Akira entered Sakurako's house, a wide-eyed Yuki bubbling on his arm. She
was so excited by the colorful people, the exquisite dresses, the beauty of
the old mansion. Akira listened to her refreshing naivete with amusement.
Sometimes it was hard to believe that someone so good-hearted and kind as
to be able to believe the best out of all these people, even after the
horrendous tales Tsukushi had surely told her, existed. And she was his
date. Akira smiled. He knew he was lucky to have her. Even the fact that
she was younger than him didn't faze him at all. She was still amazing.
He'd felt her heart racing last night as he kissed her goodnight after
walking her home. She was so innocent, and sweet. And she adored him. He
could tell. He didn't want to let her down, after all, he couldn't remember
the last time he'd felt so content with one of his girlfriends on his arm.
"Are you ok?" Yuki glanced up anxiously, "You've been so quiet since we arrived." Perhaps her prattle was annoying him. Oh god, she didn't want to embarrass Akira in front of his school friends. She blushed a delicate shade of pink.
"No," Akira smiled down at the petite girl beside him, "Everything's fine." He bent down to kiss her, acknowledging to all the curious eyes in the room that she was his girlfriend, and they'd best not mess with her. "Would you like a drink?"
"Oh yes, please!" Yuki agreed; the room was rather hot-a drink would be lovely right now.
"I'll be right back," he gave her arm a reassuring squeeze and set off to find the nearest bottle of champagne and a pair of glasses.
Instantly, Yuki was mobbed by insincere girls all wanting to make her acquaintance, since it was obvious that to be Akira's girlfriend, she had to be someone of influence. Yuki accepted their greetings and flattery at face value, and set about having a good time. When Akira got back, perhaps they could find Tsukushi and introduce her to these new friends?
---------
Soujiro moped silently. He knew he'd blown his chance. Though what exactly it had been a chance of, he couldn't really have said. Now, here he stood in the crowded room, a girl on each arm, yet feeling so very alone. He was waiting for something. Unsure just what it was, he sipped his drink, flirted shamelessly with the beauties in his arms, and refused to budge from his patch of floor, despite their repeated entreaties to come dance, come find a dark corner, an empty bedroom. . .
Distantly, he wondered when Akira would show up, and if he was bringing Yuki. What would she think of this elaborate setup, the endless machinations and schemes of the social climbers? She wouldn't be as cynical as Tsukushi. She might even enjoy the attention she was sure to get as Akira's date. The thought brought some comfort in his low mood; at least someone would be enjoying this seemingly endless torture tonight.
At last, Soujiro's dull eyes were caught by the sudden appearance of Tsukasa across the room. It was always easy to spot another member of the F4-they all towered over their peers so easily. And even if they hadn't had the height, each exuded a charisma that immediately drew the eyes. Tsukasa didn't notice Soujiro, didn't even look his way. No, his eyes were fixated on a single point, a single person-Tsukushi, of course. Soujiro wondered why he hadn't seen her standing there. Perhaps it was because he hadn't wanted to see.
At any rate, Soujiro now watched more closely, from beneath half lidded eyes, as Doumyouji drew Tsukushi away from the crowd and began speaking to her. Soujiro was surprised neither of them were yelling yet, but he didn't have long to wait. Even not being able to hear the voices over the din of the room he could almost picture what was being said. Tsukushi would be begging Tsukasa to listen to her for once. He, of course, would be failing to understand. No matter what Tsubaki had done to him, there was no way in hell Tsukasa could change fast enough to really understand Tsukushi's needs by tonight.
Soujiro had to look away when he saw Tsukasa reaching out to embrace Tsukushi. There were two ways this drama could end. He wasn't sure he wanted to know which it would be. He busied himself in turning to the girl wrapped around his left side and engaging her in a passionate kiss. When he finally disengaged himself from this distraction, Tsukushi was gone.
Wavering now between relief and worry, Soujiro was about to automatically set off in pursuit, when he remembered how he, himself, had just treated her. Tsukushi might not appreciate his company now. Or anytime soon. And should he really go to her, when he had so little to give? He hesitated, delaying a decision while, with a false moue of regret, he untangled himself from the beauties surrounding him.
Soujiro finally made up his mind when he glimpsed Rui emerging from the shadows behind a rather menacing houseplant. There was no fucking way he was going to let Rui get to her first. She might not want Soujiro's presence, but she certainly didn't need Rui right now. Soujiro wove his way rapidly through the crowd trying to sniff out which way she might've gone. It helped there was only one obvious exit for the outside from this room. He headed for it.
---------
Tsukushi found herself on a porch overlooking an ornamental fishpond. Grateful for the fresh air and relative quiet, she leaned out over the old wooden railing. Unconsciously, her fingers played with the necklace at her throat; the symbol of all Tsukasa had meant to her, and her to him. What was the point of it all when there was no hope of them ever understanding each other? She wanted to cry, to burst into tears and let all her frustrations pour out. But she could not. There was such a sense of inevitability to it all; she'd felt her devotion, her passion, for Tsukasa slipping away, bit by bit. She wanted to want him, wanted his love to make everything else vanish. But it didn't.
The chill of the night air matched the chill in her heart.
------
Inside, Tsukasa stared blindly at the crowded room. What had gone wrong? He couldn't understand it. Couldn't understand the look in her eyes as she'd slipped from his grasp yet again. Tormented by the doubts assailing him, he stood rooted in place, unable to pursue his only love.
A silky voice sounded at his elbow. "You don't know what's wrong, do you? Poor Doumyouji. You just don't understand why Makino is afraid to face you. . . Well. . . I know."
Tsukasa slowly turned to regard Asai skeptically. "How would you know anything about her, you bitch?"
"Don't be petty." Asai refused to cringe beneath his cold eyes, much as every instinct screamed at her to slip off before she unleashed the violence at his core. "I go to school. I listen. I learn things from people. You might find these things interesting."
"Really?" He remained aloof, unconvinced. But, despite himself, Tsukasa was intrigued-there had been something wrong with Tsukushi, and anything, no matter what the source, that might clear up the mystery was welcome. "What sort of things? And, why should I believe anything you say? You've lied to me in the past."
Asai's cool smirk remained undimmed, "Corroborating evidence." She dragged up a whimpering Kazuya, her sharp talons gripping his hair tightly. Tsukasa hadn't seen the small boy before, pinned to the floor as he had been by the sharp point of Asai's spike heels.
"What does that fool have to do with anything?" Tsukasa dismissed Kazuya with a snort.
"He came to the same conclusions as I did, but from a different perspective. Just listen." Asai shoved Kazuya roughly to the floor again. His was only a minor role in the coming drama.
Tsukasa crossed his arms. "Then talk. But if I find that you've been lying to me, I'll kill you.."
"Oh, it's not me you'll be wanting to kill," Asai murmured to herself.
Tapping her chin thoughtfully with one viciously sharp nail, she pondered the best way to begin.
"It began with a bet."
"What bet?" Tsukasa eyed her suspiciously.
"A bet between Nishikado and Mimasaka." Asai didn't really know the details. The bimbo that was her primary source hadn't heard the whole exchange, but it wasn't hard to imagine what might have happened. And what wasn't known could, and would, be supplemented by the purest evil fiction she could devise. "To see which of them could seduce Makino."
"I see." Tsukasa's voice had grown deadly cold. "And just when did this supposed bet take place?"
