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Post by coldflame on Dec 29, 2007 19:07:33 GMT -5
Kiku’s voice had almost become a soft hum to Kiran’s ears as he stared at her. He could feel his head tilting to one side slightly, his eyes being cast upon hers with a golden intensity, and his hand tightening around hers warmly. His heart gave a leap in his chest, but he immediately suppressed it, as if telling himself to stop. It was stupid to have that sudden feeling, he thought.
Was she purposely doing that to him? Perhaps she was trying to get back at him for teasing her with charm earlier, so she was doing the same now. But…no, there was sincerity in her eyes; he could see that. However, it was strange (and a little confusing) as to why she looked at him like that, with sparkling brown eyes, and as to why her hand constantly tightened on his hand…Nonetheless, that shy look that Kiku had on her face was lovely and her words meant something more, it seemed.
But as soon as he was going to comment on her words, Lien arrived with - what he was very grateful to see - food. Kiran noticed at how quickly Kiku removed her hand from his; it almost made him feel sad as she did so, but his expression did not show it. As hard as it was not to smile at Kiku’s embarrassed expression, Kiran appeared like it was nothing, taking his bowl graciously from Lien and smiling at her in thanks.
As soon as Lien left to take care of whatever had happened in the kitchen, Kiran only kept his gaze at his bowl of delicious looking noodles. He took up his chopsticks, snapped them apart from one another, and took a hearty bite of his food.
“Mm…The food is worth the wait,” he said smiling, quickly taking another bite contently. The moist and flavorful taste of the spices, the tenderness of the meat, and the warm pleasing smell was gifting. Kiran glanced up at Kiku at another crash of thunder, having finished swallowing another bite of food. He kept his eyes on her as he raised his teacup and took a slow sip of the warm liquid. Kiran wasn’t sure if he should continue their conversation from her last comment...he knew that she still didn’t quite understand what he meant by saying that he felt more comfortable here, because of her. She was just modest, of course…but that still didn’t stop him from wanting her to understand better.
“And yes, I’m comfortable around a lot of people…” he said softly, taking another sip of his tea and keeping the edge of the cup lightly against his bottom lip as he spoke, “But that doesn’t necessarily mean that I make friends with all the people I meet. Besides, it’s not everyday that I unintentionally meet someone who is welcoming and accepting, and even saves my life…” His eyes seemed to speak softly, as if wanting to say that he being a friend to her was the true reason why he wanted to stay; not because of one place.
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Post by kiku on Dec 30, 2007 14:39:01 GMT -5
Kiku tilted her head slightly at Kiran as he spoke, her eyes soft and absorbing as she took a small bite of the delicious dish placed in front of her. At his tender words, her heart and cheeks warmed like her steaming tea, causing a sweet, pale blush to dust across her cheeks and nose. His lovely, flattering comments were as pleasing as they were true, but Kiku couldn’t help but feel very modest at his comments as well; her acts surely weren’t as great as he made them sound. She couldn’t imagine doing anything much different. What she had done over the past few days was simply the way she was – it wasn’t some grandly virtuous act or anything.
“Anyone in my position would have helped you.” Kiku murmured shyly between bites of food. “And you just had a fever… It’s not like I had to perform major surgery.”
Grinning a little at this, Kiku paused to slip her cup daintily between her graceful fingers and lift it, pressing the rim against her pale lips softly to take a tiny sip. The drink was hot and pleasant, sending a steamy coziness throughout her chest, yet her heart was already warm. Looking over the rim of her cup before setting it down, Kiku observed his pale, golden eyes for a moment, swiftly sensing the warmth and sincerity of them. And… it almost felt as if something else was there. Some deep emotion that made her heart flutter wistfully and her gaze shift shyly down to her chopsticks… that she shifted restlessly between her fingers.
“And...” She continued a bit softer, remembering, as if suddenly enchanted by his eyes, “like I’ve said… it’s impossible not to easily accept someone like you.”
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Post by coldflame on Dec 30, 2007 20:24:37 GMT -5
Kiran’s lips curled into the slightest of smiles, his bottom lip still resting against the edge of the teacup. He tilted the small glass up just a little further to taste the warm liquid again, but shook his head as he placed the cup back on top of the table.
