After the Rain.

Chapter 3

Surprise was not one of those things that happened often to Takashi, but this was probably the single biggest shock that he had ever endured in the seventeen years of his life. Looking at the pink haired beauty before him, he only had one question, "Why?"

Saya Takagi had kissed him and he had kissed her back, he even enjoyed the experience. An experience with the girl that had been his friend all these years, and it was not something that he expected her to do, what he was expecting, was to be ripped a new one for skipping class, but this. Saya was and is in his eyes his sister; they had been that close and now he wanted to know as the question ran through his head, Why now? Why me? Just why?

Looking away from him for a few seconds, Saya regained her composure to answer the question. Trying to fill the now rapidly developing, awkwardness and silence between them, Saya finally said "I have wanted to do that for the longest of times." Turning now to look him in the eye, she changed her tone to speak softly, something she had never done with him since they were children and would play house together. "But you had Rei, so I was never looked at like that and now you have that same look that you give to Rei, when you two were sort of dating." Placing her head on his chest, she stopped for a second, listening to the steady drum of his heart. "But… only… this time…" Saya took in a deep breath so she could say it in the hope it would not hurt. " for Busujima-sempai. So I just wanted to try something… just once… before you get attached again."

Listening to Saya like this was a little unnerving for Takashi. His mind scrambled in every direction, looking for an answer, but there was none. Every time he tried to speak, his mouth dried, until finally he pushed her back slightly, holding both her shoulders in his hands. "Saya, I didn't know you felt that way, honestly I didn't." He paused as he waited to see some sort of reaction, but there was none. She just held his gaze, her amber eyes shining at him expectantly. "I will always care for you," he said, "and I do love you as a sister, and as my first true friend. Just us doing something…"

Saya cut him off, understanding where he was going with his explanation, also because she didn't want to hear the actual words. "It's ok… I know… I just wanted to try it and if I'm going to have my first kiss… then, I could not have asked for someone better to have it with…" she smiled briefly then her expression changed and her serious tone came back to her "Now if you muck it up with sempai, I will hunt you down and do bad bad things to you."

Nervously laughing not knowing if she was serious or not Takashi responded, taking his hands off her and stepping back some more. "I won't, but what about you?"

Stepping back and showing some enthusiasm through her sadness, Saya pointing her thumb at herself, "I'm a genius I'll figure it out. You know anyone?" Was her playful question, not expecting a reply.

There was only one name that popped into Takashi's head. Not that he could fathom out why, and he was sure she would hit him for the suggestion. "Hirano Kohta seems nice."

Suddenly the enthusiasm she had drained away, her face fell and her shoulders slumped. "So you get the beauty and I get the fat geek." Then anger took over, as she balled up her fist, throwing it into his shoulder hoping to knock him over.

Feigning hurt by holding his shoulder Takashi grinned a little. "Well when you put it like that no… but he is a nice guy that is not after social climbing."

"Great thanks, I'll not think about it," her voice dripping with sarcasm. "And with that bomb shell I will be going back to class… Are you coming?"

With lots of thoughts still running through his head Takashi declined. "No, I still have a lot to think about and you kissing me didn't help."

"Cut a girl a break will you." Bounding back up beside him, she planted another playful kiss on his lips "for luck." Turning around she walked off back to the door trying to hide her true emotions. If I can just make it to the door, he won't see that he has just broken my heart. She thought as she struggled to hold herself together

"Saya-chan… I'll see you soon; I just need an hour or two."

Saya stopped as she reached the door; she did not turn around and only held a thumb up, "Ok see you." Opening the door, she stepped through to get away from him.

0000

Saya walked a little down the corridor trying to hold her composure until she herd the door slam shut behind her, stopping, she placing her back to the wall, leaning on it, hopping for some support that it just could not give her weak knees.

