Thanks for reading and leaving your reviews people! I really feel better reading your responses. Ehehe. Hope you like this chapter, everything goes oohlala from here. I would also like to remind everyone that this fic is rated T and might go to M or MA in the later chapters. So please, if you're below the legal age, don't read further-I don't want readers getting suddenly disappointed because the fic turned a rating higher. Okay? ^_^ Hope you like this chapter! And do please leave a review!

Yanani: GREAT! Thanks for suggesting Tasuki as a car racer...Interesting point and I suddenly had a sub-plot running in my head. Ahaha. Thanks for the review!

XxLadyYuixX: Thanks for the review! Don't worry...everything will even out soon. Glad to hear you like this chappie. Ehehe. I had a very good scene coming up for this story (song-fic-ish) and I bet you'll like it. But not yet...probably after I've established the character relationships.

Disclaimer: Well, FY is not mine.

Chapter 4: Not Happy Every After

By Slavedriver2008

YUI SMELLED POWDER AND MUSK. She smiled, loving the subtle scent. Her body felt heavy yet she felt so light inside. Her eyelids were shut like locked windows and she would not dare open it, afraid light would instantly blind her. Instead, she ended up snuggling to a warm bed. Was it a bed or a pillow? She couldn't decipher what it was that moved underneath her. The only thing she could make out was the sound of gentle drum beats and the monotonous breathing that cradled her to a peaceful slumber.

A slight gush of wind would brush constantly through her hair but she never mind. There was something warm wrapped around her waist, but instead of pushing it away, Yui let it rest. Everything was serene. This was probably the most peaceful morning she had after leaving Shin Jin Ten Chi Sho.

Rays of the sun directly hit Nuriko's eyes and he squirmed. He lifted a hand and placed it over his eyes. When he opened them again, a mass of blonde hair greeted his view. And a welcome weight was pinning him down. It made him smile. Blonde? Weight? He blinked and stood up slightly from the futon. The head moved and held him closer.

"Yui?" he called softly, his heart beating faster.

The girl made a sound of confirmation, making him curse. Her hands wrapped around his waist and Nuriko tensed. He lifted the arm around her waist and tried his best to move without waking her up. Although the presence of the girl felt weirdly wonderful, there was something awfully wrong with the situation, yet he couldn't point out what.

"Yui?" he called again, eliciting another response from her. Partly annoyed and wanting to throw her off, Nuriko's hand landed on her back and he realized something. He raked his hand over her back and Yui moaned in her sleep. Their skins brushed. "Damn."

They were both naked.

"Hoy, wake up," he hissed. He placed his hand on her hair and crumpled it harshly. She made a sound of protest and she lifted an arm to push his hand away. Sounding annoyed, the girl lifted her head toward him, eyes still closed. Ever so slowly, she opened her eyes, face inches away. She was looking over his face, trying to recognize him in the morning. "Boo."

Nuriko knew her vision cleared when she gasped and her eyes widened in shock. She moved on top of him and their bodies pressed against each other. She gasped again and looked down on their nakedness. Her eyes widened in horror.

"Aaaaahhhh!" Yui screamed and Nuriko thought his eardrums broke. He wanted to slap her to make her shut up but the sliding door opened and they both turned toward the door. Yui gasped and she snuggled closer to him, in desperation to hide her naked body.

"Korin…" he called the shocked woman. "Can you close the door please?" he asked and his younger sister slowly closed the door. Yui thought they look alike but when she faced Nuriko, she realized he was more beautiful than her. She blushed at the thought. The two of them stood still. Korin's footsteps ran away from the door.

"Mother! Grandma! Ryuuen brought home a girl!" Korin's voice reverberated in the air, making Nuriko curse loudly. Yui, surprised at his sudden annoyance, immediately pulled away and wrapped the blanket around her. She pulled the blanket away from him and his body got exposed. Yui screamed again and looked away.

"Why the hell are we naked?" she screamed. Nuriko tried to pull the blanket from her harshly. "You took advantage of me!"

"I did not! Damn it! Don't pull too much!" Nuriko screamed back, annoyed, trying to hide his body from view. He harshly pulled the blanket and Yui fell on top of him, chest landing on his face, his hands clutching her butt accidentally. Yui's face went red and she hastily placed a space between them. Nuriko murmured something she could not hear, looking at her exposed breasts. Probably realizing someone was looking at it, Yui felt it hardened on its own. Humiliated, Yui angrily slapped him in the face, making his cheeks burn.

"Pervert!" Nuriko angrily stood up but they lost balance and he fell on top of her, between her legs. Yui made a sound, her face, probably her whole body too, was all red. She could feel him getting hard from the friction of their exposed selves and it was not the most pleasant experience. She was about to scream at him when the door slid open again.

