A/N: Kung Hei Fat Choi! Nwei, just to announce that updates on the Furuba fics wouldn't be everyday anymore due to some conflicts in my schedule with classes, plus I'll be devoting more time to my site.

I will update in 2-3 days alternately. (Untitled on Monday, For Keeps on Thursday).

Nwei, hope you still keep on reading the fic!

(Dito sa makakaintindi ng message na ito, wala lang. Naisip ko lang, ayoko si Rukawa, pero tuwing nanonood ako ng Slam Dunk at nakikita ko sila nina Sakuragi, naaalala ko sina Kyo at Yuki. Asar naman!)

FACTS OF LIFE

"Ah!" Tohru didn't know what to say, especially when she watched as the prince' face turned dark. She had no choice but to clear her throat. "Er, Your Highness, y-you draw very well."

Yuki snatched the pieces of paper away from her. "You are too bothersome. Why don't you just leave this room immediately?"

"Ah!" She laughed. She knew he was more humiliated than mad. She knew the Ice Prince' attitude already. "Sure, but first, I would like to say that I am really flattered that you chose me as the subject for your sketches."

He placed the stack of papers under his pillow again. "Don't be. I like drawing women."

"So you draw Hana-chan too?" she asked curiously.

He paused. "Er, no."

"I thought-"

"Shut up and leave," he said curtly.

"Right. B-But well, will I still accompany you in your horseback riding?" she asked.

"Yes. I'll fetch you in your room."

Ayame clapped delightedly. "The riding habit suits you perfectly, my dear Tohru-kun. You look pretty as a picture."

"T-Thank you, Ayame-san. You are so kind to lend me these clothes," she whispered happily.

"Just don't let Shigure see you, or he might just act like a pedophile again," said Ayame, laughing.

Tohru twirled around again and looked at herself in the full-length mirror, barely recognizing herself. Wearing a tight-fitting red and black riding suit and a black cap, she looked like a princess who was out on her daily equestrian exercise.

"Now why won't any prince in his right mind and gender would refuse a beauty such as you?" asked Ayame. "You are a divine creation, dear Tohru!"

"Eh? Y-You're overstating!"

"She, I mean, he's not," said Haru, entering the room. "You look great!"

"Thank you, Haru-kun!"

"So who invited you to go horseback riding anyway?" asked Haru.

"P-Prince Yuki."

"Oh?" His brow shot up. "Really?"

"Well, don't tire yourself too much, Tohru," reminded Yuki's brother. "You just recovered from a fever, you know."

"H-Hai!"

After Tohru left, Haru asked whether Ayame noticed that Yuki was starting to change.

"I did. He's much human now."

"What sorcery did that maid use?"

"Who knows?"

Shigure beamed as he watched Yuki take his favorite horse out. "Oi, Yuki! You and your horse are going out on a date?"

"No. I don't have time to talk to you. Get out of my way," said Yuki.

"Don't hurt my feelings, Yuki-kun. They're very fragile." The writer rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Besides, you already have your other favorite horse, Toyota, out there. Why are you taking Nissan out? I take it that you're not riding alone."

"Very perceptive, Shigure," said the Ice Prince mockingly.

"Yeah. I cannot imagine even you riding on two horses." Shigure stifled his laughter.

"Get out of my way, Shigure, or I'll run you over."

"Hatori did that to me once already, back when we were your age, learning how to ride our horses then named Honda-"

"Get out!" yelled Yuki, mounting on Nissan.

"But Yuki-chan…" The writer groaned when he saw that his cousin was deadly serious on inflicting serious injuries on him. "Right, right." He stepped out of the way as Yuki rode Nissan out of the stable.

Tohru was walking down the stairs when she heard a horse' neigh. She then heard the sound of hooves…coming closer?

She freaked out when she saw a horse right in front of her, with Kyo riding on it. "Hey, Tohru!" he greeted. "Want to go horseback riding with me?"

"Eh? B-But why did you take the horse in?" she asked, aware of the curious gaze the people around were throwing them.

"I can do whatever I want because I am the prince," shrugged Kyo. "Besides, Ford likes the floor of the palace."

The horse neighed in agreement.

Just then, Hatori appeared, looking grim. "Prince Kyo, I demand an explanation for this incredibly absurd stunt you pulled now." He looked at the dirty horse disdainfully.

"Hmm? Why should I explain to someone like you? Mind your own damn business!"

"That is not how a prince should talk!"

Kyo burned. "And I don't want to be a prince! Why do you keep on forcing me to be one anyway?"

"It's in your blood."

"I hate living here!" burst the cat out. "I hate the people here! I hate myself for being a Sohma! Why didn't I just become an ordinary person anyway?"

"Both you and I cannot answer that, but it doesn't matter. You are a prince, and no matter how you detest your rank, you must learn to do the obligations of a royal-blooded prince," said Hatori. He turned to Tohru. "And you're the maid, right?"

