My damn internet messed up! Just when I was about to upload this yesterday. -.- Someone really doesn't want me to upload yesterday. XD
Still, sorry about that. Just a day late.
I hope you guys enjoy! Much love!
It was a peaceful early morning in the secret room. The windows were surprisingly open to the sun and fresh air; bears were placed everywhere-Usami's orders-and the only sounds in the room came from the kitchen as Misaki boiled hot water for tea. Usami was currently sitting on the couch typing his new novel when suddenly…
"Usagi-san, where-ack!" Crash!
Usagi-san glanced up from his typing to see Misaki sprawled on the floor. It was a comical sight to see since Misaki's feet were in the air. The papers he stacked so neatly around the room were thrown everywhere thanks to Misaki accidently tripping over them.
Usagi-san leaned back in his chair with an amused chuckle. "Hey, now, don't scatter my manuscripts all over the place."
Misaki blushed, "S-shut up! Don't stack your manuscripts out here!" He sat up and grabbed a paper that had landed on his stomach. The word 'Takahiro' caught his attention. Frowning, Misaki read.
"Shh…don't talk."
Sucking on the soft lips gently…
"Ha…aaah!"
Between sealed lips…
Teased by probing tongue…
Takahiro…
Misaki stiffened, "What the hell is this!?"
Usagi-san reached for a cigarette in his pocket and lit it up, "It's my new boys-love novel." Usagi-san blew out a puff of smoke nonchalantly.
"You bastard! Why did you have to involve my brother!? Stop making him into a pervert!"
Usagi-san waved it away. "It's just part of my fantasy, Misaki." Usagi-san reached forward to ruffle his hair. "Nothing more."
Misaki calmed a little at Usagi-san's gentle gesture but his irritation remained. This wasn't the first time Misaki found these kinds of novels lying around the room and every time it involved Takahiro he would always make sure to tear them up into little pieces. Though he always wondered why Usagi-san never got mad at this. "Must you write about Takahiro?"
"Don't worry. I'll be sure to include, 'this story is a work a fiction, and in no way refers to actual people or organizations."
"That's not the issue!" Beyond irritated now, Misaki started ripping up the papers in glee. "Take this!" Shred, "And that." Another twenty papers shredded. "How do you like this!? You won't be able to publish it now!"
Usagi-san lifts up a small disk, "What are you, stupid? The real thing's over here."
"Agh! Hand it over! Rewrite it!" Misaki runs up to Usagi-san and made a grab for the disk. Usagi-san easily lifts the disk away from him. "I said give it here!" Misaki climbed on the couch, over Usagi-san, and reaches for the disk. He was almost able to reach it but Usagi-san lifted his other hand, placed it on his face, and pushes him away.
"Nope, this is mine."
Misaki wasn't deterred. He pushed against the hand on his cheek and reached out again for that damn disk. So close! There was no way he was allowing Usagi-san to publish this trash!
"My, my. Should I come back later?" Both Misaki and Usagi-san looked over to the base of the stairs to see Aikawa-san standing with an amused grin. "Is there something you guys want to tell me?" She looked pointedly at the fact that Misaki was practically straddling Usagi-san.
Misaki blushed and quickly moved off. "Aikawa-san!" Misaki bowed. "It's a pleasure to see you again."
Aikawa beamed. "Misaki-kun, you've been hanging out with Usami-san more often. Come on, tell me the truth, are you guys going out?"
Misaki whole face turned red. "No! We're just friends!"
Aikawa smirked. "Oh?"
Usagi-san sighs at Aikawa's antics. "Leave him alone Aikawa-san. He took your advice and makes sure I have my work finished on time."
Aikawa chuckled. "Sure, sure. Whatever you guys say." Aikawa blinked to a still blushing Misaki and walked to Usagi-san. "If what you say is true then where's the Manuscript?"
Usagi-san paused. "…Was that due today?"
Aikawa groans loudly. "Ugh, you've got to be kidding me."
"Um, would you like some tea Aikawa-san?"
Aikawa shakes her head. "No thank you Misaki." She looked back at Usagi-san and sits across from him. She places her suitcase on top of the coffee table and starts pulling out papers, "We got all day Usagi-san. Start writing."
Usagi-san takes out his cigarette and places it in the ash tray, "Fine, fine." He picks up his laptop and resumes his typing.
