Note: *Please Read*
This chapter will be dealing a lot with Rae and her loved-ones - and boy, it's a LONG one (I'm not exaggerating here). I am not exactly sure on how to portray her grandfather so bear with me on this (hehe, I also came up with a silly name for him). J
Oh, and one more thing, if the fanfic seemed to be lacking the usual plot (presence of bad guys or fighting evil, etc.), it's because I don't see why the characters cannot have a normal day-to-day living without having that HUGE obstacle of battling against the usual pompous blood-curdling antagonist. I mean, hey, in my lifetime, probably the biggest thing that ever happened to me was I had appendectomy 4 years ago. And geez, I don't think the girls deserved to be under the knife like that for a plot. cringing
This fanfic was meant to portray the characters like any normal person living in this day and age. You have the usual problems of finishing school, getting a job, getting through depression and the usual emotional rollercoaster of falling in love. . .and world peace. (haha, sorry I can't help myself, I was watching Ms. Congeniality this afternoon.) J In other words, this is plain simple living.
Hmm, I've also decided that since I need to build up the characters, extensive developments will be done. Hence, be prepared for LONG chapters, and probably, a lot of nonsense. chuckled But then, please do inform me if I tend to become er, rather dull in what I wrote, okidoki?
Also, I apologized for all the wrong grammars, inconsistent tenses and such. I am such a lousy editor. snicker Any volunteers? J
I really appreciate all your thoughts and suggestions. THANK YOU!
You guys have no idea how happy I am that SOMEONE out there is actually reading this fanfic. sniff, sniff
Hmm, such a long note already, gotta go! Enjoy!
Chapter 9 – Dark Shadow of Love
"Granddaughter! What the heck is taking you so long? Get your charming little behind outta here right this frigging instant!"
Veins popping alongside his thick neck, the adorable little Grandfather Hino was, at the moment, bellowing at the top of his VERY healthy lungs for his lovely granddaughter to come out of the temple and into the front yard, where a. . .er, seemingly very important event is about to take place.
And without fail, an affectionate holler answered him in return.
"Ow, do stop your outlandish screeching, old man - you're such a big baby."
The "old man" was NOT to be beaten easily.
ESPECIALLY, to his one and only favorite granddaughter, and constant verbal sparring partner.
"Huh!" Grandpa scoffed. His beautiful wife will surely turn over on her grave if he allowed his passionate granddaughter to beat him in one of their notorious, for lack of a better term - "discussions".
With a devious sneer well-known only to the infamous Hino clan, Grandpa Hino bawled melodramatically,
"While you're AT IT honey, do flush the toilet, ok? The wind seemed to be picking up something - and well, me and the YOUNG LAD HERE are kinda feeling nauseous."
Dreadful silence filled the tensed air surrounding Cherry Hills temple.
Grandpa grinned.
4. . .3. . .2. . .1. . .
"BAKAYEROU!!!"
Grandpa Hino laughed uproariously, and in the eyes of those who knew of the Hino's for quite a long time, seemed to gloat with obvious pride in his wrinkled eyes.
Right on cue. That granddaughter of mine is indeed fine.
Turning around, the older Hino faced the visitor, who was also wearing a very amused expression on his young pleasing face, "A bit fiery isn't she?"
"That she is, my son. That she is."
And with nothing more than a firm nod, Grandpa Hino turned around and marched towards the steps that would lead him to the entrance of the temple.
"You better come up then. She might be taking more time than usual so as to spite me with that remark I just rendered her with."
The older Hino chuckled.
"You can bet she'll be racking her lovely little head for a naughtier comeback. And for that, you might need some pillows."
The guest, who heaved his heavy rucksack upon his broad shoulders and who sauntered forward to follow the smaller man, quirked an eyebrow in question.
"Er, and what would I need a pillow for exactly?"
The older man turned his head sideways, a feral grin on his craggy happy face,
"Why, I have you know my granddaughter is a great fan of the arts, and poetry, most especially. Her way with words - "
The older man closed his eyes as if in bliss, while his weathered hands gestured dramatically.
" - will surely astound even the most - "
A loud thud followed by a sudden crash and a string of animated curses were heard coming from inside one of the rooms in the temple.
" – er, refined listener."
The old man's face crinkled in delight as another dose of expletives was heard coming from her granddaughter's room.
