Chapitre 2 :: investigating the occurence

Publiée: 22-07-06 - Mise à jour: 29-07-06

Commentaires: Due to the large writing gap bewteen these two chapters, the whole thing changed a little. I really tried to write something funny, without intrigue, murders, and mysteries, but it seems I just cannot do it. It will still have its funny moments, but also a lot of sad and chilling ones... especially for Kaori whose new ability will create quite some problems.

Chapitre: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

Kaori kept sneaking glances at her partner during the way home. Her eyes adored his strong profile as he concentrated on the road, then her stare moved slowly lower, zeroing on his full lips. Gorgeous lips. Lips she has been longing to kiss almost from the day they met. Her eyes moved back up and she sighed.  

There was nothing. Absolute silence. She perceived nothing from him. Zilch!  

Kaori sighed again. Was it possible she lost it? She couldn’t have, because even at the hospital as she was thanking her doctor before Ryo literally dragged her out on the street, she could hear the doctor’s and other interns’ thoughts clearly. And yesterday, she heard Ryo think positively Neanderthal-ish thoughts about her, but that has probably been just a figment of her imagination. Ryo was a Neanderthal when it came to her, just not a love-struck Neanderthal.  

Another heavy sigh. Shoot!  

Ryo glanced at her. »Is something wrong?«  

»No.« She turned her head to stare out the window.  

»Kaori?«  

»It’s nothing!« she snapped. »Drop it!«  

He lifted a shoulder. »Geez, I was just asking. No need to bite my head off.«  

She was silent.  

Ryo slid another glance her way. He slowly smiled. Whenever she was sick or hurt, she always took it out on him. He’d never be able to understand her.  

»Do you want to pop by Cat’s Eye, before going home? I bet Miki would be happy to see you up and about.«  

»Do as you wish, Ryo,« came her caustic reply.  

Stomping on the brakes, he brought the Mini to a screeching stop at the curb, ignoring the honks and yelled obscenities coming from the cars behind them.  

»Okay, what is it?!«  

She turned to him, her eyes wide. »Are you insane?! You’re causing a jam, Ryo. Would you just drive?!«  

He killed the engine, crossing his arms over his chest. »Not until you tell me, what the hell is wrong!«  

Kaori rolled her eyes. »I bumped my head and have been unconscious for a week. Aren’t I entitled to a little skulking every once in a while? And besides…« She shuffled in her seat. »Since when are you so preoccupied with my mood?«  

»Since you started snapping at me for no reason!«  

»God!« She slapped her forehead. He was right and they both knew it. She didn’t have a reason for being such a bitch to him. Except she was angry she couldn’t hear exactly what he thought at the moment. If she ever could. »I’m sorry, okay?! What more do you want? I’ve just come out of a hospital, Ryo. Nobody expects me to start jumping up and down and being Miss Sunshine on a drop of a dime!«  

»I never said you have to jump up and down, Kaori. I just asked you if there was something wrong.«  

»And I told you, that there isn’t!«  

»You lied, that there isn’t!« He sighed. »I know you, Kaori. There is something wrong. What is it? Are you feeling sick? If you are, just tell me, and I’ll take you home this instant. We don’t have to go to Cat’s Eye and the others would surely understand.«  

Kaori smiled slightly. When he wanted, he could be incredibly sweet and considering. Pity, he wanted to be like that so rarely.  

»I’m fine. And I once again apologize for snapping at you.«  

His dark eyes ran over her face. »Are you sure?«  

»Yes.« She looked behind. »Now, could we go? Because that guy behind us is turning purple.«  

Glancing in the rearview mirror, he chuckled. »He’s ready to pop.« His eyes once again collided with hers. »Cat’s Eye?«  

She nodded.  

»Okey dokey.« He started the Mini. »But promise, you’ll tell me when you’ve had enough.«  

»I promise.«  

As the Mini stopped in front of the café, Kaori was completely resigned. It was official, she wasn’t getting any vibes from Ryo. So what was she supposed to think? That that thing passed? That it went away?  

Probably, because it wasn’t possible for Ryo not to think of anything. Yes, if you saw his face in the heat of a shootout, his face as carved in stone, one could assume there was nothing going on behind that unreadable expression and hard eyes, but now, relaxed and without any danger lurking behind a corner, it wasn’t possible for him not to think of anything. Everyone thought about innumerous things every single minute of every single day. He couldn’t be an exception, so she, has either imagined everything – even dreamt it – or whatever it was has passed and she was cured.  

