The
CLAMP artists own CCD. This fan fiction is in no way meant to infringe on that
ownership. It was written for entertainment purposes only. This story is the
sequel to Change and Revelation, Correspondence, and Research
and Discovery. To better understand this story you should read them in
order.
Realization
and Confrontation
A gentle
murmur of low voices filled the elegantly appointed dining room of the newest
restaurant on CLAMP campus. The rich ruby colored walls of the restaurant were
accented with hand carved gold moldings. Matching red tablecloths covered the
tables that filled the moderately sized room. Takamura Suoh shifted on the red
velvet cushion of his seat, leaning forward over his menu. Running a long
limbed hand over his pointed chin Suoh scanned the list of meals.
"I
think I'll try the duck and vegetable soup." Suoh announced shaking a lock
of navy hair away from the topaz gems that served as his eyes. A feeling of
pleasure opened its petals within him as he watched his friend from across the
table. The chairman's head was bent down, golden tresses obscuring Nokoru's
face as he scanned the menu.
"This
was a wonderful idea." Suoh decided silently as he watched some of the
tension drain out of his friend's shoulders. 'Rijichou has been acting very
stressed ever since we visited the Modern Technologies Laboratory four days
ago. I don't have the faintest idea why the experience upset him so. He has
been attacked before and it didn't bother him this much. With his experience in
electronics surely he has seen experiments fail before, so I doubt it's that.
Even if it was sabotage this time and not really an accident. This incident
however, seems to have gotten under his skin for some reason. Maybe it was just
because I was hurt. He always has been a very sensitive and caring person.
Something like that would bother him. Well, whatever it was, at least he is
finally starting to relax. I knew coming to this restaurant would cheer him
up.'
"Or
maybe I will have the salmon instead. I have been told that it's
delicious." Suoh offered pursing his lips as his golden eyes fell onto the
menu once more.
"It
couldn't be better than Akira's, but I think I may join you in trying the
salmon. It does sound very good from the description." A smile tugged at
the corners of Nokoru's lips as he folded his menu neatly and set it down on the
table.
'Suoh
was right,' Nokoru thought to himself, 'I do need to relax. The last four days
have been extremely frustrating. I am glad we are finally alone.' The chairman
of CLAMP campus felt a twinge of guilt as he thought about the two friends who
could not join them. "I wish I didn't feel so happy that Akira and Utako
couldn't be with us tonight. I love spending time with them both very much, but
this will give me the chance I have been waiting for to have serious talk with
Suoh. I wanted to tell him about my feelings for him earlier, but either one or
the other of us was too busy with our work or there were others around. I want
to tell him this in private and it has been nearly impossible to get him alone.
At last, no matter what he decides, I will be able to get this burden off my
chest.' Curiously, Nokoru found that his heart was the lightest it had been in
days. It was very freeing to know the worrying would be over soon. Very shortly
he would know for certain what his friend's reaction would be.
"Then
it's decided." Suoh's melodious voice roused the chairman from his
introspection. "We'll have the salmon." Takamura continued as he
folded his menu stacking it on top of the one in front of Nokoru. "It's
too bad Akira-san and Utako-chan could not be with us tonight." He said
conversationally. Nokoru nodded in reply and Suoh caught a flash of emotion in
the chairman's clear blue eyes that he couldn't decipher. It appeared to be
guilt, but was gone almost as soon as it appeared.
Suoh
shook his head. 'I must have imagined it.' He thought as he listened to his
friend's reply without really hearing what was being said. 'What on earth would
Nokoru have to feel guilty about? It wasn't his fault that Utako needed to work
late. She had a great deal to do so Akira decided to help her. No, there really
is no reason for him to be feeling guilty. I am just seeing things.'
"We'll
just have to make sure to take them both here sometime when they are
free." Nokoru began to wipe his hands clean with the warm moist towel that
had been left at the table for that purpose. 'Now how do I broach the subject?'
He wondered as a comfortable silence surrounded the two comrades.
