YAY! I GOT 100 REVIEWS::happy dance: it only took 11 CHAPTERS…but im there! Lol! THANK U 2 ALL OF U WHO HAVE REVIEWED THUS FAR! I hope 2 c more reviews coming in! Hmmm…im vry happy…reviewer replies!
Reviewer Replies:
Aria's star: :taps foot impatiently: u still haven't updated! Lol! Just kidding! I no u have other stuff 2 do besides this, so its ok! Lol!
3xThreat: its okay! YAY! My story made its impact! Lotsa ppl have been sry for Hatori! Thts wht I wanted them 2 feel 2! I personally luv Ha-san! (Not as much as Yun-chan of course) I feel so sry for him, not 2 mention the fact tht he's hot lyk all da other Sohmas despite his age! Lol!
Trinity: I'm glad im helping u out! BTW: most of the Japanese I use is true, but sum im not sure on…lyk how 2 spell it or something…so yea….I usually onlee hav prblms on spelling…yup…yea...Okay, ill go now!
Chibi Senshi of Saturn: arigato 4 reviewing! -
Bubbles078: yay! Duz this mean I get da fluff award again::sparkle eyes: I feel really sry 4 ha-san……I luv him lots, but not as much as Yuki! Heeheehee! - yea…Aya n Mine get along rreeealll well! Lol! They always argue, but I think its playful…..plus, Mine really seems 2 understand Aya…I think Aya understands Mine 2! Lol! Yea...i get 2 e-mails 4 da same story 2! Think its normal?
Coolgirl44: arigato! Everyone thts reviewed so far luved the fluff! YAY! Im on a roll!
FurubaFanatic3036: hmmm…now if I told if everyone's curses would be lifted, tht would be spoiling the story wouldn't it! U no…I could always keep sum curses there…..or have all the curses come back…..yes…tht a good idea! Thank u! lol!
Flute4ever330: CONGRADULATIONS! URE DA 100 REVIEWER! Lol! yup….poor ha-san…thts lyk da 3 or 4 time I've said tht 2day….u'll just have 2 wait n c if Hatori will get kana again or if sumone else will steal his heart….heeheehee::evil smirk: im being so evil today! But I can't help it!
LilsHrImP tHinGy: \ if my story is over ill write- THE END OR OWARI! In big bold letters! Remember tht…n thank u 4 da review! .
And with no further ado…on with da story!
Okay, I DID edit this and im reposting it now! It's better in my opinion…I was displeased with the previous version…I know I didn't make a lot of changes to this chapter, but the changes are still there! Read them if you want, but nothings changed majorly….the events are still all there and in order….yup...now I g2g write da nxt chappie! Much luv!
Edited and reposted on August, 9 2005- 10: 45 a.m.
Zodiac Love: Chapter 12-Events That Will Change Lives
As Ayame and Hatori left later that night, instead of at noon, Ayame was unusually silent, so was Hatori. Although…Hatori was always silent….Anyway, Hatori began to get worried at Ayame's behavior.
"Ayame?" he gently prodded quickly glancing at Ayame before reverting his attention back to the road.
"Eh? Nani, Ha-san? (wht)"
"Doushite? (whts wrong?)" Ayame looked startled. Have I really been that out of character for even Hatori to notice? He thought with surprise. Then again, Hatori has always noticed. He added, his eyes softening fondly. "Ayame?" Hatori enquired again, breaking him out of his thoughts.
"Ah, nandemunai Ha-san. (nothing) It's nothing…" Ayame trailed off, staring out the window. Hatori sighed, he knew it was not nothing, but he didn't want to push Ayame, so he let it drop.
As Ayame stared out the window, doubts assaulted his mind. What if Mine rejects me? What if she always only considered me as a friend? What if this ruins our relationship? Okay, calm down Ayame. Like Gure-san said, I need to have faith in Mine that she's the one for me and I have to believe. I'll tell her how I feel tomorrow for sure.
