Chapter Nine

Disclaimer: I do not own Hana Yori Dango, the dress Tsukushi wears is not mine either.

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"Rui, do you think you could stop looking at your cell long enough to answer my question?" Soujiro wouldn't be surprised if he found a picture of Tsukushi on his display screen.

Rui looked up, giving him a blank look.

"She's not going to call, you know. I had offered to bring her, but she said that she had other things to do."

"What was your question, Soujiro?"

"Where were you yesterday? I called you, but your cell was turned off."

Rui shrugged.

A sly grin bloomed on his face. "You were with Tsukushi weren't you? You dog, did you finally get somewhere with her?"

"I took her on every surface of her apartment. She could hardly speak when I was finished with her."

Soujiro's eyes widened in shock, jaw slight dropped. "You're joking."

Rui waited a beat, and then nodded. "Yes."

He sighed. "That was cruel, man. I can't believe you—"

"I'd think you'd be used to it by now." Akira remarked, walking up to them.

"Hey, Akira. You're late. Where are the twins?"

"Ah, they're on the way. Said they wanted to make an entrance, whatever that means." He said, carelessly. He looked around the crowded room. "Anyone interesting here?"

"The brats over there." Soujiro gestured to the foursome sitting on the raised platform at the front of the room. "The birthday boy, and his friends…they kind of remind me of us."

"They call themselves the R4. The Royal Four." Rui commented.

"Oh look. Does that kid, that Daisuke Arisada, look familiar Rui?" Akira asked.

The birthday boy sat in a throne-like chair, an expressionless look on his face. As people approached them to extend their respectful greetings, his friends would ask them strange, almost rude questions and they'd escape to the safety of their tables. Daisuke paid others little attention. A young girl actually had the courage to walk up the platform stage to talk to him, only to be running in the opposite direction blushing madly from the slightly curious look he sent her.

Rui's lips twitched. Was I ever that bad?

Suddenly they became aware of the stillness and silence that reigned over the room. The musicians had paused and the other guests were had stopped mid-conversation. Everyone was staring in the direction of the grand staircase. Akira smiled to himself, And so the mysterious Lady X makes her entrance.

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Tsukushi was officially freaking out.

At the last minute, Memu had decided that she wanted her to wear a different dress, which inevitably ended in a mini-argument with Emu. Despite looking alike, they had polar opposite personalities and yet when it came to getting their way they were evenly matched. In end they came to an agreement, she would wear another dress, but at the next party Emu would be in charge of her.

So, there she stood at the top of the steps in a shimmering yellow silk blouse with matching skirt, designed with a combination of sequins and embroider on both the dress itself and the trimmings. It was a modest cut, sleeveless yet classy. Hanging over her left shoulder was what Emu had called a Lehenga Choli, which was basically an Indian style drape. To complete her ensemble she wore a cuff bracelet on both wrist, and also the necklace that Rui had given her. She was pleased with the outfit, but with the way everyone in the room was staring at her, she had to fight the urge to turn on her heel and run.

"Don't even think about it." Emu hissed. "You will not run."

"It's alright, Onee-san. They are all simply stunned at how beautiful you are." Memu said, kindly.

To conceal her identity, they had her wear a mask that covered the top half of her face, but she had never felt more exposed. Before she could stew in her own nerves, they each took her hand and led her down the stairs. As they made their way to the platform, the murmurs and whispers caught her ears.

"Who do you suppose is that?"

"Are those the Mimasaka twins? Do you think that she's their new pet?"

"Perhaps she's an heiress of a recluse. Ah, but that dress is lovely."

She blinked up at the boys on the platform. There's something familiar about them…Her eyes widened in recognition.

She bowed along with Memu and Emu. "Happy Birthday, Arisada-chan." The twins said in unison. Tsukushi decided to say nothing.

"Wearing the same clothes shows a boring lack of individualism." One boy said, cocking his head.

"And why do you speak at the same time? Only little children still do that." Said another, his hair noticeably longer than the others.

"Humph, I'll bet you're the same as the prissy little girls who always come to these things." A curly-haired boy stated, with a frown.

The boy on the throne remained silent, waiting for their reaction.

She was proud to find, that the girls didn't look the least bit intimidated. Emu turned to her sister and said. "Ne, Memu, what was it that Nee-chan always tells us about respect?"

"Those who have none for others, have even less for themselves." Memu answered. "And she also has a saying about class."

"Those who show none, obviously have none." They gave a respectful and almost mocking bow to the boys and turned to walk to a table.

Tsukushi made to follow them when Daisuke called out. "Ne, do we know you?"

She blinked. "Perhaps." She allowed. "It is an honor seeing the R4 getting along so well."

"You can sit with us." The curly-haired boy said, grudgingly. The other two nodded in agreement, flashing her charming smiles.

She shook her head. "I appreciate the generous offer, but I should sit with the people that brought me." She bowed, and smiled at Daisuke. "Happy Birthday, Dai-chi."

For the first time all evening the solemn boy smiled back. "Thank you, Nee-chan."

To her relief, the music started up again, and people went back to their conversations.

"Do you know those boys, Nee-chan?" Emu asked, when she came to their table.

