Title: Changing Fates
by dytia

chapter 9: Sacrifices

Hehehe... to rubymoon... you have to be patient. I never said this is a Rui x Tsukushi or confirmed it'll be Tsukushi X Tsukasa.... Hahaha.. I am evil.. I can't satisfy everyone since Makino cannot pick both of them at the same time... Maybe I'll have one of them pick me instead. (evil laugh)

You see, I am writing this for my primary enjoyment. First of all, it was because I really hate the way Doumyouji not remembering Makino in the manga.. this is my way to avenge Makino... haha.. second.. Rui deserved a break.. he was so wonderful to Makino and there he was pining for her miserably.. it breaks my heart.. third.. I wanted to bash Umi (see.. I got them to slap her twice).. and the final reason was.. I just love Doumyouji the way he got all angsty and struggling to control his violent nature around Makino and Rui...

piglet.. I can't answer your question yet. Just read on, especially this chapter, Makino have started to understand more about her feelings and for who her feelings are.. Hihi... But I can say this, at the end, they ALL remained very much together..

And who said Makino hated Doumyouji? That was just her way of talking with Doumyouji (see she only pick fights with him). I am taking my time torturing them. You see the part I like so much about the two of them was the fact that their chemistry revolved around the fact that they argue with each other so much, it's so adorable.

Have you seen this movie by Sliding Doors? This story worked the same way where one simple incident like missing a bus can change your fate. My story ran parallel to the manga in a weird alternate universe way. I thought I was going to put in the Sara story arc but then again... aaah.. poor Doumyouji had been suffering for so long. I better focus on their story... Oh yeah.. since I let him kiss Makino in the last chappie.. he stopped strangling me. Rui's whimpering in the corner because he hardly sees any action in the last chappie... (*hugz Rui.. poor Rui..)

Please bear with the typo errors and grammar stuff.. I know there's loads of it due to my stubbornness of never rereading my chapters before uploading (I'm so lazy). I'll correct it when I have more time to reread all my past chapters. In the mean time, I am very sorry but just bear wiith it. m^-^m How long until the end..? Heck I could end it now.. just let Makino remembered everything and be done with it.. but where's the fun in it?

* Makino landed a super karate flying kick at dytia!!

dytia: *^*%^ ara... Tsukushi-chan!!!

Now, me all bloodied.. Thank god my limbs still working. See what I have to go through to write this story..

Err.. a slight warning.. some dream sequence contains certain ecchi depiction. Blame all of it due to me reading so many steamy romance novels lately. And.. err .. fan service??

Note to self: Change the ratings into PG-13... wait is it already PG-13??

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" Douumyouji.. You saved me again.."
" Makino.."
" Kiss me again.. you baka.. Make me remember everything about your touch." Doumyouji could feel her melting against him as his lips launched a torrent of lingering passionate kisses over hers. Her fingers slowly traced his taut jaw line and slid around his neck, pulling her upwards.

" Do you remember me now, Makino?"
" Yes.. Doumyouji.. I do... I do... Don't stop.. please.."
" no.. not Doumyouji.. say my name, Makino.. Tsukasa.."
" Yes.. Tsukasa..." Her arms held him closer, her nails digging into his shoulder blades as his hand trailed down her smooth skin, enjoying the way his touch excited her. Slipping his hands under her blouse, Doumyouji hastily fumbled with her bra strap. He could feel her hesitating so he gently whispered to her, "It's all right, Makino." His lips skimmed her neck, raining small tender kisses along the way. She relaxed and snuggled against him closer. As his hand slid under the straps, caressing her naked breast, he could hear her moaning his name in ecstasy, her fingers were tugging on his shirt. Hurriedly, he pulled away and slipped his shirt of revealing his toned male body. (me: sigh... I have a really naughty imagination...). Makino gasped, " You're so beautiful.. Tsukasa.."

Yeah.. I know...

Looking at Makino all disheveled, looking up to him lovingly as if he was the only one she cared in this world, he could not help but be grateful with God and thank him for giving him this goddess like beauty as his girlfriend. " Doumyouji.. why are you stopping? Come to me.." Her beguiling eyes beckoning him.