The young man grinned.
"You needn't worry about me hearing her swear and cuss. I have gott- um, I mean, I can get use to it, well eventually."
The older Hino stopped walking and turned around to face the young man. He lifted his head towards the young lad and raised an eyebrow in amusement.
"You're mistaken, young man. The pillows were not meant for your ears."
"Nani?"
Grandpa was definitely enjoying this.
"They're for your butt – for the inevitable kick in the ass you'll be getting from her once she figured out who you really are."
Jadeite face-vaulted at this.
"Hino-san. . ."
Grandpa Hino, whose intelligent eyes betrayed the wayward laugh lines engraved in his face, gave the young blond a long, thoughtful look, before bestowing upon him a nod of satisfaction and a smile.
"Don't be discouraged."
Jadeite scratched the back of his head sheepishly.
"Am I that obvious?"
"I've lived a long time, dear boy."
Jadeite sighed and slapped his right hand flat on his forehead.
"This is going to be REALLY hard."
The old man snorted.
Despite the ludicrous banters and crazy antics he was well-known for in Cherry Hills, the older Hino possessed immense wisdom and a good sense of judgment that many have been privileged to witness.
His happy-go-lucky attitude and outrageous sense of humor might have been what made him famous and endearing amongst his friends, but it is his quiet intelligence and remarkable astuteness that made him the respectable temple priest that he is in their humble community.
Also, it's what made him stop from actually pulverizing the young man in front of him that morning. . .
- 3:32 a.m., Early Morning, Cherry Hills Temple –
Hino Yamazaki, or better known as Grandpa Hino, was trudging rather clumsily as he mounted the steps in front of the temple entrance.
Humming a silly song he got from a downtown bar under his breath – accompanied by bouts of hiccups - Yamazaki opened the temple door slowly and quietly.
Hmp, don't want no banshee granddaughter of mine screaming her head off for disturbing her frigging beauty sleep.
After getting inside the temple, the old man closed the door quietly and tiptoed towards his room located at the end of the hall, just a few meters away from Rae's bedroom.
The older Hino sighed and was about to slide open his bedroom door to welcome the blissful embrace of slumber when suddenly - he felt IT.
The old man stopped moving - a shiver running down his spine, like cold fingers running along the piano keys from end to end.
Anyone could have mistaken it for a draft in the air, or blamed it to sheer paranoia of walking alone in a dark place.
But then Yamazaki was not *just* anyone. . .
Narrowing his eyes, the older Hino suddenly tensed and roused his once intoxicated mind and body to full alert, his paranormal instincts in a frenzied state.
He felt it.
An invisible tear in the atmosphere.
Small. Probably closing already.
But it's there. He was sure of it.
AND, this is what terrified him the most - he felt it inside Rae's room.
Damn.
Yamazaki cursed under his breath and his heart began to pace quite rapidly.
With a focused mind and fervent will, he concentrated in gathering his chi and mentally preparing himself for the task at hand.
Hands tightfisted, he positioned himself right outside of his granddaughter's bedroom door - face drawn in an intimidating scowl and arms taut with tension and unreleased strength.
He then slowly let his chi flowed out of him, sending the stream of his essence beyond the sliding doors of Rae's bedroom, carrying an unseen message to god-knows-what entity unfortunate enough to be inhabiting his precious granddaughter's room.
I Know. . .
It was unmistakably, a warning – subtle yet positive.
Yamazaki was a very patient man. And so he waited.
A few minutes ticked by, when the sudden swish of sliding doors being opened and closed, and gentle treading of footsteps can be heard.
Yamazaki stared at the young figure whose back is still turned away from him, the broad shoulders stiff and sounds of heavy breathing are emitted from the person's mouth.
Turn around, young man.
The figure sighed and straightened up, and with all the courage he could muster under such circumstances, turned around slowly so as not to appear aggressive to the shorter older man.
Jadeite was now face to face with Rae's grandfather.
And time stopped.
Cobalt pools meet purple-black.
One pair filled with trepidation, the other blank.
For a few minutes, which felt like hours to the young blond, no one spoke nor moved between the two figures.
Yamazaki then gathered his chi –
At which Jadeite closed his eyes in silent submission.
- and then without warning,
the older Hino relaxed.
