Lost and Found

Author's Note: I am going to randomly update because I feel like it (although I could improve this more...I think). I was planning on making this longer, but I hope it's good nonetheless. I'm really trying not to rush it, but sometimes the pace speeds up a bit in spite of me. I love all these reviews I'm getting! They're overwhelming! I LOVE IT! I love you. Please, review. I've had this finished for a bit, because after posting Chapter Three I was suppose to work on other things, but instead I wrote this and started Chapter Five. Hana and Uo rock! Their importance is growing drastically...Any ideas or comments, please, review. If you don't review I get mad. If you do review I update faster and write better, HINTHINT. Was there anything else I had to say...I'm a bit stuck on the next chapter, although I have the basic outline and some ideas, and although this isn't Writer's Block it is Indecision, a form of Maddy's Block (they are infinite because I say so). Anything you want to happen, you let me know. You don't want to sign in, email me. If I get more complaints I MIGHT allow anonymous reviews, but only with email addresses. I like replying to you guys...I'm sure there was something else, but I've forgotten. (I reply to every review I receive.) HaruKyo, lemon later, sugar and angst now...What would the water represent so I can have lemonade? SHOUT OUT TO KURAMAGIRL44: MY BIGGEST FAN AND CRAPPIEST REVIEWER! I LOVE YOU THE MOST OF ALL BABY!

Chapter Four: Back To "Normal"

The week passed without an overabundance of interest. Kyo wasn't really participating in his and Hatsuharu's relationship; it was rather as if he had been suckered into it and was now unable to escape the cow's clutches no matter how hard he tried. He was more stiff and uptight than usual, a fact that even Tohru noticed (no offense to her, I like her just fine, but she isn't exactly the brightest of the bunch) but Hatsuharu made a point of not noticing. The cow was always with Kyo, either all over the boy, who just sat there and took it, much as Yuki had done before the two had hooked up, or tugging on the back of his shirt and following him around like a puppy dog, big eyes and all. Uo and Hana carefully avoided speaking of the relationship to any but one another, and even their conversations about it were brief and sparing, actions and looks speaking far more.

About halfway through the week, halfway through the day, which just happened to be lunch, Kyo did something that no one expected; his cheeks a faint pink, he turned to Hatsuharu (halfway through the lunch break, hehe), leaned in and pecked him on the cheek. It was a meaningless gesture, especially for two people in a supposed relationship, but everything fell silent in that moment. Yuki's jaw dropped, a definitely first, and Uo swears to this day that his eyes grew black with rage. Hatsuharu looked up, face blank, a little surprised. Moments later he smiled and leaned in, pecking Kyo just as lightly, only on the lips instead, causing the cat to burn brightly like a Christmas candle as the ushi sat there, a devilishly seductive smile on his lips.

Uo was watching Yuki, however; the only one who wasn't watching the couple or purposefully not out of embarrassment or awkwardness. The nezumi's gaze remained on the oblivious couple, leaning back against the tree, eyes burning and mouth a straight line. His face seemed harder somehow, less reserved and friendly than usual. No one seemed to notice; not even Hana, who was speaking with Tohru. The onigiri was sitting with her back to Uo, parallel to the cow and the cat, facing Hana. Uo was able to catch Hana's gaze; Hana subtlety slipped her gaze from Tohru to Uo so that only Uo noticed.

Jealousy? She asked with a raise of her eyebrow, her eyes flicking back to Yuki. Hana didn't turn, for that would be too obvious to Tohru and Momiji, however oblivious they can be, no one could be that clueless. Instead she closed her eyes briefly; Uo knew she was reaching out with her powers to sense the Prince's waves; it came off as a slow blink, not uncommon in the gothic schoolgirl.

Definitely. It emanates off his being like a wave of blackness. It borders on hatred and feeds off his inner turmoil. If left to build it could destroy him and those around him, whether he cares for them or not. Hana opened her eyes and looked meaningfully at Uo, who saw worry and slight confusion register on Hana's face, which few have ever before had the pleasure of seeing. Uo knew what she was thinking. This hatred is greater than that created by anger over jealousy for Tohru.

"Wow," Uo breathed, unseen and unheard by all but Hana, who was looking for it. "That's bad."

Her voice was little more than a dark mutter, but Tohru heard her the second time and turned around. "What is it, Uo-chan?"

