Video Boy Tasuki

Disclaimer: All right, as everyone knows, Tasuki doesn’t belong to me, and if I went around claiming he did, the DTFC would either murder me (seeing as I’m an Amiboshi fan and that would be sooo unfair) or lock me up in the looney bin for saying I was the great goddess Watase Yuu. That’s right, Tasuki belongs to her, not me, and a bunch of other cooperations I don’t feel like typing. Onigai! Don’t sue me! I love my okane and don’t want to part with it!! Okay, I’m done.

Author’s Note: This is a birthday fic for the lovely Sarah (note: I will change this when I post it, that is, if I have your permission to post it), and she’ll know who Serai is, so we’ll keep it at that. A bunch of us were just talking one day about how identical Sarah and Yoda (from Video-Girl Ai)’s VCR’s were, and I got the idea for her b-day fic. I hope I’m not copying too much. Well, enjoy the fic and...HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARAH!!!


Serai walked quietly down the street, her hands shoved in her pockets of her long coat. She was deep in thought and barely noticed the people walking around her. With a glance at the dimming sky, she sighed heavily. Oh, Time1, she thought wistfully, her heart pounding a little faster as his face flashed in her mind. Shaking her head, she kept walking, scolding herself for thinking of him.
It just didn’t seem fair. She hated being mushy about a guy. It would only cause her hurt again. She’d never intended to get another crush on a guy, but here it was, and he was so...oh, it made her swoon just thinking of him. He was simply a friend, though. That was all. She figured it would always be that way.
Now, as she walked home from school, she passed a store that caught her attention. She’d never seen it before, and bright colors decorated the windows and painted on name: Fukaki Na Video Store. Strangely, she felt drawn to it and walked inside.
It looked like just an ordinary video store to Serai, filled with rows and rows of videos. She slowly walked down one isle and nearly jumped out of her skin as a video seemed to jump off the shelf and fell to the floor. She stared at the rectangular box for a long time, startled out of her wits, then slowly walked to it, knelt down and picked it up, reading the title.
Fushigi Yuugi.
Serai looked around at the rest of the videos around her, her brows furrowed in confusion. Then she looked back at the video. She’d never heard of it. Well, I’ll be home alone tonight and I’ll be bored, she thought, might be nice to have something new to watch.

She held the video in one hand and walked to the counter,
leaning over it as she waited for a clerk. Suddenly, a funny looking old man popped up and greeted her with a smile.
“Kon bon wa, musume2 ,” he greeted her cheerfully, “is that what you’d like to rent?”
Serai handed him the video, “Hai.”
The man eyed the video and touched his chin gently with one hand, “Must be real lonely,” he commented, looking back up at her.
“Nani?”
The man offered another cheerful smile as he rang up the video, “Must be lonely if you’re getting this video.” Serai eyed him strangely as she handed over some cash to pay for the video. He handed it back to her and smiled once more, “have a nice night.”
Serai turned to leave and called over her shoulder, “Domo.”
She walked in the twilight till she reached her house and went inside. It was dark and empty, just like she’s expected. She turned on the lights and set the video down on the couch. She looked and it and shrugged, deciding she had nothing better to do.
Her VCR hadn’t been working great lately, but as she slipped in “Fushigi Yuugi,” it seemed to work great. She pressed play and leaned back to watch it.
The first thing that came on the screen was a young man. He had a full head of soft, light orange hair that fell over his eyes a bit. His eyes were uniquely amber and he wore a black over coat with bright blue trim. In his ears he wore two dangling earring and around his neck he wore shining beads. He smiled sweetly at her, which, she decided, seemed a little uncharacteristic for him.
“Kon bon wa,” he said in a cute voice with a soft Osaka accent. He suddenly frowned, “you look sad.”
She briefly wondered what was going on, but couldn’t help herself from answering, “I am.”
He frowned more, “Doshite?”
Serai felt exceedingly dumb for talking to her TV, when this was all just part of the movie, but it made her feel a little better, “Well, there’s this boy...but I don’t think he...well, you know...”
The young man seemed to listen intently and sadly replied, “Oh, I see. Unrequited love...”
Both Serai and the movie were silent for a while, when suddenly, the man spoke up, a smile on his face, “I know! I’ll cheer you up anyway I can. Boku wa Tasuki, by the way. And I’ll stay with you for as long as it takes for you to feel better.”
Then, as suddenly as he’d said it, a bright light exploded from the TV and a long figure began slowly coming out. Serai watched wide eyed, pressed up against the couch in fear.
The figure came fully out of the TV screen, and suddenly, with another flash of light, shot out fully and fell in a heap onto the couch. Serai shrieked, scrambled to her feet, rushing to