The young blond felt the sudden calm and tranquility of chi, and opened his eyes to stare at the older man in confusion.
Yamazaki smiled at the young man,
"What took you so long?"
- Current Time, Inside Cherry Hills Temple -
Jadeite had the surprise of his life, no in fact – he was TOTALLY bowled over, when Grandpa Hino asked him that question very early that morning.
Apparently, ever since Rae came home with little Jadeite as a doll, the older Hino had already sensed a difference, a shift, in the quintessential level.
And although it was subtle, the old man became quite vigilant of his surroundings and most especially to his granddaughter.
At the surface, he retained the impression of a laid-back lazy old man, inside however, he was a wary spiritual warrior.
As the days passed however, he claimed to have *acquainted* himself with the chi possessing Jadeite's signature - without the young man even knowing of the faint prodding being done by the older Hino to his essence.
Damn, he's good.
The older man nodded his head to Jadeite,
"Your chi is remarkably potent – and would have been a formidable foe for me."
Once they had entered the temple, Grandpa Hino and Jadeite went to the dining room to have tea. Both of them seated at the floor as porcelain cups filled with steaming herbal tea were placed in the low table in front of them.
Grandpa Hino continued passionately,
"But then, I also sensed a tranquil soul and a compassionate bearing in your chi. I knew then that whatever higher entity that led you to us,. . .to my Rae, would not have sent such a being if its intent is to wreck havoc to my family."
The older man then grinned mischievously.
"Besides, my granddaughter absolutely adores you."
The young man blushed at that, but rolled his eyes upward in mockery.
"Oh yeah, she adores me alright. Can't seem to get her hands off me – my poor neck particularly."
The young blond then sighed.
After the initial shock that morning, Jadeite and Grandpa Hino had sat down and discussed the young blond's situation. Jadeite gave him a brief overview of the events pertaining to his condition and how he came upon in the possession of Rae.
The older Hino listened attentively, nodding and grunting at the younger man's narrative. There were lengthy pauses when Yamazaki Hino would look down and tap his nose in deep thought as he absorbed the information presented to him, after which, he would then ask some questions.
Grandpa Hino then asked Jadeite to leave.
The young man fell into despair.
At which, the older Hino just laughed and told the young man that the latter needed to take care of some things first.
"Like some DECENT clothing, for crying out loud. Young man, those shiny things in your shirt are the things of the past. My GOD, sequins! Don't nobody taught you they're for GIRLS!"
Jadeite was indignant, yet relief shone in his blue eyes.
"They are NOT sequins! They're decorative military implements!"
"Whatever. Don't want no pretty granddaughter of mine be the butt of jokes when seen around with a circus clown around town, hmp!"
"Why you old – hey, wait a minute. . .s-seen with Rae? Y-you mean,"
And with no other than a naughty chuckle, the older Hino proceeded in giving the younger man, a gameplan.
Jadeite was at first astonished at what the older man was saying. Later on however, he had a wobbly smile on his handsome face, and utmost gratitude and affection shone in his eyes.
He was then directed to go downtown to avail the things he needed for his further stay at the Cherry Hills temple, not as a doll this time, but as a *hehe* temporary help (and hopefully, a permanent resident).
Using the money Grandpa Hino SO generously *LENT* to him, Jadeite was able to purchase clothes (which he found rather baggy compared to his uniform), a new pair of shoes (which he claimed was too soft compared to his shiny leather boots) and several items of toiletries (which the older Hino found rather amusing when the younger man discovered a 'phenomenal' object called Gillette.)
Of course, considering that Jadeite had been in Rae's clutches er, possession for quite sometime now, he had *somewhat* acquainted himself with all the modern stuff of the 21st century.
Then again, those he was familiar with WERE *female* stuff. Er, not to mention *ehem*, the more delicate material possessions of any typical young woman in modern day Tokyo.
I mean, come on, could you REALLY blame the guy if his oh-so-fiery mistress decided to bring him along in the bathroom after the usual tug-of-war with the bubbly Serena? He WAS a doll for crying out loud, how was he supposed to cover his eyes with his pathetic little, wonderfully immobile hands?
You could have shut your eyes, idiot!
Jadeite berated himself. . .
well,. . .a little.
