Author's note: I appreciate your patience with waiting for an update. I hope you won't be disappointed.
Farrah did not wake up until the next day. Sunlight flooded the room making her tightly squeeze her eyes closed after trying to open them. She grabbed the blanket to pull it over her head.
Despite the tell tale ache in lower belly, she did not move to get out of the bed to go to the bathroom. However, she would not be able stay still much longer. The thought of having to call out to Keigo to take her to the bathroom was so humiliating she could not bring herself to actually do it.
Stubbornly she pushed herself to a sitting position while slowly swinging her legs off of the side of the bed. Biting her lower lip, she pressed the tips of her toes peeking out from under the bandages to the floor tentatively. No pain so far.
Farrah inhaled a deep breath and pressed her foot protected by layers and layers of gauze flat on the floor. Unable to wait any longer, she stood and hobbled to the bathroom the profound ache in her lower abdomen enabling her to overcome the pins and needles poking her tender, injured soles.
Once she had answered the call of nature and tended to washing her hands and face, she exited the bathroom to find an extremely displeased Keigo standing there waiting for her. Literally taken aback by his unexpected presence, she jumped backwards, her shoulder hitting the jamb of the door. The sharp jolt of pain in her shoulder almost made her forget the fiery stabs in her feet. Almost.
Farrah yelped, instantly losing her balance when her knees weakened in her body's effort to get her off of her feet. Expecting to experience another does of pain, this time in her behind when it hit the floor, she closed her eyes.
Instead, she felt an arm around her shoulders and one under knees when he caught her mid fall, preventing her from smacking her bottom or staggering helplessly on her sore feet. Instinctively, her arms went around his neck to get a secure hold on him as well.
"I got you," Keigo assured her in a low voice.
His breath had ghosted across her lips when he spoke. So close and warm, making them tingle as if he had touched her.
Farrah slowly opened her eyes to find herself staring into his orbs that glowed as brightly as the sunshine around them. Her entire body heated with a nice fuzzy feeling as comforting as the arms holding her.
"For the second time," she remarked, watching his lips slowly stretch and lift upward at the corners in a less charming and more genuine smile than she had ever seen from him.
"I want to always be your hero," he promised her. His lips took a sudden downturn and the brightness faded from his eyes as he grew serious and almost angry. "But next time it might not be me who is there to catch you."
Farrah could not tell if he was admonishing her for her being hard headed and getting up on her own or warning her about something that might be happening in the future. Her arms tightened around his neck when he looked away to turn and carry her to the bed.
"I know you don't like feeling helpless or depending on other people, but you have no choice." He paused, holding her in his arms at the side of the bed while contemplating his words. "And that doesn't make this whole thing any easier or less humiliating."
"No. It doesn't," she confirmed, loosening her arms from around his neck.
Keigo gradually lowered her to the bed putting her down gently into the nest of sheets and blankets she had made for herself. He sat down beside her with his back against the headboard, nudging her over with his hip to make more room for him.
Farrah noted he was dressed in casual clothes, a pair of khaki cargo pants and a black t-shirt. Stealing a glimpse at his face, their eyes met and he smiled.
"What do you want for breakfast? I'm sure you're hungry. You slept a really long time," he pointed out as if she didn't know.
The thought of food had not yet crossed her mind. She did not really feel hungry, but she was sure when she did she would be starving.
"Well, I'm not sure," she said.
"Tell me what you want. I can cook so -"
"Wait," she interrupted him, laying her hand on his forearm. "You can cook?"
"Is that so unbelievable?"
Keigo placed his hand over hers. He was warm like the sun with eyes and hair to match it's color. She quickly looked away, pulling her hand from under his, as a fit of bashfulness overtook her.
"Mmmm, yeah," she admitted.
"You cooked for me the other night. It's my turn to take care of you and cook for you. Now," he sighed, slapping his thighs. "I'm thinking since you're an American you are craving a good old American breakfast. Eggs, bacon, and toast?"
"That sounds amazing," she replied, beginning to salivate at the thought.
"Would you like a book to keep you occupied until I come back to entertain you with more riveting conversation?" He gave her a wink.
