Hey, guys? How's it going?
So...I'd like to apologize for the late thing again, but through the technical difficulty in uploading the new chapter, I've learned a couple things:
1. My Internet sucks,
2. My computer sucks, and
3. Why is it so frigging old?
Sooo...Let me know if this chapter ends up looking looking like a mash of HTML and the script of The Drowsy Chaperone. I have it on a Word document, so I should be able to upload it against if need be.
Responses to reviews:
GoldenAngel999: Thank you! I wanted that conversation to stick out, since romance is kind of what ends up complicating Madouka and MeiMei's lives.
Yeah...I'll get down to that coupling. Eventually.
Well, since I had to kind of plan out what they're all getting down to doing, I figured his age should be reasonable, while allowing him not to be at too awkward of an age to get back to high school.
Thanks! The only thing I worry about is that I might end up making Ginga look like some kid of sobby wimp, and that this depressed perspective is going to get a bit tiresome, since all he really thinks about is beyblading, his friends and Kyoya.
Thanks again for your support! Ever since you first mentioned it, I've been trying to think of chapter names that fit the story.
Water Dragon of the South: Only when you're not on his bad side... ; )
He's my personal favorite, too.
BlueButterflyRose: thank you, thank you, thank you! That 'butterfly out' thing is cute!
I might just start sending PMs, since some of you are surely tired of searching for your name on this page...or, maybe you're tired of not seeing it there? There's a simple solution to that! : p
You must be bored of me by now...
"Kyoya!"
The young man in the camouflage jacket looked up, and Ginga dashed down the hallway to meet him.
His mind felt numb and completely disbelieving of the sight before him, but one emotion was reflected in every corner of his brain: joy.
He raced over and wrapped the lion blader in a big hug, which Kyoya flinched away from. "G... Ginga?" The shock in his voice resembled Ginga's, only with less enthusiasm.
Ginga broke away and stared in wonder at Kyoya. "My gosh... Where have you been? I... Kyoya, I was looking for you in Africa for three years!"
Kyoya seemed strangely awkward. "Oh...were you? Uh..." At Ginga's nod, he have an exasperated sigh. "I went back to my home, in Japan."
"Really?" Ginga still couldn't keep the bouncy joy off his chest.
Kyoya nodded. He still seemed thoroughly disturbed, if not discomforted, by Ginga's sudden appearance. "I have family in Japan," he explained in a dry, raspy tone even deeper than Ginga last remembered. "I stayed with them, until..." He squirmed. "Yeah."
Something had changed about Kyoya since he'd last seen him; that much was obvious. But what? It didn't look like he'd taken up with beyblading for quite some time, based on his unruly appearance, yet on close inspection... Kyoya had fresh scars on his face in addition to the cross-shaped ones under his eyes. There were burns and tears in his camouflage jacket, which had the sleeves rolled up, revealing underneath that he still retained his usual sleek, powerful muscle.
But...something in his best friend's eyes looked haunted. And he refused to meet Ginga's gaze. There were rings under his lids that Ginga had never seen. He drummed his fingers nervously against his thigh, and the other one, in his pocket, seemed to be shaking. And the jacket...something told him it wasn't salvaged from the Salvation Army thrift shop...there was a crest on his arm, too, that looked vaguely familiar…
Ginga looked up and down once again at the army jacket, the badge, and the fresh scars on his face and hands. "Kyoya...you joined the army?" He asked, shocked.
"Yeah," Kyoya muttered, scowling. "I joined the Afghan troops, just cuz and..." He trailed off, shrugging, and jammed his hands back in the pockets of his camouflage jacket.
Deciding not to press the matter, Ginga switched to the subject he held more interest in. "Do you still blade, Kyoya?"
To his surprise, his friend's eyes grew misty and distant, and his face lit with slight recognition and regret. "Oh, yeah, blading..." Kyoya murmured. "I gave that up a while ago..." However, Ginga was delighted when he saw Kyoya fingering the dog tag necklace at his neck, and found that in place of a tag was his constellation Leone.
"You still have it!" He exclaimed. Kyoya only nodded.
Once again realizing this was not a topic Kyoya wanted to linger in, he changed it again. "So, what're you doing at the hospital?"
Bad move. Kyoya's expression instantly darkened; he spun around, patting Ginga's shoulder and began to stalk away. "It was nice meeting you, Ginga."
Meeting, as if he was a stranger. Not even seeing, as if he were a friend - which he was. Wasn't he? Then again, after seven years, Ginga couldn't be certain.
He almost kicked himself. Seven years was a long time. And knowing someone of Kyoya's personality, how could he expect him to be as happy as Ginga to meet up again? Even so, Ginga couldn't help but feel as if a weight had been surgically planted in his chest, and was now weighing down everything he wanted to do.
