A/N: Chapter 5 is up~! Hehe. Sorry for the late update guys, I was too lazy to type…XD But, here you go.
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Chapter 5: A New Rival
Shouichi was running- why? It was because he was getting late for class. Yes, that's true, he was getting late. It was Monday and Shouichi always wakes up early just to arrive at school on time. And it irritated the redhead since the cause of him waking up late was no other than his self-proclaimed fiancé who practically woke him up in the middle of the night just to tell his how his day was. Shouichi-of course, didn't ride with the achromatic-haired male to school, he vowed to himself that if he was late today he would never talk to Byakuran. After all, Shouichi didn't want to stain his perfect no late, note absences record.
Byakuran-the man who's making Shouichi's life miserable-was always on his mind. He still even recalled the kiss they had on the Ferris wheel. Shouichi stops and he blushes furiously. That- he wasn't supposed to remember but it always imprints on his mind. And a kiss is only done with the person you like. Shouichi gapes at the thought. D-D-D-D-D-Does that mean…Byakuran…like him? Shouichi shooks his head and began to walk again, briskly this time. That is completely impossible. A ridiculous thought, a very ridiculous thought. Why would someone like that achromatic-haired man fall for someone like Shouichi? He wasn't some rich, famous person who everyone would admire. And yet…Byakuran would always say…
'I love you, Shou-chan…'
Shouichi bits his lip, does he really mean it? Why does he feel as though he wants to believe in Byakuran? Something is really telling him that he know something about the achromatic-haired male. But what could it be? Shouichi frowned inwardly. What could he even-
"Wah!" the redhead fell to the floor as he was bumped by someone. "Ow…" Rubbing his ass, Shouichi whimpered.
"Kufufu, are you alright?" a sweet, melodic voice asked. Shouichi snapped his head up at the smiling man. "Ah…" Shouichi inspected the other man from head to toe. From the uniform, he could tell that this man is a White Spell student, he had a weird pineapple hairstyle and his mismatched eyes stared the redhead down. Shouichi immediately stood and bowed at him.
"I'm so sorry, I wasn't paying attention." Shouichi apologized. 'Thinking about Byakuran-san really makes me become absent minded.' He thought to himself, sweat dropping. The pineapple-haired male chuckled at the redhead. "Maa, I was the one who wasn't paying attention." He smirked, eyes glistening mysteriously as the redhead shifted uncomfortably under his gaze.
"Ah, but still, I'm so sorry." Shouichi scratched his head in embarrassment and apologized again. The male smiled and leaned in towards the redhead, which the redhead backed away with caution. "It's okay, no need to worry hmm?" the stranger grinned making the redhead stiff.
"Oh that's right, can you tell me where to find the Principal's office?" the stranger asked though he knows where exactly it was. Not that Shouichi noticed though.
"Oh, umm, it's on the white spell building. On the other side of the-"
"Oh, thanks. I remember now." The stranger laughed. Shouichi blinked then couldn't help but feel curious. "A-Ano, are you new here?" The stranger turned to the redhead and smirked. "Yes." Was his reply. Shouichi just 'oh-ed' and nodded. He couldn't believe himself having a conversation with this stranger then he remembered he was actually getting late, muttering a quick apology again and a 'see you around', Shouichi quickly began to walk to the direction of his class.
"Kufufu. I'm Rokudo Mukuro by the way." The stranger quickly added, making Shouichi turn to him. Should he give his name too?
"Ah, I'm Irie Shou-"
"Shouichi, I know." Mukuro interrupted with a sly smirk. Shouichi blinked, and then blinked some more. One question immediately formed in his head.
"Ano- how did you know my name?" he asked. Mukuro's smile grew to new heights. "Kufufu, I just know. Well then, I better be off." Mukuro winked at the redhead before he walked off to where ever it was he was going leaving a stunned Shouichi in the middle of the hallway. The redhead was just standing there, confused that how the stranger knew his name. And something about that man-Rokudo Mukuro was it?- something about his stare made the redhead's uncomfortable to the extent that he wanted to run away from the man as fast as possible. And that could also mean that that man is dangerous.
The bell rang and Shouichi panicked and immediately shook his head and immediately ran. He just hope everything went well and he should stop thinking about the stranger he just met. Missing the pair of mismatched eyes that followed his retreating form, Mukuro let out and amuse chuckle, going out from his hiding place.
