Chapter 26

(Sophia's POV) *One week later*

I was in the kitchen, looking over my history book. Takeda was preparing dinner, the gentle hits against the cutting board were the only noise in the house. It wasn't a tense silence but it wasn't happy either. My eyes scanned over the words for the fifth time, failing to absorb any more knowledge.

I set down the book with a sigh, rubbing my tired eyes. I feel Takeda's eyes watch my reflection from the kitchen window.

Knock, knock, knock, knock.

Both of our hand's freeze, the kitchen falling into complete silence as we both turn, glancing at the front door. I could easily make out the blurry figure behind the patterned glass. Takeda was walking to the door, tossing the towel over his shoulder. I take a sip, hoping to ignore the interruption.

"Sophia?" I pause, glancing at the door and feel my heart drop slightly when Kizaki stares back. When I turn away, purposely ignoring the older man Takeda sighs "Sophia..."

I groan, cursing any gods listening and stand, slowly walking down the hall and paused at the door.
Takeda wasn't ignorant of the situation and wisely moves to the left, allowing Kizaki and I to stare each other down.

"What the hell do you want?" My annoyed glare was anything but hidden and only darkened at the man before me. "Boycotting me from my boyfriend isn't enough? Now you have to show up at my house?!"

Kizaki to his credit doesn't flinch "We need to talk and I'm not taking no for an answer."

"Wow, I guess my palm to your face was too subtle huh?"

The older male rolls his eyes "Look I'm here as a peace offering. -I'll admit I didn't handle things properly but we do need to talk, come with me."

I follow his eyes to the black car "Why can't we do it here?"

"I want to show you something."

Despite every nerve telling me to walk away I now sat in the back of my sleek car, Kizaki gripping the steering wheel like it was someone's throat. Despite his claim for peace, the male was extremely tense.

..

..

We had been driving for forty minutes before we pulled up to a large gate. There were massive stone walls stretching down half the block before it touched the surrounding buildings. The striking mix of dark browns, light browns whites and blue made my head hurt. The wall was different than the small shops around it and with closer inspection I came to the realization that it was built like that to keep all the street noise out.

Despite being in a slightly run-down part of town the outer wall was in pristine condition, not a scuff mark, spec of dirt or large slogans written in spray paint touched any part of it.

Kizaki shuts off the car, opening the door. A padlock held the heavy wooden doors shut and I took this time to glance down the street. I had no idea where we were or what he wanted to show me but the lack of humans anywhere had me second-guessing this agreement. I jumped at the heavy click and watch Kizaki use both hands to push open the double doors.

My eyes widen, a small smile on my lips as I look inside. The gruff outside was nothing like the inside. Past the doors, we stepped into a large living space.

We walked up to a small house, the lush green lawn was neatly kept, tall rose bushes were scattered all around the yard, showing off red, white and pink roses in full bloom. To the left was a medium-sized pond, full of lily pads with pink flowers, colourful coy fish swam left and right and a small waterfall keeping the water moving.

Finally, my eyes fall on the house in the center. Despite its well-kept appearance every room in the house was shut, telling me no one was home. An odd thing as it too was kept in pristine condition to be abandoned. The bright blue roofing tiles, smooth outer walls and spotless front porch.

When I catch Kizaki's eyes he simply moves forwards, not sparing me a glance "Follow me."

The smooth pathway was short and we were inside the house faster than I'd like. I step inside, taking in the traditional Japanese style house. The higher floor to change your shoes and the smooth polished wood made sliding across the floor in slippers easy.

Like the outside, the inside was sparkling. Not a speck of dust could be seen. The white dishes were polished and stacked neatly above the modern-day kitchen. The smooth marble countertop was glossy; the high tech oven was scrubbed. A small wooden table and four chairs pulled the whole kitchen together and I pause, staring at the massive vase of white, pink and red roses sitting in the center. They were new and prepared with care.

Kizaki takes in my curious stare and nods his head down the hall. I silently follow him, taking in the paper walls and the stories they held. An old country village with farmers tending to the fields, a large palace over-looking an ocean with hundreds of tiny ships. I take in a smaller bathroom to my left, a spare bedroom to my right and at the end of the hall, Kizaki stops. When his hand rises to the large sliding doors I pause.

I take in a breath and open the door. The polished wood moves easily and Kizaki steps back, allowing me to fully extend my arms to either side. What I saw inside shook me. As the seconds went by I understood why we were here. Why the house was so big. Why it was kept in such conditions and most of all why it was empty.

