Chapter 6: Potential

A/N: Hello to all my readers! Thanks for reading this far into this fanfic. You do not know how grateful I am that it actually interests you!! Thanks everyone for the reviews and even more thanks for those patient waiters. Chapter 6, right at cha'!!!

From Chapter 5: So far, Takanari, Haine, Touya, Komaki, and Ushio are together outside somewhere near the student council office…in the rain. Ushio's mad, and everyone else is in a state of confusion. Kusame's in a depression he doesn't understand, and Maora and Maguril are with him. They are together in Senri's office. So, hope that kinda refreshed your mind. Here we go!

"Letter?" Touya stepped forward. The spotlight was now on him. Rain shot like bullets and drenched all five standing peers from a windy angle. The females in the group tried their hardest to push their hair out of the way, that is, all the females except Ushio.

Ushio's eyes were the most lethal upon Touya's. He flinched, feeling those lilac irises drill into his gut. The sky held an oppressing aura sophisticatedly mixed with an unknown factor. All five of them sensed this undescribable feeling, wondering why it panged so hard in the back of their minds.

Touya bravely continued, "Would you mind checking to see if this is the letter you're talking about?" He lifted it up to her, obviously failing to protect the extravagant sheet of paper from wear.

With a quick flash of an approval, Ushio methodically swished her hips up to him. The quick moment seen could have made any other girls' ego take a blow. She reached out a graceful hand and snatched it out of his hold like a business woman. Flipping it open, a spark of a threatening disaster was clear in her eyes.

Takanari studied all of their expressions. From Komaki's sudden worry to Haine's struggle to catch up with the ongoing drama, he could tell that no one was as confused as he was. Heck, Touya looked like her could take on Calculus right now. Takanari signaled his need to be filled in, but Touya just smiled, shaking his head.

You needn't know since you're the one circling it all,' Touya answered mentally. Little did he know, Haine was actually the center of attention.

The world finally snapped into clear focus as Haine processed the last of the information in her head.

"Oh!" she began, clapping her hands together in realization. She began jumping up and down, pointing now at the opened letter. "Ushio, that's the—"

"Apparently, it is," Ushio answered grimly before Haine could finish. Her teeth gritted together in bitter anger and embarassment. She couldn't believe that any of this could have happened. Even she, your typical "smart and beautiful" figure, couldn't figure out what silly mistakes brought them here.

Sometimes, you have to replace those 'silly mistakes' with a little something called 'fate,' a voice spoke out in her head. There was something about the voice that triggered something in her mind. It had sounded so familiar. Whose voice was it?

Unfortunately though, it wasn't enough to persuade Ushio's hard headedness into giving in to this 'rubbish.'

"You…you know this letter?" Komaki asked as Ushio bottled up her nearly exploding fume of fury.

"Well duh," she blurted out as a-matter-of-factly. "You'd expect the person who wrote this letter to know what it looks like, do you not?"

As soon as Ushio spoke out those words, she totally regretted it. What she wanted to be between Haine and herself was now on the alternative. She didn't need to deny that no one had read the letter. The broad smile on Touya's face was a huge hint itself.

Komaki brushed her hands across her cheeks, wiping away any signs of tears and stared out into nothing as if in deep thought. Guilt hit her from all around; so sudden it was terrifying. Kusame was now probably somewhere out there scratching his head in confusion because of her. The Masked Ball supply list supposedly given to her must have made him think that he had done something wrong to it. Komaki felt like a total idiot.

Her eyes blinked back to reality, and thinking fast, she shifted her head to Haine, notifying a quick, "Gotta go. Be right back. I'll explain." With that, she bolted away from the group, running with her hands over her heads in the needle shower.

"Hey! Matte—" Haine shouted after Komaki before she was out of sight. Haine was about to chase after her, but was stopped by Ushio's hard grip on her wrist.

She turned her face back, eye to eye with Ushio. Her friend's jaw clenched tight and sharp. Scary, almost.

"We're not done yet…"

The ceiling somehow felt like a burden on Kusame's back as he lied face down on the bed of Senri's office.