"Ryuuen! What is the meaning of this!" An elderly woman dressed in a grey kimono who Yui placed as his grandmother, asked them sternly and they both were lost for words. None of them moved and Yui saw Korin blushing at the way they looked.

Yes, they appeared to have been batting for a second round of sex. There was another woman much older than Korin who was looking at them with fascination, though her cheeks were red too. She pulled one of the sleeves of her brown kimono to cover her probably opened mouth. Yui felt ashamed, her insides were trembling. Great, she got drunk and woke up in her most hated man's bed, and his family is currently looking at the two of them. Just great. Nuriko was about to stand up but Yui pulled him back. He made a face and she gaped at him. If he stands, they will see how fully unclothed they were. The position they were in was humiliating enough, Yui thought. Nuriko seemed to have understood what she meant and turned back to the women in his family.

"Grandma, Mom, can you give us 10 minutes to get decent, please?" he asked and his grandmother raised an eyebrow. Yui swallowed hard. She was scary in a strict kind of way.

"Five minutes. We will meet both of you at the receiving room," Nuriko's grandmother said sternly and Yui felt cold all over. They were in big trouble. The older woman turned to leave, followed by the other woman. Yui felt relieved they were gone. The mere presence of the two was enough to make her kill herself for being the most stupid girl in the world. Nuriko seemed relieved as well.

"Oh man, we're in trouble."

Korin walked toward them, still sniggering and face still red. "It's nice to meet you. I'm Korin," she said warmly, earning a grunt of annoyance from Nuriko. She raised her hand for a handshake and Yui awkwardly took it, still unmoving underneath the bishounen.

"Korin what is wrong with you? Can you leave us alone?" Nuriko asked, not wanting an answer. He simply wanted her to leave.

Korin rolled her eyes. "Whatever, onii-chan. You're gonna get a tongue-lashing from mother and grandma for this. Though I think they were quite happy you finally took home a girlfriend." Nuriko made a sound of protest. "What's your name?"

Yui made a sound, still embarrassed at their position. "Yui."

"Nice to meet you, Yui," Korin stood up and headed for the door. She was about to close it when she smiled at them. "You two look perfect together, by the way. Nice choice, onii-chan!" she closed the door, leaving both of them flushed.

"Don't get ideas," Nuriko told her and Yui rolled her eyes.

"Get off me! Pervert!" Nuriko made a face and got off her. Yui instantly pulled the blanket and stood up, trying to not look at his naked body. Nuriko turned around and opened his closet, looking for something to wear. Her eyes landed on his butt and she blushed. She has to admit he has a very nice figure…

"I'm not a pervert! You're not worth looking at to begin with," he said, smirking. Yui threw a pillow at him and it hit his head. "Ow, you!" he turned around and raked his eyes over her body. "For the record, I do not run after girls, especially skinny ones like you." He turned his attention on the closet and Yui seethed with anger.

"Why the hell did you bring me to your house?" she hissed and he threw a shirt at her. "What's this?" she looked at the white shirt and frowned.

"Something to wear? Unless you want to meet my family naked? Believe me, I won't stop you." Nuriko rolled his eyes and took out another shirt, also white. Yui watched him flap it behind him and wear it. She sighed and turned around. Yui tied the blanket around her chest and picked up her underwear that unknowingly got discarded last night. Much as she does not want to use it again, she wore it and started to unbutton his shirt. She took off the blanket and immediately wore his oversized shirt. She was buttoning it when Nuriko spoke again.

"Nice legs," she turned around and blushed all over when he smirked at him. He was done putting on a faded denim and was keenly watching her dress. "Act decently in front of my family," he commanded and Yui raised an eyebrow.

Her head ached. She was not aware hang-overs hurt this much. Yui tried to remember what happened last night. She remembered drinking with Tasuki and Chichiri. She remembered the dare, though, and remembered dancing with a pair of beautiful purple eyes. She gasped and looked at him. He raised an eyebrow.

"You were…the beautiful stranger." She felt…disappointed.

"Wow…you remembered what happened last night. I don't know what to say…" he remarked, blandly. "I would like to remind you, though, that you were the one who openly flirted with me last night."

"It's Tasuki's fault!" Yui frowned. "He dared me to seduce you." Nuriko snorted. "But why the hell am I in your room?" she asked, still blushing.

"You were drunk and I brought you here," he said sternly. He took out a crumpled cigarette stick from the drawer and lit it.

"Don't smoke here, you're inside a house," Yui hissed but Nuriko continued anyway.

"You sound like my mother. Annoying prat," he opened the window and let the smoke out.

"Why did you bring me in your house of all places?" Yui asked and Nuriko felt like slapping her to make her stop asking questions. She might look good in his shirt but she's probably the most annoying girl he ever met.

