I Can't Stay Away

As Tohru gracefully swept the floor of the hallway below the rooms of the princes. Yuki watched her from above, taking in the radiance she emits with the simple coordinated movements of her hands, legs and hips.

This he quickly and efficiently transcribed to his sketchpad that was resting on his knees, his pencil transferring the art in motion before him into the paper.

Meanwhile, the maid paused to wipe a sweat off her forehead and stretched lazily.

Okaasan, it has been 6 days of service to the royal clan of the Sohmas, and so far, I'm enjoying it very much.

People have been kinder to me, especially the Ice Prince. I do not know why. Shigure-san told me that the Ice Prince grew bored of pretending to be like Hatori-san. Whoever Hatori-san is beyond my knowledge. I haven't met that particular Sohma yet.

You must be wondering why I call the members of the royal clan by their first names. It was Shigure-san and Neko-san who ordered me to do so. I don't mind. I get confused at times who to call "Your Highness" when two or three Sohmas are walking together at the same time.

The only person I cannot call by the first name is the Ice Prince. I guess habits die hard, and I have been used to calling him "Ice Prince". Thank Kami-sama that nowadays, his temper is rarely seen anymore. Sure, he frowns at me disapprovingly when he catches me talking with Kyo-san or Shigure-san. He also scolds me whenever I come late when summoned. But at least he does not go ballistic as he used to do. And he has learned to call me by my name, at least, by my surname. An improvement from the usual "Woman", a name which he used to call me with.

Okaasan, I think I'll go right to bed today after my job. I'm feeling a little weak today. I guess it's the cold.

She looked up and found the Ice Prince sitting on the window pane of his room, a drawing pad on his knee, pencil poised in the air to draw, and he was looking right at her!

Ice Prince? How long has he been there? Did I miss him shouting an order while I was daydreaming?

"Your Highness, is there anything I can do for you?" she yelled, cupping her hands on her mouth.

The prince blinked then shook his head. "Take your rest. The sun's heat is scorching!"

Though puzzled by his order, she nodded and went inside.

I think I'm nuts, but I swear, he sounded concern. Okaasan, I'm *really* sick.

Yuki examined his new sketch, the latest addition to his collection of drawings that had been the product of his latest hobby since yesterday: sketching. And Honda Tohru had been his favorite subject lately.

I don't know why, but she fascinates me.

A little.

Memories flooded the prince' mind.

Back when I was young, I used to sketch my mother too. But Akito took it for "safekeeping". I never saw it again.

But there was one sketch left with him: one that he drew back in his younger years and he had been improving all through the years.

The sketch of a little girl with plentiful brown hair as rich as healthy earth who gave him an afternoon he could never forget.

He was about to take that paper out when the door opened and in came Kagura, sobbing.

"What is it?" he asked, annoyed. He shut his sketchpad and placed it under his pillow.

"Kyo…my darling Kyo threatened to go back to the woods if I push through with my idea to ask Akito's blessing in marrying my beloved!" cried the boar.

"Marry the stupid cat?" echoed Yuki. "Are you crazy? You're too good for him! In fact, even a female mosquito is too good for him!"

"But what can I do?" sniffled Kagura. "I love him so very much!"

"Don't push him. You have always loved him very much, so why did you suddenly decide to marry him?" the nezumi wanted to know.

"B-Because…" Her lower lip trembled. "I saw him f-flirting with a maid."

"A maid?" His forehead creased.

"The new maid," Her eyes flashed scornfully.

His blood boiled, but he carefully hid his anger. "Is that so?"

"Yes."

"Ah wait, Kagura, how was he flirting with the maid?"

"Er…"Kagura paused. "He bumped his shoulder with her, and he smiled apologetically."

"And…?"

"He went on his way."

"And…?"

"End."

"Huh? Where's the flirting?" asked Yuki, stumped.

"Didn't you hear me? They had skin contact! He SMILED at her. Doesn't that spell flirting obviously?"

"Ah…" Yuki sighed. "You're over-reacting."

I thought…

But still, I want Kyo located somewhere he could not bother me.

Like in the North Pole or something.

Tohru smiled weakly as Momiji waved at her on his way to the training hall.

I feel so dizzy. I..want to throw up.

She remembered how she bumped people, including Prince Kyo, for several times, but not all of them were as understanding as the prince. This made her feel worse.

Bed. I need to lie down.

"Honda-san?"

She pasted a feeble smile on her face then gasped when saw it was the Ice Prince looking at her in what seemed like worry.

"Y-Your Highness?" She attempted to straighten up, but only managed to lose her balance. She landed on him unconsciously.

Poof!

Okaasan!

"Okaasan, you're here!" Tohru jumped to her mother's arms and snuggled close to her chest. "I missed you terribly!"

"Tohru," said her mother's voice lovingly, patting her hair soothingly. "Take it easy."

"Okaasan, I want to come with you! Please do not leave me!" she cried.

"As much as I want to, I can't," said her mother sadly. "Because I love you very much. I want you to feel what it's like to be loved by other people."

"But nobody loves me. Nobody needs me."

"When you wake up, my child, you will find you're mistaken. Somebody does love you."

"Don't…leave," she whispered. "Don't…"

"Honda-san?"

She flapped her eyes weakly and found Yuki looking down at him, purple eyes worried. "Yuki-kun!"

Upon hearing her call him by his name, he blushed and looked away. This gave her the chance to check where she was. She nearly had a heart attack when she discovered that he was carrying her! Her face flamed.

"Y-You're…"

naked?

Yuki didn't look at her. "You fell on me, and I transformed into a rat. Then I became human again."

"Ah!" Tohru panicked, "T-They mustn't see you naked, Your Highness." She tried not to think of how virile his manly scent that was filling her senses due to their intimate nearness.

"If you don't want to get the people's attention then lower your voice," ordered the prince.

"But…!"

"If you don't shut up, I'll kiss you till you shut up," he threatened.

She gasped and immediately was silenced.

"Honda-san?"

"Er?"

"Whatever happens, don't look down."

She blushed and laughed uncomfortably. "Yes, Your Highness."

Yuki laid her gently down his bed.

"I hope you do not take this in the wrong way, but it will be perilous for the maids to see me like this," he said as he turned his back on her and opened his closet to get something to wear.

She blushed hotly.

"You have a fever," said the prince. "And still, you worked. You are an idiot."

"Ah!"

He faced her, a small smile on his face. "Stay here for the meantime."

"Ah!"

Okaasan, I can't believe it! I'm staying in the Ice Prince' room! Good Lord!

Tsuzuku

Had to cut the fic there. I'm late for class!