QoH: Back again! And we join Kiley once more... ^_~ By the way, I know there's a bit of Toji-bashin here, but hey, that's what Kiley thinks about the dude, isn't it? lol Personally, I think he's kinda cool, even if he's a little dense sometimes. lol Oh, by the way, about those other people in the room (ie. the old men and such), just pretend they're not there, ok? It serves for a much less awkward storyline, believe me. I tried to incorporate them, but it just ended up looking dorky. Thanks ^_^
Chapter 4: I Bring You Together
Kiley trudged his way down the hall toward the waiting area, glad he'd finally gotten out of that room. Being stuck in the same place as the she-devil and the bungling idiot hadn't been a load of fun for him. He smiled to himself a tiny bit then. Of course, I'd do anything for Momo, so it really doesn't matter what I think. Another thing he was glad for was that he'd finally managed to get Toji to believe him, which was why he was where he was now.
****
Earlier, in Toji's room
"So, I've got your word that you won't untie her, right?" Kiley pinned Toji with a piercing gaze, "And I mean under any circumstances, except if the building's on fire, or something drastic like that."
"Is this really necessary for one girl?" Toji asked, eyebrows raised. He looked at Sae, who was still bound hand and foot to the chair, giving him a pleading look.
Kiley rolled his eyes at his cluelessness, "What would you do if there was a viper on the loose, one that was bent on poisoning everyone they could get their fangs into? This 'one girl' makes even a scenario like that seem tame, maybe even simple to deal with. Trust me, this, and more, is very necessary."
"I see." Toji nodded, though he plainly didn't.
"In the snake's case, everyone knows that it's dangerous, and will avoid it if they can," he jabbed his thumb in Sae's direction, "In hers, however, she has a beguiling charm that allows her to get close to anyone that will listen to her for any length of time. Even I, who knew what she was from the beginning, almost fell into her trap. Fortunately, that's when she made a mistake."
This got both Toji's and Sae's attentions. She's probably wondering where I'm getting this. As though she's incapable of screwing up. Heh, not likely. "It was while she was talking about that so-called 'plan' of hers. She really had me going there for a while, that is, until she said that Momo would've been heartbroken by what she would've seen. I sort of 'came back' to myself and told her that I wouldn't do it."
"If you're so afraid of what I can do," Sae glared at him, trying to escape yet again, "why are you leaving me here, then?"
"Oh, yeah," Kiley grinned, "I figure you can watch the happy reunion. With me there, you won't do a thing against them."
"You're going to make me watch those two 'make up?'" she spat out, appalled.
He winked at her, "Right in one."
"Well, I won't do it!" Sae cried, struggling even harder, "I'll find a way to get out!"
Kiley strode purposefully over to her and leaned just inches away from her face, a dangerous smile playing on his lips as he said in an undertone, "Careful, little girl. I know what you're capable of. I rather doubt you'd care to know likewise." Without giving her a chance to respond, he produced a roll of duct tape from behind his back and and proceeded to gag her. Then, he pulled his handkerchief out of his back pocket and wrapped it around her eyes so she couldn't send any "please help me" messages that way. He also plugged her ears with some cotton balls he found in a drawer beside the bed.
Toji watched all this in amazement, "And what am I supposed to say if someone comes in here?"
"Hm," he surveyed the room contemplatively, then shrugged, "Well, there's nowhere we can put her that's completely out of sight, so I guess all I can do is put the chair on it's back and hope that nobody merely walking by notices. As for anyone actually coming in, I suppose we'll just have to cross our fingers and hope for the best."
"How long are you going to be in getting Momo back here?" he asked, obviously anxious to see her.
"I don't know quite where the waiting room is," Kiley frowned and looked to the doorway, "but I'm assuming it'll be easy enough to find. Don't worry, I'll bring her back to you soon enough."
****
Kiley, lost in his thoughts, was hardly aware that he was nearing where the doctor from earlier had said Momo would be. When he found a sign referring to it, he simply followed the directions, like he was on remote control. Though he really didn't want to do what he'd set out to, he knew he had no choice. He felt a bitter coldness settle in him, something that had nothing to do with the sterile air conditioning of his surroundings. Why did it have to be this way?
