A/N: Lookie! I'm back even before my two weeks are up. What can I say?
I just can't bear to leave my beloved readers in the lurch for too long.
Well, that, and there's the fact that my dear hubby has decided to postpone
his vacation 'til June. Yeah, bummer, I know. But on the bright side,
I'll have until then to work on this story regularly (if my muses
cooperate). To make up for my extended absence, here's a fairly long
chapter with a bit of TxT romance. Enjoy reading! Oh, and replies to
reviewers can be found at the bottom of the page.
Disclaimer: I do not own Hana Yori Dango.
Chapter 19: A Night at the Beach
It was one of those scorching hot, sunny afternoons that would have sent Tokyo residents scurrying into the cool, air-conditioned comfort of their offices or homes, to seek refuge from the sweltering heat. Tsukushi would've done the same... if she were back in the concrete jungle of Tokyo. But the weather was absolutely perfect for where she was right now... a posh beach resort four hours outside the city limits.
"Wow!" Tsukushi exclaimed as she took in the sight before her.
"My sentiments exactly," remarked Tsukasa, who, together with the rest of their band mates, stood alongside Tsukushi on the wide expanse of white sand beach.
Behind them, the resort hotel rose majestically, the only tall edifice visible for miles. Beside it, quaint cottages were lined neatly along the shore.
Their band had been hired to perform at the company outing of one of the largest telecommunications firms in Japan. They had left Tokyo late that Saturday morning so they'd still have time to soak up the sun, swim in the beach, and rest before their performance at the luau scheduled that night. Right after checking in and bringing their luggage and instruments to their respective rooms, they ran to the beach located at the back of the hotel to check it out.
The view that met them took their breath away. For miles on end, sparkling blue-green water lapped the white, powdery sand in gentle waves. The sun shone in all its glory in the blue, cloudless sky, making the calm water glisten in its light. An occasional seagull swooped into the water before flying off again into the horizon. The sight certainly made the four hour trip worth it. Heck, it was even worth having had to endure Akira's irritating rendition of "99 bottles of beer on the wall" throughout the last leg of the journey.
Without so much as a 'by your leave,' Tsukushi peeled off the white tank top she wore over her blue and neon green board shorts, revealing the bright blue bikini top she had on. She tossed it carelessly to the sand as she ran towards the inviting water, kicking off her flip-flops along the way.
Her band mates looked at each other, shrugged, and followed suit. Loud whoops could be heard as they broke into a run towards the surf.
They played in the water and stayed on the beach until the sun had begun to set. Then they went back to the hotel to shower and rest before the party.
They met again two hours later at the clubhouse fronting the beach, where the luau was being held. It had been transformed into a tropical paradise, with fairy lights strung up on the potted palms that had been strategically scattered all over the place. When they arrived to set up the instruments, there were already a number of people milling about. Some were already at the bar having aperitifs, while a few were already hovering around the buffet table, checking out the scrumptious menu for the night. Uniformed waiters were already taking drink orders from party early birds.
Tsukasa, Rui, Akira and Soujiro were all wearing bright Hawaiian shirts over denim cut-offs, while Tsukushi was in a simple white linen sundress. They were each handed leis to wear around their necks by the party coordinator, in keeping up with the theme of the party. Tsukushi even got a pretty, pink hibiscus to wear behind her ear.
After having a light dinner while the usual welcome address and speeches were made by some of the company big shots, the band went up the stage to get the party started. For their first set, they played a repertoire of standards and classics, for the benefit of the older, more distinguished guests. When most of these had retired back to their cottages and rooms for the night two hours later, the party got into full swing with the younger and more animated set of revelers who stayed behind. They played a mix of songs from the seventies to the present for their second set.
One of their most applauded numbers was their version of the Black Eyed Peas' "Where is the Love" in which Akira and Soujiro did the rap part. It was an experimental move for the band, since they had never done rap before. This was the first time they had ever tried it in front of an audience, and, judging from the enthusiastic response they got, the experiment was a big success.
By the time they finished their last song, the party had spilled over to the beach, with some people heading for the water for some night swimming. A deejay had taken over the task of providing the music for those who chose to remain in the clubhouse and dance.
