Disclaimer: I own nothing as usual except for my twisted imagination and the decisions the characters make.. muahahahahaha! ~ahem~ I'm ok now.. really... Oh and thank you for all the wonderful comments. I love you all!

Single Chapter 4

As Tsukushi walked out of the room she heard Rui talking in the kitchen. Slowly walking up the hallway she caught part of the conversation. Rui's voice was calm as he responded, "No.. I haven't seen or heard from her. She's your girlfriend you should know her better than me." Tsukushi could hear a brief note of accusation in Rui's voice before he continued on. "Sure if I hear anything I'll call you." She heard Rui sigh softly as he placed his cell phone back on the table. Placing her hand on his shoulder she felt him tense slightly before relaxing and leaning his head back to look up at her. "I guess he didn't believe you when you said you were with your parents. He called them and they told them that they hadn't seen you since they left Tokyo." Paling slightly Tsukushi gripped Rui's shoulder and Rui reached up to place a comforting hand on her's. "It will be alright. I'll make sure it will be alright."

Two hours later Tsukushi found herself in the passenger's seat of Rui's car dressed in one of Rui's white dress shirts and a pair of his pants that were rolled up. On her feet were a pair of sandles way too big for her but Rui assured her that she only had to wear them until they got her a pair of her own. Tsukushi had tried to convince him to drop her off at her place but he had declined saying that Tsukasa may have someone watching her apartment for her return, if she showed up with Rui in his car that wouldn't look too good. Conceding Tsukushi had settled herself in the passenger's seat and thirty minutes later they were on there way out of the city with Rui's luggage in the back seat of the car. "Are you sure it's a good idea to just leave Tokyo? Don't you have business to attend to? Concerts to conduct?" Tsukushi watched as Rui chuckled softly and shook his head. "You should know by now that everything stops when you're involved." He reached over and patted her hand gently before placing it back on the steering wheel.

Silently Tsukushi dragged her gaze away from his face her cheeks blushing a pleasant pink color. Once more she was reminded that Rui was always in the wings ready to help her any time she faltered. Sighing softly she laid her head back and closed her eyes. She must have dozed off for when she opened her eyes they were stopped in front of a store in what appeared to be a small sea side village. It was not the one her parents and brother had gone to and she relaxed after realizing this. 'I don't think I have the strength to explain this to them.' She thought glumly to herself. Rui got out of the car and made his way quickly to her side of the car to open the door for her. Blushing slightly she took the hand he offered her and allowed him to help her out of the car. With her hand still clasped in his they walked silently into the small clothing shop. The shop keeper welcomed them brightly and politely kept her distance as the two browsed the selection of clothing.

Music was playing through speakers in the ceiling and Tsukushi paused for a moment to listen. 'I had no choice but to hear you.. You stated your case time and time again..." Silently she flipped through the clothing on the rack as she continued to listen to the song. Glancing over her shoulder she saw Rui looking through pants and she wondered if he was listening to the song as well. The words of the song hit a little to close to home and she tried to block them out. 'How am I ever going to think straight with this song playing in my ears?' She sigh softly and picked five shirts from the rack and stepped over to Rui who had five pairs of pants that matched perfectly with the shirts she had selected. Raising a brow she looked from the shirts to the pants and both of them laughed. "Were you watching me pick my shirts?" Shaking his head he smiled. "Nope." Tsukushi's heart jumped in her chest and she blushed dragging her gaze away from him. "Shoes.. I can pick out a pair that goes with everything. I don't need five pairs of shoes." Looking back at Rui she saw him about to argue but once he saw her stern look he closed his mouth and nodded. She decided on a brown pair of sandles and picked out a couple of dresses. Taking their purchases to the counter they waited as the lady rang up the merchandise. She looked at the two and smiled as she handed them the bags. "You two must be on your honeymoon. I've never seen a couple so well matched." Laughing Rui took the bags and thanked her with the bow of his head as he led a rather shocked looking Tsukushi out the door and to the car.

Once in the car with her seat belt buckled she found her voice and turned a rather heated gaze at Rui. "Why didn't you correct her?" She asked him with an exasperated tone in her voice. Shaking his head he chuckled softly as he pull the car away from the curb. "Would it have mattered? We won't be seeing her again." Turning away from him she stared out the window and watched the scenery pass by. 'He's right but still...' All thoughts of the store keeper flew out of her mind as she took in the beautiful coastal scenery. The road they were on hugged the coast and she saw the waves rise and fall as they reached the shore. The air smelled deliciously of salt water and she smiled. Sure it wasn't Paris but it had it's own charm. Silently she watched the sight of the shore as Rui turned down a driveway to a small cottage. Dragging her gaze away from the ocean she took in a sharp breath at the sight of the cottage. It was small but cute with it's white walls and it's dark wood trimming. It appeared to be two stories tall with a garden off to it's side.