Senri sat, twirling his chair in his own corner while the couple stood in the middle of it all, watching the oppression wash over both of these idle faces.

"What did you want to talk to me about?" Kusame mumbled irritably. He was, surprisingly to himself, a bit curious about what Maora and Maguri said to him outside in the rain. He had felt—for that slight moment—that somehow they had understood everything about him. He felt that he had understood them as well—as somehow, some way, they were all connected to each other.

Heart, mind and soul. Works together. Conflicts together. Can't live without one another. That's all it is. Simple.

Maora took a pencil from Senri's desk and flipped it up, catching it in mid-air. "Tell me," he began confidently. "Do you like it here?"

Kusame lifted his head up from his position, raising a brow in suspicion. Why did Maora want to ask him a question like that at a time like this; when he felt sick to the core of his stomach? However confused he was, it didn't matter. It wasn't wise to doubt the clever Maora. Maybe he was on to something.

"You mean here at school? Sure…I guess…" he replied.

Maora tossed the pencil up again. "What do you like about it?"

How can he be so casual? "Uhh…they have neat classes…and it's just fun…maybe?"

"Is that right? What's so neat about the classes?" Toss.Catch.

"They're challenging…and it gives me something to do…"

Toss. Catch.

"So you like challenging things." There was no question in the statement. "Is there any other things challenging in your life?" Toss. Catch.

Kusame felt like he was in a meeting with Dr. Phil. What the hell is Maora doing? And Maguri's just standing there…

"Well…let's see…there's cleaning the toilet. That's always a tough one at home. Making sure my mom isn't overworking as a mom is one too. Then there's cooking, sewing, Tachibana…" Kusame paused, rolling his eyes to think of more challenging things.

"And then there's the idiot Komaki." He stated finally. "...Jeez, you should see her someday. She's crazy. One day she'll ask you to do one thing, and then when you do it for her, she asks for something else. And the weirdest part about that is that she's always changing personality. But most of the time she's mad, and weird, and…and…erm…yeah," he trailed off, noticing how fast he was talking. Maora began to smile. "What?" he asked, completely oblivious.

Toss. Catch. "From what you said, it seems Komaki is the most challenging thing so far in your life."

Kusame thought Maora was going to say something more or at least explain, but had waited long enough to figure out that he wasn't. "So…what about it?" He sat up now, dangling his legs at the end of the bed.

Senri veered his eyes from the couple on his left to Kusame on the far side of the room, face indifferent, mind interested.

"You can't see it?" Maora awed, nonchalantly still. "Here, let's put it this way. Let's say you love sweets. But you hate chocolate. Yet chocolates are sweets. Would you accept knowing that you actually like chocolates because they are part of sweets? Or would you keep on denying chocolate from your taste?"

Silence.

Kusame thought for a second, making sure he got everything Maora just said. What the hell does chocolate have to do with anything? "Um, well, technically, I don't really like sweets, period. But…if I did, I guess I'd have to realize that I do like chocolate. Where are you going with all this crap about sweets anyway?"

Maora broaden his smile. "Come on, Kusame. I know you're smart. Think! Put everything I asked you together, and then you'll figure it out and solve this problem!"

"My problem as of now is this huge guilt stuck in my head, and figuring something about sweets is definitely not going to solve that problem…" Kusame uttered as if it wasn't obvious.

Maora chuckled. "You'll never know until you figure it out yourself! As for you…" Maora turned his head to Senri. "Quit moping around and go do something about yourself."

Senri lifted his chin off his hands, his face looking directly at Maora. "There's nothing to do about myself…"

"Then what's with the face?" Maguri pointed out. He felt like it was his turn to take charge.

"Ah well, of course you would expect someone to smile their heads off on such a beautiful day like this," Senri retorted sarcastically. He twirled his chair toward the window, watching the rain flood his windows and make it hardly visible to see anything outside.

"And what if I do?" Maguri said, putting an arm lazily over Maora's shoulder. Senri caught a glimpse of their visible relationship with a little turn of his head.

