Black As Pitch

by Lady Geuna

Sequel to White As Snow: After the events of that snow day a week ago, Kyou finds himself confused, White Haru finds himself in love, and Black Haru isn't willing to hold back from taking what he wants. But will Kyou want any of this? HaruxKyou

2. Black As Pitch

Disclaimer: Fruits Baskets does not belong to me, though I would really LOVE it if it did. ^_^'

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Title: Black as Night

Sequel to "White As Snow"

Author: Lady Geuna

Rating: PG-13 - for boyxboy... stuff.

Pairings: -- Haru/Kyou, one-sided Shigure/Hatori!???? 0_o' Hints of two-sided Hatori/Tohru and Shigure/Ayame (cackles)

Genre: Drama/Humor/General

Full Summary: Sequel to "White As Snow" After the events of that snow day a week ago, Kyou finds himself very confused, White Haru finds himself in love, and Black Haru isn't willing to hold back from taking what he wants. While Kyou is uncomfortable at the thought of Haru's affections, Haru is more than willing to hold himself back for fear of loosing their newly found and constantly deepening friendship. But then, Shigure decides to step in and give the seemingly undeceive and nervous Haru nudge. And this leads to... WHAT!?

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Sorry I've been gone and haven't been able to finish writing this. I had been banned from the internet and my computer itself, so I was writing this in secret. I hope it turns out okay in the end, since I'm posting this within the one day I've had those "privileges" back.

Thank you for all suggestions, though I've had this chapter written for a while (most of it, anyway). Yamatoforever, I really hope you like how I wrote this! And I hope you like how it ends... open ends... (eyes shift)

No, I'm not gonna make Kyou get sick... though he might get sick at some point from getting all wet out in the cold, I'm not going to have the "nurse him back to health" moments... I don't know, it's overdone... And I'd rather see Kyou ready to kick some ass. ^_^ He's so much more fun that way! WHEE!

Sorry I can't respond to many of your reviews because I don't have the time (my parents are watching me...) though you send tears to my eyes. Thank you so MUCH for your support! It means so much to me you have no idea! I didn't think people would like my writing style at all for this sort of fic, and thank you to all who added me to their favorite author/stories lists.

Pardon and sucky grammar, because... T__T Because I suck, okay? Seriously. (sighs)

Read and Review! ^__~ Hope you like!

Geuna~

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Black As Pitch: "Matchmakers???"

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Haru sat there in the snow watching Kyou leave. The darker side of himself wanted him the follow the red head, force him to respond in some way. After all, Kyou hadn't said anything to indicate he was against Haru's actions, just left without a word. Maybe he was just a bit shocked?

So he stood and brushed off the snow from his clothes, shivering slightly as his pants were now soaked through. Looking down at his wristwatch he saw that it was about 7:40 p.m.. He and Kyou had been sparring for nearly an hour and neither had noticed it. No wonder Haru felt his muscles burning from the exertion. Maybe it was time to call Hatori for a ride home, because at the moment he didn't think Kyou would want him around... in fact, maybe he should leave for another week, then come back and see how Kyou was doing. But he didn't want to leave Kyou alone...

Kyou tasted really good, too....

And he knew what Black Haru wanted... yes, he could feel it... the thought made him a little nervous and made him wonder what he would do to Kyou were he to Black Out on him. But what Black Haru wanted wasn't entirely different from what his White self wanted. His intentions weren't nearly as innocent at they seemed, but he wasn't out the throw the cat in the sack... Though if Kyou were to ever figure that out he would really hate him if he didn't already... The thought was rather depressing.

Sighing, he walked back over to the porch to retrieve his coat, putting it one carefully and buttoning it. But then instead of going inside to find the phone (finding his way around would be a hopeless task, anyway) he sat done the on the walk, putting his head in his hands.

/I left so good... even though Kyou wasn't responding or moving at all, Haru decided to push the envelope, running his tongue out along Kyou's lips, reaching inside and... wow, that really tasted-

"SHIT!"

Haru's head snapped back as though he were slapped, eyes wide as he watched the look of horror that crossed Kyou's face just before he was gone.../

"Hm...." That... hadn't been the reaction Haru had been going for. Not at all. Though, he honestly didn't know what reaction he would get. Kyou was temperamental, hotheaded, his moods changed as easily and quickly as one can flip a light switch. He was a true cat in that sense.

This wasn't going to be an easy conquest...

"Hatsuharu-san, what are you doing out in the cold?"

Haru looked up in time to see Tohru come out to stand next to him. Shaking his head he looked forward again, comparing the whiteness of the snowy ground to the pitch black of the sky. The image captured his attention until he shook it off and turned up to Tohru. The girl, now nearly a woman, stood watching him patently with what was almost an air of wisdom... She'd changed a lot of the past few years.

Considering this, Haru didn't see a problem in telling the truth to Tohru. He looked out at the snow again as he announced clearly and unashamed, "I kissed Kyou."

Tohru let out an audible squeak, and when Haru looked up at her Tohru's face was burning bright red. Well... maybe some things didn't change after all... "O-Oh, um... I didn't, er..."

Haru smiled a little at Tohru's antics. "On the cheek," he lied, for her sake. She was sweet, basically mature, but issues of romance seemed to fluster her beyond and rational thought even now. That would explain who she was because consistently more clumsy every time she comes near Hatori... "But I don't think he liked it very much...In fact, I think he might hate me now, but I can't really tell. Kyou's always had a tendency to overreact and behave irrationally."

Tohru cleared her throat slightly before slowly taking a seat next to him. "Are you "black" now, Hatsuharu-san...?"

"No..."

