A/N: Here's Chapter 2 - The Conflict Within

Recap:

Her lips were moving against his in careless abandon, as if it was just the two of them in the whole wide world. She kissed him like there was no tomorrow, as if they'd just this one night to themselves. He was spellbound, intoxicated, mesmerized. He forgot the reason why he should stop her. He forgot where they were. He forgot his name.

Slowly, they sank onto the ground. His back was pressed against the cold wall but it didn't bother him. All he could understand was that Misaki was showing her love for him. All he wanted to do was to show how much he loved her. He kissed her back.

Misaki was cradled to Usui's chest as her arms wound around his neck and his hands caressed her back. She was starting to feel breathless from this kissing, her heart beating furiously in joy and exhilaration. Her brain imploded her to stop and come to her senses. If they were to be discovered like this, there would be hell to pay for. The humiliation, the shame, the mud slinging... she would lose her position as the President. Was this really worth it? But she ignored it all. She was perfectly aware of the consequences of getting found out. On the other hand, if she accomplished what she'd set out to do tonight, if it meant not losing Usui and staying by his side, then it was certainly worth it. She would have no regrets; she tried to reassure herself bravely.

"How strange... I have changed so much. Just a few days back, I was not ready to let anyone find out that Usui and I are dating, for fear of not being taken seriously as the President. But now, with the possibility of Usui going away, I'm willing to risk so much. I realized that I can't bear to lose him. If he leaves me now, I'd go insane. Because he was the one who taught me how to love again. He made me regain my trust in men. After dad left, I was shattered. The man in whom I'd utmost faith betrayed me. He left us to fend for ourselves, not caring if we survived or perished. Too innocent and young, I felt that if he'd truly loved us, maybe he'd have stayed. I learnt something then. Men were not to be trusted. And from that moment on, my hatred for guys was born.

But then, Usui came along. At first, he was one of the guys I distrusted the most. To me, he seemed nothing more than a perverted outer space alien, always harassing me. But when I needed someone the most, he would always be there, helping me, watching out for me. Soon I knew that he became something more to me. With his patience and love, he waited for me to come to terms with my own feelings. Being his girlfriend wasn't easy but I knew, if I had any trouble, I could rely on him and he'd be there for me, unconditionally. He became my safe harbor, the man I love and in whom I've placed my trust. And now," her face contorted as tears rushed into her eyes, "Its going to happen all over again. He'll soon leave my world, leaving me alone and broken. Unless..."

Through the haze of pleasure and bliss, Usui felt something warm and liquid splash onto his bare chest. The next moment he tasted salt on his lips. Tears.

With a jolt, he realized that for some inexplicable reason she was crying. Gently, he pulled away from her, the better to look at her face, "Ayuzawa, why are you crying?" She lowered her head to hide her tears from him.

All the time he'd known her, he'd never seen her cry. To him, she'd always appeared as the tough kaichou, who ruled over Seika with an iron fist, but if someone bothered to look beyond that toughened exterior, they'd find an amazing person, who sometimes displayed such a cute face that it was impossible not to be charmed by her (though only he'd been given the privilege to see this side of her persona). He'd never known her to shed tears, neither when she was badly hurt, nor when she was upset.

Tenderly, he cupped her face to make her look up at him. "Ayuzawa, calm down. Tell me what's wrong. Don't cry!"

Deep down, he realized that he was the reason for her tears. And he couldn't bear it.

Still the tears didn't stop, nor did she utter a single word. He'd no way of knowing how much she was suffering. She was torn...

Should she let him go? Or make him stay by her side so they could sort out the problem with the Walkers, together? But she might turn out to be a hindrance instead, causing more trouble instead of quelling it. She knew that they didn't approve of her.

Maybe then, what he'd said was the better alternative- "Ayuzawa, tell me please"- He would know exactly how to deal with the Walkers and prove to be more successful by facing them himself. But the mere thought- "Please, stop crying"- of him deserting her to face the sharks alone chilled her heart.

