With 1,000 Sweet Kisses
Pairing: YukixMachi
The signs were everywhere. Banners stretched across the halls, posters strategically placed along the walls, small flyers pasted anywhere there was space, including on bathroom stalls. Yuki couldn't escape it.
The spring dance was coming soon sending people into a frenzy to find that "perfect" dance partner, the "perfect" outfit, the "perfect" restaurant. Small pockets of students, mainly girls, could be found chattering about this and that at the corner of every hallway. The worst part wasn't the chatter or the flurry of student activity, it was the girls themselves.
"Ano, Sohma-senpai?" a timid, childish voice startled him out of his reverie.
"Yes, what is it?" he queried in his polite, quiet voice.
"I was j-just wond-d-dering if you would be interested in… um, going to the dance… with me?" the poor child couldn't even look him in the eyes. Her face turned a solid crimson from hairline to chin. She wrung her hands together when he didn't answer immediately.
"I'm sorry. I plan on only attending the dance as president of the student council, not as an actual participant." He gave his best attempt at a genuine smile at the end to reassure her that it was his problem, not hers.
"Oh… ok then." She scurried off to a small gaggle of underclassmen who welcomed her.
They must have been waiting for her. I'm going to kill Kimi for suggesting this, but that would tarnish my image as president.
He gave a weary sigh. Yes, the student council was sponsoring this dreaded and damnable event. He would have voted against Kimi, but that dratted Manabe was all for it as well. As irritating as he is, he would have been worse if denied this opportunity. Yuki sighed again. As a member of the student council he was bound to go, no matter how much he wanted to get out of it.
At least this time I don't have to wear a dress and I'm not required to dance.
He nearly smiled at the memory. It was almost far enough in the past to laugh about. He knew he wouldn't be alone at the dance either. When the idea was suggested, it was only thing that woke Machi out of her stupor. Her head snapped up and disgust laced her gaze.
If only she would have spoken up, that could have changed the entire vote. Listen to me, "would have" "could have," I'm talking like that stupid cat. He sighed and shook his head. I might as well get this over with though. It can't be that bad.
The night of the dance showed him just how wrong he could be. The small gym was covered in crepe paper and balloons. There was tinsel and more crepe paper hanging from the door to make a curtained entranceway. Inside music was blaring from speakers set up on the small collapsible platform at one end of the gym. There was a heavy beat to it and the lights were all dim. (A/N-I've never been to a dance so go with me on this.) Yuki immediately attached himself to the nearest wall, farthest away from all the girls stumbling around in their high heels and long dresses. He watched more than one trip and realized this was probably the safest place for him.
"Yun-yun!!" A heavy arm was thrown over his shoulder and the body of Manabe jostled into him. "Great dance huh?!" He had to yell over the music. "Come on, me and Kimi are dancing now. I can let you cut in if you want."
"No thanks. I think I'll get some punch or something. See you later!" Yuki ducked out of his grip and took off around the wall, dedicatedly looking for the snack table. He found something entirely different though.
Machi was slumped against the wall about ten feet in front of him, glaring at the students dancing on the floor, the decorations, the snack table, even the DJ. Her gaze took her around the room and when it fell on him, she paused, eyes wide. He waved and finished the distance to her.
"Everyone seems to be having a good time," he commented after an awkward pause. Machi just nodded. Her glare was directed at her brother, then at Kimi. Looking closer Yuki could see the different emotions playing across her face. It wasn't hatred he found, but longing and jealousy. Confused, he studied her more.
"Don't you dance Sohma-kun?" Her gaze turned directly to his face.
"No. Don't you?" He offered her a reassuring smile.
"No." Her tone indicated she was hiding what she wanted to say.
It all made sense. Her glares, why she hated the idea of a dance. People were always spreading rumors about Machi and no one really talked to her. A dance was just another social gathering for her to be shunned. While girls were throwing themselves at Yuki for his attention, not a single boy had approached Machi since the dance was announced.
The song beat changed and Yuki decided he'd chance it. He startled her by taking her hand in his.
"Would you like to dance?" he asked just before lightly kissing her fingers.
She blushed. A small spray of pink covering her cheeks and nodded, unable to find words. Careful to maintain distance, Yuki treated Machi to her very first dance.
A/N- Hi there. I hoped you liked this. This is my first… anything really, outside of school. Got the title from a lovely song from RENT, "I'll Cover You." "So, with a thousand sweet kisses, I'll cover you."