Picking Up The Pieces
By: Angela Timchuk and Karen McVicker
(A.K.A. Makino & deDanaan)
Chapter Four
Breaking Point
Tsukasa entered the study to meet his guests. He pushed open the large oak doors and felt something tugging at the leg of his pants. He looked down to be greeted by a small face beaming up at him.
Tsukasa knelt down so he could be face to face with the toddler. "Konnichi- wa, Eumi-chan!"
"Nich-wa." Came her reply. Hanazawa Eumi was a pretty little thing with a ready smile and hysterical giggle threatening to erupt at any given time who loved to get into mischief. She looked like a miniature version of her mother, but with Rui's eyes.
Tsukasa smiled as he picked Eumi up, and walked over to where her parents were sitting on a long sofa. "She's growing up fast, isn't she? It's hard to believe she's gonna be two." Tsukasa said, before handing her into her mother's arms. The little girl hugged her mother's neck delightedly, babbling half sentences that only her parents understood.
"Poor Tsukushi, she must be a wreck." Shigeru sighed as she thought of her friend. Although they hadn't stayed in contact over the years she often frequented her thoughts, the most recent being when she had seen their wedding announcement in the paper.
"How did it happen?" she added.
"The details are still sketchy but from what I understand, it was a serious car accident. She was the one who identified him." Tsukasa's expression was very solemn. Shigeru looked up at Rui as he wrapped an arm around her waist. She leaned her head on his shoulder, still clutching their daughter.
"I don't know what I'd do if I ever lost you! I can't even imagine what she's going through."
"I don't suppose any of us can." He replied.
"Tsukasa, can I go see her?" she asked. He nodded.
"She's asleep right now, so try not to wake her."
Shigeru passed Eumi to her father, stood up, and left the room. As she made her way down the hall, she bumped into Soujirou and Yuuki.
"Shigeru?" Yuuki was stunned to see her. She still looked like the same old Shigeru, except her hair now swept her shoulders.
"Yuuki, I'm so glad to see you!" Yuuki was taken aback by the sudden outpouring of affection--Shigeru, hyper as always, was hugging her to the point of suffocation. "I just wish it could have been under different circumstances." Shigeru released her grip on Yuuki.
"Me too." Yuuki replied.
Shigeru acknowledged Soujirou and told him where the guys were. He handed Yuuki the suitcase and walked off in the direction Shigeru had come from. They watched him leave and continued on to the room where Tsukushi was asleep. They were surprised to find a young maid, holding folded sheets in her arms, standing sentry at the door. "You can go now, we'll take care of her." Shigeru smiled as she dismissed her. The maid staggered off gratefully to finish putting away the linens.
**********
Rui and Tsukasa were talking quietly on the sofa while Eumi stood behind them giggling, pulling at the curly springs on Tsukasa's head. Tsukasa just smiled. There was probably no one else in the world who could get away with what the little girl was doing. They looked up as the door swung open quickly and Soujirou came into the study. Without lifting his head to acknowledge them, he strode past them.
"How did things go? Did she get everything?" Tsukasa queried.
"Yeah, I think so."
Soujirou walked over to the desk where a crystal decanter stood and quickly splashed the contents into a nearby glass. Raising it to his lips he gulped long and hard, before gasping at the strength of the whiskey as it burned its way down his throat. "It was weird there…being in a dead guy's place… with all those pictures of a person I've never met staring at me." He slammed the glass down on the desk and went on, "You know what it was like? It was like being in a fuc…err...damn shrine." He corrected his language when he caught sight of the youngster in the room. Tsukasa and Rui looked at each other. Soujirou was intense. They rarely saw him like this. He was always the cool and collected playboy, always the joker. A little smirk danced across his face as he spoke. "Her life has really changed from when we knew her back in the Eitoku days. Did either of you know she lives in an upscale building for young professionals in downtown Shinjuku?" He leaned back on the desk, gripping the corners before continuing. "She entered the corporate world, and is quite successful too from what Yuuki has told me. She's an attorney…or maybe that's a legal aide--I can't remember which right now--for one of the biggest law firms in Tokyo…..I guess she always has had a talent for arguing." He lapsed into silence again, turning to eye the decanter behind him on the desk. As he poured himself another whiskey, he told them what he had found out about Takahiro Yuusuke. "Her fiancé was a well liked and highly respected pediatrician. He worked at a renowned clinic that specializes in childhood diseases." He watched their reactions as he filled in even more details.
