02.06.2004 – Beta-ed by Kyaa-Kyaff. Thank you very much, girl. You're awesome!
Searching for a New Heart
By: Sissi
Disclaimer: MKR is not mine.
Chapter Eight
I stared at the white ceiling covered with fluorescent stars and moons Ascot had glued some time ago. It wasn't night yet, so I couldn't witness the magic they created once the light was gone and darkness threaded into the room, consuming anything with a brightness of its own. Ascot had said that it resembled what a real sky should look like. I turned my head to my right and watched Ascot sitting on his chair, back hunched over the keyboard, fingers typing quickly an e-mail he was going to send to his friend on the other side of the world. Was it Canada or USA?
I kept watching him until he raised his head, shook it slightly as if organizing his thoughts – something he usually did when studying for tests – and turned his grinning face to me. I lifted an eyebrow at him, asking quietly what was the matter.
"Kyle said his father would let him come to Japan once his tests are over," he informed me. I nodded in reply and moved my eyes back to the ceiling. It wasn't not like I didn't care what Ascot said, I did. The problem was that, usually, what he said was not very relevant, at least, not to me, so there was nothing much I could do other than nod and say something resembling to 'great' or 'wow, are you serious?', etc. I usually replied with the last remark, but today, I wasn't feeling particularly excited or energetic enough to talk like that, so I simply chose the simplest answer.
Strange how one can waste an entire second wondering why one answered like this and not like that. Well, I remember when I was twelve and one day, my friends told me I had a very strange taste. Oh, don't look at me as if I were a weirdo, or even worse, don't look at me as if I were a pervert, it's not what you are thinking, not at all. What my friends meant was that I had this strange tendency to be quite unusual, like thinking about issues which are not important, or which people often do not think about. Of course, they also had in mind the fact that I liked the idea of the existence of angels and the fact that I sort of worshiped Lucifer who was a fallen angel and tried to be God himself. So, in a nutshell, I liked darkness and light at the same time. But, think with me, if there weren't darkness, we wouldn't be able to say that there is lightn in the world because we wouldn't know what light would be. I mean, how can you say some food is sweet if you do not know what sour tastes like?
Okay, you can call me crazy now, I admit: I am crazy. Oh, by the way, I enjoy reading stories with werewolves, vampires, pirates and high school teenagers, especially the ones who are witty and have a mind of their own. I've always liked girls who have a strong spirit, and have no fear of what may come.
"Hey, do you want to go to the mall? I need to buy some new Cd's..." Ascot trailed off, grabbing his wallet and checking his money. He licked his lips as he finished counting.
"Sure, why not? How much do you have?" I asked, raising my head from the pillow and looking at him curiously. He shrugged in my direction.
"Not much, but I think it will be enough," he answered me, placing the dark leather wallet inside his bag and standing up, yawning as time seemed to finally affect his body. He scratched one eye and approached me until he was beside me.
Suddenly, my cell phone rang. Ascot watched me with teasing eyes as I fumbled with my bag, seeking for the damn machine. He laughed when I finally found it and he almost fell to the floor as he saw my look of relief once the song stopped and silence permeated the air. I glanced quickly at him, trying my best to send him my worst glare. He only laughed more at my futile attempt. I sighed. It's nobody's fault other than mine, I should have remembered to change the song which starts to play when someone calls, but, with everything that has happened lately, I just forgot to do this little issue and now, I can't help but feel my cheeks warm as I press the 'talk' button. Fortunately enough, Ascot was the one who has listened to this awful song, and not anyone else.
You may be asking yourself, if this song is so terrible, why did I have it recorded on my phone and not recorded one I actually liked? Great question, my friend, and now, I will answer you with my most honest answer. It was my sister who put this damn song in my phone, not me. It's true! You don't believe me? It's not like I can change your mind, but do you think a man of fifteen years old would listen to A Whole New World? I'm not saying the song isn't good but seriously though, do I look like one of those mushy guys who just love giving flowers to their girlfriends? Don't answer me, I don't want to hear your answer.
"Hello?" I asked, glaring once more at Ascot. He simply laughed at me and waved his hand, mocking me. I closed my eyes and waited as the voice on the other line spoke. Ascot stopped teasing me as he saw me blanch. He walked to my side and awaited for the news.
I pressed the 'end' button and finished the call. Ascot watched me with worried eyes.
"What's happened?" he asked me quietly. I turned my face towards him and sighed.
