DISCLAIMER: You know what I'm gonna say. And since they are mine (MINE I SAY!) the OC, Yasuko, gets to have Kyou. Don't expect any mushy stuff too soon. That just wouldn't be Kyou's way. Of course, there'll be plenty of Kyou goodness, so never fear.
Once in the hallway, Yasuko was introduced to Haru and Momiji. Yuki and Tohru had explained to everyone in advance that Yasuko was mute, so the whole family was doing their best to make her feel welcome. Momiji's natural outgoing attitude kept Yasuko from feeling awkward at all. Hatori observed the brief conversation that took place, watching Yasuko's body language as she acted out her responses to Momiji's story.
It was obvious that the girl had spoken at one point, as she would occasionally forget herself and try to speak when laughing. Hatori was glad to see that the girl was not overly self-conscious about her disability, and he found it a good sign that she took to both Haru and Momiji so well.
"It was hilarious!" Momiji laughed. "Makoto was blushing eight shades of red and stammering about how he would get Haru back at all costs! Haru just stood there, black and smiling. You should have seen it!"
Yasuko grinned and nodded her head to let Momiji know she too wished she had been there.
"Momiji," Hatori broke in gently. "I need to speak with Miss Hiro for a moment. Why don't you and Haru join the others in the sitting room?"
"Okay!"
Momiji and Haru smiled, waving to Yasuko as they left her. Yasuko turned to face the somber young man and followed him into Shigure's office. At the sound of the door sliding closed, Yasuko faced him, brow raised.
"Don't be alarmed, Miss Hiro," he smiled. "Yuki and Tohru informed me of your… condition." Yasuko flushed and turned away. "Please don't be embarrassed. I'm the Sohma family doctor. I would like to examine you if I may."
Yasuko faced the doctor with eyes blazing. Hatori was surprised at the fire in her gaze and the regal pose the girl struck. Everything in her look and posture berated him for his presumption, and Hatori fought not to smile. How was this girl not a Sohma? She had missed her calling.
"I would like to help you if I can. As a friend of Miss Honda's you will find yourself quickly accepted by most in our circle." Hatori stepped closer to Yasuko. "I ask only so that I may satisfy the family's curiosity later on."
Yasuko's eyes flashed dangerously and she moved to the desk where she grabbed pen and paper. Hatori raised a brow at the girl's temper as he read the message.
Why not invite them in to watch? We could serve popcorn! Dinner and a show. Get your money's worth from being nice to the retard!
Hatori crumpled the paper and threw it away.
"I can read sign language," he drolled, ignoring her literary outburst. "American and British. If it would help."
Yasuko lost it. Her motions were violent, her anger readily apparent.
"What does my silence or, condition as you put it, have to do with any of you?"
"They are merely curious. And concerned." Hatori crossed to the porch and looked out the door to the lawn, admiring the hues of twilight. "This is apparently the first time they can recall that you have ever come out of your shell."
Yasuko clapped her hands to get his attention. Hatori turned.
"How dare you?" Yasuko's eyes narrowed. "I don't suppose they mentioned that this is also the first time in almost two years that anyone bothered speaking to me?"
"Yes, actually," Hatori smiled gently. "They did mention it. They all seemed quite ashamed of that fact. Particularly Miss Honda."
Yasuko's anger left her, and she lowered her eyes.
"You may examine me."
Hatori took his time examining her throat. What he saw confused him. Strange scarring and bruising were clearly visible, as though she was repeatedly screaming and being choked. However, the healing gave him hope, and he saw enough to convince him that Yasuko Hiro could learn to speak again. Hatori said nothing though, but merely thanked her and led the girl back to join the others.
"Tori-san, where were you?" Ayame asked as they entered the dining area.
"Is everything alright?" Yuki spoke up.
"Everything's fine," Hatori responded. "Miss Hiro was kind enough to indulge my professional curiosity."
"Now, now, Hatori," Shigure smiled. "No fair trying to steal our girl."
