Misconceptions
Chapter Eighteen:
In the Time of the Butterflies
"Here you are," Carissa noted as she practically crashed into the room. She threw herself on Ayame's bed.
"What's wrong?" Ayame asked as she slipped into a little black dress and observed herself in the mirror.
Carissa sighed and stared up at the ceiling as if she were searching for words inside her head. "I actually had to make up an excuse to get out of doing the deed with Hideki."
"What do you mean?"
"Oh, I told him I had a yeast infection," she responded like it was an every day conversation: like talking about shoes.
Ayame cringed. "First: I wish you would never say something like that to me again. And two: that's not at all what I meant! I meant why did you have to make up an excuse?"
"Don't get me wrong," she started off. "I'm always in the mood. But . . . it's just so weird. We have sex like every day."
Ayame quirked up a delicate eye brow and went back to her business of trying on clothes.
"But . . . it's like we do it with . . . each other."
"I still don't get it," she admitted. "Carissa, welcome to relationship central. That's what couples do. They do things with each other."
Carissa nodded at Ayame's point. The last relationship she had was when she was thirteen with this boy who was gorgeous . . . but it only lasted for fifteen minutes. Hideki was probably the only official person she'd ever been with. "But you're still the virgin."
Ayame let the last insult roll off her shoulder as she slipped on a rib-fitted tunic. "What Kouga and I have is a relationship—"
"Minus the relation part," Carissa added thoughtfully.
She rolled her eyes. "Gee, thanks for the reminder. Anyway, as I was saying—we connect deeper than that . . . besides . . . that might all change after tonight."
Carissa gasped and sat up immediately. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Take it as you want it."
"Hm . . . why are you getting al dressed up if—from what I hear—you won't be doing much with clothes other than taking them off."
"Carissa!"
"What—can't a girl have some fun with her best friend?" She walked into Ayame closet and pulled on a few articles of clothing. She held them up to her body and tossed them at Ayame. "Those are perfect sex-me clothes."
Ayame rolled her eyes again. "That's not the point, Carissa. Look it's not just about . . . physical connection all the time."
"That's what every Virgin says,"
"Whatever, your negativity is making me antsy."
Carissa grabbed Ayame's ringing cell phone off the night stand. "It's Gramps; you want me to get it?"
Ayame shook her head and took the phone. "I've got it," she flipped open the phone. "Hey Grandfather, what's up? Well, can't it wait? I have to meet . . . some friends . . . fine I'll be right over." She closed her phone and turned to her best friend. "Do you mind driving to the orphanage with me? Grandfather says it's important."
.o0o.
"There has to be a good reason we got stuck in an hour of traffic to see you, old man," Carissa scolded as she slipped off he ballet flats next to the door.
Grandfather handed a bulk envelope to Ayame.
"What is this?" She asked as she yanked the papers from the too-small envelope. She skimmed through most of the pages. "It's a bunch of legal mumble."
Carissa tore the pages from her hands and looked over them herself. "The man that used to own this land died and he never finished making payments. This mean Rainbow Hope has come to an end . . ." She gave Ayame a sorry gaze. "Unless you come up with a lot of money, they're shutting this down."
"That's ridiculous, what will happen to the kids?"
Carissa shrugged. "They'll probably be put in some kind of foster care or adoption programs."
Ayame shook her head. "They can't do that. Grandfather, what are we going to do? All of your money went into this place."
"There is nothing I can do," he said simply. "I don't have the money they want and the government refuses to pay us as it is."
"I managed to save up some money—"
"And I have a trust fund that I only use on shoes," Carissa offered. "I really don't mind putting it into this place."
"Girls, I can't let you do that. Listen, tomorrow I'll go visit some places, maybe I can work out some stuff with some people who owe me favors. I didn't want to worry you, but I just thought you should know."
Ayame sighed. Everything seemed to be falling apart. "Alright, but I want to know what they say. If they can't give you the money, then I'll figure out something."
