[Real Time Event: What a wonderful day! | Locked to Tyki Mikk]

[heavenly_home]

It was a wonderful day in spring: the sun is shining, and the breeze is just enough to dry the laundry. Kasumi sits on her porch, a wrapped box beside her, legs hanging off the ledge. She's humming happily to herself, sewing up a tear in one of Ranma-kun's shirts.

Today she will see her best friend again, and that is what makes it just so wonderful.

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[tyki_tock]

And said best friend was even now walking up the drive, a smile on his face as well, and carrying a large bouquet of fresh-cut wildflowers.

He spotted her on the porch and quickened his steps slightly, his smile widening with pleasure. Such a calm and tranquil scene.

"Kasumi," he called.

[heavenly_home]

Kasumi's head turned at his call, and she dropped her mending to the side with little regard. "Tyki-kun!" was exclaimed in delight, and she headed headed for him with a broad grin. Even in her excitement, she wouldn't run; how unladylike that would be!

"It is so good to see you again, dear! I have missed you." It was quite tempting to try and hug him, but that would crush the flowers, and they were so pretty, it would be such a shame.

[tyki_tock]

He beamed at her and pressed the flowers into her hands, then caught up one of them. "For you," he said, bowing deeply over her hand and pressing his lips to the back. "It is wonderful to see you again, my dear."

Releasing her hand, he cupped her cheek, smiling down at her fondly. "How are you, my sweet Kasumi?"

[heavenly_home]

A blush dusted her cheeks at his classic behavior, and she couldn't help but giggle just a little. Such a sweet man, this one, and she'd missed this charming person so very much. "Why thank you, dear Tyki-kun~"

Arms full of flowers, her smile was as sweet as their scent. "My, I do believe your words have gotten more charming." Kasumi leaned her cheek into his palm and continued, "I have been well, I do believe. Nothing has changed, since we have talked last. How have you been?"

[tyki_tock]

Tyki smiled and shook his head, letting his fingers drift slightly into her hair before letting his hand drop away. "I hope you don't think my charming words are insincere," he purred teasingly.

"Nothing much has changed for me, either," he agreed. "A few interesting things happened, but I'm doing well. Why don't we sit and you can tell me about your trip?" he suggested, gesturing towards the porch where she'd been sitting.

[heavenly_home]

Kasumi shifted her flowers in the crook of one elbow, reaching out with her other hand to clasp Tyki's hand. It was not far, but it was just so nice to be close to someone again. "Why, never shall I think you do not say what you mean, dear sir."

With a light laugh, she led him to the porch and took a graceful seat. "Oh, I will tell you of my grand journey, if you do not mind telling me also of yours! But first..." She placed the flowers to the side and leaned around to grab the wrapped box, a little bigger than the size of her hands cuped together. "I did not have a chance to give you your Christmas gift. Here you are."

There was a silver bow, and red wrapping paper, and a little tag written out carefully in English, "To Tyki Mikk".

[tyki_tock]

He grinned. Oh if only she knew... in fact, sometimes he wondered at her seeming blindness. There were so many reasons to distrust him, floating about the community, and yet she always welcomed him with open arms, implicit trust, and that innocent smile. It was enough to make him want to hug her.

He squeezed her hand and followed eagerly, sitting down next to her and only reluctantly releasing the hand as she reached for the box.

The sight of it gave him a start, but he reached for it without hesitation. "Why, you shouldn't have," he said, beaming at her before tearing into the paper.

[heavenly_home]

She sat close, leaning against his side, pleased with herself for surprising him. It was very comfortable to be so near. She had really, truly missed this sort of simple comfort. The traveling, and her family's questions had harried her since her return, and Miss Eris's words still rang in her head. To simply make her best friend smile so truly allowed her to forget.

Smiling in accomplishment, Kasumi said, "I do believe I should."

It was a simple gold chain that could be used for anything, and a silk handkerchief neatly embroidered with his initials. Nothing extravagant, but something she had worked hard on nonetheless.

