Chapter Eleven: Deepening Words
"Great set tonight Hatsuharu" several of the students came up after the dance.
"Yes it was fabulous" Kakeru added with his date next to him, "Don't worry about all the equipment. We'll take care of it," he said as he walked off.
"Okay" Haru nodded.
Tohru came strolling over after having said goodbye to Hana and Uo. They were both confused at the disappearance of Kyo but decided not to press the issue.
"Hey just the girl I was waiting for" Haru grinned, "Good job tonight. I was real proud of you. I'm sure your mom was too."
"Oh thanks" she blushed, "By the way have you seen Yuki anywhere?"
"Yuki? Uh I think he took his date home. But it's okay you and Kyo can go. You don't have to wait for me."
"Actually Kyo went home already. About an hour ago."
"Huh?"
"He said he wasn't feeling well so" she looked down.
Haru looked at her expression then broke into a smile.
"Hey that's all the better for me."
"Hmm?"
"I can take you out for ice cream and we can end our duo the right way" he finished.
"Okay" she nodded as he took her arm and they walked out the door.
*********************************************************
Yuki walked with Machi quietly that night. When they arrived at her front door she turned to him.
"Well I had a good time Mr. President. Except that moment when the blackout happened. I was worried about you."
"Oh that" Yuki scratched the back of his head nervously, "Well I don't really like the dark. And I was kind of crowded and I am kind of claustrophobic."
"Oh so that's what it was?"
"Yea" he smiled, "Good save Yuki," he told himself.
"Still you are a very mysterious person Yuki Sohma."
"Likewise Miss Kuragi."
She pulled her house key out of her pocket and put it in the door.
"Good night Mr. President" she replied.
"Uh Miss Kuragi" he called out when she had opened the door.
She looked at him.
"It seems kind of silly you calling me Mr. President, when we have gotten to know each other better. And besides everyone else in the cabinet calls each other by their first name, with the exception of your brother" he cleared his throat, "So if you want that is you can call me Yuki."
"If that's the case, Yuki. Then you have to call me by my first name" she said.
"Huh?"
"You don't have a problem with that do you?"
"No" he shook his head.
"Okay then. Goodnight. I will see you Monday Yuki."
"Goodnight Miss, uh I mean Machi."
She smiled then walked inside and closed the door. Yuki turned around and shook his head. He smiled a bit as he strolled home.
"Machi?" he thought, "I can't even call Miss Honda by her first name" he sighed, "How am I ever going to do this?"
*********************************************************
When Yuki arrived home he found Shigure and Ayame laughing at the table drinking some sake.
"Oh Yuki you're home" Shigure said.
"Oh good" Ayame grinned, "Now you can tell us all about the dance."
"I thought Miss Honda would tell you that. Didn't Kyo and her come home already?"
"Actually" Shigure frowned a bit, "Kyo came home an hour ago. Alone. I assumed something happened at the dance. He's been on the roof ever since."
"He what?" Yuki replied starting to get angry.
"Yes he's on the roof," Ayame repeated.
Yuki untied his tie and ran for the ladder.
"Uh Yuki!" Ayame called out confused.
"No. Let him go Aya" Shigure replied shaking his head, "You don't want to go near him when he is like this."
**********************************************************
On the roof, Kyo was now in his comfortable clothes staring at the moon. He sighed a bit, and then heard the stomping on the ladder.
"Hey!"
Kyo looked over and saw a fuming Yuki staring back at him.
"What the hell are you doing up here?" Kyo said angrily.
"I could ask you the same question" Yuki replied hopping up, "How could you Kyo? That was low, even for you."
"What are you talking about?"
"Oh you're making me even more angry" Yuki seethed walking over to him, "You know damn well what you did!" he shouted as he slapped Kyo hard.
"Ow! Damn it! What did you do that for?"
"That was for abandoning Miss Honda. How could you Kyo? It's not gentlemanly to abandon your date!"
"It wasn't a date! It was a dance! And why do you care anyway? I don't have to take this!" Kyo jumped off the roof.
"Oh no you're not going to get away with this that easily!" Yuki shouted jumping after him, "Come back here!"
