After the Rain

Chapter 2

To Saeko, the trip to school that morning seemed…different. Had it not been for what had happened in the shower it would have felt like any other day?

But something was irking her, a nagging thought that would just not go away. Just who was this Takashi and why did I feel such a painful loss when I thought about him?

It was not like she had met him, or had a crush on him. At least I don't think it is a crush. That title belonged to the previous Kendo captain and her sempai Tanaka Ezio. She had never let on to him about it, preferring to admire him from a distance. Ezio in her eyes was a peaceful man, whom she felt not deserving of, because of the darkness that she harboured in her soul, the darkness that granted her pleasure from the suffering of others. By the time she had thought of asking him, the two years that they had as friends had been over, and Ezio-san had moved on to university in Tokyo. Leaving another part of her normalcy to wither and die, as she continued her lone struggle, to keep the darkness contained.

Holding onto the wrist strap of the train, she cast her gaze down, looking at her immaculate school green and white uniform. I need some guidance in this. She made a mental note to phone her aunt. After the death of her mother, her aunt was her go to when she needed the guidance of another woman and with what she is feeling now, she would defiantly need another woman's point of view.

Her shoulders drooped and she sighed a little, as she thought about how much she needed her mother, now more than ever, at this time of her life. Trying not to think of her mother and Looking back up, Saeko quietly cursed to herself. "Get a grip… Busujima women should not be sulking. I'll ask my aunt later."

The train eventually pulled up to her stop and Saeko got off, working her way through the crowd towards the exit, stopping briefly at the turnstile, to pass her student card through the reader and walking the last 15 minutes to school.

Trying to change her thoughts she began ordering her day as she walked. Saeko looked over her new timetable, first to Homeroom for the class introductions, next on to the big hall for the Faculty and student body president speeches. Looking at her class time table she noted her first subject of the year was her least favourite [Mathematics] "urgh" escaped her lips as she thought about the dry subject.

But afterward was the reward she had been looking for. Some free time that she had chosen to fill with the Kendo Club and begin organising the team for the year. Some point in next few days after school would be when the first year try-outs would start and that would probably be Wednesday. She fished out the email in her bag that she had printed out, names, grades and notable achievements, of those that had signed up on the school's website. She mentally took note as to the squads she would assign them to, as she began to organise her team.

The last day of the school year, Saeko had been named by Ezio to be his successor to the club captain's position. It was not unexpected since she had just won the national finals, never losing a single point during the whole tournament. Surprising the judges as she had only been practicing Kendo for the last 6 years and was only a 4th dan, beating some of those that are ranked far above her.

Saeko's edge came from the fact that she is also practicing Busujima Itto-Ryu kenjutsu under her father's tutelage, becoming his greatest student, ever since she could pick up a bokken at the age of three years, she would be constantly practicing and building the muscle memory during all her free time. This year was to be different for her grading to become top of the 4th dan becoming one of the youngest to ever gain the grade. It was an extremely proud moment for her and her father.

As she rounded the corner and walked through the gate of the school, she spotted the boy from her dreams next to the dorms. Butterflies filled her stomach, as she watched him leave towards the main building. She wanting to shout out to him but fought the urge, instead opting to go directly to her class after all it was only a stupid dream and what could become of that.

Saeko tried not to look at him, so as to shrug off the feeling, making a bee line straight for the door. But she had this burning desire to look again, no, it was more a need to turn around and look at him. Turning round to find him in the crowd her immediately eyes met his.

0000

Shrugging of the day dream from in the shower, Takashi sat on his bed. He was confused about what just happened. The girl from his dream that night and form his experience in the shower was non-other than Busujima Saeko-sempai. Or as she had been nicknamed by most of the boys "the Ice Queen" due to the cold hard aura she gave off, making just about every one of them scared to even approach her, and the few that did were soon shot down.

