Pretear Fan Fiction ❯ Field Full of Daisies ❯ A Strong Wind ( Chapter 16 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Field Full of Daisies- A Strong Wind

Kagura sat on her bed, staring at her computer screen for the millionth time today. It'd been three days now. Only two more until she went back to school. Still, that e-mail bothered her. Did he want a favor? Did he want her dead? She couldn't die. Not yet anyway. She had gotten up enough nerve to reply to him, saying she needed a week to get back into school so no one would notice her going missing. That was an excuse. She could leave and return right now and no one would be AROUND to notice. They were all of doing what they had to do. She just said it because she was nervous about going. She really didn't want to go see him. It was dangerous enough showing her face in Tokyo again. The others noticed her acting weird ever since her suspension and thought it was about everyone finding out. No one suspended Kyoko for being in a gang. Granted she didn't beat up one of the schools prized students but still. They took Kagura and Himeno to get their permits the other day. That distracted Kagura for about as long as it took to take the test. Sasame's constant attempts at PDA embarrassed her and was also a good way of distracting her. Now she was bored. Her school work was done. Home work, done. She even read all the notes Himeno took for her. Yayoi wasn't in all the same classes but Kagura preferred to read her notes when she could. Himeno's were all sloppy with words missing and drool stains from sleeping, as if she didn't do that enough. But…look on the bright side. At least she wrote notes. Kagura didn't. The rose was stuck at home now, eating, watching TV, playing a computer game every now and then, music. It was the best break she ever got, even if the lingering thought of death approaching stayed in the back of her mind. At least she got to sleep in late. Sleep haunted by the dreams Ryu, the heartless bastard. Well…not completely heartless. He likes me…I think…he's nice all the time…then again he was nice to that other guy too and look where that got him. The bottom of the lake. Just then there was a knock on her bedroom door. It was the middle of the day. No one was supposed to be home yet. Sanma work. Ayanami, work. Hayate, Sasame, Himeno, school. So who the hell was that? Kagura reached down and grabbed her short sword she had jammed under the frame of her bed, and stood. The knock came again and the door cracked open but no one came in. Maki. It had to be him didn't it. He was here now wasn't he? Well at least her sister wasn't around. She ran over kicked open the door ready to spill blood when two strong arms wrapped around her waist and picked her up.

“And what do you plan on doing with that?”

“Sasame?”

“Who else would it be?” When he put her down she kicked his leg and stomped back into her room. “OW! What was that for!”

“Don't do that anymore!” She shoved her sword back in place.

He just grinned at her. “I scared you didn't I?”

“I don't get scared. I was just surprised. And I don't like surprises. So what are you doing here anyway?”

“They dismissed school early so the kids that got in trouble could clean the graffiti off all the walls.”

“What graffiti?”

“About—Doesn't really matter. Point is that we got off early.”

“I take it, it was about me huh?”

“Yeah. It wasn't all bad though. Apparently some people actually like you.” Kagura snorted. When she turned around she saw Sasame staring at her computer e-mail. “Who's Ryu?”

Kagura hurried over and pulled the plug before Sasame could stop her. “Do you always go reading other people's stuff.”

“You going to tell me who he is or not?”

“No! It's none of your business!”

“Then I guess I'm just going to have to go with you to where ever this usual place is and meet him myself.”

“You read it already!”

“I did while I was talking to you. It's called multi-tasking.”

“It's called being a nosy ASS.”

“Fine. I won't go if you give me one good reason why you're meeting one of your Saint friends?”

“Hah! He's not a Saint he's head Yak—He's just not a Saint so you're wrong already-“

“You were going to say Yakuza weren't you! Kami! What the hell is wrong with you! I'm not going and neither are you!”

“You can't tell me what to do-“

“Kagura…”

He was giving that stern look again like when I say something I mean it. Or the classic look given to a child. No means no. “Would you rather he come here?” That made Sasame re-think the trip. Hah! I win…wait…I didn't want to go to begin with.

“Fine. But I'm giving you a ride.”

“No you're not.” The look again. “Fine. Don't get your panties in a twist.”

“Speaking of which. You left yours at my house. No point in going for them though. Hayate was fairly traumatized. He poked them with a stick and set them on fire until there was nothing left yesterday.”

Kagura's face was burning. “R-R-Really?”

“Yup. You should have seen the look on his face. Hilarious.”

“Gee…I can just imagine…”

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“C'mon Hayate! Pleeeeease! You have your license. How come you won't help me to learn how to get mine?”

“Because it should be a crime to let you out on the streets.”

“Hayateeeee. Please?”

“No”

“Please.”

“No.”

“Pretty please?”

“…no.”

“I got no where to go you know. I can ask all day.”