The young man laughed as he remembered his antics this morning. He now faced the older Hino and smiled.
He would not allow himself to ruin this miraculous second chance. He HAD to win his 'Firefly' this time, any bloody way he could.
After thinking through the 'gameplan' though, Jadeite realized that Hino-san was right.
Rae needed time and space.
Damn.
She needed to grow accustomed to his presence before he could even begin to woo her. He would treat the beautiful young woman like a *gulp* - a friend.
Gawddammit!
He would treat her as if he wasn't even a tad interested in her, or in romance. He would treat her as if she were just. . .just another guy Bull!. As if he didn't want to hold her gorgeous head in his hands as he kissed her mindless. As if he didn't want to cuddle her and bury his nose into her luxuriant raven-black hair.
She was like no other woman he'd ever known. She was so sleek, so graceful. His body craved her. So did his eyes. His mind.
Damn.
The young blond looked at the older Hino.
"It scared the hell out of me when I thought she'll accept, er, what's his name again? Yuu-yukishiro's, whatever, proposal. Man, I almost peed in my li'l pants,. . .doll or no doll."
The older Hino sipped from his tea cup.
"She wanted to believe she was desirable."
Jadeite was stunned.
"And so to do that, she's gonna marry j-just like that?!"
"She had to prove to herself that she was attractive."
Grandpa Hino was firm, though there was a twinkle in his eyes.
Jadeite hesitated. "She didn't know that?"
"Nope, she still doesn't."
"My God, what can I do?"
"There had been no one," the older Hino stated truthfully. "There never has been. No one could tame her. She's like a wild fawn. You'll just have to be clever and patient."
"Does she know she loves me?" Jadeite smirked.
Grandpa Hino grinned, mirroring the young lad's expression, "Not a clue."
Jadeite grunted. He had to be careful that no other man saw her that way until she was safely *ehem* in his arms. He couldn't risk having a more attractive man have HIS Firefly.
She was his.
She'd been his all her life.
And by God, he's gonna win. Her.
Jadeite sighed deeply.
"Rae baby, YOU are such a pain."
She was indeed.
Sweet pain.
Agonizing pain.
Exquisite pain.
Damn!
How would he survive?
- Inside of Rae's bedroom -
The young woman was kneeling beside the night table, one hand flat on the floor, the other massaging the bump on top of her dainty little head, as her loud cursing slowly quieted to mere angry mumbling.
"Dammit! If I find that pesky little thing I swear, I'll. . .I'll – "
Rae, face flushed from anger, was for once, lost for something to say.
"ARGGHHHH!!!!"
The fiery young woman suddenly backed out from her kneeling position under the night table, and sat on her knees. Hands reached out to remove tendrils of soft dark hair from her rosy face as she breathed in and out slowly and heavily.
Eyes closed, she muttered a mantra while her arms crossed in front of her chest,
"I will NOT let it get to me. I REFUSE to let it get to me. I will NOT let *IT* get to me."
Suddenly, Rae gave out a deep and tired sigh.
Shoulders slumped she stood and walked towards her bathroom door.
She deserved a LONG soak in a bath.
It had been one heck of a day.
And night.
With both of her hands raised, she twisted her long luxurious hair into a loose bun and tied it securely in place. Her bath was already prepared.
Undressing quickly, she carefully stepped into the tub and let her tired body rest in the warmth of lilac-scented water.
Sigh.
Rae closed her eyes as she thought of the events that led to her current situation of utter frustration and vexation.
She remembered the events pertaining to last night's visit to the temple and the mysterious fire figure incident. Although, she hadn't thought about it thoroughly last night, she will definitely do a lot of thinking today regarding that episode.
Rae had never doubted her encounters with the paranormal and had always thought that all the signs she gathered from her meditations are valuable and crucial to her and her friends' lives.
They are omens. Signs. And hence, should not be taken lightly.
They were meant to signify an incoming event, or act as a guide in a making a very important decision, or even an indication of how things were. Rae was very much fascinated with such things.
She always had this uncanny ability to comprehend even the most mysterious of signs and to somehow fit it in to life's greater scheme of things.
That ability was something she relied on totally and without fail, even when things seemed to be at their lowest and darkest, she would always reach into her inner self for answers to the unknown.
And without fail, she often got it.
Until now.
Damn.
