Chapter Thirty- Two: What a Feeling, 好一感情
Ronin's Temporary Lair, 暂时的兽穴
Author's Note:
Wowsers! Thanks for all the reviews, guys! If you could help me out a bit, I would really like it if you told me which parts you liked and which parts still need some work. But you don't have to if ya' don't want to.
"Okay, hon. I'm going out." Yuri called to Ronin as she was about to walk out the large set of doors.
"Wait! Where are you going?...And what are you wearing?" Ronin asked, almost pleading. He didn't like to be alone anymore. Yuri waved her hand childishly.
"You do want that girl taken care of, right?"
"Yes, but I fail to see the point in wearing--."
"I'm not attacking today, silly! I'm just going to get background. To see what her personality is like. You know, all that good stuff. She's going to a dance tonight, so a big frilly dress is my cover." Yuri called as she walked out.
I command millions of troops and rule many lands, but I don't think that I will ever rule over or completely understand my dear Yuri.
Takashima High School: Oomisoka Dance, Takashima 中学,新年的舞会
Where's Kiyoshi? I had been standing at the front of the school, waiting for Kiyoshi for some time. He must've gone back to the lighthouse to get ready, I guess…
"Hey Komori!" Takara called not too far away. I turned to see her hooked arm-in-arm with Botan; Takara looked as happy as she had been yesterday skipping on the sidewalk.
"Oh, hey, you two! …Hm, I've never seen you so clean, Botan." I chuckled, running over to them as fast as I could in my gigantic dress. Takara looked around.
"Where's Kiyoshi?" she asked.
"I was wondering the exact same thing…I guess he's still at his li--um, house getting ready."
"Well, I'm sure he'll be here soon!" Takara said optimistically, dragging Botan towards the gym doors. But how soon is 'soon'? By now I was the only loser still standing in front of the gym. Night had already set in and the chill that came with it rippled through my thick dress, sending shivers up my skin. Kiyoshi! Where are you? Dangit, I don't want to go in without you, but I'm turning into an icicle out here!
A deep swishing sound came from behind me; I turned in shock and found Kiyoshi standing there holding a corsage. A smile of relief washed over his face.
"I was afraid you went in without me." Kiyoshi breathed.
"Nope, I'd turn into an icicle just for you." I grinned.
"Yeah, sorry it took so long: it took me forever to pick out the right kind of flowers for you."
"Kiyoshi, you didn't have to get me flowers, I mean, good Lord. Would I really throw a fit if I didn't?" I blushed. It was really sweet of him to get me a corsage, though.
"Well, I did anyway." He smiled, fastening the corsage firmly on my wrist. It was beautiful: it was the same species as the purple flower Kiyoshi had shown me on our first date, but this one was a deep indigo with streaks of purple; a few sprigs of baby's breath poked out from the flower's bottom.
"Pasiflora edulis. Related to Pasiflora incarnata." Kiyoshi explained, twining his arm in mine. "Shall we?" he asked in a stately tone. "We Shall." I replied happily.
Yuri stood in the corner of the elaborately decorated gym silently brooding. Where is the girl? I'm beginning to lose my patience. Several boys had already asked her to dance, but she graciously refused them all. She had been keeping her eye on the entrance all night, but the girl had not walked in yet. This is ridiculous, I feel like a complete fool. When her patience had worn too thin and she was prepared to leave, she spotted the girl walking in with the one she knew as Kiyoshi. Yuri's lips curled into a knowing snarl as she approached closer. Time to get information on her prey.
Kiyoshi pulled me directly to the dance floor (lucky me, walking in right when a slow song comes on). I draped my hands behind his neck as he wrapped his around my waist. He pulled me to him and started to sway; I put my head on his shoulder as I tried to figure out what the song was.
Here in the night, I see the sun,
Here in the dark, our two hearts are one,
It's out of our hands, we can't stop we have begun,
And love just took me by surprise.
Looking through your eyes.
'Looking Through Your Eyes'. Hm, what a pretty song…Kiyoshi seemed to be enjoying himself. I was a little surprised that he knew Earth customs so well. He has to do some sort of research of the planet before he comes to it or he'd stick out like a sore thumb.
"I just figured out where this song's from!" I whispered to him. He tilted his head. "Where?"
"Quest for Camelot. It's a cartoon movie. I didn't think they made a remake of this song." I said. Kiyoshi had a confused look on his face. He probably only understood half of what I just said.
"Um, I've never seen that one. Is it good?" he asked, most likely for the sake of conversation.
"Well, yeah, if you're a little kid." I chuckled.
"I see." Kiyoshi laughed, pulling me closer.
I see a night I wish
could last forever
I see a world we're meant to see together
And
it is so much more than I remember
More than I remember
More
than I have known
And there are some
things we don't know
Sometimes a heart just needs to go
And
there is so much I'll remember
Underneath the open sky with you
forever
The song finished with a last sad strum of a guitar. We pulled away from each other; Kiyoshi led me over to the refreshments table to talk with some of our buddies from the fencing team. Takara sat at the edge with Botan, chatting away with Haruko. A lonely-looking girl at the opposite side of the table was looking straight at Kiyoshi and I. I looked away, embarrassed. I've never seen her before…She's probably new; maybe I should go say hi. Kiyoshi was busy chatting away with Katabami about something; he wouldn't care if I went over there to talk with her for a minute. I strode to the end of the table where she stood in partial shadows. She looked genuinely shocked that I had come up to her; I guessed that she was shy like Takara.
"Hi, I'm Komori! I haven't seen you here before, are you new?" I asked as politely as I could. The look of surprise faded into a large smile.
"No, I've been here the entire school year. I suppose we do not have any classes together. But it is quite some dance, isn't it?" she replied quietly. She talks funny.
"I'll say. Who're you with?" I asked, looking around. She giggled and held her hand up.
"My boyfriend's not feeling well, but he would've come with me otherwise." The girl said.
"I'm sorry; I didn't catch your name."
"Oh, that's because I didn't say it. It's Yuri." she glanced at her watch.
"Pretty. You know--." I started.
"Komori! Get over here, Botan just told me the stupidest thing that happened after practice yester…day." Kiyoshi came to me, then glared at Yuri.
"What are you doing here?" he asked rudely.
"Kiyoshi! Don't be so rude!" I scolded. Kiyoshi didn't seem to listen.
"Is Ronin so lazy that he's getting you to do his dirty work? That's so pathetic." Kiyoshi sneered. She works for Ronin?
"He is not feeling well, thank you for asking. I came in his place." Yuri growled.
"Sure, sure. Just get out of here; you're not welcome here. Ever." Kiyoshi boomed angrily, pointing to the door. Yuri turned on her heel and left without another look back. She paused as she reached the door.
"The war is far from over my dears."
