Chapter Fifteen: Big Brother

A gentle breeze floated through the window, sending strands of his lavender hair over his face. Brushing it impatiently behind his ear, Yuki continued walking down the hall. His footsteps echoed along the marble pathway. He raised his eyes and faltered.

Tohru stopped and stared back, biting her lip. A blush spread over her cheeks. "Yu - yuki-kun . . . good morning."

Yuki smiled softly back. "Good morning, Honda-san."

She twisted her fingers together. "Um, I'm sorry . . . about yesterday. I - I guess -"

Yuki shook his head. "I understand." He walked closer to her and sighed, tucking his hands into his pocket. "It's okay. We were going way too fast anyway. We hardly know each other and I'm already professing my love." He grinned lopsidedly and then grimaced. "As much as I loathe to admit it, that baka neko really do loves you and if you're happy with him, I guess, then be with him."

Tears welled up in Tohru's eyes. "Thank you, Yuki-kun."

"However, if he ever hurts you or even annoy you in any way . . . which I predict, will happen frequently . . . come to me and I'll go beat him up into a bloody pulp," Yuki smiled cheerfully. "Even though we can't be a couple . . . I'll still like to be there for you . . . like an older brother, maybe?"

Tohru burst into tears and hugged him close. "You're the best! You don't know how happy I am! I finally have an older brother! I have family again!"

Yuki laughed and hugged her back. He winked. "I only hope I find another girl just like you in the future . . . and one who loves only me . . . lil sis."

"What are you two doing?"

They turned to see Kyou looming over them, glowering fiercely.

"Kyou-kun!" Tohru took a step away but Yuki quickly slung an arm around her shoulder. She looked startled until he grinned down reassuringly at her; she beamed back.

A nerve ticked in the side of Kyou's jaw and his hands twitched, itching to wrap themselves around the neck of the slender, smiling boy.

Yuki shrugged coolly at Kyou. "Nothing much . . . just showing some brotherly affection." He tousled Tohru's hair and she giggled in response.

Kyou was fairly blowing up by now. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN, BROTHERLY AFFECTION?"

Yuki wrapped his arms around Tohru's shoulder in a loose hug, resting his chin on the top of her head. He responded thoughtfully. "You know, I have to thank you, baka neko. Without you, Tohru and I could never be as close as we are now. Right, sis?"

She nodded happily. Kyou stared in disbelief. "This is madness. You really expect me to believe that right after Tohru rejects you, you'll step away gracefully and assume the role of a loving brother? Bullshit! I know what you're up to . . . you're using this excuse to get close and seduce my poor, naïve, innocent Tohru! You really think I'm dumb enough to believe your little act of "sibling chumminess"?!"

Yuki raised an eyebrow and Kyou snapped, "Don't answer that!" He turned to Tohru and held out his hand. "With me around, don't you even think about going near Tohru. Tohru, come!"

She automatically started forward. Yuki quickly stopped her in her tracks. He stepped in front of her and stared serenely at Kyou. "Now that I've decided to look out for Tohru, I'm not going to put up with any more of your appalling conduct . . . which fortunately, also means leaving me very little from you for me to put up with." Kyou shot him a dirty look. "Tohru's business is now my business. She is not a dog and she is not your pet and she is not your trophy. She will not come running at your beck and call. The only problem with her is that she's too soft-hearted and nice to tell you what an idiot you are . . . luckily, I'm here so I'll do it for her. You're an idiot."

Yuki turned back to Tohru and grabbed her hand, pulling her away as Kyou stared in incredulity. "Come along now. Honestly, Tohru, I understand that you don't reciprocate my feelings but I really wish you didn't choose him. You could do way better."

Kyou stood there for a few minutes. "What the hell just happened?!"

Uotani came up behind him, grinning. "Big brother in protective mode. Guess you're not getting a clean victory after all!"

Hanajima spoke quietly. "The hostility rate in the air is reaching unprecedented levels."

* * *

Tohru sighed happily. "Wow! The sky is so pretty! So many stars!" She leaned to her right, resting on Kyou. His hand came up to rest on her shoulder absentmindedly, but he seemed somewhat . . . distracted. "Kyou- kun, what's the matter?"

"Nothing's the matter. Why? You think something is the matter? What? Is it that nezumi again?"

"No."