Oh, well. It was probably for the best anyway.  

As Ryo opened the door to her – That was incredibly sweet of him! – and helped her out of the car, the colors around her exploded inside her head, and she felt slightly dizzy. But just for a moment, so she smiled reassuringly to her partner, pasted a bright smile on her face and walked to the glass door of the café.  

She didn’t have time to extend a hand to push it inward, because it was shoved open with force and Kaori was enfolded in Miki’s bear hug.  

»Sweeeeeeeetie!« Miki squealed into her ear. »I’m so glad you’re out of that dreadful place.«  

Kaori’s ribs started protesting as she sent a begging glance toward Ryo.  

Grim-faced, the sweeper pulled the barkeeper away from his partner. »She’s not feeling that well, yet, Miki. Lay off!«  

A dark eyebrow climbed higher and higher as the woman stared at him. She was used to Saeba being overly protective every time Kaori stubbed a toe, but this time he was worse than ever. Even at the hospital, he reluctantly allowed anyone else to see Kaori and now – it was just a hug, for crying out loud – he was acting like a possessive oaf.  

A grin slowly spread over her face. This time might be the right one. After an ordeal like that, he was bound to start cracking. He’s never been away from Kaori for more than a couple of days, but this time it lasted a week and Kaori has been unconscious, seemingly fighting for her life, for all that time. It must have done something to him to prompt him to act in this manner.  

As soon as Kaori was safe from Miki’s arms, Ryo forgot about the bartender, his complete attention focused on his partner. She was pale, her eyes slightly blurry, and he didn’t miss the slight hesitation in her step as he pulled her out of the car. She wasn’t feeling well, and yet she insisted on hiding it from him. Only she couldn’t hide anything from him. Not now, not ever.  

»Kaori,« he murmured, briefly enfolding her fingers in his bigger hand. »Are you sure about this? Wouldn’t you rather go home and rest?«  

She huffed, snatching her hand away. »Didn’t we already have this conversation? I’m fine!« And she followed Miki inside, adamant not to fall on her face.  

As she saw Umibozu at the counter, her heart did a funny flip in her chest. This was a perfect opportunity to prove or disprove whether she was indeed delusional. Keeping her eyes zeroed on his face, she slowly neared the counter.  

His bald head lifted. »Hello, Kaori. How are you feeling?«  

Sensing her partner hovering protectively behind her – now she was even more adamant at staying conscious and upright – she sent the giant a wobbly smile. »I’m fine, thank you, a bit woozy, but fine.« She swallowed, staring intently at him. »How… how are you?«  

She couldn’t see his eyes behind the sunglasses, but she would’ve bet her life, that he was probably staring at her as if she’s grown wings.  

Mumbling something incomprehensive, his head lowered again and he continued preparing coffee for a couple of trembling teenagers in the farthest booth.  

Kaori kept staring intently at him. There was nothing. Absolutely nothing. How could that be? She’s heard the doctor even that morning at the hospital. But did she? Shoot!  

Miki stared at her friend in total bewilderment. Why was Kaori looking at Falcon in that manner? Was she trying to move him with the power of her mind? She chuckled. Not even a dredge could move her husband. »Kaori?«  

The redhead snapped her head about. »Hmmm?«  

»Are you sure you’re okay?«  

Ryo moved slightly behind her and Kaori rolled her eyes, turning. »Would you stop hovering like that?! You don’t need to stand behind me! I won’t swoon like a medieval lady! I’m fine!«  

»Fine!« he snapped. »Sorry to invade your safety bubble, Kaori-kun! I have no intention of catching you even if you fall. I’d rather have a woman in my arms!«  

Her eyes turned fiery red as she produced a huge mallet out of thin air.  

»And what am I?!« she growled, twirling the utensil above her head.  

There was a resigned sigh. Here we go again.  

The mallet stopped twirling as Kaori looked at Umibozu.  

He was concentrating on the coffee. Whatever you do, don’t thrash the place… Please.  

Swallowing, she looked back down at Ryo, who huddled at her feet in his smallest form.  

A slight smile flashed across his face. That’s my girl.  

The mallet was gone in a puff of smoke and Kaori reeled.  

Ryo’s eyes narrowed. »Kaori?« He shot to his feet. Stay with me!  

»Oh, God,« she whimpered, dropping like a rock. 

Chapitre: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25