A Change of Sorts
Sorry, this chapter would have been up earlier had there not been something with FanFictiondotNet that wouldn't let me upload chapters forawhile! So very, very sorry! A good thing is that I've been able to use that time to start chapter 8, so that should be up soon!
Chapter 7: What Happened Now?
The door slid open and Kyo, Tohru and Yuki walked into class just as the bell rang. Tohru let out an audible sigh of relief.
"Whew! We're not late!" she smiled cheerily at the other two and waved to her friends in the class. She sat down and looked at the seat next to her.
'Ano…Niwa-kun isn't here yet…oh I hope he knows it's bad to be late on your 2nd day…' she thought in concerned. Before she could start worrying too much, the door slid open and the teacher walked in, hushing all the students who had previously been chatting animatedly about Dark.
"Alright, settle down while I take the role," the teacher ordered, sitting down at the desk. "Tatsuki Akata."
"Here."
The teacher rattled on down the list, and Tohru was so caught up with anxiety for Daisuke that she nearly missed her own name being called out, had Hana not reminded her quietly.
"Daisuke Niwa?"
Silence.
The teacher looked up and raised an eyebrow, scanning the class carefully for the bright red hair.
"Oh yes, that's right…" she mumbled and went back to the role.
"Alright class," she announced as soon as she finished the role. "Take out your history books and read chapter 3! Pronto!" she commanded, ignoring the groans she received.
Tohru looked around worriedly again before sighing, and turning to her book.
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"Tohru, Tohru!" Momiji bounced up energetically. "Hi!" He would have hugged her had it not been for Kyo's angry grasp.
"Momiji-kun! Are you ok?" she checked him anxiously, but he beamed at her in affirmation.
"Don't worry, I'm okie-doo!" he grinned, causing Kyo to grip him even tighter. "Ano…Tohru? Where's Dai-kun?" he peered around in confusion from under Kyo's hand.
"He's not here today, Momiji." Yuki told him quietly, still thinking about last night's events.
"I wonder why?" Hana intoned, closing her eyes in concentration. "He appears to be at home…in bed…"
"…" The wind howled around the teenagers, sending hair into a mess. A tumbleweed bounced past the shocked teens, leaving them in silence.
"Ano…Hana-chan, can your electric waves reach back home?" Tohru asked finally, amazed by this skill.
"No…" she replied, not noticing everyone's sweatdrop. "But I believe that is where he is…He is a very strange boy indeed…"
Haru watched this from bored eyes. "You know, maybe Daisuke is just, I dunno, adjusting to this new town. I mean, he's only been here for a few days." He pointed out, quite reasonably really. "You're acting like old widows fretting about their only son…"
Kyo snarled at him. "Shut up you stupid cow, stop acting like you own the freaking place!" He growled.
"Just pointing it out," Haru stated quietly, not even going Black. To everyone's surprise, he simply turned and started walking away. "The bell's going to go soon. We should get to class."
"A-a-actually," Tohru spoke up quietly. "I asked Sensei before, and she said she had received a call telling her that Niwa-kun would not be able to come due to some injuries. But she didn't know who called."
Yuki sighed and followed Haru; this was causing way more havoc than was healthy for his daily routine…and that was saying a lot.
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"Don't worry Mii-chan, I assure you that I will have the manuscript ready and done by the deadline, I mean by the extended deadline. Triple extended you say? Very well, I will have that done by the triple extended deadline." Shigure said, closing his eyes in a sort of satisfaction.
"Ok, bye bye!" Shigure waved at the phone cheerily, hanging up before she could let another word out.
He pulled out a fan and opened it, laughing oh so cheekily. Still chuckling, he walked outside, still carrying the fan that read 'satisfied by cheekiness' (I got it from Clamp School Detectives, couldn't resist XD). Only then did he stop, peering outside in thought.
"Hmm…now what was I supposed to write about again?" he mused to himself, and then shrugged. "Oh well, I'll find out the next time Mii-chan rings about the deadline…"
Shigure gazed outside for a moment, enjoying the peace and quiet of the empty house. Too bad he wasn't suited for quiet.
