Summery; Warning; Disclaimer: See First Chapter.
Thanks to everyone who's reviewed this! Here's the next chapter for you -a little fluff and stuff in here, not as much drama as last time. (I can only manage so much...) And for anyone who can guess - either through review or message - what Haru was going to say at the end of this chapter, you'll get a cameo appearence!
Please review if you read. Comments, ideas, suggestions, and helpful criticism welcome.
"Haru, where are we going?" Jenna asked, as they arrived in front of a small apartment complex. "I know you said we weren't going to Tohru's, and then you said we were going to Hatori's, but now we're lost and you're saying we're going somewhere else. Could you make your mind up, please?"
"This is my place," he told her calmly, buzzing himself in. "I got myself an apartment here when I got my job."
"I didn't know you lived outside," she said, following him up the flights of stairs.
"Well, Akito's not my biggest fan, and it's closer to my job anyway," he said after a moment's pause, scaling the third flight in a few easy steps. "I figured it'd be easier, so I can take you to the station tomorrow. And this is the only place I could remember where it was."
"I have no comment for that, Hatsuharu Sohma," she replied, shaking her head as she waited for him to unlock the door. Stepping inside, she blinked in surprise at the state of it. "Wow – it's clean. Sorta."
"Well, it is a bachelor pad," he pointed out with a shrug. "But I like some decency, after all. Surprised?"
"Yeah," she admitted, looking around curiously. "I'm impressed. How long have you been here?"
"A year or so," he thought, kicking aside some junk. "I was planning on cleaning tomorrow – Tohru rubbed off on me," he apologized, "She was always cleaning, and we kind of just picked it up after a while."
"Thank goodness," Jenna agreed, setting her bag down on the floor. The main room was comprised of a couch, some chairs, a small kitchen, and an even-smaller table. A narrow hallway had two doors, presumably to the bed and bathrooms. "Haru, you don't have to do that," she told him, seeing him clear the couch.
"Well, if I'm sleeping here, I have to, don't I?" he asked calmly, and straightened to look at her with a grin. "I'm not gonna make a girl sleep on the couch. You can take the bed tonight – I don't care."
"I don't want to be throwing you out," she protested, but he took her firmly by the shoulders and marched her to the bedroom, opening to the room to reveal a double bed and bookcase in an otherwise-spotless room.
"You – sleep – here," he ordered, tossing her bag on the bed. "It's the least I can do, with all the shit you're having to put up with. I don't mind," he added sternly, when she opened her mouth again. She shut it with a sigh and he grinned once more. "See, it's not that bad to listen to me, is it? If you're hungry, I've got some stuff in the fridge. I'm kinda wiped out, so I'm gonna go crash now. Bathroom's fine too, so don't worry about it. 'Night."
"Good night, then," she replied, turning around as he shut the door behind him. Digging through her bag, she held her toothbrush triumphantly aloft, and quickly found a pair of black pajama pants and a white tank-top to change into. Brushing her hair out once she was done, she tiptoed out of the room and down the hall, noticing he had left a nightlight on by the fridge for some light. Opening it open a crack, she winced when she saw how empty it was and quickly shut it again, deciding to go out to eat for breakfast. Beginning to return down the hall, Jenna jumped slightly when she heard a noise, and turned to see Haru sprawled out cold on the couch, muttering something briefly before returning to slumber.
"He's pretty cute when he's asleep," she whispered, moving closer to peer at him curiously. "Well, he's cute anyway," she admitted, backing up as he shifted in his sleep and deciding to return to the room he had lent her, feeling herself beginning to yawn.
Haru cracked an eye open as she turned her back to him, and grinned to himself as he rolled over on his side.
"Damn sun…" he grumbled, rubbing his eyes as the first rays of light hit his face. "I wanted to sleep," he complained, swinging his feet to the floor and getting to his feet sleepily. He stumbled to the bathroom for a quick pit stop before returning to his fridge, and sighed. "Oh well – looks like it's going out," he thought, shutting with another sigh and scratching his head absently. Running his fingers through it in an attempt to straighten it – one which didn't work – he grabbed a shirt that was on the back of a chair and tugged it on, trudging down the hall to his room.
Knocking softly, he pressed his ear against the door, trying to hear some response, but didn't hear anything. "Jenna? You awake?" he asked quietly, but there still wasn't an answer. Pausing a moment, considering the possible consequences of walking in on a young woman sleeping, he straightened his shoulders and crept in, looking around when he didn't see her.
"Oh," he shook his head, realizing the lump of blankets on his mattress was his overnight guest. Dropping to a crouch beside the futon he peered at the mound curiously, and experimentally poked it on what he guessed was her side. She shifted briefly and the Ox was unable to figure out if she was awake or not. Shrugging, he tugged the blankets away – while Jenna put up quite a fight about that – until she was completely uncovered.
