A/N: Wooot! Eight reviews for chapter 3?! I LOVE YOU GUYS! And I am SOO sorry it took me hecka long to get this chapter out.. I KNOW I said I'd have it out by Monday or Tuesday, but here's what happened: I got the first two-thirds of it done on Saturday, but I got stuck, and I couldn't post it up because it wasn't long enough! PLUS, when I planned on finishing it on Monday, my mom and I had to go out to do last minute Christmas shopping, and it was just.. bleh. Tuesday was pretty much the same thing. Anyway, that's my excuse, and I hope you don't plan on killing me. -sweatdrop-
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Kyou sat up, sleepily, hearing voices downstairs. He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and walked slowly down the stairs, scratching at his over-sized T-shirt. On reaching the bottom of the stairs, he turned to his left, and walked through the living room to the white door at the end of it leading to the kitchen. He turned the knob and entered the kitchen. It was a typical kitchen, with white walls and white cabinets, a white fridge, and black countertops. In the middle of the cooking area was an island with three stools tucked beneath the surface. Towards the back of the kitchen was another door leading to the pantry, where they kept chips, or other similar things that didn't need refridgerating. The back right corner of the room had an archway leading to the dining room.
His mom was currently storing things away in the fridge, and when she closed its door, she turned and saw Kyou standing in the doorway. "Good evening, Kyou, your friends are waiting for you in the dining room. I was just about to wake you up."
His eyes widened. "'Evening'?" He took a look at his leather wristwatch. 5:42. 'I got home around... what, 2:00? Eh. Guess I was more tired than I thought.' "So Akito and Haru are here? They didn't bring the little brat with them, did they?"
Mrs. Souma chuckled and shook her head. "I'm guessing when you say 'the little brat', you mean Haru's cousin Momiji, right? No, he's not here."
"No, I was actually talking about his other cousin, Hiro."
"No, only Akito and Haru are here, and they're staying for dinner." She said as she shrugged on her trenchcoat. "I would stay, too, but I have to go back to the hospital and work the late shift."
"Again?"
Mrs. Souma frowned. "I'm sorry, Kyou. You know I can't predict when they'll call me in."
Kyou found himself feeling like a kid again and frowned. Most people his age would love that their parents were gone all the time, but him? His mom seemed to be the only person that genuinely cared about him, and after she divorced his Dad when Kyou was only seven years old, there was no one around to keep him company, since his mom was a doctor. She'd always be leaving early and coming home late, and on weekends she would occasionally be called in to the emergency room (which, evidently, was why she was leaving right then).
"Yeah, okay." Kyou mumbled.
Mrs. Souma gave him a motherly hug and a peck on the cheek. "Maybe if you come by the hospital to visit your friend, I'll see you."
Kyou growled when she removed her arms from him. "We're not talking about that." He muttered.
His mom frowned again, and she said, "Well I'll see if I can get home early. Bye, Kyou, love you."
Kyou waved lazily. "Yeah. Bye."
When she left, he sighed and walked through the archway and into the dining room. As expected, Akito and Haru were seated across from each other at the dining table. Their dining room walls were yellow, with white surfaces to match the rest of the rooms in the house. Mounted against the walls were paintings and family portraits, and in the back of the room was a white upright piano. The rectangular dining table was covered with a (you guessed it) white table cloth.
Akito and Haru were already eating the seafood tempura, rice, and tuna rolls his mother prepared, and Kyou noticed an untouched plate of food beside Haru.
"Ah, Kyou, you've finally decided to join us." Akito said in that chilling voice of his.
"Yeah. I was catching up on sleep - didn't expect to see you guys when I woke up, though." Kyou said as he sat beside Haru.
"Better eat fast, it's been sitting there for about fifteen minutes." Haru said over a mouthful of tempura.
Kyou did as told, as Akito and Haru finished up their meals in silence.
Kyou finished, wiping his mouth with a napkin, and he asked Haru, "Where are your two annoying cousins? Don't they live with you or something?"
"Hiro and Momiji? They're over at Kisa's house watching anime."
"Psh. Anime. Worthless piece of junk," Akito said after taking a sip of water.
Haru and Kyou sweatdropped.
The three of them sat in silence. It was strange, because for once Momiji and Hiro weren't around to keep the place noisy, so finally Kyou said, "So what the hell do you guys want, anyway? You just came here to eat?"
