Disclaimer: I don't own the characters.
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CHAPTER FOUR: Surprises
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Tsukushi, Shigeru and Yuki were all sitting at the library while they write some notes for their assignments when Sakurako came toward them half-running and half-walking, a wide grin on her face. It looked like nothing could make her mood go bad.
Sakurako drummed her hands at their table when she finally reached them.
"What's up Saku? It looks like you receive a very good news." Tsukushi asked with a frown.
"It's really good news my friend." She grinned even wider as she slipped on the chair beside Shigeru to sit. The three girls looked at her curiously.
She waved an envelope in front of them.
"What's that?" Yuki raised her brow.
"It's an invitation."
"So?" Shigeru rolled her eyes. "What's with the stupid invitation? If it's one of those parties again, then I'm out."
"Wrong." Sakurako gestured a wiggling fingers in front of Shigeru. "This stupid invitation, my friend, is no ordinary invitation."
Now they looked at her with full attention, forgetting their assignment even.
"C'mon spill!" Tsukushi said eagerly as her friend decided to be silent for a while. "You're killing us."
"Okay…." She opened the envelope and fanned the invitation around them all as she said, "This invitation is our ticket to enter the battle of the bands at Crimson Ai and we'll be judge by producers, composers, popular band members, and even celebrity DJ's and VJ's. And this will take place the day after tomorrow, they're only sending invitations to those select few, including us, whom they think was the best of the best, and not to mention good-looking." Sakurako ended her litany with smugness.
"Wow!" the three girls said in unison as they cheered, forgetting where they were.
"This is so cool!"
"We rule!"
"Silence!" the librarian said who was approaching near them.
They all chuckled and laughed silently as they lower their voice.
"So, what's the rule?" Tsukushi asked excitedly, while the others scannec the invitation.
Sakurako shrugged, "None really. Just that make sure that the band could perform well and be there on time."
Tsukushi nodded.
"So, what song shall we play as an entrée?" Shigeru said as she passed the card to Yuki.
"Our new one, of course." Tsukushi answered confidently. "I'm sure we'll impress them."
"Err, Kushi," Sakurako rubbed her neck, "You're forgetting that we'll need a male collaboration in that particular song of ours."
"I know, so?"
"The fact that we have no time to look or even have a male audition for our song didn't occur to you?"
Tsukushi pouted for a while before she smiled, "Then we'll let Akira sing for our band."
"Eh!" Three girls said in unison.
"We don't even know if he can sing." Shigeru pointed out.
"We'll make him sing." Tsukushi smirked.
"Guess we have no choice," Sakurako agreed.
As if on cue, they saw Akira walking toward their table. He kissed Sakurako as he sat next to her after dragging the chair from the nearby table which created some noise and another reprimand from the librarian.
"I've been looking all over for you." He said to Sakurako.
Sakurako blushed before, "Hey, it's a good thing you're here, we're just kinda talking about you earlier."
Akira raised his brow. "Why?"
Sakurako smiled before telling him the details about the battle of the bands.
"And where did I come in there?"
"We need a male vocalist to sing with Tsukushi."
"Please……" Shigeru and Yuki said in unison with beautiful eyes.
Akira looked at the four girls as if they've gone mad.
"C'mon Akira…" Sakurako chimed in.
He sighed, "I really want to help you girls, but you see, I can't sing. Ask me to dance or play instrument, but singing."
"Now we're doomed!" Shigeru said with a snort.
"Not quiet," Akira said with a smile.
They all looked at him.
"You're forgetting I've got three more brothers…"
"Well," Tsukushi frowned, "If you're referring to your curly haired brother Tsukasa, I guess he's not the type who'll sing in front of the crowd."
"Yeah," Shigeru agreed, "And if it's Rui, it doesn't look like singing is in his personality also since he's quiet most of the time and not really like crowds much."
Then their eyes all widened then shone, "Of course, Soujirou!"
"Yep," Akira bobbed his head, "The guy could sing like a pro."
