Forever

Step 05

A/N: Revision 01 of this chapter.  Note that many scenes are changed, some added, some expanded, and a somewhat major plot change.  In other words, the story is not the same anymore.  There may be scenes taken from later chapters in the next chapters, but be warned, new readers. 

The phone rang almost hourly from nine to midnight.  Ran sighed and tried to hold fresh tears back.  "You're supposed to wait at least a week," she muttered before finally disconnecting her line, "And give me a chance to forget." 

Had she really thought of giving her precious physical purity to him?  What had happened to make him so . . . primal?  Sure, she was sure that he had needs, but to two time . . .

Ran got up and walked to her punching man.  She donned a pair of boxing gloves and began beating the crap out of the doll, pretending it was Tatsuki and his lover. 

Afterwords, she collapsed on the bed, feeling infinitely better.  However, a quick glance at the clock shown it as two, and she groaned.  Four hours of sleep . . .

Tatsuki cursed and set the phone down.  Why wouldn't she just pick the damn thing up?  Sure, she must be hurt, but she didn't know the whole story.  He didn't mean to have a one night stand with Aki, but the situation was out of his control. 

He was drunk and she just climbed onto his lap and started making out with him.  It didn't help that earlier fantasies of him and Ran were running through his mind.   Aki was simply a replacement. 

She worked tomorrow, he'll talk to her then.  But . . . Why the hell did Otohata say they were together?  He wasn't blind to their subtle attraction to each other in junior high and high school, but her feelings were for him, and him only. 

Still, time had passed since then, and Ran no longer had Aya to hold her back.  He might have killed their relationship when Aki strolled up to them.  He cursed again and looked at the glass on the table. 

Her drink was just a cover – that night, a proposal would have taken place.

"Almost done," Aya muttered as she typed the last sentence in her manuscript. With the last period, she grinned, saved the file, and sent it by e-mail to her agent. "One book in a month," she groaned and felt the accumulated stress melt away, "I never want to do that again."

"But as of now, you're on vacation," Ohkami said as he placed a glass of wine next to the keyboard.  Aya smiled and took a sip of the sweet liquid. 

"Tokyo, Tokyo. . . I finally get to return to thee." 

"I think I'll come with you," Ohkami stated as if he were speaking of the weather.  Aya's eyes widened and she almost dropped her glass. 

"W-why," she exclaimed and turned to him.  Bad idea.  He had just gotten out of the shower and wore only a robe.  Her lovely editor may be a bookworm, but he did not have the looks associated with such a nerd.  No, her wolf was a very good looking nerd.  He wore glasses, small rims, like the intellectuals in movies wear, his hair looked black wet even though it was a very dark brown, his skin was tanned slightly and lean muscles peeked through the small crack where his robe didn't tie cleanly.

Ohkami smirked and sauntered to Aya, then gently pushed up her open mouth.  "Don't let the flies in, love," he said then turned and walked to her bed.

Aya blushed and turned away while retorting, "Go get some clothes on."

"But I like it when you leer at me," Ohkami protested, smirking.  Oh, his Aya was so easy to fluster. . .

"Get dressed or you're not coming with me."  Ohkami laughed and bid farewell to his princess.  Aya sighed and downed the last of her wine in one swig.  A part of her was glad Ohkami was coming with her, but another felt guilty.  Miyu said (quite suggestively) that Rei would also be there. 

Her first love.  Her first kiss.  Her first. 

Many things belonged to Rei.  But those things were in the past.  Butterfly, her first novel, was almost entirely autobiographical.  The ending of the book was the same as her relationship with Rei – although the two loved each other dearly, they just weren't right together.  Aya needed someone to shower her with attention and love, Rei needed an independent woman who could live without seeing him daily.  The two wished each other blessings, then left. 

The book provided a catharsis to her wounded heart, and, surprisingly, brought forth a new chapter in her love life. 