“Why aren't you with your sister?”

She stopped talking and stared down at her hands. Kagura would be back in school tomorrow but when Himeno asked to hang out after school, just the two of them and Yayoi, she said she had somewhere to be after detention. “She's busy…with Sasame.”

Hayate stared at her a while. She looked sad. It was a shame to see her look like that really. “Alright tulip head. I'll teach ya. But you better not crash the car. It's mom's.”

Himeno threw her arms around him in a hug and his face grew red. “THANK YOU! I promise I'll be a good student. Really!”

“That's okay and everything…but…you can let go of me now.”

Now it was Himeno's turn to blush. She immediately sat back down on her side of the couch. “Er…sorry.” They were in the Ayanami's living room watching TV. Kendo matches. That's all Hayate seemed to be interested in watching now a days. “Hayate? What do you plan on doing after high school? Are you going to be a kendo master or somethin'?”

The way she said master had him imagining himself as an old man with a wooden stick, practicing in the forest with bears and waterfalls or something. “I was thinking about going pro. I've got this scout that comes too all the games. Really famous. Comes to all the games to see me. Just that he says my way of fighting is too headstrong. He said I improvise around my mistakes and I won't learn what they are until I actually lose. Whatever that's supposed to mean.”

“Just ask Kagura. I'm pretty sure she'd be happy to beat you than berate you with what you're doing wrong. She does it to me all the time.”

“Pff. She'd have to beat me first and I doubt that's going to happen. Anyway, what about you? You plan on doing anything?”

“Um? I dunno really. As long as it has something to do with flowers. Probably own a flower shop. Oh, and a house on a hill. With a husband and a house full of children. That'd be perfectly fine for me.”

“That husband of yours would be one lucky man.” He mumbled that to himself but she heard him.

“Really? You think? I probably wouldn't get married though. I'm too much of a clutz.”

“You'll find someone. There's got to be at least one man out there interested in tulip-headed valley girls-“ A pillow came smacked into his face not long after he spoke.

“Right. And he'll be an intelligent man. Not some arrogant baka like you.”

“If I recall, it is I who scored higher on our exams than you. You don't have the right to call me a baka you baka.”

“You're still an arrogant baka no matter what those dumb scores say.”

“So I'm dumb and that makes you…lower than that. The dumbest-“ Another pillow smack. This time it look like it actually hurt him though. “You little-“

“This is nice.”

“Huh?”

“Us talking. The only person I ever get to really talk to is Kagura and she doesn't really like talking to me about what she plans on doing after high school. She'll just listen to me and get this sad smile on her face, and after I'm done I ask her but she changes the subject.”

Hayate just stared at her again. One reason he wasn't overly fond of the girl's sister, besides the obvious reasons, was how sad Himeno seemed to look when she talked about her sometimes. Kagura was trying so hard to protect her sister's feelings but she was just making it worse. “Hey…don't…just pay attention to the rules of driving. One scratch on that car tomorrow and I'll get murdered. That means you will too.”

She looked up with that same dopey smile again. “Okay!”

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People had been surprised to see her back at school. They were also surprised to see Kyoko back in school. Kagura turned in all the piles of work she'd been given and the principal had been notified of that, but the Vice and Chief weren't looking happy to see her back. Just before detention they'd made that clear. “If we see just one assignment not turned in-“

“Or one tardy-“

“Or unexcused absence-“

“Or ANYTHING that isn't up to standard with what the principal has expected of you-“

“Which we don't know why-“

“You're out. You understand?”

Kagura just nodded, then added. “Thanks for the talk. But if I see you following me around the school again, I'm filing an administrator on student harassment complaint with the police.”

“You are in NO place to threaten us-“

“And neither are you. I don't remember either of you being the principal now excuse me before I'm late for detention.”

Detention had went by uneventful enough. Sasame had dropped Hayate and Himeno off at home before coming back for Kagura. Once out, she got in the car, told him to put the hood down, and roll up the windows. “You're not carrying that sword are you?” It wasn't really a question of whether she had it or not. He wanted to know if she'd need it. If it was a case that serious then he was turning the car around and taking her home now. He'd rather risk it with her closer by. And the thought of Kagura having to kill anyone… Sure, she threatened a lot of people…and she did look like she was trying to kill Mawata…but her actually killing someone…he didn't know what he'd do if she'd actually done it. Thankfully she hadn't. She told him so and, though she never told him much, she wouldn't lie about something like that.

“Nah. Even if I wanted to, I wouldn't be able to get it into where we're going.”

“…And where is that exactly.”

“Just keep driving and make a left at the third light.”

