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Best of My Love- Fanfic of w-inds. PART 4

Dec. 18th, 2007 at 4:15 PM

The next day dragged by slowly, and so did the next. On the 2^nd morning I was there, I found the bottle of the antidote on the table. In a hurry to regain my strength, I slipped it in. The sudden warmth in my arms was extremely comforting.

The only thing that was on Ryohei’s mind was marriage. He talked about the plans he was so sure of, and I spoke as little as I could. Everytime I did, the words were dripping with venom. He showered me with gifts; jewelry with prices higher than Mount Fuji, a whole array of kimonos, and numerous books. I turned everything down, even the books which I had to pry my eyes from. Each time I refused or showed any sign of disagreement, he would bring up the topic of Keita, still being watched closely by the cloaked men. I knew that Keita had no problem dealing with one or two of them, but an entire gang? How could I be sure? He was taken down so easily that night.

I couldn’t be that selfish… Keita still had his uncle to take care of. Any other way, would I have put his life in danger, just so I could escape from my own distress? The final look in his eyes that night carved itself into my mind. How I missed Keita’s smile! It was like sunshine on rainy days. So I listened and the guilt continued to build.

I saw little of Ryohei, to be honest. When I woke up in the morning, still in the far corner of the futon, he would be gone, and would only be back only late in the evening. I was let out of the room in this period of time, although I chose to stay inside and read. 2 weeks passed, and I could not stand being in the room anymore, it was as if the walls were closing in on me. I had read and re-read all the books that he had provided me with. I rose to my feet, nearly tripping on the kimono I was forced to wear, and stepped out into the corridor.

It wasn’t hard finding my way to the garden with the pond. Since it was spring, the midday sun wasn’t that glaring. Lush, green grass covered every inch of the garden, with sprinkles of roses around here and there. In one corner sat the pond reflecting rays of sunlight, with its surface just like a mirror. I went and sat beneath the old tree beside the pond, letting out a breath. Everything in this garden was so vibrant, so full of life, that I must have seemed like the only thing that was near to death there.

“You’ve finally decided to come out…” I shuddered as a whispered brushed against my cheek. I kept my face cold, hard, statue-like, while he took a seat beside me on the stone bench. He reached out to take my hand, but I shifted away. He sighed, “Do you like this place?” I pretended not to hear him, and fixed my eyes on the leaves drifting slowly across the pond. “I bought you more things…” He waved a hand, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw 2 servants bring out a huge wooden trunk. Ryohei opened it and smiled at me.

Inside were more jewelry and kimonos, not to my surprise. I almost wanted to laugh at this useless attempt in winning my trust. Turning away, I stood up and started walking away. Suddenly, something gripped my wrist and I was flung around. I was just about to shout when I saw the look in his eyes.

A flame—one of fury—burned in his eyes. His voice was shaking when he said, “Why are you… rejecting all of these? Any normal girl would be flinging herself onto the trunk now.” “I guess I’m just not normal.” I answered coolly, and tried to pull my arm away, but his grip was turning into iron. I had already realized my powers, maybe even Keita’s uncle’s, might not match up to his. It was a scary fact, but it was the truth. “You will… accept this.” His breathing was hot and fast against my face. I was getting frightened; he was not a man of tempers. For a second, the scene a few nights ago flew into my mind, and I feared it would be replayed right now.

After a long time, his breathing slowed down and the flame in his eyes slowly died down. His grip relaxed and I flexed my fingers to let the blood flow back in. I didn’t stop to hear what he had to say. I turned and walked away, my pace quickening with every step, afraid of facing his anger. Or was it because of the fear of hearing his apology? I knew too perfectly that if I ever heard it, the wall of ice around me would be gone in a matter of seconds.

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For once, he did not return to the room for the entire night. I fell into a restless sleep. The next day passed without any sign of him anywhere. None of the servants or maids knew where he was. Night arrived like any other day, but I was starting to get worried, have I gone too far? Where was he? What was he doing?

I stopped pacing, and I felt cold sweat break out on my back.

No, he couldn’t have! Keita… “Oh my god…”

I ran towards to door. Just as I was about to open it, it slid open by itself, and behind it stood Ryohei, looking calm and composed as always. He smiled, stepped in, and closed the door behind him. “Good evening, Itoe-chan…” “What…” “Missed me?” He smirked, and continued. “I suppose not…” “What have you done?” My voice came out trembling, however much I wanted to control it. The image of Keita suffering somewhere was impossible to erase. “Tachibana-san is safe, worry not.” Skepticism washed over my face. “I swear, Itoe-chan, he is absolutely safe.” He smiled again. “If I wanted to get on your good side, would I harm him now? Or ever?”

He clapped twice, and the maids brought in dinner as usual. “Now…” he started, after a period of awkward silence. “Aren’t you the least bit interested in what I did today?” I managed to overstuff my mouth with food, to avoid answering. “I visited my father’s grave.” Interesting. He sighed, “Whatever happened yesterday… it set me thinking.”

Ryohei suddenly stood up, and bowed to me. In shock, I nearly dropped my chopsticks. “I apologize for what I did yesterday. It was unreasonable of me to ask you to accept everything when you do not want to. I beg for you sincere forgiveness.” “I…” I stared blankly at his bent figure. What could I say? That I forgive him? With everything that had happened, how could I? My sister died for him, and he seemed completely unaffected by it…

Moments passed, and he remained in that position. Keeping my voice steady, I replied, “There’re some things in life that a mere apology would not cover, Chiba-san, especially… Things between us— our families.” A soft chuckle came from him. “I am asking you to forgive me for yesterday.” I could feel the ice slowly melting already. I was slowly losing the hatred, the coldness I felt towards him during the past few days. “I… I cannot do that, Chiba-san.” His hands clenched into fists, and I was afraid I had gone too far again. They relaxed though, almost immediately after he clenched them. He sat back down, his expression impossible to read. “I guess I understand how you feel, Itoe-chan. Disregard my apology, if you want to.” “…”

How could he understand? How could anyone understand? Akane was my best friend, my closest friend… He didn’t even show any sign of remorse whatsoever! I could never forgive him, even for the simplest things.

Nothing else was said for the entire night. I refrained from looking at him, because I knew it would just worsen things. The door that was shutting him out of my mind was almost opening. Bits of memories were already slipping through; the times when I laid in my room, staring out at the sky and wishing that he was there with me, the times when I would feel strangely angry at Akane for having all of his attention. I didn’t know that it was jealousy then, maybe I just did not want to admit it.

It was uncomfortable, however, when he moved closer to me than usual on the futon. I could feel the warmth under the covers, radiating slowly from his body. Shutting my eyes, I ignored everything around me and tried to sleep. It was near impossible, with my heart slamming against my ribcage. But I managed somehow.

There came a crack of thunder, and rain poured down from the heavens. I opened my eyes, taken by surprise by the noise. Gusts of wind blew in through the open window. I snuggled into the quilt, curling up into a tight ball. I was still feeling cold, perhaps the quilt too thin. I was about to close the window, when Ryohei asked, “Are you cold?” He caught my raised wrist, and pulled me back down onto the futon, straight into his arms. My mind went momentarily blank as warmth spread through my body, despite the raging winds. “I… Get you hands off me!!!” I stammered, unable to think properly. “Just sleep… I won’t do anything.” He whispered against my hair. It was useless trying to get out of his grip. I gave up, and instead concentrating on ignoring his breath that was tickling the back of my neck and his hands that were wrapped securely around my waist.
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What I'm Listening To:somehow/w-inds.

Best of My Love- Fanfic of w-inds. PART 3

Dec. 13th, 2007 at 5:54 PM

When I awoke, it was to the sound of a voice calling my name. I crushed my eyes shut, wanting it all to go away, to deny the fact that anything happened in the past hours, but it was all useless trickery. Opening my eyes groggily, I found the curtain of the carriage wide open, and sunlight shone in. Ryohei stood over me, and seeing I was awake, walked out. I stepped out into the light. After all these years, I had never once visited the Chiba manor. Seeing it for the first time, I had to admit, it was impressive. The cloaked figures rushed past me, pulling my trunks into the manor. Ryohei took me by the small of my back and guided me into the manor. The number of servants running around was astonishing. He guided me through a courtyard and down a hallway. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a shadow in one of the windows, but as mysteriously as it had appeared, it vanished. I cast a wary look at it, before being guided down another hallway, decorated more expensively this time, to a set of double doors. 2 maids pulled them open, and I stared into a room which made me feel I had entered the palace.

A window at the end of the room overlooked a beautiful pond and a willowy tree. The futon in the corner was set on a raised platform, and had silk drapes all around it. A small table for 2 sat in the centre of the room. An entire block of the wall was filled with books on one side, right opposite an exquisite dressing table and a writing desk. Ornaments of every kind possibly imagine littered the room. My eyes found my trunks sitting quietly in a corner. This is…

“Our room, Itoe-chan…” “Par-Pardon?” He pushed me lightly into the room. “Our room.” “But…” “Oh, were you expecting a room of your own?” He chuckled. “I have plans for you, dear little Itoe. Wait.” He exited just like that. I rushed to the door, which had somehow locked itself. I tried prying it, but it was of no use. I was trapped in ‘heaven’. I wandered around the room, eager to move my legs after being cramped for so long. The tatami under my feet felt soft and had the natural woody smell. I walked over to the futon and fingered the sheets. Pure silk. I let out a sigh. It was useless to fight back. I no longer had the ability to summon my energy. And I remembered, with a pang of guilt, that Keita’s life was in Ryohei’s hands. I knew what had been in the food. It was a Chinese poison at that time; they called it the ‘Ruan Gu Jiang’, or the soft-bone juice. It blocked all passages of the network where your qi flowed. You feel like jelly after being administered this poison, hence the name.

The door suddenly creaked open again, and Ryohei stepped in. “Come with me, Itoe-chan.” “…” I kept quiet and followed. I walked behind him silently. We walked back into the courtyard we had passed earlier, and stopped outside the door where I had seen the shadow. He knocked. The door opened a creak. Ryohei motioned for me to go in. Keeping my head high, I went in, expecting him to go in as well. However, the moment I stepped in, the door closed, and I was plunged into darkness.

The room was filled with a thick scent. As my eyes grew accustomed to the light, I saw that all the thick curtains were drawn. “So… you are the girl…?” A husky female voice floated out from somewhere within. “Ye-Yes…” “Ah… I see my little brother has taken a liking to bringing home little girls… come closer…” There was something about this voice that drew me towards it. I stepped forward, and saw a shadow behind one of the shades. All I could see was a waterfall of dark hair, and a corner of an expensive kimono. “Sit.” A ghostly hand rose and pointed towards a cushion opposite it. I kept my head bowed and sat down. “Look up, don’t be so shy…” The touch of the hand was icy. It brought my head up, and for the first time, I looked into the face of Chiba Ryoko.

I drew a sharp breath. Half her face was covered by her hair that draped down like a black waterfall, but her porcelain white skin still peeked out. Secrets seemed to have been buried deep within her eyes and her smile. Her full, red lips stood out the most on her face. Her face was perfect, one of those only belonging to deities. There was something about her smile that spooked me, for some reason. I let my eyes drop, but brought them back up immediately. Her kimono seemed to be falling off her shoulders, revealing the bare skin underneath. The corners of her mouth lifted slightly. “What a beauty…” she took her hand back and poured me a cup of tea. I hesitated. She noticed this and let out a laugh. “Don’t worry; I do not drug poor little girls like you.” Feeling embarrassed, I took a sip. She leaned forward. “Now… What’s your name?” “Akimoto Itoe, m’am.” “M’am?” She laughed again. “I’m only 26 this year… you may call me Sister if you like.” “I—” I couldn’t bring myself to call her that. Akane’s smile floated back into my mind. “Oh? Ah… I know how you feel. Then… just call me Ryoko.”

She took a sip of tea and licked her lips. “I see my brother has taken a great interest in you… Itoe-chan…” “…” “Tell me, what do you think of him?” “I’m sorry, that is a question I cannot answer.” I replied. “Haha, I’m just curious… it’s just a talk between us girls, isn’t it?” There was something about her tone that sent a feeling of uneasiness down my spine. “Your sister thought fondly of him… do you too, Itoe-chan?” “…” “Aww…” She slid her cold hand down my cheek. “No need to feel embarrassed…” “I’m sorry—I really don’t know what you mean.” I said quickly. The scent was getting overpowering, and I was starting to feel dazed. Ryoko suddenly leaned forward and breathed into my ear, “My little brother is important to me… Itoe-chan…” She let her lips trail on my cheek before sitting back, the same mysterious smile plastered to her face. “You can go now, nice meeting you.” I stood up hastily; glad to leave the company of this lady.

Once out of the room, I was down another hallway into yet another courtyard. Passing the perimeter wall, I realized I could have easily jumped over it, if I had my energy, that is. The maid stopped outside a room and kept her head low. “Thank you,” I nodded and went in. Steam was rising all around from the hot stones sitting along the bamboo walls. A bathtub the size of a small pond, carved out of marble, sat in the centre. Rose petals floated on the surface of the water. A scent like no other wafted into my nose, calming my nerves which had been standing on their ends for the past hours. Not even a day had passed, but I felt as though Keita and I had been separated for eternity. After checking the walls for any ‘peepholes’, I whipped off the clothes from the practice arena and lowered myself into the steaming water.

I felt my troubles escaping along with the steam. It was, of course, for the moment. But maybe, I just wanted to escape, even for a few moments. Leave everything behind and pretend I was back in my own manor, shelves of books waiting. I scooped up some of the liquid and sprinkled it on my face. They burned, and a sigh escaped my lips. I haven’t been enjoying such luxuries for a very long time. And to think, with a chuckle, I was sitting here in the house of the Chiba family, feeling relaxed and calm. I laid back and took a deep breath, allowing my senses to be pampered by the rising steam clouds. I could make out the scent now—a pleasing mixture of rose, lavender and lily, maybe with just a hint of mint. Shutting my eyes, I let go of all the thoughts in my head, swimming around in emptiness.

I must have been sitting there for very long, as I looked down to see the skin on my fingers wrinkling. Climbing out reluctantly, I retrieved a towel, wiping away the last of the water droplets trickling down my skin. I walked over to where I had left my clothes, but stopped in shock. They were gone! A simple, light blue kimono sat in its place, not the kind for grand occasions. I picked it up, while hiding myself behind the small piece of cloth. I saw a square patch on the counter, directly below where I left my clothes and where the kimono mysteriously appeared, and realized that it was an elevator of sorts. It spooked me to realize that all this happened and I had no idea my clothes have been switched. The material was like the flowing stream in the mountains; cool, smooth and slippery. Everything here seemed so exquisite and expensive, making me wonder suddenly, if the money that had bought all these was the money from my father. I felt a sudden repulsion for the things around me. What if they had really been bought with my father’s money, and now they sit in this manor, where my father could not enjoy them? I looked down at the silk kimono in my hand. I shook it loose, and it flowed all the way down. It was this or walking out looking as naked as a newborn. I slipped the kimono on, enjoying the touch of the silky material. When I had finished putting it on, I walked out.

The sky was already darkening, clouds of orange and red streaking across the sky. I stepped into the courtyard, savouring the evening breeze. A cough came up behind me. I turned to see a male servant looking at me. “The master would like m’am to hurry to dinner, please.” “Oh, sorry.” I followed him down the hallway I walked earlier leading to my—or so I prayed—room. He pulled the door open, waited till I went in, and closed the door. Ryohei was seated at the table in the centre, engrossed in a book. I went over and sat down at the writing desk, avoiding him. I could feel him switching his gaze to my back. I suddenly felt that the kimono was too thin for my liking.

“Do you like the kimono?” Should I answer honestly? “It is… nice.” “It’s one of Ryoko’s old ones. I don’t think she needs it anymore.” That explains the material. I had begun to wonder how many man Ryoko has seduced over the years. “Come here and sit down…” He called out. I was staring stupidly down at an empty desk. Blushing slightly, I sat down opposite him at the table. He snapped his fingers, and maids started bringing in plates of food. Once they had all exited, he picked up his chopsticks and helped himself to all the food. He seemed to notice my uneasiness, for he said, “I did not add anything this time.” “That’s what you said just now.” I replied coldly. With a chuckle, he pulled out a small bottle from inside his sleeve. “Do you want the antidote?” He asked. “How would I know if it’s not some other poison?” “Because, Itoe-chan,” he smiled. “You are of a special importance. I wouldn’t kill you. Anyway, to convince you…” Ryohei opened the bottle, took a white pill from inside and stuffed it down his throat. Minutes passed. Nothing happened. “Now… I think it’s best to tell you something before I give you this thing…”

“You must be wondering why I kidnapped you so suddenly.” I picked at the food on the table, hoping that ignorance would put him off. “It’s very simple really… I want you to be my wife.”

