Hello, everyone! Here I am again in this very late update. This past month was incredibly busy—no joke! The exams were horrible; I want to cry, really. Imagine studying really hard…for naught! But what made me regret most was the fact that I have none else to blame, knowing it was partially my fault for being so lax in my studies (because I hardly do). I know…I hate myself too. But I really tried this time...and it hurts...huhu.

Anyways, here is the update! Thanks for all your wonderful reviews...really raised my spirits. By the way, I've edited this one. Thanks to Leaviel for pointing out some of the errors. If you find some more, please inform me. Please read and enjoy!

XI. Beautiful Disaster

"Haha! I win!" Kumiko squealed triumphantly, waving her ball-gun and her price in the air: a large and bright red lollipop.

"Your voice hurts," said Shin, mock-rubbing his ear.

She stuck out her tongue at him childishly. "You're just envious! You didn't even hit a single dummy!"

The jab was a direct hit…to his pride-o-meter. "Give me that." He growled fishing for coins in his pocket. The man at the stall gave him a ball-gun as he handed out some money. Narrowing his eyes, he aimed and pulled the trigger thrice; three wooden dummies collapsed.

"Very good, sir! A perfect score! Here's your price!" He received his lollipop with a smirk towards his female companion. A large grin flashed on her face.

"Hehe! I knew you could do it the second time!"

Shin raised a brow. "You were just jeering."

She grinned. "Well! I knew all you needed was some motivation. You know that, too."

The redhead stared at her before shaking his head in amusement. He would always be amazed with how well she understood him.

"Come on! Let's have a go at the Swan Lake!" Enthusiastically, she pulled his hand with her free one. Shin smiled and allowed himself to be dragged along. The destination didn't matter anyway; he was too mesmerized by her. As it was, he was too pessimistic to think that it would last. But she was no longer pushing him away, too.

Do I have a chance?

Boldness was really not one of his best qualities. Yet the carnival-induced haziness of the evening was special. Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that they had been trailing for more than two hours, jumping from booth to booth, show to show, and munching on continually-replenished candies and chocolate ice creams. Whatever the reason, he felt that he could care less. With a sudden twist of hand, he stopped her abruptly.

"Shin," she wailed. "Let's go boating—" But he pressed his mouth over hers, cutting her efficiently in a simple and chaste kiss. Her mouth was sweet with cotton candies and ice cream; he knew he must taste the same to her. Kumiko didn't resist him, even going as far as placing her palm against his chest. Passion didn't come in torrents or waves of emotion but the sweetness of the moment was there all the same. It felt so agonizingly normal that he wanted to sit down and cry, as cliché as it may sound.

Gingerly, he pulled away but kept his face close to hers, breathing the assorted scent that was his Yankumi: green tea and sweets. His right palm was on the center of her back, his other hand still squeezing her own hand. He matched her gaze with his, wondering what he would see there, pleading for affirmation—that everything was all right for her as everything was all right for him.

To his amazement, she smiled and pecked his lips again, albeit more playfully, and tugged his hand again with tenderness he never imagined her capable of. "Let's go swan-boating."

Shin grinned, matching her expression, and marched away with her, both looking like the happy fools that they were.

ooOOoo00ooOOoo

Uchi, Minami and Kyou were all silent as they watched the pair from a healthy distance. Finally, Uchi broke all their train of thoughts by saying something. "Shin looks really happy."

"I've never seen him like this," whispered Minami as though the moment was too sacred to break. "So—so—"

"Passionate," chorused the teenagers with a dreamy sigh.

Kyou sniffed. "Our dear Ojou…looks really happy, too."

"Hm? Ojou? Do you know that girl, Kyou-san?"

"Ah—?" blinked Kyou before mentally slapping himself. Fuck! They shouldn't be seeing this! Why the fuck did I drag 'em with me. Ojou'll kill—

"Hey, Kyou-san?" prodded Minami as the Young Chief sweated through possible alibis and solutions to his blunder.

Should I dispose of the witnesses? No—both Young Master and Ojou will kill me for that. Or I pro'ly should just slash their tongues off—a bit messy but…

The two shuddered as their companion's expression grew considerably darker. It eerily reminded them of Yankumi on a bad hair day. Coughing nervously, Uchi muttered lightly. "Anyways, I really don't recognize that girl. Is she one o' those hot candidates for CoEd in Shirokin?"