With a wistful sigh and a last sullen glance cast down the hall, Ginga turned and walked back to join his friends.
"Ginga?" The gasp made him turn. "Ginga Hagane?"
For a moment, he didn't recognize the person before him. Then their features changed in his mind, to a thirteen-year old boy from the World Championships, with bangles on his wrist, and dye in his hair. Standing before the logo of a roaring Saharan lion.
"Nile!" He exclaimed.
The knock on the door made Masamune spin around with a scowl. "What?" He demanded when Ginga's face appeared in the doorway.
As of late, Madouka had noticed a queer depression seemed to be gripping the redhead. The past few days seemed to have placed him in some mind of blue funk, worse than it'd ever been since he'd returned to Japan. For this reason, Madouka was curious: what was the glittering joy on his face?
"I met someone in the hallway," he announced in a singsong voice.
Masamune rolled his eyes. "So? I was telling Toby about my battle with Chao Xin on the Great Wall of China!"
"Masamune," Madouka cut in drily, feeling she ought to intervene, "Can't you just listen to Ginga and act like your age, for a change?"
Masamune's face turned beet-red. He crossed his arms, gaining that stubborn but embarrassed look he got whenever he was caught in a lie. "Hey!" He spat. "I'm twenty! I can be mature!"
That comment was enough to make the rest of them burst into tears of laughter, including Toby, earning them all a glare from Masamune.
"Yeah, but you sure haven't changed much, have you, Masamune?" Came the sleek voice from behind Ginga.
The voice made Madouka almost melt on the spot. It was warm and smooth, like honey, or maybe melted chocolate on a hot day. Their tone was so relaxed and easygoing that she could feel immediate calm flow through her veins. She smiled, but her nerves did not in any way anticipate what walked through the doorway.
Ah, what did MeiMei call it? A sex god.
No, sex god was too brutal. He didn't look like the type - the label was just too harsh, and this guy didn't fit the description, quite, of enjoying a nice fuck and walking away. But holy jeez, if there was any way to describe that picture of perfect, she couldn't find one.
Chocolate brown locks tumbled over his face. His jade green eyes were narrowed in (eek!) her direction. His skin was warmly coffee-coloured, as if he'd spent all day in the sun without getting completely roasted. A simple white shirt sat on his perfectly shaped shoulders, and jeans clung to his lean, muscled body.
Madouka drank the sight of him in. He was so good-looking, it was delicious. Who was this guy? She was so tempted to ask, but words failed her - her throat produced nothing but air.
Masamune's guess was much faster than hers. "Nile!" He leaped from his seat and clung to the other man like a monkey.
Madouka's mouth dried instantly, like a drought seeping through a river. 'Nile?' That...was impossible. He'd never looked so handsome since Madouka had seen him last. What she remembered of him was bandages, long shirts, red-orange bangs and weird markings. There was no. Way. In. Hell that he'd grown up to become a complete womanizer.
He'd gotten rid of the hair dye, face paint, Egyptian clothing, and now they had this. Where the hell had he been hiding all these years? Madouka could already dreamily imagine him being kidnapped under the cover of night, and forced to apply all that ridiculous costume just in order to hide his beauty for "the woman who proved worthy of his desire".
He nodded to each of them in turn. "Masamune. Madouka." She forgot to breathe when his eyes fixed over her, even if the interaction only lasted a second. "And you must be Toby."
While Masamune went on chattering about this newly-introduced stranger to his friend, Madouka gazed adoringly at Nile's chiseled figure.
"So," Masamune put in, "what's he doing at the hospital?"
The question was clearly directed at Ginga, but the redhead turned directly to Nile, who dipped his head. "I have a...friend here at the hospital. Kyoya and I have rented an apartment in New York City."
"Cool!" Masamune exclaimed.
Nile grimaced. "Not really...the reason Kyoya rented it in the first place...well... To make things simple, let's start here: we were just passing through, a couple months ago, but my friend and I got in a bus accident."
"That's terrible!" Madouka shrieked, louder and in a higher pitch than she had meant to use. Burning with embarrassment, she shrunk back as his cat-like jade eyes hit her.
"Yeah," he thought aloud, "I suppose it was. I wasn't too badly injured, but we stayed here for our friend. We've been hanging around ever since. How about you?"
Toby chuckled. "Our story's a bit less dramatic, I'm afraid. See, Masamune and I went to school together seven years ago..."
"Wait." Nile raised his hand, cutting him off, his eyes glittering with recognition. "That was the year of the World Championships, wasn't it?"
Madouka sighed to herself softly. 'So smart!'
Masamune gave his flustered grin and nodded. "I kind of...got swept up in the excitement when I came to Japan, and, well...the time to come back just never seemed right."
Nile's laugh was music to her ears. "That sounds so much like you, it's too funny."
