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Slave

Chapter seven – What're you looking at?

By Memphizz


For an unknown reason, he felt somewhat jaded that Wednesday afternoon. The unfilled studio rendered an eerie awareness and seclusion, which was exactly what the singer needed that day. It was serene. There were no paparazzi taking his picture, no fans pleading for an autograph, no concerts to prepare and rehearse for. The solitude was welcoming and he embraced it because he knew reality would certainly collide with this outburst of normality that rarely surrounded him.

He was seated by the sound board, his feet on the desk. The luminous light expose his features, the red tint on his cheek had faded, and his eyes were aloof. The smell of rain filtered through the compact space. 'It always seemed to rain on days like these' he thought. Time seemed to mean nothing for him. He didn't know how long he had been there for, too long maybe. But it didn't matter, he could care less. This was his time that he owned for the moment.

He brushed a strand of hair away from his face as he continued to casually strum the Gibson Les Paul. A withered sigh escaped his lips. Thoughts rushed back into his mind, intruding his tranquility. So much has happened in his young life in such a short amount of time. First the record contract was signed, propelling him and his band members to super stardom, and their debut studio album went multi-platinum in several countries. They rose to international fame overnight, topping the Billboards album charts and then followed by extensive touring and the odd charity work around the world. For him it got old quickly. The media attention and the commercialization that had taken away the heart and soul of music and that made him doubt himself and his music. As young musicians they were striving to be different and that appealed to the youth, but unfortunately plans did change. At that moment of his career he made the conscious choice to wear an artificial mask to emulate the phoniness that enclosed around him every day.

He felt stuck.

Out of nowhere, the band's manager signed an endorsement deal on their behalf with the fashion label Skin, without informing them or even discussing and deliberating the sudden move from rockstars to style icons. The very idea was disconcerting, expressing his disproval and reluctance was expected, but protesting was a fruitless venture. The grasp over his life was starting to come undone in manner of a few months and the solid foundation underneath his feet had come crumbling down.

His pal lips strung up into a slight smile.

If he did not find himself in this sudden arrangement, he would not have encountered her. 'A new breath of fresh air she was' he thought, although her personality reflected strength, and with strength, stubbornness always seemed to trail along. He shook his head. It was very clear that first day, her love for famous individuals was fictional and he was no exception. He was everything she detested, over-confidence, complacency, inconsideration and pretension. A match made from hell. He did not see it like that though. Having her as a new roommate was at first ludicrous idea and even the thought it challenged his sanity, but never regretted the impulsive choice of sharing a space with person that had a great hatred for him. It shocked him that he would sanction himself to share his apartment with anyone, let alone a female that he had only known for a few short days. He could not deny he was drawn by her. Discovering who she really was as a person was his next quest of understanding the fiery individual.

"I thought you might be here."

He jolted. The familiar voice ambushed the guitars thoughts, almost making him fall from his seat. The now disgruntled blond hastily turned around, his gaze met the young male with grunt. "Shit dude, don't do that."

Takeru could not restrain the upsurge of laughter. "Wow, you should see your face. Now that is the priceless moment at its best."

"Shut-up," he groaned in counter-attack, he quickly regained his composure and glared at his younger sibling. "What are doing here?"

"It's nice to see you too Matt," Takeru smirked, nonchalantly placing his hand in his right pocket. "Even on a good day, your mood never seems to reflect the moment."

"Whatever, it's called being artistic."

"I call it being in a bad mood," Takeru responded candidly as he sauntered to an empty stool by the keyboard and took a seat. "I went to your apartment earlier and you weren't home, and then I tried to get hold of you on your phone, but it went straight to voicemail."

Since becoming an international musical icon, seeing his brother was a rare event. Guilt naturally immersed him when he could not spend more of his time with his family, but he always found himself in a different country, performing to millions of people. It may come off as being selfish, but that was now his lifestyle, he was engrossed in that way of living as a celebrity, constantly in demand. It never suggested he didn't miss his brother and even though he failed to show his regret for procrastinating the time, he was always gratefully he got to share some time with his little brother. What he abandoned in his old life, was clear to him that he could not reclaim it with ease and he had to bear with that outcome.

