Disclaimer: Only in my dreams...
Coiling Death: LOL, she is really isn't she? Well, I always think Touya could be a nice guy base on his character in the anime... so sweet yet very serious when it comes to GO.
Jamfase: Akari still doesn't want to love, Touya doesn't want his feelings revealed, that is why the atmosphere seemed rather tense. But I promise I will lighten up things as chapters goes on.
Kari55: Hi hi there! Hehehee, I guess Akari's past will reveal not so soon, but not that late either... it will come.
Xiar: Good guess, its pretty obvious isn't it but I am not telling yet... why it disappoint her so much. 'wink wink'
Feely: I use to play rollerblade hockey, so ice skating isn't so bad for me. However when I ice skate with my friends they always fall on their butts... n I have to go help them but they ended up pulling me down to the ice too. BTW, yup I am from Southeast Asia. I'm a Chinese from Malaysia. My ancestors are from China they mygrated here many many years ago...
Fudge cake a la mode: Hey thanks, take your time to read... really happy you enjoy it.
Thanks everyone for reviewing I really appreciates it alot!
Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle all the way, la la la la... ok too early for Christmas but a tribute to this chapter...
Chapter 7
"Say cheese!" Akari called cheerfully a camera over her face taking a picture of her friends in front of the huge Christmas tree at Tokyo Central.
Click!
"Hey Akari-chan, it's your turn!" Kuniko called. "I'll take the camera."
Akari looked up at the huge tower clock shown over Tokyo Central and sighed slightly. It was another and hour to twelve and she really thought Touya was going to make it. The place was lit with Christmas lights. It was cold but there was such a huge crowd the place warm up magically. Everyone was waiting for the countdown eagerly and she really hoped that Touya would be here to join the crowd.
Touya looked at the board waiting for the discussion to end. This was the first time the discussion took up longer than it usually did and on all days, it had to be the day he needed to leave early. His eyes moved to the side where a clock was placed on the wall which shown forty five minutes to Christmas Day. He was now wondering if he could make it to the central like Akari had told him to. He had won the match by two and a half moku and he couldn't wait to bring this good news to Akari.
The seconds tick on and for the first time Touya wasn't really listening to the discussion the other pro players were having as they looked at his game and the Ouza. Truthfully he really didn't care, he wanted to leave immediately but the reporters were still asking him question which he took the liberty to answer them. He always did and besides if he really was late, he was sure Akari would understand. Will she?
He frowned staring down at the board… waiting… waiting… waiting….
After what seemed like decades had passed by and finally when everyone had finished with the discussion he looked up at the clock again that shown him only five minutes away to twelve. His heart sank miserably. It looked like he couldn't make it to the countdown with Akari.
"Touya-kun?" Amano looked at the young man closely. "Is something a matter?"
"No," Touya got up slowly. "Merry Christmas…."
He walked out the room unhurriedly since he knew that he wouldn't be able to make it for the countdown anyways. He wondered if he should go over now since it was too late. Waited for the lift, took it to the ground floor and walked towards the exits of the building alone. When he pushed the glass door opened and stepped out into the cold night his heart skipped a beat when he saw by the porch someone he never expected but very eager to see was standing there.
Akari turned to him happily when he finally appeared from the building when she almost freezes herself outside in a winter night. She looked at her watch and grinned. It was almost time.
"Fujisaki-san, why are you here?" Touya asked still in shock. "I thought you were in the Central with your friends."
"I was," Akari shrugged going up to him when he didn't make any move to come to her. "Until I realized I told you I wouldn't let you spend Christmas alone. I know it's not really pleasant to spent Christmas countdown alone, so here I am!"
Touya was speechless and was only able to stare at her. Her cheeks were rosy from the cold air and whenever she breathed out vapor formed in front her nose. When Touya didn't say anything Akari continued.
"Only another minute!" Akari exclaimed looking at her watch. "I came here to share the Christmas countdown with you since you couldn't make it to the central! By the way, I am sure you won the match with Ouza, right?
"Do you always have so much faith in me?" Touya asked softly watching her cheerful self pensively.
He was rather amused at how Akari could be so sure he could succeed in all his matches. Does she really believe so much in him?
Akari inclined her head watching Touya's serious one and ponder for an answer silently.
"I don't know," Akari said slowly and shrugged slightly. "Maybe it is just that I never thought you will fail."
Her simple answer brought a smile to the Professional Go player.
"Yea, I won…." He finally gave her an answer.
"I knew it," Akari exclaimed. "It is a good thing I am here then, this call for a celebration!"
