FD:I'm back, finally!

YF: you always take so long to update.

FD: I know I'm sorry. This chapter has what you all been waiting for. drum roll

DOUMYOUJI'S THOUGHTS!

YF: whatever.

Disclaimer: hana yori dango does not belong to us.


Chapter Seven

At Doumyouji's mansion

Tsukasa was lying on his bed, staring at the ceiling. Today's event is playing in his mind over and over again. Tsukushi tricking him, Tsukushi smirking her little confident smile, Tsukushi dodging him and run, Tsukushi, Tsukushi. There is so many different Tsukushis in his mind that Tsukasa hollered in frustration. This, of course, leads to the quick scampering of his maids and attendants. They are quite familiar with his moods and know that it's wise to leave the danger zone right now.

This is not his style, think so hard. Why do all these things have to be so complicated?! He liked things simple and easy. Tsukasa shook his head vigorously, throw all reason out of the window and concentrate on his raw emotions.

Contrary to what others thought, Tsukasa doesn't hate Tsukushi. Tsukasa's gaze unconsciously drifted to the picture of a beautiful woman on his table. Tsukushi is like his sister, full of fire. He can still remember when he first met her, she knocked him down. No one had ever done that to him...except his sister. His sister is the only one in the family who cared about him. Call it a sister-complex, but wouldn't you be the same way if you are in his situation.

He could still recall the feeling of hot excitement that coursed through his vein every time they meet. He looks forward to those meetings with her. Tsukasa thought that was all there is to it. She was a rival. But today, when she appeared to be broken, he felt not the loss of an opponent, but pain. Pain for hurting someone he felt a mysterious attachment with. Though it turns out to be a trick, it still woke his dormant feelings, force him to acknowledge those sentiments.

It's not that he isn't angry at her. He is, a lot. But the pure relief that what he thought happened, didn't happen is the main emotion. Even when he's screaming at her in outrage, there's this layer of relief.

Now that he just received a wake up call, Tsukasa begin to reconsider his relationship with Tsukushi. He is not satisfied now. He doesn't want her to see him as an enemy, only good for insults and tricks. These little arguments are still needed. After all, it was fun sparring with her; it brings a strange comfort to him. But now he wants something more intimate, something more close. He wants a relationship with her.

'But she is Rival.' His mind argued, Tsukasa hesitated, 'yeah, everyone else knows that we are enemies.' Then he snorted, 'Who cares what everyone else thinks? It's not my style. I do things that I want to do. Why should I resist what I want to do?' made up his decision, Tsukasa drifted off into a peaceful slumber.

The next morning

The day had passed relatively uneventful. Tsukushi was greatly amused when several of the students came up to her.

"HI! I think you are very cool to stand up to F4!" a girl looks about sixteen gushed with a nervous giggle.

Her friends also paid similar compliments to Tsukushi before running away.

Tsukushi blinked in surprise as one of the sentences drifted into her ears.

"Oh, it's such a thrill to talk to the forbidden one! s long as F4 doesn't found out of course." The feminine voice concluded with an excited giggle.

'Humph, I seemed to become a game for the students.' Tsukushi mused before heading back to her class.

The entire say was complete bore, no suspense aroused, no attack made. It was boring with a capital b. Tsukushi has a huge pout on her face as she gathered her materials. If any student saw her now, they would have found their courageous rebel sulking in the hallway. Tsukushi sighed, and then brightened. If Tsukasa won't come to her. Then she will just have to go to him.

"La, la la." A soft melody drifted through the hallway. Curiosity compelled Tsukushi to follow that beautiful music. She soon arrived at what seem to be an auditorium. Tsukushi opened the door quietly. In the middle of the stage, Rui was playing a violin with the most serene expression on his face.

Tsukushi smiles and sat on one of the seats. Closing her eyes, she let herself flowed with the music. Rui was very good, in fact, brilliant. She felt serenity and peace engulfed her as soft as a mother's embrace. Tsukushi could almost see Rui's soul, gentle like tranquil water.

Then the music took an abrupt turn, no longer peaceful. It is now spiked by barely contained emotion, there's this thick layer of longing and loss floating just beneath the music. Tsukushi snapped her eyes open and caught the sight of pain on Rui's face. Rui's face have more emotion than she had ever saw him had. Tsukushi watched, transfixed as Rui played. She felt Sympathy welled up in her. Wanting to go and comfort her friend, yet hesitates to disturb him. She waited.