Akito shook his head in disappointment. "Kyou, Kyou... can't friends come by just to say 'hello'?"
Kyou scoffed. "You guys never did before, why start now?"
Haru shrugged. "Akito's idea."
"I had something planned for after school on Monday..." Akito started with his hands folded across the table.
Kyou shook his head quickly. "Uh uh. If you guys are planning something including pools, explosives, alcohol, or vandalizing, count me out."
"Kyou, since when have you been such a wimp? Has wittle To-wu been wubbing off on you?" Haru asked in a baby-talk voice.
"Shut up! I just don't wanna have to deal with these boring-ass drama club meetings and tutoring sessions any longer than need be."
"I don't see what the problem is if we don't get caught," Akito said emotionlessly.
"That's what you said last time with the Kenji thing, and look what happened!"
Haru stood up, shaking his head. "I knew this would be a waste of time. See ya later, wimp." He walked out of the dining room and left.
Akito stood as well, and said, "I just hope that when this is all over, you'll know who your real friends are."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean!?" Kyou demanded.
Akito stopped at the archway and turned, his eyes cold and emotionless as usual. "Just, don't let that loser, Tohru Honda, rub off on you too much."
"That's so stupid. I don't even know why you would bother saying that."
As Akito left, he called over his shoulder, "When this is all over, make sure you leave your school nights open again."
Kyou rolled his eyes when all was silent in the house again, and his eyes swept over the dining table. Neither Haru or Akito cleared their dishes. "Thanks a lot," He mumbled sarcastically as he brought their dishes to the sink and began washing them.
Monday finally came around, and after school, Kyou found himself sitting in the drama club room again with Tohru being the only other person in there. "What? Do people make it a habit to come late or something?" He asked out loud as he dropped his backpack next to his desk.
Tohru looked up, shocked. "Actually, we're early. It's only 3:05, right? So the meeting doesn't start for another ten minutes."
"Perfect." Kyou mumbled sarcastically, and then remembered what he wanted to talk to her about. Swallowing nervously, he made his way over to her desk and came up with a good excuse for it, other than to apologize. He slammed the signature sheet on her desk before her, very much similar to the way he did the week before. "I forgot to have you sign the damn sheet last Saturday, after tutoring."
"Uh, uh huh." Tohru said hesitantly before nodding. She pulled out a pen from the side pocket of her book bag and signed her name on the second line.
"And uh... I also wanted to... to apologize, for being an ass."
Tohru looked up again after signing, confused. "When were you being an, um... an -" She hesitated, not wanting to say the word.
"An ass?" Kyou offered, making her nod. "When you asked if I would go visit Kenji, I sorta lashed out on you and.. uh.. yeah.. sorry."
Tohru's eyes widened and she immediately shook her head. "No no no! I should apologize for asking you that!"
"You don't have to-" Kyou started, but Tohru continued on.
"I mean, I really shouldn't have asked. It really was none of my business! So, I'm sorry, Kyou."
Kyou felt himself sweatdrop, and he mumbled, "Nothing was your fault in the first place, but whatever."
He took his seat again, and waited for a long eight minutes before the rest of the students and Ayame entered the room with a big smile on his face, as usual.
"Class! I hope you remembered to study your scripts over the past week and bring them in today, because I'm holding auditions after we read through a few parts."
Ayame read through some small parts of the play dramatically, emphasizing certain words, and making motions with his hands. After he read through the last part he wanted to show them, he placed the paper on his desk and said, "That's only an example of how I think the parts should be carried out. Now you can act it out my way, or figure out your own way - although, I would much prefer the latter."
He had each person read up to two paragraphs' worth of the lines of the characters they wanted to play. Tohru was the first of the females to audition, and Kyou was the last of the males to go. When his turn finally came around, he sighed and said, "Uh, I didn't really want a part to begin with, so I don't think I need to audition."
"Nonsense! Try reading the lead!" Ayame insisted.
As Kyou stumbled a few times through reading his lines, Ayame listened intently. And, when Kyou was finally through, Ayame said, "Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful!"
"Lying bastard! You know I sucked!" Kyou exclaimed, forgetting about his conduct.
"I know," Ayame said and he lowered his voice as he said with a hint of mystery, "But I got new orders from Ha'ri today. He said to cast you as the lead, because it would motivate you to actually try hard at something for once."