"Fujisaki-san, you shouldn't have…." Touya whispered unable to think of anything better to say.
He didn't know what to say because he was so touched at Akari's thoughtfulness he felt numb all over. Never in his life had Yuii thought it was a celebration whenever he won his matches. She always pushes his news away with a wave of her hand as if it meant nothing at all.
"Touya-kun," Akari looked at him closely when he suddenly dazed off.
Touya blinked and looked down at Akari who was staring at him curiously. He quickly smiled pushing his thoughts away quickly. He watched Akari looked down at her watch again and she grinned.
"It's almost time… 5… 4… 3…2… 1…" Akari looked up again grinning. "Merry Christmas Touya-kun!"
Forgetting herself, Akari threw her arms around Touya's neck in a friendly gesture. When she was with her friends that was how she and her friends wish one another. However, Touya was slightly taken off guard at her sudden hug stood motionlessly on the spot. It was only a few seconds hug and Touya had hoped it would last longer when Akari let go of him.
"I have something for you!" Akari smiled at him digging out a package from her huge bag and held it out to him. "It is something I made, so it's nothing much!"
"You made?" Touya looked at her questioningly taking the lumpy package from her.
"Hai, open it if you want to know."
Touya unwrap it and a nicely knitted dark purple scarf folded neatly inside. He looked up at Akari who grinned hopefully at him.
"I hope you like it." Akari said nervously. "Every year I make something for all my friends for Christmas and I thought you may like a scarf…. I'd never really seen you wearing one but I thought…."
"I love it." Touya smiled.
"You do?" Akari brightened up immediately and took the scarf from his hands. "I am glad. Here let me help you."
Akari twirl the scarf around Touya gently concentrating on tying it nicely around his neck unaware Touya was watching her warmly and intently. After finally getting the scarf wrapped around his neck properly she smiled and looked up at him.
"There it's…"
Akari didn't manage to finish her sentence when Touya seized her shoulders with both hands and pulled her towards him. Her eyes widened when she felt her face landing on his chest softly and she felt Touya's arms around her shoulder, press her whole body close to his as if he was afraid to lose her and as if he was seeking warmth from her. Akari blinked not knowing what to do and what happened.
"Arigatou…." Touya whispered his face buried in her soft hair still holding her tightly. "All this time I never really celebrated Christmas with anyone…."
When Akari heard that she felt rather sad for Touya. She slowly raised her arms and wrapped them around his waist loosely. When she did that, Touya tightened his arms around her shoulders glad that she didn't push him away.
"Is alright Touya-kun," She whispered back. "Like I said before, there is always the first time for everything…."
"And I didn't even get you anything…." Touya mumbled guiltily.
"You don't have to…" Akari replied. "You are always so busy and I am sure you didn't have time to shop for presents…."
That is right. I am always so busy…. Touya thought remembering those words Yuii had said to him before and told him that how he could forget to buy something for her but Akari told him that it was alright. She always never expected anything back from him. She was so different from Yuii.
They didn't know how long they held on each other in the cold night outside the GO Study Centre. Touya never felt this happy in ages, if only that moment in this cold winter night will freeze the time and he could hold onto Akari forever but he knew he need to let her go soon.
Gradually he loosens his hold reluctantly and finally he let his hands fall to his side again but they didn't move away and stood close to each other staring at each other into the depths of their eyes. For the first time Touya saw something promising in her eyes even it was only for a second.
When Akari felt Touya loosening his hold around her, she only let go of him afraid that she may hurt him if she tried pushing him away. Even though she felt rather uneasy about the hug she didn't mind when Touya had her in his arms. She knew that it was wrong of her to think that way since she was suppose to stay clear from emotions but she couldn't help feeling right about it too. Akari realized that they were still so close after they had broke apart, her hands place on his chest as she stared up at him seeing the tenderness in his eyes. However, the spell was broken when a snow flake landed on her nose. She blinked and looked up half glad and half disappointed the snow brought her back to reality.
"It's snowing!" Akari grinned stepping away from Touya reaching out towards the sky letting the snow flakes land on her palm lightly.
Touya watched her innocent gesture, still memorized by the look Akari had when she gazed back into his eyes. Even it was for a moment, before the snow stopped everything. He saw it and it had brightened his hope to a new level. It was brief moment of affection, fondness in her eyes but also mixture of trepidation and unease. She was still unsure with fear of feeling again.
Touya was afraid too but he didn't know why he knew with all his heart Akari will never do anything to hurt him and if only she could feel the same way.
