Title: Flower Garden (A Hana Yori Dango AU)
Author: Yih
13: Room Matters (January 10, 2003 to January 15, 2003)
It'd taken longer than Tsubaki had expected, but they had finally arrived at one of the more private, though smaller houses that their family owned. She'd purposely picked it because it only had give rooms, which meant she got a room to herself and the others would have to double up. And she knew precisely how she wanted them to be paired up. It'd be perfect.
"We're finally here," she announced exuberantly. She waited until everyone had situated themselves with their stuff before she made the great announcement, "Since there are only four rooms with king beds, I'll be splitting you into pairs." Everyone's eyes widened and before anyone could say anything, she continued, "Don't worry. I wouldn't think of doing any pairing that might be distasteful to you
"That's why I've paired a boy with a girl. The pairings will be without further suspense: Rui and Tsukushi, Soujirou and Sara, Akira and Shizuka, and lastly, Tsukasa and Shigeru. There are four rooms in the right hallway, the two rooms to each side have a connecting door, by the way. I haven't selected the exact rooms, so I'll let you guys choose. I'll give you half an hour to get settled in your rooms before I give you the basic tour, okay?"
Everyone looked at each other with stunned expressions on their faces. They still were frozen where they'd been standing because of the total shock she'd given to them in her announcement. By the time Tsukasa was able to fully have the words hit him, Tsubaki had already gone to her room to unpack. From her room, she called out to them, "You'd better go to your room and unpack!"
"TSUBAKI!" he shouted. "I'm not going to room with THAT, THAT GIRL!"
"YES, YOU WILL!" she yelled back in such a fashion of force that it knocked the numbness out of their limbs, especially when she repeated for the last time, "GO TO YOUR ROOMS and GET READY!"
~
Following after Rui, she could only smile when he chose the room at the end of the hallway with a beautiful overhead view of the idyllic beauty outside. When they entered into the room, the first thing Rui did was lie down on the bed and close his eyes. All she could do was smile at the gorgeous picture Rui made lying there withe his face illuminated by the sunlight that softly flowed into the room that rested on him.
She started unpacking both of their bags when Rui spoke softly, "Lie down on the bed besides me, Tsukushi." She dropped the shirt she'd been about to put on the hangar and went to rest besides him. What she hadn't expected was for him to turn to face her and open his eyes to stare into her eyes. "It'll be like old times when we use to sleep together in the same bed. Do you remember those times?"
She nodded. She did. "I do," she answered, watching as he re-closed his eyes, causing her to eventually to closer her own eyes. "I remember how you let me sleep with you in the bed when I stayed over because you knew that I disliked the guest bedroom."
When she opened her eyes again, she knew that he was fast asleep like a newborn baby. He was still filled with that same innocence. As much as she wanted to join him in the sleep wonderland, she was too mesmerized by staring at him that she was able to close her eyes. It'd always been the same, even when he was little, she'd found herself gazing at his ethereal beauty.
Eventually, she fell asleep and in their companionable slumber, they unwittingly moved closer until it was impossible to tell where one body ended and the other body began. Their limbs were entwined and covered by the rumpled sheets. The picture they made was pleasant, serene, and harmonic.
~
"So this is our room," remarked Sara as she survey their surroundings. "The view's really pretty. And the atmosphere is really light and cheerful. Don't you like our room? I like it."
Soujirou placed his arms on her shoulders to make her stop pacing the length of the room, which was starting to make him dizzy. It wasn't a surprise to him that her nerves were showing, he was just a bit surprised that she was anxious since she should know that he'd never make her do anything that she didn't want to do. It was quite the opposite in his case. She was able to make him do things even if he didn't want to. It was her power, but he'd never been able to get her to do anything unless she wanted to.
"It's okay," he said firmly. "Why are you nervous? If it's about the bed, sharing it, I can sleep on the floor it if really bothers you," he reassured her. "I don't mind if it'll make you more comfortable. You know I wouldn't make you do anything you don't want to."
She forced a smile onto her face. "It's not that I don't want to sleep with you.." Her voice trailed off when she realized what she'd accidentally said without thought, making her cheeks turn crimson with her embarrassment.
It brought a grin out of him and he bent his head down close to her and whispered, "As long as you don't mind, I won't." The tone of his voice was sensual, but the gleam in his eyes were joking, which she immediately saw when she looked up into his eyes.