At that moment Tohru and Hatsuharu had arrived at the front door when they heard the commotion.
"What's that?" Tohru pondered.
"Um" Haru frowned, "Tohru why don't you go inside. I'm sure that Ayame and Shigure are dying to know what happened tonight. I'll go find out what that is."
"Okay" she nodded concerned, "Be careful."
"I will" he replied as he took off running.
*********************************************************
"Get back here you stupid cat!" Yuki screamed as he ran after him.
"Leave me alone damn you!" Kyo replied behind his shoulder.
"Oh no I won't!" Yuki leapt for his legs pulling him down in the process, "I won't let you run away before you answer for what you have done!"
"Get the hell off of me! Or do you want to fight me!" Kyo shouted as he tried to remove Yuki's grip.
"I'm not letting go."
Uhh!!" Kyo kicked out his legs enough that Yuki had no choice but to release him.
But before he could run again Yuki jumped up and punched Kyo hard in the face. Kyo fell to his knees.
"You are not going anywhere" Yuki replied dangerously holding up his fist, "Not till you pay that is. I cannot allow you to hurt her this way. In fact I won't allow you."
"It's none of your damn business anyway," Kyo grunted as he stood back up, "It's my problem."
"It's your problem all right. Because I know the real reason you took off tonight."
Kyo looked at him stunned.
"You couldn't take it. You couldn't be a man and just take it. You can't admit, THAT YOUR'E IN LOVE WITH HER!"
"AND WHAT ABOUT YOU! YOU'RE IN LOVE WITH HER TOO!"
"WERE NOT TALKING ABOUT ME RIGHT NOW! STUPID CAT!"
"WELL THEN MAYBE WE SHOULD YOU DAMN RAT!"
Suddenly some chuckling could be heard from the far right. Yuki and Kyo looked over and noticed Hatsuharu leaning against a tree with his arms crossed.
"You two never cease to amaze me" he replied, "I mean it. You're darn hilarious."
"Get out of here Haru. This has nothing to do with you" Yuki said.
"Yea! Butt out!" Kyo added.
"Oh but it does have something to do with me. I'm the one that caused it. It was because of that song tonight wasn't it? That's why you two are acting this way. I was only trying to, oh well what difference does it make what I was trying to do."
"I don't have to listen to this" Kyo replied turning back around.
"Don't you dare try to take off again!" Yuki yelled.
"Why don't you try and stop me!" Kyo shouted back.
"SHUT UP THE BOTH OF YOU!" Haru screamed.
The two of them looked at their cousin completely surprised.
"Are you listening to yourselves? You sound pathetic."
"How dare you" Kyo started to say.
"Shut up Kyo! I'm the one talking now!"
"Haru" Yuki held up his hand.
"You too Yuki."
"But. You need to calm down."
"No" Haru replied, "You need to sit down" he pushed Yuki back onto a log, "And shut up so I can talk."
"I'm out of here," Kyo said.
Haru rushed over and stood in his path.
"Kyo if you even think about leaving I'll beat the crap out of you" he pushed Kyo back into the clearing, "Now both of you are going to listen."
Hatsuharu went back to his tree and crossed his arms once more.
"I know you think this is none of my business. But I'm making it my business. Because I care about her too. You both are stupid about this right now. You guys. I hate watching this. And I have been watching it for months" he sighed, "You're wasting valuable time and that's not good. Neither one of you has a lot of time left and you're wasting it. As far as I'm concerned neither one of you deserve her, no one does. She's just too perfect. However I will be damned if either one of you let that girl walk out of our lives forever. She brought the light back into this family. She brought hope. And I don't want to lose it again. And I know that Momiji and the others don't want to either. She belongs in the Sohma Family. But ultimately we can't be the ones to ask her to stay. That decision lies between the two of you. Anyone with eyes can see it. You care about that girl. You're both so head over heels in love with her that it's obvious. I know the feelings better then anyone. I know what you're going through. I know what you're afraid of. But guys" he looked at them straight in the eye, "Isn't she worth the risk?"
They looked back at him somberly.
