Return to Kombat

Chapter 9 - Traffic

Sunlight coming through the thin curtains of the hotel room woke me up, along with the sound of someone snoring in my ear. Instantly I didn’t like the situation. Every time I woke up with someone snoring next to me it meant I was sleeping with someone. Never once did someone just wander into my room and pass out on my bed. No, something obviously happened. And since I knew who I was sharing the room with I immediately prayed it was Osamu snoring like that. If it was I’d have to take him to a vet.

Wincing, I risked a glance to my side. Liu slept peacefully with his arm around my waist over the sheet and his face nuzzled into my hair. Even as I panicked I found it funny how he was a snuggle-bug in his sleep. But no, this was not the time to think about how ‘cute’ or ‘funny’ this was; now was the time to panic. What even happened last night? I remember taking a shower, and then he came in and we started fighting. And then we started…oh sweet Lord. My eyes closed tight as I thought about it. Then I opened them and looked around the room. Kenshi could hear my thoughts; I hope he wasn’t listening. Last night was…unspeakable. And good.

No, it wasn’t good! I snapped at myself.

Okay, it was. It was really good. It was amazing. But I couldn’t let myself think that way anymore. Liu and I hated each other; we want to kill each other most of the time. We could never be together. No, it was just wrong on so many levels! I wondered if anyone knew what happened… Hopefully everyone fell asleep before anything happened. Of course, this is a hotel; it could have been anyone. I’d have to clear my head if I’m going to be around anyone today.

Quietly and gently I slipped out of his arms and out of the bed before tip toeing over to my bag. I dressed in record speed and patted my leg, beckoning Osamu, and led us both out of the room and into the hall. It was early; too early for anyone to be awake and running around. We went down the stairs instead of the elevator; our footsteps echoing against the walls. The door at the bottom spit us outside into the fresh air. The sun was just rising and the air was warm with a slight chill in the breeze. Osamu happily trotted past me and went to do his business in the fields behind the hotel while I leaned against the exit door.

What was I thinking? This would only make things worse between us. Now not only would we hate each other but we wouldn’t even look at each other from the embarrassment. I sighed heavily and banged my head against the door, only to wince and rub the sore spot. I couldn’t even blame this one on alcohol either. Maybe I could blame it on how I haven’t have sex in several months? Not even that seems worthy.

Osamu came back and sat in front of me, looking at me with questioning eyes.

“Don’t look at me like that,” I snapped at him. “I don’t know what I was thinking.”

He cocked his head.

“I don’t know why I did it!”

He whimpered and sat up straight.

I looked up at the sky that was now streaked pink and orange from the rising sun. Everyone would be up soon. Hopefully we could just leave. I’ll drive with Mila, that way I don’t have to be around Liu.

“I’m sorry,” I sighed to Osamu.

He stood and licked my hanging hand. I giggled and took him back inside. We raced each other up the stairs – of course he won – and we walked back to our room. As I expected everyone was coming out of their rooms. Mila and Chutar were in a conversation I couldn’t understand, but by the look on Mila’s face I think it was about guys. Chutar had this mischievous look in her eyes that made me frown. No, I don’t think they were talking about guys; they were talking about Johnny.

“Oh, come on, tell me,” Chutar pressed.

Mila shook her head, “There’s nothing to tell.”