Disclaimer: It is supposed to apply to the entire story so if you want to read one just look in the previous chapter. Remember only the canon characters do not belong to us.

Kuroi to Shiro


By: Furuto and Wavering Melody


Chapter 2: Embracing Reality

Hazel silk was braided and soft rose ribbons were woven into it. The eyes of the young woman were blank. Two girls of her age helped her dress into a pink silk kimono, which was decorated, with cherry blossoms. It was as if she was just a life-sized doll. Dressed for everyone to see, yet she could not even look in a mirror herself. Her skin was a flawless pallor and her face perfectly shaped. There was no hint of a light rose of the regular face of a girl. Instead, her skin was never touch by the lines of emotion and remained unmarked. Her eyebrows were perfectly arched as though they were drawn on by a professional painter. Her poised hands folded on her lap and her legs folded underneath her. A true beauty that was captured in the cruel pattern of life. It was dazzling to see every time and yet it changed little over the twenty-two years of her life.

"Must I dress for this?" the girl's voice rang out. It was clear and yet pure and dulcet.

"Of course. You have not been out of this place for fourteen years. Yukiko-sama must be insane to keep you here for that long," one of the others replied. "Now Ran-chan, you must not speak of your elders so," her twin said teasingly. "Obaasan is just concerned about my safety." "I think she is just afraid that the psycho will try to take you away from us again." "RAN-CHAN! How could you say such a thing?!!!" "It is alright Ren-chan. I don't dwell on the past." Ren bit her lower lip as the girl said that. It was rather hard to accept after all, she was crippled. It was not that her legs were incapable of moving. It was just that she did not have the strength to make them do anything. Everything was an effort for the girl. That could only show you how much you have taken for granted. "It has been fourteen long years has it not? I do not fear for my life any longer." "You see onee-sama? There is nothing to fear. The past is the past." "You are too off guard Ran-chan," she said giving up the argument. "Daisuke-san will be here soon so we should finish up, onee-sama." "Then hand me the earrings." The twins continued chattering while finishing tying the kimono.

"Where is Sakura-chan? It has been a month since she last visited." Ran and Ren panicked not knowing what to say. Kaori is not supposed to know where Sakura went. "Ran-chan? Ren-chan?" Kaori called worried that she was the only one left in the room.

"Right here Kaori-san." "Did you hear my question?" Ren put her finger to her lips in gesture to Ran and then took the finger and pulled it across her neck indicating that if she told Kaori anything, she would murder her. "Yes. Your cousin is sick currently and will not be attending the Sakura Matsuri." Ran managed to keep her voice calm however if Kaori could see her expression she could tell that Ran was lying. Ran was a master of her voice though not of her expression. She did not have to be serving Kaori. She only needed to mask her voice so that it would not reveal to Kaori anything she did not need to know. "Poor Sakura-chan. How dreadful she must feel confined in her room for the past month. I want to visit her." "Now Kaori-san," Ren said sounding as though she was a mother trying to persuade a child into not doing something. "You know that you must not go to Sakura-san's room." "Yes. I do not have the strength to. You do not have to remind of my weaknesses." The comment rang clear in the vast room, yet it went ignored. "Just enjoy the sunshine. Everyone wants you to smile today." "Yep and we'll be right there to enjoy it with you," Ran chirped happily. "Yet not everyone wishes me well. That is the truth and there is nothing that will change it."

Sakura sat with her legs crossed under the table, sipping at her coffee silently. She stared blankly at the young man seated across from her. By now, she had a mental picture of him. Some would be surprised, about what someone's facial features could tell you about that person. The café was full today and the waiters and waitresses bustled around the tables. A waiter finally arrived at their table with a think slice of cake smothered in chocolate mousse. The young man nodded thanks and handed him a bill.

"Are you sure you do not want anything Sakura-chan. The cake here is rather good." "Don't you think that was a little too much for a tip?" Sakura questioned still think about the piece of paper. "You still have not answered my question."

"No. I think I had enough sugar for today."

"One teaspoon of sugar?" His indigo eye sparkled with mirth. "You must be kidding, Sakura-chan. One of your occupation needs the glucose."

"I did not come here to be amused or to discuss my health needs."

"Of course not."

"You find this all amusing?"

"I just like enjoying myself."

"You have changed since you left Kyoto." He shrugged, still smiling. There was silence between them with only the chattering of the groups gathered there as a background.

"How is my sister faring?" he asked, his voice retaining the calm yet carefree presence.

"It has been the same for her. Obaasan had decided to allow her to attend the Sakura Matsuri. It seems it is only you and I who are not attending."

"I like the solitude. Besides it will be good for onee-sama to smell the fresh air after being kept in that room of hers for fourteen years."

"Suit yourself. My documents?"

"Oh, yes." He lifted his briefcase from under the table and then took a slip of paper from his wallet. "Here they are. This is the address of your apartment. This month's rent is already paid for. I was quite surprised with your choice of courses."

"It is for the geography benefit."

"Hai. Get as close to the chairman's office as possible."

"And to think that is the first reasonable thing you said yet."

A man in his early twenties stared at the large window. It overlooked the immense campus of the famous Towa University. Students flocked there from around the globe each year to take the entrance exam. All students must be fluent in Japanese and English as well as one more language of their choice.

