Tsukasa fumed.
He'd returned home last week after Tsukushi had dumped him so forcefully. He'd been ranting and raving - one might almost say that he was fit to be tied.
Which, shortly after his arrival, he was.
Tsubaki had come home for a surprise visit with her little brother, while her husband was off at a business conference. She wasn't pleased at all when her first sight of Tsukasa was of his beet red face, with wild eyes bulging in frustrated anger and helplessness. Tsubaki managed to catch one or two words of his incoherent mutterings before she sighed in resignation and booted her idiot of a brother across the room.
"Hey! What did you do that for?" Tsukasa whined from the corner he'd landed in.
"OK, little brother, what sort of stupidity are you up to now?" Tsubaki sternly regarded the crumpled boy, impatiently drumming her fingers on her crossed arms as she awaited his answer. Honestly, Tsukasa was such a hassle sometimes.
Tsukasa seemed to retreat into himself. Struggling to get up, he began to mutter something about Tsukushi, Rui, Soujiro.
This was getting her nowhere, Tsubaki decide. Trust her brother not to be able to just tell a straight story. She was sure he must have done something to upset Tsukushi, again. He only acted this way after an incident with her. If he'd hurt Tsukushi again, Tsubaki swore that she would never forgive him. Why did those two always have to make it so difficult for each other?
Growling, Tsubaki stalked over to Tsukasa and knocked him back to the floor. Pinning him there with one spike-heeled boot on his neck, she took out her cellphone and started dialing. She'd get the straight story from Rui.
"Hello, Rui?" This is Doumyouji Tsubaki. . . . Hi, How are you? . . . . Good. . . . the reason I'm calling is that I've got my brother here and he seems to be babbling incoherently. Would you please be so kind as to tell me just what has going on around here?"
(Tsukasa was, in fact, not babbling at this moment, but rather gasping for air and clawing at his sister's immovable foot crushing his throat.)
"Uh huh. . . . indeed. . . . I see. . . " To Tsukasa's ears, there was something menacing growing in his sister's tone. He wondered what, exactly, that traitor Rui was telling her.
"Indeed. Thanks, Rui.." Tsubaki snapped her phone shut with a decisive click, and turned to look down at her blue-faced brother.
"Hmm. what am I going to do with you?" Tsubaki sighed. She'd tried to raise her brother to be a good man, but it was obvious that she'd failed. She sighed in despair. All she wanted to do was to see Tsukushi-the girl she loved like a sister - happy with her brother; but the damned fool had fucked up again!
Well then, Tsubaki decided that it would be for the best if Tsukushi and Tsukasa both calmed down a bit and had time to think before their next encounter. After all, she'd seen how stiff-necked each could be after one of their little spats. They probably just needed a break to settle down and realize how much they missed each other. . . . .
She waited a few more moments, while Tsukasa's face turned blue and his struggling slowed, then ceased. Raising her voice sharply, Tsubaki called for the servants, who'd been cowering outside the room since the first moment Tsukasa had burst in the door.
"Take this idiot back to his room," She ordered, "And tie him up." I want him bound hand and foot. And lock the doors and windows. I don't want him going anywhere."
"Yes, mistress." Two of the stronger servants carefully lifted Tsukasa's limp body off the floor.
"And you'd better hurry. He should regain consciousness in a few minutes." Tsubaki warned.
The servants took off with some alacrity; they had no desire to be present when Tsukasa woke up.. They all still remembered how violent he could be. (Even if he had settled down more in recent years).
---
Tsukasa groggily regained consciousness. His head was absolutely pounding! Wearily, he went to rub his aching temples with the heel of his hand-or at least, he tried to. Why couldn't he move? He tried sitting up. Oh wait, he was already sitting up. Nope, couldn't stand either. Tsukasa was just beginning to realize the situation he was in.
"TSUBAKIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!" He went to scream, only to discover that, almost as an afterthought, he'd been gagged, as well as tied up.
Finally, Tsukasa thought to open his eyes. He needn't have yelled, (or rather, grunted loudly, as the actuality had been) for his sister was sitting in an armchair across the room from him.
Tsubaki sipped a glass of rather dull wine (situations like this certainly didn't merit a fine vintage), and regarded her brother.
