Standard Disclaimer Applied.
Hello and Konnichiwa to my last reviewers, I hope you'll enjoy this chappy as much as I do. Thank you and Mabuhay.
Malo: Heyaa. Oi, ur back too! Good to see you!! –hugs- Well, I don't want Neon as another antagonist. Tokiya is very much enough. And besides, I don't want to make rivals here and there, it will just make the story complicated and besides, it wasn't in the plot. And im not skilled enough to handle a lot antagonists. Anyway, do you have a friendster?I would want to know u more!
Shen-neechan: Neon, of course is perspective. Ehehehe, that's why kurei likes her. –coughscoughs- Nyahahaah KIDDIN!!!
Scorchingblue: hey, sorry for the long update. I was just too lazy to write, I want to wander off in my holidays and not stay in front of my laptop all the time. Hope you like this chapter tho and please review!
Munlytangel: Yea… MY raiha is soo sweet in this fic. Don't worry, he has me anyway. Haha. Kiddin, well what can I say? Raiha is actually not that sweet as you thought. I'll show that in the later chapters, but for now…please enjoy and review!MWah! and btw, when are u updating ur fic?
Yan-chyan: Wha? U want them to end up together? Tokiya's gonna kill you! I swear!But on second thought, this fic was originally dedicated for you…so if that's what u really wish, then…-sticks tongue out- U wish! U meanie! U stole Raiha from me!MEANIE!!!
Angel-chan: Heyaa…Thanks. Please read and review. Mwahugz!
I hope you will enjoy this chapter and please do continue reviewing my fic. Your reviews always give me inspirations to continue.
BELATED MERRY XMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL.
PS. Please get ready with your tissues and handkies, this chapter might be a little nose-stiffing in the later parts, depending on how emotional you are.
CHAPTER 12
KRIIIIIIIINNNGGGGGG!!!
"I got it, I got it!" Fuuko hastily ran towards the telephone stand and took the phone.
"Hello, Kirisawa Residence, Good mo—"
"Fuuko-chan!" a chirpy voice came out from the other line.
"Eh…Yanagi-chan?"
"Hai! Ohayou Gozaimasu!"
"Ohayou…What's up?"
"Well, its Domon-kun's wedding preparation today and I was wondering if you're available for the gown fitting?"
"Oh. Haha. I almost forgot about Domon's Wedding. Hmmm, how come they just prepared now? I thought the wedding's gonna be on Sunday,"
"Well actually, they have prepared everything. The gown fitting and the practice for the procession are the only ones left unprepared," Yanagi explained.
"Oh I see. Demo, I have work today. I'm honestly on my way to the Mikagami's mansion. Can we reschedule?"
"Hmmmm. How about lunch? Will you be available?"
"Okay. Where exactly are we going to do the fitting?"
"June's bridal shop. You know where that is, right?"
"Hai! I'll see you there Yanagi-chan!"
"OK! Bye bye!"
"Bye!" Fuuko put the phone back and slung her bag on her shoulder.
----------------------------TOFUU----------------------------
Lunch. 12:35 pm. June's bridal shop.
Fuuko opened the shop's door cautiously and snuck her head inside. She glanced left and right but there was no Yanagi anywhere. She got herself in and closed the white door silently. A woman, probably on her late 40's, approached her with an affectionate smile on her face. She had auburn and some white hair tied neatly on a bun. She was old but she got the brightest grey eyes Fuuko had ever seen. She wore a traditional pink Japanese kimono and was carrying a thick hardbound notebook on both arms.
She bowed at Fuuko which Fuuko acknowledged with the same gesture.
"Is there anything I can do for you, Miss?" the old woman asked her.
"Oh. I'm looking for Yanagi-chan. This is where the gowns for the Ishijima-Yamamoto nuptials are fitted, right?" Fuuko inquired.
The woman nodded. "Your name is?"
"Fuuko. Kirisawa Fuuko,"
The woman opened her notebook and scanned her eyes through a certain page. She stopped and checked Fuuko's name immediately. She closed the notebook and smiled at Fuuko once more.
"Please follow me, Fuuko-san,"
Fuuko followed suit.
