When all eyes turned to Shigure for confirmation, Shigure gravely nodded before quietly excusing himself. He slid the door open, intent on questioning his fellow dog. Of course, he could have easily asked Kyo who was now seated beside Tohru about what he had just witnessed, but he knew the moody cat wouldn't be forthcoming with the information.
With Shigure gone, everyone contemplated their situation. Unlike Akito, they -- with the exception of Ayame, of course -- were concerned that someone else knew the Sohma's carefully guarded secret. Would Usagi blab to anyone who would listen that certain members of the powerful Sohma clan could transform into (kawaii) animals? Oh, if only they'd been careful. If only they'd gone against Akito's wishes. If only they hadn't kidnapped her. So many if onlys.
Ayame regarded his companions and, upon seeing their grim expressions, suddenly chuckled. He tried to smother his mirth, but it only came out as a snort. He put up his hands as if to defend himself when they looked at him as if he'd gone crazy.
It was Yuki who voiced what everyone was thinking. "What's so funny?"
Ayame composed himself before saying, "You guys make it seem as if it's the end of the world. So what if Usagi-san discovered Momiji and I could turn into animals? Tohru has seen all of us in our Juunishi forms and she hasn't spilled our secret."
"Yeah, but that's different."
"How?"
"Tohru is our friend."
Ayame patted his younger brother's head affectionately. Before an irritated Yuki could swat his hand away, he removed it. Then a thought struck him. If he confided in Yuki and the others that Usagi had a secret of her own and that he'd discovered it, then they wouldn't be so worried. After all, they could use it as a leverage. Besides, it just might give Yuki a reason to like him again. God knew how much he'd wanted to bridge the gulf between them. It still ate at him that he wasn't able to take Yuki from Akito's cruel clutches all those years ago no matter how much he wanted to. It didn't matter that Ayame was a kid himself. He could have expressed his outrage. He could have done something.
Just as he was about to make a revelation, he changed his mind. For some inexplicable reason, he couldn't do it. He couldn't share something so... special... to them. He couldn't understand why he felt torn about the whole thing. His loyalty should lie to his brother and the rest of the Sohma family, and yet he couldn't betray a stranger's confidence.
He scratched his chin as he pondered some more. What had Usagi done to him? It was true that his interaction with her had been limited, but obviously, her influence on him had been profound.
"Usagi's MY friend." Well, technically, she wasn't his friend yet, but he'd remedy that soon. Of course, he was going to find her and convince her that he wasn't really THAT perverted first. "She could be your friend too if you'd just give her the chance."
"How are we supposed to give her a chance if she wouldn't meet with us?"
"We DID kidnap her." Momiji blushed as all eyes turned to him. He hadn't participated in the discussion until now. He didn't want to draw the attention to himself, but he had to say something. "I mean, I wouldn't be all friendly with someone who took me against my will too."
Kyo smirked as he saw Yuki was beaten by simple logic. And they all thought Yuki was smart. 'Cheh!'
"And besides," Momiji shyly added, "it was my fault. I should have been more careful."
Yuki quickly reminded him that his transformation was an accident. Then he turned to his brother, "Yours, however, WAS not. Why did you have to get up close and personal with her, anyway? You knew what would happen yet you still chose to hug her. What were you thinking? Or were you thinking at all?"
At this, Ayame became uncharacteristically pensive. He couldn't bring himself to admit to the others that he was getting tired of seeing and hearing, but not actually touching, her. He couldn't admit that he wanted to feel her warmth. He couldn't admit that he wanted to take away whatever was making her unhappy. He couldn't admit that he wanted her to be his.
When he dared to touch her, a part of him wished that her magical powers would somehow neutralize his curse. That unlike Hatori who was forced to give up his happiness with Kana, he'd be able to live happily ever after with Usagi (once she learned to trust him and once Akito left them alone, of course.) Unfortunately, they didn't. Well, he was gonna have to ask her how her powers worked. Maybe she could tweak them or something.
When he realized the others were looking at him as if he'd grown a horn, he smiled sheepishly and said, "I couldn't help myself. She was so soft and she smelled heavenly!"
Yuki's right eye twitched.
Hatori decided to speak up before Yuki said something scathing. "He's right. It isn't the end of the world. Usagi-san seems like a reasonable person." He coloured a bit when he remembered how she violently reacted to Ayame's amorous attention before clearing his throat. "Perhaps we should just wait and see what happens."
The rest of Tohru's scrumptious feast was eaten in silence. By the time Shigure returned, the table had been cleared.
-
Usagi found herself wheezing as she held onto her couch for support. Her mad dash for safety took a toll on her. If her friends were still alive, they'd tease her mercilessly. In her defense, she hadn't had time to reacquaint herself with her abilities. She was still trying to figure out how she got into this place, after all. She tried to fool herself into thinking that this was all a crazy dream, but the adrenaline rush she had experienced (and was still experiencing) couldn't be denied.
She staggered into the kitchen and made herself a cup of warm chocolate complete with tiny marshmallows. Careful not to spill it, she headed to the balcony where she was greeted by the full moon. She welcomed its warm silver light. It soothed her weary soul.
She sipped some of the sweet liquid as she wondered what she was going to do now. She couldn't possibly go back to work. They'd be waiting for her there. If she changed her identity and moved to a new town, she had an inkling they'd be able to track her down. They certainly looked like they had the resources to do so.
No, she couldn't run away now. There was a strong possibility that whoever summoned her was nearby. Also, she couldn't leave Tohru alone. Not when there was a chance that those guys were holding her against her will. Besides, there was no way she'd leave a bunch of youma running around and secretly terrorizing the city, no matter how cute and cuddly they were. It went against her duty as a senshi.
And what about that beautiful man whose mere touch had her heart racing? Who was he who had the audacity to make her feel all womanly? She hadn't felt like that ever, not even with Mamoru. It was true she loved him, but she had been young when they started going out. Her feelings for Mamoru weren't given a chance to truly deepen because his life had been cut tragically short. Would Mamoru think she was betraying him by thinking about another man? Or would he want her to move on with her life and learn to love again?
She shook her head. She had more important things to think about other than her love life, after all. She finished her chocolate and set the cup aside. She would have to be careful when dealing with the enemy. She still didn't know just how dangerous they were.
She was about to strategize some more (Ami would have been proud), but her stomach loudly protested. That was when she realized she hadn't eaten anything since noon. She went back inside and rummaged in her refrigerator for something to eat. The only thing she could find was ramen, however, and so she made a mental list of food she needed to buy the next day.
With the threat of the youma temporarily forgotten, she attacked the newly-cooked ramen in front of her with vigor.
-
Ehehehe. Is this a definite Ayame/Usagi pairing? I honestly don't know. It seems like it though, right? Would you continue to read this even if Usagi gets paired with him? Or do you have other suggestions as to who she should be with?
I think I'll be inserting a senshi or two in this story. I won't tell you who though. You're gonna have to wait for the next chapter or something. Tee hee. I'm evil.
This chapter is waaaay too short. I apologize. It's better than nothing, ne? Please review.