OFJIFENFIENFIFAEKFEF -stops to catch breath- OMIGOSH! 50 reviews~ I love you all! -hands every person who reads this a Rui doll- Thanks go out to: H2OMeloN4eva, b . aka-chan, Spoutnik and Saranghae- Minnie!
Saranghae-Minnie: lol yes you are eavesdropping on them; well im updating from school -glances back nervously- so Ill reply properly to your review later.. lub your review as always Gomen~
Tsukasa sat in a hard chair that was in the lobby of the hospital. He felt dead inside. He hadn't defended himself from Rui because nothing could make him feel worse than he already did. Because of him had almost died. He didn't care that she escaped with only some almost died. He deserved to be hated by Rui; it was a fact that Rui couldn't hate him more than he hated himself... Maybe he should give up on Makino.. All he had caused her was trouble.. Maybe Makino had been right.. Maybe he was only in love with the idea of loving her..?
"You're wrong Tsukasa.."
He looked up, clenching his fists. He wasn't in the mood for his sister's games. How the hell did Tsubaki even know what was going on?
"You're face is like an open book Tsukasa; you should take lessons from Rui."
At the mention of his non-friend Tsukasa felt his heart slow.. He had lost his closest friend and there was nothing he could do about. Time wouldn't heal things; it would just estrange them even more. Rui had the girl he loved and the freedom to do what he would, while all he had was an empty mansion and a ruthless legacy; and there was nothing, absolutely nothing he could do.
Rui sat on the window, gazing out at the beautiful day- it didn't match his mood at all. On the one hand, he was more than extremely happy that Tsukushi hadn't been hurt.. But the finality of what he'd said to Tsukasa was getting to him. He felt guilty because at that moment he had been so distraught that he hadn't even bothered to examine his own words. The saying 'All is fair in love and war' didn't even apply here! Tsukasa had realized too late that he had feelings for Tsukushi.. But that didn't mean he had to treat him the way he had.. He shook his head, trying to shake the ghost of his angst. He wouldn't worry about Tsukasa, because he was pretty sure that Tsukasa never worried about him, considering all the trouble his curly haired friend had caused thus far. Rui turned to Tsukushi, who had fallen asleep when the sun had risen; maybe she was turning into a vampire? He chuckled a bit, but he knew the laugh didn't quite sound authentic. It was more nervous than anything. He shook his head as his resolve hardened- he wouldn't worry about Tsukasa. He wouldn't he wouldn't he wouldn-
" Calm down Rui."
That voice!
"Shizuka..."
There she stood in the doorway of Tsukushi's hospital room, dressed in a cashmere sweater dress with matching beret- a thin wedding band on her finger. Rui's eyes widened in surprise when he didn't feel anything- no ghost of love, nothing.
"Ah, so this is the girl.."
Shizuka glided into the room and sat daintily on the bed, careful not to move the bed. She began to stroke Tsukushi's hair.
"You know Rui, you shouldn't blow up at Tsukasa like that.. Even the 'Mighty Domyoji' has feelings- and right now he looks like those feelings are dragging him down."
Rui stared at Shizuka; was she really taking Tsukasa's side?
"Iie, he deserved what he got. Not only for almost killing the girl I love, but also because I'm tired of acting like his subordinate. I will make my own choices."
"No one is telling you not to Rui! What I'm telling you is that it would be better for you to forgive Tsukasa right now, rather than later!"
Rui turned a deaf ear; if Shizuka had come back from her wonderful marriage just to come tell him this, she was wasting her time.
"Shizuka, I am not changing my stance on this matter. You don't know what's been going on with us ever since you left! I finally found a girl that's not taken, whom I love! How would you feel if a long time after you found out a girl you loved went off to France to marry someone... how would you feel if you found someone who from first glance warmed you from the inside out!? Tsukushi has brought out a side of me I didn't even know. She's cute and smart and stubborn and quirky, but she's the girl I love! I choose her over following Tsukasa like a mindless sycophant for the rest of the my life!"
Rui's breath was coming out in pants; he had never yelled at Shizuka, not even when he got the call from her after she married that guy. Shizuka however looked unfazed, as though him yelling at her was a common occurrence. She got up off the bed and walked towards him, an unreadable expression on her face. She reached him and Rui was forced to see the blankness in her eyes turn to fury. She raised her hand and he felt a sharp sting on his right cheek. He stumbled backwards slightly from the force of the blow.
"Be that as it may, Tsukasa is your best friend. I am just advising you to make up with him before this gets out of hand. You may not be aware of it, but something is going to happen soon and you'll be forced to accept Tsukasa whether or not you've made up. It is in your best interest to do so right now."
Shizuka looked at him coldly once more and then with her heels 'clacking' behind her walked towards the door.
"Ja ne, Rui."
The door closing seemed to echo in the strangely silent room. As soon as he heard the small 'click' of the lock, Rui sank to his knees. What had Shizuka meant about all of that? What did she know? And if it was so crucial that he make up with Tsukasa, then why hadn't she told him what was to come?
