More CLAMP drabble things
More! This is for series other than xxxHolic, so I'll divy them up.
Warnings apply for shitty first drafts (SFD).
Duklyon, post-series, Erii/Sukiyabashi, Kentarou/Takeshi
"Just think," Erii crooned over a cup of chai tea, "we could have parfaits every day!"
"Chocolate cake," Kotobuki said, nodding. They gazed into each other's eyes, lost in dreams of sugary confections, sweet tea, and sun streaming in through a shop's large windows.
A cough interrupted their lovely dream. "How, exactly," Takeshi asked, "do we fit into this?" His cherry scone was untouched on his plate.
"Oh," Erii said. "Well, Kotobuki and I can't do everything, and the two of you have already trained your replacements, so I think it's time we did something else."
Kentarou was looking thoughtful. "What would Takepon and I do, though?" he asked. "I mean, I can cook, but what's Takepon going to do?"
"He can be our accountant," Kotobuki said. "Erii and I will be busy keeping everything in order and making sure our operation runs smoothly."
Takeshi leveled a flat glare at the two of them. "So in other words," he said, "Kentarou and I will do most of the work, and you'll supervise?"
"Watch it," Erii hissed. She didn't carry around her big mallets anymore, but a meat tenderizer could do in a pinch, and it was more portable. Takeshi eyed it, and her with appropriate caution.
"Oh, I'll help Kentarou-san cook," Kotobuki said, smiling. "Erii-san will help you out front, Takeshi-san! Won't it be lovely?"
"It sounds fabulous," Kentarou said. His eyes had a misty, wistful look to them. "Won't it be wonderful, Takepon? I can cook and bake with Kotobuki all day, and you can have lunch with me and--"
"Kentarou," Takeshi said, in a long-suffering voice, "you're the president of the Higashikunimaru Corporation."
"So?"
Takeshi exploded at him, and Erii promptly tuned them out. Takeshi would do whatever Kentarou wanted, anyway; he always did.
"Hey, Kotobuki," she said. "What do you think we should put on the menu?"
"These scones," he said. "And parfaits. And cakes. And ginger cookies, and sweet tea, and milkshakes, and...."
She listened to him list off sweet items, leaned her head on his shoulder, and smiled. Life was good.
***
Duklyon, post-series, Kentarou/Takeshi
"Oi, Shuukaidou!"
Takeshi sighed. "Yeah, Nemura?"
"Hey, man, I have a question to ask you." Nemura was a secretary for one of the board members; Ikeda, if Takeshi remembered correctly. "Is it true you went to school with the president?"
"Yes," Takeshi said shortly.
"Same grade and everything?"
"Yeah," Takeshi said. He had work to do, and for once Kentarou was out and didn't need Takeshi to go with him, so it was the perfect time to get some work done in perfect peace.
If, that was, Nemura would shut up and go away.
"Well, I was just wondering. I mean, I know you originally applied for management."
Takeshi shrugged. "They decided my skills were better utilized here," he said.
Nemura apparently didn't know a dismissal when he heard one. "I heard," he said, "that the president himself appointed you his secretary without even looking at your references."
"Well," Takeshi said, "we were friends in high school. He knew what I was studying."
"I also heard that he makes you lunches and calls you by nicknames," Nemura said. Takeshi clenched his teeth.
"He does," he said. No denying that, not when Kentarou did it every day in front of witnesses. "He's the president, there isn't much I can do if he wants to call me stupid names."
"And," Nemura said, "I heard you got to this cushy job by sleeping with him."
Such a bald, blunt statement threw Takeshi for a loop. "What?"
"Well," Nemura said slyly, "he makes you lunch. He calls you 'darling' and 'Takepo.'"
"Takepon," Takeshi corrected immediately, and wanted to smack himself. Nemura was grinning widely. No, not grinning. The little asshole was smirking.
"Takepon," he corrected. "He gives you this job and takes you on special assignments." He looked at Takeshi askance. "I just think there's more than friendship going on."
