Author's Note: Thank you all for all the wonderful wonderful comments! I really had a great time reading them! I do apologise again for the unexpected delay – I could have posted a short chapter on Saturday, but I eventually decided that will be having a cliff-hanger and so I took a little longer to complete a much longer chapter. I hope this meets your preference as well? Thanks again for your understanding … … :)
Kousagi: Ah a new reader! Welcome! At the moment, I haven't really planned for it to be a R/T or R/R fic. More of a R/R at the moment I would think. However, nothing has yet to be decided :)
Watery-Sky: Another new reader! This must be my lucky week. Wow thanks so much for your kind comments – really motivating me to write more. I'm sooo glad that you find it interesting. I hope you won't get bored over the next couple of chapters because they will be somewhat similar to the manga plot though of course I'm adding more "behind the scenes" scenes and interpreting some of them in my own way.
Pure innocence : Definitely! I was like – geez how did you manage to deduce that I was going to make Rui attracted to Tsukushi because of her semblance to one of the girls that made a difference in Rui's life i.e. Shadow? Good on you!
Twilightstarz: Well done! Yes, unfortunately I'm going to follow the plot of the manga, though I promise I'll try to create something new each time. I really hope you won't get bored!
Buzz : Wow another new reader! Yeeeeeeeeeeeeessssssssss! Thanks so much for your comments. I'll really glad you like the idea of Rui workings secretly as an agent, in charge of deciphering codes!
Orenjipanda: I should really go and buy lottery – welcome another new reader! Oops so sorry, I didn't mean to leave a cliffhanger coz you see, I figured that most readers know the story of HYD so you will kind of know what happened next right? I.e. nothing terrible to Tsukushi! Sorry sorry about that, it really wasn't intentional!
Lian: Hi! No actually Shadow is not Tsukushi :) As for Rui's secret – I haven't really thought about that far yet.
Kensingtonkid: Yes you're right! Shadow is not Tsukushi. Say goodbye to the women that were previously in Rui's life – Shizuka and Shadow. We'll be focusing on Tsukushi for a while ne! I'm so glad you liked the chapter! Thank you thank you!
Rui: I don't know why you get so excited about these reviews Sheen, they're all about me and because of me. What role do you play?
Sheen: er … er … well … … yes … … but …
Rui: *in an unnaturally arrogant tone* You should thank me or rather my creator.
Sheen: *bows* Thank you oh revered one … … Would you like me to add more angst to your life.
Rui: *in a warning tone* Don't push your luck too far … …
Sheen: okay okay *surrendering and hiding behind her computer*
Chi5: Hi! It's been a while – have you been abroad? Yes, the story is getting familiar. I'm really going to try to make sure it doesn't get stale though. At the moment, I can't think of how Tsukushi can be Shadow because of the discrepancy between their ages and their experience. However, I guess anything can happen ne?
Piglet: Good to hear from you! Thank you so much! I'm really glad that you "buy" my idea. I have been trying not to get into a plot that would sound too incredulous, that sounds maybe even a teeny weeny bit convincing? I'm so glad you pick up the linkages so readily.
*Yan*: So sorry, I forgot, she's Tsukushi. At the moment, I can't think of how to make her Shadow – hope you aren't too disappointed! And I'm really glad you like this diff POV!
Shopps: Wow, you're really too kind! I'm glad you like both this story as well as POV! I guess POV has a less convoluted plot but is more emotional, but this story is less "moving" in that sense ne? Thanks so much for supporting both of them. And I'm glad you find my "explanations" for Rui's actions/behaviour in the manga convincing.
Toinks: Thanks!!!!!!!!! I'm sooooooooooooooooooooooooo happy that you like the chapter. Hey, I love your story too! It's really good!!! I reviewed both chapters!!
Blackcat: You read my 1st story as well??? Wow, hey thanks !!! I'm so glad you liked that! I was really trying hard in this story to explain all the events that you highlighted in your last review – picking up the trash can and the rescuing of Tsukushi. I'm really glad that you identified with it!!! Thanks so much!!!
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Chapter 16 – Getting Acquainted
"Let her go." I adopted a deceptively casual pose, crossing my arms as I leant against the brick wall.
"Huh? But … … but Doumyouji san … …" The leader was stupid enough to sputter out a mild protest. His voice died away and his face paled when he saw the cold murderous glint in my eyes.
"I said, 'Let her go'." My eyes were twin glaciers, highlighting the fact that my voice was far too calm - dangerously so - and that my stance was just a bit too relaxed. They did not stay to argue. Within seconds, the cowards had vanished completely. My eyes were hard and unforgiving as I continued to gaze in the direction where the louts had scampered, lost in my own thoughts for a moment.
