Title: Kaede Jr.
by: Aki Midori
*The author is currently praying for the Lord God almighty's blessing. She has lost her momentum in writing this fic, and is not sure whether this chappie will come out well or not... The author also wanted to tell the masses that she has received numerous death threats already, and that she is now immuned to those. Yep... immuned.*
Aki: Oi, minna! Thanks very much for the support. Lotsa people loved this fic, and I thank you for that. ^_^ I'm very very very very (okay, point taken) sorry for the delay. You see, I was reaaaaaally busy with other things. And yeah, I also watched Hana Yori Dango which left me depressed for like... days (until now, I guess). So, bear with me, everyone!
PS... This chappie is for all of you who supported (geez, do I sound like an awardee or what?) me all throughout this whole Kaede Jr. madness. Thanks for loving that little demon, too. And yeah, you can kill me after I finished the whole fic. ^______^ That is... if you can.
DiSClAiMErs:
Miku always write /Standard disclaimers apply, thank you!/. I wonder why I never contented myself with that. I always have to blah and to yak and to yap and pretend that I own them, and- ... oh well... Standard disclaimers apply, thank you!
----------------------------------------------------
Kaede Jr.
Chapter 9: Life Is Good
(Sendoh's POV)
Everything happened so fast.
I saw Kaede running out of Kae-chan's room looking like the god of death is on his heels. He grabbed me and shook me hard and when I looked into his eyes, chills ran down my spine. For the first time ever, I saw fear in Rukawa Kaede's eyes. I asked him what happened, and he just shook me and ran away, calling for the doctor. When I got inside, I saw our little Kae-chan lying lifelessly on that pristine white hospital bed.
And the cruel beep of the machine echoed on and on and on.
Everything happened so fast.
I saw the doctors as they pulled in this stupid looking machine with many many wires on it. They ran towards Kae-chan and were yelling all sorts of commands. Everyone was running and was very frantic. Kyuichi and Keiko were gripping each other tight. And Kaede... Oh gods, Kaede... he was just sitting there on that chair on the corner, looking at everything with dead eyes. I wanted to go to him, hug him, be with him, but I was rooted in the place.
I was rooted as I saw those doctors press those funny-looking things on Kae-chan's chest. I saw how the little body jerked upwards. And they pressed those things again. And his body jerked again.
And I saw how Keiko-san cried. I saw how tight Kyuichi-san's embrace was. And I saw how dead Kaede's eyes were.
Everything happened so fast.
And then the doctor stopped what he was doing, looked at the hugging couple and shook his head.
"I'm sorry," he solemnly said.
I felt the tears as they ran down my cheeks. No, this couldn't be happening.
There were tears and cries of anguish. There was pain and there was sorrow. I looked at Kaede Jr's lifeless body, and the tears increased tenfold.
I remembered our first meeting. He was so happy. He has that mischievous gleam in his eyes. He said basketball was for sissies. He said he just stole that ball from his brother. And I remember now how amused I am when I found out what his name was. We became best buddies. And he understood what I felt for his brother. He understood, despite his innocence and his young age. I remember that wonderful day at the park. He was so happy. He was laughing and smiling and he was contented with just terrorizing his older brother. I can still see his cute smile. I can still hear his wonderful laugh. I can still feel his arms around me whenever he hugs me. I can still feel the persistent tugging at my pants whenever he needed to ask what a certain word meant.
In my mind and in my heart, he's still alive.
That boy who's lying down on that hospital bed could never be our little Kae-chan.
Our Kae-chan is alive.
This one's dead.
This could not be happening.
Kaede, are you alright? No, you're not. Stop looking at your brother that way. Please say something.
I dragged my feet towards where Kaede was sitting. He wasn't moving. He wasn't even blinking. He wasn't even breathing. I called his name again and again, but he never responded. His eyes were dead. The light was gone.
This Kaede's dead, too.
Everyone died. Something died in all of us. We all loved Kaede Jr. What would life be like, if he's gone? Please tell me this isn't happening.
Everything happened so fast.
And now we're all gathered under hovering black umbrellas, giving Kae-chan our last respects before we let him go. The atmosphere is heavy with sorrow and pain. The rain was falling hard. It was as if heaven was crying with us. Kaede Jr has a huge impact in our lives. I can't believe this.
Tears were streaming down our cheeks as the minister said his last words about Kae-chan. I wanted to laugh. He doesn't even know Kae-chan. He doesn't know the pain. He could never understand us. He doesn't have any right to say those things.
Life is supposed to be good. Why is this happening to us?
