SS30 here. I deeply apologize for the unintended absence, however summer had started by the time I got around to wanting this updated and I left for a trip. By the time I got back, there was just so much going on that I kept pushing it back further and further. Then one day, I started watching Gundam Seed and decided to write a fic on that one, however THAT got delayed as well. I decided to make things interesting however I wont reveal any sort of details for it. You’ll have to read it once the first chapter is published to see what I mean. Trust me, I think you’ll enjoy it just as much as you enjoy this one.

Disclaimer: Only thing here that’s mine is the plot. Everything else is the respective property of the respective owners.

Saturday had finally come, dawning bright and clear, it proved that this May 2nd would be much more memorable than the class of 2009's previous ones put together, or at least some hoped it would that night. For most guys, there was little to worry about as most sane ones would have prepared themselves long ago for this. However, that was not the case for one Kazuma Torisuna.

“Let me get this straight, you buy tickets to prom, you have transportation as a no problem, even getting a date is not an issue, but you didn’t get a tux?” Cougar asked the frantic brawler as he threw clothes from one side of his room to the other, his closet seemingly erupting with pieces of clothing.

“Lay off damnit! I was busy with other things, I forgot!” he yelled at his brother.

“Like that’s anything new. Didn’t Mimori call earlier asking you about it?”

“Yeah, I tried to avoid telling her, but she got it out of me...” The speedy alumni chuckled slightly.

“Let me guess, she said she’d be coming over to help you look.” Kazuma stared at him.

“How’d you know?” He shrugged.

“Trust me little bro, I’ve been around the block a few times. I know that certain women tend to try to get things done themselves since they don’t trust us.”

Kazuma scoffed at him. “Please, I already told you. Were not a couple, its nothing like that between her and me.”

Cougar simply gave Kazuma a grin then shook his head. “Yeah, but for how long?”

A shirt collided with his face as Kazuma glared, gritting his teeth. “Don’t push it man, I’m not in a good mood. How am I supposed to take Mimori if I don’t even have a damn thing to wear?!”

“Well, maybe I can be of assistance,” Mimori’s angelic voice was heard as she pushed past Cougar.

“Oh, hey Meems. I appreciate you coming over, but seriously, I don’t have a damn thing.”

“Meems?” Cougar asked bewildered.

“Well, it’s a little late to go out and rent one so there must be one in here.”

“Yeah, but I cant find anything,” Kazuma said desperately, not liking how Mimori was heading for the closet.

“Meems??” Cougar said with a cocky grin.

“Cougar...shut up,” Kazuma said low and threatening.

“Wait, Kazuma what are you talking about?” The two brothers looked to the side toward the closet.

“What do you mean you don’t have a tux? What about this one?” Mimori said as she pulled out the suit. Whereas Kazuma had a horrified look on his face, Cougar was starting to crack up.

“You’ve gotta be kidding me? Not that one!”

“Why? What’s wrong with it?” Kazuma stared at her with an open mouth.

“Are you crazy! I can’t wear that, it looks horrible!”

Mimori looked over the lavendar tux, seeing nothing wrong, she frowned. “I see no problem with you wearing this. Besides it’s all you’ve got, right?”

“Well yeah, but it’s ugly...” Kazuma whined. The black-haired teen started to frown more, her patience starting to falter.

“Well, you could always just-“

“Everyone’s going to laugh at me, and I’ll just look like a fool...”

“I’m trying to tell you that-“

“And then that bastard Ryuhou will humiliate me like he always does!”

With that last statement, Mimori slammed the tux onto the bed and lost her patience.

“Will you listen to me!”

A stagnant silence filled the room, so much so that a pin dropping could be heard. The two men stared at Mimori, neither ever having heard her lose her temper. It was normal for others to get angry, but Mimori Kiryu? It was just wasn’t like her. She seemed to seethe for a few seconds before realizing what she did, pushing past Kazuma who had a sullen look on his face. After she left the room, Cougar looked at Kazuma.

“What just happened...?”

“I’m guessing....she’s still fairly upset about what happened over the last couple days, with Ryuhou and those two guys....it’ll probably be awhile before she goes back to normal,” Kazuma explained.

‘More like IF she gets back to normal...’ he thought while looking toward the door, then back down to the tux.

Cougar shrugged as he headed out the door to see that Mimori was alright.

“Damnit....things I do to make her happy....hope I don’t end up regretting this...” Kazuma said to himself as he walked over and shut the bedroom door so he could change.

Meanwhile, on the other side of town...

All was quiet in the peaceful suburb, everyone enjoying their Saturday morning, that is until a loud crash jolted everyone out of their reverie. The occupants of the area looked toward a lonely, and somewhat run-down house that large crashes and bangs could be heard, as well as the sound of two people arguing, one male and one female.

Asuka Tachibana, and his girlfriend Cammy stared at the door, slowly turning to look at each other, then decided to step inside the slightly open door of the friends’ house they came over to visit.

The sight they were greeted with could either have been viewed as frightening, or comedic. The front room had various items scattered across the floor. Drawers and cupboards were either left standing open, or were emptied of their contents, this being true for every room in the house. In the kitcen, stood Kimishima and Ayase, the former scratching his head nervously, while the latter had her hands on her hips, seething in anger. Neither were aware of Tachibana or Cammy at this point.