the wall opposite from the couch and holding herself against it.
It was the boy. The boy, Tasuki, who’d been in the TV screen. He lay, passed out on her couch, static and fuses sparking around his body. Serai watched him with huge eyes till all the sparking faded away and longer after that. He did not move.
After long moments of silence and barely breathing, Serai slowly stepped towards the couch. As she was about a foot away from the boy, she very slowly reached out a hand and just barely poked him. He was real, real flesh and blood and solid. She quickly jerked her hand back and held it to her, almost afraid of touching him. His breathing was steady, and she noticed how sweet and cute he looked in a sleeping mode. She cautiously touched a hand to the light orange hair, when suddenly, it seemed to get extremely wild, and the color changed. Spreading through his thick locks was a new color, turning all the hair the color of flames. It seemed to give him a whole new look, a less innocent look, a different attitude.
His mouth fell open a little and she immediately noticed his canines were growing into long, sharp-looking fangs. What was he, she wondered shockedly, a vampire?
With all the new changes, Serai looked at him and was instantly breathless. He was the most gorgeous guy she’d ever seen. He was as handsome, even more, than many movie stars.
But where was he from? He’d come out of the TV after saying he would stay with her till she cheered up. What had he meant? Was this it?
Tasuki. He’s said his name was Tasuki.
Suddenly, his amber eyes fluttered open. He stared at the ceiling, then slowly turned his head to look at her. They stared at each other a moment, both silent and eyes wondering.
He suddenly smiled, “Konnichiwa. Are ya feelin’ any better yet?”
She noticed his accent was stronger, thicker now, a Kansai accent. She stared at him and very carefully put out her words, “Who...are...you?”
He looked at her like she was dumb and sat up, “I already told ya. Boku wa Tasuki. Oi, who’re ya, anyways?”
“Wa...watashi wa Serai,” she stammered with a shaking voice, “how...how are you here?”
He grinned, displaying the shining fangs, “I’m a video-boy. I came ta cheer ya up.”
“Cheer me up?”
“Hai. ‘Cause yer sad ‘bout that guy.”
“Oh,” she looked down, “Time.”
‘Hai, so we’re gonna get ya together with ‘im.” Tasuki went on, still grinning.
“Oh,” she flushed a little in the cheeks, “Time would never go out with me. He’s too...”
Tasuki watched her, waiting for her to finish, and when she didn’t, he grinned, “Aw, he’s gotta like ya. Yer fuckin’ suteki!”
Serai blinked, half at the compliment, half at his cussing. She looked down, blushing a little, “Oh, domo.”
“Well,” the boy with the flame hair stretched and yawned, “We should be gettin’ ta bed, doncha think?”
“Bed?” she blinked again. What...what was he implying? “Uh, sure, you can sleep in the guest room.”
“Oh,” he seemed a little disappointed, “well, okay, then.”
Serai led him down to the guest room and began to leave, “Well, oyasumi.”
“Oyasumi nasai,” he called softly to her back, “try ta feel better.”
She glanced back and forced a smile before leaving. Serai started up the stairs to her room and collapsed on her bed. What a day. So, this boy, Tasuki, was here to help her get together with Time? He’d said he was a video-boy, whatever the hell that was. And he’d said he’d stay with her as long as it took for her to cheer up. Good thing her parents were on a business trip, she thought wryly. They wouldn’t be too thrilled with a handsome boy living in the guest room, staying there to “cheer” her up.
So, he was here to help her get together with Time. She sighed, staring off abstractly. Fat chance, she thought. but it made her sad and before she could stop them, tears rolled down her cheeks and she began to cry softly.
Suddenly, she was startled as she felt Tasuki lie down behind her and wrap his arms around her. She gasped, breathing shortly for a moment, until he said, “Shhh. Don’t cry.”
She calmed a little, comforted slightly. He was warm and strong. She fell asleep in his arms.


