AN: I don't own HYD just a devoted fan…don't sue me!
Chapter 2: First Duet
Tsukasa followed the laughter and chatter of some of the kids to a room that he presumed was the dining room.
The tables were lined up next to each other to make a long row where all the kids sat eating their meal.
Tsukasa gaze wondered around the room searching for some food to take to Tsukushi.
He saw some kids lined at the front of the room so he made his way towards them.
"Hmm where is Makino?" Tama said as she stepped up next to him.
"I thought I should take some food to her since she's not well." Tsukasa replied.
Tama continued to look at him after he had answered her.
Tsukasa restrained himself from exploding at the old women.
'I'm sure Tsukushi wouldn't like that…Wait since when did I care what other people think of me?'
Tama smiled her mysterious smile once again before saying,
"I wouldn't worry so much about her illness; she's quite capable of taking care of herself."
She patted Tsukasa on the head before moving out the room.
Tsukasa stared after the old woman.
'Did she say illness?'
Tsukasa felt the person behind him nudge him forward as he reached the table where the food was being served.
Tsukushi sighed as she got out of bed. She never did like staying still for a long time.
"What's taking Theodore so long?" she wondered to herself.
"I'd better go check, in case he's lost or something," she spoke aloud as she made her way down the hall to the stairs leading to the dining room.
Tsukasa carefully carried the tray of food out of the dining room and towards the steps that led to the second floor.
'If she's sick I'm sure it's because of this dirty old building. Maybe I could call a doctor for…'
Tsukasa was interrupted from his train of thought when someone stepped in front of him.
Tsukushi stopped at the top of the stairs as she saw Michael approach Tsukasa.
"Hey! New kid." Michael said.
Tsukushi was about to go down the stairs when she saw the look on Theodore's face. It had completely changed from when he was joking with her in her room. It was almost like he was a completely different person.
Tsukasa felt anger course through his veins as the boy who was standing in front of him addressed him so informally.
He felt his fist clenching tightly but he kept his cool as he said icily, "Yes?"
"My name is Michael and I wanted to tell you that I don't like you."
Tsukasa continued to stare at the boy as he raised an eyebrow.
'Who does this kid think he is!'
"So you got a name huh? Or are you stupid or something?" Michael continued.
"Why should I tell someone who is of no importance who I am?" Tsukasa retorted.
The kid was obviously surprised that Tsukasa had said anything in response.
'Hmph, he's probably a bully and not used to someone telling him off,' Tsukasa thought to himself.
"I should warn you that Makino-chan is a freak! She's always in the infirmary or screaming for no reason. No one likes her, didn't you wonder why she's got her own room?"
Tsukasa couldn't take this kid's attitude any longer. He carefully placed the tray of food onto the first step of the staircase and stood to face Michael full on.
"She…is…a…freak!" He repeated more slowly.
Tsukasa grabbed Michael's shirt and pushed him to the wall.
"Listen you! I'm not deaf, I heard you the first time! You can say anything you want about me, but if you dare utter another hateful word towards Makino Tsukushi."
Tsukasa paused and made sure he had the little kids' complete attention as he put his fist up to Michael's face, "You won't recognize yourself the next time you look at your reflection. Understand!"
Tsukasa could feel Michael shaking in fear and he released him, as he did so Michael fell the floor.
"I'm sor…sorry!" the boy said tearfully cowering on the bottom of the steps.
Picking up the tray of food Tsukasa began ascending the stairs as he said,
"If apologies are worth anything, than what are the police for?"
Tsukasa turned to go up the stairs but he paused momentarily when he saw a pale Tsukushi staring at him.
Rushing up to her, he instantly said, "Are you alright? I said I'd bring the food up to you, you didn't have to…"
"Why…Why did you do that?" Tsukushi whispered as Tsukasa led her to their room.
"Why? Because like I said he can say whatever he wants about me but no one teases my friend and gets away with it."
Despite her initial shock Tsukushi smiled at Tsukasa making him blush once more.
"Sorry I know it's not the right reaction…" Tsukasa mumbled.
"No, it's alright. It's not how I would have handled it but I feel the same way too. If anyone hurts my friends I would never forgive them. But…I wish I could be like you more, maybe then people would stop saying bad things about me." Tsukushi finished tearfully as they arrived back at their room.
"Well as long as I'm here no one will ever hurt you," Tsukasa said as he placed the tray of food on the bedside table.
Turning back to Tsukushi he said, "Besides, I can teach you how to stand up for yourself."
"Really!" Tsukushi jumped up excitedly.