As always, Tokyo was hell to get through. There was always so much traffic and pedestrians were a little bolder with their lives when darting out into the street here. Most of the traffic caused had been because of street collisions. That and the fact that half the city was heading home from work at about this time. After about two hours in the car making turns this way and that, then getting lost for a while until Kagura finally remembered how to get there, they came to this rural area. A wealthy spot in Tokyo with lots of land. “Tell me how you got lost again?”

“You got lost. I'm not used to getting here from the street so I don't remember.”

“…Then how else would you get here?”

Building hopping with Psy. “You just feel like asking questions don't you? Just be glad I let you come.”

“Let me?”

“Yes. We're here.” Sasame turned in and stopped at the large gate. Behind the gate was a big hill the road led up to a mansion that made his house look like a garage…half the garage…

“How much dirty money does this guy have.”

Kagura snorted. “A lot. He…owns organizations by putting his family in charge. Group for money laundering, black market trade. There's a lot of crap.”

“So that blue haired bastard would be his-“

“-cousin.”

“And what did he have the Saints doing.”

“Eh, this and that.” He noticed she kept skirting his questions or answering them with a PG explanation. That was fine…for now.

The speaker cut in while he rolled down the window. “You got an appointment kid?”

Kagura leaned over him to get in view of the camera. “Open the damn gate or I'm going home!”

“Oh…it's you. Boss said you'd be rude. Who's the company?”

“A guy who gave me a ride. Now open the gate.” She sat back down with Sasame staring at her.

A guy who gave her a ride? If Kagura noticed he was irritated by the comment, she didn't show it. He stepped on the gas a little faster when going up the hill and parked not far from the front door. There were two people in black suits waiting for them outside the door. When they got inside, they were immediately met by metal detectors. Sasame assumed it was to make sure no weapons passed through. Even though he was pretty sure more than most of the people here were carrying weapons on them. Some making no attempt to keep their hand guns covered. It just made him a little more curios. What didKagura used to get herself in to? He put his watch, keys, and that one earring into the bowl before stepping through and putting the items back on. Kagura didn't bother and just stepped through. The detector went off and the guard pushed her back through.

“You carrying a weapon?”

“Not that I know of.” He frowned at her. She took off her earrings and stepped through again. And again it went off.

“You sure you're not-“

“I said no.” She took her ankle bracelet Himeno got for her as a `cheer-up even though everyone knows your secret' present, tongue ring, naval piercing, her ring with the big K on it, and finally stepped through it again. And again, it went off. Sasame sighed. Wasn't that everything.

“You got anymore piercings that need to be taken off?”

She crossed her arms over her chest when she saw where he was getting at. “No. It's probably just the wire in my bra-“

“Well maybe you should take that off to.” Sasame reached over and dragged her behind him, snatching the bowl full of her things and shoving it in her hands. “Hey kid---“

“AH! My guest is here!” There stood a man with eyes just as gorgeous a hazel gold as the ones she was familiar with. Hair was a bit on the deeper blue side and he had a smile that sent shivers up your spine. Whenever he smiled, it was a little freaky the way Kagura saw it. She knew of his mood changes at the drop of a dime. Reminded her of Psy in a way. But she just wished she knew what he was thinking. Did she just bring Sasame all this way to watch her die? Was he going to die with her? She already knew the answer to that second question. She wouldn't let them. “Oh? And she brought another? I did hear that you had a little boy toy lying around some where.”

Sasame's eyes deadpanned. Toy? Is that what I am? He glanced over at Kagura who was blushing like mad.

“Really? Who'd you hear it from?”

“Psy.”

I knew it! Her and her big ass mouth! “Thank her for me.”

“You can do that yourself. She's here.”

Kagura halted in her tracks before she decided to follow him. Psy's warning rang like a loud alarm. “Next time you see me…”

Ryu seemed to notice her hesitation and grinned. “Oh what's the matter my little Kagi-chan? I assure you this isn't one of those visits if that's what you're worried about. I just want to ask you a favor. Consider it the last thing you'll ever have to do for me. Hmm?”

Last thing? So let me guess, I'm going to die getting the job done? She glanced at Sasame who held that stern expression but seemed a little nervous about the whole thing. It made her wonder. Sasame was so happy before. Why was she with him when all she ever did was make him worry? Why was she with him when she knew it wouldn't last? When she knew she was going to die…It's because I'm selfish…

Ryu turned his smile onto Sasame now. “You won't mind waiting in the lobby would you. It's a bit of a private conversation. You understand?”

Sasame grabbed her hand and yanked her behind him. “No.”

“It's alright Sasame. I'm sure it will only take a minute.” He looked at her, visually telling her he meant no when the sound of a gun clicking behind them brought him out of it.

“She goes the easy way or the hard way. And just so you know…the easy way's shooting you. Much more fun.” The guard didn't look like he was joking either.

