Chapter 317 - An excuse

*UNEDITED*

This guy makes her so angry at times. However, Akito is the only one who knows her. In this place, he is the only one who truly understands her. Not even Yang understands her this well. "You don't have to worry about me, the nightmares aren't that bad anymore," she mumbled. "So, please don't come here..."

Akito smiled bitterly, "You know it's just an excuse. I want to spend time with you and see you more..."

Well, she knows that. Setsura gently caressed his cheeks. "Tell me something Akito, why do you look so tired these days?"

"Because, I miss you."

"Are you trying to guilt trip me? Do you know how unpleasant that is?"

He chuckled, and removed her hands from his face. Akito slowly shifted their positions so he was on top of her. Setsura however didn't bat an eyelid, "This position is quite something."

"It is right? It's very nice."

"Akito, tell me why you came here..."

"Let me kiss you Setsura."

Like she would actually say yes to that. Setsura didn't say a word but Akito bent down and kissed her. It was a brief kiss and yet, somehow - it went a bit overboard for her liking. A slow kiss, a slight nible there before he pried her mouth open. He slid his tongue inside her mouth, and their tongues collided.

After kissing for so long, Setsura found herself completely red and out of breath. Her flushed face accompanied by her unsteady breathing made her look like a woman in ecstasy. For a moment she saw Akito's lips turn into a slight smirk. Yet, this expression changed so quickly.

"Sorry, overboard," he pulled back from her. "I just wanted to kiss you, but I need to think things through a bit."

Akito looked strangely nervous. Setsura didn't know what to think. She never saw him like this before. Is he worried that she would hate him? It's true he is overstepping some boundaries. But, if she weren't so insistent on pushing him away to the point she dated another guy then.. 'She wouldn't dislike the attention he gives her.' Even long before they dated, Setsura liked it whenever Akito paid so much attention to her.

"Setsura, please give me another chance."

At that comment, Setsura froze. 'He finally said it.' She knew it was a matter of time before he proposed that question to her again. After all, Akito came here every single day. Naturally, he has hidden intentions. Setsura however didn't mind that at all. It's okay if he does have attentions. She also wants to spend a little more time with him. When she returns to the future, and then comes back to the past. Things will be different again. Setsura wanted to hug and kiss him back, she wanted to tell him that she would take him back.

The relationship with Yang is just for show, they aren't a proper couple anymore. She often stays at her apartment than return to Yang's home. While Setsura still liked him, when she thought about her feelings for both guys. She felt very guilty, the one she loves is Akito.

Setsura didn't turn him down, instead she...

"Can you give me some time? Give me a week or so, I'll...answer you then."

At that comment, Akito's eyes widened and he wrapped his arms around her. "Thank you so much."

It was just a single hug and yet Setsura felt so overwhelmed. She really wanted to cry, but she quickly shook that thought away. She moved away from Akito's arms, "Are you hungry?"

...

An hour later

"You've become a good cook, this is delicious," Akito said taking a bite of the rice she and steak she cooked.

Honestly, other than meat dishes. She can't cook anything else properly. How very strange, this entire situation. Setsura never thought things would become this strained between Akito and her. While she knew she would eventually have to stop relying on him. Setsura didn't think that things would turn out this way. The only reason why everything became complicated is because they started dating. If they didn't start dating, then - it wouldn't be so awkward now. She needed an excuse to stay by his side. That's why, accepting his hand was better.

Her feelings for him were small at the start. She was confused about many things. Ever since this entire mission started, the only thing she could be sure of was Akito. The only thing she was positive would never change is Akito. Even though they broke up, Akito still wants to stay by her side. She is very lucky and blessed to have him love her so much. However, this love is heavy, it's suffocating and painful.

Setsura thoughts broke off when Akito reached across the table to hold her hand. "What..."

"Setsura, you have me. You don't have to worry about anything, I'm by your side and I'll never leave you. Your not alone, you don't have to handle everything by yourself. It's scary isn't it? Scarier than when you had no memories at all. Remembering just small pieces - will confuse further. You can't make sense of anything, what's right and what's wrong. Who is your alley, and who is you're foe."

"Akito..."

How come he knows everything? Why can he see right through her? She isn't that guilable is she? Is it because he is Akito? Is he the only one who can read her emotions clearly like this?

"Setsura, I will always be here. You can talk to me whenever you want, I'll listen."

_

Present

Setsura didn't think Chauncey Long would attract so much attention. She tried to use streets with less people, but even then people turned and looked at him. Even over here, he radiates that aura of nobility. By the time they reached Taiga's place, the skies turned orange, signaling the day would end soon. Setsura thought she could sneak back inside but unfortunately both Yang and Taiga were waiting at the gate. Before Setsura could get a word in edge wise though, Yang's eyes turned deadly and she knew the source wasn't her. The source was the person beside her.

"Welcome back Setsu-chan. Where did you go, we were wo---" Taiga glanced over at Chauncey, "You went to pick up handsome guys?"

'Idiot!' Setsura scolded in her head. Thankfully the other two didn't notice, in fact they were already fighting. Her eyes widened alarmed, when did Chauncey Long leave her side... Didn't Yang react too quickly? What's with their unbelievable reflexes.

"Chauncey, stop!" Setsura said.

At that comment, the blue haired man stopped in his tracks. 'It seems like calling him by his name works,' Setsura thought. 'What a simple guy.' She turned to Yang and frowned, "I thought we spoke about this already?"

After that accidental meeting last time, Setsura made sure to speak to Yang about Chauncey Long. She knew the full story of why they hated each other. But even then, she didn't want to deal with this messy situation. So she threatened not to speak to him if he fought with Chauncey. It seemed so petty and stupid, but it clearly troubled Yang.

"We did," Yang grunted. He reached over and pulled her into his arms, "Come inside with me. I'll treat your injuries."

"Alright."

Setsura reluctantly followed Yang, the moment they arrived upstairs. Yang pulled her into his arms. She flinched uncomfortably, "Yang...not..not now.."

Yang didn't hear her or did he? But he is attacking her neck with kisses in seconds. 'This moron.' She really doesn't want to right now, but if she refuses him - he will get hurt won't he?

Setsura allowed Yang to continue, and eventually he brought her over to the bed. The bed produced sounds of shaking. "Setsura, when will you truly be mine?"