Chapter 2
Since that first day of school, the principal changed it so all the girls went to see the school nurse and the guys went to see Hatori. But the two people continued to visit Hatori's office and give him trouble: Ayame and Shigure.
"Shouldn't you two be in class?"
"I gave them a free reading period," Shigure said, "I'll just go back and check on them at the end of class."
Ayame laughed, "I kept them really busy. They're busy knitting socks, ten pairs by the end of this week or-"
"Sensei"
"Mit-chan?" Shigure wondered grinning.
She opened the door, "There you are sensei. I looked all over for you. Deadline is-"
"Oh, no," Shigure said grabbing his stomach, "my stomach hurts. My breakfast and lunch seems to be disagreeing with each other…"
Shigure ran off.
"Sensei" Mit-chan said chasing after him.
.
"Hiro-kun, did you hear? Our school is going to have a talent show with Kaibara High."
"Yeah, I heard."
"Aren't you excited?" Kisa asked.
"No, what's there to be excited about? It's just a talent show."
.
"Yuki-kun, you're the commissioner of the talent show, right?" Kagura asked.
"Yes. Why do you ask?"
"Um…" she said shyly, "I'd like to volunteer…"
"Oh? Do you have an act planned?" Yuki asked, "because you have to tell me, so I can determine the order of the acts."
"I want to sing a love song, I written for Kyou-kun…"
.
"Haru, did you hear? A talent show."
"Yeah. So?"
"Aren't you excited? I wonder what acts there will be this year."
"Hatsuharu-san, Momiji-san, care to share what you're discussing with the class?" their teacher asked.
"We're just talking about the talent show," Momiji said.
The teacher was annoyed but was well aware of Momiji's protection squad, "I see. Well, since you two are so into it. Why don't you two sign up for an act?"
"…"
"Well, if there's no objections I'll help you two register. Now back to the topic of covalent bonding…"
.
"No teacher wants to volunteer this year."
"Of course. Last year they were booed."
"But every year we have at least two acts by the teachers."
"What's up?" Ayame asked.
"Just chatting about the talent show and how we need two teacher acts."
"Talent show? I got lots of talent. I volunteer! I'll volunteer for Shigure, Hatori, and Ritsu!" Ayame said jumping around enthusiastically.
"Really? That's wonderful!" the principal said coming out, "thank-you Sohma Ayame-sensei."
"Iie, iie," Ayame said he said waving it off.
The principal smiled, "I'll go tell Yuki for you. Remember to tell the others. The act must be submitted to Yuki by Friday at the lastest."
"Hai!"
.
Yuki looked at them, "You guys are going to be in the talent show?"
"I suppose," Hatori said.
"Isn't it fantastic?!" Ayame asked cheerfully draping his arm over Shigure and Hatori's shoulders, "we can all go on stage together and take the crowd's breath away. The Machinobu Trio back in action!"
Yuki looked unimpressed, "What are you performing?"
"Hula dancing," Ayame said putting on a grass skirt.
"Rejected."
"Belly dancing!!" Ayame cried pulling out another outfit.
"Denied!" Yuki said getting annoyed as the vein began throbbing on his forehead.
"Pole dancing!" Shigure said holding out 10 empty toilet rolls taped together, in front of Ayame.
"No dancing! Period!"
"I wanted to dance," Momiji pouted, "guess I got to think of something else now…"
"No, not you. Only Ayame," Yuki said.
"Yuki-kun, how can you be so unfair to me?" Ayame asked faking a sob, "you'll let Momiji dance but not me? That's so mean…"
Yuki ignored him, "What about your Ritsu?"
"I don't know. I'm so sor-"
"It's ok," Momiji said, "we'll think of something together, ok?"
"You look troubled. What else is wrong?" Hatsuharu asked.
"I'm still short on acts."
"I'll help," Tohru said.
"We'll help too," Hanajima and Uotani said.
"Arigatou. What will you guys perform though?"
"I can do tarot card readings," Hanajima said listlessly holding out the death card, "I see a very grim future for you."
"…"
Uotani grabbed Kyou, "We can perform martial arts."
