Disclaimer: Ya da…ya da…ya da… The usual disclaimer that everyone's annoyed about applies. Slam Dunk does not belong this lazy neko, and it'll never be, 'cos Takehiko Inoue sensei is its rightful owner! But…the OC's are mine and mine only! Bwahahahahahaha~ :D K…so what if this neko's a loony? Hahahahahaha~ :P =^.^=
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猫は言う…
みんな様、あげましておめでとうございます！
Happy New Year, Minna-sama! =^.^= *bows*
A big, big thank you to all the readers out there who'd been patient enough to follow this fic through from the beginning. I think this is the longest I've ever taken to complete a fic ;P hehehe ^_^;;
Anyways, thank you to everyone who'd reviewed this fic…and I hope the reviews will keep coming in, constructive R&R and general comments are always welcomed ;)
Well, that's it from this lazy cat ne… have to go and work on my other fics no da~ ^_~
Ja mata ne~ ^_^ Hope you all will enjoy this last chappy =^.^=
The Lazy Neko singing out… =^.^=
(P/S: Just one little note :P For those who don't know…hujin (夫人) means Mrs in Jap. The formal and honourable way of call someone's wife, in other words, it's keigo ;) sore ja~)
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NB: "…" Character's speech
… Character's Thoughts
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~ Chapter 9 – Shadows Entwined ~
As things turned out, they seemed to have switched places. She the master and he the kage.
Miei couldn't help but lose her most prized characteristic…her calmness. It had been six days since she returned to Tokyo from Prague, her last vocational destination; and within this short period of time, Kaede had glued himself to her so tightly that made them seemed to have switched places with each other. He had moved into Kaku Dou and followed her around everywhere she went, except the lavatory and bathroom. This annoyed her to the limit and made her unable to carry out her duties as his kage for his protection, even though there were no activities from the Sugiyama Gumi.
She stopped and turned around abruptly, pulled her hand out of Kaede's and glared at him.
"Can you stop being childish and let me do my job!?" She hissed through gritted teeth.
The kitsune just smiled innocently at her. "You are doing your job. You are protecting me this very moment, are you not? My dear Miei?"
"How many times do I have to tell you NOT TO CALL ME MIEI? I'm known as Katori Yami at the moment!" She snapped softly but sternly.
"Hai, hai, Yami-chan." He continued to smile so very innocently that Miei wished she could just smack him silly to get rid of that smile.
He caught her hand in his again and pulled her towards the basketball gym. "Let's hurry, or else we'll be late."
"Yo…Kaede-kun!" Miei gasped at the sudden force entailed by his pulling and nearly stumbled and knock into the raven head.
She had resolved to calling the raven head by his name instead the honourable title of a young master. This took much curious gazes off her and the raven head. However, ninety percent of TouDai's female population had labelled her as their number one enemy because of her closeness to their idol. The remaining ten percent, well, they couldn't care less because they are too old to have a fancy for the young basketball hunk, their student. So as one could imagine, Miei's life in TouDai was practically hell on earth, as prescribed by TouDai's female population. How she wished Sugiyama Gumi would just show up and she could get her job over and done with so she could get out of this place!
She sighed as she followed Kaede into the gym. As soon as they reached the gym, Kaede pecked her cheek quickly, a habit he'd developed over the past few days and joined the others for practice. She leaned against the wall and let herself slip to the perfectly polished floor as she sighed helplessly for her current predicament. Kami-sama, what have I done to deserve this? Why did you have to make me fall for the one person who I'm not suppose to fall in love with?
Ever since her return and meeting with her young master, the number of self-debate sessions had increased so dramatically that all she could think about when she was allowed a solitary moment was: should she relinquish the pride and honour of a samurai and allow her heart to do as it wish? She knew her walls were crumbling with each sight of him and the rope that bound her to the samurai code had thinned to a thread, which could break any day, any time.
