Lost and Found
Author's Note: I have finally finished this! Yes, I know, I am a very VERY bad kitten for taking this long. A lot has been happening lately—a lot—and I wasn't sure of what I was doing...Now, of course, I don't remember at all, but I can make it up as I go along. Thanks to three specific viewers this time around: Whitewolf33, for being my first reviewer after a long lull that made me mad; Mayuko-chan, for sending me awesome reviews I loved to tell and being the reason I remembered this story; and Kenshinsonegirlfanclub, aka my best friend Hope, for actually reviewing my chapters, submitting really long reviews that don't necessarily make sense, as I made you when you were over at my house, the reason that I finished up this chapter...This author's note is already long, but there's more! This story was inspired by the fic "Haru" by Aubreys-Master. I read that fic when I was going through my HaruKyo phase, and as I do when I read fics, any fics, I got inspired. I hope this story doesn't seem to be copying it too much; mostly it's just the pairing and the angst I borrowed, but also a situation with my own twist. This wedding idea came up in hers, but the participants were different. I hope she doesn't mind...Once again I feel like this could be better, and some of the paragraphs being lacking in bulk pisses me off, but I guess it's not really my opinion that matters...Please review. If you can't, email me. I love the reviews, I love replying to them, oh my how did I get so many?...Don't worry, this fic will get yummier: lemon later, sugar and angst now...Seriously, someone submit an idea for what water is so I can make lemonade!...KURAMAGIRL44! I LOVE YOU BABY! KEEP REVIEWING PRINCEY! ROOOSE-CHAAAN!...Am I forgetting anything? Ah well, I've already talked for far too long...Fermant vers le haut, je jure! (Except to say that FanFiction was being dumb, this would have been up earlier, but then it decided to have problems with the document, so I had to copy and paste it into another one. Loserish peoples. Okay, now I really am done, I swear.)
Chapter Five: Wedding Invite
The next day, which was a Saturday, would build the foundation off of which routine would from then on run. On the weekends, Hatsuharu comes home with Kyo, Uo and Hana come home with Tohru. Hatsuharu sleeps on the floor of the neko's room by his bed, supplied with a mat of course, while Uo and Hana snuggle in on either side of the onigiri. The next morning Uo and Hana awaken at ungodly hours of the morning and emerge, without disturbing Tohru, fully clothed. From there they somehow rouse the entire household, who must then come downstairs without so much as a noise, lest bad things happen to them—and if one doesn't mess with Arisa Uotani and Saki Hanajima's auras on a regular basis, one especially doesn't in the gray dawn hours, tired and clad only in boxers. From there they are slave-mastered into making breakfast, and then quickly making themselves presentable. By the time Tohru emerges the food is hot, the people are awake and smiling, and everything is happy in a strained manner. Very pleasant for her—the scary part is that Uo and Hana enjoy making it all happen.
After that, either Uo and Hana, sadly enough, have to go home, or, horribly enough, they have the day to kill. If they have to go home everyone breathes a sigh of relief, Hatsuharu dominates Kyo's time, Yuki broods without brooding, and Shigure retreats to his office to avoid being the only one left with Tohru, which is never good for his health. Tohru then either does something with Yuki or goes home with one of the girls. If they don't have to go home, the boys are all trapped, and the three teenage boys must follow the three girls around as long as Uo and Hana do please, acting cheerful lest they be punished, the grown-up writer-boy then off the hook.
On this, the first Saturday, Uo was dressed in her Red Butterfly ensemble; long black skirt, big black boots, white tank top, and leather jacket with the kanji and the picture on the back, everything else done in black with red details; scarlet lipstick, midnight eyeliner, diamond earrings, two studs in each lobe. Hana, on the other hand, had on her Vampire Queen outfit; long, elegant black dress with gothic train and purposefully torn edges resembling the sharp points of daggers, the sleeves nothing more than elegant fishnet, ending at nails painted black; high, sharp collar, black lipstick, black eyeliner, black stone earrings, pretty and sharp looking black heels.
