It was extremely dark all around the still form. The soft sound of thousands of conversations filtered into her hearing as she clenched the small cylinder like object in her hand. She was strangely cold as she tried to adjust her eyes to the darkness that befell her. Shivering she tugged at her long coat with a gloved hand before taking a large gulp of much needed air. This was it. There was no turning back. To her left and right she could faintly hear the rustling of the two girls that were about to face thousands of people for the first time in their lives. Suddenly the wave of nausea hit her and she flinched. The anxiety wave had finally managed to catch up to her and at full strength. Oh please… not now… Biting her lower lip she closed her eyes and took her position. Ready or not… here I go…
* "What do you want to be when you grow up little one?" The frayed old woman smiled down at the tiny child on her knees.
"I want to bring smiles to everyone's faces!" The deep green eyes of the child danced in almost a musical way up at the respectful figure in the chair before her. "Sumeragi-baasan! I want to be known for good reasons! And! And! I want to marry Subaru-san!"
The old woman laughed softly and touched the mop of chestnut hair gently with the love only a grandmother could have. "Perhaps little one. Never give up on your dreams."
Just then a boy of about 14 walked in adorning long white and light blue robes and shining ebony hair. His eyes were a vibrant emerald and danced like the sun on a summer afternoon as he greeted the elder woman in the chair. "Tadaima Obaasan, I finished my medium job for the day!"
A brilliant smile spread over her aged face as she nodded to her grandson with reverence. "Okaeri. Very good Subaru-chan."
"Okaeri, Subaru-kun." The little girl beamed up at the boy happily in near awe of his superior look, but ever-present gentleness.
Before he could respond, another person bounded into the room looking angrily down at the child on the floor. "Little monster! You shouldn't take up so much of oniichan and obaasan's time!" The teen glared at the child with fiery jade eyes that spoke of little kindness for her. The short ebony hair was cropped much like Subaru's with sideburns that framed the edges of her face making them nearly identical save for their attire.
Instantly the little girl bit her lower lip and bowed her head in submission. "Gomen nesai, Hokuto-san… It won't happen again." Rising to her feet she bowed to all of those present before rushing to the door of the room. "Sumimasen! I'll do my chores now."
The old lady sighed and looked at her grandchildren. The girl stood with her arms crossed over her chest and eyes closed where Subaru stared at her with a look of confusion. Lady Sumeragi shook her head with frustration. "Hokuto-chan… have you still not learned to accept the poor child?"
"She isn't a Sumeragi! Why should I? I have no use for her other than…" She stopped before going on and turned her nose up to the air slightly. "Just feed her, give her a place to stay, but why is she entitled to the family name?" Glaring mildly at the Lady Sumeragi, she refused to step down from her view.
Once more the grandmother sighed at the lack of control her granddaughter showed. "My dear Hokuto-chan… You really don't see the child for who she truly is…"
Mumbling quietly she shook her head. "I don't want to either…"
Finally Subaru seemed to catch up with the others and interjected softly. "Neesan… Even if she isn't family… I can't help but want to treat her kindly… You shouldn't be so rough on her."
Hokuto sighed and growled under her breath. "Nan de mo…" Huffing out her words she stormed from the room leaving only the old woman and Subaru.
"Obaasan… will she ever grow out of this? She's treated Lis-chan like this since the day you brought her home…" Subaru creased his forehead in slight sadness before turning to look at his grandmother once more.
"She just thinks she will be replaced… Solis-chan will always have a place in my heart, just as you two will always have. Neither of you should worry over such things. Subaru-chan… Do an old woman a favor?"
"Hai? Nani desu ka?"
"Go check on Solis-chan… I worry about her…"
Subaru nodded then walked out of the room silently looking up and down every corridor to the Sumeragi estate in Kyoto. Sighing softly he brushed his feathery black bangs from his eyes and considered giving up. "Oi… where are you Lis-chan…" Suddenly a soft sobbing caught his attention and he stiffened in response. Peering around the corner he caught sight of the tiny child as she clenched a polishing rag against the shiny wooden floor. Tiny tears plopped lightly onto her tightly balled up fist as minute sobs escaped past unwilling lips.
"Solis no baka!" Choking softly she shook her head to rid the unrelenting feeling of being unwanted. The biting pain echoed and throbbed in her ears as she swallowed down another sob and pressed her small body forward in an attempt to continue her polishing of the floor. "Waa! No!" Stumbling forward she crashed face first into it.