"Sorry man," Yamato halfheartedly apologized as he bent down and fastened his guitar into its case. "My phone's battery died and I've been here most of the day."

"Oh," his brother sighed and gave a casual shrug. "Well, I just wanted to check on my brother, see how you are…you know, keep you grounded."

"I'm fine, really. Nothing much to report."

"So signing with Skin and endorsing their latest men's collection is categorized as 'nothing much to report,'" Takeru replied mockingly.

"Like I said, it's nothing," Yamato snubbed, leaning back in his seat. "Where did you hear that we signed with Skin? Wait…let me guess…you read it on one of those cheap flashy tabloid magazines, didn't you?"

"Bingo."

"Of course," Yamato exhaled heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose. His hatred for tabloid magazines was no secret. Ever page is overcrowded with outlandish rumors. People's lives are exploited and targeted, staining their reputations, all for the sole purpose of making money. Words are written without taking into consideration of the consequence that shadowed those published hearsay. The lack of sympathy was to be anticipated, they were envies of the celeb lifestyle. "That shit will massacre your intelligence."

"So it's true then?"

"How it burns me to say it, but yes, they do speak the truth…this time."

"That's pretty cool…I bet you'll get free clothes and you probably get to hang out with the models any time you like," Takeru winked.

"Yeah, I guess so," Yamato mind wandered. Not exactly a model, but she sure does have the malignant qualities of one.

"What's with that look?" the younger blonds' inquisitiveness spoke out.

Yamato quickly jolted back to the real world with a puzzled expression. "What look?"

"That look."

"What look? I've never had this look," Yamato objected.

"Exactly! You're thinking of a girl, aren't you? It has to be that."

He rolled his eyes at the spoken truth, and his denial spoke back. "Don't be ridiculous T.K, you are talking crazy. There is no girl."

"What's her name?" his relative interrogate, neglecting Yamato's supposed assertion.

"Who is she?"

"Do I know her by any chance?"

"It's nothing, okay! She's just some chick that works at the label," Yamato blurted out. It was like sudden wave of stupidity hit him in the face at a supersonic speed. Fuck my life. Why was he even refuting it? It was not like anything was happening or going to happening, not with her. It had occurred to him that the opportunity to change the subject had dissipated.

"And that is it and it's not what you think it is."

Takeru blinked, a small beam grasped his features. "So who is she then?"

"She like my personal assistant you can say, appointed by the label to make me happy. She pretty much does all my dirty work," he enlighten as he ran his fingers through his mane, concealing his unease.

"Shame…I don't even know her and I already feel so sorry for her," Takeru joked.

"Haha…very funny," he sneered, his gaze sharp but soon was suppressed. "Yet, I'm surprised she's lasted this long…if I was in her shoes, I would have quit on the first day."

"Yip...you are a pain in the ass."

"And that is a fact," Yamato nodded in agreement. He was first to admit his charisma was a delusive place, crowed with misery and distress and whoever entered would undoubtedly break down. It was deliberate and it was small piece of him that was synthetic. That side of him was a fictitious reflection of who he really was.

"Is she hot?"

Yamato withdrew a sigh. "I'm going to tell Kari you're asking me inappropriate questions about other girl's appearances."

"You're avoiding the question," Takeru said delivering a broad beam.

"Of course I am," he acknowledge, unimpressed by the smug look his sibling was flaunting. "I'm not going divulge in this topic and anything else about her. I'm actually over this conversation about her…it has gone on way too long."

"She's hot, isn't she…ha I knew it…you're showing all the obvious sighs of lust and you know what…I think deep down you really like her."

"I think you must book yourself an appointment with a psychotherapist because this erratic behavior is unhealthy and scaring me. Your symptoms are concerning."

Takeru shook his head. "Denial it is not the way, bro."

"There is no denial…it does not exist in this conversation," Yamato argued tersely. "I don't like this chick…fact!"

"At least tell me this girl's name that you allegedly don't like."

"Her name is Sora."

"Sora?" Takeru echoed. "Sora Takenouchi?"

