CHAPTER THREE: Ti Amo, Donna Stupida
Kasumi's Point of View
It was finally dismissal time. Kyoko had invited me to come to the Sawada household after classes a while ago. When I asked her why, she glanced wearily around, making sure that no one was listening, and then she whispered, "We're going to make chocolates with Bianchi san. It's a surprise for the boys."
I didn't know if I could possibly meet him again after that.
My cell phone vibrated. I could feel its tremors against my flesh. I grabbed it from my pocket. It was a text message from my mother. How odd. She hardly ever did such a thing, considering that technologies such as a mobile phone were alien to her ancient and old mind.
Kasumi, I have an errand for you. Take a train and head next town.
Go to your Aunt Saki and fetch the money sent by my brother.
Thank you! I couldn't leave the house right now.
Michiko and I are studying for her exams. And the money is urgent.
I know I can count on you, sweetie. ^_^
Wait, why me? And what's with the sweetie and happy face thing? Did Okaa-san know what she was talking about? Aunt's house was very far! Why should I be the one to do this difficult chore? What about my brother? He should be the one doing this task, and not me. I know I can count on you. I sighed: I guess I had no choice.
"Kasumi chan, let's go!" Kyoko said jovially.
"Sorry, Kyoko. My mom suddenly had a chore for me. I need to go next town and fetch something. I can't make it."
She looked concerned. "Oh, too bad…"
I smiled and whispered, "I hope you make chocolates for everyone."
She returned the smile and nodded. "Bye, Kasumi! Take care!"
I waved at her cheerfully. With that, I arranged my things and placed them inside my knapsack, and started out of the room. At least my Okaa san saved me. I seriously think that I couldn't meet Gokudera again after what had happened. At least, not yet.
The streets were dark, misty and eerily empty. The black starless sky, which was shrouded by thick gray clouds, appeared more terrifying than usual, as though something bad was bound to happen. Nah, maybe it was just my exaggerated instincts. But then again, the whole place had a different and strangely horrifying aura that gave off a feeling of danger. It was half past seven, I believe, for I had no track of time, and I just finished the errand Okaa-san had ordered me to do — yes, I know, she shouldn't have let me do a task in an impossible hour! And it's already evening… I shuddered. When I walked past an alley, someone spoke, making me stop wholly.
"Oh, isn't that the bomb-guy's girl?" A thick yet flowing voice said. And out of my expectation, two men appeared from the darkness, clothed in black. The first one was tall and tan, and he had a mocking smile pasted on his features. I was quite certain that he was the sort of guy that would spend his day in a bar flirting with women rather than attending the classes. The other one was a bit smaller than him and fairer; silent and flaccid, sagging and lifeless. Both of them seemed to be in the same age as I was. Despite that, I gulped in terror, but my throat was dry. Their presence didn't assure me of safety.
"Yes, Yamato, that's indeed she," The fair one answered in agreement. His voice was low yet musical. Suddenly, they scuttled towards me, whilst I, on the other hand, stepped back a few paces in horror.
"What luck, then," Yamato said pleasantly. "That guy is supposed to appear any moment." There was a shred of amusement in his expression. Did they mean Gokudera? What in the world did they want of him?
And, no, he'd not appear right now. Sorry to disappoint you.
"And receive our vengeance," the fair one added grimly; his face still filled with dreariness and gloom as though he was the most unfortunate guy in the whole world. Vengeance? Why did everyone want to take revenge on Gokudera? Did he have that many enemies? Had he really fought with many guys before? But why? With a shudder, I began scampering away, but something caught me — a golden snake with brown scales! It constricted me, allowing little breath to pass through. I cried in pain as he tightened the animal against my frail and limp body. It hissed at me, its glowing eyes blazing in hunger.
"I will not let you get away," Yamato said, holding the other end of the snake in his hand with little effort. Its body was elastic, making me compelled to believe that it was not real.
"Let me go!" I cried, kicking up to no avail.
"Shin, hasn't he come yet?" Yamato asked his companion, a bit bored.
"Not yet," Shin said. "Don't be so excited."
Yamato grinned. "You're now defying me?"
"He's not coming," I said through gritted teeth. At my interference, the animal only tightened around my body. The snake began licking my skin with its ice cold tongue. Before I realized it, tears were forming in my eyes. What was going to happen to me now? Gokudera, Gokudera, Gokudera—
"Oi, snake freak," A familiar voice said. My heart almost skipped a beat at the mere sound of it. "I'm your opponent, leave her alone."
