Konnichiwa, minna-san! This chapter is a tad shorter than the others, but it's short for a reason. Read, review and enjoy!

CHAPTER 3

Spring 1996

A Little Crush

"Sohma Hatsuharu, would you please report to the principal office","

Here we go again. The same old lectures from the same old hag and her henchmen. I calmly walked to the principals office for the third time. Its been like this ever since I first came to junior high. If they got a problem with my looks, then just kick me out of here for being me!

"Sohma Hatsuharu, I presume. Welcome back to my office. I see that you haven't got rid of that white hair of yours or that inappropriate accessorizing. We don't know what to do with you."

" I am sorry, Sensei, this is my natural hair. There's nothing I could do about it." I know its hard for them to believe that, but it's only the truth. I don't want to dye my hair black...I like my hair.

"Well, there's nothing we could do anyways...even though we try suspension... I'll let you go Sohma, but please don't yell at the teachers next time. You must learn to maintain that temper of yours and please try to control your level of violation of the dress code."

"I got it, Sensei."

I left with a huge sigh. So...they expect me to be a goodie-two shoes? I'll give them goodies alright! They just encouraged me to go the other way.

After school, I saw her waiting for me by the school gates. She gets out of school earlier than I do. She has gotten taller every time we meet. Now, she a inch taller than me.

"How was junior high, Haru?" She was leaning against the gates, wearing her usual, interesting attire. You could tell we share similar styles. I was influenced by her as she was with me.

"They don't like my looks or my attitude. It looks like I'll have to get my ears pierced." I told her my little surprise for the old hag and her minions.

She smiled and laughed, "Eh? Are you serious... That's a strange way of looking at it."

I really liked seeing her smile. She doesn't realized how pretty she was when she smiled. There is this tender light that surrounds her with her smiling...

"Have you eaten yet? I want to go get something..."

"Then, let's get something."

"Alright!" she kept on smiling and talking...must have been a good day for her.

We went to a local eatery and ordered dinner. She was bothered eating with Kagura-neechan's family...she also hates to eat in front of others...except me. During dinner, we talked about random things...music, school, how many piercing I will have on my ears ...normal teenager talk.

Afterwards, we went over to my house to hang out for awhile. My room wasn't always neat, but it not like she cared.

"Don't you have homework to do, Haru?" I wished she didn't point that out. I was going to do it later.

"Yeah, but its not much. You could find something to do here while I finish it. Then, we could go back out." I started to take out my textbook from my bookshelf.

"Sounds good to me." She was behind me, staring at my bookshelf. I went to my desk and pulled a few sheets of paper from my desk drawer and turned to page seventy-five in my English textbook. While I was working, she found a manga from my collection and started reading it. It was an hour of pure silence. During that time, I stole a few glances of her, reading. My mind was not on homework, but on her. Since when she become so beautiful? Long dark hair, soft snow white skin, lips in the shade of cherry red and her body...how did I miss that? It was no surprise that she was very attractive. Even when we're young, I thought she was pretty...but, my god...how did I miss that?

"Eh? Haru? What is it?" I was snapped back to reality. Was I that obvious?

"Betsuni, Rin...just thinking..."

"About what?" Darn, curiosity has gotten the best of her. I couldn't say that I was staring at her, she'll think I am some kind of perverted kid.

"I'll tell you later."

"No, no, Haru...tell me now..."

If I said something, it would be seemly wrong. What could I say? Think. Think...

"Do you have a boyfriend?"

Damn, where did that come from? It's been on my mind ever since she started junior high. Well, her being a juunnishi, it's not possible...but not impossible...

"No. Why do you want to know?"

" I was just curious, that's all. With you almost becoming a high school student. Just curiosity a younger person has for his older counterpart."

She just smiled and laughed. "Heh, heh. You're a strange one, Haru."

"I know."

I was relieved to know that she hasn't have a boyfriend yet...wait...why was I relieved? Heh. Well, what do you know...I have my first crush on a girl. First crush. No. She was not my first crush. Yuki was. First crush on a girl. Yes. However, I always liked her. Ever since we became friends, I became more closer...more connected with her than any other girl. She was my best friend.

After I finished my homework, we go on our usual walks around the Sohma compound. We saw Kagura-neechan on her way out of her house.

"Hey Haru-chan. Isuzu," she greeted. "What are two up to?"

"Just walking," I answered. "And you?"

"Kyo-kun is at the dojo now! I am just going to drop by and visit him!" she enthused in her usual hyper-cheery intonation for the cat.

"Alright. Have fun." I don't know how to react to her. I have to admit that Kyo is lucky to have a another cursed member to love him...or he'd be distressed without a female companion...not that he could love a normal girl...but to hold...

"Okay! Ja ne!" She waved to us and exited the compound with her skips of bliss.

"I don't know who to feel sorry for...That cat getting pounded with her form of physical love or she not noticing that he doesn't feel the same way." She had her arms crossed and seriously stared in the direction Kagura-neechan left.

"How do you know if he doesn't?" I cluelessly asked. Damn, I was so oblivious. It should be observable. Kyo was always running and sulking whenever his dangerous femme-fatale is lurking about. He never enjoyed her company. How dumb I could be? Oh yeah, I was just a manga-reading, game-playing, thirteen-year old with no perception on romance...yet.

"Don't you see? It's too painful for her to see."

"Huh?"

"You don't get do you? Never mind. You'll understand when you're older." She contined walking looking somewhat annoyed.

I don't know what to say afterwards. So, I said nothing and continue to walk with her. I was so stupid. Out of all the things I appeared to be, stupid was the last thing I wanted to be. I was like a child who just don't get it. Maybe I didn't understand and she was there to help me understand. Thanks, sweet girl.

We walked back to my house and said our goodbyes. She said that she's going to Shihan's house to do her studies for awhile, then go back home. She's been going there a lot lately. I guess she has developed a trust with Shihan and felt more comfortable and secure, despite Kyo's sulkings.

That night I sat in my room think about the events today. My attraction to her. Her insight of how she sees somebody else's relationship. Does it reflect how a relationship with her might be like? I could only imagine.

AN: Aww...he could only imagine...for now. That line that Rin told Haru: "...It's painful to see." was the same line she told to Kagura years later in the manga. I got the impression that Rin pities Kagura for being so blind and never consider the cat's feelings...not that she cared...just an observation.