Yamato peeved facial expression was instantaneously substitute with wonderment. "You know her?"

"I don't know her, but I know of her," he replied, shrugging his shoulders. "Kari told me Tai went to school with her, they played soccer together, but her working at Skin is new to me. What I've heard, Sora doesn't actually fit as a 'fashionista'."

"She sure acts like one."

"I bet you'll hook up with her."

"I bet you'll be wrong," Yamato said, his conviction shined.

"So let's make a bet then," Takeru suggested, accompanied by another smirk.

Folding his arms by his chest, Yamato sat up straight, intrigued by a friendly wager that he was sure to win. "Okay, you're on…what are your terms?"

"If you and Sora hook up at any time, the day for your next concern you'll have to shave your hair to a mohawk and dye it hot pink."

Struck by the extreme terms and conditions of the bet, the possibility of the mutilation of his hair was daunting, but his composure did not once stagger. Wrestling the issue was irrevlant, he never back down. "Well, if you're wrong, which you will be in the end, you'll have to propose to Kari in front of me, mom and dad."

"What?" Takeru croaked out.

"You heard me," Yamato said sternly, his gazed sharpened. "You two have been together since High School and it is only appropriate that your best man gives you that little nudge you need to take the plunge into marriage life."

What he said was true, the young lovers affiliation with one another had several years attached to it. If it was not him draw attention to the long overdue wedding ceremony, it was their mother, but that did not exclude himself from that integration. In almost every family gathering, his mother would highlight the fact her aging and her longing for grandchildren was her justification for him to tie the knot. His outlook on marriage was like investing in the stock market for the first time, there are no guarantees. His parent's marriage was proof of his apprehension. There was always a trace of doubt and mistrust in his mind.

Love is blind, marriage is the eye-opener.

"Best man, hey?"

"Of course, I'm the man for the job…who else? Before the big day, I'll show you things and you'll experience things that you can only dream off. You will thank me one day."

"It's always nice to know that your own flesh and blood is the mastermind behind all the twisted things that leave you scarred for life," Takeru reminisced with an upbeat tone.

"What can I say…I do have many talents."

"But do we have a deal," Takeru asked, his hand outstretched to his betting opponent.

With brief glimpse at his brother's hand, Yamato's hand met his. "Deal."


"Deal."

"You ready?"

"Are you ready?"

"Let's do this!"

"And…go!"

Instantaneously, two rows of the alcoholic mixed shots, one by one, slid down the two challenger's throats sequentially. A race for the title of the superior alcohol consumer had embarked on a brief voyage of self-inflicting suffering and nausea. The two contenders were neck and neck, it was anyone's game. Soon as the high-speed contest begun, it soon ended.

"Done," shouted the female opponent, slamming the last empty shot glass on the bar and raised her arms to the roof in victory. "You own me fifty bucks, Tai."

"Gee Sora, what's up with you tonight...you're like a machine tonight," Taichi stated, holding back the regurgitation of the liquor whirling in his stomach.

"You can't beat a pro," Sora bragged.

"You are simply awesome, Sora… oh, it smells like college again," Mimi screeched joyously, latching her arms around Sora's small frame. "Well, smells like the part's I remember."

"I think what I have witness now it just not humanly possible," Koushiro said, arching a brow.

The familiar ambiance and fuse of aromas of Ruby's wrapped around the band of friends. The fast bass assaulted the silence of the club and like marionettes it manipulated the throng's movement. The dark bars scenery was bursting with sounds of chatter and glasses clinking from groups of companions. Flashes of hand cameras and the glow of more than a few cigarette tips supplied as a light sources to the dim space.

"So…who's up for another drink," Sora queried with buoyancy, gazing at her friends and hoped to continue her late night of binge drinking.

"What?" Koushiro exclaimed, stocked by the very question his ears had heard. "I think I will concluded tonight that the mass amount alcohol you consumed has had negatively affected your thought pattern."

"Are you crazy, Sora? Taichi replied, a grimace morphed on his face. "I think I might have to get a liver transplant after to this random night… I don't know what I was thinking when I agreed to do this…you're a bad influence and a health risk."