She shoved him away from her. "You're terrible! I was worried about how it'd sound and here you are making fun of me!"
Grabbing her by the hands, he placed her arms on the curve of his back and wrapped his arms around her waist. He rested his face against her forehead and said softly while staring into her eyes, "I was just trying to make you less nervous, that's all. I'm sorry, forgive me? I wasn't trying to make fun of you. I just wanted to make you smile."
She started giggling. "Then I get all the pillows."
"What?"
She looked at him with laughing eyes. "There are two pillows on the bed, I want both of them," she stated slowly and firmly. "Then, I'll forgive you."
"You did that on purpose!" he accused. She couldn't hide the telling grin that came onto her face. "You little sneak!" he exclaimed, attacking her with his fingers to tickle her. "You did that act on purpose to get your way with me!"
She giggled even harder, falling onto the bed, trying to avoid his fingers because he was making her laugh so hard that her sides were starting to hurt. "Stop," she pleaded weakly. "Mercy, please--- Jirou."
"Never!" He only continued to tickle with even more energy than before. She actually didn't mind too much because of the joyful grin that was plastered on his face. If she could see that look on his face all the time, she'd be happy. Before too long, they were both breathless on the bed with him lying right next to her. "So you forgive me?"
"Only if you smile like that more often," she remarked, turning to her side so that she faced him. "And if I get both pillows."
"Insatiable creature," Soujirou muttered, but his eyes were dancing with amusement. "You know that you can wrap me around your finger, don't you?" She nodded, smiling. "You little minx," he murmured, leaning toward her so he was only a few centimeters away from her, "But I know how to make you listen to me."
Her eyebrow lifted up in a challenge to him. "Oh really?"
He chuckled. "Oh yes." Using his hand to cup her face, he captured her lips in a full and passionate kiss. He'd wanted to kiss her like this for the longest time, since he'd seen her again, he realized then in the middle of the kiss. The kiss was burning and fiery, then it shifted into a softer and gentler kiss. It became romantic, something that Soujirou tried to avoid at all costs with other women. But with Sara, it felt right.
~
Both Shizuka and Akira had followed Tsubaki's instructions to the tee and had unpacked all of their belongings. But since both had packed lightly and even going slowly, they still had a half hour left of the allotted time. So as they were looking at their neat and tidy room, Shizuka asked wryly, "So what do you want to do?"
There were many thoughts going through Akira's mind of what he'd like to do. But of course, he wasn't about to tell her what he really wanted. It wasn't that it was bad, but he wanted to take things one step at a time. If he moved too quickly, she might run away like she'd done before when her modeling company had pushed her too far. Shizuka wasn't the type to be forced to do anything.
From the intense look that was coming from his eyes, she had an idea of what was going on through his mind. It wasn't really a surprise for her, she was use to having guys look at her in that way. She was a little confused because there was also something a bit different about the look in his eyes, something more intense than just the usual glances men gave her.
"Just be here with you," he murmured in a husky voice. He'd left out part of what he'd wanted to say. But what he'd said would do for now. He felt so good that they were here together that he didn't want to spoil it.
Shizuka was more surprised than she showed by the slight widening of her eyes. "That's easy to do," she remarked. "Is there anything else you want or want to do?"
He shook his head. "No."
~
Tsukasa was pacing in a U-shape around the king size bed in the middle of the room, while Shigeru just watched with an amused smile. She didn't know how long she'd been watching him before she remarked, "You know, if you're so anxious about Tsukushi, you could just go check up on them."
That caught his full attention and he whirled toward her, "Who says I'm anxious? Whos ays I want to check up on her and Rui?"
"No one," she answered, which appeased his budding anger, until she continued, "but anyone can tell what you want from the look on your face without you having said anything. I mean, I don't know why you were so shocked earlier when your sister put Rui and Tsukushi in the same room. I mean it wasn't like she was going to put you in room without me, your fiancé. Besides, your expression was priceless when she announced it. Your face was tomato red with your livid anger and your horrible jealousy. Quite a sight to see."
By the time she'd finished what she was saying, Tsukasa was the same crimson color he'd been earlier. "You are so annoying!" But he charged out of his room and opened the door of Rui's and Tsukushi's room, where he was about to march in, but stopped as if he'd been suddenly paralyzed by a stun gun. Shigeru, who'd been following directly behind him, ran into his back.