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Back at Shigure's house, things were calm and quiet. Shigure was finishing up his novel so he could hide it and torture Mit-chan, his editor, over it the next day. And the teens, they were all supposedly in bed already.
Yuki couldn't sleep. Something was keeping him awake, so he decided to go downstairs for a snack. It felt unusually hot in Shigure's house, so Yuki ditched his shirt as he walked out of his room and down stairs.(A/n: - HOTNESS! Lol!) No one would be up at this time anyway. He figured.
Yuki walked into the kitchen and had just consumed his intended snack when he heard foot steps on the stairs. He poked his head around the corner to see who it was. "Tohru…"
Tohru was wearing her usual yellow pajama set with the button up shirt and comfortable pants. She couldn't sleep either, so she went downstairs to make some tea and get a snack. She was on the last few steps when she heard some one whisper, "Tohru…" Startled, she let out a small shriek and began to stumble and was about to fly face first into the floor for a very nasty bruise until she felt warm arms wrap around her and catch her. Tohru looked up and found Yuki's concerned face above hers. Tohru blushed at her moment of clumsiness and began to disentangle her self from the very charming boyfriend of hers.
"Ano (umm)…Yuki-kun…sumimasen (excuse me)…I didn't know you where here… you…" Yuki's lips crushed against hers immediately ceased all attempts at stuttering out apologies and what-not as Tohru quickly responded after recovering from her initial surprise.
When the two managed to separate, they couldn't wipe the smiles off of their faces. That was when Tohru fully realized that Yuki, for lack of better words, looked drop dead gorgeous, in her opinion at least. (A/N: Of course Yuki will always look hot no matter wht! Lol!) His tousled hair and handsome face combined with his firm shoulders and very bare chest that accompanied them could do wonders to a girl like Tohru, or any girl for that matter.
Yuki gazed at Tohru fondly after their moment of silliness. His smile grew in to a grin as he watched Tohru notice for the first time that he wasn't wearing a shirt. Shaking his head slightly, he stepped closer to Tohru and pushed some hair out of her face and behind her ear. "Have I told you that you are so incredibly kawaii (cute) at times?" he whispered. Tohru blushed even more. I am so evil. Yuki thought. I guess I just like making her blush…Pushing all thoughts out of his mind from there, Yuki gently wrapped his arms around Tohru, pressing her to him lightly as he rested his head on top of hers. Tohru sighed lightly as she wrapped her arms around Yuki as well. She was so glad that at least Yuki, Kyo, and Kagura's curses had broken. This gave hope to every one else cursed also.
It feels so weird…thought Yuki. To be able to hug some one…not unpleasant, Tohru is definitely warm and huggable enough…just weird. Sometimes I can't even believe I'm doing this. Whatever…I should be happy, and happy I am.
"So why did you come down here so late Hime-sama? (princess)" Yuki enquired lightly as he pulled away from his thoughts.
"I couldn't sleep so I decided to make some tea." Tohru replied as she pulled away from Yuki, remembering what she was supposed to be doing. She gently pushed past him and began to walk towards the kitchen. "Do you want some?" she added.
"Hai. (ok)" Yuki replied, following her. Suddenly, someone else's voice interrupted.
"What are you guys doing up?" It was Kagura.
"Ah, Kagura-chan! We couldn't sleep so I'm just going to make some tea. Do you want some too?" Tohru enquired, as she bustled about the kitchen.
"Hai. I couldn't sleep either." Kagura replied as she lightly leaned against the doorway.
"And I'm assuming Kyo couldn't either." Yuki added with a mysterious smile.
"Why?" Kagura enquired, confused.
"Because I'm right here." came Kyo's voice from right next to Kagura's ear. Kagura let out a shriek as Yuki and Tohru laughed. They saw Kyo sneaking up behind her as soon as she entered the kitchen.
