Rela's Grip
Dilandu
Merle had set her alarm clock to 6:30 in the morning so that he could get out early enough. As the alarm set off Merle woke to find Dilandu's arms wrapped around her waist, his head behind hers. Slipping out of his arms she stood on the floor, looking at him. He seemed... like a child... innocent and sweet. She smiled and brushed his bangs from his face. She went downstairs quietly, grabbing his cleaned clothes. Coming back up the stairs she found that he was still asleep. Leaning over him she said, "Wake up sleepy head," and kissed his cheek softly. He stirred and opened his eyes smiling.
"Do I have to?" he said, sitting up and swiftly pulling her hand to sit next to him. "Couldn't we just... sleep in?" he said, clearly joking.
"Hmm, that would be nice, considering it's a Saturday... but..."
"I know." Dilandu said still smiling and letting her go to stand up. "Van wouldn't be too happy about it." he rose and pulled on his cleaned pants and shirt. Merle stood with her back to him still she blushed. "Merle?" he asked.
"Yeah?" she said her back still turned to him.
"Thank you." he said coming around behind her and into a gentle hug. She smiled.
"Dilandu?"
"Yes?" he asked.
"Promise me that you won't go and get yourself seriously hurt. Please." Her face was full of concern as she briefly glanced at his wounds.
"I promise." He said smiling. He climbed down the vines and Merle followed, going out the front door, carrying a bag of trash as an excuse. "Would you come over this afternoon?" he asked shyly. She nodded. Hugging her goodbye he left. This had been the best morning. He drove around for a while going here and there, still a little uncertain about going home. I wonder if Vince heard what happened. I hope not. He would be desperately ashamed. He climbed the stairs where sure enough Vince was standing.
"Where were you?" Vince asked. Dilandu told him what happened to him that night completely leaving out the part about Merle. "Where did you go?" Vince asked, angry that Dilandu didn't fight the men. Dilandu told him that he had gone to his girlfriends house and spent the night. Vince smiled slightly but was still ashamed. "Come with me." he said leading Dilandu to the car. "Get in. We're training." They went to the bridge.
"What are we working on?" Dilandu asked rather tiredly.
"We're working on sharpening your senses seeing as how you had none. Lets see if you can fight back well when you can't see your opponent." He grabbed two swords from the car and threw one to Dilandu with a bandana on it. "Wear it over your eyes." He said as Dilandu pulled the bandana from the sword. Making sure that it covered his eyes completely he stood on the bridge, rather stupidly. He waited for minutes that seemed hours. Suddenly he heard something from the bushes. He pretended to ignore it. Vince charged at him from behind. Dilandu turned around and blocked the attack well but not a split second before Vince made a gash in Dilandu's arm. Shortly stunned Vince tried to kick at Dilandu's feet and for a moment Dilandu evaded him. Then he received a quick blow to the stomach followed by a kick to the ankles and Dilandu went down like a weight. As Vince stood over him almost ready to deliver another blow a picture flashed vividly in Dilandu's memory. Merle. "Promise me that you won't go and get yourself seriously hurt. Please." He had promised her. He would not break promises to her. Never. Suddenly it was as if Dilandu could see clear as day. In place of sight he felt and heard Vince's position and, swinging his leg forward, knocked him off the ground. Standing up he listened for breathing to give him the positions. He thrust his sword down and stopped it short. Breathing roughly he pulled off his bandana and threw it to the floor and stared at his "friend" who lay pinned down to the ground. His head half hung over the edge of the bridge and the tip of the sword at his throat.
"Did I fight back well enough?" Dilandu spat harshly at Vince. Raising the sword he thrust it into the boards of the bridge only an inch from Vince's head. "I'm going home to shower and sleep." As he turned around he heard the chuckle of Vince.
"What did you think of? What did you think of that made you fight like that?" Dilandu remained silent. Vince chuckled again, rising to his feet. "You were thinking of her weren't you? That girl..."