Without hesitation, Doumyouji lunged towards her only to have him missing the bed, hitting the hard, cold floor.. and with that he woke up... an anguished, painful scream rang through out the whole Doumyouji mansion!!!!!

Tama ran into the young master room alarmed only to find him cursing his luck, his hands gripping his swollen foot. Tama shook her head. " What did you do young master? Fell out of bed again.. You must have had some really kinky dreams just now.."

Blushing bright red, he angrily retorted back, " Why you? What gave you the idea..?"
" Well, for someone who has changed your bed sheets for the last 18 years, I 'd have a clear idea about what young men dream about. But please, your foot could not properly heal if you have rough and tumble dreams like this often.."

He pouted as Tama helped him back into the bed. " Makino has gone back, I assume?"
" Yes, after she left your room, I insisted on her staying for lunch which she happily oblige although it took a lot of persuasion before she agreed."
" You did not tell her anything.. anything to make her remember, did you?"
" I hinted a bit but I think it's better for her to find out on her own."

Just as she turned to leave, she stopped and Tama suddenly said, " Young master.. don't worry. Even though she could not remember you, I could see that she still likes you."
" I don't think so.. She thinks she likes Rui."
" It is one thing to think.. and one thing to act." Slamming the door shut, Doumyouji thought back on her words. He remembered their kiss on the roof top. It was an intoxicating kiss, he was so sure Makino enjoyed it thoroughly just like he did.

sigh.. I'm such a great kisser. Pity that did not wake her memories up.

Then, he smiled devilishly to himself as he recalled his dream just now. Okay, he felt a bit guilty. After all she was not his girlfriend anymore but he could not help the way he acted. He just reacted and yes, when Makino asked then.. that was what playing in his mind.. How would it be like if he kiss her right at that moment? Would she pushed him away and would she kissed him back? He still could feel the sweet taste of her lips tingling on his.

Oh well.. I really should get back to sleep... ;)

And he did not take a long time to fall asleep. (me: ^-^ You didn't think that would happen in real life would you.. Makino would run screaming before he even get to the bra part)

Makino was walking away from Doumyouji's house. Tama offered to get one of the SPs to drive her home but she declined. She shuddered thinking how much that lunch would have cost and to have them drive her back in that limo, that would be too much. In fact, she was so uncomfortable with the trappings of Doumyouji's pampered life, she wondered how could he even survive living like that. Sure, it's wonderful to eat lobster and high quality meat cuts every day, have servants to do your laundry and cleaning after you. But it felt so suffocating.. and lonely. Yes that's what she felt when she first enter the mansion. It was so huge yet the air was as dead as the graveyard. It would be so unbearable to live there...

On the bus, she saw a couple kissing two seats in front of her. How disgusting? How could they do that in broad daylight?

Hey.. speak for yourself.. Condemning other people when you just kissed someone who was not even your boyfriend.

She could feel blood rushing through her face as she remembered their kiss. It was hot and passionate. Just like the one she had in her dream. But it was so good... sigh.. Wait a minute.. Why am I sitting here thinking like some two-timing wife? Arghh... God help me...

* * * * *

The next day, at school, Makino bumped into the F4. She dreaded to confront them but she wanted to see Rui. Bravely, she put on a smiling face and greeted them. Rui asked where did she go missing half way through yesterday's classes. " Your classmates said they have not seen you since recess."
" err.. that.. I suddenly fell sick and went home," she hastily lied. Makino quickly averted her eyes away from Rui's not daring him seeing through her charade. As she looked away, her eyes met caught Doumyouji's. Instantly, both of them turned bright red. Rui saw and nonchalantly asked whether anything had happen between them.

" Of course, not!!!!!!" both said in unison. Sojirou chuckled, " Well, that was so like the old twosome. Are you guys hiding something from us?" Shifting nervously, Makino shook her head. " You must be imagining things." Rui stared at Makino, sensing that she was not being entirely truthful but remained silent. If she wanted to tell me, she would do it herself. I do not need to pry it from her.

