Author's Notes:
Yes! Chapter 3 is up… Finally… It's so wonderful how the summer can make you want to write your own fanfic… And the beach, the beach, it has inspired my thoughts for this fic… Thanks beach! Haha…
Anyways thanks always to my editor Meg for finally, FINALLY finished editing Chapter2!
Hope you like this next chapter. I really worked hard to finish it and my ever hard working editor had to force herself up to finish this to, so you better like it…
I changed the rating to PG because the language might not be so suitable for very young readers… My editor kasi e… (Translation: It's all my editor's fault) But I couldn't have done this without her, thanks always Meg!
Enough of my blabbing around just read it okay? And don't forget to review! (",)
Disclaimer:
Super Gals, Gals, or also know as Super Gals: Kotobuki Ran, is not mine… Satisfied?
Chapter 3: HIGH TIDE
"Of course the whole gang would be there!" Ran screamed.
Aya held the phone away from her ear - she swore that vocal range was enough to permanently render her deaf. "Ran, wait, what are you talking about?"
"Silly! We're going to the beach this weekend! Haven't you been listening to me? Earth to Aya!" She shrieked.
"Oh..." Aya answered, and then asked, almost on impulse, "Will Rei be there?"
"It wouldn't be the whole gang if he weren't there, now would it? Hey, bring Kasuki with you too. It will be fun!" Ran said excitedly.
"I..I..I'll try, Ran."
"All right! I SWEAR, Aya, this weekend will be the best ever!"
"Bye!"
When both of them hung up, Aya looked up and gazed at the blue sky. 'The best ever, huh?"
~~~~~~~~~~~
She had been staring at the phone for the past fifteen minutes.
There were two voices in her head, each ordering her to do the opposite of what the other was saying.
C'mon, it's just a call! It's not like he'd try to hurt you again!
Yes! He will hurt you again! The entire time you've known him, he's done nothing but make you feel bad.
But now it's different. You have Kasuki now, right? Rei can't hurt you anymore, because you don't love him, right? Right?
Oh? But I thought she still loved Rei?
What?!
The dreams, the sigh, the LOVE POEMS at the back of her notebook, the longing - she's got it bad. Poor thing - it must be hard, when the one you love won't love you back - what a cliché.
"Great, even my conscience has pity on me." Aya sighed, and covered her face with her hands. "This cannot get any worse...Well, it's now or never."
She grabbed the receiver; but then was suddenly hit by another dilemma - who was she going to call first?
Rei! Rei!
Kasuki! He's much kinder!
But she loves Rei!
Hello?! The guy's a jerk - call Kasuki first! He'll make you feel better, and you can face Rei then!
But if you call Rei first, you can finally get the load off your mind.
Don't listen to it! Call Kasuki! I'm right!
"Shut up!"
Kasuki, Rei, Kasuki, Rei - Seeing no other way, Aya reached in her pocket and took out a coin. 'Heads, Kasuki; Tails, Rei.' She took a deep breath. 'Here goes.'
~~~~~~~~~~~
"Kasuki? Hi! It's Aya."
"Oh, hey, Aya!" Kasuki's voice echoed through the phone.
"Ran and the others are going to the beach this weekend. They were wondering if... if you could come?" Aya waited for him to answer. He seemed to be thinking hard. "Um, Kasuki, can you come?"
"Of course I will! It's just this weekend, right? Cool! Let's see -" Kasuki slapped his forehead. "Shoot! I forgot! I have this Chemistry test on Monday. I need to study for it. I'm so sorry, Aya. I'd love to, but I can't."
"That's okay." Aya couldn't keep out the disappointment in her voice. "Can't you try to study in the beach?"
"I'd be having too much fun with you."
She blushed. "Thanks. Well, there's always next time, Kasuki."
"I'll make it up to you some other time, okay? I promise!" He answered reassuringly.
"Okay…" Aya smiled, lightening up. "I'll miss you though..."
"You're not the only one. Don't try to have too much fun without me, okay?"
Aya laughed. "That wouldn't be too hard."
"All right then, see you soon Aya. Take care."
"Don't study too hard! Bye, Kasuki!"
"Bye, Aya!"
~~~~~~~~~~~
Aya's Point of View
Too bad Kasuki can't come...Great, I'm stuck with Rei...I bet once he steps in the water, the ocean will freeze. I couldn't possibly enjoy this weekend with Mr. Freeze around.
Could I?
I guess I have to call Ran and say I can't go because I'm afraid icebergs will suddenly turn up.
Boy, that sounds stupid.
But what about the others? I wonder what they will think if I stayed at home...
I've refused them too many times. I can't turn them down now…
~~~~~~~~~~~ THAT WEEKEND
It was a beautiful sunny day, perfect for an outing.
"All right we're here! EVERYONE, GET READY FOR ME!!!!" Ran shouted as she headed towards the resort entrance.
Everyone rolled their eyes. Who knows what Ran is capable of? Yuuya and Tatsukichi dashed toward the disappearing figure. "Hey, wait for us!!"
Miyu giggled at the three of them, and turned to Yamato. "C'mon, let's make sure the three of them don't get into trouble."