"WHAT THE HELL!? THERE IS NO DAMN WAY I'M ACTING IN THE PLAY!" Kyou shouted, causing Tohru's eyes to widen to the size of saucers.
"Now now, Kyou, watch that tongue of yours." Ayame scolded. "Besides, I already decided that Tohru would be cast as the leading lady. You're already comfortable with her, ne?"
This caused several gasps and murmurings to erupt around the room, especially amongst the ladies. ("Oh! I can't believe that Mother Theresa got the role!" "What did she do to get the part? It's obvious who was more deserving of it" "No! I want to work with Kyou!!" etc...)
Tohru gasped, oblivious to the jealous girls in the room. "I'm playing lead?! Thank you, Mr. Hamasaki! I'm so happy!"
Ayame grinned. "No one was more suitable with their acting for the role... nor with their singing." That hushed the 'murmuring' girls.
Tohru blushed.
"What the-" Kyou caught himself. "Tohru sings?"
Said girl looked down.
"Like an angel," Ayame said with his grin widening. "I'm surprised you've never heard her."
"As long as I'm not singing, that's all I care about." Kyou muttered and grunted in frustration, knowing there was no way in backing out of acting.
"Ah, Mr. Hamasaki? I know Kyou has to play the role, but I auditioned for it before him. Can I at least be under study?" A boy a few seats to the left of Kyou asked.
"Of course you can, Hiroshi."
Ayame went down the list of the people he chose for each role, and those that weren't chosen would help set up the stage or work on the lighting. The rest of the meeting went by in a blur to Kyou. 'Shit. If I screw up in the play, not only do I make a total fool of myself, but... I think I'm actually being "graded" on this, by Mr. Sakai, or something...'
He looked up at Tohru. 'I'd have to be really desperate to ask her for help.'
At the end of the meeting, Ayame was handing Tohru a sheet of paper and a CD. "Now, this paper has the song lyrics on them, and the first track on the CD is the full version of the song - with vocals, instruments, everything. The second track has only the instruments, and that is what you practice with, once you have the words and melody memorized."
Tohru nodded. "Thank you so much, again, Mr. Hamasaki! Really, I don't know how to thank you!"
Ayame held up a hand. "Ah-ah. Good things come to those with good hearts."
Tohru looked at him strangely.
"In other words, you deserved it, Tohru!" He called as he walked out the door. "See you two and the rest of the cast on Wednesday!"
Tohru approached Kyou's desk shyly. "Congratulations on getting the lead, Kyou!"
"Save it. I didn't want that damn role in the first place." He mumbled.
Tohru frowned and held up a pen, "Well... I think I'm supposed to sign something, right?"
"Yeah, yeah." Kyou said as he slid the signature sheet onto his desk. "Thanks," He said when she finished.
"No problem!"
Tohru waved a goodbye, with her bookbag slung over one shoulder, and she left the room, with Kyou leaving soon after. Tohru found herself walking with a smile on her face, all-the-while thinking, 'I think Kyou and I are actually starting to become.. friends! He doesn't seem to hate being around me so much anymore.' She hummed to herself for the remainder of the walk to visit her mom.
That night, Kyou locked himself in his room, desperately trying to memorize his lines. No progress. 'Who the hell am I kidding? I can't learn these lines on my own... I have to ask that damn goody-two-shoes for help. I just... AGH! If Akito and Haru found out I was asking her for help... eh...'
At the start of the day, Kyou approached Tohru at her locker, hoping nobody he knew would notice him talking to her.
Tohru turned after shutting her locker and, seeing Kyou, she smiled and said, "Oh good morning, Kyou! Did you have a good day yesterday?"
"Uh.. yeah, it was okay. Listen, I..."
"You...?"
"I need help... learning my lines." He finally said.
Tohru frowned. "Well, I'm not sure how I can help with that."
"Well, I don't know! You don't have work today, do you? So can't we meet some place to run lines or something?"
"Um..."
Kyou let out an exasperated sigh as he whipped his hand in the air and turned on his heel. "Forget it. I don't know why I bothered asking."
As he walked further and further away, Tohru ran up to him and grasped his arm with her free hand. "Wait, Kyou! I'm sorry.. I'm just not used to people asking me for help, other than when I'm tutoring, of course. But, I'll do what I can! You can come over to my house.. um.."