Slowly she slid down the wall as she contemplated what had just happened. Takashi I hope you know what you are doing. She then realised something that she knew deep down, she would never have him. His view of her as his sister would probably never change; it was a painful realisation to have. She had held him in that special place in her heart for so long, holding out for him and when she found out about Rei going off with Hisashi, it lifted her a bit. Thinking finally I could be with him.

But then, what he told her about Sempai and the look he had. That look that crushed all that hope to dust, causing her to throw caution to the wind. To try taking the one thing in this world she was sure she wanted, to be close to Takashi and even though it was just for a moment, it was worth it. With a deep sadness, she allowed a single tear to fall down her cheek not bothering to wipe it away. Maybe love is just not going to happen for me.

After a few minutes she found her strength again and picked herself up, taking a last look in his direction, Good luck my friend… I hope that you find someone that is good to you. With that last wish Saya started back to class. After a few minutes she arrived and moved to her desk. Sitting down just before the first lesson of the New Year would start, she looked over to Takashi's empty desk. Saya again sighed sadly. I will never have him.

Just then she heard a soft male voice ask her a simple question. "Takagi-san, are you ok?" Turning back to the voice, at the desk behind hers, she set her eyes on a chubby boy, with dark hair and square glasses.

She felt like cursing at him and telling him to mind his own damn business, but as he was only politely asking about her she decided against it. "I'm fine thank you. It is just that Monday feeling..." it was a little lie that she did not enjoy saying. It's not like I can tell this stranger. It's not like he will understand. "Anyway, you clearly know my name, but I'm sorry I don't remember yours. So who are you?"

With a small bow of his head and a little surprised that she was even talking to him nicely he replied curtly. "Hirano Kohta, pleased to meet you."

"Hirano-kun eh… well nice to meet you, and thank you for asking." Turning back round Saya smiled a little whilst thinking Kohta hmmmm… he's fat, but maybe you are worth a quick thought. Then without thinking, Saya turned back and asked. "What you doing after school?"

0000

Saeko was tired of school for the day, math class had sucked away her will to live. Not because she was bad at math, it did come quite natural to her and she worked hard to achieve good grades in the subject. It was because of its shear boredom factor and because she was struggling to think straight as her mind drifted off thinking about current events.

Waking from her classroom, she made her way to the one place she knew she would be able to finally centre herself, the school dojo. The dojo is a large rectangular building next to the school gymnasium, which was built in the Okinawan style, by the order from the schools benefactors. One of which was none other than her father. The dark wooden structure was used for all the school's martial arts clubs. However in its pride of place was the Kendo team's office, the only club to have one there. Arriving at the dojo, she removed her simple black slip-on shoes, carefully placing them facing towards the south, then prepared to enter.

Saeko knelt down at the door sliding it open, bowed, then entered the structure. She walked to the Shoman* in the centre of the dojo, bowed again to give her thanks to Kami and to her ancestors then walked to her place, off to the right hand side between where the points of water and wood meet. She sat down on knees and unsheathed her bokken, placed it in front of her, putting her hands on her thighs and closing her eyes to try and meditate a little, so she could clear her mind before beginning the work she came to do.

Her mediation was not as peaceful as she hopped it would be. She would still find herself thinking about that boy. The more she dwelled on it the more she could remember, now it was something about tears in the rain, which had started ringing through her head over and over. It sounds very poetic, she thought, but also very troubling as it makes me want to scream. The more she thought about it, the more she found she would have the urge, to reach for her bokken. This confused her, as there was only one other thing in her life that would make her want to reach for a weapon like this. The one thing she would go to great pains and any extent to hide, her darkness.

After 20 minutes of attempted meditation, Saeko finally gave up, giving in to her urge, to just go outside and get some air. Getting up and huffing in disappointment at her failed discipline, she lightly walked over to the door, the light padding of her bare feet on the wooden floor the only sound.

