A wooden bench, behind the stage, creaked as Murasakibara sat down to rest. He wipes away the sweat that dripped down the back of his neck. The giant realized he only sweat this much when he played basketball; who knew that staging lighting was so intense. He sighed as he took a swig of a near by water.
Murasakibara went back to his time on stage with Clara. They only had a few scenes together and he would never admit it but he actually had a little bit of fun. And seeing Clara dressed up like a prince wasn't so bad either, in fact she looked very dashing. Murasakibara's violet eyes watched Clara's every step as she made her way "up" the hand made staircase that would lead her to the Sleeping Beauty's tower. The lighting made her green eyes pop more, giving her a serious yet gentle look.
"The kissing scene is coming up…" Murasakibara sighed, whispering to himself. The giant felt a slight pinch in his chest and it only seemed to grow in intensity, as Clara got closer. For some reason something didn't feel right.
There was a rustle at the side and Murasakibara noticed that Aomine is using his god like speed to rush the stage. Murasakibara stood up on instinct and opened the door quickly however Aomine made a beeline towards the stage, however Murasakibara took hold of the darker teen. Murasakibara knew how hard Clara looked on this project and he wasn't going to let Aomine ruin that.
"Aomine, what do you think you are doing?" Tatsuya whispered as he came over just as Aomine ripped his arm away from Murasakibara who had an intense look in his eye.
"Inari is going to be punked by that fake ass princess!" Aomine hissed out a whisper.
Murasakibara looked confused. "What are you talking about Mine-chin?" Murasakibara's voice seemed to darken.
"That asswipe is going…!" Aomine's voice seemed to grow distant as Murasakibara listened to the harassment that was about to unfold in front of them.
Murasakibara's world seemed to freeze as he looked out towards the stage. Clara is just about to make contact for the kiss, his mind wondered to the possible future; the thought of Clara crying rivers of tears after being harassed and humiliated made the giant's blood boil. The giant knew how hard Clara worked on this play and he wasn't going to let some attention seeking adolescent asshole ruin it.
Murasakibara glared at Aomine, making the darker skin teen freeze in place. "Stay…"
Murasakibara grabs hold of Tatsuya's arm and pulled him towards the stage. The two teenagers just made it in time by hooking their arms underneath Clara's armpits and pulled her away just as the red bean can beamed the fake princess on the forehead.
~!~
The dark gymnasium was so quite that you could hear a spider crawl across the floor. Several students started to whisper as other stared in confusion at the scene in front of them. Two teens had their arms hooked underneath the prince's own arms, making her dangle a foot or so off the ground. Compared to the little in their grasps she looked like a child. Their attention also went to the one teen that was hissing pain from having something clonk him on the forehead.
Clara blinked as she stared at her dangling feet, she even swayed slightly just to make sure what was happening was actually happening. The blonde looked to her side to see two pairs of eyes on her, one grey-black the other violet. Groans of pain claimed Clara's attention, shifting her eyes to a boy who was rubbing his forehead vigorously, a large bump slowly forming.
"What… just happened? Where is Suzana?" Clara said softly as her thoughts kept reeling, trying to make sense of everything, that is, until she felt warmth near her cheek. Clara came back to reality from her chaotic thoughts to having Tatsuya leaning slightly in.
"Our lord has captured you again, Prince…" Tatsuya had a devious looking grin on his face as he stared at Clara.
Clara felt warm on her cheeks at Tatsuya's intense look. "Wha…are…" Clara leaned her head backwards from Tatsuya.
However… Clara jumped in their grasps when she felt a chin rest on her shoulder, making her green eyes come face to face with dashing violet eyes.
"Mura…."
"I will make sure you won't escape… this time…" Murasakibara's voice was low and husky. The red in Clara's cheeks spread throughout her body, making her looked like a cooked lobster. Her body started to shake violently.
Some girls in the audience were squealing and blushing, several were taking photos with their phones.
"It's like a boy love comic…" A girl leaned against her friend in a fake fainting action.
"Oh my gosh! Tatsuya and Murasakibara look so hot right now!" Another girl squealed.
