Disclaimer: I do not own any of the SM/WK/RK characters though if I did, I could think of a few bishies that I'd be claiming for my own. *sweatdrops* Wait a second, I did. *grins*
Tenshi's Notes: Very short note this time, and I have this much to say, the *ONLY* reason why I'm still posting and continuing despite the lack of reviews is for P-chan and Angel-chan. This chapter goes out to the both of them, and to P-chan especially for writing THE funniest reviews *giggles* (not to mention longest) and Angel-chan for always being so supportive. A big thanks also goes out to Au-chan for constantly reviewing. These guys know *NOTHING* about WK yet they support me! *sniffles* Waah! Anyway, that's it really. This fic won't make sense for a while to come… in the meantime, I will taunt you with anticipation and plot twists, though there isn't really that much in this chapter. Ja!
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Chapter 6
Despite the noises that flooded the room about her, Usagi was strangely oblivious to it all. She sat there, detached from her emotions that she wanted to fling away from herself so badly. And yet, it always kept coming back to her.
"One of the best things about you, Usagi… is that your emotions are always on the surface for everyone to see. With everything that you do, everything that you feel is reflected in it."
Was that necessarily a good thing? Toki-nii had certainly thought so when she had asked him that question. Had it been such a long time ago when she was still that innocent girl? Iie. Innocence… not her, though she knew that something about her appearance always suggested that. She had never been innocent. She had always burned with the furies of hell in her soul.
It always appeared as if she was doomed to eternal solitude, for each person that she allowed herself to care for would always leave or betray her in some way. Death was the ultimate betrayal. They left her alone in the cruel world, with no way to fend for herself. She cursed the fates for allowing her to be born. She was a light that should've been snuffed out the moment she had been created.
How was it that she knew no joy in this world? She had tasted it briefly, enjoying the sharp, exhilarating taste that lingered on her lips even to this day. Toki-nii was her happiness, her world. A strange twist of fate had bound them together. Her mother had been pregnant with her when she had met Motoki's father. Kenji Tsukino was a kind man, and had always treated her as if she were a child of his own flesh and blood. She nearly laughed when she had found out the truth in an ugly argument between Kenji and her mother. Were their paths always that intertwined?
Motoki had consoled his sister as best as he could. He had been only fifteen at the time, just entering the first blossoms of youth. He had never been able to capture those lost years, especially after what happened next. Their parents had been brutally murdered in their house, and it had been her innocent eyes that had set upon their bloodied bodies. Deep slashes coated it everywhere, as if their attacker had descended upon them in a frenzy. However, their bodies had been arranged carefully in death, almost thoughtfully. Yet she had never noticed the details. All she remembered was the blood red moon that hung overhead, and the warm, sticky blood that matted her fingers.
He had found her crying incoherently, her clothes saturated with blood as she buried her face next to their faces, begging them to wake up. Her golden blond hair that was once sunlight was presently dripping with red. She had been inconsolable. She had fallen into a private hell that she hadn't known existed, had been too young to know about. Her mind teetering on the edge of insanity for having witnessed such cruelty at such a young age, it was her Toki-nii who had brought her back into this world. It was him. It had always been him.
Her hero worship of him in later years never failed to bring a smile upon her face. Even as he begun his career, she would tag along, a quiet little girl by his side, infinitely enchanting even as a child. He never minded. He never complained about the burden that had been thrust upon him, or the lost years of his life. They had always had each other.
She closed her eyes, blinking away remnants of emotions that still clung to the back of her throat.
"Usagi-san? Usagi-san?"
She turned her head slowly to meet a pair of blue eyes. Him. He was so sweet and kind to her. When she had first transferred over nearly six months ago, he had been the first one to approach her. While she wasn't naturally shy, time and experience had brought out her reserved nature, and her hesitancy in forming new friendships. Moving around as much as she had certainly wasn't conducive to attempting to have relationships with anyone.
"Hai, Omi-kun?"
"Are you okay? You look so sad… so lost."
How well he knew her. Only one other person had been able to read her that well, and he was gone now. He would never see the light of day again. She felt oddly like Motoki at the moment as the dark mists hovered, waiting to descend upon its latest prey. Then again, she wasn't really a prey. She had already been consumed by those mists a long time ago.
She offered him a sad smile, not really knowing what to say. How was she supposed to just blurt out about the hells that she had lived through all her life? Just as she thought this, she thought she caught a glimpse of something in his eyes right before he blinked them away. Her heightened senses told her that he was like her. Burned by something they were powerless to control. She had felt the same from his three co-workers.
Flames. Would all there was left of them be ashes? Or would a phoenix emerge from the fiery depths?
"Daijoubu, Omi-kun."
Would she really be okay? The doubt on her face was reflected in his eyes and she almost found herself smiling.
"Come Omi-kun."
"Where are we going?"
This time, the grin on her face wasn't faked.
"You'll find out when we get there. Let's go."
Her hand reached out for his, and she dragged him off, leaving the classroom with more than a dozen of their classmates just staring at them. Not to mention the teacher who stood there fuming while slapping detention slips in his other hand.
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The wind whipped through their hair as she gave him a smile that nearly sent him flying off the seat.
