Rinako rolled in the covers of her bed irritably. Last night was
terrible. She doubted that she could ever forget that look of
heartbreak in Keiji’s eyes. Rinako never wanted to hurt him, but she
still never said anything about commitment either. But why was she so
against it? Keiji was a nice person, and had a lot to offer. Not to
mention how well Rinako got on with him. But the idea of...more than
that...
{God...why do I keep hurting people?} Rinako thought. {First Minato,
then Mishizu, now Keiji...is it all down to...her...?}
Rinako scowled when thoughts of ‘That Woman’ came to mind. Her very
name set Rinako off in a flood of anger. Memories of two years ago
came back with raw force as well. And as long as those hurt feelings
were there, Rinako couldn’t move on with her life.
The question was, did Rinako realize that she didn’t want to move on?
A tired growl came from the young martial artist when the alarm clock
went off. Classes would be starting soon. Not like Rinako could be
bothered with them at this point. But then, if she was late or if she
skipped them, that would mean another weekend detention. That was the
last thing she needed.
Rinako slowly pulled out of her covers and looked across at Minato’s
bed. Just like yesterday, Minato had left early. Not because she
wanted to get to classes on time, but because she wanted to avoid
Rinako. And Rinako didn’t much blame her. But regardless, she was
still firm about keeping Natsumi away from her sister. And Rinako
would do that without fail.
Rather than dwell on those problems, Rinako went over to her wardrobe
and put on her normal auburn school uniform. Her hands flicked over to
her nightstand to grab her books, then a noise across the room caught
her attention.
“What the?”
It was a note. Someone had slipped it under the door. Rinako quickly
picked it up and opened the door to see who dropped it there. Nobody
was out there. But instead of worrying about it, she opened up the
small slip, and began reading it aloud.
“We need to talk...meet me at the southern gates at 12.50 today. I’ll
be waiting for you.”
Rinako scrunched up the note in anger. “I knew it! It’s that damn
Yakume girl trying it on with Minato again. Too bad she didn’t do her
homework when she decided to mess with me.”
After grabbing her books, Rinako stuffed the note into her pocket and
headed out to her first class of the day. Natsumi may have planned to
see one Ikatsuji sister, but she was going to meet the other.
**********
“Alright, Yakume. Come on out, I know what you’re up to.”
Rinako eyeballed this area for Natsumi. The southern gates were just a
nickname for an isolated section of the school. It was nestled between
the humanities department and the school gyms, but had enough space
for more than ten people to hang around in. It was also a neutral
territory that belonged to no specific gang, which meant many people
came through this place. But mostly at night. Which made a note for a
meeting here during the daytime a little peculiar. But Rinako had a
good hunch on the person who put that note under her door.
And so, Rinako waited for her to show herself. “I can wait all day,
Yakume.”
However, the voice that responded was not Natsumi’s. “I am glad you
came.”
Instantly, Rinako’s body shot around to look behind her. She knew that
voice clearer than anyone she had ever heard before. And her
suspicious were not unfounded. Sure enough, it was Ayane.
“You!?” Rinako yelled. “What the hell do you want?”
Ayane stepped forward from the shadows of the left Gym building.
Everything seemed normal about her, but Rinako could tell that
something was a little different. Something she couldn’t quite place.
Ayane’s gold eyes were a little more intense than usual. “We need to
talk, Rinako. You cannot run from this any longer than you have.”
Rinako’s honey brown eyes narrowed. “You’re the one who sent the
note...aren’t you? Why did you call me here?”
Ayane struggled to get this out. Never was she comfortable with
expressing herself in these sorts of issues. But this had to be said.
It was eating away at her and creating a void that needed to be filled
before it consumed her. At all costs.
“Rinako...” Ayane began. “I...I cannot keep fighting you...not like
this...I cannot.”
Rinako was oblivious to the effort Ayane was making. “Oh yeah? So
you’re just gonna back down like the spineless coward you are? I
understand. You’re pathetic, Ayane.”
The SBA leader’s head lowered. “Maybe that is true.”
“Do you want pity from me?” Rinako asked derisively. “You’ve got some
front, Yosukube. You sicken me.”
Ayane desperately tried not to take Rinako’s words to heart. “I know
you do not mean that.”
Regardless of her scorn, Rinako’s soul wavered. “The hell I don’t.”
