OH-MY-GOSH!
13 PAGES GUYS.
13 PAGES THIS TURNED OUT!
Anyway, Hi everyone! It's been a while :) Sorry I haven't been updating in so long! Work and School has been killing me.
So I know that most of you guys already want Usagi and Misaki to get together but bear with me, I have to build up their relationship from wary to friendship and then steadily into something more
But being me, the impatient person that I am concerning love (I WANT THEM TO BE TOGETHER NOW!) (*Cough* Excuse me xD), I will give you this cute chapter! Along with hints of Ritsu's past :D (Again Takano will not meet Ritsu yet…well….after June…Idk maybe later…you guys decide :3 Also if there's any suggestions for this story go ahead and tell me cause I'm having a bit of writers block with this ;.; I'm thinking hard I SWEAR!
Disclaimer: There are two quotes in here from 'The Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning' they are not mine of course. (Sadly) My god, I love her books (And of course I don't own Junjou Romantica or SekaiIchi Hatsukoi. Again sadly)
Thank you for the reviews! You guys are awesome! :D Also thanks for those who liked and followed! I'm glad you're all enjoying! :DD
So as always:
Enjoy! Much love!
Ritsu let out a tired sigh as he walked out of his bedroom quietly.
Oh, how he wished he was spending his time in the library right now. He didn't want to think about what today meant to him or the memories that were threatening to break the lock and chain around his mind due to his exhaustion and lack of sleep. He just wanted some hot coffee and a good book to get lost into. Was that too much to ask?
Ritsu stumbled in his steps as he walked down the dark hallway, his hand reaching up to rub his tired eyes only to hit his mask thus hitting his forehead with the hard clay. Ritsu scowled, it was a bad habit of his, but so badly did he want to rub his face with his hands, to rub away the wariness, the frustration, and sometimes the tears…
Ritsu let out a loud yawn. Sleeping on the floor was not a smart idea, he should have just taken the chesterfield in the adjoining living room, but he didn't want to leave his bedroom incase-
Ritsu's emerald eyes surveyed the dark hallways in confusion wondering why no one had lit candles this morning. It made a shiver run down his spine as the darkness seemed to creep up on him. He was very tempted to throw the curtains aside and let the light in but knowing that Usagi-san would be displeased with him if he did; Ritsu ignored the eerie feeling and quickly made his way down the hallways and into the kitchen.
As he gathered a large bowl of hot streaming water and a small towel, someone placed a hand on his shoulder causing a small shriek to escape his lips.
"Hey, calm down it's just me."
Ritsu spun around to scowl sharply at Miyagi who was chuckling softly to himself. A little surprised by his sudden appearance, Ritsu allowed Miyagi to move him aside so he could look at what he was doing.
"What's the hot water for?" Miyagi put down a yellow envelop next to the bowl drawing Ritsu's attention to it. What was that for?
Ritsu shrugged it off and frowned in annoyance at Miyagi. "Don't worry about it."
Miyagi pouted playfully. "Aw, Ritsu, that's so mean."
Ritsu rolled his eyes. "Miyagi-san, I don't have time for this." Ritsu made a grab for the bowl but was stopped short when Miyagi grabbed his hand, pulled him toward the table, and down on a chair.
He was about to protest when Miyagi interrupted, "Have you eaten yet?"
Ritsu tensed, damn it, not this again. "Uh…well…" When was the last time he ate? Damn!
Miyagi shook his head. "You're hopeless." Miyagi moved the bowl aside and grabbed a few vegetables from the cooler next to the sink. "You're lucky I came when I did."
Blushing, Ritsu looked away. "I'm not hungry…"
"Yeah right." Miyagi grabbed a pan hanging from the wall. "We haven't seen you in two weeks so…" Miyagi tapped his mask with his finger in mock thought. "You always go three days without food before you realize you're starving yourself…"
Ritsu hunched his shoulders. "...No I'm not…" He said it so softly that Miyagi had to strain to hear him and when he did he snorted in disbelief but chose not to say anything upon the matter.
Ritsu watched Miyagi silently, wondering for the hundredth time how he could be so comfortable with his cursed mask. Unlike the rest of them, Miyagi didn't fight the curse, more like he embraced it. His face moved with the mask, every small feature, every small expression. It was like an actual wolf moving in a man's body.