"Damn, I've never seen anyone sleep so heavily," Haru muttered, shaking his head in disbelief. Resting his arms on his knees, he sighed and eyed her, assuring himself she really was still asleep. "She's even prettier asleep," he thought out-loud, and then blinked in surprise when he realized he had said that. Leaning forward, he waited until his face was mere millimeters from her face before smirking. "Yo! Time to get up!" he said loudly.
Jenna's eyes opened slowly, but she shot awake when a pair of gray eyes filled her vision. Jumping upright she smacked her head against the wall, and Haru couldn't hide a grin as she swore and rubbed it. "Damn it, Haru!" she said grumpily, her hair sticking out at awkward angles and her clothes twisted around her body.
"Figured we could go out to eat breakfast," he said casually, rocking back on his heels calmly.
"Is anything even open at this time?" she grumbled, glaring at the digital clock. Obviously, she wasn't much of a morning person.
"Dunno," he replied, shrugging. He leaned back when her eyes turned to him crankily, and hastily stood up. "You can use my shower if you want – I'll go grab some clothes," he said, quickly retreating from his room. Jenna remained on the futon for a moment, gathering her wits around her before shaking her head and groaning.
"What a night…" Sighing, she ignored the offer of a shower and slipped on a pair of hip-hugging boot-cut jeans and a red camisole underneath a black unbuttoned blouse. Digging her feet into her boots, she quickly brushed her hair out before shoving her used clothes back into her bag, considering her options.
"Whatsa matter?" Haru mumbled, looking up from his stack of pancakes when he noticed her look.
"I don't want to go to the police," she told him, picking at her own food.
"Why not?" he asked, gulping down his food and eyeing her curiously.
"I don't know why," she admitted with a shrug. "Just…it doesn't seem natural, bringing the police into something like this. It's a weird feeling – I'd rather deal with it alone," she said firmly, defiantly taking a bite and chewing with deliberate motions.
"I guess – it's your decision," Haru said finally, finishing off his breakfast. "So…you just wanna go back home and clean up, then? I don't mind helping out – I'm off this weekend."
"I can do it," Jenna argued, shaking her head. "You don't have to bother." Glancing around the small restaurant, she decided for a quick change of topic. "The weather feels like it's going back to normal, doesn't it?"
"I guess," he agreed, deciding to let the subject drop for the time being.
"Thanks for helping out, Har – what are you doing?" Jenna asked, when he let himself into her house and began to pick up articles of clothing that were strewn across the floor. "Get off that!" she ordered, snatching a bra away from him in embarrassment.
"I'm impressed – you don't really look like a B-cup in the stuff you wear," he said absently, and she turned an interesting shade of purple and tossed the offending item down the hall.
"Hatsuharu!" she hissed, glaring at him. "That's not funny!"
"I didn't mean it to be," he apologized, and she sighed when she realized he was in his extreme-White mode.
"I guess I can't let you go home like this, can I?" she wondered out loud, and he grinned at her.
"Guess I'll just help out, won't I?"
"Argh…Haru…" Jenna found herself at a loss for words and sighed again, taking his arm and pointing him towards the kitchen. "Go clean up in there, all right? And don't touch any clothing!" she yelled after him, as he ambled toward the room. "That guy…I'm gonna have to kill him," she muttered, grabbing as much as she could and heading toward her room.
"Not bad," he commented, almost two hours later. "It's all clean again – except your bed. That's kinda sad."
"My poor bed…" she groaned. "I'll have to go buy a whole new set now."
"Don't bother," a voice said dryly, and she whirled around to see Hatori standing in the doorway.
"Hatori? What're you doing here?" she asked, and glanced at an amused-looking Ox. "Haru!"
"He called me this morning and let me know what happened," the doctor told her, looking around. "Not bad, cleaning it all up so fast. Anyway, the least we can do is to pay for your bed, since Rin is the one who destroyed it. It won't be a problem, so don't bother arguing. I wondered what kind of trouble Rin was getting into – she hasn't been home in a few days. At least now I know."
"When did you call Hatori?" Jenna asked, turning to the Ox.
"You have a phone in your kitchen," he reminded her, smirking a little. "Duh."
"Your bed will be delivered later today," the Dragon continued, ignoring their spat. "Sorry for coming and going so quickly, but I've got to check on some patients – it's cold season."
"See you later, Hatori," Jenna waved after him as he strode to his car, and glanced at Haru who stood over her shoulder. "You creep me out when you do that," she commented, stepping back into her house.
"When I do what?" he asked curiously. "Stand over your shoulder?"
"No – go from being an idiot to suddenly clear again," she informed him, trying to suppress a grin. "Anyway, the house is all clean now, so…"
"Well, I'll help you set up the bed once it gets here," Haru volunteered, flopping down onto the couch. "Besides, you're not gonna make me clean your house and then thrown me out, are you?" he asked innocently, gazing up at her with pleading eyes. She groaned, but shook her head in defeat.
"I didn't even make you stay, remember?" she pointed out, crossing her arms and gazing down at him stubbornly. "But whatever – you'll do what you want anyway."
