A/N: You want to know the bloody truth on why this chapter took so damn
long? The long or short version? Short version: SCHOOLWORK IZ EVIL!!!
And getting sick is too. For the more humorous, detailed description, read
the author's note at the end, after reading the chapter of course. Err, if
you don't read BLUE MONDAY, what's wrong with you people!? READ IT!!!
YOU'LL LAUGH UNTIL YOU CRY! More on that subject at the end. Sorry about
the wait again everyone! Thanks for sticking with this story!!!!!!!!!!!+
Disclaimer: Life-size blow-up dolls, inspired by an idea mi amiga had with the blow-up life-size Orlando Bloom dolls, of Kyou and Shigure for glomping (dirty girls we are!) would be first on my list if I owned Fruits Basket.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
~~So Innocent, So Simple, and So Very Pure~~
Spirits had lifted; times were easy. Mari had awakened after being in darkness for so long. Tears of joy were wept, and hugs and kisses of relief were given. "My family," Mari thought, "does love me after all. That voice was just lying. They really do care."
The following day Mari started to get her flow of visitors. Kyou obviously came the instant that school got out. Hatori happened to bring Ayame over for the day and Kyou was not exactly thrilled. When he walked through the door, he saw Ayame laughing along with Shigure and Mari.
(insert Ayame's trumpet music)
"Ah!!! My dearest Kyou-kun! Come, come join us! It's just oh so fabulous that Shi-chan and Mari chan are so happy! And that the little Mari is finally awake! Bless her! Now, where's that brother of mine? I was hoping we could celebrate our joy of Mari's awakening together!"
Kyou tried to keep his temper down with Ayame. "He said that Kagura told him to wait for him before he came."
"How about that dearest little Tohru-kun? She's just so scrumptious." (A/N: EVIL WITCH!!!! Actually, I couldn't even type that line myself. I'm not joking. One of my friends wrote it in an email and I pasted it here. I am in serious need of mental help.)
Kyou was about to pounce on top of Ayame, but Shigure suddenly appeared and held him back. "She's coming, later," Kyou started. " She needed to stop by her work first. She told me to just go ahead."
"Ah, very well." Ayame flicked his wrist at Kyou and tossed his hair over his shoulder. "All that matters is Mari-chan's health, no?" Ayame tapped Mari's mask, and she giggled.
(end Ayame's trumpet music)
Kyou's glare on Ayame softened. He turned towards Mari and sat down beside her. Mari reached up to Kyou and he took her in his arms.
"Aya." Shigure said lowly and Ayame smiled at the cuddling cats before moving over towards Shigure.
"So how are you feeling today Mari?" Kyou cooed to her.
Mari rubbed her eye before letting out a small yawn. "'K. But I'm still tired."
"Of course you are." His kissed the top of her head. "You could sleep now if you wanted to."
Mari shook her head no. "I was sleeping too long before. Now I want to see everyone." Mari smiled. Kyou smiled back then looked over at Shigure who grinned back. It seemed as if Shigure had told Mari to sleep as well and she wouldn't.
Mari set up in her bed and looked around the room a few times, with her huge dark blues blinking every so often. She kept on doing this during the day. Shigure frowned. He had talked to Aya about this and she said that Mari was still trying to adjust to everything around her. Hatori had said the same thing. Still, it bothered Shigure whenever she did it. It made her seem so life-less and fake. After awhile, she stopped, shook her head and then locked her eyes onto her father. Shigure looked straight back at her, imitating her biting a bit of her lower lip. Mari pushed her eyebrows together; so did Shigure. Mari shook her head again and smiled. Shigure let out a small laugh before getting up and sitting with his daughter. Mari struggled for air before resting against her father. Shigure closed his eyes as he held his little girl close. "She's awake," he thought. "That's all that matters right now. I'll do all it takes it keep her alive and breathing."
Through the door came Kagura and Yuki, who held behind. Mari turned her head and smiled.
