Hallo all. I think it's been almost a month since the last time I updated this story, or was it already? Anyway, I apologize for the delay. Like I already said, the writing of this story required a lot of effort. But don't worry. Of course I intend to finish it even if in a slower pace!

So, I don't want to take more of your time. You might get shocked at the development, but happy reading nonetheless! =)

Betareading was done by Nerizu as usual ^^

Disclaimer: I don't own La Corda d'Oro.

Chapter 4: The Trouble with Violin

Hino raised her left arm to position the violin, but couldn't do it properly since her shoulder ached. She tried to do it more slowly while containing a grimace of pain. And after a couple of attempts, she finally succeeded, although her arm looked stiff and her forehead was sweaty.

But as she raised the right arm to start playing, she winced in pain. And it was almost unbearable. The pain Shimizu had caused her this time was greater than before. She finally gave up, dropping her arms to her sides while still holding her violin and bow. She looked to the floor. Her eyes were slowly getting wet.

Hino fell to the floor with a scream as the violin case hit her left shoulder. She opened her eyes as she tried to sit, but what she saw scared her.

Shimizu stood there with that dark face that was slowly becoming oddly familiar. He slowly raised the violin case above his head again. His face showed no mercy. Only rage.

As Shimizu swung the violin case again, Hino crouched on the floor while covering her head with her arms. And the hard material stroke her shoulder and back again, while she cried in pain.

Once, twice, thrice...

And then absolute silence.

Hino started to sob as she felt her body crushed. The pain from her shoulders and back pierced right through her heart and consciousness.

"Oh my God...," she vaguely heard a male whispering, followed by the loud thud of a hard material on the floor.

"Oh my God...," Shimizu whispered again nervously.

Hino didn't move from her crouching position. She was still sobbing with her arms covering her head while her body trembled, afraid that Shimizu would hit her again.

They spent the rest of the evening and night in silence. Hino refused to talk to Shimizu, not even wanting to touch him and avoiding any kind of contact. She was scared and sad. And was afraid that if she said a word, he would turn violent again. And she'd had enough violence for twenty-four hours.

Shimizu, on the other hand, didn't try to reconcile either. He didn't dare to come closer to her, seeming afraid to hurt her again too. He only dared to watch her from afar, and then decided to lock himself in the study for the rest of the evening.

As Hino went to bed that night, she was very alert and couldn't sleep until far after midnight, expecting what would happen when Shimizu entered the room. But as she waited, there were no signs of him coming out from the study.

It was finally almost three o'clock in the morning when Hino finally could go into slumber. Tired, sleepy and hurt.

Hino woke up to the smell of coffee. As she opened her eyes, she saw Shimizu standing by the bed-footer, with a tray of breakfast in hands. He was very wide awake, fresh showered with messy damp hair, still wearing his bathrobe, and smiling.

"Good morning, Kaho," he greeted in his usual calm voice.

Hino smiled back in response, but a second later a wave of realization hit her, and she jolted, quickly sitting on the bed and moving backwards until her back collided with the header of her bed. Her face showed a mixture between fear and worry, not knowing what she should expect. And her shoulders were tense from the pain.

"Kaho, it's just me," Shimizu said in a concerned tone.

If it's just you now, then who was the one who hit me last night? Hino wondered in fear, but couldn't say it out loud.

"Kaho...," Shimizu started. His voice low and cautious. "Listen. I'm really sorry about last night. Allow me to make it up to you?"

Hino still stared at him with fear and worry in her eyes. But after a while of gazing each other in silence, seeing Shimizu standing there with sincere look melted her heart. That look still had the great effect on her, after all. In the end, she gave in and relaxed her rigid muscles.

Shimizu smiled gladly at her change, then walked slowly to the bedside. Hino adjusted her sitting position as he sat beside her and set the tray on her lap.