Kagura pulled her hand away and followed behind Ryu. “Ah! Hideki! Show him to the lobby. Take good care of my dear Kagi-chan's toy or I'll have someone take care of you!” He still held that wicked smile on his face all the way until they disappeared into the VERY conference room. The doors closed behind them and his smile dimmed a little. “Nice boy you have there. Definitely different from my little cousin but I guess they both get jealous easily. Or is it protective? I wouldn't remember. Any woman I come near makes some man angry. The curse of develishly good looks. I swear it!” He laughed as he walked over to his throne like chair.

“Still cocky as ever.”

“Ah, yes, but the fact that you're not with my cousin does me a lot of good I guess. It would be harder asking this had you been.”

“Asking what?” Kagura stayed a good distance away from him. Ryu had his mood swings and she was determined not to be in the cross-fire when they rose. Though…he should have had one by now. Then she saw them. Koriko, Berserk, and Psy walking in behind Ryu's chair. She had the sudden urge to go jump on B as usual but refrained from it. He'd helped her leave the Saints, yes, and Psy too, because they hadn't beat on her as badly when it came time for her to go, but they just might turn on her now.

He stopped smiling. “I'm disbanding the Saints.” Her eyes went wide and he answered her obvious puzzlement. “I don't need them anymore. They're useless.”

“And them?” she said referring to the ones behind him. Psy and B, like the goofy idiots they were, winked and waved and flapped their arms around when he wasn't looking. Koriko rolled her eyes but smirked. A smirked she rarely RARELY ever got to see.

“No point in wasting talent. They're too good to go to let go. A few others I'm hand picking from the group as well. They'll still work for me as my Saint division but more organized. The Saints are out of control, doing things I don't approve, and just plain costing me more money then they're worth.”

“Oh…and…what about…”

“Maki? He signed his own death sentence when he disobeyed me and said he run them on his own rather then give up what he worked for. My dear cousin has become too big head and he even tried killing me. That's why you're here. You're going to kill him.”

That sounded more like a command then a favor. Not like I didn't plan on doing it anyway. “I…can't do it…now…but soon. After I graduate and get on my feet.”

“You mean after your sister graduates and you make sure she's alright.”

Kagura looked at him oddly. “Psy again?”

She looked a little guilty. “It slipped.”

“Yeah, you seem to be doing that with my business a lot lately.”

“Well Ryu has ways of getting it out of me.”

Just then Ryu had the weirdest grin on his face, like he was…happy? Actually happy? “You guys aren't…you're…oh that's just wrong.”

Ryu turned a sharp gaze on her. “What are you trying to say?”

“I meant what I said. It's gross. You and Psy. It's…what am I saying? You deserve each other.” You both belong in straight jackets.

“Oh…so you say you've never tried…playing…with your toy.”

Kagura turned bright red but as soon as she looked at the angry expression on B's face, she was quick to deny it. “Nope. Never. I'm saving myself for marriage.”

Berserk snorted. “So where is the little shit. I've been wanting to meet him. A little man-to-man chat.”

“Gee, look at the time. If we're done here?”

Ryu looked to preoccupied with Psy. He waved a hand, signaling she was done here, and she rushed over to find Sasame. He was sitting in a room with various people holding guns, just staring at him. Needless to say he was unsettled. Once they were in the car, and a good distance away, Sasame let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. “So…what did he want?”

“Pfft. Nothing important.” Not that I wasn't planning on doing it anyway…just wasted my day. But him and Psy? EUGH! Not that they're ugly. Those are going to be some pretty babies. But Psy pregnant? Can't imagine it.

“Didn't seem like nothing important. It was a private talk after all.” He looked a little more irritated this time.

“Relax, we weren't alone. Remember the chick with the purple mohawk?”

“Uh…the girl who visited when my car was wrecked? “ He remembered. Kagura looked like she wanted to cry. Even though she smiled. Psy had done that to her the last time she visited.

“Yeah. She was there. And two other familiars. I was fine. It was more just news than anything.”

“Oh? What kind of news?”

“He's disbanding the Saints.”

“That's good right?”

“Yeah. I guess. Not that it matters to me.” I don't want to think about it. I just want to spend my time thinking about you. While I'm still here. Even though I know I'll make you sad when I'm gone. I don't care. “Guess that makes me selfish.”

“What?”

“Nothing. I'm hungry.”

“Kami forbid you go hungry. I'll stop somewhere when we get out of Tokyo.”

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“You have to speed up. At least 30. You're going too slow grandma.”

