Fractured Dreams

Chapter 2: I turn to you

Thank you for the reviews. And yes, I decided to continue this. Probably it'll be a hell lot shorter than my previous Hana Yori Dango fics. I have this habit of churning out long complicated storylines that I decided that it's about time I do something short and sweet. Not that this story will be sweet. In this story I'll only focus on the Tsukasa x Tsukushi x Rui relationship. As they were older in this story, the story will be a tad darker and the three of them will suffer more in my hands. evil laughter

Rui were making a hot cup of chocolate in the kitchen when he heard someone knocking on his door.

" Who could that be in this blizzard?" He peered through the window but the snow obscured his view. He dismissed the knockings as figment of his imagination, a product of his overworked mind. No one could get through such horrendous snow storm to get to his cottage.

Rui has been living there for about a year. Away from his family's expectations for him to act as an heir to the family's company, he found his solace here. In this quaint skiing resort where everyday is a winter wonderland, he could escape Tokyo's suffocating lifestyle and hurtful memories that haunts him back home.

Tokyo held nothing for him. His friends, all went separate ways ever since Doumyouji and Tsukushi's wedding. No, they did not fight or anything like that. They just drifted apart. Akira is now an international model on Paris runways. Shigeru on the other hand now designs for Parisian couture houses. He and Shigeru have taken Paris by storm as the Asia's brightest fashion gems. Soujirou took over his family business and now busies himself commuting to and fro Shanghai and Tokyo. He's still the same incorrigible playboy. Yet now, he's not alone. Yuki took up his offer and became his personal assistant. Still hopelessly in love with Soujirou, she however was resigned to her fate and was satisfied enough to be by his side.

But why can't I be by your side?

Knock.. knock.. another weak thumping on the door. Rui looked at the door. He was about to dismiss it again but something stops him.

I guess it wouldn't hurt to check.

When he opened the door, he was speechless to find Tsukushi lying slumped on the porch.

The next minute was so unreal. Beyond his wildest dreams, he found her here out of blu. After making another cup of hot chocolate for her, he went back to her side.

Tsukushi changed into Rui's clothes and wrapped herself with the thickest blanket that Rui could find in the house before huddling herself before the flaming hearth. She did not say a word ever since she arrived. Rui did not try to pry anything from her. He knew that she'll tell him when she's ready.

" Chocolate?" Tsukushi looked up to Rui and hesitantly took the cup from his hand. Their fingers touch fleetingly. But the touch sent shockwaves through Rui's body. Rui abruptly turned away.

I shouldn't be feeling this way again.. She's Tsukasa's wife.

Tsukushi sipped the chocolate slowly. Her eyes darted across the room towards Rui.

He did not change much.

She saw a violin by the window. She smiled at the memory of the first time she heard him play. That was the first time she experience what love is like. That beautiful music that echoed in her head. It was her first happy memory of Eitoku. It was her first memory of Rui.

Lately, she often wondered what her life would be if she had chosen Rui over Doumyouji. She tried to cast the thoughts aside.

I am being unfaithful to him. Aren't Doumyouji the only one in my heart?

She loved Doumyouji. She will always love him but loving someone and living with them were two different things.

"If you want to, I can call Doumyouji and tell him you're all right." Rui was picking up the phone when Tsukushi hastily stood and grabbed the phone away from him.

Her eyes began to fill with tears. She shook her head. Rui understood. "Then you can stay here for as long as you want."

Rui always knew what was on my mind without me saying anything.
With Doumyouji, it's the opposite.

She dropped the blanket to the floor and threw herself into Rui's arms. Unsure how to react, Rui embraced her back. He could feel her tears seeping through his shirt. He stroke her hair slowly.

" It's all right. I am here."

I am sorry, Doumyouji. No matter what I do, I can't deny that the only one I loved was Makino Tsukushi.

Back in Tokyo, Doumyouji was frantically searching for her.

Why are you doing this to me?

" Doumyouji-sama, I am sorry to say that we failed to find out mistress's whereabouts."
" Why is that? You are the best detective money can buy. Insolent fools."
" We need more time. The earliest we can find out is in the next 48 hours."

48 hours.. that felt like eternity.

" I do not care how much you need... as long as you find her."

Doumyouji took off his tie and leaned back against his leather chair. He glanced at the golden frame on his desk. It was a picture of him and Tsukushi on their wedding day.

We were so happy. She was so happy.

