Fire and Ice
Chapter Two: Melting
~*-*-*~
Kasumi clicked her long, painted nails on the surface of the table, drawing out a tired sigh. It had been six months since the encounter with Shigeru. Since that day she had done a pretty good job of keeping away from his presence, but now there he was again, looking so sure of himself. Trying to avoid someone in such a small place like Pallet Town had proved to be nearly impossible, especially when there were so many events held that brought the entire town in one place together.
And of course, tonight happened to be one of those events.
"Kasumi?"
She glanced up at the voice, offering a brief smile to the person behind it. Her boyfriend, Ken Sajii, stood behind her with a look of impatience.
"Oh Ken, there you are. Having fun?"
"I would if you'd come dance with me again, baby."
"Mmm, not right now," she replied, sounding distracted. "Maybe later."
The dark-haired man followed her gaze to where Shigeru stood, nonchalantly leaning against a wall. He gave a small noise of disgust. "Fine. I'll go find someone else to dance with."
Kasumi nodded absently, giving him a quick kiss. "I'll join you in a couple minutes."
"I'll be waiting."
Watching him rejoin the people on the dance floor, she smiled fondly. She had met Ken two months ago in Pallet Town's popular – and only – club. They had hit it off pretty well and started dating soon after that. At first her friends had raised objections to his age, but Kasumi found no problem with dating an older man, insisting that they were good together.
"And what has you so distracted this evening, young lady?"
Kasumi looked up again, seeing a different face behind her this time. "I am not distracted," she argued, smiling at her friend and motioning for him to sit down. "I'm just resting my feet."
Takeshi knew better, having also seen where her attention had wandered off to. "And the cause of this need to rest your feet is… let me guess, Shigeru again?"
"The one and only." She frowned. "I wish he wasn't here. I swear every two weeks someone has a birthday or an anniversary that the whole damn town has to celebrate."
He nodded sympathetically. "At least this time you have Ken here, right?"
"Yes, but Ookido being here still ruins the night. I bet he's just waiting to insult me or do something arrogant and Shigeru-like."
"Just forget about him and have a good time with your boyfriend. I think he's waiting for you over there."
Kasumi spotted Ken among the crowd, looking in their direction. "Oh that's right, I told him I'd join him. Thanks Takeshi. And make sure to save a dance for me."
"I will." He smiled and waved her towards the dance floor, "Now go have fun."
~*-*-*~
"I'm glad you finally decided to make an appearance," Ken commented dryly, pulling her into a small twirl. "Been waiting all night to actually spend some time with my girlfriend."
"I was only sitting down for a little while," she responded, feeling a little defensive.
"I'm not talking about just that. Your mind has been somewhere else all night."
Kasumi's tone was one that indicated the closure of a topic. "I'm tired, that's all."
"You seem to be tired a lot lately. It's getting rather annoying."
"What's this?" Shigeru sneered as he interrupted them, having made his way over until he was dancing only a few feet away from them. "The lovers having a fight?"
"Get lost Ookido," Kasumi snapped testily.
He ignored her. "Don't get so excited, Yawa. Your red face is clashing with your outfit and making it look even worse."
"Don't you have anything better to do then stand around and watch me all day?"
"Me? You're the one who can't stop looking at me. Maybe you should pay more attention to your boyfriend."
"Why don't you just –"
"Okay, that's it," Ken exclaimed, finally speaking. "I'm sick of this."
Surprised, Kasumi's head snapped up to face him. "Sick of what?"
"Of this," he replied, motioning outward with his arms. "Of us."
Her eyes narrowed, forgetting Shigeru. "What are you trying to say?"
"Look it was kind of fun at first, but now there's just no point. The whole time we've been together you've always had some other guy before me. I swear it's always Satoshi did this or Takeshi said that; Hiroshi's so sweet or Shigeru's such a jerk. And speaking of which, it's funny how with all the time you spend trying to convince everyone that you hate Ookido, you've spent the whole night gawking over him when you think no one's looking."
Kasumi stood there, unsure of what she should feel more – furious, hurt, or mortified.
"Plus," Ken continued, despite the crowd forming around them, "You just don't meet my standards. I mean look at you now, standing there with a stupid expression. You're not very bright, are you?"