"Don't think so, man," said Minami thoughtfully. "We coulda remembered such a hotsie."

"But there were some hotsies!"

"Most were actually just cute chicks, yah know…"

Kyou fell back to earth at this statement. "Eh? Whaddya mean? You don't know her?"

"'Course not! Shin could get pretty secretive when it comes to his private stuff. Wonder why he never told us 'bout this babe."

"Yeah. And we thought Yankumi and he were like…together!"

"A-ah." Was all he managed to say. A huge nerve threatened to burst on his temple as his mind swirled. Does Ojou look that drab at school that her "precious students" can't even tell the difference?

"It's true! They have this weird chemistry—the air would really get hot and crackly when they're near each other!"

"Ah, forget it! Yankumi is just too flat—you could make her chest an airport runway," sniggered Uchi. To Kyou's horror, the teen added with an imaginative nosebleed. "On the second thought, it is an airport runway."

"Haha! Right, this one's a lot curvy—though I think she ain't too chesty, too," agreed Minami. "Whaddya think, Kyou-san…K-Kyou-san?"

Vein protruding, Kyou grabbed the two clowns by the scruffs of their costume and marched off, determined to drop them somewhere after some good, man-to-man talk about respect. "Kids nowadays," he muttered, and with a final glance back at the couple swaying towards the opposite direction, grinned.

ooOOoo00ooOOoo

Kousuke had long gone. The garden at the Kuroda's household was a peaceful and serene place compared to the ruckus of the circus. A few years ago, Kuroda used to come there, just so to remind the prowling ambitious groups of his presence. When his only daughter and her husband had died and the little Kumiko came into his life, his purposes for going to circuses had become more than just duty. As a child, she loved circuses, and even as she grew older, the love for such amusement parks never ebbed. Now, he preferred the quiet of the house and allowed his subordinates to do most of the patrolling. Truth be told, he knew how the family wanted him to preserve his health and decided not to worry them. It had nothing to do with senility. His underlings knew, as well as he did, that it won't be long before his end. The illnesses that come with old age were plaguing him much more now, and he knew there was but little time left in his hourglass.

This practical act of self-preservation, indeed, had nothing to do with softness. He knew, he was no fragile or brittle branch, but he knew that, once he died a little before his decided time, that Kumiko would be forced to take responsibility. Knowing her stubborn and strong-willed granddaughter, he knew it would even be possible for her to give up her dreams as a teacher than let the hard work and sacrifice of her ancestors go to waste. As it was, he was proud of the path Kumiko had chosen for herself. The only way to preserve their line without her having to give up her current life is to have her marry.

An omiai, he had seen from past experience, would not suit her; it would shameful for her to marry someone whom she cannot treat as an equal. Thus, her choice would determine who the next yondaime would be. Again, he knew how slow his granddaughter can be in matters of love, which is why he needed to stay as healthy as possible, at least long enough to let her marry without pressure.

"Perhaps," he grumbled to himself whilst sipping his tea. "I am becoming senile."

A swift blast of wind disturbed the serenity of the garden, newly raked leaves rejoicing in entropy. He blinked for a moment to shield his eyes, and when he opened them…

…the black cat he had seen earlier was there once more.

Kuroda was generally not nervous about omens and signs. He always believed he was made of tougher caliber than that. But there was something about this cat which unnerved him very much. For one thing, though it was positioned beside the little pond some distance from him, its green eyes were staring directly at him, as though seeing something which he could not. A nagging part in his mind told him it was forthcoming disaster but he shook his head. He furrowed his brows and stared back at the cat's eyes.

"What d'you want, cat?" He didn't know why he said it out loud, and for a moment, he thought that he really was going senile…or could this be Fuji-induced foolishness? Perhaps having such a strange dog could give that effect. But this was a cat. A black cat. And the last time he had seen a black cat, something happened to his granddaughter.

To his surprise, the cat stretched and padded towards him. He didn't move even as the little demon jumped up the wooden boards. Finally, it sat down again, this time, just a few meters from him. Kuroda drew a breath waiting for something to happen. Would it start speaking?

Silence…

Staring…

Silence…

The cat yawned in boredom.

Now, Kuroda felt truly stupid indeed. But of course, even the wisest men have their "moments". He was truly gratified that no one was there to witness this.

