A Secret of Love
Chapter 2
When the sun comes out, and winter's white cloth fades into a blanket of color, all know that spring has come forth from its resting place. But soon, spring becomes summer, and with summer comes warm beautiful weather, whose addicting allure draws all, far and near into its presences.
This meant, for the residents at the Yagyu manor, that Shin wasn't the only one who could have fun at the lake.
"Banzai!!!"
A large splash erupted from the lake, as the bearer of Kongo demonstrated his ability to successfully perform a canon ball.
"Ahh! Shuu!!!"
Much laughter rose from the watery surface, as the three boys, Shuu, Touma, and Shin, played like children under the hot sun.
Upon the shore, Seiji laid sun bathing on a lawn chair, while Ryo and Nasuti approach caring food and towels.
"Thanks again Ryo."
"Ah, don't mention it Nasuti. Just as long as there is something in here that's worth it."
"Sandwiches and sodas sound good?"
"Yep!" The two reached their camp spot, and set their things down.
Ryo stretched, reaching up his arms as high as they would go, "Man, that thing is heavier then it looks," he kicked at the cooler.
"Now you know why I didn't carry it," Nasuti sat down upon the second lawn chair, and began to search though her bag of towels for the sun tan lotion she threw in at the last moment.
"Mmmm, that sun feels good!" she stared at Ryo for a moment, and just to admire the young man. He, like the others was well built, and nicely tanned, and along with his tiger blue eyes, jet black hair, (which was due for another cut) very well made him any teenage girl's dream guy.
'And here I am living with five dreamboats, and yet I am still single!' Truth be told, she did have a little bit of a crush on Ryo when she first met him, but soon learned that they couldn't possibly have more of a relationship, of that, of a brother and sister. But, she was happier this way.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"Oh nothing. Ryo, do you happen to know what's been brothering Shin lately?"
"Something's bothering Shin?"
"I'm not sure, but lately he has been acting sort of distance. Like there is really something bothering him."
"It's probably nothing," he waved her off, "You know Shin, if there is something wrong, he'll tell us eventually."
"Your right, but . . . I still can't help but worry," a shadow was cast before her, and his hand met her shoulder.
"Tell you what Nausti, I'll talk to him, and see if there really is something up with him, kay?"
She smiles softly at him, "Thank you Ryo, you have no clue how much I appreciate this."
"Ahh, don't mention it. Now, if you excuses me," tossing off his shirt, he raced towards the lake, and with a mighty leap, created a splash that could rival Shuu's.
They all seemed to be having so much fun. All but one anyways. To her left, lay Seiji, with his back to the sun, and his arms cradle under his head, looked to have fallen into a light sleep under the warm sunlight.
His face was turned to face her, but his eyes remained hidden though close lids and golden hair. She didn't believe she would ever be able to understand Date Seiji. Every time she had some sense of who he was, he did something to change that outlook around.
Take the other day example, when she had just taken Shin up his medicine . . .
With the water boiled, and her teacup set with its drink, she sat herself down at the kitchen table to take a break.
There was something upsetting Shin. And she had no idea why.
Lately, he seemed withdrawn, quiet, and it seemed that often he would drift off into a daydream of his own lost thoughts.
It had her worried.
This was just not like him to be so out of it like he was. She only wished her to find out why, so she could try and help him, if he wanted it.
Footsteps from behind altered her to turn and see who it was.
"Hello Seiji," he just nodded to her as he entered, and made his way towards the fridge, "I made some tea. Your welcome to help yourself if you like?" again, no answer, but she saw him head towards the cabinet where the tea and coffee cups where held.
For as long as Nasuti had known him, she learned that he was one who would keep to himself. Cold and silent was the aura which he held, and she could do nothing more then respect that.
The others, after a time had come to see her as their older sister, and would often playfully tease her, treating her like she was actually family, but not Seiji.
Out of all of them, he was still an enigma to her. Someone who, no matter how long they had known one another, would never see her more or less then an acquaintance.
"How is Shin?" his question came so abruptly, causing her jump slightly
"Oh, well . . ." she sighed, "He's not any better, but not any worst either. Hopefully the medicine will finally start taking affect, and his temperature will go down."
