Title: The Direct Approach

Summary: Uo tells Emi how she set up her parents by bossing her father around.

Genre: Romance/ Family

Rating: T

Word Count: 2,636

Burrowing her head in the crook of Uo's arm, Emi nervously sat in a blue, plastic chair in the hospital waiting room, awaiting the birth of her baby sister. It was midnight, and they had been in the hospital for the past six hours. Uo and Hana had arrived an hour after Tohru had gone into labor and were currently watching their two children as her labor progressed. Her little brother lay fast asleep, sprawled across another chair and Hana's lap. An agonized scream made him turn over with a frown and made Emi wince as she gripped Uo's sleeves tighter. With a sigh, Uo rubbed Emi's back consolingly, trying to soothe the girl in vain. Glancing over at Hana, who continued to eat her bag of chips nonchalantly while periodically stroking the boy's head, Uo desperately wished they had traded responsibilities for the night.

Seeking to distract Emi, Uo asked, "Hey, you want to hear that story about your mommy and daddy I promised you a couple of weeks ago?"

Emi weakly nodded.

-Ten Years Ago-

Drawn in only by the scent of coffee wafting into the streets, Yuki walked into the café, half asleep and only partially aware of where he was at the moment. He stumbled over to the counter and managed to mumble something about a cup of coffee. When he finally got his steaming mug after what seemed like five years, he grabbed a newspaper and took a sip before sauntering over to a table by the window. As the caffeine rushed in, Yuki could feel his eyelids drop the lead weights that had hung from them previously and his conscious grow clearer. Gulping down the rest of his beverage, Yuki skimmed the headlines of the paper until the paper suddenly disappeared from his hands. He stared in confusion at his empty hands before turning to the angry blonde woman that stood beside him. She gripped his newspaper in one hand while she placed her other hand on her hip with a scowl.

Faintly recognizing the woman as his cousin's girlfriend, he greeted her, "It's nice to see you here, Uotani-san."

"Yeah, yeah. You too. Look, buddy. Move your ass back to the counter, get another cup of coffee, and stay there, all right?" she ordered, pointing at the front of the café.

"May I ask why?" he inquired, raising his eyebrows curiously.

"Well, your cup is empty, but besides that, you see that cute brunette sitting at the table back there?" she waited for him to nod before continuing, "Well, if you want to make her happy, then move your ass, and she might come talk to you later."

Yuki tossed her a strange look but picked up his empty cup regardless, standing obediently after sneaking another glance at the blushing girl who held her tea cup in front of her face. He could hardly turn away from her charming grin and her twinkling eyes, but before she could notice, he took his paper back from Uo and headed back to the counter for a refill. Claiming a wooden stool, he sat down and returned to his newspaper as he waited for more coffee. Unfortunately, he didn't notice he had received his refill until he knocked over the cup when he turned the page of his paper. Yuki abruptly dropped his paper and wrestled napkins out of the metal dispenser beside him and tried to absorb as much coffee as possible. Spotting the mess, the waitress flashed him a smile and soon took over this task with a rag after she poured him more coffee.

After devouring another cup of coffee and getting another refill, he couldn't help turning around and gazing at the girl. His heart skipped a beat when he found her staring at him. He studied her carefully, noting her pale skin, petite nose, and bright pink lips that seemed permanently curved upwards. Yuki allowed a real smile to grace his features for the first time in years before forcing himself to turn back to his paper, frowning when he noticed a stain blurred most of the words. He flipped through the pages in vain, tossing it aside when he found even the last page ruined. Yuki peered back at the girl, surprised to find her waving at him. He waved back with a grin before deciding to gesture her over. Yuki felt his cheeks warm when she stood and started over, and he was relieved to find the seat beside him unoccupied.

Yuki fought to keep a frown from marring his face when he noticed Uo grab her arm, forcing her to a halt, but he soon beamed again when she slipped away and he found her standing before him with her hand extended towards him. He took it, reveling in the softness of her skin. Staring at her as she climbed onto the chair next to him, he fought to keep from gaping at her. He had to strain his ears to actually process her words rather than relish in the enchanting tone of her voice.

"Hi, my name is Tohru Honda," she told him cheerfully.

"Yuki Sohma. It's nice to meet you, Honda-san," he returned.

-Present-

"…and you know the rest…" Uo trailed off hopefully.

