Chapter Eight: A Different View
How do you love everything about someone yet hate them at the exact same time? That was one question Ema could never answer. Klavier&Ema

A/N: Enjoy the chapter!

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with Gyakuten Saiban in anyway.

Ema Skye was sure that she was dreaming—especially since the scientific gizmos that she always dreamt of was finally at her grasp. Then again, after everything was draped in darkness, she didn’t quite understand what was going on anymore.

It wasn’t hot nor was it cold—it just felt empty. Just where was she?

“Hello? Anybody there?” she yelled out into the infinite distance as she took a few steps forward. Ema couldn’t see anything in front of her. Only her hands, her feet and just herself really, as if there was no darkness surrounding her; only the world around her. She could suddenly her heartbeat accelerating; panic was racing across her mind.

Why she alone? Where was everybody else?

Suddenly out of thin air in the distance was someone in the shadows. Ema couldn’t tell who it was in the black distance, but she could see the faint shadows of a person—was it a man or woman? A friend or foe? Ema didn’t care though.

“Hey, wait up!” she yelled, running after the enigmatic person.

The mysterious being started walking away though. Even at the speed she was running, it didn’t seem she was getting any closer, only farther.

“Don’t go!” she was frantic, “Stay! Don’t leave!”

Why wasn’t the person waiting for her? After what seemed like forever she stopped running—she had lost the one person who had found her in the darkness.

Falling on her knees, her eyes stared back at the blackness.

“Don’t leave me here…” she whispered desperately.

Just when tearless sobs were escaping her lips, she could feel a sudden warmth was embracing her. It was so comforting that she didn’t feel like crying anymore—she felt secure and wanted. Something didn’t fit though. Where was it coming from?

Her cobalt eyes soon fluttered open and closed again at the sight of the brightly shining morning rays.

“Ugh…” she groaned, burying herself at the source of the warmth. The aroma surrounding it though smelled so good. It seemed like an expensive cologne.

Her eyes opened wide at the realization of what it was. Elbowing whatever was in front of her, Ema struggled out of the arms that she found comforting just moments ago, she scrambling out of it until she felt her futon behind her.

“…that really hurt…” Klavier moaned in pain. To think the pain he was anticipating that night would hurt more than he imagined.

Getting the pillow behind her to use as a weapon, anger was suddenly rushing through her veins.

“Who do you think you are thinking you could just hold me like that?!” she was beyond flustered. Even though it did comfort her earlier from the nightmare she had just experience, she felt disgusted that it was Klavier holding her.

Sitting up properly, Klavier ran his hands through his golden locks as he yawned. Most girls would have liked the position she was just in when it came down to the former lead singer of the Gavinners—then again; Ema was always different from the norm.

“Answer me now!” Ema demanded.

He turned to face her, slightly annoyed and clearly very tired, “It wasn’t my fault.”

As she was about to thrash at him with her pillow, his pale eyes widened putting his arms in front him to shield him from the anticipated blow.

“You were moving in your sleep! I did my best to get you off.” He explained in a slur of words.

Ema had understood it though, “Liar!”

Klavier had to smirk though at his next statement, “You told me ‘Don’t go.’ ‘Stay. Don’t leave.’” He mimicked.

The pillow she was once planning to use as weapon was lowered; instead she held it close to her trying to shield her face. Ema’s face flushed a deep red, “I-I said that?” Shit! Of all the days she had to talk in her sleep. In her younger days, Lana used to tease her constantly for speaking in her slumber—this time though it was beyond embarrassing. Klavier was a co-worker who was more like superior really. To think he heard that…And to make matters worse she even clung onto him!

Klavier had to make sure he extract his revenge for that painful blow earlier that had awoken him, “You even kept saying that needed me. ‘You’re my one and only Klavier!’”

Thwap!

“Like I would say something like that!” Ema roared attacking him with the pillow again. She was sure that he was lying now.

Klavier continued to laugh on. His stomach hurt so much that he couldn’t even shield himself from the feather-stuffed pillow.

“You glimmerous fop!” she continued to scream, her face burning with embarrassment. Ema lunged at Klavier trying to strangling him, but lost her footing causing her to topple over him in chain reaction until she was lying on top of him on his futon.