"Sure," she giggled.
"What kind of book do you want to read?" he inquired while walking to the door. "Fiction. Non Fiction. Historical." He looked back over his shoulder at her waggling his bushy blond eyebrows. "Romance."
"Ummm," Farrah hummed thoughtfully, rolling her eyes toward the ceiling. She shrugged then exclaimed, "You pick! Surprise me!"
He smiled broadly at her. "I always do."
That's for sure, she thought, glancing down at her clothes. Shifting uncomfortably, she realized she would need a bath and a change of clothes. Soon.
Taking a shower was out of the question because she could not stand on her feet, but how was taking a bath going to work? Keigo could take her to the tub, put her down, and leave, then she could handle the rest by herself. He could leave towels, soap, extra clothes, everything she needed, within her reach.
What was she going to wear? The idea of sliding on one of his t-shirts was rather inviting. Goosebumps raised along her arms. Hugging herself, contemplating what it would be like to wear one of his hoodies or damn near anything that had touched his body, a disturbing realization occurred to her. What about underwear? She would have to go commando with no bra.
"Holy shit," she gasped.
"If don't like this, let me know," Keigo said upon re-entering the room. He held out the book to her. The smile faded from his lips as he gazed at her. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. Uhm..." She took the book, turning it in her hands to look at it from all sides. A red hard back cover with no dust jacket and no words on the front or the spine for a title. Blinking at him in confusion, she asked, "What is it?"
"Start reading and you'll find out. Oh!" He held out the glass of orange juice to her that he seemed to have forgotten he held in his hand. "This is for you too."
"Don't spoil me too much, Takami," she warned him, taking the cool glass from him. "I might never leave."
"That's hardly a threat. And don't you think you should call me Keigo. I think we're good to be on a first name basis at all times."
"I think you're right."
Farrah settled back into the pillows as he was leaving to go back to the kitchen. The book nameless book was actually Naita Akaoni, The Red Oni Who Cried. Created by Hamada Hirosuke, the red oni in his story wanted to be good and kind, befriending humans, not eating them. Oni were typically known as gigantic, fierce creatures who enjoyed their activities of hunting, killing, and consuming people.
Enji Todoroki came to mind. He could be described as a typical, traditional oni in human form. Huge, surly, downright mean, unnecessarily cruel to those he is supposed to love the most in this world. Not consuming them physically but eating their emotions and spitting them back out leaving them devastated.
She thought about Rei. In high school, Rei was a quiet, shy girl who kept her nose in a book. She did not care for sports and did not join any clubs. Although kind and sweet, caring deeply about her friends, she never had many and the ones she had were extremely loyal.
Farrah sighed. Despite both of them being on the outer fringes of high school society, she and Rei were never friends. Being a foreigner, she was shunned and ignored. However, when she became involved with Enji Todoroki, her entire life changed. He became her everything and eventually she became nothing at all to him.
However, Rei actually saved her from the awful fate of becoming Enji Todoroki's wife. Once she learned about the terrible things Rei and the children suffered at the hands of that man, Farrah could not help but feel grateful and guilty all at once.
Tossing the book aside, she closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose as a headache burst inside her brain like a thunderstorm.
"Hope you're - " Keigo's cheery exclamation ceased instantly when he entered the room to see her with her face scrunched up in agony. "Are you okay? What happened?"
"It's nothing," she assured him, finishing off the glass of juice. "Do you have anything for a headache?"
"Sure. I'll be right back."
He set the plates down on the nightstand. She wished he had taken the food with him. The aroma of bacon and buttered toast should have made her drool but instead it turned her stomach.
Keigo returned with two round white pills and a glass of water. He watched her every move as she popped them into her mouth then guzzled the water. He traded the empty glass of water for a full glass of orange juice. Placing a pillow across her lap, he carefully balanced the plate on top.
Farrah guessed she grimaced or made some face of disgust when he prompted her to eat.
"You have to eat. I know it's not gourmet but I'm a pretty good cook. It shouldn't be too terrible," he said, sitting on the edge of the bed facing her. Taking his own plate in his hands, he began to eat.
