The Trouble Is

[KuroiInu]

kfttjdb said:

Thanks for the comments. The truth is I had to re-write it because it was too depressing. Chapter 13 will be up later this week...

R-really? More depressing than that?
Any chance of PMing me the original??? Please???

[kfttjdb]

I actually can't do that because I rewrote this chapter over the original in MS Word. So the original and revised chapters are now one in the same. You wouldn't have wanted to read it anyway, trust me. You would have said something along the lines of, "Renna, WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU!!!"

Oh wait... I guess I could tell you how the original chapter played out even though I don't have the actual words anymore. I mean, I remember it. *light bulb goes off as she types* Um, yeah. I'll send you a PM.

[Sayoky]

Don't you even dare to rewrite the chapter!!!!!!! I absolutely loved it!!!!! It had so much passion in it...and feelings....i swear i'll lock you in your room if you change it...or maybe not...*is shot* ^^

[kfttjdb]

Um, Sayoky, I already rewrote it. That's what I posted. The revised chapter. Too Late! *runs away from Sayoky's grasp*

[Sayoky]

*cries* the chapter was so nice that it made me fell the emotions within it!!!!>.<

[kfttjdb]

This is Chapter 13, and it requires an explanation:

I had to add this chapter to the story because I rewrote Chapter 12 and then realized it didn't fit well with the original Chapter 13. So now the original Chapter 13 (or a great chunk of it) is now Chapter 14. Hope that wasn't confusing. It's the shortest chapter of the story, so you might like that. Here goes:

Chapter 13:
Reassessment

Tamao was lying in the middle of her bed with her blanket tucked around her hips. She stared blankly at the ceiling. Blinking a few times she could hear muffled noises down the hallway. There’s no way I’m getting any sleep tonight, she thought to herself.

Outside in the backyard, Horo sat in his usual spot watching the stars. The air was much colder from the rain that had passed earlier. He groaned when the wet grass penetrated his black pajama pants. He didn’t move from his spot despite the interruption. He was too angry.

Anna curled on the very edge of the bed, trying to be careful not to wake her husband. She was clutching her pillow as if she needed it to breathe. Yoh was on the other side, his back facing her, and doing the exact same thing except while biting his bottom lip. The noises down the hall were becoming unbearable. They both laid tensely in silence, staring at opposite walls.

Pirika was lying on top of all the covers on her bed. She had been unable to sleep for hours. Her eyes were puffy and sore from crying, and she knew she would not be able to fall asleep. She rolled over on her stomach and stared at her bedroom door. Hearing the constant wailing across the hall gave her chest pains. All she desperately wanted was to go to Ren’s room and comfort him any way she could. She rolled on her back again and covered her head with her pillow. His cries somehow breached her blockade and soaked her ears more desperately than before. “That’s it!” she yelled.

Ren was buried in his blankets trying to weep quietly. The more he tried to stop crying, the sadder he became. He wrestled with his dark coverings when he heard his door opening. When he finally reached the outer surface there was complete darkness. He couldn’t see who had entered his room because the door was closed again.

“Who’s there?” he called weakly.

She didn’t respond. Instead, she sat on the side of his bed and rested her hand on his leg.

“Pirika?” Ren grabbed her arm and hugged her. “What are you doing up?”

“Well you weren’t going to let me sleep,” she said.

“I didn’t mean to wake you,” Ren started. Suddenly he felt like an idiot.

“I wouldn’t have slept well anyway knowing you were in so much pain. What can I do to help?” She reached for his arms and sat in his lap.

“There’s nothing anyone can do,” Ren sighed, “I created this mess so it’s up to me to fix it.” He tightly wrapped his arms around hers and sighed. “What do you think of me?” he asked suddenly.

“What do you mean?” she responded.

“Do you think I’m cold, or weak, or stupid?” Ren asked. Pirika could sense the desperation in his voice.

“I think you’re perfect just the way you are.” she said, squeezing his hand.

“No one’s perfect, Pirika.” He said gloomily.

“True, but even so, you don’t need to change.” Pirika leaned closer to his chest and rested her head against his neck. “If she can’t appreciate you for who you are, you don’t need her.”

“So you’re blaming all of this on Yukihiro?” Ren asked apprehensively.

“I’m not saying you don’t make mistakes. We all do. I’ve just changed my mind about her. She doesn’t deserve you. You need someone who understands and accepts you the way you are.” Pirika tugged one of his blankets and covered herself with it.