This was HER house.

I was standing in Kaoru's mother's house, the house she died in. I take in the large room, probably two rooms turned into one, the large medical bed and the pink blankets folded neatly on the bed. A tall metal pole for hanging medicine, a small dresser with a white teapot, but the thing that caught my attention was the small picture; it was Kaoru's mother, white-haired and wrinkled with a soft trying smile.

I remembered Kaoru's words "She had terminal cancer. By the end, she looked like she was eighty."

When I turn around Kizaki is finally looking at me. I take in his eyes; mine lightly rimmed with tears "Why are we here?"

"Because I needed you to see it. I needed you to see everything that he lost, everything he's endured." At his words I turn, using both hands to brush away the streaming tears "I love him. I love Kaoru like a son, I was there the day he was born and watched him grow into the man he is today. It's because of that love that I won't let anyone, even you hurt him."

"What are you talking about?"

"I heard you. The day of your tournament. There was a man in your changing room."

"I don't know what your-"

"DON'T LIE TO ME!" he snaps, causing me to jump. I roll my lips into my mouth and wait for him to speak "I know the boss seems invincible but this would destroy him..."

I brush away more tears and cross my arms "I know it looks bad but I'm not cheating on Kaoru."

"How am I supposed to believe you?"

I feel my anger flash "Believe it or not Kizaki but you're not the only one trying to keep the peace!" I lift my hand, gently running my fingers over the polished wood and try to dull my anger. After a moment I sigh "I know that I'm keeping secrets but considering Kaoru's challenge, telling him would do more harm than good..."

"Challenge?" he was clearly lost but I refused to say any more than that "The only challenge the boss has is w-" his voice stops when I meet his gaze and I watch the pieces click together "The escaped convicts...?" My continued silence confirms his statement "ARE YOU CRAZY?!" I jump once more "THE CONVICTS?! THOSE MEN ARE DANGEROUS!"

"Which is why I'm not saying anything!" I pinch my nose "I get it sounds weird but it's just one of them and he's not a threat to me." I roll my hands in the air as I struggle for words "I'm like an unpolished toy to him."

"I can not believe you..." he pinches the bridge of his nose "This is wrong on so many levels I'm not even sure where to begin!" despite the seriousness of the situation I couldn't help but smile, Kizaki was acting just like my father when he was worried about me "This isn't funny young lady! Do you realize what this means? What could happen if the Boss finds out?!"

And just like that my waves of anger come back.

"I'm not like you guys okay?!" I clench my hands, feeling warm tears rim my eyes "I wasn't born into this! My dad's a branch manager for large companies! We don't have turf wars and buff men, houses full of maids and a family to lead! -I had a normal life, a messed-up but normal life. And I get that this is what I signed up for but sometimes I JUST NEED A BREAK KIZAKI!" my anger is smothered in my pain "My head is a mess." I feel the tears stream down my face and watch his face fall as my voice breaks "I can't eat. I can't sleep. I can't breathe in this world Kizaki, and I know it makes absolutely no sense but-" I barely keep Doyle's name in my mouth and sigh, feeling more tears fall "he helps me calm down. That all..."

When our eyes meet, he holds them, most likely judging my words. Thankfully Kazaki sighs, pinching his nose like an annoyed father.
I understood that I'd put him in an awkward position.
He wanted to confront me about my secrets with Kaoru and now, if we ever wanted peace he'd have to keep them as well.

..

..

We pulled up in front of my house and I pause, simply staring at the building. The car shut off and we sit in the silence. Kizaki hadn't said a word the whole ride home and I relished in the silence. Honestly, I wasn't sure what to say but I was glad we'd had this chat. Kizaki and I would never be friends but we had to at least tolerate each other. Five minutes, ten minutes. We just sit in the silence, appreciating everything the other person did for Kaoru. Only when Takeda steps out, standing on the staircase do I move, opening the door.

"Are you ever going to tell me who it is?"

I smirk "Not a chance."

when my foot touches the pavement I pause, turning to catch Kizaki's eyes in the mirror and smile softly.

"Kizaki, you're a good man. I'm glad he has you."

(Sophia pov) *A few days later*

Kozue laughs, glancing down at the sea of people "I can't believe this worked."

