Disclaimer: I'm so po', I couldn't afford the O or the R.

Chapter 7

Warning: I put in a slightly limey, but tame scene. We are all adults here, or I think so. Either way, you should read at your own risk, so I guess if you know what grown-ups do in the bedroom you can read. If not then shield your poor innocent eyes.


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They say that time will heal all wounds. When their little affair ended, it was all a matter of regrouping, licking their wounds, and getting back onto that proverbial horse. For Tsukushi, it had to be Kin that helped her steady her legs, once again finding the courage to hop back into that saddle. The road was a bit bumpy, leaving a trail of doubt and caution behind, but with some encouragement from her friends and Kin she was finally able to ride again. However, it's never easy to forget that first fall for it's always the one that hurts the most. She sat there smiling, seemingly enjoying the ride, but it was impossible to miss that change in her demeanor. She would never again ride with that same carefree joy, but now with a bit more reservation protecting herself from the dangers of the first.

Tsukushi! Hello! Are you listening to me?

Huh? Sorry, I was just putting the finishing touches on this poster board display.

Can you stop fiddling with that thing, already? It's perfect. Now leave it alone.

She tilted her head to the side, inspecting the row of boards lined up against the wall. The last semester had been rather exhausting for her considering the newfound drive she forced herself into. No one, not even Maggie or Jen, the people who lived with her, ever dared question her obsessive tendencies concerning her artwork lately. With the semester coming to a close, Tsukushi should have been thrilled to be picked as the only student in the class to have her work displayed in the annual art exhibit the school had. It was an honor for whomever was chosen from each of the categories ranging from paint, digital, sculpture, and other mediums to make their own showcase. Tsukushi had been easily picked for the photography division this year, knocking all the competition out of the water.

We should be celebrating tonight! Maggie cheerfully chorused, pulling out a bottle of chilled champagne from the bag under her feet. It's not every day that we have something really boozeworthy to celebrate over. Come on girl, you should be ecstatic. Jen and I barely made it into the final elimination round before we got booted out.

Damn it, I knew I should've spent the extra money to buy the higher grade paint. The texture just didn't come out right, Jen grumbled to herself.

Drop it, will ya? You lost, so let it go, Maggie laughed, patting her fallen friend on the back. You don't see me grumbling because the stupid judge said I should have used a better filter on the coloring and shading. You could barely tell the difference if I had switched the gradients for some of the colors like he suggested. I still think those changes would have ruined the final product. It doesn't make for good print.

Who's bitter now? Jen tucked a strand of her newly cropped hair behind her ear. Out of habit she ran her fingers through the locks as if trying to see if any bits of paint were hiding in the mass of black.

Fine. We're both sadistically jealous of Tsukushi and are silently plotting her demise for being picked. I thought we were so close to getting into the showcase.

You can't deny that Ryan and Keiko's stuff was good. Tsukushi spoke up, but kept her face towards the board as if she were talking to the paper instead of her friends. She shrugged her shoulders. There's always next year. You two can come back with a vengeance and kick some ass then.

She finally resigned to leave the boards alone, and turned around to enter the small circle on the floor. The champagne had already been poured into the cheap ninety-nine cent plastic flutes. They raised their glasses, and Tsukushi downed the glass in one gulp. The effervescent bubbles tingled down her throat.

Slow down, Maggie softly admonished.

I'm doing what you wanted, celebrating. Resting her glass down beside her, she stretched her body to spread out on the throw rug. Her face looked up towards the ceiling, and her breathing evened out, pushing away the nervous flutters in her stomach. Kin asked me to go away with him for the break.

Jen stretched out, spooning herself against Tsukuhi's side. Being a bit shorter, she snuggled up against the girls arm and tilted her head down to rest her chin on her shoulder. And is that so bad?

Not wanting to be left out of female bonding, Maggie curled up onto Tsukushi's other side. Her long blonde hair pooled on the ground, mixing with Tsukushi's chestnut locks. You don't have to go. You could always stay here with us huddled in front of the radiator while we cuss out the superintendent for not fixing our heat.

Genuine laughter that had become a rarity from the girl broke through the silence. You do make that quite tempting. A few weeks skiing in Vancouver or freezing to death in this apartment, the dilemma of it all. Her chest rose and fell, letting out another heavy sigh. I think Kin wants to take the next step in our relationship. He's been hinting about getting a bit more intimate lately.

If you're not ready, you shouldn't force yourself.

I don't know if I am. It's just the underlying meaning of it all if I do. Kin has been the only guy I've ever been with.

What? All those times you stayed over at his hotel. I assumed you and Akira? Jen clamped her hand over her mouth, regretting letting the word slip out.

Tsukushi's jaw visibly clenched.

Good going, Jen. Maggie reached her arm across Tsukushi and slapped the blabbering girl.



Tsukushi shook her head. It's okay. We never went that far. We always just slept when I stayed over at the hotel. I never let him go that far, and it was a good thing I never did. I wouldn't want to have ended up another name to add to the list.

Her eyes drifted across the room, stopping at the copious amount of floral arrangements sent to her the last few days, congratulating her on her success. There were individual bouquets delivered almost every hour that day from her parents, from Rui's parents, her grandparents, Kin, Maggie, Jen, Mike, Rui, Soujiro, Aiko, Suzume, and even that dense Tsukasa. When the news broke out of her accomplishment Rui made sure that everyone knew of his best friend's accomplishments. They all called, e-mailed, and even faxed a few words of congratulations. Everyone who cared made sure to show her how proud they were of her. Everyone except for him. She pretended that it didn't hurt when no word came from him. After that day in the hotel room further contact between them had completely ceased.

He didn't seem to care.

We live, and we learn. It's been almost four months. You have to let it go. You have to let him go.

I know.

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Numb.

Bone chilling cold.

The soothing lull of the sweet liquor's effects had left him. When they touched his body, there was no warmth. His smile was just as bright as before, but behind the façade of pearly white they held back the false pretenses of his very existence. The lights, the facetious off-topic comments, the enticing thump of the rhythmic music, did nothing for him. Their laughter, their warm pliant bodies, their utter devotion were meaningless.
One by one they followed him home much like the children chasing after the pied piper promising only good times to come.

When he had returned from New York that last time, he went straight from the airport to his bedroom without sparing a few words of his return to his family. The withering glares he would send them when they mentioned her name were enough to answer their questions as to how the trip went. The dark cloud that seemed to loom over him was left unexplained, leaving his friends and family completely helpless to his rage. It was rare if ever that Akira ever truly became angry. He was more of the laid back type, generally shrugging off the anger in search of better use of himself, but what had occurred between him and a certain young woman had left him beyond slightly angered.

F3 had concluded the small business trip his father had sent him on ended on a sour note. Either that or he hadn't been able to score as much as much as he wanted. It was a little joke amongst them that when Akira wasn't getting laid, he seemed to act as if he were going through PMS. He proved them wrong when he left the club every night with a different woman on his arm, and a smug look on his face.

So, time passed and life fell into its little predictable patterns. He went to school. He hung out with his friends. He laughed. He smiled. He was the same old Akira. A few changes had occurred, but nothing life-altering. After enduring the barrage of constant questioning from his sisters and mother about Tsukushi's lack of responsiveness as of late, he got fed up with it all. He made some excuse about learning to be more independent and took refuge in an apartment across town away from them all. How he once basked in being surrounded by people at all times, especially his family, he had now come to enjoy the peaceful silence of solitary living arrangements. To his added benefit, his mother would be none the wiser of the heightened number of nightly visitors to his bed.

