Wicked_Angel: Hello! I told you, I'll be back soon. We can thank our sembreak for that. Bwahahahaha. I know the story is dragging and stuff and it's so dragging but you know it gets messy when you've stopped writing for almost 3 or 4 months. I lost my sense of direction in the story and I've got a confused plot. ::sigh:: Hope I can get this thing standing again. Let's hope.

Chapter 5

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"The boys are certainly getting close to her."

I nodded, my chin resting on my folded hands.

"Especially the one named Youhei Mito." He produced a small folder. I opened it and saw the picture of high school boy with slick black hair and easy smile. Damn. This is not the kind of boy I believed she would be attracted to. To hell with it. She can't be attracted to anyone. She has a better purpose for living here on earth.

Youhei Mito. Shohouku High. Section 1-7.

"Did you have her followed?"

"Yes sir. She went to a billiard club named G-Spot with the group. And she told them to call her in first name basis. It's the first time she did that sir."

I stood up in frustration. "Don't you think I know that? Inform her guardian about it. She'll know what to do," I snapped. The folder lay open before me, the grinning face of the idiot mocking me.

"And you know what to do with this fool."

I turned around and looked at the beautiful city laying before me. I inhaled, calming my nerves. "Let's wait for further development."

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Sakura

"What?" My eyes widened unbelievingly. I stepped back as if backing away from an indestructible enemy.

"This morning, we found him lying on the floor, bloody and all." Takamiya scratched his head. "Somebody reduced him into mere bloody pulp. If we didn't arrive on time…" he visibly shuddered.

"The assault must've happened early in the morning or before daybreak…" I murmured, thinking hard.

"Probably."

I stiffened my back. All the glorious and warm feeling with me at the start of this day seeped out and the old familiar cold and detached feeling came back.

Somehow, I knew this would happen.

I looked at the three of them. Takamiya, with his round face and familiar lips, Sauichirro with his yellow, spongy hair and Ookusu with his moustache.

If anything happens to them, it's all my fault. Why do I feel so guilty? Why do I seem to care at all?

My voice threatened to break. And for the first time in history, I felt something very odd. It's an odd sharp sad feeling. Dunno. Maybe it's what people feel when they need to part ways. Maybe, for the first time in my life, I'm feeling sad. Crap. Now I know I'm loaded with crap.

I'm so abnormal.

I have to back away, now. I'm destined to be alone forever and anybody who gets acquainted with me gets busted. I stepped back, away from them. A horrible, cold feeling settled in my stomach.

I returned to my gloomy, emotionless, detached self. This is the real me. Don't dream about changing it. It won't happen. I'm not made to live a normal life. Accept it.

But first, I must pay someone a visit.

I turned around and headed straight for the gates. Then, I broke into a run. Ookusu called out. "Sakura!"

They call my name… I ran faster.

"Won't you visit him? He's in the hospital!"

I didn't turn around. I ran fast. I care not. I care not. I repeated like over and over again, like a macabre mantra.

"Sakura!"

They call my name.

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After changing into my old ripped jeans and black shirt, I headed downtown. And walked straight into one familiar alleyway.

Different kinds of people line the alleyway. Bimbos with clothes that only fit five year olds. Sluts waiting for customers. Bimbos and gigolos making out. My eyes didn't waver. Who cares about them? But I know their eyes are on me. I can feel it.

You know a drug pusher from a drug addict from a male prostitute. Then, I found him. Immediately I punched his face.

"Fuck you, bitch!" he was on the floor, holding his left cheek. I gathered the collar of his shirt and pulled him up. I put my cheek close to his. And whispered fiercely in his ear.

"Listen carefully," he was struggling so I have to push him again and again, "tell your creep for a boss stop messin' around with me. If he wants me, then get me. Don't dare lay a finger on my friends. You hear me?"

Friends?

He snickered. "Don't you get it? It's because they are your friends."

My eyes widened in shock. Anger controlled me and I punched him again and again. He was lying defenseless on the ground and I was still kicking and punching him.

I was so angry.

"They are not my…" I wanted to cry in frustration.

"Even if they are not your friends, they still beat some of the guys. They would still make 'em pay."

What?

The anger suddenly left me and I stopped. He was unconscious on the ground. Did I kill him?

I wiped my forehead. He didn't stand a chance.

I was so angry.

Then, I left.

Mito

I stared at the cold glaring light in the ceiling. Man, I'm in the hospital. All these stark white washed walls are making my head ache. And this antiseptic smell. I closed my eyes. I've been here the whole day and I can't even move a finger.

