Chapter 5

She is Mine

"Hihara-san, Good evening." Yunoki had entered the backstage before taking his seat among the audience. As usual, he had worn that signatured aura.

"Yunoki-san, K-Komban Wa." Hihara stammered, getting nervous on his upcoming performance. Of course Yunoki had sensed it.

"Just think of this as one of the selections we had during our concours, only this time you're already a victor." He played the role of a concerned friend. Hihara smiled, appreciating what he did but he was still nervous. And Yunoki's smile gave him little confidence.

"By the way, is Hino-san coming?" He asked.

"Yes. I guess she's with Tsukimori-san." He informed, scrutinizing how Yunoki would react but his expression did not change; he still had that smiling cool appearance. He did not know what he was thinking but nonetheless he continued, "Please don't hurt Kaho."

"Don't worry, I won't." He smiled his ever so pleasing smile. "Gambatte ne, Hihara-san." [Good Luck] Then he left him, proceeding to his seat at the audience.

Kahoko wore a black spaghetti-strapped bubble dress, which was accented by a white bolero. Her hair was kept in a braid, revealing the pair of diamond stud she wore on her ears. She was gorgeous even with such simplicity.

Len simply wore a black suit, not finding this event that important to him. What made the night beautiful was Kahoko and that was his only concern. He had brought with him his black MW.

"Another car? How many more would I see, Tsukimori-san?" She humored, hoping that she could see a smile or a giggle. But she failed; there had been no change in his expression, as always he had been stern and cold. Not one of the people who attempted to humor him succeeded even once. Len opened the door of the car for her, without saying anything and went to the driver's seat. He was about to start the engine when Kaho halted him.

"Wait! Tsukimori-san, thanks for accepting the invitation." She uttered, wearing a very sweet smile. He had smiled it for only him once again.

"It's a payment. I was in debt to you when I left you at the party." He just had to remind her, but she still kept a half-smile on and was thankful he was her companion and not anyone else.

"But still Thank You." That smile once again flashed. This was the second this night and he wanted to see more of that smile. He wanted that smile to be only his. That sense of selfishness once again crouched to his every vein.

They were both quiet on the road; the only thing that disrupted the silence was the music Len had played in his player. They were instrumentals and the only music that caught her attention was the Morning Mood by Grieg, a flute solo. She had remembered Yunoki and the first time she heard him play his instrument.

[Flashback]

Kahoko was runnning rapidly to the music department, hoping that she could sill get a practice room for herself.

"Hino-san, are you going to practice today?" The attendant asked.

"Hai." She gasped, breathless.

"You are lucky, there's one remaining practice room available. It's there at the far-end." She pointed. Kaho traced it with her eyes and saw that it was still a long way.

"A-arigatuo." But she did not fail to say thank you, that was the proper thing to do. She bowed down before her with her ever so kind smile. Kaho then started walking, every room she passsed were like different music boxes containing different melodies. As she came nearer her room, a music has escaped from one of the rooms. It enchanted her. Where is this from? She was amazed and as she came to her practice room, she realizes it came from the room across hers. Its door was open, revealing Azuma Yunoki. That was the first time she saw and heard him play his instrument, his flute. But she has already met him and he has saved her from his evil supporters. He looked so graceful and so beautiful. So this is why the girls go crazy over him. He's handsome, he's rich, he's kind and he could play the flute so beautifully and gracefully.

"Kakui…" Sound escaped from her mouth without her notice. Yunoki stopped, realizing there was company. He looked her way.

"Yes?" He smiled that signature smile. She was awed by his grace. She blushed.

[End Of Flashback]

She didn't want to see him but she's longing for him, no doubt about that. Is Yunoki going? She thought. Leb halted the car just outside the gates of the cncert hall, noticing Kahoko thinking deeply about something.

"What's wrong Tsukimori-san? Why are we not getting in the gates yet?" Kahoko asked, wondering problem Len saw, when she saw no predicament along their way.

"Are you sure you want to get in?" Len asked not looking at her. His voice as bleak and expressionless as it had always been. He just had to know. The quesstion puzzled her.

"Why?" She asked him. Len sighed. Is she really that blind? He complained in his thoughts.