Kaede... where is he? He's not around.
I ran away from the group, ignoring people's concerned shouts. Kaede, where are you? I ran and ran and ran until my feet brought me to the sandbox. Kaede was there, unsheltered, playing with the wet sand. His eyes were still dead. It seems as if he doesn't even know what he was doing.
"Koi," I whispered. He ignored me. He just continued to toy with the sand. "Kaede, look at me."
When he lifted his eyes at me, I felt it all. Indescribable pain. Immeasurable sorrow. Hopelessness. Helplessness. Defeat.
"He's... dead," he stated.
"But he will always be with us," I replied as I gathered him in my arms. My tears were falling freely... down from my eyes and onto his pale face.
"You're crying."
"Yes, koi, I am."
"You love him."
"Yes, I did. You love him, too. We all did."
"He's gone."
And his last word echoed on and on and on. My whole world spun around and around. I felt dizzy.
And when I looked at Kaede's eyes again, I felt myself die, too.
********************
"Akira..."
Where am I?
"Akira, wake up."
What's going on?
"Open your eyes, ahou."
That voice. Kaede? I opened my eyes. Where am I?
"How very like you to faint just when I needed you most," Kaede remarked. But there was a happy glint in his eyes.
"Wha-"
"You fainted right after you saw those machines," Kaede stated in such a way a person would discuss the weather. "You made me worry, damn you."
"Kae-chan-"
"Is okay."
I released a long sigh of relief. It was as if a huge boulder has been lifted off my chest. "Are you sure?" I asked.
Kaede actually rolled his eyes. "Yes, Akira, I'm sure. Everything's alright now."
What was that dream? It sure felt real. I was so scared. The tears, the pain, the sorrow... all of it. So real.
"Akira, are you alright?" Kaede asked. Shit. I left him on his own during those vital hours!
"Are you?" I asked.
"Yes, I'm okay now," Kaede said. "No thanks to you."
I blushed. "Gomen. I didn't-"
I felt two fingers on my lips. I raised my eyes to meet his and felt myself drown in those two deep pools. These eyes weren't dead like it were on the dream. These eyes tell me that everything's okay.
"It's okay, Akira," he said. "You've been through a lot of stress. You remained strong for all of us. You took care of me. When I got out of that room, I thought the world would end. I thought Kaede Jr would die. But then you helped me call the doctors. It's just that the moment you saw those machine, you fainted."
"Kaede, I'm sorry," I said. "It must have been hell for you to go through that alone."
"I told you, it's alright," he assured me with a smile. "Can't you see? Everything's okay now. Kaede Jr's safe."
"But my dream..."
"It's just a dream."
I grabbed him and gathered him in a fierce embrace. "I saw everything. It was awful, Kaede."
"Akira, I admit, at first, I was so scared, too. I thought he couldn't make it. But he did, Akira. He's strong. He's alive. Stop thinking about your nightmare."
"I'm supposed to support you, and look what I did. I fainted like a wuss," I said. I can't forgive myself for this. What the hell happened to me? Why did I have to faint? Wasn't it I who promised Kaede that I will always be by his side through the good times and bad? Look at me now, recovering from a horrible nightmare, clining onto his arms like a ninny, having been comforted by the same person who's gone to hell and back.
I'm such a complete f*** up.
He wrapped his arms around me and said, "You've been a great help. You never left my side. That's enough for me."
"Kaede, it's really over, isn't it?" I asked.
"Yes."
I should be the one who should be doing the reassuring, not him. But then again, his arms around me made me forget everything for a while.
"I'm glad," I said. I saw his smile before he buried his face on my chest. "I love you," I hear myself say.
And then I heard it. I was delivered in the barest of whispers, but it lifted my hassled spirits. It made me forgive myself. It made me feel so glad to be alive.
"I love you, too."
********************
"Goddamn you, you little shithead, just eat the goddamn soup!"
"Hell, no!"
"Boys, no swearing, dammit! Your mother will throw a freakin' fit when she hears the two of you! Especially you, Kaede. Where do you get those darn words?"
"You just swore, otousan."
"I did?"
"You just said 'dammit' and... and 'freakin', and 'darn', too. That's too many, otouchan!"
"Oh."
"I'm gonna te~ll on you!"
"Hey, why don't we talk about this?" Kyuichi-san negotiated.
Yep. Everything's back to normal. Nothing could be better than spending my afternoon with the three male Rukawas. One was *sick* in bed, refusing to eat the stale soup; the other was seething in anger because the former wouldn't even look at the said soup; and the last was too irritated because instead of being in his (or his son's) beloved kitchen with his (definitely not his son's) beloved pink apron, he was *commanded* by his wife to watch out for the two bickering boys.
