Post by kfttjdb on Sept 2, 2005 17:08:02 GMT -5
Thank you again for continuing to read! Okay no more delaying, here is Chapter 5:
When Ren came back downstairs everyone was seated around the table. Anna and Tamao were still in the kitchen, and Horo was pouring juice for everyone.
“What took you so long?” Yoh asked, smiling. Ren blushed slightly.
“You got rid of the rocker shirt. I liked it,” Horo protested.
“Is Pirika back from the market yet? We need that bread,” Anna called from the kitchen. As she was speaking there was a knock on the door. Ren froze. She’s here. He thought to himself. His hands began to tremble.
“Hey Ren, come help!” Yoh called from the front door. He turned and released the breath he didn’t know he was holding. It was Pirika with bags from the market. He jogged to the door and grabbed a few of them.
“Hi, Ren. Thanks for your help,” Pirika said as she made her way into the house. As Yoh went to close the door she stopped him. “Wait, Yoh. Lyserg’s parking the car.” she said.
“Oh, okay.” Yoh left the door ajar.
Horo sat the juice pitcher on the table and walked to the front door. “You said Lyserg’s parking the car?” he asked.
“Yes. He saw me at the market and offered to drive me home.” Pirika replied. She handed her brother one of her bags.
“Oh is that right? He just happened to be in the neighborhood?” Horo said with a frown.
“Come on, Horo. Anna invited him to come this morning anyway. He was bound to pass near the market.” Yoh said, patting him on the back.
Pirika ignored Horo’s disgust and followed Ren to the kitchen. Tamao took the bags from them while Anna searched for bread.
“Hello everyone!” Lyserg said cheerily as he came through the door.
“Hi ya, Lyserg!” Manta called, waving at him.
“I did not know you were coming! It’s so nice to see you!” Ryu said ecstatically.
Everyone said hello or greeted him in some way except Horo. He completely ignored him.
“Hi Horo.” Lyserg said concerned.
“I’m hungry. Can we eat?” Horo said, walking away from him. Lyserg’s expression of disappointment quickly faded when Pirika reemerged from the kitchen.
“Make yourself at home, Lyserg,” she said. He smiled at her, his cheeks turning bright pink.
“Thanks.” Was all he could say.
There was another knock on the door, and since Lyserg was still near it he answered it.
“Hi, Lyserg. Has breakfast started yet?” She said as he let her in the door.
“Good morning, Yukihiro. No we haven’t started yet. Everyone’s here that’s coming, I think.” Lyserg said. “Everyone, look who’s here!” he called out to the rest.
Everyone in the house immediately smiled at her. She received jaunty hellos over and over again.
“I’m so sorry I’m late, Anna. I had to run an errand,” she said apologetically.
“Oh, don’t worry about it,” Anna said. She had a pleasant smile on her face and her mood was drastically different. “Come and have a seat.” She said as she guided her to the table.
Tamao and Anna began placing the food out on the table. Yukihiro offered to help them, but Anna refused it saying she was a guest. Pirika made everyone get up and told them where to sit. It was agreed that Yoh and Anna would sit on the opposite ends of the table. She then directed Horo to sit on the right end beside Yoh, Ryu beside him, Manta, and then Lyserg. Across the table would be Ren, Yukihiro, Tamao, and she would sit on the end near Anna. Only Horo noticed that she seated herself directly across from Lyserg.
“Where’s Ren?” Pirika asked. Everyone stopped and looked around.
“I’ll go find him,” Yoh said. He got up from the table and went directly to Ren’s bedroom.
“He was just here a few minutes ago,” Pirika said.
“Right before I got here?” Yukihiro asked. Everyone fell silent. “It’s fine. If he doesn’t want to see me, he doesn’t have to. Maybe I should leave.” She stood up suddenly.
“No. Sit down.” Anna said sternly. “You are our guest. I invited you here and I want you to stay. You will eat and we will have a good time.”
---
“What are you doing, Ren?” Yoh asked when he entered his room.
“I think I’m allergic to something from those bags Pirika brought in,” Ren started.
“What?” Yoh couldn’t believe his ears. What was more unbelievable was that Ren looked serious.
“I feel like my throat is closing up and my hands keep shaking. I might be coming down with something.” Ren rambled on until he looked up and saw Yoh’s expression. “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Get downstairs. Now!” Yoh grabbed him by the collar and pushed him into the hallway. The force plunged Ren into the opposite wall and he groaned in irritation. Yoh grabbed him again by the arm and brought his lips to his ear.
