Tornado: Hiya, people. Thanks to those that reviewed, and now on with the fic.
Tora rode in silence, contemplating her actions. The news of Eiri's latest error had shocked the girl. Tohma had explained the manner that Shuichi had discovered the late night relationship that was sworn as friendship once the dawn had arisen. Of course, Tora knew that Shuichi had not allowed Eiri to explain and that Eiri was too preoccupied with his anger to mention that fact.
She could feel Tohma's blue-green eyes staring at her. She was resisting the urge to say "keep your eyes on the road," but refrained, avoiding conversation. Several times Tohma tried to word the thoughts but didn't succeed. She began to become irritated with the constant stuttering.
"What is it that you want to say?"
"Why did you do that? Sleep with him, I mean. You realize that you're going to get hurt."
"I know what I'm doing. It was a one-night thing that occurred out of drunkenness. Nothing more."
"Well, sorry for being worried about you. The last time you and Eiri had a relationship, you almost attempted suicide. You were depressed for nearly a year. I just wanted to make sure that I wasn't going to have to visit a hospital or a funeral to see you."
"Whatever."
"Don't you 'whatever' me. I have good reason to suspect that you would end up in those places."
"Why the hell do you care? You're not my mother! Nor are you my husband/boyfriend/lover."
"No, but I am you're friend. Please, Tora. Just talk to me."
"There's nothing to talk about unless you want the details."
"That would be nice."
"Pervert."
"You asked for the same thing several times in NY."
"I was sixteen, but that's not the real problem. What are we going to do about Eiri?"
"The only thing that we can: be there as friends. He won't talk to me, but he will to you. I know because he needs someone to talk to, and he just fired his shrink. He refuses to talk to me. I'm going to try to break him, but that's like trying to crack a safe without any equipment."
"Well you'll have a few days to perfect your strategy. If he doesn't like you, why did he call you when he needed a place to stay?"
"Who else would he call? You? The press would be all over it. Me, he'll tolerate me as long as he needs. His only other option would be to go home, and you and I both know that he would rather be tortured than go back there. In fact, that place is torture."
"Yeah, I guess. This is your place?" she asked as they pulled up to a luxurious, large brick house.
Eiri was already in the driveway. He watched as they pulled in, glaring slightly at the driver. Tora made a mental note of the tension between the two. Tohma had said that Eiri was not his biggest fan, but this was worse than she had expected. The two used to be lovers for crying out loud. Civil accosting was traded between the two, and a slight nod was sent in Tora's direction. She returned the gesture. Tohma beckoned the midnight lovers to his estate, unlocking the door for them to enter the house.
Marble floors were common throughout the house, stretching from the foyer to the kitchen and extending into the living room. Eiri threw his bag on the floor next to the door and headed straight for the kitchen. Tora tailed him with interest. He had his head buried in the fridge by the time she arrived in the kitchen, and absently tossed her a beer that he had found. She smirked, cracking the tin seal and taking a long drag. Eiri had lit a cigarette and unearthed an ashtray that was obviously for Mika, seeing that Tohma wouldn't light anything on fire besides sticks in a fireplace.
"Did Tohma tell you how Shuichi found out? Pretty wild, eh? Never thought those words would be coming out of my mouth. The more I think about it, the stupider it becomes. I never promised Shuichi that he would be the only lover in my life, but I guess it was assumed when I announced that I was gay. Life's too damn complicated," he scoffed, puffing on his cigarette.
"It always has been, and if you keep smoking the way you do, you'll have ten different kinds of cancer by the time your fifty. You're already at elevated risk for testicular cancer," Tora replied, jokingly.
"Ha ha, smart-ass. You're a riot. I hate this. Why can't I be at home working on my next novel?"
"Do you have any idea what you're going to write it about?"
"Not a damn clue. I was thinking about having a different sort of theme. Maybe a little less like reality. I don't know."
"That seems to be a theme with you: 'I don't know,'" she teased.
"It's always been a theme," Tohma called from the doorway.
"Shut up! At least I don't dress like a fag," Eiri replied.
"At least I'm not an open fag."
"You're both bi whether you like it or not, so shut the fuck up and drink your beer," Tora snapped.
Tohma gave her a military salute before stealing a beer and taking a seat at the bar beside Tora. He gently placed his hand on her leg, earning a slap on the face from the girl. He made a sound of pseudo-protest, smirking mischievously. Eiri shot him a warning stare. The older man gave him a gesture of innocence while Tora observed the ritual with amusement.
"Tohma, you're married. To my sister no less. I have to object to your open flirtation."
"You had a good night with her, so why can't I? You have more obligations than I do to your lover. Hell, Mika has some guy that she's fucking."
"I don't care. She's my sister. Don't screw around."
"Yeah well, I have money invested in Shuichi, and because of you he's going to be throwing a hissy-fit and won't want to record, which he really needs to do."
"You're the one that gave him the day off and that's why he found out about last night. Had Shuichi just gone to work like every other day, I would have been able to lose myself in my writing and forget all about last night."
"So Tora isn't good enough, eh? Doesn't that make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside."