Damn.

In the eye of my mind, I pictured the room with yellow wall paper, four poster bed and wide windows overlooking the bay. The clean, refreshing scent of mixed tangy sea air and white plum. Ad the warm soft bed.

You wouldn't believe that that room belonged to a certain girl who beats the crap out of people.

That same girl once watched over me the whole night.

The same girl who shyly allowed me to call her first name in one sweet night.

Now, night has come and still no signs of her. I opened my eyes and looked at the tired sleeping forms of my friends.

Where is she?

Sakura

I curled up in the tub as the warm water swirled around me, soothing my aching muscles, clearing my brain. Man, I need to think. But I don't want to think. Ever felt that you know you have to answer some questions soon but you know you'll never like the answer? That's what I'm feeling now.

Don't dare lay a finger on my friends.

Friends? Now I've got them promoted as my friends.

Are they really my friends?

Think, Sakura. Think about it. Now. Because you need to act soon.

Since the day they saved me in one the dark alley and since the day we've got the six-to-six fight in another dark alley, they stuck by me like a bitchin' leech. I tried to shoo them away but they're more persistent than the devil himself. I didn't join their conversation, I didn't answer their questions. I wasn't hostile because I owe my life to them but I never entertained them in any way. I can't refuse them because I owe them much but I really hoped to heavens that they wouldn't be so dense. I'm so unlucky that they couldn't take the hint.

Then Mito started the idea of having lunch together and stuff like that. I remember when we've had a food fight in Ookusu's house and we have to clean the whole house later. Mito put mayonnaise on my hair and I've got only whip cream in hand. That wasn't fair. I didn't know tomato sauce was very hard to remove from the curtains. Then we have to run against time before his folks go home.

I remember the day when some jerks from another highschool ganged up on us because of Sakuragi's pestilence of a hair. Man, that was fun.

I remember the day when we sat by on Mito's backyard just gazing on the stars and eating potato chips. As usual, Takamiya & Co. had another business conference. But you know what? I never thought Mito was a complicated person. We really had the chance to talk about things, people and views in life. Never done that before.

I remembered when we're actually chillin' out here in my house. Mito dared me to suck my toes and well, uh, I did. In turn, when it was his turn, I dared him to strip in the cold night air and run a block from here. Would you believe he did? Anyway, it's almost one in the morning and there aren't that many people out there. Just plenty of street thugs and dark creatures of the night. Yeah. I smiled at the thought. We're lucky there weren't cops on sight.

I remembered the day when they gave me a bottled drink during one hot afternoon then after gulping half of it, I saw dentures in it. Dammit, it was real dentures. Thank God it was new dentures, though.

And when I have to take exams, I'll always find pieces of paper stuck in my shoes or in my handkerchief. Lifesavers.

I sighed. I didn't realize that lots of things happened already. Admit it, girl. I enjoyed their company more than anything else. Hell, it beats busting street thugs. And… it's fun.

Admit it, Sakura. They are your friends. They are the only living things here on earth that accepted you for who you are and don't talk about changing your ways or condemning what you're doing. They are the only living things here on earth that actually care. They are my family now.

Can you turn your back on them now? Now that they need you? I looked into the bathroom mirror. There's a small smiley stuff toy hanging in there. Yeah, not my type. But Mito gave that to me during High School fair (during the bonfire thingy when couples dance and stuff like that).

I sighed again. The tub is already overflowing. Ganges River will have an extension here.

I stood up and wrapped the towel around me. I forgot to turn off the tub. Whatever.

I've come to decision.

Family doesn't abandon family.

*************

I was brushing my hair when I noticed the red lights of the answering machine blinking. I wonder…

"WHY DID YOU LEAVE US THERE, HUH? ARE YOU INSANE? MITO NEEDS US, DAMNIT. COME HERE RIGHT NOW. WELL, THE ONLY HOSPITAL IN THIS DISTRICT. ROOM 107. IF YOU DON'T COME HERE, I'M GONNA TAKE YOUR HEART OUT.

P.S.

BRING SOME CHIPS TOO. MITO'S GOT NOTHING BUT LAME BANANAS AND PEARS AND LAME BANANAS.

TAKAMIYA THE GREAT

I smiled. It's already 9 pm. I picked up my jeans and another black shirt (hey, it wasn't the same I wore today). Then, I grabbed three big potato chips bags and 3 1.5 liters Pepsi. After shoving it in my duffel bag, I started for the door. Man, it's quite heavy.