“Or it could just be that you’re scared to death. In any event, she’s downstairs and wants to see you. Get down there and stop being a baby.” He whispered so it wouldn’t sound so harsh, but Ren was offended.
“I get the point. You think I’m a baby, running away. Let go of me.” Ren jerked away and stormed down the hallway.
Yoh straightened his shirt and followed him casually down the stairs.
“There he is,” Pirika announced. Everyone looked up at him except for Yukihiro, and he stared at her as he made his way down the staircase.
“So you will be eating with us,” Anna said with slight sarcasm.
“I apologize. I had something to take care of.” Ren said slowly.” Yoh nudged him hard in the middle of his back. “Hi, Yukihiro.” He said reluctantly.
“Hello,” she said dryly.
“Well come and sit down,” Pirika said, waving him over to the table.
Yoh and Ren took their assigned seats at the table. Yukihiro shifted closer to Tamao. At breakfast the table became alive. Manta shared some stories from a few books he was reading. Horo began a discussion with Ryu on why Lyserg was spending so much time with Pirika. Lyserg and Pirika shared with the group funny things they observed while at the market. Horo was not amused. Anna and Yoh played eye tag. Tamao asked Ryu to tell a story about a road trip he had, and he could not refuse. Everyone was in enjoyment. Everyone was talking. Everyone except Ren and Yukihiro. Although they were sitting next to each other, they never looked anywhere but directly ahead and did not exchange one word of discussion. They looked absolutely miserable, and some were beginning to notice.
---
Yukihiro offered to help Anna with the dishes, and she refused it again. Instead she recruited Manta and Tamao. Yukihiro aimlessly made her way to the sitting room, where everyone else migrated after breakfast. She stood in the doorway, watching everyone talking and joking around and noticed Ren was not in the room. Her first instinct was to go and look for him but she decided against it. As she was making her way to a comfortable place on the floor she heard a voice from the doorway.
“Yukihiro, can I talk to you?” It was Ren. She looked at him in confusion but went with him anyway. The others in the room could not help but watch what was going on. That was the most Ren had said to her all day. Horo immediately rose to his feet in an attempt to follow them.
“Where are you going, Horo?” Pirika asked scornfully. “Sit down.”
Yukihiro followed Ren outside and onto the grass. She was unsure of what to say to him so she decided to wait. They sat there for a few minutes in silence. She watched him as his golden eyes stared intently at the grass as if trying to set it on fire. He looked perplexed. Finally she decided she couldn’t wait any longer.
“What’s wrong, Ren?” she asked him.
“I will never know exactly what you’re feeling or what you want,” he started. He did not look at her.
“What are you talking about?” She looked confused.
“No. I mean, I’m sorry. I should not have acted the way I did last night at your house. I shouldn’t have been there at all. I just needed to…” He stopped.
She hoped it was a pause, but he just stopped talking.
“You needed to what?” She sat closer to him, looking at him, her eyes pleading for him to finish his thought.
He remained silent, his eyes focused on the grass. Violet strands were beginning to cover his face, concealing his expression.
“Why were you at my house? You never told me.” She said softly. Suddenly and without thinking she reached out, touched his left hand and rested it in hers.
The movement startled him and he recoiled. She broke his concentration. And scared him to death. “Please don’t touch me,” He said quickly as he moved away his hand.
“I’m sorry, I don’t know why I…” she tried to explain.
“Just don’t do it again.” He replied, cutting her off.
She was saddened that he was so traumatized by the slightest touch of her hand. “It’s okay if you can’t talk to me. I won’t push it,” she said sadly.
“I want to talk to you,” he said, “It’s just that…” He groaned, “I don’t want to fight with you. I know that’s all we do, but I truly don’t want to do that. I want us to talk. I just don’t know what to say to you.”
“Okay then. Let’s start over,” She said with a smile.
“What?” Ren looked confused. “We can’t start over.”
“Yes we can. Hello, name is Yukihiro,” she said and stretched out her hand.
“Are you serious?” Ren was amused but sounded angry.
“Absolutely serious, Ren. We are going to make this work. Now shake my hand,” she said.
Ren shook her hand and smiled. Yukihiro looked at him in shock. She had never seen him smile that way before, and whenever she did he was smiling at someone else.
“That’s a first,” she said, referring to his facial expression.
