Thanks so much for loving the previous chapter! I'm currently very busy balancing work and family so I've been having less and less time for writing this fic. But I'm so glad I'm getting good reviews! This is by far my most reviewed story and it thrills me to the bone! You all inspire me to come up with new ideas. You also inspire me to write more. If you liked the previous chapter, I hope you'll like this chapter too. Thanks again for reading!
Iamnoangel: Thanks for the compliment! I'm so glad you like how this fic is developing. :D
CrystalChime13: I'm glad you like the previous chapter! n_n Unfortunately, I can't update every now and then. Thankfully, I get to have a free weekend once in a while.
SakuraSunrise: I know, Hotohori has to be slightly bad in the previous chapter but he's really a nice guy here—just a little possessive.
Michi: Yeah, Hotohori's character was better in Serendipity...but you'll still like him here! :D After the complicated relationships, he's really a nice guy. n_n
Thepinkmartini: Thanks for dropping by! I'm so glad you like my stories, particularly this one, though it's not a Yui-Seiryuu sei fic. n_n
Disclaimer: FY is not mine. I've been watching it again and I realized I really liked Yui's character and I still hate Miaka's conceited musings about Tamahome.
Chapter 8: A Welcome Mistake
By Slavedriver2008
THE SUN WAS HIGH when Yui woke up, light filled her bedroom and it stung her eyes. She looked away from the windows, covering her eyes. Strong arms tightened its hold of her and she allowed herself to be led closer into a well-toned chest. She would have blushed when she realized who she was sleeping with but she felt otherwise. She leaned completely to him, cheek on chest, and when a heavy feeling slowly engulfed her system, the only thing Yui wanted was to go back to sleep. The unwanted feeling consumed her and sleep seemed to have left her for good.
Nuriko made a sound but pulled her closer, their skins touching. Yui realized they were almost bare, save for their underwears. He was breathing peacefully, and waking him up to nag doesn't seem too enticing. As a matter of fact, she felt she would rather be this close to him than to throw punches at the man who obviously took advantage of her last night. Yui lined the muscles of his chest slowly, having found it suddenly interesting. His hand suddenly stopped hers and pulled her to an embrace, her hand landed on his smooth back.
"Go back to sleep," Nuriko said drowsily, his voice rough in the morning.
"Did we do it again?" Yui asked expectantly, fingers running tediously on his back. She needed to touch someone, to touch him, just so the heaviness would not consume her completely.
"No."
"I see." Yui nuzzled closer, her heart sinking. Why was she disappointed? "But why are you shirtless?"
Nuriko yawned. "You puked on my shirt last night. I don't have anything else to wear," he said matter-of-factly. "Get up now."
Yui embraced him more. "I thought you asked me to go back to sleep," it was not a question. "Let's stay this way," she whispered and Nuriko moved his fingers along her long blonde hair.
"You shouldn't get used to having me beside you," Nuriko whispered, his voice soft and sensuous. Yui closed her eyes to savor their moment together. He leaned closer, chin barely touching the top of her head. "You should get a boyfriend."
"You're my boyfriend," she answered too quickly and Nuriko let out a small laugh. Yui can hear the fast thumping of his heart—he was nervous.
"Not for long," he said casually. "We don't belong together." Yui sat up and moved away from his arms, as if slapped. Nuriko just pushed her away, he just rejected her. Her head throbbed and she clutched it, gently massaging the veins to make the pain subside. Nuriko shifted behind her. "What's wrong?"
"Go away."
"Fine. Be a brat." He sat on the other side of the bed and pulled his pants from the floor. With gritted teeth, he turned to her and raked his eyes on her slender back.
Great, he thought, he just sacrificed what could have been the night to get Hotohori back to be with this woman and she pushed him away the following morning. He stood up and wore his pants irritatingly, all the while thinking how she used him for comfort and then threw him away afterwards. She was probably the most annoying woman he has ever cared for. Care? When did he start caring for her? The button loosened and it fell on the floor. He cursed.
With a sigh, Nuriko sat back on the bed and turned to her pitiful form. She was clutching her head and hair covered her face. Yui has not moved one bit and he started to worry. Nuriko crossed the bed and sat beside her. He hesitantly wrapped his arm around her shoulder and blinked when she looked up, tears staining her face.
"Why are you still here?" her voice broke and Nuriko wondered how she managed to cry so silently.
"Mitsukake's coming over to check up on you." Yui looked away and pushed his arm away. "I called him last night, he said he's coming over to see your condition."
"Go away," she ordered again.