"Nishida, where is Tsukasa? I haven't seen him as of late."
Kaede Domyoji sat behind her pristine oak desk, writing an e-mail to one of her business partners, confirming the business meeting that they were due to have the next day.
"He is currently staying with the daughter of the Shika group."
Kaede's fingers stopped in mid-stroke and her eyes widened almost imperceptibly. Could it be that Tsukasa was actually taking their bet seriously? She raised a thin eyebrow and then threw the notion away. There was no one in this world who could possibly love Tsukasa- love was not concrete, love could not be seen; Love was a mistake that fools made.
"Nishida, how long has he been staying there?"
"A week come tomorrow."
"And is he seeing this girl or is she a friend?"
"I believe he is seeing her. His tail has confirmed seeing them together at a variety of places; they've been seen at Club Saphyre, Cafe Bonny, Hidden Treasure Bookstore and a variety of restaurants."
Kaede stopped typing completely. Then turned around in her leather chair so that Nishida couldn't see her expression, which was one of utter awe, confusion and malice all at the same time. That girl..
"Get me a complete workup on that girl immediately. I want to know what she's capable of and what kind of a threat she is to the company."
"Hai, right away Domyoji-sama."
"Tsubaki-sama, there is trouble on the frontier."
Tsubaki turned around to face Saranghae, who was already changed out of her ninja clothes. Tsubaki had sent reconnaissance mission; the situation involving Tsukasa and Rui was coming to a climax. She had called Shizuka earlier and asked her to fly over immediately; if there was anyone who could talk sense into a senseless Rui, it was her. Change was afoot and Tsubaki was not about to be unprepared for what was going to be the equivalent of tsunami. Her mother was planning something, that much was apparent from the frequent business meetings with the Hanazawa Group. Whatever she was planning with that snake that called himself Rui's father, it wasn't going to be benefiting the two boys; if they didn't stop their bickering, it would just be all that much harder to overcome whatever catastrophe was coming.
"What did you learn Saranghae?"
"Kaede-sama is planning another meeting with Hanazawa-sama. They are going to meet at the Palacio Hotel in two hours to discuss business. However.."
Saranghae knelt down next to Tsubaki and she felt her eyes go wide at what her spy was telling her. Could her mother's hatred for free will really go that far? Tsubaki stood up, Saranghae's words echoing in her ears.
"Get Tsukasa and Rui in here STAT."
"And Makino-sama?"
"Bring her also. As much as I would like to say that she isn't involved in this as much as the other two are, I can't. If my mother goes through with this plan, no one who's associated themselves with Tsukasa and Rui as much as she has will be safe. Also bring me Akira and Sojiro. They might be able to help."
"Hai, Tsubaki-sama. After I bring them to you, do I continue with the plan?"
"No, not until I have finished talking to them I cannot monitor the situation to make sure it doesn't get out of hand."
"Hai."
Saranghae exited the room, leaving Tsubaki to her musings. What exactly did her mother plan to do once her plan was completed?
Makino stretched; she had been asleep for the better part of the morning and apparently muscle bruising meant that your muscles all bunched up together. She turned to look at Rui, who sat by the window. Ever since she'd woken up he had been abnormally subdued. Maybe he was still worried? She walked over to him and enveloped him in a hug from behind.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing... Just.."
"Do you miss Tsukasa?"
He looked away from the window and turned to her; she mentally gasped. He had this haunted look in his eyes- like her words brought back some horrible even in his life.. Then she was being squished to death.
"Rui.."
"Just let me hold you.."
Tsukushi held still in his arms, feeling him tremble slightly. What had happened while she was asleep? Tsukushi had never seen Rui so distraught.. So sad.. So.. Her eyes widened as she found the word- lonely. Ever since she'd met him he'd been all smiles and deviousness. Was this what Manda had meant to warn her about when she told her about Rui's family? Under that dazzling smile, was there really an ocean of loneliness? Tsukushi hugged him closer to her. It didn't matter, because if there was, she was going to be the sun on a cloudy day. She would make it so that he never felt this way again. Her eyes narrowed slightly in concentration. First she had to deal with the most obvious problem: Tsukasa. He was obviously regretting his words to his friend. She would put aside her dislike of the curly haired boy if it meant Rui would be happy.
Rui lifted his head from over her shoulder, old smile in place. His eyes were just the tiniest bit of pink around the edges, and his eyes were glowing faintly. Tsukushi tiptoed and kissed him softly. His eyes completely lit up and soon they were in a sea of bliss.
Tsukushi walked towards Rui's car, limping slightly. Rui was up ahead, putting her overnight bag in the trunk and moving the passenger seat slightly backwards so that she could keep her leg elevated. Tsukushi was going to cross the street separating her from Rui. She smiled; everything would be alright.
Then a black car that she had seen circling the lot stopped in the middle of the road. Two men in black exited and grabbed her.
"What the- HELP!"
They handcuffed her hands from behind while one held a piece of cloth to her face. Her screams got weaker and she barely registered anything as she was being loaded into the car. The last thing she heard before she drifted off into a fitful sleep was Rui yelling her name.