"A few weeks ago. I believe you remember the night?" Asai arched one overly plucked eyebrow. She had no clue, really, but Doumyouji certainly did. He began to turn purple with rage as he remembered.. . .
. . . Following Tsukushi to the restaurant, watching as Akira and Soujiro circled closer and closer. Then, he'd been most concerned about Rui, but he should have known his irresponsibly immoral friends were up to something. And the way Soujiro had cozyed up to Tsukushi on the dance floor, right before he'd kissed her. . . Tsukasa's mind was suddenly reeling with suspicions reborn.
"Exactly," Asai smirked. "I don't know if it was then, or later, but we're sure of one thing. . . From the way she's been acting at school, meeting Nishikado 'accidentally' for lunch, or 'bumping into him' at bars at night.. . .
"He won. Now Makino's totally fallen for him. He of course, could care less. . . . Isn't that right?" She hauled Kazuya back off the floor.
"I saw him touching her, that monster! He wouldn't let her go! Oh my innocent Tsukushi-chan!!!!!!" Kazuya moaned dazedly.
"See?" Asai's lips twisted up in spiteful triumph. "That's why your precious Makino couldn't meet your eyes. She's too ashamed, and she knew you'd never forgive her for cheating on you. You're better off without that little tramp anyway." She finished offhandedly.
Asai looked up at Doumyouji to see how well her words had taken effect. He seemed to be fixated on the empty air.
"Tsukushi. . ." He whispered despairingly, "How could you?"
"He's really very clever with the ladies," Asai insinuated helpfully, "I bet he knew exactly what to say. . .Women will do anything for him, and you know Makino's been eyeing him for a while. . ."
"How dare you say such things about My Tsukushi!" Tsukasa whirled and screamed at the immaculately made-up bitch at his elbow. He could not allow anyone to voice the nagging thoughts that whispered in his own mind.
Aware that she might have gone too far this time, Asai beat a hasty retreat.
"Just think on what I said, Doumyouji. None of us want you to get hurt over a faithless bimbo like her. ." With these parting words, she slipped off to rejoin her coterie of friends.
Tsukasa tried to rein in his freewheeling emotions. But without success. Rage, despair, almost overwhelming jealousy all surged through his brain. Adrenaline pulsed through his veins. Asai's words fit too well with his own lingering suspicions for him to doubt her, She might be petty and manipulative, but this was too much, even for her. It had to be true!
"Soujiro. You treacherous fuck. You're going to die." He growled low beneath his breath. Every muscle in his body strained to be released in a killing fury. He controlled himself, but barely, only barely. So much for empathy-training sessions. So much for anger management. Tensely, with a coiled fury clenching his jaw, he began to search for his erstwhile friend. He hardly even noticed as he heedlessly bowled a shaky Kazuya back to the ground.
------
Soujiro found Tsukushi shivering alone on the quiet porch. Few other party- goers were willing to brave the pervasive chill of the night to hang out in such a place, when the inside of the house was so much more cheerful and alive. With luck, no one had noticed her out here-and it would be easy to overlook such a slight girl, especially given the way she tended to blend into the dark of the night.
Her back was turned to the house, and she seemed not to notice his presence as he slipped through the open door. Moving silently, Soujiro came up behind her and settled pensively at the railing at a small distance from Tsukushi. Leaning forward, he followed her silent example and stared out at the dark waters.
Neither spoke for some minutes.
Tsukushi was not pleased to have her solitude interrupted. She gave up at last.
"Don't you have people waiting for you, inside?" She hoped she didn't sound bitter.
"Nah," Soujiro shrugged half-heartedly, turning to regard her in the dim light. Tsukushi still hadn't turned away from her view of the still waters.
"Why are you here?"
"I wanted to apologize, for being an idiot back there." His lips gave an ironic twist, "I did warn you, that was who I am. I can't help it-I see a pretty girl and from there, it's all automatic. Still, I didn't mean to ignore you. And I'm sorry." Suddenly embarrassed, he turned back to the railing. It was fortunate he was good with words, otherwise he didn't think he could have answered her. "I'll leave if you want me to." He pushed to his feet and headed for the door.
"No." her cautious answer called him back to the railing, "He never apologizes for anything. Not even when he knows he was wrong. Why should you apologize for being yourself? I knew better, didn't I? I told them they were wrong. . . I shouldn't be angry, I don't know why I felt that way?" It sounded almost as if she were talking to herself, not to Soujiro at all, "But I'm not angry now. See, how can I be? I can't feel a thing anymore. I couldn't feel a thing."
Soujiro stood behind the small girl, uncertain what to say or do. Tsukushi was huddled over the railing, lost in her own little world, hardly aware of Soujiro, only dimly recalling what it was she was annoyed with him for. All she could see, etched in the blank waters of the small pond, were Doumyouji's features-his look of confusion as she fled. And still, she could not cry for him.
Soujiro tentatively put a hand on Tsukushi's shoulder. At the touch she flinched, but then with a quaking sigh, surrendered to her need for comfort.
"Soujiro," she pled staring up at him, with her large eyes shining deeply, "I couldn't feel a thing! How couldn't I? I can't even cry anymore!"
He didn't know what to say. But he didn't even try to pretend ignorance to what she was talking about.
"Tsukushi," he murmured, "It's ok. It has to be ok. You're just tired now. Now is not the time for tears anyway. You'll see. Things will look better in the morning. Try seeing Tsukasa then, talking to him when you're not surrounded by. . . all this. . . You can't just give up now."
He'd been telling himself that things would be better in the morning for years. Somehow the words always rang false to him then. They did so now.
"Why can't I? What's going to change between now and then?" Tsukushi challenged. "Nothing ever changes. I just get tireder." She seemed to wilt even more.
"Come on, girl, what kind of attitude is that? Don't you want him back?"
"Oh! I just don't know! I couldn't look at him, and when he kissed me. . . It just didn't feel the same anymore. I. . ." but whatever she was about to say was lost in a sudden spasm of shivering and chattering teeth. And no wonder. It was freezing outside, and she wasn't exactly dressed for the weather.
"Come on, Tsukushi, Let's go back inside before you freeze."
Mutely she shook her head. "I can't."
"Yes you can. Come on, you silly girl. Running away won't help. You got to talk to him."
"I can't!" Tsukushi straightened and pounded her fists on Soujiro's chest in frustration, as if to emphasize each word she spoke. "Don't you understand, I tried. I can't talk to him. I tried so hard. The words wouldn't come! And he wouldn't listen anyway! It's always the same. Always." She seemed to realize what she was doing, and stopped pummeling the shocked boy. "Ah! I'm sorry!" She took a step back, looking down at the dark wood beneath her feet, "And, somehow when he looks at me like that, I always feel like it's all my fault. . ."
No, Soujiro reflected as he watched the shivering girl in front of him, it can't be her fault, If there was a way to make the relationship work, she'd find it. But it's always the others who make us feel guilty for not being what they want us to be, or for their own failings. He thought bitterly of his own family and the myriad nights he'd lain awake wondering what he'd done to drive his older brother away, how it must be his fault for his father's lack of love. No, it was never the truly guilty who felt remorse, it was only the innocents whom they manipulated that felt the true pain. He felt a powerful thrill of sympathy for Tsukushi and her torment of indecision.
