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Part 1: Around the World
Chapter 11: Kidnapped Conclusion
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Outside Funakoshe's House, one could see bodies lying all over the ground.
"Where is she?" Tsukasa demanded. He grabbed the other man by his shirt. "Tell me unless you want to die here and now." Tsukasa's bodyguard pulled out a gun and aimed it at the man's head.
"Don't shoot! Don't shoot! They're inside the master bedroom." Tsukasa left the rest to his bodyguards. He turned to lead Tsukushi into the mansion but he didn't see her.
"Where did she go?"
He said it to no one in particular still one of his bodyguards replied, "She went inside when she heard where Ryoko was."
"BAKA!" He yelled at the bodyguard, "Why didn't you stop her?"
"Gomen, she was too fast for me. When I turned to chase, she was already gone." The bodyguard braced himself for a reprimand; however, when he didn't get one he looked up, and saw that Tsukasa was already gone he went after Tsukushi.
********
"Damn it. She should've waited for me. She's bound to get lost in this place, she's never been here before," Tsukasa thought.
Surprisingly Tsukushi proved to be very adept. The moment she stepped into the mansion she took in her surroundings. She quickly analyzed the positions of the furniture, but more importantly, she instinctively felt that Ogiwara Hiragi designed this place. Hiragi's design followed a basic structure such as the location of the master bedroom always being on the second floor of the right wing. It should be one of the last rooms.
Tsukushi pushed open the door and saw them on top of the bed. Funakoshe was on top of Ryoko, who is still trying to push Funakoshe away. Her clothes were ripped and Funakoshe was half naked. Tsukushi saw red. She punched Funakoshe so hard that he fell off the bed.
Tsukushi was about to hit the man some more when she heard Ryoko break down and scream. Tsukushi turned her attention to Ryoko and hugged her. "Shhh it's alright. He can't do anything to you anymore."
"Tsukushi, I was so scared," Ryoko said as she cried.
"I won't let him hurt you anymore."
While Tsukushi was reassuring Ryoko, Funakoshe got up and was about to punch Tsukushi for not only interrupting him but also punching him. He was about to hit her when Tsukasa suddenly appeared and stopped Funakoshe. Tsukasa's hand was on Funakoshe's wrist. He gripped it hard, making Funakoshe cry out in pain.
"Don't you dare harm them again." Then Tsukasa punched Funakoshe causing him to fall to the floor, a few feet away from where he was standing. This time he didn't get back up.
Tsukasa turned back to Tsukushi. He was about to yell at her when he saw Ryoko crying in Tsukushi's arms. He made eye contact with Tsukushi then he left them alone. He dragged Funakoshe, out of the room and brought him to the living room. He had some questions he wanted answered.
Tsukasa tied Funakoshe up with a rope to make sure he couldn't get away then he had one of the maids bring him a bucket of ice water, to wake Funakoshe up. It certainly did the trick. Funakoshe gasped harshly as the water was poured on him.
Funakoshe looked up and instantly recognized Tsukasa. He sat up and said, "Doumyouji-sama! What brings you here? I assure you everything can be explained."
"I don't need explanations. All you have to do is answer my questions." Tsukasa's tone was devoid of emotions. It sent shivers up Funakoshe's spine.
He gulped. "Hai." His response was weak and soft, but it was enough.
"Who gave you that girl?"
"What girl?"
Tsukasa punched Funakoshe, causing him to fall on his back. Then Tsukasa kneeled down and grabbed Funakoshe's shirt. "Don't play with me. You'll find that I'm not fun." Funakoshe nodded feverously. "Whoever gave you that girl was the person who kidnapped my woman. Now answer my question."
"It was Tachizaki. He was the one who did it. The girl was dropped at my place a few hours ago. I made it clear that I wanted her and offered a hundred million as a reward."
Tsukasa let go of Funakoshe's shirt. Tachizaki, that damn bastard. He was going to pay.
Seeing that Tsukasa's anger was no longer focused on him Funakoshe sighed in relief. Then his eyes narrowed, idiot Tachizaki. Funakoshe couldn't believe Tachizaki was foolish enough to go against the Doumyoujis and worst of all Tachizaki dragged him into this mess. He thought of how he could escape. Now that Tsukasa wasn't focused on him it seemed like the perfect time. He inched towards the door; he didn't want to make any sudden movements.
"Where do you think you're going?" Tsukasa turned to face Funakoshe.
Funakoshe chuckled nervously, "No where."
"I'm not leaving you unpunished." Tsukasa smirked, "I'm sure the cops would love to get a hold of you, and there's plenty of evidence on your television." Tsukasa looked at the TV, which still showed the women that Funakoshe had captured over the years. Tsukasa called two of his bodyguards to watch over Funakoshe.
Tsukushi and Ryoko came down a few minutes later. When Tsukasa saw Ryoko, he decided to let her do what she wanted with Funakoshe. He was done with the bastard.
