Chapter 4: Because of you

** I stopped fanfic writing but due to Nanowrimo decided to continue some of my other fics along with my Nanowrimo project. So enjoy**

At Makino's home.

Ryu was attentively playing with his blocks totally oblivious towards the tension between his mother and the dark stranger. Makino tried not to pay attention to the fact that her heart cannot stop beating wildly ever since she saw him again.

She could still smell his cologne. It was the same one she bought for him during their first year of marriage. She shivers as her thoughts wandered on how many times she smelt that scent every time he held her close or kiss her or make love to her... Makino angrily shook her head. No, she should not be like this. They were divorced and there was no way for her to come back to him.

Even if hell freezes over, Makino Tsukushi would not take back that selfish, conceited bastard of a man into her life again. After all, she made a good life with Rui and her baby Ryu here and she does not need Doumyouji before, now or hereafter.

Because of him, she was afraid to love again. Because of him, she found it so hard to trust anyone. Because of him, she had hurt Rui so many times. All because of him. She will not make the same mistake of loving him again. But deep inside she knew that she was incapable of loving any other man except him. Yet, she would not cause her heart to cry again.

Curse you, Doumyouji Tsukasa.

Her mind kept replaying the moment that they finally meet again.

" Tsukasa..."

She could see him stiffened. He took off his sunglasses revealing his big brown eyes. His dark curls tumbled out of the cap as he slowly cast it aside.

" So, it was you..."

" It has been a long time... Makino-san.."

Jolted by his obvious use of formality, Makino tried to compose herself.

" Ohisasihburi desu.. Doumyouji-kun." Doumyouji looked away hiding his obvious dejection.

So she's treating me as strangers now. Doumyouji could not blame her. They were strangers now.. for the past few years. He was no longer the Tsukasa she knew and Makino is not Tsukushi that he knew.

Deep down he wished it was not so.

" Hisashiburi.. How are you?"

" Good. Just good.." She tried to say something else but the words just could not come out. A long heavy silence ensued. There were so many things she wanted to know but she was so afraid to ask.

Doumyouji pointed to Ryu. " Your son."

Makino nodded.

" He's cute... Kindergarten right.." He beamed at Ryu. " You young man must be very stubborn like your mother."

Hearing that, Makino became angry and smirked at Doumyouji. " Who are you calling stubborn?"

She grabbed hold of Ryu. " I think that part he takes after his father more... Come Ryu.. Let's go home."

" But... mom.... can we invite Kuro-san back to our home." Ryu excitedly exclaimed to Doumyouji, " My mum makes the greatest stew in the whole world."

Makino shushed Ryu and beg her leave. As she hurried away with Ryu in tow, Doumyouji cannot help thinking that in some ways, Makino would never change.

Staring at Ryu's back profile, he was struck by how curly his locks were. It reminded of his own – sigh – he hated his curls back when he is Ryu's age. People always teased him and he hated how girly it made him look. After he started punching anyone who dared to tease him about his hair – only then the teasing stopped.

At that moment, it (finally) dawned on him. The boy.. looks so much like him. So much that is was not possible that he was not his... Could it be?

Flashback...to 5 years ago..

"I've already signed it. I am divorcing you."
" I thought I am."
" And deprive me of the joy, I don't think so."
" You also have to sign the court order for the paternity test."
" I don't have to."
" Tsukushi.. I'd make you sign it..."
" I said I don't have to.
" What did you mean by that."
" That child was not yours. It was never yours."

Doumyouji froze. " Finally, you tell the truth."
" Since we are divorcing each other, I can't see why I should keep up with this charade."
" You are a liar, the most conniving bitch that I ever known," he stammered angrily.
" Why, thank you.." She smirked.

Doumyouji reached for the pen and signed the documents. " It was Rui wasn't it.. I should have known."
She whispered, " No.." Doumyouji stopped. Their eyes met for a second. For a moment, Doumyouji saw a flicker of tears in her eyes.

" This child's father.. is not Rui.. It was someone else."

Doumyouji could not control his anger then. He smashed his fist down the desk. " How dare you.. not only with Rui.. someone else.. behind my back!"

He flung the documents back to her. The files hit the floor, scattering the papers away. Tsukushi did not pick it up.

" That person... unlike you. He loved me. He trusted me. He.."

Doumyouji dropped to the ground at the realization. Tsukushi was pregnant with his child. He had divorced her without knowing. Why did she not tell him?

He needed to find the truth and there was only one person that could provide him one.

" Driver, we're going back to Tokyou now.."

" But sir!! It's already dark and.. " He glared at his driver.

" Now.. Doumyouji Mansion."

His driver complied, " Yes, sir.

At the ski resort cafe..

She was the last person Rui would ever expect seeing after such long years. The years have taken its toll on her beauty. She was much thinner and her eyes looked much older than what he could remember yet her voice was still as youthful and innocent as she was then as she regaled her endless adventures in Europe.

" You looked tired, Rui."

" But I am happy."

" I could see that. She makes you happy does she. A task I failed to do."

" Shizuka..."

" I am glad.. At least I lost you to a better girl. I always thought you deserved someone much better than me."

Rui stared at Shizuka. She looked away and laughed. " I had a good life too you know."
" How's your husband?"

" We're... separated now. I guessed when you go on chasing dreams.. things like marriage kind of take a back seat." He could taste the bitterness in her words.

" What are you doing here?"

" I don't know.. maybe.. " Looking at Rui, " Finding something that I have lost.."

" Your joie de vivre ?" She looked back at him.

" Have I grown old and lost it, Rui?"

He took her hand and shook his head." No, dear. You'll always be that beautiful, young lady that I covet and admire many years ago."

" Even if I am old and dying.."

He froze. Shizuka laughed. " Now.. don't be too surprised. Every one will get old and die.."
" Shizuka, is there something.." She pulled him into her embrace, " Shush mon chéri. I am ok."

Rui whispered.. " Shizuka.. Are you.."
" I am ok now that I have you again.." She looked deep in his eyes.

" Give me a kiss like you used too.."

" But..."

" Kiss me and remind how young and foolish we were then.." Shizuka leaned forward and their lips met. Like two hands holding a prayer, their lips clasp one another in reverie. Rui closed his eyes and kissed Shizuka back just as he used to. Her tender kisses reminded him of their younger innocent days. Far from this faint semblance of what he has now.

A pair of eyes spied on both of them from afar. A few clicks. There, his mission was done. The man turned and closed the restaurant door .

" I'm sorry Rui, this is our only way."

Hope you guys like it. Sorry for the long abscence.

Chapter 5: Revelations