• CHAPTER 40 - UM...SURPRISE...?

    Some overreactions are okay, depending on the situation. Some others are just ridiculous because of a ridiculous situation...ridiculous.

    "Hey, Kai, when is Kira's birthday?" I asked Kai while loading the dishwasher, "It's this month, isn't it?"

    "Um," Kai scratched his head, thinking, "Yeah, I think so. The thirty-first I think."

    I glared at Kai, "You think? You don't remember your own brother's birthday??"

    "It's been years since Kira and I have celebrated our birthdays," he frowned at me.

    "You're so retarded! You still celebrate Christmas!" I accused.

    "Christmas is cool," Kai shrugged casually while keeping his hands in his pockets and watching me do dishes.

    I gave up, "Well, think about something to get Kira. As long as I'm here, we're celebrating."

    Kai frowned again, "We didn't celebrate my birthday,"

    "You didn't want to! I was nearly eaten by a Werewolf around that time and we already made up for your birthday!"

    Kai smiled coyly, "Yeah, you did,"

    I beamed at the fact that he was remembering when he put the ring on me. If anybody else finds out, I'm screwed. I know we have to let them know sometime or another, but I wasn't ready when Kai told Matsuda, but he was so...casual about it. In all honesty, I was a little uncomfortable with how he reacted. Maybe he's happy for Kai and me?

    Kai's phone rang, knocking me into my senses and I finished doing the dishwasher while Kai answered. I felt like being generous and doing chores around the house in everybody's struggling times with Takeuchi. Matsuda has been at the hospital for the past three to four weeks with Takeuchi and Orihime can't do the things around the house by herself.

    "Um, yeah, I guess it's okay," I heard Kai say over the phone.

    There was a very long pause and I only assumed they were talking to each other through their heads. They wouldn't be able to without a phone right now since the hospital is so far away. It was bugging me, though. I couldn't help but think they were keeping something from me.

    Kai hung up without saying good bye and started watching me again with a bored expression, "Gonna finish up?"

    I frowned at him, "Tell me what you and Matsuda were talking about,"

    He shrugged, "Eh, it was nothing,"

    "Whatever, Kai," I scoffed and finished up the dishes, "Loser."

    I walked past Kai, feeling utterly exhausted and he firmly gripped my bicep. I turned to him and looked up at him with my eyes nearly closed.

    "You okay?" Kai asked me, burrowing his eyebrows in concern.

    "Yeah," I sighed, wanting to go to bed.

    Kai quickly pulled me close to him and pressed his forehead against mine and closed his eyes. He wrapped one arm around my waist and sighed while smiling weakly. He opened his eyes again and they were an enticing light green.

    "You have a fever," he rolled his eyes, "I knew I shouldn't have drug you into that snow fight."

    "I'm the one that started it," I smiled weakly.

    "I was stupid enough to continue it," Kai pulled away. He walked up to the sink and wet a cool washcloth, "Go ahead and lie on the couch. I'll be right back out."

    I did as he said and trudged into the living room and slumped onto the couch. I spread my legs out and stretched in doing so. Kai walked in soon after me and slapped the cool and wet washcloth across my forehead and a glass of iced water on the end table. He grabbed an afghan that was hanging over the back of the couch and wrapped me up in it.

    "It's strange. You seemed just fine a couple of minutes ago." Kai frowned, concerned and suspicious.

    "When I get fevers, they hit me hard and unexpectedly," I smiled at him.

    "The others are on their way," said Kai, "I'll tell them to pick up some more cold medicine for you. Are you nauseous at all?"

    I shook my head, "No. Just a little fever, it's no big deal."

    Kai smiled half-heartedly and turned himself so that his back was against the couch were I was lying. He reached over his shoulder and grabbed my left hand and, as always, started playing with my ring finger. He looked deep in thought as he traced over each facet of the tiny diamond of my ring. He kissed the palm of my hand and then nuzzled it, causing me to turn a light pink.

    A question was buzzing in my head again and I knew better than to say it. It was the pain that subtly made its way back to my shoulder that made me think of it, "Kai, what would you have done...if I had become a Werewolf when I was infected?"

    Kai froze with his mouth still rested in the palm of my hand. His grip on my wrist tightened a little as he tensed up with either anger or shock. I started regretting asking him such a question, but I can't always control what comes out of my mouth.