"You're mistaken," Takeshi said icily. "I have work to do, Nemura."
"Am I?" Nemura asked. "I'm just wondering, Shuukaidou. I mean, your family isn't exactly the best, is it? Really poor, from what I can tell. How'd you get into a school like CLAMP Campus?"
"A scholarship," Takeshi said. "Nemura, this is highly unprofessional. I have work to do, and so do you. I think you'd best do it."
"Oh," Nemura said. "Sorry, sorry. I was just...curious."
"Curiosity killed the cat, according to a Western proverb," Kentarou said, appearing rather suddenly behind Nemura. Nemura grew pale and Takeshi was stunned. Somewhere, somehow, Kentarou had learned discretion. He obviously didn't use it very much, but he'd learned it.
"I didn't hear you come back, Mr. President," Takeshi said. "I--"
"Oh," Kentarou said, "I think I can understand. Nemura, Shuukaidou, in my office please."
They trekked into Kentarou's huge office, and followed him over to his desk. He had a hard look on his face that Takeshi had never seen before.
"Nemura-san," Kentarou said, "I understand I'm not a normal president. However, that does not give you the right to harass my secretary."
"I'm very sorry, sir," Nemura said, and he sounded contrite.
"I can't stop people gossiping," Kentarou said. "I don't want to. You're allowed to talk about what you wish. But please keep in mind that some topics of conversation are more hurtful than others."
"Yes, sir."
"Please apologize to Shuukaidou-san, Nemura-san, and I'll forget this," Kentarou said.
"With all due respect, sir," Takeshi said, "that's not necessary. I understand that rumors circulate and people are likely to be curious."
Kentarou studied him, then shrugged. "If Shuukaidou-san sees no reason for an apology, then one isn't necessary," he said. "Please remember what I said, Nemura-san."
"Yes, sir," Nemura said, and hastily fled the office. Takeshi didn't breathe easy until the door clicked shut behind him.
"I'm sorry, Takepon," Kentarou said. "I didn't realize the rumors had gotten so out of hand."
"It's okay," Takeshi sighed. "Though, if you didn't call me 'darling' and weird things like that, I think it might help."
"Hmm." Kentarou smirked at him. "If you responded when I call good morning, I wouldn't have to," he said.
Takeshi just sighed again. "Thank you, Kentarou," he said. "I appreciate the help...though you've probably just added fuel to the rumor mill."
Kentarou shrugged. "I don't care," he said, "as long as they stop pestering you. Hopefully that will make it into the rumor mill." He stood up and stretched. "I don't know about you, but I want to go home early."
"I still have a lot of work--"
Kentarou silenced him with a hand over his mouth. "So tidy it up," he said. "I want to go home, and have dinner with you, and spend the night with you. A little work can wait."
"I'm your secretary," Takeshi said, pushing Kentarou's hand away. "I have responsibilities--"
"You may be my secretary," Kentarou said, "but you'll always be my partner. So come on. It's not urgent, is it?"
"Well, no, but--"
"Home it is," Kentarou said, and grabbed Takeshi's arm. "Come on, Takepon. I have this great new Mothra movie I think you'll really enjoy!"
Takeshi sighed, thought about arguing, and gave up. Dinner and a movie sounded pretty good, not that he'd tell Kentarou that.
****
X, Sorata, Yuzuriha, walkman
"I don't get it, Sorata-san," Yuzuriha said. "There's CD players, now. Why do you listen to cassettes?"
"Ah, well," he laughed a little. "It's mostly 'cause up at Kouya there's not really a lot in the way of stores, you know? I got this when I was just ten, and the monks--they're a lot of old geezers, you know?--they said, 'This is it, Sorata, so don't go frying the circuits, because we won't buy you a new one.' So I take real good care of it."
"Wow," Yuzuriha said. "I had to beg and beg Grandma to let me have a portable CD player. How did you get the monks to let you buy it?"
"Extra chores for a month," Sorata said, "done voluntarily. And then I had to work a few extra to get tapes."