"Up, you!" Uo exclaimed, leaping into Kyo's room. Having not expected it, Kyo and Hatsuharu were both sleeping without their shirts on, although Kyo had on his pants while Hatsuharu had on only his boxers. The cat leapt up, and Uo half-expected him to yowl his protest, whining like a cat. Hatsuharu was so lazy in his yawning and stretching and getting up and opening his eyes that she half-expected him to moo, grunting like a cow. She shook such thoughts away, labeling them ridiculous...although in their oddness they stuck with her to ponder later on.
Hana glided into Yuki's room first, like a ghost or unholy phantom. "Good morning, Prince Yuki," she said, her voice like that of an apparition. Immediately he woke with a start, a cold sweat already breaking out on his forehead. He was wearing lavender silk pajamas, and when he looked up she was gone, his open door the only evidence remaining from their encounter. She did the same for Shigure, only he leapt up and screamed, quickly throwing on his work robe.
Breakfast was sloppy at best, but Tohru loved it, eternally grateful. When she wasn't looking Uo hissed, "It better be better next time," punctuated by an icy sweep of the eyes from Hana.
After breakfast Uo and Hana had to go. Megumi needed watching and after Old Man Uotani got checked up on Uo figured Hana would need company more so than Tohru, so they bid their best friend adieu. So relieved were they that the frightening ones were gone, Shigure went to take a nap, Hatsuharu pulled Kyo to the roof to celebrate, and Yuki was left all alone with Tohru.
I can remember a time when being alone like this with Tohru was a source of embarrassment and liberation the likes of which I had never before felt. Now, however, my heart belongs to another. I love Tohru, more than I could ever love any other...but I have long since discovered that love is not enough. It's funny how things work out.
"Tohru-san?" Yuki said timidly, as if speaking to an older, prettier girl on whom he harbors an age-old crush. Tohru turned a bit clumsily to look at him, her sapphire eyes still able to make him feel that wonderful, weightless feeling he had gotten so used to.
"Yes, Yuki-kun?" she replied, smiling as if the world was nothing but beautiful.
"Would you like to go out with me? Into town, I mean," he clarified casually, far more calm and held-together than he would have been a mere three months ago. "I would like to treat you to lunch later on as well."
Tohru smiled, a blush on her cheeks, enhancing her appearance all the more. "Of course, Yuki-kun, I would love to."
XOXOXOXOXO
Yuki and Tohru left ten minutes later, and finally they were alone. (Shigure doesn't count. He's in his office, and if he tries anything Kyo could reduce him to a pile of bloody hamburger meat with a single fist.) Hatsuharu was looking extremely seductive with his half-lidded eyes and lazy smile, which made Kyo somewhat nervous. Up on the roof it was just the two of them; chances are no one would hear them. The cat, however, could tell that the cow was tired, although he looked no different than usual, which was odd; he moved a bit more sluggishly even than normal, and his breathing was subtly different. Refusing a kiss, Kyo pulled the younger boy to him, and Hatsuharu gave in to his older cousin, resting his head on the other's chest and falling back to sleep with a contented sigh.
But Kyo couldn't sleep. For some reason he didn't feel tired. In fact, he felt more awake than he has in a long time. His heart-rate was quick, his limbs tingly; he couldn't help but fidget, albeit carefully as to not disturb Hatsuharu; he found himself hardly blinking, full of energy, wanting to get up and do something—run. He wanted to run. Laps, around the house. Hundreds of them! He didn't know where this sudden surge of energy came from, but it was there, and that's all that mattered.
He tried to stay still, but in the end the energy was so demanding, flowing through his veins as real and as tangible as his blood. Finally he took several meditative breaths and with the greatest of care picked Hatsuharu off of him and laid him back down on the roof. The cat was gentle and caring, making sure the ox was comfortable; he was smiling, perhaps from some pleasant dream. Kyo couldn't help but grin and, since the ushi looked so dam adorable, lean in and kiss him softly on the lips.
Hatsuharu stirred but didn't rise. Then, as quickly and quietly as Kyo could, his feet bare, padding softly on the roof he knew so well, he got himself down and started running as soon as his feet hit the ground. As first his direction was random, but soon he had set himself a steady pace running laps around the house. As he did so his mind fell back onto thoughts that have refused to leave him for days, weeks, even months and years; the movements were so natural, so perfect, his legs propelling him forward, his muscles flexing, his blood pumping, that he could devote all of his attention elsewhere.