My head snapped up so fast I think I cracked my neck. Confused and shocked, I stared at him. “You—” “I’m not joking, Itoe-chan.” “No.” I spoke the word in the coldest voice I could muster. “It’s not much of a choice, is it?” He laughed at my expression. “No. Choice or no choice, no.” “Well,” He laid down his chopsticks and looked straight at me. “It has all been planned. You just need to wait for the date—”

I stood up so fast my knee banged into the table. I ignored the pain in my throbbing knee and looked down at Ryohei. “No.” My fists were trembling. “I’m very sure dear Tachibana-san would be very interested… that is, if he even has the energy to crawl here…” I turned without a word and sat down again at the desk, hiding my face. “Why… Do you need some time to think about it?” His voice came as a whisper by my ear. I felt his hand snaking around my waist. I stood up so quickly, and the stool banged into his knees. He groaned and fell to the floor, but quickly got back up. I strode over to the door and tried pulling it open. Finding it locked yet again, I turned to see Ryohei walking towards me. “Let me out.” I said, looking up to his face. “No.” “Blackmailing is low. Even for you.” “But it works, and that’s all I care about.”

The moment of contact was brief, but it was enough. I lowered my hand. Ryohei still had that look of surprise on his face. He raised a hand and touched the 5 clear red streaks on his cheek. “You’re despicable.” The line came out as a hiss. “You’re turning into Akane…” For a moment, I thought I saw a faint spark of the Ryohei I dreamt about so long ago, but it vanished in a split second as he turned away. I watched as he walked over to a basin set in the corner, cleaned up, and started ripping off the outer layers of his kimono. Walking over to the bookshelf, I took out a book without really looking at it, and sat down at the desk. Ryohei crawled onto the futon in the under layer of his kimono without as much as a ruffle. He blew out the candles near the futon, leaving only the one sitting on the desk. Glancing down at the book, I realized it was something I had read long ago. I certainly wasn’t going to sleep on the same futon as him; it was against my personal dignity and rights. I crossed my arms on the desk and laid my head down, feeling the silk against my cheek. It was not comfortable, but anything was better than sleeping with Ryohei.

I was quite a light sleeper, so barely an hour after I fell asleep, I felt something on my shoulders. Blinking away tears, I turned slightly and squinted into the darkness. I could make our Ryohei’s silhouette, and I reached up to touch whatever he laid on my back. He had put a soft quilt over me. I was at a loss for words. He patted me lightly on the head and walked away. Holding on to the quilt with one hand, I moved my other arm. “Ow…” My arms ached, so did my back. I heard Ryohei laugh. “There’s a perfect place for you to sleep, and you prefer to lie on a table.” I could feel the heat going into my cheeks. “Come on…” I heard a shuffle, and suddenly my whole body was lifted off the stool. “Get your filthy hands off me!” I hissed. He had slung me over one shoulder as if I were a pillow, ignoring the useless hammering from me. He set me down on the futon lightly, and draped the quilt over me again. He crawled in on the other side. Propping himself on one elbow, he turned and grinned crookedly at me. I picked up the pillow and quilt and scooted over to the far side of the futon. I turned my back on him, and tried to ignore the fear running through my veins. He said nothing more, and for a long time there was nothing but silence. Fatigue finally washed over, and I sunk into my first dreamless sleep in a very long time.

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tinkers: Ok I know, really long chapter, yada yada. I'm writing a fic about Twilight now, woots

Best of my love- Fanfic of w-inds. PART 2

Dec. 9th, 2007 at 6:03 PM

I woke up the next day with my whole body aching. A knock came on the door. “Yes?” “Itoe-chan, are you up yet?” Keita’s voice floated in. “Yes… be right out!” I crawled out of bed and dressed. Keita’s uncle was away for something, and there were only 2 of us at home. Nobody spoke at breakfast. I went into the practice arena after that, hoping for a bit of peace and quiet. But Keita followed me in.

“What do you want to practice?” “I don’t know… swords?” I drew mine from the wall, and started randomly picking out moves and stabbing at the dummy. “No, no, you’re doing it wrong, it’s like that…” He walked over, took my hand and guided me through the moves. It was a nice felling, having his hand cover mine like that. I hid the blush that was climbing to my cheeks away from him. His hand lingered for a bit more than necessary, but just at that moment, he let go. “Thanks…” I mumbled. “Come on… you’ll get more chances…” “Who knows when I can finish the task…” I plunked down on the bamboo flooring. “I just wish I was stronger… so I can finally put my father and sister at rest…” “You are strong, Itoe-chan,” Keita sat down and whispered. “Stronger than other girls your age…” “I’m not strong enough. I need to beat him…” “You’ll be able to do it. I believe in you.” He smiled. For a moment I wanted to go up and fall into his arms, but I know it was inappropriate.

It is said that trouble comes at the worst times. It did. That very night, as we were settling down for dinner, there came a loud BANG from the front courtyard. Startled, we both grabbed the twin swords hanging from the wall. Exchanging a look, we stepped out into the open space. There was nothing around, and the front door wasn’t even open. I looked around, puzzled, when there was a whip of cloth behind me. I spun around to see 20 or so people in black cloaks. Keita was held down by 3 of them, katana held at his throat. A muffled voice spoke, “Drop your weapon. Or he dies.”

The sword in my hand clattered to the ground, and the world slipped away…

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I awoke to a familiar scent. I opened my eyes, only to find myself in my own bedroom. Wiping my forehead, I thought it was all a dream, before the door creaked, and the very man I had failed to kill walked in. “So…” he said in a soft, almost gentle voice. “The sleeping beauty is finally awake…” “Where is he?” I tried to keep the worry from my voice. “Oh? Dear Tachibana-san? Bring him in!” He called out, and the next second, a group of cloaked figures dragged him in. I sat up all too quickly, and one of the figures drew a dagger from his cloak and held it at Keita’s throat. Fear ripped at my heart, and I fought to keep a straight face. “What do you want?” He smiled. “Put the dagger down, Taichi, you’re scaring the poor lady.” The person obeyed, but kept a firm hand on Keita’s shoulder. “What…” With two swift strokes, Keita stirred. “He’s alive…” He looked up at me. I wished for Keita to say something, to assure me he was alright, but as he lifted his head, I saw that he was gagged.

“I want you to go back with me to Kyoto.” My heart was racing, but I kept a cold voice. “What for?” He smiled, almost mockingly. “Little, little Itoe… I just want to spend some time with you…” “What makes you think I’ll go?” “Simple. You go, we let dear Tachibana-san here go. If you don’t…” He signaled to Taichi, who drew the dagger again. “You wouldn’t dare…” “Oh, we’ll see shall we?” Keita shut his eyes. The dagger drew closer inch by inch…

“NO!” “Ah…” It recoiled. “I know you too well…” Taichi kicked Keita to the ground. “You…” “Cheating, charming idiot? Akane said that…” Ryohei nodded to one of the figures, and he started throwing all my clothes into a trunk. In a blink of an eye I drew the sword I kept under my mattress. The speed amazed even me, but the sword froze. Ryohei had caught it between his fingertips. With a flick of his wrist, a strong force flowed down the metal blade, and the entire sword flew out from my hand. “Such childish tricks, Itoe-chan…” He gave me a push and I fell back onto the bed. I could only stare helplessly as I watched my belongings slowly disappear out of the door one by one.

“Now, shall we leave?” One of the men grabbed me roughly by the arm and pulled me out of the house. I twisted my neck painfully back, and cast one last look at the body on the floor. Keita stared back at me with wide eyes. “Kei—” I saw Ryohei drop a dagger just slightly out of reach of Keita, before everything disappeared from sight as I was pushed into a carriage. It was elaborately decorated with plush cushions, and lighted incense stood in one corner on a carved oak table. The air smelled of lavender. I scrambled towards the flimsy piece of cloth separating me from the outside, but before I could reach it, Ryohei stepped in. My body went rigid, not from shock or despair, but because he had struck me twice on two points on my shoulders. “Don’t worry; I’ll let you move again once we get home.” He picked me up by the waist and set me on some of the cushions. “Go.” The carriage started rocking slightly on the rocky road, but it was surprisingly stable. Ryohei looked down at me, looking amused. I looked away; I couldn’t stand those eyes…

For hours we traveled, my rigid body slumped against the cushions, him on the other side of the carriage. I closed my eyes, feeling extremely tired. It was then when he spoke up. “Feeling numb?” “…” All of a sudden, two jets of energy flowed from the points where he struck me again, and I fell limp. With shaking arms I set myself upright. My stomached groaned at the sight of food piled on the table, which had somehow been moved to the centre of the carriage. The aroma was intoxicating. Ryohei must have caught the glimmer in my eyes, for he held out a plate of roasted chicken. My stomach was screaming at me to take it, but I looked away. “I didn’t poison it, see?” He took a pair of chopsticks, picked a bit of meat, stuck it into his mouth, swallowed, and nothing happened for a few long seconds.

Natural instincts took over, and I grabbed the plate. I picked up a pair of chopsticks with shaking fingers. I tried my best to remember my manners as I dug into the chicken. It tasted heavenly. We ate in silence. When I finally put my chopsticks done, he did not say anything. Instead, he retreated to a corner and dozed off.

Is it possible? Was he just throwing this big chance in my face? He must know that a single chopstick could be a deadly weapon, used correctly. I picked it up from the table, and tried to gather my qi, or energy, at that one point. It seemed jammed. I tried again. Still nothing. Horrified, I tried running my entire system with the qi. Nothing flowed. There was no sense of power, no sense of warmth. I looked over at Ryohei, sleeping peacefully in the corner. There was only one thing that could have done this.

I was suddenly tossed back into the past, the first time we met. Polite, good-looking, and educated he was, he had left a good first impression. And yet here he was, supposedly being hated by me, sleeping so peacefully. I crawled over, drawn to him suddenly. The years had left its mark on him, but instead of reaping his youth away, he had grown to be a perfect young man in every way. His skin was flawless, almost like a girl’s. His eyes, even when closed, had a strange way of capturing your attention. His lips… so full it looked. To think if none of this ever happened, I might have been still fantasizing about these very lips enveloping my own. I continued to stare for a few moments, and finally realizing what I was doing, pulled myself back to the corner with the cushions, and let my heavy eyelids fall, images of Akane and Father swimming in and out of my mind.

Best of my love- Fanfic of w-inds. PART 1

Dec. 3rd, 2007 at 2:30 PM

The moonlight shone through the leaves, and covered everything in sight in a silvery film. The breeze sent whisperings of a different language through the trees. I crouched on the branch in silence. For how long, I did not know, and I did not care.

The slightest crunch of a fallen leaf brought my attention back to the path winding below me. Merely seconds later, a man in an expensive-looking kimono appeared. I would have known that person from anywhere. My breath caught in my throat. The handful of shuriken stars flew out at lightning speed, and much to my puzzlement, he made no attempt to evade. The stars hit him full in the chest. Taking a deep breath, I jumped down from the branch and looked at him. He smiled, and in a whisper that was barely audible, said, “You are so naïve…” In a puff of smoke, his body disappeared, and what stood in front of me was a log rigged with stars which blades were gleaming in the moonlight. I felt my heart sink, how could I have forgotten this… I searched around frantically, looking for any trace of him. “Looking for me?” A chill ran down my spine, and before I knew it, my world blacked out.

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When I awoke, I was looking at the same path. I tried moving around, but found my arms tied to my side. I was tied to the same tree I had been hiding in! A rustle came from above, and the man landed in front of me without a sound. “Slept well?” I glared at him with such a gaze that, for a split second, I saw him recoil slightly. “You look a lot like your sister…” “You don’t deserve to mention her…” I spat. “I did not kill her…” “SHE DIED! FOR YOU! DO YOU THINK… DO YOU THINK AFTER WHAT SHE DID FOR YOU, SOMEONE WITH THE FAMILY NAME OF CHIBA, MY FATHER WOULD POSSIBLY LET HER LIVE???” “Then hate your father…” “I should have stopped her…” “Well it doesn’t matter anymore, does it? My father is dead, your father is dead, so there’s nothing else right…” “Murderer.” I whispered, shutting my eyes to block out all the images in my mind.

Chiba Ryohei lifted my chin slightly, so he was looking straight at my face, his other hand trailing along my collarbone. As his eyes bore into mine, Akane’s last moments flashed before my, and a hatred I had buried so deep surfaced. I spat on his face, and he recoiled immediately. “Itoe-chan, is there really a need to go to such measures?” He looked almost amused. When he advanced on me again, I knew I had made a big mistake.

With one hand caressing my cheek, and the other arm cushioning my sore back from the tree, he crushed his lips down on mine. I opened my mouth to scream, but he took the chance and stuck his tongue forcefully into my mouth. I felt disgusted. He twirled it around, licking every possible surface there is. I struggled against his grip, trying get away before I submitted to him. At a long last, I was finally able to wrench my lips from him. But he did not stop there. He nibbled my earlobe and left a trail of fiery kisses down my neck. Right down at the bottom of my neck, he took in a small bit of my flesh and sucked on it. I bit down hard on my swollen lips, holding back the tears in my eyes. I could taste blood, and my fingernails dug into my flesh. His lips brushed against my collarbones.

And suddenly, he stopped. He pressed his entire body against mine, and wrapped his arms around the tree, engulfing me in an awkward embrace. Then, I felt the blood rush back into my arms. “Goodnight, Itoe…” He left just like that.

It took me a few seconds to fully comprehend what had just happened. I gasped for breath as tears flowed like a river. I leaned against the tree, shaking uncontrollably. I sat there, alone, trembling, sobbing, for a long time, before I finally stood up and walked away.

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I knocked on the door to the house. I was too tired to notice who had opened the door, but when he spoke, I felt so relieved. “Did it go well?” “…” “I see…” “It’s ok.” I pushed past him and walked straight to the place where I stayed. Tachibana Keita followed me in. “Look, Keita, I need some sleep…” “Are you sure you’re ok?” I gave a weak smile. “I’m alright.” He wasn’t convinced. “Just know, anything you need…” “Thanks…” I closed the door and stared at myself in the mirror. There was a red patch on my neck, where he had left his mark. Whatever happened tonight, it was an insult in every way. I looked at the only thing I managed to savage from my father’s rage: one of my sister’s kimonos, and guilt flowed through my veins.

I should have stopped her… I could have stopped her…

Few know the real cause of my father’s death. Fewer knew the whole story. I had a happy childhood in Kyoto, even if my mother wasn’t with me. My father was a textile merchant, rich, but generous. I spent my childhood in stacks of books and poetry, something most girls at my age did not have.

I was quite different from my sister, Akane, who was one year my elder. She was the kind of girl who would prefer riding a horse than to sit in a carriage. She was stubborn, cheery, and had the most musical laugh. I was, on the other hand, the kind who would sit in a room reading, practicing music and dance. We couldn’t be more different, but we were close, and we would spend hours writing poetry and painting. That is, before he arrived.

The year which I turned 15, my father had found a new business partner. I never gotten to know him, for I only came out to greet him, and returned to my room. There was a boy with him. I could not deny that he was, in fact, very good-looking, with delicate features and a warm smile. I felt a slight flutter in my chest, but I had never really been interested in any boys. But I could tell my sister was drawn to him in a way I could never have imagined.

The two people, whose family name was Chiba, as I came to know, visited our manor regularly. Akane would spend every minute during their visit with that Chiba boy, taking walks through the garden or locking themselves in her room. I never felt jealous, or at least I thought so, for I had my books to keep me company. He never asked about me, either, not that I would know, but I think he was too engrossed in the chats with Akane. With every year that passed, I knew there could be no way Akane would be the same again. She got into dazes more and more often, and we could no longer spend one afternoon without her speaking fondly of Chiba Ryohei. Very gradually, I started wondering about this Chiba boy. I would fantasize about what it would be like if he showered me with attention instead. I walked around the manor more, wishing I would be able to see him. I did, on a few occasions. However close I was to my sister, she acted as if I did not exist. Only Ryohei would smile and give a slight nod, before going back to listening to Akane. After a while, I gave up; there was no way that he would notice me with Akane around, I was too foolish to even hope for it. I returned to staying in my room.