"Shut up, you little nincompoop. Eat the darn thing."
"I don't wanna! It doesn't taste good!"
"But it's good for your health, Kae-chan," I pointed out.
"But it tastes horrible, Akira-niichan!" he protested. Kaede once again tried to shove the spoon in his mouth. Kae-chan clamped his mouth shut and looked the other way.
"Dammit-"
"Oi," I started as I walked towards him, "you're calm, you're cool, you're the Ice Prince," I joked. He gave me a cold glare and dumped the soup bowl in my hand.
"Feed him."
"Kiss me first."
"You wish."
"Aren't they sweet, otouchan?" Kae-chan cooed. Kaede and I both looked at him and blushed at the same time.
The door opened and in strolled the general. Kyuichi-san walked over to his wife and gave her a long kiss.
"What's going on?" Keiko-san asked.
"Okaachan! The big meanie just said 'goddamn you' and 'shithead' and otouchan just said 'dammit' and 'freakin' and 'darn'!" Kae-chan proudly said.
Keiko-san's eyes grew larger with each passing word. Kaede seethed more. Kyuichi-san looked ready to ran out of the room. When Keiko-san recovered from her shock, scowled in this scary manner which made me silently call for Kami-sama's mercy. I could practically see sweat running down on Kyuichi-san and Kaede's faces.
Keiko-san actually growled.
Kae-chan beamed happily.
Maybe I could do something here... "Anou, Keiko-san. Happy day, isn't it?"
"Did these two 'sophisticated' men say those things?" Keiko-san snapped. I think that vein on her forehead could pop out any minute. Anou, does she have a paper fan or something? Note to self: this woman is dangerous. Do *not* get on her bad side.
"Anou... Keiko-san-"
"Don't 'anou, Keiko-san' me, young man! Did they, or did they not?"
Kaede was looking at me with a hopeful expression. And what is that wicked gleam in his eyes? It was as if he was promising me a reward if I saved him from this mess. Oh wow, I've never seen that promising look in Kaede's eyes before. Yum.
On the other hand, Keiko-san looked ready to bite my head off. Hey, let's not involve me in this madness, shall we?
"Did they?" Keiko-san asked again, now advancing towards poor old me. Lemme see, do I defend the love of my life, or do I save my soul from this enraged woman?
'Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned', was the first thing which crossed my mind.
Kae-chan seemed to be enjoying the scene. He was fidgeting joyfully on his seat. Now, now, you little pipsqueak, when are you gonna start bouncing on your bed? When are you gonna start *squealing* in delight, eh?
"Koi, let's talk about-"
"Shut up," Keiko-san snapped, stopping whatever excuse Kyuichi-san might have said. Keiko-san's eyes narrowed. "How many times have I told you *never* to swear, especially in front of a kid? Did you listen to me? No. You really have to act like an uncivilized individual. What kind of words are those, Rukawa Kaede? Where do you get those words?"
Kaede actually flinched under Keiko-san's scrutinizing gaze. Keiko-san turned her attention to Kyuichi-san.
"What about you?" she asked. "What can you say about your behavior. Shame, shame, shame on you."
"Anou, koi-"
"We'll talk outside," Keiko-san snapped. "Now."
Kyuichi-san *scampered* towards the door. Keiko-san once again turned to Kaede.
"And you, young man, and I will talk about this later," she said firmly before she marched out the door. But not before she gave me a lingering glare which made me wish that my mommy is here.
When she was outside, Kaede lunged towards the little kid.
"Why you, little imp-"
"Okaaaacha-"
"Okay fine, I get the message," Kaede snapped as he placed his hand over Kae-chan's mouth. "I'll behave, you little tattletale."
"Don't make me eat that awful-tasting soup again, okay?" Kae-chan asked.
"Fine," Kaede said. He walked away from the bed and sat down on the couch on the other side of the huge, cheerful room. I can't believe this. Rukawa Kaede is *brooding*. I smiled and walked towards him.
"Hey, don't fret over that little thing," I said. "I'm sure your mom will forget that in no time."
"Okaachan won't!" Kae-chan supplied a little too happily. "Okaachan ne~ver forgets things like that. Yup!"
"Quit being too happy about it, will ya?" Kaede shot back.
"Simmer down, both of you," I said. Kae-chan stuck out his tongue towards his oniisan and slumped in his bed. The elder Kaede scowled even more.
