Chapter Nine
Tohru looked around the room in awe. It was unlike anything she had ever seen before. Granted, she'd never been anywhere like this before, but she was still astounded. It was, indeed, a private room, separated from everybody else. Music played in the background lightly, a song unknown to Tohru. She and Kagura exchanged wide-eyed glances. She gave a gentle tug on Hatori's arm.
"It's so beautiful!" she whispered.
"Yes, it is," he said, staring straight back into her eyes. Although she missed the double entendre, Shigure, Kagura, and Ayame did not. Her smile widened.
"I have to tell you something, though," she said, still whispering. He bent down so that he could hear her better. Being a foot taller that she, it was quite difficult to hear the soft spoken whisper otherwise. "I'm not a very good dancer. And I don't want to crush your feet." Hatori eyed her small frame speculatively. In a whisper as well, he said,
"I'm quite positive that you needn't worry about crushing me feet. I doubt you could crush anything." She gave a satisfied smile and a small chuckle.
"Hatori is too nice to me," she told him. He shook his head, a crooked smile gracing his sharp features. As they settled in their dancing positions, everyone began chattering softly, barely heard over the music.
"Tell me something, Tohru," Hatori began in a quiet tone, "What-if you don't mind-were your parents like?"
"Oh, no, I don't mind at all! My father, Katsuya, and my mom, Kyoko, were an…odd couple. They were perfect for each other, in their own way, but it was a different relationship than one would usually see. You see, my father was eight years older than mom. She married him while she was still in junior high." Surprise flitted across his face for a fraction of a second, and then it passed, his face cool again.
"Really?" he asked. Tohru nodded quickly.
"Oh, yes, but they were so adorable together! I don't understand what it is about age differences that people freak out over. I mean, people can't help who they fall in love with; they just…do. What should five or ten years mean in the long run? If someone else loves someone, and truly loves them, isn't that all that is required? Especially if the love if requited?"
"Hm," Hatori mused. "I suppose you are right. People can't stop themselves from loving who they do, is that what you're saying? And no matter the age difference, all you need is love?" She nodded.
"A lot of people look down on that outlook, but I think it's the best one. It gives hope to everyone." They were silent for a few moments, and Hatori spun her around in time to the music. As she was drawn back in, she came very close to him. Their faces, with his head dipped as it was, were extremely close to one another's.
Close enough to kiss…
After much begging of Shigure and Ayame, Hatori stayed over one more night. He was beginning to grow accustomed to a healthy, delicious meal three times a day, and he knew he would have hell to pay when he went back to his instant diet. As dinner drew to a close, Shigure proclaimed that he and Ayame and Hatori were going out for a while.
"I'm sure we will be gone for quite a stretch of time. Do not worry yourself by waiting up for us," he told her. "It will be far too late for you to be up."
"Dammit, we're not children!" Kyo bit.
"How can you possibly take that long?" Yuki asked in a bored tone.
"It's almost eight thirty now, dear Yuki, and we are big boys. And what do big boys do?" Ayame asked.
"Drink!" Shigure announced loudly. Yuki, Kyo, and Tohru stared at him.
"I-um…drink? But how will you get home…?" Tohru wondered.
"Me," Hatori replied. "I'm always the designated driver."
"That's because you're the only one who can drive safely, even when Ayame and Shigure are sober," Yuki told him. Hatori merely shrugged.
"All the same, they will return safely."
"Don't stress too much on that," Kyo muttered.
"Oh, Kyo, must you be so cruel?" Ayame wailed. Kyo mumbled something incoherent and stalked off. Yuki, too, excused himself, under the pretext of homework.
"Please be careful," Tohru requested. Ayame and Shigure simply waved.
"Don't worry about us, Tohru! We'll be fine! A-okay!"
"You're already acting like you're drunk," Hatori pointed out. Saying nothing, Ayame and Shigure linked arms with Hatori and dragged him out of the room.
"Good bye, children! Don't do anything improper with Tohru while I'm away!" Shigure called. He ducked as two shoes came flying at him. "I kid! I kid!" Tohru picked up the shoes-one Kyo's and one Yuki's, she realized.
"Good bye! Have fun! Be safe!" She watched until the car disappeared beyond a curve and then walked back inside. Tohru walked up the stairs towards the two boys' rooms.
"I, uh, I think this is yours," she said to Kyo, holding the shoe up.
"Oh, yeah, thanks. Hey…Kagura…does she still…you know, talk about me?"
"Yes, why do you ask? Does Kyo in fact love her?" she gasped.
"I…it's nothing. I was just wondering." A giant yawn escaped before he could stifle it. "I'm going to go to bed. Thanks for the shoe," he added. Tohru laughed and walked down to Yuki's room.
"Here's your shoe back, Yuki," she said, handing it to him. Yuki mouth lifted in a smile.
"Thank you, Miss Honda." He set it back down in the corner with his other shoe.
"You're welcome. But I think its best if the shoes remain in a pair," she added. Yuki chuckled.
"I think so as well. It just…slipped before I knew what I was doing. And when I saw Kyo's shoe go sailing down the stairs, I figured it wasn't as bad as before. Good night, Miss Honda," he smiled.
"Good night, Yuki!" She walked lightly back down the stairs. In the kitchen awaited a pile of dishes, and she settled happily into her dish-washing routine. As soon as they were done, she walked to her room, getting her backpack and dragging it to the downstairs table. Grabbing her Physics book, she sighed and got to work.
"Thank you, dearest Hatori!" Shigure giggled in a high-pitched tone as he stumbled across the threshold of the house. "'But soft! What light through yonder window break?!'" he cried, catching sight of the dining room light still on.
"You. Sit. Now," Hatori commanded. Shigure complied, flopping to the floor dramatically. Hatori walked into the other room and sighed as he saw Tohru slumped over the table, slumbering peacefully. Her face was plastered to her book. He stole a glance at the clock adorning the wall. It was one a.m. Clearly, she had not listened to Shigure. Unsure of whether to leave her or wake her, he stood for a moment, watching. Finally coming to a decision, he bent down and scooped her up in his arms.
Leaving Shigure and Ayame sitting on the floor humming two different tunes, he brought her upstairs. How can somebody be so small? he marveled at the tiny frame in his arms. She shifted slightly, and wrapped her arms around his neck, still deep in sleep. He walked into her room and set her down gently on the bed, brushing her hair out of her face and pulling her comforter up over her body. After a moment's hesitation, he bent down and kissed her lightly on the forehead.
...People can't help who they fall in love with; they just do.
A/N: Holy crap! Two days later! Did everyone have a good Easter? I certainly hope so. I did! And the reviews made it all the better! Thank you, everyone who reviewed. Anyways, this time I'm not lying. This may need to hold you over for a bit, because real practices for Nunsense start tomorrow. Well, later today, I guess, depending how it's looked at. It's midnight now, so technically today is tomorrow. And now I'm rambling, and I had something valid to say, but I can't recall. Oh, wait, yes I can. Snaps to loretta537 for reminding me of the whole Katsuya/Kyoko age thing! (Snaps are good, by the way.) Yay! I heart you! So, I hope you enjoyed. Now, if you would all care to click the pretty purple review button…