"According to Yuuki, they were getting married at Cherry Blossom Time and were eagerly anticipating starting a family." He noted the frown quickly appear and almost as quickly disappear on Tsukasa's brow at his last comment.
**********
Akira had let himself into the mansion. It seemed pretty quiet and he wondered where everyone was. He stood in the foyer next to the door, thinking for a few moments about the whole unpleasant situation. Suddenly he was surprised by a painful blow to the back of his head. "What was that?" he winced as he raised a hand to rub the back of his skull and turned around to see bags being flung through the door. He narrowly avoided another that flew in his direction. Now he knew what had hit him.
"Why the hell don't you watch what you're doing?" he yelled angrily through the open door. Before he knew what was going on he was lying flat on his back, seeing stars. He moaned in agony as he took his hand from the back of his head and used it to soothe his throbbing jaw. He tasted blood.
"Watch your mouth, boy, or I'll punch you again." He looked up, astonished to find his assailant was none other than Doumyouji Tsubaki.
"Nee-chan, you're home!" He exclaimed, running his tongue along the inside of his cheek to test the damage she'd done.
"Yes, I'm home, and you'd better learn some manners while you're at it!" She stretched down and helped him to his feet.
"What's with all the bloody bags?" Akira asked, still clutching his jaw-- waggling it back and forth, making sure it wasn't broken.
"I'm moving back here, not that it's any of your business." Akira backed off his line of questioning when she started cracking her knuckles. "Now, where's my brother?"
"I'm not sure, I just got here myself."
"TSUKASAAAA!!!!!"
"Sshh!!!" Akira hissed as he quickly covered her mouth with the palm of his hand, dragged her into the dining room and kicked the door shut behind them.
"OWW!!!! Don't bite me!" He pulled his hand away from her mouth shaking and flexing it. That was twice now in five minutes she'd inflicted an injury on him. "Shit woman! Is this what you did to Tsukasa over the years? No wonder he was so violent." She glared at him. Akira backed up laughing, covering his face with his hands to avoid being hit again.
"Why did you drag me in here? This isn't any way to treat a lady." Tsubaki scowled as she began straightening her clothes following their scuffle.
"Lady?" Akira thought to himself. "Listen, nee-chan, a lot has happened since yesterday. Sit down at the table and I'll tell you everything." Akira pulled a chair out for her and took the seat facing her. He cleared his throat, "Tsukasa received a phone call yesterday…."
**********
Tsukushi was sitting at the bottom of the shower cradling her legs in her arms, her tears melting into the spray of water streaming from the showerhead as she stared up at it. No matter how hard she tried not to, she kept replaying that scene over and over in her mind.
"Makino Tsukushi?"
"Hai."
"Please follow me." Yuuki helped her up from where they'd been sitting in the waiting area. As they followed the coroner she entwined her hand with Tsukushi, trying to give her strength. This would be the hardest thing her friend would ever face.. He stopped outside a door.
Tsukushi's breathing became labored as she read the sign--MORGUE.
"Are you sure you're up to this, Tsukushi? I can do it if you're not strong enough."
"No, I have to do this, I need to know for myself if it's really him." She released Yuuki's hand and slid past the coroner as he held the door open for them.
Her breath was suddenly visible as she felt the temperature drop. "I…It's so cold in here." She felt the gooseflesh rise all over her body
"Tsukushi, you're shaking."
