Yuki walked down the sidewalk and came up to the familiar house. Since he had taken Machi to the dance he had escorted her home on a number of occasions when the council had gathered. Tonight was another meeting, which they had planned earlier that week. Yuki sighed a little as he rang the doorbell. Coming to this meeting meant being face to face with Kakeru again, and despite his cheerful nature, Yuki found him to be quite exhausting at times. After another ring of the doorbell, Machi answered. She smiled as she welcomed him inside.
"Come on in" she replied leading him into the living room after he had removed his shoes.
"Where's everyone else?" he asked as he sat down.
"I'm not sure. Kakeru said around this time, didn't he?" she shrugged.
"I think so" Yuki nodded.
"Can I get anything while your waiting?" she asked politely.
"No that's okay. I don't want you to go through too much trouble."
"All right" she nodded, "But it really is no trouble."
"No it really is all right" Yuki insisted, "I'm okay."
"Well if you'll excuse me for a minute, I still have to get my father his dinner."
"Sure" Yuki nodded as she departed, "Take your time."
As she walked into the kitchen, Yuki gazed around the living room. There were many paintings on the walls. One, a picture of pink roses caught his eye. Two bookshelves were surrounding a small television set that was sitting right in front of the couch. The shelves had many small frames, pictures of family, and books of all sizes and colors. Yuki heard a cough from the far left and jumped a bit as a burly looking man in his mid forties appeared in the living room. His hair was dark like Kakeru's but his eyes were the same color as Machi's.
"Uh" Yuki stood up immediately and bowed, " How do you do?I'm Yuki Sohma."
"I know who you are Mr. Sohma" the gentleman smiled, "My son talks about nothing else when it comes to school. You're also the young man who took my daughter to the dance aren't you?"
"Uh yes" Yuki nodded.
"You don't have to be so formal Mr. Sohma" the older man sat down, "Please sit back down. Don't get up on my account."
"Uh. Thank you" Yuki sat back down a bit surprised.
"So. You're the Student Council President?"
"Yes" Yuki nodded.
"Kakeru says a lot of wonderful things about you."
"I was under the impression that you didn't see him very often" Yuki said, "Oh forgive me I shouldn't have said that."
"It's all right I'm not offended" Mr. Kuragi smiled, "That's true I don't get to see him very often. But I talk to him on the phone. He said that you're an even better president then your last one."
Yuki blushed.
"I wouldn't say that."
"Oh I would. You see I would like to thank you Mr. Sohma. Or may I call you Yuki?"
"Sure."
"Ever since Kakeru and Machi have become members of the council they've been spending more time together. They now have a common bond. And they both informed me that if you hadn't run for president, then neither of them would have joined in the first place. So thank you. For being a friend to my son, and my daughter."
Machi came back in the living room carrying a tray. When she saw her father she stopped dead in her tracks.
"Dad? What are you doing out here?" she asked.
"I was just talking to your friend. Where's your brother? Isn't he coming?"
"Oh actually no he's not" Machi shook her head placing the tray down on the table, "He just called. A couple of the other people canceled. And then he tried to call you Yuki, but you had already left. I'm sorry you came all this way for nothing."
"Oh no that's okay Machi" Yuki stood up, "I probably should be getting home anyway."
"I have an idea Machi" Mr. Kuragi replied, "Yuki have you had dinner yet?"
"No" Yuki shook his head.
"Then why don't you have dinner with us tonight."
"Oh no I couldn't impose on you like that."
"It's not imposing. I insist. We would love you to stay, right Machi?"
Machi looked at her father, her cheeks turning a little red from embarrassment and a bit of anger.
"Sure" she nodded finally, "Please stay."
"Well thank you" Yuki replied, "I would be honored."
"Right this way Yuki" Mr. Kuragi put his arm around the startled boy and led him into the kitchen, "You know I don't want to brag or anything, but my daughter is a very fine cook. Wait till you try it" he grinned.
"Dad" she gritted her teeth as she followed them in.
