Chapter 9
He sat at his desk marking papers. The students were working on their homework that he had assigned. It seemed like it was going to be a calm, normal day in his life.
His eyes fell onto Kuae as she seemed to scribble something into her workbook. She looked like she was distracted; as if something was weighing heavily on her mind. Such knowledge would have to wait until after the school day. His mouth became a hard line as he realized a lack of patience. He didn't want to wait.
As he sat and watched, he noticed how well she had been doing. After what had happened with that gang, he thought she would have been limping around for a few days. Her black eye was next to gone, and she moved just as well as she had beforehand. She had been quick to jump back on her feet. The fact made him smile inwardly.
What they had may have been morally wrong to many people, but he believed it was the best part of his life. No one could help who they fell for. It was just something that could happen.
I groaned as I hit my head against my locker. The day just seemed to drag on longer than it should have. History class was as horrible as it always had been. Sesshoumaru had more or less stopped making a fool out of me in the classroom. That didn't change the fact that history and its contents were as dull as a white wall for me. Today's lecture and homework hadn't been that exciting.
I felt a pat on my shoulder before there was a small laugh.
"You gunna make it through the day?" Sana asked with a raised brow.
"She doesn't look like it… maybe we should give her shock therapy?" Shin's voice added jokingly.
"That's so mean Shin!" Sana protested, giving him a shove.
I laughed at their playful argument before shaking my head.
"Oh I think I'll live for the next hour," I stated with a small smile, "School's just so boring."
"Compared to your daily life it is," Sana teased playfully.
"What's that mean?" Shin questioned.
"Oh nothing, she just found the man of her dreams."
"What? …Really? How come you didn't tell me Ku?"
"You were too busy with me to be curious."
"Ku's my friend too! You can't hog her all the time!"
Sighing, I grabbed my books for my next class. I knew Sana wouldn't tell Shin who it was, but she didn't have to bring it up.
"I'll talk to you guys later okay?" I laughed, "Have fun arguing about who gets to take me out next."
"Aw come on Ku!"
"Bye guys."
Giving my friends a wave, I walked through the busy hall to my next class.
I didn't really have the patience to listen to the two of them. I was happy that they had become so close, but I had a lot on my mind. My father's visit was still bothering me. I had argued with my aunt over it; telling her that she shouldn't have said anything to him. I told her that I was better off without him in my life. I understood why she wanted him to know, I just didn't want him to. He never cared or worried before, so he had no reason to now that I was better off.
My thoughts were cut off when I bumped into someone. My brows furrowed as I took a couple steps back. What was someone doing just standing in the middle of the hallway?
"May I see you for a few moments Abukara?"
Green orbs widened when I realized that it was Sesshoumaru.
"Can't it wait until after school?" I wondered with a raised brow, "I still have a class I have to go to."
"I wish to speak with you now," he stated with an emotionless tone; his eyes meeting with mine.
With a small sigh, I nodded my head, "Lead the way Mr. Taisho."
I followed him to an empty classroom, where he shut the door behind us.
'What's so important that you want to talk to me inside of the school?'
"Is something wrong?" I asked him, sitting on top of a desk.
"Something is on your mind," he stated, coming closer to me, "I wish to know if you are well."
"That couldn't wait until after school?" I questioned him doubtfully.
He shook his head at my words and his brows pushed together. He seemed to be thinking about something.
"I couldn't stand to think it had been something I had done," he told me, an almost anguished expression on his face.
He stood before me with those golden orbs looking into me. His hands came up to the side of my face as his forehead rested against mine.
"I needed to know if it was because of what we had done together…"
Looking up at him, I placed a kiss on his lips. He pulled me close as the kiss deepened. As our lips parted, I have him a sincere smile.
"You're a fool," I told him with a small laugh, "It's logical to worry, but I don't regret anything."
For a moment he seemed thoughtful, like he was considering what I was telling him.
I shook my head as I turned it to the side, "My beloved father decided to make an unwanted visit. Then I got into a fight with my aunt.
"I just have a couple things on my mind. I'll get over it."
He pulled me into an embrace before he kissed my forehead.
"I love you," I murmured, leaning into his embrace, "I'm sorry that I worried you."
"I love you too Kuae."
As he let me go, he gave me a gentle smile.
"Go to your class, and if your teacher asks just say that I needed to see you," he ordered, pointing to the doorway.
"Yes master, as you wish," I teased, sticking my tongue out at him before I left.
I caught him shake his head before I was gone into the hallway. The moment had caused me to smile. It was things like that that made all the fighting worth it.
His golden orbs glanced toward the classroom door at the sound of the end of the day bell. Something troublesome was coming… he could feel it. There was a wrong feeling around him.
"That's enough for the day class," he stated emotionlessly, closing the textbook on his desk, "Have your homework ready for tomorrow."
As the students started to leave, he started putting his things into his bag.