"Then he'll be in our band for that time."
"But we still have to ask him and make sure that he'll agree." Sakurako said, Yuki stopped smiling while dropping the invitation at the table when they all looked at her.
"W-why me!"
"Because it seems that Soujirou likes you."
"Correction, he likes her." Akira said with a grin.
"No way!"
"Yes way!"
"B-but…"
"It's for the band." They all smiled widely.
Yuki sighed in defeat. "Fine."
Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Yuki was walking at the hallway when she spotted Soujirou at his locker, she took a deep breath before she walked toward him.
"Hey," she greeted with a small smile.
Soujirou looked from his locker, he gave her a grin, "Hey yourself."
"Listen," Yuki tuck a hair in her ear before shifting her bag from the left shoulder to the right, "You see….I want you to do me a favor….a big one."
"Ooookay…" Soujirou slammed his locker shot before he leaned on it with his arms cross and brow crease, "What is this big favor anyway that you look and sound so nice to me?"
"I need you to sing for me…..err….for the band….a day before tomorrow…in front of the whole crowd…well I guess not that much…" she said abruptly in one sentence, or so she thought.
"What!" Soujirou said in a loud voice, "Hell, no!" he didn't care even if the students were looking at them.
Yuki ignored his comment as she continued to tell him about the invitation and how Akira suggested him to be their male vocalist.
"No way!" Soujirou said before he started to march off.
"Hey, wait!" Yuki followed him in a run, 'Hell, this guy is difficult' she thought. She held him at his left arm once she caught up with him. "Just stop for a while will you! I'm not the worlds' fast walker, you know!"
Sojirou stopped after he turned an empty hall. Yuki even bumped on him slightly.
"Now, what, pray tell, would you like to say now!" he asked. "So, that's why you're so friendly eh."
"Please," Yuki's eyes almost pleading, "This is important for our band, and looking for someone else was out of the question, it'll take time when all we need was a guy to sing with Tsukushi only for that night."
"What makes you think I'll agree?"
"We didn't, but we have to make you agree."
"Damn that Akira!" he muttered.
"Please, please, just say yes…" she hesitated for a while before, "I promise we'll become friends from now on." She beamed.
"So, making a bargain eh," he said with a raised brow, "But not a very strong one, I mean, d'you really think I only feel friendly to you."
"What do you mean?"
"C'mon, don't act as if you have no idea!" he started to leave again.
"Okay, okay," she tugged his arm again, "I won't walk away from you, be a snob or all the things I did before. Satisfied?"
"How about…" Soujirou's voice turned soft and a bit flirty as he leaned to her, "do things for me?"
"Things?" Yuki gulped, she was now in panic, her heart beats fast. "What things?"
"Oh you know…for example, you'll be with me when I want your presence, or I want to talk to you, just be with you, or…" he leaned even closer to her, "If I want to kiss you."
"K-kiss me…" her face was now very red. "Wait," she whispered as she held her hands to his chest as he lowered his head.
Soujirou stopped with a sigh, he straightened himself, "I knew it, well…good luck with your band." He was about to turn away when Yuki caught him again and flung herself to him and kissed him on the mouth.
Soujirou was surprised for a while but he started kissing her more deeply and passionately.
Yuki was blushing when they separated, "So, you'll sing for the band?"
Soujirou smiled fondly at her. "As if I have a choice."
Yuki looked at him with a smile.
Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Yuki and Soujirou met up at the cafeteria with the three girls and Akira.
"So?" Tsukushi asked abruptly.
"It's all okay." Yuki said blushing.
"Good," Shigeru smiled.
"Anyway," Sakurako said as she started explaining, "The contest was a day after tomorrow and it'll be held at Crimson Ai around 11 in the evening, but we have to be there earlier than that."
"Okay." Soujirou nodded.
"Just go at Tsukushi's place and we'll practice after school."
He nodded once again.
The girls leave the two guys when the bell for their next subject rang.
"Damn," Soujirou muttered as they left. Tsukasa and Rui suddenly appeared and sit at their table.