"Obviously not, seeing as I was interested in you," she snapped in retort, anger temporarily taking the lead.
"Well you certainly haven't shown it. Seems to me like you've had more interest in your little fag best friend over there."
Both Satoshi and Hiroshi stiffened. Kasumi's eyes flashed dangerously.
"If I were you I would leave right now," she said slowly, her voice threateningly low.
"Fine. Been bored out of mind and waiting for a chance to take Sakura home anyway."
Kasumi stopped. "Sakura?"
"Yeah, you remember meeting Sakura, right?" As he spoke, a petite blond joined his side, locking her arms around his with a smug smile. "I've been seeing her for a couple months now. Hope you don't mind."
The hurt took over now, dimming the other two emotions. At that moment she could do nothing more than stand there, staring blankly at them.
Knowing Kasumi wouldn't want anyone else to fight her own battles, but unable to watch any more of this, Shigeru stepped forward, facing the older man coolly. "Get the hell out of this house." His voice was calm, but not without underlying malice. "A person like you doesn't deserve to be here."
"Yeah, whatever," Ken replied. "Come on Sakura, let's go."
The couple sauntered off, the various guests in the room exchanging glances in awkward silence. When the doors closed behind them, all eyes fell once again to Kasumi. She desperately searched for an escape, trying to ignore the murmurs that began to float around her.
Satoshi's hand reached out to touch her arm, his eyes saying everything. "Kasumi."
"I'm fine." Her face twisted into a forced smile, hoping it looked convincing. "Besides," she continued, shooting a hot glance in Shigeru's direction. "I'm used to it by now." And with that she pulled away and hurried out of the room, avoiding eye contact with everyone she passed.
Shigeru watched her leave, the implications of her last statement not having been lost on him. After a few moments, he started after her, pausing when he ran into Satoshi who was doing the same.
"Watch it."
"I need to get to Kasumi," Satoshi growled.
"You're not what she needs right now."
He glared, looking furious. "And you are?"
Shigeru's face was solemn, his answer simple. "Yes."
At Satoshi's momentary silence, Shigeru ended the discussion and turned away, following in the direction of Kasumi's departure.
"Who does he think he is?" Satoshi cried, ready to pursue his rival to try and intervene with any interaction between him and Kasumi. "I'm the one who's her best friend! He is nothing but trouble for her."
Hiroshi took Satoshi's hands in his. "Let him go to her, Sato-chan. There are things they have to talk about and sort through."
Still looking unsure, he tried to argue. "But Shigeru has already hurt her once, isn't that enough proof that he will do it again?"
"Don't be so biased," he chided gently. "Shigeru isn't as bad as you make him out to be, you know that."
"You always defend him," Satoshi pouted, crossing his arms in a childish fashion.
A slight flush crossed Hiroshi's face. "I'm just trying to be rational."
"Rational? But they would never work together!"
"Maybe so, but in the end, things will all work out for the best."
Satoshi sat back down, "Yes, you're right." Calmed, he turned and smiled at his partner. "Where would I be without you?"
"Making a fool of yourself everywhere you go?" Hiroshi suggested innocently.
The slightly older boy laughed. "You're lucky you're cute," he teased, leaning forward to place a soft kiss on his lips.
"Mmm," Hiroshi agreed, before deepening the embrace. "Very lucky."
~*-*-*~
Kasumi slumped unhappily onto a bench, her mind whirling as she tried to sort through the events that had just occurred. It didn't make any sense. Ken had seemed like such a nice guy, how could he have done that to her in front of so many people like that? As if breaking up with her hadn't been enough, he had even gone as far as to denounce her and broadcast his unfaithfulness. And not only had it been in front of everyone she knew, but of all people she had least wanted to witness such a thing, Shigeru had been, of course, standing there as well.
The tears that wanted to form stung her eyes as she hastily forced them away.
"You know," someone commented from behind her, "It's pretty cold out here."
Kasumi didn't bother to lift her head at the now all too familiar voice. "What do you want now Ookido? I'm really not in the mood."
He approached the bench she was sitting in and slid easily beside her, ignoring her moaned protest. "Not in the mood for me? I've never heard that one before. I'm so used to girls that can't get enough of me."