(me: ne... Rui just the one who knew her best.. even more than herself)

" Aye.. Doumyouji, as I was saying how did you sprained your ankle." Doumyouji angrily shrugged, "Didn't I tell you I fell out of bed? Stop probing me like some crime suspect."
" Aaah.. and you expect us to buy that. And you were also missing the whole day yesterday too. You two did not by any chance went off frolicking in some place..." said Sojirou. Then, he grabbed Akira, " Makino.. I need to see you. You are so beautiful that I just need to seduce you away from Rui. Come kiss me and I'll make your memories come back."
" Doumyouji, you are so wonderful. Please.. pleaaase.. kiss me senseless."

With their lips just inches away from each other, they were stopped by the combined force of Makino and Doumyouji's super strength fist. (SD shot of Sojirou and Akira with swirly eyes and stars flying around their heads). Sojirou & Akira do a puppy eye at Rui, begging him to save them from Doumyouji's and Makino's wrath. (SD shot: Only to have Rui banging them right on their foreheads causing them to flip backwards and lay sprawled on the corridor floor.)

The three of them turned away from the two bakas without saying anything (with Makino in the middle). Rui asked her if she wanted him to escort her to class, which she politely declined. "After all, Doumyouji needed you to help him move around. With his crutches, it's harder for him to walk."
" Bah.. what do you think I am a big baby? I can take care of myself."
" Oh.. if you really so great at taking care of yourself, you wouldn't have sprained your ankle. And why are you even here? I thought you'd be at home recuperating."
" That's my business.. And while we're at it.. Stop finding my faults, it's annoying."
" I'd stop if you stop aggravating me."

Watching the two arguing, Rui felt as if nothing has changed between Makino and Doumyouji. Even though Makino still thought of him as her boyfriend but when she's with Doumyouji, she suddenly come alive and looking every bit the way the old Makino would.

Perhaps they were better off together.

A voice in his head reprimanded him, "Idiot, are you going to sacrifice yourself yet again? Isn't it time for you to have a little bit of happiness of your own?"

Realizing Rui's silence, she thought that he was angry with her for being too close to Doumyouji. Stepping away from Doumyouji, Makino hurriedly said that she'll be waiting for Rui at their usual place after school. " I have a plan for us this afternoon. I really wanted to show you something."

" What is it?" Makino just smiled mysteriously. " It's a surprise."

As Makino walked away towards her class, Doumyouji stared after her . After she was gone, he looked at Rui, " Sorry for just now. Cannot help it." Rui shrugged. " Well.. I know you cannot let her go just like that."
" You already know that."
" I know Tsukushi best. That's why I can sense that something had happened between you two."
" What do you mean you know her best? You baka... watch what you're saying. Take that back or I feed you to the dogs."

Rui chuckled. " Now that sounded more like the Tsukasa I know. Can you walk?"
" I can walk by myself .."
" Really? So I can leave then.."
" But wait!!!!!!" Rui stopped. " Maybe I need a little help."
" Why didn't you just say so?"
" Stop maligning me, then.." Rui did not retort back, he just flung Doumyouji's left arm over his shoulder, his other arm over the crutch. Together they walked away.

Domyouji thinking to himself, " Rui.. always sacrificing himself for my happiness. Always letting me have the things I want. i didn't want him to do that again. I rather we fight it out against each other."

Rui to himself, " And at the end, perhaps all that's left was for Makino to decide."

Unknown to them, Makino stayed behind and have watched everything. She was so happy that nothing changed between them even if Rui knew that Doumyouji still in love with her. What would happen if she remembers everything? Would she leave Rui?

Makino felt so sad thinking of that. No, I will stand by my decision. I will still choose Rui.

But her heart was telling her otherwise, Doumyouji tender words rang through her head. His touch, his kiss. All of it was strangely familiar to her. It was as if her body was telling her that the person she needed was not Rui. That it was Doumyouji that she needed.