"I wish I could be in the Prince's shoes right now!" Even more girls swooned at Clara's confused predicament.
Shinji was completely ignored to the point that no one noticed that he was dragged away from the stage by a pissed off Toya who just arrived to hear about the 'plot' that nearly took Clara's first kiss from Takao and Midorima. Even the squeals of the female students drowned out the boy's shrill scream.
Just as Murasakibara and Tatsuya were about to drag Clara away, Suzana appeared, finally escaping her closet prison, she held a 'sword' and pointed daringly at the two men who held the prince captive.
"Unhand him! Or face my fury!" Suzana shouted, again the audience ruptured into gasps and squeals. It intensified when Suzana charged, to which Tatsuya and Murasakibara let Clara go and engaged in battle only to be beaten by the princess.
Clara was still dumbstruck from all that was going on that she just kneeled there, looking like a deer in the headlights. Suzana came over and held out her hand with a sweet smile and whispered.
"Play along… I'll explain when it's over…"
Clara looked up at Suzana and nodded slightly without hesitation. "Princess! You have saved me yet again…"
Suzana looked confused, "What do you mean, I only saved you once…"
Clara shook her head as she twirled Suzana into her arms. "You saved me twice… from the evil fairy… and saving me from trying to find you…"
The audience chuckled at the bad joke as the curtain fell, the audience ruptured into a thunderous applause. Everyone came out to do a final bow, ending the play on an interesting high note.
~!~
It took almost two hours for Clara's class to clean up the gymnasium of all the trash, props and whatever was left over from the production. Because of the stage lights and constant moving about, everyone was sweaty and pretty stinky with the permission of some teachers the students were able to take showers in the locker rooms if they so desired. Clara sighed with a smile as she ties her damp hair in a low side braid with a few strands framing her face.
Clara looked ahead and noticed Murasakibara and Tatsuya near the exit. Just as Clara was about to shout out to get their attention Clara stopped when a female student went over to Murasakibara and handed him a small bag of goodies. The girl seemed to fidget and softly asked.
"Would you… go out with me? I've had feelings for you for several months… please go out with me!"
Clara felt a sharp sting in her chest at the girl's declaration. Clara raised a hand to clasp her shirt over her heart. What was this unfamiliar pain? It burned her chest, made her stomach curl. Clara had to look away, like she couldn't bear to see the look on Murasakibara's face or the girl's for that matter.
"Sorry… but I have to decline…"
Clara quickly looked back up as Murasakibara remained where he stood, staring down at the girl; he even returned the small pouch of goodies. The female student downcast her eyes before running off. The pain in her chest was replaced with a sense of relief and it almost made Clara sick. Clara wanted to jump up and down in happiness but she didn't, she felt horrible, not because the girl was turned down but by the unsavory thoughts Clara had while Murasakibara was giving his answers.
Clara thought she was a good person but when that girl declared her love for the giant, Clara wanted nothing more than to run over there and tell the girl off, to scream and belittle her.
"I am… horrible…" Clara whispered to herself, looking down at her feet.
"Oi cookie?"
Clara snapped her eyes up to meet a pair of lavender eyes staring back down at her. Murasakibara looked a little concern as he cocked his head to the side.
"What is it?"
Clara snapped out of her stupor by shaking her head. "N-nothing! Sorry, was spacing out there…"
Clara chuckled as she turned to reach in her small backpack she pulled out a container. "Here, this is left over goodies from the bake sale."
Murasakibara's eyes lit up like fireworks as he gently look the package like it was a delicate flower.
Clara giggled as she felt those raw emotions leave her body. "Thank you for helping me back on stage before… I don't want to think what would have happened if that guy did those things…"
Murasakibara was already stuffing his face when Clara was speaking nonetheless he stopped gluttonous habit to look down at the blonde and the giant had a gentle expression on his face. "You're welcome…"
Clara blushed a little and smiled gently back as she pointed back towards Tatsuya to regroup but the two gapped slightly when they noticed that female students, from Yōsen and from other schools, surround the dark hair teen. Clara laughed lightly.
