I want to give a big thank KawaiiKilala77 for leaving me a review this year and reminding me I still had stories to complete.
Thanks to Jas, Takato the Dreamer, Demon King Dante and the anonymous Guest for your reviews.
Battlefronts
Chapter 8
The look on T.K.'s face was one of pure misery and shame. I sighed internally and did my best to remove all traces of anger from my face. It was clear he blamed himself and I needed him to realise there was nothing he could have done to prevent the jerk from hurting others. I tightened my grip on his left arm and used my right to tilt his head to look at me.
"Teeks." I said gently. Blue eyes looked at me despairingly. "This is not your fault! There was nothing you could have done to prevent what happened. It's clear he has been doing this a long time and knows how to pick his targets."
He looked anywhere but at me. "If I had said something they wouldn't have gotten hurt." He finally replied dully, wrenching his chin out of my grip. Haunted blue eyes stared over my shoulder watching the waves dance along the sand.
I blew out a breath while I thought of a response. "T.K. Nobody could have prevented what happened. Didn't you hear me say I reported it to the police? If they wouldn't listen to me what would make them listen to a teenager? Especially one that had been branded a troublemaker? They would have said you were doing it because you hated him and that is was revenge for the poor grades and stuff." I said firmly. He glanced briefly at me before returning his gaze back to the water. The stubborn set to his jaw showed me that he couldn't believe what I said.
I grabbed behind his head and pulled him closer. He flinched when he realised how close we were. I gave him a hard stare. "There is NOTHING you could have done. NOTHING! If you want to be a martyr that is up to you but you need to get it through that skull of yours you are not to blame. Ikikowa is a predator and he picked you because he knew you were vulnerable. Put the blame where it belongs T.K. Accept it and move past it. I know it is painful and it has badly hurt you. But you need to remember. You survived. You are strong. Do NOT let this destroy you." I said implacably.
Eyes darkened with pain and grief stared deeply into my eyes searching for something. I did my best to let him know he was safe, loved and would never be hurt in that way again. Something registered in his piercing stare and he sagged with weary acceptance.
"Promise T.K. me that if it ever gets too much you'll come to Taka or myself." I demanded tightening my grip on the back of his neck. He tried to pull away but I refused to let him go. "Promise!"
"I promise." His voice broke on the last word. He glanced at my face before looking away
Hesitantly I released his arm and cupped his face with my hands. He tore his gaze away from intense study of the sand and looked at me surprised. I gave him a slow smile. "Whether you like it or not I'm your friend and know this, there is very little you could do that would turn me against you."
Those pained eyes filled with tears before he twisted his face away, embarrassed by the show of his emotions.
*ts*
I heard Tai expel a burst of air. I flicked a glance back at him and saw the kindness and understanding in his eyes. Angrily I dashed a hand across my face, trying to wipe away the feelings he managed to bring to the surface. No matter how hard I tried I couldn't keep this man out. I knew then that he meant what he said. I would always have a staunch friend and ally in Tai. That hit me and broke through the grief, shame and despair that had overwhelmed me. A feeling of peace began to roll over me, while I processed this change I stared at the ground between us. A quick glance up and back and I fought back a squirm when I realised that Tai was studying me intensely.
A loud ring tone broke into the uneasy silence. Without dropping his gaze from me Tai pulled out his phone and silenced it. A warm hand grabbed mine and squeezed it. A short sharp wave of heat rolled over me. I pulled away a little startled by the strange reaction.
Tai held his hands up in a gesture of surrender. I realised then that he thought I thought he was being too familiar. Shyly I made a grab at his arm as he moved away. He raised a damn eyebrow me. I scowled back at him and this made him laugh which deepened my hot glare.
His phone went off again. I motioned for him to take the damn call. His raised eyebrow and his laugh helped to make me feel a little more settled. I puffed and pushed myself into a standing position.
With an unconscious grace Tai followed suit, talking quietly into the phone. A look of regret passed over his face and for some reason made me feel defensive. He ended the call and glared at the ocean before looking at me. "I have been informed we have spent too long out and need to return back as we have already missed lunch and we have to be back ON TIME for dinner." He said drily, a slight sneer on his face.
I blinked twice in surprise and looked at Tai. He read my expression correctly and forced out a laugh. "Don't stress Teeks. They aren't cross with you. Apparently, I am being very selfish and I should be spending time with the others." He said with a shrug of his shoulders. "If you want to stay here I wouldn't blame you. Spending time with the girls, Matt and Zach is probably going to be a bit boring."