'Kufufu, how cute…' The pineapple-haired male smirked. The game has just begun.
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Shouichi sighed in relief as he sat on their usual table in the cafeteria. He was thankful that he wasn't late, and that their teacher arrived late who was complaining about delays and whatever that was he was talking about. Shouichi sat alone since Spanner was busy with something and Tsunayoshi was having lessons with his tutor. Ah, what a peaceful day.
"Shou-chan!" Not, Shouichi is definitely dreaming if he thinks his day would be peaceful. Mechanically turning to the owner of the voice, the redhead scowled annoyingly at the sight of the very white man he hated to see though the heating up of his cheeks makes another sense.
"Byaku-ack!"
"Shou-chan! Let's have lunch together hmm~?" Byakuran jumped at the redhead, hugging him close. Shouichi went stiff at the moment the white man buried his chin on his shoulder, feeling the soft puffs breath on his neck. Feeling the unhidden murmurs of his fellow students, Shouichi struggled out of Byakuran's arms.
The white man frowned as the redhead scooted away from him. Grabbing the redhead's wrist, Byakuran pulled the redhead to another suffocating embrace. "Shou-chan is mad at me, I wonder what I did wrong." The achromatic-haired male mumbled in Shouichi's vermillion locks. 'Who wouldn't be mad at you? And besides, you're a man, you should know your mistakes' Shouichi wanted to say but he doesn't. Somehow, looking at a frowning Byakuran is making him feel guilty. Guess he have no choice huh…
"I'm not mad, Byakuran-san" he muttered, trying to calm his rapidly beating heart. Byakuran instantly brightened up and hugged Shouichi a lot tighter than before. Hearing the girls growl, Shouichi tried to struggle but he knew it was useless since Byakuran is unexplainably strong.
"Really? Shou-chan's not mad?" the achromatic-haired asked, acting like a kid. Shouichi swallowed closed his eyes.
"I'm not mad, Byakuran-san." Shouichi gasped as Byakuran tightened his arms around him tightly. "That's good!" Byakuran said, smirking viciously.
"Gah! Bya-Bya-Byakuran-san! C-C-C-C-can't breathe!" Shouichi begged, if Byakuran wouldn't let him go now he would definitely faint. And Shouichi is not fond of fainting. The other male chuckled as he finally pulled away from the redhead.
"Sorry Shou-chan, you are so cute! I couldn't resist!" Byakuran squealed that the redhead thought he can join the girls in his own fan-club. But that didn't fail to make him look away with a tint of red on his cheeks though. Something is really wrong, because every time he sees Byakuran's sweet smile or if he was even somewhere near the redhead, he suddenly get this strange feeling. What could it possibly be?
"Byakuran-san, you know-"
"Kyaaaaaaa! Look! Who is that handsome white spell!" Shouichi flinched at the squeal.
"Kyaa! Who is that?" The entire girl's attention turned to the newcomer.
Shouichi and Byakuran turned to the cause of commotion. The redhead titled his head to get a better view at the familiar male which suddenly caught everyone's attention.
"Is he a new student?"
"Waa! What a strange hairstyle!"
Shouichi blinks as the familiar person finally came to view. Wait-isn't that the man he bumped to earlier? He's coming this way to! Wait-WHAT? Shouichi continued to blink as the familiar person caught sight of Shouichi then a sly smile resided on his face. The girls started to take out their phones and cameras just to take a photo of the handsome male. Byakuran frowned as the new student came to a halt at their table. This man-was Rokudo Mukuro.
"Ah~ Mukuro-kun, What that hell are you doing here?" Byakuran asked, smiling mischievously. Shouichi thought something is very wrong with that smile. Sweet but dangerous. Mukuro grinned at the sight of Byakuran.
"I should ask you the same question, Byakuran." Mukuro countered earning an airy chuckle from the white man. Shouichi stared at the scene before him. D-Do they know each other? An arm wrapped around the redhead's waist and he was pulled again towards the white man.
"I'm here because my dear Shou-chan is here as well." Byakuran said, nuzzling the redhead's cheek. Shouichi flushed at the intimate action.