Tsukushi and the guys made a beeline for the bar to quench their thirst after several hours of playing non-stop. The night had been a smashing success for them. Tsukushi couldn't help the smile that had been on her face the whole day. She was feeling really great about how her life had been going lately, something she hadn't felt in a long, long while.
Earlier that day, during the long road trip to the resort, Tsukushi was thinking that she had so many things to be thankful for. The band, which she was now very proud to be a part of, had never been at a better place. They were in the middle of a very successful run at Frenzy. Thanks to the weekly exposure, they were now being booked at least four times a week, mostly at corporate functions such as this, plus the occasional wedding and reunion parties. She was no longer in financial dire straits, and her bank account was healthily growing. Going back to school was no longer the impossible dream it once was.
But more importantly, she had found four new friends in her four band mates. True friends who had helped her get out of the dark sorry existence she had been in since Junpei had left her and messed up her life. Friends who had helped her trust in people again.
"I feel great!" Tsukushi giddily declared as she went around the other side of the bar. Tsukasa, Rui, Soujiro and Akira were already seated in the bar stools directly in front of her. "I want to celebrate tonight!"
"What do you have in mind?" Akira asked.
Tsukushi looked at the assortment of bottles before her, thinking of what drinks she could concoct with them. "How about some 'Sex on the Beach?'"
Soujiro leered at her before asking, "You mean now? All five of us?" That earned him twin thwacks on the head -- one from Tsukushi across the bar counter, and another, compliments of Tsukasa, who was seated beside him.
"She meant the drink, you pervert!" Tsukasa shot him a fierce look.
"Will you get your mind out of the gutter for once?" Tsukushi grumbled, although in truth she wasn't really offended. She had gotten used to Soujiro's perverted sense of humor, and in fact tonight she welcomed it. For the past few weeks since Yuki had left, Jiro had been in a funk, and he wasn't his usual self. He was quiet and moody, and Akira complained that he no longer had his regular clubbing companion. The joke he had just cracked proved to Tsukushi that he was finally coming out of that funk and was going back to his normal self. Still another reason to celebrate.
"Geez, can't you guys take a joke?" Jiro sniffed while rubbing the side of his head with his palm. But Tsukushi could tell he wasn't really offended because seconds later he was flashing that killer smile of his again, thanks to the cute, curly-haired girl with the big breasts who had sidled up to him as she ordered a drink.
The five of them were having a really good time, drinking, telling funny stories and laughing, when a group of rowdy and obviously drunk guys came up to the bar to compliment them on their performance that night. Shortly after, the band members were all being challenged goodnaturedly to a drinking game, which the guys gamely accepted. Tsukushi, who was feeling a little tipsy already, begged off and decided to take a walk on the beach instead, to clear her head.
The salty ocean breeze refreshed her as she walked out of the clubhouse into the beach. She took off her flip-flops and carried them in one hand so she could walk barefoot. She reveled in the feel of the cool sand seeping in between her toes as she walked away from the brightly-lit and noisy clubhouse. Soon Tsukushi found herself walking in the dark beach with only the light of the bright full moon overhead to guide her. She was already several thousand yards from the clubhouse, and the lights and noise emanating from it had all but faded.
As she continued to stroll along the dark shore, she sensed someone following her. Spotting a piece of driftwood a few feet away, she continued walking at her regular pace, pausing to stoop almost nonchalantly to pick up the piece of wood, although she could feel her heart pumping madly against her ribcage in fear.
Once she got a firm hold on her 'weapon,' she whirled around to assume a fighting pose. "Stop!" she yelled as she held the footlong piece of wood in front of her in what she hoped was a menacing stance. "Why the hell are you following me?"
"Whoa," Tsukasa said as he held up both his hands in the air. "Relax. It's just me."
"Shit!" Tsukushi exclaimed as she let go of the stick and clutched at her chest with her hand. "Damn it Tsukasa, you scared me!"
"Sorry," he apologized in a guilty voice. "I didn't mean to."