"I know! I'll go over to the bookstore!" he pumped his fist excitedly, as if that was the best thing he had ever thought of.
First he skidded over to the phone once again and picked it up, dialling rapidly. "Hello? Haa-san!" He paused for a moment, and then made a face. "Haa-san, you know that I'm not that mean to Mii-chan…she'll never want to quit her job as my editor, you know that." Pause. "No, I did not conspire with Aya in a secret plot against you," Pause. "Or Yuki-kun." Pause. "Or Tohru-kun." Sweatdrop. "He he…Now why would we want to plot against Kyo-kun…Haa-san? Haa-san?" Shigure blinked at the phone, and then redialled.
"Haa-san, honestly. If you would just stop thinking I did something bad, I can get to the point." Pause. "Yes, I had a reason to call you." Pout. "NO, nothing happened to Tohru-kun! No, I did not eat all the food in the house and get myself sick, what kind of adult do you think I am? Yes, I know it's not the first time that it's happened, but that is beside the point! No, for the last time Mii-chan did NOT commit suicide! NO, I am not goi-wait, yes, yes, that's exactly what I called about!" Shigure smiled contently, having finally got his point across to Hatori. "Do you need anything from the bookstore?"
"Oh, you don't need me to pick up anything? Or ask if they have your order in yet? Oh well, it was all in good fun!" Pause. "Oh no, I'll still be going, of course!" Pause. "I don't have to worry about that, not at all! I can talk as long as I want and it won't matter!" Shigure announced sneakily. "After all, I bill all my costs to the main hou-Haa-san?" Shigure grinned cheekily. "Ah well, it was all fun." He put down the phone and went out, humming cheerfully.
On the other end…
Hatori stared at the phone in disgust and made a reminder to ask the Technology Department in one of the many Sohma research groups to block Shigure's calls.
Ring ring.
Hatori hesitantly picked it up, answering professionally. "Sohma Medical Care, this is Hatori Sohma speaking."
"Hatori?"
"Who is calling?"
"It's Mayu. Just calling to tell you that the books you have ordered have come in."
"Okay. Thank you Mayu."
"No problem! I'll be seeing Shigure soon, I suppose…"
Hatori gritted his teeth at this thought. "No, I think I'll come along this time."
"Ok then. Hang on a minute." Even through the muffled mouthpiece he could hear Mayu shouting to her mother. "Ugh. Sorry Hatori, gotta run!"
"Bye."
Hatori replaced the phone on the receiver, deep in thought.
No way am I calling Shigure to pick that up.
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Shigure walked along the path leading back from the bookstore. He had browsed through a few good books, although he decided, quite sadly, that he would not buy them. He had to save that money for more important matters.
Shigure raised his robed arm to his face dramatically, crying at the thought of those beloved books never being able to come into his possession.
"Oh Haa-san, I will never be able to see those lovely books in my house. Ever!" Shigure wailed, talking to the embarrassed doctor walking next to him. They had met at the bookstore, and Hatori was coming over to give Yuki his monthly check-up a little early, because of the smoke Shigure had explained to him that Yuki inhaled last night.
"Oh shut up. All you go there for is to stare at your own books." He muttered sternly, telling himself: Just because you were childhood friends, you do not have to be so friendly now. After all, man's best friend, dogs, aren't always that nice. And that included Shigure.
Shigure pouted. "Awww, Haa-san, you're mean!"
"You're stupid." He replied blankly. He expected another stupid reply back, but to his surprise, he noticed Shigure stop and stare at the house next to his. Daisuke's house.
"What are you staring at now?" Hatori asked, but Shigure didn't reply. Instead, he turned into the path (not literally!) that led to Daisuke's house, pausing at the door. "Shigure!"
Hatori paused beside him in front of the house, only just then realising he had not yet met the newcomers.
"I saw someone move inside the house." He said quietly. "And it's too early for Daisuke-kun to finish school yet."
"And? It could be a family member." Hatori told him, irritated.
