Summary: Five years have passed since Sunako left Kyohei at the gate in the airport. Things have changed drastically since then. No one lives in the beautiful Nakahara mansion anymore and no one is really, truly happy. When Miss Nakahara decides to throw a reunion for the group, Sunako and Kyohei will be forced to meet face to face one last time. But can these two wayward lovers get over their pride long enough to take their last chance at happiness? Here it is! You asked and you shall recieve! Find out what happens in this exciting sequel to the Yin Yang Effect.
A/N: Sorry, I've been watching too much DBZ and the announcer voice won't get out of my head. -_-'
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"Kyohei!"
"Kyohei, wait!"
The cries of his friends went unheard as he shoved his clothes into his backpack. He didn't know what he was doing. He just had to get out.
They banged their fists against his door in desperation.
"It's okay, you can go after her!" Yuki's voice said.
Go after who? His world was gone.
"Yeah, we'll support you!" Ranmaru added.
'There's nothing to support.'
"Kyohei, please open the door." Takenaga begged.
Kyohei did just that, but not upon his friends' orders. With cold and uncaring eyes, the walking knife brushed past them and headed for the stairs, gripping the strap of his backpack.
"Where are you going?" Noi demanded angrily. "You can't just leave!"
He looked at them from over his shoulder, his eyes like ice.
"Watch me."
He walked down the steps towards the front door, his friends hot on his trail.
"Where are you going to go?" Takenaga asked. His question was ignored. "Kyohei!"
He pulled open the door, brushing their hands off as they tried to hold him back.
"You can't go! Sunako needs you!" Yuki pleaded.
Kyohei turned his icy gaze onto the smaller boy, slamming his fist into Yuki's face. The boy fell to the ground in shock, nose bleeding. Kyohei then turned and punched Ranmaru away, kicking Takenaga in the gut as Noi screamed. He would not be stopped.
"Goodbye." Was the only thing Kyohei said as he slammed the door, leaving behind his only friends, his only family, and his comfortable life behind.
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The years moved by swiftly, too fast for him to keep up, almost as though he were watching it all in a haze. The rundown little apartment felt empty and lonely, yet he didn't seem to care. It was a place to sleep, where he could sleep for free so long as he did chores for the kindly old lady, whom he dubbed "Gramma Cougar."
He would chop up the wood for her fire and carry her groceries inside, doing his best to avoid her grabby little fingers that would pinch his rear every time he walked past. At this point, though, he found he couldn't care less about her. She was a harmless old woman, and so long as he ignored her, she wouldn't try anything. It was the other girls he worried about.
They would draw themselves closer to him, tracing their slim or pudgy fingers down his chest, whispering confessions that did nothing but get on his nerves. He showed them that as well, giving them what they wanted but in a way that would please him.
With his fists, he beat them, tore their clothes away and pounded his desires into them and when they asked why, he'd only reply, "That's what you wanted, right?"
He found he hated people; women especially. The men were not as bad around him, but every now and again, he would have to show his agitation with them in ways that would always land him in the county prison. Not an hour or so later, he'd be set free. After all, his looks were so great, he had to be telling the truth when he would say that he was just giving the tramps and dirtbags what they wanted.
Eventually, people stopped gravitating to him. The lawsuits stopped, thanks to Miss Nakahara's generous attempts at keeping him out of jail, where he'd most definitely be killed. The fangirls ran away from him in fear and everyone soon knew that Takano Kyohei was not one to be messed with anymore. Old friends and fans from school wondered about him, but deep down they all knew why he had changed.
He had truly loved Nakahara Sunako and would never love another.
Five long years passed in a bar, chugging down vodka, rum and sake, using only the money that Gramma Cougar would present him with for doing her chores. She kept him plenty fed, though he found that he was never hungry.
On the days he was sober, sort of, he would get visits from his old friends. He'd hear stories about their lives and how great things were turning out for them.
Takenaga had gotten into a good school, and was now studying business, in hopes of one day taking over his family business. He and Noi were still going strong and yet, to Kyohei's amusement, he had not yet worked up the courage to ask for Noi's hand in marriage.
Ranmaru had also gotten into a good school, studying business as well for the sake of his own family. After about two years of denying her, he had finally settled down and married the "Princess," Tamao. Kyohei thought he might have been at the wedding, but he was too drunk to remember. From what Ranmaru told him, however, he and Tamao were happy and pregnant with their first child. Kyohei couldn't remember when it was that Ranmaru had told him that, though.
Yuki was going to a state college, the best his own family could afford, and was currently studying to be a Child Therapist. His girlfriend, Machiko, had finally moved back to Japan and, according to Yuki, they were the happiest couple in the world.
