the dragon and the tiger and the stars

[tigress_akemi]

Who: Momoko & Akemi
Where: Momoko & Akemi's house.
When: Friday night.
What: Momo and Akemi talk and think and stargaze. Just Amie and I testing out our characters, so no real plot~!
Warnings: None whatsoever.

It was Friday night, after school and after Momoko's practice, and Haruko wasn't home for a while yet. She'd been coming home later and later, though, so neither girl was surprised. And really, it was alright that she couldn't spend as much time with them; Haruko worked so hard /for/ them, for the small house they lived in, for the quiet life they lived. It was a love that caused Haruko to try to protect them from the life they'd been born to; the cursed life, the life of the Sohma family--those born to the zodiac.

It was quiet, though Akemi could hear another of Momo's obscure music choices in one ear; they lay side by side on the floor of their room, Akemi with her elbows propped up on a pillow and a book ('A Tale of Two Cities', in english--she'd taken to reading long books in english recently, liking the contrast of the language to her own) open before her, reading with the same intense focus she always employed with books, and Momoko beside her, lying instead on her back with a pillow beneath her head, idly flipping through a fashion magazine.

Their arms were touching comfortably, and Mimi's knee rested against Momo's thigh; they were almost always touching in some way, even if just by contact. It comforted Akemi; it had ever since she'd been small and become used to her aunt and cousin touching her. It reassured her that they were both real. That Momo was beside her and not an illusion she'd created.

They were also connected by the headphones of Momo's mp3 player; one earpiece in Akemi's ear, the other in Momo's. Momo occasionally changed the song, occasionally said "You'll like this one, Mimi-chan", but mostly they just listened.

They were often like this; comfortable in a quiet little world of their own. It was comforting, and it was home, and Akemi found it calmed her more than anything else ever could.

Momoko didn't dare break that comfortable silence between them, the comfortable silence they always seemed to have. Akemi was the type of girl that didn't like talking too much, and Momo knew that well; Akemi was also one of the other people in her life that she could fully communicate with without even using a single syllable. Most of the time, the two of them could be quiet for hours, and yet say so much.

They always seemed to understand each other, no matter what, and Momo was rathed fond of that. She wouldn't let anything come in between that, of course. She didn't think she'd be able to deal if it did; she wouldn't let anyone take Akemi away from her, or change things between them. Akemi was hers, and she would protect her, just like she promised herself. Because she didn't think she could live without these comfortable silences, and the lazy days like this.

Once she finished her magazine, Momo shifted a bit, glancing toward Akemi and smiling a little bit, rather fondly. "What're you reading anyway? You've been at it for a while..." she said gently, sitting up a bit, propping herself up on her elbows as well, and stifling a little yawn. It wasn't even bit late, she guessed, but she never argued sleep; she was always tired after track & field anyway. Her mother sometimes insisted she was pushing herself too hard, but Momo insisted she wasn't pushing herself hard enough. And besides, when she did really well, Akemi cheered really loudly and smiled really widely, and that was enough of a reward.

The smaller girl marked her place, sliding in a receipt from the corner shop (where they'd earlier gotten Momo's magazine and a few bags of junk food for purposes of pigging out when Haruko got home and they'd watch a movie, their traditional Friday night family activity) between the pages of the novel and setting it aside, turning her head on her side to look at her cousin, careful of the mp3 cord that bound them, and offered her naturally calm expression, though it was softer and nearer to contentment than it tended to be in the outside world; often, Akemi's problem was that she simply though too much.

"'A Tale of Two Cities," Akemi said quietly, perfectly comfortable with breaking their silence, recognizing Momo's own need for speech from time to time; if she was being truthful with herself, Akemi needed it too. The silences and the conversations each had their own place in her heart and her life. "It's a long book, and sometimes the English confuses me. But I think I'm getting better." Really, English was one of her better subjects; Akemi was better with books and languages than she was with mathematics and science, and often had to get help from her aunt and cousin for the subjects.

The music in her ear played on softly, and Akemi was listening to it without thinking about it; she'd perfected that art quite some time ago. She noted the yawn with an small almost-smile, absent and reflexive; it always amazed her how Momo threw herself into her practices and meets. It was something she'd never tire of seeing, standing with Haruko in the stands and screaming at the top of her lungs. It was the loudest she ever was. The absolute loudest; such a contrast from her normal volume.

