Hehehe. Hi peoples! Sorry for the delay. There was a traffic of high school homework and house chores, but now it's all clear! Hahaha. Well... I hope that you enjoy it! I hope... cuz i think I over did a conversation a little, oh well, you people will tell me if it's so...
Disclaimer: I don't own Saint Tail. There. That was easy enough.
Signed, Anonymous
Chapter Nine: Turnabout is Fair Play
By Enchanted Pink Jade
*~*~*~*~*
*You should be happy*
Meimi sat where she was, stunned. Her tears had long stopped. Bitter sadness now replaced by bemusement and building anger. Those four words echoing in her head in soft little whispers, but relentlessly so. How can he say that? And how exactly was she supposed to be happy?
She slowly regained the feel of her legs and stood up. She had to talk to him. She just had to, and get things straightened out. He might hate her, but at least he'd know the truth and hate her.
"Let's go home, Ruby," she muttered, and scooped the little creature in her arms. Ruby stared at her friend with concern that Meimi would have seen had she looked down at the hedgehog. But she was oblivious to anything else at the moment, too busy concentrating on her thoughts.
Back straight, head high, chin up, blue-eyes raging like a storm, she walked on home determined to get through him no matter what. I will NOT wallow in self pity. I refuse to. And I wont cry anymore. No guy is worth the tears if he was the one who caused them, right? I had to keep just one secret from him, I was going to tell him. Demo....
*~*~*~*~*
Asuka Jr. sighed as he stared at the clock on his wall. 10:36 pm. He'd been home for awhile now, but his father wasn't back yet. Probably still at the station, organizing files. He lay on his bed with his arms propped behind his head so that his hands were comfortably tucked between his head and the pillow.
She had called four times now, only once leaving a message. He'd pulled the cord of the phone in his room, so that it would stop ringing incessantly. Sighing, he stood up to repeat the message that she'd left. He winced at how formal the tone of her voice sounded. It was as if none of their intimate moments had ever happened. It was strictly business now.
"Asuka Jr. I know you can hear me. I'll cut straight to the point. Yes, I am Saint Tail. But I wasn't ready to tell you that at the moment, yet I planned to. Too many people are counting on me. I want to explain things to you more clearly, but not over the phone. This is the type of thing that has to be done personally. And when we meet, don't bring your ego and male pride along, they'll take up too much space.... I will say this now though.... I'm sorry that it had to end up this way, and that even though it did, nothing has changed the way I've felt. Please, I need to talk to you."
He really didn't want to have a 'talk' with her. It was more than he could handle at the moment. What he needed was time and space. But there was no avoiding her. He would see her at school and- Damn. School! How could I forget. What will the people think now? Asuka tried to come up with ways that he could keep their... disagreement a secret, but all of them included him being face to face with her.
He knew that he was being a coward, and yet that didn't stop the silent tears that rolled down his face. Damn it all, what am I gonna do? He then thought about all those times he'd spent with Meimi. Replaying their whole lives in his mind's eyes. Was she for real? And what about her feelings? The ones she said that hadn't changed. Were they real too? Or had she been playing him all along? No answers came to light. He just didn't know anymore, and that scared him. The only thing that he did know was that he wasn't going to fall for the same trick twice. He knew better now than to trust the little conniving thief.
I've lost nothing. She wasn't what I had thought she was. Still, for some reason, I want to hear what she has to say. How can she have done this to me? I thought that... she loved me. I knew I loved her. Loved. This is.... Gods. She fooled me as easily she had fooled everyone else. What am I supposed to think about her? About everything? Three years ago, I promised myself that I would capture her. And if not, at least find out who she was. Now that I know, why is it that I'm not jumping for joy? Or celebrating like it was the 4th of July?
He then laid back on his bed, and groaned. He'd now a headache that felt like his head was cracked open by a jackhammer. As he turned to his side, he prayed to the Lord for sleep to come quickly this night, and he fell asleep.
*~*~*~*~*
"Have you seen him, Seira?" Meimi asked. There was only a few minutes left before school started, and that's all that she needed. A few minutes alone with him, and maybe they could sort this out. Of course, they couldn't act like nothing had happened.
