Authoress Note: And here I am again…at long last. Oy vai, you wouldn't believe the hell I've been through to finally get here!
So first the wireless network we were leeching off of stopped working. Not a problem. I found out what internet service(s) worked with our apartment complex and then set up an account with AT&T.
A week later, the modem arrives. I'm all happy and excited to get the internet set up on my iMac. Only it won't turn on. My beloved iMac. It WON'T. TURN. ON. So, after a useless call to tech support, I had no choice to surrender my Mac to a repair team. That was two weeks ago. I still don't have my computer back.
My mom has lent us her old computer until I get my iMac back. So needless to say, it's been hell, but here I am at long last to bring you the (I hope) anticipated seventh chapter of "Standing Room Only!"
Thanks to Alanna-Aki and I'm Not Psychotic. I'm Gifted. for adding me to your alerts list. I hope this chapter is to your, and my other loyal readers', liking.
Recap: A rather mortifying encounter in Rose's trailer lead to an interesting conversation. But alas, party duties called, and Rose had yet to get dressed…
Disclaimer: Yu Yu Hakusho and all of its respective characters are the intellectual property of Yoshihiro Togashi and the licensed property of Studio Pierrot and FUNimation Productions. Rose, Ofelia, and Mariel Morera, Sen, Freya, Z, and any other characters not presented in the manga or anime adaptation are the intellectual property of Sakura Amadare.
Chapter 7
When Life Goes Not-So-According to Plan
(Despite the time constraints, Rose rushes through getting dressed and is ready by eight sharp. She steals one last fleeting look in the mirror, appraising her outfit somewhat doubtfully and hoping it falls somewhere in the "semi-casual" category. It consists of a flowing white knee-skirt and a cute navy cami adorned with blue lace. She nods once, just minimally satisfied, and plucks a black clutch from the kitchen counter on her way out the door)
Kurama: (Outside, the stillness has lulled him into a half-sleep)
Rose: (Spots her co-star dozing in the lounge chair and grins, making her way over to him) I know you don't want to walk the plank, Shuichi.
Kurama: (Turns his head slowly, one eye opening sleepily) Come again?
Rose: Remember? Pirate director extraordinaire? "If ye be late, ye will walk the plank"? (Raises her eyebrows)
Kurama: Ah, right (Stretches)
(It takes a few seconds, but once he's roused himself the two make their way together to the building. The music reaches them long before they reach the doors. Inside, the studio has been transformed into party central with refreshments, sound systems, lights and all. Even a makeshift stage has been set up where a DJ works the turntable. People stand or mill around in groups, talking and dancing)
Rose: (Her eyes wander around the room and then latch onto the Studio Hijacker who's dancing a jig on the stage. Giggling, she gives Kurama a little tug and points him out)
Kurama: (He gasps out a laugh somewhere between amusement and shock)
Rose: (Recognizes the song playing as "Dance Dance") A jig to Fall Out Boy?
Kurama: (Snickers) Yes, wildly appropriate.
(The two of them titter together until Kurama feels a light tap on his shoulder)
Kurama: (Turns around, still smiling, to see none other than…) Miss Sherry! What a pleasant surprise!
Sherry: (Flashes him an alluring smile) And it's great to see you, darling (Her smiles dims a bit as she briefly turns her attention to Rose) and you too (She says this only for Kurama's benefit)
Rose: (Nods tersely, not troubling herself to feign courtesy)
Sherry: (Chooses to ignore the girl altogether, focusing her attention completely on Kurama) Nice party, huh?
Kurama: (Smiles) Yes, quite. And may I say you look most lovely tonight, Miss Sherry.
Sherry: (Steps a bit closer with an engaging laugh) Oh, Shuichi, always a perfect gentleman. You look rather dashing yourself (Giggles coyly as she tries to mimic his speech pattern)
Kurama: (Smiles) You're too kind.
