A/N: Hello all, in case you were wondering I have not died, I've just been very busy. School just started for everyone so you all should know where I'm coming from when I say that I hate homework. Hope you guys actually have the time to keep up with this story, cause I know that it's getting difficult for me to keep up with all the updates of my favorites. Anyways, here's chapter seven, and sorry if it's crappy and for the long wait.
Chapter Seven: Pinky Swear
"Well, I really enjoyed it!"
Sunday, as promised, Momiji treated Tohru to a movie. Though he had said he would buy her lunch, the movie had run late and so now they sat and ate dinner. The two had seen Prom Night since it was replaying, and were at the moment discussing it while eating Tororo Soba in a small restaurant.
"I thought it was sort of…scary." Tohru admitted in response to Momiji's above opinion. The movie had scared her a bit, but thanks to the fact that she could not seem to get Kyo off her mind, she misinterpreted the plot line and found it more confusing. "At least they caught him in the end."
Momiji sipped his tea while staring at her. Dressed in a dark blue, hooded sweater and a pair of worn out jeans, Momiji appeared very 'casual male', and much different from how he used to dress. Tohru dressed in her usual manner; pink knee length dress with a white, long sleeved turtle neck underneath. Sitting in the restaurant across from one another, the two looked like a very cute couple, happily discussing things on a date.
"Tohru," Momiji said seriously, looking her in the eyes and catching her full attention. "I uh…um…"
"Yes, Momiji-kun?" Tohru urged him. She gave him an encouraging smile and placed her hands in her lap.
"Well," He looked her in the eyes for a moment, then suddenly looked away and shook his head. "I'm sorry, you just look really distracted."
Tohru gave him a puzzled expression. "Do I really?" She asked uncertainly.
Momiji looked at her again and nodded. "Yeah, during the movie, and right now."
Tohru sighed and lowered her gaze to her half-empty bowl. "I…I'm just thinking…" The chatter of the restaurant buzzed in her ears, and a headache started to center around her forehead. She closed her eyes and concentrated on pushing the throb away from her brain, that way she would not cause Momiji any worry.
"What's wrong?" The younger boy asked in concern.
The throbbing lessened and she looked up apologetically. "I'm sorry, Momiji-kun, I worry you unnecessarily."
"Let's go on a walk," Momiji stood up and offered his hand to Tohru. When she looked at him in confusion he explained his reason. "Walking clears my head. Maybe it will work for you." He smiled and gestured for her to take his hand.
A wave of déjà vu washed over her. His actions were reminding her of something, but her mind was failing to remember. Instead of racking her brain, she took his hand and stood too. They had already paid, and so walked out of the swinging doors and set off down the sidewalk of the active street.
A few minutes of silence passed, until they walked through a crosswalk to another block, and Momiji made the first attempt at conversation. "So, are you really considering Ayame and Mine for the baby?" He had been told by Ayame himself, who ran in to the Sohma Estate that morning with the news.
Tohru nodded slightly. "I think they would make great parents…but…"
"But?"
"Kyo-kun… doesn't agree." Oh, no. Should I be telling Momiji-kun this? I'm probably bothering him with my petty problems, I should stop talking. Deciding on this, a few seconds of silence went by.
Momiji looked at her, expecting and wanting to hear an explanation. "Why doesn't he agree?"
Tohru inwardly debated on whether or not she should tell him, then somehow convinced herself it was okay to go on. "Well," She began uncertainly. "He says that Ayame-san is 'too self-centered', and that he couldn't care about anyone else but himself. I really disagree."
They reached another crosswalk and crossed in silence. When they reached the other side safely, Momiji commenced asking questions. "But, even though Kyo thinks that way, will you still consider them?"
Tohru glanced at him, and then looked at the ground uncomfortably. "I'm not sure, but I really wish he would see that Ayame-san and Mine-san are wonderful and responsible."
Silence took over again. It stretched on for about ten minutes, and then the woods surrounding Shigure's home loomed in to view at the end of the street. Tohru was really dreading walking in to the door, afraid of facing Kyo after a morning of not speaking to one another. The two reached the trees and continued on, when Momiji, once again, attempted conversation.
"Tohru," He asked timidly. "Are you…scared?"
She snapped her head in his direction. "Scared? Of what?"
Momiji gave her a meaningful look and spoke quietly. "You know, of giving birth."
