Disclaimer – I own nothing. All rights belong to the proper owners of Fruits Basket and InuYasha. I merely write this story for amusement. I make no profit from it whatsoever.
Author's Note – Thank you for so much positive feedback on this story. I never expected for so many of you to be enjoying this. It really makes me smile. I hope you will enjoy the chapter.
Also, before I forget, I completed a story yesterday. It is called "The Chosen Heroes" and is a Legend of Zelda (Ocarina of Time)/ InuYasha crossover. The pairing is Kagome/Link. If you like either and/or both series, then please check it out. Anyhow, enjoy the chapter. :)
Name: Kokoro
Pairing: Kagome Higurashi/ Hatsuharu Sohma
Chapter Nine: Daily Excursions
Written: 27/08/12
Kagome sighed and walked up the remaining steps. With Ayame's note securely tucked away inside her front pocket, she fiddled with her sweaty palms and gulped. There were only three steps left before she reached the rooftop. Beads of sweat formed behind her head.
She inched forward and reached for the handle hesitantly. When she walked outside, the sun's rays glimmered down on her, yet it did nothing to calm her nerves.
Here goes nothing. Sitting by the front of the rooftop was Momiji and Haru. No one else had yet to arrive. Kagome smiled. That makes it a little bit easier, she thought.
"Kagome-chan!" exclaimed Momiji. He jumped up and ran towards her.
"Hi there," she greeted shyly.
"Hi, hi~!" he laughed and waved with both hands.
Kagome chuckled and shook her head. She allowed Momiji to take her hand and lead her over towards Haru.
Haru looked up and watched her. She gulped and reached for the note. "Sohma-san, your cousin Ayame-san stopped by before… he wanted me to give you this."
Haru raised a brow. "Ayame stopped by?" He clutched the note in his right palm.
Kagome nodded. "That's right. It was right towards the end of fourth period."
Haru unfolded the note and began to read it. Kagome watched his eyes move from left to right. Once he was finished, he looked up. "Did you agree already?" He asked.
Sheepishly, she rubbed the back of her neck. "How could I refuse?" She muttered dryly. "Ayame-san is so… persuasive." She struggled to find the proper word.
Haru exhaled and smiled meekly. "That's a good way to put it."
She slouched forward. At least he's taking it well. That's good.
Momiji inched closer towards Haru. "What does the note say?" He asked curiously.
Haru tucked it into his back pocket. Momiji pouted and wailed. "Ayame wants Higurashi-san and I to visit his shop this weekend." He explained and reached for his bento. "Apparently, we need to talk about something." Kagome noticed his eyes darken.
"Does it mention a time?" She questioned.
Haru shook his head. "He just wants us there before one."
Okay… completely manageable… thank goodness
Momiji's pout extended. "It's this Saturday? That means I can't come. I have to stay home and clean." He cried and leaned back against the wall.
Kagome's eyes softened as she reached inside her own bag.
"Higurashi-san, do you know how to arrive there?" Haru asked, breaking the silence.
"Yes." She reached into her bag. "Ayame-san had given me a set of directions."
"That's good." Momiji laughed. "Without those directions, Haru would have gotten you lost."
Haru's eyes narrowed. "Not funny," he grumbled under his breath.
Kagome raised an eyebrow. "Ayame-san said the same thing," she realized. "Sohma-san, are you really that bad with directions?" She watched him closely.
Haru looked up and met her gaze. "I don't get lost," he explained. "I… I only take a wrong turn every now and then."
…
…
…
"Haru, you liar!" laughed Momiji. "We all know that's not true."
Kagome sighed and looked down. "I see."
Haru groaned and fiddled with his chopstick. "Is there something wrong with that?" He asked, his voice becoming hoarse. "Is there?" He repeated, glowering towards Kagome.
The hairs on the back of her neck stood up. Haru looked quite agitated. She shook her head.
"Nothing at all," she explained. "In fact, people take wrong turns all the time. I know I do it too quite a bit. There's nothing to be embarrassed by it." She took a bite out of her spring roll. "I'm sorry if I offended you in any way," she apologized truthfully. "If I said anything to annoy you Sohma-san, I do not mean it."
"… Thank you," he nodded.
She merely nodded in return.
Momiji glanced back and forth between Kagome and Haru. Both were silent, but seemed quite comfortable. Inside his head, he laughed and grinned widely.
