WHEN THE SNOW FALLS
Yuki his promise he had made to Machi only a few weeks ago. He had promised when the next snow fell he'd help her 'disorganize it.' Now a heavy snow had fallen leaving about five inches of cold snow on the ground. And, having traveled to Machi's house he now stood at her doorway waiting for his door bell ringing to be answered.
After a moment the door opened and Machi appeared a small smile appearing on her face before it went back to her normal expressionlessness. "Yuki." she said quietly, almost so she couldn't be heard, but never the less Yuki heard her and smiled, just ever so slightly, back. "Hello Machi-san, how are you?"
In reply Machi just nodded and stepped outside already dressed in a snow outfit. It was wrinkled and a bit stained but not because Machi didn't care for herself. It was because she didn't like anything orderly thanks to her upbringing.
Stepping back Yuki let Machi past him and watched her immediately step on the pure white snow crushing it beneath her boots. Soon she stomped all over the place in a way 'killing' the snow and dirtying it so it could never be pure. Another moment later Yuki was besides Machi stepping on the snow and helping her defile it.
They continued on like this for an hour as more snow continued to fall forcing them to re defile spots they had already stepped on. But, as surprising as it may have seemed neither of them mind, both of them were having a good time being in each other's presence.
Neither of them knew the other well but it was enough that they were together, having fun and doing something that could seem so utterly ridiculous but was in fact very important.
Finally, exhausted Machi fell over with a noiseless sigh plopping gently into the snow. She close her eyes as the snow flakes feel on top of her and melted. This made her smile as this way these pure, clean snow flakes could never stay in exsistance like the others on the ground would. The snow flakes on her face and body would disapear forever.
Perhaps it might have seemed like an almost sadistic thought but it wasn't, it was just a thought, a sad one, not an insane one.
"I'm glad you came Yuki-san." she said quietly not used to talking at all. But she had found that in this last half hour se was comfortable talking with Yuki. And that was a new experirnce for her. Usually she wasn't comfortable talking with anyone much less Yuki.
"I'm glad I came too." Yuki said quietly as he placed himself in the snow besies Machi. He too had felt a connection to Machi, one he had only felt once before. And that was the connection he had felt to Tohru. Really, it was a bit scary for Yuki but he knew he could accept whatever would come his way whether it be for the worst or for the better.
"We should...do this again." Machi said hestiantly, softly thinknig Yuki might just be being nice to her. But that didn't seem like Yuki, sure he was nice to everyone but Machi felt she had discovered a new Yuki. One very few people saw at all. And she saw that she liked this new Yuki. This one that said what he was actually feeling and smiled even if it was only slightly.
"Yes, we should." Yuki said reassuringly not wanting Machi to worry. After all he had been having fun and he didn't want to put a damper to things just because it seemed like he really hadn't had interest in this. And this was especially true since he had loved treading on the snow and squashing it down over and over again as more snow flakes fell.
"Truthfully." Yuki began. "I never id anything like this. It seems so odd that I would do something like this. But I'm glad I tried. It's like I tried moving foward and succeeded and since my goal is moving foward and getting somewhere it seems like I reached a good step.
Yuki blushed slightly at this knowing he should know better then to say something so ridiculous even to a friend. After all it was not something they should be concerned about at all.
Machi nodded. "That is very good,that you're trying to get somewhere, trying to get over bad times. Maybe...maybe one day I can start trying that too."
Yuki smiled glad to see his outburst hadn't been thought ridiculous at all. "I think you already have started to move foward, by just admitting you need to. I believe that's always a good first step."
Machi nodded wonering where Yuki might have heard such a thing, after all it didn't sound like something Yuki would say. Perhaps the Yuki she had started to see in this last half hour but not the old Yuki wich was quiet, reserved and not a prince at all but probaly more of a frog.
"I think you're right." she said softly once more as she sloly got up cold from having lain in the snow for five minutes. Getting up as well Yuki followed Machi to the door of her house. "Hot chocolate." she explained simply.
Yuki nodded in a way of agreeing to a cup of cocoa. And so in a moment Machi led Yuki into the house that she lived in. Not expecting any words or noises of how great the place looked Machi set out packets of hot chocolate then got some water and some milk gesturing for Yuki to pick which he wanted.
Picking up the milk Yuki watched as Machi went to a cupboard and took out a large pot. Taking the milk she poured enough for at least four cups of milk into the pot and put the flame on high so the milk would get hot quickly.
Now gesturing towards the table Machi went to the cupboard and pulled out two large coffee mugs for the both of them before sitting down on the chair beside the disorganized and barely recognizable table.
Seeing her sit Yuki sat down as well.
Minutes later the hotchocolate was bubbling. Soon Machi had poured just enough into each mug already filled with hot chocolate mix. "I hope you like it." she said softly as she mixed hers with a spoon and took a small cautious sip.
Yuki nodded as he did the same. Looking out the window he smiled. The snow had stopped and he could see that they had left definite traces of there stomping and defilying all over the street and yard.
Following his gaze Machi smiled as well glad for this quiet evening with Yuki. It had let her see a side of Yuki she hadn't ever seen before. nd as she already knew she liked this side even if a lot of others might not.
"Yuki, you should stay like this forever" she said softly but said no more even when Yuki pressed her to explain herself. Soon she knew Yuki would figure it out for himself. After all he was a smart person, there was no denying that no matter what side of Yuki she may see.
Giving up on trying to get Machi to explain herself Yuki sighed and took anothe sip of his still steaming cocoa. He said nothin only drank in Machi's presnece like he drank his cocoa carefully scalding his tounge a bit as he did.
About twenty minutes later both of them had finished as much hot chocolate a person could consume without actually bursting. This was sad for it meant that Yuki had to leave now because he was expected back home and Tohru was surely worrying anyway despite knowing exactly where he was and why.
So, packing up his things and putting them on Yuki stepped towards the door and opened it a bit of snow blowing in as he did. "Bye Machi-san." he said before stepping out. Before he could move though Mach stepped outside in bare feet and pajamas, picked up a handful of snow and threw it in Yuki's face before disapearing back inside.
Laughing now Yuki started to retreat not turning around even though he knew very well that Machi was following him.
Finally a few feet away he stopped, picked up a handful of snow and threw it in an unexpecting Machi's face. Seconds later her was greeted with another handful of snow making his face turn red with the cold of it.
Once he wiped the snow off he saw Machi had retreated back inside. Knowing she wouldn't come out again he instead went back to her.
Surprised Machi almost spoke but had no time to as Yuki put her arms on her shoulders as he had once done with Tohru. However he said nothing only held her as close as he could without transforming.
Why? He didn't know it just felt right. Just like Tohru's words always just felt right, There was no explanation, no answer things were just so.
"Don't you ever change Machi, I like you just the way you are." Yuki said before stepping back and turning around.
Before he could leave though he heard Machi's voice. "You don't change Yuki either. I like it when your this way, I think it's the true you and the true you deserves to get out."
Yuki smiled to her before tuning around and starting to leave. Machi knew so little about the truth. But that was how Yuki liked it. Maybe in time she could, or really he could, start accepting the hard facts of life but for now they both could take only small little baby steps. One at a time.
TO BE CONTINUED.
Skiergirl-Short I know but sweet, and besides these ARE supposed to be short story like things so this being short is probaly good unless no one agrees with me. Then of course it'd be bad.