"Don't do that Kyo!" Kagura berated as he turned around to bop him upside his head. "You really…scared…me…." She trailed off as she found that Kyo wasn't wearing a shirt either! (A/N: sry I can't help it!I feel weird 2day so thts affecting my writings…sowwyy….) Kyo smirked as he watched a blush crawl up Kagura's face. He chuckled as he leaned down and have her a quick kiss.
"Minna! (everyone) What's going on? I heard people going down the stairs and a yell." called Shigure from around the stairs, quickly appearing next to Kyo and Kagura in the doorway of the kitchen.
"None of us could sleep." Tohru explained. "Do all of you want some tea now?" Every one nodded.
"I would never pass up a chance to take some of my Flower's wonderful cooking, no matter what it is!" Shigure proclaimed. "Oh, and I'm probably correct in assuming the reason you guys couldn't sleep right? Judging that neither Yuki nor Kyo has their shirts on." A suddenly furious/embarrassed Yuki and Kyo appeared before Shigure.
"DIE!" :BAM::CRASH: Shigure was pummeled to the ground with two very big bumps on his head. The girls giggled as the everyday chaos folded out like a normal routine. Actually, it was a normal routine….
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The Next Day:
Ayame bounced into his shop with his cheery attitude as usual. Mine, who always got there before him, greeted him with her soft tones. "Ohayo Goziamasu (good morning) Ayame-san."
"Ohayo Mine! O' Genki desu ka?" (how r u?)"
"Genki." (I'm well) Mine replied cheerfully. It was their firmly established morning routine.
"Do we have any new orders?" Ayame enquired.
"Ano… (umm)…Iie. (No) But we still have to give Higurashi-san her kimono."
"Sou ka? (Is that so?) Then she'll receive it later today!" Ayame responded firmly a moment later. Mine smiled fondly at him. Ayame-san is always so cheerful.
"Ah, Gomen nasai! (im sry) I forgot to tell you that your otoutou-kun (lil bro) and some of his friends will be over in an hour. They need to talk to you about something." Ayame looked startled.
"Hontou? (really)…This hasn't happened before. Oh well! Another chance to deepen my brotherly love with Yuki!" Ayame declared happily. Mine giggled as she left the room. As soon as she was gone, Ayame's façade dropped and his face fell slightly. Mine…
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"Have a good day sir! Ah, otoutou-kun! (little brother) There you are! And you brought your lovely Tohru-kun and Kyonkichi-kun and Kagura-kun with you!"
"Urusee! (shut up)" came the halfhearted reply from Yuki to Ayame. "Tohru just needed to talk to you about something and I also need to talk to you." Ayame's face held no expression for a moment as he digested the fact that Yuki wanted to talk to him!
"Ayame-san, have they arrived?" came a soft voice from among the aisles of clothing.
"Ah…Hai! (yes)" Ayame called back, snapping out of his thoughts. Mine poked her head out from her aisle and smiled.
"Welcome every one!" she greeted. Her eyes suddenly rested upon Kagura and they took on an odd gleam.
"She's started." Ayame sighed.
"Started what?" came Kyo's cautious reply. His answer came when Mine suddenly rushed out towards him and Kagura and promptly began jabbering at high speed and dragging Kagura away. "Oi! (hey)" Kyo called out indignantly and in alarm.
"Just let her go." Yuki chimed in. "She did the same thing to Tohru when she came here with me for the first time."
"And what exactly is that?" Kyo asked angrily.
"You'll see." Yuki replied with a slight smile.
"Ayame-san." Tohru began.
"What is it Tohru-kun, and please just call me Ayame! After all we're going to be family soon!" Ayame declared with a smile.
Yuki blushed. "Urusee! (shut up)" Ayame all but ignored him.
