Disclaimer: I own nothing except for my OCs Arisho, Azura, and Sesuna.
Chapter Five
Endless Imagination
Sesuna clenched her fists in frustration as she collapsed on her desk. She was in her dorm, trying to focus on her homework for Kelley's class, but the Ra that had caught her attention kept coming back to haunt her. Sesuna could remember spending the night with Daichi. He had been so sweet to let her stay with him. His simple acts of kindness were starting to drive her crazy.
"What is this feeling?" Sesuna said through gritted teeth.
"You're in love, silly!" Takami popped out of no where from behind her.
Sesuna let out a startled scream, breathing heavily as she faced the lavender eyed girl. Kamiko looked up from her own homework, raising an eyebrow at her two roommates. Glaring, Sesuna crossed her arms over her chest, turning away from Takami's grinning face.
"That's absurd. As far as I'm concerned, love doesn't exist. Your heart is an organ. Nothing more."
"Suna…" Takami wrapped her arms around her. "You're scared… But love is real. It does exist. In your soul." Sesuna's eyes widened when the taller girl placed her palm against the center of her chest. Takami sighed and whispered, "Love is one of the most beautiful things in the world. Even if it is just a crush."
Kamiko rubbed her temples before saying, "Takami-chan, I really don't want to hear about beautiful right now."
"Wouldn't you love to hear Kenzan-san calling you beautiful, Kamiko-chan?" Takami replied, smirking.
She blushed to her auburn hair roots and shook her head fiercely. Sesuna watched as Kamiko hugged her palm to her chest, her eyes shut tightly, and her body shaking slightly. Takami blinked in confusion.
"Kamiko…?"
Sesuna put the pieces together before she walked over to where Kamiko was seated on her bed. Kamiko felt the bed shift as the genius-girl climbed on it and she then felt a pair of arms wrapping around her comfortingly. Kamiko's green eyes opened, revealing tears that had been burning her eyelids, and she was surprised to see Sesuna holding her.
"S-Suna." She choked out.
"I understand your fears, Kamiko-neechan. Don't worry. I'm here." Sesuna whispered in response. "You won't die like your Kaasan. I promise."
"But how can you promise such a thing?"
Her lips formed a warm smile, "Because the Izumiya Kamiko I know is strong and will take down any obstacle in her way." Sesuna watched as Takami wiped away Kamiko's tears with a tissue. "And she has her sisters by her side."
Kamiko gave them a watery smile before she hugged her everything-but-blood sisters close to her. Takami and Sesuna smiled at one another, grateful they had accomplished something.
"Thanks guys…" She whispered.
-Red Dorm-
"Kimana-san? Kimana-san?"
Azura sighed before she took her notebook, smacking Arisho upside the head. The dark brunette let out a small "ow" as she turned to look at her roommate. Her somewhat bushy locks were out of their two ponytails and hung down her back. Azura gave Arisho a worried look.
"Oh, sorry, Maruzakashi-san." apologized Arisho softly.
"Is everything okay?" Azura responded.
Arisho started to nibble on the cap of her pen, "I-I guess. I mean… I just can't stop thinking about something I did earlier today."
Azura looked lost as she asked, "What happened?"
"You were there." Arisho gave her a "duh" kind of stare.
"Oh, do you mean how Judai-kun was teaching you how to swim?"
"No!" Arisho gave Azura a look. "Didn't you see me foolishly kiss Judai earlier?"
Those words made Azura's heart to pound unpleasantly in her chest. A lump formed in her throat as the raven haired girl shook her head. Gaping, Arisho suddenly realized what had happened. Somehow, Sho or someone must've distracted Azura so she wouldn't've been hurt.
"Maruzakashi-san, I'm sorry…" Standing up to her full height, Arisho then looked straight into the innocent purple-blue gaze that belonged to Azura. "But I'm not going to lie to you about this. I have feelings for Yuki Judai and have had them since middle school."
"Kimana-san…" Azura blinked rapidly, trying to stop the tears from escaping. "So we both have feelings for Judai-kun, then?"
Arisho sighed and whispered, "I don't think you actually understand what you're feeling, Maruzakashi-san. Feelings like mine take time to build. You've only known Judai-kun for a few days now. I've known him for going on four years now. I don't think you feel the same way I do about Judai-kun."