Then there were those times late at night he found himself laying there in bed unable to fall asleep. Insomnia would hit hard with a vengeance robbing him of an escape. Those were the times he was forced to actually think, step back, and look at what he was. He would turn to his side, sometimes spending a few minutes studying the beautiful creature he had lured into his bed that night. Sometimes when he wasn't thinking, he would see her face superimposed over the woman really there. He would recall the way her lips slightly parted and the sounds of her soft, shallow breathing as she slept. His mind would wander, losing any perception of where his dreams ended and reality began at times.

. . . I was falling in love with you.

He woke with a start clutching his chest, hearing those cursed words echo through his mind again. His fist pounded against the soft pillow, beating the defenseless object into a mangled mass. Akira raised his head to glance out the window, realizing that it was probably some time in the mid morning already, but he didn't care much considering he had no real plans for the day. His head fell back down onto the mattress while he tried to calm the erratic beating of his heart. Nothing much could quell that uneasy feeling in his chest.

He glanced over at his nightstand, peering at his cell phone standing upright in the charging cradle. From the constant flickering of light coming off the screen, he knew there probably were a few messages he had to check later. It was just at that very moment that the device began to vibrate violently, almost tipping over. He began to reach for the annoying thing, but pulled his hand back deciding that whoever it was could wait. There were more important things to be done. Shedding himself from the tangle of sheets wrapped around his waist and legs, he plodded across the room towards the shower. Perhaps the sting of ice cold water would awaken him a bit more and distract him long enough to refocus his mind.

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Akira! Are you in there?! A loud banging followed the yelling from outside his front door. Hurry up and open this door before I open this door myself!

he irately yelled, furiously tugging at the low slung towel wrapped around his waist. He cursed under his breath at having to be dragged out of his shower to answer the door. He flung the door open completely out of breath and eyed his mother grinning evilly on the other side.

Her eyes leered at his half naked body while her tongue made clucking noises. My little baby boy really has grown up to be a handsome man, she giggled. You've grown so big since I saw you like this. I still remember when you used to run around your room naked as the day you were born, begging me not to make you wear that little sailor suit I bought you.

"Not the sailor suit, he groaned, remembering his mother's perverse fascination with dressing her children up like dolls for her own amusement. Although he had to admit that he didn't completely hate the cowboy outfit she got him for his fifth birthday. It had the matching spurs, lasso, hat, and all. Can you come inside already before my neighbors come out to see the mad woman in the hallway?

The way you speak to your mother, she pouted. Giving into his pleading look to do as he said, she stepped inside the apartment. She shook her head in disapproval over the messiness of his domicile. One thing she could never tolerate was living in one's filth, so she pushed up the sleeves of her Chanel sweater and set about picking up the takeout boxes left opened on the coffee table.

Akira shrugged, letting her to go at her own devices. He was beginning to feel the draft go up his towel, so he set forward to his bedroom to find some proper attire. While he began to rummage through his drawers for some jeans and a sweater, a feeling of dread formed in the pit of his stomach. There was this sense of foreboding related to his mother's surprise visit. Grabbing his cell phone from its cradle, he scrolled through his missed messages, realizing that it was his mother's call he had so blatantly ignored a few minutes ago.

He couldn't blame her for not giving him some notice of her arrival. She had learned a while ago not to come over unannounced. It was an awkward position trying to explain the strange girl in his room trying to sneak out of the place while he and his mother were enjoying some tea in the living room. She didn't exactly buy the story about her being the new part time cleaning girl when her panties were spotted spilling from her purse. Looking back they may laugh at it one day. It was just like Mimasaka Ayumi to raise an eyebrow, maintaining that million-dollar smile while politely pointing out to the girl that her panties were showing. Just like that she went back to their previous conversation about the quality of the tea leaves, leaving the poor girl from feeling any further embarrassment.

He sighed, shrugging the loose sweater over his head. His fingers combed through his damp hair, and he walked out ready to face his maker, literally.

What are you doing here, okaa-san?

What? You don't want to see me? I'm hurt. She pulled a hand over her heart pretending to be wounded by his blunt question. The last of the trash from the living room was chucked into the garbage bag she had managed to dig out in his kitchen, and she left the bag in the middle of the room, leaving him to finish the task of dragging it out to the garbage chute. The petite woman walked over to the couch and settled herself while patting the seat beside her. Sit. I just came to talk. I don't bite, you know.

I'm still not too sure about that, he mumbled to himself. He grudgingly plopped himself down beside her, feeling her wrap a hand over his. Her thumb rubbed the palm of his hand in that soothing way she would always do when he was a child.

Her actions soothed him a bit, bringing down the noticeable tension in him. Like a cat having its belly rubbed, he succumbed to her ministrations as her other hand reached out to brush his bangs out of his face. What are you doing to yourself, Aki-chan? she whispered. Her eyebrows knitted in deep contemplation, looking through him for some sort of reasoning for his behavior.

He turned his head away, feeling the force of his childhood name spoken to him. It had been years since his mother called him that name. He remembered begging her to never call him that ever again when he got into high school. It was a name he had learned to be ashamed of due to the pressures of being a teen. It didn't make it much better when Soujiro started using the name against him. He knew it hurt her when he burst out commanding she stop calling him that since he was a man and not a child. It was in moments like this he regretted that decision. In reality, he was still that lost little boy.

He managed half a smile for her. I'm doing fine, okaa-san. You don't need to worry about me.

A small spark lit in her eyes at his dismissal of her worries. Her jaw clenched and the softness in her features vanished. Tell me why I worry at nights about you ending up drunk in one of those clubs you love so much. Tell my why you go through women nowadays like tissues. This isn't like you.

You don't know much about your son.

I guess I don't. The Akira I used to know smiled for the reason of smiling, not because people expect him to. He loved life and life loved him. Don't you see what you're doing to yourself? Your father and I are worried about these mood swings you've been experiencing. You snap at the slightest things. You spend about six days of the week at different clubs with different women every night.

How do you know?! How do you know about what I do? I keep up with school, and I help otou-san at the office. I visit home once a week. So what if I party once in a while? I don't see what business of yours it is who I spend my time with. There's no harm in going dancing with friends and maybe kicking back a few drinks. I'm safe. Do you want to see a lab report or something? We can go right now. He knocked her hands away, wanting to distance her from him. I do everything you ask of me. Just let me do what I want on my own time. I don't appreciate you sending your spies out to check up on me either.

I only worry about you.

I can worry about myself. I'm nineteen years old.

Barely able to be a real man, she derisively pointed out. A real man would accept the truth. It seems that I can't sugarcoat thing anymore. If you want to be a man, then I'll treat you like one. Her eyes glared into him with a coldness that spoke volumes in itself. You fucked up.

Hearing that come out of his mother came as a shock. Never in his entire life had he ever heard his mother speak to him in such a way. Maybe when she was livid at the gardener for accidentally mowing over some of the bed of tulips she planted or that time the cook forgot about Aiko's allergies to peanuts forcing her to rush to the hospital after consuming something with peanut oil in it. She spoke her anger out on those strangers, but never her own flesh and blood. She always looked upon him, no matter what, as the golden child.

In general, most people would have been surprised by the tiny woman's outburst and use of vulgar language. Everyone who knew her knew she possessed an air of cheeriness and good will at all times. Akira's own temperament had been much accredited to his mother. She rarely stayed angry or showed signs of anything but being lighthearted. To see her display of true anger was a sight he would remember for quite some time.

What did you say?

