Hello again:) I had fun with this chapter. I always love writing Ayame! For those of you who asked, this story won't reallylive up to its "angst" label until the last few chapters. Sorry about that! Thanks so much for the reviews. They always make me so happy! I'm glad people like this story so much! I'm really having fun with it! Well, please enjoy chapter 10!

"Good evening," Ayame bowed flamboyantly, emerging from Hatori's house with a "bang". He surveyed the two boys standing on the steps with fascination. "Oh, how fabulous! You walked home together, and you're holding his hand, too!" Winking at Haru, he bent over to address Momiji. "He's been treating you well, I suppose? My little Haru is a perfect gentleman. I've taught him well, haven't I?"

The cow rolled his eyes. "Hello, Aaya-san." He flashed a warning look, hoping to end the conversation.

"Guten Abend!" Momiji bounced forward, lunging to embrace his older cousin. "Did you have a good day? Mine was so fun! After school, Haru bought me ice cream, and then he took me to the arcade. And, guess what? I won so many games!" Turning back, he beamed at his boyfriend. "And then I wanted Haru to win me a bunny rabbit, and he tried and tried to pick it up with the claw in this one game, but it kept slipping! He was getting really mad, but he didn't want me to know!"

"Well, that sounds like a date to me," The silver-haired man released his grip on the rabbit and rose to his feet. "Oh, sweet little Bunny-kuns! You better stop touching me, or Hatsuharu might get jealous."

"Oops, sorry," The blonde grinned sheepishly, biting his finger. He rushed to rejoin his white-haired cousin, sliding his arm around the other boy's waist.

Sighing, Hatsuharu patted his shoulder softly. "Don't worry about it."

"My dear Momiji-kun," Ayame laughed, waving his arms in a dramatic motion. "I must speak with Haru-kun alone at this time. I know it will be difficult for you to separate from him, but he will make it up to you later, of course." Pointing to the illuminated kitchen window, he tossed his hair over his shoulder. "Hatori is inside fixing a delicious supper, and he wanted me to help, but I just can't. Why don't you go and help him for me?"

"Ja!" Swinging his arms around the other boy's neck, Momiji jumped up and planted a quick kiss on the cow's lips. Smiling with joy, he skipped into the house without further questioning the matter.

As Momiji left, Ayame's eyes widened. "What was that? Did something happen that you didn't tell me about? How could you leave me bereft of this vital news? And after I helped you!" He faked a pout, but it was transparent when matched with the curious grin on his face. Floating down the stairs and out into the austere gardens, he pulled on his younger cousin with bubbling anticipation. "It was all the poem, wasn't it? I knew it! You simply swept him off his feet with our words of undying passion!"

"Not exactly," Haru corrected in a bored voice. Leaning against a mossy stone, he gazed unseeingly into the darkness.

"But he was simply shimmering with love for you. It was written all over his face! Aren't you ever happy?" Swishing his silver locks, the snake yawned emphatically. "You're starting to act like an old man, Haru-kun!"

"It's wrong." The younger boy groaned, twisting his finger through his heavy necklaces. "I didn't know what to do. He asked me to be his boyfriend. What could I say that wouldn't hurt him?"

"Yes!" Ayame proclaimed effortlessly, as if the answer was obvious. "You're supposed to say 'yes'. You're in love with him, and it sure seems like he's in love with you." Giggling, he reached to slick Haru's white tresses back into place. "If you keep pushing him away, he'll think that you don't like him! You have no romantic notions whatsoever. But that's why you have me, I suppose!"

"What do you mean?" Hatsuharu eyed him suspiciously.

"Never fear, little cow!" Draping his arm around the other boy's shoulders, he chuckled with confidence. "I took the liberty to plan a little romantic getaway for you and Bunny-kuns." Sighing, he wiped his forehead in exaggeration. "It was a challenge to get these tickets, but I knew I had to do it because I feel overpowering sympathy for your plight. I decided to work overtime to give you a perfect date and a wonderful opportunity to charm him."

Spinning around, Ayame continued in a singsong voice. "Here I have two bullet train tickets to Tokyo and two all day passes to Disneyland." He looked at his cousin proudly. "Wasn't it a stroke of pure genius? Imagine how Momiji's face will light up when you tell him. He'll fall into your arms the very second you get him alone. This is your chance, little Haru!"

Smiling in spite of the dramatics, the younger boy nodded cooly. "Thanks Aaya-san. We'll really enjoy this."