"Don't try to make me the bad guy. I'm only the one that opened his big mouth and said something that he wasn't supposed to. All for some old fling."
"Excuse me, but I take offense to that!" Tora shrieked. "I feel so loved!"
"Way to go, Eiri! You insulted the best piece of ass that we've got."
"Oh, yeah, Tohma. That makes me feel better!"
"Anyway, Tohma, at least I'm not referring to her as an object."
"You're doing all but."
"Okay! No nuts here. What the hell are you going to about Shuichi?" Tora inquired.
"Do I have to do anything? I mean it was his decision to freak out and throw me out. Why should I do anything?"
"The only way that is justified is if you said nothing specific and didn't admit to anything. Judging by the look on your face, I'd say that it is not the case."
"Yeah, I um kinda said that you were better than him or something like that, but you know, he probably forgot about it."
She reached across the island and slapped him. The contact filled the elegant kitchen with a large crack. The pair began exchanging banters in heated, raised voices. It was now Tohma's turn to enjoy the comedy show occurring in his presence. This sacrament was enjoyable and one more traditional between siblings.
It was the first time in ages that Tohma felt at ease in his surroundings. There was an absurd calming about the passionate, chaotic quarrelling while indulging in the satisfying taste of beer. It was times like these in his youth that he would gaze at the duo in awe, wishing that he could take them both. Of course, then it was completely possible. Now, Eiri had Shuichi and wouldn't allow Tohma to coddle himself in a non-marital romance. Not that it mattered because Mika had bluntly told him that she was fucking another guy and was going to see him and gave him an order to have fun. Tora had the same stance as Eiri.
"Well, you know what, Tora, it's not my fault that you're hot and I used to fuck you. Well that last bit is, but it's not my fault that you make me feel like I'm back in NY."
"It doesn't matter. You never told me to stop, so you're guilty!"
"Oh and you just shut off that morally righteous mind of yours and fucked right along. You're just as guilty as me!"
"Settle down, you two. You're giving me a headache. Tora, why don't you go get some sleep? I can tell it's been a long day. Besides, you have that new novel you're working on. Eiri will take me to pick up my car. Call my cell if you need directions. Eiri, shall we?"
The trio rose, making their way to their cars. Tohma did his gentlemanly duty by holding the door for Tora but released it just in time to smack Eiri in the face. The non-victims chuckled, positioning themselves arm-in-arm. Eiri beat the older man to the car door, kissing Tora on the cheek as he did so. Tohma, determined to out-do his former counterpart, promptly frenched the girl, who punched his arm rather hard. Eiri punched him on the opposite arm, emphasizing things that he was not supposed to be doing.
"You really do still like her, don't you?" Eiri asked, watching her drive away.
"What gave you that idea?" Tohma answered heavily. "She thinks I'm just trying to be stupid and funny."
"Should she think otherwise? I mean, you always liked causing her so much frustration that she wanted to rip her hair out. You're not the easiest person to get along with."
"Is that why you can't stand me?" he requested, climbing into the passenger seat of the Mercedes.
"No, I just don't want things like what happened with Tora to happen between us, but there are times when I wish that we were still close. Enough about me. How's your marriage?"
"How do you think? Right now, Mika's in Germany with some hooker she picked up and all but ordered me to screw whatever I wanted. Basically, that's how our whole relationship. What the hell can I do? You won't believe me, but I don't screw around."
"I believe you. I didn't know that Mika did that stuff. Ha, the good, dutiful daughter is a whore."
"Hey, look she may be a player, but she's still my wife. So watch your mouth. Look, I know it sounds bad, but what can you do?"
"I was simply commenting. If Dad knew what she was doing, she'd be the black sheep instead of me. It's rather amusing actually. I feel really bad for you. Why again did you marry her?"
"Stupid me, I thought that she might care about me. Boy was I wrong. Although it was worth it to shut my parents up. They never even talk to me anymore. Probably just as well."
"I never would have guessed that she did that. I mean she always seems so into you whenever you're together. Don't judge a book by its cover."
"Yeah, everything's not hunky-dory. We don't even sleep in the same damn room anymore. She moved her bed to the guest bedroom. I should just divorce her, but that's a mess."
"She'll take you to the cleaner's. I don't blame you for not wanting to divorce her, but I must say the two of you suit each other. You're both sharks."
"Thanks, Eiri," he scoffed heavily, glaring out the window, grateful to know that he was so greatly appreciated.
Eiri shot him a sidelong glance, feeling bad about the subject that he had chosen. He never would have guessed that Tohma would have been hurt by Mika's infidelity. Tohma had expressed his feelings for Eiri many a time, causing Eiri to disregard any ill feelings on his part. Even the way the man acted with his former lover was inconsistent with the way he felt. Eiri had an urge to attempt to cheer his companion but had not a clue how to do it.
"Tohma, I'm sorry. I didn't know you felt that way about Mika. Do you love her?"
"I guess," he replied shrugging. "I would probably classify it as friendship more than anything else. I know the next question out of your mouth will be why I care. I just feel used and abused. She's only nice to me when she needs something, and other than that she's never home and never calls.
