Hope in Reason
Author: foxmagic
Italics: thoughts and emphasis
Disclaimer: I do not own Furuba! But stay and watch as I totally ignore anything and everything that is canon about the series.
(A/N) Wow, I took forever to update. Sorry sorry sorry! School has been kicking my ass, and so I have been neglecting my computer life as well as my fanfiction. (Actually, I've been neglecting my school work too, but I don't know how that works.) Thanks to all the reviewers. You guys are the best! I love non-canon supporters. Woot! So without further ado, I give you the third chapter. Enjoy!
:waves Wicked Lady's 'Go Haru' banner:
;-Chapter Three-;
I remember collapsing beside him, under the wilting of that lonely tree.
And so there I lay, silent, drifting in and out of this daze that I wasn't sure existed.
The grass tickled my face and became entrapped within my hair; the leaves from above fell softly over my fingertips.
I didn't want to move. I wanted to stay like that forever, not doing anything, not expecting any words. I just wanted…
I just wanted to be…
I just wanted to be with him.
Listening, I could hear his breathing ever so slightly.
With him…
I didn't know why the tears came…
But my heart would continue to echo this sardonic phrase forever more.
;-
"You can't go?" Tohru crinkled a now-forgotten bag between her palms. "Has something happened?"
Yuki smiled. "Don't worry about it, Honda-san. I only regret that I cannot accompany you and your friends. You'll simply have to settle for the cat."
"Settle? What the hell is that suppose to mean!"
Tohru watched them bicker curiously. The three of them had mused over the subject of the upcoming school dance and decided to attend the event together. But now…Yuki came to them with the sudden news that he could not go. He seemed to be very secretive about it all, but she left it alone. It was his business, anyhow.
But going with only Kyo? Wouldn't that be just like a da-
Tohru swallowed.
"Tohru!"
"Y-Yes!" She meeped.
"I said," growled an irritated Kyo. "…what's in the bag?"
"Ah…" The abrupt memory of her recent mall-venture took front stage in her mind's eye. Her, Uo, and Hana had only just returned from dress shopping. With the dance only several days away, they wanted to be prepared. Not to mention the fact that those two could never pass up an opportunity to take their precious Tohru clothes shopping. Oh yes, the evening had been filled with many an embarrassing moment, and ended on an even worse note. Had Uo not been teasing her so rigorously, Tohru might have been able to evade the pink that now tinted her cheeks.
"I was looking for a dress." She stated quite matter-of-factly.
;-
The week was swiftly winding to an end, and in turn, Saturday was drawing nearer. A Saturday night dance- something so ordinary in a teenager's life. And yet…Tohru could only smile outwardly as a feeling of apprehension seeped into her very being. Was it the date with Kyo? Or maybe the secret behind Yuki's declined invitation?
Her heart beat loudly.
"My little flower! Is dinner ready yet?"
She feigned innocence for the time being, all the while nurturing something unknown deep within her chest.
"Almost!"
And then Saturday began.
;-
"I'll meet you at your work around seven." Kyo threw back as he headed home. "Then we can walk over to the house to change."
Nodding enthusiastically, Tohru waved a farewell. Then she returned to the task at hand with determination. Today she would do her best at work, so that they would have a great time at the dance that very night. Gone were all previous reservations, leaving only excitement in its place. And now the girl cleaned with new fervor.
Faintly, the voices of her fellow workers wafted down the halls.
"What an energetic girl."
"I remember when I used to work like that…"
"Haven't you heard? She has a dance to attend tonight!"
"I remember that age…"
She smiled, tossing her bandana into an empty bucket. And then she walked eagerly to meet Kyo- down the stairs, through closed doors, and out into the biting cold.
Tohru shivered, glancing around for a sign of the orange-haired cat. It was already so very dark, and that alone was making it difficult to see. Even so, the constant sting of her wind-tossed locks did little to help the situation.
Then someone tapped her shoulder.
Spinning around, Tohru expected to see the familiar boy. What she did not expect, however, was to find herself suddenly staring into the eyes of the one person she had been trying so hard to forget.
"Ha-Hatsuharu-san."
He worse his usual cold demeanor. "Tohru." The ox acknowledged her.