"What, still angry at the idea?" Akira asked.
"Not that, I forgot that it's full moon the day after tomorrow."
Akira shrugged, "Then you better fill your lust before the contest."
"What's up?" Tsukasa frowned.
The two guys told the new comers about the battle of the bands.
Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
The night of the contest, a few hours before the battle of the bands..
"So Rui, where are we going?" Shizuka asked as her hands was wrapped on Rui's arms. They're having dinner at a fancy restaurant, it was Shizuka's last night in Japan.
He shrugged, "No idea, I only want to spend some time with you."
"Me too. I even feel like I want to stay here in Japan with you, but I have to go, I want to see the world."
"I know…" he smiled at her, "Maybe we could go at Crimson Ai later, my brother's girlfriend was in a band and they're a participant in the contest."
"That sounds fun." Shizuka said as she kissed him, "But for now, let's finish our meal and go somewhere quiet where we could be alone."
Rui raised his brow, "And where is that?"
"How about your private suite, hmm?"
Not before long, after their dinner, they head to the Maple Hotel.
The couples were on their third round when Shizuka felt that Rui was changing somehow. She felt him grow big inside her, his clutch on her tightened and she felt his hair grow beneath her hands.
"Rui?" she frowned as she looked up. Her eyes widened when she saw his other form. She struggled when she realized what was happening. Rui just held her back on the bed, she cried when he graze her sides with his claw hands.
"Rui…" with misty eyes, she closed her eyes tightly and waited for her end. She now realized that he was that guy who was killing those girls.
She was surprised when he got up from her, she could hear his frustrated growl. When she opened her eyes, she saw him tore and throw the things he could grab. His eyes dangerous. Shizuka didn't made a move for fear that he would remember her.
Shizuka gasped when he looked at her intently, lust could be easily read in his eyes. When she thought that he was gonna pounce on her again, Rui jumped on the window and into the night. Shizuka hurriedly put her dress on and she grabbed Rui's coat. She would follow him. He's still Rui and he's naked and she's sure he'll need some clothing.
Not very far from the hotel on some dark alley…
Shizuka saw him over his 'victim.' He was slamming on the girl with a loud growl. The girl was screaming for help. After some seconds, the screaming stopped and Rui started to change back to normal. Shizuka decided that it was safe to go to him. Shizuka grabbed his coat and she went out of the car.
"Rui…"
Rui looked up at Shizuka. His face was full of guilt.
"Here…" she gave him the coat.
"Thanks…" he said quietly as he stood up and slipped the coat on him. "I'm sorry that you have to witness this."
Shizuka shrugged, "I was shocked, really, and you could say that I was very scared. I never thought that with your innocent looks lies a dark creature."
"Ironic, isn't it?" he smirked, "I understand if you…"
"Shh…I won't breathe a word even if I know I have to. I hate to say this but this is a crime you know, but still, I'll keep it to myself 'till the day I die." She smiled.
Rui hugged her. "Thanks."
Shizuka caressed his hair and back. "So this means your brothers too?"
"U-huh."
"That's why it's always four girls, ne?"
"Yup."
"Why?"
Rui looked at her, "We're looking for our mates and as long as we're not yet finding them, these things will occur." He gestured at the lifeless lady.
"Care to tell me the whole story?"
Rui shrugged as he started telling her about the family's secrets except the names of the family members. Only the history. It was enough that she knew about him.
"Why did you stop earlier?" Shizuka inquired.
"I realize that you're not my mate-to-be." He smiled with apology.
"You could just satisfy your lust and end up killing me."
"I know, but I stopped because I've at least know you and unconsciously, even though you're not the one, I don't want you to be hurt."
"Well, thanks for your consideration." Shizuka grinned. "Wow, this is some experience before I leave tomorrow. I could categorize this as one of the extreme things I've done."
"And I'm glad that someone, outside the family, knows this and didn't turn away or afraid."