Ryoko punched Funakoshe, pity that her punch was nowhere near as strong as Tsukushi's or Tsukasa's. Ryoko decided to leave Funakoshe to the police. This time they would have all the evidence they need to charge him for murder and kidnapping. They left after they called the police. They didn't want to be questioned.
By the time they got back to the ship, it was already two in the afternoon. They haven't even been gone 24 hours even though it felt a lot longer to all three of them. If it weren't for the tracking device on their cell phones, they probably would've been gone a lot longer.
They ate lunch together then Ryoko excused herself. Tsukushi got up and was about follow her when Tsukasa stopped her.
"She needs to be by herself."
Tsukushi was torn between going after Ryoko or listen to Tsukasa, who she knew was right. She sat back down, but she was still worried. Tsukasa sighed and got up.
"I'm tired. I haven't had sleep for over 24 hours."
"Then go to sleep." Tsukushi responded, half-heartedly.
"Come sleep with me."
"Sure I'll-" Tsukushi's head snapped up as Tsukasa's words finally registered. "Wh-What are you saying?"
"Since you're the reason I lost sleep, you should stay with me."
"What kind of logic is that?"
"My logic."
Tsukushi scoffed. "You don't use logic."
Tsukasa's eye twitched. "Everything I say is logical."
Tsukushi was about to retort when she bumped into Tsukasa. They had reached their rooms.
"Come in with me."
"I-"
"When I heard that you were kidnapped, I thought I might lose you forever."
Tsukushi felt herself soften. Impulsively, she hugged Tsukasa from the back. "I'm here right now and I'm not going anywhere. I'll stay with you, if you promise to not do anything."
"I already told you I wouldn't."
Tsukushi didn't say anything but she narrowed her eyes and walked into Tsukasa's room.
"I'm going to take a shower." He paused before entering his bathroom, "Want to come in with me?"
Tsukushi instantly turned red. "BAKA!"
Tsukasa laughed at her, which further infuriated Tsukushi. But she supposed he had the right idea. She wanted to take a shower, too. She felt dirty after all that's happened.
She took out a piece of paper from the drawer where the phone was and wrote a note to Tsukasa, "I'll be back soon." In case he came out of the shower before she did.
Tsukushi ran back to her room and took a quick shower. She came out 10 minutes later, feeling much better. She opted to wear something comfortable yet concealing enough to not give Tsukasa any encouragement. She chose a t-shirt and sweatpants.
When she returned, Tsukasa was out of the shower. He was sitting down on his bed wearing he a short, so his chest is revealed. He was using a towel to dry his hair.
Tsukushi stood there, not saying a word. There was a slight tinge across her cheeks. He really looks good with straight hair, she thought.
She was startled when Tsukasa spoke. "As much as I want to, I can't guarantee that you won't be kidnapped again. I've had to fight off would be kidnappers all my life. I don't want you to live like that. I'd understand if you want to go your separate way when we return to Japan." Even though his voice was calm and steady he didn't feel that way. His hands clenched the towel he used to dry his hair. He was trying to harden himself for the rejection he knew was coming.
But instead of the response he expected Tsukushi said, "How could you say that?!?! Do you think I'm the kind of girl that needs a guy to protect me? I can handle myself." She stood in front of Tsukasa. Her voice softened, "Besides, I can't leave you. I've come to need you as much as you need me."
Tsukasa dropped the towel he was holding and hugged Tsukushi, hard. He placed his head on her breasts, and surprisingly Tsukushi didn't shy away. She hugged Tsukasa with the same intensity. When he released his hold of her, Tsukushi felt a sense of disappointment. Tsukasa looked into Tsukushi's eyes. This time it was Tsukushi that leaned in to kiss him. Tsukasa lied down on the bed, bringing Tsukushi with him, so that she was lying on top of him. Tsukushi didn't notice.
This time it was Tsukasa who broke off the kiss. "If you don't want to go further, I think we should stop. I can't take much more of this."
Tsukushi looked into Tsukasa's eyes. She didn't know what to say. Part of her wanted to continue and the other part was scared to death.
Tsukasa relieved her of the need to answer. He placed a hand on her cheek. "It's okay. I'll wait for you because you're the only one I want."
Tsukushi started crying. Tsukasa was alarmed at the sight of tears, "Baka! Why are you crying? I thought you wanted me to stop."
"Why are you so understanding? When we fight, it's so much easier. Everything comes naturally then, but now when you're so kind I don't know what to do."
Tsukasa smiled, "And I thought I was the only one. Every time I'm with you I'm flustering. Because I'm scared of pushing you away." Tsukasa realized he was baring his soul and flushed, "Baka onna (idiot woman), why are you always making me say these things." They weren't manly, he thought, these were things women like to talk about and men run away.