"Ah! Mari-chan!" Kagura hurried over to Mari's bedside. Shigure let go of Mari so Kagura could embrace her.
"It's so wonderful that you're awake now Mari. Everyone's been so worried about you." Kagura kissed Mari's forehead and pushed away her bangs.
"It's nice to see you again Kagura." Mari hugged against her.
Kagura smiled at the girl and ruffled her hair.
"See! Daddy brought me Kagura too!" Mari held up the orange cat. Kagura blushed looking at the cat, as did Kyou.
"I can see that Cat Kagura is very happy that you're awake now too Mari."
"Yep. Arisa gave me a blue dog like daddy too. Now Kyuri has two pets." Mari held up the dog.
"This does look exactly like Shigure." Kagura stared in amazement at the dog.
"Hai. Its name is Chico." Mari smiled happily as she hugged it close. Kagura smiled at the toddler. Mari placed her toys down and looked towards the door.
"Did Yuki come with you? Kyou said he would."
Kagura looked at Mari and paused for a moment. What was she suppose to say? Yuki came, but he's not showing himself? Yuki's here but doesn't know how to approach you?
"Is he here? I want to see him." Mari looked up longingly at Kagura.
"I'm here Mari." Yuki stepped over, much to everyone's surprise. "It's great to see you up again."
Mari looked up at Yuki, startled. She smiled and nodded at him. "Yuki." She didn't expect him to reach out for her, so she didn't reach out for him.
Yuki sat down beside Mari. Slowly, he reached his trembling hand up to touch Mari's cheek. Mari just kept her gaze upon him. When his hand made contact with her cheek, he didn't pull back like he did last time; he let his hand stroke her soft skin ever so gently. To Mari's surprise, she let a tear escape and slid down her cheek and fall onto Yuki's hand. Yuki pulled his hand away and rubbed her tear between two of his fingers. Mari looked at Yuki, with more and more tears escaping. Yuki smiled at the girl ever so slightly.
Mari embraced Yuki.
She allowed her tears to fall all over his school jacket; to mix with him.
Yuki was stunned. Mari had never been that close to him. She had rarely ever turned to him; she always had Shigure or Kyou there first. Yuki placed his arms around Mari and held her against him. She held onto him and wouldn't let go. And this time, Yuki didn't mind. He didn't want her to ever let go.
"Alas, the new beginning has begun," Shigure thought silently to himself. "The rat learns to understand the smallest kitten. Learns that that kitten has truth buried deep within."
~~Later that Day~~
Tohru had come after seeing her boss at work and was just delighted to see Mari up.
"Ah! Mari-chan! You're finally up! Oh, how I missed seeing your blue eyes and hearing your sweet little voice!" Tohru hugged Mari closely.
"Can I help you cook when I go home?"
"Of course! What ever you want! Oh, I'm so happy you're up!" (A/N: ~Throwing up all over keyboard.~ LOL Tohru is so happy and perky! Can't she ever get mad?!)
Mari smiled at Tohru and hugged her again. Tohru was beaming. Now that everyone was so happy around her, Tohru was, well, extra happy.
"Ha-chan, you brought my box in, didn't you?" Ayame was running around the room. "I forgot about it all of the excitement." Ayame was messing with everything, looking for his box.
"It's right here Aya." Hatori held up the box with one hand and was looking through paperwork with the other.
"Arigato Ha-chan!" Ayame hurried over to get the box, then ran over to Shigure.
"Shi-chan, I made this for Mari-chan."
"Ah, arigato Aya. Here, give it to Mari so she can open it."
Ayame placed to box in front of Mari and motioned for her to open it. All eyes were on Mari and the gift. Kyou and Yuki were both extremely suspicious of the gift, knowing about the kind of shop that Ayame ran.
"It's so pretty Uncle Ayame! Arigato!" Mari hugged her uncle.
"I'm so glad that you like it dear. I made especially for you. Promise me you'll wear it as soon as you're out of this hospital."
