Get your own Free Home PageBy the time Tokiya arrived at the gym where the classes where conducted, it was already 8.05 am, and a crowd consisting about 20 students were already gathered there.
“Is this the martial arts class?” It was pretty obvious, but Tokiya wanted to make sure.
“Yup,” a boy answered, then looking Tokiya up and down, “but I think you’ve better changed out of that suit of yours.”
“You’re pretty cute. What’s your number?” A girl batting her eyelashes held no qualms about flirting with guys. Other shyer, but just as interested girls started giggling to each other. Then, someone finally recognized him.
“Hey, you’re Tokiya Mikagami. The dirt-rich guy from the law faculty.”
“He what?…” People started whispering to themselves. Here and there, Tokiya could catch snippets of conversations, “Best student…”, “ Ice cold… never had a girl…”, “King of law…”, “extremely popular… teacher’s pet…” and so on and so forth.
“Mikagami, I thought you were good in martial arts? How come you’re here?”
“Maybe because he wanted to check out Fuuko. She has a great figure you know, and she’s really very pretty.” Another voice cracked in. Tokiya decided to stop the nonsense.
“I’m sure many of you guys come here to gawk at Fuuko, but I did not. Fuuko is sick, and I’m standing in for her.”
“She is? How is she?” There was genuine concern in her juniors voices that Tokiya was pleased to note.
“She’s fine. But can we get started now? I want all of you to run through your drills.”
After a long, tiring and strenuous exercise, Tokiya had them gathered before him.
“I would just like to make it clear that Fuuko and mine methods of teaching are different. Okay, someone tell me what has Fuuko taught you so far?”
“Oh, just basic kicks and stuff. That’s about it. There are other instructors for different weapons. Fuuko more of training our stamina and defense.”
“That’s all? Basic moves and defense? That’s strange. Have you ever seen her fight?”
“Yes. Fuuko mainly demonstrates defense positions while parrying with an armed opponent. Sometimes, like yesterday, she teaches how to do use a kick or two to injure.”
“So you don’t know that Fuuko’s specialty is unarmed combat?”
“She is? No wonder she’s really good in defense without weapons. Mikagami, how do you know all of that? You fought with her before? What’s your weapon?”
“Fuuko and I are from the same high school. We also fought as teammates in a martial arts competition before. She is very good. And I am a master of the sword.” After clearing up that confusion, Tokiya started an intensive 2 hour training on his students, making them wish he’d never even been born. Surprisingly, Tokiya enjoyed the session.
“Tokiya, I’m so pleased that you’ve finally got over your sister.”
“Huh?!” Tokiya had just returned to his apartment after conducting Fuuko’s class, and opened the front door just as an assault was issued on him. Verbal, that is. “Aunt Yuki, what in the world are you saying?”
“Don’t be shy, my boy. I watched you grow up. You can’t keep secrets from me.”
“Aunt Yuki, please tell me properly. I really don’t understand what you’re talking about.”
“I’m talking about that poor, little, sick girlfriend of yours. Such a poor child. You haven’t been taking care of her, have you? You really don’t know how to treat a girl right, silly.”
“Fuuko?!” Tokiya was incredulous, “You think she is my girlfriend? Aunt Yuki, she is the Fuuko Kirisawa from Team Hokage that I always mention. And even if she is the last girl, no, female being, left on Earth, I wouldn’t be her boyfriend.” Tokiya came up with the time-honored and traditional hate line. Following that, Tokiya explained the entire situation right from the beginning.
“Oh, I see now. Poor child. Men are all scum. As a friend, and a man, Tokiya darling, you must take good care of Fuuko so as to prevent her from losing hope in your species.”
“Aunt Yuki, as a friend, I will do my best to take care of Fuuko. But do not expect me to go further than that. You have been taking care of me since I was a baby. You should know better. Here, I brought her some clothes.” Miyuki just shook her head at her emotionless god-son and retreated back into master bedroom.
“One more thing, Aunt Yuki,” Tokiya added as an afterthought, “Please do not call me darling, dear, honey, sweetie or whatever when Fuuko is around. Please.” Miyuki grinned as she declined to answer.
“What the… Where am I? It’s cold. What’s with the wet cloth?” Fuuko acted like a cat as she awake from her fever-induced slumber to find a damp compress on her forehead. Brushing it away, she struggled for a sitting position.
“Now, dearie, the cold will bring your fever down. I know you’re probably feeling slightly chilled right now, but it can’t be help. To me, you’re still warm and feverish.”
Fuuko’s eyes focused on a plump, matronly woman with silver streaked grayish-black hair with a concerned expression on her face, eyes filled with worry.