"As much as I hate to say it, but I think we should call it a night," Mimi agreed, feeling slightly remorseful. "I have to be at the studio eight o' clock sharp for rehearsal and having a potential hangover isn't something I'm not looking forward to on the set."

The redhead woman gave a huff. "Whatever…come on guys it's only like twelve o' clock."

"No hun, it's actually three o' clock," Mimi enlightening the sad truth to her friend.

"Twelve o' clock, three o' clock, what's the difference really," Sora protested, her rationality evidently skewed and soon set her attention to the bartender. "Hey Jun, get me a Gin and Tonic."

Jun nodded in responds but before she could render services to the thirst female patron, Taichi intervened.

"Cancel that order please, Jun," Taichi asked politely and his concerned eyes met Sora's. "It's time to call it a night."

"Hold up Jun," Sora said tersely, now peeved, directed it to Taichi. "Did you just do what I thought you did?"

Taichi gazed down at the aggravation that stood in front of him, but since college he knew how to handle her and was the only fearless person that would voluntarily challenge in her drunken condition. Acting as her bigger brother come as a natural instinct to him, always looking out for best interests. Since she was an only child who seldom saw her absent father, he soon employed himself as her protector. There was never a moment were he did not torment her with his badgering and teasing. It was his cover-up on how he really felt about her and day he would professing those built up feelings never arrived. He could not allow himself to ruin their friendship.

The bushy haired male wrapped his lanky arm around Sora's shoulder. "It's time to go home, take some hardcore pain killer, because I know I will have too…then hit the refresh button and recuperate from this night."

"Umm…guys, am I cancelling the order," Jun interrupted civilly, making aware her clientele were waiting to be served. "I don't know if you all noticed, but it's a little hectic tonight and my job permits me to supply alcohol to others."

"No," Sora sent back a disapproving responds. "Un-cancel that."

"Re-cancel, Jun and if you don't I'm going to beat up Daisuke with his goggles," Taichi threatened.

Jun gave a shrug. "As much as I would love that to happen, I'll cancel that order for you…sorry Sora."

The bartender soon vanished before Sora could react and aimed her assault on her childhood friend.

"Now Tai, I love you and all that, but you and I both know that my stubbornness will emerge at this point of time and you convincing me to end my delight of intoxicating myself even more, will be a waste of your time and it's just plain sad."

When Sora wanted her way, here resilience always succeeded her will and everyone who experienced that quality of her, stepped aside without serious injure. Her determination defined her, when she saw something she desired, she went for it head on. Her belief in fate perished, she was in control of the predestination she found herself in. Unfortunately in recent days, that power over her life was confiscate, stolen from her firm grip and this scenario she arrived at, will act as her escape route.

"Your refusal to recognize the real reason why you called us to meet here at Ruby and excessively drink is just plain sad."

"Oh no he didn't," Mimi said, stunned.

"Here we go," Koushiro commented.

"I can't look."

"What are you getting at Tai," Sora questioned her friend, her hands now placed on her hips and her gaze hardened. She did not like what his chocolate colored eyes suggested.

"Well, to put in simply, you just don't want to return to the apartment that you and Matt now share together and you are struggling to cope with that," Taichi graced her question, undeterred by the penetrating scowl.

"Oh really? Is that your prognosis?"

"You're just postponing destiny my dear friend."

"Destiny?" Sora chortled sardonically, amused by Taichi's verdict. She playful shoved him. "You're hilarious."

His persistence stood unopposed, caution thrown to the wind. "I guess that's the only thing you and him have in common…denial."

"He just keeps on pushing," Koushiro shook his head, gazing at his fiancé. "This night isn't going to end well."

"Unbelievable," Mimi sighed. "Is he asking for a death wish?"

"Denial?" Sora laughed bitterly at his assumption which in fact was the verbal truth.

"You heard me," Taichi stated.

"Oh, so you think I'm in denial?" she responded. Before he got his opportunity to incite her even further, she interfered. "You know what…I'm not going to waste my energy on this silly dialogue. I'm going to cancel your cancelation and make mad sweet love to my drink."