Masamune chuckled, scratching the back of his head with a red face. "Yeah. Hey, we should hang out some time, maybe?"
Nile's smile widened. "Sure thing. Just a guy's night out, how's that sound?" He nodded at Ginga, signaling that they'd spoken beforehand. "Text me your number later."
Madouka almost glared at Masamune. There was no way in hell she'd let all the guys monopolize his time. But she forced herself not to look or say anything stupid, and held her tongue.
Nile gave them each a curt nod in turn. "Be seeing you around. Toby. Ginga. Masamune." When his eyes finally rested on her, Madouka thought she would either explode, melt, shrink, or perhaps all three.
He wriggled his eyebrows strangely, and a catlike smirk grew on his face. "Madouka." He lingered on the name, and Madouka thought she would die of embarrassment or shyness.
"Be seeing you around." He swept from the room, and Madouka released a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.
She nearly sank to the floor, caught up in instant daydreams about the handsome man who had just entered her life. Nile... The name rolled off her tongue like a silk river, and simply thinking of him suddenly gave her shivers.
Ginga gave her a funny look. "Are you okay?"
Madouka nodded, and tried to look casual. "Yeah. Nice seeing Nile again, huh?"
"Sure is," Masamune responded cheerily, but even his happiness couldn't compare to what Madouka was feeling.
Oh, MeiMei was going to be so jealous when she heard every single detail tonight.
A knock on the door made Julian Konzern's eyes narrow.
In his office, a knock only meant trouble. No one passed by the secretary and proceeded to his office unless she phoned, told him who it was, and sent them in. Occasionally, there were instances in which a lawyer or CEO or some other person high in power made a personal visit to threaten or challenge Julian and his company. In those cases, there was never time for Annie to provide a warning.
That was why Julian Konzern sat up, straightened his tie, fixed his hair, drained his coffee and set the cup aside. "Come in," he allowed politely.
The door swung open, and a face peered inside. "I can live in your house, but I can't enter your office without permission?" Sophie teased.
Julian's heart was either pounding so hard he'd lost all feeling in his chest, or it had completely stopped. "...Sophie. Come in." He gestured for her to sit in one of the chairs provided, and walked around the desk to sit beside her.
A smile playing on her lips, Sophie entered, and Julian saw the basket in her hand. "What's this? Can I help you?"
She flopped into the chair with a sigh and dug out two sandwiches from the basket. "If by help you mean eating these sandwiches with me, then yes." She passed him one; a flatbread wrap with smoked salmon, ham, Swiss cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, mayonnaise, another sauce he didn't recognize, and an olive stabbed through a toothpick.
He smiled. "It looks wonderful," he answered graciously. "Thank you."
Sophie's eyes were sparkling as she removed the wrapping preserving the sandwich. "You'll thank me when you eat it," she promised with a chuckle.
As marvelous as the sandwich indeed was, Julian was more pleased by her showing up. He had a serious business meeting coming up in less than an hour, and he couldn't have planned a better way to unwind. Not even the thrill of horseback racing compared to this quiet meal. "Delicious," he announced, wiping his fingers on a handkerchief. "Where did you get these?"
"Wales and I were at the park," she responded casually, and a muscle in Julian's hand twitched. "How was it?" He asked, trying to ignore the guilt that was gnawing his intestines.
Sophie shrugged. "Slow. We were sitting under a tree, and the weather is divine." She gave a dreamy sigh. "You should have joined us, Julian. It was quite enchanting."
Julian managed a tired smile. "As soon as I have this business done with in America," he sighed, "all my hours will seem like free time."
Sophie gave a small groan of concern. "Ohhh, dear. Julian, is it that stressful?"
Shoulders sagging, he nodded. "It's grave business of the utmost importance, I'm afraid," he admitted. "It could take weeks to years to settle."
Sophie's smile was sympathetic. "Take as much time as you need," she cooed. "Your second family is right behind you." Her voice was gentle as a dove, and when she took Julian's hand, he could feel the exhaustion flowing off him into waves of calm. 'This is love,' he thought.
Closing his eyes, he let his fingers slide over the smooth surface of Sophie's undone nails. "Yes. I won't forget that," he promised.
Another knock sounded at the door, and Sophie perked. "Oh. That must be-"
Much to Julian's disappointment, Wales poked his head through the open doorway with a curious expression. "Can I come in?"
Julian wanted to strangle his friend for intruding, but, with the sleekness of a business man, he instead gave a polite smile and stood to offer Wales his seat. "Of course. Sit down."
Sophie glanced up and down at Wales as he walked in. "Where's the picnic basket?"
Wales glanced down at his empty hands and then opened his mouth, but no sound came out.
Sophie gave an exasperated sigh. "I knew it. You left it by the front desk or something, didn't you? Good thing I already took the sandwiches with me!" With one last dark look cast in Wales's direction, she crossed the room, shutting the door behind her.