“You’re, you’re Mikagami’s housekeeper, Aunt Yoki, or something. I’m sorry I didn’t catch your name, I wasn’t feeling very well.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’m Miyuki Taketo, but you can call me Aunt Yuki, like Tokiya does. I’m not only his house-keeper, I was his nanny since his parents died.”
“Oh. I don’t know much about Mikagami, except he’s an orphan whose sister died protecting the ensui. Turns out that it was Mikagami’s teacher who was the murderer he felt that Mikagami could reach his fullest potential if he had a goal. And who’s very rich and smart, but is extremely hostile.
“Yes, Tokiya has been pretty much alone since his Mifuyu died. It was a great blow to him. I mean which 10 year old can watch his sister die and still live as though nothing has happened?” Then Miyuki’s mood changed, and she added with a chuckle,” But you’re right, Tokiya’s pretty cold. Even I have to admit that much.”
“The other Hokage team members used to call him Ice man behind his back you know.”
“Tokiya never mentioned much about the Hokage. But I heard lately that he has a team mate who is a tomboyish and hot tempered girl studying in the same university.”
“Really? And speak of the devil, Aunt Yuki, the grouchy tomboy’s friend is here.”
Right at that point, Tokiya sauntered into the room, and with an air of ennuyé, inquired, “Hi, Fuuko. Are you feeling better?”
“Much, actually. And as the only other female besides Yanagi and Aunt Yuki in your life, we’ve been comparing notes. So, you think I’m a tomboyish brat with a short temper?”
“Well,” Tokiya retorted coolly, “It seems like your room mate knows a lot about me. Like how prissy or high-class I am. Or…”
“At least everything that I’ve told is the truth. What you said had no substance at all.”
“Oh really? If I’ve known you would be this ungrateful, I would have left you standing in the rain all night, and then let you kill yourself in the cold.”
“Well, I most definitely didn’t call you to come fetch me, or bring me back to your house.”
“Tokiya, Fuuko is a guest, and she is sick. So mind your manners.” Miyuki interrupted.
“If Fuuko can insult me, then I don’t think that she can be that sick.” Mikagami retorted.
“Oh, so you really did change courses. Well, Doctor Mikagami, can you tell me what else am I sick with? Except the obvious, which is, you!” With that, Fuuko and Mikagami started glaring angrily at each other, willing each other to step down. For the first time that day, Fuuko felt perfectly fine and Tokiya felt something. The staring game would have gone on for eons if Miyuki had not cut in.
“Children, stop this now. Tokiya, as I’ve said, Fuuko is sick. She needs rest. I have a list of instructions I want you to carry out and I want you to boil some herbal soup for her.” “You can cook?” Fuuko was surprised.
“Yes. What so strange about that?” Mikagami frosty tone had returned.
“Nothing.” Fuuko had to stifle a giggle. She knew Mikagami was practically perfect, but she never knew he could cook. Tokiya, on the other hand, kicked himself mentally for ever getting involved with Fuuko. In fact, he had kicked himself frequently over his decision to join the Hokage. Revenge could have been done alone, and with less hassle. Fuuko was a pain who kept contradicting him, even when she was at her lowest. Females normally acted stupid, doe-eyed and drooled over him; Tokiya knew that Fuuko would rather slash her throat and be piranha feed than be a fawning admirer. ‘Well, look on the bright side. Fuuko would be a fresh change from all those bimbos with 2 digit I.Qs.’ Tokiya tried to cheer himself up. Boy was he wrong.
“Urgh!” Fuuko struggled to swallow the vile tasting soup, “What did you put in this?! Poison? Hey, if you wanted to kill me, couldn’t you at least choose a painless way?”
“If I wanted to kill my enemy, I would use the most painful means of death. Drink the whole bowl of soup. Don’t blame me Fuuko, Aunt Yuki asked me to make it.”
“Yeah, and you probably slipped in rat poison, pesticide or something like that.”
“Well, don’t tempt me, Fuuko. You’re real lucky I ran out of pesticide today.”
“Oh!” Fuuko exclaimed with mock surprise, “You ran out of pesticide. No wonder I see this giant roach standing right in front of me now. Do you think detergent might work?”
“Ah, Fuuko dear, you have just blessed me with a wonderful idea.” Tokiya played along with Fuuko’s little game, “I just hope you won’t live to regret it.”