"I see," he takes a sip of his tea, and the room once again returns to silence. How strange that sound was. In a house with five men, plus one oversize cat running around. Silence was definitely a rarity.
"Well," she said getting up, "I better get something started for dinner, before the others get back," she managed to make it to sink, and then she was stop.
Seiji took a hold of Nasuti hand, and turned her to face him, staring down with his violet eyes at her's. For that moment, she was uncertain about what to do.
"You should take care of yourself as well," was all he said, then left.
It took her a full minute to response, "What?"
What did he mean?
Nothing of that day had since been mention, or for that matter understood.
'What did he mean take care of myself? How can I not?' his words, along with what ever was going on with Shin, had become overly frustrating for her to handle.
But today, all she wanted to think about was working on her tan. This was a day that shouldn't be spent on troubles such as those.
With a small click, she opened the lotion's bottle, and rubbed it up and down her arms and around her neck. Her apparel for this sunny day consisted of a red bikini, and a warm yellow and orange sundress, worn over the bathing suite, for conservative reasons.
She was just about to follow Seiji's example, when she noticed something sneaking their way over them.
Shuu and Ryo, like a couple of thieves on the prowl, came tiptoeing forward, and moved to both ends of Seiji's lawn chair.
"Shuu-"
"Shh!"
Slowly the two boys picked up the chair, and moved forward towards the lake, practically snickering the whole way. That is when Seiji finally woke up.
"Huh, what's going- Ahh!!!"
And now we have a very wet and very angry Seiji.
"Shuu, Ryo, you two are going to PAY for that!"
"Oh really!"
Ryo and Shuu then jumped in the lake after him, and began their battle of the splashes, and Nasuti's attack of the giggles.
It must have been the first time she had every heard Seiji shout like that, and thanks goodness those boys were causing quite a commotion, because if any of them had heard her laughing at them, like she was now, then the same fate that happen to Seiji, would have happened to her.
So she simply sat back and watched as the battle unfolded.
The day moved on, and soon, the boys retreated from their watery battlefield, and made their way to shore, where Shuu personally staked claim over the cooler.
Nasuti was sitting at the end of the dock, her feet soaking in the cool waters of the lake, watching the wind play in the trees, and the light of sun slowly moving towards the horizon melting the colors of soft violets and reds meld into the sky above. It scene that played reminded her of her grandfather. At times he would just sit here, with her to just admire what was seen before him.
The thought of her grandfather made her heart sink. She missed him, so much that tears nearly came to falling every time she thought.
"Ahh!" something cold and clammy wrapped around her ankles, scaring at least three years from her life time, as she scramble back onto the dock.
That's when she heard laugher, but not from those around the cooler, but from the lake. From the abyss of the waters, he came forth with a wicked grin.
"Shin! You brat!"
"Brat? I'm a brat now," he pulled him self upon the dock, body wet, and face lighten with sunlight's fading gleam.
"Yes brat! You scared me half to death!" she stomped, and then sat back down on the dock.
"Now now, it was just a little joke, "he sat down beside her, as she refuses to meet his gaze, "I'm sorry. Forgive me?"
'Oh no, not the puppy dog eyes, anything but those.'
"Fine, forgiven, forgotten. But next time you will not be forgiven so easily."
"I understand."
The two just sat there for a while, not saying anything, and quietly watching the lake together.
"So," Nasuti started, "Why aren't you with the others?"
"Why aren't you?"
"I asked you first Shin."
"I just wanted to enjoy the waters by myself for a while."
"I see."
"So, now why are you here out here?"
"I . . . I'm just waiting for the sun set I guess."
"The sun set?"
"Yes. My grandfather and I use to sit here, and watch it together. It sort of has become a tradition I suppose."
"Oh, so that's why I see you out here sometimes," she just nodded, and looked forward. Shin noticed the gradually fall of her expression, "You miss him, don't you?"
She didn't answer at first. Just hung her head, and exhaled softly, "Yes, I do."
"Sorry."
"It's all right. I guess it's just something that you just can't get over. Even after what we have been through."
What they had been though was more then what the normal human psyche could have take. Their engagements with the forces of darkness, which not only meant demons, but mad scientists, and ancient spirits bent on revenge, was something that no needed to have face.