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


Serai slipped on her coat and tossed her backpack over her shoulder as she headed to the door.She was stopped by a voice.
“Where are ya goin’?”
She whirled around at the front door to see Tasuki standing at the top of the stairs, staring down at her. She’d crawled from his arms early that morning and left him sleeping.
“Uh, to school,” she replied, pushing some light brown hair behind her ear.
“School?” Tasuki asked, confused. He thought a moment, then replied, “can I come?”
Serai pushed forward a laugh, “Uh, iie, I don’t think so. You’ve never been to school before, have you?”
Tasuki shook his head.
She smiled,”Well, that covers it: iie.”
Tasuki frowned whinily and sighed, coming down the stairs, “Aw, Serai, c’mon. I’ll be bored here all day.”
Serai gazed at him, “But, atashi... atashi...” she could find no excuses for him and sighed frustratedly, “oh fine. But you’d better be good.”
Tasuki grinned crookedly, “Oh, hai, sure. Kakkoii! Heh, heh, this’ll be great.”
He began to push past her out the door, and she eyed his clothing, “Uh, Tasuki?” he turned as she looked him up and down, “are you planning to wear that to school?”
The flame haired boy looked down at his outfit. It was a long, black velvet over coat with blue trim over a white shirt and beige pants that tucked into his huge think black boots that went up to his knees. He still wore his jewelry.
“What’s wrong with it?” he asked, almost defensively.
“Well,” she crossed her arms and frowned sympathetically at him, “it’s not really...like the clothes we wear.”
Tasuki narrowed his eyes and shot out, “Nani yutenen!”
Serai sighed, leading him out the door, “Fine, whatever, I don’t care.”
They walked to the bus stop and just barely caught the bus. There, Serai’s classmates looked oddly at Tasuki, but most of the girls looked like they’d fallen in love upon seeing him. Serai remembered that he was, in fact, extremely good looking, but felt a little jealous as the girls on her bus leaned over to talk and meet Tasuki.
They got to the school, and Serai took the liberty of telling all her teachers she’d have a visitor with her today before class actually started. More strange looks and flirtatious looks arose as Serai carted him around the school. Tasuki stared amazedly at all the people and the huge brick building. It was clear he’d never been somewhere like this before.
First period went fine, with a minimal of comments from idiot jocks about Tasuki’s boots and jewelry. Tasuki didn’t seem to notice, but really seemed to be interested in what the teacher was talking about. Serai would simply cast the jocks glares for the flame haired boy.
Second period came and Serai began to get nervous. Time was in this class with her. She walked in with Tasuki and tried to look like she wasn’t looking around. Time wasn’t there yet. She found two seats near the middle and Tasuki and her sat down.
Just as the bell was about to ring, Time and couple other kids walked in and slid into their seats. Time glanced at Serai, smiled and waved a little, then gave an odd look to Tasuki. Serai’s heart beat so quickly she thought the entire room would hear it and waved a little back. Tasuki watched her, then leaned over, “Nani?”
“Oh, uh,” Serai blushed heavily and inconspicuously pointed at Time. Tasuki looked in that direction, “that’s Time, that’s the guy.”
Tasuki watched Time, his expression unreadable, and he nodded slowly. After a moment, he turned back around as the teacher began to speak. The class past rather quickly, Serai casting nervous glances in Time’s direction once or twice.After class was over, Time headed over to her and Tasuki, “Hey, Serai, how’s it goin?’”
Serai’s heart beat faster and she smiled, “Oh, pretty good. What about you?”
Time nodded, “Oh, pretty good,” he cast a look at Tasuki, who stood by her side, but said nothing.Serai was quiet, then realized Time wanted her to introduce him, “oh! Oh, Time, this is Tasuki. Tasuki, this is Time.”
Time smiled and nodded to Tasuki, “Konnichiwa.”
Tasuki eyed him without a smile, “Konnichiwa.”
The three stood around, then Tasuki spoke suddenly, “Well, we should get goin,’ ne, Serai?”
“Huh, oh yeah,” Serai stopped staring at Time and looked back to Tasuki, “hai, sure, ekai masu.”
Tasuki nodded once at Time before turning, “Jya.”
Serai smiled warmly once more at Time before turning, “Ja ne.”
As Tasuki herded her away, she looked at him expectantly, and he shrugged, looking less than thrilled, “I didn’t really like ‘im.”
Serai was a little surprised, “You didn’t? But...you hardly talked to him!”
“Exactly. If I liked ‘im, I would’ve talked ta ‘im more.” Tasuki said indifferently, yawning a bit as they walked to Serai’s third period, “don’t see why ya like ‘im.”
Serai stopped and glowered a little. As Tasuki stopped to gaze at her confusedly, she snapped, “I thought you were here to help me, to cheer me up, to get me together with him! You’re not doing a very good job, and you’re just making me madder!”
Tasuki bit his lip with one of his sharp canines and barely avoided drawing blood, “Aw jeez, yer gonna be like this, aren’t ya?”
“What, be mad that you’re being a hypocrite?” she glared.
Tasuki sighed, muttering an explicative under his breath, “Fine, whatever. I’ll get ya together with the jerk.”
With that, he began walking again and she caught up to him, “What exactly don’t you like about him?” she asked suspiously.
He shrugged, frowning.
Serai stopped again and crossed her arms over her chest smuggly, “That’s it. You’re jealous, aren’t you?”
Tasuki stopped and looked around to glare at her. He strode back, a scowl on his face and cried, “Jealous? Of him?” he let out a harsh laugh, “yeah right.” he stopped laughing to glare at her, and put out his words punctually, “video-boys don’t fall in love. Especially with little twerps like you.”
The words stung Serai and she felt rage and hurt boil up. Holding back the tears, she narrowed her eyes and spat out, “I don’t see why you’re here at all. If anyone’s a jerk, it’s you! And if you’re gonna stand around insulting me all day instead of cheering me up, you can just walk home! I don’t want you here!”
The last sentence was exclaimed and a couple heads turned. Tasuki felt punched by the words, but scowled at her, “Fine. I don’t have to stay here.”
With that, he turned swiftly and stalked away towards the main entrance. Serai watched him go, feeling awful and hurt and almost ready to shout for him to come back, but the bell rang, and she shook her head, hurrying off to third period.