“No…” he said softly, his eyes looking back up at her with that same intensity. They held something strong as he remembered what his feelings caused him to think the night where his fever had gone berserk. “It might sound strange, but the night when my fever went out of control…I was scared, Kiku.” He shook his head again, his eyes still holding that glistening deepness…but there was worry there now.
“You have to understand...that when I was freshly injured, I had constant fevers and pains. A lot of the physicians and healers thought I was going to die. I thought I was too…” He looked down at his food and took another bite, chewing and swallowing before continuing softly, “So when I felt that fever come back, I remembered a lot of the things that the healers said about me when I was first injured. I was worried that – for the slightest second – I wasn’t going to stand again.”
Kiran soon smiled softly, wanting to lighten the mood again. He then said causally, quickly pointing his chopsticks at her as he added, “You saved me.” He lifted his teacup again to take a sip of his tea. As he placed the tea back on the table, he causally brushed his thumb against his bottom lip to catch the moisture that lingered on it. “And…I don’t think it’s that impossible to not accept someone like me.” He grinned a bit sheepishly at this; however, he was instantly reminded of Kiku’s father and his stare…
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Post by kiku on Dec 30, 2007 22:04:35 GMT -5
Kiku chuckled weakly, still dazedly absorbing the story Kiran had told her. For some strange reason, the fear and truth that rang through Kiran’s voice, along with the story’s content.... scared her and… saddened her. For some reason, as she pondered what Kiran said, realized the truth, thinking about what could have happened so long ago… It made her feel heartbroken, afraid. As if the very thought of him drowning, never growing up, never meeting her…was so unbelievably painful.
And at this, Kiku observed Kiran softly – not only admiring his lovely details now, but his very being – his solidness and his presence. Him being alive. He had brought her so much, she remembered again… What if he had never come into her life..?
Immediately, Kiku pushed this thought away, refusing to even think about it. It brought too much… pain to think of it, she realized. Thinking of him gone, of never knowing his lovely eyes or his charming, full lipped smile… It made her feel so empty inside. It was as if his entire being had filled her up and made her a fully happy person… He was here, he was with her. That was what was important. That’s what she needed.
She smiled, returning to being as light as he, though not insincere.
“You don’t see yourself very well then.” Kiku said with a grin, fiddling with her noodles with her chopsticks. “The only person who wouldn’t like you would have to be very soulless.”
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Post by coldflame on Dec 31, 2007 15:10:08 GMT -5
Kiran chuckled at this again, shaking his head slightly at the rather flattering and partially untrue things that Kiku seemed to love to say about him. As he took another bite of his noodles, he glanced up at her, knowing why she considered him to be so fascinating; he heard it all before, and although it warmed his heart at remembering what she said about him, it all felt untrue.
“No, I guess I don’t see myself very well…” Kiran grinned, again amazed at how Kiku seemed to watch him so much. Perhaps she was the observant one and not him…but perhaps she was just overlooking him too much. It was in Kiran’s nature to be modest and truthful, so in all cases, it was definitely possible for someone to not like him. Kiran almost chuckled again as he swallowed his tea, thinking of Kiku’s father as a soulless person, but he quickly caught himself.
“Really, Kiku,” Kiran said, shaking his head at her slightly. “I’m not that special or anything. And I wouldn’t say that people who don’t like me are soulless…” he grinned slightly at this, “…just…misunderstanding, I think.” Kiran remembered the way Katsu seemed to stare at him…and he remembered other similar stares like it. It was because he was ‘Fire Nation scum’ according to most Earth Kingdom citizens; they were just simply misunderstanding – like his people as well - unable to judge a person individually and slowly. In that sense, yes, Kiran could easily be disliked by a few people; anyone could be, of course.
Kiran’s gaze flickered as he watched Kiku’s eyes and his smile returned after his thoughts had dropped it.
“But, thank you, nonetheless.” He then winked at her, taking another sip of his tea and finishing it. Kiran still understood what Kiku’s words meant – she was complimenting him again, making his heart warm.
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Post by kiku on Jan 1, 2008 17:01:20 GMT -5
“You’re welcome.” Kiku replied softly before taking another sip of her tea, though she didn’t once glance away from Kiran. She smiled thoughtfully behind her cup, her eyes sparkling as she observed him, absorbing everything he had said.