She was brought to a large fitting room where she saw everyone fitting their own gowns and tuxedos. The old woman left and Yanagi came rushing towards her with a very wide grin on her face. Fuuko sweatdropped.
"Fuuko-chan! You're here!" Yanagi gave her a quick tight hug.
"Well, you asked me to be here!" Fuuko laughed. "Wow, it seems like everyone's here huh?" she glimpsed at every corner of the room and saw a lot of familiar faces.
Yanagi giggled. "Haha. Yea, it seems like everyone's having work and lunch is their only vacant time. Have you eaten, by the way?"
"I haven't but I'm not hungry," Fuuko replied.
"Fuuko-sama!!!" Domon ran towards Fuuko and lifted her lithe form excitedly.
Fuuko was given another crushing bear hug after Yanagi's and choked out after Domon put her down. "You guys sure love me that much huh?" she sarcastically exclaimed.
Yanagi and Domon smiled sheepishly.
"Fuuko-sama, I'm happy you're here!" Domon said blithely.
"Of course, you big oaf. I'll die if I cannot attend your wedding," Fuuko beamed and punched Domon's shoulder.
"Really?" the big guy asked teary-eyed.
"Errr. No. Not really. Anyway, it seems like every—"
"Fuuko-san!" a very familiar voice cut her off and she averted her gaze from Domon to the direction of the voice.
Her eyes widened. "Saicho-kun!"
Saicho nodded. "It's good to see you, Fuuko-san. You have become very beautiful with your long hair," the raven-haired man complimented. Seeing his old friend with that new image was a lot of surprise, he didn't even recognize her on his first glance.
"Haha. Thanks pal! You didn't seem to change your hair, you still look like a girl," Fuuko slapped Saicho's shoulder playfully.
"Seems like our former tomboy has grown to be a very attractive woman," another familiar voice joined in.
Fuuko turned around. An old bald man greeted her awestruck face with a merry laugh. "It's been a decade since we last saw each other, Fuuko-san,"
"Hey Buddha Man! You're here too?" she gladly greeted him. He's probably older than Fuuko's mother but he still looked young, though his voice seemed to have become shallow and coarse. But his peaceful face and build up haven't shown signs of the ten years that past by. And Fuuko was glad to see him as strong as before, assurance of more years to enjoy himself.
"Actually, me too!" someone announced.
Fuuko immediately glimpsed at the third voice that came in. Her jaw dropped and her brows furrowed in two seconds. "Whaaa?! Why is that fucking pervert in here?!" she pointed the guy with her index finger and shouted at Domon and Yanagi.
Domon sweatdropped. Yanagi did the same.
"Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Is that the proper way of greeting an old friend, Fuuko?"
"What 'old friend'? You fucking good-for-nothing asshole!" Fuuko shouted at the man's face.
"Who do you call asshole, you fucking whore!" the man barked back.
"Now, Now. Fujimaru, you told us you wont pick on a fight with anyone once we get here," Kukai interrupted and pulled the snake-faced guy's shirt back beside him.
"She started it!" Fujimaru answered back.
"Errr. Aren't you two too old to be fighting like highschoolers?" Saicho sweatdropped.
Fuuko glared at Fujimaru for the last time and took a deep breath to calm down. "Oh hey. Where are your other two companions, Minamio and…I forgot the other one," Fuuko asked when she sensed some guys were missing.
"Oh, they're both married and are happy with their lives as Daddies." Saicho responded, grinning cheekily.
"Oh I see. How about you? Aren't you married yet?" Fuuko asked, becoming curious of her old friend's status. He probably married his childhood friend, Misora. Or did he not?
"I am. Menou and Fujimaru's fiancée are coming on the nuptial day," Saicho answered casually.
Fuuko stared at him like he just announced that the building they're currently at will be bombed in five seconds. Yanagi and Domon seemed to have no idea about the news that just struck them as well since they both paled and stiffened.
"Wait wait wait. I'm confused. First and foremost, who the hell is crazy enough to marry that lizard-face idiot?" Fuuko's face whitened and gazed at Fujimaru with her eyeballs almost popping out from its sockets.
"What the fuck did you just say, you little—" Fujimaru scowled and was silenced by Kukai.