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


Serai pushed past the sea of teenagers on her way to the front entrance. She’d had a rotten enough day without having to deal with a bunch of idiot high schoolers. She got outside and was about to head to her bus, when something caught her eye.
Sitting out on the front steps of the school, not too far from her, she saw Tasuki. Well, she saw the orange hair first, and immediately knew it was Tasuki. She briefly wondered what he was doing, just sitting there, and after a moment of watching him, she slowly headed over till she was standing right next to him. He looked up at her, his face rather solemn.
“Hey,” she said, not smiling.
“Hey,” he replied back.
“What are you still doing here?” she asked, nudging her foot at the pavement, “I thought you said you didn’t have to stay here.”
“I don’t,” he said softly, “but, I’m here till the tape runs out. And,” he looked a little embarrassed, “I didn’t know the way back ta yer house.”
She almost laughed at how cute this was, and sat next to him. Suddenly, she realized something about his sentence, “Tape runs out?”
“Hai,” he looked out at the sky, resting his chin on his knuckles, “that tape ya rented, it’s my tape. When it runs out, I’m goin’ back. So, I have till then to fix ya up with that guy.”
She smiled softly, “Thought you said he was jerk.”
Tasuki raised an eyebrow, “He is. But if ya like ‘im, ya like ‘im and that’s yer own choice.”
There was a silence between them, and Tasuki sighed, looking down, then over at her, “Serai, gomen nasai, for what I said ta ya earlier. I didn’t mean it. Yer a nice girl.”
Serai smiled, her heart warming a little, “Arigato. You’re a nice guy too,” she smiled up at him and gently placed her hand over his, stroking his soft hand with her fingers. He stared at her, his eyes a little wondering and surprised. Her heart beat rapidly, and she was confused at why, but smiled at him, and her heart beat even faster as he smiled back.
The rest of the kids had cleared out and only a few lingered, they were unnoticed.
Tasuki breathed nervously and suddenly took her hand, holding it warmly and leaned forward a little, “Serai--”
“Hey, what are you guys still doing here?”
Both Serai and Tasuki jerked their heads up to see Time standing in front of them, smiling faintly, his hands shoved into the pockets of his coat.
Tasuki immediately dropped Serai’s hand and back away a little, both of them realizing how close they’d been.Time’s smile faded and he looked cautiously at both of them, “Was I interrupting something...?”
“No, of course not!” Serai said quickly, forcing a smile, her heart rate speeding up again, this time for Time.Tasuki glanced quickly in her direction, a trance of hurt in his eyes that was unnoticed.
“Oh,” Time seemed to brighten up, “so, what are you guys doing here?” he repeated.
“Oh, we’re just hanging around...” Serai realized how bad this all must look. She inwardly clenched her teeth in frustration. The way this looks, Time must think Tasuki and I are going out!
Time nodded slowly, “Honto...” there was a silence between the three of them, when suddenly, Time turned his gaze back on Serai, “anyways, the reason I’m here was to find you.”
Serai’s eyes grew a little wide and the butterflies in her stomach surfaced. Time...was looking for...her? A happiness washed over her, but she forced herself not to start grinning right then and there, “Me?”
“Hai,” Time went on, “I need to get a birthday present for my mom and I wanted a girl to come and help me pick something out. And I figured, ‘hey, Serai’s gotta be good at that!’ and came to find you. So, do you wanna go help me look and maybe we can get something to eat if we get hungry?”
Serai felt like she was going to faint. This was exactly what she’d wanted for so long! She was going to have a...sort of date with Time! Oh joy of joys! She seemed to hear the angels sing the Hallelujah chorus in the background and could swear she saw a couple little pink bunnies.
“Hai! I’d love to!” she cried, almost a little too eagerly. She stood up quickly, and a flash of orange hair caught her eye. She looked down and saw Tasuki gazing up at her, his expression a bit unreadable.
“Oh,” she stopped, immediately feeling like dirt. What about Tasuki? What would he do? “do...do you mind, Tasuki?”
The flame haired boy looked at her, and swallowed largely. “Of course not,” he lied, “go ahead, and I’ll see you back at your house.” every word felt like a knife in his heart. Doshite? he wondered wildly, doshite? Video-boys do not fall in love. Besides, I’m suppose to be helping her getting together with this Time. This was it.
Serai smiled, feeling a little relieved, “Honto?” she asked softly, “then I can just go, and meet you at the house? ‘kay?”
Tasuki stood and smiled, “Hai. Have a good time.”
Serai nearly beamed. He was actually a pretty nice guy, now that she thought about it. He was doing his duty. “Well, all right then,” she turned to leave with Time, “ja ne!”
She began to walk away with Time when Tasuki’s voice stopped her.
“Serai?”
She turned.
“Can I have directions back to your house?”