“Yes, let’s see how long this lasts.” Ren said.
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Chapter 5:
Try It Again
Try It Again
When Ren came back downstairs everyone was seated around the table. Anna and Tamao were still in the kitchen, and Horo was pouring juice for everyone.
“What took you so long?” Yoh asked, smiling. Ren blushed slightly.
“You got rid of the rocker shirt. I liked it,” Horo protested.
“Is Pirika back from the market yet? We need that bread,” Anna called from the kitchen. As she was speaking there was a knock on the door. Ren froze. She’s here. He thought to himself. His hands began to tremble.
“Hey Ren, come help!” Yoh called from the front door. He turned and released the breath he didn’t know he was holding. It was Pirika with bags from the market. He jogged to the door and grabbed a few of them.
“Hi, Ren. Thanks for your help,” Pirika said as she made her way into the house. As Yoh went to close the door she stopped him. “Wait, Yoh. Lyserg’s parking the car.” she said.
“Oh, okay.” Yoh left the door ajar.
Horo sat the juice pitcher on the table and walked to the front door. “You said Lyserg’s parking the car?” he asked.
“Yes. He saw me at the market and offered to drive me home.” Pirika replied. She handed her brother one of her bags.
“Oh is that right? He just happened to be in the neighborhood?” Horo said with a frown.
“Come on, Horo. Anna invited him to come this morning anyway. He was bound to pass near the market.” Yoh said, patting him on the back.
Pirika ignored Horo’s disgust and followed Ren to the kitchen. Tamao took the bags from them while Anna searched for bread.
“Hello everyone!” Lyserg said cheerily as he came through the door.
“Hi ya, Lyserg!” Manta called, waving at him.
“I did not know you were coming! It’s so nice to see you!” Ryu said ecstatically.
Everyone said hello or greeted him in some way except Horo. He completely ignored him.
“Hi Horo.” Lyserg said concerned.
“I’m hungry. Can we eat?” Horo said, walking away from him. Lyserg’s expression of disappointment quickly faded when Pirika reemerged from the kitchen.
“Make yourself at home, Lyserg,” she said. He smiled at her, his cheeks turning bright pink.
“Thanks.” Was all he could say.
There was another knock on the door, and since Lyserg was still near it he answered it.
“Hi, Lyserg. Has breakfast started yet?” She said as he let her in the door.
“Good morning, Yukihiro. No we haven’t started yet. Everyone’s here that’s coming, I think.” Lyserg said. “Everyone, look who’s here!” he called out to the rest.
Everyone in the house immediately smiled at her. She received jaunty hellos over and over again.
“I’m so sorry I’m late, Anna. I had to run an errand,” she said apologetically.
“Oh, don’t worry about it,” Anna said. She had a pleasant smile on her face and her mood was drastically different. “Come and have a seat.” She said as she guided her to the table.
Tamao and Anna began placing the food out on the table. Yukihiro offered to help them, but Anna refused it saying she was a guest. Pirika made everyone get up and told them where to sit. It was agreed that Yoh and Anna would sit on the opposite ends of the table. She then directed Horo to sit on the right end beside Yoh, Ryu beside him, Manta, and then Lyserg. Across the table would be Ren, Yukihiro, Tamao, and she would sit on the end near Anna. Only Horo noticed that she seated herself directly across from Lyserg.
“Where’s Ren?” Pirika asked. Everyone stopped and looked around.
“I’ll go find him,” Yoh said. He got up from the table and went directly to Ren’s bedroom.
“He was just here a few minutes ago,” Pirika said.
“Right before I got here?” Yukihiro asked. Everyone fell silent. “It’s fine. If he doesn’t want to see me, he doesn’t have to. Maybe I should leave.” She stood up suddenly.
“No. Sit down.” Anna said sternly. “You are our guest. I invited you here and I want you to stay. You will eat and we will have a good time.”
---
“What are you doing, Ren?” Yoh asked when he entered his room.
“I think I’m allergic to something from those bags Pirika brought in,” Ren started.
“What?” Yoh couldn’t believe his ears. What was more unbelievable was that Ren looked serious.
“I feel like my throat is closing up and my hands keep shaking. I might be coming down with something.” Ren rambled on until he looked up and saw Yoh’s expression. “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Get downstairs. Now!” Yoh grabbed him by the collar and pushed him into the hallway. The force plunged Ren into the opposite wall and he groaned in irritation. Yoh grabbed him again by the arm and brought his lips to his ear.