"Oh!" She gave a sigh of relief, relaxing noticeably. "Sorry, for a moment I could tell! ... You really like Kyou, don't you?" Haru looked up sharply, puzzled, and she rushed to continue.. "Like you like Sohma-kun, I mean! You said you liked Kyou once, too, didn't you? The day we first met, when we took care of Sohma-kun."

"Yes... I think I did, though I can't remember it much. It was a long time ago, wasn't it?"

"Yes, but that's good! I mean, IT'S good! Kyou-kun always seems so lonely, but he keeps to himself. Maybe you can make him happy! And you're becoming sure good friends. After all, you kissed him on the cheek last time and he wasn't angry! There must be another reason this time, ne?"

Tohru... sometimes she was so close to getting it, then she'd loose it. But maybe she was right... For now they could be friends... then maybe Haru could make it something more? Maybe eventually Kyou would want something more? Yuki never wanted anything from him... but Kyou was different, and maybe the right kind if "different".

Smiling as a new plan formed in his head Haru stood, looking down at a curious Tohru. "You're right. I'll talk to him then."

"Hai!" Tohru punched a fist into the air, cheering him on as Haru stood and went into the house. "Hatsuharu-san, gambatte ne (GO! WIN!)!" Then looking red yet determined, she added, "And I think you and Kyou would look cute together, Hatsuharu-san! I hope he can feel the same way!"

Haru was surprised... maybe she was more aware or what was going on than he thought, but to hinder any further embarrassment for the girl he didn't acknowledge her last words and continued on with a smile on his face.

Of course, he didn't know the way to the roof...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Shigure watched from another door along the walkway on which Tohru sat. He'd seen what had happened with Haru and Kyou, and the conversation with Haru and Tohru. He smiled lightly, thinking of what a romantic situation this was... perfect reading material (and very stimulating where Kyou and Haru shirtless ^__^)!!! But now Haru was wandering around the house...

"Eavesdropping again, Shigure?"

Shigure turned his head slightly to see Yuki standing behind him, his arms crossed, his violet eyes glaring at him. "Ma, Yuki-kun, I didn't see you there."

Yuki shrugged and stepped forward to stand next to Shigure, watching Tohru from where she was looking up at the stars. "Do you think it's wise or stupid of him, then?"

"Of who."

"Of Haru to like Kyou the way he does."

"Ah..." Shigure smirked. "Heard them talking, too, did you...? Well, Haru said Kyou was worth it, you know."

Yuki's eyebrows rose considerable. "Did he?"

Shigure nodded. "I think there's more to this than I crush, Yuki-kun! True LOVE! Such a beautiful thing, isn't it!?"

Yuki snorted. "It'll end badly..."

"It might, but it might not. Tohru thinks it's worth a try, and her advice has never need worthless, has it?" When Yuki didn't respond, Shigure went on. "But what do you think, Yuki? Is it worth Haru never giving it a try and never finding out how Kyou feels... or is it worth Haru finding his way to Kyou's "hide-out" so he can give love a chance?"

The mouse stared in outright astonishment at the dog. Shigure was rarely so... elegant.

Yuki finally gave in with himself and went to find Haru, to show him the way to the rood, where Kyou was undoubtedly hiding.

Once Yuki was out of earshot, Shigure quickly when out into the hallway and picked up the phone. He dialed Ayame's number and waited for the other line to click. Then-

"MOSHI MOSHIIII!!! OHAYOMASUUUU!!! (HELLOOOO!!!) How may I help you today!?" ^__^

"Aya-san," Shigure wept over the line. "Kyou-kun.... Kyou-kun..."

On the other end of the line Ayame gasped dramatically. "Eh!? What is it, Gure-san!? What's the matter!?"

"Kyou-kun is... Kyou-kun is..." He sighed happily. "Kyou-kun is all grown up and chasing BOYS!" T__T

"WHAT!?!? Why was I not been told of this wonderful news?! He'll need a dress for the wedding, what are his measurements!? I'll make him into the most BEAUTIFUL flower..." (1)

"No-no-no, they're still in the alpha stage."

"Who and who? Not even beta yet (2)!? Who is it!? Tell me!"

"Kyou and Haru."

On the other end of the line, Ayame's eyes sparkled like gems. "Araaaa! Hatsuharu, I knew he was into that sort of thing! I'm so glad! I should've known, after all, his marvelous fashion sense says it all, though not flattering enough to his figure!" ^,^ He let out his usual deep, booming laugh. "HAHAHAHAHA! As ("self-proclaimed") ai no senshi (soldiers/warriors of love) we can't allow them to stay apart! You have to have Hatsuharu move into your house! Into Kyou's room!"

"Now wait, I have a plan, and I'm sad to say that Kyou won't take that very well... yet. First, I think Haru and Kyou need a little talk..."

"Kawaiiiii! (cuuuuute!) To whisper sweet nothing to each other, no doubt!"

"And you know what the best part of all of it is," Shigure said, voice full of suspense. "TOHRU AND YUKI PLAYED MATCHMAKER!!"

On the other end of the line was the resounding "THUD" as Ayame fainted dead away from the glorious shock of it all, even as Shigure continued on.

"Yes, yes, I know! I KNEW he had to have some of that matchmaker blood in him, and there it is! HAHAHAHA! The Super Handsome Blossom Trio strikes again!"

From the other room Yuki (unfortunately) could still hear the idiot, but could only roll his eyes. "I'm showing Haru the way to the roof, I'm not getting them engaged. Ahou na (idiots)..."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Haru had been totally and utterly lost until he came across Yuki, who found Haru wandering around upstairs. Once he asked Yuki to show him the way Haru found it easy to climb up the latter to the rooftop. There he found exactly who he was looking for.

"Kyou?"

Kyou seemingly didn't need to look up to see who it was. "Hey, Haru…" In his peripheral he could see Haru walking toward him and his one patch of semi-dry rooftop, just enough to lay down, with only a think layer of ice over it. Kyou had swept it away personally. Maybe it was cold outside and he was still freezing, but he needed to think. He always came up there to think.

