Haha, very sorry, I changed my penname again! From now on, I'll NEVER CHANGE IT AGAIN, I PROMISE! (Goes off to change penname XD JK) -Yuki
Jealousy
The atmosphere in the room was oppressive. While none spoke, and all did separate things, the same thing was on everyone's mind. One would think that, with this as the case, the topic would be brought up…but, some how, while everyone was curious, no one wanted to be the one to…ask. So, each individual continued his or her activities, in complete silence.
One person in the room, however, was not one to stay silent for very long. Although she, too, could sense the careful nature of the group, she knew something would have to be done soon…be said soon. So, taking a deep breath, she spoke aloud the words that were hanging in everyone's mind.
"Kisa…how was school today?"
All activity stopped. The newspaper Shigure was reading lowered to reveal his shocked face, Yuki's pencil stopped writing, the milk carton Kyo was holding stopped before it reached his lips, and the radio Haru had been listening to was instantly ignored. Tohru must have realized her mistake, because, the silence that had prevailed in the room moments before, returned stronger than ever.
Hiro saw the stricken look on Kisa's face and the look of embarrassment on Tohru, and sighed. Why did that stupid woman always have to stir up trouble? Didn't she ever think before speaking? Didn't she-
"Ummm, it was okay", Kisa finally replied, a small smile playing on her lips.
Now that shocked Hiro.
"Well that's good!"
Suddenly the atmosphere in the room lifted, and everyone sighed to his or herself, feeling as though they had just been relieved of a huge burden.
Returning to her duty of sweeping the floor, Tohru continued. "Did anything fun happen today?"
Kyo, too, returned to his self-assigned duty, which consisted of finishing the carton of milk that still lay in his hand. He instantly lost interest in the conversation, seeing as he had some serious milk drinking to attend to. ;P
"I was able to get caught up in the classes I missed, thanks to Grandpa Shigure helping me with my homework", Kisa replied.
Shigure folded the newspaper and smiled at the little girl. "Anything for Granddaughter Kisa!"
Encouraged, Kisa continued. "And… in literature class, we were given a project. We have to pick a story and research it".
"A project?" Tohru asked. "Is it a group project?"
"Well, kind of. We were partnered off…" Here Kisa started to falter. "…umm, ya…and, since there are an odd number of boys and of girls in our class, well…"
"..You were partnered with a boy", Hatsuharu finished for her. "So, who's the lucky guy?"
Blushing, Kisa responded. "His name is…Megumi…he…he was the one who…who saved me that day…" Still blushing, a smile worked it's way onto her lips.
Hiro's hand curled into a fist. The boy…that had saved her. The boy…who she had called a hero. Her hero, if he recalled Momiji's words correctly. Angrily, Hiro stood up and marched out of the room.
Everyone, having been paying attention to Kisa, didn't notice Hiro's sudden disappearance; that is, except one.
Getting up, Haru made his way to across the room to the doorway.
"Where are you going?" Yuki asked, thinking it rude that Haru left while Kisa was talking.
In response, he just winked at Yuki as he left, which annoyed the rat even more.
"So", Shigure said, interested, "what story did you and Megumi pick?"
An awkward silence once again descended in the room as Kisa tried to delay responding as much as possible. After thinking for a minute, she retrieved a book from her backpack, and, slid it, pages open to the story, across the table to Shigure. As the dog picked up the novel, his eyes widened. Shocked, he uttered the title to the waiting group. "The…Legend of the Chinese Zodiac…?"
Hiro was too deep in thought to hear the foot steps come up behind him. However, a single voice in the silence wasn't something he could easily miss.
"You know, it took Kisa a lot of courage to tell us about school today…the least you could do is be there for her as she speaks". Hatsuharu leaned up against the tree next to Hiro. "Trust me, it's something that doesn't happen often enough", he continued, sighing.
"I'm not going back in!" Hiro stated stubbornly.
A small smile found it's way on to Haru's lips, and he closed his eyes. "What, you plan to stay out here all night?"
"Do you really think I'd do that!" Hiro shot back. "I'd go home, what do you think! Use your head, you stupid cow!"