She thought for a moment. In the passing week of being aware that she was pregnant, not once had the process of giving birth crossed her mind. Now that she was thinking about it, her face changed to an expression of pain, and she almost let out a sob. "Oh, my, I haven't thought much about it."
"When it's time, Tohru," Momiji looked straight in her eyes and said seriously. "I will help you any way I can."
A small flutter ran through her stomach, and she was not very sure it had anything to do with the baby. They stopped and Tohru tore her eyes away from his intense stare, only to find that they had reached the porch.
"I had lots of fun, that movie was good." Momiji shifted the conversation immediately to avoid any awkward partings. "The food wasn't bad either."
"It was wonderful!" Tohru exclaimed enthusiastically. "Thank you so much for today, Momiji-kun, even though it was unnecessary for you to do all of this."
"But I wanted to!" Momiji took her hands in his and smiled happily. "Thank you, Tohru, I always love spending time with you."
"Oh, no the pleasure is mi-"
His lips pressed to hers in a quick peck, cutting her off mid-sentence and leaving her flabbergasted as he smiled sincerely. Before she could say anything, he turned and walked away at a fast pace, disappearing within the trees in seconds.
She shakily entered the house and slid off her shoes. I can't believe he kissed me! Why do I feel so strange? I don't like Momiji-kun that way. I like…Kyo-kun… Lost in her thoughts, her feet carried her in to the kitchen and straight to the top cabinets, where she reached up and took a glass from the shelf without registering her surroundings. Just as the other night, she repeated her actions of filling the glass and raising it to her lips.
"Hey."
And once again she was stopped before she could take a drink. A pleasant tingling ran through her body at the sound of Kyo's voice, and she turned toward the counter she had passed to find him, just like the other night, eating a bowl of soba noodles. "Um, hello." She responded awkwardly.
A soft 'clink' was heard as he set the bowl down on the counter and looked at her. He started to speak in a uncertain manner. "Tohru, look, I'm sorry about last night, I didn't mean to get angry. I'm just acting immature." He stopped speaking and watched her shake her head at him.
"No, Kyo-kun, don't be sorry." Tohru took a few steps forward, and stopped in front of him. "You have a say in what we do about this, and your opinion is very important."
"But-"
"No buts, Kyo-kun." She gave him a small smile. "Somehow, I'll show you that Ayame-san and Mine-san are a very great couple to consider for adoptive parents." The emphasis on the word seemed to help in her reasoning, as he did not show any signs of objection.
The fact that Kyo did not show any signs of objection, certainly did not mean that he did not feel that way. There's no way in hell Ayame would make a good father. Without reflecting his thoughts, Kyo gave her an honest smile and left the kitchen with the air clear between them. Heading to the roof, a last objective thought crossed his mind…
…If I have to, I will hunt for a better set of parents myself.
However, across town, the former snake was settled on the couch in the back of his shop, skimming through a magazine when Mine entered the room.
"Um, Ayame, should I close the shop now?"
The man looked up to find Mine no longer in her maid outfit, but in a normal outfit. Her black hair was down in soft curls and her clothes consisted of a black skirt, paired with a thin, yellow zip-up sweater. A smile spread on his lips as he nodded. "Sure, it is Sunday, after all."
She nodded as her eyes drifted to the magazine in his hands. "What are you reading?"
He snapped out of the stare he had settled in, and held it up so she could see the title. "It's about babies, I picked it up yesterday while we were out."
Mine walked over and sat next to him. "Aw, Boss," She eyed the cute little smiling baby on the cover, and placed her hand over his. "You've already read everything there is about children."
Ayame sighed and placed his other hand atop hers. "I know," He said quietly, much different from his usual manner. "But it's comforting to see that someone else says the same thing."
Mine leaned over and kissed his cheek. "If Tohru-chan chooses us for the baby, then our prayers will be answered."
He placed his arms over her shoulders and pulled her to his chest in an embrace. "I really hope Kyo agrees…"
"Everything is normal, you have nothing to worry about."
Four days had passed since Sunday and all was calm at the home of Shigure. On this day, Thursday, Hatori had taken it upon him self to show up unannounced to perform an exam on Tohru. She had no doctor of her own and had grown to be a regular patient of Hatori's anyway, so why not? The three males of the household all stood in Tohru's room, where the exam had just ended.