Haru, however, didn't seem as sure-footed as Kyou as he made his way over the snow covered tiles. Even now the sun had long since set and the moon was high, only a few stars dotted the sky here and there. But the snow was still half melted from being in contract with the sun during the day, and with a few steps Haru managed to dislodge whole sheets at a time. Kyou would watch the snow rapidly disappear over the edge of the room to the ground below into blackness. He still stared in that direction when Haru sat down next to him.

And there they sat in an uncomfortable silence....

Maybe ten minutes passed before Haru finally spoke up. "I'm not totally sure what I did wrong..."

"You can't remember?"

"No... I remember. I wasn't Black when I did that, you know." At this Kyou sat a little straighter. "If I offended you that much, I'm sorry I came over today, Kyou."

Haru heard Kyou gulp. "So am I..."

Haru stiffened, something icy and painful seemed to crush his chest, making him reach up and rub at it experimentally. That feeling was familiar... "Oh... I'm sorry..... Maybe I should leave you alone t-"

"NO!" While Kyou hadn't moved a muscle Haru froze, waiting. "It's not that-I mean..." Kyou looked down at his now booted feet, looking very aggravated. "It's embarrassing... And if you think I'm going to tell you then you're screwing yourself, because even I'm not that stupid. I can't even tell your White side from your Black side anymore."

Haru carefully began to inch his way closer to Kyou, and found it a very good sign that the neko neither gave him any dirty looks nor tried to move away. When Haru was comfortably sitting at the others side so their shoulders barely brushing, Haru decided to stop... Actually, by the was Kyou was acting, Haru wouldn't be surprised the Kyou hadn't noticed his movements at all. "So," he asked, almost jokingly. "We've told each other almost everything else, embarrassing or now... What's one more secret, between friends, hm?"

To his immense surprise, Kyou did say exactly what embarrassed him. No... he blurted it out... loud and clear into the night air.

"Th... THAT WAS FIRST KISS, YOU IDIOT!"

Haru blinked. That wasn't what he'd expected... Kyou was, what? Nineteen? And never been kissed?

Kyou seemed to read Haru's mind, face flushing a little as he grunted indignantly. "Sorry I can't be as worldly as you, Haru, but some of use don't get that chase." With that he moved to get up, only to be stopped by Haru's hand flying up to clasp his shoulder and carefully push him back down. Kyou's feet slipped out from under him on the slick tiles and he landed almost painlessly on his butt.

"No! That's not it at all, Kyou... I mean, I am surprised... But I understand... Though... I'm surprised no one asked, not even boys."

Kyou looked uncomfortable now... Haru thought perhaps it was due to his hand still clasped onto his shoulder, but Haru couldn't really bring himself to relinquish that little physical contact... So instead he moved it so it was pressed against Kyou's back, carefully rubbing in circles...

But really, it took all of Kyou's resolve not to jumped right over the roof edge...

"I thought you 'oh so desperately' like Yuki," he blurted out the first thing that came to mind. But that was a very good point.

"Feelings change," Haru said, oblivious to Kyou's discomfort.

Kyou snorted. "And suddenly you don't hate me anymore, right?"

Haru frowned. "I never hated you..."

Kyou looked very disbelieving, at last shrugging Haru's hand away and giving him a solid glare. "Yeah, right. Then way were you always looking for every opportunity to fight me, huh? Always trying to beat to crap out of me-"

"I haven't lately, have I?"

"Taunting me, calling me name-"

"I called you a chicken only today."

"Well you've said worse and you also-"

"You do the same to me, we're even, and I only just beat you today-"

"Stop interrupting! And for one, you DIDN'T DEFEAT ME! And you started the name calling!"

"I can't control what my Black side says to you, though "Koneko-chan" (Kitty-Cat) sounds more like a pet name me."

"B-But-NO! It. is. NOT! And you still started it!"

"You're sounding like a child."

"I do not, baka-oushi!"

"See? There it is right there."

Kyou growled, "cat ears" flat against his skull. "You are really asking for it..."

Haru smirked, shaking his head slowly. This was so predictable of Kyou... 'Always so hot headed.' "I remember when we were young, when we were both training with Shihan (3)... No matter how hard I tried, no matter what I did, you always saw fault in it..."

This made Kyou fall silent at still, face growing blank as he stared at Haru..

Haru continued, "Calling me names, saying I wasn't trying hard enough..." He shrugged. "I suppose that always stuck with me... Words can really have an impression on you when you're a child..." Something about that last statement made Kyou fidget, eyes averting to the roof tiles. "Doushite, Kyou-kun...?"

"Nothing," Kyou said, voice loud yet lacking in any real anger. "I... Well, I'm sorry if I really hurt you, I guess..." His brow scrunched as though he were thinking on something really hard. "I guess I was being a real idiot or something... Though he really did suck sometimes."

"I'd simply call it brutal honesty. Besides, I'd rather have you the way you are than meek and gentle about that sort of thing." Kyou looked up, an eyebrow raised. The expression made Haru chuckle aloud, smiling. "That's the way you've always been, Kyou. I guess a part of me, especially my Black side, wanted me to prove you wrong..." Maybe... That's what Haru had always figured, anyway. What other reason would there be to fight Kyou all the time? There were other people he could've fought...

Kyou seemed to take this into consideration. "I guess..."

"Then again, when did you stop talking to me?"

Kyou looked, speaking almost defensively. "What do you mean?"

Haru sighed, resting his chin in his hand. "We used to be friends, a long, long time ago. Then all of a sudden you're not there anymore."