"Finally awake, I see. Listen closely, little brother. Here's the plan. You need to work on your social skills. Most especially on your communication ability. It simply does not do for the heir to the Doumyouji Corporation to be so tongue-tied as you seem to be." The irony of this statement, given Tsukasa's current bound and gagged state, completely escaped her notice. "Thus, you will remain in this house, with your new tutors in the social graces, until I decide it's safe to unleash you on the world again." Tsubaki leaned back into her chair.
Tsukasa's eyes bugged out incredulously. Social skills? Anger management? His sister had finally lost her mind! He wanted to tell her so; perhaps scream it at her at the top of his lungs. But since he could not speak, he retreated into one of his deep sulks instead. Surely, she couldn't watch him every hour of the day? And they had to untie him sometime. Tsukasa was already scheming his escape. He knew, just knew, that all he really needed to do was find Tsukushi, take her in his arms, and kiss her, and everything would go back to normal. After all, when he loved her, what could stand between them for long?
Tsukasa never had had any common sense. Anyone could have poked plenty of holes in his so-called-brilliant plan. For example, the fact that that technique hadn't worked for long the last time he tried it, or perhaps that what Tsukushi really wanted was not just love, but understanding, and maybe an end to the continual cycle of bickering. But Tsukasa would not, could not think of such things.
And of course, the question Tsukasa really should have been asking himself, instead of fuming about his sister and her devious plans was; did he really love Tsukushi and want her to be happy, or did he merely love her for the ideal she represented-an end to the solitude and loneliness that pervaded his life? For often, it seemed that Tsukasa didn't really recognize the girl he loved for who she was at all; didn't understand her needs, her fears, her goals, or her insecurities. This was why they so often ended up in a state of mutual misunderstanding; tempers flaring and cruel words flying.
Sadly, Tsukasa wasn't capable of imagining these truths. To him the world was a much simpler place. And what the question boiled down to for him was simply; did Tsukushi love him? If she did, he'd win her back. And that was all there was to it. The sooner the better. But if she didn't, then Someone must be to blame. And he would kill whomever that was. Even if, or perhaps, especially if, the one responsible for stealing Tsukushi's heart away was one of his own friends. Tsukasa's own insecurities and doubts had frequently left him wondering how much Tsukushi really loved him, given her habit of attracting men right and left; not to mention the questionable nature of her friendship with Rui. . . . Tsukasa growled through his gag. . . But always, Tsukushi had reminded him to believe in her-and he had.. until now.
This time she had not reminded him of his promises. Tsukasa realized, She'd just turned and walked away, as if something deep inside had finally broken. Well, and was it really his fault for doubting when she came home smelling like the lecherous Soujiro? Or when he glimpsed her reclining in Rui's arms? How could he know if she loved him still? But, Tsukasa just didn't know how to ask, how to talk about these issues. All he could do was Accuse and Yell, carried away by the heat of the moment.
Thus, this.
A week passed, and still Tsukasa found no opportunity to escape. His sister watched him like a hawk. When she wasn't around there was always a guard or two watching him; or he would be tied up. It was simply humiliating to be treated like this. Tsukasa swore he'd get his revenge on his sister some day. . . Meanwhile, he was forced to listen to his sister's lectures (for which she once more gagged him to prevent his arguments, whining, screaming, death threats; whatever nonsense he'd come up with that day). Too, she made good on her threat to bring in tutors, and those also drilled him endlessly on the proper way to talk to a lady, on how to open up discussion of sensitive subjects, how to emote, and how to project an emotional rapport. For the most part, Tsukasa simply ignored them. Did Tsubaki really think he didn't know how to act? It was just that, when facing off with Tsukushi, all rational thought tended to fly straight out the window. He simply couldn't help himself. Thus, the anger management class Tsubaki put him through; which again, he sulkily ignored-convinced that none of it was any use.
One afternoon, Tsubaki was wearily treating herself to a bottle of wine - a fine Montrachet-hell, she bloody well deserved a treat after putting up with that idiot for a week, when the phone rang.
Hesitantly, one of the maids brought Tsubaki the phone, asking, "It's for Tsukasa-should I bring it to him?"
"Who is it?" Tsubaki asked, but the maid didn't know. "No matter, give it to me. . . ." Lifting the receiver, she inquired, "Hello, may I ask who wants to speak to my stupid bother?. . . Oh, hi Akira! What can I do for you? . . . No, I'm afraid I can't let you talk to him, he's sort of tied up right now. . . . No. I don't think I'll let him out this weekend. . . . . Next weekend? Maybe, why? . . . A party? Hmm. Will Tsukushi be there? Probably? . . . . Well, in that case, I'll think about it. Thanks, Akira, say hello to the rest of the gang for me. . . Bye."
