Chapter 7

Turn back time

"TSUKASA…PLEASE…BELIEVE…IN...ME!" Tsukushi screamed between gasping breaths.

The effect was instantaneous as she saw the miniscule figure ahead of her freeze.

Tsukasa stood with his back to Tsukushi, that simple act alone broke his heart,

"I promise I'll never let anything happen to you,"

As he heard his own voice repeating the thought that had occupied his thoughts for the past few weeks he felt himself collapsing to the ground. He leant back against the brick wall of the bakery behind him and tried to find comfort in the smell of flour and bread wafting from within the store. Despite his efforts he felt as though all the strength had been drained from him, and as he continued to sit with his head in hands he felt sudden warmth beside him. Without looking up he knew that the warmth was emanating from the one person who he had until today believed to be the one good, loving truth in his life, and now that she had told him that she had lied to him he just did not know if he had strength even to breathe.

Tsukushi looked at Tsukasa sadly before positioning herself so that she could hug him comfortingly. Tsukushi was shocked when Tsukasa cringed from her touch and she felt her heart break once more that day. Finally pulling herself together she stood up and pulled Tsukasa up with her, when they stood face to face she stood determinedly before punching Tsukasa on the jaw. As he stumbled backwards stunned, Tsukushi took this opportunity to say,

"BAKA! Don't act like a child! For goodness sake at least hear the rest of my story."

Hearing a sigh of resignation from Tsukasa she then moved to stroke his face lovingly before taking his hand in hers and walking to a nearby bench.

7 years ago…

Kieko nervously knocked on the back door of the servant's quarters of the Doumyouji residence. She swayed from side to side and pushed her messy hair from her face as she waited from the resident within to open the door. She did not have to wait long as she soon heard the door locks click before the door opened. She gulped as the stern old woman stared down at her.

"Well, you sure took your time, Missy," Tama-san finally spoke before quickly ushering the shivering Kieko inside.

"What's happening Tama? I leave for a few years and now this place has gone to hell!" Kieko questioned angrily when Tama and her were seated in Tama-san's modest living room.

"Watch your language young lady, it's that attitude that caused most of this mess,"

Kieko opened her mouth to speak but Tama gave her a silencing glare.

"That Kaede woman,"

"Bitch!" Kieko seethed through clenched teeth.

Tama coughed to hide a smirk before continuing,

"She certainly wasn't what the Doumyouji's wanted for their son but seeing as he was so eager to move on with his life after the accident and..."

"Me," Kieko offered as Tama paused slightly.

"Yes, he was severely depressed after regaining his memory and realizing that you had long since married. I am certain that that despair caused him to make the irrational choice of marrying that insane woman."

Here Kieko broke down in tears, sobbing uncontrollably as she rocked back and forth.

"Now, now it's not so bad," Tama spoke soothingly.

Kieko looked up through red eyes and looked curiously at the smile on Tama-san's face. Tama picked up a photo album from her nearby shelf before handing the album to Kieko. Kieko opened the album and stared confusedly at what she saw.

"That young boy is Doumyouji Tsukasa," Tama stated matter of factly.

Kieko eyes widened in realization as she looked down at the unsmiling image of a young boy with curly black hair, which reminded her of a pineapple, and his narrowed eyes which were the most beautiful shade of aquamarine green she had ever seen.

"This isn't…this can't be…Doumyouji can't have children, the doctor told us so when our parents insisted on all of us having fertility checks to 'ensure their assets' as they called it" Kieko explained as she looked up at Tama.

"I remember if I recall correctly Doumyouji-chan declared that he would eliminate the hospital that performed the check-up if they ever uttered a word."

Kieko nodded silently allowing Tama to continue,

"So, clearly this young boy isn't Doumyouji's son but you know what type of people his parents and your parents are, a scandal like this was quickly and quietly covered up with money. But the damage had already been done, Doumyouji insisted on divorce but his parents wouldn't allow that either so he did the only thing he could, he left,"

"Left?" Kieko questioned.

Tama nodded, "He moved to the United States, for 'business reasons' he calls it."

Kieko slumped back in her chair as she realized that she would probably never see the love of her life ever again. But she suddenly sat up in her chair,

"But Kaede…?"

"She's now in charge of several Doumyouji business subsidiaries and making quite a name for herself too."

Kieko absently flipped through the photo album on her lap before stopping at another picture. The image was of the man she had longed for years to see, and though he looked much older for his age he looked happy in the photo where he sat beside a small girl.

"His daughter, Doumyouji Tsubaki," Tama said as she lifted the album from Kieko hands, "The first child, and not so much scandal as she actually did look a great deal like Doumyouji."

Kieko laughed unbelievingly at what she had heard, "That woman…what is she thinking?...not just once but twice?"

"Don't get me started on her stupidity," Tama spat spitefully as she walked to the shelf to replace the photo album, but Kieko stopped her,

"Wait, do you think…would it be alright if I took some of those?"

Tama silently handed over the album and watched sadly as the young woman in front of her carefully looked over the photos in the album. She had known Kieko and Doumyouji since children, she had thought that they would eventually end up together and now all she saw were tattered dreams and a weary young woman. Here, Tama finally noticed the slight bump under Kieko's jumper and her hands flew to her mouth.

'The poor things pregnant' she cried internally.

Kaede clicked her tongue and watched the figures moving around in the Tama's home ajacentto the Doumyouji's library window. A smile played on her blood red lips as she saw the car driving up to the house.

"You're late, brother dearest," she laughed as she watched the dark figure approaching Tama's front door.

"Mama, is that you?" a sleepy boy asked as he stood in the doorway of the library.

Kaede looked spitefully at the child, before a maid hurried in.

"I'm so sorry Mistress," she bowed before turning to the small boy, "come now Master Doumyouji, let's get back to bed."

The boy nodded sleepily and disappeared down the hall. Kaede watched the disappearing figures before turning her attention back to the Tama's house.

A pale Kieko looked up at Tama as a sudden succession of knocks was heard from the front door.

"Open this stupid door woman!...Kieko I know that you're in there!"

Kieko's eyes widened as she recognized the angry voice of her husband.

A/N: isn't this all very interesting? LOL I think so…but if you think I've got no more surprises left than prepare yourselves for the next chapter!

JayKimLi: Hey, I hope you keep enjoying this story, and believe me I know how frustrating it is waiting for updates.

UnknownDiamond: Hi again! Cousins! ...eww! LOL so thats a clear NO to your question.