"Usagi-san, I didn't know you rode!" he yelled over the roar of the motorcyle threatened to drown him out.
She revved up the engine and overtook a car easily as they sped through the streets of the downtown core, just two teenagers playing truant for the day. Pulling up to a tall glass building, she parked the bike, and unwillingly, his hands released her waist.
Clad in dark blue jeans that hugged her slim legs, along with a black biker's jacket, Usagi removed the constricting helmet and Omi watched helplessly as her golden hair tumbled forth, released from the confining prison it had been in, twinkling in the sunshine. She was definitely what Yohji would call delectable and he felt a flush spread across his cheeks for even thinking of her that way. She quirked a perfect brow at him in curiosity as he just sat there on the bike staring at her.
"There something wrong, Omi-kun?"
"Nanimono!" he blurted out as he practically leapt off the bike. She only shook her head and grinned.
He was struck by the glass skyscraper that stood in front of him. Sparkling and shiny, it glimmered much like a diamond caught in the light would.
"It's beautiful, ne? Sometimes when I want to think, I just go to the top."
"The top??"
She giggled as she grabbed his hand once again. "You're missing the best part, my friend."
"Matte, matte Usagi-san. Don't we need security passes?"
She only raised her eyebrow at him with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Never stopped me before."
The only thing Usagi neglected to mention to Omi was that it was very tough to stop the owner of the building from doing whatever she wanted to.
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Right here, right now, at this very moment, life was very strange. He sat thoughtfully on the patio, sipping his coffee reflectively. The stream of women passing by held no interest for him for a change. Leaning back against his chair, he allowed the sun's beams to warm his face, although he wished it could somehow give life back to him instead.
"Yohji-san?"
Kuso. Not another female, although this one sounded appealing at least. Her voice was slightly throaty as if she had just been doing something exerting. He dipped his head, slowly lowering his glasses as he took in disheveled blonde waves and a pair of blue eyes he could never forget. Today must be his lucky day indeed.
Calling upon years of ingrained behaviour, he stood up, towering over her as he did so.
"Usagi," he greeted, offering her a grin. "Just the person I had been dreaming about seeing."
He took in the rest of her in the black leather jacket, and dark jeans that curved against her figure most wonderfully. He was fairly certain his eyes were shining in appreciation.
"You've started already? It's not even lunch time yet," she remarked, her chin tilted up, eyes twinkling in amusement.
"Of course, I'd be honoured if you would join me for my meal. Or perhaps you would prefer to do something else more… private?"
Her laughter tinkled, hanging in the air, drawing the attention of the various patrons upon her. What a beguiling creature she was, a maddening contradiction of flirtatiousness, shyness, mystery and pain. There was something about her that most men found absolutely irresistible and he could honestly appreciate the vision that stood in front of him.
"Ano, are you going to let me stand here or will you be a gentleman and get my chair for me?"
He was momentarily taken aback before chuckling and proceeding to do so.
"Of course. Where are my manners?"
Settling back down on his seat, he watched as she gave her orders to the waiter. Leaning forward, chin resting on his hands, he relished every second he had to observe her. Something was bothering her, something he couldn't quite put his finger upon. For all her flirty ways and smiles, it didn't quite seem to reach her eyes. But for once, the playboy was speechless as to how to approach a woman. Concern filled him, and the emotion unnerved him a little. He hadn't cared about another woman in so long. Through carefully hooded eyes, he scrutinized her intently, and was surprised to find a helmet next to her seat. When had she put that there?
"You ride?"
She nodded, flashing pearly whites at him.
"Hai, it relaxes me."
It should come as no surprise. This was the same woman who was in the kendo club while excelling in school and sports. Was she anything less than perfection?
"Ken rides too you know."
She nodded before glancing at the people passing by.
"Hai, we're going riding tonight."
HELL. How had that punk managed such a feat? Something in his expression must've given away his feelings for she had raised her brow quizzically. He wasn't too sure how he felt about his fellow assassin having beat him to the punch. Didn't Ken realize that HE was the ladies' man??? He felt like an animal who had just had his territory trampled upon.
"Daijoubu, Yohji-san?"
"You know, Usagi, I'm going to insist that you either call meYohji or sweetheart. But, you can call me anything you want."
"Don't you give up?" she asked with a small grin.
"Iie. I'll give you a break over lunch though."
"Doomo arigatoo, Kami-sama," she said in mock prayer, making him laugh once again.
"Shouldn't you be in school?" he inquired, remembering the time.
"I would've left for the whole day, demo I had to drop Omi-kun off at school. No need to get us both in trouble for something of my doing."
OMI?! Now that kid was getting to her even before any of his elders did?? Wasn't he supposed to show some sort of respect and allow them first dibs? No wait, now he was being ridiculous. He didn't need any favours done for him. If he had wanted to ask her out, he would've. The question remained… why hadn't he? It was unlike him to let such a beauty cross his path and allow her to be unscathed. Was it because she was special? Or because she mattered too much for him to put her through the usual bullshit charm he gave to any woman?
"Yohji-kun, I think you're thinking harder than I am." Her eyes took on a serious look as she propped her head upon her hands as well.
