Chapter 5 is here so soon! Yay! Ich fühle mich froh:) Well, have fun with this chapter because the next one is going to be just about the opposite: dark, angsty, and entirely sad.:( Sorry about that! Well, enjoy and review!

"Hurry, Haru-kun," Ayame's voice was bursting with excitement and pride as he held open the glass door. His eyes glittering like a child surveying a candy shop, he gave his younger cousin one more pull to lead him inside.

'He acts like he's never been here before,' The cow mused to himself, his eyes flashing from one garish shelf to the next. Taking in the disarray of gaudy fabrics and suspicious looking packages, he sighed. 'Maybe I should be the one with the nervous jitters.'

"Hello Ayame-san!" A girl greeted, her two wide eyes appearing from behind a bolt of purple silk. With a bright smile, her gaze locked on Hatsuharu. "Who's your guest today? One of your brother's friends again?"

"Oh, good morning, Mine-san!" The older man squealed. "We're really going to have a lovely day." His exhilarating mood bubbled over at the sight of his friend. "This is my little cousin, Hatsuharu-san, and he needs our help with a romance problem. See, he's passionately and madly entranced by my other cousin, Momiji, but our sweet Momiji-kun is far too innocent to notice. He actually climbs in bed with poor Haru, and this whole time Haru is fighting the powerful feelings of lust like the valiant warrior he is."

Biting his lip, Haru looked away to hide his frustration at Ayame's openness. He was spilling all that the younger boy guarded deeply in his heart to a woman Hatsuharu had never even met. 'But I can't do anything to stop Ayame when he gets an idea in his head,' The white-haired boy reminded himself. 'Well, from what I've heard about this shop,' he remembered Yuki's disgusted rants after his first and only visit, 'she's probably heard worse.'

"Well, then," Mine clasped her hands together in a move Haru had seen Ayame perform more than once that day. "Why don't we give this little Momiji-kun a wake-up call? When he sees how beautifully one of our outfits suits you, he'll be thinking dirtier than you are." She winked, nearly skipping toward a dressing room. "Come on. I'll find you something nice!"

Hatsuharu's feet, however, remained planted in front of the door, his eyes flying from one piece of textile to another, wincing at dreams of those cloths wrapped around his body. He forced a polite grin. "I'm not really sure I want him thinking dirty thoughts about me," he contested truthfully. 'And even if I did,' he mentally added, 'I can't imagine what type of outfit it would take to corrupt Momiji.'

"What about this?" The animated clerk darted into a corner and returned with a wad of black-and-white clothing. "This one matches your hair nicely. Let's try it on!" Stretching out her arm, she revealed a tiny miniskirt and jacket made entirely from a cow-spotted fur. "What do you think, Ayame-san? You like it, right? Isn't it wonderful?"

Haru choked back a gasp, not knowing whether it was the tiny skirt or the cow-print he found more appalling. 'How ironic is that?' The ox fought the urge to laugh in spite of the uncomfortable situation, his eyes avoiding his cousin.

"Oh, dear Mine-san," Ayame replied, his voice dripping with charm. "You really know how to find a dress perfectly suited to the man," He flashed Haru a knowing smile. "But I think you're rushing him, and we wouldn't want that, now would we, my darling Mine?"

The younger boy rolled his eyes at the dramatics, however grateful he was to Ayame for steering the girl away from the cow dress. Thinking about how many times the snake had rushed family members into situations they were not ready for, it was difficult for Hatsuharu to add an affirmative nod to his last statement. "Yes," He tried to silence the amusement in his reply. "Hey, Aaya-san, maybe I should just go and we can talk about this tonight at home?" He failed to conceal his hopefulness.

"Nonsense! Nonsense!" The silver-haired man reached for him once more, bringing him further into the cramped space. "But perhaps we should go to the back room and discuss this alone. I know you're so shy and I don't want to overpower you out here in the rush."

'I've never thought of myself as shy,' Haru wondered at Ayame's words, taking a few wary steps forward. 'But maybe he's right. Is that my problem?' Watching his cousin flounce across the room, his every move begging for attention, the cow smirked. 'Or maybe I'm just more sensible.'

Mine responded in disappointment, "So you want me to stay out here, Ayame-san?"

"Of course, sweet Mine," He attempted to brighten the mood with his endless cheer. "Who could possibly help the customers better than you?" His arms flew around the empty room. "When we start filling up, who will be better than you to fit them with exactly the right ingredients for romance? I have taught you well, Mine-san." He could not help but add a self-serving compliment, even when he was trying to appease someone else. "Now, Haru-kun," He mustered the closest thing to a businesslike tone that he was capable of. "If you'll just come with me back here, we can talk about your little dilemma."