Once outside she closed the door behind her and leaned on the wall, closing her eyes, berthing in the air that smelled of the soft scent of the flowers from the hanging baskets around the dojo. As the fog of her mind finally lifted, she looked up to see two figures that stood on the fire escape kissing. She smirked a little, wondering if she should disturbed their moment. After all it is ether extremely brave or very brazen of them to be doing such activities in the school. She mused coming to the conclusion that she would let them have their fun. Just because I am not deserving, does not mean others can't.

Saeko realised something else in that moment that she could not pull her gaze away from them. She began to blush at this revelation; she even pictured herself receiving such treatment. Eventually she managed to glance down. Stop being a pervert, she thought while allowing herself one last look before going back in

The pair of teens then broke up. She could make out one of them, a pink hair girl, with pig tails, that she knew from the chess club last year. She looked as if she was enjoying her moment with a young man, which was mostly obscured by the girl.

After a short time and the sound of distant nervous laughter, the girl with pink hair left, the boy turned and leaned on the railing, staring off into space and revealing who it was. Saeko was suddenly overwhelmed with feelings of loss and betrayal; as she had straight away recognised Takashi, the boy from her dreams. Saeko's eyes squinted, her fists balled tightly, the knuckles turning white and her nails painfully digging into her palms. The anger boiled over from her now braking heart, until she forced it back with a quiet comment. "I don't know him, so why am I so upset?"

Saeko however, saw her opportunity to finally confront the young man, this Takashi, that kept disturbing her thoughts. Forgetting to put her shoes back on, she made her way through the school to the door that the boy was behind. A feeling of anticipation started to grow within her, as her stomach flipped over and over, her chest tightening with each step, instilling within her with the one thing she had not known in some time, fear.

A fear of the unknown, not that she would back down from it, but a fear is a fear, it is how you deal with it is what counts. Her father had always taught her to face and embrace her fears, as they are what define a warrior. The goal is not to eradicate them, but to acknowledge their existence and draw strength from them.

A quote from her father played in her head from when she was young, not long after her mother Inori passed on and she had become afraid of the dark, because her mother was no longer there to give the bed time stories, or lullaby's she loved before going sleep. Her father sat on her end of her bed and held her hand, sadness still evident in his eyes. "Saeko it is ok to be scared, only a fool says they have no fear. Fears are not to be overcome, but harnessed; our fears are what let us know we are alive. The warrior that embraces those fears, like a long time friend and faces them unflinchingly would become truly a master of themselves."

Arriving at the door she began to question herself, should I be this bold? What am I doing? Placing a hand on the handle, she cursed at her indecisiveness. "You are Busujima Saeko daughter of Busujima Ryuu and Busujima Inori… and you will find out what this is all about." Then taking a deep breath as she said her personal mantra to herself "life in every breath." she moved to open the door.

The door was suddenly pulled open, dragging her with it as she held onto the handle, throwing her into a figure on the other side. She fell onto whoever it was bowling them both over with her landing on top of the figure with a loud thud.

0000

The door slammed shut and Takashi turned back around to lean on the railing, looking off towards the clouds as he spoke, "Saya why did you not tell me sooner." If it was not that he thought he was in love with Rei, it was that he longed for Saeko. And now just because whatever power there is wanted to toy with him, he realised that Saya… a girl he knew all his life, harboured deeper feelings for him than he could of ever understood.

Laughing a little to himself he declared, "Morita you're right, there is plenty of fish in the sea." Now the problem was shaking off the kiss I just had with Saya. The taste of her strawberry lip balm still on his lips her sent still in the air around him. By god it was a wonderful kiss. The memory of her kissing him play vividly in front of his eyes, the little shudders her body gave to his touch, the softness of her lips and the feel of his hands caressing her… Maybe I should upset Morita and go for it.