Her eyes. They drew you in, and made you reveal all your secrets before you drowned in them. Like the owner, they were haunting and beautiful, the blue depths accepting nothing but truths from whoever happened to be in front of her. He was the unfortunate recipient of such a gaze. He shifted uncomfortably, unused to change in mood.
Thankfully, interruption came in the way of the waiter bringing their meals. His jaw nearly fell as he watched the big plate of food deposited in front of her.
"You sure about that, Usagi?"
She blinked, the look gone from her eyes, he noted in relief. Picking up her hamburger and offering him an impish grin, she quipped, "This is just the warm up."
Oh my.
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Deciding to leave her bike not too far away from the flower shop after giving Yohji a lift there (his squeals were still ringing in her ears after she had accelerated suddenly), Usagi strolled down the streets with no particular destination in mind. The sounds of passer-bys seemed to dissolve into nothingness and she felt a dim sensation of awareness. She slowed down deliberately, pausing in front of a store, pretending to admire something in the window. Taking the opportunity, she used the window to guage her surroundings and find out who her little spy was. She knew for a fact it wasn't any of the guys, but as she closed her eyes to allow herself to fully explore the strange sensation, it tingled slightly before disappearing completely.
Eyes flying open, she cursed under her breath. That person must've NOT been looking for her. On a busy day like this, it could've been anyone. A pedestrian on the street, or an occupant in a car, the possibilities were endless. Leaning her head against the glass, she wondered about everything that had happened in the past few days. She had been living and training the past two years for the events that would unfold. Was she ready for the consequences? No innocents. She wouldn't have them on her conscience as well.
A noise came from behind her, sounding like muffled laughter. Too late did the telltale flutterings appear in her system, and she knew exactly who it was. She groaned in aggravation as several things struck her at once. She was staring at a LOT of frilly underthings. The flush began spreading from her neck before burning her cheeks. Of ALL the people who had to catch her at this, it had to be him.
"You must want something in there pretty badly," he commented behind her, the urge to laugh nearly irresistible.
To make things worse, a crowd from within the store had gathered near to gawk at the girl who by all appearances was looking as if she was pressing her face towards the window to look at the model in the window in delicate areas. Mortified, she made a strangled sound before backing away slowly.
The deep chuckle caught her by surprise, and she whirled around to stare at him. Laughter transformed his face into something else together. He looked so young and so free when he did that. She couldn't help herself as she looked at the crinkles around the corner of his eyes, the wide smile, the sun beaming down on his unusual hair.
Catching herself, she gave him a flinty gaze and turned up her nose. She didn't like the way he was making her feel. It still confused her because she had been so certain about him.
"I was just trying to check something out," she retorted, only to be greeted by a smirk.
"I'll say."
She blushed even further, knowing that anything she would say would only jam her foot further down her throat.
"Why are you following me all the time?" she demanded.
"I wasn't." The twinkle in his eyes nearly knocked her off balance.
Usagi should've known better than to continue the conversation, but she being who she is was unable to resist adding, "I'm about to go in now. Surely you weren't planning on coming in as well?"
He paused, and forcibly restrained himself from grunting a response at her. Instead, he decided to do something completely out of character. Borrowing one of the pages from a certain playboy's book, he reached forth and brushed her nose gently with his finger. "Only if you model them for me."
Cheeks aflame, she couldn't tear her eyes away from his intense gaze. His hand froze upon contact with her face, and something exploded between them that very moment. Awareness. Contents under pressure. And lots of it. They were both lost, eyes transfixed upon each other, and his playful touch had suddenly become a tantalising caress upon her skin. Blood sang in her veins, screaming hallelujah as they pulsated through her system. The goosebumps tingled all through her body, and she couldn't repress a shiver. He stared at her, breath hissing out as he fought to control the unknown emotions that had flooded him. All he could feel was her. His heart was thundering within his chest, and the giggles behind him broke the spell she had woven around him.
Blinking simultaneously, their breaths escaped in unison to find two young schoolgirls laughing at them. They nearly leapt apart from each other, eyes slightly wild as they realised what on earth had just happened. They had nearly… twin hearts pounding rapidly, neither could say a word nor could they look at each other.
"I…"
"Do…"
Shaky laughter broke out, and the moment of awkwardness continued. One was staring at the ground, the other was shuffling his feet, hands shoved deep into his pockets.
Great, now what? she thought to herself. One thing was for sure, she had never seen him that out of it. It was as if he had been drawn by the same force that she had been, both powerless to control it, not that they had wanted to. Confusion mounted within her. Were all the things she had seen true then? Or were they just lies? But they were never wrong, unless there was something within him that was blocking her abilities. She was stupefied. In all her years, she had never encountered such doubt clouding her vision. What was she to do now?
"Are you going somewhere now?"
"Just for a walk," she said. Now they were sounding like a bunch of teenagers that had just been caught making out. She nearly giggled at the thought. "Would you like to join me?"
"I have nothing better to do," he replied gruffly. She grinned this time. Now he was back to acting like the Ran she knew.
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Tenshi's blurb: The calm before the storm… muahahaha! Having glanced at the next chapter(s), be prepared!