The coroner walked up to the wall lined with small metal doors. He placed his hand on the handle of one and paused, looking at her before pulling it open. She nodded. As the drawer rolled out, Tsukushi's ears were deafened by the horrid noise it made. Time stood still for her. She knew someone was talking to her but she couldn't understand it, everything was garbled. What were they saying? Yuuki put her hand on her friend's shoulder to steady her when she noticed her swaying back and forth. Tsukushi snapped out of it when she felt her touch. She took in a deep breath and nodded to the coroner to signify that she was ready. At least that's what she'd thought.. The coroner slowly lifted back the bloodstained shroud.
"Tsukushi!" Yuuki cried, anguished.
Tsukushi couldn't move. She stood, rooted to the spot, horrified. Her fears had been confirmed. It was him, it was her beloved Yuusuke.
"Oh, Yuusuke," she had said as her fingers caressed his cheek. She traced her hand along his brow and smoothed his hair. She stood there transfixed on his face for what seemed an eternity. He was smiling. How was that? He looked like he was sleeping. She kissed her fingers and touched them to his lips. They were cool to her touch and she noted they were purple…he must be getting cold. Without realizing, she reached down and grabbed the corner of the shroud, and started to pull on it when she felt a hand firmly grip her arm.
"Makino-san", the coroner warned, "I don't think you need to see that." His words had been the breaking point.
"DON'T TOUCH ME! GET YOUR HANDS OFF ME!"
**********
"Oh my God, where is she?" Yuuki was frantic as she threw back the duvet hoping to find Tsukushi underneath.
"Look!" Shigeru pointed. "The bathroom door is ajar and the light's on, she's probably in there."
Yuuki dashed over to the door and tapped it. "Tsukushi, can I come in? I brought your things." She called out. There was no reply.
"Tsukushi! Tsukushi!" Still nothing. They listened for a second and heard the hissing sound of water running in the shower. Yuuki swung the door wide open and they were overcome with steam.
"How long has she been in here?" Shigeru asked. "Tsukushi?" she called. Still no answer.
Yuuki opened the frosted glass shower door to find Tsukushi collapsed on the tiles. As she twisted off the tap, cutting off the flow of water, she turned to the woman with her. "Oh God, Shigeru, help me lift her out."
Tsukushi was oblivious to her surroundings, she hadn't heard them enter as her mind kept replaying things over and over.
Shigeru and Yuuki knelt down to lift Tsukushi up. As they reached out and grabbed her upper arms she suddenly sprang to life. "DON'T TOUCH ME! GET YOUR HANDS OFF ME!" She began screaming at the top of her lungs. She was fighting to free herself from their grasp. "YUUSUKE! YUUSUKE!" she cried shrilly, her voice breaking She was like a madwoman and they struggled to hold onto her but her skin was slick, still wet from the shower. Tsukushi stumbled out of their grasp and landed on the bed. Before they could act she was off the bed and raging, lunging around the room, sweeping everything off the tables and shelves onto the floor. The two witnesses stood stunned for a second..
"YUUSUKEEE!!!!!!" she cried, beginning to sob hysterically.
"Tsukushi! Tsukushi! It's me, it's Yuuki. Come one, snap out of it!" Yuuki began to cry herself. "Onegai, Tsukushi!"
THWACK!!! Tsukushi stopped struggling. Shigeru looked down at the hand she had slapped her friend with. She too was crying.
"Shigeru!!!" Yuuki's tone was chiding.
"Gomen nasai, gomen nasai, I didn't mean to….I didn't know what else to do to snap her out of it."
"It's okay, Yuuki." They looked up as they heard Tsukushi whisper. "I think I needed that. Thank you Shigeru." Shigeru reached for the robe that was hung on the back of the bathroom door and wrapped it around the shoulders of a now complacent Tsukushi. They walked her over to the bed, sat her down, and cried with her.
