7. Together: Night of Excitement
Kainan
"How can you guys let Osata and Kouyo into the hands of Ryonan?" King Takato asked, "those are our important import, export cities."
"It's my fault. I never expected them to attack Osata and Kouyo. I did not place a lot of protection there," Maki admitted, "it is my miscalculation."
"You can't blame it on Maki," Fujima said.
"I don't blame it on Maki. I believe they gained control of those 2 cities that easily because of Rukawa. That guy is troublesome. He's our enemy now, we should…"
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Shohoku
Kogure looked at Ayako and walked towards her, "Ayako-chan."
She didn't reply.
He sat beside her, "Ayako-chan are you ok?"
"Fine," she said listlessly.
"Don't be so sad. We shouldn't ponder on the past but rather focus on the future."
"But I killed her. I shouldn't have let her leave, I should've grabbed onto her and pulled her out with me. I…" she began sobbing.
Kogure did the only natural thing. He pulled her close and lent her his shoulder.
"A…Akagi-san probably hates me…like…like Hanamichi."
"Hush," he told her, "no one hates you. No one blames you."
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Ryonan
Sendoh looked at the picture of Haruko, Akagi's sister, 'The girl from before. The one who kissed Rukawa.'
"Pity she died so young," Koshino said.
"She died?"
"Yeah, just this weekend. I think it was because of a fire," Hikoichi said.
"It's got to be a terrible way to go," Fukuda said.
'She's dead? I need to find Rukawa and see if he's ok. He must be sad.'
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Rukawa watched as a sweaty Sendoh ran up to him, "It took me forever to find you. Are you ok?"
"Of course."
Sendoh eyed him, "You're really ok? If you're unhappy I can provide you a shoulder to cry on."
"Baka."
"You know Akagi's Haruko's, she's…um…"
"Death is not the greatest loss of life. The greatest loss is in what dies inside us while we live."1
Sendoh looked like he wanted to say something but couldn't bring himself to say it.
Rukawa turned back to the sky, 'The night is so clear tonight. Are you among the stars with okaasan, Haruko-chan?'
"Anou…"
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"What is it?" Rukawa asked annoyed.
"Um…do you…was she your girlfriend?"
Pause, "No."
"But you and her…she has a crush on you, doesn't she?" Sendoh asked.
"Nosy."
'That's a yes. Although he doesn't like to talk, he seldom doesn't answer a question, when asked. I don't understand him, but I know he's a good person. He hardly ever shows any emotions but from the way he treats him imouto, you can tell he's a kind, caring person. He didn't answer because he wants to protect Haruko's image,' Sendoh theorized.
Something flew towards Rukawa. Sendoh quickly produced his psych-sword to slash it away, 'A psych-arrow?'
More stuff came flying.
He pulled Rukawa up, "Come on. We got to run!"
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Jin heard four thuds, as the door opened. She sat up and instinctively pulled the blanket up to her chin to cover herself up, after all she was just in her night gown. Kiyota came in.
"Why are you here?"
"I came to warn you that King Taoka sent Fujima and Hanagata-san to assassinate your brother," he said closing the door behind him.
"It's dangerous. You better go Nobu-kun," she said.
"I'm not afraid," he declared.
'I already knew he sent someone for my brother but I also know oniisan will be ok. But I didn't see you coming,' Jin thought and asked, "you jeopardized your life to inform me that oniisan will be in danger?"
"Partly," Kiyota admitted and blushed slightly, "it's also partly because I want to see you."
"Nobu-kun…you shouldn't have…"
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Sendoh frowned as he pulled Rukawa behind a huge tree. Rukawa was moving sluggishly. Sendoh had to practically drag him around, 'Doesn't he know the peril we're in? Fujima and Hanagata's primary target is him.'
Sendoh looked at Rukawa who looked unfazed, "Do you want to die? Is that it?! If you knew they'd come for you, why did you stay out here!?"
