Authoress here.
Back from Florida, a little more freckly, and glad to be home. (Huggles home.)
I got quite the interesting set of reviews for Three Way, which I would briefly like to touch upon. To whomever left the anonymous reviews stating that they were displeased (to put it nicely) about Three Way being reposted after they had worked oh so hard to get it deleted, I would like to say that I appreciate your opinion, but I would rather you not leave derogatory comments about someone other than myself on reviews concerning a work of mine. It is no fault of ThePerpetuallyAnnoyedEiriYuki (kuja2001) that this story was reposted; I am deeply grateful for their random act of kindness, and I am highly disappointed that this anonymous reviewer would say such things about someone who had the intention to help a fellow fanfiction member out.
In brief, if you have qualms with my story, then take them up with me. Leave kuja2001 or any other of my reviewers out of it. I would be glad to exchange emails with whomever left these reviews to discuss their issues with Three Way like civilized people, as long as it concerns me and me alone.
Remember, no one is forcing you to read this! Thanks.
Anyways, for those who DO wish to read, onto the chappie!
I do not own the lyrics for "No Style" (no duh) and repeat Jewel Valentine's sentiment: If I'm posting on FANFICTION, why would I own anything I write about? (Aside from original characters, but you get what I'm not saying too eloquently…)
A Three Way Tie
Chapter Eighteen: Hurdles and Barriers
Gravitation
Aoyou picked at her food, glancing every now and then at James, who ate placidly, exchanging small talk with her parents. She tried to focus on what they were saying, but Alex's foot kept rubbing at her calf, making it hard to concentrate. For what seemed like the umpteenth time she shifted out of his reach, sending a glare across the table. He responded with an innocent and somewhat goofy smile.
This is torture! Aoyou groaned inwardly. She dipped her bread roll in the cooling gravy on her plate and took a halfhearted bite. The food was excellent, but Aoyou couldn't eat.
James had told her to go back to Japan, work it out with Shuichi and Yuki. At the mere thought of what that suggestion entailed Aoyou squirmed inwardly, unconsciously brushing her sweaty palms on her pant leg. To face Yuki's fury, and Shuichi's wide-eyed expression of hurt….
"Aoyou…?" Her father's voice broke through her thoughts.
"Oh, sorry." Aoyou jumped to attention. "What?"
"I asked you if Gackt put out anything during your stay." Shigurutsu repeated patiently.
"Er, I don't remember." Aoyou said distantly. "I really wasn't into Gackt."
"But you met someone from Bad Luck, ne?" Shigurutsu pressed.
Aoyou smiled faintly. "I met Bad Luck, Dad. Shuichi-k-I mean, Shindou-san, Nakano-san, and Fujisaki-san were all introduced, because Shindou-san and Yuki-san are friends."
"And you know Yuki-san how?"
"He's the writer I assist Miss Mizuki with." Aoyou said.
"Daiban!" Aoyou's father swore softly. "I wish I could met them. Meiyo, ebento ware!"
"Dad, you're lapsing into Japanese again." Aoyou reminded her father, who grinned sheepishly and shrugged apologetically.
"Shuichi Shindou?" Alex asked, eyes narrowed. Aoyou's heart leapt into her throat. Alex had nearly throttled the teen when they had met, all over the picture on Watoshi no Tokyo. He might say something-!
Moving quickly, Aoyou poked him hard in the knee with her toe. He started, and glanced over at her. She gave the barest of head shakes, her eyes pleading. He studied her emotionlessly.
"Yes, Shuichi Shindou. Musical genius if there ever was one." Shigurutsu boasted. "If you like, I'll just go and grab…one of the good ones….."
Letting his sentence trail off, Shigurutsu darted from the table, heading in the direction of the basement stairway. Rosemary shook her head amusedly in her husband's wake, and then stood up to clear away the dinner dishes. James jumped up to help, following her into the kitchen laden with plates.
Aoyou turned to Alex, who had an oddly blank expression behind his thin-rimmed glasses. "Alex, I-"
"You haven't told your parents about your little orgy?" His voice was semi-cold, still pleasant sounding.
"Alex, it wasn't like that." Aoyou said desperately. "I had to make you leave that night, and that was the only thing I could think of."
"Why did you have to make me leave?"
"You were on the verge- no, you were making a scene. In front of two strangers, no less! Two people who had shown me nothing but respect." Aoyou bit her lip. Yuki had in no way shown her much respect, but that point wouldn't very well enforce her argument just now.
"And the magazine?"
Aoyou sighed, and told him the events leading up to the mob and the reporters. "I did the only thing I could think of."
"Sex with these two seems to be all you can think of." Alex said pointedly. "A disturbing trend to find in one's girlfriend."
"About that…" Aoyou steeled herself. "I don't think we should see one another."
"So now you're punishing me?" Alex said quietly. "For your actions, I get to bear the consequences?"
"That is just like you, Alex!" Aoyou snapped, her temper heating up. "Make me out to be the villain!"
"So you're saying you're totally innocent in all of this?"
"No, I'm-!"
"So what are you saying?" Alex half-shouted, oblivious to the fact that Rosemary and James were only one closed door away, within perfect hearing distance at that volume. James heard this and started talking louder to Rosemary, who understood his intent. She nodded and started banging the dishes around in the sink to add to the volume.
"I'm saying, Alex, I'm not happy." Aoyou replied hotly. "I was happy in Japan. I'll admit it, I was in love with them-"
"Both of them?" Alex was incredulous.
"-And I made a mistake in leaving!" Aoyou finished. She stopped, and took a shaky breath. "I made a mistake in leaving." She repeated this softly, almost to herself.
Just then Shigurutsu chose that moment to barge back upstairs. The noise startled both Alex and Aoyou into silence. They heard him humming happily, and then the speakers in the living room started blaring "No Style."
"Now this is quality!" Shigurutsu hollered over the music and into the dining room.
Aoyou's features softened as Shuichi's familiar voice rang out with the first few phrases of the song.
"Furidashita totsuzen no ame ni sekasareru akuseru
omae no inai baiku no se ni shigamitsuiteru kodoku…"
Alex watched her close her eyes and mouth along with the words, and he let his shoulders slump. The bastard Japs had stolen her, and she was too far gone to retrieve.
"Whatever, Aoyou." He pushed away from the table and stood. "Hey Dad, let's go."
End Chapter
Authoress here.
I realize this chapter was short. Oh well. More is soon to come.
Tee hee hee…..I just got finished reading the newest chapter of JewelValentine's Crossing of the Ways, a surprisingly refreshing crossover of Yu-Gi-Oh, Yu Yu Hakusho, and Harry Potter. I'm still giggling. GO READ IT!
Ahem. 'Pologies for the outburst. Review!
(zips away on the broom 'o' doom)