"Daijoubu?" Subaru began to step out into view when he stopped to watch her drag herself to her feet again.
"Dare desu ka?" Looking up with tear filled eyes, they finally rested on Subaru whom was leaning against the doorframe with a confused look on his face. "Oh… gomen Subaru-sama…"
Blinking at the title she used he shook his head and walked over to her. "Little one… You know you don't have to call me that…" Kneeling down beside her he swept a hand over her cheek to wipe away a tear. "Doushitano?"
"Nani mo!" Shaking her head persistently, she pulled away from him and rubbed her eyes with two small fists. "Daijoubu… Don't worry about me… That would upset Hokuto-san!" Horror seemed to fill her eyes as she turned to try and do her work again.
"Oi, chibi… Listen to me. Onegai?"
"Chibi ja nai!" Huffing lightly she all of a sudden turned red and looked down at her hands. "Gomen ne… I will listen."
Subaru couldn't help but smile at the small child before him. She was so strong even though she was barely even 5 years old. "You can, one, call me Subaru-kun or chan even. Two, stop acting like our maid and try to be a child. And three, stop taking my sister so seriously." The young teen smiled at Solis gently as tears began to brim in her eyes again.
Slowly she tilted her head upwards to look up at Subaru with misted eyes. "Arigauto Subaru-chan!"
Silently he watched the conflict on her face as she tried to decide whether or not to hug him. He could almost hear her far too mature thoughts for her extremely young age. It was either hug him and be disrespectful and yet still a child, or be respectful and composed as a person in the Sumeragi household should. Sighing softly he admired her will then decided to decide for her. Gently he hugged her to him, which she instantly responded to by hugging his waist tightly. "Kawaii chibi…"
Even though she tried to hide her tears he could still feel them on his robe and just smiled. After sitting there a while, the child cried her self to sleep in his grasp. Lifting her gently he carried her to her room and carefully placed her beneath the blankets and tucked her in. Glancing at her peaceful face once more he turned out the lights and closed the door behind him. *
The lights began to slowly rise in brightness bringing out three silhouettes upon a circular platform in the center of an amphitheatre. On one side stood a girl in a short white skirt that shined in the growing light to match her knee high white leather boots. Her shirt was a pale ice blue that only had a harness looped about her neck, while the shirt itself hugged her every contour. Long blonde hair swept down just below her waist with intricate loops weaves onto the back of her head. A small headset rested upon her head glinting silver as her head rose gracefully to reveal sparkling eyes of sapphire.
On the other side stood another girl with shortly cropped ebony hair that barely touched her shoulders. Her attire consisted of very short black shorts and a deep hunter green tank top. Her high-heeled black boots traveled halfway up her shins and glittered due to their patton leather look. Turning her head to the side, nearly black eyes gazed stonily at the crowd about them hiding the fear that the other two knew existed inside of her.
In the center stood the shortest of the three. Unlike the other two, her attire was nearly completely that of a boy's and consisted almost completely of black. The double tailed coat trailed down to the back of her knees, and the only hint of color came from the deep sapphire blue shirt beneath it. With her head down and to the side, it was impossible to see her eyes or even the color of her hair because her head was covered in a hat with a wide circular brim. One black gloved hand grasped its brim just above her eyes, while the other was jutted out to her other side.
The crowd erupted in screams and cheers as the sound of loud music started to echo through out the room and spark the two on the sides to life. In an elaborate dance they brought many cheers from the many people that gazed upon them in awe. Finally as the notes drew on, the one in the center snapped to attention and flashed brilliant eyes of emerald at her fans as she fell in step with her partners. This brought an extreme round of whistling and screaming from the fans only to grow louder as the hand with the microphone rose to her lips. Taking one last deep breath she threw her body into action. "Round and round here we go, you're throwing my heart to and fro…" The crowd throbbed in sheer excitement as a wide smile pasted across her white colored face. "Stop teasing me all the time, your way of loving is a crime!"
The words seemed to echo around her and she fell into the music trying to remember what had possessed her to write such a song. "But you feel no shame…"
Instantly on cue, the two girls echoed her words with their own. "Shameless…"
"I am tainted by my fame…"
"Bitterly…" She smiled at the sound of their voices melding perfectly together.
"I don't want to feel the same…"
"Who would?"