Rae shifted her position in the tub to relieve the pain in her backside.
She woke up late this morning and had almost decided to stay in bed for the day, feigning illness to prevent her grandfather from pestering her with his idiocy and crazy frolics.
Rae's face suddenly brightened up as she recalled the bantering they just had this morning, she in her bedroom and him in the front yard.
Of course, the walls surrounding the temple didn't hinder the two from getting their mockery across to the other.
Rae chuckled.
The old man was indeed getting more frivolous.
Too bad she's getting a bit rusty.
Sigh.
Add that to the fact that she was further infuriated by the absence of her doll.
Rae's forehead creased in a frown as she recalled herself looking for her doll right before she gave in to exhaustion and fell asleep last night.
She ALSO recalled however that somewhere between states of sleep and of consciousness, that she was hugging IT last night.
"I could have sworn I had it last night. Where could the damn thing be?"
The sudden ring of a telephone shook the dark-haired beauty from her musing.
She cursed under her breath for the lousy timing but opted to get up and answer the phone.
With just a dainty towel wrapped around her sleek and wet body, Rae rushed into her bedroom just in time to pick up the phone on the 5th ring.
"Argh,. . .HELLO!"
"Well, and a good morning to you too, Ms. Grouch."
Rae groaned and rolled her eyes upwards.
"Hey, Lita."
Chuckles were heard coming from the other line.
"Hey, sorry, did I catch you at a bad time?"
"You did."
"Good."
"Nani?!"
"Hey, hey calm down, little flame. I just need to, um, well. . .I. . .er, you see. . ."
Rae upon hearing Lita stammer from the other line, suddenly found herself becoming less pissed (oohh, strong words), and more concerned. Brows furrowed in worry, Rae cradled the phone nearer to her ear.
"Lita? Hey honey, you alright?"
There was silence on the other end, and then a sigh,
"Rae, I was just wondering if you could, um, - er, interpret the dream I had last night? then mumbling under her breath Although, I'm not even sure if it's a dream or not."
"Huh?" Rae was definitely caught unaware.
Sure the girls have frequented Rae for a dream interpretation a couple of times in the past, but usually it was when they're in a group – and always for fun.
Lita's voice however, was like – what was that saying she kept on hearing? -'silent waters run deep'.
Her friend's voice had that kind of *calm* quality right now.
"Uh, yeah sure Lita, no problem. What's it about? Oh, don't make it too long though, I'm dripping wet in my rug right now."
"You mean you're taking a leak?" Lita asked oh-so innocently.
Rae's left eye twitched.
"Baka. I just came from a bath, you dope."
Lita laughed.
"Well anyway, sigh It's kinda weird actually – I thought it was real."
"Dreams are sometimes like that, your subconscious tends to overcome all your senses so that you're tricked to think it's real. Anyway, go on."
"Oh, well, see I woke up - in my dream that is. . .er, that's a bit confusing, isn't it? Well anyway, I woke up. . .and I-I found this guy lying on my bed."
A long silence filled both phone lines.
Rae can't help it – she lost it.
She snickered.
Lita however, did not lose it.
"RAE!!!"
"Lita honey, I'm sorry but. . .chuckle, why in the name of all that's wonderfully good, are you worried about having a guy in your bed? Even if it's in your dream?"
"Argh, I don't know! I mean well, I did have tons of dreams before that included gorgeous guys in my lovely bed, and NO they don't necessarily involve what you're *obviously* thinking,. . ."
"You mean, no yoga?"
"Rae!!!"
"Lita honey, lighten up. I am just trying to cheer you up. You seemed obviously disturbed."
"Well I AM!"
Rae was quiet for a moment.
"You ARE bothered."
"Sigh Well, anyway, when I woke up and saw this – this guy,. . .God Rae, he was beautiful. I tell you Rae, I almost felt like hugging him and kissing him right then and there! I mean, he was. . .he was sigh,. . .anyway, I jumped away and screamed at him, and then, he-he told me to calm down, but heavens! How can I calm down? The man of my dreams – wow, isn't that ironic, man of my dreams – was in front of me with all that gorgeous hair of his, - and then well, instinct just kicked in – I was a woman scorned! I HAD to defend my virtue, at least. And so I-I ran to my backpack and pulled out my trusty pepper spray and, and well, well, - I threatened him."
