Sitsumi...

I just got off the phone with Naoko. Apparently, Mr. Minamino was expanding his business to a few more cities over the years. The next one in mind being Tokyo. Naoko sounded so excited. She told me how hard her husband had been working towards this. She sounded so very proud. Then came the news that he will have to move to Tokyo in a month to oversee everything, until he's comfortable enough with the staff to leave them alone. It wouldn't have been so bad if Naoko didn't say she would be going with him. I'm gonna be so sad seeing her go. We haven't been able to see much of each other already because of work, but now it'll be near impossible.

When I asked how long it was going to be, she said she didn't know, but she couldn't wait to see the big city of Tokyo. I told her she woudn't like it. Far too many people, but once Naoko has her mind set on something she goes for it. I admire her for that.

I put on my jacket and hat before walking out into the snowy landscape. I could see some crystal blue icicles hanging off of the cherry trees in front of my apartment. The frost on them shimmered like tiny diamonds as the sun gently touched them with a good morning kiss. It's just beautiful. I started to walk to work with a smile on my face as the wind picked up some of the flurries, tossing them every which way.

Work wasn't so bad today. Mr. Jaganshi never needed to call me for anything, and Botan was gossiping about some of the interns that had shown up a couple of days ago. "Can you believe a guy like that would even want a girl like her? Seriously, what is this world coming to, Sitsumi?" She half whispered to me from across her desk.

"I have no idea, Botan. Obviously you were the better choice." I told her what she normally wanted to hear.

"I know! But I swear, mean these days just don't know what a real woman is." She continued on with her gossip as she typed away at her keyboard. You know, I have no idea whether or not she does any actual work when she's here. Not like I would say anything. To be honest, I enjoyed listening to her talk, it was the perfect background noise. I tried to concentrate on work as she talked away, my mind on the paperwork that was left on my desk by Mr. Jaganshi. It was around 5 when the sun started to go down, the light of day cut so short by winter's cold embrace. This is when most of the employees start to pack up and go home. Botan and I are susually left behind for another hour or two depending on the work load. It looks like I was gonna be left here for a bit longer, the stack of papers along with running numbers was tiresome.

"Any plans this evening, Sitsumi?" She asked.

"I was planning on going home and watching some anime, maybe even a movie." I said, trying to find a certain file I had misplaced. I really hope I didn't delete it. Mr. Jaganshi would kill me, I'm sure.

"You are no fun, you know that? You need to go out and experience life, Sitsumi! There's so much out there! You need to grab the world by the horns and ride it." She stood up, the look of determination on her features as she tried once again to convince me to go bar hopping with her. I just rolled my eyes, finally able to locate that pesky file. I pushed print as Botan put on her scarf and brand new red hat. "Well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow bright and early, Sitsumi."

"Night Botan, have a safe trip home." I waved to her.

"You too! Don't let any of those rapists get you!" She waved back.

Why does everyone say that? I went to the printer and got the stack of papers that I needed before putting them into the manila folder that was properly labeled. I heard the door to Mr. Jaganshi's office open. I looked to the clock. It read 8 pm. I stayed here far later than what I was expecting. I grabbed for my things, zipping up my jacket and putting on my hat that Naoko bought me. It had adorable kitty ears knitted on top. I grabbed the folder, not wanting to leave it on my desk unattended.

"Miss Sai." I heard his voice. I turned to face him.

"Mr. Jaganshi, sir. You're here late." I smiled. I try so hard to be nice to him.

"I'm always here late." He half grunted. "Did you get that paper work finished?" He asked. His unnaturally dark red eyes glared at me as he stood there unmoving with a large scowl on his tight lipped mouth.

"Yes, sir." I held out the folder to him, trying to avoid looking at him. It unnerved me how he looked at me. It wasn't lecherous or hateful or even likable. It just felt like he wasn't staring at another human being. No. I think he saw me as something akin to an insect. I don't know why it got to me so much, I guess it's just that I've never been looked at that way before. He was actually able to make me feel inferior without ever saying a word. Just a stare and I lost almost all of my confidence. There's something wrong with him.

He grasped the folder in his hands as he flipped through the papers, making sure that everything was in order. He stopped at a page and scowled. "You're sure that it's all here?" He asked.