You heard me the first time. You fucked up. I want to help you, Aki-chan, but I can't do anything for you unless you are willing to start helping yourself. Tell me what's wrong.

His head fell back onto the couch with a thud, and he rubbed his temples, massaging the headache his mother was giving him with her prying. Fine. We'll do things your way. Don't you ever think it's ironic?

What's ironic?

Tsukasa's parents were set up in an arranged marriage and barely tolerate each other. Both of them could care less about their children as long as they can one day take over the Doumyouji empire. Tsubaki married some guy to strengthen their power. Tsukasa will probably do the same thing. It'll be a wonder if the poor woman tolerates him with his emotional retardation. Look at Soujiro. Same scenario, but his father chooses to occupy his time having flings with random women. His mother knows, but turns her head the other way. She's a very sweet woman who married a man she didn't want to, but she accepts her fate loving the one good thing that came out of it. In turn, Soujiro can barely handle a relationship with a woman for more than seven days. Then there's Rui. His parents love one another. They love him. He was just born cold to the world selectively opening up to people. His emotions are his own secrets. Finally, there is me. I grew up being the most well adjusted. My parents have always openly shown their children they loved us and that they loved each other. Everyone always told me how lucky I was to have a real family. Yet in the middle of all this love I was shown and given, I find myself unable to even tell the one person who matters what she means to me. His dead eyes lifted to gaze into his mother's. Why? She said she was falling in love with me. I choked. I didn't know what to do. So, I let her go. Why?

She pulled his head to rest on her shoulder, combing her fingers through his tousled hair. It's okay to be scared. It's a huge thing to realize that you love someone.

I thought I could let her go and just pretend like nothing happened. I wasn't supposed to feel this way. I just couldn't understand why I felt like something was missing from the moment she walked out of that hotel.

She sighed to herself, realizing the complexity of the entire situation. I know about the little agreement you had going on with Tsukushi.

What? How did you know about that?

I overheard your little proposition to her. At the time, I thought it wouldn't hurt you both to have an open relationship, considering the distance between you two. In a way, I blame myself for letting you children continue when I saw you two becoming more and more attached to each other. I should have said something, but you aren't a child anymore. I trusted you to be able to handle it. No matter what a woman says, Akira, she'll never settle for being second best.

She was never second best, he grumbled to himself. I don't know what this strange feeling is. I just don't understand much of anything anymore. He dropped his face into his hands, cowering from the gravity of his life. What's wrong with me?

His mother patted him on the back, letting him take a moment to collect his thoughts. After a few minutes, she broke the silence. I can tell you what I think. I think for the first time my Akira has fallen in love. For the first time, it wasn't just a game. You're scared of those overwhelming feelings that seem to take over you. When you think about her you can't help but smile just thinking about her, but at the same time, you feel like you're being torn apart. Her light laughter filled the air. It's like they breathe life into you while taking it all away. As much as you've tried to deny it, and didn't even realize it, you fell in love with her as fast as she fell for you.

You don't make any sense.

If I don't then can you honestly tell me that you've been happy these last few months? I know Tsukushi hasn't.

You've talked to her? His voice gave out his apparent concern etched in the question. How is she?

She pretends she's fine. I've spoken to her a few times when she's called your sisters. The most we ever got out of her was the fact that you two decided to stop seeing each other, but I assumed it was a bit more than that. I guess I assumed correctly from the way you are. She does ask about you sometimes.

I haven't talked to her since last time. I just couldn't deal with trying to carry on a normal conversation with her now. Things are just too far gone for us. I don't know how I feel anymore.

She lightly hit him on the back of the head. You're in love, idiot.

he moaned, rubbing his head. Is this why they say love hurts?

Don't take what I've said lightly, she scolded. It's up to you what happens from now on. Most people don't get second chances. She stood up and smoothed out the wrinkles in her pants. This was a nice little mother to son chat. We should do this again some time.

Why? You like to tell me I fucked up?

No. I like you telling me about your problems. She bent over and kissed the top of his head. I know you'll do the right thing, but for now I have to be going. If you need anything don't hesitate to ask. With her task done for the day, she showed herself out of the apartment. The wheels in her plan had been set in motion. Now it was all up to him.

Akira sat there, for how long he doesn't really remember. It was only when he received a call from Soujiro about some party going on later that night that he snapped out of his stupor. Somewhere in the middle of his contemplations an entire day had passed. Thoughts of those final few moments with her flashed through his mind. He kept replaying it over and over again. Something could have been done. If he hadn't said the things he said or perhaps had said something more maybe she would have stayed.

He decided that mulling over his problems at the moment would be better left for later. For now, he needed some fresh air and a change of scenario instead of the dim depression of his apartment. He pushed himself off the couch, hearing the bones in his body crack protesting the sudden movement. Going out would clear his mind a bit. However, that wasn't soon to happen.

What's this? he mumbled to himself, sounding crazier by the minute after realizing he was in fact mumbling incoherently to himself the entire afternoon. His finger sifted through the pile of mail that he assumed his mother had brought in earlier with her and left on the table. A single slip of paper protruding from the stack fell to the floor.

His second chance had come all in the single form of a plane ticket.

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All that business grooming hadn't gone completely to waste for once. Akira might have seemed harmless and rather incompetent on the outside, but that was the persona he had taken on. No one suspects much from the grinning idiot. For what he was about to do, he would need to use every trick he had learned. He knew for one thing that you never send a man in blind.

Research had to be done. He knew that too much time had already passed, and he wasn't left in a better position considering that he hadn't spoken to his intended target in five months. He cursed himself for cutting all ties with her. He could have gone to his mother for help, but she didn't know the girl well enough to help him get into Tsukushi's good graces. Aya and Suzume could have been useful except for the fact that every time they came in contact with him they would give him the cold shoulder and the look that just screamed, I know you did something to hurt her. So, he was between a rock and a hard place. Two days later, and four days until his scheduled flight he came to one conclusion. It was a bit cowardly and underhanded, but in the rules of love and war casualties must be taken. There was only one person who knew Tsukushi inside and out.

Akira shoved the mass under the bedding from side to side, trying to rouse his napping friend.

It was already four in the afternoon, and Rui was about half an hour into his afternoon nap. Most people knew better than to disturb the young master's rest. Even his girlfriend knew better than to bother him when matters of sleep arose. No one likes a cranky Rui.

Wakey, wakey! he screamed once again. His arms were getting tired from tossing Rui's heavy body back and forth on the bed, but he wasn't about to give up yet. C'mon! Wake up, Rui!

One bleary eye opened up to look into the face of his tormentor. He could see the flashes of emotion in his face ranging from shock, delight, and finally disappointment. Inwardly Rui smirked at seeing Akira's response to his little greeting. The middle finger in his face was the best silent gesture to deter Akira from continuing his attempts. He closed his eyes once again, hoping his point had been made clear and enjoying his victory.

Akira sighed, knowing that his efforts had pretty much been made in vain. Watching Rui sleep so peacefully had begun to affect him making him suddenly feel very sleepy. He shrugged his shoulders and hopped onto the bed to lay on top of the sheets Rui had buried himself under. His eyes closed, hoping Rui would be in a better mood when he woke up.

Rui, you've got a package, a voice called from the doorway. Without waiting for a reply, Shizuka strode into the room expecting her boyfriend to be just waking up from his nap. What the?!

Huh? What's wrong? Rui let out a loud yawn, and sat up in the bed. He looked on in bewilderment as his girlfriend broke out into an obscene fit of laughter. She looked as if she was about to hyperventilate. What's so funny?