Of all the girls around me why her? He thought. Well she was probably the best looking and she did rank number 1 in Morita's list of the hottest girls in school and he was correct about that. Mind you she does have that ever so sexy way of moving around too. But then she is my senior and I'm a junior but so was Rei.

Sighing out loud Takashi then told himself off. "Awww come on brain just forget Rei already… She has made her choice for fuck sake and I'm still pinning like a lost puppy for her." As Takashi sat and tried to forget about Rei, his watch chimed letting him know it was time to get over to the main building for class. Getting up off the bed he said to himself in a low voice "well dam it I'll have to face the world now."

Leaving the dorm block, he made his way across the courtyard and out of the corner of his eye he caught a glimpse of something strangely familiar to him, a split second of a flash of violet as he spotted Busujima-sempai quickly moving to the senior classrooms. It was enough to make him stop dead in his tracks, as his chest knotted up just from this flash of her going about her day. She probably won't even notice me.

But, as she reached the main entrance to her classroom building she stopped turned around and looked directly at him.

Their eyes met, sapphire looked directly into soft brown, a flash of recognition engulfed both of them. Saeko politely nodded to the boy whose name she barely knew and he nodded back. After the brief exchange, both turned and waked off, having the same thought and same small smile What is she/he to me… that I can feel this way about him/her?

Takashi arrived at his homeroom class last as always, sauntering off to his desk, his mind in conflict at the encounter a few minutes ago. Should he just forget it, or should he do something about it. That was until he was stopped by a rather annoyed voice that griped him with terror.

"Takashi late as always I see… You know this year you are going to have to work hard to get the grades you want and There is no way I'm going to study buddy with you, like last year and cram it all in."

It was the same person that had always ticked him off and the one person he would allow to speak to him in such a way Saya Takagi.

Takashi had known Saya all his life. From the moment they lived next door to each other as infants, going to the same kinder garden and schools, even after her parent's success when she moved away. It hurt him at the time, as he thought that he would be losing his best friend, luckily that was not the case. Her parents wanted her to have the same sort of education they did and not just send her off to some upper class boarding school, to be primed and pampered. The only thing that ever bugged Takashi about Saya was her bad and very short temper, and her ability to win every argument they had.

Reaching up and scratching the back of his head, Takashi gave his best your right smile "I know… I know Saya-chan I'll try better, but you know what I'm like for getting up in the morning." It was just as he finished that he caught a glimpse of Rei talking to Igou, then with an audible sigh that he tried to hide from Saya, he went to his desk to take a seat

The sigh did not go unnoticed by Saya as she got up and followed Takashi to his seat. Standing over him she was going to carry on telling him off, but decided against it, placing her hands on her hips she bent forward a little, "You know she does not deserve all this right."

Looking back up he noticed her cleavage, then forced his eyes up to her face as he tried not to look. She may feel like my sister, but boy did she develop well and her chest sort of exploded the last few years, was the thought in the back of his head.

"Hey the face is up here perv." Saya angrily added. Not that she was upset that he would look at her that way, in fact she was a little flattered and liked that he had noticed she was an attractive girl and not just an old friend, just now was not the time. "Like I said you can do better."

Realising where he had been staring, Takashi wiped his head up at light speed to see Saya glair at him. "Eh… oh sorry, you're probably right… just well you know it's been a long time…. that we… have well been together."

Tenderly placing a hand on his shoulder she looked him in the eye, "I know… just, I'm here if you need to talk ok…" Noting that the teacher was waking in to his desk she finished her conversation "I need to go sit down now sensei is here."

Placing a hand on hers he then smiled up at her, "Thanks Saya." With that genital touch she gave him one of her rare smiles and moved back over to her desk. As Saya walked off Takashi noted another set of eyes following her movement, or more like her rear. Again he had realised that Saya did have a stunning body. Leaning across to the letch and whispering to him "Hirano-kun try not to make it so obvious brother, and she has a weakness for cherry blossoms or anything pink."