"Does it matter?" Dilandu said in a huff, hiding his blush from Vince. They got into the car and drove to the apartments. Vince somewhat praising Dilandu for his skill in the fight. Dilandu didn't listen nor did he care. His mind was only on one person. Merle. He climbed the stairs to his apartment and opened the door. He sensed someone was there but ignored it. Who else has the key? He thought it over as he pulled his shirt off and went to his room to grab another one. As he did he saw someone standing there. Oh, crap. It's Rela.
"Hello Dilandu." She said smoothing out her skirt. He ignored her and went to his dresser, pulling out another black shirt.
"How did you get in here Rela?" he asked not looking at her. She stood and walked over to him.
"I used a key of course." She said smiling as she walked over to him. Quickly he moved away from her. Realizing that he was not going to look at her she became impatient. Standing in front of the door. "What's with you Dilandu. I thought you of all people would be happy with this."
"Happy with what?"
"Having a beautiful girl.... All alone in your room... in the middle of the afternoon when there's no one home to disturb with our noise." She smiled devilishly at him and wrapped her arms around his neck. He tried to pry her off but she held onto him tightly.
"Rela... I'm not going to. I'm with someone." He said glaring at her. She looked at his face, shocked a moment that he had turned her down.
"Don't tell me that you actually like that scrawny little girl? I know that you were just dating her to make me jealous. And even if you two were serious, I'd be surprised Dilandu. I thought you had better taste than that. After all... you dated me."
"You're right. I did date you. " He said, still trying to pry her off of him. She made a face.
"Don't deny it I know that you miss me."
"Honestly... I don't"
"Sure."
"Rela... I can't and don't love you anymore."
"I know you do love me. Here. I think that you just need a little reminding." She quickly pulled his head down and pressed her lips onto his. As she did he heard something.
Merle
She went down to his apartment, ready to spend some time with Dilandu. It's weird how attached to him I've grown. She thought reaching for the handle to the door. It was open. She walked inside. It was strange. His car was parked outside yet there seemed to be no one home. Then she heard it. He was talking to someone she listened in. "I know you do love me. Here. I think that you just need a little reminding." As she looked into his room where the voices were coming from she saw it. Dilandu kissing that girl! I... how could he? I thought that he... We.... She reached the door for a closer look only to confirm what she had already seen. Holding in a sob she turned and ran from the room. How could he! I loved him! She ran down the stairs and was at the bottom when she heard someone behind her calling her name.
Dilandu
He heard something from behind Rela as she pressed her lips to his. Pushing her off of him, he saw that it was Merle. She had seen the two of them and tears were pouring down her face. Pushing Rela against the wall he furiously glared at her. "I don't love you! DO YOU UNDERSTAND?! I'm in love with her!" she stared at him dumbfounded. He left the room and ran after Merle. He could tell that she was crying. He didn't know how but he just could. "MERLE! MERLE! WAIT!" he yelled after her. I'll never forgive myself if I've hurt her! Never! He prayed that she would stop. She slowed down at the end of the stairs. She had heard him. Turning around he saw her tear streaked face. Her eyes, those beautiful eyes , blurred with tears.
"What?"
"Merle, let me explain."
"NO!"
"Merle! It wasn't me. Rela kissed me. I didn't kiss her back!"
"You expect me to believe that? The whole reason for the agreement was so that I could get Van and you could get Rela!"
"Merle..." Dilandu said trying to reach for her arm. She pulled away.
"No. You know what? I don't know why I'm so upset. This was the bargain. Right?" she looked into his eyes. They were so full of hurt. That's not true anymore. I love you. he thought. She got into her car.
"Merle please don't go. I'm telling the truth. I didn't kiss her."
"No... your lips just fell on hers. Forget it Dilandu. By the way... could you do me a favor?" she asked tears now streaming down her face. Oh, how I wish I could show you I'm telling the truth. I wish I could take away all of your pain... Merle... please believe me. She glanced into his eyes before looking strait ahead. "Don't come anywhere near me." She closed her window, shifted gears and drove away.
"MERLE! PLEASE DON'T GO!" he said. "I love you." he walked reluctantly back up to his apartment. Rela stood at the door. He gave her a foreboding stare as he entered. "Get out." He said to her in a low menacing voice. She left in a huff, telling him that he'd want her back. Dilandu picked up the phone. His first call was to the manager to get his locks changed. His other thirty seven calls were to Merle, begging and pleading for her to pick up the phone and talk to him.
