gotten up. Misaki grabbed his pillow and buried her face in it. It had the scent of Takumi's shampoo in it.

Misaki laid in bed for another five minutes before getting up. She took a quick shower and opened her closet. Since she wasn't really going to be doing anything today, she just wore a pair of sweatpants and a tank top.

Misaki yawned and walked downstairs. Takumi was sitting at the counter with a mug of coffee and the newspaper.

"Good morning," Misaki said, taking the seat next to him.

"Good morning, sleepy head," Takumi chuckled, putting his paper down. He walked over to the fridge, pulled out a plate of fruit and went to go warm up a bowl of oatmeal.

Misaki sipped some of Takumi's coffee. It tasted horrible. "Did you add any sugar?!" she exclaimed, spitting it out in the sink.

"I must have forgotten..." Takumi said, setting her breakfast on the table for her.

Misaki sighed and ate her breakfast. Takumi finished reading the paper and went to his office. He was reorganizing everything. Misaki washed the dishes and went to go help him. Takumi sat cross legged on the ground surrounded by books.

There was a stack of papers that he didn't want. Misaki liked putting them through the shredder. It was fun watching the machine chew up the paper into tiny strips.

Misaki wandered over to Takumi's desk and sat in his swivel chair. His desk was cluttered with papers and books. Misaki handed Takumi the books and neatly stacked his papers.

"You have a event tonight?" Misaki asked, picking up the fancy note card. It was wedged under a book.

"I don't really want to go..." Takumi said, continuing to sort his books.

"Japan's CEO gathering..." Misaki read. "This sounds really important."

"It is..." Takumi said, nonchalantly.

"What?!" Misaki exclaimed. "You have to go!"

"I don't wanna..."

"You're going."

"How heartless..." Takumi teased. "You have to come with then," he said.

"Me...?"

"Of course," Takumi said, setting down his books. "You can't throw me to the sharks all alone. I'll go if you come with."

Misaki looked down at the invitation. It did seem very important...

"Fine..." Misaki sighed. "But you could have told me earlier. Plus, I hardly got any sleep last night because you made us watch that scary movie!"

"Mhm..." Takumi said. "But you got that cover up thing..." he said. "Foundation...? Is that what it's called?"

"Yeah..." Misaki muttered. Cocktail event meant two hours to get ready.

Takumi finished organizing his books (which took hours! That man can read...) and headed downstairs to the kitchen.

Misaki grabbed a bottle of clear coat nail polish and sat at the counter to do her nails.

"We don't have to go," Takumi reminded her as Misaki painstakingly painted a nail.

"All the local CEOs are going to be there," Misaki said. "It's a business event. You have to go- Ugh, why is this so difficult!" Misaki complained.

Takumi set a mug of tea beside her. "What's wrong, honey?"

"I can't paint my nails for my life..." Misaki said, dropping the brush back into the bottle.

"It can't be that hard," Takumi said, taking her hands.

"I'd like to see you try," Misaki retorted.

Takumi smiled and pulled out the brush.

"Are you serious?" Misaki asked.

Takumi beamed and nodded. "I will paint Misaki Chan's nails," he said, carefully painting one nail.

Misaki sighed and rested her head on the counter. Her husband could paint her nails better than she could.

"Wave them around or blow on them," Takumi instructed when he had finished.

Misaki studied her glossy nails. "I hate you..." she muttered, taking a sip of her tea.

"I love you too," Takumi said, smoothing down her hair and going back to doing random things in the kitchen. He straightened everything out and washed the dishes in the sink from lunch.

Misaki decided to go take a shower and blow dry her hair. "So what exactly do we have to do?" Misaki asked.

Takumi shrugged. "You just need to look beautiful and protect me..." he said, kissing her on the cheek.

"Protect you from what?"

"Scary people," Takumi joked. "My hero..."

"Fine..." Misaki said, hugging him.

Misaki chose a long black evening gown. It was simple yet elegant. Silver jewels lined the straps and waistline. The belt of jewels made Misaki's waist look tiny.

Shoes were glittery silver Jimmy Choos and and accessories were dangly earrings and a heart pendant necklace. Misaki tediously brushed out her hair and pinned it up with crystal bobby pins.

"You almost ready?" Takumi asked, walking in. He had a suit on and was fixing the tie in the mirror.

