I love the time and in between
The calm inside me
In this space where I can breathe
I believe there is the distance I have wondered
To touch upon the years
Reaching out and reaching in
Holding out, holding in
I believe this is Heaven to no one else but me
And I'll defend it long as I can be
Left here to linger in silence if I choose to
Would you try to understand
Oh the quiet child awaits the day
When she can break free
From all the clings like desperation
Oh mother don't you see I've got to
Live my life the way I feel is right for me
You say it's not right for you
But it's right for me
I believe this is Heaven to no one else but me
And I'll defend it long as I can be
Left here to linger in silence if I choose to
Would you try to understand
Aya was playing the piano and singing a song she had written a few years ago. She wrote the song when she was heart broken, but she never told anyone. She couldn't understand why she had picked this song for today's show.
Sanada and Niou had entered the club just as Aya started singing her song. Both were mesmerized by the song and by Aya's performance. Sanada had never heard a more beautiful voice like the one he was hearing at that moment, he felt his heart skipping a beat. He felt like he was at float. Niou thought that the girl singing was good but what caught his eye was a dark haired woman walking gracefully towards the bar.
Aya stepped down and sat to the table she shared with Fay. She felt so good after all the cheering; her song was a good choice. She sipped on her Campari and looked around the club. Fay came and sat at the table near her.
"That song was fantastic! When did you write it Aya?" Fay asked excitedly.
"I wrote that song a long time ago." She said happily "I never told anyone though, it was after my heart was broken." She smiled.
"Oh! You should have told me and Arisa. We are your best friends." Fay pouted and then started to laugh.
"Sanada lets go sit somewhere." Niou walked of to a table he had spotted a while ago.
"Where are you going Masaharu?" Sanada asked following his silver haired friend.
"Right next to your angel." Niou smirked and winked at him as he sat on the table opposite Fay and Aya. Sanada was speechless looking ever so intently at Aya.
"I have a feeling someone is looking at me." Fay said looking around. She stopped when her eyes met a pair of pure green eyes on a handsome face, although he looked familiar. "I think I found the guy that is looking at me A-chan." She said slowly and tilted her head to the direction of the man who was looking at her.
"Umm…Oh! I think I have seen him somewhere." Aya said cheerfully. Maybe a little bit too cheerfully. She then looked to his side saw his friend looking intensely at her. She flushed and looked away. He looked so handsome.
"What's wrong A-chan?" Fay asked "Is everything ok?"
"Yeah, it's just that his friend is looking at me so intensely I am just a little embarrassed." Aya reasoned peeking at Sanada with the corner of her eye.
After a while of eyeing and staring contests, Niou decided he had enough of the games, so he got up from his chair and headed towards the girls.
"Hello ladies." Said a voice teasingly.
"How may we help you?" asked Fay indifferently.
"How cold!" the man said with a smirk "My name is Niou Masaharu and I would like to know yours."
"I see." Fay looked at him from head to toe "Well, you have to earn it." She replied gracefully.
Niou bent down to reach her ear and whispered "The game is on." Then turned and left.
"Why did you go to their table?" Sanada asked Niou.
"I needed to get a better look at your angel." Niou said with a shrug.
"Better look at my angel?" Sanada repeated annoyed by the comment "She is not my angel." He said bluntly.
"She reminded me of someone and I needed to be sure."
"And?" Sanada inquired a little bit to fast.
"She was the girl that you said was checking me." Niou said with a devilishly smile.
"He was the guy that you said was checking me out the other day." Aya said surprised "I told you he was not checking me." She pointed her finger at Fay.
"Well, maybe I was wrong. Should we call them to our table?" Fay winked at her friend and smiled.
"Do you think he is the kind of guy that would need an invitation?"
"I hope not." Fay said and eyed Niou carefully.
"Let's go Gennichirou." Niou said as he stood up taking his drink and walking to the girls table "Ladies." He sat at the chair near Fay. "This is my friend Sanada Gennichirou. He doesn't like to talk much but likes to act." Niou said with a smirk and winked at Aya.
"Masaharu! Behave." Sanada said sternly "May we join you?" he asked Aya. She nodded and he sat next to her.
Fay narrowed her eyes at Niou "I don't think we invited you here." She told him lightly.