Quite understandably his thoughts started off centered around Hatsuharu, his true love. Why it feels like only yesterday Hatsuharu asked him to be his boyfriend...It was less than a week ago, actually. Damn, five days already...And it was only three days ago that he had shown Hatsuharu how he truly feels. It's been a busy week, to say the least; so much has happened and changed for the better...Was it only last Friday that Hatsuharu had gotten dumped? Yes, yes, I suppose it was...
It feels like longer because these things didn't start with Hatsuharu's hard break-up; they "started" all those years ago when Kyo first admitted to himself these feelings—no, the day he first laid eyes on his cousin in that way. All this time Kyo has been hoping and dreaming for this to happen, and now that it has he doesn't know how to react. He's loosening up some, as yesterday proved, and this morning, but it still felt too surreal to the truth. More like a dream that, although pleasant, was hard to give in to.
It wouldn't be much longer until he gave into it completely, of course. Hatsuharu has always had that kind of an effect on him. Kyo could just watch him for hours, as happy as can be; from a distance, training, whatever. Whether the cow knows it himself or not, he is a creature of magnificent grace. A lot of people claim that the ushi are a breed of dumb, heavy animals whose only purpose in life is to provide meat and milk, ambling along clumsy and awkward until killed for whatever purpose, oblivious and brainless to the end. Kyo didn't think that was true. Probably because of Hatsuharu, but the cat had always felt a sympathy for cows bordering on respect for all they do. Who cares if they aren't geniuses? Neither are rats, or snakes, or boars. Cows are exceedingly helpful, and then of course there are bulls to be considered...and Hatsuharu. Everything always leads back to Hatsuharu.
The neko was drenched in sweat, his legs throbbing and chest aching, but he was just getting started; still pain to gain and energy to burn. His warm-up exercise done he decided to cool down with a bit of stretching, simple kicks and punches working the stress and kinks out of his bones and muscles, which had contracted with his running. The pain dulled to a slight throbbing, and from there he started to practice. Before his kicks and punches were wild, erratic throwaways; now they were graceful, strong, well-measured, and purposeful. A mere two years ago all his punches were was wild power; now he had power in both senses—the ability to smash a table as well as the ability to stop just above it.
Unbeknownst to him, Kyo had an audience. A slight sigh reached his ears and he turned up frantically to see Hatsuharu looking down at him, partially hanging off the roof of the house, laying on his stomach with eyes a dreamy gray and hands under his chin. He's so beautiful. Graceful, like a cat; strong, like a lion. And adorable like a kitten. My kitten. "Good morning, kitten," he said lazily, lips turning up in a smile.
Kyo only blushed slightly, sweat drenching his forehead and clothes, skin already flushed from his intense workouts. "G'mornin' to you too, ox."
"You are impressive," Hatsuharu said idly, his words heavier than his tone. He spoke in an almost dismissive manner, as if they were talking of something insignificant, casual, meaningless, but his eyes held admiration, awe, and a sort of praise that the lesser allows the better. "You make martial arts look like a dance you're so graceful. It's no wonder you're Shihan's best student."
To that Kyo blushed a deep crimson, turning away to wipe the sweat off of his brow, panting in pleased exertion. Hatsuharu's effect was lessening on him ever-so-slightly, at least when not actively employed, which would be a good thing, but it seemed to return even stronger than before when Kazuma Sohma, the Martial Arts Master, was mentioned. He loves his Shishou, and any praise from or involving him has always inspired that feeling of overwhelming love and gratitude; never pride or vanity. It made him happy to honor his mentor, master, and father, since he must have given up so much to raise the cursed cat, worst of them all. "I'm not his best student," he muttered, humble. His words changed their tone and grew darker as he continued, "Yuki is."
