She Loves Me

Written By SexySesshieSama

Author's Note: Hello there! This is yet another story that I started a while ago, have worked on a lot, and was too lazy to put up. I have a lot written already, and the chapters are—almost always—really short, so updates shouldn't be as bad as with my other stories. (I'm sorry! It's better than I've ever done before, I swear!) So, yeah. Don't steal my characters, or I will break you; I don't own Furuba, which makes me sad, even though Natsuki-sensei ROCKS; enjoy the story, review with comments, questions or whatever; I also like getting messages. Don't flame, I'm immune to them; being the daughter of a fire god has its benefits afterall...

Not My Best Day Ever

Things have not been going well for me today. This morning, as I lay in bed, I didn't feel like getting up and going to school. I just wanted to stay there, safe and comfortable and warm, perhaps sleep through the day, maybe play a few video games or visit Shishou. But no, instead of listen to myself, my inner instincts (which are always right, by the way), I got up, got dressed, got breakfast, and went to school like a good little boy.

Big mistake.

Breakfast was fine; Tohru makes good breakfasts. I had some fish noodles, made breakfast-y by the sliced up hard-boiled egg floating around in it. That was yummy. As was the orange juice; we had just gotten some fresh oranges, and so Tohru had squeezed this herself this morning, using the pulp and skins in the food she made for Yuki and Shigure. So far so good. The Princess was annoying, as usual, but I'm used to that. We didn't say anything to one another, so it was actually a pretty good day as far as that was concerned.

Walking to school was uneventful. Yuki and I said nothing, and Tohru walked inbetween us, pleased with the silence—it meant we weren't fighting. About a block from the school Uotani and Hanajima showed up, my worst nightmares. They took Tohru from us, herding her away, leaving the Princess and me alone. This is where it all began.

We got into a fight, as usual. Over something stupid I can't even remember. Right outside the school gates. And, of course, the administrator who came only saw me trying to punch Yuki; it was as if that damn rat was not striking back on purpose, knowing that we were being watched. I was wondering why he was acting so strangely. And that's why is face looked so distressed, even as his eyes were those usual cruel depths only I know. And so, needless to say, I was in a shitload of trouble. They carted me off to the Principal's office, and I missed first period. Mayuko-sensei would not be pleased. They called Shishou, and I knew that he would pick me up after school, kind but disappointed. The very anticipation of that made my stomach flip over; I wish he would yell at me for once, but when he wears that sad smile that says he still loves me, it breaks my heart. Guilt is the worst punishment of all.

And so when they let me loose without an escort, I neglected to go to second period, instead making my way to the roof. I sat up there for a while, alone, before I heard someone join me. It was some first year, I thought. I didn't care. As long as she left me alone...

Which, of course, she didn't. She came over to me, sat next to me, and said nothing. So far so good. But when she put her hand on my shoulder and began to speak, I blew up, screaming at her for coming up here and bothering me. I didn't mean to; it wasn't her I was mad at. All the cats that had gathered shrank back and hissed in their fear. The girl, a petit and pretty blonde, shrank back, tears in her sapphire eyes. I immediately calmed, but when I tried to apologize she ran away, crying. I felt horrible, cursing myself under my breath for being such an asshole.

I heard the bell ring and I decided to go to third period...after lunch. I sat with Tohru, Momiji, Haru, Hanajima, Uotani, and the Princess, as usual. But something happened today that was quite out of the ordinary. Three girls, who looked as badass as Uotani on a bad day, came over and were glaring down at me. They introduced themselves as Yuu, Jin, and Ara. They told everyone about how they wanted me alone, so that they could pay me back for what I did. Haru asked what exactly that was, and they gestured across the yard. Sitting in the shade of the tree was the girl who had tried to help me, bawling her eyes out on the shoulder of another, who was glaring at me with fire in her eyes.

Turns out that the blonde—Kei—was their leader—Taro's—little sister. I was in deep trouble. No one felt entitled to protect me; Momiji and Tohru were just dumbstruck, and Haru remained impassive. I growled, feeling abandoned; but more than that, I knew they were right. They were all right. I was not to be excused for my actions; I am a despicable beast. I agreed to meet them after school, so that we could get it over with.

Third and fourth periods were boring, and I didn't pay any attention. I got a detention in each class for dozing off, which I ripped up and threw away as soon as I was out of school. I met up with Yuu, Jin, Ara, and Taro after school—Kei wasn't present. Not that I was suspecting her to be; this should get ugly. I guess I had been half-wishing to see her, to apologize. I did feel bad about what I did.

But telling these four punks wouldn't make any difference, so I kept my mouth shut. Under the shade of a wisteria tree, they beat the shit out of me. They hit hard enough, but their technique was splotchy at best. I could have taken them, easy. Even more than that, I could have stopped them without hurting them; but I didn't. I let them beat the shit out of me; they gave me nose bleed, although they didn't break it; they bruised my ribs, although they didn't crack them; and they gave me a headache, although my head basically remained unharmed. My only injuries were a few cuts and scrapes I hardly even noticed. Superficial. I made myself feel the pain; for some reason, I felt like I needed to be punished. The humiliation would suck far worse the next day. When they were done with my punishment they spat on me and walked away.

It took me a few seconds to get up. And when I did, I bolted. Not from shame—although I should have been feeling some, after being beaten up by a group of girls; no one would listen to or believe that I did it on purpose, and I know they'd spread the tale, and that I'd have to be a pathetic victim in order for my trespass to be paid—but from a downright revulsion to seeing Shishou. He was supposed to pick me up after school, which he wouldn't be that late for. That's why I ran. To get away. To run away. To escape all of my problems. To be the weak and pathetic creature that I am.

I ran and ran and ran and ran. I got so far away, I felt like I'd never get back. And then—thanks to my dismal luck—one last thing happened, the icing on the cake, the cherry on top, that truly made this my crappiest day ever.

It began to rain.