Disclaimer: As everyone knows, I do not own the characters from Hana Yori Dango/Boys Over Flowers. However, I do own Neko, my OC. (Yay! I own something! Mine! Don't touch!) It's still not worth suing me; I am but a humble fan.

Thank you, Kamio-sensei!

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AN: This is completely AU. Not canon! Things are different--deal with it! Don't like, don't read!

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Tea and Saké

A Hana Yori Dango FanFic

By Janice Rips

Chapter 7: Duets, Explanations, and Planning a Vacation

It had been one of those days, where no matter where he went, Rui just couldn't find any peace and quiet. Akira and Soujiro were picking on Tsukasa once again, being just as rowdy and raunchy as ever. It really creeped him out, the way they playacted potential scenarios between Tsukasa and Tsukushi. The warm weather always seemed to bring out the worst in them, and Rui was just grateful not to be the target of their attentions.

There was no respite to be found at the emergency exit, either. The sunlight seemed extra bright today, and if he stayed for long, he would be in for a hellish headache.

Rui headed for the music room, as a last resort. If he couldn't rest, maybe he could lose himself in his music for awhile. Admittedly, the school's instruments were far inferior to his own, but he'd make do.

Unfortunately, there was already someone using the music room. Rui felt his irritation start to rise, until he realized two things: one, whoever was playing was actually quite gifted, and two, he didn't think he'd ever heard a guitar being played in the school before. He stood outside the door listening for a few minutes before quietly opening it to peek inside.

Apparently not quietly enough, as Neko stilled her strings and looked up, startled. "Oh, I'm sorry, Hanazawa-san. Did you want to use the room?"

"That's alright, Neko. Please, keep playing. Don't let me stop you," he smiled gently.

Neko began the piece she was playing again, and Rui listened, intrigued. "Excuse me, did you write that variation yourself?"

"Variation?" she responded, puzzled.

"Well, I thought you were playing Bach's Air on the G String, but after the first passage, it went somewhere unfamiliar."

"Oh, I see," she chuckled. "No, I only wish I had. Actually, that was A Whiter Shade of Pale by Procul Harum, a psychedelic rock band from the '60's. You're right, though, they do start the same way."

"Interesting... Do you know the Bach?" he asked.

"Yeah, of course," she replied, "Why?"

"I was wondering if you'd like to play a duet," he offered.

"With you?" she asked, surprised. Rui was reputed to be one of the most gifted musicians in the school. "Uh, I'm not sure I'm good enough to play with someone of your caliber."

"Don't worry about 'good enough'. I came down here to relax. Let's just have some fun, shall we?" he smiled. He picked up one of the school violins and began tuning it. "Hmm... These school instruments, I don't know if I can get this in your range..."

"The violins are more temperamental than the guitars... Why don't you get it to where it sounds good, then give me an E and I'll tune to you," she suggested. He agreed, and they tuned up.

They played a few Bach pieces, then he said, "Okay, Neko, show me what you've got," so she launched into Mason William's Classical Gas. Then it was Rui's turn. He began a virtuoso performance of Rimsky-Korsakov's Flight of the Bumblebee... only to ruin the effect by crossing his eyes, looking down his nose in mock horror as though a bee had landed there, then pretending to swat at it while continuing to saw away with the bow. That's all it took-- Neko completely lost it.

"Ah, there it is," Rui said, a pleased grin on his face. "I wasn't sure you knew how to laugh."

"You know better than that, Hanazawa-san. We laughed together the first day we met," she objected.

"Oh yes, I guess that's so. Still, you don't do it nearly enough," he answered. "By the way, wouldn't you be more comfortable calling me 'Rui'? I thought Americans usually preferred to use given names."

"Yes, but that's one of those things that was drilled into the 'little savage' by my culture tutors. I certainly wouldn't presume to do it without being invited. My grandfather would be livid," she explained. "What would you prefer me to call you?"

"I would prefer you to call me whatever makes you most comfortable," he replied.

"Okay, Sancho!" she teased.

"Sancho?? As in Sancho Panza?" he asked.

"Exactly. Give that man a kewpie doll."

