This chapter is short but very important and emotional. And I wrote this back in like... November... maybe even before than... I dunno. So the writing is probably a bit different (I think its better... I'm getting worse I swear...)
Review Responses
jadeeyedneko: She was drunk... yeah... I went back and put a full explanation of that at the end of the last chapter. I'm glad you liked it. And you're about to get the answer to your question. Number 5 is currently in the lead and I'll post it in the AN on the chapter that comesafter or on June 24th as that's when the poll ends. So don't worry you'll know.
xInfernal: You'll see... and you'll probably hate me. But it's time for the conflict to come into play. Enjoy:D
AyamexKouga: Thank you! I hope you like this one too.
phantomoftheflame: I know. I'm proud of myseld too. I'll definately read your stories when you post them... I have been reading yours updates... I'm just too lazy to review... srry. -smacks self- and didn't you already vote? tsk tsk, no double voting. If it doesn't win, I promise to send you the first chapter seeing as it's written.
shadowww15: Oh, it's no problem. I've been uber slow upating it too so its not like you've missed much since you agreed to it. But hey, if you read it after I finish it... you won't have to wait for updates! hey! lol. I'm glad you liked the chapter. I hope you like this one too.
ON WARDS!
Ayame awoke the next morning to the sounds of the busy city. The bed in which she was sleeping and the appartment she was in were all too familiar. Her blood ran cold as she felt the man from the previous night kissing back, just below her neck, the way she had always liked. A chill ran down her spine.
"Morning, babe." The man said silkily, noticing she was awake.
"Morning," Her voice was a hoarse whisper. Tear formed behind her eyes, but she refused to let them show.
"I gotta get going to work." He said, turning her over and kissng her softly. "I'll see you when I get back, right?" Ayame smiled weakly and nodded. "Good." He said getting out of the bed and getting dressed He went into the washroom for a minute, vanishing from her sight.
Ayame hung her head in shame. How could she do this to herself? What in her right mind made her come running back to him of all people? Some random guy in a hotel room would have been better than this, but no. It had to be him. Riku.
"Maybe tonight..." Riku started, walking back into the bedroom tightening his tie. "We can go to where ever it is you've been staying and get your stuff and bring it back here."
Ayame smile weakly again, nodding. "Sound good." She said trying to find her voice.
"Alright," He said, leaning over the bed and giving her a peck on the cheek. "I'll see you after work." With that he left, leaving Ayame alone in the appartment.
She sat in the bed for a good 10 minutes, just letting her mind catch up with her. The tears that had threatened to fall a few minutes before disappeared, as did all feelings she had at the moment. She felt numb. It barely registered in her mind that she had gotten up and dressed. She had put on some old outfit that she hadn't brought with her to the new house. She wandered around the appartment, just looking around for any signs of change. There were none. The space was still as homey and welcoming as she had left it. That was due in large part to her living there. If it had been up to Riku, the place would be white and black and silver; very steril. Finally, she went back into the bedroom and called for a taxi.
It arrived only four minutes later. She got in, paying the driver for the distance they would be driving. The ride was silent, Ayame curled up in the back seat, trying to comfort herself or spark some emotion within herself. At one point the taxi driver asked if she was ok, but she just nodded and said she was fine, giving a fake smile. The driver said nothing more.
They reached the house about half an hour later. Ayame thanked the driver and got out, looking up at the white house in front of her, much like she had the first day she had moved in. The numb feeling was still there. Ever so slowly, she started up the walk way to the front door.
"Ayame?" A masculine voice reached her ears as she neared the front doors. She glanced over in the direction of the speaker. Kouga jogged over to her stopping dead, a few feet away from her, when he saw the blank look in her eyes. "Ayame are you alright?" He asked, his voice full of concern as he took a step closer to her.
"I'm fine." She stated, her voice devoid of emotion. With that she turned and entered the house.
"Ayame?" Kouga said quietly to himself as she closed the door.
Ayame walked up the stairs, not bothering to announce her arrival. She passed Rin as she walked to her room.
"Ayame? What happened to you last night? We were worried..." Rin started watching Ayame walk into her room michanically. "Ayame?" She called out, her voice full of worry. "Ayame what's wrong?"
Ayame ignored Rin's call, in fact, she barely even noticed her friends presence. She was in a sort of trance, she just couldn't break out of it. She closed the door to her bedroom and leaned back against the door. Slowly she slid down the the ground. She hung her head, letting out a soft sigh. Suddenly she was broken out of her trance, her eyes filled with tears that she was now unable to hold back. She began to sob silently to herself. Never before had she experienced ssuch self loathing and disgust.
After a while of just sitting there crying, Ayame got to her feet once again and went to go take a shower. All she wanted to do was wash away this memory.
"Hey guys?" Rin called as she walked out back to the pool. Sango and Kagome looked up at Rin. "I think there's something wrong with Ayame... She completely ignored me when I talked to her a few seconds ago."
