InuYasha Fan Fiction / Gundam SEED Fan Fiction / S-CRY-ed Fan Fiction ❯ The Enigma Called Love ❯ The Revealed Factor ( Chapter 2 )

The Enigma Called Love

Part 2 - The Revealed Factor

 

By Robster80

 

 

 

Kazuma had just finished cooking dinner when Koga yelled out that he was back. Everyone stopped what they were doing and raced out to the front door. Koga was standing in the doorway next to TK, whom Koga was holding by the shoulder.

 

“Doc gave him a clean bill of health,” Koga said, “but he'll need some rest for a day or two before he can work again. AND we're to keep a closer eye on him so he doesn't try anything stupid again. Right, kid?”

 

Suddenly, Kanami rushed up to TK and promptly kicked him in the shin. “Why did you do such a terrible thing?!” she almost screamed. “You scared me!”

 

“Wait a second, Kanami,” Kazuma said, “I was gonna hit him!”

 

“Not till after I let him have it for what he put in my drink!” Dearka chimed in, cracking his knuckles.

 

“Trust me, guys, her doing it is worse than any one of us striking him.”

 

“You weren't supposed to see me, Kanami,” TK finally spoke, rubbing his shin with both hands while holding up his injured leg. “But, there's one thing I don't understand. `He held out a wrist. “How was I even healed? There's not even any sign of the cuts.”

 

“Never you mind, kid. Supper's on the table and you're eating even if we have to force it down your throat.”

 

“What's on the menu, Kazuma,” Kimishima wondered.

 

“Canned chili.” Kazuma noticed a lot of the others were glaring at him. “Just kidding, we were out anyway. It's beef stew. Koga, bring the kid. Hold it, Dearka! You and Kimishima are still on lookout duty, so you eat outside.”

 

Koga gently pushed TK along, giving Cherise a passing glance before disappearing into the kitchen. She looked right at Kazuma. “You eat foreign food?”

 

“Hey, a guy's gotta eat. You don't want any, then that leaves more for the rest of us.”

 

“I never said I wouldn't eat it, did I?”

 

 

**************

 

 

All eyes were on TK as dinner came and went. Kanami glared at him all the while, while Kazuma and Koga's eyes were each watchful and somewhat angry. Only Cherise seemed neutral as she watched him, but he was curious as to who she was. However, he was afraid to say anything. He was already in hot water with his friends, and he was angry with them as well for saving his life.

 

The plan was perfect: Kazuma & Koga were taking a nap or something that would occupy them, leaving Dearka on guard duty. It was easy to slip a little laxative into his cup, causing him to immediately use the bathroom, and then get two knives and then leave the house and then slit his wrists and bleed to death and be done with it. However, he was somehow alive and his cuts healed completely. Who knew it would be so hard to kill oneself?

 

Once dinner was over, Koga dragged TK out of the kitchen and to his room, where he stood guard over him. Despite this, TK was still thinking out his next plan to commit suicide. Sooner or later, they guys would let their guard down and that would be when he would sneak away. But this wouldn't be for a while yet, when the heat of today's failure was settled.

 

Suddenly, Koga stepped aside to let Kanami and Cherise enter the room while Kazuma joined Koga at the door. As earlier, Kanami was angry.

 

“Why did you do it, Take-kun? What's going on that Kaze-kun and the others won't tell me about?”

 

TK said nothing. He didn't even look at the girls. It was none of her business, anyway.

 

Kanami took a step forward, but was suddenly stopped by Cherise. “Let me talk to him,” she whispered before approaching TK. “TK Takaishi, my name is Cherise Adjani. I'm a member of HOLY. We've been looking for you on behalf of your mother-.”

 

“I'm not going back,” TK replied. “I'm not going anywhere.”

 

“Well, as I was about to say, your mother recently requested we stop looking for you, saying she knew where you were and that you were alive. However, I came here on my own to investigate for myself.”

 

“You found me, I'm alive, case closed.”

 

“Be polite, Take-kun,” Kanami snapped, “Miss Adjani saved your life with her alter-.”

 

This made TK turn to look at Cherise for the first time. “You? You saved me? Why?”

 

“I have a better question: why did you try to kill yourself?”

 

Once more, TK turned away. “I don't want to talk about it! Ask Kazuma and the guys, they already know. I'm surprised they didn't tell you earlier.” Feeling a gentle hand on his shoulder, TK looked to find Cherise's face about a foot away from his.

 

“Because it isn't for them to tell anyone,” she said, “only you can talk about your problems. I'm willing to listen, TK… if you'll let me.” Up close like this, he's kind of handsome.

 

Sighing heavily, it took a moment before TK finally spoke again. “…I fell in love. We knew each other for a long time, almost ten years. She was… my best friend.” Fishing inot his pocket, he pulled out a golden locket. “The day I was going to give her this…” he paused, unwilling to say anymore as his heart felt like it was shattering all over again.

