Chapter Eleven: A Fickle Heart
"Wow . . . it's so weird . . . and I thought meeting Kana was an once-in-a- lifetime opportunity . . . but here we are . . . four beautiful mermaids . . . and oh yeah, you too, Kyou," Shigure said.
Kyou shot the man a dirty look and cracked his knuckles.
"So, Kisa, you're really a mermaid?" Momiji asked excitedly.
She blushed and nodded shyly.
"That's so cool! How's the ocean? I mean, underwater? Is it really pretty? Are there whole cities? What are they made out of? Are they all coral reef or seaweed? What do you guys wear when you get cold? Are everything wet and -"
"Will you just shut up with your incessant chattering already?" Hiro snapped.
"What? You don't think it's cool? That's very mean, Hiro-kun!! Kisa, isn't he mean?"
"Shut up!! I never said that. Kisa, don't listen to that idiot."
"WAHHHHH!!! Hiro called me an idiot!! MEANY!!!"
Yuki walked to the window and peered outside anxiously.
"She's still outside talking to Hatori, I guess."
Yuki turned around to see Kyou; the boy folded his arms in front of him and he nodded stiffly to him. The lavender haired boy inclined his head slightly in return.
* * *
Tohru strolled along the beach in silence beside the man who would have been her sister's husband had circumstances been different. After she had finally stopped crying, everybody awkwardly went back inside to give her some privacy to talk to Hatori.
"Ne, Hatori-san, can I ask you a question?"
He grunted in response.
"Did you really love my sister?"
He lifted his head in surprise and stared at the girl. Slowly, he nodded and affirmed, "Yes, I did . . . and yes, I still do."
She smiled. "That's all I needed to know. Thank you, Hatori-san."
* * *
Tohru returned to her room, sighed, and laid down on her bed. [Today has certainly been eventful.] She frowned slightly. [Akito. I wonder how he's like. Did he really kill Kana?] She closed her eyes tightly and pressed her forearm to her head.
"Tohru?" Her eyes flew open as she turned her head to the door. "Tohru, I'm coming in." The door opened and Kyou stepped in.
"Kyou-kun, what's the matter?"
He studied her with his crimson eyes and she flushed slightly. Taking a seat next to her on the bed, she blushed deeper. She could feel the warmth of his body radiating toward her. "Tohru, let's go."
"Eh? Where?"
"Back home, of course."
"But why?"
"Tohru, your sister was supposedly murdered by the king here. Do you think you'll be any safer here?"
Her heart writhed. For some reason, she didn't want to leave . . . not yet. "Kyou-kun, I -"
His eyes darkened. "You don't want to leave?"
She shook her head timidly.
Closing his eyes, he cursed lowly. He twisted around and the sudden fury in his eyes scared her. "This is about that guy, isn't it??"
"Huh? Hatori-san?"
"NO! YUKI!"
"Wh - what are talking about?"
He grabbed her hands and she jumped in alarm. His eyes blazed furiously. "Tohru, please! Listen to me! This is for your own good! You don't belong here! Yuki's not right for you . . . no matter how many flowers he gives you, he's still different! Tohru, come home. You belong in the ocean . . . you belong with me."
"Kyou . . ." she whispered, her eyes welling up with tears.
He softened and loosened his grip. "I need you, Tohru. Don't leave me." He sounded like a lost, forlorn little boy and she sighed softly.
"I would never leave you, Kyou-kun . . . but I just can't leave now . . . something in my gut is pressing me to stay . . . I just don't -"
She was cut off as Kyou pressed his lips to hers. Softly grazing her bottom lip, he deepened the kiss. She closed her eyes slowly as she entangled her fingers in his golden hair and returned the kiss hesitantly. He growled with pleasure as she smoothed her fingers across his chest and the sound rumbled low into her mouth, sending tingles down her spine. Brushing his lips across her cheek, he nibbled softly on her earlobes. Her arms tightened around his neck. She shivered as he traced along her jaw, down along her neck . . .
Her eyes flew open with a sudden realization. "Oh my god, Kyou-kun!!" She pushed away excitedly and knocked Kyou back.
"Huh?" The surprised boy tumbled backwards off the bed and landed with an oof on the floor. "Ow."
"Oh, I'm sorry, Kyou-kun! But I just realized something . . . you didn't transform!!"
"Huh? Oh yeah . . . you're right. Wow, wonder why. Hmmm, so anyways . . . wanna continue?"
"Kyou-kun!!"
"I know. I know. I'm sorry." He looked abashed and got off the floor painfully.
Her mind was reeling with thoughts. [If Kyou-kun didn't transform . . . then maybe Yuki-kun . . .] "I have to tell Yuki-kun! He'll be so excited!"
