Runaway from the Past

[gloopip]

hehe Ayaka really knows how to deal with yossy's temperature

and right now i'm totally in love w/ this fanfic !!!
fast updates and interesting story! good job tru_harmony

[goosefish]

Hey! I just caught up with this fic from the start  I noticed that you update really quickly, which of course is a good thing 

I like how the story is set outside of Japan because it makes for a nice change of scenery. Also LOVE how Ayaka goes out of her way to make Rika even more "kawaii" 

I'm eager to find out why Rika and Yossi seem to think that the other is familiar... maybe they knew each other as kids? 

Anyway, great work! Hope to see more soon 

[katatsumuri]

The last chapter just gave me an adrenaline high, not that I'm stressed... I don't know why, it just did. GJ~

[tru_harmony]

^is that a bad thing?

[gloopip]

maybe he got excited on the last part of the chapter, and besides he said good job so i think its not a bad thing

[tru_harmony]

All right!

Later that night, Rika was finally asleep, Hitomi dialed Ayaka’s number.

“Moshi moshi…”

“Ayaka… you didn’t say good bye to me and Rika-chan.”

Ayaka just knew Hitomi was pouting on the other line. “Well, I saw that you two were busy and I just didn’t want to ruin your moment… So, what happened?”

“Not much… We watched TV…”

“WHAT?!” You just watched TV?!” Thinking her efforts had gone to waste.

“Yeah, We watched a tennis match… French Open... I had no idea about anything but it was nice that Rika enjoyed it. She said she played tennis in middle school.”

“That’s pretty interesting… … anyway, why did you call?… Is something up?…”

“Well, I got the test results this morning…”

“…And… ?”

“They said Rika was a little malnourished and probably has an ulcer. The CT scan showed that she had no head injuries…”

“That’s good… we just have to feed her right, then … … … What about THE test?”

“She’s never had sexual intercourse but the doctor noticed some lacerations in some parts that indicated that someone had attempted to rape her...”

“Was it the night that you found her?”

“No… the doctor said it has almost healed. It probably happened last month.”

“… that answers some questions… what else?”

“The team concluded that it was the rape attempt that triggered her clamming up… but it was strange that the lacerations are about a week older than the bruises. They said that in most rape cases, the external bruises and the internal lacerations healed about the same time, meaning they were inflicted around the same time. But in Rika’s case, someone attempted to rape her, then a week after, someone if not the same person, beat her up”

“I see… Yoshiko, what do you plan to do now?”

“I’ve been thinking about it all day... I’m still pretty pissed at the Eyes for not completing their last mission…”

“Well, Yoshiko, you can’t blame them if all their leads turned out to be duds…”

“… Yeah… but I don’t think poking into Rika’s life just like that is right…”

“Well, Yoshiko, you’ve poked into peoples’ lives before with the Eyes’ help... Why can’t you do it now?”

Hitomi knew Ayaka just asked her a leading question, trying to manipulate her into responding to the question with Ayaka’s preferred answer. “Yeah, yeah… You got me. I think Rika is special. I don’t know why. I don’t know anything except that I think there are lines I shouldn’t cross and there are some things that are sacred that I shouldn’t touch.

Ayaka smiled and Hitomi knew her friend was smiling victoriously after making her confess.

“Yoshiko… just take care of her… ... Anyway, I won’t be coming over tomorrow. I have to meet up with Shibata early to finalize the financial reports. It’s that time of year again.”

“I understand… I’ll take care of it… Rika probably needs sometime alone too… Bye.”

[sweeety]

awwww the ending is sooooo sweet.

 I get back from school and there is a gazillion updates

 After reading them all I tried to post this but 6 new replies had been made, one being a new chapter

 Awesooome!!!!!!!! I luv this fic. I hope you update as much tomorow. Im gonna go ahead and guess you are having hollidays there. I'll also guess you live in either Singapore or the Philipinnes...and if Singapore is in the Phillipines then I really need to get a map or something and sory

 yey, I hope there are new updates here tomorow. I loooove it!