Fuuko looked back at Saicho. "Alright, let's forget about him," she pointed Fujimaru with her thumb and fixated her eyes on raven-haired man (A/N: I cannot call everyone, 'lad', 'boys' or 'guys' here since we all know that in this fic. The characters are mostly 30 above). "When you said Menou, you mean, Menou the daughter of the scientist?" her tone was serious.
Saicho nodded innocently. Fuuko gasped.
"You mean, Menou's your wife, Saicho-kun?" Yanagi asked sensing that Fuuko seemed to have taken aback by what she just learned.
Saicho nodded once again. Yanagi was stunned.
"Menou? That cute girl with a very attractive hair?" Domon's turn to ask.
"Hai," Saicho confirmed. "I had a hard time getting her, you know. He had a crush on Recca-san a long time ago," he scatched his head and Domon's jaw dropped.
Kukai, who was amusedly staring at the three's reaction decided to butt in. "That's an expected reaction," He sighed. "You must have thought that Saicho would end up with my daughter, Misora?"
The three nodded at the same time.
"I did too. But my daughter possessed a free spirit. She goes to where the wind blows her. She flew to England and continued her studies there. She wanted to become a poet all her life and I don't think I, or we, have the right stop her dreams," Kukai stated.
"Oh I see. I never thought things would end up like this," Fuuko whispered, enough for all of them to hear. "It seems like everything has changed to something we least expected," she remarked.
Kukai nodded. "We can never predict the future, Fuuko-san. And that's a fact,"
"Yea, especially that lizard guy over there to get married. That's a very crazy fact," Fuuko arched an eyebrow at Fujimaru, still not believing of the news about him. But who could blame her? Everyone will have the same reaction if they hear the news. (A/N: even me!)
Fujimaru winced. "Why the hell do you always like to annoy me? I know you have a crush on me a long time ago but you shouldn't—" he didn't finish his statement as Fuuko jumped on him and strangled his neck to death.
"Who's got a CRUSH on you!?" Fuuko clung her arms tightly on the guy's neck, blocking his air supply (A/N: LOL and I just called him a 'guy'!O.O;).
Everybody laughed at the scene before them. Like the old times. Ten years was never enough to change them or forget about each other. They had been too close to bury old memories behind.
After the talk with Master Kukai and his students, Yanagi thought it was best for Fuuko to do her fitting now since time usually flies fast during break hours. Fuuko agreed obediently and trailed off behind Yanagi to the dressing room.
It was a spacious room where different colors and designs of gowns were placed. But of course, since it was a wedding they're attending, bridesmaid gowns always observed uniformity. So her gown was probably just the same as what the other bridesmaids outside were trying to fit.
On the center of the room where two cubicles, the other one was opened and the other one seemed to be in use. Yanagi led Fuuko to a white marble chair residing at one corner of the room, a white box sitting on it.
Yanagi halted and asked Fuuko to open the box. "That would be your gown," she said while Fuuko pursued towards the chair gingerly.
She took the cover off the box and brought out the white gown within her sight. It was an off-shoulder gown with some pink ribbons below its amazingly fluffy skirt and some beads on the upper part to add up style. (A/N: Anou, GOMEN! I'm not really good at describing dresses!Actually, I awfully suck at it. Please use ur imagination in this scene. Thank you very much –bows-)
Fuuko gasped, not because she was amazed by the gown's loveliness but because of it's color (As u can see, she's still not into fluffy dresses). She twirled her head at Yanagi who was smiling at her from ear to ear.
"Isn't it lovely?" Yanagi eyed the dress dreamily.
Fuuko raised an inquisitive eyebrow. "I saw the other bridesmaids earlier and this isn't what they're fitting. What does this suppose to mean?"
Yanagi smiled sheepishly. "Havent Domon-kun told you? You're his wedding's maid-of-honor!" Yanagi declared as though it's the most ultimate thing to happen.
"Huh?" Fuuko's mouth hung slightly in confusion. "Wasn't it Miyuki-chan who chose her maid-of-honor?"
"Well, she did. And she chose you," Yanagi chirped, clasping her hands together.
Fuuko stayed at the same reaction. "Why me?"
