Title: Red Ribbons
Summary: 'Japanese legends talk of red ribbons that made a link between future couples that only gods and spirits could see' but one particular god isn't happy about it... M/F, M/M, F/M/M
Rating: PG-13 (I still don't know the names of the new ratings so we'll stick the more common ones! )
Status: 2 chapters written, 2 chapters posted
Review count: 2
PrEtTyStUpIdGiRl - I have
Lain Mikado - I'm glad you like it and lucky me I'm staying somewhere with computers and internet readily available. That and I have too much spare time.
Pairings: Well...you'll see
Notes: There are lots of A/Ns in this chapter
The holidays were over and it was back to school for the last half of term before Shogatsu (A/N: Another word for New Years). Tohru was currently in Home Economics with a small plastic container filled with some of the strawberries she and Yuki had planted by her mixing bowl. The brunette began to beat eggs and pound flower and butter together, "Hey Tohru, what you making?" Blonde hair cascaded over a broad shoulder as Arisa Uotani leaned over to watch the onigiri work.
Tohru paused in her display to meet her friend's eyes with a gleaming smile, "I'm making Christmas cakes, it's an American tradition and me and Shigure-san thought it would be fun to spend Christmas together." Tohru new in her heart why Shigure had suggested that they spend Christmas (which was becoming a popular tradition in Japan despite the 2 Christian content) together (A/N: Info adapted from the japan-guide(dot)com, the practised religion in Japan is Buddhism and therefore our idea of an omnipotent God is not followed by the majority), Yuki and Kyo would have to spend Shogatsu at the main house.
"What's Christmas?" Uotani asked as she went back to moulding numerous onigiri.
"At Christmas time Christians celebrate the birth of the son of their God Jesus Christ. Originally one would present children with wooden toys because when Jesus was born a carpenter learned of his birth and made toys for him. The carpenter then wondered the land in search of the child, giving presents to each child he saw in hopes that it was his lord. (A/N: Story taken from one of my school's chapel services) Now it is merely a commercial excuse to produce cards, wrapping papers and other such pleasantries," commented Hanajima as she copied what Tohru was doing.
"Oh, okay," Uotani said grinning, "in that case," she turned to Tohru, "what would you like Tohru-chan?"
"Yes, what would you like Tohru-chan?"
"Oh no," Tohru flushed a becoming shade of red, "you musn't, I mean, you shouldn't have to buy anything for me, I'd be asking for it. No minna-chan, I don't want anything, no." With this final declaration Tohru stopped waving her hands around and settled for remaining red.
Arisa laughed and slung an arm around Tohru's shoulders, "Don't be silly Tohru-chan, I know, we can get you a new bathing suit, what do say Hana-chan?"
The violet-eyed girl looked up and nodded, "Yes, that is a fine idea, it is saddening to see our Tohru in her middle school swim suit, perhaps we should take those Sohma boys with us."
"Yes, that's a great idea, it'll be fun to watch them squirm," Arisa cheered as she went back to making rice cakes.
"Arisa, can you make nothing but onigiri?" the sensei asked as she leaned over to look at the three, two of which were pouring cake mix into baking tins while Arisa continued to make onigiri.
Lunchtime---
Later, when the last bell before lunch had rung Tohru was walking with Hanajima as they waited for a detained Arisa to catch up.
"Tohru," the brunette turned, "you said that it was you and Shigure that had decided to celebrate Christmas, does the Prince and the fireball (A/N: Suits Kyo-kun well nei? Like sex kitten mmm) know yet?"
Tohru shook her head, "Oh no, Shigure-san thought it would be a nice surprise for them, we were going to get Yuki-kun and Kyo-kun out for he way for the day while we did the decorations."
Just then Arisa caught up with them, "So did I miss anything?" she asked as she fell into step with them both."
"Tohru-chan was just about to ask us if we wanted to help decorate the Sohma house for Christmas," Hanajima explained and not for the first time Tohru wondered if the dark haired 'vibe girl' was physic.
School ends---
"Well I have to work tonight but I think there'll be time for me to make dinner, Kyo-kun, it's your turn to pick dinner isn't it?" Tohru asked as shifted her bag from one hand to the other while walking in between the two boys.
Recently Tohru had come up with the idea that they each take turns in deciding what they want to eat. Being her considerate self, Tohru hadn't included herself in the schedule although due the insistence of Yuki and some yelling from Kyo she was now.
Kyo blushed at being addressed so directly, turquoise eyes were fixated on him in curious wonder, as were a pair of jealous violet ones but for once Kyo ignored them. "Um…" he took his time to reply revelling in the light of Tohru's gaze, a tactic which was lost on Tohru but did well to infuriate the nezumi.