Hatsuharu remained blank at the mention of the rat. He could hear the pang in Kyo's voice, and his only noticeable reaction was the moment's hesitation it took him to jump off the roof and go to his kitten's side, wrapping his arms around broader, more muscular shoulders. "Kyo—Kyo! Look at me!" The cat obeyed, unable to deny the ox. Hatsuharu's gaze was clear and light, understanding and neutrally blank. "Yuki is not his best student. Yuki doesn't even remember his training. Yuki is not devoted as you. Yuki isn't as good as you. One day you'll realize that."
If Kyo noticed that Hatsuharu said the nezumi's name a few more times than was necessary he showed no sign. His smile was small but blazingly grateful. Unable to expression his emotions in words he leaned forward and pressed his lips to his cousin's in a most chaste kiss. Hatsuharu closed his eyes and smiled, enjoying the feel of rough lips as they massaged his own. As the cat's tongue brushed over his lips he knew things were about to deepen, but the mood was then broken by the phone ringing from somewhere inside the house.
Hatsuharu drew away, his gaze drifting lazily in that general direction, curious as the phone sounded again. The cat tried to re-engage the ox, but by then the phone had run twice more; no one was answering it. Kyo cursed, his eyes darkening. He stormed inside, fully ready to yell at Shigure for not picking up the phone, his ox following him inside. It was then that he heard the inu upstairs, the water running for the shower in the bathroom. Growling like a grumpy kitten, Kyo stomped over to the phone and answered it.
"Moshi moshi?" he grumbled, half-intending to take out his frustration on whoever had dared to call at such an inconvenient time.
"Hello Kyo. This is Hatori. I was wondering if you've seen Ayame?"
Kyo rolled his eyes, calming slightly at the sound of the older Sohma's voice. "Why would I have seen that crazy snake?"
He could almost hear the dragon shrug. "I can't find him this morning and I know that he enjoys visiting Shigure and tormenting Yuki and yourself. Is he home?"
Kyo snorted. "No. The damn rat and Tohru went out. Shigure's in the shower."
"I see." Hatori paused; it sounded as if someone was speaking to him on his end of the telephone. "Thank you, Kyo; I'll try his shop. If Ayame shows up—"
Hatori kept speaking, but Kyo couldn't hear him for the front door smashed open and in burst—you guessed it—Ayame Sohma. Out of shock Kyo gave a yelp and dropped the phone. Hatsuharu just stood there blankly, watching his cousins with mild interest. "Ayame! You crazy bastard! What in the hell do you think you're doing!" Kyo ranted. Ayame just laughed his obnoxious laugh, throwing back his head with his hands on his hips.
Taking his time Hatsuharu picked up the phone and put it to his ear. "If you haven't already heard, Ayame's shown up."
Hatori sighed. "Yes, I heard. I'll be over in a bit. There's something I need to tell you all in any case." He hung up without another word, and Hatsuharu replaced the receiver so that he could go over to his older and opposing cousins.
"Where is my darling brother? Yuki! Yuki! Yukiii!" Ayame began to call, walking about as if he owned the place, his voice growing more obnoxious and louder even as his smile expanded, pissing Kyo off in every way. He called up the stairs and was greeted by the water being cut off. Moments later Shigure emerged, smiling and amused, a towel wrapped around his waist.
"Aaya!" he said happily, embracing his good friend as if he wasn't without clothing, his hair still dripping as steam drifted out of the bathroom.
"Gure!" Ayame wrapped his arm around Shigure's shoulders, making it look as if they were a couple—a straight couple, no less, with Ayame's long hair and delicate features.
Kyo was growing angrier and more stressed out by the second, his face so red he looked about to blow, teeth gritted and eyes dangerously the color of blood; all of which the Mabudachi Duo failed to notice. Hatsuharu, as natural as could be, wrapped his arms around Kyo's neck from behind, somehow knowing that by pressing his cool cheek to the burning one of the cat, the cow would then be able to cool down his boyfriend's raging temper. Taking several deep breaths the neko closed his eyes and felt happy being close to Hatsuharu, touching in even such small ways.
When he opened his eyes again Shigure and Ayame were watching them, oddly silent. His blushing returning, he raved, "What are you staring at, you goddamn pervs!"
Ayame smiled. "You two make such a cute couple! Don't they, Gure?"
