Fan Fiction ❯ Drawn to the Flame ❯ Invitation of the Present,Reminder of the Past ( Chapter 4 )

Chapter Four

Ayane drew back her fist intent upon hitting the mark small beads of sweat slipping from her brow as she landed the blow. It was her day to train alone. Hitomi had been true to her word in the three weeks since the dinner she had trained with her nearly everyday saturday the exception. She was happy to be training alone. The german girl was the last one she wanted to see when her mind was already conflicted over recent events.

Her breath echoed a reminder of the Dojos emptiness as she advanced again. She had been wondering some about the girl ever since she had run into her that day Hayate had been showing her around the area. The more time Hayate spent with Ayane the more it began to show.She had to give some credit to Hitomi it was nothing obvious but something concealed below the surface. One thing did come from the german girls irritation she became more of an opponent during their sessions.Landing a swift kick to the bag she caught a view of a silhouette from the corner of her eye. She continued moving out of the kick striking her fist forward as if to hit an invisible opponent now facing his direction.

Hayate was there his eyes intent upon her motions. He was leaning against the wall casually his arms crossed over his chest. His relaxed fitting jeans accompanied by a jacket of the same style. She had to wonder how long he had been standing there.

"Imagine that you here on a Saturday." There was teasing in his voice.

"You're Here" She had replied in an offhanded manner drawing a chuckle from him.

"Thats true but I was just stopping through I didn't expect anyone to be here."

" Today is my day alone to train. The tournaments are coming up sooner than it seems." at the end of her statement he looked deep in thought.

"Perhaps you shouldn't train so hard. Everyone needs time to unwind." she couldn't believe her ears... Hayate talking about needing time away from training.

Hayate's not saying it Ein is.

" I hate to cut this short but I have a lot to get done before I head out to the Magic." he turned to go not looking back as he spoke again. "Theres only so many hours until ten in any event I'll be seeing you around." she was unable to help the heat that came to her face at the implication. She resumed her training again for a short while. If he wanted her there.....

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Soon enough she had found herself shopping for an outfit she could wear to the Blue Magic. When Hayate had been showing her around the area he had pointed the club out telling her of the time he had spent there. She teased saying it was like he was trying to sell the place to her. Now standing at the bus stop her arms burdened with shopping bags she realized she hadn't felt this kind of excitement in sometime. The mixture of anticipation and nervousness was threatening despite her repeated attempts to stay it.

" You getting on or are you just going to stand there ?" Ayane's face stained with embarrassment as she boarded the bus. It was made worse as she struggled with her parcels having to appologize several times before finding a seat in the back. A few moments passed as she settled in surprised she had managed to fit the bags near her feet.Ayane looked into the silver compact she had pulled from her pocket. At least the flush in her cheeks had faded some. She ran her fingers over the reflection her eyes seemed to shine as if she held some secret from the world. She didn't even look up when the bus made its first stop.

"Ayane." She turned to the sound of the voice seeing Hitomi standing there sounding out of breath she was indicating the seat next to her. Ayane would have preferred to spend the time alone but at worst all Hitomi could do is annoy her and the ride wasn't that long. Hitomi smiled gratefully as she sat.

" Thanks. Normally I would have cycled but I needed to send my bike in for some repairs so I only got half the workout today." a sour look passed over her features. "The Mighty Vynil huh?"

"I saw these boots there and I just had to have them." She indicated one of the bags at her feet.

" I know how that is." Hitomi smiled as she brought her foot up resting it on the seat to show her open sided boot. It was brown with a deep blue lace up. Ayane had to admit she liked them. " I got these the last time I went with Ein. He may not know anything about his past but by his shoe choice I wouldn't say fashion designer." She followed this with a short laugh as she returned her foot to the floor. Ayane had to fight back a smirk. If she only knew the type of life he had.....

"So what's wrong with your bike?" Ayane posed the question choosing not to speak her mind at that moment.

" I should be able to pick it up tomorrow. Plenty of time to get in some saturday cycling before the tournament."

"About three weeks." Ayane stated.

"I was wondering if your father will be there?" Hitomi seemed to immediately regret asking but Ayane reassured her.

"I don't mind you asking. It's likely he won't be things usually pick for him this time of year and with my absence he doesn't have as much help as he would normally." Ayane's voice held a note of sadness at the partial truth of her statement. It made her wonder who was assisting Genra in her absence.

" I can understand how busy running a school can become but I know he will regret missing the tournament in the end. He would certainly be proud of how you've furthered yourself." There was a note of envy in the girls voice.

"I am sure your father will be impressed with you as well." this brought a genuine smile to Hitomi.

"It seems no matter how many times he has seen me train or Ein has told him he still doesn't seem to think I am capable of certain things. Once I win the tournament that will change." the girls expression had turned to one of determination during her statement. Once she won? Ayane's flash of annoyance was cut short when she saw her apartment building come into view.