She bounded off the bed and headed to the door . . . except she didn't get very far. Catching her smoothly, Kyou pulled the girl back. He encircled her waist loosely with his arms and said calmly, "Hold on a minute, Tohru. You still didn't answer me yet?"
"Answer what?"
"You know . . . returning home with me?"
"Kyou-kun!! I can't . . . not now!!"
He stared at her sternly. "Baka . . . for what reason would you have for staying?"
Her mouth opened and closed but she couldn't think of a good response. Biting her lip, she nodded her head ruefully. "Alright, you win, Kyou-kun. I'll go back. I'll go tell Yuki-kun right now."
Kyou broke out into a grin and did a little victory dance in his mind. [I win! Yuki didn't! I win! Nyahahahahaha!!! I win! I win! I -]
"Kyou-kun?"
"Nani?" he cleared his throat, sounding gruff.
"Would you mind letting me go now?"
He blinked and saw that he still had his arms around the slender girl. Smiling softly, he stared tenderly down at her. "Yes, I do mind. I kinda enjoy the feeling of you in my arms."
She blushed the reddest he'd seen yet and immediately, his cheeks began to warm up too. Releasing his grip, he rubbed the back of the neck embarrassedly. "Sorry, must have been learning too much from sis and the dog."
She nodded mutedly and ran from the room, her face still a fiery red.
Kyou cleared his throat in the silence of the room and then grinning like a maniac, did his victory dance. "I win! I win! Uh huh! I win!"
* * *
Yuki leaned over the plants, watering it. So preoccupied he was with his thoughts, he nearly drowned the plant by the time he was through.
"Yuki-kun!" He looked up to see the girl who has been plaguing his thoughts these past few days.
"Honda-san! Is something wrong?"
She shook her head, then nodded, then shook her head again. "I - I just needed to talk to you."
"Yes?"
"Yuki-kun, something weird just happened. When I was - um, well, I just - uh . . ."
"Honda-san?"
"Well, Kyou-kun didn't transform when I hugged him."
He raised an eyebrow. "How is that possible?" Then his expression darkened. "Wait a minute, what were you doing hugging that neko?"
She flushed and looked away. He clenched his fists and stood up slowly. She continued blabbering, "Well, I just thought . . . maybe the curse ended or something? I mean -"
"Well, there's only one way to find out," he said quietly.
"Eh?"
He fixated his amethyst eyes on her and she shivered involuntarily. "Honda- san, do you mind if I . . ." He trailed off as he leaned close to her.
Her eyes began to lazily close and she whispered in a daze, "What?"
". . . do this?" He breathed out and lightly cupping her face, he bent his head down. She nearly went limp, holding on to the front of his shirt tightly as he brushed his lips gently against hers. Reaching up to unleash her grip on his shirt, he entwined his fingers with hers. Linking his free arm around her waist, he pulled her to him tightly and intensified the kiss. He breathed in the fragrant smell of roses mingled with Tohru's unique scent. It was enough to make his head spin. Tohru sighed softly against his mouth, her heart beating giddily. They broke away, breathing hard.
Yuki smiled, "Well, there, the curse doesn't affect me either."
[Oh god. Oh god. Okaa-san, what do I do? I'm being so fickle. First, I kissed Kyou-kun and now Yuki-kun. Why am I doing this? I'm confusing myself and everybody. Kyou-kun was so passionate and - and Yuki-kun was so gentle and tender . . . oh, what am I going to do?! I love them both so much!] She was beginning to make herself dizzy and Yuki frowned as he appraised her reaction.
"Honda-san, are you alright?"
"Yuki-kun, I'm - I'm so sorry! I have to leave tomorrow!"
His throat tightened and he shook his head furiously. "Wh - what are you talking about? You can't leave! Honda-san . . . I'm in love with you."
[Oh god! Okaa-san, what do I do now!!] "Yuki . . ." she said timorously.
He cried out desperately. "I know we're different. I know that baka neko might seem perfect for you since he's a mermaid -"
"Merman," she corrected softly.
"Whatever. But it doesn't matter. When you're in love with someone, it depends only on their inner person . . . their soul. Honda-san, I don't care that you're a mermaid . . . I'm not as different as you think. Hell, I'm not even a normal human. Honda-san, please, just don't leave. Please? You're the first true friend I've met in such a long time. I don't want to lose you. I need you," he continued.
Tohru's heart melted and she sighed. [What am I going to do?]
