MAKING MERRY
Chapter 5 - Dash for the Mistletoe
Tohru appeared next to where Yuki was standing at the threshold between the kitchen and the living area where everyone was gathered, waiting for her to bring out the food. She smiled happily when she saw Uotani, Hanajima, and Megumi socializing with the younger Soumas while the elder ones looked on indulgently. She'd been worried at first since the initial meeting between her friends and the men she lived with had seemed a little strained.
But the arrival and exuberance of some of their other guests like Kagura and Momiji had dispelled whatever tension was in the air. Shigure seemed to find sanctuary with Hatori and Ayame's presence while the rest were left to socialize among themselves. Uotani and Hanajima got along like usual with Hatsuharu and Momiji, had been respectful of Hatori, fascinated with Ayame, and drawn towards Kagura's cheerful personality. And, of course, they fawned over the cuteness that was Kisa whom Megumi seemed to get along with as well. Of course, Hiro didn't like that but kept his mouth shut since he was kind of leery of the Hanajima siblings. Although she regretted that several other Soumas she'd invited hadn't been able to attend, she vowed to still make it a wonderful party.
"I'll be bringing out the dishes right away," she announced and turned back to the kitchen.
"Wait, Tohru-kun!" Shigure's cry halted her retreat. He pointed up to where of sprig of green had been pinned above the entryway. "It's custom for two people standing under the mistletoe to kiss," he explained, grinning wickedly at the couple beneath it.
"Shigure," a blushing Yuki said as threatening as he could while embarrassed. "When did you-?"
"It wasn't me," Shigure held up a protesting hand.
"A man's romance," a whispering voice next to his ear said, causing Yuki to whirl around to face his brother and wonder how he'd gotten there without his noticing.
"You did it!?" Yuki cried incredulously.
"Of course!" Ayame's voiced boomed throughout the room, causing heads to turn as all eyes became focused on the scene playing out before them. Hands on hips and long hair trailing majestically behind him, Ayame puffed out his chest proudly. "In the name of romantic dreams of men everywhere and to promote the experiences that bridges the gap between men and boys, Yuki!" he shouted and swung an arm out to point at him, "it's all for you!"
Yuki was absolutely mortified as he noted that surrounding conversations had gradually died down as everyone, including Tohru's best friends, centered their attention on them. And Tohru's wide-eyed expression as she struggled to figure out how to take this new turn of events wasn't helping either. As Yuki grappled with a way to get himself out of this situation, Ayame apparently grew impatient with what he saw as stalling.
"Yuki!" once again Ayame's voice resounded. "As your older brother, I know best so you must do what I say. And I command you to kiss her!" This time the finger was pointed at a blushing Tohru.
"Nii-san!" Yuki hissed at his brother. "I can't do that!" Not in front of so many people, he thought, and especially not in front of her overprotective friends. He flinched as his eyes met their narrow-eyed gazes.
"Oh, Yuki! To break a time-honored tradition," Ayame sighed and shook his head in disappointment. "I thought better of you. It's terribly unmanly. And worst of all is to break the budding heart of a young girl expecting a mistletoe kiss which only happens this time of the year." Ayame sighed again. "Well, it can't be helped. If you won't," with lightning quick speed, Ayame appeared before Tohru and cupped her chin as his head bent down, "then I shall-"
His words were abruptly cut off as a fist punted him into a nearby wall. Yuki stood protectively in front of Tohru, quivering in anger as he glared at the offender to whom it was his misfortune to be related to. Sprawled on the floor, and far from being upset as he should be, Ayame actually looked happy and smiled widely, leaving a horrified Yuki wondering just what insane thoughts his brother was thinking of now. And what would come out of his mouth next.
Ayame was suddenly on his feet, brushing himself off nonchalantly, as he nodded in satisfaction. "That's right, Yuki! The way to be a man! Defend the captive princess and make her your own!"
Face burning, Yuki ignored Ayame's ongoing babble as he turned to face Tohru. "Honda-san, I apologize for him. I'm sorry you were dragged into-"
Feminine eyes suddenly loomed larger in his vision as lips met lips. For a second everything froze as absolute and total silence reigned at this new shocking turn of events. Yuki finally garnered the presence of mind to jerk away from Tohru's blushing countenance. He stared wide-eyed at their gaping audience, face turning an even brighter red with a mixture of acute scandalized embarrassment and a severe rage. He whirled around to the smugly smiling silver-haired perpetrator of it all who even had the gall to wink at him.
