FD I'm so sorry! It's being so long since I last updated!
YF the readers are so mad at you!
FD I know, so this chapter is longer than my normal ones. Enjoy!
YF disclaimer: hana yori dango does not belong to us.
Chapter six
The next day, it was eerily calm. Tsukushi's nerves tensed, ready for any type of attack, but surprisingly, none came. Not only is there no attack, there's no conversation either. An uncomfortable silence settled whenever Tsukushi approaches. She is completely isolated, of course that is not going to bother our evil genius.
'Hmm, something's up. I better be ready.' Tsukushi mused silently as she walked through the hallway, aware of the hostile stares directed at her. 'This is so exciting!' she mentally squealed.
The school bell signaled the end of the day, Tsukushi walked cautiously through the now almost deserted school.
"Heh, heh," nasty chuckles drifted into her ears. "Bingo," Tsukushi mentally nodded and turned to face the speakers.
Three guys walked up to her, an unpleasant glint in their eyes.
Tsukushi gave them a quick look-over. All of them are apparently heavy muscles. They are clothed in dark loose shirts and pants with skull or snake print on it. Silver chains hang around the neck and wrist. However instead of producing an aura of gangster intimidation, it only made them look over dramatic. It's like children wearing clothes of adults. Tsukushi thought this amusedly.
"What?" Tsukushi said slowly.
The three boys, who are apparently unaware that they are objects of amusement, crossed their arms, showing off their thick arms. This of course just looks ridiculous to Tsukushi.
The boy with spiked hair holds out a sheet of paper to her and grinned. "We got your note."
"My note?" Tsukushi dragged her words.
"See here," the spike hair pointed at the paper, "You said you would do anything to have someone talk to you." He stared openly at her chest and skirt, his intent is obvious.
Tsukushi frowned, through no stranger to these tactics, when encountering them; it still gave her a disgusting feeling. 'Doumyouji, you disappoint me.' She thought sadly, and then turned to the boys. She held her head high and glared, "I did no such thing, if you even have a little brain cells, you would have figure it out by now." Her voice is commanding, like a queen.
The boys stepped back a little, stung by her aura. But the apprehension is not enough. They are determined to accomplish whatever they set out to do.
"Well, we are getting what we want, whether you like it or not." The spiked hair boy smirked nastily. "Get her, guys!"
The other two immediately carried out his command and pushed Tsukushi roughly on the ground. Each of them pinned one of Tsukushi's arm on the ground.
"Get your filthy hands off of me!" Tsukushi growled a dangerous glint in her eye.
The sound had momentarily stopped the two followers. They turned to their boss; doubts begin to cloud their mind.
The boss was no more experienced than his underlings, his heart wavered. However the disgust glint in Tsukushi's eyes and possibly something else made the decision for him.
"Go on!" he encouraged them.
The other two turned back to Tsukushi. Traces of fear are still evident in their eyes. Hesitantly; they pursed their lips and "€
"What the hell are you doing?!" a cleared enraged voice cut through the air, scaring the lights out of the three boys.
They turned startled and met the steely eyes that belong to the one name Hanazawa Rui.
Rui is practically consumed by the fires of fury. His voice was deadly calm as he issued the order, "Get out." He spitted out the words.
"But, Hanazawa-san, Doumyouji-sama "€" The spiked Hair boy stuttered.
"NOW!" Rui hissed.
Scared out of their wits, the three boys run away from the scene.
"Are you okay?" Rui kneel down beside Tsukushi. His anger vanished, concern and anxiety shone in his eyes.
Tsukushi stared at Rui in complete surprise. Sure, she expected Rui to be concerned about her, but to openly show it like that was not in her range of expectation.
The surprised in Tsukushi's eyes alerted Rui of his uncharacteristic behavior. He quickly stood up; a mask immediately covered his face, leaving his expression blank.
Tsukushi was immediately aware of the withdrawal, called out, "Rui, come on. I was surprised, yes, but pleasantly. It's nice that you show me that you worried about me. This just proves that we are friends." She lightly tugged his sleeves, feeling no resistance, pulled him down so Rui sat beside her.
"Come on, you are not mad, are you?" she kneeled in front of him and pouted cutely.
Rui turned lightly away, effectively avoided her pout.
Tsukushi grinned then giggled. She put her hands on the sides of Rui's face and turned it toward her. She then used her fingers and lifted Rui's mouth into a comical smile. Tsukushi smiled happily, "there, now you can't be mad anymore since you smiled!"
Rui's face relaxed and gave a gentle smile back.
Tsukushi beamed at him, then put her fingers beside her own mouth and pulled.
As if a secret message had been send, both of them start to laugh. Happy, clear sounds rumbled in the hallway as the two shared the amusement that simple gesture had brought to them.