Slowly, Ayane’s eyes climbed back up to look at Rinako. And Ayane took
that instance to peer within her equal. In those searing brown eyes of
Rinako’s...so much hate, so much anger. And she had caused it all. It
broke Ayane’s heart to know that Rinako’s unhappiness was down to her.
“Rinako...” Ayane began. “Please do not let it end like this...”
The moment she heard that, Rinako looked away, her soul screaming out
the realities to her. This was what it was all about. The rivalry, the
hatred, the fighting. They were all branches of a tree that had
sprouted two years ago. And if things were allowed to continue the way
they had been, that tree would wither and die. Ayane was beginning to
realize this, but Rinako’s attitude indicated that she was not
prepared to do something about it.
The hurt feelings from two years ago were making an unscheduled
comeback in Rinako’s heart. “Why shouldn’t I? It...it never meant
anything to me...why should I care about the past?”
Just then, Ayane felt something snap inside her. Even though Rinako
had every right to be angry if you took it from her perspective, she
was not the only victim here. Ayane charged over to a resentful
Rinako, grabbing her by the arms, and staring firmly into her eyes.
“You cannot just ignore this, Rinako! I will not let you throw this
away because you are too proud to face up to it!”
Rinako scowled. What right did *she* have to be angry? “Get away from
me, Ayane! How dare you make out that this is your option!?” Are you
forgetting that I hate you? That you hate me?
Ayane’s anger subsided and her grip loosened slightly. “...No.”
“So why won’t you go away, or swing a punch?”
If ever Ayane made a resolution within herself, then this had to be
the one that counted. “Because...I...I want...”
“You want what?” Rinako asked harshly.
As much as she struggled to get this out, Ayane was deathly serious
about it. “I...I want us...to try again.”
Rinako was stunned into silence. But her shocked mind then started to
loose focus and her bruised heart took the fold. “...Why...?”
Ayane could tell that she was starting to get through to Rinako. But
she still had yet to learn of the whole truth. Not only that, but
Ayane had to be honest with herself. Not just for herself but for the
Spring Breeze Assassins. There was no way the white-haired fighter
could lead the SBA with a wavering heart.
Ayane breathed hard as she said this statement for the first time in
two whole years. “I still...love you, Rinako.”
Rinako could say nothing. Nothing that was worthwhile, her voice was
lost to her. Ayane still loved her... “...”
Rinako’s stillness was taken by Ayane as indecision. Something more
was needed to show how serious she was. “I heard about Keiji giving
you a ring, so...I...”
A low sounding chuckle came from Rinako upon hearing that. Ayane was
confused, but Rinako felt like everything was that much clearer.
“Oh, I get it.” Rinako said seething. “You don’t want me, but you
don’t want anyone else to have me. You don’t give a damn about us, you
just wanna make sure that Keiji doesn’t tread on your old property...”
Ayane was shocked. How could Rinako say that? “...Rinako please, I am
really-“
Rinako pushed away Ayane’s grip, her eyes shut and with a mildly
disappointed frown on her face. “Go away, Ayane...”
The Yosukube girl held firm. “No.”
“I said get los-“
Rinako’s loud demand was cut short by the sweet kiss of Ayane. With no
need for a second ushering, Ayane pushed her soft pink lips up against
Rinako’s. The russet eyes of the older Ikatsuji sister went wide with
surprise. Briefly she attempted to fight against it, but quickly that
hesitation dissolved. Through all the fighting and hatred that had
gone on between Rinako and Ayane for the past two years, that carnal
passion of the past had yet to die. And although it wasn’t obvious,
that attraction was even stronger when they were fighting one and
other. Rinako could not count the amount of times she had lost her
concentration during a fight from seeing a flash of Ayane’s thighs.
Rinako’s mind was screaming ‘don’t let her do this to you again’ while
her heart and body were burning for Ayane. With a relaxed sigh, Rinako
placed both of her palms against Ayane’s chest, and thoughtlessly
returned her kiss.
As Rinako’s resistance left her, Ayane lost her own misgivings, and
dared to embrace Rinako with her arms. Unfortunately, it was then that
Rinako regained her senses. As soon as she felt Ayane’s hands run down
the small of her back, Rinako awkwardly broke their kiss and breathed
in deeply.