.o0o.
"What's wrong?" Kouga asked, noticing that Ayame's mind wasn't into the night.
She shrugged and fiddled with her hands. "It's just a bunch of money problems with the orphanage. We might have to get rid of it. It's a bunch of legal stuff . . . I'm just not so sure we can make it."
"I could help—"
"No, I couldn't let you do that, you've already done so much for me. Whatever, I'm probably just worrying too much. It's just so strange . . . these problems suddenly have come up. It's like the guy who originally owned the land died, but it's just . . . never mind."
Kouga rubbed her shoulders. "I guess you-know-what won't be happening tonight?"
She rolled her eyes and shrugged his hands off of her. "Honestly, you men are all the same. You're all so perverted." She pressed her forehead against his with a giggle.
"Honestly, a murder could come in your house and you wouldn't even notice—oh, sorry." Ai froze as she saw the couple flirting on Kouga's bed. "I'll just come back."
"Don't be silly," Ayame interrupted. "We really weren't doing anything."
"Speak for yourself," Kouga muttered under is breath. He rolled over and sat up on the edge of his bed with a bored expression on his face. "What do you want?" he asked bitterly, trying to cut to the chase.
Ai snarled and glared at him before turning a brighter gaze toward Ayame. "I want nothing with you, ape! Ayame, I know you don't owe me any favors, but I was hoping you could help me."
"Sure, I'd love to."
"Good," Ai pulled a slip of paper from her purse. It was blue and in the shape of an A. It was obviously personal stationary. "I sort of have other arrangements tomorrow and I was hoping you wouldn't mind volunteering at a senior home. It's in the afternoon so it wouldn't get in the way of any of your classes."
Kouga suddenly stood up and gave Ai a look over as if he was suspicious of her being some kind of Russian spy from a terrible novel or something. "What are you to tomorrow birdbrain?"
"None of your business, you mindless robot. Go back to doing whatever it was before I came in because this is between Ayame and me."
Ayame covered her mouth and resisted the urge to laugh at the two who fought like ten-year-old brothers and sisters. "Sure, I'd like that."
"Thanks, I owe you one—after this I'll owe you ten! I can't thank you enough." Ai rushed out of the room with glee before Kouga had anytime to protest.
He snatched the paper from Ayame and looked it over before almost crumbling it.
"What are you doing?" She scolded as she smacked his arm. "I need the address."
"You can't possibly tell me that you're going to help her? You don't owe her anything."
"I like helping people."
"Exactly—you're a people pleaser! Doesn't it kill you that you have so much on your plate and you stack more on yourself?"
"I . . . I-I no—I mean . . . so what. It's just a small favor. Ai has been nothing but nice to me, which is more than I can say for you. You think you own everyone—including me. Well, you don't. I'll do what I want, when I want to. You can't tell me what to do . . . besides, why are you getting so worked up over it?"
He growled inwardly. "We're supposed to go out tomorrow."
"Okay, I'm sorry. I forgot. We can just go out after I finish at the senior home."
"That's not the point. You can't keep doing things for everyone. It's unnatural and unhealthy."
Ayame huffed as she quickly got off his bed and swiped her tote from the floor. "I'm not taking this anymore. I'm leaving!"
.o0o.
"No you can't do this, ugh!" Ayame hollered as she kicked a near by street sign.
Everything was going down hill. Why is it that the one moment she finds a little happiness, something else interferes?
"Why are you doing this to me?" She yelled out into the air. She stared hard into the night sky. "I'm anonymously supporting three African children. I try to help out at the orphanage. I'm working two minimum wage jobs to support my life style. I'm studying in school. I'm at the top of my classes . . . and all for what?" She grabbed a small stone and whisked it into a near by tree.
"Why are you so cruel with me? Kami, why must you be cruel with me in so many different manors? Am I not good enough to serve you?" She whipped the warm tears that flirted with her eyes and threw another stone.