"Kufufu, Is that so?" Mukuro grinned. Shouichi was beginning to think there was some war going on between these two weird people. The way Byakuran stared at the pineapple man seems to be having a hint of danger and torture and also the other way around. The redhead wished he was somewhere else than here. And more importantly-
"Byakuran-san, do you two know each other?" Shouichi asked, heads turned towards him. Byakuran chuckled softly.
"Ah~ Shou-chan, this is Mukuro-kun. A nobody." Byakuran smiled sweetly at him. Shouichi and Mukuro twitched.
"Kufufu, a nobody huh?"Mukuro raised a brow at the white man, twitching as he did so. Byakuran smirked. Shouichi is already gaping like a fish at the two. There really is an internal war going on with these two. You can just tell be looking at the looks of their faces.
"Mukuro-san!" a blonde male called out. "Kufufu, Ken, Chikusa." He muttered, turning to his companions.
"It seems it's time to go." Mukuro suddenly said looking back at Byakuran and the redhead. "It was so not good to see you again, Byakuran." He smirked. Byakura chuckled melodically. "The feeling is mutual."
Mukuro rolled his eyes and this time turned to the redhead. "It was nice to meet you again, Irie Shouichi-kun." He smiled, making the girls squeal. Shouichi snapped out of his trance and smiled faintly.
"It-it was nice to meet you too, Mukuro-san." He said, embarrassed. Byakuran seemed to notice and frowned. "Kufufu, and Shouichi-kun…" Mukuro started, earning a confused look from Shouichi. "Y-Yes?" Leaning forward, Mukuro kissed the redhead's cheek. Gasps were emitted from the girls while a surprised Byakuran just blinked. Pulling away, Mukuro laughed at the redhead's reaction. Flushing and unable to comprehend what just happened, Shouichi went frozen.
"Kufufu, thanks for the help earlier. Fufufu…." Mukuro waved his hand as he walked away with his companions.
"Shou-chan…" Byakuran's voice snapped the redhead back to reality. Shouichi turned to the white man to see him frowning. Shouichi bit his lip. What did he do wrong?
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"You have to stay away from Mukuro-kun." Byakuran suddenly reminds him after a few minutes of silence. Shouichi turned to the white man walking beside him and realizes he was staring at him with a serious expression on his face. Shouichi looks away and replies with a tired sigh. He doesn't actually know what to say to that. He barely even knew the man that he should know whether to stay away from him or not. They were on their way to Shouichi's classroom-well, Shouichi was and Byakuran…Byakuran was just tagging along.
As they walk through the corridor, Shouichi could feel stares directed at them-or directed at his achromatic-haired companion. The stares directed at him were glares but he ignored them. He just wanted to reach his classroom as quick as possible. From the corner of his eyes, Shouichi could feel Byakuran staring at him and it made him feel kind of nervous.
After the incident in the cafeteria, Shouichi couldn't help but wonder how come Byakuran and Rokudo Mukuro came to know each other and how Mukuro know his name. And what could possibly be their relationship to each other that by the looks on their faces, it seemed like they wanted to kill each other. Shouichi feels that something fishy is going on between the two.
Putting the thoughts aside, Shouichi sighs tiredly. Ah-
Blinking, Shouichi realized that he was grabbed by his companion and just saved him from bumping into a wall. Stumbling against his companion, Shouichi curses himself for being absent-minded. Moving to straighten himself, Shouichi turned to Byakuran to utter an apology but his words got stuck on his throat. Shouichi's emerald eyes were locked on his companion's lavender ones. 'Ah-so close' Shouichi couldn't tell how many seconds passed by just staring into those piercing lavender eyes. 'So mysterious yet beautiful…and familiar.'
"Shou-chan…" Shouichi could feel the taller male moving closer to him, leaning in more closely, closer…and closer…
"Byakuran-sama." Shouichi pushes the other's face away and turned to see Kikyo. Byakuran's mood seemed to change when he turned to the teal-haired male.
"What is it Kikyo-kun?" he asked, voice sweet yet seemed to have a shaper edge on it. As the two talked, Shouichi was clutching at his face. They-they almost did it again. The redhead could feel his cheeks heating up at the thought of kissing Byakuran again and this time, it was in the middle of the hallway! He needs to get away-and that means NOW! Before he gets mesmerize by Byakuran again. Freeing himself from the other man's hold-Shouichi turned to the direction of his classroom. He just ran, ignoring Byakuran's protests. Shouichi was beginning to hate himself. He hated himself for feeling so strange whenever he's around Byakuran.