"Ooookay... Why Sancho?" he pressed.

"Because of the way you take care of Quixote and his Dulcinea."

"You mean Tsukasa and Tsukushi."

"I don't mean Burns and Allen," she quipped. Rui laughed. "Actually, if it's okay with you, I'm most comfortable with 'Rui-san'."

"That's fine with me," he agreed.

Neko's brow furrowed. "You know, Rui-san, there's one thing I just don't get about you," she stated.

"Only one thing, Neko-chan?" he teased.

"Actually, no. It's a lot of things. But they're all tied into the same thing, if you will. You're one of the nicest people I've met at Eitoku, and you have the best sense of humor. So why does almost everyone say that you're emotionally cold, and hard to get close to? Is this caring and friendliness genuine, or is it just a mask? And if it is, why go to the effort?"

"Nosy, aren't you?" he commented.

"I just want to know if I'm being set up for a fall. You guys have all been too nice. It's like you all became my big brothers, all at once." She frowned. "Although I suppose that makes sense, if you're all trying to make sure I keep my distance. If that's it, you can tell everyone not to worry, they're not on my potential boyfriend list, and to stop being so phony. I don't like it. I can take care of myself, and I don't need anyone's pity."

"Wow," he said admiringly, "you just went from happy to pissed-off in mere seconds. I'm impressed."

"Don't be. Pissed-off is easy. I've cultivated it for the past three years."

"Now you sound just like Tsukushi. Save me from pissed-off girls!" Rui laughed. "Okay, you've earned an explanation. I have a hard time warming to most people, but if someone can make me laugh, then it's easier for me to let down my guard. You just got past it faster than most people do."

"So you're not just messing with me?" she asked suspiciously.

"No, Neko, I'm not. Promise. And I don't think the other guys are, either. I think they genuinely like you," he reassured her. "You see, I used to be really introverted, some might even say autistic, and sometimes it's still hard for me to let people in. Frankly, as a kid, I was a real hard case. Mostly I kept to myself, but sometimes, when I made an effort to be more 'there', I would end up getting sick to my stomach for no good reason. Those three were the only ones who stuck by me, despite my odd behavior. Well, them and Shizuka, of course."

"Who's Shizuka?" Neko wondered.

"Tsukushi hasn't mentioned her? I'm surprised. Shizuka is three years older than us guys. She was so kind and patient with me. She was always reaching for 'something more', and she always saw the best in everyone. I guess that's why I fell in love with her," he explained.

"So where is she now?" she asked.

"She's in France, studying law and working for a law firm there. She gave up her family name and fortune to pursue her dream."

"Wow, she sounds like something special. So, where do you fit into the picture?"

"I don't, at least not anymore. But who knows what the future might bring?" he commented, clearly wishing to change the subject.

Neko thought for a moment, then asked, "So, Rui-san, did you ever get any therapy?"

"No, I didn't. My father wouldn't admit that there was anything wrong with me. After all, I'm his only heir."

"That's what I hate about people with money," Neko grimaced. "Appearances are more important than your family's well being."

"Aren't you 'people with money'?" Rui asked, amused.

"Yeah, but I'm 'new money'. My parents haven't gotten all la-di-da about it. I'm sorry, but when a kid that young develops a nervous stomach, it's time to call in the specialists. If you're afraid of the stigma attached to it, then call it a 'private tutor', but don't let your kid suffer."

"You're pretty adamant about this," he observed.

"That's because my parents got me the help I needed. If they had waited until I was old enough to hire a doctor on my own, I'd have been institutionalized by now."

"I see. So, what were you treated for?" Rui asked cautiously.

"I did equine therapy after I woke up from an anaphylactic-shock-induced coma. My senses were scrambled. I would scream if someone just touched me, but I burned my hand on the stove without even feeling it. All the light and noise made me sick, and I began to withdraw from the world. I was only five years old. Therapy horses saved my life."

"Do you still do equine therapy?" Rui asked, curious.

"Nah, it's not necessary anymore. Now I just ride for fun." Neko got and idea. "Hey, Rui-san, would you like to come out to Maru this weekend and see some of my horses?"

"Isn't Maru the island your family owns?" he asked.