"Do you think other people deserve more happiness—?"
"Ayame?"
She whipped around to face an old friend. She wiped the damp eyes with the backs of her hands and sniffled. "Rin?"
Rin smiled at her with her usual hint of sadness. "Are you aright?" She handed her a tissue from her pocket. "You were sort of . . . yelling at a street post."
Ayame laughed suddenly and sniffled harder as she dabbed her eyes and her face. "I'm fine. I've just been having a bad few days."
"Oh, well I'm sorry to hear that."
"Yeah, so am I," she spat out sarcastically.
Rin awarded her with a wider smile.
"What are you doing here? Last I heard: you were living in Korea with a relative."
"Yes, it turns out I have a sister—don't you remember? I left notice that I was visiting the orphanage."
Ayame nodded. "Oh, right—it slipped my mind completely. Are you heading there now? I could get us a ride."
.o0o.
"Goodnight guys, I'll come in and check up on you tomorrow," Rin waved at the children who practically trampled over each other to get to their beds.
Ayame had finished tucking each and everyone in tightly. Otherwise, they'd stay up all night complaining that they weren't tucked in right. She poured tea in each tiny cup and set on in front of Rin and another one for herself. "Grandfather sure was tired," she noticed.
Rin nodded, almost choking on her hot tea. She winced. "Yes, he was."
Ayame took in Rin's features as she watched her carefully drink her tea. They had been friends since they had both arrived at the orphanage around the same time. She knew just as little about her parents before she was dropped off at Rainbow Hope. She had grown into such a strong young woman. Just when she hit the legal age, she up and left Tokyo in search of something more. Ayame wish she had the courage to do the same.
"So, how's everything in Korea? And your sister?"
"It's great," she answered simply. "I've been having fun there. I made to stylist for a few entertainment companies. I work with great people. And my sister, well she alright, I guess. She's as good as she can be."
"That's a relief to hear. Do you have anyone you're involved with?"
Rin giggled. "Of course not. You know I've never been the type of girl." She shrugged. "I just got my life together so I'm hoping to just relax for a while. How've you been?"
"How can I be?" Ayame sipped her tea. "I'm guessing Carissa told you all about my life already."
She nodded happily. "Yes, she has. From what I hear it's almost a Lifetime made-for-TV-movie."
Ayame smiled sadly and nodded. "That's actually the best way to describe it," she admitted.
"She also told me about Kouga."
"I bet,"
Rin laughed. "I think it's great. I'm really happy for you."
"Thanks. But things are a bit rocky as of now."
"Is that why you were yelling at the street post like a maniac?"
She shrugged as a blush crept up her body. "Some,"
"Well, I'm sorry to hear that. In fact, I'm really sorry to hear that. But whatever it is, I'm sure you'll get everything straightened out again. I originally just came for a small visit for the kids . . . and you. But now I'm starting to worry that I should stay longer. It seems like you have a lot on your plate. I really wouldn't mind spending more time here."
"No, Rin, I could never ask you for that. Really, I'm fine. I just had a small meltdown. Trust me, I'm definitely my calm, collected self again."
"Alright, if you say so. So, why don't you tell me more about your father?"
.o0o.
"Boss, I need a minute," Sang-Min announced as he knocked lightly on the door.
"Come in," Burke allowed. She tucked his spectacle into his breast pocket. "What can I help you with?"
"Boss, I'm not sure if you know, but this is the forth shipment that the police has confiscated. They haven't found anything yet, but I'm starting to get suspicious. It's like someone on the inside . . . is leaking our information."
Burke shook his head and took a deep breath. "I know exactly who it is. I actually think it's time we give up here. The police will only hassle us more. Actually . . . I know it's time to leave. It seems Hana has gotten her wish."
"Hana? How do you know it's her? How could she possibly know about . . . us?"
"Let's just say there are no longer secrets in Tokyo. I'm afraid the police won't get off our backs until we give up claims to this city."
