"How the hell did you do it?" Mariko asked, holding an alert Kisho
out in front of her. "I saw you not four months ago for the second show,
and there's no way in hell you were seven months pregnant!" She grinned
wickedly. "Not that I'd blame ya, giving it up to those two before the
wedding."
Tohru blushed brightly. "No! It was nothing like that!" she said, going swirly-eyed. "We went to the clan gathering and his mother gave birth while we were there. We adopted him."
"Girl you are the luckiest person I've ever seen." Mariko said in complete disgust. "You have two of the hottest guys I've ever seen in my entire life falling at your feet, you apparently have a new house they built for you-notice my envy. And now you have a kid without any of the nine months of suffering." She scowled playfully at Tohru. "Who did you do to get that kind of luck?" Tohru blushed and reached for Kisho, who had started to fuss. She stuck a newly warmed bottle in his mouth and rocked him as he ate contentedly. She had no choice but to bring him backstage with her. He had allowed no one to comfort him but her today, and what Kisho wanted, Kisho usually got. She swore he had started to turn blue.
"Tohru! Tohru, come over here please!" Ayame sang, coming backstage with a handsome man in a dark business suit. Ayame grinned when he saw her holding Kisho. "There you are!" he said, dashing over to her, dragging the man along behind him. "This is Mr. Tamari. He's the head of the modeling agency that sponsors most of the girls in today's show, and he wants to speak with you."
"Very nice to meet you." Tohru said, smiling at him. "Please forgive me if I don't get up, Kisho doesn't really like anything to interrupt his bottle."
"That's not a problem, Mrs. Sohma." Mr. Tamari said, smiling at her. "How old is your son?"
"He was two months last week." Tohru said, smiling proudly. "But he's not my son, technically. His mother was a member of the family, and died having him, so my.fiancé and I adopted him." Technically, it was true. She was listed on the adoption papers as the mother, and since the agency wouldn't accept TWO fathers, Kyo had signed his name as the adopted father. Yuki was godfather, and the arrangement suited them all.
"My condolences." Said the man. "But it looks like you've done an excellent job."
"Thank you." Tohru said, blushing. "May I ask what you needed to speak with me about?"
"I wonder, do you know what you're going to do? After your contract with Ayame is complete, that is." Mr. Tamari asked, watching her closely.
"Well, I don't really know." She said, frowning. "I wanted to go to school, that's why I took this job, to help pay for university courses, but now that I have Kisho, my priorities have.changed."
"I see. Mrs. Sohma."
"Tohru, please." She said, blushing slightly. "I'm not used to that name, yet."
"Of course, Tohru, how would you feel about contracting with my agency?"
"You mean become a model professionally?" Tohru asked, eyes wide. "What about Kisho?"
"We understand that your child and family will always come first." Mr. Tamari assured her. "But I hope you'll consider it. It pays very well, and the money would come in handy to a newly married couple."
"I can assure you, Mr. Tamari, my brother is more than capable of caring for Tohru." Ayame said, his nose in the air.
"I'm sure he is, but wouldn't it be nice to have your own little nest egg, just in case?" Mr. Tamari asked wheedlingly.
"I would like to have a job." Tohru said thoughtfully. "Can I get back to you on it? I'd like to.discuss it with my fiancé."
"Of course. I hardly expected you to sign right away." Mr. Tamari said. He handed her one of his business cards. "I'll be in town another month. If you still haven't decided, contact me with this." He said, bowing to her. "I sincerely hope you'll sign with us Tohru, you have great potential." He left the stage, leaving Tohru staring at the card in her hand.
"You. Are. SO. DAMN. LUCKY!" Mariko said, shaking her head. "How do you DO that?"
"She's a good person and good things naturally come her way." Ayame said, smiling softly at a still stunned Tohru. He clapped his hands suddenly, causing her to jump, jostling Kisho, who frowned before continuing to suck on his bottle. "No time to worry about future contracts now!" he said cheerfully. "You're still under contract with me, and my last show is NOW!" he took Kisho from Tohru and put him on his shoulder, patting his back firmly. Kisho scowled, both at the loss of his mother and the loss of his bottle, until a rumbling belch came from his mouth. Then he just looked slightly relieved.
Tohru laughed and went to the makeup woman, who was frantically gesturing her over. She was the last one for makeup, and the first one on tonight. The woman had a right to be upset.
The show went without a hitch, and the after show party was an enormous event. Tohru and her boys left the party early, simply because Kisho had started to fuss. It was close to his bedtime, and he wasn't going to take no for an answer. They were strolling down the road, the setting sun behind them while Kisho drowsed in his carrier on Tohru's back. "I was offered a modeling contract today." Tohru said quietly, not knowing how to break it to them gently.
"I thought the Snake's shows were over." Kyo said, surprised.
"They are." She said. "I was offered a contract from an agency. The same one Mariko works for."
"That's wonderful news, Tohru. Are you going to take it?" Yuki asked, smiling at her.
"I don't know." She said, frowning slightly. "It would be a huge responsibility, and I have you, Kyo, and Kisho to think about, not to mention our home."
"Tohru, just because you sign with them, doesn't mean you have to accept every job they offer you. You could accept the ones that are close to you, or the ones that pay the most." Yuki smiled. "Actually, models get a lot more freedom than most professionals, simply because they have a choice in what jobs they take."
"Really?" Tohru asked. "I didn't know that. How did you?"
Yuki blushed. "I was offered a contract from a modeling agency about a month before I met you." He mumbled. "I refused, but it was very tempting. Just make sure you have a lawyer look over any contract before you sign."
"So you think I should do it?" Tohru asked, biting her lip.
"Only if you want to." Kyo said firmly. "It's your decision, and your life."
"Besides, you can always just talk to the man who offered it to you for a while, then decide." Yuki said. "It's not like you have to make the decision right away."
"Kyo grinned. "And I saw a couple other official lookin' guys floating around, lookin' like they wanted to talk to you, but we left before they could. You can compare offers." Tohru laughed and hooked her arms around each of theirs as they continued home.
* * *
"Do you think we should help her?" Yuki asked, sitting on the bench peacefully enjoying the sun.
"She told us not to." Kyo said, lying back in the grass, while Kisho lay on his stomach, sound asleep. They were sitting in Tohru's base, while she watered the bushes and trees, cleared weeds, and refilled the birdbath. She refused to let them help her, insisting that she could do it by herself.
Tohru sighed and collapsed next to Kyo, spread eagle on the grass. He turned to look at her with a smile. "Tired?" he asked.
"Uh huh." She said ruefully. "I think I should have let you help."
"Told ya so." He said, smirking. He lifted Kisho carefully off his chest and laid him on a blanket they had spread out on the grass. Kisho didn't even twitch at the shift. Kyo sat up against the bench, where Yuki sat, eyes closed and pulled Tohru up so her back rested against his chest. She blushed, but didn't protest the shift. She had been getting more comfortable with shows of affection, much to Yuki and Kyo's delight. She had even initiated a few kisses, which drove them completely nuts.