(Insert traditional comedic couple scene)

“I’m going to ask you, one more time...where are they?” Ayase said, the attempt at controlling her anger was far too evident.

“I...I lost them,” Kimishima said quietly.

At this, his girlfriend grabbed him by the collar, lifting him clear of the ground and growled menacingly.

“HOW IN THE HELL COULD YOU LOSE THE TICKETS TO PROM YOU IDIOT! OF ALL THE LAME-BRAINED THINGS YOU’VE DONE!” she yelled, her eyes blazing with anger.

“I told you! I set them on the table last night so I’d remember!”

“AND WHERE ARE THEY NOW! CAN YOU ANSWER THAT ONE KUNIHIKO?!”

When silence greeted her, she tossed him against the wall, swirls replacing his eyes after his head bashed against the wall.

“Kimishima! Ayase, you didn’t have to-“ Tachibana started, but backed off when her glare was directed toward him.

“Uhh...nevermind.”

After Kimishima was brought around, and things were for the most part put back in order, the two couples found themselves in the main room, talking things over about the past week, among other things.

“Yeah, I know, things have been kinda hectic,” Cammy said, a small laugh escaping her. Kimishima was quiet through most of this.

“Hey, something wrong?” Asuka asked.

“Still trying to remember where you lost the tickets?” Ayase inquired with her eyes closed while drinking from her iced tea.

“No...they’ll come up eventually. What I’ve been wondering about...is this whole situation with Mimori.”

At that, everyone turned their attention to the teen.

“I mean think about it, I’ve known Ryuhou for quite awhile and he’s always been a bit of a serious guy as far back as I can recall. But for him to up and pull something like this with Scheris...I figured the guy had more understanding of women than that,” he said with a tone of seriousness.

“I know. Ryuhou and I have been friends for years but lately he’s been acting different. Ever since about 3 years ago,” Tachibana stated.

This is when Cammy spoke up. “Wait, 3 years ago?”

Tachibana looked at her oddly. “Isn’t that when Scheris joined our class?”

“Yeah, why would that...wait you don’t think that-“

Kimishima cut him off. “It doesn’t matter. What I’m more concerned about is what Kazuma’s going to do.”

“Kazuma? What do you mean hun?” Ayase asked, now concerned about where Kimishima was going with this.

“It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out Ayase. Think about it, if Kazuma is going to go with Mimori to prom, and Ryuhou with Scheris, throw in the fact that those two guys want nothing more than to beat the crap out of one another AND add that Mimori was dumped AND almost raped on the same night, that guy’s going to be on edge. I have a really bad feeling that tonight something bad’s going to happen.”

As if to mirror the sinking feeling the group had now, the sky had clouded up, and the distant rumble of thunder could be heard.

On the other side of the city, Ryuhou woke in another’s bed to the growing clouds outside.

“A storm’s coming...” he mumbled to no one in particular. As he stretched, his cell phone started vibrating. The creaking of the bed was soon followed by the soft footsteps of the man walking over to the chair with his phone on it, along with his clothes. Pulling on his boxers, he flipped open his phone and read the text. His eyes grew wide and his breath was caught in his mouth.

Movement behind him alerted to a naked Scheris, clad in the bed sheet as she sat up in the bed. “What is it Ryuhou?”

“I...I don't believe it...” he said, moving to sit on the bed after handing his phone to Scheris. Her eyes grew wide at the message.

Ryuhou

Got word that Mimori was attacked on Thursday evening. Says that Kazuma was involved somehow. Nothing else is for sure right now. Let you know when we find out anything else.

Urizane

“I can't...believe this. Kazuma he...” Scheris said quietly.

Ryuhou stared at the ground, the full understanding of what he had done weighed heavily on him.

If I hadn’t cheated on her...if I had talked things over with her before...but I didn’t. I didn’t go talk to her, and she ended up like this. Worst of all, Kazuma...I simply cant believe he would do such a thing. But it doesn’t matter.

“Ryuhou, are you certain? Absolutely certain he would do this?”

“Scheris, I’m not sure what to believe right now. I don’t know if breaking up with her beforehand would have prevented her attack or not. I also don’t understand why or for what reason Kazuma would go and attack Mimori. But what I do know for sure is that he will pay.”

Thunder rumbled over head as he stood, Ryuhou staring at his clenched fist.

“Mark my words, I will make Kazuma suffer for harming Mimori.”

Scheris looked away, sighing as she contemplated her actions.

Should I...?

Miles away, Kazuma finally walked out to the main room. Cougar was calmly watching tv, the sky having grown dark. He glanced over to Kazuma, who was now wearing the tux. Sighing, he looked back at the tv.

“That is by far the best and the worst you’ve ever looked little brother,” Cougar said with a slight smirk.

A growl filled the room as Kazuma glared at him. “Shut it...”

The speedster pointed with his thumb toward the south side of the house, the tuxedo-clad man looking toward the patio door.

“Go talk to her man,” he said quietly, which Kazuma merely nodded at.