"It's not that. It's - " She cut herself off. It's because Endeavor, the man you look up to, is a heinous asshole. "It's nothing. I'm just feeling a little...a little not like myself. I'll be fine."
Actually, Keigo underestimated his cooking prowess. Or maybe it was just because she had not eaten in over twenty fours. Once the first forkful of fluffy scrambled eggs passed her lips and touched her tastebuds, she dug in with gusto, polishing off her entire plate of food before he was half way done.
"My compliments to the chef. That was really good," she sighed, rubbing her full belly.
His face flushed with happiness, the shade of red coming close to the crimson of his wings.
"I do need to ask you something," she began, lacing and unlacing her fingers in her lap. "I, uh, I would like to, uh, to take a shower. If you will just carry me into the bathroom, I can do the rest. Will you help me?"
"Of course," he returned, without giving her a salacious grin or wink. He leaned forward to place his plate on the table. "But it should be a bath, not a shower."
"Oh, no, please finish eating. It can wait."
The conversation ceased while he finished his food. After taking the empty plates to the kitchen, Keigo came back into the room but bypassed the bed to go into the bathroom to begin running the water into the little tub. He went to his closet to look for something to give her to wear. Choosing both a t shirt and a hoodie, he hung them in the bathroom for her to put on.
"Ready?" he asked her, standing beside the bed.
Farrah nodded, reaching up to put her arms around his neck as he bent to slide his arms under her knees and around her shoulders. Her belly quivered as he carried her to the bathroom.
He sat her on the edge of the tub then backed away. Sliding his hand into his back pockets, he stood there waiting. For what exactly she did not know, and he did not seem to either.
"Thank you, Keigo," she said not knowing what to say or do. "I really appreciate everything you are doing for me. I know you didn't have to do any of this."
"I know and not I'm not doing this for some ulterior motive. I..." He massaged the back of his neck. "Your towel is there and the soap and shampoo are there. I hope they are okay."
Farrah glanced at the white fluffy towel hanging on the bar attached to the wall beside the tub. He had also hung the red t-shirt and black hoodie there. The bar of soap and white bottle of shampoo would have to do. Besides, she was in no position to be choosy or demanding.
"Everything is fine. Thank you."
"Well, uh, I-I will l-leave," he stammered, pointing toward the door. "So you can take your bath."
Farrah smiled and nodded.
"I'll be right here if you need me. Just yell and I'll come running," he told her, giving a nervous chuckle. He exited swiftly, accidentally slamming the door when he closed it behind himself. "Sorry! I'll be right here."
She covered her mouth to stifle a giggle. She found his boyish awkwardness more charming than his suave but practiced flirtations.
After unwinding the bandages and throwing them in the trash, she examined her feet. The numerous cuts were closed and scabbed over. Two or three of the deeper gashes still looked a little raw and would probably leave scars. Not the first time she had received a scar in her life.
Swinging her feet over into the tub, she gritted her teeth to endure the sting of the hot water on the cuts. She undressed while her feet soaked and acclimated to the water. Standing and putting pressure on her feet caused jolts of pain to race up her legs and for her to suck in air between her teeth.
"Are you all right?" Keigo called from the other side of the bathroom door.
"I'm fine," she assured him, sinking her body into the water. "Just the water hitting the cuts you know."
"Yeah. I'll put something on them for the pain before I bandage them back up."
"I'm beginning to think you missed your true calling, Keigo Takami. You're one hell of a nurse," she said, dribbling the hot water over her shoulder.
"Thanks," he laughed lightly. "Hey, Farrah, can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"If you had stayed with Todoroki, married him, how different do you think your life would have been? You don't have to answer if you don't want to. I'm just curious, that's all."
Farrah dunked her head under the water. She had what if'ed herself a million times. What if she had married Enji Todoroki? Her life probably would have been a daily misery, a living hell just like that of the family he had chosen instead of her.
It would have been worse actually considering both of their bad tempers and fire quirks. They would have burned down several houses without a doubt, possibly an entire neighborhood. They would have annihilated each other both emotionally and physically in a far worse way than she could imagine leaving a trail of destruction not many would escape from.