"Should we go and save him from the raging teen hormones?" Clara laughed as she looked up at Murasakibara who actually shook his head.
"No… Let's go."
Clara blinked in disbelief. "Huh? What… but…"
"Muro-chin will be fine." Murasakibara said as he heads towards another set of exit doors.
Clara was hesitant as she watched Murasakibara walk off she looked one last time to Tatsuya. Clara finally saw why Murasakibara was reluctant to help, she saw Kagami coming to his childhood friend's rescue by pulling Tatsuya away from the sea of teenage girls. Clara finally turned and jogged after the towering giant.
"So, if we are we not going to join up with the others, what do you wanna do?" Clara asked curiously after she caught up with her classmate.
Murasakibara didn't answer right away, as he was too engrossed in his face stuffing of delicious treats. Clara couldn't help a bit of laughter passing her lips as she watched the giant enjoy his tasty snack.
"You know you are going to get fat if you keep eating like that." Clara giggled in between words.
Murasakibara did a small pout at Clara. "No I won't…" Suddenly Murasakibara shoved a cookie into Clara mouth.
Clara almost choked on her laughter as she bit down on the cookie and it didn't help that she was initially laughing at Murasakibara's childish retort. Murasakibara was adorable when he acted like a child. But Clara also knew he had a sweet and considerate side to him as well; her thoughts went back to when he found her precious necklace and when he was so kind as to stay by her when she injured her knees. In the long run, Clara was grateful that she met the towering giant of Yōsen High.
Clara stole a glance at the lingering giant. Murasakibara must have felt her gaze as he looked down at her. Both stared at each other for a moment longer before they both smiled at each other and it seemed like they moved just a bit little closer to each other. Unbeknownst to Clara, something small and warm planted itself deep in the blonde teen's heart.
"FOUND YOU!"
The two's little tender moment was cut short when Toya came stomping towards them. Behind the older sibling was the rest of the gang. Midorima was yelling at Takao; who was saying something about how Midorima was losing to Murasakibara. Clara jumped when she felt an arm drape behind her shoulders, somehow Aomine snuck up on the other side of Clara and sat down right next to her, snatching a few cookies away causing Murasakibara to grow angry and whipping the treats away from the greedy Tōō student's reach. The close proximity of both teens around Clara made Toya grow more in rage at both basketball prodigies so he attempted to pull them away from his baby sister, however that just gave Aomine and Murasakibara to resist. Clara became trapped.
"Hey! Knock it off, you're going to hurt Inari!" Midorima stomped over to the bench to try to rescue Clara but instead found himself being dragged in the tussle.
Clara to flail her arms about trying to escape from the four boys just as she thought she would never escape she found herself being pulled away from danger and into a tight hug by Reo Mibuchi who was growling at the four of them for torturing the poor soul.
The four bickering boys stopped in the middle of their scuffle to stare up at not only Mibuchi but also the rest of the Rakuzan basketball starters. Akashi has a discontent look in his eyes making Murasakibara, Toya, Midorima, and Aomine flinch; it looked like a father scolding his three sons they disappointed him.
In Mibuchi's grasp, Clara noticed that Nebuya and Kotaro took that moment to escort two girls away from the 'children' who were still frozen in place from Akashi's glare. Like his teammates before him, Mibuchi escorted Clara away from her brother, Murasakibara, Aomine and Midorima. Once at a far enough distance Clara was able to meet both Satsuki Momoi and Riko Aido. Clara noticed that Momoi was the pink hair girl she saw in the gymnasium during the play. However her attention was on the short brown hair girl.
"Wow, it's a amazing for a high school student to be a coach for a high school basketball team. I never really heard of it." Clara smiles with astonishment, her eyes sparkling. Clara than turned to Momoi and the two exchanged a few words before they were interrupted by a smooth silk voice.
"I apologize you had to see all that Miss Inari…" Akashi caught up with the rest of the group; he slightly looked behind him where Aomine, Midorima, and Murasakibara were pouting and annoyed while Toya looked devastated for being scolded by a high school student. "Even though these three 'gentlemen' are in their second year of high school they should have known better and I am especially sorry that your older brother is acting like a child as well, it must be tough." Akashi said with a chastised tone towards the guys.
