Unselfish Wish

Chapter 19- Dare I Answer?

Kiyoshi knocked on her door, entering after there was no answer. The rain continued. So far, no contact from Hinata, as school was still happening. He sent her a message that Fumiko had taken ill and he was taking care of her, to which he'd gotten a quick "ok." He entered the room. Fumiko was still sleeping, but rather fitfully, whispering "Kiyo" as she tossed back and forth, seeming to reach for him. He sat down next to her, taking her hand. Her whole body curled toward him.

It was then that he noticed the fever. He tried to get up, but she would not let go. Susano'o happened to arrive at the door, peeking in.

"Normally I would ask you what the hell you think you're doing, but this time I need your help." Kyoshi growled at him. Entering a girl’s room just like that was so rude, and he’d done it twice!

"Uh, mine?" Susano’o pointed at himself.

"Yes, yours. Get me a bowl with a washcloth and cold water. Please."

"This might be the first time you've said please to me, Anniki. I like this girl. She seems to have tamed you." At Kiyoshi's sharp glare, he raised his hands. "Okay, okay, I got it. I'll get you what you wanted." He returned a short time later with the water and washcloth. "Is she all right?"

"I don't know. She got drenched by the rain earlier and was very cold. Seems like that gave her a fever. You should probably go."

"What if you need my help again?" Kiyoshi glared at him, realizing that he may be right but not wanting Susano'o around her for long. He was a rather charming fellow, and after amicable splits with all of his past wives, was not averse to the occasional human lover, if she was interesting. "I see, I see. I'll wait till she's well to greet her then." With a flash and thunderclap he was gone. Kiyoshi sighed. The last thing he needed was for his brother to be interested in Fumiko. He'd destroy such a beautiful spirit. Never mind that his own actions were basically doing the same thing at this moment. Susano'o needed to sort things out with Amaterasu anyways- Kiyoshi could see how he felt clear as day.

She was still tossing and turning, crying and the whispers became louder. She still was not letting go of his hand, and he kept stroking her with the cool washcloth. After about an hour, her temperature seemed to be worsening. He realized that he needed to cool more than her head, so he pulled up the nightgown so that her legs were exposed, using the cloth to cool her. This did not have the desired effect, either, and he suspected that he would have to heal her directly. He was still in his boxers, and slipped under the covers with her, spooning her body with his, pulling her as close as he could get her.

He focused carefully on everywhere they were touching, trying to find the problem with his senses. It seemed to be related to her upset, so he tried whispering calming things in her ear as he focused on healing her body.

"You are a wonderful girl Fumiko. Any man or god would be lucky to have the privilege of being loved by you. I'm sorry I didn't give you an answer at all. I didn't want to hurt you. To be honest, I don't know what to say to you. Things are so complicated right now." She seemed to relax as he spoke, so he continued. "I care for you so much more than you know. I was jealous of your devotion, maybe even wanted to cause you to feel troubled. I'm sorry." He kissed her cheek. Their hands were intertwined. She had calmed down considerably but was still burning hot.

He could hear the rain lighten up as well. He tried to pull away but she held on tightly. He decided to let it go and relax for now. He found it impossible to resist kissing her ear, neck, and shoulder. He fell asleep again.

Several hours later, Fumiko awoke to find herself entangled with Kiyoshi, her nightgown around her hips. Rather than being embarrassed and thinking more of it than she should, she accurately figured that she'd been ill, especially with the washcloth and water as evidence. She also did not move away- it was likely her only chance to be so close to him. She stared at his sleeping face, lifting a hand to touch his face and lips. He awoke while she was touching them. She stared at him, he at her. He was a little surprised, but made no sudden moves.

It was dark now, and the rain continued as a heavy mist. She took a deep breath as tears formed.

"Thank you, Kiyoshi, for taking care of me. I'm sorry if I was burdensome. Can we stay this way for just a moment?" She spoke softly, her voice a little hoarse. There was so much passion and emotion in her expression that Kiyoshi found it hard to speak. He nodded. She continued touching his face, even his chest and arms. She touched his hair, smiling sadly. "I know this isn't fair of me. Not at all." She sighed again before untangling herself and moving to stand up. She was hit with dizziness and sat down abruptly, her back to him.