Yuki smiled at Tohru's blush. No matter how comfortable she was with them, any intimacy between them always made her blush. "Would you like to go take a bath before we go grocery shopping?" He asked, smoothing a strand of sweat soaked hair back from her forehead. She blew fruitlessly at the rest of it, then nodded ruefully.
"I think I'd better." She said. "I don't think they'd let me in a store all sweaty."
Yuki laughed. "Nonsense." He said. "If they didn't let you in, they wouldn't be worth our time."
"Damn right." Kyo said. He looked thoughtful for a second, then mischievous. He pulled her hair away from her neck and ran his tongue up the side of her throat in a long wet swipe. Tohru yelped and looked at him in surprise, face bright red. "I was just helping you start your bath." He said innocently. "I am a cat, after all." He grinned evilly. "Do you need any more help?"
Tohru jumped up and started waving her hands frantically. "N-no! That's ok!" she said quickly. "I can take a bath by myself!" She blushed harder, then ran for the path, still babbling slightly.
"She's adorable." Yuki said, smiling. "Will you get Kisho while I fold the blanket?"
"Sure." Kyo said, getting to his feet. He picked Kisho up and started back towards the house while Yuki folded the blanket he'd been lying on. Once they had cleaned up the base, they walked home leisurely. Tohru should have just stepped in the bath, and they didn't want to rush her. By the time they got home, Tohru was sitting in the dining room, drying her hair vigorously with a towel. Her face was still pink tinged, but it might have been from the bath.
"Are you almost ready to go?" Yuki asked softly.
"Uh huh." Tohru said, holding up the list. "I have the shopping list right here."
"Then let's go." Kyo said, grabbing Kisho's back harness. He pulled it on and let Yuki put the squirming child in the harness. Tohru stood and they left the house, strolling happily down the path, hands clasped.
"I've been thinking." Yuki said suddenly.
"That's a surprise." Kyo said, smirking.
Yuki glared at him, then continued. "We should probably start planning for the honeymoon."
"I'd never thought of that." Kyo said, sounding surprised. "I just thought we'd move into our house."
"That would be good enough for me." Tohru said. "I don't want to be greedy."
Yuki and Kyo looked honestly surprised. "How is wanting a honeymoon greedy?" Yuki asked.
"Well, we've already got a house, and we have to furnish it, and we have Kisho to worry about, so it'd be kinda hard to get away for a honeymoon."
"Not really." Yuki said thoughtfully. "We could always leave Kisho with Kisa's mother, she's very good with children. And we can always leave the number of the place we go."
"You wouldn't have said anything if you didn't have a good idea of where to go." Kyo said smirking. "What've you got up your sleeve?"
"I just thought another trip to the hot springs would be good." Yuki said casually. "Everyone had a good time last time, and it's easy to reach in case of an emergency."
"That's not a bad idea." Kyo said thoughtfully.
"I thought I could call and make an appointment for the weekend after the wedding. After all, the wedding itself is on a Saturday. A week would give us plenty of time to shop for the house, arrange things how we want it, and then we could just move in once we got back from the honeymoon."
"That sounds good." Tohru said, timidly. "Do you think Kisa's mom would watch him that weekend?"
"Even if she doesn't, someone else will." Kyo said. "If you want to go, we're gonna go."
"I.I.I can't make that kind of decision!" She said, eyes spinning. "It should be something we all agree on!"
Yuki sighed and looked at an exasperated Kyo. "Kyo, do you agree to go on the honeymoon the weekend following the wedding?"
"Yeah, I agree to that." Kyo said, smirking. "Do you agree to that?"
"I do." Said Yuki. "Since we all seem to be in agreement.We're going to the hot springs for our honeymoon."
"Glad we got that sorted out." Kyo said, opening the door of the grocery store and ushering a stunned Tohru in. Yuki strolled in after them, a satisfied smile on his face.
* * *
"Tohru! It's time to wake up!" Ayame shouted happily in Tohru's ear, causing her to jump out of bed, a hand clutching her hammering heart.
"H-Hello Ayame." She said, eyes large white circles. "Is it time to get up already?" She looked around quickly. "Where's Kisho?"
"Don't worry about Kisho, he's in the tender care of Shigure for today." Ayame said. "And might I just say, Princess, how honored I am that you would trust me to plan this, your one and only wedding day." He clutched one of her hands to his cheek, a slow tear rolling down his face. "Such trust in my abilities I have never seen!"
"Well, why wouldn't I?" Tohru asked. "You wouldn't do anything to spoil it."
Ayame looked affronted. "Of course not! I would never spoil someone's wedding day."
"Then why wouldn't we?" She asked, smiling sweetly. "Can I see my dress now?"
Ayame beamed at her and clapped his hands. "Oh, you're going to LOVE it!" he said, turning to a garment bag that was hanging on the closet door. "I know it was hard not to see it after that last fitting, but the resulting surprise is well worth it!" he said, whipping the plastic off the dress. Tohru gasped in pure delight. The only thing she had seen at the fittings were the under layer, that way the rest of the dress was as much a surprise for her as it was for Yuki and Kyo. But the anticipation had been well worth it. The dress was a work of art.
The bodice was intricately done. It was completely sleeveless, with a narrow triangle that started at her throat and stopped at her waist in a subtle tip made a complex pattern beads, sequins, and seed pearls. The rest of the dress was covered in a delicate lace that looked hand made. The lace split in the front of the skirt at the waist to reveal the white silk under layer that was once again covered in the sequins, pearls and beads. The lace that had been split was brought up and around to create a small train that just barely touched the floor. White silk roses positioned at the small of her back and the apex of the train completed the exquisite creation.
Tohru had tears in her eyes. "Oh Ayame, it's the most beautiful dress I've ever seen!" she said, throwing her arms around his waist.
He smiled proudly and patted her head. "Now, what kind of brother-in- law would I be if I let my little sister be married in anything less than a magnificent wedding dress?" He asked. "Now, you need to hop in the bath, and when you're finished, Kagura is going to do your makeup while Ritsu does your hair. The man is an absolute marvel, although you'd never know it to look at him." Ayame said, laying the dress out on her bed. "After you get your makeup and hair, you're to come to me and put your dress on, while I make any and all adjustments that need to be made." He pushed her towards the bathroom and firmly shut the door behind her. "I've made sure Yuki and Kyo are getting ready at the shrine, so you can get ready freely here." He called through the door. "You have half an hour, or I come in after you!" he sang cheerfully, leaving Tohru to bathe in peace.
She was out in less than twenty minutes, her hair still dripping the back of her bathrobe. Kagura and Ritsu were waiting for her, armed with their tools. They set her down on a chair they had brought from somewhere and got to work on her makeup and hair. It took more than an hour for them to be satisfied, but in the end, the results were worth it.