He smirked "Your friend did." He said eyeing her in return "You know, it takes two to play this game and I am a player."
"So am I." she replied indifferently.
"So I see." Niou smirked.
"Nice to meet you Sanada-san. I am Tigger. Sorry to use my nickname, but it's for safety reasons." Fay said politely.
"Nice to meet you too. I don't mind, just be careful!" Sanada said "Nice to meet you too…."
"Oh! Sorry I am Sawada Aya." She said sheepishly.
Sanada looked at her carefully, she had blushed. He thought she looked cute. Maybe this was his chance to happiness. "You have a great voice." He said softly.
Aya looked a him and flushed furiously "Tha…Thank you Sa…Sanada-san." She stuttered. What was going on she thought, she was stuttering and blushing. He was making her feel all fuzzy inside.
Fay looked at her friend and smiled.
"They looked good together don't they?" Niou whispered in her ear "I like your nick. Tigger!" he giggled "It sounds so wild." He resumed to drinking his beer.
Fay's heart skipped a beat when he had come so close to her. His hot breath triggered a line of shivers through her body. He was definitely playing with her. She was mesmerized by those green eyes. He was like her. Wild! She hadn't been wild for a long time and the feeling was so nice, she thought that maybe it was time to let go of her seriousness and live a little wild.
After a while when they had talked about all kinds of things they went talking between them selves each couple.
"So you are a journalist?" Sanada asked "I own a small Law firm with Niou."
Aya looked at him surprised "He doesn't look like a lawyer to me." She said plainly "He looks…creepy!" she shivered looking at Niou who was talking to Fay.
"Yeah. He gives that impression to everyone." He smiled "Have you ever thought of singing professionally?"
"That's my dream. But it's a hard road to walk on. I am doing my best though!" she reply sweetly "And you? Why become a lawyer?"
"I don't know really why I chose this profession." Sanada looked at her "Maybe it's because I like helping people who have their share of misfortune." He sighed "There are a lot of people that need help."
"Yeah. We live in difficult times." She said shyly. She could actually carry a serious conversation with this guy. That was a new development in her life. She always thought that men didn't care about serious conversations with women. That's why she always tried to keep her socializing with men as less as possible.
"So…do you live in Tokyo?" Sanada asked shyly. Shy, that' was something new for him. He always thought of himself as a straight forward person. Shyness was a new feeling he was experiencing.
Aya blushed at his intense look "Yes. We moved from Chiba 2 years ago. I live with Fay….Ooops!" she smiled sheepishly bring her right hand to cover her mouth "I guess she wouldn't mind if you knew her name." she stuck her tongue out and smiled sweetly at him.
Sanada blushed the moment she smiled at him. His heartbeat started racing in wild speeds "I hope she doesn't. I will not tell Masaharu though."
"Do you live together?" Aya asked out of the blue
"Yes." Sanada replied meekly. "Why do you ask?"
"Ummm…you just called him Masaharu. So, I thought you must be very good friends. Maybe even living together." She tilted her head "How is it living with him?"
"Niou is Niou!" Sanada sighed "Its ok I guess. I am used to his antics." He said with a small smile.
"I see." She said "Do you have any hobbies apart from your work Sanada-san?"
"I play tennis. Occasionally."
"Tennis?" she said cheerfully "I always liked tennis but was never good at sports, just music. I also was one of the best students at school and did some tutoring at our school. Fay and Arisa use to call me 'Tutor girl'." She laughed brightly.
His smile widened seeing her laughing so briskly. He could fall in love with her in a heartbeat he thought, but he didn't want to rush into things. It was too early. But everything about her was so mesmerizing, from her smile to her whole being. He was amazed that such a beautiful creature existed and was free for him to pursue.
"Sanada-san, would you excuse me for a moment please?" he heard her ask so sweetly, pulling him out of his train of thoughts. He smiled and nodded.
"Thank you." She said and got up.
"Now. It's just the two of us. Those love-birds won't disturb us." Niou said looking at Fay with a devilish look
"I see you still didn't get the hint." Fay said eyeing him dangerously "I am not interested."
Niou chuckled "Why are you lying to yourself? I do peak your curiosity." He smirked "I can see it in your beautiful eyes." He said slyly.