"And what? Leave you in obvious ruin?" Nuriko smirked. "You're my girlfriend. Mitsukake might think something's up if I'm not here." The girl made a face, looking like a hurt little puppy.
"You are a total asshole," she said angrily and he teased her with a wink. Redness instantly filled her cheeks and she stood up toward the closet, looking for something to wear. Nuriko looked over her figure and smiled, she might not be well-endowed but her curves were all in the right places. The doorbell rang and he hurriedly stood up.
"I'll get it." Nuriko left the room, closing the door behind him. The mellow-voiced Mitsukake smiled at him when he opened the door. The doctor raised an eyebrow at his half-naked figure.
"Rough night?" he asked, noticing the missing button of his jeans. He was not the type to joke around and his mood crept Nuriko a bit.
"Shut up, you baka. We didn't do anything last night." He closed the door behind and the tall sei sat down on the couch. Nuriko opened Yui's room and sneaked inside. "Are you ready?" Yui looked at him sharply and walked toward the living room.
"Good morning, Yui. I am Oushi Karasu, Nuriko and the others call me Mitsukake." He raised his hand and Yui shook it lamely. "You look pale. Should we start?" Yui nodded and sat beside Mitsukake. Nuriko stood by the corner and watched as the doctor checked Yui's condition. The girl seemed to have been possessed by another soul, she looked so down and depressing. Nuriko tried to remember what happened last night but could not find a reason for her actions. Unless…
AFTER A GOOD DEAL OF 15 MINUTES, Nuriko was bored waiting. The two talked in low voices and the purple-haired bishounen wanted them to hurry. And then, as if the doctor said something entertaining, Yui smiled and nodded. The girl walked toward the kitchen and started to make coffee. Nuriko turned his attention on the doctor and sat beside him in the couch.
"Anything wrong?" he asked nervously. She can't be pregnant, Nuriko assured himself. What would happen if that accident bore fruit? He had not thought about it but now that Yui was acting weirdly, he wanted to slap himself for even getting attracted to the girl and for even using her to make Hotohori jealous.
"She's not pregnant," Mitsukake answered him and Nuriko heaved a huge sigh of relief. The doctor laughed. "Your reaction makes me think something indeed happened last night and the previous nights."
"She was drunk, I will never take advantage of her in that state." Nuriko said defensively, realizing he just admitted they were indeed engaging in things.
"And apparently, she was drugged. She was unaware of it and it's her first time. Obviously, she's having the after effect," Mitsukake explained.
"After effects?" he asked but Mitsukake's attention was somewhere else. The doctor opened his bag to pull out a shirt and gave it to him. Nuriko immediately put it on. "Glad you didn't forget to bring one."
Mitsukake laughed heartily and continued talking. "She took in a stimulant—the strongest kind. Her body responded quite well and she was forced to produce 'happiness fluids' to make her high—dopamine, actually," The doctor looked at him with a serious expression. "It's a good thing she vomited last night."
"What happens now?" Nuriko leaned on the couch and Mitsukake sighed.
"Put it this way, she's experiencing depression for the sudden high last night. Rush and crash, I told you about that months back," Silence filled them and they both heard the sound of the coffee maker. The aroma of coffee filled the air. Nuriko suddenly felt hungry. "Who gave her the pills?"
"Saihitei," Nuriko sighed and Mitsukake raised an eyebrow. "I don't use that anymore. I didn't know he still has it. And I had no idea how he managed to let her drink it."
"Are you busy today?" Nuriko looked at the doctor with creased eyebrows. Mitsukake was never the type to suddenly change the topic.
"I have some appointments in the afternoon. Why?" Mitsukake tapped his shoulder before he stood up and arranged his things.
"Better cancel it. Yui needs you more than ever now."
THE AMUSEMENT CENTER WAS THE HAPPIEST PLACE Nuriko can think of. Yui's spirit seemed to have raised a notch higher when the limousine stopped at the spot. It was the only car available at the house and since they left Yui's car in Tasuki's place last night, they made do with this, though it was such an attention-getter car. Besides, Nuriko thought, it was not practical to let Yui drive in her current state. And for the record, he does not drive.
"Why did you take me here?" Yui asked, her face was still pale but it was beaming.
"It seemed like a happy place," Nuriko said, clutching her hand and pulling her toward the entrance. "Besides, Mitsukake said this is a good place to bring a girl on a date." He said casually, earning a laugh from her.
"So this is a date?" Yui asked as they entered the place. Her face looked warmer and redder now.