Tsukushi's tears stopped. She didn't realize Tsukasa worried just like her. He was always so confident, like he didn't have a care in the world. This made her love him all the more. "Aishiteru, Tsukasa."
The sudden declaration of love made his heart skip a beat. He marveled at the woman on top of him, only she could make him feel so happy with so little effort. "If you don't get off me I might-"
Tsukasa didn't even finish his sentence when Tsukushi scrambled off of him. She turned bright red. Tsukasa laughed, "It's okay, I told you I won't do anything. Let's go to sleep."
Tsukushi warily took a place by his side. As soon as she got comfortable she relaxed. She thought, how come my body fit so well with his? Within minutes she could hear Tsukasa's deep breathing. She didn't realize he was so tired. He was so energized when he was talking to her, except maybe that part where he suggested she leave him because it was dangerous. That was something Tsukasa would never say if he weren't tired. He's always so optimistic. When he said those words to her, it seemed to her as if he was leaving her. It filled her with such sorrow that it made her angry. He brought her into his life without asking her how she felt about it and now he was letting her go because there was a possibility of danger. It was too much. She didn't want to be protected. It meant that she's weak, which she isn't. She wanted to stand as Tsukasa's equal, not behind him.
She looked up at him sleeping face. He was sleeping so peacefully. It was the first time she's seen him so close. Tsukasa looked so innocent that it made Tsukushi want to protect him. It was a new sensation. It was different from when she wanted to protect Ryoko from Funakoshe. This was more intense. She didn't understand it. Ever since she's met Tsukasa, she's been experiencing new emotions, one after the other. It made her feel frightened and all the more wary of Tsukasa's power over her. But she couldn't let go of him. When she told him she needed him, it wasn't simply to reassure him that she wouldn't leave. It was the truth. She wanted to ask him, would our feelings change? But it wasn't something she could ask. All she could do was have faith, in her, in him, and in them.
"Aishiteru," she whispered. Then she let herself relax and go to sleep.
********
When she woke up, Tsukasa was still sleeping. She looked at the clock on the wall and saw that it was 6 p.m. Tsukushi slept for about two hours. She hadn't taken a nap in a long time. There was never time. There was always work, either homework or a job. It's been a long time since she could leisurely nap without feeling guilty that she should do something.
Tsukasa gave her a reason. She felt herself changing. She wasn't as embarrassed when he kissed or hugged her. Normally there would be a second of fear, now it was disappearing. She remembered the disappointment she felt when he stopped kissing her. She thought in horror, was she becoming wanton? She shook her head and thought no this is perfectly normal. It's a relationship. She froze. A relationship, that meant that they were dating. Tsukasa is her boyfriend. Even though they've declared love for each other, which should've happened after dating.
At that point Tsukasa woke up. "I could get used to waking up with you in my arms."
"I'm changing. We should call Ryoko out for dinner." She turned around and walked to her own room. She closed the door behind her, leaned against it and quietly said, "I could get used to waking up in your arms too."
********
They changed and met Ryoko at the diner. Ryoko was looking a lot better. Luckily she wasn't raped. Tsukushi couldn't even begin to imagine the horror. When she first woke up, she thought she was going to be violated too. If that had happened, she didn't know how she would ever recover. They both came out of the situation unscathed. That was much to be thankful for.
Ryoko talked about it, like it was just another glitch in her life.
"How did you know where to find Ryoko? You've never been to Funakoshe's place," Tsukasa asked. Ryoko also wanted to know. She thought someone led Tsukushi up, like a maid.
"You'd probably think this is ridiculous but when I entered the house I knew that it was designed by Ogiwara Hiragi and he always puts the master bedroom on the second floor of the right wing. I went up there and knew I was right when I saw Ryoko."
Tsukasa didn't understand but Ryoko did. "Wow! That's so wonderful! You definitely have good observation skills. I think you could really do it."
"Do what?" Tsukasa asked.
"Become an interior designer. We were talking about it last time, you were right with us."
"You want to be an interior designer?" Tsukasa asked Tsukushi.
"I don't know. I've never thought about it until I talked with Ryoko."
"If you want to try, when we go back I could call some people and they'll give you an office where you could do all that."
Tsukushi was appalled. "No! That's not what I want. I didn't even have any training yet. I don't want to use your connections to get a job. I want to get it on my own merit."
"That means you have to start from the bottom." Tsukasa was horrified at this notion. "Why would you want that when you could be at the top? I know when I take over Doumyouji Enterprises I'll be the president and CEO, not a gofer."
The image of Tsukasa taking orders from someone else was too ridiculous to even imagine. "That's different. You've been raised knowing what you're going to do and besides it's an inheritance. I just want to try it on my own. I don't want you to pave the way for me."
Tsukasa shrugged. "I can't understand the way poor people think."