Rui finished the song with a loud bang. He slowly opened his eyes, his chest heaving slightly, as if playing violin had sapped strength out of him. Rui stared at the cell phone in front of him. "Shizuka." He whispered, throat slightly cracked with emotion. He closes his eyes and mentally watched the memories with Shizuka pass through. In this time, in this setting, the ghost of the reminiscences became alive. Rui reopened his eyes with effort and found himself staring at a pair of dark soft eyes, full of sympathy and concern.

"Are you okay? Rui?" Tsukushi's worry laced her question.

Rui felt a warm trickle flowed into his heart, warming his seemly cold body. The familiar pain in his heart seems to be fading. He gives a gentle smile to Tsukushi. "I'm fine." He assured her.

Tsukushi narrowed her eyes, after a few seconds of scrutiny, she smiled in satisfaction. "You speak the truth." She said in a mock condescending way.

"Yes, judge." Rui teased gently.

Tsukushi grinned and jumped so she is sitting on top of the desk in front of Rui. She innocently tilted her head, a picture of absolute innocence and curiosity.

Rui chuckled at the adorable expression Tsukushi has. Unable to resist, he knocked his knuckles gently her forehead, "What?" a smile playing on his lips.

"Do you know that you look like an angel when you are playing that violin?" Tsukushi asked earnestly.

Rui felt waves of heat attacking his countenance at the compliment. "Honey coated tongue!" he ruffled her hair as his face gradually loses the heat.

Tsukushi chuckled as she move away from Rui's hand. "You are messing up my hair." She pouted. Her eyes landed on the cell phone beside her. "Shi zu ka." She quietly pronounced the name.

Rui froze as the name rung in his mind, the pain has came back.

Tsukushi turned around and was alarmed to see the chalk whiteness of Rui's face. Instantly connecting this reaction with the pain Rui had displayed earlier, Tsukushi almost kicked herself for her insensitive words.

"I'm sorry." Tsukushi whispered quietly, her eyes glued to the floor.

"Why are you apologizing? You did nothing!" Rui shouted. The wound is still fresh and she just spill salt on it. As soon as the words left his mouth, he felt a wave of guilt assault him. She truly did nothing. Rui closed his eyes, unwilling to see the expression on his friend's face.

Then his eyes snapped open when he felt a pair of soft arms encircled his neck. He stiffened, unused to such intimate contact. But the lure of comfort is too good to resist. He relaxed and laid his head on Tsukushi's shoulder.

Tsukushi whispered, "It's alright. You are such a good person. You deserve to be happy. I know one day you will have your happily ever after."

The words are clumsy but heartfelt. Rui smiled into Tsukushi's shoulder. Even though she knew nothing about Shizuka, she still manages to touch his soul and sooth the ache. He tightened his hold on Tsukushi, wishing this sense of peace would last, at least until the pain in his heart faded away.

Tsukushi somehow sense this, stayed. They remain in this position for quite a while, before Tsukushi finally pulled away.

Tsukushi smiled then with her fingers, lifted Rui's mouth into a comical curve.

The two chuckled; this is becoming a familiar joke to them.

"So, did you have fun yesterday?" Rui sat back after they quiet down.

Tsukushi jumped in the air, clapping her hands like a delighted little girl. "It's the best ever. I love it! Doumyouji was so mad!"

Rui ruffled her hair affectionately, "no kidding. He has been in a foul mood ever since your little prank."

Tsukushi grinned in response and tilted her head, "Of course. I'm a prankster genius, you know." Suddenly her eyes widened, "I have to leave now! See ya Rui!" Tsukushi said apologetically, before dashing toward the door.

"Hey what is it?" Rui called out.

Tsukushi turned sideway to look at him mischievously. "I've got a date with Doumyouji." She tossed out the statement and rushed out of the auditorium.

Rui stood there, contemplating her message. He knows what she meant, but the way she word it had induced strange feelings. Rui shook his head, refuse to dwell on it. He turned away, ignoring the tiny voice at the back of his mind.


FD: some reviews asked about Lar. Well, he's going to come back at some point of the story, just not anytime soon.

YF: REVIEW!