-SoKawaii

ACT IV
Two-Buck Chuck

The tires gave a small squeak after finally stopping behind our old and seemingly abandoned home. It wasn't hard to keep under the radar back behind this small stretch of woods. Our house was thought to have been abandoned years ago after the death of my father and mother—haunted even. They had eventually boarded the windows and doors and stuck a 'For sale' sign in the front lawn after the death of my parents. However, no one even glanced at the overgrown jungle of a front yard and rotting house hidden within. The garden had taken over, and now my mother's many roses that were once well kept in our small garden beds had twisted themselves around the house with the other dense creeping brush of the forest. Her beautiful red, peach, white, yellow, and delicate blue roses were now bare vines of thick woody thorns and sickly ailing rosebuds. In some sense, I didn't really put much effort into changing anything about the house. 'It's just the way they left it.' I sat momentarily in the truck with the light shining at the house.

I finally turned off the old truck that had been given to me by my father. I stepped out of the tuck, shutting the old rusted door with a nudge. To my frustration the window fell down within the trucks door—broken yet again. I couldn't care less about the truck while listening to my stomach. The empty pain had subsided about two days ago, but this headache was beginning to eat me away. I had to eat something before I was digested from the inside out.

I could smell the fainter remnants of soup lingering in the chilly hallow night air. The delicate ghostly scent came from the boarded kitchen window that used to overlook the garden toward street. I could also tell the lights were out even behind the boarded windows. Ichiru must have already been asleep.

It was late and there was no sense in waking him now.

I jumped back into the car and looked through the glove department on the passenger's side, and in the compartment beneath the dashboard. I was lucky enough to find five dollars beneath the driver's seat. I reached into my pocket and pulled out my money clip—three dollars.

"Eight bucks should buy a few cheap beers… or one drink."

Forbidden Act

I shoved my keys into my pocket, switching them for my wallet. I pulled out the only crumpled bills I had and shoved the black leather wallet back into my pocket. I opened the doors to the small convenient store, holding the door open for a woman and her child before stepping to the back of the store in hopes to find a cheep beer or two.

"Hey!" I turned back quickly, unsure as to why the manager shouted at me. "We're out of the cheep stuff, kid." The older man glared at me firmly, keeping his eyes on my back as I turned from him, examining the cooler myself. He wasn't bluffing.

'Just great.'

"Two-buck chuck?" I asked simply after stepping up to the counter, actually considering purchasing wine of all things.

"You know, you look an awful lot like one of those kids who broke in a few years back." He eyed me suspiciously. "I lost three thousand dollars that night!" I didn't think twice about his comment, but he wasn't about to drop it. I suppose clenching my jaw in annoyance somehow offended him. "How old are you, kid?" He asked seriously with a tinge of accusation.

"Twenty-two." I lied, swift and thoughtless about my reply.

"Let me see some I.D." He narrowed his eyes, jaw tightening at my swift reply. His dark eyes followed my hand that dug into my pocket, swiftly grabbing my money clip and holding my identification out mockingly in front of his eyes. His eyes flicked up at myself, narrowed the slightest as his dark and greying bushy brows knitted closely together.

"Look," He sighed in defeat, crossing his arms indignantly over his chest. "You'd better stay out of trouble. The last thing you want to do is get caught up in some mess that no one can get out of. Back when I started this business someone took out a whole family—never caught the perp. Police couldn't figure out why anyone would kill a younger couple and their freak show twins—twin kids looked like clones! Man, but do I ever remember that woman! She was one hell of a looker in my day… I bet that's why someone killed that lucky son of a—."

"Does it look like I need a pep-talk from you?" I hissed through clenched teeth, unknowingly threateningly lunging at the store clerk who stared back with wide eyes. He shook his head with his dark wide eyes locked straight on me. In his eyes I saw my reflection, and it actually startled me. In his eyes I saw the very eyes that haunted me after the murder of my mother and father. I saw a monster.

I pulled back, but only to shove outside of the small convenient store and into my truck. I pulled away from the parking lot with my foot slammed down on the gas. I had to get the hell out of there… 'Stupid bastard didn't even check my I.D.' I sighed mentally, relieved that he didn't check my date of birth. I would be 26 this year.

I exhaled in disappointment, completely abandoning all thoughts besides one… I needed a drink. Unfortunately, I only knew one other place where I could get a cheap drink, and I would have to go into town for it.