Although, she mused, they both were quite an odd pairing from the outside.  Her room was decorated in romantic colors, soft, subtle.  His room had bold, dark colors with gold accents.  Their entertainment room was divided in two sections – one for the television and one for music, and their tastes clashed as well.  His anime and foreign films cluttered one side of the movie rack, her dramas and domestic films the other.  His cds were of the rock and classical leaning, hers the pop and enka. 

Still, she watched his favorite shows with him, and he joined with her on the drama, complete with a box of tissues and shoulder to cry on.  She learned to like the crass humor of American films (Rush Hour 2 was a favorite of theirs).  When they listened to music, they simply created a mix of their favorite songs, alternating.  Aya liked the band Janne da Arc and he liked Ayumi.  (Although both agreed her musical talents were a bit . . . lacking.)

Although his flirtations could get a bit annoying at times (at heart, Ohkami was still a playboy) they just assured Aya that she belonged to him.  No matter who he flirted with, his heart lay with her.  She grinned, then walked to the living room where he watched SMAPXSMAP. 

She wrapped her arms around him and pecked his cheek.  Ohkami turned and kissed her, then lifted her onto his lap effortlessly. 

When Aya started to unbutton his shirt, he whined, "I thought you told me to get dressed. . ."  She laughed and kissed him. 


"Excuse me Miss. Can I - Ran!" Ran turned to the familiar voice and fought to keep from frowning, glaring, or just plain killing the girl in front of her. Jealousy was indeed a scary monster. Aki stood next to her smiling and beaming, wearing, of coarse, autumn colors. "Oh my! Tat-kun never told me you were a policewoman! Quite an unusual job isn't it?"

Tat-kun? That's her ultra cute pet name? Ran fought to keep from laughing, but answered calmly, almost icily, "I pride myself on being different," nodding to a passerby who seemed rather interested in the situation. The gossip quickly sped off, embarrassed at being caught. 

"So what are you doing out here," Aki asked, moving in front of her field of vision. Her dyed red hair, cheery brown eyes and shiny glittery lip gloss (that didn't exactly compliment her) was the last thing Ran wanted to see up close. Clearing her throat, she politely asked Aki to move so that she may perform her job accurately. Aki giggled, a strange high pitched racket that was bound to annoy everyone who heard it.

"Do your job? Honey, all you have to do is look like you're doing your job."

"Well, the lovely citizens of Tokyo count on myself and my coworkers for security. You do want to keep your valuables and such, don't you," Ran said politely, with a hint of sarcasm. Aki laughed again, and Ran likened it to that of a hyena, which, coincidently, shared the same personality aspects as the girl!

"I suppose so. So, how long have you and Rei been together?"

Oh, stealing one of my potential mates wasn't enough for you, was it? In any case, Ran couldn't answer without lying. And lies led to more lies, which became an never-ending cycle. Besides, it was against her morals and rules to lie. "We've known each other for a long time," she replied, which answered her question without being untruthful.

"Really? And how long have you known Tat-kun?"

Ran briefly wondered if he let her call him 'Tat-kun' in public. "As long as I've known Rei. Why do you ask?"

"Just curious," she replied with a sweet smile. A smile, Ran sensed, that masked her true intentions. "Anou, just how many criminals do you catch a day?" Another stereotype thanks to television and movies. Ran almost laughed. 

"Not as many as you think. May I ask what your need of assistance is?"

"Oh, I forgot! Well, I'll see you later, okay? Bai bai!" With those words, she skipped off, much to the relief of Ran. Of coarse, thanks to Fate's mischievous personality, five minutes later he showed up. He tapped her on her shoulder, then greeted her with a 'sup'. Ran gave no immediate reply and turned to her work.

"You're not still mad about Saturday are you," he asked, "Listen, if you would let me explain-"

"I'm not mad. You misunderstand me, Tat-kun." Tatsuki grimaced as she said his name. Ran smirked, "Do you actually let her call you that in public?"

"She's a leech that won't leave me alone."