The laughter slowly died out, and the two lapsed into comfortable silence.
Tsukushi grinned. "Aren't I a great friend?" I made you laugh!" she said, putting her hand dramatically over her heart.
Rui ruffled her hair at the cute expression she made, then his face turned serious. He turned slightly away from her, "you are in trouble."
Tsukushi tilted her head, "how?"
"Did you know what those boys want?! They want "€"
"Rape me?" Tsukushi cut him off, a slight smile on her lips.
Rui narrowed his eyes, "Tsukushi?"
Tsukushi shook her head lightly, "I don't really think they would really rape me. Scare me? Yes. But rape? I don't think so."
Rui stared at her silently, "How do you that, those guys seem pretty determined to me." His voice was soft.
Tsukushi turned to him, "I thought so too, at first. But they are too easily swayed. When I shouted at them, they hesitated and look for instruction from their boss. Besides their entire actions seem forced and practiced, you know."
Rui turned away and stared at the horizon. "Perhaps."
Tsukushi grinned and stretched her arms as she yawned, "And I can take care of myself perfectly if they even think about actually doing that."
"Of course, you are a martial art champion." A sullen mumble is her reply.
"So, you noticed that, huh?" Tsukushi smiled.
"Yeah."
The two lapsed into silence once more.
"Tsukushi, which one is the real you?" Rui asked.
"What do you mean?"
"You seem so fiery when you confronted with Tsukasa. Sarcastic remarks are practically spewing out of your mouth. But right now you are calm and sweet. Not to mention you are an actual martial art champion. Which one is the real you?"
"They are all me. I guess I just have a lot of different sides. I showed them when the situation is suitable."
"Suitable?"
"Tsukasa is my opponent, so I let out all my fires at him. You are my friend, so I confide and laugh with you. The martial art is just a skill. I used it to kick ass!"
Rui gave a small smile, her comparison made him happy. "What are your other sides?"
"Wouldn't you just love to know? I'm not going to tell you right now. After all, what's the fun in that?"
Rui nodded slightly in expectance. "Do you like it? Playing with Tsukasa?" he asked.
Tsukushi's eyes widened slightly at the abrupt change of subject, and then nodded. "This is what I love! I feel excited to plot schemes and carry them out. The planning, the preparing and the actual action gave me a thrill and joy unlike anything else!" her eyes shone as she talked about the activity she loves.
Slightly mesmerized by the luster in Tsukushi's eyes, Rui nodded slowly. Even if he had never felt such intense pleasure, he could feel the echo of it as enthusiasm rolled out in almost visible waves from Tsukushi. It felt like Tsukushi was suddenly filled with more life than ever, not that she seem lifeless before, but suddenly there's this energy coming from her that capture people's eyes. Something so incredibly beautiful and brilliant.
Tsukushi suddenly turned to Rui, "this is what makes me tick."
Awed by the fierce joy on her face, Rui nodded slightly, his lips curved into a gentle smile. "Then go for it, if you wish." He chuckled at the surprised yet delighted expression on her face. Then Rui leaned forward, lightly tapped her forehead with his knuckles and in a mock serious voice, "Just don't go too far."
"Hai!" Tsukushi chirped and beamed at Rui, then grinned slyly, "then you won't interrupt when I'm going through Plan 2."
Rui's face turned to shock as Tsukushi whispered her plan into his ears.
The next morning
"Do, do..." Doumyouji entered Eitoku High, whistling. He crackled his knuckles as glee took over his face. 'Tsukushi is probably regretting the day he encountered Doumyouji Tsukasa.' Confident that he had finally won a match against Tsukushi, Tsukasa is in a very good mood.
The fact that his three underlings did not return to him their reports had completely escaped his mind. Well his confidence could really be his downfall!
Doumyouji's light steps came to a stop as he caught the sight of a huddled figure near a cluster of bushes.
She, assuming the person is a girl; you can't really tell under that thick curtain of dark hair, had her hand on her knees and was hugging her legs to herself. This effort made her look very small and pitiful.
There is a sneak suspicion that slowly crept into Doumyouji's mind. Instead of shouting to the person to scram, he slowly kneeled down until he's at face level with the person. "Hey, who are you?!" he demanded gruffly. The suspicion is growing bigger by the second. The person lifted her head up, the curtain of hair slide apart and revealed a pair of haunted dark eyes accompanied by death pale face.
Doumyouji sprung back at the broken look directed by his number one enemy (as he keeps telling his heart), Makino Tsukushi. He took in a large breathe before finally turned and look back at the seemly lifeless girl.
For a long moment, there was a frozen silence stretched between them.
Abruptly, Doumyouji shook his head violently, 'I can't stand this any more. If this last any longer, I'm going to suffocate.' He stepped forward suddenly and gripped Tsukushi's shoulder in a bruising manner. "What's with you?!" he shook her vigorously as panic threatened to drown him.
