Chapter Six

Disclaimer: I do not own Hana Yori Dango.

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"Nishikado-san! What do you think you're doing? Get down right now!"

Soujiro looked down at the water, and then back at her. "Technically, Yuki-chan, you still owe me a date. So, here's your choice. Go out with me, or watch me fall to my death."

She narrowed her eyes, and decided to call his bluff. "Fine, then. Jump. One less playboy for me to deal with."

He grasped his heart with his free hand in mock agony. "So cold. You'd rather the young Ichihara, to me? What reason do I have to go on?" He grinned when she huffed in irritation.

Two can play this game. Yuki boosted herself up on the railing, and grabbed the beam to steady her self.

"Yuki, what are you doing?" Amusement abruptly leaving him.

She almost smiled at the controlled strain in his voice. Not so sure of ourselves anymore, are we, Nishikado-san? "Say you'll give up on me, or watch me fall to my death."

He frowned at her, not liking how quickly she'd turned the tables on him. "Does the idea of dating me appall you that much?"

"Can you really not take no for an answer?" She returned.

They stared at each other, unblinkingly, at an impasse. Both equally as stubborn not to back down from the other.

Yuki sighed, and for a moment he thought she'd given in and then she said, "What about this, Nishikado-san?" She edged closer to him, and took his hand. "We both jump. Leap off this bridge with me, and if we survive, I'll give you one date."

His eyes widened in alarm when she bent her knees. "Hold on, you're not going to—"

"One…two…three!" Before rational could sink through the blank panic, Soujiro had released the beam and jumped off the railing at the same time as Yuki.

He had just enough time to scream the token scream of terror, before crashing into the cold water. He mentally thanked his old nanny for insisting he take swim lessons as a child, and kicked his way to the surface. He looked around frantically for Yuki. He saw her a few feet away from him, drifting limply on her back. His heart thundered in his chest with fear. He swam to her, beside himself with panic. "Yuki!"

Her eyes fluttered opened, and she smiled at him. "You actually jumped. You could have let go of my hand, but you didn't and you jumped with me."

He scowled. "You crazy girl! I nearly had a heart attack!"

Yuki changed positions to tread water. "Come now, Nishikado-san. Didn't you do reckless things when you were a kid?"

"That's not the point!" He snapped. "Jumping off the bridge like that, and then just laying there…do you have any idea how worried I was?" It was out before he could stop it, but just then he was too upset to care.

She looked remorseful. "I'm sorry, Nishikado-san. That probably did look very dangerous to you."

"It was dangerous!"

"Tsukushi and I used to jump off this bridge a lot when we were in elementary. Even now, kids do all kinds of tricks right before they'd hit the water. It's a real treat for the tourists." She swam to him, and rubbed his arm, a gesture of comfort she showed him every now and then. "To be fair, you were the one that started it."

"I didn't think we'd end up jumping, you crazy girl." He muttered, a little embarrassed at his overreaction. Not that, anyone else wouldn't have reacted in a similar manner.

She raised his chin, so their eyes met and beamed at him. "I'm very happy that you jumped with me. That took a lot of faith. Now, I really do owe you a date."

"At the very least." But his ire was fading. It was difficult to stay angry with Yuki, especially with her smiling at him like that. He looked up at the bridge and shook his head. "I don't care what you offer me. I'm never doing that again." He'd personally see to it that she wouldn't be jumping off the damn thing anytime soon either.

She laughed. "Wasn't it thrilling? To be suspended in the air for a little while, followed by the rush of free falling…I love it. You'll look back later and want to do it again, I promise you."

He snorted. "Crazy girl."

After awhile the cold set in, and they headed for shore. Soujiro fished out his phone from his pocket and phoned his driver to pick them up. There was no way he was walking the rest of the way to her house soaked to the bone.

"Don't tell me that thing still works." Yuki gathered her hair and twisted, squeezing the water out.

"The wonders of technology." He said simply. He glanced at her, and froze. Her wet clothes clung to her form like second skin. He gulped and looked away, forcing him self to remember that no matter how much he wanted her, he couldn't touch yet. She was his friend first. Lusting after her would only get him into trouble. He groaned to himself, why did she have to have such an appealing body?

"We'd better head up to the bridge. I doubt my driver would be able to spot us down here." He helped her up, and they made their way up the incline to the road.

The wind picked up a little and breezed passed them, making her shiver. "I picked the wrong time of year to jump off a bridge." She murmured, making him chuckle. She blinked when he put his arms around her waist, and pulled her to his side.

"To keep warm." He said, when she stared at him questioningly.

"Hmm…" She turned her gaze out on the horizon. This had always been one of her favorite spots. During this time of day, was the most peaceful and serene. They watched the sun sink down in brilliant color, the sky exploding in vivid hues of red and orange.