I watched these two boys and can't stop myself from smiling. Yep, everything's okay now. Nothing bad will happen anymore. Everything is back to normal. Kae-chan's real parents gave up on him and went back to their respective lives. Kae-chan is as naughty as ever, Kaede is as cold as ever, and their parents are as in love as ever. The two Kaedes went back to their usual bickering as if the whole nightmare never happened.
These past few days have been hell for all of us, but we're okay now. All of us have changed in one way or another, especially Kaede and Kae-chan. In a way, both of them are a lot stronger than they were before. Before, only animosity was exchanged between the two, but now, I could actually see the respect and love they have for each other. We've been through hell, but we're a lot better now than we've ever been.
This horrible experience bonded us all together.
Yep, life is good.
"Did I make you worry?" Kae-chan suddenly asked. The bouncy, happy kid was gone. Kae-chan was now looking as forlorn as he was during that night when he broke Kaede's trophy. Right now, he was hugging Mr. Teddy (who was, at the moment, clean) and was looking at his feet. He looked as if he doesn't know what to say.
"Oi, you little imp, what are you talking about now?" Kaede asked.
"I made you worry, didn't I?" Kae-chan said. "I ran away and crossed the street with Mr. Teddy and we didn't make sure if there are any fast cars around. I got run over and I'm sure I made all of you worry so much."
"Kae-chan, it's okay," I tried to reassure him. He doesn't look reassured. I looked at Kaede. Only he can ease this little kid's mind.
"You know, when I was in that mean woman's house, I was thinking of how bad I must have been," Kae-chan said. Kaede was now walking towards his little brother with a frown in his face. He sat down at the edge of the bed and said,
"It's okay now, Kaede Jr."
"I was thinking about okaachan and otouchan. I missed them so much. I miss the way okaachan would take care of me, and I missed otouchan's cookies and I miss the smiles and the hugs. And I so sad because I don't want to stay there," Kae-chan said. His words are tugging at my heart. He looked so pained and forlorn at the memory. "And then I was thinking of Akira-niichan's smile. I wanted to spend another day with him at the park. He was so cool."
"Don't be sad anymore, Kae-chan," Kaede said as he patted the little boy's shoulder.
"And I was thinking of you, oniichan," Kae-chan added in the barest of whispers.
The moment Kaede Jr. said that, warmth spread all over me. Kaede's eyes widened, and he sat there, all stiff for long moments.
"I was thinking of you the whole time," Kae-chan continued. "I was thinking of how good you are in basketball, and how bad I've been to you, and how good you've been to me. You always took care of me, and re-pri-manded me when I did something to harm myself. I remembered those times when I was a little boy and you tried many times to play with me, but I was very bad. And then you stopped trying when I've been very bad.
"And then I thought that you always buy me lotsanlots of Ice Cream, and you clean me when I get really dirty, and you gave me my favoritest toy in the whole wide world. And you're also my favoritest person in the world. When I got hit by the car, I was scared. I said I don't wanna die yet, because I still have lotsa things to do for you. Arigatou, oniichan, for everything."
Kaede sat there, all speechless and wide-eyed. I wanted to cry at the moment, but hey, I'm cool, so I didn't. This is one of the most poignant moments I've ever seen in my entire life. I was so happy for the two.
Kae-chan was about to say something else but Kaede suddenly gathered him in a fierce hug. He was trembling. Kae-chan started crying and held on to Kaede for dear life. Kaede started to whisper comforting words, uttering whatever non-sense he could think of. He seemed so shocked and so happy at the same time.
Funny, how at times like these, when my heart is swelling three times larger because of pride, I could only smile. I couldn't do anything more. The two hugging Kaedes paint the best portrait I've ever seen in my entire life. I've never seen anything more beautiful.
And now, watching them patch up the seven-year-gap which have grown over the years, I could only think of two things.
Number one, I feel so glad that I had the opportunity to share my life with these people...
And number two, life is good.
**********
tsu.zu.ku
**********
*blinks at the readers*
No, it's not finished yet. I still feel like killing someone... ^_^ Nah, just kidding there. Whew, can't believe I'm done with chapter 9. It feels great to write Kaede Jr again. And now, I can start mailing the latest reviewers, too, so wait for my mail! I've got lots of things to say to those wonderful reviews. Arigatou, minna!
Geez, you actually thought I would kill Kae-chan? Come o~on! I made that kid! I can't hurt him, can I?
... And besides, I don't wanna be killed by a bunch of mad readers. I have a dream, ya know. I don't wanna die yet...