Yamato frowned. "Great. When can I ever take a break?"
"When Ran gets married."
"That's going to be long time."
Miyu laughed again and tugged on his arm. "Take it easy, Yamato! Let's just go get something to eat, okay?"
He nodded, and they headed for the direction of the food stands.
Rei and Aya were left walking alone on the path.
They walked slowly, an uncomfortable silence and tension settling in between them.
"So, um, how you doing, Rei?"
Silence, and then he shrugged.
"You know, it's great that you can come with us - I mean everyone is here and we can finally can have fun without anyone feeling left out!" She looked over to Rei, but faltered when she saw the indifferent look on his face.
He had the cold stare again. Rei wasn't looking at her, he was staring at the water straight ahead.
She took the hint. Aya let out a sigh, and they walked in silence.
"Hey you two!" Ran called out to both of them. "Get a move on! We've haven't got all weekend, you know!"
"Coming Ran!" Aya brightened up at the sound of her friend's voice. One more moment with Rei would have left her shivering.
~~~~~~~~~~~
After they checked in at the Blue Skies and Sea Hotel (yes, they are staying there for the night), the gang sat down to enjoy a sumptuous dinner at the poolside restaurant.
Once all of them settled down, Ran immediately took charge.
"Okay, we're going to divide the group into three. Each person in each group has responsibility over their partner or group member. One person in each group must keep his/her cell phone on, in case of emergencies," Ran explained.
"Okay, sound good to me." Tatsukichi replied, and everyone nodded.
And now the fun part.
"I'll go with Yamato!" Miyu said, and emphasized her point by hugging Yamato's arm.
"Ran's with me!" Tatsukichi yelled.
"Me too!" Yuuya stood beside Ran and Tatsukichi.
"That leaves the two of you together," Ran pointed out. Rei and Aya looked at each other, and stared.
Before they could protest, all the rest went separate ways, leaving both of them alone.
Aya let out a small laugh. She turned to Rei. "Hey, you think they planned this?"
He shrugged again, as if their decision made no difference.
"I guess we have no choice," Rei sighed.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Aya's Point of View
Why am I stuck with him? Great...Another chance for me to be given the cold shoulder again. But no matter what, I'll still love him.
Sheesh, what a saint you are.
Aw, cut her some slack - she's been through a lot.
How about we cut that boy's throat?
Yeah, and while doing that, we are taking away a source of happiness for her?
Just kidding! Hey, who said he was a source of happiness? From what I see, the jerk has done nothing but make her cry.
Have you ever wondered why he makes her cry?
Geez, am I the only smart one here? Because he doesn't love her! What kind of pig-headed cretin will turn down a girl like her, and leave her to cry and catch a cold in the rain?!
Right...But what if...?
What if, what?
Nothing...
Spill it!
He's not so sure of what he feels for Aya.
Hello?! Where have you been? He broke up with her because he couldn't love her! Great. Not only are you hopeless and stupid, you're also deaf! You know, Aya reads too many romance novels. You're getting your ideas from them.
We'll see...
Could that be true? Does Rei...have feelings for me? Then...why...if...then...Can he ever feel something for me?
~~~~~~~~~~~
Rei's Point of View
Hey, say something.
Why should I?
You've tortured her too much - can you at least stop being so stiff?
I'm not stiff! I'm just being me.
Then you're stiff.
You know, you keep on talking about helping Aya, so why don't you put that into practice - stop torturing me!
As your conscience, I believe it's my job to punish you.
Whatever.
Aren't you even going to try to take advantage of the situation?
What are you trying to say? What situation?
You're not only icy and unsympathetic, you're clueless too.
I'm not icy! And I'm not clueless.
Oh? Then what are you planning to do about Aya?
Why should I care?
MORONIC! Kasuki isn't here!
And then?
Aya is with you!
I see that.
WHY DON'T YOU SAY SORRY AND MAKE UP WITH HER?!
What?! I don't want to make up with her! I don't want to get back together! And I don't plan on making a move just because that guy is not here.
OH! So you ARE planning to make a move!
No, I'm not! Besides, it's fun here, the solitude...just the two of us...
Ha! I knew it! You like being with her!
No! I don't!
You want to be with her!
You wish!
You want her to stay here, right here, so close, so close, near enough to -
STOP PLAYING THOSE IMAGES IN MY MIND!!!
Oh, someone's swimming a river in Egypt...
Eh?
DENIAL! DENIAL, IDIOT!!
Eh?
Oh boy...The Nile...De Nial...DENIAL!!
I am not in denial!
Hmm? And why are you blushing?
~~~~~~~~~~~
Aya turned her head and looked at Rei. She smiled. "Let's go swimming!"
"Whatever you want." He replied in a monotone.
When they reached the waters, Aya took off her tank top and short shorts, leaving her standing there only in a bikini.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Rei's Point of View
Oh shit...
Tsk, tsk, watch your language, little boy...Wow, she looks hot, doesn't she?
Didn't I tell you to shut up?!
My, where have our manners flown off to? Goodness, I wonder... What's her vital statistics?
