Chapter Six Departures
"We have both Mitsuki Kouyama and Takuto Kira with us today," the talk show host was telling the audience and camera alike. A cheer erupted form the audience.
"Mitsuki! Takuto!" Mitsuki blushed and mumbled a thank you while Takuto grinned and waved slightly.
"Yes," the host was laughing. "You two are quite popular, and not just here in Japan. Your dual tour is going internationally, is it not?"
Mitsuki and Takuto nodded, "Yeah, we're going to reach as far as America," Takuto leaned forward. "So fans all over the world can get our message."
"This concept of messages seems to be a common bond with you two, what is your message exactly?"
"Well, Takuto and I have both been through hardships in our singing careers, and I think our message is a positive one- that everyone can have a second chance, or a third or fourth or fifth," Mitsuki answered, laughing gently.
"I remember first meeting Mitsuki, right when we found out about this tour. In our first conversation she mentioned her message, and I must confess, something she said quite impressed me. She said, 'I want people to know that even if your heart is broken there's always someone waiting to hold the pieces together.' I think that explains our message as well as spoken words can."
"Very powerful stuff so don't go away; we'll be back after a short commercial break," the host pulled off her microphone and smiled at the two. "You two are for real aren't you?"
Mitsuki cocked her head, "What do you mean, what could we be besides real?"
"Fake," the host replied shortly. "I've been doing this a long time, and I've interviewed my share of stars in that time. Everyone of them was fake, putting on a show to boost record sales and seduce fans with bullshit stories, but you two are real," she seemed awed, and Mitsuki blushed and looked down, thanking her gently.
"Well, come to think of it, there was one who was also real- Full Moon. She-"
"We're on in 10-9-8-7-6-"
The host picked up the microphone and reattached it to her shirt, adjusting her hair as well while the producer held up his fingers in a silent 3-2-1, then pointed, cueing the host who smiled brightly, "And we're back. For those of you just tuning in, I have with me Mitsuki Kouyama and Takuto Kira who plan to go on tour together starting next month. So Takuto, tell me, what do you think of Mitsuki- does she have any annoying habits?"
Takuto laughed and sat back, "Well, come to think of it, there was that time she was recording and started screaming at our producer because her voice didn't sound good."
Mitsuki's jaw dropped, "That's not true! Takuto you're making that up!" Mitsuki yelled angrily.
He grinned, "I know, but I love that face you make when you're mad."
This caused everyone to laugh before Takuto could continue, "But seriously, Mitsuki's awesome, a little stubborn, okay, a lot stubborn, but a lot of fun too, and it's been an honor working with such a talented artist."
"That's what I thought," Mitsuki grumbled jokingly, getting a laugh.
"Now," the host's eyes seemed to gleam. "You know I have to ask. You two seem to have such chemistry together and that breeds talk- is there anything besides chemistry and friendship here?"
Both Mitsuki and Takuto grimaced slightly. Izumi and his damned exposé, Mitsuki thought unhappily.
"Not at all," Takuto was the first to speak. "No, we're fast becoming good friends, but neither of us has time for romance in our lives at the moment."
"Good friends, anything more anytime soon?" the host persisted.
"I dunno," Mitsuki grinned at Takuto, "We'll just have to see."
"Well," the host laughed, "There will be a lot of broken hearts if that happens. Now, tell me about your new song."
Mitsuki smiled, "I'm so proud of it. Takuto and I wrote it together, but it wouldn't be what it was without mine and Takuto's fabulous bands, so thanks guys!"
Takuto nodded, "Yeah, those guys are awesome, but uh-the song. It's a duet entitled 'Same Rhyme'. Basically, our producer came to us with this 'great idea', and we were both leery because neither of us had written anything jointly before. But Mitsuki came up with the I write a line, you write a line technique, and it took off from there."
"Can you give us a little preview?"
"Sorry," Mitsuki giggled softly, "Only at our concert."
"Well, that's all the time we have for today. If you want to see these two sing, tickets go on sale for selected locations starting tomorrow…"
§§§
"Well, that wasn't too bad," Mitsuki laughed as she and Takuto drove to the hospital, "Takuto?"
"I lied Mitsuki," he whispered.
"What do you mean?" she inquired curiously.
"To that woman, to all our fans, I lied about how I feel. Because, well, because I want there to be more than just chemistry and friendship. I know you know that, but I also know someone else still has your heart. Yet Mitsuki, I'm begging you, let him go and take me instead," his eyes stayed straight ahead, focused on the road. Visions swam in his head. He was yelling at that little girl in a park, "Such faith after being neglected for two years is abnormal. You've been dumped! He's probably already with another girl over there."
