I lay on my back, reading a book and keeping my body tense as Sakaki bench-pressed me. He had one hand on my upper back and one hand just below my butt. I turned the page, humming to myself as I was lifted in the air repeatedly.
"762…763…764…seven—hundred and sixty….uhh….shit," Sakaki said, pausing.
"Seven-hundred and sixty five," I offered, turning another page.
"Thanks, 765…766…" he continued to count, lifting me up again. "You make a good weight."
"I'll take that as a compliment," I drawled.
"I didn't mean your fat," he said. "You're just good at staying stiff."
"Thanks, I think," I said. He chuckled, moved his hand to the center of my back, and let go of my legs. I curled them up as he resumed his presses one handed.
"How's your leg?" Sakaki asked.
"Okay, I guess, I haven't had much cause to use it," I said.
"I saw that you filled up the kitchen," he commented.
"You guys took care of me and Akisame wouldn't let me repay him so I went and got groceries," I said. "I would have gotten more but it was just Akisame, Miu and me and I wasn't allowed to carry much. I think I may sneak out with you and Apachai and grab some more."
"You must be loaded," he said.
"I have a good job and few bills," I said. "And a high interest savings account."
"Must be nice," he muttered.
"So take on a few more of those competing Dojo's," I replied. "Don't you charge them to do it?"
"It gets to be a pain taking on such weaklings," he sighed.
"So do most jobs," I said. "Doesn't make it any less necessary."
"Yeah," he sighed.
"You could charge them double if it only takes one of you to defeat them," I suggested.
"You have a lot of faith in our skills," he chuckled.
"Uhm, you're bench pressing me one handed," I pointed out. "Not to mention I've seen you go through walls, Apachai jump over walls, Akisame take out four men without breaking a sweat and Shugure cut down a tree with a butter knife. I can only imagine the kind of power Elder possess."
"Most would be scared of us," he remarked. I shifted so I could look down at his face.
"You've never been anything but kind and gentle to me," I said. "I'm not afraid." Sakaki suddenly dropped me on his chest, making me cry out in surprise. He sat up, causing me to slide down into his lap. I looked up and saw he was blushing. I laughed and reached up, hugging him.
"You're so tiny, though," he said, putting a large hand on my back.
"Are you saying I should be afraid?" I asked.
"No," he said.
"Would you hurt me?" I questioned.
"Of course not," he replied.
"Then I'm not afraid," I said flippantly. "I trust you. You're an honorable man, Sakaki. You saw me naked and didn't do anything." His blush darkened and he gently set me on my feet, standing and muttering something about punching posts before walking away.
I smiled.
DHMB: Another couple chapters. Reveiws make chapters come faster!