"Ah, no, I am okay…" Clara stammered in her speech with a smile. "I am so used to my brother being like this that I forgot how to be embarrassed around him, so I just ignore him."
Toya nearly tripped over his own feet from Clara blunt, hurtful words. "Lottie!" Toya whimpered as he tried to get his sister to forgive his childish antics but of course Clara couldn't stay mad at her brother for long as she lets him hug her gently to him. Clara pats her brother on the head like what you would do for a sad pet puppy.
As the day went on Clara made fast friends with Momoi and Riko. Riko actually gave Clara some advice on training she could do for volleyball; even Momoi gave Clara some advice as well about how to possibly join the volleyball team even after sign ups were over with. Clara couldn't help the big smile on her face as she returned the favor by giving the girls some advice for baking and cooking but Clara couldn't help but feel like what she said went through one ear and out the other.
While the girls were talking a pair of violet eyes peered at Clara's back. Murasakibara watched closely as Clara got closer to the girls, a small smile graced his lips. The giant felt happy that Clara was starting to make more friends and much to his relief, female friends.
Murasakibara glared down at Midorima and Aomine who where still at his side. The giant didn't like how either one of them looked at Clara as she walked ahead of them. Murasakibara wasn't too concerned with Aomine because the giant knew now that navy blue hair teen will lose interest as soon as he leaves. Midorima on the other hand...
Murasakibara watched as Midorima quickened his pace to catch up with Clara. The two started to talk with a comfortable air around them, causing a discomfort to rise in the pit of Murasakibara's stomach. The giant sighed slightly as he put his hands in his pockets and making another slight pout.
"Guess… I can't deny it any longer, huh?"
Tatsuya who was close by looked to Murasakibara. "Did you say something Atsushi?"
Murasakibara shook his head, as his attention didn't wonder from the female blonde student ahead of him. "No… no I didn't."
"Atsushi, what are you going to do for finals that are coming up?" Tatsuya asked with curiosity.
The giant looked at his teammate with an arched eyebrow. "Why do you ask?"
"Well, you barely passed your previous tests and we can't have you failing the next exams…" Tatsuya said as he started to lecture at Murasakibara.
It was at that moment that Murasakibara remembered they were going to go to a training camp during summer vacation, Murasakibara groaned. The giant much rather stay at home to eat his beloved snacks.
Murasakibara sighed heavily. "Muro-chin, why must you ruin my mood with your constant need to practice?"
Tatsuya pointed towards Kuroko and Kagami. "By all means, don't come but don't cry like a child again the next time they beat you."
The giant pouted at the words but a strange sensation burned in his chest. Murasakibara did want to win against the new light and shadow and that sensation actually beaten out the laziness inside of him. However, the feeling of dread to study started to fester in his chest, but his ears perked at Tatsuya's suggestion.
"We could ask Clara if she would like to join us in our studying… never know…" Tatsuya looked at the lavender hair teen with a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Maybe she will be kind enough to make snacks during our study sessions."
Murasakibara didn't look back at Tatsuya as he made his way over to Clara with determination in his violet eyes. Takao gave Tatsuya a high five for getting the giant riled up. Murasakibara reached out to take a hold of Clara's head to make her stop walking. The blonde jumped to a stop as she looked up. Midorima looked pissed as soon as he saw the lavender hair interrupted his conversation with Clara.
"Mura-?"
But before Murasakibara could say anything Toya was on him like white on rice! With strength from his football training he was able to toss the giant away from his little sister.
"You bastard! What the hell do you think you are doing?" Toya growled as stood in front of Clara to protect her from the giant brute.
"Toya! Honestly, he wasn't going to hurt me…" Clara stepped aside from her brother to Murasakibara just as he was getting back on his feet. "Are you okay Murasakibara?"
Clara stared up gently at the purple hair teen with a smile yet concern look in her eyes; she even cocked her head to the side when he didn't answer right away. However the words were stuck in Murasakibara's mouth as he noticed that everyone in their group was watching with mild amusement. Toya on the other hand looked like he wanted to smack the lummox away from his beloved sister.