He sighed. The cat was finally moving away much to his relief. Its presence was starting to get to his nerves, too. There is no need to be superstitious. There is really nothing to worry about—

Another cool blast of wind stepped into the room once more and a crashing sound behind him made him jump to his feet. An equally cool chill seemed to douse his spine as he approached the broken frame. Kuroda reached out and shook out the miniscule pieces of glass as he stared.

It was a frame with a picture of Kumiko which he had recently acquired. This was one of the very few sentimental things that he kept. And it was broken.

Gods, he murmured inwardly. Could this be…another omen?

As though on cue, he heard a soft meow and turned. There, sauntering on view was the black cat once more. With one last look, it jumped up at the walls and disappeared once again.

There were sounds of approaching and the two live-ins barged unceremoniously inside the room, both fully armed with katanas.

"Boss! We heard noise!" exclaimed Tetsu, smelling the air for intruders.

"Yeah, we—holy—" gulped Minoru as he saw the broken pieced and put two and two together. "F-forgive us for entering 'thout permission, boss. We thought—"

Both of the live-ins mumbled some frail excuses as Kuroda's mind whirled. Finally, he spoke. "Where is Kyoutarou?"

"He went to patrol Kamiyama amusement park, boss—"

"—and the carnival that was set-up there, too, boss."

Nodding curtly, he looked down at the ruined photo and decided. "Ring him up."

The live-ins glanced at each other wonderingly before scrambling off to do as they were bid. Meanwhile, Kuroda grimly set the picture back onto the table. Indeed, between the reputation of a black cat and a broken picture frame, who would want to take chances?

ooOOoo00ooOOoo

The couple emerged from the swan lake sweaty and warm, squabbling like kids.

"I can't believe you bumped my swan! What if it toppled and fell me over?" shrieked Kumiko.

"Don't tell me you're afraid of a little water—or don't you swim?" grinned Shin victoriously.

She scoffed throwing her hair back. "Of course I swim! I've been a varsity in our swimming club in college."

"Really?"

"Yeah," she said, hooking her arm with his as though it was the most common thing in the world. "Is it so surprising?"

"Actually, no," he grinned again and pointed his thumb at the large and wide Swan Lake: several people were simultaneously cursing and swimming towards land. "Do you think they're okay? The lake looks pretty deep."

"Heh. Don't sweat it. They'll live. And there are some lifeguards 'round that area."

"Hmph. How many?"

"You first!"

Shin narrowed his eyes at her before saying. "Ten."

It was the woman's turn to grin toothily. "HAHA! I win! I got twelve!"

"Heh. If you've only toppled over, I would've won. You said you're worth three points."

"Oh, so that's why you bumped me, huh?" she said in mock-anger and pinched his cheek. They were about to stroll away from the Lake when Kumiko pointed above. "Lookie! We still haven't gone there!"

"A ferris wheel?" said Shin with a raised brow.

"Why? Got somethin' 'gainst heights?"

"Not really. Just thought it ain't safe to ride those things, 'specially since they were built on such short notice."

"But we just rid the roller coaster!"

"I was against that."

Kumiko huffed. "C'mon! Don't tell me you're chickening out."

A nerve twitched in his jaw. She really knew how to pull his strings. "I'm not. It's not safe. And you gotta admit: that roller coaster was a bit rickety."

"Ooh. So that's why you were green!" she burst out laughing.

The redhead glared at her and wordlessly walked her towards the ticket booth. The young Kuroda grinned victoriously.

ooOOoo00ooOOoo

"Shin—look," she pointed out to the dark horizon full of twinkling lights. The car was moving slowly and they were halfway towards the top on the wheel's second revolution. "It's beautiful."

He peered at her bright and awed expression and smiled. You're beautiful.

They went quiet. From this altitude, the noise of the carnival seemed to diminish. Or it could have something to do with the fact that they were sitting across each other in the carriage, completely and consciously alone and home with each other. A soft warm breeze passed through, and Shin spotted Kumiko twiddling her thumbs nervously. He bit his inner cheek in disappointment. The impromptu date was fun while it lasted, but now, that the night was approaching an end, he knew she was bound to have second thoughts. She would be guilty and remorseful about several things that would be bothering him as well, should he be in her shoes.