Glancing over at Emi, Uo sighed in disappointment. A frown continued to disfigure her little face. Uo wrapped her arm around the petite child, trying to comfort her with another tight hug to no avail. Covering Emi's ear with her palm, Uo wondered idly if she could prevent any of Tohru's pained screams from reaching Emi, but her tiny hands soon swatted her away. Uo turned to where Hana sat two seats away, seeking help in cheering the distraught girl, but Hana either ignored her plea for help or actually found the worn out cooking magazine absorbing. Leaning back in the uncomfortable chair, Uo restrained a groan from escaping as she smacked her head against the artificially white wall in frustration. She begged the baby to come out before labor mortified the seven year old anymore.

"Did it hurt mommy this much when I was born?" Emi asked guiltily as another muffled scream pierced through the room.

Uo nervously looked away and avoided the question with an offer to start another story.

"I'll tell you about the time I helped your dad work up the courage to propose to your mommy."

-Nine Years Ago-

Yuki sat on the edge of the sofa with his back rigid and unnaturally straight as he nervously crossed and uncrossed his legs. He had arrived at the apartment Tohru shared with Uo and Hana to pick her up for their trip but came too early and now waited for Tohru as she finished getting ready. Uo and Hana had graciously offered to keep him company in the small living room, sitting across from him on two armchairs, but not even a minute after he seated himself had he decided to keep his eyes on his shoes. If he did happen to look up, he'd be forced to choose between turning towards his left and meeting Uo's glare or to his right at Hana's monotone expression surrounded by an ominous aura. They had been treating him like a criminal ever since he had asked Tohru to go on this trip with him so she could finally meet his family and she had agreed. An overnight trip where they'd be sharing a roof together at his cousin's house.

"You'd better not touch her and take advantage of her just because you finally get to see her in her nightgown," Uo warned.

"Yes, if you lay one finger on her without her consent, I don't know what will happen to you, and no one else will know either," Hana added without changing her stoic expression.

Yuki swallowed anxiously and replied in a shaky voice, "I would never do anything to Tohru that she didn't want me to."

"Don't seduce her. I know you can get her to agree to anything-"

"No, not anything," Yuki interrupted only to have Uo cut him off.

"Shut up! I'm talking here. Anyways, don't sleep with her. I know Tohru, and I know she's the type that's going to remember her first time. She only wants to sleep with one person, all right? One! And that's her husband. If you love her at all, you'll respect that. She'll be filled with regret if anything happens," Uo continued.

"Actually, Uotani-san and Hanajima-san, I was thinking about proposing to Tohru during the trip," Yuki admitted.

For the first time tonight, Yuki lifted his gaze to glance over at each of her two friends. Hana didn't seem surprised, but Uo's expression contained enough shock for the two of them. Uo's thin eyebrows shot so far up that he wondered if they'd soon stretch past her forehead, and he had never even seen anyone's mouth opened that wide before. Interpreting their reactions negatively, Yuki nervously stuck his hand in his pocket and shoved the velvet box down farther. Uo appeared to be fighting the urge to either lift him up by his collar and beat him repeatedly or slap him on the back good naturedly in excitement. Yuki didn't know which, so he focused his gaze on the armrest, trying not to suffocate on the palpable tension ebbing through the room.

"Maybe I shouldn't. I mean we've only been dating for about a year, and we still have another year of college left to complete. She hasn't even met my family yet. She'll freak out. I'm rushing things, aren't I? You're completely right, Uotani-san, I do force things upon her," Yuki rambled.

"Shut your mouth, lover boy. I hate to admit this, but you make her very happy. If you ask her to marry you, I know she'll say 'yes.' So stop making her feel this subconscious! Get in her pants and propose!" Uo ordered.

"Arisa, he really should propose before he 'gets into her pants,'" Hana commented apathetically.

To this Yuki could only flush. He wrenched the appalled expression from his face when Uo and Hana turned back to face him expectantly. Unsure of what they wanted from him, Yuki grimaced, remaining silent as tiny beads of sweat dribbled down his face. Unpleased with such a reaction, Uo folded her arms across her chest and lifted her leg across the tiny coffee table that separated them to nudge him in the shoulder with her toes. When Yuki lifted his face, a blood-stained, iron pipe brushed against the tip of his nose. His gaze drifted across the pipe to the narrowed glare of the wielder. Backing up in the sofa apprehensively, Yuki forced a strangled grin on his face.

"You better do it. If she comes back without a ring, I'll hunt you down," Uo threatened.

"You think she'd want to? Seriously?"