By: Angela Timchuk and Karen McVicker
(A.K.A. Makino & deDanaan)
Chapter Four
Breaking Point
Tsukasa entered the study to meet his guests. He pushed open the large oak doors and felt something tugging at the leg of his pants. He looked down to be greeted by a small face beaming up at him.
Tsukasa knelt down so he could be face to face with the toddler. "Konnichi- wa, Eumi-chan!"
"Nich-wa." Came her reply. Hanazawa Eumi was a pretty little thing with a ready smile and hysterical giggle threatening to erupt at any given time who loved to get into mischief. She looked like a miniature version of her mother, but with Rui's eyes.
Tsukasa smiled as he picked Eumi up, and walked over to where her parents were sitting on a long sofa. "She's growing up fast, isn't she? It's hard to believe she's gonna be two." Tsukasa said, before handing her into her mother's arms. The little girl hugged her mother's neck delightedly, babbling half sentences that only her parents understood.
"Poor Tsukushi, she must be a wreck." Shigeru sighed as she thought of her friend. Although they hadn't stayed in contact over the years she often frequented her thoughts, the most recent being when she had seen their wedding announcement in the paper.
"How did it happen?" she added.
"The details are still sketchy but from what I understand, it was a serious car accident. She was the one who identified him." Tsukasa's expression was very solemn. Shigeru looked up at Rui as he wrapped an arm around her waist. She leaned her head on his shoulder, still clutching their daughter.
"I don't know what I'd do if I ever lost you! I can't even imagine what she's going through."
"I don't suppose any of us can." He replied.
"Tsukasa, can I go see her?" she asked. He nodded.
"She's asleep right now, so try not to wake her."
Shigeru passed Eumi to her father, stood up, and left the room. As she made her way down the hall, she bumped into Soujirou and Yuuki.
"Shigeru?" Yuuki was stunned to see her. She still looked like the same old Shigeru, except her hair now swept her shoulders.
"Yuuki, I'm so glad to see you!" Yuuki was taken aback by the sudden outpouring of affection--Shigeru, hyper as always, was hugging her to the point of suffocation. "I just wish it could have been under different circumstances." Shigeru released her grip on Yuuki.
"Me too." Yuuki replied.
Shigeru acknowledged Soujirou and told him where the guys were. He handed Yuuki the suitcase and walked off in the direction Shigeru had come from. They watched him leave and continued on to the room where Tsukushi was asleep. They were surprised to find a young maid, holding folded sheets in her arms, standing sentry at the door. "You can go now, we'll take care of her." Shigeru smiled as she dismissed her. The maid staggered off gratefully to finish putting away the linens.
**********
Rui and Tsukasa were talking quietly on the sofa while Eumi stood behind them giggling, pulling at the curly springs on Tsukasa's head. Tsukasa just smiled. There was probably no one else in the world who could get away with what the little girl was doing. They looked up as the door swung open quickly and Soujirou came into the study. Without lifting his head to acknowledge them, he strode past them.
"How did things go? Did she get everything?" Tsukasa queried.
"Yeah, I think so."
Soujirou walked over to the desk where a crystal decanter stood and quickly splashed the contents into a nearby glass. Raising it to his lips he gulped long and hard, before gasping at the strength of the whiskey as it burned its way down his throat. "It was weird there…being in a dead guy's place… with all those pictures of a person I've never met staring at me." He slammed the glass down on the desk and went on, "You know what it was like? It was like being in a fuc…err...damn shrine." He corrected his language when he caught sight of the youngster in the room. Tsukasa and Rui looked at each other. Soujirou was intense. They rarely saw him like this. He was always the cool and collected playboy, always the joker. A little smirk danced across his face as he spoke. "Her life has really changed from when we knew her back in the Eitoku days. Did either of you know she lives in an upscale building for young professionals in downtown Shinjuku?" He leaned back on the desk, gripping the corners before continuing. "She entered the corporate world, and is quite successful too from what Yuuki has told me. She's an attorney…or maybe that's a legal aide--I can't remember which right now--for one of the biggest law firms in Tokyo…..I guess she always has had a talent for arguing." He lapsed into silence again, turning to eye the decanter behind him on the desk. As he poured himself another whiskey, he told them what he had found out about Takahiro Yuusuke. "Her fiancé was a well liked and highly respected pediatrician. He worked at a renowned clinic that specializes in childhood diseases." He watched their reactions as he filled in even more details.
