Summary; Warning; Disclaimer: See First Chapter.
I was going to wait to see if anyone else would review, but oh well. So, if you didn't review last chapter - go do it! Keep me happy!
Here's the final chapter for this story. As to whether or not there'll be a third installment...read until the end and tell me what you think I'm planning. If you guess right, a cameo!
I gotta thank all of you guys who kept reading and reviewing, and kept me going! I love ya all - not in that way, so no funny ideas. But seriously, I hope I keep you guys as readers, and I hope you keep enjoying my works.
Please review.
Peering around doorways and stepping carefully, Jenna still found no sign of the Ox and wondered if Hatori had tricked her for whatever reason. She briefly wondered why they even owned a house like this, but the thought flew out of her head when she heard a noise from a room down the hall, and gasped inadvertently.
"He must be there…" she told herself sternly, clenching her hands at her sides and striding forward. Pushing the door in, she frozen when Haru turned to stare at her, and she almost cried at seeing his expression. "H…Haru…" she choked out, pain enveloping her body as if she shared what he was feeling. No matter what might happen, Jenna realized then and there that she would always love the stubborn Sohma, no matter how much she tried to escape it.
"Hatori said you'd come, but I didn't believe him," Haru said listlessly, turning his head back to stare out the window once more. Sitting on a small couch, he was all in black as usual, with a navy-blue dress shirt over his black shirt, the long jacket resting on the floor by the door.
"I…"
"Did you come because you felt guilty?" he asked calmly, not looking at her at all. Jenna's eyes widened at his lack of emotion, but swallowed roughly, deciding to be completely honest from now on. She nodded, but he didn't see the motion.
"I did, yes," she told him. "I came because Hatori seemed desperate, and I felt I owed him this much. But…I didn't want to leave it at what happened."
"You're the one that ran off," he reminded her coolly, and she winced at the accusation.
"I know I did," she said, trying to keep her voice from cracking. "I was wrong, then. I'm the one who's a coward. I'm the one who's dumb." The stilted words fell from her lips like bitter tears, and her expression turned hard as she berated herself. Hatsuharu slowly turned to gaze at her, and her eyes softened when she saw the bruises on his face and the pain in his eyes.
"We're just a couple of jackasses, then," he said finally, breaking away from her gaze. Jenna's heart leapt in her chest, and she suddenly sat down beside him, gently touching his shoulders as he turned away from her towards the window yet again.
"Haru…I'm so sorry," she said brokenly, her voice no longer calm or steady. She leaned against his back, pressing her face into his shoulder blade as her body shook with muffled cries, while Haru remained completely frozen. Pulling herself together momentarily, she took a deep breath and leaned over, cupping his face in her hands and turning the Ox to face her, meeting with little resistance.
He simply stared at her, and she resisted the urge to drop her hands and run for her car. Instead, she softly stroked the areas where the bruises were, still forcing his head in her direction.
"Haru…I realized why I stopped seeing ghosts," she said finally, and a bit of surprise glimmered in his face. "I didn't see them because…I was complete. I was happy for once, and there was no need for me to be tested, to be pushed and prodded one way and another by spirits from my past. But when…when I lost you, they came back."
"So you just want me back because I'm a ghostbuster," he said dryly, and she resisted the strong urge to slap him across the face and instead closed her eyes and shook her head patiently. Her fingers remained on his cheeks, but he didn't move at all.
"No, Hatsuharu," she managed, forcing the words out calmly. "I told you that so you'd realize how much you meant to me. But I don't give a damn whether or not I see ghosts – as long as I'm able to see you beside me."
Jenna kept her eyes closed, scared what his reaction might be, and felt him shift slightly under her touch. She jumped a bit when she felt his hands cover her own, and she opened her eyes as he drew them away from his face and clasped them in-between his own snugly. Haru gazed at her with the same blank expression he wore before, but something seemed different about him. She remained still when he brought her hands to his lips and kissed them gently, holding them close as if they were a lifeline.
"That day at the park – I wanted to ask you to marry me," he confessed, and her jaw dropped in shock. He grinned slightly at her expression, but didn't release her hands. "But after that…the time never seemed right to me. And then…it all happened, and it was useless for me to try. At least, I thought it was. I just gave up – what kind of man am I?" he asked bitterly, and she watched him with watering eyes.
"You're the best one I know," she said softly, withdrawing her hands and wrapping her arms around his neck, resting her head on his shoulder. Haru stiffened briefly under her sudden embrace, but melted into it within moments and held her against him, breathing in her scent as if it rejuvenated him.
"I'm sorry," he said finally, looking down at her. She nodded into his neck, and he pulled back slightly to meet her gaze. "I really am," he repeated, and she nodded again, the lump in her throat too big for her to try to speak.
"I know," she croaked after a few minutes of opening her mouth and closing it again uselessly.
"Good," he nodded in satisfaction, and promptly leaned down to press his lips against hers hungrily. She responded eagerly, having missed his caresses, but reluctantly pulled back after a moment. "What's the matter?" he asked in confusion, but she smiled at him brightly.