They had gone with a very simple look, to enhance her natural beauty. Her hair had been left down, with white and blue rose buds twined through her dark locks. Ritsu had put something in it that made her hair shine like satin. Kagura had gone for the fresh look on her face, using nothing more than a little concealer, blush, and mascara. The concealer evened out her skin tone, while the blush and mascara highlighted her cheekbones and eyes. They pronounced her finished and Ritsu left while Kagura pulled her carefully to the bed, where Ayame had put her dress, plus a few items of intimate apparel that made her blush horribly. Kagura simply grinned and pulled the bathrobe off the blushing bride and started thrusting the items at her to be put on one at a time.
After the undergarments were on, she carefully lifted the dress and unzipped the back, so Tohru could step in and pull it up to her shoulders, where Kagura readjusted it and zipped it, carefully lifting her hair out of the way.
They both jumped at the knock on her door. "Is she ready yet?" Ayame asked, cracking the door open and poking his head around the frame. He had his eyes tightly shut. "We're due at the Shrine in half an hour for pictures!"
"Oh calm down, she's dressed." Kagura said. "All you have to do is adjust it."
"Good!" Ayame said, striding fully into the room and opening his eyes. He blinked a few times, then his eyes went soft. "Oh Tohru, you are a vision of loveliness."
Tohru blushed brightly and tugged lightly on one of the sleeves. "Thank you." She said, looking at the floor.
Ayame frowned and slapped her hand lightly. "No fussing!" he said chidingly. "That's my job!" He tugged on the dress here and there adjusting the fit slightly, then pronounced it perfect. "Are you ready to go?" Ayame asked quietly, taking her hand in his. She nodded tremulously. "Then your carriage awaits." Ayame said, escorting her to the drive, where a limo was waiting to take her to the shrine, where she was to be married in a strange sort of double ceremony. They got in and sat back in the cool leather, while the driver maneuvered skillfully through the lines of traffic. She never looked back at the house, or she would have seen Momiji and Haru run into the house tools in hand and evil grins on their faces.
* * *
Tohru was a nervous wreck. What if Yuki and Kyo changed their minds? What if they were just doing this out of some sort of responsibility? She didn't even realize she was twisting a tissue she had gotten somewhere to complete shreds until Ayame put his hand on hers, stopping further torture of the helpless tissue.
"Is something wrong?" Ayame asked, releasing her hands.
"Wh-what if Yuki and Kyo decided not to go through with it?" she asked, eyes wide. "What if they're just marrying me because they think they have to?"
"Tohru I've never heard anything so ridiculous in my life!" Ayame said, completely serious. "Tohru, I've never seen anyone as much in love with anyone as Yuki and Kyo are with you." He smiled. "Anyone with eyes in their heads could see that."
"Are you sure?" Tohru asked, once again twisting the defenseless tissue. "I-I care about them, a lot, but they were TRAPPED into this!" she said, tears welling up in her eyes. "It wasn't their choice before, and now they feel obligated to."
Ayame frowned and put his hand over her mouth. "You stop right there." He said firmly. "They aren't doing this out of ANY sort of obligation. They are completely in love with you Tohru, and I don't want you thinking otherwise. Akito did the one good thing he'd ever done in his life by bonding you three." He smiled. "Now, I don't want to hear a single word more about any insecurities." Tohru nodded with a tremulous smile. "Good!" he said, peering out the window. "Because we're here!"
* * *
"Will you PLEASE stop pacing?" Yuki snapped, leaning against the wall of the room they were supposed to stay in until the ceremony. "You're going to wear a hole in the floor!"
"Shut up!" Kyo growled. "How can you be so fucking calm?!"
"And what makes you think I'm calm?" Yuki asked. "I'm just as nervous as you are, but I can actually control it."
"SHUT UP!" Kyo said. He sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "What if she decides not to go through with it?"
"She wouldn't do that." Yuki said confidently. "She's not the type."
"Do you think she's as nervous as we are?"
"Oh, I'm sure she's worse." Yuki said, sighing. "You know how she is."
"Yeah." Kyo said, eyes going soft. "How long until the ceremony?"
Yuki looked at his watch. "Any time now. Tohru's been taking pictures for the last hour. I heard them call out for different poses."
Kyo snorted slightly and glanced at Yuki out of the corner of his eye. "Just think, rat, after this we're stuck together for the rest of our lives."
"For her, I can deal with it." Yuki said. They both jumped as someone knocked on the door.
Kazuma stuck his head in the room and smiled at the two nervous boys. "It's time." He said, throwing the door open wide.
* * *
"Are you ready, Tohru?" Ayame asked, patting her left hand, which was hooked through his right arm. Kazuma had her right arm. Since her own father was dead, she had asked Kazuma and Ayame to walk her down the isle.
"As ready as I'll ever be." She said, smiling at him tremulously.
Kazuma smiled at her and patted the hand that was curled around his arm. "If it makes you feel any better, Kyo and Yuki are just as nervous as you are."
"They are?" She asked, looking at him in surprise.
"Oh yes. When I went in, I think Kyo was a second away from wearing a hole in the floor."
Tohru giggled slightly, then took a deep breath as two ushers slid the shoji doors open, revealing a mass of people-mostly the zodiac and their families, plus Uo and Hana-and the traditional Western wedding march that started to swell from the open doors. She gazed down the flower-strewn isle to where Yuki and Kyo stood waiting for her.and it was like the rest of the world fell away. Her eyes locked with theirs.and before they knew it the ceremony was over. As far as anyone who mattered was concerned, they were married.
The crowd surged forward to offer their congratulations to the happy trio and quickly ushered them into an adjacent hall, where a reception waited. Two tables sat on opposite sides of the hall, one loaded to the point of collapsing with food and a wedding cake, the other groaning under the weight of a huge pile of presents. The crowd carried the trio to the cake, where they cut three slices. Tohru fed a small piece to both Kyo and Yuki, while they fed her a small piece each. After they were done serving the cake, they were escorted to the gift table. They started opening the presents, taking turns until the table was covered in things that would be immensely useful to a small family that was starting their own household. Towels, sheets, blankets, dishes, pots and pans, small appliances, and some larger items sat around the table, to be suitably admired by the guests.
Once the presents were open, Ayame started some music, and the room erupted into dancing. Every male member of the Zodiac claimed a dance with Tohru, while Kagura, who had calmed down considerably now that she knew he was out of reach, monopolized Kyo. Yuki danced once with Kisa, but after Hiro grabbed her away, he preferred to sit out and watch Tohru be whirled around the dance floor by the various Zodiac members.
The ceremony itself was at two, so the reception lasted well until dark. Shortly after the sun set Ayame clapped his hands, attracting everyone's attention. "I think its time for the happy trio to away to their little love nest!" he said cheerfully, causing them to blush. Ignoring their blush, he pushed them out the door and down to the limo, where the driver opened the door for them. "Take them back to the house." Ayame ordered. He smiled at the trio. "Shigure will be staying at the main house tonight, and be back tomorrow evening." He said. "Enjoy your time alone." With that, he went back to the party, which was quickly wrapping up now that the trio of honor had left.
