Konnichiwa, minna-san! Here's chapter four! I got ten reviews! (twelve after revision) Thank you all who reviewed! I'll give my dedication to you at the end of this fic! For those of you who already read this chapter, the only correction I made is the year. The year of the ox is not 1998 but, 1997 and I wrote Haru as a thirteen year old, and Rin as a fifteen year old. So, I just made the correction from Winter 1998 to Winter 1996- 1997 (which is the new year).

CHAPTER 4

Winter 1996 - 1997 (New Years)

I want to be worthy...

"What?"

"I am going to see him."

"Again?"

It was another cold winter, thought it was not snowing. We saw each other after school, like we always did. I told her what I am going to do tomorrow. There was something else on my mind besides her. Yes. Him. New years was only a month away. I was going to wait to see him till then, but I heard through the grapevine that he was not talking. So, I had to see him. The last time I saw him was before I started school in the fall, after summer break. He was always quiet, with subtle tranquility with hidden pain. Despite his quietness, he was never mute. Every time I go, she went with me. She never liked going because we are so near the feared Sohma head. However, that will not stop me from going.

"I will not let you go alone, Haru."

"You don't like going there. Why bother?"

"Because I don't want you go alone."

"Alright, your call."

She glowered at my stubbornness, but I could not leave him alone like that. The next day, I met her at Kagura-neechan's house and walked over to his parent's house. Lucky for us, that none of his parents are around. We sneaked into the back pavilion where his room is located. I slowly slide the door open. There he is, sitting by the window, with his pale face and empty eyes...looking in my direction. I walked over to him while she sat near the entrance way.

"Please hurry up," she called softly to me.

I sat across from him and looked into his forlorn, gray eyes. He looked down and turned away.

"Yuki..." I whispered, "It's alright Yuki. Don't let them get to you." I tried to think of more things to ease him. He looked back at me and opened his mouth partially. It was like he was trying to say something, but the sound wouldn't come out. He lowered his head, ashamed to look at me. "You don't have to speak. It's alright..." I looked at him and put my right hand on his shoulders, leaned over and whispered in his ear, "You'll be out someday. That's a promise." He gave me a surprised look and looked away. She walked inside and stood behind me. I looked at her with the corner of my eye.

"I am tired. Let's go home."

I look out the doors. It was sunset. I got up and walked to her. I took a last look at him and walked out with her back to Kagura-neechan's house.

"What did you say to him," she asked. She was in her curious mode again.

"I told him that he will be out of that place."

She stopped in her tracks. "Haru?"

"Yeah?"

Her eyebrows furrowed in worry and anger, "Don't tell me you are planning to get him out!"

I smirked and crossed my arms, "I am not the one."

"What are you talking about? It's not like "he" is going to do it!"

"I know somebody who could. Don't worry."

"Haru..."

"It's alright, Rin."

New years eve came quickly liked I hoped because there was somebody I want to talk to. She wanted to know whose going to get Yuki out, so she stayed with me the whole time before the banquet. We stood by the entrance, greeting the other juunnishi members.

"Hatsuharu. Isuzu. It's good to see you two." greeted the good doctor, Hatori-ni. I heard he been through trauma a few months back when he asked the feared Sohma head, if he could marry his love...no can do. He had an eye injury, but it was healed by that time. I was thankful that he was alright.

"It's good to see you to, Hatori-ni," I greeted. I was still wearing my fur-lining coat with stripes on the sleeves. It was not that cold, but I liked it. It was one of my favorites.

She wasn't wearing her jacket, but her favorite dress. The one with the choker collar. It was my favorite too.

Hatori-ni went over to speak with Ayame-ni and Shigure-ni. It looks like they are having fun. When you put Ayame-ni and Shigure-ni together, there's always some kind of excitement going on.

"Where is he?" she asked. I have forgotten that I was suppose to speak with someone. I took a long glace at the trio of men chatting gleefully with each other, with the exception of Hatori-ni.

"He's busy," I said, still watching the group, "I'll speak to him after the banquet."

She looked over to see who I was talking about. "Speak to who?"

"You'll see."

"Hey Haru! Hey Rin!" greeted Momiji. "It is your turn to dance, isn't, Haru?" I cringed inside without showing it on my face. Oh... kuso! I didn't realize that it was my go that year. Baka ne! I was so caught up in my plan to get Yuki out. How ironic I was to dance along with Yuki.

"Haru? You forgot again?" Momiji asked. He lifted his eyebrows in worry. Rin put her hand on my arm and pointed in the direction of the dressing room.

"I think you should go get dressed..." she said, lowering her eyes. "I should have reminded you, Gomen."

"It's alright," I said heading the direction she pointed. Then, I paused and turned to her. "Rin, he's over there." I pointed to a man in the winter yukata.

"Gure-ni? Oh...okay. Gottcha." she nodded. I smiled at her and left to the dressing room.

I quickly changed into my costume with the help of servants. Then, exited to see everyone. By this time, everyone had arrived. I greeted the children, Kisa and Hiro; Kagura-neechan and the cat she's clinging on to; and Ritsu. Then, I watched from the distance, she and Shigure-ni. She was sitting next to him as he speaks to Hatori-ni and Ayame-ni. The way she sat close to him make me twitch a little. She has always been this close to him since she was a child, even before we became close friends. I think I was a tad jealous that Shigure-ni already has her trust and protection. I started to think to myself that I wanted to be that person she could confine in. I wanted to be her protector. The one she runs to...when she cries.