But as soon as they voiced their concerns for him, he would open a bottle of whiskey and ask them to leave.
He was fine, right? He didn't even know anymore.
Every now and again, on his afternoon walks from one bar to the next, he'd pass by the old Nakahara mansion. He remembered it appearing older than it was before, vines growing up the sides of the walls. The gate was locked up tight. No one had lived there in around three years, he would guess, though he wasn't certain.
Some days, as he would down another shot of sake, he would wonder how all of this happened and why everything fell apart.
'If I had only just said what I felt,' he would think to himself. 'then things wouldn't be the way they are.'
He knew in his heart that it was true and that it was his entire fault. He let things fall apart, and every time he would come to that realization, he would down another bottle of vodka and stumbled back to his ratty, run-down old apartment, fall onto his futon and fall asleep, gripping a single picture of his once happy life, surrounded by friends with a certain, dark girl at his side.
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For the first time in years, the house seemed to come alive. Three young bishounen men swept and tidied up the place they had once lived in, laughing and reminiscing about old times. Three lovely young ladies worked in the kitchen, preparing appetizers and a meal for the event that was to come. Miss Nakahara herself watched over the entire thing, a proud smile on her face.
It had been five long years since she had seen the group together like this, in her little old mansion where she, herself, had spent many happy years with her Darling. Those days seemed like such a long time ago, and soon it seemed that the days she had sheltered four, beautiful boys and entrusted her beloved young niece to them were long in the past as well.
She longed for those happy days to return once again and so, as she sat sipping tea in her luxurious private jet, she formed a plan.
Reunite the lost souls under one roof once more.
Sebastian seemed to like the idea and even offered to personally go to visit her favorite bishounen men to tell them the good news. However, he only found three of the four, but that was good enough for her. She would find Kyohei at some point and would drag him to the reunion by his hair if she had to.
Sunako was easier to convince. Miss Nakahara simply insisted that she missed her favorite little niece and wanted to catch up back at the old mansion. The young woman had moved back to Japan about two years ago with her parents, and she was currently studying at a nice college to be a Forensic Pathologist, a career that Miss Nakahara was not entirely pleased with, truth be told. But at least Sunako had become a polite and lovely young lady, and that was all that Miss Nakahara wanted.
Now she eagerly awaited her niece's arrival, sitting on the nice couch in the living room, watching the young men as they finished their cleaning and sat down across from her on the opposite couch, laughing about something or another.
"Did you boys manage to get a hold of Kyohei?" She asked, effectively interrupting their conversation. They perked and looked at her with grim faces.
"Well, we haven't spoken to him in a little over a year," Takenaga said. "And he hasn't wanted to reconnect either."
"Yeah, when we tried to see him, he wouldn't answer the door." Yuki said, a small pout on his face.
Miss Nakahara nodded in understanding, sighing.
"We sent him an invitation, though." Yuki added. "With any luck, he'll come."
"Did you tell him that Sunako-Chan would be here?" She asked worriedly. If he knew, there's no doubt about it, he would never come then. The group shook their heads.
"We conveniently left that part out," Ranmaru laughed. "Though we did promise booze, so you never know. He just might show up."
Miss Nakahara shook her head at the man's attempt at humor and started to say something when the door bell went off. She stood up quickly and rushed to the door, smiling brightly.
"Sunako-Chan!" She exclaimed happily, pulling her niece into a tight hug. The girl in question wheezed a little, face turning blue.
"H-hello, Aunty." She breathed. The older woman pulled back after a moment, ushering her inside.
"Come in, come in before you catch your death of cold." She said. She smiled at Sebastian who bowed in greeting. Sunako pulled off her favorite knit hat, the one she had worn since her high school days, and took off her coat hanging them up beside the door. To say the men were surprised by her appearance would be an understatement.
She still wore black which, it seemed, would always remain her favorite color. But she wore a nice blue, v-neck long sleeved shirt, a silver cross necklace resting against her bosom; a long black skirt complete with black leggings and brown boots finished off the ensemble. Her long dark hair was pulled back into a simple ponytail with a skull and cross bone hair tie, and a skull bracelet adorned her wrist.
'Some things will never change,' the boys seemed to think at the same time.
She blinked in surprise at the sight of the three bishounen men and then she shrunk back, shielding her face with a hiss.
"No! They've returned!" She cried out and room filled with laughter as the group rushed to hug her tightly.
"Sunako-Chan!" they said happily. "We've missed you!"
She groaned.
"The feeling's mutual, now get off of me." She demanded, pushing them away.