"Actually," Ryoko said, "that's not what poor people usually think. I think a lot of people would've jumped at your offer to get them a job at a high level position. Tsukushi just has high moral values. You're very lucky."
Even though Tsukasa knew it, he wasn't about to admit it. "Me, lucky? Yeah right! This poor girl always tries to stuff horrible things down my throat."
Instead of getting mad, like Ryoko expected, Tsukushi tried to justify her actions. "You're always eating those expensive things. Sometimes you should eat like everyone else for a change."
"Akira, Soujiro, and Rui all eat the same things I do."
Tsukushi grimaced. "Don't remind me. All of you have warped taste buds."
"Just because we could afford good food doesn't mean there are problems with us."
Tsukushi started getting mad. She was about to say something when Ryoko interrupted. "Children, children, let's eat our dinner in peace shall we?"
"Child? I'm older than you," Tsukasa retorted.
"Physically, yes. mentally, no."
"Tsukushi's bad habits must be rubbing off on you. Nobody dares to be so rude to me."
Tsukushi responded, "That's because you intimidate people and you use your family influence to get your way."
"What's wrong with using what you have? If not there'd be so many people bothering me, thinking they could get something by being with me."
Ryoko and Tsukushi didn't say anything. They didn't realize that rich people have their own problems. It was so easy to assume they have an easy life because they could have anything they want.
"Not everyone's after your money."
"I only realized that after I met you," he said seriously. "You were the first person that challenged me outright, and you were the only one that didn't listen to me. Anyone else would've jumped to be my girlfriend."
Tsukushi felt uncomfortable by the sudden seriousness in Tsukasa, but she ignored it and scoffed. "You were rude and obnoxious. I still remember when you kidnapped me to your home and gave me a makeover. You wanted me to replace your sister. I was really angry when you said you'd talk to me only if there's no one around. You made it sound like it was a privilege to even talk to you."
"It was! Nobody talks to me except for the F3 in school."
"I know, the people who you talk to are the ones that are going to get beaten." Tsukushi sighed. "I still can't believe I'm with a bully."
"I'm not a bully. They were the ones that were wrong. People shouldn't get in my way."
Tsukushi and Tsukasa argued for the rest of dinner. They totally forgot about Ryoko, which she didn't mind. In fact she felt a little relieved that she didn't have to participate. It gave her a chance to sit back and relax. Too much had happened. She had gotten over the shock of almost being raped. Now she was just glad that everything is over. She knew she wasn't kidnapped because of she was connected to the Doumyouji's. This time it was because of her. Ryoko was thankful to Tsukasa and Tsukushi. After meeting them she was starting to understand that not all rich people were bad. And sometimes all it takes is a nice woman to change a man. She knew she didn't want to meet Doumyouji before he knew Tsukushi. He seemed like the typical spoiled rich guy she always despised.
Ryoko spent the rest of dinner simply observing them. Even though it seemed like they were arguing they weren't mad at each other. On the contrary, if one looked closely they were very intimate. In between arguments, they fed each other. Ryoko secretly smiled because she noticed Tsukushi didn't realize she was being fed or that she was feeding Tsukasa. They were doing it so absent-mindedly they didn't notice. Ryoko knew that if she pointed it out they would both turn red and it would ruin the moment, so she kept her observations to herself. Tsukushi and Tsukasa were more similar than either of them knew. Other than the difference in their social standing they both had a lot in common, personality wise. They were both stubborn and prideful. The major difference in their thinking was that Tsukasa is very simple whereas Tsukushi tended to over think a situation. The reason for the difference probably stems from their social standing. Tsukasa never needed to think of others or ways to get what he want. He always got it. He simply said what he wanted and a few minutes later he would get it. Money could smooth out even the bumpiest of roads. Whereas when you're poor you have to make a lot of detours to get to your destination.
They suited each other better than they thought. Tsukasa could add some simplicity in Tsukushi's like and Tsukushi could add some more consideration in Tsukasa's. Watching them made Ryoko feel a bit envious. They had a great relationship going on and she wondered if something like that would ever happen to her. She doubted it. Something this special is rare. But in the meantime she'll be happy for them, and do her best to protect them. She knew their road together was going to be difficult. The Doumyouji name is just too famous and wealthy. Once their relationship is officially announced they were going to be the target of a lot of people, paparazzi, kidnappers, and other jealous fools.
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YAY! I finished another chapter. I think Part I will finish in a few more chapters. Then they go back to school. I'm thinking of matching Ryoko with one of the other F4. I'm split between Rui or Soujiro. I know Rui has Shizuka but he could always come back, like he did in the manga and I don't think Soujiro is really with Yuki. They didn't really say that much about them in the anime. Oh and Akira prefers older women, so I don't really think he'll like Ryoko. So right now, I'm leaning more towards Soujiro but my sister likes Rui, so right now it's still undecided. Tell me what you think.