Thoughtfully, Tsubaki hung up the phone. Would another week and a half be enough to beat some sense into Tsukasa? There was only one way to find out. But it was true, Sakurako's party might be the perfect opportunity to check out the results of Tsukasa's training. Presuming Tsukasa didn't manage to somehow get loose before then. Standing up, Tsubaki went to check on her remaining stockpile of extra-strong, Tsukasa-proof rope.
-----
And what about Rui? What was he up to all this time? Was he brooding, in a dark sulk? Or, was he biding his time, waiting for the right moment to pop up behind Tsukushi, and surprise her with his cunning empathy?
Well, maybe.
For, Rui was just as inscrutable as ever. Outwardly, he mostly didn't do much. He melted back into his sofa at home, his world centered on channel surfing. Wasn't much else to do. Yeah, and he slept a lot. What thoughts, what schemes floated through his head, no one knew but himself. Sometimes Akira would call. Or once, Tsubaki. But never Tsukasa, never Tsukushi. Even Sakurako called, inviting him to her birthday next week. Perhaps Tsukushi would be there. Sakurako made him promise to come. Detached and aloof from reality, Rui floated through the week. Occasionally, he smiled, as if, almost telepathically, he could sense Tsukushi's moods. More often, he looked pensive. But it was hard to tell, This was after all, Rui-the original emotionless man. For him, the week passed quickly. Saturday, he at last elected to go out. Akira had called, inviting Rui out clubbing with himself and Soujiro. Idly, Rui wondered if Tsukasa would be there as well. Not that it made a difference. Expressionlessly, he put on some suitable clothes, and went out into the night.
To be continued..
Ok, whew that takes care of my 'obligation' to write Tsukasa and Rui. Couldn't have an HYD plot without them, but I really could care less what they're up to. Can't you tell? (bonus points if you recognize the mutated song reference in the rui paragraph (don't worry, you won't get it))
He'd returned home last week after Tsukushi had dumped him so forcefully. He'd been ranting and raving - one might almost say that he was fit to be tied.
Which, shortly after his arrival, he was.
Tsubaki had come home for a surprise visit with her little brother, while her husband was off at a business conference. She wasn't pleased at all when her first sight of Tsukasa was of his beet red face, with wild eyes bulging in frustrated anger and helplessness. Tsubaki managed to catch one or two words of his incoherent mutterings before she sighed in resignation and booted her idiot of a brother across the room.
"Hey! What did you do that for?" Tsukasa whined from the corner he'd landed in.
"OK, little brother, what sort of stupidity are you up to now?" Tsubaki sternly regarded the crumpled boy, impatiently drumming her fingers on her crossed arms as she awaited his answer. Honestly, Tsukasa was such a hassle sometimes.
Tsukasa seemed to retreat into himself. Struggling to get up, he began to mutter something about Tsukushi, Rui, Soujiro.
This was getting her nowhere, Tsubaki decide. Trust her brother not to be able to just tell a straight story. She was sure he must have done something to upset Tsukushi, again. He only acted this way after an incident with her. If he'd hurt Tsukushi again, Tsubaki swore that she would never forgive him. Why did those two always have to make it so difficult for each other?
Growling, Tsubaki stalked over to Tsukasa and knocked him back to the floor. Pinning him there with one spike-heeled boot on his neck, she took out her cellphone and started dialing. She'd get the straight story from Rui.
"Hello, Rui?" This is Doumyouji Tsubaki. . . . Hi, How are you? . . . . Good. . . . the reason I'm calling is that I've got my brother here and he seems to be babbling incoherently. Would you please be so kind as to tell me just what has going on around here?"
(Tsukasa was, in fact, not babbling at this moment, but rather gasping for air and clawing at his sister's immovable foot crushing his throat.)
"Uh huh. . . . indeed. . . . I see. . . " To Tsukasa's ears, there was something menacing growing in his sister's tone. He wondered what, exactly, that traitor Rui was telling her.
"Indeed. Thanks, Rui.." Tsubaki snapped her phone shut with a decisive click, and turned to look down at her blue-faced brother.
