Authors note

I've forgotten how much fun it is to write fanfiction. I mean, when I wrote this chapter, I was just experimenting with fanfiction, and I really love furuba. So I chose that one to start with. Sorry about not updating sooner! My computer was replaced, and the second chapter was on it. I'm retarded... I forgot to make a back up on a disk. But I do remember what the second chapter was going to be about. Evil laughter Yes, I cackle evilly on occasion. It's been a while since the last update, as you may have noticed, so if you are a die hard Furuba fan, please excuse any indiscretions. I've done my best to re-research everyone. On to the story, peeps!

Chapter 2 : Living Dreams

It was so lonely here. It was so dark.. what time was it? Why did he lock him in this place? The little grey haired boy sighed, looking at a lone ray of sunlight that penetrated the suffocating blackness of the tiny closet space.

He could hear birds singing outside, and the wind blowing gently through the trees. All the trimmings of a beautiful spring day, yet he could not run and play in it as most little boys were want to do. He was trapped in this little space, nearly strangled in darkness, his only friend the bright bar of sun streaming down next to him. The boy curled himself up, bringing his hands to his knees and looked away from his cheery colleague, grey eyes brooding, almost lonely. If he closed them he could almost imagine a soft song floating to him through the window.

I wished on a star... I dreamed on the wind..

I looked to the sky, my dear I looked to the sky...

and I know that I am dreaming of days gone by,

days filled with laughter and vivid memories,

memories I wish I could live again..

The flowers sway gently in the soft summer breeze...

as I lay in the grass, quiet as can be..

dreaming of a time long ago...

when you were with me..

I wish on the star.. I dreamed on the wind..

The song died, and the little boy blinked, looking around. It was almost as if the voice had gotten closer as he listened. Was it just his imagination? He thought he heard scuffling, the treading of shod feet. He heard this noise for a while, as well as the sounds of doors opening, things being moved and felt. Was there a thief in the house? What if the theif found him?

Would he be killed? Maybe it was just Akito, trying to scare him again.. The little boy grabbed the sides of his kimon in anxiety, not knowing who it was exactly that was outside. The footsteps got closer...they had stopped. Had they found his closet space? With the grating noise of old wood, the door was opened..the boy looked up, and was nearly blinded by the sudden light that filled the room. He blinked his soft violet eyes, trying to focus. She was small, about his height, with pal.e, olive tinted skin, rosied by the sun. Her hair was shoulder length, tied in a pair of pig tails,

with white ribbons, jet black, with red highlights, that became more prounced as she stepped into the room, into his ray of sunlight. She wore a white and pink striped pinafore, and carried a basket of brightly colored flowers. Filled to the brim, every time she moved, petals seemed to fall, making a path to her. This mysterious person extended a one of these colorful blossoms to him, and smiled. " What are you doing in here? It's so nice outside.. the flowers are blooming, see? Come and play with me." The boy stared at her in shocked disbelief. Was she serious? He could come out? And play?

Yuki 's eyes popped open, purple orbs that looked around in confusion. Had that all been a dream? It felt as if he had lived it before...he could almost smell the fragrance of the flower the little girl held towards him. The boy sat up, shaking his head. It was still dark out. He'd woken up unnecessarily.. now all he could hear was the sound of Shigure's typing.. had the writer stayed up late as well? It didn't matter.. he laid back, placing a hand over his forhead. This was all because of that girl he saw yesterday.. where did he know her from? Perhaps he had blocked her from memory.. a name floated to him in the darkness. "Kaoru.." He murmured. His mouth slowly settled in a firm line. Now he remembered. That girl.. she remained hidden in the Honke for so long, He had begun to wonder if Akito hadn't just killed her and buried her under the floor boards. What happened between them.. did she remember? Did she even care? The boy rubbed his forhead. These were too many questions, and he needed to sleep. He had to leave early tomorrowfor a student council meeting, and here he was, in the middle of the night, pondering the meaning of a dream and a girl... he stiffened, recalling Tohru's reaction to Shigure's comment. What had that meant? It was only a breif second, but he had caught it.. that a glimmer of pain in kind-hearted Tohru's big brown eyes. He closed his own violet ones in frustration, angered. The concept only brough about more questions, more questions to wich he had no answers. Why couldn't life be more like math, with one simple answer to every problem?