Pacing passed the shelves and into an enclave at the back of the store, Hatsuharu found a relaxed room with a sofa and curious bookshelves. 'I guess I'll soon find out what type of romance Ayame keeps hidden here.' The younger boy's thoughts danced with images of Momiji. The blonde had always been so intrigued by the idea of this store without really understanding its purpose. The Sohmas rarely visited Ayame's place of employment, yet it had remained a point of gossip for as long as Haru could remember. He never gave it much consideration himself, but Momiji was fascinated and always exploding with questions. And Ayame would always reply with vague responses and promises to take Momiji for a visit as soon as he got older. 'Funny that I get to come here before him when he was the only one that really wanted to see it.'

"Please, Haru-kun," Ayame gestured to the stoic figure. "Sit down, relax. I wouldn't want you to think me inhospitable."

Sinking onto the rose furniture, he forced an uncertain smile and a cool demeanor. "So, what type of mischief do you have planned for me?" He attempted to mask his nervousness.

"Oh, I'm so glad you asked!" The slightest hint of interest from Hatsuharu sparked a fire under Ayame, sending him springing around the sofa with a showy smile plastered across his face. "I have so many ideas. It is really important that you get together with Momiji-kun. You are one of my very favorite cousins and I just want you to be happy. Everyone deserves a little passion in their lives," he sounded as if he was delivering a sales pitch, "guilt free. Little bunny-kun just needs to open his eyes, and we can't wait forever for him to do it. But you have me for that, dear cousin! I will find the perfect formula to cure your heartache."

He paused, finally catching a breath between his chattering words. "Hmm," pressing a finger to his lip, his brows furrowed in thought. "I think I may have just the thing to get us started. You wait right there, Haru-kun."

The cow had little opportunity to reply before his silver-haired cousin dashed from the room. Moaning in resignation, he fingered the posh sofa, his mind swirling with questions as to what Ayame could have planned for him. 'Well, it has to be better than the cow dress. The only response that would get from Momiji would be a question about why I wanted to look like a girl.' He chuckled softly. 'I like Ayame, but I don't think he really knows how I feel about this.'

"HARU-KUN?" A singsong call splintered Haru's anticipation as Ayame came thundering back into the room. "I found just what I was looking for!" He clutched a hanger in his slender fingers, and on it hung a German-style dress complete with a frilly blouse, a laced vest, and a tiny bell skirt. "Just dress our little bunny rabbit in this, give him a stein of beer, and tell him it's time for Bettzimmerfest!"

The white-haired boy's eyes popped open, and his stomach clenched as he realized that Ayame could concoct outfits worse than the cow-print dress. "Ayame, that's disgusting." He explained simply. "I don't want to make him into a Biergarten whore." Shivering at an image of Momiji revealing so much of his legs, Haru fought his own reaction in revolt. "You know Momiji doesn't act like that," He clarified firmly, both to his cousin and to his own body.

"But isn't that the point, Haru-kun?" He smiled suggestively. "Don't you want to get him acting like that?"

Haru looked away to hide his irritation, not wanting to disappoint his cousin too severely. "Look. I'm sorry Ayame. I just don't think you understand how I feel about Momiji. I don't want to do anything to hurt him. I feel like a monster for lusting after someone as naive as he is, and I would rather die than take advantage of him. I want to protect him, not act out on my own fantasies. He is too good to be robbed by my horrific notions of love. He loves me so purely, and all I can think of when he kisses me is how the contact makes me feel. I'll carry my longings to my grave if that's what it takes for me to preserve his sweet nature."

"That's so noble!" Ayame interjected dreamily, his surprise showing that he had never entertained such thoughts in his life. "But you'll drive yourself crazy, Haru-kun, and I don't want that. You may just find that he feels exactly the same as you do." He wagged his finger at the younger boy, his eyes glittering. "You need to stop thinking of Momiji as a child."

"How can I think of him as anything but a child?" He questioned, his voice flat. "He certainly looks like one, and he acts like one, too. That's why I can't live with myself when I start to touch him."

"But does he have the heart of a child?" The snake added, his voice rising with emotion. "You know that he doesn't, Haru. I don't think your feelings are disturbed at all. They are natural. Completely natural! You love him, and you want to show it. That's human nature."

A smile twitched at Hatsuharu's lips. "Of course you would think so."

"Of course I know so," Ayame remained oblivious to the sarcasm. "I am a very experienced adult, my dear Haru." He took a seat beside the cow, stretching one arm around his younger companion's shoulders. "Do you think Hatori and I entered into our passionate love affair without any prodding? No! It took much work and skill on my part to unite us. I want you to have the same happiness that I've found." His voice turned silky. "Please let me help you."

Then, without any assurance from the other boy, Ayame leapt to his feet. "I know! I have a perfect idea! A note!" He jumped over to a bookshelf, his fingers itching with glee. "You can write him a note explaining how you feel. That way you can think out your invitation without feeling pressured by your little lover's presence. It's wonderfully safe!"

Haru was shocked by his own compliance to the plan. "Sure." He shrugged.