Fay rolled her eyes "You really need to do better than that. Those lame phrases won't even get you a date, let alone my name." Fay said to him with a smirk. She then picked her drink and took a sip, all the while she was looking at him through the corner of her eye. He was looking at her with a grin on his face. What a beautiful combination, silver hair and stunning green eyes that pierced through her heart.
"Are you going to keep ignoring me?" he said playing with a strand of her hair. She has beautiful hair he thought. She was a very interesting young woman. A work of art. A beautiful face, a great figure and a perky personality. Just the type of woman that would keep him interested. "If you ignore me any longer I will kiss you in front of everybody." He whispered at her ear.
Fay shivered at the closeness "You should cut the bad boy act you know. I can see right through you." She turned and looked at him grinning.
"Well. Since you have figured me out you wouldn't mind if I do this." He said and licked behind her ear.
Fay froze on the spot. Was he for real. Did he just….
Fay felt her body rise….She looked at her left and saw Aya smiling sweetly at her.
"Would you excuse us for a moment, please?" Aya said shyly at Niou. He eyed her carefully and than with a smirk "Of course." He nodded.
"Thank you." Aya said nodding "Let's go Tigger!" Aya pulled Fay to the restroom with her.
At the restroom….
"Ok. What just happened?" Aya asked giggling.
Fay was still stunned "I…I don't know…We….we were teasing each other and he….he suddenly….." she shivered at the thought.
Fay blushed….then turned red from anger…How could he do that to her in public….She had just met him…..They were only teasing each other…She was furious...She walked to wall and stabilized her body…she was shaking!
"Oh my gosh Fay. I think he managed to reduce you into a mush of gooh in less than an hour." Aya said laughing hard looking at her friend being in that kind of state.
"It's not funny!" Fay said eyeing Aya "I will get back at him." She said pulling herself of the wall she was leaning "He just took by surprise, that's all!" Fay said looking at the image of herself grinning on the opposite mirror-wall.
"Umm…that I want to see." Aya said amused "What do you have in mind?"
"You'll see." Was all that Fay said before she walked out the door heading back to their table. Aya followed her with a big grin plastered on her face, when Fay was this way it always meant trouble.
Fay stopped a few meters before they reached there table "I need a favor." She said pleadingly.
"What do you want?" Aya replied cheerfully.
"I want you to sit with him."
"Ah...ok…" Aya smiled and walked past Fay. Fay looked at her friend with no expression. Aya halted "WHAT?" she screamed making a few heads turn towards there direction.
"Did it take soooo long to register in your mind?" Fay said trying to hold back her laughter. The look on Aya's face was priceless. Damn, where was the camera when you needed it she thought.
"I want you to sit next to him." She repeated "I want him to get annoyed."
"Is that your master plan?" Aya said not very happy "It sucks!"
"Just sit with him for a while. He won't do anything to you. You are not his type." Fay said gingerly.
"Ok ok. But you owe me Tigger." Aya said with a defeated look on her face.
"Fine. Fine. I owe you. Go. Now!" Fay pushed Aya towards the direction of their table.
"Sorry for taking so long." Aya said as cheerful as possible and sat beside Niou."
"Hope we didn't miss anything important?" asked Fay smiling at Sanada, as she sat next to him.
Both men were taken aback by the sudden switch but didn't say anything.
"Do you like it here Sanada-san?" Fay asked politely, she wouldn't want to get on his bad side she thought. He looked so…..big!
"It's alright. It's a change." Sanada said dryly.
"Do you like sports?"
"I play tennis. Occasionally." Déjà vu he thought and pouted.
"I am very sorry to take Aya's place. But I need to teach your friend a lesson." Fay said sweetly "I am sure Aya would like to sit and talk to you but I asked her to do me this as a favor." …..Why was she explaining herself to him, she thought inwardly.
"You don't have to explain yourself." He said coldly.
"Fine!" said Fay annoyed at his antics "You don't have to be so rude." She muttered.
"You don't mind me sitting here do you?" Aya asked Niou smiling sweetly.
"No. Although I'd rather have your friend sitting beside me." He said indifferently sipping his vodka.
"Oh! Are you always this forward?"
Niou eyed her raising his eyebrow "Do you want an answer to that question?"