But hadn't he done that exact thing with Rei and his children? The only difference is the two of them together would have literally burned everyone down.
"I don't know, Keigo. I've never really thought much about it," she lied, pressing her shaking fingers to her forehead. She decided to ask him a difficult question. "Do you think you'll ever get married?"
"Hell no," he laughed, a distinctly bitter sound. "I'm a confirmed bachelor. I don't think I could ever be happy with just one woman. I'm too much of a kid and always will be to have any of my own."
"Well, at least you have no illusions about yourself," she returned, impressed by his truthful assessment of himself.
He confirmed what she had already been thinking. If she had a fling with him it would be just that, a temporary affair built on fleeting emotions and sexual attraction. They would burn together with passion and fury then flame out leaving nothing but cinders behind.
She would not dare expect anything more, and it was fine. For her romantic dalliances were never long lasting, but sometimes it's damn ridiculous how transitory relationships could be.
Farrah sighed, picking up the generic white shampoo bottle. Flipping open the lid, she took a sniff. It smelled like strawberries. Not what she expected. But of course nothing about Keigo Takami was what she expected - with the exception of his attitude toward relationships.
"You okay in there?" Keigo asked when he had not heard anything from her in a while.
"Almost done," she called back, pulling the plug from the drain.
Farrah turned on the water to rinse off the last of the suds from the vanilla scented soap from her skin. Now she knew why he smelled like her favorite dessert of strawberry shortcake and had such soft skin and hair.
"Do you need help?" he asked as she pulled herself up onto the side of the tub to retrieve the towel.
"Nope! I'm good!" she hollered, her entire body heating with the prospect of him bursting through that door and seeing her naked.
Under different circumstances, she would have welcomed the attention, invited him in even. But she was injured and at a maddening disadvantage being dependent on him. She hated the sense of helplessness.
Although she had no reason to be loyal to him, it seemed inappropriate to seduce Enji's subordinate who worked so closely with him. That self-centered bastard would no doubt see it as her way of trying to get back at him for wounding her or possibly a pathetic attempt to garner his attention again.
"What an asshole," she muttered, pulling the t-shirt over her head.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"I'm coming in," he warned her.
Farrah stood to pull down the t-shirt which had been gathered around her waist. The hem reached her mid-thigh. Snatching the hoodie from the hanger, she slipped it on as well hoping it would be a little bit longer to provide a little more coverage for pantiless bottom.
"What are you doing? Get off your feet," Keigo ordered her.
She sat back down on the edge of the tub. When he pulled her leg up to look at her foot, she shoved her hands between her legs to hold the shirts down in between them in order to not unintentionally reveal anything private to him.
Her eyes fixed themselves on his face as he set about spreading antibiotic ointment with lidocaine on her injuries. He was so damn pretty. The muscles of his jaw tensed with concentration giving him an exceedingly sharp and jawline, diminishing the childish roundness that was usually there when he was relaxed. And he always seemed to be relaxed.
His black lashes curled against his lightly tanned cheeks. She studied the black markings at the corners of his eyes. He looked as if he were wearing black eyeliner. If he was, he wore it well but she had not seen any eyeliner pencils around nor did she see him applying it.
"All done," he declared, standing up in front of her.
"Keigo," she said, reaching out to brush her fingertips along the lines of blond hair on his chin.
"Hmm?" His molten gold eyes were half closed giving him a sleepy, dreamy, appearance.
"Thank you," she murmured.
"You're welcome," he returned, leaning in closer to her as his arms went around her waist. "You don't have to keep thanking me."
"I know," she said, her lips coming alarmingly but enticingly close to his. "But..."
"But what?"
Her fingertips pressed to his cheek. His skin felt so warm and soft. She could feel his breath on her lips.
But what? What the hell was I going to say?, she asked herself.
Sliding his hands down her back and under her behind, he lifted her. No princess carry this time. Her legs enclosed his waist, one ankle hooking around the other to hold her body firmly to his.
Without waiting for her to say something, Keigo carried her to the bed. Rather than setting her down, he sat down, holding her in his lap.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm going to kiss you."
He wasn't asking this time. Straightening his back, he smashed his lips to hers for a fierce kiss.