"It's Emeraude. Zagato's just called to tell me he's coming to take me to the hospital. Emerald's gonna return home today," I answered him, placing the cell phone on the bed. My best friend stared at me for an entire second, his mouth wide open and body paralyzed as if a lightning had stricken him and burned his system. His zoned back to reality and blinked for several times until he reached for the collarbone of my shirt and shook me with force. I closed my eyes as I felt dizzy, and grabbed his shoulders so he would let me breathe appropriately.
"Dude, you almost killed me with suspense!! And I thought it was something serious..." he muttered under his breath. I straighted the collarbone of my shirt and eyed him with the corner of my eyes, not forgetting I had almost passed due to his actions.
"You say this because you haven't met Zagato yet," I replied defensively. Ascot eyed me, laughed and patted me on the back, shaking his head as if I had made the biggest joke ever. What have I said to make him look at me as if I were the biggest clown in town? I felt like I had one of those fake red round noses on my face.
"What?" I asked him, not liking the humorous shine he had in his eyes. He grinned at my discomfort.
"Nothing. I just thought you liked Zagato. I remember when you told me he was the right man for your sis, I've never thought you were jealous of him," he said, grinning as I paled.
"Hey!" I interrupted him, lifting my arms in defense, "I'm not jealous, I just feel intimidated when I'm with him," I confessed, not liking the part where I admitted he made me discomfortable. Sure, I am an intelligent boy with a body to die for, but Zagato towered me by a head and was much stronger than me. I would swear the guy passed his entire day in a gym had I not witnessed how he enjoyed passing his day studying and reading books. Well, I guess some people were born with special gifts, and he was one of them. What can I do? Keep doing physical exercises, of course!
"Well, if you say so..." and I noticed quite easily the implicit message he's telling me. It's not that hard, really, especially when dealing with Ascot. He can't lie or be ironic without being too explicit. He's way too honest to be able to lie like a corrupt politician. Oops, bad example, I think.
"So, are you still going to the mall or not?"
"Nope, I can't. Zagato's arriving..." I turn my eyes to my wristwatch and count five seconds, "... now." And, as if on cue, we heard a loud buzz outside the house and my friend rushed to the window only to see a dark blue Lexus parked near the house, with a tall man wearing dark glasses stepping out of the car and walking directly towards the house. Yeah, this is Zagato, for the guys who hasn't met him yet. Tall, dark, with long hair and mysterious eyes ( this was what my sister had labeled him, not me. Don't start getting any ideas, okay? ).
"Well, I've gotta go, pal," I said. Our fists connected with a small thud, our own way of saying see you later, and I started to walk downstairs, where a lively Caldina, Ascot's older sister, was currently trying to make Zagato stay for the dinner. My sister's boyfriend nodded in my direction and excusing us for the whole trouble, we headed to his car. I opened the front door and sat beside him, placing my schoolbag on my lap. He revved the engine, and drove the vehicle calmly through the sinuous roads.
"How are you, Ferio?" Zagato asked me. I shrugged, not very excited about the conversation. It's hard to talk to someone when he's older than you by five or six years, and add the fact that he's not entirely interested in you but in your sister.
"Fine, I guess."
"How's school?" Have I already told you that he's also a brainy man who'd aced all his tests when he was in high school? Yeah, I think some people are just perfect while others have to work on almost everything Nature has bestowed upon them. Luckily, I'm not one with too many problems, except for the arrogance thing. Well, this was what Emeraude once told me, but I don't agree with her. I'm not arrogant at all, I'm just a little...well, I like to show others how much I know about some certain subject, that's all. Arrogance? Humph, as if...
"So-so."
"Dating?"
I averted my eyes and watched the road. My fingers would not stay still, and not too surprisingly, I found myself playing with the keys of home. Damn my nerves!
"Not at the moment," I replied rather too quickly. Zagato gazed at me for a moment, however, his attention was pulled back to the road as the red light turned into green and the car started moving again. I sighed in relief, though I should not have myself sound too crystal clear in my intentions, for he eyed me quickly and continued driving.
I could feel my blood pumping in my veins, and how cold I felt even though I knew my heart was racing like crazy. I think I should be sent to a hospital, for I must be a new type of human being who doesn't have warm blood, but instead, has cold blood just like reptiles.
He parked the car near the hospital and I opened the door quite gladly. The sun met my cold face and I felt warmth seeping into my body, like a hot wave crushing against a shore covered with snow, melting the solid water. I slung my schoolbag over my shoulder and followed Zagato, whose firm steps called people's attention. He looked like a perfect businessman, barely noticing what surrounded him, instead focused on his main target.