What should I do? She asked herself for the umpteenth time as she watched him performed a perfect lay up. I though all these feelings would go away once I'm far away from him. But…the distance only seemed to have the opposite effect. It only amplified the feelings I have for him and make my heart ache to be with him. What should I do? Can anyone out there tell me? What should I do?
The gym's doors were thrown open forcefully at that very moment, breaking Miei's train of thoughts and stopped the basketball practise session. She looked up and directed her sharp gaze toward the opened doors. Her reflexes kicked in as she saw the two men holding the door opened and rushed to Kaede's side.
"Oi! Who are you people? Do you know you're not supposed too wear boots when you walk into a basketball gym?" Hanamichi glared at the newcomers.
"Hahaha. My, my. Isn't this dandy? The little basketball jock has a friend standing up for him… Awwwww…that is just so sweet!" A man in his early twenties joined the two men who'd barged in as five other men walked in behind him. He smirked at the basketballers, "So sickeningly sweet that I want to destroy you all."
"Teme! Who the hell do you think you are!?" Kiyota shouted at the group of men heatedly. "Who gave you permission to come into the gym!?"
"Permission? Never heard of the word, right fellas?" The man mocked and laughed, and those who came with him, his minions joined their boss's laugh.
Miei recognised these people immediately. The man mocking the basketballers was Sugiyama Gumi's future leader-to-be, Sugiyama Iesada, the guy whom Kaede bashed. They've finally come. Took them long enough! She sneered silently.
"Why you bastard!" Kiyota hissed. Just before he was about to lunge at them, Maki ordered him to stay put. Although Kiyota obeyed Maki, Hanamichi was not about to be intimidated by the old man's command. He took a step forward with clenched fists and waited for the right moment to attack. But before he could launch an assault, Miei stepped in front of him and held up a hand, motioning him to stay put.
"You must be Sugiyama Iesada. I know why you are here and I'm willing to negotiate the settlements with you." Miei said with a calm, cool voice.
Iesada quirked an eyebrow and scoffed, "Negotiate? Who do you think you are Missy? You think a woman can meddle with men's business? Besides, what make you so sure that I'll be willing to negotiate with you, woman?"
Miei narrowed her eyes dangerously. Just the type of chauvinistic bastard I thought he'd be!
"Does the name Kaku Dou ring a bell?" Miei deadpanned icily.
The name finally caught Iesada's attention and all previous derisiveness vanished into thin air. He eyed Miei closely. "What's your business here, Kaku Dou Shi?"
"As I have mentioned, to negotiate with you."
"The little jock had employed your help I see." Iesada's mocking tone returned. "What a laugh! He's not man enough to handle the things by himself, so he pays a girl to protect him. This must be the joke of the century! Hahahahahahahahaha!"
Iesada and his men doubled over with laughter as Miei's expressions became more solemn. Kaede on the other hand remained as expressionless as he always was, although he was already boiling inside. How he wish to wring Iesada's neck like a rag! But he remained silent and narrowed his kitsune eyes dangerously. He knew it was best that he allowed Miei to handle the situation and avoid getting himself dragged into the whirlpool of coming into contact with the yakuza. He was a Rukawa after all, and being a Rukawa meant that he had to be careful of every word he spoke and every action he took. Therefore, Iesada's degrading words only made him stood his ground and forced himself to endure this moment of disgrace, which he would repay Iesada back with a thousand times of what he'd given him today.
"I demand that you take back your dishonouring words Sugiyama-san, for my youkun is not someone you can trample upon." Miei hissed through gritted teeth with her fists clenched. No one…No one can be disrespectful to youkun…my youkun…my Kaede! Her mind pronounced spitefully. This thought made her realised something instantaneously and a light smile curled her lips, which caused her to relax immediately. She had made her decision. Her heart had chosen.
