Dooms Day: The High School Reunion

By: Ochako107

Standard Disclaimer

Chapter 6 - I am Shocked

I ran my back against the sink counter, gripping onto the cool linoleum like I had just fallen over. "A-Ak-kito-san?" I stuttered. "D-did I walk into the wrong bathroom? I could have sworn you…" I paused thinking about my words wisely. Akito was bad news in high school. Awfully mean to me in fact. "I thought… I thought you were… you know a…"

"A guy?" She asked slowly. She approached me and I quickly moved out of her way. Or him? Uwah, more confusion.

"Yes…" I answered. I bonked my head with the hand gripping my mask like it was going to disappear. "Silly me I really must have walked into the wrong bathroom, excuse me!" Make my getaway!

"No, you're in the right bathroom," Akito answered simply while going to dry her hands. She turned to me as the dryer turned on. "I was never a guy, Tohru-san."

"WHAT?"

"My mom had a problem with me being a girl so she always dressed me up like a guy and made me act like a guy," Akito said. She flicked her golden bird mask off and turned to her reflection. Amazingly, Akito looked the same just… more feminine. Was she always? Why wasn't she trying to attack me like she used to in high school?

"A-Akito-san looks very nice like a girl," I said honestly if not still a little frightened.

"Don't flatter me," she snarled suddenly.

I shut up.

She paused to stare at me and I just stared back. Suddenly she chuckled. "You're the same, aren't you? You never changed."

I blushed from her remark. "I changed a little…"

"How's that?"

I couldn't answer her right away. "I'm not as much of a push over." I ventured holding my head up ever so slightly.

"Tohru-san, there's no more lip cream packets in this basket, give me yours."

"Okay!" I fished it out in a flash and turned to Akito only to meet her slightly amused look.

"So you changed?"

"I'm sorry, I lied…" I said with crocodile tears in my eyes. Akito just sighed and walked past me.

"Don't know what Kyo sees in you. You have no backbone at the least," and with that she left.

"I have a backbone! It's there; it's just… just really frail!" I said to the swinging door. How cowardly, I couldn't even yell at her to her face. Did everyone tonight meet Kyo except me? How was it that everyone was expecting me to run into Kyo, cry and run away? Was I that predicable? I mean, I can actually see the same scenario myself…

No! I will prove to them all tonight that Tohru Honda doesn't give up. I will find Kyo tonight and face my fear. I pushed through the bathroom doors past Rin and strode into the gym with confidence.

"But what if he makes fun of me again?" I wailed as I flew back into the ladies room. "No! Who cares?" I strode back out with a devilish grin.

"But what if Kagura is all over him again? How can I talk to him seriously without bursting out crying?" I cried bolting back into the bathroom. "No! It'll be okay, we're all adults now. If Kagura give me trouble I will just ask Kyo to talk with him in private! Yeah, that will work!" I grinned and walked back to the gym.

…

"But what if…?"

"TOHRU!" Suddenly a pair of hands grabbed me by the dress and I couldn't pull away without ripping the clothing.

"No please, Rin-san!"

"Stop being such a pussy, and running into the bathroom to talk to yourself!"

"I'm sorry!"

"Shut up and stop saying your sorry!" She shouted at me.

"I'm sorry!"

"Hey, hey," I felt large hands take me gently by the shoulders. I looked up through teary eyes to Haru who was already taking his mask off. "Be easy on her, Rin. She's a softy."

I could hear Rin muttering behind Haru as he handed me his handkerchief. Since when did he carry such a thing?

Hatsuharu-san… you startled me." I said while patting my tears away. "I… I didn't recognize you."

He grinned and I couldn't help but swoon. How handsome he had grown. "Shh, it's okay Tohru-san. Don't cry over an idiot like Kyo. And I apologize for Rin. She can be mean sometimes."

"Hey!"

"All in good fun, babe," Haru instantly replied when Rin made a protest. He flashed her a quick smile before turning to me. "But seriously… she's got more venom than a menstruating rattlesnake."

"Hatsuharu…" Rin growled out between her clenched teeth. Haru just laughed and kissed her, whispering something into her ear that made her blush. For a moment I wondered what it was he told her. She waved him off and said she was going to talk to Uo.

As she walked away Haru watched her. "You two… you two make a nice couple." I said, filling in the silence.

"She's pregnant."

"WHAT? R-Rin-san? Pregnant?" Tonight was full of surprises but this one was so cool! "Congratulations! I'm happy for you!"