Farrah wrapped her arms around his neck, pushing her lips back against his with such force he rolled back slightly. She moaned when his hand gripped her neck, her lips parting to allow his curious tongue to enter and explore.
His other hand slipped around to her chest, covering her breast to give it a squeeze. She tore her lips from his, breathing heavily as she gazed down at him through half closed eyes.
"I don't think this is a good idea," she panted. "Maybe at another time we - "
"This is a horrible idea," he agreed, cutting her off. "No time will ever be a good time. Not for this. Not for us."
"Keigo - "
The knock on the door halted her next words. Their heads whipped toward the bedroom as if the knock had come from there rather than the front door.
Grasping her waist with both hands, Keigo flung her off onto the bed. He went to the bedroom door, pivoting on his foot to face her.
"Stay here," he ordered her. "Don't move. Don't say a word."
The seriousness in his voice and the worry in his eyes made her nod in agreement. She watched him engage the lock before he walked out and closed the door. Obviously he had not been expecting visitors.
A pounding, insistent knock echoed through the apartment.
"Just a minute," he sang out with his usual casual silliness.
"It's me!" Enji Todoroki boomed.
"Fuck," she heard Keigo mutter at the same exact time as her.
"Boss!" he exclaimed with feigned happiness, the hinges on the door squeaking when he flung it open. "So good to see you! To what do I owe of the honor this unexpected visit to my humble abode."
"Cut the crap you idiot," Enji admonished him. "You know damn good and well why I'm here."
"You can't have her," Keigo said, his voice low and threatening.
"What? Are you kidding me?"
"Enji," Farrah breathed.
The urge run overtook her but there was no escape from this room. With no windows and only one door which led straight into the room where they were conversing, she had no outlet.
"She won't go with you," Keigo warned him.
"Not willingly, no," Enji admitted.
"So what are you saying? You'll grab her, take her by force? What do you plan to do? Throw her over your shoulder and carry her off like a caveman?" He chuckled at the mental image his own words created.
"If I have to."
"You will."
"Takada knows where she is. She is not safe. I have to move her," he insisted.
"Where?"
"Don't you worry about it. I have somewhere extremely safe in mind," Enji assured his subordinate. "Somewhere Takada would never think to look much less enter to get her."
There was a disturbing silence on the other side of the door. The tension between the two men permeated the small apartment. The air practically sizzled with energy like before lightning strikes.
Farrah's anxiety climbed during the pause in their discussion until her stomach hurt, and she felt nauseas. She did not want to leave Keigo. The idea of going anywhere with Enji, even for him to take her to a safe house made her feel ill. She did not want to be taken away from Keigo either truth be told. Her fingers trembled as she reached for the door handle.
"Oh, my God," Keigo chuckled derisively without a hint of amusement. "You're planning on taking her to your house."
"Even that asshole would not dare to attack the house of the number one hero," Enji said confidently.
"Shit," he mumbled not so sure.
Farrah found Enji's arrogance and sheer audicity offensive. She opened the door and entered the room. Both men stared at her but none of them spoke.
"I won't go with you," Farrah announced, her eyes on Enji's angry and hard face.
"You don't have a choice," he said, taking a step toward her with his hand outstretched with the intention of seizing her.
"No!" she yelled, backing away from him. "I'm staying here with Keigo."
Enji took another step toward her while Keigo took a step back.
"All right caveman. Go for it," he said, backing away further.
Keigo shoved his hands in his pockets as if physically indicating he had taken his hands off the situation and it was completely between those two.
Just as he had played out the scenario in his head, Enji Todoroki bumrushed her, thrusting his shoulder into her belly while wrapping his arm around her thighs. He watched the man lift her off her feet, her body falling over his shoulder as if he had hefted up a big bag of flour.
"Damn you, Enji Todoroki," Farrah shrieked, beating on his broad back with her fists.
"You are coming with me," Enji Todoroki growled, slapping her behind. "Stop that!"
"Ouch!"
She was strong and her forceful punches were like getting pelted in the back with rocks fired from a cannon. There was bound to be bruises.