The memory of her saving him two years ago came, unbidden, to his mind. That period of time was still very fuzzy, but he could remember her holding him tight, pulling him along in the waves. Later, when he'd come around, the first thing he'd found were those huge fawn eyes trained on him, waiting for him, it seemed like. There was a sweet concern in them such as he'd never known existed, and certainly never expected to be focused on him, of all people. She'd reached up and brushed the hair out of his eyes, giving him a close-up view of skin the color of warm sand, like that he'd lain on. He'd fallen for her instantly. If only I'd had the courage to ask her out then. Of course, she would've thought I was just grateful for her saving my life. She never would've taken me seriously.
Kiley laughed bitterly at his musings. As though she takes me seriously now? He thought about that time when she'd been waiting for Toji by the pool, and he'd asked her, all games aside. She'd practically laughed in his face. Though, really, he supposed Momo had reason to doubt his motives. He knew he hadn't always acted like the perfect gentleman around her.
He guessed that came from dreaming about her since the day he'd met her. Nothing is worse for a would-be relationship than fantasizing about a girl you've never had the guts to even talk to. He shook his head, vaguely amused at his little play on words, reminded when he'd first told Sae off. Unfortunately, that had backfired when Sae had written on the blackboard that they were an "item," essentially framing Momo so that everyone thought she was chasing after him, increasing their suspicions that she was a playgirl. As if she'd have to "chase" me in the first place...
"Kiley!" Momo's cheerful voice pulled him back into the present. Kiley blinked as he realized he'd almost passed right by the waiting room. He pasted a smile on his face, then backtracked a couple steps and walked inside.
"I see you're feeling better," he said, thinking that was the understatement of the millenium. She looked far better than that. Her face, still bearing the tracks of long-dry tears, shimmered in the setting sun that streamed through the window at the other end of the room. Her hair fell, tousled, around her face, as though she'd run her hands through it several times. Frankly, in his eyes, she looked like heaven.
In the next he second, he was proven wrong. When she ran up and hugged him, he knew she didn't just look the part; she was paradise. Kiley closed his eyes and allowed himself the intense pleasure-pain of holding her. He had the sensation of free-falling, lost in the emotions that crashed over him like the waves of so long ago. She loves Toji, not you... the malicious voice whispered in his brain, sounding remarkably like Sae. He knew this tiny eternity must end, for her sake. Even if it cost him his sanity.
He gritted his teeth and forced himself to pull back, sternly keeping the howl of miserable agony within, even though the effect was that he felt he was going to be ill. His insides churned as he smiled at Momo again, "So, are you ready?"
"Ready for what?" she laughed innocently, "Oh, by the way, this is my new friend, Miho Washu," she let go of him, causing him to nearly collapse, but he managed to keep himself upright through an almighty force of sheer will. He watched as she danced over to a nurse he previously hadn't noticed in his preoccupation.
"Kiley Okayasu. Pleased to meet you." Kiley smiled wanly at her, not bothering to keep his torment from her, as well.
"Likewise." Miho nodded, a slight frown crossing her features as she took in the sight in front of her. He looked quite unwell, really. He was so pale and looked ready to faint right where he stood. Being a nurse, a thousand possibilities flitted across her mind. She was beginning to think she should take him to the ER when she remembered something Dr. Takahashi had said to the girl.
"He cares a lot for you, I think." She hadn't really paid attention to it at the time, since Momo had been her main concern then. Now, in meeting who he'd been talking about, she imagined she should've been worried about him, instead. It was glaringly obvious now what he'd done for his friend. Momo had been in good hands all along. Her heart went out to him. Poor kid...
"What was it you had to finish up earlier, Kiley?" Momo asked, looking at him, just catching on that he didn't look so good, "Are you all right? It's a good thing we're in a hospital. You look kind of sick."
He waved it aside, "Oh, I'll be fine. As for where I was, I just came from Toji's room. He wants to talk to you, if you'd like."
"Really?!" she squealed, rushing to hug him again, "What did you do? Hit him over the head with his food tray, trying to knock some sense into him?"