"Oh..." Kyou took a deep breath. "I guess it was after you started following Yuki around like some sick puppy... lost cow..." Haru could help but smile at the small joke, and Kyou himself seemed to be repressing his own humorous little smirk. "I was a little... a lot offended that you wanted to be around him all of a sudden. At first you hated him like I did, and then one day he's the greatest person in the whole fucking world... I couldn't stand it..."

"I'm sorry, Kyou..."

Kyou shrugging his shoulders, muttering, "What's to be sorry about...? He's the rat prince, after all. He's perfect, isn't he? Perfect, pretty, girly, prince Yuki, that everyone loves..." His voice was progressively becoming more and more bitter and biting, and at the same time making Haru feel more and more... guilty...

He thought Yuki was wonderful, yes. He still thought that.

But so was Kyou.

He was wonderful...

"I suppose I never felt like I had many people to turn to after mom died... I never thought of it after that until, until Kazuma came along, then Tohru. And Tohru.... yeah, she had a lot of love to give... Hatori's a lucky bastard that's for sure. But you can't force that sorta thing out of a person, you have to be happy with what you can get. At least Tohru bothers with me... and for that I thought I sorta... well, thought I loved her. Maybe I still do. But frankly, I was never able to get what the big deal about love and stuff was. Looking at Kaguya, I thought it was some sort of disease that would fester and infect me mind, and looking at Ayame I thought it would turn me into a good for nothing pervert."

"You... love Tohru?"

Kyou gave him an odd look before shrugging. "I don't know. Sure, maybe I do. I don't know what the hell kind of love..." This gave Haru some sense of relief...

And making a decision, Haru began to inch toward Kyou until he was partially sitting behind the neko, legs to either side of his body. Kyou was watching his closely, head craning back as far as it could as he frantically tried to figure out what the oushi was doing. Until Haru had placed his arms around him, leaning his chin on Kyou's shoulder.

"W-What are you doing?"

"I'm holding you, Kyou..."

"Oh... No-I mean why..."

Haru sighed, shaking his head. Kyou just didn't get it... "Everyone needs to know they're loved in more ways than words, Kyou."

Kyou practically jumped and knocked is shoulder into Haru's jaw. "Y-You what?"

He smiled. "Sometimes, the way someone acts is more important than how loudly they speak it… ne?" 'Hm... Kyou's hair smells nice...'

"Yeah, Kaguya obviously life according to that idea... or a bit of both, or-no, dammit! You changed the subject again! GET OFF ME!"

"Did I?" Haru knew this was stretching things a bit, bluntly ignoring Kyou's last statement, but Kyou himself had yet to do anything but squirm... and he could probably easily dislodge Haru if he wanted to, so Haru just sat there, enjoying Kyou's scent... Haru hoped Kyou hadn't noticed what he was doing, or he would be freaking out even more.

In actuality Kyou have NO idea what Haru was doing, but lucky for him. Had he known, he WOULD have freaked out and dived off the roof (the thought had already crossed his mind fifteen times). After all, it was clearly obvious Haru liked to touched him. Touching in general Kyou couldn't STAND. He was surprised he'd lasted this long without socking Haru in the nose.

"Hang on," Kyou went on, though he knew he was as good as babbling, "you don't even know me! All we've ever done is fight! And you're clothes are all wet, go back inside!" But Haru didn't move, and his arms didn't move, either.

"Maybe I don't know you from talking to you, but I notice things from watching you…"

"Like what," he challenged, glaring at Haru over his shoulder.

But Haru just smirked, mumbling, "very observant…," almost sarcastically under his breath, then traced his finger along the base of Kyou's eyes, making him blink rapidly before Kyou swatted at him.

Kyou's annoyance tolerance was swiftly becoming non-existent. Zero. Code blue. Red Alert. "What!?"

He was close to panicking as Haru leaned a little closer… a little closer… his mouth right at his ear, his fingers were tracing up and down his face, breath brushing his face and tickling the hairs on the back of his head…

For one odd, strange, but wonderful moment, Kyou felt... something.... that something, that he hadn't felt since his mother died, since Tohru fell for Hatori, Kami-sama...

Haru spoke in a hushed whisper...

"You frown and scowl far too much, Kyou-kun," he then poked Kyou in the nose playful. "You're getting wrinkles like an old man…"

..........

Well, that moment was obviously broken... WTF!?!?

"Why you son of a-THAT'S IT!!! I'LL KICK YOU ASS YOU BASTARD!!!" A swift elbow to Haru's gut easy dislodged the other boy from his person before Kyou spun around and prepared to tackle him.

"Wait, Kyou, the roof… No, seriously-"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"So, can you hear anything? See anything?"

"No..." Shigure was leaning back as far over edge of Kyou's room balcony as he dared, a phone with Ayame on the other line held carefully in one hand (the phone wire trailed all the way back into the hall). In his other hand he held a pair of binoculars (that were he special, "peeping" ones, mind you, though this is the first time he'd had a use for them). "I can't see a thing though.... wait, I see movement!"

"Oh!?"

"Oh yes, jerking movements!" His eyes widened in fascination as a large sheet of snow slipped off the roof, falling just along side the balcony. "A struggle!" Why wasn't he writing this down!? THIS WAS LITERATURE MATERIAL! "They're knocking the SNOW off the roof in a fit of passion, Aya-san!"

"Oh my!! Are you sure you don't have a camera!? This is a Kodak moment!"

More snow fell. "They're coming fast!"

"COMING!? Oh, Kyou-kun, does this mean he's not a virg-"

"NYAAAAAAAAAAAAAA…!!!!!"

Shigure nearly jumped out of his skin when something, along with another wave of snow, came falling from the rooftop. Two things, actually. They came down in a flash: first a blur of orange (which was what undoubtedly been screaming), secondly came another figure in a blur of black and gray, which remained relatively silent all the way down.