"Thats my stop" Ayane struggled to stand pulling the bags along with her as Hitomi let her through.

"It's ok see you on tuesday" The Hajin-mon gave a nod as she made her way to the exit ignoring the drivers snide remark about her holding up the schedule. It seemed her feet had just barely made contact with the pavement before she heard the bus moving again. The fading sound of the bus accompanied her as she entered the building . A breath escaped her as she went, putting any irritation she felt on hold. There was so much left to do and time was winding down.

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Ayane stepped from the shower her deft fingers tying the terry cloth robe at her waist as she made her way to the bedroom. Reaching the bed she allowed herself to fall back on the mattress. The memory of the contents of the bags at her side caused a rush of warmth to flood her face.

You still don't know what he meant for sure....

She brought the bags closer removing their contents for inspection. It had been so long since she had shopped other than for an outfit for a mission. The shirt she had set her sights on had been a pale lavender to match the small bars on the side of the black skirt. When she had held the shirt against her she realized no matter how much give the material had it was never going to fit. She had browsed the racks for forty five minutes trying to find something that could accommodate her "ample" figure before she settled on what she held.

Ayane rose untying the robe letting it fall to form a pool at her feet.She brought the bags with her as she moved to the full length mirror on the outside of the bathroom door. First pulling on the shirt followed by the remaining items of her outfit. The boots were white and reached to about mid calf with black laces that shown through in the back there were zippers on the inside so they could be worn without having to lace them each time. Ayane couldn't help but smirk at the memory of the female clerks face when she saw them. She had seemed to be sizing up Ayane's stature with her eyes. Likely she believed her to be choosing a shoe with a three inch heel to compensate for her height. Long ago Ayane had realized wanted or not the first thing most people noticed about her was not height.

A smile could be seen coming to her face as she examined the results. The shirt cut off three inches above her navel. It was black except for one large bar of white down the center and clung to her curves in a way that would draw just enough attention. She had to admit her surprise given her doubt of the tags claim of support. The skirt began just below her navel and didn't cling to her hips. Though she had some doubts the long black stockings complimented her legs making the tone of them seem more apparent. From what Hayate had said about the Blue Magic she believed the outfit would accomplish just the right balance she needed.She could feel the wings of anticipation fluttering within her abdomen. In the time that had passed since that night at Hitomi's Ayane had spent more time with Hayate than she had in her entire trip so far. Though they had gotten much closer she couldn't help the feeling settling within her.The flower of nervous excitement blossomed further as she looked over her reflection once more. Something was missing...

The bandanna.

She had taken a seat on the small pillow the light from the fire danced across her features. Her Mother stood close to the flames they cast both light and shadow over the woman's face. She had shifted nervously her mothers discomfort was more than obvious even to a girl of only nine years.

"Kaasan are you..."

"Ayane" her mother had begun as if she had never spoken " Do you know why I have called you here tonight."

She had shook her head in silence feeling the nervousness in the pit of her abdomen."I think so."

"You must believe that I had never intended for it to happen... in this way. You also must understand that sometimes fate makes our decisions for us and for whatever reason things are rendered beyond our control." When Ayane didn't speak her mother had continued. ".I always knew the time would come when it would all have to be laid out for you. I would be a liar if I told you I wasn't relieved that its over. At least now you will fully understand some of the changes to come."

Ayane didn't want to hear anymore she just wanted to go back to the festival she had already been told things would soon change she didn't care all she wanted was to get back in time. She was surprised when her mother turned to face her taking a few steps closer kneeling so they were at eye level.

"It's time Ayane." She remained still as her mother brought her hands to her hair untying the yellow ribbon that held it away from her face. It fell brushing her cheeks as Ayame reached moving them away to tie something new in her hair something that would be worn for years to come.

The bandanna

There was a far away expression on her mothers features that was tinged with a sadness Ayane couldn't discern it was different. Ayame's fingers brushed briefly over her cheek. "You're on your way now " A short silence prevailed as they just sat there a moment .

"Arigato Kaasan." Ayane whispered her fingers brushing over the purple fabric across her forehead.

"You should be going back now." Ayane had nodded rising to her feet she turned and headed on her way. She stopped only once and looked back her mother had yet to rise from where she knelt the firelight danced on her face her expression still far away. For a moment she wondered if she should turn back but in the distance she could hear the sounds of festivity and her mother had said for her to go..

She had run the rest of the way back. She could feel the smile tug at her lips as she moved fueled by the small moment they had shared..

Her fingers moved over the bandanna before coming to brush her forehead. It wasn't long after that everything had changed... in a way that was so different than anything she had believed at the time...

She allowed the fabric to slip from her fingers joining the objects on the vanity. For just one night she would leave the past behind her.