Please review, minna!!!
by: Aki Midori
*The author is currently praying for the Lord God almighty's blessing. She has lost her momentum in writing this fic, and is not sure whether this chappie will come out well or not... The author also wanted to tell the masses that she has received numerous death threats already, and that she is now immuned to those. Yep... immuned.*
Aki: Oi, minna! Thanks very much for the support. Lotsa people loved this fic, and I thank you for that. ^_^ I'm very very very very (okay, point taken) sorry for the delay. You see, I was reaaaaaally busy with other things. And yeah, I also watched Hana Yori Dango which left me depressed for like... days (until now, I guess). So, bear with me, everyone!
PS... This chappie is for all of you who supported (geez, do I sound like an awardee or what?) me all throughout this whole Kaede Jr. madness. Thanks for loving that little demon, too. And yeah, you can kill me after I finished the whole fic. ^______^ That is... if you can.
DiSClAiMErs:
Miku always write /Standard disclaimers apply, thank you!/. I wonder why I never contented myself with that. I always have to blah and to yak and to yap and pretend that I own them, and- ... oh well... Standard disclaimers apply, thank you!
----------------------------------------------------
Kaede Jr.
Chapter 9: Life Is Good
(Sendoh's POV)
Everything happened so fast.
I saw Kaede running out of Kae-chan's room looking like the god of death is on his heels. He grabbed me and shook me hard and when I looked into his eyes, chills ran down my spine. For the first time ever, I saw fear in Rukawa Kaede's eyes. I asked him what happened, and he just shook me and ran away, calling for the doctor. When I got inside, I saw our little Kae-chan lying lifelessly on that pristine white hospital bed.
And the cruel beep of the machine echoed on and on and on.
Everything happened so fast.
I saw the doctors as they pulled in this stupid looking machine with many many wires on it. They ran towards Kae-chan and were yelling all sorts of commands. Everyone was running and was very frantic. Kyuichi and Keiko were gripping each other tight. And Kaede... Oh gods, Kaede... he was just sitting there on that chair on the corner, looking at everything with dead eyes. I wanted to go to him, hug him, be with him, but I was rooted in the place.
I was rooted as I saw those doctors press those funny-looking things on Kae-chan's chest. I saw how the little body jerked upwards. And they pressed those things again. And his body jerked again.
And I saw how Keiko-san cried. I saw how tight Kyuichi-san's embrace was. And I saw how dead Kaede's eyes were.
Everything happened so fast.
And then the doctor stopped what he was doing, looked at the hugging couple and shook his head.
"I'm sorry," he solemnly said.
I felt the tears as they ran down my cheeks. No, this couldn't be happening.
There were tears and cries of anguish. There was pain and there was sorrow. I looked at Kaede Jr's lifeless body, and the tears increased tenfold.
I remembered our first meeting. He was so happy. He has that mischievous gleam in his eyes. He said basketball was for sissies. He said he just stole that ball from his brother. And I remember now how amused I am when I found out what his name was. We became best buddies. And he understood what I felt for his brother. He understood, despite his innocence and his young age. I remember that wonderful day at the park. He was so happy. He was laughing and smiling and he was contented with just terrorizing his older brother. I can still see his cute smile. I can still hear his wonderful laugh. I can still feel his arms around me whenever he hugs me. I can still feel the persistent tugging at my pants whenever he needed to ask what a certain word meant.
In my mind and in my heart, he's still alive.
That boy who's lying down on that hospital bed could never be our little Kae-chan.
Our Kae-chan is alive.
This one's dead.
This could not be happening.
Kaede, are you alright? No, you're not. Stop looking at your brother that way. Please say something.
I dragged my feet towards where Kaede was sitting. He wasn't moving. He wasn't even blinking. He wasn't even breathing. I called his name again and again, but he never responded. His eyes were dead. The light was gone.
This Kaede's dead, too.
Everyone died. Something died in all of us. We all loved Kaede Jr. What would life be like, if he's gone? Please tell me this isn't happening.
Everything happened so fast.
And now we're all gathered under hovering black umbrellas, giving Kae-chan our last respects before we let him go. The atmosphere is heavy with sorrow and pain. The rain was falling hard. It was as if heaven was crying with us. Kaede Jr has a huge impact in our lives. I can't believe this.
Tears were streaming down our cheeks as the minister said his last words about Kae-chan. I wanted to laugh. He doesn't even know Kae-chan. He doesn't know the pain. He could never understand us. He doesn't have any right to say those things.
Life is supposed to be good. Why is this happening to us?