"But Daisuke-kun lives alone. He told us so."
"…are you going to do anything about it?" Hatori asked, not really wanting to know.
"Yes." Shigure replied seriously. "I'm going to go inside and find out!" He announced cheerfully, and then thought it over. "And you're coming with me too." He added, dragging Hatori in, who grumbled at the thought of this.
Quietly, Shigure stood beside the door, listening for any sound of noise. There was a slight rustling, and a slow, uneven pounding of footsteps, showing that the owner may have been limping, which were quickly accompanied by a set of lighter ones pit-pattering after the heavier one. There was no doubt about it; someone was home. Either that or Daisuke was getting robbed.
Shigure's eyes widened as he whispered his theory to Hatori. "And we can go in now, stop the thief and save the day!" he cheered quietly, so that they wouldn't attract attention. Hatori groaned quietly, although there wasn't much he could do about it.
"Remember, stealth and silence is the key." Shigure mouthed as they prepared to enter.
"Stealth and silence …" He flung the door open and pointed to the nearest moving thing in sight. "WE CAUGHT YOU RED-HANDED YOU LOWLIFE OF A TH-oh…"
Hatori poked his head over his shoulder and sighed. "Shigure, that's a curtain."
Shigure rubbed his head sheepishly, embarrassed by this. "Ehehe…" Shigure laughed nervously, and then suddenly pointed again. "AHA! THERE'S OUR REAL CUL-ah, hello Daisuke-kun."
Daisuke had appeared into view slowly, leaning on the wall for support. Behind him jumped a small bunny onto his shoulder, blinking at their sudden guests.
"Uh, Shigure-san? Hello…Sohma-san?" Daisuke guessed, not knowing Hatori's name.
Hatori bowed to him. "Hatori Sohma. Pleased to make your acquaintance."
Daisuke fumbled but bowed politely, albeit crookedly, back. "Daisuke Niwa, pleased to meet you."
"Daisuke-kun, why aren't you in school?" Shigure asked, noticing that he was still in his pyjamas.
"Uh, you see…long story." He muttered, With 'kyuu'-ing as if to back his evidence. Shigure eyed the little creature, who blinked back cutely, remembering what Yuki had said about him last night.
Daisuke headed to the living room, while welcoming them in, and set about making tea. Shigure and Hatori sat themselves down, watching as Daisuke fumbled with the tea-making.
"Ano…Daisuke-kun. Do you need some help there?" Shigure asked, noticing Daisuke's bandaged leg. Daisuke shook his head, just as a cup came crashing down into a horrible end.
He stared after it in shock, berating his own clumsiness. Slowly, and somewhat painfully, he bent down and gathered the pieces up to throw away, ignoring their sharp tips poke into his hands. They were all bruised already anyway.
Eventually, the tea was ready and Daisuke joined them, feeling awkward because somehow, it seemed strange that a teenager was having guests that were nearly twice his age over…
Hatori sipped the tea carefully, and then looked over at Daisuke, his uncovered eye watching him.
"Tell me about yourself, Daisuke."
Daisuke jolted up in shock, causing him to flinch. But he had certainly not expected that from such a professional looking person like Hatori. Eventually, after intense staring from Hatori, he answered.
"Uh, I'm 16, nearly 17, I come from Azumano." He noticed Hatori's eye narrowed (it doesn't mean anything bad, so don't worry) in recognition but chose to ignore it. "I am an only child, am fond of art…uh let's see now…" his eyes travelled around the room, looking for something to talk about. His eyes landed on With, innocent With, and lit up as they found the perfect thing to talk about.
"This is my pet With." Daisuke announced, plunking the rabbit down in front of him. "He is a type of rabbit and enjoys strawberries. He has been with my family for generations, so I'm not sure where we got him from."
Hatori eyed the bunny with interest, examining it carefully. After all, he remembered what Shigure had told him about Dark and his wings.
"Kyuu?" The rabbit cocked his head cutely at him, as if asking how he could suspect such a harmless animal.
