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Post by +. I M A on Oct 7, 2008 0:23:55 GMT -5
The Roppongi night life had bloomed into a beautiful and boisterous flower tonight. From the hotel suite room's window she could see the street lights glitter like jewels beneath her. Her breath fogged the glass since she was so close, hoping to catch a glimpse of a familiar silhouette walking down the street. But, to her surprise, there was a knock on the door instead.
Taking in a breath, the former knight walked over to the door and opened it. She didn't even glance at him when he came through the door. All she could do was nod a welcome before gathering some backbone.
"Thank you for coming. I wasn't sure if you would," she said without looking him in the eye. She continued to 'ignore' him as she walked over to the kitchenette in the large main room and began to pour him a cup of tea. She kept her back to him as she talked, her voice attempting a tone of comfort.
"My family bought this suite a year ago. My sister doesn't know about it and she definitely doesn't know I'm here. That's why I felt safe inviting you here," she explained while sitting down across from him. It was almost as if she was treating him like a mere acquaintance.
Suddenly she grew very quiet as her eyes finally dared to rest on his face. This entire time she had been scared to see his expression, but now she realized she couldn't keep doing this. Her heart was beating out of her chest as she finally saw him for the first time, finally really seeing him.
"Kiko-chan is the one, isn't she? The one you wanted to protect?"
Ima tried to keep her voice from shaking. She failed miserably.
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Post by Kiko/Hotaru on Oct 7, 2008 18:45:09 GMT -5
Isn't it believed that demons only came out at night? As Hotaru -Kakeru, Nachi,- made his way down one of roppongi's hallways, he deemed that belief to be true. Even though the beauty of this night was blinding, Hotaru, with his calloused eyesight, was able to see the monsters luring in their prey, like moths to a bright light.
But, pondering the night-life wasn't why Hotaru was here today, now was it? And so, he knocked on the door, waiting.
"Thank you for coming. I wasn't sure if you would,"[/color] Hotaru let himself in, quickly noticing how formal and distant she was being. Taking off his black trench coat and depositing it on the floor, Hotaru entered the living room, and seated himself down.
"My family bought this suite a year ago. My sister doesn't know about it and she definitely doesn't know I'm here. That's why I felt safe inviting you here,"[/color] Hotaru nodded, finding it surprisingly hard to talk to Ima.
And then she looked at him. And he looked back, his familar honey-gold eyes searching her face, questioning. It was rather hard to believe that this tough, handsome young man was really related to soft, cute little Hirogawa Kiko, but they did have some things in common. The eyes for example. Even though they were different sizes(Kiko's being wider), the color was the same, the same strange shade of warm honey-gold.
"Kiko-chan is the one, isn't she? The one you wanted to protect?" Ima asked suddenly, her voice shaking. Hotaru found it hard to stare at Ima now, and he reverted his gaze to the cup of tea on the table.
"Yes, Kiko is the one I want to protect. I...Kiko is...Kiko. And...I am...Kakeru. No matter how much I deny it, I am Hirogawa Kakeru." Hotaru confessed, his index finger tracing the rim of the tea cup. "Isn't it logical for someone to want to protect their blood relative?" Hotaru mumbled, and this time, it was unclear if he was talking to Ima or himself...
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Post by +. I M A on Oct 7, 2008 19:28:44 GMT -5
The transformation from peridot to Greed was certainly imperfect. Ima no longer stuttered, she no longer carried herself with an obvious lack of self confidence, and she didn't seem as shy as she usually did. She had become...almost emotionless. Or rather, the emotions she usually felt - embarrassment and sadness - had been sucked dry from her. Now she was a creature of determination and courage.
Ima had finally become a knight. Only now she knelt before a different king.
Before Kakeru had come, she had been running circles in her mind about how she could explain her choice to him. Now that he was in front of her she realized she couldn't tell him why she had joined Easter. He was probably going to try and dissuade her any way.
"Kiko-chan is my friend. I'm still going to protect her, but not as peridot," she murmured softly before bowing her head to him in apology. Locks of her ebony hair -which she had cut short since he had last seen her- swung over her artificially blue eyes. Then she flicked her eyes back to face his beautiful, honeyed gaze. The same gaze that she had once fallen in love with.
"I have no right to ask this of you, Kakeru, but could you please help me keep my cover? I would do anything for Kiko and I also want her to be safe and happy."
Her voice no longer shook but her hands were trembling as they suddenly cupped his hands from across the small space which separated their chairs.
"I promise you, I'll protect her."
