Hehehe. Here's the third chapter. And thank you so much for your reviews. They've made me so happy!
Disclaimer: If I'd created "Saint Tail." I'd be a little richer than I am now, and I wouldn't be writing fanfictions either....
Two Alone
Chapter Three: Precious Moments
By: Enchanted Pink Jade
*~*~*~*~*
The next day, morning
Asuka frowned with great annoyance at the blonde haired girl walking next to him, cooing, and batting her eyelashes, talking about nonsense, and how they were going to be great detective partners.
"Look, Asuka, we're almost going to graduate high school, and you still haven't said anything about us being together as detectives. We could call ourselves the 'Dynamic Duo' or whatever. We'll be a success!" Rina said.
Asuka growled under his breath, wishing that he could just hop on his bike and ride away as fast as he can, but he was far too polite to do such a thing. So instead, he endured quietly. He had only been riding around slowly, getting some fresh morning air in. The birds were singing, the sky was as blue as cornflower, and cloud-free. It was just another typical morning for him. It was all perfect and quiet, until Rina had found him.
"And look how far you've grown! You're so much taller than I am now." Rina laughed. "I used to be so much taller than you. I thought that you were only a little kid the first time I saw you!" Asuka tightened his grip around the handlebars to keep his cool.
"You're so different from all the other guys, somehow. Everyone else is going gaga over some girl. Like Miss Haneoka. Can you believe her? Everywhere she goes, heads turn in her direction. When she enters a room, everyone just becomes eerily silent. What do the other guys see in her, anyways. I know that I can do better," Rina said. Asuka just smiled inwardly at the obvious jealousy that he heard in her tone, at the mention of Haneoka.
"She's good at gymnastics, and good academically, she can play sports every well. She's good at everything, she's even gotten better at math, but only because you helped her. I'm glad that you're not like the other guys. It all makes me sick. I'm always trying my hardest to do everything right! And yet, it's still Meimi, Meimi, Meimi!"
"Well, maybe that's the problem, you're trying too hard to impress everyone. Meimi is-"
"Oh, so it's Meimi now? Not Haneoka? You two are on the first name basis? My God!" This remark took Asuka by surprise... When had he started calling her by her first name... He did so, on that yesterday morning, but she didn't notice... must've had something else on her mind. But what was it?
Asuka realized that he had slowly began to think of her as Meimi, and not Haneoka a long time ago, though he never noticed it himself. It was like some unconscious doing on his part. Saying Haneoka just seemed too formal, but they were far past that, weren't they?
Asuka cleared his throat. "Maybe Haneoka is just a natural. She doesn't have to try to do anything good the first time. She just does what she does, and does is perfectly. You two are completely different people," Asuka said.
Rina growled in anger. "And now you're defending her! You're always defending her! But whenever you two are ever in the same room, you're always at each other's throat!"
Asuka was about to say something back that would probably shut her mouth up when something caught his eye.
There she was, the subject of their conversation, was walking slowly towards them, looking at the displays in the windows, but not really seeing what was there. It was as if she was a million miles away. She was wearing a slightly loose white shirt with blue jeans, and brown sandals adorned her feet. Her long hair, which had grown longer over the years was tied in a loose ponytail at the nape of her neck, the bangs, curling at the ends, framing her face.
"..... so if- Hey, are you listening to me?" Rina said. Then she followed Asuka's gaze and scowled. "Well, speak of the devil. There she is. I'm surprised she doesn't have a fan club following her around, dropping red carpets everywhere."
*~*~*~*~*
Meimi's P.O.V.
Since it was Saturday, and there wasn't any homework, she had decided to just walk around the town and think, besides, she had nothing else better to do. Later on she had to steal back the poem, but she wasn't worried about that. She knew that everything would go as planned, and everybody would be happy. Asuka would most certainly be there, with his plan.
A shiver ran down her spine, although it was already warm out. Why do I get this really weird feeling that something bad is gonna happen later tonight? It couldn't have something to do with his plan, could it? It would just fail like always, right? He just sounded so sure this time. That he would really capture Saint Tail- I mean, me. Geez, I talk about Saint Tail as if she was another person...