Tsukushi turned stiffly toward him. Doumyouji can almost hear her bones creaking as she turned. Her blank stares almost seem to penetrate him. "Why?" she breathed. Her whisper barely audible, but seems like she had screamed right into his ears.
"What?" Doumyouji uttered softly, afraid of the answer.
"Rape." Tsukushi slammed down the dreaded word, a single tear escaped form the corner of her right eye.
Doumyouji stepped back as if had been hit physically. Waves of remorse accompanied by fury flowed inside him. He refused to dwell on the regrets, instead of focus on the raw anger until remorse had dissolved, leaving only anger. "I'm going to kill those bastards." He hissed.
"Why?" the soft whisper broke through his musing of the tortures those boys will go through.
The regrets resurfaced as Doumyouji stared at the traumatized girl, so different from the fiery one he used to know. Now he wished more than anything in the word to restore her back to her original self. He kneeled down; face gentler than it had ever been. "sorry." He whispered his first apology in years. Doumyouji tentatively reached to push those dark locks away from her face.
Tsukushi flinched before his hand reaches its destination.
Doumyouji looked down, apologies came fast and sincere. "Sorry, so sorry. I never meant for you to get hurt. I just want to scare you. This is just a rivalry. I want to win but not hurt you like this." He bit his lips before continuing, "I "€"
"Stop it." A monotonous voice cut into his ramble.
Looking even more contrite, Doumyouji lowered his head. "I'm a stupid bastard!" then there was a soft click noise, Doumyouji stopped in confusion before dismissing it, "I'm so stupid, childish. I never meant it. Sorry, I'm an idiot. I'm a bastard. I'm so sorry!" Doumyouji apologized and insulted himself for umpteenth time, oblivious to the suspicious twitching lips of the supposedly traumatized girl.
"Ka!" this time the sound came loud and clear. Doumyouji jerked his head up, meeting the grinning face of Tsukushi.
His eyes widen in shock as Tsukushi calmly took out a digital camcorder from inside of a bush. It's at a position that it had a complete view of Doumyouji.
Tsukushi clicked it again, "Look everyone, Doumyouji has finally admitted his lack of intelligence. Bravo! This took real courage. Everyone, follow his example." Tsukushi took out a control and pushed the button. Instantly, Doumyouji's groveling voice is everywhere surrounding them. Tsukushi's little explanation followed as his voice ends.
"I win again. Doumyouji Tsukasa. If you think those idiots can actually touch me, you got another think coming!" Tsukushi smirk her trade mark smile.
Doumyouji who was stupefied stared at Tsukushi's familiar expression. He felt a profound relief that made him want to laugh out loud. This is the true Tsukushi! Wait, what's a camcorder in her hands. His eyes widened in terror as realization of what just happened hit him.
He lunged for the camcorder and successfully squashing it flat.
"Zzz!" the former camcorder made a desperate struggle, but cannot fight the power of Doumyouji's muscle clad arms. It died with a spark of light.
However the death of camcorder did not bring with it the end of the film. Doumyouji could still hear his pathetic apologies booming around the school.
"Stop the film!" Doumyouji lunged again and was easily dodged by Tsukushi.
"Noo way!" she jumped and run, with Doumyouji chasing after her.
In front of the cafeteria building, the students watched in amazement as Doumyouji and Makino burst out from the bush.
The gigantic screen on the side of the main building is playing Doumyouji's humiliation and Tsukushi's little explanation in great detail over and over again. Right now, all the students and most of the teachers had come out of their class and devote their complete attention to the screen.
Doumyouji's face grew red as the students simultaneously turned to him. He painfully lifted his head and caught the sight of the screen. He gaped in a way that suspiciously resembled a fish.
Doumyouji turned to the crowd, picking out the staff of the school. "Stop the film!" he roared.
At the command of Doumyouji Tsukasa, the staff immediately obeyed. Unfortunately for Doumyouji, all their attempts were useless. Even cutting the power line was not enough. Tsukushi had really done her job well.
Doumyouji realized the futileness in the situation; choose to turn his attention aback to Tsukushi.
"I'm so going to kill you! Makino!" he lunged for the laughing genius.
"Ha! Dream on!" Tsukushi dodged his attempt. "You have to catch me first." She taunted before breaking off into a run.
The school is instantly filled Tsukushi's taunting voice and laughter accompanied by Doumyouji's outraged roars.
As the event continued, a pair of passive eyes turned cold.
FD you know, I think I have been a little too mean to Doumyouji.
YF not really, after all he actually had those boy scare her with rape.
FD well, okay then.
YF tell us what you think but no flames!
FD thank you so much.
