Note: Sorry for the wait... This will be full of Ranmaru's melodramatic narrating... (__-.-')
Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to these characters.
Title: Stockholm Syndrome
3: Day Three
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I'm surprised at how well things worked out. I'd checked the map and sure enough, this beach was close, but not too close. And we were here only on the off-chance that Sunako took that great leap forward. Now that she had, we were steering up a mountain, a mere hour away from our destination. The distance was good; if we got there too quickly, she might be intimidated, too slow and she's psyche herself out... I'd learned that this timid Sunako was a tricky one to time.
Even before we neared the traditional-styled mansion, I knew this was a huge gamble. I hadn't spoken to Takenaga in years. And this appointment was scheduled under a false name, requesting the use of his expertise. I had used the family name, but told my secretary very strictly, to give him the impression that it was in no relation to me personally (should he refuse to be of service to me). This preemptive move would hopefully get him to think of me, of the past, and of the five of us...And then of Noi. But I didn't know where that would lead.
... We've reached the paved driveway, only half a mile left. I steal a shaky glance at Sunako... Was Takenaga benevolent in his nostalgia, or was he bitter? How would this all pan out? How would things affect Sunako?
I was being very selfless these days. Believe it or not, I'd have been very content to leave things as is and keep Sunako caged. I could choose to keep her wings broken in order to keep her with me... I could...
"Are you... Sure you wanna do this?" God, I'm a bastard...
There's no response, so I glance at her once more as we pass through the gate. Her face is set with determination. Her eyebrows low, her eyes strong, mouth set to neutral. It is a more beautiful Sunako than I'd seen in the whole two years we'd been reunited. I could already feel her leaving me...
Coward. Coward.
I walk over the the passenger's side smoothly and open the door for her, helping her out of the car... And she grips my hand, firmly. As firm as ever, and doesn't let go after the valet takes the car to park. And somehow, this small gesture of hers gives me the strength to move forward.
This was it.
We couldn't look back any more. Soon I'd have to forget the sound of her voice in the morning, groggy and disoriented, and soothing. The feel of her skin on mine, soft and hot, searing and melting on mine. Her eyes, deep and beautiful, and never looking at me... Never really seeing me...
The servants bow courteously as we enter, giving hesitant glances at our very informal (and slightly damp) appearances. I'd had my secretary arrange an appointment for tea with the head of the Oda Formal Ceremonies Company. Since the Oda's were the best, the arrangement seemed only natural, as was the invitation to their private estate, knowing the fantastic traditional decor would dazzle any employee of the flashy Mori Hotel's company.
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We were sent to the tea room. Sunako sat a conservative distance from me, and it was then that I realized she had let go of my hand as soon as we'd entered... I was losing her. And the thought of it began to tug at my chest, and tighten around the organ it protected. The pain forced me to wince it away and I wondered if Sunako had noticed... Had ever really been conscious of me...
I stole another glance at her... Probably not... Then her eyes widened, and a glance in the same direction presented me with the image of Takenaga, all grown up, bowing to us with a lowered gaze. I guess they were going for dramatic, trying to appeal to the Mori nature because he dove right into making the tea, suspending a tranquil, yet tense silence in the air. And his walk to the tea set was more graceful than need be. He was almost like a ghost, gliding across the tatami. Or maybe he had really changed, had become this... Smooth robot.
The thought made my eyes widen, and a sweat broke out along the temples of my forehead.
And then I heard a noise that released all of my tension. "Tch!" Takenaga had clicked his tongue. It was the sort of impatient gesture he used all the time when doing something he thought of as unnecessary. And I smiled and relaxed my shoulders and dried my hairline with the tips of my fingers.
I glanced at Sunako again, and her expression took a swipe at my heart. It looked like she was watching a ghost. Or more like a good dream was played back for her while conscious. She looked nostalgic.
Finally, Takenaga finished the tea, and at his own pace, set down my tea bowl, and then hers and relaxed in front of us. My breath caught. I was still as stone. Takenaga proceeded wholly unaware, an all-business smile pasted on his face, "please, feel free to stretch your legs..."
And finally he raised his gaze to meet ours. The look on his face was priceless. It would have been outright hilarious if I wasn't so terrified of what was might happen. I caught his gaze first, and then Sunako. Back to me, and then again to her and this time she held his gaze.
I caught myself making a face with eyebrows furrowed with worry and eyes set in fright while hers was the same stoned expression of quiet strength, which slowly began to soften right before the both of us. She spoke.
"Takenaga... It's been a long time."
As expected of him, he adjusted to fit the atmosphere. He tilted his head with a smile, "How've you been, Sunako?" But his expression was slightly pained. I could still see it, the guy I knew.
He was still the guy with a smart mouth, who lived with us those many years ago. Still the same considerate strength that kept us together. I could still read his face, I could still see the teenage friend inside this adult stranger. And I couldn't help blurting out our purpose, "We came to talk about Noi!"
Takenaga's face turned stony, and I saw the both of them grow rigid... Guess I'll never learn how to be tactful when it matters.
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The suspense builds!!! What happened between all of them? Find out in the next chapter!!
(Sorry, I felt like writing a retarded angst summary like they do in most manga)
PLEASE tell me what you think!!
Peace and love,
NerdSavvy