Uo looked up and forced a smile, which wasn't so hard to do with the kindness and sweetness and love emanating from Tohru, which filled her and unleashed her own, less abundant, no less potent version of it. "Oh, nothing, Tohru-chan. I was just thinking..."

Tohru frowned, her brow crinkling. "Are you sure, Uo-chan?"

She looked back at Hana, who looked a bit graver than usual. With a sigh she said, "Yes, Tohru, I'm sure."

But you're not, Hana's gaze said.

Uo shook her head sadly when Tohru and Momiji turned back. I know. I'm not sure about a lot right now.

XOXOXOXOXO

At the end of the week not much had changed. Yuki's gaze was still unnoticed poison lying in wait as if fermenting, building up to lethal doses; Kyo was still timid as a kitten when it came to Hatsuharu, despite the display from earlier in the week, blushing and exploding and sputtering as he usually does, only worse; Hatsuharu grew sweeter and less aggressive on the surface, while when no one was looking he was even worse than before. Uo half-feared that Kyo's hair would catch on fire his face was burning so red most of the time. In that week news of Hatsuharu's break-up spread and none of the three most popular boys in school were approached by anyone but family and close friends. And none of them were in their right mind to enjoy it.

Hatsuharu, every night that week, had forced himself upon Tohru and the others, coming home attached to Kyo at the hip, arm over his shoulders and everything, to which the cat looked like he was trying to fold up and disappear. Yuki would walk behind the lovely couple fuming, never yelling at Kyo or even speaking to Hatsuharu in that time; details that the ever-vigilant and intelligent Uo and Hana never failed to miss. Tohru was a bit on edge the entire week, feigning cheerfulness, which was only answered by Hatsuharu, who wasn't his usual self, Momiji, who never isn't, and Uo and Hana with the occasional laugh or smile. Mostly they were deep in thought, exchanging glances, silences, and the like.

Standing outside of Kaibara, a large mass of people others were avoiding even more adamantly than usual, Yuki and the others just looked at one another for several long seconds. No one could deny that things had changed, they weren't normal, although no one would voice such observations out loud, much less actively try to do something about it.

Uo broke the silence. "Well," she said, adjusting her skirt as if they were jeans, "Let's get going."

One of Kyo's eyes widened. "You're coming home with us?" he asked, his voice a bit strained.

Tohru grew wide-eyed. "Oh, Kyo-kun, I'm sorry! I forgot I invited them over! I didn't mean to forget to tell you..."

Yuki was standing beside Tohru, and for the first time in a long time he smiled sweetly down at her, his eyes closed to mask his true feelings, serving to make it seem as if he was perfectly okay, although Uo and Hana knew that the action served a far more sinister purpose. This politely and effectively shut the onigiri up as if that was never his intention. "Oh, Tohru-san, ignore Kyo over here. It's not your fault he never pays attention." He shot a poisonous glare in Kyo's general direction...which was also Hatsuharu's general direction. Only Uo didn't take that for granted. "I remember when you asked Shigure, so it really is no problem."

Tohru let out a sigh of relief, whether from her guilt reprieve or relief at Yuki's dose of normalcy none could tell. Perhaps both. "That's good. Thank you Yuki-kun." She turned to Kyo-kun. "I'm still sorry, Kyo-kun. Do you mind if Uo and Hana come over?"

Another general glare from Yuki and two concentrated ones from Uo and Hana would have sealed the deal even if the oblivious and genuine one from Tohru hadn't. (The three of them were standing behind the onigiri somewhat, so she couldn't see, and even if she had she would have either missed it or just freaked out.) "Whatever."

Hatsuharu leaned in and licked Kyo's unsuspecting ear, which he had gotten into the habit of doing lately. It always made Kyo shiver without fail, although whether from shock, disgust, or pleasure none could tell; Hatsuharu did it anyway. "Don't worry, I'm keep you company."

Kyo gave a slight roll of the eyes, which put his sight in like with Yuki's. He went pale and remained silent the entire way.

Uo and Hana wanted to talk on the way to Shigure's house, but Hatsuharu and Kyo were surrounded by an invisible bubble that rendered the space around them their own little, mobile world, and they figured that Yuki wouldn't be much company for their little Tohru. So, walking in line before the two lovebirds, Yuki falling behind them all, his gaze more than likely resting on the back of the ushi and the neko's heads, Uo and Hana surrounded Tohru, their auras reaching out and, in a way, creating a force-field about her that rendered her invincible from harm; under their protection, no one gets close, Tohru remains untouched. The onigiri didn't notice, but even Yuki, many feet away, shivered with the force of it, like red-hot fire and freezing ice. It was perfect and comforting for Tohru—and only for Tohru.