Azura tried to breathe but she was finding it difficult. Arisho looked at her with sincerity in her icy gaze.
"I'm not trying to hurt you or tell you what your heart is saying. But maybe you should think your feelings for Judai-kun over a little bit." She hastily put her hands up in defense, "And don't worry. I'm not going to move in on him. I want Judai-kun to make the first move if he's even going to. For all we know, he could fall for you. 'Kay?"
"Okay…" Azura whispered barely.
"Where are you going?" Arisho watched as Azura slipped on her red boots at the door and headed outside.
"I'll be back later, Kimana-san." Azura actually gave her a weak smile. "Thank you for being honest with me."
-Judai's Dorm-
Judai had fallen asleep shortly after Azura's lesson that night. Kenzan was crashed out as well, having worn himself out at the beach. Sho was there, double-checking the homework that Judai had done. Surprisingly, the only homework he ever completed and did right was for Kelley's class. Sho was amazed at how Judai had answered the questions like an expert. He looked up when he heard the sounds of crying coming from outside.
He stepped outside, watching the light grey rain clouds forming overhead. "Azura-chan?!" The bluenette jumped as he saw Azura sitting on the top of the stairs.
And she was crying.
Sho could feel his heart breaking over it as he said, "You alright, Azura?"
"Sho?!"
Startled, she wiped her tears with the back of her hand. Said boy sat next to her, his hands in his lap, and his silver eyes stared into her amethyst. Azura removed her glasses and sniffled.
"Want to tell me what's wrong?"
Rain started to fall in a light shower as thunder rumbled softly overhead. Azura let the rain fall onto her, slipping down her face along with her tears. Sho watched and listened as she began to sing softly.
Now here you go again
You say you want your freedom
Well who am I to keep you down
It's only right that you should
Play the way you feel it
But listen carefully to the sound
Of your loneliness
Like a heartbeat... drives you mad
In the stillness of remembering what you had
And what you lost...
And what you had...
And what you lost
Thunder only happens when it's raining
Players only love you when they're playing
Say... Women... they will come and they will go
When the rain washes you clean... you'll know
Sho couldn't believe Azura's voice. Normally she spoke softly and shyly. But when she sang, it was powerful and melodic. He was silently entranced as she continued singing.
Now here I go again, I see the crystal visions
I keep my visions to myself It's only me
Who wants to wrap around your dreams and...
Have you any dreams you'd like to sell?
Dreams of loneliness...
Like a heartbeat... drives you mad...
In the stillness of remembering what you had...
And what you lost...
And what you had...
And what you lost
Thunder only happens when it's raining
Players only love you when they're playing
Say... Women... they will come and they will go
When the rain washes you clean... you'll know
Thunder only happens when it's raining
Players only love you when they're playing
Say... Women... they will come and they will go
When the rain washes you clean... you'll know
You'll know…
You will know…
Oh oh oh oh…
"I'm okay now." Azura turned and gave him a dazzling smile. "Just because you're here with me, Sho-kun… I'm okay."
Impulsively, Azura leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. Sho blushed, touching the spot where Azura had kissed him, and turned his wide silver orbs on her.
"Azura-chan! Sho-kun!" They turned and saw Asuka running in the rain, shielding her eyes, and her long damp hair flew behind her. She ran up the stairs two at a time.
"Anesan?!" Azura leapt to her feet. "You're soaked!! Where'd you just come from?!"
Asuka was panting, "The docks. Ryo's ship has safely departed. He wanted me to give this to you, Sho-kun." Asuka handed him a letter. "Oh, and I have some good news for you. Your godfather is letting us have a field trip to Domino in a couple of weeks. Ichikawa-sensei is the one chaperoning."
Azura beamed and said, "We can go and visit my Kaasan!"
Asuka tickled her and laughed, "I'm sure she'd love that, Azura."
While the younger girl giggled, the dark blonde turned towards Sho and gave him a questioning look. He snapped out of his daze with a sheepish smile on his face.
"I love you, Anesan." Azura said, smiling up at Asuka.
"And I love you, Azura." Asuka replied, ruffling her raven hair. "Now let's get you inside before you catch a cold."
"Me?! You're the one who's soaked." pointed out the Osiris girl with another giggle.