The two of them standing there, she encased in his arms, watching the sunset, painted quite the quixotic picture, the driver noted, stopping the car a few feet away, so as not to disturb the scene. He had seen the young miss with the young master before. It seemed something was blooming between them. He smiled. Ah, to be young and in love.

It was sometime before they took notice of him, and the entire ride to the young miss's residence, neither said anything. He waited as the young master walked her to the door.

"What's with your driver, Nishikado-san? He kept glancing at us in the rearview mirror and smiling."

Soujiro shrugged. "Nishimura is a hopeless romantic. He probably is forming all sorts of theories he can share with his equally romantic wife later. I'll have you know that almost the entire staff thinks you're stringing me along."

They both shared an amused look. "Are you busy tomorrow, Nishikado-san?"

He shook his head. Saturdays were usually his days with his girlfriends, since he didn't have any he'd been spending it either working or doing schoolwork.

"Meet me at the train station in front of the clock tower, around one? We'll spend the day together."

He smiled. "I'd like that." He turned, about to head to the car when she called out.

"Oh, and Nishikado-san?" She narrowed his eyes in mock warning. "You'd better not stand me up. You will not be getting another chance otherwise."

He grinned and waved to her. He watched the door close behind her, and sank into the leather seat. Despite being sore and damp, his clothing sticking to him in uncomfortable places, he couldn't erase the smile from his face. He finally had a date with Yuki!

(-)(-)(-)

The next morning Soujiro felt horrible. His head throbbed, his entire body felt heavy and he could barely breathe. His groan alerted the maids that were readying his clothes for the day.

"Nishikado-sama?" One of them, an older women that had been on staff for years put her hand on his head. "Goodness, you've got a fever."

He opened his mouth to say something and felt the ache in his throat. He coughed and winced at the pain it caused him. "W-What time is it?" He asked, his voice barely a whisper, noting that his nose was also stuffed. A cold?

"It's ten o`clock." She told him. "The doctor will be here in a few minutes and I'll phone the office to tell them you won't be coming in today."

He nodded, and concentrated on breathing, hoping the dull ache in his head would ease. He smiled weakly when she handed him an aspirin and a glass of water. "Bed rest and lots of fluids." She said, imperiously.

He closed eyes and allowed the blissful void of sleep to take him. Last time I go jumping of bridge with Yuki. All it got me was a damn cold. His eyes suddenly flew open. He must have dozed off, because he found Akira in a chair across the room.

"Ah, Soujiro. How's the cold?" His brow drew together in a frown when his friend attempted to stand up. "You shouldn't be getting up yet. Lie back down, you don't have anywhere you have to go."

Soujiro shook his head, groaning at the pain the movement caused. "I have a date."

"A date? You're kidding, right? You're in no shape to be even walking much less dating anyone, my friend." He stood up and went to him. He places his hands on his shoulders and tried to push him back down. "Quit fooling around. A cold is no joke."

"Yuki-chan. She'll be angry if I'm late." Soujiro struggled, before sitting down. His legs couldn't quite hold him up.

"Yuki-chan? You're ill, Soujiro. I'm sure she'll understand."

He shook his head stubbornly. "One chance. Can't waste it." He hacked out a cough, his breathing still labored. Gotta get dressed…

"Where do you think you're going, Nishikado-sama?" The old maid frowned in disapproval. "Do I need to tie you to the bed?"

"He says he has a date." Akira told her. "He won't consider not going."

"I must insist, Nishikado-sama." She watched as he stumbled on his way to the closet. "You're parents would not approve of you going out in your condition. I'm sure the young lady would not enjoy herself with a sick man."

Soujiro ignored her, and determinedly unbuttoned his sweat-soaked pajamas. He wished he could take a shower before he went to see her, but he didn't have time. Not to mention he might end up drowning himself.

"Soujiro, come on, man. She's not going to be happy she forced you to go out in your state."

With as much grace and dignity he could muster he made his way out the front door and to the awaiting car. He gave the driver the destinations, and sank into the seat, slumping ungracefully from the effort. He'd have his date with Yuki even if it killed him.

(-)(-)(-)

Yuki checked her watch. 1:30, it read. She sighed, wondering how long she should wait. It was like him to be late, with a rueful smile in apology upon his arrival. But considering how much he wanted this date, she didn't think he'd stand her up. Or so she liked to believe. For all she knew, he could have met up with a pretty girl on the way and forgotten about her.

He had honestly touched her the day before. First, wanting to save a painfully shy freshman from public embarrassment, and then letting go of rational control and jumping off that bridge. The feelings she thought were mostly faded were threatening to seep back in, which is one of the reasons she fought so hard to keep him at bay.

She wasn't even viewing today's date as a romantic event. It was to be a test of sorts.