“Or it could just be that you’re scared to death. In any event, she’s downstairs and wants to see you. Get down there and stop being a baby.” He whispered so it wouldn’t sound so harsh, but Ren was offended.
“I get the point. You think I’m a baby, running away. Let go of me.” Ren jerked away and stormed down the hallway.
Yoh straightened his shirt and followed him casually down the stairs.
“There he is,” Pirika announced. Everyone looked up at him except for Yukihiro, and he stared at her as he made his way down the staircase.
“So you will be eating with us,” Anna said with slight sarcasm.
“I apologize. I had something to take care of.” Ren said slowly.” Yoh nudged him hard in the middle of his back. “Hi, Yukihiro.” He said reluctantly.
“Hello,” she said dryly.
“Well come and sit down,” Pirika said, waving him over to the table.
Yoh and Ren took their assigned seats at the table. Yukihiro shifted closer to Tamao. At breakfast the table became alive. Manta shared some stories from a few books he was reading. Horo began a discussion with Ryu on why Lyserg was spending so much time with Pirika. Lyserg and Pirika shared with the group funny things they observed while at the market. Horo was not amused. Anna and Yoh played eye tag. Tamao asked Ryu to tell a story about a road trip he had, and he could not refuse. Everyone was in enjoyment. Everyone was talking. Everyone except Ren and Yukihiro. Although they were sitting next to each other, they never looked anywhere but directly ahead and did not exchange one word of discussion. They looked absolutely miserable, and some were beginning to notice.
---
Yukihiro offered to help Anna with the dishes, and she refused it again. Instead she recruited Manta and Tamao. Yukihiro aimlessly made her way to the sitting room, where everyone else migrated after breakfast. She stood in the doorway, watching everyone talking and joking around and noticed Ren was not in the room. Her first instinct was to go and look for him but she decided against it. As she was making her way to a comfortable place on the floor she heard a voice from the doorway.
“Yukihiro, can I talk to you?” It was Ren. She looked at him in confusion but went with him anyway. The others in the room could not help but watch what was going on. That was the most Ren had said to her all day. Horo immediately rose to his feet in an attempt to follow them.
“Where are you going, Horo?” Pirika asked scornfully. “Sit down.”
Yukihiro followed Ren outside and onto the grass. She was unsure of what to say to him so she decided to wait. They sat there for a few minutes in silence. She watched him as his golden eyes stared intently at the grass as if trying to set it on fire. He looked perplexed. Finally she decided she couldn’t wait any longer.
“What’s wrong, Ren?” she asked him.
“I will never know exactly what you’re feeling or what you want,” he started. He did not look at her.
“What are you talking about?” She looked confused.
“No. I mean, I’m sorry. I should not have acted the way I did last night at your house. I shouldn’t have been there at all. I just needed to…” He stopped.
She hoped it was a pause, but he just stopped talking.
“You needed to what?” She sat closer to him, looking at him, her eyes pleading for him to finish his thought.
He remained silent, his eyes focused on the grass. Violet strands were beginning to cover his face, concealing his expression.
“Why were you at my house? You never told me.” She said softly. Suddenly and without thinking she reached out, touched his left hand and rested it in hers.
The movement startled him and he recoiled. She broke his concentration. And scared him to death. “Please don’t touch me,” He said quickly as he moved away his hand.
“I’m sorry, I don’t know why I…” she tried to explain.
“Just don’t do it again.” He replied, cutting her off.
She was saddened that he was so traumatized by the slightest touch of her hand. “It’s okay if you can’t talk to me. I won’t push it,” she said sadly.
“I want to talk to you,” he said, “It’s just that…” He groaned, “I don’t want to fight with you. I know that’s all we do, but I truly don’t want to do that. I want us to talk. I just don’t know what to say to you.”
“Okay then. Let’s start over,” She said with a smile.
“What?” Ren looked confused. “We can’t start over.”
“Yes we can. Hello, name is Yukihiro,” she said and stretched out her hand.
“Are you serious?” Ren was amused but sounded angry.
“Absolutely serious, Ren. We are going to make this work. Now shake my hand,” she said.
Ren shook her hand and smiled. Yukihiro looked at him in shock. She had never seen him smile that way before, and whenever she did he was smiling at someone else.
“That’s a first,” she said, referring to his facial expression.
“Yes, let’s see how long this lasts.” Ren said.
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