Shigure decided to speak up now, seeing as the other two didn't look like they were going to be very chatty. "Daisuke-kun, Haa-san here is a doctor, specifically a doctor for the Sohma household. And Tohru-kun of course." He beamed proudly, as if Hatori was his amazingly bright son and he was boasting about his extraordinary skill to Daisuke.
Hatori nodded at the mention of his name, but did not say anything.
"So, Daisuke-kun. Why aren't you in school?" Shigure asked, pursuing the matter once more.
"Ah…well, I got really hurt…yesterday, and it hurts just about every time I try to walk." He explained uneasily, shifting in his seat. Hatori's eyes bored into him, and he looked down to avoid his stare.
"How did you get hurt, Daisuke-kun?" Shigure asked with genuine concern, but also a slight suspicion.
"It's a long story." Daisuke repeated stubbornly, staring at his feet. Shigure frowned for a minute, but decided that he wasn't going to get anything out of him anyway.
"Well, you should let Haa-san look at your wounds; you seem in an awful lot of pain." Shigure pointed out, indicating his occasional wince of pain. However, the redhead shook his head and declined the offer.
"I'll be fine. They're not that serious…" he said quickly, wincing again at another jolt of pain that hit his body.
But Hatori was already ordering him to lift up his shirt so he could get an overall look at his injuries. There seemed to be quite a few gashes throughout his body that had only recently stopped bleeding, and also a messily wrapped bandage around his upper chest. Hatori unwrapped the bandage to see what was wrong with it, noticing a few fairly shallow cuts.
"What's the bandage here for? They don't seem that deep."
Daisuke turned around to see what Hatori was talking about, and then blushed slightly. "It's for something else." And didn't say any more.
Hatori sighed with frustration as he wrapped a fresh roll of bandage around it; it was really easier when his patients co-operated with him and told him what was wrong. But Daisuke, he seemed reluctant to reveal the source of his pain.
Shigure watched with some interest as Hatori checked the wounds, trying to think of a way to prove if there really was some sort of connection between the Thief and the redhead, then remembered Dark's predicament from last night.
"Daisuke-kun, there's something stuck under the TV set," Shigure pointed to a conveniently stuck object underneath the TV. "What is that?"
Daisuke gave him a confused look, as well as Hatori, but looked over there anyway. His eyes widened as they noticed what it was, but he had to answer Shigure. "I think it might be one of my paintbrushes or something." He lied. "With, can you bring it to me?"
"Kyuu!" With bounded over and retrieved the feather, quickly placing it into Daisuke's pocket and slipping a paintbrush into his hand. Hatori noticed this exchange, but remained quiet; he was too busy dressing the other open wounds.
"Yeah, I was looking for this." He lied, putting it away. Shigure raised an eyebrow, hmm, his plan had not worked. Oh well, it was only to test something.
"That's a smart creature." Hatori remarked, reaching out to touch the rabbit's head. With rubbed itself against Hatori's fingers happily and then jumped back onto Daisuke's shoulder where he could observe the room.
"Now, tell me if it hurts when I touch here."
Daisuke gave a short yelp of pain, and then covered his mouth. Maybe next time he wouldn't let Dark use so much magic. But then, it was partly Krad's fault, slamming Dark into the ground like that…
Hatori narrowed his eyes at this 'minor' injury. "Daisuke, you must tell me where you got these injuries so I can work out a diagnosis for this." He told him seriously. After all, it wasn't natural for someone to sport a seriously injured body like that. It looked like he had been slammed again something violently. "And there are these two faint scars here too…" he muttered, noting the two long lines that ran down half of his back.
"They're old injuries…" Daisuke replied. "And really, I'll be fine. I'll just have a warm bath tonight."
Hatori shook his head. "Don't let me ever see you with these sort of injuries again." He told him firmly, than stood up. "I'll give some cream to Shigure tomorrow to pass to you. I'll be heading over to your house now, Shigure. I hope you keep yourself out of harm's way, Daisuke." He nodded at him, and then left the house.
