Disclaimer: Nope, they are not mine.

Chapter 3: The Cemetery (Where Our Love ones Lies)

It has been three days after Hanamichi's outbursts at the party and we haven't seen him since. His friend Mito said that he didn't go home ever since. We tried looking for him at the place we knew he would be but we find nothing, not even a trace, not even a shadow.

I'm anxious, I'm worried, heck! I'm even sleeping less because of this. The others are too. We always cut short the practice to look for him, but to no avail. I sighed. Finding him, I'm sure will be very difficult, because I know he doesn't want to be found.

Standing here at the front of my gate, I tried to think of a place where I could find him. But I could not think of any.

Suddenly I remember that I was supposed to go to the cemetery. Today is my mother's death anniversary. She died because of leukemia.

When I arrived at the cemetery there were only a few people here and there, making the place very quiet. The trimmed grasses are green and trees are planted strategically. As I was trudging to the place where the tomb of my mother lay, I saw a figure huddled in another tomb. I paid no heed to him, and walked purposely to my mother's.

When I reached Mother's tomb, I sat down placing the flowers I brought at the headstone. I need to think, after all. But after some minutes I sighed again. I can't think of any place he would be hiding.

I look up at the sky and I noticed that it is darkening. I stand-up and brush the dirt from my pants acquired from sitting on the dirt. Maybe I'll just go home and sleep.

I noticed that the figure haven't move from his previous position at all and it looks like he don't have any inclination to got up. Well, it's not my problem. Suddenly a wind blew, and I saw that the wind had blown away his cap and the wind tousled his red hair.

Wait a minute… Red hair?

I did a double take and scrutinized the figure. I can see that he is tall even though he is sitting and he has a muscular build. He wears a baggy jeans and a jacket. Yes, I conceded, he really is Hana-kun.

I immediately walked over to him, making my steps as quiet as possible. I don't want to startle him with my presence. But my body blocked the remaining light of the sun and he looked up. When he saw me I thought he's going to shout at me for intruding. But all he did was nod at me while trying to put back again his cap backwards.

I remained silent. After all I don't know what I should say. He motioned for me to sit down with him on the ground, and I found myself sitting there at him at the tombstone which has the inscription of

Sakuragi Hitachi

Born: March 3, 1965

Died: April 1, 2002.

"He died at my birthday you know," he said conversationally but I can see that he's very sad at the fact, when he saw me reading the inscription.

"Your father?"

He nodded, and then remembering something he asked "Why are you here? Did you visit your love one too?"

"Love-one?" I repeated dumbly.

"Aaa, this is a cemetery after all, a place where our love-ones lies. My father," he explained pointing to the tombstone "is my love-one. So, who's yours?"

I hesitated for a while, wondering if I'm going to disclose that information. Only a selected few people knew that my mother is dead. I breathed in deeply and softly whispered "My Mother." while looking back at my mother's tomb.

He nodded then after a while, "I suppose the others were looking for me?" he asked turning his gaze back at the headstone.

I nodded. He grinned. "I didn't want to make them worry, you know, but if I go back at home, I'm sure she would go there." His eyes flashed when he was saying this. "I always go here when I want to think. And besides, I know she won't look for me here."

She, from what I gathered as he was shouting at the woman, I deduced that the beautiful woman is his mother, and he was now talking about her. But there's one thing that's bugging me, why is he so angry with her anyway?

There's a long moment of silence again and he shifted from his position burrowing his capped head on his arms which are placed on his knees. I looked at him under my bangs. He looked so cute, especially with that cap. It made him more rugged but it made his boyish charm more renowned. His baggy jeans and jacket enhanced his muscular built that made him look so sexy especially when I saw that he wears only an undershirt underneath. That together with the rubber shoes just added to that effect. If the place isn't so serene – if not creepy – I would have drooled but thankfully I refrained myself.

I was startled when he spoke again with a soft voice, looking at the now dark sky, "do you know the reason why I hate you?"

I nodded, snorting. Of course I knew. Who didn't?

He looked at me skeptically and asked with an eyebrow up, "Really?"

"It's because of the Akagi girl," I said, trying to keep the venom of my words from showing.

"No, it's not" he looked thoughtful, and smiled softly, which made my heart beats faster, "well, maybe at first," then he take a deep breath placing his chin on his drawn knees. "The truth is, I hate you because you resembled my mother so much."

I was stunned at that revelation, and he chuckled wryly when he saw my face, "Why Kitsune? Surprised? You shouldn't be, after all you saw her at the grand opening didn't you?"

I frowned, then my eyes widened. He's right! I even compared myself to her that time.

"You both have pale skin, a beautiful face,' he glance at me and smiled a little, looking back at the tombstone he continued talking. "You have similar personalities too, aloof, cold" his eyes flashed angrily again, but I could feel that the anger is not directed at me, "but the most amazing resemblance is the eyes. Your icy blue eyes…" he trailed off.

I remained there sitting, silent, looking at the sky. So that's why he hated me so much huh?

"But you know Kitsune," he continued, as I slowly looked back at him again, "when I saw her on that day I realized something."

I asked him what.

"That I'm an idiot,' he admitted smiling sheepishly, scratching the back of his neck, "I mean, first, it's not your fault that Haruko likes you right?"

I shrugged nonchalantly. At last, after 100 years, the idiot finally realized that.

"And it's definitely not your fault that you looked like her," he sighed again, "besides; I noticed something when I'm looking at her eyes."

I raised my eyebrows questioningly.

"Her eyes are cold, yes, but unlike yours, hers are full of hatred and bitterness for the world, while yours are… simply beautiful." He blushed when he said this while trying to look anywhere but me,

My heart is beating wildly on my chest, and when I looked at his still blushing bowed head, I suddenly had the urge to kiss him. I hold his chin up, and slowly lowered my lips to his when suddenly big drops of water fall on my face. We looked up at the sky and the rain drenched our faces.

I cursed, just when I was about to kiss the man of my dreams, the nature have decided to ruined it. He looked at me surprised and chuckled. I glared at him and he burst out laughing.

Seeing his handsome face laughing freely again for the first time in weeks, I couldn't help but smile. He gaped when he saw me smile and it's my turn to laugh at his perfect imitation of goldfish.

He glared at me threateningly and I have to chuckle at him.

Finally noticing that both of us are now soaking wet because of the rain, I stand up and took his hand leading him to my house, still laughing…

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T.B.C.

The setting may be creepy; but at least, they could show their love freely. ;-p