Part 1: Around the World
Chapter 11: Kidnapped Conclusion
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Outside Funakoshe's House, one could see bodies lying all over the ground.
"Where is she?" Tsukasa demanded. He grabbed the other man by his shirt. "Tell me unless you want to die here and now." Tsukasa's bodyguard pulled out a gun and aimed it at the man's head.
"Don't shoot! Don't shoot! They're inside the master bedroom." Tsukasa left the rest to his bodyguards. He turned to lead Tsukushi into the mansion but he didn't see her.
"Where did she go?"
He said it to no one in particular still one of his bodyguards replied, "She went inside when she heard where Ryoko was."
"BAKA!" He yelled at the bodyguard, "Why didn't you stop her?"
"Gomen, she was too fast for me. When I turned to chase, she was already gone." The bodyguard braced himself for a reprimand; however, when he didn't get one he looked up, and saw that Tsukasa was already gone he went after Tsukushi.
********
"Damn it. She should've waited for me. She's bound to get lost in this place, she's never been here before," Tsukasa thought.
Surprisingly Tsukushi proved to be very adept. The moment she stepped into the mansion she took in her surroundings. She quickly analyzed the positions of the furniture, but more importantly, she instinctively felt that Ogiwara Hiragi designed this place. Hiragi's design followed a basic structure such as the location of the master bedroom always being on the second floor of the right wing. It should be one of the last rooms.
Tsukushi pushed open the door and saw them on top of the bed. Funakoshe was on top of Ryoko, who is still trying to push Funakoshe away. Her clothes were ripped and Funakoshe was half naked. Tsukushi saw red. She punched Funakoshe so hard that he fell off the bed.
Tsukushi was about to hit the man some more when she heard Ryoko break down and scream. Tsukushi turned her attention to Ryoko and hugged her. "Shhh it's alright. He can't do anything to you anymore."
"Tsukushi, I was so scared," Ryoko said as she cried.
"I won't let him hurt you anymore."
While Tsukushi was reassuring Ryoko, Funakoshe got up and was about to punch Tsukushi for not only interrupting him but also punching him. He was about to hit her when Tsukasa suddenly appeared and stopped Funakoshe. Tsukasa's hand was on Funakoshe's wrist. He gripped it hard, making Funakoshe cry out in pain.
"Don't you dare harm them again." Then Tsukasa punched Funakoshe causing him to fall to the floor, a few feet away from where he was standing. This time he didn't get back up.
Tsukasa turned back to Tsukushi. He was about to yell at her when he saw Ryoko crying in Tsukushi's arms. He made eye contact with Tsukushi then he left them alone. He dragged Funakoshe, out of the room and brought him to the living room. He had some questions he wanted answered.
Tsukasa tied Funakoshe up with a rope to make sure he couldn't get away then he had one of the maids bring him a bucket of ice water, to wake Funakoshe up. It certainly did the trick. Funakoshe gasped harshly as the water was poured on him.
Funakoshe looked up and instantly recognized Tsukasa. He sat up and said, "Doumyouji-sama! What brings you here? I assure you everything can be explained."
"I don't need explanations. All you have to do is answer my questions." Tsukasa's tone was devoid of emotions. It sent shivers up Funakoshe's spine.
He gulped. "Hai." His response was weak and soft, but it was enough.
"Who gave you that girl?"
"What girl?"
Tsukasa punched Funakoshe, causing him to fall on his back. Then Tsukasa kneeled down and grabbed Funakoshe's shirt. "Don't play with me. You'll find that I'm not fun." Funakoshe nodded feverously. "Whoever gave you that girl was the person who kidnapped my woman. Now answer my question."
"It was Tachizaki. He was the one who did it. The girl was dropped at my place a few hours ago. I made it clear that I wanted her and offered a hundred million as a reward."
Tsukasa let go of Funakoshe's shirt. Tachizaki, that damn bastard. He was going to pay.
Seeing that Tsukasa's anger was no longer focused on him Funakoshe sighed in relief. Then his eyes narrowed, idiot Tachizaki. Funakoshe couldn't believe Tachizaki was foolish enough to go against the Doumyoujis and worst of all Tachizaki dragged him into this mess. He thought of how he could escape. Now that Tsukasa wasn't focused on him it seemed like the perfect time. He inched towards the door; he didn't want to make any sudden movements.
"Where do you think you're going?" Tsukasa turned to face Funakoshe.
Funakoshe chuckled nervously, "No where."
"I'm not leaving you unpunished." Tsukasa smirked, "I'm sure the cops would love to get a hold of you, and there's plenty of evidence on your television." Tsukasa looked at the TV, which still showed the women that Funakoshe had captured over the years. Tsukasa called two of his bodyguards to watch over Funakoshe.
Tsukushi and Ryoko came down a few minutes later. When Tsukasa saw Ryoko, he decided to let her do what she wanted with Funakoshe. He was done with the bastard.