Julian and Wales sat in uncomfortable silence, unsure of what to say. Though under normal circumstances, they should have been easily able to carry on with a light and pleasant conversation, Julian was already struggling so much to keep the jealousy written off his face that he couldn't muster anything to say. Wales himself was normally quite talkative, but today he simply wrung his hands and stared at his feet. Julian wondered if Wales had caught sight of him and Sophie holding hands, however momentary.
"How's work?"
Though Julian searched, he couldn't find any trace of contempt or buttered insult. As quickly as he considered the thought of Wales making such a jab, he mentally slapped himself; he and Wales had been good friends for fifteen years! How could Julian have possibly even thought of suspecting his friend to be so cruel?
And yet, despite his undying dedication to Julian, it was clear that even that loyalty would not interfere in any way with the bond the Englishman shared with Sophie. That bond had left Julian very bitter, indeed, when his feelings for the French woman had first begun to emerge.
"It's alright, I suppose," Julian conceded, careful to keep his face calm and still, though a million thoughts seemed to race through his head. Somehow, the idea of Wales and Sophie...sitting in a park together, with the sunshine and grass everywhere...
In a heat of an emotional rush of envy, Julian decided to do something extremely tactless. It was a mistake that a businessman ought never to make. "How was your day with Sophie? I'm sure she must have looked very beautiful today."
The instant the words flew out of Julian's mouth, he regretted it. Wales looked startled, almost as if caught off-guard. "Er...yes, of course." His eyes flickered to the side awkwardly, as he laced his fingers together. "A shame you couldn't join us."
Julian's hand balled into a fist, and he had to turn to hide the red flush he felt creeping over his face. 'Fool!' He scolded himself inwardly. The question couldn't have been more obvious than a blaring siren announcing his envy of Wales and his love for Sophie.
Wales's voice had become suddenly meek and awkward. "If you'd like...you know, we could arrange another time...you could come with us, Julian."
'No!' His brain howled inwardly, unwilling to accept Wales's pity or generosity, whichever it was in the offer. "Sophie has always been a valuable member of our team," he said between clenched teeth, trying and failing not to sound sharp or bitter. "I expect you'll take good care of her."
Wales fidgeted nervously, casting his eyes to the floor as Julian turned back around. "O-of course."
Julian would have knocked his desk aside in fury, if not for Sophie's sudden appearance. She slipped through the doorway, picnic basket in hand, with an eyebrow arched towards the Englishman. "Like I said, it was on the receptionist's desk. Don't be so forgetful."
Her smile melted Konzern on the spot. Immediately, his body felt light and his anger dispersed. "Well, we wouldn't want to take up any more of your time, Julian."
'No, stay!' His heart cried out, but he forced down the lump in his throat and made himself smile. "Do as you wish. I'll see you back at the mansion, I hope." Wales avoided Julian's gaze as he passed by.
Sophie's smile dissolved like salt in water. "Not tonight, I'm afraid. We were thinking of going down to the beach and watching a firework display tonight-"
Wales cleared his throat, his cough cutting off Sophie's sentence. "-but we were thinking of asking Klaus. Or, you, if you weren't too busy."
'What game is he playing?' Julian narrowed his eyes at Wales, doubt creeping into the corners of his heart, and confusion over his friend's intentions.
Sophie seemed just as puzzled. "Oh...yes...join us tonight, won't you Julian?"
He was about to refuse, but her smile was so pleading and hopeful that he gave in. "... All right. If Klaus goes, I won't miss out." Both the Frenchwoman and the Englishman's faces burst into pleased, contained grins, that had been so well-practiced over the years - though one of them was slightly strained and still looking uncomfortable.
"Excellent," Sophie remarked breezily with a polite dip of her head. "Then we shall expect to see you later, Julian."
She whisked through the door, out of plain sight, and pulled Wales along, who managed a final hasty wave in Julian's direction before he was yanked out the room.
Once he was sure they were long past gone, he slammed his hands on the table, cursing loudly. His missteps in interrogating Wales were hardly what had enraged him so terribly by now.
No, it was that he'd seen them holding hands as they departed.
Um...so I didn't say this before, might say it now.
School is quickly approaching, as we all know, which means less updates. But...also, my Internet could possibly be shut down in six weeks due to forseen complications. The chapters might seem shorter, and also rushed, because I don't know when I'll get Internet back, and therefore will be attempting to make up for this beforehand.
I understand that some of you might be nice and feel "no, take your time, your story's still wonderful!' But that's still seriously not fair to you guys, and even if I do a horrible job to start, I at least have something to start off on, and I promise I'll renew it once I get back with proper edits (and Internet).
Thank you so much for your support and PEACE OUT!