Yuzuriha oohed. "You take really good care of your things, Sorata-san!"
"Ah, well," he shrugged. "Only if it's important, you know?" He ruffled her hair. "Get to bed now, okay? School in the morning."
"Okay," she said. "Good night, Sorata-san!"
"Good night," he said, and watched her leave, Inuki trailing behind her. Once she'd gone he sighed and looked at the old, rather battered walkman. It had been a product of extra chores on his part, but the first few tapes had been a birthday present from the old stargazer.
"Still works," he said. "See, old man? I can take good care of the important stuff. Even the material stuff, as long as it comes from someone important."
****
Bah. SFD.
***
X, Yuzuriha/Kusanagi, Inuki
There had been so much damage, and so many people dead, that Yuzuriha thought for a while that the Dragons of Earth had indeed won, and humanity was gone. That wasn't the case, though; only for Tokyo.
Tokyo was in ruins, but by the time she was walking again it was invaded by green vines and trees. She didn't understand, but that was all right. Kusanagi-san would tell her.
"Why all the plants?" she asked one night, after he'd fed her soup and tea. "I thought Kamui-san and the others reached an agreement?"
"They did," Kusanagi-san said. "But part of the agreement was that the city of Tokyo would not return to being a metropolis. So the plants are moving in, and the animals. We may even see macaques here soon."
"Ooh," Yuzuriha said. Inuki leaned against her leg, as solid and real as any dog. "So what do we do now?"
"Well," Kusanagi said, "I haven't been able to leave the city yet, so if you want to leave, it will be a little while. Some of your friends are still around--Kamui-san and Karen-san. They'll be by tomorrow."
"Oh. What about the Dragons of Earth?" She covered his hand with hers. "I know you didn't fight much, but...are they okay?"
He smiled at her. "You're a kind girl, missie," he said. "I don't know about Sakurazuka-san, but the 'Kamui' of the Dragons of Earth survived. Kakyou is dead, and so is Kigai."
"Is Kigai the girl with the computers?" Yuzuriha could feel the tears gathering already. She hadn't known any of these people, not at all, but it still made her sad to think of them gone from the world, and perhaps with no one to grieve their passing.
"Kigai was a blond man," Kusanagi said. "The girl was Satsuki. She's dead, too."
Yuzuriha wiped her eyes. "I know they weren't very nice," she said, "but everyone should have the chance to live and change."
He patted her hair. "You're right, missie," he said. "Just get some sleep now, okay? Your friends will be here tomorrow, and then you can visit. And maybe they'll have a way to get you to a better hospital than just my first-aid kit."
She smiled at him as Inuki settled in next to her. "Thank you, Kusanagi-san."
He smiled at her and tucked her in, and blew out the little lamp by her bed. "Good night, missie," he said.
***
Okay, I was going for a bit more of a future-fic than that, but okay. (Why do all my X fics feel off? Rar.)
MKR, Meeting the In-laws
I.
Fuu wasn't certain how Kuu-oneesama would react to the news of Cephiro, but she took it surprisingly well. She took the news of Ferio even better, considering the fact that Fuu had been hiding a boyfriend in another dimension for four years.
"I want to meet him," Kuu said one day. "He makes you so happy. I want to see what he looks like." She leaned in and tapped Fuu on the nose. "I want to meet the man that makes my little Fuu-san happy!"
"Kuu-oneesama," Fuu said, but Kuu was already laughing and pulling clothes out of her closet.
~~~
The journey to Cephiro was short, and Kuu had barely gotten her bearings before Hikaru and Umi had places they needed to be, leaving Fuu by herself with her sister.
"Cephiro's lovely, thus far," Kuu said. "I can't believe you kept this a secret, Fuu-san!"
"She's good at that," a masculine voice said, and Fuu felt herself smiling before she even turned around.
"Kuu-oneesama," she said, "this is Ferio, the prince of Cephiro."
Kuu dropped into a curtsy and giggled. "So you're the man who stole Fuu-san's heart, hmm?" She leaned in close. "You look like you'll do."