"Oh, I promise! I promise!"
The sweater was made of that fuzzy, soft white material (you know what I'm taking about, right?) and had a huge extra portion of material around the neckline making a flopping collar. The sleeves draped over hand slightly. It was the kind of sweater that you could stay in forever. The skirt was black and was short. It came with white, shimmering tights and black ankle boots. Lastly, it came with a hat made of the same material as the sweater. It was one of those Inca hats (you know, the ones that drape over the ears with the hanging strings on the ends and kinda pointy at the top? Look in winter fashion magazines. You'll see what I'm talking about).
"Aya, it's beautiful. You really out-did yourself this time." Shigure smiled at Ayame. "Isn't this just beautiful Mari? Now you'll have something wonderful to wear for Christmas or New Year's."
Mari nodded enthusiastically. "I really love it Uncle Ayame. Thank you."
"Anything for you Mari-chan. Anything for Shigure's daughter."
Kyou touched the material of the sweater. This outfit was unlike Ayame. It was so innocent, so simple, and so very pure. It captured Mari's light and reflected everything off of it.
"Didn't think I could make something like this, huh Kyou-kun?" Ayame smiled devilishly towards Kyou. "I do have an innocent side, after all."
Kyou frowned at Ayame and Yuki just shook his head in shame. How is possible that his brother can ruin a perfect moment by opening his mouth?
"Ayame," Yuki started. He stopped. This was no time to scold his whimsical older brother. "That outfit is truly fabulous. It's amazing how you can imagine something and make it real."
"Oh, Yuki-kun!!! ARIGATO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Ayame was crying buckets and hugging, actually more like strangling, his younger brother.
The hospital room filled with laughter. The sound of laughter that can lift anyone's spirits.
~~Next Day~~
The next day, Mari got visits from Momiji and Haru. Momiji came hopping through the door along with Kyou and Haru after school.
"Mari-chan!" Momiji ran up and hugged his small cousin. "You're awake, I'm so happy!" Momiji started crying happy tears. Mari smiled and giggled at Momiji.
"Oh, Mari-chan, I got you this." Momiji held up a butterfly sun catcher. "I hope you like it."
"Oh, I love it! It's so pretty. Thank you Momiji." Momiji beamed.
"Mari." Mari looked over and saw Haru smiling slightly at her.
"Oh, Haru! It's so nice to see you." Mari smiled at Haru.
"Hey, I should be the one telling you that."
Laughter
Kyou stood by the doorway, shaking his head. Ever since Mari had wakened up, everything was better. It felt as if a hundred weights had been lifted from his heart.
When he glanced around the room, he noticed that neither Shigure nor Hatori was there. As if to answer the unsaid question, they came through the door.
"Ah, Kyou-kun. I see you brought Momiji-kun and Haru-kun with you." Shigure stated. And then Shigure smiled.
"What's going on?" Kyou questioned.
"I just talked to Aya. Mari's going to be moved out the immediate care ward in a few days. She's getting stronger Kyou-kun. She's getting stronger."
"That wonderful news Shigure."
"For the most part."
"What do you mean for the 'most part'? Aren't you glad your daughter's getting better?"
"Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be? It's just that, well-"
"What Shigure is trying to say is that when Mari switches wards, he can't stay here with her and they'll be more strict with visiting hours Kyou." Hatori stepped in. "I don't know if you noticed, but all of us are staying way past the visiting hours."
"I've noticed."
"Since she's so young," Hatori continued, "they'll still let Shigure in before or after visiting hours, but the rest of you. . ." Hatori didn't have to finish his sentence. Kyou knew exactly what he was going to say. Kyou closed his eyes. That meant no more spending hours after hours with Mari.
"I understand. It's okay really." Kyou smiled sadly at Hatori and Shigure.
"Don't mention it to Mari just yet. We'll tell her when we're moving her rooms."
"Of course Shigure."
Shigure smiled and then headed over towards Mari, Momiji, and Haru.
