Please Read and Review.... (the author is groveling and begging for more reviews since its the highlight of her month, yup thats how pathetic her life is....)
Okay, to xabie who was kind enough to tell me what a beta reader is... thanks, you have my gratitude and I would be honored if you would be the beta read for this fanfiction.... only... I have no idea how I would send it to you (I'm technologially challenged0). Sorry about this chapter. I've already finished this before I read your e-mail and I didn't know how I could send it to you so against my better judgement I uploaded it. Please tell me how do I give the next chapter to you. Again, my thanks.
are notes on the flashback.
Disclaimer: Nope, I wish I did though.
..the morning after..
Fuuko rang the bell at Mikagami's house.... Again.. Fuuko smiled, nope you can't run away from us Mi-chan. We made sure you won't get away from us this time...
Mikagami was particularly grouchy this time of the year. Especially to her. Since she always remembers.
Balancing a very expensive box of cake along with several other things on her left hand she knocked at the door. Still no answer. Hmmmmm. Rummaging through her bag she pulled out her cellphone. Dialled his number and waited...... Any moment now....Viola!
One very annoyed and scowling Mi-chan at his door. Fuuko smiled like a cheschire cat. Holding a really really expensive cake in front of her.
"Happy birthday Mi-chan!" Fuuko cheerfully announced.
Mikagami sighed. "Don't you ever give up, Kirisawa?" He asked as he blocked her entry to his house.
Fuuko raised an eyebrow. "As if Mi-chan..." Fuuko replied as she made a move to go into his house.
Mikagami didn't move from his position, which is blocking Fuuko's entry. Fuuko looked at him. Paused and pulled out her cellphone "Either you move and get ready for your party or I call Ganko to cry and whimper in front of you until you get out of that fortress of yours you call home. And I know how much you love to hear Ganko whine all day until you go to the party." Fuuko threatened.
Mikagami frowned as if calling Fuuko's dare. Fuuko had a triumphant grin on her face as she began dialling Ganko's number. Tokiya clicked his tongue and grabbed Fuuko's mobile phone. He hated the fact that Fuuko knew about his weakness, he could never say no Ganko nor to Yanagi for that matter.
Fuuko was grinning like a cat that swallowed a canary as she followed Mikagami in.
Mikagami left her to go change while Fuuko went directly to the kitchen to put the cake in the fridge.
After a few minutes Mikagami emerged from his rooms and found Fuuko waiting for him in the living room.
"Looking good, Mi-chan." Fuuko greeted.
"Shut up, Kirisawa."
"Oh yeah, the guys told me not to let you bring your car. Since you gave them the slip last year." Fuuko told him as he grabbed his keys on the side table.
"So how am I supposed to get there?" Mikagami was annoyed.
Fuuko dangled her keys in front of him. "In style of course."
They went outside and parked in front of Mikagami's house was a blood red coupe.
Mikagami's eyes opened. Stupid dream, he thought sourly. I wonder why I keep having those things, he thought absently as he sat up in his bed. Grabbing his watch on the night stand he looked at the time. Five in the morning? And its a saturday, Mikagami thought dejectedly. I really should change this habit of waking up early, he thought as he plopped himself back on his bed. Its way too early. He looked up at the ceiling and absentlly thought about his dream again. Fuuko.
After a few minutes of staring at his ceiling Mikagami sat up again. Why was she drinking like that? Mikagami thought. Ignoring the nagging feeling inside of him he stood up and went to the bathroom.
Thirty minutes later he stood in front of his mirror judging his appearance. Hmmm, not bad Mikagami... An all too familiar voice in his head echoed. Tokiya shook his head. And went down to get himself a nice warm cup of coffee.
The sun was beginning to fill his house with light when he finally sat down to eat his breakfast, which was coffee and the morning paper.
I wonder what are they up to this time. Mikagami thought about his friends and began recalling the few moments he had spend with his friends.
And every single memory he recalled, Fuuko was there. His friends never fail to brighten his day, especially Fuuko and Recca. It was always at the expense of Recca's older brother, Kurei or Fuuko's ever-so-present-admirer, Domon.