{What am I doing?} Thought Rinako. {Why am I still attracted to her?}
Without out warning, Rinako swung her evened out palm towards Ayane’s
cheek and slapped her sharply. The gold-eyed girl released Rinako as
she stumbled back, and held a hand to her already reddening cheek. But
as Ayane looked up, she was surprised to see fragile tears leaking
from her eyes. She was crying.
“Don’t you dare kiss me like that, Ayane!” Rinako screamed, her voice
already breaking. “You gave that up a long time ago, remember? So just
do me a favour and stay away from me!”
Rinako quickly ran off, wiping her eyes as she ran. Leaving Ayane
behind. She was shocked, to say even the least. Rinako had slapped
her. But that in itself was not the shocking thing. She was a martial
artist. Rinako could have done anything to push Ayane, but she instead
slapped her. That wasn’t the act of a school gang leader or a martial
artist.
It was the act of a vulnerable woman.
And from that, Ayane realized the truth. Rinako still loved her.
**********
Five minutes later, back in her dorm, Minato crashed on her bed. Her
last class was Maths, and since a test was coming up next week, she
had to work that much harder. However it was clear that Minato could
not concentrate. Not while Natsumi was denied to her. Even so, Minato
had English to look forward to. That was the one lesson she shared
with Natsumi. Despite the fact that they wouldn’t even be able to talk
to each other, Minato was just happy to see her.
Just then a dazed and oddly pale Rinako stepped into the dorm room.
Minato was trying hard to ignore her sister but she couldn’t avoid
that haunted look that Rinako was wearing.
“Rinako?” Minato concern was apparent, but her voice was still firm,
not willing to let Rinako believe that they were getting past the
Natsumi situation. “Are you okay?”
Rinako wordlessly slumped down on her bed and let her ailing head rest
in her hands.
Minato nudged again. “Rinako?”
That got through to her. “...M-Minato? Oh...I’m sorry...”
“Don’t worry about it.” Minato stood up from her bed, grasping her
textbooks. “I’ll see you later.”
Rinako pulled out of her stupor just as Minato placed her hand on the
doorknob. “Where are you going, Minato?”
The blonde sighed. She knew this was coming. “I’m going to get
something to eat. It is lunchtime, unless you’ve forgotten that.”
“I’m warning you not to see that girl.” Rinako said, her thoughts
drifting away from Ayane for a short time.
Minato scowled. “Since when has my love life been any of your concern,
Rinako? Whomever I see or date is none of your business!”
“You’re my sister! What do you mean this is none of my business?”
Rinako enquired angrily.
“You heard me.”
Rinako stood up, in no mood to chat idly. “Look, Minato. I’m not
asking you not to see her, I’m *telling* you that you can’t see her!”
Minato’s eyes narrowed out. Rinako was addressing her like she was
some lovesick child. “Excuse me? Who do you think you are? You’re not
Mom, Rinako!”
“I’m just trying to look out for you!”
Minato looked away from her sister. “No you’re not, you’re trying to
control me. You don’t have a say in the matter! I’m going to continue
dating Natsumi with or without your approval!”
To confirm the seriousness of her declaration, Minato slammed the door
behind her as she left.
“Minato!” Rinako yelled. But it was too late, she was already gone.
And Rinako didn’t have the heart to follow her. Everything was going
wrong for her. Even though she had other classes after lunch, Rinako
was in no mood to take part in them. Just like before, she needed time
to herself to think this through. Rinako rustled through her wardrobe
and gathered up her fighting Gi. If she was going to clear her mind
then it was natural to do it through training.
**********
“Yaah!”
With brilliant skill and precision, Ayane’s steel-smashing fist
crushed two neatly stacked cinder blocks. The girl crouched down as
her motion came to an end. Much like a certain someone, Ayane felt a
certain peace while training. And right now she needed it. The Rai
shou en ken fighter was clad in her school uniform, and was within the
training halls outside of the school. Just like when she discovered
the existence of Keiji Aoba, Ayane came her to sort out her feelings.
Her feelings toward Rinako and her feelings about herself.
“Why can she not see?” Ayane mumbled to herself. “Why does she not
understand? Why does she push me away?”
As Ayane debated this profusely, her inner voice, the voice of Rai
shou en ken, called out to her. In a parallel but exact replica of her
own voice.
{Can you blame her?} The voice said.
Ayane realized that her soul was calling out to her. “I just want to
be with her. I cannot take any of this constant fighting any more.”
