Neko: Ack! Sorry about the wait! D: But here's more! (finally!) & Also, I would love to thank MK for reviewing! I really appreciated it – and so did this story. C; Hopefully this chapter lives up to the others…
The butterflies were back. And swarming around in my stomach. Except it wasn't so much as butterflies as it was dragons and it wasn't so much as swarming as it was… fighting. Yes. There were dragons fighting in my stomach.
I threw the mythological book from me and cursed my creative writing class for putting dragons in my head. My publisher had suggested I try taking classes to further expand my writing horizons. Obviously it was not the best plan. Or maybe it was the perfect one, since it totally got me even thinking that way.
Dragons fighting in my stomach… Never mind, it was a completely horrible plan. How nerdy to think of that!
Anyway. Back to why there were dragons fighting in my stomach. (Stupid phrase!)
We were going to start small and tell Shigure and Tohru. Luckily Tohru still lived with Shigure to take care of the house while also going to college part-time and of course Shigure was all too happy to provide a living arrangement. He even paid for her books! Though I knew it was just so he had a reason to go to the college; the girls. Really, I doubt the man would ever grow up.
I run a hand through my short hair and pace around before we're to leave and I can feel eyes on me.
"Kitten. What are you doing?"
My jaw subconsciously clenches at the pet name he deemed mine and instead just ignored him. He shrugged and continued getting ready. With Haru, getting ready for him was just like a woman getting ready. He had to wear just the right thing with the right accessories. He really was quite girly. A small grin flashed on my face thinking of what his reaction would be if I told him that. He'd probably just try to prove his manhood. A shudder involuntarily raced up my spine and I had to quickly brush the thought off. Wasn't the time for that right now.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" I asked weakly, sitting on the bed and putting my head between my legs to keep from getting sick.
His head poked back from around the bathroom door and frowned.
"I'm sure I do, but do you, Kyo? We don't have to."
I took a breath and pulled myself up enough to look at him. His eyes were worried and sympathetic and caring and it made my heart start beating painfully. Giving him a small smile I nodded.
"Yeah… Besides, have to make sure everyone knows what's what so Yuki can't do anything worse with the information." He nodded and walked over to me, crouching down to be eye-level with me.
"We could just tell them that we're just really good friends."
I had thought about that, too. But I didn't want what we had to be a secret. I told Haru this, to which he responded with a wide grin and a smoky kiss. Unfortunately I had to stop things pretty quickly so we didn't get carried away and miss out little "out-coming" with everyone.
He was back to getting ready and I was back to pacing, but the dragons had reduced to butterflies again. I didn't bother containing the smile from my face when I knew it was because of him. Haru was the only one to really get me to calm down, other than Tohru. And he was the only one who could get me just as easily excited, not including Tohru.
The walk to Shigure's was brisk because of Haru and his girly way of getting ready and I practically had to drag him out of the house because he still wasn't ready. With a roll of my eyes I called him a pansy and whisked him out the door. His sense of direction, or lack thereof, meant I couldn't leave him there and he couldn't go after me. It both meant he had to hurry and I had to wait. Annoying when I had to wait, but it was worth it. I could appreciate his decorative appearance even when I refused to put any of that crap on me.
He tried that once. Only once.
I grinned triumphantly at the memory as we waited for the door to be answered. Why didn't we walk in, one might ask, well that was because we wanted such privacy. Treat others how you want to be treated, really.
Tohru's smiling face helped sooth my nerves and I enveloped the girl in a hug. She squeaked in surprise but eagerly returned the hug. I closed my eyes and felt warm; I had really missed her. I could feel Haru tense and I let go of the Onigiri so we could just get on with it.
They already knew I didn't really have a sexual preference, and with Yuki being, well, Yuki, I knew it would be fine that we were both male. But I didn't know how they'd react to us being together, with both of our histories. I shoved my hands in my pockets and declined my head, signaling for Haru to just tell them.
He took the hint.
"We're involved."
Tohru looked confused while Shigure nodded his head. "That's great that you two have decided to live together! It's not good for you two to live on your own, why with the financial-"
"WE'RE DATING, DUMBASS!" My face was red-hot and my fists were balled. That damn dog could really be dense, especially since he was constantly hinting at something romantic between anyone!
Tohru's face's lit up, along with her brightened cheeks, and immediately started to congratulate us. The dog jumped and was already on the phone before I could tear myself from the girls grip and before Haru could understand what he was even trying to do.
"AYA! You'll never guess the good news!"