“Let go of me!” Ema glared fiercely at Klavier who had quite a good grip on her wrists.

Pulling her closer to him, he grinned, “No.”

“I hate you!” she growled, struggling out of his grip even though it was useless.

“Looks like were having a lot of fun here.”

Ema flushed even more. Her cobalt eyes darted towards the entrance of the room where Phoenix was grinning by the door way.

“Goddamnit Klavier!” Ema finally kicked him causing him to wince from pain.

She quickly got up and her evil stare never left Klavier. The phrase ‘if looks could kill’ suddenly ran across Phoenix’s mind who was currently chuckling at the rather childish display earlier. Who knew a full grown twenty-five year old man and a twenty-six year old woman would be attacking each other with pillows so early in the morning?

Finally composing himself, Phoenix glanced towards Ema who looked back at him with a flustered stare—embarrassed at what happened earlier.

“Ema, Klavier. Maya was wondering after we all got dressed if you two wanted to have a personal tour of Kurain Village from the Master of the Kurain Channelling Technique herself?” Phoenix asked, “Trucy and I are already quite familiar with this village so we don’t really mind showing you both around.”

Ema forced a smile, “Of course Mr. Wri—Phoenix.” She had just remembered what Phoenix had told her to call him weeks earlier.

“It’s settled then. We’ll meet at the foyer at ten. I still need to get dressed myself,” Phoenix laughed quickly glancing at the plain white t-shirt and grey jogging pants he had worn earlier to bed.

Ema nodded and Phoenix soon left the room. Closing the door, Ema sent yet another death glare towards Klavier who was sitting on his futon, his legs tangled with the blanket he used earlier. He was grinning that same grin she hated.

“Just shut up!” she exclaimed before walking over to her belongings to grab a smaller bag filled with her bathroom needs.

“I wasn’t saying anything,” an amused smile on his lips.

“What did I say about shutting up!” Ema yelled.

Klavier just laughed as she exited the room in an angry fashion.

From her own room, Trucy couldn’t help but notice the commotion going on down the hall and the way Ema looked rather riled up.

“What happened, Detective?” she asked innocently.

All Trucy received was a very colourful vocabulary that had Klavier’s name stuck at the end from Ema.

Not wanting to ask anymore, the younger girl just walked back to her room.

Much like Klavier, Ema put her usual sunglasses on for the day. Even after breakfast Ema wouldn’t dare go within three feet of Klavier due to the fact that he might be dead the next second if he passed the line of her personal space.

They were all just waiting for Mystic Maya herself by the front of the mansion. Phoenix, Trucy and Pearl had decided to tag along for the fun of it.

“Sorry I took a while,” Maya was looking as bright as ever, “The elders chastised me into wearing ‘clothes that befitted the Master.’”

They all just laughed at Maya’s impersonation of Kurain’s elders before heading off around the village.

“Kurain is really small, so we can all just walk around to see everything,” Pearl told.

Ema nodded. She was never used to such a small place like this seeing how she was raised in big fast-paced cities like L.A. It was peaceful and relaxing—even the air seemed cleaner seeing how they were past all the industrial cities and closer to the mountain side.

“So how do you like Kurain Village?” Maya asked, though her question was more or less directed at Klavier who was currently walking in the front of the group with her.

“It’s very peaceful and serene. Very beautiful,” Klavier stared back at Maya, “Much like yourself, Fräulein Maya.”

Her small hand placed itself over her cheek as they washed with color. Maya was completely swooned over with Klavier’s presence.

Clinging onto Klavier’s arm, she smiled from ear to ear, “You know Klavier. I know this great place that sells really good noodles!”

Both Ema and Pearl frowned at the image displayed in front of them—both for their own reason’s of course. While Pearl was having an internal battle with herself say that Maya will belong to Phoenix no matter what, Ema was just angry that Klavier was flirting at a time like this—well that was what she kept telling herself.

“Mystic Maya,” Pearl pouted, “What are you doing? You should be walking with Mr. Nick.” For a girl of seventeen, her fantasies were still like her nine year-old self.

Still clinging onto Klavier with both arm, Maya turned her head around, “I’ve been that that old fart for too long. I don’t want him to start rubbing off on me. Hehe!”