"Hmph, some people have it different than others…" he muttered, jealously clear in his voice.

Maguri heard this and turned it to his advantage. "You can have it the same as us if you just try…" he tried to persuade.

Senri sighed. "I've already decided what I was going to do ages ago…"

Maguri couldn't figure whether that was supposed to be a good thing or not. Maybe it was best to leave it to his own.

Maora on the other hand, wanted to help, whether Senri needed it or not. Love was a thing that needed some contribution to make happen. It was the same with his relationship with Maguri. If not for the letter…they probably wouldn't get to know each other's feelings. But how to help him? Maora tapped his chin, and after three strikes a light bulb went off his head.

He whispered a quick, "Gotta go. Be right back. I'll explain later," into Maguri's ear and scrambled out of the health clinic. And fast too. Maguri didn't even get the chance to see Maora leave the building.

"Hey! Where are you going!" Maguri shouted to nothing, knowing that it was impossible to catch Maora now. He let out an exasperated breath, turning back to the lovesick zombies.

"Anyone up for a game of poker?"

Out behind the damp trees, Maora pulled away his attire, revealing another uniform from underneath. He took the hairclips off of his hair and shook it out, tying it into the common ponytail. Quick and easily, he found his cap, slipping it on snugly on top of his head.

With a smirk, Maora—Mailman-san—stepped out into the rain. He found a post-it and scribbled some stuff down onto it, sealing it up into a tiny envelope.

"I'm the greatest aren't I?" Mailman-san beamed, brushing his cat on the head. It purred, pawing the droplets of rain.

Mailman-san strolled down the path toward the student council room, knowing everything he needed to know, listing everything he needed to do in his head. After all, he was the Postman of hope and joy…

A/N: Yeah…I call him Mailman-san. I don't know why. Maybe it's my admiration for him, even if he is Maora. But whatever…I also prefer to call Takanari, Taka-laka. But for readers, I don't put that on…

Komaki ran. Or more like sprinted. Through all the puddles, all the muck, all the things a proper lady shouldn't go through. But if it was for Kusame, it would definitely be worth it.

Her lungs cried for air, but she tried her hardest to ignore the pain. And for once in a long while, Komaki felt the urge to laugh in relief. Kusame was still Kusame. He didn't write that letter, but he didn't like her any better either. But who cares? It was that Kusame that she'd fallen in love with. That guy who didn't show her even a bit of attention like anyone else would for a Kamiya member. If he didn't want her, it wouldn't matter. Because, she knew without a doubt, she would always love him. Wasn't that enough?

The heavy downpour blurred her direction of sight, but she could feel in her gut where that Kusame was. She pushed herself even harder.

"Towel, Haine-san?" Touya offered, showing a fluffy and luxorious garmet that was supposedly a towel. Haine looked at it, utterly impressed.

"Thanks." She took it into her hands, warmth instantly spreading through her skin. She sighed, rubbing the soft sheet on her cheek.

The four of them had come into a roofed place away from the rain after giving it all their tolerance. Ushio hadn't bothered to dry herself; her hair still dripped wet. She paced back and forth, damping wherever she went. Her mind was jumbled and crazed up. How was she going to say her feelings out with all of these people in the way? If only Haine wasn't so naïve…

Maybe it was best to give it all up. Unacceptable. Ushio wasn't a person to give up that easily. If she really loved Haine…she should just tell Haine straight up, with or without a crowd. Even with…urgh…'Shizumasa'.

"Here's the thing," she began, turning toward an armchair next to Haine. Haine looked back, her face lit up with the concern you see when you worry for any particular friend. She hated that look. Why did Haine have to think of her as a friend? Can't she see the many things that Ushio had done for her because of her? She wanted to destroy it. Soon enough so that the next time they look into each other, Haine won't be looking at her as a friend anymore. "Haine…I…."

"Yes, Ushio?" Haine asked, not pushing her any further. She was completely clueless of what Ushio had to say to her. But of course, Ushio had been acting more fidgety than usual, so it had to be fairly important.