Ryoko punched Funakoshe, pity that her punch was nowhere near as strong as Tsukushi's or Tsukasa's. Ryoko decided to leave Funakoshe to the police. This time they would have all the evidence they need to charge him for murder and kidnapping. They left after they called the police. They didn't want to be questioned.
By the time they got back to the ship, it was already two in the afternoon. They haven't even been gone 24 hours even though it felt a lot longer to all three of them. If it weren't for the tracking device on their cell phones, they probably would've been gone a lot longer.
They ate lunch together then Ryoko excused herself. Tsukushi got up and was about follow her when Tsukasa stopped her.
"She needs to be by herself."
Tsukushi was torn between going after Ryoko or listen to Tsukasa, who she knew was right. She sat back down, but she was still worried. Tsukasa sighed and got up.
"I'm tired. I haven't had sleep for over 24 hours."
"Then go to sleep." Tsukushi responded, half-heartedly.
"Come sleep with me."
"Sure I'll-" Tsukushi's head snapped up as Tsukasa's words finally registered. "Wh-What are you saying?"
"Since you're the reason I lost sleep, you should stay with me."
"What kind of logic is that?"
"My logic."
Tsukushi scoffed. "You don't use logic."
Tsukasa's eye twitched. "Everything I say is logical."
Tsukushi was about to retort when she bumped into Tsukasa. They had reached their rooms.
"Come in with me."
"I-"
"When I heard that you were kidnapped, I thought I might lose you forever."
Tsukushi felt herself soften. Impulsively, she hugged Tsukasa from the back. "I'm here right now and I'm not going anywhere. I'll stay with you, if you promise to not do anything."
"I already told you I wouldn't."
Tsukushi didn't say anything but she narrowed her eyes and walked into Tsukasa's room.
"I'm going to take a shower." He paused before entering his bathroom, "Want to come in with me?"
Tsukushi instantly turned red. "BAKA!"
Tsukasa laughed at her, which further infuriated Tsukushi. But she supposed he had the right idea. She wanted to take a shower, too. She felt dirty after all that's happened.
She took out a piece of paper from the drawer where the phone was and wrote a note to Tsukasa, "I'll be back soon." In case he came out of the shower before she did.
Tsukushi ran back to her room and took a quick shower. She came out 10 minutes later, feeling much better. She opted to wear something comfortable yet concealing enough to not give Tsukasa any encouragement. She chose a t-shirt and sweatpants.
When she returned, Tsukasa was out of the shower. He was sitting down on his bed wearing he a short, so his chest is revealed. He was using a towel to dry his hair.
Tsukushi stood there, not saying a word. There was a slight tinge across her cheeks. He really looks good with straight hair, she thought.
She was startled when Tsukasa spoke. "As much as I want to, I can't guarantee that you won't be kidnapped again. I've had to fight off would be kidnappers all my life. I don't want you to live like that. I'd understand if you want to go your separate way when we return to Japan." Even though his voice was calm and steady he didn't feel that way. His hands clenched the towel he used to dry his hair. He was trying to harden himself for the rejection he knew was coming.
But instead of the response he expected Tsukushi said, "How could you say that?!?! Do you think I'm the kind of girl that needs a guy to protect me? I can handle myself." She stood in front of Tsukasa. Her voice softened, "Besides, I can't leave you. I've come to need you as much as you need me."
Tsukasa dropped the towel he was holding and hugged Tsukushi, hard. He placed his head on her breasts, and surprisingly Tsukushi didn't shy away. She hugged Tsukasa with the same intensity. When he released his hold of her, Tsukushi felt a sense of disappointment. Tsukasa looked into Tsukushi's eyes. This time it was Tsukushi that leaned in to kiss him. Tsukasa lied down on the bed, bringing Tsukushi with him, so that she was lying on top of him. Tsukushi didn't notice.
This time it was Tsukasa who broke off the kiss. "If you don't want to go further, I think we should stop. I can't take much more of this."
Tsukushi looked into Tsukasa's eyes. She didn't know what to say. Part of her wanted to continue and the other part was scared to death.
Tsukasa relieved her of the need to answer. He placed a hand on her cheek. "It's okay. I'll wait for you because you're the only one I want."
Tsukushi started crying. Tsukasa was alarmed at the sight of tears, "Baka! Why are you crying? I thought you wanted me to stop."
"Why are you so understanding? When we fight, it's so much easier. Everything comes naturally then, but now when you're so kind I don't know what to do."
Tsukasa smiled, "And I thought I was the only one. Every time I'm with you I'm flustering. Because I'm scared of pushing you away." Tsukasa realized he was baring his soul and flushed, "Baka onna (idiot woman), why are you always making me say these things." They weren't manly, he thought, these were things women like to talk about and men run away.