Phoenix who was currently walking with Trucy at the back of the group frowned, “Thirty-four is not old.”

Maya just stuck out her tongue childishly before turning her attention back to Klavier.

“So what is this Kurain Channelling Technique that I keep hearing about?” Klavier couldn’t help but ask. It felt nice to be loved like this once in a while unlike Ema who could thrash at him at any moment in time—even if it was just for his looks and reputation.

“Maybe I can show you when we get back at he mansion.” Maya smiled, “Any dead people that you want to talk too?”

“Dead people?” Klavier didn’t understand.

Ema groaned. For someone who was supposed to be the Master of some sacred technique, Maya seemed like every other girl out there at this rate. The woman was supposed to be a role model for her village and yet here Maya was leaning head on Klavier’s shoulder—a position most girls would die for.

Ema usually didn’t care seeing how many of Klavier’s girlfriends would usually be at his office when she was delivering evidence, or even after work when she just happens to pass by a woman waiting for Klavier outside the building. She didn’t care that Maya was clinging onto him. Ema was used to this. She was just thoroughly annoyed seeing how she would even be seeing this kind of display on her long weekend. Or was it because Klavier had promised the weekend to her and only her?

Ema just rubbed both sides of her temples—she was thinking too much on something that didn’t even matter. Klavier could go disappear off the face of the Earth for all she cared. She sighed.

“Ahh, Ema, you look down. You should be having fun.”

Interrupted from her train of thought, Ema looked up to see the face of the person in front of her.

“Who says I’m not having fun, Klavier?” the sarcasm in her voice was definitely not helping her own mood.

Klavier chuckled. It seemed he had finally gotten away from Maya’s grip.

Ema looked from side to side. Where did everyone go?

“While you were off thinking to yourself, everyone got hungry and went to eat.” Klavier explained knowing that look on her face, “They’re at that noodle stand over there.”

Ema looked at the direction Klavier’ had pointed out, and sure enough Maya and the rest were stuffing themselves to their heart’s content.

Still waiting for Ema to answer, Klavier ran his hand through his blonde hair, “Are you hungry?”

Ema shook her head, “No I don’t think so. Why don’t you join the others? I think I’ll check around town by myself.” Ema sighed inwardly. What was wrong with her today?

Klavier grinned, “No, I think I’ll just stick around with you. Noodles just aren’t my thing.”

“What, too rich and glimmerous for such low-class food?” Ema scoffed.

“No, but like I said: I’ll just stick around with you.”

Ema exhaled deeply and began walking again, but this time with Klavier tagging along.

Trees flourished everywhere except the narrow roads of the village. You could actually hear birds chirping compared to the honking cars of busy streets.

Ema sighed dreamily, “You know, it’s actually pretty nice here.”

Klavier smiled, “Well it looks like you’ve lightened up.”

“Sorry about the grumpy mood swing earlier,” Ema laughed.

“Don’t worry about it.”

Most of the time, Ema hated the silence, but right now it was actually comforting in its own way.

“So…” Klavier began, “What happened to Herr Edgeworth and his fiancée?” Klavier hadn’t talked to Ema much during that week due to work so the weekend-get-away sufficed for their temporary separation.

“They went back to Germany earlier this week,” Ema told, lacing her fingers together by her back. Her eyes continued to stare at their natural surroundings.

“Did you meet Edgeworth during your high school days?” Klavier asked.

“Yeah, I met him when a…personal case happened.” Klavier probably knew about it one way or another. It was on the news everywhere when they had caught the mass murder. Ema wanted to spare him the details. She never did like looking back at those darker times in her life.

“I’m sorry,” Klavier expected Edgeworth to be the prosecutor of that murder case.

“It’s alright,” Ema smiled towards Klavier, “I’ve moved on long ago..”

“Now that I think about it, what was that dream about earlier?”

Ema laughed, “What’s with the twenty questions?”

Klavier gave soft chuckle, “Sorry, just curious.” His ran his hand through his hair one more time in embarrassment, “So what was the dream about?”

Ema gave a mischievous grin, “It’s a secret!”

