The Simple Truth (Jay)

[Maid Melody]

Ever since that night when Jack and Vicki had visited Tree-Top Town, Amaya had been more or less avoiding Okita.... True he was her best friend and had been as far back as she could remember but...that night had stirred up some thoughts and...feelings that Amy wasn't quite sure how to deal with. Etsuko certainly hadn't been helping with her constant badgering and gloating about how she was the same age as Amaya and on top of that had just found out she was pregnant....as if that couldn't possibly make Amaya feel worse than she already was....

Sighing, Amaya leaned against a nearby tree and relaxed, yeah...she was jealous...probably always had been but at the same time Amaya was happy for her brothers. Ugh, why did these things have to be so complicated anyway...it just...wasn't fair... Still, Amaya hadn't exactly had the time to pursue any relationship and whenever she tried...she always ended up comparing them to Okita and ruining the night for both of them.... Tears filled Amaya's eyes only to be quickly wiped away as she tried to push the thoughts away. This was stupid...she was being silly...just like Okita had said...then...all Amaya was doing was over thinking things yet again....that was all. Despite how many times she tried to talk herself out of the downward spiral she was quickly slipping into, there seemed to be nothing Amaya could do to stop it.

She....wanted to....needed to see Okita but....Amaya couldn't seem to bring herself to work up the strength to get up... What was wrong with her...she wasn't weak damnit...this was just...Amaya couldn't explain what this was but...it hurt... She felt alone...that was it...Amaya felt alone and now wondered if she would always be this way... Was there...was there really something wrong with her....?

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv181/SojiRem/okitasoji-1.png);][atrb=width, 505][atrb=height, 310][atrb=style,border:0 blue none,b,Table][scrolly:h(250),w(227),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:55px;margin-left:15px;color:#075307;)]Amy had been avoiding him. Amaya had been avoiding him of all people. What the heck had he done wrong? Okita frowned as he looked down at the dishes he was doing. It wasn't that he minded doing the work for his family, especially when he was the head of it as he saw it anyways. He was supposed to take care of them and do things when they needed it. No it was the fact that he couldn't figure out why his best friend had been purposefully avoiding him over the last few days that was irking him. He'd waved to her a couple times, but she simply kept by or sometimes even rushed by when she did see him. It was very...upsetting. Wonder if those outsiders I left her with said something to her while I was gone... he thought looking up out the window for a moment. They better not have... he mentally scowled before washing the dishes harder and causing his nails to scrape a little as he did so. Stopping upon realizing he could scratch a plate, the brown haired young man sighed. Maaaaaan and Nova just keeps prescribing more and more pills...ugh... he sighed remembering his last -though short- check up that had actually occurred after he'd rescued her from the brush. My lungs should be fine by now, ugh... Closing his eyes, Okita sighed a moment before opening them. Blinking, he stared a moment seeing Amy standing outside of his window on a different tree branch. Sliding the window open, Okita leaned over the sink. "Hey Amy!" he called. [/scrolly]

[Maid Melody]

[atrb=background,http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/elronia/VC%20Pics/ChizuruAmayaTable-1.png,bTable][atrb=style,border:0 lightpink none,b,Table][atrb=width, 498][atrb=height, 298][scrolly:h(206),w(280),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-right:96px;margin-left:8px;margin-top:64px;margin-bottom:2px; color: ecccf0;)]Amaya had been so distracted with her thoughts that she hadn't realized the tree she had been leaning against all this time was directly outside Okita's house. She had just...needed to get away from home and hadn't payed attention to where she was going. Hearing Okita's voice come seemingly from nowhere made her jump, nearly falling over as a result but Amaya recovered quickly enough. Pushing the depressing thoughts aside as best she could, Amaya forced a smile and waved weakly at Okita. His voice brought with it an odd mix of emotions that Amaya couldn't quite make sense of...on one hand she was relieved to hear him again...happy even...but on the other hand some part of her wanted to run and hide. You're being silly Amaya...she chided, Okita was her best friend and...running wasn't going to solve anything... If anything it had only made Amaya feel worse...at first avoiding Okita had seemed like a good solution but now that she saw him again... Feeling guilty, Amaya swallowed and looked away from the window as the depressing thoughts threatened to push her over the edge. No...she couldn't cry...not now...[/scrolly]

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv181/SojiRem/okitasoji-1.png);][atrb=width, 505][atrb=height, 310][atrb=style,border:0 blue none,b,Table][scrolly:h(250),w(227),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:55px;margin-left:15px;color:#075307;)]Chizuru's jump caused Okita to blink, yet after a moment, he sighed upon finding that she was alright. The smile and the wave were enough to cause him to smile again. Huh, maybe he was just imagining it or someth-...nah... something... was still wrong... "Ya wanna come in and help me with these dishes?" he called, not really needing the help but wanting to have some sort of excuse to have her come in and talk with him. [/scrolly]