"Are you positive everything's alright?" Kyo asked, as he stood at the end of her bed with his arms folded across the shirt of his school uniform. All three had only been home a few moments before Hatori showed up.
"Yes, Kyo." Hatori took a seat in Tohru's desk chair and faced her. "Now, how often are you sick in the mornings?"
Tohru thought for a moment, seated comfortably on the edge of her bed and looking thoroughly happy. "I think it's about four times a week."
"Okay." Hatori scratched his arm and shifted his attention to Shigure. "Have you told Akito about this?"
Shigure nodded from the doorway. "Yes, she was surprised, to say the least."
A pair of gray eyes shot a glare at the man. "When you say that, do you mean she was angry when you told her?" Yuki stood near Kyo, looking very disgruntled.
"Shouldn't she be bigger?" Kyo asked suddenly, sparing Shigure of answering Yuki's question. "I mean, when women are pregnant, their stomachs are like…you know," He unfolded his arms and held them in a circle around his abdomen, attempting to show what he meant. "They get really big."
Yuki chuckled at the former Cat's stupidity. "She won't be that big until later. Much later."
"But what about my throwing up in the morning, Hatori?" Kyo folded his arms again and looked at the doctor for explanation. "Am I sick or something?"
"Why no, Kyo." Shigure smiled when Kyo turned to look at him. "It's called 'pity sickness'. Have you not heard of it?"
Hatori stood up as Kyo shook his head. "It's what happens when the father of the child feels bad for the woman, because she's throwing up. In an attempt to 'join her' or 'feel for her', the father can become sick too."
"At least we know that Kyo-kun isn't sick." Tohru smiled at Hatori. "Thank you so much for checking on me, you really did not have to."
"Don't forget to take your prenatal pills," Hatori gave her a small smile, brushing off her modesty. "And when you need more, just let me know."
Hatori made his way toward her door and followed Shigure out of the room. Yuki excused himself, leaving Kyo and Tohru alone. After a couple seconds of silence, Kyo made his way for the door.
"Uh…" Tohru hesitated as Kyo turned around and waited for her to continue. She really was unsure of what to say, but felt it necessary to say something, anything about the examination. "Ky…Kyo-kun?"
"Huh?"
Their eyes met, and then her throat seemed to stop working her way. It grew very dry as she tried to swallow, causing her eyes to water from the itchiness.
"What's wrong?" Kyo walked over and knelt before her, thinking that she was crying. "Are you upset?"
"N-no." The wet on her cheeks was wiped away as she swiped the back of her hand across her face. Her gaze fell to the floor between them as she spoke to keep him from worrying. "I'm just tired, I think I'll sleep for a while."
Though a nagging in his gut told him he should push for the truth, Kyo got to his feet. "Sleep is good, now especially." He reached out and pat her on the head like a child, and then turned and walked out of the room.
As soon as he was gone, Tohru got up and closed her door, and then crawled under her covers, not bothering to change. She lay on her stomach and let a fresh set of tears fall, hitting the pillow in drips and forming a dark spot on the white pillow case.
What is wrong with me? She sniffed audibly and turned her head to face the wall. Why does my heart hurt…like this? It's even worse than I felt when Kyo-kun found me on the roof.
In her buried thoughts she knew why her emotions were causing her such pain. The passing days after making up with Kyo were taking their toll. Tohru was driving herself in to the ground trying to think of ways to make him see Ayame's good side, but was coming up with nothing. She had thought about making a special dinner, but that would most likely end in chaos with someone walking away hurt or angry. Then, she came up with the idea of just having a meeting at Ayame's shop. That idea was given up when she pictured Kyo's reaction to the clothes on the racks (not very pretty, and would probably end in the loss of money and customers). So here she was at square one of the whole process: not entirely sure if adoption is the right thing, and not having a couple that was okay with Kyo and herself.
Amongst these problems and the one's being created by her changing emotions, another was starting to grow; Momiji. The problem was not Momiji himself, but the fact that he was acting so different from his normal self. At school he was constantly checking on her, carrying her books (and bag if he could get it out of her grasp), walking her to class, making sure she ate right, and, of course, keeping an eye on Kyo to make sure he caused little to no trouble. It was all very flattering, pampering and appreciated, but Tohru could not keep one thought out of her mind.