"Thanks. We're both excited…" he was still watching his wife walk across the floor with a soft look. "She was freaking out at first thinking she'll be a bad parent like hers were to her… but I think she'll be a good mom."

I watched him with astonishment of how much love and faith he had in his wife. I never thought I would hear such deep and wonderful words like that. I only heard it on TV and stuff but in real life, it was so touching. Haru finally turned to me, his eyes only widening as he bent over to look me in the face.

"Why are you crying?"

"That was so beautiful!"

"Oh Tohru-san…" Haru laughed while patting my head. "You were always the good girl. Kyo doesn't deserve you."

"Everyone keeps mentioning him to me but why haven't I seen him at all tonight?"

"Maybe he's avoiding you."

I looked up at Haru surprised. "He's avoiding me? Of all people, I think I should be avoiding him!" I squeaked.

Haru raised his eyebrow. "Tohru-san… didn't you know?"

Oops, there goes that line I hate.

"Hatsuharu-san!" A group of girls called. Two of them ran over giggling to each other before gazing up at the statue of beauty I was talking with. "Hatsuharu-san, do you remember us? Maki and Sha Sha?" One girl said pointing to herself and her bouncing red-headed friend.

"Oh yeah, how are you girls?"

"Fine fine, but can you come with us? Sao doesn't believe me about that time you dragged the class president to the bathroom…"

"Oh yeah! That was awesome, okay, I'll come," Haru said beginning to walk with the two girls.

"Hold on!" I said grabbing onto his coat. "Didn't I know what about Kyo?"

Haru looked apologetic. "Sorry Tohru-san… I think that's something he needs to tell you himself." He walked away.

"What? You can't say 'Tohru-san, didn't you know?' and not tell me anything!" I said under the loud music. I sighed. All in vain.

I started walking toward a buffet table where no one huddled around like vultures. I took a mini plate and put an assortment of foods on it, my mind lost in thought. What could Kyo possibly say to me? Did I want to hear it?

My imagination took over…

"Tohru, I wanted to say I am lost without you. I… I took up drinking and drugs, but none of it worked. All I need in my life is you!" Dream Kyo begged.

Dream Tohru turned around and sniffed. "Hmph! That ship sailed a long time ago! I rather see you sink to the bottom of the ocean than ever take you back you scum bag!" Dream Tohru kicked Dream Kyo away and felt pride welt within her as she cackled manically.

I sighed. Yeah right.

"Excuse me, miss," a caterer said snapping me from my dream. I turned to see a masked man with a tall white hat covering his hair standing behind me. Even the caterers wore masks? Wow, Yuki really wanted everyone to be in costume!

"Oh sorry," I moved away so the man could replace an empty tray with another one. After placing fresh food down, he looked up at me and paused.

I stared back and smiled. "Um, the food you all prepared is wonderful! It really tastes good."

The man nodded slowly. "Thank you." He turned to look at the party. "The reunion turned out pretty good. I already met with a couple of my old friends."

I nodded in agreement. "Say, do I know you?" I asked. I bounced slightly. "Maybe we went to high school together? You seem familiar enough."

The caterer laughed and crossed his hands behind his back. "Yeah, I went to school here…" He turned to me. "But I don't recall seeing you…"

"Oh," I giggled and took a bite from a cracker with some kind of dip. "You wouldn't. I wasn't really a girl that stood out."

"I'd remember a beautiful face like yours…" he muttered.

I touched my face and realized I didn't have her mask on. Darn where did I put it?! I turned back to the caterer with a sheepish smile. "Um… t-thank you."

"Are you here with anyone?" He asked. He looked back at the kitchen to make sure no one was looking for him.

I sighed. "No. I came here with my friends in hopes of avoiding someone. You know Kyo? Ohmigosh, that guy!"

The man looked startled. "Kyo?"

I nodded and took on an angry face. "When I see that guy, whack! I'd punch him in the nose!" I said imitating a punch in the air. I turned to the caterer and laughed. "I'm kidding. I'd never punch him, even with all the rotten stuff he put me through."

"Um… if it's okay to ask… what did he do?"

I played with the dip on her plate. "It… it was nothing."

"Go on," he said. He looked earnestly interested. "The buffet line has slowed down, so I've got nothing to do until dessert is to be served."

I sighed and searched his eyes. It was too hard to see. I wanted to avoid the subject but the way his voice pleaded me.