Her eyes widened, realizing that he had yet to figure out that he had not been sleeping alone. She lifted a shaky finger holding back the tears from laughing so hard.

Rui tipped his head downward to his left, and let out a yelp. What are you doing there?!

Akira rubbed his eyes with a look of pure innocence on his face. Good morning, lover.

With a dexterity and speed that no one could have ever imagined Rui possessing, he jumped out of the bed patting down his body with his hands. Did you rape me in my sleep?

In response, Akira pouted. Maybe you took advantage of me first.

God, I need to wash those sheets now. Better yet, I might have to burn the entire bed to rid them of your germs.

You hurt me. You seriously wound me.

Shizuka took this as her cue to step in before the two men continued their circle of conversation. Ok, I think you two should end this before we end up going in circles for the next hour. Let me settle this for the both of you. You're not gay, and I know that for a fact, so you don't need to worry about me rethinking your sexual preferences. Plus, your clothes are still on; therefore, it's unlikely Akira raped you in your sleep. Thirdly, I'll find you some new sheets. You, Akira, I don't know what exactly you want, but keep your hands away from my boyfriend. I'll be back in a bit while you two boys settle your differences. By the way, I brought in this package for you Rui. It's from Tsukushi. She placed the parcel onto the bed and marched right back out the door muttering to herself about finding clean sheets.

Rui carefully picked up the box as if it were his precious child, and seated himself on the floor. His mannerisms had taken the form of a five year old kid trying to hide his precious candy from the others before they found out begging him to share. Tsukushi was his guilty pleasure.

Whatcha got there? Akira asked, his interest significantly piqued at the mention of Tsukushi.

Nothing. It's nothing. It's just another one of those packages Tsukushi sends me every month.



Yeah. It's not a big deal. Sometimes she sends me pictures or random stuff that she thought I would like. It's always another surprise with whatever she sends me. One time she sent me a big Kit Kat bar because she bought an extra one and didn't want to waste it. For some odd reason she was fascinated by the fact they made one large Kit Kat stick. I'll never figure out her train of thought. The candy was good though.

Akira peeked his head over the bed, trying to look over Rui's shoulder and sneak a peek at whatever hidden treasure lay inside the plain brown box, but was blocked by the other boy's shoulders shifting from side to side. So what's in there?

Rui's body stiffened at the rude request to see what lay inside the box. The small care packages they sent back and forth every few weeks was their thing. He was about to shove the box under the bed to be opened later, but suddenly realized one very important factor. Why are you here anyway?

He racked his brain for some excuse to explain his mysterious appearance at Rui's house. Usually there was nothing ever that important that couldn't be said on the phone between the two. So he made up a lie. My mother asked me to drop off some stuff for your mother.



A long awkward pregnant pause ensued.

So, do you need something?

Do I need a reason to see my good friend? he tried to pass off his nervousness by throwing him off the trail with some off topic.

Rui furrowed his eyebrows, clearly not buying the ruse. Try again.

Fine. I was bored. Tsukasa had to go do some stuff for his mother. Soujiro had a date. I didn't feel like dealing with a woman tonight. Therefore, by process of elimination that leaves you. I'm going to be leaving in a few days on business, so I thought I would spend some quality time with my friend. He watched Rui's face for any indications showing acceptance to his explanation.

With that one word the answer was accepted requiring no further elaboration. Rui extended his arm back to pull open the drawer of his nightstand, taking out a sharp letter opener. With one swift stab, he tore through the tape sealing the closed box in his lap. He pulled out the bubble wrap, letting the items inside fall to the floor. A small book fell, and he picked it up, flipping through the pages. Page upon page was filled with a different photograph.

Akira leaned over the edge of the bed, looking over Rui's shoulder. Where are those pictures from?

I think from her last showcase. It was a pretty big deal from what she told me. Only one person in the entire class gets picked to debut their work for their category. Of course, Tsukushi won the photography slot. She promised to send me a copy of everything since I couldn't go to her show. I got bogged down with finals and everything else last week. I wished I could have flown out there, though.

They're nice, Akira blandly stated, not quite focusing on the pictures, but rather the small tidbits of information Rui was giving him. However, something in the theme of the pictures caught his mind. What did she name her theme?

Summer Love. Most of the pictures she took were from a few months back. She included some of the unused ones for me to look at.

He wasn't quite prepared for the shock. There she was lying on her side in bed with a lazy smile on her face. The rays of the sun cast over her face illuminating her pure contentment and innocence. When he looked more closely, he knew exactly where that picture was taken. The arm draped around her waist and the head of brown hair slightly blocked behind her head was definitely himself. His mouth opened slightly, aghast at the meaning behind all of it. In a way, she had revealed their relationship to the world. Who's the guy?" he managed to utter dumbly.

Rui stared at the picture for a few minutes as if he were slowly connecting the pieces, but not quite making them fit together. I'm not sure exactly. I assume it's her boyfriend, Kin. They started going out seriously around the summer, I think. It's kind of weird, though. His head tilted to the side contemplating something or another.

What's weird? Isn't the whole theme about love?

It's just strange that she would use her boyfriend as one of her subjects. It doesn't make much sense considering the theme, summer love. Summer love is bittersweet. It's that fleeting feeling you have that lasts for only a season because you know once the summer is over it has to end. If you look closely all the photos have some chronological order to them from the beginning of the relationship to the end. Every single person she shot had a story. He flipped to the next page, admiring the next picture. Her technique has gotten much better. Look, she managed to double expose two pictures together making a superimposed picture. No computers.

Akira looked down and saw the same picture of Tsukushi lying on her side in bed, except the angle was different, showing off the large windows. He squinted, seeing the faint ghostlike figure of a man with his back turned in what looked like an airport terminal. It looked like she had taken the picture of his departure and exposed it in the area of the window making it look like she was using the window as some sort of projection screen embellishing the wistful expression on her face.

She was at the airport, he whispered to himself in shock.

Did you say something? Rui asked, wondering why the normally talkative man had suddenly become so sullen. He slammed the book closed and put it back in the box, thinking to himself that he would show his girlfriend the shots. You're not looking too good. Are you okay?

Uh yeah, he numbly answered. I just realized something. I forgot to send her the flowers you told me to.

Rui frowned at his statement. You should at least send her an apology or something for forgetting. Even Tsukasa and Soujiro remembered to send something. That show was a really big deal to her.



She got me a box of pocky. The said box was pulled out, and he flipped the lid open offering him one. Want one? It seems kind of weird to eat pocky that has been shipped from Japan to the US and now shipped back to Japan. Oh well, pocky is pocky. He popped the chocolate stick into his mouth, dug further into the box, and pulled out a smaller box. He flipped the lid open and picked up the large fist size paper crane. She's gotten pretty good with these, too, he said to himself. Ah, I see she's reached that six hundred benchmark. You ever hear of the story behind paper cranes, Akira? They say if you make a thousand of them, you can have one wish granted. What would yours be?

Akira wanted to kiss the sleepy eyed fool. He knew that it wasn't a mistake to use Rui as his guide as to how to get back into Tsukushi's good graces. He offered a cheeky grin. "If I told you then it wouldn't come true, now would it? He snatched a pocky stick from the box and held it between his lips like a cigar in victory.

Smoking pocky I see.

Yeah, so. You look like someone who smokes something more than pocky. Have you been experimenting with other snacks?

Shizuka paused at the door watching the two boys fight over the last pocky stick. Akira had Rui in a headlock while Rui held onto the box with a death grip. They rolled around a few times on the floor, fighting over the petty item. Sighing to herself, she stepped over their bodies and plucked the last stick from the box. Taking a large bite out of it, she smiled. Good pocky.