She nodded awkwardly.

He looked at her fine clothes. "So why are you wearing that and not your servant's uniform?"

Her face flamed in shame. "Ah! Y-You see, Ayame-san lent me this because Prince Yuki invited me to go horseback riding with him."

This made Hatori even angrier. "How dare you call the royal princes of the clan by their first names! Don't you ever forget your status here. You are just a maid. You should act as your social rank dictates."

"Hatori, you bastard!" yelled Kyo, but Hatori looked at him threateningly. The doctor then looked at the shocked Tohru.

"If you know what's good for you, then have at least a little dose of sanity and decency. You have no right to mingle with people, who are royalty, because you are a commoner. You are just a servant paid here to serve us, don't you ever forget that." With that, Hatori left.

Tohru's head hung.

He's right. I am just a maid. No matter how good I look in these clothes…

…I will always just be a maid.

"Tohru," said Hatori.

"Y-Your Highness?" she asked her voice shaky.

"Clean up the mess that the horse made," ordered the doctor just as he exited the hallway.

"T-Tohru." Kyo jumped down from the horse and tried to approach her, but one look at her crumpled face and he knew that she didn't want him near her.

"M-May I go, Your Highness?" she asked, her lower lip trembling.

"Tohru, do not mind Hatori…"

"He's right. I should know my place," she said softly before she knelt down and started to gather the dirt on the floor with her bare hands. She didn't mind seeing the dirt, because that was exactly how she felt.

Kyo's fists clenched, and then he turned to find Hatori.

"What did you say?" exclaimed Yuki.

His little cousin, Kisa, nodded. "I heard Hatori-san. He…said all those nasty things to nee-chan."

He couldn't explain why he suddenly felt like he wanted to punch somebody. "So where's the maid now?"

"Cleaning the floor."

"Tell her then, to get up, take a bath, and get dressed in a batch of new clothes," said Yuki. "Tell her that it's the order of Prince Yuki. I'll deal with Hatori."

"Yes."

"And…make her stop crying," said Yuki softly. "Alright?"

Although surprised, she nodded.

Hatori sipped his tea calmly as Kyo flamed in fury.

"You have no right to do that to Tohru! Why did you hurt her feelings?" yelled the neko. "And it was my fault, right? Why did you make her do the cleaning?"

"Because you are a prince. Princes don't clean. Princes aren't punished. Commoners are created to take the blame," said the doctor.

"You snobbish-" Kyo stopped when the door opened again, and in came furious Yuki, his piercing violet eyes targeting Hatori.

"I heard what you did to Honda-san," said Yuki. "She didn't deserve those harsh words. It was the stupid cat who stupidly took the horse in the palace. Why don't you make him clean?"

Kyo freaked out in anger. Yuki made him look stupid again, but if his cousin could save Tohru then…

"Yeah," agreed the neko, doing so for the first time in their entire clashing history.

"Again, cleaning is not a job of a prince." Hatori eyed Yuki. "And you, Prince Yuki, of all people should know that a maid is not the appropriate person to take along while strolling. If you really wanted company, I could have arranged a date for you and another princess in the countless kingdoms that are part of our alliance."

"I don't think it is your job to meddle with my private affairs," said Yuki, seething in fury.

"Private? Since when had a maid been part of your private affairs?" asked Hatori, looking at the suddenly pale prince carefully.

Kyo looked at his cousin curiously too.

"Asking that question too is also another trespassing in my private affairs," said Yuki coldly.

Hatori laughed humorlessly. "You got a point there. Very well, I will let this pass. But remember, you are both next in line for the throne. Act as a prince should. Both of you may kindly leave the room now."

The two reluctantly left, unaware of the eyes watching them.

Sohma Akito smiled.

Competition. I like this.

That afternoon, Yuki closed the door of the maids' quarters, sighing defeatedly. All day, he didn't see a sign of Tohru.

Where is she?

His eyes widened when he saw Tohru sweeping on the balcony. He approached her immediately. "Honda-san?"

Her eyes grew wide in fear. "Y-Your Highness?" She paused from her work, bowing respectfully. "Anything I can do for you, Your Highness?"

He was taken aback by the change in Tohru's attitude.

Where is her sunny smile? Where is the usual cheerful sparkle in her eyes?

And where is her usual greeting?

She doesn't like calling me 'Your Highness'.

"Honda-san, didn't Kisa come to you and tell you that you get dressed? Our date is still on, remember?" he asked.

She looked down. "I'm sorry, Your Highness, but I can't."

Her voice was tight, as if it would break. Yuki's heart ached in a way that he never felt before. He suddenly had the urge to take her in his arms.

But Hatori's words echoed in his mind.

Act like a prince should.

She's a commoner. I am royalty.

We can never be friends.

Never.

tsuzuku