Rukawa sighed, "Baka."
"You're the baka!" Sendoh said, "what the heck is wrong with you?!"
Rukawa looked at him and sighed again, "Do'aho. I don't know everything that's going to happen 24/7. If I didn't see this episode happening, it's obviously not something worth worrying about. So don't get overly concerned. I know won't die. Maybe you should worry about yourself."
Sendoh attempted to take a peek around the tree and his face almost turned into a dart board, "…"
'Damn. What am I going to do? It's dark. I don't know their exact location. Fujima and Hanagata are attacking from a distance, so it's probably useless even if I know where they are. What should I do? How can I save Rukawa and myself?'
"If we make it to the mansion, we'll be safe," Rukawa said.
"How can we get there? Even if we cry for help no one will hear, and where the heck are the dogs?"
Rukawa shrugged, "Dead, or out cold."
"What should we do?"
"Why are you asking me?"
"Because you're suppose to be all knowing."
He was silent and said, "Well, I'm not."
"Fine then, lets run for it," he said, 'not like we have any other options.'
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Fujima and himself were circling to get a better aim at them. Just when he saw an arm, they sprinted. He threw his darts at them but it narrowly missed them. Something came flying at him. It hit him in the face breaking his glasses, 'Nani? A stone? Where did that come from?'
Fujima narrowed his eyes and fired his arrows in rapid succession. One of the arrow was about to hit Sendoh's leg but amazingly it was deflected by something.
'Impossible what caused it? What was that flash?'
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Sendoh pulled him into their room.
"That was close. I guess it's useless to call for help now, and I should probably report this incident. But it'll have to wait until tomorrow."
Rukawa didn't reply.
Sendoh turned to see Rukawa had taken off his shirt. Sendoh blushed.
Then he noticed Rukawa had a scratch on the side of his chest, that looked like it was caused by an arrow that had just skimmed by him. He didn't noticed before because of the it was night and the dark blue shirt Rukawa had on made the blood stains barely visible, "You're bleeding. Was that why you were running so slow? I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have jolt your around like that. It probably hurt. Gomen, I didn't mean to yell at you either. I'll go and get Aida Yayoi-san now."
"No."
"But…"
"I say, no."
He sounded very determined, so Sendoh gave in, "Ok, ok. Let me help you disinfect it."
Rukawa grabbed the first aid kit from his hands, "I'll do it myself."
"Why are you so intent on doing everything yourself? You're only human you know," he said grabbing the first aid kit back.
Rukawa frowned, "I don't need your help."
"Yare, yare," Sendoh said and shoved him onto the bed, forcing him to sit there.
Rukawa made no action to move, so he pulled out the disinfectant and began gently began washing the wound, "Does it hurt?"
Rukawa shook his head.
He smiled, "That's good."
"Why?"
"Why what?" he ask concentrating at the job at hand.
"Why are you being so nice to me? I've been a bastard to you."
Sendoh laughed, "So you know you've been mean, eh? I don't know why. Maybe because you remind me of a friend. Maybe because I like you and actually consider you my friend. I know this may sound weird, but I believe you're a very nice person deep down, and you just need a little love, to help bring that side out of you. Or maybe because I'm just plain stupid."
Silence and finally Rukawa said softly, "Yes, you're an idiot."
"Geez, thanks."
Then he began wrapping the gauze around him and was quite aware of how close they were. He was also aware of how milky soft Rukawa's skin was. He used a pin to fasten the gauze together and declared, "There! All done."
He looked down at Rukawa who was staring at him intensely.
'God, why does he have to look so damn gorgeous?'
He let his hands fall around Rukawa's hips. He expected Rukawa to say something cold or kick him but Rukawa just stared up at him expectantly. He leaned over and kissed him on the neck, still waiting to be shoved away. But that never happened, so he continued to construct a trail of kisses down his throat…
End of Together: Night of Excitement
A/N: 1- that quote that Rukawa said was by Norman Cousins