Farrah's bare behind stung like fire as if he had used his flames rather than his hand on her butt. Wiggling her entire body, she attempted to squirm out of his grip but he tightened his arm around her thighs until she swore he would snap her legs off at the knees.
"Fuck," she muttered, giving up entirely to hang limply over his shoulder while he carried her downstairs to his car.
"You're still stubborn as hell," Enji muttered before dumping her into his front passenger's seat.
"And you're still an asshole," she retorted.
When he stuck his head into the car coming almost nose to nose with her, she yelped. His upper lip peeled back revealing his teeth while his furious but beautiful turquoise eyes drilled into hers.
"I'm the asshole who's going to save your life, sweetheart."
He slammed the door in her face before she could hurl an insult at him.
"Ugh," she groaned, pounding her thighs with her fists although she wished it could be his face.
Enji slid into the driver's seat, and they were on their way. Neither one of them said a word, both prideful and hard headed, determined not to give in to breaking the disturbing silence. As he drover further out of the city, the houses becoming more sparse and further apart, she became curious - and more nervous.
"Are you really taking me to your house?" Farrah asked, watching the green blur of trees passing by.
"I am," he confirmed, his voice a deep rumble. He kept his eyes fixed on the road without sparing her a glance or any further explanation.
"What will your wife and children think?"
Farrah stole a glimpse at him. She watched as his stony façade developed a crack. He inhaled sharply, his eyes opening wide. His lips parted as if he meant to say something but no words came out. She observed his Adam's apple bobbing up and down as he swallowed several times.
"They're not there," he stated, his voice barely above a whisper.
It was Farrah's turn to be shocked. She had never heard Enji Todoroki sound so hurt or defeated. Her mouth dropped open to begin asking the thousand questions that entered her head, but she decided not to because really, his family business was none of hers.
"A while back, I built them a house of their own...a home far away from me," he added, an audible gulping sound emanating from his throat. "It's better for them. Fuyumi is within walking distance of the school where she works. Shoto is closer to his school. Rei is not far from her doctors and the hospital which is more convenient for her appointments. And Natsuo has a safe place to come home to. A place where he doesn't have to worry about seeing me."
Farrah sat still almost too afraid to blink. Keeping her peace was not difficult because she was too stunned to speak even if she could form a thought in her clouded brain.
"I realized they would be better off without me. For the first time in my life I decided to do something unselfish, to put their needs above mine," he continued, pulling to a stop in front of the tall and wide wooden gate. He pressed a button on the visor and the gate began to swing open. "If I wasn't around they had a chance to be a family again. if I wasn't there, they could be happy."
Maybe he had changed. His candid confession surprised her - and upset her. Why did he suddenly feel the need to tell her this? The last time Enji Todoroki poured his heart out to her they were seventeen, and he was in love with her. A choking lump formed in her throat.
Enji did not say a word as he pulled into the driveway to park in front of the veritable mansion built in the traditional style of Japanese houses. He turned off the car but made no move to get out. His hands gripped the steering wheel until his knuckles turned white.
"I want to protect you, Farrah. Please," he said, swinging his gaze toward her. "Please allow me to keep you safe."
Enji Todoroki was simply getting what he deserved, reaping the seeds of dissolution he had sown to alienate his own family. Although she did not want it to, her heart ached for him. She could not hate him in this moment despite trying. The man was genuinely heartbroken after losing his family.
Enji had not looked upset in the least when he told her their relationship was over, and he planned to marry Rei. He had been selfishly determined, resolute, thinking only of his future plans and putting all emotion aside. But now, he was feeling the pain of loss and desolation throughout his entire being. The glut of emotions clogging her throat prevented her from saying anything more.
"Will you let me do that?"
"Enji," she whispered, unable to speak any louder.
"Come inside," he invited her in a soft voice. "Stay with me."
When his hand touched hers, Farrah jumped but did not pull away. His huge hand engulfed hers, holding it securely. His wounded eyes held fast to hers, pleading silently with her. Those eyes harboring so much sadness melted the ice around her stupid, stupid heart. She would not put up a fight or try to run away despite everything inside of her screaming at her she should.
Goddamn you, Enji Todoroki. Damn you to hell.