The Duties of a High School Guitarist

Chapter Eleven

"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see."—Henry David Thoreau

"Why would you kiss her like that if you didn't mean anything by it?!" Kyo shrieked from Azusa and Kaname's arms. Her legs kicked up and she fought with all the energy of a hissing cat as she tried to go at Fuuto again. Nee-chan was already confused about what she felt with him anyway and now he dared to kiss her? Just what was she to him? A toy? An outlet for pent up frustration and energy?

Masaomi-san had received an ice pack from a passing staff member and Fuuto held it to his cheek with a frown. They moved outside to the courtyard to keep from disturbing customers within the lobby, but they seemed to only attract more attention. Ami watched the scene with wide eyes and held tightly to Wataru as the argument continued. Beside the younger children, Louis and Ema-chan tried to convince the two into coming with them down to the pool, and Juli was chirping along with them, pointing down below where a huge children's oasis awaited. It seemed to distract them from the current situation and they left after informing Ukyo-san of their plans. The last thing any of them wanted was to ruin Ami's birthday trip.

"You didn't have to slap me. I did, after all, help your sister from getting mauled." Subaru shared a look with Tsubaki, the two brothers looking both disgusted and amused as Fuuto squirmed under Kyo's laser-like glare.

Yusuke smacked the back of the idol's head in annoyance. "You baka! You could have just led her out instead of forcing your tongue down her throat!"

"Why the heck would I French her?!" The idol stood up, turning on the redhead with a scowl. Ukyo-san pulled the two siblings a part before another brawl could ensue and sighed. "Whatever, I'm leaving."

Azusa cried out as an elbow clipped him in the side and Kyo broke free of Kaname's loosening grip. She darted forward and grabbed the pop star's arm before he could push open the lobby door. Dark jade met hardening caramel. Her eyes glazed over, scrutinizing the meshing color of his aura before releasing him altogether. She was far from satisfied from what she saw, but at least there was some hope there. Fuuto watched her a moment, taking in the way her body language changed and cleared his throat awkwardly at the intense stare in which she gave him. Over the petite girl's head, he noticed that his older siblings were eying him with both disapproval and curiosity. Irritated and embarrassed, Fuuto turned on his heel and disappeared inside.

He bit his lip and made his way through the lobby to the front doors for a much needed walk amongst the crowd of civilians. Just what was he doing? As much as it burned him to agree with that redheaded idiot, he was right. All the idol had to do was lead Mari out the door like he truly was her boyfriend instead of showing public affection. He didn't have to take such care in assuring her safety like some chivalrous knight. That wasn't him. He liked the spotlight resting solely on him and the screams of thousands calling out his name, begging for his attention. The way people fell so easily for his charm and yielded to everything he wanted. He had an abundant amount of toys willing to drop everything just to keep him happy and yet…

And yet…

Fuuto couldn't forget the way her lips yielded to his but still somehow remained fierce. The way her hands had subconsciously clenched and unclenched at his shirt, unsure of what they were supposed to do with themselves. Her eyes, those mysterious and fiery sapphires that pierced his soul, were so wide and full of surprise by his sudden kiss. She hadn't pushed him away or screamed, but her face alone had told him everything. She hadn't stopped him because deep down, she was curious. She wanted to know what it felt like to be under his thumb. She wanted him to show everyone else that he, Fuuto Asahina, was no one else's but hers. She was no different than the rest of the horde pining for his love and affection.

Despite this, he somehow found himself striding toward the elevator and heading up to her room to check up on her instead. He was greedy, selfish, and only liked to use people for his own needs, but there was one person who knew all these flaws and went toe-to-toe with him anyway. Always unyielding and speaking her mind, never backing down even with the weight of being fired, and turning his world upside down in the process. He wanted nothing more than to get rid of her—to get rid of this stupid mushy and weak feeling of wanting to be by her side. Fuuto Asahina did not give his affections and love to anyone. Not even his mother who had given him life, or his older brothers who helped take care of him when she wasn't around. Mari was just another stupid, weak girl who only stood close by to have fame and fortune. She only wanted the money and the thrill—not him.

Why do I care?