“Oh come on,” he pouted, trying to give the most irresistible face—sadly it didn’t work on Ema.

“Just a nightmare. That’s all I’m going to say,” Ema admitted, “It’s weird actually—I never expected nightmares to happen at my age.”

“Nightmares can happen to anyone Fräulein,” Klavier assured with a smirk.

Ema tilted her head, “True.” The two of them had long stopped walking and were only standing in front of each other.

“You’re actually very different from the many women I’ve met,” Klavier told with a playful grin on his face, “And believe me—I’ve met my share of women travelling around the world.”

“I take pride not conforming with society,” Ema grinned back, “If I had not known better I’d actually think you’re trying to hit on me Klavier Gavin.”

“Ha, Ha, and Ha!” Klavier snorted as he forced his laughed.

Ema just giggled, “Come on, let’s head back.”

Klavier just nodded and continued their conversation as they headed back to the others. The two had spent most of the afternoon wandering around the outskirts of town that they hadn’t even noticed how much time had actually passed by. It seemed when they had found the others, everyone was already back at the front of the Fey manor.

“Hey guys,” Ema waved at the others, “Sorry we wandered off on our own.”

“Don’t worry, we weren’t too worried,” there was a certain glint in Trucy’s eye that Ema didn’t trust.

Klavier looked at his watch, “I think Fräulein Skye and myself should be leaving soon.”

Pearl frowned, “Aww…why so soon?”

“Don’t worry about it Pearly. They’ll be back soon,” Maya assured.

“Well, we just need to pack up and all before leaving.” Ema stated.

“Will you guys still stay for dinner?” Trucy couldn’t help but ask.

“Only if Fräulein Maya will allow us,” Klavier smiled. Ema just gave a look of disapproval as soon as she saw that familiar glint in his eyes.

“Of course. Both of you have to stay for dinner.” Maya told much to Pearl’s glee.

“If the Fräulein suggests it, I think we should. Right, Ema?” Klavier smiled turning towards Ema.

“O-of course we’ll stay,” Ema smiled automatically. She didn’t want to disappoint Pearl or Maya by leaving too early and taking away Klavier’s presence for them.

“Yay!” Pearl clapped out of sheer joy, “Supper should be ready soon, so let’s all wait in the manor.”

“Oh, Ema,” Maya took the said girl’s arm dragging her to the side, “I need to talk to you.”

“Uhh, sure.” Ema didn’t really know what to say, but agreeing seemed best.

While the others went inside, Maya made sure everyone was out of earshot before speaking up.

“So sorry about earlier. Pearl and Trucy explained everything to me.” Maya apologized.

“W-what are you talking about?” Ema didn’t understand.

“When I took all of Klavier’s attention earlier…you were jealous right?”

Ema just gawked at her, “W-WHAT?!”

“I mean you seemed a little upset when we were going around town. The others didn’t really notice but I asked the others about it when you left with Klavier.” Maya smiled innocently, “You two have my full support.”

Ema stood there. Silence filled the air for a moment before a nervous laughter came out of Ema’s lips.

“We—as in Klavier and I—are not together. Okay?” Ema was stammering. This was not happening, “He’s just a friend. More like a co-worker, well he is a co-worker, but that’s not the point! I would never consider going out with the guy.”

“Oh you really should lie to yourself like that, but I guess this is what Nick meant about denial.”

“D-denial?!” Ema tried her best to control her anger, “I am not in denial!”

“Are you really sure? I mean even if you might not like him that way, you must be attracted to him,” Maya folded her arms looking at her with an interrogating look, “I mean try asking yourself: Do I like him?”

Ema stayed silent, her cheeks began to feel warm at the question. There was a brief staring contest before Ema gave up with a sigh, “He is little good-looking…”

Maya grinned, “Ahh, the first step to find love. A physical chemistry.”

Ema tried not to give her words much thought, but she was failing miserably, “He’s like my boss. It would be weird.”

“What fun is love when it’s just like any plain romance. I say the little quirks is what makes it interesting,” Maya tapped her shoulder playfully; “You have had boyfriends before right?”

Ema nodded, “Yes, but they’re nothing like him. Maybe a little…but…ugh!” Ema began massaging her temples. She usually didn’t give this much thought about things like this.

