InuYasha Fan Fiction / Gundam SEED Fan Fiction / S-CRY-ed Fan Fiction ❯ The Enigma Called Love ❯ Friendship Blossoms ( Chapter 6 )

The Enigma Called Love

Part 6 - Friendship Blossoms

 

By Robster80

 

Quick note: I do not own the song “Storybook Love.” It was written/performed by Willy DeVille, and featured in Rob Reiner's film The Princess Bride.

 

 

After TK had finished his breakfast, the gang and Cherise left the house to go to their separate jobs. Today, Kazuma was going to go work for the medical camp Mimori was at, and TK, Kanami, and Cherise were going with him. Koga had already left for his own job, and Dearka and Kimishima had headed for the farm that Kazuma and the rest usually worked at.

 

Kanami, Cherise noticed, was not happy about going to the camp. Given that Mimori was dating “Kaze-kun,” Cherise could tell the little girl was jealous of the older woman. I'd feel the same way if there was another woman in TK's life-. I mean, Ryuhou's life.

 

Before they reached the camp, however, Kazuma pulled out a blonde wig from within his jacket and tossed it to Cherise. “Better wear that while you're here,” he told her. “TK told me you've been here before bringing supplies with your group. It's best if nobody recognizes you.”

”Oh, right. Good thinking.” Quickly, Cherise took off her hairclip and then applied the wig over her natural blue hair. “So, how do I look?” she asked after straightening the wig to fit her head.

 

“You could pass off as my sister,” TK said with a smile.

 

“Just call me Sherri.” Never thought I'd be thankful for Cougar not getting my name right. Suddenly, she remembered the envelope she had been given. “Oh, wait! Kazuma I was asked to give this to you, at least I think it's for you.” She took the envelope from her pocket and handed it over to Kazuma, who frowned at the name inscribed on it.

 

“Yeah, it's for me, alright. So how do you know Cougar?”

 

“He works for HOLY-.” Cherise gasped, realizing that maybe she shouldn't have said that to Kazuma given his dislike of the group.

 

“…Well, that explains why I haven't seen him in a while.” Kazuma then stuffed the letter inside of his jacket. “I'll read this later. We'd better get going before Mimori wonders where we are.”

 

 

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

 

 

“Dr. Kiryu, you have a visitor.”

 

Goddamn you, Ryuhou! Mimori didn't bother looking at the orderly who was standing in the doorway to her office. “Tell that HOLY officer I don't wish to see him; not now, not ever! Also tell him I am NOT leaving, period!”

 

“Mimori, I'm going to pretend you didn't just label me as a member of HOLY.”

 

Gasping, Mimori turned to see Kazuma beside the orderly. Behind him were Kanami, TK, and a girl she didn't recognize. “Oh, Kazuma!” Immediately, she rushed over and hugged him tightly. This earned her a blazing glare from Kanami, though she didn't notice. “You have no idea how happy I am it's you.”

 

“O-okay. So, why did you think I was from HOLY?”

 

“Sherri” pulled TK away so Kazuma wouldn't hear what she was going to ask. “He doesn't know about Ryuhou's history with Mimori?”

 

“She made us swear never to tell him about it. She thinks he might start going after Ryuhou.”

 

Mimori then pulled away from Kazuma. “I've been getting some pressure to go back home because my father is one of HOLY's backers and they're concerned for my safety. But they don't know that my father and I aren't on speaking terms ever since I decided to come here. Besides, I know you and the others will protect me. By the way, who is that?”

 

TK took Cherise's hand into his while introducing her. “This is Sherri. She's helping us out for today. But she's very shy around strangers.” He had said this quickly so that Cherise wouldn't speak in case Mimori recognized her voice. Deciding to play the part, “Sherri” hid behind TK a little.

 

“I see. Well, welcome, Sherri. We're glad to have the help. So, shall we get started? There's two supply rooms that need inventory done, and it's a two-person job-.”

 

Kanami latched onto Kazuma. “I'm with Kaze-kun!”

 

Could her skin turn any greener? Cherise thought as TK said, “Sherri and I will pair up also.”

 

 

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

 

 

“Now don't do anything naughty while you're in here,” Kazuma said before closing the supply room door behind him.