Miyagi turned to him with a smirk, the wolf's lips lifted with the action making it look like he was snarling at him, his black eyes lit up with mirth.
Ritsu tried not to flinch.
"What's with that face?"
Ritsu's body twitched. "What?"
Miyagi chuckled. "Stop spacing out. It's no wonder you're so depressed all the time."
Ritsu tensed. Another reason he didn't like to be in Miyagi's presence was his blunt manner of speak. Others were cautious with his past due to Usami's threats to leave him alone but Miyagi wasn't afraid of Usami. He probed until he got the answers he was looking for making Ritsu curious as to why he wanted those answers. Why just him? Was he a mystery he wanted to solve or something?
"You know if you just face your fears you wouldn't be like this." Miyagi turned back to his cooking, "Everyone goes through something. It's like my friend once told me, "I'm sorry your pretty little world got all screwed up, but everyone does, and you go on. It's how you go on that defines you." Ah, Karen is such a beautiful person." Miyagi grinned.
Ritsu flinched harshly. "I'm fine-"
Miyagi shook his head. "'The most confused we ever get is when we're trying to convince our head of something our heart knows is a lie." Miyagi turns to him and leans against the counter with his arms crossed. "So tell me Ritsu, what does your heart tell you?"
Ritsu flinched again. "Ah, well…ugh…you see…the thing is…um…D-d-don't you want a cigarette?" Ritsu quickly changed the subject.
Miyagi rammed his head on the wall suddenly and sulked. He was craving a cigarette for years but he couldn't have one due to his mask being in the way. "Why do you have to be so mean Ritsu? Do you have to remind me of something so sensitive? Don't you have any sympathy? It hurts!" Miyagi cried fake tears.
Not hearing an answer, Miyagi turned his head to find Ritsu gone.
"Ritsu?" Miyagi looked around the empty room before landing his eyes at the counter to find the bowl of hot water missing.
Miyagi chuckled. What a sly dragon. And he almost had him too.
Miyagi looked down at the food still sizzling in the pan, then to the envelope on the counter, and wondered what he should do. He did have to drive two towns over to deliver the manuscript to Aikawa for Usami but…
Miyagi shrugged. Being a little late wouldn't hurt anyone. Besides, he couldn't let good food go to waste and he was starving.
Miyagi grabbed a plate and prepared to dig in.
-Back to Ritsu
Ritsu ran down the darken hallways with the bowl of hot water sloshing in his hands, grateful to be out of Miyagi's presence for the time being.
That one comment about what his heart was trying to tell him almost broke him down. He no longer paid attention to what his heart wanted. There was absolutely no logic to its reasoning and following his heart was surely going to lead into another heart break.
One that he knew he wouldn't survive this time.
Ritsu frowned as he realized something odd about Miyagi. Why was he so curious about his past? He would always try to pry something out of him whether it was a name or a specific area he once lived in or who his parents are; it made no sense. Ritsu never saw Miyagi pester anyone else about their past so why him?
Usagi-san advised him to mention cigarettes so Miyagi would get distracted enough that he could escape. At first Ritsu had found it odd and didn't think it would work seeing that Miyagi was very smart on paying attention to peoples actions but he was surprised when, one mention of cigarette, and suddenly Miyagi would grow so depressed he would crouch down in a corner and mumble to himself incoherently.
Ritsu slowed his pace and sighed. Just avoid Miyagi in the future and all will be well.
Ritsu slowly became aware of his surroundings and cocked his head warily as he realized how quiet the castle was today. He wondered if the others left to the village ten miles from here to celebrate Valent-
Ritsu winced, unconsciously brining the bowl closer to him as if to protect himself. He didn't want to think of the word. It brought too many memories from his past and he would like to keep that part of his life buried. Maybe he should head to the library real quick to pick up a book or two that way he wouldn't get lost in his thoughts and think about him.
Quickening his pace, Ritsu soon noticed a door slightly ajar ahead of him. Was someone in there? Most of these rooms were vacant and he knew for a fact that no one would even bother going into those empty rooms. So why was this one open?
Walking to the door, he slowly pushed his hand forward and opened it.
