Ask Me If I Dare
Chapter 2
By:Lily
AN: Alright, I had a pretty easy time writing this chapter, except when it came to Shinya's part. I apologize if it seems OOC, but Shinya's a hard person to put in character in the first place, because most of the time he seems so...stoic. At least to me. Comments and constructive criticism are always nice.
----Kyo----
They never stop fussing, do they? It's pretty funny actually, but in a weird way. (How else are things funny?)
Toshiya couldn't seem to make himself go home, despite Shinya's assurances that he'd take care of me. God, the second I'd gotten home Toshiya had been there waiting outside. I'd been really happy to see him, so that when he'd glomped me I hugged him back. I felt like I was going to cry.
Toshiya kept glancing periodically at my arms, which were swabbed in bandages and covered up by a long-sleeved t-shirt. I knew it made him uncomfortable, but finally I couldn't take it anymore and decided to broach the subject.
"Shinya, could I please speak to Toshiya alone?" I asked, watching him carefully. For an instant he looked like he'd refuse, but in the end he ended up saying, "Oh sure. I'll be in the kitchen if you need me." Then Shinya quietly excused himself.
"Toshiya, I'm sorry," I said once Shinya was gone.
Toshiya looked up, startled. "Why are you sorry? I'm the one who should be apologizing. I'm a home-wrecker. I'm the one who flirted with Kaoru at lives...and on other occasions." Not surprisingly there wre tears in his eyes.
"Yeah, but Toshiya, you flirt with everybody." I meant the words to be comforting, but instead Totchi started to cry slow, silent crocodile tears. "I know," he said in a sad voice, "And look what happened because of it! I--I just meant for it to be a joke! I thought Kaoru understood!" At this Totchi started bawling out loud.
Man, why me? Why does everybody cry around me? Just my luck... Finally I rose from my seat and sat down on the arm of the chair, next to Toshiya. Rubbing circles on his back with the palm of my hand, I began explaining to him my thoughts on the situation.
"Hara Toshimasa, listen to me. I don't care about the break-up. Well, I do, but not as much as I did. It was no one's fault. Things like that are bound to happen sooner or later. Don't cry, Toshiya. Don't cry. It's not your fault."
Totchi's sobs were quieting down into sniffles. As a condolance, I kissed him on the back of the head. Toshiya looked up with puffy, red eyes. "You mean it, Kyo?"
"Of course," I said reassuringly.
"Thank you!" He cried and flung his arms around my waist. While I was busy hugging him back he said, "I'm sorry you tried to kill yourself," against the fabric of my shirt.
"Toshiya, I was totally drunk off my ass. I didn't even realize what I was doing," I pointed out while rolling my eyes. Sometimes Toshiya could be so overdramatic. He let go of me, and I let him pull away. I could see him puling himself together, drawing up from that well of strength he hid so well.
"Well Kyo, I'd better get home. I'll stop by again tomorrow, okay?" He asked, standing up and brushing himself off.
"Okay," I answered and nodded. Toshiya smiled at me and walked to the door, putting on his shoes. "Bye Shinya!" He called out as he was opening the door.
"Bye!" Could be heard from the kitchen as simultaneously Toshiya yelped. He stared hard at Die, who stood poised with a sheepish smile on his face and his hand in the air on the other side of the door. "Die-kun!" Toshiya cried while pouting, "Why'd you hit me?" He rubbed his forehead where Die's knuckles had rapped.
Die laughed, sounding embarrassed. "Sorry, Totchi. I was knocking when you opened the door."
"I figured," Toshiya said dryly, "Normally I'd stay behind and kick you butt, but I've got to get home." The two shared a smile that said they both knew Toshiya would never stay behind to attempt to kick Die's butt. Keyword: attempt. Toshiya brushed past Die and walked off, leaving the door open in invitation. Die took that invitation and stepped in, removing his shoes at the door.
"Hey, Kyo!" Die greeted enthusiastically, "How're you feeling?"
"Hey, Die," I replied sounding quite sober, "I'm fine. You?"
The guitarist smiled. "You know me. I'm good. I've been working on this new song. I'll play it for you next time I come. Maybe you can write some lyrics?" I smiled at him, because now was my chance to use some of those great lines which had been buzzing in my head since I'd recovered from unconsciousness. "Sure, Die, I'd be glad to."
Die nodded and glanced down at my arm, seeming about to say something. He must've changed his mind, but next thing I knew he was plopping himself down on the couch.
"Kyo, I'm making dinner!" Shinya called from the kitchen, "It'll be done in twenty minutes!"
"Okay!" I called back, happy that someone was going to feed me today.