Himeno's hands gripped the wheel until her knuckles turned white. Hayate had been specific about not harming the car and she was a little nervous about speeding up because of that. “I thought you said-“

“Himeno…we're in an empty parking lot. You're not going to hit anyone. Now speed up a little and make a few turns around these lamp posts.”

“But-“

“Stop complaining and do it!”

Himeno glared at him from the corner of her eyes before focussing on the road again. “You didn't have to shout…”

“Stop pouting tulip-head---“ Hayate's body was thrust back against his chair when Himeno stepped on the gas. Cutting turns around lamp posts too sharp and nearly swirving into one. “Himeno! Slow down!”

“What? The stupid tulip-head couldn't hear you!”

“I said---“ The car came to an immediate halt at the lot entrance. Hayate's seatbelt was the only reason his head wasn't split open on the dashboard. “What the-“

“I'm sorry! It's just that car.”

Hayate looked ahead of them and saw a car had moved into the entrance. A man inside, obviously not paying attention, talking on his cell phone while digging into his brief case. The only reason he probably wasn't driving right now. “Oh. It's okay. It's good that you stopped. Good reflexes. Just back up before this asshole---“ The car started moving again and stopped when it hit the teens. The car jerked back a bit before the man got out and noticed his car had hit hers. Or at least, the way he saw it, their car hit his.

“What the hell!”

“You alright?” It took a minute for Himeno to notice he was talking to her. Even then, she just nodded. “Alright. Stay in the car.” Himeno nodded again and watched Hayate leave. He got out and immediately the man began bickering with him about how they hit his precious new company car. All the girl inside could do was shake her head. It may not have been completely their fault, but Himeno couldn't help but think it was. Especially when she had been speeding while Hayate had told her to slow down. He specifically warned her not to put ANY SCRATCHES on the car…and now they had a scratchy dent. With paint probably chipped off and everything.

“Way to go on my first driving lesson…”

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“AH! Kaoru darling! There you are! Where've you been?” He seemed a little disshelved but otherwise, cheery as usual. The novelist placed himself in a quiet room a bit far off from the main rooms of the house. The lights were dim and desks filled with scratchy notes and neatly written papers. The trashcan over flowed with paper balls. “Oh my. That's quite a mess. What is it you're doing?”

“I…kind of wanted it to be a surprise.”

“Oh…let me see it.”

“Not until I'm done,” he smiled.

“Awww. Please? At least tell me what you are doing? I won't ask again?”

Kaoru was ready to protest but her pouting changed his mind. “Since you're going to pout-“

She gasped. “Elegant women do not pout---I do not pout.”

“Sure sweetie. Whatever you say. Since your going to make that face that isn't a pout but looks so much like one-“ She humphed. “-I'm writing you a book.” That stopped her sour mood and for now, all she could do was stare at him with wide eyes. He scratched the back of his neck under the stare, nervousness creeping into his tone. “I- I just thought it'd be…nice…you know…since you like them so much and…it makes you happy. Unless you don't---“ He didn't have a chance to finish. Natsue nearly barreled him down over the desk, hug like a vice, planting kisses all over his face. Muttering `thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou!' all the while.

“OH! I am happy! Thank you SO much! It'll be my favorite!”

“But I haven't even written it yet.”

“But you're writing it for me. I love you! How nice of you to do something so kind for me.” It was quiet now, and before Natsue knew it, she was blushing like a little school girl at her accidental confession. Kaoru just stared at her before a small grin appeared. Arms wrapping around the woman.

“Thanks…It's nice to hear.”

Thanks? I say I love you and he says thanks? She pulled away. “I'm a little fatigued. I'll go rest for a while.” Natsue headed for the door, staving back tears long enough to get out of the room. But he called out for her before she could leave. “Y-Yes?”

“I love you too.” And before he knew it, she was barreling him down again.

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Hayate drew on her bottom lip, teeth raking over it, making the girl in his arms shiver in reaction. She pulled away for air only to be attacked again, tongue tapping her own and Himeno was sure ALL the blood in her body had rushed to her face. He groaned and pulled away. They couldn't sit in this car forever. Besides, he wasn't like his brother, that lecher, who just jumped all over his opportunity when he got the chance. But…she just wouldn't stop crying and…he sighed. Nope. He was just a pervert. And she looked too good. “Stop staring at me like that…tulip-head.” That seemed to snap her back to reality.

“Wha- You- Stop calling me that!”

He grinned now. That was the short tempered girl he knew and loved…Loved?…aw damn it… “Switch seats with me. I'm going to drive.” She complied. But now sat in the passenger seat, arms crossed and staring out the window. He sighed again. “You want to go home?”

She popped out of her state just as quickly as she had gotten into it. “No. It's boring there. Let's do something.”

“Like what? You want me to pick up Yayoi or something?”