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


“No, and seriously, there is a dick on the front of the Little Mermaid box!”
Serai laughed, “That’s just disgusting! Disney people are so perverted.”
Time laughed and nodded, “No kidding. That movies filled with stuff like that.”
“Oh, like the priest?”
“Hai, that.”
They looked at each other and smiled. Time ran a hand through his dark hair and smiled, “Ya know, Serai, it’s pretty cool hanging out with you.”
Serai blushed and smiled, “Domo. It’s fun hanging out with you too,” she looked over at the bag Time was carrying, “gomen, that I wasn’t much help in getting you’re mom a gift.”
Time shrugged, “I’m sure she’ll love these pot holders.”
Serai chuckled, “Hai.”
They reached Serai’s house and stopped in front of the door.
“Well, thanks for coming along. It was a lot of fun,” Time said, smiling the smile at her that made her swoon.
“Yeah, thanks for asking me to come,” she said, feeling faint all over, “I had a lot of fun too.”
“Listen,” he said, brushing a lock of hair out of his face in his oh-so-cute way, “tomorrow, you wanna go see a movie or something?”
“Hai!” she cried anxiously, then blushed embarrassedly.
“Yeah, and that guy, Taska or whatever--”
“Tasuki?”
“Hai, anyway, he can come too, if he’s your boyfriend or something...”
Serai’s eyes widened, “Oh, no!” she exclaimed horrifiedly, “he’s not my boyfriend. He’s my...cousin...hai, that’s why he’s staying at our house and coming to school with me. He’ll only be here a couple more days or something...” Serai realized she had no idea how long till the tape ran out.
“Cousin, huh?” Time nodded almost unsurely, “he doesn’t look much like you.”
Serai forced a nervous laugh, “Uh, hai, he gets it from...the other side of the family...”
Time seemed to think about this for while, then nodded, “Okay, then. Well, I’ll see you tomorrow after school then?”
“Yeah, ja ne,” she smiled, heading to the door. He walked away, calling, “ja ne,” over his shoulder.
Serai sighed heavily before heading into the house. Oh what a perfect day! she thought happily, floating on air as she went into the house.
Tasuki wasn’t in the living room when she came in. She went downstairs curiously to see him sitting on the bed in the guest room, cross legged, reading a book. He didn’t notice as she came in. She leaned against the door frame and smiled, “What are you reading?”
He jumped a little, jerking his head up, his eyes startled. When he saw it was her, he relaxed a little and held up the book, “Oh, I dunno. I just picked it up from yer room. Says it’s called, ‘Hitchhiker’s Guide ta the Galaxy.’”
Serai laughed, coming in, “Oh, that one’s great. How far are you?”
“Oh, the Volgan’s are readin’ their poetry.” he told her. Serai laughed again. “So,” Tasuki put down the book and looked at her seriously, “how’d yer date go?”
Serai flushed in the cheeks, “It wasn’t really a date. But it was a lot of fun.”
Tasuki nodded slowly, then picked up the book and began silently reading again. Serai sensed he didn’t like the whole idea of this, and came and sat down next to him, “Tasuki, daijabu? You seem...” she searched for a good word, “...upset.”
The boy looked at her and laughed boisterously, “Upset? Me? ‘Bout what?”
Serai shrugged, “I don’t know. You tell me.”
He tossed his flame colored hair back a little, “I’m not upset. I think it’s perfectly fine that ya go out with the jerk.”
She understood and looked down, “Oh. What is it you don’t like about him?”
Tasuki shot her a look, “I just don’t! Do I hafta explain?”