"Is that Sunako-Chan?"
She turned just in time to find Noi's arms wrapping around her, nearly tackling her to the ground.
"Oh, Sunako-Chan! You have no idea how lonely I've been, I've missed you so much!" Noi said, feeling tears gush out of her eyes. She pulled back a little to glare cutely at the dark girl. "Don't you EVER leave me again."
Sunako couldn't help it; she had to laugh as she hugged her old friend.
"Okay." She said. She pulled away to greet Tamao and Machiko with simple nods.
"It's nice to see you all again," She said, but then was instantly serious. "But what's going on?"
"It's a reunion." Miss Nakahara gushed. "Oh, it's just been so sad since everyone left, I thought it would be nice is you all were together again, even if it's just for the weekend."
"So then that would mean that he's here, right?"
The group peered at her nervously.
"Who, Kyohei?" Yuki asked. Sunako didn't answer, she just stared hard at the group. "He's not here."
A tiny smile graced her face as she nodded.
"Okay, then." She said. The group beamed at her and she had to wince a little at the brightness of the room. Noi and Yuki grabbed her arms and pulled her into the living room, asking for all the details of her life. Miss Nakahara smiled at the sight but turned to look out the window, as though seeking someone.
"I guess he really isn't coming." She said with a sigh. She turned and joined the group, faking a smile.
'My reunion isn't complete.'
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The day was pretty much spent sharing stories and laughing about old times until dinner was served. They gathered around the table, laughing some more as they ate.
"Man, this food isn't nearly as good as Sunako-Chan's." Yuki complained, earning a slap from Noi and Machiko. He yelped and pouted. "What? It's true!"
Takenaga and Ranmaru laughed and nodded.
"We haven't had your cooking in so long," Ranmaru said. "You still cook right?"
Sunako nodded, smiling.
"I founded the cooking club at my university." She said simply.
"Have you ever considered just opening up a restaurant, Sunako-Chan?" Miss Nakahara asked. "It would be so much better than examining dead bodies for a living."
"Cooking is just a hobby, Aunty." Sunako said with a delighted grin. "And corpses are so beautiful, how can I not want to examine them all day?"
The group rolled their eyes.
"Same old Sunako." Yuki murmured, chuckling.
"Only much prettier." Ranmaru added.
"Well isn't this a perfect picture?"
The group looked up, startled to find Kyohei in the doorway to the dining room. It appeared he hadn't shaved in weeks and he wore an old, knit cap with an older coat. Underneath was a familiar red, yellow and green haramaki. It was old and faded and surprised even Sunako that he was still wearing it. His hair was a mess, longer and wilder, and heavy bags were underneath his eyes.
"Can't believe y'all started eating without me." He said bitterly as the group rushed up to hug him.
"Kyohei!" They cried.
"You're late!" Yuki exclaimed.
"It's good to see you again." Takenaga laughed, ruffling Kyohei's hair.
"When was the last time you took a bath?" Noi asked, disgusted.
Kyohei rolled his eyes and pushed them away.
"Y'all said there'd be booze?"
The group fell silent as he fell into a chair at the table. It was then that he noticed her.
Her violet eyes still made his heart leap in excitement and he found he couldn't look away. She was still just as beautiful as she was when she left him alone at the gate.
"Sunako…" He breathed, rubbing at his eyes incase it was some kind of cruel illusion. The girl in question found herself looking away, completely in shock.
'He's not…shining.' She thought, feeling her heart sting. What had happened to him since she left? 'Surely it's not because of me…right?'
"Well, look what the cat dragged in." He said coldly, calling for her attention again. He was scowling at her. "What, couldn't find a guy in Africa to break so you had to come back here?"
She frowned.
"Excuse me, but I'm here because Aunty asked me to be." She snapped. "I wasn't exactly expecting 'you' to be here either, you disgusting, foul creature of the light."
He snorted at that, reaching over to snatch a piece of her fried shrimp off of her plate.
"You certainly haven't changed; still just as big of a bitch as ever." He muttered to himself. She stood up with a growl forming in her chest.
"Keep your grimy hands away from my plate, you ass hole!" She shouted, the plate from the table and away from him. She turned on her friends. "You bastards lied to me, if I'd know he was going to be here, I never would have come."
She turned and walked off into the kitchen.
"Sunako-Chan, where-?" Miss Nakahara started.
"To eat in my room. Don't bother me." She shouted back.
Kyohei snorted again, tearing into the shrimp.
"So about that booze," he started, earning a heated glare from the group. Miss Nakahara rubbed wearily at her temples.
'This is definitely not going as I had planned.'