Back to ze past

Kaoru grinned
"I was worried how the other children would react to him, what with the tail and all."
he scratched his ear
"I was talking to my sister a while back and she says that Momiji has had a fair bit of trouble with making friends. but he seems to be doing great"

"Of course." Hotaru smiled softly still. "If its not to bold for me to say..." She trailed off to look at him. "I'm glad your talking to your sister again. You two seem to be rebuilding that closeness you lost."

"yeah, I'd really missed her. being my twin and all it was kinda weird not having her with me all the time. but we both grew up and she has a family now. At least she doesn't hate me anymore. Its good to have my sister back"

"You know, Kaoru-dono, when you speak of your sister, your eyes light up." Hotaru told him.

Kaoru blinked, taken slightly surprised at her observation
"Really? I never noticed... Your very perceptive Hotaru-san"

Hotaru bowed her head. "Thank you for the compliment, Kaoru-dono."

He smiled
"Your most welcome Hotaru-san. And please, just call me Kaoru. Friends have no need for formality"

"Then I'll ask you to return the favour, Kaoru." She spoke his name, wondering what it would feel like just like that on hr lips.

Kaorus heart squeezed and he grinned
he had been unsure if she would refuse the gesture
"Of course Hotaru."
he said and took hold of her hand

Hotaru licked her lips and glanced down to his, then back to his eyes. She held his hand losely.

Kaoru held her hand tighter still smiling
happy just to be sitting here with her, his friend,
he wished sometimes that their relationship was more, but he wasn't about to make the same mistake twice and risk losing her

"Mummy?" Came a small female voice, knocking Hotaru out of her daze. She slid herhand from Kaorus and turned to her daughter.
"Yes my darling?" She asked, smiling softly.

"Naoki, Kenji and I are hunrgy." Sadaku whined. "Can we have a snack?"

Hotaru nodded and placed her work beside her as she stood. "I'll be back in a second, with some drink and food."

Sadaku smiled and walked back to the two young boys.

Kaoru watched her leave and hoped he didn't look too wistful
he stood and followed her
"need a hand?" he asked

"Just grab a few of the biscets from inside the cuboard." Hotaru told him, pulling out a jug of milk/

Kaoru did as he was asked
Then called the kids inside to eat

Hotaru smiled at their happy faces as they took their food and rank their milk. They rushed back outside soon after.

Kaoru laughed "Man those kids can put it away, I just about had to check my fingers to see that none were missing"

Hotaru smiled back at him and walked over, grabbing his hand and examining them closely. She smiled upat him as she let his hand drop. "They seem to be in order, Kaoru-dono."

Kaoru brushed a piece of hair out of her face and held her cheek in his palm
"Thankyou for putting my mind at ease Hotaru-dono." he said with a small smile

Hotaru cleared her throat and looked away. "Anything for th lord of the town."

Kaorus smile faded
"Is that all that you think of me? Aren't we friends?"

"Of course we're friends." Hotaru told him.

"Then why keep using my title to push me away? i feel like it creates this distance between us, I wish it wasn't like this..."

(( *foams at mouth a little* SPICEH!!! GAH!!!! *Flails* ))

((*looks scared and backs off slightly*))