Kaede... where is he? He's not around.
I ran away from the group, ignoring people's concerned shouts. Kaede, where are you? I ran and ran and ran until my feet brought me to the sandbox. Kaede was there, unsheltered, playing with the wet sand. His eyes were still dead. It seems as if he doesn't even know what he was doing.
"Koi," I whispered. He ignored me. He just continued to toy with the sand. "Kaede, look at me."
When he lifted his eyes at me, I felt it all. Indescribable pain. Immeasurable sorrow. Hopelessness. Helplessness. Defeat.
"He's... dead," he stated.
"But he will always be with us," I replied as I gathered him in my arms. My tears were falling freely... down from my eyes and onto his pale face.
"You're crying."
"Yes, koi, I am."
"You love him."
"Yes, I did. You love him, too. We all did."
"He's gone."
And his last word echoed on and on and on. My whole world spun around and around. I felt dizzy.
And when I looked at Kaede's eyes again, I felt myself die, too.
********************
"Akira..."
Where am I?
"Akira, wake up."
What's going on?
"Open your eyes, ahou."
That voice. Kaede? I opened my eyes. Where am I?
"How very like you to faint just when I needed you most," Kaede remarked. But there was a happy glint in his eyes.
"Wha-"
"You fainted right after you saw those machines," Kaede stated in such a way a person would discuss the weather. "You made me worry, damn you."
"Kae-chan-"
"Is okay."
I released a long sigh of relief. It was as if a huge boulder has been lifted off my chest. "Are you sure?" I asked.
Kaede actually rolled his eyes. "Yes, Akira, I'm sure. Everything's alright now."
What was that dream? It sure felt real. I was so scared. The tears, the pain, the sorrow... all of it. So real.
"Akira, are you alright?" Kaede asked. Shit. I left him on his own during those vital hours!
"Are you?" I asked.
"Yes, I'm okay now," Kaede said. "No thanks to you."
I blushed. "Gomen. I didn't-"
I felt two fingers on my lips. I raised my eyes to meet his and felt myself drown in those two deep pools. These eyes weren't dead like it were on the dream. These eyes tell me that everything's okay.
"It's okay, Akira," he said. "You've been through a lot of stress. You remained strong for all of us. You took care of me. When I got out of that room, I thought the world would end. I thought Kaede Jr would die. But then you helped me call the doctors. It's just that the moment you saw those machine, you fainted."
"Kaede, I'm sorry," I said. "It must have been hell for you to go through that alone."
"I told you, it's alright," he assured me with a smile. "Can't you see? Everything's okay now. Kaede Jr's safe."
"But my dream..."
"It's just a dream."
I grabbed him and gathered him in a fierce embrace. "I saw everything. It was awful, Kaede."
"Akira, I admit, at first, I was so scared, too. I thought he couldn't make it. But he did, Akira. He's strong. He's alive. Stop thinking about your nightmare."
"I'm supposed to support you, and look what I did. I fainted like a wuss," I said. I can't forgive myself for this. What the hell happened to me? Why did I have to faint? Wasn't it I who promised Kaede that I will always be by his side through the good times and bad? Look at me now, recovering from a horrible nightmare, clining onto his arms like a ninny, having been comforted by the same person who's gone to hell and back.
I'm such a complete f*** up.
He wrapped his arms around me and said, "You've been a great help. You never left my side. That's enough for me."
"Kaede, it's really over, isn't it?" I asked.
"Yes."
I should be the one who should be doing the reassuring, not him. But then again, his arms around me made me forget everything for a while.
"I'm glad," I said. I saw his smile before he buried his face on my chest. "I love you," I hear myself say.
And then I heard it. I was delivered in the barest of whispers, but it lifted my hassled spirits. It made me forgive myself. It made me feel so glad to be alive.
"I love you, too."
********************
"Goddamn you, you little shithead, just eat the goddamn soup!"
"Hell, no!"
"Boys, no swearing, dammit! Your mother will throw a freakin' fit when she hears the two of you! Especially you, Kaede. Where do you get those darn words?"
"You just swore, otousan."
"I did?"
"You just said 'dammit' and... and 'freakin', and 'darn', too. That's too many, otouchan!"
"Oh."
"I'm gonna te~ll on you!"
"Hey, why don't we talk about this?" Kyuichi-san negotiated.
Yep. Everything's back to normal. Nothing could be better than spending my afternoon with the three male Rukawas. One was *sick* in bed, refusing to eat the stale soup; the other was seething in anger because the former wouldn't even look at the said soup; and the last was too irritated because instead of being in his (or his son's) beloved kitchen with his (definitely not his son's) beloved pink apron, he was *commanded* by his wife to watch out for the two bickering boys.