"Yes, sir. I ran the numbers twice."

"What did I say about eye contact, Miss Sai." He scolded me the way you would a child. Not wanting to be any trouble, I did as I was told, feeling the heat on my cheeks rise again. Already I hate this game. "Good. Now I sent an email to you with some of the details on the company expansion, I'm certain you're aware of it." He said that last part almost as if he expected I didn't.

"Yes, sir." I said again, trying to keep eye contact.

"I need you to go through the numbers on the project and make sure everything is in line. You have until tomorrow afternoon to have it on my desk." He turned to walk towards the elevators. I followed him in, not wanting to take the stairs.

"I'll be sure to have everything done, sir." I said, trying to get myself excited for the assignment, knowing I was going to hate it later, but staying positive was better than moping about it.

"See that you do." Was the last thing he said to me as the doors slid shut and the elevator took us to the main floor.

Hiei...

I was back in my car after the awkwardly silent ride down the elevator with the new girl. My attempts at stripping her confidence met with failure this night, but I'm sure I'll get a better response tomorrow, when I'm not so exhausted. I tried to rub the cramp that was settling in my shoulder. Since the company is expanding, and Kurama is overseeing the plans, I was put in charge of picking up whatever slack he would leave behind.

I sat in my car for a little while, not bothering to turn on the heater. I just needed a bit of quiet after such a long day. Unfortunately, my phone decided to go off at that moment. "What?" I said, annoyed as hell.

"Hiei! It's Naoko!"

Dear GOD. "Previous question." I rubbed the bridge of my nose.

"Hiei-kun!" She started. She only used -kun when she was trying to butter me up for something.

"No."

"It's important! You know Kurama and I are moving to Tokyo for a bit, right?"

"So?"

"SOOOoooooo! I decided to throw my very own going away party! And I want you to be there!"

"And if I refuse?"

"You can't! I have a Hiei coupon right here! Attend soiree." She stated. I never should've made those stupid coupons.

"Fine, when?"

"Tomorrow night, at eight! Don't be late!" She laughed at her rhyme before hanging up.

Fuck me.

Sitsumi...

I finally got home and put my bag on the hook next to the door before taking off my shoes. I heard my phone go off to Naoko's ring tone. I quickly picked it up, not wanting to miss a call. "Hello?"

"SITUSMI!" She sang. I smiled. "What are you doing tomorrow night?"

"I was just going to finish up some commission work for someone. Why? What's going on?" I walked to my refrigerator to get my carton of yogurt and some strawberries to make a parfait. If only I had the granola to go with it.

"You know how I'm moving?"

"Yeah." I stated sadly. I really didn't want her to move. I took out a bowl from the cupboard and started to scoop some of the creamy vanilla yogurt onto it.

"I'm having a get together with a few friends for a going away party. I'd love it if you could be there."

"Alright." I said. "That sounds like fun."

"AWESOME! See you at eight!"

"And don't be late." I ended with a laugh. I started to slice the strawberries into fourths before putting them in the bowl of yogurt.

"And, Sitsumi. Wear that cute outfit I got you for your birthday."

My face reddened. "You don't mean that thing do you?"

"Yes I do."

"I don't know."

"Please, Sitsumi? I'll be wearing mine!"

I couldn't say no to Naoko. I mean, she was leaving soon, and we might not see each other for a very long time. I guess it would be ok to put modesty aside and wear that outfit. Especially if she was gonna wear hers. It is ok right? I just hope she's not inviting very many people. Naoko tends to get carried away when it comes to parties. I mean the summer party she threw this year for one of her open houses was a little.. excessive. I'm sure plenty of people would say that a baby elephant ride was too much.

I giggled to myself, remembering the look on Mr. Minamino's face. Maybe this was a terrible idea. I'm not very good with crowds. Especially the high end of society that Naoko somehow was able to get cozy with. She used to hate those kinds of snobs. I guess love changes people. Not like I would know.

I looked into my closet to find the giant box that had that outfit in it. I guess it would be alright to wear it just this once. I mean... it is very cute. And I might not ever get a chance to wear it ever again. It's not really considered to be casual Friday wear by any means. I should be able to wear it just this once... I guess.

Tbc...