"Th … … thank … … you." A shaky voice brought me back to reality. I straightened up and looked at the small figure huddled on the ground. She was still trembling slightly but had pulled herself to a seating position. My manners took over and I automatically held my hand out to her. With a little hesitation, she placed her small warm hand in mine. I was a bit surprised at its warmth. However, somehow it felt right that her hand should reflect the rest of her personality just as my relatively cold one did. I helped her to her feet and was about to ask her if she was fine when the long lashes lifted and dark brown eyes met mine. The fear had left those eyes and they were looking at me with shock, gratitude and something close to adoration?
Great, the last thing I needed was more hassling from a new addition to my existing "fan club". Immediately, my defence mechanism was turned on. I let go of her hand quickly saying in my coldest tone, "don't get the wrong idea. I simply dislike this sort of thing." I saw something like disappointment darkening her eyes as I turned to leave although her goofy expression still remained.
I shuddered slightly – there was no way I could fit comfortably into the role of a young girl's knight in shinning armour, nor did I want to be a hero. No, thank you indeed. I have enough responsibilities and problems on my shoulders as it is. She will simply have to take care of herself and from what I have seen of her so far, with the exception of foul play, she is fully capable of doing so. Yet, the expression in those brown orbs left a lasting impression in my mind. Somehow, I was disturbed by the fact that she was so pathetically grateful for an act of simple kindness … … No, I flatter myself overly much, it was not even an act of kindness but just the instinctive response of any decent human being. What kind of life did she lead? Did she expect so little? Perhaps it was due to the treatment that she had been receiving in this school to date. My eyes hardened again when I thought of the possible identity of the "mastermind" behind this attack. It was time that my best friend and I had a good talk … …
"Tsukasa." I walked rapidly into his room, neither knocking nor giving the servant a chance to announce my presence. He looked up from the bed where he was lounging, a book held in one hand.
"Rui?" Surprise flashed in those dark eyes for a moment, then his habitual frown fell in place. "Just right. There's something that I need to confer upon you."
For a moment, my anger was replaced by confusion. What on earth could he have that I did not? What would he want to "most graciously" "bestow" on me or "grant" me? However, my confusion lasted only for two seconds, "you mean confer WITH me." I added silently, you idiot.
His frown grew deeper, "it's the same thing!" I was about to assure him that it most definitely was not when he cut me off with, "what's the problem with you? Why did you make me lose face?"
Understanding dawned immediately. So, we were both concerned about the same issue. I glanced at him emotionlessly and decided from the pigheaded expression on his face that this was going to take some time. I sat down on a chair across from him, "I think you went overboard." My voice was cool.
"What do you mean?" Immediately, he jumped up and started roaring in fury. I simply waited for his outburst to subside.
"I would have never thought that you would ever sink so low." I said when he finally paused for breath. Immediately, that set off another tirade. I was rather surprise that he had managed to refrain from using his fists for so long.
"… … NEVER EVER tell me what to do, you low-down skunk!" He yelled as he shook a fist in the air. Thankfully it was nowhere near my face otherwise I would have to retaliate and I really did not want to pick a fight with him unnecessarily.
"That does not apply to rape." That stopped him short.
"WHAT?" The surprise in his voice was genuine. Either that or his acting skills rivaled mine.
"That does not apply to rape." I repeated myself a little more calmly even though my voice was still slightly strained.
"I know what you said," he glared at me but some of the heat had vanished. "What do you mean rape?"
"Your henchman said that you gave orders to rape that new girl."
"Not true! I told them to scare her a little." He was no longer yelling. "I wouldn't do such a thing." I saw the truth of that matter in his honest, open expression that held just a hint of dismay, and of course anger. Anyway, Tsukasa had never lied to me before.
"Fair enough."
Then he spoke again, "hey, I've got his new computer game. Want to try it out?"
"Okay." The matter was closed.
A few days later, I found myself playing my violin at one of my favourite spots on the school grounds. It was a secluded place far from the school buildings overlooking a huge lake where rose bushes were in abundance. I loved the scenery, the quietness and the fragrance of roses that hung in the air. My bow and the fingers on left hand moved swiftly over my violin, each note ringing out clearly even as they flowed smoothly to generate my favourite music. I closed my eyes, losing myself as I played, expressing my pent up emotions through the beautiful sounds. Somehow, the soothing music always had a healing effect on my soul – it was one thing that made school more bearable and helped to fill the void in my life that Shizuka's absence created.