His mouth went dry as a bed and an open window came to view.
Warm lips descended to my own.
Hands on my skin, burning me, bringing me to life.
The bed creaked slightly as our bodies fall gently onto it.
A small breeze from the open window brings in petals of cherry blossoms, their fragrance only heightening the desire.
A heart beating erratically through mine as his body covers my own.
A hand reached for my brunet locks to caress…his hand so warm and real and there-
Ritsu spun around to slap the hand away, to yell at the person with all his shattered heart, only to find no one in the darkness with him.
An unexpected ache of loneliness clenched his heart.
He had hopped…
Ritsu shuddered, his mind quickly shoving the memories away before they left him in another mess. He wouldn't be a slave to those memories; he needed to give up on the man that once held his heart, the one he gave up his life for, his happiness…
Ritsu left in a hurry, forgetting to close the door to the empty bedroom behind him.
He dragged my body down to mine and planted a hungry, open mouthed kiss in the sensitive area between my collarbone and the base of the throat. His teeth closed gently on my skin, his tongue lingered, sending chills up my spine.
Ritsu gasped, his hand going up to said collarbone. What was he doing? He shouldn't indulge in the memories instead he should lock them away before-
His smile was small but it was a smile that warmed me up to my bones.
His eyes became warmer, softer as he gazed at me with such an unknown emotion in those golden-brown eyes.
My heart squeezed painfully as sudden tears came to my eyes.
Just watching his happiness brought out my own.
I didn't want anything else.
His happiness was my own happiness.
My love all for him.
Only for him-
"Stop!" The shout echoed throughout the empty hallways. It helped in bringing him out of his memories but it didn't stop him from realizing…
Yes, he still loved him.
Yes, he would never love another.
That was why he left.
He didn't want to see the man he loved with another, someone who he truly loved instead of him.
Because he knew it would completely destroy him.
Ritsu entered his room in a more depressed mood. This is why he hated today. This day was supposed to mean the world to him, so much so that he would cherish it for the rest of his life…
But now?
It was nothing but a burden. A lie.
Ritsu walked to his nightstand to place the bowl down yet stopped short when he saw a lone book already taking the spot. How did that get there?
Picking up the book and placing the bowl down Ritsu's body jerked as he recognized the title.
Ah, Senpai, look!
His gaze found mine first before turning his attention to the book in my hands. It left me flush with confusion.
For a moment there, I saw something in his eyes, something that got me shivering.
His eyes were so warm and so hot and with a spark of…
Love?
Ritsu cringed. It was his imagination. There was no such thing in his eyes. Looking at the book again Ritsu sighed knowing that it was Usami who left the book here for him to read.
Usami didn't know. He had hoped to cheer him up knowing what today meant for him. Still, it was sweet of him to do this, to think of him.
Looking down at the book, Ritsu ignored the memories and sat down near the window to reluctantly read the prologue.
"Forgiveness is not always easy. At times, it feels more painful than the wound we suffered, to forgive the one that inflicted it. But to give up, to never try, is to never see the sunlight again."
Ritsu stared at the words with a hint of a smile. He got the message. Usami wanted him to forgive and forget already but he knew how hard it was to do so.
Sighing, Ritsu decided he was going to try, at least for the man who found him and gave him a new life.
But how? How does one forgive and forget? Where to start?
Eyeing the book with wariness, Ritsu forced himself to continue.
A few hours later Ritsu was smiling with true happiness.
-Misaki
Two weeks have passed and no one has seen or heard of Ritsu.
Naturally, Misaki grew worried about him. He asked everyone if they've seen him around but everyone would just shake their heads and reply with a clam, "He'll show up eventually." Was everyone so used to Ritsu disappearing so suddenly?
Why does he do this? Where did he go? Was he alright? Did he eat?
Misaki sulked in his room alone, his mind whirling around his brother and Ritsu.
Everyone had gone their separate ways with their partners to celebrate Valentine's Day. He knew Kisa and Yukina had left to a village ten miles from here to celebrate at a festival. He wasn't sure about the others; he supposed some went with Kisa and Yukina.
Misaki flopped down on the bed with his face buried in the soft sheets. What should he do today? Nothing exciting came to mind. He never celebrated Valentine's Day before. There was never a need to. He and Takahiro would just laze around the house and enjoy each other's company.