* "Ne, Sumeragi-baasan." The old woman turned slightly to see the girl of six staring up at her with wide green eyes.
"Nani desu ka? Something bothering you?" The old woman smiled pleasantly at her charge and ruffled the little girls shoulder length chestnut hair.
"Is Subaru-chan really leaving?" The eyes full of innocence and fear peered up at her unguarded and completely open.
"Aa, next year they will be moving out of the estate."
"Where are he and Hokuto-san moving to Sumeragi-baasan?" The little child seemed to whimper as she spoke.
"Tokyo. We can still go visit them once in a while. Subaru-chan needs to be out in the world alone. One day you will have to do the same." The Lady Sumeragi smiled gently and turned to the lady at her side. "Could you get some tea for us and some cookies for the girl?" The young girl nodded and disappeared as she turned back to the silent Solis before her.
"I'm really worried Sumeragi-baasan… It's almost like I can tell something is going to go wrong…" The old woman peered at her curiously and nodded in agreement. "Ano… could you tell me why you're my Obaasan?"
Slightly startled, Lady Sumeragi nearly choked on her breath. "I see… You already want to know about yourself. Very well. Six years ago, the seer in Tokyo called requesting for my presence. The Lady Hinoto hardly ever does such a thing, so I went." Lowering her head she let out a labored sigh. "Upon arriving, I was greeted with honor, as would be expected, but the matter of the meeting puzzled me. The Lady Hinoto had found an abandoned child newly born, but through a dream she saw that the parents were no longer living. But also through a vision, she saw a future of great importance. So, she felt it wise to leave you in my household in order to raise you. I accepted. Thus I became your Obaasan."
Blinking in an amazing amount of understanding, the child tilted her head to the side curiously. "Do you like having me here?"
A sudden laugh escaped her as she shook her head. "Hai! Of course I do. Now… Since you are so grown up, it is time to start teaching you some of the Sumeragi magic, and how to utilize your abilities." Looking up as the servant re-entered, the Lady Sumeragi smiled serenely. "Now, let's have some tea and cookies, shall we?"
"Un!" *
The beat of the song seemed to nearly mirror the way her heart pounded within her chest making the moves and words she was saying nothing more than a dream. "Don't give me the 'I know you feel', because your love honey, is just ethereal." Listening to the movements from her friends she smiled and twirled about onstage finally tipping her hat and winking at her fans bringing about instant response. "Stop shadowing my heart like you do, don't let me realize it's true…"
Soft humming highlighted her words as she chanced a quick look at her ebony haired friend. The girl smiled back as Solis started one more time. "Cause I'm tainted by fame…"
"Forgetting…" The cooing sound of their voices made her skin crawl as she flashed the crowd another smile.
Playing the crowd seemed to come so easily to her and her friends. Was this what I had wanted? They're all so happy… If they only knew… "I don't want to hear your name…"
"It's painful…" The blonde seemed to pick up on her thoughts and gave her a very quick inquiring look that promised a lecture later on.
"Let's stop this petty game…" Solis shivered as they continued their perfectly synchronized dance upon the stage. I wish… I could forget who I am… I really am… tainted…
"It's over with…"
* Solis brushed long strands of lush brown hair behind her ears as she looked about wildly at the sights of Tokyo. She was only seven now but her understanding of life was far beyond that of any child in probably most of the world. After all… Wasn't that her purpose in the first place? Glancing to her side at the proud twelfth head of the Sumeragi clan she bit her lip. "Sumeragi-san, when will we see them?"
The woman didn't reply and was staring in the direction of a park full of blooming Sakura trees. Sakura trees… the sakura can be both good and bad can't it… but the feelings I'm having… aren't good. Solis let out a long sigh and neglected to pressure Lady Sumeragi any further. With a little less excitement, the jade eyes swept the scenery to fall on the one sight she hated more than anything. He was the first person she had ever learned to hate. Sakurazuka Seishirou.
In all his class and charm she still hated him. He stirred the most terrifying of feelings with in her. Before the eldest Sumeragi could stop her, she took off in his direction with dread in the pit of her heart. You better not have hurt Hokuto or Subaru! The wind ripped at her white pleated skirt and black sweater with a sudden biting cold as she stopped before him with fire in her deep colored eyes. "Sakurazukamori!" The man looked at the child in surprise then merely smiled at her as if she had not idea what she spoke of.