"I think maybe I've had more than enough for a lifetime."
"Well you're certainly cheerful tonight, Yawa." Shigeru drawled. When she made no sign of a response, he looked over and noticed her depressed expression. Trying to dismiss the tinge of guilt for how he had acted earlier, Shigeru shifted his body with momentary discomfort. "Hey, come on it wasn't that bad, was it? From what I've heard you've had worst boyfriends than that in the past."
Kasumi looked up sharply. "Could you please leave now?"
He remained where he was. "Don't you know me better than that by now?"
"Unfortunately, yes."
"Your hostility is definitely still intact. That's a good sign."
She crossed her arms, not amused. "I really don't need this from you right now."
"You'd rather sit out here alone freezing?"
"Yes."
"Well I guess we'll find out who's the more stubborn between the two of us then."
"Why don't you just leave?"
"I don't want to," he replied.
"If you're expecting some kind of thanks for getting him to leave, you'll be sitting here for a very long time. I could have handled it myself."
"Maybe, but if that guy had been in there any longer I think Satoshi would have jumped him. And I don't mean in the sexual way."
She lifted an eyebrow at his last comment before sighing. "Well as much as I hate to say it, you did a pretty good job. You know, I envy your ability to always look so cool and unaffected by everything. I mean while you can stand there looking all composed, I'm busy storming around looking like –"
"Like the Wicked Witch of Kanto?" Shigeru finished for her helpfully.
She smirked at that, but not without a warning undertone. "Yeah, something like that. Though I would have described myself as something more along the lines of cutely scary."
"You've got the scary part right, anyway."
"Are you trying to make me laugh or piss me off further?"
"Depends. Which one am I doing?"
"Laugh," she admitted. "But consider yourself lucky that I don't rip your tongue out for that last remark."
"See, now there's the scary side we all know and fear."
Kasumi punched him lightly, a small smile playing with the corners of her mouth. "Shut up."
They fell quiet for a minute, the silence soothing rather than awkward. The wind grew louder, flirting with their hair and reddening their faces as it whipped against their cheeks. Though he was freezing, Shigeru ignored the urge to go back inside where it was warmer. He had something more important to take care of, and it just so happened to come in the form of the stubborn girl who sat beside him, silently refusing to move.
"So, uh, not planning to go back in there, huh?"
She gave a mirthless laugh. "Are you kidding? I'm too embarrassed."
"Well if it's any consolation, I felt embarrassed for you too. I mean man, the way that guy – "
"Anyone ever tell you you're horrible at trying to make people feel better?" Kasumi asked, cutting him off.
"A lot of people have, actually." He lifted his shoulders in an indifferent fashion. "I guess I never really listened to them."
"Well that's certainly not surprising."
His eyebrows drew together. "Hey, I'm trying my best not to insult you here. The least you could do is return the favour."
"What would the fun of that be? Besides, you're a jerk too."
Shigeru gritted his teeth, restraining the comeback. "It's been six months since that, you'd think this whole apologizing to you thing would be a little easier. Why can't you just be like normal girls and accept it?"
"Apology? You haven't come close to something even resembling an apology. And," she huffed, "I'm not one of your stupid Barbies that you can just mold to do everything you want and expect."
"You're right, you aren't." He shifted on the bench, surprised at how much he really did mean what he was saying. "It's something I've always admired about you."
Kasumi blinked.
"And," he continued, "don't let that guy ruin your night either. He wasn't really that good looking – even Takeshi could have pulled off that outfit better. And that girl he left with? Total slut. I mean did you see her ass hanging out of those pants? It was a nice ass, mind you, but she could have at least covered it a little more."
Her lips twitched. "That doesn't really make me feel better either."
He shrugged. "Well you were too good for him anyway."
The offhand compliment had Kasumi averting her eyes from his gaze. "Be careful Shigeru," she muttered. "If you're not, someone might see you being nice. And we all know how horrible that would be."
"I don't care, let them see."
The redhead looked up at him in surprise. "Well, that's a change."
"Maybe I'd like to be nice to you, okay?"
"That might be more convincing if you weren't growling."
Shigeru settled for a scowl instead. "Did I ever tell you that you're almost as frustrating as Satoshi?"