Misaki goes to make sure the stove is off before announcing, "Well, if you two are busy then I'll be going."
Aikawa smiled briefly at him. "Alright. Hopefully I get to see you before I leave this time."
Misaki nodded. He looks to Usagi-san but Usagi-san was busy typing away with an annoyed expression. Misaki smiles softly and makes his way out of the secret room.
Usagi-san has been more relaxed around him lately; he's also been smiling more often and teasing him. Misaki was glad. No matter what everyone says about him Usagi-san was a kind person and he doesn't deserve having this curse on him. Usagi-san minds his own business; he hardly leaves his room, and doesn't harm anyone.
It makes him wonder why he was put on this curse in the first place. Misaki had known worse people out in the world, so why not them? Why Usagi-san?
Walking out of the room and into the hallway, Misaki wonders briefly about Shinobu. Was he up yet?
On the night after the Cherry Blossom event, Shinobu had refused to leave the castle without Misaki. He had stayed by his side until Ritsu relented and directed Shinobu to his very own room next to his. Misaki was relieved with this arrangement.
Reaching the Shinobu's room, Misaki enters without knocking. "Shinobu?"
The bed shifted slightly.
Sighing, Misaki walks into the room and rips the blanket away from Shinobu's person. "Agh!"
"Shinobu, it's time to get up."
Shinobu groans in misery. He lifts his hand to grab a pillow above him and buries his head under it. "Leave me alone! It's too damn early." His voice was muffled by the pillow causing Misaki to chuckle.
"It's eight-"
"Exactly! You wake up too damn early Misaki!" Shinobu interrupts hotly.
Misaki lets the blanket slip from his fingers and reaches for the pillow. He tries to pull it away but Shinobu had a good grip on it and would not let go. "Don't be lazy, Shinobu. Get up."
"I don't want to!"
"Shinobu, your acting like a kid-"
Shinobu suddenly sits up and glares at Misaki. Shinobu's eyes were red and tired. The white night gown he wore was wrinkled and his hair was all over the place, "Do you have any idea what time I've been going to sleep?"
Misaki took a step back. 'Uh…no?"
"Three in the damn morning!"
Misaki sputtered. "Why have you been sleeping so late?"
"Those two friends of yours keep messing with me!" Shinobu threw the pillow across the room in frustration.
Misaki frowns. "Who?"
"That Cat and Fox!"
Kisa and Chiaki?
"How do you put up with them!? They're so annoying! And after what you told me about that night I'm constantly wondering how in the hell you're able to look at them, let alone speak with them!"
Misaki paled. He had told Shinobu everything that happened the night everyone lost control. Shinobu had been furious when he spotted the tears that threatened to fall from remembering it all. He was determined then to take him away from this place but Misaki refused.
It just…It wouldn't be fair for Usagi-san…
"They're not that bad once you get to know them and it wasn't their fault that they attacked me. It was the curse."
Shinobu looked skeptical. "What exactly is this curse? Do you know how it stated?"
Misaki shrugged. "I don't know exactly how…only that Usagi-san needs Onii-chan to end the curse."
"Why Takahiro?"
Misaki hesitated. "It has something to do with love, I guess."
"Love? Oh, so this Usagi-san is in love with Takahiro?"
"It's Usami to those who don't know him." Misaki corrected absentmindedly.
Shinobu raised his brows at this but chose to ignore it. "Ok…so this Usami," He stressed the word making Misaki blush as he realized what he said, "Loves Takahiro?"
"I…I guess he does." Why did this thought make him irritated?
Shinobu sighed causing Misaki to look up at him. He rubbed his tired eyes and threw his legs over the bed. "Might as well get up. I doubt I'll be able to sleep again."
Misaki rubbed the back of his head. "Sorry, I should have let you sleep in."
Shinobu waved it away. "Whatever. I'm hungry. Is there anything to eat?"
"Ah, I was just about to head to the kitchen."
Shinobu nodded and made his way to the closet to change. "I'm still not used to this place." He muttered quietly.
Misaki smiled but didn't respond. Even after four months of being here Misaki wasn't used to this place either. But it was getting more comfortable to be in. Misaki had finally gotten Usagi-san to open the windows around the castle letting in the fresh air and sun. Everyone was happy with this arrangement…
Misaki's smile dropped…how was Takahiro doing?