"Just crushed my heart and ran off with a girl I thought was my friend…" I looked up at the masked man. Should I be telling all this to a guy who claimed went to their school? "Uwah! You're not friends with Kyo are you?"

"No!" The man instantly replied. "I just… I heard about that incident back in high school!"

"Oh not you too!" I said slapping my forehead.

"But I hear… well, that Kyo felt really bad about all that."

"That's the first I've ever heard that story," I chuckled sarcastically.

"I ran into him the other day… we were setting up food when he came by to see if he could find some girl named Tohru or something like that."

My heart stopped beating.

"He asked Yuki but that damn… I mean, that guy would not give him that girl Tohru's number. Gez that guy Yuki is a jerk." He said. "Kyo looked kinda sad."

I turned to the catered, my throat caked dry. "Did… did he really?"

The catered nodded solemnly. "I think he felt bad for something he did to her. Say, are you Tohru?"

I backed up and put the plate of food down on the table. "Eh? N-no! Of course not! Wow, what a coincidence that the same thing that happened to Tohru happened to me too! Wow, I bet she'd want revenge!"

The caterer laughed. "I'd hope not. Poor guy probably already has enough issues."

I sighed. "I really… I really loved him though," I whispered to myself. Looking up I noticed the caterer staring at me. Could he hear me? I mean, the music was kind of loud. Oh, but now thoughts of only Kyo were filtering through my mind. What happened to coming here and forgetting about him and just having a good time? So far, I was doing more remembering than forgetting and more stressed times than good times!

'Sorry Tohru-san… I think that's something he needs to tell you himself.' Hatsuharu-san said. What could Kyo want to say to me?

I bowed to the caterer. "At any rate, I'm trying to avoid Kyo. That guy… I don't know what I'll do when I meet him." I smiled jokingly. "But if I run into him can I call on you to punch him in the face? I don't think my punches are very effective."

"Of course," he said. "I'll do more than punch him for hurting a girl like you."

I was amazed. "No no! I was kidding, you can't punch him! Uwah, there'd be so much blood! Besides that, Kyo was really strong in high school!"

The caterer laughed and suddenly I felt warm all over. "I'd better go, it's almost dessert time. Good bye."

"Bye!" I said as he walked back to the kitchen. I didn't move from my spot until I had to shake myself from my daze. At least I made a friend at this reunion! I should have got his name… oh well, when he comes out for dessert, I'll just have to ask him. Hm, I wonder if I knew him in high school…

I made my way back to Uo-chan and sat down with a huge sigh.

"What's up?" She asked.

"Uo-chan, I don't know what to do anymore. I thought coming here tonight would solve a lot of problems but for some reason it's just building up more problems."

"What do you mean?"

"I just ran into Hatsuharu-san—"

"Was he hott or was he hott? What'd I tell you?" Uo laughed nudging me.

"Uo-chan!" Actually, yeah, he was pretty hott but that was beside the point.

"I'm sorry, go ahead."

"He told me that Kyo is avoiding me. I asked him why he would be avoiding me when he's the one who broke my heart and he goes 'Didn't you know?'"

"What would Kyo be avoiding you for?" Uo-chan asked, taking a sip of her champagne.

"I have no idea! Uwah, I'm getting dizzy just thinking about it."

Uo-chan watched me with a straight mouth. She sighed and took her mask off, placing it on the table before ruffling her hair slightly.

"Come on," she said pulling me up on my feet. "Let's go take a walk. Maybe you need a little fresh air." I only nodded.

We walked out to the front of the school where a few other people were sitting in groups or in couples in the dark. The cool air felt good on my skin. I never noticed how cool it got.

"Remember that time there was a huge food fight out here?" Uo-chan asked.

"Oh yeah, haha I remember that. We couldn't get the spaghetti off the stairs for weeks!"

"Lot's of stuff happened back then…" Uo-chan said trailing off. "Lot's of stuff…"

"Arisa?"

We both looked up to a stairwell where a man stood with one leg propped up against the wall. He stood up straight and walked down to meet us.

"What's it to ya?" Uo-chan asked defensively. "If this is about me not paying you back for lunch money or something…" He took off his mask and Uo-chan remained speechless. There he was… Kureno. Standing in front of us with quite a sad face. I watched Uo-chan freeze and I feared she would collapse. Actually she did collapse.