"Well, that was embarrassing." Yuki said, sighing. He gestured to the driver, who pulled out into traffic.
"Yep." Kyo said. "D'you think they noticed we left all the presents?"
"No." Yuki said. "I just hope they remember to take them to our house when they start cleaning up."
"It was a beautiful ceremony." Tohru said, blushing brightly. The roses had fallen out of her hair at some point during the festivities and her cheeks were glowing an attractive pink from both the exertion of dancing and their abrupt expulsion from the party and the attention it brought. "Ayame really outdid himself."
"Yeah, he did ok." Kyo said, frowning. "I just won't say it to his face." They all sighed when the driver came to a stop in front of the house. "Is anyone else as tired as I am?" Kyo asked when they'd gone in the house and kicked off their shoes. Tohru was especially glad to get her heels off. They were very small heels, but after being in them all day, she was more than ready to take them off.
"I'm going to take a bath." She said. "This dress is beautiful, but it's so hot!" She started going into an amazing amount of contortions, clearly trying to reach the zipper in the back, but failing miserably.
"What are you doing?" Yuki asked, amused.
Tohru sighed and stopped twisting. "I'm trying to get this zipper, but I don't think I can reach." She said, giving up. She twisted her hair into a bun and looked at Kyo and Yuki pleadingly. "Could one of you please unzip me?"
Yuki smiled and tugged on the zipper, pulling it downward half way. His eyes widened when he saw the absence of a bra strap. He closed his eyes, swallowing hard. "There you go Tohru." He said, backing away and busying himself with unbuttoning his collar, which suddenly seemed uncomfortably tight. Kyo just stared at him like he'd gone nuts.
Tohru looked puzzled for a minute, then went upstairs, tugging lightly on the roses in her hair.
Yuki leaned against the wall when she had gone and ran a hand through his hair. "Give me strength." He muttered to himself.
"What's the matter with you?" Kyo asked, smirking.
Yuki glared at him. "She wasn't wearing a bra under that dress." He said shortly.
Kyo's eyes widened. "Ohhhh." He said, getting it instantly. "That's.evil." He said, frowning. "Your brother is a sadist!"
"I know." Yuki said flatly.
* * *
Tohru came down stairs, a towel around her shoulders and stopped in the doorway to the sitting room. Kyo and Yuki sat there, evil glares on their faces. "What's wrong?" she asked, a frown spreading over her features. "Did you two have another fight?"
"No." Yuki said stonily. "Have you been in your room yet, Tohru?"
"Uh huh." Tohru said, frowning. "Why?"
"So have we." Kyo growled. "Our beds are gone."
"Gone?" Tohru asked blankly. "How?"
"We found this." Yuki said, holding up a note.
Tohru took it and read it. "Congratulations?"
"Apparently someone played a joke on the newlyweds." Yuki said.
"And as soon as I find out who." Kyo growled, pounding one fist into the opposite hand.
"So, where are you two going to sleep?" Tohru asked. "I guess there's always Shigure's bed."
Kyo and Yuki looked disgusted. "There's no way in hell I'm sleeping in that damn dog's bed!" Kyo said.
"I'd rather sleep on the floor." Yuki said tersely.
"Well, you two can have my bed, I guess." She said. "I'll sleep in Shigure's room."
"You don't have to do that." Yuki said, sighing. "I won't turn you out of your own bed."
"But I'll be in Shigure's bed, so I won't be on the floor, and you can have mine." She said.
"You're all forgettin' an option the person or persons who took our beds apart quite obviously wanted us to take." Kyo said, scowling. "We could all sleep in Tohru's bed. There's plenty of room, and we've done it before."
"We'd just have to check the room for video cameras first." Yuki said with a sigh. "Why not?"
"Ok." Tohru said, not at all displeased. It was always so nice to sleep between Kyo and Yuki, she always felt so secure, and it was always so warm. "Would either one of you like to take a bath before bed?"
"I think I would." Yuki said.
"I'll train while you take one, then I'll take mine." Kyo said. "I'll need one then, anyway."
"Fine." Yuki said, going upstairs.
"I'll make a snack before bed!" Tohru said, going into the kitchen, while Kyo headed for the yard.
* * *
"Oh my." Momiji said, smirking evilly. "Kyo is upset! I wonder why?" he said innocently, taking the binoculars off his face and glancing at Haru, who was sitting beside him in the tree.
"Not a clue." He said blandly. But a sinister twinkle was in his eye.
"They ARE married now, after all." Momiji continued. "They SHOULD sleep in their wife's bed!"
"But if they ever find out who stole their beds, they'll cut our dicks off and roast 'em like hotdogs." Haru said, still completely calm.
"Then we just have to make sure he doesn't find out." Momiji said. "Oh! Yuki's back!" He said, the binoculars pressed firmly to his face. "He must have just gotten out of the bath, his hair is all drippy."
"Can I borrow those binoculars?" Haru asked.
"Not a chance." Momiji said, grinning. "There goes Kyo, looks like he's next for a bath.Oh! Tohru's got that chocolate cake she makes!" He said, drooling slightly.
"The one with the nuts?" Haru asked, looking a little envious himself.
"Yep, and she put cherries on this one!" Momiji groaned. "This is cruel! Karma, it has to be!" He took the binoculars down and pouted at Haru. "Didn't we do a GOOD deed?" He asked.
"Yeah, but our reward will be so much better than cake." Haru said, smiling slightly in assurance. "Even Tohru's cake."
"I hope so." Momiji said, pressing the binoculars to his face again. "Crap! Haru, we forgot about Shigure's bed!" He said, scowling. "Kyo just went in his room!"
"Do you really think any of them would sleep in Shigure's bed?" Haru asked.
Momiji wrinkled his nose. "No, I don't think so." He said. "I see! They stole his pillows!" His fist went punched the air in triumph. "Oh yeah! They're heading for Tohru's room!"
"So we did our job well." Haru said, laughing slightly.
"That we did!" Momiji said contentedly. "Yes! Tohru just opened her window!" He said, zooming in quickly. "Oh. My. God."
"What? What?!" Haru asked, leaning forward. "What's going on?"
Momiji grinned and took the binoculars down. "Nothing, I was just playing with you." He said, sticking his tongue out playfully. Haru sighed and shook his head. "But we should probably go." Momiji continued. "They've turned the lights out, I can't see anymore." He put the binoculars around his neck and started climbing down the tree, Haru following.
"I don't think I would want to see any more." Haru said once they were on the ground.
* * *
"Goodnight Kyo, Yuki." Tohru said sleepily. She was spooned against Kyo, who had his arms around her waist, while using Yuki's shoulder as a pillow, who had his arm around her shoulders. "Sweet dreams."
"You too." Kyo said, half asleep.