"Who said I was performing?!?" Kyou demanded.
"You are because I said you are," Uotani said twisting his arm, "and because you want to help out too."
"I'm-"
"Won't you please?" Tohru asked looking at him with pleading eyes.
Kyou grumbled, "Fine."
"So basically all the Sohma in this school are going to be performing."
"All? Kagura's performing as well?" Haru asked.
"Yeah. She said she written a song, she wants to sing to Kyou."
"Nani!?"
"Awwww, how sweet," Shigure cooed, "you're so lucky."
"Lucky?! More like embarrassing!"
"Do you mind repeating that?" Ayame asked holding a tape recorder in front of Kyou, "I want to be sure Kagura hears about this."
.
That Thursday Night:
"No," Yuki said.
"Come on. It'll be simple. If you let Tohru-chan turn Shigure into a dog, I can have my act as a superb dog trainer," Ayame said and pulled out a turban and placed it on Shigure's head, "and Gure-kun can become an excellent snake charmer by having Tohru-chan turn me into a snake."
"I said no."
"I think it's a wonderful idea," Shigure said.
"I agree with Yuki. It's too risky. You may turn back to your normal form on stage," Hatori said.
"You too, Ha-san?" Shigure asked disappointed.
Ayame who suddenly became very docile, "Well, I guess we'll just have to think of another act. How about strip dancing?"
"I told you no dancing!" Yuki shouted.
"Oooh, oooh. We can show off our kissing talent but asking volunteers to come up and test out skill," Shigure said.
"I like, I like," Ayame said, "what a fantastic idea, Gu-"
"No!"
"Don't be such a sour puss," Ayame pouted.
"He's not a puss! He's a rat!" Kyou said sounding offended.
"I don't want to be an idiotic cat," Yuki retorted.
"Who are you calling idiotic!?" Kyou demanded.
"Don't be angry Kyou-kun. I think you're a genius," Kagura said.
"What you think is of no-"
"Minna-san please don't yell," Tohru plead.
Kyou paused looking at Tohru and said, "I'm going out for air."
"I'll come with you," Kagura declared.
"I'm hungry," Haru said.
"I got dinner cooked. Why don't I go get it?"
"No," Yuki said determined, "we are not eating until you all figure out what you're presenting. Tohru-chan you can eat if you're hungry though."
"Why does Tohru-chan get to eat? It's not our fault you reject every idea of ours," Ayame whined, "I'm soooooo hungry."
"Tohru-chan, hug me," Haru said.
"…" Tohru looked at him, "um…why?"
"So I can turn into a cow and go outside to eat some grass," he stated like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Yuki ignored them, "So Momiji, Ritsu do you guys have your acts?"
"Well, if we turn into animals. Ri-chan can use me as a dummy, to do a ventriloquist act. And I can be a monkey trainer with Ri-chan in his monkey form wearing a cute little suit and playing one of those music boxes where he turns the handle, to play the music. He can even dance along with me. Wouldn't that be kawaii?" Momiji asked hastily.
"Unh, unh, unh," Shigure said wagging a finger, "you heard what Yuki-"
"And Tori-san!" Ayame added.
"And Tori-san said. No transforming," Shigure said.
"Got to think of something else Momiji-kun, Ri-kun," Ayame said with a grin.
"Gomen nasai! Sumimasen!! I wish I had more talent and could contribute something! Gomen!!"
.
The roof shook, 'Ritsu's apologizing again.'
"Kyou-kun, so you're going to be presenting with Uo-chan?"
"Yeah. You're going to sing a song?"
"Yep! I wrote it especially for you. So when I sing it you should pay close attention to the lyrics."
"I don't want to hear it. It sounds stupid already," Kyou stated.
Silence.
Then she grabbed him and demanded, "What do you mean, stupid!?"
.
Kyou came crashing through the roof.
Shigure sighed, "My roof. Something happens to my house every time they're here together."
Kagura ran up and hugged Kyou, "Are you ok? Who hurt you? Tell me and I'll avenge you!"
"…"
"Gomen nasai!! Sumimasen!" cried Ritsu who was still apologizing, unaffected by the crash.