Ferio blinked, and turned to Fuu. "Are all decisions about the heart made so hastily in your world?" he asked, genuinely puzzled.
"Oh no," Fuu said. "Usually...."
"Usually, there's lots of back and forth between the families," Kuu said. She laid a hand on Fuu's shoulder. "I don't know when you'll tell Mom and Dad, but I approve. Anyone who can make my sister smile like that is worthy."
Fuu felt her face getting hot. "Kuu-oneesama...." Why was she so speechless? Her sister had this effect on her.
"I'm honored to be considered worthy," Ferio said, and that made it worse, because she knew he was sincere.
***
II.
'Mama, Papa, I want you to meet Ascot. He's a Palu from a country called Cephiro, and he summons monsters.' Umi shook her head. No, no that wouldn't do.
'Mama, Papa, I want you to meet Ascot. He's a sweet man, and I love him.' Much better, but how to explain Cephiro?
'Mama, Papa, when I was fourteen I went to another world and became a Magic Knight. I killed a princess and fought a war and now I...' Even her mental voice couldn't finish that. She sighed.
***
"Mama, Papa, I want you to meet someone special to me." They were seated at a little cafe in Tokyo Tower. "I've been seeing him for a while, and I want you to meet him."
"Young love!" Her father chuckled. "Who do I get to frighten away from my little girl?"
"Papa!"
"Honey," her mother said, "let's meet the boy first, all right?" He laughed and agreed.
Hikaru and Fuu had been indispensable. They had helped bring Ascot to Tokyo, got him clothes to change into, and led him to the cafe. Umi caught a glimpse of a long red braid disappearing behind him as he stepped into the cafe, obviously a little overwhelmed despite its small size. Umi half rose out of her chair and waved.
"Over here," she said. He saw her, and his face broke into a wide smile.
"Mama, Papa, this is Ascot," she said. "He's a foreign exchange student, so his Japanese isn't the best, but he is very special to me."
Ascot reached their table, and executed a perfect bow. "Pleased to meet you," he said, and Umi breathed a sigh of relief that the translator Eagle had provided worked the way it was supposed to.
****
III.
For Hikaru's army of brothers, nothing but the sight of an actual other world would do (well, Satoru wouldn't have cared, but Masaru and Kakeru were another matter).
And then there was actually explaining that yes, Eagle was her boyfriend. And yes, Lantis was her boyfriend. And yes, they were boyfriends with each other, too. Hikaru wanted to cringe even thinking about her brothers' reactions.
Kakeru had been the loudest. "You're cheating on my little sister? What kind of boyfriends does that make you?"
"Er," Hikaru said, "I knew already."
"We didn't lie about it," Eagle said easily. "It's always been pretty open, you know."
"But--but--but!" Kakeru was apparently struck speechless. "I don't know if I like my little sister being hit on by two older men." He eyed Eagle and Lantis suspiciously. "How do we know you're not going to mean to her? She's still pretty petite!"
"Kakeru-niisama!" Hikaru squeaked. And then Masaru started in.
"I don't like the idea of my little sister dating two older men, either." He glared at the two men sitting at the table. "How do we know you're not lechers?"
"If you are," Kakeru said, "we'll beat you up before you hurt our little sister!"
"Masaru-niisama," Hikaru said hopelessly. She knew they loved her, but....
Satoru cleared his throat and gave his two younger brothers a look. They shut their mouths, but didn't stop giving Eagle and Lantis dirty looks.
"I have two things to say," Satoru said. "Firstly, whatever the situation, I know Hikaru would not have introduced you to us if she did not honestly love you and feel loved in return. The fact that we are here speaks volumes." He touched Hikaru's head and smiled at her. Then he looked at Eagle and Lantis.
"But consider," he said, "that if you commit yourselves to Hikaru, you're essentially getting the three of us for brothers-in-law."
Eagle and Lantis exchanged a look.
"I think we can live with that," Lantis said quietly.
***
AGH, SFD. I am tired and going to attend a funeral tomorrow. I'll blame it on that.