Merely 2 years later, things took a drastic turn. Father came back home one day, a look of utmost rage on his face. “Gone! All gone! Every single cent I’ve made! GONE! That damned Chiba took everything!!!” I was worried, I rarely saw my father lose his temper. Moreover, I was worried about my sister. By that time, I had heard from her, she was deciding to marry Ryohei, and he was coming to speak to my father that very night, she had predicted from her natural instincts.

“I don’t care; he had nothing to do with everything!” “But Akane…” “It’s his father’s fault!” “Father…” “Itoe!” She glared at me with a vicious look. “Stop trying to take my future away from me!” She stomped out of the room. I did everything I could, talking to her through closed doors, but she would not listen. Love had blinded my sister. I returned to my room, fearing what was about to come.

“You dare enter…” I knew the time had come, when I heard father shouting. I scurried out, and screamed as I saw my father slash his katana down. “NO!” Akane jumped out, and my father stopped his attack just in time. “Father! NO! I’m going with him!” “You… You WHAT?” “You can’t stop me!” She yelled back. “How can you do this? His father brought to the collapse of my entire business!” “That’s his father’s fault!” “You!” Father pointed a finger at Ryohei. “Out of my house, don’t ever come back!” Ryohei, sensing the tension in the room, exited without another word. Akane looked at him leave, and stared back at Father. “I’m going.” “No.” “Nobody can stop me. Kill me if you wish. I’m going with him.” She turned around to go. Father was outraged.

The scream never left her mouth. I felt numb. The whole world moved in slow motion. I saw the look of horror on Father’s face, realizing what he had done.

Just a few hours after the funeral of Akane, Father disappeared, and was later found in a pool of blood in his study. News arrived shortly that the partner had been brutally murdered. Those few days were the worst in my life. Losing 2 relatives was not something I had ever imagined, not to mention at the same time. With no one to support the family, I left the manor. I sold all of my expensive kimonos, to pay for the journey to Keita’s house, where he lived with his uncle. I had gotten to know him on one of my trips to Tokyo, and we had kept in contact ever since. His uncle took me in, I owed them my life.

I spent most of the time sharpening my martial arts skills, as I had grown to hate the very person whom Akane had loved. Keita’s uncle was an expert martial arts teacher, I had learnt a lot from him. Another 3 years passed. When I heard that his family was traveling down to Tokyo, I knew my chance had come. I had the perfect chance; I could get revenge for Father, more importantly, Akane.

Who knew tonight could end like this…

I looked into my own eyes. The years had taken a toll on me. My soft approach to things vanished. My hands roughened. My eyes no longer showed emotions, but was always filled with a cold, icy look that I did not recognize. I had trained myself not to show my fears or tears in any situation. Tonight was the first night I had broken down in a very long time.

I’m sorry Akane… Father…

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tinkers: yes people, the uber twisted and OOC story is up~

This Time ～願い～- Fanfic of w-inds. EPILOGUE

Oct. 31st, 2007 at 11:11 PM

“Ryosuke! Hurry up! You’re gonna be late for school!” I yelled up the stairs and placed a piece of cinnamon toast on the table. “COMING MOM!” Ryosuke slid down the banisters, grabbed the toast, and flew out of the house and onto his bike. With a wave, he pedaled off. High school boys, what can you expect from them?

“Ma…” “Yes dear?” I looked at my daughter, Yuki, clutching her glass of milk. “When is daddy going to wake up?” I glanced at the clock on the wall. “You still have half an hour, dear, I’ll go get your father now.” A thought crossed my mind, and I smirked. “Want to help to wake daddy up?” She nodded enthusiastically and jumped off her chair. She bounded up the stairs, ponytail bouncing behind her.

We stepped into my bedroom and looked down at the figure curled up and snoring loudly. “When I count to 3, jump on daddy and hit as hard as you can…” I mouthed one, two, three, and with a giggle, Yuki launched herself onto Keita, waving her fists in the air.

“AIIIYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!” Keita sat up in bed so fast,

Yuki fell sideways onto the futon, laughing so hard that her face was totally red. I burst out laughing too, as Keita started tickling Yuki. “Alright, Yuki go finish your breakfast.” She nodded and scrambled out of the room. I turned back to Keita. “And you mister, get up and get ready. Remember you’re going for career day today.” “Pull me up.” He stretched out a hand, and instead of me pulling him, he pulled me down on top of him. “Come on…” I struggled to get up but it was useless against his grip. “Time to get up…” “We got time…” He nuzzled against my neck. I laughed and called out, “Yuki! Help!” “Alright alright I’m UP!!!” Keita immediately let go, and I ran downstairs.

After breakfast, I watched the 2 of them drive off to Yuki’s school, before picking up my own bag and heading off for work. Head researcher at the local medical research facility wasn’t bad.

Like I said, my life was perfect. Simply. Absolutely. Definitely. Perfect.
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tinkers: alright people, you might have to wait a while for my next fic. Cos I haven't even decided on the title yet. Yea. But hope you guys liked this one, though it's really, really short. Half the length of the previous one, actually. The next one is uber long, so it's gonna take longer.

AWAIT~ (especially Cin, who is gonna scream at me when she reads the entire thing)

This Time ～願い～- Fanfic of w-inds. PART 4

Oct. 31st, 2007 at 11:07 PM

A light drizzle was coming down, but that didn’t matter at all. I didn’t care that I was getting soaked. I didn’t care that my hair was in a mess. I looked down at the 2 slabs of carved stone standing in front of me. My parent’s smiling faces looked back at me. I fell on my knees.

“Dad… Ma… What do you want me to do…? What am I going to do…?” I hammered the stones, and felt no pain in my hands. “How do you expect me to live… when the all of the important people in my life are gone…???” The cool, wet stone caressed my forehead. “I’ve lost Ma… Lost Dad… And now the man I want to spend my life with…”

“Did I do the right thing?... Ma…”

“You didn’t lose me.” I spun around and stared up at the familiar figure. “I…” “Miyoko…” He pulled me up and crushed me in his arms. “I’m sorry… You’re so stupid… singing isn’t the thing I love most…” “…” “I can leave everything else behind, but no, Miyoko… I can’t go on without you…” “Keita… but…” He dropped down on one knee, and drew out a small velvet box from inside his coat. My breathing stopped. He opened it with shaking fingers. An elegant diamond ring came into sight. “Miyoko…” He gazed deeply into me, the former flame reignited. “Will you… Let me be with you for the rest of your life?” “I…”

Say yes… your heart says so!

No… no!

“I can’t…” “Miyoko…” I bit back tears. “I can’t, Keita! I can’t ask you to leave everything else behind! I can’t marry you… I won’t! I love you, but…” “MIYOKO!” He stood up suddenly and grabbed my shoulders. “I told you! Nothing else matters! I don’t care about anything else! Please! I love you… I love you so much… Don’t leave me again…” “I… I…” I craned my neck back to look at my parents.

“Whatever you… do… remember… your heart… fulfill your heart’s… duty…”

I stared at the man I loved. His eyes were filled with fear and an emotion so strong that it pained my heart to just look into them.

Did I really have the heart to leave again?

“Miyoko… I’m begging you! Please!!! You don’t know how much I was missing you…” “But… your entire career! The other girls out there…” “I DON’T CARE!” His eyes spoke of such a strong emotion I felt its weight crushing my heart, crushing all the barriers of self control…

Say yes… say yes… my heart was screaming at me to say yes…

I looked back at him and whispered. “Yes…”

Tears were mingled with droplets of rain as we sealed the promise with a kiss, so longing, yet so gentle.

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I felt as if my body was acting on its on account, my brain felt numb as I walked down the aisle, the long hem of my dress attempting to trip me with every single step. The day was perfect, absolutely perfect that nothing could, and would, go wrong. Everything seemed so surreal… So distant… Apart from him standing at the front in a white tux. Our eyes never broke contact, and as I approached, I could tell he was nervous too.

“We have gathered here today to celebrate the union of two souls…” I could never have imagined, just in a few months time, so much could change. The fans’ attitudes, Keita’s future road, my own vision on life… Everything was falling in place now.

“For better or for worse…”

My life was perfect. Simply perfect.

“Tachibana Keita, do you take Shimizu Miyoko as your lawfully wedded wife?” “I do.” “Shimizu Miyoko, do you take Tachibana Keita as your lawfully wedded husband?” “I do.” With a smile, the pastor closed his book and stepped back. “You may now kiss the bride.”

A cheer went up through the crowds. This really was the best day of my life.

I’ve waiting for this time

END

This Time ～願い～- Fanfic of w-inds. PART 3

Oct. 30th, 2007 at 8:52 PM

“BANG!!!” “KEITA OPEN UP!” I opened the door, only to be staring into the flustered face of Keita’s manager. “What are YOU still doing here?” “Don’t talk to her like that…” Keita stepped into the living room, his expression cold. His manager’s eyes were blazing. “Why didn’t you deny it? Do you know what this is going to cost the company?” “It’s the truth,” Keita replied. “My fans deserve to know the truth.” “But the truth is what is making them go away!” He raged. “I receive countless letters saying that if you 2 are still together, they will never support you again!! You can’t have her staying around!” He pointed an accusing finger at me. Keita’s jaw tightened. “Then they are not really supporting us. Thank you for your visit, now can you please go?” “You’d better think about this… It’s your future!” He turned and stormed out, slamming the door on his way.

“Keita… Why didn’t you deny it?” “Because that would be cheating you, Miyoko…” He took my hand. “I can’t lie…” “But… It’s your future! Singing means everything to you! How can you do something so stupid???” “Singing is not everything…” He kissed me gently on the forehead. “Whatever you hear, just ignore them. As long as we’re together, nothing else matters… Alright?” He smiled, and went into the bathroom.

I watched him, and realized what I was doing. I was the wall standing between him and his future. Could I have been so selfish as to take everything away from him…? Could I have been so selfish as to take away the idol of so many other girls? Guilt ripped at my heart. I knew it; I knew I had to do it… It was no longer a maybe…

It was the only way.

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Nearly one year after I left, I stepped back into Tokyo International Airport, shades pulled low to cover my face. It was already near midnight when I arrived, and I wasted no time in taking a cab back home.

“Ding-Dong…” “Ding-Dong~!” I rang the doorbell a few more times, but no one answered the door. It was puzzling, how can Dad not be home now? I picked up my suitcase and stepped out onto the street. Autumn was already on the leave, and the wind blew a chill into my bones. I realized, with a wave of loneliness, that I had no where to go. I didn’t have enough to go stay at a hotel, and I had no other relatives in the area. The only place was…

It’s not a choice, I told myself, you made a promise to yourself. To him.

For once, selfishness took over. I hailed down a cab, and as it sped down the road, my heart was flooded.

Guilt. Happiness. Disappointment.

I broke the promise…

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“Ding-Dong…” “Oh my god you’re finally—Miyoko????” A frustrated-looking Ryohei opened the door. “Erm, hi…” “What… Huh?” “Can I come in?” “Sure…” Once inside, Ryuichi’s expression was pretty much the same. “But… aren’t you supposed to be Sydney?” “I… came back for a break. But somehow—” “BANG!” Something collided with the door, and Ryohei rushed to open it. “What the—” A figure stumbled in and slumped against the wall, followed by a strong smell of beer. With one look, I recognized that person.

“Ke…Keita???” His head lifted, but his eyes were clouded, not at all the clear ones I had known. “Ughh… Who are you?” “I…”

Should I tell him…?

“Well… you may look like Miyoko… but you’re not her… She left… She can’t be back…” With that, he collapsed, and Ryohei helped Ryuichi carry him into a room down the hall. I stared at the limp body, hardly believing what I was seeing…

The two returned a few minutes later. “So, back to you. Why are you back?” Ryuichi re-settled on the sofa. “I’m back for a break, but somehow my dad isn’t home. I haven’t managed to contact him…” Once I said this, Ryohei looked at Ryuichi, and I could tell something is up. “Is something wrong?” “Well…” Ryohei turned his gaze on me. “We couldn’t contact you, and your dad didn’t want you to worry at first…”

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I stared at the figure on the bed. His hair was almost all gone; his skin yellow and wrinkled, and snake-like tubes ran down his arms. I could hardly recognize that person…

“Your father has a very serious case of lung cancer…” “WHAT???? But… he never smoked! EVER!” “It seems like it was… long-term already…” “He… he never told me anything!” I looked into Ryohei’s eyes, searching for any signs of lies, but no… I found none… “No… this cannot be happening…” “I’m really sorry, Miyoko…”

I sank slowly to the floor, as my head spun. I wanted to cry, to scream, to let it out, but no tears came.

And now, I sat in the nearby hospital, looking at what has remained of the strong, encouraging father that I once had. I don’t know how long I sat there. But I remember, it was Ryuichi who pulled me out of the hospital, insisting I needed some sleep. He put me in his car, and we drove back in silence. I stared out of the window, as lights flashed past. I could feel that he wanted to say something, but I ignored him.

We stepped back into the apartment, and Keita looked up as we entered. I met his eyes for a moment, wanting to feel the usual warmth, but his gaze shot ice beams down my spine. His eyes darted away, and he squeezed past us out into the hallway. I wanted to reach out to him, to touch him, to feel his skin on mine again, but something held me back, and I let him go.

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Nobody spoke much over the next few days, as I learned from the doctors that my dad was in the final days in his life. I stayed in the hospital most of the time, and occasionally Ryohei and Ryuichi would join me.

2 weeks after I returned…

I rubbed my eyes. Dad was moving his lips! I stood up so fast I knocked the chair down. “Da…Dad???” I took his withered hand in mine and looked into his half open eyes. Ryohei and Ryuichi rushed in upon hearing the noise, and stood beside me. “Miyoko… What… What are you doing… here…” “I came back, daddy. It’ll be alright… ok??? Promise me… please…” My voice was trembling. “Miyoko…” “Dad… no…” “I’m sorry, dear… Where… Where’s Keita…?” “He’s not here, daddy…” “I…” His eyes found mine. “Whatever you… do… remember… your heart… fulfill your heart’s… duty…” “Dad…” “He… still loves you… don’t let… that… die… too…”

With one last look, his hand went limp, and the light went out from his eyes. Forever.

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The funeral was quiet and personal. I was silent throughout the entire ceremony. When I returned to the apartment with Ryohei and Ryuichi, we found dinner on the table, and Keita sitting down, getting ready to eat. We ate in silence. I finished first, and smiled. “Thanks for taking care of me these few weeks. I’ll never forget you.” I stood up and went back into my room. Locking the door and propping a chair against it, I turned to look at the setting sun.

It was the last light I’ll ever see.

I pulled on my mother’s white dress and climbed onto the chair in the middle of the room. I hooked the plain white cloth around my jaw and took one last look at the photo I had propped on my dresser. His smile was enchanting…

Goodbye… Goodbye Keita.

I smiled and kicked the chair aside.

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Am I in heaven…?

The light shining down was blinding. My head throbbed.

I should be dead…

As my eyes grew accustomed to the light, I realized where I was. I sat up suddenly and saw Ryohei stir at one side of the room. “I… how…” I never saw Ryohei like that, he stormed up to me. “Miyoko… do you know how stupid you were???” “I…” I looked around and my memory slowly came back…

“MIYOKO!!!” “BANG!!!” Someone carried me down, shouts… ambulance…

“He… he still isn’t here…?” The person I wanted to see most… where was he…

“ARGH!” Ryohei stormed outside and pulled Keita into the room. He did not even cast a look at me. “THERE!” Ryohei pointed a finger at me. “That is the woman you love. She was near to death. And you can sit outside and play with your handphone.” “I love…???” Keita glared at him. “I don’t love her. I’ve never loved her…” “OH YOU BLOODY ASSHOLE!” With one swift movement, Ryohei punched Keita across the face, and Ryuichi struggled to keep Ryohei under control. Keita stood back up with a bleeding lip. “Do you know…” Ryohei spat, his fists shaking with anger. “How much this girl gave…” “SHE GAVE??? SHE LEFT ME! IF SHE EVER LOVED ME, SHE WOULDN’T CARE WHAT OTHERS SAID! SHE WOULD HAVE STAYED!!!” “Keita… I…” “SHUT UP! You…” “Look at this!” Ryohei threw a blue notebook at Keita, and I recognized it immediately. From the expression on Keita’s face, I knew which page he was looking at…

Dear diary…

I’ve decided… I can’t believe I did, but I know… this is what’s better for him and me. It is too selfish for me to ask him to desert his entire future, just for me. He loves singing and I know… I know he’ll be happy.