"Good night." Yuki said, pulling her a little tighter against him. He hesitated, then said, "Goodnight Kyo." There was a surprised silence, then Kyo grunted a goodnight. Tohru smiled. They were finally starting to accept each other.
Tohru blushed brightly. "No! It was nothing like that!" she said, going swirly-eyed. "We went to the clan gathering and his mother gave birth while we were there. We adopted him."
"Girl you are the luckiest person I've ever seen." Mariko said in complete disgust. "You have two of the hottest guys I've ever seen in my entire life falling at your feet, you apparently have a new house they built for you-notice my envy. And now you have a kid without any of the nine months of suffering." She scowled playfully at Tohru. "Who did you do to get that kind of luck?" Tohru blushed and reached for Kisho, who had started to fuss. She stuck a newly warmed bottle in his mouth and rocked him as he ate contentedly. She had no choice but to bring him backstage with her. He had allowed no one to comfort him but her today, and what Kisho wanted, Kisho usually got. She swore he had started to turn blue.
"Tohru! Tohru, come over here please!" Ayame sang, coming backstage with a handsome man in a dark business suit. Ayame grinned when he saw her holding Kisho. "There you are!" he said, dashing over to her, dragging the man along behind him. "This is Mr. Tamari. He's the head of the modeling agency that sponsors most of the girls in today's show, and he wants to speak with you."
"Very nice to meet you." Tohru said, smiling at him. "Please forgive me if I don't get up, Kisho doesn't really like anything to interrupt his bottle."
"That's not a problem, Mrs. Sohma." Mr. Tamari said, smiling at her. "How old is your son?"
"He was two months last week." Tohru said, smiling proudly. "But he's not my son, technically. His mother was a member of the family, and died having him, so my.fiancé and I adopted him." Technically, it was true. She was listed on the adoption papers as the mother, and since the agency wouldn't accept TWO fathers, Kyo had signed his name as the adopted father. Yuki was godfather, and the arrangement suited them all.
"My condolences." Said the man. "But it looks like you've done an excellent job."
"Thank you." Tohru said, blushing. "May I ask what you needed to speak with me about?"
"I wonder, do you know what you're going to do? After your contract with Ayame is complete, that is." Mr. Tamari asked, watching her closely.
"Well, I don't really know." She said, frowning. "I wanted to go to school, that's why I took this job, to help pay for university courses, but now that I have Kisho, my priorities have.changed."
"I see. Mrs. Sohma."
"Tohru, please." She said, blushing slightly. "I'm not used to that name, yet."
"Of course, Tohru, how would you feel about contracting with my agency?"
"You mean become a model professionally?" Tohru asked, eyes wide. "What about Kisho?"
"We understand that your child and family will always come first." Mr. Tamari assured her. "But I hope you'll consider it. It pays very well, and the money would come in handy to a newly married couple."
"I can assure you, Mr. Tamari, my brother is more than capable of caring for Tohru." Ayame said, his nose in the air.
"I'm sure he is, but wouldn't it be nice to have your own little nest egg, just in case?" Mr. Tamari asked wheedlingly.
"I would like to have a job." Tohru said thoughtfully. "Can I get back to you on it? I'd like to.discuss it with my fiancé."
"Of course. I hardly expected you to sign right away." Mr. Tamari said. He handed her one of his business cards. "I'll be in town another month. If you still haven't decided, contact me with this." He said, bowing to her. "I sincerely hope you'll sign with us Tohru, you have great potential." He left the stage, leaving Tohru staring at the card in her hand.
"You. Are. SO. DAMN. LUCKY!" Mariko said, shaking her head. "How do you DO that?"
"She's a good person and good things naturally come her way." Ayame said, smiling softly at a still stunned Tohru. He clapped his hands suddenly, causing her to jump, jostling Kisho, who frowned before continuing to suck on his bottle. "No time to worry about future contracts now!" he said cheerfully. "You're still under contract with me, and my last show is NOW!" he took Kisho from Tohru and put him on his shoulder, patting his back firmly. Kisho scowled, both at the loss of his mother and the loss of his bottle, until a rumbling belch came from his mouth. Then he just looked slightly relieved.
Tohru laughed and went to the makeup woman, who was frantically gesturing her over. She was the last one for makeup, and the first one on tonight. The woman had a right to be upset.
The show went without a hitch, and the after show party was an enormous event. Tohru and her boys left the party early, simply because Kisho had started to fuss. It was close to his bedtime, and he wasn't going to take no for an answer. They were strolling down the road, the setting sun behind them while Kisho drowsed in his carrier on Tohru's back. "I was offered a modeling contract today." Tohru said quietly, not knowing how to break it to them gently.
"I thought the Snake's shows were over." Kyo said, surprised.
"They are." She said. "I was offered a contract from an agency. The same one Mariko works for."
"That's wonderful news, Tohru. Are you going to take it?" Yuki asked, smiling at her.
"I don't know." She said, frowning slightly. "It would be a huge responsibility, and I have you, Kyo, and Kisho to think about, not to mention our home."
"Tohru, just because you sign with them, doesn't mean you have to accept every job they offer you. You could accept the ones that are close to you, or the ones that pay the most." Yuki smiled. "Actually, models get a lot more freedom than most professionals, simply because they have a choice in what jobs they take."
"Really?" Tohru asked. "I didn't know that. How did you?"
Yuki blushed. "I was offered a contract from a modeling agency about a month before I met you." He mumbled. "I refused, but it was very tempting. Just make sure you have a lawyer look over any contract before you sign."
"So you think I should do it?" Tohru asked, biting her lip.
"Only if you want to." Kyo said firmly. "It's your decision, and your life."
"Besides, you can always just talk to the man who offered it to you for a while, then decide." Yuki said. "It's not like you have to make the decision right away."
"Kyo grinned. "And I saw a couple other official lookin' guys floating around, lookin' like they wanted to talk to you, but we left before they could. You can compare offers." Tohru laughed and hooked her arms around each of theirs as they continued home.
* * *
"Do you think we should help her?" Yuki asked, sitting on the bench peacefully enjoying the sun.
"She told us not to." Kyo said, lying back in the grass, while Kisho lay on his stomach, sound asleep. They were sitting in Tohru's base, while she watered the bushes and trees, cleared weeds, and refilled the birdbath. She refused to let them help her, insisting that she could do it by herself.
Tohru sighed and collapsed next to Kyo, spread eagle on the grass. He turned to look at her with a smile. "Tired?" he asked.
"Uh huh." She said ruefully. "I think I should have let you help."
"Told ya so." He said, smirking. He lifted Kisho carefully off his chest and laid him on a blanket they had spread out on the grass. Kisho didn't even twitch at the shift. Kyo sat up against the bench, where Yuki sat, eyes closed and pulled Tohru up so her back rested against his chest. She blushed, but didn't protest the shift. She had been getting more comfortable with shows of affection, much to Yuki and Kyo's delight. She had even initiated a few kisses, which drove them completely nuts.