They chatted on the way there, alternating between thoughtfully blank and happily sweet, brooding and talking to Tohru in alternating patterns, neither one of them the same way at any given time; this way they don't shun Tohru and she doesn't realize anything is amiss. Once they reached Shigure's Tohru told them all that she was going to go change, if they Uo and Hana didn't mind waiting in the kitchen for her. Of course they didn't. Shigure quickly retreated back to his office, afraid of the beautiful yet scary girls; Hatsuharu dragged Kyo off into the living room for some privacy; and Yuki, looking as if he was about to gag, gracefully left the room and went up to his. Uo and Hana were finally alone.

Sitting down opposite one another they began to speak. "Yuki is jealous," Hana stated simply, opening the conversation.

Uo nodded. "Yuki's never jealous...except of Tohru. But he's never that jealous."

"Something is different here," Hana said, keeping her statements short and weighty.

Uo looked up, her brow furrowed. "What do you mean?" She tried to read Hana's expression, which she is usually better at than most any other (except perhaps Megumi) but was unable to pit up even the faintest hint. "You mean, since Hatsuharu is a guy?"

Hana shook her head. "No. Something bigger is different. I cannot tell what it is, but Yuki...when he glares at them, his gaze is out-of-focus, general, as if at the idea as opposed to the person. Or...perhaps...hiding his true intentions."

Uo was growing even more confused, but by growing more confused she knew that clarity was that much closer. "His true intentions? Like...maybe he's trying to make it seem as if he's glaring at one when he's really glaring at the other? But who is he glaring at? And why does he want it to seem like he isn't?"

"Well, why would he glare at Kyo?" Hana asked, as if she was a teacher who knows the answer but wishes to coax it out of her able pupil, for she will not learn in any other way.

Uo was used to it. "Yuki would glare at Kyo if he was still in love with Hatsuharu and jealous of Kyo's position with him."

"But why would he still be in love with Hatsuharu? He is the one who dumped him, after all."

"Maybe...maybe the break-up was a test, or...perhaps he didn't know he liked him this much...or this deeply. Maybe he was bored of him, oblivious to the love, or he broke up for family reasons..." Uo ventured.

Hana nodded, not to say she was right, but to say what she said was plausible. Her tone was as non-committal as her rigid posture, clasped hands, and tone of voice. "Why would he be jealous of Hatsuharu?"

"Hmmm...perhaps because he bounced back so quickly and appears to no longer care for the Prince...or because he is happy while Yuki most obviously is not...maybe he broke up with him for another love, let's say for Tohru, and can't be with the one he loves..." Uo's voice fell. "...Or..." Her eyes grew wide and she looked up at Hana, her eyes larger than her face.

Hana nodded gravely, eyes closed. "That was my conclusion as well."

Uo slumped back, disbelief and silent shock in every line of her body. "No...it can't be...Really? That is so weird...and wrong...I would never, ever have seen that coming." And then she laughed, because it was the funniest thing she had ever heard.

XOXOXOXOXO

Upon dragging Kyo into the living room Hatsuharu half-pushed, half-threw the neko down onto the dark orange loveseat. Usually the cat would not allow the ushi to do something like that to him, but in this case the cow was pulling all the strings—he just didn't know it yet. As usual, the orange-haired boy was blushing a shade of red to shame his hair as the younger teen moved about in an almost lazily graceful manner. If it had been anyone but Hatsuharu, Kyo would have suspected the movements to be deliberate, but he knew the ox. After all these years, he had figured out that Hatsuharu is a very natural sort of person. He does what feels right at the time, which sometimes involves turning into Black Haru, his darkest most basic and primal side, with a little added twist (the twist being in-freaking-sanity). His movements are lazy, relaxed, the swaying of his hips and swinging of his body as opposed to the turning of it coming as effortlessly and without thought as blinking or breathing.

