Think of it as therapy

[cosmic_book]

Aya took the scenic route home from studying with Sakura, so she arrives across the street from the Kitten in the House just as it should be closing up shop. Aya feels a little guilty about letting Kakyou take the shift alone, but he has been handling himself much better around the fan girls lately.

Aya looks both ways before crossing the street. She smiles as she sees Kakyou and walks a bit faster.

Aya's eyes widen as a car speeds around the corner. She cannot move except to throw her arms in front of her face defensively.

Kakyou, maybe surprisingly, does not react in such a 'deer in the headlights' way. As soon as he realizes the car is about to hit Aya-chan, he moves.

The loose folds of his kimono wrap around her as he catches her at a sprinting pace, throwing them both down to the street out of the car's path.

The car speeds around the corner without ever slowing down.

Aya squeals as she impacts with the sidewalk. As soon as she realizes what happened, and that she is safe, she clings tightly to Kakyou and begins to cry.

"Shh, shh... It's alright, Aya-chan..."

Kakyou holds her tightly, a little shaky himself. That was...far too close. He strokes her hair gently as he murmurs soft reassurances to her.

Aya hates reacting like such a girl, but she cannot seem to stop crying right now.

"Are --" she hiccups "Are you hurt?"

"This body isn't real," he reminds her softly, rocking her a bit. "It's not easily damaged. I'm fine. What about you?"

"I'm not hurt." She sniffles. "I'm just scared. Oh--"

Aya finally notices that people are gathering around them. The transformation is immediate and striking. She plasters on a smile and tries to convince them that there is nothing wrong and no reason to call the police. She doesn't want to talk to anyone right now.

To Kakyou she says, "We should go inside."


"I agree."

Kakyou rises to his feet and helps her up. He, too, assures the people that they're both fine and there's really nothing to be done now. Sliding an arm around Aya-chan's shoulders, he turns her towards the Kitten.

....And then he notices that some of the fangirls were still around and had seen the entire thing. Oh dear.

The high pitched squealing and the swooning are just a bit more than Aya can take right now. She feels a vein pulsing in her forehead.

"Stop it! STOP IT! Go away."

There is a moment of silence before she hears.

"Tch. See. She wants him all to herself."

"She probably almost got hit on purpose."

That's almost enough to give Kakyou a veinthrob. He closes his eyes briefly, then takes a deep breath and leads Aya-chan inside.

"The store is closed for the day. No, I will not have any errands to run outside this evening. Please leave."

Door shut. Door locked.

Aya sits down behind the counter.

"Thank you. I could have -- Thank you."

She rubs at her eyes.

"I couldn't possibly have done anything else," is the response as Kakyou walks over and begins checking her for any scrapes or bruises.

Aya firmly rubs at her eyes. She attempts to bat Kakyou away. She does not want to be fussed over.

"You saved my life." She reaches out give him a hug.

"You save my life. Thank you." She repeats, because that kind of thing is worth repeating.

Yes. Absolutely hug. Ginta was wrong. Kakyou isn't calm, so much as he's just quiet. His emotions are intense, but not loud. He's badly shaken by Aya's near-miss.

"I...did, didn't I?" There a bit of surprised wonder to his tone.

"Yes." Aya answers in a tone that threaten tears. "If you hadn't been there..." She hugs him a little more tightly.

"I'm glad I was... It's good that you're safe," Kakyou whispers, returning the tight hug. He rests his head against hers gently.