 

“I'm gonna deck him for that,” TK fumed. He and Cherise/Sherri were about to do inventory in the room, a clipboard with an inventory list in TK's fist.

 

“If you don't I will,” Cherise added to TK's comment. “Well, let's get started.”

 

“Not just yet. There's something I want to talk to you about, Cherise, and not in front of others.”

 

With a nod, Cherise followed TK further into the supply room. A part of her wondered if he was going to try something, but she shook that notion off. Besides, TK wasn't an alter-user like herself. “So what's up?”

 

TK looked right at Cherise. “I'm going to be honest with you, Cherise; your being here with me is something I can't figure out. But whatever it is, I don't want anyone to misunderstand me.”

 

“Why is that?”

 

“It goes back to my parents. They got a divorce when I was 6, and it was a bitter one. Mom took me with her when the divorce was finalized, and since then I've had this… fear… that I'll end up just like my parents. Kari knew about this, I told her. She assured me that's not what would happen, and that she would be there for me.”

 

“And she lied.”

 

TK turned away from Cherise. “Yes… she lied. Because of that lie, I believed in love. Then I re-learned the truth: love doe not conquer all. That night after Kari and Davis left me behind, I made a decision. I decided that living a life without love was a crueler fate than death. So I decided to go somewhere and die without anyone trying to save me, and I came to the Lost Ground.”

 

These words cut Cherise to the core. The thought back on her failing relationship with Ryuhou, wondering if it would be the same for her as it had been for TK. She also felt a rush of burning anger towards Kari. He told you his fears, and you not only lied to him about taking them away, you fueled their fire in his heart! It's a disgrace to be of the same blood as you, Kari!

 

“It's been harder for me to die since Kazuma and the others took me in,” TK continued his story, “and even now… that you're a part of our lives. But I'm standing by my decision: I will never, ever fall in love again.” Suddenly, he felt two arms wrap around him, and the warmth of a body at his back.

 

“I'm so sorry.”

 

“Cherise-?”

 

“She had no right to hurt you; no right at all to amplify your fears. I wish I could take away all the pain she inflicted on you.” Cherise's voice was cracking, and TK could feel her tears at the back of his neck. “I won't try to dissuade you from your promise, TK, but believe what I say: you'll find someone who loves you, someday. And she'll make you forget everything Kari did to you. I know she will.”

 

Slowly, TK put his free hand into Cherise's at his chest. “…You know if the other saw us like this-.”

 

“We'll make them understand we're not dating. I'm not giving up on Ryuhou just yet. Is it… is it okay if I'm your friend?”

 

“You already are, when you came back to visit us.” He turned around and hugged her back. “Thank you for that, Cherise.”

 

They remained like this before they broke off together. “Well,” TK said, taking out a pencil from his pocket, “we'd better get started before Kazuma and Kanami finish before us and wonder exactly what we're doing in here.”

 

Nodding, Cherise wiped her face with a handkerchief. “Good idea. Where do we start?”

 

“Let's see… How about tongue depressors? We're supposed to have this many…”

 

 

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

 

 

The night sky was filled with many stars as TK sat outside of the clinic. It was the first time he hand actually looked at the stars in what felt like an eternity. In his arms was an old guitar that someone had given him as payment for a job. The person who had given it to him did it after TK remarked about his older brother was a musician back on the Mainland. He remembered bringing it home to have Kazuma try to use it for firewood and Kimishima suggesting they sell it for extra money, both earning swift kicks in the shins from Kanami.

 

With a pick in hand, TK struck up a tune and began playing an American song he hadn't heard in awhile. Despite this, though, he knew the words and melody by heart. Still, he hummed to the song instead of singing; he didn't think he had a good singing voice like his brother.

 

He didn't know why he was humming to a love song at that moment. Then again, it wasn't a song that made him think about Kari. It was simply a song he liked before he had even become friends with Kari, and it seemed to make him peaceful. As he hummed and played under the night sky, he failed to hear someone walking over to him and sitting down near him.

 

“That's a nice tune.”

 

TK calmly turned to see Cherise sitting near him. “I've never heard that song before. Did you write it?”