“That seems selfish. I’ve been trying to change that. Yoh tells me all the time that I’m too self-centered. Do you think he’s wrong?” Ren grabbed the other side of the blanket and tucked it under his leg.

“Yoh’s not a therapist, Ren. What happened to the old Ren who didn’t care what people thought about him? I miss him.” Pirika shifted her weight and wrapped her arm around his waist.
“You think I’ve become soft.” Ren muttered.

“I think you’re letting other people dictate everything you do in your life, and that’s not like you. I know you care about her, but don’t lose yourself trying to keep her.” She said gravely.

“You are absolutely right,” Ren said enthusiastically. “I’ve become a sap for no good reason, and that’s not fair to me. I’ve been going about this the wrong way. So I’m paranoid. She knew that when we met.” Ren ranted.

“So what are you going to do?” Pirika asked quietly.

“I’m moving on.” He said triumphantly.


Thanks again for continuing to read. Chapter 14 will be up in a few days.

[Sayoky]

Wow....interresting...i like the way you use words...it's magnificent!! I do have a question though...Why are Pirika and Ren so close to eachother?? I mean... all the huggs and kisses on foreheads....that doens't look to me like really just brotherly love....maybe i am mistaking...as it is said...we all make mistakes....but i dunno...i feel a sort of stronger connection between them....

[kfttjdb]

I'm not telling.

[KuroiInu]

kfttjdb said:

Ren was buried in his blankets trying to weep quietly. The more he tried to stop crying, the sadder he became.

I know the feeling, Ren-kun. TT-TT

Another great chapter, Renna-sensei, and as usual, I can't wait for the next.

And for what's probably the thirtieth time... you are an incredible writer. I don't know how you capture emotions so well...

[Sayoky]

You're not tellin..ei? okay...but i know my theory is right XDDD I am Nostradamus!!!! XDDD

[kfttjdb]

Whoa, sensei? When did I become that? Nice. And thanks, KuroiInu for the compliments. I feel accomplished. (I don't like that chapter)

Sayoky: You have to remember, this is no love story. And I'm still not telling.

[Sayoky]

Okay ^^ i am still waiting for the next chapter though...xDDD...I really want to talk to you more..when will you be online on AIM? I miss you very much...that was tottaly off topic, sorry!

[kfttjdb]

Yeah, sorry Sayoky, I've just been working way too much lately. (and some other things I won't mention) I don't have access to AIM at work so I can't talk to anyone. And those timezones, *shakes head* that's probably the bigger issue. Send me a PM. I check my inbox when I'm on line.

Back on topic:

WARNING: THIS BAD BOY IS LONG...

Chapter 14:
Things Are Changing

Morning came too quickly for everyone in the house. The sun burned through the windows and bounced off of every possible surface near them. Horo was first to emerge into the downstairs area. He had been there all night. Rubbing his eyes and amazed by how much light was in the house, he sat on the floor in front of the staircase. “Why am I awake?” he asked aloud, “There’s no food. No one’s awake anyway.”

The comfort of hearing his voice was suddenly interrupted by light knocking on the front door.

Horo leaned forward and stared at the door angrily. “Do you know what time it is!” he yelled at it.

The knocking continued.

He leaned back onto the first step and folded his arms in defiance. When he heard the rumbling of footsteps above him he quickly jumped out of the way.

“You didn’t hear the door?” Pirika scolded as she ran past him.

“I heard it,” he mumbled.

Pirika skipped a few times and opened the door. “Hi!” she said enthusiastically.

“Who is it?” Horo called from the stairs.

“Good morning. I brought you these,” Lyserg said with a bouquet of roses in his hand.

“Oh good grief,” Horo said under his breath.

“Thank you, Lyserg. They’re beautiful.” She said then kissed him on the cheek. “Well, come in. I think everyone’s awake.” Pirika led him to the kitchen so she could put the roses in water.

“Good morning, Horo.” Lyserg said timidly.

“Good morning. How are you today?” Horo responded sarcastically. Lyserg didn’t catch the mood but Pirika did.

“Well it’s a lovely morning and…”Lyserg started.
“We need to talk. Let’s go.” Pirika grabbed his arm and pulled him into the sitting room.

---

Tamao slowly walked down the hallway in a daze. She didn’t get any sleep the night before and it had affected her mood. As she passed Yoh and Anna’s bedroom, their door opened abruptly.

“Tamao!” Yoh exclaimed as if he was having a nightmare. “I can’t find it!”

Tamao backed away from him and hit the opposite wall behind her. “You’re not dressed, Yoh.” She said.