Whew!
Warnings apply for shitty first drafts (SFD).
Duklyon, post-series, Erii/Sukiyabashi, Kentarou/Takeshi
"Just think," Erii crooned over a cup of chai tea, "we could have parfaits every day!"
"Chocolate cake," Kotobuki said, nodding. They gazed into each other's eyes, lost in dreams of sugary confections, sweet tea, and sun streaming in through a shop's large windows.
A cough interrupted their lovely dream. "How, exactly," Takeshi asked, "do we fit into this?" His cherry scone was untouched on his plate.
"Oh," Erii said. "Well, Kotobuki and I can't do everything, and the two of you have already trained your replacements, so I think it's time we did something else."
Kentarou was looking thoughtful. "What would Takepon and I do, though?" he asked. "I mean, I can cook, but what's Takepon going to do?"
"He can be our accountant," Kotobuki said. "Erii and I will be busy keeping everything in order and making sure our operation runs smoothly."
Takeshi leveled a flat glare at the two of them. "So in other words," he said, "Kentarou and I will do most of the work, and you'll supervise?"
"Watch it," Erii hissed. She didn't carry around her big mallets anymore, but a meat tenderizer could do in a pinch, and it was more portable. Takeshi eyed it, and her with appropriate caution.
"Oh, I'll help Kentarou-san cook," Kotobuki said, smiling. "Erii-san will help you out front, Takeshi-san! Won't it be lovely?"
"It sounds fabulous," Kentarou said. His eyes had a misty, wistful look to them. "Won't it be wonderful, Takepon? I can cook and bake with Kotobuki all day, and you can have lunch with me and--"
"Kentarou," Takeshi said, in a long-suffering voice, "you're the president of the Higashikunimaru Corporation."
"So?"
Takeshi exploded at him, and Erii promptly tuned them out. Takeshi would do whatever Kentarou wanted, anyway; he always did.
"Hey, Kotobuki," she said. "What do you think we should put on the menu?"
"These scones," he said. "And parfaits. And cakes. And ginger cookies, and sweet tea, and milkshakes, and...."
She listened to him list off sweet items, leaned her head on his shoulder, and smiled. Life was good.
***
Duklyon, post-series, Kentarou/Takeshi
"Oi, Shuukaidou!"
Takeshi sighed. "Yeah, Nemura?"
"Hey, man, I have a question to ask you." Nemura was a secretary for one of the board members; Ikeda, if Takeshi remembered correctly. "Is it true you went to school with the president?"
"Yes," Takeshi said shortly.
"Same grade and everything?"
"Yeah," Takeshi said. He had work to do, and for once Kentarou was out and didn't need Takeshi to go with him, so it was the perfect time to get some work done in perfect peace.
If, that was, Nemura would shut up and go away.
"Well, I was just wondering. I mean, I know you originally applied for management."
Takeshi shrugged. "They decided my skills were better utilized here," he said.
Nemura apparently didn't know a dismissal when he heard one. "I heard," he said, "that the president himself appointed you his secretary without even looking at your references."
"Well," Takeshi said, "we were friends in high school. He knew what I was studying."
"I also heard that he makes you lunches and calls you by nicknames," Nemura said. Takeshi clenched his teeth.
"He does," he said. No denying that, not when Kentarou did it every day in front of witnesses. "He's the president, there isn't much I can do if he wants to call me stupid names."
"And," Nemura said, "I heard you got to this cushy job by sleeping with him."
Such a bald, blunt statement threw Takeshi for a loop. "What?"
"Well," Nemura said slyly, "he makes you lunch. He calls you 'darling' and 'Takepo.'"
"Takepon," Takeshi corrected immediately, and wanted to smack himself. Nemura was grinning widely. No, not grinning. The little asshole was smirking.
"Takepon," he corrected. "He gives you this job and takes you on special assignments." He looked at Takeshi askance. "I just think there's more than friendship going on."
"You're mistaken," Takeshi said icily. "I have work to do, Nemura."