The doors slid open to her floor and he meandered down the hallway. Halfway down, he noticed that the door was held slightly ajar by a small table that had been flipped over. Frowning, Fuuto pushed it out of the way with his foot and peered around the slit of the door warily. Lying down with her face buried in the cushions of the sofa, Mari didn't stir as he made a huge fuss in shutting the door and placing the table back in its rightful position. Even when he made it a huge point to stomp toward her, she remained lifeless and unwilling to react at his noisy proximity. Her messy hair covered her profile, but he could tell by her even breathing that she was asleep and completely dead to the world.

"Baka," he muttered, brushing away the strands gently so as not to disturb her. "Why did you leave the door open? Don't you know better than to fall asleep with it like that?"

She breathed out a quiet sigh, her cheek pushing more firmly into his palm like a purring kitten. Fuuto gritted his teeth, "Why do I care about a stupid bitch like you?"

His breath hitched when she shifted, her arm reaching out until it found his wrist. The calloused fingers latched on until there was no escape no matter how hard he pulled. Typically frowning lips were pulled into a peaceful smile that softened the sharp features of her face and brought an air of childish innocence that Fuuto thought only Wataru could pull. Clearly he was wrong as he continued to gaze unabashedly at Mari's sleeping face. His hand was still nestled gently in her matted hair from the discarded bandana, and he untangled them to follow the curve of her neck to the toned biceps that gave way to tiny bumps. It followed the unblemished skin until the warm fingers intertwined with hers curiously.

The sudden warmth entering her palm had the appendages twitching, but they accepted the heat with open arms. He pulled his hand away to travel back up her arm, pausing to caress the soft divot between her shoulder and collar. A soft moan at the firm rub elicited from her parted lips and Fuuto smirked.

"A sucker for a nice massage, hm?" His thumb delved deeper into that sweet spot, and the blonde mewled under his touch, arching into his palm and begging for more. The tight muscles slowly relaxed as he continued, his dexterous fingers kneading out the knots and releasing all the stress she had been feeling the past couple of weeks. If he paused for longer than a second, her face scrunched into a soft whine until he began again with renew vigor.

Torturing her in this way was entertaining until she began to shift closer to him until folding herself, somehow, into his lap. Her arms were resting rather innocently near his waist, her cheek plastered to his shirt and breathing in his scent with each deep breath, and Fuuto stiffened when her fingers feathered just underneath the hem of his shirt and the waist band of his shorts. She was standoffish and never showed any weakness out in public if she could help it, but the minute unconsciousness took over, the tough and annoying girl was vulnerable and sought out comfort. Fuuto raised an eyebrow at the hand that immediately latched onto his when he lightly brushed up against them. He wouldn't be able to remove her from his person until she woke up. He smirked and quieted his laughter at the image of Mari's colorful reaction when she realized just where she was sleeping.

Yes, he didn't understand why he cared so much for this volatile and pathetic colorless blonde, but one thing was for sure: he was never bored with her around.

~o~

Soft fabric tickled her nose as she breathed in a calming scent crossed between saccharine and hints of a budding manly musk. It was faint, almost completely drowned out by the sweet aroma, and the texture of the cloth brushing lightly against her lips was smooth. Her fingers were tangled in something warm that rubbed sensual circles on her knuckles. Intermittently, the crown of her hair would shift in tandem with the movement of her head, and Mari thought it strange that a rhythmic beating vibrated against her ear. Blearily, she opened an eye to question her sanity and nearly choked on her own spit as a dozing Fuuto appeared in her vision.

The peaceful heat flowing through her body halted and sent chills of mortification along her spine. Grogginess took flight from dormant limbs as she tried to untangle herself from the cocoon Fuuto had somehow encased her in. While practically laying on top of him, a thick blanket wound around them both and was the secondary source of all the heat. She could feel her cheeks absorbing both of their body temperatures, and began to desperately figure out a way to escape before he woke up or realized she was awake. Could he be pretending to sleep like that one time Ema-chan saw him amongst the cherry trees at school and tried to sneak in a kiss? When her friend had told her the story, she wanted to give the pop star a good ol' whack for being such an incest pervert.

