25FOREWORD: Time…a fraction of time… a split second changes everything…the actions taken in the present strays the future…alters the path of life leading us towards our destiny…
THE UNDELETABLE PAST
CHAPTER EIGHT: Precious treasure
Running through a maze…seeking the way out; every where your foot lands is a dead end…Slammed against a sky high black wall…all drained out…yet still running in circles…over and over again. The tears that glisten in our eyes, slowly makes its way down, trailing a tired face. Exhaustion, fatigue and dehydration finally reaches its toll and the pupil turns white, darkness corners and the body shuts down…free fall into a black hole. Leaning against the wall, Aiji slumped into one of the waiting chairs and reflected her presence there…
I am missing recess…Mura sensei decided to bring forward our appointment …ruins my appetite…
"Aiji Shisano?" the secretary inquired, taking a peak at three students sitting in the waiting room.
Aiji opened her eyes slowly, "Hai." She said softly.
"Mura sensei will have you in now."
Aiji followed closely behind the plump secretary, she was quite friendly and she smiled warmly somewhat telling Aiji not to worry and that Mura sensei will not eat her up. The truth was Aiji was not at all anxious, nervous or feeling fear. This happened a few times in her ex-school and she was kind of used to it by now. Takashi was always there with her in the waiting room.
Just let them sing in your ears…he would say…
The door of the office with the name Mura Ojio pasted on it opened and she paced herself in steadily. Prepared to be facing a pair of disgusted eyes, Aiji wanted to return the stare but the teacher looked at her with twinkling eyes and Aiji was puzzled.
"Konnichiwa sensei," Aiji bowed low, showing respect and keeping the honour of her name.
"Konnichiwa Aiji san, please have a seat," Mura sensei returned the greeting.
Aiji looked around the light blue coloured room, comparing it to the dark brown walls of her ex-school office. It brought a sense of peace to her heart. Mura sensei was examining a file…
Probably my profile Aiji guessed…the little black book of my "behaviour problems" Aiji thought remembering Mura sensei's words at the hall.
"Before I proceed to your welfare, I would like to show you something. This will be our little secret…Can I have your word for it? Forever engraved in stone," Mura sensei asked seriously.
Forever engrave in stone…that's what the gang always said to keep promises.
"No," came a short reply.
"This is not a joke. Bring it to your grave, the seal will be opened," Mura sensei challenged her.
To hell with gang codes…how did she know anyway? I have sworn on blood to follow summoning codes…
Absent mindedly Aiji touched her left wrist that had a scar. A password for honour and secretion of the gang.
"This is what I wanted to show you," Mura sensei folded the long sleeve of her left arm.
A quadruple crossed mark…
Aiji looked on shocked. She only had the double crossed mark. There was a special tradition to the marks. The first time a junior meets or comes upon his senior this tradition shall be uplifted. Slowly Aiji's hand crept to the table, an involuntary action but something she had to complete. Her soul forces her to do so although the person in front of her was her sensei.
Aiji's hands formed into a fist, flexing it she felt a piercing pain on the double crossed mark scar…it took her four and a half years to obtain the double crossed rank and had the opportunity to make her juniors scream…but now it was her turn.
They both stood up in sync. Mura sensei's fist was ready as she punched with all her might to Aiji's mark. Probably because of the special blade used to carve the mark, the pain came rushing to her spine… unbearable pain. Aiji gritted her teeth and withstand the pain. Then Mura sensei lightly tap Aiji's mark with hers.
They both sat down. Aiji's eyes flashed dangerously as she felt deceived. The burning feeling in her wrist wasn't subsiding but felt as though growing and spreading throughout her body. Yet she kept calm and hid her pain as much as it was. Mura sensei unfolded her sleeve, smoothing the wrinkles that turned up while giving Aiji time to recover from the blow.
"I am quite surprised, I have not seen a double crossed mark on a girl before," Mura sensei's eyes went to Aiji's wrists once more. Aiji kept quiet.
"Aiji Shisano, I assume you're from Sunset-46 gang, based on the jagged and unusually large mark, Sunset-46 is known for illegal racing, illegal gambling, import and exporting certain goods such as alcohol… but with one motto: NO DRUGS, correct me if I am wrong…HQ or headquarters in Tokyo," Mura sensei was quite a pro at detailing her gang.
Aiji kept her mouth shut and her expression neutral.
"Oh yes. Weapons and fights are frequent to monopolize business and Sunset-46 has one of the best underground network all around Japan and also some other countries," Mura sensei took out her glasses and rubbed her eyes then put them on again. She took her index finger and traced her own skin just above her left eyebrow…looking intently at Aiji's scar on her forehead
"An injury?" Mura sensei smiled wistfully.