"What did you say?"
"I-I told him that if he do anything bad, that he's gonna get it. . ."
"And then what Lita?"
"And then, well this is where I started doubting that it was even a dream – you see, when I said that, I suddenly had another vision – I mean, is that possible? To suddenly have a vision within a dream? See?! I'm not even making sense anymore."
"Calm down Lita and just go on with what you remembered."
At this time, Rae was now sitting on the edge of her bed, her rug hopelessly drenched.
"And well, in my vision, it's him again – only, we're in a different place, or even time – coz we were wearing all those silly-looking frilly clothes. And the same thing happened! I mean, the same position, me threatening him and him just standing there. But here, w-we k-kissed! Good Lord Rae, we kissed! And it was, heavenly! And that's where the vision ended. And then, that vision shook me so bad, I-I wanted it to go away, coz, I was really disturbed by all that's happening and so, and so I. . ."
"And what, Lita?"
"I charged at him. My goodness, the poor guy, I charged at him! And as I was about to clobber him, I suddenly - woke up."
"You woke up at that moment?"
Rae heard Lita took a deep breath and let it all out.
"Yes. I found myself lying on my stomach on the bed and with drool running down my chin. Ewww."
Rae smiled. Her friend was going to be alright.
"Lita honey, that was one interesting dream you had."
"Damn right! So what does that all mean?"
Rae face-vaulted.
"Shucks Lita, I really can't say yet. I mean, sure I could already pick up some things about your dream and all, like maybe your subconscious is telling you to just forego the usual pepper spray and use liplock instead."
"RAE!!! I swear, if I could be there, you'd be one extinguished flame by now."
Rae snorted.
"Lita, look honey, dreams are one of the many mysteries in life that one should not take lightly, NOR too seriously. I mean, sure they are great in providing us SOME hints about our lives, but if you really want to find answers from your dreams, you might end up chasing rainbows. I mean, dreams are just extensions of our minds - not the core."
Lita sighed on the other end.
"I know Rae, but still it was one heck of a dream."
Rae relented, hearing the strange sadness in her friend's voice.
"Hey, how about I'll go and check it out later during one of my sessions? Maybe I could pick up something."
Lita was immediately ecstatic.
"Oh would you? Thanks a lot Rae, you're the best!"
"Huh! You owe me one, Lita."
"Will a galloon of chocolate chip cookie ice cream suffice, Rae?"
"Hmm, noted. That'll be payment enough for my services."
Right then, Rae looked down at her wet bed.
"Drat! I take it back! You owe me a new set of bedsheets, Lita!"
Lita just laughed.
"Thanks for listening, Rae."
"No problem. Now leave me be, I need to soak in my bath, shrivel up and die wrinkled."
Lita chuckled.
Rae just smiled, happy for he friend. And then she suddenly thought of something.
"Hey Lita, before you go, I'm just wondering - what made you think that it was not a dream, that it was real?"
There was a slight pause at the other end of the line - then an uneasy small laugh was heard,
"Well, you see, it just seem so real to me, I mean, I was able to touch him even for just a moment. . .but I guess the clincher was, - "
"What Lita?"
" – um, this may seem, odd. But I can't seem to find my pepper spray anywhere."
Rae sighed.
She had just said goodbye to Lita, and boy, she really NEEDED to finish her bath.
That was a weird way to start a day. I'll worry about it later.
The dark-haired beauty rose from the bed to trudge back to the bathroom.
She was itching to get her hands on that new herbal shampoo she bought the other day, and no one, absolutely NO ONE is going to get in the way of her beautiful flowing soft hair!
Well, that is until,. . .NO ONE became SOMEONE. . .in this case, 2 SOMEONEs.
The bedroom door, without warning, slid opened.
"Granddaughter! What in bloody hell is taking you - "
For one brief moment, no one - not the dripping wet slim figure of the beautiful girl, nor the diminutive form of the elderly man, nor even the obviously appalled stature of a dashing young man behind him – moved nor spoke.
Jadeite was helpless against the onslaught of visual delight before him. Never in his life did he envisage his Firefly to be so utterly beautiful even in a piece of ragged towel. But there she was, beautiful, soaked – and very VERY red.
Uh-oh.
Jadeite never knew what hit him.