"Oh, I know!" The snake danced across the rocky ground. "I'm brilliant! Simply brilliant!" His laughter reflected intense pleasure at finally proposing an accepted suggestion. "Momiji will be so thoroughly entranced when he finds out!"

"Found you!" Surprising the two cousins, a little figure appeared from behind a nearby building. Momiji scampered forward, running to embrace Hatsuharu. "I found you! I found you! Why are you hiding back here? Are you telling secrets? Ich will wissen! I want to know!" He pleaded exuberantly.

"You need not worry, Momiji-kun!" Drifting toward the couple, the older man tousled Momiji's golden locks. "I just had some questions for your boyfriend, but it's nothing you don't already know, I'm sure."

"Momiji?" A questioning voice interrupted the conversation once more. Framed by the shadows of the nearby trees, Hatori moved toward the group with purpose. "Did you find them?"

"Ha'ri-kun!" Squealing, Ayame sounded as if he had not seen his lover in several months, though they had actually been separated no longer than a few minutes. "Oh, Ha'ri-koi! I have so much to tell you!"

Approaching the snake, the seahorse offered a kind half-smile. "Dinner is ready."

"We were looking for you guys for so long!" The rabbit added, snuggling against Hatsuharu's jacket. "We walked all the way around the main house, and over to where the servants live, and then passed the buildings where some of the families live! And we couldn't find you anywhere!" His voice trickled sweetly through the stillness. "If we don't hurry, the food will get cold!"

"Sorry," Haru apologized, glancing toward his two older cousins. They had moved a few feet away, but, in spite of the distance, Haru could still hear Ayame's banter. As the snake made fluid motions with his body to match the inflections in his story, Hatori stared at him seriously. But in his eyes, the white-haired boy could see glimmers of an unconditional love that treasured every word that Ayame said. 'I wonder if Momiji and I will become so close?'

"Oh!" Ayame halted suddenly, his eyes darting back to his younger cousins. "I think Haru-kun as something to tell Momiji-kun!" Slipping the tickets into the cow's hand, Ayame winked. "Good luck!" Bursting with glee, the silver-haired man looped his hand around Hatori's arm. "Let us depart for another splendid meal, my love!"

Hatori nodded in understanding, cooperating with his lover. "Come home as soon as you are done," The doctor reminded the younger boys, leading Ayame back to his house on the Sohma estate.

As soon as the older men were out of earshot, Momiji started interrogating the taller boy. "You have something to tell me? Ooh! Ooh!" Releasing his hold on Haru's waist, he hopped around in excitement. "Was ist das? A secret? A surprise?"

Grinning in anticipation, the cow handed the envelope to his boyfriend. "Ayame bought us tickets to Disneyland."

"Really!" Momiji's eyes widened with explosive joy. "We're going to Disneyland? I can't believe it! I've wanted to go for so long! I love Ayame! He is so nice and fun! Aren't you excited, Haru-kun?"

Ayame's words echoed through the other boy's head. 'If you keep pushing him away, he'll think that you don't like him.' Hatsuharu's heart clenched. 'I don't want that. If I'm going to call him my boyfriend, I should at least try to treat him like one. Even if it's against my best judgement.' Melting into the smaller boy's smile, Haru's chest warmed. "I'm excited to spend the day with you." He replied, his simple tone reflecting the sincerity of his statement.

"Ich liebe dich!" The rabbit giggled, reaching to hold Haru's hand. "I can't wait! This will be so fun! We're going to do everything! I want to ride all of the roller coasters, and see the castle, and maybe even meet Micky Mouse." Giving Hatsuharu's arm a tug, Momiji started to lead his boyfriend back home.

'When he smiles like that,' Haru thought, his eyes studying the smaller boy, 'I sometimes forget what depression feels like. His glow is like my elixir. I just wish I could give him some of the happiness that he brings me!' Stopping, the white-haired boy quieted his voice. "You were right, I mean, what you said to me today."

"What do you mean, Haru-kun?"

"You said that I shouldn't worry about what other people think, and that I should love myself." The cow reminded him. "And deep down I know you're right. It's just, my parents-,"

Caressing his cousin's back, Momiji tried to erase the nervous expression on the other boy's face, urging him to continue. "Don't be scared, Schatz! I want to help you!"

"No," Haru shook his head, staring at the dusty path. "I can't complain to you like this. It's selfish of me! I should be happy that I still have my mom."