Kagura ran up to him, "So you did it?!"
"You did," Kyou said getting up.
"Yuki just let Momiji and Ritsu do their act, or else Ritsu won't stop apologizing," Haru said.
"Yeah. If anyone sees we'll just have Hatori erase it from their memory," Shigure said with a grin.
Hatori gave him a cold stare and you could tell if there was a door he'd slide it shut in Shigure's face.
"…"
"Yuki let them," Hatori said, "as long as they keep their acts short, really short it should be alright."
"Yippee!" Shigure and Ayame cried.
"Not you two," Hatori said.
Shigure and Ayame began to whine, "Haaaaaa-san Tori-saaaaaan"
"Ok, I'll let you two present your ventriloquist and monkey trainer act," Yuki said.
"Ri-chan, you don't have to cry anymore. We got our wish," Momiji said excited, "and all thanks to you. So you don't have to apologize. As the matter of fact I should be saying thank-you."
"Haru what are you presenting?" Tohru asked.
"Burping."
"…"
"That's a…uh, unique talent," Tohru said.
"They got loudest burp on Guinness World Record," Haru pointed out.
"They also got furthest marshmallow shot out of nostrils and caught in someone's mouth," Ayame said.
"And most glass and dirt consumed over a lifetime record," Shigure said, "maybe you should have the most grass eaten in one sitting."
Haru's eyes flashed as he said softly, "Not funny. Not funny at all!!"
'B-Haru…'
.
Night of the Talent Show:
"Megumi-kun, you're here too?"
"Kisa-chan, Hiro," he said giving them a slight nod of acknowledgement.
Hiro frowned.
"So why are you here?" Kisa asked with a smile.
"My oneesan is going to be presenting," he said in his monotone voice, "she's first to present."
.
"And that's how one reads tarot cards," Hanajima said listlessly.
A couple of applauses. Hanajima's antennae-like hair stuck up and she looked at the audience. Suddenly the crowd exploded with clapping.
Yuki frowned, 'Where's Haru? His act is next. Maybe it's for the best he doesn't show up. Guess I'll have to move Uotani and that baka neko's act first.'
.
Kagura let out a sigh, 'Ok. I'm prepared. I'm good to go. I'm…'
"Haru-kun, why are you here? Aren't you suppose to be presenting right now?
"I got lost…"
"Are you serious?" she asked him incredulously.
"…"
"How do you get to your classes then?" she asked.
"I follow Momiji…since I have to same classes as him."
She couldn't help it, she began laughing, "Haru-kun, you're…something!"
.
Yuki was bored but everyone else seemed to be enjoying the mock fight on stage. Suddenly Uotani grabbed a hold of Kyou and pulled him forward to punch when…
POOF!
'That baka neko!'
He ran onto the stage and gave Kyou a hard kick off the stage and grabbed the microphone, "Ah, thank-you Uotani-san, Kyou-san, but we're running a bit late. So we must move onto our next act. Here's Hatori, Ayame, and Shigure-sensei."
Hatori and Shigure stepped onto the stage looking quite normal, though a bit dressed up for they were wearing a tux. Then he spotted his idiotic brother who was wearing a tight black top, and mini-shirt, with black fishnet stockings, high heels and bunny ears, 'What the!!!'
"First we'll begin with a couple of card tricks. My lovely assistant here," Shigure said waving his arms exaggeratingly at Ayame, "will retrieve a couple of volunteers. So who wants to volunteer? Please raise your hands."
.
Kisa nudged him, "Shigure-jiisan said we should raise our hands."
Hiro snort, "So we can help him cheat?"
"Why don't you two come up?" Ayame asked pointing in their direction.
With a sigh Hiro got up along with Kisa.
.
Other than Hiro and Kisa, another pair got up. A boy and girl around the same age. Hatori frowned, 'Isn't it just suppose to be Kisa and Hiro?'
"Alright. Who want to go first?" Shigure asked, "step forth."
Kisa and the other pair rush forward. The boy tripped over the wire connected to the mic.
"Careful!" Hiro cried running forward.
Poof! Poof!
"Hocus pocus!" Shigure shouted.