"What are you doing?" she inquired. Not knowing the reason why he'd stopped until she stepped to the side and saw for herself what he was staring at in disbelief. She understood why he was rooted where he stood. She was stunned too with the way their positions looked on the bed, very intimate and personal, though not sensual. Their bodies were curved toward each other and their limbs entangled together.
He couldn't believe what he was seeing. Rui's leg was thrown over Tsukushi's form and their faces were so close together, like they'd fallen asleep mid kiss. He wanted to believe that Rui had taken advantage ot Tsukushi, but Tsukushi's arm was on Rui's shoulder casually. She wasn't trying to escape. And besides, he knew that Rui would never do that that.
"You look quite jealous and envious," Shigeru commented, since she'd finished studying Rui's and Tsukushi's sleeping forms. Right at this moment, she was much more intrigued by the rampant of emotions that were visibly flashing through his face. "Don't try to deny it, it's written all over your face."
The utter shock that had been on his face melted away as he growled at her. "Can't you ever be quiet?" he asked sharply with an irritated edge. "Why must you talk so much?"
"If you're going to talk this loudly," she stated, "we should go outside because we really wouldn't want to disturb anyone." She really meant to say she didn't want to interrupt the adorable scene of Rui and Tsukushi.
As much as he wanted to tear them away from each other, he knew he had no right to rip them apart. After all, Rui liked Tsukushi, and Tsukushi liked Rui. He sighed heavily and turned away from the room, heading back to his room. From the perfect picture they made sleeping together, they must have indeed made up what had temporarily broken them apart and given him hope. As much as he wanted to be in Rui's place, he wasn't the one Tsukushi liked.
"Are you okay?" she inquired softly. She was getting concerned because the anger, the life in him had drained out, leaving him an empty shell of his former self. "Tsukasa?"
Her worried tone reached his ear, and he grabbed her into his arms, holding her because he needed to hold someone. He needed someone that was there for him, she was the only one that was there. He held her, and gradually, he felt better as her arms wrapped around him instinctively. He no longer felt cold anymore. He held her for a long time before he let go and went back into his room. "Thank you," he murmured before he close the door in her face.
Shigeru stared at the door, shock now written all over her face when she heard someone clapping softly in the background. When she turned her head, she saw that it was Tsubaki. "That went faster than I was expecting. I thought he wouldn't warm up to you until the end of the trip. But I knew he'd eventually would. This is going very good, isn't it?" Shigeru nodded. "Do you like him?" Shigeru smiled, no words were needed to interpret that smile.
~
At exactly an hour later, Tsubaki knocked loudly on each of the room's doors, discovering some very interesting situations she was sure to remember for a long time. It wasn't necessarily that the circumstances the couplers were in were bad. It was just they were in positions that were promising for further development of their relationship. Since it'd been her goal, she was quite pleased.
The first room she ended up knocking on was Soujirou's and Sara's. When they immediately answered the door with crimson flushed cheeks, she had a good idea on what they'd been doing, especially with how swollen Sara's lips looked. She gave Soujirou a wink and gestured for them to get into the living room because it was almost time for the basic tour.
The next room she started to knock on was Akira's and Shizuka's. They opened the door before she had the chance to knock on it. "Is it time?" Shizuka inquired. Tsubaki nodded. She would have been disappointed if she hadn't seen them holding hands as they walked out the door. She grinned at the sight because she knew Shizuka wasn't affectionate with anyone except Rui.
The room after that one, she knocked on until she had to open it, and she was met with the delightful scene of Rui and Tsukushi lying together in each other's arms, sleeping peacefully. It was so adorable to see them sleeping together like two innocent children. She was pretty sure they hadn't done anything indecent. But Rui was unpredictable; however, Tsukushi was a prude in all the right sense. Then again, Tsukushi did feel deeply for Rui.
Whatever they'd been doing, the scene was too cute to disturb, so she closed the door and went to Tsukasa's room, where she found her brother sprawled on his bed with a troubled expression. She sat down besides him and waved her hand over his face. "Don't you ever knock?" he asked sharply.
She tilted her head to the side. "Since when have I ever had to knock on your door? Since when do you even care about propriety?" she joked lightly, trying to get that melancholic look off his face. "And stop having that tragic looking, it doesn't suit you at all. Anyways, it's time for the tour."