"Then why did you ask?"

"Because you keep twisting your head right and left as if you're looking for something and you're holding Uotani's steel pipe in your other hand."

He stopped craning his neck to the left and turned to look sheepishly down at her. "It's just that I get this feeling that purple haired pixie is going to pop up on us any minute now and activate his brother mode. I don't know why you agreed to his stupid "Adopt Tohru and Be The Restraining Order on Kyou" plan anyway."

"Really, that's what it's called? Wow, we've got to come up with a shorter name." Kyou gave her a look and she giggled. "He's just looking out for me . . . I think he's being really sweet. I miss having a family to look after."

He snorted. "Looking after you? Yeah, that's an understatement. He's more like a really, really, really tenacious bulldog than an older brother." Kyou stopped and looked pained. "And honestly, you have a family! Me, Yankee, Denpa and Kisa . . . or was I mistaken?"

"No! You guys are great . . . you know I love you all . . . it's just . . . well . . . this is different . . . I -"

"I know . . . I know. I understand. But still . . . he doesn't need to look after you when I'm with you. I can take perfect care of you myself! But no! He treats me like I'm a potential serial killer! Jeez!"

She patted his hand. "He's been so understanding and kind to me . . . especially after the way I treated him. He probably doesn't mean it."

"DOESN'T MEAN IT? What about this afternoon at lunch? He just yanked you up from your seat and dragged you off."

"He planned a picnic for us along the beach. It was so beautiful! He said he wanted to have a family meal with me and spend some time with me alone."

"What about when I wanted to take a walk with you and he tripped me, stealing you away while I was getting up?"

"He said he wanted to show me how to garden . . . a little family activity."

"What about at dinner when he made me sit all the way down the table away from you?"

"Oh, he said the dishes down there were supposed to be your favorite . . . and he wanted to chat with me about my day . . . a little family bonding time."

"Favorite, my ass," Kyou muttered. "Nothing but leeks . . . the aroma alone nearly killed me. Fine, how about afterwards? I was walking toward you and he automatically steered you away."

"Oh," she blushed. "He, um, said he didn't trust your intentions then. Something about the gleam of your eyes reminded him of Shigure-san."

Kyou saw red then. He gritted his teeth, "Remind him of that pervert? Tomorrow, I'm going to show him what he reminds me of . . . grrr . . ."

She waved her hands frantically. "Don't! Come on, we're here together now, aren't we? Yuki's not here right now, right?"

"Only after I snuck into your window to - wait a minute!! Yuki?! What happened to the kun? You don't even call me so familiarly!!"

She turned pink. "Well, now that we're so-called siblings . . . it doesn't really make sense to be so formal, does it?" She stared pleadingly up at him, her eyes practically shining.

He sighed reluctantly. "Yeah, whatever."

She smiled brightly and he grinned back. He leaned down, closing his eyes slowly -

"STOP!"

They nearly toppled off the balcony beam they were sitting on. Flapping his arms about, he quickly grabbed Tohru to steady her while Yuki ran forward to help. Later on, Kyou could have sworn on his life that while Yuki was helping Tohru off the balcony, the amethyst eyed boy purposely gave him a hard nudge which, naturally, sent the neko tumbling forward. Kyou grabbed the tree limb next to the balcony for support before he could plummet down.

Kyou glared at the calm prince. "WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR?!"

Yuki folded his arms. "Tohru, remember this: any boy who scales a wall and sneaks into your window during the dead of the night instead of seeing you legitimately in daylight cannot be trusted. They are no more than primitive apes . . . as shown by Exhibit A: this monkey hanging from the tree."

Kyou snapped. "Well, if I'm Exhibit A . . . then you're Exhibit B: those who decide to sneak into girls' room by doors instead . . . not only are this kind rude, but also unoriginal and lazy."

Yuki's eyes flashed. "I knocked, but I guess you were too busy mauling Tohru to hear me."

The orange haired merprince flushed. "Even if I was - which I wasn't - it really isn't any of your business! You're taking your newly adopted title too far! Even real brothers aren't as overly protective as you!"

"Really?"

"YEAH!"

"Then that must explain how you're totally fine with my cousins flocking around your sisters?"

"Huh?"

"Oh, you didn't know?"

"WHAT?! OF COURSE I KNOW!" There was a moment of silence. "Which sister are you talking about?"

