Title: Once You Go Black...
Written by: jolieXD
Summary: Sohma Yuki has been dealing with Sohma Hatsuharu's split personalities for most of their lives. He knows how to tame a Black Haru and he knows how to make a Black Haru. But it's no secret that Hatsuharu has feelings for the Rat. Could a couple wrong words create a Black Haru that even he can't control?
Disclaimer: I don't want to say it, because everyone knows I don't own Fruits Basket. d;
Warnings: Slash—boy&boy—but nothing explicit, I promise, because I don't want to have to have a high rating on this story—like, at all. They annoy me. So, there will just be a hint here and there. Yep—for those who don't like the graphic content. However, for those who do... ;D Look closely, lovelies, and you may see—or not. It depends on if I feel like writing it. Soooorry.
Rating: T, for themes of homosexuality, as mentioned above, and—possibly—vile language.
Author's Notes #1: Ahh! Forgive me, forgive me. I thought it would be able to settle on a nice pattern of updating, but that went down the drain, didn't it? I'm sorry. I got caught up in the cutest anime evvvver known to mankind Wednesday afternoon, and, well... Let's just say I spent every moment I could raiding the web for episodes. d;
Anyway, the anime? Yes, of course you want to know about it, right? ;D Good, because it's worth it. It's called Princess Tutu—but don't get all shook up about the name, I know it sounds strange—and I'm not sure how I came across it, but I fell in love with it. It's a really, really, really, really (I could go on...) interesting story, but I won't tell you why because I don't want to give anything away. But, yes, you should definitely check it out. 26 episodes. And, if you like it and you're really nice, you'll buy it (right?) because it's just that awesomely awesome.
And, while I'm on the topic of anime... Bleach IS PREMIERING IN THE U.S. ON SEPTEMBER 9th AND I'M TOTALLY EXCITED! Haven't heard of it? You should totally find out.
...And that ends my anime rant. Onto my school rant...
Just to remind everyone, as it is September 2nd, and school is starting soon—in three days, actually—and, if you think this is late, then prepare yourself for very late coming chapters. Even though I hate to do it -big sigh- I'm sure that I won't be able to keep up with the schedule I just technically ruined, what with school, Magnet, piano, and writing. So, bear with me, please.
Now, really, this has been long enough. Time to begin writing.
Again, I apologize for the lateness, but I did tell you not to get your hopes up, right? So I wasn't exactly lying. -sweatdrop- And... Forgive me for this frighteningly half-page long A/N, too, if you please.
XOXOXO
jolieXD
Once You Go Black...
Begin—Five: Unwilling to Accept Defeat.
There was a pause that morphed into a frighteningly loud silence amongst the Sohmas and Honda Tohru after the brunette called out to Hatsuharu-san and Yuki-kun from afar. Tohru felt a frown fall upon her lips. Was it something she said, or..?
No, she recognized this silence, the awkwardness and the strain. It reminded her of those times at Shigure-san's house when Kyou-kun or Shigure-san exclaimed something—inappropriate, or something random or angry. But this wasn't Sohma Shigure's house. This was...
This seemed to be radiating from Haru-san and Yuki-kun. Tohru suffered through the icy dread that decided for her and insisted that she'd probably interrupted some important, perhaps secret encounter.
And that made her blush.
Tohru deliberately slowed her steps to observe the two, and Kyou-kun hung back with her. She heard a huff of some mixture of distaste and entertainment—if that was even possible—and Tohru imagined that he was thinking the same thing he had been only a moment ago.
Hatsuharu-san's arms were crossed tightly in front of him and his narrowed gray gaze was pinned on an innocent enough looking maple tree across the street from Sohma Estate, whose gate Tohru passed every time she returned from work—though this was the first time in a long time, if ever, that she'd run into someone standing outside it.
Tohru couldn't see his eyes in the darkness, but she guess that, if she could, she would see something like resentment or hurt in them, if his posture said anything about his mood.
She hoped that Hatsuharu-san would be able to stay in check of his emotions for the time being, for Yuki-kun's, Kyou-kun's, and also her sake. Black Haru-san would not be best welcome in this atmosphere, and Tohru knew she could expect no good out of that situation, should it occur.
Yuki-kun looked a little shook-up, and that bothered Tohru. Maybe she'd missed the fight already? But, no, there wasn't a scratch on either of the boys.
Hmmm...
By the way his hands were locked behind him so tightly and by the way his eyes seemed forced up and by the way he was smiling as if it hurt, even though Yuki-kun managed to still look pleasantly surprised at her arrival, Tohru couldn't help but assume it was a desperate act. Hatsuharu-san's mood couldn't just be one-sided. Even Yuki-kun wouldn't be able to manage that... And he was acting carelessly. Tohru had lived with him long enough to know this false exterior.
But her time for observation was over because she arrived a few feet away from where the boys stood, and it was rude to stare, so instead she beamed back at the dark-haired boy.