But…he thought wistfully as he turned towards the horizon, clenching the railings. I wish you could just choose me, Yankumi.

Just as Shin thought, Kumiko was indeed having second thoughts. But it wasn't exactly what Shin was thinking. Because Kumiko Yamaguchi already had a half-formed choice. Half-formed because, she felt, that it would depend on Shin and how much he, or both of them, would be willing to sacrifice.

She coughed to clear her throat; she was truly feeling nervous. For one thing, she really didn't know how to begin speaking. But Shin spoke first.

"Why did Shinohara leave?"

Kumiko was startled; it certainly wasn't what she wanted to talk about. "He…had some things to do."

"Ah."

They fell silent. For some reason, an unwanted tension seemed rise between them. Kumiko bit her lower lip, almost tasting blood. In a desperate attempt to change the topic, she coughed and said, "The—the weather's fine today…you know."

Shit. Lame, lame. Lame, lame, LAME! She cursed internally. Is that how I've come to? All I can talk about is…the fucking weather?

Noticing her dilemma, the redhead decided to go along and nodded his head without glancing at her. "The…sky seems clear, too. You can see the moon clearly."

She perked up, not understanding why he was buying it. "Uh. Yeah." Looking up, she gasped; the moon was truly a sight to behold tonight. Dreamily, she whispered. "It's as though it is smiling down on us."

Shin thought for a moment before nodding again. "I guess. Do you think it's happy with what it is seeing?"

"Hmm. Maybe," she smiled. "Shin?"

"Hm?"

"Thanks…for tonight."

"Hn. Whatever."

She breathed deeply. This is it. We have to talk it out now. Now…

"Sawada Shin, I—"

The ferris wheel jerked to a stop, throwing them both off their seats. "What the hell—"

"Look—"

Both of them hurriedly looked down from the window and saw crowds below pointing and looking at something above them. Turning around to follow their gaze, she gasped: the carriage directly above theirs was shaking violently. Worse, she could hear a woman screaming inside.

"Let go of me—let go!"

"Hek-hek-hek," came a slurred and drunken voice. "No way 'm I goin' off, babe. C'mon now."

"NO! I don't—AHH! PLEASE HELP! ANYONE! GET ME OUT OF HERE!" the frightened scream sent an involuntary shudder through Kumiko's spine.

"Shit!" she mumbled. "Why did the maintenance stop the wheel? This shit has got to hurry down else that woman'll get raped!"

"They seem confused down there. They must be having technical problems."

"Shit. Shit. Shit!" Kumiko clenched her fists. I gotta do something. Her eyes wandered to the crisscross structure of the poles which hold the cars. Suddenly, she hardened her jaw and, when Shin met her eyes, he saw steely resolve.

"Yankumi, don't tell me—"

"Yes," she said through tight jaws. She kicked off her shoes; it would be easier to climb without them. "It's the only way."

"But we've got to be ten meters up!"

"They're car is just directly above ours. And I'm nimble enough, don't worry." She stepped onto the rail. Shin held on to her wrist; he had to bring some sense to her.

"I won't let you."

She froze and he gulped; immediately, Shin knew he chose the wrong words.

"I will go up there, brat," she whispered, poisonously soft. "And don't yah dare stop me. Don't follow." Shaking him off, she jumped off the car and climbed onto the poles like a monkey.

Stupid, stubborn woman! Growled Shin internally. He couldn't help but feel anxious. Parts of him was amazed with this stubborn quality to help the meek, but his overpowering rational side knew it was a stupid and impulsive move. A gnawing and dreaded thought told him that this would have no happy conclusion. He gripped the handle as he twisted to follow her deft and agile movements upward. Damn, Kumiko! Be safe.

ooOOoo00ooOOoo

This is easy, she thought calmly as she swung her body up along the poles. It reminded her vaguely of tree climbing, only this was much higher and steeper than any tree. The woman inside was still screaming and, from the way the car shook, fighting hard as well. She resolved to give the man a good kicking.

It was basically a short climb. She soon found that she could reach the rail of the target car and, carefully, she hoisted herself up. It was a sight which made her blood boil. The woman's upper vest was torn, revealing a torn bra which hardly covered anything anymore. Her skirt, too, was incredibly mussed and torn. The man, which reeked of too much sake, was toppled over her as he was forcefully trying to pry her legs apart with his knees. Her hands were held up by one hand while the other was busily manipulating her breasts. The woman's face was bruised and streaked with fresh tears.