Misaki smiled as he remembered Ijuuin-sensei surprising him one day on Valentine's Day with a huge basket full of chocolates that would last him for a whole month. It was a surprise for both him and Takahiro since they knew Ijuuin-sensei was supposed to be out of town that day.
Misaki blushed when Shinobu would do nothing but tease him about courting Ijuuin-sensei after that. He liked Ijuuin-sensei but he wasn't in love with him, he was a man after all!
Besides, Ijuuin-sensei didn't feel that way about him. Misaki was just a huge fan of his series 'The Kan' and Ijuuin-sensei was just grateful that Misaki lifted up his spirits that one time.
Misaki's blush grew redder despite his reasoning mind. Shinobu was at fault here. He kept teasing him about marriage and courting that Misaki started reading too much into Ijuuin-sensei's actions.
We're just friends. That all!
Misaki scrambled his face with his hands. Agh! Damn Shinobu for this! He didn't want to think about having a relationship with Ijuuin-sensei, he was not into men!
Misaki's whole face turned bright red with that final thought. He threw the blankets over himself and rolled around the bed trying his hardest to throw that thought away.
Damn it Shinobu! How could you do this to me!
Misaki paused in his actions; a sudden heavy ache grew in his chest. He slowly untangled himself from the blankets as he wondered how Shinobu was doing. Usually in the spring Shinobu would get out early from work since business was slow and hang out with him. How was Shinobu spending his time without him? Did he know about his brother? About him?
Misaki sighed warily, so many unanswered questions; surely they would drive him insane one day. He missed Shinobu; he missed his brother, and his village. How long will he stay in this castle?
Feeling restless, Misaki pulls away from the warmth of the bed and makes his way out of his bedroom.
The hallways were dark today; the heavy curtains barely holding the sunlight back. It gave Misaki an eerie feeling as he quickly made his way to the Garden. His fear of the dark was becoming more profound every day. The memories of that night were now haunting his dreams. He wondered when they would start to mess with his sanity.
Walking faster down the corridor Misaki practically flew out the door and into the sunlit Garden with a relieved sigh. Being in that darkness was suffocating, he wouldn't mind living in the garden for the remainder of his stay here.
Misaki closed his eyes and let the sun hit his face, a small breeze ruffled his hair, and the aroma of fresh flowers assaulted his noise.
He loved this garden. It was no wonder why Ritsu and Usami would venture down here. It was smoothing and relaxing; a place to take all the troubles away…
Misaki opened his eyes and started to walk aimlessly into the Garden.
In one part of the garden he was not yet familiar with held flowers that cascaded down the terraced rock and covered ardors of white. The fragrances mingled, rising above the mazes of shaped hedges and bushes. Trees formed small groves of oranges and lemons with taller evergreen towers on the corners of the stone-fenced-wrapped garden.
Passing this, Misaki came across weeping willows that stood at the edges of the blue-green pond, while a few ducks swam lazily, dunking their heads beneath the rippling surface and coming up to shake the water from their feathers.
Misaki smiled as he moved on into the cherry blossoms, each petal dancing in the soft wind. What he wouldn't give to have Takahiro beside him right now enjoying this with him.
Misaki stopped suddenly, his breath cut short as he stood at the end of the Cherry blossom trees. He was awed by the sight of a field of golden sunflowers. Honestly, just how big was this Garden? The sunflowers seemed to go on for miles on end making it look like a field of liquid gold.
Misaki walked a few feet into the sunflowers, his mind still in awe at the sheer size. The Sunflowers barely reached his knees, but he knew that in the spring or summer they would be as tall as him.
"Well, If it isn't Takahiro's little brother."
Misaki's whole body flinched at the sound of Usami's voice behind him. When did he get here? Was he here the whole time?
Misaki turned to face Usami standing casually with his hands in his pockets, his mask was illuminated by the sun causing the mask to glow and the crimson eyes to stand out.
"U-Usami-san." Misaki couldn't help but squeak out.
Usami nodded his head in greetings before diverting his attention to the sky.
A breath shuddered through Misaki, the seconds ticking by in tension-filled silence. Then. "Ritsu is fine by the way."