"Geez! Don't you ever scare me like that again! What the heck were you doing anyway, following me like that? You almost gave me a heart attack!" The bright moonlight showed him clearly that she was glaring. She lowered herself to sit on the damp sand, her knees still feeling wobbly from the scare she just had. Tsukasa dropped down to sit beside her.
"Sorry," he apologized again. "I went out of the clubhouse to follow you 'cause I was worried you'd walk too far out, which you did. Don't you know it's not safe for someone like you to go walking in the dark alone?"
She looked at the direction from which she had come and realized that she did walk a little farther than she had originally intended. She was touched that he had been concerned for her safety enough to follow her. "What happened to the drinking game?"
"Akira and Jiro are doing very well on their own. I'm pretty sure they'll win. Rui left the same time I did. Said he was sleepy already, so he was headed back to his room."
For a while, they merely sat there on the sand, enjoying the night. Each found the other very easy to be with. Having been in each other's company almost daily since Tsukushi joined the band gave them a lot of things they could talk about. And during the times they didn't talk, the silence was comfortable, not awkward.
A couple walked past them, holding hands. They stopped a few yards away, and it was obvious from their silhouettes that they were locked in a passionate kiss. Tsukasa nudged Tsukushi on her arm and tilted his head towards the pair. "Check it out."
Tsukushi turned her eyes towards the direction of the couple, who continued in their ardent liplocking for a few more seconds. A blissful sigh escaped from the lips of the woman before they continued walking on, their hands still entwined.
Tsukushi smirked before turning her gaze back to the water. "I hope they enjoy it while it lasts," she remarked disparagingly.
Tsukasa looked at her probingly when he heard her cynical tone. "Did he really scar you that deeply?" he asked.
Tsukushi blinked and gazed at him questioningly. "I'm sorry?"
"That bastard ex-fiancé of yours... Did he really hurt you that deeply that you can only talk about love as if it were something so fleeting, something that can't last?"
She chose not to answer him directly. Instead she threw him a question of her own. "But isn't love really like that? Something temporary... It makes you giddy and turns your whole world upside down. Then, just as you get used to seeing the world through rose-colored glasses, it ups and leaves. And you're left with nothing but a broken heart, and in my case, an empty pocket..." Her voice was soft and she was staring out blankly at the ocean. She seemed to be talking more to herself than to Tsukasa.
"Not all men are like that, you know."
Tsukushi shrugged. "Maybe, maybe not." She paused before speaking again. "I can sing about love and pretend when I'm up onstage that it's all that it's hyped up to be, but experience has taught me that love sucks. And I'm not gonna risk having my heart trampled on again just to prove otherwise." Not wanting to say any more on the subject, she rose up from the ground and dusted off the sand that had clung to her dress. She started walking towards the water, leaving Tsukasa to stare at her back. Momentarily, he got up on his feet as well and fell in step with her. The tide had begun to ebb, and she only stopped when she reached the point where the water reached her ankles. She stretched her arms out to get rid of the kinks she had gotten from sitting too long on the sand and took a deep breath of the tangy ocean air. She looked up to the heavens, which now was littered with thousands of stars like bits of diamonds on black velvet. The moon hung low on the sky, casting a silver sheen on the calm water. Soft, gentle waves caressed their feet, covering these in white froth before receding back to the sea. "It's so beautiful," Tsukushi murmured.
"Yeah, beautiful," whispered Tsukasa in agreement, although he wasn't looking at the stars or the moon or the water. His eyes were fixed on the woman standing beside him. Her skin seemed luminous in the soft glow of the moon, her lips, soft and pink, were slightly parted as she breathed. The wind had begun to pick up and a strong gust came from the direction of the sea, making Tsukushi shiver involuntarily. She rubbed the side of her bare arms with her hands for warmth. Seeing this, Tsukasa unbuttoned the bright printed shirt he had on and took it off without hesitation, leaving him with only a white tank top to cover the upper half of his body. He draped the shirt gently around Tsukushi's shoulders.
She turned to him to give him a grateful smile, but suddenly forgot about thanking him when she saw the hard muscles of his chest straining against his shirt. Damn it, why does he have to be so darn sexy?!