Shigure nodded. "Most definitely, Aaya. Which do you figure is the dominant?"
"Hmmm..." Ayame thought for several moments, studying the two teenagers in a way that made Kyo feel uncomfortable. "That's hard to say. Hatsuharu seems to be the more delicate of the two, making him ideal for uke, but he controls Kyo so easily, the signs of a true seme...You two are an odd couple, aren't you?"
Denying the opportunity presented for Kyo to go off again, Hatsuharu jumped in cooly, "I suppose. It's really none of your affair."
Ayame and Shigure exchanged smiles. "Ah, Hatsuharu." His exclamation was a mixture of amusement and something else less easily placed. He didn't elaborate. "In any case! Where is my darling brother? And the lovely Tohru?"
Once again, Hatsuharu jumped in before Kyo could speak. "Yuki took Tohru out on a date."
Ayame looked impressed. "It seems that the heart-breaker moves on as quickly as the heart-broken!"
Kyo frowned. Did Hatsuharu just tense at those last words? The cat looked at his boyfriend, concerned. His face held the same aloof calm and cool carelessness it usually held, but his features seemed a bit more strained than usual. It was then that the kitten noticed the tenseness of Hatsuharu's muscles, the shallowness and slowness of his breath, the way his face refused to move, even to blink. "Hatsuharu?" he whispered, ignoring the older men. The cow didn't respond. "Hatsuharu, are you okay?"
The cow snapped out of it and met Kyo's eyes as if confused; he looked as if he had just snapped out of a trance, unaware of his surroundings, or woken from a deep sleep someplace else than he had expected to be. "Wha...oh. I'm fine. Of course I'm fine. I'm fine, Kyo," he said, as if preoccupied and lost in his own thoughts, his eyes as dreamy as his voice; out of it. He smiled to reassure the older teen, who wasn't even half-convinced.
He didn't have time to mull that over much. "Ayame!" he barked, gruffer and ruder than was necessary. The hebi looked at him with mild interest that wavered even as he spoke. "What are you doing here?"
Ayame's eyes brightened, as if the orange-haired boy had reminded him of something important he had forgotten. "Oh! I almost forgot! Well, you see, Hatori—"
Before he could finish, once again, an interruption threw the front doors open. This time it was Hatori waiting on the other side, looking composed but inwardly peeved. He was dressed in black suit pants and a nice white dress shirt. Mayuko stood behind him, wearing brown slacks and a plain black tank top, her blonde hair up in a perfect ponytail. "Ayame," he said, calm and level and composed as always, but clearly not at all happy.
Ayame turned. "Tori!" he rushed over to Hatori, who just rolled his eyes as he walked in, the same dragon they all know and remember. The snake ignored his composure as Shigure joined him, the two of them greeting the woman while standing on either side of Hatori. Mayuko was smiling, amused, and Hatori was looking as if he was having a bit of a difficult day, worn-out and strained from all that had happened.
"Hello Ayame, Shigure," Mayuko said pleasantly, still smiling, as she shook the hands of the two men, having obviously met them before. She then noticed Kyo and smiled. "Hey, Kyo. It's good to see you again so soon."
Kyo grunted and Hatsuharu remained blank.
Mayuko looked at Hatori. "Should we tell them now?" she asked. He rubbed his temples, as if thinking, his composure down enough to show that he was more stressed than normal and that he would rather be anywhere but right there and right then.
"What about my darling little brother?" Ayame asked, arm wrapped around Hatori's shoulders and reaching Shigure in a large embrace just as his did. "And our Little Tohru? What about them? I'm sure they'll want to hear the news as well."
"What's going on here?" Yuki said with a frown, walking into the house as quiet as a mouse, taking off his shoes as he surveyed the scene before him. Tohru entered behind him, the door still open from Hatori and Mayuko coming in, since they haven't taken more than a few steps inside.
"Mayuko-sensei!" she said excitedly, bowing. Her eyes nearly popped out of her head upon seeing Ayame. "Ayame-san! It's a pleasure to see you all again! Should I make everyone some tea?"
Kyo exploded. "What in the hell is going on here!"
