Chapter 2: Flash Point Escalation
Trigger Warning! Talks of Suicide!

"So...what happened?" Haida asked breaking the silence that formed after Tadano's mood shifted.

"Hmm? Oh, yeah I said I would tell you after we landed," Tadano nervously laughed rubbing the back of his head.

"Yeah, you did," Haida raised an eyebrow. "So...what exactly happened?" he asked.

The donkey sighed shoving his hands into the pocket of his hoodie walking towards his limo/mobile office gesturing for Haida to follow. "Are you in a big rush to get home?"

"Nah," Haida shook his head. "I have weekends off."

"Good, we're going to need a drink for this," Tadano said while retrieving a bottle of cognac from his desk. Pouring himself and Haida a drink, Tadano instructed ENI-O to just drive around.

Haida looked shocked at Tadano accepting the offered drink but before he could encourage Tadano to continue with his story, Haida's phone chimed indicating he had a new text message. The hyena initially was going to ignore the message figuring it was probably Fenneko out to taunt him for blowing her off on their usual drinking night when he saw the quizzical expression on Tadano's face.

"Aren't you going to check that?" The donkey asked secretly relieved for the momentary distraction.

"Mmm, Nah. It's probably another friend pissed that I blew off our usual drinking night." Haida shrugged.

"I don't know, maybe you should check that," Tadano shrugged. Honestly, he had no clue who texted Haida, it could have been his mother for all he knew. He was just doing what he could to keep from continuing the story he started.

Haida held a skeptical expression fishing his phone from his jacket pocket. Instead of Fenneko, it was Inui. A slight smile slowly began to appear on the hyena's face reading the text.

"So…?" Tadano looked at his companion. "Who is it?"

"Oh, it's this cute girl I met at work," Haida chuckled bashfully. "We've gone out for drinks a few times but nothing serious," he replied. "How did you know it would be her?"

"I didn't," Tadano shrugged. "I just figured that it had to be someone important to text you this late in the evening," he pointed at the time displayed on one of the computer monitors showing that it was actually a quarter to ten o-clock.

"Shit, it's late. I'll text her in the morning," Haida sighed about to put his phone down.

Tadano moved closer to Haida reading the text over his shoulder. "Hey Haida. Sorry for texting so late. I was looking for you to see if you wanted to go for drinks after work, but your friend Fenneko told me you took off early. I hope you are alright," he read aloud.

"Hey!" Haida protested pulling his phone close to his chest. "Ever hear of personal space?"

Tadano laughed distracted from continuing the story. "You really should reply and I don't know, and maybe ask her out?" he added with a shrug.

"You're not going to back off until I do reply," Haida sighed with a flat tone.

"Nope," Tadano flashed a shit-eating grin hoping the momentary distraction would be permanent.

"Fine, I'll reply, but you have to tell me why you were ready to kill your girlfriend's father," Haida rolled his eyes typing a reply to Inui.

"I was hoping you would forget about that," Tadano's smile faded a little.

"Hey you're the one who opened that can of worms and got me intrigued," Haida raised an eyebrow.

"True," Tadano sighed then slammed back his drink before pouring himself another. Haida raised an eyebrow looking at the donkey. "Well, after our impromptu lunch date, Ruchan and I became kinda serious real quick." Tadano leaned back against the seat and took a sip of cognac.

"How serious? Like talking marriage serious?" Haida was shocked.

Tadano's gaze shifted to the side slightly not answering the question instead he changed the subject. "You know there's still a slight stigma towards the disabled in Japan despite the current era we live in."

"Yeah. It's a pretty shitty thing. But what does it have to do with what happened?" Haida raised an eyebrow.

Tadano sighed deeply staring into the glass of brandy. "Her father was using that as a reason to try to control almost every aspect of her life. Keyword being Try."

So deeply intrigued, Haida's ears stood straight up alert in attention. The hyena sent one more message to Inui then slid his phone into his jacket pocket then nodded for the donkey to continue.

Two months earlier:

Although it was mid-morning, Tadano gave off a jaw-cracking yawn settling into the back of his limo. He had just returned from a trip to London having been one of many keynote speakers at a symposium on the future of artificial intelligence. The only downside of the trip for Tadano was Rumiko's absence due to an unavoidable family event. Eager to see his girlfriend, the donkey headed straight to her apartment directly from the airport.