"Never mind." He drove in slowly, preying his eyes on any available space at the parking lot. Is is about Azuma, he's worrying? Was that it? She tried unlocking the mystery in his enigmatic cold gazes. Was he worrying about me? But that's jjust not Tsukimori-san.

There was a tap on her window. It snapped her out of her thoughts. It was Tsukimori. We've parked? But why did he not tell me? Pfft… She thought. She waited for Len to open her door, but he left her there instead.

Now what's wrong with him? She opened the door on her own instead. She walked fast to catch up with Len.

"Chotto Matte, Tsukimori-san." [Wait up.] She called. He looked at her with those cold gazes.

"I thought you wouldn' t get in." He uttered, walking slowly to let her walk beside him. She looked through his eyes, trying to decipher what he really wanted to say. Why does he love playing charades?

"You're always lost in thoughts; you wouldn't enjoy the concert if you're going to go on like that." He spoke.

"Huh?" She was caught ungauarded again.

"See." He uttered. Kahoko didn't get it and Len wasn't kind enough to say it the second time around. She sighed.

As the usher escorted them to their seats they noticed a familiar purple-haired guy sitting beside their chairs. Instantly, Kahoko and Len knew who it was. Yunoki! It rang in Kaho's thoughts. The beating of her heart was faster than the way it was supposed to beat. Then she felt her legs not responding to what her brain was commanding it. She remained there, as though she'd been glued on that place. She was nervous. She wanted to faint, she felt like she really was going to faint. That was the only escape she found. But if she does faint then she is telling Yunoki that she really is weak and that he had won.

Be brave, Kaho. She told herself, trying to pull herself together. She was about to cry but then she felt cold hands clasped around hers. She traced it to see the owner and saw Len Tsukimori looking at her, still cold but those gazes were nonetheless comforting and warm. Kahoko found her smile again. Len and Kahoko then sat on their seats. Len felt he has a chance to put that smile on her, to own that ever so weet and kind smile.

Yunoki looked at them with a smile. "What a coincidence! Well, Hihara-kun told me he invited you but I didn't expect you coming."

"Good evening." Kahoko simply uttered. But Len did not speak to him at all, he just glared at him. Why does he have to be here and let Kahoko suffer? All his life, Len never liked Yunoki and he never would.

The concert then started wih their hands still locked into each other. It was a solo performance of their violinist. She played a La Chanson de l'adieu (from Étude No.3 (Opus 10-3) by Chopin. It was the same piece Kahoko had played on the first selection. It reminded Kaho of how rejected she was, Tsukimori had made him feel that way. She felt that if she didn't meet Lily and was not given the magic violin, she wouldn't have learned playing the instrument or play at the concours.

Len saw her worried expression he held her hand tighter, comforting her without those words. Len's silence was company to her right now. Arigatou, Tsukimori-san. She thanked him in her thoughts. Then there were three group preformances and finally it was Hihara's solo performance. He played Serenade by Schubert, the piece he once played in the concours during the thrid selection. He had improved no doubt about that. The technical skills had improved immensely jiving with his emotions. At that moment, Len saw the smile in Kaho's face, proud of what Hihara has achieved.

There is no doubt that I am a lot better than this man playing before us. But I just couldn't understand why I never saw her this happy when I play my violin. Would she be as proud as she is right now, if I was the one performing in front of this crowd? He was jealous no doubt.

"Tsukimori-san, why are you not focusing on Hihara's performance? Do you have something far more interesting subject than his performance?" Yunoki whispered into Tsukimori's ears, noticing his gazes at Kahoko. He glared at him and scowled at him.

"This is none of your business, Azuma-san." He uttered coldly. He smiled that signature smile of him and looked back at the performance. Len looked away. This time Kahoko had turned her gaze towards the invitation she had been holding.

"The next performance would be some special guest. I wonder who it would be? Some famous musician from Europe? I can't wait." She tried sounding excited as she whispered it to his ears but it was obvious that she wasn't that pleased, Yunoki was there and it brought back the sad emotions and the painful memories. Len just stared at her and went back to watching Hihara and finally he was done. There was a sounding applause. Then they called their guest performer.