------------------------------------

Tsukushi huffed one last time, blowing the annoying bang that fell over her eyes. She had promised herself to keep it down to the bare essentials when packing for her ski trip with Kin, but it was proving a daunting task to fit two weeks' worth of clothes into her one suitcase. She jumped on top of the suitcase once more, trying to use her body as a weight to expel any air that might have filled the inside crevices.

Need some help? two voices asked from the doorway.

Maggie stepped forward, and jumped on top of the suitcase, sending a loud whoosh of air while Jen yanked the zipper closed. The metal screeched as it grazed across the fabric.

Are you sure you have everything? Jena asked with a lopsided grin. I think there are still a few drawers in your dresser with clothes in them. You act like you're never going to come home again.

I think she's trying to make a run for it, Maggie laughed joining in. Too good for us now, huh? We can always turn your room into a nice walk-in closet.

I know. We could put up some racks against the walls and divide up the space between the two of us. Every girl's dream is to have her own walk-in closet.

I get the joke already, Tsukushi sighed, jumping off the engorged suitcase. She walked over to her dresser checking her drawers for any wayward clothing that had escaped her eyes earlier. Even though the trip was short, she felt compelled to bring enough clothing to last her a few weeks rather than the two she needed. I thought you guys would be all set to go yourselves? Aren't you leaving for your mother's tonight, Jen? And Mike has been driving me insane with his talk about going upstate to bring you to meet his parents, Maggie.

God, I can't believe he's actually introducing me to his parents! The blonde threw up her hands in disbelief with a withering look on her face, wondering what she had ever done to be punished so. I would have been fine if it was just me meeting his parents and his siblings, but I never would have imagined I would be meeting every single person in his family at once. To make matters even worse his parents always refer to me as Mike's artist girlfriend. They have some strange idea that visual design isn't a real profession. This is what happens when I date a guy who's pre-law. His family has some weird tradition of a long line of doctors and lawyers. Who brings their girlfriend to a family reunion?

Apparently Mike does, Jen laughed in a singsong voice. Perhaps someone has finally decided to settle down.

Yeah, it only took him a year to figure out that I don't like his harem idea, she snorted. Sometimes I feel like I've got to beat some sense into him to stop his flirting. He flirts with everyone including you two.

I kind of like it. It's his way of showing he appreciates you, Tsukushi chimed in, clearly loving the fact that she could annoy her friend. She draped herself behind Jen, peering over her shoulder and flashing a wicked smile. After all, he is quite handsome.

Jen cooed. She took on that motherly tone that they had always used to laugh at whenever they visited Jen's mother. The woman was always one to love to pry into the girls' love lives. Su novio es muy guapo.

Si, si. Tsukushi nodded her head, keeping a serious face the entire time. If it weren't for our sisterly bond, I would be all over him.

Me too.

We could make it a threesome.

The two burst out laughing, rolling on the bed. Jen barely dodged the pillow sent flying towards her head.

Ha ha. Laugh at the poor girl who is about to go in front of the firing squad. Remember to thank your mother for the nice scarf she gave me for Christmas, Jen. I'll have to go down to Brooklyn and see you two when Mike and I get back next week. I have to rush back to see my parents in Long Island before they leave on their cruise.

Jen sighed and lay back down on the bed, trying to catch her breath from all the laughter. Girl, I would trade places with you in a heartbeat. I would take Mike's uber conservative family over being in a cramped little house with over fifteen kids from two months to eleven years old running free. I'm in babysitter mode from here on out. My sisters have got to stop pumping out those kids like candy.

Now you're making me start to miss my family. I wish they stayed longer this year after the fiasco last year. They were miserable for the last two weeks before they left with the stomach flu. I was lucky enough to not catch it. It seems like Susumu breeds germs.

Don't worry. You'll have fun.

Their light banter was soon interrupted by a buzzing sound.

That must be Mike. He wanted to get a head start on traffic getting out of the city. Maggie strutted out the door, and a few minutes later reappeared with her boyfriend in tow. She walked forward and gave a quick hug to Tsukushi. Are you going to come along, too, Jen? Mike said we have enough time to drop you off at your mom's.

I'm in for a free ride. Have a good time, Tsukushi. Give me a call when you get to your hotel later. It'll give me an excuse to run away from my nieces and nephews for a few minutes.

Sure thing, Tsukushi waved. She watched her two roommates amble out the front door, each lugging suitcases and bags for their journey. Now all she had to do was wait.

------------------------------

Akira could hardly contain himself as he rushed through customs after hastily grabbing his luggage from the carousel. He was a man on a mission, and there was only one place to be. As the cab pulled up the familiar street he had passed so many times within the last year, he felt his heart jump in his throat. For a moment, he questioned what had possessed him to do something so insane. Doubt flooded his mind, telling him to turn around and walk away, yet his heart told him otherwise. This was his last chance, and if he let it go that would be the end.

He grabbed his suitcase from the trunk of the cab, and proceeded towards the door. Unexpectedly, a man was already there ringing the buzzer. Akira's eyes rose to meet his and instantly recognized him. He never expected the small kink in his plan to show up, her boyfriend.

Kin waved. He dumbly smiled, having no clue that the guy in front of him had flown a few thousand miles and across an ocean to steal his girlfriend. He narrowed his eyes as if trying to make the connection as to why this guy seemed so familiar. Do I know you from somewhere?

I think we've met before, Akira answered shyly. I'm a friend of Tsukushi's.

His eyes lit up when he put two and two together. Oh, yeah! I remember you now. You're her friend, Akira. She mentioned you a few times after you left last summer. So, what are you doing here?

I just thought I would stop by to tell her I was going to be in the city for a few days on business. Maybe I should have called first. I hope I didn't interrupt any of your plans or anything. The plastered smile on his face faltered a bit with each passing second in Kin's presence. At that moment, Akira wanted more than anything to get rid of the guy before he got in his way. Trying to maintain polite conversation was becoming a grueling task.

Kin's gaze fell down on the suitcase clutched in Akira's hand. A small frown followed. I just came by to pick her up to go to the airport. We have plans to go up to Vancouver for the next two weeks and get in some skiing and the sights. Were you planning on staying with her for a few days again?

No, no, he dismissed the idea. He was about to elaborate on his answer when a voice interrupted him.

I think I need some help with my suitcase, Kin. Could you come up please, Tsukushi laughed from the intercom.

Kin pulled the door open as she unlocked the door, and motioned Akira to walk in ahead of him. I bet she'll be surprised to see you. Actually, I needed to pick up something from around the corner first. Do you mind helping Tsukushi with her stuff? Tell her I'll be up in a few. He blindly waved towards Akira, already halfway down the block.

A large grin formed on his face. It was an opportune chance to steal the girl. So, he had a good ten minutes to convince her that he was obviously the better choice. Kin would probably not take it too well, but he seemed like a nice guy who would leave peacefully. In his mind, everything was falling into place. Those were his thoughts as he ascended the stairs towards her third floor apartment. The door was left ajar, so he slid into the apartment without a sound. With her back turned to him, he wanted nothing more than to wrap his arms around her and never let her go again.

Kin? The suitcase is next to the couch. I'll be out in a minute, she yelled from the confines of her bedroom. Tsukushi looked warily at the racy negligee in her hands. It had never been used before, and was something she definitely wouldn't have purchased. However, Maggie and Jen had other ideas when they got her the pink satin Victoria's Secret nightgown for Christmas. I don't know if you'll be put to use, but you never know, she dryly laughed to herself as she tossed the item into her carry on bag. For a moment, her heart stopped when she heard the faint sound of footsteps behind her. She froze, hoping that Kin hadn't overheard, or seen what was in her hands seconds before. As she turned around, she suddenly wished she hadn't.