"Hey Touya we should take a picture!" Akari suddenly exclaimed turning back to him happily.
"Here?" Touya looked rather incredulously. "There is no one to take the picture for us…."
"We don't need one!" Akari laughed pulling out her digital camera from her bag and went back to him. "I can do it myself!"
"Huh?"
Akari placed an arm around his shoulder and leaned over closer to him. Then she stretched her hand which was holding the camera out with the camera facing them.
"A memory of having Christmas countdown in the GO Study Centre!" Akari said in a news caster tone and smile. "Cheese!"
Touya was staring at her the whole time when Akari took the picture of them. He couldn't believe he could have such a great time on Christmas. To him it was just another ordinary day but Akari had made it special for him.
Akari couldn't help but thought sadly.
That is right my heart will never melt. Under the freezing snowing afternoon when I made that vow to be alone forever… and it started snowing immediately like its reminding me when I almost gave in to emotions again.
"Come on everyone is waiting for us at Tokyo Central!" Akari exclaimed happily after her photo snap turning to Touya fully. "The party had just started!"
Before Touya could protest or say anything Akari tugged his hand in hers and dragged him across the city to a party he was looking forward to for the first time but it doesn't matter does it? Like Akari had told him many times before that there is always the first time for everything.
Touya never like trying new things because he always had difficulty in fitting in but Akari had made that so easy for him. Maybe it was because she was with him…
Colourful ribbons lay on the ground and the crowd was still great when Akari and Touya arrived at the Central. The huge Christmas tree stood high and grand sparkling with Christmas lights in the centre of the crowd. It was a beautiful sight.
"Now I wonder if I could find my friend in this crowd…." Akari said on her toes, crane her neck to have a better look over the heads of other people. "I told them I will meet them back here!"
"Gomen Fujisaki-san, if it's not for you coming to see me, you wouldn't get separated from your friends." Touya said rather uncomfortably.
"You don't have to apologize." Akari turned back to him with surprise. "I really wanted you to come, honestly."
"You could have waited here…."
"Will you still come after knowing you were going to be late?" Akari asked eyeing him closely. "Tell me the truth Touya-kun."
He hesitated before he took a deep breath and spoke.
"I guess I was planning to go home since I was late…."
"See, I know you too well…." Akari smiled kindly. "That was why I went to get you. I really honestly wanted you to join us."
Touya smiled.
"So stop making a fuss about what I have done." Akari inclined her head with a cheerful grin. "It is really something small to do for a friend."
"AKARI-CHAN!" Someone yelled over the crowd. "OVER HERE!"
Akari turned over to the direction she heard her name called to the whole world to hear and saw Kuniko waving at her anxiously behind an enormous group of teenagers. Swiftly Akari raised her arm and waved in return.
Touya watched her friends pushing their way through the crowd towards them. When they came to view fully he was awarded by a huge glare from the guy he remembered by the name of Yuuki. He tried ignoring him looking at another direction.
"Gomen, I took so long to come back!" Akari pressed her palms together in a prayer form.
"You miss the countdown!" Kuniko cried. "All of us were waiting and you never turn up."
"Why is he here?" Yuuki asked rudely still glaring at Touya.
"I brought him here!" Akari replied cheerfully. "He was having a match for the Ouza title and took up sometime for him to come down."
"You mean you left us to go fetch him?" Yuuki rephrase her sentence unbelievingly.
"Did I tell you he was coming?" Akari stared at Yuuki wide eye slightly flustered at Yuuki's furious expression.
"You did but you didn't tell me that you were going to go get him…." Yuuki repeated grudgingly.
"Mitani, stop it!" Kaneko yelled slightly agitated by his attitude. "What is the big deal!"
"Yeesh forget it!" Yuuki cried walking away into the crowd.
Akari watched him walked off still unsure what actually happened, she turned to Kuniko for some explanations.
"Mitani-kun had been really anxious when you didn't come back for the countdown." Kuniko explained. "He was really looking forward to have countdown with you. I guess he is just disappointed."
"Oh…" Everything started dawning to Akari as she turned back to Yuuki's retreating back.
"Do you think you should go talk to him?" Kuniko asked softly.
"Right…." Akari hesitated for a moment before she turned back to Touya. "Erm… one moment. I'll be right back."
With that she turned back to the direction where Yuuki had gone. The back of his head was still visible over the crowd. It was not hard to notice since his hair was orange. Akari pushed her way through towards him.
"Yuuki wait up!" She called but he ignored her. "Yuuki!"