A few days later…
The rest of the week passed by quickly, and before either Kagome or Haru knew it, the day to visit Ayame's shop had arrived. Kagome had explained to Haru the day before school ended, to stop by the dance studio at eleven. That way, both could make their way down to Ayame's shop, since the shop was located not too far from the studio.
Kagome was in the midst of removing the last remaining pins from her hair, when Haru walked into the studio. She waved from inside the classroom and moved towards the door.
Dressed in his usual gothic style, Haru stood out amongst the young mothers and fathers who were watching their young ones dance. A few mothers whispered and pointed towards Haru, studying him appreciatively.
Kagome shook her head and tried to conceal her amusement.
Even women ten years old than him are attracted to him…
She rolled her eyes. "Good morning, Sohma-san," she greeted and bowed.
"Good morning." Haru bowed in return. "Are you ready to go?"
"I just need to get my bag." She ushered the boy outside of the dance room and shut the door. "I'll just be a minute." She then headed towards the staff office and picked up her bag. Sliding it over her shoulders, she walked out and shut the door.
"We can go now."
Haru looked up and nodded. Together, both exited from the studio and made their way outside. It was silent between the two of them as Kagome withdrew the instruction sheet and started to lead.
"What did you teach today?" Haru asked curiously.
"Pointe," she said simply.
"That's ballet, right?" He asked hesitantly and rubbed the back of his neck. Dance was not really one of his specialities, to put it at best.
Kagome stifled a laugh. "That's correct. We turn left."
"What else do you teach?" He asked.
"Jazz and simple ballet – Kisa-chan's class is what I mean by that."
"How is it simple ballet?" He wondered.
"The steps and movements the girls practice are simpler than what happens in the advanced classes," Kagome explained easily. "If the young girls continue to dance and take ballet, eventually they would reach the higher levels."
"And Pointe is a higher level?"
Kagome shook her head. "It is much harder."
Haru raised an eyebrow. "What's the difference?"
"Turn right." Both turned down another street, arriving to a busier street with few shops that littered both ends. "Pointe requires much more strength. To be able to dance on Pointe, meaning almost on the very tips of your toes, requires much endurance and training. For most girls, it takes them quite a few years before they are even able to qualify for it."
"And how do you qualify for it?"
"At my studio, you must pass a test in order to be able to graduate to Pointe," she said. "We need to cross the street and turn left by the lights." She pointed out. "The test is simple but hard. You need to be able to withstand an entire class by dancing on the tips of your toes."
"Without the Pointe shoes, right?" Haru questioned.
"That's right," she nodded. "The dancer must be able to handle performing all usual bar exercises, center exercises and other specific movements or combinations while holding themselves up on their tippy toes." She looked away. "Not forgetting the fact that most of the girls need to be over the age of twelve to even be eligible to try for the test is a big factor."
"Why?" Haru stopped walking.
"Because the growth of the foot is usually finished around the age of twelve," she explained.
"Ah." Haru nodded, "Makes sense."
"Most girls wait until they're fourteen – at least, that's how it is at our studio." Kagome rubbed the back of her neck. "We should be right here." She said and started to look around. "Do you see the sign for Ayame-san's shop?"
"There." Haru pointed towards an overly decorated sign. It had two pink roses on the front, and Ayame's shop name sprawled out across the top. Kagome held back a grimace and looked up. Above was a large green canopy with a fairy and a snake.
A snake? How odd.
"Come on." Haru walked towards the doors. "Let's get this over with."
"Right."
Both walked inside. It was a fairly nice store from a first glance. There were multiple racks for different style materials and threads, and in front, there were numerous baskets filled with various accessories – ribbons, ruffles and bows galore. The walls were a soothing yellow and the floor was a calming pale blue.
Kagome nodded appreciatively. "It's quite nice."
"I suppose."
"Haru, Kagome-chan, is that you?" Ayame called from behind. He emerged from a green door and smiled their way. "Welcome. I'm so glad you both could make it." He reached for Kagome's hand and surveyed her from head to toe. "My, my, were you two busy before arriving here?" He wondered. "You're all covered in sweat."
Kagome's cheeks heated up. "It's not like that!" She protested, waving her hands. "Before arriving, I was busy teaching a dance class. That's why I'm all sweaty."
"Ah, I suppose that makes sense," Ayame mumbled. "What class was it?"
"Pointe," Haru explained.