[Maid Melody]

[atrb=background,http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/elronia/VC%20Pics/ChizuruAmayaTable-1.png,bTable][atrb=style,border:0 lightpink none,b,Table][atrb=width, 498][atrb=height, 298][scrolly:h(206),w(280),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-right:96px;margin-left:8px;margin-top:64px;margin-bottom:2px; color: ecccf0;)]Upon hearing Okita's question, Amaya looked up at him and gave an attempt at a smile before nodding. She still wasn't quite sure if this was a good idea but...anything was better than the depressing thoughts that kept coming back whenever she was alone. Perhaps that was why seeing the outsiders together had hit her so hard...Amaya was terrified of being alone...always had been and seeing them-... Well, that plus what Etsuko had said earlier that day.... Usually Amaya could just laugh it off and make some snide comment in return but...not today... Heading into Okita's house, Amaya tried to appear like her usual self but couldn't seem to find the strength to even smile. "What would you like me to do...?"she asked quietly as she approached the sink where Okita was still washing the dishes.[/scrolly]

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv181/SojiRem/okitasoji-1.png);][atrb=width, 505][atrb=height, 310][atrb=style,border:0 blue none,b,Table][scrolly:h(250),w(227),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:55px;margin-left:15px;color:#075307;)]Out of habit, Okita had leaned sideways and kicked the kitchen door sideways to let Chizuru come inside. The door swung open easy enough, and as it started to slowly swing inwards again, he went back to looking down at his dishes. "Eh, nothing big just drying them off," he said looking at her before offering a smile. "Ya doing ok?" he asked trying to make out whether he needed to completely stop and ask what was wrong or simply continue on there. [/scrolly]

[Maid Melody]

[atrb=background,http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/elronia/VC%20Pics/ChizuruAmayaTable-1.png,bTable][atrb=style,border:0 lightpink none,b,Table][atrb=width, 498][atrb=height, 298][scrolly:h(206),w(280),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-right:96px;margin-left:8px;margin-top:64px;margin-bottom:2px; color: ecccf0;)]Amaya nodded as Okita asked her to dry and picked up a nearby towel before beginning to do just that. She had just finished drying off a few of the dishes when she heard Okita's question and froze for an instant before continuing to dry. No...Amaya wasn't OK...hadn't been for a while and...no...she couldn't have Okita worry. Just because Etsuko happened to get to her that morning didn't mean anything...it was just another thing Amaya had to learn to deal with, that was all. "Yeah..."Amaya replied quietly after a moment, eyes focused on the dish that she was drying. She had been taking on more tasks around the village to try and get her mind off of what was bothering her but all that did was cause most all of her brothers to chide her for exhausting herself. It hadn't helped that she had been awake most of the night running errands here and there...Amaya was exhausted but then...at least it helped her stop thinking about the other night.[/scrolly]

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv181/SojiRem/okitasoji-1.png);][atrb=width, 505][atrb=height, 310][atrb=style,border:0 blue none,b,Table][scrolly:h(250),w(227),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:55px;margin-left:15px;color:#075307;)]She was lying. He was pretty sure she was lying, and green eyes remained focused on Amaya's face wondering what was wrong ever still. Frowning a little, he went back to focusing on washing or at least appeared to as his thoughts roamed. "Ya know you can tell me anything, Amy. It's not like I'll do anything 'nless you want it or something," he said meaning that he might start a fight if need be, of course. [/scrolly]

[Maid Melody]

[atrb=background,http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/elronia/VC%20Pics/ChizuruAmayaTable-1.png,bTable][atrb=style,border:0 lightpink none,b,Table][atrb=width, 498][atrb=height, 298][scrolly:h(206),w(280),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-right:96px;margin-left:8px;margin-top:64px;margin-bottom:2px; color: ecccf0;)]Okita's words cut Amaya like a knife and for a moment it was all she could do to keep from telling all right then and there. She had always been able to tell him everything before but this...this was different... Amaya couldn't explain it but it was just...harder somehow... Picking up the next dish, Amaya focused more on drying than on Okita...she couldn't even bring herself to look at him... What was wrong with her...this was Okita for crying out loud and he would never hurt her... "I know..."Amaya replied quietly, her voice a near whisper,"I just....I guess I'm just...tired..." Well, that was partially true at least but it wasn't the real reason she had been avoiding him. "Etsuko.......she....."