Takanari was far away from the coffee table where all the couchs were laid, yet was close enough to eavesdrop into their conversation. He studied Ushio's face, noticing the tremor of her lips. He kinda figured out the situation—if only a little. Damn this Lady Hydrangea… he cursed to himself, scrutinizing his brows. Jealousy filled from his head to his toe. He didn't approve of this conversation. And besides, it wasn't possible…for…you know…two of the same…yeah…it's just wrong!! But as he said before, he was going to wait like a gentleman…for Haine's heart.

"I…I…" Ushio somehow couldn't get the words out. I love you. What was so hard about it? She had practiced day and night, proposing this to Haine, and now it wouldn't come out. Even in her dreams, she claimed her love for Haine.

You're saying it at the wrong place and at the wrong time, baka, the voice in her head spoke again. Nostolgia rushed through her as she again, felt the familiarity of the clear voice.

She shook herself out of her somewhat out-of-body experience and gulped, trying once more. "I…….I…." Impossible. It wouldn't come out whether she wanted it to or not.

What was wrong? Somewhere, deep down somewhere, Ushio felt a second-thought injecting its poison into her system. Maybe through all her efforts, maybe through all the time she spent, it would never be enough to supply the feeling she wanted Haine to feel for her. The reason it was wrong, the reason why everything was wrong, was maybe because she was wrong. Yet at the same time, she didn't want to give up her love for Haine. No, she wouldn't let go. No matter what.

She was going to try again.

Don't do it, the voice pleaded desperately. I know you don't want to. Just let go, Ushio. Let go…

Ushio's trembling lips opened as she closed her eyes, "I…I…"

Ushio…let go…

"Full house," Senri announced, somewhat pleased with himself.

Kusame scoffed, throwing his hand down. The air in the health clinic had risen a bit after the simple hand game as a distraction. Maguri took up the cards and began shuffling. He handed them out, getting ready for another round.

I wonder what that idiot Maora is up to… he thought anxiously. From everything he gathered about Maora, he could figure that Maora was poking his nose into something he shouldn't. Then again, Maora always lightened up everyone's mood by poking his nose into things. This shouldn't be any different. He looked sadly at the hand he possessed.

BANG! Their session of poker was interrupted by the slamming door. All three pairs of eyes shot at the direction of the sound, finding a gasping Komaki leaning on the door as if she just ran away from a mass murderer.

"Kusame!" she cried, rushing towards him. She pulled him off the round and took his hands, spinning him around in joy. "Why didn't you tell me you didn't write that letter?!"

Kusame spinned along with her, his head getting dizzier by the second. "Once more," he requested, "With clarity."

Komaki laughed, circling them even harder. "That party supply list you wrote got mixed up with someone else's letter!!! And I thought you wrote the letter, and now that I found out the truth, I'm glad you didn't!" she explained.

Maguri raised a brow at the mention of the party list and the letter. So, it went to her too, huh? Seems like whoever touched that letter gets to have something happy…

"I see…" he said. He was glad that Komaki wasn't mad at him anymore. The guilt in his soul died down to a small ember. But his stomach began churning violently. "Do you mind if we could stop spinning now?" he asked.

She giggled again. Yep, Kusame is still Kusame. "Sure, no problem!"

The abrupt freezing of her feet sent Kusame tripping over her. If she had known what would have happened, Komaki wouldn't have stopped so suddenly. But it was too late.

"GAH!" they both cried. With eyes wide open and heart racing at the energy of adrenaline, Kusame brought her down to the floor under him, collapsing her lips with his.

EH?!?!

A/N: YAY!!! I'm done! I'm done! This story wasn't made without the help of my yoga therapy. Of course, school delayed my uploading too…anyway, hoped you like it. I'll try to get the next chapter out soon!!!

Please leave comments and if anything bothers you about this fanfic, send me a message!

Oh yeah. I know Takanari is not…BIG in this story…YET…Don't worry. He'll come out in the next chapter. With a bang.