"I will."
"Huh?" the Ox replied, at a loss for what she meant. Jenna merely stared at him calmly, waiting for the light to dawn. Haru searched his memory before realizing what she was agreeing to, and he eagerly pulled her to him once more, deciding actions were more appropriate than words at that point.
"What's that?" Jenna asked almost thirty minutes later, looking at the door nervously. The couple had remained silent in the room, merely basking in each other's presence, but Haru got to his feet in front of her when footsteps were heard running toward them.
"Be quiet," he ordered, and she clutched his hand as she remained behind him.
"You two have to go!" Hatori ordered, appearing out of breath and desperate. "Akito's on his way here! Kureno called me just now – he wasn't allowed to come, someone else is driving him. But he'll be here any moment!"
"What?" Haru demanded, his eyes narrowing dangerously.
"Take my car – just leave somewhere," Hatori continued sternly, keeping an eye down the hall towards the front door. "I put money in your account, Haru – you have enough. Just leave this place and get away somewhere!"
"What about you?" Jenna retorted, getting to her feet. "You can't just expect us to leave you! After all you've done for –"
"It was as much for our own selfish reasons as it was to help you," the Dragon interrupted her, but his eyes widened in panic when they heard a car pull up. "Quickly! You have to leave! I can handle Akito!"
"Out the window," Haru ordered, suddenly whirling around. With the speed of a martial artist, he grabbed Jenna and basically threw her over his shoulder, throwing open the window and climbing out easily. "Hatori!" he called, pausing, but his cousin shook his head.
"I can handle Akito," Hatori repeated firmly, not looking at them. Jenna remained limp, wanting to protest but knew it was no use to try.
"Thanks," Haru said finally, and suddenly set her down on her feet. "Come on," he ordered, grabbing her hand and rushing past the trees away from the house.
"Where are…we going?" she managed between gasps, doing an odd combination of skipping and jumping to keep up with the Sohma.
"To the car," he said shortly. "The long way."
Jenna nodded, realizing what Haru meant to do, and hitched her skirt even higher to keep up with him. He tightened his grip on her hand suddenly, and she froze for a second when a cry of pain reached their ears. "Hatori!"
"We have to go," Haru urged, pulling her once more and almost knocking her off her feet. Jenna glanced back, and smacked into Haru's back when he suddenly stopped.
"What's the matter?" she asked, and he shook his head.
"Hatori left the keys in the car – make a run for it," he ordered, and she stared at him. "Oh, don't give me that look – of course I'm coming!" he informed her. "Just go…now!"
Jenna sprinted the moment he finished the word, and winced as gravel hit her face as she skidded into the car door, unable to slow down fast enough. Sliding in, she started the car and sighed in relief when Haru fell into the seat beside her, slamming the door shut.
"Go!" he shouted, as Akito stormed out of the house and headed toward them. Jenna shot the car into reverse and quickly spun the wheel, shifting gears just as quickly and taking off down the road, heading back the way she had come.
Akito stared after the car in a speechless rage, and Kureno moved cautiously to the car in case escape was indeed advisable. He remained silent when the god turned around and headed back to the house, his actions slow and deliberate.
Hatori remained in the room where he had stopped Akito, scratches on his face and ripped clothes proof of his sincerity. The Dragon was kneeling on the floor in exhaustion, not very surprised at how strong Akito grew when he was in a rage, his gaze downward. He looked up slightly when Akito stalked into the room and remained frozen when the man dropped to the ground, locking his gaze with Hatori's.
"I hope you realize what you've done," the young man hissed, the calm on his face only proof of his anger. Hatori stared back silently, and Akito spat in his face before straightening up. "I assume you're pleased with what you've accomplished," Akito said coldly, gazing down at the man before him with contempt. "Make no mistake, they will not escape for long. And when I have them back, she will pay for your crimes."
A shiver ran through Hatori at these words, but he gave no other sign of hearing Akito's voice. The god finally left him along, crying out for Kureno, and Hatori allowed himself a deep sigh.
"Stay safe, Hatsuharu. And take care of her," he thought, willing his words to reach his young cousin. Contrary to his words about selfishness, Hatori knew as well as Ayame – whose part would remain secret if the gods willed it – that what Akito planned to do with Jenna was far worse than anything he had conceived against Tohru, only because the young woman was a 'foreigner' and could take the Sohma Ox far from Akito's influence, as she had already proven.
Hatori also knew that if anything happened to Jenna, Haru would be lost to them.
This was the reason he had helped them – to provide a future for the younger Sohmas, and protect the investments of love they gave to those willing to receive them.
"Where do you want me to go?" she demanded, gripping the wheel tightly as she tried to catch her breath. Haru remained silent, filling his own lungs for a moment before sighing.
"Back to your house. I've got my passport with me," he told her, and Jenna turned her head to stare at him amazement.
"Passport?"