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Post by Kiko/Hotaru on Oct 7, 2008 22:42:35 GMT -5
Hotaru blinked at Ima's hand. Then he raised his deadened gaze to blink questioningly at Ima. He gripped her hands though, for the first time, unsure of what to do.
"You're confusing me...again." Hotaru said, exasperation lacing his tone heavily. He wasn't refering to her words, if not her actions. If she cared about someone else, like she had told him that one steamy night in Roppongi, why was she grabbing his hands, like she wanted him?!
Hotaru sighed, and shook his head. "I guess it doesn't matter then. Anyways, I guess I'll keep your cover, seeing as how I'm basically in the same situation." Hotaru said, still staring at their hands. "But it's best if you didn't tell anyone else about your...plans. The other sins may not be as...understanding as I am." He tacked on as an afterthought, now staring around the room, looking for something.
"Where's Aiko-chan?" He asked, not finding the lolita chara. Genma had been ordered to wait outside, seeing as how Ima and Hotaru might be discussing private topics.
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Post by +. I M A on Oct 7, 2008 23:07:14 GMT -5
As his hands gripped hers it took every ounce of self-control Ima had to not fully throw herself into his arms. When he said she was confusing him, she refused to meet his eyes. The truth was Ima knew she was confusing. Nothing she did ever made sense to her any more but that never stopped her compulsion to do them. All Ima knew was that what she was doing was the right thing and that this is where she needed to be. Here, with Kakeru. "Why would I tell any of the others? You're the only one I could tell," she said somberly. Her hands tightened on his as if to reassure him, but really, she was holding onto him. But her hands almost slipped out of his when she heard his question. Aiko's name brought a small, sad smile to her face. "Aiko-chan said she couldn't stand looking at me, so she left. Typical Aiko-chan."------- Meanwhile, Aiko-chan was outside on the suite's terrace. Since the curtains were drawn she could not see anything in the room but she knew Hotaru was with her. She was rocking back and forth as she looked down into the city streets. "Maybe Himeko was right," grumbled the lolita chara. "Maybe I was never meant for good intentions.*"(Ima's wish was to be like Himeko, essentially. As a chara Aiko is very similar to Himeko's baser qualities and for someone who is supposed to be a good guy, both Ima and Aiko have recognized Aiko has a nature that isn't inherently good, which comes from Ima wishing to be like her sister) |
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Post by Kiko/Hotaru on Oct 7, 2008 23:31:45 GMT -5
Hotaru sighed when she said that he was the only one she could tell. No, she could tell the other sins, but not willingly. "You obviously haven't met the rest of the sins, then. I'm wishing with all my friggin' heart that you never meet those...people." Hotaru shuddered. He himself wasn't afraid of them, but he was afraid of what they might do. They wouldn't touch him, but Ima... "They are...strong." Remembering each of their strong points was...ugh. Somberly, Hotaru listened to the reason Aiko wasn't with Ima, and then he sighed, letting go of Ima's hands. But he got up, and walked up to Ima, pulling her up into her arms. "Ignore...Aiko. For right now, anyways. She's angry and confused at your choice, but she will get over it. because you need her. Genma was like that, at first too, but he coped. Aiko'll be the same." Hotaru whispered comfortingly, hugging her tighter to him. --------- "You're not really saying that, are you?"Genma, also locked out, asked, floating to where Aiko was seated, a surprised expression on his face. "Is the overly confident Aiko really questioning her existance?" He repeated, sapphire blue eyes taunting, while his tone was serious. "Why?" |
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Post by +. I M A on Oct 7, 2008 23:56:15 GMT -5
Ima didn't resist as Hotaru brought her into his arms. She melted willingly into his body, every cell growing placid at his very touch. Her head rested against his chest - she could hear the rhythm of his heart against her ear - and her breath lingered against his neck. As he held her tighter she brought his arms around his waist and held him just as tight. "Thank you," she mumbled into his skin before lifting her head away from his chest to look up at him. Then she did something she hoped she wouldn't regret. It was a chance, but she knew even if he pushed her away that he still wouldn't resign on assisting her for the sake of his sister. She tilted her head and kissed him quickly, almost chastely, on the lips. Suddenly fearful of his rejection she slid her hands to his chest and pushed away. Her cheeks were dusted with red as she turned her eyes away from him. "S-sorry, I...I shouldn't have done that."---------------------------- Aiko turned around so that her back was facing Genma. "What would you know about it? You and your human have always been jerks!" Then put her hands on her hips and shook her head. "I'm supposed to be Ima's would-be self, and yet, I'm not a good would-be self. I'm selfish, and rude, and irritating. Ima is the exact opposite...she is! And...and I'm afraid if she continues to change any more, she won't be Ima any more." |