Murasakibara looked to the side muttering. "Nothing… you had lint in your hair…" The giant said softly as a bit of pink tinted his cheeks. "Let's go, I am getting hungry…"
Murasakibara went ahead of the group with Clara close behind, pestering him about what he really wanted to say, leaving the rest of the group behind them. Midorima was fast to catch up and soon the green and purple hair teens were bickering back and forth once again with Clara trying to calm them down.
Tatsuya watched with a smile on his face as he walked next to Kagami. The red head looked towards his childhood friend with a smirk of his own as he pointed at the retreating teens.
"How long have they been going out?"
Toya sprayed his drink that he was sipping quietly, dousing Aomine's back. The dark skin teen shouted in anger as he spun to face Toya but he was actually held back by Tetsuya with the help of Momoi. However, Toya hardly noticed as he spun on his heels to grasp the red head's shirt to proceed to yell at him.
"They're not going out, he isn't good enough for my sister!" Toya's shouting made him spit all over Kagami's face making the fiery red hair teen to become agitated by the sudden actions of the older brother but before Kagami could do anything; Toya let's go to whimper with manly tears rolling on his face.
"No one is good for my Lottie… so you all." Toya whipped around pointing at every single guy in the group. "…You stay away from my sister if you have 'those' intentions… especially YOU!" Toya pointed at Aomine who was just finishing drying his back.
"I do what I want old man." Aomine said with conviction and absolute. "If there is something or someone I want I will get it."
Murasakibara overheard Aomine conviction, he would have to keep a close eye on Clara as he finally started to understand what that discomfort in his chest was every time he saw another guy talking to Clara, or that warm fuzzy feeling he got whenever Clara smiled brightly at him. Either way, whether she liked him or not, he knew he wanted to protect that smile that he likes so much, so he will become that unmovable, impenetrable object and will attempt to stop any unstoppable force.
Murasakibara looked down at Clara as she stared up at him, she had a smile on her face.
'Yeah… I want to protect that smile…'
~!~
After two weeks of gruesome studying the teacher took the last piece of paper from a student, signifying the end of final exams before summer vacation.
"The results will be posted tomorrow morning, those who have failed any of their classes will be taking supplementary exams on…" The teacher continued to talk about make up exams and study groups but Clara was confident that she wouldn't have to take any make up exams.
"Alright, that is it for today! Take care and see you tomorrow." The teacher turned to leave the classroom while the students all stretched and sighed in relief.
Several students went to their friends to talk about the exams, some seem happy others looked miserable.
"Ahhh! Finally done!" Clara stretched as she started to pack her school supplies.
With final exams finally over Clara felt a huge weight lift off her shoulders. Clara stopped cleaning up her desk to look out the window. A few birds flew by, almost like they were signifying the freedom she felt in her heart and soul. After the school festival it was nothing but studying and more studying. There were nights that Clara only got five hours of sleep sometimes only three nevertheless Clara stayed awake to keep up with her notes, though she did have one incident where she actually fell out of her chair during class but she pushed that memory deep, deep down in her memory bank.
Clara leaned back against her chair, resting her head on the empty desk behind her. The blonde teen had a huge smile on her face. Not just because exams were over but also because that meant that summer vacation was just around the corner! Clara couldn't wait to hit the beach or go back home to see her mother. The possibilities for the summer were…
"Oi, Cookie."
Clara's eyes snapped open as they met with a pair of lavender ones. Murasakibara leaned ever so close that Clara could almost, ALMOST feel his medium length lavender hair on her cheek. Clara had to hold her self down or face smacking the giant in the face from the sudden surprise.
"Ah! Don't do that Murasakibara! You trying to send me to my grave early?" Clara pouted as she moved sideways to get out of her desk chair.
"What are you doing for summer vacation?" Murasakibara asked, ignoring Clara's exaggerated question and to continue to press his own question.