I could feel a vein twitch in my head and I let my head drop into the crook of the girls neck; I'll kick his ass later. Before I heard any other sounds from the big mouth of Shigure's, I heard a 'crack'. A moment of silence, and then…
"WAAA! WHY, HARU, WHY WOULD YOU DESTORY MY PRECIOUS PHONE? I was sure once those two moved out I wouldn't have to worry about anything breaking!" He sniffed pathetically and fake tears fall from his eyes. I rolled my eyes before tightening my grip on Tohru, keeping her from comforting the senseless dog.
A while later we were all sitting down in relative calmness. Shigure had already started a hand-written letter to the snake and I quickly ripped it up when he exclaimed he was done with his "heartfelt" letter.
"We get you're gonna tell him," I tell him, "But you need to make sure that no one gets the wrong idea."
"What's the 'wrong idea'"? Tohru asks innocently. My hands tingle and I wish they had a punching bag for me; I could use it to get out my frustration at everything.
"We just don't want any false stories told," Haru explains for me. I had to resist kissing him in thanks. I probably wouldn't have been so smart with the explanation. I was great with writing, sure, but not so much with speaking. Though I'm sure we all knew this.
She nodded in understanding and I vaguely wondered if she really understood. I shrugged it off and settled deeper into the chair. Home sounded very nice right about now but it had been so long since we visited. I'd have to make sure we did again, and soon.
A small conversation was struck between Haru and Tohru, I think I heard something about a phone call and sparring so I assumed they were talking about how him and I started. I put aside their conversation, instead trying to think about how things would be. How would the others respond? I was the cat, even though former, but would that be all right? I didn't want the cow to be shunned because he was with me. A smile graced my face, a small one, but one nonetheless.
We were together. Romantically. A couple. I felt jitters and I wanted to write what I was feeling down; it wasn't often I had good, primary feelings like this. His hand found mine and he held it. A simple enough action but to me it really meant something. I could feel my heart jump and I stood up, pulling him with me.
"Guys, it's been… Fun," I roll my eyes, "But I think it's time to go."
Shigure grinned slyly at us. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do!"
"Don't you write smut?"
Shigure grinned madly at the bovine and I had to resist smacking my forehead – or his. I pulled him with our linked hands and gave a short farewell to Tohru.
My mouth kept shut though Haru's eyes prodded me with questions. The dumb cow. How did he not get the perverted dog? Haru could be more susceptible to things I wouldn't think, but oblivious to others. It surprised me what things he would and wouldn't pick up on.
Just a few more minutes to the punching bag.
Just a few more minutes until I could beat that thing to death and keep Haru unharmed.
We arrived at our – our! –small house and we completely winded.
The windows were smashed in and the door was scratched with a small note on the outside. Haru went to go check the back and I reached for the note, anger bubbling in my chest.
'If I can't have him, no one can! You'll both pay.'
My teeth clashed together and I crumbled the note in my fist. How dare he threaten us at our home? I punched the door, ignoring the dent I left in it. Obviously we'd have to replace it anyway. I threw open the door and headed straight for the makeshift dojo. It was intact and I was pretty sure the damn rat hadn't stepped foot in the house. It would've been wrecked. Glass was just scattered around instead.
I was placing hard, fast hits on my bag and I could feel my blood boil and my heart rate increase. How dare he? I was moving fast and my fists almost slipped a few times but I didn't care. I barely heard the footsteps or the door opening, but I had been waiting for them.
"All of the outside windows were smashed, but nothing was touched inside," he said quietly.
I stayed silent and continue to jab at the swinging bag. My muscles were tense and I could even feel my back tightening with each fast move. Haru had snuck up behind me and placed a hand hesitantly on my shoulder. I ignored it but I felt slightly better knowing he was there. He swiveled me around and I nearly punched him. He held onto me tightly and I didn't even try to pull away. Tears stung my eyes and I let out a small curse. My fingers gripped tightly at the back of his shirt and I didn't want to ever let go.
I didn't even know how I felt besides livid and I realized I hadn't been so mad in a long time. Even when Yuki had stormed in like he owned the place I wasn't even so furious as I was now. I pushed him away, throwing my hand once again on the bag and ignored the small tear just at the corner of my eye, hopefully he wouldn't notice it if I didn't rub it.
"That fucking rat! Who the hell does he think he is?" I punched it again and growled.
"We'll get back at him, Kyo."
Leave it to Haru to be the calm one. I stood straight, fists balled at my side. Damn straight we'd get back at him.
"He doesn't even know what's coming."