The Garden Path (Daisuke)

[Iwahashi Daisuke]

Daisuke didn't even look down at her when she commented about how this was his last chance be done with her. He didn't feel like that, he already started to connect with her on a personal matter. They both understood what each other was going through that it was slightly scary when you look at it in the long run of things. Never once had he found someone like him in the days of travel. Of all things he found it here in his home village in the garden that was just barely outside of the main area. A place him and his sisters use to play in, now it had a different meaning for him. If he would have just tossed out on the streets after carrying her back like this, than he would have been no better than what she thought others would have done in the first place. He could not place himself in that position. He just smiled and carried her inside.

After he hand gotten her inside and got their drinks. He took a drink of his own water and looked down to her when she spilled some of her water down her chin. It was a bit funny but he was careful what he did around her. "Graceful is just a word Neko. Don't worry about it too much. I don't care if you got water on it. Its not like its going to stain it. Oh you did huh? Now you have nothing...' He walked over to his pouch and dug out his keys once more and took the key to his apartment off it. He would make another one through his sister's key later. He tossed it too her. 'You are welcome here anytime Neko." He smiled to make it a real moment. He really meant that she could stay here as long has she liked to, it was no problem to him.

He started to look through his mail, has his second clone came in with the bags. The clone took them into the kitchen and started to make a meal. He had chakra to spare at the moment, so why dirty his own hand to dealing with a simple task like that. He pulled a chair out of the table and looked at a summoned to go to the Land of Fire. He read it carefully and then placed it in his pouch, this way he wont forget and showed up in time. "Funny how the village seems still make you care about everything...they want me to take part in the new Jounin exams in Konoha soon. Want me to act like a Chuunin...that will be slightly annoying."

He placed the papers down once the clone returned about twenty minutes later with two bowls of ramen. Daisuke stood up and grabbed two pair of chopsticks from their container on the table. He took the bowls and the clone then finally disappeared in a puff of smoke. He walked over to her carefully and handed her the bowl and chopsticks. He then sat down on the floor in front of the couch and rested his back against it. 'Ni, I am not the best cook but at lease I can make some ramen that for sure." He was joking with himself on that one.

[Kentora Neko]

Neko was surprised when he got up and mentioned that she had nothing. He had no idea how true that was. When she lost the only two people she loved, material things didn’t matter to her. All the possessions she had bore such tender memories, memories that hurt too badly at the time for her to stand. The Apartment Denkuza bought for them wasn’t the only thing she sold, she sold the engagement ring her bought for her, and the dress he loved to see her wear. She also sold things that Koto gave her, such as the guitar and amp set he gave her for her birthday, and a wrist cuff that had half of the Kentora crest, the other half belonged to him.

Suddenly, a metallic note awakened her from her wandering mind. She looked up and felt her heart beat faster as he told her she was welcome anytime in his home. No, he couldn’t give her the key! She could use it to- she fought the thought. She was speechless, her voice jittery and confused. For now, she had…somewhere to go. Perhaps…a home? She mentally shook her head, No, it was his home, she was a guest. She had to repay him. Tomorrow, she would go to The Den, an old teen-age hang out spot she and Koto used to go to and get a job as anything. The owner knew her well, so she had no Doubt that he would atleast consider her. But still, Daisuke had given her more than she could ever ask for…a place to live. “Dai…Thank You…for everything.”

He tossed the key into the air , the object flying towards her. Without thinking, she threw out her hand to catch the key, her wrist flicking unconsciously. The spring action system in her bracer activated and the lethal metal spike shot out, grazing her hand terribly and catching the key miraculously. A look of horror crossed her face and she quickly tried to hide the weapon in her lap, hoping Daisuke didn’t notice. Stupid Hair Trigger! God-damnit I Should’ve Taken The Thing Off! she scrabbled at the chords holding her invention together, her teeth gritting in frustration. Finally, she slid her hand out of the leather sleeve and retracted the metal spike, then proceeded to take the other one off.

With the volatile weapons off her arms, she turned back to him as he spoke about his new mission to Hi no Kuni. Cradling the aching hand, she said, “Well, Jounins like us took the test so we could put all the Chunin crap behind us, so I understand your annoyance. However, I always liked acting. When are you planning on going?” She was thinking that she could keep his house clean while he was gone…but then remembered that she had no purpose for being in Iwagakure, so when he left, she too should take her leave and visit when he returned. But her glum thoughts soon disappeared, for she smelled something with beef in it.