"What am I supposed to do? You were too drunk to remember where you live. Didn't expect this to happen, though," he breathed in nicotine and exhaled it. The bitterness spread over his tongue.

"Did we really have…sex?" Yui asked, disgusted at the thought. Nuriko sighed.

"Does your body hurt?" he crossed his arms, the other hand holding the cigarette. Yui blushed, if it weren't for the voice, he would be mistaken for a girl, a very beautiful girl. He smirked, knowing what she's thinking. "Well?"

Yui looked away. "Yeah…" Yui frowned at the thought, analyzing which specific parts of her body were aching aside from her head. She winced, yes, they did have sex. She can feel the pain all over, especially between her legs.

"Where?" Yui frowned at him. "Come on, where does it hurt?" He threw the cigarette butt away, although it was only half-way lit.

"Between my legs. Satisfied?" Yui blushed and looked away. This was not how she imagined having her virginity taken. In the first place, she was not planning to get deflowered by some gay guy. And especially not remembering how it happened. Nuriko did not say anything and walked toward the door.

"Don't speak. Let me do the talking. If you shut up, we'll get out of this situation in one piece." He slid the door open and went out. "Well, come on! What are you waiting for? To be carried?"

Yui sighed and walked out. He followed him as they walked through the house. Theirs was a traditional Japanese house made of sliding doors and tatami mats. Only a family of good standing, and good money, can maintain a big house made of wood. They passed through a threshold and Yui could not help but look out. The zen garden was beautiful and comparable to the those of feudal palaces that had long been transformed to historical sites. The cherry trees were in full bloom and the smell lingered in the air. She always wanted a house like this, but they only have a condominium in the other side of the city.

NURIKO WALKED WITHOUT ANOTHER WORD. Numerous thoughts filled him. He was unsure whether facing the matriarch was a good idea, especially with a girl dressed in his shirt. He had never brought home a girl. How could he when he has Hotohori? He was never in a relationship with the opposite gender, let alone sleep with them. He had slept with Hotohori, though. But the relationship was not legal, anyway. He was only 23, but the family always urged him to bring home a girlfriend, and this was not how he imagined bringing one. He actually imagined telling them about Hotohori. He imagined his beloved leading the walk, not him. And he never imagined the annoying Priestess of Seiryuu behind him.

He slid a wall open and walked in. Yui stopped on her tracks, nervousness filling her. She was never introduced to the parents before. Well, she never had a decent boyfriend in the past. Her eyes widened when Nuriko took her hand and pulled her inside. Nuriko looked at her and frowned. She was trembling. They sat beside each other across Nuriko's grandmother and mother. Korin served tea. Quiet filled the air as the younger girl handed each person in the room a cup of warm liquid.

"Drink. Tea is good for headaches," Nuriko's grandmother stated. Trembling, she took the cup and sipped the green liquid. She placed it down, her lips still trembling. Nuriko looked sideways and pitied her. Yui was pale. He couldn't blame her, anyone gets intimated by the women of the family.

"Grandmother, about—" Nuriko started and the woman raised an open palm, signaling him to wait. "I'm sorry you have to see us in such a condition." The oldest woman placed her cup back on the floor and looked straight at her grandson.

"I must say it was out of your character, Ryuuen." Nuriko fidgeted. "Bringing home some woman and having her sleep on your bed," Yui pulled Nuriko's shirt and covered her knees. She felt so embarrassed.

"You have misunderstood, grandmother. Yui is—" Nuriko sighed. His head was still throbbing from last night's liquor. "Yui is a decent girl...She's not someone I just picked up from the streets," Nuriko explained and his grandmother raised an eyebrow. "I don't do that, anyway."

"And who might you be?" she turned her attention on Yui and the girl bowed before her.

"Hongou Yui, ma'am. I'm—"

"And how did you meet my grandson?" the woman looked intently and Yui tried to smile.

"I met him through my best friend, Miaka Yuuki…" she tried to stabilize the beatings of her heart. She was more than nervous. This was even worse than being called in class and not knowing the answer.

"And in what exact instance did you two meet? When did this happen?" Nuriko's mother probed and Yui froze. How can she tell them they only met last night? It was outrageous. They would think she's an easy girl. She rummaged for a decent answer.

"We met two years ago, mother," Nuriko lied, making Yui's heart palpitate more. "…when I accompanied my friend, Taka Sukunami, Miaka's husband, at the university…" Yui nodded and tried to calm herself. She had to admit, that one was a good lie. Nuriko sighed, relieved as well. Yui reached for her cup and drank from it. Everything will be fine if Nuriko could keep this up.

"And since when have you been in a relationship?" Grandmother asked. Yui choked on her drink and Nuriko immediately rushed to her, patting her back. She leaned closer to him and he supported her.

"What do we say?" she whispered, faintly covering her mouth.

