Prince Yuki

Chapter 3:

He watched from the school gates as Yuki spoke to Hanajima, Saki. He was casually speaking to her and she looked at him blankly. They held a fair distance, not giving away any special relationship that Yuki might have been hiding.

Yesterday, Haru had brought him very disturbing news from school. Momiji told him and Haru, whom for the first time didn't know what Yuki was doing, came to him. He doubted to tell Akito so he decided to go there first and find out for himself.

The breeze was refreshing as it blew the leaves from its perch up the trees. Yuki smiled down at his 'master' anxious again for her answer. "I was just wondering if you weren't busy today. Maybe we could go for that cheesecake." He asked, more confidently this time.

Again, Hana took a moment to consider. "I'm sorry. I'm busy." But she didn't turn on her heels and go this time. She stayed and noticed the disappointment in the Prince's eyes and felt the need to explain. "I have to look for my mouse."

Yuki looked up at her with wide eyes, something in him became electrified. "You're—mouse?" he asked.

"He's been missing for two days now." Hanajima said.

"H-how can you find him when he's so small?" Yuki asked nervously.

After a while of thinking, Hana decided to tell him. "He has the same waves as you do."

Yuki stiffened, "W-What! How is that possible?"

"I don't know either. But he does have the exact same waves as you. Loneliness," Yuki looked up at her, something alarmed him. Did she just say Loneliness? "Emptiness." She was describing his wave? How he felt? "Care laced by fear." It was as if she read his very heart! It was hurting him to be so…so…so see through! He felt so naked! He had to get away as fast as he could!

"I-I see…" he bowed his head down to hide his horror stricken eyes. "W-well, I'll see you tomorrow then. J-Ja." He waved goodbye and briskly walked away. Hana stared at his retreating form, wondering about him and his strange wave. He was afraid of her, was that it? It seems that way. She then felt another strange wave; she turned to the window and saw, down at the school gate, a man.

'Loneliness, Emptiness…Care laced with Fear…Longing' she thought as she felt his waves. It was much like Yuki Souma's except…more pained. He must have suffered in his past. He must've lost someone dear to him. He had beautiful, lonely eyes. Eyes of despair. He was beautiful.

That night, Tohru was given a great surprise when Haru, Momiji and Hatori came to visit. Momij quickly gave her a big hug when Tohru opened the door, transforming himself into a rabbit.Haru and Hatori politely entered, unfortunately Shigure startd bugging Hatori about how lucky he was to have such a lovely little wife. Soon after, Kyou would do his best to pummel Shigure to the ground.

When everyone was seated, and Tohru had served the food, everyone merrily ate. "So, what bring you here to our humble abode, Ha'ri?" Hatori asked cheerily, stuffing his face.

"Momiji wanted to visit, Hastuharu joined as well." Hatori said, turning his gaze from his food to Shigure. After saying this though, Hatori stole a quick glance to the quiet mouse, smiling as Tohru handed him his bowl of rice.

When Yuki noticed Hatori looking at him, he turned to the doctor. Their eyes locked for a moment, something in Hatori's eyes dug deep into his. As if he was searching for something in him. His frown was deeper in concentration and Yuki frowned at that, not knowing what Hatori was thinking.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang again. Everyone turned to the door and Tohru quickly offered to answer it. When Tohru opened the door, her eyes widened and her smile broadened. "Hana-chan?" she exclaimed. Her friend caught her unexpectedly and she was very happy about the surprise.

"May I come in, Tohru-kun?" Hana said. When Hana entered the house, Tohru quickly led her to the dining room. Everyone in the dining room except the ever-innocent Tohru stiffened, seeing the very creepy, dark and mysterious Hanajima, Saki. Hana was fairly surprised to see so many people tonight but her face betrayed nothing. She bowed politely and greeted them.

"Wow, Hana-chan!" Shigure said with a smile, "You look very pretty without your cloak!" and it was true. Tonight, Hanajima was not wearing her cloak, giving everyone a good view of her slick black dress and very attractive shape. Her long braided hair lay innocently on her shoulder, flowing down to just below her bust and curling at the tip and revealing her long slender neck. The jet-black neckline of her dress was square and revealed her collarbone, but the conservativeness of her dress showed nothing more.

Hana didn't show any emotion but bowed politely to Shigure and saying, "Arigatou…"

It was then that Tohru noticed the box in Hana's hands. "Huh? Hana-chan? What's that?" she pointed to it. Hana lifted it up for Tohru to see, "It's a box…" Tohru sniffed it, "With Cake in it!" she said triumphantly.

"Cake?" Momiji asked.

"Hai. Since Souma, Yuki seems to want cheesecakes so much, I decided to bring him a slice from our house." Hana explained.

"For…Yuki?" Haru uttered, the jealousy stirring inside of him.

"Cheescakes?" Kyou asked.

"I didn't know Souma-kun liked cheesecakes!" Tohru happily said.

Hana looked at Yuki's expression, mildly shocked and amazed. His eyes were wide and his mouth hung open as the moonlight from the window shined down upon him. Hatori's eyes narrowed dangerously and suspiciously.

"My, my!" Shigure said, after a long while of uncomfortable silence, "How considerate of you, Hana-chan! Yuki-kun, why don't you eat your cake now! Hana-chan, would you like to stay for dinner?"

Hana turned to him, "No, thank you. I still have to look for my missing pet." Before Hana could turn to leave after putting down the box, someone stopped her.

"Ah—Hanajima-san!" Yuki called, standing up to catch up to her if need be. But it seemed she didn't speed away as she stopped and turned to him. Yuki smiled serenely, "Arigatou…" no one could see it in his face but his voice betrayed his disappointment to no one else but Hatori.

Without warning, Hana turned to Shigure, "Dog." Shigure started panicking and felt every single strand of hair in his body stand in terror! "What happened to the dog in your story?" she asked.

Shigure sighed with relief and started laughing nervously, "A-ah, e-eh, It'll find it's master in later chapters."

"I see…" Hanajima said, again being her creepy self. "Then I'll see you around. Good evening to all of you. Take care Tohru-kun." And with that she left.

"Goodnight, Hana-chan! Take care!" Tohru said, waving her friend goodbye.

When Tohru closed the door, everyone watched as Yuki opened the box carefully. "Cheesecakes? I didn't know you liked cheesecakes." Momiji said.

"Well what do you expect? He's a mouse after al—" Kyou said, but was silenced when Haru, who sat beside him, punched him upside the head.

"Don't tease him." Haru declared, maintaining his white nature.

But Yuki wasn't listening to any of this. He was too happy! He slowly opened the box, savoring Hana's first gift to him. A beautiful slice of cheesecake! Sliced by her own delicate hands! He felt so light! He wasn't sure if this was a sign or not but he was happy nonetheless. He's never courte—no, he wasn't courting Hanajima! No! He just wanted to be…friends with her…that's all. Friends…right?

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