Serai looked at him quietly, “Iie. I just don’t want you upset with me.”
Tasuki’s eyes softened and he sighed, “I’m not upset with ya, Serai. I just...I don’t wantcha ta get hurt by ‘im.”
She smiled softly and patted his hand, “I won’t. It’s okay. But it’s really sweet that you care.”
“Well,” he took her hand again and entwined her fingers with his, “yer a nice girl. One of the nicest I’ve met. I...I do care about ya...”
He looked into her bright blue eyes and felt lost. When was the last time he’d felt this way about someone? He couldn’t remember. He slowly leaned towards her.
Serai gazed at him, her heart pounding like it had before. This is crazy! she cried in her head, I can’t have feelings for Tasuki! I love Time! Tasuki slowly leaned towards her, clutching her hand gently.
Tasuki’d closed his eyes and his lips were almost and inch away from Serai’s, when she suddenly jerked her hand away and pushed herself back. She laughed nervously, “Well, I’m gonna go start cooking dinner, okay? You’re probably hungry.”
She got up from the bed and began away, when Tasuki grabbed her wrist, “Serai! I want to tell you--”
“Hey, guess what?” Serai cut in, her voice shaking, “Time asked me to go to the movies with him tomorrow! Isn’t that great?”
That did the trick and Tasuki let go of her. He stared up at her, his eyes lined with pain.
She went on, feeling more at ease with him not touching her, “It’s odd, really, he never asked me to do anything before you showed up. I guess you really are getting us together.” she smiled, “domo, Tasuki. You’re stay really has cheered me up,” she leaned forward and kissed his cheek before heading upstairs.
Tasuki watched her go, and closed his eyes painfully, holding his cheek where her lips had touched. It hurt so much he felt he was going to cry. But he didn’t. He fell back against the bed.
Serai closed the guest room door behind her and held herself against it. Breathing heavy, she felt her heart pounding fast in her chest. In there, feeling Tasuki so close to her, she’d realized how strong her feelings were for Tasuki. But they’d scared her so much, so much she’d had to get away. It wasn’t right. It just wasn’t, when she was in love with Time. But what would happen when he went back, when the tape ran out? Would she ever be able to go on without him there?

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

Tasuki yawned and stared up at the ceiling. Serai never had made dinner. She’d gone upstairs and never come back down, and now it was night time. He was hungry.
He got up, stretching a little and heading upstairs to the kitchen. He was about it enter it when he looked in the direction of Serai’s room. With a longing look, he stared for a long time. Finally, he slowly walked down the hall and into her room.
She was in her bed, fast asleep, looking peaceful and beautiful. He sighed silently, wishing he could have kissed her, just once. Slowly, we walked to her bed and knelt down in front of her. With a gentle hand, he brushed some light brown hair from her soft cheek and held her face with his warm hand. Lightly, he leaned down and whispered softly to her, “Aishteru,” before laying his lips atop of her. She stirred quietly and he brushed his lips against hers once more before lifting his head and smiling at her beautiful face. Saying “aishteru” had startled him, but he knew in his heart it was true. He doubted he could ever say it to her while she was awake, and got to his feet, sighing once more before leaving her room.