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"Five more laps!" Shouichi could hear his teacher bark at his classmates. Shouichi sighs and grabs his glasses, placing it securely at his pocket before he splashes his face with water. Blindly searches for the towel-
"Kufufu, here you go." A soft whisper on his ear made the redhead flush and turned to the unwanted presence. Even though his vision was kind of blurry-the redhead could tell who it was.
"Mukuro-san!" he exclaimed. Mukuro chuckled as he handed the redhead the towel who took it willingly. "Um, thanks." Shouichi mumbled.
"Kufufufu, I didn't think that I would meet you again." Mukuro smiled. Shouichi forced as smile as he put on his glasses to get a better view of the man. "Uh, don't you have any classes Mukuro-san?" he asked, wondering why he was here. Mukuro eyed the redhead and smiled. "Yes." Shouichi blinked.
"Then, why are you here? Are you-"
"Kufufufu, I just wanted to see you." Mukuro's smile grew to new heights when the redhead's eyes widened.
"S-s-see me?" Shouichi stuttered. The taller male chuckled. "Yes, I heard your Byakuran's bride to be." The redhead backed away as Mukuro began to loom over him.
"Kufufu, you're very interesting." Mukuro frowned then pushed the redhead to the wall behind him harshly pinning the redhead with his hands splayed on the either side of Shouichi's head. A playful smirked reformed on the taller male's face.
"After all these years, I still don't understand what he sees in you." Mukuro said, eyeing the redhead from head to toe.
"Uh…Mukuro-san, I don't under-"
"Understand?" Mukuro finished for him. Shouichi kept his mouth shut as the other male began to laugh. Shouichi didn't certainly understand what's going on.
"Ah, I really what Byakuran sees in you, Irie Shouichi-kun."
"What Byakuran-san sees in me?" the redhead asked. "That's right. You may be smart but you're not rich at all. You're not like a princess that everyone would look up upon. I really wonder…" Mukuro trailed off, moving more closely towards the redhead who was desperately pushing at his chest. The taller male inhaled the redhead's scent. "I really wonder…why he is so obsessed with you…"
"Um, Mukuro-san!" Shouichi pushed the other man away with much force. "Kufufu. What a feisty little one." Mukuro chuckled, securing the redhead's hands with his and pinned them above the struggling Shouichi's head.
"Now, now, don't worry. I won't do anything." Mukuro smirked as the redhead's eyes narrowed. 'Yet.' Mukuro added to himself.
"Please let me go, Mukuro-san" Shouichi said. Mukuro raised a brow. "Kufufu. I think I can't do that just yet. You see, I want to tell you something…" he leaned closer, his forehead touching the redhead's and limbs bumping against each other.
"Something to tell me?" Shouichi raised a brow. "Yes, about your dearest Byakuran."
Shouichi was silent for a moment. What is this person trying to prove? And why on earth should he listen to him? He barely knew him and yet he was here with the person he had met a few hours ago and was holding him in a very irritating and awkward situation. There was something on Mukuro's expression that really looks strange; the look that you know if a certain person was scheming something. And by the looks of it, Mukuro is giving that kind of expression. He was scheming something, and Shouichi was his first victim.
Though on the other side of Shouichi, he wanted to know about what Mukuro is about to say to him. Since it was about Byakuran, he couldn't help but get curious. After all, he was just forced to live with the person, who claims to be his fiancé and that person is one of the person Shouichi wanted to know about. He wanted to know more about Byakuran even if a part of him didn't want to.
And anyway, how the hell did this Mukuro guy knew about Shouichi being Byakuran's bride to be? (he's not a woman damn it!) Why is he-
"Kufufu, what a troubled face you got there." Mukuro's playful voice interrupted his thoughts. Shouichi glared at him and he couldn't help but wonder. "Do you know Byakuran-san?" he asked, not so sure why. Mukuro seemed to be surprised but he did not show it, instead he frowned.
"Oya? He didn't even mention me to you. I'm hurt." Shouichi almost scowled. 'You don't look hurt at all.' Shouichi wanted say but refrained at least he knew, Mukuro and Byakuran did know each other.