Letting himself in with the key Rumiko gave him early on in their relationship, Tadano's ears drooped concern at the deeply foreboding sense that something was terribly wrong. The uneasy feeling he felt slowly grew further he stepped into the dimly lit apartment considering the only sounds he heard were that of Frozen 2 playing on the television in the living room.

In the six months they've been a couple, Tadano learned to read Rumiko's body language very well. He instantly knew by the way she sat hugging her knees with her tail curled around her body, she was upset. Silently Tadano took a seat on the sofa next to Rumiko. His arms an open invitation to the petite rat of which she accepted by moving over settling in the donkey's lap.

"Thank you, Dano-Kun," Rumiko murmured softly resting her head against his chest.

Tadano's arms wrapped around her petite frame and held her close. "Anytime my Ruchan," he said dropping a tender kiss on her forehead. "What happened?" Tadano softly asked after the movie ended, one hand gently caressed her back while the other rested on her thigh.

Rumiko sighed and sat up straddling Tadano's lap. Her ears were still folded back sadly as she took a deep breath. "My father," she sighed softly. "He continued making arrangements with the Matchmaker on my behalf against my wishes. I'm to be married in two months and that "family event" turned out to be my engagement party."

"Why didn't you tell your father we were dating!" Tadano softly snapped hurt by what she just said.

"I Did!" Rumiko snapped back at him. "I told him over and over when we first started dating, but he thinks I am delusional."

"Why did he think you're delusional?" Tadano raised an eyebrow caressing her arms.

"Do you seriously have to ask?" Rumiko raised an eyebrow brushing his hands off her arms agitated. "My vision...or lack thereof that classifies me as disabled. In his eyes, no self-respecting man would want to be burdened with a useless disabled spouse."

Tadano frowned a little confused. "If your father thinks no man would want a blind wife, how did he manage to make a match for you?"

Rumiko chuckled bitterly looking at her hands clenched tightly. "He offered one-hundred-million yen."

While he has seen the little rat in various states of emotion, Tadano had never seen Rumiko this distressed and agitated. "It'll be okay Ruchan. We're figure something out."

"It's too late, there's nothing that can be done," Rumiko sighed a little more calmly. "I'm glad you came today. I was afraid I wouldn't get to properly say goodbye."

"Goodbye? Isn't that a little over-dramatic?" Tadano asked a little calmer but still concerned.

Rumiko caressed his cheek and gave him a passionate yet tender kiss. "I would rather die and be at peace with my mother than marry some greedy asshole my father paid, so yes, this is goodbye."

Tadano's blood instantly ran cold. Fear etched the donkey's face as he grasped her shoulders. "What did you do!" he demanded. Though the tone of his voice came off as angry, the donkey was in fact frightened by what Rumiko had just said.

Rumiko was taken aback by his sudden actions. "I didn't do anything yet. I was going to do it later tonight…"

"I'm not going to let you!" Tadano pulled the petite rat into a possessive embrace. "There are so many people who would be devastated if you were gone," his voice was trembling. "I don't want to lose you."

The petite rat pulled back slightly. She caressed his cheek looking into his eyes. "Dano-Kun…"

"Marry me!" Tadano said hastily cutting her off.

Rumiko quickly pushed free of his embrace though she still straddling his lap. "Are You Nuts!" she gasped.

Tadano grasped her hands looking in her eyes with a mildly frantic look. "Think about it. Your father can't force you into an arranged marriage if you are already married,"

"Again I ask, Are you Fucking Nuts!" her ears folded back as she looked into his eyes. "Look, I get what you are trying to do and I love you for it," she sadly began. "I will not subject you to a marriage you do not want. Besides, it's better this way."

"What about your sister? Your brother-in-law? Your nieces and nephews? Don't you think your death would hurt them?" Tadano asked. "If it means you are still here in this world not just for me, but for those who love you, I'm willing to make an exception to the whole marriage thing," he caressed her cheek.

Rumiko chuckled softly, sadly. "I love you Dano-Kun but I would rather go than have you become resentful towards me." She pulled away from the donkey and slid out of his lap. "So this is where we say goodbye and you go home Tadano." Rumiko started to walk away but did not get far when Tadano quickly wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her back against his body.