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


The lights in the theater came on and all the crowds of people got up from their seats and began to leave.
Serai and Time stood up, both smiling at each other, “That was a cool movie,” he said, nodding.
Serai agreed and they began to leave. Time’d driven them there and they got in his car to leave.
They both both a bit quiet on the way home, till Time turned to Serai and said, “Hey, did I ever tell you who I’m in love with?”
Serai’s heart nearly stopped. What if...what if it was her? What if it was someone else? She controlled her breathing and replied, “No, I don’t think you ever have.”
Time nodded and turned to face in front of him again, “Do you want to know?”
Serai shrugged, feeling more nervous than she’d ever been before, “Hai, why not.”
“And you swear never to tell anyone?”
“Hai.”
“Well,” Time bit his lip, smiling a bit, “it’s Misako.”
The whole world seemed to crash down around Serai. Misako was just a girl in some of their classes that Serai was pretty good friends with. The statement that Time loved Misako felt like a knife stabbing into her heart and she forgot to breath, staring out the windshield with wide eyes. It began to rain.
“Misako...?” she said, her voice just barely above a whisper.
“Hai,” he glanced at her quickly, “I guess I feel comfortable telling you because you’re such a good friend. But, anyway, you’re pretty good friends with her, ne? Well, I was wondering, would it be terribly inconvenient to set me up with her? Do you think she even likes me?”
Serai gaze fell to her hands in her lap. So. She was just a friend. A good friend whom he could take to and set him up with her friends. Her heart felt crushed.
“Serai, daijabu?” Time glanced over at her worriedly.
“Hai...I’m just sorta tired. Can we talk about this another time?” she was surprised she could get any words out at all. Her voice was soft and empty.
“Uh...hai, that’s fine.” he said, biting his lip nervously. The car was filled with silence except for the light pitter-patter of the rain hitting the windshield. Finally, Time spoke up, “Er, gomen ne, for asking you to set us up. I didn’t mean to make it sound like I was using your friendship to get to Misako. Our friendship is really important to me, and I hope it stays that way.”
Serai was silent. They finally reached her house and she opened the door, getting out into the light rain.
“Ne, I had fun,” Time said, smiling at her, “thanks for listening to me. I’ll see ya tomorrow at school, ‘kay?”
“Jya,” Serai said, barely listening to one word he said and shutting the door. She walked up to the house and entered the front door.
Tasuki was sitting on the couch watching TV when she came up the stairs. When he saw her, he clicked off the TV and got up, “Serai! What’s wrong?”
She gazed at him with lifeless eyes and said in a quiet voice, “It’s over. You don’t have to help us get together anymore.”
She began off to her room, but he caught up with her and caught her arm gently, “Serai, nani? What is it?”
She avoided his eyes, “Nanimo. Time...Time loves Misako. I’m just a ‘good friend.’”
Tasuki heard the waver in her voice and saw the pain in her eyes, and it killed him. He wanted to kill Time for putting that hurt into her eyes, whether he meant to or not. He wrapped his arms around Serai and closed his eyes, laying his head against hers, “G..gomen ne, Serai, I...”
But Serai, in Tasuki’s arms, feeling so hurt and emotional, began to cry softly against his strong chest. He held her tighter, hearing her cry and felt her pain with her. He felt his love for her rise again and wanted to make her happy more than anything.
His feelings for her rose so suddenly, and he wanted her more than anything at that moment. He kissed the side of her head, her soft hair, gently, and couldn’t hold the words from coming out of his mouth, “Aishteru.”
Serai’s tear filled eyes grew huge and she pushed herself away, staring up at Tasuki shockedly. The love was expressed through that gaze and with out another word, Tasuki lowered his lips to hers. She kissed his back deeply, realizing it was Tasuki who she loved, not Time. Tasuki kissed her with all the passion he had in him, taking her into his warm embrace. She entwined her fingers in his bright hair on t he back of his neck, kissed his mouth, his cheek, the side of his mouth. Briefly, she wondered where he’d been all her life, but realized this was the perfect timing and she wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.They kissed in the living room for eternity, then Tasuki gazed at her definitely, knowing how he wanted to spend his last moments here. They never made it to the bedroom.3