Impulsively, he closed the gap between them, and hugged Tsukushi to him, as one might comfort a small child. "Shh." he whispered into her hair, "It's not your fault. You can't blame yourself. I won't let you."
Tsukushi closed her eyes and let his soothing words wash over her. Why did it have to be Soujiro she talked to like this? Why couldn't Tsukasa ever ask the right questions, say the words she needed to hear? Maybe Soujiro was right, though. If she could just force Tsukasa to listen to her for once. If she could just talk things out with him, maybe the void in her heart would fill again?" Perhaps she'd ask Tsubaki to tie him up for her so she could talk without interruption? She didn't know if this could work, if she should even dare hope that the fire that had once poured through her veins could be so easily rekindled by even the merest shadow of understanding from Doumyouji. But Soujiro was right. For the sake of what they'd once had, she needed to try. Even if only to prove to herself that her love was truly dying, or dead.
But it would have to wait until tomorrow. Tonight she was content to lean into Soujiro's warmth, listening to his soothing voice, absorbing strength and purpose from him, as they stood together in the dark.
------
Akira finally found a bottle and glasses for himself and Yuki. It had taken him a lot longer then he'd expected, and now he found himself almost at the opposite end of the house from where he'd started. Damn it, what kind of maze did Sakurako have here anyway? Grumpily, he started to make his way back to Yuki. He hoped she didn't mind his long absence. He promised himself he'd make it up to her later tonight in the nicest possible way. Grinning at the images this thought brought to mind, he failed to pay attention to where he was walking, and almost bumped into Rui.
"Hey!" he greeted cheerfully, "have you been here long? Come on, I want to introduce you to my girlfriend." He knew that, like the rest of the F4, Rui had met Yuki before, but being Rui, undoubtedly wouldn't remember her without a fresh introduction. Hell, Akira'd needed a fresh introduction to really notice her, himself.
"Not right now." Rui replied laconically.
"Oh come on, why not?" Akira laughed, "It's not like you're talking to anyone now, anyway."
"I'm waiting."
"Really, what for?" Akira was happy to play along with Rui's game. At least for a few minutes. Hell, why not? He was in a good mood tonight.
"For Tsukasa." Rui refused to divulge more information than necessary.
"Tsukasa? Why?"
"See for yourself." Rui nodded at a figure across the room.
"Oh shit!" Akira looked in the indicated direction. For there glowered Tsukasa. He was in the process of storming through the house. searching for Tsukushi, or Soujiro, or both. They couldn't hide from him.
Luckily, Tsukasa wasn't the brightest bulb in the lamp, and hadn't thought to check outside first.
"Where's Tsukushi?" Akira demanded. He didn't know what was going on. But he'd be willing to bet anything that Tsukasa's ire revolved around her.
"Out there." Rui nodded at the half open door a few feet away.
"Oh." I should have known he wouldn't be far from her. Akira grimaced. There wasn't time to ask what had happened, or what Rui knew. Nor was it time to beat around the bush, "Is Soujiro with her?" He didn't need to wait for a reply. The defeated look in Rui's eye said it all.
"Shit! I have to get him out of there!" Akira started to head for the door.
"There's no time." Rui grabbed Akira's arm. He didn't even need to question why it was Akira wanted to act. Tsukasa was obviously not in a reasonable mood, even if the situation had been reasonable to begin with. "See?" Tsukasa was headed their way.
-------
Yuki was fascinated by the people around her, their manners, the attention they paid her, and their amazing clothes. Still, she didn't really understand why they kept asking her what company her father owned, or what was it really like dating one of the F4. Didn't they listen when she told them that her dad was just an average employee, and Akira, was, well, Akira. She couldn't really bring herself to think of him as just a member of the exalted clique they all seemed to idolize and fear. He was a sweet, funny, cuddly man, very down to earth. Sympathetic and understanding too, not some scary god like they all seemed to think. It was all very confusing.
It was with a vast sigh of relief that she finally caught sight of someone she knew, amidst all the strangers.
"Sakurako!" Yuki smiled at the other girl. She was so pretty! And she'd always been nice to her whenever Yuki had come to hang out with Tsukushi and her Eitoku friends.
"Yuki. Glad you could make it." Sakurako took the other girl's arm, "How are you? What are you doing wasting your time with these peons? They're not even as attractive as you are." She directed her last remark toward the crowd of girls Yuki had been immersed in, and was rewarded with a volley of glares aimed at her back. Gods, being hostess was fun, you could insult your guests to their faces and they couldn't do anything about it. "Come with me, Have you met any cute guys yet? I think there might be some around here that you might like."
"Ah err.." Yuki was rather taken aback by Sakurako's direct attitude, "Actually, I came with Mimasaka. Have you seen him anywhere?"
"Akira, eh?" Sakurako arched one delicate eyebrow, "Now there's a fine choice. I'll say this, you've got taste. Though, I think he's a bit dull, personality-wise. Nowhere near as feisty as the rest of the F4, if you know what I mean?"
"Umm.." Yuki wasn't quite sure what to make of this statement.
"Anyway, shall we find this errant beau of yours, before he goes and seduces one of my houseplants?" Sakurako led Yuki off through the house.
"Oh, there he is!" Yuki spotted Akira across a room talking to Rui. The two girls made their way over to where the boys were standing just in time to hear the tail end of Rui's last statement. . . No time? No time for what? Yuki wondered.
"Akira!" Sakurako greeted, oblivious to the tension the two boys radiated, "I brought your girlfriend! You shouldn't leave her alone like that! Someone else might steal her!"
"Yuki!" Akira's eyes lit up with relief. "I need a favor, quick,"
"Sure," Yuki smiled uncertainly, but willing to go along for the moment.
"Get Soujiro and Tsukushi out of here. Now. They're out that door." A note of panic entered his voice as his eyes darted to the man rapidly coming up behind the two girls. "Hurry!"
Yuki followed his eyes, and catching just a glimmer of the look in Tsukasa's eyes, sprinted for the porch, all questions dying beneath the anger she saw there. No, there was no need to ask why Akira was tense, or why Tsukushi and Soujiro needed to get out.
Unfortunately, when Yuki pushed the door fully open, the bright lights of the room spilled out to fully illuminate the pair of figures standing in what appeared to be a passionate embrace.
"SOUJIRO!!!!!" Tsukasa roared at the top of his lungs, and lunged for the door. As one, Akira and Rui stepped forward to seize his arms and hold him back. As the light fell on them, Soujiro and Tsukushi sprang apart, and only Soujiro's restraining hand on Tsukushi's shoulder kept her from rushing in to confront the rampaging beast that was Tsukasa. Soujiro took in the interior scene in a glance; Akira and Rui were desperately trying to restrain Tsukasa, who writhed and kicked like a man possessed. They were not faring well. At the first sound of Tsukasa's trumpeting roar, the rest of the party guests had immediately fled the scene. Memories of Doumyouji's murderous rages were still too fresh in many of their minds, and no one wanted to accidentally get in his way-or they might be the ones to end up in the Emergency Room. Even Asai didn't stick around to witness the conclusion of her scheme, but bolted for the door, in a most unladylike fashion. The only ones brave enough, or desperate enough, or foolish enough to stand against Doumyouji were Akira and Rui. . . And, apparently, Kazuya, for in the instant before Yuki slammed the door shut behind her, Soujiro witnessed the smaller boy throw himself at Tsukasa's legs with a desperate squeal that sounded suspiciously like, "Tsukushi-chan!"