"I don't know. Do you trust me?" Nuriko asked in the lowest voice he could muster and Yui slowly nodded. "I have a plan. Play along," Nuriko looked down on her and she blushed. He smiled softly, brushing the stray hair away from her face. Connection flared between them and Yui had not realized they were staring at each other.

"Is there something wrong?" Nuriko's mother asked softly and the two immediately looked away and faced the elder women, both blushing.

"We…Yui and I have been together for more than a year." Nuriko said, cheeks burning. Yui focused on her fingers. She crumpled the shirt, wishing the conversation would come to an end.

"And since when have you been…sleeping together?" Nuriko's grandmother inquired. Korin choked and Yui flushed all over. Yui looked at Nuriko, the latter reached for her hand and held it tight.

"Last night…was the first time, grandma," Nuriko said and the two elder women nodded. Korin giggled, earning a sharp look from the two older women.

"You never introduce her to us yet you brought her home to…" Nuriko's grandmother raised an eyebrow. Nuriko's hand tightened on hers. Yui wanted to curse herself for getting involved in such a compromising situation.

"I wanted to introduce her but…I don't know…something always comes up," Nuriko reasoned out. "About last night, we…we thought it was the right time for both of us. I mean, I know were still young. Yui's 19 and I'm 23 but…I love her." Nuriko's hand tightened on hers. "We love each other. We initially thought of her apartment," Nuriko's grandmother frowned. "…But I…wanted to do it here…in my room. I told you, she's a decent girl, she deserves a decent bed." Nuriko sighed. "Grandma, Mom, we're no longer children. We're old enough to know what we're doing."

Yui smiled bitterly, somehow wishing she was indeed his girlfriend and they were not lying. Nuriko. Nuriko would make any woman a happy wife. Too bad he's gay. She briefly wondered why Hotohori left him. Nuriko's mother nodded and his grandmother sat fixedly staring at them. Their faces were devoid of any emotion but Yui knew they were impressed with Nuriko. He's definitely a gentleman.

"I see. What about marriage?"

"I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS," Yui mumbled. They were back in his room after The Talk. "I'm getting married in a year."

Nuriko made a face and sat beside her on the futon. "I told you to let me do the talking. Now we're faced with this."

"Are you saying it's my fault your family arranged us to get married next year?" Yui frowned, she wanted to cry, actually. "What would my parents say? I haven't even entered med school!" Yui said sharply, placing her head on her knees. She was so ashamed of herself.

"Fine. I'm sorry," Nuriko stated grumpily. "To be honest, I don't want to get married too. I mean…you're a girl! And we're too young!"

"What do we do now?" Yui asked like a child. Nuriko sighed and looked at the ceiling of his room. What do they have to do now? What can be done? They obviously cannot live together for a lifetime. Nuriko somehow regretted lying about them, but then, their reputations were at stake. What would his family say if they knew he had sex out of drunkenness? And what would they say if they found out he preferred men? "You should have told them your preferences."

"Are you trying to have me killed? My family will disown me if they knew about that!" He closed his eyes and tried to think of a plan. He was not good at it. Hotohori was the one who always knew what to do in their situation. But Hotohori does not want him anymore. Nuriko briefly remembered the way he looked at them last night. He never got jealous. Never. Nuriko blinked. A smile spread on his face.

"Why are you smiling? Have you forgotten we're in a fix here?" Yui asked, blue eyes looking sharply at him. Nuriko smiled and he did not miss the blush that spread over her face. She looked away.

"I have a plan."

"Make it good, your plans always backfire and land us in trouble."

Nuriko rolled his eyes. "But this is a good one, really!" He sat facing her, a wide grin on his lips. "And it's easy, we'll just pretend to be lovers, agree to the marriage, let everyone think we're a real couple."

Yui's brow creased. "Excuse me?"

Nuriko laughed. "And while we're together, we can make Hotohori jealous and Tetsuya would not bother you again!" His idea was brilliant.

"And?" Yui looked at him, unsure. Nuriko rolled his eyes. He never thought she was this slow.

"And before they start arranging our marriage, we'll break up and go back to our normal lives," Nuriko's eyes shimmered and Yui let out a laugh.

"Right…Do you think it would work?"

"Of course, we just have to convince everyone we love each other." Nuriko raised his right hand and four fingers in a ball, leaving behind his pinky. "We have to both promise to be good actors and end this swiftly," Yui sighed.

"I guess I have no choice…" She raised her hand and their fingers crossed together for a pinky swear. "We're gonna be good actors and end this swiftly," she repeated. Nuriko smiled and then realized something.

"One more thing, don't fall in love with me," Yui snorted.

"Of course. No falling in love." And with that, their problems were solved.

A/N: How do you like this? Leave reviews please! ^_^