He scooped up his bag and made a move to the trail. I knew then that Tai needed an ally against the lecherous Zach so I grabbed my own bag and quickly followed the older man. He grumbled about something to himself but led the way back to the house.
I began to mull over what had happened earlier and yet again managed to crash into his back when he stopped suddenly. He glanced back at me and held a finger to his lips before jerking his head to the side. Quietly he followed a tiny trail that led away from our normal path back. With a quick frown I followed the silent Tai. 5 minutes later we walked onto a much bigger trail and I realised then that it was the main one that led to the beach we had learned to surf at.
He stopped and waited for a few minutes and suddenly around the blind bend walked Kari and Taka. They both greeted us cheerily. I flicked a surprised glance at Tai but the normally happy man's face was guarded. He politely answered the question Taka asked as we began to make our way back to the cabin. Somehow Kari ended up walking next to me.
Gently she touched my arm to get my attention. I glanced at her and she nodded about at brother and raised an eyebrow. I mimed a phone and then a frown and she looked speculatively at his back. Her lips pursed as she thought hard about something. Taka and Tai missed the exchange as they talked back and forth about surfing and the water.
Kari nudged me and said quietly. "Somethings up. Mind helping me keep an eye on him? I have a feeling it has something to do with the other four."
"Okay." I murmured agreement as we walked into the clearing. Matt leaned against the house, arms folded across his chest. The other three were nowhere to be seen.
"Food's on the table. Wash up before you eat." He all but ordered. "Tai once you've finished we will be at the beach. Join us please. You three enjoy having the cabin to yourself. Dad will be back with dinner soon."
I bristled at the tone but Kari and Taka each took an arm and all but dragged me inside. Tai flicked a glance over his friend before nodding once in acknowledgment and followed us. I saw a flicker of movement as Matt walked down another trail which branched off from the main cabin. That guarded look was back on Tai's face. I allowed myself to be dragged to clean up and wondered why this bad feeling was settling in the bottom of my stomach.
*ts*
"He's a bit young for you, isn't he?" a voice drawled somewhere behind him. I spun around to face the annoyingly persistent Zach. He leaned indolently against a tree with a supercilious look on his face.
"What did you just say?!" I demanded of the blonde. I glared at him as I tried to process his question.
"T.K. He's a bit young to be lusting after." Zach said with a barely concealed sneer on his face.
I stared at Zach appalled. "I'm not "lusting" after him." I finally snapped back.
"Well ya could have fooled me." He drawled. "I saw the way the kid looked at you and how you look at him when you thought no one was looking."
"You're imagining things that aren't there." I said icily.
"Oh? Must be transference then." Zach said with a smirk. I glared angrily at the blonde refusing to ask the question he clearly wanted me to.
"Must be hard being in love with your best friend when he clearly likes someone else." Zach said helpfully, voice laced with venom.
I gave him a startled look. "What the fuck are you talking about?! I'm not in love with Matt." I said with consternation.
Zach sneered at me. "Keep telling yourself that mate. It's as plain as the nose on my face you are. Cos you're getting nowhere with his brother you're transferring your sexual frustrations on a confused kid that looks like Matt. The brat has been craving attention and now that he's getting it from a semi-attractive older male you can do anything you want to him. It's disgusting."
I stared at Zach with growing horror. "What's disgusting is you making untrue assumptions. You know nothing about either T.K. or me. He is Matt's kid brother. I'd never abuse T.K.'s trust by making a move on him. And as for Matt - he's my best friend and I have zero interest in him. Neither of them are my type! Is this all because I have no interest in hooking up with you?" I asked with contempt. I glared angrily at the idiot before me.
An ugly look crossed his face before settling into a condescending smile. "You and T.K. make such a cute couple!" Zach drawled eyes flicking briefly behind me. I jerked back a little confused by the statement.
"What?!" A voice growled from behind me. I turned quickly to see Mimi, Sora and an angry Matt behind me. T.K.'s older brother levelled an enraged look at me. I opened my mouth to say something but for once words failed me.
*ts*
END OF CHAPTER
Hi Everyone,
Thank you very much for your patience! I know three years is a long time to wait between updates. I promise I won't let it go so long between chapters this time. I hope the chapter lives up to your expectations.
Please review - believe it or not it does help the creative juices.
Love
Storm xox