He dumbly waved, feeling this sudden sense of awkwardness. A long pregnant pause followed, which he took as a bad sign considering the scowl that crossed her face. All of his overly inflated adrenalin-induced confidence flooded out of his system like the rest of his plan going down the toilet. I was in the neighborhood, and decided to stop by, he weakly offered.

She glared at him, wondering why in the world he would decide to show up at a moment like this. Just when she was about to get her life in order, he had to bum rush his way back in. Her face twitched in annoyance. This neighborhood is a long way from yours, she flatly stated, leaving not an ounce of emotion in her voice.



Tsukushi brushed past him, and settled herself on the couch, knowing that whatever he needed to say was most likely meant to be shocking. Sit. Let's have a chat, she coldly, yet politely ordered. It's been a good few months since I last spoke to you.

He meekly followed her to the living room and opted to take a seat across from her. From the look in her eyes, she was beyond pissed off.

I've been good, I guess. He quickly resorted to mentioning lighter notes to lighten up the conversation. Suzume and Aiko miss you.

The frigid mask she bore faltered for a moment in her own guilt. She had been neglecting keeping in touch with the two girls lately. It was a little odd to try to remain on good terms, considering her prior relationship to their brother. I haven't had much time to talk to them lately. When you see them, please send my apologies.



His curt answers and the dead end conversational topics they kept encountering were just mounting the tension in the air to new heights. Part of her wanted to just scream at him to spit out whatever it was that he wanted to say, while another wanted him to just leave. Out of sight, out of mind was working just fine for her at the moment. She didn't need any more reminders of the man who broke a heart that had been so easily given away.

Her fingers tapped against her knee in a rapid motion, setting a fast tempo. It was a bad nervous habit of hers, ranking with that shaking, bobbing leg thing she got when she was bored. The little voice inside of her head screamed to just get it over with. Okay, I've had enough of this. Just tell me why you came here? I've got a flight to catch soon.

He dug his hand into his hair, fisting a large amount of it. Getting the words out was easier said than done. How was the showcase?

Her head snapped up for a moment, taking her attention away from the pellets on her sweater. How did you know about that?

Rui mentioned it to me. Sorry about not sending any congratulations any sooner. It was amazing, though.

How did you see it? her voice quavered a bit. Apprehension was clearly etched in her face, worrying if he saw what he saw.

Rui. I was there when he got the package. Summer love, huh?

she bitterly laughed. I hated the title and the theme, but that was all I had finished to submit.

It was good. His eyes searched hers for some brief glimpse of hope. You were at the airport that day.

She turned her head away in shame, kicking herself for not tossing him out of the apartment like she should have done earlier. An overwhelming sense of entrapment surrounded her. It was stupid really, she snorted. I don't know what made me go there. One minute I was sitting in my room listening to some music and the next thing I know I'm in a cab headed for JFK. Her head remained downcast. Her hands fumbled, tugging down the sleeves of her sweater. I really should be going. Kin is probably waiting for me. She stood up, and grabbed for the handle of her suitcase, forcing herself to find the strength to lug the gargantuan piece of luggage out of the apartment and away from him. However, a hand stopped her from making that move.

Akira wrapped his hand over hers, pulling her delicate fingers away form the piece of luggage. He let his instincts take over, and moved his other arm, snaking it around her waist and pulling her backwards into his chest. His other hand dragged her captured one resting it on her belly. He leaned forward and rested his chin on her shoulder taking in the deep, sweet scent that was all her own, one that he had longed for like a drug.

Don't leave me, he said in a small whisper. There was a tinge of desperation laced with the words, making them achingly more painful to her ears.

She closed her eyes, feeling their bodies meld together into one, like in a way they had always done so easily before. For a moment, she allowed herself to be swept up in the moment, letting shock and disbelief take the blame for her careless actions. However, pure reason reared its ugly head, alerting her of the severity of the situation. She stepped forward pushing herself away from him.

It was an opportune moment when Kin walked through the door. He stopped abruptly and tilted his head, sensing something was up by the way the two were so eerily silent. One brief glance at Tsukushi alerted him to the fact that perhaps that moment hadn't been the right time to walk in. There was something about Akira though, that made him wonder. It was a nagging feeling in the back of his head, that perhaps this guy had something to do with his girlfriend's melancholy. As a man, jealousy swept through him, wanting to take back what was his, cursing the fool for letting her go. At the same time, better judgment told him that they would need to settle things for themselves sooner or later. For her to move on with him, she had to let the first go.

Having a little trouble with this suitcase? he nervously laughed.

Tsukushi managed a small fake smile, and nodded her head. A little. Can you take this down? I'll meet you downstairs. I just need to settle some things here.

He nodded his head in quiet understanding. I'll see you in a few. Dragging the bag across the floor, he quietly closed the door behind him, letting them have their privacy.

Tsukushi turned around, and pointed an accusing finger at Akira. Her voice faltered, trembling slightly. There was a bit of cruelty in her voice that she had long held for only him. What is that supposed to mean? She started to look frantically lost, pacing back and forth in her spot, almost forgetting about his existence as she ranted. Do you think it's that easy?! People with common sense don't do this! You aren't supposed to.no, waitYou aren't allowed to do this. Not now. Not ever. Of all the times to show up

he interrupted. I had to come before it was too late. You don't understand what I've been through. I was stupid and scared. You made me feel things I never thought I would feel. That's why I came here. I wanted to tell you that I

She raised a hand to his face halting him before any more words escaped his lips. Her head shook from side to side.

No what?

No! As in no, you are not going to tell me what I think you are going to say. It's way too late to be saying. She twisted her hands in horror and disgust. Her pacing stopped abruptly, and she glared directly at him, Damn it! she hissed. Do you realize what you just walked into? Kin! I'm with Kin now, okay. Oh my god, you even walked in on me when I just decided I would have sex with him! This is so not happening right now.

He cast his head down, looking dejected. He never really considered that things would happen like this. In his head, they would already be making out on the couch, making up for lost time by now.

She continued her tirade, ignoring the pensive look on his face. What right do you think you have to come here like this?! You never even tried to speak to me in almost half a year, and now you decide to come. No way. It doesn't work this way. I've moved on, and so should you. Go home, Akira. Whatever you came here to do, forget about it.

His mind came to one conclusion as he tuned out all she had just said. There was only one way to put the issue to rest. He stomped over to her, and grabbed her roughly by the shoulders to stop her erratic movements. His eyes bore into hers. With no hesitation nor pretense, he said it straight out. I love you.

She froze speechless, losing all coherent thought of the three words placed together in the sentence at the same time coming from him.

Do you still love me?

His grip on her slackened when no reply came to him except some strange look of bewilderment as if he was some kind of freak show. She steadied her body, and backed away from him, heading towards the door, which she swung open.

I think you should leave.

He looked up to take one last look at himself vowing that he would never again approach the issue with her. He had lost his chance, and now he would pay for his own foolish pride and mistakes. A wry smiled fixed on his face. That's all I needed to know.

Wearily, he picked up his forgotten suitcase at the door and walked away, but not before having the last final word. I meant every word of what I said.