If this is the right thing to do… why then, can’t I stop my tears…?

I have to… It’s all for him…

I know if he knew about this, he’ll never let me go. I’m sorry Keita… I’m really sorry…

He looked straight into my eyes. Emotions swirled around… joy… confusion… guilt... He dropped the notebook and ran out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

I looked at the door, and tears streamed down my face…

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This Time ～願い～- Fanfic of w-inds. PART 2

Oct. 27th, 2007 at 5:19 PM

I stared in disbelief at the newspaper. How… How could these photos be here???

Tachibana Keita’s Secret Lover EXPOSED!

Following the eye-catching line in the entertainment section, was a few photos taken from when we went to amusement park. My blood froze. Nobody recognized us that day… How could this be???

“What is it, Miyoko?” “Um, nothing!” I tried to stuff the newspaper away, but nevertheless, he had already seen it. He’s expression turned grave, and fixed me with the same look. “Don’t worry. I’ll… Sort this out. Wait here.” With that, he stormed out of the apartment. I looked back at the newspaper, fearing what was to come.

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“How’s school going?” (I lied to my dad, telling him I was there for at least 2 years) “Great, it’s kinda tiring, but I think I’ll manage.” A sigh came from the other end of the phone. “What is it, dad? Is everything alright?” “Keita came to me a few days ago…” “……” “I didn’t say anything, don’t worry.” “…Thanks, dad.” “But I think you’re hurting him, more than you’re hurting yourself.” “It’s all for him… I can’t take his future away!” “Yes, but…” “Dad, I know I’ve always listened to you, but please…. This once. It’s my decision. I have to go. Goodnight.” “Goodnight, dear. Sleep tight.”

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Somehow the journalists caught wind of my personal information, and emails popper up like mad in my mailbox.

“GET AWAY FROM KEITA YOU BITCH.”

“YOU DON’T DESERVE HIM…”

“If you don’t leave Keita right now, I’m never going to support w-inds. anymore!…”

I hid all these away from Keita, for I didn’t want him to worry.

That night at dinner, he asked, “Is everything alright?” “Yea…” “You look tired.” “Well, studying medicine isn’t exactly easy you know.” His brows furrowed, and he took my hand. “No, I mean… you don’t smile as much anymore. If it’s about the stuff in the newspaper…” Immediately, I gave him one of my brightest smiles. “Look… I’m alright. Don’t worry.” He smiled too, but it looked strained. “Okay…”

We spent the night in each other’s arms, savoring the little bit of private time we had. As I laid on his chest, I stared into his handsome face, his strong features, and decided, even if it may be the most painful thing I ever did, what I should do. I love him, and if I had to sacrifice everything for him, I would.

“If you don’t leave Keita right now, I’m never going to support w-inds. anymore!…”

Maybe for him…

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“Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way…” It was the first Christmas I spent alone, and as I walked down the busy streets of Sydney, I felt a sudden chill. It wasn’t because of the weather, it was summer here! It was because, in fact, of the many couples strolling down the streets together. I walked each pair with envy, and I longed to be back in Tokyo, where I would probably spend the whole day lounging with him at home, with a few movies playing.

That’s when a familiar sign caught my attention, and I rushed into the music store.

Yes… It was them… I’d never have thought I could find their things here!

w-inds. Live Tour 2006 ~Thanks~

I bought it without hesitation, and ran all the way home.

He looks perfectly normal now, the usual hyper dude was back. He danced, cheered, laughed, acted like an idiot…

“Good evening, I’m Keita…”

And the music for Kazauta started.

Ano hi kara marude nukekara mitai sa
Karappo no nakami wa doko ni iru?
Kimi wo miokutta basho he to mukatte
Kidukeba hitori de aruiteta

Iru hazu no nai
Kimi no yokogao wo sagashite
Tame iki ga
Boku wo genjitsu ni tsure modosunda

Never Say Good-Bye
Kese nai yo
Utsuru mono subete ni kimi ga iru
Dakara Oh Never...
Missin’you
Kono machi ga kono yubi ga
Nukumori wo oboete iru kara
Don’t leave me alone...

Osoroi ni shite ita kono udedokei ga
Suterarezu ima mo sono mama de
Otoko no hou ga hikizuru nante
Yoku iwareta kedo hontou da ne

Toki wo kizamu sono mukashi ga
Boku wo semeru you ni
Omoide ni suru ni wa
Haya sugiru to sakebunda

Never Say Good-Bye oshiete yo
Ikutsu no kisetsu wo norikoetara ii no?
Oh Never...
Tell me why
Konnani mo byousoku de
Mada kimi wo suki ni natte yukunda
Don’t leave me...

Zutto ai wa eien ni tsuduku mono dato
Chikatta futari dakedo...

I will say Good-Bye
Ichido shika iwa nai kara todokete yo

Dry my tears kikoeru kai?
Seiippai no tsuyogari wo
Kaze ni nosete Oh Never...
Song for you
Mou hitotsu tsutaetai
Kimi dakara aisetanda yo to
I’m proud of my love...
Uso ja nai futari de
Sugoshita hibi wa ima mo mune ni
Oh Never...
Time goes by tojita me ni itsudemo
Kimi no egao ga areba ii kara
So, I say Good-Bye...

I was sure, no one else could see the tears. It was not on his cheek, but in his eyes, and in his heart. I knew for sure. The moment the music ended, my vision was blurred. I sobbed. I cried like there’s no tomorrow. It was a strange feeling, happiness mingled with heart-breaking sadness.

I’m still in your heart…

Let go Keita, let go…

You need to let go…

Me too…

I glanced at the calendar, only 2 more weeks! Then I realized, with a pang, that I did not plan for anything after the programme.

I can’t possibly go back to Japan!

But I can’t stay here either…

I’ll just go meet dad.

Yes… but keep your distance. It’s for him, remember, it’s for him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What I'm Listening To:SHINING STAR/w-inds.

This Time ～願い～- Fanfic of w-inds. PART 1

Oct. 23rd, 2007 at 9:12 PM

“Are you sure about this?” “Yes dad, I’m sure. Please, don’t say anything to Keita.” “Sigh. I’m not going to stop you, I know I can’t, but I do hope you know what you’re doing.” “Yes dad… I’ll call if I come back to visit. Love you.” “Be careful…” “Yes dad…” I flipped the cover of my phone down and stuffed it hastily back into my bag.

“All passengers heading to Sydney… Please board your flight at gate A4...”

The announcement rang through the lobby, and I turned around for a last look. I smiled. “Goodbye, Keita…” I think he should be reading it now…

Dearest Keita,

By the time you are reading this, I would probably be at the airport already. I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you earlier but… I really didn’t want you to know. Don’t blame me, Keita… It’s better for the both of us.

I’m moving to Sydney.

I cannot bear to leave you, but trust me, this way is better. We don’t belong in the same world, Keita, I think you know that.

I hope you move on, and do the things that you used to love doing. Don’t worry about me, ok? I’ll be alright.

I’m sorry Keita.

Best wishes,

Miyoko

With one last look at the entrance of the airport, I picked up my bag and headed for the boarding gates, never to turn back…

“MIYOKO!” The voice was all too familiar. I quickened my pace, for I know just the sight of him would make me regret everything I’m doing now. I was just about to reach the border, when a pair of strong arms pulled me in from behind, and engulfed me in a familiar warmth. “Miyoko… Enough joking around… Let’s go home… Alright?” “……” “Miyoko… Please… Tell me it’s all a joke!”

I broke free of his grasp and handed my passport to the security guard. “MIYOKO!” I pushed his hand aside, and turned to face him. It was no longer the face I knew, the smile had left the face, and was replaced by a look of despair.

“I… said everything. I’m going.” “But… Why, Miyoko? After all we’ve been through…” I turned my back on him.

Go back with him! Why do you care what others say???

NO! It’s all for him… All for his own good!

But what about yourself????

I sank my fingernails into my palm and bit my lip. No… You can’t…

“I’m…” “LOOK! It’s KEITA-KUN!!!” We spun around, and there came a hoard of w-inds. fans. For once, I wanted to thank them. Their expressions immediately changed when they saw me. “What is that BITCH doing here..?” “Ugh, get lost…” I smiled lightly and turned to go, when Keita grabbed my arm again. “MIYOKO!” I broke free and walked on. As I headed down the corridor, I heard Keita shout behind me.

“… YOU ARE THE REASON WHY SHE LEFT ME…. GET LOST!!! GET AWAY!!!! MIYOKO!!!!!!!”

I couldn’t stand it any longer. I ran towards the boarding gate, ignoring the curious looks from other passengers. I settled down in the window seat, and stared out.

You can still turn back now…

Goodbye Keita… I love you… I really do…

As the plane began to take off, I spotted a figure standing in the fields at the far end of the airport. Even from afar, I knew who that was. I picked the small snowflake pendant from my neck and kissed it.

The tears I have been holding back for so long, finally fell.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Isn’t it beautiful…?” I snuggled closer to him as the snowflakes drifted down from heaven onto us. “No where near as beautiful as you…” He nibbled at my ear as I spun around and pinched his nose. “Hmph…” “What? Can’t a guy compliment his girl?” “Merry Christmas, Keita…” “Merry Christmas…”

Beneath the starlit sky, he came closer, closer… Until our lips finally touched, and millions of tingles spread through my body. This may not be my first kiss, but it was the most magical.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I stepped off the plane, and switched on my phone.

80 missed calls. 75 from him. 5 from Ryohei.

22 New messages.

‘What’s going on Miyoko?’…. ‘Please, call me!’…… ‘Miyoko…. Please…’

I dropped my phone on the floor, and it shattered into pieces, alarming the passengers around me. I swept up the pieces and dropped them into a nearby dustbin.

I left it all behind. But why… Is my heart being torn apart now…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was our first Valentine’s together, and we spent it quietly in our apartment.

“Okay… Close your eyes!” I obeyed like a little girl. Sometime cold slid across the skin on my neck, and I instinctively lifted up my hair. “Open them!” I looked into the mirror and gasped. “You like it?” “Yes!” The usual smile crept onto his face as he cuddled me from behind.

“Glad you like it! Wherever you are, I’ll always be with you…”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I looked wearily at the clock on my laptop. 2am.

When I applied to come here for the exchange programme, I didn’t expect it to be this tiring… for the past 2 weeks I had been staying up to around midnight every night. I’m close to the brink of breaking down, without the countless emails coming in everyday from Ryohei and Ryuichi. Somehow… I think Keita has given up.

Is it a good thing? Or a bad thing? I really didn’t have the answer.

Then suddenly, Ryohei came online. Surprising, He hasn’t been online for the past 2 weeks.

Ryo--!: CAN YOU PLEASE TELL US WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?

*snow_angels: I made it clear enough.

Ryo--!: Well I’m not buying it.

*snow_angles: Whatever.

Ryo--!: Do you realise Keita is nearly losing his mind?

I went offline at that instant and slammed my head down on my keyboard. My tears leaked out again, and I quickly wiped them off with my sleeve. The silver snowflake was still kissing my neck.

I’m sorry Keita. Move on… Please…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
tinkerbell: ANNNND YES people, 2nd fanfic already! This one I finished already, just didn't have time to post it up... so yea. ENJOY (: BTW I almost cried writing this. Hope you cry when reading xD

How I Feel: content

Because Of You- Fanfic of w-inds. PART 9 (FINAL!!!)

Oct. 23rd, 2007 at 9:06 PM

Dear Diary,

Maybe it’s just me being paranoid, but Keita seems to be avoiding me nowadays. Everytime I try to spend some time alone with him, he’ll always get some excuse and leave.

His gaze has changed too.

I’m afraid… what’s going on? Even my own father won’t tell me… I tried asking again and again, but it’s always the same answer: It’s hard to explain.

I can’t lose him now… I know he needs his personal space, but now…

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“Sakura-chan…” I turned around to see Keita walking into my room. “Yea? What’s up?” “Can you take me to your parents’ house again? I need to ask your father something…” “I…” I hesitated. I had long since given up on asking him about it. “Alright. Wait.”

Half an hour later, we arrived outside my parents’ house. Mama opened the door. “Oh, hello!” “Mama, Keita wants to see Papa about something.” “Come in, he’s in the study…” She closed the door behind us. Keita thanked Mama and went down the hallway to the study. As he dropped out of sight, I turned to Mama. “Is there something going on between Papa and Keita?” “I cannot answer that question, dear…” She sighed. “It’s best you don’t know about it.” I frowned and watched as Mama returned to the kitchen. That’s when I decided to find out by myself.

I crept quietly to the study, and crouched outside with my ear on the door. My parents lived in the traditional Japanese house, so the sliding door was covered with rice paper instead of glass. The voices were muffled, but I could just make out what they were saying…

“You came.” Papa sighed. “I knew this day would come, but I never expected it to come when everyone else was around.” “You know perfectly well why I am here.” Keita’s voice was as cold as ice; it was no longer the one I recognised. “Let’s take this somewhere quiet, please; I don’t want the others to hear.” “Why?” I heard something click, and my gut feeling told me it was bad. “Ashamed of your past now? Isn’t it too late? 17 years too late!” Keita barked.

I peeked in through a small slit in the doors and my blood froze. Keita pointed a pistol at Papa, who had stood up. Keita’s finger twitched. My scream was covered by a loud bang. I grabbed the nearest weapon—a katana on the wall, and jumped into the room. “Drop your pistol.” My voice came out, trembling slightly. “Now.” He did as told, and returned my gaze with one of such mixed emotions. Mama rushed in and screamed. I picked up Keita’s pistol and turned to tend to Papa, ignoring the scuffling noise as Keita ran out.

“Call the ambulance!” I whipped my cell phone out and dialled.

One ring… two rings… I watched in horror as the colour drained from Papa’s face and the dark red patch on his shirt grow ever so quickly.

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“It’s alright,” The doctor took off his glasses as he stepped out from the operating room. “He is out of the danger zone now, but I would advise you to let him rest for now.” “Oh thank goodness…” Mama broke into tears. “I’m gonna stay here until Papa wakes up, you go home…” “But—” Mama cut me off. “You still have school tomorrow. Go get some sleep.” And she followed the doctor down another hallway.

I stepped out of the hospital. It was nearly midnight, and the streets were unusually quiet. My mind felt numb. I picked up my phone and sent a text message. I needed to know the truth.

TO: Tachibana Keita

Meet me @ lake in park. Alone.

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The park had an unusual peace at night. The moon was reflected in the water like a silver ornament, and shadows seemed to lurk between the branches of the trees. When I arrived, there was already a figure standing under one of the trees. I walked slowly up to him.

“Explain. That was my father you shot.” “You really want to know the truth?” His voice was trembling. “Yes.” “Alright…” Keita raised his shaking fingers and ran them through his hair. “You never asked who my parents were… let me tell you…

“My mother… fell in love with someone. And that someone never loved her back. Yet one night, after she went to the pub after being rejected for the millionth time, he raped her.” Keita’s voice grew into a hiss. “He never loved her… and I am ashamed to even be his child…” “And what has this have to do with my father?” I asked. “Oh? Guess what. That person… is your father.”

The truth hit me like a bullet. I staggered back, unable to take in the scene in front of me. “No… NO!” “It’s the truth, Sakura-chan. It has been for the past 17 years.” “You’re lying…” I whispered. “Please… tell me it’s not true…” He hung his head. And then it exploded. “If you knew…” I felt betrayed. “Why then, did you not tell me in the first place? This whole time… you were using me to get close to Papa???” “I never used you! I swear! I never knew until that time I saw your father that you were my sis—” “SHUT UP!” I covered my ears and closed my eyes. Flashes of everything we’ve been through raced through my mind. “DON’T SAY IT!” “I swear I didn’t know you were his daughter…” He reached out for me but I stepped back. “Sakura-chan…” “NO!” The barriers around my heart broke, and tears streamed down my face like a broken string of beads. “I don’t— I won’t accept this! I… I…” “I’m sorry…” He tried to take my hand, but I turn and ran.