When they were an ear shot away from the crowd Yuuki finally turned around to face Akari who looked rather breathless after her effort of pushing her way through the wild crowd and it wasn't easy.
"Ever since you met this Touya you had gone your way out to be with him!" Yuuki yelled at her.
Akari was glad that there was no one around hearing their conversation or it would be rather embarrassing with Yuuki yelling at her that way. He was always so cool and collected. This time Akari knew that she must have disappointed him greatly.
"That is not true Yuuki…." Akari shook her head. "I was only trying to get him to the party."
"Why does it matter whether if he comes or not? You cared about him that much that it is so important he has to come to the party!"
"That is not true!" Akari protested. "I care about you too or I wouldn't be here talking to you!"
"Really," Yuuki replied skeptically. "Why does it matter to you if he didn't turn up?"
"He is my friend and I don't want him to spend Christmas alone!" Akari explained. "Just like you. I don't want you to spend Christmas alone!"
"You left me alone to be with him during the countdown!" Yuuki shouted. "What do you mean I didn't want me to be alone?"
"Kuniko-chan and Kaneko-san is with you!" Akari uttered anxiously. "I mean I sure Kaga-san was with you too before he left with his girlfriend!"
"They don't matter!" Yuuki was on his edge. "I only wanted you to be around!"
"Yuuki I don't understand…." Akari mumbled feeling lost for words for the first time.
"Don't act dumb you know very well what I am talking about!" He advanced towards her.
Feeling frightened Akari back away from him. She had never seen Yuuki so angry before and it was unnerving her. He never shouted at her before and she felt rather small under his scrutinizing gaze. She didn't like it at all. He reached out and grabbed one of her arm pulling her towards him.
Akari gave small squeak at the sudden jerk when Yuuki pulled her into a tight embrace. She was standing on the spot like a statue unable to move or utter a sound when Yuuki tightened his hold around her.
"Please, you know what I am talking about!" Yuuki whispered. "It had been five years Akari. Why can't you give yourself a chance! Give me a chance! I had done everything I can for you!"
"I'm sorry…." Akari said in a small voice.
That was all she could think of to say but Yuuki couldn't take that as an answer, pushed her away from him, clutched both the sides of her arms in a bruising grasp and shook her slightly.
"What do you mean you are sorry!" Yuuki started yelling again.
Akari winced at the sharp pain Yuuki had inflicted on her arms but she remain still.
"You care about me don't you," Yuuki was almost in tears. "Why can't you care about me like I care about you…? Not as a friend but…."
His voice failed him and he looked down, his fingers digging into Akari's arm. It was actually painful for Akari to see her best friend looking so upset and worst still the reason was because of her. Slowly Akari raised her hand and touched his face.
"We can always be friends Yuuki…." Akari whispered trying to ignore the pain caused by Yuuki's tight grip.
Yuuki jerked his face away from her touch and looked at her furiously.
"After what I had done for you, why can't you just accept me…."
Akari remained silent.
Feeling frustrated Yuuki let Akari go so swiftly, she stumbled to the snowy ground. Without looking back Yuuki walked into the crowd leaving Akari on the ground looking rather torn and disheartened. She didn't know how long she had lay on the snow looking down at the whiteness of the snow beneath her. She knew people were giving her weird glances at why a lady was sprawl on the ground unmoving when they walked by her not caring to stop and ask if she was alright either. She only looked up when she felt a comforting hand on her shoulder and saw a pair of kind green eyes staring at her worriedly.
"Fujisaki-san are you alright…?" Touya asked gently. "You never came back so I came looking for you."
"Touya-kun…." Akari whispered looking impassive.
"What happened? Did your friend hit you?" Touya asked his voice laced with concern. If that guy really did anything as if to hit Akari. Touya couldn't think what he will do to him though he will make sure that guy will regret hitting her for the rest of his life. "Why are you on the ground?"
Touya was filled with concerned when he found Akari slumped on the snow like a statue. It was only because of her hair colour and he remembered the coat she was wearing, he recognized her. If not she would have pass for a stone sculpture any time.
He helped her up to her feet carefully, holding her icy hands. Akari swayed a little when Touya let her go. Instinctively, he grabbed her hands again to steady her. He wouldn't want to see her falling to the ground again but she shook her head and pulled her hands from his grasp gently.
"I'm alright…." She said in a soft whispery voice.
She was already half soaked by melted snow on her clothes and she looked like she was freezing. However, he noticed that Akari took no notice of her wet clothes and even her lips had turned slightly blue by the freezing coldness of her clothes.
