Sensual Phrase Fan Fiction / Red River Fan Fiction / Prince Of Tennis Fan Fiction ❯ 4 People 8 Problems ❯ Chapter 2

"It's okay guys, I can go by myself." Yori entered the Vintage store, waving off the friends that wanted to unnecessarily accompany her.

"Come on let me come with you! PLEASE!!!!" Nana pleaded, following at Yori's heels. Rachel, making a face, yanked Mayuki to another store. The latter followed but not without complaint.

"Nana, I don't really need your help. Why don't you go on with Mayu?" She nodded toward where the shortest of the group had been, her chocolate-brown eyes sparking with slight restraint. Nana looked around for the other two. "They went that way." Yori gestured to her right. "Knowing Rachel, they're probably at some music store."

Nana considered, cocking her head to one side. "...Fine. I'll go," she pointed a finger at Yori, "but you're taking me out sometime this week -- whether you like it or not." She smiled victoriously, knowing she had gotten Yori in a tight spot.

Yori thought about it for a second, then shrugged. "Fine." Besides, she could always get Fuji to take her out instead.

"Be careful!" Nana told her before leaving her, and Yori nodded, half-rolling her eyes; it was hard to believe she didn't have kids yet. "No, not just a nod. To reassure me, I need to hear you say 'I will'..." Kiara coaxed, waiting on those words.

"Yeesh, get a grip Nana. There are no cliffs to jump off of here --- we're at the mall, and there are mall police at this place, for crying out loud."

"Oh, sure. You say that now, but who knows if they're keeping their eyes on you? You never know what could happen." And her eyes took on a glint of concern as she absentmindedly looked around the entrance of the store.

"Okay, mom. I get it. You can run along now." Yori tried to push her away.

"Now that's a good girl." Nana's bright smile was the only reason Yori didn't throw something -- dangerous, perhaps -- at her. Who could hate that face?

"Scidaddle." Yori almost blushed in embarrassment at her motherly affection, brushing it off as quickly as she could.

" 'Kay, but call me if anything goes wrong..."

"Sure thing." Yori mumbled, watching as her long hair swished from side to side as she hurried to catch up with the others. She would've enjoyed Nana's company, of course, but she wanted to be alone, even if just for a little while. It wasn't abnormal for Yori; after all, she was the only girl in the house who woke up early just to see the sun rise. It calmed her, for some strange reason. 'Ah well...that's the least of my abnormality.' She thought sadly, before refocusing on the task at hand. She tightened her grip on the bag she already had from shopping with the girls, and headed into the store, gazing around as she did so. There were just a couple of people around, but in the huge store, it could've been considered empty. She didn't mind one bit.

The clothes were slightly old-fashioned; the way she preferred them. Her eyes caught sight of silver material, and she headed that way. It was a dress made of smooth silver satin, and had only one strap, leaving the other shoulder bare. The back dipped into a V-neck design, and she was sure it would reach just short of her derriere. It was... okay, she thought, but far too long for a simple night at the club. She held the bottom of the dress, examining the hem; surely it was long enough to brush her ankles.

"You could always have it tailored." She was surprised by the deep male voice that interrupted her thoughts, and stood for a shocked second, staring at him. He was tall, with long blond hair that fell over his shoulders, and his probing eyes were a honey-gold color, like nothing she'd seen before. His narrow face bore angular features like those of a model, and she had to blink twice to take it all in.

"Huh?" Her mind had gone blank, and she forgot what he had said for a moment.

He smiled at her sudden absentmindedness, and it was a small pull of his lips that drew her eyes to them for just a fleeting moment. "The dress." He took a step closer, and she was confused again. Then she remembered the fabric in her hands, slightly shook her head, and regained her composure. "If you find it too long, our tailor could adjust the hem for you." He gently took the dress from her grasp, their fingers brushing each other. But the original, never-surprised Yori was back, and though she saw no direct sign of him hitting on her, there was something in his gaze that made her feel like he was undressing her with his eyes. She didn't disclose any emotion on her face, but it made her feel uneasy.

"Um, thank you. I'll keep that in mind." She replied, thinking he would simply nod and leave her, but instead he replaced the number, searched a nearby rack, and took out another outfit.

"I think this one would suit you quite well." He held it up, and she almost gaped in shock. It was extremely short, but that wasn't even half of it. The fabric was a shiny red with two stringy straps that tied on the shoulders, then gave way to a slightly translucent material that would barely cover her 32C-cup breasts. The front dipped low, without so much as a strap to hold both sides together. Then it ended as shorts that would cover not even a fourth of her thighs, she was sure of it. She didn't even want to see the back. 'It seems like the point of this... thing is to be easily removed!'