I tried to ignore the sound of the wind rushing into the car due to the broken window, but it seemed to torment my memories. The cold wind was somewhat comforting, because the pain was far more noticeable than the burning sensation of the many bright lights around. I clenched the steering wheel, trying to ignore the barrage of thoughts lying beneath everything in my mind.

Today must have been a day from hell. I never saw Ichiru this morning and I never saw if he'd looked any better after last night. The car broke down on the way to the set, but right as that happened I had to call Jack last minute. He was pissed that I'd asked for a couple of weeks from work - he didn't believe in sick days, let alone "vacation." In spite of that pain, the car started to my disbelief, only to hurry to the set so Matsuri could dress me up like some doll and shove me at the engaged Yuuki Kuran with a bombshell of bad news… I was going to be a fictional monster working out of the country with an engaged woman and her over protective and jealous fiancé.

Above all else… I was going to have to leave everything behind – Ichiru. I hadn't even thought of a way to break the news to him. I didn't know how too. There was no way in hell he would be caught in this, but I didn't want it to seem like I was abandoning him all together. I took this job in order to be there for Ichiru, sick or not. If I were to leave the country who would look after him, and what if he were sick? As I thought about it more and more, there was no way I could do this for Ichiru's sake. Matsuri made a mistake for firing the actor before me… and she made the mistake of hiring me knowing fully that I wouldn't be able to do this in the end, but she was a witty and vindictive snake who always got her way… and I made the utter mistake of agreeing to her conditions saying I would be her little doll.

I wrenched the stick into neutral before parking, furious with my stupidity. I knew Matsuri was cunning, but I had no idea as to what extent I was played. I slammed the car door behind myself, infuriated to see the side mirror fall to its side, still attached by a mere screw as the broken window inside of the cars door rattled with evident sounds of rust flaking off within the door. I needed a drink more than ever.

I made it past the entrance, avoiding a few stares from multiple people who sat around the various tables within the bar. I collected myself and calmly sat at the bar itself, clenching the eight dollars in my fist. I exhaled once more and eased my nerves before I could slam my eight dollars on the counter.

"What can I get you, hon?" The bartender smiled invitingly, pulling out a shot glass with a warmer smile. I'd never seen her here before, but it was obvious she enjoyed my sudden interest in her. Her eyes were lighter hazel, and her cheeks alit a softer pink with freckles lightly dashed across the softer flesh. Her reddish-auburn hair framed her face as two braids lay on her shoulders. She didn't wear formal attire, but a button up shirt tied at her waist and shorter jean shorts that had obviously been cut. She had a tinge of a southern accent, and her attire made it seem far more evident she was not from this part of town… but far from it.

I pushed my eight dollars across the table, "Get rid of this headache."

"Aw, I know just the thing!" She giggled, teasingly placing the shot glass down gently and carelessly filling it with gin - not my favorite, but it would work. I slammed it back, swallowing harshly at the reminiscent taste and sting. I held my breath feeing a shiver run down my spine. I remembered this taste all too well.

"Zero… is that you?"

I inhaled deeply, pulling the glass from my lips and gently placing it back on the table. Chills that once rolled down my spine had turned my back into a stiffening plank, initially stiffening as her voice wrapped around my fame, strangling me. She didn't wait for me to turn, but instead she took a seat at the bar right next to me. 'Just great…'

"Where's Kaname?" I asked bluntly, not once glancing back at her all while motioning for another drink – I would need something to drown out her annoying little voice.

"Uh," She drew a blank. "Well, Kaname left a while ago, but—"

"He left you alone at a bar?" I skeptically cocked a brow back at Yuuki who stared with wide and innocent eyes of glassy russet. She stared for a simple moment, thinking. However, her wide eyes grew heavy before turning away from me. She instantly motioned towards the bartender for another drink. 'Looks like something happened?' I mentally scoffed. "I wonder how Kaname feels about you waiting for me?" I slammed back my second shot, scowling both brows the slightest to see her smile painfully at the rude comment. I bit my tongue.

"Hey, I said I'd buy you a drink… didn't I?" She giggled, watching for my reaction. I didn't humor her. She stared back at her drink, "But I'd really hoped you would come." She smiled simply without motive. She was obviously winning this little game she played, because I had nothing to say in defense. I felt somewhat guilty that I gave her the wrong impression. I honestly had no idea she would be here… but here she was. "Another of whatever he's having, and can I have another olive in my martini?" Yuuki spoke, popping the little green olive into her mouth. She smiled back at me giddily, occupied with chewing. However, her smile quickly faded seeing my irate expression.

