Chapter Four

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

Author Notes- (It's been a little later in the week, but I've been busy with thanksgiving plans and college. Here is another chapter as promised, and it didn't take too long like the others! I hope everyone is enjoying the story! I would love to hear some comments, if you really like to story! Enjoy!)

I couldn't believe myself, everything in the alleyway was my fault…..my own decisions put Taiga in danger...but even more for myself. I was powerless to stop three thugs at that time, Taiga was able to defeat one of them and we should have ran. That was when I felt like I was pointless, I remember telling her that only a dragon could stand next to a tiger….but I only slowed her down. Everything could have turned out worst, who knows what they would have done to her, if that guy didn't come in to the rescue. THAT GUY! Better known as Alex, some piece of trash that stopped those thugs with a few punches...yet, he was the one that saved us both.

Why was he even there in the first place? He was a thorn in my side after all, ever since he came back with her and now all these problems keep coming up. Maybe he was the one that sicked those thugs on us, but he wouldn't do that because he was Taiga's friend right? I shouldn't think badly of him, but he just gets under my skin that punk…..wait till I ring his...happy thoughts! It was worst off that Taiga went with him after the fight, leaving me to think of my actions it was because of my own good right?

I decided on heading back home like nothing had even happened, it was better to put this past me. I did all of my usual chores, cooked dinner for Yasuko and try to live my normal life. The same routine, before Taiga even came back to me….whatever. I just lied on my bed defeated as I tried to wait for my final day of highschool to come to close and started my new life. It was then something else other than taiga was bouncing around my head, college.

Yasuko wanted me to go to college, get an education...but what was I going to do about her. She collapsed the last time she tried to earn extra money, so I didn't know what to do for her. I wanted her to be happy, but no work herself to the bone to get me through college...it just wouldn't be right. What did I want to do with my life after high school anyway? It was a question that I never asked myself….yet it was so close to my graduation that I never decided did I?

I remembered back to the time that I ran away from home because she didn't want me to work, but that was with Taiga. We found my grandparents house, told them that I was there grandson and then stated that I was going to marry taiga. It was so funny watching her squirm over her words as she blushed bright red, soon after that we came back home. Taiga was bent on changing and went back to her mother, and that whole year we were apart.

I didn't think we changed, but maybe it was because of the time? We got older, did she still want to marry someone like me? We were young and foolish at the time, but here I am talking about myself as if I was an adult now? Stupid brain! I layed on my side staring at the blank wall near my bed, just trying to shut myself off and get some much needed rest...it was all that mattered right now right?

Taiga Pov

What is going on with my life, I couldn't protect Ryuuji...but then he was acting weird as well. Everything was changing around me, like something changed when I left or was it me? He almost gotten beaten up by those thugs, why couldn't he just ran away with me. He doesn't have to prove himself, or does he believe that I care if he can brave in front of danger. We were lucky Alex was there or else, who knows what would have happened to him.

"Is everything alright Taiga?" Alex asked from right next to me in an sincere tone.

I snapped out of my train of thought by Alex's kind gesture, remembering where I was at this moment in time. I went with Alex, so ryuji could think about his action he didn't want her to get in his way. He was going to drive me back to my home, but did I want to be near Ryuuji right now or would he start to ignore me….or would it be like that one time.

"I'm just worried about Ryuuji, hopefully he is alright." I said honestly to my friend that I could trust.

"Oh you don't have to worry about him, he was the one that put you in danger. If I wasn't around who knows what those thugs would have done to you! That isn't a picture I would ever let happen to you." He said with a hint of anger in his voice, as if he was going to do something awful.

"He was just protecting me, it was just lack of judgement."

"Lack of Judgement? I don't care! Your more important than his stupid judgement."

"Alex, why are you being so strict about this"

"Because I care about you, he was risking your safety just to look cool. I rather have him do…" Before he could finish his sentence, my hand slapped him across his face.

It was out of pure instinct that he was starting to become annoying, even if he was my friend. The words he was about to say were not welcomed and I didn't hold back my strength on it either. When it made contact with the side of his face, the echo could be still be heard echoing throughout the car.

"You don't know anything about Ryuuji, he has done so much for me. Even when I pounded on him or torrented him. He was always with me until the end!" I yelled at him angrily, as the car stopped at a red light.