 

Kazuma recognized the locket right away. “I thought I got rid of that thing! Jesus, TK, just let it go already.”

 

“Shut it, Kazuma,” TK snarled, his hand clenching the locket tightly. “You've never been in love!”

 

“She loved someone else, didn't she?” Cherise's question made TK look at her once more. There was something about her words that seemed almost sympathetic. “Am I right?”

 

Nodding, TK held out the locket to her. “They were leaving… a motel. When they saw me, they just laughed at me and walked away.” Tears fell as his fingers allowed the locket to slip through and hit the floor.

 

Feeling his pain, Cherice put two fingers to his lips, preventing him from speaking. “Sssh. Say no more. I'm sorry I brought up such a painful memory.” Her other hand reached down and picked up the locket, which had come open when it hit the floor. She looked inside and gasped at the picture of a girl; a girl she knew all too well. “Kari?!”

 

“Y-you know her?”

 

“We're cousins, but I-.” Suddenly, Cherise was yanked up by the arm by Kazuma and dragged out of the room and straight for the front door, which he threw her out off. “Hey!”

 

“You got what you came for,” Kazuma said angrily, “now beat it before I send you back to HOLY in a wheelchair, girl or not!” With that, he slammed the door shut.

 

Picking herself up off the ground, and still holding the locket in her hand, Cherise looked back at the door. Angrily, she shouted at the house “She may be my cousin, but I never said I liked her, OR her dumbass boyfriend!” Dusting herself off, she tried to think about what to do next concerning staying for the night. It would be to long a walk back to the city, and the sun was almost fully set.

 

“YEOUCH!!”

 

The door opened again after Kazuma's painful cry, and Kanami rushed out and latched onto Cherise. Looking back, Cherise saw Kazuma hopping on one leg while rubbing the shin of his other leg. “Please stay the night,” Kanami begged, “and forgive Kaze-kun, he's very protective of Take-kun. We all are.”

 

“Then why are you asking me to stay, the cousin of the girl he wants to die for?”

 

“Because you're a nice person. I knew it from the moment we met earlier today. And… and I was wondering… if you'd be Take-kun's girlfriend.”

 

Girlfriend?! I just met the guy! “Uh, honey, I don't think you quite understand how grown-ups deal with love and heartache. However, I could use a place to stay until morning.”

 

“You'll stay in my room,” Kanami stated as she led Cherise back into the house. She then glared at Kazuma. “And I won't take no for an answer!”

 

“Fine, but you're responsible for her,” Kazuma said through the pain. Dammit, why'd she have to kick me so hard?! “And after breakfast, she's outta here.”

 

“Deal,” Cherise replied. “I have to get back and finish my report on this case anyways.” She then put a hand to Kazuma's shin and used her power to heal him. “In exchange for the night's stay.”

 

“Doesn't change anything,” Kazuma said through grit teeth.

 

 

**********

 

 

Cherise found it hard to sleep that night. Kanami's bed was better than the pile of straw Kazuma had gotten for her earlier, but it wasn't as comfy as her own bed back at HOLY. She wondered mentally how Kanami could even sleep at night, even tonight on a pile of straw.

 

Kanami was the only one showing Cherise any kindness the rest of the evening. Kazuma glared daggers at her whenever he saw her, Koga had this look of suspicion, and she wasn't allowed to go anywhere near TK's room. Dearka was stuck outside keeping a lookout while Kimishima had gone home to his place.

 

Another reason Cherise couldn't sleep was that she remembered being held prisoner out there in the Lost Ground. She was afraid she'd wake up and it would start all over again, or that Kazuma and his friends might try to kill her in her sleep.

 

You really leave an impact on people, Kari, she thought bitterly. Here I am stuck out here in the Lost Ground in a rundown clinic with a group of people who hate me because you're my cousin and because you backstabbed a cute guy who wants to now kill himself! I should save these guys the trouble and bring you to them myself.

 

That TK… I do feel sorry for him. Kari must have been nuts to turn away from such a handsome guy. And his eyes… they were beautiful. What am I thinking?! Sure, he's a looker, but he's not Ryuhou. Then again, maybe that's not so bad. Bet Ryuhou doesn't even know I'm gone.

 

No! Gotta stop thinking like that. Ryuhou's just been edgy because of that damn Kazuma, that's all. Maybe when I get back I could bring him out here and he can finally lock up that jerk. …But what if Kanami got hurt, or worse? And TK… I doubt Ryuhou or Kari or Davis would try to protect him if something happens. …Maybe TK would try to get them to finish him off.

 

…I won't tell anyone about this place. Kazuma may be a jerk, but he'd never forgive me if anything happened to TK or Kanami. I wouldn't forgive myself, either.

 

“Psst!”

 

Sitting upright on the bed, Cherise looked towards the door where she saw Kazuma motioning for her to come over to him. Puzzled, she obeyed and followed him out fo the room and down the hall before he stopped her.