Even if he'd figured out a way to thwart their plans, as long as he was in Miyabigaoka, he'd be watched and his movements will be tracked, just like Cedric had done. He'd have entered the devil's lair and there'd be no way that they could be allowed- "Don't, Ayuzawa! Don't cry"- to see each other. He'd have to distance himself from her.

"I can't... I shouldn't make him stay. That would be the height of selfishness. Knowing that he was staying for my sake, instead when he could've resolved everything with his family... No, I mustn't hold him back. He needs to go to Miyabigaoka," as her resolve strengthened, she regained some calm. Her tears began subsiding.

"But losing the one I love, that is going to hurt. That's why I think, I- Usui craned his neck down to watch her face- should go on... to show him how much I love him... a farewell present. Maybe that will help me survive when he's not there. That when he thinks about me, he would know beyond a doubt, the depth of my love for him, the love that made me let him go, the love that made me give myself to him..."

"Usui," she whispered, "I'm sorry for making you worry like that-"

"No, Ayuzawa," he interrupted contritely, "it's me who should be apologizing! I don't know if you'll ever forgive me for doing this to you, for making you succumb to tears. I've hurt you so badly with my thoughtlessness. I'm apologizing, right now..." his handsome visage contorted with the depth of his remorse, "but please, I'm asking just this one favour of you. Don't do that to me ever again. Don't ever c-cry l-like that. I-I like s-someone was piercing my heart when I saw you crying, a-and couldn't do a thing a-about it. Forgive me, ple-"

But Misaki placed a finger on his lips.

"Baka... I've forgiven you already. Actually, there was nothing to forgive," sneakily, she kept drawing close to him, "because you did nothing wrong. I was the one to behave like an idiot."

Usui stared at her in amazement and opened his mouth to say something but Misaki's hand now covered his mouth to prevent him interrupting. "You were right, you should transfer to Miyabigaoka. I shouldn't have thrown such a tantrum. Back the, I just lost it," her hand slid away from his mouth to rest on his cheek, "I'm sorry I made you worry so. As a making up gift, " and she closed the distance between their lips.

Usui let her kiss him for a minute. He thought how easy it would be to lose himself once again in the sweetness of the kiss. But he was prepared this time. When her hands roamed down to his chest and showed no signs of stopping, he resolutely broke away from her. Pulling her hands away from his chest and pinning them down at her sides, he fixed Misaki with a firm gaze and said, "That's enough Ayuzawa. Do you mind telling me why you've been trying to seduce me all night?"

There was a pin drop silence, except for the incessant pounding of the rain. Misaki's face turned a brilliant red. She hadn't counted on Usui reacting so strongly against her attempt to... But then another thought struck her.

"Am I doing something wrong?" she asked in a rush, blushing even more. "Didn't it please you, what I did?"

"No, I mean you did nothing wrong in that way," he said in exasperation. "You were only too effective, I'll admit. But that's beside the point. I don't want you to force yourself into doing something like this. You don't have to do anything for my sake, Ayuzawa," he finished gently.

Misaki turned her face away from him, saying, "I'm not forcing myself to do anything."

"Even if you're not forcing yourself, we shouldn't do this. You may think of me as a perverted outer space alien, but this is neither the time, nor the place and I certainly won't enjoy lying on a cold floor with nothing on my body. Besides, you're not ready for this."

At this, Misaki whipped around to glare at him, "Idiot! Who're you to decide whether I'm ready or not! Of course I'm ready. Why else do you think I'm doing this?"

"Oh really?" he asked sardonically. He was starting to get a little annoyed by her stubbornness. He thought to himself, "I've got to make her see reason. But words aren't working on her. It's time for drastic measures."

Aloud, he murmured silkily, "So you want to go all the way? Then I hope you're ready..." His green eyes glowed.

A/N: Thanks to MRMenaMRM, sunayna4sho, orcarina and raina rasberry for their lovely reviews! :) Hope this chapter didn't disappoint you.