I jumped out of the car and left him in the car alone. I decided to head to stay over at Minori tonight, it would be nice to have some support. Why was everything getting out of hand? Was it all my fault for coming back after a year?

Alex POV

The stinging sensation on my cheek felt even stronger as she rushed out of the car. The wench dared to lay a hand on me! She left me alone in the car, a few people were looking towards me and I just slammed the door shut. My mind drifted back to the empty seat right next to me, but quickly regained my wit as I mentioned towards Jarvan to head home.

"Young Master, how do you wish to proceed from here?"

I didn't respond to his question, staying quiet as I pondered about what had just occurred. Putting the right train of thought into my next set of words, rational idea's instead of trying to kill him. The idea kept coming back into my head to destroy every little part of him, tear him down and never be seen again. It was barbaric, but yet the craving for blood was just too demanding.

"I want to make him suffer so much that he will never look at Taiga again in his lifetime. The tabs you been keeping on his mother, use them to our advantage."

"Of course, but what of the young mistress?"

"It's okay, I'm going to call her mother and purpose the deal our families have always been setting up since our birth."

It was then that silence soon followed in the car, I was just looking out the window now. Everything will be alright, I planned them and he was so weak that I could taste the blood dripping from all the scars that I will carve upon him.

Ryuuji POV

It was finally the day of my graduation this time I would be the one to move forward into a brighter tomorrow. My...our last day here at this school, everyone else in my class were in the same boat now as well. I didn't check her window, or even announce my departure to Yasuko, as I made my way to the graduation ceremony.

The ceremony went by in a flash, as Kitamura gave the closing speech about how the school is greater and he would be leaving now. Everyone around us were talking about how the third years were so cool this year, as they spoke of the legends of the tiger of happiness. It just put me a little on edge as he wear outside of the front of the school. Then someone snapped me out of my thoughts as an arm slung around my neck.

"Isn't it great, we're done with here and moving onto the next step!" Kitamura yelled around himself, as many cheered.

"Yeah, but we have to look forward to college."

"Come on don't be a buzzkill, think about that stuff later."

"Yeah your right, you always know how to cheer me up."

"I wouldn't be your best friend for nothing right?"

I laughed softly at his words, he was one of the few that I knew would have my back no matter what. Then another question came through my head, would we still be friends later in the future? It seems like the future was a marvel, but also scary to even try to figure it out. I think it was time that I went with the flow, this should be a lot easier than thinking about it every waking second.

Looking through the crowd, I found a hint of red and make a break from Kitamura to head over to Kushieda. I had such a large crush on her, yet I fell deeper in the hole with taiga….almost drowning in the process. When I reached her, she was talking to a few of her younger softball teams and was standing right next to Kawashima who was saying some goodbyes to the underclassmen. The two of them looked at me with a smile, as I approached them.

"Takesu, it's so nice of you to finally come greet us. Where are my flowers?" Kawashima said with a smirk on her face.

"Judging by the amount in your arms, I think you have enough."

"You're no fun." She said sticking her tongue out at me.

"Takesu, is everything alright with Taiga?" Kushieda chimed in.

I was taken back how fast she brought that up, did she know something about it.

"We just had a fight, it's nothing serious." I said trying to play it off.

"Was that really what happened?" She asked with those eyes that could stare into your soul.

"Yeah for the moment it is." I mustered, trying to break eye contact with her.

"I understand, she didn't tell me anything. The only thing is she will be staying with me for a few days."

"I think it would be for the best if you two take care of her." I said not even regretting the words that came out of my mouth, we needed to think about all of this.

Ami gave me a disapproving stare, but turned away from my gaze. She might know what was wrong, but was deciding to stay out of it for now. We all went to have some fun at the karaoke bars, it was our final day with the rest of our class and we said goodbye.

It was already getting dark outside by the time we were done, as I walked back alone to my home. Looking at the apartment complex, there were no lights on at all as I sighed. She must have really meant it by her staying over at Kushieda, but it would be good to think about these things.

When I looked over at my home, the lights were on which were surprisingly. Did Yasuko forget to turn the lights off, or was it that someone was waiting for me? I quickly rushed up the steps and unlocked the door, racing through the kitchen. Finally reaching the living room in a pant, wanting it to be taiga, but instead it was HIM!

"Oh Ryuuji, welcome back. I think it's time we have a little talk." Alex said with a serious tone that sent shivers down my spine, what came after was a dark smile on his face.