"I think she is? I think love is worth the risk. That no obstacle is too big to overcome. Even if it is Akito. Hell with Akito. Guys he's not God!"
Uhh" Yuki looked up.
"He's not. Maybe in the Zodiac dynamic he is. But you said it before Yuki. We're people. Not animals. Every person on this planet has the right to be with someone that they care about deeply. Man was meant to be with someone. That's why woman was made. So he could have a partner. That goes true for us too. Even if we are different. It doesn't matter that you're a cat," he pointed to Kyo, "And you're a rat" he pointed to Yuki, "Or even if I am a cow. We still have that right. And if you're gonna let a person, notice I said person like Akito to get in the way. Then you're lost. You have lost. I'm not trying to tell you what to do. But I can't watch it anymore. You guys don't fight over the fact that you're cat and rat anymore. Now you're fighting over her. I think that if you care about someone that much, you should tell them. Now I have said my piece" he pulled away from the tree, "One more thing. Time is a very precious commodity. But for you guys, time is almost up. Don't waste it. Because in the end it's you who will be sorry and you'll hate yourselves for it" he turned around and walked out of the clearing leaving the other two watch him speechless.
The wind blew across Yuki's hair as he turned to Kyo.
"You know he's right. But still it doesn't change the way I feel" he trudged off back to the house.
Kyo watched him leave with a frown on his face.
"Damn rat. What does he know?" he leaned against another tree and pondered Haru's words.
*********************************************************
As Yuki arrived back at the house he saw Hatsuharu leave from the front door. He walked in himself and saw Tohru, the center of attention of Shigure and Ayame as she told them about the dance.
"It was a little at first, but I managed to do it" she grinned then looked up, "Oh hi Yuki" she smiled at him.
"Hello Miss Honda" he smiled back.
"Tohru has just been telling us all about the wonderful dance. And her beautiful song" Ayame replied.
"Yes" Yuki nodded, "It was a beautiful song" he sat down and listened while Tohru continued to tell the story.
**********************************************************
Authors Note: Hey Everyone! One more chapter to go!
Next Chapter: Sitting on the Roof
Kyo apologizes to Tohru
"Great set tonight Hatsuharu" several of the students came up after the dance.
"Yes it was fabulous" Kakeru added with his date next to him, "Don't worry about all the equipment. We'll take care of it," he said as he walked off.
"Okay" Haru nodded.
Tohru came strolling over after having said goodbye to Hana and Uo. They were both confused at the disappearance of Kyo but decided not to press the issue.
"Hey just the girl I was waiting for" Haru grinned, "Good job tonight. I was real proud of you. I'm sure your mom was too."
"Oh thanks" she blushed, "By the way have you seen Yuki anywhere?"
"Yuki? Uh I think he took his date home. But it's okay you and Kyo can go. You don't have to wait for me."
"Actually Kyo went home already. About an hour ago."
"Huh?"
"He said he wasn't feeling well so" she looked down.
Haru looked at her expression then broke into a smile.
"Hey that's all the better for me."
"Hmm?"
"I can take you out for ice cream and we can end our duo the right way" he finished.
"Okay" she nodded as he took her arm and they walked out the door.
*********************************************************
Yuki walked with Machi quietly that night. When they arrived at her front door she turned to him.
"Well I had a good time Mr. President. Except that moment when the blackout happened. I was worried about you."
"Oh that" Yuki scratched the back of his head nervously, "Well I don't really like the dark. And I was kind of crowded and I am kind of claustrophobic."
"Oh so that's what it was?"
"Yea" he smiled, "Good save Yuki," he told himself.
"Still you are a very mysterious person Yuki Sohma."
"Likewise Miss Kuragi."
She pulled her house key out of her pocket and put it in the door.
"Good night Mr. President" she replied.
"Uh Miss Kuragi" he called out when she had opened the door.
She looked at him.
"It seems kind of silly you calling me Mr. President, when we have gotten to know each other better. And besides everyone else in the cabinet calls each other by their first name, with the exception of your brother" he cleared his throat, "So if you want that is you can call me Yuki."
"If that's the case, Yuki. Then you have to call me by my first name" she said.
"Huh?"