"Is that so," she said with the raise of an eyebrow. 

"Besides, since when are you and Otohata a couple?"

Ran wondered if she should play off the lie, for the sake of making Tatsuki jealous, but that wasn't like her. It went against her beliefs that were set in stone since she was old enough to learn such things. One man - or rather - one girl wasn't going to change that. "It was a lie he made in my defense. You know, after you left me for that annoying girl?"

"You didn't give me a chance to explain!"

"I don't feel like doing this... We weren't serious anyway. I can't see why we're acting like this." Tatsuki's face, or more importantly eyes held an answer, but he didn't say anything, just nodded and half smiled.

"You're right. You're still coming to the club to celebrate your drink, right?"

Ran smiled, half relieved that the argument was over and they were still friends. "Of coarse. Hey, why don't you delay it until Aya comes?"

"Good idea. See ya Ran," He replied and walked off, shaking his head.

"Oye. My life is turning into one of those blasted dramas...."


Tatsuki sat at home, staring at the ring.  It was simple, just a diamond on a white gold band, and sighed.  The one time he got caught was the one time it mattered most. 

When the phone started ringing, he scowled at it.  Only one person would call him this late at night.  He groaned and reached for the receiver.  "Hello?"

"Tat-kun, it's me," Aki greeted in her sweetest, perkiest voice. Tatsuki winced at her 'hello', Ran greeted him with a 'Yo Tatsuki' to which he'd reply 'Yo Kotobuki'.

"Whatcha doin'," she asked rather innocently.

"Working on a drink. Why,' he asked, partially wanting to know why she would call him at twelve at night. Well, a reason was obvious, but he didn't want to partake in that. The subject wasn't as appealing as it had once been.

"What kind of drink?"

"The one's that's named after Ran," he replied without thinking. Her gasp and harsh tone, however proved his mistake near fatal.

"You're naming a drink after her? Why would you do something idiotic like that?"

"We've been friends since high school. Besides, when the club first started, she was out there, helping me hand out flyers, trying to get people to go there. Without her, I wouldn't be as big as I am right now."

"I can do that too, you know. I can't see what you see in her. She's rude, inconsiderate, and thinks only of herself. And you, like a lost puppy, still long for her even though she's dating Rei."

A lie. Apparently Ran hadn't told Aki about her and Rei's ploy. Still, it was midnight, and he didn't have time to be arguing with her. "Listen Aki, it's late, and I don't feel like talking about this. I'm with you now, so stop acting like a jealous brat."

Aki gave no immediate reply, then muttered "Good night." and hung up the phone.

"No wonder men turn gay," Tatsuki muttered, then returned to staring at the ring. 

Aki sighed as she placed the receiver back on its cradle.  "Its obvious he still loves her, silly," she muttered, then walked to her bed.  "I guess the bad karma finally came back to haunt me.  As if the past didn't hurt enough."

She rose, grabbed her keys and decided to go to the small blues bar where she first found him, playing guitar and lamenting of a lost love.

Aneri approached a small bar, named Lunatic Café.  The correct English surprised her, and she walked in, hoping to find Caucasian faces.  Her hope was in vain, the room was filled with Japanese, although their attire seemed identical to hers, and their hair equally wild. 

She smiled; this place was exactly what she was looking for.  She walked up to the bartender and asked in English, "May I please speak to your manager?"

"I am the manager," the man replied in somewhat broken sounding English.  But it was English nevertheless.  Aneri almost danced with happiness to hear her mother tongue.    

"I am a singer.  I need a job."  The man's eyes widened and he lay down the glass he was cleaning.

"You don't understand Japanese, and yet you come here to try and make it in the music business?" 

Aneri grinned sheepishly, "That's halfway true.  I came here to search for my family.  I'm adopted, you see.  As for the job, well, I used to make a living doing that at my home too.  I worked as a bartender or waitress and got a ten minute set."

The man studied her skeptically, then sighed.  "Your name?"