"Yeah... It's little, but we have a nice home and stables there... but, I don't remember telling you...?" Neko queried.

Rui colored a little. "Um, I was curious about you, so I ran you through a search engine, and found your blog."

"I see... And you call me nosy?" she grinned.

He grinned back. "Guilty. Forgive me?" he asked. She nodded, and he continued. "I like your photos of Sebi-chan. He's got a lot of personality. So, the horses on your site are at Maru?"

"Four of them are. The rest are at home in New York. I enjoy getting out to Maru whenever I can; I love to ride on the beach," she beamed. "Rui-san, have you ever ridden?"

"No, is it fun?" he smiled, seeing where this might be leading.

"Loads. You really should come out with me and try it. We could invite Tsukushi-chan and Doumyouji-san to come along, make a small party out of it."

"What about Akira and Soujiro?" he questioned.

"Um... I need a break from those guys," she responded evasively.

'Interesting,' he thinks. "Okay, I'll go, and Tsukushi's always game, provided you can get her to bag work. Tsukasa will go if Tsukushi goes (try and stop him), but," he chuckled, "I don't know if we can get him on a horse, he's," he snickered, "he's afraid of animals."

"No way!" she exclaimed.

"Way," he laughed.

"Well, there's also a lovely beach, wooded trails, and a hot spring," she enthused.

"Hot spring? I'm sold. I'll handle convincing the others. What do we need to pack?"

"Beach wear, swim wear, pajamas, jeans, casual stuff... Oh, and boots," she stated.

"Boots?"

"You know, riding boots. Like cowboy boots," she explained.

"Tsukushi probably doesn't have any," he commented.

"No problem. I'll buy her some on the way. Heck, we could all shop together, if you guys need them. But I'm talking about the real deal, not just for pretty," she warned.

"What do you mean?" he asked, puzzled.

"Well, when it comes to boots, you can't always assume that the most expensive are the best. Gator is most costly, but that's because it's rare. Ostrich is your best choice, it's tough, but supple. Tony Lama, Luchesse, or Ferrini. Mercedes does great workmanship, but they're custom work only, and there's not enough time. Fit is key, because they won't be broken in yet. Vintage sounds cool, but they're shaped to the previous owner's foot and can cause problems, especially if they haven't been reheeled," she lectured.

"So, are good boots really such a big deal?"

"Ask me again after a horse steps on your foot," she replied. "By the way, cruiser or 'copter?"

"Excuse me?"

"How do we want to get there? Helicopter will be faster, but cabin cruiser is also an option. I just need to put the proper crew on alert."

"I'll ask the others and get back to you, but my vote's for helicopter. Give me your cell number."

"Okay. One more thing-- any special dietary considerations?"

"Let me think-- Tsukushi will eat almost anything, literally. Tsukasa's a little pickier, but as long as it's well made, he should be okay. I'm not really into animal protein, but I love a decent piece of fish. Oh, and Tsukasa must have his coffee. I like black tea with milk, myself," he added.

"Hmm... How about cedar-planked salmon the first night, traditional Japanese on Saturday night, and paella mariscos before we head back on Sunday?" she suggested.

"Friday and Saturday sound good. What's paella mariscos?" he inquired.

"A Spanish dish, mixed seafood and saffron rice. Very tasty, trust me. I'll give Antonio the guidelines, and he can come up with his own selections for the other meals. He's really very talented," she assured him.

"I'm looking forward to it," he said. "Nice playing with you. See you tomorrow."

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AN: Merry Christmas, all you who celebrate it! A belated Happy Chanukah, Blessed Solstice, Holy Eid al-adha, etc. Happy Kwanzaa, New Year's Day, Boxing Day, Three King's Day, etc. I'm sure I've left something out, so Happy Holidays to everyone! It's been very busy month, I'm still wrapping and tree trimming, but I did want to get in one post before I'm busy tomorrow.

Hello again to my sweet reviewers! Thank you for sticking with me! I know, this was a major Rui chapter, but I promise, we will visit with our other characters soon! Bear with me, the plot thickens! Next time, we take the Maru crew shopping-- see you soon!