Chapter 36: Power Play {Part I}

“What do you want?”

“You.”

Putting down the paintbrush in her hand, Mao gave a small smile and bit her lip. She inspected the work she's done; Yuki's lion mask needed a few retouches. A slight playful scuffle with the koala had led to a smashed lion nose. Only in their world could a koala defeat a lion, much to Yuki's dismay.

She, on the other hand, does like a world with pleasant surprises.

Another smile was threatening to bloom on her lips as the thoughts replayed in her mind. She shook her head at herself, took a deep breath and then expelled it with the smile fixed on her.

It was no use.

She didn't think she'd be able to feel this again. This kind of... Giddiness was the only word that comes to mind. The tiny flutters in her vein, the uncontrollable smiles...

It was so foreign. Like something from another life...

Her smile wavered a bit.

It did feel like that. It was exactly like that.

No...

Not exactly... It was a bit different this time.

It was... It was theirs.

Something no one can touch. Something she won't allow anyone to touch. Not even...

And it was something she thought she'd have trouble coming to terms with. But then... She let another smile out. This time she didn't bother to stop it.

Theirs.

Just theirs.

A new beginning for both of them...

She knows they still have a lot to talk about. Knows that it's never going to be easy. Knows that things are more complicated than it feels right now. But she had pushed all those thoughts to the back of her mind. Because she just wants to bask right now; bask in this thing that she found for herself.

That they found for themselves...

And if it makes her feel like everything will be okay...

Then why not let it?

If it gives her-

She turned towards the sound of the door opening. Pi stepped in and paused, balancing a couple of animal costumes on his left arm. He kept his eyes locked on hers and seemed to relax a hair when he saw the way she was looking at him.

Like he being here was all that matters.

And he honestly still can't believe it...

But here she was...

Today was the first time they've come this close with each other again. One day still seemed  too long. There was so much to say... So much to think about... But he forgets all that in an instant every time he gets to see her. Even just a glimpse.  And right now, she was just within reach...

It was taking everything in him not to just walk up to her, pull her close and just drink her in. To be sure that this was all real.

That she really was seeing him...

But at the same time, all he wanted was to just be. Just be with her like this. Enjoy her presence. Her smiles. Her gazes.

Her...

The things she makes him feel...

He's never felt this rush. Never felt this contentment.

He never had the chance and never gave himself a chance.

But now...

"Hey."

The hint of shyness, of breathlessness in that one word... The way she was biting her lip. He's never seen her lovelier.

And it took a while for him to get his brain to work again.

"Hey." He finally managed to say.

She stood up and walked to the front of the desk as his feet took him to her. They stood there, gazes still locked. He can't help but take her all in again. She had a certain glow about her...

Was it because of him...?

Before, he'd never think to hope for it. But now he can't help it... She just makes him yearn for more...

She was still worrying her lower lip, trying to stop her shy smile from showing. And he started fixating on it without even realizing it. He'd never dreamed to be able to get such a reaction from her. And he'd like to see it. Again and again. Reminding himself to make it his life goal.

He couldn't look away. Her lips all red and sweet. He could almost taste her again...

Can he kiss her right now?

The alluring blush on her cheeks caught his attention. His eyes snapped to hers. And he realized the question must have been written all over his face. But what left him staring again was the way her too wide eyes were looking at him.

Yes.

That was her answer

His heart was pounding its hardest to date. He swallowed hard. But suddenly, a nervous giggle came from her. He looked at her questioningly.

"I'm sorry. I was just thinking how it feels like I'm almost flying right now and then that thought had me thinking when I started being so cheesy and then I see you and oh god, I should stop talking." She had her palms pressed against her crimson cheeks.

The smile was in his eyes as he looked at her. She's never seen such contentment in him. Her hands slowly slid down and a small smile graced her lips.

"What have you got there?" She then asked, pointing to the load in his arms. She decided a change of topic will be a great distraction from her flailing.