"Of course, Gure-san tells me that you and Yuki have already engaged in certain naughty activities, as have Kagura and Kyo!" Ayame added mischievously. :Fighting noises are heard in the background: We return to Ayame, Yuki, and Kyo to find Ayame beat up on the floor. Everyone, but Ayame of course, suddenly looked up when they heard Mine clearing her throat.
"Minna-san, (every1) here's the new Kagura-kun." She announced turning back towards the curtains she emerged from. "Come on Kagura-kun! Don't be shy." She led Kagura out by the hands and what Kyo saw left him speechless. Kagura looked almost exactly like what Tohru wore for Yuki. Only differences: the dress extended all the way to her ankles, it was a bit less fluffy, and it was various shades of green. Kagura also had a matching bow that held back some of her hair at the back of her head. (A/N: I always seem 2 put Kagura in green dresses…o well…neway, 2 see wht Tohru wore here: http// ume. silent-hope. net/ agallery / 34.jpg without da spaces of course. It's much too much to describe! SORRY!)
"What do you guys think?" asked Mine cheerfully.
"Kagura-chan, you look wonderful!" gushed Tohru.
"Hai. (yes) You look very pretty." agreed Yuki.
"Why, she looks wonderful Mine! Almost exactly like Tohru-kun when we dressed her up for Yuki!" came Ayame's voice.
"Eh, didn't we knock you out for longer than that?" asked Kyo.
"Experience with this gives me quick recovery Kyonkichi-kun!" Ayame announced airily.
"Don't call me that!" yelled Kyo.
"Kyonkichi-kun! How rude you are to your Princess! You're the only one who hasn't commented on her beauty!" chastised Ayame ignoring Kyo's outburst. Kyo glared at Ayame but immediately blushed at his comment, glanced at Kagura, and then quickly averted his gaze again.
"Ano… (umm)…you look…youlookverypretty!" Kyo rushed out, his face flaming. Kagura blushed too and walked over to Kyo, giving him a hug and a quick 'thank you' kiss. The other occupants of the room watched the two fondly as they smiled at them.
"Anyway, what did you want to tell me Tohru-kun?" suddenly spoke Ayame, ruining the moment.
"Ah, I was wondering if you could come over to Shigure-san's house on the 30 for a late Christmas party and an early New Years one because I just remembered we never got to celebrate Christmas, and I …well, I can't go to the New Years celebration with you guys." This left an uncomfortable pause.
"Of course I'll come Tohru-kun." Ayame responded gently. "Do you want me to get every one else too?"
"Hai. (yes) That would be wonderful Ayame!" Tohru replied happily.
"Eh, what's that I hear? Tohru-kun called me Ayame! Ne Yuki, looks like Tohru's all ready to accept your proposal!" gushed out Ayame excitedly. Tohru blushed tomato red and so did Yuki. Everyone silently took Yuki's lack of response as the fact that he probably was going to ask Tohru to marry him someday soon and that he took her calling Ayame, 'Ayame', as a hopeful 'yes'.
Mine decided to spare the totally embarrassed couple as she pushed Tohru and Kagura into one of the aisles chattering away about finding clothes right for them. Kyo looked after the retreating girls with slight worry before making up his mind and following them.
"So now that we're alone, what do you want to talk to me about Yuki?" Ayame declared happily .
Yuki ignored him for a minute, concentrating more on getting his composure back. Finally he managed to answer Ayame's question with one of his own, not wasting any time in getting ton the point. "You love Mine don't you?" Ayame gaped in surprise, his heart beating loudly and hurriedly inside him.
"How…"
"I accidentally heard you and Shigure talking about it." He replied quickly. "Nii-san (big bro), if you actually really do love her, I suggest you tell her now. She may accept you like Tohru accepted all of us. And from what I see, you two are already pretty close, so I don't see that much of a problem. Unless the rest of us are imagining it, we are pretty sure Mine likes you as more than just a friend and partner. Tohru told me about how much Mine perceived about you the last time we came here and how Mine looked at you. Ayame, please for the sake of all that's good, tell her. Don't think about Akito, we're all going to have to deal with him sooner or later anyway, what with 3 of the Jyuunishi (zodiac) released. And don't think about any other doubts either! Just go with your heart. That's what I did and look at where I got. I love Tohru more than anything and I know she loves me too." Yuki trailed off as he finished his very impactive speech.