She was about to suggest that they walk back to the hotel to call it a night, when a big wave came rolling in, causing her to lose her footing in the soft sand. Instinctively, she grabbed Tsukasa's arm for support, but the wave had taken him by surprise as well. As she clutched at his arm for dear life, she brought him crashing down on the sand with her. Her eyes shut close as she felt the cold foamy water soak her back and the heavy weight of Tsukasa atop her.
When she opened her eyes again, she found his face a mere few inches from hers. They were so close that she could feel the warmth of his breath mingling with hers. He looked as unsure as she was, his stare intense as he gazed probingly into her eyes.
Tsukasa couldn't help staring at her as she lay pinned beneath him. She took in air in short breaths now, through slightly parted lips that seemed to be inviting him to explore the sweetness within. Long lashes fanned her flushed skin as her eyes fluttered close against his intense stare. Slowly, very slowly, as if he was in a trance, his face inched closer to hers...
*********************
A/N: LOL, a fluffy cliffie. Summer has officially started here in the Philippines, and I was just itching to write a beach chapter. Please let me know how you liked (or disliked) this chapter. I miss hearing from you guys.
cherub girl: Hi! Here's a longer chapter to make up for the last one. I hope you liked it. Thanks for reading!
XxSwtDreamerxX1: Thanks! *blushes* I like the way I've written Soujiro and Akira here too.
InvisibleRain: Hey there, you're back! Glad you liked the last two updates. Hope you liked this one too.
kami: Newbie? Welcome aboard! I'm glad you find this story interesting. As for where the story's going, you'll just have to read on to see, right? *winks*
Sailor Angie: Hey Angie! Thanks for the lovely long review. It's always a pleasure hearing from you 'cause you really give me good feedback as to how I'm doing. Here's a nice, long, fluffy chapter with lots of Tsukasa face time, to make up for his absence in my last post. Wow, 30+ reviews for a chapter? I've never gotten that much, even at Winglin, where I've got more readers. I reply to my reviewers as a way of saying thanks for taking the time to read my story and tell me what they think about it. Glad to hear I've inspired you to do the same with your fics. Hope to hear from you about your thoughts on this installment!
As always, please leave your comments if you have time. Thanks for reading, and see you next update! Ciao!
Disclaimer: I do not own Hana Yori Dango.
Chapter 19: A Night at the Beach
It was one of those scorching hot, sunny afternoons that would have sent Tokyo residents scurrying into the cool, air-conditioned comfort of their offices or homes, to seek refuge from the sweltering heat. Tsukushi would've done the same... if she were back in the concrete jungle of Tokyo. But the weather was absolutely perfect for where she was right now... a posh beach resort four hours outside the city limits.
"Wow!" Tsukushi exclaimed as she took in the sight before her.
"My sentiments exactly," remarked Tsukasa, who, together with the rest of their band mates, stood alongside Tsukushi on the wide expanse of white sand beach.
Behind them, the resort hotel rose majestically, the only tall edifice visible for miles. Beside it, quaint cottages were lined neatly along the shore.
Their band had been hired to perform at the company outing of one of the largest telecommunications firms in Japan. They had left Tokyo late that Saturday morning so they'd still have time to soak up the sun, swim in the beach, and rest before their performance at the luau scheduled that night. Right after checking in and bringing their luggage and instruments to their respective rooms, they ran to the beach located at the back of the hotel to check it out.
The view that met them took their breath away. For miles on end, sparkling blue-green water lapped the white, powdery sand in gentle waves. The sun shone in all its glory in the blue, cloudless sky, making the calm water glisten in its light. An occasional seagull swooped into the water before flying off again into the horizon. The sight certainly made the four hour trip worth it. Heck, it was even worth having had to endure Akira's irritating rendition of "99 bottles of beer on the wall" throughout the last leg of the journey.
Without so much as a 'by your leave,' Tsukushi peeled off the white tank top she wore over her blue and neon green board shorts, revealing the bright blue bikini top she had on. She tossed it carelessly to the sand as she ran towards the inviting water, kicking off her flip-flops along the way.
