Disclaimer: Do I really need to say it again? Oh, Shakespeare wrote Romeo and Juliet, 'kay?
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Aria's Star- I'm so glad that you like my story. It really means a lot to me when people are enthusiastic! Thanks.
kitsunedemon- Yes, he does sound crazy. LOL. No worries though, like I've said before, there is a meaning to the madness. Oh, yes, and fluff is coming very soon. Finally.
anime59- Thanks!
Pearl Dragon- Hey! I like your new name! Oh, and I'm pretty sure your not a wacko! I was just saying that other people read through and may pick out my e-mail and such. Anyways, thanks for the review.
HelloKat- Yes, Akito was strange. The purple plushies are all part of the crazy, demented plot that I have cooked up. Thanks again for reviewing! Oh, by the way, the latest chapter of your fic was BRILLIANT! 'Twas beautiful.
Chiratsuku- Thank you for the many reviews! I thrive on them.
Different Child- Oh, you made me blush. You are very kind. I also have few favorites, besides Yuki. One of them is Hatori. I love his mysteriousness. It's so SEXY! And the other is Kagura. I know she's not very popular, but I can relate to her. I can't help but feel that there's so much more to her than meets the eye. Soooory for the wait!
catgirlversion3.0otakufan- Thanks!
Light's Blue Blossom- Thank you so much!
Sahrah Marmlade- You're review warmed me down to my toes!
sportiegirl- Thanks for the review!
renyun- The reason Yuki didn't turn into a rat is because the curse doesn't apply int hsi story. It's an Au -- alternate universe fic. Instead, their ranked as agents by the zodiac, the rat being one of the highest rankings. Thus Yuki is a portrayed as a prodigy (who happens to be deliciously hot).
Tywell- Thank you for the review!
Within the Hidden Soul
Chapter 9: Once Upon a Time
Hatori stood patiently next to Akito's bed, every so often jotting down something upon his clipboard. He sighed and rubbed his temple. He had thought Akito was better, that the therapy had worked, and that the possibility of a clean future for the Sohma family was becoming clearer and clearer each day. But oh how wrong he was.
"How's Akito doing, Doc?" said a half-joking voice. Hatori turned around and came face to face with Shigure, another one who had the unfortunate fate of knowing all things having to do with the Sohma family. Even the gory details.
"Shigure." Hatori gave a curt nod. "She's pretty much recovering... but the attack was pretty bad this time."
Shigure grimaced in silence and began to take out a cigarette. "Sorry Shigure, I can't have you smoking here."
"Always the doctor," Shigure said, shaking his head but nonetheless putting the cigarette back. "So I'm guessing this is the reason I got the urgent call. You want the usual procedures?"
"I really thought we wouldn't have to do this anymore, but yeah, the usual. We need to keep this underwraps. Blackmail, bribes... we need to find who knows what and keep them quiet. Any way we can."
"You're preaching to the choir, Hatori. I know, I know. Do you want me to go tell Aya?"
"He knows already. He was here when I got the call for Akito."
"Okay." They were silent for a second, both staring tiredly at the thin, sleeping form of their clan head, who was currently clutching tightly a purple plushie. Shigure broke the silence after a few moments. "Don't you ever wonder why we don't just let ourselves get caught? It would end everything..."
Hatori looked up from Akito's figure to Shigure's face. "Yeah, but then I remember there are others who have no say in the matter, who still are young, and maybe, just maybe, if we don't screw things up too much, they'll do better than the rest of us."
Both fell into silence again, the only sound being Akito's ragged breathes.
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"Okay class! Your Romeo and Juliet tests are coming up next week. Please remember that this will be a major part of your grade. Please review the packets you were given! Class is dismissed!" The teacher said as the bell rang. Tohru quickly gathered her things and met up with Uo and Hana.
"I won't be coming back to the dorm with you guys just yet. I have to go meet Yuki-kun at the library." Hana and Uo exchanged quick glances.
"Okay, okay! Just be careful! And if he tries anythin' on you, tell me and I'll beat his ass into the ground." Uo said gruffly as Hana nudged her.
"We'll see you later then Tohru!" Hana said, waving Tohru off.
As soon as Tohru was out of hearing range, Uo turned to Hana. "What'd you nudge me for?"
Saki tilted her head and turned toward a nearby window. "I do not think that Yuki Sohma will harm our Tohru. I must admit that I was worried at first. His waves emit a rather strange aura. But I can't help but also detect a softness toward Tohru too."
"I know, I know." Uo said, scratching her head.
"I think..." Hana paused briefly, "that we should not interfere in their affairs too much."