An orange whirlwind stormed through the house of Souma Shigure as the cat, who had over slept, struggled to get to school on time. The amber eyed man in the kimono calmly flipped the page of his newspaper, unaware of the complete chaos going on around him. Kyo stopped, searching furiously for his school jacket. "Where the Hell is my JACKET!!"Kyo exploded, utterly frustrated. The dog, seemingly unruffled, mentioned calmly," Ne... Kyo-kun, Have you tried the coat rack?" "Don't call me that." Kyo grumbled, grudgingly checking the spot. Lo and behold, the coat was there. The orange haired boy grabbed his things and ran out the door, slamming it loudly behind him. Shigure put down his paper and pouted a little at the door, his rich voice filling the empty room. "A simple Arigato would have been nice.." Shigure sighed, cradling his chin with his hand."It's too bad Yuki and Tohru like to leave for school early... they miss out on half the fun!" He chuckled to himself.



Kaoru sighed, laying down the soft bristled brush, studying her reflection in the mirror. Her hair was actually very straight, when it was combed and brushed correctly. Unfortunately, it became curled and tangled when it had been neglected. The girl normally had a horrible bedhead. She pulled her straight tresses out of her eyes with a white headband. Today she had gotten up with enough time to get ready for school before seeing Akito. She resolved to keep up the habit, as it was more convenient for her. Besides, it might even earn her some brownie points with her abusive fiance, as if she had actually made an effort on her apearance. She grabbed her school bag, walking down the hall to Akito's large meeting room. He'd be there, waiting for her as usual.

Indeed, her fiance was , sprawled next to the part of the honke that looked out upon the outside world. If she didn't know better, she would have thought of him as rather handsome in that moment, in his white kimono, with his elbow on his knee, an indiffrent, aloof look on his face. She kneeled, in the sitting style that was so distinctly japanese, awaiting his attention.The girl's eyes widened slightly, as she saw a hand reach towards him, gently reminding him to keep taking his required dosage of medicine. Hatori stepped into the light, his cold, blue eyed gaze falling upon her. Kaoru looked down at the tatami mats, unspeaking. Akito seemed to notice this, as well as her presence. His silky voice whispered through her ears like a soft caress, causing the hairs on the back of her neck to stand up. "Ah, you've come.. and punctual as well. I wasn't feeling like myself today, my dear, and so I summoned Hatori." Kaoru blinked. He may have done it because he knew of her estranged relationship with her uncle. It was a new way to torment them both, wasn't it? Either way, it didn't matter, she knew how to handle him.

Kaoru looked up at Akito, forcing her self to smile sweetly. "And are you allright, Aki-san?" Akito smiled, leaning forward a little, as if sensing her game. His ability to sense facades was uncanny, not to mention the fact that he loved to play games.. mind games that she was forced to play over and over again. "Come here, my dear, let me look at you. Has Hatori cared for your cuts?" He extended a hand towards her, inviting her own. Her bandages, were still present, although the would have to be changed in the afternoon.The girl stood, and stepped forward, placing her hand in his. Akito waved his free hand, keeping his intense gaze on Kaoru." You may go, Hatori." The doctor had stiffened considerebly, having noticed the hungry look in the sick boy's eyes as he looked upon his neice. Did Kaoru really have to put with this every day? He started walking, for fear Akito might become angry. What could he do? He couldn't very well stand against the head of the household could he? It was because of Akito that he had lost someone dearly close to him.. he wasn't about to let the same fate befall his neice, whom he cared for deeply. The doctor left, still having uncertain thoughts about leaving his neice alone with the sociopath.

Akito pulled her, gently, into a kneeling position, so that they her eye to eye. He ran her hand through her newly brushed hair, that same smile on his face. The young man's voice was still silky as he spoke, causing goosebumps to rise on her olive tinged skin."You look so pretty, Kao-chan. Do you always look this nice when you go to school?" Kaoru kept her cheerful smile, and replied," Only when I get up early enough." She followed it with a soft chuckle. She was suprised when Akito joined her, but not so shocked when he pulled her forward by the strands of her hair. The pain in her scalp was immense, but she ignored it, for Akito's face was mere inches from hers, and she wasn't about to show him her pain. He smiled again." You should look this nice more often. Think of your fiancee once in a while, hmm? Perhaps wear my favorite kimono next time you see me?" Kaoru struggled to keep her voice cheerful, but the fire was already glowing in her eyes." Hai, of course Aki-san. I'll remember." Akito smiled, and leaned up to kiss her forhead gently. "Kao-chan.. one of these days I will find a way to make you cry." the pain stopped. He had let go. The girl resumed her seat, smoothing her hair a little. "Go now, dearest. I don't want you to be late." He reached out to stroke her cheek. she placed her hand over it, as a feeble means of keeping herself from being hit. "Aki-san.. the teacher asked me to stay after school again today. I will be late to meet you." Her voice was still cheerful, as if to perturb the older boy. He only grinned, sensing her game." Arigato gozamaisu for telling me now, instead of upsetting me later." Akito stood, bringing her with him." Now go." His voice was calm, serene, almost playfully chiding. His smile could almost be considered sincere, where not Kaoru such a suspicious person. But she obeyed, heading off for school, although she still had goosebumps from her all to kindly meeting with him.