He didn't know why things felt as they did. After he had confronted her and she had told him everything was well, he believed that the feeling would have ended. The feeling still burned at the back of his mind. Shaking his head, he left the classroom and walked through the busy hallways. He would have rather felt like this elsewhere.
Upon reaching the parking lot, his eyes narrowed at the sight of an unfamiliar woman leaning against his car. As he got closer, he could see her red orbs following him. She wore a pink and red kimono with a fan that matched the outfit. There was something about her that told him she wasn't like normal women. She looked devious; like she was up to something.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, master Sesshoumaru," she greeted, standing up straight.
"I have no interest in what you have to say," he told the woman, watching her intently, "Leave."
"What if it was about that precious girl you hold so dear?" she mused with a small smirk, "Would you listen then?"
He felt his heart tighten at the mention of Kuae. She knew nothing of her. She had no right to say anything.
"No, I wouldn't," he stated, unlocking his car.
"She is merely a teenager. She will be fickle and not know what will make her happy," the woman started, not moving, "Do you really want to be put through that? To sit and watch as she flounders between men?"
His jaw tightened with her words. Who was she to say such things about something she didn't know at all?
"That girl knows more about herself than any other. She understands what it means when she's with someone," he growled at the woman, "She does not play the games that so many others do."
The woman came closer and she took hold of his chin. She looked up at him before leaning in closely.
"Are you so sure?" she asked with a raised brow.
He pulled out of her hold before getting into his car.
"Goodbye for now master Sesshoumaru."
I walked with Sana on the way home from school. We were talking about her relationship with Shin and how stupid he could be at times. The guy would be oblivious to the things that were around him. It could be pretty amusing.
"So you leant in to kiss him and he just walked to the side to look at something?" I asked with a small smile on my face, "That must have been irritating."
"I was kind of irritated," Sana admitted, shaking her head sheepishly, "but that's Shin for you, right?"
"Yeah I guess you could call it that," I laughed.
"What about you and Mr. Taisho?" she wondered teasingly, "You two do anything exciting recently?"
A blush formed on my cheeks at the question. A lot had happened recently…
"We kind of… had sex over the weekend…" I murmured, smiling at the thought.
I could still feel it; the connection we had shared together in that moment. Somehow it felt like a dream…
"You did what?" Sana exclaimed loudly; her tone louder than expected.
I shot her a glare at how loud she was being.
"That's just… wow…"
There were a few moments of silence before she pulled on my arm and stopped.
"What was it like?" she wondered, honestly curious.
"It hurt a lot honestly…" I told her, thinking about it, "but I've never felt connected to someone like that before. It was like there was no skin and… it was all emotion and passion."
Sana seemed thoughtful for a moment before she smiled happily at me.
"I'm really happy for you Ku," she told me, giving me a hug.
I smiled pleasantly as I hugged her back. It was in that moment that my green eyes wandered across the street to the school parking lot. I could see him – Sesshoumaru – standing there with another woman. They seemed to be talking…
"Ku, are you okay?" Sana wondered, feeling my arms loosen.
She turned around to see where I was looking.
The woman got close to him, and my eyes widened as they kissed. I could feel it; my heart clenching tightly in my chest. My stomach turned, and it felt like I would be sick.
"Oh Ku…" Sana said lowly.
My brows furrowed as I turned away, "Let's go home."
'How could he do this to me?' I asked myself, the pain in my chest getting tighter. 'How could he…'
"Are you going to be okay?" Sana wondered, sounding apologetic.
"I'll be fine," I told her, shaking my head, "I was a fool to think it would last now. He probably got what he wanted… now he doesn't need me anymore."
"Ku, don't think like what. What id it's a misunderstanding?"
"Yeah," I laughed humorlessly, "Since when does anything good in my life last more than a few moments?"
Shaking my head again, I was starting to brood. After everything… this was how it was going to be?
"Stop thinking like your life is in the grand canyon," Sana demanded, her own brows pushing together, "He wouldn't be able to fake or lie about anything like that. If he loves you, Kuae Abukara, then he wouldn't drop you."
"I couldn't stand to think it was because of something I had done…"
"Since when are you a psychiatrist?" I questioned with a raised brow.
"Right now, when I decided to," she laughed with a sincere smile, "Talk to him before you get pissed off."
'After everything… would you really lie to me about how you felt?'
"I'll think about it."
"I'll see you tomorrow Ku," she said with a tight hug, "Don't do something stupid."
Nodding my head, I gave her a wave before we parted ways. As I thought about it, my heart still ached at the sight. Could it really have all been just a big lie? Would he really have been able to use me like I meant nothing at all?'
'Could it really have meant nothing to you?'
He stared at the ceiling; his golden orbs unblinking and thoughtful. He could feel it, that same feeling burning at his heart. Why did everything suddenly feel distant? Why did it feel like he was no longer connected to her?
"Damn it," he hissed, his browed furrowing in frustration.
He hated this feeling; more than he really knew. After working so hard and trying to keep things at a steady pace… it shouldn't have felt like this.