Hino looked at the tray and chuckled. Shimizu, the one who rarely stepped into the kitchen to prepare meals, had put an effort in arranging a decent breakfast for her. It consisted of a bowl of cereal, sliced apples, a mug of coffee and a glass of water. She was touched by his sweet gesture. Talking about her boyfriend not being a hopeless romantic.

Hino started eating in silence with slow movements as she was unable to raise her arms, but felt butterflies in her stomach because she knew Shimizu was watching her eat attentively with a small smile. Then she grabbed the mug and drank her coffee while trying to hide her face behind it. But failed, as usual. She was starting to blush, while Shimizu kept on watching without a word.

"Keiichi, stop it!" Hino finally said desperately as she set the mug back on the tray.

"Stop what?" Shimizu asked with an innocent blink while tilting his head to a side, oblivious of his effect on her.

"Stop watching me already! You know I'm a sucker at it," she said with a pout.

Shimizu let out a fresh laughter, filling the room with a light and bright atmosphere, making Hino's heart swell and all preoccupations gone, and finally laughed with him.

Shimizu moved to sit closer to her then reached out a hand to comb her hair gently.

"I'm really sorry, Kaho. Yesterday... I don't know what went into me. I must have hurt you really bad," he apologized. His eyes guilty and sincere.

Hino bowed her head, looking at her hands playing with the edge of the napkin on her lap. Her face turned gloomy. She didn't know how to answer his apology.

"I could understand if you can't forgive me," he continued sadly.

"I forgive you," Hino murmured, looking back at Shimizu. She was quite surprised herself. She didn't actually want to forgive that easily. But the words came out of her mouth before she could think.

"Really? You do?" he asked. He looked and sounded extremely happy, like a child who was being promised a new toy. His voice was light, and his face glowed with joy.

Hino beamed at the sight, and nodded slowly. Somewhere inside, Shimizu had a childish side that didn't alter with age. She had always thought that Shimizu would always be childlike and angelic-looking, even when he was old and already had grandchildren.

Shimizu leaned his face closer to hers and gave her a kiss on her cheek.

"Thank you," he whispered.

Hino turned her head to meet Shimizu's gaze. He was smiling happily and was still playing with strands of her hair. He then lowered his gaze to her lips, before finally kissing them.

"Mmm... coffee and milk. You taste delicious," he giggled.

Hino grinned sheepishly. "You haven't had breakfast, have you?" she asked.

Shimizu shook his head and gave her a suggestive look. Then he took the tray from Hino's lap to put it on the side table.

Hino was startled. "Wha-"

Before she could finish, Shimizu's lips were already on hers again. With a hand, he casted the blanket which was covering her legs aside, while the other hand grabbed the back of her head and pulled her closer for a deeper kiss. Meanwhile, Hino raised her hands automatically to play with his robe. He smelled and tasted fresh. Temptingly and perfectly edible.

"You're yummy enough to be my breakfast," Shimizu whispered breathlessly as they broke the kiss in need of air.

He put a hand on her legs, slipping it underneath her nightgown, caressing them unhurriedly. Hino felt her body heating up under his touch, and she knew where this was leading to. So she decided to follow the game.

"Enjoy your breakfast, then," she purred with a seductive smile, putting her fingers on the opening of his robe and slowly sliding down.

Shimizu gazed downward to her fingers, and saw her untying the belt of his robe, leaving it open to reveal his pale chest and stomach.

Shimizu moved forward, aiming to kiss her ear and the side of her neck, with a hand still caressing her legs and the other slowly moving on her arm and shoulder. Then he slid the strap of her nightgown down, kissing the area where the strap once was, and further down to her chest.

Hino moaned in pleasure as Shimizu kissed the sensitive areas of her body, while her hands were busy caressing his smooth body underneath the robe despite her pain.

Shimizu stopped his kisses, only to pull her nightgown from her head and throw it aside, then proceeded to throw his own robe on the floor. Then he pulled Hino into a semi-laying position with pillow underneath while he knelt on the bed, leaning above her.

