I'm sick and kinda bored so I bring to you, chapter eleven. Hope you all enjoy! And hopefully you guys will like some of this chapter but probably not all of it because of…I'm gonna stop talking now. Yeah well have fun!
Disclaimer: I don't own Hana Yori Dango. Stepping out, don't you worry pillowcase comes, it's your day! (I am sneaky, no da?)
Warning: Angst, sadness....it could get a little weird in here.
Boys Before.............The High Seas???
Chapter Eleven
"Come, Lady Kaede sent for you. There is a meeting in the grand hall." The servant girl did not pick up her eyes off the floor. It was the morning after Doumyouji had tried to kill his mom. Tsukushi looked at him sleeping. "Is that Young Lord Doumyouji? They want him too." The girl sounded mildly surprised.
"We're coming, just give me a moment." Tsukushi told her. The girl left and Tsukushi went to her wardrobe, putting on clothes. Doumyouji was still asleep. Should I risk it? Tsukushi went over to the bed before leaning over him. "Doumyouji." Tsukushi found large arms wrapping around her and pulling her on top the bed. Doumyouji opened up his eyes. His normal, dark eyes.
"I was just dreaming about you." Doumyouji's deep voice made her breath catch a little. Tsukushi suddenly thought about the dream she had about Doumyouji. Her face probably could have been mistaken for a tomato.
Tsukushi tried to her best to giggle away her suddenly sense of being unsure. "Knowing you, I bet the dream was really strange." Doumyouji's lips curved upwards, rather seductively in Tsukushi's opinion.
"Not that strange..." Doumyouji's face started to come closer to hers. Tsukushi's eyes widened even more. Why does he always do this? I can't think...Suddenly, as if sensing her slight tension, he kissed her on the cheek.
"Apparently they want to speak to you and me in the grand hall. They just summoned us." Tsukushi told him. Doumyouji looked a little irked but he got up and put his clothes on. He had taken to just following her into her room when she went to bed, although now it was more like he would be in there.
"This better be important." Doumyouji grumbled before they went downstairs. The grand hall was gigantic. At the very end of it, Tsukushi saw two people sitting in chairs, everyone else was standing. As they got nearer, Tsukushi realized who the two people were. Kaede was sitting on the left of a man, who had curly hair, much like Doumyouji. Tsukushi looked around. Shigeru, Tsubaki, Rui, Shizuka, Soujirou, and Akira were all standing there too. They all looked a little weird. Shizuka and Rui were leaning against each other and talking privately in low voices.
"Tsukasa, do you know what this is about?" Tsubaki asked him as Doumyouji stood next to his sister. Tsukushi did not like the look on Kaede's face one bit.
"No." Doumyouji answered.
"Excuse me," The deep voice made them all look up at the Lord Doumyouji. He was almost the exact picture of an older Doumyouji. "I know that I seemed to have pulled you away before you had breakfast but your mother told me that there were some things that I needed to decree."
"No!" Tsubaki protested. Lord Doumyouji looked at her sharply. "Father, at least hear what we have to say."
"You dare interrupt your father?" Kaede asked her voice cold fury.
"Let me continue, please. Tsubaki, your mother has finally arranged a marriage for you. The Lord Heyatsu has graciously accepted your hand. I want you to be happy in your new marriage and you know you have my blessing." Lord Doumyouji smiled at his daughter. Yeah, I can tell Tsubaki is really happy. Tsubaki's fists tightened. It occurred to Tsukushi that if Doumyouji was one half berserker, so was Tsubaki.
"No. I won't." Tsubaki said calmly.
"She doesn't want an arranged marriage!" Shigeru added in, obviously unable to stop herself.
"Your mother feels it would be best if perhaps," Lord Doumyouji began and Tsukushi thought he looked like he was straining himself. "Lady Shigeru and you did not have contact for awhile. That's what your mother has informed me of." Shigeru and Tsubaki were looking at each other, before looking away. Their heads were down as if great weights had been attached to them.
"Tsukasa," Lord Doumyouji looked at his son and Tsukushi saw his eyes full of some silent plea. "Your mother thinks it's time for you and Shigeru to get married."