All Shigure had to do was blink before the two flailing figures had already passed, and the sounds of the shrieking were abruptly halted with the coming of two consecutive THWUMPS in the snow bank bellow.

This was followed by unsurprisingly rapid, blatant cursing that would probably send Tohru into cardiac arrest.

Shigure leaned over the balcony, smiling down below, phone still to his ear as Ayame was demanding detail of what had happening. LOTS of details. "Ma, Kyou-kun, Haru-kun, daijoubu ne? (You're okay, right?)"

Haru looked up to him. "Iie (no), I'm fine, Shigure-san. Something broke my fall…"

"This again," Kyou started dangerously, "THIS AGAIN!!!"

"Now, Kyou-kun…"

"Gure-san! Gure-san! What's happening!"

"They slipped off into the snow below... but they're still in the heat of passion! Their struggles continue!" Shigure grinned down at Kyou, who unfortunately for him, had heard what he said, his face white with horror. "The roof is slick up there, isn't it, Haru-kun?"

"Hai, Shigure-san."

"Oh well... and Kyou-kun, you might want to snuggle up to Haru now! I hear cows have lots of body heat (4)!"

"MAKE INU (BRAINLESS DOG)!!! BAKA-OUSHI!!! I HATE SNOW!!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Aaand the day began to wind down from there.... (5)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Shigure made Tohru take a lot of pictures that evening, most of them being of Kyou and Haru's dramatic rescue from the snow. This time around, Kyou was so cold by the time he's gotten free that he had turned into a cat. Haru had been good enough to extract the poor feline from the snow before he suffocated, but his close would only be find once the snow melted (which would leave him without boots, a jacket, a shirt and a pair of paints). It was easy to get Kyou out, too, he was so bloody spooked that he had used his claws to latch into he's back.

All and all, Kyou would escape later with a minor head cold, and Haru would escape with nothing at all. Perhaps Shigure had been right about cow being able to sustain body heat... Haru never bothered to think about how many similarities he had to a cow in his human for... excluding his hair color, or course.

Yuki had finally gotten pissed that Shigure talking to Ayame over the phone about the events, and personally hung up for him so Haru could call Hatori. Shigure was hurt by the action, but Yuki had no regrets... To Haru's surprise, he was reacting rather positively toward Haru's affection for Kyou, much as Tohru had. Kyou, on the other hand, hadn't found out that ANYONE knew other than himself until that very moment. Once he was inside the house he ran immediately to his room so that he way "poof" and transform in private and save himself the embarrassment...

Haru wouldn't have minded at all.

In fact, Haru was feeling very cheerful despite himself. He knew Kyou wasn't going to be very happy for a while, and was no doubt kicking himself (where he was) for making them fall of the roof. And that would be Kyou's second time falling into a snow bank, as well.

Haru now stood in Shigure's room, where to put on one of Shigure's kimono's. He needed something dry to wear on the way home (Hatori would be there any minute now, too). Shigure, however, hadn't stopped jabbering about Kyou and Haru's dramatic "love scene" on the rooftop... Shigure was honestly full of himself... After a few minutes he decided to stop Shigure before he got angry (the dog was seriously starting to get on his nerves). "Arigatou, Shigure. For the robe. I'll return it when I can."

Shigure grinned. "You can return it the next time you see, Kyou!" ^__^ "We'll be happy to have you, and I'm sure Kyou will, too!"

Haru sighed, rubbing the back on his neck as he patently shook his head at Shigure. "You're getting the wrong idea. Kyou isn't... very comfortable around me in that sense. I don't know what we are, if anything. Maybe not even friends."

"Oh?" There was a long pause... and considering Shigure was in the room at the time, Haru found it somewhat uncomfortable, but then Shigure spoke up. "What do you think the problem is, Haru? Honestly."

Haru blinked, a bit taken aback by the question... What really was the problem...? "I... don't think Kyou like's boys."

"Is that the only possible reason?" Shigure was looking his square in the eyes from where he sat on his futon, his chin propped on his hand and the edge of his lips cocked a little to the side.

He wasn't sure if Shigure was being serious or not, but either way it didn't seem to matter. "In that case, I really don't think he trusts me."

Shigure practically jumped to his feet them, glomping Haru playfully around the shoulders and slapped him on the back hard enough to make him grunt. "BINGO! You got it!"

Haru stared blankly for a second before shaking his head to shaking off Shigure. "Trust? That's it?"

Shigure pouted for a moment for Haru's lack of enthusiasm (and lack of response/reaction to the glomp), and sighed, walking around Haru l lean on the doorframe. "I can honestly say there are only two people Kyou really does trust unconditionally… Tohru and Kazuma…"

"Oh…" Haru felt unusually disappointed that he wasn't one that Kyou trusted unconditionally… Though, he should've expected that. "But he should trust me. I've told him that." A part of him was very bitter about that... not bitter enough to Black Out, but enough to be heard in his tone. "Isn't my word good enough?"

"For some people," Shigure admitted. "But this is Kyou... He doesn't take it so lightly. Trust is more than just a word, Haru-kun. It's something that needs to be expressed everyday, it needs to grow. Without trust, little can come out of any relationship."

Haru watch Shigure as he stood there, fiddling with the hem of his robe, feeling an odd sense of respect for the man that he'd never thought possible. "That was very nice, Shigure... Very... poetic..."

Shigure thus let out a hearty laugh, glowing at the comment. "Hahahaha! I am a writer, after all! I'm so flattered that you noticed my brilliance! Arigatou gazimasu! Hahahaha!"

Sweatdrop. 'Perhaps not...'

Shigure settled down in an instant and winked. "You said it yourself, physical action is sometimes needed over words (6)! Now, go on, keep that in mind, and make sure he doesn't try breaking your neck."