He grumbled and complained, but he allowed her to drag him to the living room where Akira, Shizuka, Sara, Soujirou, and Shigeru were waiting, chatting amongst themselves. He was wondering where Rui and Tsukushi were when Soujirou asked for him, "Hey, where's Rui and Tsukushi?"
"They're both sleeping," Tsubaki explained with a delight, "together! So I decided to let them sleep, while I showed you guys around."
Soujirou seemed to be the only one terribly surprised by the announcement. Akira and Shizuka, both of whom were close to the pair, knew how they'd always slept together when they were children. The two of them had spent many of an afternoon talking together over the sleeping duo. And Sara didn't think it was strange, since she'd always thought those two would make a wonderful couple!
"Well," Tsubaki remarked, "if no one has anymore questions, we might as well begin the tour so that you guys can enjoy the hot springs."
Everyone followed her out with only Tsukasa lagging behind, starting down the hallway at the room where Tsukushi and Rui were still resting in. Shigeru had remained behind with him, and she reminded him softly, "It's time to go, Tsukasa." He still didn't budge. "If you don't go and Tsubaki finds out you're missing, she won't be happy."
"Why do you care?" he inquired heavily.
Shigeru grinned. "Because it'll be bad for everyone if Tsubaki gets upset. Besides, I think I've ragged on you enough today. I can't keep stomping on you, can I? That'd be cruel."
His temper flared up. "What makes you think you've stomped on me?!"
"WHERE'S TSUKASA?!" They heard Tsubaki shout from outside. They both exchanged an alarm look before they hustled at lightening speed toward Tsubaki's voice.
~
They're sleeping together again," Akira remarked as he saw the cute childish pair of Tsukushi and Rui dozing off. "Rui's really been a bad influence on her."
Shizuka chuckled. "You can't make Rui do anything he doesn't want to do, so you either have to join him or watch what he's doing if you want to be around him like we're doing."
Akira nodded. "Tsukushi's drooling on Rui," he commented, since there wasn't much commentating he could make on their slumber. "And Rui has his head on her chest..."
He blushed and Shizuka giggled. "They're cute when they're sleeping."
Shifting his gave from the bed to Shizuka, he saw how beautiful she was as a young girl and how beautiful she'd be when she grew up. It was written in every nuance of her features. He felt only when he was with her like this, that he saw her as her true self. When they were surrounded by other people, Shizuka was still cheerful, but composed and mature. She certainly didn't giggle. Such a pity, it was such a sweet sound.
~
"Mmmm," Tsukushi moaned as she stretched out, only to hit Rui in the face. "Oops!" she exclaimed. "Sorry!"
He nodded and snuggled against her warm side, wrapping his arms around her waist. "S'okay," he replied before he started to lose him into his sleep heaven.
It was as she lifted her eyes from the enchanting vision that she saw the clock. It read 4:00 pm. She swore they arrived here at 2:00, but she wasn't sure. She nudged Rui. "What time did we get here?"
"1:30," he answered quickly, wanting to get back to sleep immediately.
She started shaking him gently. "We've overslept." That didn't draw his attention. "It's 4:00!" That still didn't move him. She was running out of options. "Remember that we were suppose to meet Tsubaki an hour and a half ago, and you know how she gets... she must be so ticked off at us."
That got Rui kind of up. He managed to lift his head off of her warm side. "I want to sleep more," he stated stubbornly.
"If you got up, we can go to the hot springs and relax there," she mentioned in a tempting fashion. "And you know how much you like the hot springs. It'll be even warmer than the bed." He'd been about to place his head back down, but that statement got him thinking of the possibilities.
"Will you be in the same spring as me?" he asked, yawning.
She nodded, smiling as he got out of bed reluctantly. Rui could still be such a child.
Author's Note: That Akira/Shizuka scene where they were watching Rui/Tsukushi sleep was a flashback, incase you didn't notice! Please keep reviewing! It means SO SO SO SO MUCH TO ME! You guys are the best!
Check out my newest HYD fanfic: SEASON OF FIREWORKS! & my original novel: SECRET, A TALE OF LOVE. (it's about friendship and family as well, you guys should like this.) If you read, please review, it means A LOT to me.
Watch out for the next chapter ---- BASIC TOUR ---- (subjected to be change, cuz that's like a general chapter that I'm not too fond of yet.)