Not a half-bad idea. He laughed weakly, "No, I just told him the truth about everything. He's quite a bit happier now that he's in the loop, of sorts."
She frowned, disheartened for a moment, "What about Sae?"
"She hasn't been, and won't be causing any trouble," he tilted his head back and studied the ceiling, trying to keep the tears he felt stinging his eyes from giving him away, "Not if I have anything to say about it."
"Oh, thank you, Kiley!" Momo hugged him yet again, then tugged on his hand, "Come on, I want to go see him!" she turned around grinned at the nurse, "See you later, Miho! Thanks for the advice!"
He nearly broke down then and there at her enthusiasm, but he just silently followed her out of the room.
"Good luck." Miho whispered, smiling a bit sadly. She was glad her new friend had found happiness, but she couldn't help thinking it was with the wrong guy.
Kiley and Momo set off for Toji's room. Though they were both headed in the same direction, their moods couldn't have been more different. He watched as Momo came alive again, chattering away. She was so bright and happy now, just the way he liked her best. He, on the other hand, felt otherwise. Is this what death's like? I'd always hoped it would be quick. Just my luck that it's not. He stuffed his white-knuckled fists into the pockets of his baggy, black school-uniform khakis. He'd never been more glad that he always kept his fingernails short than he was at this moment, because he could feel what little he had digging into his palms. He forced himself to relax, only just enough to keep from drawing blood. How would I explain that to Momo?
When they neared the room, he told Momo to wait for a moment, just out of sight. She wasn't exactly happy about it, but she agreed. After all, this was coming from the guy who'd been her only friend for some time, not to mention the one who'd convinced Toji of the truth. What else could he have but my best interests at heart?
When Kiley walked back in the hospital room, he was relieved to see that it was exactly the way he'd left it. Even though Toji had agreed not to let Sae go, who was in no condition to make requests, he'd still had some reservations about leaving the two alone.
"Where's Momo?" Toji asked immediately, tossing down the book he'd been trying to interest himself in.
He only put a finger to his mouth as he went around to put Sae back upright, taking the cotton balls out and stuffing the handkerchief back in his pocket, but leaving the duct tape on. He didn't want any unnecessary, and surely rude, comments from the peanut gallery. Finished with that, he walked, ignoring the incessant I'm-going-to-kill-you-very-slowly-with-my-bare-hands dagger glares he felt on his back. Just try me, small-fry. He smirked before sticking his head through the doorway, "Come on in, Momo! Remember, he's just had surgery, so you can't tackle him."
She tore into the room at top speed, a huge grin on her face. Skidding to a stop in front of Toji's bed, Momo looked for all the world like every single one of her dreams had just come true, "Is Kiley telling the truth? Do you really want to get back together?"
Toji brightened when he saw just how much she loved him. He blushed and nodded shyly, a smile twitching on his face. Kiley took up his chosen position in the far corner of the room and leaned against the wall, watching as Momo leaped around the room, repeatedly shouting an ecstatic "Yes!" before throwing her arms around Toji.
The lucky stiff. I sure wish I was him right now. A thump caused Kiley's gaze to flick to an enraged Sae, who, bound and gagged as she was, couldn't do jack squat to Momo now. And she won't, not as long as there's still breath in me, he promised himself, his jaw set. Kiley dropped his head back against the wall and closed his eyes, keeping his feet planted firmly where they were, instead of out the door like he half-wished he could.
No, he thought, crossing his arms so no one would see his hands shaking, I'm going to stand right here, for as long as Momo needs me. I won't desert her, even if it does end up driving me mad.
QoH: Yes, it's official. I'm evil. lol ^_~ And there's even more angst to come.... Oh, by the way, who agrees with Miho? *waves both arms around wildly* I do! I do! Why am I doing this, then, you ask? *shrugs* Dunno. Guess the muse just doesn't like Kiley much....
Transient Muse: He's a pervert! How can you like him!
QoH: He is not! Like I just said, he's just lovesick, is all!
TM: He is, too!
QoH: Not!
TM: Too!
*continues 4 several minutes, then fades into the background as they run out and get into a catfight*