"No, it's not an ideal situation and no, marriage was something I never wanted, but I want you," Tadano's voice trembled with emotion. "I love you too, Ogata Rumiko. If you truly do love me, then don't you dare leave me like this," he held her close. "We can go to the city office right now or we can plan as big or small of a wedding you want. Just please don't give up on life."

Rumiko stood as still as a statue letting Tadano's words sink in. A fresh deluge of tears began to fill her ruby red eyes as she silently started to cry. "I don't want to end things like this," she whispered softly. "But I don't want to drag you into something you don't want."

"You're not dragging me into anything!" Tadano sighed still holding on tightly to her. "Remember, it was my idea in the first place."

Rumiko took a deep shaky breath and sighed. "No wedding. Let's just go to the Municipal Office. I want to be as low-key as possible," she finally caved in.

Tadano gently turned Rumiko to face him and brushed the tears from her cheek. "Let's go."

"What, right now?" she replied shocked looking directly into his eyes.

"Yeah, why not?" Tadano looked into her eyes.

"Because this is all so sudden!" Rumiko sniffled quickly wiping away another tear that ran down her cheek. "We need to take a moment to think."

"What's there to think about?" Tadano took her hands in his brushing his thumbs over her knuckles. "I Love you and don't want to lose you. Besides as I said, if you are already married, your father can't force you to marry some guy he paid to be your husband. Since you don't want a wedding, there's no need to wait."

Rumiko sighed softly afraid to admit that Tadano had a point. If she did go through with her plan, not only would she be hurting the family she loves, but also Tadano. "Before I agree, we need to set some ground rules," she sighed relenting.

"Sure, name them." Tadano smiled gently feeling a wave of relief wash over him.

"One, if at any time during this arrangement you decide you want out, be upfront and honest with me. Don't just ghost me or lie to me," she started. "And two. Except for close family, unless it is absolutely necessary, do not tell anyone you married me," she said with a tone that left no room for argument.

Tadano's ears stood straight up looking at her surprised but he reluctantly accepted her rules. He let go of one of her hands and caressed her cheek. "Okay, I accept your rules," he smiled, the feeling of relief growing. "Go get freshened up and let's go," the donkey smiled then kissed the petite rat.

Rumiko smiled weakly returning his kiss before heading to her bedroom. She returned to him fifteen minutes later, face washed, light makeup applied, and wearing her favorite cherry print dress.

Tadano couldn't help but feel a little sloppy considering he was still wearing the jeans and hoodie he had been traveling in. "Ah, you still have that suit I left here?" he asked with a nervous laugh rubbing the back of his head.

"Yeah, it's in my bedroom closet where you left it," She replied with a raised eyebrow. Tadano just grinned and headed into her bedroom.

While Tadano was freshening up, Rumiko headed into the kitchen and retrieved a pink sake bottle from the fridge. Some of the sweet rich liquor had already been drunk before she adulterated with a rather lethal drug cocktail. "Leap of faith," she sighed opening the bottle and pouring the drugged sake down the drain before disposing of the bottle in the recycling bin.

After disposing of what would have been her final drink, Rumiko returned to the living room just in time to see Tadano return wearing his suit minus his tie. "So...ready to go?" he asked earning a nod in response from the petite rat.

"Fuck! That escalated rather quickly." Haida was shocked. "So, her dad was about to force her into an arranged marriage. But...wait a minute. Did you say you married her?" the hyena asked shocked.

Tadano nodded and finished the second glass of cognac. "Yeah, I did. And before you ask, no I don't regret what I did."

Haida shook his head and downed his drink before setting the glass aside. "You weren't kidding about needing the drinks," the hyena sighed. "Retsuko is going to flip her shit when she finds out you got married."

Tadano leveled the most serious look at Haida. "She's not going to find out because you aren't going to tell her," he said leaving no room for discussion on the matter.

Haida looked at the tech genius a little surprised by the serious tone of his voice. "Right, don't tell Retsuko," he nervously cleared his throat. "So...What happened next? I know there's more to why you wanted to kill your girlfriend...wife's father." Haida looked at the tech genius.

Tadano sighed deeply and poured himself that third drink. "He hurt my Ruchan."