Author: Yih
13: Room Matters (January 10, 2003 to January 15, 2003)
It'd taken longer than Tsubaki had expected, but they had finally arrived at one of the more private, though smaller houses that their family owned. She'd purposely picked it because it only had give rooms, which meant she got a room to herself and the others would have to double up. And she knew precisely how she wanted them to be paired up. It'd be perfect.
"We're finally here," she announced exuberantly. She waited until everyone had situated themselves with their stuff before she made the great announcement, "Since there are only four rooms with king beds, I'll be splitting you into pairs." Everyone's eyes widened and before anyone could say anything, she continued, "Don't worry. I wouldn't think of doing any pairing that might be distasteful to you
"That's why I've paired a boy with a girl. The pairings will be without further suspense: Rui and Tsukushi, Soujirou and Sara, Akira and Shizuka, and lastly, Tsukasa and Shigeru. There are four rooms in the right hallway, the two rooms to each side have a connecting door, by the way. I haven't selected the exact rooms, so I'll let you guys choose. I'll give you half an hour to get settled in your rooms before I give you the basic tour, okay?"
Everyone looked at each other with stunned expressions on their faces. They still were frozen where they'd been standing because of the total shock she'd given to them in her announcement. By the time Tsukasa was able to fully have the words hit him, Tsubaki had already gone to her room to unpack. From her room, she called out to them, "You'd better go to your room and unpack!"
"TSUBAKI!" he shouted. "I'm not going to room with THAT, THAT GIRL!"
"YES, YOU WILL!" she yelled back in such a fashion of force that it knocked the numbness out of their limbs, especially when she repeated for the last time, "GO TO YOUR ROOMS and GET READY!"
~
Following after Rui, she could only smile when he chose the room at the end of the hallway with a beautiful overhead view of the idyllic beauty outside. When they entered into the room, the first thing Rui did was lie down on the bed and close his eyes. All she could do was smile at the gorgeous picture Rui made lying there withe his face illuminated by the sunlight that softly flowed into the room that rested on him.
She started unpacking both of their bags when Rui spoke softly, "Lie down on the bed besides me, Tsukushi." She dropped the shirt she'd been about to put on the hangar and went to rest besides him. What she hadn't expected was for him to turn to face her and open his eyes to stare into her eyes. "It'll be like old times when we use to sleep together in the same bed. Do you remember those times?"
She nodded. She did. "I do," she answered, watching as he re-closed his eyes, causing her to eventually to closer her own eyes. "I remember how you let me sleep with you in the bed when I stayed over because you knew that I disliked the guest bedroom."
When she opened her eyes again, she knew that he was fast asleep like a newborn baby. He was still filled with that same innocence. As much as she wanted to join him in the sleep wonderland, she was too mesmerized by staring at him that she was able to close her eyes. It'd always been the same, even when he was little, she'd found herself gazing at his ethereal beauty.
Eventually, she fell asleep and in their companionable slumber, they unwittingly moved closer until it was impossible to tell where one body ended and the other body began. Their limbs were entwined and covered by the rumpled sheets. The picture they made was pleasant, serene, and harmonic.
~
"So this is our room," remarked Sara as she survey their surroundings. "The view's really pretty. And the atmosphere is really light and cheerful. Don't you like our room? I like it."
Soujirou placed his arms on her shoulders to make her stop pacing the length of the room, which was starting to make him dizzy. It wasn't a surprise to him that her nerves were showing, he was just a bit surprised that she was anxious since she should know that he'd never make her do anything that she didn't want to do. It was quite the opposite in his case. She was able to make him do things even if he didn't want to. It was her power, but he'd never been able to get her to do anything unless she wanted to.
"It's okay," he said firmly. "Why are you nervous? If it's about the bed, sharing it, I can sleep on the floor it if really bothers you," he reassured her. "I don't mind if it'll make you more comfortable. You know I wouldn't make you do anything you don't want to."
She forced a smile onto her face. "It's not that I don't want to sleep with you.." Her voice trailed off when she realized what she'd accidentally said without thought, making her cheeks turn crimson with her embarrassment.
It brought a grin out of him and he bent his head down close to her and whispered, "As long as you don't mind, I won't." The tone of his voice was sensual, but the gleam in his eyes were joking, which she immediately saw when she looked up into his eyes.