"Yes, we know each other. In fact, he's my childhood friend." Now, Shouichi didn't expect that. His eyes went wide and Mukuro seem to be amused at his reaction. They just didn't know each other-they were childhood friends!
"Your Byakuran-san's friend?" It had somehow affected to Shouichi to some level that he could hardly believe it. But still, Byakuran-san was certainly a friendly person. (Though he still irritates Shouichi and would kis-urg!) Mukuro frowned and gave a dramatic sigh.
"Too bad, I never considered him as my friend at the moment that happened." He said, earning a confused look from Shouichi.
"'That' happened?" he asked and Mukuro's mood seemed to change. Smiles disappeared and replaced by a firm line as if he was concentrating and his eyes narrowed. "Yes, after that happened Irie Shouichi, I never considered him as a friend at the very moment he met you." Shouichi seemed to have become deaf as he heard those words fall from Mukuro's lips.
"A-At the moment he met me? But we just met-"
"Just a few days ago?" Mukuro interrupted. Shouichi stared to the ground. Oh god, there was something very wrong. Something was-
'Nice to meet you Shou-chan! I hope we become good friends.'
Shouichi began to tremble. He felt nauseous and his head hurt.
'I want to Shou-chan to be my fiancé! Promise me, nee? Nee?'
He felt faint, voices…were echoing in his mind...
Mukuro frowned as he saw the redhead getting pale all of a sudden. "Hey, what's wrong?" he asked as the redhead was beginning to breathe heavily. He let Shouichi go and caught him as he slumped in his arms.
Shouichi was clutching at his head in an attempt to stop it from aching unpleasantly. Something…someone's voice, was echoing in his head repeatedly.
'Shou-chan…Shou-chan…Shou-chan…'
"Shou-chan." Mukuro turned around, still cuddling the suddenly weak redhead in his arms. Shouichi blinked at the newcomer, white-
"Byaku-" Shouichi stopped at the sight of Byakuran's angry expression. It was the first time he saw the achromatic-haired male's angry expression, and it certainly sent shivers down the redhead's spine.
"Kufufu, this is a surprise." Shouichi feels Mukuro's hands tightening his grip on him. But he couldn't struggle, he still felt faint and weak. Byakuran's eyes narrowed, lavender eyes more piercing than the usual.
"What are you doing here Mukuro-kun?" the achromatic-haired asked, putting a lot of control in his tone. "Oya? Shouldn't that be my question too?" Mukuro countered, earning a piercing glare from Byakuran. The redhead could feel their aura change drastically the longer they glared at each other. Byakuran turned to the redhead in the other's hold and he frowned.
"Give Shou-chan to me." He demanded. Mukuro raised a brow and turned to the bundle of limbs in his arms and smirked.
"Why should I?" he countered. Byakuran remained on his spot, but still glared at Mukuro. Shouichi was beginning to hate this.
"Give Shou-chan to me." He demanded again, this time Mukuro's smile grew to new heights. "Sure, sure. Why not?" he began to lean in to Shouichi and gave a chaste peck on the redhead's lips. Before he would even have the chance to turn to Byakuran, the pineapple-haired man was pushed up against the wall. Shouichi almost slipped from his arms, which was now in-between the two male.
"O-oya, quite aggressive aren't we?" Mukuro taunted despite his current situation. Byakuran glared coldly at him.
"Tch." Byakuran grabbed the redhead from the other's hold and carried the redhead in his arm, bridal-style. Turning away from the pineapple-haired male, Byakuran walked away. Mukuro was left there, alone.
"Kufufu, Interesting. Very interesting." He muttered to himself. "I would want to see more of that expression of yours, Byakuran." He chuckled softly.
"I want to see what expression you will have, when I take away your most precious person. Kufufu. This game is getting more interesting." Mukuro smirked, mismatched eyes glistening mysteriously.
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A/N: There you go. Chapter 5 is finished~ :) Reviews? Yes please! Reviews would be pretty much appreciated.
Spoilers:
Chapter 6: Well, Shouichi is beginning to distance himself from Byakuran, and the achromatic-haired man doesn't like that at all. And what will Mukuro do now? It's on the next chapter! :p