"Ramen (A/N: Noodles in soup)," he replied quietly, he was loud and brash when aggravated but by no means was he an extrovert, not like Momiji. As annoying as he found the usagi (A/N: Rabbit) he could see the pickled plum on his back, just like he could see Yuki's. This revelation only sought to darken his mood and his sank into a contemplative silence.
He would've started were it not for his training when a small and soft hand, unlike Kagura's, slipped into his. "Is something bothering you Kyo-kun?" He cheeks went as red as his eyes as her fingers intertwined with his only for his embarrassment to turn to jealousy when he saw her opposing hand held possessively that baka no yarou (A/N: slang for bastard, used when one really hates another) Yuki.
Shigure's home---
"Mmm, something smells appetising, my little flower what delightful delicacy have you made for us now?" Shigure half sang as he waltzed into the kitchen, his sensitive inu nose held high in the air. Holding himself a mere inch from her he leaned over her shoulder to watch her gently spoon noodles round and round, marinating them in sauce.
He gave her a sidelong glance that revealed her blush, "It's ramen," she replied, suddenly her distress signals flared, "but maybe Shigure-san doesn't like ramen, oh maybe I should've asked first, but it was Kyo-kun's turn and he did eat the stewed leaks when Yuki-kun picked. Ano," she moaned.
"Maa, maa, maa, Tohru-chan, I like ramen and I know Yuki-kun does to, it's alright," Shigure said gently as he took a step back.
"Are you sure Shigure-san, you're not just saying that, I don't want you to feel pressured after all you've done for me. It wouldn't be right for me to impose this on you if you don't like it, please tell me Shigure-san," her panic still not having fully receded Shigure chuckled.
"Tohru-kun, I love everything you make," those words were all she needed and a sparkling smile slid onto her face and Shigure nearly melted. He steeled himself and pranced out of the room, Tohru was to be Yuki or Kyo's, his meddling had made it so and he was not going to collapse under his own feelings now. Plus, how could he face Hatori and all the 'I told you so's he'd get from him and Ayame both.
Later---
Tohru waved farewell to the three as she made her way to work, Yuki ran after her, "Honda-san, will you be working late this evening?"
She shook her head, "Iie Yuki-kun, the building shuts early today," she replied, smiling as always.
"Would you like me to come and pick you up?" he asked hopeful, wanting to spend some time alone with her.
"Iie, Yuki-kun does not need to do that for me," he was about to insist but she continued on, "arigatou gozamaimasu (A/N: Thank you very much) though Yuki-kun demo (A/N: but) I promised Ayame-san that I'd let him take me to dinner tonight, even though I still haven't found a way to repay him for the last time he took me out."
The hair on the back of Yuki's neck bristled at many things, the first being the idea of Tohru who in some ways he regarded as his, spending time with his brother, and second the fact that he still hadn't forgiven the snake for kidnapping her the first time. "Don't worry Honda-san, I understand."
He turned away, "Yuki-kun, if it really makes you feel bad I can call Ayame-san, maybe he'd be willing to cancel, oh no but I couldn't do that, not after he asked so nicely."
Yuki turned to her and smiled fondly as she fretted over the simplest of things, he took one of her hands and watched her blush, "It's okay Honda-san, I understand if you had a previous engagement, maybe some other time nei?"
"Yes Yuki-kun, I would like that very much and perhaps I should take Yuki-kun out to lunch to make up for it," Yuki blushed at the idea of spending time alone with Tohru as she merely smiled with happiness.
"Perhaps, that would be nice Honda-san," seeing the delight dance in her eyes was enough to return the smile to his face.
He returned to the house to find Kyo waiting for him, "What was that about rat boy?" he demanded savagely, glaring at Yuki who only smiled confidently.
"Honda-san and I are going out to lunch this weekend you baka neko, though why it concerns you escapes me." Elevated to a new high by the insulted and crushed look that he had earned from the orange haired boy Yuki ascended the stairs to his room to finish his homework.
Kyo glared after Yuki's retreating back, maybe it didn't mean anything, maybe he still had a chance. He shook his head, what was he thinking, why would she choose him over that damn Yuki, the stupid Prince Charming. "Aw, hell with it," Kyo called allowed as he stormed off, heading for the roof, the stars always did well to calm him but he feared they could bring him joy…not like Tohru could.
Eh voila, by some miracle this has been brought to you from France...as I've tried to imply all the Sohma's are trying to be close to Tohru.
Anyway, if you've got time, check this out
http/uk(dot)geocities(dot)com/tsubasa(underscore)cubs
There're cute adoptables