“I suppose I do try to see the best in people.” Kiku mused quietly as she sat her cup on the table gently. It was just part of her personality, as well as her occupation; it wasn’t right to judge a patient, and she really loathed not giving people a chance… It didn’t seem fair to assume someone’s personality based on some rash observation. And in Kiran’s case, basing her friendship on simply his heritage would have been simply ridiculous and… depriving. Who cared where he was from when he was so healing?
However, Kiku did think of the war, of how other people she knew would react to a Fire Nation soldier of all things. With the hatred and prejudice between the nations, it was a bit understandable to see how others could be so rash in their judgments, not understand…
“I guess it can be easy to not understand people these days.” Kiku murmured thoughtfully, wrapping her noodles around her chopsticks. Then she glanced up at Kiran, a teasing but sweet glint in her eye.
“But… I wasn’t going to let a little thing like a war stop me from being friends with you.”
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Post by coldflame on Jan 2, 2008 0:23:39 GMT -5
“Little thing like a war? War is hardly a little thing, Kiku…” Kiran said, raising an eyebrow slightly in protest, however keeping his smile firm. He almost wanted to laugh; a little thing like a war? He was amazed at how Kiku seemed to look at things – seeing them from her perspective. It seemed like her view on the world was so small; yet, she still understood. Kiran knew, because he could never forget that sympathetic look in her eyes as he told her something about the war, and her father was definitely injured in it of course. However, Kiran smiled more at knowing the truth behind her words; he was lucky to know a person who was so accepting and kept an open mind.
“But, I’m glad. I really am.” Kiran said, his eyes shining contently. “And it’s important that you try and see the good. If you didn’t, well, it’s like I say: I would have left a long time ago.” Kiran then sat back a little more and took a bite out of his noodles, soon speaking after swallowing. His voice was smooth and truthful in every way, “It’s why you’re such a great friend, Kiku. I feel like I can trust you with just about everything.” His smile softened at this, for it was the truth.
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Post by kiku on Jan 2, 2008 9:33:06 GMT -5
At his words, Kiku’s smile softened, and her warm, brown eyes seemed to sparkle contently. His words were so reassuring, and she loved hearing them, especially in that tender voice of his. Mostly this was because it was true; Kiku knew that she would keep any secret he had, try to understand anything he had to say… Kiran was just so easy to be around, to trust, to admire…
“You can, you know.” Kiku said in a soft and earnest voice that was just above a whisper. She glanced up at him then, her smile still soft and her eyes warm; and her hand seemed to twitch on the tabletop, as if to say she would have taken it, if the two of them were not so busy eating.
“And I feel like I can trust you with anything too.” She murmured sincerely, tenderness easily apparent in her eyes. She smiled. “You are a great friend to me.”
Kiku paused then, listening to the rain pelt the windows and walls, her heart continuing to warm with each passing moment. At that instant, it seemed there was nothing she wanted to do more than take Kiran’s comforting hand, or wrap her arms around his strong torso, to feel safe and whole with him... Suddenly, or perhaps it was gradually, a picture filled her mind – the two of them, in the garden, in each others arms, her cheek against his chest and his lips against her temple…
Swiftly, Kiku returned to her noodles, cheeks pink, feeling ridiculous again. When was she going to stop having these girlish reactions to every smile he formed, to every smooth, charming word that flowed out of his lips? It wasn’t getting better; in fact they were getting worse. Why was that…?
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Post by coldflame on Jan 2, 2008 12:28:15 GMT -5
“I hope I am,” he replied softly, still staring at her as she quickly looked back down at her noodles with that cute blush on her cheeks. He tilted his head down and took another large bite of his noodles, then glanced up at her as he chewed. Kiran’s smile had become even wider, happy knowing that Kiku thought the same as him, but ever more curious as to what she was thinking right now. She seemed to always have that rosy look to her cheeks (was there ever an end to her blushing?) and she also seemed to like to stare at him. Most of the time, he wasn’t doing anything flattering, he thought; he was simply telling the honest truth. Perhaps that was what caused that shy and flustered look to appear on her cheeks. He didn’t mind seeing this of course, but he could only hope that she was happy.