The little girl's eyes filled with tears but stubborn determination shown through, "You're wrong; he wouldn't do that."
Who is that girl? He thought to himself, why do I feel so…
"I know how you feel Takuto but- I can't do anything rash. With time-"
"Time," he sighed but nodded. He wanted to tell her he wouldn't wait forever, but he knew he would.
They pulled into the hospital parking lot and asked for Wakaouji's room
"Mitsuki! He was hoping you'd come by," the nurse smiled. "Room 111."
"Thank you," Mitsuki bowed and ushered Takuto through the familiar hospital halls, finally stopping at a spacious room on the first floor where Wakaouji was lying in bed with a bandaged face and arms, Ooshige sitting at his side.
"Mitsuki-chan!" he smiled and waved to her to with a bruised arm to enter. Ooshige looked up and offered Mitsuki another smile, yet her eyes narrowed angrily when Takuto turned out to be following Mitsuki.
"And Takuto too!" but Wakaouji's greeting was evidently lacking the warmth he'd held for Mitsuki.
They think this is Takuto's fault, Mitsuki frowned at the two - again.
"We wanted to see how you were feeling Wakaouji-sensei," Mitsuki sat on his bed opposite Ooshige while Takuto stood behind her, clearly distressed by his old band mate's lacking welcome.
"Alive, thanks to you two," he responded, and Mitsuki winced. He was also hurt because of them. It was just when she thought Izumi was going to leave her alone when he pulled his worst stunt.
"I'm so sorry Wakaouji-sensei, Ooshige-san," she whispered, and Takuto saw she was crying. "I just wanted everything to be okay, I just- I never meant for this."
"Mitsuki-chan," Wakaouji pulled her sobbing form into his chest while Ooshige stroked her hair.
Takuto's eyes narrowed. Mitsuki couldn't have had anything to do with this, why was she apologizing?
"Mitsuki, come with me," Ooshige took her hand and led her out, leaving Takuto and Wakaouji alone.
"Wh-" Takuto started.
"Long story," Wakaouji stopped him.
"Yeah," he ran a hand through his thick hair, "I've been getting that a lot lately."
"Sit down Takuto, it's been a long time since we've talked," Wakaouji instructed, and Takuto took a seat in a nearby chair nervously. "You remember when Route L disbanded and Hazuki and Aoi left to get married…"
Takuto nodded, clenching his fists to the memory, "You remember Hazuki's wish for her daughter that she would be like the moon to shine on forever?"
Takuto nodded again, wondering where this was going.
"But you don't remember Mitsuki's smile during a time when she had nothing to smile about? You don't remember remembering for her?"
Takuto's eyes narrowed, what was he talking about? "Keiichi? Just what exactly are you-"
"I'm talking about…"
"Takuto!" Mitsuki's voice called from the other room.
"Keiichi-sorry-I-I'll be right back."
Wakaouji nodded, and Takuto dismissed himself, "Yeah?" he asked Mitsuki when he entered the hallway. She and Ooshige just looked up at him.
"What is it Takuto?" Mitsuki inquired, turning her head up from the cup of coffee she was holding.
"I thought-you didn't just call me?"
Mitsuki shook her head, "No…why?"
"Because I- must be hearing things," he muttered and started to head back in.
"Wakaouji plans to sacrifice his own life and tell him," Izumi whispered to Mitsuki whose eyes widened. "Of course, I can't simply kill; he has to be on the brink of death, some…accidents…need to happen first."
Mitsuki's eyes flew to Ooshige- so the two had discussed this. Ooshige was the distraction then. Her grip on the cup loosened as it clattered to the ground, and she jumped up.
"Mitsuki-chan?" Ooshige took her arm, but Mitsuki pushed her back and leapt for the door. She threw it open just as Wakaouji was opening his mouth.
"Not another word," Mitsuki ordered through gritted teeth. "Don't you understand? I can't have anyone else die; there have been too many tragic endings in my life. Neither of you," she added viciously when Ooshige entered behind her. "No more."
"Mitsuki," Wakaouji whispered, then slowly nodded.
"What's going on?" Takuto demanded angrily.
"It's not for you to worry about Takuto," Mitsuki responded shortly.
"Of course it is! Keiichi was about to tell me something about my past and about you, and you come in here telling him he can't like it's a life or death thing!" Takuto shouted viciously.
"That's because it is Takuto," she countered coolly. "It's because it is."
"What?" he stepped back. His head was screaming. Why did it hurt so much? His head in his hands, he fell to the floor.
