Something Like Love (xxxHolic)

Chapter 15 - "I missed you"

"YUUKO-SAN!" Watanuki called angrily. She popped her head into the kitchen a few seconds later. "I told you this morning to wash your dishes!"

"Sorry! I had a few errands to run this morning after you left!" She said, feeling a dull pain in her back. Lies. She had been in bed this whole day, passing through realms in her dreams; helping those two special people.

"Ugh, okay, okay," Watanuki mumbled, tossing his school bag on the chair. "Do you want a snack?"

"Just warm water for today." She said airily, heading back to the main room. Two more days.

Watanuki frowned, looking at Yuuko's retreating back. It had been a week since the party, and Yuuko was slacking around a lot recently. She still took on wishes, which seemed to come really rarely. Domeki was busy fixing some things with the temple, so Watanuki hadn't seen him in a while either.

Watanuki felt a pang in his chest when he thought about that. Then another pang rang through his skull in another headache. He flinched and rubbed his eyes as he waited for the water to fill the kettle.

These headaches were also something that was happening recently. He found himself feeling the small pang of an oncoming headache, then after a few minutes, it disappeared. It was as if he kept on receiving information that he couldn't remember.

Oh, and the thing with the spirits? They were still hanging around Watanuki when Domeki wasn't around, so not much change there.

Watanuki suddenly realized that he hadn't seen Domeki in almost a week. He hadn't shown up at the shop.

Watanuki stared at the kettle as the water heated up. What was wrong?

"Yuuko, isn't it about time?" Mokona asked the witch who collapsed on the couch, panting. "You should've finished helping those two by now."

"No, no," Yuuko said, hearing the kettle shriek in a signal that it was done boiling. She fixed herself and tried to control her breathing. "They're almost there, just a little longer. I still have to finish preparations here as well." She ran a hand over her face and straightened up as she heard the footsteps.

"Here's your water, Yuuko-san," Watanuki said, carefully balancing the mug on the tray. He handed the mug to her.

"Thank you, Watanuki." Yuuko breathed, gratefully sipping the warm water. It burned its way down her throat, but it was a good feeling. She glanced up at Watanuki's face and saw that he was troubled. She rose an eyebrow at Mokona, who shrugged. "What's wrong?"

Watanuki jumped, surprised at the question. He saw Yuuko's raised eyebrow and waved a hand. "It's nothing!"

"Hmmmm...." She said, taking another quick sip. "Domeki-kun hasn't visited recently has he?" Watanuki's eyes turned down. Bingo.

"Uh, yeah, he hasn't," Watanuki mumbled. "I haven't seen him around lately."

"Even at school?" The witch asked. He shook his head.

"We usually walk to school together, after we meet in front of his temple. He hasn't been there when I pass by. He's not even in class."

"How long has it been since you last saw him in class?"

"About two or three days."

And you're lonely after three days. She thought, smiling to herself. Ah, young love. "Why don't you go visit the temple?"

"No, it's fine. Let the idiot fail his classes for all I care." Watanuki grumbled, sulking.

"Say that I'm the one that misses him," Yuuko said, taking the final sip of her hot water. She held it out and Watanuki took it, placing it back on the tray.