Kiran had dazed off by then. His golden gaze was set downward at the table, his smoldering, light colored eyes now appearing very fogged. He was thinking about what they had just talked about and now there was definitely no going back on trust at this point. He had explained himself to almost the fullest in front of Kiku, but he knew that she would hold any secret for him just as tightly as he would hold any secret for her. By judging the way she seemed to stare at him, and seeing the gentleness of her nature, he knew that she was a great friend.
It was so strange, though. He had only known Kiku for about two days, yet he felt so sure of himself when he was around her. Sure, he felt like this around lots of people, but…there was something different about her; he just wasn’t quite sure what it was…
Then there was a voice in his head that said, ‘Stop thinking about her’, and he was pulled back out of his daze. Yes, he should probably stop thinking about her so much. He had never seemed to think about one person so much in such a short amount of time of knowing them. He just…couldn’t help it.
Kiran looked down at his bowl and noticed that he had eaten all of his noodles already. He placed his chopsticks down and sat back, happy and full again.
“That was great..!” he said as he stretched his arms over his head, tilting his head down and reaching for the ceiling. He soon relaxed and looked back towards the window, seeing how the rain has hardly let up since they arrived. He didn’t exactly want to leave just yet, but the restaurant was getting fairly crowded now as more people hurried in to get out of the rain.
“Hm…We should probably leave soon. It’s getting a bit crowded in here,” he said, glancing at all the waiting people at the front of the restaurant. He looked to Kiku, his smile soft, “But, then again, I’m just a fast eater...” He glanced at her bowl which, to him, still had a decent amount of noodles in it, “So don’t rush or anything.” He then crossed his arms and sat back in his seat comfortably, unyeildingly watching her as he listened to the murmur of voices and the roll of thunder.
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Post by kiku on Jan 2, 2008 16:42:11 GMT -5
“Oh! No, I’m pretty good.” Kiku said swiftly, quickly slipping a rather large bite of noodles in her mouth and taking a quick sip of tea. Glancing down at her bowl, she found there was still a thin layer of noodles covering the bottom… but she really wasn’t hungry anymore, and it was getting pretty crowded.
“We can leave as soon as Mom…”
“All finished?” Lien suddenly rang. Kiku’s mother had suddenly appeared to whisk away their dishes with a smile, and, like all hard-working waitresses, hand over the bill. However, there was no paper in her hands.
“Don’t worry about the check, you two.” Lien winked as she began to pile their empty bowls onto her arm. At this, Kiku smiled a little at Kiran, but swiftly nodded at her mother.
“Thanks, Mom.”
“Like you’ve ever paid for a meal.” Lien winked before weaving her way back into the crowds and into the kitchen.
Grinning a little, Kiku touched her music box and its sack gently. She made sure it was carefully wrapped, and focused on checking it, making sure it was tightly bound and protected from the rain; there was no way she was going to let this gift get ruined…
“Well…” She began, once her brief inspection was complete, a cute smile on her pale lips. Another clap of thunder rumbled above them. “Let’s go swimming.”
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Post by coldflame on Jan 2, 2008 20:43:23 GMT -5
Kiran grinned as Lien left with their dishes, enjoying the fact that she was still a very bubbly sort of woman, even when she had all these people to still serve. Kiran waited as Kiku wrapped her gift securely in its bag and then he stood up, chuckling at her.
“Let’s go..!” he said, his voice almost sounding excited by the fact that they’ll be drenched in just a few seconds of running towards her home. Kiran reached for Kiku’s hand and swiftly, but gently, pulled her out of the seat. He held her hand tightly as he headed for the door, leading himself and Kiku through the mess of people until he could see the door. It took a bit of nudging and weaving, but they were soon out of the restaurant and standing outside on the porch.
Kiran looked up and around as the rain continued to pour out of the heavens. The wind had luckily died down, but the thunder continued to roll and the rain was now nothing but a fast moving wall of water in front of them.
Kiran squeezed Kiku’s hand and then looked to her, his face grinning with excitement. “Ready?” he asked, another clap of thunder rolling over as if telling them to leave quickly.
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Post by kiku on Jan 2, 2008 20:59:59 GMT -5
Kiku bit her lip at Kiran’s words, as if already bracing herself from the rain that looked as if it could easily bruise; in spite of that however, soon a refreshing, determined smile that nearly matched Kiran’s was apparent on her lips, and Kiku’s eyes glistened in an excited way as she glanced at him. Somehow, his handsome, eager smile filled her up with an equal excitement, and she squeezed his large hand and nodded abruptly, her grin broadening, although she was a little nervous. After taking a deep breath though, when she spoke, her voice was confident.