“Pfft! All she does is talk to Goh now on that new computer camera she bought.”

Hayate shuddered. “She could do better. Goh's…he's…”

“You cousin. Of course you're not going to like him. But he's good for Yayoi. She hasn't been on one of those romantic rants as often…and when she does…it's usually about him. But shorter!”

Hayate snorted. “Not surprising. The bastard tends to have that affect on women. Ruining every shred of imagination in them until they're just shells of their former selves.”

“Hayate! How could you say something so cruel about your own cousin!”

“Pfft. It's true. Where are we going anyway?”

“Um…the movies?”

“I'm not see some stupid chick flick. If something doesn't explode, burn, or bleed, I'm not watching it.”

“Figures…”

The theater was packed full of people there to see that new vampire movie. “Now that's what I want to watch. And I don't care if you say no because we're not watching anything else.”

“You're a little demanding aren't you?” They walked inside and stood in a rather long line waiting for tickets. Hayate bought both, even after Himeno had protested. They were currently just sitting in the arcade area, waiting for the showing to start.

“You stay here. I'm going to go get popcorn.”

“I want nachos!” She called after him. He snorted and walked away. He's always so grumpy. Not that she ever took it personally. It made her laugh, really. The tulip looked up at the feel of a hand on her shoulder. “Um…may I help you?”

“Hey there beautiful…wait…you're that red-headed bitch's sister. Where is the little Knoctern wannabe?” He was gripping her shoulder a little harder now, looking around as if expecting to see her.

“She's not here. And let go. That hurts.”

He looked back down at her before grinning a little. “You really are beautiful, you know that?”

“I said let go.”

He did let go, but yanked her up out of her seat by the arm. Needless to say that hurt more. “Not Kagura but beating up on the next best thing won't hurt.”

Himeno was winding her fist, ready to strike, but there was a loud noise and a low rumbling growl. She looked over and saw Hayate standing a few feet away, popcorn, soda, and nachos with cheese pooled around his feet on the floor. For a moment she swore she saw fangs on him. He looked exactly like the raven haired angry vampire on the billboard of the movie they were going to see in a few minutes. “I suggest you let go of her now.”

“Who the hell are you supposed to be? You're not her boyfriend.”

“Who the hell said I'm not?”

He snorted and yanked Himeno toward him, drawing a small silent scream from her. “You don't act like it.”

Himeno was just ready to punch him when Hayate did it for her. And he didn't mean to, but him yanked her back away from him. “…ow.”

“Uh. Sorry. Adrenaline.”

“It's alright.” She rubbed her arm and looked at the boy being taken away by a security guard.

“You sure? We should get something for your arm or…” His sentence died off when Himeno slipped her hand into his and tugged him back toward the concession stand.

“I said I'm fine. C'mon, I'm not eating that stuff you dropped on the floor. Now some poor busboy is going to have to clean up your mess.”

“A thank you would've been nice,” he grumbled.

“I could have taken him myself!”

He snorted. “So? You shouldn't have to if I'm here to do it.” She turned to look at him and he smiled down at her. “You wanted food right? And don't even try to pay for it yourself.”

She shook her head with a smile and kept walking. “Baka…”

“Tulip-head.”

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“Oh, and you look nice Ayanami. Where ya goin'?” Kagura gave the woman the once over. Nice dress. Slight off white silk, and her hair that was so white, it turned silver, was pressed straight. Because of that, she didn't look as old as usual. Sasame had told her once that early graying hair ran in his family. Or in this case, an eery silver, near white. Sasame followed and whistled at his mother with a little grin on his face.

“Oh you stop it. Sara and I are going out. Some fancy get together. Sara was nominated for an award at work and I intend to be there for her when she wins. Maybe fix her up with a future husband.” She giggled at the thought. Himeno had said something to Kagura about the two leaving somewhere further south in Japan for the weekend. Did you really expect Kagura to listen. Her sister and Hayate had left yesterday in the middle of the school day for the last kendo match of the year. Himeno had been so adamant about Kagura fighting Hayate before he left and she had been tempted to do so but didn't. She just let him fight Himeno and told he was slower to react with his left than he was with his right, and all that brute force was just compensating for it. He, naturally, got angry, and denied it. Didn't matter either way whether he believed her or not. Of course he already knew what she was talking about. He looked troubled by it and immediately started over-working himself. Fool. Kagura gave Ayanami a blank stare before opening her mouth.

“What does Sanma do?”

Sasame and Ayanami gave her odd stares. Was she serious? “You mean you don't know?”

“And how long have you been living with her now?”

“I wouldn't have asked if I didn't know.”

Ami gave her another odd look, as if trying to make sure she was being serious. “She's a lawyer specializing in defense cases.”