"Quick," Yuki breathed, as she slammed the door, "Tsukushi, you have to leave."
Soujiro had already figured that out. "Yuki, get Akira, and meet us at The Other Side," the name of a popular all night café located in a neighborhood far away from Sakurako's house. He grabbed Tsukushi's wrist and started to pull her along the porch down to some steps to where a small path led off through the gardens.
Tsukushi was shaking again, no longer with cold however, or despair. No, now she was furious. Again.
"That jerk!" She muttered through clenched teeth, "What the hell does he think he's doing? Didn't he just say he wanted me back-- that nothing mattered as long as he loved me? So what the Fuck is he doing pulling a stunt like that, again?" How many times was she doomed to relieve scenes like this one, with an enraged Tsukasa attacking someone for their perceived closeness to her? Why couldn't he listen? And for the love of god, what brought on his maddened frenzy this time? He'd seemed relatively calm just moments before. . . "And just when I was working up the resolve to try harder to forgive him. . ."
Unheeded, a slow tear found its way down her cheek at last. It might've only been from the chill wind blowing in her face.
Numbly, she let Soujiro lead her away. Furiously, her brain whirled, trying to understand what had inspired this incident.
Back at the house, Akira and Rui were tiring. Kazuya had already been tossed aside, weakened to the point of collapse by a well-placed kick to the gut. Yuki remained on the porch, afraid to open the door and find out the result of the conflict, but unwilling to leave 'till she found out if Akira was all right or not.
"Why?!" Tsukasa breathed harshly. "Why are you protecting him?" he directed his remarks to Rui, who was trying, without much success, to prevent Tsukasa's left elbow from driving repeatedly into his stomach. "Don't you know what he's done?"
"Better than You do." Rui replied in between gasps.
"Then why?"
"Because you're wrong." Even the pain from his bruises couldn't make Rui lose his calm.
"Wrong?! I'll show you wrong!" Tsukasa screamed furiously, and wrenching his arm free with a monumental jerk, backhanded Rui across the face, sending the lighter boy staggering backwards into a wall.
Akira was left to wrestle all the more ferociously with Doumyouji. It was like fighting an anaconda built from steel.
"I have to agree with Rui," he gasped, "I tried to prevent this. But whatever idea you have, it's wrong."
"You! You're as bad as Soujiro!" Tsukasa was snarling now, "I heard about that bet of yours! Why did you do it? Did you think it'd be fun to make a fool of me? Or did you just want to humiliate Tsukushi? Oh yes, I remember what you've always said about her, 'no sex appeal, annoying, clueless. . .' You never liked her. Now get out of my way!"
"Listen to me Tsukasa!" Akira knew he was losing the physical battle. He was going to have to use the rest of his breath in a war of words. "Sure there was a bet. A moment's whim. But do you really think so lowly of her, that she'd succumb? We lost. It's over. It was nothing. If that's all this is about, you need to calm the fuck down."
"Then what did I just see?" Tsukasa demanded, "What was going on out there that you didn't want me to see?! Don't play the fool, Akira. You can't hide from me." With a final vicious kick, he sent Akira sprawling next to Rui.
Deliberately, Tsukasa stalked to the door and flung it open. But there was only Yuki, leaning fearfully back against the rail.
"Where are they?" He demanded, in a voice gone icy cold.
"They left." Yuki murmured defiantly. If Akira was willing to fight for Soujiro, how could she do less for Tsukushi? "Please leave Tsukushi alone! She hasn't done anything wrong." Her brown eyes pled for him to believe, but Tsukasa just looked away. Coldly, he stalked off the porch, heading down the path they must've taken.
Yuki watched him go, then slipped inside. Akira and Rui were pulling themselves to their feet.
"Why didn't you tell him what's really going on with Makino?" Akira was asking.
Rui shrugged, "You don't think that wouldn't just make him more angry?"
"Oh, yeah. Maybe.' Akira thought about it, "Then why are you defending Soujiro anyway? I thought you were mad at him?"
"I wasn't. I was trying to protect Tsukushi." Now Rui grew vehement, "I want her to be happy! If she thinks she can be happy with Soujiro, then she should at least get the chance to try! But, you know, I used to think she would be happy with Tsukasa, I tried to stand aside, and let them be. . . Until I saw that Tsukasa was wrong. What sort of boyfriend treats the girl he loves like that? Is he protecting her or destroying her? He makes me so angry."
Both Akira and Yuki were staring, open-mouthed, at Rui. It just wasn't like him to speak so openly, or at such length.
Nevertheless, Rui continued, as if speaking to himself, "I think I'd do anything to prevent them from getting back together. Even if it means watching her fall for Soujiro. It's the only thing I can do." He looked absolutely tired, and utterly defeated. It's a terrible thing to love so deeply, and so unrequitedly.
His shoulders drooping, Rui turned away. "Do you think he'll catch up?"
"Nah," Akira reassured him, "He's too mad to think clearly. They'll be fine."
"Good." Rui nodded slowly. "I'm going home."
"Wait!" Yuki spoke up. "We're going to go meet them. Would you like to come?"
Rui gazed steadily at the diminutive girl for several seconds, before shaking his head. "I don't think so. But you can tell Tsukushi hello from me." He limped off. It was obvious that not all his pain was purely physical.
Yuki turned solicitously to Akira, "Are you ok? That was really scary!"
Akira smiled down at her, "I'm fine. Tsukasa was more concerned with getting past us than hurting us. Just got a few bruises is all. And you? That was really brave of you to stand up to Tsukasa like that. You should have left with Makino and Soujiro."
"Oh no!" Yuki breathed, "I couldn't leave you by yourself!. . .Besides," she continued, smiling mischievously up at him, "How would you know where they went if I didn't stay to tell you?"
"You're right, of course," Akira laughed lightly, trying to ignore the pain of his bruised ribs. He knew one thing that would distract him. . . He bent down and kissed Yuki lingeringly on the lips. It was with much satisfaction that he felt her response; a gentle sigh, the melting of her body against his, and her arms coming up to wrap around his neck. Yes, like this, with her heart beating rapidly against him, he could forget any pain.
Eventually, Yuki broke away, blushing furiously, but smiling dreamily all the same. Hand in hand, the couple departed the now almost-deserted mansion.
--------
Sakurako strode through her empty house. Everyone had left. It was a disgrace! Not even midnight yet, and they'd all run away. Damn that Doumyouji! Why'd he have to go and ruin everything? Tears of pure anger poured down her perfect face. It was almost as if that man deliberately set out to destroy everything she'd worked for.
Pacing over to the site where the boys had been fighting, she heard a faint groaning coming from under a table.
Kazuya remained where he'd been kicked, a limp bundle of flesh and bone cowering in the dimness beneath the furniture. The evening hadn't gone at all how he'd hoped. His beautiful Tsukushi assaulted by that Dreadful Nishikado. . . Getting stomped upon by the scary witch Asai. . . and Doumyouji.. . He shuddered. The man was a monster. He'd done his best to protect Tsukushi from that beast, but he'd failed her. Failed her utterly. Kazuya sniveled softly.
And his torment was not yet over. Without warning, he found his sheltering table kicked to the side, as a radiantly furious Sakurako wrenched him to his feet.
