Well here we go again into the darkness. Or something. So let's all cross our fingers and hope this chapter is a good one. Or else I'll cry for writing a shitty chapter. Ja!
Disclaimer: I don't own Hana Yori Dango.
Warning: Language! Um shit…(Don't write warnings before you write chapters!)
Boys Before……….The High Seas???
Chapter Fifteen
Tsukushi opened her eyes and almost thought for a second that she hadn't been saved the night before. She looked around. Doumyouji was snoring away, Thomas' corpse was still lying there along with the guards. Tsukushi realized she wouldn't be able to say he didn't kill anyone this time. Somehow she didn't think he'd be too upset.
"Tsukushi…" Tsukushi's head whipped around to Doumyouji as opened his eyes slowly. "We found you?" Doumyouji sat up immediately and pulled her into a hug. Tsukushi winced slightly as she remembered last night. She backed away from him a little. "What happened?" Tsukushi had her face turned away.
"Well you killed two people…" Tsukushi finally got out. Doumyouji took hold of her chin and gently turned her head so she was facing him.
"I don't really care. Did I…Did I do anything to you?" Doumyouji asked her slowly. "Why do you have my father's coat on?" Doumyouji asked in sudden recognition.
"He gave it to me." Tsukushi answered swallowing to keep her throat from going to dry.
"Tsukushi, did I do anything to you?" Doumyouji repeated his earlier question.
"Almost…" Tsukushi's voice cracked. Doumyouji looked away in shame at the dead body of Thomas.
"I'm so sorry…" Doumyouji apologized. "I-I wish I was more in control…" Tsukushi shook her head; after all it wasn't really his fault was it?
"It's okay, I know…Tsubaki had a message for you." Tsukushi told him. Doumyouji put his arms around her, pulling her close to him.
"That can wait." Doumyouji's voice was soothing as he stroked her hair. "I'm so relieved we found you…" Tsukushi laid her head against his chest. Doumyouji was so warm and his smell made her kind of sleepy.
"I didn't think you guys were coming…" Tsukushi admitted, a couple of tears glistening in her eyes. "It took so long…"
"We didn't know where to look for you…if the others hadn't said those things…" Doumyouji trailed off.
"That's what the message was. They didn't mean those things. Apparently it was some sort of plan that they devised." Tsukushi explained. Doumyouji's grip on her tightened.
"I could have ended up…" Doumyouji was shaking slightly.
"You didn't though. That's the important thing." Tsukushi smiled up at him. He pulled her up into a very soft and gentle kiss, as if wary of her bruised lips. They were like that for a while, just trying to comfort the other.
* * *
"Okay and I have the crates!" Tsubaki checked off on a list. "So now, I guess we have to pick a day when almost everyone will be busy."
"I know!" Shigeru jumped up in excitement. It seemed to Tsukushi that Shigeru and Tsubaki had forgotten about how they were supposed to stay away from each other. Not that any of those things really mattered to them.
"When?" Akira asked.
"Tsubaki's wedding! It's in two days!" Shigeru announced. "It would be the perfect day."
"Wait! Are you saying we have to get those crates around and…" Soujirou suddenly shut his mouth as if he was going to say something that was a secret.
"What?" Tsubaki gave him a questioning look.
"Erm, nothing." Soujirou shook his head.
"I hope this all works out…" Tsukushi laughed a little. "I mean if the crates are going to-"
"It's more surprising this way!" Shigeru insisted. "Just believe in the amazing plans of Tsubaki."
"They aren't that amazing. I wish I could come with the rest of you." Tsubaki looked downcast. Tsukushi and Doumyouji looked at each other, trying not to make some sort of face. "It's all for the best I suppose."
"Hey, you know what would cheer everyone up?" Akira got out a bottle of wine from under the couch. Everyone stared at him as no one had known there was wine under the couch.
"Where did that come from?" Tsukushi asked in wonder.
"I have a few bottles hidden in places…for moments kind of like these." Akira explained.
"Ha! Pay up Doumyouji!" Soujirou held out a hand. Everyone stared in disbelief as Doumyouji handed money to Soujirou, grumbling slightly.
"Not you too!" Tsukushi groaned.
"It was just a joke! I didn't think he'd actually win!" Doumyouji defended himself.
"That's what I always think." Akira told them all dryly.
"As long as it doesn't become a habit…" Tsukushi shook her head. "Boys are so strange…"
"I know!" Shigeru agreed. "That's what I've been saying all these years…"
"Not half as bad as girls." Doumyouji muttered under his breath.
* * *
"What are we doing Sakurako?" Kazuya asked the pretty girl who was kneeling beside him in the bushes.
"What do you mean what are we doing? I didn't invite you to come along you know." Sakurako sniffed at him. "Besides, shouldn't you be on the ship?"