Images of us kissing and the times we spent together surfaced, and I tried desperately to hold them down. Keita… my brother??? I couldn’t believe everything. Maybe I didn’t want to believe anything. I finally stopped, and when I looked up, I saw I was at harbour. The sea breeze caressed my cheeks, but did nothing to ease the searing pain in my heart. All these months… I had been in love with my own brother…

Raindrops fell, but I couldn’t feel anything. I only wished for all the memories of the past months to be washed away…

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I spent a sleepless night in a hotel for that night, for I didn’t want to go home and face all the questioning glances. When I went to the hospital the next day, my mood lightened when I saw Papa sitting up. “Are you ok, Sakura-chan…? You have eyebags…” I sat down at the foot of Papa’s bed. “I’m fine, Papa, it’s you I’m worried about…” “Don’t worry,” he smiled. “It’s not that serious…” “Why didn’t you tell me…?” I could barely push the words out. “Why didn’t you tell me about all this…?” “I tried, dear, I tried to explain everything years ago…” “Then WHY?” I stood up, clenching my fists at my side, staring down at the father I no longer knew. “If everything is clear, why is this still happening???” Papa sighed. His calmness raised my temperature even more. It was because of him that I fell in love with… “Get Keita here. It’s time I talked to him myself…”

I stormed to the headquarters and nearly broke down the door. Taguchi, Ling and Shark looked up as the door swung dangerously on its hinges. I fixed a robotic gaze on Keita and drew his own pistol from inside my coat. I pointed it at him over the heads of the others. “Father wants to see you.” “What’s going on…” “It’s none of your business!” I snapped at Shark and turned my attention back to Keita. “Ok.” He pushed past me onto the sidewalk. Nobody followed. They knew when I said it’s none of their business, I meant it.

Once seated in the ward, Papa sighed and gazed at Keita, who sat silently in a corner. “I did nothing to your mother.” “……” “I really did not do anything. I tried explaining to her…” “…” “Do you wish me to explain?” “Har,” Keita snorted. “Would it make a difference?” “Maybe…”

“That night, I was walking past that alley when I saw someone bent over your mother. When I rushed over, the person ran away, and your mother was in a mess. She was barely conscious, so I think she must have thought I was the one who…” Papa’s voice trailed off. “7 years in Osaka, I met her again. I tried explaining, but she laughed and showed me your photo. I wish she listened…” “Ha, very convincing.” “Sakura.” “Yes Papa?” “Can you please go fetch the doctor?” “Err, ok.” I stood up uncertainly and headed down the hallway.

When I got back, Papa passed a note to the doctor. Keita was looking bewildered. The doctor nodded, and took Keita out of the room. “What…” “You’ll see,” Papa smiled. “He’ll believe me now…”

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“Did you and Keita break up?” Trish asked that night. I winced; she always got straight to the point. “No. Well, not exactly.” “Then… Why aren’t you guys even TALKING to each other?” “I can’t really explain, it’s just so… sudden.” “Come on,” She sat down beside me. “What’s up?” I took in a deep breath. “Keita might be my brother.”

I was pretty sure the entire area could hear her yelling. “HOWWW????” “It’s complicated… I’m not even sure it’s true…” “But but but, if it’s true, then….” Her eyes grew wide. “You…” “Yes, I’m aware of that, so will you PLEASE stop mentioning it?” I snapped. “I--… I really… what????” “UGHHH!” I slammed my head into my pillow as I felt the stinging in my eyes. “I can’t believe… all that time… I was… I hate it.” “Well… we don’t know yet, just hope for the best then.” “I don’t know… I don’t care…”

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“Oh my god…” Keita stared down at the results of the DNA compatibility test. No match. My heart did a little leap. “I…” “Now do you believe me?” Papa stepped back. “I…” Keita was dumbfounded. “All this time…” “Is your mother in Tokyo?” “Ha,” Keita’s expression grew sober. “She died 3 years ago…” “Oh my gosh… I wanted to clear things up…” “She asked me to find my father… now I don’t even know who my father is…” Keita shook his head. I slipped my fingers into his and felt the familiar warmth shooting up my arm. “Where is she buried?” “Her hometown—Fukuoka.” “Ah…” Papa sighed. “I would like to visit her someday…” “My deepest apologies, sir…” “Why the formalities? You’re almost part of the family now, Sakura-chan has been treating you well, I hope?” Papa smiled. I felt a flush crawling onto my cheeks as Keita looked down at me. His gave my hand a little squeeze.

I stepped out of the hospital into the sunlight. “I’m sorry, Sakura-chan…” “For what?” “For hating your father all this time…” “Life is like that… You’re forgiven.” I smiled. When he returned it, I knew things had gone back to normal. The sun was shining, the birds were singing. We walked home, hand in hand. When we reached, I realised I had a lot of explaining to do……

------------------------------------------------END-----------------------------------------------

How I Feel: calm
What I'm Listening To:Best of my love/w-inds.

Because Of You- Fanfic of w-inds. PART 8

Oct. 15th, 2007 at 1:22 PM

The eve of New Year’s Day was spent clubbing, as we teenagers always do. Although it was freaking cold outside, the atmosphere in the club was totally high. We danced, we laughed, and it was definitely a night to remember, before…

Ryuichi got drunk. So we had to leave the place early, and dragged him home. I was just making something for his hangover when suddenly Ryohei rushed into the kitchen and grabbed me into the garden. “What the—” “Look!” Explosions erupted overhead, and I looked up to see an array of red, blue, green and gold sparks. Too bad Ryuichi missed this, he was still lying half dead upstairs. The sparks showered down on us, but disappeared just before they hit us.

Someone embraced me from behind, and I didn’t have to turn around to know who. “Happy New Year…” “Come on… the others would start joking…” I struggled against his grasp, but it was useless. The more I wiggled, the tighter his grip became. “You ain’t getting out…” He breathed into my ear. “Hmph…”

Suddenly, a horrible belching noise came from above, and before I knew it, something wet and stinky landed on Keita and I. I looked up and saw Ryuichi sticking his head out of his window, which was directly above us, and knew what had just hit us.

“OGATA RYUICHI!!!!!!!!!!!”

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The days flew past, and our usual routine was back in place. Go to school, study, come home, do homework, patrol. School was much more interesting nowadays, the expression on Yumi’s face everytime she sees Keita and I holding hands is priceless. I didn’t stick to Keita every single minute in school, for I had a reputation to keep up. But nevertheless, we always found some time to enjoy each other’s company.

March came, and brought with it warmer weather and of course, the blooming of the sakura flowers. One Saturday afternoon, the whole gang went to the nearby park for a picnic. We settled down under a tree, and suddenly Sasuke spoke up. “Should we all bow to the tree? It salutes SAKURA…” “Shut up or I’ll stick one of Taguchi’s socks in your mouth.” “What?!” Taguchi looked offended. “Why mine?” “Everyone knows yours are the ‘scented’” “Hahaha…”

While the others went to have a game of Frisbee, Keita pulled me to my feet. “Where are we going?” I asked as he led me down a path. “You’ll see… Close your eyes.” I did as told, and we walked for about 5 minutes. “Alright, open them now.” I gasped. “Where…?” I had never been to this part of the park before. I was looking at a small lake surround by countless sakura trees. “It’s beautiful…” “Of course…” He slipped an arm around my waist. “How did you know about this?” “I… I’ve got my sources.” He winked, and I punched him on the arm. “Come on, who told you about this?” “Swear not to tell?” “Promised.” He leaned in and whispered something in my ear. My eyes widened. “Are you serious?” He nodded. “They really snuck out here?” “Yup. Don’t tell Sasuke I told you this.” “I kinda expected those two to end up together…” He chuckled. “Didn’t us all…”

A breeze came by, and shook a few flowers from their branches. Keita caught one and stuck it in my hair. I reached up to remove it, but hesitated. “You look pretty like that.” “Do I look like the kind of girl who wears flowers in their hair?” “Now you do.” He bent down placed his lips gently on mine. I dragged my finger along the back of his neck, and that seemed to jolt something, because Keita suddenly pulled me in tighter.

After what might have been centuries, we broke apart. We rested our foreheads together and let our breaths mingle. “Let’s go back…” “Alright.”

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We were invited over to my parents’ place for dinner that day after viewing the sakura flowers, also partly because Papa wanted to see Ryuichi. “Papa, Mama, this is Tachibana Keita…” I heard Keita drawing a long breath, and something flashed in Papa’s eyes. Puzzled, I looked from one to the other. There was a tension in the air nobody else realized. Keita bowed stiffly. Papa nodded back. What was going on??? Papa broke the silence by dragging Ryuichi into the practice arena.

Ryuichi was no match against Papa, however skilled he was. Within a few seconds, Papa had tripped him countless times. I had a hard time trying to hold back laughter. I looked around the others, and realised they were looking the same, except for Chiyo, who instead had a frown on her face. I wonder…

Then I realised Keita wasn’t there. I looked around to see the door slightly ajar. Slipping away from the crowd, I saw him standing alone in the courtyard, looking down at the pond. I sneaked up to him, and covered his eyes from behind. “Guess who…” “Sigh…” He pulled my hands away, and walked off. Feeling quite pissed, I followed.

“What’s wrong?” “It’s… nothing.” “You sure?” We sat down at the bench beneath the tree. “It’s really hard to explain… and I can’t believe it either…” “Do you want to talk about it…?” “No. I’m sorry.” He buried his head in his hands. “Look. We’re supposed to trust each other.” “I know… but this is really… not the time…” “Fine. Come back in later.” I stormed back into the house, only to see Mama handing a hot towel to Ryuichi. “How did it turn out?” I asked Ryoko. “Isn’t it obvious?” “Yeah… Pfffffftt…” The entire room burst into enormous laughter, and Ryuichi glared at us. “Well let’s see you try to beat him!” He challenged. “No, I’ll pass.” “Haha…”

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Dinner would never be disappointing with Mama’s cooking. As about a dozen people gathered in the dining room, it was extremely cramped. Although everyone else chatted like nothing was wrong, I could still sense a minor tension. Keita looked dazed, like his mind was a mile away, and Papa kept glancing nervously at Keita. I pushed my way over to Papa, and whispered, “What’s going on?” “What..? Nothing!” “You and Keita… There’s definitely something going on!” “Look dear…” Papa looked flustered. “It’s something hard to explain…” “That’s what HE said.”

“Look,” Papa’s voice was barely audible over all the noise. “It’s all over already, it’s nothing…” “But…” “Sorry, I’m a bit tired.” And he walked up the stairs just like that, leaving me staring in puzzlement at the stairway. Trish walked over and placed a hand on my shoulder. “What’s up?” “That’s the problem. I don’t know.” “Keita looks dazed.” “NOW you realise.” “Something wrong?” “Hope not… C’mon let’s grab some food…”

I looked over at Keita. He was hanging around with Ryohei and Ryuichi, and he seemed normal. He saw me, returned a smile, and went back to telling stupid jokes to the other two. I shook my head. Maybe I was just paranoid…

We bade goodbye to my parents, and went home, singing stupid songs along the way. We were passing a small alley when a bloodcurdling scream came to our ears. I snapped my head around to look down the alley, and sure enough, I could make out the shape of 3 guys and a girl who was pinned against the wall. “Don’t… I’ll call my parents!” “Haha…” I recognised that voice and groaned. Everyone else looked the same. “Do we HAVE to help her?” Ryohei nodded. “You’d better.” “Gosh… Sometimes I really don’t understand you.” I flung Keita’s hand away and dashed down the alley, Trish and Shark close behind.

2 minutes later, the 3 guys were kneeling down in front of us, holding out a purse and a necklace. Trish grabbed them and kicked the leader of the three, and the three of them literally crawled out of the alley. She handed the possessions back to Yumi, who was now whimpering, her clothes and hair in a mess. Being ‘gentlemanly’, the guys walked away quickly. “You ok?” “I… I think so…” “What happened?” For god’s sake, she started bawling, and mascara ran down her face. “I was walking pass, and these 3 guys asked for my number, so I smiled… then… then…” She sobbed even harder. I sighed and put a hand on her shoulder. “Gosh, Yumi, are you really as stupid as you look? Go home; your parents are probably worried sick…” “Sniff… thank you…” She picked up her stuff and scampered off. “Great way to start off the year…” “Harhar, very funny.” “Let’s go…” “I’m telling you,” I watched Yumi run off and sighed. “Ryohei has a soft spot for this girl.” “Well, she did chase him for quite a while, you can’t blame him. Maybe he just thinks she’s cute.” “He’s going nuts, Trish, Yumi isn’t the kind of girl for him.” “Hey, I only said maybe. Besides, Ryohei has enough brains…” “I ain’t that certain.”

We met up with the others outside, and continued our walk home.

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How I Feel: crappy

Because Of You- Fanfic of w-inds. PART 7

Oct. 9th, 2007 at 11:07 AM

When I woke up the next morning, I realized the girls weren’t the only ones who were watching. As I strode into the kitchen, the guys quickly ‘evacuated’ in a fit of laughter, leaving Keita sitting at the table alone looking sheepish. “Morning… Sorry about that, looks like we weren’t the only people up last night…” “True, the girls were up too.” “Haha…”

I grabbed the milk out of the fridge and took a seat beside him. “Slept well?” “Uh huh…” “Want to go for a movie? It’s Saturday…” “Are you sure our butts won’t be frozen off?” “Hey,” he wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “Are you afraid of that with me around?” “Haha… Wait here, I’ll go get ready.” I planted a small kiss on his cheek and went upstairs.

A mere 10mins later, I came back down, dressed in a black turtle-neck dress with a long overcoat. Keita raised an eyebrow when he saw me. “Your closet never seems to run out of long coats.” “What? I like this one!” “Alright, alright! Come on!” He took my hand and we walked to the train station, where we most unfortunately ran into…

“KEITA-KUN~~” We both knew that voice. Keita grimaced and I just rolled my eyes. Grabbing me roughly by the arm, we weaved through the crowd, doing our best to avoid Yumi, and her ‘attack’. We got onto the train just as the doors closed, putting quite an amount of steel between us and Yumi, who stood outside the doors looking dumbstruck and horrified. We waved at her as the train pulled out of the station, and started laughing as she slowly disappeared from sight.

The trip was a short 20mins, after which we stepped out onto the busy streets of Shibuya. “What movie are we watching?” I asked as we entered the cinema. “Horror movie?” “Sure.” Keita looked shocked. “SURE? I thought you’d be whining ‘No…’!” I stood with my hands on my hips. “Do I look like the kind of girl who screams in a horror movie?” “Ok… Tragedy movie? Maybe you’ll start crying…” “Ok. Anything’s good.” “Haha… Alright, sad movie it is, then!”

We bought the tickets to one depressed-looking film, entitled ‘Forget-me-not’. When we lights in the cinema dimmed, and I felt Keita’s fingers entwining with mine. With a little smile, I laid my head softly on his shoulder, and the film started.

True, the story was really sad indeed. It was about 2 lovers, one day the lady had an accident and lost all her memory. After the guy helped her slowly recover her memory, piece by piece, she fell for someone else. She couldn’t remember the guy, for some reason, and he when he realized she had fallen for someone else, he did nothing to regain his position in her mind. In the end, the lady married the other person, and the man stood at one side of the church, tears running down his face.

I could feel tears swimming around my eyes, and I did my best not to let them fall, especially in front of Keita. I looked up, and in the dim light saw Keita biting down on his lip, tear streaks on his face. I choked back a laugh, and only chuckled when the lights came back on and the only thing left on the screen was the credits. “Who was the one who cried in the end?” I winked at him. “Come on, let’s get some food.” He dragged me out of the cinema and into a nearby café.

“2 coffees and 2 slices of chocolate cake please.” I ordered and started staring out of the window at the crowds shuffling past. I could feel his gaze on me. “What are you thinking about?” “Hmm… guess!” “How amazing our date has been and etc?” “Ego much…” “Me?” “Maaaaaaybe?” “When a girl says ‘maybe’ it usually means yes.” I felt something under the table, and without a doubt I knew what that was. We repeatedly stepped on each other’s foot, and finally I spoke up. “You’re gonna pay for my boots.” With his usual dorky laugh, he replied, “With pleasure.”

He was holding me for the whole of the journey back home, bringing disapproving looks from some older commuters around. “Erm Keita?” “Yes?” He breathed into my ear. “People are looking…” “No big deal…” “I just thought you’d mind.” “Of course not, what’s wrong with hugging my girlfriend?” “In a train full of people?” “Haha…” He played around with a lock of my hair. “Alright then.” And he really let go off me. I was feeling quite disappointed, but then I realized that it was our stop already. Feeling slightly embarrasses, I hopped off the train.

We walked home hand in hand, and I found a special addition on the lobby ceiling. “Mistletoe!” “Yup, which means…” Keita scooped me into his arms and planted a playful little kiss on my lips. “Merry Christmas, Sakura-chan…” “Merry Christmas too… And don’t call me Sakura.” “Sure, Sakura-chan…” “I’m warning you…” ‘Ok Sakura-chan~” He threw off his shoes and ran down the hallway. I sped after him and crashed into Ling.