 

“Look… I'm sorry about my behavior earlier. Just because you're related to… to TK's ex, doesn't mean you're just as guilty.”

 

“Personally, Kazuma, I don't blame you. She and her boyfriend are no friends of mine, either. …How's TK?”

 

“He's asleep, though that's of little comfort. All he dreams about is… you know.”

 

“…I kinda feel for him. I love Ryuhou but he doesn't realize it, and lately he's obsessed with you.”

 

“Really? I never figured him to swing that way.” Kazuma noticed Cherise's burning gaze even in the darkness. “Okay, bad joke. Why do you like him, if you don't mind-?”

 

“I DO mind, thank you.”

 

Sighing, Kazuma then said, “Look, I only wanted to apologize about earlier. Sorry I woke you up just for that.” Having said his peace, he turned and headed for his room.

 

“Ryuhou saved my life.”

 

Pausing, Kazuma turned to look at Cherise as she continued. “Remember I said I had been a prisoner out here? It was Ryuhou who found me and took me back to the city. I joined HOLY to stay by his side. Maybe at first I wanted to repay him for saving me, and then I… I fell in love with him.”

 

There was a silence between them, until a low moan from TK's room had both Cherise and Kazuma quietly racing to his door. Looking in, they saw TK asleep on a similar straw pile Kanami was using. In the moonlight form the window, they could see tearstains running down his face, meaning he was dreaming of his first love.

 

“Every time I see that look on his face,” Kazuma said quietly, “I want to cry myself. True, I've never been in love before, but… it still hurts to see him like this.”

 

Cherise could only nod in agreement. Words were forming a lump in her throat, and also felt like crying, though she didn't understand why.

 

“If you want, you can come back anytime and visit him or Kanami,” she heard Kazuma say to her, “And when you do, I'll try not to speak badly about your boyfriend, though I make no guarantees.”

 

At first, Cherise wanted to say that she wouldn't be coming back here again. There really was no need for her to do so. Still, she wondered how TK would be after tonight, and Kanami was starting to grow on her like a kid sister. “I'll think about it.”

 

 

**************

 

 

When Kanami awoke the next morning, she found herself in her own bed, with Cherise sitting on the straw pile writing on a piece of paper. “Good morning,” she said after yawning. “What's that you're writing?”

 

“I'm making a shopping list in case I come back to visit. I got up earlier and took a look at your supplies and, sorry to say, I didn't like what I saw. Who does your shopping anyway?”

 

“That would be me,” said Kazuma, who stood in the doorway, “and you should remember that unlike in the city, we don't have supermarkets with vast variety of foods like you do.”

 

“That settles it then; next chance I get, I'm coming back and cooking you guys a real meal. Not that your cooking is bad or anything, `Kaze-kun.'”

 

Frowning, Kazuma pointed at Kanami. “You wanna stay healthy, Cherise, don't call me that! Only Kanami can get away with it!”

 

“How'd you finally learn my name?”

 

“Well, duh! You told TK last night, remember? I was there.”

 

“So what's for breakfast, kaze-kun?”

 

Now Kazuma was grinning. “Dearka's making his famous pancakes. Bad news is that we're out of syrup and jam.”

 

“I'll add that to my list,” Cherise said, quickly scribbling the two items down on her paper.

 

“Then you'll be coming back to visit?”

”Maybe, I'm not so sure, yet.”

 

Suddenly, Kimishima's voice was heard outside. “Kazuma, get out here! I spotted one fo those HOLY vehicles nearby!”

 

“Of all the rotten timing,” Kazuam fumed as he and Cherise dashed downstairs and outside to join Kimishima at his buggy. Kimishima handed Kazuma a pair of binoculars and pointed south.

 

“I noticed it while coming over,” he said, “and kept track of it in my mirrors and with the binoculars. I think they're headed this way.”

 

“Dammit, those hulking things all look alike when far way” Kazuma said while looking through the binoculars. “I can't tell-. Wait! There's something on the front of it, some sort of… dragon?”

 

“Let me take a look.” Not waiting, Cherise grabbed the binoculars and used them to take a better look at what Kazuma was describing. “…Oh shit, that's my team's transport, alright. That dragon is Davis's logo, modeled after his alter, Victory Dragon. And if he's in there, that means Kari and Ryuhou are as well.”

 

“We gotta lure them away,” Kazuma said, thinking fast. “Mainly because they can't find out where we live, and I don't wanna risk TK being found by them.”

 

Putting down the binoculars, Cherise looked at Kazuma and Kimishima. “Well, it's a good thing you have the perfect bait, huh?”

 

“What do you… Oh, I see now. The old Damsel-In-Distress gag. Kimishima, you got any rope?”

 

“Yeah, under the driver's seat.”

 

“Get it. We're going to help Cherise here get home.”

 

 

To be continued…