"No. I think I am covered!" Aya said moving in her chair uncomfortably.
"Why did you change seats?"
"Umm….that's because Tigger didn't want to sit with you anymore." Aya said laughing.
"Is that so…..." Niou said looking over at Fay and Sanada sitting together. They looked like they were ignoring each other. He smiled "Let's go!" he grabbed Aya's hand and left the club with her.
"HEY…WHERE ARE YOU GOING WITH MY FRIEND!" Fay yelled when she realized what had happened. She got up from her seat and before she started to run behind Niou..
"MASAHARU!" Sanada yelled.
Fay was startled at the power of his voice. Allot of people turned around and looked at them. Fay was looking at Sanada with a shocked look on her face. Who were these people that they have crossed paths with; suddenly she just sunk back to her chair defeated "I hope that idiot friend of yours doesn't do anything to her." Fay said angrily once she got back her posture.
"Don't worry. Niou maybe many things but he wouldn't do anything bad at her." Sanada said seriously, as her comment offended him.
"Yeah right!" she crossed her hands and looked away.
"He probably just took her outside only to annoy you."
Fay turned and looked at him stunned "You seem to be very calm considering that he ran off with your potential girlfriend." She said frowning.
"You shouldn't frown like that. It makes you look ugly." Sanada said nonchalantly.
What?….He thought.
What?….She thought.
They looked at each other in surprise and started to laugh. The tension had somehow lifted from their shoulders and they were relaxing, acknowledging each others presence.
"So, Sanada-san; tell me a bit about Niou?" Fay said as she stopped laughing. She was very curious to find out more about the guy that had captured her interest so much.
"Well, Masaharu and I are lawyers." He said trying to stop himself from laughing. He just felt so relaxed. Maybe getting to know her wasn't a bad idea, since she was his potentials girlfriend best friend.
Fay thought she heard wrong. He was a lawyer? That trickster of a man was a lawyer? She screamed inwardly "Did…did you just say that...that Niou-san is a….."
"Lawyer. Yes!" Sanada said and shrugged "We own a small law firm."
"That is…awesome. But I would never picture him as a lawyer." Fay said smiling.
Sanada looked at her and thought that she was rather beautiful. "Most people can't picture Masaharu as a lawyer."
"You don't talk much. How come you are a lawyer? Layers are supposed to speak. Allot!"
"I talk." Sanada said dryly "more than I use to anyway." He sighed. He had changed, he was talkative and would express some feelings but when he was around women, he would close himself in that lobster shell he had creative since he was a child. There was no changing that.
"Hmm…I wonder how you tolerate him being so wild." Fay asked with her curiosity increasing every minute.
"We went to the same Junior High, High and University together. I've known him all my life. I am used to his antics anyway." He said sipping on his drink "Déjà vu" he muttered more to himself than to anyone around.
"Huh?"
"Déjà vu. I had the same conversation with Sawada-san." He sighed.
Fay didn't know what to say anymore. That man confused her. First he was grumpy, than friendly…..sort of speak anyway!...and then grumpy again. She just relaxed and leaned back at her chair looking towards the entrance of the club. Whatever he told her about Niou, she still didn't trust him alone with Aya.
Outside the club….
"Hey….." Aya tried to free her hand from Niou's grip.
"Relax, will you." Niou said to Aya pulling her closer to him "I wouldn't try and do anything to a girl as clueless as you." He said indifferently.
"Clueless...who do you think you're calling clueless?" she said angrily and pulled her hand freeing herself "Just because I am not as sly as you that doesn't make me clueless." She said pointing her finger at him.
He looked at her stunned for a split of a second and then regained his posture "You better not point your finger at me. I bite." Niou shrugged "Come on. I need to get some chocolate. My blood sugar is low." He said smirking.
Aya rolled her eyes "Honestly you are a weird person."
"That didn't stop you from coming with me." Niou grinned and put his arm around Aya's shoulder.
Moving away from Niou, Aya eyed him carefully "You better not put your arms so freely on me. I'll rip them off." She said walking towards the convenient store at the end of road "And for your information I didn't come with you. You kidnapped me.
Niou looked at her amusingly; she was fiery under that innocent looking girl she presented to people around her. Interesting, he thought. He would enjoy teasing Sanada about his new found 'amore'; how would Sanada cope with a woman like her; he just had to wait and see.