Her band mates looked at each other, shrugged, and followed suit. Loud whoops could be heard as they broke into a run towards the surf.
They played in the water and stayed on the beach until the sun had begun to set. Then they went back to the hotel to shower and rest before the party.
They met again two hours later at the clubhouse fronting the beach, where the luau was being held. It had been transformed into a tropical paradise, with fairy lights strung up on the potted palms that had been strategically scattered all over the place. When they arrived to set up the instruments, there were already a number of people milling about. Some were already at the bar having aperitifs, while a few were already hovering around the buffet table, checking out the scrumptious menu for the night. Uniformed waiters were already taking drink orders from party early birds.
Tsukasa, Rui, Akira and Soujiro were all wearing bright Hawaiian shirts over denim cut-offs, while Tsukushi was in a simple white linen sundress. They were each handed leis to wear around their necks by the party coordinator, in keeping up with the theme of the party. Tsukushi even got a pretty, pink hibiscus to wear behind her ear.
After having a light dinner while the usual welcome address and speeches were made by some of the company big shots, the band went up the stage to get the party started. For their first set, they played a repertoire of standards and classics, for the benefit of the older, more distinguished guests. When most of these had retired back to their cottages and rooms for the night two hours later, the party got into full swing with the younger and more animated set of revelers who stayed behind. They played a mix of songs from the seventies to the present for their second set.
One of their most applauded numbers was their version of the Black Eyed Peas' "Where is the Love" in which Akira and Soujiro did the rap part. It was an experimental move for the band, since they had never done rap before. This was the first time they had ever tried it in front of an audience, and, judging from the enthusiastic response they got, the experiment was a big success.
By the time they finished their last song, the party had spilled over to the beach, with some people heading for the water for some night swimming. A deejay had taken over the task of providing the music for those who chose to remain in the clubhouse and dance.
Tsukushi and the guys made a beeline for the bar to quench their thirst after several hours of playing non-stop. The night had been a smashing success for them. Tsukushi couldn't help the smile that had been on her face the whole day. She was feeling really great about how her life had been going lately, something she hadn't felt in a long, long while.
Earlier that day, during the long road trip to the resort, Tsukushi was thinking that she had so many things to be thankful for. The band, which she was now very proud to be a part of, had never been at a better place. They were in the middle of a very successful run at Frenzy. Thanks to the weekly exposure, they were now being booked at least four times a week, mostly at corporate functions such as this, plus the occasional wedding and reunion parties. She was no longer in financial dire straits, and her bank account was healthily growing. Going back to school was no longer the impossible dream it once was.
But more importantly, she had found four new friends in her four band mates. True friends who had helped her get out of the dark sorry existence she had been in since Junpei had left her and messed up her life. Friends who had helped her trust in people again.
"I feel great!" Tsukushi giddily declared as she went around the other side of the bar. Tsukasa, Rui, Soujiro and Akira were already seated in the bar stools directly in front of her. "I want to celebrate tonight!"
"What do you have in mind?" Akira asked.
Tsukushi looked at the assortment of bottles before her, thinking of what drinks she could concoct with them. "How about some 'Sex on the Beach?'"
Soujiro leered at her before asking, "You mean now? All five of us?" That earned him twin thwacks on the head -- one from Tsukushi across the bar counter, and another, compliments of Tsukasa, who was seated beside him.
"She meant the drink, you pervert!" Tsukasa shot him a fierce look.
"Will you get your mind out of the gutter for once?" Tsukushi grumbled, although in truth she wasn't really offended. She had gotten used to Soujiro's perverted sense of humor, and in fact tonight she welcomed it. For the past few weeks since Yuki had left, Jiro had been in a funk, and he wasn't his usual self. He was quiet and moody, and Akira complained that he no longer had his regular clubbing companion. The joke he had just cracked proved to Tsukushi that he was finally coming out of that funk and was going back to his normal self. Still another reason to celebrate.