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Post by Kiko/Hotaru on Oct 8, 2008 9:13:01 GMT -5
A small part of his mind was, in fact suprised at her reaction, but he was very good at hiding it. "You're welcome...I suppose. Hotaru mumbled, lowering his head and burying his nose in her -now shortened- hair. He could smell something...flowery? Fruity? Not able to identify the scent, he kept his face there. Well until she pulled back, anyways. Quickly, before his brain had a chance of warning him, she kissed him. But just as quickly, she pulled away, and he let her, releasing Ima from his grasp like she wanted. "S-sorry, I...I shouldn't have done that."[/color] Hotaru blinked at her. And then, he started laughing. Yes...laughing?! Loud, sharp bursts of laughter, eminating from Hotaru. But it died out soon, and he then stared down at her with a familiar glint in his gaze. "This brings back memories, doesn't it, Ima-chan? And with that Hotaru walked back to Ima, holding her face in her hands, a smirk on his face. He leaned down, closing his eyes, and pressed his lips onto hers. ---------- Genma listened somberly as Aiko first insulted him and Hotaru, and then went on to rant about how she thought she wasn't good, and about Ima. "Ah. So in there lies the problem. You think, that if you continue to character change with Ima, she'll change and not change back into the way you want her?" Genma asked, walking this time, to stare Aiko in her eyes. "Of course she'll change! If you appeared, if she wished for it, of course she's going to change!" Genma said, flicking Aiko's forehead. Then he pondered about what she had said earlier.... "Who is this Himeko anyways?! Who is she to decide weither a chara's purpose is good or bad? Why does she get to judge someone's dream self??" Genma huffed. Truth be told, he didn't like seeing Aiko like this. He would rather she be overconfiendent, and a tad bit scary than like this, self-doubting and weak. |
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Post by +. I M A on Oct 9, 2008 1:13:12 GMT -5
His laughter cut deep. Ima wasn't sure what she had been expecting when he finally reacted to her forwardness. Laughter certainly wasn't one of the options on the menu. Anger, maybe. Or maybe even solemnity. But laughter? For that moment, Ima felt her fury bubble to life. Her face - bright red from her embarrassment - turned away from him. Her lips were starting to form a pouting frown when she suddenly heard his voice again. Ima was about to turn her face towards him but he already guided her head to him and took her lips with his. Just like the last time he had kissed her, her body conformed to his wishes. She kissed him over and over; it was addictive. Never before had Ima put so much passion into being with him until now. Her hands locked into his golden hair and her body pressed against his. She only broke the kiss in order to get air, but she couldn't stay away from him for long. "I don't want to run from you anymore," she murmured softly before engaging him in another heated kiss. ---------- Aiko remained quiet as Genma started ranting. Which was odd for her, but lately, Aiko was obviously not much of herself these days. When Genma asked who Himeko was the little lolita chara turned her head away in shame. Her big blue eyes danced with tears as she confessed the truth behind everything. "She's me! Or I'm her! Ima wanted to be just like her and I was born from that wish, and me and her are very similar! And character change...when Ima character changes, she's a cruel person," sobbed Aiko-chan. She rubbed her eyes with her little hands before continuing. "Ima-chan is a good girl! She doesn't need to be selfish, or cruel, or rude like me. She doesn't need to be like her sister. I'm gunna turn her into a bad person!"Aiko sniffled and hiccuped, then took out a small white-lace handkerchief to dab at her eyes. "I don't want to turn Ima-chan into a bad person! Just because Himeko-chan is a sin doesn't mean Ima-chan needs to be! But she says that if she doesn't, I might disappear, and...and I don't want to disappear. Ima-chan needs me for some things. But the more we character change, the more she disappears." |
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Post by Kiko/Hotaru on Oct 10, 2008 4:03:50 GMT -5
Hotaru let her tangle her hands in his silky golden hair, and he responded to her in the same way she did to him; addicted, passionate. He really didn't know that Ima - Ima, the girl that had first rejected him- had this type of reaction in her, but, he could see it now. And now, at the worst possible moment, when he really didn't want it, his concious started bubbling up on him. 