"Look daddy at what Momiji got me." Mari held up the sun catcher towards her father.
"How nice of you Momiji. You didn't have to."
"But I wanted to Shigure. I love seeing Mari smile." Momiji smiled and a pair of rabbit ears became apparent on his head.
"Mari dear?" Mari turned around to see Mikki, her teacher, standing beside Kyou.
"Sensei Hakuu?" Mari smiled at her teacher.
"When I heard that you woke up, I had to come see for myself. Oh, Mari, it's been too long." Mikki went to take Mari's hand gently.
"Thank you for coming to see me. I'm sorrwee I misseded so much school."
"Oh, it's okay. Don't worry about it. You'll catch up quickly, I promise." Mikki smiled at Mari, before looking up at Shigure. When he smiled at her, she started blushing.
"How's everyone at school?"
"They all want you to come back. They miss you."
"Really?" You're not lying?"
"Of course not. Everyone misses you and hopes you feel better." She pulled out a huge card. In the inside were scribbles and parts of names. "They all got together and made you a card, see? Taichi got everyone together to make it."
"Arigato. Tell Taichi that I'm still really sorry and thank you for the card."
"I will." Mikki gently touched Mari's cheek. "I better get going. I'll let you get back to your family. Bye Mari. I'm glad to see you're getting better."
"Bye Sensei!" Mari smiled before showing the card to Haru, who was attempting to figure out how those scribbles were names.
As Mikki was walking down the hallway, she felt someone's hand slid upon her shoulder.
"Mikki."
She turned around to face Shigure.
"Thank you for coming to visit Mari. It really means a lot to her to know that other people outside the family care about her."
"It was nothing. You have such a wonderful little girl. Really. It was no problem."
"Mikki?" Shigure looked hard at the young teacher. Her green eyes were shinning with tears. "Mikki? What's wrong?"
"Forgive me, forgive me. I have no right to be crying. I'm so sorry."
"Mikki, what's wrong?" Shigure was holding her by her shoulders. He was starting to get worried. "Why are you crying?"
"I wish was as strong as you were Shigure. I really do." And with that, Mikki reached up to gently kiss Shigure on the cheek before breaking free of his hold and running down the hallway, with tears gliding down her face.
So Shigure stood there, watching her brown hair stream out behind Mikki. He reached up to touch the spot where she had kissed him.
Something so innocent, so simple, and so very pure had just happened to him.
And it was about to change his life.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A/N: What a cliffhanger! I can't wait to sit down and write it out! I actually know what to write this time too! Pretty amazing! I guess you kinda wanna hear the story of why this took so long huh? You get the schoolwork part right? Schoolwork is evil and is so tedious and takes forever and drives me insane, yet I do it all, all the time. go figure. And to top it off, I got really sick last weekend and still did homework and was sick all week but still went to school and did homework. Top that! I did work on this chapter in my English class bit cuz I am just cool like that. But, see, I usually spend my whole second of free time working on my comic or sneaking in manga, like Paradise Kiss-I read most of volume three in English-and such. AH! Kodocha #9 is out and I don't own it! Must dash to mall ASAP!!!!!!!!!! Okay. Anyway, Blue Monday rocks so if you haven't read it, you are so deprived that you don't even know it. So go buy it or borrow it or something. It is the craziest shit that I have ever read. I mean it. So yeah. I am just rambling. Oh yeah! I just discovered the J- Rock band Psycho le Cemu and an in love. WAAAAA!!!! I love them! Their outfits are so crazy cool and their music is so great! Curse you Amanda for showing that site!!!!!! I will buy the Daishi (singer in the group) highly sexy blazer and/or outfit or else I will strangle something!!!!!!!!!!! Oh yeah, Amanda had Mana (Malice Maizer for you deprived folks out there) blood! Mana-blood! NOT Mud-blood! Okay, you had to be there. Our Club Rush booth was crazy and we have a bunch of new freshman and well, members in general. Hey, it's me your crazy prez!!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!! See, I don't get out often. I guess I better go before I end up hurting myself. Sorry about the long wait again. I'll try to update ASAP. I mean it. D-Yai never gets any sleep. Poor D-Yai. LOL
Disclaimer: Life-size blow-up dolls, inspired by an idea mi amiga had with the blow-up life-size Orlando Bloom dolls, of Kyou and Shigure for glomping (dirty girls we are!) would be first on my list if I owned Fruits Basket.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
~~So Innocent, So Simple, and So Very Pure~~
Spirits had lifted; times were easy. Mari had awakened after being in darkness for so long. Tears of joy were wept, and hugs and kisses of relief were given. "My family," Mari thought, "does love me after all. That voice was just lying. They really do care."