Suddenly squinting Takashi mentally slapped himself ok now I just sound like a girl. He held up and looked at his hand, the one that had wondered around her body, finding its way onto her breast. As he remembered the feel of her large globe, the feel being far more enjoyable than just looking, he gave a frustrated sigh. "Arrrrrghhh now I have Saya on the brain too. No!... She is my friend and I don't want to endanger that." Why dose being a teenager suck so much all hormones and shit? Takashi questioned himself, as he glanced up to the heavens hoping for an answer.

After another few minutes of pondering his situation he came to a ruff conclusion. Ok I have about an hour before lunch break. That gives me some time. Saya… well I hope I let her down gently… as I don't see that going anywhere. It's just too weird for me to be thinking that about her like this… although. He thought as he found himself tasting her lip balm again. No I can't, too weird

Rei… he stopped thinking when he mentioned her name, as his mind flip flopped over her from pain, sadness to regret and betrayal . Rei… I guess I have lost her now regardless of any promises that we made.

Then finally there is… Saeko… for some reason that he could not understand, the mere thought of her name warmed him. He thought the name again and said it out loud "Saeko." The same feeling hit him each time he mentioned her name. I need to meet her first and get to know her. Find out if she wants this and hope it is just not some stupid dream that has got to me.

Takashi stood back from the railing, maybe I should go to the roof and see if that helps. It's not like I don't have a clear goal now, my mind is made up I am going to pursue Busujima Saeko's heart. It was the first time his mind had given him a clear objective that did not involve Rei and himself. He also felt that he would be dammed if he was going to let this girl get away from him like he did with Rei.

Turning round, he headed for the door to go to the roof. More to see if a change of scenery for his last forty minutes would help and think about what to say when he found the girl he could not stop thinking about.

Takashi suddenly felt a cold breeze pass over him, making him thrust his hands into his pockets and hunch his shoulders, forcing him to quicken his pace to the door. Extending a hand he pulled it open with a little too much strength in a rush to escape the sudden cold. The door burst open and someone fell through, pushing him to the ground only to land on him with a cry of "what the hell!"

0000

Laying on the ground, a weight pressing down on him, he groaned as he exhaled. "Ow, that hurts!

The words rang through her mind overwhelming her senses. she could feel him beneath her. The familiar yet strange warmth radiating from the person she landed on, instantly settled and calmed her chaotic mind. Yet, he was a complete stranger to her with only a name and a dream to go by.

She had a feeling that she wanted to grab onto him, never letting go. A deep longing, that was beginning to become fulfilled, the fear in her growing that if she was to let go he would be lost to her again. Her mind filled with a thousand questions all begging for an answer. Is it you? Can you be the one I yearn for? Can I have my now with you? Can I finally be complete? Will you be the one to help me? Pushing herself up so she could see who it was, she opened her eyes and looked down at him. She instantly recognized his face. A smile formed on her lips and she only said two words "Hello anata*"

As he complained about the pain in his head from the fall, he felt, and heard, a strong familiar heartbeat from the woman that had landed on him.Her chest pressed against the side of his head, he blushed at the thought about the softness of the breasts in front of his face. Well I could think of worse positions to be in. The small whimper of surprise that escaped her lips, grabbed his attention, as he took in the sweet sound of a distant and long lost yet familiar voice the faint smell of fresh violets that her perfume was infused with drowning his thoughts, he could only describe it in one word Beautiful.

Opening his eyes he was greeted by the sight of several things. She was a student; the white and green blouse confirmed that. She was very slender, with a delicate hand that started to push herself up off of him. The next thing that happen took his breath away, as deep violet locks of hair fell around him, he looked up directly in to two inquisitive sapphire blue eyes. She whispered a very husky, polite hello. Puzzled for a moment as he recognised her, confusion taking over he had not planned it to go like this, in fact his mind reminded him he did not even have a plan yet. All he could manage to say was one word in a reply to her. "Sempai?"

*Shoman – "Front" northern most wall in a Okinawan dojo it is the name given to the the area that houses the place of honour and the Shinto shrine within the dojo.

*Anata - polite way of saying "you" normally used between lovers as a term of endearment.