Doumyouji stepped up, pulling Tsukushi by the hand. She felt a little awkward and wondered what exactly he was going to say to his father. "Father, I will not marry the Lady Shigeru."
"Why not?" Lord Doumyouji was eyeing Tsukushi with great curiosity.
"Because, I want Tsukushi to be my wife." Doumyouji announced. The hall was full of gasps, knowing nods, and interesting faces all around. Soujirou was busy getting money from Akira, Shizuka and Rui looked stunned, Tsubaki was nodding with a happy grin, Shigeru winked at her, and Kaede looked as if she wanted to stab a knife in Tsukushi herself.
"I don't believe I've met the Lady Tsukushi, have I?" Lord Doumyouji asked in confusion. Kaede turned towards her husband.
"That is because this girl is not a lady. She is a commoner." Kaede's voice was full of spite. Lord Doumyouji looked a little surprised. Tsukushi didn't know what to do. At first she thought about hitting Doumyouji over the head and tell him not to say anything else like that in public. But this seemed like a bad idea and she kept still.
"A commoner?" Lord Doumyouji looked at her. "Tsukasa you realize-"
"And what was mother?" Tsubaki broke in. "If I recall, mother was from the very same village as Tsukushi." Tsukushi gasped in surprise. All the others were looking at each other with wide gaping mouths. Kaede looked like she was going to burst a blood vessel.
"That is true." Lord Doumyouji considered. "All the same, you have an arranged marriage. I don't think Shigeru's father would be very pleased if you two broke it off."
"Father!" Tsubaki stepped forward. "I have a proposition." Her face looked full of pain and Tsukushi wondered what she was going to do.
"There are no negotiations here." Kaede's voice barked.
Lord Doumyouji looked at Kaede. "I wish to here what Tsubaki has to say."
"I will marry the Lord Heyatsu, only if you call off Shigeru's and Tsukasa's wedding." Tsubaki's compromise echoed in the hall. Tsukushi saw Shigeru's face look horrified at the idea of her friend sacrificing herself. Everyone else had grave expressions. Tsukushi stepped forward.
"No! Tsubaki don't." Tsukushi told her. "I-I'm just in the way anyways." Tsukushi felt like she was denying herself something. Doumyouji grabbed her and spun her around.
"Don't say that!" Doumyouji whispered fiercely. "Don't say that....it's not true...Father, consider us for a moment. Did you think about what Tsubaki wants? Or me? If all you ever listen to is what she says, then you can bet that I'll be gone and so will Tsubaki. We'll leave and never come back."
"Your mother....is not trying to tear us apart. She's trying to hold us together." Lord Doumyouji was gripping the armrests on his chair. Tsukushi wondered if it was far more easy to go berserk when you were full blooded. "Are you sure about this girl Doumyouji?" Doumyouji slipped a hand on her neck, before pulling her hair back gently. She knew what he was showing his father. Lord Doumyouji's eyes opened wide.
"Bitten...." Lord Doumyouji got the one word out before shaking himself. "I guess that settles it then. Perhaps...I can consider....Tsubaki, are you truly willing to marry Lord Heyatsu so your brother may marry whoever he wants?"
"Yes." The one word answer sounded slightly robotic. Tsubaki was forcing herself to accept it.
"No! Tsubaki!" Shigeru cried out.
"Shigeru..." Tsubaki turned towards her short haired friend before turning back towards her mother and father. "Remember always what you've done. I'd sacrifice my happiness for Tsukasa, but I never thought you would force me to do so." Tsubaki turned and walked out of the hall. Tsukushi took a deep breath, she wanted to do something.
"Tsubaki!" Shigeru yelled after the tall dark-haired woman. Tsubaki did not turn around. "Tsubaki!" Still no response. Shigeru hung her head before seeing Kaede and stalking up to her. "I'd tell you to go to hell, but hell is where you are." That was all she said before leaving. Everyone turned to leave too.
"Wait, I have a few more things to say." Lord Doumyouji's voice told them. Tsukushi turned towards him.
.
"I don't think we can take anymore good news today." Tsukushi remarked coolly.
"How dare you!" Kaede's eyes narrowed at the object of her hatred.