"What are you doing here? I mean…that is to say…"
Her fumbling was interrupted briskly. "Shigure called me and asked that I pick you up."
"Shigure-san? Why? Has something gone wrong?"
Once again, she was left in the dark as Haru made it clear that he wasn't about to answers any questions she might have. Tohru's heart sank.
;-
She wondered if Kyo would be waiting at the house. She wondered if he was hurt. She wondered if Shigure was okay too.
Haru kept the silence, and he kept it well. The usual understanding peace that passed between him and Tohru was taught, strained. He walked ahead of her, but the girl was thankful of that at least. It was more comfortable that way.
When they arrived at Shigure's, Tohru could contain her anxiety no longer. She burst through the door, calling Kyo's name. No one answered, and the darkness of the building came to rest heavily on her heart. It appeared as though they had left long ago. The lights were off, and no sign of life came bounding forth to greet them.
"Haru-san…"
He was still standing behind her.
"Haru-san…where are they?"
"They were called by Akito. All of them went to the main house. Even Momiji left."
Her dress was still hanging in the closet.
"Is it an emergency? Did something…" Tohru's voice trailed off. She sat down on the couch, rubbing her eyes. What was going on? Was she losing them all? Was she losing her most important people again? Tohru couldn't help but feel a bit selfish. She had wanted to go to the dance with Yuki and with Kyo. She had wanted to spend time with them. She had simply wanted.
Tohru wrung out her hands. "I guess I'll be staying home tonight, then. Would you like some dinner, Haru-san?"
"Sorry, I can't. I'm going to the dance tonight."
"Oh, I see…"
"And so are you." He added in, almost nonchalantly. Then grabbing her hand, he began to pull her towards her room. It was a bit of déjà vu, as Tohru could vividly remember. But all she could do now was timidly protest that she had no date, and she didn't have much time to get ready, and that dress was just so darn difficult to get on…
Leading Tohru over to her bed, Haru sat the girl down while he rummaged through her closet. Soon, she was assaulted with a billowy dress. She stared at him, and he stared right back. His eyes said 'put it on now, or I'll assist you.'
"B-but…I can't…the back needs to be laced up, and the bust is-"
"Strip."
Tohru nearly toppled over. "Pardon?"
"If you don't get dressed now, then we'll be late."
"…we?"
"Yes. I still need to stop by the locker room to get my own clothes. So hurry up." He told her.
"Haru-san, are you…" She paused. Then taking a deep breath, she turned around and began to undress.
It was still such a big deal to her. Tohru knew it shouldn't be…but the idea of changing in front of a guy was even now a bit embarrassing. She could feel his eyes trace over her shoulders, down to her waist, and farther yet. It had been months since they'd spent that one night together, but the memories had never truly disappeared. And now, her hands shook as she grasped the gown between nervous fingers. How was she supposed to put it on? It was hard to remember now. Stepping through the waistline, the girl began to fiddle with various ties, clasps, as well as an assortment of vastly confusing trimmings.
Tohru felt someone take a hold of the straps that had her in such a bothersome state. "Let me do it." Haru said. And then, even before she could respond, he was lacing up her back, hooking the clasps around her waist, and smoothing out the bunched material atop her shoulders. He executed the task expertly. And Tohru couldn't help but wonder if he had done this many times for someone else.
"Ah…Haru-san?" Her voice spoke up above the silence and the rustling of fabric. "There's a ribbon around the bust that needs to be…th-threaded through the hemming."
"Alright."
He towered over her, his hands threading loose fabric while excess silk caressed her side. And before he had even started, she was finished. Tohru was led over to the mirror where she was able to admire his work.
"It looks nice." Haru added.
;-
As planned, they made their escape to the locker room. Haru was quick to get dressed, needing only to change into black pants and a nice shirt. He had a black suit jacket to match, but didn't put it on. Tohru waited patiently outside while he finished. But as she was waiting, the sound of a phone came ringing from behind the door. Haru answered it, and then there was silence.
"Tohru?" His voice was muffled by the door that separated them.
"Yes?"
He hesitated. "Tohru, go on into the gym without me. I'll be there in a few minutes."
She smiled, even though he couldn't see it. And then she walked down to meet Hana and Uo.