"So, shall we go to that band contest?" Shizuka asked, her arms clinging once again to Rui.
He smiled, "Maybe after I'm fully dress."
Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Akira and Soujirou were walking toward the dark alley to looked for their 'victim'. They only separated when they saw a couple of girls walking.
Without wasting some time, they pounced on the young ladies, and the scream of their prey filled the dark alley until it subsided. Akira got up followed by Soujirou and they walked away in a hurry to go at Crimson Ai already.
Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Tsukushi was walking toward the dark street of the Crimson Ai. Her friends were already there but she has to come last because she still has some practice at ballet so now she's walking alone, her hands on her coat pocket. The street was not that crowded anymore. A gust of wind played on her hair as a shiver ran down her spine.
She was about to pass on some dark alley when she heard a muffled scream, when she looked, a long-haired man was on top of the struggling young lady. Rape. The guy is raping that girl.
"Hey, just what the fuck do you think you're doing!" she yelled, though she was a bit nervous too. She even looked around for someone to ask for help and also for something to swat the guy off.
The guy didn't move out on top of the lady until her muffled scream dies, obviously, she was dead already.
"Hey man, I'm calling the cops!" Tsukushi fished for her cell phone.
She was surprised when the guy moved very fast and then she found herself trapped in his arms. She shivered and she gave a small yelp when she felt his hand traveled on her body and his other hand went around her neck and under her hair. He bent her neck on the side and lowered his head.
Tsukushi suddenly felt a prickling sensation on her neck. 'Is this guy a vampire or something!' she thought with panic. Then she remembered about the news she was watching lately and not to mention what happened at Bo's. 'Am I gonna die?' she thought. She was sure scared now. 'What about the band?' she wanted to laugh, here she was and has a possibility to die but she wass still thinking about the contest. 'But hey, we've been waiting for this forever.'
She felt his hands traveled up her body and to her breast as his mouth covered hers after biting her neck.
When Tsukushi opened her eyes, she met those dark cat-like eyes staring hungrily and possessively at her. She moaned. Before she could analyze her seductor, darkness fell on her.
She won't have any idea it was Tsukasa.
oooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Tsukushi woke up after a while, what happened earlier registered on her mind abruptly, she panicked as she felt herself. There was nothing really change except for her throbbing neck and slightly swollen lips. When she looked at her surroundings, she was inside a dressing room already.
"Good thing you're already awake!" Sakurako said aloud. "I thought we have to back out because you're unconscious!"
Tsukushi opened her mouth to tell her friend what happened but her mouth said something else instead, "What the fuck happened?"
"You tell us."
"I can't remember." She lied.
"Anyway, go ahead and dress up already!" Sakurako ushered, "Yuki and Shigeru were already fixing the instruments with Soujirou."
"How did I get here?" she asked with confusion.
"The bouncer saw you lying on the top of our car." Sakurako answered.
Tsukushi shrugged as she got up, well, she could think about the whole ordeal later.
"What's with you, rubbing your neck like that?" her friend frowned.
"Oh nothing." She saw her clothes and changed on it.
She wore a black semi-flowing mini-dress that was off shoulder and the sleeves were long and flowing, and a black knee high boots, Sakurako put a black rose necklace on her neck. Her hair in ponytail with some tendrils and small hairs falling and Sakurako spray some color red hair paint on the ends of her hair. Tsukushi learned that they looked like a Goth. Sakurako made sure her make up looked like a Goth too. Just like the three girls though instead of black, they were wearing white clothes and boots.
When she was finished, they both went where the others were. Soujirou was wearing a black trench coat that was open in front revealing his chest and a black leather pants, and black male boots.
After the last performer, the DJ called the name of their group….
A thick smoke appeared on the empty stage and once it clearrf the audience saw them on the stage.
The instrument started to play…Tsukushi even saw at the corner of her eye how Tsukasa looked at her possessively. She shivered before she focused herself on her task…
(Tsukushi): How can you see into my eyes like open doors, Leading you down into my core
Where I've become so numb, Without a soul my spirit sleeping somewhere cold
Until you find it there and lead it back home
Tsukushi walked near Soujirou and like a dark creature walking in the night, just like what they looked like, they looked like they're a lover singing song to one another.