Yuki stepped forward. "There is no need to be so rude, stupid cat!"
"I'm sure if everyone just calmed down..." Shigure stepped in, looking nervous, afraid of all the damage his house could sustain with those three teenagers still here, two of them none too happy and the other as unstable as he is.
Mayuko was trying not to laugh, standing next to Hatori, who had finally shed himself of Shigure and Ayame, who were being their usual selves. She couldn't hide her amusement, and he could only massage his temples, comforted by Mayuko's presence at his side, her hand resting casually at his elbow. Tohru was wide-eyed and freaking out beside them. Mayuko put a comforting hand on her shoulder, and she calmed down some; enough to prevent a heart-attack.
"I'm sure if everyone could just calm down..." Hatori began quietly, stepping forward. Mayuko was walking with him, clinging to his arm.
Everyone ignored him, Kyo and Yuki now in their first shouting match in a week, Hatsuharu standing back and looking away, awfully pale; Shigure and Ayame were laughing amiably, despite the pressure mounting all around them, threatening to explode. Hatori closed his pale green eyes, massaging his forehead. Before he could try again, a loud, demanding, professionally angry voice called out: "WOULD EVERYONE JUST SHUT UP!"
Everyone gave a start, quickly quieting. Tohru fell onto her teacher, who smiled innocently and helped her up. Hatori looked at her with his eyebrow furrowed. She shrugged, still smiling wide. "I'm a teacher. That's my teacher-voice. It comes in handy."
Kyo winced and nodded; no wonder it sounded so familiar.
Mayuko immediately took charge of the situation. "Tohru, would you mind making that tea you offered earlier? We would all love some. Everyone else, there is plenty of space here, why don't you all sit down as Tohru and I prepare your refreshments?" Her words may seem as if they were asking them to do these things, but no one got that impression, for although her tone was kind a sort of commanding, demanding, and threatening feel underlaid it, everyone went to do as she said without a moments hesitation.
Hatori looked as if he was going to try help, but a single look from Mayuko made even him sit down without any further complaints. Tohru was glad for the help, and the girls felt free to talk and giggle as all the men remained completely silent. In the cases of Hatori and Hatsuharu that was no big deal, but usually Yuki and Kyo are at least fighting each other, if not conversing with another, and having Ayame and Shigure present but neither of their voices rising up...It made everything a bit surreal.
Tohru set down empty mugs down in front of all the guests once everything was done, Mayuko following her with the teapot to pour some of the hot liquid in each person's cup. Tohru finished before Mayuko, so she set about setting out the sugar, honey, lemon, and informal snacks. Only after that did she and her teacher pour themselves some tea and sit down, Tohru between Yuki and Kyo, Mayuko beside Hatori and across from Ayame.
"So..." Yuki began, breaking the silence, his eyes awfully focused on his teacup. Kyo frowned, wondering what that was all about; Hatsuharu was also looking intently into his tea, his grip bone-crushing on Kyo's defenseless arm going unnoticed by all but the recipient. "What is this news my brother continues to go on about?"
"Well!" Ayame began, breaking out into a large and ominous smile. "Tori and Yuko here—" His face contorted and a hand went down to grab a hold of his leg. Everyone looked at Mayuko, who, sure enough, was smiling innocently as she took a sip of her tea.
"Everyone..." Hatori jumped in, taking a deep breath. It was obvious that he didn't want to do this, but that he had to, and already he was dreading the effects. "We have come to announce and invite you to..."
Mayuko didn't feel like waiting much longer. Bluntly she blurted, "Hatori and I are getting married."
XOXOXOXOXO
Silence fell so completely and so quickly that it was as if they had suddenly been ejected into deep space. The amount of breathing definitely correlated with such a location, without the man-mad commodities. Everyone looked up at Mayuko's words, wide-eyed, staring at the two. The teacher looked extremely happy, smiling as she was; not just for the news, of course, but also somewhat for the others' reaction to it. Hatori looked blank, eyeing Ayame warily, obviously a little more than a little on edge. The snake had obviously already been aware of the news, and even though Shigure hadn't he was smirking, as if he had.
