(A/N: I'm sorry! I am rushed so I sometimes update without editing, revising. Sorry! Kyo and Yuya will take time to start their relationship. That's what the others are there for, esspecially Yukimura. He's got evil ideas when he notices Kyo and Yuya have something for each other. However Benitora, Mahiro, and Okuni (not to mention Kyoshiro) will provide some obstacles.)
-Step Down From Grace
Chapter twelve: The Animal
Muramasa watched Mayumi silently, as she began to button his coat he had halfway pulled on. He lifted her chin so her gaze alined with his own. His expression wasfirm, which didn't surprise her. Muramasa tended to worry too much, about her welfare. Sercretly, Mayumi knew very well why. Her health after the years have began to decline, it deeply concerned her doctors, the family, and the Clan.
Sighing, she met his gaze, after trying to avoid his eyes.
"Murasmasa, you don't need to worry. Its not anything serious, just a common cold," she cracked a reassuring smile. "You're going to be late. Try to be understanding. Kyo must have some reasoning to explain his behavior."
Muramasa reluctantly released her and headed out the door. Mayumi followed slowly. She pulled her sweater closer, a cold gust of air flooded into the room, the heat escaping. She halted, standing in the doorframe, not venturing outside.With a soft look, she watched Muramasa who began to walk down the cobble stone path to the front gates of their house. He turned around, with another serious look; he began to walk backwards.
"I know, I know. Kyo's behavior is odd and it irriates me completely. But I will try to paitent," he promised before he ducked out the gates and disappeared down the sidewalk.
Mayumi nodded, solemnly and closed the front door. Leaning against it, safe and warm inside the house. Mayumi felt tears form in her eyes. Struggling, she fought the tears, trying to force them back. Kyo always brought this upon her. Everytime, she remembered.
Blood...showers of glass...two brutal slayings...a boy huddled in a wardobe...another lying face down with a ripped shirt smeared with crimson...the ferocious rage of the Mibu Clan.
"Kyo...you still grieve for them and you grow more hateful each day..."
Yuya felt uncomfortable. Hundreds of eyes were fixed upon her, mostly on Yukimura. It was unnaturally silent, the sound ofloud chattering gone. Yuya's jade eyes darted to Yukimura. He wore just a smile. Completely natural and relaxed; he waved at the crowd enthusiastically.
Yuya looked down at her feet, her nails digginginto her sweaty palms. How she wished she could dissolve into nothing! Of course, Yuya scowled, Yukimura is used to this.This isdaily,part of the job, right?After all he is a model and a movie star. A big shot...
Abruptly, hords of girls began to charge towards Yukimura. Yuya had to stop herself from pulling her gun on them. She chided herself, stupidly realizing it was tucked beneath her bed at the Muramasa's home. Stupid reflexes. Alarmed, she backed away. The girls kept coming. Yuya prepared for the crushing impact. Closing her eyes and mashing her teeth together tightly, as the girls were a second away. BOOM!
Yuya felt herself hurling backwards, she felt herself fall against someone. Throwing her carmel head backwards, she caught sight of a sunny face smiling down at her. Yukimura. The gentleman had caught her; he helped Yuya regain her balance. It was not long before Yuya was jostled again by another ten girls. Yuya stumbled over her feet, swearing all words she knew and even making up her own. She give a care, speaking her mind for the school to hear.Yuya hoped someone would hear her and backoff.
Yuya was appalled. Yukimura did nothing, he stood as still as a statue. This must have been a normal routine. Yukimura held out his hands and began to flail them outwards. This caught Yuya's attention as well as the other girls. The mob began to back away.
Yuya snorted mentally. Yeah like a millimeter. The female admirers circled around the two of them; closing in on their prey. Spontaneously, all of them spoke at once, jabbering noisly creating a commotion.
"Yukimura I love you!" Lots of screaming.
"Can I have your autograph?" Lots of squeals.
"Where do you live?" Lots of "OOOOs".
"Why did you kiss that witch! Kiss me!" Dramatic sounds of fainting and heavy sounds of bodies falling.
