The next morning I awaken to the sound of laughter coming from the kitchen.
I yawn and stretch, less painfully than the day before.
Good, I'm healing, now, what the hell are they doing down there? I ponder, sitting up.
"Good morning, M-chan. Feeling better?" Neph speaks up, startling me as I didn't notice him standing in the doorway.
"Oh! Nephrite! You startled me!" I exclaim, putting a hand over my pounding heart.
Startlement isn't the only reason my heart's pounds. GODS what a body!
He was standing there, wearing jeans. Only jeans.
Damn... I think to myself again before I get my hormones under control again.
He chuckles softly, "I'm sorry, M-chan, I didn't mean to," I sit up.
I think I see his eyes flit over my body as I start to stand, but it's so brief that I'm not even certain it happened.
"Uh, anyhoo...'morning, and I'm feeling much better, thanks," I answer his question.
"Hungry?" he asks.
"A little..."
"Well, shall we see what those hyenas down there are doing to my kitchen?"
I giggle.
"I think that's an
appropriate course of action," I say as I take his offered arm, and head
down with him.
I can't help laughing when I see the scene we're presented with.
Jae, Mike, Raph and Diana are totally covered in flower, and Zoi is in the process of covering her brother in sakura blossom petals.
"What's going on here?" Neph asks.
"Breakfast," Leo answers innocently.
"Yeah, what'd you expect?" Mike asks.
Neph just chuckles and shakes his head.
We sit down at the table and I blink, suprised at what was there.
"Blinces?" I ask. "I haven't seen these in a long time!"
Diana grins and comes over.
"My grandmother used to make them for me," she told me.
"Oh?"
"Hai, these are good, but hers are far better."
I smile, take half of one, and try it.
"Mmmm...this is very good, Diana!"
She smiles and blushes, the squeaks in suprise as two arms emerge from the pile of petals and wrap themselves around her middle, pulling her into their embrace.
"Jae!" She giggles, and turns, kissing him.
After a few minutes, both Dia and Zoi bury them in white rose and pink sakura blossom petals.
"Geeze, you two! Get a room!" Zoi tells them from Kunzite's lap.
Jae slowly breaks the kiss and scoops Diana up into his arms.
"I think we will. Thanks, sis!"
With that, Jae teleports himself and Diana to destination unknown but can be guessed at.
Raph smirks, and is about to say something when Mike nudges him, they're both looking at Neph and me.
"What?" I ask.
Raph snickers and Mike laughs.
"What is WITH you two?"
Raph grins. "Well...how was last night?" He asks, leaving no doubt to what he's talking about as Mike starts to giggle more.
"ACK!! You pervs!" I shout at them as I manifest VERY cold water over their heads.
"Oh, look! It's the play dough brothers," I smirk.
Then I realize that Zoi, Kunz, and Neph are staring at me in shock.
"How did you..." Zoi trails off.
"Uh...well...it's one of my powers."
"What other powers do you have?"
"Aside from manifesting stuff? Well, telepathy, faster healing than most, Sight, ability to affect energies directly. And then there are my bones and claws," I sigh softly, not liking to talk about my body or powers.
"M-chan?" Neph asks me, worry in his voice.
"Hai...?"
"What's wrong?"
"Uh...nothing," I lie, not yet ready to bear all.
"Um, Nephrite?" I ask after a few moments of silence.
"Hai, M-chan?"
"Are there any parks around here anymore?"
"Hai, there are still a good number of them. Why?"
"Ah...when my mother and I lived here, she used to enjoy taking me out to one in particular. One with a beautiful pond, Sakura trees, flowers. And a very old bench in a little enclave of trees," I tell him, starting to loose myself in the memory. I smile gently to myself, going on, "I remember we used to sit there for hours, just talking, or watching the people go by, or just watch nature in silence, enjoying each others' company."
I stop, suddenly realizing that Neph was gazing at me, nodding gently.
Oh gods...there's that gaze again.
After a moment, he clears his throat softly.
"I know the park you speak of, M-chan," he tells me.
My eyes light up.
"And I can take you there whenever you are ready," he goes on.
"Now?" I ask, desperation in my voice.
"Hai, if you wish."
I look at the others. "Do you guys mind if Neph and I take our leave of you all for a bit?" I ask, not wanting to offend.
Mike gives me a hug and a brotherly kiss of the forehead.
"It's ok, M-chan," TN says, a sparkle in her onyx eyes.
With a smile at them
all, Neph and I leave them to the rest of their breakfast and tea.
Part V
Part VII
Meetings Index