"Yeah..." Misaki said, swiping on some lipstick and spraying a spritz of perfume.

"You look good in black," Takumi said, draping a black velvet wrap around her bare shoulders.

"Oh great..." was Misaki's only thought when they pulled up to an expensive hotel. They got out of the car and Takumi tossed a valet his keys. The valet then went to go park the car for them.

"Ready?" Takumi asked, holding out his arm.

Misaki took his arm. "Let's just pretend I am..." she muttered as they walked up the stone steps. They stepped inside a gorgeous lobby. The walls were ivory with gold embellishments. All furniture was done in red leather and the carpets were dark gold plush.

"Name?" the butler asked.

"Walker,"

"This way, Mr. Walker," he said, bowing and showing them the way. The party took place in the giant ballroom. There were tables of gourmet appetizers and drinks. The room itself was brightly lit with the dazzling chandeliers.

"Mr. Walker!" a man called. He was slightly overweight with a model like woman on his arm. "So glad you could come."

"Hello Mr. Sui," Takumi said, shaking his hand. "The pleasure is mine. This is my wife, Misaki Walker."

"How do you do?" Misaki said, nodding.

"This is my wife, Marcella," Mr. Sui said, gesturing to the woman with a fur coat on. Wasn't she hot...? The room was cool but not cold enough for a coat of any kind.

"Mr. Walker," Marcella said, nodding.

"Come," Mr. Sui said, showing Takumi to a bunch of people. "I'm sure you've met my colleagues..."

"Come darling," Marcella said, taking Misaki's elbow. "Let the men do what they do."

Misaki followed Marcella to the table of drinks. They both took glasses. "Cheers to our husbands," she said, clinking glasses with her.

"Yeah...cheers," Misaki said, taking a sip.

Marcella prattled on about clothes, makeup and a bunch of other dull things. Misaki smiled and nodded. When directly asked a question, she could only provide vague answers.

"Like I mean that collection was so last month," she sniffed.

"Yeah..." Misaki said, nodding.

"Misaki!" a voice called.

"Ruri!" Misaki exclaimed, trying to hide the relief in her voice.

Ruri strutted over in her chic dove gray dress. "Marcella," she greeted.

"Ruri, how are you?" Marcella said, clinking glasses with her.

"Wonderful. Tora is busy talking business so I thought I'd scoot over here," Ruri said with a wink.

"Oh, Takumi needs saving," Ruri said, pushing Misaki over.

Misaki rolled her eyes and walked over. She shot Ruri a dirty look over her shoulder. Ruri giggled and waved her off.

"Hi honey," Misaki said, looping her arm around Takumi's. She shot the two women in front of him a glare.

Takumi patted her hand in thanks. "Um... Miss Ji, Miss Lee, this is my wife, Misaki Walker," he said, kissing her hand.

"Hello," Misaki said. "Takumi, I think I want another drink," she lied. "Come with?"

"Of course," Takumi said. "Ladies," he said. "Until next time..."

They walked away. "Thanks..." Takumi whispered.

Misaki laughed. "I promised I would protect you, didn't I?" Misaki teased.

"Oh, Takumi is still in one piece," Ruri joked.

"Hello Ruri," Takumi said, nodding. "Where's Tora?"

"By the punch bowl," Ruri said without even turning around.

"Keeping tabs much?" Misaki asked.

Ruri laughed. "I got to make sure his eyes don't go wandering..." she joked.

"He wouldn't do that," Misaki reassured Ruri. There was no doubt that Tora was a playboy during his teenage years but even people like Tora change for the better.

"Lets keep it that way," Ruri said.

"Keep what?" Tora asked. "What are you talking about?"

Ruri gave Tora a peck on the mouth. "You, of course," she said.

"Good things I hope," Tora said.

"Depends..."

"On?"

"On how much you love me," Ruri teased.

"You know I only love you," Tora said. "My weddings vows weren't empty."

Misaki and Takumi shuffled away to give them some privacy. Misaki couldn't help but smile. Amazing how even Tora can be so devoted.

"So how much do you love me?" Misaki asked, fixing Takumi's tie.

"What's that suppose to mean?" Takumi asked, amused. He took her hands into his. "My heart and body both belong to you,"

Misaki smirked. "What if I want your soul too...?" she whispered.

"Its your's," Takumi promised.