"Dump Hikari and marry me!" Immediately a third of the girls began to cry.
Yukimura flipped his hand, silencing them. Yuya stared in disgust and shock. Never had she seen behavior like this.Good grief! Thank youYukimura!
Without much given thought, he grabbed Yuya by the wrist. Carefully, he pulled her in front of him, for all to see. He steadied her and placed his hands on her shoulders.
Yuya's heart was pounding ina crazy random rhythem. She could barely resist the thought of slapping Yukimura silly. However, she managed to force herself into a pratical state of mind. It's completely way too girly to slap a guy, esspecially a reasonably nice guy like Yukimura in public. Yuya thought, still shethought it was far more appropriate to elbow him in the gut.
"This here is Yuya Shiina. She's quite a lovely freshmen. Don't you think so too, ladies?" he asked.
Yuya grit her teeth, whipping her head around. She shot a glare at him. Yukimura tilted his head, pretending to be confused. Yuya eye brow twitched. Nice try Romeo, but I'm not that stupid.
"What is your PROBELM!" Yuya demaned in a harsh tone of a whisper.
"What's wrong?" he whispered back.
Yuya gave him a coy smile. Okay she couldplay that game too. She motioned a beheading,then mouthed, "You're a dead man."
Yukimura jut out his lower lip, pleadingly. He cracked his best puppy dog face. Yuyawasunimpressed.Both of them were interrupted by several startled shrieks. Yuya's muscles clenched like her fists; she had gone rigrid with overwhelming uneasiness. The crowd of girls gave her the chills.
While Yukimura's hit soap opera had premiered, Yuya had been far from attentive to the popularity polls. Yuya backed away, in short, choppy scoots. Yuya felt Yukimura clinging to her back in his own fright. Catching ahold of his own fear, he encirled his arms around Yuya, attemping to prove the girls what a "lovely freshmen" she was. Yuya felt prickles go up her spine. A cool, cold feeling washed over her, as if someone had dumped in her in Artic water.
Yuya asked flatly, "Exactly how popular are you?"
Yukimura gave a nervous chuckle, "How about a lot?"
The girls began to yammer and chatter amongest themselves, pointing and shooting daggers at Yuya, who glared back with equal spite. Yukimura observed this for a moment or two before shooting a I-need-your-help look. Yuyaturned around, glaring daggers at Yukimura. She mouthed back, "Well go do something about it. I'm BUSY!"
Sheepishly, the wavy haired junior gave two thumbs up. That's right Miss Yuya! Buy me some more time! I assure you that I get you-us, out of trouble! Yukimura mouthed. Yuya rolled the whites of her eyes and returned to a glaring contest with Yukimura's fanatic admirers.
Yukimura slipped his hand into his vest chest pocket, getting ahold of his cellphone. It was the latest model that included just about everything: mp3s, internet service, games, pictures, "E"-mail (phone messages) and anything esle within a person's imagination. Yukimura had it all, within in his little portable electronic device.
Swiftly and with years of practice, Yukimura dialed for Saizo using only his thumb. Pressing the silverly colored phone to his ear, Yukimura waited, listening to the annoying ring tone. C'mon...c'mon Saizo...pick up...PICK UP! Jeez...they're supposed to be body guards...Yukimura whined.
"I'll have the-" (Mission Impossible theme)
Saizo blinked and held up a hand, telling the waitress to wait.Thewaitress threw up her hands in disgust and stormed off. Saizo watched her leave,fretting overthe fact that he might never get lunch. Buthis cellphone was ringing. Sasuke who sat across from him, at the curbside diner, sighed hungryily.
Sasuke tapped his fingers on the table countertop, he paused, disgusted. The table surface was sticky from previous food dish remenents. Sasuke reached over the table and grabbed a paper napkin, dipping an end into his water. Grossed out by people's bad food habits, Sasuke wiped his sticky fingers off.