“Have you seen it? I’ve looked for it everywhere and I can’t find it! I think someone took it.” Yoh ranted, ignoring Tamao.

“Please put a shirt on,” Tamao whispered. She didn’t blink for a few seconds.

“What?” Yoh looked confused.

“Put on a shirt and I’ll help you find what ever you’re looking for.” Tamao said quickly.

“Oh. Okay.” Yoh responded indifferently. He went back into the bedroom and Anna came out.

“Good morning, Tamao.” Anna smiled at her.

“Good morning.” Tamao said breathlessly.

“What’s wrong, well besides the obvious?” Anna asked.

“What are you talking about?” Tamao became defensive.

“I know you have to be upset about Ren. We all are. But it seems like something else is bothering you.” Anna responded.

“No. That’s it. Just Ren. Nothing else is wrong with me.” Tamao said, avoiding her eyes.

Yoh reemerged from the bedroom wearing an orange t-shirt with the white pajama pants he wore previously.

“Come on. We have to find it.” he grabbed Tamao’s hand and began dragging her down the hallway.

“What are we looking for?” Tamao asked.

“Oh I don’t know. He’s been rambling all morning.” Anna called back to her.

---

“Lyserg, I just don’t know what he’s going to do.” Pirika said. She paced back in forth in front of him with her arms crossed.

“That was horrible, but I think he’ll recover from it. Ren’s strong. You know that.” Lyserg responded cheerfully. He sat on the floor and watched her pace.

“He wasn’t strong last night. You should have seen him. He was a total wreck. I couldn’t stand to watch him cry like that; it killed me.”

”Wait, he was crying?” Lyserg looked shocked. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen him cry before, at least not the way you’re describing. That doesn’t seem like him.”

“I know. Yukihiro has beaten him into this emotional wreck, and I won’t even mention what Hao did to him.” Pirika frowned.

“What did Hao…? Nevermind, don’t tell me. I don’t want to be angry today.” He stood up and held her hands. “Ren will get through this. He’s a fighter. There’s no way he’ll let a girl get him down.” he said.

“I hope you’re right.” she said worriedly.

---

Yukihiro rolled over on her bed and shot up in response to a burning smell. She quickly put on her black robe and ran downstairs to see what was on fire.

“Good morning!” Hao called to her.

“What are you doing?” she scolded. “Something’s on fire!”

“Was that a joke?” he asked. “I made some breakfast. Come and eat.”

“You never make breakfast. You never eat breakfast.” Yukihiro ranted.

“People change. Eat before it gets cold.” He grabbed the belt of her robe and led her to the dining room.

“I don’t think there’s a chance in that happening.” She said with a chuckle.

Yukihiro’s formal dining room did not fit with the rest of her house. The furniture was big cherry wood, and extremely fancy. Looking at the enormous table and place-settings Hao prepared, she wondered why she bought the table in the first place. Hao pulled out one of the side chairs and motioned for her to sit down. She cooperated and frowned when she looked at her gray dish.

“What is it?” Hao asked as he sat in the chair next to her.

“This looks…interesting. What is it?” she replied hesitantly.

“It’s breakfast.” He replied blankly.

She stared at the gray heap on her plate and wondered what she was about to ingest. The thought scared her to death.

“Just eat it. It’s very tasty,” Hao said, noticing her apprehension.

She took a piece of it with her fingers and slowly put it in her mouth.

“Chew it.” Hao said slowly.

She looked at him worriedly then began chewing the unknown mass thoughtfully.

“What do you think?” he asked her as she swallowed. She looked at him again and smiled.

“It tastes like chicken.” she said relieved. “I’ll admit, I expected it to taste like tree bark.”

“Well, it’s not chicken but I’m glad you like it. I’ll get you something to drink.” He said as he walked into the kitchen.

“How about some milk,” Yukihiro called to him.

“Fine. I’ll be right back.” she heard from the kitchen.

“Ren always drank milk. He had three glasses a day.” she rambled to herself.

“What did you say?” Hao asked, returning with her glass.

“Nothing.” she sighed.

[Sayoky]

wow...NEXT CHAPTER pleease..this one got me all confused....i have no words to say...amazing...

[kfttjdb]

What's confusing about it, Sayoky? I want to try answering any questions you have before I post Chapter 15. (because the end is almost here and I want you to understand it) If you look at it closely, you can tell which parts were added and revamped. *then remembers she only told KuroiInu about Chapter 12* Um, nevermind.