Aiji statued herself and held a stone cold look.
Takashi…I hear a melodious tune now…wish you were here…
"Double crossed markings are quite high in Sunset-46…they are very prestigious, not at all lenient in ranks. Without further ado, I shall get to my point…"Mura sensei's voice trailed as she flicked the pages of the file once more.
"I see you stopped joining club activities two years ago. Before that you had a few good starts in the track team, long distance I am impressed…swimming with your brother Aiji Saeji…and your athletic ability earned you a place in TNJSS: Tokyo National Junior Sports School…for track, swimming and hockey. Then the record went blank for two and a half years in Junior High…and now you're here in front of me in an unpopular government school Shohoku High…not to condemn or anything but…" she paused.
"Shohoku is a normal school…no athletes comes in and out…only some hardworking ones did well in sports, and only a handful pass with flying colours here. Well you have surprisingly good grades considering your social status..."
Insulting. " Considering your social status…". Baka aho! Some people do have brains and humbleness unlike you…
Aiji felt irritated. Mura sensei was a bit too much no "very much too much". Shohoku High is a good school although in small Kanagawa and unknown…yet…This is yet to change. Aiji could feel it in the wind, the surroundings it held seem to welcome each and every student…understands one's ability.
"I am giving you an opportunity Aiji san, please don't let me down. I could suspend you anytime if I find anything amiss and… our little secret is fake…this stitches were obtained when I opened a window and the glass broke several years ago…I learned your records from my police friend so that's about it. Have you got anything to say?"
"You are going to be fired by the end of this year," Aiji said confidently… her voice contained a hint of sneer.
"Nani?"
"You heard me… I live for myself and you aren't at all relevant to any of my cases so you should not even care. But you are very nosy that you pry at others business… and the thing about giving me an opportunity…that's crap…because I stand on my own two feet and walk on the path that is very different from yours so I choose my own opportunities," Aiji said in a dangerous tone.
Mura sensei was speechless.
"You did your homework well and managed to deceive me this time but cheap people like you shall get what they deserve. You went to all this trouble to get me but it is yourself that is going to land into deep shit! Kanagawa is different from Tokyo but it is also an important state. Shohoku High is different from TNJSS but it manages to give all of its students a good education. There are prodigies everywhere only people like you fail to see it," she heaved a breath.
"Every single pupil is special in their own way. You however are ruining their lives or shall I say have ruin lots of pupils' lives. Opportunities my foot! You are just on a power trip, trying to control them. You have picked the wrong person to play your "power trip" game with… Mura Ojio sensei…that is something I guarantee you," Aiji continued icily and stood up ready to leave.
"Matte, I could suspend you now!" Mura sensei retorted furiously opening a drawer and taking out a suspension form. She was beginning to fill it.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you…" Aiji warned her lifting her left wrist that was all swollen up and slightly bleeding.
"Mr. Principal *sob* Mura sensei lost her temper and grabbed my wrist so hard and banged it on the table *sob*. I just got this injury in an accident a couple of weeks ago," Aiji faked a sweet voice and pretended to cry.
Aiji took the suspension form and tore it into half, crumpled it and threw it into the wastepaper basket. A defeated look took over Mura sensei's once smug face.
"Aligato gozaimas sensei," Aiji said in a cynical voice then bowed low retreating to the door
"I planned the whole thing, you fell into my trap and punched me just where I wanted you…if you were once a gang member you should know the REAL RULES AND PHRASES," stressing on the last few words Aiji left the room and slammed the door hard after she went out.
The secretary look with amazement obviously she heard the whole conversation. This sporting middle-aged lady gave Aiji a thumbs-up sign. Aiji inclined her head politely and walked out of the office.
"Matte, what was my mistake," Mura sensei rushed out and asked.
"Rule no.1 …a member helps each other and never…NEVER look down on others even those with only a basic line," Aiji replied solemnly leaving Mura sensei at the doorstep staring with an open jaw.
The whole corridor was empty as Aiji made her way to her locker. She took out her school bag and the small plastic parcel containing the black wristband.
Guess I won't be seeing him…should I go to the nurse office to put some iodine on my wrist?
Aiji checked her watch. There was only 10 minutes left before recess ends. She inspected her wounded wrist…it was just a few days before the incident with Eshiri that she got the double-cross rank. Eshiri…
She only had a basic line…just another normal gang member with nothing special…no fighting skills, computer skills, wooing skills etc...etc but NEVER look down on another member…I made that error one and it almost took my life…
Being a left hander, she would have trouble writing afterwards. She grimaced a little.