"Yes! Now do it! Ask her to marry you!" Uo barked.

Yuki simply nodded, deciding to acquiesce.

"Oh my… Our little Tohru-kun is going to be a bride," Hana announced softly, wiping away an imaginary tear.

"Who's getting married?" Tohru suddenly inquired, appearing around the hall while slipping on a shoe.

Everyone but Hana jumped in response. Uo quickly hid behind her back the bloody pipe that Tohru had asked her not to brandish anymore while Yuki gripped the small, black box tightly in his fist, fearing that his pants had become transparent and Tohru could see the ring he wished to surprise her with.. Looking over at Yuki, Tohru rushed over to him and tossed her arms around his neck in a loose embrace as she pressed her lips against his in greeting. She seated herself beside Yuki on the armrest of coach and peered at them all curiously as she tightened the strap on her shoe. Noting the sweat dripping down Yuki's cheeks and the petrified expression that wore deep creases into his face, Tohru dropped her other shoe and pressed the back of her hand worriedly against his forehead, but before she could fret further, Uo jumped up.

"Oh, Tohru. It's um… Me! Haha!" Uo lied with an awkward laugh.

"Oh! Really? Kureno-san proposed? Congratulations, Uo-chan!" Tohru cried as walked over and hugged Uo.

"Ready?" Yuki broke in before Tohru could ask any further questions and unravel their lie.

She nodded after she bent down and pulled her other shoe on. Yuki stood, relieved that Tohru had finally finished preparing, and grabbed her suitcase. After she hugged her friends farewell and Uo and Hana snuck Yuki subtle warnings, Tohru and Yuki left. As soon as the front door shut, Uo and Hana rushed to the window, pushing aside the lacy curtain to spy on their best friend as they drove away. An extra wide smile seemed to be stretched across Tohru's face as she ripped off her seatbelt and tossed her arms around Yuki's neck and planted several kisses on his face. They exchanged twin grins and slipped each other a high-five before letting the drapery fall back across the window to give their friend a bit of privacy, but it was a while before headlights illuminated the living room and the sound of an engine faded into the distance.

When they returned a few days later, the first thing Uo and Hana noticed was the diamond glimmering from Tohru's left hand.

-Present-

"Then one year later, your mommy walked down the aisle in a beautiful gown, and your daddy finally got in her pants and your mom got pregnant-" Uo accidentally blurted out.

"Arisa," Hana interrupted with a frown.

"Auntie Uo-chan, does that mean that when daddy puts on mommy's pants, she gets pregnant? What happens when mommy puts on daddy's pants? Does daddy get pregnant?" Emi asked in awe.

"Uh… Yeah, squirt," Uo affirmed.

While averting her eyes from Emi's amazed gray orbs, Uo noticed a head of silver hair slipping past the hospital door. Emi jumped up at the sight of Yuki, rushing over to embrace him. Albeit tired and strained with dark purple crescents beneath his eyes and blue bruises across his hands, Yuki bent over and lifted his daughter into his arms. Emi squeezed him with all of her strength as she wiped her teary eyes against his wrinkled shirt. Yuki stroked her back soothingly and kissed the top of her head, relieved to find his son obliviously asleep in Hana's arms as they walked over to him excitedly, though only Uo's jubilance was visible.

Emi lifted her tearstained face to confront Yuki, demanding, "Daddy! Is mommy okay?"

"Of course. She's just exhausted. Would you like to see the baby?" he inquired.

"Yes!" Emi chirped eagerly.

Yuki gestured to Hana and Uo to follow as he carried Emi into the room. After he set her down on the white tiles, Emi quickly left his side to observe the pink bundle in Tohru's arms. Relief flooded Emi when she saw her mother look up at her, even though sweat matted Tohru's hair onto her forehead, her frail body seemed shrunken, and all vigor seemed to have seeped out along with the child. Noticing how Emi eagerly leaned over on the metal frame of the bed, Yuki helped Emi onto Tohru's bed, and Tohru smiled as she carefully laid the newborn girl in Emi's outstretched arms. Emi stared in wonder at the tiny closed eyes of the child, bewildered by the little being.

"And she was made when daddy put on your pants! That's so weird!" Emi exclaimed with a laugh.

Tohru and Yuki turned to each other with their eyebrows furrowed in deep confusion, but as soon as Uo walked in, they peered over at her questioningly. Uo, however, gave them a huge smile and walked out of the room before a word could leave their mouth.