How had he gotten inside their condo without waking her up? Better yet, had she left the door open after throwing a mini-fit earlier? Her ears joined the burning flames as she pondered the possible damages she made in the doorway. It didn't answer the question as to why he had entered in the first place or hadn't played any tricks on her. Out the corner of her eye, the nearest window showed a pretty picture of the sun sparkling over the sea as it began to set. She had slept for most of the afternoon with him under her and not once did he leave or do something weird. Just what was he up to, truly? She peered up into his face, trying to gauge the innocent curve to his mouth and even breathing as natural or fake. His brows were a lot thinner than she thought, his lashes long and thick, and even that smirking mouth was smooth of all mirth or mischievous charm. Yet, somehow, she felt that he was fooling her and just binding his time for the panicked scrambling once Mari realized just who her bed was.

She scowled, pulling her entrapped fingers from his hand with little difficulty and reached up to pull at his cheek. There was no reaction at first to her tampering, but gradually, her pinches grew harder until finally…

"Oi! Stop it!" His hand jerked up and snatched her wrist away from his face before she could do anymore damage.

Her brows furrowed in concentration as two pools of sapphire pierced his soul and demanded to know just what it was he wanted. Why had he come to the condo after being reprimanded by not only her sister but his brothers as well? Why did he allow her to cuddle up against him? Why did he let her hold his hand or shift them around until she was in the most comfortable position? Why, even now, was his hand holding her wrist gently and meeting her gaze unflinchingly? Did he understand that she was beyond confused and had no way of sorting through her thoughts? That despite his shortcomings as a narcissistic bastard, she understood the side of him that was desperate to prove to the world that idols could become actors. That his determination was hand-in-hand with his wicked personality and deep down he was a kind boy who had thrown away all pretenses in order to reach his goals. He seemed to understand that everyone only wanted to be in his presence for the money or fame, but she knew for a fact that his family, their bandmates, and especially Mari just wanted to share good memories and see him reach those goals.

She would never voice these thoughts to him or reveal that he affected her in this way. For all instances and purposes, she should be screaming at him for humiliating her like that and stealing a kiss like it was normal. He shouldn't be able to look her in the eye after licking her lip and holding her so tightly or intertwining their fingers. He should be embarrassed for doing all those things to her and blushing along with her. Why wasn't he squirming or trying to move away after the jig was up?

Unable to hold his gaze any longer, Mari slid her eyes away and began to unscramble their bodies and the blanket. She hadn't even succeeded in effectively moving away from his chest before his other arm wrapped firmly around her waist. Her eyes widened and she jerked her head to see that, though faint, his cheeks were indeed flushed and a lovely pout donned his lips. Surely she'd pass out from all the heat flowing to her head as he forced her to stay on his lap. Instead, sharp teeth gnawed at her plump lip and refused to release it.

Just what was he doing?

"Don't tease me," she mumbled, pulling her eyes away from his lips and trying to think of anything else.

His thumb and forefinger grasped her chin, forcing her to meet the sweet caramel of his eyes. She tried to break free of his hold, but he pulled her face down with little effort until their foreheads brushed lightly. Pale blonde meshed with light brown, the strands tangling the more Mari tried to break free of him. "Stop fighting me!" He snarled, irritated with her need to be difficult.

"Then stop trying to kiss me! Not everyone likes to be forced upon, you know?!" She snapped back, her bottom lip being caught by her teeth where it was ripped. "I don't get you!"

Blood dribbled down her chin, only to be caught by Fuuto who eyed it with interest. Mari almost fainted when his tongue flicked out to slurp the crimson droplet into his mouth. His eyes were smoldering, scalding her insides as he watched her face for a reaction. At the slight hitch in her breath, his lips twitched up in his signature smirk.

"You don't have to understand," he murmured, that same hand coming up to cup her cheek. The gentle caress didn't add up with the mischievous glint in those dark eyes. "All you need to know is that you are mine."

Indignation replaced the mortification of the entire situation as she whipped her hand free from his and pulled it back in preparation to slap him. "I'm not your property, you sexist—"

Firm, hot lips slammed a lid on the rest of her insults and his tongue divulged in the sweet crevice of her mouth. She didn't have time to clack her teeth on the invading appendage swirling around her cavern and demanding she fight back with her own tongue. His eyes were closed, but the fierceness in the planes of his face and the harshness of which he kissed her spoke volumes.

Why? Why haven't I pushed you away?