"Shit!" She cursed before quickly looking up at Kureno who caught her by the armpits. She blushed and stood up.

"Are you okay?" Kureno asked her.

"I'm fine!" She screamed turning away from him and brushing her shoulders off. "It isn't like I've never fallen before!"

Kureno only stared at her. "I have too."

She turned to him angrily. "Of course you have! You played soccer you fell like all the time, idiot!"

"No," he stepped closer to her and I watched Uo-chan once again freeze. Why was she so angry at Kureno? "That's not what I meant. I meant that I have fallen… for you."

Ohmygosh that was so cheesy it was cute!

Unbelievably, they totally forgot I was standing there.

Uo-chan turned away from Kureno and even though it was dark I could see the blush across her cheeks. "Why'd you stop writing to me?"

"… I don't know."

"Yes you do you jerk!" She screamed at him.

"Uo-chan!"

She ignored me. "It was something wasn't it? Your letters to me started to sound so full of crap and no feelings in it anymore. I knew something happened but you were hiding it from me! I even called you—so many messages but all you kept saying was 'I'm fine, I'm fine' but it was a load of crap and you know it!"

"My grandma was sick," he reasoned.

"She got better, you even told me so."

"A lot changed… but not the way I felt for you."

"Don't tell me that now you liar! I hate you!" She finally spat. He didn't say anything but he simply watched her.

"Arisa…"

"Ku-chan!"

We all turned to see a brunette turn the corner. Upon seeing Kureno her features relaxed and she put a hand to her chest. "Thank goodness, I thought I lost you for a second!" She walked over and Kureno put a hand around her waist.

I could feel Uo-chan's heart pulsing… it was breaking…

"Arisa… this is Sarah. I met her in Kyoto… she's from Germany."

Sarah beamed at Uo-chan and she extended a hand for her to shake. "Nice to meet you!"

Arisa stared at her for a moment. "In Japan it's customary to bow…"

"Arisa!" Kureno reprimanded.

I instantly grabbed onto Sarah's hand and shook it fiercely. "Wow, shaking a person's hand is so cool! I don't get to do this often! Ahaha!" I tried to save the mood but Uo-chan was already too hurt to apologize for the rude comment.

Sarah laughed and bowed while I kept shaking her hand. "Ah yes, I should bow, sorry!"

Kureno watched Uo-chan turn around. He couldn't see her face but she was crying.

"Arisa…"

"Just stay away from me you jerk!" She screamed giving him the middle finger. "You… you jerk…" A choked sob escaped her and she broke into a fast walk to the gym. I stared between the two parties and bowed to Kureno and Sarah before running after Uo-chan.

"Uo-chan?"

"I knew it… I knew it all along…"

I slowed down to a walk as Uo-chan continued to the gym. What was I to do in a situation like this? Uo-chan looked truly upset… more so than I thought she would be. But to see Kureno with another girl after not telling her anything seemed so uncharacteristic of him. Why would he keep a secret like that from Uo-chan? Wouldn't he truthfully tell her it just wasn't working out? There were too many holes in this situation. Clenching my fists I ran into the gym after Uo-chan. I wouldn't let her sink to the bottom of the ocean because of this! She had to be strong!

Upon walking into the party again I found Hana-chan. She had her mask still on while she was chatting with non other than Kazuma-sensei himself.

"Hana-chan."

"Tohru-kun!"

I eyed her suspiciously. "I thought you were upset that Kazuma-sensei didn't want to be seen with you at the party," I whispered into her ear. Kazuma gave a hearty laugh and I blushed guessing he heard me.

"As soon as I saw Saki enter the room, I couldn't keep myself away from such a flower like herself," Kazuma said making Hana-chan blush.

"Are you sure she didn't put a spell on you or something?" I teased.

"Even if she did, I wouldn't want the spell to wear off," he replied huskily. Hana-chan laughed as Kazuma gave her a crooked grin.

Love birds…

"Anyway," I said, "Uo-chan came running in here… do you know where she went? She kind of ran into Kureno… and he has a new girlfriend."

Hana-chan looked up with shocked eyes and I silently appeased with her similar reaction. At least Uo-chan wasn't the only one with that reaction.

"How is that even possible? Arisa and Kureno have always been a couple…"

"Until now," I filled in. With a sign and began to fidget with my fingers. "This night is just turning out peachy."

"I think I saw Uotani-san go to the ladies room," Kazuma said. "I hope your friend will be alright."