“Let’s go.”
Inhaling as if she were about to take a deep dive into the ocean, Kiku burst out of the porch, pulling Kiran along at full speed, clutching her precious package close to her body. She felt as if she was immediately drenched – the rain pelting hard and cold against her skin and soaking into her clothes – however, she splashed on quickly, her hand tightening on Kiran’s as she ran.
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Post by coldflame on Jan 3, 2008 22:50:02 GMT -5
Kiran laughed as he immediately felt the cold rain pelt the top of his head, soaking his boots as he hit the wet ground to run beside Kiku. The rain felt refreshing to Kiran; just the way it soaked his hair, and flowed down his arms in little streams awoke him with a burst. Usually getting soaked like this would have slightly bothered Kiran, but as he ran beside Kiku - his hold on her hand tightening - he seemed to be enjoying himself.
He continued to run, pulling Kiku’s hand to help her keep up. They raced through the fog of the pouring rain together, not stopping once. Kiran’s clothes began to stick to his body immediately; his pants felt ten pounds heavier as well as his boots and his shirt was completely drenched.
“Hurry!” Kiran laughed over the startling crack of thunder that echoed above them and the sky seemed to turn a darker grey as Kiran pulled Kiku closer to her home. He was definitely slowing down in most cases, just because the weight of his boots caused him to drag now. He then grinned towards Kiku however, and by jumping in the air slightly, he splashed into a large puddle in front of them and playfully soaked Kiku even more.
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Post by kiku on Jan 4, 2008 15:28:46 GMT -5
Kiku gasped as an additional wave of rain splashed against and down her knees, promptly soaking her pants to a new extreme.
"Hey!"
Because of Kiran's little attack, her pants felt heavier than she did, and she couldn't help but pause for a moment; however as Kiran was still running, Kiku didn’t have a much of a choice but to follow. As Kiku stumbled forward through the rain, she glanced up at Kiran, wide-eyed and surprised by his splash, until she noticed the playful glint in his eyes. Her smile twisted up playfully, and she couldn’t help but burst into a laugh. Well, two could play that game.
Squeezing Kiran’s hand tighter, she dashed suddenly in front of him and, making sure her bag was safe, jumped towards another quickly-forming puddle, and slammed her feet forcefully down into the water, sending a revengeful wave back towards Kiran. However, it didn’t stop there. Laughing, Kiku returned to running beside him and kicked another wave of water directly at his knees. Well, she was officially soaked now if she wasn’t before, but Kiran had to be too.
At this, Kiku continued to laugh, feeling light and cheerful, though her clothes had to way ten pounds. The rain suddenly felt reviving, and Kiku couldn’t help but be amazed at how lovely she felt soaking wet, Kiran’s hand still tight in hers. Looking ahead Kiku could see they were already very near her house now, and she shook her head, grinning. Ordinarily such a trip would have been a bear, but Kiran, like always, had made her feel brilliant – happy and whole.
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Post by coldflame on Jan 5, 2008 18:29:29 GMT -5
“Augh! Kiku!” Kiran laughed, his voice barley ringing over the sound of the rain pelting the hard floor of the ground. He continued to run with her, trapped in what seemed like an endless run leading to a land of water. It was getting difficult of course: he had to hold up his pants every few seconds, for he was fully soaked thanks to his friend (to whom he promptly splashed water on all over again).
Still pulling Kiku along, Kiran looked up and could see her house arising out of the mist from the rain. He trudged a little faster now; it had only come across his mind that Kiku’s gift could be getting damaged right now, and also for the sake of not loosing his pants, he wanted to quicken their pace.
Kiran soon reached the front gate and placed his hand against the slippery, wet metal hook, then quickly unlatched the gate. He stumbled slightly as he entered the garden, but simply chuckled and dashed for the kitchen door. As soon as his dripping hand reached the door handle, he rushed inside the house, nearly slipping as he entered.
He panted, completely out of breath from the challenging run, but stood close to the door; he didn’t want to get water all over the house.
“Well…” he panted, “That was fun..!” He grinned and smoothed his dripping bangs back with his fingertips. “Have any towels?”
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