Suddenly, I felt the strange presence of another living soul. My playing stopped as my eyes snapped open. What surprised me was not the sight of the now familiar girl sitting on the bench next to me, but the expression of rapture on her face. She appeared to be just as immersed in my music as myself. The only other girl who has shown appreciation of a similar degree was … … Shizuka. I felt the familiar emptiness as I thought of my absent friend.
"Why did you stop?" She actually had the audacity to ask me the question after sneaking up on me and breaking my concentration, and then reminding me of Shizuka? "Anyway, that was incredible," she continued with a sigh. A slight frown ceased my forehead. What did she know about music anyway? My doubts were confirmed when she chattered on, "so what's that piece called? It's so pretty!"
"Quiet!" Her cheerful voice grated most irritatingly on my nerves. "Why on earth do you have to make such a fuss? What's the great deal about knowing how to play a musical instrument or two?" The disdain in my voice cut her to the quick. Immediately, she lowered her eyes as her face fell and her lips began to quiver a little.
"… … I just wanted to thank you properly for yesterday … …" I had to strain my ears to hear her soft voice. "If you hadn't come, something … … irreversible … … would have happened … … I really appreciate it … …" So she was still naïve … … still untouched. A small voice reminded me again that she was a different person from Shadow and definitely unlike me … … I suddenly had an urge to remove her from my presence and as soon as possible. Something so pure should not be in the presence of something … … not so pure … …
"Maybe I shouldn't." Her eyes flew wide open. "Not if it means you're going to be hanging all over me like a fly now. What's the big deal anyway?" My cynical words made her blink. "It's only your virginity right?"
"B … … but I was really happy." Her words confirmed my suspicions. She did not show any indication that she was about to leave and I did not feel inclined to stay here for a cosy chat with someone who was just a stranger.
"I'll see you again at the stairs!" She called when I turned to leave. My footsteps paused for a second.
"Then I'll stop going there," I said coldly without look at her before walking rapidly away. I was sick of her ability to stir my emotions by her naivety or by the way she kept reminding me of past events and the people who have disappeared (temporarily or otherwise) from my life. Strangely enough, in spite of my attempts to avoid her, she kept turning up one way or another. One reason was probably because of my best friend's strange obsession with her, and he really went out of his way to provoke her. After being forced to observe them in their many arguments, I started to learn quite a few things about her and realised that she quite different from the conniving female population in Etoku.
The similarities between her character and Tsubaki's were pretty uncanny. They were equally loud, vibrant, rash, blunt, straight-forward and, of course, violent. I suspected that Tsukasa's "unique attraction" to her was largely based on his closet sister complex and a previously dormant masochistic streak that was making itself known. However, I had begun to feel a reluctant admiration for her courage and her constant cheerfulness in spite the hardships that fate dealt her. Also, in some ways she reminded me of my best friend, making me feel relaxed in her presence. I mean quite obviously I do see certain "sterling" qualities in Tsukasa that made him my best friend – and I could see them in her as well. The vulnerability that lay beneath that tough exterior, and I could sense her caring nature - the kindness, generosity, warmth and concern for others. Of course, her naivety and straight-forwardness is like a breath of fresh air. And her antics kept me amused. Some examples?
Like the other time when I walked past Tsukasa's house and did a double take when I saw her standing outside, staring at me as if I had descended from the heavens. After the usual polite exchanges, she suddenly asked me a philosophical question that somehow struck a deep chord in me, "do you think there's anything that you can't buy with money?" There were so many answers buzzing in my head. I wanted tell her, "all the important things in life." I wanted to tell her no amount of money can buy courage, kindness, innocence, loyalty, time, life, friendship, love … …
Not wanting to overwhelm her with the depth of my contemplation, I selected the most inanimate and neutral object that I could think of – air – and her face brightened immediately. Somehow, my lips unconsciously responded with one of my rare smiles. I saw those large eyes glaze over as her cheeks turned pink. Her reaction confirmed my suspicions about her little crush on me. Somehow, I found her "transparency" rather endearing and my smile deepened just a little. Okay fine, I might have wanted to see how red she could turn. So shoot me. I am just a human after all and I do have an ego at times. I began to observe her – surreptitiously of course. Whenever the four of us were in her vicinity, her eyes always sought me out. If I caught her in "action" or if she saw me looking at her with my usual emotionless face, she would blush tomato red and quickly look away. Unfortunately, my dense best friend mistook her adoration to be directed at him. Not wanting to disillusion him and not expecting the repercussions that eventuated, I allowed the misunderstanding to persist … …