"Geez, can't you guys take a joke?" Jiro sniffed while rubbing the side of his head with his palm. But Tsukushi could tell he wasn't really offended because seconds later he was flashing that killer smile of his again, thanks to the cute, curly-haired girl with the big breasts who had sidled up to him as she ordered a drink.
The five of them were having a really good time, drinking, telling funny stories and laughing, when a group of rowdy and obviously drunk guys came up to the bar to compliment them on their performance that night. Shortly after, the band members were all being challenged goodnaturedly to a drinking game, which the guys gamely accepted. Tsukushi, who was feeling a little tipsy already, begged off and decided to take a walk on the beach instead, to clear her head.
The salty ocean breeze refreshed her as she walked out of the clubhouse into the beach. She took off her flip-flops and carried them in one hand so she could walk barefoot. She reveled in the feel of the cool sand seeping in between her toes as she walked away from the brightly-lit and noisy clubhouse. Soon Tsukushi found herself walking in the dark beach with only the light of the bright full moon overhead to guide her. She was already several thousand yards from the clubhouse, and the lights and noise emanating from it had all but faded.
As she continued to stroll along the dark shore, she sensed someone following her. Spotting a piece of driftwood a few feet away, she continued walking at her regular pace, pausing to stoop almost nonchalantly to pick up the piece of wood, although she could feel her heart pumping madly against her ribcage in fear.
Once she got a firm hold on her 'weapon,' she whirled around to assume a fighting pose. "Stop!" she yelled as she held the footlong piece of wood in front of her in what she hoped was a menacing stance. "Why the hell are you following me?"
"Whoa," Tsukasa said as he held up both his hands in the air. "Relax. It's just me."
"Shit!" Tsukushi exclaimed as she let go of the stick and clutched at her chest with her hand. "Damn it Tsukasa, you scared me!"
"Sorry," he apologized in a guilty voice. "I didn't mean to."
"Geez! Don't you ever scare me like that again! What the heck were you doing anyway, following me like that? You almost gave me a heart attack!" The bright moonlight showed him clearly that she was glaring. She lowered herself to sit on the damp sand, her knees still feeling wobbly from the scare she just had. Tsukasa dropped down to sit beside her.
"Sorry," he apologized again. "I went out of the clubhouse to follow you 'cause I was worried you'd walk too far out, which you did. Don't you know it's not safe for someone like you to go walking in the dark alone?"
She looked at the direction from which she had come and realized that she did walk a little farther than she had originally intended. She was touched that he had been concerned for her safety enough to follow her. "What happened to the drinking game?"
"Akira and Jiro are doing very well on their own. I'm pretty sure they'll win. Rui left the same time I did. Said he was sleepy already, so he was headed back to his room."
For a while, they merely sat there on the sand, enjoying the night. Each found the other very easy to be with. Having been in each other's company almost daily since Tsukushi joined the band gave them a lot of things they could talk about. And during the times they didn't talk, the silence was comfortable, not awkward.
A couple walked past them, holding hands. They stopped a few yards away, and it was obvious from their silhouettes that they were locked in a passionate kiss. Tsukasa nudged Tsukushi on her arm and tilted his head towards the pair. "Check it out."
Tsukushi turned her eyes towards the direction of the couple, who continued in their ardent liplocking for a few more seconds. A blissful sigh escaped from the lips of the woman before they continued walking on, their hands still entwined.
Tsukushi smirked before turning her gaze back to the water. "I hope they enjoy it while it lasts," she remarked disparagingly.
Tsukasa looked at her probingly when he heard her cynical tone. "Did he really scar you that deeply?" he asked.
Tsukushi blinked and gazed at him questioningly. "I'm sorry?"
"That bastard ex-fiancé of yours... Did he really hurt you that deeply that you can only talk about love as if it were something so fleeting, something that can't last?"
She chose not to answer him directly. Instead she threw him a question of her own. "But isn't love really like that? Something temporary... It makes you giddy and turns your whole world upside down. Then, just as you get used to seeing the world through rose-colored glasses, it ups and leaves. And you're left with nothing but a broken heart, and in my case, an empty pocket..." Her voice was soft and she was staring out blankly at the ocean. She seemed to be talking more to herself than to Tsukasa.
