Disclaimer: I don't own Yami no Matsuei or any of its characters. I just borrowed them to satisfy such man-eating plot bunnies that resulted to the fic. Hanako, Chiaki, Ryu and Kuroyanagi-san are the only characters that I made up. Well, here is the new installment to the series! Enjoy!
While You Were Sleeping Chapter 8 (The Only When I Sleep sequel)
By elana-chan
"Oriya-sama, are you awake already? Oriya-sama?"
Oriya's sleep was interrupted by Hanako's voice, the sound starting to pervade the room and eventually his senses. Slowly opening his eyes, the Kyoto swordsman looked at the clock and almost swore loudly when he realized that he had slept late, the sun's rays failing to wake him up. Apparently, he had closed the window last night since the cold winds had started blowing in. A deeper reason was to block out the moon that so reminds him of the silver-haired doctor who had visited him last night.
Still disoriented from sleep, Oriya fumbled out of bed to get ready. Once he deemed himself presentable, the Ko Kaku Rou owner opened his door and looked at Hanako with a slightly sheepish expression.
"I apologize, Hanako-san. I guess I overslept. You should have woken me up a while ago. I have a guest to attend to."
"I know, Oriya-sama. But it was Kuroyanagi-sama's request not to bother your sleep. I had one of the girls serve his breakfast. He's currently spending time in the east garden."
Oriya nodded thankfully at his friend.
"Thank you, Hanako-san. Kindly tell Tetsuya-san to wait for a bit. I'll join him shortly at the east garden. I'll just change and go meet him."
Hanako glared at her employer and Oriya knew he was in for another lecturing.
"I'll let Chiaki or one of the girls tell him to wait for you there. I'm going to wait here and together we'll go to the kitchens to force some breakfast in that thin body of yours. I won't have you collapsing again, you hear?"
Oriya sighed at his friend's words. He knew this would happen after the fainting fiasco yesterday. Knowing that arguing will get him nowhere, he consented and hurried to change into something appropriate for the day.
But before he could shut the door, Hanako's next words sent a chill up his spine.
"And after eating, you can also tell me what happened on Muraki-san's visit."
Oriya turned wide brown eyes at the older woman as she said those words. She was gesturing towards something in his room. His eyes turned to where she was pointing and his heartbeat suddenly increased tenfold as his gaze settled on a new addition to his room.
A single white rose laid neatly on top of his desk. The same rose Muraki had given him last night. He didn't even remember placing it there. The doctor must have done it. It was Muraki's habit to place a single white rose on his desk every time he visits the Ko Kaku Rou.
Kazutaka, are you staying now for good?
"Tetsuya-san."
"Oriya-san! You're already here. Are you sure you are feeling well already? I was really worried that I'm the reason for what happened yesterday."
Oriya could see the genuine concern and worry his guest has over his welfare. He had hurried over his breakfast, wanting to get away from Hanako's presence as possible. The Kyoto swordsman had tried his best to avoid answering his chef's questions about the rose and the suspicion that Muraki has indeed returned when he had promised not to. The elderly woman might be persistent but Oriya himself was stubborn so he kept his mouth busy by eating his breakfast silently.
After escaping the kitchen, he had hurried over to the east garden and there he found the violin maestro busy admiring the autumn colors that had descended on his garden. The man surely was gorgeous amidst the palette of browns, oranges and yellows that dot the landscape. With the features of summer, Tetsuya stood out of the scene of fall that dominated the garden. And yet, it seemed he complimented the dreary season of fall.
Looking at him like this makes me remember times with Kazutaka in this same garden.
Shaking himself from these thoughts, Oriya had called the other man's name only to have Tetsuya's full attention on him. He was surprised that the other can care for him that easily. The Ko Kaku Rou owner had always been wary of others' concern for him, knowing that most of them aren't really genuine. But with the maestro, he never had that urge to doubt the other man's affections for him.
"I am well enough, Tetsuya-san. You should not worry about that. It's not your fault. I should be the one asking your forgiveness since I pushed myself too hard yesterday and inconvenienced you by not finishing our tour of Kyoto."
Tetsuya frowned a bit at Oriya's words. He softly shook his head and clasped Oriya's pale hands into his own.
"You should have told me you were not well enough to go out yesterday. I would have to tour scheduled on another date. Or you should have let Hanako-san prevent the outing yesterday. Your well-being is more important than any tour or outing, Oriya-san. You are important to me. You are my friend, remember?"