She shoved him away from her. "You're terrible! I was worried about how it'd sound and here you are making fun of me!"
Grabbing her by the hands, he placed her arms on the curve of his back and wrapped his arms around her waist. He rested his face against her forehead and said softly while staring into her eyes, "I was just trying to make you less nervous, that's all. I'm sorry, forgive me? I wasn't trying to make fun of you. I just wanted to make you smile."
She started giggling. "Then I get all the pillows."
"What?"
She looked at him with laughing eyes. "There are two pillows on the bed, I want both of them," she stated slowly and firmly. "Then, I'll forgive you."
"You did that on purpose!" he accused. She couldn't hide the telling grin that came onto her face. "You little sneak!" he exclaimed, attacking her with his fingers to tickle her. "You did that act on purpose to get your way with me!"
She giggled even harder, falling onto the bed, trying to avoid his fingers because he was making her laugh so hard that her sides were starting to hurt. "Stop," she pleaded weakly. "Mercy, please--- Jirou."
"Never!" He only continued to tickle with even more energy than before. She actually didn't mind too much because of the joyful grin that was plastered on his face. If she could see that look on his face all the time, she'd be happy. Before too long, they were both breathless on the bed with him lying right next to her. "So you forgive me?"
"Only if you smile like that more often," she remarked, turning to her side so that she faced him. "And if I get both pillows."
"Insatiable creature," Soujirou muttered, but his eyes were dancing with amusement. "You know that you can wrap me around your finger, don't you?" She nodded, smiling. "You little minx," he murmured, leaning toward her so he was only a few centimeters away from her, "But I know how to make you listen to me."
Her eyebrow lifted up in a challenge to him. "Oh really?"
He chuckled. "Oh yes." Using his hand to cup her face, he captured her lips in a full and passionate kiss. He'd wanted to kiss her like this for the longest time, since he'd seen her again, he realized then in the middle of the kiss. The kiss was burning and fiery, then it shifted into a softer and gentler kiss. It became romantic, something that Soujirou tried to avoid at all costs with other women. But with Sara, it felt right.
~
Both Shizuka and Akira had followed Tsubaki's instructions to the tee and had unpacked all of their belongings. But since both had packed lightly and even going slowly, they still had a half hour left of the allotted time. So as they were looking at their neat and tidy room, Shizuka asked wryly, "So what do you want to do?"
There were many thoughts going through Akira's mind of what he'd like to do. But of course, he wasn't about to tell her what he really wanted. It wasn't that it was bad, but he wanted to take things one step at a time. If he moved too quickly, she might run away like she'd done before when her modeling company had pushed her too far. Shizuka wasn't the type to be forced to do anything.
From the intense look that was coming from his eyes, she had an idea of what was going on through his mind. It wasn't really a surprise for her, she was use to having guys look at her in that way. She was a little confused because there was also something a bit different about the look in his eyes, something more intense than just the usual glances men gave her.
"Just be here with you," he murmured in a husky voice. He'd left out part of what he'd wanted to say. But what he'd said would do for now. He felt so good that they were here together that he didn't want to spoil it.
Shizuka was more surprised than she showed by the slight widening of her eyes. "That's easy to do," she remarked. "Is there anything else you want or want to do?"
He shook his head. "No."
~
Tsukasa was pacing in a U-shape around the king size bed in the middle of the room, while Shigeru just watched with an amused smile. She didn't know how long she'd been watching him before she remarked, "You know, if you're so anxious about Tsukushi, you could just go check up on them."
That caught his full attention and he whirled toward her, "Who says I'm anxious? Whos ays I want to check up on her and Rui?"
"No one," she answered, which appeased his budding anger, until she continued, "but anyone can tell what you want from the look on your face without you having said anything. I mean, I don't know why you were so shocked earlier when your sister put Rui and Tsukushi in the same room. I mean it wasn't like she was going to put you in room without me, your fiancé. Besides, your expression was priceless when she announced it. Your face was tomato red with your livid anger and your horrible jealousy. Quite a sight to see."
By the time she'd finished what she was saying, Tsukasa was the same crimson color he'd been earlier. "You are so annoying!" But he charged out of his room and opened the door of Rui's and Tsukushi's room, where he was about to march in, but stopped as if he'd been suddenly paralyzed by a stun gun. Shigeru, who'd been following directly behind him, ran into his back.