Nasuti and Jun, bystanders caught up in their battles, could do nothing but watch the chaos unfold. Watching evil itself come forth and rage its terror upon the land they knew as home, just as horrible as fighting that evil itself.
A boy whose lost his innocents in fate was forgotten, and a woman who lost her family, because of the darkness that they all had to face.
Something compiled him to embrace her in half hug, encircling her shoulders with his arm. At first, she leaned into him, resting her head onto his shoulder, understanding what he meant with such a gesture. But then she suddenly pushed him back!
"Shin! You're still wet!" her pushed him, falling back to the water.
Laughing, he starting to swim back out, "I think I'll swim for a little longer, save some food for me!" and he was gone, back to his watery depths.
Nasuti stood up, intending to go back to the others, when an idea came to mind. Here she had been, still in her bikini, and had yet never had the chance to use it.
"Oh why not?"
She started on the string straps of her dress, untying each knot with out difficulty, then let garment fall off onto the dock.
'I feel like I'm about to go skinning dipping. Oh, Yagyu! Snap out of it! You're not a teenager anymore!'
Slowly she slipped into lake, and let herself the moment she needed to adjust to climate of the water. It wasn't as cold she expected it to be, but was enough to move the goose bumps up to her skin.
Taking a deep breath, she dunked her self under the water for a while. When it came apparent that she needed air, she pushes herself back up to the surface. It had been awhile since she had her self a swim. She fad always been busy with some sort work or another, or the freeze baby within her forbid her of any such actions.
With out realizing it, she looked to see Shin ahead of her, with a rather surprised expression playing on the corners of his face.
Being a good mood, Nasuti dove under again, intending to stay under longer then before. The world beneath the water was something, one could only experience to imagine. A timeless reality, of never ending thoughts, where all and nothing seemed to exist without reason. A world Nasuti knew little of, but understands why Shin loved it so.
Somewhere, somehow, she sensed that Shin had also dived under with her. She swam only deeper, not wanting to care of the consequences that were to come forth.
She almost felt like a fish, moving through the water like she did. She may never be as great as a swimmer as Shin, but what she could accomplish, she held with pride. That was until; her pride was slash with the lack of lung space she had.
Her heart pulsed again and again, faster and faster, as her chest tightens, and head began to spin from lack of air. She tried to swim back up wards, but her limbs already burn, and the distance she made by swimming downwards subtracted the strength she needed to escape the lake's waters.
Everything felt heavy, was near the point were her lungs could no longer hold the air she was held back. Was this what it was like to die? No, she couldn't, she wouldn't give up!
Fate decided to play a kind hand, as something took hold of her, and raised her back from the dark waters, to the light of what remained of day.
Gasping what she could of the air, in one breath, she clung like a child to whatever had saved her from drowning.
Vaguely, she thought her name being called, and soon, she realized where she exactly was.
"Nasuti! Are you alright?" his blue eyes met her green, as each still fought to catch their breath.
"Yes, I think so," Shin was the one who held her hovering above the lakes surface, "For a moment there, I thought that I was going to-," he was holding her all right. Close enough to feel him fully pressed against her, in their partially clad attire.
They both notice this award scene, and at the same time, the push away from each other with matching blushes!
"Um, I think it's time to head back now."
"Yeah . . ." The two move back for the dock. Shin was first to arrived at the dock, and help Nasuti up when she approached.
"Thanks."
"Welcome. Say Nasuti?"
"Hmm?"
"Where did you learn to swim like that?"
Somewhat surprised by his question, "Well, you don't expect someone to grow up near the lake, and not learn how to swim, right?"
"I guess."
"Shin! Nasuti!" Both heard the call, and look to the others to see Touma signaling them in," You two better hurry up! Shuu just finish his fifth sandwich!"
"It was my sixth!"
"See my point!"
"Hey!"
Laughter came from both of them due to Touma mockery of Shuu's appetite. It was wrong yes, but laughable nonetheless.
"Time to go."
"Umm, Shin?"
"Thanks for saving me," Nasuti nearly whispered. He only smiled, and she smiled back. That was all either of them needed to say.
Night fell shortly after that, as all six of them gathered in the living room of Nasuti's home, to prepare for the movie of the week.
"Where's the popcorn?"
"It's popping Shuu! Be patience!"