"For your information Sugiyama-san, that is if you don't already know, Kaku Dou was able to take out Riku Dou, an organisation that was more than ten times larger than your father's Sugiyama Gumi with ease. So if you insist on becoming our enemy, you are very welcomed to. However, please be assured that Sugiyama Gumi will disappear from the face of the earth within twenty four hours if you choose so." She paused slightly and continued, "And I assure you that this is no threat."
Miei's little declaration caused Iesada's blood to freeze. His goons began to cower behind their boss as they were very much taken aback by Miei's tone, a tone that belonged to someone very powerful. They all knew of Kaku Dou's power and influence in the societies, both black and white.
"Hahahahaha!" Iesada began to laugh hysterically to shake off his nervousness. He did not believe Miei was capable of achieving her words. He glared and snarled at her, "Do you seriously think you can intimidate me, woman!? What the hell do you think you are!?"
Miei narrowed her eyes at Iesada warningly as she reached into her coat's inner pocket, ready to pull out her needles and attack when required. However, before she had the chance to teach Iesada and his goons a lesson, the silky baritone of Kaede rang through the air as he stepped in front of her.
"If you dare, Sugiyama, touch her and I'll tear you into pieces. Kaku Dou doesn't need to interfere, I'll make sure you and your Gumi are torn into pieces by my hands." He stated callously. "This, I promise you. I've pounded you once, and I can beat you up a second, even a third or fourth time!"
"Bravo!" Another baritone sounded from no where and hand claps rang through the silent air. "Bravo young Rukawa!"
Everyone diverted their gazes behind Iesada's back as a figure clad in black stepped into sight.
Shiro! What the heck is he doing here!? Kaede, Miei and Hanamichi shouted mentally as they were surprised by sudden appearance of the ex-assassin from Riku Dou.
"Ano, can someone spare a moment and tell me who this new guy is?" Sendoh voiced everyone's curiosity.
"Someone you don't want to mess with," Hanamichi answered his question flatly as he stared at the group in front of them coldly.
Huh? Question marks appeared on everyone's faces immediately. Apparently, what the red head said did not carry enough weight as an answer to Sendoh's question.
"Shiro, you are here for?" Miei spoke softly while she continued to observe Shiro carefully.
"Don't worry Akino; I'm not here for trouble. In fact, I'm here to help resolve the little misunderstanding between young Rukawa and young Sugiyama." Shiro shrugged with a smile.
Akino?! What the? Isn't her surname Katori? This thought reeled in the mind of those who'd only known Miei for the short time they've met.
"What are you talking about Shiro!? You can't be serious!" Iesada's eyes bulged in disbelieves. "No one impedes the Sugiyama Gumi and remain unscathed."
A loud thud was heard in the silent gym suddenly and everyone couldn't help but winced at what had happened in that split second. Shiro grabbed Iesada by the collar and threw him against the wall behind him as if he was a piece of twig.
"Boss!" Iesada's goons shouted and closed in, in attempts to help their boss free from Shiro's grasp. But with one powerful swing of his right leg, Shiro sent the seven men of Iesada flying whilst he kept his hold on Iesada.
"If your father didn't ask me to, do you think I'd be here!?" Shiro snapped at Iesada. "Do you seriously think that you can go up against them?!" He pointed a finger at Miei and Kaede. "You have no idea what you're getting into! Young Rukawa here was able to beat you and three of your guys up the other night easily and for good reasons too. Now, he has a samurai by his side. Do you think you have what it takes to go up against someone like that? How foolish are you anyways?"
"I…I…" Iesada wanted to rebut but was lost for words. He could still remember how Kaede had taken him and his men out single-handedly, and exited unscathed afterwards.
Shiro slammed Iesada into the wall again and Iesada hissed in pain. Ooh! That must hurt. This thought ran through everyone's mind.
"Wake up will you!? Akino is the best of the best within Kaku Dou, even…" Shiro paused for a little while then continued with remembrance and a grieved voice with his head lowered, "Even he, the best of us lost to her."
Miei froze to Shiro's words. "Shiro…" She mumbled softly.