---------------------------------

She sat in the waiting area of the airport, listening to the voice on the loudspeaker call out flight numbers. Her mind was not really all there to begin with as Kin spoke to her about the things they would do once they got to the resort. Her thoughts were elsewhere in another time and place. She crinkled her forehead trying to grasp some sense of his words.

So what do you think?

It sounds great, she replied, not really even caring if it was the right response to his question. She looped her arm around his and leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder. A sudden need for some kind of warmth to ward off the cold infiltrating her body consumed her.

Kin worriedly looked down at her despondent face, knowing for sure that the man, Akira, was the source of her problems. He recognized those looks and mannerisms perfectly whenever she seemed to fall into thought about that other man. He never really pushed her about what had exactly happened except for getting the fact out of her that he had broken her heart. What else could she do, but leave a man she was utterly falling in love with, but would never incline the same intensity of emotion towards her. In his wake, he had come along and offered her some sort of comfort, no matter what little it was.

He always knew deep down he was being used to fill that void in her heart, but he didn't care. For a woman, he cared a bit more deeply than love itself he would allow her to abuse his ego. In a way, they had always understood the other's needs more than they knew themselves. That was why what he was about to do was tearing him up inside. It was a moral dilemma in which he knew the right answer.

He frowned when he came to the realization of where they stood. Tsukushi, why are you here with me?

The haze that clouded her mind lifted at the disturbingly frank question. Because you want me to be here, she answered with a bit of uncertainty. Her eyebrows knitted as she mulled over the oddity of the question. Something bothered her greatly about the question and the look of his face when he asked it. There was a bit of irony in the multiple interpretations of the simple question. She chose the easiest route and blurted out the obvious answer.

Her answer had sealed their fate, and it hurt him all the more that she didn't even realize it. She tried to put on a happy joking tone in her answer as if mocking the frivolity of the question itself, but her answer had said it all. Nothing good could come out of staying with someone because they believed they wanted them to be there. No real love could ever really come of it. Maybe at some point, she had wanted him for her own sake, but that was not the case now. He didn't want her duty or obligation. He wanted her to want to be with him. As a man, he could not accept her answer nor could his pride.

Kin gently lifted her head off of his shoulder, and he smiled. he uttered.

She sat back, confused by the one word statement.

He shook his head laughing at himself. Go to him before he leaves. I'll see you when I get back. Not waiting for her to even answer his vague order, he stood up clutching his plane ticket in his hand. He turned around, sparing her one last long glance before he walked through the terminal, getting in as the final boarding call was made.

She deserved the best man. It was just his own folly that he wasn't that man, and nothing could ever change that.

---------------------------

Tsukushi wearily stepped out of the cab that pulled over in front of her building. The deep lines of defeat and regret etched in her features. It was about two in the morning when she finally decided to give up and go home. After running to every hotel in the city and another trip back to the airport, there was no sign of Akira being anywhere. The first place she had gone to was the hotel he normally stayed at, but even after slipping a fifty under the counter to the concierge to pull up his records in the computer, she found nothing. He had cancelled his reservations earlier that day. She had even gone as far as buying a ticket to get into the boarding area of the airport to wait at every boarding flight to Japan. All her efforts proved fruitless.

This time she was the idiot to let him go.

Everything had been forgotten in her haste to track him down. After she had regained her composure from the shock of being ditched at the airport by Kin, the realization of what he meant hit her by full force. In a way, his abrupt exit was his own way of letting her go to pursue another man. It amazed her how he so easily pieced together that Akira was the guy who hurt her. Perhaps she had been too painfully obvious or maybe Kin was just more intuitive than most people. Whatever it was, his act of pure unselfishness pushed her to do the right thing.

It was only too bad she had wasted his efforts.

She sighed heavily as she dragged her feet up each step towards her floor. She considered calling Jen to perhaps ask to stay with her for the night, not wanting to be alone, but for some strange reason she couldn't bring herself to tell her what she had done. In retrospect, any sane person would have knocked her a few times upside the head for her hideous mistake. Her last resort was to keep her mouth shut and wallow in her own self-pity.

Self-pity was good. Actually anything was better than being yelled at by the hot-tempered Dominican woman. Jen had the tendency to curse out anything from the ground to the sky in Spanish and English. The tone and alternation in tongues was enough to send anyone's head spinning.

As she reached the last step, she stopped at the top, bewildered by the strange invasion of paper animals on the floor. They were paper cranes to be more exact. One by one they lined a trail that seemed to stop at her door. Her curiosity peaked at the paper trail. With her head bent downwards she followed them one by one and stopped at her door. She tilted her head, seeing a small card placed in front of the last one bearing the words, I wish I could have done it right the first time.

She bent over and picked up the card and studied the familiar handwriting, already knowing right away who it belonged to. Her heart pounded in her chest with apprehension of what else lay behind the door. Slowly, she reached for the doorknob, and let the door slide open. A hand reached out to turn on the light to illuminate the dark room. Her eyes widened as the trail that started outside continued into the apartment. Small armies of multi-colored paper cranes huddled in the corners of the room, on top of the tv, on the ground, and any other free space available. Similar cards to the one in her hand were strategically placed in front of one crane.

I wish I wasn't such an idiot.

I wish she could hear how sorry I am.

I wish to be a better man for her.

I wish I could tell her.

I wish for her trust.

I wish to never hurt her again.

I wish that she still loves me.

I wish she could see me.

Her voice echoed in the empty apartment, as her head spun around the room reading the cards out loud. A lump rose in her throat as she called out his name in barely a whisper. No response came to her silent plea as the large impenetrable walls she had built up for so long crumbled beneath her. She noticed a trail of cranes leading to her bedroom. Her feet moved ever so slowly, taking small steps towards the closed door. She held her breath as her fingers pushed the slightly ajar door open. The card in her hand floated to the floor, and her hand rose to cover her mouth in a loud gasp.

I wish to love her for the rest of my life. Her trembling voice carried in the room as she read the last card.

Akira stood in the middle of the room holding the last and largest crane in his hand with the card bearing those very words on it. He stood firmly without any doubt or hesitation in his posture or form baring himself to her. All that he had to offer her was in front of her.

Her head spun in dizzying circles trying to gather what was happening, thinking it might be all some sick hallucination. Strings of paper cranes were strung from the ceiling making a canopy of them on top or her bed. They seemed to be suspended in mid-air as if in flight. She hesitantly let her gaze meet his, and her breath caught in her throat.

I love you Makino Tsukushi, he firmly declared. I love you and only you, and I'll never want another woman as much as I want you.

That was enough to send her flying into his arms. She practically leapt across the room, flinging her arms around his neck, and crushing his lips with a brutal force. All those months of estrangement, longing, and desire came out in that one kiss. It was bittersweet with her tears falling down her face onto her lips, mixing into their kiss, making it taste sweet and salty all at once.

They pulled themselves apart only when the need for oxygen became dire, and their chests heaved against each other, gasping for air. She leaned her forehead against his own, and once again, she let her lips brush ever so gently across his, while she spoke her next few words. I love you, too.

He would have opened his mouth to say something else, but was stopped by her index finger placed over his lips. Akira looked in bewilderment as she tortuously began to brush her lips against his. An all too seductive soft sigh fell from her lips coming out in a tiny mewling noise. He decided to let her take control of the situation since he still wasn't quite sure what this all meant.

She nipped at his lower lip, causing his mouth to open in surprise; thereby, giving her the opportunity to slip her tongue into his warm mouth. As her tongue tortuously and teasingly tasted all of his mouth, her trembling hands moved from his chest and onto working the buttons of his shirt. When the very last one was left undone, she pushed the piece of cloth away from his body, letting it carelessly slip onto the floor. The soft rustle of clothing broke the slow silence of the atmosphere foreshadowing of more to come. Her nails raked over every part of his exposed chest, trailing up and down his hardened muscles.