[/size]the words, only a quiet whisper, were out before Amaya could stop them. She hadn't intended to tell Okita about what Etsuko had said but then again, her words had never hit her so hard before either... Biting her lower lip as tears threatened to come, Amaya continued to dry the dishes, hoping that the simple task would help take her mind off of it.[/scrolly][/td][/tr][/table][/center]

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv181/SojiRem/okitasoji-1.png);][atrb=width, 505][atrb=height, 310][atrb=style,border:0 blue none,b,Table][scrolly:h(250),w(227),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:55px;margin-left:15px;color:#075307;)]Up until Amy broke off, Okita was silent. However, after that, he stopped and set one of the dishes down. "What'd she say? I'll go fix her if she made you upset," he said before folding his arms in front of himself. That was not something he tolerated. She was his best friend, and pretty much family to him. Even if he had no business with her sister in law, that didn't mean he couldn't make it his business pretty fast. [/scrolly]

[Maid Melody]

[atrb=background,http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/elronia/VC%20Pics/ChizuruAmayaTable-1.png,bTable][atrb=style,border:0 lightpink none,b,Table][atrb=width, 498][atrb=height, 298][scrolly:h(206),w(280),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-right:96px;margin-left:8px;margin-top:64px;margin-bottom:2px; color: ecccf0;)]Amaya shook her head at Okita's words and swallowed, fighting to maintain at least the appearance of calm. "It's fine.....I shouldn't let her get to me.....that's all....."Amaya replied quietly as she finished drying the last dish. With nothing to keep her hands and mind busy the tears came in earnest now despite her best efforts to keep them at bay. What Etsuko had said had stung to be sure....but it really wasn't that bad... "Okita I-..."

[/size]Amaya began before the tears choked her voice off completely. Gripping the towel that she had been using to dry the dishes tighter, Amaya tried desperately to regain control. Try as she might she just couldn't stop the tears from coming...[/scrolly][/td][/tr][/table][/center]

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv181/SojiRem/okitasoji-1.png);][atrb=width, 505][atrb=height, 310][atrb=style,border:0 blue none,b,Table][scrolly:h(250),w(227),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:55px;margin-left:15px;color:#075307;)]As Amy continued to falter and started to cry more. Okita flinched and turned around fully before taking both of her hands into his own. Frowning quietly at her, he released one hand and instead used that arm to draw her into a hug. "Amy...." he mumbled quietly. "Whatever she said, just forget about it, ok? It's alright..." he said quietly continuing to hug her close despite his wet hands. [/scrolly]

[Maid Melody]

[atrb=background,http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/elronia/VC%20Pics/ChizuruAmayaTable-1.png,bTable][atrb=style,border:0 lightpink none,b,Table][atrb=width, 498][atrb=height, 298][scrolly:h(206),w(280),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-right:96px;margin-left:8px;margin-top:64px;margin-bottom:2px; color: ecccf0;)]Amaya felt Okita take her hands, felt him draw her into a hug but couldn't bring herself to say anything. His quiet words did help...albeit slightly but Amaya was still unable to speak as the tears kept coming. Burying her face in Okita's shirt, Amaya more or less clung to him, shaking her head slightly as he spoke. It wasn't all right...how could anything be all right...but...Okita was here...she was in his arms...it felt...it felt right somehow... After a while the tears subsided, quieting into sniffles,"Sorry..."

[/size]Amaya finally replied quietly after a while, still unable to meet Okita's eyes. She was just causing him trouble and...that was the last thing she wanted...[/scrolly][/td][/tr][/table][/center]

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv181/SojiRem/okitasoji-1.png);][atrb=width, 505][atrb=height, 310][atrb=style,border:0 blue none,b,Table][scrolly:h(250),w(227),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:55px;margin-left:15px;color:#075307;)]Okita simply held Amy close. She was pretty much a sister to him, and as much as he wanted to flip Etsuko's table for making her own family this upset, he didn't want to just leave Amy there by herself either. As she finally stopped and apologized, he blinked before half smiling. "Nah, you can totally cry all over my shirt whenever," he laughed forcing a cheesy grin. "I just hate seeing ya this upset. Man if I had known..." he sighed a little and shook his head slowly. [/scrolly]

[Maid Melody]

[atrb=background,http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/elronia/VC%20Pics/ChizuruAmayaTable-1.png,bTable][atrb=style,border:0 lightpink none,b,Table][atrb=width, 498][atrb=height, 298][scrolly:h(206),w(280),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-right:96px;margin-left:8px;margin-top:64px;margin-bottom:2px; color: ecccf0;)]Amaya smiled slightly at Okita's words and managed a half laugh. That hadn't been what she'd meant but it was just like Okita to make a joke out of something serious....she'd missed that... His next words cut and Amaya couldn't help but flinch slightly...that...that had been her fault. She'd been foolishly avoiding him as if that would solve everything...it had only served to hurt her more and Okita... What had he thought the past few days... "Sorry..."Amaya repeated, feeling tears start to well up again,"I shouldn't have avoided you...like that... I just-..."she continued in an attempt to explain before tears threatened to cut off her voice again. Biting her bottom lip, Amaya cut off and shook her head, unable to speak for the time being.[/scrolly]