(Soujirou):Wake me up
(Tsukushi):Wake me up inside
(Soujirou):Wake me up
(Tsukushi):Wake me up inside
Call my name and save me from the dark, Bid my blood to run
Before I come undone, Save me from the nothing I've become
Now that I know what I'm without, You can't just leave me
Breathe into me and make me real, Bring me to life
The audience seemed to believe that the sensuous singers on stage whose portraying as a couple with their mysterious way of moving thought that they really looked like a beautiful creature of the night. At one time, Tsukushi happened to look at Tsukasa.
(Soujirou):Wake me up
(Tsukushi):Wake me up inside
(Soujirou):Wake me up
(Tsukushi):Wake me up inside
Call my name and save me from the dark, Bid my blood to run
Before I come undone, Save me from the nothing I've become
Bring me to life
Tsukushi rounded Soujirou as her hands caressed his chest and back.
Frozen inside without your touch, Without your love darling, Only you are the life among the dead
Soujirou held her on his arm…
(Soujirou):All this time I can't believe I couldn't see, Kept in the dark but you were there in front of me
(Tsukushi):I've been sleeping a thousand years it seems, Got to open my eyes to everything
(Soujirou):Without a thought, without a voice, without a soul, Don't let me die here, There must be something more
Soujirou lifted her to him, Tsukushi spread her available arms open and threw her head a little as Soujirou seemed to kiss her on the neck.
(Tsukushi):Bring me to life!
The music started to fade, a cloud of smoke once again appeared at the stage, and once it was cleared, they were gone.
The crowd gave a round of applause.
At the backstage…
"You can put me down now, Soujirou." Tsukushi said with a smile.
Soujirou smiled secretly as he sniffed Tsukasa's scent on her, looks like his brother marked her as his this night.
"Wow, we did great!" the other girls hugged them with delighted squeal.
"And my, the whole thing was so sensual!"
oooooooooooooooooooooooooo
As the other bands perform, they joined the F3 and Shizuka on the table.
"You guys are awesome!" Akira said.
"We know!" Sakurako grinned.
"Anyway, I want you all to meet Shizuka," Rui said, "She's a very good friend."
After they said their hello's, Shizuka smiled, "You guys looked great, I feel like I was watching a short clip vampire-romance movie!"
"Well, thanks!" the girls said in unison.
"And thanks to Soujirou." Yuki smiled at Soujirou who smiled back. "He's really good."
"Yeah," Shizuka agreed, "Specially the last part."
Tsukushi on the other hands has no idea how to act around Tsukasa who was looking at her intently and possessively. She couldn't tell why, but she was sure something was up. Then she unconsciously rubbed her neck. Tsukasa smirked.
"Tsukushi, Shizuka's praising you…" Shigeru nudged her.
"Uh-what…oh…thanks!"
"What's up with you?"
"Nothing. Just excited about the decision."
"Yeah right," Yuki made a face, "You look like the opposite from it."
"Stop analyzing me, I'm really excited." She pouted.
"And what's with you rubbing that neck of yours?" Sakurako asked once again about her neck.
Tsukushi shrugged, she drank on her wine, "Just some fucking guy bit me…" she murmured as she sip.
"What?"
"I said a mosquito bit me."
"Oh."
While Soujirou gave Tsukasa a 'what's up look'.
Tsukasa just grinned.
Not long after, the decision was made…
Two other bands get the first and second prize.
"And the winner is…" the DJ announce. "….The Hana!"
The girls jumped giddily as they hug each other.
"Congratulations, you did great. And expect to be the next big thing under your record label."
They kept on jumping.
Sakurako kissed Akira, Yuki hugged Soujirou, while Shigeru and Tsukushi clapped their hands to each other. Then a group hug.
Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
--- cont---l8r