I laughed in spite of what he said. "Oh no, I wouldn't be worrying about Uo-chan. I'd be worrying about the people that are around her when she's mad!"

"I love how Tohru-kun can say such a serious statement with jubilance," I could hear Hana-chan comment to Kazuma-sensei while I ventured to the bathroom again. This time I dodged any male that may attempt to confess their love to me.

I made my entrance and Uo-chan was standing in front of the vanity with water droplets dripping from the tip of her chin. It looked as if she just plunged her face into some cold water. I wasn't sure what was tears and what was water. I felt a bit out of place as other girls in the bathroom gave Uo a weird glance.

"Uo-chan…" I finally said coming at her.

"He can go die. I hope he dies." She spat.

"Don't say that!"

"It's true! He was playing me this whole time! What kind of man does that?" As I came closer to her she swatted me away like a mosquito. "Leave me alone… I'm sorry, just leave me alone."

"No!" I took her by her arms and started to push her into a stall with me. More odd glances from girls in the bathroom. Was it just me or were they trying to escape?

"Tohru, what are you doing? Let go of me!" Uo-chan cried.

"Uo-chan, you're acting silly! You didn't even give Kureno a chance to explain himself! You didn't get the whole story!" I reasoned back as I wrestled her into the stall. I ended up throwing myself at her and slamming the door closed behind me. It was awfully cramped.

"What's there to explain? He cheated on me and now he's off screwing another girl! She's probably better than me. Maybe she cooks better! Maybe she's so much… s-so much ni-ice than me!" Uo-chan was crying. It began to tug at my heart how much this was hurting my dear friend.

"You don't know that, Uo-chan!"

"Tohru, stop it! We all can't be optimistic like you! Some of us don't like to act like everything is fine all the time!" Ouch. "Some of us face reality and act upset when we're upset. Mad when we're mad. We all can't be a saint like you!"

From outside the stall we heard a door slam. It hushed us both and while gripping onto each other's shoulders we paused in our mini argument.

A snide giggle followed the sound of heels clicking on the tile floors. "You're so bad," one girl laughed.

"What? I can't help it if I've got a great catch," the other girl said. "He just looked too pathetic I couldn't help but take the opportunity."

What if they caught us eves dropping on their conversation? What a terrible thing to do!

"So why are you with him at all?"

"Oh come on," the other girl said. Where have I heard that voice before? "With a sexy body like that, what do you think I want from him?"

"You're such a skank."

"I want a taste of what a Japanese man tastes like. Mmhmm…"

"Sarah, you and I both know your internship is over in two weeks and you've got to go back to Germany. That's pretty messed up that you're playing with him."

"But the funniest part is he ran into his old girlfriend a little while ago. He looked so uncomfortable!"

"Why? Didn't they break up or something?" We heard the faucets running water.

"Well he told me that he had a girl back home that he really liked. The only thing was that after his grandma got better, he found a really good job that paid well and what can I say—a guy with looks and money isn't something you come across everyday. He stayed in Kyoto for his job but didn't want to tell his girl. Something about making himself a respectable man before going after her.

"But after a while he said something about it not being fair that she wait for him for such a long time. He talked about some letter he wrote to her and crap but his bitchy girlfriend was too impatient and stopped writing him. He figured she was tired of him being gone or something like that."

"So he still really likes her?"

There was silence for a moment. "Probably."

"Sarah, you're such a sneak."

"Whatever. I'm going to ride him until I've got to go back home. And anyway, the way his ex girlfriend threw a tantrum at him earlier," her voice lowered considerably as the pair opened the door to the gym, "I'm sure he's going to want some… comforting tonight." They giggled and then all was silent.

It wasn't until they left that I realized I was holding my breath. That… that Sarah girl. She seemed so sweet when I met her earlier! Was she really that cruel? Oh, and then Kureno… was that the reason he stayed in Kyoto? To make a living before getting together with Uo-chan?

He was trying to be a man for her… Uo-chan must be so sad now.

I turned around to see Uo-chan's face livid. Whoa! Wasn't expecting that!

Her blue eyes burned and she gently pushed me aside and opened the stall door, only to rush out to the gym. There was no doubt she was looking for Sarah.

"Uo-chan!" I cried, running after her. "Uo-chan…!"

"YOU BITCH!"

When I opened the bathroom door the first thing I saw was Uo-chan slugging Sara in the face and people around them shrieking.

To be continued...