Tsukasa nodded his head and smiled at her reaction.
'She really is cute.'
"Now come eat," Tsukasa spoke as he bit into a sandwich, "YUCK!" he thought inwardly but when he looked up at Tsukushi happily eating her food he smiled and finished eating.
While they were eating they began talking about their families and Tsukasa noticed how reluctant Tsukushi was to speak about her father.
'That's something I'll have to find out about. Maybe it will explain a few things.'
"So," Tsukasa said, "Have you lived in Kyoto your whole life?"
"My family moved here when I was two…" Tsukushi's voice faltered as a sad expression came over her face.
Tsukasa racked his brain for something to say to stop her looking so sad.
"Well you obviously can speak Japanese but did you ever learn any other languages."
'Baka! She's probably from a poor family and if so she wouldn't have the tutors that I do to teach her.' Tsukasa scolded himself as he looked at Tsukushi concerned.
She didn't seem to notice and simply shook her head at him, "My mom taught
Me Japanese and some English but she couldn't afford to send me to school."
They both continued in silence until Tsukushi stood up, "It was really fun when my mom taught me English she taught me by singing these songs," She laughed at the memory.
Tsukasa smiled, 'This girl is strange.'
"Will you sing for me?" Tsukasa asked.
"Do you understand English?" Tsukushi questioned in return.
"Yeah my mom makes me learn practically every single language she thinks it'll help me when I'm…ahh" Tsukasa sat up straight when he realized what he had just said.
Tsukushi stood there looking at him for a few moments before moving to the centre of the room.
"Well you might not know them." She spoke suddenly.
"Umm Tsukushi."
"Yes" Tsukushi turned to look at Tsukasa.
"Umm…"
Tsukushi waited silently for him to continue.
'I'm not actually an orphan but the richest kid in all of Japan, if not the world.' Tsukasa's ached to tell her but instead he said,
"What songs do you know?"
Smiling Tsukushi thought for a second before clapping her hands together, "I'll sing a song called "Fly me to the moon."
Tapping a beat on the on the floor Tsukushi began singing.
Fly me to the moon
Let me swing among those stars
Let me see what spring is like on Jupiter and Mars
In other words,
Hold my hand
In other words
Baby, kiss me
Tsukasa stood up next to her, "I know this song!" he said before he began singing,
Fill my heart with song,
Let me sing forever more
You are all I long for
All I worship and adore
Tsukushi giggled as she and Tsukasa continued singing
In other words
Please be true
In other words
I love you
Tsukasa stopped singing and began waltzing Tsukushi around the room. The goofy expression on his face made Tsukushi laugh so hard she fell back and hit the floor.
Tsukasa pulled her up and looked at her worriedly, "Are you ok?"
Tsukushi dusted herself off and looked at the concerned expression on Tsukasa's face, before she began laughing again.
Tsukasa stood there blankly for a second before he began laughing as well.
"I've never had so much fun before." He laughed as he sat on Tsukushi's bed where she was now lying.
"Well we should do it more often; you're a pretty good singer."
"Me? No way, I just know the notes cause I play piano," Tsukasa blushed slightly at the compliment.
"Really!" Tsukushi questioned, "I'd love to learn to play piano…but my mother…" the smile disappeared from her face as her voice trailed off.
'Hmmm…something traumatic must have happened to her mother, poor girl,'
"Your eyes..." She said suddenly, her adorable smile returning, "I've never seen anyone with such blue eyes."
"Oh…well I don't know why they are this color both my parents are Japanese so it doesn't make much sense. I hate it everywhere I go people stare at me like I'm a freak, I'd rather have brown eyes like you."
"And your hair?" Tsukushi laughed.
"Don't ask." He passed his hands through his curly hair and looked out the window.
He never did like his curly black hair in fact they reminded him of a bunch of worms.
Tsukushi gently touched Tsukasa's face, "Don't be sad, I like your hair. In fact I wish my hair was curly like yours."
"Hey you two should come eat downstairs; I'm going to make an announcement." Tama interrupted the two kids. She waited for them to follow her towards the dining hall.
Tsukushi took her seat and Tsukasa was about to follow when Tama held his arm and whispered, "Usually the man makes the first move."
Tsukasa looked at her confused.
"I guess you're still too young to understand."
She released her grip on his arm and let him enter the dining hall, where he joined Tsukushi at the table.
A/N: Yay! Finished this chapter…it took me so long to figure out what song to have Tsukushi and Theo (Tsukasa) to sing. J Btw from now on to make things less confusing I will refer to the character of Tsukasa Doumyouji as Theodore Dominic