“A…what?…Now you're just teasing me. I mean really…Sanma…nervous stuttering Sanma a defense attorney? If you want to joke around, pick something a little more believable.”

The two shrugged and made no motion to prove anything. “H-Hel-lo-o.” Kagura turned to meet Sanma's gaze to grunt in response and instead stared.

“…S…Sanma?”

“Y-Yes. What's wrong? Is it me! I told Ami I didn't want to wear this!”

Did she just…not stutter? And she looks so much younger… “How…old are you?”

“uh…heh…34.”

“What!” Sasame grabbed Kagura by the arm and dragged her off into the living room.

“Enough making the poor woman feel nervous.”

“What? You've seen her look like that before? Why doesn't she dress like that all the time?”

“Why don't you?”

Kagura gave him a quick glare. “Because I don't want to.”

“Well neither does she.”

“But at least I don't look near fifty the way I dress on a daily bases.”

“No. But you act like a five-year old.” Before Kagura could snap at him, Ayanami popped her head into the living room.

“We're leaving you two? And please, don't spill blood in my living room.”

“Bye mother, Sanma.” The sound of the door shutting seemed to echo in the silence of BOREDOM! A sickness sweeping the world, killing innocent people of all ages. “So?”

“So…”

“It's a Saturday night.”

“I noticed.”

“And we're all alone…”

Kagura caught where he was getting at and rolled her eyes. “I noticed that too.”

“So…what do you wanna do?”

Now, right now, she was supposed to say `I don't know. What do you wanna do?' That question would be followed by him probably saying something slightly perverted and he'd drag her up to his room to…well…use your imagination. A little teasing him on the way there won't hurt. He's becoming a little pervert. And I suppose that's my fault? She mentally snorted then faked a yawn. “I'm kinda tired really. Long day. I'm going to sleep. You do what you want.”

He looked sad but followed her while she flopped down onto the couch. “Sleep? Why?”

“I told you. Long day.” Her eyes drifted closed and she rolled over.

Sasame didn't much like talking to her back, so he pulled her shoulder down again. “But I won't have anything to do.”

“Whining isn't becoming of you. Besides, we don't have anything to do.”

“Ye---“

“That I have the energy for.”

He frowned for a moment than grinned. “So sleep in my room. My bed's more comfortable than that couch.”

“I actually like it here--- Ah!” He scooped her up and carried her up stairs.

“But I insist.”

“You hentai! Put me down!”

“Like you really mean it.”

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It was dark out. Anxiety. Anticipation. Relief. They were finally here. She was here. Most likely sleeping by now. Or maybe not. Maybe she still hasn't gotten accustomed to staying up so late. “You sure you don't want us going in with you?”

“Let Psy drive. You stand at the door just incase I run into any trouble.” Maki stuffed his new gun in the holster hanging at his side before walking up to the house with Berserk trailing behind. He used a nail jack to open the front door while B stood at the bottom of the porch, ready to run in incase there was a commotion. The blue-haired man entered, purposely taking his time looking around. The living room was nice. Homey. With a television and a fireplace a little ways off. The kitchen seemed normal as well. Aside from the photo covered fridge. Plastered with pictures of his beloved's childhood, her sister,…and few of that blonde bastard. Even one of her hanging over a disgruntled raven-haired boy. “Damn. How many men has she been sneaking around with since she's been gone?” He snorted at the thought. Giving the kitchen another once over, he couldn't help but make a face. This place looked too warm, too inviting. He couldn't imagine his Kagi living in a place like this. Not cooped up here in this house. The sudden memory of her sitting atop the dome of Tokyo's tallest building flashed into mind. A wide full moon hanging round and low. She sat so high, it almost seemed as though, if she were to reach out in that moment, she could touch it. Hair flapped with every on coming wind. She looked wild, and yet, always like she was searching for something, someone. But beautiful none the less. His rose growing by the light of the moon, high above the unnatural glow coming from Tokyo's street lights. Maki, growing weary of his mini tour, pulled out his gun and headed up stairs. It was quiet. He crept into the first room. The main room he soon found. It was empty, but he knew it wasn't hers. Next, another empty room. It looked like ones left for guests. The next was empty as well. Like someone lived there but hasn't slept there in a while. The last room, surely. Though he was beginning to get the feeling that nobody was home. And with opening the final door, he realized as much. So Kagura slept here? The room smelled like her. With the exception of something else foreign. Like tulips instead of the rose he was used to. In her mirror was a photo of Kagura, B, and Psy. All smiling and happy. How'd she get this? She left with nothing. And the last person with thispicture was…Psy. His gaze narrowed in suspicion but at the moment, he had other things to worry about. If they weren't home…then where the hell were they? Then, to his surprise, he saw her. Through the window of this house, into the window of the next. Expression contorting into surprise, sadness, anger, rage. That…BASTARD! He was…touching her. His Kagi. Her nails digging into his back while she let that bastard touch her.

