(AN: Wow, this is a lot of story lol, I'm really not sure how many chapters there are, so far I have mapped out twelve chapters, but it is only about ¾ done by chapter 12 so there will be more then that, I have no idea but when I do I'll let ya'll know! Thanks for reading!!! R&R)
One Month Later
Zuki had her routine set. Monday through Thursday, after school she would spend the rest of her time at the dance studio, dancing working with the front people and doing her homework. Friday she would have band practice after school until ten at night, because she was so busy during the week the band made sure to practice extra hard on their own time. Every night after she got back from the studio she would make a cup of tea and sit out on her balcony writing songs with the talented stranger who lived below her. On Saturday's she danced for a couple hours in the morning then had band practice before they performed at Club Zero, Sunday's she tried to do all the homework she didn't get done during the week. Sadly, she saw Bank every day because his mother had gotten him a job at the dance studio cleaning the floors and working the register in the shop that sold the dance attire. Zuki sometimes worked with him in the shop, which wasn't as bad as she thought it would be. Except for the few insults they would throw at each other they ignored one another as best as they could. Today however wasn't going as well, Zuki was already frazzled because of three tests she had to take the next week, so she was studying as much as she could, Bank however was not happy about her sitting behind the counter reading and making him do all the work around the store.
"Could you get off your ass and help me," Bank growled after trying, unsuccessfully, to push a box of tap shoes over to the display rack. Zuki glanced up at him and rolled her eyes as she set her book down.
"If I fail history, I'm blaming you," she said as she made her way over to the box. Bank glared at her but with both of them lifting the box they got it where it needed to go. Instead of going back to her reading Zuki helped Bank put away all the shoes, she told herself it was because he didn't put them the way they were supposed to go. Bank seemed annoyed by just her presence but Zuki ignored him as she arranged the shoes just so.
"Would you just go back and read your damn history book, I don't have the time to hear you complain if you fail," he said grabbing a pair of shoes out of her hand. Zuki sat back on her heels and glowered at him. Bank proceeded to ignore her as he put shoes away. Zuki huffed and went back to the register to read. Before she was able to get back into the mindset the door jingled alerting her that they had a customer. Zuki quickly jumped off her stool and put away her book in one swift motion, she had perfected the art of studying on the job.
"Hello, welcome to Mura Dance, how may I help you?" Zuki said her brightest smile plastered on her face. She saw Bank glance up out of the corner of her eye then continued working.
"Yes, I need to buy some ballet and tap shoes for my daughter, as well as sign her up for classes," a stiff woman asked. She was dragging a little girl about the age of six behind her. The little girl was still in her school uniform.
"Well, I can help you," Zuki stepped around the counter. "Over here we have our dance shoes, we could have your daughter try on a few pairs." The woman looked at Bank with a disgusted look on her face.
"Hmm, well Aoi, go try on shoes, I will be sitting over there," her mother pointed then walked away. Aoi looked up at Zuki with a scared look on her face. Zuki crouched down so she didn't seem so big.
"Aoi, that's a very pretty name," Zuki said with a smile. The little girl glanced over at her mother then grinned widely at Zuki. Zuki laughed a little then reached over and grabbed a pair of tap shoes.
"Let's try these on okay?" Zuki held out the shoes and Aoi smiled and nodded her head, her school hat almost falling off. Aoi promptly sat down on the ground and pulled off her loafer and wiggled her toes. Zuki gave the little girls toes a quick tickle which resulted in a giggle from Aoi. After Zuki had laced up the shoes, she helped the little girl onto her feet and led her over to the test floor.
"Now, I'm going to show you a really easy step can you copy me?" Zuki said still holding the little girls hand, the little girl nodded. Zuki noticed that Bank had sat down on her floor and was watching her interaction with Aoi. Zuki tapped the ball of her foot on the floor and Aoi repeated, Zuki then put her heels down on the floor and Aoi did the same, giving a happy shout and jumping up and down. Zuki laughed with her glad the little girl was so happy. Zuki took a step back as Aoi stomped around on the ground enjoying the clipping coming from her shoes hitting the ground. Zuki crossed her arms and watched the little girl, she remember the first time she had gotten tap shoes, she had nearly ruined the floors in their house, she never took them off. Aoi stopped and turned to look up at Zuki.
"Can you teach me?" The little girl asked quietly.
"I would be happy to, I'll make sure to sign you up for one of my classes, it that okay?" Zuki asked crouching down again. Aoi's face light up but before she could respond her mother was there snatching at her daughter.
"I want my daughter to be taught by the best instructor, not some lowly teenager who looks biracial," the woman seethed. Zuki just smiled, used to the treatment she got from some people. Usually people were intrigued by her different looks, but there were some who found it insulting.