Was he alright? Was his fever gone?
It's been four long months…
Shinobu grabbed his arm, breaking his thoughts, and pulled him out of the room. "You're still spacing out." He scowled lightly.
Misaki blinked, realizing a tear has escaped from his left eye. "Sorry…" Misaki rubbed his eye.
Shinobu grunted but refused to look at him. Misaki knew Shinobu was uncomfortable with emotion and he was awkward at trying to comfort so put on a smile and moved on. He shouldn't be putting unnecessary worry on Shinobu. He hated to be a burden.
Shinobu opened the door and took one step out before bumping into someone. Shinobu scowled, "Hey watch where your goi-Oh, it's you again." Shinobu sneered.
Misaki looked over Shinobu's shoulder to see Kisa smirking at Shinobu.
"I know," Kisa replied with a heartfelt sigh, his cat mask moving with the action. Misaki frowns at this. Why was his mask moving? Kisa usually leaves the mask be and speak over it but to speak with it? Kisa continued, "You're so lucky to see me. You're honored by my presence, yada, yada, heard it all before."
Shinobu growled low, his body going taut as if ready to spring at him. Misaki quickly grabs his arm and pulled him back. "Shinobu," Misaki warned.
The mouth of the mask pulled back in a smirk. It had Misaki flinching in distress. "I just wanted to see Misaki before I head off."
"W-where are you heading off to Kisa?" Misaki cursed his stuttering but seeing the mask move so freely made him remember that night. It was unnerving.
Not seeing Misaki's distress Kisa continued. "I have to go into the office and finish some Manuscripts."
"Office? Manuscripts?"
Kisa nods. "I work at Marukawa Publishing. I usually do work here but they need me on a special project today. I won't be back until later tonight."
Misaki nodded. "I hope you have a safe journey."
Kisa grins widely making Misaki cringe. Shinobu reached back to hold his arm reassuringly. "See ya Misaki! Shinobu-kun."
Shinobu glared at him.
Kisa chuckled as he moved away from them.
Misaki looks to Shinobu curiosity. "What's that about?"
"He hates me."
"Huh!? Kisa? Why?"
Shinobu shrugged as he started walking in the direction of the kitchen. "I guess because I punched him in the face when we first met."
Misaki followed, his mouth hanging open in surprise. "What!? Why!?"
"He hugged me! That bastard!"
Misaki face palmed. "Really Shinobu!? Really!?"
"You know I hate that."
Just as they turned a corner to the kitchen Shinobu once again bumped into someone. That someone puts their hands on Shinobu's shoulders to keep him from falling. Shinobu scowled. "God damn it! What's with everyone bumping into-" Shinobu sucked in a breath as he looked up to the person he bumped into.
Miyagi cocked his head in wonder. "Who is this? I've never seen you before."
Misaki rounded the corner and smiled. "Ah! Miyagi-san! Sorry about that." Misaki looked to Shinobu who was suddenly quiet and eyeing Miyagi warily.
Miyagi turns his head to Misaki. "Is this your friend, Misaki?"
"Uh, yeah." Shinobu shrugged Miyagi's hands away from him and scooted back as they talked. "This is Shinobu. Um, Shinobu this is Miyagi-san." Why was Shinobu glaring at Miyagi now!?
Miyagi frowned as he noticed this also. "Uh, nice to meet you."
"Yeah, pleasure." Sharp, curt. Misaki blinked. What the heck was up with Shinobu?
"Um, Miyagi-san, didn't you meet Shinobu at the festival?"
"No. I left shortly after they finished decorating the place."
"Oh…"
A moment passed in silence. A silence as thick and heavy as the air around them. What was up with these two? Well, actually what was up with Shinobu? He was acting very hostile towards Miyagi and Miyagi didn't do anything. Does Shinobu know Miyagi somehow?
Miyagi scratched the back of his head nervously, "Uh, right. Well I got to go. See you later, Misaki. Uh, Shinobu." He nodded his head and went around the two boys.
Shinobu's eyes followed him go down the hallway.
Misaki tapped his shoulder, "Um…Shinobu? Do you know Miyagi-san?"
"No." Looking away, Shinobu entered the kitchen with a new foul mood.
Misaki stood uncertain. What the hell was that all about?