His trail of thoughts made him smile, having the Hokage team and the Uruha team as your friends could very well change you. Especially when they are the ones who help you find your family's murderer. Another voice echoed in his head, his sister's voice reminding him to enjoy life. If only....
Mikagami shook his head, Neechan's right, I could at least enjoy the day. Mikagami turned the page of his news paper.
He was looking blankly at a page when another uninvited thought came to his mind.
Fuuko was cradling her face with both her hands and leaning forward on the table. She had a very kawaii look on her face that screamed PLEASE!!!. Mikagami had to bite back a smile. He like to watch Fuuko squirm.
Fuuko pouted and soon realized that he was enjoying the moment. "You're a mean person but still... I really really need your help. Please!! I promise I'll get even with you. Please Mi-chan." Fuuko pleaded.
"No." Came his unaffected reply.
Fuuko pouted and then returned to her original position and sighed. "No use asking an ice---" Fuuko was about to insult him when her gaze fell somewhere beyond Mikagami, her eyes brightened. "Raiha-san!" Fuuko screamed, immediately stood up and left Mikagami.
Mikagami turned to look at what she's doing. Fuuko apparently was asking the same favor from Raiha. Her hands were placed together in front of her chest as she asked the same question to the smiling Raiha who was considering the request. Hmph. Typical. Mikagami thought as he watch Fuuko weave her charm around Raiha, not that Raiha was wrapped around Fuuko's little pinkie, its just that Fuuko can be really charming when she tries to.
Mikagami frowned; Raiha seems to have accepted the request. A very happy Fuuko gave him a brief hug. Why did she hug him?! She never hugged me! Mikagami scowled. Fuuko was now running towards him.
When she arrived she immideately gathered all her stuff. Smiling apologetically, "Gomenasai, Mi-chan. I have to go now Raiha---." Fuuko said.
"Like I care, Kirisawa..." His reply came out a bit too biting, even he noticed it.
Fuuko had a shocked look on her face. She was about to say something but decided against it so she simply gathered her books and gave Mikagami an apologetic smile and went briskly away.
Mikagami went back to his reading. He didn't see Fuuko the rest of the day.
Mikagami blinked. He has been staring at the same page for quite a while now. Having a photographic memory isn't as good as they say it is, specially when recalled odd tidbits of childhood memories.
He took a sip of coffee. Blankly staring at the page. Again. Mikagami thought. This is going to drive me nuts. He folded the newspaper and went to his study. On his way to the study he spotted the guest room.
Fuuko.
In his head, a heated debate began whether he would go in and see her. He lost. Curiousity gnawed at him.
Why was she there?
Why was she alone?
Why was she drinking that much?
Why was she miserable?
Mikagami opened the door. He saw Fuuko hugging one of the pillows. The sheets were in disarray and she was on the edge of the bed about to fall off. She looked like a kid. the purple tresses was scattered all over the bed. Mikagami smiled and pulled a chair beside the bed and watched Fuuko sleep.
Whatever it was she'll tell me... even if I have to force it out of her. She will tell me.
Fuuko stirred in her sleep. She could feel someone watching her. She could also feel a sledgehammer trying valiantly to get out of her head. She opened one eye and saw something silver. She closed her eyes again and buried her face on the soft inviting pillow.
After throwing up everything, including some visceral organs earlier that day or night, she somehow fell asleep again. The slumber was short lived though, when she felt someone enter quietly into her room. Probably, mom. Fuuko thought as she hugged the pillow tighter.
Mikagami absently tucked a stray lock of hair behind Fuuko's ear. Fukko stirred and hugged her pillow tighter. Mikagami smiled. Just like a kid... Mikagami thought as he leaned back in his chair.
A few hours later, a very drowsy Fuuko reluctantly lifted her head from the very soft pillow. After forcing her eyes to open, Fuuko looked around the unfamiliar room. This is definitely not my room, Fuuko winced. Although the sledgehammer in her head have stopped a few moments ago, disorientation and a mild headache took its place. Her gaze settled to the form sitting on a chair beside her bed.
"Who-?" Fuuko began as she tried to see the person sitting.
"Mi-chan....." Fuuko concluded as she tried to stand up. Only to sit down again on the bed she occupied. No response. She peeked at him. He was staring at her intently. Oookay, trouble brewing.