Ayame's eyes widened. "That means you're a professional dancer!" He exclaimed gleefully in front of Kagome. She backed away and inched closer towards Haru. "Kagome-chan, you must simply try on something for me." Ayame reached for her hands. "Do you still have your tights and Pointe shoes with you? What about your hair pins and a brush?"
Regretfully, Kagome nodded.
Ayame's eyes grew and his smile widened even more. "Perfect!" He cried. "Mine-chan, are you there?"
"Yes?" Someone called out from the back. "Do you need me?"
"Yes. Can you please bring out the dancer outfit?"
"Of course." The sound of rummaging was heard. Kagome blinked and watched as a young woman in her mind twenties, carrying a white zipped up bag emerged. She wore a white frilly maid's outfit and had light brown haired tied up into two short braids.
She smiled and walked towards them. "This is your cousin, Sohma Hatsuharu, right?" She asked and leaned over to shake his hand. "It's been a while since we've last seen each other."
"A few months," Haru clarified.
The woman nodded. She then looked over towards Kagome. "And you must be Higurashi Kagome, no? I'm Mine Kurami, I'm Ayame's assistant."
Kagome bowed respectfully. "It is quite nice to meet you."
"The pleasure is all mine," Mine retorted with a bow. "Kagome-chan, if you wouldn't mind, could you please follow me to the back room?" She reached for Kagome's hands and had sparkles forming around her. Mine's eyes narrowed as she surveyed Kagome from head to toe. "I'm sure this outfit will look wonderful on you. Tell me, do you still have your tights on? Oh, what colour are they?"
"W-White…" Kagome stuttered, fearful. She glanced back towards Haru with a worried expression. Haru merely blinked and shrugged his shoulders. Kagome sighed sadly.
"Please come this way, Kagome-chan." Mine reached for her hand and began to lead her towards the back room. Dejectedly, Kagome followed, muttering under her breath.
Ayame watched both females walk away, and when they were gone, he turned his attention back towards Haru. "While Kagome-chan is changing, shall we talk?" He asked.
Haru's eyes narrowed. "Fine," he agreed.
"Superb!" Ayame cheered. He led Haru over towards his set of plush sofas and sat down. Haru sat in the one across from him and studied his older cousin intently. Ayame frowned. "Haru, what's with the staring?" He asked curiously.
"Why did you invite us here?" Haru asked, wanting to get straight to the point.
"I told you in the letter." Ayame shrugged his shoulders. "We have not seen each other in a while, and I merely wished to talk with you. Alone. Now tell me, is that bad?"
Haru leaned further back into the sofa. "With you, it's never simple."
Ayame shook his head. "Haru, you have such little faith in me. Just like Kyo-kun." He sighed dramatically. "I suppose that just comes with the prize of being as perfect and gallant as I." He raised a fist into the air and gazed proudly up into the sky.
Haru blinked, saying nothing.
"Moving onto another topic," Ayame clasped his hands together. "How are you fairing?"
"How… am I fairing?" Haru repeated, perplexed, "By what exactly?" His eyes narrowed.
"Your break up with Rin Sohma," Ayame shrugged his shoulders once more.
…
…
…
The air grew tense. It was almost as if there were sparks forming. Haru hissed and seethed with anger. He began to breathe in and out of his nose and had to constantly pinch the bridge of it in order to calm down. Ayame watched him calmly.
"It's fine." Haru gritted his teeth. "She wanted it to end. That's that." He crossed his arms over his toned chest and shut his eyes.
"Oh." Ayame did not believe him though. It was easy enough to tell that Haru still cared for her. Maybe he even wanted her back. "Not once Shigure and I are through with our little plan though." He thought, grinning. "By the end, Haru will be head over heels for Kagome-chan."
Ayame stifled a laugh. He fixed his kimono's collar. "If that's how you feel, then so be it."
Haru opened his eyes.
"However, isn't it nice to have someone special?" Ayame asked. "Someone that means a lot to you and cares for you dearly?" he explained.
Haru's eyes clouded over. It looked like he was on the verge of switching into his darker side, Black Haru, the family liked to call it.
Ayame waved a finger in front of his face. "Haru, I do not want you trashing my shop." He warned. Haru rolled his eyes. "It costs money to replace any broken items. Do you understand?"
Haru heaved a sigh and looked away.
Ayame grinned. "Good. I'm glad to see that we're on the same page. Would you like something to eat?" He rose up from the sofa. "Maybe some tea or biscuits that Mine-chan had just baked? I must warn you now though, once you have one, you will not be able to stop." He laughed.