"I'm not comfortable with accepting a drink from an engaged woman." I stated seriously. I didn't need any extra trouble. I just needed a quiet place to get a drink, and since that wasn't possible, I decided a nice quiet place to sleep at home was a much better idea than any of this. "It was a mistake coming here. You should get home before trouble finds you."

"Wait, please don't go!"

I froze instantly, mortified to feel her jump at me, slinking her arms around my waist as she pulled herself closer to me - latching onto me as hands snaked their way across my abdomen. This foreign asphyxiating feeling caused my heart to slam against the walls of my chest in fear. She mumbled something else while nuzzling her head into my back, still clenching onto my shirt with shaky balled fists. "Yu-Yuuki?" I swallowed harshly seeing many other eyes now firmly engulfing me as well. Yet again I was the spectacle within the audience. Maybe I was meant for show business… it was obvious no one could keep their eyes to themselves. Now there was absolutely way that I could abandon her here… "Fantastic."

"C'mon, you can't go yet! I owe you a drink, so you can't just leave… not after I waited this long." She implored, slurring lightly into my back.

It made sense now. She had obviously had a few too many to drink while waiting for me – She was plastered.

"How are you getting home?" I pried her arms from my waist, flipping around and forcing her around to look up at me. She looked up with those wide russet and innocent doe-eyes, though they stared vacantly at my face. She wasn't listening.

"Yuuki, how are you getting home?" I repeated, stooping to her height. Her eyes locked on mine after I'd lightly shaken her shoulders while trying to get her full attention.

"Oh, I'm driving!" She scoffed, pawing my arm with a snort of a giggle.

"No, you're not." I scoffed, crossing my arms over my chest. She placed her hands on her hips, cocking a brow at me with pursed lips.

"Why not? Do you want me to walk home?" She huffed, glaring back at me with a tough expression, despite her harmless and dainty exterior and high-pitched girlish tone.

"Best idea you've had all night." I mused, humored to see her shocked expression. "You're shitfaced." I felt my lips twitch the slightest, smirking to see her gasp dramatically with a priceless scowl.

"I am not!" She defended, trying to touch the tip of her nose, though she missed, tapping the left of her nose at first. "I-I'm not drunk! Z W… Z Y X W… T… A B C D…" She laughed nervously, playing it off as she tried to recite the alphabet backwards—failing miserably.

'There's definitely no way I could just leave her here now…'

"H-Hey! Where are you taking me!?" Yuuki staggered as I grasped her wrist, pulling her out of the bar and away from the many watchful eyes. She resisted, running back to get her small black handbag before running back to me—I stupidly held the door open for her, attempting to be a gentleman. Of course, I was too busy holding open the door, and as she ran she stumbled over tall high black heels.

"I'm such an idiot…" She whispered, clawing at my shirt with shaky balled fists. This was the second time I'd caught her in a single day, but this time she buried her rosy cheeks against my chest with a relieved sigh. It was obvious she tried to hide from the whispers and giggles within the bar.

"Alcohol does that." I mumbled, understanding the humiliation she felt. I pulled her outside of the doors and sat her on a bench outside of the bar. Yuki sat wearily watching in confusion. I tenderly held her ankle up. She winced; obviously she'd twisted when her heel broke. I tenderly unhooked the straps to her tall and sleek broken heels, revealing dainty feet. I threw both expensive designer shoes in the trash, careless to her rebuttal as she lunged at the infected trash with a displeased whine. Unfortunately, as she lunged at the trashcan to try to save her broken shoes she'd stumbled awkwardly with an added whimper of pain.

I snagged her, picking her up and tossing her over my shoulder. She didn't thrash, most likely out of shock, but at least she remained limp — biting her lower glossy lip in pain.

'Damn her.' I froze, sighing.

I walked back to the bench and grabbed her small handbag. I walked to the parking lot and tossed her handbag through the window of my truck before walking around to the passenger's side. I opened the door and gently placed her in the car's seat, carefully fastening the seatbelt over her limp and appreciative frame. The seat-belt finally clicked, but her reaction didn't click – wide and innocent russet eyes, brows furrowed, lips parted, cheeks a hot tinge of reddening pink so close. My eyes grew wide in contact with hers hers, and I quickly pulled back — unaware of how close and uncomfortable she was.

She kept her eyes off of me as I rounded the car and hopped into the driver's seat. She was coherent, but by no means able to comprehend what was happening… or drive. The awkward silence was beginning to eat away at me, far more than the burning sensation of her eyes that still had that sheen of distinct shock.

"Where do you live?"