Title: Changing Fates
by dytia

chapter 8: Just like old times

Shopps... Thank you for reviewing. Yup, I deliberately made Doumyouji mellow as you called it. You see, I need a mature Doumyouji in the storyline I have in my head. After all, the old Doumyouji would have just bashed Rui to death or hounded Makino until she threatens putting a 100 yards restraining order on him. And that would kind of cut my story short. Then again if you follow the current manga plot, I think that was what Kamio-sensei had in mind especially the part in New York and the current Japanese Margaret chapters. I could just let Makino remembered in the last chapter but I wanted to torture them longer. Hihihi... argh... ugh.. urk..ack.. (sounds of Doumyouji strangling me to death)

Oh well.. I'd live... and here's another chapter.. I am sure all of you TxT fans out there would be satisfied with this chapter. I know I did enjoyed writing it... (*hugz Doumyouji). Enjoy..

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Makino was daydreaming on her desk, oblivious to her surroundings. The last one-week have been so wonderful. No, she still has not regained most of her memories yet but as the days went by, things got more familiar. Every day, Rui, Sojirou and Akira helped her around school. Not forgetting Kazuya too. And some of the girls.. I think her name was Sakurako were also so nice to me too (although she asked me every day whether it was true that I have broken up with Doumyouji and every time Makino said yes, she'll started to cackle like a witch. Other than that, she seemed normal.) Asai and her gang were initially hostile to Makino but Sakurako kind of told them off and now they were also nice to her, saying that she was their best friend and that she really have to call them over any time that F4 was going to be around. Rui told her that they were evil. But Makino did not see it, and said that they were nice girls, always helping her etc. Rui remarked that they were using Makino to get back at her past. "Nonsense, they were really nice to me." (me: without her old memories.. she really became a bit naive.. err sorry..)

During recess.. I would be at the emergency staircase with Rui. Eating lunches together, talking to each other. Sometimes, he'd even play his violin just for me.

After school, I usually would be at the dango shop with Yuki. Sometimes, Shigeru would brought me along window shopping (she shopped, I gawked at the prices.. :P). Rui sometimes followed us but he kept to himself most of the time. Always flashing his wistful smile, I was kind of disappointed by his aloof manner. But I knew it was his own way to show that he cared for me. So, I guessed it was all right. Then, before going home I would do some grocery shopping. Most of the shopkeepers knew me by sight. It turned out that I was an expert haggler and losing my memory did not tarnish my skill one bit! (me: just like Mama...) And then in the evenings, I'll have a quiet dinner with my brother. Just the other day, we got a package from Mama and Papa. Dad gotten better at fishing and sent her some more fish and seaweed.

I led a happy, simple life surrounded with family and friends.. Thankful for that, I did not wish for more. Yet I yearned for something else. Or is it some one?

Doumyouji avoided Makino at all costs. He was back at Eitoku. Although he still hang out with F4, when Makino was around, he would act indifferently. In fact, ever since that day she chanced upon him and Umi, she hardly even spoke to him. Makino did not know why but it saddened her. She did not dare to admit this to Rui. When she first mentioned it to Yuki, Yuki said that perhaps it was her old feelings resurfaced. She denied it. " How could I love another person when I already loved Rui?" giggling as she said that.
" But Tsukushi, what would happen if you suddenly remember that it was Doumyouji you loved, not Rui? Would you leave Rui?"

Aye.. she thought of that. And she had already decided that she would not betray Rui. She owed that to him. But it was one thing to think.. and another to feel. In the matters concerning Doumyouji, Makino always felt so confused.

* * * * *

That day started as normally as the days before. Makino was on her way to see Rui when she crossed path with Sakurako, Asai and her cohorts. Today, they looked very different. In fact, they looked very hostile to her.

" Oh.. Asai-san, good morning. Could you let me pass? I am a bit in a hurry."
" Makino, Hanazawa-kun said that he wants to see you at the roof top."
" That's weird. He said he'd wait for me at the usual place."
" I guessed he changed his mind.." Makino grinned. " Oh.. Okay. Thanks for telling me."

As Makino disappeared through the corridors, all of the gals started to follow her. With an devilish smile plastered on their faces, surely this is another one of their evil plans.

Totally unaware of her predicament, Makino climbed up the stairs towards the rooftop only to find that there was no one there.

" Hanazawa Rui.. where are you?"

Dumm.. Makino turned around and saw the gals surrounding her. Sakurako slamming the door shut.