Shigure watched him leave sheepishly, then stood up and bowed to Daisuke. "Sorry about that, but Haa-san tends to get a little too professional sometimes. He's not as scary as some people think; he's just had a hard life." Shigure also prepared to leave, waving to Daisuke. "Get better soon; you wouldn't want to miss school again tomorrow. Don't worry, Tohru-kun and the others will probably be over soon!" He smiled and exited, and Daisuke could hear him running to catch up with Hatori.
He sighed, getting up slowly to head over to the bathroom to splash some refreshing water onto his face.
Daisuke looked at his image in the mirror; it showed a tired face with dull red eyes with slight bags underneath. He couldn't get to sleep last night; it was too painful every time he turned in bed. There was also a bandaid crossing his cheek where he had got cut from some of the tree branches last night when they were slammed to the ground.
--Sorry 'bout that Dai-chan, I'll make sure Krad gets it next time,-- Dark assured him, waving a fist at the thought of beating up Krad for doing this to his Tamer. After all, he used the same battered body to go thieving.
Daisuke sighed and washed his face again. "It doesn't matter Dark. The only problem is not getting anyone too suspicious of me not going to school. But I can't go tomorrow, what with my fractured ribs and all…" He sighed again; it was hard hiding that, since that was what the bandage was for. But he had to attend regular classes; otherwise he would attract too much attention.
--Don't worry.-- Dark perked up cheerfully. --With can go for you!--
Daisuke groaned and wiped his face. "But With can't even say my name properly, how can he talk to everyone else?"
--Don't worry, just let him at least learn to say he has a sore throat and can't talk much, or learn how to indicate it with his hands! No problem-o!-- Dark grinned, sure that his theory would work. Daisuke looked at With doubtfully; he didn't want With mucking up and causing some trouble at school…
"Hello! Is anyone home?" Daisuke heard an urgent rapping at the door, accompanied by Tohru's concerned voice. It was going to take him awhile to get there; the door was on the other side of the house.
Problem solved. Kyo kicked the door open and barged in, Tohru and Yuki behind him. Shigure also popped his head in, sighing as he noted the broken door. "See, that's why I told you not to come here…"
"Niwa-kun! Are you alright?" Tohru called out, wondering where he went. "Where are you?"
Daisuke popped his head around the corner, smiling as he saw who it was. "Hello! Sorry for that wait, I see it didn't really matter…" he trailed off, eyeing the broken door. "Ah! Momiji! Are you alright?" he asked, noticing the energetic boy poke his head in.
He beamed and nodded enthusiastically. "Yup! Good as new!"
Daisuke smiled in relief. "That's good to know."
Shigure sneaked him a suspicious glance. "Eh, Daisuke-kun. How did you know what happened to Momiji-kun last night?"
"U-u-uh…I, erhem, and well you see…" Daisuke paused for a minute, thinking of an excuse. "I…just do." He looked off rather uneasily, unconsciously rubbing the back of his head which was pretty sore due to a particularly hard bang on the head last night.
Daisuke cringed, wishing he'd stop doing that out of habit. "Ow…"
"Niwa-kun, are you alright? We didn't see you in class today, and Sensei said you got hurt and was staying at home!" Tohru asked worriedly. "Where did you get that cut? And those bandages around your leg…are you limping Niwa-kun?"
Daisuke laughed nervously, especially after seeing the steady stares he received from the other two, excluding Shigure of course.
"Ano, you see, this one," he touched his cheek. "I scratched myself on something sharp, but don't worry, its ok." He added, seeing Tohru's frantic eyes. "And I fell down yesterday, uh down the stairs. But don't worry, I'm fine." He could see from Shigure's eyes that he didn't believe him, seeing as how stubborn he was before to reveal the source of his injuries.
"I'll make some tea," he announced, shuffling around the kitchen with his limping leg. Tohru dashed around him in an attempt to help, but he smiled at her kindly and told her to sit down. "I can manage, Honda-san. Don't worry."
Shigure piped up cheerfully. "Don't forget that broken cup Daisuke-kun!" Daisuke blushed and nearly dropped the one he was currently holding, but then again, that could have been because of the bandages wrapped around his fingers.