Seira looked at her friend worriedly. She wasn't told everything, only that "he knows". That was all she needed to hear to know what Meimi had meant. So he knew. And from the way Meimi was acting, he hadn't heard the full story.
"Don't worry about it. When you find him, I'll back you up," the nun-in-training offered. Meimi stopped her frantic search to face her friend. She smiled gratefully in thanks, knowing that she could always count on the other girl for support.
That's when she spotted him, talking to some of his friends. Meimi turned back to Seira, who had also seen him. "Let me handle it first. I want to talk to him... He deserves to know."
Seira only nodded in understanding and watched the red-headed girl walk away.
"Hey Asuka! Your girl's coming," one of his friends said. Meimi could see his back stiffen, before he turned around.
"Ohayo, Haneoka," two of the others greeted. Asuka said not a word.
She walked until she was right in front of him. "We need to talk."
"I already know what you're going to say, so what's the use?" he said calmly. His demeanor was like ice, whilst Meimi's temper was slowly rising. He was being so stubborn! The same Mr. Know-it-all!
"I told you not to bring your ego and pride along. I just need a few minutes of your time," she said, gritting her teeth together to keep from screaming at him. By now, Asuka's friends had ceased to tease the 'oh so perfect couple.' They didn't seem that way now. The atmosphere crackled with their clashing auras.
Hot and cold.
Fire and ice.
Just then, the bell rang. But they still stood that way. Glaring at each other.
"And you've wasted enough of my time already," he said. And then he turned away to head to his next class. Jaws dropped unceremoniously onto the ground. Asuka had just snubbed Meimi! What the hell is going on? Yesterday, they were all lovey-dovey and sweet. So sweet that you could've gone into insulin shock just by being within 5 feet of the two. Today, they were acting like polite strangers. Not even the usual screaming and angry spats that the people were accustomed to hearing at least once a day.
Unwanted, but expected, word spread around fast in the school, and people were keeping their distance. Seira stayed near Meimi, for comfort. But said nothing, for there really was nothing to be said. At least, nothing that would make Meimi feel better.
"I'm still going to try to talk to him."
"Are you sure that you don't want me to come along? I don't think he'd be so reluctant if I talked with him," Seira offered.
"That's just it. I want him to hear it from me."
"Okay then. You should try during lunch."
*~*~*~*~*
This was utterly ridiculous. The pursuer became the pursued. The hunter became the hunted. However you wanted to say it, it was still the same. It was now Meimi who was trying to catch Asuka. And he kept on avoiding her, managing every time to slip through her grasp. Now she knew what he must've felt every time she escaped into the night.
All day she had tried to find him. She had asked so many people if they knew where he was. Sometimes she didn't even have to ask, they just told her straight out that they haven't seen him. It was now after school. A whole day's worth of attempts and she had nothing to show for it.
Sighing with resignation, she gave up. After all, tomorrow's another day, she thought to herself hopefully. But the next day proved to be the same as the day before. Useless. Her seeds of perseverance were fruitless.
Maybe I should just give it up. It almost seems hopeless now. And if he's going out of his way to avoid me... Then maybe it just... Wait a second, is that him over there? Meimi stopped her melancholy thoughts and focused on a person who had her back to her, leaning dejectedly against the school wall. Yes! I found him! She made a start to walk over to him but stopped and frowned in consternation. It wasn't that she was worried that he wouldn't listen to her. It was the person who was standing next to him, and what he was saying to her.
It was Rina, looking like for all the world that she could not, and would not be moved from the spot, listening with rapt attention. All of a sudden, Meimi's entire being was gripped with fear. She furtively crept closer to hear better. And...
"...impossible. I can't keep it in anymore. I have to tell someone. Do you remember the person you accused of being Saint Tail three years ago?" Asuka Jr. asked, while he looked elsewhere. Rina only nodded her head for him to go on. "Well, it turns out that you were right."
And Meimi's worst fear came to light. She turned and ran blindly back home. He promised! He said that he wouldn't tell anyone! What am I going to do if I'm exposed?! I need to talk to Seira! she realized. So she stopped and headed for another direction. Asika no baka!
*~*~*~*~*
"I don't understand. What are you trying to tell me and why? If there is a problem between you two, you should be talking to her, and not me. I'll bet anything that it was you-"
"I'm saying, Takamiya," Asuka started, as he cut her off. "That Meimi is Saint Tail. You were right all those years ago. I saw her transform... I told her I wouldn't say anything to anyone, but that everything is over."