Neko’s stomach growled dangerously when she saw the clone come in with two bowls of something hot, steamy, and tasty. It had been so long since she had eaten a proper meal. In her journeys, she had whatever was easy to find or catch; Fish, Game, A dango when she could afford it and worst cases, Garbage from food-stands. It was pathetic, but its what she had to do. She forced herself to actually sit up, her head swimming slightly, but there was food and she didn’t want to spill anything on the sofa. Carefull not to grab the bowl with her scratched hand, she took the bowl gratefully. No one had taken such good care of her in so long, she felt so spoiled. She didn’t do anything to deserve such attention. Beef Ramen, heaven in a bowl! She felt her teeth lengthen slightly at the thought of having something warm in her stomach, but she resisted the urge to dig in until he sat across from her. His comment made her laugh. A genuine laugh. When had laughed like that? How long had it been since something made her feel that good? Then she thought that it didn’t matter right now, “Well lets see how good at this you are.” She said playfully as she stuck her chopsticks into the noodle dish. She quickly stuffed a huge mouthful of noodles into her ravenous trap, may be too huge of a mouthful. She bit off what wouldn’t fit and chewed. A wave of comfort washed over her mind as she swallowed, and Neko sighed in contentment. “Ahh, granting that my last meal was a combination of wild mushrooms, a weasel, and a wild hen, which was approximately a week and a half ago, she pretended to think about her verdict, looking at the ceiling for a brief second, then giving a mischievous grin to her new friend, “ It’ll do.” She chuckled and reached over to affectionately touch his arm, careful not to lose her balance, “Seriously though, its a god-send, Dai. I don’t know how to repay you-” She stopped, then took off the only thing of value she had, Her signet ring. A gleaming Peridot glittered in the daylight, the Kanji for Tora a deep symbol for her. She held it out to him, her intention clear.

[Iwahashi Daisuke]

Daisuke nodded when she said thing, it was the last thing he could do for her right? He was not sure what he was doing being so nice to her like he was doing. It might have to do with his own need of being wanted for something more than his skills. That was all the clan and the village sought from him, with Neko she didn't ask for anything, and yet he was giving her a place to feel safe. In a way she was just like him, she sought to be wanted and not treated like a monster that she consider herself. Dai could not see people like that until they turned on him for some reason or another. "You are welcome, Neko. Everyone deserves something to look forward to sooner or later."

He had noticed when her weapon came out when she grabbed the key from mid air. It was not like he cared what sorts of weapons she had on her. He saw her has no threat because he knew she could barely even stand up on her own because of her lack of taking care of herself. He was going to beat it into that she needed to take care of herself. Next time someone found her like this, they might have not been has kind has he was and took matters of killing or even worse raping her in their own hands. "Never disarm yourself around people. You are right in the matter speaking when you say others look down upon you. There are men and women out there that are looking for a thrill. If they saw you in the state that you was in when I found you there is no telling what they would have done. There are some cruel people out there in this world."

He looked up to her when she talked about being a Jounin and placing all the Chuunin crap behind them. Relieving the Jounin Exam was not something that he was looking forward to, but it seemed the like villagers need someone that did not have a members taking part in the exam and because he wandered a lot he was chosen. He had to admit the pay that came from this was surprising well earned and he could last a bit more when he accepted the mission. Acting was a different story on his part, he had never felt the need to act like he was a Chuunin. Hell when he was ten his skills rivalried that of a Chuunin in most areas. He nodded slightly. "That is true, it will also allow us to see what the shinobi's skilled are around the world. Plus the Ryo I will get from taking this mission is a heavy one. As for leaving, I don't have to be there until a bit. You are more than welcome to stay here if you like, tho I warn you I might not come back for a while." He would come back if she would he here. He wanted to know more about her, because there was always more than what meets the eye and she needed a friend. She was also the first woman that he had spoken to in sometime and maybe he was starting to see her more than a friend at the moment. Everyone needed a friend right?

He started to hit his ramen when she commented about his cooking. He looked up to her when she commented off her last meal. He frowned slightly at the words. Even him in his travel made time nearly every day to stop and have a decent meal, he didn't care if he had to go out and catch it himself. A meal was always a plus, seemed like he needed to slap some more sense into this girl before she left his sight and that was exactly what he was going to do. He watched her tilted her head up to the ceiling and back down and touched his arm. He looked down to it, the last person that touched his arm like that was his sister just before he left for the first time. He drove the memory out of his head has she spoke once more, has he looked into her eyes. He smiled when she somewhat like it, it was good to hear that his food was not poison.

When she took off her ring and held it out to him. He knew this was suppose to be something of value, but because she still had it meant that it was worth more to her than anything. He smiled and placed his bowl of ramen on the floor and rested his chopsticks on the rim of the bowl. He then reached up and took the ring and then took her hand that the ring came off of and looked back up to her has he slipped it back onto her soft finger. "Because this is worth value in the market, and you have not sold it to buy you some food or anything like that. This thing means more to you than you realize and I can not accept a gift like that Neko. I am not doing this for you to owe, if that the case a lot of people would owe me something. I do it because there not that many people in the world that gives damn about their fellow mankind. If I can help at lease one person out every now and then, than that person might turn that kindness that I showed them onto another person that is just like them in some ways. I am sorry, if you think my logic fails me now."