"...That's..." she frowned for a moment, "Not my style." Not even Rachel's style, she was sure.

"You wouldn't want to try it on first?" His tone was suggestive as he cocked his head to one side, and that was all the sign she needed to know he was definitely being too forward.

"No thanks; I don't have enough time... my friends are waiting for me." She tried to inch away from him, deciding that she should probably go to another store where the employees weren't perverted --- and where there were way more customers around even if they were.

"Well, are you looking for something specific?" He inched closer as she tried to get away, to her disappointment. "That way you could be out of here in no time." He replaced the slutty number, and returned his undivided attention to her, his eyes marking her every movement, her every breath, it seemed.

"Well..." she didn't want him around any longer, but if he promised to make this quick, then why not? "I'm looking for something to go out to a club..."

"Girls' night out or a boyfriend thing?" He asked, not seeming at all uncomfortable asking such direct questions.

"Um..." she took two seconds to consider. He'd back off if she mentioned a boyfriend, right? "A boyfriend thing."

"Hmm." He took the liberty to look her up and down, as though considering. She was glad she had chosen to where something modest for the cause; a white button-down shirt and comfortable black yoga pants, but that didn't stop his eyes from pausing at certain places as though there was no fabric to cover them. "I think you should show a little skin for the cause then. Don't you?" She had to blink hard at him. He obviously wasn't taking a hint.

"I don't really like revealing outfits." She told him in a clipped tone.

"But I think your boyfriend would, if he had eyes. Besides, he would probably be taking it off soon, so what you call revealing outfits would be the best choice, no?" He asked, a twinkle of mischief in his eyes. He looked her over again, cocking his head to one side as his gaze stopped at her chest. She gave him an irritated look and hastily crossed her arms over her chest. His gold gaze clashed with her pissed grey one.

"I think I'm going for something more modest but still attractive. I don't need people staring."

"It's a bit too late for that..."

She couldn't believe him. "Okay, well, thanks for your help, but maybe this store doesn't have what I'm looking for." She turned to leave only to be stopped by him grabbing her wrist. Startled, she quickly turned back to face him.

His eyes seemed clouded behind the curtain of golden hair that suddenly shielded them as he spoke: "I'm... sorry if I came on a bit strong. You're just very attractive."

"Um..." she was speechless as she looked into the depths of his eyes; something had changed, like they had darkened... almost evilly.

"Freak! We've been waiting"--- Rachel's shriek stopped short when she saw the way Miyori's wrist was trapped by that guy's grasp. 'What the?! I leave her for two seconds and she's busy getting raped by this guy?!' Rachel stomped toward the two, the man now staring at her, but Miyori still staring at him. "Hey! Let go of her, lame weirdo!"

He was startled by her appearance, but chuckled at her words. "I can assure you, I'm not"--

"Hands off, creep!" She forcefully wrenched their hands apart, taking him by surprise. Yori blinked, as though snapping out of hypnosis.

"Ow." He mumbled, holding his manhandled hand.

"For someone who's busy hitting on people, you'd think you'd have a little edge!" Rachel yelled his way. Though she was considerably short, she seemed to tower over the intruder. "Find someone else to hit on, blondie!"

"I apologize if my attraction toward your friend makes you uncomfortable." His eyes emitted a spark of annoyance toward the feisty green eyes and fiery red hair, but he held his ground and stood up tall. "The blame is partially hers for appearing so desirable though, wouldn't you say?"

Rachel's eyes widened in incredulity at his statement. Her rage peaked, and she furiously gave him a strong kick where no man would want to ever be kicked. He fell to the floor with a strangled yelp, clutching his manhood in excruciating pain.

"Come on, let's go." Rachel flicked him off, then took Miyori by the arm and led her quickly out of the Vintage store.

"...Thanks. Really." Miyori told Rachel after she had fully shaken away her shock.

"Ah, don't mention it. The slime-ball was asking for it. But you didn't get to buy anything." Rachel looked at the only bag Miyori held, which was the one she had entered the store with.

"Don't worry about it, I'll shop somewhere else." She glanced worriedly back at the store which was far behind now, but still visible from where she was. She almost gasped when she saw him standing right at the entrance, as though he had never been in pain. We'll meet again. She had no idea why the thought crossed her mind, but its intensity scared her as she quickly looked away, picking up her pace.