I smiled at the nurses who greeted me with winks and smiles. It was always nice to know one can greet such nice people in such a terrible place. I don't know if I should say that hospitals are terrifying, but the main idea they send us when we hear a relative is in the hospital is that death is approaching. It's melodramatic, I am aware of this, yet, it is somehow true. Hospitals smell of death, whether one likes it or not.
"Hey guys," Emeraude greeted us. She kissed Zagato's cheek and I sat on a chair near her bed, while Zagato sat on the edge of her bed, taking her hand in his own. She looked gratefully at him and turned her attention to me, grinning as she noticed my discomfort.
Zagato stood up and walked to her side, reaching for her suitcases which the nurses had helped packing. Emeraude hadn't brought too many clothes, not when compared to her wardrobe. The suitcases were not too heavy, and Zagato and I brought them to his car. We loaded them some minutes later, seeking for the best way to keep them all neat and safe in the trunk, and entered the car, me in the back while Emeraude sat beside her boyfriend. I ran a hand through my hair and stared outside. It was a beautiful day, it would not rain for the next few days.
Emeraude turned her face and watched me with kind eyes. I nodded in her direction. She reached for her pocket and gave me a postcard, from our parents. It had a beach in the cover, with a startling blue sky with some white clouds, an endless deep ocean, and in the back, mom's handwriting was as clear as the day. I ran my eyes through the short text and gave it back to Emeraude. It didn't say much, only that they would stay away for one more month. They had enjoyed their stay in Brazil and wanted to enjoy the summer as the weather here and there are exactly the opposite. Okay, not exactly the opposite, but with a relatively good difference.
"Did you see the PS in the end of the message?" my sister asked me. I lifted one eyebrow, eying her questioningly. She tilted her head to the side, a mischievous smile spreading and setting on her pink lips. I embraced my seat as I waited for her words.
"They have invited us to go there and stay for a week. They miss us," she whispered the last sentence, her eyes glassing over and images of happy family scenes playing in her mind. I frowned at her romantic perspective of life and crossed my arms over my chest.
"I like Japan," I told her, eyes as hard as stone. She frowned at my decision, not liking my answer at all.
"But I want to go there, and we're going TOGETHER," she emphasized the last word, her voice thick with authority. I wanted to scowl at her words, but her boyfriend beside her and her being my older sister totally blew off my idea. I settled on trying to look tough and unmovable on my decision, even though I knew my insides were trembling with fear.
"No."
"Yes."
"No," I hissed under my breath, and slowly, I felt something liquid trail down my cheek. I touched it and discovered, to my horror, that it was my sweat. I widened my eyes and gazed timidly at my sister, who was grinning from ear to ear. No!! I shouted in mind, positively sure that my unbreakable air of superiority and authority had been shattered as easily as a glass being thrown against a hard wall.
"Yes! We're going to Brazil!" she cried out happily, clapping her hands together and commenting on how wonderful the trip sounded. I sunk further into my seat and let my lips pout slightly in defeat. I eyed the happy couple in front of me and scowled. It's beside the point the fact that Zagato merely nodded to Emeraude as she kept on telling him how wonderful it would all be, not smiling or looking happy at all.
It had nothing to do with them, but I felt something was wrong with me in the inside. I felt like I was incomplete, as if I needed something else to complement me. I stared at the buildings which we passed by and wondered how I had managed to live in such a gray and boring city. Of course, I can't say nothing ever happens, or that I don't have great friends living in this city, but Tokyo suddenly looked too... gray.
Well, I thought to myself, maybe a change in the environment won't be that bad. The idea started to creep into my mind and I found myself enjoying the prospect of sun and a blue ocean in front of me, with humid breeze gently touching my face. I smiled and licked my lips, anticipating the warm and fuzzy feeling of being in a tropical country with no worry marring my being.
I watched the sun, its gold ray lights illuminating the dark buildings and casting silvery shadows on the windows. I palled as the gold colour reminded me of someone and I shook my head, resting them between my hands. Oh boy, I can't believe I forgot about leaving her behind.
I scratched my head in deep thought. It might not be that bad, I told myself not too reassuringly. I will be away for a couple of days, unless Emeraude decides to stay there for a longer period of time, which I don't think she will. After all, we still have classes. Hmm, by the way, how is she going to make it possible for us to travel abroad when we still have classes to attend?
