Riding Life's Currents
Chapter 7
By Kiyoko
8-20-02
Toshiro dropped Kira off at the Maxwell house and headed home toward the palace. He couldn't help but be depressed; Kira was going to leave in little over a week. True he would be able to spend much more time with her, but that didn't help his heart from being pulled into every direction. He continued driving down the four lane road with the radio off. Outside the sun was setting over the horizon causing the sky to turn a beautiful shade of pink.
'Another day gone and one less day I have with her now.' Toshiro thought. He let his fingers dance in the breeze outside of the car as he continued down the street. When he arrived home, he trudged through the entry hall toward his bedroom. Before he made it to the large staircase he was abruptly halted by a weight on his shoulder. Toshiro turned around and his eyes met with dark brown ones.
"Your mother and father wish to see you in the dinning hall your majesty." the man who stopped him said. Toshiro nodded back at the man and headed into a hallway on the right. Millions of thoughts began to flood his mind, not one of them good.
'Oh no, they couldn't have known it was me! It's impossible.' he thought while slowing down his trudging. A look of dread passed over his face, running a hand through his soft, messy hair. Time seemed to flow rapidly like a swift river and before he knew it he was standing in front of the dinning hall's massive, oak doors. Taking in a deep breath he slowly opened the door and poked his head in cautiously. Relena and Heero were both seated at the far end of the table near the windows that took up an entire wall, a serious expression set into their features.
"Mom, dad, you requested my presence?" he said timidly before walking over and taking a seat across from his mother in a plush, high backed chair. She smiled warmly at him. Toshiro knew it couldn't be good news. The way his mother changed expressions caused a shiver to jolt up his spine causing him to shudder slightly.
"Yes, we have serious issues that we need to discuss concerning your future" Heero said to his son. Toshiro could feel the bottom of his stomach drop. This couldn't be good.
"As you know," Relena began still smiling at him trying to ease the heavy frown that appeared on his face, "You will be turning eighteen next week. A ball has been planned in your honor". Toshiro's face fell even more if that was possible. He absolutely detested formal affairs and avoided them at all costs. He was about to protest when his mother held up her hand silencing him and allowed her to continue her not so welcome discussion.
"I'm not finished, at that time we will announce to the world your new fiancé." All the blood drained out of Toshiro's face leaving him an ashen color. He had expected the worse out of the meeting but was met with the end of the world. His mouth moved up and down soundlessly trying to express the emotions he felt, but was unable to. The smile had disappeared from his mother's face and his father looked grave not moving a muscle.
"I see it comes as quite a shock to you, I know…"
"How could you?" it came out barely above a whisper. Toshiro's hands clenched the arms of the chair; you could faintly hear the wood creaking and protesting. His head was cast down, his eyes trying to focus on the white table cloth in front of him.
"It's tradition…" Relena was cut off again.
"I don't care, how could you make a decision like that for me. HOW DARE YOU!!!!!!!!!" The wood on the chair finally gave up and snapped under the pressure. Splinters of darkened wood littered the carpet beneath followed by a thunk. Relena jumped, obviously startled. She knew the whole affair was going to be difficult. Heero's face had turned cold trying to block out the pain he felt for his son. The only reason he had agreed on this was because the decision had been made when Toshiro was just a baby. He didn't know his son then, how passionate he could be about life. The contract had been agreed to and signed before Toshiro was even two years old. It was far too late to scratch the whole idea.
"It's too late for us to turn back now. There is nothing we can do." Relena explained to her son trying to keep a firm face, but he wouldn't listen. Betrayal and hurt filled his already pain filled heart completely. His eyes had gone wide and his breathing labored. Relena looked over at her husband noticing the lack of emotions in his eyes and the way he sat rigid in his chair. She knew that he disapproved of the marriage. He had been reluctant to the engagement in the first place. She could tell the decision was weighting heavily on his conscience and regretted the situation. A sigh escaped her rosy lips.