"Meimi! Watch out!" Her head turned up, knowing full well whose voice it was that called out to her. Someone then suddenly grabbed her arm and pulled her out of harms' way. Some crazy maniac, a kid about the age of 13 on a skateboard passed by in a blur. Meimi had been so lost in her thoughts that she wasn't watching where she was going.
"Crazy kids, he could have hurt you. It makes you think of kids these days, and the newer generation. Are you okay?," Asuka said, and to Meimi, it almost seemed as if he was concerned.
"Yes, I'm okay. That was a close call." Meimi said softly. He called me by my first name... Does that mean something? "I guess that I was too busy thinking about something else. I have some other things on my mind.
Rina then stepped up beside Asuka. "Why weren't you watching where you were going?" she asked curtly.
Why couldn't she just say 'hello' like any other person would? "Um, hello Takamiya. I was just deep in thought."
"Honestly, you're always daydreaming. That'll get you nowhere," Rina said, she looked to Asuka to see if he agreed, but he said nothing, only glared at her.
"So, what are you up to?" Asuka asked Meimi.
"Nothing much. I'm just so glad that we have a three-day weekend that's homework free."
"There's something that I can agree on with you. Asuka and me can just go to the movies or something." Asuka inwardly groaned in horror. A day with Rina like that..
"Hey you know what, I just remembered something." Asuka got on his bike and leaned towards Meimi a little. "Meet me at the front of the park in 15 minutes," he said, for her ears only. Then he rode off, leaving Rina running after him, cursing and yelling for him to wait up.
*~*~*~*~*
At the front of the park.
Asuka jogged up to the entrance of the park, looking for her Then he finally spotted her as beautiful as ever, sitting down at a bench and watching a couple of children playing around .
"Meimi..." he whispered in question.
As if the girl had heard him, from so far away a distance, her head jerked up and looked at his direction.
As he made his way towards her Meimi got up, admiring the way he looked in casual clothing, which consisted of black jeans and a white shirt underneath a blue polo shirt. He doesn't have his bike with him, Meimi noted. Meimi got herself together and wondered for the hundredth time why she even came, why she even bothers with herself.
"What was that all about?" she asked.
"Hold on, let's go somewhere else where there aren't a lot of people."
"Where's that?"
"It's just someplace in this park. Someplace Rina won't find us, and then we won't get a taste of her wrath."
Asuka led Meimi deeper into the park, a part that she had never really been through before, even if she had lived here all her life.
"Asuka Jr.! Where are you! You'll regret this!" They heard Rina call out. Asuka winced and turned around. Rina wasn't to be seen, but she was probably getting pretty close now.
"Come on, let's hurry," Asuka said, then he did something that Meimi never expected him to do. He reached for her hand and started to pull her in the direction that he wanted to go to. A slight blush tinged her cheeks, as she ran to keep up with his pace.
*B-bump*
*B-bump*
"We're here," Asuka announced, as they stopped abruptly. Meimi cocked her head to one side and gave him a puzzled look. They had stopped in front of a grouping of massive trees that spanned very far into the distance. It looked as if some sort of stone wall, covered with leaves and vines, was hidden behind them.
"In there? But there's no way in..."
"Sure there is." Still very confused, Meimi looked at him. He was smiling mischievously, secretively, and his eyes sparkled with amusement at her confused state.
"This way." Meimi watched him as he stepped into a narrow space between two trees and disappeared behind it. His head came back out when he found that Meimi wasn't following. "Come on."
Meimi stepped through, and found herself in a very closed- in space, surrounded by trees, that had enough room for only two people, and nowhere to go. This is it? Meimi thought.
Then Asuka stepped up to the stone wall and pushed aside some vines to reveal a small opening in the wall. Meimi stood amazed.
Meimi was about to say something when they heard Rina's voice, and it was really loud. Asuka covered her mouth with his hand and brought her back against him.
*B-bump*
*B-bump*
*B-bump*
*B-bump* went Meimi's heart. "Shhh. She must be nearby." And true enough, the voice was getting louder, calling out Asuka's name and cursing Meimi. But he wasn't concerned about Takamiya right at that moment. Only Meimi.