"No I don't think you have," she responded with a mock pout. "And as much as I love Satoshi, I've never been more insulted in my life."
He stared at her, seeing her try to keep a serious expression on her face, and then shook his head in what looked like amused frustration. "You know, I still don't get what I even see in you," he commented, speaking more to himself than to her.
"Well, now that was truly romantic," she replied dryly, looking a little hurt at his words. "I wonder why didn't I jump into your arms years ago."
"Because you knew you'd crush me with your weight?"
In spite of herself, Kasumi gave another small snort of laughter. "Oh you just keep getting more and more charming."
"What can I say? It comes naturally," he replied, grinning.
"I bet." Her smile faded, her expression turning grim as she caught his gaze and tried to hold it. "Did you mean the things you said that night?"
He looked away. "What night?"
"You know what I'm talking about."
Shigeru made a faint noise that sounded like a sigh. "Do we have to talk about this again?"
Her answer was firm. "Yes."
"Okay, okay. You go first then."
"Me?" She looked incredulous. "I didn't do anything! You were the one who started insulting me when I wouldn't just throw myself on my knees and worship you."
"Hey I wasn't the one who started it. And the things you were screaming at me weren't exactly filled with kindness and affection."
Kasumi sulked, grudgingly acknowledging that he was right. "Fine, but you still haven't answered the question."
"I was mad because I wanted you and you weren't responding, but no, I didn't mean a lot of the things I said."
"What about the part where you said I was just some scrawny and unattractive girl?"
"Well you are pretty scrawny…" At her piercing glare Shigeru grinned and finished his sentence. "But you're definitely not unattractive."
"You're not so bad yourself," she responded. "For an arrogant prick, anyway."
He smirked. "Speaking of which, I think I'm starting to like the whole Heinous Bitch image you have going for you."
Delighted by their playful banter, but by no means wanting to show it, Kasumi kept her face blank. "As smooth as that pick-up line was Ookido, I'm afraid you'll still have to do better than that."
"Better? But I even kind of said I was sorry! What more could you possibly want?"
"Why, you must beg for my forgiveness, of course."
"Beg?" Shigeru scoffed. "I never beg."
An amused smile crossed Kasumi's lips. "Then I think we have said all that is needed to be said." She stood up and began to walk away. "Goodbye."
Thinking quickly, he tried to stop her. "Kasumi, wait! You, uh… you forgot something!"
She spun on her heels to glance back at him, trying to look mildly annoyed. "What?"
Shigeru caught up to her, taking her into his arms with a cocky grin before she could respond. "This." And with that he brought his mouth upon hers.
The desire that had formed between them long ago instantly rekindled, shooting sparks and shocks down both their spines. With a soft murmur, Kasumi's eyes fluttered shut and she pulled him closer, kissing him back without hesitation. Shigeru responded with a gentle caress of her face, and as the seconds continued to pass, the walls they had surrounded themselves with began to fade. Began to melt away, allowing the other to see glimpses of their true thoughts and feelings.
The embrace deepened, intrigued, teased. It was a kiss like nothing either of them had experienced before. There was something so passionate and heated, yet sweet and numbing about the sensations passing through them. It was like drowning in a pool of flames. It was like burning in a cascade of freezing water. It was like…
It was like fire and ice.
And when their lips finally parted, neither of them spoke for a moment, instead looking at each other with amazed appreciation.
"Wow," Shigeru managed, his mind barely able to function properly. "Where the hell did you learn to kiss like that?"
Kasumi couldn't help but smile to herself.
Maybe he wasn't such a big jerk after all.
~*-*-*~
End Chapter Two.
Fire and Ice complete.
~*-*-*~
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the character of Pokemon, I just like torturing them with my twisted little mind.
Author's notes: Well let me just say that it's funny how easily an ETA of "the next week or so" turns into three months. I intended to finish this fic quite awhile ago, but have been busy with school and plagued with writer's block. Finally managed to finish it with the help of a good friend's encouragement and a night, morning, and (now leading into) afternoon of not sleeping.
Better late than never, right?
As always, comments, questions, constructive criticism, etc are all very much appreciated.
~*-*-*~