Clara sighed at this as she put her hands to her hips, pouting slightly from being ignored. "Nothing is really set in stone, I might just go back home…"
"You are coming to training camp with Muro-chin and I." Murasakibara once again ignored Clara's plans to declare his own plans for her; Murasakibara stared down at a surprised Clara.
Clara's eyes bulged wide open. "I am… what?"
"Our manager quit a few days ago and the coach needs someone to help her during training, so you are coming with." Murasakibara still sounded like it was a definite 'yes' from Clara, even though she was still too dumbstruck to even speak at the moment to answer back.
However Clara finally found her voice when Murasakibara turned to end the conversation.
"Just… Just wait a second!" Clara dashed around the giant and stared up at him with a slight panic in her eyes. "You can't just decide on this! I am sorry your manager quit but that doesn't mean you should force me to be a replacement!" Clara continued to her argument. "And besides, I am not that good with basketball, wouldn't it be better to get someone who actually knew more about the rules and the game than someone who just knows the basics?"
Murasakibara continued to watch Clara in silence as she continued to say as to why she wouldn't be the right choice for the manager position. But it seemed like Murasakibara didn't hear any of it as what he said next made Clara stop her rambling excuses.
"There is a beach near by, they have volleyball nets on the beach and you can rent out the balls for free because we are high school students…" Murasakibara said with a smirk when Clara flinched at the mention of her favorite sport.
"R…Really?" Clara said with sparkles in her eyes.
Murasakibara had to push down a smirk that threatened to escape his lips but he was able to contain himself by pinching himself on the leg.
"Also the Yōsen volleyball team goes there for practice during the summer as well, who knows… maybe if you show off your stuff while they're practicing maybe they will reconsider letting you on the team." The giant let out a soft smile as Clara looked like she had been given the last cookie from the cookie jar.
"D…do you think…" Clara asked timidly, her eyes and voice pleading with desperation. "Do you think that could happen? That they just might let me join the team?"
Murasakibara looked taken back from her expression but he lets a gentle smile slip past as he watched Clara start to formulate a plan as to how to impress the coach and the other players. But her thoughts where interrupted when Murasakibara put one of his large hand on top of her head.
"Don't worry… You can do it…"
Clara looked up at her classmate, searching his eyes to see if he meant what he said. When his eyes didn't falter, Clara couldn't help the beaming smile that graced her lips. Her emerald eyes sparkled from Murasakibara's kind words that she almost looked like she was about to cry. Clara turned to quickly gather the remaining school supplies left on her desk; Clara smiled her heart out at the possibility of her joining the team she wanted to get on sense she moved to Akita.
And it took everything Murasakibara had to stop himself from embracing the ecstatic girl in front of him. Normally the mention of hard work or bending over backwards for anything really pissed him off. However, after seeing Clara look so happy when she played volleyball by herself in the gymnasium that day showed Murasakibara how much she enjoyed the game and that she would do anything to just play for a minute on the court. Clara almost inspired Murasakibara to work a little harder for his upcoming basketball practice.
Almost.
Tatsuya appeared in the doorway. "Atsushi, it's time for practice."
Murasakibara groaned as the mere thought of practice turned into a reality, but he turned to Clara just as she finished getting her things in her bag. "You coming, Cookie?"
Clara drapes her bag over her shoulder and lightly jogged over to Murasakibara and Tatsuya at the doorway, "Yeah!"
~!~
Wow! Over a month sense I last updated my story! I apologize, work had been crazy this past month that I barely had time to wright after I gotten home, because I am also a freelance video editor so that cut down my writing time as well! So again, I apologize and I also want to say thank you for being so patient everyone!
I hope you enjoy this chapter, because this closed out the festival and now summer vacation is about to start! Will Clara get her long time wish to join the Yōsen high just in time for the fall tournament? Or will she be rejected again? And what's this! Murasakibara is starting to admit he has feelings for Clara?! Whhhaaaa?! Well let's see what happens in the next chapter, which will introduce new characters and… maybe familiar characters ;) Heheh, I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and I promise I will get the next one out as soon as I am able!
Thank you again! And see you ya'll in the next chapter!
CrazyBunni, out!