Glacier in Japan: Chapter 6 ~ [The Pig Pen]

Glacier in Japan

(Chapter 6)

Opening the front door as quietly as possible, Glacier let herself and Hanamichi in the house. She then ushered him quickly up to Rukawa’s room and told him to sit down. Hanamichi sat down and looked around. Everything looked the same as when he left weeks ago. Suddenly, he heard a feminine voice shouting, “Oi, Kaede! Come up here! I’m in your room!” Nervously, Hanamichi walked towards a dark corner of the room and tried to hide. It was useless, though, because he was so big. Rukawa appeared at the doorway. He looked in and was surprised when he saw a familiar silhouette in the corner. Suddenly, he was pushed from behind and he heard the door being locked behind him. He knocked on it and said evenly, “Open up, Glacier.”

*Uh-oh. He never calls me Glacier unless he’s REALLY mad.*

“No!” she called out, “You and Hanamichi will stay in there and talk. I’ll lock you in for as long as I should until you work things out. You’ll thank me later Kaede. I’m going out now. I’ll be back later to let you out.” Rukawa cursed silently when he heard the front door close. He leaned his forehead on the door and waited.

~*~*~*~

Glacier had no idea where to go. She had grabbed a basketball on the way out but she wasn’t really a basketball player. Heck, most of the time, she was even afraid to get hit with the ball. Then she remembered the basketball court where she and Kaede usually played before. Smiling, she made her way towards it.

~*~*~*~

Hanamichi looked longingly at the figure at the door. He studied Rukawa’s back and noted that the muscles there were tense. Slowly, he approached Rukawa and wrapped his arms around his waist. Hanamichi rested his cheek on Rukawa’s back. Rukawa tensed even more, if that was possible, and slowly stood up straight, not returning the embrace but not pulling away either. Then he heard a whispered plea, “Kaede, why?”

~*~*~*~

Glacier stood behind the free throw line and dribbled the ball absently. She wasn’t concentrating on her shooting and was instead thinking of what could be happening in Kaede’s room.

*What if nothing happens? What if Kaede just decides to kick the door open?*

She sweatdropped when she realized that a flimsy wooden door was no match for an angry Rukawa Kaede. She hoped that the idea wouldn’t cross Kaede’s mind. “Are you just going to stand there and dribble all night?” a voice called laughingly behind her.

~*~*~*~

“Why?! You dare to ask me why?!” Rukawa spat out bitterly, pulling away from the redhead. He walked around the dejected figure and sat down on his bed. He ran his hand through his hair and refused to look at the figure by the door. Hanamichi turned toward him and, hurt, said, “Kaede, I really don’t know why you’re acting like this. Ever since my mom came back you started acting strangely.”

“Don’t lie to me! I saw you! I saw you with HIM! Why? Why him? If it had been anyone else I would have forgiven you, but him? You know how I feel about him.” Rukawa was now screaming hysterically. Hanamichi was taken aback. This was the most passionate response he had ever had from the kitsune. “Hi- Him? Who, Kaede?” Hanamichi stammered.

“Don’t act so innocent! I saw you with him! You were having such a fun time too, weren’t you?” Rukawa shouted, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “You know who I’m talking about. Sendoh Akira from Ryonan.” Hearing this, a look of disbelief appeared on Hanamichi’s face. Rukawa looked at him angrily, expecting him to either deny or admit it and ask for forgiveness. Rukawa steeled himself; he would never forgive Hanamichi for going with that Ryonan clown. He was caught completely off-guard when, instead of groveling and asking for forgiveness, Hanamichi dropped to the floor and started …. laughing???

Chapter 5

Chapter 7