("Dance Dance" fades quietly into the tawdry introduction of Britney Spears' "Gimme More")
Sherry: (Gasps in delight and seizes Kurama's hand) I love this song! Oh, Kurama, say you'll dance with me! (Gazes at him with bright, eager eyes)
Kurama: (Hesitates) Well… (Glances uncertainly at Rose, thinking it rude to leave her alone when they did arrive together)
Rose: (Offers a nonchalant smile) Hey, don't worry about me. You wouldn't wanna disappoint her, would you? (Turns to Sherry, a smile just barely masking her distaste)
Kurama: No…of course not (Nods, then turns to smile at Sherry) Of course I'll dance with you, Miss Sherry (Lets her lead him out onto the dance floor)
Rose: (Watches them go until the two disappear from her sight)
(After that, despite Kurama's valiant efforts of getting back to his companion, Sherry always steers him away or steals his attention somehow. Rose doesn't mind; she simply wanders the room, nibbling occasionally from the snack table and joining in a group dance if a song catches her ear. But no matter how distracted she is, she can't escape the nagging feeling that something isn't right. In the middle Ja Rule's remix of Timbaland's "Give It to Me," she's suddenly overwhelmed with a panic so intense she can hardly breathe for it. Gasping for air, she flees dizzily from the studio. Outside and away from the noise, she tries to let the cool breeze on her face soothe her…and then her phone rings)
Rose: (Tears her clutch open and grasps the phone, flipping it open) Ofelia! Thank god, I've had this awful feeling. What's - ?
Ofelia: (Her voice is hushed but cold) Listen to me, Rose.
Rose: (Falls silent at the tone of her sister's voice) Ok…
Ofelia: We've been discovered.
Rose: (Her entire body goes numb then; the clutch slips from her slack grip and clatters noisily onto the concrete)
Ofelia: Whatever you do, don't. Come back. To London.
Rose: (Trembles with cold fear, tears stinging at her eyes) Ofelia…
Mariel: (Takes the phone from her sister, her gaze reproachful for how scared she knows Ofelia's made Rose. She croons tenderly into the phone) Rose, darling, we love you and I promise we'll find you. Don't be afraid.
Rose: (Sniffles hard as the tears force their way out) Ok. Please - please, be careful.
Ofelia: (Snatches the phone back, her voice urgent) Don't call this number again (Clicks the phone shut)
Rose: (She clings desperately to the phone) Ofelia…? Ofelia?!
(The dial tone drones emptily on the other end)
Rose: (With a choked sob she falls to her knees, shaking and whimpering) Oh god (The terror is so consuming she fears she'll be sick with it)
: AN ALLEY IN LONDON :
(Mariel and Ofelia huddle together, gazing uncertainly at each other. Both of them carry bursting backpacks. Mariel's violin case is strapped around her body and she clutches two paintings to her chest. A laptop bag hangs heavily from Ofelia's shoulder)
Ofelia: (Looks down at her phone) We can't leave any evidence (She opens a tiny slot on the side of her phone and extracts the SIM card, proceeding to drop the phone and crush it beneath her boot)
Mariel: (Looks up quickly, her eyes wide) He's coming.
Ofelia: (Seizes her elbow) Come on!
(The two dash from the alley, intending to lead him on a roundabout chase through the city before heading to the nearest airport)
: BACK IN THE STUDIO :
Kurama: (Surveys the room carefully, noting that Rose is no longer there. This worries him, for whatever reason, and he finally tells Sherry firmly) Miss Sherry, I really must be going. Thank you for such a pleasant evening (Not waiting for a response, he turns and makes his way toward the exit. Outside he wanders slowly, his eyes searching for her familiar figure in the darkness. When he finally finds her she is kneeling on the floor, and even from the distance he can see she's trembling uncontrollably. He rushes to her side and drops down next to her, wrapping an arm tightly around her shoulders) Rose! Are you all right?!
Rose: (Gasps with a jolt of fright) Shuichi...! (Purses her lips tightly, a futile attempt to fight back the tears)
Kurama: (Surveys her carefully, satisfied when he sees no injuries, and then goes on in a hushed tone) What is it? What's wrong?
Rose: (Takes a deep, shaky breath) Um… (A violent shiver goes through her)
Kurama: (Squeezes her gently, rubbing her arm) Whatever it is, you can tell me.
Rose: (The story just seems to materialize out of thin air, each word a tiny stitch weaving into the fabric of her lie) There was a fire…
Kurama: (Eyes widen) A fire? Where?
Rose: (Looks off into the distance) My apartment building, in London…it's just - gone. Mariel's burnt, not too badly, but - she's hurt. Ofelia asked me not come back to London and… (The tears gush forth of their own accord and her voice becomes weak and strained) I'm scared for them. Mariel and Ofelia - and for me too. Because it's not like (Sobs, the rest coming out in rush as it's no longer a lie) it's not like I have anywhere to go from here, no money, no family, no home (Chokes off there, unable to go on)
Kurama: (Listens to all of this in silence, offering an empathetic nod and encouraging squeeze here and there. He watches with concern as she grows more and more upset, and when she finally says no more he shushes her kindly) Rose, Rose… (Pulls her into his arms, rocking her back and forth) I know you're afraid for your sisters. My thoughts are with them, and I sincerely hope Mariel gets well. But as for you…you have nothing to fear for yourself. You can come home with me, Rose (Looks down at her cautiously, seeking her reaction)
Rose: (Falls silent and blinks up at him, her tears abated for her surprise) What…?