"According to Yuuki, they were getting married at Cherry Blossom Time and were eagerly anticipating starting a family." He noted the frown quickly appear and almost as quickly disappear on Tsukasa's brow at his last comment.
**********
Akira had let himself into the mansion. It seemed pretty quiet and he wondered where everyone was. He stood in the foyer next to the door, thinking for a few moments about the whole unpleasant situation. Suddenly he was surprised by a painful blow to the back of his head. "What was that?" he winced as he raised a hand to rub the back of his skull and turned around to see bags being flung through the door. He narrowly avoided another that flew in his direction. Now he knew what had hit him.
"Why the hell don't you watch what you're doing?" he yelled angrily through the open door. Before he knew what was going on he was lying flat on his back, seeing stars. He moaned in agony as he took his hand from the back of his head and used it to soothe his throbbing jaw. He tasted blood.
"Watch your mouth, boy, or I'll punch you again." He looked up, astonished to find his assailant was none other than Doumyouji Tsubaki.
"Nee-chan, you're home!" He exclaimed, running his tongue along the inside of his cheek to test the damage she'd done.
"Yes, I'm home, and you'd better learn some manners while you're at it!" She stretched down and helped him to his feet.
"What's with all the bloody bags?" Akira asked, still clutching his jaw-- waggling it back and forth, making sure it wasn't broken.
"I'm moving back here, not that it's any of your business." Akira backed off his line of questioning when she started cracking her knuckles. "Now, where's my brother?"
"I'm not sure, I just got here myself."
"TSUKASAAAA!!!!!"
"Sshh!!!" Akira hissed as he quickly covered her mouth with the palm of his hand, dragged her into the dining room and kicked the door shut behind them.
"OWW!!!! Don't bite me!" He pulled his hand away from her mouth shaking and flexing it. That was twice now in five minutes she'd inflicted an injury on him. "Shit woman! Is this what you did to Tsukasa over the years? No wonder he was so violent." She glared at him. Akira backed up laughing, covering his face with his hands to avoid being hit again.
"Why did you drag me in here? This isn't any way to treat a lady." Tsubaki scowled as she began straightening her clothes following their scuffle.
"Lady?" Akira thought to himself. "Listen, nee-chan, a lot has happened since yesterday. Sit down at the table and I'll tell you everything." Akira pulled a chair out for her and took the seat facing her. He cleared his throat, "Tsukasa received a phone call yesterday…."
**********
Tsukushi was sitting at the bottom of the shower cradling her legs in her arms, her tears melting into the spray of water streaming from the showerhead as she stared up at it. No matter how hard she tried not to, she kept replaying that scene over and over in her mind.
"Makino Tsukushi?"
"Hai."
"Please follow me." Yuuki helped her up from where they'd been sitting in the waiting area. As they followed the coroner she entwined her hand with Tsukushi, trying to give her strength. This would be the hardest thing her friend would ever face.. He stopped outside a door.
Tsukushi's breathing became labored as she read the sign--MORGUE.
"Are you sure you're up to this, Tsukushi? I can do it if you're not strong enough."
"No, I have to do this, I need to know for myself if it's really him." She released Yuuki's hand and slid past the coroner as he held the door open for them.
Her breath was suddenly visible as she felt the temperature drop. "I…It's so cold in here." She felt the gooseflesh rise all over her body
"Tsukushi, you're shaking."