"Heh", Haru let out a semi-irritated sigh, trying his best to not go black. Ever since Kisa's 'incident' with the gang, he had found that he went black at even the slightest thing. Running his hand through his hair, Haru took a deep breath and got right to the point. "Kisa needs you in there for her…she's depending on you and you're letting her down. Are you going to continue doing this your whole life; putting your own self agenda first at her expense?"
Hiro was at a loss for words, and it was evident on his face. Haru knew he had hit a sore spot, but, in a way, he had been aiming to do just that. He knew all about Hiro ignoring Kisa while she was being picked on. The sheep had thought he was doing the right thing, what, with the incident with Akito, but, it had still been wrong.
What had gotten Hiro so upset any way? Haru thought back to the conversation, and, eyes widening, he turned to the younger boy. "You're jealous…aren't you?"
"I…"
Haru allowed himself to slide his back down the tree trunk until he was sitting firmly on the ground. "Yes…you're jealous…"
"WHAT! Why would I be…?"
But the damage had been done. The blush that had spread across Hiro's face told Hatsuharu all he needed to know.
"I you really like Kisa, as you obviously do, than show her by being there for her, even if she is talking about Megumi". Haru's gray eyes met Hiro's brown ones, and, for a second, he saw a change in Hiro. The second was quickly interrupted, however, by Hiro's pride and sarcasm.
"What, now that you've given me a 'sentimental speech', do you expect me to cry? Would that make you happy? Well, you can't always get what you want…"
As Hiro rattled off a list of insults, Haru noted the sheep was heading back into Shigure's house. A smile playing on his lips, the cow got up, and followed the young boy in. No matter how much he denies it, Hiro really does care for Kisa. He just has difficulty showing it.
Different Child- Thanks! I had a lot of fun writing that chapter:D Kids probably didn't ask Kisa about her absense because they generally don't pay much attention to her. I never really thought about it before...
CHA CHA CHARMEN- Very sorry Megumi isn't in this chapter, but I had to establish the situation with Hiro first. Thank you so much for the review:)
Kanya13666- Sorry the update took me forever. I had written this a week ago, but than I went on vacation and didn't get a chance to post it. Hope you liked this chapter!
Craze Izumi- Who can say? But I'll tell you one thing, things are going to get VERY intereting...muhahahaha..ahaha..ha..sorry XP
Lucinda the Maid- Looks like Hiro's jealous! But things haven't even started heating up yet! After all, Megumi and Kisa are going to have to work on the project, so they'll be spending a LOT of time together!
des- Update! Here it is!
Inuyasha4ever9391- (drools) TWIX! Heh, sorry, anyway, thanks for the review:D
shadowed ambience- Yay! Stamp of approval! Thank you so much for review, and sorry about the cliffhanger...I have a nasty little habit of doing that :)
Ryokko-Chan- I'm having problems deciding too. I love both Megumi and Hiro very much! I have the same issue with YukixTohru and KyoxTohru, because they're both so perfect for her! I guess we'll just have to see how it plays out...
MakatoMai- Saki-chan will actually be showing up in the next few chapters. I agree, Saki and Megumi do make a cute brother-sister pair:D
Krylancelo- Thank you for the review! Hope you liked this chapter! XD
Rena-chan- Hiro? An obnoxious jerk? Never! XP Jk, ya, but he does love Kisa. Don't worry, the next few chapters will have a lot more of MegumixKisa.
Yuki-Year of the rat: And so, it continues...
Yuki: Why are you using my name as a penname
Yuki-Year of the rat: Because I thought it was cute!
Yuki: (blushes)
Yuki- Year of the rat: Besides, I was getting bored of Ritchan-san...
Ritsu: I'M SORRY! IT'S ALL MY FAULT SHE'S USING YOUR NAME! IF I HADN'T HAVE HAD SUCH A BORING NICKNAME SHE NEVER WOULD HAVE HAD TO USE YOURS! I APOLOGIZE TO THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE!
Kyo: Why am I stuck doing the afterwards with these guys?
Ritsu: I'M SORRY! I APOLOGIZE! IF I HADN'T HAVE BEEN SUCH A BAD AFTERWARD COMMENTATOR, SHE NEVER WOULD HAVE FORCED YOU TO COME! PLEASE FORGIVE ME!
Kyo: (looks at readers) GET ME THE HECK OUT OF HERE!