Shadow of the Hazy Moon
By Warm-Ice
Disclaimer: I don't own anything except the OCs.
Summary: Why can't the Clamp School Detectives catch this thief? Not a trace, not a clue. All Nokoru could see were the eyes of the shadow of the hazy moon.
Short Author's note:
I know I'm terrible for not updating. Sorry…This chapter is dedicated to Chloe River, Victoria Noble, psychoanalyst, and yellingatthemonkeys! Thank you very much for the support and sorry if I took so long. Hehehehe…Hope you enjoy the new chapter!
Chapter 5: Yearning for the Moon
She looked down at herself in shame as her brother narrowed his eyes at her. She knew she was wrong…she knew he was right…it was her fault.
"I told you, didn't I?" he asked, his voice full of conspicuous irritation.
She kept her silence but closed her eyes, admitting her mistake.
"Answer me when I'm talking to you!" he said in a tone loud enough to frighten but not loud enough to scream.
"Yes, you told me." She answered quickly, not wanting to enrage him more than he already was.
"And yet you went out of your way to disobey my exact orders." Kakoru growled through gritted teeth, his hands clenching into fists and his cold brown eyes gleaming with malice.
It wasn't like that. Not at all. Those were the thoughts running through her head. But she kept her silence.
"I told you not to go near that Imonoyama boy, didn't I? Answer me."
"Opo."
"But you even went so far as to spend your whole lunch time eating with him and his little friends in his office, didn't you?"
"Opo…"
"You didn't even think of the consequences of your actions, did you?"
She kept her silence.
"I gave you simple instructions. Why is it so hard to follow? Is it because of that boy's face? Huh? Do you like that Nokoru Imonoyama and the way he looks? That rich kid? That little mama's boy who's probably never had to lift a finger in his whole life to get what he wants? That spoiled brat who was born with a diamond engraved silver spoon in his pretty little mouth! Is that why?"
"It's nothing like that at all!" she proclaimed, finally looking up at him.
"Well it definitely seems that way, Heaven!" He retorted.
"You've got it all wrong, Kuya!" Heaven argued, closing her eyes tightly and shaking her head furiously, willing the tears away before they would start. Having a fight with her brother…was the last thing she would ever want. "Nagsisinungaling siya sayo!"
Everything was silent.
"Do you hate me, Heaven…?"
Her eyes opened in surprise and she looked up at him with horror. How could he say such things? His eyes—which were always so cold—now held such sadness. He didn't look so angry anymore. Now he just looked…tired.
"Do you want me to vanish…?" he went on. Tears brimmed again in her eyes.
"Do you want him to take my place—"
"Ayoko!" she yelled frantically, the thought frightening in itself. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! He's nothing to me! I'm sorry!" she yelled, her hands covering her face for tears had already begun to flow. She sobbed quietly until she felt gentle arms wrap around her. Soon she found herself in the loving embrace of her brother who gently shushed her with his cheek resting on the top of her head.
"Shh…I know, Heaven…I know he's nothing to you…"
"I'm sorry! I'll never—"
"Shh….I know you won't…" slowly, his lips twitched upwards, knowing his grip on her was unbreakable. "I forgive you…" she sobbed a little while longer until he finally pulled away to look at her, smile wiped off of his lips. He reassured her with a soft smile and gently wiped away the tears that remained from her eyes. "It's getting late, you should go to bed." She nodded meekly and he kissed her forehead, watched her turn around and walk out of his study room.
"Kuya…" she said, turning her head slightly to look back at him from her place at the doorway.
"Hm?" he asked.
"I don't like Nokoru Imonoyama at all…"
His lips twitched upward into a devious smile, knowing he was triumphant.
With that, she turned and closed the door behind her, leaving Kakoru feeling very pleased. When Heaven says it, she means it. Doubtlessly, this Imonoyama boy really meant nothing to her. No one else would hold her heart.
He would be crazy if he let anyone take Heaven away from him. Especially someone like Nokoru. She was too precious. Too important.
Taking out his cellphone from his pocket, he pushed a number on speed dial. The person answered the phone. "What's happening there?" he asked. "Good. Everything is going according to plan then. You're doing well." He frowned at the question. "I'll consider it once the project is finished. In the meantime, do as I say." With that, he closed his phone and sighed.
Looking out of the arc windows, through the thin black lace curtains, Stefan saw the stars and had to wonder why the moon was hiding tonight.
Suoh was uncomfortable. Very uncomfortable. This was so not his idea of fun.
"Waiter!"
"Ah—y-yes, sir! Just a minute!" wearing a brunette wig, check. Wearing waiter's uniform, check. Serving kids he didn't know their drinks, check. Strobe lights blinding him, check. Overly loud techno music making his ears bleed, check. Nokoru with Chouoogata, check. Chouoogata too preoccupied in bragging about him to her friends to notice that Nokoru was yawning behind his fan, check.
This was definitely not his idea of fun.
He served another glass of root beer to the girl at the table and silently wished he could have been with Nagisa instead. He turned back to the bar where he knew Akira was working at. He seemed to be having too much fun twirling the drinks around in the air to actually do what he was supposed to do, which was spying on Nokoru.
He sighed. But then again, he couldn't really blame the boy. There wasn't really much in the date that held interest. Their date started out fine. They met at a certain place in the park; Nokoru kissed her hand, they walked together through the park and had small talk while she clung onto his arm. Normal.
