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 14: Midnight Musings

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"Makino, are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine! I'll be out in just a minute!" she called from behind the door.

Tsukasa paced the floor of the bedroom impatiently. Finally, he came to a decision. "You've said that three times already! Do you realize how long you've been in there? Twenty minutes!"

"I said I'll be right out!" she said again.

"That's it! I've had it!" He pounded on the bathroom door. "If you're not out by the time I count three, I'm coming in!"

--Click.--

"Damn it, Makino, did you just lock me out?? I'm serious, I'm coming in there! One!"

"Doumyouji, you can't bust down the door, this isn't your house!" Tsukushi cried back, panicked.

"You think I can't afford to replace a stupid door? Don't test me! Two!" he hollered, rearing back, preparing to charge.

"Okay, okay! Give me a minute! You don't have to break in!" she yelled.

"Last chance, Makino! Open the door! Thr--"

The door in question clicked open just as Tsukasa took a step toward it. He pulled up short and stood there, glaring down at Tsukushi as she stared up at him, wide-eyed. "What were you doing?" he demanded.

"Brushing," she replied.

"Your teeth?!" he asked, incredulously.

"No, baka. My hair," she answered.

"But for twenty minutes?!"

"Well, um, it's good for it! It makes it smooth and shiny... and since my hair isn't as easy to care for as yours... I mean, you just have to run your fingers through yours and it's done. Mine would be all snarls if I did that and--" she babbled nervously as his eyes grew round with disbelief. Then his expression softened.

"Makino. You're scared, aren't you?"

"Well, no, not exactly... it's just that--"

"I know," he cut in. "Here we are, no one to interrupt us, nothing weird has happened, heck, you didn't even fall into the ocean or faint in the hot spring this time."

"That's true, Doumyouji, but--" she started, backpedaling.

"It's okay," he said, sighing.

"Huh? It-- it is?" she stammered.

"Look, Makino. It's late. It's been a very long day, and I just want to get to bed. To sleep," he clarified, before she could object. "But I don't want to sleep alone in a strange place, so... Would you please sleep with me? Just sleep. In the same bed. I promise I won't do anything. Just stay with me," he requested.

"O-okay. I can do that."

"Thanks. One more thing-- may I kiss you goodnight?" he asked earnestly.

"Mm-hmm," she agreed, blushing.

But as she stretched up on her tiptoes to kiss him, they were interrupted by the sound of a feminine giggle and a masculine chuckle. "What the hell--?" Tsukasa asked, startled.

"It sounds like it's coming from Hanazawa Rui's room," Tsukushi commented, puzzled. "But that would mean..."

"Huh. You don't think they're 'doing it', do you?" Tsukasa whispered loudly.

"What?!? No! Shh, let me listen," Tsukushi hushed him.

"Makino."

"Shhh!" she strained to hear.

"It's none of our business."

"Be quiet! I keep hearing voices, but I don't understand what they're saying." Neko and Rui could be heard laughing again. "I think," Tsukushi said, "I think they're watching a movie!"

"So late? Those two are so weird," Tsukasa observed. "What's up with them, anyway?"

"I'm not sure. They sure are spending a lot of time together, though." A thoughtful look came over her face. "Do you think Hanazawa Rui 'likes'Neko?"

"Who can tell? I mean, obviously they're friends, but who knows if it means more than that to him? Rui's such a magnetic bastard."

"Magnetic--? Doumyouji, do you mean enigmatic?" Tsukushi rolled her eyes.

"Isn't that what I said? Anyway, what about her? Do you think she's out to get him?"

"I don't think Neko's 'out to get' anyone! That's an awful thing to say!" she objected.

"Okay, fine-- do you think she 'likes' him?

"I think she likes someone, but it's someone that makes her uncomfortable, and the two of them seem very comfortable with each other. Also, she was talking with me while we were shopping, and the subject of kissing came up. She seemed to have mixed feelings about it, and you saw what happened when Antonio tried to kiss her."

"Yeah, that was weird, too. Everything about that girl is weird," he shrugged. "Well, there's nothing to be done. It has nothing to do with us, anyway. Can we please just get some sleep?"

"Okay. Just sleep, right?"

"Right. And a kiss," he reminded her.

She blushed as he bent to kiss her, but kissed him back. Then they climbed into bed and turned off the light.

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Rui looked over at the lanky redhead asleep on his bed. She was curled around her empty popcorn bowl, a half-full beer bottle on the nightstand next to her. Neko had brought in Pretty Woman and also Working Girl, another of her favorites. They had watched the first movie together, but she fell asleep about half an hour into the second one.

"It's not just about the kiss, is it?" he whispered to the sleeping girl. "It's about having someone recognize your true worth." He soothed a stray curl away from her face. "Don't worry. These things have a way of working out. I'll help you any way I can." He paused to think for a moment. 'Wonder if I should give Akira a call?.. Nah, it can wait until we get back...' He shut the television off and settled in on the other side of the bed. He was fast asleep within minutes.

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AN: Hi everyone! Sorry if this chapter seems short, it's sort of transitional.

I'm a happy camper, people are reviewing! To az09, hope I was able to clear up any misconceptions; I really do like where I live! Kameko, glad to see you too! Yes, I'm finally getting healthy. Hope you get over your Strep throat soon! And lemur130, you're sooo right! I just looove Akira to pieces! He can sew up my sleeve any day. And a big 'HI!' to anyone else I missed over the last couple of chapters-- I love to hear from you all, and you always brighten my day!

See you next time!