"Are you going to take a nap soon?" The dark haired teenager looked just a little amused, though more affectionate; in some ways Momoko was predictable. Or perhaps that was simply because she'd been living by her cousin's side for so many years.

"I was considering it.." Momoko admitted, somewhat sheepishly, as she manuvered herself up into a full sitting position, being careful of the cord between them as well. She wasn't really aware of the music much anymore, or what song it was (she couldn't put her finger on it; something that someone online had reccomended she download, if she recalled properly), and it was really just background noise. Music usually was that for her. Something to calm her and just..keep things casual. She had her specific tastes but over all, Momoko just loved music.

She listened to the comment about the book, and trouble with words, and nodded her head as she leaned forward a bit to look at the cover, scrunching up her face a little in disgust before leaning back again, on her palms now. "I can't do English. It just doesn't compute. You're lucky..I'm good with math and chemistry and all of that sort of thing but you've got literature on your side. I'm a little jealous." the violet haired girl sighed, shaking her head a bit and leaning her head back, closing her eyes as she spoke.

"I think I'd go crazy if I had to read something so long..and I think I'll go crazy if you force me to take that nap, too." she said, smirking a little in spite of herself, and opening one to gaze at Akemi. She was tired, but she wouldn't go down for sleep without a fight. After all, it was Friday, and Haruko would be home soon, and to Momoko's knowledge..she was /thinking/ of making curry, everyone's favorite.

Plus they had already gotten their junk food and movie for this evening. She wouldn't allow herself to rest yet. Sleeping also meant less time with Akemi. When she could help it, she avoided that, unless she ended up sick. They mostly got tired, went to bed and got up at the same time, something similar to clock work. Something she guessed came from years of being a 'team' of sorts. She didn't like sleeping when Akemi was left awake and alone.

"I wouldn't force you to sleep," Akemi said absently; and that was true. Honestly, she disliked the rare times when one of them was asleep and the other wasn't. It felt odd to be without Momoko, even if it was only a difference of awake or asleep. It felt wrong. Her fingers flicked over the cover of her book, as she sat up, lingering on the embossed title. "I can't do math or chemistry...I don't know if I'm jealous."

The girl paused, thoughtful; she tended to give everything heavy consideration, and this was no different. "You help me when I need help, so it's alright that I'm not good with them." It was perhaps a simple answer, but it was the answer that, to Mimi, made the most sense. Perfect sense. She tended to be logical in that simplistic way; things were as they were. Even if there were certain things she had trouble accepting. Her curse, the curse on her cousin...

Akemi shook that thought away, and offered up a gentle smile, half-amused. "It's getting late..." Her eyes were on their window, wide open to offer some much-needed cool air, and the starlit sky beyond it. Akemi's eyes were always on the sky; the sky, her books, or Momoko. "But it's so beautiful..."

And it was. The lighting in their room at the moment came from a lamp, and she sat up on her knees to reach to turn it off, flooding the room in night and causing the stars to become that much clearer. Then she sat back, leaning against Momoko's shoulder, continuing to watch the sky.

The green eyed girl smirked at this, exhaling gently and closing her own eyes more the moment;

lifting her arm and placing it around Akemi's shoulders softly. "You really like the stars, don't you?" she whispered, opening her emerald eyes once again, and gazing out of the window as well, quite impressed with the view. It really was a nice night, and the stars stood out brightly; the moon too. There was a cool breeze, and she was content with things.

They often found themselves doing things like this, sometimes in silence, and other times they'd talk as they did it; about a lot of things, about anything. They knew everything about each other ('almost everything', Momo corrected herself, 'she doesn't know /that/') and they told each other everything ('almost everything', it came again) as well, so they pretty much talked about whatever they desired. Sometimes they went outside and watched the sky, or they'd sit here like this, and sometimes Akemi would crawl up into Momo's bunk and shake her awake, if she couldn't sleep, and they'd watch from there until Momo was sure Akemi was asleep, and then she'd let herself go back to slumber as well.

Momo was just happy to be with Akemi, and to have her happy. They cloud gazed a lot during the day too, when they had free time together; Akemi usually reading as they did it, and Momoko lightly napping or listening to her mp3 player. It was just something they did together, among everything else. It calmed them both, and made them feel more relaxed, she guessed.