She fumbled around in her binder for a blank sheet of paper and scribbled something down on it. After tearing the piece off and folding it, she handed it to him and said, "This is my address. The house isn't very hard to find - instead of turning left to go to the grocery store on Rosmoore Drive, you make a right and keep following that road until you find the street I live on: Stonecrest. It's the third house on the right."
"Thanks." Kyou said while tucking the folded paper into his uniform pants pocket.
Tohru nodded with a smile. "Mmhmm!"
The bell rang, and her eyes widened, "Ooh! There's the bell. See you after school!"
"Uh, yeah."
Later that day, during lunch, Tohru found herself happily chatting with her best friends, Uo and Hana. They were trying to make plans for winter break, but couldn't think of anything.
"Normally, I would suggest going to the beach, but winter isn't the greatest time of year for that." Tohru said.
"Well, why don't we just wait until after your play to plan something, Tohru? I'm sure you've already got enough to worry about, what with your mom, homework, your two jobs, and now a play!" Uo suggested.
Hana distributed the tuna rolls from her tupperware container. "Yes, I have to agree. We wouldn't want you to get an ulcer, Tohru."
Tohru laughed nervously, "Um, heh.. I don't think you guys need to worry that much, but sure! We can wait until after the play to plan something." She paused to taste one of Hana's tuna rolls. "Mmm, these are very good, Hana."
"Thank you."
"Oh! Speaking of the play, Kyou's coming over after school to run lines together."
"What?! That trouble maker's going to YOUR house, and no one will be there to protect you?!" Uo exclaimed after slamming a palm onto the tabletop.
Tohru nervously held her hands up in front of her face. "Don't worry about it, Uo! It's not that big a deal..."
"Do you want me to skip work today to swing by?" Uo offered.
"She'll be fine." Hana said with her eyes closed.
Uo sighed and relaxed herself. She'd learned long ago to trust Hana's instincts, even if she didn't agree with it most of the time.
Finally, when Tohru got home that day after school, she straightened up a few things around the house - dusting here and there, adjusting some pillows, wiping off tabletops - and when she was done, she ran down the hall to her room to get her script. And, after lifting it from her desk, she heard the doorbell ring. "He's here." She said out loud, and walked down the hall and approached the door. She peeked through the doorhole and saw Kyou standing there, slouching and all, with his script in one hand.
She opened the door with a smile on her face and said, "Good afternoon, Kyou! Come on in."
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Reviewer Responses:
Prozacfairy LOL actually.. um.. -blushes- the Backstreet Boys sang the song. Now, don't freak out, I'm not an actual BSB fan, but I was watching the Princess Diaries 1 about a month ago, and the lyrics made me think of Tohru, wich led to me thinking of A Walk to Remember.. and that's basically how this fic came about. Hehe, if you look up the lyrics, you'll understand. But fine. THERE WILL BE A HAPPY ENDING! Of course, I'm not saying that there won't be anything sad in the fic.. but yes, be on the lookout for a happy ending.
Kute Anime Kitty: Yay! So glad I know that you'll be a loyal reviewer. You are officially being added to my favorite reviewers list.. well, right now it's just in my mind. Maybe I'll post a list in my profile or something.. hehe. XD
pinaypride Heeey! You're pinay? That's awesome - I am too! (for those who don't know, pinay is 'Philippine slang' for Filipina) And thanks for reviewing, glad you like the story so far!
Sodasgirl678: Wow, thanks! Glad to know my story kicks butt, lol. And yeah, join the club! I'm a MAJOR KYORU FAN!! SPREAD THE LOVE!
dark-bitch Yes, you sharp one, you are very close (with Tohru's mom). Don't worry, all will be revealed in the next two or three chapters! And heehee, yay, I have someone obsessed with my fic! Hope you liked this chapter. Keep reviewing, please!
Brooke: -eyes widen at the site of a demon- GAAH HERE'S YOUR CHAPTER! Hehe anyways, yeah, thanks for reviewing! I'm glad you liked it!
tearsofamiko I actually JUST started getting interested in YYH, and I seriously had no idea that there was an Akane or Ayumi in the series! I did know about a Keiko, though. And yeah! Nicholas Sparks is an awesome writer. Thanks for your review XD
Amaya Hanyou: lol, yeah, I LOVE the Kyoru pairing! They're so adorable together... -sigh-
A/N: In closing, I'd just like to say that with Christmas and New Year's coming up, I'm not sure if I'll have time to update until after the holidays are over! But I'll try!! Keep reviewing XD Love you all, and have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!