"Exactly," he nodded in agreement, crossing his arms behind his head comfortably. He jumped a few moments later, however, when Jenna suddenly leaned down and planted a kiss on his lips before lowering herself smugly into a chair. "What was that about?"
"You've been doing it to me so much – I had to get you back," she shrugged, grinning at him. He eyed her for a moment before returning to his previous position, snorting in disbelief.
"If I didn't know better, I'd swear you were a stalker," Jenna told him, and he looked at her in surprise.
"Really? Why?"
"You always seem to have the same days off I do," she grinned, and he shrugged carelessly. Two months had passed, and Japan was well into the usual summer heat for the season as nothing else had happened concerning the Sohmas – except for the fact that Haru and Jenna were now openly dating, or what they agreed to call 'an exclusive friendship'. Jenna hadn't even noticed that her problem with ghosts had begun to disappear once she had started spending time with Haru again, but Haru was most definitely aware that she was the only female he could hug without transforming – and that he was the only one it worked for.
"The trees are really green this year," he commented, looking around at the trees that filled the park as a light breeze floated around them, ruffling his unbuttoned white T-shirt and black slacks.
"Yeah," she agreed, and flicked her braid back over her shoulder for what seemed like the fourth time that day. "It's a nice day to go out to eat, though, with the wind and all."
"That's why I suggested it," Haru told her, carrying a basket over his arm. "Tohru suggested it, though – she even made the food."
"How're things with her and Kyo?" Jenna asked, as she plopped down on the grass, wearing slightly-heeled sandals with a short denim skirt and pale-green tank-top.
"They're good," he said absently, joining her on the grass. "Not much to tell – Kyo's always dragging his feet, after all."
"And you don't?" she asked with a grin, and he smirked playfully at her. She laughed when he lightly kissed her and leaned back on the grass, and shook her head.
"Not really," he shrugged, digging through the food. "Mmm…this looks great. Why can't you cook like this?" he teased, setting out the sandwiches in front of them.
"Genetically incapable of it, I guess," she replied aimlessly. "Tohru's a great teacher, though," she added, grabbing a sandwich and beginning to eat.
"Hey! You can't even wait for me?" he demanded, and she smiled innocently at him through a mouthful of food. "That looks gross," he told her, and she managed to choke it down before she started to laugh.
"I'll have to thank Tohru somehow for this lunch," she sighed, and glanced over at the Ox as he stretched out on the grass on his back, one leg bent and his arms behind his head. "Tired already?" she asked teasingly, but he gazed at her balefully before staring back at the clouds.
"Just thinking."
"Don't hurt yourself," she grinned, poking him gently in the side. He only ignored her and shook his head.
"It's been a good two months, hasn't it?" he said suddenly, and she looked at him in surprise.
"Well – yeah, I guess. Where's this coming from?" she pressed, gazing at him suspiciously. "You're not moving or something, are you?"
"Huh? No!" he told her firmly, before settling back down. "I haven't had this much fun in a while."
"Me neither," she agreed, sitting down beside him and folding her arms beneath her bent knees, resting her chin on her knees. "What's with the sudden seriousness all of a sudden?" she added absently, watching the clouds darken and pull together overhead with interest.
"Jenna…I was wondering…" Haru began, but jumped when a crack of lightening suddenly rendered them momentarily deaf. When his ears stopped ringing, he realized Jenna had fallen on top of him in surprise and was clinging to his neck tightly, and he laughed. "I could get used to this," he commented, a little aggravated at being interrupted. She blinked, and then got to her knees off him as he sat up lazily.
"I thought it was going to rain," she sighed, as drops of water began to fall down on them. "What were you saying?" she remembered, turning to look at the Ox. He only shrugged and rested his elbows on his knees moodily, and she sighed. "You're so cute when you sulk," she said suddenly, grinning and kissing him on the cheek. "You know that?"
"Now I do," he replied easily, slinging his arm over her shoulders, apparently in no rush to get out of the steadily-increasing rainfall.
"Haru…I'm wet!" she protested, tendrils of hair clinging to her face. Haru grinned at her before letting his eyes roam downward, resting on her torso.
"I know," he said thoughtfully, and she lightly punched him in the side.
"Hatsuharu! Get your mind out of the gutter!" she ordered in embarrassment, aware her tank-top was now clinging like a second skin to her.
"All right, all right, we'll go home," he said lazily, slowly getting to his feet and hefting the basket up. "Chill out."
"Easy for you to say," she grumbled, crossing her arms and then letting them drop back to her side. "You pervert."
"Admit – you like that about me," he prodded cheerfully. She eyed him for a moment before laughing and shaking her head tolerantly.
"I suppose so," she admitted with a sigh. "Of course, I wish you wouldn't do it in public."
"There's no one around!" he protested, but she gave him 'the look' and he knew he lost that argument. "Okay, I won't do it anymore," he promised.
"Until next time," she added teasingly, slinging her arm through his as they ambled down the sidewalk, becoming thoroughly soaked in the storm.
So...any guesses what he was going to say before the weather decided to intervene? Please review!