[Kentora Neko]

Neko’s eyes became slightly dangerous when he mentioned the chance for her weakness to be exploited. A grim look crossed her face, her eyes becoming like sharp glass, “ You don’t think I know that?” She leaned in, picking up a bracer and showing it to him, “I fell in with some rough people after I left, Dai. To survive in that world, I had to become just as rough, just as…cruel, so I made these. Do you realize that if you had given me any indication that you wanted to hurt me, I wouldn’t have hesitated to at least try and kill you? Even in a weakened condition, my bloodlust can give me energy, focus, and power.” She sat back at little, her point made, then gritted her teeth, “and don’t think for a moment that I’m completely disarmed. Theres a hunting knife in my belt, and two kunai in my shin guards. I am a Jounin after all. I took these off so I wouldn’t hurt you by accident because they have hair triggers.” Neko’s pride was pricked when he suggested that she was foolish to remove her defense. She showed him the long cut on her hand from earlier, “ This is what happens when I’m not careful with my bracers. Imagine what could happen if I forget myself with these things on. I might accidentally spear your arm!” She pursed her lips to keep from scolding her new friend, but she couldn’t help being a little insulted.

Her gaze became softer as she looked at him. She understood his wisdom, and she shouldn’t have let her welfare go to the wayside, but she was too worried she would miss this day. What if she had taken better care of herself? She would’ve had to slow her progress, then she probably wouldn’t have met Daisuke. Neko sighed wearily, running her hurt hand through her sandy hair, then let her prideful nature subside, “Dai,…I’ve never met anyone like you. You’re wise, gentle, strong, and more importantly kind, but I’ve had to deal with harshness for a long time. Please don’t think me as …naïve. I realize I should have paid more attention to my physical needs…but I wouldn’t miss being in Iwagakure on this day for the world. When your heart is set on something that…means so much to you, you tend to forget something so trivial but necessary as eating or sleeping.” She closed her eyes, her head ached from the lack of sleep, and her face was burning for some reason. It seemed the longer she stayed still, the more she realized how bad off she was, but she pushed the feeling off.

Then he gently took her ring from her. A level of equality settled over her. Now she felt the weight of debt fall off her shoulders, but that feeling was brief, for Daisuke gingerly took her hand in his own, and pushed the ring back onto her finger. The sensation of his large hand and strong fingers touching her smaller, femine hand sent a tingle up her arm. No one had reached over and done that before…except- a harsh flashback of Denkuza slipping the engagement ring on her finger made her heart sink. Neko stared blankly for a moment, trying to silence the overwhelming emotion of longing, but was once again awakened by the sound of Daisuke’s voice. He didn’t want to take it from her because it was valuable to her? She supposed it had some sentimental value. It was the only gift her father ever gave her, and that was only when she hit 18 and became an adult in the eyes of the Council of Tora. Every Kentora clansman had a ring to cement his loyalty to the person who issued it. In her case, her loyalty forever belonged to Kentora Hazuku, her father. Even though he abandoned her when she needed someone to care, she kept her ring. Why, she had no idea. “ My father gave me this when I became a Jounin. There was no emotion, it was just a sign that my loyalty was his. I thought by wearing it, he would look upon me with more affection, A sign to him of my irrevocable love for him. It didn’t have the effect I hoped. He abandoned me.” She clasped his hand and touched it to her forehead , Dai,…you astound me. I don’t why or how, but some god sent you to find me, I think. Even when I told you I’m creature, you stayed. When I tried to distance myself to protect you, you brought me into your home, fed me, and tossed a key to your door. You have given me a gift that means more to me than any simple ring. You’ve given me a home. As for that god that sent you, I’m also in his debt, because he has given me hope.” she pulled away, a meek smile on her face. All of the sudden she felt icy and cold in this room, and she touched her face to find it burning and her entire body had a cold sweat. What was wrong with her?

[Iwahashi Daisuke]

Daisuke listened to Neo has she told him about her weapons and if he had shown a move to harm her that she would have attack him. He felt like a little kid and being scolded by someone, but it placed him in his place rather well. He knew that he took it a bit far to scold her but this also gave him an understanding where she was coming from and how she could take care of herself. Her shooting off her mouth towards him like that only proved to him that she was more than capable of taking care of herself if someone was going to harm her. The only thing he could think about doing was asking for her forgiveness on the matter of not thinking before he spoke to her like a child. Even tho he felt like a kid at the moment all he could do was smile over to her. "Forgive me of my rudeness there, Neko." He knew when he had been defeat for the most part, and this was one of those times.