The following day Mari started to get her flow of visitors. Kyou obviously came the instant that school got out. Hatori happened to bring Ayame over for the day and Kyou was not exactly thrilled. When he walked through the door, he saw Ayame laughing along with Shigure and Mari.
(insert Ayame's trumpet music)
"Ah!!! My dearest Kyou-kun! Come, come join us! It's just oh so fabulous that Shi-chan and Mari chan are so happy! And that the little Mari is finally awake! Bless her! Now, where's that brother of mine? I was hoping we could celebrate our joy of Mari's awakening together!"
Kyou tried to keep his temper down with Ayame. "He said that Kagura told him to wait for him before he came."
"How about that dearest little Tohru-kun? She's just so scrumptious." (A/N: EVIL WITCH!!!! Actually, I couldn't even type that line myself. I'm not joking. One of my friends wrote it in an email and I pasted it here. I am in serious need of mental help.)
Kyou was about to pounce on top of Ayame, but Shigure suddenly appeared and held him back. "She's coming, later," Kyou started. " She needed to stop by her work first. She told me to just go ahead."
"Ah, very well." Ayame flicked his wrist at Kyou and tossed his hair over his shoulder. "All that matters is Mari-chan's health, no?" Ayame tapped Mari's mask, and she giggled.
(end Ayame's trumpet music)
Kyou's glare on Ayame softened. He turned towards Mari and sat down beside her. Mari reached up to Kyou and he took her in his arms.
"Aya." Shigure said lowly and Ayame smiled at the cuddling cats before moving over towards Shigure.
"So how are you feeling today Mari?" Kyou cooed to her.
Mari rubbed her eye before letting out a small yawn. "'K. But I'm still tired."
"Of course you are." His kissed the top of her head. "You could sleep now if you wanted to."
Mari shook her head no. "I was sleeping too long before. Now I want to see everyone." Mari smiled. Kyou smiled back then looked over at Shigure who grinned back. It seemed as if Shigure had told Mari to sleep as well and she wouldn't.
Mari set up in her bed and looked around the room a few times, with her huge dark blues blinking every so often. She kept on doing this during the day. Shigure frowned. He had talked to Aya about this and she said that Mari was still trying to adjust to everything around her. Hatori had said the same thing. Still, it bothered Shigure whenever she did it. It made her seem so life-less and fake. After awhile, she stopped, shook her head and then locked her eyes onto her father. Shigure looked straight back at her, imitating her biting a bit of her lower lip. Mari pushed her eyebrows together; so did Shigure. Mari shook her head again and smiled. Shigure let out a small laugh before getting up and sitting with his daughter. Mari struggled for air before resting against her father. Shigure closed his eyes as he held his little girl close. "She's awake," he thought. "That's all that matters right now. I'll do all it takes it keep her alive and breathing."
Through the door came Kagura and Yuki, who held behind. Mari turned her head and smiled.
"Ah! Mari-chan!" Kagura hurried over to Mari's bedside. Shigure let go of Mari so Kagura could embrace her.
"It's so wonderful that you're awake now Mari. Everyone's been so worried about you." Kagura kissed Mari's forehead and pushed away her bangs.