"Shinya's here?" Die asked, then answered his own question. "Oh duh. His shoes are right by the door. Well, I'd better go say hi, ne?" Die grinned and I knew his mind was coming up with more 'Little Ways to Annoy Shinya.' I swear, he should write a book called that. I bet the fans would go crazy over it.
Die got up and walked in the kitchen, leaving me alone with...well, me. Finally. I'd been waiting all day! Reaching into my jacket pocket, I slowly brought out a white envelope, slightly crumpled from being crammed in my pocket. Little red and yellow flowers bordered it, indicating time and care. In the middle of the envelope was my name printed in black ink.
---Flashback---
Shinya came back in the room as the nurse was leaving. He smiled when he came in and stood next to the bed. "I called everyone, including your family. They said they'll come for a visit on the weekend. They were really happy you're okay."
"Okay," I answered, nodding while mentally going through the places they could stay. Not in my apartment, that's for sure. Too tiny. Just then the doctor knocked on the door and came in. "Mr. Niimura, so nice to see you awake. How are you feeling?"
"Fine," I replied. Physically, at least. I wasn't really up to some self-analyzation to see if I was mentally and emotionally intact.
The doctor looked to be in his late forties, early fifties. He was tall, but then who isn't compared to me? There was also a bit of a beer belly portruding from his shirt. He must've eaten too much American food. That stuff can wreak havoc on your body.
"Great. I'll just double-check that, and if everything's okay you can sign the release forms." He did his vital-checking-thing and gasp, I was okay to go. I think he was a bit disappointed. Sadistic medical professionals.
"Hm," the doctor said as I was signing the release form, "You must have an admirer, Mr. Niimura."
"Huh?" I looked at my bedside table, where he was looking, and on it was an envelope. The very envelope I hold now.
'Must be a fanletter,' I thought distractedly. Later, as I was about to leave, I took it and shoved it in the pocket of my coat. It would be extremely rude just to leave it there.
--End Flashback--
Abruptly, I ripped the envelope open, wanting to get it over with. Out came a piece of stationary with the same pattern as the envelope. I unfolded it and began reading the letter.
Dear Kyo,
I hope you don't mind me leaving this, but I just wanted to say 'hey' without actually saying 'hey.' Well you made it back safe and sound. To the 'real world,' I mean. Congratulations, my charge. You have made me very proud. Enclosed is a small trinket to serve as a reminder that I will always be watching over you to guide and protect. (Although I am told that you can now buy such trinkets at your local pharmacy.) It is paltry, I'm sure, compared to some of the other things you own, but...oh well. It is from me, so I hope that will give it some value.
Sincerely,
Cassiel
Sure enough, at the botttom of the envelope there was a small necklace. It was very simple compared to other things I had seen (and owned), but then its simplicity made it seem more elegant than anything I could've bought in a store. There was a winged silver dragon, whose body wrapped around a round piece of amethyst. It was tied onto a simple cord of black leather, the soft kind you use for crafts. Not the crap you make jackets out of.
I think I was in shock then. Cassiel-- the angel from my dream-- had been on earth. So then was she really an angel? Angels couldn't leave Heaven, right? So then, she was real? I thought back to when the envelope could have been placed in the room without my noticing it...There wasn't any possible way. Unless the nurse...but, the nurse hadn't looked like Cassiel at all. A friend, maybe? Who knew.
I could hear a crash in the kitchen, and then the name 'Die' was shrieked out. The said man came running out of the kitchen with a grin on his face. "Bye, Kyo! See you tomorrow!" He called as he ran out the door with his shoes in his hands.
Just then, Shinya came rushing out of the kitchen with a skillet brandished as a weapon. "DAIIIIISUUUUKEEEE!!" The war cry rang out and Shinya charged out of the door and down the hall.
I couldn't help myself. It was too funny! I sat there laughing until tears ran down my face and I was near hyperventilating. When Shinya came back I was gasping for air while still laughing. He set down his skillet on the couch and huffed, then sighed a moment later.
"Well Kyo, I'm going for take-out. Any preferences?"
"There's---" I began gasping out, "A Chinese place--- down the road." Then I collapsed into a fit of giggles while pointing at the Tef-lon Skillet of Might and Revenge, as I had suddenly dubbed it. Shinya shook his head and left the apato, keys hangling in his hand.
Slowly I sobered up, realizing that what was the opint of laughing by yourself? There was no one to share the joke with. All throughout the apartment was quiet and peaceful and sort of...lulling.
I slipped the charm Cassiel had sent me over my neck and felt as though it had always been there. My eyes started to close in the stillness and my body slumped down in the seat. So quiet...so calm...