Her bullheadedness made an appearance. Taichi chuckled to himself, her performance comical. Witnessing this kind of behavior numerous times, he had only one counterattack and quickly he intruded her personal space.

"Not if I can help it," he objected. Against her will, hoisted the rebellious redhead's small frame on his shoulder and ambled towards the exit doors. "You've left me know choice…damn did you gain weight?"

Squirming in the male's arms, his hostage attempted to scream and kick herself free with no prevail. "Taichi! Let me go! Let me go right now! This is not happening again…guys, someone help me please!"

Taichi quickly turned. "Hey guys, let get out of this joint and take Miss Pain-In-The-Ass, up to her new kingdom…prince charming must be worried."

The couple gave a glimpse of one another and both agreed, "Let's go!"

"What?" Sora exclaimed, mouth agape. "Mimi!"

"Sorry hun," Mimi shrugged, trailing behind her elevated friend as she tried to push through the hoard of bodies, hand in hand with Koushiro. "It's for your own good. It would kind of suck if the only reason you were here was to avoid interacting with Matt…because if I didn't fall in love with my fruit loop, I would so tap that ass in a heartbeat."

Koushiro blinked, "By now I should be accustomed to this, but I'm not sure how I should respond to that statement."

"Actually I also don't know what to say to that," Sora admitted. "Which you know is uncommon."

"I think it's the booze that distorting your over expressive nature," Mimi include her own hypothesis on the situation.

"Don't worry," Taichi reassured, his lips curved to the one side. "We'll get you sobered up and try to find your dignity…it's should be somewhere. It's not too late for you."

"If that's a possibility," Koushiro mumbled.

"I heard that," Sora pointed her index finger at Koushiro, aware of her situation, now focused on freeing herself by threatening her way out. "Taichi let me down, right now…You will regard this day…I'm warning you, Kamiya!"

"Stressing my last name is a very uncreative scare tactic, Sor…I know you can do better than that," Taichi taunted. "And what if I didn't let you down, what you could you possibly do to me to make me?"

"I'm going go all bitch on your ass, that's what I'm going to do," Sora roared. "Did you hear me Tai? Tai? Tai? TAI!


Suddenly, the next thing he knew his eyes opened widely. An unexpected knock at his door woke him. What the hell? His alarm clock shined a bright red 03:29am in his face. He gathered enough energy to sit up and staggered in the dark to the front door. Peering through the peephole, his eyes glinted with amusement. Oh this is going to be good.

He opened the door and greeted the visits' with a simper. "I was worried sick, I almost sent my personal search party to look for you, but I fell asleep."

"Awww…you see, I told you that Matt was worried about you…well sort of," Taichi said optimistically to Sora who stood next to him, lacking speech and any eye contact. "I knew she belonged to someone, but then I remember that you're associated with her now. I assumed you might have misplaced her by accident, so I've returned her."

"Ha, thanks dude," Yamato expressed staged gratitude. "I'm so gratefully I didn't have to go and bail her out of jail for indecent exposure."

"Oh, it was my pleasure."

Yamato could not help but wonder why Sora did not let herself in, as he did provide a duplicate key of the apartment. It was obvious her mental and physical sense was impaired by an excess of alcohol, in which he conclude must have obstructed her from locating the key in her purse. It did not faze him. For once in his lifetime, Yamato was pleased to be woken up in the middle of the night and experience something he could use to aggravate her. He took the opportunity to scan the state of the female that stood outside his apartment, soon the blonds' azure eyes encountered crimson ones.

"What're you looking at?" Sora spat.

"Well, apparently I'm looking at an enraged and crazy lady who is clearly inebriated," Yamato eagerly shared his observation. "And wow…that look of optimism and pure contentment is so amazing it could actual cure cancer."

"You know what," she started. "There was a time were you used to secrete displease in my life, but now I pretty much feel like punching your face every time I have to come in contact with you…and now I have no choice but to squander most of my day envisioning you choking on your own food."

"I see that the booze hasn't injured your wit," Yamato recognized. "I'm so relieved. I was afraid that we might actual have a regular conversation…just thinking about it right now is scaring me shitless."