"Ami said she was going for a nap and suddenly dumped this on me when I passed by the classroom." He explained, indicating to a spiked beanie. He then held up a pair of koala ears next. "And this little guy is swearing off eucalyptus forever."

"His words, not mine." He added.

"What? Akira? Why? What happened? But he loved being a koala!"

Pi raised a skeptical brow. "Probably because he never really knew the truth about what koalas eat."

The innocent look on her face wasn't fooling him; adorable as it was... Wait, he musn't get distracted. Ah, but it was a losing battle when it comes to her, wasn't it? That look suddenly turned suspicious. Focused on him.

"What did you do?"

"I was just surprised he was a koala, knowing his aversion to anything that looks like vegetables." He had met Akira walking down the hall and unwittingly pointed out that he was surprised he's finally gotten over his fear of vegetables. He normally wouldn't be saying anything but he was in a good mood. Something he hasn't had in a while. Who can blame him?

But it had made the koala very curious.

"How should I know you told him eucalyptus was candy?" He said when she narrowed her eyes at him.

"It wasn't my idea. Mei Jie just thinks he looks so cute with those ears!"

He gave a little smirk.

"Okay, okay. It was our idea," she muttered. As evidenced by the number of photos she had of Akira the Koala in her phone.

"Can't believe what they teach kids these days," he mused, slightly teasing.

"We were going to tell him the truth in the end. After the program. Why did you have to pick today to be really friendly?" She almost grumbled.

Pi cleared his throat and pursed his lips, looking slightly embarrassed. "Who put me in a good mood?"

Mao's eyes snapped up to him, blinking. He was starting to sweat as she continued to stare at him. And then an impish look slowly appeared on her face; her eyes twinkling.

"I put you in a good mood, huh?" Her lips curling in a cute way.

No, he wasn't blushing.

"I make you feel like flying, huh?" Thank god his wits are still there. He liked it better when she was the one blushing. His lips quirked at her though with a softness that he wasn't fighting any longer.

"Shut up." She pouted.

Her lips had his attention again.

Can he kiss her now?

He quickly averted his too focused gaze on her lips when she suddenly looked up.

"You owe me a koala."

"Um, no, I don't."

"Yeah, you do," she insisted, grabbing the koala ears from him. She looked at it then back to him, suddenly struck by inspiration. Before he could protest, she had stood on tiptoe and had jammed the koala ears on him.

And to add insult to injury, she was now laughing heartily at him with the pointing. It didn't make him want to kiss her any less. What is it with kissing her?

He watched her flushed face as she continued to check how he looks.

Oh. Yeah, now, he knows.

"Hmm," she feigned concentration, fighting the urge to get her phone and take a souvenir image. She didn't think he was ready for that just yet. Her eyes then fell on Ami's hedgehog beanie. She pulled it out of his arm.

"On second thought, maybe a hedgehog suits you better." She pulled the koala ears out and replaced the beanie with it, pulling on the strings at the side, keeping it straight. Giving a nod in satisfaction; she was right.

The shadow of a smile was playing on his lips as he looked down at her, still fussing over the beanie. He wasn't really protesting much; he was quite enjoying the attention as well as the natural ease they had with each other. If it makes her light up like this...

"A hedgehog," he then said, incredulous.

"Yes. Sometimes prickly but really just a big softie inside," she grinned up at him.

He pursed his lips, looking like he disagrees. "So. I'm a tortoise, a koala, and now, a hedgehog. Maybe you should make up your mind?"

Truth be told, he'll be whatever she wants him to be.

"Grumpy. You forgot Grumpy," she said in the most serious of tone.

The side of his lips lifted.

"Two can play this game, Mopey."

Her mouth dropped open. "Fine. Let's see how many you can come up with."

"Mopey."

"You've already said that."

"And you're..." His voice suddenly trailed off; an indescribable look in his eyes.

"I'm what?" she challenged.

"You're... Mao," he said softly. "Just Mao."

She couldn't look away. Not that she wanted to. It was the first time he's said her name and the way it made her heart skip... It was ridiculous she knows. But she doesn't mind... Her eyes softened at him.