 Its much niceer and sweeter than I thought. But it's sad to think that this is the calm before the storm.....
 I hope that whatever happens next Yoshi lets Rika in and she doesn't just keep her out, out of fear of getting hurt, because let's not forget that Rika is not the only scarred one here. I think she will tell her what happened to her mother at some point and she will be like "oh my god, so that's why you're this way" also I think it was her aunty that gave her to those men. Maybe her stepmothers' sister and maybe it was her and her boyfriend, trying to get her out of the picture to get to her fathers' money.

..... FUCK ME DEAD ANOTHER CHAPTER!!!!!! DAYUM!!!!! I DIDN"T EVEN GET TO REQUEST IT YET!!!!!!!

[sweeety]

err when I posted that I meant the chapter before this one... lol, I didn't think anoother chapter would pop up while I was typing and if I had waited I thought that maybe Id miss this spot to another chapter , so I went ahead and posted that. I hope you keep uup the rapid posting. Its awesome. I am interested to know how Rika and Yoshis' days will be tomorow.

 But I have a bad feeling. I think maybe if Rika is left alone she will go through some hard mental stuff. I don't think she'll be very happy throughout the day. I think that Yoshi will also be very worried about her too..... Maybe she will not go or come home early....aw that would be sweet. ANyway, Ganbarre friend (?) Ganbarre.

[tru_harmony]

thnak you to all readers who are constanty checking out my fic.

i'm packing in as many chapters today because i might not be able to post tomorrow.

i'm personally excited with how the story is turning out. all your comments have helped me realize the potential of this fic. hopefully i could develop this story to the fullest. i hope i can make it.

Hitomi woke up early again this morning but Rika woke up ahead of her again, 4th day in a row.  She took a cold shower and dressed up. Looking out to the kitchen, she saw that Rika kept her word-- she was in the kitchen again, preparing breakfast for Hitomi—just this time, Ayaka wasn’t there.

“Good morning…” Hitomi went straight to the table. Rika’s smile told her that it’s a good morning for Rika too.

Rika placed the omellete she prepared on the table.

“That smells great!... … … Did you sleep well last night?”

Rika held up a colored cardboard sign “Yes!”

Hitomi laughed at what she thought was extremely cute. “That’s pretty clever… You made that yourself?”

Nodding her head Rika held up the sign again,

“Today, I’ll have to leave you here alone. Ayaka’s got a lot of work to do so she can’t come over. Would that be okay with you?”

… and again.

Hitomi just laughed at Rika. “Kawai!!”

Rika blushed at Hitomi’s words. She can’t help but smile.

“If you need anything from me, my office and cellphone numbers are written on the pad beside the phone, I also wrote down Ayaka and Mai’s numbers in case you can’t reach me. The emergency hotline numbers are there too.” pointing at the small pad of paper lying beside the phone.”

Rika held up an “OK” sign.

Hitomi patted her on the head. “You remember our code, right?”

"Yes"

“All right! Well then, I better get going.”

Taking out another sign, Rika held up one that said “OK”

“I’ll be home early… around 4:30… Ayaka and Mai might come over, okay?

“OK” the upheld sign said. “Be careful…” Rika quickly wrote down on the sketchpad.

“Don’t worry… I will… I’ll be looking forward to seeing again you later…” Hitomi gave a smile that could melt anyone’s heart and a quick peck on a blushing Rika’s cheek.

[tru_harmony]

Rika took a warm shower. “It’s a good thing we found each other… ne?” Hitomi’s words from played over and over in her mind. She couldn’t forget the smile Hitomi gave her just now and really didn’t want to wash her face because that would wash away Hitomi’s kiss but it was awfully muggy that day. She just had to wash up.

Rika put on her clothes, track pants and a loose t-shirt. The ones Ayaka bought for her yesterday. Ayaka’s so nice to me. Hitomi probably asked her to look out for me but… she was sincere with me. They’re lucky they have each other. I’m lucky they found me.

Rika did her routine stretches. She always did them after a bath unless she was really busy. She had some gymnastics training when she was in primary school. After stretching, she paced about in the living room. She was getting anxious as there was nothing to do. She was used to being busy.