"We can't stay in Japan," he told her firmly. "Akito will find us – and who knows what he'll do now. We have to leave. Hatori said something about arrangements."
"You mean he knew this was going to happen?" Jenna realized, and Haru shrugged.
"Backup plan," he replied, without embellishing on it. Jenna fell silent, and didn't turn her head when she felt Haru's hand on her shoulder. "Akito won't kill Hatori," he said quietly, knowing what was bothering her. "He's too important. But I don't know what he'd do if you got his hands on you – which is why we're leaving."
"I don't…"
"Don't you still have relatives there?" he asked, and she nodded reluctantly.
"Yes…but everything I have is here now," she said.
"Grab what you need, and I can call that friend of yours to keep an eye on the place," Haru suggested, his firm set. "Akito won't risk bringing in another outsider into this – if she's living there, everything'll be fine."
"You certainly think on your feet," she commented dryly, and he cracked a grin.
"I guess," he shrugged. "But may the credit rest with Hatori."
"I thought so," she nodded, and a heavy silence fell between them for a few moments. "Do you think we'll ever see them again?" she asked suddenly, and Haru thought for a moment before nodding.
"In all honesty? Sure," he assured her. "We Sohmas have a habit of popping back up, trust me."
"All right," Jenna said finally, her voice betraying her reluctance. Hatsuharu observed her for a moment before sitting back in his seat for a moment before blinking in confusion. "What is it?" Jenna checked, but he only shrugged.
"Hatori…" Haru thought, sure he had heard his cousin's voice for a second inside his head.
"Jenna Stevenson? She doesn't live here anymore, I'm afraid," Natsuki informed the visitor calmly, having received several strange guests over the past two months. Granted, she had been warned by her friend when she called that day, but Natsuki wondered what had happened to make the young woman leave so suddenly, and secretively.
"All right. I'm sorry for imposing on you," the tall man said, inclining his head slightly before turning to leave.
Natsuki watched him leave for a moment before closing the door, observing the rooms that were now hers. She had been more than happy to move in when Jenna asked her to, having been living in a rented apartment with an irritating landlord, and had followed her friend's wishes and refused to give anyone her forwarding address in America, having been given it to ship over some of Jenna's belongings to her. However, Natsuki wished she knew why Jenna had felt the need to run off with her boyfriend, but decided it was best to leave it alone.
"You're better off not knowing."
Jenna's words echoed in Natsuki's mind for a moment before the woman shrugged and reached again for the letter she had received the day before from Jenna, having kept in touch with her through letters and the occasional phone call on a cell phone. Her eyes scanned the words once more, searching for any hints of how her friend was doing. Even though she wrote, her words seemed superficial, as if Jenna was guarding herself like a jealous lover guards their secrets.
"Natsuki, it's been a while," it began, as usual. "I hope things haven't been a bother for you, moving in so quickly and all. Thanks for letting me know about the visitors – I'm glad they weren't any trouble."
"Except that first one," Natsuki snorted, recalling the sickly-looking young man who had demanded to know Jenna's whereabouts. He had been forcibly taken back to his car by the tall young man with red hair, leaving Natsuki a bit shaken and curious.
"Thanks for that last package – I really missed those pictures. I found a really nice place out in Carthage. Yeah, I know, weird name for somewhere up north, but go figure. It's a nice place, quiet and not many people around. It's pretty old, but I like things like that. I got a job with the local paper as a proof-reader. It's a job, so I can't complain. And it's kind of funny to see what mistakes readers don't get to see.
Haru's working now too, at a local gym, of all places. Surprisingly, he's not doing too bad. No, there aren't any plans yet, so don't get all excited. No need to say about what. And if there is, I hope I wasn't as my mother was. The stories I've heard…wow.
I'd appreciate it if you could send over a few more books that should still be there – I'm sure they're taking up room, but the cost of postage is atrocious. Send over whichever ones you want to get rid of first. That one series, though, of the hunters – if you could try to get that over, I'd appreciate it. I have a craving to read it suddenly. Must be all this nature around me."
The letter was signed as all the others were – "Sorry for the trouble, Jenna" – and like the others, there was hardly anything truly personal about the letters. Except for her mother and plans. Natsuki shook her head with a grin and laid the letter back on the table, heading for the back room where Jenna's things were stored.
"I may as well pack them before I forget," she shrugged, her mind drifting to her own life at the moment. A lingering curiosity remained in her mind, however, wondering why Jenna was so guarded with her words.
"So, she's still there, and doing fine," Hatori sighed in relief, striding down the street with his coat blocking the winter winds from him. Akito was still on the hunt, and Hatori was still unable to contact the couple directly, as well as any of the other Sohmas, for fear of revealing their location. But Hatori had seen the postmark on the envelope by the door, and a smile graced his features.
"One day we'll all see you two again, that's a promise," he said to himself, somehow positive they could hear his words.
Of COURSE it was going to be a happy ending! But a very open-ended ending, no? So, go on, take a guess - I dare ya. I have a feeling there'll be a lot of cameos soon...Please review.