"Oh you haven't yet experience fear? You just wait until I step inside."

Remained silent between the hostile exchanges, Taichi literally handed over Sora to Yamato. "Okay then…as much as I would like to stay tuned for the latest episode of 'Keeping up with Matt and Sora', I have to go home and erase this night from my memory which shouldn't be too hard to achieve…so please take her back."

"I guess I really don't have a choice," Yamato accepted the trade, draping his naked arm around Sora. "Welcome back my little alcohol devotee."

"Bye Sora, I know you will forgive one day…it might take awhile, but just remember that I still love you," Taichi waved at his female friend and went his way.

"And you just remember tomorrow is another day," Sora said tersely.

Taichi yelled from the hallway, "You say that every time I drag your ass out of a bar."

"Whatever," Sora mumbled, folding her arms. Her posture portrayed embarrassment. Being carry out of Ruby's by Taichi left a bad taste of rage in mouth, but she knew right there she would overcome her humiliating experience. The recollection of the night entered her mind unintentionally. Taichi's remarks at Ruby's wounded her ego, because what he alleged was the truth. It was unusual occurrence for her to overindulge on a week day, but her disillusion sucked her up like a void. Fate stood there, blocking her and she refused to accept it that day.

Before an awkward silence could invade the moment, Yamato asked casually, "So what happened to you tonight?"

"Oh you know, I was so thrilled about the new drastic changes in my life, I had to stop at a bar to get drunk just to calm down," she answered back, her sarcasm exposed.

"It's not that bad…by the time this whole crazy scenario comes to an conclusion, it will be a distant memory which means you can go back to that thing you call a life and we will never see each other again."

"God, I pray for the day when this tormented nightmare will end every single day."

"So when are we having dinner?" he digressed purposely to lessen the resentment and to his knowledge, Sora had not yet granted her reply to his invitation. Her procrastination was tolerable, he liked to pursue a challenge and yet his patience was disintegrating. There were twenty-two days remaining until the opening and the ending their less than perfect relationship. His time was expiring.

"I'm still undecided," Sora rolled her eyes, her seriousness to the new discussion lacking. Fed-up, she untangled herself from Yamato's hold and marched away to her room. "I'm going to bed…I'll deal with you tomorrow."

Before she could flee to the safety to her room, he snatched her arms and escorted her closer to his bare chest. "Technically, it is tomorrow and in a couple of hours you will awoke with a really shitty hangover and you will suffer from sleeping deportation."

"Gee, thanks for the mass of useless information, now would you do me the pleasure of releasing me now," Sora groaned as she tried to reclaim her deprived freedom for the second time that night. She hated that he invaded her comfit zone, but what she hated the most was she did not mind. What was this strange sensation? It made her body tremble, but choice to conceal it. "This man handling has become tiresome, let me go!"

"No," he declined her request, feeling her breath fondling his face. "Not until you say yes to my enticing offer of evening wine and dine with the prospect of coitus."

"What! That gives me no choice."

"Exactly! You will have dinner with me, whether you like it or not. You should know by now from the very first day, everything I ask for I get, no questions asked…that was the deal."

"And what if I refuse," she argued, not backing down, but she knew she was playing with fire "What are going to do? Get me fired!"

"No, because that would mean I wouldn't see you again and have these daily quarrels which is definitely what I don't want."

"So what then?" she frowned, proof of her perplexity to his unexpected reply. A lump began to form in her throat. "What are going to do?"

His features granted a mischievous smile, inching his face closer to hers and his eyes dipped down to her lips. "I'm going to kiss you right here, right now."

Before she could open her mouth with a protest, his lips caressed hers.


Song Playing – 'Shake me Down' by Cage the Elephant

A/N: A bet…a threat of Daisuke getting beating with his goggles…and a kiss…that's not too bad! I know, I know, it's been way too long since my last update =/ but I can only hope you enjoyed it =}

I'm glad I got the opportunity to introduce more characters and more will be introduced in the next chapter. And I will be focusing my attention on this story from now on. I'm unsure myself when the next update will be, but lookout for it!

So you know what to do…review…please =} It's really motivating, like really…

Heart Memphizz