(Next Scene)
About an hour later, their bellies were full with the delicious food that she had cooked. Yuki had to agree with her father, it was really good.
"Thank you Machi" he smiled, "That was excellent."
"Oh it was nothing" she blushed.
"Don't be so modest Machi" her father replied, "That was one of your best meals."
Machi glared at her father as she scooped up the plates and placed them in the sink, running the water over them in the process.
"Incidentally Mr. Kuragi I noticed the pictures in your living room. Did you have a professional artist paint those?" Yuki asked.
"Actually no" Mr. Kuragi smiled, "You have a good eye Yuki. Most of the paintings were done by me."
"You're an artist?"
"Mhm. Not professional, I mean I have another job."
"I wouldn't say that you're not professional Dad" Machi said as she sat down, "Your paintings are just as good as anyone's."
"Why thank you sweetie" Mr. Kuragi beamed, "It's true art is my love, but it doesn't pay the bills. Perhaps someday Machi will have more luck in that area."
"What?" Yuki raised his head.
"Dad?" she protested.
"Oh you didn't know Yuki. The paintings on the wall are all mine, except for one. The one in the middle. The one with the roses. Machi painted that one" he picked up his tea and took a sip.
"Really?" Yuki replied with a smile.
"Uh yea" she nodded, "I painted that about two years ago. For Dad's birthday."
"Wow. That was the one that drew me to the wall in the first place."
"She's quite the little artist isn't she?" Mr. Kuragi said.
"Dad don't you think it was time that you got ready for bed? You do have work tomorrow."
"Sadly yes" Mr. Kuragi smiled at his daughter, "But I have to go clean up the studio first" he stood up, "Good night Yuki. It was very nice meeting you" he bowed his head.
"Nice meeting you too sir" Yuki replied with a nod of his head as well.
"Perhaps we'll see each other again," he said as he exited the room.
"I'd like that."
"Good night Dad" Machi added, "I'll walk you to the door" she replied nicely to Yuki, "It's late."
"Good idea" Yuki said rising from his chair and following her into the hall.
"I have to apologize for my father. For being so nosy at dinner."
"Oh no Machi it's all right" Yuki replied as he took the doorknob, "It's nice to see a parent who cares about their child so much. You don't know how lucky you are."
"What do you mean by that?"
"I'll explain it someday. It's too long of a story to get into now."
"I understand" she nodded, "Well goodnight Yuki" she opened the door.
"Good night Machi" he smiled his princely smile, "See you at school tomorrow."
"Bye" she waved as she closed the door and he started to walk down the street.
As she closed the door she sighed. Then she heard whistling coming from her father's studio and she frowned. She stalked over to the doorway and crossed her arms. Her father looked back at her with a smile on his face.
"You know something. I really like that kid" he grinned.
"Yea" she said angrily, "You sound like Kakeru."
"What's the matter with you?"
"What was all that Dad? Why did you embarrass me like that?"
"Embarrass you? Honey that wasn't my intention at all."
"Then what was? What were you trying to do?"
"I wasn't trying to do anything" he continued to smile, "I was just being supportive of your friend. Getting to know him."
"It was almost as if you were" she started to say.
"Hmm?" he looked up after putting his paint away.
"Never mind. I'm going to bed. Good night Dad."
"Good night sweetie" he replied as she exited, then he chuckled, "Kids."
(Next Scene)
Machi walked up to her room and opened the door. She crossed over to her dressing table and pulled the barrette out of her hair. She opened a small box that was white and pulled a small leaf out of it. It was the same souvenir leaf that Yuki had given her when he had returned from his junior trip. She pressed the leaf into her chest and sat on her bed.
"Oh Yuki" she sighed as she flopped onto her back, placing the leaf on her forehead and closing her eyes.
(Till Next Time)
Authors Note: Okay guys! That's it till next Wed! See you then! Thanks for the reviews Haru's girl, oh and welcome back!
Next Chapter: A Weekend with the Grandparents
Kyo and Tohru go to visit her grandparents once more at the family estate!