“Ouch!” “Oh my god, sorry!” “What are you so angry about?” “Keita keeps calling me Sakura!” “Sakura-chan~” He stuck out his tongue at me from the top of the stairs. “Shut up!” “Well,” Ling sniggered. “I thought you liked him calling you that!” “Wha—no!” “Yes! Ask Chiyo…” “How would she know?” A sense of dread was growing in me. “Oh well, she’s probably scavenging you diary…” “WHAT????” Without another word I stormed upstairs into my room, only to see Chiyo, Ryoko and Trish laughing like hell on the floor, my diary sitting nearby.

“OH YOU GUYS ARE SO DEAD!!!” “”RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” And so began a game of cat and mouse, me being the cat, and them being the mice. The chase carried on for about half an hour, with many cheers and jeers, when finally everyone got tired and slumped against the wall, clutching stitches and breathing heavily. “You guys… watch out…” “Sorry… couldn’t… resist… haha…” “DINNER IS READY!!!” Taguchi called from the kitchen. You might not believe this, but he is a real good cook.

After a sumptuous dinner, everyone settled in the living room to chat, fight (yes, fight) and just crap around with each other. I was sitting on the sofa reading (as usual), when suddenly Trish suggested we play Truth or Dare. I groaned, but joined in anyway, not to be a spoilsport. The bottle spun once, and fortunately pointed at Trish. The second spin decided the dare-er, or the ‘digger’. “Dare.” “I dare you…” Shark cast a glance at Sasuke. “I dare you to lap dance Sasuke.” “WHAT???? Shark you bloody sickass!” Trish stared in shock at Sasuke, who merely smirked. “NO! Double dare!” “Alright. I dare you…” “What? No lap dance???” “Shut up!” Trish flung a cushion at Sasuke “French kiss him then sit with him for the rest of the game.” “TRIPLE.” “Kiss on lips then sit beside him till the end of tonight and finally… kiss him goodnight.” “Oh why…” Trish started banging her head on the floor. “WHY WHY WHY!!!!” I sniggered. “This is called payback!” “You evil, evil, evil people!!!”

She crawled over the Sasuke, who was looking extremely eager. Their lips touched for a fraction of a second, but the crowd burst into enormous applause nevertheless. Trish seated herself beside Sasuke, who was looking extremely pleased with himself at this point of time. The next victim was… “WHAT THE HELL…” yes, me. “Dare.” Sasuke gave an evil cackle, and said in a ‘grave’ voice, “Kiss Ryohei. Cheek only.” “WAIT!” Trish glared at him. “Why do I have to kiss you while she only needs to peck Ryohei on the cheek???” “She’s attached!” Looking over at Keita, whose face was slowly reddening, I quickly gave a light kiss to Ryohei before returning to my place beside Keita, who was putting on a poor puppy-dog look now. He glared at Ryohei and said in a mock-threatening voice, “You watch out! She’s MINE!” “Hahahaha…”

Some more interesting dares from that night were Ling skipping around the house singing the national anthem, Ryuichi playing the samisen and singing ‘Sakura’, in honour of me, and Taguchi wearing one of Ling’s dresses. When it was close to midnight, everyone retreated to bed. I returned to my room, and after half an hour I was feeling quite odd. Trish was missing. I stepped out into the corridor, and found a hoard of 6 people outside Saskue’s door. Without a word, I knew what must be going on. Ryuichi was stuffing his fist inside his mouth and he had tears in his eyes. “What did you guys do?” I whispered. “We locked them in there together…”

I did not want to imagine what was going on in there, and thus being a nice person, returned to bed.

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How I Feel: sleepy

Because Of You- Fanfic of w-inds. PART 6

Oct. 6th, 2007 at 5:15 PM

Christmas night, as the tradition goes, was spent with my parents. I only had to stay for dinner anyway. Besides, I won’t miss any chance to savour my mom’s roast turkey.

“So how are the people?” “Fine. We got 2 new guys, cousin Ryuichi and a new guy in town.” “Ryuichi is here?” Papa asked. “Yea… came here 3 months ago, I actually only realized that it was him a couple of weeks ago…” “Oh get that little bugger here, I need to check on his skills.” “Papa… You’re gonna scare him…” “Enough talk! TURKEY!!!!” Mama wheeled out of the kitchen, with a steaming turkey on a tray.

I may feel extremely guilty after this, but who cares. FOOD!
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“Haha…” I returned to the headquarters at around 11, and was surprised to find everyone still up. The whole lot had gathered in the living room, having some sort of karaoke competition, considering the circle that had formed around Ling. She was bowing to the calls of “encore!”. I took off my coat and joined the gang, laughing.

Taguchi, who was on guitar, gave me a roughish grin. “You’re finally back! Your turn!” “Yea!!” “Go Steph!” “Ah… you know perfectly well I can’t sing… spare your ears people!” “Hey,” Chiyo said, swallowing a mouthful of chips. “Why don’t you sing that one you just wrote?” “Huh?” “The… ‘Everytime I’m With You!’ I love that one!” “Can I get 500 yen for singing?” “YES.” “Ok.” Anything for money. Haha.

I stepped onto the ‘stage’ area and cleared my throat. ‘Thunderous’ applause erupted, and Taguchi started playing. I stole a look at Keita, who smiled, and started singing…

The rain’s coming down hard
You held me tightly in your arms
There’s no distance between us
Nothing to keep us apart
But promise me…
No matter what would happen
This will never change

You’re the one for me (I know)
I wanna give my whole life to you
Let’s make this love last forever more……

Everytime you look at me
I want the world to stop
Everytime you smile at me
I want time to freeze
You’ll never leave my heart
And that’s forever true
I want everything to stop
Everytime I’m with you……

The times that we shared
Are etched into our hearts
You took my hand so tenderly
And looked into my eyes
So promise me…
No matter where we are
This will never change

I wanna be one for you (oh yea~)
I wanna spend my whole life with you
Let’s make our love last forever more……

With you… with you…

Everytime you take my hand
I want the world to sop
Everytime you hold me close
I want time to freeze
You’ll never leave my heart
And that’s forever true
I want everything to stop
Everytime I’m with you……

With you… ooh~ with you…

“WOO!!!” “Catcalls!!!” I took a bow and went to sit back down, as everyone pulled out their wallets. “Alright alright, only joking!” “Aww come on!” In the end, I still got an extra 500 yen in my pocket. Heh.
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That night, when everyone was asleep, I snuck out of bed and out into the garden. Millions of stars blinked in the dark sky, and I sighed. If wishing upon a star really worked, imagine how many people would have fulfilled their dreams…

“Hey…” I spun around to face Keita, who was walking towards me. A flush ran to my cheeks and I pulled my coat closer around me. “Erm… Hi.” “Beautiful isn’t it?” “Huh?” He pointed overhead at the starry night sky. “Yea… Very.” “That was a nice song you sang today.” “Thanks… I wrote it myself.” “Cool…”

We stood in silence for a few minutes, staring at the stars. Maybe it was because of the weather, maybe it was because of the atmosphere, but suddenly… I had the urge to tell him… Everything that was on my mind… I gulped, and turned to look up at him.

“Keita?” “Yea?” He looked down with those soft eyes… And the words stumbled out of my mouth. “I really like you…” “Shh…” With a flourish, he placed his arms around me and drew me into a tight embrace. As I stood against him, my heart was nearly bursting. “I…” “Don’t speak… if this is a dream, I never want to wake up…” I felt light, feathery kisses on my hair, and I looked up to meet his gaze. “It isn’t a dream…” “Shh…” He put a finger on my lips, and the next moment…

Shockwaves of tingles ran through my body, right down to my now-very-cold feet. I slowly closed my eyes, and my body went limp against his. I held on to his shoulders for support as he deepened the kiss. His lips were so soft… He pulled me even closer, and caressed my cheek with one hand. His gaze was no longer the soft, friendly ones, but was filled with a new flame…

“Take this as a yes, Sakura-chan…”
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How I Feel: anxious
What I'm Listening To:Keep Holding On/Avril Lavigne

Because Of You- Fanfic of w-inds. PART 5

Oct. 4th, 2007 at 10:24 PM

The last leaves of fall fell, and winter greeted us with a series of harsh winds and freezing showers. This made our duties very hard to carry out, as the floor was already dangerous to run on, not mentioning fighting. There wasn’t much stuff going on anyway, since the floor was so slippery. We split ourselves into 2 groups and took turns to patrol. And that meant some of guys got some much-needed sleep.

I wasn’t on duty that night, but somehow I couldn’t sleep. I lifted my head and looked at the clock: midnight. I glanced over at Trish, who was fast asleep and snoring slightly. Maybe I just need some food. I crawled out of my futon and headed downstairs to the kitchen. There, I found Ryohei sitting alone at the table, and as usual, reading a book.

“Can’t sleep?” I pulled some leftover cake from the fridge. “I’m not used to sleeping early anymore.” “Maybe me too. Sigh.” I sat down across of him and stabbed at the slice of cake with a fork. “You look dazed these few days.” “Hmm?” I couldn’t answer cos my mouth was full of cake. “It’s like… you’re off in your own world. And especially when Keita is around.” My head snapped up and met his gaze. He placed his fingertips together and was surveying me behind his white rimmed reading glasses. Oh no. The big brother gaze. NOOOOOO.

“Oh god. Quit looking at me. NOT THAT LOOK!” I covered my eyes, but his hands took hold of mine and pried them away. I had shut my eyes, but it made no difference. I had seen the eyes. “Tell me now… What do you think of him?” Ryohei kept his hypnotic gaze on me. Argh. What difference would it make? I opened my eyes and shrugged. “Is he… nice?” I nodded. “Nicer than the other guys?” Another nod. He smirked. “WHAT?” “Seemingly uncommon for someone like you.” “Uggghhhh. You sound like Trish.” “Well, it’s true.” I put my head down on the table and looked up at him. “So? I think he’s nice, what’s that gotta mean?” “Means…” he took off his glasses. “You may soon be getting another boy--” “Don’t even THINK about getting there.” “Ok…” He backed off and pushed my accusing finger away. “But seriously, I think you got a thing for this guy.” “Erm, WHY?” “a) You think he’s nice. First step taken. B) Every time he walks into the room your eyes rarely leave him. C)…” “Alright. I’m going back to bed. Bye bye.” I stomped up the stairs, only to hear… “DENIAL ISN’T A SOLUTION!”

“Denial isn’t a solution for what?” I returned to my room, only to see Trish sitting up, an evil look on her face. “Oh Ryohei is SO DEAD.” I slammed the door shut and sat down in my own futon. “So…???” “NOTHING!!!” “Sure?” “What do you think of Keita?” “OOOOHHHH. He’s quite nice. Easygoing…” “Anything… else?” I asked. “I’m supposed to ask you that.” “I don’t know… I think he’s nice…” “Girl,” she smiled. “You are SO into him.” “Well… I don’t know. Go back to sleep.” “Alright then. Haha…”
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“We wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas…” I snuggled on the couch, hot chocolate in one hand, a novel in the other, as the others ran outside to play in the snow. Sigh. Nothing like a bit of peace and…

“AIYEE~!” Chiyo ran back into the house suddenly, shrieking at the top of her lungs. Once she was in, she ducked behind a table just as something white flew in after her, and hit me squarely in the face.

“EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPS!!!!” I could feel the snow melting on my face, freezing my cheeks. I heard enormous laughter, and when I cleared my face, I saw Ryohei, Keita and Ryuichi leaning against the doorframe, laughing their asses off. “Oh you guys are SO DEAD!” “RUN!!!!” I threw down my book, grabbed my coat and raced after them.

And so begin a war of wits, agility, and snowballs. I hadn’t had so much fun in a long time! Snowballs were flying around in random directions, and no one was sure who was hitting who, until another one hit me in the face. After much sputtering, I realized who had hit me. Keita stuck out his tongue and sped off in the opposite direction. “OH NO YOU DON’T!” I packed an extra large snowball and chased after him. He ran out of the garden into the woods just beside the house, and I followed.

The chase continued for a couple of minutes, and he disappeared around a corner. As I rounded the corner, I tripped over something and fell sprawling… Onto Keita, who apparently slipped and fell on his face. Laughing, I stuffed the handful of snow down his sweater and leaned back to watch the show. “AHHHHH!!!!!!” He jumped up and started doing this funny jig. “Hahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!” I struggled up and ran off, afraid of ‘revenge’, and only stopped when I realized… with a wave of terror, I had no idea where I was. The surroundings all looked the same!

I haven’t been inside the woods before, and a sudden fear gripped my heart. Ok… I told myself, taking a deep breath. Cool down… assess your surroundings… Trees. I can climb one of these… Wait. Where’s Keita? “Keita…?” “HERE!” He burst through a patch of trees nearby. “AH! What the hell…” “Sorry… Where are we actually?” “I… I’m not sure. I think I can check it out… Hold on.” I pulled at one of the tree branches nearby, and my hand slipped. Uh-oh. “Erm… We’re lost. I can’t go up a tree, it’s too slippery.” “Damn…” His brow furrowed. “Do you have your cell phone.” I shook my head. “Left it at home.” “I don’t have mine either.” “Ok, we have a problem.” I left out a long breath and watched it turn into a white mist in front of me. “Well… we can’t stay here forever right? I think we came from this direction…” He point to the right. I raised a questioning eyebrow. “How trustworthy is your sense of direction?” “Quite. C’mon…”

We walked in silence, and after a long time, I suddenly found that our surroundings were darkening gradually. The trees had a chilling shadow crawling over them, and I moved closer to Keita (subconsciously). “Erm Keita?” “Yea?” “I think the sun’s setting…” “Well we better move faster then…” We quickened our pace and in a matter of minutes, shockingly, we saw the edge of the woods. I stepped out, and realized the building standing in front of us was our house! “Whoa,” I turned to Keita. “Guess your sense of direction can really be trusted then.” “Glad to be of service.” He bowed and headed towards the gate into the compound.

“WHERE THE HECK WERE YOU???” Trish ‘greeted’ us as we entered. “DO YOU FREAKING KNOW HOW THE FREAKING WE WERE WORRIED???” “OK!!!! We’re back!!!” Then Trish seemed to realise I was with Keita. She blinked. And the usual evil grin crawled onto her face. “Alright… come on in, I’ll call Ryohei and Sasuke back, they went out to look for you.”

Immediately after we went in, Trish assaulted me again. “What happened?” “Erm… chased him into woods, stuffed snow down his back, then got lost. And found our way back.” “Nothing else?” “YES.” “No kissing, smooching--” “NO.” “Oookay.” She cocked her head and stared at me. “You two seem pretty quiet around each other.” “What’s that supposed to mean?” “I mean… it’s obvious you 2 like each other, why don’t you just spill it out?” “Where did you get that crazy theory from?” “It’s so obvious!” “Oh really?” Trish shrugged. “Gut feeling. And my gut feelings are usually right. Just a matter of time now…” “Uhhhh, whatever. I’m going for dinner.” “If you 2 don’t end up together, I’ll go kiss Sasuke’s ass.” “OOOOH.” “IF YOU TWO DON’T GET TOGETHER!” I burst out laughing. “Bet on it!”
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How I Feel: sleepy
What I'm Listening To:Party Down/w-inds.

Because of You- Fanfic of w-inds. PART 4

Oct. 1st, 2007 at 10:16 PM

As the last sunny days left, the temperature plunged as we headed deeper and deeper into autumn, and students began to wear their winter uniforms to school. On one ‘sunny’ day, being the daredevil I was, wore the summer uniform. It wasn’t particularly cold in my view!

And…..

“AH CHOO!!!” That’s how I ended up sitting here in bed with a serious fever. This sucked. Everyone else was away either at school or at work, and I was the only one at home. Argh.

All of a sudden I heard the front door open. My blood froze. No one was supposed to be home at this time! I jumped out of bed just as my bedroom door flew open. I raised my leg just as that person caught it. Shock rippled through me as I lost my balance and went crashing down. I was just about to hit the ground when a pair of strong arms caught me and put me back onto my feet. It all happened so fast that everything was blurred.