"It really is beautiful, too.." she continued, still whispering, and leaning her head against Akemi's a little as she spoke. "We can go outside, if you want. Up on the roof?"

Akemi didn't respond verbally, but nodded, carefully reaching up to remove the earpiece she'd been wearing; this would require more moving about than the mp3 player would be happy with. She took Momo's earpiece as well, and shut off the mp3 player, setting it on the bookshelf as she stood, straightening her dress. Akemi was more likely to wear dresses or skirts, lacy things and cute things and elegant things and simplistic things; it was simply how she dressed. She prefered whites and blues and pastels, and was more likely to wear loose, flowing things than tight things.

It wasn't that she was into fashion; Momoko was better with things of that nature. Akemi herself often went to thrift shops or just wore things Haruko had made her. Or she wore things Momoko had found; her cousin knew what Mimi liked, and had an eye for what would work. Shopping was often Akemi trying things on and Momoko yeaing or naying them. And she didn't mind; Momoko's choices were always sound.

She rarely considered how involved in her life Momoko was; or rather, it didn't occur to her to consider it. Momoko and her life were inseperable; everything she did, everything she was, in some way her cousin had impacted her. And really, she was used to that prescence beside her, used to turning to the side and seeing Momo smiling back at her and asking something or staying silent or just existing. It had always been that way since she'd been small. Momoko knew everything about her, every nuance and every thought; and Akemi knew her cousin.

And she relied on her more than she did anyone else, even Haruko.

Akemi walked to the window, looking out for a moment before she slipped over the side and onto the roof. They did this often enough that it was second nature.

Momoko followed behind without hesitation, lifting her legs up over the window sill and climbing out after cousin, and glancing up at the sky once she was out there; smiling a little and stretching her arms above her head as she sat down on the roof top, crossing her legs and leaning back a bit, on her palms once again. "I really like it out here. We're lucky to have our room where it is..you know mom would /kill/ us if she ever caught us up here, right?" she mused, glancing to the other girl, and smiling fondly at her.

She patted the spot next to her on the roof, motioning her to have a seat, before turning her face up to the sky again and exhaling gently. She always felt really little when they gazed at the sky like this, really; seeing all of that stuff up there, and having no idea how long any of it went on for..just the idea of that made her feel so tiny. It made her realize how small and stupid the little things were; the whole Sohma family, the curse, her father, Akemi's parents. They were all stupid and minature things on the big scale of things. Sky gazing let her see things that way, allowed her to consider the big picture. Who cared about that when there was such a big world out there? She knew she didn't. The only person or place that made a difference to Momo in such a big world was, naturally, Akemi.

Akemi sat next to Momoko, legs demurely to the side, her hand entwining with her cousin's absently, the other going out to support her as she leaned back just a little, face tilted to the sky. Her lips curved into a small smile at the mention of her aunt, and she glance back to Momo. "Yes...but we've yet to be caught." Her smile brightened just a little, and she turned her affectionate gaze from her cousin to the sky, her eyes filled with wonder, as they always were when she looked upwards.

To her, the sky was constant. For a long time, it'd been the only constant in her life (before Momoko, before Haruko). No matter what happened, no matter where she was--she could look up and there it was. The clouds, the stars, the sun, the moon. Certaintly, the constellations changed as the seasons came and went; the map of the sky was always different, always new. Sometimes the moon was bright and full, and others she could not see it at all.

But the sky was always there, and so were the moon and stars and sun, even if she could not always see them. And it was the same sky everyone else saw, cursed or not; it was the world stretching off into the unknown and the beauty of beyond and it was calming to her. It was her deepest self painted for all to see, and it was so much bigger than her, so much more than her.

Akemi had never thought much of herself--but when she looked at the sky she could beleive she meant something, if only because she could be witness to such beauty.

But she did mean something, didn't she? To Momoko, to Haruko.

And that was in and of itself the most important thing.

The older girl smiled fondly, squeezing her cousin's hand gently in her own as the other girl took it; entwining their fingers together, and turning her head to smile at her before turning back to the sky as well. She was really relaxing now, and it wasn't helping her sleepy mood any; she figured if she could go right to sleep at that moment, if she really tried to. She didn't want to, though. The sky, and Akemi, were too beautiful to stop observing, and the fresh air and breeze up on the roof were too nice to give up so quickly, so she simply settled for closing her eyes and resting against Akemi as they sat together; cuddling up to her a little and yawning once again.