He took a bite of his ramen has she talked about how kind and caring he was. He really didn't think that it was such a huge deal. Then she talked about not missing this day in Iwagakure for anything. He was not exactly where she was going with all this, he could not think of a reason why she would want to come here on all days. For her to come here in her condition meant that the pace he had found her in meant something to her in the long run and there was no way he could understand the feeling that she felt then. Was he wrong with helping her today? Now he knew that he was going to have to ask her some questions to even try to understand why that place meant so much to her to go through that just to get there of all days today. He took a deep breath trying to think of exactly what he wanted to say and without sounds a bit noisy or annoyed with her. "Neko, I am trying to understand your point of view on this matter...but what exactly cause you to come here today?" He tilted his head slightly to her, his eyes nearly pleading with her for an answer that he could possible understand.

When he had slipped the ring back on her finger and she started to talk about her father. He listen carefully to her this time. The ring had meant something to her after all. Just because her father didn't give to shits about her, it also meant that no matter what she felt responsible for not only her actions but the rest of her clans actions. It was something that Dai could never really see him doing himself. His clan was messed up just like hers, but he didn't want the headache of what his cousin was going through he rather be feel and roam than anything of the sort. "It means something to you Neko, it might now, but it will one day. Don't worry about what I have given you today." He smiled when she suggested that he was a god send, he was never to keen about religion like this but he was not about to shattered her hope like this. It would be wrong of him in the long run for doing that. With all what she seemed to have gone through today he didn't think he could tell her no about that. "I was just in the right place at the right time Neko." He blinked slightly when she placed her hand on her forehead and he lifted up his head and pushed his bowl of ramen back away from him. He reached up and placed the back of his fingers against her forehead himself and frowned slightly. He gently took her bowl from her and set it on the couch. "Lay down Neko, you are burning up." He got up and walked into the bathroom and soaked it in cold water for a moment and walked back into the room folding it. He went to place it on her forehead. He was not sure if she was just having an ill effect from actually drinking so much, eating or what at the moment. The best thing that she could do for now that he thought was to get some rest for now. If she was not better later then he would take her to the hospital.

[Kentora Neko]

Neko blinked when he asked forgiveness, but realized that she had actually made him feel bad with her scolding. She shook her head “No, forgive me, I have a Tiger’s Pride that is very sensitive.” It was true, her pride did get in the way a lot, mostly between her and a decent meal. “Pride is the only reason I avoid going into cities...” she thought aloud. Her head was burning so hot, she almost felt delirious, but right now, she was ignoring that weakness. Her thoughts were running rampant in her head the longer she sat there. What the heck was wrong with her?

She kept her head in her hand when he asked about her urgent desire to be here today. How could she explain this? Should she say she put herself through all that crap just to say one whole complete sentence to a dead guy, or should she be more eloquent? More eloquent, yet not evasive. Once she found the words, she looked at his face, the expression of pleading making the corner of her mouth twitch in amusement. “You know that cherry tree you found me under? I had to say hello to the man six feet under me, my sensei…my lover, Denkuza no Danna.” she let the statement hang for a moment, then decided to explain, “My brother grew into his Kekkei Genkai when I was 18, so I decided to give him some space to meditate, but his absence left a hole in my life. As I said before, Denkuza had already filled the place of my father, but he felt that my isolation was not healthy, so he filled the place of my friend. Months passed and Koto wasn’t getting any better, I found myself spending more time with my new friend. Finally, Denkuza met with my father to ask permission to marry me.

My father did not care, but Koto was infuriated. In his bloodrage, he saw Denkuza’s affection for me as sick and perverse, considering he was 5 years older than me, and he saw my willingness to marry my former sensei as betrayal. He insulted Denkuza , spitting and cursing, but I understood that he wasn’t himself at all. While my brother cooled down, my fiancé bought us an apartment where we prepared for our wedding. Then Koto broke out of the Kentora Compound and began killing people at random, trying to soothe his agony, and like a fool...I tried to stop him. The rest is history. Most people today call it the Battle of the Two Tigers. Koto and I dueled, and when I failed, Denkuza stepped in. Koto killed him, and in my rage, I killed Koto. I tried to save Denkuza, to get him to a healer…but I wasn’t fast enough. He died just as I got to the hospital. The Med-nins thought I would go crazy just like my brother with the emotional blow, so they locked me up, chained me to a wall, and left me in dark. They didn’t let me see him, for three days I was in that room and all I wanted was to see him. When I got out, I demanded Denkuza’s body, and buried him where we first met. The Sakura Tree… Today is the anniversary of our engagement ” She hung her head, her mind reeling in the pain of remembering, but she hid what she felt behind the curtain of her sandy hair. Now she’d done it. She had spilled the beans, let the cat out of the bag. Now he knew how crazy she was.