She could barely think as she rose against the challenge he had set and gave in to the throes of passion as her hand reached up to dive into those curly locks. Her nails dug into his scalp when he sucked hard and pulled her tongue in his mouth, dominating her in a way that had her reeling. There was no time to think as she was smashed closer to his chest and the elastic holding her curls was yanked out. Mari was so lost in the heat of the moment that her mind couldn't convince her that this wasn't right. She didn't want this when they were both confused and angry. She wanted to talk this through and figure out just what they were feeling, not get lost in it all.

The hand not tangling in his hair was smashed against their bodies and refused to offer any help when he pulled away from her swollen lips. His face was flushed but the passionate torture was far from over as his hot breath feathered across her throat. She gasped as his tongue slithered over the throbbing vein of her pulse and, before she could fully comprehend what he was about to do, his teeth bit down until her voice rose deep from her throat. The sound that ripped from her was between pleasure and pain, but the soothing of his lips as he sucked hard on his mark brought a weird sensation to her gut. He released the soft flesh with a plop and smirked down at her, their positions somehow having been switched during their make-out session. She was a gasping and trembling mess as she tried to grasp what exactly just happened. Fuuto took that moment to lean down again, his lips feathering around the darkening hickey before kissing the corner of her mouth.

"Like I said," he whispered along her jaw, those sensual lips pulled up into a smirk as he watched her squirm. "You're mine and no one else's, Mari-koi. Now say it."

She couldn't find her voice quick enough for his liking and he nipped at the shell of her ear, laving it with his tongue a moment before pulling back. Her body shuddered as his breath blew over the sensitive area. Where the hell was her spunk? Why was she giving in to him? Or better yet, why did her heart feel like it just might burst from her chest?

"Say it, or I'll punish you more severely," he threatened.

The words were garbled and too breathy for her liking, but she was able to say them before he did something drastic. "I belong to Fuuto."

He shook his head, those long lashes a thick canopy over his eyes. "Not like that. I guess you really want to be punished, ne?"

"N-no!" She hated how her voice shook and sounded so pathetic. What had he done to her? "I-I'm Fuuto-koi's property."

"Heeh…" Slightly glazed sapphires closed in mild panic as he leaned forward again. His mouth hovered over hers and every breath she took in seemed to draw him closer until she thought his entire body would mold with hers. "Much better. Now, don't try my patience after today, Mari, otherwise you'll have to look forward to many more nights of punishment."

"Hai…" God, did he drug her somehow?

He pulled away from her without another word and yanked her after him, his hand firm around her wrist and leading her around until she was situated once again in his lap. She didn't know what to do with herself other than to calm her racing heart and contemplate the events that had led her to this moment. How could he be so calm while she was a nervous wreck?! She couldn't even sit comfortably and refused to relax against him after what they just did. He fucking marked her like some God damn wild animal, that asshole! She'd have to wear her hair down until the bruise went away and hoped that Kyo wouldn't notice it. Why had she agreed to letting him call her his anyway? Mari ground her teeth together and glared at the glass table in front of her, as if it was the cause of all her misfortune.

"Don't be so stiff," he said, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her back to his chest. Her cheeks heated again and she refused to look at him.

She swallowed, nervously. "How can I not be? You fucking groped me."

"You weren't complaining before," Fuuto purred, his face nudging at the soft platinum curls. "As far as I could tell, you were liking the domination."

"T-the hell I was! Pervert!"

"Mmm…Then push me away."

"How can I if you won't let my hands go?!"

"That's never stopped you before."

"U-urusai! What am I to you now anyway? What's with this weird relationship?!"

His cheek nudged against her neck and his tongue found that bruised mark. At the soft lick, Mari shivered and felt the heat spread from her cheeks to the back of her neck as a whimper escaped her teeth. "If you can't figure it out on your own then you are more stupid than I had originally thought."

"Haah?!" She snarled, but stiffened as his lips fastened against her neck again. Her fingers twitched and she grabbed the nearest thing—Fuuto's wrist. The pop star's chuckle vibrated against her flesh and Mari mewled.

"Who'd of thought you would give in this easily."

"What are you—"

He turned her face to his and glared into her eyes. "You're mine, Himimori Mari, and no one is going to touch you in the ways that I do. Do you understand now, or should I put it more simply?"

Mari shook her head. She knew exactly what he was getting at and felt both an ecstatic and dreadful sense pull into her stomach.

Well, it looks like the girls at school and the whole world will really have a good reason to hate me now once they find out this bit of information.