The Sohma Litters *a Traditions Sequel*

Chapter Three: Gotcha Tori-san!!

Ayame\'s POV

\"Tori, where did all this junk come from?\" He was looking my way once again. I sometimes say things just to get him to turn and look at me. He looks bewildered. I like that look on my Tori-san.
\"What junk, Aya-koi? You can\'t mean those slides and specimens.\" Tori was gesturing blandly at the scattered glass plates and jars on my table.
\"Tori, in case you are forgetting that I always feed Mizuki, at this table, at 6:00, and I won\'t feed him at the same table with these things.\" I gestured at the display before me one more time before turning and heading for the kitchen and the dinner I had planned for the baby. \"And then you always take me out to eat after we talk Kisa into coming over and babysitting.\" It was my routine and I would not stand for it to be interupted. I had plans for my dragon tonight and they required that the man be well fed and comfortable, not staring at the tiny things that those slides represented until he gave himself a headache.

Hatori was pulling the soft blue blanket over Zuki as the child absentmindedly chewed on his middle finger. Hatori smiled at the habit, one I was often caught doing. I watched them both from the safety of the doorway, and knew the moment Hatori smiled, what he was smiling about.
\"I only do it when I am nervous.\" I whispered at him. \"Or when you wear that dark blue shirt.\" Hatori looked up at me, that wonderful confused look crossing his handsome features. He stood and circled the small bed that separated us.
\"I like when you do that, maybe I should wear that shirt more often.\" I allowed him to pull me into his arms as he reached me. It was all I could do not to melt into those same arms. This was my Tori, the one I would give anything to, the one I was born to love.
\"Maybe we should just get you more shirts that have the same effect.\" I added to the teasing.
\"Make me over to your specification, my Koi. I am yours to dress.\" he pulled me to his side and we walked close down the hallway to the kitchen, where he began cleaning up the remains of our meal. We had opted to order in, instead of bothering the young lovers. \"I got a call from Yuki last week.\" I dropped the cloth I had been wiping the dishes off with as he looked at me from the corner of his eye.
\"Oh, and what is my otouto up to now? No new problems for him and his Kyonkichi I hope.\" I was always worried when my little brother called and talked to Hatori. If he were just calling for something simple, he would have called me. He tended to let Hatori soften me up for the real problems.
\"No, no problems. The have headed off for their vacation. He thanks you for what he calls your \'secret weapons\'? and wants me to make sure you don\'t suddenly drop in on them. That isn\'t going to be a problem is it?\" His smile belied the tone he was taking, I was to be scolded and it came out as a shared joke. Oh, well. The trip to China had been the catalyst to our current life together, I would never regret it.
\"I don\'t think I want to see some silly island out in the middle of nowhere, no matter what fruits grow there. I have far too many things to do here.\"
\"That\'s what I told them. So, what are these plans you have?\" I turned and pulled him closer to me.
\"I thought we could try that thing you keep asking me about.\" his eyes were amazingly large. \"That thing where I am on top.\"
See, I love that look, Tori-san.