"I like that..." She bit her lip coyly.

Everything had felt so natural between the two of them and they fell into it so easily that the growing tension was forgotten for a while. But that tension all comes out just as naturally as their banter.

It feels so right.

"Yeah..." He gave a swallow. "Me too..."

She lowered her eyes and they fell on the strings of the beanie. Realizing just now how close they had been standing to each other. She slowly reached out and wound one of the strings twice around her index finger. Pi seemed to be holding his breath.

"Um, we're calling for pizza for lunch," she started.

"Pizza. Good." His inner caveman chose this moment to come out.

If she noticed that, she chose not to acknowledge it. "Yeah. The kids are all so excited. They'd be too rowdy. Mei Jie said we can let the volunteers handle them. You know, it builds character and stuff."

She gave a shrug and a small grin, looking up at him. He gave a nod this time. He wouldn't want to be answering with "Stuff. Good." He waited for her to continue. His anticipation rising.

"Mei Jie will be going out with Lun Ge... H-How would you like to have a slice with me up on the roof? With a couple of juiceboxes maybe?" She looked so unsure; as if there was the possibility of him refusing her.

She should know by now...

"Grape juice?" He supplied.

She nodded enthusiastically at that, her eyes shining. He looked on; awestruck. All his life... No one's looked that happy just at the thought of spending time with him... God, she has no idea what she does to him...

"It's a date then!"

His eyes almost bulged out at that. She suddenly realized what she just said and covered her mouth with a hand, looking up at him tentatively. Seeing her reaction, he could have kicked himself. What was his problem? A grown man reacting so sensitively to just a word.

But it's not just a word when it comes to her...

"It's a date," he quickly answered, clearing his throat and gauging her reaction.

She smiled, her eyes crinkling at the sides. He has a soft spot for her crinkly smiles; wondering suddenly when he had a record of her different smiles stored in his mind.

"Don't look like that," she suddenly said.

"Like what?"

"All shy and all."

"I'm not."

"Stop it."

"You're the one blushing."

"That's because you are."

"Not."

"You've gone on dates before."

"If you can count ending up in hotels as dates."

And just like that every good feeling about the moment was sucked dry. Mao looked away instantly, her eyes clouding slightly. It shouldn't come as a shock that he's had his women before but... Well, she's never really given it a lot of thought. And she didn't want to hear about it. The feeling of slight... jealousy came out of nowhere. Oh, god. She's really in deep.

Pi was hoping she'd meet his eyes. The desire to kick himself was there. What was he thinking? He's never had to deal with this kind of word vomit before. "Stuff. Good." was looking pretty sleek right now. Could she be changing her mind? What was that look he saw before she looked away? Could she be...?

No, this is a classic crash and burn. Total disaster.

She finally looked up at him again and was chuckling softly when she saw his expression.

It was good. All good. He can breathe now.

"We're a right pair, aren't we?" She said, peeking up at him.

"Yeah... We really are..." He looked down at her hand, finger still wrapped around the beanie string. It was such a representation of what they had right now.

She has him wrapped around her finger.

And it wasn't so bad.

Not at all.

"You were right though."

She raised her eyebrows in question.

"I suck."

Her lips twitched for a bit before she burst into laughter. It was the sweetest sound.

"For a grumpy someone, you sure can make me laugh," she giggled.

"So I don't suck now?" He perked up.

She tilted her head to the side. "Under probation."

He gave a self-deprecating smirk. She then placed her other hand on his right shoulder, suddenly remembering what had made her angry enough to say that.

"You're taking your meds, right? Maybe you should really take a break, what do you say?"

"You're sending me away?"

"You pout?"

"No, I don't." His voice extra manly as she started giggling again.

"Mao Mao Chong! How's Yuki's costu-"

"Jie!" She suddenly pulled her hands away. The beanie was yanked down over Pi's eyes. She whispered her apology and unraveled the string, taking a step back. She wished Mei Jie would stop looking at them like that. Pi had pushed the beanie up and turned towards the door.