~ ~ ~
Hey people . . . this is Maeven again. Please continue reading and reviewing. I love all of your reviews! Makes me feel so loved! Every time I get your support, it just makes my day . . . ^_^
~Maeven~
"Wow . . . it's so weird . . . and I thought meeting Kana was an once-in-a- lifetime opportunity . . . but here we are . . . four beautiful mermaids . . . and oh yeah, you too, Kyou," Shigure said.
Kyou shot the man a dirty look and cracked his knuckles.
"So, Kisa, you're really a mermaid?" Momiji asked excitedly.
She blushed and nodded shyly.
"That's so cool! How's the ocean? I mean, underwater? Is it really pretty? Are there whole cities? What are they made out of? Are they all coral reef or seaweed? What do you guys wear when you get cold? Are everything wet and -"
"Will you just shut up with your incessant chattering already?" Hiro snapped.
"What? You don't think it's cool? That's very mean, Hiro-kun!! Kisa, isn't he mean?"
"Shut up!! I never said that. Kisa, don't listen to that idiot."
"WAHHHHH!!! Hiro called me an idiot!! MEANY!!!"
Yuki walked to the window and peered outside anxiously.
"She's still outside talking to Hatori, I guess."
Yuki turned around to see Kyou; the boy folded his arms in front of him and he nodded stiffly to him. The lavender haired boy inclined his head slightly in return.
* * *
Tohru strolled along the beach in silence beside the man who would have been her sister's husband had circumstances been different. After she had finally stopped crying, everybody awkwardly went back inside to give her some privacy to talk to Hatori.
"Ne, Hatori-san, can I ask you a question?"
He grunted in response.
"Did you really love my sister?"
He lifted his head in surprise and stared at the girl. Slowly, he nodded and affirmed, "Yes, I did . . . and yes, I still do."
She smiled. "That's all I needed to know. Thank you, Hatori-san."
* * *
Tohru returned to her room, sighed, and laid down on her bed. [Today has certainly been eventful.] She frowned slightly. [Akito. I wonder how he's like. Did he really kill Kana?] She closed her eyes tightly and pressed her forearm to her head.
"Tohru?" Her eyes flew open as she turned her head to the door. "Tohru, I'm coming in." The door opened and Kyou stepped in.
"Kyou-kun, what's the matter?"
He studied her with his crimson eyes and she flushed slightly. Taking a seat next to her on the bed, she blushed deeper. She could feel the warmth of his body radiating toward her. "Tohru, let's go."
"Eh? Where?"
"Back home, of course."
"But why?"
"Tohru, your sister was supposedly murdered by the king here. Do you think you'll be any safer here?"
Her heart writhed. For some reason, she didn't want to leave . . . not yet. "Kyou-kun, I -"
His eyes darkened. "You don't want to leave?"
She shook her head timidly.
Closing his eyes, he cursed lowly. He twisted around and the sudden fury in his eyes scared her. "This is about that guy, isn't it??"
"Huh? Hatori-san?"
"NO! YUKI!"
"Wh - what are talking about?"
He grabbed her hands and she jumped in alarm. His eyes blazed furiously. "Tohru, please! Listen to me! This is for your own good! You don't belong here! Yuki's not right for you . . . no matter how many flowers he gives you, he's still different! Tohru, come home. You belong in the ocean . . . you belong with me."
"Kyou . . ." she whispered, her eyes welling up with tears.
He softened and loosened his grip. "I need you, Tohru. Don't leave me." He sounded like a lost, forlorn little boy and she sighed softly.
"I would never leave you, Kyou-kun . . . but I just can't leave now . . . something in my gut is pressing me to stay . . . I just don't -"
She was cut off as Kyou pressed his lips to hers. Softly grazing her bottom lip, he deepened the kiss. She closed her eyes slowly as she entangled her fingers in his golden hair and returned the kiss hesitantly. He growled with pleasure as she smoothed her fingers across his chest and the sound rumbled low into her mouth, sending tingles down her spine. Brushing his lips across her cheek, he nibbled softly on her earlobes. Her arms tightened around his neck. She shivered as he traced along her jaw, down along her neck . . .
Her eyes flew open with a sudden realization. "Oh my god, Kyou-kun!!" She pushed away excitedly and knocked Kyou back.
"Huh?" The surprised boy tumbled backwards off the bed and landed with an oof on the floor. "Ow."
"Oh, I'm sorry, Kyou-kun! But I just realized something . . . you didn't transform!!"
"Huh? Oh yeah . . . you're right. Wow, wonder why. Hmmm, so anyways . . . wanna continue?"
"Kyou-kun!!"
"I know. I know. I'm sorry." He looked abashed and got off the floor painfully.
Her mind was reeling with thoughts. [If Kyou-kun didn't transform . . . then maybe Yuki-kun . . .] "I have to tell Yuki-kun! He'll be so excited!"