The response delighted the silver-haired man, and he started to rustle through the pages. "Yes, it is a beautiful idea, isn't it? I have everything here to help you. We keep romantic stationary and love poems catalogued away for those special situations." Piling a few of the leather-bound volumes next to Hatsuharu, he took a seat on the floor, a calligraphy pen poised excitedly in his hand. "Just find something you like in here, and I will copy it down."

Haru forced away embarrassment as he scanned page after page of gold-embossed sonnets, each one distinctly sappy and not at all fitting to his personality. The letters swirling across the page reminded him of his own churning emotions, but for a long time that was the only similarity he could find. However, suddenly a line caught his attention, and he stopped.

Facing Ayame with an intense stare, he began to read, "And your great honor turned to dust, and into ashes all my lust. The grave's a fine and quiet place, but none, I think, do there embrace." His words were laced with interest. "That's how I feel."

"Oh, our dear Haru, forever the romantic," Ayame teased boldly. "I admit this isn't exactly what I had in mind, but if you really must choose something cold and cheerless, I guess I can't deny you that option." He sighed, the pen scratching over the pink paper. "But you know, I don't think this poem means what you think it does. Oh well! Don't blame me when this doesn't win him over." Finishing, he twirled a finger through his shiny locks. "Tell me you will sign it at least?"

"No," he approached the vivid man, his hand outstretched. "But thank you, Ayame. I think I'm going to head home now."

"Oh yes," The snake's girlish giggle returned. "I wouldn't want to keep you from little bunny-kun for too long, now would I? That would be tragic!" Springing to his feet, he danced back toward the door. "Just remember that if you decide this little chivalry act has gone too far, you can get the sparks of real romance from me!"

The cow nodded half-heartedly, looking at the folded paper in the cup of his palm. "Yes, I'll remember, Aaya-san."

"On va au parc aprés l'ecole?" The teacher scanned the room, her eyes honing in on the students that seemed to be paying the least amount of attention to her lesson. "Hatsuharu, s'il vous plaît?"

"Um," Haru mumbled, his mind trying to focus on something besides his desire for school to end. In front of him, Momiji swung his legs in impatience, jiggling both of their desks in perfect rhythm. 'Why's he so anxious? It was his idea to take this class anyway.' Smiling at the thought, he let out an audible whisper. "Hey, Momiji-kun, what did she say?"

"Haru-kun!" The rabbit reprimanded, his voice full of laughter. "You really need to listen or you'll get us both into trouble."

"Excusez-moi!" Tapping her foot, she listened to the exchange between the Sohma boys with a venomous glare. "How many times do I have to tell you how important it is to take this class seriously? I won't keep passing you if you put forth no effort in class. Do I make myself clear?"

He delivered a sheepish grin, "Oui?" Suddenly, Momiji slid a scrap of paper scrawled with French writing into Haru's hand. Reading it aloud, he continued proudly. "Oui. J'adore le parc. Allons-y!"

Shaking her head in resignation, she watched the rabbit. "Don't think I didn't see that." Turning back to the chalkboard, she copied down Haru's uncertain response. "And Momiji, how many times do I have to tell you that there is to be no eating in class."

"Tut mir leid, Lehrerin!" Snatching up the half-eaten candy from his desk and stuffing it into a side pocket in his backpack, the small boy's fingers lingered before withdrawing a slip of pink paper.

'Oh shit!' Haru's heart skipped as he instantly recognized the note. After hiding it away among Momiji's school supplies Saturday night, he had nearly forgotten about the whole experience by Monday morning. Staring helplessly, he watched as the rabbit's face displayed curiosity and then shock as he scanned the fluid script.

Momiji's chocolate eyes widened, and he flipped the note over to scrawl a question across the back. He paused once more before pushing it between Haru's clammy fingers.

The cow's veins trembled as he glanced over the writing, his stomach contracting in his chest. "Haru, I just found this in my bag and I don't know where it came from. What do you think it means?"

Finding it unnecessary to read over the poem once more, Haru quickly produced a response. Sweat swelled on his forehead, but he found some relief knowing that Momiji had no suspicions about the note's source. "I think it means that someone loves you, but doesn't think it is a good thing to tell you how they feel."

Clasping the slip in his soft fingers, Momiji bounced in his seat and soon added a response. "Someone loves me? Wirklich? Who do you think it is? Do you have any ideas? That's so exciting! But if they love me, why can't they just tell me? It will make me happy."

The white-haired boy shivered at the reply, suppressing the urge to crumple the letter and toss it in the trash can, forgetting that any of this had ever happened. 'If only things could be that simple, Momiji.'

Momiji's German (And French) lesson #4

Bettzimmerfest- a play on words from Oktoberfest Literally "bedroom party"

Biergarten- bar or "beer garden"

Tut mir leid- I'm sorry

Lehrerin- female teacher

Wirklich- really?

and the French... yep, I had to stick them in some class so I figured it should be a fun one. But do japanese people study French?

On va au parc aprés l'ecole?- Let's go to the park after school.

Oui- yes

Excusez-moi- excuse me!

J'adore le parc- I love the park.

Allons-y- let's go