[tyki_tock]

He beamed with pleasure at the chain and the handkerchief, smoothing his fingers over the embroidery and then letting the chain run through his fingers as well. "How lovely," he said, very pleased. "And did you embroider this yourself, my sweet?"

He slipped one arm around her waist and drew her against him in a one-armed hug. "Thank you, I'll wear them both with pleasure."

[heavenly_home]

She flushed in pleasure, so very happy to have please him so. His side was nice and warm, and she hid her face in his neck, embarrassed. "I did, dear sir. You can tell?" Kasumi asked shyly. "I-I am glad you like them! They are not much, but they are the only thing I could think of that would suit you..."

Tyki's clothing and manner were elegant and refined. From what she had read of his time, nothing bought would be appropriate, not that she could afford.

[tyki_tock]

He smiled, rubbing her side with his palm as she buried her face in his neck. He brought his other arm around and gave her a proper hug, rumbling in the back of his throat with contentedness.

"I can tell that it's not machine-stitched, and so I thought you must have done it yourself. And it is most fitting, my dear. Most fitting indeed."

He reached up to latch the gold chain around his neck for now. Perhaps he'd put a pendant of some kind on it, or use it for some other purpose, but for now the naked chain lay cold against his dark skin. He folded the handkerchief neatly and shoved it in his pocket.

[heavenly_home]

Tyki-kun was purring, it seemed. Oh dear. Perhaps he was part cat, too?

Her hands were trapped against his chest, she fisted them in his shirt, blushing harder. This was getting so very familiar, just like last time, though they were not high up in the air, but on her porch, in the spring sunlight, and this was even better, really. Kasumi could feel his heartbeat.

Muffled, she murmured, "It is not trouble at all."

He shifted, and she pulled away, curling up to the side, away from him, though her hair fell loose to brush his shoulder. Face hot, she hid it in her hands, suppressing a self-conscious grin. This was so embarrassing.

[tyki_tock]

As she tried to draw away, he let go of her, watching as she hid her glowing face from him.

He reached out and brushed light fingers through her hair.

"Are you all right, my dear? Have I done something to bother you?" he asked softly.

[heavenly_home]

Kasumi peeked out at him and, seeing his obvious worry, flew into a flurry of protests. "Oh, no, it is fine, Tyki-kun, truly. I have just not been feeling myself as of late. T-that is--" She looked at her lap, hands fisted in her apron, and continued in a smaller voice, "things have changed here."

After she had gone, with no warning, no note...they had thought her kidnapped, or eloped. Father had cried upon seeing her again, and Akane-chan nearly followed their father's example. Nabiki-chan had congratulated her, of all things, and given over a sizable chunk of her earnings to fix the house. Her home was changing and so was she and...

'It wasn't your choice,' Miss Eris had said. 'They decided for you.'

For the first time, she held the strength to meet his eyes squarely, and in all seriousness, pose a question. "I am sorry for being abrupt, Tyki-kun, but I must ask... How do you think I am?"

[tyki_tock]

He returned her look, startled by the direct and unusual question.

Gently, he reached out and covered her small, fisted hands in his own. "I have been worried about you," he said softly. "I know that you said that Eris had sent you away, and I don't trust that creature for one moment. And now you say that things have changed here - and I know that your home and family are very important to you."

He gazed at her searchingly. "So I should think that you're not doing as well as I would like."

[heavenly_home]

She flinched back a little at his touch, still self-conscious at her core. But she steeled herself, and accepted his concern, as best she could. It wasn't...she was not used to other people worrying for it. This wasn't comfortable.

"Thank you for your concern, Tyki-kun," was her automatic response, and Kasumi bit her lip before she could wave it off like usual. "I..."

He was peering at her, so close and concerned...she had to look away. Her fisted tighter under Tyki's gentle hold. "I don't know, Tyki-kun. I am so confused..."