"Am I?" Nemura asked. "I'm just wondering, Shuukaidou. I mean, your family isn't exactly the best, is it? Really poor, from what I can tell. How'd you get into a school like CLAMP Campus?"
"A scholarship," Takeshi said. "Nemura, this is highly unprofessional. I have work to do, and so do you. I think you'd best do it."
"Oh," Nemura said. "Sorry, sorry. I was just...curious."
"Curiosity killed the cat, according to a Western proverb," Kentarou said, appearing rather suddenly behind Nemura. Nemura grew pale and Takeshi was stunned. Somewhere, somehow, Kentarou had learned discretion. He obviously didn't use it very much, but he'd learned it.
"I didn't hear you come back, Mr. President," Takeshi said. "I--"
"Oh," Kentarou said, "I think I can understand. Nemura, Shuukaidou, in my office please."
They trekked into Kentarou's huge office, and followed him over to his desk. He had a hard look on his face that Takeshi had never seen before.
"Nemura-san," Kentarou said, "I understand I'm not a normal president. However, that does not give you the right to harass my secretary."
"I'm very sorry, sir," Nemura said, and he sounded contrite.
"I can't stop people gossiping," Kentarou said. "I don't want to. You're allowed to talk about what you wish. But please keep in mind that some topics of conversation are more hurtful than others."
"Yes, sir."
"Please apologize to Shuukaidou-san, Nemura-san, and I'll forget this," Kentarou said.
"With all due respect, sir," Takeshi said, "that's not necessary. I understand that rumors circulate and people are likely to be curious."
Kentarou studied him, then shrugged. "If Shuukaidou-san sees no reason for an apology, then one isn't necessary," he said. "Please remember what I said, Nemura-san."
"Yes, sir," Nemura said, and hastily fled the office. Takeshi didn't breathe easy until the door clicked shut behind him.
"I'm sorry, Takepon," Kentarou said. "I didn't realize the rumors had gotten so out of hand."
"It's okay," Takeshi sighed. "Though, if you didn't call me 'darling' and weird things like that, I think it might help."
"Hmm." Kentarou smirked at him. "If you responded when I call good morning, I wouldn't have to," he said.
Takeshi just sighed again. "Thank you, Kentarou," he said. "I appreciate the help...though you've probably just added fuel to the rumor mill."
Kentarou shrugged. "I don't care," he said, "as long as they stop pestering you. Hopefully that will make it into the rumor mill." He stood up and stretched. "I don't know about you, but I want to go home early."
"I still have a lot of work--"
Kentarou silenced him with a hand over his mouth. "So tidy it up," he said. "I want to go home, and have dinner with you, and spend the night with you. A little work can wait."
"I'm your secretary," Takeshi said, pushing Kentarou's hand away. "I have responsibilities--"
"You may be my secretary," Kentarou said, "but you'll always be my partner. So come on. It's not urgent, is it?"
"Well, no, but--"
"Home it is," Kentarou said, and grabbed Takeshi's arm. "Come on, Takepon. I have this great new Mothra movie I think you'll really enjoy!"
Takeshi sighed, thought about arguing, and gave up. Dinner and a movie sounded pretty good, not that he'd tell Kentarou that.
****
X, Sorata, Yuzuriha, walkman
"I don't get it, Sorata-san," Yuzuriha said. "There's CD players, now. Why do you listen to cassettes?"
"Ah, well," he laughed a little. "It's mostly 'cause up at Kouya there's not really a lot in the way of stores, you know? I got this when I was just ten, and the monks--they're a lot of old geezers, you know?--they said, 'This is it, Sorata, so don't go frying the circuits, because we won't buy you a new one.' So I take real good care of it."
"Wow," Yuzuriha said. "I had to beg and beg Grandma to let me have a portable CD player. How did you get the monks to let you buy it?"
"Extra chores for a month," Sorata said, "done voluntarily. And then I had to work a few extra to get tapes."
Yuzuriha oohed. "You take really good care of your things, Sorata-san!"