'Too young, too young!'The message vibrated through his mind, and Hotaru quickly shut the voice up, but the message was was already taking over his mind. Wasn't she just as old as Kiko? With a growl, Hotaru pulled back, and out of her grasp. Once he was a safe enough distance away from Ima, he ran a hand through his messed up hair. "d**n concious! The one time I didn't want to be responsible!" Hotaru growled to himself. Then he looked at Ima, and his brain scrambled for a way to tell her about his sudden rejection. "Don't you think badly, Ima, because I swear to god, that this time it was my fault. At the worst possible moment, I started to think of our age gap." Hotaru explained, irritation lacing his tone. "Did you know I was eighteen? That's like...three years apart!" Hotaru said again, this tone surprised. Then, surprisingly, he blushed. "I've...never actually gotten together with a minor, so I didn't really think of the complications that could arise between us." Hotaru stared at the ground, the light pink blush slowly growing brighter. In his mind, Ima was a minor, and he was over the legal age. As so, he could get in big trouble, couldn't he? "Going to court isn't my...thing."---------------- Genma blinked at Aiko, and then without warning, his hand whipped out and he wiped more of Aiko's falling tears. "You're confused." It wasn't a mean statement, but a statement of fact. "You're...confused about you and Ima's future...?" Genma questioned, confused. He personally, didn't know how to react to this. He had never questioned if he was good or bad for Hotaru; It was a shock that Aiko thought like that. "I...don't think you're a bad person. Maybe a scary at times, but not bad."Honestly, Genma was wondering what to do. He settled for comforting, and well... |
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Post by +. I M A on Oct 10, 2008 22:07:13 GMT -5
Ima didn't realize it at first, but when Hotaru tried to pull away, she instinctively pulled on him tighter to stay put. But when he tried yet again she recognized her previous error and reluctantly released him from her arms. She was panting heavily and was too weak to try and protest against his rejection. His push brought hot tears to the edges of her eyes as the thought ' maybe I'm not good enough for him' popped into her head. Then he gave his reasons for rejecting her, which were...odd, by Ima's standards. He was refusing her feelings because he didn't want to get arrested? The hell?!"S-sorry?"Ima wasn't apologizing; she was confused. Why would Hotaru get arrested? She stood there, wide-eyed and dazed, as she tried to fathom his decision and his reasons behind it. The entire time she thought that maybe it was because she wasn't pretty enough, or maybe she didn't have a suitable personality. Why would her age be a problem? Then reality and morality suddenly slapped her in the face. It slapped her very hard. "Oh! Oh...n-no, I didn't mean I...I wasn't uh...," she stammered nearly incoherently. Ima's face turned red and her eyes could no longer hold Hotaru's gaze. After all, she had been the one to invite him to a hotel room. And she had been the one to kiss him first! She had been inviting sin without even realizing it. Finally she looked up at him with a small, sad smile. "I understand," she said, without having the heart to tell him that he misunderstood her intents. But, even if that was so... "But...if I could ask something of you. Something a little embarrassing."The former knight sighed and - if it was even humanly possible - blushed deeper. "Could you um...in three years...if we meet again, and we aren't seeing anyone..."She knew Hotaru would understand where she was going with this. She knew it was a childish wish, that in three years the likelihood that they hadn't fallen for other people was slim. But still, she wanted to hold onto that sliver of hope. She wanted her first real love to last for a long time. ----------- Aiko froze as Genma touched her. She sniffled, and she pouted, but she still froze. The lolita chara could not believe his sincerity. She blew into her lacy handkerchief and sighed. "You suck at cheering people up," she grumbled. But then she smiled her usual teasing smile and suddenly kissed him on the check. "Thank you, dog breath." |
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Post by Kiko/Hotaru on Oct 11, 2008 3:19:26 GMT -5
"Could you um...in three years...if we meet again, and we aren't seeing anyone..."Hotaru's head snapped up, and amazingly the light pink color dusting his cheeks got darker, and more pronounced; it was obvious he was blushing. Her tone...potrayed hope? Hope of...? The possibilites of a together, made a smile grow on Hotaru's face. And so, he walked back to Ima, and hugged her gently, softly, and chuckled into her ear. "Sure, sure Ima. Whenever you're old enough and ready, okay? I'll be waiting; all you'll have to do is call, okay?" Hotaru laughed, holding Ima close. His words and his tone showed promise; Hotaru knew, it, too. He willingly said that he would stay around. But what if she didn't want him around? "If you still want me, that is?" Giving her the choice was...painful. Nervewracking, because there was the chance of rejection again. A piece of his mind clicked why it was scary. It was because he loved her, wasn't it? That's why he always came running back to her, despite his constant goodbyes, why he was so gentle with her. Kokushi Hotaru -Hirogawa Kakeru- Loved Murakami Ima...? --------- Genma blushed and stepped back, his pale face redder than...a red thing. "Well, I'm not supposed to be a comforting person, baka." Genma mumbled, stepping away from Aiko. He was suddenly unsure of what to do next. What now?