Shaking his head, he let out a tired yawn. Speaking to her would have to wait until later. If he could get a hold of her the next day, then they could discuss the matter further. He wasn't ready to believe that after everything things would end in a poor manor. She meant far too much for that.
When I opened my eyes in the morning, I didn't want to get up. I didn't even want to move. It was a weird feeling. Not once had I not wanted to do at least something. Not even when my mother had passed away. I had cried myself to sleep every night for a week, but I always got up in the morning. Now… now just felt different.
'Why does everything feel so heavy?' I wondered, my brows knitting together.
"Kuae, are you getting up for school?" my aunt called from down the hallway.
With a small sigh, I stared at the ceiling, "Yeah, I'm getting up."
"Alright…"
Pushing myself up, I looked around my room blankly.
"Stupid school," I muttered under my breath.
Grabbing my school uniform, I started to get dressed. For some reason it just didn't seem to matter if I did or not.
'Maybe it's the weather…'
Outside was cloudy; dark clouds lingering around the area. It looked like it was going to rain.
Sliding my bag over my shoulder, I put my shoes on to leave.
"Bye, I'll see you when I get home."
"Have a good day at school Kuae."
"I'll try," I murmured, pushing the bangs out of my eyes.
The rain started when I made it outside. It started spitting as I started walking. By the time I had made it to the station, it was pouring miserably. My bangs were soaked to my forehead and my uniform was clinging to me uncomfortably.
When I walked into the school, I didn't feel any better. Everyone was laughing and carrying on normally. The odd person got a laugh at hour wet to the bone I was.
'Well isn't everyone else just oh so lucky.' I thought dully, rolling my eyes.
A hand tapped against my shoulder before I could even make it to my locker. I gave the person a cold glare before running to face them. It was the vice principle of the school.
"Would you please come to the office?" he asked me, his tone seriously.
"Is it entirely urgent that it be right now?" I asked, trying not to get frustrated. With how shitty things were going.
"It would be better if you came now."
My hand clenched around the strap of my bag. This was one of the last thing I needed right now.
"Yes sir," I agreed reluctantly, nodding my head.
The man walked ahead of me; leading me to the principle's office. Other students watched and some minded their own business.
'People should just mind their own god damn business!'
"Take a seat, and the principle will be here in a few minutes," the vice principle stated before leaving the room.
Dropping my bag to the floor, I took a seat in one of the chairs.
"Great," I murmured, shaking my head.
'I haven't done anything wrong. I've been minding my own business for the past while.' I thought dully, staring blankly at the ceiling. 'Unless this is about what happened with Shiro…'
I didn't move when I heard the room door open and close suddenly.
"Please sit up straight Abukara Kuae," the principle told me before he took his seat at his desk.
Sighing, I sat up straight and looked the man in the eye.
"Do you have any idea why you're here Abukara Kuae?" he asked me, putting his hands together.
'Ugh, the 'I'm the boss tone'…'
"I'm here because something happened at some time that involved me," I said emotionlessly, resting my head on my hand.
He was completely serious as he watched me as I spoke to him. I looked him in the eye; I had nothing to lie about.
Picking up a paper, he began reading it over.
"Abukara Kuae, we have received word that you were in room 208 yesterday with Mr. Taisho. Is that true?" he wondered, looking back at me.
My brows pushed together at the man's words. Someone had seen us?
"He had asked to see me before my last period class," I explained, feeling my heart rate pick up.
"Is it also true that the two of you had been intimately close with one another?" he continued with a raised brow.
"Intimately close how, sir?"
"It was reported to use by an anonymous student that you had been seen kissing Mr. Taisho in the afternoon."
It felt like my heart had stopped beating for a few moments. When it started again, it was heavy as it pounded in my chest. We had been seen in the classroom together… had been caught kissing each other… What was I supposed to do? There was no way that I could get myself out of trouble.
My brows pushed together as I had come up with my answer, "This information is true."
The man sighed at my words before rubbing his forehead.
"It was my own idea. I thought if I could get him alone then I could have him all to myself," I explained with a serious expression, "I kissed him. He pushed me away and asked for me to leave. It was never anything beyond that."
There had never been a time where I had anything to offer to Sesshoumaru. Nothing I had would have benefited him in a good way. Taking a dive for him and saving his job was the only thing that would have been good enough.
"You understand what this means, don't you?" the principle asked me with a cocked brow.
"I do. You don't have to inform anyone," I told him, "I'll pack up my locker and I'll leave the school immediately. I'm sorry that I've wasted your time."
Grabbing my bag, I stood and left the room. I placed my textbooks on the secretary's desk before going to empty out my locker.
No one else would have agreed with my choice. They would have told me to let him take the fall as well. It was a much his fault as it was mine. He had done so much for me and I had done nothing. If it was only a little, I wanted to do something nice for someone else. It had been time to return the kindness that had been given to me… even when I hadn't deserved it.
End of Chapter