The awkwardness was not going away. Mei Jie kept looking back and forth between the two of them. She, on the other hand, couldn't look her in the eye.

"Oh!" Mei Jie suddenly exclaimed, a little too loudly, making all of them jump. "You've found us a hedgehog!"

Pi slowly turned his gaze back to her.

She gave a shrug in answer, an unsure grin on her lips.

**

She tried not to look too amused. Tried not to laugh too hard. She did. Really. But she was failing so hard.

Ami was having one of her power naps. That translates to impossible to wake up. Which means, in order to be able to continue their practice, they needed a stand-in for their hedgehog. And who better to do it? Mei Jie found the perfect candidate.

She'd like to think it was all thanks to her, too.

The koala situation has also been smoothed out. Extra two slices of pizza with extra pepperoni was the solution to Akira' unwillingness.

The jungle was complete.

And so, here she was, treated to a scene where Yuki the Lion was once again berating Pi the Hedgehog for forgetting his lines and his blocking. Pi had a bemused smirk on his lips as he looked down at the pissed off king of their weird jungle. He's probably messing up on purpose at this point. He then caught her eye. She didn't miss the slight arching of his brow. Probably because she looks like she was about to drop from trying to contain her laughter.

She then noticed Mei Jie coming towards her. The look she shot her before they left to come here was clear. She owes her a story. Big time. Seems like she decided she couldn't wait.

"I have half a mind to cancel my lunch with Lun. But he's been looking forward to going out after being cooped up in the house," Mei Jie started, after dropping down on the seat beside her. Lun Ge had asked to be let out of the hospital just last night. He was already okay, he had insisted. Their lunch was a go due to his excessive whining as her jie put it. "What was that with you and Pi?"

"What was what?" Playing dumb was all she had.

"You know, the little fact that you guys were almost standing chest to chest."

"We were not!"

"Okay, but it was pretty close and with the hands. And the beanie. And just what is going on?"

"Didn't I tell you he was shot? I was just, you know, making sure he was alright." She winced inwardly. She was not getting away with anything.

"Uh-huh." Mei's eyebrows had disappeared up her hairline. "And you normally get handsy with your guards and check their temperature?"

"No handsiness occurred, okay?"

"Not from what I saw."

Mao pursed her lips. Not as if anything she says right now will be of any use. But she still had to try. She opened her mouth once more but Yuki's exasperated protest stopped her.

"What are you doing here?"

They both looked towards the door and there stood Jun, leaning against the door frame, looking amused. Had he been there long?

"Always could count on you to make me feel welcomed around here."

He stepped into the classroom, nodding to Mei in greeting, then turned his eyes on Mao who was slowly standing up. But he could still see Yamashita in his periphery. Looking quite at home around Mao and her favorite people in the world. It was what greeted him the minute he stood in front of the door, before his number one fan announced his presence.

Something felt wrong with the picture.

"What brings you here today?" Mao asked as she stopped in front of him. Not before she shot a furtive glance towards Pi. Jun had a sort of quizzical frown between his brow. No doubt curious as to why one of her guards was practicing with them.

"Yeah, go away." Yuki. He stepped up beside Mao, sticking his nose up at Jun.

"He likes me," Jun said, reaching out to ruffle Yuki's hair.

"Whoa! Hey!"

"You did say I can come and watch the program," he then said, looking around, ignoring Yuki's glare. The kids had scattered around the room now. Either playing, lying around or watching over their two pets. His eyes fell on Yamashita again, being pulled by a kid with koala ears towards the window ledge.

"Well, as you can see, we are not ready," Mao gestured around the room endearingly. Jun's eyes fell on an elephant picking his nose.

"And I'm inviting you and Mei Jie out to lunch," he smiled at her.

Something flashed in her eyes. She wasn't exactly ecstatic.

"We're having pizza today so they both can't-"

Mei suddenly appeared behind him and gently clamped a hand over Yuki's mouth. She smiled sweetly down at him.