Merle
She got to the house and rushed to her room. Van heard her sobs but decided it better to wait for her to cry herself out before going in to talk to her. After a few hours her sobs became soft cries and finally died away until her room was eerily silent. He walked in to find Merle, curled up on her bed, watching the phone blink endlessly displaying the messages she'd gotten. It read thirty seven. He could only guess who they were from. Sitting on her bed she was still a moment. "Merle? Are you alright?" she shook her head no. "What happened?" she stared at her foot.
"Dilandu... sniff... I found him and his x-girlfriend... kissing." Van grew angry. The two things he had told Dilandu not to do and he had done them both. He could think of so many colorful swears in so many different orders that he could call him. "Van... we were only supposed to be close friends. Even if we had kissed before... so why does it hurt so much?" she cried and Van leaned over comfortingly, holding her against his shoulder. Suddenly Merle had the strangest request. "Van? Could you get Hitomi? I'd like to talk to her... alone." Van nodded in surprise and got Hitomi, closing the door behind himself on his way out. Merle turned to Hitomi, teary eyed but determined to tell her and only her one thing. The truth. Hitomi sat and listened, to every word. From the agreement, to the first kiss, to that night, to... well you get it. She listened to everything intently. When Merle finished Hitomi was shocked to learn about how her friend really felt.
"Maybe it wasn't what you thought?" Hitomi said half to Merle and half to herself.
"Even if it wasn't... it still wouldn't matter. I told him to stay away from me."
"Knowing Dilandu he won't."
"I don't care. I'm tired of all of this. I couldn't even bear to look at him."
"Maybe it hurts so much because you might be in love with him?" Hitomi asked. Merle looked at her hurt and angrily. Hitomi smiled and left. Sitting on her bed Merle looked around her room.
"The thing is..." she said to herself looking at the rag and bowl of water, where she had cleaned his cuts, "I am in love with him."
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Dilandu
Merle had set her alarm clock to 6:30 in the morning so that he could get out early enough. As the alarm set off Merle woke to find Dilandu's arms wrapped around her waist, his head behind hers. Slipping out of his arms she stood on the floor, looking at him. He seemed... like a child... innocent and sweet. She smiled and brushed his bangs from his face. She went downstairs quietly, grabbing his cleaned clothes. Coming back up the stairs she found that he was still asleep. Leaning over him she said, "Wake up sleepy head," and kissed his cheek softly. He stirred and opened his eyes smiling.
"Do I have to?" he said, sitting up and swiftly pulling her hand to sit next to him. "Couldn't we just... sleep in?" he said, clearly joking.
"Hmm, that would be nice, considering it's a Saturday... but..."
"I know." Dilandu said still smiling and letting her go to stand up. "Van wouldn't be too happy about it." he rose and pulled on his cleaned pants and shirt. Merle stood with her back to him still she blushed. "Merle?" he asked.
"Yeah?" she said her back still turned to him.
"Thank you." he said coming around behind her and into a gentle hug. She smiled.
"Dilandu?"
"Yes?" he asked.
"Promise me that you won't go and get yourself seriously hurt. Please." Her face was full of concern as she briefly glanced at his wounds.
"I promise." He said smiling. He climbed down the vines and Merle followed, going out the front door, carrying a bag of trash as an excuse. "Would you come over this afternoon?" he asked shyly. She nodded. Hugging her goodbye he left. This had been the best morning. He drove around for a while going here and there, still a little uncertain about going home. I wonder if Vince heard what happened. I hope not. He would be desperately ashamed. He climbed the stairs where sure enough Vince was standing.
"Where were you?" Vince asked. Dilandu told him what happened to him that night completely leaving out the part about Merle. "Where did you go?" Vince asked, angry that Dilandu didn't fight the men. Dilandu told him that he had gone to his girlfriends house and spent the night. Vince smiled slightly but was still ashamed. "Come with me." he said leading Dilandu to the car. "Get in. We're training." They went to the bridge.