Biting his lip, Momiji realized what was silencing the other boy. "You can tell me, Haru-kun. I want you to tell me! I think we can really help each other, because we've been through some of the same things!"

"No," Hunching his shoulders, Hatsuharu reclined against the wall. "What you went through was so much worse. I'm just weak, I guess." Giving in to the blonde's concerned touch, Haru forced out his shaky explanation. "It's just, my mom is always so worried about what other people think."

Rubbing his forehead, the taller boy groaned in recollection of the hurtful memories. "She always wants people to think that we're the perfect family with the perfect life. I guess she can't see that my curse makes that impossible." He chuckled half-heartedly, trying to diminish the pain in his voice. "When I was little, she always corrected me and tried to make me into the child that she wanted me to be."

"One time when I was five years old," he continued, "I was playing with Kyo and I fell into a thorn bush. I ran home crying, and when she saw my swollen eyes and tattered clothes, she didn't even ask if I was hurt. She just told me to clean up before someone else saw what a mess I had made." A lump swelled in his throat as her biting tone echoed through his mind. "When that didn't work, she tried making excuses for me. Now she just pretends I don't exist. It's easier for her that way."

Drawing closer to his blonde boyfriend, Hatsuharu claimed an awkward hug. "I promised myself that I'd never become like that! I'd never worry about people's opinions of me! I'm just as much of a failure as she says, though, because I can't stop myself from fearing the worst. I don't care so much when people hate me, I guess. I already know that I'm stupid. I mean, I worry what Yuki thinks sometimes, but that's different." He shrugged. "But I can't stop worrying about what people think of you."

His lashes swimming with tears, Momiji answered shakily. "Warum? Please don't worry about me, Haru-kun. I don't want to make you sad! I think, I mean, if I try to, I can take care of myself, really. But I want you to love yourself, too, because I love you very much. You are a really good person! I know you think you're bad, but you're not!"

"I'm not like you, Momiji," He corrected his smaller boyfriend. "I'm not so strong. You're always so positive, no matter what happens. You're perfect. And all I can do is wallow in my own self-loathing."

"Stimmt nicht!" Momiji's voice cracked, a sound that echoed his sympathy for the other boy. "I'm not perfect! Everybody hurts, we just have different ways of showing it. Sometimes I'm sad, too. I get scared that everyone I love will leave me. But I feel guilty and then try to bury the pain deep inside where no one else can see it. I should be stronger! I should be happy with my life! I have so many people to love: Tohru-kun, Ha'ri-san, Aaya-san, and especially you. I just keep trying to be content! If I keep trying, I'll be happy!"

"Momiji," Hatsuharu sighed, attempting to comfort the boy with a light kiss. Seeing the rabbit cry sickened him, and he forced a cheery tone in order to end the conversation. "We can keep trying together. I'll try to stop worrying. I don't think I'm smart enough to overcome my troubles, but I'll try, for you. I don't want to bother you anymore." But he knew the promises were empty. Gazing toward the house, he remembered that his older cousins might be waiting for them. "Come on," He insisted. "We need to get home before Hatori comes looking for us again."

"Oops! You're right!" Momiji's serious expression disappearing, a bright grin spread across his face. "Our food will be so cold! I hope they're not mad! Uh-oh!" Laughing, he took off. "We're going to Disneyland! We're going to Disneyland!"

'And you just keep smiling.' Haru mused, watching the blonde's antics carefully. 'I hope it's a true smile. Because if you hide all your pain, how can I really know what makes you happy? How do I know this isn't all a pretense?'

"Hurry, Haru-kun!" Doubling back, Momiji slipped his tiny arm around the taller boy's waist. "Come on! We're almost there! It smells yummy! I love Tempura!" His voice bubbled with joy. "Hurry!"

Shaking his head, Hatsuharu's chest dropped. 'How can I know what you think of me?'

Momiji's German lesson #10

Guten Abend- good evening

Ja- yes!

Ich will wissen- I want to know!

Was ist das?- What is it?

Ich liebe dich- I love you (I think you know it by now, but I just want to make sure :) )

Schatz- sweetheart or another "pet name" like that (just a side note, this is what Gollum calls the ring in the German version of LOTR! he-he!)

Warum?- Why?

Stimmt nicht- I don't agree!

Next chapter...a date at Tokyo Disneyland!...I wish I could go with them! Ja bitte!