There was chemistry between them, one so strong that it shocked her, but she was hoping that the camaraderie they had would be enough to cut off any possibility romantic feelings. She almost giggled at the thought. She had a friend once, near the beginning of her second year. They got along famously. They had many things in common, and whenever they were together be it studying or lunch somewhere, they always spent hours talking and generally enjoying each other's company. Then, he had confessed to her, and though she had tried to make it work, the friendship was too strong. Soujiro was clearly on a different level than her old friend, but it wasn't a stretch to think that the same thing could occur.

She was pulled from her thoughts when her phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Yuki-chan!" It was Akira. That's right she promised she'd treat him.

"Akira-kun, I know I said I'd treat you, but I have plans today." She said, apologetically. "Maybe tomorrow? There's a new pizza shop that has opened up. Would you like to go then?"

"It's not about that, Yuki-chan. You have a date with Soujiro today?"

She blushed, not quite knowing why it embarrassed her for him to know. "Y-Yes. He was supposed meet me, half an hour ago." Suddenly a something occurred to her. "Why? Did something happen? Is he alright?"

"No, he's not alright. He's—" Then he was cut off.

"Akira-kun? Hello?" She groaned then. Her phone had died. Of all the times to forget to charge it. She looked around for a payphone. That's when she spotted a tall, well-dressed figure heading her way.

"Nishikado-san." Her eyes drew together in confusion. He was there, seemingly ready to commence with their date. But Akira said that he wasn't alright.

"I'm sorry I'm late, Yuki-chan." He took out something from the inside pocket of his jacket and offered it to her.

It was a rose, twisted from colored paper. He remembered she didn't like flowers. She smiled, taking the rose from him. "Better late than never."

"So, you never told me. What are we going to do today?"

That's when she saw it. The small trickle of sweat, falling from his brow. He also seemed very pale. When he took a step toward her, there was a discernable sway.

She rushed to him, and placed a hand on his forehead, ignoring his murmured protests. "You're burning up." She said, more harshly than she intended. "What are you even doing here, Nishikado-san? You should be in bed resting!"

"I—" He pitched forward, landing limply on top of her. Yuki had just barely enough strength to keep upright.

"Nishikado-san? Nishikado-san?!" But it was no use. He was out cold.

This was all her fault. It was cold yesterday, and yet she had persuaded Soujiro to jump into the river. There was only one thing for her to do.

With her free hand, she reached into his pocket and took out his phone. Shifting her stance to keep them balance, she hit the speed dial for his driver.

An hour later, Nishimura had dropped them off in front of her house and helped her get Soujiro into bed. Her plan had been to get him to his own house, but Nishimura insisted that he would be very angry to wake up in his own bed, and had driven away before she argue further.

She stared blankly at the sleeping man in her bed. Well, this certainly wasn't how I was intending to spend my day. Then again, she had never seen Soujiro so weak and helpless before. He had always been arrogant, confident, and a force to be reckoned with. This vulnerable side of him stirred her maternal instincts.

As she was watching him, she saw his mouth moving. Approaching the bed, his troubled expression relaxed fractionally.

"Yuki…smell nice…"

She raised a brow. "Nishikado-san?" She whispered, wondering how conscious he was.

His eyes fluttered opened, and he smiled at her. She blinked. It wasn't at all like his usual smiles. This one was warm, and almost childlike.

"Yuki. My favorite girl." He reached out and cupped cheek. "Won't you be mine?"

She frowned, and searched the expression in his eyes. They were glazed, and unfocused. "You've got a fever, Nishikado-san. Be a good boy, and go back to sleep." Rather than doing what she asked, he sat up, shifted his hold from her cheek to the back of her neck, and pulled her down.

She instinctively threw out her hand to brace herself on the headboard, while her lips landed on his waiting mouth. Even in his weakened state of illness, he had enough energy to seduce her. The kiss was just as hot and intense as the last time. She gave a shuddering moan, as his mouth worked expertly over hers.

"So good…Yuki-chan tastes so good…can't get enough…" He murmured. He left her mouth to trail kisses from her lower jaw to her neck. Yuki gasped, when he began nibbling, a trail of soft bites from her ears to her neck.

This is bad, this is very bad. If he keeps this up I won't be able to fight him much longer. That in mind, she shoved him from her body and forced him on his back. "You are unwell, Nishikado-san! Don't be making any advances on me, when you barely remember your own name."

He smiled then, a delirious, silly smile. He nodded once, and promptly passed out again.

She let out a frustrated breath. What a troublesome guy. She debated on whether or not to tie him to the bed so he wasn't able to pull the same trick on her twice, and shook her head. He looked like he'd be out for awhile. Leaving his side, she gave him one last look before closing the door behind her.