"Will you get moving?" Aya yelled and startled Niou out of his reverie.
"Coming ma'am!" he grinned at her pouting face "You shouldn't pout. It makes you look ugly." He said laughing loud and tapped her nose "Baaka!".
Aya just looked at him and went on her way for the convenient store again.
In the club…
"Where are they?" Fay thought out loud.
"Maybe we should go look for them." Sanada said worriedly. He knew that Niou was just trying to provoke Fay, but they were gone quite a while now.
"Yeah. Let's go. No matter what you tell me about Niou-san I still don't trust him alone with Aya." Fay said picking up their stuff.
Sanada paid for the bill and they both exited the club.
"Oh! I forgot to pay." Fay said suddenly.
"It's alright. I paid."
Fay opened her bag "Let me give you…." She said before she abruptly cut off.
"Do not insult me." Sanada said offended.
"I am sorry. I didn't mean to offend you. I just….I only…..I…." she looked down defeated and embarrassed.
Sanada sighed heavily "It's alright. I am sorry for snapping at you like that." He felt an arm come around his shoulders.
"Where are you going with my lady Sanada?" Niou smirked devilishly.
"Get your hands of me Niou."
"So where are we going?" Niou said briskly letting go of Sanada.
"We are going home." Fay said walking over to Aya "Are you alright?" she asked worriedly.
"Yep…Why do you ask?" Aya questioned, Fay only looked at her raising her eyebrow "Oh…Oh…..that…its ok…we only went to the convenient store to buy some chocolate." She said laughing "Low blood sugar." She whispered and winked at Fay.
"Well, it was nice meeting you. Hope we see you around." Fay said sweetly and bowed to both men.
"Gennichirou, I think we should escort the ladies. It's very late." Niou rubbed his jaw looking at Sanada ignoring Fay.
"Its ok Niou-san, it won't be the first time we walk alone home." Aya said gingerly.
"Masaharu is right Sawada-san. We will walk you." Sanada said bowing to the girl. Aya turned red at his gesture.
"Al….alright. Lets go then." She smiled sweetly. Sanada's heartbeat increased rapidly. Niou enjoyed the flustered look on his friends face. He made a mental note to tell Yagyuu about this.
They started walking towards the girls' apartment. Niou was walking beside Sanada and Fay beside Aya. Aya and Sanada were walking at very close proximity make light conversation.
Fay was fuming. She was beyond displeasure. How could he pretend to ignore her like that; why do you care so much she scold herself. She was walking mechanically lost in her thoughts; she shuddered feeling a pair of hands curling at her waist. She stopped. She froze when she felt his lips on her neck.
"Wh…what…what are you…..do…doing?" she said startled
"Nothing." A voice purred near her ear sending shock waves thru her body.
Finally, when she came back to reality she pulled herself away and looked at him. She smiled serenely. Niou shuddered. They started walking fast to reach their friends as if nothing happened.
As they reach the girls apartment "Maybe we should change numbers." Aya said sheepishly smiling wholeheartedly.
"I agree." Sanada said smiling too "Would you give me your phone Sawada-san so I could make a call on my phone?" Sanada said blushing.
"Umm…yes, of course." Aya rummaged through Fays bag and handed Sanada her phone; she also gave Fay's phone to Niou.
"Why thank you Aya-chan." Niou said grinning.
"Aya-chan?" both Sanada and Fay asked looking at Niou grinning and Aya looking down embarrassed.
Niou handed the phone to Fay "Thank you very much princess. I hope her from you soon." he leaned and kissed her on the cheek, but before he could pull away she grabbed the collar of his shirt and kissed him on his lips sensually. Sanada, Aya and Niou froze in place with Fay's sudden act. When she released him, she smiled at him seductively and left towards the apartment.
"Hehe…..I... should follow her. Thanks for a lovely night both of you." Aya said sweetly and bowed.
"It was our pleasure." Sanada said a little bit stiffly, feeling uncomfortable from the whole scene.
Aya bid them goodnight and followed Fay who was at the door waiting for her.
"Fay! I hope I can get a rain check on that kiss." Niou yelled grinning.