Takashi did not know why he said that to Hirano as he found him a bit odd. A likeable boy if anyone took the time to know him, just very quiet and a bit of an unhealthy like for guns. This all came about after he was found to have several copies of Combat & Survival and a Jane's weapons encyclopaedia in his locker. This was the catalyst that started some bullying and was one of the reasons he was in his class this year. To try and separate him from those bullies, a group of guys in sensei Shido's class that all hung out together. Tsunoda was probably behind it, as he normally was in these matters.

Looking like someone that was caught red handed Hirano stuttered "Er… uh… no… it's not like that… er… em… thanks I think."

"Look man I know you have a crush on Saya. She told me about some fat guy that confessed to her last year. I'm guessing that was you?"

Nodding a reply Hirano spoke in an equally low voice, so only the pair of them could hear what he could say. "Yes… she turned me down before I could even get more than a few words out."

"Well like I said, next time have something pink to distract her, nothing to flashy as that will not impress a girl that wants for nothing."

Looking a bit perplexed at that last statement, he asked Takashi "What does that mean?"

"Her family is well off, so money will not get her attention." He paused for a second to let that bit of information sink in. "She will just think you are another social climber if you do. I also know she is not interested in dating so it will have to be unique for you to get her attention."

Hirano's eyes suddenly narrowed with suspicion "Why are you telling me this?"

Not actually knowing an answer Takashi tried to think of a reason why until he came up with something "Because I don't think you would do anything to hurt her… that's why." It was not something he knew; it was more a deep feeling. Similar to the feelings he was having for Saeko but involving Saya and Kohta.

"Takashi-kun, Hirano-kun I hope I am not interfering with your conversation."

Both boys looked up to where the interruption came from, looking directly at one rather annoyed Sensei-Kondo, the homeroom Teacher. In unison both boys replied "No Sensei!"

"Good! Then one of you will not mind coming up here to start the introductions, seeing that you have so much to say already."

Rolling his eyes Takashi placed both hands on his desk pushing himself up and his chair back with a loud screech that seemed to eco round the room. Then with an exasperated voice he volunteered himself to go first. "Yes Sensei." He moved to start his way to the front of the class, stopping quickly next to Hirano. "Come see me in the dorms later… and you owe me one."

Looking very surprised and now feeling a bit awkward Hirano grind "Thanks man."

0000

The morning introductions had been like they always were, full of hello's and please look after me's. Then during the school assembly it happened again. Standing about 4 people in front of him, he could see her unmistakable dark violet hair and he could not help but stare at her. Mumbling quietly to himself, he weighed up the options. "What the hell am I doing? Just ask her and get it over with?" rolling his eyes back in frustration Tell you what brain, we will go ask her at lunch break, see if we can get to know her, then will you stop bugging me? He chuckled a little as he realised that he was making a bargain with himself, as he continued to look at the girl admiring her figure.

Standing deep in thought, Saeko was not really paying much attention to the student body president. The only thought she was having was about the spiky haired, brown eyed young man from her dream and from this morning. All these thoughts about a boy she had never met was starting to annoy her, as it was proving to be too much of a distraction, knocking her normal focus out of sync.

"It is like I have not seen him in a long time and I miss him." Saeko quietly mused. But how is that so when I have never met him before and the feeling of longing I get when I see him, is just plain unsettling. That is when she made up her mind and softly mouthed the words "Busujima women should not be this indecisive. During break I will find out just who he is and why I feel like this."

0000

After the assembly Takashi decided to skip out on class and go to his spot on the fire escape to sort his head out. It was full of mixed feelings for Rei and a deep longing for Saeko that was just unexplainable. It was just plain painful and confusing causing him a headache. Looking out to the world from his vantage point, he sighed deeply as he fought his conflicting emotions in the cold spring air noting that the cherry blossom was beginning to bloom. His thoughts eventually found their way to his voice "Hmmm Saya always did love this time of year, but then everything is pink, so no surprises there, I would rather it was fall though far more colours." Fall was also incidentally the same time of year he made that pinkie promise to Rei and that memory just started another bought of heartache.