"It's nice to see you again Kagura." Mari hugged against her.
Kagura smiled at the girl and ruffled her hair.
"See! Daddy brought me Kagura too!" Mari held up the orange cat. Kagura blushed looking at the cat, as did Kyou.
"I can see that Cat Kagura is very happy that you're awake now too Mari."
"Yep. Arisa gave me a blue dog like daddy too. Now Kyuri has two pets." Mari held up the dog.
"This does look exactly like Shigure." Kagura stared in amazement at the dog.
"Hai. Its name is Chico." Mari smiled happily as she hugged it close. Kagura smiled at the toddler. Mari placed her toys down and looked towards the door.
"Did Yuki come with you? Kyou said he would."
Kagura looked at Mari and paused for a moment. What was she suppose to say? Yuki came, but he's not showing himself? Yuki's here but doesn't know how to approach you?
"Is he here? I want to see him." Mari looked up longingly at Kagura.
"I'm here Mari." Yuki stepped over, much to everyone's surprise. "It's great to see you up again."
Mari looked up at Yuki, startled. She smiled and nodded at him. "Yuki." She didn't expect him to reach out for her, so she didn't reach out for him.
Yuki sat down beside Mari. Slowly, he reached his trembling hand up to touch Mari's cheek. Mari just kept her gaze upon him. When his hand made contact with her cheek, he didn't pull back like he did last time; he let his hand stroke her soft skin ever so gently. To Mari's surprise, she let a tear escape and slid down her cheek and fall onto Yuki's hand. Yuki pulled his hand away and rubbed her tear between two of his fingers. Mari looked at Yuki, with more and more tears escaping. Yuki smiled at the girl ever so slightly.
Mari embraced Yuki.
She allowed her tears to fall all over his school jacket; to mix with him.
Yuki was stunned. Mari had never been that close to him. She had rarely ever turned to him; she always had Shigure or Kyou there first. Yuki placed his arms around Mari and held her against him. She held onto him and wouldn't let go. And this time, Yuki didn't mind. He didn't want her to ever let go.
"Alas, the new beginning has begun," Shigure thought silently to himself. "The rat learns to understand the smallest kitten. Learns that that kitten has truth buried deep within."
~~Later that Day~~
Tohru had come after seeing her boss at work and was just delighted to see Mari up.
"Ah! Mari-chan! You're finally up! Oh, how I missed seeing your blue eyes and hearing your sweet little voice!" Tohru hugged Mari closely.
"Can I help you cook when I go home?"
"Of course! What ever you want! Oh, I'm so happy you're up!" (A/N: ~Throwing up all over keyboard.~ LOL Tohru is so happy and perky! Can't she ever get mad?!)
Mari smiled at Tohru and hugged her again. Tohru was beaming. Now that everyone was so happy around her, Tohru was, well, extra happy.
"Ha-chan, you brought my box in, didn't you?" Ayame was running around the room. "I forgot about it all of the excitement." Ayame was messing with everything, looking for his box.
"It's right here Aya." Hatori held up the box with one hand and was looking through paperwork with the other.
"Arigato Ha-chan!" Ayame hurried over to get the box, then ran over to Shigure.
"Shi-chan, I made this for Mari-chan."
"Ah, arigato Aya. Here, give it to Mari so she can open it."
Ayame placed to box in front of Mari and motioned for her to open it. All eyes were on Mari and the gift. Kyou and Yuki were both extremely suspicious of the gift, knowing about the kind of shop that Ayame ran.
"It's so pretty Uncle Ayame! Arigato!" Mari hugged her uncle.
"I'm so glad that you like it dear. I made especially for you. Promise me you'll wear it as soon as you're out of this hospital."
"Oh, I promise! I promise!"