Saizo flipped open his phone, immediately he inspected the caller's number and ID. Not completely surprised, it was a Sanada. He checked the ID, again not surprised, it was Yukimura. He felt his palms grow sweaty, did something happen to him? It always racked Saizo's mindwith death when Yukimura called. After all the years of loyalservice Saizo provided to the reckless, Yukimura. He'd grown very attached tothe teenager.
"Saizo speaking. Yukimura what's happen! Are you hurt? Are youIs someone hurting-"
"Nothing has happened to me, Saizo don't worry. I'm at school, do you think you could pick me and Miss Yuya Shiina up? If it's not too much trouble. Heh, I've been "discovered". If you catch my drift..." Yukimura internally grinned, it was amusing how much Saizo fretted over his welfare; Sasuke didn't worry half as much.
Saizo without questionobliged, "Hoh."
Flipping his phone closed, Saizostood up nearly upsetting his chair.He hurriedly threw his coat over his shoulder. He was a tall, lean but muscular man in his twenties. He had long, trimmed mud brown hair, accompanied by a blue bandana. It was Saizo's "trademark".
Sasuke's golden eyes drilled into Saizo.
"Alright! What bozo has the nerve to call during our lunch break?I haven't eaten anything since last night. I skipped breakfast so I could assist that Yuya ditz to Yukimura!" Sasuke protested,agravated.
Saizo sighed. Would Sasuke be this difficult when he got older? Surely, Saizo prayed that someone or something would cause Sasuke's short temper and deflate his pridethe tiniest bit. It was nearly impossible to work with such a fiesty child.
However Saizo had managed some how ever since Sasuke came to live at the Sanada Manor. He was an orphan adopted from a community of peoplethat had began to drop in population. Of course, Sasuke had been Yukimura's idea and had beenin his care for several years until Sasuke became to be of any "real use".
"That "bozo" (How dare you!) would be our Master, Yukimura. He is our top priority and we've pledged to lay our life on the line, for his safety. Come along Sasuke, let's go," Saizo urged, his own annoyance sparked by Sasuke's.
Sasuke swore beneath his breath and clambered to his feet, rather clumsily. The booth had narrow space for feet room and the green leather or plastic material wasn't the least bit comfortable. Sasuke felt the fabric of his pants, pinch his legs as he reluctantly followed Saizo out the door to the waiting car that was parked by the curbside.
Saizo clicked the unlock button on his set of keys and opened the driver's side door on the right side of the car, stuffing the keys back into his coat pocket. Saizo fumbled around the dashboard, finding his sunglasses. They were essential to block the sun's relentless glare on the streets. Things had gotten a little difficult on the road for a bodyguard like himself, cellphones were no longer being able to be used bya driver, unless you had eyephones. Sasuke had commented they ignore the new Japanese law, that was a typical Sasuke.
Sasuke still swore and grumbled beneath his breath, as he slid into the left passenger's side. Saizo waited for him to fasten his seat belt, but only got a golden glare from his odd comrade. Sasuke was obviously being defiant.
Saizo reluctantly, started up the car. He pulled out, waitingfor a clear moment tomerge intothe weeklytraffic. Once they were comfortbly on their way, Saizo stole a glance at Sasuke. The young boy's lavender hair was blowing in the wind, the window was completely rolled down. His arms were folded, resting upon the window frame, his head upon his arms.Sasuke had his ears plugged up with his Ipod earphones, J-pop blasting into his eardrums.
Saizo found it absolutely irritable how belligerent Sasuke could be.
"You know," Saizo began. "You could just have said that you didn't want me to wait for you to buckle up. Try to be a little more loquacious with people, Sasuke. That way we can easily distinguish what you want."
Sasuke didn't make any attempt to lower the volume of his music. He was much more like an animal, not a human animal. Sasuke Sarutobi was the most parculiar and particular child that Saizo had ever been aquainted with.
Like a cat, he could stare directly at a person, yet see beyond. He could connect and touch the void, the nothingness. It was as if he could see things others couldn't. Sasuke could become forgotten and turn"invisible" while with others.