"Sis? We still have classes, you know," I told her. She flipped her hand away, dismissing my unimportant – from her point of view – comment as if it were a tiny fly perturbing her meal.
"Mom's sent us a letter where she allows us to miss an entire week of school," she replied camly, turning her gaze back to the road. She leaned her body over the radio and turned it on. J-pop music started to play and invade our senses, and unconsciously, my feet started to move with the rhythm.
"But don't worry, we're going to stay in Japan for one more week until I have everything prepared for the trip," she said.
"Okay," I answered not too enthusiastically. One would have thought she was giving me my death sentence when, in reality, it was more of a gift than anything else. Just remember that it all depends on the person and his point of view. And the circumstances, I must add.
We stopped in front of our apartment and Zagato stepped out. I opened the door as well and stopped right in my tracks. Someone I had not thought about for two days was right in front of me. She was surprised as well, with her rosy lips parted and wide eyes staring back at me. Beside her was her best friend, Hikaru. The latter one waved and ran to me until she was standing in my front, taking my hand in hers and leading me to her other friend. I gulped and straightened my stance. I was going to show who Ferio really was.
"Hey, Umi! Look who's here!" Hikaru exclaimed happily. She hadn't noticed the tension in the air yet, but I didn't think she would have even if we were carrying weapons and pointed them at each other. She's way too trusting a person, just like Ascot.
"Umi," I drawled. She nodded stiffly at me, and we gazed at each other's eyes, seeking for any weakness the other may possess. I was about to say something – which I forgot seconds later – when a feminine voice called Umi's name. The blue-haired girl turned her head and smiled, and when I saw her lips lift upwards, I had to admit that she was a cute girl, even though I didn't like her personality that much. For God's sake, she had accused me of harming Fuu the other day!
"Emeraude!" Umi yelled, opening her arms and hugging my sister, whispering words of congratulations for leaving the hospital. Hikaru touched my arm and I arched an eyebrow.
"We're here to see her. Umi met her when visiting Fuu. Who's she?" she asked.
"My older sister, Emeraude. Come on, I'll introduce you to her," I said, taking her hand in mine. I walked to the girls who were still embracing each other and I coughed. They loosened the hold they had on each other and Emeraude smiled when she saw Hikaru. I almost smiled as well. Hikaru was such an adorable girl, it's hard not to get swept by her contagious personality and happiness. Sometimes, I wonder whether she's always happy or not. Maybe, it might be one of her facades, for everyone expects to find this hyper girl always in a good and optimistic mood. I hope this is her true self not only a mask of hers.
"Sis, this is Hikaru. Hikaru, this is my sister, Emeraude." Hikaru bowed low and raised her red head seconds later, shaking my sister's hand with all her energy. Emeraude watched, amused, the girl, and I felt like this was just a perfect moment to take a photo. One of those kodak moments, I guess.
"Come on in," my sister said, pushing the visitors inside, literally. We all entered the tiny elevator and waited until it reached the floor of our apartment. It opened its metallic doors and we all stepped out, leaving the cold cubicle as empty as we had found it. My sister opened the door and we all entered.
Emeraude stood in the middle of the living-room, gazing adoringly at our furniture, at the carpet, at the windows, at the few paintings on the wall – most of them she had painted while she had been taking painting classes – and at the vase with some flowers in the middle of the room, giving some life to the space.
"Sis?" I asked her, tapping her shoulder out of curiosity. She looked like she had frozen in time, her shiny eyes lost to a wonderful world where no sorrow could invade it. I wish such a place existed, though I know it doesn't. There's no happiness without sadness.
"I've missed home," she whispered, and I barely heard her words so low were they. She sat on the couch and stared at the flowers. She's always loved them, for they reminded her of purity and something akin to the innocence of children, even though I have no idea how she manages to see so much within a mere flower. I remember when we were small and she often went to the garden to see the dew that had formed in the early dawn and which was hanging on the petals of various flowers, her favourite being roses. She used to yell happily that the roses resembled to coloured glass with tears marring its surface. Profound, isn't it? My sister has always been a very mature person, however, I agree with you that she has her moments of immaturity.
"Emeraude? Where's the kitchen?" Umi asked from the doorway. I walked to her and motioned for her to follow me. We walked in silence, for Hikaru had decided to go to the veranda, the place she suddenly had named her own. I didn't really mind, it was not my favourite place, after all.
"Here," I offered a glass of water to Umi. She accepted it and sipped some of it, tasting the liquid. I frowned. Taste water? Who does this?