It was almost 9 am. Still she was idle. Getting frustrated at her inactivity, Rika went to Hitomi’s bedroom and looked around the room, looking for something to do. The whole condo was spic and span. So cleaning would not be an option. There was no clutter anywhere and everything was in place. She went closer to a small table that had a few pictures on them. One was a picture of her with Ayaka and Mai. They were fooling around in Shinjuku. The others were all pictures of Hitomi and two younger boys. Her brothers perhaps? She looked more like a brother to them than a sister. Hitomi looked so carefree yet responsible in the pictures with her brothers. There were soccer game pictures, festival pictures, graduation picture but it was strange that there were no pictures of her Hitomi’s parents around.

But seeing the pictures made Rika remember her sisters. It’s been around thirteen years since… Rika just didn’t want to remember anymore. She put the pictures back where she found them and left the room.

There was just nothing to do. She went to the guest bedroom and laid down on the bed. It was the second most comfortable bed she has ever laid on, next to Hitomi’s. The bed was soft but firm… just like Hitomi.

Without her noticing she dozed off.

[gloopip]

“Don’t worry… I will… I’ll be looking forward to seeing again you later…” Hitomi gave a smile that could melt anyone’s heart and a quick peck on a blushing Rika’s cheek.

keep on writing tru_harmony! you and your fic rocks!!!!!!!!

[tru_harmony]

Last post for today!!

*edited for typographical errors! Gomen!!

Hitomi got to leave the office early. Ayaka and Mai were not able to come over as they insisted on doing Hitomi’s work so she could come home early to spend time with Rika. Sometimes, those two are just suspicious.

She entered her home. Calling out to Rika, she got worried when Rika did not show up to greet her. She quickly went to the guest bedroom to find Rika sound asleep. kawai~.

Even though Rika was always smiling, Hitomi felt that Rika was carrying a heavy burden in her chest. She also noticed the huge bruise on Rika’s calf. It’s almost healed.

The sight of the bruises on the girl in the bed and the memory of having seen her in the van that night stuck in Hitomi's mind, tears began falling from Hitomi’s eyes. Not wanting to disturb Rika in her slumber, Hitomi walked out of the room and moved to her own room. She couldn’t stop the tears from falling and the images from her past made her want to scream. She buried her head in her pillow. Hitomi hoped that the pillow will block way all the memories. Mama…

The sound of the door closing woke Rika up. Although she didn’t see Hitomi’s face, she felt that there was something wrong. Rika quietly went to Hitomi’s room and found her crying.

At first, Rika didn’t know what to do. She didn’t expect to see Hitomi like this—she didn't look the type. But what do I know? What’s there to expect?   Rika asked herself. She’s seen bad times herself and she knows how hard it was to deal with them alone.

She slowly approached Hitomi on the bed and put her hand on the other girl’s shoulder. Hitomi did not move as she felt Rika sitting on the bed where she lay. For the first time, she didn’t feel ashamed to be seen like this. With Rika, she didn’t feel like she needed to explain herself.

Is it because I saw Rika in an even more vunerabe state?

Hitomi got up and cried on Rika’s shoulder. She felt safe. Rika did nothing else than to sit beside her. Rika’s actions didn’t tell Hitomi that everything’s going to be all right. They just made notice Rika’s presence. Rika just wrapped her arms around Hitomi.

In Rika’s embrace, for the first time in her life, Hitomi didn’t feel that the world demand anything from her. That she didn't need to act tough. She just wanted to melt into Rika’s arms.

Rika’s embrace was warm yet Hitomi felt that Rika was holding back. As if there was an invisible wall between them.

[kRisZ]

very nice, me really  s the story... two thumbs up! zooming updates, very nice story, Teh 3 Bestfriends and Ishiyoshi makes me  

[heyyouhiya]

I love that every time I leave the computer that I can come back and read like a bazillion chapters of this story =]

That last chapter with the crying...and Rika...and vulnerability...and 
sooo sweet
I really want to know about both there pasts
but I'm sure you'll tell us eventually =]

[tru_harmony]

the pasts our heroes are running away from will be revealed in due time...

thank you for your comments. i had some unexpected free time today so i'm posting a short update. sorry if it's a little too short

==

Hitomi wiped her tears with her fingers. After she had recovered from crying, Rika stood up and went to Hitomi’s desk. Taking a paper and pen, “You feeling okay now, Hitomi-chan?” looking very worried as she showed her message to Hitomi.

