Feels Like the First Time

Chapter Twenty-One - A Fall

"I want to see Hannah-chan fight, Takashi!" Honey exclaimed after an hour or so of watching the twins pester Tamaki. Takashi looked to me to ask for permission and I bit my lip in indecision.

"I'm not any good, Honey. I've only just started training." I explained but was quickly won over by his large chocolate eyes. Takashi led the group through to the dojo attached to the left wing of the house. I excused myself then went to change in the small bathroom just before the door to the dojo. I pulled the workout gear from my bag then cringed as I remembered I'd left the gi Takashi had lent me here so he could wash it. Feeling extremely awkward, I pulled on my tight yoga pants that stopped above my knees and changed my regular bra for the underwired sports one that was my favourite. Cringing, I left my bag with my earlier clothes just inside the door to the dojo before making my way over to the group in the middle of the room.

"Takashi, do you have you gi?" I asked, trying to be as discreet as possible. Takashi turned to hand me the gi folded neatly in his hands but as soon as his eyes hit me he froze and everyone noticed so turned to also stare at me. I mumbled a thanks, reaching for the gi as everyone but Haruhi gaped at me. Quickly yanking on the bottoms then covering myself with the top, I attempted to suppress the blush that I was pretty sure had turned my entire body tomato red before carefully tying the ties on the top to keep it shut and then doing up the belt.

"Shall I start running?" I asked Takashi while I finished knotting my belt, without looking up. I heard him 'hmm' in conformation so started jogging around the perimeter of tatami mats covering the floor. Counting each lap, I took the time to calm down from my embarrassment. Although I had lost a lot of weight, I still had stretch marks and extra bits that weren't there for most girls, so I had not been prepared to show all of that to these guys, I only sort of felt comfortable to do that with Takashi. It was different in that sort of setting anyway, it's unlikely they'll be looking at that sort of thing when there are far more interesting parts on show. After a few laps of self-pity, I kicked myself up the arse, running harder and putting my big-girl boots back on. If they have an issue with it they can just kiss my cellulite ridden ar-

My thoughts were abruptly halted as my foot caught on something and the floor came rushing up to meet me. My hands took the full force of my fall and I instantly knew something had gone wrong with my fall as a familiar sharp throb shot through my right arm. I took the weight off my hand as fast as possible, rolling roughly onto my bag and gripping my right arm with my left. My eyes were squeezed tightly as I took in shallow breaths to try to make the pain subside. I felt arms curve under my taught body but the slight movement sent another stab of pain through me, now reaching my shoulder so I was unable to wave them away. There was a dull throbbing in my ears that stopped me from hearing the voice I could feel coming from the person carrying me but I could tell I was being moved and I assumed I was being taken to the living room.

Eventually, I became used to the pain so was able to open my eyes to see the living room and Takashi above me. His eyes were an almost silver colour as his face contorted with worry which relaxed somewhat when my eyes met his.

"Ow." I whispered, still winded from the pain. "What happened?" Takashi's head swivelled to glare at Honey in response to my question and when I looked to Honey I saw him crying and apologising. Before I could stop him, Honey rushed up to cling onto me as he cried but his arm wrapped over my almost numb wrist as he nuzzled into me, efficiently kicking the pain from a dull throb in my forearm to a severe piercing sensation travelling from just below my wrist to my shoulder. My eyes went dark for a moment as my body readjusted to the pain and I could feel tears starting to fall but I was unable to do anything but wallow in the pain. I could feel Honey being pulled off me and then a cool hand reached for my face, softly caressing away my tears.