" Girls.. why are you here?"
" We wanted to have a word with you." Makino saw that some of them were carrying baseball bats and metal rods. She could sense that they were up to no good.

" Err.. minna.. I thought we are friends. Friends don't come to secluded places to talk. Why don't we have a sleep over at my house and.."

Asai stepped towards her and yelled, " Who wants to be friends with poor, miserable you? In fact if it was not for the F4, you have been kicked out from Eitoku a long time ago. And your house.. ugh.. I wouldn't even want to step in that rundown place." Makino was hurt by Asai's insensitive remarks.
" Why are you doing thing for me now? You have been so nice to me for the past week.. Sakurako said we were all best of friends. Is this some joke?"

Sakura started to cackle.. " Hohoho... we were just acting to make sure that you are as timid and harmless as they said you were. That day when you fought Doumyouji, we thought you already had your memories. Which kind of surprised us as the rumors has it that after the accident you turn into this weepy weakling so we decided to get close to you to discover the truth."
" How funny it was when you trusted us completely. It's like having you eating right out of our hands.. The great Makino Tsukushi following our orders, following us around like a puppy. How lovely? But.." Sakurako's eyes now red with fury. (SD shot of her becoming this big monstrous witch) " Doumyouji still did not even look at me even though you are no longer in the picture. And this really pisses me off!!! So today, we are going to beat you up until you agreed to leave Eitoku and to never lay your hand on the F4 ever again. Hahahaha..."

Makino stared at Sakurako, trying to comprehend what she just said. So that was it? At first she was stunned silent, before all of a sudden, she started to laugh.. A very hearty laugh. She laughed so hard that Asai and co were bewildered beyond comprehension by her reaction. "Err,,, Did the accident turned her into a loony??" asked Sakurako.

" I don't care. Lets just beat her up while she at it. She won't expect it coming.." Hurling their baseball bats towards Makino, they expected Makino to just sit there not doing anything and get all bloodied. But they were wrong. With the bats just centimeters away from her face, Makino stopped laughing, grabbed both of the bats in the nick of time. Yanking it out of her assailants' hands, she flung one of it over the railing with another held securely in her right hand. Looking at the girls with that old sinister determined look in her eyes, she looked every bit like the old Makino they all feared.

All of them gaped at Makino, mouths opened wide. " So, now you are afraid of me. Aren't you?" Looking very infuriated, Makino muttered, " It is so stupid for you all to beat up another girl just because a guy jilted you. You guys really have no pride. You think you guys could make me leave like this. Well, I thought you known me better than I know myself.. " Crash.. The girls shrieked as Makino hit one of the tin boxes stacked nearby, making a mess out of it. She advanced towards the girls, with them shivering in fear, she continued. Her voice low and intimidating. " I might be naive but you are wrong to expect me not to fight back. True.. I've already forgotten about your deceitful ways but I have not lose any of my weed power yet!!" Charging towards them, the girls screamed in horror and ran to save their own necks.

Just as they scrambling down the stairs, Makino stopped chasing after them and started to giggle so hard, tears came out of her eyes. " You really did scare them. Just as I thought you would."

She gasped in surprise, " Doumyouji!" He smiled knowingly, " Don't worry. I'll keep your little secret. But then again it does not matter. Even if the teachers knows about it, I'll make sure they could never lay their hands on you."

Doumyouji..

" Ano.. What were you doing here alone?" Looking at her watch.." Oh my god, I am late for class." Just as she was about to leave, she stopped and turned towards Doumyouji. He did move even an inch. Just leaning there against the railing, looking every bit the bigheaded, barbaric guy he is.

" Don't you have classes?" He haughtily shrugged. " Who cares? I was going to graduate anyway. No matter ho much I cut classes, they wouldn't dare to kick me out. Don't you remember? I own this school."
" You know that I don't remember, " she replied bitterly.

Doumyouji glanced at her. Makino tried to act unperturbed but it was obvious she was hurt by his remark.

" Really, Makino. Your amnesia have turned you into a wimp."
" It did not. Take that back."
" Why should I? It's the truth."
" Do you want me to beat you up?"
" Huh.. You wouldn't even try." Yeah.. that's true. Remembering their last fight, she could not deny that Doumyouji was way stronger than she was. She was no match for his male strength.

