Author's Note: This is actually one of my favorite chapters, and just to tell you, Hatsuharu and Momiji finally make their long awaited appearance in this chapter. Also, it's a bit longer than my previous chapters, so I'm trying to make up for lost time. I know it's been a while since I've posted, and I thank you all for your patience. Well, I hope you liked the last chappie, and I've decided to let Kyo come up for air and stop kissing him so he can take part in this chapter.

Kyo: God save us all. This woman is totally insa-

A/N: TOTALLY IN LOVE WITH YOU! ((glomps Kyo))

Kyo: GUH!….ngh… sweatdrops, but blushes Awww, c'mon. You said not in public.

A/N: I know. ((nuzzles)) I just love you so much! .

Kyo: smiles

A/N: AND NOW, OUR NEXT CHAPTER! ((jumps up)) Roll film! ((glomps Kyo again)) . Squee!

Disclaimer: Not now- I'm busy…((sighs, exasperatedly, and stops kissing Kyo long enough to say:)) It's not mine, 'kay? NOW LEAVE US ALONE! ((hangs a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door and slams it))

CHAPTER TEN: Crossdress for Success

The rest of summer was a fleeting moment before fall rolled in, bringing with it blustery weather and a small flu epidemic throughout school. One especially cold morning, Jenny chose to wear the boy's uniform instead of the girl's. It's too cold for a skirt that short, she considered, slipping on the navy pants. Over the past two months, she had switched occasionally between the two uniforms, and since Yuki was the class president, she never got in trouble for it.

Over time, Jennifer had stopped being "the new kid" and the people in her classes got to know and like her. They liked her style, which was so different from the sort of thing they had grown up around. They thought her American way of dressing and thinking was cool, and they were always curious to learn more about her. To her pleasant surprise, Jenny acquired more friends than she could have hoped for at her new school; but she always remained much closer with the Sohmas.

After the bell rang, the principal included in his morning announcements a reminder about a school dance that Friday. Instantly, Jenny's homeroom buzzed with excitement. A school dance, she thought, Saint Mary's Academy for Girls never had one. I wonder what they're like?… But she quickly dismissed the idea when class began, and focused on the lesson instead.

During break, Uo and Hana met up with Tohru, Yuki, and Kyo in the hallway.

"Hey," Uotani greeted, " Excited about the dance?"

"I've been organizing the whole thing, so I'll be glad when it's over," sighed Yuki.

"What about you, orange top?" Uo asked Kyo.

"I told you to stop calling me that! Anyway, daces are stupid. They're just so girls can compare dresses and who has the best boyfriend and stuff."

"This coming from the epitomy of stupidity itself," the Prince cracked.

"Hey, are you looking for a smashed face?" Kyo yelled, balling his fist.

"I was thinking of going, actually," Hanajima offered softly, surprising them all.

After a silent moment, Tohru agreed. "Yes, it would be fun if we all went!"

" Hm- crash the dance and get the fangirls mad? I'm in," grinned Uo.

"I'll be sure to invite Jeni-chan, too! I'm sure she would love to go!" Tohru said.

"Actually, I heard a strange rumor today," Hana told the others, "that Seta Ryotso was going to ask Jennifer-san to be his date to the dance."

"WHAT!" Kyo exclaimed loudly.

"Oh, that's right- I heard that rumor, too…" Tohru considered

"Really?" asked a very surprised Yuki, "But he's one of the most popular boys in school. How did this happen?"

"What can we say?" shrugged Uotani, "Jennifer-san is more popular than I think you boys realize."

"Yes," Hanajima agreed, "Jennifer-san and I have poetry together, and almost every boy in that class has asked her out at least once- some have asked her nearly eight times. But she has turned down each and every one of them."

"Uh-huh. She's in my Civics class, y'know." Uo told them, "and just about a week ago I saw her turn down Hamada for about the eighteenth time. It's no real surprise Seta would go after her. Not only is she really pretty, but I think the fact that no other guy has had a chance with her makes her even more attractive…"

"Boys are such silly things- always wanting what they can't have…" Hana commented.

"Come to think of it, I don't recall ever seeing her go out on the weekends," Yuki said thoughtfully.

"Oh, come on! It all sounds like a bunch of idiotic gossip to me! How do we even know that bastard Ryotso even will ask her?" demanded Kyo.

"Look around," said Hanajima "There is your proof..."

Kyo looked around at all of the girls nearby, from their class and others, and the first thing he noticed was the same odd light in their eyes- they each had the eyes of a killer.

"Wow- they look like they'd rush you from a street corner, don't they? Scary…" Uo shuddered.

"What has them all so agitated?" inquired Yuki.

"Isn't it obvious? They are all jealous of Jennifer-san. They are angry tat she will be asked to be Seta-san's date, instead of one of them." Hana explained.

"Still doesn't mean she'll go with him.." Kyo grumbled.