Kurama: You can come stay with me for a little while. Just until you can get back to London (Smiles)
Rose: (Regards him uncertainly) Come…stay with you? Where…?
Kurama: My home in Duchess County, New York (Loosens his hold on her, leaving a hand on her shoulder)
Rose: (Mumbles with her head bowed) I wouldn't want to put you through any trouble...
Kurama: (Laughs good-naturedly) Believe me, it wouldn't be any trouble at all.
Rose: (Eyes widen as she realizes) I don't have money for a plane ticket...
Kurama: (Smiles kindly) I'd be covering your travel expenditures, of course.
Rose: (A blush creeps into her cheeks) I couldn't. It's too much.
Kurama: Rose, if I may be frank with you... (Looks into her eyes carefully, as if asking for permission)
Rose: (Nods slowly) Go on.
Kurama: (Sighs, a rueful smile on his face) I hope this doesn't sound conceited but, to be honest, I have more than enough money to spare. I guess you could say I'm...well, a good lot more than "well-off" (Sweatdrops)
Rose: (Blinks) Oh…
Kurama: (Nods) Yes, all inherited from my late grandfather. So you see, a simple plane ticket to New York… (Laughs lightly)
Rose: Oh, I see. Well, if you're sure… (Is still hesitant herself)
Kurama: (Assuredly) More than certain.
Rose: (Nods, a tiny smile of gratitude playing upon her lips) Ok, I'll come stay with you (Gasps softly, then looks at him directly, determined) Just until I can get back home, of course!
Kurama: (Chuckles) Of course (Stands and holds a hand out to her)
Rose: (Takes his hand, letting him haul her up on her feet) Thank you so much, Shuichi. You're so kind.
Kurama: (Hugs her tightly) Think nothing of it (Keeps an arm wrapped around her shoulders as he leads her to her trailer) Now, I think maybe you should lie down. You've had a very trying evening.
Rose: (Nods numbly, letting him take her to the doorstep) Yeah…ok.
Kurama: My flight is at 8 in the morning. Considering we need to purchase a ticket and arrive at least two hours prior to take-off…Do you think you could be ready by 5:30?
Rose: (Nods profusely) Yes, of course, whenever you want.
Kurama: (Smiles) All right. Have you packed your things already?
Rose: (Nods) Yeah, everything. I'm all set.
Kurama: Good, good, I'll see you in the morning then (Turns and takes a step forward, but then stops and glances back almost as an afterthought) Please get some rest, Rose (Dips his head as a sign of farewell and then goes off to his own trailer)
Rose: (Still somewhat mystified, she drifts in through the door. Her mind flits restlessly over all that's happened that night. It almost seems like a dream, so convincing despite the constant sense that at any moment she might wake with a startled gasp. Suddenly exhausted, she stumbles to the bedroom and tumbles onto the bed, curling up on the sheets to wait for dawn)
Authoress Note: Yeah…Lol, I'm sorry if it seemed a little awkward that Kurama would invite Rose to stay with him. But remember, they have been friends for a few months now, and what with Kurama's superfluous amount of money it just seemed like the right thing to do.
And now for a new segment…replies to reviews!
UpperClassK9 said "chuckles Hiei has a phone? A HANDphone? And Kurama's a mortal? Hah. Now that's real nice. But Kurama's not that nice, you know… Shuuichi is though. Hmm... Kurama's more... gropes blindly for words Foxy!"
Sakura says "Heehee, Hiei's just adapted a little to some of the technology offered in the human world. After all, he spends like half of his time there. As for Kurama and his 'foxiness'…I take it you were referring to Youko Kurama? See, from what I've gathered about Kurama, it seems to me that when he's around someone who has no paranormal qualities that he can perceive, he goes into full-blown Shuichi mode. Hence the super niceness, lol. But that's just my take."
Kittenn1011 said "Heh…oh, and about that little Author's note in the middle of the chapter, please don't do it again. It interrupts the story. If you /really/ need it, put a footnote instead. Update update!"
Sakura says "Eep, sorry about that. I just remembered back in the day when I was reading a lot of humor, an appropriate author's note briefly breaking the flow of the story lent hilarity rather than annoyance. But I won't do it again, promise."
Preview: The time has finally come. Kurama is overjoyed to be going home, but Rose is more than a little nervous, for more reasons than one.