"Awww, but the tape's almost rewound!" he whined pathetically to those in the kitchen.
It had become something of a tradition that every other week, they would somehow all find a way to sit down, and watch movie that normally Shuu would rent. There was not really too much of an argument as to why they willingly came together like this, but there was no complaint really.
"Popcorn anyone?" Nasuti appeared form the kitchen doorway, holding a large bowl of popcorn, which was meant to share.
"Yay!" Shuu nearly ran forward to "assist" her with the food, "I'll take that, thank you," before it even left her grasp, Shuu had already taken a hand full of his own, into his mouth.
"Save some for the rest of us man!" the popcorn was taken from him.
"Yeah, Shuu!"
"Hey, what movie did you rent again?" asked Ryo.
"Terrors From Beyond a Bloody Moon!"
"Hold it!" All eyes turned to Nasuti, who had yet to walk three feet into the room, "Shuu is this another horror movie?"
"You bet!"
"Shuu, you know how much I dislike horror flicks!"
"I know, but come on. I heard that it's really good, and it isn't anything like 'Creeping Tidings'," that movie was more of gore and porn then horror, that he had tried to sneak in with out Nasuti knowing, however, because of a little bird named Byakuen, who the others forgot to let out, he was caught red handed, and was forced to do all the house chores the next day!
"Still, it might be better if I were just to spend the evening in my study working-"
"No!" Shuu lunge her, keeping himself in between her and the path to the staircase, "Come on, please watch it with us Nasuti! Please!"
"But Shuu-"
"Oh please, please, please, PLEASE!" he had even gone as far to begging on his knees, to convince her of staying with them.
"Oh Shuu stop it! I don't see why it is so important for me to be here."
"Because if your not, then you'll end up locking yourself in your study till all hours of the night, then complain about back pains from falling asleep at your desk again, Nasuti-san. Besides, are you that afraid of a little horror movie?"
"You should talk about being afraid Touma-san, especial from what I heard from Miyuki-chan."
"Who's Miyuki-chan?" Shuu asked, not seeing Touma's wide eye, shocked expression.
"Oh, she's a sweet girl who works part time at the library. She's always asks me about Touma-san, and how he-"
"You've made your point Nasuti-san," Touma practically growled, sinking further in the chair he was in.
"Oh does Touma have a girlfriend now?"
"Shut up!" he huffed and everyone laughed.
"All right then, I think I'll head upstairs now-," She tried again, but Shuu grabbed a hold of the legs he knelt by, "Shuu!"
"Nasuti please don't leave us!" the man sounded like a two year old with the way he went on with his whining, really giving her no choice.
"Fine, fine you big baby, I'll stay!"
"Thank you!" he stood so quick, and hugged her so tight, that she nearly fell over when he released her, and hoped back down to his station on the floor, in front of the T.V.
She shook her head, and then took the most comfortable available place between Ryo and Shin on the couch, "One condition though! If I have to sit though this, someone is going to have to volunteer to lend me their hand to squeeze when is most necessary!" best way to deal with fear, was to crush the life out of hand next to you. She was half hoping that Shuu would offer.
"Yeah yeah, it's starting!" well, there goes that plan.
The previews started, and all were at their stations. Nasuti, Ryo and Shin on the couch. Touma and Seiji in the chair on opposite sides of the room, with Shuu, lying on his stomach on the floor, eating the popcorn.
"Ahh, don't worry about it Nasuti," one of Ryo's arms stretched out, and rested on the couches head board behind her, within reach of her ear, "Just wait till he passes out, then you can sneak away," he made it sound like some gangster plan, which she giggled about.
"Shh!!!!"
They all fell silent at that point, really having no choice, but to watch the movie presented to them.
It seemed the movie was about some kids in an abandon camp out in the middle of nowhere, with a werewolf close by or something. She had no interested what so ever in the film, and found it more tiresome then scary, she expressed with a yawn.
She felt her eyes go dry, tempting her to close them and just sleep right there on the couch with Ryo and Shin, but an unexpected gesture reawakened her temporarily.
"Can't fall asleep yet," it was a whispered commit, from to Shin and her, and found that her hand had been taking by his. She stared at their hands, and then to him.