{This is your doing. You cannot blame her for feeling the way she
does. You made the choice, Ayane. Not Rinako.}
“I was only doing what I thought was best for her!”
{Does she know that?}
Ayane fell silent. “...”
{Let her know the truth. She deserves to know.}
“Why should I even bother? Even if she does still love me...her pride
will not let her admit it.”
{How will you know that for sure if you let it go?}
“Why should I bother to fight for her if she will not do the same?”
{Because Rinako is blinded by her own hurt feelings. You cannot blame
her for that. It was not her fault. This is all down to your wishes.
But you can change things if you want to.}
“...What should I do...? What should I do?”
{Rinako loves you. But you must take the first step. If you let your
love for her die, then you will be losing a piece of yourself that you
will never be able to regain. Go to her. Try just one last time.}
“But...will she...?”
{Do you love her?}
“Yes...of course I do. I never stopped.”
{Then go to her and tell her so. Win her love back.}
**********
Rinako kicked and punched the heavy bag within her private training
area. The exact same position she was in before her argument with
Mishizu. Rinako had to wonder how she was doing. She hadn’t seen or
spoken to Mishizu since then. Then there was her Minato problem.
Keeping her sister away from Natsumi. And then there was Ayane...
Rinako’s leg slammed against the heavy bag, those thoughts of Ayane
spreading anger into her again. Yet still, she felt a wave of warmth
envelop her when she remembered Ayane’s kiss...
Rinako clutched her head. “What is wrong with me? Why can’t I just let
go of that! Why can’t I just...damn her! Damn that bitch to hell...”
Just as it had done for Ayane, Rinako’s soul, influenced by the Rai
shou en ken, called out to her.
{That's not a smart idea. Considering that fact that you'd just throw
yourself into the flames to get her back...}
“What?!”
{Don't play dumb, Rinako. You can't lie to your soul.}
“I...”
{You still...}
“No!”
{You still...love her, don't you?}
“I never loved Ayane.”
{So why are you crying?}
“...I...hate her...I always have...I always will...”
{Do you really?}
“Of course I do! I'll never forgive her for-“
{For breaking your heart?}
“I don't care for her!”
{Oh yes you do. You've never stopped, and you never will stop.}
“...Stop it...”
{Every time you see her your heart burns, doesn't it? Every time you
kissed Keiji all you thought about was her. The first time you met,
danced, kissed...made love.}
“I said stop it!”
{Admit it. Keiji was never a choice, just a substitute. You picked a
decent guy because you were afraid of loving, then having your heart
get torn again. But you could never replace Ayane. You'll never stop
loving her.}
“...She...she hurt me, so much...”
{Don't you think she's hurting too?}
“...How can I just get over-“
{You can't. It will was always be there. You can't change that fact.
Neither can Ayane. But you owe it to yourself to be honest, at least.
You deserve to live a live without that kind of pain.}
“To be...honest...?”
**********
Later that day, after classes, at around 12.00 at night, Ayane snuck
out of her dorm room and crossed the courtyard over to the 2nd dorm
blocks. Or more specifically, the Cross Blade Lancer blocks. Even
though it was risky and a little foolish to enter that area,
especially considering whom she was. But Ayane was not going to let
this go. Not now. She had to get her Rinako back.
After walking up to the doors of the east dorms blocks, Ayane opened
the door and stepped through. It was quiet, all the lights had been
turned off and most of the students were asleep. Except for one. Who
was sitting by the front door, on a chair, obviously on her turn as a
lookout. It was Mishizu.
Mishizu looked up at a bold Ayane from her seat. “Yosukube? What are
you doing here?”
“I am here to speak with Rinako.” Ayane said simply.
Mishizu was incredulous. “Are you insane? Do you really believe that
you can just walk in here and do as you please?”
“I am not here for a fight.” Ayane said. “I want to speak to Rinako,
that is all.”
Mishizu’s diamond eyes thinned out. “Speak to her about what?”
“A personal matter. A matter that does not concern you.”
Mishizu looked downwards. She knew exactly what was going on here.
Even though Rinako was afraid to admit it, Mishizu knew her very well.
And she knew that her distaste for Ayane stemmed from something that
was important to her. After a lot of though on that, Mishizu had
realized long ago that there might have been something between Rinako
and Ayane. Which was another reason why Mishizu disliked Rinako’s
relationship with Keiji. It was unfair to use him as a distraction
from another. But then, maybe Mishizu was preoccupied with her own
affections towards Rinako...
