My Head Is A Jungle [Mariko/Shouhei]

She flexed her claws, and they receded. Looking at him, her eyes softened. This must be painful for him, she realized. She'd been so focused on her own concerns - still was really - that she hadn't thought about how this must feel for him. And yet he was still offering her a bed and shelter. And'd she'd repaid that kindness by shoving him. "I'm sorry. It's just so much. I don't know what to do. I don't know who I am."

"I'm not going to take your bed. I could never find rest on something so soft anyway. I'll stay out here." she patted the clothes pile she was on. She tried for a smile, though it didn't reflect her true feelings. What she had said was true enough though. She'd feel much too pampered on a soft bed. She'd done most of her sleeping in small tight or unfurnished places in the past year. A moment later she finally added, "{Did I hurt you...?}"

“...{You’d never hurt me.  You’re the last person I’d expect it from},” with a wistful smile Shouhei shook his head.  “Besides, I know who you are, Mariko Matsuda.  You’re everything good in my life, and I’m happy that you’re back in it.  And if ya don’t use my bed, you’re gonna wake up in it anyway, and I’m still gonna be on this couch.”

His admission of trust in her hurt. She couldn't tell him how close she'd come to actually killing him. It was only her confusion over these twisting feelings and memories that held her back. And in the end, that curiosity, that desire to know more had won out. And here she was, in his life somewhat permanently, it would seem. Atleast for the time being. She'd have to deal with that expecting gaze, that stubborn altruism...

Something flared in her then, as she looked at him, saw the way he looked at her, saw the place around, so lived in and clearly his. She wanted a place to call her own. She wanted it more than anything in this moment. He seemed so content while she was only confused and hurting. She looked toward his bed for a long moment before responding. "Alright." She said finally, a small smile spreading. "I'll take it, then." She said, and stood up, striding forward into the bedroom. She looked around. It was messy, as one might expect...but in time she could make it hers, she thought.

Wait, make it hers? Where had that thought come from? This dorm was Shouhei's and she was a guest. She couldn't just claim it. But then again, he seemed willing enough and it was a decent beginning. She finished off her second beer and set the bottle down on something. A second later as she walked toward the bed, her tail knocked that same bottle over again while swaying behind her. She sat on the bed, bouncing a little. How could someone sleep with something so soft underneath them?

Shouhei silently watched as Mariko entered his bedroom, clumsily knocked over her beer bottle with her serpentine tail, and sat on his bed.  He could feel his chest tighten and his eyes start to water a little.  Mariko was alive, was back in his life, was sleeping on his bed.  He couldn’t ask for anything else.

“...So what’re your plans, Mariko?” Shouhei asked from across the room.  “If ya ain’t gonna attend the Academy, what then?”

Mariko bounced a little on the bed, marveling at it's bouncy soft-ness, before realizing that Shouhei was watching her, but not approaching. She felt a little self conscious then, and shook her head. "If I had any plans at all, I'd be doing something about them, Shouhei. For now...I think I just want to rest. Is that okay?" It wasn't sarcastic, she was legitimately asking. She knew it had been a very long time since he'd seen her. He thought she was dead, and if he wanted to stay up and talk about anything (what, she couldn't possibly say), then she would do it. It was the least she could do for him allowing her to stay here.

But she was very tired.

“...Take your time {darlin’}.  Sleep easy.”  For you, I’ve got all the time in the world.  With that Shouhei slumped into his couch, his own body feeling extremely weary.  Tonight was something else.  He thought of future plans, places he could take her, food to share with her, making up for time lost together.

Those thoughts lead to a peaceful sleep.

Mariko Laid back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. It was...quiet. And for the first time in a very long time she didn't really need to sleep with one eye open. Atleast, not that she knew of. Even as she lay awake her mind tossed and turned, like a ship tossed by unfriendly waters. She couldn't decide if she really wanted to be here or not. She'd spent so long doing whatever came next, not lending much thought to what she should do, or wanted to do. Now, it seemed, she had a new beginning and hardly anything to point her forward. Nothing, save Shouhei.

She wasn't sure how long had passed since she'd said she wanted to rest, but as she moved quietly to the door frame a peered out, she saw him there, curled up and sleeping. A dopey smile on his face. He was probably dreaming about her, the silly boy. It was a strangely flattering thought. She stepped out into the living area, knelt down and curled up on the pile of clothes she'd been sitting on before, curled up with her tail around her, and watched Shouhei sleep until her weariness eventually took her.

[Exit]