Kaede wrapped an arm around her shoulders immediately. She closed her eyes and let herself sink into his comforting embrace.
Shiro loosened his hold Iesada's collar and turned to face Miei and Kaede. "Akino, Rukawa, can we consider that we have everything as settled and regard this little incident as it'd never happened?"
Still in Kaede's arms, Miei reopened her midnight orbs that were now tainted with traces of red.
"Hai, Shiro." She replied with an affirmative nod.
"Good." Shiro said with a smile and turned back to face Iesada. "As for you, you will return to your gumi and reflect on what you've done."
"But…" Iesada began to refute but was stopped by Shiro.
"No buts! If you say another word, I'll make sure you'll be reflecting yourself in a hospital instead of your own room!" Shiro threatened.
Iesada gulped. He was very clear of what Shiro was capable of and that he'd never gone back on his words. He motioned his men to leave and turned to leave himself. When he was about to step out of the gym, he turned around and asked the question that had been plaguing his mind since Miei began speaking to him. "Just who the hell are you Rukawa? Why is this Kaku Dou Shi calling you youkun anyways, especially since I've never heard of Kaku Dou Shi bowing down to anyone before?"
"Whoever kitsune is, is none of your business Sugiyama!" Hanamichi snapped at Iesada.
"Who do you think you are speaking to me in that tone Sakuragi?!" Iesada bit back with a flushed face.
"I'm the Tensai Basketto Man of course! Who else could I be?" Hanamichi jeered.
"Sakuragi!" Iesada hissed through gritted teeth.
"Break it up do'aho." The raven head shot an annoyed glare at his friend. He then turned to Iesada and deadpanned, "Kaku Dou is my retainer, and Rukawa Sho is my father."
Iesada was now truly stunned. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined the frosty raven head to be someone from a lineage of such strong influence. He finally understood why his father had asked Shiro to come to help clear up the mess he'd brought upon himself, even by using up all his favours with Shiro to get the ex-assassin to show…for his sake.
He turned and walked off, laughing at himself, at his pompousness…
"Well, since everything's settled, I'd be going then. Ja." Shiro said and waved to leave.
"Chotto Shiro," Miei called out softly. "Midori…Midori wa o'genki?"
Shiro stopped in mid strides and turned to face her. "Aa. Genki desu yo," he said with a gentle smile at the mention of his wife and continued with the tone of a proud father-to-be, "She is with child and will be giving birth to our first baby in three months."
Miei smiled back at him. "Congratulations Shiro."
"Thank you. Looks like you've put the pass behind at last." He pointed at his left cheek, gesturing at her missing scar, "Good for you and hope you and young Rukawa can break through that barrier that's holding you two apart ne?" Shiro said with a mischievous wink.
Miei blushed. Kaede smiled a heartfelt smile at Shiro. "Thank you for your blessings, Shiro."
"You're most welcomed. Well, I'd better get going then, Midori's waiting for me. Ja." With that, Shiro exited the gym as silently as he had appeared.
Kaede grasped Miei's hand in his as they watch Shiro left. Miei smiled gently at Shiro's vanishing figure, My best wishes goes out to you and Midori. Kiwotsukete ne.
〆 〆 〆 〆 〆
Heavy footsteps resonated through the tranquil hallways of Kaku Dou as a tall male with porcelain like skin ran around the grounds in search of a girl with waist length hair. He stopped in front of her room and leaned against the door frame as he caught his breath whilst his raven fringe draped over his face. The long haired girl looked up from the luggage she was packing and turned to face the tall figure by her door. She got up and took a piece of tissue out of the tissue box and walked toward the raven head. She stopped just in front of him and lifted his face with one hand as the other wiped away beads of perspiration on his smooth face with the tissue she was holding.
"I thought you know the rules around here. You're not supposed to run in the hallways." She said teasingly as if she was lecturing a disobedient child.