"Ah, well," he shrugged. "Only if it's important, you know?" He ruffled her hair. "Get to bed now, okay? School in the morning."
"Okay," she said. "Good night, Sorata-san!"
"Good night," he said, and watched her leave, Inuki trailing behind her. Once she'd gone he sighed and looked at the old, rather battered walkman. It had been a product of extra chores on his part, but the first few tapes had been a birthday present from the old stargazer.
"Still works," he said. "See, old man? I can take good care of the important stuff. Even the material stuff, as long as it comes from someone important."
****
Bah. SFD.
***
X, Yuzuriha/Kusanagi, Inuki
There had been so much damage, and so many people dead, that Yuzuriha thought for a while that the Dragons of Earth had indeed won, and humanity was gone. That wasn't the case, though; only for Tokyo.
Tokyo was in ruins, but by the time she was walking again it was invaded by green vines and trees. She didn't understand, but that was all right. Kusanagi-san would tell her.
"Why all the plants?" she asked one night, after he'd fed her soup and tea. "I thought Kamui-san and the others reached an agreement?"
"They did," Kusanagi-san said. "But part of the agreement was that the city of Tokyo would not return to being a metropolis. So the plants are moving in, and the animals. We may even see macaques here soon."
"Ooh," Yuzuriha said. Inuki leaned against her leg, as solid and real as any dog. "So what do we do now?"
"Well," Kusanagi said, "I haven't been able to leave the city yet, so if you want to leave, it will be a little while. Some of your friends are still around--Kamui-san and Karen-san. They'll be by tomorrow."
"Oh. What about the Dragons of Earth?" She covered his hand with hers. "I know you didn't fight much, but...are they okay?"
He smiled at her. "You're a kind girl, missie," he said. "I don't know about Sakurazuka-san, but the 'Kamui' of the Dragons of Earth survived. Kakyou is dead, and so is Kigai."
"Is Kigai the girl with the computers?" Yuzuriha could feel the tears gathering already. She hadn't known any of these people, not at all, but it still made her sad to think of them gone from the world, and perhaps with no one to grieve their passing.
"Kigai was a blond man," Kusanagi said. "The girl was Satsuki. She's dead, too."
Yuzuriha wiped her eyes. "I know they weren't very nice," she said, "but everyone should have the chance to live and change."
He patted her hair. "You're right, missie," he said. "Just get some sleep now, okay? Your friends will be here tomorrow, and then you can visit. And maybe they'll have a way to get you to a better hospital than just my first-aid kit."
She smiled at him as Inuki settled in next to her. "Thank you, Kusanagi-san."
He smiled at her and tucked her in, and blew out the little lamp by her bed. "Good night, missie," he said.
***
Okay, I was going for a bit more of a future-fic than that, but okay. (Why do all my X fics feel off? Rar.)
MKR, Meeting the In-laws
I.
Fuu wasn't certain how Kuu-oneesama would react to the news of Cephiro, but she took it surprisingly well. She took the news of Ferio even better, considering the fact that Fuu had been hiding a boyfriend in another dimension for four years.
"I want to meet him," Kuu said one day. "He makes you so happy. I want to see what he looks like." She leaned in and tapped Fuu on the nose. "I want to meet the man that makes my little Fuu-san happy!"
"Kuu-oneesama," Fuu said, but Kuu was already laughing and pulling clothes out of her closet.
~~~
The journey to Cephiro was short, and Kuu had barely gotten her bearings before Hikaru and Umi had places they needed to be, leaving Fuu by herself with her sister.
"Cephiro's lovely, thus far," Kuu said. "I can't believe you kept this a secret, Fuu-san!"
"She's good at that," a masculine voice said, and Fuu felt herself smiling before she even turned around.
"Kuu-oneesama," she said, "this is Ferio, the prince of Cephiro."
Kuu dropped into a curtsy and giggled. "So you're the man who stole Fuu-san's heart, hmm?" She leaned in close. "You look like you'll do."