 

He shook his head. “Nah. Matt's the musician in the family, not me. It's an American song I picked up sometime ago. It's been a while since I last heard it, but it's still here,” he pointed at his temple and then his chest, “and here.”

 

“You still play beautifully.”

 

“Matt, my big brother, taught me. Though, it's been a while so I'm a bit rusty-.”

 

“Liar. That was fine, even though I never heard the song before. Could you sing the words for me?”

 

“…Actually, I'm not good at singing. Besides, I bet Ryuhou's better than me-.” TK stopped speaking as Cherise had put a finger to his lips.

 

“Ryuhou's not here,” she told him. At that moment, she didn't want to thin about her superior. “Out here, there's no Ryuhou, no Kari or Davis, no HOLY. There's just you, and me, and our friends. Please sing for me?”

 

Her finger to his lips still, TK gave a light nod before Cherise moved her hand away. “But feel free to stop me if I hurt your ears.” His fingers began striking the guitar strings for a few chords before he started to sing:

 

Come, my love, I'll tell you a tale

Of a boy and girl

And their true love story

And how he loved her oh so much

And all the charms she did possess

 

Now this did happen once upon a time

When things were not so complex

And how he worshiped the ground she walked

And when he looked in her eyes, he became obsessed

 

My love is like a storybook story

But it's as real as the feelings I feel

My love is like a storybook story

But it's as real as the feelings I feel

It's as real as the feelings I feel

 

Cherise was spellbound by the song and TK's voice. He wasn't bad at all; she hoped he didn't stop. And he didn't: he kept going after playing more chords. It was as if he was lost within the song, and it made him feel good.

 

And he said,

“Don't know I love you oh so much

And lay my heart at the foot of your dress?”

And she said,

“Don't you know that storybook loves,

Always have a happy ending?”

 

Then he swooped her up just like in the books

And on his stallion they rode away

 

My love is like a storybook story

But it's as real as the feelings I feel

My love is like a storybook story

But it's as real as the feelings I feel

It's as real as the feelings I feel

 

The moment TK had finished playing, he suddenly heard a round of applause from behind him. He and Cherise looked to see the others standing behind them, clapping loudly. It made his face flush with embarrassment; he had unknowingly played his first concert.

 

“Nice playing there, maestro,” Dearka said after the applause stopped. “A bit sappy, but it was nice.”

 

“I thought it was beautiful,” Kanami swooned.

 

“Yeah,” Kimishima added, “it brought tears to Kazuma's eyes. And Cherise's as well, I can see.”

 

Both Cherise and Kazuma quickly wiped there eyes dry with their sleeves. “I wasn't crying,” Kazuma protested, “I just, just had something in my eyes. Dust, I think. Yeah, dust, that's it.”

 

“You guys are pests,” TK grumbled loudly, which made Cherise giggle a bit. He was sorely tempted to use the guitar as a weapon on his so-called friends at that moment.

 

 

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

 

 

“Not here again,” TK groaned as he stood at the exact same cliff overlooking the same vine-covered ruins. Even the huge sword was there again, in the same position and same place it had been before, right before that strange redhead showed up and got run though.

 

“Welcome back.”

 

TK turned at the voice. “Please don't die on me again,” he pleaded. But then he noticed the open wound where the girl had been struck in the previous dream. What seemed strange to him, other than that she seemed fine, was that there was no blood coming at all from the wound.

 

The girl laughed a little. “I doubt that. I've already died once before. I think once is enough.”

 

“You're… already dead?”

 

“Only in body, but not in spirit. Please don't be sad. I already told you that it wasn't your fault.”

 

“Wasn't my-? But we never met until now!”

 

“Your other self has.” The girl pointed behind TK, and he turned to see whom she was pointing at. However, he never got to see anyone as his eyes opened on their own, waking him from his dream. He was back in his room, and the sun had just risen, judging from the light coming through the window. Only this time, though, he remembered his dream.

 

What is going on here? And just who was that girl? Somehow… I think I know her.

 

Just then, TK heard footsteps from down the hall outside his room. Koga, as usual, was asleep sitting within the doorway and didn't seem to notice the steps coming closer. Nor did he notice a tiny light approaching along with the steps.

 

“What the-?”