"My party is ruined!" She screamed in his sensitive ears. "Tell me what happened. Now! Before I rip your spleen out, you miserable excuse for a worm." Somehow she knew that Kazuya would know why Tsukasa, who had seemed so in control when he arrived, would suddenly have snapped. Someone must have told the man something. She would find out who was to blame.
And they would pay.
To be continued.
damnit, it's not as dramatic as I wanted it to be. This chapter was such a bitch to write. I think I'm losing interest again.
"Are you ok?" Yuki glanced up anxiously, "You've been so quiet since we arrived." Perhaps her prattle was annoying him. Oh god, she didn't want to embarrass Akira in front of his school friends. She blushed a delicate shade of pink.
"No," Akira smiled down at the petite girl beside him, "Everything's fine." He bent down to kiss her, acknowledging to all the curious eyes in the room that she was his girlfriend, and they'd best not mess with her. "Would you like a drink?"
"Oh yes, please!" Yuki agreed; the room was rather hot-a drink would be lovely right now.
"I'll be right back," he gave her arm a reassuring squeeze and set off to find the nearest bottle of champagne and a pair of glasses.
Instantly, Yuki was mobbed by insincere girls all wanting to make her acquaintance, since it was obvious that to be Akira's girlfriend, she had to be someone of influence. Yuki accepted their greetings and flattery at face value, and set about having a good time. When Akira got back, perhaps they could find Tsukushi and introduce her to these new friends?
---------
Soujiro moped silently. He knew he'd blown his chance. Though what exactly it had been a chance of, he couldn't really have said. Now, here he stood in the crowded room, a girl on each arm, yet feeling so very alone. He was waiting for something. Unsure just what it was, he sipped his drink, flirted shamelessly with the beauties in his arms, and refused to budge from his patch of floor, despite their repeated entreaties to come dance, come find a dark corner, an empty bedroom. . .
Distantly, he wondered when Akira would show up, and if he was bringing Yuki. What would she think of this elaborate setup, the endless machinations and schemes of the social climbers? She wouldn't be as cynical as Tsukushi. She might even enjoy the attention she was sure to get as Akira's date. The thought brought some comfort in his low mood; at least someone would be enjoying this seemingly endless torture tonight.
At last, Soujiro's dull eyes were caught by the sudden appearance of Tsukasa across the room. It was always easy to spot another member of the F4-they all towered over their peers so easily. And even if they hadn't had the height, each exuded a charisma that immediately drew the eyes. Tsukasa didn't notice Soujiro, didn't even look his way. No, his eyes were fixated on a single point, a single person-Tsukushi, of course. Soujiro wondered why he hadn't seen her standing there. Perhaps it was because he hadn't wanted to see.
At any rate, Soujiro now watched more closely, from beneath half lidded eyes, as Doumyouji drew Tsukushi away from the crowd and began speaking to her. Soujiro was surprised neither of them were yelling yet, but he didn't have long to wait. Even not being able to hear the voices over the din of the room he could almost picture what was being said. Tsukushi would be begging Tsukasa to listen to her for once. He, of course, would be failing to understand. No matter what Tsubaki had done to him, there was no way in hell Tsukasa could change fast enough to really understand Tsukushi's needs by tonight.
Soujiro had to look away when he saw Tsukasa reaching out to embrace Tsukushi. There were two ways this drama could end. He wasn't sure he wanted to know which it would be. He busied himself in turning to the girl wrapped around his left side and engaging her in a passionate kiss. When he finally disengaged himself from this distraction, Tsukushi was gone.
Wavering now between relief and worry, Soujiro was about to automatically set off in pursuit, when he remembered how he, himself, had just treated her. Tsukushi might not appreciate his company now. Or anytime soon. And should he really go to her, when he had so little to give? He hesitated, delaying a decision while, with a false moue of regret, he untangled himself from the beauties surrounding him.
Soujiro finally made up his mind when he glimpsed Rui emerging from the shadows behind a rather menacing houseplant. There was no fucking way he was going to let Rui get to her first. She might not want Soujiro's presence, but she certainly didn't need Rui right now. Soujiro wove his way rapidly through the crowd trying to sniff out which way she might've gone. It helped there was only one obvious exit for the outside from this room. He headed for it.
---------
Tsukushi found herself on a porch overlooking an ornamental fishpond. Grateful for the fresh air and relative quiet, she leaned out over the old wooden railing. Unconsciously, her fingers played with the necklace at her throat; the symbol of all Tsukasa had meant to her, and her to him. What was the point of it all when there was no hope of them ever understanding each other? She wanted to cry, to burst into tears and let all her frustrations pour out. But she could not. There was such a sense of inevitability to it all; she'd felt her devotion, her passion, for Tsukasa slipping away, bit by bit. She wanted to want him, wanted his love to make everything else vanish. But it didn't.
The chill of the night air matched the chill in her heart.
------
Inside, Tsukasa stared blindly at the crowded room. What had gone wrong? He couldn't understand it. Couldn't understand the look in her eyes as she'd slipped from his grasp yet again. Tormented by the doubts assailing him, he stood rooted in place, unable to pursue his only love.
A silky voice sounded at his elbow. "You don't know what's wrong, do you? Poor Doumyouji. You just don't understand why Makino is afraid to face you. . . Well. . . I know."
Tsukasa slowly turned to regard Asai skeptically. "How would you know anything about her, you bitch?"
"Don't be petty." Asai refused to cringe beneath his cold eyes, much as every instinct screamed at her to slip off before she unleashed the violence at his core. "I go to school. I listen. I learn things from people. You might find these things interesting."
"Really?" He remained aloof, unconvinced. But, despite himself, Tsukasa was intrigued-there had been something wrong with Tsukushi, and anything, no matter what the source, that might clear up the mystery was welcome. "What sort of things? And, why should I believe anything you say? You've lied to me in the past."
Asai's cool smirk remained undimmed, "Corroborating evidence." She dragged up a whimpering Kazuya, her sharp talons gripping his hair tightly. Tsukasa hadn't seen the small boy before, pinned to the floor as he had been by the sharp point of Asai's spike heels.
"What does that fool have to do with anything?" Tsukasa dismissed Kazuya with a snort.
"He came to the same conclusions as I did, but from a different perspective. Just listen." Asai shoved Kazuya roughly to the floor again. His was only a minor role in the coming drama.
Tsukasa crossed his arms. "Then talk. But if I find that you've been lying to me, I'll kill you.."
"Oh, it's not me you'll be wanting to kill," Asai murmured to herself.
Tapping her chin thoughtfully with one viciously sharp nail, she pondered the best way to begin.
"It began with a bet."
"What bet?" Tsukasa eyed her suspiciously.
"A bet between Nishikado and Mimasaka." Asai didn't really know the details. The bimbo that was her primary source hadn't heard the whole exchange, but it wasn't hard to imagine what might have happened. And what wasn't known could, and would, be supplemented by the purest evil fiction she could devise. "To see which of them could seduce Makino."
"I see." Tsukasa's voice had grown deadly cold. "And just when did this supposed bet take place?"
"A few weeks ago. I believe you remember the night?" Asai arched one overly plucked eyebrow. She had no clue, really, but Doumyouji certainly did. He began to turn purple with rage as he remembered.. . .