"Both. Shigure and Ayame just snuck into your older sister's room yesterday. She had to beat them out with her steel pipe, which I noticed was borrowed by you . . . leaving her quite defenseless but since, of course, you trust my cousins so much . . . that's no problem. And your younger sister is also really quite popular around here; Hiro, Momiji and Haru are never to be seen without Kisa in sight . . . but then again, you knew all of this already, didn't you?"

Kyou's right eye twitched and then he screamed. "ALL OF YOU SOHMAS ARE CONNIVING LITTLE DEMONS FROM HELL!! I'M GOING TO MURDER EACH AND ONE OF YOU!! GIMME THAT STEEL PIPE! I'M GOING TO START WITH YOU!"

"Sure, here you go," Yuki said pleasantly, holding out the oblong object.

Kyou blinked in surprise and reached out automatically, wondering why the nezumi was so nice all of a sudden.

"KYOU-KUN!" Tohru screamed.

"Huh -DAMN IT!!" Kyou cursed all the way down as he fell from the tree.

"Baka neko," Yuki muttered, peering over the ledge. He turned around and smiled at Tohru, handing her the pipe. "Good night, lil sis. If any more bed bugs come pestering around, just give them a good whack."

"G - good night," she spluttered. Kyou serenaded her and Yuki with expletives from the ground. She smiled in relief. He was all right.

* * *

Uotani sighed and whacked her brother across his head.

"OW! What the hell was that for?!"

"For stealing my steel pipe . . . and acting like an idiot."

Kyou glared at his sister. "I'm going to -"

Kisa patted Kyou on his back and he blinked. "What was that for?"

The little girl giggled. "I'm sorry . . . but onee-chan is right this time."

He looked crestfallen. "Not you too."

Kisa smiled sheepishly. Uotani sighed, "Of course she agrees with me. Everybody can see how stupid you are. Listen, even though Tohru likes you now . . . that doesn't mean she have to keep on liking you . . . you two aren't married yet, ya know. With your caveman attitude and the sensitivity of a pig, no wonder Tohru was wavering toward Yuki. You better realize that Yuki's the first of many who's going to take an interest in our sweet Tohru so you, dear brother, BETTER SHAPE UP!"

He frowned and tried not to look worried, "Tohru loves me. The end."

"No, Tohru loves you now. Tohru then sees you for the dork you are. Tohru leaves you for someone better . . . like Yuki. Then I'm going to bash your thick head in. The end."

Kyou scowled and slumped over. "Yeah, okay. I know. I'll treat her even better than I am doing now and keep filthy jerks away from her . . ." His scarlet eyes suddenly narrowed. "Speaking of filthy jerks . . . when were you two going to tell me about those Sohmas buzzing around you?"

"Whatever are you talking about?" Uotani responded as she widened her eyes innocently. Kisa tried to mimic her sister.

"Don't give me that look . . . you look like a bloated guppy, Yankee."

"Well, we gotta run. Kisa here got a date with that kid . . . Hiro, was it? Or that Momiji? No, it was Haru! Hmmm . . . or was it . . ."

"HEY! YOU TWO GET BACK HERE! I'M NOT THROUGH WITH YOU! HEY! HEY! ARE YOU TWO DEAF OR SOMETHING?! DON'T WALK AWAY FROM ME WHEN I'M TALKING! HEY!!!!"

* * *

Uotani tapped her steel pipe against her shoulder as she walked into her room. She shivered. Why was it so cold? Or was it because she missed her tail? She rubbed her legs, feeling goose bumps covering her skin. "Damn . . ." she muttered as she walked over to the closet, in search of something warm to cover her legs. She gasped in disbelief. Her beautiful golden dress hung before her. She touched it hesitantly and hugged it in joy. "You're back! Who took you? Why are you back all of a sudden? Maybe that Akito was just scaring us. Why am I talking to you? I'm acting stupid . . . like Carrot Top. Damn, it better not run in the family." She quickly pulled it on, relishing the familiar at ease feeling she always get.

She sighed happily until a douse of cold water splashed over her from behind. She let out a startled gasp and crashed to the floor as her tail transformed. "What the hell?!" She propped herself up on her elbows and turned around . . . just in time to see the long silver dagger slicing through the air down toward her.