Apparently, the inhabitants of the car were too preoccupied to slight swing she caused by her arrival. Fortunately, the car was big enough to hold a brawl. She shouted angrily, yanking the drunk off the violated woman. She punched him once in the gut and delivered a knee between his legs. The man folded and whimpered about his "balls" and "future" but Kumiko was unforgiving; she held the man's head and banged him against the plastic seats unconscious.

Controlling her breathing, she turned to tend to the victim. "It's okay now. He won't be fuckin' anyone for a while."

"Th-thanks, miss."

"Heh. It's a pleasure to kick down shit like that."

"Will you—will you—" she hiccupped.

Kumiko smiled. "Don't worry. I'll be keepin' you company till we get down. Wait just a min."

She went towards the car door and poked half her body out the open windows to look down: their car was really just directly below and there was Shin, looking up with mixed emotions in his face. A stab of pity and guilt went through her as she remembered she told him; he was only worrying after all…

"Shin! It's okay now, don't worry!" she grinned apologetically. "I—"

The woman's scream made her jump. Turning around, she was faced by the dazed drunk, his face blue and violet from her blows. But it was not his face which made him stare; it was what he was holding in his hand…

BANG!

Something punched her hard through her right rib, pushing her with enough force against the door. Unconsciously, she raised a hand to touch the wet spot. It was crimson red with blood…

Of course, she thought distantly. You bleed when you get shot by a .45…

Another calm thought passed through her befuddled brain. I wonder why it doesn't hurt…?

She inhaled and, as her lungs contracted, her head was sharpened by an equally sharp pain. She gasped. Looking up, the drunk man's face was spread with a slow smile, while the woman sat paralyzed with fear on her seat, screaming in muddled, slow voices…

Slow…ev'rythin's so slow…came a funny thought.

The man's trigger finger sluggishly bended to fire, this time, aiming for her head. Strangely enough, there was nothing she could do; she was paralyzed as well.

Like a slow-motion video tape, the woman jerked up with a scream and pushed the man violently. There was a fire, and the bullet whizzed past her ear…another came and hit her shoulder.

She closed her eyes as a scream refused to leave her throat, unconscious tears flowing…

Strange thoughts consumed her as she toppled back, the door swinging voluntarily under her weight. Papa, Mama…is this it…? Grandpa…Kyou-san…brothers…Shinohara-sensei…I'm sorry…

A familiar face with flaming red hair smiled into her mind's eye. Shin Sawada…I think I love you…

Kumiko Yamaguchi fell.

ooOOoo00ooOOoo

The bang bade his blood cold and the two which followed seemed to punch through his spirit as well. The people pointing and screaming below only helped to dull his senses. He knew she was hit and Shin saw the fall before it happened. It was one of the most agonizingly slow moments of his life; his mind swirled with how to help her, how to save her…

He was sure she was still alive but, if she fell…

His mind went stuck…

The door jerked open, she bent back, unconscious in a free fall…

But his brain was still stuck…on the Swan Lake as though revisiting the memory…

…lake looks pretty deep…

Don't worry, they'll live…

…lifeguards…

His eyes widened. The Swan Lake…the Swan Lake…

It was right there…just below the ferris wheel…

The redhead pinched his mouth in a thin line and decided.

It was really one of the most agonizingly slow moments of his life, and a stray thought was glad that it was; if it weren't he would have forgotten about the physical principles behind projectiles…

Kumiko Yamaguchi fell.

And, leaving the threads of sanity, Shin Sawada opened his own door and pushed his feet off safety.

Gods, he thought as the force of his jump pushed them horizontally, his arms wrapped around her small body, even managing to tuck her head below his chin. I love you, Kumiko Yamaguchi.

Between the screaming people below and death…nothing else mattered.

(gulping, shifty-eyed) I'm scared. Would it be safe if I hide? Or just wear protective armor?

I'm not exactly sure you people'd like this development but I really planned this to happen from the start. I hope you don't hate me, coz I think I would hate me for making an evil cliffie.

So, do you? What do you think? Am I a…

Low-life?

Bumbling shithead?

Or just plainly an ass?

Please review! Thanks!