"Only because we climb up here while she's at work or in bed..but the day she does catch us, that'll be the end of it. Because she'll say so, and we'll agree..because I know you hate to worry her, as much as I do. More worry is the last thing mom needs on her plate right now..don't you think?" Momo murmured softly, barely above a whisper, feeling drowsy as she spoke. "It's okay for now..because she doesn't know..so she won't worry..but we can't get caught.." she continued, smiling gently. "I like it up here with you, I don't want it to be taken away from us..so let's not get caught, okay?"

"I never want to get caught, either," Akemi didn't move as Momo cuddled up against her, but smiled slightly at the groggy tone to Momoko's voice. It was a warm feeling, to know that she was fighting sleep. For her...or Akemi thought it was for her. Maybe for Haruko, or the movie, or just the pure stubborn nature that was in Momoko's heart, but Akemi thought that it was the knowledge that Akemi was terrified of being alone. Hated it. Even if it was only for the short space of sleep...

"It's our secret place," The younger girl decided, smiling down at Momo. "This is the place that is just us. So, I won't ever do anything...that would cause us to lose this place. These stars."

Akemi turned her gaze once more to the skies. "...Momoko?"

"I don't want to lose our stars either, Mimi-chan.." Momo muttered, not opening her eyes as she answered, just content to stay relaxed and cuddled against Akemi, and slowly slipping off into sleep as the seconds and minutes passed by them. The practices lately really tired her out. She'd been running a lot more, trying to go faster, get better. She had started running in the morning, sometimes, before they left for school; just to the store and back. She bought breakfast for herself and Akemi at the corner store, if Haruko was asleep, after working backshift at night. In addition to pushing her regular meets harder, she had developed somewhat of a feud with one of the other zodiac members, Shina, and that had fueled her desire to improve as well; to show that 'goddamn alley cat' who was boss.

She heard the other girl say her name, and nuzzled at her a bit, yawning again. "Mm, yeah?" she answered, still not opening her eyes, and still feeling tired. She knew if she sat up, she'd probably have a better chance of staying awake, but it was just too comfortable sitting like this, and being like this with Akemi. It wasn't a rarity, they had affection for each other by the bucket load, but to be alone together, in their 'secret' place (as Akemi had dubbed it) was somewhat more rare, and Momoko really treasured it.

"..." Akemi's expression went from contemplative to affectionately resigned, looking at Momoko. She considered, only for a moment, saying what was on her mind; breaking the comfort and speaking once more about their family; the cursed ones. The one topic they avoided whenever they could. She considered pouring out her worries, the feeling that everything could not stay as it was; that this peace, with Haruko and Momoko and Akemi could not last. That something would happen. Something...

But her cousin's face was so peaceful, so perfectly calm beneath the beautiful night sky, and she couldn't find it in her to ruin that. Momoko pushed herself so hard; she deserved these few moments of rest. She deserved the quiet. So Akemi looked back to the sky and sighed, closing her eyes for a moment. "We should go inside. Aunt Haruko will be getting home soon." And Momoko was falling asleep; at the very least they could go in and take a nap on one of their beds. Akemi didn't want to think what would happen if Momoko fell asleep on the roof.

"Okay..I guess.." Momoko agreed, sighing gently and straightening up somewhat; opening her emerald eyes and blinking them a little as she glanced at Akemi and smiled weakly, leaning over to brush her lips against her cheek. "You want to lay down for a little while when we go inside? I think..I'm more exhausted than I'm willing to admit.." she muttered, chuckling a bit as she pulled back and looked up to the sky, studying the stars there momentarily before speaking again.

"We'll be able to see that from my bunk, too. Same as always." she told her, nodding a bit in confirmation, as she straightened back up into her full sitting position; legs still crossed, and her fingers still entwined with Akemi's, her thumb absently stroking the top of her hand as they sat there and looked up at the sky above them. The big deal, the infinite universe that always made her feel so damn tiny and insignificant. She didn't like thinking about the size of those stars and the universe surrounding them any more than she liked to think about the cursed ones and the rest of their family.