"And yet hear you are, telling me. The Mayor's niece," Rina said, after a moment's silence.
"I'm lost, and as much as I hate to admit it, I don't know what to do," he said, and sighed miserably.
It was a good seven minutes before Rina responded. And what she said astounded him.
"Asuka... you're an idiot after all," she said softly, and his head jerked up in surprise. "Baka."
What the heck was she talking about? Wasn't she supposed to jump at the chance of capturing the thief that had escaped oh so many times? Now he was utterly confused. "I'm an idiot?"
"Stupid. Dumb. I real asshole. And- ah forget it, I'm leaving," she said irritably.
"What a minute. Didn't you just hear everything that I just said?"
"Every self-pitying syllable."
"And that's all you've gotta say about it?" Asuka said, aghast.
"Wrong. That's all I'm going to say about it. If you expect me to stand here, sympathize and comfort you, then you're in for a disappointment."
"She kept it a secret! Why couldn't she have told me?"
"How do you think she should have? 'Asuka, thank you. I had a wonderful time this evening. It was great. Oh, and by the way, I'm Saint Tail. Good night, I'll see you tomorrow!' Maybe she was waiting for the right time to. But we wouldn't know that now."
"Still I can't believe that she..."
This was getting tiring, and Rina sighed in exasperation. "You know what? You're right. She is a scumbag. So selfish by keeping her identity a secret so that she can continue saving people without having others hounding on her. I can't stand her! She makes everything so miserable by trying to help everyone out, and succeeding. My God..."
Scorn dripped out of her mouth like water from a water fountain.
Stung by her sarcasm, he said, "Okay, she might have had some good reasons, for others."
"Now don't go exaggerating things, Asuka Jr."
"Very good reasons."
"The little slut! How could she do a thing like that? How could she lead you on, making you chase her just for some fun. Such an enchantress, and she managed to hoodwink you with her love and feelings. Tsk, tsk, tsk."
"I should have known that you would have taken her side, now that you've become friends." Asuka rubbed his throbbing temples.
"Take up the side of scum? No way. If I was, I'd say straight out that you were being a selfish cad."
"Selfish? First, I'm stupid, dumb, and an idiot. Now I'm a selfish cad?"
"You wouldn't know something good if it came up the street and bit you in the butt. Or if it danced around your room naked," she said, then turned around.
"Come back here. You can't just walk away like that," Asuka said indignantly.
"Watch me."
"All right! All right. So maybe I am an idiot. Any suggestions on how I'm supposed to handle things?"
Rina spun around to confront him. "Okay, you asked for it, here it is. You're arguing, but you don't realize who you're arguing with. You're frustrated and angry, NOT at Meimi, but at yourself. You're mad at yourself."
"What do you mean?"
"You're like one of the top ten students in our school. Number one I'm betting. So you figure it out." And with that she stalked haughtily away.
What the heck just happened back there? Asuka thought as he arrived home and climbed the stairs to his room. Why can't things be more simpler? Why does almost everything I do go wrong? he asked, as he sunk into his bed and braced his head on his arms. He sat up and snatched up the coat that was hanging on his chair. before he could throw it onto his bed, something fell out of a pocket. It fell to the carpet with a small thud.
He slowly picked it up, the coat forgotten, and sat down. Was she for real? What's if I'd listened to her? Asuka opened the book to the first page, and reread everything. It did sound like she was telling the truth, but these were just words written on paper. They might mean something, or they might not. He then came to her last entry.
The bench where we leave this journal would be fine. We could meet at lunch, on a Saturday, or Sunday. And about that 'traumatic' thing that happened... it seems more like a dream now. And the guy... well... a dream come true. I'm so happy right now, I don't think happy is a strong enough word to describe what I feel. There's only one thing that I have to worry about right now, and I plan to tell him about that soon... when I'm ready. I hope that he'll be ready for it too. I know that things will turn out fine. When it's true love, you'll know it, right? And that's what I'm feeling... It's really funny, I never knew that it would come to this. Never thought that out of all people that I would fall for this one guy. But I did. He was so... self-assured, and he made it hard to approach him when he goes and talks like he's all high and mighty. But that's just one of the things that I love about him. His confidence, and just about everything else. I would be a little more elaborate with you, but I have to go meet that someone at this moment, and I'm kind of in a rush to get there... ^_^
~Hime
Asuka re-read again that last paragraph. She had said she loved him... What did he feel? That's when it hit him like lightning. He finally understood the words that Rina had been saying to him. It was as if someone turned on the light switch in a pitch black room. He could see. And he understood it when people say that you never know what you truly have until it's gone.