"I don't think he's nearly that jumpy, Shigure."

Shigure went on blissfully ignoring his question. "Just give him a little time. Sure, give a little push, a little shove in the right direction, and all will end well! But in the meantime, I have a little idea for you...." And with that Shigure pushed him on through the hallway and down the stairs just before the doorbell ran. "AH! HA-SAN!"

Shigure ran ahead for the front door, Haru making sure to stay close least he become lost again....

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The doorbell had rung... that meant Hatori had come to take Haru to the main house again.

Haru was running off again.

For some reason, this set off an alarm signal in Kyou. He didn't know if he was feeling panicked or just angry, but the next thing he knew he was running down from his room to the downstairs, now dressed in sweatpants, a sweater and two pairs of socks (his THIRD freaking outfit that day, dammit!!!), none of which would save him from getting sick later on.

Luckily Haru hadn't left yet, and was seated on the front mat putting his boots on over bare feet. He was just finishing up, it seemed, when Kyou walked up to him, arms crossed, expression indifferent. Kyou didn't know why he put up such an act, no one else seemed to be around, after all... thinking on that the neko took a quick look around him just to make sure. Everyone in the house was becoming more and more sneaky... EVEN TOHRU! And it was creepy!

"Kyou," Haru said brightly upon his arrival, even as Kyou continued to glare around suspiciously. "Glad to see you're dry again. I'd hate the thought of you getting sick."

Kyou snorted, straightening with his hands at his hips. "So do I...." He scrutinized Haru's outfit (the one her borrowed from Shigure, of course) in distaste before speaking again. "You're... leaving again, eh?" He couldn't really think of anything else to say...

"Hai. Hatori's here now," Haru explained as he stood. "He's talking to Shigure and Tohru by the car. Can I see again soon?"

Kyou blinked, a little surprised at the eagerness in Haru's voice and actually found himself frowning. "Look Haru… about what we were talking about before…" He waited a moment, but Haru stayed respectably quiet, watching him closely… It was a bit unnerving. "Haru, I'm not sure how I should deal with this whole… thing…"

"Thing?"

Kyou couldn't help but glare. "You know what I'm talking about, don't try to avoid it, dammit. You know you can't pull that kind of crap on me."

Haru sighed, crossing his arms and hanging his head for a second as though in thought, then lifted it again. "Can we stay friends, then?"

Haru sounded so damn hopeful Kyou wanted to THROTTLE him and it took every ounce of his already lacking self-control NOT to! He scowled. "What do you take me for, like some sort of-of evil, betraying…"

"Cruel?"

"-CRUEL PERSON! I'm not a jerk you know! Of course we're going to stay friends, who do you think I am!?"

Haru smiled, pointing at Kyou's face. "Genki desu (You're so energetic/spirited)."

BLUSH! "You said-"

"That wasn't flirting, that was stating a fact."

"That's a loop-hole and it's underhanded!"

Haru chuckled. "Goodnight, Kyou-kun. Until we meet again."

"Yeah, yeah." He sighed, offering a small. "I'll see you later... and no more funny business! And don't make me regret what I said, baka-oushi!"

Haru didn't give a response to this because he was already out the door.

Kyou stared after him, and so help him... he wouldn't mind if Haru tried it again... Tried that again... ... actually, wouldn't have minded it, though at the same time he wouldn't care if Haru tried nothing at all.

Because maybe... just maybe Kyou was creaking up, or maybe he was making up the feeling in his head somehow, but what Haru had in mind wasn't all as bad as he thought, friendship or...

He'd give it some time... think... think and think and think and... 'Urgh, time to go to bed.' "Why do I have to deal with this crap all the time...?"

Groaning, Kyou turned around to go upstairs to his room.

His heart nearly stopped when he saw someone already standing there and a pair of icy, violet eyes shooting daggers at him. "KUSO-NEZUMI," he shrieked, clutching his heart. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING SNEAKING AROUND!"

But Yuki was... shit, he had that look in his eyes. The one he had when he was super-cranky in the morning. The look made Kyou tense before Yuki said slowly and firmly, "You had better know what you're doing, baka-neko. And if you wind up breaking his heart, know you'll pay for it in more ways than one." Then the mouse brushed right past him as if it were the most natural thing in the would and left out the front door, snapping it closed behind him...

Kyou stared after him, momentarily flabbergasted before muttering tiredly, "Why does everyone have to make a f*cking soap opera out of this stuff, Kami-sama? And why is all the blame on me? Stupid damned mouse, wait until tomorrow I'll kick his ass ten time over..."

He slowly trudged upstairs, muttering sleepily to himself the whole way until he got to his room.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The main house lights were all out by the time they got back. Hatori took Haru to the area of the main house he lived in. Haru and Hatori both knew it would take him a while to get there, but he would find his room eventually.

But Haru hadn't been expecting that there was someone waiting for him.

"Haru!"

Hatsuharu smiled fondly as Momiji ran toward him in his baby blue (though surprisingly boyish) two piece pajamas. The boy had grown over the years, the top of his golden head reaching up just past Haru's shoulders. Still short, but he couldn't be taken as the sweet little boy everyone always thought him to look like. (A/N: Imagine how those two girl imagined Momiji when Black Haru was trying to convince them and the School President that Momiji would look cute in the girl's uniform until he could grow old enough to fit into the boy's uniform. KAWAII!!!)

Momiji reached him in one great, leaping bound, wrapping his arms around the oushi's shoulders and nearly knocked the both of them over. Momiji was a lot bigger than he used to be, indeed... "Tadaima, Momiji. But be careful, you don't want to wake up everyone else, do you? I thought you would be in bed when I got back, it very late."