"What! Why? We have to keep an eye on Tohru to keep her safe!"
"I realize that Tohru can be a very vulnerable person, but there is something in the air I can sense. A change is coming that will affect Sohma-kun greatly. And I have the greatest inclination that Tohru plays a part."
Uo was silent before she suddenly lashed out and punched the wall next to her. "Damn!" was the only word she could utter.
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Tohru felt her stomach knot slightly as she reached for the library door. It was odd, she felt, that she should feel such strange sensations. She stepped in and looked about the rows and rows of books. The library was one of the largest in their district, containing almost all imaginable literary works. She supposed it was expected of one of the most prestigious schools in Japan. She walked down the aisles, searching for Yuki. She finally spotted a mass of silvery gray hair, peeking out from a stack of library books.
She smiled brightly as she approached him. "Hello Yuki! Sorry, I was running a bit la-" Her words died as her face softened its gaze upon the site of a sleeping Yuki, his head resting on his right hand and a book in his left.
Tohru quietly seated herself next to him and laid her head down, her face looking towards the sleeping prince. The sleeping prince, the sleeping beauty. Tohru thought amusedly. I wonder if he needs a princess to wake him with a kiss. She giggled at the thought before suddenly coloring from what her thoughts implied. Yuki suddenly began to stir. He groggily opened his eyes and found himself staring at Tohru. He rubbed his eyes and looked again.
"Oh no! I'm sorry Miss Honda! I fell asleep while waiting!"
"It's okay Yuki! You looked so peaceful so I didn't mind at all!"
Yuki quickly sat up, nervously fixing his clothing and hair. He grabbed a book up from one of the various piles around him and handed it Tohru.
"This is a study guide to Romeo and Juliet. It helps you interpret the lines and various wordings of the play. I think it'll help you a little."
"Oh thank you Yuki!" Tohru said brightly.
"Okay, so let's begin. What exactly are you having trouble with?"
"Well, I understand the basic plot line of the story. It's the language of the whole play that is confusing. My english is okay, but is's not strong enough for this material." She flashed a weak smile.
"Shakespeare liked to speak figuratively, in puns and flowery words. Much of which takes a bit of interpreting in the beginning," He smiled apoplogetically. "But once you get used to it, it flows much better. It's even better to actually watch the play because it brings together the play."
"That would be lovely!" Tohru excalimed.
"Well, the thing is, all the tapes of plays the library had are checked out in preparation for the exam." Yuki sweatdropped. "But I wouldn't mind saying afew lines and helping you out." He added, hoping to make her feel better. He flipped through a book. "Aaaah, here's one."
Yuki steadied his stormy eyes upon her and his face gentled to one of awe. Tohru felt her heart flutter as he leaned forward and whispered the words spun by Shakespeare.
"Oh, she doth teaches the torches to burn bright!
It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night
As a rich jewel in an Ethiop's ear-
Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear.
So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows
As yonder lady o'er her fellows shows.
The measure done, I'll watch her place stand"
Tohru blushed, as Yuki still with his eyes steadily gazing into hers leaned closer and gently brushed the bangs from her face.
"And, touching her, make blessed my rude hand."
He gently laced her fingers in his, placing his other hand upon his chest
"Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight"
He slowly opened his eyes and paused.
"For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night."
Tohru could not breath nor could she speak as she felt his gaze still pierce hers. All she could do was gaze back, very much aware that his hand had insistently stayed linked with hers. Yuki's own breathing was nervous.
Tohru felt almost surreal a she closed her eyes and he let his other hand wander to caress her cheek before leaning in slowly to capture her lips with his. It was soft and sweet and tender. It lasted for not more than a second before their lips parted. They both opened their eyes to stare at one another again. Swiftly, Yuki leaned again across the table to kiss her quickly once more. Tohru felt knots in her stomach as they had kissed. She felt light-headed and foggy. Yet she felt almost as if she could burst. Where his touch had caressed her cheek, a warm tingling sensation had lingered.
Yuki had not been expecting this at all. When he had read the lines to her, he had felt oddly compelled to only touch her, to kiss her. When he had kissed her he had not expected the spark that his lips had felt or the jolt that his heart had given. He had not expected for his stomach to twist or his mind to blur or himself to nearly burst with joy. It was unexpected, but extremely pleasant.
After a silent pause, Tohru spoke quietly. "Wow." She looked from the table to Yuki, who still stood a few inches from her face.