It was just pure torture to have her this close to him, and yet have the knowledge that she wasn't for him to take. He felt like burying his head in her silky, red orange locks. This was getting to be too much.
"Haneoka, if you're out there, I'll find you. If you make any moves on him, I swear you'll never live to see another day!" At this, Meimi's face burned scarlet, then the voice faded out into the distance.
Once she thought it was safe she pulled away from Asuka, much to his dismay. "What did I do to her that makes her so angry with me all the time?"
She's just jealous of you, Meimi, that's why, Asuka thought. He then made a motion for her to go on through the opening.
"Well? What are you waiting for?" Asuka said. Meimi had to duck her head as went through. The ground level is lower than that of the trees on the other side of the wall, Meimi noted, as she watched her footing. Asuka was right behind her. When they got to a clearing of some kind, Meimi just couldn't help but gasp at the sight that unfolded before her.
It seemed that a small creek ran through the trees, and stopped inside here, forming a small pond. The cluster of trees high above created a dome of leaves and branches. Some gaps allowed just enough sunlight in, giving everything an otherworldly glow. Meimi's eyes moved to another part, and found a smaller cluster of trees that had blooming flowers growing every place. The name of the flower, she did not know, but she did know that it was beautiful. It was spring, the time when all flowers looked their best and most alive.
Asuka watched her as she took in her surroundings, seeing her eyes light up with delight. He was happy that had finally done something right for Meimi. She took a couple of steps forward. "Asuka..." she whispered, afraid that this beautiful scene might shatter. "This place, it's beautiful." She then turned towards him. "How did you ever find it?"
"I found this place a long time ago, when we were younger and still liked to run around, play games and stuff. While some of my friends and I were playing hide and seek, I ran behind that tree. But since I wasn't watching where I was going, I tripped and stumbled into here by chance," Asuka explained. "I don't think that anyone else in the world knows about this place except for the two of us."
Just the two of us... Only we know where this place is. It almost feels like it's our secret... Meimi thought. Asuka sat down near the pond and leaned his back on a tree. Meimi sat down next to him and peered into the pond, looking at her reflection.
"I often come here when I want some peace, and just to think. It doesn't matter what time of day it is, and it's one of the most rare Rina-free places in this town," Asuka said, and Meimi laughed.
"Oh yeah, what was all that about anyways?" Meimi asked.
"Um, about that. I don't know. She's just always following me around. Wanting us to become partners against crime. But I don't want that. I don't want to be around her all the time. I mean, don't get me wrong or anything. She's a good and loyal friend, but she can be so annoying. She's smart and intelligent, but she's taking things the wrong way."
"The wrong way?"
"I think that she wants more than friendship from me. But that's not something that I can give her," he said quietly.
"Oh, I see. You should tell her, you know. The longer you drag this along, the greater the hurt will be."
"I know. I've tried to tell her so many times that there's some-" Asuka then stopped, already regretting that he'd said too much.
Meimi turned towards him suddenly. "That there's already someone you like? Oh! This is a surprise! The great Detective, Asuka Jr., is in love!" Meimi said. Asuka blushed a light shade of crimson. "And he's blushing!" Meimi laughed, and smiled, but inside, her heart was being torn into a million pieces. The pain was unbearable. Her love, her only one, and always will be, is in love with someone else. And Meimi knew that it wasn't her.
"So, who is it? Is it Sayaka? "
"No."
"Ryoko?"
"No."
"Kyoko?"
"No."
"Seira, right?"
"No. And she's a nun in training."
"Mami?"
"Gods no! That woman is the devil incarnate!"
"Well then, who is it? Is it someone I know?"
"Yes. And that's the last question allowed, discussion closed," he said, and Meimi pouted. He chuckled at how adorable she looked right now.
A small silence took over them before Asuka decided to speak what had been on his mind as of late. "Look, about yesterday, I was thinking about what you had said."
Meimi instantly snapped out of her reverie and turned back to face him. "I told you to forget about it, remember? It was nothing."
"Most of the time, when people say that it's 'nothing,' it really is something."
All Meimi could do was look into the pond, and say nothing.