Misaki blinked at the sudden topic. "W-what?"
"He's fine. He's taking care of someone he found in the woods. That's why you haven't seen him in the past two weeks."
"O-oh, I see. Is…um, the person alright?"
Usami shrugged. "Don't know."
"Oh…"
Silence.
This was so awkward. Misaki raked his brain trying to come up with something to talk about but nothing came to mind. Should he just leave? No, that would be rude. Should he tell him good morning? No, that was weird.
Agh, he wasn't making any sense anymore!
"I'm surprised you didn't accompany the others to the village."
Startled, Misaki glanced at Usami who looked to be studying him intently. "Um, you see they wanted to be alone…together. I mean…It is Valentine's Day."
Usami paused at this. "Ah, I see. No wonder Aikawa was so adamant that I finish the new novel today. Hmm…I should go see Ritsu later…" The last part was muttered to himself.
Misaki rubbed the back of his head not knowing what to say to that.
"You're alone then? Are you alright with that?"
Misaki blinked at his odd question. "W-what do you mean by that?"
"I just assumed that you wouldn't want to be alone after what you've been through." Usami shrugged. "I expected you to join the others because of it."
Misaki blinked. T-that was true…but he didn't want to bother anyone about it. He could stand being alone; he's been alone his whole life…
Misaki shook his head. "No, I'm fine. Really…"
Usami cocked his head as he thought about Misaki's answer; judging his words by his actions. After a few minutes of silence, with Misaki shifting around in nervousness, Usami bent down and picked a sunflower.
Puzzled, Misaki watched as Usami slowly walks towards him, gently grabbing his left hand, and placed the sunflower in his grasp.
Misaki blushed at the feeling of Usami's cold hand against his. It fit perfectly with his smaller one as if it was meant to be there.
Usami dropped his hand causing Misaki to blink as he looked at the flower, then back to Usami, and then back at the flower again. "Um,"
Usami gave a ghost of a smile. "Sunflowers are meant to brighten up the day." Usami looks back to the field of sunflowers and mutters quietly, "That's what Ritsu tells me."
Misaki smiles at the mention of Ritsu. "Thank you Usami-san."
Usami indicated his head without looking at him.
Taking his chance to leave Misaki gave a small bow, "If you excuse me…" Misaki turned toward the cherry blossoms and tried to make a dash for it when he accidently fell on a root.
Letting out a small shriek, Misaki closed his eyes, waiting to hit the ground.
A few seconds passed as he felt nothing. Confused, Misaki opened his eyes to see Usami only inches away from his face.
Misaki's heart stopped.
Usami had an arm around his middle preventing his fall, his body was so close to his, and they were both crouched down in the sea of Sunflowers. Misaki felt his nerve endings erupt with sensations, his heart fluttered like a humming bird, and he felt the blood rush to his face.
"Be more careful. You could have broken something."
Usami's deep voice sent a shiver down Misaki's spine and also snapping him out of his stupor. Misaki blushed as he realized just how pressed up against he was to Usami. Misaki scrambled away quickly.
"I-I'm s-so sorry Usami-s-san."
Usami stood up and waved it away. "It's fine. Just watch where you're going next time."
"Y-yes!" Without a second thought Misaki ran out of the garden.
What was that?
What is this?
Misaki rested his hand over his speeding heartbeat. He couldn't stop blushing; his hands shook a little, and his head was a little fuzzy.
What is this?
Misaki shook his head. He was just surprised. He didn't expect to be so close to Usami like that and…
And…
Misaki ran into his room and slammed the door hoping to also slam the feelings that Usami seemed to excite within him.
Glancing at the sunflower with another blush, Misaki grabbed an empty vase and set it on his night stand beside his bed. His finger brushed through the soft petals, somehow that seemed to calm him down a little, as if they had a power all of its own.
Stepping away from the sunflower, Misaki studied it. It was a huge difference in his colorless room. It somehow brought sunshine in his lone room…
Slowly, Misaki smiled, grateful for the gift. He didn't realize just how much he needed this until Usami...
Blushing crimson, Misaki turned away from the sunflower and jumped back into his bed to hopefully forget what transpired between him and Usami.