People let out a gasp as they spotted Kisa and Hiro gone, with a lamb and kitten (they didn't realize it was a tiger) replacing them.
"Ooops, my bad. Did I say card trick? I mean the magic trick of changing people into animals," Shigure said.
"Turn me into a giraffe," the girl said.
"I want to be turned into a wolf," the boy said.
"Encore!!" the crowd shouted, "we want to see it again!"
"Turn me first," the girl challenged holding onto Shigure's arm.
"…"
The boy smirked, "Me first!"
There was bumping and shoving.
"Guys…calm-" Shigure began.
Poof!
"Abra cadabra," Hatori said pulling a black table cloth over Shigure, "you guys want to see the trick one more time? Well, here you go."
.
Yuki sighed, 'That was close. But quick thinking on their behalf.'
He rushed onto the stage, "Um…we have Momiji-san's dancing act next with his pet monkey…"
"But…but we didn't get to go," the two children said.
"…"
.
Tohru hugged Ritsu who turned into a monkey.
"Let's go!" Momiji said energetically.
Yuki came back stage with Shigure, Kisa, and Hiro all in their animal form.
"I think that was a great success!" Ayame said enthusiastically, "much better than the intended act. Did you hear all the clapping? Beats boring card tricks any day and-"
"Sorry, I'm late," Haru said.
"Where's Kyou?" Kagura asked looking around.
"Ssssh, they're presenting," Yuki said not wanting to tell Kagura he kicked Kyou, to god knows where, she scares him.
.
"They've been there for way too long," Hatori said, "I hope Momiji doesn't plan on dancing the whole dance."
"I better go inter-"
Poof!
Shrieking was heard as Momiji tried his best to shield Ritsu who was already beginning to apologize.
There were comments from the crowd, "Ritsu's a guy? Why does he dress like a woman?"
"Cause he's an odd cross dresser, drag queen."
Kagura noticed Haru looked calm. Yuki and Hatori rushed out onto the stage with Ritsu's clothes, trying to cover him up and bring him backstage.
"I can't believe he'll go streaking in the middle of a children's talent show."
"Why those annoying people," Haru said softly, "I'm going to teach them a lesson they won't forget!"
"Wait!" Tohru cried grabbing a hold of him
Poof!
Haru who has just turned into a cow tossed his head and Tohru was fling off as he ran into the audience.
Ayame caught Tohru, "Be-"
Poof!
Shigure shook his head, "Haru hates it when people disrespects his friends and family, and now that he's B-Haru, no one can stop him."
.
"Crazy bull! Run!!"
"You take care of him," Hatori told Momiji, as he and Yuki ran to calm down B-Haru.
They tried to avoid being bumped into but it was impossible with all the people running around.
Poof! Poof!
Hatori could see shoes coming from at him all around, and Yuki, in his mouse form running around avoiding people's big feet, finally managing to climb onto Haru, 'I'm going to be stepped on and squished.'
Then he felt something curled around him and covered him completely until he was engulfed by a cool darkness, he heard a loud hissing, 'Ayame?'
"Ah! Snake!!"
Ayame whispered worriedly, "You ok, Tori-san?"
'He's protecting me…'
.
Yuki climbed onto Haru's head and whispered to him, "Calm down."
A bunch of students had hopped onto their chairs, and were muttering, "What is this? A zoo?"
"That snakes looks malicious."
"Maybe we should feed it the mouse, so it won't come after us."
'Feed me to Ayame?'
"You want to try to get near that cow, which most probably has mad cow disease?"
.
Kyou regain consciousness and remembered Yuki kicking him against the wall, 'Why that guy!'
He raced onto the stage and found a very entertaining scene, one that looked like a group of animals had held a bunch of student's hostage. But then he saw was Yuki on top of Haru's head. He raced there and jumped at Yuki, swiping his paws. Yuki managed to avoid, and he scratched Haru's head.
.
"We better evacuate the area," Shigure said, "or get them all back here."
"I'll go get them to leave," Kagura said with a sigh.
"Kisa-chan, you're right. This is very exciting," Hiro said laughing.
"…"
TBC