"You don't have a problem with that do you?"
"No" he shook his head.
"Okay then. Goodnight. I will see you Monday Yuki."
"Goodnight Miss, uh I mean Machi."
She smiled then walked inside and closed the door. Yuki turned around and shook his head. He smiled a bit as he strolled home.
"Machi?" he thought, "I can't even call Miss Honda by her first name" he sighed, "How am I ever going to do this?"
*********************************************************
When Yuki arrived home he found Shigure and Ayame laughing at the table drinking some sake.
"Oh Yuki you're home" Shigure said.
"Oh good" Ayame grinned, "Now you can tell us all about the dance."
"I thought Miss Honda would tell you that. Didn't Kyo and her come home already?"
"Actually" Shigure frowned a bit, "Kyo came home an hour ago. Alone. I assumed something happened at the dance. He's been on the roof ever since."
"He what?" Yuki replied starting to get angry.
"Yes he's on the roof," Ayame repeated.
Yuki untied his tie and ran for the ladder.
"Uh Yuki!" Ayame called out confused.
"No. Let him go Aya" Shigure replied shaking his head, "You don't want to go near him when he is like this."
**********************************************************
On the roof, Kyo was now in his comfortable clothes staring at the moon. He sighed a bit, and then heard the stomping on the ladder.
"Hey!"
Kyo looked over and saw a fuming Yuki staring back at him.
"What the hell are you doing up here?" Kyo said angrily.
"I could ask you the same question" Yuki replied hopping up, "How could you Kyo? That was low, even for you."
"What are you talking about?"
"Oh you're making me even more angry" Yuki seethed walking over to him, "You know damn well what you did!" he shouted as he slapped Kyo hard.
"Ow! Damn it! What did you do that for?"
"That was for abandoning Miss Honda. How could you Kyo? It's not gentlemanly to abandon your date!"
"It wasn't a date! It was a dance! And why do you care anyway? I don't have to take this!" Kyo jumped off the roof.
"Oh no you're not going to get away with this that easily!" Yuki shouted jumping after him, "Come back here!"
At that moment Tohru and Hatsuharu had arrived at the front door when they heard the commotion.
"What's that?" Tohru pondered.
"Um" Haru frowned, "Tohru why don't you go inside. I'm sure that Ayame and Shigure are dying to know what happened tonight. I'll go find out what that is."
"Okay" she nodded concerned, "Be careful."
"I will" he replied as he took off running.
*********************************************************
"Get back here you stupid cat!" Yuki screamed as he ran after him.
"Leave me alone damn you!" Kyo replied behind his shoulder.
"Oh no I won't!" Yuki leapt for his legs pulling him down in the process, "I won't let you run away before you answer for what you have done!"
"Get the hell off of me! Or do you want to fight me!" Kyo shouted as he tried to remove Yuki's grip.
"I'm not letting go."
Uhh!!" Kyo kicked out his legs enough that Yuki had no choice but to release him.
But before he could run again Yuki jumped up and punched Kyo hard in the face. Kyo fell to his knees.
"You are not going anywhere" Yuki replied dangerously holding up his fist, "Not till you pay that is. I cannot allow you to hurt her this way. In fact I won't allow you."
"It's none of your damn business anyway," Kyo grunted as he stood back up, "It's my problem."
"It's your problem all right. Because I know the real reason you took off tonight."
Kyo looked at him stunned.
"You couldn't take it. You couldn't be a man and just take it. You can't admit, THAT YOUR'E IN LOVE WITH HER!"
"AND WHAT ABOUT YOU! YOU'RE IN LOVE WITH HER TOO!"
"WERE NOT TALKING ABOUT ME RIGHT NOW! STUPID CAT!"
"WELL THEN MAYBE WE SHOULD YOU DAMN RAT!"
Suddenly some chuckling could be heard from the far right. Yuki and Kyo looked over and noticed Hatsuharu leaning against a tree with his arms crossed.
"You two never cease to amaze me" he replied, "I mean it. You're darn hilarious."
"Get out of here Haru. This has nothing to do with you" Yuki said.
"Yea! Butt out!" Kyo added.