The preparation needed for the exam was insane exam was hours of studying and about two or three hours of sleep each night. Then among the students who passed the vigorous eight hour exam, would be put through two separate interviews and that is the weak would be weeded out. The past records would be looked into and finally those who were worthy would receive an acceptance letter. They had three days to accept, otherwise the seat would be offered to someone else. However, in the end, everything paid off. Towa University was famous for turning out many Nobel Peace Prize winners, artists both famous in the visual and performing arts department. Other became teachers, chemists, private investigators, psychologist, architects, businessmen, and others who were just well off.

Yet now the famed Kinomoto Fujitaka was in a hospital bed, the color drained from his face. He had founded Towa University to take his attention away from his lost fourteen years ago. His wife had suffered from collapsed lungs after being exposed to a fire that took two other lives. Then just before his beloved's funeral, his young daughter vanished. If she was kidnapped than the tracks must have been covered up too well for even the best to uncover. He had given his promise not to weep. Yet it was so painful to hold back the tears. Besides Towa University, he had several businesses as well. That left a void between him and his son. Toya was left alone to tutors and no longer spent time with him. Fujitaka never blamed Toya. He had to keep his lineage going. He must never forget what family he came from and that his origins, back several centuries ago, was as humble as the next person.

There was a brief knock on the door and the turn of the doorknob. A woman entered. She seemed a year or two younger than him. Her face embraced the breeze that was explored the room. Her small lips formed into a fond smile as she took her place next to him.

"You mustn't keep the breeze in here, Aino-chan," she scolded him teasingly. "As you wish." The knot which he had bound to his right hand was released as his baritone voice rang out in command. "Now you did not come all this way to visit me did you?" "Of course I did. What else who I be doing at Towa?" "Well you could be getting your PhD." "True. But I already have it. There's another reason..." "Yes. I know. I promised that I would take you to lunch today." "Yep," she chirped.

"I'll just get my jacket then."

Kiku was sipping her iced tea while Toya went inside to get their order. She smiled thinking of her fortune. Toya was every girl's dream. It was surprising that he was not a playboy. When you thought about it, he had the basic stereotype characteristics to be one. He had the physical appearance, the money, and the charisma. Yet he was still a gentleman. He did not flaunt his wealth or take advantage of his luck. After all, Kiku did come from the Fukuda-zaibatsu where her mother taught her that your appearance and what family you were born into is based on luck. A person's character is what should be most valued because that person worked for it. Who could hope for a better fiancé?

The stage was filled with dancers. It seemed that the attention would easily center on the young woman in the center. Her raven-violet hair flew as she spun. The beat of the music was amplified by her voice and the performers as well as the stage crew could swear that they could feel the vibration of the music. A hint of a smile lit her face as she sang. Who would believe that a timid small girl with a sweet voice would grow into this pop princess? Her hand swept down as the choreographer had instructed and back up. This was the true show. The young woman's movements seemed full with life and drama. Everything that a crowd would want to see.

Her voice was strong and the slight echo of the back-up singers brought it to a new level. Her movements varied from sharp at the end of the chorus to liquid as she came to the bridge. Her manager stood against the wall listening to her sing. He knew that she would give her all. After all, this was what she enjoyed most. People would pay a great deal to see her perform, as he found out soon after her first concert. Everything was synchronized. None of the dancers showed the smallest sign of exhaustion. The lights flickered red, then a blinding white across the platform. This was the next thing that would be Japan's latest attraction. This was Tomoyo Daidouji.

Sakura crossed the school grounds, trying to find a quiet place where she could have lunch. She spotted a large crowd. This was the beginning of the new semester. Sakura would not be surprised that this group was just gathering to hear a story about their winter or something of the ridiculous sort. How big of a reality checkup do these people need. Laughing as though they had not a care in the world. She hated people who smiled so much. It would only show that they had not had the taste of what the real world had to offer. Nothing but a disgusting reality which once you learn of it you could not run away.

Furuto: We...

Wavering Melody: Finally... Furuto and Wavering Melody: Done!!! Furuto: So... Wavering Melody: Do you like it? Furuto: Hey!!! You took my line. Wavering Melody: That was taking too long. If you did not notice. Mumble Not like an airhead like you would ever notice anything. Furuto: Glare What was that?

Wavering Melody: Nothing. Yawn.

Furuto: Let's get back to the program!

Wavering Melody: Right! I would like to thank my three reviewers...

Furuto: And my two for their reviews.

Furuto and Wavering Melody: We really appreciate it.

Wavering Melody: This is a really stupid dialogue if you ask me.

Furuto: Not so bad. Now what was I going to say? Oh yes. Sorry to disappoint you Nebula Moon, however that young man is not Eriol.

Wavering Melody: Nope. Eriol does not come in until later. Thank you for your observations though.

Furuto: Very well written review.

Wavering Melody: Yep! Smile. Smile. All happy.

Furuto: We should get going before we are accused of not updating.

Wavering Melody: I hate confrontations.

Furuto: Yep. That's...

Wavering Melody: Why... Yeek! We got to get going. Glaring at the audience Who threw that tomato?!!!

Furuto: The mystery of the tomato assassin vs. Wavering Melody. That makes a good title...

Wavering Melody: Hey!!!

Furuto: Toddles, everyone. Runs for her life I'M THE VICTIM!!!