"Not all men are like that, you know."
Tsukushi shrugged. "Maybe, maybe not." She paused before speaking again. "I can sing about love and pretend when I'm up onstage that it's all that it's hyped up to be, but experience has taught me that love sucks. And I'm not gonna risk having my heart trampled on again just to prove otherwise." Not wanting to say any more on the subject, she rose up from the ground and dusted off the sand that had clung to her dress. She started walking towards the water, leaving Tsukasa to stare at her back. Momentarily, he got up on his feet as well and fell in step with her. The tide had begun to ebb, and she only stopped when she reached the point where the water reached her ankles. She stretched her arms out to get rid of the kinks she had gotten from sitting too long on the sand and took a deep breath of the tangy ocean air. She looked up to the heavens, which now was littered with thousands of stars like bits of diamonds on black velvet. The moon hung low on the sky, casting a silver sheen on the calm water. Soft, gentle waves caressed their feet, covering these in white froth before receding back to the sea. "It's so beautiful," Tsukushi murmured.
"Yeah, beautiful," whispered Tsukasa in agreement, although he wasn't looking at the stars or the moon or the water. His eyes were fixed on the woman standing beside him. Her skin seemed luminous in the soft glow of the moon, her lips, soft and pink, were slightly parted as she breathed. The wind had begun to pick up and a strong gust came from the direction of the sea, making Tsukushi shiver involuntarily. She rubbed the side of her bare arms with her hands for warmth. Seeing this, Tsukasa unbuttoned the bright printed shirt he had on and took it off without hesitation, leaving him with only a white tank top to cover the upper half of his body. He draped the shirt gently around Tsukushi's shoulders.
She turned to him to give him a grateful smile, but suddenly forgot about thanking him when she saw the hard muscles of his chest straining against his shirt. Damn it, why does he have to be so darn sexy?!
She was about to suggest that they walk back to the hotel to call it a night, when a big wave came rolling in, causing her to lose her footing in the soft sand. Instinctively, she grabbed Tsukasa's arm for support, but the wave had taken him by surprise as well. As she clutched at his arm for dear life, she brought him crashing down on the sand with her. Her eyes shut close as she felt the cold foamy water soak her back and the heavy weight of Tsukasa atop her.
When she opened her eyes again, she found his face a mere few inches from hers. They were so close that she could feel the warmth of his breath mingling with hers. He looked as unsure as she was, his stare intense as he gazed probingly into her eyes.
Tsukasa couldn't help staring at her as she lay pinned beneath him. She took in air in short breaths now, through slightly parted lips that seemed to be inviting him to explore the sweetness within. Long lashes fanned her flushed skin as her eyes fluttered close against his intense stare. Slowly, very slowly, as if he was in a trance, his face inched closer to hers...
*********************
A/N: LOL, a fluffy cliffie. Summer has officially started here in the Philippines, and I was just itching to write a beach chapter. Please let me know how you liked (or disliked) this chapter. I miss hearing from you guys.
cherub girl: Hi! Here's a longer chapter to make up for the last one. I hope you liked it. Thanks for reading!
XxSwtDreamerxX1: Thanks! *blushes* I like the way I've written Soujiro and Akira here too.
InvisibleRain: Hey there, you're back! Glad you liked the last two updates. Hope you liked this one too.
kami: Newbie? Welcome aboard! I'm glad you find this story interesting. As for where the story's going, you'll just have to read on to see, right? *winks*
Sailor Angie: Hey Angie! Thanks for the lovely long review. It's always a pleasure hearing from you 'cause you really give me good feedback as to how I'm doing. Here's a nice, long, fluffy chapter with lots of Tsukasa face time, to make up for his absence in my last post. Wow, 30+ reviews for a chapter? I've never gotten that much, even at Winglin, where I've got more readers. I reply to my reviewers as a way of saying thanks for taking the time to read my story and tell me what they think about it. Glad to hear I've inspired you to do the same with your fics. Hope to hear from you about your thoughts on this installment!
As always, please leave your comments if you have time. Thanks for reading, and see you next update! Ciao!