"Don't rush yourself. Your fever was very high." He touched her shoulder. She shrugged him away.

"I'm sorry, it's too soon for me to act normally." She could feel tears pricking her eyes. The rain intensified.

"Too soon? What do you mean?" His voice was harsh, a little raw.

"Since your rejection.." She said softly. He grabbed her shoulders and turned her to him, his face very close to hers. She suddenly felt rather intimidated by this person, who had been nothing but kind and gentle to her.

"When did I give you my answer?" He asked roughly. She looked down.

"Isn't no response the same as saying no?" This was said quietly as tears spilled down her cheeks.

"Why does it have to mean that?" At that she looked up at him. He was staring at her so intensely that she found it hard to look at him. Still, she did not break eye contact. She had to be brave.

"Then what did it mean?" She tossed her head a little. Why was he acting like she had done something wrong? She began to feel a little angry, a feeling that was rather new. Thunder rolled. He noticed, and his brow lifted. Was she having a temper tantrum?

"You didn't wait or ask me that, did you?" He felt a little guilty, since he knew he was teasing her, but wanted to see this new side of her.

"Then what is your answer?" She had a haughty look, again reminding him of Amaterasu.

"Hmm. Dare I tell you?" He teased, looking at her mouth. "Or should I show you?" She felt a little nervous. This was a new side of Kiyoshi as well, but she refused to give in or back down. She rolled her eyes.

"Why don't you just tell me already? Perhaps you're afraid?" The lightning and thunder had intensified. She began to radiate light, not the gentle aura he'd experienced but a crackling, sharp energy that matched the weather. "I did not think that I would ever be angry with you, my dearest friend, but I find I’m rather upset. I'm beginning to feel foolish."

"Isn't that better than being depressed?" He still held her shoulders, their faces only inches apart. "What I saw earlier couldn't possibly be the same girl that I've known for eleven years. How could one conversation destroy you?" He shook her a little.

"What? Don't you understand how much you mean to me? Or how hard it was to realize that what I felt was more than friendship? I owe so much to Tsukiyomi and I also love and adore him but I finally was able to make a choice. It was a decision that nearly broke my heart. And, you said nothing at all! Nothing!" She hit his chest with her fist, though without any power. He was nonplussed.

"I said nothing because I didn't know what to say. What does Tsukiyomi have to do with any of this anyway?" His voice was slightly raised. He was getting frustrated with his other self being the problem.

"He is the one that confessed to me. Well, more like asked me to be his lover, and I thought about it, I really did. But I couldn't put aside my feelings for you, nor walk into something that I know can't last. " Tears spilled over her cheeks. His hands tightened on her arms.

"It sounds like I'm your second choice, Fumiko." He said in a low, sad voice.

"No! That's not it!" She exclaimed.

"Then, you really haven't made a choice yet. What did he do to persuade you?" He whispered.

"Um, what?" She looked less fierce and somewhat confused.

"I asked you how he tried to woo you. It can't have just been words." She stared at him.

"I-" She hesitated. He shook her gently again.

"Fumiko, please." He begged.

"He held and kissed me." Her cheeks flushed as her eyes dropped to his bare chest.

"Then perhaps to truly choose, I should kiss you. I've definitely held you." Her eyes widened and she froze. He swept in aggressively, not realizing the kiss itself was nearly identical to the one he'd given her as his true self. Her hands came up to rest on his shoulders, then wound around his neck, pulling him closer. The kiss lasted longer than the original. He looked into her eyes as they broke apart. They were blue pools of passion. The storm continued to rage outside, bringing Kiyoshi to his senses. He pulled back, and she was forced to let go of him. "So? Tell me if that made it easier for you to choose with your heart and not your mind. You can't tell me you chose me because the god you love will abandon you." She knew he was right.

"Then, Kiyoshi, how do you feel about me?" She asked.

"Eh?" He seemed surprised by the direct question.

"You still haven't answered me."