Stop it! I can't take it! Hey, since when did it get so hot?
Aw...Hey, maybe, if you go in the water with her, it wouldn't seem so hot...It would be nice and cool...with Aya, in a bikini, in a bikini that might be taken off once that huge wave comes in...
SHUT UP!!!! I DON'T CARE WHAT HAPPENS TO AYA! I DON'T GIVE A FLIP IF HER BIKINI DOES GET OFF! I WOULDN'T LOOK TWICE! I DON'T WANNA KNOW HER STATISTICS!
You're still swimming in that river, dear boy.
LISTEN YOU, YOU, CONSCIENCE! LEAVE ME ALONE! FOR ONCE, DON'T SAY ANYTHING!
You know, you look so cute when you blush. It's the prettiest shade of pink I've ever seen.
I AM NOT BLUSHING!!!!
Do you enjoy swimming, Rei? Really, if you just admit that you were jealous of Kasuki and really and sincerely regret that you broke up with Aya...Hey that was a huge wave! Go check if she's still wearing something!
STOP SHOWING ME THOSE IMAGES!! I DON'T CARE ABOUT AYA! I TOLD YOU! WHATEVER HAPPENS TO HER IS HER BUSINESS! I wouldn't look twice if she drowned! I WOULDN'T GIVE A D-
~~~~~~~~~~~
"Aren't you going?" Aya called out. She was in waist-deep water, and was patiently waiting for Rei to come and join her.
'He seemed to be thinking really hard. He's been standing there for five minutes, staring at me. Is there something wrong with my bathing suit?' Aya looked down. She was wearing a normal bikini, green with blue patterns that matched her hair. "Hey, Rei, is there something wrong?"
Her voice snapped him out of his thoughts (or rather, arguments with his smart-aleck conscience). Rei looked up, determined not to go red. "Um, it's nothing, Aya."
"So, why don't you come and join me?"
"I'm not in the mood for swimming. Besides, the water looks cold."
"It's not cold! C'mon, actually, it's warm!"
He swallowed hard. 'Do not give in, do not submit, you will keep your cool, you will go away, you will no think-' "I'll just go to the shops," Rei replied. His tone came out harsh and distant.
"But… But Ran said that we should always be together…" Aya said in a soft voice.
"The shops aren't that far away. Besides, you're big enough to take care of your self. I'm not a nanny. " With a nod, he turned around and went back to the hotel where the stores were.
Aya stood there, staring at where he last stood. She thought of going after him, but decided that he'd still remain detached. Shaking her head, she went into deeper waters.
Once he reached the hotel, he let out a deep breath he didn't realize what he was holding.
Seeing as that he was at the shops, and that there was no other alternative, Rei decided to look around, and see if there was anything interesting for sale.
It was not long before a mob of female fans surrounded him.
Rei looked at his watch. 'Hey, it's been a while since I've left Aya. Guess I should check up on her."
When he approached the beach, he noticed a lot of people were gathered around the water's edge.
He sensed that something was terribly wrong, and Aya was in danger, and he ran faster.
As he neared the crowd, he saw that they were all looking down on something.
"What's going on there?" He asked one of the people of close by.
"A girl just drowned." She replied.
Rei was hit by a wave of dread, but that did not appear on his face. To the woman, he appeared to be slightly curious. He asked, "Is...is...she...?"
"Dead?" The woman prompted.
He nodded.
"Knock on wood, young man, knock on wood." She replied worriedly.
Rei mumbled thanks, and maneuvered through the throng of onlookers. Once he got to the center, he looked down at the unconscious girl.
A green and blue bathing suit...A star necklace...Skinny…
She had blue hair. Blue hair - the same blue as his emotionless eyes - now filled with shock, as he recognized her.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Rei's Point of View
Oh my god...Damn it! Why did I leave her?! Shit, shit, shit...this shouldn't have happened!
No... What have I done?
Ehem!
Shut up!! Leave me alone!
Dear boy, I believe, as your conscience, it is my duty to inform you of the consequences of your actions.
Shit...Aya...Aya...please don't be dead, please...Please...
Inform of bad stuff - check! Regret - check! Oh, yeah - Rei, do you feel better now?
NOO!! I just left her to die!
Well, if you go with her, maybe you can make sure she stays alive.
Aya, please...Don't die...I won't let you...Aya, don't leave me-
~~~~~~~~~~~
Author's Notes
MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! I am evil! I am a minion of torture! Hey, don't worry piplets - she'll live...for the time being! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! (cough, cough) AND REI WILL SUFFER!!!!! SUFFER!!! BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO BAD PEOPLE!!! (gets whacked on the head by Cammie) Ow! Hey, you said edit! Well, I edited it!
Anyway, the next chapter is the big one - watch out for it - ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE!!! MWAHAHAHAHA!! (gets pushed off chair by Cammie) OW!!!!!!! !@#$!!!
Sorry… Don't worry I got my editor out of the chair… Yes, that was my editor. Forgive her, she's on a fanfic high and yes, she always acts that way…
That's Chapter 3 piplets! Reviews are very much welcomed.
Chapter 4: WHAT WOULD IT TAKE?