"How could I," Momiji chirped excitedly, detaching himself from Haru when a great big smile. That smile faded for a moment in puzzlement when he saw what Haru was wearing, as well as the damp clothes tucked under one arm. "Wow, a lot did happen to you, huh? So you have to tell me about it! You haven't told me about Kyou-ku-mphf!" Haru was quick to slap a hand over the rabbit's mouth.

"Not so loud, now, Momiji! You aren't supposed to talk about it here!"

Momiji jumped back and started hopping around as soundlessly as he could manage. "I know-I know! But I couldn't wait! Come on, tell me!"

"Yes, tell us..."

Haru froze, an involuntary chill going up the length of his spine... He turned slowly to watch a thin figure glided from the shadows towards him, eyes intently set on Haru's.

"Well, Hatsuharu," Akito persisted lightly, his smile never faltering, "where have you been tonight? Hatori says he had to pick you up all the way from Shigure's house..."

"Yes, I needed to ask Yuki about English."

"Ah... of course.... and this good news Momiji spoke of?"

Momiji shot him a worried look, but Haru continued without so much as batting an eyelash. "Kyou passed his literature test. He studied a lot for it, so I want to congratulate him." Not a lie, though not the truth, though the answers were simple and Haru was able to keep a straight face. Even Momiji managed to stay relatively stoic and quiet.

Though somehow this made Akito frown and press onward. "And I see this is a great task for him... He wasn't ever expected to be very bright, was he...?" He tugged at the edge of his kimono, which was drooping lazily over one of his shoulders. "Though I've never seen you so interested in the cat... Haru.... after all, why not tell him this at school...?"

Haru shrugged, then turned to Momiji. "Go on ahead, I'll be with you in a moment, Momiji." He knew Momiji hated being near Akito when he was like this... and Haru wanted to find out exactly what was going on. "Wait for me, okay?"

Momiji nodded, and then with a forced yet still bright smile, he turned to Akito and said cheerfully, "Oyasumi nasai (good night), Akito-san," and hopped off down the hall, obviously trying to go as quickly as he.

Akito smiled after the boy, then said to Haru, "Oh, I shouldn't take up your time.... I was simply worried after all.... Though that is very wonderful for Kyou... perhaps he won't be such a waste anymore... It could prove entertaining."

It happened then.

All Haru would see was blackness... nothingness.... but he could still feel himself, and his hands were clinched at his sides, trembling, his teeth grinding together viciously... he almost-

"Are you going to hit me, Hatsuharu? What did I say?"

Haru blinked, coming back to himself completely, kept himself controlled... had to keep in control... "No... I'm not, I was thinking of something else, I'm sorry..." He bowed his head, though his heart was pounding now. Haru could admit to himself that we was actually scared, then...

He'd... he'd nearly attacked Akito, he knew. In that split second when Akito insulted Kyou, he wanted to hit him right in the face... Akito never insulted anyone to harshly to his face, none that really mattered. Not Momiji, not Kisa... not Yuki or... Kyou... though.... shit, was Akito trying to prove something?

"I was just worried after all, Haru..." Akito was smiling again, looking almost wistful now for some reason. Though his eyes flashed as he reached out a hand and tip-toed his fingers along Haru's shoulder and up his face.... "I have every right to me worried about my family..."

"Of course," Haru replied evenly, still staring ahead even as Akito touched him... he remembered this happening before. (7)

"But you've been leaving the house so often lately... and only to get lost. What are you looking for? Don't you like it here anymore?"

"No, of course not."

"Kisa-chan, Momiji-chan and Hiro-chan have been missing you, you know... You hate to make them so lonely, don't you?"

"I'd never hurt them..." Haru felt something icy and cold form in his chest as Akito's smile returned... no... this time it was more like a smirk than a smile... it was almost leering.

Akito wouldn't... Was he threatening him...?

"Of course you wouldn't... but I think you should stay around here more, ne? For their sake. You know I don't like you all straying beyond these walls, there're so, so few of you left here..."

"Of course, Akito." Without even looking to see if he was dismissed Haru turned away, muttering "Oyasumi" under his breath before and walked away quickly.

He needed to get away, fast.

Haru was basically wandering down the hall moments later, head spinning and unsure of what to do until an arm reached out from a room and pulled him inside. This was his own room, though Momiji was there, waiting for him. "Haru, what did he say to you!? Did he hear us talking?! I'm so sorry, I didn't-"

"Momiji! Momiji! Calm down!" Yes, that's right... Someone needed to keep a clam head now... "Don't worry about it... and don't let Akito get to you. Just stay out of his way for a while, okay? You, Kisa and Hiro. I think he's in one of his moods again, and we all know what that means..."

Momiji nodded knowingly. "Yeah, I know, but what did he want?"

"He didn't like that I've been spending so much time out at Shigure's house..."

"Oh..." Then a shadow seemed to settle under his yes and Momiji mutter bitterly, "What about all the time Shigure comes here-"

Haru didn't like that look or tone at all... it reminded him all the time that Momiji wasn't the childlike boy he was a few years ago. He was almost a man now, even, though that was entirely a good thing... "Don't talk about those things, Momiji." (8)

Momiji frowned, though changed the subject. "So... you can't go see Kyou anymore? If he doesn't want you going out so much."

"I'll see him." He smirked. "As long as I need tutoring for English. I am failing, aren't I?" He winked.

Momiji's smile returned full force. "Yay! So Kyou and you are boyfriend and boyfriend!?"

"No... but I'm getting somewhere."

"Honto-honto!? This is awesome! I didn't think it'd go so well!"

"Shigure offered to help, too. And Tohru and Yuki know... and Ayame, but don't think of spreading the "news" anymore, please. Kyou doesn't appreciate it. If things go any worse for him I'm afraid he might so something drastic to get everyone out of his hair... like quit school, or run away."