" Makino, get hold of yourself," her conscience reproaching her. " You've made a decision and Makino Tsukushi don't back out of their word. Plus.. what if that you would never remember the rest of your memories? Wouldn't it better to just stay with Rui? It's not like he is a bad person or anything..."

True.. but even now.. I am still not sure of what I am feeling for Rui or even Doumyouji? As long as I stay like this, I could not decide. As long I am still not sure.. I can never see who I really love whether it was Rui or Doumyouji.

Should she sacrifice her love to save their friendship?. She could not bear being without the other. She didn't want them to sacrifice themselves for her happiness. Happiness coming from other people's sadness. If that was the meaning of sacrifices, I don't want it.

* * * * *

That afternoon, she waited for hours but Rui did not show up. Just then Yuki came by and asked her where was Rui. Makino shrugged. A few minutes later, Sojirou came by and asked where the two of them going. Yuki explained that Makino and her plan to take Rui along to a tea ceremony.

" I just joined a tea art club where we go drink tea and eat snacks. It's fun and Makino was thinking of spending more time with Rui."
" Oh, I see. Well, I just saw Rui. He told me that she could not make it. His father called from Tokyo and told him that he had some business to settle. He was sorry that he could not join."
" Oh well. bad luck, I guess. " Then, Yuki timidly looked up to Nishikado.

" Yuki.. what is it? You want to say something?" asked Sojirou. Yuki looked so nervous, Makino pitied her.

" Nishikado, I have a very thick-skinned request."
" It's okay.. Just say it.."
" Ano. if it's all right. since you are here why don't you join us? We need somebody to teach us and since Rui cannot come, how about if you fill in for him?"
" Aye.. if Yuki or Makino don't mind.. I'll gladly go. After all, I still owed you for what happen that morning. I have to express my gratitude some way or other.. if not I'll just feel bad about it." Yuki nodded understanding what Sojirou driving his point at. Makino wondered what were they talking about. It was as if she was and intruder with the two of them having eyes only for each other.

" Ooops... I just remembered. I have to go buy some groceries and there was a sale in that shop near my neighborhood. I better go before all the good vegetables sold out. You guys go along without me. I really have to get going.. Ja ne,' she mumbled before she hurriedly left.
" Tsukushi-chan." Yuki yelled after her but there was no use. She was already gone.

Sojirou shrugged, " Let her go.. I guessed she sees that we need some time alone." Yuki's stained bright red. " Er.. okay.. Let's go."

As they walked on, Sojirou suddenly laughed. Yuki asked what was the matter. " No.. I just thought when you said think-skinned request. I thought you wanted to ask for the standard package.. you know.. unhealthy things. I guessed that was not on your mind at all."

Yuki smiled weakly. " It is all right then, it was at short notice and all.."
" No.. it does not bother me at all. In fact, I was a bit surprised. I didn't know you were in an tea art club?"
" Oh, remember that you once made me tea at your home. To me. it felt so peaceful that time. It made me want to learn more about the art of tea. And then there was this nice senpai I knew that encouraged me a lot. She was the one who started the club. Oh here we are.. Come in.."

And that meeting led to Sojirou's reunion with his childhood sweetheart, Sara who turned out to be Yuki's senpai. Yuki's unrequited love for Sojirou paled compared to his own love for Sara. Yet years have gone by, what would should we expect to come out of this reunion? How about Yuki? Is she sacrificing her love for Sojiroou's happiness?

Will they all realize that in the end? That happiness that came from other people's suffering was not worth having...

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Hehe... since I am so lazy to deal with the Sara story arc, I'll just put bits of it just to keep to the theme of the parallel fate alternate universe.

I know there's not much going on in this chapter. Gomen!! I really should not drag the story on and on.. But I am enjoying this too much.

Maybe I should let Makino remember in the next chappie and then all of you will see whom will she end up with.. Or maybe I'll have Doumyouji running away with some beautiful girl called dytia and they end up living in some secluded island all by themselves.. arghh.. Makino's eyeing me with fury.. not good.. I better go and save myself. Ja ne.