"Nii-san," Yuki practically growled. "How could you?!"
Sweat broke out on his body when he realized just how dangerously close they had come to having their secret exposed. If Ayame's little shove had been any harder, he would have fallen into Tohru and triggered his transformation into mouse form! Although, as the hushed quiet gave way to chuckles and giggles that were heard from around the room, Yuki wasn't sure that this was all that much better. He'd even heard Hatsuharu, who'd been mostly quiet for the duration of the gathering as he preferred to sit back and observe, utter a low-voiced "Go, Yuki." Suddenly feeling a piercing stare, he turned his head to an angry looking Kyou and returned the dagger- like glare being thrown at him. They continued the glaring contest until Ayame's heavy sigh regained Yuki's attention.
"Yuki, Yuki, Yuki," Ayame said, shaking his head. "You shouldn't become so upset when your older brother tries to help you. In such a situation, it was only proper to give my little brother a push," he mimed the action, "onto the right course to happiness!" He struck a triumphant pose. "Yes! I was right to come! With the sibling bond between us guiding me and telling me the right thing to do, I have done my brotherly duty and shown the younger one the path to adulthood, the way to achieve one's manly desires!"
Yuki was practically quaking with anger. "Stop saying such stupid things! All you do is cause trouble! It's not just to me, but to Honda-"
"Yuki-kun!" Tohru, despite her embarrassment, was frantic to stop the bickering and the widening of the gap between brothers. When Yuki's attention was directed back toward her, she continued, "Please, you don't have to be angry! If I hadn't been in the way, then it wouldn't have happened!"
Yuki's features softened. "Honda-san doesn't have to apologize. If anyone, it should be me for letting something like this occur. Or-"
"No!," she cried, interrupting him. "Yuki-kun doesn't have to worry about me! It wasn't so bad. Really!" Seeing him still look unconvinced, she cast about for the right words to say. "Ah.I.actually..." She suddenly shot one of her resolve faces as the words popped out of her mouths, "I thought it was very nice!" Then she became flustered after realizing what she had said.
Yuki went speechless as his fading embarrassed flush returned with a vengeance. It only got worse when her remembered the interested onlookers in this drama that he'd temporarily forgotten. He was completely appalled when he saw that all eyes, from the oldest to youngest pair, were zeroed in on them. He prayed for deliverance from this tableau although he wasn't sure that the reply was much to be thankful for since it was Shigure who came to the rescue, if it could be called that.
Shigure's light laughter broke the silence. "Hmmm. I wonder if I should try it, too." So saying, he turned a considering eye towards Tohru who was still positioned under the mistletoe.
"No!" came immediate cries from Yuki and Kyou while Uotani and Hanajima turned their sharp gazes on him.
"Shigure." Hatori's warning-filled voice had him subsiding with a regretful sigh.
"Me, too!" squealed an excited Momiji who sprang to his feet and started heading in Yuki and Tohru's direction. "Yuki's unfair, hogging Tohru all to himself! I wanna kiss Tohru, too!"
"Arisa." Hanajima tilted a dark-eyed glance in Uotani's direction. "Do you think this mistletoe custom works among girls as well?"
Uotani smiled, reading her friend's thoughts perfectly. "I don't see why not. It's the season for showing affection, after all."
"Yes," said Hanajima. "The bond of friendship between women is strong, is it not?"
"Alright!" Uotani shouted, shooting a fist into the air. "Time to show some Tohru affection!"
Uotani stood up and followed in Momiji's wake. Hanajima glided after her with as silent Megumi and blushing Kisa trailing behind, leaving a scowling Hiro seated next to an observing Hatsuharu. Kagura fell into the procession as well, dragging Kyou along for the ride by the arm.
"I want a kiss with Kyou-kun under the mistletoe, too!" Kagura cried happily.
"Hey, you!" Kyou tried to tug his arm free without much success. "Let go!"
Meanwhile, Shigure was pulling on Hatori's sleeve. "Ha-san! You're so mean!" he whined.
"Be quiet," Hatori commanded, and sighed heavily at the noise around him.
"But everyone else is going. See!" Shigure flipped a hand in the direction of the people clustering under the mistletoe and around a befuddled Tohru.