"I'm sorry ma'am, my father was from America, but I was raised here in Japan, if you are not comfortable with me teaching you're daughter I can-." Before she got to finish her sentence Bank was up and standing next to her.
"Listen lady, Suzuki here is the best damn dance instructor here, she get's the kids to listen and they have fun, if you want you're daughter to dance then you should put her in Zuki's class. If you would rather your child hated dance and never danced again then go ahead, put her in another class," he nearly shouted crossing his arms. The woman worked her mouth like she wanted to say something but instead decided to drag her daughter from the store, unpaid tap shoes and all. Zuki was gaping at Bank, had he just defended her, did he just say she was the best dance instructor at the studio. She was about to thank Bank, btu then realized that he had lost a customer and let them walk out with the tap shoes.
"Bank! You're not supposed to yell at the customers!" Zuki rounded on Bank her fists clenched. Bank looked over at her shocked.
"I just defended your ass from that racist bitch and you yell at me?" He was glaring down at her. Although Zuki was a good six inches shorter then Bank she held her ground.
"Thank you, but you just lost a customer. I don't care if she didn't want me to teach her daughter, I'm used to it!" Bank cocked an eyebrow at here confused.
"Why?" He asked. Zuki groaned.
"I'm used to being treated like dirt, there are plenty of people who think my hair and eyes and skin are cool, but there are just as many who think of me as lower then them. I learned to deal with it and not let it affect me, especially when it comes to the studio. The studio comes before my pride," Zuki said massaging her left temple.
"You shouldn't have to be used to it, people are dumb, just because your dad is from America doesn't give anyone else the right to treat you differently," he said standing his ground.
"I know that, but I can't change every person I meet, I would rather get their money for the studio then worry about my hurt feelings," Zuki said before turning and going back to her book. Bank had opened his mouth to say something, but thought better of it and picked up the now empty shoe box and carried it to the back room. The rest of the day was pretty quite, some middle school girls had come to the store poking around. Zuki caught them trying to steal a wrap and she shooed them out of the store. They sold a few pairs of shoes and got some new students, but it wasn't much. Zuki sighed as she counted out the till into the lock box.
"We made 1,500¥ today," she said sadly. Bank was leaning on the counter flipping through a costume catalogue.
"Well, better then nothing," he said not looking up. Zuki glared at him not caring that he didn't see her. Sighing Zuki took the till into the back room and locked it up in the safe. She set the alarm then walked quickly to the front door to lock up. Bank was already outside leaning against the wall. Zuki was surprised he had waited for her. She quickly locked up then started the long walk home. Bank quickly fell in step with her staying at her side.
"What are you doing?" Zuki asked wondering why he was walking with her.
"Walking you home, it isn't smart for girls to wander around alone," he said looking at her out of the corner of his eye. Zuki looked at him like he had sprouted tentacles.
"It's Tokyo, and in Roppongi, I'm not gonna get kidnapped," she said pulling her coat tighter around her as the November air bit into her. Bank looked over at her then on the other side of the street where a couple guys were stumbling out of a bar. Zuki followed his gaze and picked up her pace.
"I'm not saying you'll get kidnapped, but if you walk with me you're less likely to get heckled." At that moment the guys had spoted Zuki and were calling out to her.
"Hey, ditch braid boy and have fun with a real man!"
"Yeah shake that ass girl."
Zuki rolled her eyes and kept walking looking over at Bank.
"You were saying?" Bank looked back at the three men and glared noticing they were following them. Zuki glanced back as well and groaned.
"I know them, they are here every Tuesday, they never do anything just call out to me and curse," she said. Bank glared at them then put his arm around Zuki. Zuki looked at his hand then up at Bank.
"Now what are you doing?" She asked turning out of his grasp.
"Pff, fine deal with them on your own," he said then walked down an alley to get away from her. Zuki stopped and watched him go wondering where all the gallantry had come from. Obviously she had stopped too long because the three guys were not only steps away from her. Zuki quickly started walking home again hoping that all they did was talk. Zuki glanced back but before she could see an arm was around her shoulders and the smell of sake overwhelmed her.
"Hey b'utiful, wanna hook up?" drunk number one drawled. Zuki tried to spin out from under his arm but he grabbed her wrist.
"She don't wanna go with you, she'd rather be with a real man. How bout it honey, I know a great love hotel a few blocks away," drunk number two said with a little less of a slur. She felt something brush her ass and she jumped away. Two pairs of hands grabbed her arms and pulled her to the wall, she was fighting back hard now.
"Let me go!" She yelled feeling their hands dig into her forearms. Drunk number three took his cue and stepped up smothering her with his mouth. Zuki screamed against his mouth her eyes wide with shock. Zuki did the only thing she knew how do to, jerking her knee into the guys crotch as hard as she could. She felt him suck in air before he collapsed to the ground.