"Well, if it isn't the little whirlwind Solis. You could hurt someone's feelings running around calling them that." Glaring with all her might, her fist clenched at her sides she hated the amusement she saw in his eyes.
"I would tell Subaru-chan who you were if I didn't fear his heart would be broken!" The child seethed in pure hatred of the man only increasing his delight.
"Eh… Little Genki Solis… You truly are wise beyond your years. Stop interfering in things you'll never understand…" Seishirou peered through his thin-framed glasses at her with a smirk on his handsome face. "You don't want to get hurt and cause the Sumeragi's more pain…"
Flaring out in rage, Seishirou could almost see the aura erupting from her small form. It truly amused him and he even toyed with the idea of taking this little game further, but she cut his thoughts short. "Don't forget Sakurazukamori, that you cannot kill me just yet… I don't have any fear of you…"
He laughed. The determination in her disposition was enough to choke him with just her glare. "Oh yes… I forgot. There is more to you just as there is more to me. Don't worry about your precious Subaru-chan… I'll take good care of him."
She moved to lash out at him with words when a hand rested on her shoulder. Seishirou glared straight into her eyes and she saw the warning there. Turning about, her eyes met the sight of the twins walking side by side while talking to their grandmother. "Get your hand off of me you… you jerk!"
Once more he couldn't help but laugh. "All right fire cracker. Why don't you go say hello? I'll catch up with the twins later."
Sarcastically she bit out her words to him. "I'll be watching you… You won't harm Subaru-chan… I know that…" His finger covered her lips only infuriating her further, but once again something stopped her. A gentle hand was ruffling her hair lightly in the same way it always had. Once the hand was removed she jerked away from Seishirou to look up at Subaru. "Subaru-kun!" Instantly she hugged him around his waist tightly not wanting to let go. Wanting to just stay there and protect him from the pain she knew he would feel.
Subaru smiled down at her ignoring the glare from his sister and the carefully trained look of amusement on Seishirou's face. "Arigauto Seishirou-san. For looking after Lis-chan."
The older man nodded trying to avoid the evil glares from both the Lady Sumeragi and the small girl. "I'll let you enjoy your visitors now, I do have to work sometime you know." Saluting the four people he then smirked at Solis. "Ja ne fire cracker."
Subaru looked down at her in confusion, but she just shook her head lightly. "Nani mo…" Sighing she watched Seishirou's retreating back praying and hoping that he would leave Subaru in one piece when he was done with his little game. There's nothing… I can do… *
"Oh boy, can't you just see me? I don't want you to know me!" Punctuating that point hard she dropped down to one knee and lighted two fingers on the brim of her hat. "There's just too much that I'm hiding… And my happy face is sliding…" With her words she slowly traced the brim till it stopped on the opposite side of her head. "I don't want to make this claim…"
"Denying…" The girls dropped to their knees as well and shook a hand in the air as if they were trying to ward off some accusation being thrown at them, yet still never missing a beat.
"Bound and tainted by my name…" It's so unfair… Both of us were the same… all due to a stupid name… Carefully she snapped the hat off of her head allowing waves of chestnut locks to cascade like water onto her shoulders. The crowd instantly became three times louder.
"Twisted in a web…" The girls wrapped their arms about themselves and hummed on after their words waiting for her to go on.
With a flick of the wrist, she threw the hat like a Frisbee far out into the crowd. Light now danced plainly upon her eyes and hair as she smiled at the boy bouncing about happily over catching the sacred object. It amused her immensely. "I don't want you to feel the same…"
All at once they jumped to their feet and began their dance again. "Stay back!"
"Tainted amidst all my shame…" Sadly she rang out those words and listened to them echo in her ears barely hearing her friends next lines.
"Stay away…" The music slowly began to fade and the girls softened their voices further.
* The seven year old stood inside of the apartment watching Hokuto madly pace back and forth in anger and sadness evident in her composure. "This is all my fault! I should never have encouraged those two! Then Subaru-chan wouldn't be like this now!"
Solis widened her deep forest green eyes and ran over to Hokuto hugging her waist tightly. "Hokuto-san… Gomen ne… demo… Don't think that way… You only wanted Subaru-kun's happiness, just like I did. I could have told him the truth as well… I just…"
Hokuto looked down at the child in shock. The words were so mature for a girl of only seven. Kneeling slowly she hugged her tightly. "The Sakurazukamori will not rest until he has appeased the Sakura tree. Little one… I don't want Subaru to die…"
Sniffing softly she nodded in agreement. "Sumeragi-baasan can't keep saving him… And he's in no condition to protect him self. Two pairs of sad eyes rested on the door to Subaru's room. Hokuto silently dropped her head to rest on Solis' and she closed her eyes in thought.