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Soujiro woke up…warm. Not the suffocating heat that permeated the rooms of his house, but a cozy warm. A warmth akin to a blanket when the weather was cold. The closest he ever got to this warmth was the aftermath of his one night stands. He wondered if that was where he was. Sleeping in a hotel room, one or more lovers curled up on either side of him. The lack of weight from around him belied that thought, and there was a smell that swirled in the air that smelled remarkably like faint lavender and baking flour. Who did he know who smelled like that? Ah, that's right…that was Yuki's unique scent.

His eyes flew open then. He remembered meeting her at the train station, feeling like hell and trying his damndest to appear collected, and then…nothing. The room he was in was most definitely a girl's. Not so much the few stuffed animals and frilly bed covers, as the soft tones of the walls. There several awards framed on the wall, and several more pictures. Some of were of himself and the F4, and others were of Yuki with Makino and others he wasn't familiar with.

He must have fainted, and she brought him home with her.

"Ah, I see that you're awake."

He looked to the door, and watched Yuki walk in with a tray of a bowl of steaming soup. "This is chicken soup." She told him. "It's supposed to cure all symptoms of colds."

She set it down in front of him, and settled in the chair at the side of the bed. "How are you feeling, Nishikado-san?"

"Better." He blew at the contents of the spoon, before gingerly taking a sip. He savored the feel of the hot liquid warming his insides. A mark on the side of his neck caught his attention. "Yuki-chan? What's that?" He said, nodding at her neck.

She flushed, her hand flying to cover the small bruises. "Collateral damage." She said curtly.

He raised a brow, but didn't press. "I'm sorry about this. We were supposed to have a date, and instead you have to nurse a sick man."

"Why did you even show up, Nishikado-san? If you were feeling so poorly, you could have called and told me."

He shrugged. "Who knows if you'd believe me? I also had no guarantee that I'd get another chance. After what I went through to get you to finally agree to go out with me, I wasn't letting a little cough stop me."

She stared at him. He was completely serious. She shook her head and gave an exasperated laugh. "Stupid. You must really want this to nearly kill yourself for it." She sighed, and placed a hand on his forehead. "It's gone down some. That's good. You can stay for the night, but you are definitely going home first thing in the morning."

"Oi, oi. I'm not counting this as a date." He warned her, finishing off the soup. "Not even close."

She smiled then. "Get well first, and then we'll talk."

It may not have been a date, but it was almost as good. They spent the rest of the evening just talking. She brought him another bowl of soup, vegetable this time, and had her own meal at the desk at the food of the bed. She patted his forehead with a cool cloth, and though she drew a line at a sponge bath, she did help him change clothes after his shower. It was nice having her fuss over him, and he was reluctant for it to end.

Soon, her parents came home. She was worried that she'd get into trouble for being home alone with him, but they were happy that she was caring for a wealthy man and left them alone. She rolled her eyes. Her parents were very much like Tsukushi's.

(-)(-)(-)

The next morning, Yuki woke unusually warm. The source of the extra heat was coming from next to her. She blinked her eyes open, and found Soujiro looking down at her, his elbow propped up supporting his head. "Good morning, Yuki-chan."

She blinked, and then her eyes widened. With a shriek, she shoved herself away from him and landed on the ground. He laughed when she frantically looked down at her clothes, and then gave a sigh if relief to discover they were still on.

"I'm not going to seduce you in your sleep, Yuki. I'm sick, remember?"

She hmphed, and then went to her closet. "I'm going to shower first, Nishikado-san. When I'm through you'd better be up and ready to go home."

He lay back into her bed and asked, "What if I'm not ready to go home, Yuki-chan?"

She looked at him then, an infuriated look on her face. "I shall call Tsukushi-chan to help persuade you to leave."

He chucked when she stormed out. Yuki was really cute when she was angry. The more time he spent with her the more he came to like her. He was sorry to have to leave. Ah, well, all good things must come to an end.

(-)(-)(-)

Tsukushi was putting the freshly baked cakes on display when she heard the door chime. "Ah, welcome—" She looked up at the customer and froze.

"Yo." Soujiro greeted.

"What're you doing here, Nishikado-san?" She asked guardedly.

He smiled his charming smile, knowing full well it would not have any effect on her, but wanting to irritate her anyway.

"Can we talk, Tsukushi-chan?"

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A/N

Okay, I am honestly running out of ideas for this story. I don't want to make it too long, but at the same time I want to give it a substantial plot. I can probably think something up for the next few chapters, but I'd appreciate suggestions and inputs. Think of this as an invitation for requests and challenges. Any Yuki/Soujiro fics you want to see, I'll put in this story and credit the person who suggests it. Thanks again for the reviews and alerts, and stay tuned for Chapter 7.