Ferio blinked, and turned to Fuu. "Are all decisions about the heart made so hastily in your world?" he asked, genuinely puzzled.
"Oh no," Fuu said. "Usually...."
"Usually, there's lots of back and forth between the families," Kuu said. She laid a hand on Fuu's shoulder. "I don't know when you'll tell Mom and Dad, but I approve. Anyone who can make my sister smile like that is worthy."
Fuu felt her face getting hot. "Kuu-oneesama...." Why was she so speechless? Her sister had this effect on her.
"I'm honored to be considered worthy," Ferio said, and that made it worse, because she knew he was sincere.
***
II.
'Mama, Papa, I want you to meet Ascot. He's a Palu from a country called Cephiro, and he summons monsters.' Umi shook her head. No, no that wouldn't do.
'Mama, Papa, I want you to meet Ascot. He's a sweet man, and I love him.' Much better, but how to explain Cephiro?
'Mama, Papa, when I was fourteen I went to another world and became a Magic Knight. I killed a princess and fought a war and now I...' Even her mental voice couldn't finish that. She sighed.
***
"Mama, Papa, I want you to meet someone special to me." They were seated at a little cafe in Tokyo Tower. "I've been seeing him for a while, and I want you to meet him."
"Young love!" Her father chuckled. "Who do I get to frighten away from my little girl?"
"Papa!"
"Honey," her mother said, "let's meet the boy first, all right?" He laughed and agreed.
Hikaru and Fuu had been indispensable. They had helped bring Ascot to Tokyo, got him clothes to change into, and led him to the cafe. Umi caught a glimpse of a long red braid disappearing behind him as he stepped into the cafe, obviously a little overwhelmed despite its small size. Umi half rose out of her chair and waved.
"Over here," she said. He saw her, and his face broke into a wide smile.
"Mama, Papa, this is Ascot," she said. "He's a foreign exchange student, so his Japanese isn't the best, but he is very special to me."
Ascot reached their table, and executed a perfect bow. "Pleased to meet you," he said, and Umi breathed a sigh of relief that the translator Eagle had provided worked the way it was supposed to.
****
III.
For Hikaru's army of brothers, nothing but the sight of an actual other world would do (well, Satoru wouldn't have cared, but Masaru and Kakeru were another matter).
And then there was actually explaining that yes, Eagle was her boyfriend. And yes, Lantis was her boyfriend. And yes, they were boyfriends with each other, too. Hikaru wanted to cringe even thinking about her brothers' reactions.
Kakeru had been the loudest. "You're cheating on my little sister? What kind of boyfriends does that make you?"
"Er," Hikaru said, "I knew already."
"We didn't lie about it," Eagle said easily. "It's always been pretty open, you know."
"But--but--but!" Kakeru was apparently struck speechless. "I don't know if I like my little sister being hit on by two older men." He eyed Eagle and Lantis suspiciously. "How do we know you're not going to mean to her? She's still pretty petite!"
"Kakeru-niisama!" Hikaru squeaked. And then Masaru started in.
"I don't like the idea of my little sister dating two older men, either." He glared at the two men sitting at the table. "How do we know you're not lechers?"
"If you are," Kakeru said, "we'll beat you up before you hurt our little sister!"
"Masaru-niisama," Hikaru said hopelessly. She knew they loved her, but....
Satoru cleared his throat and gave his two younger brothers a look. They shut their mouths, but didn't stop giving Eagle and Lantis dirty looks.
"I have two things to say," Satoru said. "Firstly, whatever the situation, I know Hikaru would not have introduced you to us if she did not honestly love you and feel loved in return. The fact that we are here speaks volumes." He touched Hikaru's head and smiled at her. Then he looked at Eagle and Lantis.
"But consider," he said, "that if you commit yourselves to Hikaru, you're essentially getting the three of us for brothers-in-law."
Eagle and Lantis exchanged a look.
"I think we can live with that," Lantis said quietly.
***
AGH, SFD. I am tired and going to attend a funeral tomorrow. I'll blame it on that.
Whew!