"I don't want oniichan to die…" Taking a deep breath she sat up and looked into Solis' green eyes. "Ne, I never noticed it before… but you have nearly the same color eyes as us." A small smile lit up her normally cheerful face. "I'm sorry little one… that I've been so cold…"
Smiling softly she shook her head sending a fan of chestnut to halo her head. "Daijoubu Hokuto-san. What do you plan to do?" Suddenly the smile faded and seriousness crept into her eyes.
"I'm going to go to Seishirou in oniichan's place…" The serious tone of voice scared Solis as she tugged at Hokuto's shirt.
"Iya! Don't do it Hokuto-chan!"
Smiling placidly down at the girl, she gently ruffled her brown hair. "Gomen ne Lis-chan… I have to… it'll be ok. Stay here with oniichan. I know you are strong enough to take care of him." Standing slowly, she escaped Solis' hold on her and went into her room to change into one of Subaru's robes.
Collapsing onto the floor, Solis hadn't realized when Hokuto had left. Rocking herself back and forth, time went by far too quickly. It wasn't time for her to show her power; therefore, she was completely powerless. Then it hit her. The aching pain seemed to jab through her abdomen impaling her. With wide eyes she hunched forward panting for air. "Hokuto-chan…"
Subaru cried out from his room and she managed to jump to her feet. As she ran in that direction, they collided into one another sending each other to the floor. In a sense of denial, he grasped her small shoulders and stared into her eyes. "Where's Hokuto-chan?"
The panic in his voice terrified her and she shook her head. "She… went…. in…"
He cut her off shaking his head. "Iya! Iya! Don't tell me that! She couldn't! How could this happen? Why didn't you stop her?"
She watched in utter helplessness as the tears painted down his cheeks in slow patterns. "Subaru-kun… gomen ne… I couldn't…"
"How could you? You let her go!" In anger he pushed her away and curled into a ball. "How could you!" She sat there in utter confusion unable to respond. Stonily she looked at her hands and choked.
This is… my fault… Hokuto-chan… Looking up at Subaru one more time she found that she hand no idea what to do. It's all my fault! In a flurry of anger and pain she ran into Hokuto's room and knelt by her bed crying. "Hokuto-chan… I'm so sorry!" *
The pain hit her again. Why was she remembering so much tonight? That was so long ago. What was it? Eleven years? So long… "Tainted inside this game…" That's what Seishirou always called it. A game. That's why she wrote this song… Subaru-kun…
"Don't want it this way… So extremely tainted…" Soon the music was gone and she fought the urge to cry. Crying couldn't be a good idea your first time on stage. Standing before the roaring crowd she pasted on a smile and took a bow with her friends in all directions.
"Hey everyone! Having fun tonight?" The crowd seemed to meld together in their chorus of 'yeah' or any other word of affirmation that they may have used. "I'm so glad to see you all here! Wow… our first live performance!" The fans went wild and her heart felt mildly lighter. "Thanks for welcoming us so warmly! I don't know about my friends here but I love you L.A.!" The crowd hooted and whistled in excitement causing her to laugh.
"Stop right there Solis! I love you guys too!" The blonde bounced happily waving to the crowd, bringing about the waving of nearly every person there.
Solis laughed softly and flashed the peace sign to them all. "The night is still young! Let me introduce our group… though I'm sure you already know us." She winked and the crowd erupted once more. "Meet our all girl group Stella! I am Genki Solis, and the blonde over there, that's Sadira Chantry. To my other side is my other best friend in the world, Nguyen Naisumi!"
All of them beamed as they listened to the crowd pouring out their love to them. Maybe her wish had come true and the smiles on their faces were real. Then something cold grabbed at her heart. But the other part of my dream will never be realized… A sad smile replaced her former happy one. A gloved hand absently fidgeted with her clothing and sighed. These were his…
~*~
Exhaustedly, Sadira dropped down onto the couch with a soft thud. "Wow… I'm so tired… But the adrenaline rush was awesome!" Naisumi smiled at her and gave the thumbs up in agreement as she plopped into a recliner not far from the blonde.