"Aneri Mata."

"Come to the back, Aneri, and I'll see what I can do.  Although," he stated, looking directly at her, "You will learn Japanese, and you will learn it fast." 

Aneri nodded happily and skipped to the back. 

Ten minutes later she had both a job and a singing spot on her first night of work.  Because tonight lacked performers, she was allowed a half hour set instead of the usual ten, and Aneri jumped at the opportunity to perform. 

Aki entered Lunatic Café, a small bar that was well known in the indie circles, and smiled nostalgically.  It looked the same, blue lights, a small stage, bartender with the face of a yakuza but the heart of a panda, small round tables to seat at most three, wire frame chairs designed custom by a regular of the past.  She walked over, got a drink, then sat in the back left corner, her usual spot of the past. 

A performer was onstage now, singing perfect English.  Aki's eyes widened at her pronunciation, surely she was a foreigner, and stuggled to make out the lyrics of the song.  All she understood was 'son of a preacher man'.  Although she smiled as she recognized the song.  It was one of his favorite singers, Janis Joplin.  

The girl's voice almost matched Janis's.  She nodded happily, this was one singer who could make it in the majors.  But, did she sing Japanese as well? 

"Hey," a male voice greeted and sat next to her.  Aki looked at the voice and smiled. 

"Hey Kira.  What brings you here so late?"

"Scouting talent," he replied and fixated his gaze to the stage.  Aki smirked slightly, with Kira, talent meant one of two things.  But by his gaze, it seemed it leaned toward the more innocent and true meaning. "She's pretty good," he muttered after listening to another song that neither understood. 

"How's the band coming along," Aki asked. 

Kira shrugged, "We're still developing our sound.  Takui refuses to try anything that he deems 'remotely resembling Embryo'.  So far we only have two songs."  Aki shook her head, she couldn't tell him why Takui refused to return to the past.  At least, not yet. 

"I have some lyrics I scribbled down a couple of weeks ago.  If I give them to you, can you turn it into a song?"

"Sure," he replied, then pointed to her cell phone, "E-mail it to me."  Aki nodded and looked back toward the stage,

"You know Kira, the song would really suit her voice." 

Kira looked at her suspiciously, and she giggled then got up to leave.  She did have work tomorrow, after all.  Although, being a secretary for a boss who constantly harassed her didn't exactly guarantee fun. 

She sighed as she closed the door.  Her heart truly belonged to music. 


"Aya, the plane's about to land. Aya," Ohkami said, trying to wake his sleeping friend. "First time back in ten years and she's about to sleep through the beginning," he muttered, "Aya!" Still no reply. "That girl would sleep through the eruption of Mt. Fuji. Only one option left," he muttered, then leaned in and gently kissed her.

That woke Aya up with a start, and she stared at Ohkami, eyes wide with confusion. "W-what are you - why did you - what's going on!?"

Ohkami smiled, shaking his head. She was so oblivious to the obvious sometimes. "You wouldn't wake up, so I figured you were Sleeping Beauty and needed a kiss to wake you up."

"But .. . Didn't a kiss from her true love wake up Sleeping Beauty?"

"Oops," he replied nonchantly, "Forgot about that detail. Say, you did wake up though. Does that mean I'm your true love?"

Aya playfully smiled and put her fingertip on his nose as she spoke, "But 'Ohkami' is in Little Red Riding Hood, not Sleeping Beauty." Ohkami laughed and shook his head, then brushed his bangs back.

"If that were true, then I'd love to eat you up," he remarked, tracing a line up Aya's neck with his fingertip.

Luckily, before Aya could reply, for she knew she was blushing a crimson red by now, the plane began its landing. After they had exited the plane, Aya reached for Ohkami's hand for support as she approached the exit gate. "I'm home Ohkami. After ten years I've finally returned home."




**Author's Note: Ohkami means wolf. In actuality, the real romanji should be Ookami  but I like Ohkami better. ^_^.