I'll go up to her and listen to what she has to say... I hope that it isn't too late yet.
*~*~*~*~*
Meimi? and Saint Tail? I was right after all...? Ouch. My head is spinning. I wonder how this'll all turn out... Should I tell Sawatari? Rina thought, as she took a side glance at the said person. Maybe not.
"Something wrong?" he asked.
"Iie, nothing. I'm just thinking."
"About me, right?" Sawatari asked with a maddening grin.
10 seconds later....
"It was a joke! A joke!" the boy said from his position from the ground. Ouch. Ouch. That hurt, he thought as he watched her stomp off. Gingerly, he picked himself up, brushed the dust off and chuckled. I made her mad again.
Grrrrr..... The nerve of him. Here I am being so serious. Stupid idiot, Rina thought.
*~*~*~*~*
"Meimi, I think he's being sincere now. Why not forgive and forget?" Seira suggested.
"No! He betrayed me! I can't be with him again, ever! He told me he wouldn't say anything," Meimi hissed from her hiding spot in the bushes behind the trees.
"He's pretty willing to listen. He asked me to tell you that he wants to hear whatever you have to say."
"Like he did in the beginning?" Sarcasm dripped from her mouth like honey from an upturned pot. "And, he told Rina!"
"Who is on our side! She's our friend now, remember? She swore that she wouldn't tell a soul of anything she knew, seen or heard. She washes her hands off of this situation. We can trust her."
"I know that. I just can't trust him. Not anymore." And in her hearts of hearts, she believed it. She believed that she couldn't trust him not to break her heart a second time. Not when she loved him so. Did she still love him? Yes, yes she did. She wanted so badly to go back to him, and to the way things were before. Only, it was impossible. She wanted to forgive him, but her pride was holding her back. Oh! If only she had more humility, but she didn't.
She didn't want to love again. Not as fully as she had. A love like that was dangerous. You had to give all your heart and soul to that one person, and you can't but help to want that love returned. If it was returned, then it was a match made in heaven. If not, then your heart breaks into pieces right before your very eyes. It feels like the life in you is being squeezed out. Your throat constricts, and you forget how to breathe. She didn't want to feel that way again, didn't want to lose face or composure over some guy who thought she wasn't worthy enough for him. She didn't want to take the risk
In other words, she was taking the coward's way out. But she wouldn't admit it to anyone, not even to herself. Not until hell freezes over.
"Okay. Well, can you at least come out? It feels weird knowing that all people see is me talking to a bush!"
"Do you see him out there?" Meimi asked.
Seira directed her gaze upwards. "No, I can't see him right now." This isn't lying, Seira said to herself. She asked if I can see him, and I can't because I'm looking at the heavens above. But I know he's there....
Meimi walked into the open, and at that precise moment, the very person she was hiding from spotted her.
"Ne, Seira, when is that paper on Machiavelli's The Prince due? I forgot, but I was paying attention to-"
"Why are you avoiding me?" another voice interrupted. An unwelcome voice. Meimi spun around to come face to face with him, then scowled at Seira.
"You lied."
"I did not. I was admiring the beautiful blue sky. Therefore, I couldn't see him," she protested indignantly.
"Whatever. Let's go then. I want to get a head start on that paper."
"Hold it. I'm talking to you!"
"I'm not listening!" Meimi shut her eyed closed and covered her ears.
"I'm going to leave you two, so that you can settle this on your own," Seira said, not wanting to get involved. But her departure went unnoticed.