The sweater was made of that fuzzy, soft white material (you know what I'm taking about, right?) and had a huge extra portion of material around the neckline making a flopping collar. The sleeves draped over hand slightly. It was the kind of sweater that you could stay in forever. The skirt was black and was short. It came with white, shimmering tights and black ankle boots. Lastly, it came with a hat made of the same material as the sweater. It was one of those Inca hats (you know, the ones that drape over the ears with the hanging strings on the ends and kinda pointy at the top? Look in winter fashion magazines. You'll see what I'm talking about).
"Aya, it's beautiful. You really out-did yourself this time." Shigure smiled at Ayame. "Isn't this just beautiful Mari? Now you'll have something wonderful to wear for Christmas or New Year's."
Mari nodded enthusiastically. "I really love it Uncle Ayame. Thank you."
"Anything for you Mari-chan. Anything for Shigure's daughter."
Kyou touched the material of the sweater. This outfit was unlike Ayame. It was so innocent, so simple, and so very pure. It captured Mari's light and reflected everything off of it.
"Didn't think I could make something like this, huh Kyou-kun?" Ayame smiled devilishly towards Kyou. "I do have an innocent side, after all."
Kyou frowned at Ayame and Yuki just shook his head in shame. How is possible that his brother can ruin a perfect moment by opening his mouth?
"Ayame," Yuki started. He stopped. This was no time to scold his whimsical older brother. "That outfit is truly fabulous. It's amazing how you can imagine something and make it real."
"Oh, Yuki-kun!!! ARIGATO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Ayame was crying buckets and hugging, actually more like strangling, his younger brother.
The hospital room filled with laughter. The sound of laughter that can lift anyone's spirits.
~~Next Day~~
The next day, Mari got visits from Momiji and Haru. Momiji came hopping through the door along with Kyou and Haru after school.
"Mari-chan!" Momiji ran up and hugged his small cousin. "You're awake, I'm so happy!" Momiji started crying happy tears. Mari smiled and giggled at Momiji.
"Oh, Mari-chan, I got you this." Momiji held up a butterfly sun catcher. "I hope you like it."
"Oh, I love it! It's so pretty. Thank you Momiji." Momiji beamed.
"Mari." Mari looked over and saw Haru smiling slightly at her.
"Oh, Haru! It's so nice to see you." Mari smiled at Haru.
"Hey, I should be the one telling you that."
Laughter
Kyou stood by the doorway, shaking his head. Ever since Mari had wakened up, everything was better. It felt as if a hundred weights had been lifted from his heart.
When he glanced around the room, he noticed that neither Shigure nor Hatori was there. As if to answer the unsaid question, they came through the door.
"Ah, Kyou-kun. I see you brought Momiji-kun and Haru-kun with you." Shigure stated. And then Shigure smiled.
"What's going on?" Kyou questioned.
"I just talked to Aya. Mari's going to be moved out the immediate care ward in a few days. She's getting stronger Kyou-kun. She's getting stronger."
"That wonderful news Shigure."
"For the most part."
"What do you mean for the 'most part'? Aren't you glad your daughter's getting better?"
"Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be? It's just that, well-"
"What Shigure is trying to say is that when Mari switches wards, he can't stay here with her and they'll be more strict with visiting hours Kyou." Hatori stepped in. "I don't know if you noticed, but all of us are staying way past the visiting hours."
"I've noticed."
"Since she's so young," Hatori continued, "they'll still let Shigure in before or after visiting hours, but the rest of you. . ." Hatori didn't have to finish his sentence. Kyou knew exactly what he was going to say. Kyou closed his eyes. That meant no more spending hours after hours with Mari.
"I understand. It's okay really." Kyou smiled sadly at Hatori and Shigure.
"Don't mention it to Mari just yet. We'll tell her when we're moving her rooms."
"Of course Shigure."
Shigure smiled and then headed over towards Mari, Momiji, and Haru.
"Look daddy at what Momiji got me." Mari held up the sun catcher towards her father.
"How nice of you Momiji. You didn't have to."
"But I wanted to Shigure. I love seeing Mari smile." Momiji smiled and a pair of rabbit ears became apparent on his head.