*BANG*
I fell out of the chair with a yelp and landed on the floor. Someone was shooting a gun! Then I realized what my mind had though of as a gunshot was really just someone knocking rather loudly. I picked myself up off the floor with every ounce of dignity I had.
The knock sounded again and I rested my ear against the door, calling out, "Who's there?"
"It's me." I looked outside the peephole and sure enough, it was 'me.' Okay, so it was Kaoru, same difference. I wondered how I was supposed to act briefly, then thought 'screw it.'
I opened the door and let him in. I noticed he was holding a small potted plant in his hand and smiled at the very familiar and welcome gesture. *
"Hey, Kaoru, come on in." There was a time when he would've had a key of his own and just let himself in. Hesitantly, Kaoru took his shoes off and let me play the good not little host. When both of us were situated in the living room with cups of coffee did I get to the point.
"So what's up?" I asked very casually.
"Oh well...you know, I thought I'd stop by and um...visit. Since you're home now, you know." Kaoru managed to stammer out.
"Uh-huh." I managed to make that sound very skeptical.
Kaoru blew out his breath sharply and lit a cigarette. "That wasn't what I mean to say." I knew that. He'd probably had this whole scenario played out in his mind before-hand, but completely forgotten what he'd planned to say the instant I opened the door. "Let me start again. Kyo, I'm sorry."
"For what? Breaking up with me?" A nod was the response. "Kaoru, it had to be done sooner or later. I just handled it badly, that's all. The end," I said in exasperation.
Kaoru looked up at me, blowing a line of smoke from his mouth. "You don't blame me?" I shook my head no slowly, just to make sure he got the message. "Thanks, Kyo," Kaoru said with a small relieved smile.
"I'm still a little hurt, but I'll get over it," I explained, "It was good while it lasted though."
"Yeah..." Kaoru looked off, "Yeah it was."
I guess we both sort of lost ourselves in reverie because the next thing I knew, we were talking about all the 'good times.'
"Remember when we went to visit Yoshiki and ended up playing hookie at Disneyland?" Kaoru asked.
"Oh my God, that was so much fun," I frowned, "Except for the part where I got mauled by Mickey Mouse."
Kaoru laughed, his whole face lighting up with the effect of it, "You looked so cute in your mouse hat with that 'omae o korosu' expression on your face."
Gradually we ended up scooting closer together, talking and laughing. When his hand came around mine to twine fingers, I didn't mind. In fact it felt quite...natural.
Then the door opened and closed.
---Shinya---
I stepped into the apartment with a paper bag full of warm Chinese food, only to find Kaoru on the couch with my Kyo. The two of them looked rather... cozy.
"Oh, hello Kaoru. I didn't see your car downstairs."
Be cool, be calm, stay collected.
"Hey, Shinya. I took a cab here actually," Kaoru answered with a small smile of greeting.
"Oh well then, that would explain it," I replied with a tight, little smile. It was the best I could do at the time. Kyo's finers curled around Kaoru's hand, flexing slightly. How dare he touch Kyo?
"Yeah..." Kaoru trailed off. He seemed to sense the tension radiating off of me, and Kyo hadn't even moved yet.
"Well I got dinner, Kyo. Sorry Kaoru, I would've gotten more, but I didn't know you were coming."
Get out, get out, get out.
"Oh that's okay. I should be going anyway," Kaoru said while unclasping Kyo's hand. For a second, Kyo looked like he was about to protest, but the words faded before he found them. A first for the lyricist.
That's right. You hurt him, Kaoru. You blew your chance with him. Now he's mine, miney, mine. All mine.
Kaoru stood up and so did Kyo, like he had been pulled by invisible strings. "Well thanks for stopping by, Kaoru," Kyo said as he walked Kaoru to the door.
I thought those strings had been cut. I guess I was wrong.
Kaoru slipped on ihs shoes and said goodbye, but I could hardly hear over the rushing sound in my ears. Then he left and suddenly it was like a faucet had been turned off. I was fine.
"So" I asked smiling, "Ready for dinner?"
"Yeah," Kyo answered, grinning back, looking as kawaii as he always did when he smiled, "I'm starving."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AN: End chapter two!! Mwahahaha! Didn't I tell you I had a hard time doing Shinya's POV? He's so unreadable...but I wanted there to be something going on behind that facade of his. Like...jealousy. lol. And so the drama begins. Look out for chapter three.
*I read in an interview with Kyo that during that period of time where he was sick with that ear-thingy, Kaoru had come over twice to his house and each time he brought something with him. (Of course, Kyo had been talking about movies. But...that's too...not right for this situation.)
To be continued
To the next part