"Honda-san," Yuki-kun sounded as cheerful as usual, but Tohru still had to wonder how true it was, "On your way home, I expect?" He blatantly ignored Kyou-kun, who Tohru saw was glaring daggers that went surprisingly unnoticed at his rival. How distracted Yuki-kun was.
"Yes—um, why are you out, Yuki-kun?" Tohru replied as politely as she could; she didn't want to pry, but... The brunette peeked through her fringe at the black-and-white-haired boy's back, wondering and pondering.
Honda Tohru would swear by her mother's name that she saw Yuki-kun's cheeks tinge pink, but it vanished before she could say anything—not that she would have. "I walked Haru home from Shigure's. He stopped by for a visit earlier." He said, and she wondered if anyone but herself noticed the slight catch in Yuki-kun's voice when he spoke the word visit.
Hmmm...
But Tohru nodded happily, all the same. "Oh, really?" She turned to Haru-san, and said, "I'm sorry to have missed you, Hatsuharu-san. I hope you will visit again soon."
Hatsuharu-san nodded, barely. He, otherwise, didn't shift, and he surely didn't glance at the other Sohmas or Tohru. Peculiar. It was odd to see Haru-san sulk, especially in Yuki-kun's presence.
"Well—" Tohru couldn't finish her suggestion that they head home, now, because Hatsuharu-san suddenly turned sharply toward them, his chin high and his jaw set. He swept a hard glance—in which Tohru could see restraint and masked sadness and fury—across the girl and Kyou-kun, but his gaze lingered a moment on Yuki-kun, which made both Yuki and Tohru nervous by the looks of it.
Then his gaze tore from the dark-haired boy and Tohru let out a silent sigh of relief. She'd feared that Black Haru-san would break through to the surface.
"Goodnight," She heard Haru-san say through his teeth, and she could recognize the effort, from his words, that it took to keep his mind under check for the remainder of this moment. And then he turned and vanished inside Sohma Estate before Tohru or anyone else could bid him a goodbye.
Another silence ensued. Tohru decided that this one was just as awkward as the last, minus one Sohma to be awkward with. "Well..." Tohru began to say again.
Then, Kyou-kun began to laugh. He laughed as if the entire scene he'd witnessed was entertaining, not at all alarming, as Tohru had felt it was. And Tohru could only watch in surprise as Yuki-kun cast the other boy a cold glare, jaw clenched as if to restrain words on the tip of his tongue, and turned to walk away.
"Stupid Cat," The dark-haired boy did mumbled as he left, as if he was able to resist uttering the words he deemed regrettable when he was not facing the redhead.
The brunette watched as the retreating boy's shoulders slumped, as if a weight had lifted from his shoulders the moment he left behind Sohma Estate—and perhaps Hatsuharu-san, as well. She watched, she wondered, she pondered, and, while Kyou-kun finished his laughing fit, wiping his eyes and grinning as if he was still witnessing the finest show of the century, she wondered again, and then she followed.
Hmmm...
Okaa-san, she consulted the heavens with her eyes, what is this?
Yuki-kun was still acting strange on Monday, when the trio had to return to school. Tohru had been sorely tempted to ask the dark-haired boy to remain home for another day to recover his bearings—from wherever they disappeared to—but she'd dashed that thought when he mentioned at breakfast, Monday morning, that there was another Student Council meeting that afternoon and that he expected it to run late, for there were far too many girls on the Council that were suggesting they schedule an event of some sort for the upcoming winter holidays for him, as President, to just veto—it would take persuasion, Yuki-kun told them with a large sigh.
Tohru felt for him. If there was one thing Yuki-kun did not need this week, it was over excitable girls.
With that thought in mind, she offered a sympathetic smile toward the dark-haired boy, who returned it kindly, and ushered the Sohmas up from their breakfast so that she could wash the dishes and Kyou-kun and Yuki-kun and herself could hurry off to school.
Things were strange—quiet—at school, as well. Hatsuharu-san was nearby when they arrived, but he seemed a tad less passionate for Yuki-kun than usual that morning. He still walked alongside the purple-eyed boy and he still watched the other boy's every move with gusto, but... He seemed farther away, like he was holding Yuki-kun at arms' length, instead of in the habitually suffocating embrace.
It made Tohru wonder if their thoughts were still on that night when Tohru interrupted them at Sohma Estate. She hoped not... But, if so, then she felt as if it was her fault. She bit her lip against the thought, and smiled gently over at the two boys, despite her thoughts.
If so... If so, she vowed that she would fix it.
"Honda-san, where are your thoughts?" Yuki-kun's gentle voice suddenly broke through her reverie, and she looked over at the boy who was pointedly ignoring Haru's eyes, "Hanajima-san and Uotani-san are waving at you."
"Oh, yes." She looked in the direction Yuki-kun was nodding and smiled her thanks before trotting off to go join her friends. She noticed the way that Kyou-kun trailed after her, announcing that he would rather deal with a Yankee and an Emp than an Ox and a Rat any day. She noticed the way that this arrangement left Haru-san and Yuki-kun alone together, and she hoped for the best.