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Post by +. I M A on Oct 18, 2008 4:11:28 GMT -5
Ima was never going to let him go; she could never let herself commit such a sin. She rested in his arms, content with his body heat, and wished that she three years older for a night. "Of course I'd want you," she said. Part of her was surprised of how easily such meaningful words came to her. But then, the other part knew the feelings from which they were born from.
She kissed him one more time. It wasn't for a goodbye or even a good night, but one last final kiss before they'd have to never touch again. It was a kiss that was sweet and lingering. It lacked the fiery addictiveness and need that were contained in her previous kisses. This was something to remember her by.
The former knight pulled away from Hotaru and glanced up to look him directly in the eye. "I want to know...do you want me to call you Hotaru? Or Kakeru?"
Ima wanted to know everything about him now but she was refraining from asking. Hotaru was who she fell in love with but she wanted to open up and swallow every aspect of him now.
"I wonder if those two are done inside? I'm getting hungry," she grumbled in a moment of randomness. Her stomach even gurgled a little.
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Post by Kiko/Hotaru on Oct 19, 2008 4:52:01 GMT -5
When Ima's lips touched his once again, he really didn't want to let her go again. Not because he was once again in that passionate climate, but because this would be the last time they would be able to tonight. That was slightly depressing, but when she pulled away, leaving her sweet taste behind, he didn't stop her.
His arms flopped uselessly to his sides, and his hands some how found their way into his pockets, a rather sweet smile on his face. The smile was...different. It was something that he had stopped doing when he changed his name to Hotaru. It was a smile that probably wouldn't be seen again for a long time.
"Call me sweetheart. That way is easier, isn't it?" Hotaru chuckled, going back into his usual flirty nature. As his laughter stopped, the smile wiped off his face as he seriously answered her question. "Hotaru...is my name. Now. Kakeru died a few years ago." Hotaru said, his eyebrows furrowing in thought over his eyes. The day Kakeru had been kidnapped was the day he died. Not physically, because his body survived and lived on stronger than before, but mentally, and emotionally. The weak really weren't able to survive in the world, and that basic rule of survival had applied to Hirogawa Kakeru; he was too weak and too soft to live on his own. Hotaru had been born, in the body Kiko knew as her older brothers.
"I suppose you can call me Hotaru..." He mumbled, almost inaudiably, lost in his past.
"Tough it out and be a man for a bit. I don't think they'll be done for a while." Genma responded, his own stomach grumbling a bit. Even though he had eaten recently, his metabolism was different for others, able to burn the energy eaten quickly, so, even though he ate alot, he was never really full. Genma frowned. "I'm hungry too..."
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Post by +. I M A on Oct 26, 2008 20:54:26 GMT -5
"Good," said Ima after Hotaru finally gave her his determined answer. That single word was very eager, cold and definitive. Its confidence was very dissimilar to the speaker. But Ima soon smiled. "Because Hotaru-kun is the one who I..."She stopped herself, unwittingly creating a cliffhanger. Ima pondered a new word choice for a moment before speaking again. "Hotaru-kun is the one I can trust in. And the one I feel like I can rely on."Ima stepped forward with her eyes fixated on his face. Slowly, her hand extended towards his face. Her fingertips brushed against his lips. Now there was a distant sadness in her eyes. "But Hotaru-kun never smiled like that before."She pulled her hand away and used it to brushed her hair over one side of her ear while she finally looked away. Ima knew full well she had fallen in love with Hotaru, but part of her always questioned why she loved him. Was the taboo aspect of their coupling something that fueled the passion, or perhaps was it the lustful part of her she had never before experienced? Or maybe it was the soft lilt in his voice when he said her name...It could just as easily be the deep and secretive concern she knew he harbored for the people he thought mattered.
Aiko shivered as a frigid wind blew and threatened to knock her in to Genma. "This is definitely chara abuse, making us wait outside in the cold, hungry and unsupervised!" She ranted to no one in particular but kept giving the curtained balcony glass doors a dirty look. "Let's just disturb them! They aren't doing anything bad. If they were, we'd see their shadows. Cause they'd be on the couch...I think..."Could they have moved to the bedroom? Aiko didn't want to think about Ima being turned into a woman, especially by a guy like Hotaru. "Five cupcakes," she suddenly said to Genma. "I bet you five cupcakes that they're not even past second base yet!"Being the loud mouth that Aiko was, she could be vaguely heard behind the glass wall that separated her and Genma from Hotaru and Ima.
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