Tsukushi's tears stopped. She didn't realize Tsukasa worried just like her. He was always so confident, like he didn't have a care in the world. This made her love him all the more. "Aishiteru, Tsukasa."
The sudden declaration of love made his heart skip a beat. He marveled at the woman on top of him, only she could make him feel so happy with so little effort. "If you don't get off me I might-"
Tsukasa didn't even finish his sentence when Tsukushi scrambled off of him. She turned bright red. Tsukasa laughed, "It's okay, I told you I won't do anything. Let's go to sleep."
Tsukushi warily took a place by his side. As soon as she got comfortable she relaxed. She thought, how come my body fit so well with his? Within minutes she could hear Tsukasa's deep breathing. She didn't realize he was so tired. He was so energized when he was talking to her, except maybe that part where he suggested she leave him because it was dangerous. That was something Tsukasa would never say if he weren't tired. He's always so optimistic. When he said those words to her, it seemed to her as if he was leaving her. It filled her with such sorrow that it made her angry. He brought her into his life without asking her how she felt about it and now he was letting her go because there was a possibility of danger. It was too much. She didn't want to be protected. It meant that she's weak, which she isn't. She wanted to stand as Tsukasa's equal, not behind him.
She looked up at him sleeping face. He was sleeping so peacefully. It was the first time she's seen him so close. Tsukasa looked so innocent that it made Tsukushi want to protect him. It was a new sensation. It was different from when she wanted to protect Ryoko from Funakoshe. This was more intense. She didn't understand it. Ever since she's met Tsukasa, she's been experiencing new emotions, one after the other. It made her feel frightened and all the more wary of Tsukasa's power over her. But she couldn't let go of him. When she told him she needed him, it wasn't simply to reassure him that she wouldn't leave. It was the truth. She wanted to ask him, would our feelings change? But it wasn't something she could ask. All she could do was have faith, in her, in him, and in them.
"Aishiteru," she whispered. Then she let herself relax and go to sleep.
********
When she woke up, Tsukasa was still sleeping. She looked at the clock on the wall and saw that it was 6 p.m. Tsukushi slept for about two hours. She hadn't taken a nap in a long time. There was never time. There was always work, either homework or a job. It's been a long time since she could leisurely nap without feeling guilty that she should do something.
Tsukasa gave her a reason. She felt herself changing. She wasn't as embarrassed when he kissed or hugged her. Normally there would be a second of fear, now it was disappearing. She remembered the disappointment she felt when he stopped kissing her. She thought in horror, was she becoming wanton? She shook her head and thought no this is perfectly normal. It's a relationship. She froze. A relationship, that meant that they were dating. Tsukasa is her boyfriend. Even though they've declared love for each other, which should've happened after dating.
At that point Tsukasa woke up. "I could get used to waking up with you in my arms."
"I'm changing. We should call Ryoko out for dinner." She turned around and walked to her own room. She closed the door behind her, leaned against it and quietly said, "I could get used to waking up in your arms too."
********
They changed and met Ryoko at the diner. Ryoko was looking a lot better. Luckily she wasn't raped. Tsukushi couldn't even begin to imagine the horror. When she first woke up, she thought she was going to be violated too. If that had happened, she didn't know how she would ever recover. They both came out of the situation unscathed. That was much to be thankful for.
Ryoko talked about it, like it was just another glitch in her life.
"How did you know where to find Ryoko? You've never been to Funakoshe's place," Tsukasa asked. Ryoko also wanted to know. She thought someone led Tsukushi up, like a maid.
"You'd probably think this is ridiculous but when I entered the house I knew that it was designed by Ogiwara Hiragi and he always puts the master bedroom on the second floor of the right wing. I went up there and knew I was right when I saw Ryoko."
Tsukasa didn't understand but Ryoko did. "Wow! That's so wonderful! You definitely have good observation skills. I think you could really do it."
"Do what?" Tsukasa asked.
"Become an interior designer. We were talking about it last time, you were right with us."
"You want to be an interior designer?" Tsukasa asked Tsukushi.
"I don't know. I've never thought about it until I talked with Ryoko."
"If you want to try, when we go back I could call some people and they'll give you an office where you could do all that."
Tsukushi was appalled. "No! That's not what I want. I didn't even have any training yet. I don't want to use your connections to get a job. I want to get it on my own merit."
"That means you have to start from the bottom." Tsukasa was horrified at this notion. "Why would you want that when you could be at the top? I know when I take over Doumyouji Enterprises I'll be the president and CEO, not a gofer."
The image of Tsukasa taking orders from someone else was too ridiculous to even imagine. "That's different. You've been raised knowing what you're going to do and besides it's an inheritance. I just want to try it on my own. I don't want you to pave the way for me."
Tsukasa shrugged. "I can't understand the way poor people think."