Yuki smiled at Tohru's blush. No matter how comfortable she was with them, any intimacy between them always made her blush. "Would you like to go take a bath before we go grocery shopping?" He asked, smoothing a strand of sweat soaked hair back from her forehead. She blew fruitlessly at the rest of it, then nodded ruefully.
"I think I'd better." She said. "I don't think they'd let me in a store all sweaty."
Yuki laughed. "Nonsense." He said. "If they didn't let you in, they wouldn't be worth our time."
"Damn right." Kyo said. He looked thoughtful for a second, then mischievous. He pulled her hair away from her neck and ran his tongue up the side of her throat in a long wet swipe. Tohru yelped and looked at him in surprise, face bright red. "I was just helping you start your bath." He said innocently. "I am a cat, after all." He grinned evilly. "Do you need any more help?"
Tohru jumped up and started waving her hands frantically. "N-no! That's ok!" she said quickly. "I can take a bath by myself!" She blushed harder, then ran for the path, still babbling slightly.
"She's adorable." Yuki said, smiling. "Will you get Kisho while I fold the blanket?"
"Sure." Kyo said, getting to his feet. He picked Kisho up and started back towards the house while Yuki folded the blanket he'd been lying on. Once they had cleaned up the base, they walked home leisurely. Tohru should have just stepped in the bath, and they didn't want to rush her. By the time they got home, Tohru was sitting in the dining room, drying her hair vigorously with a towel. Her face was still pink tinged, but it might have been from the bath.
"Are you almost ready to go?" Yuki asked softly.
"Uh huh." Tohru said, holding up the list. "I have the shopping list right here."
"Then let's go." Kyo said, grabbing Kisho's back harness. He pulled it on and let Yuki put the squirming child in the harness. Tohru stood and they left the house, strolling happily down the path, hands clasped.
"I've been thinking." Yuki said suddenly.
"That's a surprise." Kyo said, smirking.
Yuki glared at him, then continued. "We should probably start planning for the honeymoon."
"I'd never thought of that." Kyo said, sounding surprised. "I just thought we'd move into our house."
"That would be good enough for me." Tohru said. "I don't want to be greedy."
Yuki and Kyo looked honestly surprised. "How is wanting a honeymoon greedy?" Yuki asked.
"Well, we've already got a house, and we have to furnish it, and we have Kisho to worry about, so it'd be kinda hard to get away for a honeymoon."
"Not really." Yuki said thoughtfully. "We could always leave Kisho with Kisa's mother, she's very good with children. And we can always leave the number of the place we go."
"You wouldn't have said anything if you didn't have a good idea of where to go." Kyo said smirking. "What've you got up your sleeve?"
"I just thought another trip to the hot springs would be good." Yuki said casually. "Everyone had a good time last time, and it's easy to reach in case of an emergency."
"That's not a bad idea." Kyo said thoughtfully.
"I thought I could call and make an appointment for the weekend after the wedding. After all, the wedding itself is on a Saturday. A week would give us plenty of time to shop for the house, arrange things how we want it, and then we could just move in once we got back from the honeymoon."
"That sounds good." Tohru said, timidly. "Do you think Kisa's mom would watch him that weekend?"
"Even if she doesn't, someone else will." Kyo said. "If you want to go, we're gonna go."
"I.I.I can't make that kind of decision!" She said, eyes spinning. "It should be something we all agree on!"
Yuki sighed and looked at an exasperated Kyo. "Kyo, do you agree to go on the honeymoon the weekend following the wedding?"
"Yeah, I agree to that." Kyo said, smirking. "Do you agree to that?"
"I do." Said Yuki. "Since we all seem to be in agreement.We're going to the hot springs for our honeymoon."
"Glad we got that sorted out." Kyo said, opening the door of the grocery store and ushering a stunned Tohru in. Yuki strolled in after them, a satisfied smile on his face.
* * *
"Tohru! It's time to wake up!" Ayame shouted happily in Tohru's ear, causing her to jump out of bed, a hand clutching her hammering heart.
"H-Hello Ayame." She said, eyes large white circles. "Is it time to get up already?" She looked around quickly. "Where's Kisho?"
"Don't worry about Kisho, he's in the tender care of Shigure for today." Ayame said. "And might I just say, Princess, how honored I am that you would trust me to plan this, your one and only wedding day." He clutched one of her hands to his cheek, a slow tear rolling down his face. "Such trust in my abilities I have never seen!"
"Well, why wouldn't I?" Tohru asked. "You wouldn't do anything to spoil it."
Ayame looked affronted. "Of course not! I would never spoil someone's wedding day."
"Then why wouldn't we?" She asked, smiling sweetly. "Can I see my dress now?"
Ayame beamed at her and clapped his hands. "Oh, you're going to LOVE it!" he said, turning to a garment bag that was hanging on the closet door. "I know it was hard not to see it after that last fitting, but the resulting surprise is well worth it!" he said, whipping the plastic off the dress. Tohru gasped in pure delight. The only thing she had seen at the fittings were the under layer, that way the rest of the dress was as much a surprise for her as it was for Yuki and Kyo. But the anticipation had been well worth it. The dress was a work of art.
The bodice was intricately done. It was completely sleeveless, with a narrow triangle that started at her throat and stopped at her waist in a subtle tip made a complex pattern beads, sequins, and seed pearls. The rest of the dress was covered in a delicate lace that looked hand made. The lace split in the front of the skirt at the waist to reveal the white silk under layer that was once again covered in the sequins, pearls and beads. The lace that had been split was brought up and around to create a small train that just barely touched the floor. White silk roses positioned at the small of her back and the apex of the train completed the exquisite creation.
Tohru had tears in her eyes. "Oh Ayame, it's the most beautiful dress I've ever seen!" she said, throwing her arms around his waist.
He smiled proudly and patted her head. "Now, what kind of brother-in- law would I be if I let my little sister be married in anything less than a magnificent wedding dress?" He asked. "Now, you need to hop in the bath, and when you're finished, Kagura is going to do your makeup while Ritsu does your hair. The man is an absolute marvel, although you'd never know it to look at him." Ayame said, laying the dress out on her bed. "After you get your makeup and hair, you're to come to me and put your dress on, while I make any and all adjustments that need to be made." He pushed her towards the bathroom and firmly shut the door behind her. "I've made sure Yuki and Kyo are getting ready at the shrine, so you can get ready freely here." He called through the door. "You have half an hour, or I come in after you!" he sang cheerfully, leaving Tohru to bathe in peace.
She was out in less than twenty minutes, her hair still dripping the back of her bathrobe. Kagura and Ritsu were waiting for her, armed with their tools. They set her down on a chair they had brought from somewhere and got to work on her makeup and hair. It took more than an hour for them to be satisfied, but in the end, the results were worth it.