"What are we working on?" Dilandu asked rather tiredly.
"We're working on sharpening your senses seeing as how you had none. Lets see if you can fight back well when you can't see your opponent." He grabbed two swords from the car and threw one to Dilandu with a bandana on it. "Wear it over your eyes." He said as Dilandu pulled the bandana from the sword. Making sure that it covered his eyes completely he stood on the bridge, rather stupidly. He waited for minutes that seemed hours. Suddenly he heard something from the bushes. He pretended to ignore it. Vince charged at him from behind. Dilandu turned around and blocked the attack well but not a split second before Vince made a gash in Dilandu's arm. Shortly stunned Vince tried to kick at Dilandu's feet and for a moment Dilandu evaded him. Then he received a quick blow to the stomach followed by a kick to the ankles and Dilandu went down like a weight. As Vince stood over him almost ready to deliver another blow a picture flashed vividly in Dilandu's memory. Merle. "Promise me that you won't go and get yourself seriously hurt. Please." He had promised her. He would not break promises to her. Never. Suddenly it was as if Dilandu could see clear as day. In place of sight he felt and heard Vince's position and, swinging his leg forward, knocked him off the ground. Standing up he listened for breathing to give him the positions. He thrust his sword down and stopped it short. Breathing roughly he pulled off his bandana and threw it to the floor and stared at his "friend" who lay pinned down to the ground. His head half hung over the edge of the bridge and the tip of the sword at his throat.
"Did I fight back well enough?" Dilandu spat harshly at Vince. Raising the sword he thrust it into the boards of the bridge only an inch from Vince's head. "I'm going home to shower and sleep." As he turned around he heard the chuckle of Vince.
"What did you think of? What did you think of that made you fight like that?" Dilandu remained silent. Vince chuckled again, rising to his feet. "You were thinking of her weren't you? That girl..."
"Does it matter?" Dilandu said in a huff, hiding his blush from Vince. They got into the car and drove to the apartments. Vince somewhat praising Dilandu for his skill in the fight. Dilandu didn't listen nor did he care. His mind was only on one person. Merle. He climbed the stairs to his apartment and opened the door. He sensed someone was there but ignored it. Who else has the key? He thought it over as he pulled his shirt off and went to his room to grab another one. As he did he saw someone standing there. Oh, crap. It's Rela.
"Hello Dilandu." She said smoothing out her skirt. He ignored her and went to his dresser, pulling out another black shirt.
"How did you get in here Rela?" he asked not looking at her. She stood and walked over to him.
"I used a key of course." She said smiling as she walked over to him. Quickly he moved away from her. Realizing that he was not going to look at her she became impatient. Standing in front of the door. "What's with you Dilandu. I thought you of all people would be happy with this."
"Happy with what?"
"Having a beautiful girl.... All alone in your room... in the middle of the afternoon when there's no one home to disturb with our noise." She smiled devilishly at him and wrapped her arms around his neck. He tried to pry her off but she held onto him tightly.
"Rela... I'm not going to. I'm with someone." He said glaring at her. She looked at his face, shocked a moment that he had turned her down.
"Don't tell me that you actually like that scrawny little girl? I know that you were just dating her to make me jealous. And even if you two were serious, I'd be surprised Dilandu. I thought you had better taste than that. After all... you dated me."
"You're right. I did date you. " He said, still trying to pry her off of him. She made a face.
"Don't deny it I know that you miss me."
"Honestly... I don't"
"Sure."
"Rela... I can't and don't love you anymore."
"I know you do love me. Here. I think that you just need a little reminding." She quickly pulled his head down and pressed her lips onto his. As she did he heard something.
Merle
She went down to his apartment, ready to spend some time with Dilandu. It's weird how attached to him I've grown. She thought reaching for the handle to the door. It was open. She walked inside. It was strange. His car was parked outside yet there seemed to be no one home. Then she heard it. He was talking to someone she listened in. "I know you do love me. Here. I think that you just need a little reminding." As she looked into his room where the voices were coming from she saw it. Dilandu kissing that girl! I... how could he? I thought that he... We.... She reached the door for a closer look only to confirm what she had already seen. Holding in a sob she turned and ran from the room. How could he! I loved him! She ran down the stairs and was at the bottom when she heard someone behind her calling her name.