. . . Following Tsukushi to the restaurant, watching as Akira and Soujiro circled closer and closer. Then, he'd been most concerned about Rui, but he should have known his irresponsibly immoral friends were up to something. And the way Soujiro had cozyed up to Tsukushi on the dance floor, right before he'd kissed her. . . Tsukasa's mind was suddenly reeling with suspicions reborn.
"Exactly," Asai smirked. "I don't know if it was then, or later, but we're sure of one thing. . . From the way she's been acting at school, meeting Nishikado 'accidentally' for lunch, or 'bumping into him' at bars at night.. . .
"He won. Now Makino's totally fallen for him. He of course, could care less. . . . Isn't that right?" She hauled Kazuya back off the floor.
"I saw him touching her, that monster! He wouldn't let her go! Oh my innocent Tsukushi-chan!!!!!!" Kazuya moaned dazedly.
"See?" Asai's lips twisted up in spiteful triumph. "That's why your precious Makino couldn't meet your eyes. She's too ashamed, and she knew you'd never forgive her for cheating on you. You're better off without that little tramp anyway." She finished offhandedly.
Asai looked up at Doumyouji to see how well her words had taken effect. He seemed to be fixated on the empty air.
"Tsukushi. . ." He whispered despairingly, "How could you?"
"He's really very clever with the ladies," Asai insinuated helpfully, "I bet he knew exactly what to say. . .Women will do anything for him, and you know Makino's been eyeing him for a while. . ."
"How dare you say such things about My Tsukushi!" Tsukasa whirled and screamed at the immaculately made-up bitch at his elbow. He could not allow anyone to voice the nagging thoughts that whispered in his own mind.
Aware that she might have gone too far this time, Asai beat a hasty retreat.
"Just think on what I said, Doumyouji. None of us want you to get hurt over a faithless bimbo like her. ." With these parting words, she slipped off to rejoin her coterie of friends.
Tsukasa tried to rein in his freewheeling emotions. But without success. Rage, despair, almost overwhelming jealousy all surged through his brain. Adrenaline pulsed through his veins. Asai's words fit too well with his own lingering suspicions for him to doubt her, She might be petty and manipulative, but this was too much, even for her. It had to be true!
"Soujiro. You treacherous fuck. You're going to die." He growled low beneath his breath. Every muscle in his body strained to be released in a killing fury. He controlled himself, but barely, only barely. So much for empathy-training sessions. So much for anger management. Tensely, with a coiled fury clenching his jaw, he began to search for his erstwhile friend. He hardly even noticed as he heedlessly bowled a shaky Kazuya back to the ground.
------
Soujiro found Tsukushi shivering alone on the quiet porch. Few other party- goers were willing to brave the pervasive chill of the night to hang out in such a place, when the inside of the house was so much more cheerful and alive. With luck, no one had noticed her out here-and it would be easy to overlook such a slight girl, especially given the way she tended to blend into the dark of the night.
Her back was turned to the house, and she seemed not to notice his presence as he slipped through the open door. Moving silently, Soujiro came up behind her and settled pensively at the railing at a small distance from Tsukushi. Leaning forward, he followed her silent example and stared out at the dark waters.
Neither spoke for some minutes.
Tsukushi was not pleased to have her solitude interrupted. She gave up at last.
"Don't you have people waiting for you, inside?" She hoped she didn't sound bitter.
"Nah," Soujiro shrugged half-heartedly, turning to regard her in the dim light. Tsukushi still hadn't turned away from her view of the still waters.
"Why are you here?"
"I wanted to apologize, for being an idiot back there." His lips gave an ironic twist, "I did warn you, that was who I am. I can't help it-I see a pretty girl and from there, it's all automatic. Still, I didn't mean to ignore you. And I'm sorry." Suddenly embarrassed, he turned back to the railing. It was fortunate he was good with words, otherwise he didn't think he could have answered her. "I'll leave if you want me to." He pushed to his feet and headed for the door.
"No." her cautious answer called him back to the railing, "He never apologizes for anything. Not even when he knows he was wrong. Why should you apologize for being yourself? I knew better, didn't I? I told them they were wrong. . . I shouldn't be angry, I don't know why I felt that way?" It sounded almost as if she were talking to herself, not to Soujiro at all, "But I'm not angry now. See, how can I be? I can't feel a thing anymore. I couldn't feel a thing."
Soujiro stood behind the small girl, uncertain what to say or do. Tsukushi was huddled over the railing, lost in her own little world, hardly aware of Soujiro, only dimly recalling what it was she was annoyed with him for. All she could see, etched in the blank waters of the small pond, were Doumyouji's features-his look of confusion as she fled. And still, she could not cry for him.
Soujiro tentatively put a hand on Tsukushi's shoulder. At the touch she flinched, but then with a quaking sigh, surrendered to her need for comfort.
"Soujiro," she pled staring up at him, with her large eyes shining deeply, "I couldn't feel a thing! How couldn't I? I can't even cry anymore!"
He didn't know what to say. But he didn't even try to pretend ignorance to what she was talking about.
"Tsukushi," he murmured, "It's ok. It has to be ok. You're just tired now. Now is not the time for tears anyway. You'll see. Things will look better in the morning. Try seeing Tsukasa then, talking to him when you're not surrounded by. . . all this. . . You can't just give up now."
He'd been telling himself that things would be better in the morning for years. Somehow the words always rang false to him then. They did so now.
"Why can't I? What's going to change between now and then?" Tsukushi challenged. "Nothing ever changes. I just get tireder." She seemed to wilt even more.
"Come on, girl, what kind of attitude is that? Don't you want him back?"
"Oh! I just don't know! I couldn't look at him, and when he kissed me. . . It just didn't feel the same anymore. I. . ." but whatever she was about to say was lost in a sudden spasm of shivering and chattering teeth. And no wonder. It was freezing outside, and she wasn't exactly dressed for the weather.
"Come on, Tsukushi, Let's go back inside before you freeze."
Mutely she shook her head. "I can't."
"Yes you can. Come on, you silly girl. Running away won't help. You got to talk to him."
"I can't!" Tsukushi straightened and pounded her fists on Soujiro's chest in frustration, as if to emphasize each word she spoke. "Don't you understand, I tried. I can't talk to him. I tried so hard. The words wouldn't come! And he wouldn't listen anyway! It's always the same. Always." She seemed to realize what she was doing, and stopped pummeling the shocked boy. "Ah! I'm sorry!" She took a step back, looking down at the dark wood beneath her feet, "And, somehow when he looks at me like that, I always feel like it's all my fault. . ."
No, Soujiro reflected as he watched the shivering girl in front of him, it can't be her fault, If there was a way to make the relationship work, she'd find it. But it's always the others who make us feel guilty for not being what they want us to be, or for their own failings. He thought bitterly of his own family and the myriad nights he'd lain awake wondering what he'd done to drive his older brother away, how it must be his fault for his father's lack of love. No, it was never the truly guilty who felt remorse, it was only the innocents whom they manipulated that felt the true pain. He felt a powerful thrill of sympathy for Tsukushi and her torment of indecision.
Impulsively, he closed the gap between them, and hugged Tsukushi to him, as one might comfort a small child. "Shh." he whispered into her hair, "It's not your fault. You can't blame yourself. I won't let you."
