Standard disclaimers apply! Please enjoy and review!
AN (10/02/06): Re-edited and revised chapter 5.
A Simple Misunderstanding
A Hana Yori Dango Fanfiction
By Maho-chan
Chapter 5
"Rui, do you think it's going well?" Shizuka queried, watching Tsukushi from across the room.
"They aren't talking." Rui said softly, busying himself with twirling the tendrils of Shizuka's long hair around his fingertips. Soujiro and Akira whistled in unison, as Tsukushi moved, the hem of her dress parting invitingly.
"I can't believe that is our Makino." Soujiro said, shaking his head and looking over at Tsukasa. "He's not looking so good." Tsukasa glowered from another corner of the room as an overeager boy brought punch to his girlfriend.
"Shizuka, how in the world did you persuade Tsukasa bring Makino?" Akira asked curiously. "This really isn't her scene or his for that matter. And that dress!" Leaning forward, he said conspiratorially. "Any man who gets near Makino is in serious danger tonight." Nodding to himself as he watched Tsukasa level another would be suitor with a menacing look, Akira asked again. "How did you persuade them?"
"Tsukasa had already agreed to come." Shizuka said calmly, as Rui put his arm around her and took a sip of her drink.
"Why?" Soujiro asked as he craned his neck to watch Tsukushi accept yet another glass of punch from some unknowing twit.
"His father told him he wouldn't try to stand in their way if Tsukasa could help him close this deal." Surprised, Soujiro and Akira looked at each other.
"That's unbelievable." Akira said, his eyes wandering over to Tsukushi, who was now talking to the hostess and being introduced to everyone within a 10-foot radius.
"Well there's no doubt, they are both the hit of this party. But Tsukushi seems so different tonight." Soujiro mused, as he watched Tsukushi and Tsukasa resolutely avoiding each other, standing in opposite corners of the room and glancing at each other when they thought the other wasn't looking. "And what is up with Tsukasa? He's certainly playing it cool towards Tsukushi. You can practically feel his bad vibes."
Turning to Soujiro, Akira laughed and said "How much do you want to bet that Tsukushi and Tsukasa will be having a busy night tonight?"
"I don't know… Tsukasa seems pretty angry." Soujiro replied, reluctant to take the bait.
Akira grinned knowingly while taking another drink from a passing waiter. "But you know, that's going to bring the tension. It's all about the tension." Soujiro also took another drink as he grinned back. "That's true. Tension is very important."
"Makino! I was so jealous tonight!"
"Oh, Domyoji, I only have eyes for you!"
"Your dress is so sexy. I thought I might die."
"Kiss me!"
"OKAY!"
"Smooch!" Breaking into peals of laughter, Soujiro and Akira high-fived over their parody. Still laughing, Soujiro caught the eye of one of the girls at the next table and after beckoning Akira to join him, made his way over to her, leaving Rui and Shizuka alone again.
Still playing with Shizuka's hair, Rui lazily took up the question of Makino's attendance.
"And how did you get Makino to agree to come tonight?"
Shizuka smiled, as she watched Tsukasa staring openly at Tsukushi's petite form.
"The heart of a woman is truly a mysterious and beautiful thing." Shizuka replied, turning to Rui to give him another kiss.
AN: I made Shizuka and Rui kiss a lot so far (two kisses). I enjoyed making them do that!