"Oh but it does have something to do with me. I'm the one that caused it. It was because of that song tonight wasn't it? That's why you two are acting this way. I was only trying to, oh well what difference does it make what I was trying to do."
"I don't have to listen to this" Kyo replied turning back around.
"Don't you dare try to take off again!" Yuki yelled.
"Why don't you try and stop me!" Kyo shouted back.
"SHUT UP THE BOTH OF YOU!" Haru screamed.
The two of them looked at their cousin completely surprised.
"Are you listening to yourselves? You sound pathetic."
"How dare you" Kyo started to say.
"Shut up Kyo! I'm the one talking now!"
"Haru" Yuki held up his hand.
"You too Yuki."
"But. You need to calm down."
"No" Haru replied, "You need to sit down" he pushed Yuki back onto a log, "And shut up so I can talk."
"I'm out of here," Kyo said.
Haru rushed over and stood in his path.
"Kyo if you even think about leaving I'll beat the crap out of you" he pushed Kyo back into the clearing, "Now both of you are going to listen."
Hatsuharu went back to his tree and crossed his arms once more.
"I know you think this is none of my business. But I'm making it my business. Because I care about her too. You both are stupid about this right now. You guys. I hate watching this. And I have been watching it for months" he sighed, "You're wasting valuable time and that's not good. Neither one of you has a lot of time left and you're wasting it. As far as I'm concerned neither one of you deserve her, no one does. She's just too perfect. However I will be damned if either one of you let that girl walk out of our lives forever. She brought the light back into this family. She brought hope. And I don't want to lose it again. And I know that Momiji and the others don't want to either. She belongs in the Sohma Family. But ultimately we can't be the ones to ask her to stay. That decision lies between the two of you. Anyone with eyes can see it. You care about that girl. You're both so head over heels in love with her that it's obvious. I know the feelings better then anyone. I know what you're going through. I know what you're afraid of. But guys" he looked at them straight in the eye, "Isn't she worth the risk?"
They looked back at him somberly.
"I think she is? I think love is worth the risk. That no obstacle is too big to overcome. Even if it is Akito. Hell with Akito. Guys he's not God!"
Uhh" Yuki looked up.
"He's not. Maybe in the Zodiac dynamic he is. But you said it before Yuki. We're people. Not animals. Every person on this planet has the right to be with someone that they care about deeply. Man was meant to be with someone. That's why woman was made. So he could have a partner. That goes true for us too. Even if we are different. It doesn't matter that you're a cat," he pointed to Kyo, "And you're a rat" he pointed to Yuki, "Or even if I am a cow. We still have that right. And if you're gonna let a person, notice I said person like Akito to get in the way. Then you're lost. You have lost. I'm not trying to tell you what to do. But I can't watch it anymore. You guys don't fight over the fact that you're cat and rat anymore. Now you're fighting over her. I think that if you care about someone that much, you should tell them. Now I have said my piece" he pulled away from the tree, "One more thing. Time is a very precious commodity. But for you guys, time is almost up. Don't waste it. Because in the end it's you who will be sorry and you'll hate yourselves for it" he turned around and walked out of the clearing leaving the other two watch him speechless.
The wind blew across Yuki's hair as he turned to Kyo.
"You know he's right. But still it doesn't change the way I feel" he trudged off back to the house.
Kyo watched him leave with a frown on his face.
"Damn rat. What does he know?" he leaned against another tree and pondered Haru's words.
*********************************************************
As Yuki arrived back at the house he saw Hatsuharu leave from the front door. He walked in himself and saw Tohru, the center of attention of Shigure and Ayame as she told them about the dance.
"It was a little at first, but I managed to do it" she grinned then looked up, "Oh hi Yuki" she smiled at him.
"Hello Miss Honda" he smiled back.
"Tohru has just been telling us all about the wonderful dance. And her beautiful song" Ayame replied.
"Yes" Yuki nodded, "It was a beautiful song" he sat down and listened while Tohru continued to tell the story.
**********************************************************
Authors Note: Hey Everyone! One more chapter to go!
Next Chapter: Sitting on the Roof
Kyo apologizes to Tohru