"I want my breakfast," he murmured eagerly.

"Keiichi...," she whispered, her eyelids half-closed.

Shimizu smiled playfully, then leaned down to grab her for another passionate kiss. Hino kissed him back, opened her mouth to let his tongue slide inside, letting out soft moans, while their hands dutifully touched here and there to increase their pleasure.

And Hino's moans became louder as Shimizu's hand traveled to the sensitive area between her thighs.

The loud thump of the door being closed startled Hino, making her almost jump in surprise. She cleared her throat and tried to act normal, taking deep breaths to clear her mind, knowing that she wasn't alone in the room anymore. Recalling scenes of lovemaking while at work was unacceptable and highly unprofessional. Hino wanted to slap herself for having those naughty thoughts.

Tsukimori entered the practice room holding his violin case in a hand and music sheets in the other, looking cold as usual. He walked past her in fast steps, set his violin case on the table, and without saying anything handed Hino some sheets they would be practicing on.

Hino raised her hand to receive the sheets, but stopped in midair and winced in pain, remembering the state of her shoulders. She had no other choice then quickly stepping closer to Tsukimori to take the sheets from him, hoping he hadn't noticed the change in her expression.

In fact, Tsukimori was too busy adjusting his bow and wasn't even looking at her. And as Hino took the sheets from him, he proceeded to check his violin with both hands, not minding anyone or anything.

After setting the sheets on the music stand, Hino attempted to place her violin between her shoulder and chin again, now in slower movements, but repeatedly failed. She was starting to lose hope and wanted to cry.

"What's wrong with your arms?" Tsukimori suddenly asked.

"Huh?"

Tsukimori walked towards her, then moved his hands to put her arms in the right position. But the sudden movement hurt her so much that she unconsciously let out a scream of pain, leaving Tsukimori taken aback and let her arms go.

Tsukimori stood perplexed. Eyes wide and mouth agape, not knowing what was going on. And Hino felt she had to quickly think of a lie to cover for her state and surprising reaction.

"I'm sorry, Tsukimori-kun. I... fell down on my back today morning as I was hurrying, and haven't been able to raise my arms properly since then," she lied, still grimacing.

Tsukimori sighed, then put a hand on his head in disbelief.

"What am I going to do with you, Hino?" he asked, annoyed.

"I'm... really sorry...," she said in a low voice, almost crying.

"Alright, alright. You can rest for today. Go home, put something on the lesion, and be fit by tomorrow. No more time-wasting. The event is nearing," he said in a commanding tone.

"Are you really alright with this?" she asked guiltily.

"Please, Hino. Go already, before I change my mind," he glared at her, practically chasing her away.

Hino nodded, then quickly arranged her violin and bow in the case, and left, half-running.

Once outside the conservatory, she slowed down. She bit her lower lip as she recalled all the violence that had been happening in the last days. She was now scared to go home, not knowing what might be waiting for her.

She walked even slower as she neared her apartment building. And as she reached the door, she stopped, unsure if she should enter. Sure, Shimizu had left to work that morning. But the day before, he was already home as she returned.

She checked her watch. One o'clock. It was actually still very early for Shimizu to be home.

Hino shook her head furiously, trying to let go of all worries. There was no reason for more violence. That day they had parted with loving smiles after all. And before leaving, Shimizu even kissed her passionately just before going out of the door, and murmured something about not having had enough breakfast that morning.

Hino clutched the keys in her hand and took a deep breath. Everything will be okay, she convinced herself.

She slowly introduced the key, unlocked the door and opened it slowly. She then silently entered, but what welcomed her inside left her frozen in shock and furrowed her brows. Her heart started to beat faster and fear slowly built inside.

I didn't leave my house in this condition today..., she wondered in panic.

(to be continued)

A/N: So, how was it? Surprising? Shocking? Thrilling? Anyway, just write all your thought down in a review, alright! I'll be happily awaiting =)