The Christmas dinner dishes were cold by the time they were served.
Tohru appeared next to where Yuki was standing at the threshold between the kitchen and the living area where everyone was gathered, waiting for her to bring out the food. She smiled happily when she saw Uotani, Hanajima, and Megumi socializing with the younger Soumas while the elder ones looked on indulgently. She'd been worried at first since the initial meeting between her friends and the men she lived with had seemed a little strained.
But the arrival and exuberance of some of their other guests like Kagura and Momiji had dispelled whatever tension was in the air. Shigure seemed to find sanctuary with Hatori and Ayame's presence while the rest were left to socialize among themselves. Uotani and Hanajima got along like usual with Hatsuharu and Momiji, had been respectful of Hatori, fascinated with Ayame, and drawn towards Kagura's cheerful personality. And, of course, they fawned over the cuteness that was Kisa whom Megumi seemed to get along with as well. Of course, Hiro didn't like that but kept his mouth shut since he was kind of leery of the Hanajima siblings. Although she regretted that several other Soumas she'd invited hadn't been able to attend, she vowed to still make it a wonderful party.
"I'll be bringing out the dishes right away," she announced and turned back to the kitchen.
"Wait, Tohru-kun!" Shigure's cry halted her retreat. He pointed up to where of sprig of green had been pinned above the entryway. "It's custom for two people standing under the mistletoe to kiss," he explained, grinning wickedly at the couple beneath it.
"Shigure," a blushing Yuki said as threatening as he could while embarrassed. "When did you-?"
"It wasn't me," Shigure held up a protesting hand.
"A man's romance," a whispering voice next to his ear said, causing Yuki to whirl around to face his brother and wonder how he'd gotten there without his noticing.
"You did it!?" Yuki cried incredulously.
"Of course!" Ayame's voiced boomed throughout the room, causing heads to turn as all eyes became focused on the scene playing out before them. Hands on hips and long hair trailing majestically behind him, Ayame puffed out his chest proudly. "In the name of romantic dreams of men everywhere and to promote the experiences that bridges the gap between men and boys, Yuki!" he shouted and swung an arm out to point at him, "it's all for you!"
Yuki was absolutely mortified as he noted that surrounding conversations had gradually died down as everyone, including Tohru's best friends, centered their attention on them. And Tohru's wide-eyed expression as she struggled to figure out how to take this new turn of events wasn't helping either. As Yuki grappled with a way to get himself out of this situation, Ayame apparently grew impatient with what he saw as stalling.
"Yuki!" once again Ayame's voice resounded. "As your older brother, I know best so you must do what I say. And I command you to kiss her!" This time the finger was pointed at a blushing Tohru.
"Nii-san!" Yuki hissed at his brother. "I can't do that!" Not in front of so many people, he thought, and especially not in front of her overprotective friends. He flinched as his eyes met their narrow-eyed gazes.
"Oh, Yuki! To break a time-honored tradition," Ayame sighed and shook his head in disappointment. "I thought better of you. It's terribly unmanly. And worst of all is to break the budding heart of a young girl expecting a mistletoe kiss which only happens this time of the year." Ayame sighed again. "Well, it can't be helped. If you won't," with lightning quick speed, Ayame appeared before Tohru and cupped her chin as his head bent down, "then I shall-"
His words were abruptly cut off as a fist punted him into a nearby wall. Yuki stood protectively in front of Tohru, quivering in anger as he glared at the offender to whom it was his misfortune to be related to. Sprawled on the floor, and far from being upset as he should be, Ayame actually looked happy and smiled widely, leaving a horrified Yuki wondering just what insane thoughts his brother was thinking of now. And what would come out of his mouth next.
Ayame was suddenly on his feet, brushing himself off nonchalantly, as he nodded in satisfaction. "That's right, Yuki! The way to be a man! Defend the captive princess and make her your own!"
Face burning, Yuki ignored Ayame's ongoing babble as he turned to face Tohru. "Honda-san, I apologize for him. I'm sorry you were dragged into-"
Feminine eyes suddenly loomed larger in his vision as lips met lips. For a second everything froze as absolute and total silence reigned at this new shocking turn of events. Yuki finally garnered the presence of mind to jerk away from Tohru's blushing countenance. He stared wide-eyed at their gaping audience, face turning an even brighter red with a mixture of acute scandalized embarrassment and a severe rage. He whirled around to the smugly smiling silver-haired perpetrator of it all who even had the gall to wink at him.