Why isn't it Kyo-kun? Sure, her response to that was: Kyo-kun is busy, and it's selfish to think that way. But, as many times as she repeated that line in her head, she still could not let it go. She had let the fact that Momiji kissed her go, but had a feeling it would not be the last time it would happen.
No, she thought as she buried her face in her pillow, it's conceited to think that way about Momiji-kun. With that last thought, her lids drooped over her brown eyes and she fell in to a very uneasy sleep.
"Yun-Yun!! Wait for me, you're walking too fast!"
Thank heavens it's Friday. Yuki stopped in the middle of the semi-crowded hallway to wait for Kakeru to catch up with him. It was after school and he was spared of council duties, so decided he would go home and get some much needed rest.
Kakeru caught up and stopped next to Yuki with a tragic expression. "Yuki, you left me behind! You are so mean, you meany head!!" He balled his hands in to fists and whined like a child.
Geeze, I guess I can forget about getting rest with this guy around. Yuki grabbed him by the ear and pulled him along toward the front exit. "Come on, you can come over today."
"Really?!" Kakeru pulled his ear out of Yuki's grip and smiled. "I get to meet your guardian! The writer!"
"He's not a writer worth meeting."
"Anyone famous is worth meeting," The two fell in to an even stride as they exited the school. "besides, he might be able to sign my book."
"Are you serious?" Yuki raised his eyebrows at the boy in disapproval. "You actually have read that man's literary works?"
Kakeru began to shake with laughter, amused by how easily fooled the school's president was. "No, I haven't read any of his books. From what you told me about them, I've been a bit curious but haven't had the chance to try to read anything."
Yuki sighed, and then smiled. "I'll make sure you don't get the chance."
"Thank you very much for helping me, Manabe-san!"
Tohru and Kakeru stood side by side at the counter, each performing a task for dinner that night. Yuki had been sent to the store to retrieve tea for brewing, and Kyo was preoccupied with studying. As far as where Shigure was and what he was doing, no one really wanted to know. Kakeru turned his head toward Tohru, ready to respond to her word of thanks.
"No problem." He had one hand on the end of a cucumber and a knife in the other, slicing the vegetable in to even pieces. "You don't have to be so formal with me, ya know."
Tohru stopped her own chopping (tomatoes) and thought for a moment. With a smile she turned to him. "Manabe-kun…..?"
Kakeru winced in a mock offended way, and Tohru tried again.
"Manabe-chan?"
"Neh."
"Kakeru-san?"
"Bleh."
"Kakeru-chan?"
"Neh bleh."
"Kakeru…kun?"
"Hmm… " He continued slicing and a smile spread across his lips. "That sounds more familiar."
"Yes, Kakeru-kun it is!" Tohru finished with her tomato and grabbed a nearby head of lettuce, then began to carefully cut that too.
A few minutes of comfortable silence slipped by, the only sound being the knives cutting through vegetables. Kakeru side glanced at Tohru, then addressed her uncertainly.
"Um, Hond- I mean, Tohru-kun?"
"Yes?"
Without thinking he let the words spill out quickly. "Is it true that your expecting?"
"Yes."
Kakeru looked at her in disbelief. He had been anticipating something more…dodgy? Yes, dodgy, for lack of a better term. The next question spilled out before he could stop himself. "And Kyo Sohma is the father?"
This time Tohru took a moment to answer. Her hesitance was not the kind that covered up a lie, Kakeru could see that right away. With a small smile she answered, "Yes, he is."
Now his full blown curiosity was peaked. He had never asked Yuki any of these questions, in fear of receiving his own method of punishment, the chop, with three times the power and the cold shoulder for a week. Since Tohru seemed willing to answer questions, he decided it couldn't hurt to ask a few more. "But, are you two….dating? Or in a relationship?"
With a shake of her head Tohru turned to him to elaborate. "No, it was just once."
"A one night stand?"
"Well, I suppose…but it was in the day…" She trailed off, wondering if it qualified for a one night stand. If she had to put it somewhere, she would probably place it under "Immoral, dirty, disgusting, sinful and premarital quickies."
"Oh, so it was a quickie." Kakeru reached that conclusion and so tried another curiosity. "But, you do like him, don't you? So it wasn't like, just sex, with no feelings, right?"
"Um, well, I'm uh…" Should I be telling Manabe-san these things? The only one's who may know anything are Uo-chan and Hana-chan. Tohru smiled, getting lost in a thought of Kyo and she, walking hand in hand like a real couple. Without meaning to, she let the words slip out before she could stop herself. "I love him, very, very much."