"No thank you." Haru mumbled his tone dry.
Ayame frowned. "I'll bring you some tea then."
"We're finished~!" Mine sang, emerging from the back. "Are you ready?"
"Of course we are. Please, bring her out." Ayame gushed. "We're both quite excited. Isn't that right, Haru?"
Haru turned to face them, saying nothing.
"Here's Kagome-chan." Mine reached for her hand and led her out. "Doesn't she look beautiful?" Kagome had on a tight fitting sleeveless white dress. The front had a stunningly deep neckline, decorated with many glimmering rhinestones. The rhinestones went all way down to her waist and stopped, since the dress extended outwards, forming the shape of an actual tutu. The tutu puffed outwards somewhat to reveal many different forms of frills. The frills were all different shades of white, with a touch of grey embedded in the middle. Topped off with her white tights and her hair tied back into a bun – with a white ribbon – she was a vision.
Kagome walked forward, moving in an odd fashion. Haru leaned further over and noticed that she had her Pointe shoes on. He raised an eyebrow.
"Kagome-chan, you look wonderful!" Ayame shouted, "A true vision in white."
Kagome sighed and made her way towards the sofa. She sat down next to Haru. "Thank you," she nodded her face blank.
"She fits the dress perfectly!" Mine shouted victoriously. "I'm so happy that she had her tights and shoes with her. It helps to complete the outfit."
"She looks like a true ballerina star from above." Ayame smiled. "What do you have to say, Haru? Doesn't she look wonderful in my newest creation?"
Haru glanced towards Kagome.
Kagome stared right back.
Both of their expressions with neutral and unreadable. If possible, both looked partially annoyed and tired. Ayame stifled his laughter while Mine looked on confused.
"Mine-chan, please help me fetch our guests some tea," Ayame said, leading her away.
"Right away, Boss."
Kagome watched them walk away. When they were gone, she bent down and started to undo the ribbons to her Pointe shoes. Haru watched her curiously. Kagome looked up with a deadpanned expression. "I'm just taking off the shoes," she said simply. "I do not want to wear them unless I'm actually practising." She reached over for her bag and slid them inside.
Haru shrugged his shoulders, "Fair enough."
She raised an eyebrow. "I was not hoping to be made into a dress up doll," she said, her nose crunched. "I've got better things to do than this."
"Like what?"
"Laundry, finish my math homework, make dinner and vacuum."
Haru blinked, slightly surprised. "Isn't there someone to help you with all of that?" He asked.
Kagome's eyes darkened. "I live alone," she said. "So no one else can help." She leaned further back into the sofa. "However, coming here did turn out to have one positive."
"And that would be?"
"I found out that Ayame-san is a wonderful seamstress. Well, is a wonderful man who knows how to and enjoys sewing." She beamed happily. "That will be quite good to know for later-on."
Haru was just about to ask why, when suddenly, Ayame and Mine returned. Mine move forward, carrying a pale pink tray with matching cups. She deposited them onto the small coffee table and sat down next to Kagome. She frowned. "Kagome-chan, you removed your shoes." All that Kagome had on her feet was her tights. "The outfit looked so much nicer with them on."
"Mine-chan, I suppose that Kagome-chan merely did not want to ruin them," Ayame suggested.
Mine lit up. "That makes sense." She leaned over and began to pour the tea.
"Well, tell us more about yourself, Kagome-chan." Ayame urged her on and sat down.
"Why?" She asked, accepting the teacup from Mine.
"Why?" Ayame repeated, baffled. "Why it's in the very nature that…" While Ayame continued to speak, Kagome blocked him out. Suppressing the urge to yawn, she chose to stare towards Haru. She watched the way his white brows furrowed together and how his eyes darkened the more he listened to Ayame talk.
So he's not the only one who's annoyed, she thought. She started to smile. At least that makes two of us.
"And that is why, Kagome-chan, you should tell us about yourself," Ayame finished. "What do you say?"
Kagome looked up and met his gaze. She sighed and slouched forward. "Fine, what do you want to know?"
"Everything!" chorused Ayame and Mine.
Kagome slapped her forehead. This would be a long day.
Haru released a small chuckle and shook his head.
Unknowingly, Ayame glanced in his direction and smiled. Behind his back, he formed a ginormous thumbs up.