"Nii-san," Yuki practically growled. "How could you?!"
Sweat broke out on his body when he realized just how dangerously close they had come to having their secret exposed. If Ayame's little shove had been any harder, he would have fallen into Tohru and triggered his transformation into mouse form! Although, as the hushed quiet gave way to chuckles and giggles that were heard from around the room, Yuki wasn't sure that this was all that much better. He'd even heard Hatsuharu, who'd been mostly quiet for the duration of the gathering as he preferred to sit back and observe, utter a low-voiced "Go, Yuki." Suddenly feeling a piercing stare, he turned his head to an angry looking Kyou and returned the dagger- like glare being thrown at him. They continued the glaring contest until Ayame's heavy sigh regained Yuki's attention.
"Yuki, Yuki, Yuki," Ayame said, shaking his head. "You shouldn't become so upset when your older brother tries to help you. In such a situation, it was only proper to give my little brother a push," he mimed the action, "onto the right course to happiness!" He struck a triumphant pose. "Yes! I was right to come! With the sibling bond between us guiding me and telling me the right thing to do, I have done my brotherly duty and shown the younger one the path to adulthood, the way to achieve one's manly desires!"
Yuki was practically quaking with anger. "Stop saying such stupid things! All you do is cause trouble! It's not just to me, but to Honda-"
"Yuki-kun!" Tohru, despite her embarrassment, was frantic to stop the bickering and the widening of the gap between brothers. When Yuki's attention was directed back toward her, she continued, "Please, you don't have to be angry! If I hadn't been in the way, then it wouldn't have happened!"
Yuki's features softened. "Honda-san doesn't have to apologize. If anyone, it should be me for letting something like this occur. Or-"
"No!," she cried, interrupting him. "Yuki-kun doesn't have to worry about me! It wasn't so bad. Really!" Seeing him still look unconvinced, she cast about for the right words to say. "Ah.I.actually..." She suddenly shot one of her resolve faces as the words popped out of her mouths, "I thought it was very nice!" Then she became flustered after realizing what she had said.
Yuki went speechless as his fading embarrassed flush returned with a vengeance. It only got worse when her remembered the interested onlookers in this drama that he'd temporarily forgotten. He was completely appalled when he saw that all eyes, from the oldest to youngest pair, were zeroed in on them. He prayed for deliverance from this tableau although he wasn't sure that the reply was much to be thankful for since it was Shigure who came to the rescue, if it could be called that.
Shigure's light laughter broke the silence. "Hmmm. I wonder if I should try it, too." So saying, he turned a considering eye towards Tohru who was still positioned under the mistletoe.
"No!" came immediate cries from Yuki and Kyou while Uotani and Hanajima turned their sharp gazes on him.
"Shigure." Hatori's warning-filled voice had him subsiding with a regretful sigh.
"Me, too!" squealed an excited Momiji who sprang to his feet and started heading in Yuki and Tohru's direction. "Yuki's unfair, hogging Tohru all to himself! I wanna kiss Tohru, too!"
"Arisa." Hanajima tilted a dark-eyed glance in Uotani's direction. "Do you think this mistletoe custom works among girls as well?"
Uotani smiled, reading her friend's thoughts perfectly. "I don't see why not. It's the season for showing affection, after all."
"Yes," said Hanajima. "The bond of friendship between women is strong, is it not?"
"Alright!" Uotani shouted, shooting a fist into the air. "Time to show some Tohru affection!"
Uotani stood up and followed in Momiji's wake. Hanajima glided after her with as silent Megumi and blushing Kisa trailing behind, leaving a scowling Hiro seated next to an observing Hatsuharu. Kagura fell into the procession as well, dragging Kyou along for the ride by the arm.
"I want a kiss with Kyou-kun under the mistletoe, too!" Kagura cried happily.
"Hey, you!" Kyou tried to tug his arm free without much success. "Let go!"
Meanwhile, Shigure was pulling on Hatori's sleeve. "Ha-san! You're so mean!" he whined.
"Be quiet," Hatori commanded, and sighed heavily at the noise around him.
"But everyone else is going. See!" Shigure flipped a hand in the direction of the people clustering under the mistletoe and around a befuddled Tohru.
The Christmas dinner dishes were cold by the time they were served.