“Whoa chill Stephanie…” “Keita? Shouldn’t you be in…. Uhh…” I felt a sudden wave of nausea and staggered. “Whoa… Careful.” He guided me back to my futon and made me lie down. “Ughhh…” “Here… drink some water.” He propped me up against the pillows and held a glass of water to my lips. As the cool liquid touched my skin, I couldn’t help but notice the sweat lingering on his face and his heavy breathing. “I think you need this more than I do…” “Nah, it’s alright.” “Why aren’t you in school now?” “I skipped soccer practice…” “!!! For what? Ack… cough cough…” “Easy there. Well no one else was free so I thought I’d better check up on you…” “But that’s gonna be in the records!” “How do you feel?” “I…” “Don’t lecture me. How do you feel?” “Dizzy…” “Get some sleep alright?…” Keita pulled up my blankets and tucked me in gently, his hand grazing ever so lightly against my cheek. “Mmmm…”

“Sweet dreams… Sakura-chan.” “Don’t… Call… Me…” My eyelids fell, and I sank into a world of darkness, the last thing I saw being Keita’s smiling face….
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I stood on the edge of a field full of lavenders… the wind brought their scent to me…

And suddenly… he appeared… took my hand ever so gently…

We danced through the flowers… and he held me by the waist…

Closer… closer…

Then… we were standing in a storm in a courtyard… I held the family sword…

His eyes were no longer soft… I held the ancient kantana above my head….

And slashed down with one clean cut.

“NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” I shot up, my clothes soaked with sweat. I surveyed my surroundings; no courtyard, no storm. It was just my room. Then, Trish rushed in, followed by Chiyo. “Steph! Are you ok?” “Yea… I just… nightmare.” “Phew… you scared us… are you better now?” “Yea…” I rubbed my forehead, which was icy cold. “What time is it?” “It’s 9pm. The others are out for duty, Chiyo and I stayed behind in case you needed anything.” “Thanks…” “Do you want anything to eat?” At the mention of ‘eat’, I finally realized just how hungry I was. “Yea…” “Alright, hold on. I’ll go get the porridge…” Chiyo left the room hurriedly as Trish sat down with me. “What’s up?” “Nothing… Just a stupid nightmare…” “I haven’t heard you having nightmares for a LONG time.” “Yea… It’s weird for me too. I don’t get it.” “Wanna talk about it?” “Nah…” Trish shrugged. “Suit yourself…”
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“Are you sure you’re up for this?” Trish looked at me questioningly. “Yes, Trish, I went to school yesterday and I was perfectly fine.” “But you still got a cold!” I slipped a pair of leather gloves on and sighed. “It doesn’t matter, I stayed home for 3 days. Finally got a breath of fresh air yesterday, I DEFINETELY need to exercise today.” “Whatever…” “Alright people! Move out!” Everyone trooped outside and immediately headed down the block.

“Usual pairings today people…” After briefing everyone, I headed down my usual route, Trish and Shark walking a short distance away. We split on the smaller alleys. I walked down the alley alone, savoring the crisp, cool air. That’s when I felt a presence behind me and swung around. “WHOA easy there!” “Oh… It’s you… Are you supposed to be on this route today?” Keita ran a few steps to catch up with me. “Supposed to be around here… Ryohei asked me to check this alley out. But seems like you’ve got it covered…” I chuckled. “I can always use an extra hand.”

We walked down the alley quietly, which seem to have grown a tremendous amount in length. Suddenly, Keita broke the silence. “What’s your favourite colour?” HUH? I turned to look at him, raising an eyebrow. “Sky blue, why?” He shrugged and looked back at me. “Random question, I just wanna know more about you.” “Right…”

I couldn’t help but notice, in that fleeting moment, how the moonlight bounced off Keita’s hair, and how it brought out the shine in his eyes… They were not veiled by the dark, but looked even clearer, with the same force as the first time I saw him. Those eyes looked back at me, and my knees went weak. It was only then that I realized that we had stopped and were staring at each other. “Erm…” “C’mon, let’s finish the round.” “Alright…” We came to the end of the alley, and went our separate ways. I turned around to give a final look, but he had already rounded the corner.

I stood on the sidewalk, and a weird wave of warmth flooded me.
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Dear diary,

I think I’m going mad-- I can’t even believe I’m writing it down.

For the past few weeks… I keep noticing Keita! I… really don’t know what the hell is going on! Everywhere I go… I keep looking out for him. Everyday at home I wish he was sitting beside me for dinner… Every night for duties I always try as much as possible to group him up with me… And even managed, last night, to spend some time alone with him.

His eyes are so… so… mesmerizing. There’s no other word for it.

I seriously cannot believe this is going on. Maybe it’s just a temporary thing. Maybe I just need to clear my head. Uggghhhhhh…
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How I Feel: bored
What I'm Listening To:Love Is Message/w-inds.

Because of You- Fanfic of w-inds. PART 3

Sep. 29th, 2007 at 9:47 PM

“WILL YOU PLEASE HURRY UP!!!” Trish shouted from the kitchen. “Just a minute!” Well, I had to go check on HIM before I left, just to make sure…

I entered the room quietly, and walked over to his bedside. I stood there staring at him as he slept peacefully, his chest heaving up and down to his rhythmic breathing… he may be bashed up, but there’s no denying that he’s good-looking. Sigh.

Oh shit. Shake head shake head shake head! WRONG THOUGHT! Argh. I walked out of the room, closing the door with a soft ‘click’.

“Missy what the heck were you doing?” “Never mind, just go! We‘re goonna be late!” “NOW you realise.”
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“Yamada Sakura…” “HERE!” Ling and I bounded into class just as Sensei called my name. Sensei raised an eyebrow, but did not mark me as late. Well, she knew of my situation. Ling took her seat while I whispered in Sensei’s ear, “Tachibana-san was in a situation last night. He needs to recover today.” “Ah ok. Arigatou for helping him.” “It’s no big deal. Gomenasai for being late.” I bowed and retreated to my seat as Sensei started History lessons.

15mins into the lesson the door flew open and Keita stumbled in, breathing heavily and looking like he had just ran a mile. I heard Yumi gasp when she saw the bruises and band-aids on Keita’s cheeks. I was actually quite worried, he hasn’t fully recovered, and shouldn’t be running like that. I shook the feeling off as he took his seat after apologizing to Sensei.

M: You shouldn’t have come to school today! You need to rest!
K: It’s all right… besides, I’m not THAT weak.
M: But still, you should have waited for a full recovery before returning to school.
K: I’ll be alright, don’t worry (: thank you once again!
M: It’s no big deal.

Shit, Yumi’s looking. I hastily stuck the note out of sight and lowered my gaze to ‘read my notes’, where in actual fact, it was just to hide that little grin on my face.
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“Hey… you are…?” Trish was talking to a boy with a ponytail when I walked out. “Ogata Ryuichi, I heard you are Yamada Sakura?” “Yes… Are you in any way related to--” “Furuyama Mai? She’s my grandmother…” “Oh my god! Then you’re…” “Cousin!” “Not directly related, our fathers were cousins! Nice to meet you!” “Same here!” I shook hands with him, something quite uncommon here in Japan, which caused those walking past to raise their eyebrows at us. We ignored the glances and trooped off to the canteen along with Trish and Ling.

“So how grand-aunty?” “Oh she’s quite well, I came here on a scholarship…” “Where are you staying?” “Student hostel.” “Why don’t you come stay with us?” I motioned to Trish and Ling, Trish who spat out her water. “WHAT?” “C’mon, he’s my cousin! He can perfectly well join the gang. Our fathers were cousins and studied under the same master!” Ryuichi raised a questioning eyebrow. “Gang?” “It’s hard to explain… We basically patrol these areas at night, helping anyone in trouble… but to join, you gotta get used to the night life and not getting more than about 4 hours of sleep a day…” “Cool!” He grinned. “Count me in! It’s exciting…” “So you agree to coming to stay with us?” “If it’s not so much of a bother…” “No prob at all!”

Just then, Sasuke and Ryohei joined us at the table. “Ryuichi, this is Ryohei and Sasuke. They are part of the gang too. Ryo, Ryuichi here is from Hokkaido as well.” “Really? Nice to meet you! You two are…” “Cousins.” We said at the same time and in the next moment… “JINX!” “Huh?” Ryuichi jumped about a foot in the air when I shouted jinx at him. “Well in America when people same the same things at the same time we shout ‘jinx’ at the other person and the person who gets ‘jinxed’ can’t say anything until someone says his or her---”

“HELP MEEEEEEE!!!!!” I turned just in time to see Keita jump behind Sasuke, who kept a straight face, and I just found out why. “Ohio, have you seen Keita-kun?” “Well, as a matter of fact, no. I’m surprised, Yumi, with your excellent tracking skills, how could you have lost him?” My gang burst into laughter as we watched her storm away, her face like a tomato. Ryohei shook his head. “You know you guys are really mean?” “Haha… Have you forgotten the times when Yumi thought you were her god?” Ryohei gave a shiver. "We don't need to relive those memories thank you!"

“Safe to come out now, Tachibana-kun.” “Thank you… so much.” He slipped into a seat between me and Sasuke. “The whole gang was out looking for me just now. I hid in the bathroom for almost half an hour…” “Finally realized the scariest things around are not the teachers?” Trish smirked. “Yes…” I passed him a tissue and he wiped his forehead. Then he noticed Ryuichi. “Hajimemashite. You are…” “Ogata Ryuichi.” “Tachibana Keita.”

Somehow I knew those two were gonna become best of friends. And it was also on that day that we had 2 new addition to our gang…
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“Trish! Can I borrow your black top?” “No prob! It’s in my closet!” “Thanks!”

The long awaited Friday night finally arrived, and everyone was getting ready for a night of fun. Ling ditched her usual braid and let her hair flow down naturally. Much to her horror, we also forced her in own of Chiyo’s mini dresses. Black, spaghetti straps, short. She was definitely gonna be an eye-catcher.

Trish crawled into one of her usual sexy silver halter-tops, which was totally bareback, and was simply held there by 2 strings. Adding on mini-shorts and high-heels, her long legs were shown off to their best.

Chiyo and Ryoko were in their usual styles-- tank tops with skinny jeans and boots. Major coolness.

Me? I borrowed one of Trish’s many halter tops, only mine was black. I wore a pair of leather pants and twisted my hair into a messy knot which left strands of hair hanging around. A pair of silver hoop earrings hung from my ears. Vice-president of the student council still knows how to party!

The guys were waiting impatiently downstairs, so we decided to give them a treat-- we cat walked down the stairs. Sasuke ‘fainted’ when Trish blew a kiss to him, and everyone burst out laughing. I cast a sideways glance at Keita and met his gaze for a split second. I could feel his eyes boring a hole into the back of my head as we trooped out and climbed into or onto our respective vehicles. 5 of the guys climbed into Taguchi’s mini-van, Trish took Ling, Chiyo and Ryoko in her convertible, leaving me on my motorcycle and Keita standing there looking lonely. Trish cast me a smirk and waggled her eyebrows at Keita. My friends are evil.

“Erm…” I tossed a helmet to Keita and motioned for him to get on. He was actually blushing when he got on. God. Is this guy a guy? “C’mon, stop being such a sissy. Grab on!” I fired up the engine, pulled my helmet down and sped down the lane just as he held on to the seat of the bike for dear life. I laughed and shouted back, “You’re gonna fall off! Hold on!” “Well…” He slid his arms around my waist and locked them at the front. A shiver ran down my spine, and it had nothing to do with the wind rippling past me…

After about 10mins of weaving through the late Tokyo traffic, we parked outside a set of double doors topped off with neon lights. We jumped out of our rides and strutted in like every other teenager heading there tonight.

“Whoa…” The place was WAY cool. Although it was decorated in more of the European high-class ballroom style, it didn’t lose the hip-hop sensation. Maybe because they set up a DJ stand beside one of the walls, and multi-colored lights sliced through the floor. There were already quite a few people around, some dancing, some sitting at tables and chatting with friends. “Come on! Whatcha waiting for?!” Trish grabbed my wrist and pulled me to the dance floor where she immediately started dancing up a storm with Sasuke. I laughed, I always knew they had a thing for each other!

The whole bunch of us dominated the dance floor. Ling retreated to a table in the corner where she ordered a drink and sat down with a guy we didn’t know. Well, dancing was never really her thing, she did have a beautiful voice though. I was there enjoying some time on my own when suddenly Keita pushed through the crowd to me. “Yamada-san, care to show some moves?” “With pleasure.” With that, I did a ‘curtsey’, and started dancing so hard I was shocking myself. I turned to Keita as he started his routine. He gave a smirk and did his B-Boy moves. This guy is SO not a sissy. Maybe he’s just polite.

“Impressive…” I smiled and started on another dance. I twisted, turned, occasionally shooting sparks (unintentionally, I SWEAR) and ended the entire thing with a double back-flip which ended me on the edge of the circle that had formed around us. I saw the look of shock on Keita’s face and winked. The others cheered as I pushed my way out of the crowds, hi-fi-ing countless people on the way.

“WOO!” Trish slapped me on my back. “PRO DUDE!” “Thank you…” “Hey, here you go!” Shark flung me a beer and I took a long swig from it. “Yamada-san, you’re a natural at dancing!” I turned around and smiled at Keita. “You haven’t seen Trish’s moves. And anyway, the name’s Stephanie.” “Want another dance?” “Why not?” I took his hand and we went back to the dance floor.

The night was a whirlwind of booze, music, and some serious dancing.

How I Feel: crappy

Because of You- Fanfic of w-inds. PART 2

Sep. 29th, 2007 at 9:43 PM

I trudged into the house and found my dad teaching his students a new move. “Papa!” He looked up and waved. “Sakura-chan, home already?” “Papa… no calling me Sakura, remember?” “That’s your name!” “Whatever… see you later Papa! By the way, Ryoko, same place same time tonight.” A girl with silver streaks in her hair waved back. I bade goodbye to them, and climbed the stairs to my room. Mama was probably still at work. Sigh.

Homework was done in one hour, and I climbed into bed for a nap before my night activities started…
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“Alright I’m gone!” “Wait!” Mama stepped out from the dining room and passed me a plastic box with sushi in it. “Pass these around, will you? And say hi to everyone for me.” “Sure.” “Be careful! If you need anything you can come back and get them!” “I know, I know……” With that, I pulled out my boots and stepped out of the house. Summer was almost over, and autumn wasn’t exactly here yet. I pulled my black leather coat closer to me, and walked briskly down the road.

“Ah, Stephanie, out for duty again?” “Yes, Aunt Satou. Good evening!” Wondering what my duty is?

Might be kinda shocking, but vice-president of the student council is also local gang leader. Yup. We’re not those kind of gangs that go around bully people, but… it’s more like ‘Robin Hood’ kind of work. We patrol this area and… just help those that are in trouble. There’s bound to be a bunch of newbies in this area, even the townies sometimes, who are getting into trouble. We stay in one house, sponsored by Pa, to increase efficiency.

My parents? Well, they don’t really mind. I mean, it IS helping people. And I’m sure they have no doubt in my skills. When you’re the daughter of a renowned martial arts teacher, you get… ‘special treatment’. Papa started passing me his skills since I was 5, and 11 years can change a lot of things. Mama works at the local radio station, and she’s a way cool lady.

I’ve saved the necks of a few schoolmates, but not much of them are really grateful. Not that bothered though, I’m doing this for the community, not myself. My teachers and principals know of my second identity, but hey, my parents talked to them already, and they don’t mind either. So I can go around bashing people up (with enough reason) without having to hide it.

All hail me. I can be the vice-president of the student council, top in class, AND a gang leader.

I meet my guys a few streets from my house. Ok, let’s just say there’s a humongous mix of people. Guys, girls, those who has been in jail, those who are still innocent but want to help out… Everyone’s different. There are the popular people (Ryohei and Sasuke), there are the punk girls (Me, Trish, Ryoko (she’s Ryohei’s sis) , Chiyo etc.), the bad boys who had seen much more of the street life than us (Shark and Taguchi) and also the ‘spiritualists’ (Ling and Shungo).

“1... 4... 6... Ok where’s Taguchi?” “Very high fever.” Chiyo lived right beside Taguchi, and probably knows him the best. “Alright, so same routine guys, and here,” I passed the box of sushi around. “Ma made these for you guys.” “Ooo nice!” “Thanks, yo.” “Ready? Ok, devour your sushi quick, we gotta start soon.” “Oh one more thing, Steph,” Ryoko said with her mouth full of seaweed and rice. “If everyone has time this Friday, there’s a new club in town, why don’t we go check it out?” “Sure. Alright guys, Chiyo with Sasuke and Ling, since Taguchi isn’t here, I‘ll go with Trish and Shark, Ryohei with Ryoko and Shungo, others go into your usual groupings. Good?” Nods went around, and everyone scattered within a blink of an eye. Hello, all of these people were either Pa’s high-ranking students, or ex-students. Well, we have a possibility of matching up to the ancient ninjas, no joke there dudes.