" But that does not mean I agree with you."
" Whatever..." Watching him arrogantly dismissing her really infuriated her. Marching towards the door, she angrily muttered, " For a guy with serious attitude problem, he has no right to call me a wimp." With that, she yanked open the door. To her surprise, it did not budge. Doumyouji saw that she was having trouble with the door but acted as if he did not see it. Makino tried to pry it open with the metal rod, slamming her body against it (ouch..), banging on it to get someone on the other side to notice.. but it did not work the door refused to open.

" Well, I guessed you are stuck here with me." Makino glared at Doumyouji. " Did you have anything to do with this?"
" Why you.. let me try then?" But even with Doumyouji pushing with all his strength, they still could not get the door to open. After two hours working on the door, they were totally exhausted.

" It was all your fault. The girls must have locked you out when you chased after them."
" Well, if you have not jilted Sakurako or Asai or whomever. I would not even be here."
" Well do you want me to go out with other girls when the one that I really like was still you."

Makino was stunned by his sudden admission. She could see his face was very serious when he said that. It did not looked like he was joking.

" Doumyouji... I.."
" I really mean it, you know. I know, I told Rui that I have let you go. But I could not lie to myself or anybody on that matter." Glancing at Makino, he calmly confessed, " The only one girl I like.. is you."

Makino looked away, unable to confront his stares. Her heart beat quickened. " Why? What's so special about me? Compared to Umi.. Sakurako.. I am not pretty, I am not rich.. I am not nice.. I could not even remember what I did to make you like me this much."
" Yes that's true.. You're not that pretty.. or nice.. in fact you were never nice to me.. Always getting me into trouble. Stubborn, idiotic." She glared at him. " Are you finished insulting me?" " But.. " He confidently said," I still like you."

When you say those words, my knees always become weak. I could not think.

" Err. You know what.. Speaking of liking someone.... Umi told me to tell you that she won't bother you anymore. She said she finally understood what you've said to her and was sorry.."
" Are you deliberately trying to change the subject.." Stumped, she quieted.
" You always do that. Running away from he real issue. Never admitting your true feelings. When will you learn to be honest to me?"

She stared upfront. " Doumyouji. No matter what happened between us before, could you at least accept that I am no longer the old Makino you knew?"
" I will.. after you tell me the truth.."
" About what?"
" About me.. about your feelings towards me.." She shrugged, " I don't know."

(SD shot of Doumyouji strangling Makino- under the caption " Not again!!")

" You're always like this.."
" Then what do you expect the answer is. I really don't know." He sighed. " Well, I guessed even though you have not remembered me.. you already acted a lot like the old Makino Tsukushi.. I guessed that was also a good thing.."

Doumyouji..

Grrr... " Err.. what's that sound?"
" I think that's your stomach." Another sound this time louder. " No.. that's your stomach.."
" So, I am hungry.. Have not even eaten breakfast yet."
" Well.. I haven't eaten my lunch yet. I was about to go see Rui.. wait a minute.. I have my bento with me. I think I dropped it somewhere.. there it was.." Opening it, she saw that it was in a mess but still edible. " You want some, I have extras. I was going to give it to Rui."
" Why do I want something of Rui's?"
" Well.. if you're not hungry, fine.. more for me." Doumyouji peeked at her bento. " What's that greenish thing.. Is it pickled pepper.." " Urgh.. where did you get the idea.. it's seaweed you idiot.."
" It does not looked tasty.."
" Hey.. you want to eat or not.. Don't insult food especially in front the person who cooked it."

After they ate the bento lunch, Doumyouji leaned towards the wall satisfied by the scrumptious meal. " It did not look delicious but it was good to say the least. Just like the ones you used to make me.." Makino's heart skipped a beat. She stared at Doumyouji.

I made him his lunch before?

Doumyouji, noticing Makino staring right at him, eyed her suspiciously. " Why are you looking at me that way? Do I have anything between my teeth?"
" No.. it just that.. you said I made you bento lunch before."
" Yeah.. and we ate it here too. In fact, you cooked me stew once."
" Really? Was it good?"
" Yeah, it was.. it was.." His voice trailed off, as if remembering something that he did not want to remember.
" You are very angry at me, aren't you?"
" Huh? What are you saying?"
" When I don't remember you, you were really angry. Here you are remembering all of our good times and me remembering none of it."
" I could always tell it to you. We have all the time in the world."
" But as you said it does not mean anything if I still don't remember."
" Yeah.. I did say that.."