Asuka then continued in a softer tone, "Sorry to disappoint you, but you're wrong, about yesterday. I don't hate you. You're one of my best friends, we knew each other since forever. I'm sorry, Haneoka. It's really my fault that you had thought this... I'm always being a jerk, and an idiot. I was once named the "King of Cluelessness," remember?" At this, Meimi smiled, but didn't look up to meet his gaze. "The truth is, I like being around you..."
Slowly, Meimi lifted her gaze to meet up with his. He changed back to calling me Haneoka... "Do you mean that? Do you really mean that? It's not something you're saying just to make me feel better?"
"I consider you a really good friend of mine," he said, then he smiled.
That's right, I'm only a friend to you, and nothing else. At least you don't hate me... but it seems worse this way somehow. Asuka was alarmed to see tears rolling down her cheeks. "Hey, was it something I said? If it was, I didn't mean it..."
"No, no. It's nothing like that. I don't know. It just seemed like you never wanted me around. We were always fighting too, and over nothing," Meimi whispered.
Asuka mentally kicked himself repeatedly. No wonder she thought that he hated her. He was simply irritated with himself, not with her. It was all because of this girl, this one girl, that he was always somehow getting sidetracked from things that he had to do. Cooking, homework, planning, merely concentrating, and capturing Saint Tail.
He had seen her earlier, walking down the sidewalk looking as if she was in her own world, with her thoughts. At that moment, he had wanted to be there, so that they could be together in a world of their own... She had looked so troubled, it was as if there was some internal war going on inside her, and it hurt to see her this way. He wanted to be the one to erase that look, and replace it with smiles.
He was used to seeing her so bouncy, energetic, happy and carefree. That's how Meimi is, but there would be times when he would get a glimpse of another Meimi, who was like a complete stranger to him, and yet he's known her all his life. He's known her ever since he can remember. These moments were rare, but it made Asuka feel as if she was hiding something.
He looked at her now, she hadn't moved away or anything. She had said that I probably didn't want to be within 2 feet of her... But I'm the one who's always treating her badly.. how can she even face me, or speak to me at all? he wondered.
Asuka then brought his hands up to her face to gently wipe away her tears. His warm touch sent tingling sensations up and down her spine. Right at this moment, never had Meimi ever wanted him to hold her tightly and tell her that she was the only one in his life. The moment was so perfect, she didn't want it to end. Asuka reluctantly took his hands away, since he had no other reason to keep it there.
Meimi faced him once again, and a small smile tugged at her lips. "Somehow, I feel so much better," she said. Asuka's heart sang out to the heavens at the sight of her smile, more so because he was the cause of it. A smile, for him, not a frown or a scowl. A smile.
Meimi yawned. "If you don't mind, I'm going to sleep for now." Asuka blinked.
"As in right here right now?" Meimi gave a little nod.
"I'm kinda tired. I didn't get much sleep." I was up most of the night thinking about you and why you supposedly hated me.
"Well, sure. If you want to."
Meimi then settled in a shady part three feet away from him. When her breathing became even and deep, he knew that she was asleep. He pulled up one knee towards hic chest for comfort as he gazed upon an ethereal being. It was just impossible for her too look this beautiful and still be human. No other woman he had ever seen could walk with as much grace as she had. She could put a princess to shame. He wanted to memorize every single feature on her face. She spoke volumes just looking at you... Her eyes said so much. To him, she was mesmerizing, compelling. Everything about her was so captivating.
There was some rustling from above, probably some squirrel, scampering up and around for some food. One single leaf fell and landed right on Meimi's forehead. Asuka crawled over and brushed it off ever so softly. This unexpected urge that got a hold of him was too great, he just couldn't deny it any longer. Besides, she'll never know. He leaned down and placed a feather-light kiss on her slightly open lips. She stirred a little.
"Asuka..." she whispered, to his horror. He thought that she had woken up, but she was still asleep. He sighed in relief. He sat back down in his previous position, just watching her, not tiring of her motionless form.