She nodded. "I used to babysit them. I met Daisuke at the Teen of Japan contest, and so whenever he wanted to go out and do something he'd call me. He'd invite his friends most of the time too."

"Ah, Onee-san, you're a real mother figure aren't you?" Memu said teasingly.

Tsukushi giggled. "Hardly, but that's kind of you to say."

"What's this, what's this?" A voice drawled. "Since when do you two know such a cute Onee-san that I don't?"

Remembering she was playing a part, Tsukushi repressed the urge to hit him. "Do you two know this boy?" She asked the twins.

Emu and Memu smiled, playing along. "This is Nishikado Soujiro. He's a friend of our Oni-chama."

"Nishikado? Is it customary of the heir to a prominent family to speak to a lady as if he was picking her up at bar?"

Soujiro felt his face heat. Girls usually took his teasing at face value. "Forgive me. I forget myself sometimes, particularly in the presence of such unrivaled loveliness. May I have the honor of your name, and maybe a dance?"

Tsukushi lips twitched. Déjà vu. "Perhaps later." She saw Rui and Akira approach them. "If I'm not mistaken, you are yet another heir to a prominent family are you not?" She glanced around the room. "Quite a bit of those here."

Rui stared at her with such bored disinterested eyes, she fought back the grin. She stood and bowed to him. "A pity, that such a handsome face has no smile."

Rui reached out to cup her face. "A pity that such a lovely face hides behind a mask, and isn't so forthcoming with an identity."

Such a suspicious nature, Tsukushi thought to herself, amused. "Sometimes formal introductions aren't really necessary, are they?" She lifted her hand to touch her necklace, his gaze drifted toward it. "There are times when all you have to do is look at someone to feel as though you've known them for years, ne?"

Surprise flashed across his face, before displaying a neutral expression. "An interesting theory. Would you like to go out on the terrace? The stars are bright tonight."

"Ne, Rui, aren't you already spoken for? Just what would Tsukushi think of you?" Soujiro's tone was teasing, but there was firm disapproval in it as well.

This time Tsukushi smiled, a combination of kindness and more than a little amusement in her eyes. "Nishikado-san really needs to learn from his mistakes, ne?"

As Rui led her away, Soujiro had once again gone pale as Akira informed him of the lady's identity.

Memu and Emu giggled at the expressions crossing his face.

"How was I supposed to know that was her?" He muttered, frustrated. "I'm not used to seeing her like that!"

Emu grinned. She had been the one to do her hair and make-up. If Soujiro found her attractive, then so would every other male in Japan. They'd take the fashion world by storm. "Expect the unexpected, ne?"

It caused their ego no little boost, that the conversations around them revolved almost solely around their Tsukushi-nee-chan. Tey ladies wanted similar wardrobes, and the men were curious of her. Success, the twins thought in triumphant.

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"I didn't think you'd be here." Rui said.

"Memu and Emu want to gain exposure for their clothes. My being here is a marketing strategy. I hope I didn't mess it up too badly when I froze on the steps."

"You caused quite a stir." He looked her over and sighed. "I hardly recognize you."

Tsukushi giggled, and turned to model the dress for him. "I don't know what it is, but this past week, wearing all these clothes…I don't know. I've felt different. Like princess." She assumed a thoughtful pose. "A princess for hire."

Rui laughed. The things she comes up with. "You look cute."

She flushed. "Well, I don't know about that. Nishikado-san seems to think so though." She snickered a little. "Maybe he's going to fall for me."

"If he is, it'll be a little problematic. I saw you first."

"Eh?" She blinked at him, confused. "What're you talking about, Hanazawa Rui?"

She took a step back when he stepped closer, and again until her back was against the railing. Without warning his mouth was on hers.

She couldn't move, she couldn't breathe, all she could do was stand there as he slowly but surely wiped her mind of everything but the soft pressure of his lips against hers and the rapid beat of her heart. Then it was over.

If it weren't for the railing, her knees would have buckled underneath her. Eyes wide in shock, she brought a trembling hand to her lips. "H-Hanazawa Rui?" She whispered.

"I've wanted to make something clear for a long time, Tsukushi." He tucked an errant lock of hair behind her ear. "I'm in love with you."

She gaped at him. "What?"

"We can stay friends, if you want, but know that I'll be doing whatever it takes to get you." When she only continued to stare at him, he gave a superfluous bow and went back inside.

"He likes you." Yuki had told her. Such a simple statement, but she had chosen to disregard it. Why did it turn out like this? The movie. His kiss on her hand. The walk on the beach. His body so close to hers when he kissed her. Why didn't I see it coming?

"I'm in love with you." It was something every girl wanted to hear, more so from a great guy like Rui.

She had heard the heartfelt phrase before, but it had only resulted in short term happiness with long term pain. I don't want to go through it all again. But this was Rui. He'd never hurt her.

She looked inside at a scene she would never have seen herself in. It all came down to them being in different worlds. She didn't belong in his, and he could never be content in hers. What am I going to do?

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A/N I get a lot of reviews saying how "sweet" Rui is, and what a "nice" guy he is. I've even got a few saying how much they'd like a guy like him. Boy, are you guys in for a surprise. With Tsukushi fully understanding Rui's position, the trust in their friendship has been firmly uprooted. Stay tuned for Chapter 10.