Still, Kyo kept looking over at exactly the wrong times, catching a few very nice views of Hatsuharu's ass. The only way it could look better would be if those damned pants weren't in the way... Kyo caught himself and clamped a hand over his mouth, although he hadn't spoken. His blush didn't deepen since he was already very red, but he couldn't get that thought out of his mind as Hatsuharu finally sat down—half out of embarrassment (Oh Kami-sama I can't believe I just thought that!) and half out of excitement (I wonder what he looks like without anything on except those tattoos and necklaces...). As you can see, the thoughts only got worse.

No words were shared, and the silence dragged on uninterrupted. Kyo grew more nervous and more on edge with every passing second, every single one of which he was painfully aware of. Hatsuharu's presence, his warmth, so close, right there...Kyo was leaning forward as Hatsuharu leaned back, too hyped-up to relax (not that getting closer to Haru would help that at all!). He felt a tingling at the base of his neck and closed his eyes, afraid to look back. The completely relaxed, calm, and at home cow was watching the tense kitten, as if analyzing him, studying every aspect of his body; the curve of his spine, the veins in his neck and harms, the tenseness of his leg muscles through the fabric of his faded jeans.

Hatsuharu leaned forward and before Kyo knew it he felt cold fingers on his neck, wrapping around as if to strangle him, although the touch comforted him and he relaxed immediately, red eyes closing. With a groan he leaned back some into the ox's touch, back relaxing and body giving in. The ushi's cold, pale fingers began to work on Kyo's neck muscles, strong but gentle as they worked out kink after kink. The massage was heavenly. "You're so tense, kitten," Hatsuharu murmured, slowly spreading his treatment down to Kyo's shoulders.

Kyo gasped as Hatsuharu's hands slipped up his shirt for better access to his upper back and spine. He moaned in a most erotic way as Hatsuharu continued to the massage, harder and more demanding on the larger, stronger, more cramped and sore muscles. It felt like he knew what he was doing. The cat hadn't realized how tense and out of it he was until the ox relieved him of his stress.

Once Hatsuharu was gone, having reached the top of Kyo's pants, he traced a line around the boys stomach to his front, causing the older teen to shiver. Laying back, he half-feared half-hoped that Hatsuharu's hands would go further down. Half-luckily, Hatsuharu instead continued his ascent up (as opposed to his descent down) teasing the rock-hard muscles that flexed and tickled beneath his touch. The cat's eyes were closed and he was biting his lip, making a most enticing picture.

With a mischievous, impish smile he leaned forward, covering Kyo's laid-back body with his own, and kissed him lightly on the lips. This time, eyes still closed, the cat kissed him back, deepening the action. Smiling around him, Hatsuharu pressed his face to that of his boyfriend, hand tracing up and down Kyo's arms, stimulating him. Subconsciously he spread his legs and Hatsuharu settled down between them. Kneeling, Hatsuharu had to tilt his head up to meet Kyo comfortably.

Kyo's hand circled around Hatsuharu, holding him tight, pressing into his back as if afraid to let him go. He tastes just like I thought he would. Sweet...He's soft, too, despite his muscle...Oh how I've wanted this for so long... He nibbled on Hatsuharu's lip, pleasing the younger but far more experienced boy with his vigor, to which he responded by standing up, pushing Kyo back passively, leaning forward as to not break the kiss. He took his seat next to Kyo, and now Kyo was the recessive one, leaning in for more.

Ever the tease, Hatsuharu pulled back and smiled down at the older boy, who whimpered. Chuckling, the ox stroked Kyo's cheek and pulled him closer. Kissing him softly on the lips he continued on to kiss his chin, down his jaw, and finally to his throat. Kyo threw back his head to allow Hatsuharu unhindered access. Exposed skin, tanned to perfection, soft and unmarred, was then kissed, licked, nibbled, and sucked on in ways that inflamed Kyo, set fire to his skin, swirled his senses, and made him moan in ways that only encouraged Hatsuharu to this more, that harder, over and over again...

Finally he moved on past his neck to his collarbone, which he teased for a bit, leaving what Kyo knew would later be a hickey. From there he kissed a straight line over the top of Kyo's chest, sending shiver's up the anticipant cat's spine, which in turn stimulated parts of him best left unmentioned. He blushed again, and for once hatsuharu didn't notice. His hands were slithering up to dance over Kyo's nipples, tickling and teasing him.