Kagome and Haru exited from Ayame's shop together. Ayame waved them off, smiling widely. The few people that walked on the streets stopped to stare. Kagome groaned and Haru merely sighed. When they rounded a corner and could no longer hear or see Ayame, they stopped walking so quickly.
"Sohma-san," she said. "I have something to ask you."
"What is it?" Haru stopped walking.
"Might I call you by your first name?"
Haru's eyes widened. He glanced towards her, confused. "Why?" He asked.
She shrugged her shoulders. "Although you had told me to stay away from your family, that does not seem to be possible." She spoke, referring to when Ayame asked if Haru and Kagome would be visiting Shigure's home next weekend. "It seems like—"
"They don't want you to leave," he sighed, interrupting her.
"Exactly," she murmured.
Haru pursed his lips together. "When I told you to stay away, I meant it." He moved towards a nearby store and leaned against its brick façade. "Our family… is no good for you."
"You mentioned that before, but never told me why," she persisted. He looked up, meeting her worried stare. "At least tell me why you want me to stay away."
"I can't!" He shouted and banged his fist against the wall.
Kagome jumped. "Fine!" she cried, her voice rising. "You're still as rude as before!" Her hair stood up and her eyes looked to have a bright fire burning inside of them.
Haru ran a hand through his hair. "Damn it!" He cursed. "Damn it all."
Damn what all… Sohma-san?
Haru exhaled loudly through his nose. "If you want to… you can call me by my first name," he stuttered, his voice cracking. To Kagome, it sounded like he was in a fair amount of pain.
Weird.
She blinked. "Thank you, Hatsuharu-san," she smiled and bowed. "If you would like, you can call me by my first name too."
Haru nodded. "I'll consider it, Kagome-san."
She hushed a snort. "I suppose we should keep going then."
Haru shoved his hands into his pockets and got up from the wall. Together, both then continued to walk down the sidewalk.
It was almost nightfall. The stars twinkled beautifully outside and few clouds littered the air. Wearing a dark tracksuit and white headband, Kagome jogged through the park. Headphones on, she listened to soft music while she ran.
"Kagome-chan, is that you?"
Kagome stopped running but continued to jog on the spot. She glanced towards the side and noticed Shigure standing across the way. She nodded and moved towards him. Her small bag attached to her hip swung violently, nearly hitting Shigure.
He backed away. "Careful now," he warned her.
She rolled her eyes. "What are you doing here?" She asked.
"I thought this was a free park," Shigure said. "Isn't anyone allowed to come here and enjoy the beauty that Mother Nature has bestowed on us?"
She sighed. "Shigure-san, I am not in the mood."
"Fair enough," he laughed. "I take it from your clothing that you're exercising?" He surveyed her quickly and flashed a thumb's up. "Might I say your choice in track wear is quite nice… it complements your skin tone quite well."
Beads of sweat formed behind her head. "Is there something you want?" She asked.
"Now that you mention it, yes," he began. "Tell me, are you finished with your run?"
She shrugged her shoulders, "More or less." She had been running for over an hour. At this point on, she could quit whenever she wanted.
"Perfect." Shigure clasped his hands together. "Then please follow me." He started to walk forward, but stopped upon feeling Kagome glaring towards his back. "Oh." His face paled. "Kagome-chan you're just like the others," he sniffled. "No one has any faith in me." He wailed pitifully.
"That's because most of your remarks make you sound like a pedophile," she confessed.
Shigure felt as though an arrow had stabbed him right in the back. "Oh, Kagome-chan~!" he fell towards the ground, "How cruel!" Tears flowed down his face.
She sighed and bent down. "There, there." She patted his shoulder. "I meant nothing bad."
"Are you sure?" He asked, covering his eyes with his hands, "Because it sure didn't sound like that to me."
She heaved a sigh. "Shigure-san," she groaned.
When he was sure that she was not looking, he glanced towards her and smirked. "If you want, there is a way you can make it up to me." He suggested.
She raised her eyebrows. "How?" she wondered aloud.
"Simple." He sat up, grinning. "Tell me how your day went over a cup of coffee or tea."
Her brows furrowed together. "Shigure-san—"
"Hey you two, save this sort of stuff for when you're alone!" Someone shouted and pushed Kagome down. She fell onto Shigure and groaned, swirls forming around her eyes. Meanwhile, Shigure was staring towards Kagome in shock, wondering why he had not transformed.