Sho watched them with an envy of his own, "They're not even really sisters yet they act closer than my brother and me… I'm jealous. I'll admit it." Nevertheless, Sho smiled. "Thank you, Azura-chan, for coming into my life…"
-Dream Realm-
"What am I to do?" Judai asked the wind.
Here in his dream he pondered his feelings. Judai sat underneath an amber sky, clouds rippling across it, and a field of red flowers surrounded him that led to a white-sand beach and a blue-green sea. He wore a black v-neck t-shirt, underneath a hooded sleeveless dark red shirt, pale blue jeans, red and black sneakers, and dark red wristbands. The breeze teased his dark brown locks as he inhaled deeply.
"Judai…"
Arisho materialized before him. She wore a satin black flowing skirt, a black satin sleeveless top, and red satin sleeves that tied around her upper arms with black ribbons. Around her neck was the serenity star pendent he had given her for her 13th birthday and around her wrists were serenity bangles. Her feet were bare.
"Arisho, what are you doing here?" Judai said in surprise.
"It's your dream. You tell me." She teased.
Arisho sat down next to him, the soft grass brushing underneath her fingertips. Judai sighed before turning to look at her with partway shut eyes.
"I can't stop thinking about your kiss, Arisho. These feelings in my heart are confusing me. Then again, anything involving things outside of dueling confuses me."
"Judai, I told you I don't know why I kissed you. I guess it's because we're so close that…" She trailed off and bit her lower lip.
He looked at her and whispered, "That what?"
Arisho sighed and clasped her hands together, "That I've fallen in love with you."
"What would you say if I've said I've fallen in love with you too?" Judai scooted closer to Arisho, slowly putting his arm around her shoulders.
"I'd say "Go away dream because you're messing with my reality."…" Arisho laughed.
Her smile faded when she noticed Judai was pretty much nose-to-nose with her. A dead serious look was in his eyes as he stared into hers. Her cheeks turned bright pink when Judai tilted his head to the side, brushing his lips across hers for a moment.
"If only this wasn't a dream." Judai said the moment his lips left Arisho's.
"Maybe one day you'll find enough courage to tell the real me." Arisho replied quietly.
"Maybe… but for now…"
Arisho was kissed once more. Judai savored this kiss even though he knew his imagination was running away with his heart. He prayed that when he awoke, he'd still remember this heaven, this moment with the girl he surely knew he couldn't tell he loved her. Having newly discovered these feelings, Judai wasn't sure what to do about them.
"Judai…" Arisho murmured softly.
He wrapped his arms around her shoulders tightly, them falling down on the grass, and their tender moment continued. Arisho played with his soft locks as Judai deepened the kiss. Nothing could ruin this moment, even if it was only one in a dream.
Nothing except the sound of morning arriving…
-Reality-
Arisho jerked awake so fast she whacked her head on the bunk above her. Letting out a moan of pain, she clutched her throbbing crown, and squinted open one eye. She was in a state of shock from the realistic dream she had just endured. It felt as if Judai's kiss had really fallen upon her lips.
"Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow…" muttered Arisho repeatedly, rubbing her head.
Shaking away the stinging pain, she looked around the dorm to find Azura sound asleep with Asuka in a sleeping bag next to her. Arisho peeked at the bunk above her and wasn't surprised to find Sho sound asleep as well. She had heard them come in shortly after she had gone to bed. She had then entered a dream she had only had twice before.
"I wonder if Judai had the same dream…"
It was always a possibility. But Arisho didn't dare ask the Osiris boy from embarrassment of the intense kiss they had shared in that dream. Collapsing back on her bunk, Arisho stared at the bottom of Sho's above her, and listened to the sounds of Kenzan awaking Judai next door.
SF4E: "Wahoo! An update!"
Arisho: "I'm going to make you pay for embarrassing me like that!"
Sesuna: "I don't wanna be in love!!"
DC: "Too bad. You are. You got Jr. Einstein over there."
Daichi: "More evil adolescent thoughts are going to destroy the world of GX."
Judai: "Whatty-what now?"
Daichi: "I now see Judai's fate. He will slowly but surely decline into a world of sheer idiocy."
Judai: "… HEY!"
Arisho: "Took him a few minutes to get that."
Judai: "D-Did not!"
Sesuna: "Haha. Did so."
SF4E: rolls eyes "Please R&R!"
DC: "ONTO THE NEXT CHAPPIE!"