"Well, I didn't want you to get into any trouble or anything…" Kazuya's face went a little red. "I mean…um…wait…"
"Shhhh! You get me caught and I'll be really mad." Sakurako hushed him up. He nodded eagerly. Sakurako ran out towards a small window. Kazuya came right after her. Sakurako reached up and knocked on the window three times.
"Sakurako?" Tsukushi's head popped out of the window. "What's Kazuya doing?"
"Following me. Now what did you need to talk to me for?" Sakurako's eyes darted around nervously.
"Oh! Here's your dress, Shizuka got it specially made. Now you have to come here at noon. The wedding is at one." Tsukushi informed her. "I told you the other things right?"
"Yep." Sakurako nodded her head.
"Good, so I will see you tomorrow, I think." Tsukushi blinked her eyes. "Make sure Kazuya doesn't get you two questioned on the way to the ship." Tsukushi shut the window and Sakurako started to go back towards the ship.
Behind her Kazuya tripped over a rock, tumbled a few times before coming to a stop, flat on his face. Sakurako rolled her eyes. Trust Kazuya to do something like that.
"Sakurako…" Kazuya's voice hinted at a whine. Sakurako sighed before going and helping the boy back up onto his feet. "Thanks a lot! Here I was trying to make sure you got back to the ship safe and I fall over my own feet." Kazuya hung his head. "I'm a failure." Sakurako smiled at him. In spite of many faults, Kazuya was always kind and barely ever thought of himself.
Sakurako bravely pecked him on the cheek. "Looks like I have to protect you, silly boy." Sakurako grinned before strutting away. Kazuya started to run after her.
"Hey! Wait! What does that mean?" Kazuya asked, chasing after her.
* * *
"STOP THAT RACKET!" Kaede roared at a small group of musicians who were playing. Lord Doumyouji could tell his wife was in a very bad mood. Though why he could only guess.
"Kaede, is something wrong?" Lord Doumyouji asked her.
"No, of course not, I just couldn't stand those musicians for another moment!" Kaede laughed slightly. "How could anything be wrong with my daughter's wedding being tomorrow?"
"You just seem a little tense…" Lord Doumyouji commented.
"I suspect that the children are up to something." Kaede finally pronounced. "Maybe we should have them detained during the wedding."
"That's a little unnecessary don't you think?" Lord Doumyouji smiled humorously at her. "Perhaps you are just overly suspicious."
"You don't think their up to something? Do you see how they keep running about the castle, as if making preparations?" Kaede questioned. "I don't trust that peasant-"
"You will not speak ill of that girl in my presence. She's a very fine young lady and I won't have it!" Lord Doumyouji gripped his armrests. He could feel his blood singing to him. He knew he shouldn't answer.
"Hmph!" Kaede made an indignant noise. She turned on a servant. "Bring me more wine!" She ordered.
I hope they are up to something. Lord Doumyouji thought to himself.
* * *
Shizuka slid her hand, though only her fingertips were really touching, down Rui's chest.
"I have an apple." Rui said with his eyes closed.
"Your so tired though…" Shizuka pressed a hand up against his cheek. "Surely…"
"Who knows how many more times we'll have?" Rui asked her, opening his eyes. "Soon Tsubaki will be married and it's only a matter of time before you'll be forced to go to your own wedding."
"I know…but if we can save Tsubaki…" Shizuka trailed off. "Who knows? Maybe we can be saved to. I won't just give up though."
"Nor will I." Rui closed his eyes, pulling her against him. "Nor will I…"
* * *
Okay, I know, I know, not a lot of stuff even happened in this chapter! But there's a reason for everything! Maybe perhaps not a lot happened in this chapter because everyone is waiting for the next one??? Much like the eighth book of Wheel of Time. Rand falls in some mud and cries, that's about it. Everyone was waiting for the ninth book! It was brilliant! Now, anyway back on to this stuff…I fear the next chapter…oh well…
Will all the plans that have been so carefully put together, work out? Will we find out about those crates? Will we have one scene with Rui and Shizuka by themselves, not on the verge of having sex? Will Kaede stop being such a bitch? Will Lord Doumyouji ever stop being the cool parent? Will Tsubaki be surprised when there's a plan to get her out of a wedding? Will Rui and Shizuka be surprised? Or will they start promptly making out? Will someone explain those apples? Will Teresa die laughing about the apples? (Not to mention that lemon…) Will I finish the next chapter before I have to go to bed? Will we all cheer by the end of the next chapter? Will Sakurako stop teasing Kazuya? Will Kazuya get his girl? Will he ever stop being so damn dopily cute? Will you laugh your ass off during the next chapter? Will these questions just keep going and going? Not to mention Makiko! Toodles, baby!