Ayame stared at his younger brother with wide eyes and an open mouth. Yuki was much older than he actually let on. Ayame recovered and moved towards his brother. Ayame hesitantly lifted his arms, made up his mind, and placed them around Yuki, encasing his beloved younger brother in a warm hug. Yuki looked startled and didn't make a move. Ayame took the fact that Yuki didn't move as encouragement.
"I'm so sorry Yuki. I was never there for you when you were younger and when you needed me. I was young and I was foolish. I deeply regret all that now, seeing this great rift that's been formed between us. I truly am really sorry. I feel even guiltier now that you've helped me when you clearly didn't need to if your mind told you otherwise." Yuki considered this. Ayame really does mean it… he thought. Should I forgive him…releasing a great burden…or should I live in continuous harbored fear and anger towards my brother. He's certainly making an effort right now! Ayame…
"I…I for…" Yuki broke off. He sighed and continued again. This is quite hard though... "I forgive you…nii-san…." (big bro) Yuki completed, hesitantly raising his arms and placing them around his brother as well. He felt Ayame tense in shock/surprise.
"You, you really mean it?" he asked in surprise and wonder pulling away from Yuki to look him in the eye. Yuki regarded Ayame for a moment before nodding. "After all this time of trying to amend myself with you….Thank you so much Yuki. This means a lot to me!" Ayame declared happily, tears threatening to form in his eyes. Yuki nodded and silently added: It's a big deal for me too. I feel as if a great weight has been lifted from me.
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A few hours later the group's visit to Ayame was over and as soon as they left, time seemed to go by in a big gigantic blur, albeit happy blur, for Ayame, until it was time for him to ask Mine to dinner.
"Ano…Mine…" began Ayame hesitantly. Mine looked up from a piece of clothing she was trimming.
"Doushita (whts wrong) Ayame-san?"
"Ano…will you accompany me…to dinner?" Ayame asked hesitantly. Mine looked startled for a moment before her face lit up with a very happy glow.
"Of course!" she replied enthusiastically.
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Ayame had taken Mine to one of the slightly more expensive restaurants in town. They managed through dinner pretty well, talking about random things and Ayame occasionally gushing about how happy he was about Yuki. When they finished dinner, Ayame took Mine to walk through the park, as planned. What he didn't plan though was the rain that would fall, later on through their little 'date'.
After a few minutes of walking in comfortable silence, Ayame ventured a tentative, "Mine…"
"Hai? (Yes)"
"Ano…lately…lately….I don't know how to say this!" Ayame muttered in frustration. Mine patiently waited for Ayame to collect himself and continue. Taking a deep breath, Ayame began again.
"Lately as I worked with you in the shop, I realized something. Something that made me happy and worried at the same time. Something…I don't know how to show or tell…but I know is there." Ayame stopped walking, bringing Mine to a stop with him. "Mine…this something is a feeling. A feeling that I have…towards…you. Mine…I…I love you." And that's when the rain began to pour down from the Heavens above.
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Hatori was walking down the sidewalk of the street as he carried groceries he had to rush and buy when he realized his kitchen was near empty. The night sky stretched out above him, dark with grey, somber rain clouds. He quickened his pace, trying to get home before the rain caught him out of it.
