Chapter 15 - As Long As He's Happy

Tomeo was thankful to get out of the house, his Father was not the best of company at the moment and since the bills hadn't been paid, the phone line was cut off so he had no one to talk to. Not even Busuke.



The cold air nipped at his heels, sinking its icy fangs into his flesh and he was instantly reminded of Yukio. He was ashamed of his branding at first but now, he was rather proud of it. He finally advanced open the open oval, letting his gaze sweep over to see a dark shadowy figure lurking around near the play equipment. Sakaki. Taking in a breath, he pulled his parker around him tightly and jogged over.



“Sakaki?”



She turned and sure enough it was her deep purple eyes staring at him. “Sit.”



Tomeo couldn't help but let out a chuckle. She was just like her brother. Sitting down with her on the swings, he glanced over at her expectantly.



“Yukio hasn't told you but he really likes you and I do too, you're a good guy. But you must know. I will not let Yukio lose what he has gained at this school Tomeo. I won't lose my status either. We have both worked too hard.”



Tomeo glared. “What? Worked too hard at bringing down Busuke?” He snapped unintendedly.



“He was hurt enough by her, he didn't need Busuke's cruelty!” She screamed suddenly from nowhere. He'd obviously hit a nerve.



“What do you mean? Who's her?” Tomeo questioned, his voice calming down. His tone obviously soothed Sakaki down, because she had calmed.



“…” She hesitated in replying him but she decided to go ahead and tell him. “Our… Mother...”



Tomeo frowned in confusion. What had their Mother done to Yukio? He remembered his Mother to always be a gentle and kind woman. He guessed not all Mother's could be that way. He waited once more. Not wanting to push her. It seemed to be a tender area of discussion.



“Yukio was always a very shy boy. I never knew why until I mentioned Mum and he told me everything. She had already left the house then. He told me that when he was eleven, she… abused him.”



Tomeo's face morphed into great concern.



“But not hitting or anything… it was the other kind of physical abuse…” Sakaki was finding it very difficult to say.

It dawned upon him what she meant. His Mother had sexually abused Yukio. What kind of a parent did that? It was too hard to imagine, he didn't want to anyway. Tomeo felt a great wave of sympathy for Yukio at that time. He didn't want to know anymore, it was enough. No wonder Sakaki wanted to protect him. How could she trust anyone if one who was supposed to be the one protecting them had turned on them?



“Yeah, I think I know what you mean…” Tomeo said, saving her the awkwardness.



She sighed in relief. “Then you know why I want to keep Yukio at the top of the food chain? It's nothing personal. I just have to keep him at such a place at school where no one can touch him. Do you understand what I'm trying to do for him?”



Tomeo nodded. He was not going to put Yukio in danger but he wasn't go to give him up either. He had never felt stronger for him before. Never.



“Good. Then you'll stay away from him.”



This time, she wasn't asking a question.



Tomeo didn't have a chance to object before she quickly stood and slipped away into the shadows of the night.



“Great,” Tomeo mumbled, swinging gently. “Now Yukio and I have to dodge Busuke's, Sakura's and Sakaki's eyes, not to mention everyone else. Just great.”



* * * *



Yukio knocked on the door to his sister's room. He had a feeling she had gone out with Kisa but wanted to be sure that she was gone. There was no reply so he slowly opened the door. Glancing around the room, he breathed a sigh of relief. She was nowhere to be found. Her and Kisa usually went out for hours on end. He turned back, nodding to Tomeo. He wasn't sure why he wasn't speaking. It just seemed like if they spoke, someone would catch them. He didn't want it to be like this, but there was no other choice.



Tomeo crept into Yukio's room and a photo frame caught his eye. Picking it up, he saw a picture of Yukio and Sakaki but they weren't as they were now. They were very young, about four and five years old. They both looked so happy, playing together in the winter snow. He couldn't help but smile. At that moment, he felt a tender kiss upon his neck and Yukio hugged him around his waist.



“You look happy here.” Tomeo whispered, continuing to admire his wide, dark eyes that weren't covered by bangs. Yukio chuckled slightly.



“I was crying five minutes later when Sakaki threw a snowball in my face.” Yukio sighed, remembering.

Tomeo turned around, not breaking Yukio's grasp around him, and placed his head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. “Does this make you happy?” Tomeo whispered.



“Does what make me happy?”



“… This… You and me.”



“Yes. It does.” Yukio lifted Tomeo's chin and kissed him softly.



Tomeo smiled. If Yukio is happy, that is all I need to know. Sakaki doesn't matter, he does.

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