"Oh so many questions, we don't have time to answer it all. Let's get moving and be done in no time," Yanagi silenced her and pushed Fuuko towards the opened cubicle abruptly. "Now, quick changing, I wanna see if it fits on you!" Yanagi gibed.
"Alright, alright. You don't have to push me," Fuuko laughed heartily and pulled the door, closing her from everyone's view.
Yanagi chortled and heard her phone rang against her pocket. She tugged it out and read the caller ID. "Recca? I wonder what he wants now?" she whispered before answering.
"Hime!" Recca uttered aloud on the other line.
"What is it, Recca?" Yanagi smiled calmly.
"Miyuki was asking if you could come here and help her with her gown for a minute. I don't know a thing about this stuff. Everyone seems busy and I can't call anyone else but you," Recca responded, almost frantic on the other end.
Yanagi giggled. "Calm down, honey. I'll be there to help you alright?" And with that, she hung up after hearing Recca's relieved sigh.
"Fuuko," she called out. "I'll go help Miyuki with her gown for awhile, I'll be back in a couple of minutes!" Yanagi said and waved at the cubicle.
"Okay!" Fuuko answered immediately, knowing fully that Yanagi had ran off.
She was having some problems on wearing it but was glad that she managed to fit the gown without having its laces ruined and torn. "Phew. Now, only the zipper at the back is the problem. Does Yanagi have plans of returning? She's been out for like centuries now. I wonder how I can zip it," Fuuko heaved.
As an answer to her question, Fuuko heard a screeching sound from the door of the adjacent cubicle. She grinned.
"Umm, excuse me!" She called out. "Whoever it is in the outside, could you help me with my gown's zipper? I can't reach it," she unlocked the door immediately and turned around, not really minding whoever it is to help. As long as I'm done with this.
She heard footsteps coming behind her and she smiled, relief that she wasn't ignored. She closed her eyes and breathed in a few amounts of oxygen to enter her system, she had to make sure that the gown would allow her to breath even if its zipped.
She felt the zipper stopped climbing between her scapula and paused somewhere behind her bra line. She opened her eyes immediately. Awww, man. Again? My breast isn't that huge, is it?
"Lose some weight, monkey. You're as large as a barge," a cold irritated voice sliced through her thoughts and her jade irises constricted in unspoken surprise.
"Tokiya?!" she almost jumped out.
Tokiya stared down at her with very bored eyes. "It wouldn't fit, especially on something as huge as those," he pointed Fuuko's chest and pierced his eyes at hers. (A/N: Nyahaha he can't dare look at Fuuko's…err, u know! Haha!)
Fuuko blushed at his comment, embarrassment raging all over her. She glared sharply at the oh-so-confident man shadowing over her and snapped, "You pervert!"
She slapped Tokiya's hand and stormed away from him, marching madly towards the marble chair in the corner.
Tokiya sighed and held the zipper behind her back, making sure she wouldn't move another meter from him. "You can't just go anywhere with your back naked to people's view. They might vomit," Tokiya pulled her back towards him and zipped her gown in a heartbeat.
"Wha-?" she blinked. So it does fit and the idiot was just fooling around. She gritted her teeth, making sure that if the person behind her says something again, she'll be ready to bite the shit out of him.
She looked at him for the second time, muttering some curse about him being an insignificant idiot (which didn't go unheard) and stared at his sky-colored pools. She blinked. She just noticed it. His attire. A white tuxedo eh?
She scanned her eyes from his neck to foot. He was wearing a white tuxedo (Duh!!) with black collar and black tie. It was matched with a pink handkerchief inserted on the chest pocket and (she just noticed) a pink hair tie which held his hair on a high ponytail.
It seemed like the wedding's motif was pink and white. Fuuko thought grimly, Miyuki probably picked the color, and no offense to her but Fuuko distasted pink all her life, not to the point of verbally showing it though.
"You look good," those words escaped her mouth unknowingly.
Tokiya rolled his eyes, totally not amused. He pointed something behind him and Fuuko cocked her head on the side. "Go there and see a monkey wearing a gown. It looks horrible but maybe you want to give a try?" he beckoned sarcastically.
Fuuko raised her head and smirked. "Haha. I'm sure it is worthy of a try," and she walked slowly to the body mirror. She grinned more as she saw her reflection at the glass in front of her.