"Actually," Ryoko said, "that's not what poor people usually think. I think a lot of people would've jumped at your offer to get them a job at a high level position. Tsukushi just has high moral values. You're very lucky."
Even though Tsukasa knew it, he wasn't about to admit it. "Me, lucky? Yeah right! This poor girl always tries to stuff horrible things down my throat."
Instead of getting mad, like Ryoko expected, Tsukushi tried to justify her actions. "You're always eating those expensive things. Sometimes you should eat like everyone else for a change."
"Akira, Soujiro, and Rui all eat the same things I do."
Tsukushi grimaced. "Don't remind me. All of you have warped taste buds."
"Just because we could afford good food doesn't mean there are problems with us."
Tsukushi started getting mad. She was about to say something when Ryoko interrupted. "Children, children, let's eat our dinner in peace shall we?"
"Child? I'm older than you," Tsukasa retorted.
"Physically, yes. mentally, no."
"Tsukushi's bad habits must be rubbing off on you. Nobody dares to be so rude to me."
Tsukushi responded, "That's because you intimidate people and you use your family influence to get your way."
"What's wrong with using what you have? If not there'd be so many people bothering me, thinking they could get something by being with me."
Ryoko and Tsukushi didn't say anything. They didn't realize that rich people have their own problems. It was so easy to assume they have an easy life because they could have anything they want.
"Not everyone's after your money."
"I only realized that after I met you," he said seriously. "You were the first person that challenged me outright, and you were the only one that didn't listen to me. Anyone else would've jumped to be my girlfriend."
Tsukushi felt uncomfortable by the sudden seriousness in Tsukasa, but she ignored it and scoffed. "You were rude and obnoxious. I still remember when you kidnapped me to your home and gave me a makeover. You wanted me to replace your sister. I was really angry when you said you'd talk to me only if there's no one around. You made it sound like it was a privilege to even talk to you."
"It was! Nobody talks to me except for the F3 in school."
"I know, the people who you talk to are the ones that are going to get beaten." Tsukushi sighed. "I still can't believe I'm with a bully."
"I'm not a bully. They were the ones that were wrong. People shouldn't get in my way."
Tsukushi and Tsukasa argued for the rest of dinner. They totally forgot about Ryoko, which she didn't mind. In fact she felt a little relieved that she didn't have to participate. It gave her a chance to sit back and relax. Too much had happened. She had gotten over the shock of almost being raped. Now she was just glad that everything is over. She knew she wasn't kidnapped because of she was connected to the Doumyouji's. This time it was because of her. Ryoko was thankful to Tsukasa and Tsukushi. After meeting them she was starting to understand that not all rich people were bad. And sometimes all it takes is a nice woman to change a man. She knew she didn't want to meet Doumyouji before he knew Tsukushi. He seemed like the typical spoiled rich guy she always despised.
Ryoko spent the rest of dinner simply observing them. Even though it seemed like they were arguing they weren't mad at each other. On the contrary, if one looked closely they were very intimate. In between arguments, they fed each other. Ryoko secretly smiled because she noticed Tsukushi didn't realize she was being fed or that she was feeding Tsukasa. They were doing it so absent-mindedly they didn't notice. Ryoko knew that if she pointed it out they would both turn red and it would ruin the moment, so she kept her observations to herself. Tsukushi and Tsukasa were more similar than either of them knew. Other than the difference in their social standing they both had a lot in common, personality wise. They were both stubborn and prideful. The major difference in their thinking was that Tsukasa is very simple whereas Tsukushi tended to over think a situation. The reason for the difference probably stems from their social standing. Tsukasa never needed to think of others or ways to get what he want. He always got it. He simply said what he wanted and a few minutes later he would get it. Money could smooth out even the bumpiest of roads. Whereas when you're poor you have to make a lot of detours to get to your destination.
They suited each other better than they thought. Tsukasa could add some simplicity in Tsukushi's like and Tsukushi could add some more consideration in Tsukasa's. Watching them made Ryoko feel a bit envious. They had a great relationship going on and she wondered if something like that would ever happen to her. She doubted it. Something this special is rare. But in the meantime she'll be happy for them, and do her best to protect them. She knew their road together was going to be difficult. The Doumyouji name is just too famous and wealthy. Once their relationship is officially announced they were going to be the target of a lot of people, paparazzi, kidnappers, and other jealous fools.
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YAY! I finished another chapter. I think Part I will finish in a few more chapters. Then they go back to school. I'm thinking of matching Ryoko with one of the other F4. I'm split between Rui or Soujiro. I know Rui has Shizuka but he could always come back, like he did in the manga and I don't think Soujiro is really with Yuki. They didn't really say that much about them in the anime. Oh and Akira prefers older women, so I don't really think he'll like Ryoko. So right now, I'm leaning more towards Soujiro but my sister likes Rui, so right now it's still undecided. Tell me what you think.