“Tell me what you are going to say to Rinako.” Mishizu ordered.
Ayane frowned curiously at her. “I fail to see how this is any of your
concern.”
“I’m making it my concern!” Mishizu yelled. “You’re not the only one
that...”
“That what?” Ayane was confused, but then she thought about it. Then
it hit her. “Are you in love with-“
Mishizu cut her off. “I don’t know...I think I do. But she doesn’t
know anything. Not about how I feel.”
Ayane was disbelieving. It was well known that Mishizu had a defensive
hold on Rinako. But Ayane never interpreted it as love. It was fairly
obvious now, but...that wasn’t what was concerning Ayane at this
point.
“You knew all along.” The white-haired girl said. “Did you not?”
“It was fairly obvious. Rinako was never serious about Keiji.”
“I see...” Ayane trailed off.
Though this was hard to say, some things were more important to her
then her own feelings. “If...if I let you go through, will you try to
resolve with her?”
“Yes.”
Mishizu continued. “And you think that will make her happy?”
“I know it will.” That was said with true confidence.
Mishizu looked away once more. “...Then go.”
That was a brave move. Even Ayane realized that. It took great courage
to choose someone else’s happiness over your own. Never had Ayane
expected this to come from Mishizu.
“Thank you...Mishizu.”
“I am not doing this for you.” Mishizu said that quite firmly. “I’m
doing this for Rinako. I cannot stand to see her suffer anymore than
she has. Now talk to her if that is what you want.”
Ayane nodded, then walked off towards Rinako’s room. Somehow she got
the feeling that Mishizu was owed a debt at some point. Even if they
were enemies. Following a short walk, Ayane stood before the door to
Rinako’s room. Instead of knocking, the Spring Breeze Assassin opened
to the door and walked inside.
Across from Ayane, on her mildly woven bed, was the beautiful Rinako
Ikatsuji, dressed only in her thin nightdress, with the most heavenly
of expressions on her face. But she was awake.
And more than surprised to see the SBA leader. “...Ayane...?”
This was going to be hard. “...Rinako...”
Though she had been thinking about this all day, when Ayane finally
got to do this, she didn’t know how to act. However, Rinako took the
initiative and acted on her behalf. The amethyst-haired women stood
from the bed she was sitting on, and walked over to Ayane.
They were face to face.
“...Ayane...” Rinako was having as much trouble as Ayane was.
Then Ayane decided on an easier way, but was curious about one thing.
“Where is your sister?”
“She’s sleeping in Mishizu’s room.” Rinako said. “I get the feeling
she doesn’t want to see me right now.”
Good. At least they could be alone for this. “Rinako...about what
happened...back then...”
Rinako shook her head, and silenced Ayane with that gentle request.
Some things were a little more important than the regrets you’ve had
about the past. Rinako was beginning to realize this. Her soft brown
eyes looked up into Ayane’s deep gold ones, and let a solitary hand
run through her short tresses of untainted white hair.
“Don’t.” Rinako said, her voice barely a whisper. “That’s...not what I
need from you right now...can you please...just hold me?”
Before Rinako knew it, strong arms were enfolding her, and for the
first time in over two years, Rinako felt safe. Safe and protected
within Ayane’s embrace. And Rinako finally had the courage to admit
that she still loved her. The two looked into each other’s eyes again.
No hatred, no anger, no challenges. Just what they felt for each
other. A sigh was heaved as their lips closed in on each other, and a
phantom of hate was lifted from Rinako as they kissed.
Rinako at last had her angel back.
**********
Kaiser’s Afterthoughts
----------------------
* They’re finally together again! But poor old Mishizu and Keiji...oh
well; Mishizu at least will not be alone forever. But...there are more
important things to worry about...like why is the Shunshibaru crystal
reacting to Rinako! All questions will be answered in the next chapter
of Rival Rage!
* Sorry this update took so long, RR fans. I’m going to devote a whole
week to finishing this story. I swear that more chapters will be
coming soon.
* I’ve just noticed this, but there are a lot of things going on in
Rival Rage. A lot of characters and information that is easy to
forget. I have written up a sort of FAQ for this story, with character
profiles and information and such. If anybody wants to see this, just
drop me an e-mail and I’ll send it straight over to you.
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