She bounded off the bed and headed to the door . . . except she didn't get very far. Catching her smoothly, Kyou pulled the girl back. He encircled her waist loosely with his arms and said calmly, "Hold on a minute, Tohru. You still didn't answer me yet?"
"Answer what?"
"You know . . . returning home with me?"
"Kyou-kun!! I can't . . . not now!!"
He stared at her sternly. "Baka . . . for what reason would you have for staying?"
Her mouth opened and closed but she couldn't think of a good response. Biting her lip, she nodded her head ruefully. "Alright, you win, Kyou-kun. I'll go back. I'll go tell Yuki-kun right now."
Kyou broke out into a grin and did a little victory dance in his mind. [I win! Yuki didn't! I win! Nyahahahahaha!!! I win! I win! I -]
"Kyou-kun?"
"Nani?" he cleared his throat, sounding gruff.
"Would you mind letting me go now?"
He blinked and saw that he still had his arms around the slender girl. Smiling softly, he stared tenderly down at her. "Yes, I do mind. I kinda enjoy the feeling of you in my arms."
She blushed the reddest he'd seen yet and immediately, his cheeks began to warm up too. Releasing his grip, he rubbed the back of the neck embarrassedly. "Sorry, must have been learning too much from sis and the dog."
She nodded mutedly and ran from the room, her face still a fiery red.
Kyou cleared his throat in the silence of the room and then grinning like a maniac, did his victory dance. "I win! I win! Uh huh! I win!"
* * *
Yuki leaned over the plants, watering it. So preoccupied he was with his thoughts, he nearly drowned the plant by the time he was through.
"Yuki-kun!" He looked up to see the girl who has been plaguing his thoughts these past few days.
"Honda-san! Is something wrong?"
She shook her head, then nodded, then shook her head again. "I - I just needed to talk to you."
"Yes?"
"Yuki-kun, something weird just happened. When I was - um, well, I just - uh . . ."
"Honda-san?"
"Well, Kyou-kun didn't transform when I hugged him."
He raised an eyebrow. "How is that possible?" Then his expression darkened. "Wait a minute, what were you doing hugging that neko?"
She flushed and looked away. He clenched his fists and stood up slowly. She continued blabbering, "Well, I just thought . . . maybe the curse ended or something? I mean -"
"Well, there's only one way to find out," he said quietly.
"Eh?"
He fixated his amethyst eyes on her and she shivered involuntarily. "Honda- san, do you mind if I . . ." He trailed off as he leaned close to her.
Her eyes began to lazily close and she whispered in a daze, "What?"
". . . do this?" He breathed out and lightly cupping her face, he bent his head down. She nearly went limp, holding on to the front of his shirt tightly as he brushed his lips gently against hers. Reaching up to unleash her grip on his shirt, he entwined his fingers with hers. Linking his free arm around her waist, he pulled her to him tightly and intensified the kiss. He breathed in the fragrant smell of roses mingled with Tohru's unique scent. It was enough to make his head spin. Tohru sighed softly against his mouth, her heart beating giddily. They broke away, breathing hard.
Yuki smiled, "Well, there, the curse doesn't affect me either."
[Oh god. Oh god. Okaa-san, what do I do? I'm being so fickle. First, I kissed Kyou-kun and now Yuki-kun. Why am I doing this? I'm confusing myself and everybody. Kyou-kun was so passionate and - and Yuki-kun was so gentle and tender . . . oh, what am I going to do?! I love them both so much!] She was beginning to make herself dizzy and Yuki frowned as he appraised her reaction.
"Honda-san, are you alright?"
"Yuki-kun, I'm - I'm so sorry! I have to leave tomorrow!"
His throat tightened and he shook his head furiously. "Wh - what are you talking about? You can't leave! Honda-san . . . I'm in love with you."
[Oh god! Okaa-san, what do I do now!!] "Yuki . . ." she said timorously.
He cried out desperately. "I know we're different. I know that baka neko might seem perfect for you since he's a mermaid -"
"Merman," she corrected softly.
"Whatever. But it doesn't matter. When you're in love with someone, it depends only on their inner person . . . their soul. Honda-san, I don't care that you're a mermaid . . . I'm not as different as you think. Hell, I'm not even a normal human. Honda-san, please, just don't leave. Please? You're the first true friend I've met in such a long time. I don't want to lose you. I need you," he continued.
Tohru's heart melted and she sighed. [What am I going to do?]
~ ~ ~
Hey people . . . this is Maeven again. Please continue reading and reviewing. I love all of your reviews! Makes me feel so loved! Every time I get your support, it just makes my day . . . ^_^
~Maeven~