"What are you doing?" she inquired. Not knowing the reason why he'd stopped until she stepped to the side and saw for herself what he was staring at in disbelief. She understood why he was rooted where he stood. She was stunned too with the way their positions looked on the bed, very intimate and personal, though not sensual. Their bodies were curved toward each other and their limbs entangled together.
He couldn't believe what he was seeing. Rui's leg was thrown over Tsukushi's form and their faces were so close together, like they'd fallen asleep mid kiss. He wanted to believe that Rui had taken advantage ot Tsukushi, but Tsukushi's arm was on Rui's shoulder casually. She wasn't trying to escape. And besides, he knew that Rui would never do that that.
"You look quite jealous and envious," Shigeru commented, since she'd finished studying Rui's and Tsukushi's sleeping forms. Right at this moment, she was much more intrigued by the rampant of emotions that were visibly flashing through his face. "Don't try to deny it, it's written all over your face."
The utter shock that had been on his face melted away as he growled at her. "Can't you ever be quiet?" he asked sharply with an irritated edge. "Why must you talk so much?"
"If you're going to talk this loudly," she stated, "we should go outside because we really wouldn't want to disturb anyone." She really meant to say she didn't want to interrupt the adorable scene of Rui and Tsukushi.
As much as he wanted to tear them away from each other, he knew he had no right to rip them apart. After all, Rui liked Tsukushi, and Tsukushi liked Rui. He sighed heavily and turned away from the room, heading back to his room. From the perfect picture they made sleeping together, they must have indeed made up what had temporarily broken them apart and given him hope. As much as he wanted to be in Rui's place, he wasn't the one Tsukushi liked.
"Are you okay?" she inquired softly. She was getting concerned because the anger, the life in him had drained out, leaving him an empty shell of his former self. "Tsukasa?"
Her worried tone reached his ear, and he grabbed her into his arms, holding her because he needed to hold someone. He needed someone that was there for him, she was the only one that was there. He held her, and gradually, he felt better as her arms wrapped around him instinctively. He no longer felt cold anymore. He held her for a long time before he let go and went back into his room. "Thank you," he murmured before he close the door in her face.
Shigeru stared at the door, shock now written all over her face when she heard someone clapping softly in the background. When she turned her head, she saw that it was Tsubaki. "That went faster than I was expecting. I thought he wouldn't warm up to you until the end of the trip. But I knew he'd eventually would. This is going very good, isn't it?" Shigeru nodded. "Do you like him?" Shigeru smiled, no words were needed to interpret that smile.
~
At exactly an hour later, Tsubaki knocked loudly on each of the room's doors, discovering some very interesting situations she was sure to remember for a long time. It wasn't necessarily that the circumstances the couplers were in were bad. It was just they were in positions that were promising for further development of their relationship. Since it'd been her goal, she was quite pleased.
The first room she ended up knocking on was Soujirou's and Sara's. When they immediately answered the door with crimson flushed cheeks, she had a good idea on what they'd been doing, especially with how swollen Sara's lips looked. She gave Soujirou a wink and gestured for them to get into the living room because it was almost time for the basic tour.
The next room she started to knock on was Akira's and Shizuka's. They opened the door before she had the chance to knock on it. "Is it time?" Shizuka inquired. Tsubaki nodded. She would have been disappointed if she hadn't seen them holding hands as they walked out the door. She grinned at the sight because she knew Shizuka wasn't affectionate with anyone except Rui.
The room after that one, she knocked on until she had to open it, and she was met with the delightful scene of Rui and Tsukushi lying together in each other's arms, sleeping peacefully. It was so adorable to see them sleeping together like two innocent children. She was pretty sure they hadn't done anything indecent. But Rui was unpredictable; however, Tsukushi was a prude in all the right sense. Then again, Tsukushi did feel deeply for Rui.
Whatever they'd been doing, the scene was too cute to disturb, so she closed the door and went to Tsukasa's room, where she found her brother sprawled on his bed with a troubled expression. She sat down besides him and waved her hand over his face. "Don't you ever knock?" he asked sharply.
She tilted her head to the side. "Since when have I ever had to knock on your door? Since when do you even care about propriety?" she joked lightly, trying to get that melancholic look off his face. "And stop having that tragic looking, it doesn't suit you at all. Anyways, it's time for the tour."