Lord Doumyouji held up a hand and his wife fell silent. "Shizuka, your father has a message for you." Shizuka looked suddenly alarmed. Her and Rui's hands were clasped together, both holding so tight that Tsukushi did not think they would let go for anything. "He said that you will be marrying Prince Yanori. I give you my blessing, for even though you are not one of my children, you've spent so much time here that I'd like to think that." Shizuka seemed to have frozen. She took one look at Rui, then letting go of his hand, ran out the door, tears coming down. Rui ran right after. The others finally got to leave. Lord Doumyouji sat there contemplating with himself.
"Is it right? You think I was destroying their lives..." Lord Doumyouji looked so sad then that if anyone other then Kaede had seen him, they might have started to cry.
"They are young and disobedient. I do not agree with your ruling on Tsukasa." Kaede told him. "That girl should be-"
"Shut up Kaede!" Lord Doumyouji said angrily. He got that sad faraway look in his eyes. "Don't you remember when our kids were born? Remember what you said?"
"No." Kaede answered before getting up and leaving. He watched her leave and thought back to those days. Days before she seemed to change...
"You said that our kids would have every dream they wanted, we wouldn't hold them back." Lord Doumyouji spoke to no one. "You did not want them to have our lives. I was exiled to being a lord for you, when I was heir to a kingdom. Don't you remember?"
* * *
"Hey hey! Man, don't look so upset." Lord Soujirou told his friend. Prince Doumyouji had been acting weird ever since they had boarded back onto the ship. Their ship, The Royal Dawn, was the finest ship on the sea.
"I'm not upset....I saw the most beautiful girl..." Prince Doumyouji grinned.
"Really?" Lord Soujirou asked.
"I have an idea, if everyone will agree to it." Prince Doumyouji said excitedly. "We have to burn down a farm or two but then...it will all work out."
"I don't know....but since we're pirates..." Lord Soujirou had been making that joke since they had left home.
"We are! We're the F4 pirates!" Prince Doumyouji seemed to be beaming at the moment. "Nothing can stand in our way!"
"If you say so..." Lord Soujirou trailed off.
* * *
"Kaede....I love you..." Prince Doumyouji told the beautiful girl. She smiled at him. If only he could have seen past that smile, he would not have done what he did. He had been young though and in love. He didn't understand some things.
"Me too." Kaede told him.
* * *
"Kaede, I love you." Lord Doumyouji told his wife. He had given up the crown for her. Everything had all been for her. She had just given him a son.
"Me too." Kaede answered.
* * *
Lord Doumyouji was back in his grand hall. Sitting there staring off into the distance.
I should have known...Kaede never said she loved me. Not once...
* * *
"Damn! Damn!" Doumyouji knocked both fists onto the wall with each word. Tsukushi hoped he did not stop punching holes in the wall. "I'm such a coward! Now Tsubaki has to get married against her will!"
"Doumyouji, pounding holes into my wall is not going to help us one bit." Tsukushi told him.
"I might hit someone if I don't hit something." Doumyouji seemed almost to be talking to himself. He flopped down onto the bed next to her. "I wish I could help Tsubaki and Shizuka."
"We all do..." Tsukushi trailed off sadly.
"You know, Rui was a lot different before Shizuka. I don't think he would say anything to anyone unless he had to. He was...so far away from everything. The only person who could bring him to reality was Shizuka." Doumyouji explained hitting a fist on the bed. "It's not fair."
"Maybe there is something we can do." Tsukushi said thoughtfully. "I mean, sure your dad's word is law here, but somewhere else maybe." Doumyouji turned to her. He was just looking at her, a slight smile playing on his lips. Tsukushi wondered what she was supposed to do at moments like these. It was all interrupted by a knock at the door. Doumyouji sprang up and opened the door. There was Tsubaki. She walked solemnly into the room.
"Tsubaki!" Tsukushi exclaimed before jumping up to meet her.
"Hello Tsukushi." Tsubaki smiled but it did not seem to affect the sadness in her eyes. "Hello Tsukasa."
"Tsubaki-" Doumyouji started up what sounded like some sort of apology but Tsubaki cut him off.