The coroner walked up to the wall lined with small metal doors. He placed his hand on the handle of one and paused, looking at her before pulling it open. She nodded. As the drawer rolled out, Tsukushi's ears were deafened by the horrid noise it made. Time stood still for her. She knew someone was talking to her but she couldn't understand it, everything was garbled. What were they saying? Yuuki put her hand on her friend's shoulder to steady her when she noticed her swaying back and forth. Tsukushi snapped out of it when she felt her touch. She took in a deep breath and nodded to the coroner to signify that she was ready. At least that's what she'd thought.. The coroner slowly lifted back the bloodstained shroud.
"Tsukushi!" Yuuki cried, anguished.
Tsukushi couldn't move. She stood, rooted to the spot, horrified. Her fears had been confirmed. It was him, it was her beloved Yuusuke.
"Oh, Yuusuke," she had said as her fingers caressed his cheek. She traced her hand along his brow and smoothed his hair. She stood there transfixed on his face for what seemed an eternity. He was smiling. How was that? He looked like he was sleeping. She kissed her fingers and touched them to his lips. They were cool to her touch and she noted they were purple…he must be getting cold. Without realizing, she reached down and grabbed the corner of the shroud, and started to pull on it when she felt a hand firmly grip her arm.
"Makino-san", the coroner warned, "I don't think you need to see that." His words had been the breaking point.
"DON'T TOUCH ME! GET YOUR HANDS OFF ME!"
**********
"Oh my God, where is she?" Yuuki was frantic as she threw back the duvet hoping to find Tsukushi underneath.
"Look!" Shigeru pointed. "The bathroom door is ajar and the light's on, she's probably in there."
Yuuki dashed over to the door and tapped it. "Tsukushi, can I come in? I brought your things." She called out. There was no reply.
"Tsukushi! Tsukushi!" Still nothing. They listened for a second and heard the hissing sound of water running in the shower. Yuuki swung the door wide open and they were overcome with steam.
"How long has she been in here?" Shigeru asked. "Tsukushi?" she called. Still no answer.
Yuuki opened the frosted glass shower door to find Tsukushi collapsed on the tiles. As she twisted off the tap, cutting off the flow of water, she turned to the woman with her. "Oh God, Shigeru, help me lift her out."
Tsukushi was oblivious to her surroundings, she hadn't heard them enter as her mind kept replaying things over and over.
Shigeru and Yuuki knelt down to lift Tsukushi up. As they reached out and grabbed her upper arms she suddenly sprang to life. "DON'T TOUCH ME! GET YOUR HANDS OFF ME!" She began screaming at the top of her lungs. She was fighting to free herself from their grasp. "YUUSUKE! YUUSUKE!" she cried shrilly, her voice breaking She was like a madwoman and they struggled to hold onto her but her skin was slick, still wet from the shower. Tsukushi stumbled out of their grasp and landed on the bed. Before they could act she was off the bed and raging, lunging around the room, sweeping everything off the tables and shelves onto the floor. The two witnesses stood stunned for a second..
"YUUSUKEEE!!!!!!" she cried, beginning to sob hysterically.
"Tsukushi! Tsukushi! It's me, it's Yuuki. Come one, snap out of it!" Yuuki began to cry herself. "Onegai, Tsukushi!"
THWACK!!! Tsukushi stopped struggling. Shigeru looked down at the hand she had slapped her friend with. She too was crying.
"Shigeru!!!" Yuuki's tone was chiding.
"Gomen nasai, gomen nasai, I didn't mean to….I didn't know what else to do to snap her out of it."
"It's okay, Yuuki." They looked up as they heard Tsukushi whisper. "I think I needed that. Thank you Shigeru." Shigeru reached for the robe that was hung on the back of the bathroom door and wrapped it around the shoulders of a now complacent Tsukushi. They walked her over to the bed, sat her down, and cried with her.