Better soothe the wound…
[…]
Rukawa descended the stairs from the roof top, rubbing his head gently…blood flowing down his forehead to his cheeks…and irritating his head was throbbing…he felt a splitting headache… His hands was also stained with blood…not all of it was his, some existed from Sakuragi.
Sakuragi Hanamichi and a brown haired girl…Harako or was it Hariko or Raruko…
Don't involve me in love triangles or in any of your businesses…I don't care…the girl was being polite offering her handkerchief…but I didn't give a damn…she knew my name somehow…
First day and lots of do' ahos disturbing my sleep and one bashing me for no apparent
reason… is there a "HIT ME" sign on my back? Should I go to the nurse's office? My head hurts…it is getting cold…hard to breathe…
Rukawa's energy was draining out…he felt so tired…his vision was a bit blur…He staggered to the nurse's office. He raised his bloody hand to knock…it was a difficult task just lifting his hand…he just felt weak…he managed a small knock, barely staining the blue door, hardly any sound heard…his legs wobbled…then he collapsed.
The white ribbon…was moving like a spiral…somehow he was trying to grasp it but kept on slipping…an angel appeared singing…Mom? Then it disappeared…he felt as though he was floating…he felt a pair of eyes on him…he felt the warmth it generated slowly reheating his icy cold body…darkness complete darkness then he heard his name uttered…barely audible…not urgently, not anxiously just his name…
"Rukawa," Aiji manage to whisper.
Her brown eyes focused on his pale face and blue lips…Her fingers trembled aching to touch and warm up those lips but her heart ached more…She has promised not to think of him that way…but emotions are unstoppable not like a switch, on and off as one pleases.
Instead of fingering his lips…she hummed softly to him. The song from her heart…the song she played for him only yesterday Our First Meeting.
Though it seemed right…it never is and we met…was it fate? Was it our destiny? Was it a dream? Eye to eye…silence portrayed...coincidence and dejavu our first meeting with this song in the background…
Those words came in her head as she hummed the melody of her masterpiece.
She had helped Nurse Chiriki to clean his wound and his hands. His hand was so warm yesterday but now it was as if the fire was put out and the North wind froze it. Her hand stayed put trying to give out warmth to him. She prayed when she caught sight of him outside the nurse's office.
God…don't let this happen twice to me…Takashi was first…Rukawa next…please let him be alright…let him be alright
FLASHBACK
Walking down the hallway of the nurse's office she felt queasy…she felt a form of uneasiness in the air. Reaching her destination, the first thing that caught her eye was BLOOD. Blood on the door, on the floor, on this unconscious figure…She realized the source of her uneasiness…She had smelt blood…and her heart thumped wildly…
Raven hair…long body…pale skin…it couldn't be? Masaka…
Aiji gently pushed his hair away and tilted his head. Her heart thumped wildly while doing this…adrenaline flowing…her eyes was alarmingly pale and she was so still as though paralyzed…her heart seems to stop and for that millisecond…time halted. Her brain seems to shut down totally…then it hit her right there and then…
Rukawa…
Aiji knocked on the door hard and shoved the door open surprising the nurse…The nurse hurried to the door and sprang into action when she saw the injured student. The small, petite, little lady nurse gained the strength of ten men when she lifted Rukawa's limp body, swung his right hand on her shoulders, his full weight on her Aiji quickly gave a hand to support Rukawa's other side. Then the two of them half carried and half dragged him to the hospital bed.
Nurse Chiriki's expert hands took over all the apparatus in the clinic. Aiji could do naught but stare. Occasionally the nurse asked her to pass some cotton or bandage or medicine and Aiji gladly did as she was told. His skin that was pale was extremely white as though there wasn't a single blood low in his body…his lips that was slightly pinkish turned to dark shades of blue.
After Nurse Chiriki finished treating Rukawa she took a sample of his blood. Nurse Chiriki told Aiji to look after Rukawa whilst she run some simple tests on his blood sample in the next room. She said something about Rukawa being pretty weird…he should not have the energy to get into fights…
END OF FLASHBACK
Nurse Chiriki came back and was slightly shaking her head muttering something.
"Unbelievable…unbelievable…"she mumbled.
She took a look at her patient…the colour in his cheeks was returning…and his lips was slowly turning into its usual colour. She touched his right arm feeling his muscles.
"Are you his girlfriend?" Nurse Chiriki asked.
"Iie, I was coming to treat this," Aiji held her left hand up.
"Let me take care of this first."