“We gotta go. Neighborhood watch is making rounds. They can't see us here or…holy shit.” Berserk stopped at the sight he got over his friend's shoulder. He made a mental note to pound the man who dared sleep with his little sister. Well…not really his little sister but close enough.

“I'm going to go over there and kill him. I'll chop every single limb from his body.”

“You won't be able to if we get busted here. We'll be back early tomorrow morning.” Maki himself was reluctant to go, but went anyway. Though he knew for sure he wouldn't get any sleep until then.

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Sasame felt around the other side of the bed and groaned at the loss of warmth. He sat up and rubbed his eyes and looked around but no Kagura. Instead there was a note on his end table. `Went to take a shower. I stink.' Gee. She's got a way with words. Well at leastshe left a note. But did she have to leave so early? Sasame pouted. Of course, he wouldn't call it pouting. He wanted to stay in bed but she just up and left. He liked how it was the first time. He'd woken up and she was still asleep, with a smile on her face. The first time he'd seen her sleep and not look dead. Though he had to admit, he did kind of stink. “Guess I should go take a shower too.” And get something for the scratches on his back. Mental note. Either get her to cut her nails or hold her wrists again.

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Kagura just finished dressing in her closet after her shower when she heard the sound of the stereo downstairs being blasted. What the hell? She jogged down the stairs. “Sasame? Turn that damn radio…off…”

“Surprised to see me?”

There he was. Sitting on her living room couch, with somewhat of a pained grin on his face. She did truly look surprised at first, but was quick to cover it up, and glanced around. There didn't seem to be anyone else around. He got up, slowly, purposefully strolled over to the stereo to turn it down a little. “You have great timing.”

“Really? Was I interrupting something?”

“Besides my life you mean? No, I don't think so.” He looked a little irritated at that but smiled anyway. “What? Something wrong? You look a little angry.”

“I suppose you could say that.” He pulled out his new gun and shot her in the leg.

She made a loud shrieking sound and scurried over to lean on the wall. “You're an…ASSHOLE!” He'd shot a tranquilizer dart in her leg that she more than quickly yanked out.

“What? You didn't think I was actually going to kill you? I'm not that angry…at you anyway.” He shot her in the arm now. “You know, the more you take it out, the more I'm just going to put them back.” When she reached for the second, he shot in a third. Kagura swore her lip was bleeding. She'd bit down on it to stop the screaming. “Oh, does it hurt? Don't worry. You'll start going numb after a while.” She darted back for the stairs, pulling the darts out faster now. And she was already starting to feel it. He walked after her, walking her stumble up the stairs and into her room. “C'mon Kagi. This'll go by a lot faster if you'd just come back down here.” Kagura dove down beside her bed and reached for her sword but it wasn't there. Her duffel bag full of swords and her gun was no longer in her closet. “I already raided your room. Now come back down stairs.” She turned back toward the door. He was coming up. The only thing left for her to do was trying going out the window. Though she doubted she'd make a safe landing on the drugs he shot her up with. The window option was killed once she tried opening it.

He nailed it shut. That bastard! There was another shot and she screamed again. Pain emanating from the back of her thy made her fall to her knees. She didn't even bother pulling the dart out this time. Instead, she reached for the keyboard on her desk and smacked him with it before he could try shooting her again. With a second smack, the gun fell from his hand. Though this time he hit back. Punching her in the stomach and knocking her off balance.

“The drug must be getting to you by now.”

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Sasame was just on his way over when the sound of the loud music inside came to him. The door was cracked open as well. “Kagura?” He went inside, walked into the living room, and turned the radio off. Then more sound came. The sound of loud bangs and a grunting, like a struggle, coming from upstairs. “Kagura?” He was just about to go up, but instead to rolling bodies came down. And before he could even get a chance to help, something hard struck him in the back of the head. He blacked out…

Berserk put down the log of firewood and went over to help Maki with Kagura. Holding her down, tying her up, and shoving her into the back of the car. Maki looked down at the unconscious boy lying on the ground. “Pathetic. I can't believe she'd rather be with him than me. He couldn't even do anything.”

Berserk snorted when looked at him, but chuckled none the less. “What do you expect? I snuck up on him as soon as he walked through the door. He didn't really have a chance to do anything. You just going to leave him there?”

“Might as well. He's dead weight. What's he going to do besides call the cops and report her missing.” He hefted a now blacked out Kagura over his shoulder. “Let's go before someone complains to the police about the noise.”