Well, here's the next chappie, so action for her, and HUGE conflict:) No notes this time.

Chapter 20

"Shut the hell up, you stupid cat!" Hatsuharu shouted.

"Man, what's your problem?" Kyo cried, thoroughly confused and angry.

"Maybe I just feel like destroying something!" he screamed.

"Kyo! Hatsuharu!" Tohru cried urgently, rushing toward them in an attempt to stop the oncoming battle.

"Miss Honda!" Yuki exclaimed, jutting his arm out to stop her. She looked up at him confusedly. "You don't want to get in the middle of this; you could be hurt." Hatsuharu turned his head from Kyo to face the two.

"Oh, come, come now, Yuki, I would never hurt her; I'm very gentle," he said slyly as Tohru grew more confused by the second. Yuki and Kyo, on the other hand, knew exactly what he was talking about and were extremely grateful that Tohru was so innocent. Haru grabbed Tohru by the wrist and began to pull her toward him. Before he could bring her too close, however, Kyo punched him in the head, causing the cow to release his grip on Tohru as he fell to the ground.

"Don't touch her," Kyo threatened.

"Tohru," Hana said concernedly, pulling the girl into her arms protectively.

"Oh, I see how it is," Haru was saying, climbing up to his feet again, holding his head as he did so. He reared back to kick the boy but suddenly a cool rush came over his senses, as it did Kyo's. Immediately the boy snapped, now calm and quiet, what those who knew called "White Haru."

"You boys just need to cool off," Mayu said, following the same procedure she had the last time this occurred.

"Would you happen to have another bucket? That felt wonderful," Haru asked, turning to face Mayu. She rolled her eyes and turned to Kyo.

"You must learn to control your temper, Kyo," she said.

"Like you have any right to lecture me on my temper!" he shouted. She rolled her eyes again and took Haru by the arm.

"Come on, Hatsuharu, let's go see the principal, again," she sighed, dragging the boy down the hall behind her.

"So, are you being punished any more severely this time?" Yuki asked Haru as the two saw in the schoolyard on the grass. He had followed the disheartened ox as soon as he had seen him exit the principal's office. Tohru was worried but he had sent her home with Kyo's protection. He had to admit that the orange-headed boy was particularly good at looking after their precious flower.

"They called my mom and dad this time," Haru replied plainly. Yuki nodded.

"Rin again?" he asked after a long period of silence. Haru nodded wordlessly and sorrowfully.

"I kissed her," he said softly. Yuki's eyes widened but he didn't say anything, just waited for him to continue. "Her lips tasted just as they always had, so tender and sweet. It felt as it always did, but filled with hesitancy." He turned to look Yuki fully in the face. "I guess I'm beginning to realize how much I really do need her, how much I really do love her." Yuki nodded.

"I don't know what to say, Haru," he admitted.

"It's all right; you don't have to say anything; I didn't expect you to," Haru replied.

"Hatsuharu," came a soft, quiet voice. The boy, leaning against the wall of the school, hands in his pockets, looked up to see Tohru's friend staring at him, the one who dressed all in black and was "psychic," or whatever they called her, something unnatural. He nodded as she approached.

"I'm sorry you had to se my public display of rage," he apologized nervously, not knowing really what else to say.

"I understand," Hana said as she reached the wall and joined Haru in leaning against it.

"You do?" he questioned, surprised. She nodded.

"Rin," she said plainly.

"What?" he asked.

"I know about you and Rin," she said. "I know the pain you're going through."

"W-who are you?" he demanded.

"I'm one of Tohru's best friends, Saki Hanajima; you know that," she replied slyly.

"H-how do you know about Rin?" he cried, scared out of his mind. "Does this have anything to do with your 'waves'?"

"The waves I can sense are denpa waves; they only give me the ability to sense others' emotions, not read their minds," she explained calmly. He just stared at her, confused and frightened. "If I told you that my real name was Saki Sohma, would it mean anything to you?"

"No, wait, Saki Sohma, th-that's the name of Rin's sister, the one who isn't cursed," he said. Hana nodded. "Y-you're Rin's sister?" She nodded again. Haru backed away in astonishment, completely astounded.

"I want to help her, help you," Hana said. He could tell she was being sincere but he was still thoroughly confused.

"Your memory was erased," he said. "Rin told me Hatori erased your memory after Hiro was born." She again nodded.

"You are correct. The story of my new-found knowledge would take too long to explain. I don't have long so I must tell you what I came to tell you and only that; my story will have to wait," she said. "Hatsuharu, I know of the pain you are in; sadly, it is all due to my sister. I have met her once and that was all it took to see her reckless spirit. She came to Hatori a few weeks ago demanding the knowledge of your health. She's in great pain, Hatsuharu. Her love for you is tearing her soul apart. The injuries from Akito that she bore were all for you. Akito learned of your relationship and wouldn't have it. Of course you know what he did to her. Rin could care less about what Akito does to her, but if he hurts you she could never forgive herself. She had to put space between you two; it was her only option. She has shunned you to protect you, but she knows the pain you are going through is hardly enough to bear. She loves you, Hatsuharu; oh, she loves you so much."

She loves me? Haru's face was drenched in tears; there was nothing else he could do. He stood there before Hana, tears pouring from his eyes unceasingly. It was bittersweet. Yes, she loved him; there was the joy. The despair came when he thought of Rin's pain being all for him. Akito had destroyed her, and as long as he was safe she could care less. She had suffered all for him, all for him.

"Oh, Hatsuharu," Hana breathed, moving toward him and placing a hand on his wet cheek delicately. He brought his hand to hers and closed his eyes, soaking in the mix of love and sorrow he felt from Hana. Suddenly he drew away and then began to back her up against the wall of the school. Hana's eyes widened slightly in curiosity as she watched him place his palms on either side of her, placing all of his weight against them. He moved his face in closer, stretching his neck out and lightly pressing his lips against her forehead gently.

"Thank you," he whispered, immediately reapplying his lips as soon as he had breathed the words.

Rin gasped, drawing back behind the tree she had been using to hide her. She had gotten into the habit of coming by the school to watch Haru. If she couldn't have him, touch him, she could at least see him. Now she was confused. She thought he was suffering because of what she had done to him. Now the only thing she saw was him against the wall of the schoolyard, kissing none other than her horrid sister. Perhaps he was trying to erase the pain, but he wouldn't have turned to Hana unless she had provoked him.

"That bitch," she whispered to herself, absolutely furious, as she flew off down the street, hair flying behind her in the breeze.