Movements in the alleyway beside him, made him stop in his tracks. He couldn't see the forms in the alley, due to all the dark and shadows, but he could tell one was a woman and the other was a man. The man was also clearly harassing the woman. Her muffled shrieks of pain and pleas for help hadn't reached any one yet, but Hatori heard them. He dropped his groceries and rushed into the alley, punching the man as the man raised a fist to knock down the girl again. "What the…?" the man snarled, turning towards Hatori. The man bared his teeth in a dog-like way and threw a wide punch towards Hatori's head, Hatori ducked and grabbed a nearby bottle and smashed on the other man's head. The man crumpled down the ground, unconscious. Hatori immediately turned to the woman who was sobbing on the floor.
"Are you alright Miss?" he enquired gently. Baka! (idiot) Of course she's not all right. She was just assaulted! Hatori berated himself. "I'm a doctor. I can help you." He quickly added. The woman just whimpered in pain and cried some more. Hatori shrugged off his Doctor's jacket he wore and softly walked forwards until he was squatting down a foot away from the lady. "Here…" he said gently, placing his coat over her. The woman tensed as Hatori walked over to her, but as he finished the gesture, she looked up in surprise.
"Arigato… (thx)" she whispered out a moment later.
"Will you permit me to check on you at my office? I can tell you're bleeding badly and I think you have serious injuries too, judging by what I saw and heard." The woman seemed to hesitate a moment, but she had a feeling she could trust this man, so she nodded. She tried to stand up, but let out a shriek of pain and collapsed back on to the ground. Hatori sighed; Guess I'm going to have to carry her. "Ano…I'm going to carry you since you can't walk on your own. I know this may seem a little weird to you, but please refrain from wrapping your arms around my neck or hugging me in any way while I do so." he requested. The woman nodded after a moment. Hatori sighed lightly as he went to her and wrapped one arm around her torso and the other around her knees and lifted her up. She was surprisingly light. As he stepped back into the light of the street, he looked down. Who he saw nearly made him drop her. "Kana!"
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"I love you…" the words echoed around in Mine's head, sounding surreal.
"N-nani? (w-what)" she whispered out. Ayame gave her a forlorn and sad smile as his eyes softened. His hair was plastered to his head because of the rain.
"I love you Mine. I don't know when it happed. First you were just a friend, then it was more like a crush, but now…beyond a shadow of a doubt, I know I love you Mine."
Mine stared at him in shock for a few moments before finally saying, "Ayame-san…I didn't know you felt that way towards me, and if I had known sooner…" at these words Ayame's face crumbled and he turned his face away. "If I had known sooner, I would have acted on that." Mine finished with a soft smile. Ayame's head turned back around quickly.
"You…" Mine nodded.
"I love you too Ayame." Ayame looked like the happiest man on earth at that moment, but suddenly his face fell again. "Doushita?" (whts wrong) Mine enquired, worried.
"There is something else you should know about me before you accept me." Ayame added in a soft tone. "I, well more like 12 more of the Sohmas besides me, are cursed." Mine gasped. "Actually, Kyo, Kagura, and Yuki managed to get rid of theirs some how. Anyway…when the opposite sex hugs us, we turn into our Zodiac animal. I'm the snake, therefore when hugged, I turn into a snake. Do you still want me now?" Ayame enquired in a tired and defeated tone.
Mine regarded Ayame's hopeless face for a while before stepping towards him. Oh, Ayame…you must have lived in constant fear of this every day…you and the others…no wonder why I never got to hug you or anything…
She cupped his cheeks and whispered, "I'll always love you no matter what Ayame. Never doubt that." Ayame smiled brightly and laughed happily as he picked her up around the waist and spun her around. The rain seemed to disappear, the surroundings seemed to disappear, and everything seemed to disappear until it was only the two of them. Mine giggled as Ayame shared his delight. He placed her back down and stared at her for moment before closing the space between them with a chaste, but sweet kiss, the ignored rain pounding around them all the while…
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I believe the fluff was satisfactory? I hope so, and im guessing it is…I know sum of u will definitely enjoy this chappie! lol! Now another thing, I remind u guys tht if my story is over, it will say the end or owari at the end of the page! K? Much luv 2 all!
Silver-chan