Dilandu
He heard something from behind Rela as she pressed her lips to his. Pushing her off of him, he saw that it was Merle. She had seen the two of them and tears were pouring down her face. Pushing Rela against the wall he furiously glared at her. "I don't love you! DO YOU UNDERSTAND?! I'm in love with her!" she stared at him dumbfounded. He left the room and ran after Merle. He could tell that she was crying. He didn't know how but he just could. "MERLE! MERLE! WAIT!" he yelled after her. I'll never forgive myself if I've hurt her! Never! He prayed that she would stop. She slowed down at the end of the stairs. She had heard him. Turning around he saw her tear streaked face. Her eyes, those beautiful eyes , blurred with tears.
"What?"
"Merle, let me explain."
"NO!"
"Merle! It wasn't me. Rela kissed me. I didn't kiss her back!"
"You expect me to believe that? The whole reason for the agreement was so that I could get Van and you could get Rela!"
"Merle..." Dilandu said trying to reach for her arm. She pulled away.
"No. You know what? I don't know why I'm so upset. This was the bargain. Right?" she looked into his eyes. They were so full of hurt. That's not true anymore. I love you. he thought. She got into her car.
"Merle please don't go. I'm telling the truth. I didn't kiss her."
"No... your lips just fell on hers. Forget it Dilandu. By the way... could you do me a favor?" she asked tears now streaming down her face. Oh, how I wish I could show you I'm telling the truth. I wish I could take away all of your pain... Merle... please believe me. She glanced into his eyes before looking strait ahead. "Don't come anywhere near me." She closed her window, shifted gears and drove away.
"MERLE! PLEASE DON'T GO!" he said. "I love you." he walked reluctantly back up to his apartment. Rela stood at the door. He gave her a foreboding stare as he entered. "Get out." He said to her in a low menacing voice. She left in a huff, telling him that he'd want her back. Dilandu picked up the phone. His first call was to the manager to get his locks changed. His other thirty seven calls were to Merle, begging and pleading for her to pick up the phone and talk to him.
Merle
She got to the house and rushed to her room. Van heard her sobs but decided it better to wait for her to cry herself out before going in to talk to her. After a few hours her sobs became soft cries and finally died away until her room was eerily silent. He walked in to find Merle, curled up on her bed, watching the phone blink endlessly displaying the messages she'd gotten. It read thirty seven. He could only guess who they were from. Sitting on her bed she was still a moment. "Merle? Are you alright?" she shook her head no. "What happened?" she stared at her foot.
"Dilandu... sniff... I found him and his x-girlfriend... kissing." Van grew angry. The two things he had told Dilandu not to do and he had done them both. He could think of so many colorful swears in so many different orders that he could call him. "Van... we were only supposed to be close friends. Even if we had kissed before... so why does it hurt so much?" she cried and Van leaned over comfortingly, holding her against his shoulder. Suddenly Merle had the strangest request. "Van? Could you get Hitomi? I'd like to talk to her... alone." Van nodded in surprise and got Hitomi, closing the door behind himself on his way out. Merle turned to Hitomi, teary eyed but determined to tell her and only her one thing. The truth. Hitomi sat and listened, to every word. From the agreement, to the first kiss, to that night, to... well you get it. She listened to everything intently. When Merle finished Hitomi was shocked to learn about how her friend really felt.
"Maybe it wasn't what you thought?" Hitomi said half to Merle and half to herself.
"Even if it wasn't... it still wouldn't matter. I told him to stay away from me."
"Knowing Dilandu he won't."
"I don't care. I'm tired of all of this. I couldn't even bear to look at him."
"Maybe it hurts so much because you might be in love with him?" Hitomi asked. Merle looked at her hurt and angrily. Hitomi smiled and left. Sitting on her bed Merle looked around her room.
"The thing is..." she said to herself looking at the rag and bowl of water, where she had cleaned his cuts, "I am in love with him."
Reviews Please! I wanna know if yall like this chappie!