-In Marukawa ~ 11pm…
"WHERE THE HELL IS HE!?"
The five remaining men in Marukawa jumped in fright as Aikawa yelled at the top of her lungs in her frustration. She stomped back and forth in the meeting room wondering where the Manuscript from Usami was and why in the hell it was five hours late!
A man in a dark purple suit, sitting lazily with his feet popped up on the table, grinned at Aikawa. "Relax; this isn't really surprising considering it's Usami we're talking about."
Aikawa angrily pointed at Ryuichiro Isaka, director of Marukawa Publishing, and yelled, "Don't you start with me Isaka!"
A man standing next to Aikawa sighed. "Aikawa, calm down. I'm sure-"
"Calm down!? Calm down!? How do you expect me to calm down Yokozawa, when that manuscript was supposed to be here hours ago?"
Kaoru Asahina, who was standing next to Isaka, asked calmly, "Should we delay this until tomorrow?"
Isaka chuckled. "Naw, I like seeing everyone pissed cause they don't get to go home yet. Let's wait another couple of hours."
Kirishima, who stood next to the angry Yokozawa, chuckled.
Yokozawa rubbed his temples. Today was not the time for this. Everyone here was exhausted. They had just finished a cycle and he was ready to head home and knock out. The other men here didn't look any better…well except Isaka who was enjoying all of this.
Yokozawa turned to Takano who was sitting next to him doing paperwork. "Got anything to say Takano?"
Takano ignored him and the others as he continued on his work.
"Agh! Why does he have to make my life so miserable? What the hell did I do to him!?" Aikawa continued. "I swear if I see him again I'm going to-"
The door to the meeting room opened and a man with a wolf mask popped his head in. "Yo!"
Aikawa ran up to him and picked him up from his collar shirt. Miyagi dangled in the air in fright. "DON'T YOU 'YO' ME! Where's the Manuscript!?"
Miyagi shuddered. "R-right here!" he lifted the yellow envelop to Aikawa's face.
Aikawa quickly snatched the yellow envelop, dropping the poor wolf, and ran out the room with Kirishima and Asahina slowly behind her.
Isaka laughed. "What took you so long?"
Miyagi rubbed the back of his head. "Got stuck in traffic?"
Yokozawa snorted at the lie.
Miyagi's attention went to Takano and his face brightened. "Hey Takano, how's it going?" He got up from the floor to pat Takano's back.
Takano looked up from his paperwork briefly to give a nod of acknowledgement before returning his attention back to the papers.
Miyagi frowned, displeased with his response. "So have you decided about my offer?" Miyagi grinned mischievously, the mask moving with the action causing an automatic shiver down Yokozawa's spine.
Without looking away from his paper work Takano responded with a flat, "No."
Miyagi pouted. "Aw, come on Takano! It'll be fun I promise! I'll give you a tour and everything!"
Yokozawa frowned. "What are you two talking about?"
Miyagi grinned at Yokozawa. "I offered to show him around the castle-"
"And I said no." Takano interrupted, his annoyance finally showing.
Miyagi's pout became more pronounced. "When then?"
"When the time is right."
Miyagi sighed loudly. "Ugh, that could take forever!"
Yokozawa rolled his eyes at Miyagi's antics. Was he a child or something? "Why were you late anyway?"
Miyagi inwardly smirked. Ah, perfect question! He'll thank Yokozawa later. "You see I ran into Ritsu and-"
"Ritsu?" Yokozawa asked in confusion.
Thank God for Yokozawa! "Yeah, he lives in the castle with me. He was found by Usami oh, ten years ago? Anyway I just had to cook something for him knowing he hadn't eaten in…" Miyagi tapped his mask thinking. "Five day? Maybe more?"
Yokozawa blinked. "Is he an idiot or something?"
Miyagi nodded gravely. "Ah, yes. Well he has his reasons, something about being depressed because of his lost love or something like that. But anyway he managed to slip away before I can make him eat my delicious food and so I didn't want it to go to waste so I ate it." Miyagi shrugged.
Yokozawa shook his head in hopelessness.
Miyagi glanced at Takano, smirking to find his eyes glazed over in thought.
Well his work here was done.
"Well I gatta go. Bye!" Miyagi waved one last time before leaving the meeting room.