Day 34: Lunch

[thatdamnedninja.livejournal.com]

Yuffie bounced all the way through collecting her lunch, all the way to a good seat- one with a nice view of the whole cafeteria, which was something she'd been missing out on during the past day or so that she'd been stuck in the Institute- and hell, she even bounced into her seat.

A good mood? No, really?

Despite the occasional blip, talking to Sagara had been awesome. He was a fun guy; he wasn't a prude, didn't have a stick shoved so far up his ass it was poking out his eyeballs, and he'd actually had a conversation with her. One that hadn't revolved around doom, gloom or how much life sucked. If she could find other people like that and keep in touch with Sagara, maybe there was a little hope for this place.

After a quick gulp of pink lemonade, Yuffie settled to munching through her food and keeping an eye on the door.

[Waiting for Dean, I think? :x]

Comments

[simpleastherain.livejournal.com]

Orihime blinked, but then a real smile returned as understanding dawned. He wasn't upset then? That was another relief, and a welcome one. "Rawr." She added, just in case she wasn't being scary enough.

She actually stifled giggle imagining Kurogane and Ichigo trying to have a scary face contest. "It would be a hard call. Kurosaki-kun gets a lot of practice, and he's good at yelling too. He makes a face like -" She tried to imitate one of Ichigo's scary faces. "What about this Kurogane-san guy? I'll totally beat him without even looking!"

[not-rly-fai.livejournal.com]

It was a relief to be able to joke around in such a lighthearted way, especially after the day's seriousness. It helped his appetite as well, not being quite so tightly strung. Besides, Orihime's growl was about as scary as the princess', but he still feigned fright when he heard it. "Kyaa~," he teased, finishing off his last piece of chicken, "what'll I do?"

Seeing her impression of Ichigo even provoked some laughter, though his ribs and chest still hurt to do much more than that. For only a moment, there was something real about his smile. Yuuhi clapped at her performance, "Amazing! He'll be a really hard one to beat!" He gave a few tries at trying to get Kurogane's scowl down just right, but gave up shortly after. Pity Mokona wasn't here. The little white ball of fluff was perfect at intimidating voices. "Ah, I can't do it!"

[simpleastherain.livejournal.com]

"You can have half of mine too, then I'll eat you when you're stuffed. I'll make kitty soup." Orihime replied, putting on her best evil voice while she shoved her tray closer to Fai. She could eat three times this easily, so it hardly seemed fair that just one plate should count as a meal.

She frowned at him, but it was an Orihime-frown edged with humor. "Of course you can't if you just give up. Say 'GRR' and look really angry. I'll help." She leaned across the table on her elbows and tried to help pull the corners of Fai's mouth down with one hand. "Grrr. You're Kuro-bear."

[not-rly-fai.livejournal.com]

"So that's what it's about," he smirked. "Sorry, I just don't think I can fit anymore!" Yuuhi insisted, holding up both hands and shaking his head. Kurogane had done the same thing at breakfast, why was everyone trying to give him more food? He'd already eaten most of the things on his own plate, but he couldn't have hers too!

"Grrrrr," he made another attempt at a decent Kuro impression. With Orihime's help, the result was more comical and less than intimidating, but it was still fun. "Rawr, how dare you insult the great Kuro-papa! I'm the bestest ninja in the whole world, so you better run while you can!"

[simpleastherain.livejournal.com]

"Well..." Orihime thought this over, fighting to retain her frown. "Only if you promise to eat as much every meal." There was still the same stubbornness behind her words, but it was lighthearted and friendly.

At Fai's Kurogane impression, Orihime tried to pull her Ichigo impression again but failed and gave into peels of laughter. "So -- So scary!" She finally caught her breath, almost glowing with laughter. "See, I knew you could do it."

[not-rly-fai.livejournal.com]

"Ooookay," he replied in a sing-song tone. It wasn't like she was asking the world of him. Just to eat his meals and he was pretty sure he could handle a promise like that.

Yuuhi's features broke from the frown into a smile instantly and he joined in her laughter for a few moments. "I don't know how either of them can keep it up! Looking so growly like that all the time, I'd get a terrible headache!"

[simpleastherain.livejournal.com]

"Thank you." Orihime smiled, genuinely grateful. Maybe it wasn't a big change but it was nice to know Fai wouldn't be starving himself, and it was nicer to hear him laugh. She didn't remember if she'd ever heard it.

She finally managed a proper solemn face, and nodded sagely. "That's because they're experts. It's a secret craft, like being a ninja.

"Hey -" Orihime paused mid-thought, frowning when she realized she'd never used Fai's name before. "You never told me what you want to be called. Was it Fai-san or..Robin-san? Or kitty-san?"

[not-rly-fai.livejournal.com]

Yuuhi had been ready to give his own comment on the secret technique of the scary face that had no doubt been passed down for generations, but he held off when Orihime paused and decided to change topics.

"Fai is ok," he said after some hesitation. Besides, Kurogane would probably do more than punch him if he thought Yuuhi was going by something else. Even Fai was a lie, but at least it was a familiar one. He still smiled, but some of the warmth had gone from it. "Sorry for the confusion," he added a short laugh. "I was a little confused myself."

[simpleastherain.livejournal.com]

"Ok. Fai-san," Orihime repeated, trying it. She sensed something had changed about Fai's good humor, but she wasn't really sure. She hadn't meant to upset him again. She hesitated a moment, then continued with what she'd started saying earlier. "Since you made me a promise I wanted to make one for you too. Here. Do this."

She settled back into her seat and rested her elbow on the table, offering Fai her pinky finger.

[not-rly-fai.livejournal.com]

Yuuhi gave her a puzzled look, but slowly mimicked her pose, setting his elbow on the table and raising his pinky. He wasn't sure what to make of it, but he really didn't need her to make him any promises. She'd done enough for him already. He was the one who still owed her!

"What is it?" he asked, though he tried to mask his suspicion.

[simpleastherain.livejournal.com]

"I know how hard it is to lose someone here." She said softly, not quite meeting his eyes, but she was smiling gently when she looked up again. She wrapped her pinky around his.

"But I promise I won't give up. We'll find Sakura-san again no matter what." She wasn't being patronizing; she believed it with everything in her. "And if you ever get lost, I'll come find you too. So remember you're not alone, ok?"

[not-rly-fai.livejournal.com]

"Yeah," he replied with a smile, though inwardly he was doing his best to maintain some emotional distance. Orihime was so like his own princess, kind, and honestly caring, but special in her own ways too. He couldn't let himself get too attached, not after all he'd put her through already.

"I..." he hesitated again, but forced himself to say the words, even if he was almost sure he couldn't keep them. "I won't give up either, I'll make sure we do find her," he paused, "and... I'll remember."

[simpleastherain.livejournal.com]

Orihime kept smiling despite Fai's uncertainty. "Don't worry, I'll help keep you strong. Whenever you need me."

The announcement came on signaling the end of lunch. She gave Fai's finger a little squeeze before she released it. Maybe in time he'd come to realize that she needed him too.