"Lovers date, we're not lovers so this is not supposed to be a date," he clarified and Yui pouted. "It's a friendly date, you know, the ones friends do."
"Whatever, it's still a date." Yui said happily. He tightened his hold on her hand and Yui fidgeted. "You're holding my hand. People might think we're lovers."
"What? I can't hold my friend's hand?" Nuriko rolled his eyes. He said it too loudly that some passerby stared idly at them.
"Friends usually don't," Yui said, smiling.
"Well, we're friends who do." Yui laughed and her mood made Nuriko felt like pulling and kissing her if they're not into the 'we're friends' conversation. Maybe he should just take back what he said and just agree with her. She seemed willing to be on a date with him. Mellow flirting never hurt.
"So where do we go first?" she asked and Nuriko scratched his head.
"Let's see, I'm not familiar with the whole place. Where do you want to go?" Yui frowned at him. "What?"
"If this is a date, you're making a lousy one out of it." Nuriko rolled her eyes. Here she goes again in her I-know-everything attitude. "Guys should know where to bring a girl. He should be in control of the situation."
Nuriko cleared his throat. "Again, this is not a date. And how the hell do I know what you want to do?" the girl looked at him with disbelief. "Besides, this is the first time I'm going out with a girl."
"Really?" Yui seemed to have gotten over her initial annoyance. "You've never been out with a girl before?" She was controlling her laughter. "Okay, how do you go out with Hotohori then?"
"We don't go out." Nuriko sounded suddenly irritated.
"Why not?"
"Because people might see us and people talk." Nuriko sighed. "What does it have to do with where we're going?"
"So what do you do?" Yui asked again, she wanted to know how the two managed to be together for a long time without sharing a single date.
"Well, the bedroom is always a good place to stay." Nuriko said blandly and Yui made a sound.
"Too much information, Ryu-chan!" She laughed and Nuriko laughed with her. "You don't have to tell me about that!"
"I just answered your question, ne!" Nuriko was blushing but he felt lighter because the blonde girl was laughing so hard at him. Yui was almost out of breath when Nuriko pulled her and gently planted a kiss on her lips. She was blushing lightly when they parted.
"Finally," she managed to whisper before he leaned down to kiss again. Nuriko chuckled at her reaction and kissed her very lightly. Her heart was beating loudly and every part of her was teeming with happiness. She was feeling a bit depressed but being in Nuriko's strong arms and his lips moving with hers was enough to get over the sinking feeling she had since she woke up. The kiss ended slowly and she looked up to him dreamily. Yes, she thought, she might be falling for him.
"I changed my mind," he whispered, "This is a date." Yui's heart leaped and she was about to pull him down for another kiss when someone gasped loudly. They both turned and found a boy gaping at them in shock. He had reddish brown hair that was tied in a high ponytail and he was wearing a shorts and t-shirt. His green eyes were looking at them with disbelief and his face was beet red. "Chiriko, I didn't know you're here."
"Good afternoon Nuriko and, ahm...Seiryuu no miko." The boy blinked and Yui pulled away from Nuriko. So that was why he kissed her—a former Suzaku sei was in the area. What an asshole! I will never ever fall in love with him! Yui thought, her teeth grinding.
"Hey Chiriko, it's no longer Seiryuu no miko. Just call her Yui—and she's my girlfriend now," Nuriko said casually. The boy nodded. "Why are you here?"
"For a school project," the boy said matter-of-factly. "I'm using the rides as examples of scientific laws. My project's due next week so I'm taking photos for my presentation." He smiled, finally diverting the attention from what he saw them do.
"I see. You did not take photos—" Yui asked and Chiriko blushed.
"It was not intentional. I will delete it—"
"Send me a copy before you erase it, Chiriko." Nuriko winked at the boy and pulled Yui. "Oh well, we'd have to go ahead." Chiriko nodded. "Feel free to take photos of us if you want." Yui slapped his arm and he laughed. "Just make sure you mail me a copy before it ended up the Recycle Bin." Nuriko laughed and Yui felt bad for the boy. He was blushing intensely so she smiled at him.
"Don't listen to this cad. Good luck on your project, Chiriko. Call me if you need anything."
Chiriko nodded. "Yes Ms Yui! I've heard so many good things about you in school." The boy smiled at her and she waved at him before Nuriko pulled him.
"Do you think he'll follow us?"
"No. But we should be careful," Nuriko said nonchalantly. "Ah, here's the first ride." Yui turned and her eyes widened when a rollercoaster whipped past her vision. Screams filled the air and Yui's heartbeat quickened.
