Prince Yuki

Chapter 7:

That day, Yuki was looking out into the vast expanse of the campus. Tomorrow would be the Zodiac festival. It was a little something the principal suddenly made up once he found out that Akito, a very rich person whose family learns in this school, liked the Chinese zodiac a lot. Feh! He was such a kiss up. And now, Yuki had to arrange a booth for their class. All this fussing about was going to eat up all of his time; the time he planned to spend nestled in Hana-chan's soft bed.

When he thought back on the phrase he used, he blushed. Not that that he meant anything by going to Hana-chan's bed, it was just—there was definitely nothing perverted about what he thought! He just thought he could sleep there tonight next to her. Oh that sounded even more perverted! No, stop! Stop!

"Souma-kun?" Yuki jerked his head away from the window as if his mind shot back from space to his body. He turned around and found himself looking up at a very concerned Tohru. He didn't even realize that class was over until now.

"Ah, H-Honda-san!" Yuki said, smiling his usual cold smile. "Do you need anything?"

"Ah—I-iie…" Tohru blushed, looking down at her shoes. "I was just…wondering if you'd like to walk with me home."

"Me? Where's Kyou?" Yuki asked, concerned. How could Kyou abandon Honda-san!

"Oh, he's sort of busy right now. Hatori-san wanted to talk to him."

"Hatori? Did he say why?" Yuki raised a delicate brow in suspicion. What was that dragon/sea horse up to? And how did it concern Kyou?

"Iie, he didn't say why." Tohru answered shaking her head in disappointment. Then she looked up at him with worry in her eyes, "Oh, but if I'm going to be a bother, I-I guess I can just walk home myself! I mean, I don't mean to burden you or anything, I just—"

"I'll go." Yuki cut in with a kind smile, "But first I'll have to make a few arrangements. Please wait for a moment, Honda-san." And with that Yuki stood to talk to the class vice-president. The idea of Honda-san walking alone all the way home didn't please Yuki one bit. Who knows what danger might be lurking somewhere? She might get in trouble! He wasn't willing to take that risk.

After advising the Vice-president to look after the class and take charge of the meeting, Yuki bowed politely and took his leave alongside Tohru. She smiled up at him, "Arigatou, Souma-kun. This is very kind of you."

Yuki laughed shortly and cocked his head to the side, the flattery making him blush lightly. "Iie, it's my pleasure. I wouldn't want Honda-san to get in trouble on the way home."

"Still, it's very kind of you." She smiled still.

Meanwhile, Hatori was in the clinic, brooding again while looking out into the window. The tall tree that grew beside his room provided a comfort as its branches gave him a nice shade. There was a knock on the door, and Hatori didn't turn, knowing it was Kyou. He was three minutes late, but what did he expect from the cat.

"Enter." He said.

He heard the door open but turned around quickly with a surprised look when someone, not Kyou, spoke, "Dr. Souma." He trained his sight on her, taking in her feminine and dark form. She had a tray in her hand and she bowed politely, "The Secretary wanted me to give you these. She says she'd like to meet you after classes."

"H-Hanajima-san." He idly spoke. His breathe, surprisingly, was taken away for some reason.

She walked into the clinic with soft footsteps, making no sound at all. She put down the tray on the table beside him and bowed her goodbye. But Hatori felt the intense and sudden urge to have her stay. "Hanajima-san!"

Calmly, Hana turned to him, craning her long pale neck. "Hai, Dr. Souma?"

What to say? He knew not what forced him to call to her. And yet, he still wanted her to stay. He had to think of something fast. "W-who is the Secretary again?"

At this, Hana turned to him fully and spoke softly, "Chiriko, Tenjho; tall, brunette, shapely body. A very attractive specimen for most men." Then she started being weird again, "Her waves give off Arrogance and Self-centeredness. Her waves also tell me she has a temperament but she hides it well. Very well indeed. She is flamboyant and full of desire… "

The moment she started being weird was the moment Hatori took the time to stare intently at her, looking for something; though he didn't know what. When she was finished, Hatori nodded in understanding. Of course he knew the Secretary. She was the first one to have bawled over him ever since he came to this school.

"I see. Thank you, Hanajima-san." When she bowed and turned around to leave, he remembered something. "Ah, Hanajima-san."

"Hai?" she turned to him again.

"Will you be going to the festival tomorrow?" he asked.

"Hai. Will you?" she asked in her monotone voice as if she was asking him just to be polite.

He hadn't expected her to ask him that and found himself without an answer. Tomorrow he would have to check up on Kisa, who just had the chicken pox. So he wasn't sure if he would make it. "I'm…not sure."

"I see…" she said. She walked to the door but stopped before stepping out of his domain. "Dr. Souma." Hatori looked at her, her back turned to him. "The walls we build around us to keep out the sadness…also keep out the joy."

Hatori felt frozen! His heart stopped beating! His head started swerving! How did she know! What was this! This had to be some kind of sorcery! What the hell! Memories of Kanna kept running through his head and his heart felt like it would burst. Instinctively, he grabbed at his chest, as if holding onto his heart. He didn't know what to say, he was at a loss of words.

He stared at her incredulously, how could she have known? After a long pause, Hanajima nodded and said, "Have a nice day…" and with that, she left. As she closed the door to the clinic, she caught sight of two people walking out of the school. She went closer to the window and found herself staring down at Tohru and Yuki, who were smiling at each other as they spoke.

Ah, the sweet picture of the princess alongside her prince. Tohru was happy again, now that Yuki was back. She half-wondered where Souma, Kyou was but didn't think much on it. Somehow, something kept nagging in her mind. What was it? Disappointment? But why? It was then that Hana realized, this was the first time Yuki didn't ask her to buy cheesecakes with him.

Yuki had been asking her out for a week now, and she had never given him an answer. Was the prince giving up? Well, it is about time. She thought. But she couldn't ignore the sinking feeling inside of her. Was she actually sad? How could she feel sad? Was he giving up? Or did he simply forget? "Souma…kun…."

Review Responses:

Hiei's Kat: Of course you are my friend! I love to hear from you! You've read my mind, how did you know?

BlackPanther17: Then, I'm very honored to have heard a praise from you! Thank you so much! I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

Caramel: I'm glad you think so. I agree, people should make more Hanajima romance stories.

Keybordist: Hmmm, SECRET! Thanks for reviewing!

Daniel of Lorien: yes, poor, poor Yuki-kun. Thanks!

flyingcat inc.: May I ask what a yami is? Thanks for waiting!

Alex: thank you for waiting!