"Fujisaki-san, did your friend hit you?" Touya asked again his voice filled with urgency.
"He didn't…." Akari looked down again. "I fell…."
"Fujisaki-san, you don't have to be afraid to tell me anything!"
Slowly Akari looked up to see the kindness Touya was showing her. Unable to stop herself, she felt her body working on its own… moving… they were getting closer, until her forehead rested comfortably on his shoulder. Her hands lifted up gradually and gripped onto the front of Touya's trench coat firmly. He felt so warm. She could feel Touya wrapping his arm around her as if he was giving her the security she needed now.
It took only moments before she settled in Touya's arms comfortably seeking warmth and kindness. Something she needed after a devastating episode. It was the first time the conversation went this bad with Yuuki. It wasn't the first time he tried to reveal his emotions but it was the first time Yuuki got impatient and rather violent with her.
"I am so sorry…." Akari whispered with her eyes closed.
Touya tightened his arms around her and asked softly. "Why are you sorry…?"
"I couldn't give what he was looking for…" Akari replied in a monotone voice. "I couldn't even answer him except to tell him I am sorry…."
Touya frowned slightly. He never heard Akari spoke in such a way before. She seemed so lost like a little girl who gotten herself abandoned in a huge city. He felt Akari trembling slightly against him. He touched her hair gently and started stroking it slowly and softly, giving her the comfort she needed.
"It's all right Fujisaki-san." Touya replied in a whisper. "You don't have to give all the time…"
"Can you hold me for a while…." Akari asked cuddling closer into Touya. She snuggled her head closer to the curve of his neck and rested there. Her hands clutched his clothes without letting go. "You make me feel at ease… please… until I calm down."
"As long as it takes." Touya said resting the side of his cheek on top of Akari's head but thought; 'forever.'
"Arigatou…." Akari mumbled finally her trembling eased.
Touya held on to her until she was ready to move away from him. When she finally did, she barely looked up at him. There a slight stain of pink on her cheeks and he wondered if she was blushing or was that caused by the cold.
"Gomen Touya-kun," Akari finally spoke after being quiet for a very long while. "I kind of ruined the whole party didn't I?"
"Of course you didn't…." Touya quickly replied. "I was really glad I was here when you needed someone to talk to…."
Finally Akari turned to face Touya though rather timidly. "Arigatou Touya-kun."
"You don't have to thank me," Touya smiled kindly. "This is the least I could do for you after all you had shown me how have a good time, didn't you?"
"I did, didn't I?" A smile formed on her lips gradually. "I'm glad to know you enjoyed yourself."
Touya was relieved when Akari start smiling again. He couldn't imagine how it would be like if someone took that smile away that brightened his day like sunshine. He lifted his hand up towards her and touched her hair lightly. His act surprised her but she didn't move away though stared at him with wide eyes, her smile waned immediately.
"You have snow on your hair." Touya said after he brushed them away.
"Oh…" She smiled again after Touya explained that he meant nothing special but only to brush the snow out of her hair.
"Let me take you home Fujisaki-san."
Akari nodded.
Touya took off his trench coat he had over his violet suit and put it around Akari. She stared at him with surprised. She shook her head and held his hands to stop him at his actions.
"It's freezing out here I can't take your coat!" Akari exclaimed.
"I am fine," Touya insisted. "I am pretty warm in this suit itself but you are shivering from the cold because your clothes are wet. I can't let you fall sick again."
Akari was speechless and slowly let Touya's hands go. Gently Touya swung his coat over her shoulders and wrapped it around her snugly. Akari could feel her face heating up. She was blushing again at his presence. She quickly looked down unable to look at him.
"Arigatou…." She mumbled softly.
"Don't worry about it…." Touya smiled softly at her shyness. "Let's go home now."
"Hai, let's go home…" Akari pulled Touya's coat closer tightly to herself welcoming the warmth it provided her.
They walked home side by side.
"Arigatou…" Touya heard Akari's soft voice next to him.
"Fujisaki-san it's nothing really." Touya was slightly amused at how many times Akari had to thank him over something so small. "Honestly…."
TBC
So sorry everyone, I was so hooked to the 6th book of Harry Potter... I totally forgot to update:P Well... I hadn't really started on chapter 8 yet but I will soon... I am getting a bit lazy nowadays LOL. Maybe I just couldn't put down the Harry Potter book... I will update chapter 8 soon... It will come kies! Won't let you down!
Thank you for reading!