    "I...," Kai started barely above a whisper, "I'd still love you."

    My heart jumped at what he said, "You would? Even if it meant we're supposed to be enemies?"

    Kai nodded a small nod and kissed my palm again, "Yes. Please don't bring that up again."

    I knew I shouldn't have asked him. But I couldn't help it. And I know it hurts him to talk about it because he thinks he failed to protect me. He hated seeing me in all that pain. He's pinning all the blame on himself and that's not good for him. It's not good for me either because I'll end up stressing out about it.

    "I'm sorry," I sighed quietly.

    "It's okay," he whispered again, "You were just curious. I'm glad you were concerned."

    "No, it's not okay," I huffed, "I sent you into another guilt trip."

    Kai sighed again and turned around so that he was facing me. He cupped my neck with one hand and stared at me in the eyes, "Of course I still feel guilty. But you're all right now. Go to sleep."

    And almost as if it were a trance, I suddenly felt more tired. I didn't want Kai to leave, though. I didn't want to think that he'd leave and be dwelling in self-doubt. Kai shook his head and smiled weakly while sighing. He kissed my cheek and rubbed his thumb against my cheekbone.

    "I'll be right here. I'll watch you." he chuckled.

    I only smiled at him weakly and sighed deeply. Sleep was still tugging at my eyes and I could feel the long day coming to a close. My eyes shut slowly and I could feel Kai's hand subtly and softly slide off of my cheek.

    ~*~*~*~*~*~

    Once again, there was a sweet aroma that drifted through the air that woke me up. I could even hear faint talking coming from the kitchen. I assumed everybody but Matsuda was back from visiting Takeuchi. I could hear Miku's more-than-bouncy tone in her voice and I could tell that meant Takeuchi was doing great. We had both waited for so long to see those deep green eyes again. His eyes are always green because he's always so content and upbeat. His eyes almost never change color.

    I lifted the blanket off of me and the damp washcloth that had been on my forehead dropped onto my lap. I placed the washcloth on the night stand and felt my forehead; not too bad of a fever. I'd better keep my distance from Miku because I wouldn't want her to get sick while she's pregnant. I stood up, my knees a little shaky and weak, and wobbled over to the kitchen.

    "Shut up, Kai!" Miku's joyous voice bounced again, "You're not serious!!"

    Um...maybe her bubbly mood didn't have something to do with Takeuchi? I hesitantly made my way through the doorway and Kai, Orihime, and Miku turned their attention towards me. Miku's eyes glowed and Kai stared at me with mocking apology and a weak smile. s**t.

    "Arisa!" Miku exclaimed, darting towards me.

    Before I could do anything, Miku already had her thin arms coiled around my neck and was holding me close and laughing. Orihime looked as though she were glowing and content as well. Miku pulled away and grabbed my left hand right away.

    "Um, Miku--" I tried to pull my hand away from her, fearing the worst.

    Her eyes widened and her smiled widened more. She gasped and whipped her head around to face Kai again, "You were serious!!"

    "What?" I was panicking.

    Miku turned towards me again and examined my ring, "You're engaged!!"

    My heart stopped and restarted again after a few seconds. I stared wide-eyed at Miku as she continued to admire the ring. I looked over at Kai, panicked. Kai smiled at me reassuringly, They're happy for us. It's okay, he said to me in his head.

    Kai, I wasn't ready! I wasn't ready at all. I didn't care if they were happy for us or not, I wasn't ready. Miku looked as though she were about to cry tears of joy; you truly do get overemotional when you're pregnant. I had to think of some excuse for her to let go of my hand, any excuse.

    "Um, Miku? You shouldn't stand too close to me. I have a fever." I whispered.

    "Oh," Miku's face switched to understanding, "Okay."

    Miku released my hand and smiled widely again, "So, how long has this been going on?"

    "Christmas," I lowered my head, trying to hide my shyness.

    "Really?" she raised an eyebrow, "I don't remember seeing a ring on you when I first met you in the hospital."

    "I just got the ring several days ago," I fondled with my fingers, "He proposed to me on Christmas without a ring."

    "Arisa, I'm so happy for you!" Miku bounced. She rubbed her belly, "Takeuchi and I need to arrange an engagement after our baby is here."

