Written by Miyu, Vampire Princess

AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Another idea that came to be out of Merrow's fanfic challenge, and oddly enough inspired by my previous story "Storm Warnings". Sadly I do not remember which chapter this follows, but it takes place about a week after Hatori walk's into Mayuko's parents' book store. Kind of a triangle between Shigure, Mayuko and Hatori. I'd tell you the end result but that would be...well, telling. ^_~ Can two men really compete for the heart of one woman, especially when that woman's heart is already decided? Or is it? This part told from Mayuko's POV.

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Could you look me in the eye?
And tell me that you're happy now
Would you tell it to my face or have I been erased,
Are you happy now?

-Michelle Branch, "Are You Happy Now?"

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I have to admit, I wasn't so much surprised that he was early, but that he was dressed to kill. Nothing out of the ordinary for him, just a simple button-down shirt and a pair of khakis. The only thing different from when I'd seen him earlier was the color of his shirt.

Oh, and maybe the styling of his hair. It looked much neater now.

My heart simply would NOT start beating again when he closed the door. Even counting the money on hand was a nuisance. He had no clue what a distraction he was and I had to pay close attention to my tallies. They were starting to fall off by incredulous increments. Father would kill me if I turned in an incorrect report.

I had a short break when I took the cash drawer into the back room. I think my heart had started beating again, too. I was in awe of the man standing outside and in total awe of my own reaction to him.

I had thought that my feelings for him were gone...or at least good and buried. But the wall of uncertainty that Kana's memory loss started to build was starting to crack. He really hasn't changed much over the past few years. He's still the same sweet guy Kana was engaged to, and the same sexy beast that I fell in love with.

There was a brief moment of guilt. Kana is still my friend. But she's married, and very happy now. I want to be happy too.

Besides, no one said this had to go beyond friendship.

But I so badly wished it would.

Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly to calm my aggravated nerves, I walked back into the store and asked if he was ready to go. He surprises me by offering me his arm. I want to take a moment to sit and gush like a little girl. No one's ever offered me his arm before. Not even Shigure.

I grasp his elbow lightly but firmly. I know I have more strength than most girls, but I'm no Supergirl. With a smile I motion towards the front door. He makes sure my arm is comfortable before replying:

"Let's go then."

We pause just long enough outside the shop for me to lock the door before he leads me across the street to his car. He's still driving the clunker I remember, although it looks like the paint's been redone. And it's just as clean as I remember too! Does this man ever do dirty?

Kami what a thought!

He opens the door for me and waits until I'm in the car to close the door. I'm at once perturbed and delighted by such a move. I'm not used to someone opening doors for me, but hey! I could get used to it.

Once he's settled into the driver's seat and the car's started I ask, "So where are we dining this evening?" The formal tone of my voice is only partly sarcastic. He hasn't said anything about my attire so I assume I dressed appropriately. Still, I wanted to know what we'd be eating. Since I didn't eat lunch I was starving!

"I made a reservation at the Gintei," he replies matter-of-factly. "Do you like sukiyaki?"

Boy do I!

"Hai," I manage to answer in a respectably calm tone. My stomach gurgles its agreement, but thankfully not loud enough for anyone to hear.

The Gintei is famous for their sukiyaki. My parents ate their once a few months ago and they haven't stopped raving since. It's not a formal dining restaurant, but it is a bit on the up-scale side. Taking a deep breath, I only hope that I have enough cash on me to cover my share.

Unless Hatori's paying.

GAH! I couldn't let him do that!

Unless....GAH! Nothing like getting ahead of yourself, eh, Mayu?

Try to get through dinner before you decide what's for dessert, okay?

"I should've asked where you'd like to eat. Gomen nasai."

I blink, realizing that he's talking to me amidst all my strange...and most certainly impure...thoughts. I try not to stutter in reply. "No, no. I don't mind. I hear the Gintei is a wonderful restaurant." Then with a smile I add, "Just means I get chose next time."

Okay, the last line is reaching a bit...but it sounded like a good deal to me.

"Sure. Sounds like a deal," he replies, not taking his eyes off the road. But I notice the small smile that magically appears on his face. Either he's relieved I'm not upset about the restaurant or he likes the idea of 'next time'. Maybe both.

And maybe I'm getting my hopes up just a little.

We arrive at the restaurant just after 6:15. The reservation isn't until 6:30, so we sit outside and chat about high school and college days until someone comes outside to get us. I'm a tad bit upset our conversation has been brought to a halt, but my stomach couldn't have been happier.

Not five minutes after being seated we place our orders. It may have taken a while to be seated, but the service is excellent so far. To my surprise he orders what I'm having: the full course beef sukiyaki with soup and salad. Deep down I'm really glad because I didn't want to look like a pig in front of him. When I'm hungry, I'm HUNGRY!

Conversation was light over dinner, but there was one thing that came up that was most unexpected. It started when Hatori asked about Kana. Again. I told him what I knew, but I couldn't stop this bubble of doubt from surfacing in my stomach. I was quickly losing my appetite.

I mean, he did tell me he was in love with her still.

"You really do feel badly over her accident, don't you," I ask him after he apologizes for bringing up the topic. He looked so...I don't know, pathetic every time Kana's name was spoken. Like he'd been stricken down, the life sucked out of him. I actually just wanted to reach across the table and hug him.

"Hai," he answers somberly. The smile that appears is only half-forced. "I'm happy that she is happy."