"I agree, sir. But Tokyo is our best business. We'll be losing a lot."
"I can afford to lose a lot . . . however, my daughter can't."
"What does Ayame have to do with this?"
Burke sighed. "I'm afraid she has to do with everything. Do me a favor and get someone to looks up Hana's number. I have a feeling she'll want to speak with me."
.o0o.
Ayame wrinkled her nose as snow flake fell onto the tip of her nose and dissolved. It was strange . . . it was too late in the year for snow to fall. But it almost seemed right. She stared at the front panel of her phone before stuffing it in the pocket of her wool coat. She stared up at the five-story mansion. Who in the right mind decides to build a five-story house?
She made her way up to the second level. 'Which one is it?" she whispered to herself as a huff of white air exploded into cold night. She hesitated as she looked through some bedroom windows. She finally found the right room. With one big push against the balcony window she managed to make her way inside the room.
The whole aroma was Kouga's. She might not have his might sense of smell, but he always smelled the same. His silhouette lay sprawled on the over-sized bed. She let her coat fall to the ground as she cuddled up to his bare body.
Kouga groaned and scratched his head. Ninety percent of him was still sleeping. "What time is it—how did you get here?" he asked, running his fingers through her soggy mermaid-waves.
She closed her eyes and hugged him tighter. "It's one in the morning," she finally answered. "I sort of snuck in. You don't have a silent alarm, do you?"
"Not that I know of," he answered, hugging her to his chest.
"I'm sorry," she allowed.
"For what?"
"For everything . . . I'll admit . . . I'm a people pleaser."
Ayame suddenly sat up and unwrapped her scarf from her neck, throwing it on the clear, wood floor.
Kouga sat up, now more aware. "What's wrong?" he asked, letting his hand slide to the smooth curve of her neck.
She pressed her lips against his as her hands reached to the top button of her sweater. She unfastened them with shaking hands and shrugged it off. He suddenly pulled away. "What are you doing?" he asked quietly.
Her thumb traced his bottom lip as she brushed her lips over his once more. "I want to," she whispered.
Kouga turned to the night table and grabbed his keys. "I'll take you home," he offered innocently.
Ayame grabbed his hand desperately, forcing him to sit up beside her. She kissed him again, with more urgency this time. She took his hand and led it up her body till it reached her chest. She slowly yanked at the straps of her tank-top. Kouga kissed her shoulder, where the strap once lay. He made his way up from her neck, to her chin, back to her lips. He lowered her down to the bed and pulled on the button of her skinny-fit jeans. "Are you sure?" he asked gently, running a hand up her cold arms. Ayame only nodded and lifted her hips off the mattress to help.
He could feel every small curve of her tiny body under his. Her breath was so small and almost silent until she felt the pressure he bestowed upon her. Their breathing mingled in aggressiveness and urgency until it finally subsided.
.o0o.
Ayame yawned and stretched, attempting to lift her hips off the mattress until she noticed a heavy weight over her body. She looked next to her only to be greeted by Kouga's sleeping form as he breathed lightly into her ear. She fought the rush of warmth that threatened to creep up her body and she let out a small smile.
Her layers of clothes thrashed together all over the floor. She suddenly bit her lip and scratched her head, realizing that Hana or a worker could pop in at anytime. Ayame quickly—but quietly—rushed to the floor to scramble the floors for her clothes. She pulled on the layers till she finally found a shoe under the bed.
She tip-toed to the bed and brushed her lips over his cheek before making her way to the balcony. "Great," she snarled at herself. "There's a foot of snow and I'm still in heels."
"Where are you going this early in the morning?" Kouga rubbed the sleep from his eyes as he stared at Ayame from the doors of the balcony in only a pair of boxers.
Ayame squealed, almost loosing her footing. "Don't do that!" She scolded. "I can't stay here. Your mother could walk in any minute."