"Amazingly beautiful dress for an amazingly perfect beauty," she remarked, aloud.
Tokiya snorted noisily. And Fuuko couldn't help but giggle. "Mi-chan, you want to see too? It is really worth a try," Fuuko grinned cheekily.
"I'd rather be inside the Iron Maiden and die," was his sarcastic retort.
Fuuko looked back at the mirror and admired how the gown fitted on her perfectly. "Well, suit yourself. I'm sure the Iron Maiden is more than willing to accept you anyway," she said without looking at him.
Tokiya furiously marched towards her and pulled her elbows in a brash manner. Fuuko almost yelped at the contact.
"Do you enjoy this, huh, Fuuko? Do you enjoy seeing me like this? Do you?!" Tokiya hissed at her, losing all the temper and sanity left within him. She had gone too far, too far that all she does affects him, and not to mention it affects him on the most painful way. Even being locked up in the Iron Maiden would be a much better choice than this.
"Let me go, Tokiya! Let me go you—"
"You like seeing me hurt like this don't you? You laugh seeing me in pain! You do, don't you?!" he pulled her closer, not minding if she felt pain or not. Serves her right, anyway. For causing that much on him.
"You wanna know the truth?" Fuuko managed to smirk after a few minutes of struggling. "Yes, I do. And you know what? I find it highly entertaining. Seeing you like that is like the most beautiful thing to see! For the pain you caused me, for leaving me like that. For being a COWARD!! You're a coward, Tokiya!!! A COWARD!!!" she shouted at his face, releasing all the hatred she felt at that moment. Sudden flashes of memories kept coming on her mind, igniting the hatred she had saved for him through all these years.
And seeing him like this meant she was successful. Mission accomplished. She's supposed to be celebrating, right? She's supposed to be jumping out of joy. She had waited eight years for this, hasn't she?
But why? Why the fuck am I crying? Again? And again, for him!
"How dare you call me such judging words, Fuuko? You have no right to call me that!"
"You never come back! I waited for you, Tokiya. I thought you will come after me and tell me you're sorry and that you want us back together. Did you fight for me? Did you fight for your love, for my love? For OUR love? Don't tell me I don't have the right, Tokiya. I have all the right to judge you more than anyone else," she snarled back at him, completely vanishing the feeling to fight the tears back.
It's just right. She'll cry. She'll cry for him to realize how awful he was as a person. And that he would blame himself for everything that happened, for the sorrows…for everything…for…
"I did. I came after you, Fuuko," he cut her striking words. If she continued, he would die at the pain that every word delivered. Eyeing her with a tearful expression, he whispered, "I went to the States and searched for you. To tell you that I regret everything, that I was foolish to let you go. But it was too late. He was there, and you have him already. And you think I never tried? How could you judge me as though you're the only one who felt pain? I was hurt the same way you did…and thus you don't have the right to accuse me…"
Fuuko just stared at him with both eyes and mouth opened. All of what he said was hard to digest in one gulp. She let the remaining tears fall freely to her cheek, down to her collar bone and to the newly tailored gown she was wearing.
Tokiya looked down at her with the most sorrowful expression he ever displayed in his lifetime. Cupping her cheeks with his pale hands he uttered. "I love you, Fuuko. I always have…"
With those words, he descended his lips on hers…probably for the last time. And before Fuuko could gain awareness, he was no where to be seen.
The End.
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A/N: Nyahahahhah. Kiddin! Of course you know I'm kidding, right?I cannot just end that story like that!
Readers: You fucking retard!-throws tomatoes at the author-
Me: What? –dodges all tomatoes- Geez, get a grip on urself people! I said I was kiddin!
Alright, alright. I'm sorry. I was just tempted to make it an angst story…Nyahahahahaha –receives more glares from readers- OOpzy, well, this is my new year gift to you and I hope you like it…hmmm, you probably got my plot now? O.O ur pretty good if u do.
I probably got errors here and there, but hey! I checked this chappy you know!
Thank you for reading and I will definitely appreciate reviews and pieces of mind. –bows-
REVIEW….or else…Nyahahahahahaha! No seriously people, after reading, u are obliged to review…Ja ne!