"Mari dear?" Mari turned around to see Mikki, her teacher, standing beside Kyou.
"Sensei Hakuu?" Mari smiled at her teacher.
"When I heard that you woke up, I had to come see for myself. Oh, Mari, it's been too long." Mikki went to take Mari's hand gently.
"Thank you for coming to see me. I'm sorrwee I misseded so much school."
"Oh, it's okay. Don't worry about it. You'll catch up quickly, I promise." Mikki smiled at Mari, before looking up at Shigure. When he smiled at her, she started blushing.
"How's everyone at school?"
"They all want you to come back. They miss you."
"Really?" You're not lying?"
"Of course not. Everyone misses you and hopes you feel better." She pulled out a huge card. In the inside were scribbles and parts of names. "They all got together and made you a card, see? Taichi got everyone together to make it."
"Arigato. Tell Taichi that I'm still really sorry and thank you for the card."
"I will." Mikki gently touched Mari's cheek. "I better get going. I'll let you get back to your family. Bye Mari. I'm glad to see you're getting better."
"Bye Sensei!" Mari smiled before showing the card to Haru, who was attempting to figure out how those scribbles were names.
As Mikki was walking down the hallway, she felt someone's hand slid upon her shoulder.
"Mikki."
She turned around to face Shigure.
"Thank you for coming to visit Mari. It really means a lot to her to know that other people outside the family care about her."
"It was nothing. You have such a wonderful little girl. Really. It was no problem."
"Mikki?" Shigure looked hard at the young teacher. Her green eyes were shinning with tears. "Mikki? What's wrong?"
"Forgive me, forgive me. I have no right to be crying. I'm so sorry."
"Mikki, what's wrong?" Shigure was holding her by her shoulders. He was starting to get worried. "Why are you crying?"
"I wish was as strong as you were Shigure. I really do." And with that, Mikki reached up to gently kiss Shigure on the cheek before breaking free of his hold and running down the hallway, with tears gliding down her face.
So Shigure stood there, watching her brown hair stream out behind Mikki. He reached up to touch the spot where she had kissed him.
Something so innocent, so simple, and so very pure had just happened to him.
And it was about to change his life.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A/N: What a cliffhanger! I can't wait to sit down and write it out! I actually know what to write this time too! Pretty amazing! I guess you kinda wanna hear the story of why this took so long huh? You get the schoolwork part right? Schoolwork is evil and is so tedious and takes forever and drives me insane, yet I do it all, all the time. go figure. And to top it off, I got really sick last weekend and still did homework and was sick all week but still went to school and did homework. Top that! I did work on this chapter in my English class bit cuz I am just cool like that. But, see, I usually spend my whole second of free time working on my comic or sneaking in manga, like Paradise Kiss-I read most of volume three in English-and such. AH! Kodocha #9 is out and I don't own it! Must dash to mall ASAP!!!!!!!!!! Okay. Anyway, Blue Monday rocks so if you haven't read it, you are so deprived that you don't even know it. So go buy it or borrow it or something. It is the craziest shit that I have ever read. I mean it. So yeah. I am just rambling. Oh yeah! I just discovered the J- Rock band Psycho le Cemu and an in love. WAAAAA!!!! I love them! Their outfits are so crazy cool and their music is so great! Curse you Amanda for showing that site!!!!!! I will buy the Daishi (singer in the group) highly sexy blazer and/or outfit or else I will strangle something!!!!!!!!!!! Oh yeah, Amanda had Mana (Malice Maizer for you deprived folks out there) blood! Mana-blood! NOT Mud-blood! Okay, you had to be there. Our Club Rush booth was crazy and we have a bunch of new freshman and well, members in general. Hey, it's me your crazy prez!!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!! See, I don't get out often. I guess I better go before I end up hurting myself. Sorry about the long wait again. I'll try to update ASAP. I mean it. D-Yai never gets any sleep. Poor D-Yai. LOL