Oriya's chocolate-brown eyes widened at the other man's words. He couldn't believe this man would say these words in the short time they had met.
Kazutaka never said those words. Even when we were just starting out as friends. I'm always the one saying those things to him. And now, here's Tetsuya, offering friendship and even more than that…
"Hai. Friends. I apologize for not being a good enough friend to say those things to you, Tetsuya-san. I never had that much experience with people worrying about my welfare. So I tend to forget that I should be taking care of myself as I'm taking care of other people. So I'm really thankful for what you have said, Tetsuya-san. For they are words I rarely hear spoken with such sincerity."
Oriya gave the violin maestro a small yet meaningful smile that conveyed his thanks to the other man. He could see that Tetsuya was shocked by his words, the grip on his hands tightening a bit at his words before the other man let them go with much hesitation.
A chilling breeze drifted between them, Oriya feeling the chill through the cover of his haori. The momentary silence that had descended between them was broken by Tetsuya's soft question.
"Isn't fall melancholic, Oriya-san? The leaves falling, the trees barren of their plumage and this cold breeze that hints of winter. Such things make me forlorn enough to play a sad tune on my violin."
"You're the poet now, Tetsuya-san? I guess it comes with being a violin maestro as yourself." Oriya teased the blond-haired man, who just gave him a sheepish smile.
"I guess it makes me feel a bit depressed that my cherry blossoms would lose all of their leaves and the color of the hills of Kyoto change from green to a myriad of autumn colors. But fall also makes me feel anticipation. That fall would soon become winter and snow would come falling down from the sky."
"From the tone of your words, you seem to like winter so much. But isn't winter such a harsh weather. I prefer the spring anytime, with the feel of rebirth and renewal in the air and in nature."
I suspected as much that you're that kind of person, Tetsuya-san. With that personality, spring really suites you.
Oriya gave a small smile at Tetsuya's words. The man may look all summer but his personality is spring.
"But there is beauty in the harshness of winter, Tetsuya-san. The way the snow falls slowly from the sky, coating everything with a tranquil frame. The beautiful geometric designs of snowflakes. The sparkle of icicles that hang from our roofs. The silence that pervaded everything in a winter night."
"Such words of insight from you, Oriya-san. I think we have known more about other just by talking about the weather."
"Ah. Such a strange turn of events, ne? Why don't we go inside, Tetsuya-san? I believe you could use some tea to warm yourself up after waiting for me here outside."
"I would like that. Thank you for the offer, Oriya-san."
Oriya motioned his guest inside. But before he left the garden, he looked up into the dark sky and sighed.
"I guess you're right, Tetsuya-san. I really like winter most of all."
"Tetsuya-san, it was nice of you to be concerned of my welfare. I really appreciate that. I deeply apologize if I inconvenienced you in anyway since you stayed the night for my sake. If you ever have problems of any kind, I would gladly be there to help."
"I will remember that, Oriya-san. On a lighter note, why don't we have some tea this afternoon? I passed by this tea house and had thought of bringing you there."
"I would be honored
Oriya gave Tetsuya a warm and grateful smile as he escorted the man to entrance of the Ko Kaku Rou. They had been talking about the sites to see in Kyoto once snow covers the city in white. Oriya promised to tour the maestro but the other extracted a promise from him to come if the swordsman is well enough to handle all that walking around town.
Tetsuya was about to protest at his apologies when they heard a commotion near the entrance of the Ko Kaku Rou compound. As they approached the bend that led to the entrance, Oriya saw Hanako, Ryu and some of the older geishas gathered around just before the gate. From the looks of things they seemed to be preventing an unwanted visitor from gaining entrance.
"What's happening, Oriya-san?"
That's what I was also thinking.
Oriya was getting curious at what he saw. Keeping unwanted visitors out is not an uncanny event in the Ko Kaku Rou. With its famous geisha and the reputation that the proprietor almost rivals his charges in beauty and grace, Ko Kaku Rou had its share of stalkers and unwanted costumers. That's why he hired Ryu, to keep those unnecessary out and keep those who are deemed important in.