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv181/SojiRem/okitasoji-1.png);][atrb=width, 505][atrb=height, 310][atrb=style,border:0 blue none,b,Table][scrolly:h(250),w(227),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:55px;margin-left:15px;color:#075307;)]AJscjasbcliaj Okita frowned as Amy started crying once again. "Hey hey hey heeeey, it's ok," he said before setting his hands on her shoulders and looking at Am intently. "You're still my bestie," he smiled. "Don't stress so much. It's not like I'm going to avoid you just for some confusion or whatever," he continued smiling ever still. "Now stop your crying already..." he sighed before reaching a hand up and brushing a few tears away. [/scrolly]

[Maid Melody]

[atrb=background,http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/elronia/VC%20Pics/ChizuruAmayaTable-1.png,bTable][atrb=style,border:0 lightpink none,b,Table][atrb=width, 498][atrb=height, 298][scrolly:h(206),w(280),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-right:96px;margin-left:8px;margin-top:64px;margin-bottom:2px; color: ecccf0;)]Amaya heard Okita speak and found herself looking up at him with the same smile on his face that she had grown so accustomed to. His words soothed her more than Okita could have possibly realized and Amaya found herself smiling as he brushed away her tears. "Thanks...."Amaya whispered, smiling again. She was beginning to feel better already, but then Okita tended to have that impact on her. What little resolve Amaya still had to keep what had been going on to herself crumbled... Taking a deep breath, Amaya searched for the right words to approach the subject,Okita...do you think..."she began before frowning slightly and shaking her head,"....is there...something wrong with me...?"[/scrolly]

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv181/SojiRem/okitasoji-1.png);][atrb=width, 505][atrb=height, 310][atrb=style,border:0 blue none,b,Table][scrolly:h(250),w(227),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:55px;margin-left:15px;color:#075307;)]The brunette blinked a little surprised by the question. Turning his head to one side, he raised his eyebrow at Amy. "No? Why would you think that?" he asked. What would be wrong with her? Oh wait! Was she sick? Raising a hand, to Amy's forehead, Okita looked critical for a moment. "Well... you're not running a fever," he said after a moment. [/scrolly]

[Maid Melody]

[atrb=background,http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/elronia/VC%20Pics/ChizuruAmayaTable-1.png,bTable][atrb=style,border:0 lightpink none,b,Table][atrb=width, 498][atrb=height, 298][scrolly:h(206),w(280),sy,as(padding:4px;margin-right:96px;margin-left:8px;margin-top:64px;margin-bottom:2px; color: ecccf0;)]Amaya smiled slightly at Okita's answer and seemed to relax. That was good...if Okita didn't think there was anything wrong...it was all right... The question still haunted Amaya and she had the feeling that he'd misunderstood...or at least didn't understand what she was refering to. Feeling his hand on her forehead, Amaya couldn't help but laugh."I'm not sick silly,"she teased, smiling once again before her face fell as she thought about what Etsuko had said earlier that day. Perhaps the outsiders had struck more of a chord with her than Amaya had thought and Etsuko's comment had been the straw that broke the camel's back so to speak. Now that she thought about it...it seemed like the more logical explanation. "It's just that... Etsuko told me she's pregnant...imagine that..."Amaya began quietly, sighing before continuing once again,"I'm happy for my brother and told her congratulions... She made some snide remark about...about my age and-... I don't know... I can usually laugh it off or say something to shut her up but this time...it hurt..."she explained before folding her arms across her chest and more or less hugging herself. Looking away from Okita, Amaya closed her eyes and took a deep breath before continuing,"All my brothers are married...and...seeing those outsiders... I guess it struck a deeper chord than I realized.... I don't know...I guess it made me wonder if there was something wrong with me..."she said in a quiet voice before biting her bottom lip to try and keep the depressing thoughts that had haunted her earlier at bay.[/scrolly]

[Jay]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv181/SojiRem/okitasoji-1.png);][atrb=width, 505][atrb=height, 310][atrb=style,border:0 blue none,b,Table][scrolly:h(250),w(227),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:55px;margin-left:15px;color:#075307;)]As Amy explained what was wrong, Okita blinked and stared for a moment. She was jealous of her sister in law? For being married and having a child at... a younger age or rather the same age? Frowning a little before shaking his head, Okita suddenly smirked as a different thought all together came to mind. "So ya want to get married then?" he asked looking at her with a surprisingly devious expression. "We could get married then! It'd be one giant sleepover and we'd have a lot of fun..." he said exitending his index finger up in the air and smiling more and more. [/scrolly]