"Shut up, you little nincompoop. Eat the darn thing."
"I don't wanna! It doesn't taste good!"
"But it's good for your health, Kae-chan," I pointed out.
"But it tastes horrible, Akira-niichan!" he protested. Kaede once again tried to shove the spoon in his mouth. Kae-chan clamped his mouth shut and looked the other way.
"Dammit-"
"Oi," I started as I walked towards him, "you're calm, you're cool, you're the Ice Prince," I joked. He gave me a cold glare and dumped the soup bowl in my hand.
"Feed him."
"Kiss me first."
"You wish."
"Aren't they sweet, otouchan?" Kae-chan cooed. Kaede and I both looked at him and blushed at the same time.
The door opened and in strolled the general. Kyuichi-san walked over to his wife and gave her a long kiss.
"What's going on?" Keiko-san asked.
"Okaachan! The big meanie just said 'goddamn you' and 'shithead' and otouchan just said 'dammit' and 'freakin' and 'darn'!" Kae-chan proudly said.
Keiko-san's eyes grew larger with each passing word. Kaede seethed more. Kyuichi-san looked ready to ran out of the room. When Keiko-san recovered from her shock, scowled in this scary manner which made me silently call for Kami-sama's mercy. I could practically see sweat running down on Kyuichi-san and Kaede's faces.
Keiko-san actually growled.
Kae-chan beamed happily.
Maybe I could do something here... "Anou, Keiko-san. Happy day, isn't it?"
"Did these two 'sophisticated' men say those things?" Keiko-san snapped. I think that vein on her forehead could pop out any minute. Anou, does she have a paper fan or something? Note to self: this woman is dangerous. Do *not* get on her bad side.
"Anou... Keiko-san-"
"Don't 'anou, Keiko-san' me, young man! Did they, or did they not?"
Kaede was looking at me with a hopeful expression. And what is that wicked gleam in his eyes? It was as if he was promising me a reward if I saved him from this mess. Oh wow, I've never seen that promising look in Kaede's eyes before. Yum.
On the other hand, Keiko-san looked ready to bite my head off. Hey, let's not involve me in this madness, shall we?
"Did they?" Keiko-san asked again, now advancing towards poor old me. Lemme see, do I defend the love of my life, or do I save my soul from this enraged woman?
'Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned', was the first thing which crossed my mind.
Kae-chan seemed to be enjoying the scene. He was fidgeting joyfully on his seat. Now, now, you little pipsqueak, when are you gonna start bouncing on your bed? When are you gonna start *squealing* in delight, eh?
"Koi, let's talk about-"
"Shut up," Keiko-san snapped, stopping whatever excuse Kyuichi-san might have said. Keiko-san's eyes narrowed. "How many times have I told you *never* to swear, especially in front of a kid? Did you listen to me? No. You really have to act like an uncivilized individual. What kind of words are those, Rukawa Kaede? Where do you get those words?"
Kaede actually flinched under Keiko-san's scrutinizing gaze. Keiko-san turned her attention to Kyuichi-san.
"What about you?" she asked. "What can you say about your behavior. Shame, shame, shame on you."
"Anou, koi-"
"We'll talk outside," Keiko-san snapped. "Now."
Kyuichi-san *scampered* towards the door. Keiko-san once again turned to Kaede.
"And you, young man, and I will talk about this later," she said firmly before she marched out the door. But not before she gave me a lingering glare which made me wish that my mommy is here.
When she was outside, Kaede lunged towards the little kid.
"Why you, little imp-"
"Okaaaacha-"
"Okay fine, I get the message," Kaede snapped as he placed his hand over Kae-chan's mouth. "I'll behave, you little tattletale."
"Don't make me eat that awful-tasting soup again, okay?" Kae-chan asked.
"Fine," Kaede said. He walked away from the bed and sat down on the couch on the other side of the huge, cheerful room. I can't believe this. Rukawa Kaede is *brooding*. I smiled and walked towards him.
"Hey, don't fret over that little thing," I said. "I'm sure your mom will forget that in no time."
"Okaachan won't!" Kae-chan supplied a little too happily. "Okaachan ne~ver forgets things like that. Yup!"
"Quit being too happy about it, will ya?" Kaede shot back.
"Simmer down, both of you," I said. Kae-chan stuck out his tongue towards his oniisan and slumped in his bed. The elder Kaede scowled even more.