"Are you really?" The question comes out of nowhere and I wish I can take it back. I stare down at my uneaten meal so I don't have to see the look on his face.

"Yes...and no."

That isn't the answer I expected. Cautiously lifting my gaze I note that Hatori is looking at me, staring with those intense eyes of his. I feel like an animal trapped in the headlights of a car and my heart stops beating until he speaks again.

"I'm happy she's happy, but...I guess in some ways I'm tired of living in the past. I want to move forward." His eyes lower and he leans back in his chair. "I just don't know how."

Did I ever mention he looks cute when he's pathetic? "It's not easy getting over someone like that." I've never really been in that place and no, Shigure doesn't count. "It takes time...a lot in some cases."

"What about Shigure?"

Something else unexpected. I really didn't want to discuss our relationship with Hatori. What would he think if he knew it was simply a matter of convenience?

"We were involved for the wrong reasons," I answer, surprising even myself. He looks up at me curiously and I hurry to continue, "He's a nice guy, don't get me wrong! But our relationship was nothing like yours with Kana."

"Didn't you...I mean...." Hatori took a sip of his drink before continuing, "Have you ever been serious about someone?"

I nod, a small smile gracing my lips. "Hai."

"How did that relationship turn out?"

"We never had a relationship beyond 'just friends'," I answer truthfully. "He didn't even know I liked him."

"Why didn't you tell him then?"

I slowly sip my drink, wishing there were alcohol in it. The conversation's going too far, but it's too late to back out now. I sigh, shrugging.

"I wasn't sure what he'd think."

"I'm sure he would've understood."

A sarcastic chuckle escapes my lips but I hide it in my drink. "I don't think so."

Hatori's perfectly confused, the poor dear. If he only knew. "Why not?"

I open my mouth to say, 'Because he was a player' or 'Because he only liked guys'. Blatant lies, both of them. But so much better than the truth, which slips out without a thought.

"Because he was engaged to my best friend."

Someone stick a fork in me or something.

It takes Hatori only a few moments to process what I've said. His mouth opens and closes tightly two separate times. I've stunned him into speechlessness. I'm not sure if that's good or bad.

And I suddenly have the urge to leave.

"Gomen nasai." I manage a smile around the tears forming in my eyes. "It seems as if I've ruined dinner." I down what's left of my drink quickly and fish whatever cash I have out of my purse. I think it's enough to cover my share of the bill. If not, I'll gladly pay him back later.

Standing quickly, I lay the money on the table. With another apology, I turn to leave. I'd like to run, but that would be undignified. Still, running wouldn't have allowed me to stop when Hatori finally finds his voice.

"Mayuko, matte!"

My feet still moved towards the door but I'm moving slower. I want to turn around but I force my head to stay where it is, to look forward and not back. Looking forward meant that I had a chance to escape. Looking back meant never being able to face him again.

"Mayuko, chotto matte! Onegai!"

My hand reaches for the door and it opens easily. I pay no attention to the questioning glances of the customers waiting to be seated. I pay no attention to the fact that I'm crying now, tears streaming down my face like tiny rivers. Shit, there goes my make-up.

"Mayu!"

A hand on my arm cause me to stop before I can walk out the front door. I don't need to look to know that it's Hatori. I'm not sure why though. Why would he stop me?

He doesn't say anything to me, instead, leading me out the door like a gentleman. When we're finally outside he forces me to face him and I see for the first time the concerned look on his face.

"Mayu, why didn't you ever tell me?" His voice is full of emotion, with shock and fear being the prevalent of them all.

"I just told you why--!"

"But after two years...." Pain now becomes evident in his voice and I manage to lift my eyes to look at him. My eyes widen in shock. Kami! Is he...crying too?! "After two years, why didn't you say anything to me?"

"She was my best friend, Hatori!"

"And she's HAPPY! She's married, Mayu. She's expecting her first child in six months! So why?"

The sobs have stopped, but the tears continue to flow. "I thought...that maybe...you were happy...."

"Are YOU happy, Mayu?"

Now THERE'S a loaded question. Not knowing what else to say, I toss his own words back at him. "Yes...and no."

With his hands on my shoulders, he pulls me an inch or so closer, resting his forehead against mine. "I want to be happy, too," he says.

My hands tentatively rise, one resting on his chest, the other on his hip. I manage another smile through the tears. "Me, too."

"Do you want to get some ice cream?"

"But we didn't finish dinner!"

He smiles -- REALLY smiles -- and something inside me just melts. Shigure used to do that a lot, when he wasn't pouting. The look is damn near similar, but still a little different. There's nothing cocky in this smile. Nothing hidden. Just a simple, boyish grin hinting at a bit mischief.

"There's a noodle cart just up the street."

I shake my head. "Ice cream sounds much better."

Recomposing himself, he lets go of me. The sudden loss of warmth causes me to suppress a shiver. He offers me his arm once again. "Shall we?"

"Hai. But umm...where are we going for ice cream?"

"Where would you like to go," he asks. "Remember, you get to pick this time."

Wiping away lingering tears with the back of one hand, I can't help but laugh.

'This time, huh? Oh just you wait!'

~TO BE CONTINUED~

MUSIC DISCLAIMER:
Lyrics are from the song "Are you happy now?" from the album Hotel Paper by Michelle Branch. (c)2003 Maverick records.