"Bitch, never knee a man's jewels," drunk number two said gripping her tighter. Zuki struggled against their grasp, hoping that someone would walk by soon and stop it.
"Let her go!" Zuki looked around for the source of the voice, Bank was walking quickly up behind drunk number two and proceeded to pull him away from Zuki and pummel him. Drunk number one had loosened his grasp and Zuki took the chance, pulling away from him and punching him as hard as she could. He fell back onto the ground out cold. Zuki felt someone touch her shoulder and she spun to hit the offender, but Bank caught her fist just in time.
"Calm down, you okay?" He asked holding her fist and putting his other hand on her shoulder.
"Yeah, I'll have to wash my mouth out with soap, and my arms will be bruised, but I'm fine," she said with a shrug. Bank looked her over before releasing her.
"Why wash your mouth out with soap?" He asked looking at the three fallen drunks. Zuki walked over to drunk number three and kicked him hard in the gut.
"Creep here kissed me," she shuddered at the memory.
"Ew," Bank said simply. Zuki looked at him before bursting out laughing. The rest of the walk home was quiet and uneventful, Zuki was glad to be back home. She pulled off her shoes, realizing her brother was probably at the library studying again. Zuki went to the bathroom to run a bath. As the tub filled she went to her room to shed her clothes. Although it was Monday Zuki was already starting to feel the stress of school and work. She was glad she got some release with dancing and the band. Her band was playing this Saturday at the homecoming dance, so she had made sure that they practiced every night. Zuki was a bit sad that she wouldn't be able to sit out on her balcony and listen to the amazing singer who lived below her, but her band came first. After Zuki had bathed and dressed she wandered into the third small bedroom that was between Zuki's room and Yasu's. This room had been converted to an office/studio. Zuki walked over to the upright piano and played a few scales to warm her voice up before she sang. Zuki had decided that she would miss work and dancing to practice with the band on Thursday and Friday. On Thursday they were going to set up a song list, Zuki already had a few ideas on what she wanted to play. Zuki played accompaniment while she sang the songs that were her pick, glad that her voice wasn't hurt from the screaming she did earlier. Zuki sang until her eyes were drooping, she heard the TV in the living room and knew Yasu was home. Stifling a yawn Zuki shuffled out and curled up next to her brother.
"Long day?" He asked drapping an arm around her shoulders.
"Yeah," she yawned. "Bank cussed out a customer and she stole a pair of tap shoes, then some drunk guys attacked me on my way home, one of them managed to kiss me. Bank showed up and beat on of them up while I took out the other two," she said non chalantly cuddling closer to her big brother. She felt him stiffen against her before yelling, "What?!" Zuki jumped at the loud noise and looked over at her brother.
"Don't worry, they were drunk, I'm fine," she said trying to settle back down. Before she could Yasu had grabbed her shoulders and was looking her over. Zuki rolled her eyes and shoed his hands away.
"Yas, I'm fine! My arms might be bruised a little but they didn't touch me," she said crossing her arms. Yasu grumbled something before yanking her over to him again. Zuki giggled into his shirt and fell asleep on the couch to the sounds of the news.
Zuki was rushed the next morning, she had fallen asleep on the couch and was happy to wake up in her bed, but she was thirty minutes late. Rushing out the door with a piece of toast in her mouth she pulled on her sweater quickly and me tup with Ayame in the lobby.
"Where were you?" Ayame asked indignantly. Zuki shrugged and tried to talk around the toast but failed, pulling out the toast and securing her book bag she and Ayame ran to the subway.
"I overslept, I forgot to set my alarm, I fell asleep on the couch," she said gasping for air. The subway car was packed so Ayame and Zuki had to stand close together near the door. Ayame listen to music on her iPod as Zuki watched the scenery flash by. At the stop for their school they ran out of the station and up to the school steps. Zuki let out a relieved breath seeing people just starting to head into the school.
"Good, we just missed the first bell," Ayame said. Zuki didn't know why Ayame was running with her, Ayame could have run so much faster and gotten to school before her. Zuki smiled knowing her friend wouldn't desert her. They slid to the homeroom door, and slid on the slippers walking into the room as the second bell tolled. Their teacher gave them an annoyed glare and pointed to their seats. Zuki was flushed and panting, she and Ayame grabbed the last two seats. One of which was in front of Kagome, the other was in front of Bank. Ayame quietly slid in front of Kagome and Zuki, groaning, slid in front of Bank.
"Hey you okay?" Bank whispered leaning closer to her back.