"H-How?" Kyo stuttered, unable to form coherent thoughts, much less a sentence, breaking the chilling silence. He could not have been more shocked if it had been Shishou as opposed to Hatori announcing his engagement to Hana as opposed to Mayuko...Wait, yes he could. Although it was a pretty damn close comparison.
"Th-That's wonderful news!" Tohru squeaked, torn between awkwardness and shock, happiness and excitement.
Yuki closed his eyes for several long moments to regain himself before saying, "Congratulations, Hatori-san, Mayuko-sensei."
Ayame giggled. "Tehe, you all are so fun-ee-hee!"
Shigure chuckled. "You are the most amusing of them all, my dear Aaya."
Hatsuharu just frowned. "Akito agreed to this?"
That seemed to puncture the aloof mood, even for those like Yuki and Kyo who were a bit overwhelmed at the moment. Everyone fell silent, smiles fading. Hatori's gaze was lowered, and only Mayuko did not seem to enter immediate depression at the sound of the Sohma Head of Household's name. She frowned, her lip slightly pouted, eyes traveling from one familiar face to another, everyone looking odd at the mention of Akito. Frightened, worried, upset...
"We haven't told him yet," Hatori murmured, making it quite obvious that that was most of the entire reason he was so out of it, drained both mentally and physically. Had it been any other member of the Sohma family they would have transformed long before now. So it came as little to no surprise when, in a cloud of smoke, all of a sudden the doctor had disappeared to be replaced by a small "dragon", otherwise known as a seahorse.
Tohru immediately began freaking out, Yuki growing pale at the realization that the onigiri was not the only non-Sohma present, Kyo scowling, Hatsuharu blank, Ayame and Shigure...Ayame and Shigure. To the surprise of all, aside from perhaps the small Hatori, Mayuko stood up, as composed as can be, and lifted him up, striding off quickly to the bathroom as if she owned the place. In the absolute silence the water could be heard running a few moments later.
A bit of a long time passed before Mayuko returned, a silly smile on her face. She grabbed his clothes and walked off, her actions speaking for themselves.
"When did..." Kyo murmured, his mind spinning, confused and adorably ridiculous for it. Hatsuharu smiled seeing his neko like that, unable to resist the urge to kiss him sweetly on the lips in front of everyone. The cat immediately turned bright red, but as his embrace grew more insistent, rough, passionate, Kyo had no choice but to give into his white-haired boyfriend.
Yuki grew very pale, wide-eyed in their general direction. Luckily no one noticed, because they were all looking towards the kitchen entrance where Hatori and Mayuko were standing, the dragon drying his hair with a medium-sized towel, and the teacher holding on to his arm carefully and leaning her head on his shoulder.
His family made an odd picture upon his return, but either Hatori didn't want to comment on it or he was so used to them that nothing ever phased him anymore. Mayuko must have known about Kyo and Hatsuharu either from school or Hatori, so she was also able to betray no emotion as she took her place beside Hatori, now not even bothering to not hold his hand above the table, squeezing lightly it in silent reassurance.
Shigure, oddly enough, was by then looking a bit forlorn, his eyes dark as he stared down at the table. "How long do you think you can keep this from Akito?" he whispered.
Everyone looked up, hardly daring to breathe, their gazes shifting from the dragon to the dog and back again. The doctor leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, and watched his close cousin for several long moments before speaking in a low, equally dark tone, although there was a hint of a threat as opposed to worry or regret, or bitter displeasure. "Who ever said I was keeping it from Akito?"
Several faces looked up, mouths open in protest, before Hatori waved his hand, demanding silence. With a sigh he continued. "To answer your question, I am going to inform Akito myself, when the right time comes. And you, Shigure—" his voice grew low, almost dangerous, as he addressed his childhood friend "—better not tell him before I do. I will do it when the time is right and that should be good enough for you."
Oddly enough, the dog looked genuinely saddened at Hatori's insinuation that he would betray him, all the more so because it was Hatori and not at all far from the truth. "I won't. I swear it." The dog even sounded like he meant it.
Leaning back with a sigh Hatori said nothing more for the rest of the evening.