Her smile in the picture brought back memories. Their wedding day was full of chaos thanks to their friends. They held it at a Shinto temple outside Tokyo to escape his mother's SPs. It was a private ceremony. Only a few of their acquaintance were invited despite the fact that Makino's mum had wanted to invite the whole neighbourhood. Tsukushi ended up losing her wedding dress (because Shigeru left it in London of all places). Tsubaki ended up with diarrhea and Tama who were suppose to help with the wedding preparation ended up stuck by her side nursing her back to health leaving Yuki alone to manage all the wedding preparations with no help from Kazuya (who were obviously brooding over the fact that his beloved Tsukushi is indeed marrying that monster Doumyouji.). Then, to cap it all, Doumyouji turned up late for the ceremony no thanks to Akira and Soujirou who had threw him the most raucous bachelor party they can think up.

Tsukushi ended up wearing Tama's old wedding dress to which Doumyouji remarked the first time he saw it, had looked so outdated and cheap. But as he stumble across the altar, woozy from the after effects of the previous night alcohol and extremely elated by the fact that he was indeed getting married to Tsukushi, he saw the dress looked so beautiful indeed on Tsukushi. He had expected to receive an earful from her but unexpectedly she did not say anything.

He fumbled his lines and then ended up snapping at the priest to hurry up and let him kiss the bride. Tsukushi was so embarrassed at that time that she practically yelled back at him to shut up and let the priest continue.

" I wanted to do this right!" Doumyouji glared at him. "You want to do it right huh?" She nodded.
" Then, let's do it the right way. My way."
Doumyouji proceed to kiss her right then. Tsukushi wanted to struggle against him but then, she kissed him back. The priest, dejectedly, gave up and announced that with the kiss, he proclaimed that they were husband and wife. That night... he was very unsure on what to do. They had returned to the family's mansion, with a marriage certificate in hand. Doumyouji announced to his mother that he is old enough to choose the one he marries and that certificate was the proof. In response, his mother remarked to Tsukushi, "So, I guessed he really did fall for you hook, line and sinker." Douymyouji Kaede then proceed to announce that by doing so, instead of her casting Doumyouji and Tsukushi out of the family, she bestow them with a worst punishment. To be part of the family.

Doumyouji did not expect it nor did Tsukushi. But his mother ended up giving her blessings to them albeit in a twisted way. She then proceed to seclude herself in the family home in New York telling him that even though she accepts Tsukushi into the family, that does not mean that she will lower herself to live with them.

That night, Doumyouji was every bit the nervous, blushing groom as he ponders on how best to approach her. After all, Tsukushi practically bursting to tears every time they were about to do 'it'. All his doubts dissipated when he enters their bedroom. He found Tsukushi in front of the mirror, wearing a white silk nightdress. "I really do not look nice in this thing," she pouted.
" Yeah.. you look like a beanpole with a flag attached." Tsukushi turned to pummel her fist onto his forehead but Douymyouji grabbed her waist instead and proceed to steal a kiss. She blushed.

" I was glad you showed up."
" You think I would miss my own wedding."
Doumyoji turned her around and both facing the mirror. Seeing their reflections in the mirror, he commented, "We really did it, you and I." Tsukushi nodded.

" Now, perhaps you let me get further then second base."
" No chance." She stuck out her tongue..
" I thought you're my wife. You have wifely obligations to fulfill you know."
" I know but.." Doumyouji silenced her with a kiss.
" What was it you were afraid of? Before this, you said you were worried that we might end up not being together but now you're mine. What's stopping you?"
" No.. it's not that.. I'm just scared."
" Of what?"
" Of you... In my head, the Doumyouji I knew were always this bumbling, arrogant idiot brat.."
" Hey.. watch your mouth.."
" But.. now.. after you came back from New York... you.. were different.. You have turn into this man. So self assured. Mature. Nothing like my old Doumyouji. I was afraid that if you could change, perhaps your feelings would also change."
Angry, Doumyouji stammered, "After all these years, you still think that way. I thought you trusted me?"

Tsukushi did not answer. He hugged her tightly. "No matter how much I change, inside I am still that Doumyouji Tsukasa that fell for you the first time you picked fight with me. Always remember that."

And Doumyouji always remember his words that night. And he hoped that she also remembered that. He refused to believe that Tsukushi could leave him just like that. Whatever the reason, he will get her back.

Because she is his.. and his alone.

I always wanted to do a fic solely based on Tsukasa and Tsukushi's first night yeah.. ecchi minded me but I never got around to do that. So, this chapter is the closest I can get to it.

Next chapter: Revelations.. Doumyouji's arrival.. and one unexpected news that changes everything.