"Azuma Yunoki-san…" Upon hearing the name Kahoko's world darkened. She felt herself shattering again and again. Yunoki… He smiled as he walked up, not takinh his eyes off his little prey, Kahoko. She stood up, not wanting to hear the piece he'll play. Whatever it was, she knows it will hurt her more.

Len looked at her. He didn't want her to go, he didn't want to let go of her hands. She wanted her to stay beside him. Kahoko looked at him with lamenting eyes, pleading him to let her go. This was situation, he did not want to be in, but Kahoko was about to cry. Probably she was crying deep in her heart. He wanted to comfort her but Kahoko didn't want him to. He was taken aback, he let go. He realized, he never would have her, he never would own her. As Yunoki played Notturno d' Amore "Serenade" by Drigo, Len felt so lost. Darkness once again loomed over him. He lost her to the man who threw her away.

Kahoko ran away, walking out to the parking lot. For her, it was the safest place she could cry, the safest place she could release her hurt. That piece, he once played it for her on a surprise party thrown by her friends to get her back to playing the violin when she had stopped once long ago. The serenade he had sweetly whispered into her ears. Why can't I just forget about it? She scolded herself for not being strong enough to face him and her haunting memories. She stayed there, hesitating if she would go back inside.

Finally, Yunoki had finished his piece and got a thundering applause. He was as good as he was before. He was still smiling but he did not proceed to his seat. He passed by Len and uttered, "She's mine." That shattered Len a million times over. He immediately left the concert hall, walking out to the parking lot. He was looking for her. Len knew he would and he was not planning to go after him. But some part of him wanted him to run after him and stop him from hurting her once more but he just couldn't move. Hihara saw everythin from where he was. He wanted to confront them but there was one last piece he had to play and that stopped him from doing so.

Kahoko… The three men chorused in their thoughts, eahc having their own sentiments. But one thing was common, they all wanted Kahoko.

Yunoki finally saw what he wanted, her red-haired prey. A devilish smile was drawn on his face. "Hino…" He whispered into her ears as soon as he had wrapped his arms around her waist, with her back facing him. She could feel his scent, evading her every senses. She was growing numb. He was in control of her, she could never escape that and that's a fact. He kissed her sweet scented hair.

"Hino, you still love me. I could feel it." Yunoki uttered as he turned her around. He saw those lamenting eyes but he did not care. All he wanted was she. "Hino…"

Finally the concert ended. Tsukimori couldn't uncerstand but he was rushing out. His thoughts filled with Kahoko, his heart breaking. He had always been in control of his emotions but this time he couldn't control him, he can't stop the beating of his heart. He still did not understand what Kahoko is to her.

Hihara was running out, not waiting for any congratulations from any of the people in their orchestra . All he cared now was Kahoko. He just had to see her and assure that she's okay. Tsukimori and Hihara arrived at the parking lot at the same time. They saw him wrapped around Kahoko, they were at the most isolated place in the parking lot.

"No…" Len uttered in his thoughts.

Yunoki plunged a kiss into her lips selfishly. She started crying, tears flooding out of her eyes. The pain was unbearable. "You annoy me Kaho. I can't take you off my head and I know that you feel the same because you have never stopped loving me. Why are you fooling yourself, Kaho?" Those grim dark eyes were embedded on him once again, the sweet and kind Yunoki was once again gone, vanquished by the dark Yunoki. He kissed her once more, telling her that he was his and no one could ever take her from him.

"You are mine, Hino. You will forever be mine…" But Kahoko's thoughts drifted back to Tsukimori. He was more worried about him and how he'll react if he'll see this. Gome Nasai Tsukimori-san… She knew that it will be hard to break free from his bonds.

"I have claimed you mine long ago." It echoed in her thoughts. All she did was cried. Yunoki once again had found the perfect way to hurt her. She could never escape him, that was a fact.

Tsukimori couldn't believe what he saw. It tore him apart, shattering him into small bits of fragments.

Thanks for reading everyone. I hope you enjoyed this. A million thanks to those who made this story their favorite and to those who reviewed this, it really means a lot to me. Please review. :]

Chapter 6

Whne the Ice breaks

*Yunoki has claimed Kahoko but would he succeed getting her once again? Would Tsukimori once again leave her? What would Hihara do about it? See you all on the next chapter.

"Who is Kahoko to you, Tsukimori-san?" Yunoki asked