"You are beautiful." Yuki whispered, finding the words tumbling from his lips of their own accord. Yuki sat back down in his seat, leaning his head in his hand, giving her a tilted look as she blushed across from him. "This might be a bit obvious now Tohru..." He paused again. "... but I think that I may have fallen for you." He gave her a crooked grin.
Tohru, still tinged pink, smiled back and laughed. "It's okay, I think I may have fallen for you, too."
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Not more than ten feet away, hidden behind a row of books, sat a shocked Makoto. Her mouth wide open as she processed what had happened. She quietly walked out of the library as tears she could not control ran down her cheeks. One thing ran through her mind over and over again. Tohru Honda is a bitch.
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Akito groggily woke up. What was going on? Hatori stood sternly above her.
"Akito-sama, we need to discuss something."
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Kazuma sat opposite one of his favorite students, calmly drinking his tea as his guest muttered angrily under his breath.
"...wants me to help...like I''m not in enough trouble as it is...geez..." The orange haired man muttered.
Kazuma gently place his tea cup in its place. "Kyo, I know you greatly dislike Yuki, but we must set aside our differences to set this family right."
"But what can I do? Akito already told me to tail the damn rat if he didn't reach the time limit and abduct the damn girl! Now you want me to help him?"
"I know it is much to ask of you, but I do you want t continue living our lives as it is now? We must break free on our own, no matter the consequences. To do this, all animosity must be put aside in favor of peace." Kazuma said gravely.
Kyo sighed and clenched his fist. "Fine, I guess you're right. I'll do it. I'll try to make you proud." He paused, "I thought I would kill myself first before I ever helped out that damned rat." Kyo got up. "Aaah well, at least I can get away from that insane woman."
Kazuma sweatdropped. "Uuuuh Kyo, I thought you might need a little help, since this is a dangerous mission and all..."
Kyo stopped dead in his tacks. "What do you mean?"
"KYOOOOO-KUUUUUUN!" A blur of green came through and launched itself onto Kyo's back, sending him sprawled on the floor.
"Dammmit woman! Why the hell did ya do that for!"
"Oh Kyo! I was just so happy! We get spend time with each other! It feels like we never see each other!"
"Which is exactly as I want it!" Kagura's smiling face darkened as an odd glint came into her eyes.
"What did you say? How dare you speak to me that way! I am your loving fiancee who you should RESPECT!" Kagura punched him sending him flying across the room, breaking a table. Quickly thereafter, Kagura had rushed to his side, tending to his wounds, frantically interrogating him on who had done such a terrible thing to him.
"What's going on in here?" Shigure burst in, his editor frantically following him.
"Shigure! What about the manuscript?" The editor cried. Shigure ignored her as he stared at his broken table.
"My new table!" Shigure fell to his knees as tears came from his eyes. "Kyo! You better pay for this!"
"I didn't do this! Are you kidding me? This insane-psycho lady did it!" Kagura instantly darkened.
"WHAT DID YOU CALL ME?" Violence thus ensued, but it cannot be stated as this is rated pg-13.
Shigure watched in horror as his walls, already heavily taped, were broken once again.
"Shigure! The manuscript!" The editor cried again, on her knees, pleading.
Kazuma watched amusedly at the situation. He had always thougth Kagura was a more than capable karate student.
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Somewhere far away...
"Did you here that? And did the ground just move?"
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In the wreckage of Shigure's house, two people arrived.
"Hey everyone!" Momiji chirped, jumping over Kyo crumpled body.
"Hey." Haru said.
"Thank you for coming." Kazuma said.
"What are they here for?" Kyo mangaed to spit out.
"Well, I need to inform them of the mission of course." Kazuma stated. Kyo's eyes bugged out.
"NOOOOOOOO!"
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Somewhere far away (again)...
"I need to stop working so hard. I think the stress is getting to me..."
To be continued...
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A/N: (Comes in ashamedly) Sorry? (sweatdrops) I know it's been practically forever. I feel really bad, but I seriously could NOT update. I tried but I had a lot to deal with. Please remember that I have a separate life outside of fanfiction. I know you may have heard this millions of times, but I can't help it. But I really am sorry. My updates will probably continue to be rather sporadic. Well, at least I updated, right?
Anyways, I hope the promised Tohru and Yuki fluff was appealing enough. (Giggle) I love that couple. But you know who I think is awefully cute? Kagura and Kyo. They make me laugh.
Hopefully, the story will become clearer as the story prgresses. You migh have picked up on AKito's situation already. Or maybe you haven't.
Anyways, REVIEW! Comments and CONSTRUCTIVE criticisms are welcome. Flamers are not welcome.
Ja!
S.B. Kisses