"Where are you going?" came the familiar voice of my aunt.

"The hell you care…" I muttered almost inaudibly. I didn't even bat an eyelash to recognize her presence.

"You ain't goin anywhere, young lady." From the corner of my eye, she carefully put the feline from her lap to the couch and stood up. Her lithe, small-boned figure was silhouetted in the dark space of the living room.

I ignored her. Make me, bitch.

I stepped out from the doorway. Then, without any warning, I felt her foot hit my back with a sickening thud! I landed on the floor, facedown and the duffel bag hitting my head first before landing inches away from me.

Owww… shit… that was embarrassing. I massaged the back of my head. With one lithe movement, I planted my feet on the floor firmly, facing her. Damn. I knew she was good at stuff like this. Who else would teach me these stuff.

"What the hell did you care?" I spat at her. She crunched her knuckles. "Told ya not to go. You never learn, kiddo."

Who would think this delicate, wispy little woman who has knack for a thousand and one felines in the neighborhood could beat the crap out of me. Well, no more pissin my pants. Let's try my luck.

With a blur of a movement, I attacked her. But she was faster. With one movement, she got my arms locked at the back and she twisted it. "You wouldn't submit, would ya? Let's try this," she twisted my arm even more. I yelped in pain. I forgot to tie my hair in hurry. My wet hair was plastered in different shapes and angles on my head, face and inside my mouth. Who would know that only a few seconds has passed and I now look so messy?

How do I get out of here? If I try to throw her overhead, I would've to rotate my shoulder 360 degrees. Ouch. With her ultra strong grip, I can swear she's draining the blood from my arms, much less expect me to jab her. So… am I this hopeless?

"Why don't you want me to go?" I asked instead. Well, that's the obvious question as of now. She didn't even bother to reply. Stupid arrogant asshole. And come to think of it. I bash her… my own mentor. Life is just so ironic. If it weren't for her, I wouldn't be like this, a masculine female, looking more like a gay who lift weights than a female. If it weren't for her, I wouldn't be so ironic and filled with such cynicism.

Then, suddenly, an idea dawned upon me. And I knew I was being so impulsive. And an impulsive me is equal to a moron. You know why?

Because… of all attacks I can think of… all I did was…

Tickle her.

Yeah, I did, since my fingers are in contact with her abdomen. Man, her stomach's rock hard. Unrelentingly rock hard. It was stupid. I dropped my fingers, I dropped my jaws, in amazement of my own stupidity or embarrassment. I don't know. I felt my face heat up. I wish, she'd just forget what I did and twist my arms some more to knock some sense into me.

But the look on her face was priceless. She gawked at me, as if I sprouted another head or a banana for a head. I felt so stupid. Like she can't believe I just did that?

At least, she got distracted. A second was all I need to unlock myself from the bitchin' grip. Then I did what would any half an idiot would do. I broke into a run, snatched the duffel bag and run… so fast like I've got my ass on fire.

She was running after me. Would I outrun my mentor? I never did. I never could beat her in any way. And, tell you what…

Sigh.

I never knew I could. Wahahahahahaha.

At least, I can show some face after tickling her like that. I broke out from the unit, yelling or yelping, can't remember and feeling the air rush into my lungs. Man, I felt so good. So stupid but so good.

Mito

I heard the door creak slowly, waking me up from my shallow, troubled sleep. Slits of light penetrated my dark room and a silhouetted figure snuck inside the room.

"Sakura?" I whispered. She froze. "Yeah." Came the reply. The three guys didn't even feel her presence. Either they were too tired of talking all day, eating my bananas or they just sleep heavier this time.

"Can I turn on the lights?" She put down her bag on table beside my bed. "Wouldn't it wake them?" I replied. The moonlight penetrated the room with its ethereal blue glow, bathing everything and making them look like illusions. Making her look so deceptively innocent, pure and almost like an angel.

Damn. I was never the one who would sing arias of love and such. Damn.

She carried a stool and put it next beside my bed. Then, with averted gaze, she played with my blanket. "Uh… how are you feeling?"

"You couldn't guess, huh?" I smiled good-humoredly. She looked at me to see if I was being sarcastic or just kidding around. Finding assurance, she averted her gaze once more and smiled shyly.

"I thought you wouldn't come." It was my turn to avert my gaze. I was staring at the ceiling so intently one would think the meaning of life was written there.

She didn't reply for a long time I thought she fell asleep. When I decided to check it out myself, she suddenly spoke. "I finally realize… and… admit… that there's no turning back now." Very terse. Very short. Very philosophical. Very puzzling.