Rui was fixing the passenger seat of his car when a black limo pulled up in the middle of the street, obscuring his view of Tsukushi. He didn't even wait a moment. His door was slammed and he began running across the street. He didn't know what these people wanted but no way did a limo that grandiose stop at a commoner's hospital and just be about ordinary business.
"MAKINO!"
He jumped onto the trunk of the car, propelling himself to go over it and saw three men in black loading Tsukushi into the back of the limo. Just as he pulled back to punch them, one of them lifted a gun to her head, with an evil smile. The message was clear: you try to stop us and a bullet goes through her head. He dropped his fist and glared at them, slowly closing the distance. He wasn't going to let them take her.. They couldn't take her. A red haze covered his vision and he was about to run at them when the other pointed a gun at him and the third pointed another at Tsukushi, this time under her chin. If they shot her from both angles, there wouldn't be any hope of her surviving. Rui stopped. The men got into the car and as they sped off Rui ran towards his car, only to find someone was already there.
"Tsubaki, what are you doing here?"
Tsubaki got off the hood of his car and sauntered over to him.
"Rui, it's started."
"What has?"
"The ultimate war: the war of love."
Rui turned around and to his amazement saw Tsukasa walking towards him, holding a sheaf of papers in his hands.
"Tsukasa..."
"So what do you say Rui? Are we going to join forces to save her and then fight over her afterwards?"
Rui just stared at his friend and then turned back to Tsubaki.
"Who's doing this?"
Tsukasa moved forward and flicked him of the forehead; that stupid smirk on his face.
"You're telling me you haven't figured it out yet? You hear that Tsu-"
Rui didn't have time for his idiot friend's game.
"Why am I the only one panicked here?! Every minute we spend here they're taking Tsukushi far-!"
A hand covered his mouth and Rui turned to see Akira and then Sojiro was beside him. What the hell was going on?!
"When in war it is important to know your enemy."
Akira removed his hand from Rui's mouth as he said this and then Sojiro stepped in front of his playboy counterpart.
"Tsukasa's mom and your dad merged their companies; in doing so they got the whole picture. Rui, your dad knows everything thats happened thus far. So does Tsukasa's mom. Neither one likes who you're dating."
Tsukasa looked at Sojiro, incredulously.
"I'm not dating anyone!"
"Think Tsukasa- to anyone who didn't know about the bet, what would it look like you and Manda have been doing this past week?"
"Playing master and slave?"
Akira hit Tsukasa over the head and began to pick up where Sojiro left off.
"Dating, you dolt. It just so happens that your motherasked Manda's dad for a marriage interview with Manda- he declined even though Manda was all for it."
Akira snickered at some secret knowledge and Rui had to smirk. Of course everyone knew that Manda loved Tsukasa- everyone, that is, except Tsukasa himself.
"After that the Shika group dropped all affiliations with the Domyoji Group; hence the reason Tsukasa's mom isn't happy. Rui, your dad isn't happy with Makino, because she is a commoner."
Rui looked around at his circle of friends, a heavy weight setting in on his shoulders. How the hell had they even joined forces? Tsubaki stepped foward, motioning for someone to step into the group. A tallish girl with sandy brown hair and clear blue eyes walked into the center of the circle, bowing slightly to each one of them in turn; Rui withheld his gasp as he recognized her as the girl who had begun working at the cafe yesterday.
"This is Saranghae-chan. I've had her monitoring the situation from all sides. I've had her surveilling you and Tsukasa for the better part of two weeks; she's also been monitoring what's been going on in your father's and my mother's lives as well. She hacked into their e-mail a short while ago, and found this."
Tsubaki reached into her small purse and pulled out a folded sheet of paper. Rui took it and read through it, eyes widening as he took each word in. What the...?
... I will have them taken to the Palacio Hotel; when you meet me there at 3 o' clock Domyoji-san, we will then deal with this problem once and for all. We will both have our sons back and after all this is through our companies will enjoy many years of prosperity. Best Regards,
"..Hanazawa Ren."
Tsubaki nodded as Rui read that last part aloud and that red tint returned to his vision. Then he looked back down at the paper. Them... his father had typed them. As in more than one person.. As in..
"They have Manda too."
Tsubaki's nod became graver.
"Now you understand the full situation Rui. As long as we get there before three and stop them, we'll do fine. Your father won't do anything without consulting our mother."
Rui looked down at his watch. It was 2 o' clock on the dot- the Palacio Hotel was almost an hour away. Rui nodded and then got into his car, opening the passenger seat for whoever wanted to get in. To his immense surprise Tsukasa got in, slamming the door behind him.
"Sorry Rui."
That caught him off guard; he would've dropped the keys if he hadn't just finished putting them in the ignition. He quickly recovered his composure though.
"I'm sorry too Tsukasa."
With that the two best friends sped off into the distance in Rui's Martin Aston.
Ah the picture perfect ending- well except for the fact Makino got kidnapped.. Review?