Mine

Ayame was sitting on the couch, stretching his long legs on it, so that they hung off the side of the couch. From the kitchen, Mine spyed on her beautiful boss. She was carrying two cups of steaming jasmine tea, and the teapot on a tray, which she held gingerly, as not to disturb Ayame.

He is really perfect, Mine thought. Ayame had a finger on the bottom lip of his mouth, and he appeared to be deep in thought. She told herself not to disturb him, so she gently set the tray down on the bench. Ayame was in the most magnificent dark blue clothes, and his silver hair gleamed.

Ayame had told her never to hug him. She didn't know why. But she had promised, because she wanted to keep working for Ayame. So perfect… Mine thought.

Ayame

Mine was so sweet. When she first started working at the store, he had told her never to hug him. She had agreed readily, even though he knew that it had offended her. He loved the way she did everything. Ayame suddenly stood up. He needed to see Shigure and Hatori.

"Mine! I'm going to 'Gure's house for a while. If I'm not back when the store closes, you know what to do!" Ayame called. Mine walked through the door. She nodded and smiled. Ayame smiled back and left.

Ayame called a taxi. He, being a snake, didn't like the cold much. Besides, he needed to talk to Hatori as soon as possible. It was very important.

Hatori's Place

" –see 'Tori? You see what I mean?" Ayame said.

Hatori started to laugh. Ayame stared incredulously at him. Hatori laughed harder than ever.

"Who would've thought? The almighty student council president, the womanizer, falling in love. And so deeply, I might add."

"Who's in love? What are you talking about? Love? I just… just… just think of Mine as a good friend is all."

"Ayame," Hatori said gently, "you think about her all the time, everything relates back to her, everything she does is perfect." Ayame frowned as Hatori quoted his own words back at him. "If this isn't love, what is?" Hatori stood up and walked towards the window.

Ayame suddenly remembered Kana. "'Tori – 'Tori, I'm so sorry! I forgot about Kana. So… you must be an expert on love now, eh?"

Hatori nodded silently. "Well… thank you Hatori. I'll be going now."

Ayame turned to leave. Just as he was about to grasp the doorknob Hatori called his name out. "Tell her. Tell her how you feel. You'll regret it forever if you don't." Ayame grasped the doorknob hard. What is the same thing that happened to Kana happened to Mine? He couldn't stand that, not if it meant hurting Mine. Never.

"What if…" The question died on Ayame's tongue.

"What if the same thing happened to Mine as happened to Kana?" Hatori said. "It won't. Not if you're meant to be."

Back at the Shop

"Oh! Ayame-same, you're back!" Mine said. Ayame had come in just as a customer was leaving.

Mine looked concerned at Ayame's face. "Ayame-sama, is something wrong? You're very pale."

Ayame smied at her. A smile that didn't reach his eyes. "I'm fine, don't worry yourself, Mine."

Mine smiled and went back to her work. As she swirled around, Ayame's long fingers extended and slid through her lovely chesnut hair. How much he wished he could tell her. Tell her he loved her, that he was sorry that she couldn't touch him, that he was sorry he didn't trust her enough to tell her about the curse, that he wanted to be with her forever.

Hatori's words replayed itself in Ayame's mind. It won't. Not if you're meant to be. But what if Mine and I weren't meant to be? Will it just end? Just like that?

"Mine…" His whisper was so soft that possibly only he himself heard it, but Mine whipped her head around.

"Yes, Ayame-sama? Would you like to rest? You look worried." Mine said, sounding very concerned.

"Mine. Come around to my house tonight. I have something to tell you."

Ayame's House

Mine looked around. Ayame had a very grand, large house. The walls were lined with wood, the floor tiled. The hosue was dotted with artistic ornaments, and the whole effect was dazzling. Mine had just been let in by Ayame's butler. He had said that Ayame would be down very soon.

She heard footsteps behind her. She turned around and her breath withered in her throat. Ayame looked stunning.

Ayame sat down next to her on the couch.

Ayame

She's embarassed. Have I done something wrong?

She probably doen't want to be here.

"I… have something to tell you."

"…Go on, Ayame-sama."

"I…I…" Ayame faltered.

Mine was shocked. Ayame had always been confident.

Ayame picked up his phone.

" –'Gure? Yes, come over, now. Yes, please. You too, 'Tori. Now." Ayame said.

"My… my friends… Shigure and Hatori are coming. I hope you don't mind."

Mine laughed nervously. "Of course not! Of course not."

10 Minutes Later

"Ayame!," Shigure looked around. "And this must be Mine. Ayame has told us all about his hard-working assistant." Mine blushed.

"Ah… Mine, could I speak to these two for a second please?"

Mine nodded. Was it her imagination, or did Hatori look angry?

Ayame led Shigure and Hatori to an empty room.

"Why'd you just do that? That hurt her feelings!" Hatori said angrily.

"I couldn't… tell her… that I… that I…" Ayame drifted off. Shigure and Hatori were concerned. Ayame had never been like this.

"That you love her? Just spit it out. Full on. Then tell her about the curse." Shigure said. Hatori interrupted, but Shigure put his hand up.

"What other way is there?" Hatori nodded in agreement.

Shigure gave him a little push. Ayame stumbled out the door.

"Mine…" Ayame said, sitting on the sofa, holding her hand. "Mine… I love you. I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier. I didn't tell you because the Sohma family has a curse. If I hug you, I'll turn into the snake, because I'm posessed. I understand if you don't love me. I'll never be able to touch you. I'm sorry. I'm sorry I didn't tell you. Hatori told his lover, Kana, and they suffered consqeuences, I can't let the same thing happen to you. I'm sorry. Sorry, that I'm restricted by this curse. I'm sorry that I have to hurt you, sorry that I love you so deeply that you'll get hurt."

One week later (Mine)

I stood in front of the doors that led to the chambers of Akito Sohma, the head of the Sohma family. I was scared beyond belief. He had called Hatori two days ago telling me to meet him here. I was really nervous. A week ago Ayame had told me he loved me, and my world had been perfect. Just then, Hatori opened the door.

"Come on, Mine. Akito's ready." Hatori put his hand on my shoulder as he led me through the door and through a dark passageway. "It's going to be alright, don't worry."

We approached a door. Akito's voice sounded through.

"Come in."

Fifteen Minutes Later

"If you don't leave Ayame, he will be hurt. Have you ever wondered what happened to Hatori's eye, Mine?" Akito's voice was smooth, strangly disconnected, mysterious. I hated it.

"No… Akito-sama." I replied. However much I hated him, he had an indefinable quality about him that made you think he was superior.

"He loved a woman named Kana once, a long time ago. They were engaged." I gasped. "He came to beg me to allow him to marry her." I waited. "I refused. I blinded his right eye. Kana was devastated – but that serves her right. Hatori had to wipe her memory."

"The same thing will happen to you if you're not careful. Leave Ayame, or he'll suffer as much as Hatori did."

Mine's Home

I cried. I cried and I cried. I called Ayame and told him there was somebody else and that I quit. He thought I was joking, I hung up, then I cried some more. I didn't sleep that night. I was stricken with grief. It was for the best, right? I was protecting Ayame. But why did I feel like this?

Then I realised it.

I love Ayame.