In reality, Momoko had been thinking about them more than she'd like lately. Her mother had seemed worried and irritated all week, and kept warning Momo that if she tired herself out any worse, she'd end up transforming, and Momo was pretty sure her entire mood that week had something to do with the head of the family and the cursed ones; it usually did when Haruko got like that. She didn't ask her mother though, simply out of respect. She let things be. But really, it had gotten her pretty worried to, wondering just what was going on right then at the main house, and with the family head..although, honestly, she found she /didn't/ want to know. And she certainly didn't want to discuss it with Akemi, and worry her over things. It was better this way, just quiet and mundane.

Akemi smiled, pushing away the other thoughts. Reality, for the moment, didn't have to be thought of. For now it would just be her and Momo and Aunt Haruko. A happy little family of three, no curses or family head or anything at all to worry over. Because right now, she didn't think she could handle it. She placed so much in this family over hers, the one she'd made with her cousin and aunt. She didn't want to think of reality, but rather this soft dream. She didn't want to think of Aunt Haruka's increasing worry and her own ominous feelings. She didn't want to think that something would break this.

For a moment, Akemi leaned in, hugging her cousin suddenly at the thought of everything breaking, clinging. She did this from time to time. She was always touching Momo somehow, always wanting reassurance, but this was something beyond that. It was a way to force her fears away because Momo was still here, and with Momo and Haruko, even if everything did break...they'd be able to build it back up. Wouldn't they?

She found her heart wanted to cry, but instead pulled back, the citrusy scent of Momo's shampoo still wrapped about her, her face blank as it tended to be. Then she smiled a little, startled at her own emotions. Akemi stood, still holding Momo's hand. "Let's go sleep, then. Aunt Haruko will wake us up."

Momoko smiled up at her, and nodding firmly, using the younger girl as a hand up from her seat on the roof; lightly dusting her behind off a little. Unlike her cousin's taste in clothing, Momo's was quite different; she prefered tight fitting clothes, or really bag clothes, depending upon the look she was going for. She wore a lot of cargo pants and jeans and things like that, usually with a tanktop or a tee shirt. Nothing too fancy, just right for her personal style, darker or neutral colors, and usually customized with a braclet or two to match, if she desired to put forth the effort. And in the same way that the frills and pastels suited and complimented Akemi, Momo's own clothing choices and colors seemed to compliment her quite well also. They were really opposites, in a lot of way, and somehow they made them just that much closer; opposites attracted, she supposed.

"I'm sure she will..but I gotta get at least a few minutes of sleep, I'm beat." she murmured softly, smiling sheepishly as she made her way back to their bedroom window; climbing into it slowly, a bit wobbly on her feet from being so drowsy, and she helped Akemi in after her, still holding her hand and gentle with her. "I'll end up transforming at this rate..like mom keeps saying.." the dark haired girl admitted, sighing a bit to herself and giving her head a shake.

She walked them over to their bunk beds, releasing Akemi's hand at last, and climbing up onto the top, where she slept; flopping down there and rolling over to face her cousin, patting the spot in her bed beside her gently. "You're going to sleep too, right?"

Akemi let her cousin help her through the window, thinking absently that Momo was always the gentleman, which made her smile a little bit, and then walking to the bed, looking up. "I like your form. It's cute." She'd said this the first time she'd seen Momo transform; after flailing about and trying to get some water. It was one of the few times she'd lost her composure. She carefully climbed up the ladder, settling in beside Momo, on top of the covers--it was too hot for that. She slept on the bottom bunk half of the time, but a good deal of the time she'd climb up to sleep with Momo. She liked being able to see her cousin.

She smiled, not needing to answer the question as she snuggled into the pillow, her eyes level with Momo's. Momo threw an arm over her and they shifted for a few moments until they were both comfortable. Momoko was asleep within seconds, and though this didn't surprise Akemi she felt just the smallest bit lonely. But more than that, she felt the way she always did around Momoko; safe, warm, and affectionate. Sometimes she would watch Momoko when she slept. Never long, because she didn't like the lonely feel of it, but sometimes...

Her cousin had so many expressions even when sleeping. It fascinated her. Always had. Akemi smoothed Momoko's bangs from her face and placed a soft kiss upon her forehead, before snuggling into Momo's shoulder, her own eyes closing quickly. This was home.