Takako and Himeno

[tonarinotakako]

Title: Takako and Himeno
Characters: Takako...and Himeno...
Summary: Takako runs into Himeno near the campsite and apologizes for the past; Himeno tries to put her at ease. COMPLETED

Takako smiled slightly as she heard cried of happiness from ahead. Apparently the younger Leafe Knights were happy to see Sasame again...*very* happy. She smiled

Comments

[himeno_neechan]

Himeno smiled when she noticed Takako's dreamy look "That's great!" she giggled "I haven't really seen the leafe knights much since....then...Only Hayate, really. I'm looking forward to spending a bit of time with them again. Do you see them much, now?" what a stupid question, she thought She won't have seen them at all.

[tonarinotakako]

Takako looked up briefly, then went back to staring at the ground. "No," she replied in a barely audible voice, "I've been staying in Leafenia since....I haven't really seen anyone but Sasame."

I can do this. I can do this. I can... "Himeno, I know this--doesn't mean much, and it probably doesn't help at all" Takako stammered, her eyes fixed on a tuft of grass a few inches in front of her feet, "but I'm...really sorry for everything that h-happened," tears started to well up in her eyes "and I hope--that someday--you'll forgive..."

I can't do this. I tried to kill her, her friends, her family, I tried to destroy the world, I'll never be able to face her... Takako blindly turned and started to walk quickly away.

[himeno_neechan]

Himeno didn't know what to do. She watched as Takako got further and further away from her. "Takako!" She cried and ran after her, not knowing what to say. She touched the girl's shoulder, "T-thank you, Takako," She stammered and smiled "it does mean a lot that you had the courage to say that. Of course I forgive you, let's just be friends from now on and forget what happened, okay?"

She saw that Takako's emerald eyes were shining with tears, "You can't let this haunt you all your life!" She laughed, "C'mon, dry your eyes and we'll go tell Sasame that we're both here." She fumbled around in her suitcase until she found a packet of tissues. "Here." she held one out to Takako.

[tonarinotakako]

Takako froze when she heard Himeno calling after her, expecting--she didn't know what. But what she hadn't expected was such an utterly generous offer of forgiveness. Glancing up through watery eyes at the younger girl, she tremulously took the offered tissue and then impulsively hugged Himeno.

She released the startled girl almost immediately, hiding her embarrassment by wiping her eyes. I really should stop doing things impulsively... Her voice trembling slightly, she said "thank you, Himeno," tucking the tear-dampened tissue in her breast pocket. She smiled tentatively at Himeno and took a couple of deep breaths. "Sorry to fall apart on you there...I'm trying, but I'm not sure I'll ever really get over what I did." She sighed, then smiled more broadly. "But I'm feeling better now, especially since you think you can forgive me. I think you're right, it's high time we told the Knights where we are

[himeno_neechan]

Himeno was stunned for a moment when Takako threw her arms around her but gradually a big grin came over her face. "Hehe, don't worry about it! It must be difficult to get over it, but let's, at least, forget it if you can do that."

They began walking towards the screaming of the kids, probably off playing games by now, Himeno thought. "Mawata's been great, she's much more sociable, now. And happy." she giggled, "You know, I think you might have done her a little bit of good! She's even trying to make new friends."

[tonarinotakako]

Takako looked up at the girl strolling behind her, a little startled. Done her good? She smiled tentatively. "I"m glad to hear that she's doing well. I know she was...very lonely" she offered.

She frowned at Himeno's large bag. After months of pretending to be Himeno's maid, trying to keep her from doing anything strenuous was almost second nature. "Himeno, why don't you go drop that bag off at the campsite? I'll find the others and bring them along; it's almost lunchtime anyway."

[himeno_neechan]

Himeno nodded "I'll meet up with you later!" She waved to Takako and headed away from the Knights' game of hide and seek, towards the campsite.