Tears of Blood
A/N: I am alive. I'm going to try to be better about updating. I want to get it done. =)
Chapter Nine: Fiasco. Blah.
Natalie ran a reassuring hand over Tohru's hair as the room emptied except for a few of the Yonins. She scanned the faces of those who had stayed. They knew better than to leave her alone with Akito. He wasn't their God, they didn't have to obey. There was Sonya, their Dragon and family lawyer, who cast a quick wink her way. Next to her were Kai and Yoshi, Tiger and Cat. She smiled to herself, faintly ironic that one. A quick glance towards the door revealed Shigure and Yuki standing in the shadows watching her. They were out of Akito's line of sight and their watchful gazes made her feel all the more relieved.
"Don't worry," She murmured softly in the same voice she used to calm Aislinn down. The younger girl's trembling slowed but didn't completely stop. Natalie stepped around Tohru's side to stand vaguely in front of her.
"I'm pleased to hear you enjoyed the performance Akito-sama." Natalie began formally. "I'm afraid it simply wouldn't have been nearly as spectacular without the help of Miss Honda." She added, gesturing vaguely to the girl behind her.
"Indeed." Akito agreed silkily. "Unfortunately I was under the impression that we would never see you again Miss Honda, in the event that Hatori had wiped your memories." Tohru seemed about to speak but a small motion of Natalie's hand silenced her.
"As you are aware, Hatori's talent isn't an exact science." Natalie continued her voice soothing. She reached back and gently snaked an arm around Tohru's waist and drew her to her side. Amazingly, Rin followed suit, slipping her arm through Tohru's and holding her hand gently. Poor girl was still trembling something terrible although it wouldn't be noticeable to any but the pair holding her. "Aya and I ran into Miss Honda on our way to the store for the final alterations on mine and Rin's costumes. Something triggered the buried memories and now it's as if they were never erased."
Something snaked across his solemn features but was gone just as quickly as it came. Natalie could tell he suspected something but if he acted on it here and now, there would be serious consequences.
No, he would bide his time, Natalie mused, he would bide his time until he could do something terrible to get back at her for putting him in such a situation. Natalie's stomach muscles clenched. She so badly wanted to laugh. He was just so pissed off but he knew he was walking on eggshells here. Fortunately Natalie had mastered her poker face a long time ago. Working for a man who made role-play costumes for men meant you had to be especially diplomatic.
Natalie glanced at Rin and the trio gave a flourish courtesy. "Thank you for your praise Akito-sama," Natalie said formally, trying for respectfully and not quite reaching it, "As it is though, dancing is quite hard work and as you can imagine we're all quite famished."
'That's right, be a good girl, you've got witnesses, there's no way anyone can cry misconduct when you're the picture of formality.' Natalie thought silently. She gave the slender young man a demure smile as she led the other two towards the door. The Yonins filed in behind Natalie as she met Yuki and Shigure at the door. She gave the violet-eyed young man a soft smile before walking out.
Ha ha I told you so.
Shigure looked at Yuki with one eyebrow raised and a smile that said, 'Yeah, you screwed up buddy'. Yuki rolled his eyes. Ayame was such a gossip.
"That was really brave of you." Tohru murmured as they moved towards the door after the banquet was over. "I've never seen anyone stand up to Akito like that before. You know and not have them wind up with their face in the floor."
Natalie gave a light shrug as she scooped up little Aislinn in her arms. She pitched her voice low so only Tohru would be able to hear her. "There's a thin line between bravery and stupidity Tohru. Sometimes I don't even know which side I'm on."
Tohru's brow furrowed in confusion for a moment before an arm wrapped itself around her shoulder. "Do you need a ride home Tohru? I'm sure Natalie would be glad to since she started this whole fiasco in the first place."
Natalie scoffed. "Fiasco. I happen to think tonight went pretty well all things considered."