He grumbled and complained, but he allowed her to drag him to the living room where Akira, Shizuka, Sara, Soujirou, and Shigeru were waiting, chatting amongst themselves. He was wondering where Rui and Tsukushi were when Soujirou asked for him, "Hey, where's Rui and Tsukushi?"
"They're both sleeping," Tsubaki explained with a delight, "together! So I decided to let them sleep, while I showed you guys around."
Soujirou seemed to be the only one terribly surprised by the announcement. Akira and Shizuka, both of whom were close to the pair, knew how they'd always slept together when they were children. The two of them had spent many of an afternoon talking together over the sleeping duo. And Sara didn't think it was strange, since she'd always thought those two would make a wonderful couple!
"Well," Tsubaki remarked, "if no one has anymore questions, we might as well begin the tour so that you guys can enjoy the hot springs."
Everyone followed her out with only Tsukasa lagging behind, starting down the hallway at the room where Tsukushi and Rui were still resting in. Shigeru had remained behind with him, and she reminded him softly, "It's time to go, Tsukasa." He still didn't budge. "If you don't go and Tsubaki finds out you're missing, she won't be happy."
"Why do you care?" he inquired heavily.
Shigeru grinned. "Because it'll be bad for everyone if Tsubaki gets upset. Besides, I think I've ragged on you enough today. I can't keep stomping on you, can I? That'd be cruel."
His temper flared up. "What makes you think you've stomped on me?!"
"WHERE'S TSUKASA?!" They heard Tsubaki shout from outside. They both exchanged an alarm look before they hustled at lightening speed toward Tsubaki's voice.
~
They're sleeping together again," Akira remarked as he saw the cute childish pair of Tsukushi and Rui dozing off. "Rui's really been a bad influence on her."
Shizuka chuckled. "You can't make Rui do anything he doesn't want to do, so you either have to join him or watch what he's doing if you want to be around him like we're doing."
Akira nodded. "Tsukushi's drooling on Rui," he commented, since there wasn't much commentating he could make on their slumber. "And Rui has his head on her chest..."
He blushed and Shizuka giggled. "They're cute when they're sleeping."
Shifting his gave from the bed to Shizuka, he saw how beautiful she was as a young girl and how beautiful she'd be when she grew up. It was written in every nuance of her features. He felt only when he was with her like this, that he saw her as her true self. When they were surrounded by other people, Shizuka was still cheerful, but composed and mature. She certainly didn't giggle. Such a pity, it was such a sweet sound.
~
"Mmmm," Tsukushi moaned as she stretched out, only to hit Rui in the face. "Oops!" she exclaimed. "Sorry!"
He nodded and snuggled against her warm side, wrapping his arms around her waist. "S'okay," he replied before he started to lose him into his sleep heaven.
It was as she lifted her eyes from the enchanting vision that she saw the clock. It read 4:00 pm. She swore they arrived here at 2:00, but she wasn't sure. She nudged Rui. "What time did we get here?"
"1:30," he answered quickly, wanting to get back to sleep immediately.
She started shaking him gently. "We've overslept." That didn't draw his attention. "It's 4:00!" That still didn't move him. She was running out of options. "Remember that we were suppose to meet Tsubaki an hour and a half ago, and you know how she gets... she must be so ticked off at us."
That got Rui kind of up. He managed to lift his head off of her warm side. "I want to sleep more," he stated stubbornly.
"If you got up, we can go to the hot springs and relax there," she mentioned in a tempting fashion. "And you know how much you like the hot springs. It'll be even warmer than the bed." He'd been about to place his head back down, but that statement got him thinking of the possibilities.
"Will you be in the same spring as me?" he asked, yawning.
She nodded, smiling as he got out of bed reluctantly. Rui could still be such a child.
Author's Note: That Akira/Shizuka scene where they were watching Rui/Tsukushi sleep was a flashback, incase you didn't notice! Please keep reviewing! It means SO SO SO SO MUCH TO ME! You guys are the best!
Check out my newest HYD fanfic: SEASON OF FIREWORKS! & my original novel: SECRET, A TALE OF LOVE. (it's about friendship and family as well, you guys should like this.) If you read, please review, it means A LOT to me.
Watch out for the next chapter ---- BASIC TOUR ---- (subjected to be change, cuz that's like a general chapter that I'm not too fond of yet.)