He would treasure this moment in his life forever. Asuka was so attracted to her somehow, she was like a magnet that drew him closer to her everyday. Just what is it about her...? Why do I feel this way? If someone had told me that I was going to fall for HER 3 years ago, I would've laughed in their faces and told them that it was impossible. I was so sure that I was in love with Saint Tail, but now, I'm not so sure. Could it be because I only ever see Saint Tail in those brief moments in the night... And Meimi was always around. She was so nice to me, despite all of the arguments that we had. I must've been born on a lucky star, to have ever met her. Heck, I still remember the first day we met, in preschool. She had smiled like there was no tomorrow and asked me if I wanted to play with her. That was so long ago.... but it just stuck in my memory somehow. Saint Tail, she's someone I could never have, and here's Meimi... But I can't have her either. I don't deserve a girl like her. She needs someone who's worthy enough for her... But still...
*~*~*~*~*
About an hour later
Meimi's eyes fluttered open, and she sat up. What am I doing here...? Oh yeah, now I remember. She looked around until she found Asuka looking right at her.
"Hey."
"Hey. How long have I been asleep?"
"An hour or so."
"And you've been here the whole time?" Meimi asked incredulously.
He shrugged. "This is one of the places in town that Rina or anyone else doesn't know about, except for you and me, remember?"
Meimi smiled. "So then, you take advantage of it, right?" she said, and he nodded.
Suddenly, Asuka's stomach grumbled, ruining the moment, and Meimi made a face at him, then laughed. "We should get something to eat right now, I'm kinda hungry now too," she said, as she got up. He did the same.
"Where to?"
"Oh, anywhere. And it's your treat," Meimi said, smiling.
"What?!? Why do I have to pay? You're the one who suggested that we should go and eat!" Asuka said.
"Pretty please? With the cherry on top?" she said, pleading with him. Asuka wished that she hadn't done that. She looked so adorably cute, how can he resist? Resisting would be like trying to count how many stars appeared in the night sky: Impossible.
Asuka groaned but consented, which caused Meimi to squeal in happiness. She ran up to him and gave him a hug.
"You're buying the dessert, too!" Meimi heard him moan and mutter something about "...women these days..." but Meimi only giggled.
Before they had stepped out from behind the trees, they made sure that no one else was around. They didn't want anyone else knowing about this special place, after all, it was their secret.
So, they went and got lunch at small fast food restaurant that had tables and chairs outside, where they now sat.
Meimi chatted happily, eating her lunch and dessert, while Asuka listened and paid attention to her every word, every gesture. She laughed as she was telling him about this one comical moment that had happened not too long ago. Asuka considered himself a very lucky guy to be having this beautiful girl sitting right across from him. He smiled at her, she was so full of unlimited energy.
Meimi stopped what she was saying and looked at Asuka. "What?"
Asuka shook his head. "It's nothing." He stood up and threw the remains of their lunch away. "So, where do you wanna go now?"
"Umm... I dunno. Let's just walk around town and do nothing."
Asuka's one eyebrow went up. "That's the best you can think of?"
"Well, what is there to do? Let's see you try and think one up!"
"Um... well..." Meimi waited patiently for his answer. "Well, we could just walk around town and do nothing."
"I think that that's a great idea." Meimi said with a smirk. "But it was MY idea first!" Asuka shrugged and laughed.
So walk around town they did, talking about nothing and everything, just enjoying each other's company. When the time came for them to part, they did so, promising each other that they should do this again some other time. Asuka walked Meimi to her home. They walked in a leisurely pace, prolonging the moment, before they arrived.
"So... I'll just see you around, okay?" Meimi said.
Asuka nodded slowly and smiled. Meimi took three steps towards her home before she turned around and ran back to him. She threw her arms around his neck in an embrace. In turn he wrapped his arms around her shoulders. Although he didn't want her to pull away from the embrace just yet, he reluctantly let her go.
"Thank you for today, Asuka," she said, and smiled. Then she ran to her home. Meimi ran up to her room and closed the door behind her, leaning against it, sighing dreamily.
Asuka stood outside, still feeling the sensation of having her in his arms.
This was a day to remember.
*~*~*~*~*
Author's Note: Hahaha! You guys still don't know what Asuka's plan is going to be! I guess that's my fault. Hehehe. But you'll find out in the next chapter. =). And at least we can finally see some progress between those two. I hope that this chapter wasn't confusing, and that you liked it!
Don't forget to review!
~Enchanted Pink Jade
E-mail: Lyricalaznangel@aol.com