And now, almost everyone's gathered in the main entrance just to keep this outsider out? That never happened before and it caught Oriya's attention. Together with Tetsuya, Oriya went over to the crowd and made his way to the front where he saw Hanako arguing with someone. He couldn't see who it was since Ryu was blocking the intruder's body as he stood by Hanako's side.
"What's the meaning of this?"
"Oriya-sama!"
Both Ryu and Hanako turned at his voice, clearly surprised that he had appeared behind them. They started to explain what they were doing but Oriya didn't hear any of it. His full attention was on the man standing before him. Donned in his customary whites, the man who had troubled his mind and haunted his dreams these past few months was right here before him, just outside the property that he had promised Oriya never to set foot into before.
"Oriya."
At the sound of that familiar voice, the world moved once again and Oriya snapped out of his thoughts. Composing his turbulent emotions at the presence of the other, the Kyoto swordsman faced the other man with a professional attitude he used on annoying patrons.
"Muraki-san, how nice of you to visit Ko Kaku Rou. I never thought I'd see you here again after that hasty farewell months ago."
If Muraki was ever hurt by his statement, he didn't show it to Oriya. He gave the other an apologetic smile which Oriya just ignored.
"I know. Hanako-san had just lectured me on how badly I acted as a guest to your house. That's why I'm here to apologize."
We've talked about this last night, Kazutaka. Why do you have to show up now? Why didn't you just leave me be and let me forget you? Why…
"Oriya-san, is anything the matter?"
Tetsuya's question jolted him out of his thoughts. Oriya then realized that Tetsuya was now standing beside him and looking at Muraki with curious yet scrutinizing eyes. The Ko Kaku Rou owner could almost sense the tension increased tenfold as the two locked gazes. A small bit of fear for Tetsuya's safety crept in Oriya's consciousness as he saw that glint in Muraki's eyes that usually means something terrible will happen.
"Nothing's the matter, Tetsuya-san. He's just—"
"I'm Kazutaka Muraki. Oriya's childhood friend."
Muraki cut off Oriya's dismissal as he bowed before the maestro to introduce himself. The brunette stood shocked at the silver-haired man's actions. He didn't know what to make of it. An unpredictable Muraki, for Oriya, was dangerous one.
"Ah. So you're the Muraki-san I've heard so much about. Nice meeting you. I'm Tetsuya Kuroyanagi. I don't go about introducing myself to other people but since you're Oriya's friend, it's better to be honest in introducing oneself, don't you think?"
Oriya mentally flinched at Tetsuya's words. The man must have heard about Muraki from Hanako. Yet Muraki surprised him once again when he saw a brief flash of remorse and guilt at the violinist's words. But it was quickly replaced my Muraki's usual impassive mask. Tetsuya seemed to have noticed this, too and immediately remedied the situation with an apologetic smile.
"I apologize if I had offended you in any way, Muraki-san." The blond gave a small bow to the doctor before turning to a surprised Oriya. "Oriya-san, why don't we invite Muraki-san to join us for tea this afternoon? I think that would be an appropriate time to get to know Muraki-san. He sure must have tales from your childhood to share."
Oriya's refusal was at the end of his tongue but it seemed the silver-haired doctor's plan included Tetsuya's offer of tea.
"I am not offended…"
Liar. Oriya muttered to himself but kept on listening as to what Muraki had to say.
"…but I would not refuse your offer of tea, Kuroyanagi-san. Thank you for offering. I would not disappoint you in telling tales of Oriya's childhood. What do you say, Oriya?"
"Sure. I know you'll humiliate me in front of Tetsuya-san, as usual."
Oriya muttered. Tetsuya chuckled at this while Muraki just gave him that infuriating smile of his.
Oriya kept a calm composure as the two sealed a deal to meet later in the afternoon at the front of said tea house. But inside, his emotions were in turmoil. He felt fear most of all. Fear for Tetsuya, fear that everything Kazutaka was doing was one big joke, fear that Muraki will take away his one hope of moving on. There's also a bit of hope that the silver-haired doctor's words last night were true and a mixture of misery and relief at seeing Kazutaka alive. That what happened last night was not really a dream like the other ones.
As both men said their farewells to the brunette and reminded him of tea later, Oriya can't help but stare at them as they got lost in the throng of people in the streets of Kyoto. Now that Muraki finally appeared, he got more confused once again.
"What will I do now, Hanako-san? Why did he just remain dead to me? Why did he have to return now?"
