Disclaimer: Hana Yori Dango belongs to Yoko Kamio and other associated parties.
Author's Notes:
Hello again! Here's the next installment in the story...
:: When The Last Leaf Falls ::
: Chapter Two :
Strength
The trees were almost bare now. It would soon be time to say goodbye.
Makino Tsukushi looked at the boy walking beside her. It would hurt. Both of them. But she had to do it. Who knows what would happen if she didn't? She didn't want to think of the consequences.
Doumyouji was silent, as always. Watching Makino out of the corner of his eye. She was different somehow. Sadder. As the days went by.
"When the last leaf falls…" Doumyouji caught Makino's thoughtful murmur. He looked at her strangely. Again, she had been talking about leaves. What was it that fascinated her about them?
"Makino, what did you say?"
Makino Tsukushi suddenly focused again. Feigning ignorance, she asked innocently, "Did I say something? I don't remember."
Meanwhile, the hurt of deceit stung her. And the hurt of saying goodbye enveloped her.
Doumyouji narrowed his eyes. "Don't make me beat it out of you. You're worrying about something."
Makino's eyes flashed, spirited again. "Beat me? You've got to be kidding."
Doumyouji continued to glare at her. And stare at her. Not backing down.
I have to be strong. For his sake. For my sake. For the sake of my friends. For the sake of my family.
Tears welled up in her eyes. Sometimes, the weight of the worries pressing down on her was just too great for her shoulders. Slim though they were, they often bore more than their registered amount of weight. This time, it was way over the limit.
Was she crying? Doumyouji was alarmed. She never cried, not like this, at least. When he got mad at her. When she was deceived. When she had been hurt by his actions. But never like this. Something was definitely wrong.
The unthinkable. The gentleness of his touch that conveyed his concern. Doumyouji had his arms around a sobbing Makino, whose tears were free-falling onto her cheeks. He could only stand there, unable to make her speak to him. He could only hold her. In hope that, at last, she would tell him. Tell him what was wrong. Because, as he had learnt, money and power were nothing. Nothing in the world of love. Especially in Makino Tsukushi's world.
And so he waited. Just holding her. Holding her tight.
Replies:
Thanks to everyone who reviewed! If you left your email address, you would have received a reply, but some of my replies are included here as well to refresh memories *wink*
blue: Forgive the slip-up! It's been corrected already.
Drina: Thank you for sharing the story! Guess you'll have to wait to see how this one turns out!
fujifunmum: Hello again! Can't place this fic anywhere; any ideas?
no.99: My fics are usually sad. But not too sad. I seldom make main characters die.
DiaBLo: Yes, Makino! I got it now, thanks!
dementedchris: Hello fellow RK-HYD fan! Sorry about the Makino/Tsukushi thing. Maybe I'll include the change in his address. I'll have to see how this goes!
That's all for now, see you in the next chapter!
~rurouni