"Cool! I mean, not the running away part, but everything else! And Kyou's always been like that, he makes him so cute!"

"Yes, it does, doesn't it."

"Tell me everything, Haru! please!? what did you do? What did you say? What did Kyou say?"

"Haru chuckled to himself. "Okay, but then we have to sleep afterwards." Then he began. "I went over to Shigure's house, like you said I should, and I asked him to spare with me..."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And thus began a very, very interesting chapter in the life of the Sohma family....

A chapter that would later go down in history...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1) God, after just being so serious this guys are FREAKS!!! (cuddles Shigure plushie) Damn, I love him almost as much as Haru! ^___^

2) Even I don't know what they're blithering about... Though it has something to do like "second base", "third base", though the measuring system is very different.

3) As you know, Haru, Yuki, Kaguya and Kazuma's other students called him "Shihan", while Kyou called him "Shishou"... like on TV. ^__^ Kawaii chibi-Kyou desu, ne? Also, when they were young, Kyou would badger Haru for not being good enough (ex. throwing punches, stance, how he kicked), tell him he sucked, and it's THAT sort of thing that would really stick with him and would turn him into Black Haru.

4) Well... heeh, it IS sorta kinda true. -^_^-

5) Am I a mood killer or what? (evil grin)

6) Haru said this on the roof... so obviously Shigure was able to pick up most of what was said while were up there, though I don't believe Kyou or Haru know it themselves.

7) You don't see it, but when it came to Haru, in the manga Haru was torture just like Hatori was about Kana... It's disgusting how Akito would practically lay in his lap and stroke his face, talking softly to him while Haru just looked on blankly... (scowls at Akito)

8) For many of you this may come as a shock... Akito and Shigure are lovers... CANON. In the manga (and in the series if you really look. Ever wonder why at some odd moments he's there in Akito's room talking to him?). And sorry for making Momiji almost... dark... but hell, he DID have his moments in the series, didn't he?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To be continued in.... "Red As Blood"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sequel to be announced:

Teaser, "Red As Blood": Haru spends more and more time with Kyou in hopes that the neko will fall for him without drawing Akito's attention. They also must watch for Akito's closest servant, Sohma Kureno (another lovely, angsty canon character only shown in the magna), the isolated and obedient rooster of the Jyuunishi, who had been asked to watch the two closely until the day of Kyou's graduation and imprisonment. However, due to Shigure's matchmaking hints, Haru drags Kyou to a "Dark Impulse" theme nightclub in the city a few weeks after the events of "Black As Pitch". It leads Kyou into some places and situations he's never been before, and Haru in the end isn't always there to help him out. When situations get to intense, and Black Haru goes berserk, it becomes harder and harder to make sure Akito is left in the dark... But this may be just the push Kyou needs... or is it?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So you know, each installment would basically translate to one full episode of the actual series, think of it that way. Hope you liked...

(frowns) Well, not as much Black Haru as I thought... in fact, NONE! Though he's still in there, and he still wants a piece of Kyou. In the next installment, "Red As Blood", Black Haru shows his real colors (no pun intended, heehee) when it comes to his new thoughts and feelings for Kyou, though it's not at all what Kyou really wants. And Kyou... (grimace) The kitty is in for a bumpy ride. But lets put it this way... Kyou... Haru... LOTS of tight black clothing! -^__^- Fun, huh?

One thing that I'm really trying to get into this story is Akito. Whenever people write any sort of pairing, yaoi or none for Furuba fics they usually leave him out of the loop. Remember he's a nut when it comes to any of the Jyuunishi being happy, amongst themselves or with those outside the family. And if Kyou of all people were to ever find a happy relationship with Haru, I don't think it would be kept secret for long, and I don't think it would be without the most dire of consequences.... Also, they leave out the events of his imprisonment, and the direct action (if any) that is played out by Kazuma or the other Jyuunishi to get him OUT.

Heeh, but you'll have to wait for "Blue As Rain" for all that... ^__~ I can't seem to ever to one-shots, all I get is epics... (shrugs) Ah well.

I can't believe I ever even WROTE this, much less the response I've been getting! It gets me all emotional, you know? I even got a review from a guy friend of mine who like Kyou and Shigure and Furuba itself (and he doesn't LIKE yaoi...! Nor does he swing that way. ~_~' Thus, the shock.).

I hope I have everyone that is needed on the mailing list, and if an author reviewed, I went ahead and added their emails as well... It was easier that way rather than rooting everything, especially with the grounding and all. (sighs)

Review please! ^__~ Hope to see you next time!

Geuna~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Short Extras

List of matchmakers so far:

Tohru: Her happy advice got Haru to go and talk to Kyou! Points for her.

Yuki: Though he didn't do much, he's more like a ref. Making sure Haru comes out unscathed...

Shigure: He is a freakin', nut-job romantic who will stop at nothing to get them together.

Ayame: The damn pervert, he just like the idea of both of them in the sack. He backs Shigure up.

Momiji: That cute little (grown-up) rabbit... he'd be conspiring with Haru since day one.

Groups (note the order in relation to each group):

"The Super Handsome Blossom Trio": Ayame, Shigure, Hatori

The New Group (no real name): Yuki, Kyou, Haru

The Chick Group (no real name): Tohru, Uotani, Hanajima

The "Kid" Group (no real name): Momiji, Kisa, Hiro

Anyone else notice that came in threes? Or at least the top three there. That's what I'm going for, MAYBE, though it's not official. I don't forcing these things. Yuki eventually gets used to hanging out with Kyou and Haru, and the three become there own little group by default, like Tohru, Uotani and Hanajima are already a group of their own. Yuki, Kyou and Haru are like a really weirded out very of the Super Handsome Blossom trio, snake to rat, dog to cat, dragon to cow.... ^__^' I'm strange...