I smile softly adjusting my book. We were at the club, with finals approaching I knew the club would lose business so id configured the club into a study lounge. Food and drinks were still available and security made sure everyone behaved. "Everyone was trying to study and outside of school left very little options." Students were draped over chairs, blankets and bean bags and a large plush mat was dropped over the dance floors

"And with how annoying my dad was being at home I figured it was worth a shot."

True to my word the club -I mean study hall held a pleasant atmosphere. A drastic change from the overcrowded library.

"I'm sure the other grades were jealous." She chuckles.

"The club is only open to seniors, changing that now would just be confusing."

We settle into a quiet peace for a little bit but my eyes didn't miss the way Kozue moved left and right as she failed to study. Sitting still was never her strong suit. The woman was always doing something at some time, bouncing her pencil on her lap, chewing on her lip, tapping her foot, fiddling with her ponytail. So it wasn't surprising when she breaks the silence yet again.

"When's your boyfriend coming?"

My eyes slowly leave my page, my eyebrow rising in question. Her blush was obvious. "Kaoru said he had a few things to take care of first but he'd try to stop in."

"I'm not sure how you can stand it? I start crawling up the walls like a demon if I spend more than a few hours away from Baki." she snorts "A sure cry for help, considering he lives in my backyard."

Despite the pleasant atmosphere I couldn't help but cringe, the painful throbbing was swift and powerful.

Since our meeting at the mall, Doyle has been dropping by more often. I would wake up occasionally to find the open window and knew he had been in there watching me sleep. While that fact would scare most people, I made Doyle promise not to do anything violent while he was around and thankfully, he'd kept his promise. It was a risk to have him so close, with Baki sleeping three houses down and my father and Takeda down the hall but his intense heat and skilled hands were the only things that could my body relax. Without him, I felt like a walking time bomb. All this pressure was building up in my head, the ringing in my ears was increasing every time.

It had been a few days since he last appeared. Something must have happened to him.

I set down my pencil, rubbing a hand over my forehead. The headaches had been coming more frequently and would only get worse.

"Headache again?"

I noticed Kozue's concerned look and barely manage a smile. Yanagi's eyes flash across my mind again causing the headache to increase.

"Yeah... Something like that."

I feel a pair of warm hands on my neck, calloused fingers massaging my shoulders with ease.
It was Baki, the white bandages on his knuckles and fingers were evidence of his match but even they did little to stop the pressure in my head.
I wanted to toss my head back in painful laughter.
Here I was, surrounded by an army of strong, powerful men, but not the one I needed.

Doyle.

I had no idea what Doyle truly wanted, wasn't sure why he was so fascinated with me but I couldn't seem to send him away. When I walked to school or stepped outside at the club I could feel his eyes on me. It was comforting in a messed up way. I'd even found a few thugs knocked out here and there, unconscious in alley's as I walked home or wandered around downtown.

"You could go see a doctor." Kozue tries again and I groan leaning my head forwards

"With my luck, I'd get Kureha."

"How about shin-shin kai?" Baki adds, sliding into the seat behind me so his natural body heat would help my stiff muscles.

"I'm not sure that would help." I sigh "It's probably just stress."

I do everything in my power to force Yanagi's dead eyes from my mind and feel the firm kiss on the back of my head.

My hands grab Baki's causing the male to pause "I'll be right back." I smile softly at Kozue and stand, feeling Baki's hands slide down my back and I turn, heading down the circular staircase to the first floor. The peaceful music played softly in the background and I fought the urge to grab my head. I could still feel Baki's eyes on me, following my movements. I swerve around a few people and make my way to the front door.

The chilled evening air hits me first and I gasp, stumbling onto the sidewalk and stop. My heart was pounding in my chest. I could feel it, that burning in my head, all but begging me to look to the left. I fight that urge, knowing I'd see Yanagi's piercing eyes staring back. I'd been seeing them so often I could hardly tell what was real vs my imagination. I'd see his face on other faces and his eyes reflected in shop windows. Sometimes I'd stare out the window at school and swore I could see him standing there by the garden, smiling at me.

Doyle, where are you? I glance at the rooftops.

I highly doubted Doyle spent the evenings stalking my movements like Batman with criminals but at this moment I'd give anything for it. I look to the right, nodding at my bouncer once and walk down the street. I turn, walking down the alley and sigh deeply, leaning against the wall for support. Watching the rough surface I carefully crouch, leaning my head on my hands. My skull felt like a popular night at the club, the music vibrating off the walls and I clench my head.

I wasn't sure how much longer I could keep this up...

Read and Review people, peace!