Maya just laughed, “A first for everything.”

“I thought you liked him.”

Maya shook her head with a grin on her lips, “As much as he is my type, you two look much better together. Plus I’m the Master of Kurain. I think I need a man who’s more laid back like this village.”

Ema just smiled, “Let’s just go for dinner. I’ve had enough talking about that glimmerous fop.”

“Glimmerous?”

Ema shrugged as they went inside the manor. It seemed Ema and Klavier would have to drive through the night.

“Auf Wiedersehen, Fräuleins!” Klavier gave his winning smile towards the three girls through his rolled-down car window.

“See you all soon!” Ema smiled through her window. Maya gave a quick wink causing Ema to scowl.

“Hopefully we can meet again!” Pearl gave a small wave.

Klavier soon started up the car and he and Ema were off into the bumpy road. It only took a while before the reached smoother paved roads and soon enough they were at the highway.

Minutes ticked by and the sun soon set, leaving the night to blanket over the open roads. Ema could feel herself getting sleepy with the hypnotising rumble of the car’s engine and Klavier’s soft breathing. Not wanting to sleep, Ema tinkered with the knobs of the radio until she got a proper signal.

“Tune into 99.9,” Klavier suggested. The two hardly exchanged words when they entered the car, so it startled Ema slightly.

“Sure,” changing the stations, Ema finally reached the one Klavier had suggested. She suddenly frowned as soon as she heard a familiar tune, “Guilty Love?” Ema groaned. Hadn’t the Gavinners broken up months ago?

Klavier chuckled, “What? It was one of my best songs.”

Ema just folded her arms and shook her head. Klavier was egotistical as always. At least it was much better than the silence.

“Fun trip we had, don’t you think?” Klavier grinned. His pale eyes still staring at the road ahead of him despite the lack of vehicles.

“Very…eventful,” Ema flushed as she remembered Maya’s words. Thank god Klavier couldn’t see her face.

Klavier laughed, “Well you hardly even paid attention when the Fräulein was giving us the tour of her village.”

Ema frowned, “I-I was lost in thought.”

“About me?” he joked. Sadly he didn’t know how right he was.

“Pfft! No way,” Ema denied.

Klavier just laughed.

The ride went faster than Ema had expected despite the slow beginning. Soon enough they were back in L.A.—then her apartment.

“Thanks for the trip Klavier,” she smiled, quickly snatching her white bag from the back seat that contained all her belongings.

“You’re always welcome, Ema,” Klavier said in his all too musical voice.

Ema gave a faint laugh, but couldn’t help but get caught up in his pale eyes. She had never noticed how clear they were—it wasn’t like the sky or the ocean. It was peaceful hue that reminded her something for safe and familiar somehow. Her fist tightened against the white bag that was resting on her lap.

“Ema…” Klavier whispered in the silence, one hand on the steering wheel the other resting on the back of Ema’s seat. He knew that look in her eyes, but it was only natural for him to just follow his own instincts.

He was leaning in closer much too close for comfort. It didn’t help that her eyes were beginning to close as a reflex. Her heart beat began to accelerate—her breath coming short. Her body was getting lost in the moment, but all too suddenly Maya’s words ran across her head:

“I mean try asking yourself: Do I like him?”

Ema jerked before leaning back swiftly—before his lips could even brush against hers—her tense hand fumbling to find the handle of the car before it began slightly relaxing as soon as it was in the palm of her hand.

The heat on her face was rising much too quickly for comfort causing her head to spin, “I-I-I got to go. See you at work!”

Klavier just gave an awkward smile and began to laugh slightly in an attempt to erase the tension. Why did she pull back so suddenly? “G-goodbye. I guess?”

“Later Klavier.” Ema all too gratefully got out of the car already set to walk into the apartment building.

Klavier started the engines once again and sped off. It wasn’t long before he parked his car at the side of the road. He rested his head on the steering wheel giving himself a bit of time to sort out his thoughts before driving off again towards the direction of his condo.

Ema’s face was still flushed when she opened the door to her small complex, there was only one thing running through her mind. What she didn’t know was that he was thinking the exact same thing…

What was that?

Please review!