"Please speak in our own native tongue. Can't understand what you're saying," I said instead.

"Figures. I mean… uh," she suddenly clenched her fists on my blanket, her eyes mirroring conflicts. C'mon, say it, I urged her. Open yourself. You've spent all your life denying yourself of human emotions.

Thank heavens I'm not lying down. The nurse elevated my back so it would be easier for me. I couldn't move much, you now.

"Look at me and stop venting all your frustrations on my pristine blanket." For a fraction of a second, she hesitated. Then slowly, she looked up, her eyes deep into mine.

Damn.

It was like getting caught in a rip tide. I was drawn in the forceful vortex of liquid, fiery dark eyes… eyes so untamed yet so afraid, eyes so wild yet so pure. I thought I was controlling the situation? Well then, it just so happened that the brakes aren't working, the steering wheel was just a props and all I could was watch myself fall into a deep abyss.

"Mito… I…" Yeah…? Go on… say it. Tell me you…

"I think you better cut the crap out of it. I just want to tell you I admit we're all… uh… friends and I can't turn my back on you guys now."

What? You won't profess your undying love for me and seek my hand in marriage?

"Uh yeah…" I murmured instead.

Then, suddenly, the lights all flicked on and all the three eggheads were surrounding us with their party hats and noisy trumpets and spraying confetti over us.

"What the--?" Sakura started, standing up as if in fighting position. Fast reflex.

"BUSTED! CONGRATULATIONS! WAHAHAHAHAHA!" They joined in chorus, clapping, tooting nosily and spraying confetti.

"WAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" they laughed annoyingly in unison. Crap.

"Busted? Who's got busted?" Sakura blinked and blinked and blinked again in confusion. Question marks are blatantly flashing neon red on her forehead. I sighed, relieved.

"Anyway, I've got potato chips in here. Anyone?" she held three potato chips bag and smiled cheerfully. Arms grabbed everywhere and a commotion soon ensued. Ookusu flew to the door, facedown. One angry Sakura with her fist up and nerves showing. "You grabbed the wrong chip, bro," she muttered.

Ooh boy… And consider this. It's barely midnight. We've got a long day ahead.

************************************

"Sir…I tried… but…"

I slapped the worthless bitch. She fell down, broken, on the verge of tears. Worthless, worthless, worthless little cunt! And to think I've entrusted my greatest treasure in her hands for almost 17 years?!

"Get out of my sight. You're worthless." I snarled at her. I couldn't take the image that she's currently with those lil bastard's company. They don't deserve her as much as she doesn't deserve their filthy grabbing hands. She deserves more than any of them could offer. Not even with their own lives.

No… she can't enjoy their company. Dammit.

Sakura… Cherry blossom… you can not ruin my plans. Our plans.

"…I tried my best to please you… please… don't…." She was talking? Damnit.

"I said get the HELL OUT OF HERE!!" I growled at her. That was enough to make fear register in her eyes. She immediately dragged her filthy presence out of my plush office.

It's time to act. There's no way I'm going to let this pass. Sakura deliberately disobeyed me. She must know the truth soon. The truth about her identity. She must soon realize her purpose for living here on this damned planet.

Soon…

Wicked_Angel: Hello guys!!! I don't know but don't expect anything really big, grand or anything even remotely exciting from what I'm building. Heck, if only I know where the hell I'm driving this thing to…

But thanks for your continued support for my fic. ::falls on knees and starts worshipping:: if I could kiss the very ground you tread upon… bless your souls…

Now, that's overreacting.

Anyway, thanks specially to sLl, tensaispira and maemi. Astig (in English, Awesome, cool and such)!!! You're so astig!!!!

Wahahahahaha….

About Perfect Match… I'm still thinking about what the hell I'm gonna do with that thing. I had a plot three months ago but sadly, it had evaporated now. It had all evaporated now. ::sad:: anyone wana share their thoughts? It would take me longer to finish it. Unlike Falling Cherry Blossoms (which at least, has got something happening… Perfect Match is as lame… as lame as… these bananas…

I guess that's it. Thanks for your kind reviews. As much as possible, I don't want myself to rely on positive reviews to continue this fic because it gets so disappointing when no one reviews… but… when you say those oh-so-kind word… ::gets teary-eyed and sobs::

I GET MY HEAD SO INFLATED I WANT TO FLY!!!! WAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! THANKS AGAIN!!!!

See ya later!!!