Takashi silently tried in vain to order himself weighing up his choices. Rei is happy with Hisashi so who am I to get in their way, but I do miss her. Then there was all that you won't understand thing. Mind you I was probably not helping, never giving her the confession that she wanted, so it is partly my fault.

"Just what are you doing skipping out on class already; the year has only just started Baka?"

Closing his eyes at the voice behind him he turned to looking down in guilt to see a set of pink canvas shoes. "Hi Saya. I know, I just needed to clear my head."

Seeing the sad expression in her long-time friends body, Saya lighten up her mood slightly "You really need to just let her go Takashi."

Hearing the words and looking back up stopping briefly at her breasts again with a quick thought of she really needs to stop wearing that low cut top and bending over so much. He looked Saya in the face. "I know your right but I can't help it and it's not just her."

Lifting an eye brow a little in surprise and a little hopeful, Saya responded to him. "Another girl? Are you trying to be a playboy or something?"

"Yes another girl… do you know Busujima Saeko?"

Feeling a little disappointed Saya huffed out "Yes… She is a third year; she was in the chess club with me for a bit, she is very good at kendo and never says much to anyone. Why do you ask?"

"Well I have had some disturbing dreams about her…and"

Angrily she interrupted him "You pervert… I don't need to know about your wet dreams you know!"

Flustered all of a sudden by the misunderstanding, Takashi stuttered back waving his arms and blushing bright red "N…No it's not like that… and you must be the pervert if that was the first thing that came to your mind."

Hearing his explanation she face-palmed herself pinching the bridge of her nose to try and hide her own embarrassment. "Er well… Anyway if it's not that what is it?"

Turning serious Takashi asked. "You promise not to laugh at this."

"No! Because you're a baka and it can be hard for me not to." she chuckled

Laughing a little to himself, he said, "You have a fair point there… But anyway it's like I miss her… and I mean miss, I am pinning a fair bit. It's like we have been together before and separated for a long time and when we looked at each other this morning it was as if we knew each other."

Surprised a little, she asked him more about it, wanting to know a little more. "This morning?"

"Yes this morning as I came out the dorm I saw her, we stopped and when our gaze met…" he trailed of his explanation not sure of the words that could describe what happened.

Looking at him as he finished she came to one conclusion "Look not that I believe in this, but it sounds like love at first sight. It's how my mamma and papa explained to me, about their relationship they just knew, so got they married then 1 year later had me. But what are you going to do about it?"

Thinking hard for a moment he knew the answer. He had made his mind up as he was looking at her during assembly "Go ask her on a date or something I think."

Feeling a little let down Saya carefully decided on her next action. "Well if you're going to do that, then I need to do this."

Looking down briefly she grasped onto one of his hands then slowly looked back up to his face, stepping nearer she pushed herself forward until their faces where just inches apart.

"Saya?" Takashi squeaked out in surprise. Levelling his face with hers he pushed forward slightly confused and hesitant about what was happening.

Whispering back to him she scalded him lightly "Shut up and let me have this Baka."

With her words finished and with all her will power she pushed forward calming his lips for herself, with a soft kiss at first and as she felt that it was probably enough she pulled back to look him in the eye, to see the shock on his face.

He looked so cute like that, that she could not help herself but to push for another kiss, a deeper more passionate one. Her tongue flicked out, only to be met by his as they explored each other's mouths, gently nipping on each other's lips, Takashi ran a hand through her hair sending pulses of pleasure down her back causing, her to moan softly into his mouth.

After a few minutes the pair broke up. Takashi breathed deeply then asked one thing, "Why?"

For those that have waited so long for this I can only say sorry. But life threw me a big fuck you and to be honest trying to concentrate on writing has not been high on the list of to do's. I am going to post the chapters that I have over the next few days so that they can see the light of day.