"I didn't mean it literary," but that was more then a thought out loud, since neither motion to let go. He turned back to the movie, and she rested her head on his shoulder.
She never really realized how nice of a pillow Shin was.
Hours passed, and finally the movie that had been so waited for ended, with surprising results.
"Well," Shuu stretched, "That wasn't so now bad, now was it guys?" no answer, "Guys?"
All around the room, the sleeping bodies laid, of his once conscience friends, "Ahh I don't believe it! Did everyone pass out on me!?"
"No."
"Seiji? You're awake? You weren't sleeping?"
"I wasn't, I was meditating," he stood with the grace that only Seiji could define, and looked to the others. Touma, with one arm bent on the armrest, with his head in the crook of his arm, fast asleep. Ryo, Shin and Nasuti had all passed out on the couch. Ryo on the right armrest, head titled back on the sofa, and Shin and Nasuti . . .
Well, they almost looked cute. Shin's body seemed to turn enough to give him as much leg room on the couch as possible, while Nasuti looked content to be curled up at his side, with her knees tucked under her, both of their hands still intertwined.
"Guess we gotta' wake them up, eh?" Shuu moved towards Ryo and shock his shoulder, "Dude, movie's over, time to get up," with some groaning, Ryo finally came to, rubbing his eyes as he did.
"What's up?" he said with a yawn.
"It's time for bed."
He nodded, getting up, and rubbing a cramp from his shoulder.
"What about him?" Ryo motion to Touma, who was known to not awaken for any means once he cross the bridge to dream land.
"I got him," He went over to the blue haired boy, and hoisted him over his shoulder, letting the boy totally hang limp, "Night guys."
"Night."
"Night Shuu," now all that was left was Shin and Nasuti.
"I almost hate to do this to them, but-" he was about to nudged Nasuti, but was stopped by Seiji.
"Don't wake her. We all know she doesn't sleep enough anyways," before Ryo could even commit on Seiji's rare act of concern, the blond had already lifted the young women into his arms, in a wedding style hold, and proceed to follow Shuu up the stairs.
Ryo could only watch, "Okay then. Shin? Shin-kun? Wakie wakie buddy" like Shuu, he took a hold of Shin shoulder, and rocked the boy back and forth.
"Huh, what?" he mumble in a daze.
"Time to head up to bed."
"Where's Nasuti?" he asked noticing his heat source missing from his side.
"Already in bed, come on," with little reluctance, the both headed to their rooms, Ryo stopping at Shin's door on the way.
"Hey Shin, has something been bothering you bud?"
"Wha- what do you mean?"
"You have been acting a bit off lately? Is there anything you want to talk about?"
He didn't say anything right away. Just stared away form Ryo's gaze, while he leaned on his and Shuu's door. "No, everything is fine. I've just been a bit tense lately."
"About what?"
"Nothing important, just silly things."
"You sure?"
Shin nodded.
"Alright man. If there is anything you need to talk about, I'm here for ya, kay?"
"Yes, thanks Ryo."
"Night."
"Good Night," Shin bid his tidings, and enter his room, shutting the door behind him.
'Things like this aren't always easy to talk Ryo,' he sighed, 'since the reason why I have this problem . . . is because of you . . .'
Seiji: RYO!!! WHAT DID YOU DO!!!
Ryo: I didn't do anything, I swear!
Seiji" C.G! What do you think your-C.G?
Touma: She's gone.
Shuu: Look, she left a note!
C.G's Note: I am writing this so I cannot be hurt by any of the troopers for what I have done so far in the fic. First off, I don't own you guys (say it Shuu, and I'll make you kiss Touma)
Shuu: GROSS!
C.G's Note: And also, I would like to say this. If Seiji starts another fight with Shin, I'll change my mind about the Semi Shin and Nasuti fic.
Shin: SEMI? I thought this was a me and Nasuti fic!
Seiji: Ooo, maybe this won't be so bad!
Shin: Not if I have anything to say about it!
Nasuti: What else dose it say Shuu?
Seiji and Shin: Nasuti! Twin blushes
Shuu: Nothing else, other then we'll finally figure out what's really bothering Shin, and it has something to do with Ryo.
Nasuti: Ryo?!
Ryo: I didn't do anything!
C.G: Shhhh! I'm hiding in a tree - TBC