Hitomi did not say a word but nodded to Rika’s question.

“Do you want anything to eat or drink? A glass of water?”

Hitomi shook her head. She didn’t feel like taking anything in.

“You have work tomorrow. You better get some rest now.”

Hitomi stood up and walked to Rika. She put her arms around Rika’s shoulders and whispered in her ear. “Can you stay by me?... Please?” The memories have taken their toll on Hitomi’s strong façade.

Rika rested her head on Hitomi’s shoulder and wrapped her arms around Hitomi’s waist. I’ll stay with you for as long as you would want me to.

Hitomi let go first. “Thank you, Rika-chan” kissing Rika on the forehead.

Hitomi went back to the bed and beckoned Rika to follow. Lying down on the bed with Hitomi didn’t feel as strange as Rika thought it would be. She was glad she could help Hitomi out in time like this, just by being here. Hitomi turned off the lights and held Rika’s hand as they both drifted off to sleep

[zay05ohayou]

Aw..  Sweet.. and so cuute! 

[gloopip]

aww tru_harmony, you made my morning by posting this short update

[tru_harmony]

okay... i got  a false alarm today... i'm gonna be busy tomorrow and not today... so... more updates!!!

Rika woke up early again. In fact, earlier than usual. It was still dark and she could barely see anything. Rika felt Hitomi embracing her and Hitomi’s head resting on her shoulder. Their hands were still entwined from last night. Rika thought about getting up and preparing breakfast for Hitomi but any move from her will surely wake Hitomi up. She decided to stay in bed. She gently caressed Hitomi’s hair.

It seems that both of them have gone through a lot. Was it fate that brought them together like this?

Hitomi felt at gentle hand stroking her hair. She’s awake. Still earlier than me. Hitomi smiled to herself. Wait a minute…She just realized that she was resting on Rika’s shoulder. She got up, an act that surprised Rika who thought Hitomi was still asleep.

“Sorry, Rika-chan… I must’ve rested my head on you shoulder while sleeping. Is it cramped?”

Rika shook her head and got the paper from last night and started writing.

“It’s alright. I slept very well. My shoulder’s fine. Your head’s not that heavy.” Rika smiled.

Even at this early in the morning, that smile made Hitomi’s day.

“Thank you, Rika-chan… about last night…” Hitomi paused, not knowing what to say.

“You don’t have to tell me if you’re not comfortable. Just remember that if you need a shoulder to cry on, I’m right here.”

Hitomi just smiled at Rika and kissed her on the cheek, “I’ll remember. Thank you…” Rika wanted to faint.

The two got up from bed and fixed the linens.

“What do you want for breakfast?”

“Just bagel and cream cheese…”

Rika went out to the kitchen as Hitomi hit the showers. She took out the cream cheese and orange juice from the refrigerator and toasted four bagels. One for herself and three for Hitomi. That girl really could eat!

Hitomi thought about the night before. Feeling the could water from the shower, which she really preffered over warm water, she wanted to return to the Rika's arms and feel her warmth.

She headed to the kitchen after dressing up for work. Rika looked at Hitomi who simply looked handsome. Kakkoi. Hitomi took a bite off her bagel and gulped down her orange juice.

“Ano… Rika… sorry… I might not be able to join you for dinner tonight… I have a lot of work to do…”

Rika just smiled at Hitomi assuring her that she’s going to be okay.

“Okay… um… see you…” Hitomi kissed Rika on the cheek like the previous days just before leaving.

[heyyouhiya]

Four bagels!
Man these last chapters were so sweet
with the vulnerable Hitomi and the Rika with the hugging and the sleeping and the gah!

lol I wish I could make more comments in between your chapters but you post so fast
(its great)

[zay05ohayou]

Woah another chap? This story is getting awesome! Are you sure you haven't made a novel already?
The Ishiyoshi interaction is just  anymore of this and i could seriously get a nosebleed..
but thinking about how they had some bad pasts is just