What he said after that escaped her, the room’s chill was distracting her and she shivered from her exposure. But what she did hear was Daisuke’s command to lay down. She was burning up? When did she get sick? She shoveled a few more mouthfuls of ramen into her mouth, hoping that would warm her up, but slowly, the noodles and broth seemed to become like ice in her mouth. Finally, she had to obey his command. As she laid back on the couch, she tried to think of a cause for this sudden illness. It didn’t hit her until Daisuke returned with a damp cloth and began to dab her head gently. As if having an epiphany, Neko chucked and cried out comically “Ah, now I remember. I ran through a storm the other day. Hmm, that explains the fever.’ she was bemused by her lack of memory regarding her journey, but it was too late to worry about that now. What she did worry about was whether or not he planned on taking her to the hospital. Bad memories lay in those halls. She murmured- half delirious- “I’m sorry, Dai. I didn’t know I was this bad off. Please…please don’t take me to the Hospital…” She was drifting off to sleep, she realized. Her green eyes glazed over in weariness, but she fought off the urge to sleep. She wanted him to promise to not take her there.

[Iwahashi Daisuke]

Daisuke tilted his head when she spoke about pride. Everyone had pride in something, that was just basic human feeling. He had pride in his skills has a shinobi and the fact that his nick name was Breeze in the clan and the village. "Don't ask for forgiveness for a basic human emotion suvh has pride. I insulted you when I went on my little rant. I realize that. You had every right to chew me out there. We all must have pride in something Neko." He took another bite of his ramen, he was nearly finished and hope by chance there was more in there. He would have to remember that his normal serving would not due with Neko here at the moment, and he usually ate two bowls of ramen himself when he made it here.

Daisuke was always good about hearing everything out before he made judgment about something. He watched her lip twitch slightly and dismissed it has nothing more than her trying to make sure he was understand. The tale that she told surprise him because she didn't seem to like someone close to her, but now he was understanding from her point of view why she didn't. She had lost her lover, than killed her own brother and then was disowned by her own father. He didn't understand all the way of her feelings but he was trying. He knew what it was like to watch someone that he cared about die. The last Guardian of the Breeze took him under his wing when he became a Genin and watched him and taught him, than he watched his cousin take his life and then killed his cousin for his action. The more he thought about it the more he was standing to see her view on everything. 'Our paths of our lives seemed to be nearly the same Neko. You watched someone take the life of your teacher and love, I watched someone take the life of my teacher and in the end of that we both took the life of those that did their deed. Your father chose to disowned, while my family chose to honor me tho. Thats the difference it seems to be surround us. I am sorry for your lost, I do not know what it is like to lose a lover like you have. But allow me to be your friend? You need one and I am always willing to take on more."

He smiled to make her feel better, but he was not sure if that smile was welcome. When he disappeared and reappeared in the living room with the damp cloth he watched her eat a few more bites of the ramen. He laughed slightly when he placed the cloth on her forehead after she laid on the couch and explained why she was becoming sick. It was because of the storm that she had ran into. He frowned thinking instead of risking her health anymore that he would take her to the hospital now but her last sentence came out of her mouth and wished that she didn't go there. He sighed slightly. "I will give you until tomorrow night to feel better after than, you are going. I am sorry, but if you are really bad I would hate to lose you because of that pride of yours. I wont leave your side when you are there. I promise."

He watched her drift off to sleep. He placed her glass up on the in table next to the couch. He picked up the two bowls of noddle and carried them into the kitchen and watched up after his clone. He looked to see what he could make the two in the morning. It felt weird having a girl here in his home but at the same time he wanted to make sure he saw her smile and make her laugh. He felt like with all that she had been through that she had deserve someone again to take care for her. If not him than who? He smiled slightly when he saw her on the couch asleep. He walked to his bedroom and pulled off the sheets, blanket, and pillow. He walked in the living room and covered her up with the sheet. He then made laid down the blanket and pillow for him on the floor. He didn't mind sleeping on the floor, he wanted to be there when she woke up.

He yawned to himself slightly, it had been a long day. He went back to his room and changed into a black shirt and some shorts that he normally slept in while he was here. He walked back and looked at her lightly. He leaned down over her and placed a kiss on her forehead. 'Whenever you need me Neko...I am here for you..." He whispered slightly. He then laid down on the floor and fell asleep some time later.

He woke when the sun from the window reached his eyes slightly. He placed his hand up to his face to cover his yawn. He didn't want to get up at the moment, it was still to early for him. He ran his other hand through his messy black hair and slowly kicked the blanket off of him. "Damn blasted sun..." He muttered to himself, he was never one to be a morning person now and he disliked the sun at this time.