"Ryu-chan…Are you sure?" she asked tensely, earning a laugh from the bishounen.
"Guys should be in control of the situation right?" Nuriko smiled viciously. "Don't worry, you'll enjoy this."
YUI LICKED THE GREEN CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM and smiled. Peppermint chocolate was her favorite flavor and she had never eaten one for years. Nuriko was beside her, eating strawberry flavored ones and he seemed intent on eating everything before it melted. She laughed at his childishness and he looked up, smirking.
"Don't tell me…" he started and Yui's eyebrows creased. "…you're falling in love with me." Yui slapped him but he managed to move away, laughing at her reddened face. It was already night and they opted to stay in the children's park within the amusement center. They were both sitting on the swing, eating ice cream, watching the various rides glitter in the night.
"Whatever. I go for straight men." Yui made a face and continued eating her ice cream. She smiled when she remembered the various rides they had earlier. The rollercoaster made her scream so loud her larynx hurt like hell afterwards. Nuriko was holding her hand all throughout the ordeal and it somehow calmed her—but it did not make her shut up.
"You know what I realized today?" Nuriko asked and Yui looked at him. "You're a screamer." He laughed and Yui blushed, knowing what he meant. "You almost broke my eardrums. I'm so glad we're drunk when we first did it, or else, you're probably screaming at me because it hurts!" The blushing blonde girl tried to slap him for the second time but he successfully evaded her hand again.
"I can't believe you said that! I seldom ride the rollercoaster, ne!" She turned her attention on the melting ice cream, licking the green liquid from the sugar cone. "At least I know how to drive. Hah! You can't even move in the bump cars!"
"And you kept on bumping into my car. Do you realize how the impact hurts?" Yui laughed, remembering how Nuriko got stuck at the middle of the place and almost all the cars were bumping into him. She kept on hitting his car and he almost threw her in the nearby lake out of anger when the ride ended. "Which one do you like the most?"
Yui continued eating her ice cream, thinking of the other rides they took. "The rollercoaster." Nuriko sniggered, pink liquid spilled on his shirt and Yui laughed at him.
"Why?" he managed to ask as he ate the whole thing and wiped his hands with a handkerchief-her hanky.
"After I tried it, I…I think none of the rides were just as good." Nuriko swallowed his food and laughed silently. "How about you? Which was your favorite?"
"Rollercoaster," Nuriko said, his mouth full. Yui smiled.
"Why? I thought you'd go for the bump cars," She teased and Nuriko made a face. He turned to her, smiling, his purple eyes were gleaming in the night.
"It made me get to know you better." Yui's cheeks burned and she looked away from him. She focused on her ice cream and she was so conscious of him looking at her, watching her movements, she ended up eating too fast. "You always seem to get drunk during parties yet you're not an amateur drinker, why is that?"
"I don't know…" Yui said softly and Nuriko leaned toward her. "Maybe because I want to know what it's like to not care about things."
"Tell me about it."
Yui sighed and gave him her ice cream. "I don't want this anymore. What should I do with it?" Nuriko rolled his eyes and took it from her. Without another word, he ate it.
"Hmmm…this is good. Sweet but refreshing in the mouth," he commented and Yui smiled at him. She leaned on the chains of the swing and looked at him.
"When I was a kid, my closest uncle died of AIDS. When people in school learned of it, they would not come near me. My classmates thought I have the disease and I'll transfer it to them virally," Nuriko looked at her but continued eating the cone. "You're the only one who ate anything I ate."
"Now I know why I should not eat your ice cream next time," he teased and instead of getting annoyed, Yui laughed. Nuriko felt warm all over. Her voice sounded so beautiful tonight. It was probably the air that was doing it and the fact that she looked angelic in the thousand lights at the park. "What does it have to do with you getting drunk?"
"Both my parents are doctors. We're a family of doctors." Yui looked away and pushed the swing and she moved back and forth. Nuriko watched her. "Everyone expects me to be a doctor. I expect myself to be a doctor."
"Do you want to be one?"
The girl stopped and faced him. "Of course I do. I've dreamed of being a doctor countless times. It's just that…the expectations are overwhelming." Yui closed her eyes and heaved a sigh. When she opened them, she looked up at the starless sky. "People around me expect so many things and I don't want to disappoint them. I do what they want to make them happy and sometimes I don't know if I want it anymore," her voice faded slowly. Yui turned to him. "When I'm drunk I stop thinking. I'm free."