"We have to talk." Was the cold order from her friend who was sitting patiently beside her bed.
"Now...?" a very reluctant Fuuko asked.
"Now or later. It doesn't matter. But we WILL talk." Mikagami replied as he stood up and left Fuuko in the room.
"We have to talk." Mikagami said to himself when he got out of the room.
Fuuko looked at herself in the bathroom mirror. Well, I should at least look good, right? She asked herself. Facing off with Mi-chan could be very very taxing. Note to self use every tactic needed to soften the blow. Fuuko breathed deeply and stepped out of the bath.
Mikagami was sitting on his chair behind the desk in the study when Fuuko's head peeked into the study's door. Mikagami dropped what he was reading and looked at Fuuko, who suddenly found the carpet interesting.
"Nice carpet." Fuuko greeted Mikagami.
"I'll give you the number of my Interior decorator." Mikagami's dry yet amused voice replied.
Fuuko smiled shyly. Charm? No fair! You're cheating, Mi-chan! Fuuko thought inwardly.
Silence.
"Well? You wanted to talk?" Fuuko asked tentatively.
Mikagami was silent. Fuuko risked a glance at Mikagami. He was looking at her intently as if trying to read her actions before asking his questions.
Typical Mikagami response, know thy enemy as thy know thy self. Fuuko thought.
"Have a seat." Mikagami said. Fuuko sat looking warily at Mikagami. Their gazes locked.
"What were you doing there?" Mikagami asked Fuuko quietly.
"I told you getting drunk." Came the flippant reply.
Mikagami smiled. "Okay, let me rephrase the question. Why were you getting drunk in that place?"
"Well, I was almost sure you guys wouldn't find me there in that place that's why I chose to drink there. I wouldn't want my friends to see me wallowing in misery." Fuuko explained.
Mikagami's smile faded. Why were you miserable? Why didn't you tell us? We're your friends!
"That's not what I asked. I asked you why were you getting drunk?" Mikagami insisted.
"Why do you care?" Fuuko countered.
Mikagami frowned while he considered the question.
Well, he doesn't.
Not really.
Okay a little.
Alright maybe a lot.
So what about it? She wouldn't believe me even if I tell her... Not that I'm going to anytime soon.
"Because I thought that we were friends." Mikagami answered quietly.
Damn, Fuuko he got you! What are you gonna do now? Fuuko argued with herself. Mi-chan being nice and caring could tear down any wall you(Fuuko) can make. Hah!
Fuuko sighed. "We are."
"But --?"
Why can't you just talk to me.
"But there are things that I don't want to talk about." Fuuko looked at the carpet again.
Especially with you.
Because......
Because.I.don't.want.to.fall.in.love.with.you.
"I see."
"I should go." Fuuko said.
Mikagami nodded and Fuuko left.
Why coudn't just tell him? Fuuko thought as she fled to her room.
Why does it have to be this hard?
Because you're in love.
With him.
WAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!! Too much fluff... And a bit of Raifuu there.
Ah, yes. The standard farewell... the next chapter will be determined by the number of reviewers . So please do. Flames will be considered as "Constructive Reviews". . Thank you. I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Okay..... Answers to last chapter's question.
-I haven't made up my mind on what is the degree of their relationship but rtest assured that they are really close. I am sorry to say though that you are not the first reviewer of the fic but I did try to make another chapter. Personally, I don't think its as good as the first one but it would have to do. Gomenasai. Please blame it on Prince of Tennis and Naruto. 0 I am caught up in the anime marathon. These are really good.
-Sorry again for making Fuuko a bit rude. It was a spur of the moment so. ehehehehe, gomen. unintentional....
To my friends:
Suzanne - 0. Okay you've asked me where did Mikagami get the umbrella from the last chapter... ehehehehehe. Probably in the same space pandemonium thingee that hides Heero Yuy's gun in his cycling shorts or Akane Tendo's mallet. Nah, seriously though, I was thinking that it was a random umbrella that was lying around the front of the bar. ehehehehehehehe. Anyway, hope you like this chapter.
Alred - Tadaaaa!!!! Chapter two! I hope you like it.