“Fancy giving brilliant, smart and utterly perfect Tokiya Mikagami inspiration. It should me my honour instead." Tokiya was angry, but like his other emotions, was surpressed. Fuuko managed to get the last say. Tokiya just stared at the conqueror of his bed with cold, steely eyes, contempt clearly visible. ‘Fuuko’s too smart for her own good.’ At that moment, Tokiya really wished that Fuuko was a bimbo. Those, at least he could handle. Having a civil conversation was getting more and more difficult by the minute, as Fuuko got better, and her brain, more functional. Or so Tokiya thought. Fuuko, likewise, was really sick and tired of Mikagami and his little innuendoes. Recca, Domon and the other boys in her class were either too busy trying to get her phone number or just naturally polite and nice. Mikagami was different and difficult. It didn’t help that he was also very intelligent and the equal, if not better of Fuuko’s brain cells. Fuuko didn’t deny she really admired Mikagami’s calmness at a crisis, but she wished that he would loosen up a bit. He was much too icy for her. In fact, Fuuko always felt that Mikagami always brought his unique chill factor with him, with the ability to freeze a party’s mood to sub-zero.
2 days passed, and Fuuko got over her fever. She was after all a very healthy girl, and with some TLC (tender loving care) from Miyuki, was back on her feet by Tuesday. During this short period, Fuuko still managed to charm Miyuki with her bubbly ways and quick tongue. Privately, Miyuki also enjoyed the verbal debates that frequently occurred between Fuuko and Tokiya. In fact, Miyuki thought that it was good to let Tokiya vent some anger, let loose some frustration, show some, even though little, emotions. Miyuki had years of experience and knew exactly how to lay her plans…
“Tokiya, honey, you’re home.”
“Yes, Aunt Yuki. And I brought Fuuko’s class notes as you asked.”
“A little exercise would do you fine, Tokiya.”
“I run every morning and you know it, Aunt Yuki.”
“Tokiya, you know I have been raising you like my very own son, since I do not have any children. But do you know what a married woman wants most?”
“Aunt Yuki, you want something. Get to the point.” Tokiya was irked.
“A daughter to take care off. Buy her clothes, play doll with her, dress her up, match make her etc. I’ll get to the point. I want Fuuko to move in with you.”
“NO WAY!” Tokiya was so flabbergasted at his nanny’s proposal, his voice went up a few decibels and he actually jumped from the couch. “Fuuko is NOT going to move in.”
“Fuuko is really emotionally unstable now, and with her own mother away, has no one to go for advice. I’m attached to that girl and I want to take care of her.”
“Fine. Go ahead and be her housekeeper.”
“I’m your nanny Tokiya, and that always come first. But surely you won’t deny me a small favour. Besides Fuuko is your friend.”
“Fuuko isn’t a close friend. Besides, a girl and a boy living together. People might talk."
“You’re giving excuses Tokiya. Fuuko nearly died with you. If she isn’t a close friend, I don’t know what is. And you never care what others might say or gossip. Ever.”
“Aunt Yuki…” Tokiya groaned. Miyuki smiled slyly and went to break the news to Fuuko, who readily enough, though at first with a bit of reluctance, agreed to make Tokiya’s life a living hell. Miyuki knew all along that she would triumph. Sure, Tokiya might be a fantastic law student, an unbeatable fighter, but when it came to Miyuki’s manipulations, he was putty in her hands. To others, Tokiya might seem cold and emotionless, but to the woman who brought him and his sister up, he was simply a frozen child waiting to be thawed. And even frozen children needed TLC. And that was what Miyuki gave him. She knew all of Tokiya’s weak points and his fears, she had seen him through difficult times, and most of all, she knew what he was really like underneath, and loved him for that.
“Mikagami, I need to use the computer. Now.” It had been a week since Fuuko moved in, but the unspoken competition of wits between the 2 adults had never ceased. Putting 2 people of totally different character together would surely result in friction, as it did in this household. Sure, water and wind weren’t enemies like water and fire, and although both supported life, both could also take it away just as easily.
“I’m writing a paper for the Dean. He wants it by Friday, and it’s a long paper.”
“My needs are more urgent, Law-King, my paper is due tomorrow.”
“Is it ever my fault that Fuuko Kirisawa is the world’s greatest procrastinator?”
“Is it my fault then, oh distinguished herald of snails, turtle and sloths, that my professor issued the paper today?” Fuuko refused to be defeated.
“Well, I can’t say much, Ms. Issuer of Nicknames. After all, you chose the course.”
“Please, Mikagami, I need the computer urgently. Dr. Makira will kill me.” Fuuko calculated that finishing the paper took priority over insulting Mikagami.
“He has my support and best wishes. He is ridding the world of pests!”