Toshiro stood up abruptly knocking the heavy, wood chair down to the floor. He shook his head a few times, as if a battle was taking place in his head. Finally coming to some unseen decision he bolted out of the eerily quiet room with a speed he didn't know he possessed. He ran, blood rushing into his legs causing his muscles to burn. Toshiro could feel his heart beating rapidly, his chest heaving. He paid no attention to where he was going often knocking people out of the way .In the distance he could hear something shatter. He continued running as fast as his long legs would carry him. Toshiro hadn't noticed where he was running until he hit something full force, staggering backwards and catching himself before fall back on the hard, cold marble floor.
"Aaaahhhhh!!!!!" Lavender screamed as she went flying backward onto the floor unexpectedly. She landed in quite and ungraceful position on the floor, her skinny legs spread far enough apart to give anyone who was looking a good peak at her lacy, lavender panties. Toshiro watched in horror as Lavender hit the floor, sliding back a few paces.
"Oh my god Lavender I'm so sorry!" He said hurriedly as he rushed to her side to help her up from the floor. The young woman blinked a few times, taking the outstretched hand in front of her.
"Where were you going in such a hurry?" she asked timidly while dusting off her skirt. Toshiro cast his head down trying to hide the pain on his face.
"No where, I don't know where I was going" he said honestly. Lavender placed a concerned hand on her younger cousin's shoulder and tried to peer into his hidden eyes. Grabbing the collar of his shirt she dragged him along the corridor.
"Toshiro, what is wrong with you. I've never seen you look so grave before". He couldn't say anything, just walked beside Lavender to an unknown destination. Sighing quietly to herself she led the stoic boy down the corridor until they reached her bedroom door. Pushing it open easily she nudged Toshiro toward the bed. His feet led him to the bed on their own accord, though each step was heavy. Lavender sat next to him on the plush bed elbowing him in the ribs trying to get him to speak. For a few moments he just sat there, staring into some unknown world where everything was ok.
"Toshiro…" Lavender began before being cut off by her younger cousin.
"I'm engaged" he said barely audible, but Lavender heard him regardless, in a way she had seen it coming. Suddenly Toshiro noticed the lack of surprise in Lavender. His face took on the look of betrayal, his blue eyes going wide.
"You knew, didn't you?" Lavender looked away from his piercing gaze unable to handle the emotion flooding his eyes.
"You knew and you didn't even fucking tell me." He began to get up off the bed quickly but Toshiro felt a strong grip on his wrist, the fingers digging lightly into his flesh.
"What was I supposed to do?" she asked simply, her eyes pleading silently into his back.
"Tell me the truth!" he yelled as he twirled around to face her and immediately felling guilty looking at the hurt etched in her features.
"And what would you have done if I did?" she said harshly rising up to tower over him, "You would have lived your life in misery, knowing that you had no control of your future. It would have been a sad existence I would not have wanted to witness." Lavender placed her pale white hand against his tan cheek and lifted his gaze to meet her own.
"I love you Toshiro, I would never wish pain upon you. I have protected you in everyway possible, as much as I could." He began to see tears brimming in her pale eyes as she tried to blink them away. Wrapping his arm around his cousin's back he pulled her into a tight hug. The pain in his chest lifted slightly enabling him to breathe more easily.
"I'm sorry Lav, I shouldn't have yelled at you. It's just that I'm so frustrated. I don't know what to do," he said quietly pulling away from his cousin. The corner of Lavender's mouth curved up into a wide smile. Toshiro eased back a pace or two, worry entering his emotions.
"Do what you do best, just be you. Go rip up the town. Enjoy your last days of freedom!" A grin was immediately plastered onto his hansom face. He would make his last days with Kira count.
A/N: I'm so sorry this took so long and that it's so short. I have been plagued with a harsh case of writers block. Hopefully I can get the next chapter soon. Please r & r, it helps to develop my writing and let me know what I should change.