"Don't worry about me. I heard about Shizuka and Rui." Tsubaki began. "I can't stand by and watch those two be separated. Therefore I have come up with a plan."
"A plan?" Tsukushi asked with wide eyes.
"Yes, you two have key roles in this plan." Tsubaki told them importantly. "We have to get them out to see. I was thinking aboard the Hana. Unfortunately, mother ordered that no ships sail until she gives word otherwise. She obviously knows what she's doing."
"So we have to not only get them aboard the Hana but we have to sail without attracting notice?" Doumyouji's tone sounded slightly skeptical.
"We can do it." Tsubaki's eyes glittered. "Tomorrow, Kazuya and Sako are coming up from the ship to bring out more supplies. Tsukushi, I hear that you are close friends with Kazuya. Tell Kazuya that he must get you some empty crates. It has to be a secret. When he gets you the empty crates, you have to keep them in my room okay?" Tsukushi nodded her head. "I'll give you more instructions when that happens."
"What do I do?" Doumyouji asked.
"For now, you must keep a close eye on Tsukushi. I don't think mother is happy with my deal with father. She might send more assassins but I fear she may resort to other unpleasant methods of getting Tsukushi to leave herself." Tsubaki told her brother.
"I will." Doumyouji's word sounded like some sort of oath.
"Well, I didn't say we were getting married. You kind of just announced it." Tsukushi frowned a little. Doumyouji looked a little surprised.
"What did you want me to tell my father? 'Oh gee father, I don't want to get married to Shigeru 'cause Tsukushi might marry me?'" Doumyouji asked sarcastically.
"Yeah, well, don't go announcing anymore things like that! It's probably all over the castle that me and you are getting married." Tsukushi crossed her arms.
"Not that bad of a rumor..." Doumyouji muttered under his breath.
"I heard that! You just rush into things without even thinking about them first!" Tsukushi yelled angrily. Tsubaki was looking at them both with surprise.
Doumyouji's face twisted. "Well maybe I hoped you would say yes one of these days!"
"By implying that I have?" Tsukushi asked him. "You idiot! You can't just-" Tsukushi was cut off by Tsubaki.
"Stop it right now! That's enough out of both of you. If you keep at it long enough, you'll say something you really regret." Tsubaki told them. Doumyouji and Tsukushi made slightly sheepish faces before turning away from each other. "Now apologize."
"I'm sorry." Doumyouji surprised Tsubaki and Tsukushi by apologizing first.
"I'm sorry." Tsukushi repeated back to him. I guess that did get a little out of hand...but here he was just announcing things about my life!
"I'm going to go now. You two try not to rip out each other's throats while I'm gone okay?" Tsubaki joked, smiling weakly. Tsukushi felt bad for her. After all she had just given up her freedom so that Doumyouji could marry Tsukushi if they both wanted to. What if we don't get married and it was all for nothing?
"We won't. And Tsubaki?" Tsubaki turned around at Tsukushi's questioning tone. "Thank you." Tsubaki's face broke out into a genuine smile before leaving.
"Do you really mind that much that I told my father that? Cause if you do I'll go down there and correct myself to him." Doumyouji asked her, his eyes wanted some sort of reassurance.
"Don't worry about it. I'm sure your father really wants you to come stomping in while everyone is getting ready for bed." Tsukushi's sarcastic tone on the last comment caused Doumyouji to smile at her.
"I didn't think you minded that much." Doumyouji started to get closer to her. Tsukushi gulped. Doumyouji's eyes suddenly took on a new light. "Do you still want to know about the bite on your neck?" Tsukushi's eyes felt like they were going to pop out of her head.
"Um...Tsubaki told me...last night." Tsukushi wished she could get her sentences out when he was looking at her like that. She felt like she was tripping over her words. Doumyouji did not hesitate to come closer. Tsukushi felt the edge of the bed as Doumyouji gently pushed her down on it, his arms wrapped around her. "Um, Doumyouji..."
"Shhhh...I won't do anything. Not unless you want me to of course." Doumyouji wrapped his arms a little tighter around her. Her head was up against his chest, her eyes so wide she wondered if they were actually fitting in their sockets. "Just let me hold you..." Doumyouji trailed off and Tsukushi felt her face grow warm.
