I stopped my car outside the Dojo. I had just had my first day back at work. I had gone back to my apartment a few days before, with the promise to come visit. I felt embarrassed to show up like this. I sighed and opened my car door, entering the massive gates of the Dojo. In the courtyard, I found Sakaki and Apachai training Kenichi. I smiled and walked towards them, waving.
"Va-va-voom, look what just walked in the room," Sakaki whistled. I blushed.
"You is looking very pretty!" Apachai said. "But you are always pretty, just more pretty today!"
I laughed. I was wearing my work clothes, a simple pencil skirt, a button up top that had the first three buttons undone, black stockings and black high heels. My hair was combed down my back and I had applied some mascara with a bit of pink lipstick.
"Are you all dressed up just for us?" Sakaki asked.
"I just came from work," I said. "I wanted to come and cook for you guys."
"Ooh! Apachai is liking your cooking! He is liking it very much," Apachai exclaimed. I smiled and turned, walking back to my car to get the groceries I had bought to make the meal. Apachai followed me, taking the bags from me and going into the house. I laughed and followed him, setting my purse inside the door with my shoes.
"Well, aren't you all dressed up?" I turned and saw the Elder smiling at me. "We've missed you."
I returned his smile and stood, reaching over and hugging him.
"Awe, I missed you, too," I said. "I've come to cook for you. I'm sure Miu could use a break."
"Do you always cook like that?" he asked.
"These are my work clothes," I explained.
"Ah, well, you look lovely," he complimented. I smiled and made my way to the kitchen. I rolled up my sleeves and pulled back my hair, grabbing the pots and pans I would need. I quickly began making a French dish I had learned a while back with a goat cheese sauce. The smell soon filled the house, making a few people come poking in to see if it was done.
"Well, to what do we owe the pleasure?" Akisame said from behind me.
"Just wanted to cook for you guys," I said. He walked over and peaked in the pot.
"Oh, a French dish, what a treat," he said. "And you're all dressed up."
"Everyone has said that today," I laughed. "It's just my work clothes and not even my nicest ones."
"Well, you look lovelier than usual," he said. "And if you keep spoiling us this way, I think I will get fat." I laughed and turned to face him, reaching inside his top and running my hand over his chiseled stomach.
"As if," I said. "Plus, if you have to train for a few more minutes a day I consider that a success."
I tickled his stomach, watching to see if he was ticklish. He grinned at me.
"I'm not ticklish," he said. "Are you?"
"I am, but don't," I said.
"Why not?" he asked.
"I have a strong knee jerk reaction and tend to lash out," I said.
"Ahhh, well then, I just will have to stay out of the way," he teased.
"What are you two…doing?" Shugure asked.
"Talking," I replied.
"With your…hand in his…shirt?" she asked. I looked down and laughed, realizing I hadn't moved away from him.
"I think they would make a cute couple," Miu commented, peeking around Shugure.
"Yes..." Shugure agreed. I smirked and wrapped my arms around his neck.
"Oh dear, they've discovered our secret," I teased.
"Hmm, seems so," he said, putting his hands on my lower back and pulling me flush against his body.
"Well, no more sneaking around like teenagers, at least," I said. Akisame grinned and leaned forward, kissing my neck. I ignored the subtle shiver this action sent up my spine.
"But now we don't have to hide it when you start showing," he leered, patting my stomach. I looked over and saw Shugure and Miu were staring at us in shock. Shugure quickly darted away while Miu continued to stare at us.
"Dammit, she's gone to tell everyone," I sighed.
"Is that bad?" Miu asked.
"We were joking," I said, pulling away. I walked back to the stove and began to finish the meal, dumping the massive amount of cooked pasta in with the sauce and stirring it together. I portioned the pasta out into bowls and handed some to Miu and Akisame, taking the rest to the table myself. Everyone began piling into the dining room and I got more than one strange look. I knew Shugure had already told everyone about Akisame and me. I wandered if she would be upset when I reveled it was all a joke.
"So," the Elder began, "You two are having a baby?"
I couldn't help it. I began laughing, dropping down on the floor next to Akisame. Everyone gave me strange looks except for Miu who giggled behind her hand and Akisame who had set his bowl carefully on the table. I felt his hand come around my waist and he pulled me into his lap.
"Don't tease, darling, the cats out of the bag," he said. I rolled my eyes and slapped his shoulder.
"Oh stop," I said. He laid a hand on my stomach.
"We're hoping for a girl," he said.
"Why a girl?" I asked. "I would think you would want a boy."
"A girl would be cuter and pretty like her mama," he reasoned. "And I could spoil her."
"But a boy would be your heir and…wait, why am I having this discussion, there is no baby," I said.
"What?" Sakaki asked. "Shugure said…"
"We were messing with her," I explained.
"But…you had your hand…in his shirt," Shugure said.
"I was trying to tickle him," I clarified. "We were goofing around."
Everyone at the table laughed. I sighed and lay across Akisame's lap.
"Feed me," I ordered. He chuckled.
"You're not sick, you can feed yourself," he said.
"Meany," I pouted.
"Oh?" he asked, arching an eyebrow. His hands came down and wiggled along my sides.
"No! Don't tickle me!" I shrieked, trying to jerk away. He moved his arms, pulling me back into his lap and resuming his tickling.
"No!" I cried. "Stop! Please! Teheheheheh! Oh my god, stop! Aki-hehehehe! No! Lemme go! Hehehe." I jerked my arm back, landing my elbow right in his mouth. He made a sound of surprise and released me. I quickly spun around, straddling his lap and grabbing his head.
"Oh my god, I'm so sorry!" I cried. "Are you okay?" He pushed his tongue against his bottom lip.
"You busted my lip," he said surprised. I felt horrible and hugged his head to my chest.
"I'm so sorry! Oh my god, I'm so sorry!" I said. I pulled his head back and examined his lip, seeing that I had indeed split it. I hugged his head again, apologizing over and over again.
"Shit, come bust my lip," Sakaki said. I stopped and realized what I was doing, quickly pulling back from him.
"I'm sorry," I said again. He smiled.
"It's alright," he said. "I suppose I should have listened when you said it was a bad idea. I just didn't expect you to move that fast."
"I'm sorry," I repeated.
"I'm impressed actually," he told me.
"Me too," Kenichi said. "I barely saw her move."
"She was fast!" Apachai said.
"Not making me feel better," I grumbled. Akisame chuckled and rubbed my back.
"It's fine," he said. "I've had split lips before." I leaned forward and pecked his bottom lip.
"Why did you do that?" he asked.
"To kiss it and make it better," I said a bit sheepishly.