Chapter 2

(It's been a long time, had to find a new beta and other stuff going on in life. So enjoy if anyone still reads this xD)

Disclaimer- Do not own the series or characters. Simply the plot of this story and OC's.

I had taken my time to calm down; the very idea of Taiga going behind my back had created a bad image. It has been so long since I had last seen her, maybe I was just overreacting to them. She said that he was only her friend, it could be the truth and I was just being a jerk.

I sighed to myself at the thought; she would surely have my head for this. When I finally came back to my senses, I was in front of my home with the groceries. Walking up the stairs, it was time to do some cleaning and get dinner ready for tonight.

Today was supposed to be a special day, since Taiga was going to be back. Her favorite was always meat and rice, so I decided to make that exact dish. Preparing the food for me, my mother and… Taiga, if she ever comes around. I knew that if I didn't get her any at all, she would surely beat me up with a fury of blows.

They were never nice to endure. Looking over at the clock, I noticed it was only seven in the afternoon? It was really getting late, wonder if Taiga would make it home alright. Of course, no one would mess with her; she was even stronger than me. I am the dragon and she is the tiger, two creatures that are unrivaled by each other.

Yet, sometimes she is the one to advance quicker. Maybe that is the reason for me acting so rash, I felt that I wasn't going to reach her level once more. I mentally slapped myself to snap myself out of my heavy thinking and to focus on the food. Letting the rice simmer, the meat cooked right and I cleaned the dishes in the sink.

Maybe guys didn't know much about this type of work, but I was raised by a mother who half of the time, couldn't take care of herself. I took it upon myself to learn to cook and clean. I found out that I had really a knack for it to the point that I will clean the most disgusting of messes! That shouldn't really be a problem, but others don't have my way of thinking… I guess.

Soon enough, there was a crash at the door; I jumped back out of fright, but quickly hurried to the door. Opening the door, I spotted Yasuko on the door with a faint smile on her face as she hugged me. She had called off earlier today? It must have been a special occasion, or she was getting ill.

"Are you alright?" I asked, concerned for her.

"Of course, Ryu-chan! I simply decided to call off work tonight to see Taiga again, where is she?" She asked in her usual oblivious demeanor.

I looked away with a sour expression on my face, what was I going to tell my mother? I just decided to tell the truth.

"We had a fight; it was my fault because of some new guy around here. I just…" I couldn't finish the end of my sentence.

"You were jealous?" She said effortlessly

"… I guess." I tried to play it off.

"Ryu-chan, you have to be certain. Are you or are you not?" She said, more demanding this time around.

"Yes, I really am jealous. I suppose it is because I haven't seen her in a year, and this guy decides to come back with her."

She rubbed my head softly like when I was a child and the soothing motions calmed me down. I didn't tell her often, but she was the best mother a person can ask for. Her way of raising me was different, but I came out strong like any other regular child with two parents. We decided to go into our living room and start dinner off.

I started to eat my dinner while Yasuko did the same. She was pondering something it seemed, but what was it? I didn't think I'd ever find out

"It's alright to be Jealous, Ryu-chan. It's natural for a guy like you to feel threatened, but my advice to you is to not let it get in the way of your feelings for Taiga. Because you will start to drift apart." She said in a motherly tone.

I listened to my mother's words, they were true. If I kept letting that guy win, I would start to lose her. I can't let that happen.

"You're right, I have to be more concerned over her feelings. Maybe she is cursing me out right now, or thinking of a way to torture me at this very moment." I chuckled lightly to myself.

Yasuko smiled at me, while she started eating her meal. Next time I see Taiga, I am going to tell her sorry and certain words that I should have said to her last year. It was time for me to make a play in my own field… but how?

It was already nine by the time, we had finished our dinner. Yasuko had decided to do the dishes for once and I retreated back into my room. I decided that she might not be coming today, so I took out my bed and decided on taking a much needed nap.

…

Taiga Pov

I had taken longer than normal to get back home because I decided to walk. It was quite the journey since I didn't take the limo back home. I'm thinking of what to say to Ryuuji… he might be mad at me still but what else could I do. He needed to understand that I am still the same, yet he suspected something about Alex.

It might have been because I never spoke to him often, coming home with a guy that could have been my new love. He must be thinking that he would lose to him, Alex had the traits to go for any girl, but I knew that I couldn't fall for him. Because Ryuji had something that he didn't, the ability to push pass my faults and find the real me.

That was the reason that I had fallen in love with him, despite going the distance to stop myself at the end. We finally decided to leave town, try to wait till his eighteen birthday and get married. Of course we stopped because he wanted to get the approval from my parents; he wanted everyone to be happy for us. It was a goal that I wanted to see thru with him to the end.