Kinu appeared and snatched the sleeping Aislinn from Natalie's arms, grinning madly when the younger girl protested. "Hush Allie. No one is going to steal her from me. Besides, I think you have other things to attend to." She said nodding her head behind her. Natalie followed the direction to see Yuki leaning against Hatori's car talking to the Sohma Dragon.
"I don't think I'd really like to talk to him right now." Natalie sniffed. While she wasn't as angry as she had been when they'd first fought, she still wasn't going to forgive him just like that. She certainly deserved an apology.
"Don't be such a stubborn ass." Kinu teased, bumping Natalie with her hip.
The raven haired girl pursed her lips, looking like she'd sucked on a lemon. "I am a Horse. Not a donkey."
Kinu rolled her eyes as she shifted Aislinn to one hip and picked up one of the trailing Yonin kids. Rei-Rei, their bunny, blinked sleepy eyes at Natalie and waved half-heartedly before snuggling into the older woman's shoulder and drifting off. "You know what I mean. Besides, Haru, Kyo, and Yuki are staying with us tonight so if I were you I'd make up before it turns out to be a very awkward night. Not for me of course," She bubbled. "I'll be sleeping."
"You know, they say that relationships between the Horse and the Rat are usually the most unsuccessful out there. Do you really want to prove them right?" Shigure asked quietly.
"But I'm taking Tohru home." Natalie continued stubbornly.
"Actually, I'd like to speak to Tohru." Hatori murmured as he and Yuki joined the group. "If you don't mind Natalie, I'll take Tohru home."
Natalie twisted her lips thoughtfully. "That's fine I guess." She gave a soft sigh as she glanced at Yuki out of the corner of her eye. He wasn't looking at her and he looked absolutely miserable. Natalie felt her heart sink and she sighed. "Yeah. I got to stop by Aya's and pick up my stuff. She gave Tohru a soft smile, "I'll have one of the boys bring your stuff by or I can just drop it by whenever. You still live in the same place don't you?"
Tohru smiled and nodded. "Yep."
"Then you'll get your things by tomorrow." Natalie replied with a smile as she dug her car keys out of a hidden pocket in the full skirt. She called goodbyes to her family members and friends before nodding Yuki towards the car. He followed without a word as he cast a glance towards his brother she didn't see.
The ride to the store was short albeit done in complete and utter silence. The only sounds were their quiet breathing and the occasional sound of the car's engine. Natalie gathered her bag from behind the counter before heading into the back room to gather her and Tohru's clothes. She jumped in surprise and clutched her chest where her heart would be as Yuki appeared behind her. "You scared me to death."
"Sorry," He murmured softly as he gently took the bag from her. She followed him out to the car and hopped in the driver's seat. She plugged Yoshi's iPod into the stereo and set it to shuffle. A beautiful instrumental song trickled from the speakers. Natalie jumped when Yuki finally spoke. "If you want to take me back to Shigure's that's fine."
She felt her heart sink. "If that's what you want." She murmured quietly.
The sudden, loud slam made Natalie jump and pull over to the side of the road, thinking she's lost a tire. She glanced at Yuki who sat breathing harshly with his fist against the dashboard. "That's not what I said!" He snapped angrily. The car filled with silence once again except for Yuki's slowing breathing. He sighed and his voice took on a sadder note. "I said, if you want."
Natalie sighed softly. "Yuki, I-"
"Look!" He snapped. "I didn't mean what I said back at the store. I don't even know why I said it. It just kind of scared me, taking Tohru back to Akito. I mean she's not part of the family; we have everything to lose if Akito were to put her in the hospital. Her grandfather would want an investigation as to why she got hurt while she was with us. And then you standing up to Akito like that. I don't think I've ever been so afraid. For you." He said, his voice drifting off. "You have no idea how hard it was for me to stand there and just watch. I wanted to be there by you but I knew it would just make things worse. And then you were mad at me and I thought you wouldn't want me anywhere near you. So I haven't been close to you all night and it's been driving me crazy!"
"Y-Yuki! Slow down!!" Natalie stammered. She lightly brushed the hair from his eyes and smiled. "Apology accepted." She smiled and kissed him gently. "Now that that's out of the way, do you need anything from home or do you still have some clothes at the house?"