He helped her over the balcony railing and dragged her back into his room. "There's not a chance in hell you're leaving in this weather. You humans can't take the cold like this in your clothing"
Ayame looked at her outfit and wrapped her wool sweater around her tighter. "I'll have you know this is the latest style form New York—"
"Yeah, if you're going for the whole frost-bite look. I'll take you."
"Thanks, but I'd rather not risk running into the-Devil-wears-Chanel."
He pulled on some clothes from the floor. "First you take advantage of me, and now you won't even take ride from me?"
She gawked at him. "I did not take advantage of you!" She argued. "You wanted me . . . you . . . pervert!"
"Oh please, you practically raped me," he countered.
"Kouga?" Hand suddenly called from the hall.
Kouga shoved Ayame onto the ground with a loud thump as she winced and kicked him hard in the back of the leg. He winced.
Hana stepped in. "Kouga," she looked around. "Who's here?"
"What—oh no one. It was the TV."
"The television isn't on," she noted.
Kouga answered her with silence. "I just turned it off," he allowed.
"Hm, well why are you dressed? It's six in the morning."
He looked down at his attire and then at Ayame who lay on the floor wide eyed. "I-I . . . wanted to get and early start?" she answered, questioning himself. "There's an extra lecture I have to get to and they could only get the guy to do it this early."
"I see, well, be back in time for dinner. You will come to diner, yes?"
"Will you be there?"
She looked at him curiously. "Of course," she finally answered.
He rolled his eyes. "Then, I probably wouldn't count on it."
Hana glared at her son. "Now you listen boy, have some manors with the woman who gave you life! You'll be home in time for dinner, and I don't want to hear anymore about it. I invited Ai, and I expect you to be there. And don't give me another sorry-ass excuse like the ones you've used every night for the past week. And clean this room, it smells like . . . Kami knows what it smells like!" With that, she slammed the door behind her.
Ayame jumped to her feet and punched Kouga's arm. "Next time you decide to practically body slam me, give me a warning!"
.o0o.
"Come in," Hana yelled loud enough so the person on the other side of the door could hear her. To her surprise, it was her son. "Kouga, what are you doing here? I wasn't expecting you till dinner."
"I need to speak with you," he admitted.
"Of course, son. Sit down," she offered. "What's on your mind?"
"If I ask you something, I need you take it to heart and think it through rationally."
She laughed harshly, almost insultingly. "Son, do I seem irrational to you?"
Kouga raised a brow. "Should I answer that honestly?"
Hana rolled her eyes. She should have expected a low blow from him. "Continue," she ordered bitterly.
Kouga sighed and gripped the arm rests of the seat tightly. "Have you ever heard of a small orphanage outside of Tokyo called Rainbow Hope?" He waited till she nodded. "Then you know the kids can't stay there anymore, right? It seems the last owner never finished making payments and on goes the long story. Anyway, it's not much money . . . I mean for us. It's practically pocket change. Maybe . . . we could help somehow."
Hana eyed her son curiously. "What's got you in a giving mood? Wait . . . isn't that the orphanage where that girl comes from."
"What does it matter? Little children are going to placed in some kind of government care where they don't give a damn where they end up. You can even take it out of my inheritance."
Hana shook her head and leaned back in her chair. "I'm not sure. I have nothing to gain out of this, and neither does our family."
"Well maybe it'll clear up some of the evil you caused in that past."
"Do you honestly believe insulting me will get you your way, because you're wrong? Kouga, you mistake my care for you. I do everything I do, for you. I don't do it so I can sleep better at night knowing some children are safe or whatever. We have a perfectly good government that can take better care of them than some girl of poor standards and an insulting birth."
"Hey," he snapped. "Leave Ayame out of this. I'm asking you, not her."
She huffed. "I'll think about it."
"Actually I have something even better planned."
.o0o.
"Why am I here?" Hana snapped at her son as she took her Burberry umbrella from her driver. She stared at the mud as if it had caused her a wrinkle and she was out to destroy it.