They had gone with a very simple look, to enhance her natural beauty. Her hair had been left down, with white and blue rose buds twined through her dark locks. Ritsu had put something in it that made her hair shine like satin. Kagura had gone for the fresh look on her face, using nothing more than a little concealer, blush, and mascara. The concealer evened out her skin tone, while the blush and mascara highlighted her cheekbones and eyes. They pronounced her finished and Ritsu left while Kagura pulled her carefully to the bed, where Ayame had put her dress, plus a few items of intimate apparel that made her blush horribly. Kagura simply grinned and pulled the bathrobe off the blushing bride and started thrusting the items at her to be put on one at a time.
After the undergarments were on, she carefully lifted the dress and unzipped the back, so Tohru could step in and pull it up to her shoulders, where Kagura readjusted it and zipped it, carefully lifting her hair out of the way.
They both jumped at the knock on her door. "Is she ready yet?" Ayame asked, cracking the door open and poking his head around the frame. He had his eyes tightly shut. "We're due at the Shrine in half an hour for pictures!"
"Oh calm down, she's dressed." Kagura said. "All you have to do is adjust it."
"Good!" Ayame said, striding fully into the room and opening his eyes. He blinked a few times, then his eyes went soft. "Oh Tohru, you are a vision of loveliness."
Tohru blushed brightly and tugged lightly on one of the sleeves. "Thank you." She said, looking at the floor.
Ayame frowned and slapped her hand lightly. "No fussing!" he said chidingly. "That's my job!" He tugged on the dress here and there adjusting the fit slightly, then pronounced it perfect. "Are you ready to go?" Ayame asked quietly, taking her hand in his. She nodded tremulously. "Then your carriage awaits." Ayame said, escorting her to the drive, where a limo was waiting to take her to the shrine, where she was to be married in a strange sort of double ceremony. They got in and sat back in the cool leather, while the driver maneuvered skillfully through the lines of traffic. She never looked back at the house, or she would have seen Momiji and Haru run into the house tools in hand and evil grins on their faces.
* * *
Tohru was a nervous wreck. What if Yuki and Kyo changed their minds? What if they were just doing this out of some sort of responsibility? She didn't even realize she was twisting a tissue she had gotten somewhere to complete shreds until Ayame put his hand on hers, stopping further torture of the helpless tissue.
"Is something wrong?" Ayame asked, releasing her hands.
"Wh-what if Yuki and Kyo decided not to go through with it?" she asked, eyes wide. "What if they're just marrying me because they think they have to?"
"Tohru I've never heard anything so ridiculous in my life!" Ayame said, completely serious. "Tohru, I've never seen anyone as much in love with anyone as Yuki and Kyo are with you." He smiled. "Anyone with eyes in their heads could see that."
"Are you sure?" Tohru asked, once again twisting the defenseless tissue. "I-I care about them, a lot, but they were TRAPPED into this!" she said, tears welling up in her eyes. "It wasn't their choice before, and now they feel obligated to."
Ayame frowned and put his hand over her mouth. "You stop right there." He said firmly. "They aren't doing this out of ANY sort of obligation. They are completely in love with you Tohru, and I don't want you thinking otherwise. Akito did the one good thing he'd ever done in his life by bonding you three." He smiled. "Now, I don't want to hear a single word more about any insecurities." Tohru nodded with a tremulous smile. "Good!" he said, peering out the window. "Because we're here!"
* * *
"Will you PLEASE stop pacing?" Yuki snapped, leaning against the wall of the room they were supposed to stay in until the ceremony. "You're going to wear a hole in the floor!"
"Shut up!" Kyo growled. "How can you be so fucking calm?!"
"And what makes you think I'm calm?" Yuki asked. "I'm just as nervous as you are, but I can actually control it."
"SHUT UP!" Kyo said. He sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "What if she decides not to go through with it?"
"She wouldn't do that." Yuki said confidently. "She's not the type."
"Do you think she's as nervous as we are?"
"Oh, I'm sure she's worse." Yuki said, sighing. "You know how she is."
"Yeah." Kyo said, eyes going soft. "How long until the ceremony?"
Yuki looked at his watch. "Any time now. Tohru's been taking pictures for the last hour. I heard them call out for different poses."
Kyo snorted slightly and glanced at Yuki out of the corner of his eye. "Just think, rat, after this we're stuck together for the rest of our lives."
"For her, I can deal with it." Yuki said. They both jumped as someone knocked on the door.
Kazuma stuck his head in the room and smiled at the two nervous boys. "It's time." He said, throwing the door open wide.
* * *
"Are you ready, Tohru?" Ayame asked, patting her left hand, which was hooked through his right arm. Kazuma had her right arm. Since her own father was dead, she had asked Kazuma and Ayame to walk her down the isle.
"As ready as I'll ever be." She said, smiling at him tremulously.
Kazuma smiled at her and patted the hand that was curled around his arm. "If it makes you feel any better, Kyo and Yuki are just as nervous as you are."
"They are?" She asked, looking at him in surprise.
"Oh yes. When I went in, I think Kyo was a second away from wearing a hole in the floor."
Tohru giggled slightly, then took a deep breath as two ushers slid the shoji doors open, revealing a mass of people-mostly the zodiac and their families, plus Uo and Hana-and the traditional Western wedding march that started to swell from the open doors. She gazed down the flower-strewn isle to where Yuki and Kyo stood waiting for her.and it was like the rest of the world fell away. Her eyes locked with theirs.and before they knew it the ceremony was over. As far as anyone who mattered was concerned, they were married.
The crowd surged forward to offer their congratulations to the happy trio and quickly ushered them into an adjacent hall, where a reception waited. Two tables sat on opposite sides of the hall, one loaded to the point of collapsing with food and a wedding cake, the other groaning under the weight of a huge pile of presents. The crowd carried the trio to the cake, where they cut three slices. Tohru fed a small piece to both Kyo and Yuki, while they fed her a small piece each. After they were done serving the cake, they were escorted to the gift table. They started opening the presents, taking turns until the table was covered in things that would be immensely useful to a small family that was starting their own household. Towels, sheets, blankets, dishes, pots and pans, small appliances, and some larger items sat around the table, to be suitably admired by the guests.
Once the presents were open, Ayame started some music, and the room erupted into dancing. Every male member of the Zodiac claimed a dance with Tohru, while Kagura, who had calmed down considerably now that she knew he was out of reach, monopolized Kyo. Yuki danced once with Kisa, but after Hiro grabbed her away, he preferred to sit out and watch Tohru be whirled around the dance floor by the various Zodiac members.
The ceremony itself was at two, so the reception lasted well until dark. Shortly after the sun set Ayame clapped his hands, attracting everyone's attention. "I think its time for the happy trio to away to their little love nest!" he said cheerfully, causing them to blush. Ignoring their blush, he pushed them out the door and down to the limo, where the driver opened the door for them. "Take them back to the house." Ayame ordered. He smiled at the trio. "Shigure will be staying at the main house tonight, and be back tomorrow evening." He said. "Enjoy your time alone." With that, he went back to the party, which was quickly wrapping up now that the trio of honor had left.