He sighed and rolled his eyes. "I have to stop by the house."
Natalie put the car back in drive and sped towards Shigure's house. "So, do you forgive me for being such a stubborn ass?"
"Kinu call you that?" Yuki chuckled softly.
Natalie scoffed. "Yes. I'm a horse damn it."
Yuki smirked and glanced out the window. "You don't look like a Horse to me." He murmured.
She smiled, finding herself unable to help it. The Horse and the Rat may not be the best couple but her and Yuki, that was amazing. Why did anyone go by labels anyway?
Natalie followed Yuki into the house silently. A smile curled her lips as she watched him throw stuff together in an overnight bag. "Thought you were really organized Yuki." Natalie teased as she surveyed the mountain of books threatening to fall off his desk.
"That's a common misconception." Yuki mocked before giving her a small smile.
Silly boy. Natalie mused as she wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned up on her tip toes to press a light kiss against his lips. "I love you." She murmured softly.
"I know." He teased as he kissed her gently.
She gently rubbed her nose against his and smiled. She felt her face become serious as she sank back to her feet, her calf muscles cramping as she did so. Too long on tiptoe. His face blanked, watching her. "What are you doing?" He asked as she slowly began to unbutton his dark green shirt.
"I thought you might have figured it out by now." Natalie murmured quietly as she placed a soft kiss on his chest.
"You probably shouldn't…" He whispered as his chest heaved difficultly.
Natalie's lips twisted humorously. "I suppose I wouldn't want to distract you from breathing or have you transform." A grin spread out of her features, "Besides, you might wake up Shigure."
Yuki rolled his eyes before stalking towards her, silently thrilling in the way she back away from him. He inwardly grinned. Oh yes. This was fun. He watched her fall onto the bed before kneeling over her. "What was that now?" He murmured as he lightly trailed kisses down her jaw line and exposed cleavage. Had to give it to Ayame, he was a master of creating clothing that showed off a woman's body to perfection.
The soft panting sound Natalie was making stopped entirely and she gave him a disproving look.
The warning glare she gave him should have been enough before she flipped him onto his back and smiled triumphantly. "Now, what were you saying?"
"That you should have been a Tiger. You're a vicious little thing Princess." His breathless response made her smile with satisfaction.
"I just like to win." Natalie remarked as she laid a trail of light biting kisses down his neck, across his chest and down to his bellybutton. She stopped and sat up noticing Yuki had stopped breathing. "Yuki? Are you ok?" She asked, her voice becoming a little more frantic as she checked his rapid pulse. "Do I need to call Hari?"
Yuki sat up, his breathing uneven but a smile on his face. "I think the cause of my mini-attack will be a little difficult to explain don't you?"
A pink blush stained her porcelain skin as a smile crept over her features. "I suppose. Where's your inhaler? You should take a puff or two before you have a serious asthma attack love." Yuki rolled his eyes, rolling over on the mattress to open a small bedside drawer and taking a couple deep breathes off of the inhaler. He glanced over his shoulder at Natalie who nodded her head towards his overnight bag.
"Do you think I'm really going to need it?" He asked with a slight note in his voice.
Natalie gave him a small grin and dug her hands into her hips. "Well maybe you will." She gave him a wink before turning to stand at the door with her back to him. Ready to go.
Yuki snatched the bag from her hand and wrapped his free arm tightly around her waist, pulling her as close as he possibly could. "I can't wait until we're free of this Curse. Then you're not going to have any excuse to say no." He murmured huskily in her ear before kissing the tender flesh behind her ear.
A smirk curved Natalie's lips as she drummed her fingers lightly down his spine. "What makes you think I'm going to want to say no Yuki?" She nipped at his lips lightly when he bent to kiss her and smiled at his surprised expression.
Ah yes... You know what they say about assuming? Oh well yeah...
SO I'm going to be really glad when you tell me you like it. And if you don't that's fine too I s'pose. Just review.