"I don't know, Oriya-sama. I can't tell you who should you choose. But I can only tell you to choose wisely, with your heart and your mind. Don't let the one rule over the other. The person you must choose must be picked by both your heart and your mind. You're bound to hurt one of them so choose wisely so that there can only be one heart that would hurt and not two."
"A wise advice, Hanako-san. But how…"
Oriya looked at the gray sky, wondering if it would snow soon.
To be continued…
Author's notes:
GOMEN! Wah! It's all my fault! It took me forever to update this fic and it's all my fault! Gomen! I really tried to finish this chapter before the New Years but all that holiday stuff and the gifts and the relatives finally caught up with me, making me stop writing. Then when the holidays were over, I got hooked on Prince of Tennis and Bleach that I forgot to type and instead watch a marathon of said anime with my friends. Then when I was getting to continue this, a friend gave me a Fullmetal Alchemist movie to I got hooked on that and forgot about this. But after watching that, my professors, the terrors that they are, gave me tons of schoolwork that made me busy for weeks. So when I finally finished this, January's almost at an end. So I'm so sorry people. I'll TRY, and I mean TRY, to finish this fic. Only 2 or 3 chapters to go. Gomen!
Ignore the typos and grammar errors. My beta's trying to find a job so she doesn't have that much time to spend in front of the computer. So this chapter is unbetaed. I'm so sorry. Thanks to all those people who reviewed this fic. I'm so happy that you enjoyed it even though I felt it's too boring. Ehehe
Oriya: It's boring alright. All I do is think and worry and all you do is describe the environment. There's no action in it! I wanna kick that Muraki's ass!
Muraki: You wanted something with my 'ass', Ori-chan?
Oriya:(pulls out his sword) Go near me and you'll never see Muraki jr. again.
Hanako: (snatches sword from Oriya) What did I say about using that sword and practicing, hm?
Oriya: (sulks) Hmp.
Tetsuya: Don't worry, Oriya-san. I'm here to entertain you!
Muraki: (glares) I got here first so move aside or I'll promise you a most excruciating death.
Oriya: (kicks both out of the place) OUT! I don't want you both here!
Btw, did anyone notice that Muraki sorta become a bit in character here? One reviewer commented that Muraki had become a bit OOC in this fic. Well, I originally intended that Muraki be OOC in this fic coz he changed for the good. So I made him get his usual scary self but he's not going to kill anyone. He promised to Oriya, remember? And this time, he intends to keep it.
Oriya: Yeah. Or else I'll kill him myself.
No need to be violent, Oriya-san. Anyways, this is elana-chan signing off for now. I'll be back on a later date. Hope that I get to work on the next chapter asap! Thanks you people! Blueberry cheesecake for everyone! Ja!
To my reviewers:
Kuroda Towa - Wah! You are so right! These two are really sweet together! Wai! Thanks for the review! I so wanted Muraki to kick Tetsuya-san's ass but my beta will kill me coz she's cheering for Tetsuya-san. She even wants it to be a TetsuRiya than a Muriya! Gah! No! Anyways, thanks for that so wonderful review! A bag of chocolate chip cookies and a slice of blueberry cheesecake for you!
Anukailiate - Wah! I'm so sorry if I posted this chapter so late. Thanks for that kawaii review! I kept on thinking if I made Muraki a tad but OOC but because of your review, I felt much better. Thanks a bunch! Here's some more development between these two people (plus Tetsuya of course). I hope you liked what I did in this chapter. Here's more blueberry cheesecake for you! And a cup of tea or coffee if you like! There's only a few people who kept 'constant vigilance' on this fic and you're one of them so I'm very thankful!
Mel-chan-of-doom - I'm sooooo sorry if I posted this chapter late. You're one of the few people who kept watch over this fic so I'm very thankful for your review. It's ok of you're late in posting a review! I sooo appreciate that you even bothered to post one after every chapter! I never thought this would get responses from people since it's not a very popular pairing. I'm so happy for your reviews! Hope to see them on this chapter too. More blueberry cheesecake and a plate of chocolate chip cookies for you!
Vibribi the Crack Bunny - Thanks for the insightful review! Yeah. Sometimes, I can't help but sympathize with Muraki. But I still love Oriya and all that he'd been through so I think he deserves my sympathy more than Muraki. Hehe A slice of blueberry cheesecake for you!