Momoshiro Takeshi//The key to my lock\\6

Recap: Unbeknownst to me, someone had followed me all the way back to my home. That certain someone saw everything that happened through a window.

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"How can such a thing happen? And she didn't even cry out, even when the whip split her uniform. God, she's tough. Maybe the wound on her arm was caused by the whip! God, that's horrible." That paticular someone thought.

I limped back to my room to change. I only realised my uniform was torn apart in a big cross on my back, and stained with blood. In the mirror, I saw that my back was broken. Two long, raw slits ran across my back in a big cross. My cheek was stinging, my head was smarting, and my ear was as red as my back. I stepped under the shower, and my new wounds stund even worse. I bit my lip to cease the pain. After showering, I applied some ointment for wounds(with dome difficulty) on my back, and pulled on my shirt. I took my homework, my torn uniform and a sewing kit to mend it, climbed out of the window in my room and pulled myself onto the roof. It was my only refuge, I come here when i needed quiet. The place was entirely covered, so no one can see you, but you can see what the other people are doing. Plus, it was very close to the big tree beside your house, and you can easily climb onto it. A few years before, I tied a few of the sturdier branches together so that it formed something I could lie on. The leaves formed a thick canopy, so I wouldn't get wet even if it rained. I have never told anyone about this place, not even Dad knew. Then again, I never speak to anyone, and that worthless 'father' of mine is way too drunk to even notice there was a tree beside the house.

I was already on the roof and preparing to climb onto the tree when I noticed a dark figureleaning beside the tree-my tree.

What the, i thought furiously. NOBODY comes near my tree, OR my house. I climbed up the tree and looked down on the intruder. It was a guy- very obvious even from the top- and he had short and spikey black hair, and was wearing the Seigaku tennis club regulars' jacket.

Momo?! What the hell is he doing here? How on earth did he get here? He followed me? Damn i'm really gonna get him for this, I thought as I quietly climbed down the tree, and landed on the opposite side of him.

I turned to his side and saw that he was deep in thought.

Momo's-- THINKING??? That was different, but why did he come here to think> I could name him a hundred places for him to think- the library, for one, his own home, for another. But NOT my house. I tapped him on the shoulder.

"What're you doing at my house," I looked at my tree. "And under my tree.

"Daijobu deska, ne?" His violet eyes were full of concern. I was surprised- no one had ever looked at me like that for a long time- and here he was, doing exactly that.

"Daijobu daijobu. You haven't answered my question. What the hell are you doing here." I demanded.

"I saw your arm... You didn't look normal.. I followed you.. And I saw... I saw..." He trailed away, pointing from my left arm, to the window by the door, and finally shivering himself.

"So?" I eyed him.

"Why'd he do that? He split your uniform and you didn't even cry out!" He took my hand. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Let go," I said firmly. " I don't need your pity." I turned to walk away. But he didn't loosen his grip on my hand.

"Please," I said softly.

He let go of my hand, but before i could walk away, Momo grabbed my shoulders and turned around to face me.

"Please tell me. Maybe i can help you." His concerned violet eyes met your conceited midnight ones. I couldn't bear to look anymore-there was something about those eyes that scared me- so i closed my eyes.

"Fine. But not here. Follow me." Momo released me, and i began climbing up the tree. Momo stared at me.

"Up in a tree?" He asked incredulously.

"Baka. You walk through the front door and see what my father's gonna do to you. Go on. I dare you." He really was dense.

"Oh. Right. Right." He smiled sheepishly and followed me.

The nest of branches didn't look as if it would fit the both of us. I climbed back into my room and got some thick rope- the leftovers i had kept from tying the branches together a few years ago. I pulled a few more branches towards the makeshift nest and tied them securely together. Momo watched me wide-eyed.

"Don't you know how heavy these branches are." He stared at me as I did the work.

"Yeah I do. Don't worry. It's safe enough for both of us. Just the last bit... Eurrghh. Done." I pulled the last branch, tied it with the rest, and heaved a sigh of relief.

"I didn't mean that.. I mean... How come you can pull them together."

"I don't get you." I lay down on the makeshift nest.

"You're strong." He gaped.

"I'm not. Why don't you try." I pointed to one of the branches. Momo kneeled over and tried to pull it. After a few gasps, he gave up.

"Eurrgh. I can't pull it. Don't tell me you can?"

I opened an eye, leaned over the side and pulled.

"Sugoi!!"

I let the branch go. It swung back to its original position.