Saizo had kept track of all observations of Sasuke, requested by Yukimura's father. The Sanada Clan had given a hesitant permission for Yukimura to adopt the lavender haired boy, six years ago. Saizo's little mission had been kept secret. He wasinstructed by Yukimura's parents not to tell Yukimura, let alone Sasuke. All of the obeservations had been documented and kept on Saizo's laptop, safetly stored.
Saizo didn't realize how he had spaced out, lost in his thoughts. Sasuke's shrill voice broke into the air, scattering Saizo's thoughts.
"SAIZO! TURN RIGHT!"
Saizo jerked his head around, immediately obeying the out-of-blue orders. Squealing, the tires screeching against the road. The car swerved rightinto the highschool parking lot. Saizo pulled the car up alongside the curb in front of the school. Heturned the engine off and quickly got out, slamming the door shut. Sasuke quickly followed him, chiding him for not paying attention.
"And you think I'm the one day dreaming? My butt! It's you! It's totally you! Today is proof!" Sasuke yelled after Saizo as the two of them ran, passing through the main gates and heading for the quad.
The school outskirts were almost completely desterted, minus the light traffic infront of the school. The sound of footfalls echoed in the hallways as Sasuke and Saizo ran past. They inspected each corridor and inside open classrooms.There wasn't a sign of Yukimura or the girl he summoned.
Panting and feet aching, the two stopped in the breezeway leading to the quad. Sasuke fell to knees, then onto his bottom, his arms propping himself up. His hawk like eyes scanned the quad, only groups of students, different "cliques" or lone wolves, filled the empty space of the perimeter of planted cherry blossom trees.
Sasuke felt steam building inside him, he felt his cheeks grow hot from running too fast. He continued to scan the area for any figure that looked like Yukimura or Yuya Shiina. To his disappointment there was none. To his surprise, darkness engulfed him, someone overshadowing him. Sasuke brushed some of his lavender hued bangs out of his face. He squinted, the sun was murder. A single light brow raised, Kyoshiro? Kyoshiro Muramasa?
"Is that really you Sasuke-kun? Wow it's been...forever!" Kyoshiro looked down at Sasuke with a friendly smile.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes, his jaw clenching. He liked Kyoshiro a great percentage more than Kyo, yet he still was sour with him. Saizo intervined, giving Kyoshiro a curt nod of recognition. Leaning down, Saizo grabbed Sasuke's upper arm, pulling him up to his feetwithout much effort. Sasuke felt himself rise, instinctually he jerkedarm from Saizo's grasp. Sasuke's golden eyes returned to Kyoshiro.
"Heck yeah. It's me alright. Have you seen Yukimura? That idiot needs our help," Sasuke demanded.
Kyoshiro pointed to the dining hall with a tired look. "Today's highlights include pandemonium created by Kyo and this year's "hottest guy".You better watch out, girls are trying to clobber him; every one of them want a piece of him."
Sasuke snorted, "No kidding."
(A/N: I apologize for this delay. I'm sorry to say that they'll be more to come. Delays I mean. You can kill me later.
Kyo: (raises kantana over Rishi's head)
Rishi n' Ryu: (stomps on Kyo with foot) What part of LATER do you not understand!
(bows head) Sorry! Anyways maybe it's because I was very disllusional or just stupid. I realized I need to work out several kinks in this story and clearify some things. Kyo is a junior making him 16 years of age or third year. In the Anime/Manga, I'd guess Kyo would be 19 or older. But I'm positive that's incorrect. Just to make things easier, I'll use my judgement, but if any of you reviewers know SDK character precise ages PLEASE LET ME KNOW! Arigatou Gozaimasu.
Yuya, Mahiro in this story are freshmen, making them 14. Benitora is a freshmen too, he's actually (in the fanfic) supposed to have been a sophmore but he's a goofball and not the best student, so he didn't pass. Yukimura, Okuni, Kyoshiro are also juniors. Hotaru, Akira are Sophmores. The story will progress until Yuya is 16 and Kyo is "starting" college, or not. He might not pass senior level. Okies please leave me a lovely REVEIW!