"Good
idea, Rijichou." Takamura agreed when he realized his friend had stopped
speaking. Pulling himself from his musings Suoh leaned back on his cushion so
he could scan the beautiful dining room. At the far end of the room stood a
grand piano up on a small platform. Smiling secretly at the sight Suoh glanced
back at Nokoru who wore the blank expression of someone who was trying to solve
some difficult problem or equation. Used to his friend's quirks he picked up
his own moist towel as he waited patiently for Nokoru to return from wherever
his mind had journeyed.
"Suoh,"
Nokoru said when he came back to himself and then paused as all of his
carefully planned words flew right out of his head. Striating on his cushion
the chairman bravely forged ahead. "Something happened the day we visited
the Modern Technologies lab."
"I
thought so. You have been worried ever since that day haven't you?" Suoh
nodded keeping his tone serious despite the happiness he felt inside knowing
that his plan to help relax his friend was working. 'It looks like Rijichou is
finally going to admit to whatever it is that's bothering him. Good, the more
he holds on to things like that the harder it is on him.'
The
gilded mop dropped down to cover Nokoru's expressive eyes once more as the
chairman looked down at the table. "Am I that transparent?"
"Only
to those who know you well, my friend. You have always put the concern and
safety of others above yourself. So it only makes sense that the incident at
the lab would disturb you. I knew that my getting shot upset you. But I assure
you I am fine. The wound has already scabbed over in another week you won't be
able to see anything of it at all."
Taken
completely by surprise, Nokoru blinked owlishly at his friend as his mind
switched gears. 'For a moment there I thought that Suoh had guessed about the
feelings I have for him.' The chairman shook his head slowly. 'No, it's
understandable that he would misunderstand why I was worried. After all I have
never actually said or done anything to show him how I truly feel.'
Cursing
his fair skin Nokoru met Suoh's glance despite the blush suffusing his pale
cheeks. "I was worried for you, Suoh. I always am when you are hurt.
However, there was something else bothering me as well this time."
Suoh's
eyebrows disappeared into his hair in surprise as he tried to think back over
everything that had happened that day. "If it wasn't that then..."
"Excuse
me." A quiet voice interrupted. Suoh turned to see a beautiful young woman
in a lovely Chinese style red and gold dress and an apron. "May I please
take your orders?"
"We'll
both be having the salmon." Nokoru spoke up, as Suoh remained momentarily
speechless. "That is unless you would rather have the duck soup?"
Closing
his mouth with an audible clicking sound Suoh shook his head as he continued to
ponder what his friend was so worried about. There just wasn't anything else he
could think of. "The Salmon is fine." He said distractedly in the
waitress's direction.
The
waitress smiled warmly taking the platter with the used towels. Bowing to her
two patrons she backed away," Thank you very much. I will bring out your
tea as soon as I have placed your orders."
Both
men returned the smile and dipped their heads politely in reply. Suoh turned
serious as he focused on his handsome friend. "You said there was
something other than my injury that has been bothering you. What is it?"
Suoh asked when the chairman met his eyes once more.
Sighing
Nokoru gathered his thoughts as he tired to find the best way to say what he
needed to say. There was no easy way to begin. Suoh waited his golden gaze
never leaving the chairman's face.
Clearing
his throat Nokoru began to speak at last. "It has something to do with the
last secret I revealed to you."
Suoh
nodded indicating that Nokoru should continue. He had no clue how Nokoru's
sexual preference had anything to do with what happened at the lab but he knew
that his friend would explain if he were given the chance. Crossing his arms
Suoh waited, wondering what Nokoru was going to say.
"When
we were at the lab I came to understand. . ." Before Nokoru could say
anything else the waitress reappeared with the tea.
"Here
you are," She declared happily as she neared the table. She didn't see
that one of the cushions was sticking too far out of the booth. Oblivious to
the problem, she headed straight for the cushion and lost her balance as she
walked into it. The teapot flew into the air and the waitress windmilled her
arms wildly as she tried to regain her balance. Like a fly caught in amber, she
hung in the air for a moment before gravity reasserted itself.
To Be
Continued. . .
