Shigure ran to the brothers. Ayame struck out his hand to stop him. 'It's between us.' He turned to Yuki, 'Hit me as many times as you wish.' 'Well, don't mind if I do.' Yuki's fists pounded on Ayame, on his head, chest and various pasts of his body. Ayame stood his ground and allowed his brother's frustrations to rain on him.
'You bastard. You got her pregnant. You piece of crap. Low-life. You selfish bastard.' Yuki went on as he hit his brother again and again. He stopped and in the midst of his tears, he saw his brother stood firm as bruises began to show on his fair face. He gathered his emotions and renewed energy, his arms lifted for the next series of punches, when a hand stopped him.
'Enough,Yuki.' Hatori stood between the brothers. 'Enough or Tohru will force herself down the stairs to see what's going on. Shigure, bring some ice.'
He looked at Ayame's bruises, and then took hold of Yuki's arm. 'Let's go to the study, you both need to talk this out or it will never end.'
The Sohma men settled themselves in the study. Shigure was at his desk, Ha'ri perched on one edge. The both of them were sharing an ashtray between them. Yuki sat leaning against the shoji that lead to the garden and Ayame was in an armchair with a pack of ice of one of his cheeks.
'Yuki…' Hatori started. Then, Ayame stood up, cutting Ha'ri. He walked up to Yuki and sat in front of him. Then, he bowed. Yuki moved back into the shoji a little with shock. His brother had never bowed to anyone, apart from Akito.
'I am sorry. I am sorry I never came to your rescue when you were trapped in the main house with Akito. I am sorry I never took any responsibility as a big brother from the time you were born. I saw you grew up bitter and shy of other people. I wanted to help. You were right in hating me.' Ayame stopped to take a breath. 'I tried to make up for it once I realized my mistakes, but I guess it was too late.'
'I am sorry that I fell in love with Tohru even though I had a faint suspicion that you love her. But I am sorrier that I made you a promise that I obviously could not keep. Yuki, I love her. She is my life. She is my morning star and my nightly rest. She is the air I breathe and the food I crave. I love her.'
Hatori and Shigure looked at each other with eyebrows raised. They had never seen Ayame like that, not to mention the speech. It was sincere - an honest declaration of his affections of his brother and his love for Tohru. (Shigure was secretly taking notes for his next novel.)
Yuki was overwhelmed by Ayame's words. His brother had never looked so…so manly. Yuki saw, perhaps, what Tohru saw in him. His hands clutched into fists as waves of emotions rode through him. He stood up and without a word left the room.
He walked up the stairs. He needed to know. He wanted to hear it from Tohru herself and not second guess any more. He knocked and turned the knob. Tohru was sitting up in her bed, her head was against a mountain of pillow. Her eyes were closed. The cool breeze coming in from a small crack of the window was blowing her hair. Strands were floating across her face. He walked towards her. Her eyes opened and she turned. A huge smile shone on her face.
'Yuki-kun.'
Yuki sat on the chair beside her. He reached out and held her hand. Something he had never done spontaneously before.
'Tohru-kun, how are you feeling?'
'I am feeling fine. I want to go downstairs and start dinner, but Ha-san put on a stern face and told me to stay in bed.' Tohru laughed with the memory. Then, she remembered something and frowned a little. 'Ano…Yuki-kun. About the day you came into the store. Aaa…it was not what you thought it was.'
'What did you think was in my mind?'
'I thought maybe you thought that Aya was…aaa…that the…aaa affections were unwanted and that Aya…ano…'
'Was it? Unwanted?'
Tohru turned beet-red. She looked at Yuki, 'No. I love him. And I love this baby we made together.' She absent-mindedly touch her tummy. She turned her head towrads the window and whispered, ' I love him even though he does not love me back.' She bit her lower lip to stop them from trembling.
'And I?'
'Heh?'
'What am I to you?' He asked with his head lowered, not daring to look at her while bracing himself for the answer.
Shocked, Tohru studied him for a while. Her eyes darkened a little before she plastered her goofy smile, 'Why Yuki-kun, you are my very good friend! We went to school together, graduated from high-school together and grew plants together.'
Yuki cringed at the word 'friend' and unconsciously squeezed the hand he was holding. He took a deep breathe and sat up. He smiled at Tohru. Suddenly, an impulse overtook him. Surprising Tohru and himself, he kissed her on her lips. He stood up and smiled gently at her, 'The first and the last.' He whispered.
Then, in a louder voice, 'I will send Ayame up. He is dying to see you.' Yuki squeezed her hand once more and walked out the room. He leaned against the door, gathering his love for Tohru and locking them up in a place in his heart.
A place where no one else will ever reached in his lifetime. A place where he went to when he was alone. A place where he went to when he wanted to love.
000---000---000---000
A loud wail echoed throughout the house. Haru, Shigure, Kyo and Yuki grinned and held their cups high as they drank to the health of a newborn.
'Shiiiguuurreeee…my love. Lookieeee.' Ayame burst into the room with a bundle in his hands. The men stood up, reaching out protectively towards the bundle.
'Aya!' Yuki frowned. Aya grinned at his brother, not realizing the way he held the baby was rather careless. Yuki took the bundle from him. The 3 younger men looked at the baby. 'She doesn't look like you, Aya. But I guess it is a good thing.' Haru said. They laughed as Aya frowned, reaching to take the baby back but Yuki refused. Yuki held the baby gently in his arms and kissed it.
'Aoi…grow up to be like your mother.' He thought.
'Aya…I just realized something. With this baby you are really gone from me. Goodbye, my sweet. It has been fun.' Aya and Shigure wrapped themselves in each other's arms and wept.
'Grow up!' Kyo yelled and started to kick them.
'How's Tohru?' Yuki asked as Hatori walked in.
'Tired, but she is doing well. The baby needs to go back to her for her feeding.' Yuki gave the baby back to his brother. 'Congratulations, Nii-san. I am happy for you.'
Ayame studied his brother as he took Aoi from his arms. The past 6 months were great for the two of them. Aya knew that his brother still loved Tohru. 'Arigatoo, Yuki. You gave me a gift that I did not deserve, but I will always treasure it.' Yuki smiled at his brother, 'Go. Tohru is waiting.'
000---000---000---000
Yuki sat at the patio, shutting the sounds of snoring coming out from the study. He allowed the moon to bathe him with its brilliant beams.
From afar if someone was looking, they will see a beautiful being surrounded by an aura of sadness, sitting in the moonlight with sparkles on its face. So beautiful and so sad.