Yuki walked down the hall from his early meeting, yawning. They had discussed possible plans for a social, but they had yet to come to fruition. As he was pondering these and other such topics, he passed by one of the Algebra teachers rooms. The door was open, for early tutoring. And sitting inside, speaking with the teacher, was Tohru, with an overwhelmed look on her face. The boy couldn't help but stop, listening to fragments of their conversation."So you see, Honda, that it's a win win situation. You help this student with math, and in return, the school will give you a little financial compensation. The brown haired girl blinked, and smiled, in that confused way of hers." But I am not very good at math, Ima-san.." She offered feebly.

The teacher shook his head." You have an understanding of the material, Honda. You are doing well enough in this class that I would offer you the opportunity. " Tohru swallowed. How could she explain that she was doing so well in the class because she was being tutored herself? As if on cue, a voice filled the soft, daylit room." If Honda -san doesn't think she can do it alone, I'll could help her. That is, if Honda-san doesn't mind." The girl turned around, seeing Yuki in the doorway, her savior. "Ano.. I don't mind at all.." she mumbled after a shocked silence. The teacher blinked in suprise." I suppose.. I could allow that..." the boy waved his hand, seeing the worried look in the teachers gaze." I do not need to be financially compensated. I'm happy to help for free." The teacher stood, and dismissed them both." The student your tutoring will be waiting in this classroom after school . I'll expect you there, Honda-san, Yuki-san." Both classmates nodded, leaving the room under the teachers gaze.

Yuki glanced at Tohru out of the corner of his eye. Was it him, or was the brown haired girl blushing? He blinked, forcing his gaze forward once more. The last thing he needed was more questions. As if on cue, the young man yawned, reminding him that he had not had the proper amount of sleep. Tohru's voice reached his ears." Souma-kun, are you tired? Did you not sleep well?" Yuki smiled at her reassuringly." I'm fine, Honda-san."

The girl bit her lip and looked away, tucking a strand of brown hair behind her ear. "Souma -kun.." she murmured, as if about to say something more. At yuki's questioning look, she responded," I am supposed to meet Uo-chan and Hana-chan at the front gate. I'll see you in class." Yuki blinked." Hai." After she had left, the mouse continued on his way, heading up to the roof of the school. He had the strangest feeling he was being watched about halfway there, and kept looking over his shoulder. He saw no one, and after a while, he felt no one either. He decided to ignore it and continue on his way, heading for the roof, climbing up the steps casually. It was a place bathed in the morning sunlight, it's edges fenced. A place where a lot of kids come to smoke, but farely private early in the morning. It also had a great view of the front court yard, where students mingled together freely. Yuki took a seat and watched the other school children below. If he didn't know better, he'd think that orange headed boy racing through the gates was Kyo. Had he overslept? "Baka Neko.." He muttered. The boy stiffened, suddenly, feeling the pressure of eyes upon him. He turned, finding no one. Yuki was annoyed now, and snapped," Show yourself!" To his suprise, a girl stepped out from behind an air conditioner. She sported straight black hair, held back with a white head band, wearing a school uniform. She blinked at his shocked expression, and then put a hesitant smile on her face, as if afraid to aproach him. "Is that how your greet old friends?" Yuki blinked, and stated matter of factly,"You were following me." The girl seemed to blush, embarrassed."Well, I wanted to talk to you, but.. I had to work up the courage." The boy folded his arms in impatience."Who are you, anyways?" The girl blinked, and linked her hands behind her. "You mean you don't remember?" Yuki raised an eye brow. The girl murmured softly," It's me, Yuki... Kaoru." Yuki blinked, frozen, her name echoing in his mind.

End of Chapter