Doumyouji was very warm and Tsukushi felt like she might fall asleep like this. It was kind of comfortable and it felt nice, just laying there. Parts of her said she should shove him away and demand to know why he thought he could do that. She was a little too sleepy to care. I shouldn't just nod off...that would be kind of embarrassing...
"Tsukushi! Doumyouji!" Rui's voice woke Tsukushi straight up. She sat up and a pillow came from behind her, nailing Rui in the face. Rui looked slightly stunned but obviously recovered. Shizuka was right behind him. With that look in her eyes, it was obvious that Shizuka wanted to ask about a thousand questions but wasn't going to.
"Rui! This had better be important!" Doumyouji sat up next to Tsukushi.
"It is." Rui told him, bluntly. "We need to talk about Tsubaki."
"We think we can get her aboard the Fury and then they can travel out to sea!" Shizuka exclaimed, obviously excited. "Me and Rui have a plan."
"Really?" Tsukushi looked at Doumyouji and wondered if they should tell them about Tsubaki's plan. Doumyouji shook his head slightly. I guess we'll just keep it a secret then.
"Yes, see we worked it all out. Tsukushi, I need you to talk to Shigeru about it. She wouldn't come out of her room this evening and I think if you'll go talk to her tomorrow, she'll let you in. Tell Shigeru I need her to write a handwritten order for me to get to the Fury. Tell her it will state to be ready to sail at a moment's notice. But they have to keep it under wraps as best as they can. Tsukushi, you specifically need to find another female to help out. If you can hire one or find someone that owes you a favor that would work best. Remember this has to be as secret as possible. Once you find someone to help out, I can tell you more. Rui says it's better this way." Shizuka explained.
"Doumyouji, we need to get the Hana ready to sail. Kazuya is coming in tomorrow, tell him that the Hana has to be ready. We're going to sail the Hana to distract everyone away from the Fury." Rui instructed the curly haired boy.
"Got it." Doumyouji and Tsukushi said together. Rui and Shizuka smiled.
"We'll let you get back to what you were doing. Ta-ta!" Shizuka waved elegantly before hurrying out of the room with Rui.
"We weren't doing anything!" Tsukushi called after them but the door had already closed.
"I guess we might as well get into bed." Doumyouji sighed starting to take off his clothes. Tsukushi nodded. They got under the covers. Doumyouji was facing her. "Hey, Tsukushi?"
"Yeah?" Tsukushi knew he was just going to say good night, it wasn't that big of a deal.
"I love you." He whispered, she could see his eyes searching her face even in the dark. Tsukushi smiled a little.
"Good night, Doumyouji." Tsukushi answered back.
* * *
O.0-----------My surprised/weirded out face. Why did I write this chapter? I feel bad for everyone that was like all sad. Good god, this story used to be comical! What am I writing the series here? Oh believe me, there are a good many humorous parts ahead but still...I feel bad. Please R&R folks.
Will Tsukushi say I love you one of these chapters? Will Doumyouji be happy? Will he do his oh so famous pelvic-thrusting dance move from the movie? Why is that so entertaining to see? Will Tsukushi get her job done in both "secret plans"? Or will Kaede somehow ruin everything? Will Rui and Shizuka discover Tsubaki's plan? Will Tsubaki discover Rui and Shizuka's plan? Will the plans work? What the hell is with their plans anyway? Who will that other female be? Will Lord Doumyouji, Doumyouji's dad somehow get a divorce? Will we continue to feel sorry for him? Will Kaede stop being a bitch? Or will she prove that no one would marry them unless she tricked them? Shigeru and Tsubaki never get to talk to each other again? Will Tsubaki get married? Will Shizuka get married? Will Shizuka and Rui learn the wonders of knocking? Will Doumyouji and Tsukushi ever not be interrupted? Will everyone stop bothering them when someone gets killed with a flying pillow? Will Doumyouji be able to throw a pillow that hard? Will he then go on to murder Kaede with pillows? Will Soujirou and Akira make a bet over it? Not to mention Makiko! Stay tuned...