Kakeru let a smile break out, taking her words as good news. "You two would make a wonderful couple. Just from seeing you two at school, I would have to say you bring out the best in each other."
Tohru's eyes grew wide as she realized what she let slip. With a strong blush she became suddenly shy. "I-I mean I care for him, but I d-don't know what…I uh…." Changing her tactic quickly, she turned and looked in to the eyes of the boy who knew her secret (or what she thought was a secret), pleading with her own. "Please don't tell anyone, Kakeru-kun, please!"
"Your secret's safe with me, don't worry."
Tohru's look of uncertainty and worry failed to lessen, and so Kakeru decided to reassure her. "Hey, here," He placed the knife down and stuck his pinky out, motioning for her to do the same.
"Um, what are you…?"
"I, Kakeru Manabe, pinky swear to never tell a soul the words spoken by Tohru Honda," He smiled at her reassuringly. "on the subject that will remain unspoken of." He gestured again for her to raise her hand.
Is he serious…? Tohru looked at his hand skeptically, biting her lip in thought. After a few seconds, she slowly raised her hand, pinky out, and locked it with his. "Okay, pinky swear."
"Alright! We're officially buddies!" With great enthusiasm Kakeru threw his arms around her in a friendly embrace.
"Hey, what's going on here?"
Tohru and Kakeru turned to see Kyo standing in the doorway, staring at them with a strange expression.
"Oh, Kyo-kun!" Tohru leapt out of Kakeru's arms and smiled. "We were just making dinner, did we disturb you from studying?"
Kyo looked from one to the other suspiciously, then settled a slight glare at Kakeru as he answered Tohru. "No, you didn't disturb me, I was just wondering when dinner would be done."
"Shortly," Kakeru answered, completely ignoring Kyo's narrowed eyes. "As soon as Yun-Yun gets back with the stuff."
Kyo shifted his gaze to Tohru, immediately softening the look in his eyes. "Did you need any more help with dinner?"
A blush rose on her face as she answered in stutters. "N-no it's okay, K-Kakeru-kun is helping m-me."
"Yun-Yun!!" With a burst of energy, Kakeru ran past Kyo and out of the front door, helping the approaching Yuki with the groceries (but mostly to leave the two alone).
But even though the two can create children behind closed doors, they seem to have a hell of a time showing any sort of signs that there was more to it than just sex.
"So, are you still considering Ayame and the girl?" Kyo walked to the counter and stood next to her, examining the food.
"Yes, I am." Tohru watched him sniff the air, obviously searching for any sign of leeks or miso. "They're very exci-"
"Are you dating Momiji or something?" He cut her off abruptly. His tone had been calm, free of emotions and difficult to read, the same said for his body and stance.
"Eh?!" Tohru yelped in surprise. How could he ask me something like that? Of course I'm not dating him, or anyone for that matter! "W-Why would you think that?"
"No reason," He replied, in the same emotionless tone. He dropped his gaze to the counter, trying to hide everything from her. "He just hovers around you a lot, you know? All this week he's been with you all the time. And he looks at you like he likes you."
All the blood rushed to Tohru's face and she resembled the tomatoes she had been cutting. "No, I'm not dating Momiji-kun." Shyly and hesitantly, she reached out toward him, eyes locked on his face and waiting for him to turn and look at her. With a sharp intake of breath she placed her hand on his arm, causing him turn and catch her eyes with his.
Pain. That was the word that best described the look in his eyes.
"Kyo-kun…I…" She stepped closer to him and rested her forehead against his arm. Exhaling audibly, she gently tightened her grip and felt him tense up.
What is she doing to me? Kyo closed his eyes and tried to steady his breathing, resisting the urge to take advantage of the situation. With all of the willpower he could muster, he turned his body subtly and pat her on the head. Brown eyes looked up at him, pleading for something he was oblivious to. Once again he resisted, and without a word turned and walked out of the kitchen.
Tohru let out a choked sob, and then turned back to the counter to continue dinner.
A/N: I have no idea when the next will be up, but I'm hoping soon. School will settle down and all so hopefully in a couple weeks. I can't believe it, I've never waited so long between updates! Thanks for reading guys! Reviews are always much appreciated!