Mimori sighed as she sat in the swinging bench, contemplating over the past week’s events, wondering why she snapped at Kazuma like that.

It’s not like me to get angry over something so small...

“I’m such a fool,” she said to no one in particular.

“Well I wouldn’t go that far, maybe a little upset over my whining maybe, but a fool...nah,” the fighter’s gruff voice said as he emerged from inside the house.

“K-kazuma...” Mimori spoke, startled at his sudden appearance. “Why are you out here?”

Said teen looked at her oddly, scratching his head. “Uh, I came out to see how you’re doing. So....yeah, is everything okay?”

She nodded slowly, doing her best to hide her issues. Unfortunately, Kazuma wasn’t buying it. “Somehow, I’m not convinced Mimori. Come on, tell me what the real deal is.”

“Really, Kazuma. I’m fine,” she said to him, a bit more desperately. His eyes narrowed slightly at her reply. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

She bit her lip, trying everything she could to hold back. “Please, just let it be.” A growl emerged from him as he was losing his patience. “Will you just tell me?!”

Mimori looked at him, knowing she wasn’t helping things. “I’m sorry...”

Kazuma looked at her as he realized his mistake by pushing it, sighing. “No no, I messed up. I didn’t mean to push it. I’ll just, let you alone...”

As he turned to go back inside, a light sniffle stopped him in his tracks. Turning his gaze to look at her slightly, his golden gaze widened at the sight that beheld him.

She’s crying?

Turning fully to the dark-haired girl, he stared at her as the floodgates of emotion were beginning to open. “I’m so stupid...”

“Hey wait a minute, if this is over me and this get-up, then don’t worry about. I’ll wear it really. I just didn’t like it all that much, that’s all-“

“It’s not that *sniff*, it’s...just this whole situation. I didn’t see how he was *sniff* skipping out on seeing me, how he would say he *sob* had things to do when really he was seeing her...and then I let myself get into that place, not caring where I was going...”

By now, Kazuma was sitting beside her, his arm around her shoulder as he finally realized the entire problem.

Stupid, so freaking stupid! I should have known better, there’s no way she’d recover so quickly, nobody could. Mimori’s been hiding this pain the entire time, trying to make me believe everything was okay.

He sighed as he looked out towards the lawn as it began to rain, the drops hitting the tin roof of the patio. “Well, you and I are stupid in one regard.” This got Mimori’s attention, her sobbing ebbing as she looked with watery eyes. “W-what do you mean?”

Moving his hands together while bending over, his elbows on his knees he continued.

“Well, you went and hid your pain from me, making me believe you were alright and everything. And me, heh I went and fell for the whole thing. I should have seen through it, I’m sorry Mimori.”

He looked back at her, moving back up to look slightly down at her, their height difference easily apparent. Blushing, she looked down slightly as Kazuma wiped her tears away.

“No no, really. I’ll be okay...just...”

“Hm? What is it?” Kazuma asked her. She then moved toward him, leaning herself against Kazuma as his eyes widened and a redness formed on his face. “H-hey! What’re you-“

“Stay with me...just stay with me like this okay...?” she whispered while gripping his jacket sleeve. He looked off to the side, thinking for second or two before his gloved hand rose and settled gently on her head, stroking her silky black lochs slowly, eyes closing half-way. "I don't want to be alone..."

Mimori settled against him, closing her eyes slowly as she drifted off to sleep, a few stray tears running down her smooth cheeks. Both teens listened to the rain as the tin roof was peltered by rain drops.

“Yeah...I’ll stay here as long as you like Mimori...as long as you like.” He stared out toward the darkening sky, the rain continuing like this well into the evening.

Several hours later, the rain had let up for over an hour by the time Kazuma showed up to the Kiryu residence, decked out in his tux. She had returned to her home an hour after her breakdown to ready herself for the dance that evening. Cougar had offered up his car for him to take Mimori to the prom, so long as he didn’t break anything. The fighter sighed as he walked up toward the front door.

“Okay then. I’ve gotten myself this far, might as well go all the way for her,” the man said as he knocked on the front door.

“Hope tonight turns out for the best,” he said to himself, the sky overhead still rumbled with the storm that was to come.

Kazuma takes Mimori to prom, with the hopes that the night betters her after the pain she was put through the week prior. And his feelings start to shift in a new direction.

Kazuma: Mimori...you look...wow.

Mimori: Do you...really like it that much?

However, the night will be anything but uneventful, as Ryuhou won’t let things go. And issue a challenge to the warrior before him without knowing the full story.

Ryuhou: I’ll make you pay for what you did to her!

Kazuma: You’re going way over the line man, you don’t even know a damn thing about what happened!

Ryuhou: I know enough.

Kazuma: You sure about that?

And before the night is over, Kazuma’s resolve will be pushed to the limit.

??????: Kazuma! You have to come with me.

Kazuma: What...did you say?

Next time: Misunderstanding

Sorry for the long wait, again I was intending to have this updated a long time ago however, it just kept getting delayed by every little thing. I’ll do my absolute best to make sure it isn’t delayed again. Reviewing and messaging me does help, as does any input you might have.