---

Okay so Mister goody needs something to b*tch about...right now its just the sun XD

[Kentora Neko]

Neko was slightly startled when he asked to be her friend. Was he joking? Was he setting her up? Her suspicious thoughts were standard questions now, but she quickly brushed the idea of being tricked away and asked new questions. Was he serious? Could she open her heart to him? She had always wanted a friend who shared her views and could understand her emotional tendencies, but the nagging voice of caution still made her movements and words wary. Then she remembered his authorative statement. “I am the Breeze…you will not harm me, I’ll make sure of that.” Neko blinked, then decided that she really needed someone right now. Her body was weak, her emotions were strained and her mind could use healthy stimulation rather than isolation.

She meekly leaned toward him and brushed her lips against both his cheeks, as according to custom of her clan, her cheeks burning fiercely at such a move, “ If you’re willing to befriend someone like me, then yes. I need a friend, preferably you. You’re the only one I know. Just know that If you need me, I’ll come to you, wherever you are.” She looked into his eyes, mentally assuring herself that there was a bond, a connection.

She then sat back, listening to his ultimatum about going to the hospital with a level of fear. She didn’t want to go, she didn’t want to be in those halls with those cold doctors. They had chained her, left her alone. She didn’t want to be alone. But he promised to be by her side at all times. A wave of hope swept over her, “You promise?… then, whatever you think is right…Dai-chan. She was slipping into sleep at an amazing speed. Her sight blurred, her lids closed over her green eyes, and she fell asleep. Since she had lost control of her physical abilities, she began to purr quietly in her slumber. Dreams of cherry blossoms and breezes swept her into a never-never land, where she lounged in the sunlight. She snuggled into a warm swing with a little sheet in pure comfort. Then a breeze swept over her, kissing her brow and bringing a comforting whisper Whenever you need me, Neko…I am here for you.

The next morning, Neko awoke to a beam of sunlight in her eyes. Her head still ached somewhat, but it wasn’t as cold as it was yesterday. Her lids fluttered open and she yawned, arching her back and brushing off the sheet. Wait..Sheet? She blinked at the random piece of bedding, then turned at the sound of Daisuke’s voice. She looked down to see him kick off his blanket and mumble a curse to the sun. He had slept beside her all night? That was…sweet. A smile illuminated her face as she watched him wake up, her sleepy expression making her eyes dark and sultry as she remained horizontal on the couch. She said nothing until his blanket was completely off, then reached down and pulled the cover back up to his face, just to annoy him. In a deep, warm, and relaxed tone, she purred, “Good morning, Dai-kun, the sun waits for no one.” She then turned her gaze to the ceiling and closed her eyes, pretending to be aloof.

[Iwahashi Daisuke]

Daisuke watched her and waited for her answer about being friends. He was afraid that she was going to push him back again like she had done with him trying to help her. He didn't like to be told no specially about the matters like this. If he didn't get his way than it would normally annoy the person until they gave into him. In some ways he was much like a kid when he didn't get his way and he did love getting his way most of the time. He blinked when she kissed his cheeks, but it was a pleasant surprise when she did it. He never thought that she would kiss him but he smiled more at her when she said she would be his friend and that she needed one. He nodded at her.

When she asked if he promised to stay beside her side if he took her to the hospital he nodded. It was a promise that he could not see himself breaking to her because he did see the pain in her eyes when he mentioned about going there. Plus he never really broke a promise to anyone that he could remember to start with. He had thrown the sheet on her due to the fact that he did know that if she had a blanket on it could have made her feel even worse and he would have hate to see her go into the hospital for his own stupidity.

When she threw the blanket over his face he blinked slightly. He didn't think she would be up at this hour but he was wrong. He smiled tho glad that she was teasing him at the moment. He yawned once more and pushed back the blanket from his face and rubbed his eyes again. He really needed to get some darker curtains, but knowing his sister, she would have replaced them to brighten up the room. He sat up and stretched his arms above his head and twisted his upper body over to the couch and laid his head against her arm on the couch.

He was still a bit tired but there was nothing he could do about that now. The most important thing was making sure she was okay now and now worse. "That doesn't mean the sun have to shine in my window and wake me up." He was teasing right about now, but still he held a grudge against the bright thing this hour in the morning. He had his eyes closed once more and then lifted up his head slightly and opened them to look at her. "How are you feeling Neko-chan?" He brought his right arm up and used his hand to push back the hair from her forehead slightly.

[Kentora Neko]

Neko opened an eye in surprise when Daisuke laid his head on her arm so casually, and was slightly aware of her personal bubble, but the expression of sleep on his face was irresistibly adorable that she curled her arm gently around his head to pat his head affectionately, as if to hold him there, then closed that single eye. His comment made her laugh lightly, “ah, but its so fun.” The smile on her face revealed the sharp points of her teeth, but she felt remarkably at ease around the Iwahashi-clansman beside her.