"She's never there when I need her. I knew that this would happen before I married her, but I just hoped that it would be one of those things that turned out to be a twist ending. I was wrong. That's why I held onto Tora until the last damned day.
"The night before I got hitched, she cut the ties. I was crushed. I made her swear that we could still be friends and stay in touch. She agreed that I could call her anytime, if ever, that I needed a listening ear no matter what time of the day it was. In the end, about sixty percent of calls that I make and receive come from her. She and I talk about three times a week. Mika gets all pissy when the phone rings at three in the morning, but I always welcome the sound of her voice."
"So, you and her are pretty close, huh? I could tell the way you two were joking around. Were you with her all morning? I thought so. Taking advantage of your darling wife's absence, eh?"
"Something like that. I hadn't actually seen her in nearly two years, so I just wanted to…"
"Hold her again?" Eiri offered.
Tohma nodded. "You noticed that? Yeah, well, you got to have a night with her, so I can at least have her attached to my arm for a day. She protested, of course."
"That's the thing with Tora; she never admits to what she wants if contradicts any morals. She wanted me last night. I saw it in her eyes, but she didn't want to admit it because she knew that it was going to lead to something that was not supposed to happen. She all but confessed that she still loved us and wanted to be with us again, but she keeps torturing herself because she thinks it's wrong. Tohma, she's tearing herself apart piece by piece. Soon, there won't be anything left."
"I know. I tried to convince her not to reinstate her relationship with you, but she would hear nothing of it. I love her. The same way that I love you: more than anything or anyone else in the world. I have accepted that Shindou makes you happy and will not interfere with your relationship, but Tora, she's an entirely different story. She reminds me of a little kid that thinks she invincible, and I need to protect her. You agree with me, right?"
"There's no way that I couldn't. I remember you telling me that she tried to commit suicide after I left. God, I would never forgive myself if she succeeded."
"Nor would I. We really need to keep a close eye on her through this ordeal. At least until the press simmer down on the relationship between the two of you."
"Oh and, Tohma, I'll stay with you until Mika returns, but then I'm going home. If you want to have an affair with her, my lips are sealed."
Tora didn't go home. There were too many things swimming in her brain, refusing to cease their nagging on her already tired mind. She wanted Eiri to be happy again even if it meant that she had to give him up forever. Sap, she scolded as she drove. You sound like some stupid character out of Eiri's novels. It's degrading. True but degrading. That seemed to be the theme of her life. The only two men that she loved with all her heart were happily married or taken. Well, not so much happily with Tohma but married all the same.
She felt more deeply connected with Tohma than Eiri, which was the result of severance for six years. Nonetheless, she still cared about Eiri and was not going to back down from any deed that she could contribute to. So, rather than returning to her residence, where she had informed the boys she was going to be, she took a journey further south, a very unfamiliar one.
She parked across the street from her target, corroborating the address with the one on the paper that Eiri had given to her the day before. There were boxes piled into a black car parked in the driveway. The door was ajar, clearly representing the departure of one of the house's inhabitants. A short male with strawberry hair stepped out of the house, arms laden with another box. She exited her vehicle, approaching the boy in absence of doubts. Her cerulean eyes studied the boy's movements. Apparently he was unaware of her presence.
"Are you Shuichi Shindou?" she asked strongly, examining his demeanor.
"Who wants to know?" he replied cautiously.
"My name is Tora. Tora Lireal. I'm a friend of Eiri."
"Oh, yeah. You're the reason that I'm moving out. What can I do for you?" he snapped.
"First off, cut the snide act out and pull your head out of your ass. It's starting to come out your mouth. Secondly, take all your shit back inside and work out this thing with Eiri."
"Look, lady, you don't know anything about me and Eiri, so back the hell off!"
"Listen, I know enough to know that Eiri cares about you! Drop you're pride for a while!"
"Whatever! You've got nothing on me!"
"Kid, I don't want to do this to you, but if I have to, I will go over your head and make your and your band mates life a living hell. I'm very friendly with your producer."
"Why are you doing this? Don't you want Yuki all to yourself? Why convince me to get back together with him? What's in it for you?"
"You didn't strike me as the suspicious kind, or did Eiri teach you that? You don't know me, kid, and quite frankly, my reasons are none of your concern. Think about what I said. I'll be in touch," she called over her shoulder as she made her way to the car.
Shuichi stood by the car, mouth opened in amazement. There was something that was motivating her to do this, and Shuichi thought that she was out of her mind. No fan of Eiri's would want to give him up, but then again, she wasn't a fan. She was a friend. Maybe she actually wanted him to be happy. He stared at the car loaded with his personal affects. Sighing, he grabbed a few boxes and returned them to the house. He wanted to see exactly how this even unfolded.
Tornado: Whew. That actually took a while to write. It was difficult maintaining the characters' demeanor and making them say what I wanted them to say. I thought a bitchy Shuichi would be a different change cause we all know how he gets when he doesn't have his Eiri! Anyway, R&R.