Tonight… kinda quiet really. Nothing much going on. I scouted out the main alleyway, while Shark and Trish went down the smaller ones. Suddenly-- “Beep! Beep!” “Place.” “Alley beside convenience store. 7 against 1. We’re not sure if we can take them, these guys look serious.” “Ok. Be right there.” I speed-dialled Trish and Shark and sped towards the convenience store.

10 seconds later……

“Ready?” I asked the guys. Trish pulled out her stilettos (the daggers, not the shoes). “Alright… 3...2...1... GO!” We jumped into the alleyway and immediately planted my fist in a nearby gangster’s face. Ow, that was my nail. The street thug swung his arm stupidly, and with one sweeping kick I brought him sprawling onto the ground. I brushed my hair out of my face and got carried off the ground by another guy. “Going somewhere, puppet?” Oh he didn’t. And he DARED touched me. “**** you!” Simplest move in the world, kick back. He yelled and recoiled, falling back and laid there soothing his painful *ahem*.

In a few minutes the thugs were running down the alleyway screaming a wide range of swear words. Trish took aim, and flicked one of her stilettos at the last guy, the one who assaulted me from behind, and it plunged squarely into his fatty ass. “OOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!” Score 1! Trish grinned and did a victory sign. That’s when I noticed the scratching noise coming from behind us. I turned quickly, and faced the victim.

Surprise, surprise, if it isn’t Mr. Silver Nitrate.

Ryohei recognized him and helped him onto his feet. Ok, he was really badly beaten up. Apart from the ‘panda eyes’ and bleeding lip, there was also a trickle of blood running down from his forehead, his clothes were quite torn, and bruises covered his body. I ran a quick check over his body, pinching him here and there to make sure nothing was broken. All intact. Good. Now… what to do with him…? I just turned to Trish when suddenly he grabbed my elbow from behind. I was ready to give him a slap when I realized he was barely conscious.

“Don’t…. Leave…” And with that, he passed out. Damn.
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I sat in the kitchen of our headquarters, sipping a cup of coffee. Maybe I should cut down on it, I seem to be addicted to it nowadays. Shark was sharpening his kantana opposite me with a rhythmic ‘CHIIIINNNNGGG. CHHHHIIIING.’ Ling walked into the kitchen at that instant. “he is awake, I think you should go tend to him.” “Why me?” “Cos that little dude has a thing fer ya!” Shark sniggered. “Shut up!” I kicked him under the table, but he carefully dodged it. “Cos you’re the one who’s studying a university medics module next term!” “It’s NEXT TERM!” “Well, you have some skills…” Ling shrugged and pulled out a pack of orange juice from the fridge. “You’d better go soon, I’m gonna go get some sleep…” I slammed my head down on the table for the second time that day. “Hehehehe….” “Go to fishy hell, Shark.” I picked up my coffee and trotted out of the kitchen and up the stairs to the room we kept him in. To be able to fit him we, Ryohei had to share a room with Sasuke.

I pushed open the door to his temporary room and set my coffee on the table. The room was lit, and he was slumped against the pillows. Ok, fine, he WAS really, really, really, really, really, good-looking. There may be bruises on his face, but seriously, I never really thought of any guy as… this good-looking before… Sigh… He turned around and smiled sheepishly. Those eyes… so clear…

What the hell am I thinking???

“Gomenasai, Yamada-san, for causing you so much trouble…” “This is the…” I snapped back into reality. “6th time you said ‘Gomenasai’ to me today.” “Oh haha…” “Hey,” I took a swig from my can of coffee. “How did you get beaten up so bad?” “I’m not sure, I was just walking down the alleyway when these guys just jumped out at me…” “You should know better than to walk in alleyways at night.” “What were you guys doing there?” “Well, we go on patrol every night, rescuing people like YOU. Anyway, how do you feel?” I walked over to his bedside and sat down at the foot of his bed. “Much better, thank you.” “Ok. Now take your shirt off.” “WHAT?” His head snapped up and stared at me with wide eyes. “But…” “It’s for a CHECKUP. I need to check your injuries.” “Oh… right.” I went into the bathroom to get the medication and wash my hands. I sprinkled some water on my face too just as a frightening thought raced through my mind and went back into the room.

Wow. He may be slim, but there’s no denying that this guy is well-built. 6-packs… biceps… he has them all. Not body-builder style, but good enough. Remind me to slap myself later. I sat back down, and wet the cotton with the medication. This guy was REALLY badly beaten up. There were quite a few open wounds on his arms and many blue-blacks on his torso. Man, I thought as a smile crept up my face, Yumi would pay ANYTHING to be in my place now. “Um, Yamada-san?” “Oh, gomenasai…” I started dabbing at his wounds, but once the cotton touched his wound, he gave the slightest shiver. “This might sting a bit…” “It’s ok…” I continued to swipe over the cuts, and he was biting down on his lip to stop himself from wincing. For some weird reason, I was really enjoying it.

“You all live together?” “Yes, my father sponsored the house.” “You must be really rich then.” “Well… We are pretty well-off.” “You guys are really cool y’know…” He whispered in my ear, intentionally or unintentionally, it still sent shivers down my spine. “Well, it’s not necessarily what the people in school think…”

After a few long minutes, I stood up and placed the medication back into the cabinet. When I came out, Keita had already put his shirt back on, much to the dismay of that little part of me which didn’t really mind seeing without a shirt on. “Arigatou, Yamada-san.” “No prob. Get some sleep now, I don’t expect you to be used to the night life. I’ll help you tell sensei tomorrow. You don’t need to go to school.” “Ah, ok.” He smiled and nodded. “So… Goodnight! Sleep tight!” “You too…” With that, I left the room. And nearly bumped into Trish, Ling, Chiyo and Ryoko, who gagged me and took me to the room I shared with Trish.

“WHAT???” “Well let’s see. It was a simple task of swiping a bit of medication on our victim…” “But it took you over 20 mins…” “So we think something is up…” “And wonder if you care to share…” “Ok will you guys stop speaking in a chorus? It’s kinda freaky.” I stood with my hands on my hips, looking at the 3 grinning girls in front of me. We weren’t the cute kind of girls, but we WERE still girls. “Nothing happened ok…” “Then why were you blushing like hell and giggling when you came out?” “I was not!!!” “Evidence!” Ryoko pulled out her phone and passed it to me. It was a video of me stepping out of the room, a stupid smile plastered onto my redding face. Shit.

“Ummmmmmmm. FINE! He‘s cute!” I threw up my hands in defeat. Argh. “That’s all?” “YES!” “Nothing else happened?” “YES!” “No smooching, cuddling, sweet talking?” “CHIYO!” “Ok ok! I still can’t believe it. You think he’s cute!” “SO??? I just think he looks nice, that’s all!” “Surprising.” Ling burst out laughing, and everyone followed. Including me. Then, Sasuke poked his head through the doorway, eyes half open, looking half dead. “Girls, please, some people are actually trying to sleep here?” “Fine, pighead. ‘night!” Ling, Chiyo and Ryoko trooped out of the room, only to start laughing again in the hallway. “I’M GONNA MURDER YOU GUYS IF YOU DON’T SHUT UP!” I slammed the door shut and fell back into my futon, pressing my pillow against my burning face. That was the most embarrassing thing that has EVER happened to me. EVER. When Trish started singing ‘Sakura and Keita sitting in a tree’, I threw one of my extra pillows at her, and drifted to dreamland, a small smile playing at my lips.
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How I Feel: confused

Because of You- Fanfic of w-inds. PART 1

Sep. 29th, 2007 at 9:19 PM

Because of you, my life changed...
Because of you, I left my old life...
Because of you...

I never want to love any one else.

I hopped off my motorcycle as it zoomed into the school car park. Sigh. Start of my second year of high school, and not much is expected to change. I waved to some friends as I took the steps two at a time, and stepped into class just as the bell rang. Settling myself comfortably in my seat at the back of class, I stared out of the window and prepared for the super boredom that was about to come.

“Ohio class!” “Ohio sensei…” “Class, please welcome our new student….”

New student? Now THAT is something you don’t see everyday. I looked up lazily to see… Hmm. Quite cute. As in hot cute, not cute cute. Then I realized that Ling passed me a note.

L: Rate!
S: 8 or 9. Seriously.
L: 7.5.

“……Keita Tachibana, he just transferred from Fukuoka, I’d like everyone to make our new friend feel welcomed.” I really had to hold back a laugh. I looked sideways at Yumi and her gang. Sigh. Target locked already. I saw Yumi giving the new guy a wink, which he either didn’t see, or totally ignored. Those ‘cutie pies’ have already forgotten about Kame. The new guy is gonna get HELL.

“Now… can you please take a seat beside……” Oh shit. The only empty seat in class is…… “beside Yamada-san please.” All eyes fell on me. I felt Yumi shooting death rays at me. “She’s vice-president of the student council, I’m sure she would be more than happy to take you around the school……” The new guy looked, smiled, and started walking towards my, oh sorry, OUR table.

Oh shit oh shit oh shit. This is SERIOUSLY going to mess up my life. Uuuuuuggggghhhhh. I smacked my head on the table, not before sensei turned around. That’s when another note appeared on my table.

L: Do you realise the entire female population in school is gonna go after you?
S: Yup. This guy is SO gonna screw up my life.
L: Good luck with that, ok shut up now, sensei is looking.

I crumpled the note and stared at the board. Squiggle squiggle…… gah. I learnt this AGES ago. The new guy… Keito? Keiko? Argh. KeiSOMETHING took out a notepad and starting taking down notes. I glanced sideways at him. Hmm. Not bad really, he’s kinda cute when his hair falls into his eyes like that….

WAIT. What am I doing??? Gah. Oh shit. I think he saw me looking at him. DAMN.

The class dragged on for the next one hour, and the new guy and I didn’t make any attempts to socialize. When sensei finally went out, all hell broke loose. I was sitting nicely packing my bag, when suddenly the area around my table was full of girls.

“Hi! I’m Natsumi…” “Hajimemashite! I’m Yumi…” God, it won’t KILL them to put on a tad less makeup and one less squirt of perfume. It’s ruining my appetite. Keita wrinkled his nose, but nodded curtly to be polite. “Girls, if you don’t mind, I would like my personal space back.” “What?” Yumi battered her fake eyelashes at me. Ew. “Sensei said make our new friend feel welcomed!” “Well, you can. But I think you’re scaring him. In case you haven’t noticed, Yumi, Kame is over there.” With that I chuckled lightly, picked up my bag and walked out of the class, Ling at my side.

“Yo dudette what took you so long?” Trish was leaning against the lockers outside my classroom, her long hair sweeping in front of her face as usual. “Try battling through Yumi and her gang.” Trish raised an eyebrow. “New target?” “Yup. New guy in class, Keita or something. Kinda cute really, but not my style.” “Oh, we got one new guy too. Ogata Ryuichi.” “Ogata? Was he from Hokkaido?” “Not sure, wasn’t listening…” “ah.”

Formal introductions now. Hi. My name is Yamada Sakura. Don’t ever try calling me Sakura unless you wanna end up in hospital for 2 weeks. The name’s Stephanie, ok? I am Japanese, but I’d been living in the US until recently, when my father decided to move back to Japan. I’m a US hard-core punk girl, asking me to live with all these little cutie prissy princesses was like hell. But… 2 years. Used to it. Ling was a Chinese girl living here in Tokyo. Her parents run the busiest Chinese restaurant in town, and make the BEST spring rolls. She’s a physics geek, and VERY philosophical. Trish is a Australian-born Japanese, and like me, never approved of girls who acted cute and sucked up to guys. We’re all outcasts among the girls, but hey, there’s bound to be at least some people who can accept us right? We have a fair amount of boy-friends, but no guy in school considers us as girlfriend material. Chuckle.

“You should have seen the look on Yumi’s face as he entered man… Classic.” Ling said, flicking her long braid. Trish stuck out her tongue. “Ugh, if you’re not cute, don’t act. It’s so… ew.” “YAMADA-SAN!”

Oh shit. I shut my eyes and let out a long breath. Trish raised an eyebrow again as he caught up with us. “Gomenasai, Yamada-san, I was wondering if you could show me the way to the Chemistry lab…oh, ohio!” Keita nodded to Trish and Ling. “Pleasure. But I’m sure Yumi would have been honoured.” Trish let out a laugh and turned down another corridor with a wave. Ling followed, her thick, long braid swishing behind her as she headed for Chemistry. I kept walking on, Keita close behind. “You take year 3 Chemistry?” “Er, yes. I was quite good at it in my old school, so the teachers though I could handle the advanced course.” “I see.”

I took my seat in the middle of the lab, with the other 2 senior guys whom I hung out with (helloooo the senior girls weren’t much different): Chiba Ryohei; a ‘feminine’ looking guy, but considered Prince Charming among the girls, and Yamashita Sasuke; basketballer and fellow member of the student council. Me, being the ‘nice’ person I was, introduced Keita to the guys, and let him join our experiment group. Well, I WAS vice president of the student council, and he WAS a new student.
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I came out of the Lab 2 hours later with a big black patch on my shirt and Keita running out behind me shouting ‘gomenasai’. Guess what? The new guy spilt silver nitrate (AgNO3) on my uniform! And guess what else? It stains! I am so gonna kill that goddamned son of a …. argh.

“I’m really really really sorry!” I spun around, nearly knocking into him in the process, but ignored that, and raised my hand. Ok, he backed off. Good. I slowly put it down, letting out a long breath. “Fine. Whatever. If this happens again, you will be so dead you’d wish you were never born. Clear?” “Umm. Yea.” “Good.” I stormed off, just as Ryohei and Sasuke came out of the Lab. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Ryohei putting a hand on Keita’s shoulder, as if to comfort him. God. Those 2 traitors are gonna die too.

It was recess, so I headed to the canteen to grab a coffee before class started again. Trish and Ling were just about to go in when I met them at the entrance. Trish took one look at the state of my shirt and laughed. “Zip it or you’re dead too.” I groaned and went in. “What happened?” “Oh let’s see. It involved the new guy, a chemistry experiment, and some silver nitrate.” “Ah. Always the notorious silver nitrate. My mom had to throw away that shirt that I ruined last time.” We took a seat in the small garden (the canteen was outdoors).

“Hey girls…” “Hey.” Ryohei and Sasuke joined us at the table a few minutes later. “Steph, you’d better simmer down a bit. We can practically fry an egg on your head now.” “Shut up…” I kicked Sasuke under the table, but started laughing nevertheless. “So,” Ryohei dropped his voice. “When’s tonight’s patrol starting?” “Same place, same time.” “Okay…”
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Part one people! Anticipate other parts!

How I Feel: confused
What I'm Listening To:Yume no Uta/Koda Kumi

Never Be The Same

Sep. 20th, 2007 at 9:45 PM

It was that day that I
Left you with a stupid reason
And I finally realized
How foolish I had been
I was the one who said goodbye
I never knew it’ll be like that

I wanna be with you
Even though you’re not loving me
I wanna be by your side
Even though it’s not the same
Because all that I want
Is to see how you are
To see you smile
Even though it’s not for me……

I never regretted
Anything I ever did
And I just wonder now
What it would be like
If you were still here with me
I don’t think back… not anymore…

I wanna be with you
Even though you’re not loving me
I wanna be by your side
Even though it’s not the same
Because all that I want
Is to see how you are
To be your friend
Even though it‘ll never be the same

I know time can’t turn back
Anyway… anyhow…
I know you won’t be the same
Any day… any time…
Any other way…..

I wanna be with you
Even though you’re not loving me
I wanna be by your side
Even though it’s not the same
Because all that I want
Is to see how you are
To be your friend
To share you tears
To share your joy
Even though you don’t feel the same……

How I Feel: thankful

Everytime I'm With You

Sep. 17th, 2007 at 7:46 PM

The rain’s coming down hard
You held me tightly in your arms
There’s no distance between us
Nothing to keep us apart
But promise me…
No matter what would happen
This will never change

You’re the one for me (I know)
I wanna give my whole life to you
Let’s make this love last forever more……

The times that we shared
Are etched into our hearts
You took my hand so tenderly
And looked into my eyes
So promise me…
No matter where we are
This will never change

I wanna be one for you (oh yea~)
I wanna spend my whole life with you
Let’s make our love last forever more……

With you… with you…

With you… ooh~ with you…

How I Feel: depressed

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