Both silent. As if lost in each other's thoughts. Makino glanced at Doumyouji. He was staring at her, looking with those eyes, beckoning her.

" What are you thinking now?" He was startled by her sudden question.
" What?"
" You always looked at me that way. I have wondered what was it in your mind when you look at me that way."
" Do you really want to know?"

She nodded. Without warning, he yanked her into his arms. His mouth brushing tenderly against her lips. A sudden thrill washed over Makino as she let Doumyouji deepened his kiss. His right hand stroking the back of her neck. Her arms already chained against his big, strong shoulders, pulling their bodies closer. Her head heady with the sweet sensation his touch triggered. Just like in that dream.

When he pulled apart, she gasped for breath. She opened her eyes and saw him. His lips inches away from hers. His eyes bore deep upon hers. She frowned.

" Why did you kiss me like that?"
" Because you asked for it." Reluctantly letting her go, Doumyouji walked away to the side of the building. He climbed up and jumped over the ledge. She followed him close behind.

" Doumyouji.. What are you doing? Get out from there.. We are on top of a three storey building." He looked at her intently.
" Do you trust me?"
" This is not the time to ask me that.."
" Do you trust me?"
" Of course.. now get out of there.."
" You come here first.."

She stepped back in horror. This guy has gone mad!!

" Makino, if you trusted me enough, you'd know that I would not hurt you. Now, come here."

Reluctantly, she obeyed. Standing on the ledge, she did not dare to look down.

" I really hope that you know what you are doing."
" Hug me."
" Huh.. what are you getting at, you pervert? You just kissed me without consent and now you want me to hug you. You must be thinking up kinky things in your big squid like head of yours."
" Are you finished? I said if you trusted me, you'd listen to what I say.. I promised I won't let anything bad happen to you, so now come here and I'll show you." He extended his hand towards her. Cautiously, she grabbed it and to her surprise, he wrenched her hand towards him causing her to fall against him. Scooping her up, Doumyouji jumped over the ledge.

"Arghh!!!!!!" she screamed with all her might.

Much to her surprise, they fell into a soft, bouncy canopy where both of them slide until they got to the edge. Makino screamed in horror, gripping Doumyouji's neck really tightly, she did even dare to look where they were going. At the side of the canopy, Doumyouji launched themselves forward and they landed safely on top of a delivery truck full of empty cardboard boxes. " Whoa.. We are really lucky that we have this boxes to soften our fall.. I thought we would have plunged straight onto the ground."
" You!! You really scared the lights out of me. What did you think when you jumped just now? That canopy could have ripped and we'd have fallen three floors down. If there was no truck, you could have broken your leg.. or even your neck.. you stupid ass.."
" Since you can still nag, I guessed you were all right."
" What do you mean I am all right? We better get down this truck.. what would people say when they see us?"

Doumyouji tried to get up but he fell back, cursing under his breath. " What is it? Oh my.. you're hurt."
" Just a sprained ankle. I guessed it was not a perfect landing at all."
" Well, serve you right for thinking up this brilliant escape plane." She yanked his arm and placed it over her shoulder. " Hey.. let go of me.. This is embarrassing. "
" Well I listened to your brilliant plan. Now, it's your turn to listen to me!!" That effectively silenced him. As they made their way towards the school entrance, he told her to stop.
" What now?"
" Wait a minute," then he brought out his hand phone from his side jeans pocket and punched in some numbers. " Omae.. pick us up in front school. NOW!!"

Staring at him in total disbelief, she screamed, " Why didn't you tell me that you had a hand phone with you all this time?"
" Well, you did not ask."
" We could have easily called for help.. you stupid pig head!! And we wouldn't have to jump down that building.. and you wouldn't have sprained your ankle.. How did you became so stupid don't know..." Shhh.. He placed a finger on Makino's lips. Surprised, she became quiet. " I promised you will be all right. And you were. I protected you from the fall, didn't I? That jump proved that you trusted me enough even with your life. I just wanted to know that. That was more important to me than getting myself killed."

Doumyouji.. kimi o baka..

As his driver helped him inside the car, he asked whether she wanted to come along to his house. " You'd let me come too..?" He shrugged. " Tama have been nagging me that it has been a long time since the last time she saw you. I guessed you better come too. After all, I needed someone else to answer her question. She'll have a fit when she sees me like this.. "
" Tama?? Who's that?"
" oops.. sorry.. I guess I'll tell you on the way. So, come on, we haven't got all day."