Sango and Kagome looked at one another than back at Rin. "Do you think something happened last night?" Kagome asked her voice full of concern for her friends well being. "You don't think something bad happened do you?"
"I knew going to that party last night would be a bad idea!" Rin exclaimed looking up at Ayame's bedroom window.
"Guy's calm down!" Sango yelled rubbing her temples.
"Aren't you the least bit concerned?" Kagome asked incredulously.
"Yes, I'm very concerned for Ayame. It's just that we don't know if anything did happen to her last night." Sango stated. "For all we know she could just be really tired and just didn't hear Rin." Rin and Kagome glanced at each other, both knowing that Sango was right. "We shouldn't start jumping to conclusions."
"I think we should go talk to her. You know, just to find out where she went last night." Kagome said after a moment of silence between the group.
"Definately," Sango concured. "And if something did happen, then we will find out." Rin nodded.
The girls got up and walked into the house just on time to see Ayame coming out of the laundry room dressed in a robe and slippers. She looked over at her friends and gave them a cheery smile that the girls easily identified as a fake one.
"Just grabbing a towel..." She said slowly noticing the looks she was getting from her friends. She knew what was coming, and it wasn't something she wanted to face at the moment.
"What happened to you last night Aya?" Kagome asked, casually sitting down at the round dinner table.
"Yeah, you just disappeared," Rin added.
"Oh, nothing..." Ayame said, scratching the back of her head nervously.
"Oh come on Ayame, you don't expect us to beleive that now do you?" Sango aske sinically.
"Uh... yes?" Ayame watched her friends stare expactantly at her for a minute before sighing and turning away from them. "I met a guy and left with him, ok?" She started to walk back towards the stairs.
"Do we know him?" Kagome asked curiously, a sly grin on her face.
Ayame stopped and fumed silently. "Yes..." She said in an impatient tone.
"Really? Who?" Rin sqealed, hoping that this meant nothing bad happened to her best friend.
"I don't want to talk about it." Ayame called over her shoulder as she started up the stairs.
"Come on Aya-"
"I said, I dont want to TALK ABOUT IT!" She screamed, stopping on the fourth step up, tears welling up in her eyes, threatening to fall.
Kagome, Sango and Rin all jumped at Ayame's raised voice. Not once had they ever heard Ayame raise her voice in such a way. Her voice was full of hurt, anger and annoyance. Sango slowly raised to her feet, the puzzle peices falling into place in her mind. "Oh Ayame..." She gasped. "Don't tell me it was him..." She pleaded. Kagome and Rin looked up at Sango in confusion then gasped when they realized who Sango was talking about.
"Oh no, Ayame. I'm so sorry." Kagome said softly, walking quickly over to the stairs to give her friend a hug, closely followed by Rin. Sango stayed where she was in the kitchen, anticipating Ayame's response.
Ayame shook in anger. She seemingly had no control over her emotion. Her eyes burned when Kagome reached out to hug her. "I said I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT!" She screeched pushing Kagome back into Rin. She stood there for a second watching Rin stumble as Kagome fell back into her. She trembled in a mixture of anger and shock. She couldn't beleive she was treating her friends in such a manner. "I'm sorry," She whispered before turning and running up the stairs.
She went into the washroom, slamming the door behind her. She removed her robe and slippers and set down the towel before stepping into the shower and turning it on. As the water hit her body, washing away all evidence of what had happened the previous night, she silently broke down.
She felt like the biggest loser in the world at that moment in time. She was a horrible friend and a horrible girlfriend. It was no wonder she had a broken or disfunctional relationship and was distant with her friends. It was her fault, everything. From Riku cheating on her to losing contact with the greatest friends she could ever have to the way she felt right then. All her fault. She began to cry, unable to stop it. Her loud sobs and whimpers could be heard throughout the house, breaking her friends hearts.
There was nothing they could do to change how Ayame felt. They could try to comfort her but that would more likely anger her. They could try to give her space but there was no telling what she would do to herself if left alone for too long. No, they need to be inbetween. They need to give her space but be there when she needed them. They would act as if nothing had happened. Act as if everything was normal and they knew nothing of what she had done the night before.
AN: Ok... so now you probably all hate me. And yes, I garentee it's going to get worse in the next couple of chapters... then it turns into pure fluff! EE! I'm really hyper right now. It's really hot.. Its like... 27C humidity probably has it in the high 30s... I'm not going to bother doing the math into F. It's like... in the 80's or 90's somewhere. There's no breeze, my fans on full blast but only blowing hot air. -sigh- I love summer... but a breeze would be nice. Did I mention... it's midnight. Imagine how hot it was during the day...
Hilary Duff is filming a movie in my hometown. I know this is random but its funny. Me and my friends have plans... lets just say it involves beets, salt, her air and face and the burning of numerous shoes! MUAHAHAHA! God I hate her...
So yeah... voting continues until the 24th of June. NO VOTING TWICE. So if you haven't voted, refer to last chapter for summaries and VOTE NOW!
R&R! I'm gonna go put a bottle of ice on my neck and temples. TOODLES!