“Mikagami, you know I enrolled into the college only by promising my work will be always on time and done well. If I don’t hand up my paper, I’ll get kicked out!”
“Really?” Tokiya went on typing, “Good. Then I can have the whole house back.”
“If you really wanted me out, you should have said so earlier!” Fuuko was deeply hurt, “I shouldn’t have stayed here anyway, at least I could use Nat’s computer.” 2 jerks had made her really upset in less that a fortnight, and Fuuko was fuming mad. Raiha had broke her heart, but Fuuko knew it was more of a mutual thing. Mikagami had insulted her, this was personal, and she really needed to cool down before blood flowed. Slamming the door as she went out, Fuuko left Tokiya to the much desired computer.
Tokiya massaged his fingers to remove the cramps. He had been working on his thesis for over an hour now, after the whirlwind had passed through. He knew he had acted like a total jerk and was annoyed at himself, but Fuuko somehow always manage to shatter his care-less demeanor and bring out the worse in him. ‘Raiha just hurt her, how could I have done the same? I am such an idiot. If I don’t apologize, Aunt Yuki will kill me. Besides, Fuuko really needs the computer. I’ve better go find her.’ Tokiya walked out of the study and searched the rooms, but he couldn’t find Fuuko. Tokiya sighed, Fuuko must have gone out. She always disappeared after a fight to, he guessed, cool down. Where, he had a vague idea, although never tested. A chilled breeze wafted through the open balcony doors, and the skies were overcast. It was going to pour again. Tokiya remembered his resolution to ask Fuuko about her mood apparently influencing the weather. Well, he had to put if off again since another fool had come along and created a sticky situation. He walked over to the doors to close it, and suddenly saw something. He frowned but closed the balcony doors, then picked up an umbrella on his way out.
“Déjà vu all over again.” Tokiya muttered to himself as he stepped out of the elevator. Fuuko was there all right, standing at the edge of the building, but there was a slight difference this time. She was holding and umbrella, and the one responsible was different. Tokiya silently walked up to Fuuko.
“What is it this time, Mikagami? I did bring an umbrella along.”
“I just wanted to say I’m sorry.”
“Accepted.” Tokiya turned his head sharply at the easily obtainable forgiveness.
“Hey look, “Fuuko answered his queries, “I may be a good quarreler but that doesn’t mean I’m a bad forgiver. Besides, I guess it was partially my fault. I just couldn’t stand your care-less attitude. I’ve been mean, and this is your house after all.
“So have I, Fuuko. I was bullied by Aunt Yuki into letting you stay.”
Apologies and explanations exchanged, both stared at the large expanse of land covered in rain, a soft gray mist enveloping the planes for miles around, till the horizon. Tokiya noticed Fuuko’s eyes were glazed, and although she was theoretically staring at the scenery, he felt her spirit had gone, he assumed, back into the past. Fuuko snapped out of her trance, and felt Tokiya eyes on her. Raising her face, she saw the question in his eyes and softly, almost regretfully, answered it for him.
“My element is wind, and my name actually means ‘Wind Child’; Raiha’s namesake was thunder. The only time wind and thunder goes together is during a storm. Raiha and I loved watching storms birthing, rising and then falling. Every time it threatened to rain, we would race to the top floor of the nearest building and admire the spectacular picture from up there. To others, a storm is violent, but to me, it is so beautiful. First annoyed, thunder rumbling, wind howling; then furious, thunder and lightning, minute after minute, rain sweeping, wind roaring; what happens next it’s my favourite time. Th thunder and lighting are slight, rain is a drizzle, wind is a moan. Just like now. A picturesque look at nature’s more dazzling wonder. It makes me so calm, so gentle, so peaceful. It’s as though it mirrors and influences my emotions. I get to vent my anger but it also dissipates after that. This way, whenever I’m angry, I cool down pretty fast.”
Tokiya had remained silent throughout Fuuko speech. “That’s why I found you here, isn’t it? Then why don’t I frequently see you from my balcony?”
“Raiha and I seldom come here anymore for our viewing. It’s just that this place holds a special place in my heart. You might think it’s a little silly, but I don’t. It’s the first place where Raiha and I watched a storm dance in the skies.” Both of them spoke no more after that, it wasn’t necessary. They both understood that the hatchet was buried. Finally,
“Fuuko, we ought to go home now. You have to work on your paper.”
“But I thought you wanted to work on yours.”
“I fully intend to, Fuuko.”
“How? Sharing would just take too long.”
“I guess I’ll just have to dig up my laptop from some where.”
“Mikagami, you mean you had a laptop all along? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“You never asked.”
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