 

TK sat there, dumbfounded, as Cherise stepped over Koga and walked over to sit beside him. In her hands, on a plate, was a large cake draped with chocolate icing. Several lit candles were on top of the cake, surrounding a message written in white frosting with his name on it.

 

“Happy 19th birthday, TK,” Cherise said, quoting the message on the cake.

 

Blinking once, TK realized that today was indeed his birthday. “I can't believe it, I forgot my own birthday!”

 

“You've had a lot on your mind lately. Luckily for you, I saw your birth date in your file.” Cherise then held out the cake to him. “Make a wish.”

 

“I… don't know what to wish for.”

 

“Just wing it,” came Koga's voice, much to the two teens' surprise. His eyes were still closed, but he still spoke. “And save some cake for the rest of us, though if I were you I'd wait till after lunch. Eating cake before breakfast isn't a good rule.”

 

Cherise gave Koga a half-smile, though he couldn't see it. “Here I thought you guys didn't have any rules.”

 

“Only enough to have some resemblance of order out here. Now blow out those candles, the light's keeping me awake.”

 

Chuckling a little, TK quickly thought of a wish. I wish… for Cherise to be right about my finding someone to love, and for Cherise to be loved by the man she cares for. With a quiet, gentle blow of air, the candles all went out.

 

Somehow sensing his friend's wishes, Koga smiled as he went back to sleep.

 

 

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

 

 

The day went by too quickly, and soon Cherise had to leave. Before Kimishima took her back to the wall, however, she gave everyone a hug and reminded them she would be back in a week's time. She also cautioned them to keep clear of Mimori's camp in a few days when her team would drop off more supplies. Kazuma was still clueless that it was because Ryuhou still had some feelings for Mimori or that he even knew Mimori at all, and figured it was about making sure they and the people at the camp didn't get hurt.

 

TK's impromptu birthday party came at lunchtime after the gang had gone out to get last minute gifts for him; Koga having informed them what day it really was during breakfast. Though TK insisted they didn't have to, they went and got him some new clothes as well as a real mattress for him to sleep on. Mimori showed up as well, bringing with her a first aid kit for TK and a surprise for Dearka: his girlfriend Miriallia, whom had turned up at the camp with a fever days ago and was now fully recovered.

 

But the gift TK received from Cherise he valued the most. It was a ID card with a phone number on it: Cherise's private phone number. “There are phones by the tunnels into the city,” she had explained. “Swipe the card and dial the number in and it'll go through to me. I also got an answering machine in case you don't reach me. If you ever feel down or just want to talk, feel free to give me a call. If I can, I'll come out to see you at the wall.”

 

TK decided to let Kanami hold onto the card for him. He didn't want to abuse this gift Cherise had given him, nor did he want the other guys to get a hold of it and use it for him. Kanami agreed to guard it with her life, even from Kazuma. Still, everyone thought Cherise had given a wonderful gift; Koga being the one who smiled the most at this.

 

Meanwhile, back at HOLY base, Cougar was carrying a sleeping Cherise secretly back to her room. He found Commander Zigmar waiting with his passkey, which he used to open the door allowing Cougar to carry Cherise over to her bed. Laying her down gently, he and Zigmar heard her humming in her sleep: it was the song TK had sung to her the night before.

 

“I think it's safe to say she had a good time,” Zimgar commented with a smile. “Wouldn't you agree?”

 

As they left the room, Cherise humming behind them, Cougar also smiled. “I'm pleasantly surprised, sir, given the company she had. I guess I don't know Kazuya as well as I thought.”

 

Both men then saw Ryuhou walking over to them as they stood outside Cherise's room, the door closed and locked. “Has Cherise returned from her assignment?”

 

“Cougar just brought her back. However, she's asleep now, and I'd advise not to disturb her.”

 

“By the way, sir, is it true Tachibana's been reinstated?”

 

Zigmar appreciated Cougar's tact at changing the subject. “Actually, yes. Let me tell you both about it, over a drink. Come along.”

 

Ryuhou stood there, looking at Cherise's door. He was tempted to use the key she had given him long ago, but knew she needed to rest. Reluctantly, he turned to follow Zigmar and Cougar. How'd that loser Tachibana get reinstated?

 

 

To be continued…