Fay looked up hearing her face. How….? She turned and looked at Aya.
"I swear I didn't tell him." Aya said a little bit panicked by the look on Fay's face.
"Lets go." She said and walked in the building. Aya sighed and followed suite.
"Did Sawada-san tell you her name?" Sanada inquired curiously.
"Nope." Niou said putting his hands in his pocket "I heard her tell you at the club." He winked.
Sanada sighed "It's bad to eavesdrop on other peoples conversations."
"Did you call that a conversation?" Niou said wryly.
"Yes."
"You were as thick as a brick wall Gennichirou." He sighed "That girl is very sweet on first impression but she has a fiery personality. You should try being more open and carefree with her." Niou muttered.
"…" Sanada didn't know what to say, Niou was right.
Niou looked at Sanada from the corner of his eye "You think too much." Niou smiled at him "You should lighten up, honestly. Everything will be much easier."
Sanada just nodded.
"Call her tomorrow. Ask her out."
"I will." He answered meekly "What are you going to do?"
"I don't know….that woman elicits such sexual vibes only by her existence. She managed to make get me excited just with a kiss." He shrugged.
"I don't need to know such detail Masaharu." Sanada replied dryly.
"Hehe…Are you jealous Gennichirou?"
"No."
"Shy?" Niou grinned jokingly.
"Niou! I said no." Sanada exasperated.
"Fine fine. Besides we are home anyway. I am going to sleep. Long day tomorrow." He said entering the apartment.
"It's Sunday. What do you have to do?" Sanada asked removing his coat and shoes.
"Dinner with Yagyuu."
"Again? You saw him for dinner yesterday." Sanada walked to his bedroom door.
"I need to inform him on my new girlfriend." He answered with a wink "Goodnight Gennichirou."
"Goodnight."
Back at the girls' apartment…
Lying down on the coach of their small apartment Fay sighed audibly.
"What the matter Tigger?" Aya asked munching on some chocolate cookies she got from the store while in Niou's company.
"You know…." Fay said and flopped on her stomach to look at Aya "I hate Winnie the Pooh!"
Aya looked at her surprised "Really? Why didn't you ever tell us?" she pouted.
They both laughed "I am sorry I didn't tell you. I don't think I ever cared since it was you and Arisa that was calling me Tigger." She shrugged.
Aya ate another cookie "You know…I never thought you would go wild again. You had to see the look on both. It was hilarious." She said and put the box, empty now, on the table. "I was stunned too but they were frozen to the ground." They laughed again.
"Well, he needed a lesson. But it seems that he is always one step ahead of me." Fay sighed "Will stop eating all those cookies! How many boxes did you buy?"
Aya had opened a new box of cookies "Two boxes." She gave Fay her famous puppy eyes.
"So…What did you think of Sanada-san, Sawada-san." Fay joked.
"Well," Aya closed the box and hug her big Winnie Bear "He's the first guy I could hold a serious conversation with…"
"Conversation?" Fay laughed "The man hardly speaks."
"Well, yeah….that's true…do you know they are both…."
"Lawyers?" she winked "Yep, your 'prince charming' told me. I can't imagine Niou as a lawyer though." Fay said thoughtfully scratching the back of her head. They looked at each other and once again began laughing.
Aya stood up "I am very sleepy Tigger….I would love to stay at chat along about the crazy evening we had but I am tired." She hugged Fay at walked to her room "Sweet dreams, sweetie. Goodnight."
"Nighty nighty Pooh Bear." Fay turned on her back again. She felt sleepy too but at the same moment she couldn't sleep. She couldn't stop thinking about that night. Both men had made an impression on her. They were so different. Why was she feeling confused? There was nothing to be confused about; Sanada Gennichirou was a man of few words, too serious for her taste and yet too appealing, but he had clearly showed that he didn't like her very much. Niou Masaharu. Niou Masaharou, He was the kind of guy that could drive a woman to Heaven and than drag her down to Hell. A trickster hidden behind that baby-face mask with eyes that burned an undying green fire.
Fay shivered as she remembered his eyes on her. Then she shivered again when she remembered Sanada's firm voice. Two men. Two men that made life feel so unstable at this moment. She shook her head and got of the couch. She had to go have a hot shower to help her sleep.