Solis managed a smile and nodded as she went to sit on the floor. That's when a soft beep interrupted her. Sighing she knew the other two weren't going to answer the phone, so she put her relaxing on hold and walked over to the receiver. Gently cradling it on her shoulder she resisted the urge to answer it in Japanese. "Hello?"
"You're English is getting better." The phone nearly dropped from her grasp as a smile played on her face.
"Sorata! How are you?"
"Alive and well thanks to you! Hey! I even got a date with Arashi-san!"
"Honto ni? Wai! I'm so happy for you!" Solis smiled placidly for the first time all evening. "So what do I owe this call? I mean, only the seven seals and Lady Sumeragi can get a hold of me and all."
Sorata laughed on the other end. "Funny you should ask! Sumeragi-san… Subaru that is… Somehow managed to get the taping of your performance REALLY fast and I wanted to congratulate you! Great going good looking!"
Giggling softly she heard the reprimanding voice of Arashi in the background asking whom he was speaking with. Smiling to herself she listened to him justify him self then whimper as the phone was taken away by someone. "Konnichiwa Solis-san!"
"Yuzu-chan! Konnichiwa! You watched it too?"
"Hai! Wouldn't miss it for the world! You really do speak good English!"
In the background a low voice corrected her slightly. "You should have said 'you really do speak English well.'" Giggling she knew it was Aoki-san's voice.
"Tell Aoki-san hello for me ne?" The girl on the phone laughed and gave her acknowledgement before turning to argue with the man as well.
Shaking her head she couldn't handle all of the compliments from the people she cared the most about. The people she had brought back to life after the promised day. It had been hard, but she had accomplished it. She was indeed, the executioner of the sentence after all. Anything was possible. But she didn't want to think about that right now. Suddenly the phone came to life again and a soft voice spoke. "You did very well on stage Lis-chan."
Smiling she recognized his voice instantly. "Kamui-kun… How are you?"
"I'm all right I suppose. I enjoyed your music. I really didn't know you were so talented." Trying desperately to hear his voice over all in the background she didn't notice Naisumi, as she got right next to her ear.
"My my… so much Japanese all of a sudden!" Cheerily she watched as Solis nearly fell over in shock. "Sorry bout that!"
Solis sighed and rolled her eyes as Sadira peered in. "Talk slower so I can understand you!" Naisumi giggled at her words and smiled once more at Solis.
"Not now you two. This is long distance you know…"
"That's no big deal! Subby-kun is paying for it!" It was now Sorata whom had managed to get the phone back. Behind him he heard a low growl that she assumed was Subaru him self.
"Sora-kun, is Subaru-kun there?" That's when he broke down in laughter and dropped the phone. "Oi… Mataku…"
"Mushi mushi?" The bewildered voice of Kamui was back that contained a small edge of annoyance. "What's wrong with that messed up monk now?"
She heard a two tiny giggles and knew instantly that they belonged to Karen and Yuzuriha. "Kamui-kun… what made you all decide to get together and watch my performance."
Suddenly Sadira lit up. "Huh? Is that that cute guy in the picture with black hair and indigo colored eyes? He watched us perform?"
Solis sighed as Naisumi attempted to calm Sadira down gently by patting her on the shoulder. "There, there, Dira-chan…"
"Ano… it was Subaru-san's idea. Though… I think he regrets it." Kamui went silent for a while then spoke up again somewhat timidly. "Lis-chan… When are you coming back to Tokyo? We miss you…"
Solis allowed her small smile to fall slightly at his words. "Kamui-kun… I don't know. I… I can't seem to forget all of the pain…"
"So… that's why you left…" The voice was different. It was painfully different.
"Subaru-san…" The unsure change in her voice brought sad expression to her friends' faces.
"Aa… Daijoubu?" His soft voice seemed to ring in her ears bringing up the almost forgotten feelings in her heart.
"Hai… Daijoubu… Did you miss me?" Her voice quivered slightly as Naisumi hugged her tightly and gave her the look that promised everything would be ok.
There was a momentary pause before he replied in a soft tone so the others with him wouldn't notice. "Mochiron… how about you?"
"Hai, totemo." Solis sighed once more and closed her eyes tightly wishing that she didn't have to talk to him like this. I missed you more than you will ever know…
"When do you plan to come home?"