While Nurse Chiriki was treating her wrist, she bombarded Aiji with tons of questions about how she obtained the injury. Aiji felt quite irritated by her inquisitive manner and felt obliged to answer…Nurse Chiriki had a warm voice, sweet and protective. Right now without the love of her parents or any family, Aiji had an empty feeling lying in the pit of her stomach… But she couldn't lie not to those who are good to her so she left Nurse Chiriki's question unanswered.
"You can tell me your story when you are ready, "the nurse stated then changing the subject…she said
"It was good timing in your part if not this young man would have landed in the hospital…do you know him?"
"He's my classmate."
"Oh…this is good," a smile formed in Nurse Chiriki lips.
Aiji was puzzled by this but said nothing. Her eyes fell on the white cloth that was turning red as the nurse applied iodine and antiseptic cream on her wrist. It stung when the liquid touched Aiji's wrist but she showed none of her pain.
"You are strong and independent. A lot of girls I know would have been crying their eyes out with this type of injury if not because of the pain…because this will leave a scar on their pretty limbs."
"Aligato," Aiji replied.
"Can I ask a favour from you?"
Aiji stared at the nurse for a while then inclined her head meaning yes. Nurse Chiriki eyes were on the unmoving figure on the next bed. Realising this Aiji followed her eyes looking at Rukawa.
"He's precious to you isn't he?" Nurse Chiriki asked.
Precious? Aiji thought. Deciding not to retort Aiji slightly shook her head.
"You were singing to him…a song of the heart not even the best artists could beat that priceless treasure."
Treasure…everything happens for a reason…
"Gomen ne um…"
"Aiji, Aiji Shisano."
"Gomen ne Aiji san…I never meant to eavesdrop but I felt at peace with your voice that's why I asked if he was your boyfriend."
"I don't mind ,"Aiji managed a small smile.
KRINGGGG! The bell went off.
"Don't worry, I'll issue you a leave for the first period. Well I better get to the point, your friend there…"
"He's not my friend."
"Um…your classmate...matte what's his name?"
"Rukawa," a voice came from behind.
"Oh you're awake finally…"Nurse Chiriki shifted her gaze to Rukawa who was sitting on the bed.
"Are you feeling any pain? Dizziness maybe?"
"No," Rukawa answered coldly staring at the two people in front of him.
"When did you get up?" Nurse Chiriki asked as she took the stethoscope to check on Rukawa.
"The bell woke me."
So he did not hear the conversation…precious…treasure…luckily…Aiji was relieved.
He's not my friend…he's not my friend…he's not my friend… Those words repeated in Rukawa's head.
"Can I leave now?" Aiji asked.
"No, I want to talk to the both of you."
"What about?" Rukawa asked icily.
"You," Nurse Chiriki replied.
"Then it doesn't concern me, aligato nurse I have a class right now…ja." Aiji stood heading for the exit.
"Aiji san…I have not finished with you young lady…You aren't dismissed yet," the nurse said sternly, patients running low and eyes flashing dangerously. Aiji stop walking with her back to them.
"Gomen, nurse…I can't…"Aiji stopped in mid sentence.
Rukawa got up. His dark blue eyes searching hers but failed as she looked away and picked up her school bag and the parcel… she walked towards the door then halt on second thought came back to Rukawa.
"Here." She held up the parcel to him.
Rukawa eyed the bag but did not even lift his hand to receive it. Nurse Chiriki just observed the two for a brief moment then moved away to the back room. They stood in that position for a minute or so in silence then she began to lower her hand…with disappointment written on her face… but he intercepted in midway. As his hand was huge, he was gripping the parcel as well as her hand, an electric surge came upon Aiji's body. A moment later she pulled back and went to the door.
With her hand on the knob, she said "I hope you like it."
"Precious treasure," came his reply which froze her for a short moment before she left the room.
So he heard…everything happens for a reason…precious treasure…
"Rukawa san are you ready for what I have to tell you?" Nurse Chiriki came out after Aiji left.
Rukawa nodded.
[…]
Journey through life,
Discovering the precious treasure,
Priceless,
The gift from a true heart.
A.N: Ahhhhh…..such a relief to finally finish this chapter. Been a long time since I updated. I tend to be long winded in the story so forgive me ya…I actually wanted to continue but I think it is a very long chapter so I'll be leaving you in suspense.
Definition of suspense: excitement felt at the approach of the climax…^_^
Rejected pen wei yin: sorry for the mix up…thanks for reviewing…
Psyco_kyugirl :thanks for reviewing. Um…sorry did not give you a gift on your birthday…been quite busy so I shall dedicate this chap as your b'day present okie…^_^