"Well, that was embarrassing." Yuki said, sighing. He gestured to the driver, who pulled out into traffic.
"Yep." Kyo said. "D'you think they noticed we left all the presents?"
"No." Yuki said. "I just hope they remember to take them to our house when they start cleaning up."
"It was a beautiful ceremony." Tohru said, blushing brightly. The roses had fallen out of her hair at some point during the festivities and her cheeks were glowing an attractive pink from both the exertion of dancing and their abrupt expulsion from the party and the attention it brought. "Ayame really outdid himself."
"Yeah, he did ok." Kyo said, frowning. "I just won't say it to his face." They all sighed when the driver came to a stop in front of the house. "Is anyone else as tired as I am?" Kyo asked when they'd gone in the house and kicked off their shoes. Tohru was especially glad to get her heels off. They were very small heels, but after being in them all day, she was more than ready to take them off.
"I'm going to take a bath." She said. "This dress is beautiful, but it's so hot!" She started going into an amazing amount of contortions, clearly trying to reach the zipper in the back, but failing miserably.
"What are you doing?" Yuki asked, amused.
Tohru sighed and stopped twisting. "I'm trying to get this zipper, but I don't think I can reach." She said, giving up. She twisted her hair into a bun and looked at Kyo and Yuki pleadingly. "Could one of you please unzip me?"
Yuki smiled and tugged on the zipper, pulling it downward half way. His eyes widened when he saw the absence of a bra strap. He closed his eyes, swallowing hard. "There you go Tohru." He said, backing away and busying himself with unbuttoning his collar, which suddenly seemed uncomfortably tight. Kyo just stared at him like he'd gone nuts.
Tohru looked puzzled for a minute, then went upstairs, tugging lightly on the roses in her hair.
Yuki leaned against the wall when she had gone and ran a hand through his hair. "Give me strength." He muttered to himself.
"What's the matter with you?" Kyo asked, smirking.
Yuki glared at him. "She wasn't wearing a bra under that dress." He said shortly.
Kyo's eyes widened. "Ohhhh." He said, getting it instantly. "That's.evil." He said, frowning. "Your brother is a sadist!"
"I know." Yuki said flatly.
* * *
Tohru came down stairs, a towel around her shoulders and stopped in the doorway to the sitting room. Kyo and Yuki sat there, evil glares on their faces. "What's wrong?" she asked, a frown spreading over her features. "Did you two have another fight?"
"No." Yuki said stonily. "Have you been in your room yet, Tohru?"
"Uh huh." Tohru said, frowning. "Why?"
"So have we." Kyo growled. "Our beds are gone."
"Gone?" Tohru asked blankly. "How?"
"We found this." Yuki said, holding up a note.
Tohru took it and read it. "Congratulations?"
"Apparently someone played a joke on the newlyweds." Yuki said.
"And as soon as I find out who." Kyo growled, pounding one fist into the opposite hand.
"So, where are you two going to sleep?" Tohru asked. "I guess there's always Shigure's bed."
Kyo and Yuki looked disgusted. "There's no way in hell I'm sleeping in that damn dog's bed!" Kyo said.
"I'd rather sleep on the floor." Yuki said tersely.
"Well, you two can have my bed, I guess." She said. "I'll sleep in Shigure's room."
"You don't have to do that." Yuki said, sighing. "I won't turn you out of your own bed."
"But I'll be in Shigure's bed, so I won't be on the floor, and you can have mine." She said.
"You're all forgettin' an option the person or persons who took our beds apart quite obviously wanted us to take." Kyo said, scowling. "We could all sleep in Tohru's bed. There's plenty of room, and we've done it before."
"We'd just have to check the room for video cameras first." Yuki said with a sigh. "Why not?"
"Ok." Tohru said, not at all displeased. It was always so nice to sleep between Kyo and Yuki, she always felt so secure, and it was always so warm. "Would either one of you like to take a bath before bed?"
"I think I would." Yuki said.
"I'll train while you take one, then I'll take mine." Kyo said. "I'll need one then, anyway."
"Fine." Yuki said, going upstairs.
"I'll make a snack before bed!" Tohru said, going into the kitchen, while Kyo headed for the yard.
* * *
"Oh my." Momiji said, smirking evilly. "Kyo is upset! I wonder why?" he said innocently, taking the binoculars off his face and glancing at Haru, who was sitting beside him in the tree.
"Not a clue." He said blandly. But a sinister twinkle was in his eye.
"They ARE married now, after all." Momiji continued. "They SHOULD sleep in their wife's bed!"
"But if they ever find out who stole their beds, they'll cut our dicks off and roast 'em like hotdogs." Haru said, still completely calm.
"Then we just have to make sure he doesn't find out." Momiji said. "Oh! Yuki's back!" He said, the binoculars pressed firmly to his face. "He must have just gotten out of the bath, his hair is all drippy."
"Can I borrow those binoculars?" Haru asked.
"Not a chance." Momiji said, grinning. "There goes Kyo, looks like he's next for a bath.Oh! Tohru's got that chocolate cake she makes!" He said, drooling slightly.
"The one with the nuts?" Haru asked, looking a little envious himself.
"Yep, and she put cherries on this one!" Momiji groaned. "This is cruel! Karma, it has to be!" He took the binoculars down and pouted at Haru. "Didn't we do a GOOD deed?" He asked.
"Yeah, but our reward will be so much better than cake." Haru said, smiling slightly in assurance. "Even Tohru's cake."
"I hope so." Momiji said, pressing the binoculars to his face again. "Crap! Haru, we forgot about Shigure's bed!" He said, scowling. "Kyo just went in his room!"
"Do you really think any of them would sleep in Shigure's bed?" Haru asked.
Momiji wrinkled his nose. "No, I don't think so." He said. "I see! They stole his pillows!" His fist went punched the air in triumph. "Oh yeah! They're heading for Tohru's room!"
"So we did our job well." Haru said, laughing slightly.
"That we did!" Momiji said contentedly. "Yes! Tohru just opened her window!" He said, zooming in quickly. "Oh. My. God."
"What? What?!" Haru asked, leaning forward. "What's going on?"
Momiji grinned and took the binoculars down. "Nothing, I was just playing with you." He said, sticking his tongue out playfully. Haru sighed and shook his head. "But we should probably go." Momiji continued. "They've turned the lights out, I can't see anymore." He put the binoculars around his neck and started climbing down the tree, Haru following.
"I don't think I would want to see any more." Haru said once they were on the ground.
* * *
"Goodnight Kyo, Yuki." Tohru said sleepily. She was spooned against Kyo, who had his arms around her waist, while using Yuki's shoulder as a pillow, who had his arm around her shoulders. "Sweet dreams."
"You too." Kyo said, half asleep.
"Good night." Yuki said, pulling her a little tighter against him. He hesitated, then said, "Goodnight Kyo." There was a surprised silence, then Kyo grunted a goodnight. Tohru smiled. They were finally starting to accept each other.