"I dunno about that," shrugged Uo, "Seta's pretty high up there. The only one more popular than Seta is the prince over here. Seta's rich, intelligent, the captain of the soccer team, and pretty good-looking to boot. I think even I would have a hard time turning him down if he asked me out…"

The bell rang, ending their conversation, and Kyo went to his Geography class in a very dark mood.

Seta's just a rich bastard with plenty to lose, Kyo thought angrily in his desk, not paying the least attention to the material he was supposed to be learning, He's not all that great. I don't see what the big deal is. He's a real jerk, too- he's always asking girls out and standing them up, or dating them for a week and dumping them. The whole school knows what a playboy Seta Ryotso really is- except HER! She's only been here a little under two months, so she could tell him yes…Who else could she go with?

What am I saying? I'm just getting all worked up over nothing. It's not my problem who she dates. If she goes to the dance with him, it doesn't really matter. It's not like he's asking her to MARRY him or anything…

But Kyo was not really comforted…

Since Kyo was in the same class as Tohru, they walked to the cafeteria together. On the way, by the oak trees, they found Yuki, Uo, Hana, Momiji, and Hatsuharu sitting on the benches outside.

"Hello, there, Momiji-kun!" Tohru greeted with a smile, "and you, Hatsuharu-san! It's great to see you both!"

Hatsuharu nodded and said "Hello,"

"Listen, listen!" Momiji said cheerily, "We came over to have lunch with you today!"

"That's great!" Tohru exclaimed.

"No it isn't!" Kyo said, flopping down on the bench, "You two are even more annoying at school."

"Move over," Haru said, nudging Kyo with is foot, "You're in my seat."

"No way! Sit on the ground!" Kyo said aggravated.

"I mean it. Get up. I want to sit next to Yuki."

"Um, Kyo…" Tohru began, "Maybe you should let him sit…"

"I said no and I mean no! I'm not getting up and that's final!"

>WHAM!

Hatsuharu's fist collided with Kyo's chin, flipping him over the back of the bench, making him land hard on the ground.

Black Haru! Momiji, Kyo, Tohru, and Yuki all thought.

"You carrot-topped idiot! I SAID I wanted to sit down, so now you got what you deserved!" Black Haru yelled.

"Why, you-!" Kyo stood up, tackling Haru to the ground. They both got up, raising their fists and looking ready for a fight.

Yuki stood, his face set in annoyance.

"If you have to fight, do it after school. The last thing I need is to get ANOTHER report about you two. . . fight. . .ing. . ."

A distant rumble could be heard, and Yuki's admonishment trailed off as the group tried to listen to the noise.

"What's th-" Yuki began, but he never finished.

A boy was running toward them, looking fearfully at something over his shoulder. The boy crashed into Yuki, sending the prince to the ground. The other boy stumbled, but regained his footing and kept going as fast as he could. A stampede of what looked like nearly all of the third year girls followed in close pursuit, chasing the strange boy across the school grounds, towards the baseball field.

"Wow- that guy hauled outta here like his ass was on fire," Kyo commented uninterestedly.

"What's his problem?" Black Haru bellowed, helping Yuki up, "That bastard needs to be taught some manners! And I think beating the crap out of him might just do the trick!"

So the ox took off, followed closely by the rest of the gang- except for two- Uo and Hana.

After a few moments of silence, Uo spoke up.

"That wasn't a guy running, was it Hana?" Uo asked calmly

"No- it wasn't" Hana answered.

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Haru caught up with the person who had knocked Yuki down without much difficulty. The other boy had finally out run his stampede of girls, and Haru found him walking across the baseball field, looking out of breath. Haru, however, was raring to go- and ready for a good fight.

This guy is pretty good- losing all those girls like that, Haru thought darkly, hurrying his pace to catch up with the other boy, Now I can beat him up without an audience of sappy girls.

"Hey, you!" Black Haru called out.

The other boy stopped walking, and turned around.

Panting, Yuki was the first to catch up to Haru, then Kyo, then Tohru and Momiji.

"Haru, don't!" Yuki called out, "It's okay, really!"

But the ox didn't listen, and Black Haru screamed at the stranger, "You pushed my friend over and didn't even apologize! I don't like rude guys!"

But the person who had knocked Yuki down said nothing in return.

"What- you're just going to stand there? Fine- I'll make this quick!" And Haru dashed over to the other student, and pushed them down.

"Hey, cut it out!" Kyo shouted.

"How do you feel getting shoved down? Do you like the dirt? What- did I get your pants dirty?" Haru taunted.

The other boy tried to get up and run away, but Haru grabbed him by the shoulders, spun him around, and lifted the boy up by the throat.

It was then that the others recognized just who it was that Knocked Yuki down- who the person was that was being chased by all the third-year girls—

"Jeni-kun!" Tohru cried out.

"Maiso-san!" Yuki called.

There was Jennifer, being gripped by the throat, her feet dangling above the grass as Black Haru held her up. She choked for air and struggled, tears filling her eyes.

"HEY!" Kyo roared, "LET HER GO!"