He caught her hands in his and locked her into a tight embrace which almost knock the breath out of her. "Why are you leaving again?" His whispered painfully. "I thought everything's passed and you're going to stay by my side."
Miei couldn't help but coughed as she tried to catch some much needed air. "Youkun…you…youkun, can…can you let…let go of…of me fir…first?"
Kaede loosened his hold immediately and fussed over her. "Are you alright Miei? Gomen…I didn't…I…"
As soon as her breathing smoothed, she placed her hands on his cheeks and looked into his cerulean pools. A smile graced her once scarred but now smoothed features, "Youkun, I'm a contracted staff of Kawa-Ha. I came back on leave so I must return to my post and complete my contract ne."
His hands covered hers as they held his face. "I can talk to tou-san and…"
She shook her head slightly, "Iie. That is not necessary. I'm contracted to work for three years with the company, I have to fulfil my agreement."
"Demo…"
She removed herself from his grasp and walked over to the window. "I need to do this youkun, although my heart had chosen."
Kaede walked toward her and pulled her into an embrace from behind. He buried his face in her nape and breathed in her light lavender scent. "Miei…"
"My heart had chose you over the code Kaede," she said as she sank deeper into his embrace. Closing her eyes, she shifted her head slightly on his chest so it was resting on where his heart was. Listening to the rhythmic thudding of his heart, she felt that she had never felt warmer and safer before. It was as though she had found a harbour where she could rest her sails.
Kaede stiffened at her words. This was the first time he had heard her heart's voice, it was also the first time she had called him by his name without the addition of kun. No words could be used to describe the happiness his heart felt at that very moment. His heart was bulging with warmth and love for her and from her. He could finally feel her feelings for him with openness. There was no more hiding or running away. He knew he'd caught her and bound her to him at last.
They held on to each other and enjoyed the silent moment. No more words were needed. All needed to be spoken of had been said. As the sun set into the horizon, two shadows entwined into one…
〆 〆 〆 〆 〆
Six years flashed by as if it was only yesterday when they had met for the first time. A light drizzle was falling lightly outside the window, misting the scenery outside the little chalet not far from the city of Marseille. A woman was standing by the window, her oversized bathrobe slid off one of her shoulders exposing her skin to the cool air while her waist length hair draped over her other shoulder. Although her skin was smooth, there was a light scar on it, making that line where the injury had occurred, an off-white colour whilst the rest of her skin was a healthy light tan colour. A tall male with messy raven tassel, also dressed in a bathrobe soon joined her and wrapped his arms around her from behind, pulling her into his embrace. The woman smiled at her lover's action and leaned into his embrace. The man placed a chaste kiss on her bared shoulder, on the light scar. It was a scar she received when she was his kage, his geboku.
"Miei, when are you going to say yes?"
"Are you not satisfied with what we have now?" Instead of answering his question, she asked him another.
Kaede sighed weakly. He had proposed so many times that he had lost counted. "You're still not going to say yes are you? Not even after you've given me a daughter?"
Miei turned around and looped her arms around her koibito's neck. She smiled sweetly at him, "You know that I love you Kaede, and…marriage is just a modality. I'm sure you still love me just as much even though we don't sign that piece of paper."
"Yes, but…tou-san and ka-san, and Kaii jii-san especially are very worried about us, you know? So, why don't we just please them by going through with the wedding?"
"They have too much spare time on their hands ever since they passed on their responsibilities to you and Asato nii-san. So, let them fuss and worry over things a little. I sure am not in any hurry to change my surname into Rukawa, legally yet; although everyone does call me Rukawa hujin these days," she shrugged playfully.
Kaede smiled back at her faintly, "You know you're driving me nuts, don't you?"
"Yes, but you still love me for it, right?" She grinned as she pulled his head down and sealed her lips on his. Hmmm…should I tell him I'm pregnant again? Nah! Not yet. Maybe in another month or so… Her grin turned cheekier at the thought while their kiss deepened.
~*~*~*~ OwArI ~*~*~*~