Then, Chouoogata had the divine idea to go to an underground disco where she and her friends always liked to hang out. Nokoru smiled and accepted the offer like the true Imonoyama that he was.
When they arrived, Chouoogata found her group of friends, sat down beside them and introduced them to Nokoru. The girls were positively green with envy. It was so obvious, but Chouoogata still went on bragging about how she asked him out in such a romantic way and how he readily said yes.
Nokoru simply smiled and agreed to everything she said, not wanting to embarrass her in front of her friends. But the conversation was getting too long and too old. Soon Nokoru couldn't keep up his straight posture anymore and settled to leaning back in the plush chair and fanning himself while watching the people on the dance floor.
Suoh had to wonder, did Nokoru really like this Chouoogata girl? It didn't seem like there was much chemistry between them. Well, not like…
The image of Dannen-san popped into his head as he remembered when Nokoru opened the door for her. The way their eyes locked…it was like watching a movie in slow motion. They complimented the other quite well actually. Brown eyes to blue ones.
Initially, he thought it would be with Dannen-san who Nokoru was going on a date with. He was shocked to find that it was Chouoogata instead. To tell the truth, he was actually a bit excited at the thought of Dannen and Nokoru together. He didn't know why, they just looked strangely warm whenever they'd stand side by side.
Warm…yes, that would be the word. Warm…and soothing…and flowing…and calm…
He blinked, remembering who he was supposed to concentrate on in the first place and was slightly panicked when he noticed that Nokoru was no longer there! He looked around frantically and couldn't find him. Chouoogata was nowhere in sight either! Oh, snap! He lost them!
Nokoru stuffed his hands into his pocket and smiled at Chouoogata who smiled back at him. The streets were empty and quiet; the night was cold but peaceful. Nokoru took the time to appreciate the beauty of the darkness, only to lighten it up with his bubbly smirk. Chouoogata smiled as she watched him from the corner of her eyes.
"Imonoyama-kun…"
"Hai?"
"You're truly such a gentleman to have offered to walk me all the way home."
Nokoru beamed at her, "Anything for a lady such as yourself, Chouoogata-san."
Chouoogata giggled, "Oh, Nokoru, you always say the right words. I'm glad I met you. I'm glad I came to this school."
"I'm glad you're glad." He joked lightly. She giggled again and turned back to their path. Nokoru continued to appreciate the night until a question popped up in his head. "Chouoogata-san."
"Yes?"
"I hope you don't mind me asking but, how exactly did you get accepted into Clamp School?"
"Oh—it's really nothing big. My daddy owns this huge company so he has enough money to spend on me. He thought I'd get good education in Clamp School so he got me in."
"Really? I heard you specialized in computer technology."
"Eh—oh, not that much, really. It's more like a hobby."
"Oh, I'm sure you're just being modest. A lot of your peers praise you for being so transcendent in the art of technology."
"Please, Imonoyama-kun, stop! You're making me blush!"
Stopping at a humble abode, Chouoogata looked at him with a blush. "Arigatou for going out with me, Imonoyama-kun. It really meant a lot to me."
"Of course, Chouoogata-san. I enjoyed it as well." He hated lying. But he hated it more if he hurt a woman's feelings. Besides, he enjoyed the first part. That would count, right?
"Well, Oyasumi nasai…" Nokoru's eyes widened a fraction for a moment as he registered in his mind that Chouoogata had just kissed his cheek. She pulled back, blushing and squirming in embarrassment. "Oh, how shameless of me…" she muttered.
Thinking how adorable she was, Nokoru smiled and said, "Thank you and goodnight, Chouoogata-san." She waved goodbye as he left, opening her door and walking into the darkness of her home. Walking up to her room, she took out her cellphone and dialing a few numbers, she smirked in such a way, one would wonder just how shy she really was.
Nokoru walked along the streets with a smile. He had made another girl happy and was given the liberty of a night out at the same time. In addition to that, the night was a wonderful sight along this road he was treading upon. Ah, Nokoru…ever the optimist.
He looked around, wondering to himself what street this was and if he would consider coming around here for just a walk every once and a while. It was strangely comforting to take a stroll in this peaceful place and he figured it'd be a great place to unwind. He wondered what Suoh and Akira would think. Perhaps they'd like it there too. Maybe he'd be able to set them up with Nagisa and Utako some time. That would be splendid.
As he went along his merry little way, something white flashed at the corner of his eye and caught his attention. Faltering, he looked up at that which had snatched his eyes so abruptly, only to widen his them for the second time that evening.
There, sitting on her balcony, peering out into the moonless sky, ebony hair cascading down her pale lithe form, looking as ghostly as she was beautiful, was Heaven…Hikiageru…
And in her mahogany eyes, the same blank expression remained…but something lingered…something fragile…a tear…
His heart ached violently at the sight of her pain, and the urge to help her was so strong, he almost took a step forward. But something held him back. Something held him in place, told him not to move and stay there helplessly watching her suffer. Like a pigeon, one false move, one small sound…it'll fly away in fear…
She'll fly away...
And he would never be able to save her…
At that time, he made a promise…
To himself and to her…
That somehow, someway…
He would save her from whatever it was that pained her…
He would save her…
So that she will never have to look up into the night again…
Yearning for the moon…