"That's right!" Ayame chimed.
Yasuko laughed and signed a response.
"Please don't encourage them," Hatori groaned.
"She speaks sign language!" Momiji cried. Yasuko nodded as the small boy gasped. "How great! Now Hatori can translate for her!"
Yasuko looked to the doctor who nodded his consent. She smiled and took a seat at the table by her translator for the evening.
Dinner was fun for everyone. Even Kyou got in on some of the joking and conversation, but he found himself watching Yasuko more than anything. Her hands danced through the air as she mouthed her words, Hatori speaking for her. In Kyou's mind, though, Yasuko had a voice of her own, a sweet voice a little deeper than Tohru's lilt, but softer than Hana's. He laughed along, though as she told a story about teaching her sister to surf.
"She refused to ride her own board, so we had to both use mine. She was so scared to stand up she wound up holding on to my waist in a death grip, cutting off my air!"
Everyone laughed at the image of a blue Yasuko with a girl gripping her waist while hanging ten. Hatori went silent at her next words.
"What did she say?" Yuki asked.
"She said that was the summer she lost her voice."
"What happened?" Haru asked, voicing the question on everyone's mind. Yasuko's eyes had gone out of focus as she looked through time to that day. With a shake of her head, she came back, though, and smiled at Haru.
"Another time, perhaps. If I am invited to return."
"Of course you can come again!" Tohru and Momiji exclaimed in unison.
"This was fun," she smiled.
The others at the table echoed the sentiment, each in their own way. Yasuko blushed at all the attention and signed that she would be more than happy to return. Kyou watched her cheeks flush beneath her long lashes when Shigure complimented Yasuko, and he was mesmerized. A comfortable silence fell as everyone took a moment to eat.
"Yasuko Hiro," Shigure said, distracted. Yasuko looked up at him and smiled. Shigure returned the smile and snapped his fingers in the air. "Now I know why that name sounded so familiar! I've been trying to place it all night!"
Yasuko's eyes shot wide in horror.
"Oh, yes my dove! I've been reading your books! I have your latest novel right here!"
"Oh, no."
Shigure laughed as he pulled the small book from his pocket.
"Don't be embarrassed my flower! You are an artist of the highest order, and I am now convinced more than ever that you and I were meant to be." His next smile brought an explosion of roses.
"How do you manage to make that sound illegal?" Hatori groaned. Ayame plucked the novel from Shigure's hand and opened it to the bookmarked page. His cheeks flushed slightly as he read the passage, and then closed the book.
"You're right, Shigure. We have finally found the perfect woman."
Ayame joined Shigure in the falling flowers and Yasuko followed suit from her set and signed them a message.
"I refuse to say that," Hatori said calmly. The atmosphere flashed back to normal, revealing Yuki holding his head in his hands.
"Don't you ever stop?" he asked in a weary voice. Beside Yuki, Kyou sat reading the passage Ayame had just finished. All eyes turned to him as he read. Kou flushed, closed the book and stood. Yasuko blushed beet red when their eyes met.
"Excuse me," Kyou managed and left the room. Everyone watched in silence as he closed the door. From the hallway, there came a sudden POOF!
Shigure burst out laughing.
Yuki opened the book and read the same passage. When he finished, he handed the novel to Hatori and followed Kyou into the hallway.
POOF!
Shigure's laughter became uncontrollable, and Haru and Ayame joined in. Yasuko buried her face in her hands and prayed the earth would open up and swallow her.
"What happened?" Tohru asked, confused. "Was it any good? What's Yasuko's book like?"
Two loud POOF!s echoed in the hall and Shigure accomplished the impossible by laughing even harder. Hatori finished reading and closed the book, raising a brow at Yasuko who blushed again and shrugged bashfully.
"A girl needs a hobby."
Hatori laughed at her answer and shushed Shigure. A moment later, a blushing Kyou and Yuki entered carrying the dessert tray.