His head lifted slightly, making her arm fall limp onto the couch to release him. When he asked about how she felt, she sighed, “I don’t know, give me a few minutes then I can tell-”

The sensation of his fingers lightly brushing her forehead sent a wave of acute comfort throughout her body, ending her thought. She began to purr involuntarily and nuzzled her head into his hand to be stroked. Neko’s eyes flew open in embarrassment, a dark blush heating her face again. That wasn’t appropriate! That was WAY inappropriate! that side of her only came out when she was completely relaxed. And she shouldnt be completely relaxed. Daisuke didnt need to see that! He would think she was weird, or wanting!

She stared fearfully into his dark eyes, “I am so sorry. I completely lost myself! My feline habits got the better of me, I didn’t mean to-” Neko closed her eyes and placed her hand on her head, feeling the heat of her still above average temperature.

[Iwahashi Daisuke]

Daisuke watched her left up her arm and then patted him behind the head. Little did she know there there was a seal right where she patted. He smiled slightly at her, she was teasing him back at this point in time. It was kinda funny to feel this connection with anyone. He had never really personally sought out affection to the kind she was giving him, he was not asking for it, she was just giving. It made him happy and excited to be around her. One thing he knew for sure she was soon to become his best friend if she kept this up. He nodded slightly when she told him to give her a moment to wake up.

He watched her when he touched her forehead and nuzzle her head into his hand slightly and purred. He smiled more, never seeing anyone give off the purr of a cat. It fascinated him to a point, and he blinked slightly when she realized what she was doing and felt embarrassed by it. He could tell that she just wanted attention and he was giving her what she wanted. He was not sure what exactly was going on but he actually did want to hear her purr again, it was not because it was funny to see her embarrassed but because she seemed rather happy by getting that attention. Dai was more than willing to give her that attention, even he needed attention once in a while.

"I like to hear you purr like that...you was purring in your sleep last night. It helped me fall asleep..." He did hear her purr in her sleep and it soothed him for the most part, he knew she was resting instead of tossing and turning. He reached up with his left hand and pulled her hands away from her forehead and placed his fingers against the forehead once more. He stroked her head once more. He didn't care if she pulled way from him or yell at him for this. He wanted to hear her purr again and give her the attention that she wanted. He also felt that she was still running a slight temp but it had gone down from the night before so that was a plus on this part.

[Kentora Neko]

Neko was feeling fully ashamed at what she had done. Where was her self control? Seven years of controlling those habits and now she was just letting loose. What. The. Hell. She was no tramp. That was for sure. In the Kentora society, if you saw a couple running their fingers through their hair, that was a sign of true…affection. She couldn’t say love. As far as she knew, couples were life-partners and were expected to do that, accompanied later by…the lover’s ritual. And she was no Tramp, that’s for sure. This lack of self control riled her so much. How could she do that in front of a friend? She didn’t want to be seen as lustful by the man who had taken her in. Her unusual happy-go-lucky mood was about to disappear, when he pulled her hands away from her face, an intrigued smile on his lips and curious glimmer in his eyes.


She blinked in astonishment when he said he liked to hear her purr, and told her that it helped him get to sleep. He liked it? He didn’t think it was weird or risqué? She was about to tell him that the action was a very sensual move, but she wasn’t quick enough, Daisuke had begun to stroke her hair. Her eyes rolled back in pleasure, the purr motor starting instantly at his touch. She closed her eyes, letting herself nuzzle into his hand, like a house cat would to its master’s gentle hand, and felt her back arch involuntarily. As his fingers raked her scalp, a soft “nahh” escaped her partially parted lips. Soft waves of pure enthralling energy coursed through her body, making her shiver with some unknown desire as he continued to run his fingers through her sandy hair.


After a few minutes, Her eyes opened halfway, the peridot gems deep, dark, sultry, and seemingly half-drugged as she looked at him. She felt the urge to bring him closer to her, to reach up and touch him. She acted on that impulse, her fingers gently tracing the contours of his face with uninhibited curiosity. A soft mewl escaped her as another gentle rake to her scalp sent the surge of pleasure throughout her mind. Her fingers found the scar on his face and she ran the back of her little nail along its length until she felt herself become completely consumed in pure ecstasy. The wandering hand found his black hair, and she locked eyes with him, hoping he was in control of himself to know what was happening to her and to make a decision.

[Iwahashi Daisuke]

Daisuke watched her react to his touch. It was odd but at the same made him want to keep doing it. Her reaction was nearly like a cat's but it made him want to keep doing it. He was not exactly sure what is going on between them at the moment but he didn't want it to stop. He had never felt like this before towards any girl that he had taken to bed he knew that this connection between him and Neko was something deeper than that and he just could not place his finger on it. To think a girl had this much effect on him was something else. He didn't think that someone like this would make him want her like that, but it did.