"I'm fine," Zuki said looking back as she pulled out her binder and books. Bank looked at her then looked up to the teacher. The day went by slowly, Zuki kept glancing up at the clock willing it to move faster, it didn't. Bank kept trying to talk to her, but she ignored him as best she could. Finally at the end of the day Zuki grabbed Ayame and dragged her to Renkotsu's locker.
"Hey, so we are having extra practice on Thursday, no you can't get out of it, yes you have to come. Let Sui know?" Zuki said before Ren could protest. Ren rolled his eyes and nodded. Zuki gave him a dazzling smile, turned to go, and ran into a hard chest. Zuki looked up to see Bank looking down at her with a smirk.
"Well, if I had known you couldn't keep your hands of me…" Zuki growled at him before sidestepping and stomping off.
The rest of the week went by more quickly and soon Saturday morning had arrived. They were at Sui and Ren's house because they had an actual house that was very large. Bank was there, much to Zuki's displeasure, and he was trying to watch them rehearse.
"Okay, so we are going to play, I Want You to Want Me, Come on Eileen, Can't Take my Eyes Off of You, and what else?" Zuki asked shifting through the music at her feet.
"Well, we could play that duet that I wrote," Sui offered. Zuki pulled out the sheet music for I Know and looked it over.
"Yeah, this would work as the ending piece, okay, so lets go over Can't Take my Eyes Off of You," She said pushing herself off the floor pulling the music with her. Zuki went to the couch Bank was sitting on and tossed the music on there before taking her place at the mic. They had to have the same brass quartet play a bit, Zuki had gotten them to record the opening bit so they could practice without them. Zuki pressed play and the horns started to play. Ren started to bass on the drums, then Sui started to play as Zuki took her place to sing.
You're just to good to be true
Can't take my eyes off of you
You'd be like heaven to touch
I wanna hold you so much
At long last love has arrived
And I thank god I'm alive
You're just too good to true
Can't take my eyes off of you
Pardon the way that I stare
There's nothin' else to compare
The sight of you leaves me weak
There are no words let to speak
But if you feel like I feel
Please let me know that it's real
You're just to good to be true
Can't take my eyes off of you
The horns started to play louder and a bit happier. Zuki danced a long a bit to the slow groove waiting for the rock to come out. With a much faster and harder rock sound she sang the chorus.
I love you baby
And if it's quite alright
I need you baby
To warm the lonely night
I love you baby
Trust in my when I say
Oh pretty baby
Don't bring me down I pray
Oh pretty baby
Now that I've found you stay
And let me love you baby
Let me love you
The rest of the song kept with a upbeat rock sound. Zuki took the mic off the stand and started to dance around. She didn't notice that Bank was looking at her with something different in his eyes.
You're just to good to be true
Can't take my eyes off of you
You'd be like heaven to touch
I wanna hold you so much
At long last love has arrived
And I thank god I'm alive
You're just to good to be true
Can't take my eyes off of you
The quartet kept playing and then the sax had a solo before Zuki started to sing with Ayame singing back up with her. Singing a bit slower this time Zuki swayed her hips to the music slowly dancing around in a circle. Sui had noticed that Bank couldn't keep his eyes off of Zuki.
I love you baby
And if it's quite alright
I need you baby
To warm the lonely nights
I love you baby
Trust in me when I say
Oh pretty baby
Don't bring me down I pray
Oh pretty baby
Now that I've found you stay
And let me love you baby
Let me love you
The song picked up again and Zuki faced front glancing at Bank smiling at him.
I love you baby
And if it's quite alright
I need you baby
TO warm the lonely night
And let me love you baby
Let me love you
The song slowed down again as Ren kept the beat letting it slow.
You're just to good to be true
Can't take my eyes off of you
Zuki held the last note as the song finished. Zuki walked over to the small boom box and turned the tap off.
"Okay, that was good, but Sui near the end you tripped up a couple time, Ayame you were perfect, as were you Ren. Now we just have to practice with the brass guys and it will be great!" Zuki said with a huge smile. Zuki noticed that Sui hadn't listened to her and was glaring at his cousin.
"Sui? Hello?" He ignored her and kept glaring. Zuki walked over to him blocking his view of his cousin.
"Were you listening?" She demanded her hands on her hips. Sui was pulled out of his glare and looked down at Zuki, a guilty expression on his face.
"Er, well no…," he said scratching the back of his head nervously. Zuki huffed at him then turned around.
"I'm not going to repeat it, so ask someone else. If you can't bother to listen to me the first time…," Zuki trailed off as she walked out of the room her arms crossed. Sui looked over at Ayame and shrugged, she just rolled her eyes and followed her friend.
(AN: Okay well, I had planned on doing the dance performance in the chapter, but it would be too long so I'll do it the next chapter :D R&R!)