"Yuki, can you make sure Akira won't try to petnap Meatball again?"

"But-"

"Please?"

They watched Yuki walking away, grumbling and shooting them annoyed looks. Mei turned back to the conversation.

"Actually... Lun and I have been looking for a chance to treat you guys as a thank you for really helping us out and-"

"Jie, that's really not necessary-"

"But we'll be thrilled," Jun interrupted, directing a soft smile at Mao. "It's not everyday I'd get a chance to get to know two of Mao's favorite people."

Mei gave a warm smile. "Lun will be by in a while."

"Great."

Jun noticed the slight distress in Mao. Was he overstepping right now? He was under the impression that everything was okay between them... She had quickly looked back for a second. Towards the window ledge. Where the pets were enjoying some attention. He gave a frown.

"Sensei, I don't think there should be any audience allowed just yet. It might distract everyone. So he should go," Yuki called out from across the room. He really isn't one to give up.

Mao met Jun's eyes at that, sharing an amused look at his persistence. Jun's eyes glinted with an idea.

"Then I'll just be part of the program. Problem solved."

"What?" Yuki was not happy.

Mao could only blink at him as he asked Mei for a costume.

**

"Can't say that wasn't fun," he commented, watching as he opened and closed his own panther claws. Yuki had wanted him to be the koala but Akira seems to be fond of the ears now. Mei found the extra costume buried under some that needed to be worked on.

"Of course it would be fun for you. You need to stop baiting Yuki," Mao reprimanded mildly as she straightened the costumes in a box. Needless to say, they'd seen better practice days.

Mei Jie had already taken the kids to wash up and get ready for their pizza. Jun grinned to himself at how easy it was to infuriate the kid. He gave a sideways glance to Yamashita straightening the tables and chairs, helped by a volunteer.

"Well, Yamashita was there too."

He didn't notice the slight pause Mao had made at the mention of her bodyguard.

"Right, Yamashita?"

The guard had given a polite bow at him, sparing a slight smirk. It felt a little forced though. Mao got his attention before he could think about it any further. Palm out, indicating he needed to let go of his claws. He gave a slight smile, holding it out for her to pull it from his hands. She gave him a look and a slight shake of her head, freeing him from his claws before he gets too attached to them.

He suddenly reached up her face and gently pulled out the strands of hair that had been lodged on the side of her lips. Their eyes met. She gave a small smile in thanks and turned back to the box.

"Wha-" Mao was startled when Jun's hand all of a sudden clasped over hers.

"Come on, you can leave that to them. Let's go take a walk before we go." He held onto her hand tighter, intertwining his fingers with hers and pulling her gently towards the door.

All the while failing to notice the look on Pi's face as they walked out.

**

He watched as the sedans pulled out, heading towards the gates. Leaving him bereft. There wasn't any chance for any communication between them. So he could only watch.

Watch as Matsumoto takes away his lunch date.

Watch as Matsumoto steals his... What? His girl?

His woman?

His Mao...?

And so easily too.

The insecurities, the frustrations were starting again. Could she really ever be his? Having watched her interactions with Matsumoto... Seen how he just goes ahead and touches her like it's second nature... Their hands linked together... Like they were exactly where they belonged...

The history between them so strong...

What they were to each other...

What they could always be...

The burning desire to know the truth that's happened between them slashed at him. He'd never felt so out of place. Never imagined he'd feel this helpless. Today, everything had been made glaringly clear.

Matsumoto will always be at the top. Looking down at him, no matter what. A panther to his mere hedgehog, he thought sardonically. This isn't his world. It was Matsumoto's. And as long as he and Mao are in it...

All he can really do is watch.

But Mao's eyes came back to him. Sending him a message. Telling him she's sorry about all this. She really wants to have her pizza with him. That she'll make it up to him.

Some of the weight was lifted.

His eyes were still on the gates. The sedans long gone.

So he'll watch.

Watch and wait for her to come back.

Wait for her to come back to him.