If I Should Fall

Chapter 9

Well, I came back from the grave just to write this for y'all so you know what happens to poor Sou and Yumi. It bugged me so much that I never finished this that I finally had to sit myself down and force it out. I hope it satisfies y'all, it's short and to the point.

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Soujiro's breathing was heavy as he stood deciding what to do. His rage told him to bust down the door and like a white knight, rescue his Yumi. His instincts told him just how badly that would end. The yelling and sobbing continued in the other room. He knew the other hotel guests would have called the manager by now.

His heart ached. He wished that he had been a man, and told Yumi his feelings for her sooner. It may have prevented some of this mess. All this time, dreaming of her and a quiet life back on a farm again...away from all this bawdy pandemonium. He wanted to save her, protect her...

His attention returned to the present when he heard a faint knock on the door to Shishio's suite and the hotel manager's indistinct voice. A brief pause, followed by a quick conversation. He knew Shishio would have some excuse. The manager may have his doubts, but he would accept it. He heard the door shut, and there was silence. His muscles tensed, his stomach knotted. He took a deep breath and opened his mouth, leaning against the adjoining door. He had to say it. He had waited too long.

"Yumi," he shouted, "I love you."

There was silence in the other room as his heart pounded in his ears. He waited, pressed against the door for a tense moment that seemed like forever. What was happening in there? Was Shishio going to take his anger out on Yumi? Why hadn't either of them said anything? Was she already dead?

The door flew open and Soujiro leaped back, his heart making the same sudden leap into his mouth. Shishio stood glaring at him. They stared at each other. Shishio stepped forward, grabbing Soujiro's shirt and throwing him against the wall. He threw a punch that landed on Soujiro's left cheek, knocking him off balance. Shishio grabbed his shirt again and pulled him up so they were face to face. They stared at each other. Shishio let go.

"You know what? You want that whore, you can have her. I'm glad to finally get her off my hands. Your career is over, boy. I made you, and I can break you. No matter who you try sign with, no matter where you try to get a gig, it's not gonna happen. It's over. I'll see to that. I wonder how you expect to support that money grabbing gold digger without a career."

He turned out walked out, picking up his keys and wallet and slamming the door. Soujiro was stunned that he did not get more of a beating. He felt almost disappointed, the nightmare he had always expected wasn't as much of a nightmare after all. He looked up to see Yumi standing in the doorway.

"I...I don't know what to say, Sou."

Soujiro looked at the floor. "I'm sorry Yumi."

She stared at him quietly for a moment. "What are you going to do now?"

He looked up at her. "All this time, I've just wanted to take you away from all of this. I don't know if that's what you want...but, please give me a chance to show you what it can be like. What it's like to have a good man that you can trust, who loves you unconditionally."

She knelt down next to him and brushed his hair back, kissing his cheek gently. She paused, then slowly kissed him again, tracing her way to his ear. "I'm willing to give it a try," she said.

He smiled and turned to her, caressing her beautiful face. He leaned in and kissed her lips gently, slowly. "I promise I'll take good care of you, Yumi." He whispered. She grinned and took his head in her hands, kissing first one eyelid, then the other.

"You realize Makoto just took off and left it up to us to pay for the hotel rooms."

Soujiro opened his eyes, still smiling. "It'll be alright. Everything has worked out just fine."

-finis-