"I'm willing to hear what you have to say and I-"
"Oh! So now you're willing to listen? Now? When it's too late? I don't even- Kami-sama- This is too- I can't even finish a sentence!" Meimi cried out, her face a-flush with anger. She could just barely keep everything inside. How dare he? How can he just let me suffer like that and then come back to tell me everything's okay now? Everything is NOT okay. What am I? His pet? Does he expect to jump when he tells me to?
Despite the loud warning bells that were ringing in his head, he took a step closer, and then-
SLAP.
The unmistakable sound resonated within the surrounding area. Birds flew out of their out of their nearby perches, and the people around stopped what they were doing to listen. Meimi really didn't care anymore there were others watching, she just wanted to make it clear that she didn't want him near her.
Asuka Jr. stared at her in shock, his hand on his left cheek. The sting from her slap was still being felt. Finally getting the message, he a took a step back and stared into eyes that were as cold as ice. As much as he wanted to look away, he couldn't. Even when her glare expressed her hate, he was still as captivated by them as before. The trance was broken when she spoke again.
"Stay away from me! I don't ever want to talk to you again!" and with that she pivoted on her heels and stalked away. Leaving him alone and staring back at her, still in shock. Some class mates nearby shook their heads with pity, and others, the females mostly, harrumphed and said he got what he deserved.
Damnit What the hell just happened here? Asuka walked home in a daze... still not knowing or understanding.
*~*~*~*~*
Trying to get ideas for her paper on The Prince, by Machiavelli, Meimi mindlessly twirled her pen in her fingers. Suddenly, a thought struck her. Just when she was about to write it down-
*Ring*Ring*Ring*
She sighed, put down her pen and picked up the phone. "Moshi moshi."
"Hey, what was up with that earlier today?"
She knew who it was immediately. There was no mistake on his voice. It was him. Damn, if I'd known it was him, I would have never picked up the phone. I HAVE to get Caller ID, Meimi mentally noted. And then out loud, "I don't know what you're talking about."
Asuka on the other end was counting quietly to himself, trying to calm down his nerves. What kind of a Godforsaken game was she trying to pull off now?
It was quiet for a few seconds before she heard him talk again.
"Don't play dumb with me."
"I'm not."
"Will you just listen for a few-"
"No. I'm busy. Good day."
*Slam*
"Okay, now where was I? Oh right," she muttered to herself. But just when she was about to sit down, the phone rang again.
*Ring* *Ring* *RING*
Should I pick it up? It could be him, or it could be Seira.... Hesitantly, she picked up with phone and waited fro the other person to speak. Well, she didn't have too wait long. And it was him. I should have known, she thought wearily.
"I'm trying to be reasonable with you..." he trailed off, not really knowing what to say next.
She sighed softly. "I'm sorry. This just isn't going to work."
"What's not going to work? Us talking over the phone? The time? The place? What? You want a personal confrontation? What is it?"
"I meant us in general. You said so yourself. There will be no more 'us' or 'we'. Something to that effect. Now, if you don't mind, I'm working here! And don't call anymore either!" With that last statement, she slammed down the receiver and pulled the plug off, that way she wouldn't be disturbed.
A few minutes later, she sat at her desk but was unable to pick up her pen to write, still being mad and frustrated. It's all his fault. Now I can't even concentrate... but still, should I reconsider...? Or not?
Those two questions were stuck in her head all day, even through dinner. Her parents noted that she was considerably quiet at dinner, but chose not to comment.
Still... should she?
*~*~*~*~*
Author's Note: Okay, okay, okay. I know it's been ages, but can you blame me? So so so sorry! I'm so busy. And I know that everyone out there has lives too, aside from reading stories that other people wrote. But putting that aside, what do you people think now? I hope that you haven't lost interest in the story. Most people tend do that when a fic isn't updated in awhile. But who's fault is that, hmmm? *Looks around innocently* Oh alright I'll admit that it's mine.
And to tell the truth, I'm not so sure about this chapter. Especially when Rina and Asuka talk. Don't you think that was kinda out of character? Or more so? Anyways, tell me what you think! And thanks again for the many reviews! I love you all! Your comments is what made me put down a boring assigned book and start writing again. Yeah...
Oh, and one more thing... I think that the next chapter will be last one. *sniffs* I had so much writing this story, I can't believe that it's going to end now...
Ja ne!
~Enchanted Pink Jade
E-mail: Lyricalaznangel@aol.com