I finally reached my home, it was about eight already and I decided to get my clothing put away. It was hard work that I could make Ryuuji do, but I would just have to surprise him. I'd show him that I can clean as well and do some minor work around the house. It wasn't until nine that I had finished and decided to head over to his home. I'm hoping that he isn't still mad.

Wrapping myself in my coat again, I headed off next to the door to talk. I knocked on the door softly, hoping for a response. It was a about a few minutes before the door opened and Ya-chan had embraced me. I felt her breasts against my face and I fought for air. I was so happy to see…well feel Ya-chan loving embrace of death again.

It had been so long since I saw her and she finally let me go after a few seconds. Bringing me inside their home, I looked at the kitchen and the living room. Nothing had changed. At the far corner it seems that a sleeping Inko-chan could be spotted. I took off my shoes and sat at the table while Ya-chan had heated up some food for me.

She placed a plate of food in front of me and I looked down at it, trying to decide whether to eat it or not.

"Taiga, it's your favorite. Ryu-chan made it just for you." She said cheerfully.

"He made it just for me?" I asked stunned at his actions.

"Yes, he was hoping to say that he was sorry about today." She said honestly.

"H-he...told you?" I asked, hoping that she wasn't sad.

"He didn't need to; it's a mother's gift to know what is wrong with her son."

"It wasn't my fault, he was just being jealous of my friend. It wasn't like I was the cause of this entire thing."

"Taiga, it's only natural that he feels like that. Men are like predators, they like to mark their territory. When another predator gets in the way, they go on the defensive."

"So Ryuuji is peeing on me?" I spoke out before I knew what I said; I felt a bright red blush overtake my checks.

Ya-chan had laughed at my statement, before returning to her gentle smile.

"Tell me, Taiga. What would you do if another girl was hanging around Ryuuji? What would you do?" She asked in a serious tone to prove a point.

Her question had sparked something in the back of my mind, the very image of him with another girl. It wounded my heart, causing me to shed a brief tear. I felt my hands clench harder as I tried to think of what to do. So this is how Ryuuji must be feeling right now, huh?

Ya-chan had pulled me into her arms, rubbing my head softly. It was like I had never left, we ended up talking about a few more things while I finished up dinner. Ryuuji cooking was a good as always, getting better with each dish that he made. I would be fine with him being the stay at home guy. The very idea had put a smile on my face as I wanted to make up with him.

"So where is Ryuuji?"

"I think he went to take a nap in his room."

"Oh, I guess that I will see him later than." I said with frown on my face.

"Nonsense, just go into the room and surprise him." She said trying to make me do it.

"That's just…I might…no, it isn't right!" I tried to play off that option.

"Taiga, you have shared a bed with him before. Just go in already, and don't make too much noise." She said with a sly smirk, trying to imply something.

"Fine, I will just talk to him and that is all." I nodded to her, with a brighter blush on my face this time around.

I got up from my kneeling position and walked over to his room. I felt my heart beat faster as I opened the door softly, only to be greeted by the sleeping form of a dragon. I closed the door behind me and walked over to him. Looking at his sleeping face, he was so peaceful when he wasn't pointing something stupid out.

I kneeled down to his side, extending my hand out towards his face. Brushing my hand softly across it, he didn't budge at my touch. Instead, relaxed even more as I heard him mutter some words in his sleep.

"Taiga, forgive me." He repeated over and over again to himself.

He seemed that he was having a bad dream; I decided to pull myself next to him. I got in his sleeping bag with him and wrapped my arms around his body. My face curled up in his stomach, as I could feel his warmth around me now. I loved this feeling; it was putting me to sleep as well. My eyes were growing heavier but before I let sleep overtake me. I kissed Ryuuji on the forehead, hoping that he feel much better with me around.

…

Alex Pov

"So is everything going accordingly to plan?" I asked curiously from my recliner chair.

"Yes, young master. I have all the info you need to wage a war." He said in the utmost respect.

"Good, Jarvan. What is the condition of his mother?" I asked in a demonic tone.

"She is fine. Pay her bills and trying to give her son a good future."

"Interesting, is that all?" I said, expecting more dire news, rather than good.

"Yes, he has a father but he is not with the family at all."

"I could care less about his daddy issues!" I stated with a forceful roar, I couldn't care less about his personal life.

"What type of action do you want me to take?"

"Send those thugs to follow Takasu, when he goes down the wrong corner. They will pounce on him…also make sure that Taiga is there to witness, then it will be my time to shine."

"Always looking to be the center of attention, Young master."

"Yes, I do very much enjoy it but it will prove to her who is better. Plus, he will see that he isn't able to protect himself or her, and it will demoralize him. Then I will be the one to pick up the pieces, like good guy that I am." I said as an evil smile graced my face as I stared out of my window into the small town.