"If you're not a doctor, what would you be?" Nuriko asked and Yui looked at him quizzically.
"I don't know. I haven't really thought about it." Yui looked down at the ground. "How about you? If you're not the Creative Vice-President of the biggest car manufacturer and distributor in Japan, what would you be?"
The bishounen laughed heartily. "I would probably be in the streets, selling my paintings or my pen and ink drawings, making very little money. Then I'll curse the rich because they have so much but I will have to stomach talking to them because they pay well. My wife will probably not like that."
Yui laughed. "Being married to a struggling artist doesn't sound too bad." Nuriko looked at her, surprised at her reaction. Her face brightened and she turned to him. "I know what I'll be if I'm not a doctor." At that instant, Yui Hongou looked like she was the happiest girl in the world.
"Yeah, what?"
A wide smile spread on her face. "I'll be a housewife." Nuriko laughed out loud. "Miaka is a housewife! I think there's nothing wrong with being one. You only think of how to make the perfect home." He looked at her intently.
"Housewife of what? Would you marry a poor hungry painter who hangs out on the streets all day, selling his works for a few coins?" His face felt warm and Yui's cheeks reddened.
"Of course," she answered looking straight in his eyes. "If he promised to make portraits of me." Silence filled them for a few seconds as they looked into each other's eyes. It would have been the perfect time to kiss her, Nuriko thought. But instead, they both looked away, laughing.
"I'll take you home." Nuriko stood up and held his hand for her. She took it eagerly and they walked hand in hand toward the car. He held her hand inside the car and none of them spoke. When they arrived, Nuriko walked her toward the door. "This is just like a real date," he teased and Yui answered him with a smile, still blushing. Nuriko thought that if she failed to find her door key in five seconds, he will lean down and kiss her and just be hell with everything. Five…four…three…two…
"Ah, found it." Nuriko frowned as Yui opened the door of her apartment. "Do you want to come in?" she asked hopefully and Nuriko blinked at her. Does she really want me to stay? He shook his head. He must be imagining things.
"You need to rest. I'll go ahead." Yui nodded, slightly frowning at his response. Nuriko was about to leave when he realized something. "By the way, how did he give you the drug?"
"Drug?"
"You were drugged last night. Saihitei gave you one. Why did you drink it?" Yui looked at him quizzically but he has to know why she took the drug. It was not in her character to drink one.
"I didn't drink any—" Yui gasped, realizing something. He looked straight at him. "He kissed me."
"What?" Nuriko's brows creased.
"He kissed me. Hotohori kissed me," Yui repeated and his jaw clenched.
"You kissed him?"
"I did not kiss him—he kissed me!" Yui said defensively, panicking from his sudden reaction.
"And I bet you wanted it! God Yui, he's—" Nuriko lowered his voice. "He's my ex-boyfriend!" he breathed out angrily. He knew he was jealous but it was a question of to whom. You birdbrain, you're jealous of the girl! His inner voice filled his thoughts. You don't want someone else to touch and kiss her! The thought made him curse again.
"It's not like I want to be kissed and be drugged!" Yui's voice rose higher too. "You just disappeared and I can't find you and nobody's talking to me, or even wanted to talk to me! I—need you but you're not there," Yui sighed heavily. Their eyes met and Yui leaned on the wall. "I'm sorry." Nuriko looked at her sad face and sighed as well. He had not intended to make her feel guilty and he did not intend to suddenly blow up on her.
"I'm sorry I shouted." Yui looked up to him, relieved.
"I'm not stealing him from you or from Houki, I swear," Yui reasoned out and Nuriko's palm tightened. Damn, she got it all wrong, he thought. "It was a mistake and I'm sure Hotohori doesn't want to kiss me in the first place."
"It's late, I should go." He turned around.
"Are you coming back tomorrow?" Yui asked softly and he didn't turn to see her. Instead he took out a cigarette and placed it between his lips. He nodded slowly as he left her apartment. Of course he's coming back to see her tomorrow. How can he not? "Ryu-chan!" she called and when he turned around, she ran toward him and hurriedly planted a quick kiss on his lips. The cigarette almost fell from his mouth and Nuriko's heart beat wildly. "Thank you for making me happy today. I'll see you tomorrow."
Yui's blushing face smiled shyly at him before the door closed and Nuriko swore he would have jumped to the heavens for joy.
A/N: Thanks so much for reading this chappie! With the pace things are going, the confession might come earlier than what I've expected. Miaka and Tama are done with the honeymoon and they'll be in the next chapter! Stay tuned and please do drop reviews!