"Hmm. what am I going to do with you?" Tsubaki sighed. She'd tried to raise her brother to be a good man, but it was obvious that she'd failed. She sighed in despair. All she wanted to do was to see Tsukushi-the girl she loved like a sister - happy with her brother; but the damned fool had fucked up again!
Well then, Tsubaki decided that it would be for the best if Tsukushi and Tsukasa both calmed down a bit and had time to think before their next encounter. After all, she'd seen how stiff-necked each could be after one of their little spats. They probably just needed a break to settle down and realize how much they missed each other. . . . .
She waited a few more moments, while Tsukasa's face turned blue and his struggling slowed, then ceased. Raising her voice sharply, Tsubaki called for the servants, who'd been cowering outside the room since the first moment Tsukasa had burst in the door.
"Take this idiot back to his room," She ordered, "And tie him up." I want him bound hand and foot. And lock the doors and windows. I don't want him going anywhere."
"Yes, mistress." Two of the stronger servants carefully lifted Tsukasa's limp body off the floor.
"And you'd better hurry. He should regain consciousness in a few minutes." Tsubaki warned.
The servants took off with some alacrity; they had no desire to be present when Tsukasa woke up.. They all still remembered how violent he could be. (Even if he had settled down more in recent years).
---
Tsukasa groggily regained consciousness. His head was absolutely pounding! Wearily, he went to rub his aching temples with the heel of his hand-or at least, he tried to. Why couldn't he move? He tried sitting up. Oh wait, he was already sitting up. Nope, couldn't stand either. Tsukasa was just beginning to realize the situation he was in.
"TSUBAKIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!" He went to scream, only to discover that, almost as an afterthought, he'd been gagged, as well as tied up.
Finally, Tsukasa thought to open his eyes. He needn't have yelled, (or rather, grunted loudly, as the actuality had been) for his sister was sitting in an armchair across the room from him.
Tsubaki sipped a glass of rather dull wine (situations like this certainly didn't merit a fine vintage), and regarded her brother.
"Finally awake, I see. Listen closely, little brother. Here's the plan. You need to work on your social skills. Most especially on your communication ability. It simply does not do for the heir to the Doumyouji Corporation to be so tongue-tied as you seem to be." The irony of this statement, given Tsukasa's current bound and gagged state, completely escaped her notice. "Thus, you will remain in this house, with your new tutors in the social graces, until I decide it's safe to unleash you on the world again." Tsubaki leaned back into her chair.
Tsukasa's eyes bugged out incredulously. Social skills? Anger management? His sister had finally lost her mind! He wanted to tell her so; perhaps scream it at her at the top of his lungs. But since he could not speak, he retreated into one of his deep sulks instead. Surely, she couldn't watch him every hour of the day? And they had to untie him sometime. Tsukasa was already scheming his escape. He knew, just knew, that all he really needed to do was find Tsukushi, take her in his arms, and kiss her, and everything would go back to normal. After all, when he loved her, what could stand between them for long?
Tsukasa never had had any common sense. Anyone could have poked plenty of holes in his so-called-brilliant plan. For example, the fact that that technique hadn't worked for long the last time he tried it, or perhaps that what Tsukushi really wanted was not just love, but understanding, and maybe an end to the continual cycle of bickering. But Tsukasa would not, could not think of such things.
And of course, the question Tsukasa really should have been asking himself, instead of fuming about his sister and her devious plans was; did he really love Tsukushi and want her to be happy, or did he merely love her for the ideal she represented-an end to the solitude and loneliness that pervaded his life? For often, it seemed that Tsukasa didn't really recognize the girl he loved for who she was at all; didn't understand her needs, her fears, her goals, or her insecurities. This was why they so often ended up in a state of mutual misunderstanding; tempers flaring and cruel words flying.
Sadly, Tsukasa wasn't capable of imagining these truths. To him the world was a much simpler place. And what the question boiled down to for him was simply; did Tsukushi love him? If she did, he'd win her back. And that was all there was to it. The sooner the better. But if she didn't, then Someone must be to blame. And he would kill whomever that was. Even if, or perhaps, especially if, the one responsible for stealing Tsukushi's heart away was one of his own friends. Tsukasa's own insecurities and doubts had frequently left him wondering how much Tsukushi really loved him, given her habit of attracting men right and left; not to mention the questionable nature of her friendship with Rui. . . . Tsukasa growled through his gag. . . But always, Tsukushi had reminded him to believe in her-and he had.. until now.