Daisuke brought cups of tea over, and handed one to everyone, except Shigure who declined, having already drank his share of tea earlier. Yuki fanned his tea while he looked closely at With.
He slowly reached out a hand to it, as if expecting it to suddenly rear its head and transform into some beastly creature and bite off his hand. Instead, it did something completely and utterly different. So different, it was scary.
With sniffed his fingers, than gave a loud 'kyuu' and started licking it. It nuzzled its soft head against Yuki's fingers, occasionally sniffing and giving a satisfied sort of sigh. A minute later, it was trying to eat Yuki's hand.
"With!" Daisuke commanded sharply, and With pouted at him. "That's strange…the only time he acts like this is when there are strawberries nearby that he can smell…" Daisuke frowned, reaching out to retrieve With.
"Uh, that would be when I was picking the strawberries before…" Yuki spoke up softly, remembering when he was at the secret base. "They were particularly sweet too, that must be why he can smell it."
Daisuke smiled. "Yeah, he's always had a nose for strawberries. He could probably taste the strawberries on your hand, that must be why he was trying to eat it." He scratched With on the head, silencing its mournful cries. "You silly bunny." He scowled With gently, placing him on his head.
(I just noticed I haven't made Kyo say anything…hmm, must get him to speak up soon)
"You're a real idiot to fall down the stairs you know." Kyo snorted (problem solved!). "Even she," he jerked his head at Tohru. "Has yet to do that."
"Quiet you stupid cat." Yuki told him, annoyed. "I don't see you doing any better. Who was the one that fell on 'Jason''s footprint at the lake?" Yuki smirked (it seems kinda strange to me, but why not?), knowing Kyo had still not gotten over that yet.
"Shut up, you stupid rat! It's not my fault that a damn bear was stamping around the path!" Kyo shouted, his ears standing up, shaking a fist at Yuki. Shigure sniggered, seeing that his 'Jason' joke was still a hot topic.
"Kyo-kun, Jason isn't real you know…he's a character from a horror movie." Shigure told him, while snickering audibly all the time.
"How am I supposed to know? I don't go around watching stupid movies about stupid bears!"
Yuki smirked; that stupid cat was as stupid as ever. By now, even Daisuke was laughing; he had never heard something so funny before. Even he knew Jason was from a horror movie, or rather, Dark knew.
--I used some tricks I picked up from horror movies to freak those police out. They used to be so gullible.-- he smirked, remembering the time he took a scene from the movie 'In the Midst of the Night' Oh, that was sweet.
--They still are, actually, now that I think about it…-- Dark mused, a thoughtful look on his face. Daisuke smiled when he heard that; Dark had a very centred view on police.
"…what do you think Daisuke?" All eyes turned on him as he looked up, confused and very much embarrassed.
"I-I'm sorry, I didn't hear that. Can you repeat that?" Daisuke blushed, hearing Kyo's comment about him 'acting like he was in school and fell asleep during class.'
"I said, what do you think about Dark? Shigure agrees with me here in saying that what he does is wrong, and Honda-san believes that there must be a good reason, although she does admit that it seems wrong. Momiji isn't really saying anything, he's too busy poking With. The cat here just believes he's an idiot, but he says that about everyone." Yuki repeated, ignoring Kyo's loud complaints. He was interested in what Daisuke had to say.
"O-oh. Well…" Daisuke thought for a minute, as if confused. "…no comment."
"Huh?" The group answered in unison, confused. No comment on a topic as simple as that?
"Well, you see, it's kinda hard to judge someone just by their job. Who knows? Maybe Dark has some sort of personal reason to do it." Daisuke propped his head on his uninjured arm, gazing out the window thoughtfully.
"Because it won't be right to just look on the side Dark only shows to others, when we don't know what else he is like. What I mean is that, although Dark may seem like a cocky, arrogant jerk (which I must say he is sometimes), I think that it isn't really fair for any of us to say until we really find out all the answers." Daisuke shrugged; in all honesty, he didn't know everything about Dark either. In fact, he doubted that anyone in his family knew.