Akira let his body do all the thinking as she seduced him with her actions. She did it all so easily as if what they were about to do or what he thought they were about to do was a daily occurrence. His hands reached for the back of her head and fisted into her long hair, pulling her closer to deepen their kiss. His tongue weaved around hers in a not so innocent chasing game battling for dominance. He stiffened when he felt the cold air hit his now naked chest, wondering when she had removed his shirt. His next big surprise came when she fumbled clumsily with his belt buckle. The slight clinking of the metal trying to be unhooked awakened him to the reality of the situation. His hands removed themselves from her hair and were brought down to stop her trembling hands. Now that he had stopped her halfway through her task, she looked up at him and he saw something he had never imagined seeing in her eyes ever. Her normally large bright brown eyes had become clouded, showing great depths of hunger and need, turning almost black in the dim room.

I didn't tell you I loved you just to get to this, he confessed.

A slight pink tinted her cheeks as she lowered her head in embarrassment. A sudden shyness took over her, but soon she found the courage to look back up at him. I know, she whispered in return. Her fingers tugged on the belt buckle once again. She lifted her head, and brought her lips up against him, letting them move against his as she told him of her intentions. I want to be with you.

He took that as an agreement to continue with where they had been heading, and he nodded his head. His fingers tugged at the hem of her sweater. She lifted her arms up in the air as he pulled it upwards, removing the constricting piece of clothing, stopping to touch her bare heated skin. He gently pulled her towards the bed, and turned their positions around, letting her back fall to the soft mattress. Her hands had finally worked that belt off and moved onto the zipper. With great ease and practice he kicked his trousers off. His own hands had already moved to undo her jeans. He only let himself leave her lips for a moment as he left her breathless. Her soft sobbing pants filled his ear with a sort of masculine pride that he could do this to her. His hands gripped the material into fists as he pulled her jeans down and off her legs. Slowly, he peeled each sock off, rubbing her soles, massaging the tension out of them. He stroked her ankle and moved one hand in a kneading motion upward to her calf, then to her thigh, and finally resting both of his hands on her hips. Her skin was so soft and supple to his touch, and he could feel each tiny reaction she expressed with the slight shudders caused by his fingers raking over her body. Inside he swore he would be the only man to ever touch her, to taste her, to make her burn with such reckless abandon ever again.

She opened her eyes, feeling the cool air of the room touch her skin. She could feel his hands resting on her hips, and she forced herself to sit up, meeting him in a kneeling position on the bed. She placed her hands over his and guided them upwards to the back of her bra. The small snap of the metal being unfastened only increased the rising temperatures of their body, fueling their desire.

He moved one hand to slide one strap down her shoulder, his lips trailing small kisses down her throat and shoulder. Slowly, the other one was pulled down to, and the entire garment was removed. He sucked in his breath seeing her breasts at eye level in front of him. She wasn't overly endowed nor was she less than blessed, but what he saw was perfect. In his eyes, she would never be anything less than perfect.

Tsukushi saw him still when her bra fell to the floor, and she hesitated for moment, raising her hands to cover herself, but his hands stopped hers, pulling them down to her side. He expressed his approval by leaning upwards to kiss her neck.

He sucked on the back of her ear near her earlobe, whispering, Absolutely beautiful, over and over again, worshiping her. His husky labored breaths became lost in the mixed mumbles of his incoherencies.

She pushed herself away from him, and slid backwards using her feet to push her body up towards the head of the bed to prop herself up slightly in a half-sitting, half-lying position. One hand was kept over his pulling him onto the bed with her, which he obediently did so. She tugged him on to lay on top of her, and he slid onto the bed to lay beside her, using one arm to support himself to hover over her. Unconsciously, she let her hair fan out around her on the pillows and sheets. Her hands tugged at the waist of her panties pulling them off, and she dropped them to the floor with a small thud without realizing just how much the sound raised Akira's level of arousal. Her eyes, which had closed while she removed her last piece of clothing, leaving her completely nude, opened ever so slowly. Anticipation and need stared right at him.

Make me yours, she breathily pleaded.

----------------End flashback-------------------

She blushed profusely recalling that night. The memories of his every touch, caress, kiss, and breath scorched into her mind, flashing through it all at once like a tidal wave. No man had ever touched her in such a way nor made her experience heights of pleasure quite like that ever. Even though somewhere in the back of her head she knew where his skills had come from, she smirked knowing that she would be the only one to ever receive such attention from him.

Akira rolled over, and propped his cheek with the palm of his hand, staring down at Tsukushi who seemed to have drifted off in thought. He grinned to himself at seeing the telltale blush in her cheeks that was turning her entire face a pink hue. What are you thinking about? he asked, feigning innocence as to where her thoughts had wandered. Are you thinking about me?

She shook her head, emptying it of such thoughts, and mentally kicked herself for being so obvious as to what she was remembering. she huffed, folding her arms across her chest, refusing to let him win. She decided to change the subject. I was just thinking about how long it took you to make all those paper cranes.

His face fell in disappointment, but he decided to go along with her for now. Well, I did have a little bit of help. It took a few days and nights without sleep. Two cranky sisters, an entire house staff, my mother, and even my father to get them all done in time. By the end of it all, we were all sporting a large number of paper cuts.

You do know that you're supposed to make them all by yourself to get your wish to come true.

You couldn't have expected me to make ten thousand cranes within a week! I made a thousand, and that nearly killed me. I got my wish. I get to love you the rest of my life.

She tapped her finger against her chin, putting on a serious pensive face. I can see how the others didn't get granted entirely considering how you're still an idiot, She fell into a small fit of laughter.

Ha ha ha. Very funny, he pouted. I don't want to talk to you anymore. You're mean! He got up and brushed the dirt off of his pants, and stuck his tongue out at her like an impudent child. I don't need to take this from you. He stalked off with his arms folded across his chest.

Aww! Don't be like that! she giggled, running to catch up with him. She tugged at his shirt making him stop. Don't be mad, she pretended to beg. I'll make it up to you. I'll do whatever you want.

You will? he asked, raising an eyebrow.

Yeah? she hesitantly answered, regretting her offer to do anything of his choosing.

He spun around, lifted her up off the ground and threw her over one shoulder. He slapped her behind and laughed in victory. How about we go relive what happened after the cranes?

she squealed. Put me down.

No can do.

Well, at least put me down and we can go back to your place or mine.

Who said anything about waiting to get back home? He set off into a fast sprint across the grass and only laughed at her previous comment. The car is closer!

--------------------------------------

Rui peered over the balcony seeing two blurry figures streak across the campus in a mad dash, making them appear as nothing more than a blur. He chuckled to himself at their playful nature as Tsukushi pounded on Akira's back flailing, kicking, and screaming her head off. Akira only continued to torment her when he spun her around in circles. It was almost comical how minutes before they laid serenely on the lawn staring up at the passing sky. He turned around to walk away, but stopped abruptly in his tracks when he heard an all too familiar voice scream.

The car!































A/N: Hmmpretty good for my first limey scene. It was pretty tame, though, more like a sprite. My teeth hurt from all this cutesy fluffiness. I demand angst! There needs to be less luvin and more angst! Yeah, I'm having a dry spell of angst. Introspection is delayed for now since I reread it and my beta was right about lack of flow. Sigh. Back to huddling over my comp bashing at the keyboard.