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


Serai woke up wrapped in strong arms. She looked up to see Tasuki on top of her, still sleeping. They were on the couch and they were both naked. She blushed heavily, remembering last night, but kissed Tasuki gently. Oh, how she loved him. She’d known him no more than two days and she knew now that she loved him ten times as much as Time, probably more. She smiled light, thinking that, in fact, he had cheered her up.
His eyes fluttered open as she wrapped her arms around him and she smiled warmly at him, “Ohaiyo.”
He seemed surprised at first, then smiled back, “Ohaiyo.” he looked around, “is this a dream?”
Serai shook her head, “Iie. It’s real. Just you and me.”
He smiled and kissed her slowly. She kissed him back, then said softly, “Aishteru, Tasuki.”
Happiness flooded over him and he said, smiling crookedly, “It’s feels great ta hear ya say that.”
She grinned back, “What, and after last night, you would think I didn’t?”
Tasuki blushed a little and she laughed. He suddenly looked around, “Oi, isn’t it a school day?”
She looked bored, “Oh, so it is. Nani yutenen.”
He chuckled and kissed her again. They eventually got up and got into their clothes.
Tasuki put on his over coat just as Serai came up to him and touched his arm. As soon as she did, a blue spark flashed, shocking her. She jerked her hand back, “Itai!”
Tasuki worriedly tried to take her hand, but more blue sparks flashed and sizzled around him. Suddenly, his whole solid form began flashing there one second, gone the next.
“Tasuki!” Serai cried, her eyes huge, “Tasuki, daijabu? What’s going on?”
Tasuki stared at her desperately, “The tape! It ran out! I hafta go back!”
“Yada!” Serai screamed, feeling all her pain and misery coming back, “I’m not going to lose you!”
“Serai!” Tasuki cried, the instances where he was gone becoming longer, “I just want ya ta know, aisht--”
In one huge flash of light, he was gone, and all that remained were the blue sparks flashing around the spot where he’d been, and a single beaded necklace. Serai sat, staring stunnedly at the empty spot, then slowly reached forward and grasped the necklace. It smelled like him. She clung to it and cried.


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

Serai walked down the hall, her gaze abstract and unemotional. She now just didn’t care. It’d been a week since Tasuki’d gone back, and she hardly spoke to anyone. She didn’t want to go to school, but her parents had gotten home from their business trip and she couldn’t tell them why.
She walked down the hall, heading to her locker. From the distance, she could see someone leaning against it. She gritted her teeth in aggravation, thinking, damn slackers! They’re always just hanging around, not caring who’s locker they’re leaning against, till you basically have to shove them off---
She stopped in the middle of the hall, noticing orange hair. The boy standing against her locker had bright orange hair, which was very wild, and he wore a black leather jacket over a white T-shirt and jeans. Her heart nearly stopped as she recognized him.
He smirked at her and stood to walk over to her. She could only stare till she was right in front of him.
“Ne, I left somthin’ here. Can I have it back?” Tasuki smirked, touching the string of beads around her neck.
Her breath came out in short gasps and she barely got out, “How...are you here?”
Tasuki grinned, displaying the fangs once more, “Hey, I’m not a damn video-boy anymore.”
She could barely talk, “You’re...you’re here for me?”
Tasuki laughed and replied, “Oi, I have a life now! I hava family, a house, a registration for this school.” he leaned over and whispered in her ear, “baka. ‘Course I’m here for you. I said I’d cheer ya up, didn’t I?”
Serai couldn’t believe what she was hearing, “Tasuki,” she said happily, falling into his arms, “I missed you so much.”
By now, the hall had cleared out and they were the only ones in it. Tasuki smiled down at her, and tipped her chin with his thumb to look her in the eye, “By the way: when I said I left something here and I wanted it back, I wasn’t talkin’ about the fuckin’ necklace.”
He grinned once more before kissing her.


Owari












1 “Time” is, yes, a name. Pronounce it Japanese style (Ti-may). No, it’s not like, time on a clock. I couldn’t think of a better name, gomen ne.

2 All right, I was promising not to do too many footnotes in this fic, but I just can’t hold back the comments. All right, I just had to laugh at this: “musume” means young lady, but if you say “ka musume” it is a ruder way and can be translated as “bitch.” I just had this mental image of this happy old man popping up from behind the counter shouting out, “Good evening, bitch!” and burst out laughing. Gomen ne, gomen ne.

3 Gomen nasai! Gomen nasai! I know I copied this from Yoku-chan’s side of the fic (our huge one), but it is a really good line and it fits this situation really well! Again, gomen ne!