I Can't Stand You

I'll Keep You Safe - Ebisu

Ebisu couldn't get to The Kat's Meow fast enough once it became 8 in the evening.  Running through the rain, he found the lights were on and the door was unlocked when he arrived.  Trying to walk in as casually as possible, he was relieved to see Katsu behind the counter, but she didn't look like her perky self.  She didn't even look up when he entered.

Even though the place was buzzing with shinobi, he made his way straight to Katsu, stopping in front of her counter. She looked up.

"Ebisu..."

He could feel his face burning, but she didn't crack a grin. Nothing. Her face was puffed and swollen from crying, clear to see even in the dim lighting, breaking his heart. He took a deep breath, wanting to cry as he looked at her.  He took a deep breath.  She was sad, but she was okay.  That's all he could've hoped for after last night.

"I hope you're okay. I was worried about you."

She blinked at him sadly.

"Thanks."

He leaned forward so he wasn't shouting down at her through the music, resting his elbows on the counter.  His eyes were level with hers.  He took off his glasses so he could see her better.  Her face was an ocean of anxiety and sadness.

"I need you to know that, even though I don't know what's happening, I'll always keep you safe. As long as you're in Konoha, I'll always have an eye out for you. I hope that helps..."

He watched her face scrunch up as she broke down. Tears began to stream down her face once again. Without even thinking, he came around the counter and pulled up a stool, sitting beside her. He didn't touch her; he didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable. He simply sat beside her as she wiped the tears from her eyes. He wanted her to know that she wasn't alone. And as much as he wished his motives were more selfless, his soul needed the peace of being near her.

Before he knew it, he had been there for four hours and it was 2am. Countless shinobi had come up to purchase items, and he hadn't moved from her side. Katsu slowly got up and locked the front door. She appeared to have a good night, money wise, but other than that, they had barely spoken a word. She emptied the register and placed it in the safe in her office, not even bothering to count it, before locking her office door.  Finally, she spoke.

"Thanks for sitting with me."

He stood up.

"Can I walk you home?"

She was still for a moment before nodding.

"Yes, please."

She let them both out, checking the door once more before heading to her house. He didn't know where she lived, and they didn't speak.  Rain lashed at them and he now wished that he had brought an umbrella so he could've at lest kept her dry.  But, who knew he was going to have the opportunity to walk her home?  When they arrived, Ebisu smiled at her adorable little cottage on the east side of the village. It was quaint and cozy looking.

At the front door, she turned to him.

"Thank you , Ebisu. I was afraid of how this night would go, but your company meant a lot."

He nodded.

"Goodnight, Katsu. Sleep peacefully."

He turned to leave, but she stopped him.

"Ebisu?"

He turned back; she looked embarrassed.

"Would you like to stay over tonight? With me?  I can pay you with sex."

His heart jumped a little, but he knew that he could never forgive himself if the first time he was with her was because she was trading sex for his company while she was in a dark place.

"Sure, but no sex."

He gave her a small smile as she looked at him with surprised confusion. She opened the door, letting him in first. Her cottage was cozy with a small kitchen and sitting area downstairs. There was a bathroom and a downstairs bedroom as well as a small sun room. There were also set of steep steps in the back of the living room leading to a loft.

"Please make yourself comfortable. I'll make some tea."

He followed her to the kitchen and sat at her little kitchen table, watching her bustle around, busying herself. She put the kettle on before turning back to him.

"Are you sure you don't mind staying?"

He gave her a small smile.

"I'm flattered that you asked me."

She made tea, handing him a steaming mug. She shivered.

"Let's go upstairs; the hearth is lit up there. It's where I spend most of my time.  I'll be up in a minute.  I'm going to take all of this makeup off."

Climbing the steep stairs, he reached the loft, which was another living area. He sat down on the low, overstuffed couch and waited for her patiently.  She reappeared a moment later, holding her steaming mug.  She was easily just as beautiful without her makeup.

"Why don;t you get out of your work clothes and into something more comfortable. I can wait."

She nodded, putting the steaming mug down and trudging to the door near the couch. She turned the light on long enough for Ebisu to see that her bedroom was there before she shut the door. Reappearing a few minutes later, she had on little lounge shorts and on oversized cream colored sweater. Her hair was unbraided and put up on top of her head in the ponytailed bun thing that women seemed to like so much.

"Here, you should get out of your wet clothes as well.  You'll get sick."

She threw him a men's shirt and a pair of grey sweatpants.  He looked at her suspiciously.

"Do I want to know why you have extra men's clothes at your house?"

She laughed.

"Some guy left them here a long time ago and they've been in the back of my closet.  Someone might as well wear them.  At least they're dry."

He chuckled as he stood, putting his mug down, walking into her bedroom and shutting the door to strip his soaking wet clothes off.  Her room was full of plants.  It was nice.  He threw his wet clothes on top of hers and returned to her, taking his spot again on the couch.  She handed him back his mug and moved closer to him.

The rain was lashing violently against the windows, but they were warm inside, next to each other.  They didn't say anything, and they didn't need to. Ebisu put an arm around her and she curled into him. After a little while, she put her mug down so she could put her arms around his waist and bury her face into the crook of his neck, falling asleep quickly. Her breath was soft and warm against the base of his neck. Putting his mug down as well, he pulled her in flush against himself as he leaned back, stretching out on the couch. He cradled her exhausted body against his as he pulled the blanket from the back of the couch over them.

"Everything will be okay."

"Mmm..."

She mumbled softly and incoherently as he enveloped her into his arms, letting himself melt into her.

"Goodnight. I'll keep you safe, Katsu."