"Haru," a voice whispered behind me, pulling me from my thoughts. It was Yuki. "He wants to see us before we go."

"Okay." I followed him to the Sohma leader's room. That dark room Yuki was kept in during his years. We sat a distance away from him. He approached us with slowly, caressing our faces one by one.

"Welcome back, nezumi (rat) and welcome, ushi (cow; ox). I am grateful for your arrival. I love you both. You may leave. See you at the banquet."

We bowed to him and left to the banquet hall. First on the agenda, the tradition of excluding the cat was performed. Poor Kyo. Then, our dance was next. Me and Yuki didn't get a chance to practice much because we didn't see each other often. So, we move slowly but gracefully to the music, in the center of the circle of the juunnishi. Finally, enters "god" to see the end of the dance, which means it was the end of the year of the rat and the beginning of the ox.

After the celebration, I went to go change out of my costume and looked for her. Everybody was talking amongst each other, except Yuki, whose sitting next Akito, the Sohma head. He looked bored. That reminded me of what I must do. I saw Shigure-ni laughing along with Kagura, whose pouting. I walked over and sat next to him as he joked, "You'll make a fine wife someday, Kagura. Especially for him!"

"It's not something to laugh about, Shi-chan!" She crossed her arms and walked away. She went over to where Kisa sat and ...Rin. There she is.

"So, you wanted to speak to me about something, Ha-kun?"

"Huh?"

"Is there something you wanted to speak to me about?" Shigure-ni gave one of his cunning looks. It's the kind you don't know whether to trust or not. I just got to the point.

"Is it true that you're leaving the main house?" I asked.

"Well, not until next year...why?"

"I need to ask you..." I leaned over next to him and spoke softly, "Could you... ask Akito... to let Yuki out...with you?"

He smirked and held his chin, "Ha-kun, I have to give you credit for asking. Heh, heh. You know that you have to pay me something..."

I was glad that he didn't refuse, although that look on his face was bothersome. What could he want from me?

"Name it."

"Alright, don't call me Shigure-ni no more."

"Huh? Then, what do you want me to refer you as?"

"Sensei."

"Okay...Sensei."

He continued to smile, "That's more like it. I'll be sure to do my part. Don't worry."

That was too easy...almost scary. That look on his face make me uneasy. He was probably planning something...oh well, as along it gets Yuki out. After our little deal, I spotted her staring at our direction. She was watching the whole time. I got up and walked outside to the patio, hinting her to follow.

We stared at the dark view in front of us with a moment of silence. She spoke first.

"So, what's the news?"

"He said that he'll do it."

"And?"

"And what?"

She looked at me straight in the eye with creased eyebrows, "Gure-ni doesn't do free favors! What do you have to do in return?"

"Sensei."

"Wha?"

"Shigure-sensei."

A look of confusion and annoyance crossed her face. "Sensei? You have to call him Sensei?"

"Mmhm." I watched her as her face steamed.

"That is so stupid! He might as well do it for free!"

"I don't mind. As long as he kept his end of the bargin, it's alright."

She sat down, crossed her arms and leaned her head against the post. I sat next to her. "Why are you mad? We've got what we wanted..."

"You got what you wanted. Now, you have to make a fool of yourself..." she was looking ahead, avoding my gaze.

"I gotcha. Sometimes a man's gotta to what a man's gotta do...even though he appeared to be a fool."

She looked at me, still frowning. "Whatever makes you happy. I'm okay with it too."

I smiled. Thank for for understanding, sweet girl.

After we stayed for the traditional three days, I walked her back home after the last dinner at the main house. It was getting late and we have to return to school the next day. We stood in our spot on the side of Kagura-neechan's house, to hang out before we parted ways.

"Tomorrow is back to the old routine," I pointed out. She stood across from me, slouching against a tree.

"Don't remind me. That means entrance exams for me."

"Oh yeah, you have to study for those don't you?" I remembered.

"Uh-huh. That also means I won't be seeing you too often." When I heard this, my heart felt like its slumping. Then, an image of her and Sensei appeared in my mind. Kuso...

"Don't remind me," I said as I walked up closer to her. Darn, still short stuff, huh?

"What is it, Haru?" She gave an confused expression. I put the side of my right hand to her forehead.

"You grow up so quickly. I think I am shrinking." I stood in front of her, still with my hand to her forehead.

She laughed, "No you're not! I am just growing because I am two years ahead of you! You're so funny!"

"Yeah. I have to wait." With the side of my hand to her forehead, I made quick promise to myself, then we parted ways.

At home, in my room, I walked up to my full-length wall mirror and put the side of my hand to the mirror and raised it a higher. I thought of that promise I made...

"When I am tall enough, much stronger...more mature...and worthy...I'll tell her how much I love her and I want her to be my girl."

That was the deal I never forgotten.

AN: Is that cute or what? In the manga, there's a clip of Haru measuring his height to Rin. It said that he will confess his love for her when he is taller. Sorry for the confusion with the years! Please read, review and enjoy! See ya, next chapter!