;-
"What a jerk. When I see him, I'm gonna-"
"It's really okay! He had to take a phone call."
"It's already been over an hou-"
"Shall I hunt him down for you?"
"N-no! That's fine…you don't have to do that."
"Will you people stop interrupting me!"
Tohru gave her friend a kind smile. "I'm having fun with the two of you! It's okay, I'm fine."
Another song began to play, and Tohru refilled her glass. The punch tasted really good, she noted.
;-
Back at the Sohma main house, Kyo paced. "This is so stupid." He paced some more. "They said it was an emergency." His eye twitched. "They called me down here. I never get called down!"
"Will you stop your incessant pacing? You'll wear a hole in the floor, idiot."
"Shut up!" He whirled to face the rat. "Walking helps me to think! I don't see you doing anything."
"Well then maybe you should pace faster, as it seems to be helping us none at the moment."
"Why you…"
Momiji lifted his head. "It's not fair!" he cried. "Haru got to stay home and go to the dance. Why not me? I wanted to go with Tohru too!"
Yuki and Kyo paused and turned towards him. "Haru isn't here?"
Momiji blinked.
"Oops…I think that was supposed to be a secret."
;-
'Ladies and Gentlemen, this will be our last song of the evening.'
Uo stretched. "Finally, the last song. Why don't you pick a partner, Tohru?"
"I'm just going to wait for a little longer. You guys go ahead."
They protested, but Tohru insisted on them dancing the final dance. So off they went, albeit a bit reluctantly. And there she sat, hands in her lap, and a thoughtful expression on her face. I wonder if Haru-san got called back to the main house too. Maybe he got in trouble with Akito. Maybe he's been punished…
"Hello there, pretty lady. Would you care to dance?"
"Oh…no, that's alright." Tohru looked up.
Standing before her was none other than the ox, himself.
"H-Hatsuharu-san!"
"Sorry I'm late. It couldn't be helped." He held a hand out to her. "Now hurry up. There's still time for one more."
She nodded, smiling. And he pulled her onto the dance floor.
;-
It was late when they got back to Shigure's. Tohru hadn't wanted to cause him any further trouble, so she offered to walk home alone. He didn't listen, of course. Haru knew she didn't want to walk home by herself, anyway. This led into an interesting conversation concerning bears, perverts, and 'that one time when I hit Kyo-kun with my school bag.' Haru thought he might have deserved it.
"You think they'll be home when we get there?"
"Probably."
"Ah! I didn't make them any dinner…"
"They'll have eaten at the main house."
"Oh…" Tohru thought for a second. "Are you hungry?"
"I'm alright."
"Won't you at least come inside for tea?"
He glanced at her, taking in her expectant face. Then closing his eyes briefly, Haru sighed. "You know what happened last time you invited me in for tea."
Her face turned red. "I-I'm so sorry!" She exclaimed. "I didn't mean to imply…that is, I didn't want to make you…ah…"
"If I remember, it was…English mint?"
"Y-yes! I mean…no! I mean…" Tohru felt her hair being ruffled, and then Haru laughed. It was one of those genuine occurrences that rarely happened with him. Tohru found that she looked forward to times like these.
"Calm down." He said. "I was only kidding with you."
She shook her head in agreement, but found it impossible to look anywhere besides her feet.
The forest was dusty with a shade of mist now. Nocturnal animals called, and chirped, and howled at the moon. Tohru would have been scared if she was walking by herself. Even though the howls were far away, and despite the fact that she couldn't see the moon from where they walked. But it was late. And she felt good. She felt alive. And that was what really counted.
"Haru-san?"
"Hmm?"
"Thank you."
He smiled, but didn't look down.
"Anytime."
They continued walking. And ahead of them, the lights from Shigure's house welcomed them home.
;-CONTINUED-;
(A/N) Alright, so I was really pushing to get this thing done. I basically wrote the last half of the chapter in one sitting. But I've been putting it off, as well as my other fics, and so I just wanted the chapter done with! Gah! I grazed over the Dance, but the next chapter will have a bit of flash-backing to what actually happened etc etc. I just felt as thought the fluffy-sap level would go through the roof if I added any more scenes in. The next chapter should be up sooner than the last one. Thanks!
And don't forget to review for me!'
foxmagic