Don't Turn Around
Chapter 4: Guilt
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters or this anime.
I hope everyone enjoys this next installment. A message to all you who reviewed my work: 'Thank you so much!'
Watanuki's eyes snapped open. He sat up quickly and looked around him in alarm. He was sitting on a futon in a small, empty room lined with flimsy paper doors. One of them was slightly ajar and Watanuki could see the silhouette of a large man in a yukata sitting with his back turned to him just beyond it.
"Haruka-san, is that you?" Watanuki asked, walking towards the man.
"Yes," Haruka said, glancing over at the boy, a soft smile on his lips. The younger boy took a seat next to the spirit of Domeki's grandfather and stared ahead of him. Eventually he asked, "Am I dead?"
Haruka put the pipe he always seemed to have in his mouth and inhaled thoughtfully.
"No, this is a dream. Though you should thank Shizuka when you wake up. It's the third time he saved you today," he said, that knowing smile never once leaving his lips. Watanuki stared at his hands and fidgeted restlessly.
"He doesn't need to get involved in my business. I would've been fine," he said indignantly, though he knew he was being foolish.
"Shizuka involves himself in your business precisely because he knows you won't be fine on your own," Haruka said. He took another drag of his pipe. Watanuki watched him for a moment before looking away.
"…I guess I'll thank him," he muttered reluctantly, passing a hand threw his fine black hair. Haruka smiled.
"I'll take your word for it. Now, it seems our time has run out for today, Watanuki-kun," he said, "Until next time." He gave Watanuki a final wave before fading away.
Bright lights blinded Watanuki as his eyes squinted open in the real world. His head was throbbing and the light shining in his face was making matters worse. Snapping his eyes shut again, he fumbled around for his glasses. Instead his hand hit a light material. The warmth exuding from beneath it told him that this was part of someone's body. Turning his head to the side he tried to focus on the blurry person sitting next to him.
"Domeki?" he asked in a slightly hoarse voice.
"Yeah?" the figure responded in his usual deep voice. Watanuki quickly pulled his hand away from Domeki's leg and asked, "Where are my glasses?"
"They broke in the accident," he replied. Watanuki's brow furrowed. He remembered little of what had happened before he fell unconscious – other than being harassed by the spirit of that man. A shiver ran threw his body even as he thought about it.
"What happened? What accident?" Watanuki demanded as he attempted to sit up. He was prevented, however, by Domeki's large hand coming to rest on his chest.
"What are you doing? Get you big hand off of me!" Watanuki cried. Domeki ignored him.
"You're still feverish and you have a mild concussion. So stop being an idiot and don't try to get up," he said. Watanuki's mismatched eyes glared up at the bigger boy but he stayed where he was.
"What kind of accident was I in?" he asked again.
"A car accident. I saw that spirit following you again through this," Domeki said, indicating the eye they shared with his finger, "I came to find you and when I did you were unconscious on the ground and the owner of the car was having a breakdown."
A door creaked open and Yuko walked in, followed by Mokona.
"That's when he brought you back to his house and called me over," she said from the doorway. She was smiling widely as Mokona hopped onto her shoulder.
"Luckily you weren't hurt that bad. Domeki was even able to look after your wounds himself. I was barely even needed," Yuko added as she took a seat opposite Domeki. Watanuki felt slightly ashamed. Domeki had saved him yet again and here he was acting cranky, as usual. He glanced at Domeki out of the corner of his eyes.
"Um…" he began, clearing his throat, "Thank you, I guess."
Domeki stared at him in silence. When Watanuki started to get uncomfortable he said, "Why the hell are you staring at me?"
The other boy shrugged.
"It's just the first time you actually thanked me face to face. Every other time you'd hide your face or look away."
"Oh my, just look at this romantic ambiance!" Yuko said, beaming. Watanuki's face went crimson.
"What the hell is romantic about it?" he cried, sitting up despite the fact that Domeki had advised him against it. His head spun but he ignored it as Mokona jumped onto his lap and said gleefully, "Watanuki's blushing! He's red like a tomato!"
"Shut up!" he cried, "And stop bouncing on me!"
Mokona hopped onto Yuko's shoulder again and cried, "Watanuki's scary!" Yuko laughed and pulled something out of the bag she had been carrying.
"Here, these are yours Watanuki," she said, handing him his glasses. Watanuki put them on, expecting them to be cracked and crooked, but they were just fine. If anything they seemed better. He eyed Yuko suspiciously.
"…What do I owe you for these?" he asked, his eyes narrowing. Yuko smiled.
"Your body," she said bluntly. Watanuki's jaw dropped.
"W-what?" he stuttered.
"Oh come one Watanuki, it was a joke. You really owe me the money I paid to get these fixed," she said. Watanuki sighed in relief.
"That's all it better be, you crook," he said and raised his hand to his mouth as he stifled a yawn. Yuko stood up.
"Well, I must be on my way. I have business to attend to, " she said and sat down by the front door to put her shoes on.
""I should get going too," Watanuki said, pulling the covers off of him. Domeki grabbed his arm.
"She said you should stay here," he said, looking at Yuko. She nodded once.
"You're in no condition to go anywhere tonight. Besides, if you were to be left alone when you're this vulnerable that spirit would come again. And if that happened," her eyes darkened as she continued, "I could not guarantee your safety. That's why I told Domeki you'd be staying here." Watanuki wanted to protest but instead he said, "I understand." He had caused everyone enough trouble today so he would make an exception for tonight and put up with Domeki. Yuko pulled open the door and looked back at the two teenagers.
"Have a good night," she said, winked, and walked out the door.
"What the hell was that wink for?" he cried after her. Yuko's muffled laugh could be heard as the door slammed shut. As soon as she was gone an uncomfortable silence filled the room. It continued for a few minutes until Watanuki could no longer stand it. He glanced at Domeki. The boy was staring absent-mindedly ahead of him, apparently deep in thought.
"What's with you?" Watanuki asked.
"What do you mean?" Domeki said, looking down at him. Watanuki scrutinized the bigger boy, trying to figure out what was going on behind his green eyes.
"I don't know, you're acting weird. It's creeping me out," he finally said, sounding a little annoyed. Domeki opened his mouth as though he were about to say something, hesitated, then said, "I should have walked you home today." Watanuki glowered. He could guess where this was going. He crossed his arms.
"So, this is my fault because I told you to stay behind, is basically what you're saying?" he asked angrily. To Watanuki's surprise Domeki shook his head.
"No," he said, his eyebrows knitting together, "I should have gone with you despite you telling me not to, is what I'm saying."
Watanuki was speechless. Could it be that Domeki was feeling…guilty? Watanuki felt a blush creep into his cheeks. He kept getting redder and redder and didn't exactly understand why. Turning away, he lay back down, threw the covers over himself and mumbled, "Stop thinking about stupid things and go to bed."
Domeki nearly cracked a smile at this. Watanuki could be so cute sometimes.
"I have to set up my futon first," Domeki said, standing up, "I'll be back." He left the room and walked along a small corridor. It led to his room. Domeki walked in and stopped in front of his closet. He was about to open it when he heard a scrapping noise from somewhere behind him. He turned around. The wall just opposite from him had deep scratches wedged into it in the shape of letters. They spelt 'YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE LEFT HIM ALONE.' Domeki's eyes widened.
"Damn it" he said through clenched teeth and started to run back the way he had come.
I'm glad I finished this in the time I said I would. Hopefully you guys liked it. R&R please!