He felt her nail against his chin where his scar was, than her hand traveled to the back of his hair and head once more. He bit the inside of his lip has he watched her, has he pulled himself closer to the couch next to her. He pushed himself up to his needs has his right hand traveled through her long sandy hair, how she kept it so sandy looking was beyond him. He brought his hand to the side of her jawline and without fail has she looked into his deep brown eyes he leaned over her and pressed his lips against hers. He felt his heart beating at a rapid pace than what it was custom of doing has their lips meet for the first time. It was like a fire kicking from deep within his stomach, something he had never felt towards someone else before.

It only took his brain a second to realize what he was doing. He was allowing his emotions and desires to control him. It was something that was not like him at all, usually being emotionless attach to people but she was difference. He wanted her but he knew it was wrong, she was sick she needed help. She didn't need him coming onto her like this, this was not what friends was suppose to do right? He pulled away from her withdrawing his hand from her jawline and sat his back against the couch, not facing her. "Neko-chan...I am sorry..." He ran his hand through his own hair, seeming a bit frustrated for the first time since he had been around her, but it was because of his own actions. He couldn't believe that he had done that to her of all people. He felt like he had betrayed her and even his way of seeing people. He was not sure what exactly what when over him at the time he had kissed her.

[Kentora Neko]

Neko’s purr was throbbing now, the purity of the emotion making her mind intoxicated. She felt and heard him shift his weight to his knees and felt his hand caress her jawline, the contact burning between them. She wanted more than that, she wanted something that burned with the same passion. Her self-control lay in ruins. Physical took over mental, and she felt her body beg for the rough and yet beautiful bliss she knew he could give her. The form of his body blotted out the sunlight, his head only so far away. His arm rested just above her chest guard. She was acutely aware of the strength in those arms, but her lurid primal mind was silenced by the sweet sensation of his lips against her own. Neko felt the release of the pent up energy go into oblivion as she relished the connection. There was no more need for that ritual, just the contentment of feeling his lips pressed against her own was enough to fully satisfy her.
She eagerly lifted herself to feel more of his touch. Somehow, her desire was becoming quickly dissatisfied with just a simple kiss. It wanted him to hold her tightly. To never let go, but her patience was slipping.
She was about to wrap her arms around his neck, when he pulled away, shocking her senses. With no mutually passionate partner, she felt her body shiver with the burning emotions of the previous moments. Her eyes were wide, her lips missed his soft kiss, and her body yearned for his touch, but it only took a few minutes for her rational mind to take control once more. Tears welled in her eyes from the pure shame of what she had done, and when he apologized, she turned to him, slid onto the floor beside him, and wrapped her arms around him, “No, its my fault. Ishouldhavetoldyouthatstrokingmeinthatfashionwouldarouseme.I’msosorry,I amsostupid!IwasoutoflineandIknowIshouldn’thavetemptedyou.Pleaseforgiveme.” She was so afraid. She was so afraid of being rejected that she was crying. Her pride was already low enough. Neko didn’t want to lose the only friend she had because of her stupid physical wants. A voice in her head was shouting Tramp and every time it said it, another tear fell on Daisuke’s shoulder. “Im so sorry, Dai-chan”
There was another voice that told her to stand and find the bathroom so that she could wash the filthy essences from her body. She did as she was told and released Daisuke to stand on quaky legs. She said very fearfully “Bathroom…Shower…

[Iwahashi Daisuke]

This was the first time that he was smacking himself mentally for his actions and it only got worse by her actions. She had wrapped his arms around her shoulder and ranted and he barely understood what was said, the only part that he got what the fact that she was sorry. He didn't want to pull back from her, this was the first true connection he felt towards someone like this but the fact that he had just asked her last night about being her friend and bring her home and make her feel like she was human was something that he could not take lightly. What if things didn't work out for them? What if they was wrong for each other? There was so many what if to these questions but the only thing that made any sense to him was shutting her up by kissing her again.

He felt the need to kiss her again to let her know that it was not just her fault. He wanted the same thing but there was lines that you just didn't cross at points right? He blinked when she said she needed the bathroom and looked up to her when she got up. His heat was beating at the moment, he made her feel worse by his actions towards her. He felt sick to his own stomach and was not sure what exactly to do at the moment. He bite his lip slightly and stared at her, taking in every feature his brown eyes could find on her at the moment. Just staring at her made him want her just like how she wanted him right.

He finally found his courage within himself and stood up. He stepped behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. He placed his head on her left shoulder and kissed her jawline for a brief moment. "It..is not the fact that you don't arouse me, you very much do...Its just that I don't want to harm or hurt you Neko....we might have known each by names when we was younger and still in the academy, but we just started to talk yesterday." He kissed her jawline again, even her smell at the moment was sitting off fireworks in his stomach and pants at the moment. He was trying hard at the moment to control them for some reason or another. He was not sure how much long that was going to happen. He watched her refusing to let go of her and allow her to find the bathroom at the moment. "You tell me what you want Neko-chan." That was it, he would leave it up to her.