Kouga too her hand and led her inside the orphanage.
Hana raised a handkerchief to her nose. "Ugh, what is that smell? What is this place? Kouga, what is the meaning of this. I'm insulted by the odor!"
"I'll come back for you in an hour."
Hana's eyes widened as her son quickly ran off. "Why you . . . rotten boy. You come back here this instant!"
Grandfather stepped out of the library. "Miss . . . may I help you?"
Hana turned around and eyed Grandfather up and down. "Well, could you start by telling me where the hell I am?" She felt her umbrella yanked out of her hand by a small child as she jumped.
"I'll take it," Yumi said.
"Be careful, it's Burberry."
Yumi twirled it around. "It doesn't look like a blue berry."
Hana stared at Grandfather with a hard glare and finally bowed. "My name is Hana. My awful son just dropped me off here. I'm not even exactly sure where I am."
Grandfather bowed back. "Pleased to meet you. You may call me Grandfather, everyone else does. You are at Rainbow Hope. Does that answer you question?"
Hana eyed the small place. It was certainly not in the greatest of conditions. There were a few leaks and the walls were old and discolored. The floor and severe scratch marks. "Are these even sanitary conditions for a child?"
Grandfather laughed. "It's not much, but we make do with what we have. Yumi, why don't you show Miss Hana to the library? We just finished story time, but the kids are very greedy for knowledge today. Perhaps you could read a book or two."
Yumi stuck out her hand. "Yeah, we wanna read! You wanna read to us Lady? You smell good. Doesn't she smell good Grandfather? Can she stay with us for a while, Grandfather? She's very pretty."
Hana hesitantly took Yumi's hand. "Yumi, is it?"
Yumi nodded.
"Well . . . since I have time to kill, I might as well make myself of use."
Ayame slammed the door behind her. "Grandfather, its freezing! I almost lost my show in that muck we call a yard." She paused and stared at Hana. "H-Hana, what are you doing here?"
"I see you know each other," Grandfather noted. "Hana was going to read to the kids. Ayame they've been asking for you all day. They practically gave me an ulcer trying to reach you."
Ayame ignored him. She couldn't figure out if she was enraged or just confused . . . or maybe both. "Grandfather, will you leave us to talk?"
"Why?" Yumi interrupted. "She seems nice, Ayame. I want her to read. She's pretty and I know all my friends would wanna see her too."
"Yumi, be good and listen. Now you leave us grown ups to talk."
Hana straightened out her pencil skirt. "I'm not sure I have anything to say to you, Ayame."
"Yes, you do. You can start by telling me what you're doing here. You can hate me all you want, but leave this place alone."
Han scoffed. "You just think the whole world revolves around you, don't you? My intention wasn't to come here and ruin your day, thought it is a plus. I'm only here out of force. Kouga told me about your situation."
"I see,"
"I think we can work something out."
". . . Really?"
"Yes, really. I'll pay to buy this land. I'll even pay for weekly groceries, education, everything . . . on one condition. You never see my son again. I want you to leave his side completely. Don't call him, don't message him via e-mail, and don't talk to him."
.o0o.o0o.o0o.o0o.
A/N:
SO SORRY! I haven't updated because I've had work up the ass! I'm truly sorry but thank you all for believing in me. It means a lot. I'll try and do a better job. Sorry about the lemon. I tried to make it PG-13.
Spoilers…sort of: Will Ayame take Hana's offer? And what does Kouga have to say about it? What do Burke and Hana reveal to Kouga that might alter his and Ayame's relationship forever? And what news does Ayame have for her friends? And what does Bin have to do with the big news. Will he influence it at all? Can Hana have her cake and eat it too? And why is Ayame so mad at Rin? What has Rin really come to Tokyo for? What path will Ayame choose? Can she handle what's coming to her or will she break down? Can Rin make Ayame's decision easier? And what part will Kouga play in Ayame's decision? Can she forgive him?