Home… Funny he should ask… Slumping in misery she never opened her eyes. It's my fault… He still blames me… I can hear it in his voice. "Do you really want me home? We have one more concert in London, then we are going to stop and see how things go from there." Why did I just say that? As much as I miss everyone… I don't want to see him again. Not yet… not until…
"Mochiron chibi…" She could almost see him smile and wait for her automatic reply.
"Chibi ja nai!" Huffing out in frustration she crossed her arms ignoring the laughter behind her. "You two be quiet!"
"Hm, both your English and Japanese are rather lacking." This really made her fume as she stomped her foot.
"Sumeragi-san! I don't have to put up with this! I'm eighteen years old and VERY capable of taking care of myself!"
The long pause after her words finally made her realize what her words could have done to him. "Sou da na… Gomen ne." she heard him sigh softly and then nothing more.
"Subaru-kun! Gom—"
"Iie… Kamui desu."
"Ee…"
"Don't worry… I'll talk to him. So are you really going to come back to see us?" The small hope in his voice levied the pain slightly and she found that she couldn't tell him no.
"Hai. I'll come home in two weeks. Could… you enroll me in a small school somewhere? Subaru-san should have my papers and information."
"Mochiron! As long as you plan on coming to stay for a while I'll do it!" There was a lift in his mood and she was thankful for it.
"Arigauto Kamui-kun. I'll call you later ok? Tell everyone thanks for me and that I'll see them soon."
"Hai! Ja ne!" The bounce in his voice finally took all of the weight off her shoulders and she smiled.
"Ja ne Kamui-kun." There was a soft click and then silence. After setting the receiver down lightly she continued to smile. "Kamui-kun is really so much nicer now…"
Sadira tilted her head to the side curiously. "Kamui? He wasn't nice before? He seems so nice on the rare occasions that he calls."
Naisumi nodded slowly. "That he does. So does that Sorata fellow. Who is this Subaru that you were talking to? Sora-kun has told me before that all the calls are on Sumeragi-san's phone bills. Would they be one and the same?"
Suddenly the sadness hit her again like a ton of bricks. Subaru-chan… /"How could you!" / I didn't mean to let her die… "Hai… Sumeragi Subaru is the thirteenth leader of the Sumeragi clan. I was raised in his family…"
"I see! That makes more sense now! Why don't you ever talk about him? We always hear stories about Kamui, Yuzuriha, Sorata, and some other people, but you never mention Subaru." Sadira blinked a few times while studying the blank expression on Solis' face.
"Well, he's not someone I like to remember…"
Naisumi took an angry look and frowned at her. "Did he hurt you?"
"No Nai-chan… He didn't. We've just been… through a lot."
Naisumi sighed softly and shook her head. "He wouldn't happen to be the one you write all of your songs about, would he?"
Shock filled her eyes as she nodded her head. "Yes… Also my stage wardrobe consists mainly of things that he let me have from when he was in high school…"
Sadira nearly fell from her chair at her words. "No way! Those clothes are tailored to your form nearly perfectly… He wore stuff like that?"
Solis watched her and choked back her laughter. "Yes. He did…" For a moment she almost started to tell them why, but decided against it. Hokuto-chan… Maybe you're the real reason I wear these clothes… You always said I had sorry taste… I just don't want to let the memory of you in my heart to disappear.
"Aw, that's so cute. Lissy, are you really going to go stay in Japan?" Naisumi looked at her with wide dark eyes waiting for her answer.
"Hai… I promised I would. Would you guys like to come along? I assume Subaru wants me to stay with him… so there will be plenty of room to spare."
"Huh… is he rich or something?" Sadira's eyes went extremely wide.
Laughing she couldn't help but nod. "Very rich."
"Yeah! Let's do it! Tokyo here we come!" Sadira bounded about the room happily chanting out her happiness in a singsong voice.
Naisumi and Solis looked at one another and smiled before heading toward their rooms leaving an unknowing Sadira. It seems I have to face you sooner than I had planned… "By the way Lissy-chan! Why do you wear those clothes on stage? Shouldn't you wear something more flashy and noticeable?"
Blinking, she looked back at Naisumi's curious expression and thought about her answer. "Because I want to depict that not all stars have to dress in little or nothing to be popular. Also… its so I won't forget someone…"
Naisumi smiled and nodded before ducking into her room muttering soft words. "You really are a good kid Genki. You really truly are."
~*~
p TBC…