Their lips met again, sweet and deliberate this time. Kyo opened his mouth in an unspoken invitation that Hatsuharu contemplated for a few moments before accepting. His tongue immediately dominated Kyo's, making him groan. Kyo tasted sweet, like sugar, even though he smelled of cinnamon, and Hatsuharu found himself attempting to swallow Kyo whole, to taste every last crevice, to leave no heavenly bit of him untouched, untasted, unexplored.

He slowly pulled away, slowing and reversing his efforts over time, like a true expert, a force of wills like no other he had ever experienced. He disconnected from Kyo, who lay there panting for several moments, mouth still open, heavy-lidded with delightfully clouded eyes. Hatsuharu had calmed down by the time Kyo returned to earth. They smiled at one another, no longer timid, feeling a million times better about life, living, and everything.

Hatsuharu pulled Kyo close, leaning back with the cat's head resting on his chest. He pet the neko's hair, kissing his head lightly and saying, "Such a sweet little kitten."

Kyo just closed his eyes and purred.

XOXOXOXOXO

Yuki couldn't pull away. He knew it was wrong, disgusting, but he couldn't help himself. He needed to know. Not even knew what exactly it was that he needed to know; all he knew was that he needed to know it from them. Would he see it in their eyes? Hear it in their voices? Smell it in the air? He just didn't know. He couldn't figure out how his own mind worked anymore.

Passively he watched them kiss, starting with a massage, ending with a cuddle, he witnessed it all, unseen and unknown. Partially hidden by shadow, the nezumi couldn't even make himself care if they saw, which of course they didn't. All they knew was each other; tender, inflaming, comforting, cool caresses, feathery touches, teasing kisses. Trying to devour one another, lost in their own little world, delighting the taste and smell and closeness of their cousin, their friend, their lover.

Will they? Yuki thought vaguely, something like sadness rising in him. Is Hatsuharu that easy that he will sleep with Kyo this weekend, this very night? So soon after we...after we... That stupid cat would most likely go along with it too, Tohru or no Tohru; he's been in love with that dumb ox since we were children training with Shihan all those years ago. He sniffed, denying his own feelings even as tears silently and expressionlessly slid down his cheeks.

The bastards. That bastard! What about me?

XOXOXOXOXO

The little voices in the back of everyone's mind are all poisonous little devils there to plague us, bring to life our worse fears and deepest regrets to make sure that we never forget them. It just so happens that not only are the Sohma's voices nastier, they are also crueler and bigger and more like members of the family than most.

What have I done?

How could all of this happen?

What am I doing?

You traitor!

You fool!

You liar!

And they generally come in twos.

XOXOXOXOXO

Tohru came downstairs to find Yuki at the bottom. She assumed that she has just run into him, so she said cheerfully, "Hello, Yuki-kun!"

Immediately Yuki turned back around, a smile on his face. Hatsuharu and Kyo looked up, the cat leaping to his feet when his mind arose from it's thick haze, the ox taking his time. Uo and Hana came out from the kitchen to meet with their good friend. "Hello, Tohru-kun."

Mussing up her hair some, Uo said fondly, "Heya, Tohru-chan."

Hana nodded and smiled sweetly. "Tohru-chan." When no one was looking she somehow glared at each boy in turn without anyone else noticing.

Shigure chose this time to emerge from his office, figuring it was safe. "So, Tohru-chan...When's dinner?"

Tohru's eyes shot open and she bowed. "Oh! I almost forgot. I'll go make it right now, Shigure-san!" She scurried off to do as he had "bid".

On their way to follow Tohru Uo and Hana glared at the hentai inu. Yuki and Kyo each punched him in the head as they followed their examples. Hatsuharu tailed after his kitten, ignoring the one he dubbed sensei as if he wasn't even there.

Shigure was wounded, Hana was morbid, Uo was loud, Kyo was violent and touchy, Yuki cold and polite, Hatsuharu odd and snuggle-y. Things weren't perfect, but they were back to normal. Hatsuharu's attentions had been diverted, and a few things were more tense and less casual between some people, but all involved chose to ignore and gloss over such details as if they had spoken of it in secret beforehand. Hatsuharu and Kyo hadn't just been making out, and Yuki hadn't just been watching, and of course Uo and Hana hadn't discussed such things and come to some conclusions because of course there was nothing to discuss and no conclusions to come to because of it. Of course. Things were as perfect as they should be...on the surface.

Many things lie beneath, and nothing is as it seems.