Tsukushi closed her eyes and let his soothing words wash over her. Why did it have to be Soujiro she talked to like this? Why couldn't Tsukasa ever ask the right questions, say the words she needed to hear? Maybe Soujiro was right, though. If she could just force Tsukasa to listen to her for once. If she could just talk things out with him, maybe the void in her heart would fill again?" Perhaps she'd ask Tsubaki to tie him up for her so she could talk without interruption? She didn't know if this could work, if she should even dare hope that the fire that had once poured through her veins could be so easily rekindled by even the merest shadow of understanding from Doumyouji. But Soujiro was right. For the sake of what they'd once had, she needed to try. Even if only to prove to herself that her love was truly dying, or dead.
But it would have to wait until tomorrow. Tonight she was content to lean into Soujiro's warmth, listening to his soothing voice, absorbing strength and purpose from him, as they stood together in the dark.
------
Akira finally found a bottle and glasses for himself and Yuki. It had taken him a lot longer then he'd expected, and now he found himself almost at the opposite end of the house from where he'd started. Damn it, what kind of maze did Sakurako have here anyway? Grumpily, he started to make his way back to Yuki. He hoped she didn't mind his long absence. He promised himself he'd make it up to her later tonight in the nicest possible way. Grinning at the images this thought brought to mind, he failed to pay attention to where he was walking, and almost bumped into Rui.
"Hey!" he greeted cheerfully, "have you been here long? Come on, I want to introduce you to my girlfriend." He knew that, like the rest of the F4, Rui had met Yuki before, but being Rui, undoubtedly wouldn't remember her without a fresh introduction. Hell, Akira'd needed a fresh introduction to really notice her, himself.
"Not right now." Rui replied laconically.
"Oh come on, why not?" Akira laughed, "It's not like you're talking to anyone now, anyway."
"I'm waiting."
"Really, what for?" Akira was happy to play along with Rui's game. At least for a few minutes. Hell, why not? He was in a good mood tonight.
"For Tsukasa." Rui refused to divulge more information than necessary.
"Tsukasa? Why?"
"See for yourself." Rui nodded at a figure across the room.
"Oh shit!" Akira looked in the indicated direction. For there glowered Tsukasa. He was in the process of storming through the house. searching for Tsukushi, or Soujiro, or both. They couldn't hide from him.
Luckily, Tsukasa wasn't the brightest bulb in the lamp, and hadn't thought to check outside first.
"Where's Tsukushi?" Akira demanded. He didn't know what was going on. But he'd be willing to bet anything that Tsukasa's ire revolved around her.
"Out there." Rui nodded at the half open door a few feet away.
"Oh." I should have known he wouldn't be far from her. Akira grimaced. There wasn't time to ask what had happened, or what Rui knew. Nor was it time to beat around the bush, "Is Soujiro with her?" He didn't need to wait for a reply. The defeated look in Rui's eye said it all.
"Shit! I have to get him out of there!" Akira started to head for the door.
"There's no time." Rui grabbed Akira's arm. He didn't even need to question why it was Akira wanted to act. Tsukasa was obviously not in a reasonable mood, even if the situation had been reasonable to begin with. "See?" Tsukasa was headed their way.
-------
Yuki was fascinated by the people around her, their manners, the attention they paid her, and their amazing clothes. Still, she didn't really understand why they kept asking her what company her father owned, or what was it really like dating one of the F4. Didn't they listen when she told them that her dad was just an average employee, and Akira, was, well, Akira. She couldn't really bring herself to think of him as just a member of the exalted clique they all seemed to idolize and fear. He was a sweet, funny, cuddly man, very down to earth. Sympathetic and understanding too, not some scary god like they all seemed to think. It was all very confusing.
It was with a vast sigh of relief that she finally caught sight of someone she knew, amidst all the strangers.
"Sakurako!" Yuki smiled at the other girl. She was so pretty! And she'd always been nice to her whenever Yuki had come to hang out with Tsukushi and her Eitoku friends.
"Yuki. Glad you could make it." Sakurako took the other girl's arm, "How are you? What are you doing wasting your time with these peons? They're not even as attractive as you are." She directed her last remark toward the crowd of girls Yuki had been immersed in, and was rewarded with a volley of glares aimed at her back. Gods, being hostess was fun, you could insult your guests to their faces and they couldn't do anything about it. "Come with me, Have you met any cute guys yet? I think there might be some around here that you might like."
"Ah err.." Yuki was rather taken aback by Sakurako's direct attitude, "Actually, I came with Mimasaka. Have you seen him anywhere?"
"Akira, eh?" Sakurako arched one delicate eyebrow, "Now there's a fine choice. I'll say this, you've got taste. Though, I think he's a bit dull, personality-wise. Nowhere near as feisty as the rest of the F4, if you know what I mean?"
"Umm.." Yuki wasn't quite sure what to make of this statement.
"Anyway, shall we find this errant beau of yours, before he goes and seduces one of my houseplants?" Sakurako led Yuki off through the house.
"Oh, there he is!" Yuki spotted Akira across a room talking to Rui. The two girls made their way over to where the boys were standing just in time to hear the tail end of Rui's last statement. . . No time? No time for what? Yuki wondered.
"Akira!" Sakurako greeted, oblivious to the tension the two boys radiated, "I brought your girlfriend! You shouldn't leave her alone like that! Someone else might steal her!"
"Yuki!" Akira's eyes lit up with relief. "I need a favor, quick,"
"Sure," Yuki smiled uncertainly, but willing to go along for the moment.
"Get Soujiro and Tsukushi out of here. Now. They're out that door." A note of panic entered his voice as his eyes darted to the man rapidly coming up behind the two girls. "Hurry!"
Yuki followed his eyes, and catching just a glimmer of the look in Tsukasa's eyes, sprinted for the porch, all questions dying beneath the anger she saw there. No, there was no need to ask why Akira was tense, or why Tsukushi and Soujiro needed to get out.
Unfortunately, when Yuki pushed the door fully open, the bright lights of the room spilled out to fully illuminate the pair of figures standing in what appeared to be a passionate embrace.
"SOUJIRO!!!!!" Tsukasa roared at the top of his lungs, and lunged for the door. As one, Akira and Rui stepped forward to seize his arms and hold him back. As the light fell on them, Soujiro and Tsukushi sprang apart, and only Soujiro's restraining hand on Tsukushi's shoulder kept her from rushing in to confront the rampaging beast that was Tsukasa. Soujiro took in the interior scene in a glance; Akira and Rui were desperately trying to restrain Tsukasa, who writhed and kicked like a man possessed. They were not faring well. At the first sound of Tsukasa's trumpeting roar, the rest of the party guests had immediately fled the scene. Memories of Doumyouji's murderous rages were still too fresh in many of their minds, and no one wanted to accidentally get in his way-or they might be the ones to end up in the Emergency Room. Even Asai didn't stick around to witness the conclusion of her scheme, but bolted for the door, in a most unladylike fashion. The only ones brave enough, or desperate enough, or foolish enough to stand against Doumyouji were Akira and Rui. . . And, apparently, Kazuya, for in the instant before Yuki slammed the door shut behind her, Soujiro witnessed the smaller boy throw himself at Tsukasa's legs with a desperate squeal that sounded suspiciously like, "Tsukushi-chan!"
"Quick," Yuki breathed, as she slammed the door, "Tsukushi, you have to leave."
Soujiro had already figured that out. "Yuki, get Akira, and meet us at The Other Side," the name of a popular all night café located in a neighborhood far away from Sakurako's house. He grabbed Tsukushi's wrist and started to pull her along the porch down to some steps to where a small path led off through the gardens.