All the way to Doumyouji's house, Makino could not help thinking that Doumyouji looked so adorable when he said those words just now.

I could see why Umi liked him so much. Perhaps that was what made me like him before. Perhaps that what's making me liking him right now. His honest words.. always sounding as if he risked all his life on saying those words to me. So endearing.. wait a minute.. what the hell I am saying.. don't that sound as if I am falling for Doumyouji.. Ridiculous,,

As they arrive at the Doumyouji's residence, Makino was awed by the huge, magnificent splendor he called his home. She was almost afraid to get out of the car.

" Makino.. you're coming or not.."
" I'm coming.. I'm coming..."

Inside, all his servants greeted her.

" Makino senpai.. it has been a while."
" You looked thinner," another exclaimed.
" Look senpai.. Remember this vase? You broke it the last time and I glued it back.."

" Silence all of you.." A stern, steel voice boomed throughout the massive hall. Makino saw a frail old lady, leaning on a walking stick as she descended from the main stair case.

" Haven't I told you that Makino have lost her memory recently and that if she came here, I forbid you from overwhelming her with your silly antics."
" But Tama.. we all have been missing her.."
" Are you disobeying my orders..?" They shook their head in unison, " No, Tama-senpai."

Tama turned towards Makino, then she took one look at the young master before saying, "What is it this time? Another fight.."
" Doumyouji fell and landed hard spraining his ankle. It really was not even his fault although.."
" Makino-san, did I ask you? I was asking this stupid boy .." With that she pinched Doumyouji's ears causing him yelping in pain, Makino stifled her laughter, not daring to offend Tama any more than she should. Whoa, this lady weren't even scared of Doumyouji. She must be someone to be reckoned with.

As she helped Tama with the bandages and medicine, Makino could not help but felt intimidated by this old dignified lady. But she caught Makino unaware when suddenly she asked her, " How much have you remembered so far?"
" err.. not much.. Tama-senpai.."
" Doumyouji?" She shook her head. The old lady sighed. " No wonder that boy was not himself lately. No matter.. I'm positive that soon you'd learn to love him the way you did before."
" Tama-senpai.. how come you're so sure?"
" Makino, love is not about memories. It's about feeling of two people. He loved you. You loved him. Simple as that." But..
" Now you go in and tended on his ankle. "
" But why me.." Before she could protest, Tama already pushed her into Doumyouji's room.

Doumyouji was in his bed, his swollen foot were propped out on a pillow. He screamed in pain as she carefully bandaged his foot. Although, to tell the truth, since this is Makino, she was not being gentle at all as she was not paying any attention to him. She was still thinking of what Tama had just said. Poor Doumyouji just had to be the one to suffer.

" Makino.."
" Huh.."
" Are you still angry with me?"
" No.. what made you say that.."
" Because it hurt!! Pig Head..!"
" Watch it.. idiot or I will be much rougher than this." After she finished, she looked up. Their eyes met. Both looking away blushing.

" Err.. I guess.. you're leaving now." She nodded.
" Tama will escort you out. Thanks for helping me with this."
" Oh it's all right even if it was indeed your fault.."
" Makino.."
" But I did had fun today.." He was left speechless. " I.. I am going to sleep.." Pulling up his covers, he buried his head onto his pillow, his back against Makino, trying really hard to hide his blushing bright red face. Makino, also anxious, mumbled something about having to go back to school. Just as she was leaving, her eye caught sight of the telescope next to the glass sliding door. The one in that dream.

" Doumyouji.."
" Hmmph.." his voice from under the covers.
" You were deliberately avoiding me, didn't you?"
Under the covers, he did not reply. " I .. I just wish.. you won't do that anymore. Whatever happened between us. You are still a great friend to me. So.. next time.. could you not act as if I was invisible all the time? I really liked our talk today. Maybe we could do that again next time.."

After Makino had left.. Doumyouji just lay there alone with his thoughts..

I.. how can I act normal when each time seeing you with Rui, I was so mad that I hardly can even think? I have promised Rui but to keep it, it is draining all my strength just to watch and do nothing. Today, had been so special. It was just like old times. Where there was just you and me. And nothing in this world is in between.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I owed my sensei Judith McNaught, Nora Roberts and Jude Devereaux whose books thought me how to do really waffy kissing scenes with flair. I know the part with Sakurako, Asai and her cronies kind of doesn't make sense but then again their reasons always don't make any sense.. haha

no chapter previews this time again..