"What?" she asked me, eying me suspiciously. I shrugged, with nothing witty to retort. She placed the now empty glass on the counter and rested her hands behind her back. She sighed and flipped some strands of hair out of her face.
"If you're still mad at me about the other day, I'm sorry," she started, and I would have cried out loud that this girl had recovered from a certain madness which had made her speak nonsense – I would have said this, I swear – when she continued, "but I care about Fuu, so just don't interfere too much."
Do you know when you see a huge lake with crystalline water in a hot summer day? What would one do when setting one's eyes upon it? Fly towards it and jump into the water, right? Well, now you can see why I suddenly felt something snap inside of me, because this turned into something awfully funny – dark humour, I must say. This girl was telling me that it was okay befriending her friend but that I couldn't thrive for anything else, for anything deeper or meaningful. In other words, being a best friend or a possible boyfriend was out of the question.
I laughed. Oh yes, I did, I started laughing out loud, shocking this girl as my laughter permeated the air and shook the walls with its intensity. She shut her mouth, cleaned her dress from any dirt it had – none at all – and walked back to the living-room, looking just as fine and regal as she had always looked. Just like a queen. Before she could escape me, I caught her wrist and took her protesting form to my bedroom.
She yelled at me when I tossed her to my bed, her long blue hair flying in the air, creating the illusion of water falling around her. As I approached her lithe form, eyes ablaze and posture as stiff as a stone, she shook with anticipation and fear, widening her own eyes and placing her hands protectively over her chest. Her heart pulsed quickly as with each step, I got nearer to her. Her breathing was rapid and hard, and when I was near enough, I smirked evilly, showing my pure white teeth in the process.
She squeaked and trembled, blanching considerably.
Have I already told you how much I enjoy setting fear on other people? No? Well, now you know this little secret of mine. And I am enjoying immensely this sight right in front of me.
I licked my lips and reached the bed. I crawled on it until I was extremely near her and then, I moved my body until it was positioned above hers. I lowered my head until my lips brushed her ears, and slowly, I opened my mouth. My breath tingled her sensitive skin and she bit her lip, hard. I only smiled.
"Do you have any idea of how you make me feel?" I asked huskily, my voice as low and rough as I could muster. She shook her head slowly. She lifted her eyes and met mine. Blue met gold, the perfect match for a sunny day. I smirked and lowered my face once more, until our noses touched each other, and only one centimetre separated our humid lips. I placed my hands over her shoulders, massaging the soft flesh beneath my hands.
"Do you want to know?" I drawled sexily. She nodded faintly and I grinned inwardly.
It was time for the show.
TBC
Response to Reviews:
Crazyicetenshi: Lol, yeah, a jealous Ferio is always fun to read, isn't it? Fuu/Eagle is also nice, but now, I am going to centre the story on Fuu/Ferio. Thanks for the review!
Sweety: Hey, girl! Don't worry, Fuu and Ferio will end up together, I promise. This is a Fuu/Ferio fic, after all and yes, they are a cute couple. My favourite MKR couple, in fact. And c'mon, Brazil is certainly a beautiful country, I live there as well! Lol.
Alimoe =0D: Lol, girl, your review just made me laugh and bright my day. The chapter had some hilarious moments, so I think you had gotten the right idea of the chapter. Well, let's see if this chapter is as funny as the previous one, neh? Oh, anf you'll certainly get shocked when you reach the end of this chapter, because it will get darker...or should I say limey? Lol.
Sprout: You're welcome, and heré chapter eight! Yay!
Sylversuicune: Thanks for the compliment, and here's the next chapter!
Misanagi: Lol, well, what can I say? Chapter eight, here we go!
Evanscences: Thank you for your kind words and here's chapter eight.
Hikaru29: Lol. Yup, Ferio's messing with Fuu's head, and it is always fun to see it. I am in a good mood right now, so I'll think about giving Fuu a nice ending. I wouldn't want to see many people crying were she to die, neh? Besides... Fuu and Ferio are sooooo cute together!!
Liadel:*smiles* I love Fuu as well, and here's the next chapter!!
Xinderella: Thanks for your kind words and here's the next chapter. Oh, and I am always willing to hear constructive criticism, and thanks for your advice. I used a spellchecker for this chapter, but it only corrected spelling mistakes. Do you know any program which corrects grammas mistakes as well? If you do, please tell me where I can get, it, please? Thanks for the review!!
And now, I wish you all a late Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!! May everyone have their wishes come true and may we all have peace in 2004.
Love,
Sissi