Chapter 7
By Kiyoko
8-20-02
Toshiro dropped Kira off at the Maxwell house and headed home toward the palace. He couldn't help but be depressed; Kira was going to leave in little over a week. True he would be able to spend much more time with her, but that didn't help his heart from being pulled into every direction. He continued driving down the four lane road with the radio off. Outside the sun was setting over the horizon causing the sky to turn a beautiful shade of pink.
'Another day gone and one less day I have with her now.' Toshiro thought. He let his fingers dance in the breeze outside of the car as he continued down the street. When he arrived home, he trudged through the entry hall toward his bedroom. Before he made it to the large staircase he was abruptly halted by a weight on his shoulder. Toshiro turned around and his eyes met with dark brown ones.
"Your mother and father wish to see you in the dinning hall your majesty." the man who stopped him said. Toshiro nodded back at the man and headed into a hallway on the right. Millions of thoughts began to flood his mind, not one of them good.
'Oh no, they couldn't have known it was me! It's impossible.' he thought while slowing down his trudging. A look of dread passed over his face, running a hand through his soft, messy hair. Time seemed to flow rapidly like a swift river and before he knew it he was standing in front of the dinning hall's massive, oak doors. Taking in a deep breath he slowly opened the door and poked his head in cautiously. Relena and Heero were both seated at the far end of the table near the windows that took up an entire wall, a serious expression set into their features.
"Mom, dad, you requested my presence?" he said timidly before walking over and taking a seat across from his mother in a plush, high backed chair. She smiled warmly at him. Toshiro knew it couldn't be good news. The way his mother changed expressions caused a shiver to jolt up his spine causing him to shudder slightly.
"Yes, we have serious issues that we need to discuss concerning your future" Heero said to his son. Toshiro could feel the bottom of his stomach drop. This couldn't be good.
"As you know," Relena began still smiling at him trying to ease the heavy frown that appeared on his face, "You will be turning eighteen next week. A ball has been planned in your honor". Toshiro's face fell even more if that was possible. He absolutely detested formal affairs and avoided them at all costs. He was about to protest when his mother held up her hand silencing him and allowed her to continue her not so welcome discussion.
"I'm not finished, at that time we will announce to the world your new fiancé." All the blood drained out of Toshiro's face leaving him an ashen color. He had expected the worse out of the meeting but was met with the end of the world. His mouth moved up and down soundlessly trying to express the emotions he felt, but was unable to. The smile had disappeared from his mother's face and his father looked grave not moving a muscle.
"I see it comes as quite a shock to you, I know…"
"How could you?" it came out barely above a whisper. Toshiro's hands clenched the arms of the chair; you could faintly hear the wood creaking and protesting. His head was cast down, his eyes trying to focus on the white table cloth in front of him.
"It's tradition…" Relena was cut off again.
"I don't care, how could you make a decision like that for me. HOW DARE YOU!!!!!!!!!" The wood on the chair finally gave up and snapped under the pressure. Splinters of darkened wood littered the carpet beneath followed by a thunk. Relena jumped, obviously startled. She knew the whole affair was going to be difficult. Heero's face had turned cold trying to block out the pain he felt for his son. The only reason he had agreed on this was because the decision had been made when Toshiro was just a baby. He didn't know his son then, how passionate he could be about life. The contract had been agreed to and signed before Toshiro was even two years old. It was far too late to scratch the whole idea.
"It's too late for us to turn back now. There is nothing we can do." Relena explained to her son trying to keep a firm face, but he wouldn't listen. Betrayal and hurt filled his already pain filled heart completely. His eyes had gone wide and his breathing labored. Relena looked over at her husband noticing the lack of emotions in his eyes and the way he sat rigid in his chair. She knew that he disapproved of the marriage. He had been reluctant to the engagement in the first place. She could tell the decision was weighting heavily on his conscience and regretted the situation. A sigh escaped her rosy lips.