Tsukushi was shaking again, no longer with cold however, or despair. No, now she was furious. Again.
"That jerk!" She muttered through clenched teeth, "What the hell does he think he's doing? Didn't he just say he wanted me back-- that nothing mattered as long as he loved me? So what the Fuck is he doing pulling a stunt like that, again?" How many times was she doomed to relieve scenes like this one, with an enraged Tsukasa attacking someone for their perceived closeness to her? Why couldn't he listen? And for the love of god, what brought on his maddened frenzy this time? He'd seemed relatively calm just moments before. . . "And just when I was working up the resolve to try harder to forgive him. . ."
Unheeded, a slow tear found its way down her cheek at last. It might've only been from the chill wind blowing in her face.
Numbly, she let Soujiro lead her away. Furiously, her brain whirled, trying to understand what had inspired this incident.
Back at the house, Akira and Rui were tiring. Kazuya had already been tossed aside, weakened to the point of collapse by a well-placed kick to the gut. Yuki remained on the porch, afraid to open the door and find out the result of the conflict, but unwilling to leave 'till she found out if Akira was all right or not.
"Why?!" Tsukasa breathed harshly. "Why are you protecting him?" he directed his remarks to Rui, who was trying, without much success, to prevent Tsukasa's left elbow from driving repeatedly into his stomach. "Don't you know what he's done?"
"Better than You do." Rui replied in between gasps.
"Then why?"
"Because you're wrong." Even the pain from his bruises couldn't make Rui lose his calm.
"Wrong?! I'll show you wrong!" Tsukasa screamed furiously, and wrenching his arm free with a monumental jerk, backhanded Rui across the face, sending the lighter boy staggering backwards into a wall.
Akira was left to wrestle all the more ferociously with Doumyouji. It was like fighting an anaconda built from steel.
"I have to agree with Rui," he gasped, "I tried to prevent this. But whatever idea you have, it's wrong."
"You! You're as bad as Soujiro!" Tsukasa was snarling now, "I heard about that bet of yours! Why did you do it? Did you think it'd be fun to make a fool of me? Or did you just want to humiliate Tsukushi? Oh yes, I remember what you've always said about her, 'no sex appeal, annoying, clueless. . .' You never liked her. Now get out of my way!"
"Listen to me Tsukasa!" Akira knew he was losing the physical battle. He was going to have to use the rest of his breath in a war of words. "Sure there was a bet. A moment's whim. But do you really think so lowly of her, that she'd succumb? We lost. It's over. It was nothing. If that's all this is about, you need to calm the fuck down."
"Then what did I just see?" Tsukasa demanded, "What was going on out there that you didn't want me to see?! Don't play the fool, Akira. You can't hide from me." With a final vicious kick, he sent Akira sprawling next to Rui.
Deliberately, Tsukasa stalked to the door and flung it open. But there was only Yuki, leaning fearfully back against the rail.
"Where are they?" He demanded, in a voice gone icy cold.
"They left." Yuki murmured defiantly. If Akira was willing to fight for Soujiro, how could she do less for Tsukushi? "Please leave Tsukushi alone! She hasn't done anything wrong." Her brown eyes pled for him to believe, but Tsukasa just looked away. Coldly, he stalked off the porch, heading down the path they must've taken.
Yuki watched him go, then slipped inside. Akira and Rui were pulling themselves to their feet.
"Why didn't you tell him what's really going on with Makino?" Akira was asking.
Rui shrugged, "You don't think that wouldn't just make him more angry?"
"Oh, yeah. Maybe.' Akira thought about it, "Then why are you defending Soujiro anyway? I thought you were mad at him?"
"I wasn't. I was trying to protect Tsukushi." Now Rui grew vehement, "I want her to be happy! If she thinks she can be happy with Soujiro, then she should at least get the chance to try! But, you know, I used to think she would be happy with Tsukasa, I tried to stand aside, and let them be. . . Until I saw that Tsukasa was wrong. What sort of boyfriend treats the girl he loves like that? Is he protecting her or destroying her? He makes me so angry."
Both Akira and Yuki were staring, open-mouthed, at Rui. It just wasn't like him to speak so openly, or at such length.
Nevertheless, Rui continued, as if speaking to himself, "I think I'd do anything to prevent them from getting back together. Even if it means watching her fall for Soujiro. It's the only thing I can do." He looked absolutely tired, and utterly defeated. It's a terrible thing to love so deeply, and so unrequitedly.
His shoulders drooping, Rui turned away. "Do you think he'll catch up?"
"Nah," Akira reassured him, "He's too mad to think clearly. They'll be fine."
"Good." Rui nodded slowly. "I'm going home."
"Wait!" Yuki spoke up. "We're going to go meet them. Would you like to come?"
Rui gazed steadily at the diminutive girl for several seconds, before shaking his head. "I don't think so. But you can tell Tsukushi hello from me." He limped off. It was obvious that not all his pain was purely physical.
Yuki turned solicitously to Akira, "Are you ok? That was really scary!"
Akira smiled down at her, "I'm fine. Tsukasa was more concerned with getting past us than hurting us. Just got a few bruises is all. And you? That was really brave of you to stand up to Tsukasa like that. You should have left with Makino and Soujiro."
"Oh no!" Yuki breathed, "I couldn't leave you by yourself!. . .Besides," she continued, smiling mischievously up at him, "How would you know where they went if I didn't stay to tell you?"
"You're right, of course," Akira laughed lightly, trying to ignore the pain of his bruised ribs. He knew one thing that would distract him. . . He bent down and kissed Yuki lingeringly on the lips. It was with much satisfaction that he felt her response; a gentle sigh, the melting of her body against his, and her arms coming up to wrap around his neck. Yes, like this, with her heart beating rapidly against him, he could forget any pain.
Eventually, Yuki broke away, blushing furiously, but smiling dreamily all the same. Hand in hand, the couple departed the now almost-deserted mansion.
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Sakurako strode through her empty house. Everyone had left. It was a disgrace! Not even midnight yet, and they'd all run away. Damn that Doumyouji! Why'd he have to go and ruin everything? Tears of pure anger poured down her perfect face. It was almost as if that man deliberately set out to destroy everything she'd worked for.
Pacing over to the site where the boys had been fighting, she heard a faint groaning coming from under a table.
Kazuya remained where he'd been kicked, a limp bundle of flesh and bone cowering in the dimness beneath the furniture. The evening hadn't gone at all how he'd hoped. His beautiful Tsukushi assaulted by that Dreadful Nishikado. . . Getting stomped upon by the scary witch Asai. . . and Doumyouji.. . He shuddered. The man was a monster. He'd done his best to protect Tsukushi from that beast, but he'd failed her. Failed her utterly. Kazuya sniveled softly.
And his torment was not yet over. Without warning, he found his sheltering table kicked to the side, as a radiantly furious Sakurako wrenched him to his feet.
"My party is ruined!" She screamed in his sensitive ears. "Tell me what happened. Now! Before I rip your spleen out, you miserable excuse for a worm." Somehow she knew that Kazuya would know why Tsukasa, who had seemed so in control when he arrived, would suddenly have snapped. Someone must have told the man something. She would find out who was to blame.
And they would pay.
To be continued.
damnit, it's not as dramatic as I wanted it to be. This chapter was such a bitch to write. I think I'm losing interest again.