--You're not very nice.-- Dark pouted, crossing his arms. --The least you could do was put in a good word for me.--
-I did. I didn't say anything bad about you.-
--Still…-- Dark frowned, although it was only all pretence. --Oh well, I guess it's better than what they said.--
"That's not 'no comment'; you just gave all your comments about Dark." Yuki gave a small smile, as Shigure cracked up. Daisuke smiled too; he really did do that.
"But I guess it does make you think about that. In fact, that could change a whole world's views on Dark." Shigure mused, oblivious to the fact that Dark was quietly cheering for himself in Daisuke's head. He grinned. "Actually, you just gave a Tohru-kun type speech! And you're not Tohru-kun!"
Everyone laughed, except Kyo, because the way Shigure said it, it sounded like Daisuke had robbed something from Tohru.
Daisuke stopped laughing and smiled. He felt so welcome here, that the homesickness was ebbing away for a bit. The Sohma's and Tohru were really kind people.
--Yes, but all the Sohma's seem to be holding in great pain in their hearts. Pain and sadness.-- Dark said quietly. --I can tell. Even those little ones from yesterday had their fair share of dark feelings. Even more than your family does from the curse.--
-Don't say that Dark. A curse makes you seem like some sort of rotten creature that spreads disease and lives in sewers…(--thanks a lot…--), which you're not.-
--Still, the gloomy feeling is ever-present. I have to say though, the Hikari's have got competition…--
Daisuke almost burst out laughing at that, even though he knew it was a fairly serious thing, the curse. Still, he couldn't help but wonder about the Sohma's predicament. And Tohru appeared to be involved indirectly too, seeing as she lived with them and let them open up to her.
Soon, the Sohma's left, Tohru waving cheerily. "I'll see you in school tomorrow, Niwa-kun! Get well soon!"
"No problems Honda-san! I'll be there!" Daisuke smiled weakly. With was going to need some serious tutoring tonight…
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Daisuke sat back, tired. Across from him sat Daisuke, who also seemed tired yet hid it all away underneath a goofy grin.
"Daisuki?"
Daisuke clutched his head in frustration and disbelief. "With…how many times do I need to tell you? It's DaisuKE, not DaisuKI!" he moaned, annoyed beyond possible.
With cocked his head to the side cutely. "Daisuke?"
Daisuke looked up; was it finally happening?
"Daisuke, I want strawberries!" With pleaded, his red eyes begging for those sweet, scrumptious fruities…
"Ugh…" Daisuke let out an irritated sigh from his position on the ground, where he had previously fallen. -Figures, the first thing he learns to say is about strawberries.-
--Good With.--
-…-
"OK, With, good job. I'll get you strawberries later if," he added, noticing the boy's excited look. "You can keep a low profile tomorrow and learn to say one more thing."
With nodded his head excitedly, although he had no idea what a low profile was. Was it a new type of strawberries…?
"OK, now repeat after me…I. Have. A. Sore. Throat. And. Can't. Talk. Too. Much. Now go."
With thought that over slowly, and then began to string the words together.
"I. Have. A . Straw. Toad. And. Can't. Walk. Two. Bumps."
"No, no With. Listen again. I have a sore throat and can't talk too much."
With closed his eyes in concentration; he couldn't quite work out what he was doing wrong, but Daisuke didn't seem to like it.
"I ate a poor soap and can't talk, you hunch."
When he opened his eyes again, he couldn't see Daisuke anywhere in sight. "Kyuu?"
Daisuke was crawled up into a little ball, begging for the mercy of the Lord.
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I'll end it here for now…poor With, trying to learn all those words…here's a strawberry XD. Thanks to reviewers for reading and liking my story; your reviews are much appreciated. Please wait patiently for the next chapter; school's starting soon so won't be able to go on much.
Bye-bye till the next update, and remember to R&R!
BTW, the movie title was just something I plucked from my head, nothing really significant (or genuine, either).
BTW Again, I've noticed that my chapter titles are getting strange…does anyone want me to change them?