Toshiro stood up abruptly knocking the heavy, wood chair down to the floor. He shook his head a few times, as if a battle was taking place in his head. Finally coming to some unseen decision he bolted out of the eerily quiet room with a speed he didn't know he possessed. He ran, blood rushing into his legs causing his muscles to burn. Toshiro could feel his heart beating rapidly, his chest heaving. He paid no attention to where he was going often knocking people out of the way .In the distance he could hear something shatter. He continued running as fast as his long legs would carry him. Toshiro hadn't noticed where he was running until he hit something full force, staggering backwards and catching himself before fall back on the hard, cold marble floor.
"Aaaahhhhh!!!!!" Lavender screamed as she went flying backward onto the floor unexpectedly. She landed in quite and ungraceful position on the floor, her skinny legs spread far enough apart to give anyone who was looking a good peak at her lacy, lavender panties. Toshiro watched in horror as Lavender hit the floor, sliding back a few paces.
"Oh my god Lavender I'm so sorry!" He said hurriedly as he rushed to her side to help her up from the floor. The young woman blinked a few times, taking the outstretched hand in front of her.
"Where were you going in such a hurry?" she asked timidly while dusting off her skirt. Toshiro cast his head down trying to hide the pain on his face.
"No where, I don't know where I was going" he said honestly. Lavender placed a concerned hand on her younger cousin's shoulder and tried to peer into his hidden eyes. Grabbing the collar of his shirt she dragged him along the corridor.
"Toshiro, what is wrong with you. I've never seen you look so grave before". He couldn't say anything, just walked beside Lavender to an unknown destination. Sighing quietly to herself she led the stoic boy down the corridor until they reached her bedroom door. Pushing it open easily she nudged Toshiro toward the bed. His feet led him to the bed on their own accord, though each step was heavy. Lavender sat next to him on the plush bed elbowing him in the ribs trying to get him to speak. For a few moments he just sat there, staring into some unknown world where everything was ok.
"Toshiro…" Lavender began before being cut off by her younger cousin.
"I'm engaged" he said barely audible, but Lavender heard him regardless, in a way she had seen it coming. Suddenly Toshiro noticed the lack of surprise in Lavender. His face took on the look of betrayal, his blue eyes going wide.
"You knew, didn't you?" Lavender looked away from his piercing gaze unable to handle the emotion flooding his eyes.
"You knew and you didn't even fucking tell me." He began to get up off the bed quickly but Toshiro felt a strong grip on his wrist, the fingers digging lightly into his flesh.
"What was I supposed to do?" she asked simply, her eyes pleading silently into his back.
"Tell me the truth!" he yelled as he twirled around to face her and immediately felling guilty looking at the hurt etched in her features.
"And what would you have done if I did?" she said harshly rising up to tower over him, "You would have lived your life in misery, knowing that you had no control of your future. It would have been a sad existence I would not have wanted to witness." Lavender placed her pale white hand against his tan cheek and lifted his gaze to meet her own.
"I love you Toshiro, I would never wish pain upon you. I have protected you in everyway possible, as much as I could." He began to see tears brimming in her pale eyes as she tried to blink them away. Wrapping his arm around his cousin's back he pulled her into a tight hug. The pain in his chest lifted slightly enabling him to breathe more easily.
"I'm sorry Lav, I shouldn't have yelled at you. It's just that I'm so frustrated. I don't know what to do," he said quietly pulling away from his cousin. The corner of Lavender's mouth curved up into a wide smile. Toshiro eased back a pace or two, worry entering his emotions.
"Do what you do best, just be you. Go rip up the town. Enjoy your last days of freedom!" A grin was immediately plastered onto his hansom face. He would make his last days with Kira count.
A/N: I'm so sorry this took so long and that it's so short. I have been plagued with a harsh case of writers block. Hopefully I can get the next chapter soon. Please r & r, it helps to develop my writing and let me know what I should change.