Haru turned and looked at Kyo, bewildered. "Her?" He asked softly.

While Haru was distracted, Jenny lashed out, her foot colliding with his jaw.

They both fell to the ground, and the others rushed forward to help them.

Jenny grasped her throat, coughing and gasping for air. Her hair- which had been neatly clipped back- now fell disheveled around her shoulders, and her shirt, which had ripped open when Haru pushed her down, now revealed a lacy white bra.

"It's a. . . girl?" Haru asked confused.

"YEAH, it's a GIRL!" Kyo shouted in a rage, going over and berating Haru.

"Are you all right, Maiso-san?" Yuki asked helping Jenny up.

"Y-Yes, I think so. I'm fine. Just a bit shaken, is all," Jenny told him, blushing and buttoning her shirt closed.

Momiji ran up to Jenny smiling and introduced himself.

"Hello, there! I'm Momiji Sohma! Are you the exchange student?"

"Er-yes," Jenny nodded, taken aback by such a cute face on a boy- and surprised that he was in high school, "Yes, I am. I am Jennifer Maiso."

"You idiot!" Kyo was screaming at Haru, "You could have really hurt her! What's your problem, strangling her like that? Did you want to kill her?"

"I-I had no clue it was a girl-" Haru stammered.

"You might be able to pull that sort of crap at the main house, but I'm never gonna let you get away with that here! If she hadn't kicked you, you could have snapped her neck!"

"Uh- Sohma-bocchan," Jenny stuttered to Kyo, "Really, I'm fine-"

Kyo scowled at Haru, then walked to Jenny, grabbing her hand, and dragging her back to her attacker.

"This is Hatsuharu Sohma," Kyo said to Jenny grudgingly, "Him and Momiji are our cousins."

Haru bowed, "Pleased to meet you,"

Jenny's eyes flashed, and she hid behind Kyo.

"You scared her!" Kyo shouted.

"I just said 'hello' . . ." replied Haru.

Momiji ran up to Jenny and smiled, "Haru really is nice once you get to know him. I'm sure he didn't really mean to hurt you. It's okay- me and Kyo will be right here."

Jenny gave Momiji a half smile, nodded, and turned to face Haru.

"You are. . . a Sohma?" She asked.

Haru nodded.

Jenny nodded as well- then smirked. "Well, if that's the case-"

Jenny punched Haru hard in the stomach, making him tumble to the ground.

"-than I will not allow you to treat me that way again, Hatsuharu-san." Jenny concluded smiling.

Haru got up, dusted himself off and grinned.

"No, I should think not," he replied grimacing a bit from the pain.

After lunch, Momiji and Haru went back to their class, and Yuki and Jennifer walked to their Chemistry lesson.

"Maiso-san," Yuki asked after a while, "I don't mean to be intrusive, but why did you ask Haru if he was a Sohma before you hit him?"

"Well- I didn't want to hit a stranger. That's just rude…"

"Huh?" Yuki asked, confused.

"Let's see if I can put this the right way. . ." Jenny said thoughtfully, "It's sort of why I hit Kyo Sohma-bocchan that time- when he missed you and punched me?"

"I remember," Yuki said

"Well, before I let home, my father said not to let any of the people I lived with just walk all over me. He said not to be afraid to stand up for myself, and to make sure I got the respect I deserved. I mean, I'm not going to let anyone just push me around."

"But why did it matter if he was a Sohma?"

"Well, I just thought that, since he was a Sohma, that's sort of like he was living with us- I mean, he's your family and all, so I should be the one to take care of it."

"And if he hadn't been a Sohma?"

"Oh, I'm sure Kyo Sohma-bocchan would have taken care of it then," Jenny beamed.

On the way home for school, Haru and Momiji walked together to the main house.

"That new girl looks so nice!" Momiji exclaimed happily, "Maybe if you hadn't hurt her, she would have been friendlier, Haru."

"I didn't mean to," Haru said yet again, "Besides, I'll be sure to remember that punch if I go black and think about going after her again. She hits hard."

"And Kyo really let you have it, too., didn't he?" Momiji giggled.

"Yeah," Haru Agreed, "Yeah, he really did chew me out about it. And if she hadn't stepped in, I'm sure he would have thrown a couple punches himself."

"Kyo looked really mad, didn't he?" Momiji asked.

"Mm-hm, he did look angrier than usual. He seems. . .pretty protective of Jennifer-san. There's something about him that's different. . .I can't quite put my finger on it. . ."

"Well, you really should apologize to Jeni-san again, Haru! I want us all to be friends!"

"I know, I will. . . C'mon, let's hurry home. It's getting dark."

" 'Kay!"

My Two Cents: Finally! Another Chapter up! >. Now I only have about fifteen more to go! Oh- the difficult life and tribulations of an author! I'll try to update on my Harry Potter fic, too! And I've added Chapter 4 to Not As Is Seems- SO CHECK IT OUT, MAN! This is Que Montgomery, Signing off!