She heard the sound of Rui unbuckling his seat belt and felt his gaze on her. Turning her face towards him she raised a brow. Smiling he nodded towards the cottage. "What do you think?" After unbuckling her seat belt she stretched her arms with her fingertips pointed to the sky. "It's beautiful Rui." Dropping her hands back to her lap she watched as he quickly got out of the car and to her side to open the passenger door. "Your castle awaits." She could her the teasing in his voice as he held his hand out to her. Taking his hand she allowed him to help her out of the car. Rui gently pulled her along the path and he began to whistle softly to himself. Tsukushi's heart skipped a beat at his lightheartedness and she realized that she hadn't been as relaxed as she was then in a long time. Rui released her hand and unlocked the door. After the door was opened he ushered her inside. "You go look around and I'll get the bags from the car. Nodding Tsukushi walked further into the house and inhaled the scent of salt air mixed with a trace of pine.

Behind her she heard Rui bring in the first load of bags and place them on a couch in the front room. It only took him a few moments to remove all the bags from the car and lock it behind him. Hugging herself she walked to one of the windows and looked out at the sandy shore. She watched silently as the waves came rushing to the shore before their crest fell and the soft white foam spreading out along the shore line. She felt Rui come up behind her but did not turn around. "It's beautiful here Rui, thank you for bringing me to this place." Rui patted her shoulder gently and rested his chin on the top of her head. "I usually come out here when I want to be alone and compose music. It's a special place to me and if I had to share it with someone, it would ofcourse be you."

Tskushi's breath caught in her throat at his words and she felt tears begin to sting her eyes. "He is so good to me.." Sniffling softly she wiped at her eyes before reaching up to pat his hand. "I'm starving, is there anything to eat here?" Chuckling softly Rui stepped away from her releasing his hold on her shoulders. "I had someone come and replenish the kitchen before we left this morning." Tsukushi followed Rui into the kitchen and watched as he opened the refrigerator to reveal that it was fully stocked with fresh fruits, vegetable, meats, cheeses and fish. She stared in awe at the huge selection that was also in the cupboard. There seemed to be enough food and dried goods to last them months. "I don't eat this much Rui." She couldn't control the sound of awe in her voice. Closing the cupboard door Rui shrugged. "I wasn't sure what you would want to eat so I prepared for anything."

Tsukushi hopped up on one of the stools at the counter and watched as Rui took out various ingredients. "What are you making?" She asked as she rested her cheek on her hand and watched him move around the kitched. Tossing a smile over his shoulder he replied, "Chicken katsu with steamed vegetables and white rice." Tsukushi's stomach growled in response and both of the laughed. Little did they know that back in Tokyo someone was not as cheerful.

Each picture across his desk seemed to pierce his heart like a needle. Picking up one he glared down at the scene with Tsukushi in Rui's arms as they stood in the kitchen. Crumbling the picture in his hand he clinched his fist around the balled up photo. "She wouldn't.. she promised no more secrets.." His voice was choked with emotion and he pounded his fist against the desk. Tsukasa could not believe his eyes when the man he hired to follow Tsukushi brought these photos to him. "I'll make them both pay.. one way or another. My best friend and my woman.. I'll get her back and he will be sorry he ever betrayed our friendship."

End Chapter 4

Sorry it's been a while and this one is short but I've been really busy lately. I don't hate Tsukasa really and I'm sorry this chapter made him seem like an obsessive jerk but it's only natural that he would feel angry and betrayed.

Lyrics for the song playing in the store:

Alanis Morrissette

Head over feet

I had no choice but to hear you
You stated your case time and again
I thought about it

You treat me like Im a princess
Im not used to liking that
You ask how my day was

(chorus)
Youve already won me over in spite of me
Dont be alarmed if I fall head over feet
Dont be surprised if I love you for all that you are
I couldnt help it
Its all your fault

Your love is think and it swallowed me whole
Youre so much braver than I gave you credit for
Thats not lip service

(repeat chorus)

You are the bearer of unconditional things
You held your breath and the door for me
Thanks for your patience

Youre the best listener that Ive ever met
Youre my best friend
Best friend with benefits
What took me so long

Ive never felt this healthy before
Ive never wanted something rational
I am aware now
I am aware now