"Takuto I'm begging you," his vision was clouded. The Mitsuki he knew and that little girl were both blurring together in his mind. "Just forget it. Forget everything."
He flew…wait…flew…past the little girl? "Just forget it," he whispered near her neck.
He clutched his head tighter. Who was she?! Why did this hurt so much?
"Open your heart Takuto," a warm voice filled his ears. "Open your heart to her."
"No!" he screamed, pushing Mitsuki away. Without a glance back, he headed toward the door, his head still pounding in agony.
"Takuto!" Mitsuki called after him, but Ooshige held her back.
"Let him think on it," she instructed, and Mitsuki nodded and stayed still.
§§§
"He's fine," Izumi flew through her window.
"And by fine you mean he's still clueless," she spat.
"You're suffering again Mi-ki," he whispered, getting close. "You wouldn't be able to see us unless you were suffering."
"I wouldn't be suffering if it weren't for you," she lashed back.
"No, you were suffering when we first came. Mitsuki, it doesn't have to be this way. There's a lunar eclipse tonight; I'll bring it to you…"
"No!" she screamed. "No! Never again!"
"So you want me to keep hurting them, want Ta-kun to keep suffering?"
"No," she whispered. "Never again, I hate to see them suffer, but I won't have him forget me again. If that happens, he won't remember me in any life, past or present."
"But you could-"
"No Izumi."
"Fine, have it your way, but I'm not kidding Mi-ki; I will kill them if I have to," with that threat fresh in her head, he flew out the window.
Mitsuki laid down and sobbed into her pillows, "Meroko," she mumbled. "If only you were here; you'd make it right. Why can't the three of us be together again?"
§§§
Izumi watched Takuto look at the stars, sighing helplessly. He laughed and shook his head, "So inconsistent. I mean, one minute they're laughing and the next they're crying to the stars, right Jon-" he stopped. His throat caught when he turned and saw his partner vanished only to be replaced by a shimmering pink light. "Me-chan?"
The light faded to reveal a beautiful girl with pink hair and large white wings, "Izumi-kun."
"Me-chan…you…" he could only admire her; she really was an angel.
"I know you have a heart Izumi; I know you do. Only, the walls are built so high you can't scale them anymore," she smiled sadly.
"I-Me-chan-I-so this is where you've been."
She nodded, "Watching over Mitsuki and Takuto."
"Why do you waste your time on them? Aren't you scorned?" he questioned angrily.
She laughed lightly and shook her head, "You're still the same, and it's still your misfortune. Izumi, I love Mitsuki and Takuto. It was my feelings for them that made me who I am, seeing them happy means everything to me. Please, Izumi, abandon this quest; we've all seen enough heartbreak."
"It's my duty as a Shinigami."
"And what has that duty brought you? Loyalty is an important quality Izumi-kun, but if you're not happy why are you loyal? The only thing you're loyal to is your hatred and jealousy. Let them go Izumi, for me," she begged. "Because I know you are better than this."
"I will be punished," he snapped.
"And your self love is holding you prisoner. Accept punishment, I know you can because you are a Shinigami. Why do you accept punishment for doing wrong but refuse to accept it for doing right?"
"You always were so righteous Me-chan," he smiled. "But I will not face another punishment."
She sighed sadly, "Then I am done here," her light began to fade.
"No, Me-chan!" but his voice was powerless to her quickly fading light. "Me-chan…"
§§§
"Mitsuki, are you sure you have everything?" Tanaka-san asked for the hundredth time.
"Yes," she laughed, gazing around her now empty room. The tour would last about ten months and would encompass six of the seven continents. Her heart was sore to leave her friends and family for so long, yet, her stomach was filled with butterflies to go.
She and Takuto had regained an uneasy truce, but he still seemed wary of her. She missed being close to him, but keeping everyone alive was all that was important now. She had challenged and defeated fate before; she would definitely do it again.
"Mitsuki! Ooshige is here!" Tanaka called, and Mitsuki bounded out to greet her.
"You packed and ready to go?" Ooshige asked, and Mitsuki gave her a thumbs up and a joyful shout, "Okay, let's go then!"
"Oba-chan," Mitsuki whispered, hugging her grandmother tightly. "I'll miss you. Our final concert is in Japan, here are the tickets, front row and backstage passes too. I love you."
"Be careful Mitsuki-san," she whispered back, tears in her eyes. "I love you."
"Goodbye Mitsuki-chan! Have fun!" Tanaka yelled after her as she turned and ran to Ooshige's car.
"Ready to kick off this tour?" Ooshige questioned.
"Yeah!" Mitsuki grinned and buckled herself in, heading toward the studio.