It seemed that the best was not on Honda Tohru's side that day. When Yuki returned home late from the Student Council meeting that afternoon, his eyes dark and his frown deep, and Tohru peeked at him as he slipped off his shoes at the door, she was a bit frightened.
However, when the boy's eyes lifted and settled on Tohru long enough to make her squirm before his lips broke out into a strained smile, she relaxed a little.
"How was your meeting?" Tohru asked tentatively, fearing the worst.
Yuki-kun's smile remained, and Tohru felt all of her air rush out of her in relief. "Oh, the meeting was fine." Then his expression darkened, and Tohru felt her chest tighten again. "Haru showed up." He told her, but he didn't continue. Instead his eyes went to the stairs, where Kyou-kun was just emerging.
His eyes blazed when the redhead's eyes landed on him, and Kyou-kun paused in his spot on the last step, his foot poised to take on the main level—And perhaps, Tohru thought as she pondered on the sudden, wild anger in the dark-haired boy's eyes, Yuki-kun, if he gets any closer.—and lifted an irritated brow. "What the hell are you standing at the door for? Some people need to use that, you know."
"Challenge me, Cat."
Kyou-kun spluttered, stepping down so he was level—or close to level—with Yuki-kun. "What?" He asked incredulously.
"Challenge me." Yuki-kun said again, and Tohru watched him with wide eyes. What was he..? "Make use of yourself. Say you want to fight me."
Kyou-kun's reddish-brown eyes narrowed, and he leaned away from Yuki-kun and peered at him with suspicious scrutiny.
He was hesitating, obviously wondering what the other boy could have up his sleeve, so... So it seemed that Yuki-kun took the liberty to provide an incentive—because his foot connected with Kyou-kun's chest before the redhead could even react.
Kyou-kun was launched across the threshold of the second story and into the wall and Yuki looked at his handiwork with something in his eyes that wasn't the usual satisfaction Tohru saw there—it looked like he wasn't finished yet.
The brunette outstretched a hand toward the dark-haired boy who loomed over Kyou-kun, unable to string words into sentences. Tohru couldn't ever recall such pure malice in Yuki-kun's eyes.
The redhead groaned, bringing a hand to his head, which had hit the wall first. "What the—hell, Rat? You demand I challenge you and then you hit me first?" He got to his feet, his hand still cradling the knot that would surely form in the back of his head.
"Pathetic. You lost—again." Yuki-kun's words were no longer indifferent, like they generally were when Kyou-kun was defeated, but they were sharp and cruel, as were his eyes, and he shook his head in disgust before he brushed past the redhead and up the stairway.
Kyou-kun, Tohru noticed, didn't look as if he thought he'd just been beaten.
Shigure was poking his head out of his office when Tohru finally remembered to move over to Kyou-kun to check him for any other wounds and ushered him to the table so she could get some ice for his head.
"No one broke any doors, right?" He asked in a sing-song way that made, Tohru saw, Kyou-kun scowl. "Tohru-kun didn't get in the way?"
"Everything's fine—I think—Shigure-san." Tohru called back, holding out ice wrapped in a cloth to the scowling boy. "Thanks for worrying."
"It's my job, Tohru-kun, to watch out for our precious flower." And, with that last note, in which Tohru could almost see Shigure-san grinning and winking good-naturedly, he retreated back into his office.
The girl watched in silence as Kyou-kun winced against the ice he pressed against the sore forming on the back of his head. She bit her lip, and looked, as if she could see through walls, to where the stairway resided, and where Yuki-kun left through, with revulsion in his features.
Kyou-kun was muttering, his scowl replaced by what Tohru thought was strangely-placed amusement when she looked back. "Saying I lost—heh. He's the one who's lost... Just too damn chicken to admit it."
Tohru's brow creased with confusion. "Lost? But, Kyou-kun, he—"
The redhead looked up, alarmed. He hadn't thought that she could hear him, then, Tohru decided. "Not to me," He looked like the words tasted sour, but he continued, "But to someone ten-times worse." He was grinning.
And, for some reason, Tohru's thoughts were pulled back to that night when Kyou-kun laughed hysterically at Yuki-kun's retreating back.
Was she missing something..?
End—Five: Unwilling to Accept Defeat.
for my own purpose, really, but if anyone's interested:
Date Chapter Was Started: September 2nd, 2006
Date Chapter Was Finished: September 2nd, 2006
Date Chapter Was Posted: September 2nd, 2006
Ending Notes: Longest chapter yet!♥ And, no, d; not because of the humongous A/N at the beginning.
I am... surprised at how quickly I finished this chapter, to be honest. I thought it was going to take days to finish it, but, once I sat down, I only had to walk away once or twice from this chapter, which is an improvement, considering all the others. So, I hope this one was still good—I never know when they come out so quickly. So, definitely tell me what you think, okay? And, I'm sorry, but you probably shouldn't expect another chapter, at least, until after school has started. Maybe a week, okay? I'm not sure.
Thanks to: Pocky-Pocky-chan, KooriKitsune, and greywings2 for reviewing!
XOXOXO
jolieXD