This time she had not reminded him of his promises. Tsukasa realized, She'd just turned and walked away, as if something deep inside had finally broken. Well, and was it really his fault for doubting when she came home smelling like the lecherous Soujiro? Or when he glimpsed her reclining in Rui's arms? How could he know if she loved him still? But, Tsukasa just didn't know how to ask, how to talk about these issues. All he could do was Accuse and Yell, carried away by the heat of the moment.
Thus, this.
A week passed, and still Tsukasa found no opportunity to escape. His sister watched him like a hawk. When she wasn't around there was always a guard or two watching him; or he would be tied up. It was simply humiliating to be treated like this. Tsukasa swore he'd get his revenge on his sister some day. . . Meanwhile, he was forced to listen to his sister's lectures (for which she once more gagged him to prevent his arguments, whining, screaming, death threats; whatever nonsense he'd come up with that day). Too, she made good on her threat to bring in tutors, and those also drilled him endlessly on the proper way to talk to a lady, on how to open up discussion of sensitive subjects, how to emote, and how to project an emotional rapport. For the most part, Tsukasa simply ignored them. Did Tsubaki really think he didn't know how to act? It was just that, when facing off with Tsukushi, all rational thought tended to fly straight out the window. He simply couldn't help himself. Thus, the anger management class Tsubaki put him through; which again, he sulkily ignored-convinced that none of it was any use.
One afternoon, Tsubaki was wearily treating herself to a bottle of wine - a fine Montrachet-hell, she bloody well deserved a treat after putting up with that idiot for a week, when the phone rang.
Hesitantly, one of the maids brought Tsubaki the phone, asking, "It's for Tsukasa-should I bring it to him?"
"Who is it?" Tsubaki asked, but the maid didn't know. "No matter, give it to me. . . ." Lifting the receiver, she inquired, "Hello, may I ask who wants to speak to my stupid bother?. . . Oh, hi Akira! What can I do for you? . . . No, I'm afraid I can't let you talk to him, he's sort of tied up right now. . . . No. I don't think I'll let him out this weekend. . . . . Next weekend? Maybe, why? . . . A party? Hmm. Will Tsukushi be there? Probably? . . . . Well, in that case, I'll think about it. Thanks, Akira, say hello to the rest of the gang for me. . . Bye."
Thoughtfully, Tsubaki hung up the phone. Would another week and a half be enough to beat some sense into Tsukasa? There was only one way to find out. But it was true, Sakurako's party might be the perfect opportunity to check out the results of Tsukasa's training. Presuming Tsukasa didn't manage to somehow get loose before then. Standing up, Tsubaki went to check on her remaining stockpile of extra-strong, Tsukasa-proof rope.
-----
And what about Rui? What was he up to all this time? Was he brooding, in a dark sulk? Or, was he biding his time, waiting for the right moment to pop up behind Tsukushi, and surprise her with his cunning empathy?
Well, maybe.
For, Rui was just as inscrutable as ever. Outwardly, he mostly didn't do much. He melted back into his sofa at home, his world centered on channel surfing. Wasn't much else to do. Yeah, and he slept a lot. What thoughts, what schemes floated through his head, no one knew but himself. Sometimes Akira would call. Or once, Tsubaki. But never Tsukasa, never Tsukushi. Even Sakurako called, inviting him to her birthday next week. Perhaps Tsukushi would be there. Sakurako made him promise to come. Detached and aloof from reality, Rui floated through the week. Occasionally, he smiled, as if, almost telepathically, he could sense Tsukushi's moods. More often, he looked pensive. But it was hard to tell, This was after all, Rui-the original emotionless man. For him, the week passed quickly. Saturday, he at last elected to go out. Akira had called, inviting Rui out clubbing with himself and Soujiro. Idly, Rui wondered if Tsukasa would be there as well. Not that it made a difference. Expressionlessly, he put on some suitable clothes, and went out into the night.
To be continued..
Ok, whew that takes care of my 'obligation' to write Tsukasa and Rui. Couldn't have an HYD plot without them, but I really could care less what they're up to. Can't you tell? (bonus points if you recognize the mutated song reference in the rui paragraph (don't worry, you won't get it))