I watched these two boys and can't stop myself from smiling. Yep, everything's okay now. Nothing bad will happen anymore. Everything is back to normal. Kae-chan's real parents gave up on him and went back to their respective lives. Kae-chan is as naughty as ever, Kaede is as cold as ever, and their parents are as in love as ever. The two Kaedes went back to their usual bickering as if the whole nightmare never happened.
These past few days have been hell for all of us, but we're okay now. All of us have changed in one way or another, especially Kaede and Kae-chan. In a way, both of them are a lot stronger than they were before. Before, only animosity was exchanged between the two, but now, I could actually see the respect and love they have for each other. We've been through hell, but we're a lot better now than we've ever been.
This horrible experience bonded us all together.
Yep, life is good.
"Did I make you worry?" Kae-chan suddenly asked. The bouncy, happy kid was gone. Kae-chan was now looking as forlorn as he was during that night when he broke Kaede's trophy. Right now, he was hugging Mr. Teddy (who was, at the moment, clean) and was looking at his feet. He looked as if he doesn't know what to say.
"Oi, you little imp, what are you talking about now?" Kaede asked.
"I made you worry, didn't I?" Kae-chan said. "I ran away and crossed the street with Mr. Teddy and we didn't make sure if there are any fast cars around. I got run over and I'm sure I made all of you worry so much."
"Kae-chan, it's okay," I tried to reassure him. He doesn't look reassured. I looked at Kaede. Only he can ease this little kid's mind.
"You know, when I was in that mean woman's house, I was thinking of how bad I must have been," Kae-chan said. Kaede was now walking towards his little brother with a frown in his face. He sat down at the edge of the bed and said,
"It's okay now, Kaede Jr."
"I was thinking about okaachan and otouchan. I missed them so much. I miss the way okaachan would take care of me, and I missed otouchan's cookies and I miss the smiles and the hugs. And I so sad because I don't want to stay there," Kae-chan said. His words are tugging at my heart. He looked so pained and forlorn at the memory. "And then I was thinking of Akira-niichan's smile. I wanted to spend another day with him at the park. He was so cool."
"Don't be sad anymore, Kae-chan," Kaede said as he patted the little boy's shoulder.
"And I was thinking of you, oniichan," Kae-chan added in the barest of whispers.
The moment Kaede Jr. said that, warmth spread all over me. Kaede's eyes widened, and he sat there, all stiff for long moments.
"I was thinking of you the whole time," Kae-chan continued. "I was thinking of how good you are in basketball, and how bad I've been to you, and how good you've been to me. You always took care of me, and re-pri-manded me when I did something to harm myself. I remembered those times when I was a little boy and you tried many times to play with me, but I was very bad. And then you stopped trying when I've been very bad.
"And then I thought that you always buy me lotsanlots of Ice Cream, and you clean me when I get really dirty, and you gave me my favoritest toy in the whole wide world. And you're also my favoritest person in the world. When I got hit by the car, I was scared. I said I don't wanna die yet, because I still have lotsa things to do for you. Arigatou, oniichan, for everything."
Kaede sat there, all speechless and wide-eyed. I wanted to cry at the moment, but hey, I'm cool, so I didn't. This is one of the most poignant moments I've ever seen in my entire life. I was so happy for the two.
Kae-chan was about to say something else but Kaede suddenly gathered him in a fierce hug. He was trembling. Kae-chan started crying and held on to Kaede for dear life. Kaede started to whisper comforting words, uttering whatever non-sense he could think of. He seemed so shocked and so happy at the same time.
Funny, how at times like these, when my heart is swelling three times larger because of pride, I could only smile. I couldn't do anything more. The two hugging Kaedes paint the best portrait I've ever seen in my entire life. I've never seen anything more beautiful.
And now, watching them patch up the seven-year-gap which have grown over the years, I could only think of two things.
Number one, I feel so glad that I had the opportunity to share my life with these people...
And number two, life is good.
**********
tsu.zu.ku
**********
*blinks at the readers*
No, it's not finished yet. I still feel like killing someone... ^_^ Nah, just kidding there. Whew, can't believe I'm done with chapter 9. It feels great to write Kaede Jr again. And now, I can start mailing the latest reviewers, too, so wait for my mail! I've got lots of things to say to those wonderful reviews. Arigatou, minna!
Geez, you actually thought I would kill Kae-chan? Come o~on! I made that kid! I can't hurt him, can I?
... And besides, I don't wanna be killed by a bunch of mad readers. I have a dream, ya know. I don't wanna die yet...
Please review, minna!!!