Disclaimer – They are not mine - sob
A/N – Thanks for reading this story. Several of you emailed me and told me that you never thought Tohru/Ayame pairing was possible until you read this story. I love this pairing, I think Ayame's 'naughtiness' and Tohru's innocence just go so well together. Perhaps because I have lots of friends who have been paired like that and the relationships had worked so well.
I know that the characters here are a little OCC. I feel that the situation presented here is so different from the manga/anime, that a different aspect of their character emerges.
On with the story
Part 8 - Brothers
'Has it been four years?' Shigure wondered as he watched Tohru hanged the sheets out to dry. 'It seemed like she's been here forever.' He mused. The four years Tohru spent with the Sohmas had been eventful. Each of the cursed cousins had grown to love Tohru in their own way. 'But none more than Ayame, I guess.' Just then, Yuki walked out to lend Tohru a hand. 'Well, this is something you don't see everyday.' Shigure thought. He frowned. He knew that Ayame and Tohru did not hide their relationship, but then they did not make it known as well. The excuse Ayame gave was Akito. But Shigure knew he was trying to buy time.
'Someone better talk soon.' Shigure said to himself, making a mental note to talk to Aya in his mind. 'It could get out of hand.'
000---000
'All done.' Tohru picked up the laundry basket. 'Arigatou Yuki-kun, for your help. Would you like a snack?'
'Hai' Yuki smiled. 'How is schoolwork, Tohru-kun. I hope Ayame is not keeping you in the store too much.'
Tohru blushed, she was thinking of why Ayame kept her back so late recently. Yuki saw the blush and started to get angry.
'Did the Baka do anything to you?'
'Huh?' Tohru looked at Yuki, he was fuming. She shook her head fervently. 'No..no Yuki-kun. He did not do anything…er…I did not…er. You see, Mine isn't around, and we have more work to do. Also, customers tend to shop around this time for Christmas. It's important that they do so early, so that each creation will be ready and in perfect condition.'
Yuki frowned a little. Something was amiss, but he just couldn't put his finger in it.
Yuki shut down his laptop. He finished his research paper earlier than expected. He packed his things and dropped his paper into his lecturer's box. He looked at his watch and realized that it was closing time at Ayame's shop. He walked towards the shop.
'Maybe I'll bring Tohru for dinner today. It's been so long since I sat and talked to her.' Smiling to himself, he strolled towards the store.
The store still has its 'Open' sign on. Yuki pushed the door opened. The front was empty, the lights were off. But that was usual during closing. He dropped his bag and walked towards the inner room. Sometimes, Ayame fits his customers there.
He opened the door. The sun was setting, bringing its dying light into the room. His eyes adjusted to the lighting, searching for someone – then they widened as he took the scene in front of him. Ayame and Tohru were on the couch, sleeping. A large sheet was thrown over the both of them. Tohru's was on Ayame's lap, his hand was entangled in her hair and the other was draped protectively over her waist. A loud gasp escaped.
Tohru heard something and sat up. The sheet fell off her. Another gasp. She turned and saw Yuki.
'Yuki-kun!'
Ayame heard Tohru's loud exclaim and her hands grabbing the sheet to cover herself. He shook the sleepiness off, and stood up. Another loud gasp. He turned and saw his little brother at the doorway. His eyes widen.
'Yuki!'
'How could you!'
'It's not what it seems.' Ayame reached down to grabbed his clothes.
'Do you think I am stupid?'
'Yuki-kun, we have been…' Tohru tried to explain and protect her modesty at the same time. 'We…'
A hand swung past her and landed on Ayame's jaw. 'Bam!' the door slammed shut behind Yuki.
Ayame pulled his clothes on quickly, 'I am going after him.' He turned to look at Tohru, her eyes were filled with tears. He knew that she was confused with Yuki's reaction. He gave her a small smile, 'Don't worry, I'll straighten everything with Yuki.' With that he ran out.
Ayame ran after Yuki. He could no longer see him in front. 'Damn.' Ayame slowed to a walk and tried to calm himself down. Where can Yuki go? Then, it struck him. Tohru mentioned a secret base – one where she spent a lot of time with Yuki. He stood still, debating whether or not to go. Then with a certain determination, to see this through, he ran towards the base.
Yuki heard footsteps coming towards him. He recognized the sound of the steps, except they were usually walking away from him. Did she tell him about this too? This was supposed to be their secret hide-out, for just the two of them. Their scared place.
'Yuki…'
'Was there nothing secret between the two of you? How could she tell you about this place? It's ours.' Yuki turned to face his brother his eyes were shining with anger and hatred "OURS!'
Ayame flinched, not sure if it was his words or his hatred, which was so clear in his voice that made him to that. Maybe coming here was a bad idea.
'When…when did it started?'
'Since Mine's wedding. Yuki, you have to understand. We did not intend…'
'That has always been your excuse, isn't Ayame? You never had intentions to hurt. You were too young, too ignorant, too selfish. But your actions were unintentional.' Yuki lashed out at his brother. 'How could you? How could you do this to me? Is there nothing sacred to you? Am I that unimportant?'
'I…'
Yuki turned away. 'You have always been favoured one. Okaasan loves you more, Otousan loves you more and now Tohru…'
'That's not true, Yuki. Okaasan…'
'Why do you think I was 'given' to Akito? Do you think they will bear for you to go through what I went through? You were the precious one, the loved one. I was the extra.' He spat the words out.
Ayame opened his eyes in amazement. Was that what Yuki thought? Yuki was the chosen one because he was the 'good' child while he was deemed too uncontrollable. His eyes narrowed with compassion. He wished he protected his little brother, he wished he was there to comfort him and he wished - his hands balled in fists - he wished he never fell in love with Tohru.
In a strained voice, 'Would it make you happy if I left her?'
Without a thought, Yuki blurted out 'Yes. Leave her alone. Leave me alone. Disappear from our lives.'
Golden eyes widen with shock. He did not know what to expect when he asked the question. He did not even know why he asked that question. He only knew he had to take away Yuki's pain, be a big brother for once, but to leave her…could he do it? He turned around and started to walk away. Quietly, not caring if his little brother heard or not, he said,
'Yuki. I'll do that for you. For once, I will resume my responsibilities as a big brother. I'll not disappoint you again.'
Deep in thought, he did not see Shigure in front of him. He walked right into his cousin. He looked at the inu.
'That's a promise that would be hard to keep.' Shigure said, clearly having overheard the entire conversation. He was looking for the brothers when he chanced upon Yuki's yelling. Tohru had called him and told him what had happened at the shop.
'It's none of your business and do not tell Tohru what has transpired here. She will have enough to deal with soon.' Ayame said while walking away, not wanting to deal with anyone at the moment.
Shigure watched with cousin walked away with saddened eyes. Why was things turned out like this?
Please review, they really keep me going:)