    "When will the wedding be, Arisa?" Orihime asked me casually.

    I blushed, still not used to talking about weddings and engagements, "I don't know. We haven't decided."

    I peeked up at Kai through my eyelashes and saw a tint of red in his cheeks as well as he looked away. It was quiet in the kitchen for a little bit and I could feel Miku and Orihime's bewildered eyes burning into me. They were so happy for us. I thought for sure they'd be against it or maybe even unsure about it. Wait, was that what Kai was talking to Matsuda over the phone about? Was Kai telling Matsuda that he could tell everybody?

    "I could totally help you pick out a dress," Miku rushed, "And dresses for the bridesmaids! It's going to be so cool!"

    "Woah, woah, woah!" I held my hands in front of me, "Let's take it one step at a time. I'm still in a little bit of shock, you know."

    "Welcome to the first stage of pregnancy," Miku laughed.

    I somehow managed to choke on my own spit and Kai burst into uncontrolable laughter. I squeezed my chest with my hand and glared at Miku, "I'm not pregnant!"

    "I'm just saying that the feelings of shock are the same!" Miku continued to laugh along with Kai.

    I couldn't hear him, but Kira glided into the kitchen with a big smile on his face and he waved to everybody, "Hi, everybody!"

    Kira wrapped one arm around the back of my neck and fastened my head in his arm and gave me a noogie, "How's my favorite human?"

    "Gah!" I struggled my way out of Kira's lock around my head and neck and started fixing my hair, "You ruined my hair!"

    "The most famous line to ever pass a female's lips," Kira sighed and shook his head.

    "Eh, not always for her," Kai disagreed and shrugged while crossing his arms and leaning back against the counter.

    I only assumed Kira didn't hear the recent conversation since he still had his arm coiled around my neck and a hand on his hip. He towered over me and he felt incredibly thin and cold. I looked up at him as he smiled and he had the face of an Angel, just as Kai did. I smiled back at Kira and gave him a friendly hug, which Kai didn't seem to mind too much.

    "So, what's with the conversing?" Kira asked in a perky tone.

    "Just talking," Kai answered casually.

    "Have you heard the news?" Miku perked up. I shot her a panicked look as a warning but she didn't catch it, "Kai and Arisa are engaged!"

    The room fell silent and I could feel Kira's arm stiffen around my neck. I held my breath and waited for his reaction. Kai was looking down, but shock also covered his face subtly. Orihime's face was apathetic, but I knew she didn't want Miku telling. Miku looked around in question and scratched her head.

    "Um, did I say anything I shouldn't have?" she blushed.

    Kira slid his arm so that his hand was gripping my shoulder and he grasped it firmly. I looked away from Kira as he took a deep breath to calm himself, "An engagement," he stated.

    I looked back up at him, "Um...surprise...?"

    After a short second, Kai grasped my arm and pulled me away from Kira and they didn't remove their eyes from each other for a long moment. Kira looked down and closed his eyes for a second. To everybody's surprise, he smiled weakly and shook his head.

    "I was wondering when you would finally get married," he sighed.

    I knew something was very wrong with him at that point. He was in love with me and I know it's selfish, but I know he still is. Kira smiled at everybody once again and headed out of the kitchen.

    "Congratulations, Kai. Arisa." he said barely above the whisper as he left up the stairs.

    My heart was torn in two. Sure, he acted happy for us, but I could see the heartbreak in his eyes. With every step he took away from us, I felt even more and more guilt pile onto me. Miku looked over at Kai and I apologetically, wondering if she did anything wrong.

    "Did I do something wrong?" she asked timidly, barely above a whisper.

    I shook my head after several seconds and smiled back at her, "No. You did nothing wrong." she did something wrong, but it wasn't her fault.

    "He should be okay," Kai reassured, patting my shoulder, "It's just as much for him to take in as it is for everybody else."

    I knew Kai was just saying that to try to not make me feel so guilty. I was worried for Kira now. I didn't think he would act so...happy about it. Maybe it is a lot for him to take in as it is for everybody else. I thought his reaction would be much worse.

    All at once, over a million pounds was added onto me again. The increased weight of my ring on my finger, and the increased weight of the stress and possible fear of Kira's strange reaction.