With much difficulty, I turned to where the voice was, and there I saw him: Standing in his proud gait, his arms crossed in front of him, with bombs in between his slender fingers, glaring at the enemy. Despite my current circumstance, a timid smile began to form on my lips. He came to save me, I thought. I was not expecting it. He was not angry with me, after all.
"G-Gokudera-kun," I stammered out.
Yamato loosened the grip, causing me to plummet hardly on the floor. The snake returned loyally to its master. And then Gokudera-kun attacked them brusquely with his powerful bombs, causing the two enemies to lie on the cement floor as if dead. He darted towards me, and then he swerved me aside with force, causing to me stumble on the floor, half lying.
"Run! Stay away from here, you idiot!"
Tears began to form on the corner of my eyes again, whether from physical pain, I couldn't tell. "No!" I shook my head violently. "I will not leave you—"
"Dammit! I said run!"
The tears finally slid down my cheeks. Why did he always want me away? Did he hate me that much?
He smirked playfully at my silence. "Then if you are ready to endure every trouble that I'm in, stay."
My eyes grew wide in utter astonishment. Did I hear it right?
"How sweet and romantic," a voice from behind bawled. A ferocious cobra in the size of human was staggering towards us! No, it was Yamato — he turned into a beast! "But too sad, everything will end now."
"This is the finishing blow," Shin said, thrusting blazing tops on Gokudera-kun. What on odd weapon.
Gokudera-kun smiled, insulting. "For you, that is."
The two guys' eyes widened in disbelief. "What?"
Gokudera-kun threw something on their direction, and the moment he did, a murky, gray smoke filled the air. Before I could make out what happened, someone plunged over me, causing the two of us to stumble away together. The smoke cleared gradually, then, all of a sudden, an explosion was heard on the enemies' location. Beside me was Gokudera-kun, two hands laid flat on the floor on his back as support, staring at the enemies' direction. While he did this, my eyes were fixated upon his tattered figure, specks of blood dripping from his forehead. The tops hit him, after all!
My voice quivered. "I-I'm sorry Gokudera-kun! I-It's my—"
He turned to me, scowling. "Why are you always blaming yourself?" He asked, annoyed. "Didn't you hear them? I was their target, not you!" He placed his hand on his silver mane as though he meant to yank it all out. I knew that expression very well: Either he was irked, embarrassed, or worst, angry. "Why are you so stupid?"
The last phrase seemed to stab me on the deepest core of my heart, softly killing me. How many times had I been called stupid on that night alone? But then, the expression on his face turned less fierce, gentler: His green eyes had the knowing look in them again and the furrow on his eyebrows had vanished already.
"Dammit, Kasumi, Ti amo…" He mumbled, then, he looked down, a tinge of pink apparent on his cheeks. I jerked. I hadn't the faintest notion what it meant, but it seemed to be something important.
"I can't understand."
He glared at me incredulously, astounded. "Donna stupida!" he mumbled. Why was he suddenly speaking in Italian? He was obviously making fun of me, knowing that I had no idea what he was saying. "Stupid woman! It's basic Italian!" He sighed. "Then if you can't understand through words…" He leaned towards me, bringing his face closer to mine, that I could almost feel his warm breath.
"G-Gokudera ku—"
I was interrupted when he did a thing that I wasn't expecting (was it just me or were there really lot of surprises this day?): He pressed his soft lips unto mine. It happened so swiftly, before I even realized it, I was already wrapped in his gentle embrace. Everything turned to total silence: All I could here was the heavy thumping of my heart.
It lasted for quite a long time. When the kiss ended, I was too stunned to even utter another word.
Did he mean that…?
If he meant that, then yes, words are completely unnecessary to tell a person that you love him— but, onegai, let me say it again, just this moment.
"I love you so much, Gokudera-kun."
The next thing I knew, the rebel was already walking away from me, as though nothing happened, hands in his pocket, without sparing me a glance back. I couldn't understand him. Not at all. I wanted to slap him in the face for leaving me behind, utterly and perplexedly confused.
A/N: This is the third chapter! :) I'm sorry if I posted it quite late. I'm very busy this summer, unfortunately. But don't worry, the next chapter would be up sooner.
Chapter Four: Utter Confusion
Please wait for it! And thank you very much for those that reviewed the past chapters. I was really glad to read them. :D
Arrivederci~
[Edited; May 16, 2011]
kahochan13: Anyway, just for the image: Imagine Yamato as Tora Igarashi (Maid Sama!) and Shin as Sasori (Naruto) or perhaps Shinji Ibu (Prince of Tennis); you decide who's better. ^_^ All right, it's just some random imagination that hit my head... XD Sorry. And it's too late that I've only realized it now, after posting the eighth chapter.
